IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CAROLE P. ROMAN

This post is sponsored by Carole P. Roman. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Written by Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by Leen Roslan

Ages 4+ | 46 Pages

Publisher: Chelshire | ISBN-13: 9781950080090

Publisher’s Book Summary: Snail and Worm are having a dispute.
It’s causing quite a ruckus in their home.
Many of the other inhabitants of the garden are affected by their fight.
Will they be able to put their differences aside when they learn the garden’s existence is threatened?

What’s a bug to do?

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Barnes and Noble

OFFICIAL LINKS

http://www.caroleproman.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

https://twitter.com/caroleproman?lang=en

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

MRS. SPRING’S GARDEN

Written by Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by Leen Roslan

An earthworm churns away in the garden doing his job. He disturbs the snail, the bees, and the butterflies. Each of the garden creatures wants to get his job done, but they cannot seem to get out of each other’s way. When a monster appears, they scatter until the danger is gone.

Will the garden’s inhabitants learn to work as a team for the benefit of all? Is it possible to overcome individual differences for their mutual benefit?

This adorable picture book speaks volumes about friendship, cooperation, teamwork, and empathy for all kinds of life. Endearing characters and large text create appeal for the youngest audience as well as a beginning reader.

Highly recommended for preschoolers and elementary school age readers. A perfect choice to welcome the Spring season.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of Mrs. Spring’s Garden and a $100 Amazon gift card!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

– A signed copy of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

– A $100 Amazon Gift Card

Nine (9) winners receive:

-A signed copy of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Click on the link below to enter the giveaway:

https://gleam.io/oU1lO/mrs-springs-garden-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, March 20, 2023The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Monday, March 27, 2023The Fairview ReviewA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Tuesday, March 28, 2023The Momma SpotA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Wednesday, March 29, 2023Barbara Ann MojicaA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Thursday, March 30, 2023Confessions of a Book AddictA book giveaway of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Friday, March 31, 2023Cover Lover Book ReviewA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Monday, April 3, 2023Heart to HeartAuthor interview with Carole P. Roman

Tuesday, April 4, 2023My Reading GetawayA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Wednesday, April 5, 2023Crafty Moms ShareA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Thursday, April 6, 2023icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Friday, April 7, 2023J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Tuesday, April 11, 2023Lisa’s ReadingA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Wednesday, April 12, 2023Life Is What It’s CalledA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Thursday, April 13, 2023Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Friday, April 14, 2023Writer with WanderlustA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Monday, April 17, 2023JoanasbookshelfA book review of Mrs. Spring’s Garden

Who’s to Say (Bright Future Book Series)

Written by Deven Telles, Ed.D

Illustrated by Courtney Monday

This short book of affirmations provides inspiration and self-confidence for elementary school and early middle grade readers. Who is to say what I can or cannot be, the answer is only me?

The affirmations cover topics like career aspirations, academic success, athletic prowess, and the Golden Rule. A dozen affirmations interspersed with multicultural illustrations encourage children to “be all they can be.”

A wonderful resource for a child’s home bookshelf, classroom library, or neighborhood library to build empathy, self-esteem, and social-emotional skills. Recommended especially for children ages six through ten.

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Illustrated Would You Rather? : Jokes and Game Book for Children 5-11( Silly Kids and Family Scenarios, 1

Written and Illustrated by Dr. Shh

Book is part of a series. This one features jokes and games for elementary and early middle grade students.

I love interactive choice books because they encourage children to do critical thinking while they make choices. The first part of the book presents crazy scenarios, the second crazy questions. Each section is richly illustrated with black and white images. Readers are urged NOT to look at the answers provided ahead of time. As a bonus, the author includes references for the curious reader who wants to go into any of the topics in greater detail.

An excellent choice for readers age six through twelve as well as the reluctant reader.

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Katt Scallion and the Oracle Bird: Katt’s First Adventure

Written by E. K. Issacs

Illustrated by Taru Haimi

This is the first book in an adventure/mystery series for elementary and middle school readers. Katt is a feline space pirate, accompanied by a sloth named Speedy. Things have been slow in the pirate business lately until he is dispatched to retrieve the egg of an oracle space bird.

