"Will in Scarlet" by Matthew Cody ~ Book Review

*Disclosure: I received the following product(s) below from the Author in exchange for an honest review and in no way was I asked to give a positive review. I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Description:

This reimagining of the Robin Hood legend tells the story of the young boy behind the bandit hero's rise to fame.

Will Shackley is the son of a lord, and though just thirteen, he’s led a charmed, protected life and is the heir to Shackley House, while his father is away on the Third Crusade with King Richard the Lionheart.

But with King Richard’s absence, the winds of treason are blowing across England, and soon Shackley House becomes caught up in a dangerous power struggle that drives Will out of the only home he’s ever known. Alone, he flees into the dangerous Sherwood Forest, where he joins an elusive gang of bandits readers will immediately recognize.

How Will helps a drunkard named Rob become one of the most feared and revered criminals in history is a swashbuckling ride perfect for anyone who loves heroes, villains, and adventure.

"Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas" by Carol P. Roman ~ Book Review

*Disclosure: I received the following product(s) below from the Author in exchange for an honest review and in no way was I asked to give a positive review. I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Description:

Captain No Beard and the crew of the Flying Dragon welcome a new crew member, when Cabin Girl Cayla joins the ship. Responsible for his little sister, Captain No Beard is not very happy because he finds his newest charge a distraction. When faced with danger, the captain must find a way to escape. While learning valuable lessons about strangers, the crew realized not to judge somebody because they are young or small. Strength comes in all sizes!

"Twerp" by Mark Goldblatt ~ Book Review

*Disclosure: I received the following product(s) below from the Author in exchange for an honest review and in no way was I asked to give a positive review. I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Description:

It's not like I meant for Danley to get hurt. . . .

Julian Twerski isn't a bully. He's just made a big mistake. So when he returns to school after a weeklong suspension, his English teacher offers him a deal: if he keeps a journal and writes about the incident that got him and his friends suspended, he can get out of writing a report on Shakespeare. Julian jumps at the chance. And so begins his account of life in sixth grade--blowing up homemade fireworks, writing a love letter for his best friend (with disastrous results), and worrying whether he's still the fastest kid in school. Lurking in the background, though, is the one story he can't bring himself to tell, the one story his teacher most wants to hear.

Inspired by Mark Goldblatt's own childhood growing up in 1960s Queens, Twerp shines with powerful writing that will have readers laughing and crying right along with these flawed but unforgettable characters.

"An Ordinary Toad's Extraordinary Night" by Joanne McGonagle & Illustrations by Rachael Mahaffey ~ Book Review

*Disclosure: I received the following product(s) below from the Author in exchange for an honest review and in no way was I asked to give a positive review. I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Description:

An Ordinary Toad's Extraordinary Night is the story of a young toad named Andrew, pondering whether his life would be more interesting had he been hatched a frog.

Andrew embarks on his first solo hop to ask his grandpa some questions about what it means to be an amphibian. The story is blended with factual information that compares and contrasts the similarities and differences among toads and frogs.

A young reader's curiosity will be piqued as they consider the unique attributes of the individual creatures that make up a species, perhaps sparking the light of conversation in their hearts and minds.

"How the Octopus Got Eight Arms: Two Arms Are Never Enough" by Yvonne Arroyo & Illustrated by Carl Wanzung ~ Book Review

*Disclosure: I received the following product(s) below from the Author in exchange for an honest review and in no way was I asked to give a positive review. I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Description:

Oscar Octopus and his wife, Sharky Shark, are the proud parents of a sizeable brood. Oscar adores his children, and spends every spare moment playing with them. Things go swimmingly until, one day, Sharky has to make an emergency visit to see her ailing mother. Suddenly, Oscar is left in charge of his offspring. Because of a huge physical shortcoming, Oscar is unable to meet the needs of all his kids. His wife returns to find him nearly dead of exhaustion. She rushes him to the doctor, who performs emergency surgery on him. In no time at all the new and improved Oscar is able to more easily handle his children. He and his family live playfully and happily ever after. This sure-fire pleaser features rich vocabulary, lively rhyming text and attractive illustrations that will warm every young reader's heart.

