The Squirrel that Watched the Stars (Starry Stories Book 1)
Written by Tom Kerss
Illustrated by Anni Betts
Written by an astronomer, this book is the first in a series. The rhymes are catchy and fun to read; the illustrations sparkle like the stars that are the subject of this book.
A squirrel sits in a high oak tree near the observatory. He wonders about the stars and wishes he could communicate with the workers in the observatory to learn more about them. Suddenly, a beautiful swan named Cygnus appears to him and brings him on a tour of the stars. The squirrel learns about the magnitude of stars in space and the one closest to earth, our sun. Star School is a teaching tool provided at the end of the fictional story that provides a jumping off point to more research about the stars for budding scientists.
The book is a lovely bedtime story for young children and an introduction to astronomy that will peak the interest of school-age children. I would also suggest placing the book in the science section of elementary school classrooms.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: In the sixth installment of the delightful Honeycake book series, Nala’s uncles, Victor and George, take her to a fundraiser where she meets Alexis, a girl with an artificial arm. Through her interactions, Nala learns that you are never too young to lend “a helping hand,” that it’s okay to be different, and that being different doesn’t stop you from doing great things in life.
PURCHASE LINKS
All proceeds from each book sale go to The War Amps CHAMP Program as Medea Kalantar’s charity of choice.
Medea Kalantar is a Reiki master and practitioner, a Guinness World Record Holder, and a multi-award-winning, best-selling author of the Honeycake Book Series(TM). Inspired to write these books when she became a grandmother, Kalantar’s stories are based on her own family, whose members come from many ethnic backgrounds. This unique mix is a perfect recipe—just like the spices in a honey cake. That is why she calls her grandchildren her little Honeycakes.
With all the negativity in the world, Medea Kalantar’s series is a much-needed glimmer of hope and positivity. The Honeycake Book Series(TM) teaches valuable life lessons, giving children the tools to overcome obstacles in their everyday lives. The Honeycake books teach children about diversity, acceptance, kindness, mindfulness, trust, and gratitude. This series will enlighten, empower, educate, and entertain children and their families for generations to come.
Nala is so excited. She is wearing the beautiful pink dress that her married uncles bought for her and she is going to attend a special fundraiser with them. They tell her she will meet a remarkable girl named Alexis.She is surprised to find out the event is being held at a store. At the party, Nala meets children who have different types of physical disabilities. What really amazes her is the fact they have learned to lead independent lives and remarkable achievements.
Alexis is beautiful in spirit as well. She has managed to raise ten million dollars with her charity. Not only does Nala meet many new friends. she learns that being different is not a handicap if you are motivated to achieve great things. Nala is inspired to follow in her footsteps.
The book contains a glossary to explain terms that might be unfamiliar to the elementary school reader. Kalantar also reveals a bit about the real life character behind the story.
This book contains many important lessons for young readers. It is beautifully illustrated with multicultural illustrations that show different cultures and display many types of disabilities. I would recommend it be placed on the shelves of libraries and classrooms to be used as a valuable diversity discussion tool.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win 6-book set of the Honeycake series with bookmarks—including a copy of Honeycake: A Helping Hand autographed by Madea Kalantar!
All proceeds from each book sale go to The War Amps CHAMP Program as Medea Kalantar’s charity of choice.
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
– A signed hardcover copy of Honeycake: A Family of Spices
– A signed hardcover copy of Honeycake: Help, I Swallowed a Butterfly
– A signed hardcover copy of Honeycake: Special Magical Powers
– A signed hardcover copy of Honeycake: A Circle of Trust
– A signed hardcover copy of Honeycake: Counting All My Blessings
– A signed hardcover of Honecake: A Helping Hand
–Bookmarks
Four (4) winners receive:
–A signed hardcover copy of Honeycake: A Helping Hand
Five (5) winners receive:
– A signed paperback copy of Honeycake: A Helping Hand
A beautifully illustrated picture book with an important message for parents and their children.
A king receives a prophecy that his son will be a talented musician. The king immediately decides the prince will be a royal trumpeteer. After the child is born, the king becomes frustrated when it appears the prince has no musical talent.
Eventually, the prince meets someone who inspires him to find his own way. Children learn that they must listen to their heart and use their own talents. Parents learn that it is wrong to place their own expectations or desires upon their children.
