Children Book Review :: Cora Cooks Pancit

Do you remember that meal you make because Mom made it? This book brings back that memory and as I shared this story with my son I began to think about the wonderful memories shared in my family's kitchen growing up.

My Mom was the everyday cook and Dad the salad man. They also shared the holiday cooking. I remember Dad always baking the bread on a holiday. My grandma taught me how to make the meatballs. Recently, I had my younger brother over for a Saturday of Meatball lessons. I share with my son all of these recipes. And I hope one day he enjoys making these dishes in his kitchen.

This book Cora Cooks Pancit was a beautiful reminder how it is to be young and watch all the grown-up make something special in the kitchen and FINALLY get the chance to make a special meal. I hope you enjoy this story and share your recipes with your child.

A great recipe is in the back of the book. Try it and let us know.

Enjoy the book and share with us your comment!

Keep turning those pages....
Happy Reading,
Jennifer



Product Description (from Amazon)

Cora loves being in the kitchen, but she always gets stuck doing the kid jobs like licking the spoon. One day, however, when her older sisters and brother head out, Cora finally gets the chance to be Mama's assistant chef. And of all the delicious Filipino dishes that dance through Cora's head, she and Mama decide to make pancit, her favorite noodle dish. With Mama's help, Cora does the grown-up jobs like shredding the chicken and soaking the noodles (perhaps Mama won't notice if she takes a nibble of chicken or sloshes a little water on the floor). Cora even gets to stir the noodles in the pot carefully-- while Mama supervises. When dinner is finally served, her siblings find out that Cora did all their grown-up tasks, and Cora waits anxiously to see what everyone thinks of her cooking. Dorina Lazo Gilmore's text delightfully captures the warmth between mother and daughter as they share a piece of their Filipino heritage. With bright and charming illustrations by Kristi Valiant, Cora's family comes alive as Cora herself becomes the family's newest little chef.

Cora Cooks Pancit By Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore List Price: $17.95 Price: $12.21 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Ships from and sold by Amazon.com 37 new or used available from $10.00 Average customer review:  (9 customer reviews)

Children Book Review :: Mama's Saris

This month we celebrate Mother's Day and each book selected reminds us of how special Mom is in so many ways. In this book Mama's Saris
By Pooja Makhijani the young girl reminds us of how much we want to be or dress like Mom. It is a beautiful story of a young girl wanting to grow up and be like her mother.

Do you remember that time you looked at your Mom and said I want to wear that outfit, smell like that perfume, cook like that for my family! I remember my mothers office and her selection of books. Maybe that is where the love of reading started. 


As a child we sometimes want to grow up to fast and be like our parents, and most of us parents aren't ready.  This story is a reminder to us MOM's it is OK the day will come to share the passage with your child and hopefully the child will be walking in your footsteps.

What is your memory of when you felt you were old enough to be like Mom? Share with us!

Keep turning those pages....

Happy Reading,
Jennifer




Product Description (from Amazon)

When a young girl eyes her mother's suitcase full of gorgeous silk, cotton and embroidered saris, she decides that she, too, should wear one, even though she is too young for such clothing. When the mother finally realizes how important it is for her little girl to feel like a big girl on her seventh birthday, she dresses up her daughter in the folds of a blue sari. Feeling grown-up and very pretty, the daughter is thrilled to look just like her mother, even if only for a day. Mama's Saris captures an elegant snapshot of every girl's wish to play dress up.

About a Sari (from Wikipedia)
A sari or saree[note 1] is a strip of unstitched cloth, worn by females, ranging from four to nine yards in length that is draped over the body in various styles.[1][2][3] It is popular in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Burma, Malaysia, and Singapore. The most common style is for the sari to be wrapped around the waist, with one end then draped over the shoulder baring the midriff.[1][2][3]

May Books :: A tribute to Mothers

Mothers make us who we are! This month we are paying tribute to Mothers in our book selection. I hope you enjoy these books and the wonderful stories. Each books is a nice reminder to remember all the amazing lessons Mom can give us during our lifetime. Give ALL the women in your life a great big hug on Mother's Day.

Picture Books :: May Theme: Celebrate Mother's

• Mama's Saris by Pooja Makhijani
• Mama Says: A Book of Love for Mothers and Sons by Rob D.(Author) Walker
• In Our Mothers' House by Patricia Polacco
• Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore
• The Trouble with Mom by Babette Cole

Let's celebrate everyday with MOM!!

Keep turning those pages....

Happy Reading,
Jennifer

Product Description Mama's Saris by Pooja Makhijani
When a young girl eyes her mother's suitcase full of gorgeous silk, cotton and embroidered saris, she decides that she, too, should wear one, even though she is too young for such clothing. When the mother finally realizes how important it is for her little girl to feel like a big girl on her seventh birthday, she dresses up her daughter in the folds of a blue sari. Feeling grown-up and very pretty, the daughter is thrilled to look just like her mother, even if only for a day. Mama's Saris captures an elegant snapshot of every girl's wish to play dress up.

