A Bear in November: Caspian’s Adventures Book One

Written by Alice Holness

This book is the first in a series of chapter books featuring the adventures of Caspian, the Bear. Caspian unexpectedly awakens from hibernation and finds that he cannot sleep. He decides to leave his cave and is amazed by the beauty of his snowy surroundings. Caspian discovers that there are animals who stay active during the winter. He meets Pierre and his rabbit friends who have built a ski slope and a reindeer lift. They live with other small animals in a winter shelter that they have created together.

Caspian receives a set of skis from Timbers, the Beaver, and learns to enjoy skiing. His new community of friends asks only one thing from him. Caspian will sleep outside their shelter and protect them from the wolves if they should attack. Will Caspian be able to enjoy his newly discovered winter life and protect the small mammal creatures?

This book is an introductory chapter book with only five chapters. The characters are charming, and the story is unique. Highly recommended for beginning and middle school readers.

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.

My Friend Moose’r McDan

Written by Sky Danley

Illustrated by Alli Coate

A bear is out hunting in the woods when he comes across a moose who is smiling from ear to ear. The bear is puzzled by this moose, Moose’r McDan, who requests his friendship.  The hunter decides to think about this and puts his gun aside. Will the hunter and the hunted become friends? Is it possible to turn potential enemies into friends?

This delightful picture book contains charming, colorful illustrations and rhyming text in bold text that is easy on the eyes of young readers. Recommended especially for preschoolers and kindergarten readers but also a fun read-aloud for beginning readers.

I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher and voluntarily decided to read and review with my honest opinions.

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.

The Sunny Adventure: a story about true friendship (Animal World Alice Ira Book 1)

Written by Alice Ira

Illustrated by Elena Teplova

Translated by Nina Kutia

This book is a tender tale about a little fox named Redkin and her first hunting quest. Redkin is rather lazy. She reacts with shock where her mother tells her to go out and find her own food. A bit reluctantly, Redkin sets off on her quest. She looks up at the Sun and decides that it looks like a delicious pancake. She decides to bring it home to her mother.

Redkin meets a frog named Loudcroak along her route. They decide to become partners. Redkin remains fearful but Loudcroak provides the courage and inspiration to continue their search. Other animals offer advice, but the sun continues to elude them.

How will Redkin handle her defeat? What does the fox learn about friendship, compassion, and bravery?

This book is targeted for ages six through twelve. While the length of the book is appropriate for a beginning chapter book, some of the vocabulary is a bit advanced for the lower end of this audience. I would recommend the book particularly for reluctant readers; the illustrations are beautiful and suited to the mood of the tale. Recommended especially for readers ages eight through twelve.

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’m delighted to participate once again. It’s been my pleasure and honor to review a book for this event since its inception seven years ago. This year I would like to present a beautiful picture book.

FAMILY VS. FRIENDS

SUMO JOE

Written by Mia Wenjen

Illustrated by Nat Iwata

What a fun and informative rhyming picture book! Sumo Joe, the protagonist, faces two dilemmas. He loves and fiercely protects his little sister, Aikido Jo. Sumo Jo also wants to practice sumo with his friends. When Jo decides that she wants to enter the sacred ring prohibited to females, he faces conflict. Should he allow his sister to step inside and compete?

The illustrations are charming and the text simple and fun to read for young children. This book becomes more than a picture book because it teaches readers about Japanese culture including the ancient rituals of sumo wrestling and aikido. The characters are diverse and empathetic.

I particularly enjoyed how the author explained the moves and the vocabulary associated with martial arts and ancient rituals. Readers may be able to imitate the basic moves, if interested in learning more. The book is a good choice to enhance a multicultural classroom library or home school unit on Asian culture.

I was gifted a copy of this book from the author to read and review in preparation for Multicultural Children’s Book Day.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7^th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators. 

Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.

