Duck and Friends

Written by Donna McFarland

Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle

Duck owns a farm in Pleasant Valley, complete with cows, pigs, chickens, and alpacas. One day, his friend, Cat calls Duck on his cell phone complaining that his computer is running too slow. Duck asks if he is sure that he wants it to run faster. He installs a new program that gives the computer arms and legs. Suddenly, the computer takes off, causing all manner of havoc in the community. All the animal friends experience quite an adventure before the day is finished.

This beginning chapter book blends modern technology with familiar animals and a clever adventure plot line. Adorable pencil sketches throughout the chapters keep the interest level high. Perfect choice for primary grade students who are just learning to read or reluctant readers.

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The Lemonade Stand ( My Teacher Hilda Book 4)

Written by Tamar Bobokhidze

Illustrated by Salome Equizashvili

There are a lot of valuable life lessons packed into this book. In fact, two separate stories run side by side in Ms. Hilda’s classroom. The first story centers around the class desire to purchase a hamster for a class pet. Ms. Hilda points out that they will need money and guides the children when they come up with the idea of raising money by setting up a lemonade stand. During the process, children learn about being polite, trying new foods, taking turns, and teamwork in achieving their objective.

The second story involves their afternoon project of recreating their paintings into physical objects with playdough. When the children discover that there are more colors in the paintings than in their play dough, they must learn about primary and secondary colors and how to create and mix them.

Readers learn life lessons as they follow a day in Ms. Hilda’s classroom. I do wish the text size were larger as beginning readers might find it too small, but I would still highly recommend this series to parents and teachers of primary school age children.

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Mary’s Song (Dream Horse Adventures Book 1)

Written by Susan Count

Mary is a twelve-year-old handicapped young lady. Her mother died when she was three; no one wants to talk about it. Mary lives with her father and a housekeeper. The story is set in 1952. Her father constantly searches for a possible medical breakthrough to cure his daughter. Mary is strong-willed and determined. Her best friend, Laura, rides and cares for horses at her home. The girls become obsessed with saving a horse named Illusion who needs surgery. They find ways of earning money toward that end.

Mary’s overprotective father frequently gets upset with Mary’s obstinate behavior. Laura and Mary disobey their parents and end up in trouble often, but that means lots of interesting adventures along the way. Will the girls be able to save Illusion? Can Mary’s father find a medical cure to help Laura walk again?

Middle-grade and young adult readers will find the antics of these two friends’ fun and endearing. There is lots of humor and a few surprises in store for readers. Two strong female role models and a tender story of animal affection will appeal to a wide audience. Highly recommended. I look forward to reading the sequel.

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Jaw-Jaw, the Donkey

Written by K. K. Korner

Illustrated by Sharon L. Richert

Jaw-Jaw lives on a farm with many different animals. He has never seen or heard another donkey. Jaw-Jaw asks the wise scarecrow what his voice sounds like. The scarecrow tells him he must laugh long, lofty and loud to find out.

For the next few days, Jaw-Jaw hears crows, children, and the wind whistling through the barn, but the scarecrow informs Jaw-Jaw that none of these are his voice. Finally, a group of blackbirds lands on Jaw-Jaw prompting the actions necessary for him to speak. Jaw-Jaw is jubilant that he has found his voice.

This book contains large, colorful illustrations and a simple plot intended to teach children something about animal sounds. I would recommend it as a bedtime story or read aloud for preschoolers and kindergarten children.

