Jennifer’s a very talented, well-versed writer, and she weaves the complex and emotional tale of her family’s journey in an intriguing way.

Though I have never adopted, the burden on my heart for underprivileged children in undeveloped countries is immense. Hearing about this mother of three’s passion for enlarging her family through adoption is inspiring, and I am certain that this book will give hope to those who seek to embark on this same adventure.

A great deal of this book is the backstory, the background of the Grant family and household, setting the scene for the call to adopt. Though it has been criticized for being too past-heavy and not giving enough information about the adoption itself and the immediate aftermath and adjustment, I feel that this background information is essential.

If every family gave such careful thought and consideration to adoption and prepared as much as the Grants did (not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually, as well), many more adoptions would have happier endings. It is not a decision to be entered into lightly or half-heartedly, and the preparation of the heart and the home is part of the process. Jennifer explains this process beautifully when it comes to her own family.

You can purchase Love You More from Thomas Nelson Publishers directly, via Amazon.com, or at most major booksellers nationwide.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned products at no cost from Thomas Nelson via their Booksneeze program in exchange for my honest review. I received no other product or monetary compensation. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Do you know what you’re going to get that/those special little someone(s)?

Here are three delightful love-themed books from HarperCollins Children’s that will be sure to warm any little heart:

From noted author of The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, comes a picture book celebrating the unconditional love between parent and child.

Just Because You’re Mine is a heartwarming tale about Little Red Squirrel and his affectionate daddy. As they romper and frolic through the woods, Little Red Squirrel does all kinds of daring and amazing feats for his daddy to watch and praise. After each, he inquires as to whether his daddy loves him because he’s good at each of these things. “No,” his daddy replies each and every time. “That’s not why.”

The pictures by Frank Endersby will have you grinning and the words will melt your heart. The ending is sweet and true. I love reading this to my “little squirrels!”

(Purchase it here.)

Snowy Valentine is a timeless tale that focuses on the love between a husband and wife, simple and light enough for little ones to read and grasp. Written and illustrated by David Petersen for, and out of inspiration from, his wife, this tale follows little Jasper the bunny as he sets out to find the perfect gift for his valentine, his wife Lilly.

He wanders over to his animal neighbors’ homes….burrows to nests to wares wagons….to find out if they have any good ideas for an unforgettable, sentimental gifts. He soon finds himself in a great deal of trouble, though – - will he get out safely and make his way home to Lilly? Yes, he does….and he carries unknowingly with him a gift for her that she’ll not soon forget.

(Purchase it here.)

Last but not least, another cuddly critter story about a not-so-cuddly character, Pearl the Porcupine. In Hugs from Pearl (by Paul Schmid), Pearl is lonely and knows exactly why — she loves to give her friends hugs, but they aren’t too thrilled about receiving them.

(Can you guess why?)

Her quandry leads to creativity, though — and she goes home with a mission: To make herself more huggable. She does in a most ingenious way, and your little ones will surely cheer as she remedies her situation with an idea that has things “coming up roses.”

(Purchase it here.)

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned products at no cost from HarperCollins in exchange for my honest review. I received no other product or monetary compensation. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

HarperCollins, publisher of numerous award-winning and superb books for children, has a line of books for budding and blossoming readers called the “I Can Read” series. The cool part is that many of these “I Can Read” books are offered in e-book format!

Showcasing some of kids’ favorite and notorious book characters, these books lend a helping hand by offering read aloud features, highlighted words, and self-reading options — all while letting kids see the accompanying fun illustrations found in the paper form of the book.

Here are three that we recently received to review (and love):

Fancy Nancy: My Family History

Fancy Nancy begins to seek out information about her family history for a school report — but will she be tempted to exaggerate her stories and tell more fiction than truth?

Marley: Messy Dog

Cassie’s mom decides to paint Cassie’s room her favorite color. But guess who wants to help? Will Marley ruin the day (and Cassie’s room)?

Splat the Cat Sings Flat

Splat the Cat is going to sing at a school talent show for Parents’ Night…but he discovers he has what many cats (and people) do: Stage fright! What will he do to overcome his shyness?

These are all narrated by upbeat and interesting speakers if your child chooses the “read aloud” feature. The words are highlighted as they’re read, helping to increase reading comprehension and boost vocabulary. Each of the above titles (and all e-books in the I Can Read series) can be downloaded for viewing/interacting with via the iTunes store or via Barnes and Noble for the NOOK.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned e-books from HarperCollins at no cost in exchange for my honest review. No other products or monetary compensation was received. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s new project says a story can just be a page — or a sentence — or a drawing.

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories, the first volume in the new three-book series, is a book of tiny stories that, yes, you guessed it — tiny.

Small and red and dressed in a retro-esque linen-like book jacket, The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories “features 60 contributors from the 8,569 contributions to the Tiny Stories collaboration on hitRECord.”

Here’s more info about this project/book:

“The ‘tiny’ book, pocket-sized with a 4″ x 6″ trim, brings together art and voices from around the world to unite and tell stories that defy size. The Tiny Stories collaboration began in the spring of 2010 and continues to be a hive of activity. Artists submitted their writing and illustrations, and were encouraged to edit and remix others’ contributions for this tiny book. As with all of hitRECord’s money-making productions, profits for The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories series are split 50-50 between hitRECord and the book’s contributing artists.”

(Click here to see more contributions.)

