Children's Author Show Interview

I am going to be on the Children's Author Show for an interview for Mineral Mischief. http://www.thechildrenauthorsshow.com/
Come and check it out if you would like. Remember that book 1 is only .99 cents on kindle. Thanks everyone!
Renee

Book Review for If Only...by Katie Hallett

If Only… by Katie Hallett, and illustrated by Darren Cranford

Hummingbird Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-0984480104
32 pages     Ages 4-8    
Children’s Picture Book   

If Only… is a fantastic story which contents the heart of one owns self worth.

Timmy is a mouse who admired his friends at the zoo. People came from far and wide to visit them. As Timmy woke up to begin the day he found himself unhappy with some of his qualities. He was short, and had a long tail and whiskers, which got caught in things frequently. It was very upsetting for Timmy and each and every time something happened, like for example, tripping over and falling down the stairs because of his long tail, a family member would tell him that it was because he was a mouse.


Well, not wanting to be a mouse any more, Timmy made his way to the zoo to visit his friends. He was envious of them because they could do all the things that he couldn’t do. Timmy will soon learn that every animal has its share of problems. Like the elephant. Timmy would love to be large and in charge. However, even though the elephant loves being so big, there are things he can't do. Like move around quietly, and fit in small spaces. His friend the fish does not have a perfect life either. A fish can’t breathe in fresh air or walk on land. As Timmy visits each of his friends will he realize that being a mouse isn’t so terrible at all?


This is a very cute story which focuses on a common problem. Sometimes we look at ourselves and wish we were somebody else, but the truth is that we should be thankful for the gifts we have been given. By the end of the story Timmy begins to comprehend how special he is, as children should realize how wonderful, unique and special they are.  It's common to think that the grass is greener on the other side, but if we dig deep enough we will soon understand that the sun light makes it shine so bright but it's what's underneath the grass that makes it lush. It’s what we are on the inside that counts, not what we are not.  


The smooth rhyme fits nicely with the story and children from the ages of 4-8 will love the beautifully detailed illustrations and learn along with Timmy, that there is no other person they would rather be, than themselves.

Last Week Of Book Tour Stops!

Hello Everyone,
This is the last week of my Mineral Mischief book tour.
Here are the stops I am going to be at. Check them out if you would like and comment.
Have a great week!

Monday, June 27^th
Book spotlighted at http://theplotline.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/mineral-mischief-by-renee-hand/

Tuesday, June 28^th
Character interviewed at The Plot

Wednesday, June 29^th
Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking

Thursday, June 30^th
Guest blogging at Mayra’s Secret Bookshelf

Facebook party!

Book Review for The Fourth Wish by Elizabeth Varaden

The Fourth Wish by Elizabeth Varaden

CreateSpace

Ages 9-12  

210 Pages

ISBN# 978-1440413063

Children’s Chapter Book    

Elizabeth Varadan is a retired teacher who lives in Sacramento with her husband and their loveable mutt, Cezar. Her story, "Golden Eggs and a Silvery Voice" appeared in the April, 2008 issue of Ladybug. Her adult stories have appeared in The Rockford Review, Word Riot, Art Times, Long Story Short, Flash Me Magazine, Epiphany, Melic Review, Whim's Place, Laughter Loaf, C-Oasis, and Banyon Review. She is currently working on a historical juvenile that involves a ghost and a time fantasy that involves the Olympic Games. 

The Fourth Wish is a tale woven with a combination of magic, family and fun. 

Melanie, along with her brother Cory, sister Erin and their neighbor Arthur, decide to go to a magic show where The Great Mondo was going to perform his latest tricks. On the way to the show, the children run into someone unexpected, a Mrs. Seraphina. She was a little old lady who was crossing the street when her grocery bag broke. The children help her and that’s where their problems begin.

