Thursday, September 29, 2011

Radio Interview for The Human Body Detective Series by Dr. Heather Manley

The Lucky Escape: An Imaginative Journey Through the Digestive System (Volume 1)


Listen to the interview with Dr. Heather Manley today at 2pm EST on Stories From Unknown Authors http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors She will also be offering a giveaway. Rules: Readers must follow me through GFC here and follow the Human Body Detectives at http://www.humanbodydetectives.com/adventures and leave a comment. Giveaway last until mid October.

This is an innovative and inspiring series that will change the way educators teach health to young children.

Bio:
A little bit about dr. heather: Dr. Heather Manley, who in 2001 received her medical degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, is a practicing physician whose primary interest is preventative healthcare for families. She is the author of Human Body Detectives, her educational children’s series of story-telling books, ebooks and ipad/iphone apps. She also promotes wellness and naturopathic healthcare on her website drheathernd.com. She lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with her husband and two daughters, and is currently at work on the next Human Body Detectives adventure. A little bit about Human Body Detectives: The Human Body Detectives (HBD) is an award winning story-telling children's book series and website for kids was founded by naturopathic physician, Dr. Heather Manley in 2008. As a doctor and a mother, Dr. Heather believes that if kids understand how the food they eat plays a direct role in how their bodies function, they will be more inclined to make healthy food choices. In her search for books and resources that provide engaging and entertaining stories on how the different systems in the body work and how nutrition plays a direct role, she discovered there were very few books out there doing this. That is when the idea for the Human Body Detectives series came to her.

Dr. Heather Manley has come up with a creative way to teach children about the human body. Book 1 in the Human Body Detective Series, The Lucky Escape, teaches the reader about the digestive system.

Merrin and Pearl's little brother, Robbie, swallows something small and shiny. Reading books about the body is something they do quite a bit, so they decided to take an adventure, by using their imaginations, into Robbie's mouth and then into his digestive system to see what is was that Robbie swallowed.

From there the reader will learn more about what the digestive system does, in all of it's juicy and gooey glory. Reader's will learn a tremedous amount of information but in a fun and adventurous way.
Battle with the Bugs: An Imaginative Journey Through the Immune System (Volume 2)
In book 2 Battle With The Bugs Merrin and Pearl are on another adventure, but this time it is inside of the Immune System. When their cousin, Max, gets sick, Merrin and Pearl want to help him get better, so they imagine themselves inside of Max's immune system to see how the body fights off germs. They run into some nasty bugs but also learn about the different ways our bodies protect themselves.






In book 3 A Heart Pumping Adventure the reader will be taken on another adventure, but this time its to the circulatory system. Concerned about their father's health, Merrin and Pearl find themselves inside of their father's blood vessels teaching the reader about how to keep their heart healthy and strong.
A Heart Pumping Adventure: An Imaginative Journey Through the Circulatory System (Volume 3)

It is very important to teach children about good eating habits and healthy living. This series teaches children, not only about the different systems our bodies have, but how they are maintained and that is by exercising and eating healthy. Our bodies are amazing things and this series not just gives various terms and walks the reader through the body, but does so in an engaging way that will help children understand what the body does. It is easy to hear about what each system of the body can do but to actually learn the information as if the reader is experiencing it for themselves, brings clarity to a very complicated topic. When it comes to learning tough information, this series breaks it down in a fun and adventurous way that will delight children 6-10 years of age and will help them make better food choices that will have lasting efffects down the road.

What is an excellent addition to each of the books is the 'Did You Know Sections' that bring up interesting facts about each system, some that are very gross, yet also funny. Lots of information that the readers may not know. There is a glossary with great terms that are used in the book, jokes, and extra activities that help the reader understand how to add colorful foods to their diets. Parents and teachers will be thrilled with the ability to make learning about the body fun.





Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Interview at Blog Critic for Radio Show and New Series

Hello Everyone,

Please check out my interview through Blog Critics with Nicole Weaver. I talk about my new radio show, Stories From Unknown Authors.
Thanks!

http://blogcritics.org/books/article/award-winning-author-renee-hand-talks/

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Radio Interview for Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes by Larry Peterson

Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes


This author is going to be interviewed today on my radio show Stories From Unknown Authors which can be heard at http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 11 am EST. Larry will also be offering a giveaway for his book that will be ending in mid October. Rules: You must be a GFC member through my blog as well as join Larry's website and/ or blog leaving a comment as well. Good luck to all.

Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes by Larry Peterson
March 2, 2011
Tribute Books
For ages 4-8
Picture Book    Children's

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children’s book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.

Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes is a tale about the acceptance of differences.

Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes is about a boy named, Willie Wiggles, who has the slipperiest feet that anyone has ever seen. He has a hard time playing like ordinary children. He can barely walk without sliding all over the place.


Then one day, it happens, Willie's mother finds a pair of shoes that will make Willie's life a little easier. But Willie doesn't see it that way. He feels they are the ugliest shoes he has ever seen, and he can't stand them. But, not being able to get out of it, is forced to wear them.


He wears his new shoes to school, where everyone laughs at him, including his teacher and principal. Feeling self conscious, he leaves the school and heads for home. His adventure home is full of people who ridicule him. People laugh and make fun, their voices ringing through his ears to the point where he can't escape the cruelty of others.


When he confronts his mother with what happened. He wakes up and realizes it was just a dream, but the lesson he learns from his mothers wise words, makes him realize that sometimes our imaginations get the best of us, and we overreact. When Willie goes to school with his new shoes, will his nightmares become a reality?

This is a great story that recognizes the many problems that children have to deal with on a daily basis. But the moral is not to worry about what others think, and to accept ourselves for the things that make us special. That is where it begins. The back of the book provides some suggested activites for the reader to get involved with, and includes some discussion questions.

My only quibble with this story is that it uses an excessive amount of the words, stupid and hate. Otherwise, this story does give the reader, in a fun way, the importance of accepting others uniqueness, and not ridiculing people who are different than ourselves. We should treat others as we would like to be treated.



Ways to connect with the author and publisher:

larrypeterson.jpg


Book web site:
http://www.slipperywillie.com/

Larry Peterson Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/larrytpbx

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com/

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Interview with U.L. Harper for In Darkness

In Blackness - Book 1


Title of Book: In Blackness
ISBN: 978-1-61434-441-4
Genre: fiction literature/ sci-fi
Publisher: www.BookLocker.com
Publication Date: June 23, 2011
# of Pages: 286


Join U.L. Harper author of the young adult science fiction novel, In Blackness, as he virtually tours the blogosphere during the month of September, 2010 on his second book tour with Pump Up Your Book.

His interview on my radio show http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors will be up and running 9:30pm EST. Please follow it and listen to this amazing author. He will also be offering a giveaway for this book. Rules: you must follow through GFC my blog and also follow U.L. Harpers website at  http://ulharper.com/  and comment on both blogs or website. Giveaway will go towards middle of October. Thank you to all.

Summary:

As children, Lenny’s and Saline’s parents brought them to Southern California to escape the nightmares. But after their parents die in a horrible car accident, their adoption by longtime family friend, Busek, proves nightmarish in its own right. Busek is abusive to his son, Dustin, and does very little to hold the young family together. The trio of kids become friends and grow up as a family. Outwardly, they are unruffled by life’s events, yet as teens the emotional aftermath of Saline and Lenny’s parents’ deaths lingers and eventually catapults Lenny and Saline on individual journeys back to their old hometown.

Saline journeys with a small church group which has regular excursions to her old hometown in Lowery, Washington. She discovers the group is protecting a powerful secret that will change her life.
Lenny, on the other hand, becomes stranded in King City. There, he meets someone who unexpectedly and unknowingly guides him to a place in Washington where something might be waiting for him. Impulsively, he makes his way there and discovers that the simple world he has been living in is vastly different from what he could have ever imagined.

