Archive for the ‘Children’s books’ Category

Nerd Blast and Giveaway for Sputnik’s Guide To Life On Earth

Posted: May 30, 2017 in Action/Adventure, Children's books, giveaways, Science Fiction
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Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062643622
ISBN-13: 978-0062643629

 
Praise for SPUTNIK’S GUIDE TO LIFE ON EARTH
 
“Cottrell Boyce invites readers to suspend belief while going on a physics-defying, mind-bending adventure that’s sure to appeal to a wide audience. Begging to be read aloud and full of escapades, humor, and spunk, this is a stand-alone gem.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
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Award-winning author Frank Cottrell Boyce returns with another one-of-a-kind story of heart, humor, and finding one’s place in the universe.


Prez knows that the best way to keep track of things is to make a list. That’s important when you have a grandfather who is constantly forgetting. And it’s even more important when your grandfather can’t care for you anymore and you have to go live with a foster family out in the country.Prez is still learning to fit in at his new home when he answers the door to meet Sputnik—a kid who is more than a little strange. First, he can hear what Prez is thinking. Second, he looks like a dog to everyone except Prez. Third, he can manipulate the laws of space and time. Sputnik, it turns out is an alien, and he’s got a mission that requires Prez’s help: the Earth has been marked for destruction, and the only way they can stop it is to come up with ten reasons why the planet should be saved.Thus begins one of the most fun and eventful summers of Prez’s life, as he and Sputnik set out on a journey to compile the most important list Prez has ever made—and discover just what makes our world so remarkable.
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Enjoy the excerpt
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“I have to describe him, because there’s a lot of disagreement about what he looks like.
Height and age—about the same as me.
Clothes—unusual. For instance, slightly-too-big sweater, kilt, leather helmet like the one pilots wear in war movies with massive goggles.
Weapons—a massive pair of scissors stuffed into his belt like a sword. There were other weapons, but I didn’t know about them then, or I definitely wouldn’t have let him in.
Luggage—a big yellow backpack. I now know he more or less never takes that backpack off.
Name—Sputnik, though that’s not what he said to start with.
Manners—not good. My granddad always says that good manners are important. ‘Good manners tell you what to do when you don’t know what to do,’ he says. Sputnik put his hand out to me, so I shook it. That’s good manners. But Sputnik did not shake back. InsteadSputnik grabbed my hand with both of his and swung himself in through the door, using my arms like a rope.”
Copyright to Frank Cottrell Boyce
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You can purchase Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth at the following Retailers:
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Photo Content from BBC

Frank Cottrell Boyce is the author of Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Cosmic, Framed, and Millions, the last of which was a New York Times bestseller and was made into a movie by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle. His books have won or been nominated for numerous awards, including the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, and the Whitbread Children’s Book Award. Frank is also a screenwriter, having penned the scripts for a number of feature films as well as the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. He lives in Liverpool with his family.

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*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

Go HERE to follow the tour for more fun posts!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

The Kid’s Korner #13 ~ The Blue Baboon In The Big Balloon

Posted: May 24, 2017 in Action/Adventure, Children's books, reviews
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Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

I came across this on Amazon and just couldn’t resist it. It’s beyond cute!

It was free on Amazon at the time of my posting. You can click on the cover to grab a copy. Just make sure you check the price before you one click.

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 The Blue Baboon In The Big Balloon

  by Sarah and Steven Mostyn

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Genre: Children’s Illustrated Rhyming Book

Ages 3 – 7

My Review

Your little ones will adore this book and you’ll be reading it with them over and over. I did and I don’t have any young ones!

Harold, the blue baboon, lives in a blue balloon.  He’s very close with his brother, Gerald, and they enjoy tea together at three. They are joined by many friends. Mice that fly kites, a green cat named Matt, and many others. There’s even a mite that fights a troll named, Dwight.

One night, they all pile into Harold’s balloon and sail to the moon, where they make new friends, including the cow that jumped over the moon.

I must have read this 5 or 6 times in a row. I couldn’t stop smiling at the fun, vividly colored illustrations. I read this on my Kindle Fire and the bold colors leaped out at me. And the rhyming is addictive. I think I know the whole story by heart now.

