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Best Children's Disease Books

Wonder
Over 6 million people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller WONDER and have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. "Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy . Homeschooled all his life, August heads to public school for fifth grade and he is not the only one changed by the experience--something we learn about first-hand through the narratives of those who orbit his world. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” From The Little Prince and R.J. Palacio’s remarkable novel, Wonder .-- Seira Wilson August, nicknamed Auggie, is a 10-year-old with a facial deformity that causes others to avoid and even shun him.
Reviews
"I'm a 54 year old grandfather who served in the Marine Corps (just for a little context). Palacio...I can't believe how she so accurately and consistently pegs human nature."
"The most emotional moment for me came toward the end of the book when Auggie's father tells him that he loves the way Auggie looks, because that it exactly how my husband and I feel about our son."
"Author R.J. Palacio writes the book in multiple voices -- Auggie's, some of his friends', his sister's -- and the different points of view are mostly very well-realized and show the inner feelings of the different characters."
"I would also highly recommending reading (or listening to the audiobook) of the "Julian Chapters" as his perspective was the only thing I wish it included, and this additional reading material made an amazing story even better."
"I believe people who are beautiful on the inside, people will eventually see only the beauty; people who are ugly on the inside, that is what people will ultimately see."
"I had not planned to purchase this, as I was reading the book aloud to my 4th graders."
"I have never met or seen anyone with this issue."
"This was such a great, well written book full of well defined and diverse characters."
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Smile
What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. Grade 5 Up—When she was in sixth grade, Telgemeier tripped while running and lost her two front teeth. The dental case that Telgemeier documents in this graphic memoir was extreme: a random accident led to front tooth loss when she was 12, and over the next several years, she suffered through surgery, implants, headgear, false teeth, and a rearrangement of her remaining incisors.
Reviews
"What I liked about this book is that is a comic,well not necessarily a comic, but more like a graphic novel."
"I am in middle school and this book made me feel special that I was strong."
"Great story!"
"The only problem was that if i was going to read this book out loud at bedtime both children wanted to see the pictures instead of laying down to listen."
"I stumbled on this book and Raina Telgemeier's other book as well. Kudos to Raina Telgemeier for writing such an excellent book."
"I am a nearly tween girl... and this book gave me lots of advice on how to deal with all kinds of normal things girls and boys go through."
"I'm eleven years old and I am not a huge fan of graphic novels, but this book was amazing!"
"I am getting braces in a bit, and I do have friend problems, no crushes yet, oh, and why I am getting braces, is because I have spread out teeth."
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Ghosts
Cat isn't happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. Cat has her doubts—especially after a ghostly encounter puts Maya in the hospital—but as Day of the Dead celebrations draw closer, she starts to reconsider. Telgemeier employs the cheerful cartoon artwork that fans of Smile, Drama, and Sisters know and love, but her palette is more muted in places, fitting the book's somewhat serious and somber themes. VERDICT A can't-miss addition to middle grade graphic novel shelves; hand to fans of the author and newcomers alike.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal * "Telgemeier has her finger on the pulse of middle-grade readers, and this might be her best yet. ". -- Booklist , starred review. * "Telgemeier's bold colors, superior visual storytelling, and unusual subject matter will keep readers emotionally engaged and unable to put down this compelling tale."
Reviews
"I gulped this book down in one quick sitting, and it was a wonderful reading experience."
"I loved it!"
"Raina really outdone herself again with yet another lovely heartful and beautiful book and I can't wait to read more of her future work."
"The stories and comic strip artwork is awesome!"
"Dia de Los Muertos is a great topic for a graphic book."
"Book arrived in great condition."
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Best Children's Biography Comics