Meanwhile, Dustin remains in Southern California and meets a group of youth who stumble upon the city’s plan to replace the local library with a jail. In the process of this discovery they learn of one of the largest secrets society has ever kept, a secret waiting for them underground, in blackness.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Radio Interview for StinkyKids and the Runaway Scissors by Britt Menzies

StinkyKids and the Runaway Scissors

StinkyKids and the Runaway Scissors by Britt Menzies, Illustrated by Greg Hardin and John Trent
Raven Tree Press
May 16, 2011
ISBN-10: 1936402025
ISBN-13: 978-1936402021
Ages 4-8
32 Pages
Fiction     Children’s Picture Book
Britt Menzies is a mother, a wife, and an artist with a flair for fashion and originality. Britt is the founder, creator and the spirit behind StinkyKids™. Inspired by her own two beautiful StinkyKids, Britt is constantly evolving the concept to make it the quintessential wearable art.
Along with the full-time duties of being a stay-at-home mom, Britt is an active volunteer with Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc. a non-profit organization founded by her mother in memory of Britt’s aunt who died of uterine cancer. Books, Bears, and Bonnets, Inc. provides whimsical gift boxes to courageous children and adults fighting cancer and other serious illnesses. A portion of the proceeds from StinkyKids is donated directly to this worthwhile charity. See www.booksbearsbonnets.org for more information.
Reviewer: Renee Hand
StinkyKids is a charming and delightful series that teaches good values to children, using real-life situations that children can relate to. 
StinkyKid Britt’s favorite day was Saturday, because on that day she usually had a play date with her good friends Hannah, Max and Julie. However, Britt wasn’t as excited about her play date as usual, because she had a terrible secret to tell. She was popping gum and caught some in her hair. Instead of telling her parents about it, she asked her friends to help her fix the problem instead. As you can imagine, that didn’t go so well.  
First, the friends used peanut butter to make the gum slippery so it could just  slide off, but that didn’t work. The friends then tried ice, thinking that it would harden it, but that only made a mess. Max discovers that he has scissors and removes the green glob from Britt’s hair, that definitely solves the problem, but certainly leads to another. What do you think Britt’s mother would say when she picks her up and sees that her daughter’s hair looks like a porcupine?
Children and parents alike will enjoy this 32-page picture book. It reminds this reviewer of Veggies Tales, which also combines great morals and values to its stories, except the characters are vegetables. Parents and children who love that series will also love this series. At the end of the book there is a Teacher’s Corner that parent’s will enjoy sharing with their children and will create discussion. The story is great for parent’s to make predictions with, and for children to be able to understand how communicating with their parents is very important.    
Parents will remember their younger days, as they flip through the pages, when they did things they shouldn’t have. This story is adorable, fun and simple with excellent meaning. However, this story also shows how Britt’s lack of judgement was easily rectified, showing no consequences for her actions what so ever.
Britt’s mother’s reaction to the story was unlike what most parents would be. Most parents have experienced one or more of their children cutting their own hair or someone else’s, yet Britt’s mother remained calm as she laughs at the situation. Parents of boys wouldn’t find the situation so humorous when it would take about a month for their hair to grow back, and they would have to wear their hair all funky for that duration. Not every situation is an easy fix. In this case, all Britt’s mom had to do with Britt’s long hair was to take her to a salon and get it cut short and cute, then get rewarded with a lollipop for doing so by the salon.  Where was the consequence? There was no lesson learned on that point.
Another quibble of the story is that for having a play date at Julie’s house, Julie’s parent(s) should have caught what the children were doing and should have been the one to tell the children to clean up their mess, rather than Britt’s mother who had just arrived at the scene recommending they do so in the sweetest voice possible. Wouldn’t Julie’s parents notice a child getting peanut butter and ice and wondering why?
Granted, this is a story meant to be educational, providing life lessons for children to learn from to help them grow into leaders of good. The story does its job in that area perfectly. The quibbles most definitely do not take away from the story, which provides children with real-life situations and how children can properly handle them, relaying to the reader good decision-making and teaching them good values. This story also shows some of the poor decisions children can make on their own and how it is important to create good communication between parents and their children as early as possible.    
This series is great for children ages 10 and under to learn from and enjoy. The readers will also love the illustrations throughout this hardcover picture book. StinkyKids dolls are also available for sale for readers who favor certain characters and can be purchased through Target stores and through Amazon. This story has also won a Mom’s Choice Award.
Book 2 of this series, StinkyKids See a Full Moon, can be preordered now through various outlets and will be released in September 2011. A portion of the proceeds from these books goes to helping children and adults who are fighting cancer. More info can be found on the StinkyKids website at www.stinkykids.com  