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Dear Readers,

It’s almost the end of 2018. Can you believe it? This year has absolutely flown by and as I reflect on this year, I wanted to share some things I am grateful for:

1. I published a new book this year. Little Miss HISTORY Travels to The NORTH POLE.

Check out what others have to say:

This is a book written for children, and its appeal is undeniable. I loved the chatty style that subtly hides the “educational” aspect, but Barbara Ann Mojica sets out to teach and she succeeds. I learned a lot I didn’t know, and any child would absorb the fascinating facts so clearly and entertainingly explained, and, of course, drawn in by the promise of finding out about Santa Claus. By the time they can read and understand this enchanting book, they know he’s make-believe, isn’t he? He has many other names dug from the mists of time by Little Miss History. Little Miss History Travels to the North Pole is the perfect Christmas gift, and sure to be welcomed by schools at any time. _ Sarah Stuart Reader’s Favorite 5 Stars

Little Miss History Travels to the North Pole” should be on top of YOUR holiday reading list! It will kindle your holiday spirit and your children will learn something useful. The clever informative illustrations and fun but an educational story will charm and educate your kids for hours. Please take a chance on this book and have fun traveling to the North Pole with Little Miss History! – Mrs.D

Chock-filled with interesting facts, there are tons of gateways for discussions from all the brave people who explored to discovering fun facts about Santa Claus.
Highly recommended. Carole P. Roman

I love books that teach me something in a fun way! Many of us know that the North Pole is not on land, but this author has a wonderful way of presenting her material. The book is well-researched and honestly admits where there are uncertainties or dual opinions. She includes little known or unknown information, and the illustrations make learning fun. What a joy to read Little Miss History books! And the North Pole is non-commital about tying Santa Claus to any religion. A wonderful work! – Ann Morris

2.. I received a Book Excellence Award for Little Miss HISTORY Travels to MOUNT VERNON in the children’s non-fiction category.

3. I received three honors in The International Readers Favorite Book Award Contest. A Gold Medal in children’s nonfiction for Little Miss HISTORY Travels to Ford’s Theater,  a silver medal for Little Miss HISTORY Travels to MOUNT VERNON in children’s educational books, and honorable mention for Little Miss HISTORY Travels to La Brea Tar Pits & Museum in the children’s 4th to 6th-grade category.

4. MOST OF ALL, I AM GRATEFUL FOR A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY OF READERS, JUST LIKE YOU!

I hope you have a very happy holiday and I wish you all the best for a wonderful and prosperous New Year!

Barbara

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The Magic in You: Help Your Child Overcome Public Speaking Fears

Written by Emily Reed

When seven-year-old Liam learns from his teacher that everyone in the class will have a role in their school play, Alice in Wonderland, he is really excited. The whole family supports and encourages him. Mom sews his white rabbit costume and grandma bakes him a pie. Liam works hard to learn his lines, but the night before the play he has a nightmare that he forgets everything and everyone makes fun of him. His grandma urges him to wear a special red bow tie that will help him remember his lines. Now Liam has full confidence in himself.

This book is a good bedtime story or beginning chapter book to promote a child’s self-confidence in public speaking. I read the kindle version. The text size was a comfortable read for beginning readers. Unfortunately, the pictures were too small. Recommended as a bedtime story or beginning chapter book, especially for shy children.

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Snowdrops: Adventure Three (Book # 3 in the Adventures of Katie and Alex series)

Written by Julia Gousseva

Ten-year-old Alex and his nine-year-old sister are staying with their Aunt Karina while their parents are working in Russia. Karina frequently reads the children Russian folktales. But she does more than read those tales, the children have discovered a fireplace that leads to a magic portal through which they become a part of that story.

One day the children are on the porch when the summer weather suddenly turns stormy. Within a matter of minutes, snowdrops are swirling. Alex, Katie and their Aunt Karina retreat to the warmth of the house. Karina reads them a folktale about a girl named Masha who lives with her wicked stepmother, Darya.  This stepmother ordered Masha to go into the forest and pick snowdrops even though it was still winter. Alex, Katie, and Karina rush into the forest to save Masha and they proceed to have an adventure in which they meet Father Frost and move through all the seasons of the year. The children learn about the seasons and meet the Twelve Months of the Year.

Will the children and their aunt be able to rescue Masha and prevent Darya from abusing her further?

This is a chapter book that combines elements of fantasy with a Russian folktale and a travel adventure. There are no illustrations. I would recommend this book as a good choice for readers in third through fifth grade, but readers of any age who enjoy multicultural folktales will probably enjoy it.

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