AS A BOOK REVIEWER FROM THE INCEPTION OF THIS EVENT, I AM PROUD TO SHARE TWO WONDERFUL NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK EXAMPLES WITH YOU.

📚 Join us for the 11th Multicultural Children’s Book Day on 1/25/24! https://shorturl.at/wG389 🌍 Founded by two book-loving moms, Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, this non-profit initiative celebrates diverse books and authors. Let’s spread the joy of multicultural literature to young readers and educators. #MCBD2024 #ReadYourWorld 📖

It Is Not What You Think

Old Clothes for Dinner?

Written by Nathalie Alonso

Illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro

This multicultural picture book is a delight for a young child’s eyes, ears, and taste buds. The book packs a ton of information as well as a delightful story of a Cuban family’s culture and homelife.

Magaly and her brother’s grandmother from Cuba have recently joined the family in America. They are delighted with the delicious native recipes she cooks for the family. One day, when Magaly asks what is for dinner, her “abuela” replies “ropa vieja.” That translates to old clothes in English. Magaly and her brother, Camilo, hurry to search for and hide their favorite clothes. Turns out the joke will be on them.

This book targets an audience of children ages four through eight, but it delighted this adult as well. In addition to the interesting tale, the author includes recipes from around the world including their history, facts about Cuba, and details on how to cook two of the Cuban recipes from the story.

THE TREASURE IS IN EVERYDAY THINGS

Treasure Hunt

Written by Stephanie Wildman

Illustrated by Estefanía Razo

When Luis sees a delivery person with a huge cardboard box, he at once thinks of his younger twin siblings, Roberto, and Flor. Luis asks the worker to leave the box behind.

Roberto and Flor return home from school expecting to watch TV and play video games, but Luis has a better idea. He asks them if they would like to go on a treasure hunt. The twins cannot hold their excitement. Roberto hides clues in the kitchen, the bedroom, and the living room.

Flor and Roberto are puzzled when they find and name the objects. Luis brings them to the backyard and the gigantic cardboard box. Immediately, the twins know exactly what to do with it.

This book displays a loving multicultural family with strong sibling relationships. Elementary grade readers will love this colorful picture book with endearing, curious, and intelligent characters. Wildman enriches its value by providing detailed instructions for readers to create their own treasure hunt complete with props.

I highly recommend this interactive book for primary grade boys and girls who seek opportunities for creativity and imaginative activities to engage in at home.

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Victorian San Francisco Novellas: (San Francisco Novellas)

Written by M. Louisa Locke

If you are looking for a few quick reads and like history, this book may be your cup of tea.

The characters are secondary characters from the author’s mystery series. There is a good amount of historical detail about the Victorian age in San Francisco. These stories revolve around the working class and life in a boarding house. They tell about lives often forgotten and the struggles of the poor in San Francisco during a time when the needs of the poor were overlooked.

Fast reads with interesting plots and characters.

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In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Ryan O’Connor

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ting Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Written by Ryan O’Connor

Illustrated by Xiang Minghui

Ages 6-10 | 48 Pages

Publisher: Xlibris Corp | ISBN-13 : 978-1664153189

Publisher’s Synopsis: Li Li Wang is enjoying Chinese New Year with her family when her grandparents ask her to sit with them. Before giving Li Li her holiday gift, they tell her the story of Ting Ting Wang, Li Li’s ancestor, and how she became a Chinese hero. Li Li carefully listens as her grandparents tell her about Ting Ting, the monster Nian, and the origin of the Chinese New Year celebration. Ting Ting, the Girl Who Saved China provides insight into China’s biggest holiday, gives a sense of its culture, and shows that girls are just as strong and brave as boys.

PURCHASE LINKS

https://amzn.to/2R1YdPv

https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781664153189

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ryan O’Connor is a literature and writing teacher in Shanghai, China, and the author of the children’s book series Bobby the Bear. With a background in sports journalism and education, Ryan has turned his focus to writing children’s books. Through unique characters, Ryan provides children with moral and life lessons. Ryan has earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in education; he has also won numerous awards for sports writing. Ryan is a native of Pittsburg, Kansas, but has spent the past ten years living in Shanghai.

