Blog Archives

Baby Jaimie Goes to the Hospital Book Review

6/29/2013

The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes To The Hospital
~Written by Jaimie Hope
~Illustrated by Monette Pangan

Baby Jaimie Goes to the Hospital by Jaimie Hope is a wonderful book that helps children who face medical issues understand that it's okay to be afraid and that doctors and nurses are here to help makes things better.

School is out for the summer and Baby Jaimie is looking forward to spending the summer with her friends and making a lemonade stand with her sister. All of her plans are sidelined when she wakes in the middle of the night with a sore throat and fever. Jaimie soon learns that she will need her tonsils out. Jaimie is very nervous about spending time at the hospital, but her parents and her doctor reassure her that everything will be okay. Will Jaimie overcome her fear and still get to enjoy her summer vacation or will her illness get the better of her?

The colorful illustrations by Monette Pangan help the story progress while keeping a sense of calm throughout Baby Jaimie's ordeal.

Baby Jaimie Goes to the Hospital is well written and helps to encourage children who have medical problems by explaining different procedures nurses and doctors use in order to ease their fears.

I recommend picking up a copy of Baby Jaimie Goes to the Hopsital. Available at Amazon.com.

View the Book Trailer

1 Comment

The Emerald Tablet Book Review

6/28/2013

0 Comments

Legends of Amun Ra The Emerald Tablet
~Written by Joshua Silverman

Book Synopsis via Amazon

Buried beneath the Egyptian sands lies a relic from a society whose knowledge has been lost to Earth for over 5,000 years. It lies in wait for the boy who will use it to save a distant world. On that world, a slave girl who is more than she appears waits for a destiny she cannot imagine. But when an ancient foes rises from the ashes, they will be brought together by forces that neither understands. Follow Leoros, a 13 year-old boy who dreams of being like the heroes in the comic books he reads, as he fights to unlock the secrets of the universe. Go with Atlantia, a 14 year-old girl whose mysterious powers grow stronger as she discovers her destiny. When the darkness comes, do you stand and fight or do you run and hide? An enemy with the power of dark magic - A mentor assassinated - Betrayal by an ally - A fight for the future - A final sacrifice. Will you join them? Or will you join the darkness? DO YOU DARE?

Book Review

The Emerald Tablet by Joshua Silverman takes readers on a thrilling ride into a world of ancient times, shrouded in mystery and deception. A place where things and people are not always as they appear.

The author does a remarkable job developing his numerous characters as readers are taken inside their minds and allowed to discover their strengths, weaknesses, and true selves. The main character is a 13-year-old boy named Leoros, who longs to be just like the heroes from his comic books. Leoros's life is intertwined with Altantia, a teenage girl from the far away planet of Potara. Potara possesses mystical powers that are growing stronger. Together they undertake a seemingly impossible quest and face their destiny.

Greek and Egyptian Mythology also play a key role in the story and it is evident that the author is very knowledgeable on the matter thus, allowing the story to freely unfold.

The Emerald Tablet will appeal to sci-fi, fantasy, and mythology fans alike and they will not be disappointed. I recommend picking up a copy. Available at Amazon.

About the Author via Amazon

Josh Silverman was born in Washington, DC. His family moved to Orange County, California when he was four years old and he was raised there. He grew up watching Star Trek, Star Wars, and other science fiction series with his family when he was young. Star Trek; The Next Generation was a ritual in his house. In his spare time, he collected a respectable collection of comic books and Magic: The Gathering cards. When he's not writing (or working in his day job to be able to write at night), he spends his time thinking about how to avoid traffic, what he's going to have for dinner, watching cheesy apocalyptic or King Fu movies, working out or reading.

0 Comments

Robby's Quest for Seed Review

6/25/2013

0 Comments

Robby's Quest for Seed
~Written by D.C. Rush
~Illustrated by Daniela Frongia

Robby's Quest for Seed by D.C. Rush is an entertaining tale filled with humor and adventure which are cleverly used to teach children about friendship and teamwork.

Robby the Robin and his friends lined up on the fence waiting patiently for their turn at the bird feeder. Today was a big day for the birds, it was the day they would be heading south to the warmer weather in Florida.Bathed and fed the 12 birds set out on their adventure. After days of flying the birds finally reached Florida, only it was not like they remembered. Ravaged by a hurricane the land was covered with water and debris. The birds could not find any food and knew they would starve if they stayed in Florida. A friendly Dalmatian told them they must head west. Unsure of the dog's advice the birds decide to take a vote. What will the outcome be?