Smile
What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. The dental case that Telgemeier documents in this graphic memoir was extreme: a random accident led to front tooth loss when she was 12, and over the next several years, she suffered through surgery, implants, headgear, false teeth, and a rearrangement of her remaining incisors.
Reviews
"What I liked about this book is that is a comic,well not necessarily a comic, but more like a graphic novel."
"I am in middle school and this book made me feel special that I was strong."
"Great story!"
"The only problem was that if i was going to read this book out loud at bedtime both children wanted to see the pictures instead of laying down to listen."
"I stumbled on this book and Raina Telgemeier's other book as well. Kudos to Raina Telgemeier for writing such an excellent book."
"I am a nearly tween girl... and this book gave me lots of advice on how to deal with all kinds of normal things girls and boys go through."
"I'm eleven years old and I am not a huge fan of graphic novels, but this book was amazing!"
"I am getting braces in a bit, and I do have friend problems, no crushes yet, oh, and why I am getting braces, is because I have spread out teeth."
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Best Education & Reference

Wonder
Over 6 million people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller WONDER and have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. "Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy . Homeschooled all his life, August heads to public school for fifth grade and he is not the only one changed by the experience--something we learn about first-hand through the narratives of those who orbit his world. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” From The Little Prince and R.J. Palacio’s remarkable novel, Wonder .-- Seira Wilson August, nicknamed Auggie, is a 10-year-old with a facial deformity that causes others to avoid and even shun him.
Reviews
"I'm a 54 year old grandfather who served in the Marine Corps (just for a little context). Palacio...I can't believe how she so accurately and consistently pegs human nature."
"The most emotional moment for me came toward the end of the book when Auggie's father tells him that he loves the way Auggie looks, because that it exactly how my husband and I feel about our son."
"Author R.J. Palacio writes the book in multiple voices -- Auggie's, some of his friends', his sister's -- and the different points of view are mostly very well-realized and show the inner feelings of the different characters."
"I would also highly recommending reading (or listening to the audiobook) of the "Julian Chapters" as his perspective was the only thing I wish it included, and this additional reading material made an amazing story even better."
"I believe people who are beautiful on the inside, people will eventually see only the beauty; people who are ugly on the inside, that is what people will ultimately see."
"I had not planned to purchase this, as I was reading the book aloud to my 4th graders."
"I have never met or seen anyone with this issue."
"This was such a great, well written book full of well defined and diverse characters."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Children's Fitness Books

It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (The Family Library)
The definitive book about puberty and sexual health for today’s kids and teens, now fully updated for its twentieth anniversary. Gr 1 & Up—These highly acclaimed titles have been go-to guides for a whole generation of children, teens, and their parents wishing to address these delicate, often difficult-to-discuss topics. It's Perfectly Normal, which is geared toward children nearing puberty, has sold more than one million copies, been translated into more than 35 languages, and has been endorsed and used by teachers, librarians, clergy, health care and mental health professions across this country. It also has the distinction of being listed as #7 on the American Library Association's list of most frequently challenged books of the 21st century.
Reviews
"Please note that this book does not hold back when talking about sex nor does it hold back with its pictures."
"It does have cartoon graphics to illustrate each chapter, but there is nothing "sexy" about those (you can find them online if you search). It does discuss homosexuality, birth control, abortion, as well as menstruation, puberty, etc, etc. So, this is a very personal decision, but I decided that a book this thorough would be the perfect guide to use with my kid. Because, next year she will go into 5th grade and they will start teaching a class on a watered down version of these topics. I said we should not talk about this at school, but the reason I am going through it with her is because I know she will hear bits and pieces out there, and I don't want her to feel confusion, embarrassment, or fear. So approaching controversial topics may seem tough, but we are still going through it, and it's amazing how many questions she has, and how open and comfortable she felt. for instance: homosexuality... We read the chapter and then I asked her what she thought, before I spoke. I won't go into how I handled each topic, because maybe it's overkill, but already five other friends have bought this book."
"Since this is an intro to sex book, I really had a hard time with the fact that it introduces anal sex."
"It does clearly state that abstinence is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and STD's, and stresses that the decision to become sexually active should be a conscious and deliberate one by a responsible person. Something that I thought was a very good inclusion in the this edition was conduct on phones, texting, computers, digital media, etc., and the potential consequences of misusing them. Depending on your views as a parent or caregiver, the age suggestion of 10 and up may be higher or lower than what you think is appropriate, but it's pretty reasonable considering what most kids have learned on the playground by 10 years old."
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Best Children's Safety Books