For helping her, Mrs. Seraphina gives each child a wish in a box, but they must each agree on the wish. The first wish was given to Cory who wished that The Great Mondo could do real tricks. After the wish was made, Mrs. Seraphina abruptly disappears and the children are left to wonder. When they arrive at the magic show, all seems normal, until The Great Mondo can actually read minds, especially Cory’s. Then rabbits run all over the place out of Mondo’s hat, the owner of the establishment levitates above the crowd, many other weird things happen. The children realize that their wish had come true. Who was this Mrs. Seraphina? They didn’t know, but what they did know was that she had some unspeakable power.  

 As the story continues realizations about her begin to unfold, yet she is also left more into mystery. Melanie makes her wish, to return everything back to the way it was. In her heart she means that more than just one way. Melanie’s parents were divorced and her father rarely talked to them anymore. Her own life needed fixing, there was no doubt, but she decided to fix Mondo’s life instead. However, her wish changed Mondo’s life back to what it was before his big magic show break—he was a taxi driver in a job he didn’t like. That made for more new problems and feelings. Erin’s wish was next, but being the youngest in the group, she enjoyed food, so she wished for a Ka-Billion Crullers (which are like donuts), down at Daisy Donuts. Though her wish caused these crullers to just about fill up the restaurant, it also gave them some much needed publicity. 

Now it was Arthur’s turn to make a wish, but what will that wish be? Mondo’s life needing fixing, but so did the groups in different ways. Was this going to be the ending that Mrs. Seraphina was secretly going for? And what lessons will the children learn?  

Children from the ages of 9-12 are going to enjoy this 210 page chapter book. It is entertaining and hard to put down. The reader will be consumed in finding out what each child’s wish is going to be and why they make it. Children are sometimes so consumed in their own lives that they don’t see the bigger scheme of things. Children will be lured in by the mysteriousness of Mrs. Seraphina and her intentions, and wonder if they will ever see her again. The story has a moral, of course, and the children realize that things are meant to work out the way they are supposed to, and sometimes it’s for the better, even though at the time, it may not seem that way. Many problems will be solved and it all started with just one wish.

Various Blogger Awards

Thank you to Virginia for giving me this wonderful award. I do appreciate it.

http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com/

Thank you also to Elizabeth Varadan for passing on these awards. These blogs have some great info that people are really going to enjoy. Check them out.

http://elizabethvaradansfourthwish.blogspot.com/

                    Here are the awards:



There are general guidelines for accepting
and passing on the awards:


1. Thank and link back to the person who passed on the award.
2. Share 7 random tidbits about yourself.
3. Pass the award on to 5 others (the number varies at times from 3-10!) and link to their blogs.
4. Let those people know you've given them the award.

So, I m supposed to write 7 things about myself and then forward this to 5 other bloggers. Well, I'm going to pass it on to tweeters instead and their locations.

@pysanky_vases
@lexigurl_17
@ChelseaCarson1
 @CarmenLisko
@someluckydog

Here it goes:

I'm a children's award-winning author and love to write children's books
I love reading mysteries and solving puzzles.
Pasta and bread are my favorite foods ever.
I love to ride my bike and go outside and play with my children.
Tennis is my favorite sport.
I also coach tennis and am a certifed instructor.
I love going to the theater.

Here are the tweeters I nominate for this award. Each of these tweeters offers something great for the reader and are the newest ones I've been introduced to.

Book Signing Event in Kalamazoo Michigan

Hello Everyone,
I am going to be at Milham Park in Kalamazoo Michigan on Saturday June 25th from 9-5pm discussing and signing my books in the Crypto-Capers Series as well as the Joe-Joe Nut Series. They are going to have out there a huge arts and crafts show in the park. Saturday should be beautiful. Stop by if you can and say hello. See you then!
Renee

This Weeks Book Tour Stops

Monday, June 20^thBook reviewed at 4 the Love of Books

Tuesday, June 21^st
Book reviewed at LadyD Books

Wednesday, June 22nd
Guest blogging and giveaway at http://www.actingbalanced.com/2011/06/guest-post-great-books-for-2nd-and-3rd.html