Children will love this action packed tale and comical antics as a variety of birds make their annual journey South for the winter.

The illustrations by Daniela Frongia add to this grand quest and young readers will delight in them.

I recommend picking up a copy of Robby's Quest for Seed. Available at Amazon.com.

Watch the book trailer

0 Comments

Bleagh! A Book About Values Editorial Book Review

6/21/2013

1 Comment

Bleagh! A Book About Values
~Written by Leana Lyn Doray
~Illustrated by Little Pink Pebble

In her book, Bleagh! A Book About Values, Leana Lyn Doray uses a lighthearted and engaging story to teach children key lessons in empathy, tolerance, creativity, cooperation, appreciation, and integrity.

Bleagh is nervous and a little shy. Today is his first day at a new school, but the other students do their best to welcome Bleagh and try to empathize with how he must be feeling. At lunchtime, Bleagh has an unusual lunch, but instead of poking fun the children ask him to describe the strange food, displaying tolerance. Bleagh is a very large creature with an appetite to match so when he is still hungry the children band together and creatively find him more to eat. These lessons go on and on throughout the day with Bleagh learning many lessons of his own in cooperation, appreciation, and integrity. Bleagh's day might have started out bleak, but he's about to get a big surprise.

Bleagh opens the eyes of young readers and helps them discover the importance of living each day with values. I especially like that each individual value is highlighted with a gold badge. This helps to make the lesson clear so children can easily grasp each concept and demonstrate it in their own life.

My favorite part from the story is when Bleagh is learning about integrity and "a small voice inside him began to speak, B, you know the right thing to do. It may seem hard and it'll take courage, but you'll feel great about making the right choice too." Even some adults struggle with integrity and by instilling its importance in all that we do children will be on the right track to live a life with values.

The beautiful illustrations by Little Pink Pebble are rich in color and create a lively appeal that bring emotion to the story.

I recommend picking up a copy of Bleagh! A Book About Values. Available at Amazon.com.

1 Comment

Take a Chance on Love Book Review

6/20/2013

0 Comments

Take a Chance on Love
~Written by Christi Williams

Take a Chance on Love by Christi Williams is a tantalizing contemporary romance about love, sacrifice, and second chances.

Chancie de Leur is a feisty and headstrong single mother who has become so wrapped up in proving to her deceased husband that she is not the worthless person he had her believing she was, that she has neglected the most important things in her life: her son, herself, and true happiness. That is until a very handsome, gentle, and caring cop named Micah Taylor enters the picture. Now, everything Chancie thought she wanted out of life has been turned upside down and her best laid plans begin to unravel. She soon realizes that the very things she has deprived herself of are essential for finding peace and joy. But, standing in the way of Chancie and Micah's budding relationship is Chancie's defiant and moody 10 year-old son Jamie. Chancie's desire to control everything in her life has backfired. Her son is cold-hearted and detached even as Micah tries hard to develop a friendship with him. Finally, Jamie's cruel words and Chancie's inability to deal with all the turmoil in her life leave Micah with only one choice. Will Chancie find the missing pieces to mend her broken life or is she destined to live in the shadows of her deceased husband forever?

Take a Chance on Love dramatically unfolds and quickly captures readers, catapulting them into a world of heartache, sensuality, and ultimately love. We all have troubles that weigh us down which sometimes cause us to overlook what really matters. Take a Chance on Love is a reminder of what can happen when we're given a second chance.

I enjoyed Take a Chance on Love and recommend picking up a copy. Available at Amazon.com.

About the Author

Christi Williams writes HEA fiction with settings and characters of the modern American West. Her heroes and heroines struggle with today's issues. But the men and women in her writing leave a big footprint, because their personalities and their solutions to problems hark back to the iconic days of the Code of the West. Christi is the author of Take a Chance on Love, a contemporary romance set in the fictional town of Hawk Point, Wyoming. (Amazon Author Page)

0 Comments

Carmin Cares Book Review

6/14/2013

0 Comments

Carmin Cares
~Written by Karen Kilpatrick
~Illustrated by An-Lon Chen

Carmin Cares is an award winning children's book by Karen Kilpatrick about an adorable little girl who makes a big difference.

