Little Treasure by Jiana J. Z.

Little Treasure is a sweet and lovely short tale about a generous king, Leon, who has every treasure in the world but lacks something essential: happiness. One day, while he’s taking a stroll through his forest, he hears laughter coming from a little shabby shack. He wonders how someone could sound so happy living in such a poor house. He wonders why he can’t be as happy, even though he has everything there is to have. Will King Leon find the source of joy? You will have to read it to find out, but I’m sure the answer will please both parents and children alike.

I like the author’s simple and uncomplicated story telling; it just makes it easy for beginner readers to read by themselves or perfect for those kids who still enjoy being read to. And don’t get me wrong, the prose might seem simple but the message is deep: it doesn’t matter how many material things we have, because the joy they bring will be short-lived. Little Treasure will remind us of what is really important in life.

The illustrations are beautifully done; they complement the story in a way that makes it feel like a fairy tale. Jiana J.Z., who authored and illustrated this book, is a talented artist, and I can’t wait to see more of her work!

Mariana Llanos

Review: A Strage Sound from the Attic by Nancy S. Rippy

A Strange Sound from the Attic is a lovely short tale of friendship and imagination. Young Amy hears a sound coming from her attic. Eager to catch what or who is making that sound, she places her cell phone by the attic door...the next morning, her cell phone is gone! And not only that, but it appears in her next door neighbor's attic!
The title might sound spooky to some young children, but the story really isn't. On the contrary, it's sweet and encourages the use of imagination.

Although the description recommends the book for readers five and up, I would recommend it for kids seven and above, who may be able to understand the story better.

What I'd really like to rave about though, are the illustrations. They are adorable and have a pleasant,  ethereal quality in them. I'm sure children are going to be fascinated, specially with the girls' pictures. Mrs. Rippy is, without doubt, a talented illustrator.

I look forward to more stories from this author. Hopefully we'll hear more from this fantastic world she's created.

Author Nancy S. Rippy is originally from Taiwan.  When she was a young girl she started writing down her dreams, that's when she realized she was a writer. She now lives in California with her husband.
*I received a FREE PDF copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
*This blog is an Amazon Affiliate Program's associate.

Review: Just Say Hi! by Margaret Bucklew

“Just Say HI!” is the story of two mushroom friends that come up to the surface and discover a whole new world. But making new friends in that new world is not an easy task, since the mushrooms feel different and shy. Little by little they learn that saying “hi” can open the door to new adventures.

It is told in dialogue and rhyme in a tone that at moments feels like a lesson about making friends, reminding me of Veggie Tales (without the reference to religion), and I guess that’s good if that’s what you are looking for. Maybe your child is in a situation when he or she will be facing a new environment and needs to be reassured that she’ll be alright. This book could be a guide or a conversation starter.

I think the illustrations will appeal to children. They are cute and simple, and show a new character in every page. My young daughter had fun pointing at them and looking at what was coming next.

Overall, “Just Say Hi!” is a book I can recommend for young readers to be read to, or early readers to read on their own (perhaps with some assistance), but most importantly it is a book that could help a child overcome the loneliness and shyness of trying to make new friends… and that’s priceless.

Mariana Llanos

 

Author Margaret Bucklew is the author of eight children's books

listed on Amazon.com. She has received several award in her teaching career.

*I received a free PDF copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Kellie and the Come-alive Cottage by Wendy Unsworth

I just loved this book by Wendy Unsworth! Kellie at Come-alive Cottage tells the story of Kellie, a curious girl who probably has the coolest family in the world. Her parents are explorers, and are set to fly off to Africa to discover a new river...but Kellie has no one to stay with while her parents are gone....well, she'll have to stay with aunt Kitty, an aunt she didn't even know she had! And, there is a good reason for that...

This is a fun, smart book that I'm sure will delight young readers. It's full of oddities, silly illustrations and fun fonts. It plays with the absurd but in a way that doesn't feel forced. I would recommend this book for second and third graders, even fourth graders. It is equally enjoyable for older readers, that, like me, still believe in magic.

