This post is sponsored by Maria Castellucci Moore. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Vivienne in Paris

Written by Maria Castellucci Moore

Illustrated by Emanuela Mannello

Ages 4+ | 38 Pages

Publisher: Mascot Kids | ISBN-13: 9781637551431

Publisher’s Book Summary: Vivienne in Paris follows a young Parisian girl on a journey through Paris to find what makes her tick. Join Vivienne as she discovers the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of the city that make her feel alive. What better place to explore, observe, and delight in her senses than Paris?

This book tells a story of mindfulness and insight into how the surrounding world can really move you. It unites curiosity, wonder, and marvel to enlighten, surprise, and tickle your deepest spirit. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that bring you the greatest joy.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Owner Entrepreneur, first-generation American, writer, and mother to four children. Maria Castellucci Moore strives to bring passion and enthusiasm to all her endeavors. A lover of all things European, María has found great passion through her travels to Paris, Italy, Spain, and South America. Her affection for winemaking, foreign languages, the arts, ballroom dancing, and traveling has given María a unique and grateful perspective on life. Her love for her family and helping others through charitable giving has enabled María to thoughtfully curate purposeful life adventures.

María Castellucci Moore earned her bachelor of arts degree in finance from Dominican University on a tennis scholarship, and later pursued studying at New York University and the London School of Economics with a focus on global affairs. In 2016, with her siblings, Maria founded Castellucci Napa Family, a luxury wine and real estate brand. María runs her wine label and a family real estate development company in the greater Bay Area. She is a board member of the San Francisco Opera Guild and is enthusiastic about building opportunity and community through the arts.

María resides in Saint Helena, California, with her husband and four young children. She enjoys writing; traveling; attending the opera, ballet, and symphony; flower arranging; winemaking; ballroom dancing; and playing tennis and the piano.

For more information, visit https://mariacastelluccimooreauthor.com/.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

PARIS REVEALED

Vivienne in Paris

Written by Maria Castellucci Moore

Illustrated by Emanuela Mannello

Come tour Paris through the eyes of a child. Vivienne takes the advice of her grandfather who counsels her to experience her favorite places by opening her mind and heart.

Vivienne sets off on her bicycle to revisit her favorite friends and places in Paris. This time she allows her senses to totally immerse her. She smells the food, the flowers, touches the fabrics, feels the wind, sees the beauty of its buildings, and hears its voices. Suddenly, ordinary surroundings flood her body and mind with rich imagery. Vivienne’s readers magically accompany her on a journey that feeds their imagination.

I appreciate the way Moore challenges her readers with new vocabulary, exciting verbs, and fanciful forms. The beautiful illustrations complement the text perfectly and entice elementary school age readers to travel to Paris on an armchair adventure they will want to repeat over and over.

GIVEAWAY

Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Vivienne in Paris and a Kindle!

One (1) winner receives:

– A hardcover copy of Vivienne in Paris signed by Maria Castellucci Moore

– A Kindle (2022 release)

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/clKQG/vivienne-in-paris-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, May 2, 2023The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Wednesday, May 3, 2023The Momma SpotA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Thursday, May 4, 2023Me Two BooksA book activity paired with Vivienne in Paris

Friday, May 5, 2023Life Is What It’s CalledAuthor interview with Maria Castellucci Moore

Monday, May 8, 2023My Reading GetawayA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Tuesday, May 9, 2023icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Wednesday, May 10, 2023Barbara Ann MojicaA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Thursday, May 11, 2023Lisa’s ReadingA book activity paired with Vivienne in Paris

Friday, May 12, 2023Twirling Book PrincessAuthor interview with Maria Castellucci Moore

Monday, May 15, 2023Joanna’s BookshelfA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Tuesday, May 16, 2023The Review WireA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Wednesday, May 17, 2023Heart to HeartAuthor interview with Maria Castellucci Moore

Thursday, May 18, 2023Crafty Moms ShareA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Friday, May 19, 2023The Fairview ReviewA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Monday, May 22, 2023Cover Lover Book ReviewA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Tuesday, May 23, 2023Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Wednesday, May 24, 2023Because I Said SoA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Thursday, May 25, 2023A Blue Box Full of BooksA book review of Vivienne in Paris

Tuesday, May 30, 2023The Growing Readers PodcastAuthor interview with Maria Castellucci Moore

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Harley James and the Trouble in Paris

Written by Leah Cupps

Another fun, fast read from the mystery adventure series that features Harley, an almost twelve-year-old cryptologist and official member of The Society for Mysterious Objects. She is the daughter of a famous, archaeologist, Russell James. Harley and her dog, Daisy are accompanying her father on a new job outside of Paris.

An announcement that an object has been stolen from the Louvre sets the plot in motion. Harley joins an educational group of young explorers and meets Veronica, her partner for this adventure. They feel duty-bound to explore the clues and solve the mystery. The setting of underground catacombs provides an eerie background for the middle-grade target audience but this fast-moving adventure will hold the interest of any age reader. Likeable characters, entertaining black and white illustrations, and short chapters appeal to beginning or reluctant readers. Each book of the series stands independently and apart from the rest.

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Nibolene Falls in a Doughnut Hole
by Maria Calanchini

 

This book is one of the collection of Goop tales based on 52 imaginary creatures called Goops who represent the bad habits of children. Does that make them horrible creatures? You will see that they are charming and adventurous as each of them finds a way to visit an exciting destination. They teach you new vocabulary words and introduce you to fun facts about foreign places. In this particular adventure, Nibolene is a little girl Goop who likes to eat too much.

The author introduces her in a poem:

 

Ah, Nibolene, Sweet Nibolene,
Was neat and spic and span and clean!
She told the truth, indeed, she did,
And always did as she was bid
Yet, she nibbled like a bull
And soon she felt far too full!

Nibolene’s favorite food  is doughnuts. One day while eating one, she fell into the doughnut hole and found herself in a French bakery shop. Reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. Here she meets Esmeralda, a little French dog who wears a beret and speaks with a French accent. Esmeralda tells Nibolene that she was named after a character in the Hunchback of Notre Dame story. She offers to show Nibolene the famous cathedral, but cautions her to beware of the gargoyles who can come to life if they see something that they don’t like. You might be able to guess what happens when Nibolene falls asleep in the cathedral. She has quite a scary adventure which allows the reader to experience more of the sights of Paris. Will Nibolene ever find her way back to the patisserie and climb back into the doughnut hole that will transport her back to Goop land?

Calanchini delights and entertains her readers, but also provides them with a glossary of French and English vocabulary to help them understand the language and culture. There are beautiful photographs of  Parisian foods and landmarks. Younger children will enjoy the silliness of the story, while and older child will appreciate learning about the language, culture and history of Paris, I feel the book would be appropriate for ages 5-12. Calanchini has a website GoopTales.com and a Facebook Goop Tales page. Children are encouraged to watch and listen to Goop Tales or download a partially finished tale and write their own ending. I heartily recommend this highly entertaining and informative series.