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Heart of Hero Review

3/31/2012

Heart of a Hero
by Billi Tiner

Heart of a Hero by Billi Tiner is a heartwarming story about a very special dog named Lady. As the story begins Lady is just a puppy living with her mother and brother on Mr. Thompson's farm. A young man named
Carl begins doing work around the farm for Mr. Thompson and Lady is drawn to him. Lady's heart leaps when Mr. Thompson gives her to Carl as additional payment for the work he has done.

Carl spends all the time he can with Lady and trains her to be a fine hunting dog like her mother. World War II is well underway and Carl decides to join the Marines to help America fight. Lady's is devastated when Carl leaves, but faithfully waits for his return. Carl's father receives word that Carl has been killed and Lady is heartbroken.

Still in mourning over the losing Carl, Lady is sent to participate in a military program that uses dogs as scouts and messengers. When Lady arrives at doggy boot camp she meets Steve, her handler. Lady immediately feels a connection with Steve and although she misses Carl she is once again happy. After undergoing basic training Lady and Steve are sent off to war. Lady becomes a hero. Her bravery as a messenger dog saves the lives of many soldiers, but her and Steve are wounded and relieved of their military duties.

Lady once again settles into her life with, but everything abruptly changes when Steve joins the military and is sent off to fight in the Korean war. Steve gives Lady to a man who intends to use her as a hunting dog, but is shocked to see that the war has left her gun shy. Disgusted, he gives Lady to his daughter. Will Lady find happiness again? It is well worth reading to find out!

Heart of a Hero exposes the reader to the kind of love, devotion and friendship that can only be found in relationships between an owner and their dog.

Although, fictional Heart of a Hero is based an real events that were retold to author Billi Tiner by her grandmother.

You can get a copy of Heart of a Hero at www.amazon.com.

Jekyll Says More! Review

3/28/2012

Jekyll Says More
by D.C. Blackbird

In D.C. Blackbird's second book, Jekyll Says More! the rhyming fun continues. Jekyll shares more valuable lessons to enrich your life and bring a smile to your face.

Jekyll reminds us to enjoy nature and all it's beauty, but "Never do damage, never kill. Don't harm a bird or an ant's hill. The Earth was here way before you. So leave her nothing to undo."

Often, in our busy lives we forget the simple things and that's where Jekyll excels. The simple pleasures are second nature to him and readers young and old can learn a great lesson.

Jekyll Says More! is a great companion to Jekyll Says... so pick them both up at www.amazon.com. Oh, and remember to read them aloud...it's more fun! You can also find out more about Jekyll by visiting www.welcometokittyland.com.

A Quest for Good Manners Review

3/26/2012

A Quest for Good Manners
by Karin Lefranc

Karin Lefranc's award winning book A Quest for Good Manners is a lively tale of a rude young princess named Rosalind and her equally rude dragon, Sparkler. One night over dinner the queen has enough of Rosalind and Sparkler's rude behavior and declares that they have 3 days to learn some manners.

Instructed by a wizard, Rosalind pulls a magic fork from a rock and their quest for good manners begins. As Rosalind and Sparkler learn to use please, thank you, you're welcome and I'm sorry rubies on the magic fork glow. For the final test Rosalind is gracious to a poor hungry boy by offering him food and water. Satisfied Rosalind and Sparkler have learned good manners Lady Grace sends them home to show the queen all they have learned.

A Quest for Good Manners will entertain children while teaching them the importance of always using their manners and being kind to others.

My daughter also read A Quest for Good Manners and wanted me to include her review as well. "I liked this book. My favorite part was when Princess Rosalind helped the poor boy. I also liked when Princess Rosalind and Sparkler learned good manners" ~Kaylie, 8

I recommend picking up your copy of A Quest for Good Manners at amazon.com.

