GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Kat Kronenberg’s Love Big, signed by Kat Kronenberg, and a school visit from the author valued at $550! Plus, everyone can be a winner by visiting Kat’s website and collecting all of the fun downloads.

This giveaway is part of The Children’s Book Review awareness book tour

One (1) winner receives

• A school visit from Kat Kronenberg*
• A copy of Love Big, signed by Kat Kronenberg
• Kat’s new Light-Up Heart of Stars plush toy
• All of the downloadable activities and extras from Kat Kronenberg’s website

Five (5) winners receive:

• A copy of Love Big, signed by Kat Kronenberg
• Kat’s new Light-Up Heart of Stars plush toy

Giveaway begins June 20, 2019, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends July 20, 2019, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

Giveaway open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 17 and older. Kat Kronenberg is responsible for prize fulfillment. *Date, time, and school for the visit is to be worked out between the winner and author Kat Kronenberg. The school must be within 2 hours driving distance of any major airport and on the mainline. Parent’s at the school must be offered a chance to buy Love Big so that their students have the opportunity to take home an autographed copy with their name in it – thrilling. Kat Kronenberg must be able to set up at least one more school visit in the area. Click here for the giveaway rules.

OFFICIAL LINKS
www.katkronenberg.com: http://www.katkronenberg.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatKronenberg/Twitter:https://twitter.com/KatKronenbergInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kat.kronenberg/
ABOUT THE BOOK
Love Big

Love Big

Written by Kat Kronenberg

Publisher’s Synopsis: The once-thriving, African savanna has turned dry and desolate. Baboon watches animals who are so hungry that they seek only their own interest. Rhinoceros destroys Termite’s castle in his race to find food. Hare chooses not to share food with her family, and Lion steals from his pride. But after Baboon sees Rhinoceros give Hare his snack-on-a-stick, everything changes! Baboon realizes that a transformative power exists between the animals and the stardust that surrounds them once they share smiles and truly believe in themselves and each other. Read on to see if Baboon can save the savanna with this new secret and a very stinky, unlike hero…

Ages 3-10 | Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press | January 8, 2019, | ISBN-13: 978-1626346000 PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon

Barnes and Noble

IndieBound

Jerry the Squirrel: Volume One (Arestana Series)

Written and Illustrated by Shawn P.B. Robinson

This book is the first in a series that features Jerry, a squirrel who loves to invent things. Jerry uses his imagination to problem solve the issues of everyday life that confront him. One day Jerry decides to end the problem of not having his slippers next to his bed when he wakes up to a cold floor each morning. Jerry spends all day and night designing a pair of slippers that will come to him each morning. When Jerry succeeds in the task, he gets more than he bargained for. His slippers take charge and take him on a wild adventure. All the squirrel neighbors watch in fascination. They are eager to sign up for a pair of slippers just like Jerry’s.

The book contains other adventures. One of these deals with Jerry needing to come up with an idea fast when he fails to garner enough nuts for the winter and another chronicles his adventure with the nut beetles. All of them feature the trials and tribulations of Jerry’s career as an inventor who experiences success and failure.

This book might best be described as a series of short stories rather than a chapter book. Because it does not contain illustrations and the stories are short, it is a good choice for reluctant or beginning readers. It encourages creativity and independent solutions to problem-solving. I would recommend it for ages six through fourteen.

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ABOUT THE BOOK

If I Were Human

Written by W.B. Tyler

Publisher’s Synopsis: Brina, a Scottish Terrier, has lots of fun thinking about what she would do if she were a person! But when she shares those ideas with her friends, she begins to realize just how special it is to be a dog. The simplicity of If I Were Human makes it ideal for early readers, but with its imaginative story and entertaining illustrations, adults and children alike will love it. And who knows―you just may discover that you’d rather be a dog!

Ages 5-6 | Publisher: wbtylercom, llc | July 1, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1543972351

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

IndieBound

OFFICIAL LINKS

Wbtyler.com: http://wbtyler.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wb_tyler_books/

MY REVIEW

A DOG’S LIFE

Brina, a Scottish terrier lives with another dog, Winnie, and her human family. One day she is watching Genevieve playing a game when Genevieve remarks that Brina looks almost human. That gets Brina thinking about what it would be like to be a human. She imagines herself going to school, doing homework, playing on the swings and having a snack. Brina asks Winnie what she would do as a human and Winnie imagines a day at the office. As the story continues, a local squirrel and the dog next door imagine their own scenarios as a human.

