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The Garden and the Glen: A Fable about Character and the Courage to Be Different 

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6-12 years 108 pages Lenox Street Press March 30, 2020 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

NATIONAL INDIES EXCELLENCE AWARD 2020MOM’S CHOICE AWARD RECIPIENT 2020
FOREWORD INDIES BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2020
The Garden and the Glen is about the magic that finds us when we’re brave enough to be our unique selves.A tiny blue butterfly is chased out of a yellow garden because she does not blend in.
She flees to the nearby forest glen, where she encounters a colorful band of woodland creatures-all of them expelled from the garden for the same reason-being different. The glen provides safety, friendship, and acceptance. However, it’s the garden that holds the blue butterfly’s true destiny.
A Queen, a mystical potion, and the fate of their natural world hang in the balance. The blue butterfly, and what makes her different, holds the key.

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MY THOUGHTS

A tiny blue butterfly is chased out of a yellow garden. There are yellow leaves, flowers, animals and butterflies. In and of itself the yellow garden is beautiful but full of sameness.


The blue butterfly is sad and flits away visiting other animals and insects that have had the same experience, being chased out of the yellow garden. These animals are beautiful and come in a rainbow of colors.
In this magical and beautiful garden full of uniqueness he finds acceptance.

Back in the yellow garden the Yellow Queen needs a magical potion for healing and the blue butterfly holds the key to procuring it for her. After being snubbed in the yellow garden should he snub the queen, and the ones sent to bring him back for her magical cure?


Despite his being wrongly treated he is not bitter and happily accepts the queens request for help.
A beautiful story for children showing that just because someone is different that it doesn’t make them bad or strange and to embrace uniqueness and learn from it.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

This book began many years ago as a short bedtime story. Elizabeth Moseley’s then-young daughters loved hearing stories at the end of the day. Elizabeth was happy reading their favorite books, but found her greatest joy in creating original fiction. A lifelong fan of Aesop and mythology, her tales often featured some magic, and always a happy ending. At the urging of her now-grown daughters, she has finally written one down. Elizabeth holds an M.A. in English Literature from Georgetown University.

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We Also Served: Amazing True Stories of Brave Military Animals-Children’s book

40 pages 4-8 years Sourcebooks Explore publisher July 4, 2023 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Discover the true feats of hero dogs, horses, birds and more with this animal book for kids ages 6-8

History is full of incredible untold tales of courageous animals. We Also Served tells the inspiring stories of the amazing bravery and loyalty displayed by animals throughout history and their vital contributions to military success. Each true story gives readers a lesson in history and a lesson in the importance of these animals’ contribution. The perfect gift for animal lovers and military families! 

MY THOUGHTS

Each animal is featured with how they came to serve, which war they served in what heroic acts they did. There are pigeons, birds, dogs, horses and more. Fascinating and wonderful to see these animals get the recognition they deserve. Many of the animals received many medals.

Full color pages that children will appreciate.
These animals have faithfully and heroically served.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for stopping in.

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First Line Friday

Happy Friday & welcome to First Line Friday hosted at Reading is my Super Power! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today I’m delighted to feature Mishka by Edward van de Vendel; Anoush Elman.

    Reading age 7-10 years 153 pages Levine Querido publisher Publication date November 12, 2024

    ABOUT THE BOOK

    Winner of the national book award for children’s literature in the Netherlands — a sweet and tender story of a girl refugee finding a new home!

    Roya, her three brothers, and their parents have a new family member — Mishka, a bunny rabbit. He soon becomes a beloved part of their new home and gradually, the rabbit — and also Roya — get to hear the story of the family’s journey from Afghanistan to the Netherlands. Told from different perspectives every time: big Bashir, gentle Hamayun, tough Navid, and sometimes Mom and Dad. Mishka and Roya listen.

    Anoush Elman and Edward van de Vendel became friends upon Elman’s arrival in the Netherlands, and fifteen years later, they decided to write a story for younger readers about his family’s experience. This gorgeous chapter book — illustrated throughout in full color — is a tender, lyrical story of a young girl processing a new country, new school, and new friends — and a bunny escape! — in a story readers and parents will treasure.

    About the Author

    Edward van de Vendel has been a school principal, founder, and teacher. He has been nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Prize, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and received the German Jugendliteratur Prize; in 2023, he received the highest honor for children’s books in the Netherlands: the Gouden Griffel, for Mishka. Edward lives in Amersfoort, and travels widely.

