Kid Reading and Science: Catie's Secret Book Review and Activties

I know that I usually post my Kids posts on Wednesday but I got the opportunity to review a book through Litfuse Publicity Group from Tate Publishing.  It is something new that I found as an opportunity to get books and share them with all of you.  My first book to review is Catie's Secret by Laura Allen Nonemaker.  I got it in the mail and was super excited about it.  I read through it really quickly and then read it to my son while we were waiting in line at school.

In this book, Herbie and Bella the bunnies hop to God's Secret Garden to eat their breakfast of sweet clover.  They see a beautiful butterfly getting its nectar from flowers.  They decide to play hide and seek and  Herbie found a creepy bug named Catie the caterpillar.  Herbie tells Catie that she looks weird with all her legs because he only has four legs.  Bella tells Herbie to leave Catie alone but Herbie goes on to tell Catie that he thinks that she is yucky color.  Herbie was about to tease Catie again when his uncle, Mayor Benny, came along.  Uncle Benny said that he was walking in God's Secret Garden and he heard something not so peaceful in the peaceful meadow.  Herbie told his uncle that he was just playing around.  Uncle Benny gave him examples of God's Secret treasures like the acorn and the robin's egg.  They both have something secret inside that comes out as a surprise.  Uncle Benny asks if they think that the caterpillar might be hiding something inside too and they decide that they are going to apologize but they can't find her.  Catie decided that she was full and she wanted to take a nap.  She stuck herself to a twig and hung herself upside down in her cozy green sack.  Every morning, Herbie and Bella looked for Catie but couldn't find her until after they prayed.  The next day, they saw a butterfly coming out of her cocoon with a familiar face.  It was Catie!!!  They apologized and were excited to see her secret.

The science lesson is very much like the lesson in Very Hungry Caterpillar where the caterpillar turns into the butterfly at the end or the ugly duckling that turns into the swan.  Animals changing is always fascinating to kids and great to work in early in life so that they understand.  The difference in this book is that it takes it to the next level and teaches the kids that it is okay to be different and to never make fun of someone for being different.  There aren't enough books that teach kids the golden rule about treating people nicely.  Bullying starts earlier and earlier now so it is great that this book tackles the hard issues and sets the young ones on the right path to apologizing.

Even better bonus that I didn't know when I got this book, there is a code at the back of the book to download the audio file of the book.  It is just like the old days with the records because there is a little ding noise to turn the page.  The kids can sit and read the book along with the audio file on the computer.  It is nice for kids that are pre-readers because they can see the words and hear them.  It is also gives them the feeling of reading on their own.  It is great for kids that can read because they get a break but they can still follow the words with their fingers.  I used to spend hours as a child doing the records and I guess I need to get with technology that my kid is going to be listening to them on the computer or ipod.  A great opportunity to listen and read without always having to have their parents so it provides the child some independent play.

I hope that you check out this book and audio file to see how much fun your kids will have with it! My son enjoyed it and is going to enjoy for a long time to come with the neat audio file.  If you want to check out this book, you can get your copy through your local bookstore or on Amazon.  Just look for Catie's Secret by Laura Allen Nonemaker or click on the title to take you to the site to purchase.
  
Purchase a copy

About the author: Laura began writing as a child in Bermuda when a favorite teacher had one of her essays published in a local newspaper. She is a contributing writer for Kentucky Monthly Magazine and her first children's book, Benny's Angel, was published in 2011. She is on the planning team for Artful Missions, which produces juried art shows and donates most of the proceeds to ministries that help women and children escape human trafficking. When Laura is not dreaming up her next God's Garden adventure, she enjoys spending time with her large family.

Connect with Laura

* I was provided a free copy of this book for my honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.  If you have a blog and are interested in reviewing books for Litfuse, please check out their webpage for details.

Shared with Kid Lit Blog Hop at Juggling Act 
and Thrifty Thursday at Serving Joyfully