MCBD 2020  is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board

Super Platinum

Make A Way Media/ Deirdre “DeeDee” Cummings,

Platinum

Language Lizard, Pack-N-Go Girls,

Gold

Audrey Press, Lerner Publishing Group, KidLit TV, ABDO BOOKS : A Family of Educational Publishers, PragmaticMom & Sumo Jo, Candlewick Press,

Silver

 Author Charlotte Riggle, Capstone Publishing, Guba Publishing, Melissa Munro Boyd & B is for Breathe,

Bronze

Author Carole P. Roman, Snowflake Stories/Jill Barletti, Vivian Kirkfield & Making Their Voices Heard. Barnes Brothers Books,  TimTimTom, Wisdom Tales Press, Lee & Low Books,  Charlesbridge Publishing, Barefoot Books Talegari Tales

Author Sponsor Link Cloud

Jerry Craft, A.R. Bey and Adventures in Boogieland, Eugina Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Kenneth Braswell & Fathers Incorporated, Maritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_Mejia, Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Josh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTER, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove,  Lauren Ranalli, The Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon Chappell, Phe Lang and Me On The Page, Afsaneh Moradian and Jamie is Jamie, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, TUMBLE CREEK PRESS, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen Jackson, Angeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia Wenjen, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher (Founders of Inner Flower Child Books), Ann Morris & Do It Again!/¡Otra Vez!, Janet Balletta and Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Ocean, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the World, Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, Sarah Jamila Stevenson, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Teresa Robeson  & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk, Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club, Finding My Way Books, Diana Huang & Intrepids, Five Enchanted Mermaids, Elizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling Castle, Anna Olswanger and Greenhorn, Danielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow Jeepney, Mariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta Diminuta, Sara Arnold & The Big Buna Bash, Roddie Simmons & Race 2 Rio, DuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical Debut, Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series  Green Kids Club, Inc.

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.

Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts

A Crafty Arab, Afsaneh Moradian, Agatha Rodi Books, All Done Monkey, Barefoot Mommy, Bethany Edward & Biracial Bookworms, Michelle Goetzl & Books My Kids Read, Crafty Moms Share, Colours of Us, Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes, Educators Spin on it, Shauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylink, Growing Book by Book, Here Wee Read, Joel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}, Imagination Soup, Kid World Citizen, Kristi’s Book Nook, The Logonauts, Mama Smiles, Miss Panda Chinese, Multicultural Kid Blogs, Serge Smagarinsky {Australia}, Shoumi Sen, Jennifer Brunk & Spanish Playground, Katie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

• Free Multicultural Books for Teachers
• Our New FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit http://ow.ly/kcbZ30p3QWz
• Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians, and Educators
• Free Understanding Developmental & Physical Challenges Classroom Kit

TWITTER PARTY! Register here!

Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

Sponsored by The Children’s Book Review and Carmen Gloria.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Moon Show

Written and Illustrated by Carmen Gloria

Publisher’s Synopsis: This is the very first children’s book that teaches kids about the moons to other planets in our solar system! Take a tour of our solar system with The Moon and meet his other moon friends on THE MOON SHOW. It also includes fun and positive messages for kids! Did you know that there are many other moons in our solar system besides our Moon? Perfect book for budding astronomy and space lovers! The first book in this Kid Astronomy series, Thank You Mercury!, is in the Best New Space Books 2019 list by Books Authority!

Ages 4+ | Uncommon Grammar | November 26, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1950767076

Available on Amazon https://amzn.to/2YlkKGq

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Carmen Gloria was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, now a veteran, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and International Politics from George Mason University. She was born in The Bronx, New York and moved to Puerto Rico at the age of ten. She is a member of SCBWI and is a writer, artist, award-winning actress, (experimental) short film writer/director, and even co-wrote two songs in the Billboard Dance and UK Pop charts (Emergency & Overload, as Carmen Perez). After moving to Norway in 2017, she decided to focus on creating art and writing/illustrating children’s books. She started with the Kid Astronomy Series, inspired by her love of space, and her mission to motivate kids to learn and empower them. The first book “Thank You, Mercury” made the Best New Space Books 2019 list by Book Authority.