Ember the Dragon and the Birthday Surprise Review

3/25/2012

Ember the Dragon and the Birthday Surprise
By Kay Lynne Virgin

Ember the Dragon and the Birthday Surprise by Kay Lynne Virgin teaches children to persevere no matter how hard the task at hand may seem.

Ember is celebrating his birthday and receives a visit from his three grandchildren, Amber, Char and Soot. As the three dragons arrive Amber and Char land with ease and greet their grandfather. Soot, however, struggles with landing and crashes to the ground creating a giant crater. Seeing the mess he created Soot believes he will never be able to do anything right. Wanting to ease Soot's disappointment, Ember tells the children a story of when he was an uncoordinated dragon who could not land without crashing. Soot is encouraged by Ember's story. He now knows that persistence and practice will make him a mighty dragon just like his grandfather.

Ember the Dragon and the Birthday Surprise reminds children that everything takes practice and with hard work and encouragement they can do anything!

Ember the Dragon and the Birthday Surprise is available at www.amazon.com.

Lionel's Grand Adventure (Lionel and the Golden Rule) Review

3/24/2012

Lionel's Grand Adventure (Lionel and the Golden Rule)
by Paul R. Hewlett

Lionel's Grand Adventure (Lionel and the Golden Rule) by Paul R. Hewlett is a lighthearted story about a 12-year-old boy named Lionel. Lionel is not very coordinated, but he always tries his hardest even when things rarely seem to work out for him. One day Lionel discovers a Three-Toed-Potbellied Walbaun foot. He quickly learns that the Walbaun foot has a magic power, but like Lionel the Walbaun's magic doesn't always go as planned.

Children will laugh at the comical adventure Lionel undertakes while trying to perfect the magic of his Walbaun's foot. An example of the Walbaun's mixed up magic is when Lionel wishes to win big in a marble game, but ends up winning big at a game of blackjack in a Vegas casino. In Lionel's final wish, to win the little league championship, he is transported to the championship game for the New York Zephyr's. Lionel is next at bat, but sees Jimmy Dee, Lionel's favorite player, sitting at the end of the bench. Understanding how Jimmy Dee feels Lionel fakes an injury forcing the coach to put Jimmy Dee in the game. In giving Jimmy Dee a chance, Lionel discovers the Golden Rule of treating others how you want to be treated. A valuable lesson that is often forgotten.

You can get Lionel's Grand Adventure (Lionel and the Golden Rule) at www.amazon.com.

Rachel and Sammy Visit the Forest Review

3/23/2012

Rachel and Sammy Visit the Forest
by Jannifer Powelson

Rachel and Sammy Visit the Forest by Jannifer Powelson is an excellent books for children to use as a guide while discovering Woodland Wildflowers that bloom in the spring.

While the illustrations by Kalpert are incredibly vivid, my favorite aspect of the book are the actual pictures of the forest plant life. Jannifer Powelson uses pictures she has taken on her own discovery of the forest and uses these photos to teach children.

Children follow Rachel and Sammy as they journey through the forest for a fun adventure and uncover some beautiful and unusual plants along the way. Children can then use Rachel and Sammy Visit the Forest as a guide while undertaking their own adventure.

Get your copy of Rachel and Sammy Visit the Forest at www.amazon.com.

The Gikkie Bokkers Book 1 Review

3/21/2012

The Gikkie Bokkers
By Jason Conway

The Gikkie Bokkers by Jason Conway is a captivating tale full of adventure, mystical creatures and magical portals that transport you to another land. When the main character Hugo Muckbucket, a retired hunter, decides to visit the town he grew up in he soon discovers a family secret that will forever alter his life. Through the use of a glowing amulet Hugo is transported to another land with rivers made of stout and mystical creatures lurking in the shadows. Hugo learns that the creatures are protecting humanity from the evil creature that is trapped in the mountain. Hugo is finally able to make peace with the Gikkie Bokkers, but learns he is an heir to a much larger fortune...protecting the land of the Gikkie Bokkers as his father and grandfather did. Hugo must decide to accept this life changing responsibility or sentence the Gikkie Bokkers to certain demise.