Your kids will fall in love with these adorable characters and they’ll be begging you to read it with them. A delightful story for beginning readers and a fun tool for those that haven’t learned yet. I highly recommend and my personal rating is….to the moon and back!

  5 Stars

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Synopsis

Oh, what adventures they have! Meet Harold the blue baboon. He has tea at half past three every afternoon. In his big balloon, Harold takes flight with a cast of delightful friends, as they soar off on a quest to explore outer space.

Harold’s traveling companions include a troll named Dwight who wears red tights and fights with a feisty orange mite; Holly and Molly, prancing raccoons that live on the moon; and their friend Miranda, quite a talented panda who sings on her veranda.

If your child likes Dr. Seuss, he/she will be captivated by the hilarious rhyming and fun characters that will soon become beloved friends. Sure to be a favorite bedtime tale, The Blue Baboon in the Big Balloon is great for beginners or intermediate readers (ages 3-7). When you join in and read the tongue-twisting saga to them, the laugh factor increases by 10!

For its unique style and brilliant illustrations, this book (available in paperback and Kindle) has been praised by the Children’s Book Review, Midwest Book Review and others. It’s destined to become a classic that your children will cherish.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

The Kid’s Korner #12 ~ Keep In A Cold Dark Place

Posted: May 17, 2017 in Children's books, horror, reviews
Tags: , , , ,
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Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

I’m sure by now ya’ll know I love a good scare. Whether for adults or kids, I’m ready for some creepy fun. This book was right up mu alley.

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 Keep In A Cold Dark Place

  by Michael F. Stewart

34369247

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Genre: Horror / Children’s / Middle Grade

My Review

I can’t resist a good horror tale, and I very much enjoy ones spun for kids. I sure wish there had been more like this when I was young. But, you’re never too old to enjoy a gem like this.

Being a sweet, kind-hearted lass, Limpy doesn’t know any better when she places the box of eggs she discovered in the sun to warm. When one of the eggs hatches and out pops a cute little critter, she’s overjoyed. But then another egg hatches, and another. And what started as a kind act turns into horror.

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Picturing what hatches from one of the eggs, I immediately thought of an evil Tribble or, if you’ve seen Critters, one of those rolling furry things with the sharp pointy teeth. But that’s just when it and it’s litter mates first get started. They eat. They grow. They change. And they are always hungry, always eating. And they don’t discriminate. From produce to living things, such as, perhaps, a cat, it all looks good to them. What could be next? Maybe a human child? Or an adult? That’s more food.

I ate this story up faster than you can say Keep In A Cold Dark Place. There’s a sense of foreboding right from the start. Limpy is a delightful and resourceful young girl. The creatures are cute, then not so cute. And the writing flows nicely, the author keeping the atmosphere building and the tension high.

A scary good story for young lovers of horror and us older fans of things that go bump in the night.

  4 Stars

Thanks so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

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Synopsis

Reaching for her dream, Limpy unleashes a cute, fluffy, NIGHTMARE …

Keep in a cold, dark place. That’s what’s written like some ancient law on every bag of potatoes the family farms. And it’s where Limpy fears she will always remain.

It’s also carved on a box of spheres she discovers in the cellar. Spheres that hatch.

Cute at first, the creatures begin to grow. Then the chickens disappear. The cat is hunted. And something sets the barn ablaze. To survive, Limpy will need to face her greatest fear. The whole family will. Or they may end up in a cold, dark place indeed.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

The Kid’s Korner #11 ~ Chompy And The Munchy Bunch

Posted: May 10, 2017 in Action/Adventure, Children's books
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Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

Got a couple of cute ones for your young readers.

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The Secret Formula

Chompy And The Munchy Bunch #1

by Nancy Beaule

Illustrated by A.Ilievski

32319501

Age Range: 4 – 8  years / Grades: P – 3

Genre: Children’s Adventure Book

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My Review

I thought the idea of a carrot wanting super-powered eyesight was funny. When I was little, to get me to eat carrots, my mother told me they were good for my eyesight. Now a carrot that munches on carrots needs a secret formula. Kind of cute.

Crunchy, the carrot, has some fun friends too. Candybar likes to play pranks, along with his little sis, Cupcake.  Weiner is a dog and likes everyone. Then there’s Salty, a true friend to Carrot. I’m just not sure which food group he comes from.

