March is an interesting month. It used to be my least favorite month because I thought it felt the longest. Today, I kind of like it. It is unpredictable. It leaves us yearning for what comes next. It kind of reminds me of starting a book. We never truly know what is behind the cover. This month’s Bookshelf selections are kind of like that. You can make assumptions about what you will find inside by looking at the covers but until you begin reading through the pages, you never truly know.
Backyard Jungles The Adventures of Maddie and Albert – This book won’t be out until April but we got to check it out early and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. If you don’t want to wait until April to get in on the fun, you can check out Maddie and Albert’s other adventures. Alexandra Adlawan does such an awesome job in delivering facts in a completely amusing manner. In this book, Maddie and Albert adventure to the backyard joined by Houdini the dog. Let me share how I think Houdini and his comments steal the book! This book is a great way to sneak some learning in because I know it taught me some new animal facts. JustaBXgirl enjoyed it as much as I did and she really liked the style of the book. It’s like storybook meets comic book.
Cook with Me Little Lasagne Sisters – I am so happy this series popped into my inbox because I am beyond impressed with it. Elisabetta Astolfi creates a world that blends history, cooking, and science seamlessly. In this installment, we journeyed to learn about the history of lasagne. I never knew there was so much to learn. I adore that we are given two options when we get to the cooking portion. We are allowed to shop for some ingredients if we want a less complex recipe. This mama truly appreciates that. The recipes include simple instructions that are easy to follow accompanied by really cute illustrations. JustaBXgirl loves cooking so I think we will be checking out more of the Cook with Me series.
Madam C.J. Walker Builds A Business – Let’s start with the fantastic illustrations in this book. Like, I genuinely can see some of this artwork framed and showcased. This book, in true Rebel Girls fashion, is an easy read to introduce littles to a phenomenal entrepreneur. I never learned much about Madam C.J. Walker beyond the facts that she was the first Black woman millionaire and that she made her fortune through hair care products. I learned a lot from this book alongside my child. I can’t wait for us to check out other Rebel Girls chapter books.
You-ology: A puberty Guide for Every Body – We have all been through it, yet most of us shy from speaking to our littles about puberty until they’re smack dabbed in the middle of it. Let’s get real with them. Let’s educate and empower them to not be afraid, weirded out, or disgusted but the changes their bodies will be going through. Let’s explain what boys and girls go through in hopes that our littles will be a bit empathetic to their friends. This guide helps to normalize puberty through more than just facts. It introduces our littles to 6 kids and takes them through stories about the 6 going through puberty. It gives advice, and shares pictures and facts. It simply helps our littles (and us) feel more comfortable talking this awkward time through.
Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City – This book was excellent. It is a wake-up call for how easy it is to get pulled into a cycle of poverty and how difficult it is to escape the cycle. I think that it is a necessary read. I think it is a well-written book that tackles tough, and complicated topics. It might not be what we consider a vacation read but please, don’t let that stop you from checking it out. If you’ve ever dealt with poverty, domestic violence, or drugs in your world, this book might present triggers. If you’ve never had to deal with these issues then I think that is even more of a reason to read it.
