What fun books! Here at our house, we love all books--the ones with great educational value and the ones that are just plain fun. These books would probably fall in the "just plain fun" category, though they both contain some great life-lessons as well. These books are both by Barrons Educational Series, Inc.--a publisher that is quickly becoming one of my favorites for children's books.

In The Kiss That Missed, a king blows his son a goodnight kiss. Instead of landing on the little prince, the kiss floats out the window into the night. The king sends his knight out to retrieve the kiss, and the adventure begins! My 6-year-old daughter says, "This book is really funny because it seems like the kiss is going to really spooky places, but then you turn the page and it's funny instead." In other words, it keeps you guessing and eager to turn the pages!

Princess Rosebud: Perfectly Perfect Princess quickly became a favorite for my 6-year-old princess! It is described as a "lift-the-flap book," but I think it is so much more. In addition to lifting flaps, the reader encounters things to search for and lots of fun interactive things to do while reading. At the very end, there's even a surprise (a star-shaped charm) for Princess Rosebud's helper (the reader)! My daughter loves this book!

Specific age ranges are not listed on these books. I would say they are appropriate for ages 4-8, or early elementary. They were not written specifically for homeschoolers but were both great for my independent reader. I would recommend either of these books. They would make great gifts or fun additions to your home library. I will definitely consider other books by these authors.

Product review by Heidi Strawser, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, April 2007