Review: Today I Am A Princess by Jill Cikins

Title: Today I Am A Princess
Author: Jill Cikins

Illustrator: Rosalie Peng
Publication: December 9, 2011

Publisher: Nampedia

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Genre: Children's

Audience: All ages

Rating: 4.5 out 5

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Synopsis: This book was inspired in the wisdom of Universal Kabbalah, as taught by Dr. Joseph Michael Levry, which teaches that the purpose of life is to be the best we can be. With love and mastery of both esoteric sciences and the practical nature of man and the cosmos, Dr. Levry teaches that by living each day in the present and opening our eyes to the gifts and lessons that are all around us, our journey through life can truly be joyous and magical. It is my hope that the story of the Little Princess will show children of all ages that by using their imagination and focus, magical things can happen each and every day!

This is the story of a little girl who becomes a beautiful and wise princess. Along her way she meets the 7 Great Planets of the Sky as they guide her on her journey. She learns the Kabbalistic principle that each planet behaves differently in the sky and exerts a physical influence on planet Earth and on the human mind in a periodic succession equivalent to the days of the week. In this tale, magical planets speak wisdom to the little girl, provide guidance and teach an important lesson each day that brings the Little Princess closer to her Kingdom. Each planet grants our little girl a wish and a symbol to use on the day they rule as well as a magical phrase for the Little Princess to always remember.

And so begins the story of the Little Princess!

My Thoughts: This book is based on the Kabbalistic principle. This is an inspirational and empowering book. I enjoyed the illustrations. The poetry is catching and easy for a youngster to understand. As always Jessie, my little assistant, read and reviewed this with me. She enjoyed the full color illustrations and the descriptions of how each planet carries themselves. I was not a big fan of the "chant" but I love the messages that they convey. We didn't chant but we did talk about what each meant and how she could embody it. All little girls will love this book. What little girl doesn't want to be a princess?

Review: Tale of Two Daddies By Vainta Oelschlager

Title: Tale of Two Daddies
Author: Vanita Oelschlager

Publication: April 28, 2010

Publisher: Vanita Books

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Genre: Children’s Poetry

Audience: 5 and up

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Summary

"A Tale of Two Daddies" is told through a playground conversation between twochildren, one of whom is a girl who has two dads. This story can help parentsand teachers handle questions about same-sex parents. Illustrations.

My Thoughts

We all know young children ask lots of questions and the little boy in this story is not different. This story is a great way to introduce a child to different types of families. This story is told in verse and is really cute. The illustrations are great. The questions the little boys ask are age appropriate and really show what young children are really thinking. I love how the little girl gets right the point and answers each question like she is not bothered by the multiple questions this little boy is asking. Once again I shared this with Jessie. At this time I'm not aware of her knowing anyone who's parents are same-sex. Jessie had lots of questions of her own. I will definetly read more books by Oelschlager.

Review: Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring from Great Poets and Writers from the Past By Vanita Oelschlager

Title: Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring from Great Poets and Writers from the Past

Author: Vanita Oelschlager

Publication: April 1, 2009

Publisher: Vanita Books

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Genre: Children’s Poetry

Audience: 5 and up

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Summary

Ivy in Bloom captures the weariness of a young girl tired of a long winter. "I stare out the window," she says on the first spread of brown and gray, "looking for birds or flowers / or even warm showers / but I don't see any such thing." But then Spring comes when "March is out of breath snow melting to flowery waters and watery flowers spring rose from its wintry rest." And Ivy's "heart dances with daffodils." As these words also dance across each spread, Ivy's world erupts into a riot of color. 

Ivy in Bloom introduces the poetry of Dickinson, Longfellow, Browning, Wordsworth, Frost and others. Excerpts from their writings, as seen through Ivy's eyes, will open up poetry as a way for children to express their own feelings about the changing of seasons. This book includes longer excerpts and brief bios of each author.

My Thoughts

We have all experienced that winter weariness where you just can’t wait for spring and all the pretty flowers. I wish it was spring year round. The weather is pleasant, everything is blooming and full of color. This is a very cute book. The Illustrations are done wonderfully. It is wonderful how Oelschlager blends her poetry with works from classic poets to create something great and new. I’m getting this one for my winter dreariness arsenal.  At the end of the book there is a bibliography referencing the poems used in the book, but in a longer form. There is also a miniature of the illustration. All net profits from this book will be donated to charitable organizations, with a gentle preference towards serving people with multiple sclerosis.