Up High

Matt Hunt's Up High tells the story of a young boy and his father walking into town. The boy holds his father's hand. He feels so small in such a big city. The boy asks "to go up high." Daddy lifts him up onto his shoulders. His father holds him tight and he no longer feels so small. They look in the windows of shops. Then they go to the park to eat a picnic lunch on their favorite park bench. A while later, it's time to go home. His daddy asks if he wants "to go up high." He decides to walk. When he gets tired, daddy holds him tightly in his arms while he naps and carries him home. The author concludes the book with these words. "A dad's love can make even the littlest of kids feel like a giant."

A QR code is located at the end of the book, which can be scanned to hear the book read aloud. I absolutely adored this book. There's something about books about daddy's and children that always draws me in. My father was absent for most of my life. Every child deserves a loving, lasting relationship with both parents. It's fair to say that I live vicariously through books like this one. In spite of their simplicity, the illustrations are profound. This book I highly recommend. 

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Home

Isabelle Simler's Home describes twenty-seven fantastic creatures in their habitats and homes. Intricate illustrations coupled with beautifully written poems make this book a treasure to behold. Isabelle is both the author and illustrator of 'Home,' which was originally written in French and translated into English by Vineet Lal.

The book starts out...

I've been to some truly amazing homes.

To explore these unique places, I've had

to bend, and shrink, and squeeze, and

let myself be transformed in weird and

wonderful ways.

I've curled up in a hazel leaf,

and disappeared under a stone, and bathed

in a drop of dew...

I've woken up as an ant. And a bird.

Even a sea snail.

And I've imagined life in these homes,

all so very different to my own.

The following animals are featured in this book. The illustrations are amazing and I would love to share them with you. For that, you'll have to purchase the book. Below is one of the author's poems.

Eurasian Penduline Tits

Common Octopuses

Comet Moths

European Fan Worms

Common Tailorbirds

Eurasian Beavers

Common Wasps

Hummingbirds

Weaver Ants

Hermit Crabs

Foam-Nest Tree Frogs

Satin Bowerbirds

Cross Orbweaver Spiders

LACE CITADEL

of the cross orbweaver spider

Araneus diadematus

I live in the vertical plane,

in a complex structure

made from the strongest

and most elastic material there is.

If it gets damaged, I recycle my wheel

by eating my house of silk.

That gives me the energy

to weave a new one.

In this satin-smooth spiral,

mind where you put your feet.

Because at dinner time,

it's better to be the host than the guest.

My description of the illustration. 

With a midnight blue background, the illustration is dotted with tiny white dots (maybe stars in the distance). I am merely speculating. About 85% of the page is covered in an intricate web, with the spider working along the perimeter. It's an amazing web. There are some leaves that are reminiscent of peacock feathers. The designs are stunning. Brown and tan shades characterize the spider. Due to its beauty, I'm going to call the spider a she. Its legs are long and fuzzy. On its back, it displays a beautiful pattern that is similar to a turtle's shell.

Cathedral Termites

Case-Making Caddisflies

Golden Eagles

Sociable Weavers

Eurasian Harvest Mice

Elf Owls

Carrier Snails

Diving Bell Spiders

Honeybees

Alpine Marmots

Baya Weavers

Sumatran Orangutans

Red Ovenbirds

Hazel-Leaf Roller Weevils

This is a book that I definitely plan to add to my home library. Adults and children alike will enjoy this book. This book is a must-have.

DISCLAIMER - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

The Bison and the Butterfly

The Bison and the Butterfly is a story about how a lonely bison finds a friend. She learns how incredibly valuable she is to others in her habitat. Bison stands by her herd, but is unhappy. She needed a friend.

Bison eats bark from sweet chestnut trees.

Bison heard a...

PECK,

PECK,

PECK, it's a woodpecker.

Woodpecker explains how Bison's bark stripping feeds him. It provides larvae from trees that woodpeckers love.

The woodpecker cannot be Bison's friend at the moment due to his busy schedule.

A bison continues to roam.

Bison has to go poo.

SPLAT!

Dung Beetle nearby is so happy. Grazing on bison dung provides Beetle with food and a place to lay eggs.