"If You Were Me and Lived In...South Korea...: A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the World" by Carole P. Roman ~ Book Review

*Disclosure: I received the following product(s) below from the Author in exchange for an honest review and in no way was I asked to give a positive review. I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Description:

Carole P. Roman takes you on a journey this time to Asia, landing in South Korea. Once again, children can learn how life is like for young people on the other side of the globe. From food to famous landmarks, they will learn that's it's easy to find something in common with people in different countries.

"The Yogi's Curse" by Lars Guignard ~ Book Review

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Charisma Media Book Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Charisma Media Book Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Synopsis:

Zoe and Zak are back in India. Again. And this time they’re attending Moonstock Himalayan Boarding School, which might seem fun except for the fact that the school is a little strange. Students ride elephants instead of school buses, snarling monkeys work as security guards, and angry parrots monitor the halls. And even when they manage to get used to the wildlife, the food is absolutely terrible.But living with a bunch of other kids their age can be a lot of fun too, or at least it seems that way until Zoe’s roommate goes missing. Following the directions written on a steamy bathroom mirror, Zoe and Zak fly through the clouds on their magic carpet to learn that the two of them have been chosen yet again. This time they’ve been asked to lift the Yogi’s Curse.It’s not going to be easy. Zoe and Zak don’t even know what the Yogi’s Curse is let alone how to lift it, but like it or not, they soon discover that a whole lot of people are depending on them. Now, if they’re going to save the day, they’re going to have to fool the monkey guards, avoid the nasty parrots, and maybe even develop a supernatural ability or two. Because lurking beneath Moonstock is a powerful new enemy. And if Zoe and Zak can’t stop him, nobody can.

"The Little Sparrow Named Too" by E. Dantes ~ Book Review

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Pump Up Your Book Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Pump Up Your Book Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Description:

The series of "TOO" focuses around a sparrow hatchling who is new to life and keen to explore it. He is clever though strong-willed which means he always getting "in" and "out" of trouble - especially when he has a bright idea! Each of the books will broach everyday parental / childcare issues helping children understand the importance of parental guidance and social respect.

"Nalah and the Pink Tiger" by Anne Sawyer-Aitch ~ Book Review

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Pump Up Your Book Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Pump Up Your Book Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Description:

Nalah and the Pink Tiger is a picture book by Anne Sawyer-Aitch. She drew inspiration for this story from her lively little niece, who lives so intensely in her imagination that grown-ups around her view her as a troublemaker. Things come to a head when – in addition to all the exotic animals that Nalah has “placed” in the house – a pink tiger “follows” her home from the zoo and creates havoc. The story also celebrates the joyful explosiveness of a child’s imagination. To illustrate the book, Anne developed a style which she calls illuminated iIllustration, featuring multiple layers and backlighting that create vibrant, textured pages.

{Book Reveiw} "A Silly Rhyming Alphabet Book about Animals" by Simone Da' Costa

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Between the Lines Book Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Between the Lines Book Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Description:

Using the names of animals that start with letters in the alphabet in rhyme, making each story silly and easy to remember the alphabet.

"Dr. Fuddle and the Gold Baton" by Warren L. Woodruff ~ Book Review

*Disclosure: I received the above product(s) from the Author in exchange for an honest review and in no way was I asked to give a positive review. I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Description:

When the dark musician Jedermann gains control of the legendary Gold Baton, Tyler, his sister Christina, and their friends are drawn into a dangerous, mysterious adventure. Guided by the mythical Dr. Fuddle, these explorers journey to Orphea, saving the land from chaos and destruction, and return to earth with the gift of harmony. 

