Bella and Britt are back with an all new adventure in Sea Turtle Summer by award-winning author Nancy Stewart.

Bella and Britt think living by the beach is the coolest thing ever. When they spot an unprotected sea turtle’s nest, they quickly try to reach the ranger, but she’s gone home sick. What can they do? With quick thinking and determination, the girls work hard to protect their marine life friends.

In this charming continuation of her Bella and Britt series, Stewart revisits the beach where the girls play and has them dealing with a new dilemma. Just like the first book, the award-winning One Pelican at a Time, the girls find little help in their objective. This time, the sand cleaner and dune buggies are going to drive right over an unmarked nest and destroy the eggs buried in the sand if someone doesn’t act quickly.

What is so special about Sea Turtle Summer (and the Bella and Britt series in general) is how it embraces the idea that kids can make a difference. It’s truly a book that empowers kids to be involved in their communities.  Samantha Bell returns with her beautiful artwork in Sea Turtle Summer. The color choice here is so perfect for the book; calm and soothing–just like a day at the beach.

This book is available in hardcover, paperback, and as a PDF. With its included information on sea turtle nesting, Sea Turtle Summer not only empowers kids–it educates them.

I can’t wait to see what Book 3 in this series is all about!

Rating: 

• Publisher:Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc
• ISBN-10:1616332077
• ISBN-13: 978-1616332075
• SRP:  $11.95

I received a FREE PDF of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. The author paid me to promote this book with a virtual book tour through Pump Up Your Book. That fee did not include a review. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide this review.

A tale of Christmas joy working its magic in a small town that has long since grown cold is what you’ll find in Humbug A Christmas Carol.

Mimi arrives in the small frozen town of Winterton where the neighbors don’t speak to each other and the people have all gone cold inside. Christmas hasn’t come in so long, no one remembers it. But Mimi and her Humbug are determined to spread warmth and to bring the reindeer and Santa back to town.

Lee Baker has created a unique magical tale of the season that will delight every member of your family. Mimi has been passed along from orphanage to orphanage, the latest being the one run by Mrs. Sleet in Winterton. While the people here seem strange, Mimi is not going to be deterred from trying to make new friends. Mimi is a wonderful character that will charm young readers, as she reaches out to the cold-hearted people of the town.

With Stephen Sobisky, the CEO of Sandman Studios, working as the Creative Director, and Kienan Lafferty, an artist at Sandman Studios, providing the illustrations, you can imagine the artwork in Humbug A Christmas Carol is stunning. It’s truly like out of a movie. There’s even a Foreword from Ebenezer Scrooge.

Humbug A Christmas Carol is destined to become a classic seasonal tale that readers enjoy time and again. I highly recommend it.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Brigham Distributing
• ISBN-10:0615338399
• ISBN-13: 978-0615338392
• SRP:  $15.95

I received a FREE copy of this book from the author’s publicist in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

This is an additional title I read for The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge. To see my original list visit here. I have now read 5 books for this challenge.

Toddlers will love sitting down with you to read Kevin’s Christmas by Liesbet Slegers.

It’s Christmas time. Kevin and his family get ready. They put up a tree, set the nativity at the base of their tree, send out greeting cards, and buy food for the Christmas meal. How exciting!

I love Slegers’s books. She really knows how to get in touch with a child’s heart and mind. In this adorable new release in her Kevin and Katie series, young Kevin gets involved in Christmas preparations for the first time. The story speaks to toddlers using words they will be familiar with and has Kevin acting in ways similiar to this age group. Young readers will feel his excitement and joy in sharing this holiday with his family.

The artwork Slegers creates for this one is wonderful. It’s simple, yet uses great colors that will captivate young readers. I also like the multicultural aspect of the book. When Cousin Sally arrives we see she is African American. It’s a subtle message, but one that makes you appreciates family diversity, and can help show kids that differences are great.

This is a sweet story that would make a perfect gift.

Rating: 

• Publisher: Clavis Publishing
• ISBN-10: 1605371041
• ISBN-13: 978-1605371047
• SRP:  $12.95

I received a FREE copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions. I did not receive monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

This book completes 2 out of the 4 books I agreed to read for The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge. To see my list visit here.

Be ready to say, “Awwwww…” while you’re reading this touching story of one girl’s search for a Christmas miracle.

Jackie’s father is sick and they have no money for a Christmas tree, but she wants to do something special to surprise her parents and sisters. She knows her mother has told her that Christmas is the season of miracles, so what better time to go in search of one? She meets up with her best friend Daniel who is having troubles of his own. Together they go off to find their miracles and hopefully have a nice Christmas.

I’ve read several books by Beverly Stowe McClure in the past, but those have been geared toward tweens and teens. In recent months, she has begun writing books for younger children. Frankie’s Perfect Home was published in June by Guardian Angel Publishing. Tumbleweed Christmas is an early reader, which was released in August by 4RV Publishing. I’ve read several of their titles and never found a bad one in the bunch. Would McClure’s latest book reflect the quality I’ve come to expect from this publisher? You bet it does!