You can purchase The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories from these online retailers and from major booksellers nationwide.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned product at no cost in exchange for an honest review. I received no other product or monetary compensation. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I love how a picture can tell a story all on its own. Add a few pages of pictures and bind them together, and you have a potential wordless treasure.

Chronicle Books’ The Conductor is one of those said treasures.

Laetitia Devernay’s nueva classic has been published previously in Switzerland — which goes to show that art and wordless imagery crosses all cultural boundaries.

As the small, well-dressed concert conductor walks into the shapely forest, he begins to be inspired. He climbs onto the tallest tree, pulls out his baton and begins to create music from nature. With a turn of his wrist and a curve of his arm, he sets leaves to blowing, birds to flying, the world to dancing to his earth-inspired symphony.

This beautiful book encourages dreaming, imagination, celebration of beauty within nature. A perfect book for a contemplative afternoon or for little ones settling down before bedtime, The Conductor can be purchased from Chronicle Books directly for $18.95, from Amazon.com, or look for it wherever books are sold near you.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned product at no cost from Chronicle Books in exchange for my review. I received no other product or monetary compensation for my honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

As she mourned, so did thousands of others around the nation. Many did not know what to do. Countless people wanted to tangibly reach out to the former First Lady but they didn’t know exactly what or how — so they wrote a letter.

These letters began within the first hour of the president’s death — and continued streaming in for Jackie for months afterward.

For the first time, some of the most touching and most inspiring condolence letters are pieced together in this volume by Ellen Fitzpatrick: Letters to Jackie.

From school rooms to living rooms — even from state penitentiaries — letters came.

“All that he represented, all that he was, his children, his First Lady, and our First Lady ever to be, remains enshrined in our hearts, our memory, our love.” (- Leonard F. Rock)

“There is nothing more for me to say. You’ve received letters of sympathy from all over the world, with their grammar more eloquent, and the writing much neater. But, believe me Mrs. Kennedy, the thoughts could not be more sincere. I’ll miss him so, we all will.” (- Janis M. Lockeby)

You can purchase Letters to Jackie, a fine momento and collector’s keepsake, from these online retailers — or look for it wherever books are sold near you.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product and product information from HarperCollins at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

New from McSweeney’s/McMullen’s comes a board book like no other, I guarantee it.

Keep Our Secrets (to be read in a whisper) by Jordan Crane will be heralded by children everywhere as a “magical” book. The “secret” to this book is heat-sensitive black ink. The pressure or rubbing by a hand or finger (or a hair dryer, if less effort is desired) causes the black ink to fade and objects and illustrations behind it to emerge in full color.

The story is a play-by-play of a little girl walking a slightly younger boy through a party full of grown-ups. She’s describing the “secrets” that exist within this group of her (most likely) parents’ friends….things such as “She hides her money in her hair” and “Miss Calamity’s camera is made of cheese.” Add heat to the things mentioned and you’ll see it for yourself!

You can purchase Keep Our Secrets from McSweeney’s store, Amazon.com, and select booksellers nationwide!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product and product information from McSweeney’s at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

His most beloved and recognizable work, A Child’s Garden of Verses, has been published in a beautiful gift-giving volume by HarperCollins Publishers, suitable for every baby’s nursery and child’s bookshelves.

Though first published in the year 1885, the verses shine light on the simpler times of yesteryear, while many within this collection still ring true today.

Such precious rhymes, so tender and lovely read from every mother or father’s lips at bedtime — or during any time of the day.

“Then, when Mama goes by to bed,

She shall come in with tiptoe tread,

And see me lying warm and fast

And in the land of Nod at last.”

(from Northwest Passage)

Barbara McClintock’s delightful illustrations lend historic charm to these verses, though they are all present-day additives to this work.

Verses about springtime, swinging, sleeping, and just being a child — there’s something in here to delight every pair of little ears.

A perfect baby shower or birthday gift, A Child’s Garden of Verses can be purchased from these online retailers — or be sure to look for it at a bookstore near you.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product and product information from HarperCollins at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This tale, a favorite our our son’s, spotlights a mysterious metal “man” (robot) who crash-lands on Earth during the Cold War era. The small town folk are understandably leery of the futuristic alien and set out to find and destroy him. It takes a young boy (Hogarth) to realize that the “giant” isn’t terrible at all — but only terribly misunderstood.

This enchanting classic by the late poet laureate Ted Hughes was first published in 1968, then later made into an animated film in 1999. This first-ever hardcover gift edition is unabridged and features the stylistic artwork of Carlin, an instant classic all over again.

Every reader will have something to take away from this heartfelt and stirring tale.

You can purchase The Iron Giant from a list of retailers found on Random House’s product page – - or look for it wherever books are sold.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above products and product information from Random House at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

{Kawaii = “Kawaii is a word that originated in 1970s Japan when schoolgirls adopted the term to describe everything cute. This word is now understood world-wide and identifies a particular trend of visual aesthetics.”}

There’s a celebration of all things kawaii in this book complied by kawaii illustrator Charuca: I Love Kawaii.

This volume highlights some of Japan’s best, top, and brand new kawaii artists taking the country (and the world) by storm. Over thirty talented illustrator’s best artwork is showcased in a cute, squeal-worthy way. Not just simple illustrations accompany this book, but also product shots showing the kawaii artwork in marketing action.

I Love Kawaii is so much fun to look through! A great coffee table book if there ever was one.

(Just be careful if you have little ones around. There may be images that aren’t appropriate for little eyes.)

You can purchase I Love Kawaii from these online retailers — or look for it at bookstores near you.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above products and product information from HarperCollins at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”