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Scram-Pire: The Reluctant Kid Vampire Review

10/31/2012

Scram-Pire: The Reluctant Kid Vampire
~Written by Julia Dweck
~Illustrated by Chris Kennett

Scram-Pire: The Reluctant Kid Vampire by Julia Dweck is the perfect ghoulish tale for today's Halloween book review. The story is filled with tongue-tingling rhyme that will have young readers cackling.

Bud is not your average blood drinking, bat becoming vampire. In fact, as a baby, he "couldn't fly. He only waddled. He hated blood and liked milk bottled." Bud's parents don't understand why Bud isn't like the other vampires and decide to send him to Dracule's School of Vampirism. But, Bud doesn't fit in with the other vampires and feels very alone. The site of blood makes him queasy and he prefers drinking yogurt shakes. Bud longs to be accepted for who he is. One sunny day as the vampires sleep, there is a "scratch" at the door. All the vampires shudder in fear except Bud, who really like the daylight. Will Bud be able to protect them?

Chris Kennett has the haunting task of illustrating the story, which he does with thrilling detail creating a tantalizing tale through his images.

Julia Dweck uses a little hocus pocus of her own as she spins a hair-raising rhyme producing a mysterious Halloween treat.

Bud teaches even the littlest of vampires that it's okay to be different and it's that individuality that makes the world a special place.

Pick up a copy of Scram-Pire: The Reluctant Kid Vampire today! This ebook is available at www.amazon.com.

Miss Sugar Crumb's Cooking Lesson Review

10/30/2012

Miss Sugar Crumb's Cooking Lesson
~Written by Malinda Mitchell
~Illustrated by Nora Tapp Franzese

Miss Sugar Crumb has a magic kitchen that allows her to create delicious dishes with enchanting ingredients that have all the forest animals talking. Now, not only do the animals like conversing with Miss Sugar Crumb, they want to cook with her as well.

Today is the first day of Miss Sugar Crumb's Cooking Lesson and all the animals are eager to get started. They arrive bright and early from all over the forest. Miss Sugar Crumb spends the day helping the animals become familiar with the kitchen. She shows them the oven, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons as well as some of the ingredients. Under Miss Sugar Crumb's instruction the animals work together and bake a scrumptious tray of sugar cookies. Now it's time for a snack and with all these hungry animals will there be enough?

Malinda Mitchell contrives an alluring tale in Miss Sugar Crumb's Cooking Lesson. The beautiful illustrations depict Miss Sugar Crumb's caring nature and her love for all the forest creatures. The story teaches children the importance of teamwork with the forest animals working together to bake cookies. Young readers will also learn about sharing with friends. The delicious Sugar Cookie recipe the animals use is also included.

I recommend picking up a copy of Miss Sugar Crumb's Magic Kitchen. Available at www.amazon.com.

Who's There, Little Hoo? Review

10/29/2012

Who's There, Little Hoo?
~Written & Illustrated by Brenda Ponnay

It's Halloween and Little Hoo is a bit nervous about all the creatures he will see tonight. Suddenly their is a knock at the door and Little Hoo hides his eyes. Will Little Hoo be able to overcome his fear and discover that Halloween can be fun?

Who's There, Little Hoo? is an adorable preschool story that teaches little ones Halloween doesn't have to be scary. Brenda Ponnay's illustrations will captivate young readers. Along with Little Hoo, they will relish in the unveiling of each trick or treater.

Pick up a copy of Who's There, Little Hoo? and join the party!

Available at www.amazon.com.

Lula's Brew Review

10/28/2012

Lula's Brew
~Written by Elizabeth Dulemba

Lula's Brew by Elizabeth Dulemba is an enchanting rhyme of how a very special witch named Lula teaches her aunts that creating magical potions doesn't always require "frog eyes and lizard tails," but just being yourself leads to the best magic of all.

Lula is no ordinary witch and, try as they might, Lula's aunts are unable to interest her in things all good witches should know. Lula has aspirations of her own and hopes to one day be a chef. Instead of studying magic spells and practicing flying on brooms, Lula reads cookbooks and watches cooking shows.

