Funny Face, Sunny Face by Sally Symes, Rosalind Beardshaw

ABOUT BOOK  

Loosely following a child's daily routine, this charming and beautifully illustrated book celebrates all things toddler. Richly detailed scenes, cute characters, and rhyming text assure that even the youngest of children will join in, and adults will take pleasure in the colorful illustrations, however many times they're asked to read! 

Published by Candlewick/NosyCrow

isbn-10/isbn-13: 0763676063 / 9780763676063 

 date: 03/2015 

type/format: Picture Books / Hardback 

age range: 2 yrs - 5 yrs # of 

pages/size: 32 / 9 13/16" x 10 5/8" 

grade range: Preschool - Kindergarten 

buy at Amazon, B&N, IndieBound 

subjects:Animals; Concepts; Imagination & Play 


About Author

Sally Symes has designed, written, and illustrated many books with numerous talented partners. She lives in England with her husband, two children, and Bumble the cat. 

About Illustrator

Rosalind Beardshaw has illustrated several picture books for children. She lives in York, England, with her partner and children.

My Thoughts

Pretty babies and animals with funny sunny faces kept a big smile on my face and filled my heart with happy feelings as I turned each page of this darling picture book. 

Everyone who opens this book even if they can not read will know what story the illustrations are depicting. But you will want to read the rhyming story to get the full picture.

There is an explosion of happiness on every page. It is a celebration of life that exudes love.   It's a book everyone from the very young to very old will enjoy. I can't wait to share this book with my grandkids.

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/NosyCrow for an honest review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.

Mice & Spiders & Webs...Oh My! by Sherrill S. Cannon, illustrated by Kalpart GIVEAWAY

ABOUT BOOK

Mice & Spiders & Webs . . . Oh My! 

Is your child a good listener? 

Rosemary is a little girl who is worried about returning to school after her teacher warns the class that they would soon have some mice, spiders, and webs in the classroom. Could Rosemary have misunderstood something? 

How can mice and spiders and webs belong at school? Full of “Computer Speak,” this story introduces young readers to basic computer terms in a delightful way! See if your child can discover the mystery of the misunderstood words, and learn about the fun of computers with Rosemary. 

This is the seventh rhyming children’s book by this award-winning author, whose other bestselling books include My Fingerpaint Masterpiece, Manner-Man, Gimme-Jimmy, The Magic Word, Peter and the Whimper-Whineys, and Santa’s Birthday Gift. 

Buy on Amazon

About Author 

Former teacher Sherrill S. Cannon has won twenty-eight awards for her six previous rhyming books, and is also the author of seven published and internationally performed plays for elementary school children. She has been called “a modern day Dr. Seuss” by GTMA Review. “I love to teach, and this book teaches basic computer terms in a fun way. I am retired and spend six months of the year with my husband of 55 years, traveling from coast to coast and sharing books along the way. I grew up in The Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. , where my father was the manager. I'm the original Eloise!” 

Publisher’s website: http://sbpra.com/SherrillSCannon 
You can learn more about the author and her books on the following sites:
Facebook Fan Page: http://tinyurl.com/Author-Sherrill-S-Cannon

 GIVEAWAY  

U.S. residents only

Provided by Sherrill Cannon

    

One winner will win an ebook copy of 

Mice & Spiders & Webs...Oh My!

Just leave a comment below answering these questions:

Does your child have a computer in their classroom?

Do they have access to one at home?

Do they know how to use it?

(I need your email to contact you if you are the winner)

Giveaway ENDS August 7, 2015

Winner announced on August 9, 2015

My Thoughts

Rosemary refuses to go to school because the teacher told the class they were going to have a mouse and a web in their classroom.  She definitely does not like mice and spiders and webs. Her mom tries to calm her child's concerns to no avail.  So her mother takes her to school early so she can address these concerns with the teacher.

Evidently the child misunderstood and did not listen to all the teacher had said to the class.  The teacher was telling them they would be learning to use a computer.

I found this to be a fun rhyming  story. where a computer mouse was thought to be a live squeaky mouse and the internet web was mistaken for a spider web with a big hairy spider. A child might have even thought the monitor was a giant lizard and ram was a big goat or sheep.  

I find children have limited attention spam so the minute the teacher mentioned a mouse and web Rosemary's imagination went into high gear and could not focus on all the teacher had to say. 

This is a good lesson to be learned. 

Don't just poo-foo your child's fears and concerns away. find out what is going on inside these amazing little brains helping them to see the real picture.

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 an honest review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  

Giveaway: Flag for the Flying Dragon, A Captain No Beard Story written by Carole P. Roman

About Book

It's business as usual on the Flying Dragon. Their mission is to find a flag for the ship. Captain No Beard sighs, "Being a captain is hard work," as he watches the busy crew preparing the vessel for their next adventure. 

Polly is giving out pretzels; Linus is polishing a lamp. Matie is cracking coconuts, Cayla is stuffing holes, and Hallie is swabbing the deck. High overhead, trouble is brewing, and it is not the weather. 

