Archive for January, 2024

A HOCKEY JOURNAL BOOK FOR MIND AND BODY

Hockey Wars Journal: Stat Tracker Activity Book

Created by Sam Lawrence and Ben Jackson

The authors have created a unique product that functions as a diary, journal, statistical record, exercises for mind and body, as well as fun activities geared toward life on and off ice. Inspired by The Hockey Wars series of books, boys and girls who are enthusiasts of ice hockey receive an opportunity to incorporate their passion with other areas of life.

Writing prompts encourage creativity, puzzles, inspirational quotes, tips on exercise and proper nutrition, riddles, space for artwork, and outside reviews of their games all have a place in this tracker. It is the perfect gift for children who are ice hockey afficionados.

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST, A FAMILY TREASURE

One Step Behind: A Sibling Story

Written by Sarah Immonen Ward

Illustrated by Andrea Brasier

A beautiful rhyming picture book illustrated in soft pastels. This book focuses on sibling relationships and parental love for the child who is born last. It is a perfect shower or newborn gift for such a family.

It stresses the advantages of being born last. These children are born to parents with experience in raising children and siblings who provide role models that shore up a child’s confidence and social emotional skills.

I strongly suggest it as a read aloud for a family to share with the youngest child who will surely grow with confidence as she achieves each of the milestones mentioned in the picture book.

Appropriate for any age but especially suggested for toddlers and preschoolers.

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BUBBA AND SQUIRT’S CITY OF BONES VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY

This post is sponsored by Sherry Ellis. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones

Written by Sherry Ellis

Ages 8+ | 104 Pages

Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press | ISBN-13: 9781939844989

Publisher’s Book Summary: Bubba and Squirt are back for another rousing quest as they travel through the mysterious vortex to Paris, France. It’s another wild adventure as they track down art thieves, encounter terrifying monsters, and discover the whereabouts of their missing father.

Will they make it out alive or join the rest of the skeletons in the City of Bones?

Coming Soon: The fourth book in the series, Bubba and Squirt’s Shield of Athena, will be released on May 7, 2024, and the final book, Bubba and Squirt’s Legend of the Lost Pearl, will be released in September 2024.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sherry Ellis is an award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the world. Ellis has previously published Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China; Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure; Don’t Feed the Elephant; Ten Zany Birds; That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN; and That Mama is a Grouch. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information about her work, she invites you to visit her website at www.sherryellis.org.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

NO BONES ABOUT IT

Bubba and Squirt City of Bones (Book 3 in the series)

Written by Sherry Ellis

This is the third book in a series featuring siblings, Bubba, and his younger sister, Squirt. In their first adventure, they travel through time back to Xian, China and the second hurls them back to the Mayan Empire. Each journey leads to a mystery they must solve and the possibility of never returning to the present.

This third adventure finds the pair falling through a vortex to ancient catacombs in Paris where they will encounter lots of creepy skeletons and nefarious characters in their attempt to rescue their father. The author relates the story with each sibling taking turns narrating the tale chapter by chapter. Combining history, fantasy, and a mystery adventure with lots of twists and turns creates a winning combination for middle grade readers, though I must admit it holds the interest of adults as well. Ellis supplies a glossary of information and a recipe as bonus items.

I highly recommend this educational and entertaining read for anyone age eight and older.

GIVEAWAY

Enter the giveaway for the chance to win an autographed copy of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones and a $50 Amazon gift card!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/SqDwK/bubba-and-squirts-city-of-bones-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, January 16, 2024The Children’s Book ReviewBook Tour Kick-Off
Wednesday, January 17, 2024icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones
Thursday, January 18, 2024The Momma SpotBook Review of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones
Friday, January 19, 2024Life Is What It’s CalledAuthor Interview with Sherry Ellis
Monday, January 22, 2024Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones
Tuesday, January 23, 2024Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersAn article by Sherry Ellis
Wednesday, January 24, 2024Barbara Ann MojicaBook Review of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones
Thursday, January 24, 2024A Blue Box Full of BooksBook Review of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones and Little Free Library Drop
Friday, January 25, 2024One More ExclamationBook Review of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones
Monday, February 5, 2024The Fairview ReviewBook Review of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones
Tuesday, February 6, 2024Country Mamas with KidsBook Review of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones
Wednesday, February 7, 2024Twirling Book PrincessBook Spotlight of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones
Thursday, February 8, 2024My Reading GetawayAuthor Interview with Sherry Ellis
Friday, February 9, 2024Cover Lover Book ReviewAuthor Interview with Sherry Ellis

