A Blog By Maria Dismondy

New Titles at Cardinal Rule Press

New Titles at Cardinal Rule Press

Ah, August, the best (worst) month of the year. The month of feeling stress and anxiety over running out of time to finish the work that must be done while September looming over your shoulder. Back-to-school season is lingering around the corner like some ghoul from...

Five Picture Books for Growing Up

Five Picture Books for Growing Up

“When I grow up, I want to be…”, every child has that moment where they try to imagine what they might be when they grow up. It is up to us to inspire them to be anything, and to do anything they want. It’s never too early or too late to dream! Here are five picture...

10 LGBTQ Picture Books

10 LGBTQ Picture Books

"LGBTQ Pride is important for kids, families, and allies because we must work together for equal rights not only under the law but culturally. Visibility is everything, and we are all in this fight together," said Ricardo Cooper, who is helping to coordinate a family...

Picture Books for Summer

Picture Books for Summer

School just let out, it’s probably getting hotter, and you are preparing your child for all their summer activities. While it’s important to keep them active outside, it's also equally crucial to keep their minds active. Reading picture books can be a fun way for them...

Poetry Roundup

Poetry Roundup

April is National Poetry Month! To celebrate we thought it would be fun to round up some of the best current poetry books out there for children. Afterall, teachers and parents can sometimes shrug off exploring poetry with their young ones due to its complex structure...

Parenting Book Review-Middle School Matters

Parenting Book Review-Middle School Matters

Seasons change and so do our seasons in parenting. Dave and I are entering a new season and it's called "Having a middle schooler!" To prepare, I have been reading, listening and exploring different approaches to this new phase our daughter is entering. The most...

Children’s Books To Raise Problem-Solvers

Children’s Books To Raise Problem-Solvers

Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or at home, problem-solving helps kids thrive. These ten children’s books promote everyday problem-solving and resiliency, whether the issue be a missing toy or a struggling friendship. 1. STUCKBy Oliver JeffersAmazon...

Books About Friendship

Books About Friendship

Understanding what a good friend is and how to be one is invaluable for children’s social wellbeing. These ten fun books demonstrate how to grow a caring, generous, and empathetic friendship. 1. STICK AND STONEBy Beth Ferry and Tom LichtenheldAmazon I ...

PRIDE Books for Families

PRIDE Books for Families

Cardinal Rule Press is celebrating Pride month with a book line-up that promotes self-expression, diversity, and inclusion among young readers. Read on to explore our favorites, including the Cardinal Rule Press 2019 release DAZZLING TRAVIS. DAZZLING TRAVIS: A STORY...

Picture Books Set in India

Picture Books Set in India

Over the last several months I have been checking out books set in India from our local library. It is important remember that we can open our children's eyes to the world beyond their homes by simply reading a picture book. Diverse picture books allow children...

Book Review: Inspired Mama

Book Review: Inspired Mama

In the last few years, I have been declining books for review for simply a lack of time. If I am reading, it's a book that I want to read for personal growth or entertainment (my book club meets monthly!) However, this book showed up in my inbox and I was intrigued....

STEAM Children’s Books for All

STEAM Children’s Books for All

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. In the past, these were not areas girls and women were encouraged to study. Today, we embrace equality across genders and encourage our boys and girls to engage in play and learning that leads...

Book Comparison-The Fruit Salad Friend

Book Comparison-The Fruit Salad Friend

Have you ever wondered, “I like this one book so much for my classroom/family, I would love to read MORE JUST LIKE IT!” Well, we gathered up some books JUST LIKE ours for you to enjoy! If you like… The Fruit Salad Friend Chloe loves going to school, but lately...

Book Comparison-The Jelly Donut Difference

Book Comparison-The Jelly Donut Difference

Have you ever wondered, “I like this one book so much for my classroom/family, I would love to read MORE JUST LIKE IT!” Well, we gathered up some books JUST LIKE ours for you to enjoy! If you like… The Jelly Donut Difference Leah and Dexter are brother and sister....