Fall Children's Books From Zonderkidz

I have to be honest with you. It hasn't felt like fall at all in Maryland. At least not until yesterday. The leaves are somewhat changing color and falling, but until yesterday it's felt like summer still. I know it's not that way everywhere though!

Are your kids excited for the seasonal change and the cooler temps? If so, I've got some books that I was able to review thanks to Zonderkidz you're going to love sharing with them! You'll also love a precious, new book from well known jewelry maker Lisa Leonard.

Your Spark

Illustrated by: Lisa Leonard

Written by:  Lisa Leonard

Publisher: Zonderkidz

ISBN: 9780310765936

Summary:

We all have a light inside us that shines brightly and makes us who we are. Artists and athletes, dancers and dreamers, jokers and gymnasts … I want to see you shine in your own unique way. Come along with me as we celebrate your spark.

Did you know that God gave you your very own spark? It’s true! And no one else in the whole wide world has a spark like yours! Your spark makes your eyes twinkle and your mouth smile. It makes your feet stomp and your voice loud. It makes you excited and curious to learn new things. It lights you up from the inside, and it fills you with wonder and dreams.

Your spark does all that and more. And author Lisa Leonard offers this picture book in celebration of you … and your spark! Lisa pours her heart into this book, bringing Your Spark to life with inspiring text and free-spirited illustrations. More than anything, Lisa wants you and children everywhere to know:

Inside your heart there is a spark. It shines bright and true, and it’s what makes you, YOU!

My Review:

It's so important for kids to know how unique and special they are. Lisa's book gets kids to see that they've been given a spark by God and that they can use it at different times in their lives. Not only did she write the book, but she also illustrated it! She's so incredibly talented.

My favorite part of the book is how diverse it is. The kids don't look the same! One is in a wheelchair, one wears glasses, one has curly hair, etc. This way every child can find a way to relate to the story.

This is a hardcover book with a dust jacket. I tend to take my dust jackets off and put them away so that they don't get torn. Your Spark is perfect for preschool and elementary age children! It's a positive book that will uplift them.

Snuggle Time Fall Blessings
Illustrated by: Cee Biscoe
Written by: Glenys Nellist
Publisher: Zonderkidz
ISBN: 9780310767510

Summary:

Let’s go apple picking, 
Shake them from the tree. 
Round and fat and juicy, 
The big red one’s for me!

Snuggle Time Fall Blessings is:

• An adorable addition to the bestselling Snuggle Time series, with over 150,000 units sold
• Written by Glenys Nellist, the bestselling author of many children's books, including the Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time series
• Perfect for bedtime snuggles with a padded cover that fits just right in little hands

My Review:

I have fallen in love with this children's book. The critters are so soft and sweetly drawn. The cover is padded which makes it easier to hold onto and the pages are nice and sturdy. This will be a durable book.

The short little rhymes are perfect for bedtime, for your little one to look at during their quiet time, or even to read one to get the day started. I also love the sense of family that's thread throughout each rhyme. Scripture starts the book off with Psalm 9:1 and weaves God into the rhymes throughout.

This delightful book will get you and your child(ren) excited for this season and everything fun that comes along with it!

Thankful
Illustrated by: Archie Preston
Written by: Eileen Spinelli
Publisher: Zonderkidz
ISBN: 9780310767824

Summary:

The gardener’s thankful for every green sprout.

The fireman, for putting the fire out.

The artist is thankful for color and light.

The clown for her costume silly and bright.

Thankful, written by beloved children’s author Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Archie Preston, combines charming rhymes and whimsical illustrations to convey the importance of being thankful for everyday blessings. Like the gardener thankful for every green sprout, and the firefighter, for putting the fire out, children are encouraged to be thankful for the many blessings they find in their lives. Spinelli exhibits her endearing gift for storytelling with this engaging poem, reminding children how blessed and special they are. Meant to be read aloud, this heartwarming board book will be a treasured keepsake for parents and children alike.

My Review:

Thankful is such a whimsical book! I love how it goes through different "occupations" and what they're thankful for! Not only should they be thankful for those things, this book teaches us to be thankful for them as well.

The brother/sister duo in the story are fun to see together in different settings whether it's chasing each other in the yard or working as beekeepers. It's a sweet example of siblings (and family members) enjoying each day with each other.

This is another book that has a padded cover and stiff pages that will stand the test of time. The story is short enough to keep a child's attention, and the illustrations will have your child taking in all of it. Really, there's so much to point out on each page!

Love is Kind
Illustrated by: Lison Chaperon
Written by: Laura Sassi
Publisher: Zonderkidz
ISBN: 9780310754893

Summary:

Love Is Kind is a heartwarming story about Little Owl who hopes to buy his grammy a heart-shaped box of chocolates for her birthday. On his quest for the chocolates, he’s thwarted at every turn, but ends up discovering the real meaning of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. Told in simple prose by bestselling author Laura Sassi, this heartfelt and humorous picture book is a sweet reminder that real love isn’t found in a box – even one filled with chocolates. Love Is Kind takes a charming and gentle approach to teaching kids the true meaning of love, while celebrating the bonds that kids have with their grandparents, and the many forms that love and happiness can take.

My Review:

Love is Kind actually comes in two formats: hardcover and board book. I received the hardcover for my review. It has a dust jacket that can be removed, and if you have really little ones, you might consider removing that until they're a bit older.

That being said, this is such a precious story! First, it's a sweet example to children on how to be thoughtful with loved ones. Second, and this is my favorite piece, on several of the pages are scriptures that you might not notice the first time you read through. They're creatively placed on a few of the pages.

The illustration makes Little Owl look so soft and cuddly! You just pull for him to be able to find a way to give his grammy a gift for her birthday. She's able to teach him a tender lesson that something material isn't always the best gift. This would make a great gift for Grandparent's Day now that I'm thinking about it.