Thursday, June 23^rd
Book reviewed at http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2011/06/92-adventures-of-joe-joe-nut-biscuit.html?showComment=1308824128810#c1875035699047214275

Friday, June 24^th
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report

New Book Review For Mineral Mischief For My Book Tour

Here is a new review for my tour stop. Please leave a message and comment if you would like.
Thanks!
http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com/2011/06/adventures-of-joe-joe-nut-biscuit-bill.html
Renee

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful father's out there. We are so thankful for you. I have always realized that children need so much to have a mother and a father in their lives. A mother is the softer side who soothes and loves without condition, making boo-boos  better, we are teachers and we reassure our children they are loved. A father is the other side who protects, endures, shows great strength, is tough when needs to be, and teaches children to enjoy life by playing. Together, a mom and dad cover all areas. Here are just some great reminders of how our father's impact our lives. I found these and thought everyone would benefit from them. Have a great day!




Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.
Fathers Day Quote by: Dinah Craik

Book Tour Stops Today

I am going to be at these stops today.
Thanks!

http://bookexcerpts.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/book-excerpt-mineral-mischief-by-renee-hand/#comment-831

New Reviews for Mineral Mischief

Hello,

Here is my latest review for Mineral Mischief written by Heavenly Savings as well as on Book Snatchers. Hope everyone enjoys them.

http://heavenlysavings.blogspot.com/2011/06/joe-joe-nut-biscuit-bill-review.html#comment-form

http://booksnatchers.tbfreviews.net/2011/06/joe-joe-nut-biscuit-bill-case-2-mineral-mischief-book-review/#comment-233

http://reviewfromhere.com/2011/06/13/guest-post-from-renee-hand-author-of-mineral-mischief/comment-page-1/#comment-21737

Renee

Joe-Joe 1 made it on Amazon's Bestsellers List for Mammal Books!!

Hello,

Joe-Joe 1 made it on Amazon's bestsellers list for the top 100 paid kindle books for mammals. It was higher yesterday. I am at #7 now. Yeah!!! Thanks everyone! Now is the time to buy it for only .99 cents for children who love mammals, animal tracks and fun mysteries.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/155056011/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_kinc_1_5_last

Book Review for Ruthie and The Hippos Big Fat Behind by Margot Finke

World of Ink June Book Tour for Margot Finke

Ruthie and the Hippo’s Fat Behind by Margot Finke
Print ISBN 13: 978-1-61633-059-0
eBook ISBN 13: 978-1-61633-060-6

Publisher:  Guardian Angel Publishing  (January, 2011)

16 pages

Ages 9-12

Children's Picture Book

Margot Finke is an Aussie transplant who writes midgrade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. For many years she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family. Gardening, travel, and reading fill in the cracks between writing. Her husband is very supportive, and their three children are now grown and doing very well.

Margot didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot said, "I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes!"
Review:

Ruthie and The Hippo’s Fat Behind is a tale that shows how changes in our lives can affect children in different ways.

Ruthie was a young girl who used to be sweet and nice, until her and her family moved across the state into a different house. Ruthie was having a hard time making friends and adjusting to the change. It was because of this that she turned into quite a grump. Her attitude was terrible, she was rude and disrespectful, she was giving her parents sass and her choice in holey and mismatched apparel was atrocious. She was silently screaming out for help.

Then one day as Ruthie sat, even more depressed, on the stairs towards the back of her yard, she discovered something. The noise was soft at first, but when she listened harder, her heart began to race, it was the sound of a whimper. Could whatever the noise be change her attitude and turn her back into the sweet girl she once was?

This story is simply told, and describes well how children can be affected when a big change disrupts their lives. It is told in a rhyming and fun fashion that children will enjoy, with the colorful illustrations depicting each moment in Ruthie’s grumpy tale all the way until she changes her ways. A parent’s guide in the back of the book will help parents handle certain situations and advise them in how to handle them. Children, who are going through similar situations as Ruthie, will benefit most from this 16 page picture book, as parents discuss with them the moral of the story.

