Review for My Animal Book by Okido

A hands-on, action-packed title that asks and answers questions young children often have about animals.

How do animals live? What do they eat? Is a human being an animal? Children have all sorts of questions about animals, and in My Animal Book those questions are answered. A little girl named Koko helps children to think about animals and make comparisons with their own lives. There are also three intrepid explorers who go on adventures to a variety of places to find out about different species. Young readers investigate each topic by playing and learning.

Hardcover: 64 pages

Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 1 edition (May 20, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0500650241

ISBN-13: 978-0500650240

About the Author

OKIDO is an innovative group of London-based designers, illustrators, and authors who create an art-and-science magazine of the same name for young children. In spring 2015, their television show will air on the BBC. Author Sophie Dauvois is a scientist and teacher. Rachel Ortas is an illustrator and artist-in-residence at Central Saint Martins, London. Alex Barrow is the magazine’s art director.

 

Review:

 

My Animal Book is a fun book where children will learn how animals live, what they eat, what they do, and more. Inside each section there are games and crafts that children will enjoy. The colorful illustrations and characters help teach the reader along the way through their journey. The characters of the story also get the reader thinking by posing questions to them. The dimensions of this book are large and contains lots of animal information. Great to use as a reference book. Fans of the books by Okido and who are familiar with the illustrations will enjoy this 64 page book in this series. Other books include My Big World and Head to Toe.

Review for The Secret Kingdom by Michele and Richard Bledsoe

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso. Take a journey through the imagination of artist Michele Bledsoe. The Secret Kingdom is a collection of paintings and poetry celebrating the world of dreams.

Hardcover: 36 pages

Publisher: Outskirts Press (July 9, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1478703628

ISBN-13: 978-1478703624

About the Author

Michele Bledsoe has been exhibiting her paintings and drawings in art galleries for almost 20 years. Inspired by the beautifully illustrated children's books she grew up with, Michele started creating art when she was a child - and never stopped. With The Secret Kingdom, Michele Bledsoe hopes to inspire a new generation of artists to share her lifetime love of creating pictures. Art is for everyone, and The Secret Kingdom is a place that welcomes children of all ages.

Review:

The Secret Kingdom is a children's poetry book celebrating the world of dreams. The poems are whimsical as they flow through Earth, animals, and fancy. The artist inside of the reader will appreciate the illustrations as they wind along with the text. As far as a bedtime story for children-not recommendable. Imagination fills every crevice of this book, and for older children who can separate the difference between fantasy and realism, it will be perfect. But for younger children, the illustrations will be scary or even terrifying. Faces and heads without bodies, and other references match with the text but not in the way one would think. This might confuse younger children and before going to bed might give them nightmares instead of peaceful dreams. Though the poems are not scary at all it is the images of the illustrations that will do it. Tweens through to adults who love art will appreciate the message the poems and illustrations imply.   

Mystery Challenge #6

"Logic is paramount, Mia." Max was in a thoughtful mood, pacing slowly up and down the length of the sitting room. "The better able you are to pick apart a problem in your mind and evaluate all of the ramifications it encompasses, the stronger will be your deductive reasoning."

"Of course," Mia replied.

"So, then. Let us say that I know of a particular fellow. Today is a singular occasion, for two days ago, he was 25 years of age, but next year, he will be 28. How is such a thing possible?"

I hope you are enjoying these challenges. Remember, if you think you know the answer, write it in the comments section. If you have it correct, you will win a copy of my new release in the Crypto-Capers Series, The Mystery For The Circus For Hire. Good luck!

Answer to Mystery Challenge #5

Mystery Challenge #5

One evening, after The Crypto-Caper team had provided some assistance to Scotland Yard on a matter of some delicacy. Inspector Jeffries took the opportunity to challenge them with what he hoped would prove a vexatious riddle. His hopes were unfounded of course, but I'm sure that comes as no surprise.

"I was at a break-in yesterday, team," began the Inspector. "Nasty business. A group of burly young men apprehended a man and his wife outside their home, and forcibly restrained them there. Meanwhile, two of their number kicked the door straight off its hinges and charged in there. They came out a few minutes later with the couple's most precious treasure. Then, to top it all off, rather than scampering like your usual villain would, they handed their loot over to the weeping wife, and went about their business. I saw the whole thing, but I didn't make even a single arrest. What do you make of that?"

Answer:

"I assume," Max said, "that you took no action because no laws had been broken."

"Well...," began Jeffries.

"Tell me, were the firemen rescuing a pet or a child? I suspect the latter, since they handed the unfortunate to the wife."

