A Book and a Chat with Renee Hand on Blog Talk Radio

Hello Everyone, on Monday June 7th at 6:30pm, I am going to be on “A Book and a Chat with Renee Hand” on Blog Talk Radio with Barry Eva. This is a great show to be on. It is very relaxing and fun. Please check it out and listen at location: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


More about Barry:

"A Book and a Chat" has proved a hugely popular radio program with people of all ages. With over a hundred and fifty shows already recorded, Barry's format of "a chat over a cup of tea" has received nothing but rave reviews from guest and listeners alike. The writer of a successful young adult romance book "Across the Pond" Barry has himself appeared on a large number of radio and TV programs. "A Book and a Chat" is a program for writers and readers, not so much a literary show, more like... let’s sit around have a cup of tea and a few laughs."

Thanks everyone.

Renee Hand

Book Review for Donner the Western Dragon by Suzanne Davis Marion

Donner the Western Dragon by Suzanne Davis Marion

BookSurge Publishing (November 27, 2009)
Donner the Western Dragon is a wonderful story of a hero’s tale that expresses the importance of patience and humility.

Donner is a dragon that lives in the forest along with his family and other dragon families. His best friend is a unicorn named Una. Both creatures were playful and relaxed, never looking for a fight but just enjoying the beauty of nature. Though other dragons found this behavior strange, because they would blow fire showing off for each other, Donner was happy and content. He knew he could blow fire hotter and farther than any of the other dragon’s, but felt no reason to prove it.

However, Donner’s father, Ragnar, spoke with him about his behavior, wanting him to be more like the other dragons. Though Donner tried, wanting to please his father, he soon resorted back to his relaxed and playful ways, feeling that blowing fire for no reason was wasteful. He really found no purpose in it, especially when he saw how long the younger dragons took to regain their fire after they had spent it. Donner’s preservation of his gift was soon going to be tested. Trouble came to the younger dragons with swift wings. They found themselves in terrible trouble when they were playing in a cave and the exit was blocked with ice, rock and snow. Having wasted their fire in play, the young dragons could not save themselves. So who was to come to their rescue? The only dragon that had enough fire to do the job—Donner.

This story combines a lot of elements that children can relate to. In school, there are children who show off their talents to impress their friends, but it takes one moment for someone to shine like the sun, and it is usually someone that no one ever expected. Though Donner knew he was the best at doing something, he felt no need to show off. He was secure in his beliefs and was comfortable with who he was, not letting anyone change him into being something that he wasn’t. After Donner saved the younger dragons, he didn’t boast or brag, but merely returned to relax in the sun with a happiness filling his heart. Many lessons can be learned from this story. This paperback picture book is great for children between the ages of 9-12.

Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Crypto-Capers series. Look for her new release The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, The Great Pie Catastrophe.

Book Review for Animal Crackers Fly The Coop by Kevin O' Malley

Animal Crackers Fly the Coop by Kevin O’Malley

(Walker Books for Young Readers, April 13, 2010)

Animal Crackers Fly the Coop is a hilariously funny book that children will love and repeat the jokes in forever.

Animal Crackers Fly the Coop begins with a hen that likes to tell jokes. Not being happy with her life of laying eggs, Hen leaves to find a better life for himself, having a dream of opening up a comedy club. Along her journey, she meets other animals that want the same thing as she does, a more satisfying and funny life with animals who understand them.

She meets up with Dog, who is also a comedian; Cat, who wants to be a performer; and Cow, who loves telling jokes. The foursome join forces. As they continue on together, they soon come across an old house where they find three robbers inside. All the animals are focused on the tasty food that is sitting on the table and the nice and comfortable place to sleep, so they wait for the robbers to leave before entering. When the robbers return home, the animals scare the robbers. Out of nervousness, the animals begin to tell jokes. The robbers, clearly not able to understand what the animals are saying, soon run off, leaving the animals the house. You can imagine what the animals do with the house next.

The Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale “The Bremen Town Musicians” was the inspiration for this story. In that fairy tale the animals of the story become musicians, realizing that each animal has a specific talent that meshes well with the group. Mr. O’Malley goes another way with it, putting more humor into the story, which the reader will appreciate. His animals tell jokes and though some jokes are hysterically funny, some are also very corny—but all will put a smile on the reader’s face.

This reviewer’s only concern was that younger children might miss some of the weaved in humor. Adults will catch it easily, so will older children, but when this book was read to a group of children of various age groups, for though the children immediately laughed when hearing the jokes, younger children didn’t understand some of the humor. This book is best read with the intention of explaining some of the humor and how it relates to the specific animals. Otherwise the author’s meaning will get lost with the younger readers and they are the ones who should be enjoying this story the most.

The illustrations in Animal Crackers Fly the Coop, a 40-page story, depict the humor well. Children will laugh at the cleverly written story. And kids who love telling jokes will surely use its contents to add to their repertoire. This hardcover picture book is great for children between the ages of 4–8.

Barnes and Nobles Book Signing and Discussion Event

Hello Everyone,
I will be at Barnes and Nobles in East Lansing tonight from 6-7:30pm, to kick off summer reading. Please join me there and say hello. I will be signing all of my books in the Crypto-Capers Series and the Joe-Joe Nut Series.
Thanks!

