Fatso Runs Away from Home: An easy reading adventure following a cat’s adventure
Written by Garth and Mo Reason
Illustrated by Harriet Kim Anh Rodis
Fatso is a spoiled cat. For many years he has lived a comfortable life in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Reason.
One day a visitor to the home brings a dog named Maria to the home. Fatso wants to become friends but Maria is bossy and unwilling to share. So Fatso ventures out into the outside world he has never seen.
At first, Fatso sees his outing as an adventure. He meets a neighborhood cat, Sebastian. When Fatso gets lost, he becomes frightened until he meets up with Fluffy and her family.
Will Fatso survive in the outside world? Does he ever find his way back home?
This picture book uses a cat world view to teach children how to have courage, resilience, and empathy. The author includes activities to encourage young readers to think about what happened in the story and enhance reading comprehension skills.
I would suggest this book as a picture book for younger children or a beginning reading for older elementary school readers.
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A funny book that preschoolers and primary grade readers will enjoy.
Ham Hands is an elf on Santa’s staff who has extremely large hands. As a result, he is banned from wrapping presents because he makes a mess of wrapping them. He is relegated to the candy room, bending the candy canes.
One Christmas Eve, Santa leaves a few presents behind. Ham Hands knows a deserving little girl is waiting. What can he do?
The text is a bit choppy in spots and the illustrations stylized, but the message is spot on. We are all unique and special. This book is also a godsend for parents who are all thumbs at wrapping Christmas gifts.
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Bubble Head, It’s Time for Bed: A fun, way to learn the days of the week, hygiene, and bedtime routine
Written by Misty Black
Illustrated by Ana Rankovic
This book teaches the days of the week while sharing a fun adventure on each day. Bubble Head has a vivid imagination. He presents the reader with catchy phrases that they will want to repeat.
The text is large and easy to read. Illustrations are colorful and vibrant. Not only will readers learn the days of the week, but they will begin to recognize the necessary steps of a bedtime routine.
As a bonus, there is a checklist for the child to complete and a selection of activities that can be downloaded to continue the fun.
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Cutie Sue and the Christmas Miracle: A Child: A Heartwarming Magical Children’s Book
Written by Kate Melton
Illustrated by Ira Baykovska
This book is part of a series of children’s books based on the Cutie Sue character.
In Book 4, Cutie Sue prepares her Christmas list for Santa and works hard with her family to get ready for Christmas. But Sue feels a bit down when she receives the material things on her list with the exception of one – snow.
Sue’s mom reminds her to be grateful and thinks about those who are less fortunate. Sue goes out into the neighborhood seeking the lonely, and needy. She learns the true meaning of Christmas and gets a surprise as well.
The illustrations are soft and lovely. Most of the rhymes flow well. I would recommend the book, especially for readers five through eight.
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Publisher’s Synopsis:When a young girl learns she is the Last Heir of the legendary pirate Davy Jones, she is whisked away to begin life aboard an enchanted schoolship for Pirate Heirs where danger and excitement awaits.
Contemporary kids who happen to be Heirs of the most villainous and celebrated pirates in history. Superstitions, mysteries, curses, secrets, strange ocean creatures, undead pirates, and seafaring legends will thrill middle-grade readers in this rollicking, globe-trotting adventure.
Avalina Jones, the Last Heir of the infamous pirate Davy Jones, has never heard of Sea Magic, flying dinghies, Pirate Heir schoolships, phantom islands, undead pirates, or creatures called Half Ones. And she has never understood her strange connection to water. But when a beautiful woman arrives in a swirling waterspout, Avalina’s life explodes with more adventures than she can possibly imagine. She takes her rightful place aboard a giant Pirate Heir schoolship teeming with Heirs of the world’s most nefarious pirates.
Raised as a Landlubber, Avalina quickly realizes bizarre and danger are normal aboard Pirate Heir schoolships-food fights back, school supplies giggle or explode in your face. And not everyone can be trusted.
When Avalina is accused of a terrible crime, she must prove her innocence or risk being banished from the schoolship forever-and this in the middle of a crucial Treasure Hunt!
Avalina races to unlock the secrets of the ship, and makes a dangerous discovery that threatens everyone aboard. With the help of her new friends Charlie, Pippa, and Bummy, Avalina draws closer to the truth, unaware that a deeper, darker fate awaits.
Author Lori Adams expertly delivers a story that is timeless, bringing together elements of sea lore, magic, and adventure. The first book in a seven-book series, Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm, is a romping tale for middle graders who are searching for the next enduring fantasy classic.
LORI ADAMS is the author of the Avalina Jones series for middle-grade readers (Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm (#1)as well as two young adult series: The Kate March Mysteries: Speak Easy (#1) set in Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, and the Soulkeepers Series: Forbidden, Awaken, and Unforgiven, a paranormal fantasy set in the quintessential but fictitious town of Haven Hurst, Connecticut and first published through Random House.
Lori was born and raised in Oklahoma but moved to Southern California where she lives with her family. She loves traipsing along SoCal’s wonderful beaches, watching Angel’s baseball, Cowboys’ football. Aside from writing, Lori loves reading and watching Classic Hollywood Movies.
Avalina has lived in an orphanage from the age of four. Soon after her tenth birthday, Avalina develops strange powers like breathing underwater. A mysterious, beautiful woman appears to her in a swirling waterspout and turns her life upside down.