Mongo does not want any help from the newest crew member, and it is creating a hurricane of a mess on board. 

The team must come together and find a task that will fit Zachary without interfering with their own fun. On the way, they acquire a flag that will unite them as both friends and crew. 

Join the problem-solving crew of the Flying Dragon as they find a flag for their ship and a job for Zach.

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

About Carole

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born. It has followed with four more books to the series.

Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be.

She has just finished the first of six books in a groundbreaking new nonfiction series about culture around the world. "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us.

Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.

Carole's Blog: http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Official Website: http://caroleproman.com/

* * * * * *

USA ONLY GIVEAWAY!

PROVIDED BY CAROLE P. ROMAN

Begins 7/24/15, ends 8/6/2015
5 WINNERS 

WILL WIN A COPY OF

A FLAG FOR THE FLYING DRAGON

THEN 1 GRAND PRIZE WINNER

A WHOLE SET OF THE CAPTAIN NO BEARD STORIES

All three below are mandatory for giveaway!

(1)FIRST LEAVE A COMMENT AND 

EMAIL ADDRESS  ON THIS BLOG.

Example: janedoe(at)mail(dot)com 

(so I can contact you if you are a winner)

(2)Next visit the Author's Blog and leave a comment.

(3)Leave comment on Author's Website.
                           
Winners will also be announced on this blog on 8/8/2015!
Good luck!

* * * * * *

My Thoughts

Captain No Beard had his hands full with the antics of their new pirate, Zachary.  Zachary is working hard to be a team mate but he just keeps failing at everything.  Captain and the other shipmates assigned him different tasks to no avail.  Then by pure luck the Captain finds the perfect assignment for Zachary.  A very important assignment all his very own.

Very cute book showing how important it is to have team work which means to be  supportive of each other. Definitely not making making your team mate feel inferior.  The author always has the Captain pulling things together for the good of all. 

Love the new Swabbie, diaper clad baby Zachary!  He is a real cutie pie, I mean handsome pirate.  

Can't wait for more adventures into the imagination of Captain No Beards and his growing shipmates!

I highly recommend this book.

I gladly rated this book a 5 out of 5.

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

Chat with Vera: "Out and About: A First Book of Poems" by Shirley ...

Chat with Vera: "Out and About: A First Book of Poems" by Shirley ...: About the book:  In this joyous collection of poems, Katie and her little brother, Olly, are ready for whatever each day offers—sunshine, ...

Jake's Monster Mess by Ken Spillman, illustrations by Chris Nixon

About Book

Jake's room is only slightly messy—until he to clean it! After he has cleared out his sock drawer, jock drawer and his toy cupboard and dragged dusty and forgotten clutter out from under the bed, he realizes all those things are piled high on his floor—and worse, they've expanded! Packed with inventive and fun illustrations, this is a hilarious story of one boy’s battle with his topsy-turvy bedroom. 

 ISBN 978-1-59572-681-0

48 pages, 5 1/4"x7 5/8"

ages 6-8

Paperback

Star Bright Books webpage

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS Language arts, vocabulary development, understanding sequences of events, understanding narrative voice, story developments, understanding characters, humor, friendship, responsibility, family and relationships, respect, self-esteem, emotional well-being, values and virtues.

About Author

Ken Spillman is an award-winning author whose work spans the genres of history, novels for young adults and children, short fiction, poetry, scriptwriting and criticism. He is the author of 20 books including Blue, an acclaimed novel for teenagers. Spillman’s work is represented in many anthologies, and the US reference Contemporary Authors has compiled a detailed entry on his career.

Author's website:  http://www.kenspillman.com/

About Illustrator

Chris Nixon is a freelance illustrator and adventure tour guide. He grew up in the foothills of Perth and spent all his spare time outside. He feels passionate about getting kids to experience the natural world.

My Thoughts

Jake's mess reminds me of my youngest daughter's good intents at cleaning her room.  Jake had some brilliant ideas for organizing his things that ended up overwhelming his good intentions.   Thankfully his family and friends knew Jake meant well and was not just being mischievous.   

Just reading the story I became overwhelmed for poor little Jake! With some children a few suggestions and overseeing the project with patience seems to be the key. Making it fun using some of their ideas meets with rewarding success!

From my own experience I especially found sorting through the childs clothes and toys while they were at school, boxing the stuff up for donations was of great help  in cutting down a stressful situation. This kept my children from having to make monumental decisions.  They never even seemed to notice anything was missing. If they did notice I simply explained why it was donated or discarded.  My children are now wonderful parents with children of their own!

Great book in which I am sure most children and parents will connect.  Good story to read with your kids and share ideas and past experiences. Be sure to make it fun and not accusatory. 

I recommend this book! 

I rated this book a 4 out of 5.  Mainly due to the fact it was somewhat overwhelming.

