The Adventures of Pookie Presents: Mission Fat Hearts

Written and illustrated by Rebecca Yee

Playful pups Pookie and his new sibling Thor are sleeping comfortably in the living room. Kisa, a Christmas Elf, secretly leaves a note on their beds. It tells them to go to the Christmas tree. Kisa surprises them by jumping out. She urges them to go on a secret mission. Santa’s mission is for them to perform an act of kindness on each day of December until Christmas. Their reward will be to see smiles on those who receive their gifts. Pookie and Thor accept their secret mission with enthusiasm. Readers are urged to become co-conspirators and perform the same deeds.

This picture book spreads the true message of Christmas. Children are taught to give joy and happiness to others. Examples of deeds include giving hugs and giving thanks, donations, crafts, caroling, and visiting those who can’t leave home. The book could easily become a new tradition that families could share together.  The secret mission might also be carried out by classrooms and community organizations. My only suggestion to improve the book would be to include illustrations with the tasks. The illustrations disappear as the pages of the book unfold. A bit more color would sustain more interest with the youngest readers.

The Christmas season may have passed for this year, but this book is also a good way to spread the message of love for Valentine’s Day.

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The Queen Who Banished Bugs, A Tale of Bees, Butterflies, Ants, and Other Pollinators

Written by Ferris Kelly Robinson

Illustrated by Mary Ferris Kelly

King Claude and Queen Libertine rule the kingdom of Dunce. The queen is overbearing and obstinate. King Claude spends his days trying to appease her. One day a bee lands on her heel. The queen immediately kills it. That does not appease her anger. Queen Libertine banishes every insect in the kingdom. That effectively destroys the food chain. Pollination ceases and crops die. The animals in the kingdom have no food.

The king becomes desperate. He decides to defy the queen. Claude plants a tiny seed that grows into milkweed. Other types of flowers follow. Pollinators return to the kingdom. The king tutors his queen on the importance of pollinators to ensure the food supply of their kingdom.

The author provides an explanation of how pollination works at the end of the tale. Robinson adds a link to resources for learning more about the subject.

This story is written in rhyme. The illustrator provides line drawings with color interspersed throughout the story. I would consider this book more of an early chapter book than a picture book. While it could be a read-aloud for younger children, it will appeal more to readers in the five to eight age range or as a beginning reader.

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Sponsored by The Children’s Book Review and Carmen Gloria.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Moon Show

Written and Illustrated by Carmen Gloria

Publisher’s Synopsis: This is the very first children’s book that teaches kids about the moons to other planets in our solar system! Take a tour of our solar system with The Moon and meet his other moon friends on THE MOON SHOW. It also includes fun and positive messages for kids! Did you know that there are many other moons in our solar system besides our Moon? Perfect book for budding astronomy and space lovers! The first book in this Kid Astronomy series, Thank You Mercury!, is in the Best New Space Books 2019 list by Books Authority!

Ages 4+ | Uncommon Grammar | November 26, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1950767076

Available on Amazon https://amzn.to/2YlkKGq

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Carmen Gloria was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, now a veteran, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and International Politics from George Mason University. She was born in The Bronx, New York and moved to Puerto Rico at the age of ten. She is a member of SCBWI and is a writer, artist, award-winning actress, (experimental) short film writer/director, and even co-wrote two songs in the Billboard Dance and UK Pop charts (Emergency & Overload, as Carmen Perez). After moving to Norway in 2017, she decided to focus on creating art and writing/illustrating children’s books. She started with the Kid Astronomy Series, inspired by her love of space, and her mission to motivate kids to learn and empower them. The first book “Thank You, Mercury” made the Best New Space Books 2019 list by Book Authority.

OFFICIAL LINKS

www.carmengloriaperez.net | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

TOUR SCHEDULE

The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	January 8
A Dream Within A Dream	http://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com	January 8
Word Spelunking	http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/	January 8
Younger Family Fun	https://youngerfamilyfun.com	January 8
Tales of A Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom	http://wannabesuperheromom.blogspot.com/	January 8
Fairview Elementary School (Library)	https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/	January 8
Over Coffee Conversations	https://www.gmarciano.blogspot.com	January 9
Rosco’s Reading Room	authorshanagorian.com	January 13
icefairy’s Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/	January 14
Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog	https://bamauthor.me	January 15
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com	January 16

#Giveaway for The Moon Show

Enter for a chance to win Carmen Gloria’s The Moon Show!