Book Signing Event Where Author Renee Hand Will Allow Children To Create A Character For Her Next Book In The Joe-Joe Nut Series

In celebration of Summer Reading and Writing

Book Signing At Barnes and Nobles Booksellers In Rochester Hills, Michigan will be held on June 3rd from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Renee Hand, award-winning author of the Crypto-Capers and Joe-Joe Nut series, will allow children to create a character for an upcoming book. Children can submit their characters and encourage family, friends and the public to vote for their favorites. The winning entry will be featured in the third installment of the Joe-Joe Nut series.

In honor of book 1 of award-winning author Renee Hand’s new lower elementary children’s book series, The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, The Great Pie Catastrophe, author Renee Hand is hosting a contest for children to become characters in one of her cases. The opportunity is for children to be able to create their own animal suspect.

The Joe-Joe Nut series is based on animal detectives who solve cases. The books are educational and fun using topics that children will learn from, such as animal tracks (for book 1) and rocks and minerals (for book 2, coming in the fall of 2010). Every book is unique, entertaining and yet full of interesting information that children will love to learn about.

For the contest, children will submit a character, they created. The author will then post submissions on her website. Family, friends and the public will be able to read and vote for their favorites. The submission that receives the most votes will become a character in the next book.

"I decided to hold this contest," stated Ms. Hand, "in honor of my new lower elementary series titled, The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, Case #1 The Great Pie Catastrophe. I am an author who writes for my readers. I want them to be involved in my books and make a connection with the characters. It is important to me. My goal is to not only entertain children, but to educate them as well, and all of my books accomplish this goal. This contest will help children understand the process an author goes through in creating a character and will be able to work with me on the development of that character in the story. As a thank you to the winner, not only will their character be a part of the story but it will be dedicated to them as well. The winner will also receive a signed copy from me. I am excited about this contest and wish luck to all. I look forward to reading the entries."

The contest begins on June 7th and will end on August 15th to allow time for everyone to develop and promote their characters.

For more information visit the author's website at www.ReneeAHand.com. Entries and votes for characters should be submitted by email to thecryptocapersseries@gmail.com.

Renee Hand is available for media interviews and school visits. She can be reached using the information below or by email at TheCryptoCapersSeries@gmail.com. More information on the Crypto-Caper series and the Joe-Joe Nut series is available at Ms. Hand’s website at www.ReneeAHand.com. All of Ms. Hand’s books are available at Barnes and Nobles bookstores or from her website.

Book Review for Duck and Cover by Janet Urbanovic

Duck and Cover by Jackie Urbanovic

(Harper Collins Publishers January 27, 2009)

Duck and Cover is a deliciously cute story about a duck named Max and an interesting alligator named Harold.

Harold comes knocking on Max and Irene’s door begging for shelter from a zoo detective who is looking for him. Harold ate a dog and got in trouble for it, but it wasn’t his fault the dog was somebody’s pet, right? So Harold is on the run; the trouble is that with Harold’s insatiable appetite, Max and his friends are worried that if they help hide Harold they might become his next meal.

But ultimately, Max is compassionate. He knows how it feels to be in need of help and to have someone special in his life—someone like Irene, who had once helped him get through a difficult situation. So Max and his friends agree to hide Harold. As the plot thickens Max realizes how difficult the task of hiding Harold is going to be, but he perseveres and is determined to protect his new friend. He even goes as far as having everyone dress up as an alligator when the zoo detective returns in search of Harold. Let the man try and find Harold now!

Duck and Cover fits right in with the continuation of Max the duck’s adventures. His story began in Duck at the Door and continued with Duck Soup. Ms. Urbanovic is the author and illustrator of all of the Duck books.

The illustrations in this 32-page romp put a smile on the reader’s face as they complement the animals’ activities. Children of all ages will laugh at this cleverly written story and wonder what mess Duck will be getting himself into next. This hardcover picture book is great for children between the ages of 4–8.

Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Crypto-Capers series. Look for her upcoming release The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, The Great Pie Catastrophe.

Review for Roly Poly Pangolin by Anna Dewdney

Roly Poly Pangolin by Anna Dewdney

(Viking Juvenile March 9, 2010)

Roly Poly Pangolin is a 40-page picture book about a pangolin named Roly Poly who is afraid of everything. One day Roly Poly sets out on an adventure holding tight to mama’s tail. As a baby pangolin, the world is new to her, and because of this she is scared and unsure of everything: from the noises in the trees to the ants and slugs she is supposed to be eating.

It is not until she wanders a little too far from mama that she becomes consumed in her own fears, letting her imagination run away with her. Roly Poly stumbles and begins to fall, but in the process discovers something new and interesting about herself. She can roll up into a ball, similar to the Tolypeutes species of armadillo, which can also roll up into a ball for protection.

Roly Poly is not a little intrigued but waits until she hears a tiny call before she comes out of her ball. When she does she finds another pangolin looking at her. Because Roly Poly is not alone anymore, she and her new friend begin to play together, fearing nothing at all. “Sometimes new things can be fun when you’re not the only one.” Ms. Dewdney’s words will ring true for children whose imaginations often take them into scary places. With a little company, everything always seems a tad less scary.

Pangolins are an endangered species. Mrs. Dewdney traveled to Vietnam to visit these creatures and see them in their own habitat, learning much about them. A portion of the proceeds of this book will go to the Pangolin Conservation Program at Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam to support research and efforts to save these interesting and unusual creatures. Roly Poly Pangolin is a great read for children ages of 4–8.

Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Crypto-Capers series. Look for her upcoming release The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, The Great Pie Catastrophe for lower elementary.