Posts from the ‘multicultural’ Category

BILINGUAL WEATHER REPORT

Around the World: Bilingual Weather Wonders

Written and Illustrated by Anna Blankenship

This picture book presents a bilingual overview of weather and seasons in Spanish and English for young readers. The publisher targets the audience as preschoolers but there are parts of the book that contain a lot of text on one page that might be difficult for a child that young to digest.

There are several things that I like about the book. On the pages where English and Spanish are placed side by side, it is easy to translate from one language to the other. Many pages contain pictures to explain the text within the sentence. Illustrations are AI generated but they do correlate well with the text. The author covers different types of weather common in various parts of the world. There is an interactive component which encourages readers to search and find for certain images which keeps the child engaged in the story.

I do believe the book is a valuable tool for bilingual Spanish/English children and especially for ESL students. However, I feel it most effective for children in elementary grades.

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COMPETITION CRASHES CONTEST

Cassie Pup Takes the Cake?? Cassie Pup Books

Written by Sheri Poe-Pape

Illustrated by Dasguptarts

A wonderful early chapter book that contains beautiful colorful and expressive illustrations. This book centers about a baking competition.

Cassie, a pup, and Cordelia, a cat both work as apprentices at Bindi’s Bakery. Bindi provides them both with aprons and chef’s hats. As they begin baking, Cassie and Cordelia allow their competitive spirit to create a disaster in the kitchen.

The adorable cat and pup need to learn that teamwork and friendship would be better choices in achieving their goals. Elementary school readers will enjoy reading the lovely, multicultural book with its crisp, colorful language and amusing illustrations.

Highly recommended for ages three through eight.

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Dinosaurs Make New Friends

The Day I Had A Dinosaur

Written by Ashley Wall

Illustrated by Vaughn Duck

A fun picture book to delight young dinosaur fans.

Luke is playing in his backyard when dinosaurs suddenly appear. He and his friends spend the day playing with several different types of dinosaurs giving young readers a lesson about them. The children go to the playground, play catch, play hide and seek, and share dinner with their new friends.

The children encounter some difficulties playing with their unique new friends. They must learn teamwork and cooperation to accommodate their dinosaur friends’ needs. The book teaches these lessons as well as empathy and the value of friendship.

Preschoolers may find the book a bit difficult but the illustrations fill in the gaps. Probably better suited to kindergarten and primary grades.

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Tiki Time: It’s My Turn – virtual blog tour and giveaway

This post is sponsored by Creator JJ. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tiki Time: It’s My Turn

Written by Creator JJ

Illustrated by: Humouring the Fates Animation Studio

Ages 6-8 | 38 Pages

Publisher: Tiki Toons Publishing LLC | ISBN-13: 9798218341381

Publisher’s Book Summary: Tiki is an honest, fun, and adventurous boy full of integrity. Lately, his behavior has been too rambunctious and he needs guidance. He meets a magical spirit who gives him the guidance he is looking for and much more. The spirit grants him magical powers and sends him on a quest to save the village of TikiTown from the evil King Lauia. Come join Tiki and his friends as they go on a magical time-traveling journey to save TikiTown. Tiki and his friends must find King Lauia, take back the sacred magical Toku Mask, and return the mask to Tiki Town to unfreeze the town. If Tiki doesn’t succeed, TikiTown will remain frozen forever…

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Barnes and Noble

Tiki Toons Publishing

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

Creator JJ and Fates are the creative duo bringing you this fun and magical adventure.

Fates has been making cartoons for over 30 years, bringing stories to life through drawing and imagining. Fates wants the world to draw and dream just a little more every day.

Creator JJ is the creative writer who dreamed up the storylines and characters in their stories. By using their imagination, he believes that everyone can create characters, worlds and stories of your own.

Together, the goal is to use their creative talents to create fun stories and ignite the hearts and minds of young children for both educational and self-development purposes.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

Tiki Time: It’s My Turn

Written and illustrated by Creator JJ and Fates

This book is the first in a series. Tiki lives in a faraway magical, jungle village. He considers himself a noble warrior, but lately he has been acting strangely. His sister, Tari, advises him to take a long walk to clear his head and so begins the adventure.

On the journey, Tiki meets Fetu, a spirit who grants him superpowers of speed, strength, and time travel. There is a catch. Tiki must use them to defeat an evil sorcerer who wants to plunge his village into a dark, frozen wasteland.

Tiki amazes his friends with his new powers and recruits them in his quest. Will they be successful in saving the town and restoring Tiki’s reputation as a noble warrior?

I like the messages of bravery, courage, friendship, and teamwork presented to young readers. This book contains large, vivid, cartoon-style images in and 8 and ½ by 11-inch book with large print. However, the book must be turned and opened from the top to read it. I would have preferred the book to be spiral bound so that a reader might place it on the lap to open and read easily.

Fans of time travel, superheroes, and comic books will especially enjoy the tale targeted for ages six through eight.

GIVEAWAY

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed copy of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn and a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/Lxs1a/tiki-time-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Saturday, August 24, 2024The Children’s Book ReviewBook Review of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Monday, August 26, 2024Deliciously SavvyBook Review of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Tuesday, August 27, 2024@ABlueBoxFullOfBooksInstagram and TikTok Post About Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Wednesday, August 28, 2024Cover Lover Book ReviewBook Review of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Thursday, August 29, 2024Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogBook Review of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Friday, August 30 2024It’s Free At LastBook Review of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Friday, September 6, 2024icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Monday, September 9, 2024The Children’s Book ReviewInstagram Feature of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Thursday, September 12, 2024My Reading GetawayBook Review of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Friday, September 13, 2024Twirling Book PrincessBook Spotlight of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Monday, September 23, 2024Country Mamas With KidsBook Review of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Tuesday, September 24, 2024Confessions of a Book AddictBook Spotlight of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Wednesday, September 25, 2024Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersGuest Post about Tiki Time: It’s My Turn

BEAUTY IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER

We Loved You Before You Were Born

Written and Illustrated by Agata May’kowska

A beautifully crafted, multicultural picture book with a message of unconditional love for a child.

The author and illustrator have put together this message that expresses the unconditional love of a parent for a child who is also a child of God. This book also illustrates the life cycle and contains quotes from the Bible. As such, it conveys the message from a Christian viewpoint.

This book is a beautiful gift for a prospective parent or the perfect read aloud for a family expecting a new member. Recommended for readers from toddler to elementary school age.

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EVENING LULLABY

Good Evening, Good Evening: Mindfulness and Affirmations for Babies and Kids.

Written by Kaarjal Agnani

Illustrated by Ekta Makhijani

This is a sweet rhyming picture book for toddlers and preschoolers. It contains short affirmations connected to evening that will calm them down and prepare them for bed, while reminding them of the many beautiful images associated with winding down at the end of the day.

Recommended for children ages two through five to be read aloud as a bedtime lullaby.

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A STORY THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD

Unfair and Lovely (U.S. Edition

Written by Mallika Thoppay

Illustrated by Kavitha Amarnath

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.

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A TIMELESS CHRISTMAS STORY

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.

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LEARNING LIFE LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE

Evie and the Volunteers: Book 1: Animal Shelter

Written by Marcy Blesy

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.

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ALL GROWN UP

Hockey Wars 15: Graduation

Written by Sam Lawrence and Ben Jackson

Illustrated by Tanya Zeinalova

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?

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