Click on the link below:

Win a Copy of The Moon Show by Carmen Gloria

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A hardcover copy of The Moon Show
• A Great Exploration 3-D Solar System set. Includes over 200 glow-in-the-dark planets and stars to hang from your ceiling

Two (2) winners receive:

• A paperback copy of The Moon Show

Giveaway begins January 8, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends February 8, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are eighteen years of age or older in their state or territory of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.

Carmen Gloria  is responsible for prize fulfillment.

Days of Miracle and Wonder: 25 of the Most Incredible Sporting Victories

Written by Dave Tomlinson

The author covers virtually every sport. Tomlinson explores stories of athletes who “choked” when at the brink of victory and others who succeeded in pulling themselves or their team out of the depths against improbable odds.

There have been many near victories in every sport. Jordan Spieth’s last-minute mishap in 2016 in Augusta or the Boston Bruin’s inability to pull off a win against Philadelphia in the final game of the NHL playoffs. On the other hand, some teams have been able to physically and emotionally overcome huge obstacles like the Buffalo Bills come back from a 21-0 score to defeat the New England Patriots football team in a 2011 Wild Card game. In tennis, the 1984 French Open was thought to be a no-brainer for John McEnroe who had won 39 straight matches. Ivan Lendl decided this would be his year. After two straight losses, McEnroe appeared to be on the path to victory. Then McEnroe let his temper get the best of him. That proved to be just enough to tip the balance. McEnroe’s concentration and physical game deteriorated, allowing Lendl to take control and eventually win the match.

Sports fans enjoy the physical game, but also appreciate the mental and emotional talents of the players. This book explores the motivations and personalities behind the sports. I recommend the book for sports aficionados from age eight to eighty-eight.

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Kai and His Magical Bobo (Kai Panducorn Book 2)

Written by Kathy V. Tran

Illustrated by Aiki Tran

Kai comes from a magical family. His father is a panda from a warrior family focusing on strength and bravery. Kai’s mother is a unicorn from a family entrusted with maintaining peace and balance. Today he is excited and nervous. Five-year-old Kai will begin school.

Kai stuffs Bobo, his blanket into his backpack. Bobo gives him courage and the strength to be a brave adventurer. Mrs. Kathy introduces him to the other children. When a handicapped fox walks into the room and falls, Kai does not join in the laughter of the other children. He decides to cheer him up. Kai will soon learn that the children have fears like his own. What does Kai find out about himself? Can Kai translate what he learns to the wider community in which he lives?

The illustrations remind me of Manga-style cartoons. The text is a combination of dialogue and character thoughts. I would recommend this book to parents of children beginning nursery school or kindergarten. Children a little bit older can use the discussion questions at the end to explore mindfulness concepts and read the text independently.

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Rad Girl Revolution: The Children’s Book for Little Girls with Big Dreams

Written by Sharita Manickam

Photo Illustrations by Jennifer Elliot Bruno

RAD stands for Rise Above Doubt. This book empowers young girls to aspire to whatever they wish to be. The photographs of girls that range from preschool to preteen ages portray global multicultural images. They include children with disabilities. The message is loud and clear. Career goals should not be inhibited by gender, race or ethnicity.

Images scan girls succeeding in sports, entertainment, archaeology, medicine, law enforcement, civil service, farming, politics, and the arts. No page contains more than four lines of rhyming text which make the book an easy read. This picture book works as a bedtime story, read-aloud, or classroom discussion book.

Having a couple of the girls raise their fist at the beginning of the book is the only part I felt not completely in sync with the message. Recommended for preschoolers through middle-school age readers.

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Where Does an Elf Go on Vacation?

Written by Kim Ann

Illustrated by Nejla Shojaie

This cute picture book asks readers a simple question. If you were an elf, where would you go on vacation? The young reader is introduced to many possibilities. Would an elf go skiing, to the beach, on a cruise, or perhaps on a safari?

Two lines of text for each picture spread help to keep the storyline simple. An adult reading the book to a young child can easily make this book an interactive discussion. The illustrations are bright and attractive. Recommended especially for preschool and kindergarten children.

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