Carmin loves to spend time at the park with her dog Peanut. They "play with bubbles, swing on swings, throw some balls, look at things..." But, today Carmin discovers trash all over her beautiful park. The disgusting mess makes Carmin mad and her and Peanut head home to come up with a plan. Will Carmin figure out how to keep the park clean?

I am absolutely in love with Carmin. She has to be one of the cutest children's book characters I've ever seen. The illustrator, An-Lon Chen, uses vibrant colors to create charming characters and little critters that add to the playfulness of the story.

The lighthearted rhyme will delight young children, all the while reminding readers that it just takes one person to care enough to help change a situation for the better.

Check out the book trailer for Carmin Cares.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Carmin Cares. Available at Amazon.com.

0 Comments

Big Feats Review

6/12/2013

0 Comments

Big Feats
~Written by Jeff Botch
~Illustrated by Lisa J. Michaels & Rosemarie Gillen

Big Feats by Jeff Botch shows children what they can accomplish when they have a positive attitude and persevere even when things are difficult.

Jeff Botch developed and adapted a sales model known as ASAP to help children reach their highest potential. ASAP represents Attitude, Self Development, Action, and Persistence. In his story, Big Feats, Jeff explains each aspect of ASAP by using definitions and a clever stories. Learning new words is important for children on any level and his definition pages are key to helping young readers understand and grasp the new concepts. The four stories are simple and told in a way that entertains as well as educates.

In Attitude , we learn the outcome of our day depends on our behavior. If we act grumpy then chances are we will have a bad day, but in turn we can choose to be happy and things will likely go our way.

The story, Self Development teaches us to try new things and that sometimes it takes time for our abilities to develop. Readers learn that not everyone is good at everything, but over time their skills can be improved.

The world has a lot to offer and if we just sit back we will miss out. By taking Action, just like the story of the same name, we can enjoy something each day with our friends, families, or just on our own. Making a list is a handy reference tool which can serve as a reminder of the things we hope to achieve.

Finally, Persistence, and this is a biggie. Being persistent in all that you do will lead you towards reaching goals and excelling in all areas of your life. Many times, children and adults simply give up and never have the opportunity to reap the benefits that come from persistence.

Big Feats is a well thought out book and includes essential lessons that can be applied throughout life. I recommend picking up a copy. Available at Amazon.com.

0 Comments

A Dog For Everyone Review

6/10/2013

0 Comments

A Dog For Everyone
~Written by Katrina Streza

A Dog for Everyone by Katrina Streza is a charming rhyming story that introduces children to a variety of dogs and explains some of the individual qualities that makes each dog special.

Dogs come in many different breeds, sizes, and have varying personalities so choosing choosing the dog that's best suited for your family is an important task. A Dog for Everyone makes learning about different breeds fun and the vibrant and playful illustrations are engaging. Children and parents are also reminded that "A shelter dog can be the best dog if you train them right from the start. No matter their breed they can love you; expanding the size of your heart."

If you are considering adopting a dog be sure to make it a family affair and pick up a copy of A Dog for Everyone so little ones can be involved too.

Available at Amazon.com.

0 Comments

Life in the Land of "IS" Review & Giveaway

6/7/2013

3 Comments

Life in the Land of "IS"
~Written by Bette Lee Crosby
~Narrated by Lani Deauville

Book Review & Giveaway

Book Synopsis via Amazon
Life in the Land of 'IS' is a biography of Lani Deauville, a woman listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the World's Longest Living Quadriplegic. She's also a woman who believes in IS. "Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is yet to be," she says, "but IS is now and it’s the truth of reality." In this beautifully captured memoir, Lani Deauville tells how in one moment of reckless abandon she went from a teenage diving champion to the edge of death and back again.

Life in the Land of 'IS' is an amazing story about the unyielding human spirit that catapults a woman from a life shattering accident to an inspiring role model for others.

Lani was a bubbly and free spirited teenager so when some friends asked her to accompany them on a road trip she eagerly accept. Fun turns to tragedy when Lani dives from a seawall into shallow water. Her friends fear the worst as her life hangs in limbo. As she struggles to breath en route to the hospital, the ambulance stops at a clinic for assistance. The clinic doctor says, "She's got a broken neck! She probably won't make it to the hospital alive!" These were exactly the words Lani needed to hear. She knew at that moment no doctor was going to decide her fate and from that moment forward she knew she was going to live.