Lula's aunts encourage her to give spells another try, but when they aren't looking Lula adds her own ingredients. Frustrated at the delicious smelling potion Lula creates they send her to her room. But, after they try the concoction they change their minds, especially when all the townspeople, under a spell from the delightful scents, arrive at the witches house for a taste. Much to the witches surprise people will do anything for the brew. Lula may have gotten the hang of this witch thing after all!

The vivid illustrations are charming and the whimsical rhyme cleverly spins it's own spell, creating a story children will want to her again and again.

Children will discover, as the aunts do, that it's important and often times fun to try new things. They will also learn to follow their dreams, just as Lula does, no matter what others think.

A wonderful story just in time for Halloween (or anytime). Pick up a copy at www.amazon.com.

Sacajawea of the Shoshone Review & Giveaway

10/26/2012

Sacajawea of the Shoshone
~Written by Natasha Yim
~Illustrated by Albert Nguyen

Sacajawea of the Shoshone by Natasha Yim is a detailed account of the inspiring life of Sacajawea and her heroic journey with Lewis and Clark as she leads the Corps of Discovery, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, on a trek to the Pacific Ocean.

Sacajawea was born around 1788 to the chief of the Agadika band of the Shoshone. The Shoshone were a nomadic tribe and spent a great deal of time travelling in search of food. Little did Sacajawea know, but her knowledge of the land, plants, rivers, animals and exceptional survival instincts would catapult her into American history.

The Shoshone's were known for their beautiful horses and often times other tribes would try to steal them. One day, as Sacajawea helped her mother pack up their belongings, the Hidatsa tribe attacked the Shoshones. They killed many of the men, women, and children and kidnapped Sacajawea. It was on this day that the course for her future was set into action. Sacajawea was required to work hard for the Hidatsa tribe. She cared for the children and also helped with sewing clothes and moccasins and preparing food. Sacajawea learned about many new plants as well as how to grow and tend the gardens of vegetables. She also learned how to speak Hidatsa. When Sacajawea was 15 she was she was forced to marry a French-Canadian fur trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau. Sacajawea tried to make the best of her situation and focused on being a good wife. But, her life was about to change again.

When Sacajawea was around 16 she met Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They were leading the Corps of Discovery on a important expedition. Their mission was to map a waterway along the Missouri River all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Sacajawea's husband was hired as a guide, but the group would have to cross an area inhabited by the Shoshone people. They needed someone who spoke the Shoshone language to come along as well. Sacajawea became a part of their incredible journey forever making her an important part of history.

Sacajawea of the Shosone highlights the life of an ordinary person, who when faced with adversity, chose to do the extraordinary.

Natasha Yim's proficient knowledge of Sacajawea shines through in her writing. The story is geared for children ages 9-13 and certainly makes learning about a significant part of American history enjoyable. The brilliant illustrations by Albert Nguyen capture the amazing scenes as the life of Sacajawea unfolds.

An absolute must read and you can pick up your own copy at www.barnesandnoble.com.

BUT...today in honor of Natasha Yim's blog tour stop at beachboundbooks.com we will be giving away a copy of Sacajawea of the Shoshone to one lucky winner!

To enter the contest simply answer this question in the comment section...

If you could ask Sacajawea one question what would you ask?

Contest ends October 29, 2012 at midnight PST. A winner will be selected at random and notified via a blog post and/or email.

I'll Trade My Peanut-Butter Sandwich Review

10/24/2012

I'll Trade My Peanut-Butter Sandwich
~Written and Illustrated by Chris Robertson

I'll Trade My Peanut-Butter Sandwich by Chris Robertson is an amusing story of a spirited little boy who will trade his peanut-butter sandwich for just about anything. But, what will he trade for a peanut-butter sandwich?

Follow a freckle-faced little boy as he offers up his peanut-butter sandwich for tropical fish, a giraffe, a fire truck and much, much more. But what happens when all this trading makes him hungry?

This is such a wonderfully creative story. The lively illustrations show just how enthusiastic this boy is about making a trade.

Certainly a story children can enjoy again and again.

Pick-up a copy of I'll Trade My Peanut-Butter Sandwich today at www.amazon.com.

The Adventures of Emily Faith Review

10/23/2012

The Adventures of Emily Faith
~Written by Barbara Miller
~Illustrated by Martin Bonde

The Adventures of Emily-Faith by Barbara Miller is a sweet tale of how one puppy finds her forever family.

