Bembe’s Heart: An old as Earth…this is a story about a boy born without a heart but full of his mother’s love
Written and Illustrated by Marin Darmonkow
This book is a beautifully illustrated folk tale that delivers a message of hope, resilience, dedication, and love.
Readers meet Bembe, a boy born with no heart. That does not deter him from working harder than most, laboring in the fields with his mother by day, and helping her at night while she knits ponchos to make ends meet. All the villagers believe Bembe will not survive.
On the eve of Bembe reaching maturity, the shaman comes to visit their home to see what will happen. The story builds to a climax as the shaman and Bembe’s mother wait. Readers have no idea what to expect.
This book is suggested for elementary age readers, but I feel its message will be better understood by readers in the eight to twelve age range.
Highly recommended reading for parents and teachers to include on their bookshelf.
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Escaping the Blaze: The Real Life Adventures of Dolph and Gwen
Written and Illustrated by Darcy Guyant
This is my first time reading a book from this series about Coast Guard rescues, and it certainly did not disappoint. Guyant bases his children’s books on real life rescue missions that he has flown. Children learn about courage, teamwork, and cooperation.
This is book two in the series. The main characters are Gwen, a female pilot, Mike and Sam, her crew, and Dolph, her helicopter. Dolph is personified and a truly wonderful character role model. Children learn about aviation and witness Gwen as a wonderful example of a strong female role model. The plot of this book involves the crew rescuing four adults and four children from a wildfire threatening the lighthouse on the peninsula on which they live and work.
The beautiful illustrations and text unfold naturally and build up to the climax. Can Dolph, Gwen, and another helicopter accomplish the dangerous mission? I also enjoyed the surprise included at the end of the tale.
A perfect book to teach and inspire young minds. Recommended especially for ages six through ten, but adults will enjoy it just as much!
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A wonderful early chapter book that contains beautiful colorful and expressive illustrations. This book centers about a baking competition.
Cassie, a pup, and Cordelia, a cat both work as apprentices at Bindi’s Bakery. Bindi provides them both with aprons and chef’s hats. As they begin baking, Cassie and Cordelia allow their competitive spirit to create a disaster in the kitchen.
The adorable cat and pup need to learn that teamwork and friendship would be better choices in achieving their goals. Elementary school readers will enjoy reading the lovely, multicultural book with its crisp, colorful language and amusing illustrations.
Shelly and Spike are two starfish playing hide and seek in the ocean when Spike gets trapped under a seashell. They will need a new friend and teamwork to set him free.
When the two friends discover a treasure map, they are eager to set forth on an adventure. As they bring readers on the journey, they will learn about ocean currents, sea turtles, and stingrays. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The text vocabulary includes analogies and onomatopoeia that make it fun to read out loud.
This book is part of a series. While I enjoyed the tale, readers will need to purchase the second book to find out its conclusion. Recommended especially for primary grade readers.
What a creative way to introduce math operations, place value, and the concept of zero in a funny, engaging graphic novel.
Illustrated with funny graphic space creatures and real photographs from the Hubble Space Telescope. The space creatures transport readers on an adventure into space where they meet and explain the mathematical symbols, zero, and place value while traveling through space.
This book might be used with children of different ages. Younger children learn the basics, while older children will better understand the more complex interrelationships presented in the adventure. Space enthusiasts will love the story line.
Highly recommended for parents and teachers of children ages seven and older.
A funny picture book written from the viewpoint of a dog living in a family of children.
The dog laments about children tormenting him, being loud, and generally obnoxious. After a short period of reflection, the dog decides that the love and affection they bestow on him make it worthwhile after all.
The whimsical illustrations and small amount of text on each page indicate its appropriateness for very young children. Readers will laugh at the humor and emotion depicted in each scene.
At the end of the book, young readers are provided with excellent suggestions on how to treat their own pet dog.
Recommended especially for children ages four through seven and for families thinking of adding a dog to their home.