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

Sammy Steals the Show (Bird Brain ) by Emlyn Chand, ilustrated by Noelle Giffin

About Book

Title: Sammy Steals the Show (a Bird Brain Book) | Author: Emlyn Chand | Illustrator: Noelle Giffin | Publication Date: May 28, 2014 | Publisher: Evolved Publishing | Pages: 56 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8     

Book Description: Sammy is a talented young cockatiel who loves to sing out of his open apartment window for all of Australia to hear. One day, he watches a reality singing competition with his human friend, Lisa, and knows that if he could just audition, he would surely win.   What follows is a masterful escape, an eventful journey to the Sydney Opera House, and an audition the crew of "Sing Your Heart Out" will never forget. Will Sammy take home the title of Australia’s next rising star, or will he find something more important along the way?   There’s only one way to find out: join Sammy in his humorous adventure of fame, friendship, and fun.

                                            Amazon * Goodreads

About the Author: Emlyn Chand

From an early age, Emlyn Chand has counted books among her best friends. She loves to hear and tell stories and emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). Her affinity for the written word extends to absolutely every area of her life: she has published fiction across multiple genres, oversees and contributes as both an editor and an author to the Novel Publicity Guides for Writing & Marketing Fiction series, and loves the written word so much, she even married author Falcon Storm! Don’t forget that she is the founder and president of Novel Publicity too.

The book that changed Emlyn’s life is Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson. It opened her eyes to the world that could exist if only she was willing to create it—a lesson she has never forgotten. Maybe that’s why she loves writing her Bird Brain Book series for children so much!   Emlyn’s first novel, Farsighted, won the prestigious Writer’s Digest Self-Published Novel of the Year award in 2012 for the YA category. She now writes most of her fiction under her real name, Melissa Storm.  

Website * Facebook * Goodreads

My Thoughts

Sammy and Lisa have been together since they first laid eyes on each other at the pet store where Sammy was with her mother and siblings.  It was love at first sight and maybe the beautiful way Sammy sang to Lisa. 

One night after the two of them watched a  talent show on television Sammy got a brilliant idea to enter the Talent Show at the Sydney Opera House.  But he did not tell Lisa. In fact Sammy decided to get some of his Dove bird friends to help him find his way to the talent show.

Me being a grandmother I don't think this was such a brilliant idea! How about you?   What would Lisa think of Sammy leaving his cage and the safety of the apartment? After all he has never flewn outdoors much less with any of his friends.  But he was so excited and just knew he had the talent to win. No doubt he wanted to surprise Lisa.

The author has given us a good lesson to be learned.  Think before you act.  In my opinion if Sammy was keeping it a secret from Lisa then he must have known deep down that it was not a good idea. Or did he?  

You will fall Iin love with Sammy as much as I have or more. Maybe you connect with this story as you remember one of your own bird brain ideas!

The illustrations depict the story so well and will stir everyones imagination into this wild and crazy bird brain adventure with Sammy.

I have read this book before but this time I read it with a whole new perspective.

I highly recommend this book.

I gladly rated this book  5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from MotherDaughterBookReviews for an honest review.  I was in no way compensated for this review it is my honest opinion.

Chooky-Doodle-Doo by Jan Whiten, illustrated by Sinéad Hanley

About Book

Fresh illustrations, a rollicking text, and a growing succession of cute little chicks make the counting go down easy. 

When one big-eyed chick fails to yank its prize worm from the ground, it’s time to bring in a friend—and then another, and another. But if adding a rooster to the crew still doesn’t do the trick, could it be that a worm isn’t always what it seems? Each turn of the page brings a new number and a new rhyme in this delightful debut from both author and illustrator.  

isbn-10/isbn-13: 0763673277 / 9780763673277

Published March 24, 2015

Published by Candlewick Press

Format: Picture Books / Hardback

age range: 2 yrs - 5 yrs

pages: 32 /size 8 5/8" x 7 7/8"

grade range: Preschool - Kindergarten 

subjects: Animals; Concepts; Social Issues

About Author

Jan Whiten spent her early years at a tiny rural school with one room and one teacher for all grades. Her love of reading children’s books led her to write her own stories, and Chooky-Doodle-Doo is her first book. She lives in Australia.

About IIllustrator

Sinéad Hanley uses pencil, paper cuts, textures, and screen printing in her artwork, which is inspired by folklore, nature, optical art, and her collection of kitsch books and encyclopedias. This is her first book. She lives in Australia.

My Thought

One then a total of five little chooky chicks working so hard to pull a worm from the ground. Then they enlist the rooster to help them pull.  

Cock-a-doddle-doo what will they do?

With all this pulling what could be making this worm cling so tight in the ground?  Could the worm be wrapped tightly around  a rock?  What kind of worm is this?

I thought these little chicks were so cute and very determined to have this worm out of the ground. They also showed great teamwork!  It reminds me of the old saying, "Try and try again!".

I very much enjoyed the rhyme and rhythm of this tale and let me not forget the major cuteness of the coloful illustrations!

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 an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.