    Author residence: Netherlands

    Anoush Elman was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. When he was twelve he came to live in the Netherlands with his parents, brothers and sister, where the family had to wait seven years before receiving their residence permit. After high school he studied applied psychology, took a job as senior researcher at Pharos, the Dutch Center of Expertise On Health Disparities, and obtained his doctorate in 2022.

    Author residence: Netherlands

    Annet Schaap is a children’s book illustrator and in 2017 made her debut as both writer and illustrator for Lampje, which won the Gouden Griffel, the British Carnegie Medal, and the Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi, and has been translated into 22 languages.

    Illustratorresidence: Netherlands

    Nancy Forest-Flier is an American-born translator and editor living and working in the Netherlands. She has translated several adult and children’s novels from Dutch to English as well as books of historical non-fiction. She has also translated for numerous Dutch museums and institutes including the Anne Frank House. She has six children and ten grandchildren.

    Translator residence: Netherlands

    FIRST LINE(S)

    It was the first evening in our new house. My three big brothers were all talking over each other and I was staring at the dinner plate on the table in front of me. Then I looked at the big window and the walls.

    Amazon link here

    Let me know in the comments below the first line of the book you are currently reading.

    Thank you for stopping in and stay warm. We have a storm coming Monday and our current weather is flurries and feels like 4 degrees Fahrenheit.

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    Review of two seasonal children’s books: A Bold Pumpkin Plan and The Not-So-Wicked Witch

    32 pages ages 4-8 Capstone Editions publisher August 1, 2024 publication date



    ABOUT THE BOOK

    A plan to build a unique home takes a timid Hedgehog on an incredible journey of self-discovery. From meeting new friends to conquering countless obstacles, Hedgehog tackles his house plan with a newfound confidence. Best-selling creator Katy Hudson (Too Many Carrots and Mindful Mr. Sloth) combines her stunning, detailed artwork with themes of friendship, problem solving, and self-awareness in this empowering picture book.

    MY THOUGHTS

    Every year little Hedgehog has a dull plan. It’s as dull as the plain brown leaves he makes his house from. This year timid Hedgehog wants some excitement with a bold pumpkin plan. He makes an elaborate plan to have a beautiful new home this year. While gathering his supplies he meets new friends, overcoming his shyness, solves problems and has self-awareness while gaining self-found confidence. Lovingly illustrated and giving children a lesson that they can do it themselves and gain confidence.

    I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
    All opinions expressed are my own.

    32 pages 4-7 years Frances Lincoln Children’s Books August 6, 2024 publication date

    ABOUT THE BOOK

    On the sleepiest of nights, when the air is still and the moon is full, the conditions are just right… for WITCHES TO TAKE FLIGHT!

    And among all these terribly wicked, cackling witches, is one… who is actually, surprisingly quite nice!

    This little witch doesn’t enjoy being wicked like the others. Not one little bit. She doesn’t like creating mischief, she doesn’t like making a mess and she definitely doesn’t like any naughtiness!

    The other witches decide that the littlest witch needs rescuing from all this icky, gooey goodness! It’s time for some lessons in wickedness, and the best way to do that is by making a completely terrible and utterly awful potion…!

    Will our little witch leave her kind and gentle ways behind her and join in the wickedness? Or will she persuade her fellow witches that actually, being wicked isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?

    This playful take on spooky witches from the award-winning Bethan Stevens takes readers to a magical world of wickedness and kindness. This is the wonderfully funny follow-up to the prize-winning Grumpy Fairies and the fairytale twist A Damsel Not in Distress.

    MY THOUGHTS

    All witches are mean and not so polite, right? Now hold on just a minute, Halloween night finds a nice little witch who despite the others trying to change her to be like them just wants to be herself. A story about uniqueness and a wonderful lesson in not following the crowd and that it’s okay to be yourself. Super cutely illustrated for the younger crowd.

    I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
    All opinions expressed are my own.

    Enjoy your weekend and thank you for stopping in.

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    The Little Books of the Little Brontës Hardcover – Picture Book, publishing October 17, 2023

    80 pages publish date October 17,2023 publisher Penguin Random Canada, Tundra Books

    ABOUT THE BOOK

    The inspiring true tale of young siblings who loved to make stories — and grew up to be among English literature’s finest writers. A picture book for fans of Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein.