Bison asks Dung Beetle if she wants to trample through the woods with her.

Dung Beetle is too busy.

Bison meets a lizard, admires her reflection in the water, and then...

Bison meets a BUTTERFLY and everything changes.

The end of the story is wonderful.

There is a two-page section at the end of the book entitled "The real Bison and the Butterfly..." This section discusses the differences between the American bison and the European bison. Furthermore, it discusses how bison benefit other animals.

In the final two pages, there are photos of actual bison and an article entitled "Bringing back the bison." Additionally, a QR code can be scanned to download an activity pack and learn more.

I found this book to be both informative and educational. It has amazing illustrations. This is a book that I would recommend.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

This is the Way in Dog Town

In This is the Way in Dog Town, young children learn what dogs in Dog Town do during the day. This book is set to the familiar melodious rhyme, 'Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.' This familiar tune will help children follow the activities of a Dog family as they get dressed, brush their teeth, go to school, do their work, play a game, eat lunch, paint a picture, go swimming, go home, eat dinner, take a bath, and go to bed.

This book is both written and illustrated by Ya-Ling Huang. Using watercolor and colored pencils, Ya-Ling's hand-drawn illustrations have a transparent look with layers of color.

"This is the way we paint a picture, 

paint a picture, 

paint a picture.

This is the way we paint a picture, 

in the afternoon."

Splat,

splat,

splat!

This picture depicts various breeds of dogs sitting, lying, and standing around a room, including bulldogs, poodles, and collies. In the corner, the teacher wipes the sweat off of his forehead with a cloth. There is a dog painting a wall. Several dogs hold up pictures of their artwork while smiling. A dog is laughing while holding a paint brush and a can of spilled paint at his feet. A second group of dogs is creating art. Another dog sits with a palette of paint colors. The room is a complete mess! Nonetheless, the dogs are having a lot of fun.

It's such a cute book. Toddlers and preschoolers will love this book. You should check it out.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Line Leads the Way

The book Line Leads the Way, written by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Alice Caldarella is about accepting imperfection and recognizing inner beauty.

The shapes around town see a sign that reads:

WANTED NEW TREASURE KEEPER

Are you the PERFECT shape

to keep our treasure safe?

Tryouts at Valley View

Library in two weeks!

The event was attended by shapes from near and far. Among the shapes that came were: Rectangle, Circle, Square, Oval, Triangle, Rectangle, Star, Diamond, and Line. The shapes all said that their shapes made them perfect for the job. For example, Circle proclaimed, "I am PERFECTLY round. I hold the silver moon and the blue lake and the noodly soup. I won't spill a single drop of Treasure." Diamond responded, "I will fly so PERFECTLY high that nobody will be able to reach the Treasure." Line was quiet then finally replied, "I'm not PERFECTLY anything. But I would take good care of the Treasure." The other shapes came back with mean remarks. Square said, "I'm worth four of you." After awhile the librarian finally said, "Our Treasure is made of many things, like knowledge and kindness and acceptance. The Treasure Keeper's job is to share it, not hide it or hoard it. With that in mind, congratulations to..."

This book has wonderful illustrations. Each shape has a personality. In addition to being colorful, the illustrations are also fun to explore. The illustrations complement the text well.

I really love how the rest of the story concludes. A must-have book for every daycare, school, church and home. This book teaches a lesson that needs to be learned early and reinforced often. This book is highly recommended.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

The Birds of Every Continent

The Birds of Every Continent chronicles twenty-two species of birds from around the world. You will find colorful photographs of each bird. A discussion of each bird includes the following facts:

1. Birds' Name

2. Scientific name

3. Physical features

4. Habitat

5. Diet

6. Interesting facts

There are birds from all continents represented. I will highlight one bird from each continent. The following are just a few facts about each bird.

Birds of North America

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

• Archilochus Colubris

• Incredible agility, unique hovering flight

• Shimmering iridescence is due to light refraction

• Fly non-stop for up to 18-20 hours to reach the wintering grounds

• They enter a state called "torpor" at night or in cold weather

• They can beat their wings 80 times per second

Birds of South America

Hoatzin

• "Stinkbird" due to its distinct odor

• They have specialized digestive adaptations, a fermentation chamber to break down tough plant material

• Not strong at flying

• Considered a living example of prehistoric bird features

Birds of Africa

Secretary Bird

• Tall stature, long legs, distinctive feather crest on its head

• When hunting prey it's called "stomping" because it repeatedly pounds its prey with its powerful feet to immobilize prey and break up the bones of prey

• They are considered honorary raptors

Birds of Europe

Red-throated Diver

• Courtship involves elaborate calls and synchronized swimming

• They have a haunting and mournful call

• Earned the nickname "Rain Goose"

• Diet is mainly fish

Birds of Asia

Fire-tailed Myzornis

• Myzornis Pyrrhoura

• Has dazzling plumage of red, green, and golden

• Important pollinators

• Referred to as the "flying jewel"

• They are indicators of mountain ecosystem health

Birds of Australia and Oceania

Black Noddy

• Black body, wings and white forehead and cap

• Seabird

• Known for its "nodding" behavior

• Known to engage in "kleptoparasitism" also known as stealing food from other birds

This book will appeal to bird enthusiasts. The bird descriptions in this book were interesting to read. I would recommend this book to others.

 Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Turkey's Birthday Bash

Turkey's Birthday Bash by Wendi Silvano is a hilarious book about an impatient turkey. It's Turkey's birthday and it seems that no one has remembered it's his birthday! There is something happening in Farmer Jake's backyard, but Turkey can't see what it is. In order to figure out what they are doing, Turkey gathers his friends together. He helps his friends put together various disguises so that he can sneak into the backyard. As a way to make the book even funnier, the author uses play on words. Here are a few examples.

"SHEAR up," said Sheep. As it relates to cheering up.

"You'd BATTER go back to the barn." Upon arriving disguised as a cupcake, turkey is discovered. He'd better get back to the barn because they're making a cake.

Turkey disguises himself as a rope-wicked tall candle made of trash cans. A box of matches is brought out by Millie, Farmer Jake's daughter, to light the big tall candle. Turkey leaps out of trash can candle and runs. Millie yells, "That's as FIRE as you go! BLOW on out of here..."

In the end, all farm animals are called to the backyard. Turkey as well. "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TURKEY!" This surprised Turkey so much. In addition to decorations, there were games, ice cream, and cupcakes. Best of all, there was PIZZA! For his birthday, Turkey really wanted pizza.

"CRUST me...this is going to be the most SUPER-SPECTACULAR birthday ever!" said Turkey.

Lee Harper's illustrations are amazing. They complement the story perfectly. The illustrations themselves tell the story pretty well. In addition to being colorful, the illustrations are entertaining as well.

I enjoyed everything about this book. This is a book I highly recommend.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

The Low-FODMAP Diet Cookbook For Beginners

The Low-FODMAP Diet Cookbook For Beginners by Nathan Terrell provides delicious recipes for managing IBS and other digestive disorders. There is also a 30-day meal plan included to help you achieve a healthier gut.

In the introduction, readers will learn about:

1. The Impact of the FODMAP Diet on Digestive Health

2. The Low FODMAP Diet in Stages

3. The Low FODMAP Diet's Benefits

4. The Low FODMAP Diet: The Diseases They Treat

5. The Best Ways to Start and Follow the Low FODMAP Diet

6. The Low FODMAP Foods List

7. The High FODMAP Foods to Avoid

What does FODMAP stand for? It is an acronym for "Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols."

Fermentable - foods our guts do not fully digest that ferment in our colon.

Oligosaccharides - fructans and galacto-oligasaccharides

Disaccharides - sucrose, lactose, maltose

Monosaccharides - simple sugars such as fructose and glucose

And Polyols - found in stone fruits, sugar-free sweeteners, and some vegetables.

Our digestive system cannot digest these four short-chain carbohydrates. Consequently, they can cause digestive problems.

"FODMAP encompasses a group of small carbohydrates, including sugars and fibers, that tend to be poorly immersed in the gastrointestinal tract. These inadequately digested sugars can draw water into the small intestine and present as a source of nourishment for the gut microbes residing in our colon, leading to the production of gas. This gas and additional water can become trapped in the intestines or stretch the intestines, contributing to troublesome digestive symptoms."

