Book Review/Giveaway: The Smiling Burro. Ends June 14th

 

The Smiling Burro by Mary Esparza-Vela art by Mike Motz.

 

About the Book: A tiny burro shows up at a little boy’s house and becomes a real asset to the family. The day he disappears, they never expect to see him again until he prances in one dark spooky night.

 

My Review: Raulito lived with his parents in a tiny house on top of a mountain in Mexico. He often helps his parents carry barrels of water from the bottom of the mountain to the house. While emptying his last bucket of water he saw a small burro munching on his mother’s plants in her garden. Raulito fell in love with the burro and his parents allowed him to keep him till someone came to claim him. Raulito was so excited and name the burro Pepito and feed him corn.

Raulito played with Pepito every chance he gets. Pepito was helpful to the family by carrying heavy loads of wood and large barrels of water tied to his back.

One day Raulito went to feed Pepito and found out that he has gone. He called out to his father, who examine the rope and told him that Raulito was stolen, Raulito was so sad. Days passed with no sign of Pepito.  Grandpa came to visit to cheer him up by telling the children a story to take Raulito’s mind off loosing Pepito. Did Raulito ever find Pepito?

This is an easy to read book that gives an educational history about burros. Do you know that burro is a Spanish translation for the English word donkey, and that the first burros lived 5,000 years ago in Egypt? The author went on to give more information about burros in the last page of this book. This book is recommended for children ages 4 – 8 years old.

 

Disclaimer: As per FTC guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone.

 

 

About the Author: Mary Esparza-Vela is an award-winning author who has written articles for religious publications and online non-profit organizations. A total of 15 short stories have appeared on line and seven children’s picture books have been published by Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. Her winning stories include an Honorable Mention from Writers Digest, a 1st Place winning entry, and a picture book that won a 2012 Book of the Year Award. Some of her books are also available in Spanish.

Mary is also the patented inventor of three plush dolls that received “Preferred Choice” and “Seal of Excellence” awards from a panel made up of parents and educators. TDMonthly Toy Magazine also featured them as “winning toys.” The first adventure book involving the doll characters has been published in English and Spanish. You’re welcome to see her books and dolls at www.luv-beams.com

 

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Book Review/Giveaway: The Adventures of Enzo. Ends June 7th

Enzo’s First Day Under the Eyes of Mister Taurus / Le premier jour d’Enzo sous l’oeil de Monsieur Taureau by Sonia Colasse

About the Book

FR: Le carnet de bord d’Enzo est un message universel écrit sous forme de petites histoires au cours desquelles le personnage Enzo vit diverses aventures. Ces historiettes associent des valeurs fondamentales de la vie à des illustrations simples. Cette association complice fait un petit clin d’oeil au sens moral pour apprendre et apprécier la simplicité de la vie vite oubliée dans notre société moderne. De même, chaque récit encourage l’enfant à découvrir la langue française tout en enrichissant le vocabulaire de sa langue maternelle.

EN: Enzo’s diary is an universal message written in the form of stories in which Enzo, the main character, has various adventures. These short stories join fundamental values to simple illustrations. With a nod towards morality, this original blend enables children to learn and appreciate the simplicity of life, a value too quickly forgotten in our modern society. It also enables them to discover the French language while enriching the vocabulary of their mother tongue. Monsieur Taureau est tout fier ! Il a un nouveau petit ami : un petit garçon prénommé Enzo. Mr. Taurus is very happy! He has a new friend: a little boy called Enzo. http://www.soloinfinity.com/enzo/english/adventures.php

My Review:  Mister Taurus is happily waiting the birth of Enzo who will be born before sunset on Tuesday the 21st of April. But Enzo seem to be taking his time in his warm mother’s tummy. While Mister Taurus was waiting on the birth of his friend, he started to think about what Enzo would be like. Would he like playing tricks on his friends? Mister Taurus was delighted when Enzo was born he now has a friend to play with and can’t wait for them to discover new adventures.

