The art work is beautiful, the words are beautiful, I loved everything about this book. I think it is every parents wish to be able to sprinkle some sort of fairy dust on their kids to protect them, teach them and give them all they would need. My favorite part of this book is how after each page, the wand is then passed to a different mother or father, and they are from all different races, countries and backgrounds. The love for your own child extends across the world.
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 Reed2022-12-03 11:29:332022-12-03 11:29:33If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Carrie Reed
This was such an adorable and sweet story. It made me quite emotional reading it as a parent because these are some I things I would wish for my little boy. I read it to my 3 year old at bedtime and thought what a beautiful bedtime story it made for young children. Also I thought it would make a beautiful gift for new parents to read to their new bundle of joy. The illustrations were also lovely as well.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Katie Matthewshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKatie Matthews2022-12-02 14:13:272022-12-08 14:16:05If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Katie Matthews
This was such an entertaining childrens book which was beautifully written and illustrated. Amaleigha was such an adorable little girl and I loved the story about her and her wonderful imagination and ideas, I could easily see children being inspired by this book. I love the idea of a barefoot park as well! Amaleigha had some wonderful ideas in this story and I can see it definitely bringing up some questions for children about the thigs they would like to experience.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Katie Matthewshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKatie Matthews2022-12-02 13:30:552022-12-08 14:15:42Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt – Review by Katie Matthews
This book is such a wonderful story that really feels like it is full of magic. It will appeal to such a wide audience and has the ability to connect with each and every person that picks it up. It is sweet and well written, one of those books that I found to be just a joy.
This is the first book that I have read by this author but I can say it won’t be the last especially if they are all as good as this!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2022-12-02 11:54:282022-12-08 14:19:51If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Kerry Baker
Upon reading the title and then seeing the cover, I expected it to be solely about a kitten sneaking around. I really enjoyed that it was more than what I thought. Lois always gives a good story!
Very cute book. This little girl loves everything about being outside and wants to share her love with others! Her big idea! Amaleigha is a very adventurous little girl. I enjoyed this book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heatherhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather2022-12-01 08:35:122022-12-08 14:06:56Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt – Review by Heather Hoke
Beautiful! BEAUTIFUL! B-E-A-UUUUUUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! This book hits me right in the mommy heart! I love how it pretty much says it all with hopes of how we all want our babies to be!
I also love the illustrations throughout the book! It shows us that even though parenting can be different standpoints we all want the absolute best for our babies. It doesn’t matter if you are black, white, purple, green, or even pink. It doesn’t matter if you are a single dad, single mom, or the Brady bunch. Wanting your child to be kind is the same from us all.
I would 1000000% give this book a 100 stars. 5 is just not enough! I read this digital on my kindle, but I am going right now to order it in a hard copy so I can read it over and over to my babies!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heatherhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather2022-12-01 07:40:382022-12-08 14:06:42If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Heather Hoke
I am honestly torn on this review. While growing up my brother and I had a very competitive childhood, never did we faulter in our ability to grow together and learn new things from each other. This story however seems to pit the two kids against each other all the time. Carl always trying to build the bigger, better castle and Mira bound and determined to destroy each one. This is really encouraging destructive behavior and when there is no correction from adults makes the kids think it is okay to behave in this manner. I had my teenager read this book as well and she and I both agree that the ending was really cut short as well. Just like flipping a switch now the kids are eager to spend time together? Why so Mira can torment her brother somemore? It just really is not my favorite and I probably will never share with the younger kids in the family when even my teenager says this book isn’t okay. Yes kids have sibling rivalries but honestly for there to be no correction from parents it just is not okay.
I read this book with my daughter and it was absolutely precious! Amaleigha reminds me so much of my little girl. A brave, kind, and fearless girl who captures the hearts of those around her. Even those pesky big brothers 🙂 She is fiercely independent and sees the beauty in all things, big and small, around her. This is a lovely story to share with your little ones!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00YellowTulips11https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngYellowTulips112022-12-01 02:33:532022-12-08 14:05:18Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt – Review by Monique Espitia
My kids love this author, she always has them thinking, using their imagination in one way or the other. They learned to treat everything fairly. Wonderful story, their favorite part was the pictures and trying to guess what would happen next in the story based off of them, they never got it right, but it was fun (as mom) to see the wheels turning and them thinking up different things.
We read this just in time for Thanksgiving. My kids loved it. They even helped me read it. It was such a cute, heartwarming story to read together with them. Lucky for me it didn’t change their minds on eating turkey for dinner, I wasn’t prepared for that!!!
This was a lot of fun to read to my 2 younger kiddos. They laughed a lot reading it, and then went outside to the dirt and played their own version of the story. It was a lot of fun seeing them playing together like that. Let’s hope for no sibling rivalry now or in the future. We love this author; she always has my kids using their imaginations in interesting ways.
