Coquette Maman

12 Days of Picture Books: The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywait

I'm back again today for the #12DaysofPictureBooks celebration with Penguin Books for Young Readers.

Take a peek at the 12 Days of Picture Books holiday gift guide featuring some awesome books your kiddos will sure to love.

Today is the last day, Day #12 and it's all about The Day the Crayons Came Home.

The Day the Crayons Came Home
By Drew Daywait
Published by: Philomel
ISBN-10: 0399172750
10.4 x 0.2 x 10.2 inches
Age: 5-8 years
$8.99 on Amazon

The Day the Crayons Came Home is the much awaited sequel to author Drew Daywait's 2013 bestseller The Day the Crayons Quit. In this book, all the crayons are lost and want to be returned to the crayon box. Each color writes a postcard to Duncan, the young boy who the crayons belong to. Each crayon has a funny tale to tell. Maroon Crayon is stuck in sofa cushions and was broken in half by Dad who sat on him. Turquoise Crayon who head is stuck to Duncan's stink sock. Each crayon has a story.

This is another well designed book featuring illustrations, photos, and text that makes these darn crayons seem so real. Chloe loves this book and laughs at each crayon color's personality and special storyline. For instance, throughout the book, Neon Red Crayon sends postcards updating Duncan on his travels. Chloe especially loves the glow in the dark page from the Glow in the Dark Crayon. The premise of this book is just too clever! Daywait's sense of humor just makes us laugh out loud when we read this book. After reading this book, you can be sure that your kids will always make their crayons are put back into the box, aka "home".

See more books in the 12 Days of Picture Books and enter to win this book on Penguin Kids' Facebook page. They are giving away twelve copies! Deadline for entries is at 11:59 PM EST on 12/18/15.

Review Book provided by Penguin Kids.

12 Days of Picture Books: The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Today and tomorrow, I am a part of the #12DaysofPictureBooks celebration happening with Penguin Books for Young Readers!

Take a peek at the 12 Days of Picture Books holiday gift guide featuring some awesome books your kiddos will sure to love.

Today is Day #11 and it's all about The Book with NOOOOOO Pictures! Say What?

(Photo: Penguin Kids)

The Book with No Pictures
By B.J. Novak
Published by Dial Books
ISBN-10: 0803741715
8.4 x 0.4 x 10.3 inches
Age: 5-8 years
$8.99 on Amazon

The Book with No Pictures ($8.99 on Amazon) is a children's book by comedian and writer B.J. Novak. Novak happened to be on a little o' tv show called "The Office" where he was a writer and an actor. (Plus he used to date Mindy Kaling!) Can you tell I'm already a fan?! Well, it didn't matter to my 7 year old daughter. She happened on this book at our local cafe bookstore back in May and could not stop laughing. So much so that I had to get it for her so she could read it again twenty more times at home and continue her laugh/snort combination.

This could possibly be said to be Chloe's favorite book of 2015. There are of course absolutely no pictures inside this picture book. Instead, beautiful type in various colors and fonts that is designed in such a way that they actually help bring the book to life. Novak does a great job at being the narrator torn between his wacky and his normal side. Chloe reads this book herself and makes all the funny noises in all the right places.

"Glug, Glug, Glug, my face is a bug. I eat ants for breakfast right off the ruuuuuuug!" -- This is a song that Chloe will sing and laugh hysterically while doing so. Also, be prepared to hear more about a hippo named Boo Boo Butt. What? Yes, trust me. It's hilarious.

This book is an automatic page turner and just that perfect silly book that's fun for kids to read. I love seeing my daughter pick up out of her bookshelf because she wants to read it to me and make me laugh.

See more books in the 12 Days of Picture Books and enter to win this book on Penguin Kids' Facebook page. They are giving away eleven copies! The giveaway closes at 11:59 PM EST on 12/17/15.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Bespoke Name Lockets From Vintage Maps

When I was an editor with CRAFT and had to work the many holiday craft fairs, I could never walk past Adjowah's The Weekend Store table without getting myself a piece of her beautiful jewelry. Recently, she has come up with the most adorable gift idea that is perfect for the kids on your holiday gift (or birthday) list. Her Bespoke Name Lockets and Pendants are so unique because it features the child's name as a city from a map. For instance, who knew that there was a town called Chloe in West Virginia? Choose from a variety of finishes from brass, antiqued silver, brushed silver and more, as well as a variety of locket styles.

I love supporting small businesses and local ones at that! (The Weekend Store is based in Berkeley, CA). I included this locket in my recent Ultimate Indie Holiday Gift List for the Entire Family for Tend at Mode.com.

Here's Chloe wearing her new favorite Chloe Bespoke Locket in Antiqued Silver on her 7th birthday a few weeks ago. The quality of these necklaces are amazing and I can see Chloe wearing this for years and years to come. She's excited to put a little picture inside of our pom, Lulu.

Since starting these Bespoke Name Lockets, Adjowah has over 200 names (and growing) in her map name collection. What has been the hardest name for Adjowah to find so far? Malcolm which is a tiny town in Nebraska and don't show up in most maps. These necklaces are a great gift for kids to feel proud of their name and to know that their name is a little place in the world that someone calls home.

Shop The Weekend Store's Bespoke Name Lockets at theweekendstore.com.

Review product was provided by The Weekend Store.