Twelve year old Tyler Harrington and his younger mute sister Christina have been living with a bone-chilling mystery. After nearly giving up hope, Tyler finally receives the clear, unmistakable sign his mother had promised him. The sign leads Tyler, Christina and three of their friends into the town’s most mysterious residence. There they meet a former resident of the manor, Dr. Fuddle, who offers them the solution to the mystery, but at a great price: they must leave earth and enter the land of Orphea and help him find the legendary Gold Baton.

Once in Orphea, Tyler and the others learn that their mission had been foretold in a prophecy, that they are the Messengers of Music, destined to save Orphea from the dark forces of Jedermann, who is quickly gaining control of Orphea, replacing all harmony and beauty with discord and chaos. Turn by turn, the mission becomes more dangerous, and their only weapons are sacred instruments which they must master, harnessing their secret powers against the enemy. At the final battle, Tyler discovers the solution to the mystery and meaning of his mother’s final words.

"DJ's Lullaby: A Mother's Love Song" by Lucy Rivas Enriquez ~ Book Review

Book Description:

Like many women, Lucy wanted to be a mom. She prayed for a child to bless her home—and
then discovered that God had a very special plan for her. On a bright August day, DJ came into
Lucy’s life, making her dream of motherhood come true. DJ’s Lullaby is a heartwarming and
beautifully illustrated bedtime story and lullaby—a song of love from mother to child—written
to celebrate family through adoption. Because every child is a gift from God. And every child is perfect for every mom who loves them.

Every child is a gift from God. Like many women, Lucy Rivas Enriquez wanted to be a mom. She prayed for a child to bless her home-and then discovered that God had a very special plan for her. On a bright August day, DJ came into Lucy's life, making her dream of motherhood come true. DJ's Lullaby is a beautifully illustrated bedtime story and lullaby-a song of love from mother to child-written to celebrate the many wonderful aspects of adoption. Because every child is a gift from God. And every child is perfect for every mom who loves them.

"Oh Brother!: A Nico and Tugger Tale" by Kimberly Sentek ~ Book Review

Book Description:

Transitions are never easy, and adding a new brother or sister to one’s family can leave children a little confused and a lot rebellious. Author Kimberly Sentek hopes to ease the minds of parents and children alike in her new story told by two characters in Oh Brother!: A Nico and Tugger Tale (published by Trafford Publishing).

In her book, Sentek tells the tale of Nico and Tugger – two loveable dogs who become brothers and must learn how to sit, stay, and play nice with each other. Her motivation to write the story hit very close to home.

“When I got my second dog and saw how the two interacted together, I thought it paralleled how children act with each other,” Sentek says.

The story unfolds from each dog’s perspective, which will help children understand differing points of view and learn how to adapt to a new sibling.

“It is a gift to have a sibling; I hope the book helps children understand this and shows them that everyone can fit in the family, even if it doesn’t seem like it at times.”

"Sewing a Friendship 2: Magic in Us: The Power of Imagination" by Natalie Tinti {Book Review}

Book Description:

Magic in Us is a sweet, hopeful, energetic story that creates a lively pace and makes reading aloud a pleasure. It's an

inspiration for children to learn and grow into well-rounded individuals, to realize the power of friendship, to learn about

the value of problem solving and discover hidden talents. It told by 10 years old Natalie Tinti who is not only a multi-

awarded talented writer, she is also an amazing artist!


The Power of Imagination (book 1)

When a secret agent dog, Dogon, informed four best friends that Nina has a bad horrible scratch and she won’t be able to

play her musical instruments, they must quickly come and make her feel better. While deciding what to do next, there's a

veritable blizzard of ideas put forth, and the girls have to sift through them all to come up with a plan of action. Together

they create a magical world full of adventures where every obstacle can be overcome with mutual support and joint

creativity.

{Book Review} "Kathryn the Grape's Piece of Love" by Kathryn Cloward

Book Description:

Did you know you are LOVE? Join Kathryn the Grape and her classmates as they connect their puzzle pieces together. Maggie helps Kathryn the Grape get into the flow of her creativity to share about rippling loving kindness. Everyone has a piece to contribute. What is yours? When children read this peace building story, they will learn that we all have a piece to share to creating peace, and that everyone is love!