By the end of the tale, Brina and Winnie decide maybe a dog’s life is not so bad, after all. This picture book contains simple, expressive digital art and simple text that is appropriate for a bedtime story or read aloud. Beginning readers will be able to tack the story independently. Recommended for readers ages three through seven.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of If I Were Human, by W.B. Tyler, and a set of 2 adorable plush toy dogs!

One (1) winner receives:

• An autographed copy of If I Were Human
• An 8″ plush toy Scottie dog
• An 8″ plush toy Westie dog

Nine (9) winners will receive:

• An autographed copy of If I Were Human

Giveaway begins June 24, 2019, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends July 24, 2019, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

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

https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2019/06/if-i-were-human-by-w-b-tyler-awareness-tour.html

W.B. Tyler is responsible for prize fulfillment.

Math on the Table (The Gracie Series)

Written and illustrated by Grace La Joy Henderson

Gracie loves to do math problems. When she finds a blank math worksheet on the table in the living room, she becomes excited. Gracie inquires of her parents where it came from. Both joke that they don’t know the answer. Gracie decides that it must have been placed there for her. She hurries to solve all the problems on the paper and feels elated when she accomplishes the task.

When Gracie’s younger brother discovers the completed worksheet, he becomes distraught. It turns out this was his homework. Gracie feels ashamed. She apologizes to her brother and learns a valuable lesson. This book is part of a series in which Gracie learns life lessons through personal experiences. The series is recommended for ages three through eleven but probably most appropriate for ages seven and older.

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Molly Mouse Visits The Seaside: One small mouse expanding her horizons

Written and illustrated by Melinda Kinsman

This book is the newest addition to the adventures of The Top of the Wardrobe Gang, a group of talented and proficient stuffed animals. In this tale, Molly Mouse receives a letter from her Uncle Lee and cousins to come and visit them in their lighthouse by the sea. Always up for an adventure, Molly makes travel plans. When she encounters difficulties traveling with humans, Molly discovers a travel agency that caters to mice where they can travel in luxury on buses, trains, and ships.

Molly describes her journey. She learns many new facts from her waiter. Finally, she arrives at the lighthouse where she celebrates time with her family by playing on the beach, watching sailing ships race, learning how to fish, and even spotting a whale offshore. Molly is sad to see her vacation end, but she is happy that her Uncle and cousins plan to visit her soon.

The adventure doesn’t end here. There is a bonus section with puzzles, mazes, and games for readers to enjoy. This book will be particularly enjoyed by readers ages three through six but is appropriate and enjoyable for any reader.

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Una Bo: The Magic Tree of Love

Written by Dr. Rebecca Verghese Paul

Illustrated by Ada Konewki

Podero is just a six-year-old boy when he meets Filgard, a wizard, who is passing through the town of Darae. Little Podero has been thinking about the way things were before the war. Podero wishes that he could have something sweet and that his parents would allow him to have a puppy. Filgard asks what he would do with the sweets and Podero says he would share them with his brothers. The wizard rewards Podero by causing a huge tree to grow in the center of town. This tree has the power to grant wishes, but only to those who are pure of heart and do not ask for more than they need.

Pretty soon the villagers gather round and try to rob the tree of its gifts, but they soon learn they will get nothing if they are greedy. Eventually, all learn to partake of the tree with good intentions and moderation. Podero and his best friend, Miyana develop a friendship and trusting relationship with the tree. They name it Una Bo, the tree of love. The tree helps the two friends to achieve their dreams of becoming a baker and a carpenter. Their life if happy until war threatens the town once more. Will the tree be able to save the villagers of Darae?

This chapter book tells a heartwarming story filled with lessons about bullying, generosity, greed, and coming of age. The characters are interesting and relatable. A few color illustrations enhance the tale. That adds to the appeal for beginning and reluctant readers. Highly recommended for middle-grade readers.