A fun picture book to delight young dinosaur fans.
Luke is playing in his backyard when dinosaurs suddenly appear. He and his friends spend the day playing with several different types of dinosaurs giving young readers a lesson about them. The children go to the playground, play catch, play hide and seek, and share dinner with their new friends.
The children encounter some difficulties playing with their unique new friends. They must learn teamwork and cooperation to accommodate their dinosaur friends’ needs. The book teaches these lessons as well as empathy and the value of friendship.
Preschoolers may find the book a bit difficult but the illustrations fill in the gaps. Probably better suited to kindergarten and primary grades.
Shreiks and Sounds and Things Abound:The Quiet Wars of Julien J.
Written by Dr. Drew Palacio
Illustrated by Etienne Apollinne
Julien sits under the shade of a tree reading his comic book about his favorite superhero, but distractors keep getting in the way. Julien’s frustration escalates. Suddenly an amazing figure appears to offer some good advice that young readers might follow to release themselves from the anger engendered by minor frustrations.
The rhyming picture book draws readers into the emotions felt by Julien in the tale. Even adults can relate to how easily common frustrations arise within us to create uncontrollable feelings. This story uses a superhero to teach a valuable lesson on how to control our emotions.
Recommended highly to parents and teachers who are searching for an effective approach to help young children reign in harmful emotions that lead to frustration.
Publisher’s Book Summary: Tiki is an honest, fun, and adventurous boy full of integrity. Lately, his behavior has been too rambunctious and he needs guidance. He meets a magical spirit who gives him the guidance he is looking for and much more. The spirit grants him magical powers and sends him on a quest to save the village of TikiTown from the evil King Lauia. Come join Tiki and his friends as they go on a magical time-traveling journey to save TikiTown. Tiki and his friends must find King Lauia, take back the sacred magical Toku Mask, and return the mask to Tiki Town to unfreeze the town. If Tiki doesn’t succeed, TikiTown will remain frozen forever…
Creator JJ and Fates are the creative duo bringing you this fun and magical adventure.
Fates has been making cartoons for over 30 years, bringing stories to life through drawing and imagining. Fates wants the world to draw and dream just a little more every day.
Creator JJ is the creative writer who dreamed up the storylines and characters in their stories. By using their imagination, he believes that everyone can create characters, worlds and stories of your own.
Together, the goal is to use their creative talents to create fun stories and ignite the hearts and minds of young children for both educational and self-development purposes.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK
Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Written and illustrated by Creator JJ and Fates
This book is the first in a series. Tiki lives in a faraway magical, jungle village. He considers himself a noble warrior, but lately he has been acting strangely. His sister, Tari, advises him to take a long walk to clear his head and so begins the adventure.
On the journey, Tiki meets Fetu, a spirit who grants him superpowers of speed, strength, and time travel. There is a catch. Tiki must use them to defeat an evil sorcerer who wants to plunge his village into a dark, frozen wasteland.
Tiki amazes his friends with his new powers and recruits them in his quest. Will they be successful in saving the town and restoring Tiki’s reputation as a noble warrior?
I like the messages of bravery, courage, friendship, and teamwork presented to young readers. This book contains large, vivid, cartoon-style images in and 8 and ½ by 11-inch book with large print. However, the book must be turned and opened from the top to read it. I would have preferred the book to be spiral bound so that a reader might place it on the lap to open and read easily.
Fans of time travel, superheroes, and comic books will especially enjoy the tale targeted for ages six through eight.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed copy of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn and a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
An interesting picture book that explains how to use self-talk to respond to the flood of emotions a child experiences everyday.
A little girl named Elle wakes up on a Monday and prepares to get ready for school. Her mind races with a bunch of different scenarios as she tries to sort things out.
The colorful illustrations assist in identifying each situation.
While the book is targeted for ages three through five, I believe it might be more beneficial for children a bit older.
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October 27, 2024
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