In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Bunny Books

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lulu the Beaver

Written by Bethany Gano

Ages 5+ | 48 Pages

Publisher: Bunny Books | ISBN-13: 9781736147269

Publisher’s Book Summary: In a colony full of busy beavers, one bashful beaver is hiding a gigantic secret.

Lulu tries to be a typical beaver, but her dream of being an artist is getting out! Despite her friends’ encouragement, Lulu’s struggle with fear and self-doubt has led her into a pattern of destroying her artwork — until an unexpected encounter changes Lulu, and the forest, for good.

With funny asides, sound effects, and elements of comic-book style, this eye-opening tale urges kids to confront gloomy thinking and gives them the courage to bravely share their gifts.

“The idea of feeling…boxed in by others’ expectations…is a complicated subject to tackle, but Gano handles it deftly. Gano’s evocative text, combined with her dynamic and multihued mixed media illustrations, make for an immersive and atmospheric reading experience.”

—BookLife Review, Editor’s Pick

“[Lulu] loves the rhythms of the world and cherishes her forest neighbors — but she also dreams in color and yearns to chew stumps into shapes. Ebullience ferries this inspiring tale forward, and the revelation of Lulu’s beautiful differences is a triumphant moment for all.”

—Foreword Reviews (Starred Review)

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Author’s Website

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bethany Gano’s first large-scale work of art landed all over her parent’s kitchen floor — despite her witty, four-year-old attempt to give credit for the fine piece to her imaginary friends! She never stopped creating, though, and eventually learned the best places to display her artwork. Bethany has worked in the commercial arts for over twenty years and loves storytelling through art and design. She is extra fond of picture books — a place where art and words can’t survive without each other. Lulu the Beaver is her debut picture book.

Off the clock, you can find Bethany covered in paint, playing board games, swimming, daydreaming at the beach, and attempting to walk her dogs. She, her husband, three kids (and other furry and scaly family members) call Central Florida home.

For more information, visit: bethanygano.com.

https://www.instagram.com/bethanygano/

https://www.facebook.com/bethanyganoarts

Tweets by bethanyganoarts

https://www.luluthebeaver.com/

My Review of This Book

Lulu the Beaver

Written and illustrated by Bethany Gano

Lulu is a conscientious beaver. She loves the sounds of the forest and appreciates the work of her fellow beaver friends, but Lulu has one big problem. When she dreams, Lulu aspires to become an artist. She feels ridden with guilt because she should be doing a beaver’s work, yet she feels she could also utilize her other talents.

Children learn about the work of beavers, how they cooperate with friendship and hard work to get their necessary chores accomplished but also that there is an opportunity to reach out and follow one’s dreams.

The illustrations are colorful and whimsical. Life-lessons combined with a fanciful picture book tale make this book a worth-while choice for any elementary school-age reader.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win one of three signed copies of Lulu the Beaver or one of two very awesome Lulu the Beaver prize packs: The Illustration Pack or The Blast-Off Pack.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

THE ILLUSTRATION PACK

A signed, hardcover copy of Lulu the Beaver

A blank sketchbook

A set of four Blackwing Volumes pencils

A pack of metal pencil caps

One custom-painted illustration by Bethany of a name of your choosing (in Lulu’s forest lettering style shown, but the palette can be customized).

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

THE BLAST-OFF PACK

A signed, hardcover copy of Lulu the Beaver

A copy of Lulu’s Activity Book

One “Dream On” patch

One “Lulu Blast” sticker

One “Lulu Blast” bookmark

Three (3) winners receive:

A signed, hardcover copy of Lulu the Beaver

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/8Jrv2/lulu-the-beaver-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

December 27	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Book Review
January 4	The Fairview Review	https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/	Book Review
January 5	The Momma Spot	https://themommaspot.home.blog	Book Review
January 6	Me Two Books	https://www.metwobooks.com/blog	Book Activity
January 9	Twirling Book Princess	https://twirlingbookprincess.com/	Book Giveaway
January 10	icefairy’s Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/	Book Review
January 11	Cover Lover Book Review	https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com	Interview
January 12	JRs Book Reviews	https://jrsbookreviews.com/	Book Review
January 13	Confessions of a Book Addict	http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.com	Book Giveaway
January 16	My Reading Getaway	https://myreadinggetaway.blogspot.com	Guest Post
January 17	Life Is What It’s Called	lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com	Interview
January 18	Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog	https://bamauthor.me	Book Review
January 19	Lisa’s Reading	https://lisasreading.com	Book Review
January 20	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	https://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com	Guest Post
January 23	The Review Wire	https://thereviewwire.com/	Book Review

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.

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Parenting Book & Children’s Book DUO

Written by Jenny Loveless

Edited by Jean Oggins

Illustrated by Denis Prouix

I downloaded this kindle book because I was intrigued by the unique combination of parenting advice with a children’s book. This is the children’s book author’s first attempt at writing nonfiction. The children’s book Ducky Duck Doesn’t want to be a Duck is a reinforcement of the principles explained in the parenting tips. In fact, a parent might want to use this book as a trial run in employing the techniques acquired in the first book.

Loveless is the parent of three girls. Like most parents she has made mistakes. She did lots of research for the book which is also interspersed with her own parenting opinions. The author indicates which come from “experts” and which are her own. As any parent knows, there is no course that prepares you to become a parent. Lots of our learning comes from trial and error. Loveless lists some things that all of us know: children need to be read to, children need attention, children need enough sleep, children need proper nutrition, and children need definite rules. But the author tells us how to best apply our knowledge to help children know themselves better and grow into their own selves.

I like the way Loveless encourages parents to focus on the good in other people and to become involved in good deeds. She urges parents to teach children to examine their self image and to find ways to keep that image a positive one developing self esteem. Teach them that happiness is a choice. Allow them to try new things and perhaps sometimes fail at them so that they can learn about themselves in the process. In setting the rules, explain the reasons for your decisions so that as they grow, they might begin to understand the reasons behind our choices. I especially liked her tip to make a child feel as if the whole world lights up when he enters the room. Loveless does not mean that the child should feel as if he is the center of the universe, but he should know that the parent will always be there as a constant support.

Switching to the children’s story, Ducky Duck decides one day he no longer wants to be a duck. His mother lets him make his own decisions. First he wants to be a bunny, but when he plays hide and seek, his bill sticks out so that Ducky is easily found. When he returns home to go swimming with the family, his mother points out that bunnies don’t swim. Next day he wants to be a beaver so he again waddles off in search of adventure. Upon his return, he gets no supper because beavers don’t eat fish. Then he becomes a deer, who encounters difficulty because he cannot leap. Mother Duck permits him to explore until he finally realizes that it is a duck he wants to be. She provides encouragement and love no matter what he decides modeling the behavior of a loving human parent.

Loveless does not reinvent the wheel. She presents a parenting model that is easy to read and thoughtfully put together. Children of all ages will enjoy their beautifully illustrated story that inspires and motivates, while parents will appreciate the tips and reminders in the parent guide.

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