Tumbleweed Christmas is a heartwarming story of one girl’s desire to do something special for her family. Everyone else has pretty Christmas trees in their windows. What can she do to get a Christmas tree for her home? This book provides young readers with a perfect example of thinking of others. While Jackie would like to see a Christmas tree in her home, it’s because she wishes to bring her family joy during a difficult time. What’s equally nice is that though she is dealing with her own dilemma, she still makes time to help Daniel with his problem.

The lovely artwork provided by Bridget McKenna truly brings this story to life. From the freckles on Jackie’s face to the cherry printed apron her mother wears while dishing up cookies and more, the illustrations in this book will delight your child. They are the perfect complement to the story.

I can’t think of a sweeter tale of the season than Tumbleweed Christmas.

Rating: 

• Publisher:4RV Publishing LLC
• ISBN-10:0983274045
• ISBN-13: 978-0983274049
• SRP:  $13.99

Buy directly from 4RV Publishing!

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

In celebration of Beverly Stowe McClure’s Tumbleweed Christmas, she will be appearing at  Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16.  More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away including an angel tree ornament from Beverly!  Visit the official party page here!

Leaving comments on Beverly’s tour stops means more prizes! The person who leaves the most comments at Beverly’s tour stops will win a $10 gift certificate to Amazon.com. The second place winner will take home an angel tree ornament. See Beverly’s schedule below to see where she’ll be stopping during the month of December. Deadline for comments is 11:59 PM Eastern on December 16th.

I received a FREE copy of this book directly from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. The author paid me to promote this book with a virtual book tour through Pump Up Your Book, but that fee did not include a review. I have received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide my opinions.

This book completes my 1 out 4 books I’ve agreed to read for The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge. This is an added book. To see my original list, please visit this post: http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/the-christmas-spirit-reading-challenge-2011/

I have to admit, I’ve never read much about the saint who Santa Claus is based upon. It’s odd considering I was brought up Catholic, where saints are revered, but Secret Service Saint made me want to perform some additional research into what I could find. For kids, this is a charming story of how a man is changed by God’s will for his life. Told using words and actions young people can understand, they will easily be able to grasp the message of servanthood and true discipleship behind the story.

Talented artist, Eugene Ruble, provided the illustrations for this book. It was his work on Secret Service Saint that led me to feel he would be perfect to bring my book, Little Shepherd, to life. The illustrations for this book are mostly black and white, but some of the people and other special items are colored in with pencil to give an old world feel to the story. It works beautifully.

I’m glad I purchased a copy of this book from Guardian Angel Publishing earlier this year. You’ll love the message this book teaches and your kids will enjoy talking about Saint Nicholas in a new way.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
• ISBN-10:1935137980
• ISBN-13: 978-1935137986
• SRP:  $9.95

There are books to teach kids how to count and to help them learn their alphabet, but I’ve never seen anything like these two board books from Tiger Tales. Proving they really know kids and how they learn best, 1 2 3 Count with Me and A is for Apple both illustrated by Georgie Burkett, take the learning one step further than other books.

In addition to the delightful, eye-catching illustrations that are sure to make kids grin and giggle, each page in these books has grooved letters or numbers–as the case may be–so your child can trace the letter or number as you say it. Now, I’ve seen using shaving cream, salt or sand, to help kids learn in preschool and early elementary classes, so being able to trace here will help your child learn faster.

Also included are lift-up flaps to reinforce learning. Take Number 1. The text says “one ball” and when your little one lifts the flap, she finds an adorable kitty underneath and the words, “and one fat cat,” on the inside of the flap. The back covers of the books offer parents helpful hints on how to help children learn more from the books.

What I also like is the continuity between the two books. In 1 2 3 Count with Me we see the fat cat under the first flap. She also happens to be the fat cat that is on the cover of A is for Apple, just like the hen in A is for Apple is featured on the back cover of 1 2 3 Count with Me.  

Many early books on counting stop at 10, but this book goes all the way up to 20. In addition, at the end of the book, all the numbers are featured again, with the grooves, so your child can trace from 1 to 20. What I like best about this one is it goes one step further and begins to teach the child simple math. We see a combination of numbers and pictures, with a lift up flap that shows the sum, the picture, and then the addition in words. Example: “1 + 1″ with a ball featured over each number, then =. The number 2 is printed in bold on the top of the flap, so it is visible to the reader. Open the flap and you see a picture of two balls. Then the inside text says, “1 and 1 makes 2.” Then the final page of 1 2 3 Count with Me follows the same method, but instead of having the number printed in bold on the top of the flap, it is the picture of the items. So, we have “3 + 3″ with three crayons above each; then =, and the top of the flap has 6 crayons on it so the reader can solve the problem herself. When the reader lifts the flap, a bolded number tells her if she is right, and then the text “3 and 3 makes 6″ appears on the inside flap like before.