Carrot and his friends have to enter Doc Peppa’s creepy mansion to find the secret formula and it’s supposed to be haunted.

This is a scary little tale told in a fun, friendly way. The illustrations are cute, but I think they would have been better reading from the print book instead of my Kindle. The small screen doesn’t show much detail.

A cute story to share with your young ones.

4  Stars

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Synopsis

Chompy, a carrot with superpower eyesight; Salty, a potato chip who’s a bit of a slob; Candybar, a chocolate bar who plays rotten pranks; and a haunted mansion where it all comes together.

These are the main characters in THE SECRET FORMULA, the first book in a series called Chompy and the Munchy Bunch.

When Chompy learns about an ancient carrot formula that gives super-powered eyesight, he knows he must find it! But the journey leads Chompy and his pals to the mysterious mansion of Doc Peppa, where strange things begin to happen.

Amazon

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Search For Hidden Treasure

Chompy And The Munchy Bunch #2

by Nancy Beaule

Illustrated by Lauren Goldstein

32459445

Age Range: 4 – 8 years / Grades: P – 3

Genre: Children’s Adventure Book

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My Review

Chompy, the carrot, and his pal, Salty, are back in a other spooky adventure. Carrot has Doc Peppa’s secret formula for super-powered eyesight but when he makes a batch it doesn’t work. A note Salty found at the mansion mentions a treasure. Perhaps it’s what they need to make the formula work. So off they go again.

Meanwhile, Candybar reaches the mansion ahead of them and sets a trap. Let the games begin.

Young children enjoy scary stories and the author kept the plot fun without being to scary. Her choice of food groups for characters added to that fun.

Another fun chapter in the Chompy adventures. The cute illustrations and antics will delight young readers.

  4 Stars

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Synopsis

A secret treasure is hidden deep inside the mysterious Peppa Mansion! Chompy, Salty and Weiner set out to solve the mystery….but will Candybar shake up their plans?

Volume 2 in the “Chompy & the Munchy Bunch” series.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Mama’s Knight by Aurora Whittet ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: April 19, 2017 in Author Interview, Children's books, giveaways, reviews
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I’m so excited to share this book with you.  Check out my 5 Star review of Mama’s Knight. And enjoy the interview with Author Aurora Whittet.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Interview with Aurora Whittet, author of

Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love

 

There are many books out there about cancer. What makes yours different?

The big difference with Mama’s Knight, is that it is personalizable. No matter what type of cancer you have, breast, brain, thyroid, this book can help your children understand what is happening. Mom can write in her diagnosis and symptoms. Put in photos of her child and find activities based on mom’s energy level. Most books are concentrated on one type of cancer, but I wanted to create something that any mom with any cancer could find hope and help.

 

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing stories since I was about eleven or twelve years old. Naturally those ones were terrible, but my friends enjoyed them at the time. I continued writing, and one day when my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I realized I needed to start pursuing publishing now, because tomorrow wasn’t a guarantee. I published my first novel in 2013, and have since finished the entire Bloodmark Saga series, followed by Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love. It has been an amazing and creative journey. I’m currently in edit for a new novel, illustrating the daddy version of the cancer book, and writing and illustrating a children’s picture book about monsters. I am endlessly creating something. Keep an eye on my Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for updates and Cover Reveals.

 

Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?

I like to listen to the same song on repeat every time I write on a book. Sometimes with longer novels, that can be three or four different songs based on the mood of that section of the book, but whichever song it is, that one is on repeat. It helps me set the tone, return me to where I was the day before, and drown out any distractions, while not becoming a distraction itself.

 

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

I would go back to the moment that the doctors told my mom she had cancer again and I would buy us tickets for a week in somewhere amazing and take that moment. I would take her on a trip. I would help her see all the things she dreamed. I kept saying when she’s healthier we’ll go, but she never got better. Sometimes you truly must live in the moment, because tomorrow is never a promise. I would go back to that moment and I would help hug her. What I wouldn’t give for one more hug from my mom.

 

If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?