This is Mrs. Unsworth's first book for children but I have a feeling that we'll be hearing a lot more of Kellie and her fantastic adventures.
Mariana Llanos

Wendy Unsworth lives in England. She has spent many years in Africa,

and a great deal of her inspiration comes from her experiences there. She has written a grown-up novel called The Palaver Tree. "Kellie..." will be out on October 1st, available in paperback an eBook.

Review: Graveyard Scavenger Hunt by Brian Barnett

What a fun and clever story I found me to

read! I am not a fan of scary stories, so I was glad when the author warned me: “It’s not horror…just spooky.” Well, it was more than spooky, it was entertaining and engaging. Young Pete Davidson is forced to spend a week at his Grandparents' house. He hadn’t seen them in a very long time and he didn’t remember how their house looked like… less that they lived next to a graveyard! Against his grandpa’s warning, Pete trespasses into the graveyard to pick up some papers that were blown by the wind. What could actually happen? It’s just an old, abandoned cemetery. Imagine his surprise when something grabs his foot from the ground and takes him into the land of the dead, ghosts and ghouls!  Now Pete has to win his way back home and save our world.

Graveyard Scavenger Hunt is a well written short chapter book. I really like the author’s narrative. He doesn’t fall into unnecessary descriptions or redundancies. He makes his characters believable and lively, with just enough action to keep readers turning pages. It also looks like this book is the first one of a series called NightScares for middle graders...can't wait for the next one. A job well done!

 

Author Brian Barnett is the author of several stories published online and in print. He lives in Kentucky with his wife and children.

 

 

This blog is part of the Amazon Affiliate Program.
*A Free PDF copy of the book was given to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: A Glimpse from Christmas Past by D.C. Donahue

You better get hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies ready; light the tree and hang the mistletoe by the doorway. Don’t forget to play Jingle Bells on your iPod. Snuggle in your most comfortable onesies and a blanket by the fireplace and get the children ready to hear a delightful Christmas story. Wait! I forgot it’s only August! A Glimpse from Christmas Past pulled me in the spirit of Christmas and reminded me of classics like A Christmas Carol or It’s a Wonderful Life.

Told in first person, it narrates the story of a young man that goes shopping on Christmas Eve in his city, (because of the streets and landmarks named, we can guess it’s downtown Philadelphia). Strolling down the decorated and snowy streets, he stops to see a Santa Claus through a window shop, who is listening to children’s wishes and reminding them to keep off the naughty list. But something seems familiar and when his eyes meet with Santa’s he remembers a night many years ago, when that same old man and his reindeer visited his house!

This is definitely a nice story to read aloud to your children, perfect for getting in the mood for the upcoming holiday season. The illustrations are nicely done, with plenty of details to help the young minds follow the story and make their own story lines. And if it’s not Christmas but you’re nostalgic for it, this book will surely bring you the joy and warmth of the season, like it did to me!
Mariana Llanos

 

Author D.C. Donahue lives in Philadelphia with his wife and editor,

Nancy. He raised four children and currently has five grandchildren, who are the inspiration behind this, his first book.

D.C's author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/dcdonahue

A Glimpse of Christmas Past Press Release:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/DCDonahue/AGlimpsefromChristmasPast/prweb10977381.htm

This blog is part of the amazon Affiliate Program
*A free PDF copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review The Adventures of Blue Books 1 & 2 by Ronnie James

The Adventures of Blue, books 1 & 2 are a new series recommended for children 3 to 8 years old. The stories are very simple, engaging and cute. Blue is such a good dog that he is left free to wander around the countryside where he lives. He gets a new collar that turns out to be magical, and with it he goes on new adventures. On the first book he goes under water and on the second one, he floats over the river and goes to a farm.

The stories are simple enough for new readers to read on their own or younger readers to be read to, without losing attention. The illustrations are nice but I really wished it had more of them. That, in my opinion, would make this book even more child-friendly.  