Off the readers go on this mystery adventure. Katt meets lots of interesting characters on his quest. The book features lots of dialogue and humor. The characters are interesting and the plot moves along quickly. I would describe the book as a chapter book for advanced elementary school readers or an introductory middle school read. There are a few black and white illustrations that enhance the tale.

Recommended for ages six through twelve who enjoy mystery, adventure, humor, and animal characters.

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Miranda, Queen of Broken Toys

Written an Illustrated by Andrea Tripke

Miranda grew up in an ordinary town, but her temperament was different from most children. While her friends discarded toys that were broken or in which they lost interest, Miranda collected and cherished these toys. Her friends thought her strange. Soon they abandoned her. So Miranda ventured far away, and became the Queen of Broken Toys. She lived a lonely life until one day a boy who had lost a toy came to her castle. An incident changes the lives of both.

The soft pastel illustrations are appealing and appropriate to the mood of the tale. Elementary school readers can learn many lessons from Miranda. I am sure many children will empathize with her.

A charming, quick read for children of all ages. It might inspire a few to take better care of their toys.

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In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Ona Gritz.

ABOUT THE BOOK

August or Forever

Written by Ona Gritz

Ages 9 + | 108 Pages

Publisher: Fitzroy Books | ISBN-13: 9781646033072

Publisher’s Book Summary: Ten-year-old Molly has always loved having a sister, but sisters are supposed to live together, right? Molly certainly thinks so. Unfortunately, her older half-sister Alison lives on a whole other continent. Their video chats are great, and Molly is thrilled when Alison’s hand-written letters arrive in the mail like surprise gifts.

Still, it’s not enough, not compared to what other siblings have. That’s why when Molly finds out that Alison is finally coming to visit over the summer, she devises a plan to get her sister to stay. But then Alison arrives with plans of her own, a fragile heart gets broken, and Molly stumbles upon a painful piece of her sister’s past. Molly has always loved having a sister, but this is the August when she’ll learn what it really means to be one.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop

Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ona Gritz is the author of two previous children’s books, including Tangerines and Tea, My Grandparents and Me, a Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Alphabet Book of the Year and Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine Teacher’s Pick. Her essays and poems have been published widely. Recent honors include two Notable mentions in The Best American Essays, a winning entry in The Poetry Archive Now: Wordview 2020 project, two 2021 Pushcart nominations, and a 2022 Best of the Net nomination.

Learn more about her work at onagritz.com.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

A RELATIONSHIP REDEFINED

August or Forever

Written by Ona Gritz

Ten-year-old Molly is excited that Alison, her older stepsister, will be leaving her home in London to visit upstate New York. Throughout the years Molly has carried on a virtual relationship with her sister, meeting only once years ago. Now Alison has graduated university and Molly devises a plan to ensure her visit becomes permanent.

This tale is narrated in first person by Molly. Perhaps she loves Alison too much. Each of the girls have experienced troubles and losses. Molly needs to learn to recognize her sister’s needs as well as her own.

Gritz develops the characters in detail, using apt dialogue that conveys their emotions. She explores family bonds including complex issues like love and loss. The chapters are short and easy to follow. While the book targets a middle-grade audience, it also strikes a chord among adult readers. A great book for a book club or classroom discussion; the author includes starter questions at the end of the story.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a paperback copy of August or Forever, autographed by Ona Gritz, and a glass heart necklace (like one that figures prominently in the story)!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

A signed, paperback copy of August or Forever

A glass heart necklace

Nine (9) winners receive:

A signed, paperback copy of August or Forever

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

https://gleam.io/bOrBE/august-or-forever-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday, February 1, 2023The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of August or Forever

Thursday, February 2, 2023The Fairview ReviewA book review of August or Forever

Friday, February 3, 2023Writer with WanderlustA book review of August or Forever

Monday, February 6, 2023The Momma SpotA book review of August or Forever

Tuesday, February 7, 2023The Growing Readers PodcastAn author interview with Ona Gritz

Wednesday, February 8, 2023Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogA book review of August or Forever

Thursday, February 9, 2023My Reading GetawayAn author interview with Ona Gritz

Friday, January 10, 2023J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review of August or Forever