This is a very sweet book that would make a beautiful gift for a baby shower or the birth of a new baby. It is written in flowy poetry and features a wand that is passed around. As the wand is passed, the person holding it bestows a wish on the young one. It’s very sentimental, inspiring, and sweet!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2022-11-29 22:57:152022-11-30 07:08:32If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Julie Johnson
This is a sweet book with the text in poetry form. The illustration of handing off the magic wand from baby to parent was pleasant and soft. There isdiverse representation of parents giving each other the magic to give to their babies. It’s delightful to see love captured in the graphics along with the text makes for a beautiful story your children will love!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Brandy Vaughnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBrandy Vaughn2022-11-29 22:11:442022-11-30 07:07:50If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Brandy Vaughn
If I Had A Magic Wand is a message to everyone who share their love of a child/children. No matter where you are in the world or even if the child is not biological or if you are male or female the message is the same love is love.
It is a short story that is told through almost lyrical rhymes and illustrations. A sweet tale of mother’s love their hopes, their wishes and their dreams for her child.
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 Bishop2022-11-29 14:32:142022-11-30 06:58:44If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Jenni Bishop
Vibrant illustrations help tell a story of wishes to babies from their parents. The wand is handed over to all different type of parents from all over the world bringing one universal wish to bestow on the babies. Wonderful story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Emily Heislerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngEmily Heisler2022-11-29 12:45:212022-11-30 06:49:08If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Emily H
Beautiful story, beautiful illustrations, very diverse. It’s all the things us parents wish for our children. It would make a great baby shower gift. Definitely recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jamie Truexhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJamie Truex2022-11-29 12:26:402022-11-29 14:06:37If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Jamie Truex
Amaleigha is a 5 year old who notices things… she takes time to enjoy her surroundings. Amaleigha’s grandma knows she is going to do great things in her life because of this trait – even though her brother thinks it is just weird. So when she goes outdoors, she stops to enjoy the wildlife, the weather, the grass inbetween her toes. Then one day she has an amazing idea- one that will help her share what she loves with the people of her town! With the help of her family, she creates an outdoor space called the Barefoot Park, a place where others can come to feel the nature between their barefoot toes!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tanya Wallhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTanya Wall2022-11-29 08:47:192022-11-29 14:05:58Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt – Review by Tanya Wall, November 2022
Mira and Carl are the typical brother and sister in this children’s book by Lois Wickstrom. They are always arguing, trying to one-up the other, and get the best of each other. Whether it be board games, books, who they want to be when they grow up – it turns into an arguement. Going to the beach and building sandcastles is the where the action happens. Carl building and Mira finding ways to ruin it… over and over again. At the end of the day, when it’s time to go home and the last castle is built, Mira and Carl ask their dad if they can come back and do it again. Brother and sister fun!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tanya Wallhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTanya Wall2022-11-29 08:36:362022-11-29 14:05:45Super Enemies by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, November 2022
“If I had a magic wand that made my wishes come true, I’d wave it high and wave it low And use all my wishes on you…”
If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi is a sweet, illustrated children’s storybook that can be enjoyed by both young and old… It is written is a poetic, lyrical style- which certainly adds to the whole feel of this sweet, heart-warming book. This is a story of a mother’s wish for her baby/children- passing the wishing wand from mother to mother as they each make wishes for their little ones. The messages are touching, tender, sweet, poignant, and inspirational. As I mother, I can really relate to all of the wishes and definitely wish the same for my children and grandchildren, also. A lovely story to read your child at bedtime, leaving them with meaningful messages of love, hope, family, and unity as they nod off to sleep…. 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 Hayes2022-11-28 22:43:442022-11-29 14:02:16If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Angela Hayes
If I Had a Magic Wand was such a sweet and sentimental story for babies and kids of all ages. It perfectly puts into words the wishes parents have for their children. The story is whimsical and heartwarming. The illustrations are simple while being incredibly diverse to help relay the story. My own kids loved the rhyming, easy-flowing story and the magical pictures. This is the perfect baby shower or book shower gift!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Megan Pesekhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMegan Pesek2022-11-28 20:32:452022-11-29 14:01:15If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Megan Pesek
This was a cute, uplifting kids book. It definitely wasn’t just a book for kids, as a mom I find it very endearing. Moms (and Dads) are hard-working, love unconditionally, and only want the very best for their children. However, as parents we learn quickly that we are not perfect, we can’t fix everything, and our children will hurt, cry, etc. Oohh, but we all wish we had a magic wand to make sure our little ones never have to deal with the struggles of life! If we did, we would use it all the time. This story reminded me that we are not perfect, but that we strive for that perfection for our children. In addition, from the child’s point of view, the story also lets them in on the secret that while we may not always succeed in the perfection journey, we do try very hard!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dr. Anya Schultzhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDr. Anya Schultz2022-11-28 19:34:002022-11-29 14:00:55If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz
The art in this children’s book is beautiful, I really like the style and the way the characters are acting out the dialogue in each scene. This book is really great at teaching perseverance, Carl didn’t let his sister’s antics and attempts to ruin his castle stop him from trying again and again to thwart her attempts in the future. It really shows how some siblings fight and act towards each other, seems like standard kids annoying each other. In the end they both had so much fun trying to outsmart each other that they wanted to do it all over again. Nice book, I do wish we could have seen them maybe work together in the end.