I am so excited about these. I can see kids learning numbers and letters even earlier than before, giving them a head start in school. I highly recommend 1 2 3 Count with Me  and A is for Apple.

Rating:

123 Count with Me

• Publisher:Tiger Tales
• ISBN-10:1589258738
• ISBN-13: 978-1589258730
• SRP:  $7.95

A is for Apple

• Publisher:Tiger Tales
• ISBN-10:158925872X
• ISBN-13: 978-1589258723
• SRP:  $7.95

Do you have a little one who likes trucks? Then you need to pick up this charming story of friendship and fun. The trucks are throwing a surprise party. Each truck has his job to do to get ready for the guest of honor.

Truck Party by Tammi Salzano is a fabulous way to help your truck-loving youngster celebrate the joys of friendship. As you  read of every truck doing his job, your child will understand how great it is when friends work together for something special. The bright illustrations in vibrant primary colors by Hannah Wood, make this story come alive. Giving the trucks eyes makes them seem more like people than machinery.

This book would make a wonderful gift for any child interested in trucks, but it’s also a fun book to read to any child. And at only $7.95, it’s a great value.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Tiger Tales
• ISBN-10:1589258657
• ISBN-13: 978-1589258655
• SRP:  $7.95

Thoughts are powerful–good ones and bad ones. What Are You Thinking? by Valerie Ackley, helps young readers to understand how their positive and negative thoughts impact their lives, and how important it is to keep thinking positively, even when bad things happen.

I read  What Are You Thinking? by Valerie Ackley with the Lil Diva (10) and the Lil Princess (8). They were easily able to grasp the concept of how powerful positive thinking can be. I liked how the author used famous historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, the Wright Brothers and Alexander Graham Bell to relay the idea that “anything ever created or achieved first began as a thought!”

The vibrant artwork by Lori Nawyn works so well with What Are You Thinking? From lightbulbs filled with ideas to happily dancing kids and pets, this book will captivate its audience.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Brigham Distributing
• ISBN-10:0981674917
• ISBN-13: 978-0981674919
• SRP:  $16.95

You can read more about Valerie Ackley and her book, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? by visiting her website at www.whatareyouthinkingbook.com.

Do you remember how much fun it was to play dress-up? This fabulous new book by author-illustrator Selina Alko captures that joy and adds in some history.

Every-Day Dress-Up opens with the young girl narrator telling her reader that she used to only play princess until her mommy told her stories of “real, great women.” Every day she gets to be a “daring new dame.” From Amelia Earhart to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, from Eleanor Roosevelt to Marie Curie, and from Julia Child to Alice Neel and more, this delightful playtime adventure story will inspire girls to reach for their dreams. With a blend of imagination and inspiration, Every-Day Dress-Up by Selina Alko will captivate your young reader.

Alko’s illustrations are charming. From the cardboard box airplane that the girl flies in when she is Earhart, to the colorful robe she dons when she becomes Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, the illustrations make this book come alive.  

Short biographies of the eleven historical figures featured are found in the back of the book, and there is a short list of “Books That Inspire.”

I highly recommend Every-Day Dress-Up by Selina Alko.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Knopf Books for Young Readers
• ISBN-10:0375860924
• ISBN-13: 978-0375860928
• SRP:  $16.99

Freckleface Strawberry is back with a new adventure in Freckleface Strawberry Best Friends Forever by Julianne Moore.

Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick are best friends. They are very much alike, which is why they are such great friends. Problem is, the kids at school convince them they are too different to be friends. And that’s when the trouble starts.

I can’t tell you how overjoyed I was to see this latest Freckleface Strawberry book appear on  my doorstep. I loved being introduced to her in the first book. I had a blast recalling how much I also despised dodgeball in Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully. This new book is just as charming and just as funny. In Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully, Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick had become friends. Now the reader gets to see this friendship put to the test, but it is done in such a delightful way that young readers will be laughing as much as they are cheering for Freckleface and Windy to stop listening to those kids who say they shouldn’t be friends. The humorous illustrations by LeUyen Pham are the perfect complement to this story.

The purchaser should be advised that Windy Pants Patrick tells Freckleface Strawberry that he has two moms. There are also illustrations of Windy’s family in the book. I point this out solely because this may influence a buyer’s decision.

Freckleface Strawberry Best Friends Forever is a great addition to your child’s library.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Bloomsbury USA Childrens
• ISBN-10:1599905515
• ISBN-13: 978-1599905518
• SRP:  $16.99

In this second Life of Shouty book, Food & Fitness, young readers find a rhyming story about a man who lives an unhealthy lifestyle. Lack of exercise and eating junk food–two things modern-day kids hear a lot about the evils of these days–find Shouty gaining weight and struggling to change his eating habits and incorporate exercise into his daily life.

