Barnes and Nobles Book Signing in Green Oak Township in Michigan

Hello Everyone

I am going to be at the Barnes and Nobles Booksellers in Green Oak Township near Brighton Michigan to participate in their Summer Reading Kickoff Party. I will be discussing and signing all the books in my Crypto-Capers Series:

Case#1 The Case of the Missing Sock
Case#2 The Case of Red Rock Canyon
Case#3 The Legend of the Golden Monkey
Case#4 The Chest of Mystery

All books in this series are science and history based and are full of educational opportunities for teachers to supplement in their classrooms. Here is the summary for the event. Hope to see everyone there.

Children's Event:

Local author Renee Hand will be with us to help kick off our Summer Reading Program. Renee will be hosting Cryptograms and Mysteries for 4th through 6th graders. Renee Hand is the author of 'The Crypto-Capers Series. The first 20 people who buy all 4 books in the series will receive a free book from the author’s newest release in her Joe-Joe Nut Series, Mineral Mischief.

Saturday June 04, 2011 1:30 PM

Green Oak Village Place

9605 Green Oak Village Place, Green Oak Township, MI 48116,

810-225-4670

Splash Summer Book Giveaway

Hey everyone! It's time for Splash into Summer Book Week!! I'm so excited!


You can visit all the blogs on the links below. Enter giveaways to your hearts content!

This event will go on from May 25th to May 31st. A winner will be chosen through Random.org on June 1st and posted by noon.
In order to win the following books you must be a member through GFC of my blog. Please comment and leave a working e-mail account. I will be verifying membership through GFC so make sure you do sign-up.

Please comment on my blog page that you are following. For extra entries you can also follow my website at http://www.reneeahand.com/

Books offered for the giveaway:

4th grade and up into middle school

1-The Crypto-Capers in: The Case of the Missing Sock

2-The Crypto-Capers in: The Case of Red Rock Canyon

3-The Crypto-Capers in: The Legend of the Golden Monkey

4-The Crypto-Capers in: The Chest of Mystery

2nd and 3rd grade and up

5-The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill in Case #1: The Great Pie Catastrophe

6-The Adventure of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill in Case #2: Mineral Mischief

Pre-K to 1st grade coloring and activity book

7-Do You Have Ants In Your Pants That Make You Dance?

Total value around $80.00 for the giveaway!


Good luck to all and have fun hopping around!!

Radio Interview on Blog Bites For Kids

Hello Everyone,
I will be on Book Bites for Kids today at 3:00pm EST to talk about my new children's mystery, Mineral Mischief. Hope everyone enjoys it. Let me know what you think.

http://www.bookbitesforkids.com/

Thanks!
Renee

Review for Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India by Gerald McDermott

Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India by Gerald McDermott

Harcourt Children’s Books
May 23, 2011
0152165967
978-0152165963
32 Pages
Ages 4–8
Children’s Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths Picture Book

Master storyteller and artist Gerald McDermott whose vivid picture books have received a Caldecott Medal, Caldecott Honors, and many other awards, is well known for his popular trickster tales, rich with the culture of regions around the world. Mr. McDermott lives in Southern California.

Reviewer: Renee Hand

The illustrations are rich with vibrant colors, while the tale is equally peppered with cleverness and humor, and, of course, just the right amount of mischief to relay a moral to the reader.

Monkey begins this tale by jumping high up into the treetops. He is fast and no other animal can catch him. Unknowingly, there is a stealthy danger: a crocodile spies him swinging through the trees and wants nothing more than a tasty snack.

Soon they meet. Crocodile offers to take monkey on his back to an island where ripe, lush mangoes grow. Monkey accepts the offer from the kind crocodile, his mind thinking about all the mangoes he was going to eat. Monkey doesn’t think that crocodile had something evil in mind. He knows that monkey cannot swim.

It’s almost too late when monkey realizes he has been deceived, so he tells crocodile an outrageous lie. Crocodile believes him, taking monkey to the shore where he escapes—this time. Monkey swings his way out of trouble and to the island where the mango tree will feed him every day. But crocodile doesn’t stop giving up trying to eat him and tries to deceive him again. Will monkey be able to escape this fierce predator? Or will he fall prey and get eaten by the crocodile who believes he’s the wisest?

This tale of the clever monkey and the crocodile is part of an ancient collection of tales of folklore, fables, and legends called the Jakata tales (India) or trickster tales (Africa). This is the final volume in the author’s series of six trickster tales.

Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Crypto-Capers series for children. Look for her new release in the Crypto-Capers Series: Book 4: The Chest of Mystery.

Michigan State Arts and Crafts Spring Show

I am going to be at the Michigan State Arts and Crafts Spring Show this weekend on May 21st -22nd from 9-6pm both days. This is a humungous show with over 320 booths. I will be there discussing  and signing all of my books for everyone. I will also be having my Do You Have Ants In Your Pants That Make You Dance? story available for children to do activities with as well as all of my new releases. It is going to be an exciting day.

The show is located in Lansing Michigan at the MSU Union Grounds.

This Weeks Book Tour Info For The National Writing for Children's Center

Children’s Author, Renee Hand’s 6-day Author Showcase hosted by the NWFCC kicks off Monday, May 16


Award-winning children’s author, Renee Hand is being showcased the entire month of May at the National Writing for Children Center. Part of this showcase includes a 6-day virtual book tour. Join Suzanne Lieurance, founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center, and the virtual specialist tour hosts as they welcome Renee for her virtual book tour that starts Monday, May 16.

Renee Hand writes because it is a passion in her heart. She is a homeschool parent and likes to create books that educate and inspire the children of today. She was born in Michigan and still lives there with her husband and two children. She has a degree in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry. Renee is the author of the amazing mystery series known as the Crypto-Capers Series that encourages children to read by incorporating several topics of interest. The reader participates into the story by solving cryptograms and puzzles to solve the case. She is also the author of the Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Series, which focuses on animal detectives. This series is a great way to teach children about animals in a fun and interesting way that captures the reader's attention and yet fills them with knowledge they will be learning about in school.

All books are great to use in a classroom setting to supplement various topics or to just enjoy. Renee is an award-winning author, receiving awards such as a Best Book Award, a National Literary Award and a Preferred Choice award for her children's series and adult books. She has just recently won a Seal of Excellence award in Storytelling for her Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Series. She has been writing for over twenty years and has nine books published. When she is not spending time with her family or participating in author events, she is coaching and playing tennis, as well as doing research for her books and many other things that keep her busy. Not quite sure what a cryptogram is and want to learn more? Visit the author's website at www.reneeahand.com to learn about cryptograms and how to solve the ones that are in the books.

Discover the writing world of Ms. Hand through her virtual book tour:

Monday, May 16
“Meet the Author”
Host: Suzanne Lieurance – http://www.suzannelieurance.com/

Tuesday, May 17
“The Writer’s Life”
Host: Donna M. McDine – http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, May 18
“Tradebook Tips for Teachers” Host: Margot Finke – http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com/2011/05/cwcc-virtual-book-tour-for-renee-hand.html#comment-form

Thursday, May 19
“Writing Tips”
Host: Mayra Calvani – http://mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 20
“On the Go”
Host: Beverly Stowe McClure – http://www.beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com/

Saturday, May 21
“Become a Facebook Fan” Host: Dorit Sasson – www.doritsasson.com/?cat=1

Book Review for Buddy's Tail by K. Anna Russell

Buddy’s Tail by K. Anne Russell

CreateSpace

April 8, 2011
ISBN-10: 1456411950
ISBN-13: 978-145611954
178 Pages
Ages 9-12
Chapter Book Dogs


Buddy’s Tail is a dog story that shows the great connection and love that dogs and humans have for one another.

Buddy's Tail is narrated by Mackenzie, a border collie, who looks out for a few of her dog friends. Buddy happens to be one of them, he's a poodle. Buddy's life was once happy, until the girl that loved him moved away and went to college leaving him alone with her parents, who neglected him. They would forget to feed him and give him water, this is brutal when the dogs live in Yucca Dunes, a very hot and humid place. Mackenzie, and friends Javier and Derek, would often bring Buddy scraps of food to make sure he survived until Buddy's owners returned, who would leave him frequently. Mackenzie feels a real kinship with Buddy and hoped that he would one day find a great human who loved him, he certainly deserved it. Buddy's owners try to sell him many times to careless people, each time not working out where Buddy would have to return to worse conditions. Then one day he meets this person who comes and looks at his owner's house that was for sale. DeeDee was the one Buddy wanted to live with forever, but his owners refused her offer to take him. Eventually, Buddy did get his wish, but that came with a price.