Jeffrie gave up. "It was an infant."

Review for Toby Says Be a Buddy Not a Bully by Charmaine Hammond

Summary:

When Toby steps into the path of a dog who bullies him and shreds his beloved stuffed teddy-bear toy, feelings get hurt. This beautifully illustrated book teaches children about the importance of kindness, respect, acceptance and being considerate of others, including pets.

• Series: Toby, the Pet Therapy Dog
• Paperback: 34 pages
• Publisher: Bettie Youngs Book Publishers (June 15, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 098360455X
• ISBN-13: 978-0983604556

About the Author

Charmaine Hammond is the author of the runaway bestseller, ON TOBY'S TERMS as well as a children series based on that book. 

Review:

Toby is a Therapy Dog who goes to a school and teaches children that it is better to be a buddy, not a bully. This is a delightful book which teaches children to share their feelings if someone bullies them, explaining to the bully how much they may have hurt their feelings. They are also encouraged to tell an adult. Children from all ages will be able to relate to Buddy's plight and will be able to incorporate it into their own lives. The life lessons that are taught will last a lifetime.

This is a  great installment into the Toby Series.    

Mystery Challenge # 5

Mystery Challenge #5

One evening, after The Crypto-Caper team had provided some assistance to Scotland Yard on a matter of some delicacy. Inspector Jeffries took the opportunity to challenge them with what he hoped would prove a vexatious riddle. His hopes were unfounded of course, but I'm sure that comes as no surprise.

"I was at a break-in yesterday, team," began the Inspector. "Nasty business. A group of burly young men apprehended a man and his wife outside their home, and forcibly restrained them there. Meanwhile, two of their number kicked the door straight off its hinges and charged in there. They came out a few minutes later with the couple's most precious treasure. Then, to top it all off, rather than scampering like your usual villain would, they handed their loot over to the weeping wife, and went about their business. I saw the whole thing, but I didn't make even a single arrest. What do you make of that?"

Review of Racing Driver by Giles Chapman

Book Summary:

An interactive introduction to car racing that recreates the immediacy and excitement of being behind the wheel
Racing Driver is a thrilling training course that shows children how to drive the world’s fastest cars. Filled with stats and facts, the book includes basic mechanics and driving tips on track and off-road racing.

Young readers who dream of becoming racing drivers can pore over cars and voraciously compile information. The “Pit Stop” section looks at car engineering and the science of driving. “On the Track” puts readers behind the wheel of a variety of vehicles —including stock cars, F1 cars, and sports racers—and shows how to speed off the grid, negotiate corners at high speed, and deal with spins and skids. There are also ID guides to different kinds of racing cars, including historical models.

With a wealth of accurate information and a hands-on approach that will appeal to children, Racing Driverbrings the excitement of a popular sport to life for the younger generation. Illustrated in color throughout.

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 1 edition (May 20, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500650268
• ISBN-13: 978-0500650264
• 
  

About the Author

Giles Chapman is a motoring journalist who contributes to publications including the Daily Telegraph, The Independent, The Sunday Times, Condé Nast Traveler, and Auto Express.

Review:

Racing Driver by Giles Chapman is a marvelous way to teach children the steps they need to take to get into driving a race car. From starting with go-karts to driving super sedans and stock cars, its a great step by step look into the life of a racer. Children will be amazed at all of the detailed information that many people may not know about. Racers are all over the world, even crossng deserts.

Parents will appreciate the driving test questions at the end of the book that will reiterate the information read throughout. Children who are 8 and up, and who love cars and dream of racing one, will love this interesting book about becoming a race care driver.   

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Mystery Challenge #4 Answer

Mystery Challenge Number 4

"I was faced with a modest young lady the other day," Maxwell said to Granny. "She was chary of confessing her true age."

"As many women are," Granny noted. Then under her breath whispered, "Me included!"

 "Quite so. I was reasonably persuasive on the matter however, and finally got her to admit that she was the eldest of fifteen children, each born with a year and a half between them. When she confessed that her age was 8X that of the youngest of her siblings, I knew at once how old she was."

How old was she?

Answer:

With 21 years between the eldest and youngest sibling, the girl must be 24, and her brother just 3.

Interview for Tyler the Fish Saves Lake Michigan

 Come and join me as I talk with author Meaghan Fisher about her picture book  Tyler the Fish Saves Lake Erie on Stories From Unknown Authors 
http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 2 pm EST today.