This story empowers children with personal accountability and responsibility.

~The characters in this story are based on real people.
~$1 from the sale of this book will be donated to Kids for Peace.

{Book Review} "Stuck in the Doldrums: A Lesson in Sharing" by Carole P. Roman

Book Description:

When the wind stops blowing, Captain No Beard and his crew, including First Mate Hallie, Linus the Lion, Fribbet the Frog, Mongo the Monkey and Polly the Parrot, are stuck on a desert island. Maroon with nothing to do, they begin to play and enjoy themselves. However, Captain No Beard has other ideas, bossing his crew around and making playtime cheerless for everyone. Soon, Captain No Beard decides he has had enough and storms off.

When his ship is attacked by a giant squid, he realizes he needs his crew more than ever. Captain No Beard and his crew show young readers that's it's important to cooperate and share your belongings. The crew teaches us that if you want to have friends, then you must be a friend too.

{Book Review} "Princess Onyx: Precious Gems" by Clarissa Burton

Book Description:

"Today a boy called me ugly because my skin is dark,"
said Jaydah as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"My beautiful gem," Tata said softly, gently wiping the tears from Jaydah's face. "You are far from ugly. You are beautiful and exquisite like a beautiful and precious gem."

{Book Review} "If You Were Me and Lived in... Mexico - A Child's Introduction to World Culture {Volume 1)" by Carole P. Roman

Book Description:

"If You Were Me and Lived in... Mexico - A Child's Introduction to World Culture", is the first entry in this educational series that takes children on a journey to our exciting neighbor to the south...Mexico!

Perfect for children from Pre-K to age eight, this little book is a ground breaking new experience in exposing children the joy of cultural differences.

{Book Review} "Charlie Sparrow and the Secret of Flight" by David Anderson

Blurb:


"Charlie Sparrow has no idea he can fly. It’s no wonder–in Tree City, none of the birds know anything about flying at all. Not Charlie’s parents, not his friends, not the doctors or police. But Charlie is sure there’s a magical secret behind his feathers. He’ll do anything to find out what it is, even break the laws of Tree City. Will he figure out the truth before Doctor Nightingale straps him in the plucking chair and pulls the lever, plucking his beautiful feathers?

This entertaining and inspiring chapter book for kids ages 6-9 has over thirty illustrations."

{Book Review} "Learn to Tie a Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox" by Sybrina Durant

Book Description:

The book is based around the endearing tale of a rabbit and a hungry fox. The illustrated new story melds generations past, with a story of new found freedom and flavor.  Learn To Tie A Tie With The Rabbit And The Fox, is the careening adventure of these two characters, set to a lively and memorable instructional song, that offers a simple and fun way of learning to tie the "school boy" style knot, so many kids struggle to learn.

In the new book, the very hungry fox races through the forest seeking to capture the sweet rabbit with its sharp and powerful snapping jaws.  The race itself mimics the motion of tying a knot. The book is written to involve the entire family and intended to make it fun for parents to teach the sometimes troubling task to the little learners.

The book encourages participants reading and listening to the companion song to each have a tie handy to go through the motions of actually tying a necktie. The song is a catchy and repeatable jingle that runs around the head long after the book is finished. Children remember the song melody and words and with the jingle re-call their actions in tying their neckties.

The elegant knot the book teaches is also known as the "four in hand". Word association has long been used by scholars and amateurs alike in the learning of anything and everything necessary and unnecessary.  The process is called "Mnemonic" which is defined by the art of memorizing something by associating it with words, phrases or sentences designed to help remember.

Learn To Tie A Tie With The Rabbit And The Fox is a book readers may see, touch and share. It is also available in Spanish and Tagalog languages. The accompanying song can be streamed for free, in all three languages, at the author's website.