In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kat Kronenberg

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of Kat Kronenberg’s Think Big and a school visit from the author valued at $650!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A school visit from bestselling and award-winning author Kat Kronenberg*
• The Live Big trilogy, signed by Kat Kronenberg
  • Think Big
  • Dream Big
  • Love Big
• A coveted Heart of Star Light-Up Plush Toy
• All of the downloadable activities and extras from Kat Kronenberg’s website

Two (2) winners receive:

• The Live Big trilogy, signed by Kat Kronenberg
  • Think Big
  • Dream Big
  • Love Big
• A coveted Heart of Star Light-Up Plush Toy
• All of the downloadable activities and extras from Kat Kronenberg’s website

Two (2) winners receive:

• The Live Big trilogy, signed by Kat Kronenberg
  • Think Big
  • Dream Big
  • Love Big

Giveaway begins April 20, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends May 20, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

*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 to a major airport. Click here for the giveaway rules.

GIVEAWAY CLICK ON LINK BELOW:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d5cb282169/

OFFICIAL LINKS

www.katkronenberg.com: http://www.katkronenberg.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatKronenberg/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatKronenberg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kat.kronenberg/

ABOUT THE BOOK

Think Big

Written by Kat Kronenberg

Publisher’s Synopsis: In the third installment in her Live Big Series, best-selling, award-winning author Kat Kronenberg takes readers back to the wilds of the African savanna where the animals not only still struggle to find food, but now they face life-threatening situations. They must fight to survive and are terrified.

But when our beloved moody Baboon challenges Kudu on what to do, everything begins to change. One by one, Kudu, Giraffe, and Bee are faced with the dilemma of who they want to be. After watching Bee choose to do good, Baboon figures out a new secret: We can light the stars in our hearts, empowering our lives, once we smile big deep within, truly believing in who we are, our ideas, and the importance of caring for others.

The danger continues to mount and Baboon finally gets so scared that he cries out for help. Luckily, some fun animals and Baobab Tree come to the rescue! Will they try the new SHHH secret so their collective ideas not only help all the animals survive but thrive together so that their dreams can come true?

Once again, Kronenberg creates a mythical evolution story of some of nature’s most fascinating characters to teach young readers foundational skills for life in this case, helping them build a loving community that knows the joy of gratitude, giving, and going for the extraordinary. Through playful dialogue and beautiful illustrations, readers learn to take a deep breath when life gets hard, connect their heads to their hearts, and celebrate their best lives as they problem-solve together. As with Dream Big and Love Big, Kronenberg includes hands-on activities at the end of the book and on her website. Her dream is that the whole experience will inspire young readers everywhere to learn to think big together.

Ages 2-8 | Greenleaf Book Group Llc | May 12, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-1626347106

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3agKp7w

TOUR SCHEDULE

April 20	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/
April 21	Word Spelunking	http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/
April 22	Over Coffee Conversations	https://www.gmarciano.blogspot.com
April 23	Fairview Elementary School (Library)	https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/
April 24	icefairy’s Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/
April 27	Rosco’s Reading Room	https://authorshanagorian.com/
April 28	Tales of A Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom	http://wannabesuperheromom.blogspot.com/
April 29	Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog	https://bamauthor.me
April 30	Life Is What It’s Called	lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com
May 1	Confessions of a Book Addict	http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.com/
May 15	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com

FEELING OVERWHELMED AND ISOLATED?

DON’T KNOW HOW TO ORGANIZE FAMILY SCHEDULES WHILE WE ARE ALL WORKING FROM HOME?

Here are a few ideas to keep things running smoothly and making everyone in the family more productive.

Create a To-Do List the Night Before

Instead of waking up in the morning to make your to-do list, make your list the night before. This way you can go to bed relaxed and confident for the next day. You also wake up in the morning knowing exactly what you have planned for the day. You might also consider planning on Sunday night for the upcoming week. Then when you wake on Monday you have a plan in place.

Prioritize

Take a look at the tasks on your list. What tasks offer the largest return? What tasks offer the most value and achievement? For example, answering email or paying bills isn’t a task that offers a large return. However, making a sale or meeting with a client is a very productive task. Put your most profitable or results-oriented tasks first on your list.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

The quality of your sleep is important to sustain your energy levels throughout your day. Good sleep means you’ll be fresh and energetic all day long. Creating a to-do list is a good way to help you get a good night’s sleep because you can put the day’s stresses to rest.

