Greatful Moments Christmas Gift Guide & Wishlist | 10-Minute Reading Challenge
As I was getting ready to work this morning I was going over my notes on things I needed to do today and that included the things I needed to do since were helping Santa load the Sleigh this year. I wanted to ask you a question this morning. Have you ever started looking through a book and found yourself stopping because one of the pictures reminded you of someone in your family? That’s what happened when I started exploring Lift the Flap: Discovery! Animals from Curious Fox Books.
I don’t know about your family but our family has always loved Animals and they have been something our family enjoys seeing. David, Charlie and I all have our favorite animal, and sometimes those favorites tell people a little something about each person! That is why I couldn’t wait to read this new book.
Charlie and I have always enjoyed seeing the different things animals do, and when looking through this book, we found some familiar favorites. The lion, giraffe, and zebras caught our attention. David enjoyed those animals, too, while the elephant is my personal favorite. What is your favorite animal and why?
For our family we think it’s funny how everyone can look at the same book and find something different to enjoy! Do you like that?
This book is written by Paul Virr and the book is illustrated by Rachael Saunders, another feature we liked is this book is hardcover book and it invites children ages 4–7 to explore the amazing animal kingdom through more than 75 lift-the-flap discoveries. And there are plenty of creatures waiting to be found! Adults will also enjoy this book just as David and I did.
Lift the Flap: Discovery! Animals takes young explorers on a journey around the world to discover animals and the places they call home. From the hot deserts to the frozen Arctic, children get to explore different habitats and learn how animals survive in their environments. This book would make a wonderful #Homeschool resource as students could learn about animals and how they survive in there environments and where they live.
Some of the places featured include:
- Deserts, where animals have learned to survive in hot, dry conditions.
- Rainforests filled with fascinating wildlife.
- Grasslands where speedy animals roam.
- Frozen Arctic habitats where polar bears live.
- Oceans filled with amazing marine creatures.
- Woodlands and other environments where animals make their homes.
Children can discover everything from speedy gazelles and cheetahs which David like seeing to enormous blue whales Charlie likes seeing. They can also learn about animal adaptations, migrations, and the different ways creatures find food, stay safe, and survive.
One particularly interesting fact featured in the book is the Arctic tern’s remarkable migration, covering approximately 30,000 kilometers! That’s quite a journey for such a small bird! Which could be another #teachingmoment for students but remember not all books have to be turned into a reading resource they can be read just for fun.
Just like the Farm book, this one features approximately 75 lift-the-flap surprises. Children can open the little windows to discover hidden animals and learn interesting facts about the creatures they’re exploring. Charlie and David loved opening the flaps to see what was behind them and had fun seeing what the Author had for us to see.
David loved how children aren’t simply looking at pictures. They’re actively participating in the reading experience which would help them in our 10 Minute Reading Challenge. Children can guess what’s hiding behind a flap, open it to find out, and then talk about what they’ve discovered.
The illustrations by Rachael Saunders add so much to the experience, giving little readers plenty of interesting details to explore. The simple information also makes this a nice book for parents and grandparents to read aloud with younger children. And because there are so many different animals and habitats, children can return to the book again and again and that is what I like for a book to create.
Although Lift the Flap: Discovery! Animals is recommended for children ages 4–7, I can see it appealing to anyone who enjoys learning about animals.
It’s especially nice for:
- Preschoolers discovering different animals.
- Kindergarteners learning about wildlife and habitats.
- Early readers who enjoy colorful illustrations and interactive books.
- Children who love visiting zoos and learning about wildlife.
- Parents and grandparents looking for books to read together.
- Teachers introducing animal habitats and nature topics.
- Adults who enjoy animals and discovering interesting facts.
I also think this would make a thoughtful gift for a preschool or kindergarten teacher. It would be a nice addition to a classroom library or an animal-themed learning unit. Another thing my family appreciate about these books is their hardcover format. They’re sturdy little books, and they don’t take up much room.
I can easily picture packing this one in a suitcase for a family vacation, a weekend away, or a visit with relatives. If you have a child who enjoys animals, this could be a nice way to keep them entertained while traveling. Instead of simply passing the time, they can spend a few minutes exploring wildlife from all over the world! And even adults might find themselves opening a few flaps to see what they can learn.
At Greatful Moments, we’re always looking for ways to encourage families to spend a little time reading together. That’s why Lift the Flap: Discovery! Animals would be a wonderful addition to our 10-Minute Reading Challenge not only for children but adults to.
Here’s a fun family activity:
Choose an animal habitat and spend ten minutes exploring the creatures that live there. Let your child lift the flaps, choose their favorite animal, and tell you something interesting they learned. You could even ask them which animal they’d most like to see in person! Then if you have the opportunity look for a place to see the animals in person.
Reading doesn’t have to feel like homework. It can be an adventure that parents and children enjoy together. If you’re shopping for a child who loves animals, wildlife, or discovering new things, this book deserves a place on your Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List and Wishlist. It’s an interactive hardcover book that encourages curiosity, introduces children to the natural world, and gives families another reason to spend time reading together.
Book Details
- Title: Lift the Flap: Discovery! Animals
- Author: Paul Virr
- Illustrator: Rachael Saunders
- Publisher/Imprint: Curious Fox Books
- Series: Lift the Flap: Discovery!
- Format: Hardcover
- Recommended Ages: 4–7
- Features: Approximately 75 lift-the-flap discoveries
- U.S. Price: $14.99
- Canadian Price: $29.99
As I helped Santa load the sleigh this year, I wanted to make sure you knew that besides the three books we received, there are three other books in the Lift the Flap: Discovery! series, making six books altogether! And you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be asking Santa to load that sleigh with all six books to drop off to the good little boys and girls!
Because reading shouldn’t just happen during the Christmas holidays. Reading should happen all year long! With the New Year upon us when the Christmas holidays come to an end, it’s the perfect time to sit down with your family and start building a new habit together: .
That’s one reason we’re continuing our Greatful Moments 10-Minute Reading Challenge throughout the new year! Our goal is simple. Spend at least ten minutes reading together each day. Families can earn tickets for participating, with a chance to win a prize at the end of the year.
Ten minutes might not seem like much, but those little moments add up. They can introduce children to new adventures, encourage curiosity, build confidence, and create memories that last long after the book is closed. So whether Santa brings one book, three books, or all six, let’s make room for reading in our homes throughout the coming year.
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Remember to be Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed!
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Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
