In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Karen B. Winnick.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Created by Karen B. Winnick

Ages 7+ | 48 Pages

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.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop

Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

For more visit, karenbwinnick.com.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

A SAFARI ADVENTURE

Can You Spot the Leopard

Written and Illustrated by Karen B. Winnick

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

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

https://gleam.io/qAoa4/can-you-spot-the-leopard-an-african-safari-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Little Tough Guy

Written by T.L. Conner

It’s time for Judah’s jiu-Jitsu tournament but he is paralyzed by his fears. He is not afraid of losing but of the monsters. He sees them everywhere, even in the mirror in his bedroom.

When the lion monster pulls Judah into the mirror, he must confront the bully, but he is not alone. There are many children with similar fears.

How will Judah respond? Will he face his greatest fear? What will happen to the other children?

This multicultural picture book is well-written and beautifully illustrated. All children can see themselves and learn to face their fears.

Recommended to parents and teachers of children ages five through twelve.

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In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Phyllis Schwartz.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too!

Written by Phyllis Schwartz

Illustrated by Siski Kalla

Ages 4+ | 38 Pages

Publisher: Acorn Publishing | ISBN-13: 9798885280143

Publisher’s Book Summary: When Mom, one day, came home and said, “I think I better get in bed”

It was up to us to get together

As a team so she’d feel better

We came up with all sorts of things to do

Because “when mom feels great then we do too!”

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

https://www.phyllisfeelsgreat.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081575637158

https://www.instagram.com/phyllischwartz_author/

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

SPREADING GOOD CHEER

When Moms Feel Great Then We Do Too

Written by Phyllis Schwartz

Illustrations by Siski Kalla

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!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

– A copy of When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too!

– A $50 Barnes and Noble gift card

Four (4) winners receive:

– A copy of When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/PwW6v/when-mom-feels-great-the-we-do-too-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Foreword Publicity.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Embarrassing George

Written by Kimber Morgan

Illustrated by Jessica Kwan

Ages 4+ | 34 Pages

Publisher: Creative, Simple Wonder Press | ISBN-13: 9781737038641

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?

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop

Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

Visit her on Instagram @kimbermorgan_writes and her website, kimberfoxmorgan.com.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

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.

Visit her on Instagram @badattitudebunny and her website, badattitudebunny.com.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Embarrassing George and a Fire HD 8 Kids tablet!

One (1) winner receives:

– An autographed copy of Embarrassing George

– A Fire HD 8 Kids tablet, 8″ HD display, ages 3-7, 32 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/jHfKa/embarrassing-george-book-giveaway

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

I AM SO EMBARRASSED

Embarrassing George

Written by Kimber Fox Morgan

Illustrated by Jessica Kwan

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.

TOUR SCHEDULE

While Daddy is Away: Days of Deployment

Written by Trista Lawrence

Illustrated by Denny Poliquit

A Christian family talks about how to stay strong while dad is deployed in military service. The older brother and sister help with chores, assist their baby brother and create projects to send dad and keep his spirits up. Though it is difficult for them, they understand the meaning of his sacrifice and are proud of him.

This picture book is recommended as a resource for families in military service.

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Ten Little Sandpipers

Written by Kim Ann

Illustrated by Nejla Shojaie

An adorable, little counting book for toddlers and preschoolers. The illustrations are vibrant and fun; the text is easily read aloud.

The author uses sandpipers as her subject. Beach scenes feature counting from one to ten. The bonus features include a song to sing and interactive identification of other sea creatures for the young reader to search out and identify.

Highly recommended and fun for both children and adults.

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In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Carole P. Roman.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Written by Carole P. Roman

Ages 8-18 | 243 Pages

Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. | ISBN-13: 9781950080434

Publisher’s Book Summary: Templeton Academy, the superhero high school, is finally open!

The prestigious academy is recruiting the best of the best to enroll in its student body. The school is as mysterious as it is exclusive. Grady Whill thinks there is nothing special about him to make the grade. However, his best friend, Aarush Patel has been selected and thinks Grady has the right stuff. Even school bully, Elwood Bledsoe is attending.

If Grady is fortunate enough to be picked, his guardian has forbidden him to attend. Will a family secret prevent Grady from becoming the superhero he was destined to be?

