Review of How Old Is Grandma? by Antoinette Simmonds

 

Welcome to the book blast tour for How Old Is Grandma? by Antoinette Simmonds. How many times have you heard that question from young children? I'm sharing my thoughts on this book and you can follow the tour for even more. Remember to let the author know your thoughts and questions. And best of luck entering the giveaway!

A humorous family mystery about a Grandma's big secret! Kendall and Kayson love going to visit their grandparents and their Grandma's birthday means CAKE, but how many candles to put on it? As the story unfolds, and misunderstandings abound, inquisitive Kendall is surprised to find out more than he bargained for. “How Old is Grandma?” joyfully illustrates the interactions amongst a loving African American family; children, parents, and grandparents and the learning experiences they share. Warm story-telling with a humor and charm that illustrates an understanding of the funniness and peace of mind that is so commonly found in children. The first in a series of books written for children ages 4 and up.

Take a look!

Buy Links

Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

Having worked with children in this age group for so many years, I am no stranger to the persistent questions of age and those common misconceptions of how old adults really are. It's amusing to hear their thoughts. And young Kendall in this book is no different.

He is determined to find out just how old his grandmother actually is. But along the way, he gets distracted by having fun with his young grandmother. I got a kick out of reading through their interactions, because my grandmother were a lot older. So I had a different experience with mine growing up. We always had a lot of fun, but definitely did not play soccer together!

And the end of the book touches on how grandmothers are all different, which I appreciated for those kids who are inevitably going to compare their grandmothers to the one in this book.

The illustrations are what really made this book for me. The characters felt familiar, like I was a part of their family. You could also really feel the affection and love between all of them. I appreciate the care that went into crafting each one of these pictures, that tell more of the story than the words do.

It looks like this is the beginning of a new series of picture books. I will keep my eyes open for more installments.

Thank you to the author and Goddess Fish for providing me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Antoinette Simmonds has more than 25 years’ experience as a teacher. She is an Adjunct Professor at two community colleges and has worked in the past as a teacher of software and a high school business teacher. She holds a BA in Business Education and a master’s degree in Instructional Technology.

As an African American woman, mother of 3, and grandmother of 3, over the years she has found fun, joy and shared experiences sharing books with children. Now as a grandmother and an emerging voice in writing, her goal is to produce a memorable series of humorous family-oriented stories featuring people of color to share, “Teaching is my passion and I am thankful that I am sharing my joy and passing it forward.”

Website: http://nanasbookshelf.com/

Blog: http://nanasbookshelf.com/contact/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntoinetteSimmondsAuthor/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/antoinettesimmondsauthor

Antoinette Simmonds will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#FREE read! 'The Farmer's Water Buckets' by A.M. Marcus

Teach your children to celebrate their differences.

Being different is not easy, especially for young children. Sharing a story wherein the main characters celebrate being different is a very powerful tool for any child. This book shows a great example of looking at the bright side of things and aims to inspire children to embrace who they are with all their unique differences.

This inspiring tale tells the story of The Farmer's Water Buckets in which one of the watering buckets unfortunately breaks. From then on, the broken bucket feels sad about not living to the expectations of others and not being able to help the farmer like he used to before he got broke.

• Will the cracked bucket manage deal with his difference?
• Will the cracked bucket still help the farmer after being broken?
• Can both buckets still be friends?

This book will help you teach your children the value of tolerance, cooperation and acceptance while celebrating their differences. It may help boost a child's self-esteem and realize that being different isn't a negative trait.

It reinforces the view that being different is a positive thing and encourages children to accept the fact that everyone is different.

Available on Amazon

"Tell me a fact and I'll learn. Tell me a truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever."
Native American proverb

A. M. Marcus graduated from the Technion Israel Institute Of Technology with B.Sc. Cum Laude in Computer Engineering.

Throughout his studies, he has been teaching and helping children with math and through his work, he has helped them to discover their inner strength and motivation to continue studying and nurturing success in life.

He loves the challenge of early education, and especially enjoys working with children with learning difficulties. He has found great satisfaction in helping them conquer their fears and overcome the challenges associated with their education.

