Book ‘Em Kiddo

You’ll find all my book reviews here. I am strongly in favor of building great literacy skills starting at birth, so I review books for every stage from infancy to adult fiction. I confess I love it all, from “pulp” fiction to epic literary works, and I am sharing that love with my kids.

I’m currently focusing on adding reviews of elementary level picture books, “tween reads,” and adult fiction, with particular emphasis on female authors and illustrators, and books that feature inclusive characters.

If you’re an author (or represent one!) and would like me to review your book, please visit my Media & PR page for information on how to get your book into my hands.

Charlie Brown Historical People Series Joy Makin Mamas Review

You’re the greatest, Charlie Brown!

December 15, 2014December 15, 2014 - by Meghan G - 5 Comments.

My eldest can be Bored IDon’tWanna McBordeypants Ruler of the BoredLandians, and if you say, “Let’s read a book,” he comes around instantly, and Little Brother follows right behind him. (I don’t want to say they take after their mother, but… they take after their mother.) He does have standards, of course- if he doesn’t like the way a book is written or the way the story is going, he won’t hesitate to inform you that there will be No More Reading Of The Hobbit Ever because he just can’t want to be part of this family when we read the Hobbit. (But if there’s a Lego version of it, though, that would be fine… I have no words.)

lost my name books Joy Makin' Mamas Review

The Little Boy Who Lost His Name

December 11, 2014December 12, 2014 - by Meghan G - 3 Comments.

Discovering who you are is a great adventure. In the Lost My Name books, your child can embark on a completely personalized tale of kindness and courage, and they’ll never notice how much they are learning along the way. (But you will!)

Orangutan Houdini

November 20, 2014November 19, 2014 - by Meghan G - 2 Comments.

Raising children with an appreciation for our natural world requires that we show them that world in every way we possibly can. Visiting our nations best zoos and natural parks, …

Why Do We Call It Christmas DVD Review

November 18, 2014October 5, 2017 - by Meghan G - 18 Comments.

Come see what we thought of the Why Do We Call It Christmas DVD by the creator of Veggie Tales and enter to win a copy for yourself! Join Buck Denver and his pals to learn about the history and origins of all your favorite Christmas tradions. One US winner will receive a DVD of Why Do We Call It Christmas.

Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt Vin Vogel Review by Joy Makin' Mamas

Hunger in our communities: PWNED by Maddi’s Fridge

November 14, 2014October 21, 2017 - by Meghan G - 9 Comments.

#girls making a difference… Sofia and Maddi play in the same park. They live in the same neighborhood. When Sofia realizes that there is no food at Maddi’s house, Maddi makes her promise not to tell. This book is a story about hunger in our communities, and what we (even kids!) can do about it. My favorite sentence is: “10% of profits donated to help fight childhood hunger.”

Mom Made Us Write This Unboxing Photo Joy Makin Mamas

Book for tweens helps with sibling and blended family drama

November 11, 2014November 17, 2014 - by Meghan G - 14 Comments.

Twin siblings Maggie and Max are assigned by their mother to create a handwritten journal over the course of a summer. She lays out some ground rules, and then they are to take turns going first and then responding to one another’s entries. The result is the kind of messy, handwritten, doodled in journal that has been building creativity since paper stopped being as precious as diamonds.