Tyler is a young bass who lives in Lake Erie and loves playing and exploring with his friends. One day, a game of Fish Tag takes him and his friend Jimmy into some unfamiliar waters. They're a long way from home, and even worse, the water is brown! When Tyler and Jimmy find out what's wrong with the water, they need to come up with a plan to save it... before the lake where they live is poisoned!

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Gypsy Publications (March 14, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1938768396
• ISBN-13: 978-1938768392

Review for Maps and Geography by Ken Jennings

Maps and Geography (Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides) by Ken Jennings (Author), Mike Lowery (Illustrator)

Little Simon                                                                                              
February 4, 2014
ISBN-10: 1442473282
ISBN-13: 978-1442473287
Ages 8-10
160 Pages                                                                                          
Series: Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides

Children’s Geography and Maps​Nonfiction

Reviewer: Renee Hand

Ken Jennings has created a new Junior Genius Guides series for children 8–10 years of age. Children will become experts as they learn clever map and geography facts.

The book is designed in the form of a day in the classroom. The author represents the teacher. The book begins with First Period in which readers will learn about the Earth from space. Inside this section readers touch upon the shape of the Earth, Christopher Columbus, latitude and longitude lines, hemispheres, time zones, and more. It is done more in a fun storybook fashion where the teacher brings in humor and interesting facts, pop quizzes, and puzzles.

What makes this book unique is that not only does it cover information that most children should know or be familiar with but it also adds information most readers may not be aware of. Before the international conference decided that the Prime Meridian should run through Greenwich, it ran through Paris. All time zones meet at the South Pole so what time is it there?

This extra information will delight and interest readers as they continue on through seven periods including recess, art class, lunch, and music. The book also gives homework and extra credit. At the end there is also an exam to take to test the reader's knowledge.

Though the school format will give young readers something they are familiar with, others may feel like they are too much in school and will want something more on the relaxed side. Regardless, the information provided gives readers a chance to learn new material, shedding light on the history of the topics covered. Both children and adults will enjoy reading this 160 page chapter book.

Book Signing Today At Michigan State University

I am going to be at Michigan State University today for a book signing at their 50th annual Arts and Crafts Show from 10-5pm. It is going to be a beautiful day. Hope to see you there.

I will be discussing and answering questions for:

The Crypto-Capers Series
The Joe-Joe Nut Series
My Zoo Picture Book
My Coloring Book
My New Storytelling Card Game

Mystery Challenge 4

Mystery Challenge Number 4

"I was faced with a modest young lady the other day," Maxwell said to Granny. "She was chary of confessing her true age."

"As many women are," Granny noted. Then under her breath whispered, "Me included!"

 "Quite so. I was reasonably persuasive on the matter however, and finally got her to admit that she was the eldest of fifteen children, each born with a year and a half between them. When she confessed that her age was 8X that of the youngest of her siblings, I knew at once how old she was."

How old was she?

Mystery Challenge 3 Answer

Mystery Challenge Number 3

Mia was quietly reading one afternoon when Morris pulled away from his research on the computer and turned to her. 

"I have another challenge for you, if you are of mind to accept."

 "Of course, I am always up for a challenge," she replied.

"Capital. Ponder then upon the words 'cabbaged' and 'fabaceae', the latter being of leguminous fame. What oddness do they share, and why might I remark upon it?"

Mia set to work on it right away.

Answer:

Consisting solely as they do of the first seven letters of the alphabet-they are in fact the joint longest words in English to do so. Both cabbaged and fabaceae are words that can be played as a sequence of notes upon a musical instrument. 

Mystery Challenge Number 3

Mystery Challenge Number 3

Mia was quietly reading one afternoon when Morris pulled away from his research on the computer and turned to her. 

"I have another challenge for you, if you are of mind to accept."

 "Of course, I am always up for a challenge," she replied.

"Capital. Ponder then upon the words 'cabbaged' and 'fabaceae', the latter being of leguminous fame. What oddness do they share, and why might I remark upon it?"

Mia set to work on it right away.

Mystery Challenge Number 2 Answer

Mystery Challenge Number 2

"Let's keep your mind on its toes," Granny said to me as I was looking out of the window one afternoon.

I made a protest, so she continued. "How many minutes are we now before 6pm, if fifty minutes ago it was four times as many minutes past 3pm?"


Answer:

It can only be twenty-six minutes to six!

Interview for Emily Rose's Day at the Farm by Simone Da Costa

 Come and join me as I talk with author Simone da Costa about her picture book Emily Rose's Day at the Farm on Stories From Unknown Authors 
http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 1 pm EST today.

