Today, we continue with the Book Love series. I am happy to introduce you to Eliana Bishop of the Bookstagram: Kid Lit is Magic. She is in the corporate world but loves picture books as much as I do. You will learn about how becoming a mom grew her true love of reading, and she found that picture books helped her to connect with her son and others in the Instagram world. We talked a lot about the value of having books that reflect your community and culture. She shares what books have really given her a sense of belonging and have allowed her to share some of her heritage and culture with your son. I know that you will enjoy getting to know Eliana. 

The following books are mentioned in today's episode. Please use the Amazon affiliate link to buy books. 

Island Born

The Bear and the Piano

David Litchfield Books 

Mo Willems Books 

The Remember Balloons

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

I am so excited about this month's podcasts. I have invited some of my bookful friends to chat with me about the picture books that we love. Get your pens and wish lists ready because we are going to be talk about all our favorites and you are going to want to add some of them to your shelves. 

In today's episode, I am happy to introduce you to Aimee Smith— a former second grade teacher turned stay-at-home mom. She loves discovering “secret covers” which is what is sometimes hiding behind the book jacket of a picture book. Aimee runs the Instagram account “Keepabookout” where she shares book recommendations and her special “bookies.” (sugar cookies with illustrations from books) You might be surprised to learn about her favorite holiday for picture books. And we even digress to discuss our favorite Ted Lasso characters. We had so much fun chatting about our mutual love of picture books. Enjoy!

Below you will find books mentioned in this week's episode. You can click on my Amazon affiliate link to purchase the books. 

Nanette Baguette

After The Fall

Here We Are

Miss Rumphius

Carol and the Pickle Toad

Cinderella Skeleton

Gustavo

Sir Simon

Nobody Hugs a Cactus

Nigel and the Moon

Somewhere in the Bayou

Aquanaut

Confetti Moments Dan Santat- Mental Health Episode

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

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Magic Wear Shop

This week I am excited to share 22 tips for how to create a reader in your home or class in 2022! The tips are both practical and creative. I know, firsthand, the impact that picture books can have in a person’s life. I want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to gain a love of learning through the Confetti Moments that happen when you read a picture book!. You will also get a sprinkling of new books coming out in 2022 that I am really looking forward to reading! This is a jam-packed episode.

The following are the list of books from this episode. Click the links to shop my Amazon lists using my affiliate links.

Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf- Publication Sept. 2022

Friends are Friends Forever- Jan 2022

Eyes that Speak to the Stars- Jan 2022

Blips on a Screen-April 2022

Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion-April 2022

Tilda Tries Again- March 2022

The River- March 2022

She Persisted in Science- March 2022

Nervous Nigel- June 2022

Pink is Not a Color- June 2022

Ice Cream Face- June 2022

Action: How Movies Began- June 2022

Brave Every Day- June 2022

Thursday- June 2022

Marcel’s Masterpiece: How a Toilet Changed the History of Art- Aug. 2022

Pizza: A Slice of History- Aug. 2022

Wordless Picture books Podcast Episode

March Madness Podcast Episode (Product will release on Tuesday)

National Days (Podcast Episode and Blog Post)

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

February and Valentine's Day mean all things love and hearts and friendship and pink! On this week's episode, I share my favorite picture books and ideas for Valentine's Day. There are so many great books—old and new—that make this month and holiday special. I hope you enjoy, and please reach out to me on Instagram or at ramonarecommends.com to share your favorites. 

The following are the list of books from this episode. Click the titles to shop my Amazon affiliate links.

House of Love

What is Love? 

Valentine’s Day Jitters

Nobody Hugs a Cactus

Bagels in Love  (Author Natasha Wing’s Episode)

Hug Machine

Words and Your Heart

I am Love: A Book of Compassion (Author Susan Verde's Episode)

My Heart 

Valentine Foxes

My Complete Valentine’s Day Book List

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

Today I am going to share my heart with you. My personal story is a hard one for me to tell but also a very important story for me to share. My story explains why I started Ramona Recommends, and why I believe that picture books are for everyone! They changed my life and made me who I am today. I hope that this story will inspire you if your journey has been anything like mine, or it might give you insight into a student or family member's struggles. After listening, please reach out if you need anything— I am just an email or DM away. I am here for you! 

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

This episode is dear to my heart. I simply love sharing about how to use Social and Emotional Learning picture books to help people. This topic of books has been so helpful to me on my mental health journey. In today's episode, I am very honest about my social and emotional growth and what books you might use to help a child or friend or yourself, as well. Please share this episode with others who might benefit from its message.  Below are the books that I discussed during this episode. Like I mentioned, they are my Amazon affiliate links that help me be able to buy and review more books. Thanks for your support.  

My Monster and Me

The Creature of Habit 

Ruby Finds a Worry

The "Don't Worry" Book 

What If . . .

The Unicorn Came to Dinner

The Night Before the Dentist

Wemberly Worried 

Donut Worry

The Whatifs

Weasel is Worried

Maybe

•My Amazon List for Social and Emotional Learning

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

Hi! I just wanted to let you know Confetti Moments will be taking a winter vacation, but will be back on Monday, January 3rd, 2022. I am so thankful to all of you for listening and sharing in the confetti. Hey, can you do me a favor? Will you share about Confetti Moments? I know the authors and illustrators would be so pumped. You guess it, I will be elated too! Oh! AND! leave a review where you listen to podcasts? #merrychristmastome

I did leave you with 3 of my favorite winter titles. Please note these are amazon affiliate links which is no extra cost to you. This allows me to buy more books because I do get a very small commission on each book when purchased. 

Red and Lulu

Pick a Pine Tree

Grand Jete and Me

Happy Bookful Holidays,

Courtney

I am happy to introduce you to literacy tutor and consultant Hanna Stroud who lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In this informative episode, Hanna shares so many creative ways that picture books benefit everyone- some things that I had never even considered. You will enjoy learning about her literacy journey and how she came to be an avid reader. Hanna’s favorite format of picture books is wordless picture books. She really is a wordless picture book expert! Hanna shares how she came to love wordless books and the gift they are to all readers. She shares an amazing number of ways to use wordless picture books with children and some wonderful cross-curricular ideas, too. Get ready to be inspired and learn so much in this episode.

You can find Hanna @myliteracyspace on Instagram

Click here for a free download from Hanna

These are the books mentioned in this episode with Amazon affiliate links for purchase

Bee and Me

Brick by Brick

A Circle of Friends

Bill Thomson books: Chalk, Fossil, Typewriter

Hike 

Grandad’s Camper

Change Sings

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

This week I am proud to introduce you to former architect turned author, Sita Singh. She is excited to share about her debut picture book, Birds of a Feather. You learn the story behind how the book came to be and her passion for bringing more diversity to children's literature. She also shares her insights into all the ways picture books influence and appeal to readers of all ages. One of my favorite moments was hearing her childhood stories about growing up in India and finding her love of reading early in life through her parents' influence and the local library. Her journey to becoming a picture book author is worth the listen. Sita is a natural storyteller who has so much to offer all listeners. You don't want to miss this episode!

You can follow Sita on Instagram and Twitter 

Below are the books mentioned in this episode with Amazon affiliate links for purchasing. 

Birds of a Feather —Click here to watch a book trailer of the book.

I Talk Like a River

Dear Girl,: A Celebration of Wonderful, Smart, Beautiful You! 

Dumpling Day

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com