With vengeance in her heart, Mackenzie chases down a hummer that at one time killed a dear friend of hers. Without listening to reason, Mackenzie becomes careless and the hummer becomes her own demise. Her soul is taken to Haven, separate than the human's Heaven, where she has to help other dog spirits find their way. Buddy's soul happens to be one of them when he dies of starvation, but a deal is made, with the help of Mackenzie, and he gets to return to Earth for a period of years to live in happiness with DeeDee to help her and other dogs.

In the meantime, Mackenzie has to accept that she has died and learn her new job well. When Buddy's soul eventually returns to Haven, he is sent on a few missions himself to help other dogs find their way and becomes one of the best guide dogs ever. But Buddy's love of humans never vanishes. He cares for them dearly. However, Haven has rules, and one of those rules is not to help humans. Dogs in Haven have free will and have no obligations to humans in death. Buddy breaks that rule a few times, helping a little girl with cancer and a military man in Afghanistan. What will happen when he is tried for breaking these rules?

For children who love dog stories, they will enjoy this 178-page chapter book. It shows the devotion that dogs have, not just for their owners, but for humans in general. Also talks about the mistreatment of animals in various ways. Many children will feel saddened and upset by this.

Readers will find the story, at times, confusing. There are many things going on between different characters. Each chapter skips back and forth between dogs and events where things are happening at the same time or when a period of time has passed and information is missed on how the animal led up to a certain point. It's like hopping into the middle of a conversation. When the reader gets sucked into a specific part of the story, gears are switched and the reader has to keep up with what every animal is doing. It doesn't flow smoothly until the end.

Though this is a minor quibble and can be frustrating because the reader can't ever really get sucked into the story thoroughly, it doesn't take away from the moral of the story which shows that Buddy is a hero in many ways, also rules are meant to be bent or broken, especially when we are trying to do good and help others when they are in need. When helping others, there are various shades of gray.










Book Review for Rescue!: Book 2 in Bindi Wildlife Adventures by Bindi Irwin

Rescue!: Bindi Wildlife Adventures by Bindi Irwin

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
ISBN-10: 1402255179
ISBN-13: 978-1402255175
112 Pages
Ages 9-12
Children’s Picture Book Wildlife Conservation


Bindi Irwin is the daughter of “The Crocodile Hunter.” She is a 12-year old Emmy-award- winning actress, TV host, and conservationist.

Rescue! Is a wildlife adventure about saving the giant sable antelope in South Africa.

In the 2nd book in this series, Rescue! takes the reader on a horse trek to South Africa where Bindi, along with her friend Hannah and their guide Thabu, travel across the savannah looking for wildlife.

When they make camp for the night Bindi and Hannah become awakened when they hear intruders trying to break into a nearby breeding sanctuary of the endangered giant sable.

Realizing, that not everyone is interested in saving the antelope, Bindi and Hannah attempt to stop the intruders. Though they were successful in that endeavor, they soon find themselves in an awkward position with a lioness on the attack. Trying to save themselves, they venture into the sanctuary but were soon captured by the police and accused of spying. No one believes their story and what they have learned. Will Bindi be able to stop an evil plot that will affect the antelope’s future without being arrested and thrown into jail in a case of wrong place-wrong time?

Children will enjoy this 112-page early chapter book. The story starts off a little slow with the characters not seeing or doing much, then picks up to a good pace and sucks in the reader into an adventurous and suspenseful ride as the reader learns what happens to the sable’s sanctuary. It’s exciting to see the series evolve and become more interesting and suspenseful. Children will like the fascinating topic and the uniqueness of South Africa’s landscape and wildlife issues. The animal fact file in the back of the book teaches the reader about the springbok and the giant sable.

Book Review for Trouble at the Zoo: Bindi Wildlife Adventures by Bindi Irwin

Trouble At The Zoo: Bindi Wildlife Adventures by Bindi Irwin

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
ISBN-10: 1402255144
ISBN-13: 978-1402255144
112 Pages
Ages 9-12
Children’s Picture Book Wildlife Conservation

Bindi Irwin is the daughter of “The Crocodile Hunter.” She is a 12-year old Emmy-award- winning actress, TV host, and conservationist.

Reviewer: Renee Hand

Bindi’s Wildlife Adventures are a blend of adventure, travel, and wildlife conservation.

Trouble at the Zoo is a story that focuses on Bindi’s 11th birthday party, which is celebrated at the Australian Zoo. The day looks promising as guests dressed up as underwater sea creatures, start filing into the park, with the money earned from the day going towards preventing whaling in Antarctica.

