Category Archives: Book

I love to read.

Book, Review

Free Books From Cheerios

Read to Me, Dad Review: Romeo and Lou Blast Off

I was feeding Eva some of her “O’s” today for and after breakfast snack. On the box I noticed that it said that there was a free book inside. Allison did the shopping this week so I didn’t notice the box till I went for breakfast this morning. There was a book inside that had the story written in both English and Spanish. What a great idea to give books to people through an essential finger food for babies. Read to Me, Dad approves of this very much. There are 5 books in total and the Cheerios box says,

“Feed their imagination. Putting big books into little hands puts big ideas into young minds. When you read a book with your child, you share a special moment of wonder, surprise and amazement.”

It goes on to state.

” Cheerios is committed to helping you raise a child healthy in body and mind. Through Spoonfuls of Stories, you can foster a lifelong love of reading in your little ones.”

The book that was in our box of Cheerios was Romeo and Lou Blast Off. The book is a cute little story about imagination. The imaginations of Lou the Polar Bear and Romeo the Penguin. They start their journey in the North Pole and end up in a modern city. How they get there is part of the fun of the story. Once there they mix up the things that they see with those things that they know like a policeman that they think is a shark. It is a very fun little tale with beautiful illustrations.

Read to Me Dad Ratings

  • Story – Good – A great little story about imagination and two friends on an adventure.
  • Re-Read-ability – Good – This is certainly one that I can read again as Eva gets older and can see the things that Lou and Romeo see.
  • Illustrations – Good – The bright illustrations and the fun “mistakes” that Romeo and Lou make certainly add to how nice it is to view the book.
  • Message – Imagination and a good friend can take you many places.
  • Plot – A Polar Bear and a Penguin take flight and land in a city. They have adventures while there and find their way back to their home.
  • Characters – Romeo and Lou are fun characters they are friends who work together and share their imaginations.
  • Does Eva Like It – Eva sat through the story and looked at the images.
  • Recommended Ages – 3-8
Book, Music, Review

Nana Star

Nana Star

An important part of raising our daughter is making sure that we select media that will reinforce good values that we are trying to impart to her. I received two wonderful books that fit that bill. I received the books Nana Star and Nana Star and the Moonman. I will review the Moonman book in another post. This post is about Nana Star.

Nana Star is the first book in a series about a young girl who finds a baby star that is lost. The heavens is where the star is from so the young girl must help the star get home. The star is looking for his nana and because the young girl takes up the task of helping the little star she becomes Nana Star. As Nana Star the young girl now has a very large responsibility. She sets off on her journey with the Little Star and that is the gist of what happens in book one.

Nana Star is a series that builds upon the lessons from each of the previous books. In book one, Nana Star we meet Nana Star and the little star. We see how this young girl learns quickly responsibility and caring for the needs of someone else. Nana Star also learns how to comfort someone else as she makes the little star feel safe. The story fits into a wider story that is filled with tales of lessons about values like manners, healthy habits, creativity and courage. In each book Nana Star meets another friend who can help her along her way to bring the little star to his home.

Each Nana Star book comes with a CD that contains a reading of the story along with an original song about Nana Star. The songs are different on each CD too. I’ve read about other bloggers and their children who like to listen to the CD and follow along in the book. I’m sure that when Eva gets older she will do that too. However, for now she likes looking at the beautiful illustrations.

When she gets a little older and can read she’ll surely point out the single mistake that is in each Nana Star Book. Yes, there is an intentional mistake in each Nana Star book. The reason for this is to remind people that we all make mistakes and even though mistakes are made something beautiful can be created. When you find the mistake you can send Nana Star a note with a correction and your child can be part of the Nana Star Little Twinkles Club. Being part of this club your child receives an 8 X 10 photo of the real Nana Star, Elizabeth Owens, and a special message from her.

The thing that really hooked me is that Nana Star is much more than a book with a nice message. Nana Star is a family collaboration. There are four generations working on the book and the Nana Star Foundation. The Nana Star Foundation is dedicated to helping make life easier for inner city school. It is also dedicated to terminally ill children. A portion of all sales of Nana Star books and merchandise goes to fund the foundation.

Read to Me Dad Ratings

  • Story – Excellent – Nana Star is a tale of responsibility, caring for others and sharing. A young girl finds a lost baby star and she takes on the responsibility of returning this scared star to his home. Along the way she meets many colorful characters that help her and guide her.
  • Re-Read-ability – Great. Because this book is part of a series it is easy to go back and re-read the start of the adventure.
  • Illustrations – Excellent – The colors and style of this book are simple yet look amazingly classic. Soft watercolors combined with ink gives this book a very unique look.
  • Message – Excellent – Caring for others is important.
  • Plot – Good – Nana Star is a nice story with a message but also it is episodic and each story builds on the next.
  • Characters – Whimsical. The watercolors and the magical nature of different characters gives the story a fun and whimsical feel.
  • Does Eva Like It – Eva does like looking at the pictures and I am sure that later this will be one of those books that she will read and re-read over and over.
  • Recommended Ages – All Ages will enjoy reading this story about caring and sharing.

Purchase your own Nana Star Books.