To learn more about Ryan and his books, visit his website at www.ryanoconnorauthor.com.

MY REVIEW OF THE BOOK

A FAMILY TRADITION

Ting, Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Written by Ryan O’Connor

Illustrated by Xiang Minghui

Six-year-old, Li Li Wang is getting ready to celebrate Chinese New Year with her parents and grandparents. Her grandmother, Nai, Nai, and grandfather, Ye Ye, decide to tell her about the story of one of her ancestors, Ting Ting Wang.

Ting Ting lived on a farm with her parents and older brothers in the village of Tianyu many years ago. At that time no one paid attention to girls. Ting heard about the monster named Nian who was half unicorn and half dragon. Every year Nian would roam the countryside and attack the villages on New Year’s Eve. Across China, the residents hid themselves, their animals and possessions from the wanton attacks of the monster. But Ting Ting was not afraid. She knew if attacked she would stand and fight. When Nian appeared in her village, she dressed in red, decorated the house with red banners, and set out loud firecrackers. The monster became disoriented and fled. This legend has been handed down from generation to generation.

Elementary grade readers learn about Chinese culture, traditional foods, and customs like the tradition of the red envelope. The multicultural illustrations are charming and vibrant. This tale is a wonderful way to introduce students to Asian culture. Recommended as a read aloud for classroom discussion or a bedtime story for children ages three through eight.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a set of books by Ryan O’Connor, including Ting Ting, the Girl Who Saved China!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A copy Ting Ting, the Girl Who Saved China
• A Ting Ting Bookmark
• A copy of Bobby the Bear and His Missing Dinner
• A copy of Merry Christmas, Bobby the Bear

Two (2) winners receive:

• A copy Ting Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

The giveaway begins June 1, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends June 30, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY.

https://gleam.io/Wl38D/ting-ting-the-girl-who-saved-china-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, June 1, 2021The Children’s Book ReviewTour Kick-OffTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Tuesday, June 1, 2021Lisa’s ReadingA book review ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Wednesday, June 2, 2021A Dream Within a DreamA book review ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Thursday, June 3, 2021Library Lady’s Kid LitA book review ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Friday, June 4, 2021J.R.s Book ReviewsA book review ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Sunday, June 6, 2021Feminist Books for KidsA book review ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Monday, June 7, 2021Crafty Moms ShareA book review ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Tuesday, June 8, 2021Life Is What It’s CalledAn interview withRyan O’Connor

Wednesday, June 9, 2021Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogA book review ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Thursday, June 10, 2021Over Coffee ConversationA Beyond the Book ActivityTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Friday, June 11, 2021The Fairview ReviewA book review ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Wednesday, June 16, 2021Heart to HeartA book giveaway ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Thursday, June 17, 2021The Momma SpotA book review ofTing Ting, the Girl Who Saved China

Friday, June 18, 2021Books Are Magic TooAn interview withRyan O’Connor

The Mardi Gras Chase (True Girls Book 1)

Written by Maggie M. Larche

Fast moving middle grade mystery adventure involving three friends, Melanie, Kate, and Faye. While attending one of the mardi gras parades in Mobile, Alabama, the girls notice that some of the letters on the floats are upside down. They copy the letters R.C.E.N.R.A.P. In addition, the strange letters appear only on the high and “poufy” floats. These friends do some internet research, discovering that Mr. Simmingham is their designer. The girls visit the museum to investigate the floats stored from the parade they had missed and vow to attend the rest of the parades during the week to continue the investigation. But the friends must attend a history presentation on Saturday, so they enlist Matt to collect the information. The plot thickens when Matt is arrested; the girls are relieved to find he had already succeeded in his mission. They are unsuccessful in cracking the code until they receive help from an unlikely source. A visit to the cemetery leads to another hair raising adventure and unexpected rewards.

Targeted for a middle grade audience of eight to twelve year olds, the plot moves along quickly. There is probably a bit too much dialogue, but that is appropriate for this age group. Strong female role models, strong family relationships, a tinge of scariness and mystery, plus the unusual Mobile mardi gras setting, set it apart from the typical middle grade adventure tale. First book in a series that will succeed if the characters continue to grow and evolve.

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