The guests are soon entertained with animal rides, karaoke, dancing and, of course, the crocoseum where the crocs are abound. Bindi, along with her brother Robert and her best friend Rosie, meet many great people in the park as they walk around and explore all the interesting things her mother, Terri, had planned for her. The day seems perfect until someone tries to steal an Eastern Water Dragon that roams freely in the park. Will Bindi’s birthday party be ruined as they try stopping the thief?

Children will enjoy this 112-page early chapter book. Trouble at the Zoo is the first book in this new wildlife series. The story is told simply, and will be easy for beginning readers to absorb, creating a desire for children to want to visit the Australian Zoo and meet all the interesting creatures that live there, including The Eastern Water Dragon.

Bindi stays true to her father’s conservation beliefs, sharing their passion about the topic with other children. Each story in this series takes place in diverse locations involving problems that affect various wildlife.

A portion of the proceeds of the series goes to the Australian Zoo Conservation Projects. Readers can also become Wildlife Warriors, which are a group of people who love animals. Every book contains an animal fact file page in the back of the book which includes photos and more fascinating information about the wildlife focused on.

This series is geared more towards girls, but all children, regardless of gender, who love animals and want to make a contribution in their salvation, will love the direction the series is going and will enjoy reading this book.

Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill adventure series for children. Look for her new release in the series, Case#2: Mineral Mischief.







Radio Interview for MIneral Mischief

Hello Everyone,
An interview of me talking about Mineral Mischief, writing in general and really just having fun doing a radio interview that is such a relaxing event where I reveal lots of great information, will be on the Children's Author Show May 11th and May 12th. Below is the link.

Listen to it and let me know what you think. Thanks and have a great day.

http://www.wnbnetworkwest.com/WnbAuthorsShowChildren.html

Book Review for Milo and the Green Wagon by Lisa M. Umina

Milo and the Green Wagon by Lisa M. Umina

Halo Publishing

ISBN-10: 1935268112

ISBN-13: 978-1935268116

32 Pages

Ages 9-12

Children’s Picture Book spiritual

Lisa Umina, Award-Winning Author

Milo Finds his Best Friend, Milo Moments, Milo and the Green Wagon &

Milo y el carrito verde

Lisa Umina, owner of Halo Publishing International, not only publishes books but also enjoys a successful career as an award-winning author, motivational speaker and literary consultant. Umina´s publishing company continues to flourish by strengthening the movement of words across the international borders in order to benefit cultures and society as a whole. She has been interviewed by countless newspapers, radio and and television shows and has traveled the world to teach children about their purpose and important life lessons inside her books.

Reviewer: Renee Hand

Milo and the Green Wagon teaches great lessons about how actions speak louder than words.

Milo wakes up one morning wanting to make a difference, but he isn’t sure how, until he finds an old green rusted wagon lying in the garbage. With an idea floating around in his mind, Milo gathers some friends to help him follow it through. He noticed, while at church last Sunday, that people had donated food for the church’s food drive. The food was to be given to the people who were in shelters. This made Milo wonder, how many people were in need of food and supplies in the community?

Milo had a feeling there were many, so he and his friends got together and painted the wagon green, adding the words ACT onto the side. ACT standing for “Action Changes Things”. The wagon looked brand new by the time the group of friends was done. Then they decided to walk around their neighborhood collecting donations for their noble cause. Families donated books and toys, food and clothing. Soon, the word of the ACT Mission spread high and low throughout the community. Father Pete was impressed with the contributions and helped the friends disperse the food and items to the places that would need them the most. The friends had helped many people that day. Father Pete asks the group of friends to join him in church for a special sermon. But it is what happens in the church on Sunday that opens Milo’s eyes to an amazing revelation, and a surprise awaits them that will change all of their lives forever.

This is a wonderful 32-page picture book that teaches children about generosity, selflessness, love and respect. The story doesn’t preach to children about what they should do, but rather shows them by example. This story will not only inspire a child, but adults as well. God is everywhere, this story shows how a child can talk to God at anytime and have their own private time with him. At first, Milo didn’t understand why he was meant to find the wagon in the garbage, but then it came to him and his purpose was clear. This situation can be related to many people and how there are things found in our own paths that we have chosen to do something with, or ignore.

Milo thanks God for giving him the opportunity to do something that affects others in a positive way. Not only did Milo bring out the goodness in him, but he encouraged the neighborhood to bring out the goodness in themselves. The items that were donated showed how, no matter how much or how little, people can make a difference, and sometimes one kind gesture can change the course of someone’s life.