Product Description In Our Mothers' House by Patricia Polacco

Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like any other family on the block. In their beautiful house, they cook dinner together, they laugh together, and they dance together. But some of the other families don't accept them. They say they are different. How can a family have two moms and no dad? But Marmee and Meema's house is full of love. And they teach their children that different doesn't mean wrong. And no matter how many moms or dads they have, they are everything a family is meant to be.

Here is a true Polacco story of a family, living by their own rules, and the strength they gain by the love they feel.


Product Description Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore

Cora loves being in the kitchen, but she always gets stuck doing the kid jobs like licking the spoon. One day, however, when her older sisters and brother head out, Cora finally gets the chance to be Mama's assistant chef. And of all the delicious Filipino dishes that dance through Cora's head, she and Mama decide to make pancit, her favorite noodle dish. With Mama's help, Cora does the grown-up jobs like shredding the chicken and soaking the noodles (perhaps Mama won't notice if she takes a nibble of chicken or sloshes a little water on the floor). Cora even gets to stir the noodles in the pot carefully-- while Mama supervises. When dinner is finally served, her siblings find out that Cora did all their grown-up tasks, and Cora waits anxiously to see what everyone thinks of her cooking. Dorina Lazo Gilmore's text delightfully captures the warmth between mother and daughter as they share a piece of their Filipino heritage. With bright and charming illustrations by Kristi Valiant, Cora's family comes alive as Cora herself becomes the family's newest little chef.


Product Description The Trouble with Mom by Babette Cole

Mom, the lovable witch, does not seem to be able to get along with the other mothers due to her odd ways, such as driving her kids to school on her broom and wearing snakes in her hat, but in the end, she may be accepted when her special gifts come in handy. Reprint. SLJ. PW. "

Children Book Review: Have you listened to the whispers of the Totem?

w
e are really enjoying April's theme of Mystical and Magical creatures. The Tomten By Astrid Lindgren is a wonderful story introducing us to the Totem providing a magical reminder that someone is always making us safe during the winter nights.

Although, the little Totem might have been disappointed this winter here in NY. It seems winter took a break this year. We had no big snow falls in the lower NY region of Long Island. We figured the TOTEM's journey this year would have been a quick reminder that we were still in winter hahaha!

We will definitely add this to our bookshelf and read every year. A very nice tradition to have with my son. And a nice reminder that we are always safe during the cold dark nights.

I hope you are able to get a copy from your local library or join our SHARE A BOOK program and receive a FREE copy. Let us know if you see those tiny footprints next winter.

Keep turning those pages....
Happy Reading,
Jennifer

Product Description (from Amazon) 

This outstanding book by the author of Pippi Longstocking--and winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award--has been called a "picture book of rare distinction" by the Chicago Tribune. Full color.

About the Author (from Wikipedia)

Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren (née Ericsson) (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈastrɪd ˈlɪŋɡreːn] ( listen)), 14 November 1907 – 28 January 2002) was a Swedishauthor and screenwriter. She is the world's 18th[1] most translated author and has sold roughly 145 million[2] copies worldwide. She is best known for the Pippi Longstocking, Karlsson-on-the-Roof and the Six Bullerby Children[3] book series

Children Book Review :: Dragon soccer anyone?

As April continues we are still enchanted by mystical and magical creatures. This week we read Guess What I Found in Dragon Wood By Timothy Knapman. Could you imagine finding a Benjamin? I asked my little guy what would he do if he found a dragon.

"Mama, ROAR" was his sweet response. Then he said he would share his chocolate. Which is cute since he has so much from his Easter Basket.

The illustrations in this book are amazing. The colors vibrant and and the little notes detailing his favorite items is a special treat.

I hope you are able to get a copy from your local library or join our SHARE A BOOK program and receive a FREE copy. Let us know what you would teach your Benjamin?

Keep turning those pages....
Happy Reading,
Jennifer

About the Author

Timothy Knapman has been a freelance writer and playwright for over 10 years, working in theater, musicals and opera. He lives in Surrey, England.

Gwen Millward studied illustration in Edinburgh and now spends all of her time painting and writing stories for children about her favorite subject, beasts.


Product Description (from Amazon)

In this twist on the “boy finds lost pet” tale, a young dragon discovers a Benjamin in Dragonwood. The dragon takes the boy home, to school and the playground. The Benjamin is a fascinating creature. He doesn’t have claws or scales and can’t even fly. When the Benjamin gets homesick, the dragon decides to help him get home. How will the other Benjamins react to finding a dragon in their world?