The Cat Detectives in Russia: The Case of the Missing Faberge Egg
Written and illustrated by R.F. Kristi
My first time reading a book in this series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Inca is a Siberian Russian Cat who runs a detective agency consisting of fellow felines, dogs and a hamster. They trek the globe to solve mysteries.
This one begins when Inca’s mom goes abroad promoting her cheese business. Inca and her crew travel to her native land, Russia. Laid out in a diary format, the readers travel abroad and learn a bit of history while becoming embroiled in solving the mystery of a valuable Faberge egg stolen from the museum.
The characters are well developed and engaging personifications of the animals. There are a few illustrations to assist younger readers. I would recommend the book as a chapter reader for elementary and middle-grade students. Readers who enjoy detective stories, animal characters, and travel will particularly enjoy the read.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
This is a short, cute picture book written from the point of view of a toddler. Preschoolers and toddlers are constantly trying to demonstrate they can do things independently. In this tale, Mike sets out to prove he can do everything adults can do. While the pictures and story clearly demonstrate that is not the case, Mike gives his readers inspiration and confidence.
Recommended as a bedtime story or read-aloud book to encourage self-esteem for two to five-year-olds.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
Children’s book week is coming up the first week of May. This year I will be marketing online as schools are closed and the largest children’s book festival in my state has been canceled. No personal appearances in schools or book signings for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, here are a few ways authors can use their free time to help fellow authors.
I found this article on Book Marketing Buzz and would like to share it because its message is a positive one. There will be light at the end of the tunnel for all of us.
Many libraries, schools, and bookstores are closed. Amazon is behind in deliveries. Speaking appearances and book signings have been canceled. So how are books being sold in this environment?
Here are the answers each correct in some fashion:·
Social media is helping to sell more books·
Traditional and digital media is covering books·
Authors are doing webinars and online courses to sell books·
New online retailers are sprouting up·
Not everything is closed everywhere – it just sounds like that·
E-books are skyrocketing·
Audiobook downloads are surging
There is reason to hope. Everyone is cooped up and is open to reading books. Many run to the safe confines of books, whether to escape reality or to use this time to learn what they had been meaning to finally get to. So many books do well in this environment, including:
Children’s Books – kids need to learn and be entertained without school·
Thrillers – always a good time for them·
History – let’s learn from past disasters, depression, and pandemics – or read about better days of the past·
Entertainment – love a good distraction·
Personal Finance – time to balance a budget and grow your assets·
Investing – gotta make back the money lost on Wall Street·
Survivalist Techniques – we are all preppers now·
Politics – the 2020 election is coming·
Humor – we need a laugh·
Sports – we can read about the past until the future games begin·
Health – this is our number one focus – how to stay healthy in mind and body·
Religion – we need some spiritual nourishment, especially when the churches and temples are closed·
Self-Help/Motivation – we all need uplifting stories now·
Cooking – if you can’t hit a restaurant or even afford takeout, learn how to cook
Travel — if you can go somewhere physically, time to go with your mind — and plan a future trip
Plus, let’s look forward, whether it is weeks, a month or a few months – stores will reopen, delivery times will improve, and the financial devastation will slow down and start to return to better times. But for the moment, as the world is upside down and filled with pain, fear, and uncertainty – and financial insecurity fills millions of homes and thousands of others confront death and severe illness – the book world is combusting. Indie stores have laid-off workers and shuttered operations.
Some publishers are looking at bankruptcy or a merger. Book releases scheduled for April or May are getting pushed back. Even the nation’s leading book trade show, Book Expo America, had to reschedule its date but right now its home, the Javits Center in NYC, is being used as a makeshift hospital to battle a plague. It is ugly out there. Still, the belief is it is temporary and we just need to weather the storm for the moment.
A decade ago the industry was hit by many challenges – the Great Recession, the ebook revolution, Amazon taking over the industry as Borders drop dead, technology allowing for the majority of published books to be self-published, and the Internet providing free competition for content providers.
But the American book industry rose from the dead and all of that transition and uncertainty. It is going through another tough time now, as many Americans are. Every day that passes means we get a day closer to recovery. The pandemic seems like it is a book that has no end, but the truth is, we know how it ends. And we know that the book world will get a new beginning and rise up. I can’t wait for the sequel!
So, I want to end this post with a positive message for my author friends. In the meantime, stay strong, stay safe, stay calm and REMAIN PRODUCTIVE!