    Many years ago, the four motherless children of the Brontë family — Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne — lived in a windswept house by the moors with their father. Although their lives were often filled with sadness and their world was only as large as the distance they could walk, their INNER worlds were bound only by their imaginations. Hungry for stories, these children devoured novels and poetry, history and fables. And with the gift of a group of toy soldiers, they were inspired to make their own stories, and their own tiny books . . . a passion that would last them a lifetime.

    A moving and atmospheric story about the power of imagination, the joy of storytelling and the love of books, The Little Books of the Little Brontës will enchant both those who love these literary sisters and those who are learning about them for the first time. Includes an author’s note, timeline of the Brontës’ lives and a fun craft with instructions on creating your own little book.

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    MY THOUGHTS

    I am embarrassed to admit that yes, I have heard of the Brontes and their literature and that’s about it. I’ve read nothing by them and know next to nothing about them. I can’t use the excuse of living in the states and not the UK as a valid reason either. Their literature is quite well known over here as well.

    In this beautifully illustrated children’s book we meet the 4 children, and the father makes a very brief appearance bringing gifts to the children returning home after traveling.

    This is a nonfiction book and though it is informative I will now be doing more of an Indepth research into the children, their lives and their family.

    I see the children had two elder sisters and their mother who passed all within a close time due to tuberculosis.

    It sounds like the children didn’t have many friends outside of themselves and their family. Making up stories and creating their own very small child sized books was a way they entertained themselves. They loved reading and would read anything they could get their hands on including literature and their mother’s bible.

    The four surviving children all died young, such tragedy! Their father outlived them all.

    The book is atmospheric, you can just imagine them sitting at a table making these little books with wallpaper scraps for the cover.

    The Little Book of the Little Bronte’s will propel those interested in English literature and learning more about these literary greats to do your own research. I will definitely be doing this.

    Children have not only the opportunity to learn the basics about this family history, but it includes instruction on making your own book. Who knows this may interest some to continue on to becoming a published author.

    I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

    THE AUTHOR

    Sara O’Leary (saraoleary.ca) is a writer for both children and adults. The Ghost in the House is her first novel. She has a degree in screenwriting from the University of British Columbia and teaches at Concordia University in Montreal. A former literary columnist for The Vancouver Sun and CBC Radio, she also writes short fiction. She has written a number of critically acclaimed books for children, including This is Sadie, which was adapted for the stage by New York City Children’s Theater.

    Have you read anything by the Bronte’s? Thanks for stopping in. Have a marvelous day!

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    Beautifully Illustrated and Delightful Children’s Book, Good-bye, Winter! Hello, Spring! By Kazuo Iwamura

    32 pages reading age 4-8 years preschool to grade 2 NorthSouth Books March 5,2019 publish date

    About the Book

    “Sincere and serene, with masterful, atmospheric illustrations.” –Kirkus Reviews

    The perfect seasonal book for young children to say good-bye to winter and welcome in spring!

    When spring comes, it melts the snow. Where will all the water go?

    The first harbingers of spring can be seen in the forest—as the wet snow begins to melt. The little squirrels Mick, Mack, and Molly can’t believe that snow can turn into water. That is, until they discover a floating tree and use it as a raft.

    This gentle adventure, told in rhyme, is a wonderful celebration of nature and friendship.

    My Thoughts


    “A new spring story from the Japanese master of children’s book illustration, Kazuo Iwamura.”

    Beautifully illustrated story for young children told through the point of view of squirrel siblings who upon going out to play discover melting snow. Spring is upon us and it’s a lovely and fun lesson on the changing seasons. Children will be delighted to go on an adventure with the squirrels as they discover the changing season, get into mischief and are rescued and brought back home. A beautiful way to introduce children to nature and friendships.

    Children will be delighted with this one.

    Pub Date: 05 Mar 2019
    I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
    All opinions expressed are my own.

    The author’s Amazon Page

    Have a beautiful day and stay safe.

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    Top Ten Tuesday

    Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic is TTT Rewind, which means you’re invited to scan the list of 641 past topics that have been done over the last 13ish years and pick one you’d like to do! Maybe you missed a fun one that you’d like to write about, or maybe you’d like to write a follow-up or update to one you’ve done previously. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl . I am choosing a topic from April 19, 2021

    Top Ten Colorful Book Covers

    I’ll admit colorful book covers do draw me towards a book. Here are some colorful book covers on my tbr list still waiting for me to pick them up and give them a read.

