Better Together photography by Warren Photograhy

Better Together is a beautiful picture book that is filled with interesting quotes and pictures of very cute animals.  All of the animal pictures are on a white background making the pictures very pleasing to look at.   There are also unusual combinations of animals for instance a guinea pig with a kitten, bunnies with  dogs, baby ducks and a cat, and an owl with a cat.  Very creative photography by this mother and son team.  Apparently they raise the animals at their home so they are able to take their pictures together.  

The book is divided into seven sections with themes such as Friendship, Love & Compassion, Respect, and Triumph & Strength.  The quotes are from a mix of people like Kofi Annan, Mother Teresa, George Washington, Nelson Mandela, and Helen Keller.  

I love quote books, and  I enjoy reading them and using the quotes in letters and scrapbooks.  To me this is one of the best books with quotations I have seen in awhile.  It is well organized, the quotes are relevant, the layout is attractive and it is appropriate for all ages.  I think small children will enjoy seeing the pictures and having the quotes read to them, and older children and adults will enjoy looking through the book and reading the quotes.  

My children have enjoyed looking through Better Together.  I have found myself sitting in my favorite chair reading the quotes and smiling at the adorable pictures.  The animals are not only cute, the shots are artistically interesting and the animals combinations are fun to see.  I would recommend this book to readers of all ages.  It would make a lovely gift for someone.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Ohio Education Rules and a To Do Item

As many of you know this is the year that the Ohio Home Education Laws are under review from the Ohio Department of Education. CHEO has a review of what is taking place at the state level. Here is another link to CHEO that links you to a copy of the updated rules. My understanding is the Ohio Department of Education will vote on the updated rules this April. 

I think the biggest change is there is now a definite time frame on when your Letter of Intent and Assessment must be turned in to your school district. 

A parent who elects to provide home education shall supply the following information to the superintendent no later than the first week of the start of the public school building the child would attend in the school district of residence or within one week of the date on which the child begins to reside in the district or within one week from the child’s withdrawal from a school:
So my goal for this week was to Google "19/20 calendar for Winton Woods City School District." The calendar for my district is pending board approval but it looks like the first day of school is Monday August 19, 2019.

So, this week maybe you want to Google the date for the start of your school district and put that date on your calendar.

Have a great week!
Becky

Camp Club Girls: Bailey by Linda Carlblom

Camp Club Girls: Bailey by Linda Carlblom is a Camp Club Girls 4 in 1 mystery collection. The four stories follow Bailey Chang and her friends Elizabeth, Kate, McKenzie, Sidney, and Alexis as they solve mysteries across the United States. They are all friends from their neighborhood and school, and the book is appropriate for 9-13 year old girls is my take.  

My ten year old daughter is enjoying the stories. The characters solve mysteries, navigate sibling relationship & friendships and life as a preteen. All of the mysteries are solved with science and observation. Growing up I always loved mysteries and I was thrilled this was not gory, and age appropriate. I also like how the girls interact. They remind each other to be kind in their group chats, and use technology wisely as they combine their mystery-solving skills to crack the case.  I recommend Camp Club Girl : Bailey

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Linda McQuinn Carlblom is a Christian children's writer and speaker who has loved kids ever since she was one. She has the uncanny knack of remembering how she felt as a child, which allows her to write with humor and empathy for her readers. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, she writes with straightforward honesty that kids relate to. Her faith permeates everything she writes without being preachy or judgmental. If she's not writing for kids, she loves writing to those who impact them most, their parents and teachers. After God, her top three loves are her family, reading, and cheesecake. 

Learn more about Linda and her books at her website: http://www.lindacarlblom.com