This was a really good children’s book. A crab, named Cray, likes to pinch his friends or really anybody on his path. His friends really did not like when he would pinch them. One day Cray had an accident. All his friends came together to show their support for him.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amelia Stansellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmelia Stansell2024-01-14 14:40:082024-01-20 12:08:35A New Day for Cray (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes – Review by Amelia Stansell
A New Day For Cray is a fun, bright and colourful 18 page picture book by G Pa Rhymes about a crab named Cray. Erica Leigh illustrations are beautiful and wonderfully done and make the story come to life. It is full of unique and colourful characters and the narrative rhymes along. It is a good story with a message for all to learn. Journey along with Cray and his friends as he learns the true meaning of kindness and how you should treat others. Children will love this book just as my grandsons did.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2024-01-14 13:46:142024-01-20 12:08:53A New Day for Cray (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes – Review by Jenni Bishop
A very cute story about a little bully crab. He loses his pincher and learns about friendship. I love the rhyming. The colorful pictures help to get the child’s attention. It’s a fun story to read to the young ones.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shelly Kittellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShelly Kittell2024-01-14 12:54:162024-01-20 12:01:02A New Day for Cray (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes – Review by Shelly Kittell
Cray is a crab who lives on the bay with his friends, but Cray has a bad habit, he likes to pinch and tease people and he has a routine everyday of where he goes, who he sees, who he pinches and who he teases, but his friends don’t like it very much.
One day when Cray sets off on his routine, his friends Hay, Ray and Fay are wise to him and decide to stop letting him pinch them, instead, they decide to teach Cray about friendship and how it isn’t all about pinching and teasing, but instead about kindness, generosity and love, but will Cray learn the lessons, or will his unkind ways remain?
This is a fun filled, bright and educational book which teaches important things in an interactive and exciting way and is suitable for anyone who wants to smile and learn all at the same time.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Roxsanne Lesieurhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRoxsanne Lesieur2024-01-14 12:46:032024-01-20 11:58:49A New Day For Cray (The Adventures Of Cray On The Bay) by G Pa Rhymes and Erica Leigh – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.
Through the help of his friends Fay, Ray, and Hay, Cray discovers that friendship isn’t about pushing and pinching but instead being kind, generous, and understanding.
Beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written, this charming book is full of rappin’ and rhymin’ and sure to bring plenty of giggles and smiles while teaching children valuable lessons.
Ideal for bedtime stories or anytime you’re looking for a heartwarming story to share, this entertaining and educational tale of Cray the Crab will captivate young minds and inspire them to be the best version of themselves.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Crainhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Crain2024-01-14 09:23:252024-01-20 11:57:09A New Day for Cray (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes – Review by Jennifer Crain
A New Day for Cray is part of the The Adventures of Cray on the Bay Series that is geared more toward audiences of 3-7 years of age, but you can enjoy this book even if you are young at heart. This story of Cray the Crab teaches us about bullying, kindness and what true friendship means. When Cray the Crab goes about pinching his way….Cray the Crab learns that he does not have to pinch all of his friends. Cray’s friends Fay, Ray, and Hay show Cray about what true friendship means.
What a truly wonderful story. I loved the rhyming, the message behind the book and the illustrations are very beautifully done and full of color and very engaging. My great nieces, great nephew and I look forward to other Cray Adventures!! I highly recommend this book…it was fantastic.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lorralei Hoernerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLorralei Hoerner2024-01-14 06:31:392024-01-20 12:10:18A New Day for Cray (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes – Review by Lorralei Hoerner
This is a wonderful story which mixes myth and reality. Craig and Linda are brother and sister on a holiday from the city of Birmingham to Loch Ness in Scotland. They go on an adventure every day to try and find the Loch Ness Monster “Nessie”. The question is will they risk it all to find her? I would highly recommend this book to all ages alike.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Stephanie Robbhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngStephanie Robb2024-01-14 02:59:502024-01-20 11:54:24Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Stephanie Robb
Cray the Crab likes to pinch his friends, but they don’t like it much at all!
Introduce your child to learning, friendship, and kindness with A New Day for Cray! Follow the story of Cray the Crab, a pinchy and pushy little crustacean who learns the hard way about the importance of friendship.
Can Cray the Crab’s friends help him learn the value of friendship and what it means to be kind?
Through the help of his friends Fay, Ray, and Hay, Cray discovers that friendship isn’t about pushing and pinching but instead being kind, generous, and understanding.
Beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written, this charming book is full of rappin’ and rhymin’ and sure to bring plenty of giggles and smiles while teaching children valuable lessons.
Ideal for bedtime stories or anytime you’re looking for a heartwarming story to share, this entertaining and educational tale of Cray the Crab will captivate young minds and inspire them to be the best version of themselves.
A New Day for Cray is the perfect addition to any child’s or classroom library- grab your copy and join the fun today!
Gary Wakstein is known to young readers as G Pa Rhymes! After a lifetime in the restaurant industry, Gary discovered his true passion: writing children’s books that teach important life lessons through the magic of rhyme and reading. Partnering with the talented illustrator Erica Leigh, G Pa Rhymes created The Adventures of Cray book series, inspired by his own family’s adventures.
G Pa Rhymes captivates kids with his “rappin’ and rhymin'” stories and instills values like friendship, honesty, bravery, and environmental stewardship. Now a sought-after speaker, he travels to schools, museums, libraries, and anywhere else he can bring joy to children’s lives.
G Pa Rhymes tries to inspire young readers with every book he writes. He resides in Plymouth, MA, and spends his days with his children and grandchildren on Cape Cod, Asheville, NC, and Victor, Idaho.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/a-new-day-for-cray.jpg12001200itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2024-01-14 00:02:142024-01-29 10:36:58A New Day for Cray (The Adventures of Cray Series) by G Pa Rhymes
This was such a lovely children’s story that will definitely spark some imagination. Carrie certainly got more than she bargained for when she tried on her Grandmothers fascinator! The magic begins the moment she places it on her head. One thing I really love with the witing in this book is the way that font changes for the lovely descriptive words the author uses – this could provide quite a few talking points for children when talking about how to improve sentences by adding these wonderful words. This is a really lovely story and one that will definitely create some imaginative thinking from the children reading it.
What a sweet and fun children’s book! ‘The Round Box’ is the 2nd book in the Grandma’s Closet series by Lois Wickstrom. Everyone is busy and Carrie, looking for something to do, finds a box marked ‘Fascinator’ that her Grandma left behind when she moved across town. Carrie is indeed fascinated by the box and opens it to find an interesting hat. Putting it on, Carrie finds all sorts of things that might have been mundane before, but are fascinating now. The story flows nicely and I like how some of the words are made more interesting by the use of a different font or graphic. It would be a good book to read with a young child as the illustrations are lovely too.
This was a great story to read with both of my kiddos. At 8 and 12 years old, they really enjoy anything animal related, but this one sparked a conversation that I loved. We took turns reading the book allowed to our furry family members and while the felines decided to mosey about, our dog listened intently. The author has such a nice way of incorporating helpful information combined with rhyming and beautiful illustrations together to provide safe (and fun!) tips to play with your pets. This is a must read for the younger ones in your life, and you’ll appreciate that it will entertain you as well!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shannen Kernhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShannen Kern2024-01-09 20:56:292024-01-13 19:32:24Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Shannen Kern
This was an enjoyable story. I loved reading about Porter and Midge and their little humans. This story was full of helpful suggestions to help children with pets find ways to interact and play together in a safe manner. The suggested activities included activities that would benefit the children as well as the pets. Activities that allow the children to help stimulate their pets and allow them to learn new skills. It is a fun little story and I recommend it to everyone with children and pets.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Cindy Rushinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCindy Rushin2024-01-09 20:23:012024-01-13 19:31:49Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Cindy Rushin
Paws and Playtime is a wonderful, well illustrated children’s book that offered many tips, tricks, and helpful information to help kiddos understand how to have healthy, fun, successful relationships with their pets. The author included lots of helpful tips for parents in the back of the book as well. I read this book on my phone with the kindle app and also on my kindle oasis and I can attest that it was so much better to see these pictures in full color rather than the black and white of my oasis.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Micalahhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMicalah2024-01-09 20:09:372024-01-13 19:31:29Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kids Guide to a Happy Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Micalah Weatherholtz
Carrie’s Grandma has moved across town but she left four boxes in Carrie’s house labeled “KEEP”. Anytime Carrie is missing her Grandma, she’ll go looking through those boxes. Each box she picked up felt like another but she finally decided upon one. When she opened it, there was a fascinator that resembled a ship. Once she put it on, she was on an adventure!