Having reviewed the first Life of Shouty book, Good Habits, I had a feel for the author’s style before cracking open this new one. While I don’t understand the need to use an adult male to show children the importance of eating right and exercising, Food & Fitness does a fine job of showing kids how the wrong choices impact our bodies and mental health. With First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to fight obesity, and televisions stations like The Disney Channel speaking regularly on these topics, young readers will easily be able to grasp the point of this book.

NeonSeon’s whimsical and funny illustrations return in Food & Fitness. These pictures help lighten what is a heavy topic for today’s youth. Childhood obesity has been a hot topic for a few years now. Medical professionals are seeing diseases in children that previously they had only seen in adults. A book like Food & Fitness can be helpful in encouraging even normal-weight children to implement practices that will help them throughout their adult life.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Rixkin
• ISBN-10:0984206914
• ISBN-13: 978-0984206919
• SRP:  $14.95

I received a free copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide this review.

A fairy tale that will captivate young readers is waiting to be explored in, The Crystal Prince, by Jeanette Clinger-Hurley.

A long time ago, in the kingdom of Celestria, a rift divided two brothers. The elder brother, Ganthian, drew followers to him and attacked his younger brother. Ganthian and his followers were defeated and they fled to the Black Forest. Into this divided kingdom, a young prince is born one thousand years later. Prince Xabian’s birth is met with great joy and much anxiety. Born with a hole in his heart, only the crystals from Terraminjemma Mountain can heal him.

Once the crystals are secured, Xabian’s mother is sure they are always kept close by. Xabian continues to grow and play with his friends. The beautiful Jenevieve is a special friend, and the entire kingdom is sure one day they will wed. But then tragedy strikes. On the night of Prince Xabian’s twelfth birthday, evil enters the castle and kidnaps him. Will they ever see Xabian again? How long can their beloved prince survive without the healing crystals close to his heart?

There is so much to love about The Crystal Prince. We find a story where good triumphs over evil and love conquers all. It is a story that combines faith and the power of love, woven into a magical kingdom of healing crystals, flesh-eating sky dragons, dreams, and trolls. It is a book that combines the classic elements of fairy tales like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Sleeping Beauty, with a more prominent message of how following The Golden Rule can make a difference.

While I wish  an editor whacked away some of the extraneous details, overall this spellbinding adventure is an excellent read. A tiny nitpick for the typographical errors within the book, none of which is more noticeable than on the last page when Xabian looks into the eyes of his bride, Jenevieve and says, “You are and have always been my angle from heaven…” The mother in me is also a little unsettled by a children’s story that says the main characters shared a “passionate” kiss.

The artwork provided by B. C. Hailes is breathtaking. Page after page of exquisitely detailed drawings fill the book with colors. The picture I posted above doesn’t do the cover art justice. You have to see this artwork up close.

The Crystal Prince is definitely a book that provides a fine example of how our attitude can bring about change. I look forward to more books by Jeanette Clinger-Hurley.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Dream Maker Pictures & Books
• ISBN-10:057803963X
• ISBN-13: 978-0578039633
• SRP:  $32.95 (Also available in a Kindle edition).

You can purchase a copy of The Crystal Prince from the book’s website for only $16.95!

Shouty ignores the advice of a man who encourages him to develop good habits. He doesn’t plan and prioritize. He chills out and relaxes. He doesn’t floss every day. His room is a disaster. He watches too much TV and his lawn is an unmanageable, overgrown mess. Looking in the mirror, he has a great vision of who he could be and begins making changes to find that person.

In this motivational children’s book geared toward ages 7 and up, the reader finds a rhyming story meant to instill good habits in kids early on. Life of Shouty: Good Habits by NeonSeon does mention important traits like setting goals, prioritizing, reading over watching TV, and taking care of your teeth. I’m not certain, however, that a book where an adult avoids paying his bills and lets his lawn grow up to his chin is the most effective for young readers. Overall, I believe the book will go over kids’ heads. While the cover art and interior illustrations are cute and whimsical, kids might not understand things like the “Something for Nothing Currency Exchange” or the “Live for the Moment funeral home.”

The main thing that caught my eye, however, is the quote on the back of the book. Here we have a book that is meant to motivate kids and it has a negative quote from Shouty on the back:

 ”I have this great vision of who I could be!

As I look in the mirror, that’s not what I see.”

I would have preferred to see a more standard back cover blurb.

Shouty Mack started out as a comic strip geared toward high school students. It would work well for that market and older, but it misses the mark for younger kids. That said, I also have the second book in this series, Life of Shouty: Food & Fitness, here. I skimmed through it, and it seems much more age appropriate than its predecessor.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Rixkin
• ISBN-10:0984206906
• ISBN-13: 978-0984206902
• SRP: $14.95

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide my review.