PLEASE DON'T SNEEZE: Teaching Your Child Stay Healthy And Safe (Children's Animal Bedtime Books Book 3)
Review By Jean Glasser: This is a delightful book for young children. Sigal Adler is an Israeli children's author with a refreshing, rhythmic writing style. The combination of catchy rhymes spiced with humor and an ethical message appeals to the hearts of children.
Reviews
"And this poem was well done both as a story and as a rhyme. I read this poem to my granddaughter, and she drew pictures of the story as I read it."
"Sometimes life’s lesson’s can simply be put into short, easy-to-read picture books simple enough for a kindergartener to read and understand."
"This is a fun and entertaining book to read for kids."
"I believe that Please Don't Sneeze is a wonderful story for beginning readers with its easy to follow rhymes.The beautiful lyrical quality coupled with the fun plot will keep young minds engaged and also help to learn valuable lessons."
"This book is great, but short and my children wanted to find more."
"Best book ever."
"They befriend the dragon and he becomes a good friend, but one day he plays in the rain and gets sick and when his temperature rises he sneezes FIRE."
"Cute enough, I suppose."
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Best Children's Maturing Books

It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (The Family Library)
The definitive book about puberty and sexual health for today’s kids and teens, now fully updated for its twentieth anniversary. Gr 1 & Up—These highly acclaimed titles have been go-to guides for a whole generation of children, teens, and their parents wishing to address these delicate, often difficult-to-discuss topics. It's Perfectly Normal, which is geared toward children nearing puberty, has sold more than one million copies, been translated into more than 35 languages, and has been endorsed and used by teachers, librarians, clergy, health care and mental health professions across this country. It also has the distinction of being listed as #7 on the American Library Association's list of most frequently challenged books of the 21st century.
Reviews
"Please note that this book does not hold back when talking about sex nor does it hold back with its pictures."
"It does have cartoon graphics to illustrate each chapter, but there is nothing "sexy" about those (you can find them online if you search). It does discuss homosexuality, birth control, abortion, as well as menstruation, puberty, etc, etc. So, this is a very personal decision, but I decided that a book this thorough would be the perfect guide to use with my kid. Because, next year she will go into 5th grade and they will start teaching a class on a watered down version of these topics. I said we should not talk about this at school, but the reason I am going through it with her is because I know she will hear bits and pieces out there, and I don't want her to feel confusion, embarrassment, or fear. So approaching controversial topics may seem tough, but we are still going through it, and it's amazing how many questions she has, and how open and comfortable she felt. for instance: homosexuality... We read the chapter and then I asked her what she thought, before I spoke. I won't go into how I handled each topic, because maybe it's overkill, but already five other friends have bought this book."
"Since this is an intro to sex book, I really had a hard time with the fact that it introduces anal sex."
"It does clearly state that abstinence is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and STD's, and stresses that the decision to become sexually active should be a conscious and deliberate one by a responsible person. Something that I thought was a very good inclusion in the this edition was conduct on phones, texting, computers, digital media, etc., and the potential consequences of misusing them. Depending on your views as a parent or caregiver, the age suggestion of 10 and up may be higher or lower than what you think is appropriate, but it's pretty reasonable considering what most kids have learned on the playground by 10 years old."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Children's Diet & Nutrition Books

The Omnivore's Dilemma: Young Readers Edition
In a smart, compelling format with updated facts, plenty of photos, graphs, and visuals, as well as a new afterword and backmatter, The Omnivore’s Dilemma serves up a bold message to the generation that needs it most: It’s time to take charge of our national eating habits—and it starts with you. Grade 7 Up—Based on Pollan's best-selling adult book of the same title, this (slightly) shortened version will appeal to thoughtful, socially responsible teens. The book is divided into four sections: "The Industrial Meal" (exemplified by the fact that only two companies, Cargill and ADM, buy nearly a third of all the corn grown in the U.S.); "The Industrial Organic Meal" (covering most of what's found in stores like Whole Foods); "Local Sustainable" (small farms typically based on grass, not corn); and what he calls the "Do-It-Yourself Meal" (where he hunts a wild pig and gathers wild mushrooms).
Reviews
"If you'd like to know what you're eating, where it comes from and what the dilemna is, this book is for you."
"Taught it as part of my 8th grade ELA curriculum and it spawned incredible conversation with my students."
"As a kid, I was expecting such a long book to be boring and not worth a read."
"This book and In Defense of Food should be required high school and college reading."
"I just finished reading the book myself and am so excited to share this with students."
"I am now more aware of what I eat, but changing my habits and my family's will be difficult."
"Very informative."
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Best Children's Personal Hygiene Books

