In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head

Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Illustrated by Diana Toledano

Ages 3-8 | 40 Pages

Publisher: Beach Lane Books | ISBN-13: 9781534451056

About the Book: Discover the true story of how a shy miner’s daughter became one of the most legendary costume designers in Hollywood in this inspiring nonfiction picture book biography.

As a child in the small mining town of Searchlight, Nevada, Edith Head had few friends and spent most of her time dressing up her toys and pets and even wild animals using fabric scraps. She always knew she wanted to move somewhere full of people and excitement. She set her sights on Hollywood and talked her way into a job sketching costumes for a movie studio.

Did she know how to draw or sew costumes? No. But that didn’t stop her!

Edith taught herself and tirelessly worked her way up until she was dressing some of the biggest stars of the day, from Audrey Hepburn to Grace Kelly to Ginger Rogers. She became the first woman to head a major Hollywood movie studio costume department and went on to win eight Academy Awards for best costume design—and she defined the style of an era.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeanne Walker Harvey studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, and Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. Jeanne lives in Northern California.

Visit her online at www.jeanneharvey.com.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Diana Toledano is an illustrator, writer, and educator. She is also a Pisces who loves children’s books, patterns, and dancing her heart out. Originally from Spain, Diana (pronounced the Spanish way: dee-ah-na) grew up in Madrid where she studied art history and illustration. Now she lives in San Francisco with her husband and two fluffy cats. Her mixed media art seeks to capture the magic of the ordinary. Diana’s product designs, picture books, board books, and chapter books have been published and sold all over the world. Diana also teaches workshops for kids and adults. She enjoys doing school visits and speaking at conferences.

Learn more at Diana-Toledano.com.

My Review of This Book:

FASHION SAVY

Dressing Up the Stars

Written by Jeanne Harvey Walker

Illustrated by Diana Toledano

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book that relates the biography of Edith Head, the famous Hollywood costume designer.

Edith seemed an unlikely candidate for such a career. She grew up in isolated mining towns in the desert; her father worked as a mining engineer. Edith grew up with few friends, so she dressed up pets and invented make-believe friends with scraps of fabric. When she moved to Searchlight, Nevada, Edith created costumes for her two girlfriends.

Life changed when her mother sent her to high school in Los Angeles. There she fell in love with the movies. After attending college, she got a job drawing costumes. At first, she failed, but Edith worked hard until she became an Academy Award winning costume designer.

Edith provides a strong female role model for young girls everywhere, proving to them that through arduous work, determination, and perseverance, anyone can achieve a dream.

I would highly recommend this gorgeous picture book for primary grade readers, especially those interested in fashion design and the movies.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a set of five copies of Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head!

Five (5) winners receive:

A set of five copies of Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head

Click on the link below to enter the giveaway.

https://gleam.io/dtTDP/dressing-up-the-stars-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, August 15, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Tuesday, August 16, 2022BookoholicmomA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Wednesday, August 17, 2022The Fairview ReviewA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Thursday, August 18, 2022The Review WireA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Friday, August 19, 2022J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Monday, August 22, 2022Dad SuggestsA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Tuesday, August 23, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Wednesday, August 24, 2022Writer with WanderlustA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Thursday, August 25, 2022Me Two BooksA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Friday, August 26, 2022The Momma SpotA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Monday, August 29, 2022Because I Said SoA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Tuesday, August 30, 2022Some the WiserA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Wednesday, August 31, 2022Barbara Ann MojicaA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Thursday, September 1, 2022Heart to HeartA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Friday, September 2, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book review of Dressing Up the Stars

Pigeon in the Pinewoods: a shifter paranormal adventure (The Hinterland Chronicles Book 1)

Written by Kevin George

Book One of this series begins with the birth of Niko and the disappearance of his mother from the hospital. The author describes Niko in such a way that readers immediately empathize with him. They follow him on a long journey that involves his bouncing from one home to another.

Niko is no ordinary child. He possesses strange abilities and powers. For middle-grade readers who enjoy adventure and the paranormal, this book is a good choice. Niko is a shifter, the scenes are done tastefully with just enough of a edge. Children who enjoy magic and fantasy but also a bit of the darker side should enjoy the quick read.

