This book is part of a mystery adventure series written mostly for middle-grade students.
Harley is the daughter of an archaeologist and shares his passion for discovering mystery and adventure. When she arrives in Jamaica to investigate a pirate’s sunken treasure, Harley is confident of success. Things don’ turn out so well. Harley learns to expect the unexpected at every turn; the friends she trusts appear to turn on her. A ghost stalks her every move.
Harley needs to move quickly to solve the mystery and save the city from impending disaster.
The characters are strong and well-defined. There are enough twists to keep the plot interesting. Its short length of fewer than 150 pages lends appeal to the reluctant reader.
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Mind Swapping Madness: Bonkers Short Stories Book 1
Written by Tom Moffatt
Illustrated by Paul Beavis
This book is a perfect choice for the reluctant reader. A good variety of stories on crazy topics that are sprinkled with lots of humor. For example, a boy trapped in the body of a fly, aliens who can’t wait to kidnap children, and toads waiting to be kissed by a human. Moffat twists traditional stories and invents new ones that will delight new readers. The length of the stories varies, and some can be read in five minutes. I am not a fan of children’s books with potty humor, this book contains none.
Recommended as a chapter book for new readers and those children who ordinarily will not pick up a book without coaxing.
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The T-Rex twins are adorable characters. The book describes the wonderful adventures they experience together.
They do have a big problem. The twins have exceptionally long arms that make them an object of ridicule. No one wants to befriend them until outsiders realize the value of their physical differences.
Readers learn that it is okay to be different and that each individual has value. Fun and vibrant illustrations combined with well-written text that pops off the page. This book can serve as a bedtime story or a classroom discussion book. I highly recommend it for children up to age eight.
A little boy is afraid of thunder. He decides he must put his foot down and conquer this fear. He ventures off on a trip to the sky with helium balloons. Once there he meets all kinds of fascinating scenarios like a pirate ship and a family of dinosaurs who are eating their delicious pie.
Bonus extras include a yummy recipe for Berry Crumb pie. Children will lose their anxiety about thunder and enjoy a delightful rhyming picture book filled with imaginative pictures and verse. I particularly like the color enhancement of key vocabulary words and the font that is friendly for dyslexic readers.
Recommended for parents and teachers of children ages three through eight.
Looking for more learning opportunities for the family.
A fun rhyming picture book that is sure to become a Christmas classic. A new Head Elf at the North Pole rules like a despot. He forbids the elves to play, sets up authoritarian rules like the reindeer must fly only in straight lines and no singing, talking, or laughing. A little elf named Eve decides she must find the Christmas spirit that is missing. Will Eve succeed in restoring the joy of the holiday season? How does Santa Claus react?
The book is written with four lines of verse on each page, accompanied by huge, expressive, and colorful illustrations. A perfect book for teachers and parents to share with their children as a read-aloud or bedtime story. Highly recommended for all ages to get into the true Christmas spirit.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Merry Christmas, Eve!
(3) Three winners receive:
A copy of Merry Christmas, Eve!
The giveaway ends December 16, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
Publisher: Blossom Children’s Media Group | ISBN-13: 9780997782714
Publisher’s Synopsis: Meet Bibli, a brave little library bookshelf in search of a story about someone like him . . .
Once upon a time, in a library like any other, there lived a little bookshelf named Bibli who carried a BIG question on his shelves: “Could there be a story somewhere about a bookshelf like me?” Bibli is told that bookshelves are supposed to hold stories, not have ones of their own. But everything changes when he meets Cassie, a girl longing for a friend just as much as Bibli longs for a story to relate to. Bibli learns that with kindness, confidence, empathy, and friendship, even your biggest dreams can come true—and that everyone has an important story worth sharing.
The Friendly Bookshelf is a social-emotional learning (SEL) research-based book and the first-ever picture book about a bookshelf. Written to build self-confidence and self-esteem as well as encourage inclusivity, Bibli’s story empowers children to be brave, be a friend, and always be your-shelf! Readers will be inspired to go beyond the final page of the book and share their own stories, as well as be the pioneers of a kinder, more inclusive world where everybody (and every bookshelf!) belongs.
Caroline and Katherine Brickley are twin sisters and the award-winning authors of The Blossom Shoppe and The Friendly Bookshelf. Inspired by their mother, who made up stories for them each night, the sisters spent their childhood coming up with stories of their own and bringing them to life. As they grew, so did their passion for storytelling, and in 2017 the sisters made it their full-time job by founding Blossom Children’s Media Group (Blossom) from their shared college dorm room.
Now a multi-award-winning company known for excellence in children’s literature and family content, Blossom continues to bring children, families, and educators from around the world together through wholesome stories and inclusive community experiences. In their free time, Caroline and Katherine love to swim, travel, and spend time with friends and family, including their goldendoodle, Sugar, who served as the inspiration for the library dog featured in The Friendly Bookshelf.
Bibli is a proud bookshelf, the very first in his library. As time goes by, the library expands and adds more bookshelves. Soon Bibli finds himself in a back corner. His only visitor is Ms. Grammar who stops by each day to choose a read-aloud book for her visitors.
Bibli is sad. He wonders if anyone has ever authored a book about a bookshelf. The other bookshelves laugh at him. They tell him their only job is to hold books not to tell a story. One day a little girl named Cassie comes to sit nearby. They soon become friends. When Bibli confides his secret wish to her, Cassie produces a shocking surprise.
This beautifully illustrated picture book teaches young readers about self-esteem, self-confidence, and empathy for others. While the text and vocabulary are simple enough for young children, its message resonates with any age group. Highly recommended.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Friendly Bookshelf!