Although a bit more editing is necessary (yes, that’s the author-me speaking), I recommend Blue, the very happy dog to your youngsters. I’m sure his happy spirit will steal their heart!

Mariana Llanos

Author Ronnie James lives in England with his dog Blue, who has inspired his books. He wrote his first children's story in 2007. He has a passion for dogs and to put smiles on people's faces.

This blog is part of the Amazon Affiliate Program.
A free PDF version of this book was provided to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Arthur Pong and His Smelly Song by Jose Fernandez

It’s gotta be a boy thing. Everything that

has to do with farting, burping or gross bodily functions seem to fascinate them. And it doesn’t matter how old they are, most of them always find it amusing. Well, some girls too, but in my experience it’s more of a boy’s fixation. Nothing wrong with that! I think everybody needs a good laugh and this book gives us plenty of it.

Arthur is boy that sings like the angels,

hypnotizing his whole neighborhood with his

voice and the awful smell of his...farts.

The author tells us his story with witty

rhyme and humorous style. It includes and

audio download which is an obvious plus.

My boys (10 and 6) found it really funny. For me, it was a little odd, but in some way I enjoyed the author’s irreverence. So if you want to have a laugh, download Arthur Pong and his Smelly Song, a silly read well worth it of checking it out. The author also promises more funny books like this one, I wish him great success

Author Jose Fernandez was born and raised in England. He loves jokes about farting and such.

 

 

This blog is part of the Amazon Affiliate Program.

 

A complimentary copy of this book was given to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

REVIEW: Tommy the Courageous Bird by Victor Castelo

Tommy the Courageous Bird is a nice little

bedtime story with a lesson. Tommy the bird is afraid to fly. With the help of his parents he finally learns how to take to the air but he is still afraid of heights. One day he meets with grandpa, also known as The General, a notable brave bird. He will teach Tommy the real meaning of courage and will help him overcome his fears.

The moral of this story can be applied to any other fear, making it easy to relate to and take on the advice. My 6 year old read it with me and enjoyed it. We also talked about his own fears and how the advice in the book could be used in his particular situation. Another important lesson from the book is that Tommy’s parents were understanding about his fear and loved him the way he was. So, as you can see, there are several “conversation-starters” throughout the book. 

The book is the right length for a 4 to 8 years old audience that won’t sit through lengthy books. Well-written and beautifully illustrated, I find Tommy the Courageous Bird to be an enjoyable read to share with the family.

Mariana Llanos

 

You can find more about author Victor Castelo

on his website www.tommythecourageousbird.com

This blog is part of  Amazon Affiliate Program

*I received a complimentary PDF of the book in exchange of my honest opinion.

REVIEW: Mailbox Kitten by Mammy Oaklee

Mailbox Kitten is a charming and nostalgic story that transports the reader to the Heart of the Bottoms Up 2/3 Acre to follow the adventures of Mammy and Pappy when they move into their new home in the country.  A special delivery in their mailbox will bring not only joy and excitement but also will make them face loss, grieve and eventually, hope.

 

I enjoyed reading this short story, told in a very evocative prose. The style is contagious and took me back to my own childhood memories: my house in the suburbs, the chickens we raised in our big yard, the cats that wandered around, my beloved dogs and the sadness and pain we had to go through every time one of them departed.  And that’s the special quality of this book: It can help a child cope with the death of a dear pet. But it is not somber or sad in anyway, on the contrary, it ends with hope, with laughter and joy. The illustrations are nicely done and convey the spirit of the story. They can help a wandering little mind to stay focused and understand the action in the story.

I have a feeling that author Mammy Oaklee has more sweet stories under her sleeve and that she’ll entertain us with her memories for years to come.

Mariana Llanos

 

About the author: Mammy Oaklee is a mom, a grandma and a city chick who always longed to be in the country.