Also consider adding soothing nighttime rituals to your routine. For example, meditate, stretch or read before you go to bed. Keep a gratitude journal and write before you sleep. Go to bed and wake at the same time to help your body know what to expect.

Eat Healthy

The food you eat has a direct correlation to how energetic and productive you are. Junk food will make you sluggish. Healthy food will help you stay energized all day long. Feed your body well and it will respond by keeping you alert and energetic.

Get Organized      

If you spend half your time searching for files, names and numbers, you are wasting time. Make sure any items that you use on a regular basis are easy to grab from your desk chair or find in your computer. They should be easy to find and use.

Take Breaks

Productivity doesn’t mean working from sun-up to sundown. In fact, if you work without stopping, you’re likely to burn out. Instead, commit to taking a break every hour. Walk around or get some air to get the blood moving throughout your body.

Focus

Do you multi-task hoping it’ll make you more productive? Do you manage one task while your mind is already onto the next task? Both habits are unproductive. When you focus on what you’re doing, not only is the task more enjoyable, it also gets done faster and better.

Productivity is possible. With a little planning, attention, and self-care you can get more done in half the time. These tools are simple but effective. Try just one of these steps and watch your own personal productivity improve.

Children’s book week is coming up the first week of May. This year I will be marketing online as schools are closed and the largest children’s book festival in my state has been canceled. No personal appearances in schools or book signings for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, here are a few ways authors can use their free time to help fellow authors.

I found this article on Book Marketing Buzz and would like to share it because its message is a positive one. There will be light at the end of the tunnel for all of us.

Many libraries, schools, and bookstores are closed. Amazon is behind in deliveries. Speaking appearances and book signings have been canceled. So how are books being sold in this environment?

Here are the answers each correct in some fashion:·        

Social media is helping to sell more books·         

Traditional and digital media is covering books·         

Authors are doing webinars and online courses to sell books·         

New online retailers are sprouting up·         

Not everything is closed everywhere – it just sounds like that·         

E-books are skyrocketing·         

Audiobook downloads are surging

There is reason to hope. Everyone is cooped up and is open to reading books. Many run to the safe confines of books, whether to escape reality or to use this time to learn what they had been meaning to finally get to.
So many books do well in this environment, including:

Children’s Books – kids need to learn and be entertained without school·         

Thrillers – always a good time for them·         

History – let’s learn from past disasters, depression, and pandemics – or read about better days of the past·         

Entertainment – love a good distraction·         

Personal Finance – time to balance a budget and grow your assets·         

Investing – gotta make back the money lost on Wall Street·         

Survivalist Techniques – we are all preppers now·         

Politics – the 2020 election is coming·         

Humor – we need a laugh·         

Sports – we can read about the past until the future games begin·         

Health –  this is our number one focus – how to stay healthy in mind and body·         

Religion – we need some spiritual nourishment, especially when the churches and temples are closed·         

Self-Help/Motivation – we all need uplifting stories now·         

Cooking – if you can’t hit a restaurant or even afford takeout, learn how to cook       

Travel — if you can go somewhere physically, time to go with your mind — and plan a future trip

Plus, let’s look forward, whether it is weeks, a month or a few months – stores will reopen, delivery times will improve, and the financial devastation will slow down and start to return to better times.
But for the moment, as the world is upside down and filled with pain, fear, and uncertainty – and financial insecurity fills millions of homes and thousands of others confront death and severe illness – the book world is combusting. Indie stores have laid-off workers and shuttered operations.

Some publishers are looking at bankruptcy or a merger. Book releases scheduled for April or May are getting pushed back. Even the nation’s leading book trade show, Book Expo America, had to reschedule its date but right now its home, the Javits Center in NYC, is being used as a makeshift hospital to battle a plague. It is ugly out there. Still, the belief is it is temporary and we just need to weather the storm for the moment.

A decade ago the industry was hit by many challenges – the Great Recession, the ebook revolution,  Amazon taking over the industry as Borders drop dead, technology allowing for the majority of published books to be self-published, and the Internet providing free competition for content providers.

But the American book industry rose from the dead and all of that transition and uncertainty. It is going through another tough time now, as many Americans are. Every day that passes means we get a day closer to recovery. The pandemic seems like it is a book that has no end, but the truth is, we know how it ends. And we know that the book world will get a new beginning and rise up. I can’t wait for the sequel!

So, I want to end this post with a positive message for my author friends. In the meantime, stay strong, stay safe, stay calm and REMAIN PRODUCTIVE!