  

IT’S JANUARY AND THAT MEANS CHILDREN’S MULTICULTURAL BOOK DAY REVIEWS ARE HERE! #MCBD

AS A BOOK REVIEWER FROM THE INCEPTION OF THIS EVENT, I AM PROUD TO SHARE TWO WONDERFUL NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK EXAMPLES WITH YOU.

📚 Join us for the 11th Multicultural Children’s Book Day on 1/25/24! https://shorturl.at/wG389 🌍 Founded by two book-loving moms, Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, this non-profit initiative celebrates diverse books and authors. Let’s spread the joy of multicultural literature to young readers and educators. #MCBD2024 #ReadYourWorld 📖

It Is Not What You Think

Old Clothes for Dinner?

Written by Nathalie Alonso

Illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro

This multicultural picture book is a delight for a young child’s eyes, ears, and taste buds. The book packs a ton of information as well as a delightful story of a Cuban family’s culture and homelife.

Magaly and her brother’s grandmother from Cuba have recently joined the family in America. They are delighted with the delicious native recipes she cooks for the family. One day, when Magaly asks what is for dinner, her “abuela” replies “ropa vieja.” That translates to old clothes in English. Magaly and her brother, Camilo, hurry to search for and hide their favorite clothes. Turns out the joke will be on them.

This book targets an audience of children ages four through eight, but it delighted this adult as well. In addition to the interesting tale, the author includes recipes from around the world including their history, facts about Cuba, and details on how to cook two of the Cuban recipes from the story.

THE TREASURE IS IN EVERYDAY THINGS

Treasure Hunt

Written by Stephanie Wildman

Illustrated by Estefanía Razo

When Luis sees a delivery person with a huge cardboard box, he at once thinks of his younger twin siblings, Roberto, and Flor. Luis asks the worker to leave the box behind.

Roberto and Flor return home from school expecting to watch TV and play video games, but Luis has a better idea. He asks them if they would like to go on a treasure hunt. The twins cannot hold their excitement. Roberto hides clues in the kitchen, the bedroom, and the living room.

Flor and Roberto are puzzled when they find and name the objects. Luis brings them to the backyard and the gigantic cardboard box. Immediately, the twins know exactly what to do with it.

This book displays a loving multicultural family with strong sibling relationships. Elementary grade readers will love this colorful picture book with endearing, curious, and intelligent characters. Wildman enriches its value by providing detailed instructions for readers to create their own treasure hunt complete with props.

I highly recommend this interactive book for primary grade boys and girls who seek opportunities for creativity and imaginative activities to engage in at home.

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ARIZONA ADVENTURE

Lola and Mia’s Adventures: The Desert Jitters

Written and Illustrated by Megan JL Dudley

This picture book is part of a series that features two sibling pups searching for adventure in new places. Lola is an experienced traveler, but her sister Mia longs to follow in her footsteps.

This time, the duo travels to the Arizona desert to view its beautiful sunsets. Along the way, the pair encounter snakes, reptiles, dust storms, cacti, and beautiful vistas. Young readers will enjoy the funny “dogisms” shared by the siblings and the illustrations that capture their rapidly changing emotions as they experience their adventure.

I would especially recommend the book to animal and nature lovers who are early elementary school age readers.

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BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR…

Monster Problems (A Magic Pen Adventure Book Book 1)

Written by Jason R. Lady

Middle-school and young adult readers will relate to this book with its quirky humor, memorable characters, and innovative lessons in dealing with peers and siblings.

Brad is a sixth-grade student who loves to draw. Unfortunately, that gets him into trouble with his science teacher when caught drawing in class. Brad’s grades have taken a nosedive, so his parents punish him by forbidding him to draw. To make matters worse, Brad has an intelligent younger brother named Daley, who blackmails and torments Brad whenever he gets a chance.

