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Early STEM Learning and the OZOBOT

This week we will be hosting a fantastic STEM Learning Giveaway on our Instagram @Readwithriver Giveaway runs from Dec. 3- Dec. 10, 2020.

We are so excited to be doing an incredible STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Giveaway this year for our North American Followers. We will be giving away three wonderful books, two of which were winners in the #Bookstagang_Bestof2020 List! And in partnership with @ozobot we will also be giving away

  • “Evo for Home & Homeschool“
  • In the box:
  • 1 Evo robot
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Evo Experience Pack
  • 4 Color Code markers
  • USB charging cable

To Enter, head over to Instagram! And Enter yourself in the Giveaway Post!

Watch River Show you how to use Evo the Ozobot!

We’re still learning about all of the features, because really the possibilities are enormous with coding your own programs, but here we show some of the basic ways you can use it.

You absolutely do not need to know how to code to be able to use this. It is incredibly accessible.

The Evo is a tiny robot that your child can code to perform certain actions by giving it instructions (code) in a few different ways. Using coloured markers, or stickers, tracks can be created and the Evo will follow along, this includes understanding instructions such as turn left, skip over or finished!

By downloading the app the Evo can also be driven by remote and given other instructions including doing tricks, playing games, or even trying your hand at programming your own game! Both River (4) and Willow (2) have had so much fun, designing tracks especially! They have enjoyed rolling out long sheets of paper to make extra long obstacle courses! It definitely levels up our homeschooling program.

US Customers Can purchase here. I do NOT make a commission from any sales, and I do highly recommend this toy we were gifted one. Additionally if you wish to order an Ozobot, during the holidays, they are also giving away a free Racer Wearable Skin  

Canadians can purchase Evo here.

  • “Evo for Home & Homeschool“
  • In the box:
  • 1 Evo robot
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Evo Experience Pack
  • 4 Color Code markers
  • USB charging cable
  • $99 in the US, $124.99 CAD

About the books in this Giveaway!

“Born Curious: 20 Girls Who Grew Up to Be Awesome Scientists”

This is an anthology of biographies explores the lives of Female Scientists! Inspire your little ones!

“Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention”

Izzy and Fixer have returned in the next book in this fabulous series. They’re on a quest to build a naturally fueled recycling machine and hopefully win the Genius Guild badge as well! Relatable characters, fun read aloud, growth mind set!

“Discovering Energy”

What is energy? How do humans harness it, how do we use it, what do we use it for? This book explores all of the ins and outs of understanding this complex topic for kids! With wonderful illustrations. This book was one of the nominations for the #Bookstagang’s Best Books of 2020.

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Inclusive Picture Books

Picture books that are full of diverse and joyful representation of humans. With an emphasis on joy and love.

If you’d like to purchase any of the books you see here I recommend contacting your local bookshop, if they don’t have a copy they will be able to order one for you. If you appreciate the work I do here I have merch available as well as a tip jar here.

“When Aiden Became a Brother”

By Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita

“Ho’onani: Hula Warrior”

By Heather Gale and Mika Song

“The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish”

By Lil Miss Hot Mess and Olga de Dios

“Uncle Bobby’s Wedding”

By Sarah S. Brannen and Lucia Soto

“Santa’s Husband”

By Daniel Kibblesmith and A.P. Quach

“Mom Marries Mum!”

By Ken Setterington and Alice Priestley

“Bling Blaine: Throw Glitter, Not Shade”

By Rob Sanders and Letizia Rizzo

“Julian at the Wedding”

By Jessica Love

“Julian is a Mermaid”

By Jessica Love

“PRince & Knight”

By Daniel Haack and Stevie Lewis

“Maiden & Princess”

By Daniel Haack and Isabel Galupo

[Christian Robinson]-[You Matter ]-[Hardcover]

“You Matter”

by Christian Robinson

“All Because You Matter”

By Tami Charles and Bryan Collier

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Hilarious Picture Books

If you’re looking for a good time, with picture books, this is the list you need. I recommend purchasing them from a local bookshop, if they don’t have it in stock, they can definitely procure a copy for you! If you’d like to support ReadwithRiver, we have a tip jar available, as well as merch.

“Everyone’s Awake”

By Colin Meloy and Shawn Harris

“I Have to Go”

by Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko

Thomas' Snowsuit (Classic Munsch) by [Robert Munsch, Michael Martchenko]

“Thomas’ Snowsuit”

By Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko

“Aaaligator”

by Judith Henderson and Andrea Stegmaier

“Hat Tricks”

By Satoshi Kitamura

Are You Eating Candy without Me?