A. M. Marcus has read hundreds of self improvement books, and been influenced heavily by them. Through self-reflection, he found that his great dream was to share that wisdom, especially with kids.

A. M. Marcus left his computer engineering career in order to pursue his dream of becoming an author of children's books. Today, he continues to write these books, with the goal of teaching kids basic skills through his stories. He believes that a good story is an excellent way to communicate ideas to children.

Each and every story is based upon some deep issue, value, or virtue that can potentially make a huge impact on the lives of both children and adults. He has a vast collection of quotes, and usually bases his stories off of quotes he personally finds inspiring.

For example, the first book he published in English on amazon was, "The Peaceful Lion And The Nagging Crow."

The story can be summed up thusly:

"Don't Take Anything Personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering."
--- Don Miguel Ruiz.

Dear parents, attend to A. M. Marcus' stories carefully, for there will always be a message for you
as well.

Today, A. M. Marcus' stories are delivered to his English readers with great
love. Hopefully you will enjoy and appreciate them.

A. M. Marcus is always happy to get your reviews, answer your questions, or simply speak with you. Please feel free to contact the author at: author@AMMarcus.com

Please feel free to check out A.M. Marcus's website: www.AMMarcus.com

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/A-M-Marcus-1502104430005932/
https://twitter.com/ammrcus
https://www.pinterest.com/a_m_marcus/
https://plus.google.com/107211251510868672559/posts
https://instagram.com/a_m_marcus

'A Jumper for Christmas' by Eleanor Newson

Tom loves Granny McColl and her house full of animals but he does not love her knitting. Tom thinks that the last thing he wants is another bright and badly knitted jumper for Christmas.

All Tom wants for Christmas is a pet of his very own. Tom is longing for a pet and has shown he is ready to take care of one, but has anyone else noticed? Granny is knitting furiously and mum and dad are busy rushing around.

It’s Christmas Eve and the snow is starting to fall, can a warm wooly jumper turn out to be the best gift of all?

Check out this sneak peek from inside the book:

Available at these retailers:

Etsy / Amazon US / Amazon UK

Check out the trailer on YouTube.

About the publisher:

Generation 2050 is a non-profit children’s book publisher. At Generation 2050 we believe in the power of story-telling to change the world for the better. We publish books which inspire and empower children to become responsible world citizens who will act with compassion, respect and take responsibility for the well-being of other people, animals and the planet.

Www.generation2050project.org

'Daniella the Dinosaur Has Dinomania' by Jenna Caroline Maddix

Story description:

Daniella is a dinosaur at Mesozoic Elementary. She loves to sing in the choir and act in every school production. That is, until she finds out the next show is a musical and there is a dance audition. The musical is called Dinomania and it's all about dancing. Daniella loves to dance but not in front of anyone. She has a very unique dancing style. Will Daniella get over her fear of dancing in front of others and give it all she's got--dancing and all?

Buy links

Little Moments Publishing / Etsy

About the author:

Jenna has been writing, for what feels like her whole life. Her first story was in middle school for an extra credit assignment and was given additional points for being so creative. Creating is definitely a passion and it's given her unique opportunities before she started writing children's books, including one of her favorite experiences—writing PSA’s for astronauts to encourage kids to stay in school.

Jenna worked for NASA Johnson Space Center for close to 10 years in the Public Affairs Office. During that time, she coordinated film shoots for TV networks such as Discovery Channel, History Channel, and National Geographic. She also coordinated kid-centered outreach events to area hospitals, worked in the newsroom during Space Shuttle missions, and did lots of writing, from feature articles and press releases to PSA's. She left in 2012 to care full-time for her son, who was born with a rare, genetic condition called Lowe Syndrome.

When Jenna isn't writing or thinking of a new, unique story idea, she enjoys spending time with her family and is regularly involved with community theatre.

Social Media

FB: facebook.com/littlemomentspublishing
Twitter: @lilmomentspub
Instagram: @lilmomentspub

#FREE 3/19 'Gnomes of the Night' by Itzik Klein

Blurb:

Between brushing his teeth, taking a shower, and being a kid, Ryan can't be bothered with another chore.

That is until his dad warns him about the Night Gnomes, who snatch up misplaced items and may claim them as their own.