A minor quibble, because this is supposed to be a story meant to teach a lesson in a fun way, and because this reviewer has moved 20 times in her lifetime and knows how it is, Ruthie’s parents should have recognized the signs and knew that she was having a hard time adjusting. Her obvious disregard in appearance, her withdrawal away from her family and change of attitude should have been a red flag to her parents that something was wrong. Showing the parents talking to Ruthie and helping her adjust to the change, and helping her in some way, would have had more of an impact to the reader and would have been more beneficial in discussion, then showing just Ruthie’s side and putting emphasis on her terrible mood.

This story demonstrates that parents need to discuss with their children changes that need to be made in their lives and the reasons for them. Some situations will take longer to get over and some will be easier to accept and adjust to. The bottom line is that a pet or a toy are quick fixes like a band aid, they may not resolve any underlying issues or feelings that might be present, then again, they might be just what the child needs to find their way back, every child and situation is different, but the point is, communication lines need to be open and the family needs to work together to resolve a problem like this. The child can’t be expected to solve that problem on their own.

This story touches the surface of possible moods that can be expected during a big change in a child’s life, like moving, the loss of a loved one, divorce, etc… in a gentle way. The author chose not to dig too deep into the topic in her story but does add some great information in the parent’s guide in the back of the book that can further discussion and learning.

Giveaway Opportunity: Stop Press

Write a comment on any participating blog during Margot's June Book Tour,

and win a FREE COPY of her fun time-travel story.

She wrote it specially for kids.

NOTE:

One copy per person. Please leave your e-mail in the comments section along with STOP PRESS GIVEAWAY. Must be a GFC member of this blog. 

Author is also giving away a 3 book collection for readers who follow her on each blog stop.

.99 cent Kindle Book Sale for The Great Pie Catastrophe

Hello Everyone,
Book 1 in my Award-Winning Joe-Joe Nut Series, The Great Pie Catastrophe, is now available on Kindle for .99 cents. It is a great time to buy and try it out. Book 2, Mineral Mischief, should also be coming soon for .99 cents on Amazon. Please share this with anyone who has children in 3rd grade and up who love to read about animals and loves mysteries. Pass it on!.
Thanks so much!
Renee

Book Review for Babysitting Sugarpaws by Virginia S. Grenier

World of Ink June Tour For VS Grenier

Babysitting SugarPaw by Virginia S. Grenier
Publisher: Halo Publishing, Int.
ISBN Number(s): softcover – 978-193526806-2
Genre of Book(s): picture book and now available as an eBook in 2011
Publication Date(s): softcover July 2009; eBook June 2011
Ages 4-8
32 pages


VS Grenier is an award-winning children’s author, founder & owner of Stories for Children Publishing, LLC., award-winning editor-in-chief of Stories for Children Magazine and chief editor for Halo Publishing, Int.; in addition, to running her own editorial and critique services.

In 2007 & 2008, VS Grenier was voted one of the Top Ten Editors in the Preditors and Editors Reader’s Poll, won 2nd place for her article on, “Yes, Virginia, There IS a Santa Claus” in the Preditors and Editors Reader’s Poll for Best Nonfiction of 2007, and won 7th place for her article, “Dinosaur Tracks in My Backyard” in the Preditors and Editors Reader’s Poll for Best Nonfiction of 2008.

VS Grenier learned how to hone her writing skills at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is a member of the League of Utah Writers (HWG), Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and Musing Our Children.

Review:

Babysitting SugarPaw is a babysitting treasure that reminds us all of our youths.

Bonnie Whiskers is one of the best babysitters in town, but she has never babysat for the Bears before and their little SugarPaws. SugarPaws doesn’t want a babysitter, and that’s where the trouble begins.