The great thing about this book is that it’s not written only in English but in French. In case you were wondering, Mister Taurus is a Bull. The series are based on astrological signs.

The illustrations by Sarah Bainton help bring the story to life with colorful pages. This is a well written story by the author.

Les aventures d’Enzo / The Adventures of Enzo: Enzo et son premier Noël / Enzo’s first Christmas (Volume 9) By Sonia Colasse

About the Book

FR: Le carnet de bord d’Enzo est un message universel écrit sous forme de petites histoires au cours desquelles le personnage Enzo vit diverses aventures. Ces historiettes associent des valeurs fondamentales de la vie à des illustrations simples. Cette association complice fait un petit clin d’oeil au sens moral pour apprendre et apprécier la simplicité de la vie vite oubliée dans notre société moderne. De même, chaque récit encourage l’enfant à découvrir la langue française tout en enrichissant le vocabulaire de sa langue maternelle.

EN: Enzo’s diary is an universal message written in the form of stories in which Enzo, the main character, has various adventures. These short stories join fundamental values to simple illustrations. With a nod towards morality, this original blend enables children to learn and appreciate the simplicity of life, a value too quickly forgotten in our modern society. It also enables them to discover the French language while enriching the vocabulary of their mother tongue. Après une très belle journée de sagesse, Enzo vient d’apprendre que pour son premier Noël il ira avec ses parents à Tahiti. After a day of learning how to be wise, Enzo has just heard that, for his first Christmas, he will go to Tahiti with his parents.

My Review: Enzo is spending his first Christmas with his parents at Tahiti, a French Polynesian island in the South Pacific, where the sea is turquoise and the sun always shine and the air is warm. Enzo was introduce to his nanny Maeva who will be taking are of him while his parents are out doing grown up things.  Enzo notice that Maeva has a blue haired creature that is her pet and his name is Mister Capricorn. Mister Capricorn is a sea-goat who quickly became friends with Enzo.

The illustrations by Sarah Bainton help bring the story to life with colorful pages. This is a well written story by the author written not only in English but in French.

Disclaimer: As per FTC guidelines, I received a copy of these books from the author in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone.

About the Author: Sonia Colasse is a poet since the age of nine. Originally from Brittany in France, she discovered poetry in Normandy during his early school years. She loves her pen, paper, and play with the letters. Songwriter, Sonia will wait to meet her husband in August 2007 Lawrence Colasse to think about writing stories for children. Inspired by some drawings of Sarah Bainton illustrator of the birth of his son Enzo, and the future, she wrote her first story in 2009. Sonia and Laurent decided in 2010 that their universal message must be translated into several languages. And their love, the same year a publishing house adds to the stories for all children of the earth. This wonderful duo becomes “Solo Infinity”.

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Giveaway Ends June 7th

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Book Review/Giveaway: The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook. Ends June 7th

The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook by Joanne Rocklin

About the book

In this warmhearted middle-grade novel, Oona and her brother, Fred, love their cat, Zook (short for Zucchini), but Zook is sick. As they conspire to break him out of the vet’s office, Oona tells the stories of his previous lives, ranging in style from fairy tale to grand epic to slice of life. Each of Zook’s lives have echoes in Oona’s own family life, which is going through a transition she’s not yet ready to face. Her father died two years ago, and her mother has started a relationship with a man named Dylan—whom Oona secretly calls “the villain.” The truth about Dylan, and about Zook’s medical condition, drives the drama in this loving family story. http://www.abramsbooks.com/Books/The_Five_Lives_of_Our_Cat_Zook-9781419705250.html

Age Range: 8 and up

Paperback: 240 pages

My Review:  If you are a cat lover you would want to read Five Lives of Our Cat Zook. This touching story tell about a 10 years old girl who watched her father die of cancer and is still grieving for him, her beloved cat is now sick and the only thing she can do is tell stories to Fred to keep him happy.

Oona and her brother Fred found Zook the cat in an alley while they were eating lunch from O’Leary’s. They took the cat home and their mother agreed that they can keep him. Zook left ill and they took him to the Good Samaritan Veterinary Clinic and was told that Zook’s kidneys are failing. Oona notice that her brother was very sad, so to make him happy she told him that cats have nine lives inside them. They have the ability to come back to life. But we know cats don’t actually have nine lives. So Oona went on to stretch the truth and tells Fred stories about their cat Zook’s previous four lives. This book will be emotional for cat lovers. A well written story by the author.

FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Abrams Appleseed in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

About the author

Joanne Rocklin is the critically acclaimed author of several books, including One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street, which School Library Journal called, in a starred review, “fascinating and thought-provoking. . . . Sweet and tart and sure to satisfy.” She lives in Oakland, California.

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Giveaway Ends June 7th

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Giveaway: 3 DVD The Land Before Time. Ends May 31st

The Land Before Time: Through the Eyes of a Spiketail – DVD

It’s time for more dino-riffic fun friendship and songs as your favorite prehistoric pals reunite in 4 exciting new TV episodes in The Land Before Time® : Through the Eyes of a Spiketail! Join Littlefoot, Spike and the rest of the kids as they play romp and have exciting adventures in the Great Valley. With over ninety minutes of animated fun you’ll want to watch Spike and his friends again and again!

The Land Before Time: Adventuring in the Mysterious Beyond – DVD

Join the enchanting TV adventures of your favorite prehistoric pals–Littlefoot, Chomper, Petrie, Cera, Spike, Guido and Ducky explore their amazing world in four fantastic episodes filled with dino-riffic songs and important life lessons. Over 90 minutes of fun for the whole family! You won’t want to miss a minute of the laughter, friendship and excitement!

The Land Before Time: Amazing Adventures – DVD

The Land Before Time: Amazing Adventures contains 4 fun and entertaining episodes filled with valuable life lessons, toe-tapping songs and your favorite dinosaurs and their new friends! Plus, this DVD is filled with even more dino-riffic games and sing-a-long activities that your kids will want to watch again and again.

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Giveaway Ends May 25th

The winner will be selected via Random.org

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Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop – May 13th to 19th

Welcome to Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop May 13th – 19th
 Hosted by KidLitFrenzy, Mymcbooks & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

There will be 3 winners for this Hop (USA ONLY)

Each winner will receive 7  children’s books

You have to be a subscriber to enter.

Randy Riley’s Really Big Hit by Chris Van Dusen

Talk, Oscar, Please! by Karen Kaufman Orloff

No Jumping on the Bed by Tedd Arnold

Ballerina Swan by Allegra Kent

Lincoln and Grace (Why Abraham Lincoln Grew a  Beard by Steve Metzger

Let’s Laugh

Andy Shane and the Queen of Egypt by Jennifer R Jacobson

Mudshark by Gary Paulsen

Hello, Mrs. Piggle- Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

Dying to Meet You (43 Old Cemetery Road) by Kate Klise

Games and Puzzles from the Tree House by Mary P. Osborne and Natalie P Boyce

Sassy Pants by Carol Brown

J.R.Terrier and the Message by Tabitha Z. Baskin

Short Circus by Stephen V. Masse

Rabbit The Fisher. Story based on the Book of Matthew 4:19 by Jose J. Arzave

Do Unto Otters. A book about Manners by Laurie Keller

Christian Comics

Jonah

Moses

Beaty Queen – The Story of Esther

The Last Convert of John Harper

Babylon Exile Vol 1

Babylon Conquest Vol 2

Babylon Madman Vol 3

Babylon Kingdom Vol 4

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List Your 7 Books in Your Comments

The first winner will receive their choice of 7 books

The second winner will receive most of their choices and what is left will go to the final winner.

Thanks for taking part!

~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway (US ONLY)

Mandatory Entry: Must be a Follower of Mymcbooks blog. Leave Your Comments below.

To win more books please check out the other OVER 125 blogs taking part by clicking on the link below to enter more goodies.

http://www.iamareader.com/2013/04/childrens-book-week-giveaway-hop-sign-ups-may-13th-to-19th.html

This giveaway close at midnight May 19th and the winners will be selected at random.org and posted May 20th

This Giveaway Has Ended

Thanks to all that took part.

Winners

#27 – Seyma S

#49 – Audra W

#10 – Christine A.

Book Spotlight/Giveaway: WOI Tour for L. R. W. Lee Author of Andy Smithson: Blast of the Dragon’s Fury

 

L.R.W. Lee WOI May 2013 Tour 

Andy Smithson: Blast of the Dragon’s Fury

About the Book:Ten-year-old Andy Smithson is magically brought to the Land of Oomaldee while he is doing dishes one night. Unbeknownst to him, he is there to break a 500-year-old curse.  Andy learns that his quest is the Dragon’s Lair to find an ingredient critical to breaking the curse – the scale from an elusive red dragon, the fiercest of all dragon species. Andy nearly destroys the castle amidst adventures battling fire-breathing dragons, fighting vicious vulture attacks, escaping people-eating giants and more.

A middle grade (5th & 6th grade) fantasy adventure that entertains while teaching uncommon life changing narratives. http://www.lrwlee.com/#!books/c7pz

 

Publisher: Createspace

ISBN: 978-1482312645

ISBN -10: 1482312646

Available in eBook and Print Publication

Date: April 2013 Genre: Middle Grade Adventure

http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com/worldofinknetwork/l.r.w.-lee-may-13.html

Amazon Reviews – http://www.amazon.com/Andy-Smithson-Blast-Dragons-Volume/dp/1482312646/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

 

About the Author:  Since the age of eight, L. R. W. Lee knew she wanted to write a book. Fortunately or unfortunately, she required of herself that she have something significant to say; she sought to contribute to others in a way that could change their lives. Because a degree in Accounting at Cedarville University, as well as work in public and corporate accounting, did not provide riveting fodder for a best seller, she waited. Upon selling her business in early 2012, she had time to write and, more importantly, something significant to share.   L. R. W. Lee’s favorite musical is The Sound of Music. She hates scary movies, but loves piano and strings music, sunsets in Hawaii and a good cup of decaf, French press coffee (yes, decaf!). She also loves Ansel Adams prints and all manner of kinetic art.  http://www.lrwlee.com/#!bio/cerf

 

Follow L.R.W. Lee and the Andy Smithson series at Website: http://www.lrwlee.com

Twitter: @LRWLee

Facebook: http://facebook.com/LRWLee

Places where available: Amazon.com and B&N.com

 

 

Giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Giveaway is Open to the US ONLY.

1 Winner selected by Random.org to win a copy

Giveaway Ends May 31st, 2013

Mandatory: Please leave your comment about the author, book and your email address in the comment field below.

Mandatory: Visit Author’s facebook page  http://facebook.com/LRWLee and also leave the same comment you left on this blog on her facebook page..

 

Click to follow other blogs taking part in this tour http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com/worldofinknetwork/l.r.w.-lee-may-13.html

 

 

 

 

Mymcbooks Mother’s Day Giveaway. Ends May 12th

The Other Side of the Fence by Kristi Woods

Skunk Tales: Making Sense of Scents: A Family Devotional by Lynn Marie Hurtado

It’s a Wrap! by R. Andrea Honor

God Loves Ugly: & love makes beautiful by Christa Black

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Founded of Mother’s Day Anna Marie Jarvis never married and had no children. After her mother’s death, Anna held a memorial to her mother and thereafter embarked upon a campaign to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Jarvis

Giveaway Ends  May  12th

There will be ONLY 1 Winner
 
Comments like these would be deleted – Great contest, Please enter me, Love to win this! This is so cute!
 
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The winner will be selected via Random.org

 
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This Giveaway Has Ended!

Winner is #8 – Teresa Young

Book Spotlight and Interview: The Grimm Chronicles, Vol. 2 by Isabella Fontaine and Ken Brosky

The Grimm Chronicles, Vol. 2 by Isabella Fontaine and Ken Brosky

About The Grimm Chronicles: 200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm made a horrible mistake. With the help of a little magic, they brought all of their beloved fairy tales to life. But there was a problem: the longer the fairy tale characters remained on earth, the more Corrupted they became. The big bad wolf. Heroic princes. Millers’ sons. Cinderella. Evil consumed all of them because they didn’t belong. Every generation, a hero emerges to remove the Corrupted and fix the mistake of the Brothers Grimm. Enter: Alice Goodenough, who’s just turned 18 and is about to finish up her junior year of high school. After finding a magic pen in the basement of her library, her happy little life disappears. Now, she hunts down the Corrupted … With a little help from a giant talking rabbit named Briar. http://www.thegrimmchronicles.com/

About the authors: Isabella Fontaine lives a quiet life on a farm in rural Wisconsin. She enjoys reading Grimm’s Fairy Tales and writing on a typewriter, which annoys her cats. This is her first book collection.

Ken Brosky received his MFA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He’s written a number of books and regularly publishes short stories. He also helps out at Brew City Press whenever possible. This is his first young adult collection.

http://www.thegrimmchronicles.com/about.html

I want to thank you for being my guest here on Mymcbooks Blog

Thank you for having me!

What is the last book you read?   I started reading “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” but only got about halfway through. It felt a bit like an ode to Google’s Awesomeness and started really bugging me. Very subjective opinion, though. From what I understand, it’s a pretty well-liked book.

What was your favorite children’s book?   Calvin and Hobbes, no doubt. For a while, I really got into the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, too. I had Roald Dahl phase, too. Oh, and “White Fang” was a big one for me, too. Made me terrified of wolves for awhile, though.

What were your earliest memories of writing? I used to write and draw comics with my friend when we were really young. We made it a business and sold the comics to our parents. And they bought them, too. We learned early on how to be entrepreneurs. We pocketed a little of the profit, then spent the rest on more comic book paper and special pens to make everything really shine.

Were you encouraged to write or was it something that came natural? My parents thought I was a good writer. That meant a lot. Don’t dismiss the power you have over your kids. All it took to set me on the path to writing was a single compliment from my parents.

Do you generally get a story idea first or does the main character develop first? Usually, the story comes first. Characters tend to come more difficultly. I try to avoid the most common clichés, but that doesn’t mean I’m always successful. To make things interesting, I try to pick and choose qualities from real-life inspirations, then throw all those qualities into a blender and see what it turns into.

What inspired you to write The Grimm Chronicles?   We wanted to write a Young Adult series, and we wanted to use the stories of the Brothers Grimm. But we also wanted to explore the hero’s journey in an unconventional way. Also, we wanted to write something that would actually be read by more than a dozen people. And I was getting sick of pouring my heart and soul into writing projects only to see them rejected a hundred times by agents and editors. So we went a different way and haven’t looked back.

What was special about Alice Goodenough, the newest hero of the book? Alice is like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, only she needs to use her brain to think her way out of situations. She’s limited in what she can do with her magic pen because it requires her to have knowledge. So she has to learn. She has to be smart in order to survive.

Are you working on a new book?   We’ve been toying around with a science-fiction series, but I’m not going to start it until this series is finished. This is a 12-episode series, and we’ve already released 7. So this entire year will be spent on The Grimm Chronicles.

What is the most difficult part of writing?   Staying focused. I can write a couple pages, then my mind starts to wander. It’s really annoying, but that’s the way we’re programmed now, I guess! Still, it has its advantages … writing for hours on end can be a pain in the wrists. So far, the ideas are coming to me pretty easily. And when they don’t, I can always consult the outline.

Let me tell you something about the outline, because it’s pretty important. When an idea hits you, just plot out some basics. Let your mind really wander. Then, once you actually start writing the dang story, you always have something to draw upon when you’re feeling stuck. It’s saved me more than once.

Do you write full time or do you still have a day job? I teach college English classes at various Wisconsin universities. It’s a great job. I don’t think I’d stop even if The Grimm Chronicles was a best-seller.

How do you react to a bad review? Art is subjective. Some people will like something while others will hate it. You can’t let it get to you … unless there’s something specific that you can improve. For instance, we once got a review that pointed out some grammar issues. That was something we could fix (and thought we HAD already fixed before publication), so we went back and fixed it.

But some people just plum won’t like a story. And it’s not anyone’s fault. It’s just a matter of opinion and taste and interest. No big deal. Can’t take those things personally.

What do you hope that readers will take away from your book? That knowledge is power.

Who are some of your favorite authors you would love to dine with? I’ve often thought it would be fun to dine with Ernest Hemingway. But what if he’s in a bad mood? What if he starts drinking a bunch and gets all rowdy and annoying? That would spoil the dinner, I think.

So maybe Stephen King. He seems all right. Still, I haven’t read any of his recent stuff, so what if he asks about it? Then it would get awkward. I’d lie, of course. But then he’d catch me lying and it would get even more awkward. Then what? I’d have to politely excuse myself to the bathroom and make a getaway through the window. But what if he lives in a gated community and I can’t escape? Then I’d have to go ring his doorbell and calmly explain that I was trying to escape his home but the front gate won’t open and could he please open the gate!

As you can see, most writers are quite insane and should eat alone whenever possible.

What author inspires you the most and why? Right now, no one in particular. I need a new author to latch myself onto. The last few books I’ve read have been real disappointing and so now I need to reinvigorate myself and find someone new. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go back to reading P.G. Wodehouse.

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.? Write whenever I have a free moment. Utilize my time as efficiently as possible.

What advice would you give parents on selecting the right books for their children to read?   Let them pick.

What advice you would give to new writers? Find an editor who can give you a fresh perspective. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my partner.

Thank you for this interview.   No, thank you! Bloggers are the people who make 21st-century literature breathe.

Book Review/Giveaway: 2013 Spring Collection Titles from Sylvan Dell Publishing. Ends May 25th

Balloon Trees by Danna Smith illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein.

About the Book: Balloons do come from trees—rubber trees. Told in rhyme, the story follows the wide variety of steps involved in making the air-filled decorations we all know and love. Starting with the tapping of the rubber tree, the ship that carries the liquid rubber to the factory, and the manufacturing process itself; readers will learn just how that balloon arrived at his or her house. This delightful, fun-to-read-aloud story is sure to give readers a new appreciation for balloons.

My Review: This is a great book that would teach children about how balloons are made and where the rubber used to make them comes from. This book goes into details on how the tappers start at dawn to slice the bark and tie a container to the tree and then the white milky latex drips out and into the container. The containers are then loaded on a tanker and shipped to the factory where a special mix and color is added to the white latex. The balloons are shaped, colored and cleaned put in a box and shipped off to the stores.

This book includes four pages of learning activities for creative minds. How rubber is the most important raw materials in the world with thousands of uses.

The first rubber trees grew in the Amazon area of Brazil. Rubber is used to make balls, latex paint, rubber bands, pencil erasers, car tires, latex gloves and rubber boots and many more. I recommend this book for classroom teaching.  The illustrations by Laurie A. Klein are colorful and helps tell the story.

The Deductive Detective written by Brian Rock and illustrated by Sherry Rogers

About the Book: Someone stole a cake from the cake contest–who could it be? Twelve animal bakers are potential suspects but Detective Duck uses his deductive reasoning skills to “quack” the case. After all, the thief left hairs behind so the thief wasn’t a bird. Follow along as he subtracts each suspect one at a time to reveal just who the culprit was. This clever story will have children of all ages giggling at the puns and the play on words

My Review: This is a funny book I couldn’t stop laughing. If you love mystery you would love reading The Deductive Detective. Duck received an urgent message that someone stole one of the cakes from the cake contest. It was Duck’s duty to find out who may have stolen the cake. When Duck arrived at the scene of the crime all thirteen bakers were still there. Duck found out the cake stolen belong to Fox and it was now time for him to quack the case (hahaha!).  Duck was going to find the clues by subtracting each suspect until there is one left. And that one left is guilty of the crime.

Duck used subtraction on each page to rule out each suspects.

12 suspects

- 1 mouse

_________

11 suspects

Was Duck able to solve the crime?

The book includes 2 pages of learning activates for creative minds, Deductive reasoning, compare and contrast the animals. I recommend this book for classroom teaching.  The illustrations by Sherry Rogers are colorful and helps tell the story.

 

Nature Recycles How About You? By Michelle Lord and Illustrated by Cathy Morrison

About the Book: From sea urchins in the Atlantic Ocean to bandicoots on the Australian savanna, animals recycle all over the world. Explore how different animals in different habitats use recycled material to build homes, protect themselves, and get food. This fascinating collection of animal facts will teach readers about the importance of recycling and inspire them to take part in protecting and conserving the environment by recycling in their own way

My Review: This book gives an insight look at how some creatures in the wild recycle.

The hermit crabs helps keep the shores clean by eating rotting ocean debris.

The wren and her mate gather twigs, spider webs, leaves, trash and snakeskin to build a nest to keep their eggs warm.

The owls use the abandoned hole in an old saguaro cactus as a safe home for her and her chicks.

The Asian elephant use the fallen banana leaf to wave flies away and for lunch. The book gives examples of many more animals with four pages of learning activities for creative minds and why animals recycle. This is an interesting book for classroom teaching.

On the Move Mass Migrations by Scotti Cohn and illustrated by Susan Detwiler

About the Book: Imagine seeing hundreds or even thousands of the same type of animal gathered at the same place and at the same time! Right here in North America, many animals gather in huge numbers at predictable times and locations. Not all migrations are tied to seasonal food changes some are tied to life cycles and the need to gather in huge numbers. Certain birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, fish, and even insects migrate during spring, summer, fall, or winter. Travel along with them as you learn about what puts these animals On the Move.

My Review: The author did a great job in explaining how hundred or thousands of the same animals migrate from one location to another. Some travel in groups due to climate change, food, to give birth in a warm safe place. This movement or migration can take place during the winter, spring, summer and fall.

In the winter, some move to the cold mountain to keep mosquitoes away from them.

In the spring some sea animals travel with their calves to northern waters.

During summer, some animals find their mates and females lay their eggs in the warmth. At the end of summer crickets sing their evening song, bats wakes up and flex their wings.

During the autumn chilly air, monarch butterflies flutter their brilliant orange and gold wings.

The author describes the migratory patterns of each animal in this book which also includes four pages of learning activities for creative minds. Animal migration: what, when, where and why? As always wonderful illustrations by Susan Detwiler which helps tell the story. I highly recommend this book for classroom teaching.

Shark Baby by Ann Downer and illustrated by Shennen Bersani

About the Book: Who am I?” wonders Shark Baby. When his “mermaid’s purse” egg case is torn loose in a storm, he finds himself on a journey through different ocean habitats: kelp forests, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows. He learns what kind of shark he isn’t, but not what kind he is. He needs to find the “mermaid” to learn where he belongs, but the ocean is big and full of dangers. Will he find out who he is and what he can do in time?

Animal Helpers: Sanctuaries by Jennifer Keats Curtis

About the Book: Just as tiny kittens and puppies grow into bigger cats and dogs, wild animal babies grow into adults too. These full-grown animals may no longer be cute and cuddly. Their wild instincts may kick in. They can become very large, even dangerous. What happens to these exotic pets when owners realize they can no longer care for them but they can’t be returned to the wild? And what about big predators that get hurt or sick? This photographic journal takes readers “behind the scenes” at five nonprofit sanctuaries and rescue zoos, and one care farm, that have opened their doors and their hearts to desperate animals in need

Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer by Mary Holland

About the Book: Follow this photographic journal of a red fox as he explores the world around him during the first few months of his life. He’s about a month old when he first comes out of the den. Watch as he learns to hunt through play and by using his senses. See the changes as he grows from a young kit to a young fox. After all, by the next summer, he’ll have kits of his own! Naturalist photographer and environmental educator Mary Holland has captured Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer in a way that is sure to grab children’s hearts
FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of these books from Sylvan Dell Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

Sylvan Dell Publishing

Award-winning picture books that integrate Science, Math, and Geography . . . hardcover and paperback plus read-aloud eBooks with Spanish http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/index.php

 

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Select any 2 Books

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Giveaway Ends May 25th

The winner will be selected via Random.org

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Review/Giveaway: Fancy Nancy The Musical CD. Ends May 18th

Fancy Nancy The Musical CD. Book & Lyrics by Susan DiLallo and Music & Lyrics by Danny Abosch

Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording

About: Fancy Nancy and her friends, Bree, Rhonda, Wanda, and Lionel are going to be performing in their very first show, “Deep Sea Dances.” Nancy is positive, that’s fancy for 100 percent sure, that she and Bree will be picked to be mermaids. When another girl wins the coveted role of the mermaid, Nancy is stuck playing a dreary, dull tree. Can Nancy bring fancy flair to her role, even though it isn’t the one she wanted?

The track listing follows:

1. Overture

2. Anyone Can Be Fancy

3. What I’ll Be

4. I’m A Tree

5. You’ll Always Feel Much Better After Tea

6. On My Team

7. Something Terrible

8. You’ll Always Be My Star

9. Shark Rap

10. The Deep Sea Dances Ballet

11. A Fancier Place

Open iTunes to preview, buy, and download music. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fancy-nancy-musical-original/id610135150?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 or Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Fancy-Musical-Original-Off-Broadway-Recording/dp/B00BMI90KK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367169182&sr=8-2&keywords=Fancy+Nancy+The+Musical

My Review: The Fancy Nancy the Musical is based on the book Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet. As Fancy and her friends wonder what they will be in the play, Fancy couldn’t wait to play the Mermaid and she was certain she was going to get the part but instead ends up playing a tree. What a tree? She always wanted to be a Mermaid. She was sure it was a mistake because tree isn’t fancy, nor does it wear ribbons or bows.

She went home to tell her mother who encouraged her that she will always feel much better after tea and she will play the best tree and that she will always be a star. When the new girl who got the Mermaid part was injured Fancy taught she will play the part now but the part went to her best friend Bree. She was upset and disappointed Bree gets offered the role.  Fancy learned that whatever part you play its more than what you wear, but to make the best of what you have. She ended up playing the best tree.

If your child is a fan of Fancy Nancy books and missed the live Broadway musical the music CD did its best to portray the musical.
FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this CD from the composer  in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

About the Composer, Arranger, and Music Educator: Danny Abosch is the composer/lyricist of Placebo, a new musical that won the 2012 PMTP Development Award, including a fully produced workshop at the Pasadena Playhouse, directed by Ryan Scott Oliver. Placebo has also been workshopped at the University of Michigan, Oklahoma City University, Emerson College, and Pace University. Danny wrote music and co-wrote lyrics for Fancy Nancy the Musical with book writer/lyricist Susan DiLallo, which is currently running at Vital Theatre in New York City (since September 2012), and on tour. To read more visit http://dannyabosch.com/about/

Giveaway (US ONLY)

There will be ONLY 1 Winner

Comments like these would be deleted – Great contest, Please enter me, Love to win this! This is so cute!

So please leave a helpful comment relating to this book.

PLEASE FOLLOW ALL MANDATORY RULES – Rules not followed will be deleted immediately.

Mandatory: You must leave your comments in the comment field below Don’t forget to leave your email address for contact if you win.

Mandatory: Blog, twitter, facebook, pinterest or tell a friend about this giveaway. Please note that in your comments. Thanks

Giveaway Ends May 18th 

The winner will be selected via Random.org

Mandatory

If you have a Blog, twitter, facebook, pinterest etc post and leave a link wih your comment.

This Giveaway Has Ended

Winner is #9 – Mel