At first, Ryan doesn't listen, but when his discarded shoes go missing, he has no choice but to use his secret detective skills and so he braves the night in search of the mysterious gnomes. What he finds, though, is even more than he bargained for.

In this wonderfully illustrated children’s book, funny, rhyming story, with great children book characters, young Ryan shares a few laughs with his Dad while he unravels this mystery.

Available on Amazon

And these other fine retailers here
*FREE* 3/19*

About the author:

There is nothing in the world that Itzik loves more than spending time with his family. Whether they are reading books, watching movies, listening to music, or just talking and learning from each other, there is no more cherished time of day than when he is surrounded by his wife and three kids. Because of his love for his children, and in order to help other people share quality time with their families, he finally decided to shirk his 9 to 5--more often 9 to 9—job and dust off his writing gloves in the hope that many more families will be able to connect in the same way that his now can.

Follow him on Facebook!

'The Gnomes of the Night' by Itzik Klein

Blurb:

Between brushing his teeth, taking a shower, and being a kid, Ryan can't be bothered with another chore.

That is until his dad warns him about the Night Gnomes, who snatch up misplaced items and may claim them as their own.

At first, Ryan doesn't listen, but when his discarded shoes go missing, he has no choice but to use his secret detective skills and so he braves the night in search of the mysterious gnomes. What he finds, though, is even more than he bargained for.

In this wonderfully illustrated children’s book, funny, rhyming story, with great children book characters, young Ryan shares a few laughs with his Dad while he unravels this mystery.

Enjoy these sneak peeks into the book!

Sample the audio version here.

Available on Amazon

And these other fine retailers here

About the author:

There is nothing in the world that Itzik loves more than spending time with his family. Whether they are reading books, watching movies, listening to music, or just talking and learning from each other, there is no more cherished time of day than when he is surrounded by his wife and three kids. Because of his love for his children, and in order to help other people share quality time with their families, he finally decided to shirk his 9 to 5--more often 9 to 9—job and dust off his writing gloves in the hope that many more families will be able to connect in the same way that his now can.

Follow him on Facebook!

'My God Is Awesome!' by Kyla and Monique McKenzie

Blurb:

Kyla McKenzie, age 5, is the coauthor along with her mother, Monique McKenzie, of the newly released children's picture book, My God is Awesome! The great work illustrates the wondrous creations of God through the eyes of five-year-old Kyla. Through breathtaking watercolor hand-paintings by world-renowned illustrator Dr. Jan Spivey Gilchrist and emotive text authored by the mother-daughter team, children and adults are reminded that God’s awesomeness should be appreciated and respected in life’s most simple pleasures.

This work is important because:

• The book was showcased at the American Library Association Conference in Las Vegas, NV this past June.
• Kyla is one of the youngest published authors on record.
• The book is inspirational for children and adults.
• We were intentional in selecting children of all nationalities and backgrounds as models.
• The artwork by Hall-of-Famer Jan Spivey Gilchrist is awesome!

Available in ebook and paperback!

About Kyla McKenzie - Author

Kyla McKenzie, a five-year-old first time author, is on a mission to spread the word about the awesomeness of God. Toward this end, the pre-kindergartener convinced her mom that authoring a children’s picture book would be the best way to reach this goal. Despite her youth, Kyla was actively involved in every aspect of the creation and production of this wonderful work. Expect more books from this spirited writer.

About Monique McKenzie - Author

Monique McKenzie is an award-winning journalist, who has written and contributed to numerous nonfiction works, including a long list of articles for Black Enterprise, Essence, Heart & Soul, School Library Journal, The Network Journal, Uptown Professional and a host of other publications. Though most known for her health book, It’s a Sistah Thing: A Guide to Understanding and Dealing with Fibroids for Black Women, being a supportive mom to her three beautiful children is her greatest joy. Kyla’s brothers Tyler (age 10) and Myles (age 8) are their little sister’s biggest supporters. Thus, My God is Awesome! is Monique’s most rewarding project yet!

Visit their website:

www.kylamckenzie.com

Review of 'The Man With the Violin' by Kathy Stinson

Description

Who is playing that beautiful music in the subway? And why is nobody listening?

On January 12, 2007, the world-famous violinist Joshua Bell took part in an experiment conducted by the Washington Post. What would happen if Bell played his violin in a subway station? Would anyone stop to listen? Dressed as an ordinary street musician and with his priceless Stradivarius in hand, Bell played for 43 minutes in the L’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, D.C. Over 1,000 busy commuters rushed past. Only seven stopped to listen for more than a minute. Many children had wanted to stop, but an adult inevitably rushed them along. Inspired by this event, author Kathy Stinson imagines what a child who had wanted to stop might have experienced. From this emerged the lovely story ofThe Man with the Violin.

When young Dylan hears the beautiful music, he tries to get his mother to stop and listen, but like everyone else rushing past, she is focused on catching the train. The strains of the music linger in his head all day long until that evening, when he hears the same music being played on the radio. The announcer reveals who the violinist was and why he was playing in the subway station. As Dylan is swept up again by the gorgeous sound, his mother finally stops and listens too.

Award-winning illustrator Dušan Petričić eagerly embraced the challenge of rendering Stinson’s lyrical text in a way that would capture Dylan’s emotions while interpreting the sounds he heard. With his skillful use of color and imaginative depiction of all the sounds in the subway station, Petričić succeeds in providing the perfect match for the poignant words. Together, Stinson and Petričić have created a picture book classic that reminds us all to open our eyes and ears to discover the beauty around us.

A short biography of Joshua Bell, a recap of the story that inspired this book, and a postscript by Joshua Bell enhance this wonderful tribute to the power of music.

**My thoughts**

The story of Joshua Bell's performance in the subway is one that repeatedly makes it way around Facebook and other social media sites. It is a true story, and one that serves to remind us to take a moment every once in a while, to really appreciate the world around us. Common cliches, such as "Stop and smell the roses" pop into my mind whenever I read about this story. It's something that we often forget to do as adults, as we feel the pressure to move from Point A to Point B, to hurry, hurry, HURRY! 

Children don't operate that way. They are filled with wonder at the world around them, often pausing to take it all in. We used to be that way. And then we were trained to stop being so observant. 

This story serves as a reminder to us to stop and listen to what children have to say when they notice something beautiful. It reminds us to appreciate the finer things in life, such as the beautiful music that Mr. Bell creates with his violin. Within all of the hustle and bustle of our modern lives lies so much beauty that we keep missing.

Of course, this book primarily focuses on the music. This is emphasized in the illustrations. Dylan's world is black and white, except for himself and his mother. As the music envelops him, his world becomes brighter and filled with color, demonstrating how music is so enriching. In addition to the visual representation of the music are a lot of descriptive words about the clanging and noise that is stifling the music and adding to the chaos.

This is a picture book that would be great for older children in musical education or biographical studies. For younger audiences, the story itself will probably go over their heads. I would read it to them, anyway, and play some of Joshua Bell's music while doing so. Or, treat them to a video of one of his performances on YouTube afterwards. You may be surprised at the impact such music will have on them. You may also find yourself being impacted more than you know.

Buy links

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The review was originally published on Examiner.

'Bing & Nero: Boy + Robot = Fun') by I.L. Williams

Blurb:

“The perfect story for everyone who has ever wanted their own robot.”

Share a day with an inventive young boy in a story that celebrates creativity, friendship and fun.

Bing wants a dog. But his mother says a dog is out of the question. What´s a young boy in need of a friend to play with on a boring Saturday morning to do? Why, make his own friend! And what a friend his new creation is!

The product of Bing´s rich imagination and household junk from the basement, Nero is a metallic wonder. From the moment he is switched on, the house is filled with fun! And when they take to the sky for a late afternoon flight, boy and robot are in for a joyous ride that celebrates their friendship. 

This debut book from I.L. Williams gives young readers an opportunity to share an exciting experience many dream of with a young boy in a story that showcases creativity, friendship and fun. An excellent book with vibrant illustrations, for parents and children to enjoy together.

Target age group: 3-7

Available on Amazon Paperback \ Kindle

Follow on Twitter: bingandnero

Read an interview with the author on Examiner.