Emily-Faith is born in Hungary on a very cold winter day, but soon she is on her way to America to meet her new family. Although she misses the family she left behind, Emily-Faith is overjoyed upon meeting her new mommy, daddy and brother. But, not everyone is excited with the new addition to the family. Spud, the family's other Bull Terrier, is not eager to welcome Emily-Faith and even bites her when the family away. One day daddy takes Spud and Emily-Faith outside to play and Emily-Faith wanders to far from home and ends up lost. Now what will she do? Will Emily-Faith ever see her family again?

The Adventures of Emily-Faith is a touching story children will want to hear again and again.

I recommend reading The Adventures of Emily-Faith.

Werewolf Kid Review

10/22/2012

Werewolf Kid
~Written by Julia Dweck
~Illustrated by Kai Klimiont

Did you ever wish you could be a real life monster? Well, that's exactly what happened the night John "saw a werewolf and...crossed both fingers and wished to become one" in Julia Dweck's book Werewolf Kid.

To John's surprise his wish comes true and he is transformed into a werewolf. The neighborhood kids are shocked by John's new appearance. His mom and dad are sadden at the loss of their human son, but love John anyway, even as he howls at the moon. John, however, turns into a wild animal and the kids no longer want to play. As "John sniffed about the neighborhood and hung his head and frowned. John wished that he was not the only werewolf kid around." Try as they might, Jonn's parents are unable to cheer him up. Will John be happy again?

Julia Dweck creates a humorous tale of make-believe in Werewolf Kid. Children will love the trouble John gets into when he becomes a wild beast and the creative illustrations by Kai Klimiont add to the entertainment.

Werewolf Kid is filled with witty rhyme and perfect for Halloween or anytime.

Pick up a copy today at www.amazon.com.

Friends for Life Review

10/21/2012

Friends for Life
~Written by Billi Tiner

Friends for Life by Billi Tiner is a touching tale of two puppies who are brought together by chance and vow to be friends forever.

When Bo, a bulldog, is sold to a pet store by his owner he is terrified and longs to be with his mother. But, as luck may have it Bo meets Rico, a Chihuahua puppy, and the two become fast friends. The puppies are excited about finding forever homes, however, their hopes are dashed when dognappers break into the pet store to steal Bo. Rico begins barking in order to save his friend and finds himself dognapped as well. Bo and Rico work together and are able to escape, but are far away from the comfort of the pet store. Now that the puppies are on their own they must learn how to survive all the dangers that await them. They soon learn that they can overcome any obstacles as long as they stick together.

Billi Tiner is a gifted story teller and her book Friends for Life does not disappoint.

Young readers will discover what it means to be a true friend as well as find humor in the crazy escapades of two young pups as they learn to survive on their own in this great big world.

I recommend reading Friends for Life as well as Welcome Home, the book in which Bo and Rico are first introduced.

Both books are available at www.amazon.com.

Michal's Window Review

10/17/2012

Michal's Window
~Written by Rachelle Ayala

Michal's Window by Rachelle Ayala is an enthralling biblical fiction novel about the life of Michal, the daughter of King Saul and wife of King David.

Michal is only 14 when she meets David and she is immediately enchanted with him and he with her. But, Michal is the daughter of a king and David is a poor shepherd and, although he is the anointed King of Israel, King Saul will never allow them to be together. However, when David learns that the bride price for Princess Michal is 100 Philistine foreskins he brings King Saul 200 securing her hand in marriage. Michal and David are delighted to be married, but their happiness is short lived as King Saul's hatred for David drives him out of the city and far from Michal. But, not even the king can keep them apart forever. David eventually takes his rightful place on the throne and calls for Michael to join him, but lust steals his heart and he forsakes their marriage. God curses David and his wives for David's betrayals. He must seek forgiveness and God's guidance to make things right with Michal.

Rachelle Ayala delves into the challenges faced by woman of biblical times. She captures their suffering and continual betrayal of the men in their lives. The underlying theme for her story is timeless as woman, in many countries, are still viewed as possession by their husbands. Her vivid detail brings the story to life and it's easy to find yourself rooting for Michal's deserved happiness, with or without David.

The end of the book contains information about the real characters of the Bible as well as those created by the author, which I found helpful.

I recommend reading Michal's Window, it does not disappoint.

Available at www.amazon.com.