“Are You Eating Candy Without Me?”

By Rachel L. Jacobs and Andy T. Jones

“Little Red”

By Bethany Woolin

“How to Give your Cat a Bath”

By Nicola Winstanley and John Martz

“Cannonball”

By Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan

Mortimer (Classic Munsch) by [Robert Munsch, Michael Martchenko]

“Mortimer”

By Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko

“Oh No, George!”

By Chris Haughton

“The Hug Machine”

by Scott Campbell

“This is a Ball”

by Beck Stanton and Matt Stanton

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Holiday Books!

Many holidays, we like them, here are books. Enjoy. It’s a great opportunity to shop local, your favourite bookstore can always order a book in for you if they don’t already have it in stock! If you have found our content useful, you can support by purchasing our Read with River merch, or adding to our tip jar here!

Merry Witchmas by Petrell Ozbay and Tess LaBella
Merry Witchmas by Petrell Ozbay and Sonia Labella illustrated by Sonya Abby from Astra Kids Books

Santa doesn’t believe in witches? Poor Ginger the witch wants nothing more than for Santa to visit her witch village, how will she get Santa to believe?

“Cookies for Santa: A Christmas Cookie Story about Baking and Holiday Traditions-Includes Recipe for Santa’s Favorite Cookies! (America’s Test Kitchen Kids)

By America’s Test Kitchen Kids and Johana Tarkela

“Sounds Like Christmas”

By Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenki

Another holiday hilarious favourite in this house!

“The Nutcracker in Harlem”

By T.E. McMorrow and James Ransome

“Santa’s Husband”

By Daniel Kibblesmith and A.P. Quach

“So Much Snow”

By Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko

Not so much about holidays but about lots of snow!

“Our Favourite Day of the Year’

By A.E. Ali and Rahele Jomepour Bell

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Picture Books For Little Foodies

You can find the picturebooks here at any of your preferred retailers, and if you inquire at your local independent bookshop they can order it for you as well. If you have found my work useful and would like to show your appreciation we have a support page with merchandise as well as a tip jar here.

“Tea Time Around the World”

By Denise Waisselbluth & Chelsea O’Byrne

“What’s Cooking at 10 Garden Street”

By Felicita Sala

“Whopper Cake”

By Karma Wilson and Will Hillenbrand

This is my personal all time favourite most hilarious picture book!

“There Are No Bears in this Bakery”

By Julia Sarcone-Roach

“How to Feed Your Parents”

By Ryan Miller and Hatem Aly

“Fussy Flamingo”

By Shelley James Vaughan and Matthew Rivera

Kids Can Cook: Fun and yummy recipes for budding chefs by [Esther Coombs]

Kids Can Cook: Fun and Yummy Recipes for Budding Chefs

By Esther Coombs

“The Complete Brambly Hedge”

By Jill Barklem

This is an older series, and I completely adore it, the watercolour images reminiscent of Potter, have a delightful extra level of extreme detail. And SO FULL OF FOOD!

“Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao”

By Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua

Amy wants to learn to make Bao with her family, but it’s harder than it seems. This book was one of the winners of the Bookstagang’s Best of 2019.

“Swamp Water”

By Robert Munsch and Michael Marchenko

One of our all time faves, a little girl goes out to a fancy restaurant for her Grandma’s birthday, but she would prefer to order off menu.

“Bilal Cooks Daal”

By AIsha Saeed and Anoosha Syed

One of the winners of the Bookstagang’s Best of 2019, this gorgeous and inclusive story includes a delightful recipe for daal at the back. I’ve tried it out and can confirm it is delicious!

Each Peach Pear Plum

“Each Peach Pear Plum”

By Janet and Allan Ahlberg

This one is a classic on every baby’s shelf for a reason, comforting and sweet, I just want to dig into that picnic at the end.


“Foraging with Kids”

By Adele Nozedar

So this one isn’t a picture book but an actual illustrated guide, and it is such a great time, so fascinating. We used it during the summer and River and Willow had such fun. We ate a lot of dandelions.

“Dragons Love Tacos”

By Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri

“Secret Pizza Party”

By Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri

“The Prince and the Porker”

By Peter Bently and David Roberts

“Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament”

By Anne Renaud and Felicita Sala

Based on the true story of the invention of the potato chip.

“Maggie’s Chopsticks”

By Alan Woo and Isabelle Malenfant

“Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes”

By Roseanne Greenfield Thong and John Parra

“Dragons and Doughknights”

By Dee Leone and George Ermos

Big Cities Little Foodies: Tokyo

By Cheryl Yau Chepusova and Isabel Foo