We believe that reading makes us smarter, and being smarter leads
to saving tons of money! We review old and new books, classic games
and even some music. We also review books for pre-readers and teens.
Each book review links to an online bookstore where you can find used
and new copies — we usually buy used books to stretch our budget.
Read, learn and save a boodle!
Click a book title below to view the full review.
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This is a delightful book for young children with elaborate pictures on every page. Each month is profiled with family traditions ranging from celebrating Valentine’s Day, Washington’s birthday, a maple gathering and sugaring...
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Peggy Parish was a third grade teacher and wrote her first Amelia Bedelia book in 1966. It was so well received that she wrote 11 additional titles. After she died in 1988, the letters from children kept coming, asking when the next Amelia book...
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Andrew Henry’s Meadow is a story about a boy who runs away because no one appreciates his unique interests and inventions...
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Two-time Caldecott Honor winner Margaret Bloy Graham...
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Gertrude Warner created the Boxcar Children on a day that she couldn’t go to work as a teacher because she was sick at home. It was inspired by her childhood dreams. As a child, she had spent hours watching the trains go by near her family's home...
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Bill Peet is a phenomenal story teller. Annette randomly picked up a couple of his books at the library when the kids were younger. The first time she read them out loud, she was convulsed with laughter! And of course the kids laughed twice as...
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This is an awesome Easter Story about Christ’s death and resurrection. The story is related through the eyes of two young boys as their lives are turned topsy-turvy. Caleb’s young and stubborn donkey colt is requested by two men to transport...
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This book series introduces young readers to a girl named Cam (short for Camera).
Cam Jansen has a photographic memory, “click” and she’s got the image permanently etched in her memory. She solves mysteries of all kinds using deductive...
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These are hilarious picture books with almost no words at all. The Christmas book shows every step of Christmas from baking, wrapping presents, trimming the tree, decorating with lights, stores with shoppers and then the kitchen at the end of...
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This is a delightful series for kids that takes these common cultural icons and traces them back to their roots and then introduces the spiritual side of these special holidays. The presentation is very tactful and positive. The explanations are...
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Since the time her husband died, Mrs. Otter and her son Emmet have been trying to eke out a living. She does laundry for others and he uses tools left to him by his father to do odd jobs and...
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Leroy Brown is a genius. He’s also the son of the local chief of police. As a result, he loves to find and solve mysteries. Many cases are ones that his dad brings home and has...
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A terrific interactive book for kids ages two to six. It has many hands-on activities for a child to touch as you read the Christmas story. The first page has a cardboard angel that lifts out of a pocket....
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As a young boy Arnold
Lobel was not very healthy. He missed many days of school from kindergarten
through second grade. Upon returning to school in third grade he started
drawing pictures for his...
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Claudia is part of a very busy family and feels as if she is never noticed or cared about. Because she is unhappy with family life, she decides to run away to The Metropolitan...