When Bonnie Whiskers arrives, Mama Bear shows her the rules chart so she knows what to do. Bonnie feels better about her evening, thinking that she would have it easy, but SugarPaws had other plans. He decided to sneak downstairs and change the rules chart to all the things that he wanted to do. After the Bears leave, Bonnie was busy doing everything on the list, even though she was leery about some of the rules, not remembering the changed time for bed or the added bedtime snack.

Though the evening was a little chaotic for Bonnie Whiskers, SugarPaws had a great time, but he was beginning to feel guilty for changing the rules chart so Bonnie would get into trouble. What will happen to Bonnie Whiskers?

This is a cute story which will cause memories of childhood antics to surface for all adults. This is a perfect story for babysitters to understand the minds of children in a fun and brief way, and to teach them to always be one step ahead. Children will always try to outsmart the babysitter, no matter how good a child is or how old they are, they will always try.


Children will enjoy the big and bold illustrations and will laugh at the stunts that SugarPaws tries. Readers will also enjoy Bonnie Whiskers patience and dedication in taking care of SugarPaws, even though she knows he was trying to put one over on her. The author did a great job showing the two sides to every babysitting adventure and the story will delight the youngest of readers in this 32 page picture book, great for children 3 to 8 years of age.

June Book Blog Tour Starts Monday June 6th

    

The Mineral Mischief Tour Schedule

Monday, June 6^th
Interviewed at http://blogcritics.org/books/article/interview-renee-hand-author-of-mineral/


Tuesday, June 7^th
Book reviewed at http://www.reviewsbymolly.com/2011/06/puyb-blog-tour-adventures-of-joe-joe.html

Wednesday, June 8^th
Book reviewed at http://bookreviewsandotherstuff.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Review

Thursday, June 9^th
Interviewed at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/06/08/pump-up-chats-with-renee-hand/comment-page-1/#comment-141434

Friday, June 10^th
Guest blogging at Literal Exposure

Monday, June 13^th
Book reviewed at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

Tuesday, June 14^th
Guest blogging at The Book Faery Reviews
Book reviewed at BookSnatchers

Wednesday, June 15^th
Book reviewed and interviewed at Melange of Cultures’s Blog

Thursday, June 16^th
Guest blogging at Review from Here

Friday, June 17th
Book reviewed at Chrissy’s World of Books

Monday, June 20^th
Book reviewed at 4 the Love of Books

Tuesday, June 21^st
Book reviewed at LadyD Books

Wednesday, June 22^nd
Guest blogging and giveaway at Acting Balanced

Thursday, June 23^rd
Book reviewed at Freda’s Voice

Friday, June 24^th
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report

Monday, June 27^th
Book spotlighted at http://theplotline.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/mineral-mischief-by-renee-hand/

Tuesday, June 28^th
Character interviewed at The Plot

Wednesday, June 29^th
Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking

Thursday, June 30^th
Guest blogging at Mayra’s Secret Bookshelf

Facebook party!

Stop by and chat at my stops. Followers get a chance to participate in my giveaway. Thanks everyone!

Giveaway information:

 Giveaway #1 is for those readers who comment on Renee’s blogstops during the tour. One comment per person, per blog, through the length ofthe tour. Giveaway #2 is for those who purchase a copy of Joe-Joe Nut andBiscuit Bill Adventures Case#2 Mineral Mischief, during the June tour from June 6th-July 1st, 2011. Proof of purchase must be submitted to Reneevia email at cdrahand@yahoo.com . Additional rules and guidelines can be found at the end of this post.