Joining us today is Cathy Mazur, author of Stanley Seagull. This is a children’s book geared toward ages 4-8.  I had a chance to provide an endorsement for this book. I’m especially thrilled to have Cathy with us today.

Thank you for joining us, Cathy. Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?

I was born in Scranton, PA. I received a bachelor’s degree in Library Science from Mansfield State College in 1975 and a Reading Specialist Certificate from the University of Scranton in 1978. I was employed as an elementary school librarian for the Mid Valley School District from 1975 until my retirement in 2010. I served on the Board of Directors for the Valley Community Library in Peckville, Pa. for over 20 years acting as president for one year and board secretary for 19 years. I presently serve on the library’s Developmental Committee chairing various fundraising events. I live in Dickson City, Pennsylvania with my husband Frank. We are the parents of two children, Gary, 27 and Gia, 19.

When did you first get bit by the writing bug?

Working as an elementary school librarian.

Why did you decide to write stories for children?

I have worked with children all my life and when I would read to them I was amazed at the impact the printed word had on them.

Do you believe it is harder to write books for a younger audience?

No, because I believe that younger audiences are vastly more receptive to literature and the written word.

What is your favorite part of writing for young people?

Having spent most of my life working with young children and seeing the joy and excitement they received from having a story read to them.

Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?

A seagull that gets trapped in a refuse truck that is headed for a landfill and his adventures in finding his way back home to the beach.

What inspired you to write it?

While sitting in my elementary school library I would observe large numbers of seagulls gathering on our football field. Our school is located very close to a landfill hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, and I often wondered how the gulls could adapt to such a foreign environment.

Where can readers purchase a copy?

On line at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Tribute Books.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

Yes. My website can be found at www.StanleySeagull.com. The book also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stanley-Seagull/162532737150587?sk=wall

What is up next for you?

Promoting this book and a few ideas for new books.

Thank you for spending time with us today, Cathy. We wish you much success.

Stanley Seagull web site:
http://www.StanleySeagull.com

Stanley Seagull Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stanley-Seagull/162532737150587?sk=wall

Cathy Mazur Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Cathy-Mazur/100001493820009

Colleen Gedrich Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/cgedrich

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Blog Tours:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

Cathy Mazur’s Bio:

Born in Scranton, Pa., Cathy Mazur is the daughter of Gary and Catherine H. Errico. She was educated in the Dunmore public school system and graduated from Dunmore High School in 1971. She received a bachelor’s degree in Library Science from Mansfield State College in 1975. She received a Reading Specialist Certificate from the University of Scranton in 1978. Cathy was employed as an elementary school librarian for the Mid Valley School District from 1975 until her retirement in 2010. While at Mid Valley, she instituted and coordinated the RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) program for 33 years helping students to develop a love of reading outside the classroom. Cathy served on the Board of Directors for the Valley Community Library in Peckville, Pa. for over 20 years acting as president for one year and board secretary for 19 years. She presently serves on the library’s Developmental Committee chairing various fundraising events. She resides in Dickson City, Pa. with Frank, her husband of 31 years. They are the parents of two children, Gary, 27 and Gia, 19. Now in her retirement, she is focused on writing books for children like Stanley Seagull.

Colleen Gedrich’s Bio:

Colleen Gedrich, a lifelong resident Throop, Pa., earned a BFA in illustration from Marywood University in 2002. She is a freelance illustrator specializing in animal-themed work. She enjoys creating her art using mostly watercolor and pastel. As a dedicated animal rights activist and full-time program coordinator for International Society for Animal Rights (ISAR), Colleen lives her dream of joining her passions for animals and art to promote a more harmonious world with a touch of beauty. Recent works produced by Colleen include t-shirt and invitation designs, children’s book illustrations (A Different Kind of Hero), and book covers (With God There Is Hope). Colleen has also teamed up with her very talented artist mother, Kathy Holmes .

Hardcover
Price: $16.95
ISBN: 9780983741817
Pages: 32
Release: July 2011

Paperback
Price: $7.95
ISBN: 9780983741800
Pages: 32
Release: July 2011

Hardcover buy link: ($16.95)
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Stanley-Seagull/Cathy-Mazur/e/9780983741817

Paperback buy link: ($7.95)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0983741808?ie=UTF8&tag=tributebooks-20

Kindle buy link: ($2.99)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058VALVY?ie=UTF8&tag=tributebooks-20

Nook buy link: ($4.95)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stanley-seagull-cathy-mazur/1103999501?ean=2940012811202&itm=2&usri=stanley%2bseagull

iPad buy link: ($4.99)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/stanley-seagull/id450437474?mt=11

I reviewed an earlier book in this series, No Bones About It, in 2009. I immediately fell in love with Kirk’s witty rhymes coupled with the unique, and sometimes zany, illustrations provided by Eugene Ruble. Together, these men create a book that makes young people want to learn about a subject they might find boring otherwise.