 

*A free PDF version of the book was given to me in exchange for my honest opinion

IWrite is associated with the Amazon Affiliate Program

REVIEW: Billy Cooper's Awesome Nightmare by Penny Estelle

I like stories that not only amuse but also

teach children about historical characters or legends. Billy Cooper’s Awesome Nightmare takes us to an entertaining dream. Billy is a cool, laid back seventh grader that can’t wait for his school week to be over. But this time his teacher decides to give them an extra credit assignment. Each kid needs to draw a name out of a box and do an oral report about that character. Needless to say, Ms. Wickware’s class is not happy. Billy draws William Tell as his subject and of course that only means that he’ll have to research about this William Tell guy on his already busy weekend. But, that night he has an enlightening nightmare (if such thing exists) and he is taken to Tell’s hometown where he’ll not only get to meet him but be a witness of his famous feat.  
 

Written with humor and in a relatable and engaging style, I am sure that kids will enjoy this short story and will look forward for more stories from this author, where they’ll be learning without realizing. Available on Kindle for only .99 there is absolutely nothing to lose, but a lot to gain!

Mariana Llanos

 

Author Penny Estelle was a school secretary for 21 years. She is now retired and, along with her husband, lives in NW Arizona on a "green" ranch powered only by solar and wind energy.

This blog is part of Amazon Affiliate Program.
*I received a complimentary PDF copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

REVIEW: MOTLEY WINGS

by Galina Granovsky

 

“Motley Wings” is an interesting tale that 

takes readers to the world of butterflies. Lily, a pretty, young, white-winged butterfly is preparing herself to go to the ball that Prince Apollo organizes every year. She wants to look her best but her bright white wings get accidentally stained. Her friend Stripy Bee offers to help and paints her wings with beautiful colors that truly make her stand out. At the ball she is noticed by the Prince, not only for her beautifully colored wings but for her modesty and honesty. Prince Apollo himself invites her to join him and his following to their annual trip to the Hare Cabbage Gardens. Lily will have a great adventure as she meets new friends and gets closer to the Prince.

I read this book with my boys. I enjoyed it but it wasn’t their‘cup of tea’. Maybe they just don’t like reading about pretty butterflies in a fairy-tale style story; they go for more boyish adventures. Oh, well. Their loss. I do think that there are very interesting elements on this book: I especially liked the metamorphosis chapter and their flight over the lake and I even liked the moths’ part, but, in my opinion, the story ended too abruptly and there were some situations left in the hanging.

“Motley Wings” has been translated into English from Russian, and although it reads pretty well, it needs a little tune up here and there for some typos and minor oddities. They are easily fixable though and do not affect the story but they could be a distraction for the readers(I should know that pretty well! As I was writing this post, a friend messaged me to tell me that on my previous post I had written "on the park" instead of "at the park"... not once, but several times.Darn it!)
I'm pleased that I got to know this author’s work, new to the English language book market. She is a writer with a prolific imagination able to transport her readers to a world of beauty and fantasy.

Mariana Llanos

Author Galina Granovsky lives in Russia close to the Black Sea with her husband and her cat. She has published several children's stories and adult novels in her language. Some of them are being translated into English.



This blog is a member of the Amazon Affiliate Program.
*I received a complimentary PDF of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

REVIEW: An Evening with Grandpa

by Diana Matlin

An Evening with Grandpa is a nicely crafted story within a story. It starts when Annie is “forced” to spend an evening with her grandfather, who she thinks is boring and will never play with her. But that evening, Grandpa agrees to play chess and teach her how to play it through a story. Grandpa and Annie take us to Chess Kingdom, where Queens and Kings do what they do best: fight. They’ll introduce us to Pawnie, a determined little pawn who wants to be a princess.

I  liked the fact that Pawnie is a girl doing what girls in stories usually don’t do: going on the battlefield.  I believe this story will empower girls to try on other roles that are not traditional for girls and it will get both, boys and girls, interested in the game of chess.

In my opinion, though, the White and Black Queens motivation for helping their husbands win the battle could've been more substantial. A dress and a fancy party sound superfluous and stereotyping. But that's probably just my feminist side talking.