    Pub Date 03 Oct 2023

    ingle all the way to Silver Bells, Wyoming, for the coziest holiday read of the season!

    Clumsy, earnest baker Sylvie West has worked at the Christmas Café in Silver Bells, Wyoming, ever since her boozy eggnog fruitcake won the town’s annual holiday bakeoff fifteen years ago. Her forever happy place, the café compliments her sweet, well-ordered life with her roommates: recently-widowed Gramps and her yappy chihuahua-pug Crumpet.

    When Sylvie learns the café might be sold, she’s determined to put the Christmas Café on the map in a big way. Good thing the Holiday Channel* is filming in Silver Bells. And how perfect of bra-snatching Crumpet to have forced an awkward encounter with the film’s charming lead actor, Royce. When Gramps and Sylvie make a pact to be brave this Christmas, Sylvie knows just how to stretch her wings and save the Christmas Café in the process: get the film team to set a scene at the café!

    Between her newfound acting gig, a booth at the Christmas Festival, an appearance at the Christmas Parade, and a budding romance with Royce, Sylvie has a lot on her plate. Good thing her old friend, gruff yet reliable Abe has just come back home to manage his parents’ goat farm. That is, until she catches herself feeling all too merry and bright in his presence. With a little help from family, friends, Crumpet, and the goat farmer down the way, Sylvie just might make this Christmas the sweetest she’s ever had…

    Pub Date 23 May 2023 

    In this charming installment of the Heart Lake series, a grumpy single dad and a small-town bookseller—who’s secretly an advice columnist—find love when they least expect it.

    As chaotic as it can be, Rosie Dean loves her unruly life. But between raising twins alone, running her struggling bookshop, and secretly writing a parenting advice column, the single mom can’t think about dating. At least that’s what she tells herself . . . until her high school crush (and his incredible blue eyes) return to Heart Lake for the summer. Even though Evan has grown into a huge grump, he’s still a super sexy one, and soon sparks begin to fly.

    Single dad and widower Evan Mills is used to hearing he’s too serious. But with a grieving tween daughter to raise on his own, the graphic designer is just trying to stay strong for her. He hopes a few weeks at the lake will be the fresh start they both need. Evan never anticipated reconnecting with Rosie, or that she could make him feel whole again—if he’d give her the chance. Will one steamy summer with Rosie be long enough to melt Evan’s heart?

    Pub Date 25 Jul 2023 

    t’s Halloween weekend and Beacon Harbor, Michigan, has a packed schedule of events, including the Pumpkin Pageant, featuring humans and their canine counterparts. For treats, there’s plenty of pumpkin goodness from bakery/café owner and local lighthouse resident Lindsey Bakewell. But someone wants to spoil the fun with a deadly trick . . .

    Lindsey prefers to keep her bakeshop’s Halloween decor light and autumnal, rather than gruesome and ghoulish. But everyone knows her lighthouse home is haunted. Some intrepid teens have even tried to break in to witness the resident ghost themselves. Dreading Halloween night, Lindsey reluctantly allows her influencer and podcaster best friend, Kennedy, to host a live ghost-hunting investigation in the lighthouse, conducted by a professional team. Protective of her ghost, Lyndsey is understandably nervous about what they might uncover . . .

    The segment is uneventful—until things take a terrifying turn. The team freaks out. As Kennedy joins the mad dash outside, she bumps into what looks like the prankster teens’ creepy clown costume hanging from a tree. But when Lindsey’s dog, Wellington, begins to whine, they make a grim discovery: the clown is no dummy. It’s a corpse.

    Now Lindsey and company will need to keep their cool if they want a ghost of a chance to solve the murder—and see another Halloween . . .

    Pub Date 01 Apr 2023

    In 1944 in war-torn Dubrobvnik Branko Milisic holds his newborn daughter Safranka and wishes her a better future. But while the Nazis are finally retreating, the arrival of the partisans brings new dangers for Branko, his wife Dragica and their new baby…

    As older sister to two half-siblings, Fran has always known she has to fit in. But now, for the first time in her life Fran is facing questions about who she is and where she comes from.

    All Fran knows about her real father is that he was a hero, and her mother had to flee Dubrovnik after the war. But when she travels to the city of her birth to uncover the truth, she is devastated to discover her father was executed by the partisans in 1944, accused of being a collaborator. But the past isn’t always what it seems…

    Pub Date 06 Apr 2023

    Welcome back to The Starfish Café for a glorious summer, but with a few dark clouds on the horizon…

    This is the final book in The Starfish Café series and is best enjoyed after reading the other two books in the series – Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café and Spring Tides at The Starfish Café.