Check out Britt on todays radio show at http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 6:30pm EST. She will also be anwering questions here and offering a giveaway for her book. In order to participate readers must belong to my blog through GFC as well as through Britt's website at www.stinkykids.com
Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Crypto-Capers Series for children. Look for her new release in the series, Book #5 The Peacock Diaries.









Sunday, September 18, 2011

New Review for Mineral Mischief

Here is a new review of Mineral Mischief from my animal detective series.
Genre: Children’s Mystery
Title: The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut & Biscuit Bill, Case #2: Mineral Mischief
Author: Renee Hand
Illustrator: Jake Karwoski

When Melinda was finally ready to talk, she sat down in a chair across from them. She held her head high, took a deep breath, and began. “My daughter collects rocks and minerals, you see, and one of her favourite minerals was stolen from her collection.”

            After one seemingly ordinary afternoon with her friends Maple Moo’s day turns out to be terrible when she finds her favourite, not to mention expensive mineral.  Detectives; Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill are on the case and they mean to do it quickly. Scoping out possible suspects they analyze the mystery and along the way learn numerous facts about rocks and minerals.
            Renee Hand has created a fun and interesting way of teaching kids new facts about rocks and minerals. Her writing style is easy to follow and perfect for children and preteens, especially those who lack an interest in reading because it will certainly spike their interest in books and geology. Amongst the pages you will find the artwork of the illustrator Jake Karwoski which really adds to the story, they are done very well and the reader will certainly appreciate the addition that visuals make within the book.

    Overall this book is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf at schools, libraries and in kid’s collections everywhere. Recommended by reviewer, Kirsten Bussière, Allbooks Reviews International www.allbooksreviewint.com.


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Book Review for The Secret of the Sacred Scarab by Fiona Ingram






The Secret of the Sacred Scarab: The Chronicles of the Stone - Book One


THE SECRET OF THE SACRED SCARAB

Written by: FIONA INGRAM

Publisher: IUNIVERSE
ISBN Number: 9780595457168 (soft cover)

Genre: Juvenile Fiction - middle grade adventure



Bio:
Fiona Ingram’s earliest story-telling talents came to the fore when, from the age of ten, she entertained her three younger brothers and their friends with serialized tales of children undertaking dangerous and exciting exploits, which they survived through courage and ingenuity. Haunted houses, vampires, and skeletons leaping out of coffins were hot favorites in the cast of characters. Although Fiona Ingram has been a journalist for the last fifteen years, writing a children’s bookThe Secret of the Sacred Scarab—was an unexpected step, inspired by a recent trip to Egypt. The tale of the sacred scarab began life as a little anecdotal tale for her 2 nephews (then 10 and 12), who had accompanied her on the Egyptian trip. This short story grew into a children’s book, the first in the adventure series Chronicles of the Stone. The author has finished the next book in the series—The Search for the Stone of Excalibur—a huge treat for young King Arthur fans. Although Fiona Ingram does not have children of her own, she has an adopted teenage foster child, from an underprivileged background who is just discovering the joys of reading for pleasure. Naturally, Fiona is a voracious reader and has been from early childhood. Her interests include literature, art, theatre, collecting antiques, animals, music, and films. She loves travel and has been fortunate to have lived in Europe (while studying) and America (for work). She has travelled widely and fulfilled many of her travel goals.