 Emily-Rose is always excited to visit her Grammy on the farm. She always looks forward to these visits because she loves spending time with her Grandmother, and she also enjoys watching her Grandmother feed the farm animals in high hopes to one day (soon) have the responsibility of feeding them on her own.

Whenever Emily-Rose would ask her Grammy to feed the animals her Grandmother would always tell her that the animals are very ‘rambunctious’ a word that is very new to Emily-Rose who mistook the word to mean having fun instead of it’s true meaning (difficult to handle).

It is not until Emily-Rose feeds a few of the farm animals (Chickens, Pigs, Ducks etc.) that she learns the meaning of ‘rambunctious’ and she comes to the realization that feeding the animals is not as fun as she thinks it is. In the end, Emily-Rose learns a dear lesson.

http://simonedacosta.com 

• Perfect Paperback: 36 pages
• Publisher: Da Costa s Empire Publishing Novelty Publishing; 1st edition (March 8, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0987925563
• ISBN-13: 978-0987925565

Mystery Challenge Number 1

Mystery Challenge Number #1

A priceless sword with associations to Mary, Queen of Scots had been stolen from an estate, and Max had agreed to lend his teams services on the matter. The local constabulary was making much of the thief's escape, and sought to ascertain which of the nearby villages was the closest-Shenstone, Rushock, or Chaddesley.

The sword's custodian expressed his opinion that it seemed as if all three were as far away as each other, although he had never actually attempted to measure the distances involved. The sergeant maintained that the exact distance was important to know.

It was known that the distance from Shenstone to Caddesley was one and a half miles, from Shenstone to Rushock was one and three tenths miles, and from Rushock to Chaddesley was one and two fifths miles.

Can you discern the distance from the estate to the villages?

Answer:

Given the distances between the villages, the application of Pythagoras' theorem will quickly establish the height of the triangle they form, treating any one of the lines as the base. If Rushock to Chaddesley is the base, the height of the triangle to Shenstone is one and one fifth miles. This makes the area of the triangle twenty-one twenty-fifths of a square mile. Then multiply the three sides together and divide by four times the area to get the distance to the central spot, and you'll discover that the distance is thirteen sixteenths of a mile.

Mystery Challenge Number 2

Mystery Challenge Number 2

"Let's keep your mind on its toes," Granny said to me as I was looking out of the window one afternoon.

I made a protest, so she continued. "How many minutes are we now before 6pm, if fifty minutes ago it was four times as many minutes past 3pm?"



I hope you are enjoying these great challenges.
More coming soon!

Review for Ziggersnout by Dale Rensing

Summary:
A picture book for early readers, Ziggersnout is a story about a little boy learning to skate who finds that things are not as easy as he thinks, but learns to persevere. With the help of the rink manager and the dragon who lives under the ice, Eric discovers that hope, faith and desire can work magic.

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (October 31, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1484997212
• ISBN-13: 978-1484997215

Review:

Ziggersnout is an inspiring story of a boy named Eric who finds a friend that helps him get over his fears. Many children try different sports and struggle with them. Some stick with the sport and some give it up. This story is a wonderful way to help children understand that even if a sport is challenging to learn, sometimes it is worth sticking with it. 

Eric found Ziggersnout to help inspire him. To help him not give up. Children of all ages will be able to relate to Eric's plight, looking for that special something. Though when they look hard enough, they won't find a dragon. No, instead they will find the determination within themselves that will carry them towards their goal. 

This story sends out a wonderful message for children of all ages. The illustrations by Guy Gilchrist and Laurie Tisdel are colorful and eye-catching, connecting with the reader.

Challenging Mysteries Giveaway!

Coming in June I will have a new release in my Crypto-Capers Series called The Mystery for the Circus for Hire. I'm really looking forward to it. I will also be having a new romance novel which my fans have been highly anticipating. More about these books as well as bits and pieces of them will be showing up on my blog throughout the upcoming weeks.

In honor of these amazing new releases I am offering giveaways for them. But here is the challenge. Being a big mystery buff, and my books being on the mystery side, I have some challenges for you.
The person who gets these challenging deduction questions right will be getting a free copy of my children's or adult book. I will be posting these questions 2 times or more a week. To answer just post it below the post in the comments section. Make sure you include your e-mail for me to respond to you. All books will be sent out upon their releases. Let the games begin!

Mystery Challenge Number #1

A priceless sword with associations to Mary, Queen of Scots had been stolen from an estate, and Max had agreed to lend his teams services on the matter. The local constabulary was making much of the thief's escape, and sought to ascertain which of the nearby villages was the closest-Shenstone, Rushock, or Chaddesley.