Every elementary science classroom studying the body should have a copy of each of The Sum of our Parts books. With Muscles Make Us Move, Kirk and Ruble continue  to offer young readers a book that contains silly rhymes, factoids, word quests, and a glossary, all complemented by fabulous and funny artwork. I hope these men continue to collaborate. They always deliver a winner!

Rating: 

• Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc
• ISBN-10:1616331348
• ISBN-13: 978-1616331344
• SRP:  $10.95

I received a free PDF of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide this review.

I’m familiar with the young adult books of Beverly Stowe McClure. I’ve read several of them–some contemporary, others historical. This is her first children’s picture book. When she asked me to review it, I hopped at the chance.

McClure’s ability to create characters I care about is what has always drawn me to her work. Could she accomplish that with a children’s book?

Yes!

In Frankie’s Perfect Home young readers are treated to a delightful story that tackles the issue of the grass looking much greener on the other side of the hill. Frankie doesn’t like his home, so he leaves in search of something better–the perfect place to lay his head. Going from place to place, he finds there are problems with each potential new home: too muddy, too smelly, or too scary. In the end, he finds the perfect place, but it’s too lonesome and quiet. That is, until his mother and brothers move on in.

This is a great book for any time of day, but I think it would be really fun at bedtime. The colorful artwork provided by Alexander Morris has rounded edges, which is a smart match to complement the rounded text used throughout. Morris does a fine job of capturing the essence of the story with his illustrations.

Frankie’s Perfect Home is another fantastic title from Beverly Stowe McClure. I hope we’ll see her writing more books for this market soon.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
• ISBN-10:1616331623
• ISBN-13: 978-1616331627
• SRP:  $9.95

Joining us today is six year old author, LaNiyah Bailey, author of Not Fat Because I Wanna Be. This is a children’s book geared toward children ages 3-10.

Thank you for joining us today, LaNiyah. Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?

Yes. I am six years old and will be going to first grade this year. I love playing with my puppy diva and doing girl stuff, like playing with my dolls, playing in make up with my cousins and my best friend Chase.  I also love spending time with my mom and dad. 

When did you first get bit by the writing bug?

 I wanna say I know what this means… like when did I start wanting to write? (smiles) I started to write when I was in kindergarten and I was being teased and bullied. 

Why did you decide to write for children?

 I wanted to write for children because I am only six years old, and they can understand me more. 

Do you believe it is harder to write books for a younger audience?

I think it might be a little harder because if it’s not fun or interesting they may not want to read it.  

What is your favorite part of writing for young people?

My favorite part is I get to meet new people and tell them my story and sometimes they tell me theirs too.  

Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?

Well my new book is called Not Fat Because I Wanna Be, and it is about a fictional girl named Jessica who was being bullied and teased about her weight by adults and kids. Jessica had some medical problems that made her overweight, but people never knew it. They judged her by how she looked on the outside.  

What inspired you to write it?

I went through a lot of the same things that Jessica went through and that inspired me to not sit around and feel sorry for my self but, to tell people what I was going through and hopefully that would make people see that you can’t judge people from their outside self.  

Where can readers purchase a copy?

They can get a signed copy from my website (www.notfatbecauseiwannabe.com). I will sign it and put whatever they want me to write in it. They can also get it from www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com and www.createspace.com/3580923 

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

Yes, I do. I would love for people to come there and leave comments and tell their stories about bullying and being healthy. My mom reads me all the emails and I get really happy to hear that other kids from all over the world have some of the same problems like me. My website is: www.notfatbecauseiwannabe.com 

What is up next for you?

I would like to visit hospitals and schools around the world and talk to kids about bullying and how to stand up for themselves. I will be working on another book soon also. 

Do you have anything else to add?

Well, I want kids to know that they are important and special. If they are being bullied they should not be scared or embarrassed to talk to their mom, dad or teacher about it. And if they are the person bullying someone they should stop it because it is not nice to make someone feel bad about themself, and they should think of how it would make them feel if someone did it to them. And that’s it.  

Thank you for spending time with us today, LaNiyah. We wish you much success. 

Thank you all for having me and helping me share my message. I wish you much success too. Thank you!

Peter: Rock Star from Galilee is the latest guided Bible study for teens from Sherree Funk.

This eight-week Bible study for teens combines music, Bible learning, and modern-day applications. Each week begins with a playlist of songs that are a mix of contemporary Christian music and traditional hymns. Various aspects of Peter’s life are covered: his calling by Jesus, his stepping out onto the stormy sea, his denial of Jesus after His arrest, the miracles he performed in the name of Jesus, his legacy, and more!

