Radio Interview and Book Review for a Kenyan Picture Book by Pam Bitterman

Listen to the interview with Pam today at 7pm 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, through the radio show as well, and follow Pam at http://pamelasismanbitterman.com/ 

nd leave a comment. Giveaway lasts until beginning of November


When This is Over, I will Go To School, And I will Learn How To Read

by Pamela Bitterman  

Amazon Kindle

Ages All Ages

Nonfiction     Children’s Picture Book  

Author Bio:

No one knows the story of Kenya better than the children who live it. I had the opportunity to travel to this country and become immersed with the families there. The result is a 1500-word nonfiction children’s picture book containing over 70 unique and original color images, titled, “When This Is Over, I Will Go To School, And I Will Learn To Read: A Story of Hope and Friendship for One Young Kenyan Orphan.”

This true story of one little boy is told in his own words. While there are many books about Africa on the market, none are told from a child’s point of view like this one. The children from the village created the book’s illustrations. I asked these students to draw what represented family, love, happiness, sadness, fear and hope for them. I have also included powerful photographs of the children, the school, the village and the countryside, the hospital, the mobile clinic and orphan program. It is this truth that is certain to nudge the hearts and minds of parents, teachers and children everywhere. I have promised all proceeds from the sale of this book to the children of the tiny village school where the illustrations were created. They trust me. And they wait.

Reviewer: Renee Hand

When This is Over, I will Go To School, And I will Learn How To Read, is an inspiring true story about children in Africa who want to be happy and healthy. 

This story is about a six year-old boy named Julius. He has never been to school. He lives with his grandmother, sister and brother in Kenya. They live in a mud hut in the forest. Professor Nancy sees the children and tells them that they have jiggers, which are bugs that live under the skin and lay eggs. She tells them that they need to come to her mobile clinic and orphan feeding program.

When they get there the doctor realizes that their condition is far worse then they first thought, so the family is taken to the hospital where they can be treated properly. After their treatment the family is given many things to help them be healthy, like mats to sleep on, clothes and shoes to wear, as well as mosquito nets to keep the bugs away. But will Julius ever accomplish his dream of going to school and learning how to read? It is a mantra he says when he is afraid. A goal he hopes to someday accomplish.

This is a true story of life for children in Kenya. It is a terrifying truth that most people don’t know about. What is amazing is the strength and hope in the Kenyan children and their determination to want to become something more. The illustrations are done by the children and there are real pictures of the children in the story as well. This book will hopefully help bring more awareness to the conditions the children in Kenya must endure but it will also show how the kindness of people prevail. This is a 75 page book that children and parents of all ages will enjoy.  

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.  

Book Review for World of Wonders: The Most Mesmerizing Natural Phenomena on Earth by Elisabeth Roman

World of Wonders: The Most Mesmerizing Natural Phenomena on Earth by Elisabeth Roman

Abrams Books for Young Readers
December 1, 2010
0810989638
978-0810989634
192 Pages
Ages 9-12
Nonfiction/World of Wonders/Earth Sciences/Zoology
Sent by Abrams Books

World of Wonders is an amazing voyage through stunning images that depict life and planet Earth in its most natural and awe-inspiring form.

Have you ever wondered what the heaviest flower is? Or which fish lays the most eggs? Or what volcano is the most active? The one discussed here has an eruption that lasts for decades. Cool, huh?

World of Wonders is a collection of the most unusual and unique animals, natural wonders, and plant and/or tree species. Each of the pages asks a question, then right below it, flipped upside down, is the answer. Below that is a detailed explanation that reveals the truth about some of the world’s mysteries. Full-page pictures of each topic enhance the experience.

There are around 90 facts. Some, many readers will have learned and or heard about at some point in their lives. But there are several facts about everyday objects, animals, and phenomena that many people may have never heard about before, and certainly have never seen, which makes the reading experience a more intriguing one. The table of contents is at the end of the book, instead of the beginning under the specific questions for easy identification.

The World of Wonders is a tremendous book of amazing facts from around the world. It doesn’t focus on one topic but varies into length, distance, time, temperature, growth, age, danger, animals, caves, sand, mountains, and much more. There is a lot to learn and enjoy throughout the pages. Children between the ages of 9–12, as well as adults, will enjoy reading this book.

Book Review for Discover Science Insects by Barbara Taylor

Discover Science Insects by Barbara Taylor

Kingfisher
November 9, 2010
0753464497
978-0753464496
56 Pages
Ages 9–12
Nonfiction/Children’s Books/Science/Insects


Discover Science Insects is one of six books in the Discover Science Series. This book gives a close up look into the lives of insects and how they function, adapt and survive.

The table of contents provides a great breakdown of what to expect in the book. It begins by covering what an insect is, insect senses, insect hunters, life cycles, and much more. Each page has close-up pictures of the insects discussed along with good detailed explanations. Even some of the insect mouthparts that are very rarely seen without a microscope because of their extremely small size, are pictured and discussed, creating a good understanding of the function of these parts and how the insects use them in different ways to get what they need to eat.

The book covers various types of insects including ones that fly, live on plants or land, live on humans or animals, and ones that live or utilize the water. There is a broad range for the interested reader to learn about.

At the end of the book are lots of great features that parents and teachers will find useful and beneficial. The first part is a craft section that teaches children how to study the insects in their own backyard, how to create a butterfly, and how to make insect models and mobiles. There is a section that includes a glossary discussing the terms used throughout the book.

Another section includes a note for parents and teachers. This section is to help teach and reinforce various elements of the science and language arts curricula. It also provides cross curricular lessons in geography, art, and math. This is superb for a teacher in a regular school or home school setting. It offers a lot of great ideas that will get children thinking about the information and applying it at the same time.

An added element is an insect quiz that maximizes reading comprehension with chances to refer back to the text for the answers. At the end of the book there is also a further research section informing the reader of other books, websites, or places to visit to learn more.

Overall, this book is an excellent source for children to learn about insects. It briefly covers enough information to interest the reader and getting them into wanting to learn more about these underrated—and often dismissed as disgusting—creatures, which, as this book proves, are really very interesting.

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