Thursday, February 27, 2014

Monster books by Danny Pettry are back!



Blurb: 

Monster books are for kids, big kids, and bigger kids like you! They are books that feature pictures of cute monsters. 

Issue # 1: Monsters are so Much Fun (is about numbers 1 to 10).

Issue # 2: So Many Monsters (is about playful monsters).

Issue # 3: It’s Not a Monst-OR – It is a Monster (is about the consonant r sound, which the author struggled with as a kid).

~~**Get all three books AND MORE when you contribute to the Kickstarter campaign - a real bargain!**~~




Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Review of 'A Bad, Mad, Sad Day for Mama Bear' by Mayra Calvani



A Bad Mad Sad Day for Mama Bear

By
Mayra Calvani

Book blurb:

Little Bear offers Mama Bear various items to make her feel better, but she’s too busy to notice—until he gives her his super, so good, so very special dolly. Silly humor, alliteration, repetition, and onomatopoeia make this a fun read-aloud story. A celebration of the special love shared between mother and child. For ages 3-7.

Available as ebook, softcover and hardcover.


Illustrations by KC Snider
Guardian Angel Publishing
Hardcover ISBN: 9781616334345; $15.95
Softcover ISBN: 9781616334352; $10.95
eBook ISBN: 9781616334369; $4.99
24 pages

Review snippets:
"Mayra Calvani magically intertwines two generations perspectives of one's bad mad sad day through caring efforts and that together difficulties can be overcome. A Bad Mad Sad Day for Mama Bear is sure to be a delightful time shared by parents and their young muses." --Amazon reviewer
"The humor of the story, married with the artwork, leaps off the page. After seeing the illustrations, you can't imagine the story any other way. With so much to read and see on every page, it is truly captivating - a delight for eye and ear." --Amazon reviewer
"Enter Mayra Calvani's world with this sweet and funny story about a little bear that wants to help his overwhelmed mom, who is having a bad, sad and mad day. A great story teaching the little ones, in a fun way, that adults aren't perfect and can have bad days too. Children will enjoy the illustrations. A wonderful gift for this upcoming Christmas!" --Amazon reviewer

**My thoughts**

Mommies have bad days, too. So many books focus on a child having a bad day, but few take a look at the adults in children's lives. As children become more aware of their impact on the world around them, their compassionate side kicks in. They seek ways of making their loved ones feel better. Little Bear recognizes that Mama Bear is having a bad, sad day and tries really hard to make her feel better. I like how the book shows him trying to think of ways to make Mama feel better. It's very much the way that a young child would try to help.

I do also like the illustrations in this book. In a more digital age, more of the illustrations have a more computerized feel to them and aren't quite as appealing. These were a refreshing throwback to more traditional books.

I felt sad for Little Bear, because he was trying so hard to help his mom, and she just didn't seem to notice him. I think this book is also a good reminder to parents that even when having a bad day, kids are still there and want to give you love.



Buy links

Bio:

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. She gives one-on-one workshops on the art of picture book writing. When she’s not writing, reading, editing or reviewing, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family. Represented by Serendipity Literary.

Website: http://www.mayrassecretbookcase.com/
Blog: http://mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.be/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayra-Calvanis-Fan-Page/162383023775888?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcalvani
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/272703.Mayra_Calvani




Saturday, February 22, 2014

'Snuffy and Vroom-Vroom' by Elizabeth Levine

Blurb from Amazon:

A book your child will love with a great story, characters and masterful illustrations!

An adorable little vacuum cleaner's life is turned upside down when his beloved brother is purchased--and he's left behind at the store. Just when his heartbreak seems too much to bear, a magical friend arrives. She breaks the spell of sadness and sets in motion a chain of events that cause a surprising serendipity!

This book is beautifully illustrated with 16 full-color illustrations by award-winning artist, Sheila McGraw, illustrator of the children's classic Love You Forever.


THE STORY OF THE BOOK by author Elizabeth Lavine

A few years ago, I spent an entire day in a garage-turned-playroom with a small child. I had agreed to amuse her, entertain her, babysit her while her parents were both ill with the flu. What did she want to play? Dress up? Dolls? Coloring books? Paints? No--she wanted stories--not stories from books, but made-up stories. She sat on my lap and pointed to one object after another, each time saying, "Tell me a story about that."

I told stories about ping pong balls, a mini-trampoline, a little pink bicycle, a box of computer mice, a lemon tree and a clay pot full of wooden spoons. Finally, she pointed to a vacuum cleaner standing in a corner, broken and waiting to be repaired. "Poor little vacuum cleaner," she said. "He's lonely all by himself."

I wondered--perhaps he was lonely. But how could he find a life rich in friendship and good cheer again, as his life must once have been? Who or what would inspire him and re-kindle his natural love of life and self-esteem?


As I began telling the story, what had really happened to the vacuum cleaner--and what WOULD happen--revealed itself in my consciousness, clear as a bell; the story of a little vacuum cleaner, who performs one selfless act of redemption--and who's life turns instantly magical.