    Pub Date 02 May 2023 

    A random connection sends two strangers on a daylong adventure where they make a promise one keeps and the other breaks, with life-changing effects, in this breathtaking new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After.

    Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in the city. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn’t.

    At thirty-two, Fern’s life doesn’t look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern’s back home, running her mother’s lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend’s the manager, and Fern doesn’t know where to begin.

    She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern’s going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern’s not sure she wants to know what it is. 

    But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?

    Pub Date 30 Apr 2023

    Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what

    When Bea Fernsby discovers her fiancé’s eyes have been wandering, she calls off the wedding and hits the road. The village of Heartcross in the Scottish Highlands is about as far away from home as she can get, and when she stumbles into the ideal summer job at The Little Blue Boathouse and meets gorgeous vacationer Nolan Hemingway, things finally start looking up.

    Now, as an old mystery surfaces and Bea and Nolan band together to find out what happened to his late grandfather’s one true love, fate throws Bea some unexpected curveballs…and promising opportunities.

    Bea’s stay is only supposed to last a couple of weeks, but as the old saying goes: ‘Once you arrive in Heartcross, you never want to leave…’

    Pub Date 23 Mar 2023

    As Esmeralda moved past Christopher, her breath stifled as he caught her finger in his. It was only a split-second, their fingers intertwined in a hold so brief that no one could have possibly noticed, but it told her everything she needed to know. He didn’t just come to see Cuba. He travelled all this way to see me.

    Havana, 1950. As the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Cuba and regarded as the most beautiful girl in Havana, Esmeralda knows the importance of marrying well for her family. But when her father takes her on a business trip to London, she falls in love with a young merchant named Christopher.

    When Christopher is invited to visit her father’s sugar farm, Esmeralda knows that they must keep their love affair hidden at all costs. But when the country falls into revolution, Esmeralda is faced with an impossible choice – flee to America with her family or follow her heart and travel to London to be with Christopher. But Esmeralda has been keeping a secret from her family for months, and her decision will have devastating consequences.

    London, present day. Claudia is rebuilding her life and following her passion of restoring unloved houses back to their former glory. But when her mother asks for her help in tracking down her grandmother’s history, her curiosity is piqued. Her only clue is a family crest, which she learns is for the Diaz family, once one of the wealthiest dynasties in Cuba. Impulsively Claudia books a ticket to Havana, feeling sure in her heart that she will be able to uncover her family’s true story.

    Arriving in the bustling and vibrant city she meets a young man named Mateo, a chef who loves nothing more than to cook his family’s recipes. As they get to know each other over dinner, Mateo says that his grandfather used to work for the Diaz family and he too wants to uncover what happened.

    But when they arrive at the Diaz family home, they find it completely abandoned as if preserved in time from the 1950s. It’s not long before they uncover a heartbreaking story about her family, who were forced to leave everything they had ever known. As she becomes closer to Mateo, will her family’s story of sacrifice convince Claudia to leave behind her own home and follow her heart to Cuba?

    An utterly gripping and heart-wrenching novel about family secrets, lost loves and new beginnings. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop.

    Pub Date 02 Mar 2023

    Hold on to that feeling of a holiday by the sea with this gorgeous romance.
    ‘A wonderfully warm, romantic read’ Karen Clarke
    Bella is happiest running her tiny antique business from the front room of her cottage on the Boardwalk.
    To ensure she has enough income coming in, she also rents out two of her bedrooms to paying lodgers.
    But she didn’t count on having a secret crush on Jack Collins, one of her lodgers and her best friend’s brother…
    As if life wasn’t complicated enough,her world-travelling mother appears on her doorstep on the same evening that Jack’s ex-fiancée arrives on the Boardwalk determined to win him back.
    Bella has a lot of thinking to do and soon discovers that not all gems sparkle.