The sword's custodian expressed his opinion that it seemed as if all three were as far away as each other, although he had never actually attempted to measure the distances involved. The sergeant maintained that the exact distance was important to know.

It was known that the distance from Shenstone to Caddesley was one and a half miles, from Shenstone to Rushock was one and three tenths miles, and from Rushock to Chaddesley was one and two fifths miles.

Can you discern the distance from the estate to the villages?

The answer will be given this Wednesday.

Mother's Day Memories

Happy Mother's Day to all on this glorious day. Mother's Day is a day we celebrate mothers. I look back and am thankful for having a wonderful mother to share my feelings with and to rely on. She gives me advice and support when I need it and tells me the things, sometimes, I don't want to hear but need to anyway. She is the wind in my sail and the voice that reminds me to stay true to myself. She is my best friend.

I look at my life as a mother and always want to be the best I can be for my children, though I know I have room for improvement. Being a mother is a tough job, there is no doubt. It can stress you to the point of breaking yet can rise you up and give you the strength you never knew you had. It can help shape you to be the woman you were meant to be.

So to all the mothers out there. Happy Mother's Day!!

As I Look Back... 

As I look back on my life

I find myself wondering...

Did I remember to thank you

for all that you have done for me? 

For all of the times you were by my side

to help me celebrate my successes

and accept my defeats? 

Or for teaching me the value of hard work,

good judgement, courage, and honesty? 

I wonder if I've ever thanked you

for the simple things...

The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared? 

If I have forgotten to express my gratitude

For any of these things,

I am thanking you now...

and I am hoping that you've known all along,

how very much you are loved and appreciated. 

Thank you Mom!

Review for Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo's Meteorite Mission

• Series: Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo Books
• Hardcover: 42 pages
• Publisher: Mascot Books (January 7, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1620865548
• ISBN-13: 978-1620865545

Practicing surgeon Oneeka Williams, M.D. presents Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo's Meteorite Mission, a Common Core-aligned children's picturebook that pairs fun science facts with a fanciful story about an African-American girl who knows "Not Even the Sky is the Limit!" Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo has had an extra-special power since she was born; she loves to heal people, animals, or things that need help, with the aid of medical tools such as "Marky Medicine Bag", "Sydnee Syringe", and "Ana Anesthetic". When Matty Meteorite falls from the sky, injuring people and animals, Dr. Dee Dee is there to disinfect and sew up all their cuts - then, she even helps put poor Matty back together again! Written to help share a love of science and medicine in young people everywhere.

Bio:

Dr. Williams’ professional journey includes an undergraduate degree in Biophysics at Johns Hopkins University, graduate degrees in public health and medicine at Harvard Medical School, and surgical training at leading academic medical centers including Massachusetts General Hospital and The Lahey Clinic.

Through her volunteer work in the community and as a teacher and mentor, Dr. Williams is committed to inspiring all all children, and especially girls, towards a greater interest in science, a positive attitude, and the pursuit of excellence in all their endeavors.  

Dr. Williams Is A Children's Book Author–To further her advocacy of literacy and science education, she is authoring a series of children’s books.  Her first children's book was Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo's Mission to Pluto and her second children’s book Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo's Meteorite Mission were both published in 2013. 

Dr. Williams is a practicing surgeon at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston and is an assistant clinical professor of urology at Tufts University School of Medicine. She lives just outside Boston with her husband, Dr. Charles Leon Anderson, Jr., a neonatalist, hospital management specialist and corporate executive and their son, Mark.  

Her books, which can be viewed at www.drdeedeedynamo.com are available both as hardcover prints books and for the Kindle at Amazon.com. 

- See more at: http://www.droneeka.com/#sthash.

Review:

Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo's Meteorite Mission is a fantastical 42 page picture book combining science with learning. Children will learn, not only a little bit about what a surgeon does, but about meteors, asteroids, and more. This story is based upon a real meteorite collision that happened in 2013 in Chelyabinsk, Russia. The author did a wonderful job explaining more about what an asteroid is and mentions a few places around the world other impacts have occurred, though there are more that is not mentioned. The author uses alliterations to help children remember items a surgeon needs to help heal people and things. Children will also find interesting the steps a surgeon uses to repair something.

A few quibbles is at times the overuse of alliterations clogs up the story, and the slight bickering or tone between certain characters is not needed. Otherwise, children will appreciate all the great information the story provides about a real topic spun in an imaginative fantasy way about a girl who can heal anything. The author also adds a glossary and a learning words page of challenging words in the back that are in the story. Parents will enjoy the comprehensive questions to test their child's knowledge of the story.