Posts from the ‘Book Reviews’ Category

SET IN STONE?

The Pharaoh’s Stone: (The Stone Collection)

Written by Nick Hawkes

This book is part of a series that may be read as a stand-alone novel.

Peter has just been released from prison in London. He meets Alex, a history professor and they form an unlikely alliance. They team up with an Egyptologist named Beth to solve an Egyptian mystery. All of this combined with Freemasonry makes for an interesting read.

This author has sometimes been criticized for injecting too much of his religious opinion within his stories but this did not particularly bother me because the characters were intriguing and the twists and turns of the plot held my interest and kept me reading. Recommended especially for those who enjoy mysteries and ancient Egypt. Appropriate for middle-grade, young-adult, and adult readers.

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DETERMINATION AND PERSEVERANCE

Agnes’s Rescue: A True Story of an Immigrant Girl

Written by Karl Beckstrand and Veara Southworth Fife

Illustrated by Sean Sullivan

This book is book one of a series for children about young immigrants.

Agnes was born in Scotland and lived there with her siblings. After her father’s disappearance at sea, her mother turns to the Mormon faith. When Agnes turned nine in 1856, her mother had saved enough money to sail to America and become a part of the Latter-Day Saints community in Utah.

Their journey contained numerous perils. After sailing to New York, they took a train to Iowa. There the hardships began. The family must walk pulling a cart with their possessions. Their food supplies became depleted, and the weather turned frigid. Agnes and her family faced frostbite and near annihilation.

The story is biographical and written by a descendant. Sean Sullivan does a marvelous job with emotive illustrations. I like the interactive aspect of the book allowing readers to revisit the story by answering questions and voicing their opinions. This series is sure to inspire readers in elementary and middle school.

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GALLIVANTING THROUGH GERMANY

Mishi and Mashi go to Germany: Mishi and Mashi Visit Europe Series

Written by Mary George

Illustrated by Lisa Sacchi

This book is part of a European travel series. Mishi and Mashi are two sisters who accompany their parents on travel adventures. The series is intended for elementary school readers.

The author manages to create a pretty comprehensive picture book. Cities visited include Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, and Frankfurt. They visit kid favorites like museums, zoos, castles, and food venues that feature German specialties. Of course, they experience an Octoberfest and Bavarian costumes. Illustrations are pastels done in soft colors.

My first book of the series, but I will definitely come back to read others.

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#LETTER SOUNDS ABOUND – a virtual book tour and giveaway

In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Practice Readers Books

ABOUT THE BOOK

Letter Sounds Abound

Written by Catherine S. Young

Illustrated by Victoria Gesner

Ages 3-6 | 48 Pages

Publisher: Practice Readers Books | ISBN-13: 9781778066702

Publisher’s Synopsis: Letter Sounds Abound is a friendly alphabet book that highlights big ideas about how written language works for preschool and kindergarten children. It focuses on the most common letter-sound relationships while helping children tune in to the fact that letters can make different sounds in different situations to avoid confusion for beginners. The rhyming text makes it fun for parents to read to their children time and again, while simple line drawings inspire imagination without competing for attention with text.

PURCHASE LINKS

https://amzn.to/3tKfe0V

Practice Readers Books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Catherine S. Young has spent her career putting research insights into practice across the spheres of education, public health, and electronics. The proud mother of three delightful developing readers, she founded Practice Readers Books to provide evidence-aligned books to support the unique needs of fledgling readers (and their parents) at school and at home.

For more information, visit https://practicereaders.ca/collections/alphabet-books.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Victoria Gesner (Pelletier) is an artist and educator based in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She believes in making literacy and art affordable and accessible to all.

You can find some of her other artwork at Femme des Fleurs Art at https://www.facebook.com/femmedesfleurs.art/.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

EASY PEASY ALPHABET

Letters Abound: A Practice Reading Book

Written by C. S. Young

Illustrations by Victoria Gesner

A simple tool to teach preschool and kindergarten students to learn and read alphabet sounds and words. The author introduces forty-four sounds and the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Young emphasizes first skills of reading like tracking left to right and following with the finger. Gesner’s illustrations are presented as simple black and white pictures containing the single letters, digraph sounds, and alphabet letters. Children learn how to point out the capital and small letters as they find out about the sounds associated with each. Two sentences on each page rhyme to make reading out loud a fun exercise pleasing to the ear.