A mysterious crow arrives outside Brad’s window with a magic pen. Brad decides to draw a creature he names Daley-Destroyer, an ugly green monster who leaves a trail of orange slime who will stalk his brother. As the story unfolds, readers meet Quentin, Brad’s only real friend, different teachers, the unusual principal, and a mysterious girl, Blue Hoodie. These characters combined with a fast-moving plot keep readers turning the page. When the monster proves to be uncontrollable, Brad needs to decide how to handle a situation his emotions cannot handle. A good way to get readers to think about innovative ways to solve their problems.

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CHRISTIAN LIFE LESSONS

Molly’s Maze Discovery: (Molly Greenwood Adventures Book 2)

Written by Carmen Allen

This is a cute interactive book for elementary school children that encourages both artistic and storytelling skills and is part of a series.

Dragon Cat decides to buy a lottery ticket hoping to win $100. When he discovers he has won the next day, he gets the surprise of his life, discovering 100 otters in his kitchen. The book is filled with black and white illustrations that can be colored in the paperback edition. Yet, that is not the best feature of the book because the author leaves the ending of the story blank, allowing the young reader to become an author by finishing the story and becoming co-author of the book.

The book is a good choice for a reluctant or beginning reader. It could also be used with a group to encourage multiple outcomes to problem-solving.

Especially recommended for ages four through eight.

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A WIN OR A LOSS?

Dragon Cat Wins the Lottery(The Make-Your-Own Ending Collection)

Written by Audrey Beth Stein

Illustrated by Alina Lutaeva

This is a cute interactive book for elementary school children that encourages both artistic and storytelling skills and is part of a series.

Dragon Cat decides to buy a lottery ticket hoping to win $100. When he discovers he has won the next day, he gets the surprise of his life, discovering 100 otters in his kitchen. The book is filled with black and white illustrations that can be colored in the paperback edition. Yet, that is not the best feature of the book because the author leaves the ending of the story blank, allowing the young reader to become an author by finishing the story and becoming co-author of the book.

The book is a good choice for a reluctant or beginning reader. It could also be used with a group to encourage multiple outcomes to problem-solving.

Especially recommended for ages four through eight.

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STOP TO SMELL THE FLOWERS…

The Mayfly and the Methuselah Tree: Memorable Children’s Story of Living Joyfully

Written by Bob Zaslow

Illustrated by Robert Askew

What a charming picture book done in soft pastel colors. The characters include a Methuselah Tree, which is almost five thousand years old, and a young Mayfly.

The tree has lost enthusiasm for life having seen and experienced similar experiences for so many centuries, but the newly born Mayfly lives with a zest for every sight and smell. The Mayfly challenges the tree as to why he cannot appreciate the beauty which surrounds it. These two completely opposite creatures share two diverse viewpoints that cause each of them to appreciate the joys of living each day.

This is a beautiful way to teach children empathy, compassion, and tolerance.

Recommended especially for readers in primary grades, but a beautiful reminder for any age reader.

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The Festival of Diwali, Celebrating the Old and New

Diwali in My New Home

Written by Shachi Kaushik

Illustrated by Aishwarya Tandon

Priya has moved nine thousand miles from her old home in India. It’s time for the festival of lights, but here in America nothing is decorated, and the streets are quiet. Priya experiences mixed emotions.

When Priya returns home from school, she finds her mother preparing dishes of cardamom and ghee. Priya prepares flowers to make a rangoli and her father strings lights along the outside of the house. This draws the attention of neighbors who are invited to celebrate Diwali with the family.

Readers learn about the religious customs, dress, food, and fireworks of this festival. Kaushik includes illustrations of members of diverse communities and those with disabilities. Children receive a glossary of multicultural terms and a summary explanation of the Diwali festival.

This is a well-written and illustrated picture book that encourages empathy, compassion, and friendship among members of diverse communities. Highly recommended for parents and teachers of elementary school children as a read aloud book to discuss customs and traditions.

I received a copy of this book to read and review from the author. I voluntarily chose to read and review with my honest opinions for no monetary compensation.

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