The Sound Snatcher, Linda Sabin – Review
The Sound Snatcher is a noisy and hungry vacuum cleaner looking for sounds to snatch. Especially good for the sensitive child who may fear the noisy vacuum or become unsettled and anxious when confronted by noisy distractions. Vibrant rhyme, alliteration and lyrical rhythm, promote a love of language and the spoken word. A great read out loud book. Special features include: Children can look for the peeking kitty on each page. The kitty exemplifies the quiet confidence gained by discovering the power of words. His curiosity, excitement draws readers into the story. The Let's Talk About the Book pages provide questions for parents to promote conversation and connections. The Words I Heard page lists vocabulary words and definition to encourage literacy and promote the love of language. See more at peekingkitty.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...Linda Bryan Sabin is a born teacher and writer. She does not dumb down books for children and brings to readers a rich tapestry of expression and discovery. Rhythm, vibrant and multi-syllable words are intended to instill a love of language and restore it to its higher purpose, the true art of communication The Peeking Kitty is not a primary character in any of her books, but he is a major feature in all of them. He exemplifies the Spirit of her writing. He represents the magic of discovery and the quiet confidence gained when you discover the power of words. Peeking Kitty books are written to stimulate imagination, curiosity, expression and the joy of reading. Linda strives to acquaint young readers and reinvigorate parents with the beauty and lyrical magic of the written and spoken word. She believes real learning happens when children experience stories read out loud and when they have the tactile experience of the feel and the smell of a real book in their hands. Interactive The Let s Talk About the Book and The Words I Heard pages help promote real conversations between children and parents; essential for building lasting relationships and a well balanced sense of self and of the world. Linda says, The love and use of real words; may be one of the looming casualties of the 21st Century. Making a point as quickly as possible seems to be the only purpose of text-ing, twittering and screen flashing sound bites. Truncated language, acronyms and the loss of the ever friendly vowel is eroding the fabric of communication." Linda invites everyone to awaken their creative spirit, to look at the world in an unconventional ways and to discover the joy of reading and learning. Valerie Bouthyette is an award-winning illustrator who hand draws or paints her illustrations with a passion that gives them soul. Her brilliant illustrations bring books to life and are certain to make you smile.
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...Thankfully my kids were never afraid of the vacuum - perhaps because I vacuumed with them in my arms while they were infants? However, for those kids who get anxious and become of afraid of the noise, this is a cute book that will reassure them that it's merely noise and nothing to fear.
The Great Katie Kate Tackles Questions About Cancer, M. Maitland DeLand, M.D – Review
The great Katie Kate takes on the Worry Wombat as she teaches a young girl about treating cancer. When Dr Demarco explains to Suzy that she might have cancer, the young girl begins to worry. Just then, the Great Katie Kate zooms in to ease Suzy's mind and help her stare down the Worry Wombat. She takes Suzy on a magical tour through the hospital and explains what cancer is all about and, more important, how it is treated. As Suzy learns more about her condition, she learns to ask questions and even to smile, which makes the Worry Wombat disappear. This superhero saga provides an entertaining and indispensable tool for parents and medical professionals who are seeking a positive way to set young cancer patients on the road to recovery by helping them deal with their fears. With Katie Kate coming to the rescue, children with cancer have a friend they can trust. - FROM GOODREADS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...M. Maitland DeLand, M.D., is a radiation oncologist, specializing in the treatment of women's and children's cancer in Lafayette, Louisiana.
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...A great book that will help ease a child's fear and curiosity when faced with cancer whether it be them or someone they know. For parents who find it difficult to talk on such a tough topic, this is a good read that will make explaining what may happen with treatments easier.
Busy Bees at Work and Play, M. Maitland DeLand – Review
Bambina Bee learns the importance of work and play on a tour of her town. As Mama Bee heads out to work, Bambina Bee anxiously begs her to stay at home. To soothe her little bee's concerns, Mama Bee takes Bambina Bee on a tour of the neighborhood that transforms the bustling world of work into a wonderland of joyful activity. The letter carrier, the plumber, and many other happy characters demonstrate for Bambina Bee that there's a time for work and a time for play--and both are filled with exciting adventures. The first in a series, this charmingly illustrated book will help parents explain to their kids that everyone has an important place in this world of busy bees. - FROM AMAZON
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...Cute, colorful book about why we must work and when the time is for play. Little One (4 years old) and I enjoyed imagining what each bee might be doing when they weren't working.
Shushybye: Sleepover Surprise, Steve Syatt & Frank Caruso – Review
TITLE: Shushybye: Sleepover Surprise
AUTHOR: Steve Syatt
ILLUSTRATOR: Frank Caruso
PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Press
PUBLICATION DATE: April 1, 2008
PAGES: 32 pages
GENRE: Fiction, Children's (preschool/toddler)
In Shusybye: Sleepover Surprise, Shushy best friends Dozie and Zeez discover there doesn’t have to be an occasion to be nice to your friends. After Dozie bakes Snoozles and Zeez one of her famous Sky Pies, the two Shushies think of a special way to let her know how much they care about her friendship. Together, they plan a concert at The House of Snooze in Dozie’s honor. The book also introduces a pair of very comical Shushies, Snort and Wheez who drive the Shushybye Dream Van to pick up all the completed Dream Boxes and bring them to Conductor McCloud. It’s an important job. - FROM THE SITE
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...Cute read along for the little one just before bed. Sing a song to start and end the story before dreamland. Multiple voices on the read along story with an audible chime to let little ones know when it's time to turn the page. I found the length of the experience before bedtime just perfect and the songs catchy and soothing for sleepy time. 5 stars as little one will surely be wanting to listen to this over and over again before bedtime.
Flippy Friends, John Mese & Dawn Kelsey – Author Guest Post
TITLES: Flippy and Toadpole, On the Flippy Side, Through Flippy’s Eyes, Flippy Goes on a Road Trippy
AUTHORS: John Mese and Dawn Kelsey
ILLUSTRATOR: Chanler Holden
PUBLISHER: Moss Covered Gumbo Barn
PUBLICATION DATES: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009
GENRE: Children’s Board Books, Children’s Books
AUTHOR GUEST POST...In 2002 my girlfriend, (now, my wife), and I were driving across the country from California to Louisiana for her to meet my family. We started the trip one day after visiting The Los Angeles Zoo. While we were at the zoo we had been calling all the little cute animals that did tricks, “Flippy.” The next few days on the road we started to come up with an idea for a character named Flippy, who could turn into anything. When we arrived in Louisiana, the first place we stopped was The Garden District Nursery, which is owned and operated by my family. We were standing in front of a small pond talking to my brother when Dawn and I noticed about a hundred tadpoles swimming in the water. We both smiled and thought, of course, Flippy the Tadpole.
After the trip home, I sat down and wrote out all of the ideas we had talked about, and our first book began to take shape. We showed the initial drawings to an illustrator friend of ours in Baton Rouge, who immediately sent us her interpretations of Flippy the amazing tadpole who can turn into anything! By the way, that’s the overall theme of our series: “You can be anything!” We decided, then and there, to listen to our own advice and we became the publishers of an entire series of children’s books.
We printed 2000 copies of the first book, Flippy and Toadpole, and within a years time we were sold out. Our readers kept asking us for another book, and let me tell you newborns and 3-year-olds can be very persuasive, so we decided we would try to create a BOARD BOOK TRILOGY.
Our first book, Flippy and Toadpole ends with the line, “Whew, what a ride! Catch you on the Flippy side!” And we thought what a great name for the second book: On the Flippy Side. Each book is a collection of pictures of Flippy turning into all kinds of crazy things that rhyme, mixed with positive ideas like turn your frown up side down, and you can be anything! The last line of On the Flippy Side is, “So remember, whenever you need a smile of extra large size…Just look at the world through Flippy’s eyes.
Through Flippy’s Eyes became our third and final board book and it continues in the tradition of the first two by sharing “the glass is half-full” philosophy and many more funny and wonderful illustrations.
So that’s the story of how Flippy and Friends children’s books came to be. The next time you give a gift to a newborn, toddler, or small child, think about giving them a book…and reading it to them! What better gift can you give a child then the gift of laughter, and a love of reading!? Enjoy the ride!
Peace, John Mese
Purchase Links... Barnes & Nobles - Borders - Amazon
Author Website... www.flippyandfriends.com
Facebook Fan Page... http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flippy-and-Friends-Childrens-Books/37574899474?ref=ts
ABOUT THE AUTHORS...John Mese is a professional actor and has been so for the past 20 years. He has played roles on, Law & Order, Weeds, Sex and the City, Monk, CSI, CSI: NY, From the Earth to the Moon, Ghostwhisperer, Bones, Medium, The X-files, and Matlock to name a few. Dawn Kelsey teaches Communication Studies at California State University at Long Beach where she is also the Student Advisor for the Communication Studies Department.
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...John Mese & Dawn Kelsey are on of the sponsors of The Book Faery Reviews 2 Year Blog Anniversary sponsors. They've provided all 4 Flippy books for one of our lucky winners.
Maverick and Miss Murphy At Rascal’s Rescue Ranch, Nucci Cento – Review
TITLE: Maverick and Miss Murphy
AUTHOR: Nucci Cento
PUBLISHER: Eloquent Books
PUBLICATION DATE: August 26, 2009
PAGES: 48 pages
GENRE: Fiction - Children's
Maverick and Miss Murphy are twin dogs with huge hearts. But this brother and sister aren't quite like most dogs...they both have a cleft palate that makes them look like they have two noses.
Kind-hearted Maverick wants to be friends with the other dogs, but they pick on him because he doesn't fit in. Lucky for Maverick that his protective sister, Miss Murphy, is around to show him why he shouldn't worry about the mean dogs and that he is fine just the way he is! - FROM THE BOOK BACK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...Author Nucci Cento wrote this story based on her experiences with the real-life Maverick and Miss Murphy, twin Australian Cattle Dog mixes with cleft palates. Maverick and Miss Murphy's adventures will continue on in this new series as they meet other real handicapped animals.
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...Cute and short story about two twin dogs both with a cleft palate. Perfect animal story to read to children to talk about being different from others who make fun in a bad way. My 10 year old daughter is an animal lover who instantly became engrossed in these two different pups and wanted to learn more about their particular birth defect. This also gave us the time to sit together and talk more about bullying and some of the ways people can be different. 3 Stars for a cute read with a good theme.
Katie & Kimble: The Magic Wish, Linda Thieman – Author Guest Post & Giveaway
Taking the Katie & Kimble series where no ghostly tale has gone before, it's time for Kimble to make herself at home with Katie's family! Nine-year-old Katie, and Kimble, the ghost of a ten-year-old girl, find a coupon for a magic wish in a box of breakfast cereal. Their wish leads to all manner of hilarious difficulties, including how to tell Katie's dad about Katie's new friend, Kimble, who suddenly appears out of nowhere looking very much like an old-fashioned girl. Can the lonely Kimble find love and acceptance within a human family? Katie & Kimble: The Magic Wish is the second book in the Katie & Kimble chapter book series for children ages 7-10, RL3 [Lexile measure: 290L.] -- The Katie & Kimble books are funny, engaging and exciting, but are not fear-based. - FROM AMAZON.COM
AUTHOR GUEST POST...Expect the Unexpected
I always like it when readers are surprised by the Katie & Kimble chapter book series. I’ve had that reaction from both moms and kids. One mom, Leanne over at Rave & Review, put it succinctly when she wrote: “Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story takes you to traditionally spooky locations and situations but does so in a lighthearted way that is anything but scary even for young readers.... I really liked that the book was about something very different than I had seen before and the opportunities were huge to engage in good discussions with your kids...about the topics brought up in the book.”
I also heard from another mom who confessed she thought she knew right where this book was going and she wasn’t looking forward to reading it. In the end, she not only admitted to being surprised by the direction the book had taken but to actually enjoying it. Um, thanks?
In Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story, 9-year-old Katie and her family move into an old house out in the country. Katie quickly makes friends with Kimble, the ghost of a 10-year-old girl who lives there, and the two of them set off on a quest to find out what happened to Kimble’s mother.
In the second book, Katie & Kimble: The Magic Wish, the story takes on a new life of its own. The girls find a coupon for a magic wish in a box of cereal (where else?) and end up wishing that Kimble could become human again—even though the wish will last for only two days.
That is the first big surprise in The Magic Wish. Readers root for Kimble to be accepted into the Russell family. Katie’s dad doesn’t even know about Kimble, so how will he react when he is suddenly living with a very old-fashioned girl? And what and how will Katie tell him, not being at all inclined to consider telling a lie? And how will Kimble act now that she’s human again? And once the wish is over, what will become of Kimble and how will it affect Katie and her family?
Yes, the Katie & Kimble books are a little different from what one might expect. Another big change is coming soon when a new continuing character, a 10-year-old boy named Danny Garcia, is introduced into the series in the third book, Katie & Kimble: The Golden Door, which will be out in the first half of 2010. Danny is a lively, active boy who meets Katie when he falls out of tree and almost dies. And Kimble just has to know what happened! The Katie & Kimble series embraces a child’s understanding of life, death, family, and what it means to be human.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...Linda Thieman (pronounced TEE-mun) writes the Katie & Kimble chapter book series (RL3) and runs the Katie & Kimble Blog (http://www.katieandkimbleblog.com). She is a former English language teacher who has created a set of reading skills activity packets and classroom materials that teachers and homeschoolers can download from the Katie & Kimble Blog free of charge. The materials correspond to the first two books in the Katie & Kimble series and are guided by the national standards set for third grade reading skills. Linda lives in Sioux City, Iowa.
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...Thanks to Linda Thieman for coming back to The Book Faery Reviews to be a guest poster and for sending my daughter and a copy of the second book in her Katie & Kimble series for a future review in January. You can read what we thought of her 1st book in the series HERE. In the meantime, I will be hosting a book giveaway that will run now through the end of December (12/31/09). ONE commenter will be randomly selected and notified via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to reply back with their mailing address (No Restrictions) or it goes to the next person.
Main Entry (REQUIRED): Leave a comment/question below for Linda Thieman relating to her book or her guest post.
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The Ghost, the Eggheads, and Babe Ruth’s Piano, Larry Sweitzer – Author Guest Post
It's the summer of 2004 and Freddie Holtzman can't wait to get to Camp Mason, a summer camp for eggheads or rather, gifted teens. He hopes to reconnect with Ginny Haig, a girl he met at camp last year. Freddie's old friends, Logan and Monty, are there along with some new faces. He tries to win Ginny's affection, but every time he tries to talk to her, he says-and does-nerdy things.
At Camp Mason, a science fair pits the eggheads against one another for the top prize of a five thousand dollar scholarship. But, when the projects go missing, friendships are put to the test, relationships get put on hold, and everyone's a suspect. To make matters worse, the camp is haunted by young Billy Mason who died there decades ago. The boys are determined to solve the mystery of the ghost and the missing science projects.
Freddie's quest to win the scholarship—add the girl of his dreams—are constantly in jeopardy. There are complications at every turn: the ghost, a creepy caretaker, Freddie's high school nemesis, a cantankerous camp manager, and a saboteur all threaten his chance to win the prize and Ginny's heart.
AUTHOR GUEST POST...Writing for Young Adults
I love writing for teens and young adults. It’s fun and rewarding. I was once a young adult, after all, even though my daughters may find it hard to believe.
The fun part comes when I draw from my own childhood memories and turn them into scenes or characters for my books. I don’t know about you, but the most awkward and embarrassing moments of my life came between the ages of twelve and eighteen. There were far more good memories from that time, but the awkward and embarrassing incidents always seem to make it into my stories. Somehow those uncomfortable moments, from so many years ago, are now good memories as well. It helps if you can laugh at yourself.
Times have certainly changed since I was a kid. We didn’t have cell phones, Xbox, or laptops back then. We actually entertained ourselves. We didn’t need or rely on people or things to entertain us. Needless to say, my friends and I got into a lot of things—things, meaning trouble. Some of the situations we got into were unbelievably funny, scary, or embarrassing. You name it; we probably did it, climbed it, broke it, disassembled it and reassembled it (mostly), jumped it with our bikes, or had to explain it to the principal. Still, the trouble we got into was harmless by today’s standards.
The bottom line is that I’ve been through a lot of the things they have yet to experience. Sharing those experiences with them through my stories—and providing them a few cautionary tales—is the rewarding part. At their age, anything is possible. Their world is bigger and emotions are as strong as ever. They’re experiencing so many things for the first time. This is fertile stuff to write about.
There are other reasons that I enjoy writing for teens and young adults. They are insightful and an enthusiastic audience. Talking to them about their experiences and sharing some of my own, keeps my childhood memories alive.
They ask questions that no one else would think of. Like the time one of my daughters, who was about six years old at the time, asked: “Why don’t they make mouse flavored cat food?” I honestly had never thought of that.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...Larry Sweitzer is a writer, musician, and avid baseball fan. He was born and raised in western Maryland and now lives in Virginia with his wife and two daughters. The Ghost, the Eggheads, and Babe Ruth’s Piano is his first novel. Visit him at www.larrysweitzer.com.
One Noble Journey, Dixie Phillips – Review & Author Guest Post
Dixie Phillips has delivered another delightful tale in One Noble Journey. Two cultures collide in the tiny village of Westbury. An orphan girl from the lowlands, the daughter of a Count from the highlands and a baby raccoon will entertain the hearts of children of all ages. One Noble Journey is guaranteed to help shape small souls. Artist is Kim Sponaugle. This award winning duo, Dixie and Kim, teamed up again to produce another winner. Stubby's Destiny won the Literary Award for Excellence Best of 2008 in the Children's Animal Story category. Suggested age for readers 3-10.
THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...Before we get to my review and the author guest post, I first want to thank Pump Up Your Book Promotion for asking me to host Ms. Dixie Phillips during her book tour and to Ms. Phillips for taking the time to write up a guest post for The Book Faery Reviews.
One Noble Journey is one of those books I would have to say I would have passed up on had it not been provided to me for review. Not because of the story itself but because at first glance, I thought the pages might be too lengthy and I judged this book by the cover. In fact, my daughter did as well at first glance. However, once we began reading the story the pages just turned quickly as we were reminded that to God we are all the same; not one of us is better or lesser than the other.
One Noble Journey is written for those ages 3-10. Held my 3.5 year old's attention and taught my older two (8 & 10) a lesson.
AUTHOR GUEST POST...In My Write Mind
I’ve always enjoyed working with children. So it should have come as no surprise when I began writing, most of my success would come from writing for little ones. I have discovered when I write for children, I feel I am finally in my write mind.
Children are transparent and you immediately know if they like your story. Their little eyes snap and tiny bodies wiggle with excitement when they try to figure out what will happen next. I’ll never forget last year when I was invited to a Christian school in Rochester, Minnesota, to read my book Stubby’s Destiny to their morning and afternoon kindergarten class. The children had never heard this story before, but right from the first page their little feet began to dance when I read about the horses’ hooves prancing down the cobblestone street. As I continued reading, they began to cheer for little Stubby, a defeated donkey who felt he had been born wrong. When Stubby discovers his divine destiny, they began to clap their tiny hands for joy.
I think great literature can help shape small souls. I plan to continue writing stories, which hopefully leave footprints in the hearts of wee ones. I believe the seeds of influence from my books will live longer than I do and produce a harvest of wisdom and help ignite a vibrant faith in the heart of a child, which will change a generation and time my eyes will never see. With all the advanced technology, it’s a great time to be a children’s author.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...Dixie Phillips began writing seasonal plays for children in 1987. These delightful programs have been published by Abingdon Press, Standard Publishing, Eldridge Publishing, Evangelizing Today's Child and Gospel Publishing House. One of Dixie's children's books, Stubby's Destiny, was awarded the 2008 Best Children's Animal Story by Books and Authors. Guardian Angel Publishing has released Angel Eyes, One Noble Journey and Baby Jesus is Missing. Cinderfella and the Furry Godmother and Stilts the Stork will be released in 2010.
Dixie also has a passion for writing God's truths for adults. She has contributed to an award-winning devotional book and has ghostwritten books on marriage, health, poetry and personal testimonies. She is currently a topical curriculum writer for Randall House. Dixie is a pastor's wife of more than 30 years. She and her husband, Paul, have four grown children and have served the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd, Iowa, for 28 years.
You can learn more about Dixie’s books and the Phillips’ ministry by visiting www.floydslighthouse.com.
The Land of Expression, David & Mutiya Vision – Review & Giveaway
Welcome to the Land of Expression, a place where colors create and control everything. See how a community of colors turn their world into a chaotic mess by bullying and mistreating one of their own! This book introduces the value of respect, diversity, acceptance, and shows how working together can create a place of wonderful expression, beneficial for all. - FROM THE BOOK BACK
FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS...The Land of Expression was a valuable book that showed how it felt to be left out for being different and the importance of respecting each other for our differences. We're reminded that when we mistreat and disrespect another because of our differences, we lose out on something much more beautiful if we're all in harmony with each other. Though this book is probably geared towards readers aged 7-10, my 3.5 year old also enjoyed the pictures found throughout the tale. Personally I think it's an excellent book to read with the children so further discussion and understanding can be made. This is a book that will definitely remain on our shelves of that reminder. Thanks t0 the Visions for providing us a copy of this book.
You can read their author interview here at The Book Faery Reviews.
NOW THE GIVEAWAY...This giveaway will run for approximately 2 weeks (12/1-12/14). THREE Commenters will be randomly selected and notified via e-mail. Winners will have 48 hours to reply back with their mailing address (No Restrictions) or it goes to the next person.
Main Entry: Leave me a comment below of ways we as adults can teach our children of today about acceptance and who you would like to read or give this book to.
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