This creature swoops her up in a magical dinghy to a phantom pirate ship. Avalina learns that she is the last surviving heir of Davy Jones. This ship is a school for pirate heirs divided into four houses that compete to decipher a pirate map and retrieve its treasure.
Avalina must prove that she is not guilty of an awful crime. There are thrills, adventures, secrets, and legends along the way. Through it all, Avalina is not afraid to stand up for rights, fight the bullies, and work hard. Middle-grade readers will love the wonderfully descriptive language of Sea Magic, ghost pirates, fantasy sea creatures, and strange places. Highly recommended for adventure seekers and fantasy lovers, especially those in the eight to twelve age range.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win an Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm prize pack!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
An autographed copy of Avalina Jones: And the Eye of the Storm
An Avalina Jones quote tote
A Hands-Off Me Gigglin’ Grog mug
An Avalina Jones fridge magnet
An Avalina Jones bookmark
Two (2) winners receive:
An autographed copy of Avalina Jones: And the Eye of the Storm
It is almost Christmas. Jacob excitedly watches the snowflakes swirling outside his window. He is busy writing his Christmas lists. Jacob wonders if Santa receives gifts. He decides that he will return his appreciation by finding the perfect gift for Santa.
Jacob wants to visit the North Pole but his mother reminds him it is too far and there is not enough time. So Jacob goes to the store with his mom. He cannot find that perfect gift. After thinking hard, Jacob decides that he should give something of his own to Santa. Will he be able to make that sacrifice?
The book is based on a true story. It is a lovely way to teach children about the true spirit of Christmas. Appealing illustrations and a beautiful plot combine to make this picture book a winner for children to listen to each year. Recommended especially for readers ages three through eight but a charmer for any age.
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Publisher: Idle Time Press | ISBN-13: 9781732925847
Publisher’s Synopsis: On his thirteenth birthday, Max Mead wakes up battered and bruised in the villa of his grandfather, a famous antiquities expert, in Cairo. He has a hard time remembering how he got there, but slowly details of his quest to locate his missing grandfather begin to emerge. But the Lieutenant, leader of a ruthless antiquities trafficking gang, has left Max with more than a few nasty bruises.
This is book two of a series The author provides a summary at the beginning which allows first-time readers to catch up on the plot.
Max Mead awakes bruised and battered on his thirteenth birthday. As the fog lifts, his memory returns. He envisions a cave of stolen Egyptian antiquities. A gangster called the Lieutenant had kidnapped Max.
Max’s grandfather inherited a magical cabinet of curiosities from his father which Max used to travel back in time. Max’s grandfather wants Max to continue his mission of restoring the stolen ancient artifacts to Egypt and bringing the criminals to justice. Can Max learn the skills necessary to transition from a novice to an expert?
Max’s parents have always favored his sister who wants to become a gold medal fencing champion. When they decide to leave Egypt, Max refuses to leave and convinces them to allow him to train under his grandfather. He will need to learn about all the cabinet’s secrets and face life-threatening danger to succeed. Is Max up to the task?
This action-packed historical adventure sustains interest. Middle-grade readers will identify with Max’s coming-of-age struggles, the family conflicts, and his love of adventure. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy fantasy, history, and adventure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cynthia C. Huijgens writes for children of all ages, including children’s picture books. She holds a BA in Art and Design, Masters in Education, and is a certified K-12 Art Teacher. Cynthia graduated from Simon Fraser University’s The Writer’s Studio.
The author explores creatures of the night like those he heard while growing up in the tropical jungle. The poem evokes strong images and the text is laid out in eye-popping colors that highlight the rich vocabulary word choices.
The illustrator’s printmaking technique draws the eye of the reader inward inviting detailed exploration of each page. It is a book that children will want to read over and over again.
Especially recommended for ages three through eight, but a delightful read for age.
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An enjoyable historical fiction read based on real characters. A well-researched tale that follows several families during World War II and the Spanish flu pandemic.
The characters are believable and well-developed. Readers are drawn into the tragedies, the struggles, and at times, a bit of humor despite the awful circumstances. Each of the separate stories hits the mark and makes a deep impression on the reader.
If you enjoy historical fiction, adventure, and in-depth characters, you will like this tale.
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Lindy Nelson is an American who has spent most of her adult life teaching English in China after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She enjoys arts and crafts, funny memes, eating candy, and of course, spending time with her greyhound, Clarence.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
This is Clare is an adorable picture book about a lady named Lindy and her adventures with her greyhound named Clare. The author uses verbs that end in air and are to teach English vocabulary. The illustrations are adorable and the simple text will expand vocabulary for anyone learning English. It is a book that is fun to read aloud and will enrich the vocabulary of native English speakers as well.
The multicultural illustrations that feature Chinese culture will provide a springboard for discussion and further research. This book will delight all ages from preschool to adult English as a Second Language Learners. I am looking forward to more adventures with Lindy and Clare.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of This Is Clare, along with a virtual Questions and Answers session with the author!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A copy of This Is Clare
A virtual Questions and Answers session with the author via Skype
Nine (9) winners receive:
A copy of This Is Clare
The giveaway ends December 2, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
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December 29, 2021
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Comments Off on A CAT’S EYE VIEW
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Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm
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