Nurtured and Nuzzled ~ Criados y Acariciados hit bookshelves in February of 2016. This paperback, full color, 24 page, bilingual: English/Spanish book is a true celebration of the bond between parents and their children. The book sells for $9.95 and is also available as an E-book for $8.99. There is also a Teacher’s Guide available for free download in both English and Spanish. You are also able to access audio narrations and pronunciation guides in both languages.

I found the book to be absolutely precious! Although my own children are in high school, I babysit for my best friend’s daughters (my nieces) and they really loved the book. The illustrations are engaging and beautiful. Each page shows baby animals being nuzzled and snuggled by their parent. Honestly, I really loved that it didn’t qualify that the parent animal was the mom or the dad. That allows each child to understand that both relationships are valuable and important. Both of my nieces fell in love with the book and the activities in the Teacher’s Guide. I could see that this would be great in either a classroom setting or with a Homeschool Co-op. The lessons included in the Teacher’s Guide are stimulating and lots of fun for any child age 0-5 years old.

I love the fact that this book is written in both Spanish and English. I know a little bit of Spanish, so I found it very fun to go through this book with the girls. Included in the back of the Teacher’s Guide are several sets of photo flashcards and worksheets that you can incorporate into the lessons or just play as a game. One of the best parts I found to the illustrations in the book was the broad variety of animals depicted.

The 62-page Teacher’s Guide helped me find a way to make the most of this wonderful book. Each of the appendices add wonderful activities and additional learning for your child.

Appendix A: Pictures for “Who Snuggles and Who Nuzzles?” Flashcards

Appendix B: Pictures for “Are You My Mother?” (Visual) Flashcards

Appendix C: Pictures for “Are You My Mother?” (Audio) Flashcards

Appendix D: Pictures for “Babies Can Be Carried Many Different Ways?” Flashcards

Appendix E: Worksheets

One thing I would love to see would be this very same book made as a cardboard book. I know for the younger children that would make it easier for them to be more hands on with it.

If you would like a new twist on the mommy and baby book, this is the way to go! We are definitely moving into the bilingual realm everywhere we turn, and I love the fact that from 0-5 this book can help your children or students learn both English and Spanish as they learn about the importance of the parent child bond. Nurtured and Nuzzled~Criados y Acariciados is super cute and good addition to any home library.

—Product review by Barbette Yingst, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, November, 2016