This book provides a teaching tool for adults to read as well as for the child to pick up independently as she becomes more confident and proficient in phonetic and reading skills. Certainly, a valuable teaching tool for preschool and early childhood teachers as well as parents.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Letter Sounds Abound, the companion practice book Alphabet Print and Colour, a beginner’s notebook, and a set of alphabet letter magnets!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

– An autographed copy of Letter Sounds Abound

– A copy of Alphabet Print and Colour

– A beginner’s notebook

-A set of magnetic alphabet letters

Two (2) winners receive:

– An autographed copy of Letter Sounds Abound

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/loYNF/letter-sounds-abound-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday, June 22, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Thursday, June 23, 2022The Momma SpotA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Friday, June 24, 2022Writer with WanderlustA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Monday, June 27, 2022The Review WireAn interview with author Catherine S. Young
Tuesday, June 28, 2022Lisa’s ReadingA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Wednesday, June 29, 2022Me Two BooksA book activity to pair with Letter Sounds Abound
Thursday, June 30, 2022Barbara Ann MojicaA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Friday, July 1, 2022Tales of a Wanna-Be Superhero MomA book giveaway of Letter Sounds Abound
Wednesday, July 6, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Thursday, July 7, 2022Confessions of a Book AddictA book giveaway of Letter Sounds Abound
Friday, July 8, 2022J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review of Letter Sounds Abound
Monday, July 11, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersAn article by author Catherine S. YoungFavorite Words for Beginner Readers

A GOOD WAY TO START YOUR DAY

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

JBC EMPOWER PRESS

This book is just what the title says, a guide to positive sentences to put in your mind to help you achieve goals in various areas of your life.

A total of 500 positive sentences you can use to motivate yourself in self-worth, achieving success, developing financial success, health, and wellness, and overall happiness in life.

If you are looking for a convenient reference guide to jumpstart your mood and outlook for the day, this book gives you a plethora of mantras to get you started on a positive mindset.

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ANGER MANAGEMENT

Today I am Mad (Anger Management Series)

Written by Michael Gordon

Illustrated by Max Larin

This book is a good choice for toddlers and preschoolers. It follows a typical Michael Gordon illustration style. There are large, colorful illustrations featuring a young protagonist.

In this example, Josh frequently feels frustrated and angry when he does not immediately have his needs met. That might be with food, toys, or a particular activity. Gordon portrays Josh finding different techniques to control that anger. For example, counting to ten, finding another outlet, or sharing toys.

This book is a way for parents or teachers to demonstrate appropriate behavior strategies without exerting themselves as authority figure.

Especially recommended for toddlers and preschoolers but appropriate for older children as well.

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SOMETHING TO CHEW ON

The Tooth Fairy’s Tummy Ache

Written by Lori Orlinsky

Illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre

A very cute, rhyming picture book selection for preschool and kindergarten readers. A little girl is eating lunch in school when she loses her first tooth. She is dismayed because she swallowed it! How will she be able to put the tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy?

The protagonist decides on deception. She places a look-alike under her pillow. The tooth fairy takes the bait but later becomes suspicious and calls her friends to check it out. They decide to teach the little girl a valuable lesson.

Young readers will both empathize with the girl and delight in its humorous lesson. A perfect gift choice for children about to lose their first tooth.

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SIBLING RIVALRIES

Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in …Tiger Trouble!

Written by Grant Goodman

Agent Darcy is a gifted ninja who never misses an opportunity to display her talents. Unfortunately, her younger brother, Steve, does not possess her ninja skills. Darcy never lets him forget it.

Book One in a series portrays Darcy and her cohorts as strong female role models. The sibling rivalry scenarios will ring true with elementary and middle-school readers. I believe the book is a good choice for reluctant readers as well because the characters are authentic and the story moves smoothly and quickly. It also could be an excellent tool for a short classroom daily read-aloud book to open a reading lesson.

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FUN FACTS, POOR GRAMMAR

Fun Facts: Volume 4

Written by Irish Castor

If you have a child who cannot get enough trivia and likes to show off his smarts, this book might be for you. It is targeted at late elementary and early middle-school ages.

The facts cover almost any subject imaginable. Readers learn what happens to children in China who cheat on tests, how many people believe in vampires, what happens when you eat too many apple seeds, and how penguins propose to one another. The organization of the book is random with no chapters or subheadings. There are lots of illustrations that make the book appealing to reluctant readers.

Despite its limitations, it is a quick read providing snippets of knowledge with some entertainment value.

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WHAT NOT TO DO

Where I Get My Super Power

Written by Ageno H. Monica

This is a different slant on the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah. In this picture book, Samson possesses exceptional strength which he uses to keep bullies at bay. Delilah is his best friend, but one-day local bullies offer her all kinds of riches and power if she could uncover the secret of his strength.

The bullies convince Delilah to sell out her best friend. Samson is strong mentally as well as physically. Will he continue to resist?

Cute illustrations and simple text make this book appealing to young children under the age of eight.

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