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Audible

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, spies, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children of all ages.

Her best-selling book, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes! has reached number one on Amazon in March of 2020 and has remained in the top 200 books since then.

She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren.

Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman.

Roman is the CEO of a global transportation company, as well as a practicing medium.

She also writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and has created an anthology of the mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors.

Writing is her passion and one of her favorite pastimes. Roman reinvents herself frequently, and her family calls her the ‘mother of reinvention.’ She resides on Long Island, near her children and grandchildren.

For more information, visit http://www.caroleproman.com/.

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

https://twitter.com/caroleproman?lang=en

Amazon Author Page

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Written by Carole P. Roman

What an interesting middle-grade novel. An interesting combination of genres and themes, coming of age, fantasy, adventure, peer, family, and school relationships. Whill and his best friend, Aarush, long to gain admission to an elite new school Templeton Academy, but Whill’s guardian is opposed. The Middleton Middle Schools bully Elwood torments Aarush who is autistic, Whill is often in trouble because he sticks up for his friend.

Despite the odds, Whill, Aarush, and Elwood all gain entrance to Templeton. Upon arrival, the students realize this is no ordinary place. Whisked away to a mysterious location, with no outside contact and communication, they learn that they must uncover the meaning of a codex inscribed on an obelisk. Their classes include subjects like subconscious thinking. What will Whill and Aarush learn about their past and their hidden superpowers? Will they succeed in their quest? This first book ends at the completion of year one.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win an awesome Dooney Press Gift Pack of books and more fun goodies!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

– A signed copy of Grady Whill and the Templeton Code

– A waxed canvas backpack

Nine (9) winners receive:

– A signed copy of Grady Whill and the Templeton Code

CLINK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/F7c48/grady-whill-and-the-templeton-code-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

What is Supply and Demand?: Personal Finance for Kids

Written by Kelly Lee

Kids love ice cream and cookies. What a creative and fun way to explain the concept of supply and demand to young children!

The author uses animals to explain what happens to the owner of a cookie and ice cream shop when supply and demand change. Ava and Hank are customers who visit the shop in different seasons and note the differences. There are clear explanations and beautiful illustrations.

I especially love that the author makes the book interactive by posing different scenarios for children to think about and offering solutions. Parents are also provided with tips to illustrate supply and demand with their children in everyday situations.

Highly recommended for parents and teachers of children ages three through eight.

Subscribe to this blog for book reviews every Wednesday and Sunday.

I Escaped the World’s Deadliest Shark Attack: The USS Indianapolis Disaster: WW2

Written by Scott Peters and Ellie Crowe

A powerful story of a historical adventure narrated through the eyes of a sixteen-year-old survivor. Josh enlisted with forged papers to avenge the death of his father at Pearl Harbor. He is straight out of boot camp serving on the USS Indianapolis when the battleship is struck by a Japanese torpedo. He struggles to escape the burning ship, but that is just the beginning of his troubles. No help is in sight; sharks infest the waters, and the survivors begin to turn against each other.

This book is a powerful story filled with raw emotions, adventure, and history. The authors provide readers with an action-packed tale filled with interesting facts about sharks and military history. It contains actual photographs, maps, and hand-drawn illustrations.

The book is little more than one hundred pages. Reluctant readers can easily navigate the short chapters with graphics. Targeted for middle grades but just as appealing to young adult and adult audiences.

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Pigeon in the Pinewoods: a shifter paranormal adventure (The Hinterland Chronicles Book 1)

Written by Kevin George

Book One of this series begins with the birth of Niko and the disappearance of his mother from the hospital. The author describes Niko in such a way that readers immediately empathize with him. They follow him on a long journey that involves his bouncing from one home to another.

Niko is no ordinary child. He possesses strange abilities and powers. For middle-grade readers who enjoy adventure and the paranormal, this book is a good choice. Niko is a shifter, the scenes are done tastefully with just enough of a edge. Children who enjoy magic and fantasy but also a bit of the darker side should enjoy the quick read.

The author does a good job of moving the plot along. Short chapters contain much dialogue but no illustrations. Older readers will not be disappointed.

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