Reviewed by Rebecca S Winner for Readers' Favorite

Fascinating Facts for the Whole Family: Trivia about Human Body and Cute Animals by Nayden Kostov is a non-fiction trivia book for all ages. This book begins with some interesting facts about some of our favorite animals that happen to all be mammals: cats, dogs, pandas, horses, and pigs. The rest of the book tells interesting facts about the human body. That portion is divided into numerous sections, mostly concentrating on different organs: the brain, blood and blood vessels, heart, skin, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, bones, muscles, lungs, stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, and kidneys. The illustrations are hand-drawn by the author's son. At the end of the book is a list of sources used by the author.

Fascinating Facts for the Whole Family by Nayden Kostov is a great book for people of all ages. I like the way the facts are organized with numbers beside them. I was impressed with the picture of the tiger. I was so amazed by some of the facts that I had to check them out to prove it to myself. The human body was well covered with the topics on the list. I liked that the topics were arranged in a sensible order, with the senses together, heart by blood vessels, stomach by intestines, etc. This book has some pretty involved wording, so not for small children who look for bright colored pictures. I loved that the book stated that the heart begins beating in an unborn baby at 20 days.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus by Don Kennedy is a charming and delightful collection of various moments he has experienced volunteering as Santa Claus. After a friend got sick and he filled in as Santa Claus for a Christmas party, Kennedy found an unexpected passion that would stay with him through the next several years. Kennedy has gathered together several memorable moments from kids that are funny and heartwarming while at times being heartbreaking and eye-opening, taken from his time volunteering for organizations such as fire shelters, hospitals, military bases, and women’s shelters.

On the surface, the book is a simple read that shares quick moments with kids that have made an impact on Don Kennedy when he was Santa, but this also serves as a great eye-opener and reminder about the Christmas spirit and hope that is inspired through these children. Each moment that Kennedy shares is a great example of the role Santa plays in the lives of children. Several moments included are funny while others are touching and will tug at the heart. The humor is delightful in an innocent way such as trying to pay their way off the naughty list, siblings telling on each other, or a boy calling his sister a pain. Kennedy perfectly captures how blunt and innocent kids are through the wonderful and special way they see the world around them.

The structure is organized based on the different locations that Kennedy has volunteered at. Each chapter explores various needs the children have from humorous concerns about the naughty list to more heartwarming needs such as wanting their soldier dad to come home. These heartful moments are deeply emotional with kids showing their wit and their heart which include charming moments such as asking Santa to dance with their mom because she’s been sad, wanting to visit a man in the hospital who doesn’t get visitors, and wanting to send a letter to heaven. Kennedy also shares a few personal stories during his time as Santa such as being pulled over by a cop, being puked on, getting diet advice, and the touching moments he’s been part of.

Kennedy’s stories are perfect for the holiday season and though it focuses primarily on the Christmas season, Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus is perfect for any time of year. Each moment spent with the children provides hope and the need to have something special to believe in to get through tough times like deployment, illness, and other difficult situations. The humorous and heartwarming moments will make you smile and warm your heart.

Reviewed by Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite

Most people have heard of the Disney Corporation, but not everyone knows the story behind it. Meet the Disney Brothers by Aaron H. Goldberg tells the story of the men behind the animation studio: Walt Disney and his older brother Roy. The book begins when the two are children growing up on a farm, and finishes with Walt’s death in 1966 and Roy's in 1971 and tells of all the events in between, like the first time Walt was paid to draw something, his job as a news butcher on a railroad, his role in World War I, the first cartoons Walt made, the loss of Oswald the lucky rabbit, the making of Snow White, and the opening of Disneyland.

I really enjoyed reading Meet the Disney Brothers. I learned a lot from reading it and found it very educational. The book is well written in chronological order of the events the Disney brothers faced. I loved that the book included fun facts about Disneyland and Walt Disney World, which are all very interesting. The book is very informative and well researched. It also includes pictures on some pages, which are all very cute and well-drawn and the chapter titles in the iconic Disneyland font adds a nice touch. Walt Disney’s story is a very inspiring one about never giving up, and I'm really glad that the author chose to tell it. This is an absolute must-read for all Disney fans, and I would definitely recommend it.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Mama sea turtles always lay eggs on land and not in water. She goes in search of a proper spot, always at night so that there is no distraction. Mama turtle builds her nest at the foot of a dune and she buries her eggs in the hole she has dug deep. She has to keep her babies safe and once she covers the nest with sand she goes back into the water. The babies live inside the eggs for sixty days and they are born with an egg tooth, which helps them break the shell when they have outgrown it. Their nests are protected from predators that are a threat to their existence. The process when the babies break out of their shells is known as pipping and they rest for a day to stretch their necks and legs. The moonlight guides them to the ocean. They swim fast in the ocean and search for seagrass pastures where they can feed. Once they grow large they will be safe and strong.