I read it to my 6 years old and I can tell that he lived the story. And how not since it's interesting and engaging from the beginning. It explains the moves of the game of chess in a creative way. Annie and Grandpa’s conversations are easy to read, familiar and very relatable. It feels like we could heard them talking.

An Evening with Grandpa is a very good read that will entertain and teach. I also love that I can relate to it, since my grandfather taught me how to play chess. Now I wish we could've read this book together.

Mariana Llanos

For a trailer watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYY7Xdhuv7g&feature=youtu.be

Author Diana Matlin lives in New jersey with her husband and three kids. In her free time she loves to read, travel and spend time with the family.

*This blog is associated with the Amazon Affiliate Program

 *I received a free PDF copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Dreamcatcher Adventures: Greedy Jack Wallace

by Adam C. Veile



 

When I first started reading The Dreamcatcher Adventures I thought it was yet another middle grade novel about a wimpy 7^th grader in a very common middle school with bullies, mean girls and a miserable life. In other words: nothing new. But I was very wrong. By the end of the first chapter I could see that I liked the direction this story was going. Blake is, like I said, a seventh grader, living in New Buck Hills. His school life is not exciting, the girl he likes doesn’t like him and (of course) is dating the most popular and rich kid in town. To top all that, Blake learns that his family is about to lose their home to foreclosure. And that's when he meets Gray Monroe, his ancestor, who has come back from the other side (yes, THAT other side) with the mission to catch the Moore Gang, his enemies in the 1800’s. Blake and Gray will take us in a gripping and exciting pursuit through the Wild West, looking for a ransom, clues and evil ghostly cowboys.

The Dreamcatcher Adventures: Greedy Jack Wallace is an action-packed new western adventure, equally engaging for kids and grown-ups. From ghost towns to buffalo stampedes, pacing and rhythm is just fantastic. There’s action in each and every one of its chapters and it never gets boring. Adam C. Veile is a heck of a writer as he manages to engage people with a language that is easily readable and intelligent at the same time.  I read it with my 9 year old son. He just loved the book. I think Mr. Veil has won a new fan as he’s told me he can’t wait to read the next book in the series (yes, he’ll be getting a paperback copy of this book for his birthday next month).

I highly recommend this book for anyone but especially middle graders; it will be a smart and captivating reading.

Mariana Llanos
 

ADAM C. VEILE lives in Jefferson City Missouri. He discovered his

passion for writing in a creative writing class in High School. Adam graduated in English and Communications from Missouri  State University. He currently teaches online writing courses for Columbia College and works for his family business Comunique, Inc. In his free time he likes to write and wander.

*I received a free PDF copy from the author in an exchange for a honest opinion.

*This blog is affiliated to the Amazon Affiliate Program

REVIEW: "hi, My nAMe is MiLLY"

by Heather Zeissler

 

In “Hi, my name is Milly”, author Heather Zeissler tells us about the difficulties and challenges of living with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Through the eyes of Milly, a typical curious and funny 5 years old we learn about Malcolm, her little brother who lives with this disorder. Milly tells us of their close relationship and the ways she plays with him and helps him communicate.

In the United States alone there are thousands of children affected by CAS and its diagnosis is known to be on the rise. It’s my understanding that there's not enough literature or works of fiction that reflect the reality of so many families. Heather Zeissler knows that well, since she is the mom of a child diagnosed with Apraxia. In my opinion, “hi, my name is Milly” is her attempt to give families like hers a tool to identify and discuss the disorder. I’m sure that families that deal with this situation will find a useful resource in this book.

Mariana Llanos

 

Author Heather Zeissler studied Sociology at the University of Minnesota and has served on several non profit advisory and executive boards. She is currently working on a second story to follow Milly and brother Malcolm adventures.

This blog participates in the Amazon Affiliate Program.