Review:
Adam and Justin are cousins who are invited on an adventure to Egypt by their Aunt Isabel. Isabel is a journalist who travels around the world researching incredible stories. Adam becomes more enthralled with the trip when Isabel shares with them a story about a Scottish Archeologist named James Kinnaird and his controversial theories. He believed that a Scarab King lived loing ago and that his treasure still existed with him in his tomb. But where was his tomb? Adam was determined to find out and discover his treasure.

When the group goes to Egypt they visit some amazing places like Memphis and the ancient Step Pyramid of Saqqara, but interesting things begin to happen when Adam and Justin begin to ask the natives about the Scarab King, who most believe is just a legend. A strange peddler gives Adam three scarabs that were made for tourists out of a bluish stone with hieroglyphyphics on them. Not thinking much about them, he stows them away, but in doing so finds another scarab that the peddler slipped into his pocket. This scarab was quite unique and different from the others. It was black in color. Could this hold the secret to the Scarab King?

Adam and Justin aren't sure but as soon as they receive the scarabs, strange things begin to happen. James Kinnaird is presumed missing and most likely dead. They meet a Dr. Khalid, who is in charge of breaking up the smuggling ring going on in Egypt. But he always seems to show up at just the wrong moments, especially when someone is trying to steal Adam's belongings. Adam and Justin are sure the man is up to something.

As they keep traveling and exploring different places, more and more strange things begin to happen leading them closer to the truth about the Scarab King. But will they find the treasure they seek and stop Dr. Khalid before he can implement his evil plans?

This story is a fun adventure right from the get go, teaching the reader about Egypt and about some of the famous places that are there and their histories. Children from 9-12 years of age will love this story. Fiona has a way of ensnaring the reader and sucking them in with her delightful writing style. Children who have watched the movies, The Mummy and The Scorpion King, will enjoy the similar historical information that this story provides. Egypt is an amazing and historical place, the thought of undiscovered treasure still existing would attract most everyone. The story also talks about the saving and perserving of such artifacts because many of them become smuggled out of the country for profit. This story would be a great addition to any child's library collection who loves Egyptian history.

Please visit her next stop at:

September 15th
One Day at a Time – Book Spotlight & Giveaway http://www.bookreviewsandotherstuff.blogspot.com






Publisher Website: http://www.iuniverse.com

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Book Review, Interview and Giveaway for The Fourth Wish by Elizabeth Varaden

The Fourth Wish
Image of Elizabeth Varadan



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.
Check out Elizabth on todays radio show at http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 6:30pm EST. She will also be anwering questions here and offering a giveaway for her book. In order to participate readers must belong to my blog through GFC as well as through Elizabeth's blog at
http://elizabethvaradansfourthwish.blogspot.com

Thank you everyone for your participation.





Monday, September 12, 2011

Book Review for Stanley Seagul by Cathy Mazur

Stanley Seagull


Paperback
Tribute Books (July 2011)
Price: $7.95
ISBN: 9780983741800
Pages: 32
   
Cathy Mazur's Bio:

Born in Scranton, Pa., Cathy Mazur is the daughter of Gary and Catherine H. Errico. She was educated in the Dunmore public school system and graduated from Dunmore High School in 1971. She received a bachelor’s degree in Library Science from Mansfield State College in 1975. She received a Reading Specialist Certificate from the University of Scranton in 1978. Cathy was employed as an elementary school librarian for the Mid Valley School District from 1975 until her retirement in 2010. While at Mid Valley, she instituted and coordinated the RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) program for 33 years helping students to develop a love of reading outside the classroom. Cathy served on the Board of Directors for the Valley Community Library in Peckville, Pa. for over 20 years acting as president for one year and board secretary for 19 years. She presently serves on the library’s Developmental Committee chairing various fundraising events. She resides in Dickson City, Pa. with Frank, her husband of 31 years. They are the parents of two children, Gary, 27 and Gia, 19. Now in her retirement, she is focused on writing books for children like Stanley Seagull.