The illustrations of this story were clean, bright and colorful, delighting the reader with the group’s adventure. There a 3 books in the Milo Series, all teaching children in some way about God. Religious families alike will enjoy Milo’s adventures and the positive impact he will have on their child, showing them in simple ways how they can change the world one kind gesture at a time.

Children's Book Week Winner!!!

Hello Everyone!
I just wanted to say thank you so much for joining my Children's Book Week Giveaway. I greatly appreciate it.

The winner is:    krykym@fullchannel.net


The winner was chosen by Random.org
Please contact me with your address so I can send your prize. Thank you again everyone. For those who did not win, you have a Mother's Day surprise waiting for you in your inbox.

Have a wonderful and blessed week!
Renee

Spring Carnival Giveaway and Children's Book Week Offerings

Hey everyone! It's time for the Spring Blog Carnival and Children's Book Week!! I'm so excited!

You can visit all the blogs on the links below. Enter giveaways to your hearts content!

http://www.readingangel.com/2011/05/spring-blog-carnival-giveaway.html  -Spring Carnival

http://familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com/2011/04/childrens-book-week-spotlight.html -Children's Book Week

Both of these events are running from May 1st to May 8th. A winner will be picked through Random.org on May 9th and posted on that day.

In order to win the following books you must be a member through GFC of my blog. Please comment and leave a working e-mail account. I will be verifying membership through GFC so make sure you do sign-up.
Please comment on my blog page that you are following. For extra entries you can also follow my website at http://www.reneeahand.com/

Books offered for the giveaway:

4th grade and up into middle school

1-The Crypto-Capers in: The Case of the Missing Sock
2-The Crypto-Capers in: The Case of Red Rock Canyon
3-The Crypto-Capers in: The Legend of the Golden Monkey

4-The Crypto-Capers in: The Chest of Mystery


2nd and 3rd grade and up

5-The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill in Case #1: The Great Pie Catastrophe
6-The Adventure of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill in Case #2: Mineral Mischief



Pre-K to 1st grade coloring and activity book

7-Do You Have Ants In Your Pants That Make You Dance?

Total value around $80.00 for the giveaway!


Good luck to all and have fun hopping around!!

Book Review for When A Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore

When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore, Illustrated by Howard McWilliam

Flashlight Press
May 1, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0979974670
ASIN: 0979974674
32 Pages
Ages 4–8
Children’s Picture Book Dragons

Jodi Moore considers books, along with chocolate, to be one of the main food groups. She writes both picture books and young adult novels, hoping to challenge, nourish and inspire her readers by opening up brand new worlds and encouraging unique ways of thinking.


Reviewer: Renee Hand

When a Dragon Moves In is a story about friendship, the beach, and a creative imagination.

At the beach for a day of frolicking in the sun with his family, a young boy builds a sandcastle—and that is when the fun begins—for when he builds a sandcastle, an enormous red dragon decides to move in. This is where the boy’s imagination takes flight. The pair spend the rest of the day playing together, becoming fast friends.

Excited about meeting a new friend, the boy tries to explain to his family about his new pet dragon, but no one believes him. They cannot hear the dragon roar, only hear the roar of the ocean. The boy shows them the dragon’s teeth that had fallen out into the sand; they see only seashells.

The boy realizes that there are many bonuses to having a dragon living in his sandcastle. First, he has a built-in marshmallow toaster. He has his very own raft for when he goes swimming, and the dragon makes a great beach defender when the bullies come and try to terrorize the beach.

But there are some disadvantages, too. Like when the dragon eats all the food, blows bubbles in the lemonade, leaves fingerprints in the dessert, and terrorizes the boy’s sister—which the boy, of course, takes the heat for.

Soon the boy’s parents have had enough of all this dragon nonsense and confront the son about it. Will the boy decide that he has had enough too and kick the dragon out of the sandcastle? Or will he defend his new friend in an attempt to get his parents to see that he truly does have a pet dragon who is causing all the tumult?

This 32-page picture book is a cute story about how sometimes our imaginations can run away with us. Though the words and story are simple and charming, the artwork really enhances the story making the book stand out. Howard McWilliam does a phenomenal job depicting each detail, lending humor and expression to characters children will want to look at again and again.

Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill adventure series for children. Look for her new release in the series, Case#2: Mineral Mischief.