The author does a good job of moving the plot along. Short chapters contain much dialogue but no illustrations. Older readers will not be disappointed.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Amy Flanagan.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Written by Amy Flanagan

Illustrated by Jon Davis

Ages 5+ | 90 Pages

Publisher: Whitefox | IBN-13: 9781915036094

About the Book: Mrs. R Snugglesworth is 70 pounds of low-to-the-ground PRECIOUS. She is the Best at Finding Slightly-Used Sandwiches and the Best at Loving Ham—and now she’s looking for her next big challenge. To her surprise, she finds it at the local Bark Park, when she discovers a passion for the law. Dog law, that is.

In two wags of a tail, she enrolls at Wagsworth Legal Academy, eager to become a lawyer. Turns out, it’s not that easy learning to be the Best at Law School. But when Mrs. R. learns that her friend Pitter-Patter needs help, she can’t wait to take on her first case. Only one small issue: she hasn’t quite finished her law degree. Some dogs might consider this a problem, but not Mrs. R! After all, Pitter-Patter needs a lawyer, and she is ALMOST a lawyer. Which everyone knows is practically as good as being a lawyer, right?

She’ll just juggle her law classes, naps, walks, power naps, chasing tennis balls, snacks, naps, and work on Pitter-Patter’s case at the same time! What could possibly go wrong?

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Flanagan is an Instructional Designer and children’s author living with her family in the Chicago suburb of Batavia. She began writing Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law in early 2021 to stay busy during the long pandemic winter. She wanted to create something that would make kids (and adults) laugh out loud. She is already working on the second book in the “Mrs. R.” series. Like you, she wonders what the ‘R’ stands for.

Visit her online at https://www.mrsrsnugglesworth.com/.

https://twitter.com/AmyFlanagan6

https://www.instagram.com/AmyFlanaganAuthor/

https://twitter.com/MrsRSnuggles

https://www.instagram.com/MrsRSnugglesworth/

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Jon Davis is an award-winning freelance illustrator living and working in Cumbria, UK. He always loved drawing as a child, thinking up characters and stories – paints, pencils, felt tips, crayons, anything would do. So he decided to study Illustration at Glyndwr University, Wrexham. He works digitally in Photoshop with a tablet and pen because the ‘undo’ function saves him from the depths of frustration.

Visit him at https://www.jonsmind.com.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

DOGGONE FUNNY

Mrs. R. Snugglesworth: Attorney- at- Law

Written by Amy Flanagan

Illustrated by Jon Davis

What a fun book choice for a beginning or middle-grade reader! Flanagan tells her story from the point of view of an English Labrador who serves on jury duty and becomes interested in a law career. He enrolls in Wagsworth Legal Academy and soon finds himself practicing law.

The hilarious adventure entertains both children and the adults fortunate enough to read this book. Flanagan appeals to dog and animal lovers with the humor and compassion contained on every page. The black and white illustrations extend the fun displaying playful scenes.

At just under one hundred pages, reluctant readers will gravitate to this tale. Readers may choose to read independently, or teachers may select it as a page-turning read-aloud in the classroom. I hope there will be more adventures with Mrs. R. Snugglesworth in the future.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law, and a $50 gift card to bookshop.org*.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

A $50 Bookshop.org or typebooks.ca gift card*

Four (4) winners receive:

An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/Uvk2u/mrs-r-snugglesworth-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, August 15, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Tuesday, August 16, 2022Me Two BooksAn interview with author Amy Flanagan

Wednesday, August 17, 2022Life Is What It’s CalledA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Thursday, August 18, 2022The Momma SpotA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Friday, August 19, 2022Writer with WanderlustA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Monday, August 22, 2022The Fairview ReviewA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Tuesday, August 23, 2022Book Zone ReviewsA guest post of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Wednesday, August 24, 2022Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Thursday, August 25, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Friday, August 26, 2022J.R.s Book ReviewsA book giveaway of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Monday, August 29, 2022Lisa’s ReadingA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Tuesday, August 30, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Wednesday, August 31, 2022Crafty Moms ShareA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Thursday, September 1, 2022Because I Said SoA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Friday, September 2, 2022Shooting Stars MagA book activity to pair with Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Monday, September 5, 2022Kol’s NotesA book review of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Monday, September 6, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewAn interview with author Amy Flanagan

Coronavirus: A Book for Children about Covid-19

Written by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson, and Nia Roberts

Illustrated by Alex Scheffler

This book is available in kindle, audio, and paperback editions. It is laid out in a question-and-answer graphic novel format.