Review:

An Interesting Romp in the Life of a Seagull.
Stanley Seagull is about a seagull named Stanley who frolics with his friends on the beach, eating food that beachgoers drop down to them. One day, along with his cousin Seymor,  Stanley flies over a man grilling hotdogs. Seymor decides to fly down and steal one from the grill. Stanley was impressed with his abilities.

Stanley loved his life and flying over the sea. It's there where he found something strange sitting by the pier. It was green dump trucks. Seagulls were always looking for new sources of food, and this was a feast that couldn’t be ignored. Stanley began to feast on the garbage along with his friends. But with the feast came a warning to be ready to fly away at a moment’s notice.  Stanley had ignored the warning when his palate tasted the variety of food in the garbage trucks. It was this fatal error that caught Stanley underneath a tarp and taken to somewhere he did not expect.
Stanley found himself at a landfill a hundred miles away from his beloved sea. He was lost and alone, until he met another seagull who lived at the landfill, relying on the garbage for food. Will Stanley ever revel in the ocean's beauty again?

This is a story focusing on Stanley and his adventure to a landfill, the author explaining the reason why seagulls can be found more at landfills than they are at the sea hunting for food. Cities have greatly impacted the lives of seagulls, changing their feeding patterns and habits. These birds have become scavengers, instead of hunters.
Children will enjoy this 32 page picture book and it's colorful illustrations. The story is simply told with Stanley's love of the ocean pushed to the forefront, and with an underlying message that being greedy can change a life forever.   





Blogorama Bonanza Giveaway's




Hey everyone! It's time for Blogorama Bonanza!! I'm so excited!
You can visit all the blogs on the links below.

Enter giveaways to your hearts content!
This event is running September 12th to the 22nd. A winner will be picked through Random.org on September 22nd and posted on that day.








4th grade and up into middle school
1-The Crypto-Capers in: The Case of the Missing Sock
The Crypto-Capers: The Case of the Missing Sock
2-The Crypto-Capers in: The Case of Red Rock CanyonThe Crypto-Capers: The Case of Red Rock Canyon
3-The Crypto-Capers in: The Legend of the Golden MonkeyThe Crypto-Capers in The Legend of the Golden Monkey



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


2nd and 3rd grade and up

The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut & Biscuit Bill - Case #1 The Great Pie Catastrophe5-The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill in Case #1: The Great Pie Catastrophe
The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Case #2 Mineral Mischief6-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!!













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26. thislilpiglet.net 84. oddjobsmomma.blogspot.com
27. ethertonphotography.blogspot.com 85. mommiestimeouttoday.com
28. christianclippers.com 86. 502shoppingforsavings.blogspot.com
29. homeschoolblogger.com/brindamorr 87. giveawaycorner.com
30. heavenlysavings.blogspot.com 88. mommyposh.com
31. thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com 89. todayon2010.blogspot.com
32. maxwellsmommy.com 90. adeliciousobsession.com
33. christinbanda.blogspot.com 91. sillywillysays.com
34. momalwaysfindsout.com 92. simplesavingsforATLmoms.blogspot.com
35. jmanandmillerbug.com 93. anoterote.blogspot.com
36. lbandj.blogspot.com 94. cuckooforcoupondeals.com
37. musingsfromasahm.com 95. thriftyjinxy.com
38. ratsandmore.com 96. blog.thisnthatwitholivia.com
39. moneysavingmichele.com 97. passporttofrugal.com
40. dallassinglemom.com 98. lucasjourneyspd.blogspot.com
41. cakepopfusion.blogspot.com 99. fullcartfullwallet.com
42. petreviewsforu.blogspot.com 100. victoriasvoice44.blogspot.com
43. mysocialblog.com 101. thriftysavingmom.com
44. kerrificonline.blogspot.com 102. dazzlingdailydeals.com
45. lemondropsdreamtoo.blogspot.com 103. Stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com
46. life-reflexions.blogspot.com 104. momccupation.com
47. avonbykaren.blogspot.com 105. rickisreviews.blogspot.com
48. sarahsblogoffun.com 106. bigklittlea.com
49. practicalfrugality.blogspot.com 107. thefrugalnavywife.com
50. nelliebugs-swaps.blogspot.com 108. babasfarmlife.com
51. rockindeals4you.com 109. beforeandafter50.blogspot.com
52. fashionintheforest.blogspot.com 110. sweepingtheusa.org
53. ahelicoptermom.com 111. candacesbookblog.com
54. thriftyninja.net 112. memy3kids.blogspot.com
55. debshere.blogspot.com 113. www.randomosityblog.com
56. realhousewifeofsingapore.blogspot.com 114. randomosityblog.com
57. somedayilllearn.com 115. www.supermomsurveys.com/thequeenofcoo...
58. chisumscrew.blogspot.com 116. www.supermomsurveys.com/wonderwheeler...