A book for elementary school readers and their parents or teachers to enjoy reading together.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: This delightful rhyming story follows our inventive young hero as he dreams about dressing up his plain backside in something festive “with layers and layers of green, with baubles that glow, bows in a row, and a star where it’s easily seen!” Will he get his wish? Kids will find out as they giggle all the way through this sweet holiday story.
Dawn McMillan writes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and storybooks for children. She is also the author of the hilarious best-selling I Need a NEW BUTT! series, as well as the adorable Doctor Grundy’s Undies, Seagull Sid and the Naughty Things His Seagulls Did!, and many more wonderful children’s books. She lives in Waiomu, New Zealand.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Ross Kinnaird‘s collaborations with Dawn McMillan include the popular I Need a NEW BUTT! series, as well as Doctor Grundy’s Undies and Seagull Sid and the Naughty Things His Seagulls Did! Ross also has illustrated such children’s books as 50 Body Questions and created the animated poem “Smaller,” winner of the People’s Choice Award at the World Parkinson Congress. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
My Butt is So Christmassy
Written by Dawn McMillan
Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird
It’s Christmas Eve and the house if filled with cheer and chaos. Presents are gathered and the children scream in delight, but our protragonist is unhappy. While the tree looks amazing, he is unhappy with the pants he wears. What can he do to decorate them? Nothing seems to work. Finally, he realizes the true meaning of Christmas. The message is not about him. Will Santa provide him with the perfect Christmas?
Children learn about empathy, compassion, and family values while reading this hilarious picture book.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group | ISBN-13: 978-1626349759
Publisher’s Book Synopsis: Can You Spot the Leopard? is author/artist Karen B. Winnick’s newest picture book, an adventuresome African safari presented through poems and full-color paintings. Readers begin at sunrise, climbing into a jeep for a bumpy ride to view the wondrous animals as they would on a real safari. All the poems are based on real observations of what animals do in the wild, related in an accessible way. There’s even a sighting, finally, of the elusive leopard, before returning to safari camp under a starry night. At the back of the book, further information is related about each animal. A fun, informational, educational adventure to read and reread.
Ms. Winnick is an animal enthusiast, president of the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, and author of more than a dozen picture books, including Gemina: The Crooked-Neck Giraffe, How Lucky Got His Shoe, and Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers.
KAREN B. WINNICK is the author of more than a dozen picture books for children, most of which she illustrated. An animal lover, she serves on several boards devoted to the well-being of animals. She’s a graduate of Syracuse University, mother of three grown sons, grandmother of eight, and minder of five pups.
A beautiful adventure for the child with an active imagination. Winnick deftly authors the entire book in crisp rhymes that invite reading the tale over and over.
The illustrations are large and colorful, popping off the glossy pages. Young readers learn about animal habitats, food, family life, and survival. Children may have knowledge of elephants, rhinos, and giraffe but others like bushbucks, marabou, and bat-eared foxes are sure to intrigue the imagination.
Winnick presents the dangers in a non-threatening way. For adventurers who want to research, the glossary contains more information about thirty safari animals. This book is highly recommended as a reference book for a home or classroom library. It has appeal for elementary school and middle-grade readers, librarians, and teachers.
I look forward to reading more books by this talented author and illustrator.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win an awesome Dooney Press Gift Pack of books and more fun goodies!
Ten (10) winners receive:
– A signed copy of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari
Publisher: West Margin Press | ISBN-13: 9781513134871
Publisher’s Book Summary: A sweet, whimsical story about the meaningfulness behind a person’s name and the power of accepting people just as they are.
Edimorwhitimormiligimmus Tug has a very special name that is all his own. But his teacher thinks it’s too long and hard to say. One day she shortens it to. . . Ed.
But he loves his name just the way it is. So he comes up with a plan—if he can teach everyone his name, maybe they’ll love it too!
Sweet and whimsical, My Name Is Not Ed Tug empowers readers to own their identities and proudly celebrate who they are.
Amy Nielander is a designer and award-winning children’s book author and illustrator who loves to create playful stories for kids. Growing up, she had her name frequently misspelled by others. My Name Is Not Ed Tug is inspired by this experience and by her time volunteering in her children’s classrooms. Amy lives near Detroit, Michigan.
