Archive for the ‘Children’s books’ Category

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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’ve got a couple of bedtime stories to share this week.

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 The Wishing Whale

  by Miks Valdbergs

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Genre: Illustrated Bedtime Story

Ages 2 – 6

Grade Level: P – 2

My Review

In Dreamland, the Wishing Whale dives deep to the bottom of the sea, plays with many fun creatures and has many fun adventures.

This one is sure to delight your little ones. I was charmed by its beautiful colored illustrations. And reading this with your child at bedtime, I can only imagine what adventures the Wishing Whale will take them on when they fall asleep. Under the sea, what wonders they will see. I was partial to the turtles.

Simply written in rhyme, it will be easy for young ones to read and will become a favorite bedtime story. The only hitches I see, and they’re good ones, are that kids will want to read it all over again before going to sleep, and you might be shopping for a stuffed whale soon.

  4  Stars

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Synopsis

If you were in dreamland what would you dream for? Read along as the wishing whale swims through the ocean surfing waves, exploring shipwrecks, jumping with dolphins, and watching birds in flight. This beautifully illustrated and rhyming children’s bedtime story is sure to delight beginner readers with colorful illustrations and easy-to-read vocabulary.

I’d dive in the deep.
I’d leap by the shore.
Just think of all the wonderful
things I’d explore.

Amazon

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Naughty Monsters

by Mia Mason

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Genre: Illustrated Rhyming Bedtime Story

Ages: 3 – 6

Grade Level: P – 4

My Review

Kids like monsters and these are some fun ones. Nothing too scary.

Stompy is a good monster and friends with the human kids. He does what he should and is kind and fun. Then a new family of monsters move in. They are smelly and mean. No fun at all. Stompy’s parents worry about him playing with the other monter’s kids, as they should. Soon Stompy changes, he’s rude and scary and the kids run away from him.

As parents, we’ve all worried about peer pressure and our kids being influenced by bad behavior.

Naughty Monsters is a cute illustrated rhyming book about kids learning to take care of themselves and not follow others when they know it’s a bad decision. The pictures are colorful and it’s written so even the youngest ones will understand its message.

A good bedtime story and just the right length to help your child to sleep.

3 Stars

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Synopsis

A little Stompy has a great family and he is a very well brought-up one. He brushes his teeth before bedtime and likes multicolored pajamas.
His family has some friends and invites them for tea during weekends. Everything goes nice and well before another monsters’ family comes to live next door.
They are very angry and badly behaving monsters. Little Stompy makes friends with new neighbors and starts to turn bad. He won’t use nice pajamas to sleep in and starts to frighten people.

This kind story will help your little monster to realize how important it is to keep evening routines and choose friends wisely.
The book is a great fit to read before bedtime. It is filled with truly amazing characters that will keep a child captivated from beginning till the end of story.

Amazon

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Keep in a Cold, Dark Place
Michael F. Stewart
Publication date: May 18th 2017
Genres: Horror, 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.

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

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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.

Goodreads / Amazon

 

Author Michael F. Stewart

Michael F. Stewart is winner of both the 2015 Claymore Award and the 2014 inaugural Creation of Stories Award for best YA novel at the Toronto International Book Fair.

He likes to combine storytelling with technology and pioneered interactive storytelling with Scholastic Canada, Australia, and New Zealand’s, anti-cyberbullying program Bully For You. In addition to his award winning Assured Destruction series, he has authored four graphic novels with Oxford University Press Canada’s Boldprint series. Publications of nonfiction titles on Corruption and Children’s Rights are published by Scholastic and early readers are out with Pearson Education.

For adults, Michael has written THE SAND DRAGON a horror about a revenant prehistoric vampire set in the tar sands, HURAKAN a Mayan themed thriller which pits the Maya against the MS-13 with a New York family stuck in the middle, 24 BONES an urban fantasy which draws from Egyptian myth, and THE TERMINALS–a covert government unit which solves crimes in this realm by investigating them in the next.

Herder of four daughters, Michael lives to write in Ottawa where he was the Ottawa Public Library’s first Writer in Residence. To learn more about Michael and his next projects visit his website at www.michaelfstewart.com or connect via Twitter @MichaelFStewart.

Michael is represented by Talcott Notch.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

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’ve read plenty of A.J. Cosmo’s children’s book and he always keeps it real.

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 Nuts

  by A.J. Cosmo

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Genre: Children’s Book

Ages 4– 9

Grade Level: 1 – 3

My Review

Right from the beginning this story felt so familiar. It began with Wally the squirrel and his sister and parents driving to his grandmother’s house for a family reunion. I remember playing the car games. I Spy and counting objects we passed by. And it never failed, someone always asked, “Are we there yet?”  Remember those family road trips?

The more I read, the more fun I had. If it weren’t for the colorful, fun illustrations I would have forgot this was about a family of squirrels. That’s how much I connected with them. And those illustrations. You should see the expressions on the squirrels faces. Too cute.

And the author gets quite creative with their names. There’s Wally and his sister, Pistachio. His mother, Brazil and father, Almond, Grandma Praline and Uncle Peanut. A few more relatives are introduced. Can you guess what their names might be? Every time I read their names I grinned. It’ll be fun for your kids to see how many “nuts” they recognize.

Wally thinks it’s all about the presents. Everyone exchanges names and brings a gift. He’s impatient to eat so they can start opening them. But family reunions are much more than that. Something Wally will soon learn.

I’ve read many of A.J.’s books and Nuts is one of my favorites. He includes special messages in such clever ways. If my son ever gets around to giving me grandkids, you can bet I’ll share this with them. I can almost hear the snickers and exclamations of excitement when they see the pictures and read about Wally and his family.