And live she did. Faced with a long road to recovery and illnesses that would plaque her for years, Lani never gave up. Lani went on to get her bachelor's degree and became a rehabilitation psychologist. She also got married and had a son. In 1991 Lani and her husband created Greens+ with the help of her brother-in-law Sam Graci, a biochemist. His formula transformed Lani's life and they were eager to share it with others.

Life in the Land of "IS" is a compelling story of a person's will to survive and enjoy life even when the odds are stacked against you. If you are looking to be inspired, Life in the Land of "IS" will not disappoint.

I recommend picking up a copy of Life in the Land of "IS". Available at Amazon.com.

*Giveaway*

Leave a comment below to be entered into the giveaway for your chance to receive your very own copy of Life in the Land of "IS."

A winner will be chosen at random. Email addresses are never shared and are for the sole purpose of contacting the winner.

Contest runs from June 7, 2013 - June 14, 2013. The winner will be announced June 15, 2013.

3 Comments

The Elephant of Surprise Review

6/6/2013

5 Comments

The Elephant of Surprise (The Russel Middlebrook Series, Vol 4)
~Written by Brent Hartinger

The Elephant of Surprise by Brent Hartinger is the fourth book in The Russel Middlebrook Series. It is a consuming story about the life and trials of a gay teenager named Russel and his friends Min and Gunnar.

Russel is a high school junior and at times is a little insecure, but with the help of his friends Min who is a know-it-all, and Gunnar who's a bit "quirky" they forge their way through the jungle of life. Min and Gunnar are dating people they met at camp and Russel has just ended his long distance relationship with Otto. Russel has now sworn off love and Min is certain Leah is keeping secrets. Presently, Gunnar is the only one in a happy relationship with his girlfriend, Em. However, by chance, Russel, Min, and Gunnar meet a couple of "Freegans" named Wade and Venus. Russel is immediately taken by Wade and hopes Wade feels the same. The group is intrigued by the lifestyle of the Freegans and their desire to change the world. Russel begins spending a lot of time with them, Wade in particular. Gunnar, who is already documenting his life on social media, begins snapping pictures of the Freegans. Little does he know, but his snapshots will reveal a dark plan. Will Russel find true love with Wade? Will Min find out Leah's secrets? Will the group find out what the Freegans are really all about? Be sure to pick up a copy of The Elephant of Surprise and find out.

The author is an exceptional storyteller and The Elephant of Surprise easily engulfs readers with its fast paced plot and interesting story line. The story reminds readers that teenagers, no matter their gender or sexual preference, all encounter the same obstacle of discovering who they are and how they fit into society.

I have not read the other stories in the series, but the recap at the beginning made it easy for me to get up to speed and enjoy the story without feeling lost. I cannot wait to read the other books in the series.

The Elephant of Surprise is available at Amazon.com.

About the Author

BRENT HARTINGER is the author of a number of novels, mostly for and about teens, including Geography Club (HarperCollins, 2003) and three sequels: The Order of the Poison Oak (HarperCollins, 2005); Double Feature: Attack of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies/Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies (HarperCollins, 2007); and The Elephant of Surprise (2013).

His other books include The Last Chance Texaco (HarperCollins, 2004); Grand & Humble (HarperCollins, January 2006); Project Sweet Life (HarperCollins, 2008); and Shadow Walkers (Flux Books, 2011).

Mr. Hartinger's many writing honors include being named the winner of the Lambda Literary Award, the Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award, a GLAAD Media Award, and a Book Sense Pick (four times).

A feature film version of his first novel, Geography Club, will be released in 2013, starring Scott Bakula and Nikki Blonsky.

Hartinger is also the author of many award-winning screenplays and plays, including a stage adaptation of Geography Club, which has received regional productions in Tacoma, Salt Lake City, Edmonton, and elsewhere. A feature film version of his play The Starfish Scream, which has also received many regional productions (and was twice produced Off-Off Broadway in New York), is in active development for a possible 2014 release.

Hartinger is a sometime-member of the faculty at Vermont College in the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and is also the co-founder of the entertainment website AfterElton.com, which was sold to MTV/Viacom in 2006.

He lives in Seattle with his partner, writer Michael Jensen.

5 Comments

<<Previous