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How He Comes Out of the Sun

Written by Carlyle Clark

This is a tale focusing on The Nobodies, a team of African-American B-17 flyers who were not supposed to exist. The story opens in the middle of the action, a crew is battling the enemy when a split-decision needs to be made. The language is a bit raw, laced with dialect. Readers need to pay close attention to grasp the meaning.

While I enjoyed the short read and thought the characters well developed for the length of the tale, I would have preferred to see the author embellish the story a bit more. If you enjoy wartime stories, you will be engrossed with this one that has an ending with a twist.

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Louis Joseph’s OOO-RAH

Written by Jennie E. Nicossio

Illustrated by Dorothy Ransil

Louis-Joseph is an adorable bear cub who has an insatiable curiosity and a desire to serve in the marines just like his dad. He has a best friend named Dusty who is a cat with a warble eye. Louis is kind and generous, he never bullies or makes fun of his friend. When Louis overhears one of his mother’s navy friends suggest that Louis practice for being a marine by digging a foxhole in the yard and living in it for a week., Louis and Dusty decide to take it one step farther and build a foxhole in the forest. Their parents are in a frenzy. All the military forces are called out to search for them. Dusty and Louis learn a valuable lesson to place their schooling first and always tell their parents where they are going to be.

This is a cute and easy to read beginning chapter book that is especially appropriate for ages six through eight, but younger children will also enjoy the story that contains a few beautiful illustrations accompanying the text.

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Not for me, Please! I choose to act green

Written by Marie Godsey

Illustrated by Christoph J. Kellner

What a clever way to explain the concept of recycling to young children. Godsey uses a young boy presented in the guise of a superhero. At first, Luke is like most children who pay no attention to conserving the earth’s resources. When Luke notices trash all around him, he decides that he will become a part of the solution rather than the problem.

Luke shows his readers how to follow the three R’s: reduce, recycle and reuse. He discusses the problems of trash in the ocean, in our homes and in our schools. He talks about energy conservation tactics a child can practice like turning off faucets, being mindful of unnecessary electricity, and avoiding one-use plastics and paper. While the text is written in rhyme in simple language, the author includes teaching and discussion points at the bottom of each page. At the end of the book, a reflections page summarizes the content in the book and facilitates group discussion. This book is particularly targeted at the elementary school age child, but it is a richly illustrated and pleasing choice for a reader of any age.

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Written by Jenn Holt

Illustrated by Harry Aveira

Publisher’s Synopsis: Coach Jenn takes Alice and Izzy on the golf course to show them the value of positive self-talk,  a positive attitude, and to never give up, no matter how hard it gets. The story is told with some cute illustrations and is great for all sports kids.

Ages 0-7 | Publisher: Outskirts Press | October 29, 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-1977201263

My Review:

The author is an LPGA golf instructor. She has written this book to help children understand the game of golf and to encourage them to have a positive attitude when playing sports.

Izzy and Alice are two friends who enjoy playing golf. On this beautiful day, they are with their coach, Jenn, at the golf course. Izzy is doing well, but Alice is having difficulty with her shots. Alice is embarrassed and disappointed with her game. Jenn encourages Alice to think positive thoughts. Izzy, on the other hand, takes her hits and misses in stride. I like the way Alice struggles to succeed and learns not to give up. Izzy is a good friend who tries to support her. Children learn about the game of golf and the value of persistence and practice. Many children give up too easily when they do not immediately succeed in a sport.

The illustrations remind me of bobblehead figures. There are lots of animals popping up all over the golf course. I would have liked to have seen a glossary with some golf vocabulary to help readers who have never played golf understand the game better.

Recommended particularly for readers ages six through ten.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily agreed to read and review for the Children’s Book Review and author Jenn Holt with my honest opinions for this blog tour.

                                           GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Jenn Holt’s Two Little Golfers Being Positive and one dozen pink golf balls and pink tees!

One (1) winner receives:

• An autographed copy of Two  Little Golfers Being Positive

• A set of one dozen pink golf balls and pink tees

Two (2) winners will receive:

• An autographed copy of Two  Little Golfers Being Positive

Giveaway begins June 10, 2019, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends July 10, 2019, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

Giveaway open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 17 and older.