Readers get a preview of the week’s study to help spark initial discussions. There are questions and exercises along the way. The “Chew on This” moments give teens time to consider things like their blessings, while the “Christian Reality Challenge” blurbs cement learning. The “Jam Session” at the end of each week includes questions to get teens thinking about how the Bible applies to them today. Then the replay wraps the week up for them to round out discussions. Also included are maps and historical photos.

As a Sunday school teacher, I am always on the lookout for engaging new materials for our young people. Peter: Rock Star from Galilee definitely has what it takes. With sound Bible learning and music, this Bible study will meet kids where they are today. I’ve already shared it with our youth group leader and she’s excited about it. If you are in youth ministry, you’ll want to take a peek into this one.

Rating: 

• Publisher:WinePress Publishing
• ISBN-10:1414119836
• ISBN-13: 978-1414119830
• SRP:  $16.99

The author paid me to promote this book through a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. That fee did not include a review. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I received no monetary compensation.

My Brother the Frog is McNamee’s latest release through Guardian Angel Publishing. A young boy decides to change his annoying brother into a frog, which makes everyone mad. When he tries to change him back, he finds it’s not so simple. Suddenly his brother is a very big duckling, then a chicken. They have to make it through many more animal changes before the boy learns something about his brother and about himself too.

This is just one zany story. At first I really wasn’t sure where McNamee was going with it. Then as I moved further along and saw how this annoying brother, now in animal form, is helpful to the boy, I realized the subtle message the author relayed with his silly story. Yes, siblings can be pests at times, but they also can do nice things.

Alexander Morris provided the artwork for this book. I liked how he managed to capture the brother’s face in each animal once he was changed. I loved the last illustration. I won’t tell you what it is, but it is perfect and made me laugh so hard I thought I would fall out of my chair.

I’ve enjoyed every one of McNamee’s books that I’ve read, and My Brother the Frog is no exception. He knows how to reach kids right where they are with fabulous books and unique storylines they’ll enjoy. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc
• ISBN-10:1616331593
• ISBN-13: 978-1616331597
• SRP:  $10.95 (softcover)

Also available in a hardcover edition.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide my review.

Many of us are sitting back and enjoying the summer fun. For some kids and parents, however, the nervous first day of school is arriving sooner rather than later. I suggest they consider picking up a copy of Sea Monster’s First Day by Kate Messner.

Sea monster Ernest is afraid of fitting in when he’s so much larger and different from everyone else. Luckily there is so much for him to learn and do at school. Can he hope to even find a friend?

Sea Monster’s First Day is a wonderful, delightful story that will help young children cope with starting school. As a teacher, Messner recognizes that it’s hard to make new friends, especially if you feel you’re a bit different from the others and it seems like everyone already belongs. This book also helps youngsters realize that as they learn together, things are made easier, and perhaps there is one special friend or group of friends they will be drawn to. Sea Monster’s First Day truly encourages kids to be excited about that first day and all the school days to come.

The artwork by Andy Rash is so great. I visited his website and glanced at some of the other books he’s written and illustrated. Agent A to Agent Z caught my eye. I’ll have to get my hands on that one. Rash’s work in Sea Monster’s First Day is superb. He captured the whimsical nature of Messner’s story to perfection.

I highly recommend Sea Monster’s First Day for any child experiencing first day of school jitters.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Chronicle Books
• ISBN-10:0811875644
• ISBN-13: 978-0811875646
• SRP: $16.99

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation to provide this review.

A Place for Fish by Melissa Stewart is a gentle and important reminder to young people that fish make our world a beautiful place and we need to make sure we don’t do anything to harm them.

From the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Canada to Mexico, we can find a variety of aquatic friends: hammerhead sharks, lined seahorses, smalltooth sawfishes, and spotted trunkfishes to name a few. Stewart brings young readers through a story of how human action, and sometimes inaction, can create issues for our friends living in the water. With tons of facts and stunning illustrations provided by Higgins Bond, your child can learn ways to help protect these important creatures.

A Place for Fish is just one book in Stewart’s A Place For series. For more information on these books, please visit http://www.melissa-stewart.com/

Rating: 

• Publisher:Peachtree Publishers
• ISBN-10:1561455628
• ISBN-13: 978-1561455621
• SRP:  $16.95

This book was unsolicited, so I don’t know its origins. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I received no monetary compensation.

So engaging it could be fiction, Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story by Janet Halfmann should be in American classrooms everywhere.

The story of Robert Smalls begins in 1939 with his birth into slavery in Charleston, South Carolina. A favored servant, Smalls has a decent life for a slave, but he witnesses firsthand the cruelty of this Peculiar Institution. As he grows from child into man, Smalls falls in love and longs for freedom for him and his family. Seven Miles to Freedom shares how he leads a plot to steal a Confederate steamboat and pilots it into Union held territory.