Sea Turtles Circle by Patricia Gleichauf is an informative book about sea turtles and educates young readers about the life cycle of a sea turtle in a wonderful and entertaining way. Karen Staszko's bright and colorful illustrations give clarity to the author's words and make it easy for child readers to understand the life cycle of a sea turtle easily. Patricia Gleichauf also introduces readers to the seven types of sea turtles and makes learning the details about them engaging and interesting. Sea Turtles Circle by Patricia Gleichauf is excellent for storytelling and read-aloud sessions in classrooms and at home for children to learn about the sea turtles circle in a fun and interactive way.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Everybody Poops! is an educational picture book for children written by Justine Avery and illustrated by Olga Zhuravlova. Toddlers, who are wrestling with potty training, invariably have issues with poop. Heck, even their older brothers and sisters, teens and grownups giggle at poop jokes. Avery’s book displays in humorous fashion the fact that everybody poops. She travels across the world and shows kids that no matter how different people, animals, and insects may be, they all do poop. Every day, every moment, someone or something is pooping. They could be indoors or in the great outdoors, up in the sky, on the water or deep down in the earth. It’s a simple fact that every creature on this planet poops.

Everybody Poops! addresses what is often an embarrassing or awkward fact of life and eloquently brings home the fact that it’s really just a normal bodily function. Olga Zhuravlova’s illustrations work brilliantly with the tone of the book, giving young readers endless opportunities to see animals, birds and even grandmas pooping. This book is pretty amazing in that after seeing all those pictures of poop and pooping, one actually begins to be a bit desensitized -- and that, I’m guessing, is the point of the story. What a wonderful way to get kids to be chill with the idea of having to use the bathroom! It’s only natural, after all. Everybody Poops! is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite

Little Miss History Travels to the North Pole by Barbara Ann Mojica is a story that features a young girl who opens by explaining why her parents gave her the nickname “Little Miss History”; she constantly asks questions about the past. Her travels to the North Pole show her driving a sled drawn by huskies and walking with ski sticks, all on brilliant white snow. Lines of longitude, lack of a time zone, the “land” being a floating sheet of ice in the Arctic ocean, summer and winter temperatures and sunlight times, wildlife as in birds, fish, and mammals, explorers, the countries that surround the pole, the indigenous people – it is all here, beautifully illustrated with pictures and maps, and written in a clear font. Can you resist finding out the truth about Santa Claus?

This is a book written for children, and its appeal is undeniable. I loved the chatty style that subtly hides the “educational” aspect, but Barbara Ann Mojica sets out to teach and she succeeds. I learned a lot I didn’t know, and any child would absorb the fascinating facts so clearly and entertainingly explained, and, of course, drawn in by the promise of finding out about Santa Claus. By the time they can read and understand this enchanting book, they know he’s make-believe, isn’t he? He has many other names dug from the mists of time by Little Miss History. Little Miss History Travels to the North Pole is the perfect Christmas gift, and sure to be welcomed by schools at any time.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

There is nothing that provides more unconditional love and support than a pet, especially if that pet is a dog. Charlie arrived in Vine Street one summer day, starving, lonely, abandoned and looking for love and attention. He found what he was looking for in a bunch of children who spent their summer days playing in the great outdoors. He latched onto two children, siblings Marie and Patrick, enjoying the treats they offered. He followed them home, but the children’s father was not too happy. He didn’t want Charlie. At least, not at first. But Charlie was one of these loving creatures that, over time, grows on even the most reluctant dog lover. Charlie avoided being caught by the dogcatcher and was eventually accepted by everyone in the family and the entire community. That is after he was given a bath!

