Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received these books, free of charge,from the author and the Cadence Group, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it

Yes I know you do NOT want to think about it, but Summer is a mere 7-8 weeks away

(depending on when your school gets out).

Go ahead, scream, I understand....

Better?

Yeah, I know, NOT REALLY!

It's funny, yet sad, how today's kids want more interaction. Gone are the days when our parents pretty much threw us outside all summer, and we made our own activities up, just coming back in for food and Kool-aid, right? Now kids want us INVOLVED- they want parents to plan activities for them, be it camp, excursions, or even just games at home. While we cherish the time with our kids, and like doing things with them, sometimes we wonder if they need more imaginative play, right?

Today I've got 4 books you might want to pick up for summer, to keep the kids occupied! Two of the new books from one of our favorite authors, take on that idea and not only teach, but allow kids imaginations to run amok. Another allows for Summer bible teaching, and the fourth helps kids to deal with feelings, before school starts again!

Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?

Two little girls pepper their father with questions about whether or not they can be a profession and still be a princess. Motivated by her granddaughter's fascination with all things 'princess,' Carole P. Roman penned this adorable poem celebrating all the wonderful possibilities waiting ahead for them.

This is a fun story, that allows girls to see that ANY profession is open to the, they just have to dream! I love how the book shows girls in imaginative play, but at the same time, checking out new ideas.

can a princess be a firefighter sample 2

The idea that it doesn't matter what you are, that you will always be YOU, is such a valuable lesson to learn. And while the book is talking about how much a father loves his daughter, it also teaches girls to think outside the expected roles and to be unique. And that is the best thing to learn! This would be a fun book to give to a lucky little girl, along with a box of pretend items, that match the jobs in the book, for Summer imaginative play.

Rocket-Bye

Carole P. Roman travels to the stars, orbiting the moon and rocketing past planets in this adorable journey to the far reaches of the galaxy. A beautiful bedtime poem, this verse is sure to delight any child before they go to sleep.

This wonderful book, by one of our favorite authors, teaches kids to look to the stars, and to see the many constellations and what they represent! Seeing lions and bears, oh my! This is the perfect book to take outside with a flashlight and tent, and stargaze in the backyard, or on a summer camping trip! It's a lovely book and one to cherish!

Adventure Bible, Wild About the Bible

The Adventure Bible comes to life with puzzles, activity pages, and 50 reusable stickers in the new Wild About the Bible Sticker and Activity Book. Featuring Bible time heroes and their adventures, activities are fun and engaging and will entertain as well as teach young children (ages 4-10) about familiar stories in the Bible. Heroes and adventures include Creation, Noah, Moses, Esther, and the parable of the Lost Son.

As you can see, teh activities in this book are varied- some aimed at the younger group (coloring, place stickers), while others are for older kids (crossword puzzles, cryptics). Each page gives you the matching bible verse to relate the activity to, allowing kids to read the bible verse, and then solve the puzzle. So you not only get fun activities, you get bible learning! The book would be great for keeping the kids busy in the car enroute to vacation, or for use during Summer bible camps.

The last book is one that can help kids get a hold of their emotions over the Summer, before school starts, or before they go back to school and have to deal with difficult kids.

Mad to Glad: Mindfulness Lessons to Help Children Cope with Changing Emotions

Children are often told to "Pay attention!", but how do they do that when a child's emotions and thoughts change so quickly? Mad to Glad teaches children the following Mindfulness lessons in a fun and interactive way to increase their focusing abilities. The lessons for kids ages 3-7, included are:

Energy transfer: Using physical movement to change negative thoughts to a positive attitude of the mind.

Visualizations: Using a child's imagination to achieve goals.

Affirmations: Using positive phrases to build a child's confidence.

Focused breathing: Using the breath to become aware of the present moment.

This is a great book that talks to kids on their level and allows kids to understand that emotions like fear and anger are normal. By giving them simple ways to learn to control their feelings, kids learn how to deal with any situation! If you start the book at the beginning of the Summer, it gives your kids time to try out the techniques of the book with friends and family, so they have plenty of practice before school starts! This would be a great book to share with kids who are getting ready to start Kindergarten.

About the Authors:

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the Captain No Beard series. Both Captain No Beard-An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life and Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis have received the Kirkus Star of Exceptional Merit. The first book in the series was named to Kirkus Reviews Best 2012. Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis has just been named to Kirkus Reviews Best of 2015. Each book in the series has won numerous awards including the NABE Pinnacle Award, ERIK Award for 2013, ForeWord Review Five Star and Finalist in the Book of the Year, and Reader's Views Children's Book of the Year 2013. She is also the author of the award-wining, non-fiction culture series If You Were Me and Lived in... Her new non-fiction cultural series written for older children will be published soon.

David Miles was born and raised in Michigan, David spent his childhood sloshing through creek beds, climbing trees, and creating numerous baked goods. That spirit of adventure and curiosity often finds its way into his illustrations through quirky characters and hidden surprises. After spending a decade in Philadelphia and New York pursuing his artistic dreams, David has moved back to the familiar surroundings of Michigan. Now, when he's not drawing and painting he still enjoys a good romp through the woods.is an illustrator, web designer, and publisher of books to help families be happy.

Angie Harris is a mother to two brilliant boys and aunt to eight beautiful nieces and nephews. As a teenager Angie suffered the sudden loss of her beloved mother, Rosemarie. It was then she was introduced to contemplative practices such as yoga and meditation. A decade later, Angie's sister Stephy was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was during this time that Angie's meditation practice turned outward, toward teaching. She wanted to share meditation with her young nieces and nephews, who are grieving the loss of their mother, as she was once taught to do. To learn how to deliver lessons to children, Angie attended the Mindful Schools training in 2012. Since completing the program she has been welcomed into public and private schools to teach mindfulness meditation to both students and teachers. Teaching mindfulness has led to her first professional writing project, this book.