   5 Stars

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Synopsis

Ever felt like your family was crazy?

All Wally wants to do is open presents, but before he can he has to endure his nutty family!

Written for siblings of autistic children, this fully-illustrated heart-warming, story teaches tolerance and understanding for everyone.

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

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Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Walden Pond Press (June 27, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062418793
ISBN-13: 978-0062418791

Praise for TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE: IT’S ALIVE

“An engaging, entertaining compendium that will inform and confound.” ―Kirkus Reviews

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Two Truths and a Lie is the first book in a fascinating new series that presents some of the most crazy-but-true stories about the living world as well as a handful of stories that are too crazy to be true—and asks readers to separate facts from the fakes!

Did you know that there is a fungus that can control the mind of an ant and make it do its bidding? Would you believe there is such a thing as a corpse flower—a ten-foot-tall plant with a blossom that smells like a zombie? How about a species of octopus that doesn’t live in water but rather lurks in trees in the Pacific Northwest?

Every story in this book is strange and astounding. But not all of them are real. Just like the old game in this book’s title, two out of every three stories are completely true and one is an outright lie. Can you guess which? It’s not going to be easy. Some false stories are based on truth, and some of the true stories are just plain unbelievable. And they’re all accompanied by dozens of photos, maps, and illustrations. Amaze yourself and trick your friends as you sort out the fakes from the facts!

Acclaimed authors Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson have teamed up to create a series of sneaky stories about the natural world designed to amaze, disgust, and occasionally bamboozle you.

You can purchase Two Truths and a Lie: It’s Alive at the following Retailers:
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Book Nerd Spotlight
Photo Content from Ammi-Joan Paquette & Laurie A. Thompson.

 

Ammi-Joan Paquette

Ammi-Joan Paquette has never met a ghost, mummy, monster, skeleton, or witch — as far as she knows. This book, she says, was inspired by a game she used to play with her sister: “Most of the details have been lost to time, but I still remember the shivery thrill I got when we played it. So, I drew on that same energy to write a spooky picture book, which eventually became A Ghost in the House.” In addition to writing, Joan is also a literary agent representing authors of children’s books. She lives outside Boston with her family.

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Laurie A. Thompson
Laurie writes for children of all ages. She is dedicated to inspiring and empowering young readers through nonfiction and fiction that educates as well as entertains.

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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

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 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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 Me Tawk Funny

A Shaggy Dog Story #1

  by Neil Roy McFarlane

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Genre: Children’s Book

Ages 6 – 13

My Review

It all starts when Hector Dumble’s dog, Buster, starts talking. Hector thinks of himself as dumb. Now he thinks he’s going crazy. Dogs can’t talk. But Buster can. And he keeps getting smarter. Soon, he has Hector studying and getting smarter too.

It’s not long before reporters get wind of the miracle and interview Hector and his talking dog Buster. It’s the headline in the newspaper and leading story on the towns news program. Until they’re knocked from the headlines by a bank robber. He’s due to strike again and maybe, just maybe, Hector and Buster can combine their smarts and catch the guy.

This is such a fun and clever story to encourage children to ask for help, not give up, and believe in themselves. Hector and Buster both buckle down, support each other, and learn together. But it wouldn’t have been as fun if they didn’t have a dastardly villain to catch.

The author had a good idea with this and made it silly and fun while also teaching children some valuable lessons. They’ll have so much fun reading about Hector and Buster, that they won’t realize they are also learning.

I think a lot of kids will identify with Hector. Learning can be hard, but it can also be fun and rewarding. Just like this cute tale.

There are two more books in this Shaggy Dog series and you can bet I’ll be reading them.

   4 Stars

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Synopsis

How did Hector’s dog start talking?
Hector Dumble thinks he’s dumb. When his dog Buster starts talking to him, Hector begins to think he’s crazy too.

Things become even stranger when Hector learns that his teacher Mr Weazel has a secret identity.

How will Hector handle having a dog that can talk and a teacher who wants to take over the world?

Find out in this shaggy dog story for kids aged 6 to 13.

EXCERPT

As they were taking a short cut across the park, Buster suddenly stopped walking.
“Come on, Buster,” said Hector. “Mom’s waiting for us.”
But Buster just stood there and started making some funny noises. It wasn’t really a growl and it wasn’t really a bark. It was like a cross between the two. A ‘grark’. Then he coughed a bit and gave another grark.
Hector looked at him curiously. “Buster, are you OK?”
Buster looked at Hector, grarked again, and then he said, “Kay kay.”
“Did you just say ‘kay kay’?” Hector asked.
“Nuh nuh,” said Buster. “Missa me kay kay.”
“Huh?” Hector thought that the noises Buster was making were pretty weird.
“Missay me ko kay,” said Buster.
“Buster, are you trying to talk?” Hector said.
Buster cleared his throat again and said, “Me say me OK.”
So, thought Hector, all this studying and homework has finally made me go crazy. Now I think my dog can talk. “OK, Buster, let’s go home. Mom will be worrying.”
“Hokay Hector,” said Buster. Then he gave another grark, as if he were trying to clear his throat. “Me tawk funny.”
“You sure do,” said Hector. “Come on.”

Free for Prime and Kindle Unlimited Customers

A perfect-length bedtime story – grab a copy today!

Click on the link below for your free copy.

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

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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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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Go HERE to follow the tour for more fun posts!

~~~~~

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

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

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

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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.

tribbles photo: tribbles tribbles_zpsf03c28c6.gif

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

~~~~~

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

32319501  32459445

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

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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

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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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