OFFICIAL LINKS

www.carmengloriaperez.net | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

TOUR SCHEDULE

The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	January 8
A Dream Within A Dream	http://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com	January 8
Word Spelunking	http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/	January 8
Younger Family Fun	https://youngerfamilyfun.com	January 8
Tales of A Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom	http://wannabesuperheromom.blogspot.com/	January 8
Fairview Elementary School (Library)	https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/	January 8
Over Coffee Conversations	https://www.gmarciano.blogspot.com	January 9
Rosco’s Reading Room	authorshanagorian.com	January 13
icefairy’s Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/	January 14
Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog	https://bamauthor.me	January 15
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com	January 16

#Giveaway for The Moon Show

Enter for a chance to win Carmen Gloria’s The Moon Show!

Click on the link below:

https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2020/01/win-a-copy-of-the-moon-show-by-carmen-gloria.html

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A hardcover copy of The Moon Show
• A Great Exploration 3-D Solar System set. Includes over 200 glow-in-the-dark planets and stars to hang from your ceiling

Two (2) winners receive:

• A paperback copy of The Moon Show

Giveaway begins January 8, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends February 8, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

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.

Carmen Gloria  is responsible for prize fulfillment.

Rad Girl Revolution: The Children’s Book for Little Girls with Big Dreams

Written by Sharita Manickam

Photo Illustrations by Jennifer Elliot Bruno

RAD stands for Rise Above Doubt. This book empowers young girls to aspire to whatever they wish to be. The photographs of girls that range from preschool to preteen ages portray global multicultural images. They include children with disabilities. The message is loud and clear. Career goals should not be inhibited by gender, race or ethnicity.

Images scan girls succeeding in sports, entertainment, archaeology, medicine, law enforcement, civil service, farming, politics, and the arts. No page contains more than four lines of rhyming text which make the book an easy read. This picture book works as a bedtime story, read-aloud, or classroom discussion book.

Having a couple of the girls raise their fist at the beginning of the book is the only part I felt not completely in sync with the message. Recommended for preschoolers through middle-school age readers.

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.

Unicorn for Christmas: Teach Kids About Giving

Written by Sigal Adler

Illustrated by Abira Das

Christmas is nearly upon the castle. Princess Lily already possesses every material object she could want or need. When she decides to request a unicorn for a Christmas gift, the king and queen scour the kingdom to fulfill her request. Up to now, her demands have been met.

To their chagrin, the royal couple cannot fulfill her request. The king commissions the royal seamstress to make a unicorn costume. He places the costume on various animals to deceive the princess. She is not pleased. After many days pass, Lily realizes how hard her parents tried to please her. She hugs them and gives thanks to them for being wonderful parents.

The illustrations are vivid and expressive. They communicate the underlying message. My one criticism is that I would have liked to see her change in point of view explained more clearly in the text.

Parents of preschoolers and primary grade children who are exasperated with children who expect too much will love this holiday book. Suggested as a read-aloud or bedtime story.

If you enjoyed reading this story, 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.

Grigori Rasputin: A Life from Beginning to End

Written by Hourly History

This short read of approximately fifty pages can be read in an hour or less. As such, it cannot be considered a comprehensive review of “The Mad Monk’s” life. It is one of the better books in this history series.

The book begins with Rasputin’s life as a troubled child born in a small village in Siberia. He had many clandestine meetings with his followers, many of whom were women. Rasputin soon developed a reputation as a womanizer. On the other hand, his banishment to a monastery led to the development of a mystical streak. Rasputin had a habit of carrying out everything in his life to extreme limits.

When the monk cured the Tsar and Tsarina’s son, his history of miracles emerged to become a factor. Rasputin would divide the Greek Orthodox church into factions. He soon found himself surrounded by enemies. During his life, he found himself in and out of favor with the Russian monarchy as well as the common populace.

His ability to work miracles protected him from harm many times. He reportedly survived an assassination attempt by poison, only to be shot while making his escape. The combination of factors including World War I and its effect on the Russian populace would eventually doom the Russian government.

This book will give readers a decent overview of Rasputin’s colorful life and role in twentieth-century Russian history. It whets the appetite and interested readers can move on to more comprehensive studies.

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.