    Pub Date 04 Apr 2023

    Julia Rothman’s series of Anatomy books are beloved by children and adults alike. In Wildlife Anatomy, Rothman captures the excitement and distinctive attributes of wild animals around the world. The book is packed with hundreds of her charming, original illustrations, detailing the unique features of animals of the rainforest, desert, grasslands, oceans, and much more. From lions, bears, and zebras to monkeys, mongoose, bats, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and much more, Rothman’s visual guide covers all the key features, right down to the anatomy of a lion’s claw and a wild horse’s hoof. All the illustrations are accompanied by labels, intriguing facts, and identifying details, such as: When is a Panther Not a Panther? and What Makes Aardvarks So Odd? Rothman’s characteristic combination of curiosity and an artist’s eye makes this wildlife treasury rich and full and promises new discoveries every time it’s opened.

    Thank you for stopping in today. Have a wonderful day.

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    Sometimes all you need is a little encouragement, Lauren the Jumping Cow by T.I.Frazier

    22 pages Timothy Frazier publisher December 15, 2022 publish date

    About the Book

    Taking place in the countryside, Lauren is a Jersey cow (calf) who is determined to be a jumping cow when she grows up. She has to work hard and train if she is going to accomplish her dream. In the end, she doesn’t just jump but discovers she can fly.

    This story teaches children to believe in themselves and to try new things even if it has never been done before. It encourages the spirit of exploring yourself and to push beyond what you think is possible.

    My Thoughts

    Lauren the cow lives with her mother in the countryside. When this jersey calf grows up, she is determined to become a jumping cow.
    One thing I noticed right away is how vividly illustrated this book is. Younger children will be especially drawn to these beautiful illustrations. Older children who can understand the concept of the story will appreciate the lesson it tells, as it will help them to believe in themself.
    Lauren wants to be a jumping cow and as they are not known for jumping the way horses are she starts out small and works her way up to bigger and higher things, a blade of grass, a stick and has finally worked her way up to trying to jump over a fence. Lauren, try as she may fails time and again though she has plenty of encouragement from the other animals on the farm.
    Will she be able to jump the fence finally and become the jumping cow she is determined to become? Children will enjoy reading this with an adult and the encouragement they'll get out of it.
    Highly recommended as a positive book for children.
    
    Pub Date 15 Dec 2022
    I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
    All opinions expressed are my own.

    About The Author

    T.I Frazier was born on the East Coast and spent most of his younger years living near Boston, MA. As a young teenager, his family moved to Southern California, where he completed High School and competed in Track and Field. Tim graduated in 2008 from Calvin University with a degree in Sociology and went on to receive a Master of Business Administration from Western Governor’s University in 2018.

    Before writing his first book, he worked in a variety of financial-related roles, including business banking, private banking, analysis, and procurement in the healthcare and food industries. Concurrently, Tim served 10 years with the United State Army National Guard in various roles, including Chaplain Assistant, and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010.

    Today, Tim works for a trust company as he continues to write inspiration and children’s books. He also looks to inspire others through various speaking engagements. If he isn’t running around playing with his toddler son and wife Lauren, he may be on the farm with his faithful dog Rocky and cat Al.

    Thank you for stopping in. Have a marvelous day.

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    The Guinea Pig Chronicles-Children’s Book based on the author’s guinea pigs’ adventures by Patricia Maxwell Watts-Review

    This is a children’s book, but I think it works wonderfully as a book adults can read especially adults that enjoy guinea pigs. Beautiful illustrations really enhance the book. Perfect for gift giving and reading to the children in your life.

    About The Book

    Do you ever wonder about your pets and what adventures they may get up to? What they might experience when you’re not around? And, finally, where you’d be without them?

    The Guinea Pig Chronicles is based on the lives and adventures of six real life guinea pigs, owned by the author and her family over a period of twenty years.

    Fluffy was a brave explorer and rescued his friend from the jungle garden. Hamish was beautiful, but very unlucky. What he experienced shows how brave he was as well. A sore eye, sunstroke and toothache meant he got to know the vet very well! Jynesse was named after a well-known health drink, and ‘narrowly escaped’ becoming a celebrity. Winter and her friend experienced snow for the first time – and met Father Christmas! Autumn was a born mother and fulfilled her destiny by meeting handsome Valentino. Two became seven after the arrival of five beautiful baby guinea pigs. Stripey was one of Autumn’s babies and stayed with Autumn when the other babies found new homes. Finally, Stripey was special because she was the ‘last one’.

    Each of the stories also shows how, when caring for a pet, human beings learn some valuable and important lessons. With charming illustrations by Katie John to accompany the stories, The Guinea Pig Chronicles is perfect for 7 – 9 year olds or anybody who loves guinea pigs!

