Oh, so close…

In partnership with the Children’s Book Review

About the Book

Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies

Written by Sandrian Nelson-Moon

Illustrated by Bex Sutton

Ages 3-8 | 34 Pages

Publisher: Sandrian Nelson-Moon | ISBN-13: 978-1736512319

Publisher’s Synopsis: Join Itty Bitty Betty in this thrilling story as she tries to sneak a tasty treat without Mommy knowing!

Itty Bitty Betty was small as can be,

About as tall as her mom’s knee.

After a fun day out by the sea,

Itty Bitty wanted cookies for tea!

Buy the Book

A Note From the Author

Wishing you all continued blessings and love. I am a specimen of my experiences. I am a survivor, super mom, entrepreneur, author, and future civil rights attorney. I love sweets, travel and good hugs. I have a background in business and project management and enjoy a fun discussion about our economy. However, as a political child advocate and PTA president for 2 schools I fight for and with families against sexual trauma, personal and civil rights. I enjoy a good book, smiles on faces when I tickle them and the imagination a child’s mind can conjure. I pray my book open eyes, spark life and give you warm feelings. Thank you for visiting me here. Happy reading!

For more information, visit https://nelsonmoonkids.com/, Instagram, and Facebook.

My Review of the Book

Betty is a tiny toddler who barely comes up to an adult’s knee. On the other hand, Betty possesses a big appetite and a tremendous amount of determination.

After spending a day at the sea, Betty comes into the kitchen and spies a jar of her mom’s delicious cookies on a high shelf. She enlists the aid of her cat and finds a ladder to assist her in her mission. Kerplunk! Betty lands on her bottom with a thud. Undeterred, she refuses to give up until she hears, her mother cry “FREEZE”

Betty is an adorable character with whom toddlers and preschoolers will readily empathize. Beautiful multicultural illustrations and expressive rhymes are sure to please the zero to five age audience.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win an Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies prize pack!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A hardcover copy of Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies, autographed by Sandrian Nelson-Moon
• A copy of Itty Bitty Betty & The Cookies: Activity And Coloring Book
• A $25 Amazon gift card
• A set of Limited Edition Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies bookmarks, a keychain, and stickers

Two (2) winners receive:

• A paperback copy of Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies, autographed by Sandrian Nelson-Moon
• A set of Limited Edition Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies bookmarks, a keychain, and stickers

The giveaway begins April 12, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends May 12, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d5cb282217/

Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies Tour Dates

Monday, April 12, 2021 The Children’s Book Review A book review of Itty Bitty Betty and the Cookies

Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Lisa’s Reading An article by the author Sandrian Nelson-Moon

Wednesday, April 14, 2021 The Fairview Review A book review of Itty Bitty Betty and the Cookies

Thursday, April 15, 2021 Library Lady’s Kid Lit An interview with Sandrian Nelson-Moon

Monday, April 19, 2021 Comfy Chair Books A book review of Itty Bitty Betty and the Cookies

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Life Is What It’s Called An interview with Sandrian Nelson-Moon

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog A book review of Itty Bitty Betty and the Cookies

Thursday, April 22, 2021 Over Coffee Conversations A Beyond the Book Activity for Itty Bitty Betty and the Cookies

Friday, April 23, 2021 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers A book review of Itty Bitty Betty and the Cookies

Monday, April 26, 2021 Confessions of a Book Addict A book giveaway of Itty Bitty Betty and the Cookies

Tuesday, April 27, 2021 icefairy’s Treasure Chest A book review of Itty Bitty Betty and the Cookies

The Boy Who Was Left Behind

Written by Gita V. Reddy

Aman is only two years old when his parents depart India for London. He is left in the care of his grandmother. Aman’s parents rarely visit.

Aman is a happy child who is extremely close to his grandmother. When he is eight years old, Aman learns that his parents will be returning to India permanently. Aman experiences conflicting emotions. Then he overhears a phone call that changes his life. A car accident has killed his father and his mother is hospitalized.

Aman’s grandmother goes off to London and leaves Aman in the care of her nephew. She decides not to tell him anything about the accident. She finally returns with Aman’s mother, but she has not made the recovery that Aman desired. The tale traces the boy’s anguish which impacts his health and his studies.

The author does a good job of portraying the characters’ emotions and cultural traditions. I believe the book could help children cope with similar feelings. This book could lead to productive discussions with middle-grade and teen readers.

