Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Pick a Series, Grow a Reader with Scholastic Branches Books {Review & Giveaway}

Branches logo
Although I know that there was a time when my children couldn't walk or talk, I look at the big kids that they are today and find it extremely hard to remember. I had to feed them and change their diapers? These two? Really?

Along the same lines, I know that in previous years my kids spent a great deal of time simply flipping through pages in books and looking at the pictures. Books have always been an important, much-loved part of our household, but to try to look back to a time when my girls were only able to enjoy the illustrations seems nearly impossible.

These days, we read, read, read. New books, old favorites, ones that have been read hundreds of times and have to be held together with more and more tape... there's no comparison to getting lost in a good book.

However, while Big Sister E can happily dive right in to her chapter books, Little Sister B is in a stage where early readers are too easy while traditional chapter books are a little too complex. Why is there nothing in between?

Now there is, thanks to Scholastic and their unique new line of books specifically designed for newly independent readers that bridge the gap between leveled reader books and chapter books: Scholastic Branches.

Branches Books

I was in love with the concept of the Branches line of books as soon as I was introduced to it! What better way to help foster a love of reading in kids ages 5 to 8 by giving them the tools they need to become life-long readers?

Each Branches book includes easy-to-read text, simple plot lines, plenty of context cues, cliffhanger chapter endings, and purposeful illustrations (on every page!) that aid in reading comprehension. All of this works together to provide your child the feeling of being a successful reader — which bolsters their self-confidence and leads to an increased interest in reading.

At the same time, the Branches line is made up of 14 different book series. This encourages young readers to return to their favorite characters again and again to build reading stamina and even more confidence. Not to mention that there is something for every young reader no matter their interests and preferences — everything from humor to fantasy to spooky stories!

Truly, the entire Branches idea is to help children get a head-start on his or her reading career and I couldn't wait to see what Little Sister B would think of the first book from each of the Branches series.

Scholastic Branches books

These books are amazing!

Just as Scholastic had specified, the text is large and easy to read, the beautiful, eye-catching illustrations (some in color, some in black and white) are throughout, and the length is just right that younger readers won't get overwhelmed. Can I help it that I may have gotten caught up in the pages of a few of these myself?

Scholastic Branches pages

As expected, Little Sister B couldn't be happier about having a collection of books that are perfectly at her level and she has excitedly read about friends, school, magic, adventure, and more within these pages. I'm even more thrilled that these are series books, as now she can select her favorites and continue on with such fun characters!

encouraging young readers

Did you know that 73% of kids believe that they would read more if they could find more books that they like? If you have a child in your life that is ready to make the leap from early readers but is not quite prepared for a traditional chapter book, you've got to check out Scholastic Branches, as the 14 different series (and counting!) delivers on providing plenty of choices that will grab their attention!

Find out much more about this incredible new line of books by visiting Scholastic.com/Branches and connecting with Scholastic on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be able to provide the budding reader in their life with some amazing new books to add to their collection as well, because...

One lucky person will receive four of the most popular Branches books* from Scholastic!

Scholastic book giveaway
*Titles include: Owl Diaries: Eva’s Treetop Festival; Kung Pow Chicken: Let’s Get Cracking; Eerie Elementary: The School is Alive!; and Dragon Masters: Rise of the Earth Dragon.


A big thank you to Scholastic for providing providing samples for me to review as well as books for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for giveaway!

Anonymous said...

My grandchildren will love these books. I'm trying really hard to encourage reading and this will help greatly. Thank you so much! Darlene Cruz