You know I don’t think it’s about me. I’m just a mom who writes books. What I want readers to remember is to always love, forgive, find grace, make time, be kind. Be there. Be present. Take the photo of your kids, but also put the phone down and just play. Make the wonderful homemade meal, and make the dinner from a bag. Don’t live by someone else’s standards, make your own rules and find happiness. Life is unexpected and chaotic and there is an ever-present unknown expiration date, so don’t put off the fun and hugs and life for tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come, so love hard every day. And one must always hold the door for the next guy.

Mama's Knight

Genre: Children’s Book / Interactive / Non Fiction

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My Review

Families coping with cancer will find this book invaluable. It’s an interactive book designed to be personalized with children’s names and family pictures, and includes activity plans, and cute, colorful pictures to help a mother with cancer explain treatments and symptoms with their young ones.

I especially liked the idea of coupons the kids can fill out choosing who will help them with an activity when mother is too tired or ill to participate. This is just one of many helpful ideas.

I can honestly say I’ve never come across a book like this before. Very helpful and one of a kind.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Once upon a time . . . It’s how all heroes begin their story, and you’re a hero, too! Your mama has cancer, and it’s a scary journey, but you can help your mama just by being you—special, wonderful, YOU. Your mama loves you just the way you are. You are your mama’s knight.

Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love is an emotional toolbox that can help kids and parents communicate about what it means for Mama to have cancer. The book is filled with tools and activities designed to make coping with illness easier on both parent and child, and can be personalized for each child.

Buy the Book:  Author’s Website

Author Aurora Whittet

Aurora Whittet

Aurora Whittet started out as a wild red-haired girl in Minnesota dreaming up stories for her friends to read. Today, she has completed Bloodmark, Bloodrealms, and Bloodmoon of the Bloodmark Saga trilogy and started her journey into children’s books with Mama’s Knight in honor of her own mother who lost her battle with cancer. She’s a national award-winning graphic designer and birth doula in her day jobs. Aurora lives with her family in Minnesota.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

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Follow The Tour

April 3 – Library of Clean Reads – book spotlight / giveaway

April 4 – Working Mommy Journal – review / giveaway

April 5 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – review / author interview / giveaway

April 6 – Books, Dreams, Life – review / author interview / giveaway

April 7 – 100 pages a day – review / guest post / giveaway

April 10 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – review / giveaway

April 11 – Heidi’s Wanderings – review / giveaway

April 12 – Fantastic Feathers – review

April 13 – ReadingBifrost – review / giveaway

April 14 – T’s Stuff – review / guest post / giveaway

April 17 – Svetlana’s Reads and Views – review

April 18 – Deal Sharing Aunt – review / giveaway

April 19 – FUONLYKNEW – review / author interview / giveaway

April 20 – Book Room Reviews – review / guest post

April 21 – Kristin’s Novel Cafe – review

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

The Kid’s Korner #10 ~ Breakfast Doodles

Posted: April 19, 2017 in Children's books, reviews
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Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

Today’s I have some very different books to share with you.

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Breakfast Doodles #1

Written & Illustrated by Donovan Scherer

27726561

Age Range: 9 – 12  years / Grades: 4 – 8

Genre: Children’s Picture Book / Art

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My Review

I couldn’t resist when I read the blurb for this book. I wish there had been ones like this when I was a youngster. Being a kid at heart, I had a crackin good time.

Lots of fun ghoulish illustrations are followed by short captions, kind of one or two sentence stories to go along with the pictures.

Some of my favorites are Workin’ Cats about Area 51 and Monster Monday and the Black Lagoon.

It’s all in fun and this ghoul wanted to grab a sketch pad and pencil and try some of my own. The author should make this a coloring book. Now, that would be even more fun.

3 Stars

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Synopsis

Breakfast Doodles are the daily drawings of Donovan Scherer, author and illustrator of the Fear & Sunshine series and more. Created as a reason to get out of bed and make some art before heading off to the day job, this morning routine has quickly become a horrible addiction of our dear artist, leading to strange creatures and cats with workplace depression. Join him as reality spirals out of control in this first collection of artwork and stories.