Julia Black’s picture book story, Charlie and the Vine Street Gang: Meet Charlie, is a comforting look at simpler times when childhood meant playing outside and getting dirty, rather than being glued to technical devices for hours on end. The story speaks tenderly of the intense love and adoration a dog offers. The memories that led to this story are obviously dear to the author’s heart and this rings through the story with passion. Illustrator Ashley Teets has captured the beauty of this loving relationship and added a little color and humor to the story with her vibrant illustrations. The story begins and ends with a scrapbook of snapshots of the children and their beloved Charlie. This book is a real treasure for readers of all ages.

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

Children become naturally curious about their bodies and the world around them. In Dr. Nicole Audet’s Felix Is Curious About His Body: Human Body (Felix And Booboo), your child will learn what makes their bodies function. In this book, your child will explore with Felix as he travels to the Human Body Museum for an assignment. At the museum, Felix learned a lot from the mechanics of the heart, the digestive system, the brain, the five senses, ways to stay healthy and much more. As usual, Felix took his magical doctor's bag so that his friends Toc, Pill, Booboo, View, Lens and a host of others can help him write his paper. Not only did Felix have fun learning, but he got a 100% for the assignment.

I love the Felix And Booboo Series, along with the special care that Dr. Nicole Audet and illustrator Mylène Villeneuve take to not only tell a story but to educate children in such an entertaining and engaging way. As an added bonus, there is a human body exam that your child can take as well to test their knowledge about what they just read. What is so beautiful is that this book can be personalized for your child, and it is also written in French. No matter which of these books your child chooses in this series, you can be sure that they will be fully educated. Once they read this story, there are several others that they will want to add from the series to their library collection. Enjoy!

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Adventures of Kenzie-Moo is an educational adventure storybook for children written by Tanya Savva and illustrated by Emma Stuart. Kenzie-Moo doesn’t see with her eyes because she is blind, but her world is richly informed by each of her other senses; her ears, nose, tongue, and body all give vibrant impressions of her surroundings, and her imagination fills her world so beautifully. Kenzie uses her whole body to experience the world. When Kenzie and her mother took a trip along the Australian Coast, they shared a number of exhilarating adventures on their travels from Sydney up to the Daintree Rainforest. What did Kenzie-Moo actually see? Nothing, of course, but she did have a grand time indeed, and she shares every sense, sound, feeling and bit of excitement with her readers. Follow as she takes a ride on a helicopter, swims with a dolphin and visits the Carlo Sandblow where her voice travels for miles and miles.

The Adventures of Kenzie-Moo offers readers a new perspective on differently-abled kids. As they experience Kenzie and her mom’s Australian adventures through Kenzie-Moo’s sensory awareness, they learn to experience more of their own surroundings than what their eyes inform them. Each experience she shares is a learning experience for the reader. Emma Stuart’s illustrations are brilliant. I love her bold use of pastel colors which create magnificent frames for Kenzie-Moo and her mom’s adventures. The beach scenes make you wish you were there experiencing that icy water, and the rainforest scenes are suitable for framing for a child’s bedroom. The Adventures of Kenzie-Moo can be used interactively during story hour as the children relax with their eyes closed and share Kenzie-Moo’s experiences using her words and their own imaginations. The Adventures of Kenzie-Moo is a marvelous introduction to the differently abled, and it’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

If You Were Me and Lived in... Israel: A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the World (Volume 19) by Carole P. Roman is a beautiful children’s book depicting the culture of Israel. In this book, children will learn everything that they need to know about Israeli culture. Young readers will be in awe as they learn about the various wonders of Israel from the foods, football (known as soccer in the U.S.), Jerusalem, which is a city with an ancient history and is one of the oldest in the world, why people read and write from right to left, and a brief history behind the Dead Sea. In this book, the glossary adds a special touch which offers an enhanced and enriched education about the history of Israel. Your child will love this book so much that they will want to share it with their friends.

I truly enjoyed If You Were Me and Lived in... Israel: A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the World because it offered so much history about some things that I personally was unaware of - from the brief history of the Dead Sea and the four neighborhood quadrants that were built in 1538 AD by the Turkish king, Suleiman the Magnificent, for the Christian, Muslim, Armenian and Jewish faiths, to the Maccabiah Games that athletes compete in every year, which is similar to the Olympic Games. Carole has so many of these types of books in her children's educational book series that it will make you feel as if you're a world traveler.