 GIVEAWAY #1 (for people who comment at a stop during theVBT)
An autographed copy of Case#2 Mineral Mischief
Earth Science Posters on identifying rocks and minerals
National Audubon Society Field Guide (800+ pages) of Rocksand Minerals
Retail value of Giveaway #1 is $60 (rounded to nearestdollar)


GIVEAWAY #2 (for those who purchase a copy of Case# 2Mineral Mischief between June 6th, 2011 and July 1st, 2011)
 An autographed copy of Case #1: The Great Pie Catastrophe and the author's new coloring book.
4 boxed sets of rock collections which include a box of eachof: Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary and Minerals. There are 12 specimens ineach box. These learning sets are a great learning tool for kids to learn aboutvarious kinds of rocks and their properties.
Retail Value of Giveaway #2 is $100 (rounded to the nearestdollar)

 Here are the rules and guidelines for these giveaways:

1) For Giveaway #1 you must leave a comment on the hostingblog with a working email address for the author to contact you if you win.Only the first comment with your working email address is used to determineeligibility (one comment, per blog). If you comment at every stop then each comment will be added to the draw. The more you comment the more chances you have to win.
2) You must be a member of author’s blog and website at http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.comand www.reneeahand.com  (This goes for entering both giveaways).
3) You are eligible to win Giveaway #2 if you purchase acopy of Case#2 Mineral Mischief or any other book by the author between June 6th, 2011 and July1st, 2011 and provide the author with proof of purchase via email prior to July 1st, 2011. All the author needs is where you bought it from, what you bought, purchase # and date. Case#2 is available through, Amazon,Barnesandnoble.com, and at various bookstores big and small, and various placeson-line including my website.
4) All giveaway winners will be selected using Random.org.
5) Prizes will be shipped via USPS with appropriateinsurance.
6) Author, blog hosts, and tour group are not responsiblefor lost or damaged goods.
7)  The same personcannot win both giveaways.

Book Review For Camouflage by Bindi Irwin

Camouflage: Bindi Wildlife Adventures by Bindi Irwin and Chris Kunz

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (June 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1402255233
ISBN-13: 978-1402255236
112 Pages
Ages 9-12
Children’s Picture Book Wildlife Conservation heather.moore@sourcebooks.com

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

In Camouflage, Bindi and her family are traveling to Singapore where their good friend, Dr. Timothy Chan, who had once worked for them at the Australian Zoo as a reptile keeper, is opening up a new reptile park at Pulau Ubin, a beautiful island away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Dr. Chan’s favorite reptile, and the star of the park, is a Komodo dragon named Saffron.

Bindi, her mom Terri, and brother Robert, are enjoying spending time again with Dr. Timothy when something awful happens. Saffron goes missing out of her enclosure the day before the reptile park opens. Of course, the island is a buzz with workers and everyone trying to find her.

Mrs. Yeoh, who has helped raise funds for the park, and is a person who likes to wear snakeskin clothing to a reptile park, helps as well, but obviously has a hidden agenda. She invites the Irwin’s to her big traditional Chinese banquet in celebration of the parks opening where the elite of Singaporean society will attend.

While at the party, the group discovers some interesting truths while listening to the guests. Will they be able to find the Komodo dragon in time before Dr. Timothy must cancel the opening of the park?

Children will enjoy reading and learning about Komodo dragons in this 112-page early chapter book. Camoflauge is the fourth book in this new wildlife adventure series. Though the story is a might predictable, children will love learning about Singapore as well as how Bindi and Robert solve the case.

Komodo dragons are amazing reptiles, and the story focuses on the uniqueness of the reptile as well as their preservation. It also hints at the topic of people using their skins for handbags and such that has contributed, but is not the only reason, to this species being endangered. Readers will learn more about Komodo dragons in the fact file section in the back of the book. Children who love learning about animals and who are as devoted to saving them as Bindi and her family are will love this story and the direction of the series—a fun and educational alternative to traditional animal stories.

Review of Bushfire! by Bindi Irwin

Bushfire! Bindi Wildlife Adventures by Bindi Irwin and Jess Black

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (June 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1402255209
ISBN-13: 978-1402255205
112 Pages
Ages 9-12
Children’s Picture Book Wildlife Conservation heather.moore@sourcebooks.com

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.