The Selfish Bear

Written and Illustrated by Bassel Elkadi

A little bear is selfish and does not like to share. One day he comes across his friends on the swings. He reflects on how he has treated each of them recently and figures out they will now not want to share with him.
The bear decides to build his own swing. He gathers material and makes a large swing. Bear did not plan well. One of the ropes breaks. Can you guess what might happen? Will Bear realize why it is important to share and be kind to your friends?

This is a rather short book. The illustrations are appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers. I was puzzled about the fact the Bear was not given a name to help personalize the character. Recommended especially for children ages three to six.

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A Wet Nose Christmas

Written and Illustrated by A.R. Harwell

A boy and his father visit the pound a couple of days before Christmas. The little boy chooses a black puppy with a white spot on his chest and a red bow around his neck.

They bring the dog back to their farm where he eagerly plays in the snow. On Christmas morning, the puppy receives three gifts, for which he is so grateful. The boy promises to love, feed and train the puppy, and he is rewarded with all the love the puppy can give.

This book is written in rhymes that are easy to read. Children learn respect for animals, love, kindness and responsibility. Harwell captures the mood well in her illustrations. This is a winner for any child who loves animals. Caution, they may ask you for a wet nose puppy after reading this book.

If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED Button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.

SPIES, CODE BREAKERS, AND SECRET AGENTS: A WORLD WAR II BOOK FOR KIDS

Written by Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by Alessandra Santelli

Author-winning children’s book author, Carole P. Roman has hit it out of the park with this nonfiction book. This book provides a comprehensive of about the importance of spies during World War II.

Chapter One begins with the background and causes leading to the war’s outbreak. The importance of spies in winning the war in both the Atlantic and Pacific spheres is the focus of the book.

Young readers receive a clear picture of the training, weapons, and tools used in spycraft. Secret armies and the intelligence organizations operations in each country are discussed. Illustrations provide visuals that provide greater insight.

I found the chapters featuring biographical portraits of the spies one of the most interesting sections. Spies worked in many professions. Chef Julia Child and author Graham Greene operated undercover. Roman discusses double agents and the Native Americans who broke the Japanese code. Before closing, the author explains how some wartime spy organizations still exist and how they have adopted modern tools of technology.

The Glossary explains terms used and provides more websites to explore. It also lists espionage monuments and museums that may be visited. For inquisitive minds looking to find out even more, Roman includes a bibliography of the resources she used in her research.

I would recommend this book to children who love adventure, espionage, and history. It’s a perfect read for middle-grade students, but an eye-opener for adults as well.

If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right-hand corner of this page.

I am incredibly excited to announce that I have been recognized as a Book Excellence Award Winner for my book, Little Miss HISTORY Travels to Hyde Park, Home of FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT Presidential Library & Museum in the Children’s Nonfiction Book Category.

Out of hundreds of books that were entered into the Book Excellence Awards competition, my book was selected for its high quality writing, design and overall market appeal.

To view my complete award listing, you can visit: https://honorees.bookexcellenceawards.com/#!/Little-Miss-HISTORY-Travels-to-Hyde-Park-Home-of-FRANKLIN-D-ROOSEVELT-Presidential-Library-&-Museum-Childrens-Non-Fiction/p/178508687/category=46250245

The book was released in 2019 and is about the life, home, and presidential library of the man who led America out of an economic depression, to victory in World War II, and on the path to world leadership.

The book is perfect for children ages six through twelve.

You can get a copy for yourself at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0998915459/

Hi Friends,

I want to assist all those who are sheltered in place by sharing the information from fellow authors, educators, and teachers.

I will be posting daily on all my social media sites but in particular on:

Facebook Page https://facebook.com/Littlemisshistory.com

Twitter Page https://twitter.com/bamauthor

Check out my Pinterest Board for lesson plans, book suggestions, printables, and activities. https://www.pinterest.com/bamauthor/

Check out my youtube channel for videos to supplement your lessons.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVUU3m8cCeBUr2wxHAQi6Lw

Beginning March 23, children’s book authors are coming together to read and share stories and activities with children at home on the Facebook page Storytime Adventures with Children at 12:00 P.M. CDT. I will be reading on March 31.

10 Ways to Stay Positive

• Think about gratitude, not complaining
• Think about others, not yourself
• Think about forming new relationships, not what others give you
• Think one day at a time, not the future
• Think about the things you have, not what you’re missing
• Think about new opportunities, not things you have lost
• Think about making progress, not how hard things are
• Think about making your life better, not the way things are right now
• Think about giving value, not how much money you can make
• Think about responding to changes in new ways, not the events you missed

Stay safe by following all federal and state guidelines but don’t expose children to pandemic news 24/7.