Low FODMAP foods:

• Carrots

• Cucumbers

• Lettuce

• Oranges

• Strawberries

• Hard cheeses

• Eggs

• Oats

• Peanuts

• Blueberries

• Grapes

• Oranges

• Pineapple

• Amaranth

• Corn

• Gluten free bread

• Popcorn

• Rice

• Butter

• Coconut milk

• Almond milk

• Potato

• Squash

• Sweet potato

High FODMAP foods (AVOID):

• Apple

• Dried fruit

• Asparagus

• Mushrooms

• Cow's milk

• Ice cream

• Legumes

• Wheat

• Honey

• Pistachios

• Soft cheese

• Goat's milk

• Sheep's milk

• Yogurt

• Barley

• Rye

• Apricots

• Avocado

• Cherries

• Mango

• Peaches

• Pear

• Watermelon

• Raisins

FODMAPs trigger fermentation when they enter the colon. Our intestinal tract is home to both healthy and unhealthy bacteria. Good bacteria produce methane from digestible fiber in our diet. Undigestible fiber releases hydrogen gas. There are a number of unwanted symptoms associated with this gas, including bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and constipation.

It is always advisable to consult your doctor if you are experiencing GI symptoms to rule out any underlying causes. In the Low FODMAP diet, the diet is divided into three stages. The best way to do this is under the supervision of a doctor or dietician.

First Stage: Elimination

This is the most challenging stage. You must eliminate ALL high FODMAP foods. A strict compliance with your modified diet is essential. Having a good dietician on hand can help you find replacements for foods you eat regularly that you need to give up. Discovering new foods that you haven't tried before could lead to new favorites. In general, it takes about a month for your body to notice the benefits of a diet change, for inflammation to subside, and for good bacteria to replace bad bacteria. This process may take even longer if you have a severe GI condition. A decision like this will have to be made between you and your doctor. Keep a daily log of your progress if you are doing this on your own.

Second Stage: Reintroduction

Whether you are working with your doctor or dietician or doing it yourself, you will introduce one food at a time. Foods should normally be trialed for several days before moving on to the next. You can determine your tolerance for any food by starting with a small amount and increasing it over time. If a food triggers GI issues, stop eating it and allow your body to get back to baseline before adding another. In order to prevent your body from becoming intolerant to foods, it's also helpful to rotate your foods. Due to the extensive list of High FODMAP foods, this stage lasts approximately 8-12 weeks.

Third Stage: Personalization

You will combine Low FODMAP foods with SAFE High FODMAP foods at this stage. This is going to be a journey. You should keep in mind that your gut is always changing. What your gut likes today may not be what it likes two months from now. People with GI issues have to be on alert at all times. Foods that are considered Low FODMAP may not always be suitable for your body just because they are considered so.

So, what are the benefits of a Low FODMAP diet?

• Extensive research

• Identification of food triggers

• Management and reduction of GI symptoms

• Better quality of life

• Lots of resources available

So, what diseases does the Low FODMAP diet help?

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

• Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

So, how do I start and follow the Low FODMAP diet successfully?

• Seek professional help

• Keep a food diary

• Gather the necessary resources

• Initiate the elimination phase

• Reintroduction of FODMAP's

• Personalizing our diet

Here's where the book gets fun! A total of 100 recipes are included in this book. There are breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert recipes included in the collection.

BREAKFAST

1. Blueberry Muffins

2. Breakfast Quiche with Spinach and Bacon

3. Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal

LUNCH

1. Grilled Chicken Salad with Mixed Greens

2. Sushi Bowl with Shrimp and Avocado

3. Salmon and Spinach Salad

DINNER

1. Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

2. Low FODMAP Tacos

3. Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers

SNACK

1. Rice Cakes with Almond Butter and Banana

2. Olives and Feta Cheese

3. Mixed Berry Smoothie

DESSERT

1. Coconut Macaroons

2. Strawberry Shortcake

3. Mixed Berry Popsicles

I found this book to be very informative and helpful. This is a book I would recommend.

Disclaimer - I reviewed this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts.