Book Review: What This Story Needs Is a Munch and a Crunch

 

Join Pig and her friends in another fun read-aloud adventure as they figure out a way to keep the picnic fun and games going, even with a little rain.

What this story needs
is a pig in a wig
baking bread,
pouring punch,
and meeting a friend for a picnic lunch.

But just as the outdoor fun and games get started, a thunderstorm rolls in and it turns out what this story really needs is . . . another place to eat!   https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062415295/what-this-story-needs-is-a-munch-and-a-crunch

 

• Age Range: 4 – 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool – 3
• Series: A Pig in a Wig Book
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 10, 2016)
• Cost: $9.99

 

My Review: Pig in a Wig is meeting friends for a picnic lunch. She prepare baked bread, punch, pies, sandwiches and more food. With plates and blanket added to her basket she was ready to meet her friends at the park. Rabbit and squirrel were there to help set the blanket on the grass while placing the food on the blanket. After a quick bit and decided to pick some apples, play a game of catch and kite.  They sat down to munch and crunch when suddenly, ‘whoosh, boom, plop and splash’, it started to rain.  They quickly grab the blanket and food and headed to a dry place to continue the fun. A simple and fun story for elementary readers. The colorful illustrations helps to tell the story.

 

 

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

 

Emma J. Virján was born under an Aries moon on a Wednesday, her dad’s bowling night. She loves to draw and work in her garden, and she often lets her dog sleep on the couch. She makes her home in Austin, Texas, where she spends her days as an illustrator and graphic designer. Unlike Pig, Emma has never worn a wig, but she is thinking of buying one—a red one, of course. http://emmavirjan.com/about-emma/

 

 

Book Review: Faith Footprints with My Grandchild. 52 Devotions, Activities, and Reflections

Faith Footprints with My Grandchild: 52 Devotions Activities, and Reflections. By Dr. Mary Manz Simon

About the Book: During a season of life when grandmothers appear to lose so much—our hair, our health, even our pets—God gifts us with a child. We have another opportunity to view life through the eyes of a child, and as a result, each new day overflows with possibilities.

This time around, we are not new moms, perched on the edge of a sometimes frightening and challenging path into the unknown. Now, we are life veterans. We bring wisdom, experience and a clear sense of what is important. A gift of time to a grandchild becomes a gift we give ourselves, and the season of grand parenting also ushers in a new stage of our personal journey with Jesus.

Faith Footprints with My Grandchild provides inspirational Scriptures, devotional thoughts, and prayers for grandmothers, along with simple Christian lifestyle activities to do with a grandchild. Let your faithwalk leave footprints in the sand for your grandchild to follow. Better yet, walk beside your grandchild and grow in faith together. http://www.marymanzsimon.com/books.html

 

Hardcover: 160 pages

Cost: $14.99

 

 

My Review: Foot prints with my Grandchild is a great inspirational book that no only gives encouragement but tells how grandmothers are given a second chance, a gift from God. They are not new mothers because they now have the experience on how to look after and bring up a child. They have the wisdom, knowledge and the clear sense of what is important.

Now she has the time to nurtures the faith of the next generation with words of encouragement and inspiration. This book is listed with specific prayer themes, scriptures, a To Do with Grandchild activities and a page to record and reflect.

According to the book:

Having  a grandchild gives grandmothers another source of delight. Also, the arrival of a grandchild signals the beginning of a new season of life. By no longer forcing on old age, but they can make the most of every moment and opportunity to spend with their grandchild. Grandmothers draw on the past to help their grandchild focus on what is important with the help of the Bible.

I will recommend this book for Christian lifestyle activities to do with a grandchild.

 

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

Book Review/Giveaway: You Made Me a Mother. Ends June 17th

About the Book: In this beautiful celebration of motherhood, the universal message of unconditional love for a child shines through. Laurenne Sala’s heartwarming text, accompanied by New York Times bestselling artist Robin Preiss Glasser’s charming illustrations, creates a firsthand look at the powerful bond between mother and child from pregnancy to birth and beyond.

I felt you.
You were a pea.
Then a lemon.
Then an eggplant.

 

• Age Range: 4 – 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool – 3
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 8, 2016)
• Cost: $15.99

 

 

 

 

About the Author: Laurenne Sala lives in Los Angeles, where she likes to look at the ocean and wonder what is on the other side. She thinks that riding a bicycle down a hill is the best feeling in the world. And that eating a big bunch of blueberries is right up there too. She has written all sorts of things, but none as fun as this, her first picture book

 

My Review: This book is about the celebration of motherhood, and it captured the unconditional love a mother has for her child/children perfectly. From the first kick in her belly, to her eating healthy, talking and singing, to getting the baby crib ready for when he/she enters the world. Then baby arrivals and he/she is healthy with 10 toes. Mom isn’t always prefect and can get nervous, but she does what she can to make sure baby is happy, rocked to sleep and fed.

The illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser shows the bond between a mother and child from pregnancy to birth and beyond. A great gift for new mothers.

 

 

FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book on behalf of the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

 

 

Giveaway Rules

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

There will be 1 winner.

Leave You Comments below.

This Giveaway is Open to the USA Only!

Winner will be selected by Random.org

Giveaway Ends June 17th, 2016

Mandatory:  Must be a Follower of this Blog or Facebook or twitter

Giveaway Guidelines and Disclaimer

Winners are selected via Random and notified by email. You have 48 hours to respond;

If no response, the prize is forfeited and an alternate winner is chosen.

This Giveaway Has Ended

Winner is #1 – latanya t

 

Book Review/Giveaway: My Weirdest School #4: Mrs. Meyer Is on Fire! Ends June 6th

 

About the Book:  In this fourth book in the new My Weirdest School series, the students of Ella Mentry School are learning about fire safety. Mrs. Meyer of the local fire department has been brought in to teach the students, but she is the weirdest safety expert in the world. She likes fire just a little too much. Will Mrs. Meyer catch on fire? Will she retire? What will transpire?

Perfect for reluctant readers and word lovers alike, Dan Gutman’s hugely popular My Weird School series has something for everyone. Don’t miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and the gang.

 

• Age Range: 6 – 10 years
• Grade Level: 1 – 5
• Series: My Weirdest School (Book 4)
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 16, 2016)
• Cost: $4.99

 

My Review: In this series of My Weirdest School #4. A.J  and his gang are back, and its all about birthdays and fire. But how are the two related? Well, its crybaby Emily’s birthday, and A.J isn’t happy to spend the whole morning in Mr. Cooper’s class being nice to her. While Emily was trying to blow out the candles a few was still alight, So A.J decided to help her blow out the remaining candles but he blew so hard that one of the candles fell off the cake and landed on Emily’s shirt. “Call the fire department!”

Mr. Copper grabbed the fire extinguisher and aimed it at Emily’s shirt and her cake as well.  Not only is her shirt ruined, but her cake as well. Emily started crying, “This is my worst birthday ever!” she shouted.

The next day the principal decided to bring Mrs. Meyer of the local fire department to teach the students about fire safety.

Would the students learn anything or would everything go up in smoke? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

The illustrations by Jim Paillot help to makes the story hilarious. I highly recommend
this book.

 

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

 

 

Giveaway Rules

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

There will be 1 winner.

Leave You Comments below.

This Giveaway is Open to the USA Only!

Winner will be selected by Random.org

Giveaway Ends June 6th, 2016

Mandatory:  Must be a Follower of this Blog or Facebook or twitter

Giveaway Guidelines and Disclaimer

Winners are selected via Random and notified by email. You have 48 hours to respond;

If no response, the prize is forfeited and an alternate winner is chosen.

This Giveaway Has Ended

Winner is #1- Linda Herold

Book Spotlight: Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child & Watch Out, Hollywood!

About the Book: It’s Mean Girls for tweens in the tradition of Paula Danziger’s Cat That Ate My Gymsuit and Judy Blume! Watch out, world: here comes Charlie C. Cooper-computer whiz, reformed bully, and so-called middle child-in this seriously funny debut tween novel from screenwriter Maria T. Lennon.

Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child stars the hilariously cheeky reformed bully and tween hacker Charlie Cooper as she tries to ditch her middle-child reputation and make cool friends at her new school in Los Angeles. But being cool isn’t as easy as it looks. Charlie has to face down the mean girls and decide between right and wrong once and for all when she learns the terrible truth behind Marta the Farta’s bad attitude and loner status. And Charlie has to do it all in outfits meant for the runways!
http://confessionsofasocalledmiddlechild.com/books/

 

• Age Range: 8 – 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 – 7
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (August 26, 2014)
• Cost: $6.99

 

 

About the Book: Hilarious tween heroine Charlie C. Cooper—reformed bully, misguided fashionista, and so-called middle child—is back! This sequel to Confessions of a So-called Middle Child will delight fans of Louise Rennison, Mean Girls, and Harriet the Spy.

Charlie’s adventures offer a fresh look at middle school, bullying, and mean girls. In Book Two, Charlie navigates sudden celebrity and auditions for a television series, but a little white lie may endanger the one friendship Charlie can truly count on—and her connection to swoonworthy crush Bobby! Poignant and seriously funny, Charlie’s account of her dilemma is one all tweens will relate to.

Charlie knows what it feels like to be stuck in the middle, but it’s finally her time to shine. After saving her friend Marta in the old Houdini tunnels of Los Angeles, Charlie’s become a local hero, gained sudden celebrity, and *MIGHT* just become a TV star! But will Charlie let her newfound fame go to her head? Watch out, Hollywood

 

• Age Range: 8 – 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 – 7
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 26, 2014)
• Cost: $16.99

 

About the Author: At fifteen, I left Santa Barbara to study at The American School in Switzerland. I continued my studies at Brillantmont in Lausanne, got kicked out, then went on to London to complete her A levels. I was accepted to the London School of Economics and studied International Economics and the Politics of International Aid. After graduating, I moved to Italy where I ate and drank enormous quantities. I also taught summer school at The American School in Genova, an elementary school. I later moved to Paris and wrote my first novel. When I returned to Los Angeles, I quit all bad habits and continued working on my novel, Making It Up As I Go Along, which was published in 2004.

I also completed a screenplay about the Red Brigade, which was a third place finalist in Francis Ford Coppola’s screenwriter’s competition. Today, we live in Laurel Canyon and have four children ranging in ages from 5 to13. When not driving one of my four children to school or volunteering at school libraries, I can be found sitting in a parked car, a café or a library writing novels, travel articles or just passed out. http://confessionsofasocalledmiddlechild.com/about-the-author/

 

 

 

 

FTC Disclosure: I received these books from HarperCollins Publishing. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

 

 

Book/Author Spotlight/ Giveaway: The Little Linebacker: A Story of Determination. Ends May 30th

The Little Linebacker: A Story about Determination by Stephen Tulloch, Maria Dismondy, illustrated by Heather Heyworth

 

About the Book: Stephen is a little kid with big dreams of playing football. The odds are against him when he is tested and faced with challenges. This is a story of a boy who worked hard to defy the odds and become a leader.

 

For reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27070850-the-little-linebacker?ac=1&from_search=true

 

• Age Range: 5 – 7 years
• Grade Level: Kindergarten – 2
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cardinal Rule Press (June 1, 2016)
• Cost: $10.95

 

About the Authors :

 

Stephen Tulloch launched the Stephen Tulloch Foundation in 2009 and has helped thousands of people through his community outreach and generous giving. Tulloch was named as one of the top 100 players in the NFL in 2012 & 2013, has been selected as a team captain of the Detroit lions by his teammates and has been awarded multiple awards nationally and locally for his efforts off the field including the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, The Robert Porche Man of the Year Award, the Grid Iron Great Award along with the NFLPA PULSE award and being a finalist for the Byron “Whizzer” White Award which recognizes the top foundations in the NFL. Stephen was born and raised in Miami where he still resides in the off season.

www.facebook.com/tulloch55,

www.twitter.com/stephentulloch,

www.twitter.com/cardinalruleprs,

www.instagram.com/stephentulloch,

 

Heather Heyworth lives and works in a sleepy Suffolk market town in the UK. She has illustrated many books including picture, board and educational books.

 

Maria Dismondy is an award-winning children’s book author. To find out more about her books and her school/event programs, visit www.mariadismondy.com

From the author…
Born and Raised: In a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, I grew up with red shag carpet, The Smurfs and Cabbage Patch Dolls. In my past time, I played flashlight tag with the neighborhood kids and listened to NKOTB aka The New Kids on The Block.

Family: I am lucky to have a large family. I have an older sister, Angela, who also ate spaghetti in a hot dog bun (among other crazy concoctions my mom created for us) growing up. I am married to the coolest guy ever and together, we are raising our baby girl Ruby.

Education: There’s a ton of rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State (are you a maize and blue or green and white fan?) I have to admit, I started going to U of M then happily switched over to Michigan State. I went to college for six years, earning my undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, curriculum and research.

To read more click on the link https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1820515.Maria_Dismond

www.instagram.com/mariadismondybooks

website at http://www.mariadismondy.com

#operation55

 

 

Giveaway Rules

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

There will be 1 winner.

Leave You Comments below.

This Giveaway is Open to the USA Only!

Winner will be selected by Random.org

Giveaway Ends May 30th, 2016

Mandatory:  Must be a Follower of this Blog or Facebook or twitter

Giveaway Guidelines and Disclaimer

Winners are selected via Random and notified by email. You have 48 hours to respond;

If no response, the prize is forfeited and an alternate winner is chosen.

This Giveaway Has Ended

Winner is #5 Linda Herold

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: My Toddler Bible

My Toddler Bible by Juliet David and illustrated by Chris Embleton-Hall

 

About the Book: Fans of Chris Embleton-Hall’s cheerfully distinctive artwork will be eager to see this new Bible! Twenty stories–nine from the Old Testament and eleven from the New–are retold in a concise and friendly manner in a rounded, easy-to-read font. Very, very bright, and very, very fun! http://www.kregel.com/childrens-bibles-and-reference/my-toddler-bible/

 

• Age Range: 3 – 5 years
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Candle Books (April 27, 2016)
• Cost: $12.99

      #kregel

       @kregel

My Review: My Toddler Bible contains the Old and the New Testament. The table of contents The old Testament has 9 stories starting with, In the Beginning, A Wonderful Garden, Noah and the Great Ark, Abraham Moves Home, Joseph and His Brothers, The Baby in the Basket, David and the Giant Bully, Jonah Learns a Lesson, Daniel and the Lions and Jonah Gets the Message. The New Testament has 11 stories, Good News for Mary, Old and New Kings, Jesus Helps a Little Girl, The Boy Who Gave Jesus His Lunch, The Searching Shepherd, The Loving Father, The Stranger Who Cared, A Farmer Sow Seeds, Two Builders- Two House, Jesus the King and Jesus Lives!

The stories are retold to help younger readers understand God’s words and the characters in the story. The words are simplified and interesting, with just the right amount of words per page to keep a toddler’s attention.  Your child wouldn’t want you to stop read until you have read every page. The book is full of colorful and bold pictures illustrated by Chris Embleton-Hall that helps bring the stories to life.

Overall, it is a well written book that will capture the attention of any child.

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

 

Book Spotlight/Giveaway: Amelia Bedelia. Book #6 #7 #9. Ends May 28

 

Amelia Bedelia: #6 Cleans Up by Herman Parish

About the Book: Amelia Bedelia and her friends are determined to find a cool clubhouse, maybe even a tree house for their explorers’ club! One day they discover an empty lot with a huge tree in the middle of it. It’s the perfect spot for club headquarters. The lot is a mess, so they pitch in and clean it up. And that’s when the trouble really starts.

Look out! Here comes Amelia Bedelia, and she is sweeping everything out of her path!

http://www.ameliabedeliabooks.com/book/9780062334015/amelia-bedelia-chapter-book-#6:-amelia-bedelia-cleans-up

 

Amelia Bedelia: #7 Sets Sail by Herman Parish

About the Book: Amelia Bedelia is so excited to be spending her vacation at the beach! She loves hanging out with her cousin Jason especially since he’s great ay surfing, and he knows so many kids in town. One night, though, Amelia Bedelia sees Jason sneaking out the window. What is he up to? And what does it have to do with the annual Beach Ball?

Look out! Here comes Amelia Bedelia, and she’s got the wind in her sails!

Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book #7: Amelia Bedelia Sets Sail

 

 

Amelia Bedelia: #9 On the Job by Herman Parish

About the Book: Amelia Bedelia has no idea what she wants to be when she grows up. So when they start studying careers and occupations at school, Amelia is not happy. She’d rather have fun with her friends at recess and not think about the future! But all it takes is a surprise field trip to her father’s office to turn a grumpy girl into a career girl with great ideas. Look out! Here comes Amelia Bedelia, and the sky’s the limit!

http://www.ameliabedeliabooks.com/book/9780062334138/amelia-bedelia-chapter-book-#9:-amelia-bedelia-on-the-job

 

• Age Range: 6 – 10 years
• Grade Level: 1 – 5
• Series: Amelia Bedelia (Book 6)
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Cost: $4.99
• http://www.ameliabedeliabooks.com/

 

FTC Disclosure: I received these books from HarperCollins Publishing. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.

 

About the Authors and illustrators : http://www.ameliabedeliabooks.com/meet-the-authors-and-illustrators/herman-parish

 

 

Giveaway Rules

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

There will be 2 winners.

List Your 1 Book Choice in Your Comment below with your email address.

This Giveaway is Open to the USA Only!

Winner will be selected by Random.org

Giveaway Ends May 28th, 2016

Mandatory:  Must be a Follower of this Blog or Facebook or twitter

Giveaway Guidelines and Disclaimer

Winners are selected via Random and notified by email. You have 48 hours to respond;

If no response, the prize is forfeited and an alternate winner is chosen.

This Giveaway Has Ended

Winners are

#1 – Ronda Six G

#8 – Linda Herold

Thanks to all who took part.

 

 

 

 

 

Children’s Book Week Giveaway: Ends May 8th 2016

May 2-8, 2016 — the 97th anniversary!

Children’s Book Week is the annual celebration of books

for young people and the joy of reading.

http://www.bookweekonline.com/about

There will be 3 winners for this giveaway

List Your 2 Book Choice in Your Comment below with your email address.

~~~~~~~~

1.The Lumpy Duckling by Kai Strand

2. Alien In My Pocket. Forces of Nature by Nate Ball

3. Fart Squad. Fartasaurus Rex by Seamus Pilger

4. Platypus Police Squad. Last Panda Standing. by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

5. Henry Cicada’s Extraordinary Elktonium Escapade by David Teague

6.Rocket-Bye by Carole P. Roman

7. Can a Princess be a Firefighter? by Carole P. Roman

8. A Sunny Day. Cave Kiddos by Eric Jay Cash

9. 2030 A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kid by Amy Zuckerman

10. Wandering Woolly by Andrea Gabriel

11. The Baby-Sitters Club. The Summer Before by Ann M. Martin

12. Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park

Giveaway Rules

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

There will be 3 winners.

List Your 2 Book Choice in Your Comment below with your email address.

This Giveaway is Open to the USA Only!

Winner will be selected by Random.org

Giveaway Ends May 8th, 2016

Mandatory:  Must be a Follower of this Blog or Facebook or twitter

Giveaway Guidelines and Disclaimer

Winners are selected via Random and notified by email. You have 48 hours to respond;

If no response, the prize is forfeited and an alternate winner is chosen.

~~~~~

This Giveaway Has Ended

Thanks for all those that took part.

Winners are

#9 – Dan Denman

#2 – Mindy DeLisi

#6 – Ronda Six G