Jason Conway has an incredible ability to create images in the reader's mind through his vivid descriptions. For example, the Gikkie Bokkers have "cat-like legs with long claws on large paws covered in a down like soft white fur. Their body was slightly bulbous and patchy dark brown with a white patch of belly fur. Four white fur covered arms with large hands and long claws protruded from its muscular shoulders topped off with an almost rabbit like head but with two huge yellow fangs protruding from its mouth. The eyes were luminous yellow and black like an owl." This impressive description easily brings the Gikkie Bokkers to life.

Jason is also a talented graphic designer and is responsible for the amazing cover design.

I highly recommend reading The Gikkie Bokkers and discovering the magic for yourself.

You can find out more about The Gikkie Bokkers by visiting www.gikkiebokkers.com.

Jekyll Says... Good Deeds Cats Do, That You Should Do Too! Reviewed

3/18/2012

Jekyll Says... Good Deeds Cats Do, That You Should Do Too!
By D.C. Blackbird

Jekyll Says... Good Deeds Cats Do, That You Should Do Too! by D.C. Blackbird is a lighthearted book of advice from Jekyll the cat. The rhyming text is more fun if read aloud and it's sure to make you smile and maybe even "shake your booty!"

Jekyll reminds us to work hard, make others smile, and eat healthy everyday (among other things). Jekyll also says, to visit your local animal shelter and find a furry friend to bring home and love.

Grab your own copy of Jekyll Says... Good Deeds Cats Do, That You Should Do Too! and heed some of Jekyll's advice.

Jekyll Says... is available at www.amazon.com. You can also find out more by visiting www.welcometokittyland.com.

No Tildes on Tuesday Review

3/17/2012

No Tildes on Tuesday
by Cherrye Vasquez

In No Tildes on Tuesday, author Cherrye Vasquez, effectively brings to light how important it is for children to learn about and celebrate their heritage. From the very beginning America was a melting pot of people from many different countries, backgrounds and religious beliefs. This diversity is what made and still makes America special. No Tildes on Tuesday reminds us of this diversity and helps readers to understand that it is this diversity that makes each of us uniquely special.

Isabella is a Mexican-American middle-schooler living in a predominately Caucasian neighborhood. Isabella's father is Hispanic and her mother is Caucasian. Isabella has never learned to speak Spanish and knows very little about her Hispanic heritage. When her father loses his job the family must move to a Mexican-American neighborhood where most of the children speak English and Spanish. Isabella is devastated and must take Spanish lessons from her abuela (grandmother). Isabella thinks Spanish is pointless and refuses to learn.

After quitting Spanish lessons, Isabella meets her father's boss and his son, Juanito. She finds out that Juanito is also Mexican-American, but he is bilingual. Isabella is very intrigued by Juanito, his ability to speak Spanish, and knowledge of their Hispanic heritage. She agrees to attend a fiesta (party) with him and realizes what she has been missing out on. Will Isabella finally decide to learn Spanish and celebrate her Mexican-American heritage? Read No Tildes on Tuesday and find out...

Buy No Tildes on Tueday at www.Amazon.com.

Lady's Day to Play Review

3/16/2012

Lady's Day to Play
by Uncle Dave

Lady's Day to Play by Uncle Dave is a sweet story about a day in the life of a fun-loving dog named Lady. The rhythm in this rhyming story adds to the playful tone. The books illustrations, also done by Uncle Dave, give a lighthearted feeling to the story.

Follow Lady as she plays ball, rolls in the grass and then takes a bath before snuggling down for a nap.

The book also contains information to teach children how to be responsible pet owners.

Lady's Day to Play is dedicated to Uncle Dave's niece, who succumbed to SIDS when she was only 2 months old. In her honor Uncle Dave donates $1 from the sale of every book to SIDS Research.

Lady's Day to Play is available at Amazon.com.