This work is originally published daily online but collected here for convenience and because he thinks it would be cool to say he publishes a book every month. And since you ought to know just what you’re getting into, here’s your Breakfast Doodle Menu:
Monday – Monsters
Tuesday – The Art of Fear & Sunshine
Wednesday – Childhood Adventures
Thursday – The Rise of the Deadish
Friday – Free for All
Saturday – Workin’ Cats
Sunday – Adventure Quest Land

As an added bonus, Volume 1 was created during October 2015 while Inktober and Drawlloween were happening. Inktober is an annual event where artists around the world work to create a new inked illustration each day of October. Drawlloween offers Halloween-themed suggestions for artists to choose from. This month’s Breakfast Doodles combines them both (along with the regular menu).

Hope you like it!

Amazon

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Be sure to hop over and check out my review of Mama’s Knight, A Cancer Story Of Love. It’s such a unique book and there’s also a giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy! Click on the cover below to read my review and enter.

Mama's Knight

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Cuteness to share with your little ones! Mystery At Manatee Key by Nancy Stewart

Posted: April 11, 2017 in Book Blast, Children's books, Mystery
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We welcome Nancy Stewart’s MYSTERY AT MANATEE KEY Book Blast today!
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Title: MYSTERY AT MANATEE KEY
Author: Nancy Stewart
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
Pages: 36
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Bella and Britt love to explore along the
beach and at more remote places like Manatee Key as well.  It is there that they discover a manatee
smuggling ring. 
The manatees have already been netted, so
the girls must act fast!  But a kidnapper snatches Bella, hustling her
into their hideout.  When Britt sneaks a
look in the window, she discovers that the ranger is being held, too.  Now
it’s up to Britt.  But what can a single girl do?

Mystery at Manatee Key is available
at Amazon

Book Excerpt:

 

 

A dark animal
circled slowly in the shallow water of Manatee Key. Walking closer, Bella
whispered. “A baby manatee. And it has a patch of white near its snout.” Britt
frowned. “But where’s the mother? It must be hungry. We should tell the
ranger.”
“Yeah,”
Bella said. “This one’s too young to be without her mom. Let’s go.”
The
friends worked their way through the jungle-like brush back to their bicycles.
Britt took the lead. “It’s really hot, but we gotta make time.” 
After a
twenty minute ride down dusty paths leading to the main road in their coastal
town, they reached the ranger station. “It’s quiet in here today,” Bella said.
 The ranger’s assistant glanced up from his
reading. “Hi, girls. Can I help you?”
“We need
to see the ranger and report an orphaned manatee,” Bella said.
He
frowned. “She hasn’t come in today, and that’s not like her. I’ve called her
phones. Nobody answered. And no one’s seen her. Have you by any chance?”
“No,” they
answered at the same time.
 “Well, it’s a mystery,” he said. “I won’t call
the police yet. But I’m getting worried. Now, about that manatee. Can you take
me to it?”
 “Sure,” Britt said. “If you can bring us back
to town. We rode our bikes here.” He nodded. “Of course.”

 

Nancy Stewart has been an elementary
school teacher and a professor of education.
Having lived in London for ten years, she was a consultant to the
University of Cambridge. She is the author of the Bella and Britt series
picture books and the authorized biography of Katrina Simpkins, a young girl
whose life was forever changed by Winter, the dolphin (Guardian Angel
Publishing.)  Her writing of One
Pelican at a Time was featured on the PBS special, GulfWatch in 2011.  Nancy’s YA-LGBT novel will be published by
Interlude Press autumn of 2017.  She is a member of the Rate Your Story
organization as a critique judge.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

 

About the Author

 

Nancy Stewart has been an elementary
school teacher and a professor of education.
Having lived in London for ten years, she was a consultant to the
University of Cambridge. She is the author of the Bella and Britt series
picture books and the authorized biography of Katrina Simpkins, a young girl
whose life was forever changed by Winter, the dolphin (Guardian Angel
Publishing.)  Her writing of One
Pelican at a Time was featured on the PBS special, GulfWatch in 2011.  Nancy’s YA-LGBT novel will be published by
Interlude Press autumn of 2017.  She is a member of the Rate Your Story
organization as a critique judge.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

The Kid’s Korner #9 ~ My Fingerpaint Masterpiece and Goodnight Moon

Posted: April 5, 2017 in Children's books, reviews
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Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

Today’s books are a couple of fun children’s rhyming books.