Little Ed is so proud of his name. He is named after a grandfather, grandmother, great uncle, and aunt. Each of these family members passed down a particular skill.
Ed’s long name frustrates his teacher, Ms. Mell. She suggests he shorten it to Ed. That bothers Ed because he is proud of each part of his heritage. When a new student enters the class, he takes advantage of the opportunity to explain why every part of his name is important. Can Ed find a way to convince his classmates how important a name might be, even if unusually long. Names are part of a family’s history and the contributions made by those who bear them in the wider community. Being unique is a good thing, right?
I love the way the author included drawings of each member of the class which allows the reader to see the distinctive features of each student. This multicultural picture book encourages children to view themselves as a unique member and valued contributor to family, community, and country.
A highly recommended read-aloud to discuss with children in the primary grades.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of My Name Is Not Ed Tug, the Potato-Noodle-Feel-Better Soup recipe featured in the story, and a Name Journal!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
– A signed copy of My Name Is Not Ed Tug
– A Potato-Noodle-Feel-Better Soup recipe (soup is featured in the story). The digital download includes an “Ingredient Checklist coloring page” for kids.
– A Name Journal: A 3.5″ x 5″ pocket-sized journal with 32 blank pages (100% recycled paper).
Phyllis Schwartz is a married mother of two, who, after a highly successful career in the TV news business, finally has the luxury to indulge in and focus on her “civilian” writing. Even as a kid, she kept a diary and wrote little stories and poems, a creative release that continued well into adulthood. She wrote news by day and poetry by night. And despite battling three different types of cancer over more than three decades, she is still filled with energy, joy, and optimism, and she looks forward to writing more poetry and children’s books.
Her writing centers on the beauty she finds daily: Her friends, husband, and two children, as well as her garden and her beautiful beach town residence in dreamy Encinitas, provide continued inspiration for her verse.
A family pulls together to help their mother when she is sick with cancer. They make funny videos, bake cookies, color get-well cards, entertain her and do all they can to cheer her up.
The beautiful, colorful, multicultural illustrations and funny rhymes keep elementary grade children entertained while discussing a serious subject. Young readers learn lessons about compassion, love, empathy, and family resilience while working through a difficult situation.
I would highly recommend this book to parents and teachers, especially those undergoing a family illness as a model of strength and resilience to teach children strategies for dealing with the stress of a family crisis.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of When Mom Feels Great, The We Do Too! and a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card!
Publisher’s Book Summary: Everyone in George’s family is so embarrassing. His mom can’t cook, his sister is constantly making kissy faces to her phone, and his brother’s wardrobe consists of nothing but costumes. To top it off, George’s dad is known for going outdoors in his underwear!
Will Family Night at school reveal all of their quirks?
Or will George want to hide under his desk to avoid them?
Kimber Morgan is a multi-award-winning children’s book author who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kimber is a fun wife and imperfect mom of 3 crazy kiddos and two little lemon (problematic) dogs. She tries to live her strengths the best she can. Morgan is a homemade Halloween costume type of mom who lets her kids mix the play-doh. She bakes fun birthday cakes (cutely, but far from perfection) and loves a homemade valentine and a school project.
Writing children’s books is an extension of her creative strength. She strives to create picture books that are beautiful, engaging, humorous, and with themes of acceptance and kindness. She hopes you love reading her works. Kimber is available for author visits and wants to connect with you.
Jessica Kwan is the illustrator behind Bad Attitude Bunny Illustration, though her attitude is generally not that bad. She hails from San Francisco and is currently based in northern Sweden. She enjoys drawing characters with funny expressions and anything inspired by nature and animals. She is always looking for the next collaboration, but during her spare time, she likes to: travel, read, do crosswords, and pet the neighborhood cats. Some things she dislikes are sand, mosquitoes, and melted ice cream.
It is time for family night at school and George dreads it. Why? He thinks his family is weird and embarrassing. George has inherited the family’s preferred first name passed down from generation to generation and he hates it. His older sister is obsessed with her phone, his younger brother wears only costumes, his mother burns the food, and his father routinely goes outside in his underwear. What will they do to embarrass George at school? George does not want to find out.
Kwan’s illustrations are hilarious. They keep kids and adults in stitches. I laughed my way from page to page. Readers may be surprised at the ending. Are all families as weird as George’s family? A little weird may be a good thing.
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
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
November 30, 2022
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