Bindi, along with her best friend Rosie, are on another adventure. This time there is a bushfire in their local national park. Rosie’s dad, Richard, is the head vet at the Australian Wildlife Hospital, so he knows well that a fire in the bush could mean hundreds of displaced and injured animals that would need to be taken care of.

Bindi and Rosie offer to help with the situation. When they arrive at the hospital preparations are already being made for what the workers knew was coming. Rescue teams are dispatched to help animals who had been pulled from the fire. Bindi, Rosie, and Richard hop into a rescue vehicle and head toward the fire.

Once there, they are immediately confronted with injured animals, among them an echidna and a koala; both animals have burns from the fire. Bindi immediately feels a connection with the koala and spends most of her time trying to nurse it back to health—she is not just trying to save the koala’s life, but also the joey the panda carries in her pouch. Then it happen: the wind begins to change, sending the fire directly toward Bindi’s beloved zoo. Can Bindi save the koalas and the animals of the Australian Zoo before the fire destroys everything?

Bushfire! is a great addition to the Bindi Wildlife Adventures series. The plot is simple, focusing on the dangers of bushfires and how they affect not only the land but also the animals. Many animals can recover from the burns a fire can cause, but many more die from smoke inhalation and severe burns.

The story was interesting and slightly suspenseful, really pulling on the heart strings and propelling us into wanting to help animals in need by joining Bindi in saving wildlife.

Children will enjoy this 112-page early chapter book, of which Bushfire! is the third book in the series. The story is told simply and without any fluff, getting right into the situation and the problem at hand. Readers will learn more about the echidna and koalas in the fact file section in the back of the book.

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

A portion of the proceeds of the series goes to the Australian Zoo Conservation Projects. Readers can also become Wildlife Warriors, a group of people who love animals. Every book contains photos and more fascinating information about the animals.

All children who love animals and want to make a contribution to their salvation will love the direction the series is going and will enjoy reading this book.

Review for Good Manners by Karin Lefranc

A Quest for Good Manners by Karin Lefranc, Illustrated by Hannah Neale

Beluga Press
June 1, 2011
ISBN-10: 0983045909
ISBN-13: 978-0983045908
32 Pages
Ages 4–8
Children’s Picture Book Etiquette

Karin Lefranc teaches manners classes to boys and girls in Connecticut, where she lives with her husband and four children—three girls and a boy. Sometimes they need to go on a quest to find good manners, but they usually find them by the end of dinner!

Reviewer: Renee Hand

A Quest For Good Manners is an interesting and fun way to teach good manners to children.

A Quest for Good Manners begins with an appalled queen sitting angrily by the dinner table watching her daughter, Princess Rosalind, along with her pet dragon, Sparkler, eating their evening meal. It was not the company of the dragon that was setting her off—no—the problem was how they were eating. They were talking with their mouths full, slopping food all over the table, slurping, burping— not using any manners at all.

Eventually, the queen has enough of the rude manners and yells at the princess, giving her an ultimatum: She has three days to learn good manners or Sparkler is out. Well, that won’t do, Sparkler is Rosalind’s faithful friend.

Rosalind enlists the help of Percival the wizard to help her. He gives her a challenge: helping her to hold a fork properly. She then runs across a fairy with purple wings who teaches her how to say please and thank you; then she also gives her a challenge that she must pass. The last challenge is given by Lady Grace, an elegant woman who lives in an ice castle. Though Princess Rosalind’s manners are improving, will she be able to complete her task in learning good manners before the three days are up?

This 32-page picture book is a fun and meaningful way to demonstrate to children that good manners are not just boring rules but a show of kindness and consideration to others. Politeness = respect of others.

The illustrations by Hannah Neale are bright and colorful, adding another layer of delight to the unusual pair’s adventure. Children will begin to understand what having good manners is all about—and how important it is to have them.

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.

Summer Splash Giveaway Winner

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Thank you so much for particpating in my giveaway. The winner was chosen by Random.org

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Renee