Henry Hodges Needs a Friend

I read Henry Hodges Needs a Friend by Andy Andrews
I received a free copy download through NetGalley
4 Stars



As the title tells you, Henry needs a friend. His parents decide that friend needs to be a pet. Henry thinks long and hard about all the random pets it could be, including a backpack cow that gives chocolate milk and an ice skating hippo. After a trip to the shelter, Henry finds his perfect friend.

This is a sweet book to give to a child who is getting a new pet. There is a place in the book to put who it is to and from. The silly possible animals makes it fun to read aloud. One of my favorite things in the book is the dedication to a children's librarian who has changed so many lives. Overall, the sweet story is a win. Some of the rhymes seem a bit stretched, but nothing was horrible. The illustrations are simple but cute. While it isn't in my top favorite books, it is still a great addition, especially for new pet owners.

Stay! (9.1.15)

I read Stay by Alex Latimer
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 Stars



Ben loves his dog Buster. The problem is, Buster isn't really a good dog. When Ben's parents decide to go on vacation, they remember their last trip with Buster. This time, Buster has to stay with Grampa. Ben makes sure to leave Grampa plenty of notes about Buster, and he sends postcards from the trip to tell him more. In the end, Grampa found a way to help Buster become a great dog... most of the time.

I have said it before, but I love this author/illustrator. The stories are cute but still teach a lesson. The illustrations are clean (even when the story is messy!) In this tale, you knew something was going to happen. Ben kept trying to remember the big thing he was forgetting. In the end, there is a great lesson on dog care. This one has too much going on with the letters to share in story time, but it is still an awesome book. Kids will like all the antics Buster gets into, and parents will love the story about the importance of training your dog. It's definitely a win!

Help, I Don't Want a Babysitter! (4.1.15)

I read Help, I Don't Want a Babysitter by Anke Wagner
I received a free copy through NetGalley
5 Stars



Sometimes having a babysitter for the first time can be scary. You never know who you are going to get. You might end up with someone who won't play with you, or someone that makes you clean your room. Besides, you're not a baby! Surprisingly enough, sometimes having a babysitter come over can actually end up being a good time.

Told from the side of Ollie the little boy and his cuddly pal Stubbs, this story is a great way to reassure a child that is afraid of a babysitter. It is also a fun read for anytime a new sitter is coming over. Surprisingly enough, it is a fun read even if you aren't getting a babysitter at all. The illustrations are cute and colorful. It serves a purpose of helping kids afraid of a sitter, but it is still an enjoyable book for those that aren't so worried about the sitter.

My Grandma's a Ninja

I read My Grandma's a Ninja by Todd Tarpley
I received a free copy through NetGalley
4 Stars



Ethan's grandma comes to visit. She takes him to school, is his show and tell, and even helps out at soccer practice. The best part about that is, she's a ninja. Or is that such a good thing?

This is a fun story with a fun ending. If kids like ninjas, they will surely like this one. The illustrations are crisp and perfect for the book. I am only giving it 4 stars because, although it is fun, it isn't quite as captivating as I had hoped for. Kids will like it, but it won't be a story time winner or ones that kids will necessarily ask for over and over again, unless they have an uncanny love of ninjas. Still, it is worth reading!

This is Sadie (5.12.15)

I read This is Sadie by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Julie Morstad
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 Stars



Sadie is a little girl with a big imagination. With books, friends, random supplies, she fills her days. From before her parents wake up until bedtime, she is never bored.

This is a well-illustrated, cute book that shows how magical a child's imagination really is.It is simple, which helps make the book even more whimsical. I hope that small children will appreciate this one as much as I do.

Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs (4.14.2015)

I read Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs by Davide Cali
I received a free copy through NetGalley
4 Stars



Just like in the original story, Snow White is escaping an evil witch. She finds dwarfs. She helps them out. She eats an apple. Unlike the original story, there are 77 dwarfs. She runs away. There is a twist to the ending.

I like this story. It is kind of cute. Snow White gets fed up with all of the work she is expected to do, which makes sense when she has to help out 77 little working men. The twist at the end is pretty funny. I could see myself reading this one in story time.

The only problem I have is with the illustrations. They aren't really very attractive, especially for a story time setting. They aren't hideous, but they are just not as cute as they could have been. I don't know if I will try this one in story time or not.

instaGC

I do a LOT of online earning. It will be paying for my trip to Disney World in October. One of the sites I have most recently started using is instaGC.com
This site is awesome, because the cards come instantly. Yes, instantly! I haven't made a lot from this site yet, but it's because I'm new to it. I can already tell it will be helping me a lot.
If you aren't saving for Disney, a good gift card to get would be amazon.com. Last year I used Amazon gift cards to pay for Christmas! If you want to earn an amazon gift card for free, try instagc.com! My referral link is
http://www.instagc.com/amazon.com/jeepfroggirl
 if you would be so kind to use it while signing up.
<a href="http://www.instagc.com/amazon.com/473481">amazon gift card for free</a>

Just do it, and you won't regret it