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My Fingerpaint Masterpiece

by Sherrill S. Cannon

Illustrations by Kalpart

Age Range: 6 – 8  years

Genre: Children’s Picture Book / Art / Rhyming

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My Review

This is such a delightful book.

A young girl does a fingerpainting and doesn’t get it done. On the way home from school, the wind tears it from her hands and it ends up mixed in with some other paintings at am art dealer’s store.  She’s quite surprised when she sees her painting on display at the mall. People gather around it, each with a different idea of what it portrays.

I have some watercolor pictures that my son did as a little guy. They hang on the wall in my living room and many people see something different. There are even a couple where I see some different each time I look at them.

When the girl tries to explain to people that it’s not a real painting, just somethings he did in art class at school, they don’t believe her. No one wanted to look silly.

The book is told from the child’s perspective and it’s never explained whether it’s a boy or a girl. I guessed a girl and wrote my review as such. I like this clever idea. Boys and girls will connect with the character in their own way.

A cute little story with a sweet, funny ending. The illustrations are colorful and fun. And I bet your little ones will want to dip their fingers in paint and create their own masterpiece after reading this book.

5  Stars

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Synopsis

Synopsis:
Have you ever seen a “work of art” worth millions, which looks like something your child just brought home from school?

The dual perspective of “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder” and just a little bit of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” is evident in this clever artwork story of a child who paints a fingerpaint print in class and then loses it in the wind on the way home.

Illustrated from the point of view of a child, whose identity is left to the imagination of the reader since all of the illustrations are what the child sees, the fingerpaint print is interpreted by official “judges” as well as by bystanders. Should people be influenced by what others see, or use their own self-esteem to make their own judgments?

This is the sixth rhyming children’s book by this award-winning author, whose other bestselling books include Manner-Man, Gimme-Jimmy, The Magic Word, Peter and the Whimper-Whineys, and Santa’s Birthday Gift.

Amazon

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Goodnight Moon

by Margaret Wise Brown

Pictures by Clement Hurd

Grade Level: P-P  / Age Range: 0 – 4 years

Genre: Children’s Picture Book / Rhyming

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My Review

I bet most households have a copy of this book. My mother read it to me when I was very young. The pictures are so vivid and the rhyming is such fun.

I don’t have my original copy but I do have two that I picked up when I came across them in book stores. And I still smile as I look at the pictures and read the rhymes aloud.

Such a lovely bedtime story. A classic that never gets old and all ages will enjoy.

5  Stars

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Synopsis

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room — to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one — the little bunny says goodnight.

In this classic of children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

Amazon

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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The Supernatural Pet Sitter: The Magic Thief ~ Blitz and Giveaway

Posted: March 22, 2017 in Children's books, Fantasy, giveaways
Tags: , , ,
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The Supernatural Pet Sitter
Diane Moat
(The Magic Thief, #1)
Publication date: March 5th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Middle-Grade

Every animal can talk to you. You just have to know how to listen.

Pepper Neely is better at this than most, especially because she is in charge of pet sitting all the familiars in her neighborhood. A familiar is a pet magically linked to a witch or warlock. As a gnome, Pepper is no stranger to spells and sorcery. She also knows that, despite their special name, familiars aren’t all that different from regular animals. They get anxious when separated from their people, so Pepper uses her special gnome powers to calm them down. She watches Cranky the high-strung ferret, Frank the laid-back parrot, King Arthur the elderly tortoise, and many others.

Then, something terrible begins happening to the familiars. Someone is stealing their magic! It not only prevents Pepper from communicating with them but breaks their magical connection with their people. When King Arthur’s magic is stolen, his owner’s powers stop working too. Pepper can sense that the tortoise is very scared.

In order to protect the animal’s magic, Pepper decides to track down the culprit. With the help of her best friend, Luna, and her brother, Jax, Pepper fights to protect all of the special pets.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy the excerpt!

Familiars don’t do well when they are separated from their witches. That was how Pepper got into the business of pet sitting. Gnomes have a low-level connection with all supernatural animals. Gnomes are kind of like the Dog Whisperer, except that they communicate well with Familiars, basilisks (a magical lizard), unicorns and so on, rather than the more usual “pets”.