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Check out all my learning opportunities at http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com

In Partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Harper Collins Publishers

ABOUT THE BOOK

Greystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Written by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Ages 8-12 | 416 Pages

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books | ISBN-13 : 978-0062838438

Publisher’s Synopsis: As book three of the Greystone Secrets series opens, the Greystone kids have their mother back from the evil alternate world, and so does their friend Natalie. But no one believes the danger is past.

Then mysterious coins begin falling from unexpected places. They are inscribed with codes that look just like what the Greystones’ father was working on before he died. And with the right touch, those symbols transform into words: PLEASE LISTEN. And FIND US, SEE US, HELP US. . . .

The coins are messengers, telling the Greystones and their allies that their friends in the alternate world are under attack—and that the cruel, mind-controlling forces are now invading the better world, too.

After another spinning, sliding journey across worlds, the Greystone kids must solve mysteries that have haunted them since the beginning: what happened when the Gustanos were kidnapped, what created the alternate world, and how a group of mismatched kids can triumph once and for all against an evil force that seems to have total control.

PURCHASE LINKS

https://amzn.to/2PrjXmV

https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9780062838438

OFFICIAL LINKS

www.haddixbooks.com

@theshelfstuff

@haddixbooks

About the Author

Margaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm in Ohio. As a kid, she knew two girls who had the exact same first, middle, and last names and shared the same birthday—only one year apart—and she always thought that was bizarre.

As an adult, Haddix worked as a newspaper reporter and copy editor in Indiana before her first book, Running Out of Time, was published. She has since written more than forty books for kids and teens, including the Greystone Secrets series, the Shadow Children series, the Missing series, the Children of Exile series, and lots of stand-alones. Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, where they raised their two kids. You can learn more about her at www.haddixbooks.com.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

DOUBLE TROUBLE

This book is the conclusion of the Greystone Secrets series. While reading the first two books in the series is not necessary, I would recommend readers do so in to get the full impact of the author’s message.

Book Three begins with the return of the Greystone kids’ mother from an alternate evil universe in which their father has been killed. They all remain in danger. The leaders from that evil world are tying to kill them. Then strange coins start falling from everywhere. These coins are inscribed with messages like please listen and find us. They are messages from the alternate world pleading for help from their evil attackers. The Greystone kids, Chess, Finn, and Emma, partner with their doubles, the Gustano children to slide between the two worlds in a frantic effort to save both worlds and them.

Readers will be intrigued by the notion of mismatched doubles who do not match each other physically but share other familiar traits. They need to overcome their fears and weaknesses, combine their strengths, and use their smarts to defeat the overwhelming forces of evil.

This is a fast-moving adventure that will keep the reader from putting the book down. The characters are believable and richly drawn. Young readers can easily identify with their struggles and empathize with their successes and failures.

Highly recommended for ages eight through eighty-eight.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a set of the Greystone Secrets series, including Greystone Secrets 3: The Messengers.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A paperback copy of Greystone Secrets 1: The Strangers
• A paperback copy of Greystone Secrets 2: The Deceivers
• A hardcover copy of Greystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

The giveaway begins April 6, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT, and ends April 22, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

Click on the link below to enter the giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d5cb282213/

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, April 6, 2021The Children’s Book ReviewA book review ofGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Wednesday, April 7, 2021Lisa’s ReadingAn interview withMargaret Peterson Haddix

Thursday, April 8, 2021Over Coffee ConversationsBeyond the Book Activity ForGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Friday, April 9, 2021Life Is What It’s CalledAn interview withMargaret Peterson Haddix

Sunday, April 11, 2021Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogA book review ofGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Monday, April 12, 2021ShootingStarsMagAn interview withMargaret Peterson Haddix

Tuesday, April 13, 2021Library Lady’s Kid LitA book review ofGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Wednesday, April 14, 2021The Fairview ReviewA book review ofGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Thursday, April 15, 2021Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book giveaway ofGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Friday, April 16, 2021J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review ofGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Monday, April 19, 2021Glass of Wine, Glass of MilkA book review ofGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Tuesday, April 20, 2021icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review ofGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

Wednesday, April 21, 2021Tales of a Wanna-Be SuperHero MomBeyond the Book Activity ForGreystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW AND EVA DIETRICH

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mesopo

Written by Eva Dietrich

Illustrated by Ingrid Kallick

Ages 9+ | 338 pages

Publisher: Independently published | ISBN-13: 978-1731518217

Publisher’s Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Ankido is on a quest to save his missing father through the magical realm of Mesopo.