Monday, February 13, 2023BookshelfmamaAn Instagram post of August or Forever

Tuesday, February 14, 2023The Children’s Book ReviewA booklist featuring August or Forever

Wednesday, February 15, 2023Cover Lover Book ReviewAn article by author Ona Gritz

Thursday, February 16, 2023Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersAn article by author Ona Gritz

Friday, February 17, 2023icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of August or Forever

Monday, February 20, 2023Life Is What It’s CalledAn author interview with Ona Gritz

The Magical Suitcase (The Decoders Book 1)

Written by Alba Arango

First book in a mystery detective series that targets middle grade readers. It’s a little more than one hundred pages so it might also be considered a beginning or reluctant reader choice.

Three friends, Matt, Steve, and Jenny team up to solve the mystery held within the suitcase purchased for one dollar at an auction. Turns out a poem written by a pirate long deceased holds the key to a hidden treasure. When someone else offers a lot more money for the suitcase, the three amigos are sure they need to follow the clues and resolve to uncover the treasure.

The characters are not complex and the plot not too intricate but readers who like detective and mystery stories probably won’t be disappointed.

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I am honored to participate in the 10th anniversay of an event that I have been involved in since its inception. Here’s to all the readers of the world, big and small, young and old, from all corners of the globe.

DREAMS SHARED IN A BOTTLE

Arletis, Abuelo, and the Message in a Bottle

Written by Lea Aschkenas

Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu

A beautifully written and illustrated children’s book with an inspiring message. Arletis lives on a tiny street in a Cuban village. When she gazes at her location on a map in school, she dreams of the world that stretches beyond her small world. While Arletis is content living with her parents, sister, and grandmother, a tiny voice inside wants to know what lies beyond it.

One day, her parents take her to the seashore. Arletis finds a bottle washed ashore that contains a message in a foreign language. She writes back in her native language and hopes for a response. Thousands of miles away, an elderly tugboat captain answers her message. The rest of the tale is magical. Maybe dreams in a bottle come true.

The author is masterful in creating beautiful language phrases to convey her message. For example, “In summer, the heat got so heavy and thick it rolled down the street in dizzying waves…” Images portray the spirit and emotions of the characters. They literally jump off the pages drawing in the eyes of the reader. Bonus features include a Cuban recipe, glossary of unfamiliar words, and a list of resources to continue learning more. The book will be available in Spanish and English editions. Based on a true story, this multicultural tale will delight children and adults of all ages.

Don’t miss this release in April 2023.

THANK YOU to our wonderful MCBD participants and supporters including Co-Hosts, Medallion and Author Levels Sponsors, book reviewers, book donators, and readers! 

Harley James and the Trouble in Paris

Written by Leah Cupps

Another fun, fast read from the mystery adventure series that features Harley, an almost twelve-year-old cryptologist and official member of The Society for Mysterious Objects. She is the daughter of a famous, archaeologist, Russell James. Harley and her dog, Daisy are accompanying her father on a new job outside of Paris.

An announcement that an object has been stolen from the Louvre sets the plot in motion. Harley joins an educational group of young explorers and meets Veronica, her partner for this adventure. They feel duty-bound to explore the clues and solve the mystery. The setting of underground catacombs provides an eerie background for the middle-grade target audience but this fast-moving adventure will hold the interest of any age reader. Likeable characters, entertaining black and white illustrations, and short chapters appeal to beginning or reluctant readers. Each book of the series stands independently and apart from the rest.

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How to Fight a Cold

Written by Adam T. Newman

Illustrated by Susan G. Young

It’s no fun to have a cold. Children are not the best of patients. In this whimsical tale, the protagonist is a young boy who wakes up with all the symptoms of a bad cold. His mother tucks him back into bed and informs him he will not go to school today.

The little boy does not know how to fight a cold, but he meets Boogie in a dream. Boogie takes him on a journey to meet the worst elements of a cold. He shows the boy how to defeat them.

This book has beautiful illustrations that will have both children and adults amused. The rhyming text and large font are pleasing to the youngest reader. Children learn a lot about colds and how to combat them.

This book is a sequel to How to Catch a Cold and part of a series that will appeal particularly to boys but appropriate for all elementary school age readers.

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