Pepper’s business of helping witches by taking care of their Familiars had boomed over the past year. Thank goodness she wasn’t sitting for the McCrorys last month when “it” happened.

Mr. McCrory was an accountant and Mrs. McCrory worked part-time at the downtown Dewitt Mall. Their two kids lived away at college. Mrs. M’s Familiar was a huge, bright-green-and-blue parrot named Frank. Pepper had only checked on the parrot once when the McCrorys drove their kids to their out-of-state campus several months earlier. Frank didn’t cause any trouble, so the job was easy money.

Supposedly, Mrs. M was at work one day last month when she had a “bad feeling” that prompted her to go home to check on Frank. The house seemed undisturbed, and everything looked fine at first. But when Mrs. M went to Frank’s cage, she found him looking away from her. He wouldn’t even turn around when she called his name. When she walked around the cage to greet Frank face-to-face, he had only ducked and bobbed his head the way a normal parrot would. But Frank wasn’t normal.

Next, Mrs. M had reached out to the Familiar with her magic, but got no response from him. Not only that, but she said she had trouble focusing, and even her own magic had felt weak. With hands trembling, she had picked up Frank to try again. Nothing. Since that day, Frank’s magic was gone, and Mrs. M’s magic was broken.


Author Diane Moat

Diane is a Tennessee transplant, animal rescuer, and nurse. Dog Gone is her debut novel, born from years of hearing animal rescuers say about animal abusers, “If only I could get my hands on that person…” Diane is assisted by her many rescue dogs.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter



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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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The Kid’s Korner #8 ~ It’s A Feeding Frenzy

Posted: March 22, 2017 in Action/Adventure, Children's books, reviews, Science Fiction
Tags: , , , ,
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16280909  17675468  18222550  18938102

Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

Today’s book is a thrilling adventure and I happened across this one at a resale store  I like to visit.

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Feeding Frenzy

Killer Species #2

by Michael P. Spradlin

17675468

Grade Level: 3-7 / Age Range: 8 – 12 years

Genre: Adventure / Science Fiction /

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My Review

I was in a favorite local thrift shop when I spotted the fabulous cover of this book. Being a huge fan of scary books about creatures from the deep, I quickly snatched it.

Emmet finally gets over his fear  of the water and goes snorkeling with his friends. They are quickly attacked by some monstrous creatures and barely make it back to shore alive.

Emmet is convinced that Dr. Catalyst, a crazy invasive species activist, is still alive and back in business. He better prove it soon, as more and more attacks occur.

It was nonstop action in this one. Genetically altered sea creatures released to eat the invasive lion fish. Only problem is they quickly turn to other food, including humans.. What could be scarier. Imagine crossing a barracuda, a shark, and an eel. The better to eat you up.

The characters are engaging and easy to like, or not, depending on whether they’re good guys or bad guys. The action is quick. And even though this is the second book in the series, the author quickly filled me in on past events using only a sentence here and a sentence there. Nothing to slow down my reading.

I scoured the library shelves when I was young, looking for stories just like this. It does get a bit creepy, but there’s no gore, so it’s appropriate for young readers. I’m sure they will eat it up.

Upon finishing this book I had to go see the other ones in the series. I noticed they all had fabulous covers too and all but this one featured Emmet’s courageous dog, Apollo. I guess he hasn’t learned how to scuba dive yet. LOL

This was such a fun book. Kept me on the edge and I’d recommend to anyone of any age that enjoys adventure and using their imagination.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

A brand-new action-packed series from Michael P. Spradlin. Each book covers a genetically engineered super-predator wreaking havoc on the environment.

Time has passed since anyone’s heard from Dr. Catalyst. Emmet and Calvin have even begun to think that the crazed scientist might be gone for good.

But then, on a trip to snorkel off the Florida coast, one of their friends is nearly drowned by an underwater monster, with endless rows of razor-sharp teeth. No one is quite sure what they saw. Was it a moray eel? A giant barracuda?

There’s only one thing Emmet knows for certain. Dr. Catalyst is back. And this time, he’s out for revenge.

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Click on the covers at the top of the post to check out all of the books in the series.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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