I found this book to be beautiful written. It felt peaceful, thoughtful and full of heartfelt wishes. This is a book that would be a beautiful gift to give at baby showers, or to any new parents. A book of wishes to share with your children. I think the wishes can be shared with all ages. We are raising our grandson and I think that those wishes will be beautiful to read with him at bedtime or at special times. I am in love with this book. Thank you for sharing it author. Beautiful and well-done.
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 Kittell2022-11-28 05:37:592022-11-29 14:03:17If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi – Review by Shelly Kittell
If I had a Magic Wand is a delightful and heart-warming collection of wishes for our babies and children. Follow the magic wand as it is handed from parent to parent and baby to baby. The beautiful illustrations and poetic tone make this book a perfect bedtime story for children of all ages. Told in rhyme, it shares delightful and inclusive messages for all parents, soon to be parents, or anyone who BELIEVES IN MAGIC!
Melissa Lavi is a published children’s book author, and pre-school teacher for the last 20 years. Working with children has given her the ability to address complex situations in a clear and simple way. Most of her stories are based on experiences she has encountered both as a mother and as a teacher, and they are all ‘tried and tested’ in her classroom each day.
Melissa lives in Hong Kong with her husband and three children.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Magic-Wand-Front-Cover.jpg12001183itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2022-11-28 00:01:142022-12-14 19:47:53If I Had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
I love most books by this author, but we didn’t love Super Enemies. I read it to my 7 year old, and my 13 year old listened in. Both said the ending didn’t make sense, and I have to agree. The story presents us two siblings who fight constantly, never agreeing on things, like many brother and sisters. They seem to fight just for the sake of fighting, which is understandable, my kids do the same. But once they got to the beach, Mira is, in the words of my 7 years old “being so rude.” Carl is doing his own thing, building a sandcastle, and Mira comes over and destroys it. When Carl stands up to her, she taunts him and runs off. It bugged me that their dad sat there and did nothing- there was no show of intervention. Carl rebuilds his castle, just to have Mira ruin it. The process repeats over and over. The dad, and now other beach visitors are shown watching the children cause a scene. There is one image that the dad is shown shaking a finger at Mira, but I feel like the story should have shown dialogue of the dad scolding or coaching Mira on her behavior. At the end, dad says its time to go, and the family walks away with smiles asking to do it again tomorrow. I feel like it ending so abruptly, and didn’t really address the rivalry and fighting. There is no moral to the story- like even though you may fight, your siblings can be your best friends. Or maybe that Mira was acting that way because she felt left out, and should use her words to ask to join. Or perhaps working together to build an even better castle. The story just seemed to end… without any reason to the story. It caught us all off guard and didn’t really make sense. I do love the illustrations- the faces are very expressive and the scenes are bright and colorful. I enjoy most of the authors books, but not this one…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2022-11-27 18:23:092022-11-29 13:58:06Super Enemies by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Mira and Carl are sworn enemies. They also are siblings. Sibling rivalry for everything until one day at the beach. Carl makes sand castles. Mira makes it her mission to destroy Carl’s sand castles. I think this is a very realistic situation. Also a good child book. Especially if the child has siblings.
Mira and Carl are siblings, but they are not friends, they are enemies! Whatever one of them wants to do, the other doesn’t, the only thing they agree on is that they both want to sit behind their dad whenever they are in the car.
One day their Dad takes them to the beach and this is something at last that they agree on, but the activities they want to do while there differ greatly, Carl wants to build a sandcastle, however, Mira wants to destroy it, is this something that can bring these super enemies together?
This is a cute story with lovely illustrations, which talks about friendship and how being different is not always a bad thing.
This is a funny book. It is very accurate for real life siblings. Fight and fight and fight then they are completely fine and over it. My 5yo son and I enjoyed this book. Another good one from Lois Wickstrom. Though it’s not my favorite from what I’ve read of hers, it is cute.
I think there are a lot of people out there who even as adults can fully relate to how these two siblings behaved. I know I certainly can! I love how this authors stories really come up with some great talking points for children whilst they are reading. I think this book is definitely best shared with an adult so maybe these talking points could include the children coming up with their own resolutions about how to behave and how we can all like different things but be respectful of each other. I really enjoy the stories by this author and whilst I’m not sure this was one of my favourites I can see how it could help open further discussion for children about how we behave and respect each other.
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