Fever 1793
But when the fever begins to strike closer to home, Mattie's struggle to build a new life must give way to a new fight-the fight to stay alive. Later, after much hardship and terror, they return to the deserted town to find their former cook, a freed slave, working with the African Free Society, an actual group who undertook to visit and assist the sick and saved many lives. As first frost arrives and the epidemic ends, Mattie's sufferings have changed her from a willful child to a strong, capable young woman able to manage her family's business on her own. The opening scene of Anderson's ambitious novel about the yellow fever epidemic that ravaged Philadelphia in the late 18th century shows a hint of the gallows humor and insight of her previous novel, Speak. Sixteen-year-old Matilda "Mattie" Cook awakens in the sweltering summer heat on August 16th, 1793, to her mother's command to rouse and with a mosquito buzzing in her ear.
Reviews
"Great book."
"Laurie clearly does her research (very Gabaldon-esqe) and puts together a gripping historical fiction tale that moved me and caused me to stay up late just to find out what happened next!"
"This story does a nice job so describing the setting and context of the epidemic as well as showing the hard work everyone did during the time."
"The Yellow Fever epidemic is very frightening to anyone who lived through it and our heroine makes the reader comprehend all aspects of it."
"My daughter and I loved this book!"
"I've long known about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia but this book brought it to life through the eyes of the protagonist."
"A neighbor read it and liked it."
"I loved it, it started out kind of slow then built up until you couldn't put it down like a good story should."
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Best Children's Toilet Training Books

Potty (Leslie Patricelli Board Books)
A new toddler title charts a crucial achievement. In the first book, the toddler has to "go potty." These appealing books feature simple text, bright acrylic illustrations, and everyday situations that are certain to engage the very young. —School Library Journal.
Reviews
"This book shows (so you can decide if it matches your needs): - A gender-less baby character (12 months to 24 months max). - Child using a toddler potty (not the regular toilet). - A naked baby with privates cleverly covered; one image of a bare butt (see pic). - A dog and cat going potty outside and in cat box. - No actual poop or pee. - Baby running with toilet paper in celebration at the end (see pic). The story, in a nutshell [I say he, but baby could easily be a girl]: Baby has to go potty and wonders where he should go (in diaper or somewhere else). Last page spread just depicts all kinds of underwear, presumably to help your little one can get excited about wearing them (boy and girl styles shown). This book has short, simple sentences and clearly target the younger potty training crowd (definitely for under 2, though older toddlers may still enjoy). I'll be reviewing every potty training book I can get my hands on in the near future as I find the ones I like best so stay tuned!"
"I missed out - oh darn ;-) - on most of the process with our middle grandson since my daughter-in-law became a stay-at-home mom as he was almost ready to begin, and now it's coming time for the youngest grandson to start. ), VERY simple words that a 2 year old can relate to, and the nice thick pages on this 7" x 7" book (perfect for a youngster to hold while waiting for something to happen on the pot), but ALSO how terrifically it reflects the growing awareness a child must have before he/she is ready to begin the process. It's so sad to think that - according to the American Academy of Pediatrics - more abuse occurs during toilet training than at an other stage of development, with parents'/caretakers' expectations sometimes exceeding a child's abilities/understanding, mistaking a child's imperfect attempts for acts of willful disobedience. Not all kids are ready at the same time, and trying to force it too early is going to backfire in terms of stressing a child out and prolonging the process."
"My kid loves this book."
"However, she LOVES the book."
"We just started potty training."
"I have a lot of books from this collection and love love them."
"Really fun book written the right level for kids."
"She still read it while on the potty just about every day."
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