Mesopo is the land where all fantasy originates, a land whose words and language are in peril. Can Ankido save his father and restore all these words in time?

It was a red velvet box, the size of a school book. Ankido lifted the lid, revealing an old-fashioned quill made out of a reed. It smelled remote and otherworldly. Ancient. And for a reason he couldn’t explain, everything felt all right for a moment.

He thought he caught a sound flowing out of the quill, a word maybe. He wasn’t sure and he shook his head. This was ridiculous. No, he surely must have been mistaken. But there! There was the sound again. This time Ankido was sure of it.

“Mesopo” … whispered in a way that slipped around the room like the warm breeze of the desert.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rCz7Ts

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781733367103

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eva Dietrich is the author of The Great Rainbow Hug (Le gros câlin arc-en-ciel, from Samir Editeur, 2011), recognized by La Revue Des Livres Pour Enfants in 2011 as their annual selection. Eva holds Masters’ Degrees in Children’s Literature from the University of Surrey, London, and Creative Writing from the Metropolitan University of Manchester, UK, and is the founder and director of Aladdin Books. She is equal parts Spanish and German, and currently resides in Madrid with her three kids, three dogs, two cats, three rabbits, and lots of hens.

For more information, visit https://www.aladdin-books.com/

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

WORDS ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN SWORDS

Ankido Gulzar is a twelve-year-old boy of British-Iraqi descent. He loves to write so much that his grandmother, Habubti, calls him Word Boy.

One day his grandmother comes to report that Ankido’s father, an archaeologist who has been working in Iraq, is missing. She is going there to search for him. Before she leaves, Habubti, entrusts him with the book she has been working on. She warns him to guard it carefully and never let it get into the hands of his Aunt Geraldine. Habubti also gives him a velvet box with a quill pen that he can use to get in touch with her.

Ankido is left in the care of Geraldine and her husband. They treat him poorly, but Ankido loves his two female cousins dearly. When Geraldine demands Ankido give up his grandmother’s book, Ankido throws it into the fire. His aunt plots to place Ankido in a boarding school but before he arrives there, Ankido finds himself in a magical place called Mesopo.

Mesopo is a gateway to ancient Nineveh. It is a land of words. But these words are in danger of disappearing. Why is Ankido the only one who can save this civilization? What role does his aunt and grandmother play? What can his beloved cousins do to save him?

Dragons, demons, myths, and magic are woven into the plot. Middle-grade readers are treated to well-defined, strong characters who must use their strengths and conquer their weaknesses. A few fantastic illustrations assist the reader to visualize this magical land and its alluring inhabitants. Our words are powerful, and they must be protected.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Mesopo and a feather dip quill pen writing set!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A paperback copy of Mesopo
• A digital copy of Mesopo
• A Feather Dip Quill Pen Writing Ink Set

Two (2) winners receive:

• A choice of:
  • A paperback copy of Mesopo
  • A digital copy of Mesopo

The giveaway begins April 1, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends April 30, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

Click on the link below to enter

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d5cb282216/

TOUR SCHEDULE

Thursday, April 1, 2021The Children’s Book ReviewA book review ofMesopo

Friday, April 2, 2021The Fairview ReviewA book review ofMesopo

Saturday, April 3, 2021Library Lady’s Kid LitA book review ofMesopo

Sunday, April 4, 2021Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogA book review ofMesopo

Tuesday, April 6, 2021Lisa’s ReadingA book review ofMesopo

Wednesday, April 7, 2021A Dream Within a DreamA book review ofMesopo

Thursday, April 8, 2021Crafty Moms ShareA book review ofMesopo

Monday, April 12, 2021Life Is What It’s CalledA book review ofMesopo

Tuesday, April 13, 2021icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review ofMesopo

Thursday, April 15, 2021Book Bug CAA book review ofMesopo

Monday, April 19, 2021J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review ofMesopo

Tuesday, April 20, 2021Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersAn interview withEva Dietrich

Friday, April 26, 2021Tales of a Wanna-Be SuperHero MomA book review ofMesopo

Little Bluebird: A Hero in Me and You

Written by Erin Murphy

Illustrated by Mykyta Harretts

Edited by Nadara Merrill

A very short book for preschoolers. This picture book teaches we may look different on the outside, but our uniqueness is also our strength. Cute illustrations that are multicultural and include disabilities.

Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers.

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Check out learning opportunities for the whole family at http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com

The Boy Who Painted the World: A Middle Grade Novel

Written by Melody J. Bremen

While the subtitle of this book indicates a middle grade novel, this book can be enjoyed by adults as well. It tells the story of Indigo, a ten-year-old boy who is abandoned by his mother. He finds a friend with Jade, an older teen, who tries to take care of him until fate intervenes. They are separated and Indigo is forced to fend for himself. Indigo has a passion for painting. It fuels his desire to survive. He is resilient and resourceful. While Indigo is wary of trusting others, he gradually learns to reach out and experience a connection to others.

Bremen does a marvelous job of painting her characters and developing them for her readers. Each page reveals a different layer. This book is addictive, once opened the reader will have difficulty putting it aside. Readers cannot wait to discover what will happen to Indigo and his newly found friends and enemies.

This is a powerful story about resilience, homelessness, and adoption. These issues are addressed within a moving novel that encourages deep thought and discussion. Highly recommended for readers aged ten and older.

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Check out my learning opportunities for the whole family at http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com

INSPIRE KINDNESS: A Rhyming Read Aloud Book for Kids About Empathy and Kindness

Written and Illustrated by Lily Lopez

Lily feels out of place on her first day at a new school. She doesn’t look like the other students and they seem to ignore her in class, at lunch, and in the playground.

When one girl approaches her to welcome her, Lily is overwhelmed by one simple act of kindness. The author includes 24 tips a young child can use to express kindness and a kindness calendar that can be used as a reminder to express kindness to others.

This is a short multicultural picture book for primary grade readers. Lovely illustrations with short rhymes.

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Check out all my educational resources at http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com

Serena Williams: A Kids Book About Mental Strength and Cultivating a Champion Mindset (Movers and Shakers Book 7)

Written by Mary Nhin

Illustrated by Yuliia Zolotova

This book is the latest release in the Mini Movers and Shakers series. It is a perfect choice for young tennis enthusiasts.

Nhin relates the story of Serena Williams and her family. Serena began playing tennis at about three years old. Her father thought it a way to develop strong physical, mental, and technical skills.

Readers learn how Serena and her sister, Venus, had to overcome discrimination and self-doubt. The positive self-affirmations and constant support of Serena’s family helped to develop the resilience she needed to succeed in all aspects of her life and career.

Simple but well-done illustrations accompany each page of the inspirational story for elementary and middle-grade readers.

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Check our learning opportunities for the whole family at http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com

Idia of the Benin Kingdom (Our Ancestries)

Written by Ekiuawa Aire

Illustrated by Alina Shabelnyk

Idia is the daughter of a warrior in the African village of Benin. One night she has a strange dream. She sees a woman first fighting a vicious battle and later treating the wounded with herbs and medicine.

Idia is a vivacious child who loves to dance and play, but the dream continues to trouble her. What can this mean? Women do not fight as warriors. So, one day she asks her father to teach her about warfare. He informs Idia that this is not the province of girls but promises to answer her questions if she works hard on her dancing. At the same time, Idia asks her mother to teach her about medicine and healing. As Idia continues to mature, she learns both the skills of the warrior and those of the healer.

When it comes time for Idia to marry, the young prince asks for her hand. A native doctor performs a ritual ceremony and Idia falls into slumber. She experiences the same dream which now reveals to her clearly its meaning and what her decision needs to be.

This is a beautiful picture book with an important message for young female readers. It also contains a map and interesting history of the kingdom of Benin. While the book is targeted for readers in the four to eight age range, the text is rather advanced and will appeal to older readers as well.

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Noelle The Best Big Sister

Written by Mikaela Wilson

Illustrated by Pardeep Mehra

Noelle is excited. Today is the day her baby sister is coming home. Noelle has made big plans to share her favorite books and toys, but when she sees her mother holding the baby she feels left out. Soon Noelle figures out ways she can share responsibilities and chores to create a unified loving family

The illustrations are large and cartoonlike with expressive multicultural characters that will appeal to young readers who are about to add a sibling to their family. There is a link to coloring pages to download as a free bonus. This book is a quick read aloud to help parents ease the transition of a new family member to children or a good choice as a gift for these families.

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CHECK OUT ALL MY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT http://www.LITTLEMISSHISTORY.com