What a fascinating story! My Civil War collection is the most extensive in my home library. I have numerous non-fiction titles about a variety of topics on the War between the States. I will proudly add Seven Miles to Freedom by Janet Halfmann to my collection.

Having enjoyed Halfmann’s Good Night, Little Sea Otter and Fur and Feathers, I knew the writing would be superb; but it can be difficult to make history interesting for young readers. Halfmann makes it look easy. It’s a true historical action adventure on the Atlantic. I wasn’t sure how I would like the impressionistic artwork for this book, but in the end I decided that Duane Smith’s creations were the perfect complement to the story. His style allows the reader to imagine this being any African-American slave’s story. Granted it is Smalls’s story, but the fact remains there were many brave African-Americans who helped the Union win the Civil War.

It’s no wonder that Seven Miles to Freedom has won so many honors and awards.  If you want to teach your children history in an engaging manner, you’ll want to pick up a copy of this one.

Rating: 

• Publisher:Lee & Low Books
• ISBN-10:9781600602320
• ISBN-13: 978-1600602320
• SRP:  $17.95

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation to provide this review.

Welcoming a new sibling isn’t always easy. Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep by Kathy Stemke is sure to help.

Zachary isn’t always fond of his baby sister, Layla. Everything is always about her. But when Zachary puts on his special black-framed glasses, he can do anything. He turns into a superhero who can protect his sister from anything.

I love this book! It’s delightful. It’s fun. And it teaches kids about consonant blends. This is Stemke’s second children’s book, the first with Guardian Angel Publishing.  Proving its commitment to entertaining and educating children, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep is the perfect addition to GAP’s Academic Wings line. Readers are treated to an engaging story that helps them deal with introducing a new sibling into the house, while getting a chance to improve their reading skills.

Jack Foster provided the artwork for this one. I’m a huge Foster fan. I have loved everything he has ever done, and Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep is no exception. His use of bold colors attracts young readers. The green in the leaves is so deep, you would swear they were real. The eyes on the characters also have a distinctive shape. All I have to do is look at a character’s eyes to know that Foster worked on a book.

Included at the end of Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep is a Teacher Supplement with questions, a song, games, and other fun activities.

All summer reading should be this fun!

Rating: 

• Publisher:Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc
• ISBN-10:1616331569
• ISBN-13: 978-1616331566
• SRP:  $10.95

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

A little book that contains a big message is what you’ll find in Marta’s Gargantuan Wings by J. Aday Kennedy.

Aljor the bird teases Marta about her gigantic wings. She knows a brown Pegasus that looks more like a mule isn’t very beautiful, but she can’t help but be hurt by his cruel words. Even her friend Stajon, the monkey, coming to her defense doesn’t help. When a fire breaks out in the forest, Marta’s gargantuan wings might be what saves the day.

Just as she did with Klutzy Kantor, Kennedy creates a lovely story of friendship with characters that young readers will easily relate to. Readers are treated to an enjoyable tale that helps children realize our differences can often be what makes us the most special. They follow along as Marta has a chance to use her “flawed” appearance to help out in a time of need.

Talented artist, Eugene Ruble, created the illustrations for Marta’s Gargantuan Wings. His unique style stands as the perfect complement to Kennedy’s moving prose. It’s one of the reasons I was so thrilled to have him illustrate my book.

This is a great book for the home or classroom.

Rating: 

• Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc
• ISBN-10:1616330937
• ISBN-13: 978-1616330934
• SRP:  $9.95

An ecopy of this book was sent to me by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation to provide this review.

An ebook that will entertain and empower your school age child is what you’ll find in Catch the Cat by Aaron Hoopes.

Justin Lumkin and Nikki Bean are two misfits. Justin is fat and picked on by the school bully. Nikki’s face is broken out and her hair a scraggly mess. The girls tease her profusely. Luckily the end of the school year arrives and the torture can stop for a few short months. But on that last day, something amazing happens. They meet an impish purple cat named Zink who plans to teach them the five secret words to help them be happier and healthier.

Catch the Cat is a fun book that will help youngsters make better choices. Taking place over one summer, two misfits unlock the secret words that will help them deal with the issues they have barely managed to cope with on a daily basis. Tackling topics such as bullying, exercise, obesity and dieting, self-confidence, and more, Hoopes, founder of Zen Yoga, uses his years of experience working with children to develop this wonderful story.

If the story had encompassed a few more chapters, the ending might not have seemed rushed, but overall I was satisfied with how it turned out. Almost five dollars is a bit pricy for a 35 page ebook, but since the messages contained within its pages are so important to today’s children’s I still think it’s a sound investment. I look forward to more books by this talented author.

Rating: 

Information from Smashwords:

Ebook By Aaron Hoopes
$4.95 Rating: Not yet rated.
Published: April 28, 2010
Category: Fiction » Children’s Books » Fairy tales and fables
Category: Fiction » Children’s Books » Animals
Words: 16654 (approximate)