Answer children’s questions calmly and clearly according to their age

Don’t create unrealistic expectations but address disappointments

Create a schedule and stick to it

Make sure you get outside to exercise, if possible. If you live in an apartment, create indoor exercise programs

Enlist older children to work with younger siblings

Stay in touch with relatives and friends via telephone and social media.

Check on the elderly.

Relax and remain calm! We will get through this together.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hosted by The Children’s Book Review and Sponsored by Doodle and Peck Publishing

A Flock of Fun

Written by Raven Howell

Illustrated by David Barrow

Publisher’s Synopsis: A young child discovers the solution for falling asleep is not always quiet and silent, like counting slow, slimy snails. Sometimes, a room full of happy dances, shirts in a tie-dyed swirl, and mischief-making sheep are just the ticket!

Ages 3-8 | Publisher: Doodle and Peck Publishing | February 2, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-1733717083

Available Here: https://amzn.to/2HTAo4o

My Review

NO SLEEP FOR THE WEARY

A Flock of Fun

Written by Raven Howell

Illustrated by David Barrow

A little boy can’t get to sleep. He is distracted by the moonlight shining through his window. Rather than getting up to close the curtains, he decides to stay in his warm, cozy bed and count sheep instead.

The poor child has made a big mistake. The sheep decide to wreak havoc, they toss his toys around, echo animal sounds, play games, scribbled on the walls, and ate his snacks. When the next night comes, the boy changes his mind and counts snails instead. Will this poor child ever get a good night’s sleep?

The richly, illustrated picture book is written in rhyme with rich vocabulary. Barrow’s illustrations evoke a calm mood that contrasts well with the active nature of the mischievous sheep and snoring snails.

A delightful bedtime story for toddlers and preschoolers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Raven Howell is an award-winning children’s author and poet of nine picture books. She writes poetry for a variety of children’s magazines including Highlights, The School Magazine, Humpty Dumpty, and Cricket. Frequently sharing book presentations and writing workshops with children in schools and libraries, Raven also serves as Creative & Publishing Advisor with Red Clover Reader. Her family, long dawn hikes, being at the beach, and munching on warm butterscotch chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven are all sources of writing inspiration. Visit her website: www.ravenhowell.com.

OFFICIAL LINKS

www.ravenhowell.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/atpearthkeeper

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pickward/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raven-howell-5a813015b/

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a Raven Howell book prize pack!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A copy of A Flock of Fun autographed by Raven Howell
• A copy of Glimmer autographed by Raven Howell
• A copy of Shimmer autographed by Raven Howell
• A copy of So You Want a Puppy? autographed by Raven Howell
• A copy of Greetings! autographed by Raven Howell
• A copy of My Community autographed by Raven Howell
• A Flock of Fun throw pillow
• A Flock of Fun jigsaw puzzle
• A pair of sheep socks

Nineteen (19) winners receive:

• A copy of A Flock of Fun autographed by Raven Howell

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

Doodle and Peck is responsible for prize fulfillment.

CLICK BELOW TO ENTER :

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

March 2	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Tour Kick-Off
March 3	Word Spelunking	http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/	Guest Post
March 4	Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk	http://glassofwineglassofmilk.blogspot.com/	Book Review
March 5	Over Coffee Conversations	https://www.gmarciano.blogspot.com	Interview
March 6	Confessions of a Book Addict	http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.com/	Giveaway
March 9	Rosco’s Reading Room	https://authorshanagorian.com/	Interview
March 10	The Children’s Book Review	https://youngerfamilyfun.com	Book Review
March 11	Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog	https://bamauthor.me	Book Review
March 12	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Book List
March 13	Fairview Elementary School (Library)	https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/	Book Review
March 23	A Dream Within A Dream	http://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com	Book Review
March 24	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Interview
March 25	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com	Book Review

Short or Tall Doesn’t Matter at All

Written by Asaf Rozanes

Mia is very short. This distresses her because her classmates often make fun of her and exclude her from activities.

Mia reveals her problem to her father. He tells her a fairytale about the sun and moon and how they became friends. One day a situation unfolds at school that proves to the other children there is value in being small. The other children learn an important lesson from Mia. They now understand she also has many special talents. Size does not matter.

This picture book is written in rhyme. It works, for the most part, but the story would have been just as effective if written in prose. Recommended especially for students in the six to ten age group but an important lesson for middle-school students as well.

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