A sweet picture book that will charm readers, especially toddlers and preschoolers.
Clover is a cute little mouse who misses her friend who hibernate for the winter. Readers will enjoy spending time with Clover as she navigates her day with cozy illustrations depicting winter scenes.
They will enjoy seeing that the life of a country mouse in Winterberry Grove is similar to their own. The author cleverly sneaks in lessons of responsibility as Clover dutifully completes her chores.
Beautiful, soft illustrations please the eye as the tale unfolds.
Recommended for all ages, but especially younger readers.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO GET NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Publisher’s Book Summary: This is the story of Webster the beagle and his adventures at the Rappahannock River, whose tale of hope will inspire you to never give up on your dreams. Sometimes, we think we’re lost when, really, we’re just hoping to be found.
Frank Payne’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious, so dog breeds such as beagles and Labradors are a perfect fit for him. He is an avid hunter, tennis player, and fan of all things James Madison University. Frank is also active in his community and enjoys exploring new ventures—from owning racehorses to oyster farming.
Frank is vice president and a minority owner of PD Brooks Company Inc., a traffic control company in Richmond, Virginia. He lives in Richmond with his wife, Caren, and their two dogs: Billy, the beagle, and River, the black Labrador retriever. On July 1, 2022, Frank adopted Billy the beagle from Richmond Animal Care Control (RACC). Billy was one of over four thousand beagles rescued from Envigo and adopted across the country. RACC was instrumental in protecting and fostering many of the beagles in Virginia.
Webster the Beagle and His Adventures at the River
Written by Frank Payne
Illustrated by Romney Vasquez
This picture book adventure features a beagle named Webster who narrates his adventures from season to season along the Rappahannock River in Virginia.
Webster is a lovable beagle who especially enjoys meeting the creatures who inhabit the river. In the spring, he meets the ospreys who return to make their nests and raise their young. Summer finds him accompanying his master to go crabbing. In the fall, they harvest oysters from the river. Winter finds them bundling up to fish for rockfish. When not cruising down the river, Webster enjoys life at home with his friendly neighbors and his brother and family member, River, a black labrador retriever.
The illustrator presents vivid multicultural images that portray the emotions and mood of the tale. Payne introduces the young reader to a plethora of information about each of the creatures that inhabit the river. This book is a good jumping off point to encourage a child to explore them in greater detail. Also, the author donates part of his sales from the book to charity, which provides a good example to his primary grade reading audience.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a free signed copy of Webster the Beagle and Webster the Beagle and His Adventures at the River.
A lovely picture book with illustrations done in soft pastel colors that have a timely, vintage appeal.
This book will especially appeal to toddlers and preschoolers who have a favorite stuffed toy or imaginary friend. Ella is a little girl who has a stuffed bunny named Lola. They go everywhere together. One day a picnic is planned so Ella, Lola, and mom go to the market to gather their supplies. Now Lola is a bit too adventurous and often gets carried away. Ella and her mother are distressed when Lola disappears. Will they find her? Will the picnic be cancelled?
This beautiful picture book is a good choice for a read aloud or bedtime story.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO GET NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
An illustrated chapter book that delivers an important message for tweens and teens. You cannot judge a book by its cover.
Sahana and her sister, Surabhi, have just moved to a new town in India. They eagerly anticipate the first day in a new school. Sahana will enter seventh grade and Surabhi, the third grade.
The sisters share much in common, but there is one significant difference. Sahana has a dark complexion. When the sisters learn about an interclass dance competition, both want to participate. Despite the fact the sisters both excel in dancing, Sahana is denied a spot in the competition; she hears the snickering and understands why she has been excluded.
Sahana’s mother explains that much in life is unfair, and sometimes one needs to find a different path to success. It turns out Surabhi gives Sahana an opportunity to prove herself and to teach her classmates an important lesson.
Highly recommended for preteens and teens who face similar issues and difficulties in social situations.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO RECEIVE NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Jake and the Gingerbread Wars ( A Gryphon Chronicles Christmas Novella)
Written by E. G. Foley
This book is part of a series. It is intended to be a stand alone read, but it would help to have some background before reading it.