In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Carole P. Roman

SPICE UP YOUR HOLIDAY READING

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a set of Brit Lunden’s Bulwark books, as well as a $100 gift card!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• An autographed copy of Bulwark: A Paranormal Thriller
• An autographed copy of The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology
• An autographed copy of The Devil and Dayna Dalton
• A $100 Amazon gift card

Three (3) winners receive:

• An autographed copy of Bulwark: A Paranormal Thriller
• An autographed copy of The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology
• An autographed copy of The Devil and Dayna Dalton

Giveaway begins December 6, 2019, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends January 6, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

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.

Click on the line below to enter.

https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2019/12/giveaway-the-holidays-are-for-grown-ups-too.html

Brit Lunden is responsible for prize fulfillment

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Brit Lunden is also known as prolific children’s author, Carole P. Roman. She has published over fifty books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children. She hosts two blog radio programs and is one of the founders of a new magazine, Indie Author’s Monthly. She’s been interviewed twice by Forbes Magazine. Carole has co-authored a self-help book, Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing. Bulwark is her first book of adult fiction.

OFFICIAL LINKS

www.britlunden.com

Facebook 

Twitter

 Instagram

TOUR SCHEDULE

December 6	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/
December 6	Word Spelunking	http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/
December 6	Over Coffee Conversations	https://www.gmarciano.blogspot.com
December 6	Tales of A Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom	http://wannabesuperheromom.blogspot.com/
December 11	Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog	https://bamauthor.me
December 12	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com
December 12	icefairy’s Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/
December 17	Confessions of a Book Addict	http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.com

https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2019/12/giveaway-the-holidays-are-for-grown-ups-too.html

Sponsored by The Children’s Book Review and Sky Danley

ABOUT THE BOOK

My Friend Moose’r McDan

Written by Sky Danley

Illustrated by Alli Coate

Publisher’s Synopsis: An aggressive hunter bear meets a gentle moose who is looking for a new friend. The moose is so friendly that the bear decides to drop his gun and stop hunting altogether. Instead, the bear learns that it’s more fun to just hang out with a new friend, playing games and enjoying nature. However, after the fall colors change, it’s time for the bear to go back home. The gentle moose is sad because he lost his play friend, so he is again looking for a new one. He invites whoever is reading the book to become his new friend.

Ages 5-6 | Publisher: Sky Danley Productions | October 8, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-0997345100

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

MY REVIEW OF THE BOOK

HUNTING FOR A GOOD FRIEND

A bear is out hunting in the woods when he comes across a moose who is smiling from ear to ear. The bear is puzzled by this moose, Moose’r McDan, who requests his friendship.  The hunter decides to think about this and puts his gun aside. Will the hunter and the hunted become friends? Is it possible to turn potential enemies into friends?

This delightful picture book contains charming, colorful illustrations and rhyming text in bold text that is easy on the eyes of young readers. Recommended especially for preschoolers and kindergarten readers but also a fun read-aloud for beginning readers.

I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher and voluntarily decided to read and review with my honest opinions.

TOUR SCHEDULE

December 6	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Kick-Off
December 6	Over Coffee Conversations	https://www.gmarciano.blogspot.com	Interview
December 9	Younger Family Fun	https://youngerfamilyfun.com	Book Review
December 10	Word Spelunking	http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/	Book Review
December 11	Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog	https://bamauthor.me	Book Review
December 12	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Book Review
December 13	Fairview Elementary School (Library)	https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/	Book Review
December 17	icefairy’s Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/	Book Review
December 18	Rosco’s Reading Room	authorshanagorian.com	Interview
December 27	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com	Book Review

Bianca SchulzeFounder, The Children’s Book Reviewwww.thechildrensbookreview.com | growingreaders@thechildrensbookreview.com
Subscribe to our Free E-Newsletter
The Children’s Book Review2205 W. 136th Ave.#106–105Broomfield, CO 80023
Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Advertise

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a copy of My Friend Moose’r McDan and a plush moose!

Three (3) grand prize winners receive:

• A copy of My Friend Moose’r McDan
• A plush moose

Giveaway begins December 6, 2019, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends January 6, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

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

Sky Danley Productions is responsible for prize fulfillment.

Click on the link below to enter the giveaway

https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2019/12/my-friend-mooser-mcdan-by-sky-danley-awareness-tour.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OFFICIAL LINKS

www.skydanley.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkyDanley