Wednesday, November 13, 2013

My Name is ERIN One Girl's Journey to Discover Truth, My Name is ERIN series written by ERIN DAVIS

Just for tweens!
Erin Davis is passionate about bringing the Truth about God to young women. In this quirky, colorfully illustrated, keenly interactive four-book set, young women from ages 10-14 will glean biblical answers about four basic tenants of Christian Living: Mission, Faith, Truth, and Self-Discovery.
Check out all Four!

My Name is Erin: 
One Girl's Journey to Discover Truth

Is truth real? How do you define truth? What happens when your definition of truth is not the same as your best friend? Or your parents? Whose truth becomes the real truth?

See a problem?

The culture says truth can change. God's Word says Truth is solid.

In My Name is Erin: One Girls Journey to Discover Truth you will be guided by Erin to learn

·         Truth is not defined by your circumstances, your heart, or your mind

·         Truth can be discovered - not created

·         How to protect yourself and your friends with Truth

·         Lies that masquerade as Truth

·         How to make invisible spy ink

  • ISBN-13: 9780802406422
  • Publisher: Moody Publishers
  • Publication date: 7/28/2013
  • Pages: 79

Part of a four-book series -

My Name is Erin: One Girl's Journey to Discover Who She Is

My Name is Erin: One Girl's Mission to Make a Difference

My Name is Erin: One Girl's Plan for Radical Faith

P.S.You can read them in any order - because you are a girl discovering Truth.

Meet the Author:
A popular speaker, author and blogger, ERIN DAVIS has addressed women of all ages nationwide and is passionately committed to sharing God's Truth with others. She is the author of several books including Graffiti: Learning to See the Art in Ourselves, True Princess: Embracing Humility in an All About Me World, The Bare Facts with Josh McDowell, Beyond Bath Time: Embracing Motherhood As a Sacred Role. Erin's quest for the perfect scoop of ice cream is never ending and her family is her constant source of entertainment. 

My Thoughts

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

You actually have to know God's Truth to be tied to it. Study the bible "gird yourself" with God's Truth.

The author asks, "What is the opposite of Truth?".  Her answer is: The simplest way to define something that isn't true is to call it a lie. 

In chapter 3 we meet Lie's ugly cousins Bent Truth, Relative Truth, and Partial Truth.

Chapter 5: How can you stand by Truth? Erin writes about the different types of Truth and untruth.  She points out the way to the Truth (God) is through Jesus and the way to untruth leads to the Satan.  

Erin introduced some girls she calls the Gab Gallery. They entertained me with their past experiences and opinions of Truths and of Lies. 

I am looking forward  to the next book in this series.  Stay tuned to my blog for my next book I review in this series.


I highly recommend this book.


I rated this book a 5 out of 5.


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers/MP Newsroom for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.


Monday, November 11, 2013

My Name is ERIN: One Girl's Plan for Radical Faith, My Name is ERIN series by ERIN DAVIS


Just for Tweens


My Name is Erin: 

One Girl's Plan for Radical Faith



Maybe you've had a moment-a time in your history when God did something radical in your heart. Putting your faith and trust in Him certainly feels like taking a giant leap, but really it's just the beginning of the exciting, and-yes-radical journey that comes with agreeing to live as God calls you to.

What does being radical look like? In the Bible, the common characteristics are:

* They trusted God.

* They listened to God's voice and then obeyed-even when it cost them.

* Because of their faith, they lived lives that looked different from everyone else's.

That's a short list and a tall order, but basically it means you can be a radical too. There's nothing on that list that is impossible for you. There's nothing on that list that requires you to be older, or more financially stable, or to have a college degree. No matter who you are or where you live you can live a radical faith.

Meet Erin, she has learned practical ways to do just that.


  • ISBN-13: 9780802406453
  • Publisher: Moody Publishers
  • Publication date: 8/1/2013
  • Pages: 77

My Name is Erin: 
One Girl's Plan for Radical Faith is part of a 4-book series:


 My Name is Erin: One Girl's Journey to Discover Truth

    My Name is Erin: One Girl's Journey to Discover Who She Is


    My Name is Erin: One Girl's Mission to Make a Difference



You can read them in any order - but be radical and jump in!





Meet the Author:
A popular speaker, author and blogger, ERIN DAVIS has addressed women of all ages nationwide and is passionately committed to sharing God's Truth with others. She is the author of several books including Graffiti: Learning to See the Art in Ourselves, True Princess: Embracing Humility in an All About Me World, The Bare Facts with Josh McDowell, Beyond Bath Time: Embracing Motherhood As a Sacred Role. Erin's quest for the perfect scoop of 

ice cream is never ending and her family is her constant source of entertainment. 

My Thoughts

How can you spot a person with Radical Faith? What makes this person different?

Do you know anyone with Radical Faith? If so how do you feel about this person? How do other people react to this person?  

Are you this person?  Would you like to be a person with Radical Faith? You might have to remove a few things from your life in order to make time for prayer, reading your bible, journal and worshiping with song.  Listen to God's voice and obey! Become a person with Radical Faith.  This may come at a cost.  

This is the perfect series for tweens.  It is not over bearing or in your face.  It is like getting advice from a close friend.  A quiet friend with Radical Faith. She definitely has the plan!  I am talking about the author, Erin Davis.  She backs up her advice with scriptures, accounts of many people in the bible with Radical Faith. 

I highly recommend this book. 

What a wonderful Christmas gift this would make!for a tween or teen!

There are four books in this series and they can be read in any order.

I will be review the rest of the books in this series all this week.  Be sure to stop by and find out what my opinion is of the other three books. 


I rated this book a 5 out of 5.


Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publlishers for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

NORA'S CHICKS written by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Kathryn Brown


About the book:

From Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan comes a reassuring story about new beginnings and making friends.

Nora and her family have just arrived from Russia and are making a new home on the American frontier. The prairie is very different from the forested hills Nora is used to. Most of all, it’s lonely. Papa has the cows he sings to as he milks them. Baby brother Milo has a dog to follow him wherever he goes. But Nora has no one and nothing to call her own until Papa brings home a dozen chicks and two geese. Nora names each one, and they follow her everywhere — even to church! But what will happen when one of her beloved chicks goes missing?

  • ISBN-13: 9780763647537
  • Publisher: Candlewick Press
  • Publication date: 2/26/2013
  • Pages: 40
  • Age range: 3 - 7 Years
  • Lexile: AD490L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 8.82 (w) x 10.36 (h) x 0.40 (d)


About author:
Patricia MacLachlan is the Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall. She has published many, many books, including Lala Salama, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon; Journey; Skylark; and Cassie Binegar. Patricia MacLachlan lives in western Massachusetts.


About illustrator:
Kathryn Brown is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including My Little Grandmother Often Forgets by Reeve Lindbergh and Kisses on the Wind by Lisa Moser. Kathryn Brown lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.



My Thoughts:

Nora was not pleased with her new home in America. Her new home on the prairie did not have as many trees or hills as Russia had in fact she saw only one tree and not even one tree. On top of that she needed a friend. One girl visited her new home but they both were too shy to connect as friends. 

One day Nora's dad brought home some baby chicks and two geese to add to their families food chain. This upset Nora and her father decided she could have the chicks. They would be hers to care for and do with as she saw fit. This pleased Nora so much she promised her father she would take good care her chicks. The chicks followed Nora every where she went making Nora and her chicks well known.

The author wrote the story in a simple way that will make it easy for early readers to read. The story is well written emphasizing how hard it must have been for a young immigrant to adjust to their new life in America.

Children moving to a new school or neighborhood would find comfort in reading this story. The illustrations reminded me of some first readers I enjoyed reading as a child in the early 1950s. I can still see the illustrations in my mind.

I highly recommend this book. 
I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Candlewick Press for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. This review is my honest opinion.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

How the Octopus Got Eight Arms, written by Yvonne Arroyo, illustrated by Carl Wanzung


About the book:
Oscar Octopus and his wife, Sharky Shark, are the proud parents of a sizeable brood. Oscar adores his children, and spends every spare moment playing with them. Things go swimmingly until, one day, Sharky has to make an emergency visit to see her ailing mother. Suddenly, Oscar is left in charge of his offspring. Because of a huge physical shortcoming, Oscar is unable to meet the needs of all his kids. His wife returns to find him nearly dead of exhaustion. She rushes him to the doctor, who performs emergency surgery on him. In no time at all the new and improved Oscar is able to more easily handle his children. He and his family live playfully and happily ever after. This sure-fire pleaser features rich vocabulary, lively rhyming text and attractive illustrations that will warm every young reader's heart.

Paperback
Format: 7 x 10 color paperback, 45 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (Apr 18, 2013)Thought
ISBN13: 9781432793692
Genre: POETRY / General



About the Author: Yvonne Arroyo spent 32 years as a bilingual Spanish teacher for the Chicago and Trenton school systems. She has written several poems and chants for children and currently lives in Vacaville, CA. 

About the Illustrator: Carl Wanzung has taught both Art and Preschool to Second Language learners in Chicago Public Schools for the past 30 years. His own art work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in the United States, Japan and Scotland and is privately collected.



My Thoughts:

 Deep in the ocean a romance grew, it must have been love at first sight, between Oscar the Octopus and the lovely Sharkey McGhee. They enjoyed a wonderful courtship and were seen out dining and even at the movies.  Then one day Sharkey donned a lovely bridal veil and Oscar a handsome top hat and were joined in matrimony.  

I would like to say they lived happily ever after. You see their family was blessed with eight babies.  Thing became stressful for the new parents because Sharkey had to aid her mum. The problem was Oscar only had two arms and needed more help to keep up with the babies.  If  only he had  eight arms!

I read this book to my handsome little nephew and he is usually a active little fellow yet he sat quietly while I read him the book. .He definitely enjoyed the illustrations and the fun story as a whole. I can't wait to read the book to my grandchildren. I know they will be as captivated with this story also.

I gladly recommend this book

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from the Outskirt Press/Bostick Communications for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion. 

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Why Spiders Have Big Bottoms by Storyteller and Children's Author Dr. Mike Lockett




About Book:

The book is bilingual - in English - Chinese.  Soon to be English - Spanish. 

Why Spiders Have Big Bottoms - ISBN 978-0 – 9771816-9-8 Adapted from the African American folktale of Anansi and the River Spirits – Anansi first appeared in West African folktales and traveled with the African culture to every part of the earth. Children and adults everywhere like to read about Anansi, Sometimes appearing as a spider, sometimes as a man – Anansi is always entertaining. Anansi is intelligent, However, his greed sometimes causes odd things to happen to him and to those around him. This story tells how Anansi causes all spiders to have a small head and a very large bottom. The book is bilingual - in English and Chinese. The book will be released in English-Spanish the end of 2013. Sky Food was published by Santa Publishing in Taiwan (2012) in collaboration by Heritage Schoolhouse Press. The book will be distributed by Small Press United starting in April, 2013.


Bio for Dr. Mike Lockett - THE NORMAL STORYTELLER
Dr. Michael Lockett is a teller of traditional tales in a non-traditional manner. Mike is a lifelong storyteller and had added writing children's books to his bio .  Lockett has been telling stories for 40 years in his positions as a storyteller, teacher, principal, central office administrator and educational consultant.  Because he lives in the small town of Normal, Illinois, he enjoys being called "The Normal Storyteller."  But, there is little that is NORMAL about Mike.  He brings high energy and creative uses of audio sound effects to his family friendly stories.
Mike has given more than 3000 presentations and workshops in 27 states across the United States and as far away as eastern Asia.  He has performed in fourteen countries.  He is the author of The Basics of Storytelling (Taiwan, 2008).  Lockett hopes to soon release a revised version of the book for the American market.  He released a DVD of children's stories in Taiwan in August, 2008.  An American version of the DVD, "Tales of Delight," was released in June, 2009 and received the 2009 DVD of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine.  Dr. Lockett has produced 5 audio CDs of stories and music.  The most recent audio CD is Christmas from the Heart.  (2012).  Dr. Lockett has received a total of nineteen awards for his books and audio storytelling products.  He is among the one of the top 1% most endorsed storytellers on @LinkedIn in United States for his storytelling abilities. 
Dr. Lockett has published eight children's bilingual picture books (Chinese and English).  The first four books were released by Brilliant International Group to the Asia market during Dr. Lockett's tour of Korea, Taiwan, Shanghai and Hong Kong in July/August, 2009.  Two new books were released in January, 2010 during Dr. Lockett's sixth tour of eastern Asia.  All six books have been rated as "Family Approved" by the Dove Foundation.  The books can be seen on the products page of this website.  The six books are also available for purchase on this site.  American book stores can go to Small Press United to order the books.   The two newest books were released in November, 2012 by Santa Publishing in Taiwan.  Two more books are scheduled to be released by Santa in early 2013 and should be available in the USA by spring of 2013.  Dr. Lockett has written an eleventh book with 20 stories for young children that will be released by Korean publisher JY Books sometime in 2013.

Author's website: http://www.mikelockett.com/home.php

PR Photo Alt. Jan 08     recording_in_taiwan_250  doveanyage_125  book_signing_at_taipei_library_200  
Mike Lockett is a regular presenter at schools, libraries, churches, festivals and conferences. He has served multiple times as a storyteller and keynote speaker at the Illinois Young Author's Conference. He gives frequent reading and writing talks and assemblies at public and parochial schools.
Mike's stories have played on a variety of radio programs:
  • WVEW-LP 107.7FM in Brattleboro, VT. - The Monkey and Mama Program
  • KSVY-FM in Sonoma, CA - Storylovers' World - with radio and storytelling host, Jackie Baldwin
  • CJLY Kootenay Co-Op Radio - Nelson. British Columbia, Canada - Tale Spinners & Mortimer Nelson
  • Radio Taiwan International - The Voice of Taiwan -
  • Live365.com - World of Storytelling Radio - Mike Lockett's stories are part of a rotation of stories by some of the finest storytellers in the USA.  This computerized radio station is free to listen to.  Visitors to Dr. Lockett's site are encouraged to click on the link and listen to Mike and many other storytellers.  If you like what you hear - please follow directions on the radio site to rate Mike's stories.  Better ratings helps the stories get played more often. The station was the brainchild of storyteller, Don (Buck) Creasey.  The station is supported by the National Storytellng Network and the Christian Storytelling Network.
  • WJBC - 1230 AM in Bloomington, IL and WOAM - 1350 AM Radio in Peoria, IL have interviewed Dr. Lockett about his storytelling programs.  Lockett was interviewed by Royce Elliott on the "Royce and Roger Morning Show."ught



My Thoughts 

Dr. Mike Lockett has made quite the impression on me as being a wonderful storyteller.  He is so animated when writing or telling a story.  It is very apparent he loves being a storyteller.  He wants to share his stories with children all around the world.  He has created his books so they can be read in English and another language on the flip side of the book.  This is how the book I am reviewing today is created.  It is English on one side and Chinese on the other side. It  is also soon to be available in Spanish.  Ingenious isn't it!

This story is from African American Folklore about Anansi the shape-shifter.  In this book he is a spider.  The title of the book says it all Why Spiders Have Big Bottoms.  Anasi was greedy no matter what shape he choice to take. 

In my searches about Chinese language I found it has become a popular language even over learning the Spanish language..If  children are already learning chinese or if you are interested in this within future  these would be some great books to start with. No matter what language, the story is very entertaining.  Enjoyable for the young and old.

The illustrations are a language of their own as a illustrations that can tell a story to those that have yet to learned to read.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 6 out of 5.


Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.


Saturday, November 2, 2013

Good Morning World! by Mrs.D.


About the book:

Glide gently into the beautiful morning with Baby Thomas and his grandpa. The sun is shining brightly through the wide window and the flowers, trees, birds, and other creatures have already started their day. Brilliant colors of the dawning day wake up the park, and Baby Thomas is ready for a walk. While walking in the park with his grandpa, they see the same things but from a different perspective. Baby Thomas wants to hug the wonderful world around him, but his grandpa has a different opinion. In this book, young readers will easily connect to the wonders of nature and unforgettable characters, playfully interacting with each other. Join happy Baby Thomas and his grandpa for a walk and have a delightful, uplifting morning! 

  • ISBN-13: 9781457521546
  • Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
  • Publication date: 7/26/2013
  • Pages: 46



About the Author:

Mrs. D. (Olga D’Agostino), an award-winning author, grew up in western Ukraine as the daughter of a forest ranger. Inspired by the beauty of nature, she loved to write stories and poems in her native language and dreamed of becoming a writer. She finished Lviv business college and in 1992 immigrated to the United States with her two small daughters. In 2011 she started to pursue her childhood dreams, among them writing books for children. One of her children's books, The Trees Have Hearts, won a 2013 Mom's Choice Award. She is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), speaks several languages fluently, and loves reading, writing, gardening, and traveling. She lives in Smithville, New Jersey, with her husband, Patrick, and an adventurous cat named Nyda. 

Books by Mrs. D. include Carlo the Mouse on Vacation, The Trees Have Hearts, The City Kittens and The Old House Cat, Good Morning, World! and Carlo the Mouse, Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse.
 
The full series of Carlo the Mouse and her new books Runaway Clothes, Everyone Needs Someone: The Royal Palm, The Mysterious Life Inside a Closet, That Is How Things Are: The Autumn Wind and That Is How Things Are: The Kitten and the Sparrow, and three rhyming stories in Who Is Most Important in the Fridge? will be published in the near future. Her books are available in print on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and as e-books for most popular e-devices. 

For updates on Mrs. D.'s books, please visit her website: www.mrsdbooks.net

Mrs.D's books are available in print on Amazon, B&N and Xlibris on line stores. Available as E-books on Kindle, Nook and most E-devices.
Website: http://www.mrsdbooks.net
Blog:http://http://mrsdbooks.blogspot.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/olga.dagostino.16?ref=tn_tnmn
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5246750.Mrs_D_




My Thoughts

Baby Thomas wants Grandpa to take him for a stroll outdoors.  First he must wake up Grandpa from napping. So Grandma comes up with a plan.  Are you curious as to how they got Grandpa to wake from his nap?

Grandpa was not to eager to go for a walk, he thought it was to hot and the flowers made him sneeze.  Baby Thomas did not notice the heat of the Sun in fact he told the Sun, flowers, birds and every other living thing he past, "GOOD MORNING!" and they greeted him back with happy smiles and salutations. But they also noticed how grumpy Grandpa was being on their walk.  

If you were to ask me I would say Grandpa didn't get a long enough nap.  

This darling story of Baby Thomas and Grandpa was like I was taking a stroll along with them.  The author
must have pulled some of this story from a family experience.  With her very creative imagination she must have been very tuned into actions and reactions of Baby Thomas. Then there was Grandpa who was very vocal and animated so she undoubtedly knew exactly what to write about Grandpa. Too funny!


This book is a must read!

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from the author for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.


Friday, November 1, 2013

The City Kittens and the Old House Cat by Mrs. D ~ A Christmas Favorite!


About the book:


This story revolves around Christmastime bond a family who once adopted a lost kitten, naming it Nyda. Nyda has now grown old and has settled into a calm, uneventful life with her new family-until the day before Christmas, when the family's older daughter brings two playful kittens, Mickey and Jack, home for the holidays. The two kittens from the big city are a change for the family, and for Nyda. The old cat likes her settled life and is not happy about the new arrivals. She's also very protective of her belongings. The city kittens annoy her, and the old cat grumbles about the new additions to the family- until she hears a story one night that makes her feel bad. The kittens aren't the soft or spoiled brats she had thought they were . . . 

About the Author:

Mrs. D. (Olga D’Agostino), an award-winning author, grew up in western Ukraine as the daughter of a forest ranger. Inspired by the beauty of nature, she loved to write stories and poems in her native language and dreamed of becoming a writer. She finished Lviv business college and in 1992 immigrated to the United States with her two small daughters. In 2011 she started to pursue her childhood dreams, among them writing books for children. One of her children's books, The Trees Have Hearts, won a 2013 Mom's Choice Award. She is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), speaks several languages fluently, and loves reading, writing, gardening, and traveling. She lives in Smithville, New Jersey, with her husband, Patrick, and an adventurous cat named Nyda. 

Books by Mrs. D. include Carlo the Mouse on Vacation, The Trees Have Hearts, The City Kittens and The Old House Cat, Good Morning, World! and Carlo the Mouse, Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse.
 
The full series of Carlo the Mouse and her new books Runaway Clothes, Everyone Needs Someone: The Royal Palm, The Mysterious Life Inside a Closet, That Is How Things Are: The Autumn Wind and That Is How Things Are: The Kitten and the Sparrow, and three rhyming stories in Who Is Most Important in the Fridge? will be published in the near future. Her books are available in print on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and as e-books for most popular e-devices. 

For updates on Mrs. D.'s books, please visit her website: www.mrsdbooks.net

Mrs.D's books are available in print on Amazon, B&N and Xlibris on line stores. Available as E-books on Kindle, Nook and most E-devices.
Website: http://www.mrsdbooks.net
Blog:http://http://mrsdbooks.blogspot.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/olga.dagostino.16?ref=tn_tnmn
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5246750.Mrs_D_

The City Kittens Mickey and Jack 

My Thoughts

It is time to decorate for Christmas and this was one of Nyda the cat's favorite times of the year.  She stayed inside all warm and cozy while Mrs.D cooked all kinds of special treats which she was allowed to eat.  A special tree was brought into the house and was decked out with colorful ornaments and lights. Then there were the guest that came to visit including Mrs.D's daughters.  There were two litt\tle problems the daughters brought two kittens, city kittens all pampered and spoiled putting Nyda's into a bad mood. She would like to see the kitten leave her home. 

What could possibly change Nyda's attitude toward these two cute frisky kittens?

The author has written a sweet tale of two city kittens and an old house cat.  It brought back some happy memories for me also. It has me ready to pull out the Christmas decorations.  I am a cat lover and I just so happen have two cute kittens that like to provoke my two dogs and my grown cats.  They are very entertaining like Mickey and Jack the city kittens.  The author writes from her heart and family experiences makeing her stories that much more endearing.

This book and her others will make wonderful gifts and keepsakes for any child.  As far as that go they make wonderful books to have on hand at the grandparents house.


I highly recommend this book.


I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from the author for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.