A little bear is selfish and does not like to share. One day he comes across his friends on the swings. He reflects on how he has treated each of them recently and figures out they will now not want to share with him. The bear decides to build his own swing. He gathers material and makes a large swing. Bear did not plan well. One of the ropes breaks. Can you guess what might happen? Will Bear realize why it is important to share and be kind to your friends?
This is a rather short book. The illustrations are appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers. I was puzzled about the fact the Bear was not given a name to help personalize the character. Recommended especially for children ages three to six.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
Topsy Turvy: Bedtime with a Smile Picture Book (Bedtime Stories with Uncle Willy 3)
Written by Sarah Mazor
Illustrations by Sergii Zavadskyi
I always look forward to a new collection of Uncle Willy’s zany stories for preschool and primary grade children.
In Book 3, Uncle Willy tells the tale of a town named ComeGo where everything is topsy turvy. The children teach their parents basic skills like how to ride a swing or a bike. People say goodbye when they meet and hello when the leave. Animals behave strangely. Bears hang on trees like monkeys and cows play like puppies. Pigeons lick themselves like cats and people pull carts instead of horses. Children learn about opposites while having a good laugh.
The fun continues as readers are urged to create their own fanciful stories. They are presented with fifteen riddles and given four choices. Correct answers are given. These activities can be done with an adult or in a group with other children. I highly recommend the entire Uncle Willy series of books.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
Beginning March 23, children’s book authors are coming together to read and share stories and activities with children at home on the Facebook pageStorytime Adventures with Children at 12:00 P.M. CDT. I will be reading on March 31.
10 Ways to Stay Positive
Think about gratitude, not complaining
Think about others, not yourself
Think about forming new relationships, not what others give you
Think one day at a time, not the future
Think about the things you have, not what you’re missing
Think about new opportunities, not things you have lost
Think about making progress, not how hard things are
Think about making your life better, not the way things are right now
Think about giving value, not how much money you can make
Think about responding to changes in new ways, not the events you missed
Stay safe by following all federal and state guidelines but don’t expose children to pandemic news 24/7.
Answer children’s questions calmly and clearly according to their age
Don’t create unrealistic expectations but address disappointments
Create a schedule and stick to it
Make sure you get outside to exercise, if possible. If you live in an apartment, create indoor exercise programs
Enlist older children to work with younger siblings
Stay in touch with relatives and friends via telephone and social media.
Check on the elderly.
Relax and remain calm! We will get through this together.
Anxious Ninja is a talented runner who wins every practice race. When the big day arrives, Anxious Ninja begins to worry what if he doesn’t win. He loses confidence in himself and the race as well,
Gritty Ninja offers some advice. Remember the 3 R’s. On race day, Recognize that you can’t control the situation, relax and take deep breaths, and Refocus on the goal of winning, What do you think will happen when Anxious Ninja decides to take his advice?
This book is part of a series that teaches young children how to deal with their fears and emotions. I heartily recommend this one, especially for primary grade children.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
This picture book contains creative and beautifully done illustrations. The plot combines a few traditional fairytales that are given an unusual twist.
At the beginning of the story, the mother asks her husband to go to the store to buy carrots as she wants to make carrot and potato soup. She does not ask him to do so with a respectful tone. Dad obliges her but soon discovers the local grocery is closed. He continues to search for carrots and gets involved in a series of adventures.
Dad meets up with a cast of characters that involve humans and some animals with bad intentions. These adventures invoke shades of familiar fairytales. Will Dad give up or will he pursue his task? Will his wife be grateful for his efforts?
The twists and turns of this tale are interesting, but many children may become lost and confused in the message. This book will probably lead to lots of questions when reading to young children. I recommend that the book be read with adult supervision and guidance.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper-right hand corner of this page.
Such a charming picture book commenting on the curiosity of
a young child. A little boy looks up and the night sky and wonders about the moon.
He reflects that it has different colors. It might appear white, yellow.
Sometimes its size and shape change. It has marks on its surface. The boy
compares it to familiar objects like cheese, bananas, lemons, and milk.
His mother answers with facts he can understand. The moon is
made of rock. It may change color or form, but it is always there just like her
love for him.
The author donates ten percent of book sales to the juvenile diabetes foundation. Just another incentive to buy this beautifully illustrated picture book for toddlers and preschoolers.
If you enjoyed reading this book, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
I’m so excited because my book, Little Miss HISTORY Travels to TOMBSTONE ARIZONA was just nominated for the 2020 Readers Choice Awards contest by TCK Publishing!
April 26, 2020
bamauthor
Comments Off on #EggandCheese
![A Family Dinner by [Tan, Cory Q]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61sEqoRNYFL.jpg)
Barbara Ann Mojica's BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.