The characters ask questions about the origin, symptoms, spread, treatments, preventions, vaccines, and social-emotional issues. There is an effort to include examples of diversity and disabilities so that all types of children are included. It provides a great deal of information without advocating a specific approach.

I do think that the print size in the kindle edition could be made much larger. It is rather difficult to read. A larger easy-to-read font would be friendlier to those with visual problems.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

Ninjas Go to a Party: A Rhyming Children’s Book About Parties and Practicing Inclusion

Written by Mary Nhin

Those fun-loving ninjas work hard all week, but they do love to take a break occasionally to party. When they do let their hair down, Inclusive Ninja makes sure that everyone has an enjoyable time. He welcomes all to eat, share activities, and work as a team.

This book is part of a series that employs lovable characters to teach life lessons and values like friendship, empathy, compassion, and inclusiveness.

The entire series is available in boxed sets, individual books, and collections arranged by theme.

A fun book to read aloud, for a bedtime story, or for classroom discussion.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

In Light of the Summit

Written by Jamie McGillen

A unique blend of genres melded into a young adult adventure series. This is the second book of the series, and while not necessary to read in sequence, readers will better understand the complexity of the main characters if read in sequence.

Anna and her best friend, Emily, are opposites. Anna embodies the traditional values of a woman living in 1890 Seattle, while Emily fights for the rights of an untraditional woman who struggles to fit into nineteenth-century society. Anna has her sights on climbing to the top of Mt. Rainier. Lots of details about the history of the period and the beautiful natural setting of the Pacific Northwest. As one reads about nineteenth-century expectations of women and Anna’s struggles, one is reminded of the struggles women have faced and overcome. Readers can expect elements of outdoor adventure, friendship, and romance weaved into the stories of these two women.

A quick and interesting read for young adults and adult women.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

The Choices I Make: Children’s Book about Making Choices, Anger, Emotions Management

Written by Michael Gordon

Illustrated by Max Larin

A nice, rhyming picture book to open up a discussion on how to deal with anger for preschoolers and elementary school children.

When Josh discovers that his sister took his favorite toy, he lashes out at her. Josh’s dad hears the shouting and offers some advice to his son. Why not stop and think for a minute and then count backward?

In the coming days, Josh learns other ways to control his feelings when he feels anger rising to the surface. He does not like losing a game to his friends, being refused candy, or waiting patiently for his needs to be met.

Adorable illustrations and simple scenarios teach young children how to control their emotions.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

The Lost Girl from Belzec, A WW2 Historical Novel

Written by Ravit Raufman

A complex historical holocaust novel based on a true story. It explores the complex psychological relationship between a mother and her daughter.

The Nazis thrust Ruthie and her daughter Noga into the Belzec concentration camp in Poland. Ruthie desperately wants to save Noga, so she smuggles her out of the camp. The author narrates the saga from both their points of view and alternates back and forth. While the author creates well-delineated characters in heartbreaking situations, this dual arrangement can be confusing and annoying.

For young adults and adults who enjoy carefully researched historical novels or those that explore complex psychological issues, this book is an excellent choice. The characters struggle to survive and experience pain and suffering through physical and mental torture. Readers should expect that the book will make a deep impression on them.

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Lilly May and the Ruby Shoes Blues

Written by Danielle Diestl

Illustrated by Fani Bela

When Lily May returns home from school in a bad mood, her mom knows just what to do.

What happened to put Lily May in such a foul mood? All her classmates made fun of her favorite ruby heels. The other children seem to favor dull brown flat shoes. Lily’s mom, her cat, and her favorite book are the magical ingredients to rescue Lily May from her funk.

She is reminded of just what a dull place the world would be if we all looked and behaved the same. By the end of the tale, Lily May is celebrating her uniqueness.

This book is written in crisp rhymes with adorable multicultural illustrations. I especially enjoyed the quick exercises that the offer includes for creating, brave, proud, respectful, empathetic, and mindful young readers. Parents and teachers will want to try them all. Highly recommended for primary grade children.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.