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Book Review, Interview and Giveaway for My Birthday is September Eleven







My Birthday is September Eleven by Nicole Weaver
Kindle
July 18th, 2011

These stories fill the heart with compassion and inspire the soul to help everyone to become better people.

Nicole Weaver has created five short stories about various topics. The first being My Birthday Is September Eleven. This story is about a boy named Matthew who was an only child and was born on September 11th.  Every year on his birthday he was reminded of the tragedy that happened on that day. It was hard for him to feel differently about it, which caused him to sometimes have some serious problems. What pulled Matthew through was his best friend Ronald. Ronald and Matthew would play together and enjoy life, being able to handle most anything. But one day that changed. Ronald was placed in a temporary foster home because his grandparents couldn't take care of him anymore. Will Matthew ever see him again?

The next story is called Zebra Boy. A twelve year old boy named Pascal Beauchamp is originally from Haiti. His mother was black and his father was white. Because of this, children at school would tease him, calling him names that would hurt him. Pascal's good friend, Marcel, would stick up for him, but the bully Eric still wouldn't stop. He wasn't alone either. Other children would tease Pascal too, but one day that all changed.

The third story is called The Good Samaritan. This is a touching story which tells of a mans kindness in helping a little girl named Marisol. She had to have brain surgery, so the children of her school helped raise the money for her to get the surgery. However, they were still short $15,000 until a stranger donated the money giving Marisol the chance to live. Will she one day be able to thank the man who saved her life?

The fourth story is called No More Hunger. It is about a boy named Ronald who is from a village that had been wiped out by a devastating hurricane. His mother, not being able to take care of him, gave him up for adoption. Though it broke her heart to do it, she knew it was the right thing to do. Her sacrifice gave him a chance at life. Will Ronald ever understand?

The last story is called A New Life. This is about a biracial boy who experiences many hardships. Jonny's parents passed away when he was young and his German grandparent's didn't want anything to do with him, which put him into foster care for years. This was a mixed blessing because his foster parent's had adored him, treating him as if he were their own son, yet he still had many uncertainties. Will he ever forgive his grandparent's for not taking him in?

This collection of stories hits upon many topics. It touches on adoption, bullying, tragedy, coping with loss, kindness and love. What readers are going to enjoy about this collection is that with the bad comes the good. Though each story begins with something tragic that happens that changes or effects the characters life in some way, there is also something rewarding about it as well, as if it were redemption for the pain each has suffered. Each character finds happiness in their own way and it radiates around them affecting others lives as well. It shows the reader that kindness can change someone's fate.

Readers can check out the interview with Nicole Weaver today at 6:30pm EST at http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors and follow if you would like. She will be talking about her new collection of stories where listeners can also ask her questions right here on this blog. She will be checking them periodically

This book will also be apart of a giveaway.

Here are the rules:

To participate you must leave a comment with a working e-mail address. You must also follow me right here on GFC as well as follow Nicole Weaver at http://nicole-weaver.com
The winner will be chosen by Random.org at the end of September.
Good luck to all!