(7) Seven winners receive:
A copy of The Friendly Bookshelf
A copy of The Friendly Bookshelf donated to a library of your choice
The giveaway ends December 16, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
Danny has a birthday coming up. When his mom asks for gift suggestions, Danny asks for a dog. That is the last thing his mom wanted to hear. She objects and argues dogs are messy, need to be walked and trained, and need constant supervision.
Danny continues to plead until his mother reluctantly gives in. When they arrive at the animal shelter, mom shies away. Will Danny convince her? If he succeeds, what problems will he need to solve? Can he become a responsible pet owner?
This is a cute picture book for preschoolers and primary grade children who love animals, especially dogs. It would be a good book for families to read together before considering a dog as a pet.
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Publisher: Journey with Story Press | ISBN-13: 9780578651965
Publisher’s Synopsis: After Jesús finally lands a part as an innkeeper in his school’s Nativity play, he asks God to help him be the best innkeeper ever. Day by day, he grows more and more confident in his role, but on opening night, he finds himself so swept up in this long-ago world, that when Mary and Joseph asked him, ”Do you have any room at your inn?” he comes up with his own answer, causing chaos on the stage.
KATHLEEN T. PELLEY is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, but spent most of her childhood summers playing on her grandparents’ farm in Ireland. Her passion for stories stemmed from listening to them on the radio during the BBC children’s story hour. She is the award-winning author of seven other picture books and hosts her own storytelling podcast, Journey with Story.
This is a sweet story of a boy named Jesús who yearns for a part in the Nativity play. When his teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez chooses him to be an innkeeper, Jesús is ecstatic. He tries hard to learn his lines, but he is so nervous. Jesús takes us through the typical feelings faced by a child in his situation. Will he succeed? There is a surprise ending that reveals the depth of Jesús’ character.
Children learn about the Nativity story through the eyes of a child as Jesús relates his hopes and fears through prayer. All types of children are represented. The soft colors and simple drawings correspond well with the mood of the narrative. Recommended highly for preschool and primary grade children. A nice book for families to share during the Advent season.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a Jesús, Mary, and Joseph prize pack!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A hardcover copy of Jesús, Mary, and Joseph, autographed by Kathleen T. Pelley
A paperback copy of Five Little Angels
An Audible copy of Five Little Angels
A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card
A Nativity sticker book
A shoutout on the Journey with Story podcast
Five (5) winners receive:
A hardcover copy of Jesús, Mary, and Joseph, autographed by Kathleen T. Pelley
A Nativity sticker book
The giveaway ends November 30, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
Lindy Nelson is an American who has spent most of her adult life teaching English in China after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She enjoys arts and crafts, funny memes, eating candy, and of course, spending time with her greyhound, Clarence.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
This is Clare is an adorable picture book about a lady named Lindy and her adventures with her greyhound named Clare. The author uses verbs that end in air and are to teach English vocabulary. The illustrations are adorable and the simple text will expand vocabulary for anyone learning English. It is a book that is fun to read aloud and will enrich the vocabulary of native English speakers as well.
The multicultural illustrations that feature Chinese culture will provide a springboard for discussion and further research. This book will delight all ages from preschool to adult English as a Second Language Learners. I am looking forward to more adventures with Lindy and Clare.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of This Is Clare, along with a virtual Questions and Answers session with the author!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A copy of This Is Clare
A virtual Questions and Answers session with the author via Skype
Nine (9) winners receive:
A copy of This Is Clare
The giveaway ends December 2, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
It might surprise you to hear that one of the best ways to cultivate a hopeful, optimistic outlook is to practice some radical self-compassion.
Frequently people confuse self-compassion with self-indulgence or even selfishness. But being kind to yourself is just as important as being kind to others, if not more so.
Self-Compassion Makes You More Optimistic
Being kind to yourself means you can stop that vicious cycle of self-blame and recrimination. It prevents you from ruminating on past mistakes and builds your resilience and confidence so you can pick yourself up and get back on track.
When you are kind and encouraging to yourself, your anxiety levels drop, your mood lifts, and you become more optimistic and hopeful about the future.
Cultivate Mindfulness
Perhaps the best way to start your self-compassion practice is to adopt a more mindful attitude to life. Mindfulness focuses on the acceptance of who you are, where you are right now. With all your faults and all your glory. Accept that whatever you’re experiencing and feeling in the present moment is okay.
Mindfulness and self-compassion help you to overcome denial and hesitation in your reality. It allows space for hope to come in.
Accept that Hard Times Are Part of the Deal
Self-compassion accepts that all human lives are a mixture of hard times and good times. Often the bad things that happen are out of your control. All you can do is decide how you’re going to react. Will you be overwhelmed, or will you be angry? Or will you roll with punches, learn from your experiences, and get back on the horse?
In times of fear or illness or natural disasters or any other of life’s stressors, self-compassion allows you to take guilt or blame out of the equation and deal with whatever you’re faced with.
Treat Yourself As You Would A Friend
Take a moment to look at how you’re reacting. What is your self-talk saying to you? Are you reassuring yourself that things will work out okay, or are you beating yourself up for something you did or didn’t do? Would you talk to your best friend like that? How would they feel?
Be as gentle in your self-talk as you would to a loved one who is in crisis. Be loving and kind, and reassuring. Extend the hand of hope to your own heart, and help yourself on the first steps back towards better times.
If you want to create a better world for yourself and others, you need to become an active participant in studying the past to avoid repeating the mistakes others have previously made. Remember, the day you were born you became a character in history. Study the past, avoid its mistakes, learn its lessons, and create a better future for everyone.
July 3, 2022
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