These books are great and should be in every library! This is a great opportunity to talk with a youngin’ about what a fascinator is. Honestly, I hadn’t heard that term until I became more interested in “royal life” and started watching shows and reading about them. This is also a sweet story about the love and influence of a grandparent.
“The Round Box” by Lois Wickstrom is a charming and imaginative children’s book that explores the power of imagination and the wonders it can bring. In this particular story, young Carrie discovers a round box labeled “FASCINATOR” in her grandmother’s closet, only to find a fascinating surprise inside.
I have read many of Lois Wickstrom’s books, and she does a fantastic job of capturing the sense of wonder and awe that can be experienced during imaginative play. The idea of a simple hat transforming Carrie’s perception of the world is both creative and captivating. Young readers will likely be inspired to explore the power of their own imaginations, encouraged to think outside the box, and find ways to see the world through a different lens.
Throughout the story, there is a delightful sense of whimsy and exploration. Lois Wickstrom’s descriptive language invites readers to truly immerse themselves in Carrie’s imaginative journey. The illustrations are also vibrant and engaging, enhancing the magic and playfulness of the narrative.
The Round Box is part of the Grandma’s Closet Series and this story is fun, creative and imaginative. When Carrie is looking for something to do everyone around her seems busy. Grandma is not available to talk and her mom is not able to read her a story. What can Carrie do…..look in closet and see what boxes left behind. A suprise comes about within the “Facinator” box…but what can it be? It is an adventure for sure.
This is a fun story for the littles all the way to the young at heart. The story is wonderful and our family always enjoy’s Lois’ books.
I have read many books by this author and this is yet another one that is a good children’s book. This author does suck an amazing job of bringing learning to kids with her creative stories. I really wish that my children were young enough to be able to enjoy these books. The author is able to bring subjects to kids in a creative learning way that makes things fun. I really like the characters that the author has developed. I definitely would recommend these books to anyone with younger children.
Anything that has to do with a four legged friend, I’m here for it. And I love a good kids book because reading time with my girls, is one of my favorite things to do. Book was fun and the illustrations were great as well. My kids loved it so that’s definitely a plus! If you’re looking for a great childrens book, I highly suggest this one.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ashley Sugarhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAshley Sugar2024-01-09 12:07:562024-01-13 19:36:00Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Ashley Sugar
This author has done it again. Her Fascinating story will open up the child’s imagination. This children’s story had piqued my interest. The characters are more true to today’s families. I feel that makes this story a must have. So many open conversations with the little ones. This author has presented new words as well giving some actions to play out. What a fun story to read. I hope your children enjoy this short story, as much as mine did. I will be looking for more stories from this author.
“Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog” is a delightful addition to the Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series. Authored by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada, this charming book takes young readers on a heartwarming journey that not only entertains but also educates about the joys of having a furry friend. The language is accessible, making it suitable for early readers, and the pacing keeps young minds captivated from start to finish. The inclusion of interactive elements, such as tips on caring for a pet and fun activities, adds an extra layer of engagement, making this book an excellent resource for parents and educators alike. “Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime” is not just a story; it’s an experience that fosters a love for animals and imparts valuable life lessons. Whether your child is a dog lover or not, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression and inspire a deeper appreciation for the furry friends in our lives. A heartwarming and educational read for families looking to share quality time with their little ones.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Carrie Crosshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCarrie Cross2024-01-09 09:16:332024-01-13 19:35:13Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Carrie Cross
This is a cute story about using your imagination and I think kids would like it. I also like the idea that Wickstrom is weaving in on how to deal with missing people when we can’t be near them (I always love how she is working in multiple levels of lessons in her books). I feel that the illustrations are a little lackluster with this series. I normally gush over the artwork, but it’s different even from the cover of the book. I love Wickstrom’s work and recommend these books for a good bedtime read with your littles. Reviewed by @meggs1717
Book 2 in the Grandma’s Closet series, Lois Wickstrom does a great job, yet again, in drawing you into a wonderful story of make-believe. Everything I have read by this author has been very well written and entertaining. Can’t wait to see what is next.
Fascination in everyday life. Lois Wickstrom’s greatest talent is bringing wonder to an everyday thing, such as bouncing a ball but seeing it in a new way. I loved this book and so did my seven-year-old because it showed him that everything in the world can be fascinating. All you must do is look at it in a new way.