    Grab A Copy Here

    My Thoughts

    My family and I currently have four guinea pigs, two males and two females. Having guinea pigs when I was growing up, I knew I would enjoy having guinea pigs again as an adult. Guinea pigs are a bit skittish, but they are so soft and love cuddles. Guinea pigs do not do well as solitary animals and must have a friend with them as they get very lonely.
    This is a children’s book, but I think it works wonderfully as a book adults can read especially adults that enjoy guinea pigs. Beautiful illustrations really enhance the book. Perfect for gift giving and reading to the children in your life.
    This book is a fictionalized version of the life and adventures of the author and her family’s six guinea pigs over twenty years. From outside adventures, playing in the snow, being visited by Santa and almost becoming famous doing commercials for a drink company the guinea pigs and their family had so much fun. I could see the piggies were very loved and well taken care of. This book is the perfect fit for me, and I loved reading about the guinea pigs’ adventures.

    Pub Date 01 Dec 2022
    I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
    All opinions expressed are my own.

    The Author

    https://www.facebook.com/people/Patricia-Maxwell-Watts-Author/100087442561307/

    Patricia Maxwell Watts is a seventy-four-year-old widow. She retired recently after twenty-one years from a well-known health care company, leaving her time to write her debut.

    Does this sound like a book you would enjoy reading? Please let me know in the comments. Do you have a guinea pig or have you ever had one?

    Thank you for stopping in today. The kids have a snow day from school, and we are relaxing. It sounds like a good cookie baking day today. Enjoy your day.

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    Cocoa Magic-Picture Book, ages 4-7 by Sandra Bradley-Review

    About The Book

    In a cozy 1920s chocolate shop, the special ingredients in each perfect treat are empathy, generosity, and thoughtful acts of kindness.

    Eight-year-old Daniel cherishes the hour he spends every morning helping his Great-Uncle Lewis in his chocolate shop. They mix, temper, pour, and mold. “It’s magic, my boy,” Uncle Lewis says. And Daniel agrees. When a new girl named Sarah joins his class, Daniel sees how lonely she is and begins sneaking chocolates into her desk. Seeing Sarah light up after each treat is wonderful…but then Daniel starts noticing other classmates with troubles. Soon he is hiding more and more chocolates until the exciting day when everyone in class receives one, even the teacher! The best part is, no one knows it’s him.

    But then, when Daniel is the one feeling sad and alone, who will know to comfort him?

    In Cocoa Magic, Gabrielle Grimard’s rich and nostalgic illustrations transport readers to a cozy 1920s chocolate shop and a stiff brick schoolhouse that somehow learns to be warm as well.  In her text and her closing author’s note, clinical social worker Sandra Bradley celebrates the wonders that happen when someone meets another person’s need to be seen and understood—even through the smallest act of kindness. 

    credit

    My Thoughts

    Set in the 1920’s. When Daniel is eight years old he becomes an apprentice to his uncle at his chocolate shop. He loves learning from his uncle and who doesn’t love the taste of chocolate?
    Mixing up the many varieties of chocolate he learns there is more than cocoa beans in chocolate. There are special ingredients in these perfect treats and they are empathy, generosity, and thoughtful acts of kindness.
    When a new lonely girl joins his classroom he brings her a golden boxed delicately wrapped chocolate hidden in her desk. This not only brightens her up but brings her out of her shell ready to help others. He does this for other children day after day. His doing this shows how the magical ingredients, empathy, generosity, and thoughtful acts of kindness spreads among the whole school and teaches this to all the children.
    This is a positive book for young children. The vintage illustrations are charming and visually appealing for children. Children will enjoy how happy the children are in the book which in turn will make them feel good. This would make a very nice gift for children.

    Pub Date 8 Nov 2022
    I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
    All opinions expressed are my own.

    About The Author

    Sandra Bradley is a chocolate lover, a clinical social worker and therapist, and a children’s book author. Her first picture book, Henry Holton Takes the Ice, was a finalist for the OLA Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award and the Maine Chickadee Reader’s Choice Award. Born in Toronto, Sandra earned her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and her Master of Arts at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, then earned her Master of Education (Counselling) from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Today Sandra is back in the Kingston area where she lives on the beautiful Rideau Canal with her New Zealander husband, Grant, and their three teenage kids. Sandra has yet to temper chocolate successfully, but she’s finally nailed chocolate brownie pie. 

    What type of chocolate did this post make you crave? We all love chocolate right?