REVIEW: The Most Important Critter In The Whole Wide World

by Gusty McCabe

 

"The Most Important Critter in the Whole Wide World" is a Native American folk tale retold by Gusty McCabe in a charming and charismatic way. It’s a funny story too, perfect for reading out loud to the little ones in your life. My 9 and 6 years old boys enjoyed it as we read it together and were drawn to it not only by the witty rhyme but also by the humorous cartoonish illustrations.

 

 

Written in verse, the tale takes us to the beginning of the world, when the animals were first created. As they discover their skills, they are astounded by the powerful crow of the Rooster and his ability to wake up the sun. But it happens that Coyote gets hungry and decides that Rooster would make a fine dinner and that’s when trouble starts.

“The Most Important Critter in the Whole Wide World: Why the Coyote Howls at Night” is McCabe’s first published book, and although the title is way too long , it is a really amusing and well written story that will not disappoint. A great read for those cuddly nights, perfect for building memories.
Available in Kindle and Paperback

Mariana Llanos

 

Gusty McCabe is the pen name of Paul Larson, an Arizona storyteller who has presented his art in many venues in that state. He says that his tales are "true but unverifiable"

 



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REVIEW: BUD THE SPUD by Adam Byrn Tritt

Awards: P&E Award for best children's book of 2012

You have to have a sense of humor when reading Bud the Spud.

I mean it as a compliment. This is a book with a very important message for kids: do not let the T.V take over your life. It is straight-forward and easy to read.  It is controversial too. This kid (Bud) turns into a couch potato in real life and many creepy things happen to him in the 3 different alternative and mostly macabre endings. A bit disturbing for the sensitive parent (like me), I would not let my 6 year old read it. Not yet. But I think that older children( 10+) would appreciate more the black humor and message of the story. Also the comic-like illustrations will appeal a more mature audience. So I think this book will be a “love it” or “hate it” kind of book that will depend on the personality of the reader as some might get offended and some others might laugh their socks off. But here’s the thing that I was thinking while reading it…maybe we need this kind of strong message to truly impact the way our kids are living. Maybe we need controversial and creative ways to tell a story to open up our eyes and realize that childhood obesity is a reality that can be prevented. So go ahead, give Bud a try (not literally a bite!) and decide for yourself.

Mariana Llanos

Author Adam Byrn Tritt is an international award winner writer with several titles in his long career. Bud the Spud is the newest addition to his work and also, his first children's book.

Adam lives in Florida, where he writes, gives lectures and brings Bud to schools and bookstores for the delight of -most of- his audience. He is also the creator of TurningPoint, a non-profit that provides alternative medicine to low -income individuals through his clinic The Wellness Center.

 

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Children's Book Review: OZETTE'S DESTINY

by Judy Pierce

Ozette is a white squirrel that lives in Farlandia. Her friends love

her because she is just, caring, adventurous and plain nice. She rescued Duchess Zorina, the Royal Dog of the Queen of Farland, when she got lost in the vastness of Farlandia. What would be Ozzette’s  surprise when Queen Beatrix of Farland appointed her as the Queen of Farlandia! As humble as Ozzete is she had some trouble accepting that she will become one of the Royals, but her love for her land is stronger than her doubts.

Judy Pierce has created a magical world where animals and nature live in harmony. In it, many values are shown: love for nature, friendship, courage and responsibility just to name a few. It can be a great opportunity for parents, teachers or grandparent to talk about those values with their children. I can easily see it as a t.v show, as each chapter feels like an episode. Ozette will surely steal your young kids heart as the sweet and fair Queen of Farlandia. It also has a terrific recipe section, definitely an added bonus.

Mariana Llanos

Originally from Washington State, Judy Pierce lives in the Mountains of North Carolina with her husband Jim and three rescued Bichons. She has a Master's degree from the School of Journalism at Southern Illinois University. She developed a deep love and appreciation for squirrels when she worked with a wildlife rehabilitator in Georgia. When she's not working on the second book of the series, she enjoys hiking, gardening and photographing squirrels.

 

Available on Paperback and Kindle.

 

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