I offer this story to you for your enjoyment, in the hopes it will amuse and inspire you as much as it has me and many others, from 3-year-old children to grumpy old men. You may smile, laugh or cry--but without doubt, you will be touched.


Why is Snuffy and Vroom-Vroom a good choice for your child?
  • It will inspire your child's imagination and encourage curiosity about simple objects that we normally take for granted.
  • It will help build your child's self-esteem and model heartfelt values such as creativity, kindness and patience.
  • It will give your child solace if they've ever missed a friend or loved one by demonstrating the magic of "loving the ones you're with."
  • It models the values of loyalty and kindness to family members and how to extend that kindness in all areas of home life.
  • And it shows through a delightful story how anyone can create strength from sadness--instead of allowing it to remain as a dark cloud.
Sheila McGraw has also illustrated and/or written several best-selling children's picture books. Love You Forever went on to become a children's classic with more than 20 million in print and number one on the New York Times Bestseller list.


I searched for over two years for just the right artist for this book. Ms. McGraw's illustrations are above and beyond anything I could have wished for!



Available on Amazon
US \ UK \ CAN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Lavine is a life coach and nature-lover living in Minnesota. She devotes her time listening to people, birds, trees, flowers—and vacuum cleaners. She is a mother to three grown children and grandmother to seven—one of whom inspired the writing of this book.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Sheila McGraw is an internationally recognized illustrator, painter, and author. She is the illustrator and/or author of fifteen children’s and how-to books including the children’s classic Love You Forever with more than twenty million copies in print; Paper Mache for Kids, winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award; and the bestseller.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Review of 'Uncle Bear's Mystery Valentine' by C. Jovan Williams

UncleBearbannerupdate

createspace_v_bear

What’s a bear to do when he has no money, but wants to give a gift to thank his secret admirer?



**My thoughts**:

I hate those little impersonal Valentine cards that children are so fond of passing out in the classroom. They have no significant meaning, just randomly passed out to a chosen group and negate the meaning of the holiday. In my classroom, I have the children spend time creating a Valentine to share with the whole class. It takes creativity, imagination, and lots of love to make these special messages of friendship. That's what this book is all about. It's about doing something kind for a friend, to show how much you care. It isn't about spending a lot of money or being flashy. It's about working together to create something special from the heart. It's a great message for kids.


~~Buy on Amazon~~
 

Author Bio:


Clarice Williams whose pen name is C. JoVan Williams, was born and raised in Chicago, IL, but now resides in New Jersey as an Air Force spouse, with a blended family of six. She credits her writing inspirations from her experiences as a military spouse, mother, college graduate, Government worker, silly daughter, and an overbearing older sister to many. She also writes for Military Spouse Magazine. Her books are available on Amazon.  




To catch up with the author please visit:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/iwrite_2
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chefreceejay
Website: www.carbmonkey.com



Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card for 1 Reader
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 7, 2014

'Learn to Tie a Tie With the Rabbit & the Fox' by Sybrina Durant


Book blurb:
"Learn To Tie A Tie With The Rabbit and the Fox" is a cute story offering a fun and simple lesson for tying a "school boy knot" in a tie. It's a family activity book meant to make it fun for parents to teach their children the most popular method for tying a tie. It is so easy, in fact, that a very young child can quickly master it, especially with help of this little tale. If you are young at heart, you will be rooting for the little rabbit to escape the snapping jaws of the very hungry fox as they race through the forest mimicking the motions of tying a tie. The accompanying song can be heard for free at sybrina.com.


~~37 rave reviews on Amazon give this book an average of 4.8 out of 5 *s! It has helped everyone, from children to adults, learn how to tie a tie! Also a great tool for special needs children. The accompanying song is an additional beneficial tool.~~

Buy it on Amazon




Get to know more about Sybrian Durant, the creator:

Website: http://www.sybrina.com

Facebook Fan Pages: https://www.facebook.com/SybrinaPublishing?ref=hl

'Uncle Bear's Mystery Valentine' by C. Jovan Williams Book Tour Blast!

UncleBearbannerupdate

createspace_v_bear

What’s a bear to do when he has no money, but wants to give a gift to thank his secret admirer?



What people are saying:

It is an endearing story of three friends and their plan to find out the secret Valentine. The story is narrated in pictures like comic strips. The illustrations are colorful and lively. It gives a personality to all the characters in the story and breathes life into the scenes. It is a good bedtime story for children. The scenes are descriptive, helping children visualize the scenes with clarity. The book also tells children about friendship and how friends help each other whenever necessary. - Reader's Favorite
~~Buy on Amazon~~
 

Author Bio:


Clarice Williams whose pen name is C. JoVan Williams, was born and raised in Chicago, IL, but now resides in New Jersey as an Air Force spouse, with a blended family of six. She credits her writing inspirations from her experiences as a military spouse, mother, college graduate, Government worker, silly daughter, and an overbearing older sister to many. She also writes for Military Spouse Magazine. Her books are available on Amazon.  




To catch up with the author please visit:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/iwrite_2
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chefreceejay
Website: www.carbmonkey.com



Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card for 1 Reader
a Rafflecopter giveaway