Jake and his cousins are no strangers to adventure, mystery, and time travel. In this Christmas novella, they set off to find Humbug, a renegade Christmas elf who is intent on spoiling Christmas. They chase him to the North Pole. Along the way, they teach readers about myths, Santa, and even incorporate the Nativity story and bits of Shakespeare.
Middle grade and older readers enjoy a feel good nostalgic read focusing on the Christmas season. A clean read appropriate for ages ten and older.
This middle-grade book will be especially enjoyed by preteen girls. Lilah is a twelve-year-old seventh grader who faces a myriad of challenges.
In the opening scene, Lilah is at her mother’s wedding when she is stuck by lightning. Fortunately, she is not seriously hurt and makes a quick recovery. Unfortunately, there is one lasting result. She now has acquired the qualities of a medium and hears dead voices. Lilah encounters them at home and in school. She cannot seem to get rid of them.
How much can a twelve-year-old handle? Lilah really wants to go to the school dance with Andrew, her crush, but she keeps hearing his dead father’s voice. Lilah’s own father doesn’t want to take her advice. An eighth-grade girl is bullying her. Lilah somehow copes with all of these problems with a sense of humor.
Middle-school readers of divorced families, victims of bullies, those adjusting to fitting in with peers and family relationship difficulties will empathize with Lilah and her struggles.
Highly recommended for the middle school audience.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
First book in a series for beginning and middle school students. Evie’s mom has a new job, and Evie is sent away from home for the summer. It doesn’t take long for Evie and her newfound friends to get into trouble. As punishment, her mother enrolls Evie as a volunteer in a local animal shelter where she meets an abused dog.
Evie learns the value of hard work and giving back to the community. As a backstory, young readers are introduced to the concept of PTSD and the difficulties military families must face. These are explained in an age-appropriate way.
I would recommend the book to readers in the seven to twelve age range. It would make an excellent choice as a classroom discussion read aloud book.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
The conclusion to the Hockey Wars series in Book 15 does not disappoint. I feel as if I have been on the journey from childhood through middle school with this group of coed hockey friends.
The members of the boys’ and girls’ hockey team have shared emotional difficulties as well as physical struggles in their quest for success. Readers have laughed and cried with them along the way.
These characters are genuine. They have the kinds of strengths and weaknesses that the middle-grade target audience face within their daily lives. Certainly, it is not difficult to empathize with them as friends and competitors.
The length of these books makes them appealing to reluctant readers, while illustrations add to the charm. I must say I am sad to see the series end. A sequel following them in high school?
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
This book is set around the topic of the burning of the library in Alexandria at the time of Cleopatra’s rule. Most historians consider the fire an accident with Caesar setting the fire to prevent the Romans from capturing him. The famous library built by Alexander the Great becoming an unfortunate victim.
Heron of Alexandria was indeed a great inventor though he was probably a biological male. The protagonist in this novel is a young girl who has assumed the identity of her brother. As Heron, she receives a coin to investigate the arson crime.
The story is really about the life of this young girl, her inventions, and her struggle to survive and escape slavery The story moves along well, but some of the sentences are disjointed and the language confusing.
This is the first book in a series. Hard to tell exactly where it will go from here. Appropriate for young adult and adult audiences.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
A fantasy/magic novel featuring wizards and magic, coming of age, and very smart kids.
The characters are likeable enough, and the action moves along. When Kase first arrives at the school, he knows he will immediately be in competition to prove himself with his sister, Cali, who is already a student there.
At the Academy, the students are organized into teams of four which must travel on a Quest to collect magical items, and deal with mythical creatures who will put them to the test. Each must face danger while continuing on a journey of self-growth and learning to work with others. Some of these contestants may prove to be enemies.
Lots of action, interesting characters, and dialogue that will please the middle-grade and young adult audience, particularly fantasy and wizardry fans.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
August 18, 2024
bamauthor
Comments Off on CURL UP WITH CLOVER
Barbara Ann Mojica's BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.