I feel like everytime I read a Lois Wickstrom book, I say that it is one of my favorites. And it’s true – every book I read is well written for children with wonderful pictures. This book is another wonderful story. This book gently tackles the idea of losing a loved one. It looks at how a fantastic bond between two people can transcend both life and death. I think this book would be great for children who are dealing with the loss of a loved one and would also be a good book to begin a conversation about loss. This book has a little more of a specific audience than other books by Lois Wickstrom, but I do feel that this book is so well written for those purposes and I definitely recommend it.
The Round Box is the second fun children’s book in the Grandma’s Closet series. Grandma has some exciting and unusual things in her boxes in her closet. I remember sneaking into the cupboard when young to play dress up with the things in my Nan’s closet and this book brings back those memories. Lois writes stories that stir the imagination in young and old. When reading to my grandsons I love the way their little minds work as they add their own spin on things. Carrie opens another box in her grandma’s closet and discovered a wonderous had that helped her feel not so sad that she was missing her grandma. Grab a copy and read to loved ones as they will enjoy the adventure along with Carrie.
Lois Wickstrom proves her storytelling abilities once more with “The Round Box.” This captivating tale embarks readers on a vivid adventure that truly springs to life with every page turned. A standout feature is the clever use of fonts, enhancing the storytelling experience. Beyond being a delightful read-aloud, it serves as a vocabulary builder, skillfully weaving words into a tapestry of imagination. “The Round Box” is a testament to the boundless possibilities of one’s mind. Grandmother’s Fascinator hat becomes the whimsical guide, steering readers towards the joyous realms of fun within our own world. A great addition to a book collection!
What a fun book! This is part of the Grandma’s Closet series. Carrie is looking for something fun to do and can’t find anyone to do it with. She remembers the boxes that Grandma left. It’s amazing what a round box marked with Fascinator can do for your imagination. I find the way that the author highlights the action words to point out the movements. Carrie is having fun just looking for fun. The way the author also points out the adjectives like different and unusual shows that using your imagination is okay. Being creative is a good thing. This is a wonderful book and my family always looks forward to new ones from this author. Reading and fun go together so well.
The Round Box is the second book in the Grandma’s Closet’ series by Lois Wickstrom. It is an interesting, illustrated children’s storybook- with a bit of adventure, a touch of drama, a little whimsy, and plenty of imagination. Grandma has some interesting things stored in the closet. What does Carrie find this time? Carrie opens the FASCINATOR box- and finds a special hat that looks like a boat. What happens makes for a cute read. As with the first book in the series- I loved the cover illustration, but was disappointed to find that the interior illustrations are not of the same type/style. The inner illustrations, although quite whimsical in a naïve style- weren’t quite as ‘interesting’ or appealing to me- and I don’t feel that they draw or hold your attention like the cover picture does. The cover picture made me want to find out what happens and captured my imagination- but the inside pictures were a bit lacking- in my opinion. Still a cute story though… Grandma’s Closet series consists of (so far): -Carries Flight (Book #1) -The Round Box (Book #2) -Magic Wanda (Book #3) -Treasure Hunt (Book #4) Happy reading!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2024-01-08 08:27:292024-01-10 21:55:49The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet Series Book #2) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Hayes
The Round Box in Grandma’s Closet is labeled FASCINATOR. Carrie looks inside.
She sees a boat. The boat is a hat. Carrie puts it on. Suddenly her world rocks, as if she’s on a boat at sea. Then things start moving in slow motion. The world sparkles. Carrie sees things in a way she never saw before.
Lois Wickstrom lives in a world where imaginary playmates are real. She doesn’t remember being born, so she finds unbirthdays are more exciting than the official once-a-year date on the calendar. She’s taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales.
Jean Lorrah is a New York Times Best Selling author. She is also a retired English teacher, and an award winning artist. She has written Star Trek books with Jacqueline Lichtenberg, and books in worlds of her own creation. Together with Lois, she is co-author of Coal for Christmas which won the Gold Remi at Worldfest.
My favorite part of this book is the artwork of all the dogs and the water. I like that this points out that each dog, like each human is different and all have their different ideas of fun. There are many dog sports to learn about in this book and the at the end of the day spending quality time with your dog is always best. The end has a note to parents on how to teach children dog care, learning something new, empathy etc. I love that the author wants the parents to engage with the child and the dog as well.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Carrie Reedhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCarrie Reed2024-01-07 10:26:282024-01-22 07:02:11Porter and Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Carrie Reed
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