Review: If You Were Me And Lived In…

 

Blurb:     Carole P. Roman’s new non fiction series, “If You Were Me and Lived in…” combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us. The debut book in the series, “If You Were Me and Lived in…Mexico” has won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Non Fiction 2012. France, South Korea, and Norway. Rebecca’s Reads has given If You Were Me and Lived in…Norway an honorable mention in the 2013 Choice Awards. If You Were Me and lived in …France won second place. ForeWord Review has nominated If You Were Me and Lived in…France for best in children’s non fiction literature 2013. They will be followed with Kenya, Turkey, India, and Australia. She plans to do Portugal, Greece, and Argentina next year.

My Thoughts:     These books are both informative and entertaining. Carole provided me with Norway, India, & Australia. There are 10 of these books so far, including the ones I just mentioned. These books are great for kids who want to learn about life in other countries. I enjoyed them very much and would highly recommend them to parents, children, and teachers. Kids will learn about some of the places you would visit if you lived there and about the culture of the country.The illustrations are great and give a clear idea of the place being portrayed. Well done!

Rating:     5 out of 5 stars

Link:     I’m providing the link to Carol P. Roman’s Amazon Author page. I don’t want you to miss out on any of these fascinating books by her.  

Review: Mike & Pinky Find A Home

Blurb:
Mike and Pinky live in a pond with Mother Turtle, Father Turtle, and all of
their woodland friends.
But when bulldozers come and build over their home,the two young turtles (Mike and Pinky) must find a new place to live.
Along the way, they learn the meaning of cooperation, self-reliance, and
friendship.
For children at ages 3-10 .

My Thoughts:
This is the 3rd book I’ve reviewed for Uncle Amos. Anytime Uncle Amos asks me to review a book of his, I am happy to help. Each story gets better. Mike & Pinky Find A Home was no exception. I enjoyed this story and I’m certain that kids will love it as well.
The poor turtles lose their home after it is bulldozed over. Mike and Pinky travel for miles trying to find a new home, only to realize they were carrying their homes with them the whole time.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Link:

Review: The Pacifier Tree

Blurb:
Johnny does not want to give up his pacifier – ever! Mom is at wit’s end. But will Johnny’s mind change when he learns about the magical Pacifier Tree? Mom and Johnny will learn an important lesson about priorities and growing up in this playful pacifier tale.
A great story for parents to read with kids struggling to give up their pacifiers!

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this story. It was cute. Again I was given the link to watch and listen to the story. This is just such an awesome idea, especially for kids books. Parents could buy the book and play the video so kids could read along. Love it!
Back to the story though. I know several parents who have struggled with getting their kids to give up their pacifiers. This story gives parents a unique way to help their child let go. The Clan Kids didn’t really use pacifiers, they used & still use their fingers.
In the book, Johnny gives up his pacifier in order for a tree to grow big enough to put a tree house in. The story kept me interested and the artwork is great. Good job Uncle Amos!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0SF2F0

Review: Zombie Meatloaf

Blurb:

Jubi discovers there may be more to being a zombie than she first thought. She embarks on a quest to find the answer to the question: Are there such things as zombies? Surprised at the facts, Jubi notices the other kids in her classroom start to look a little strange. They can’t focus, and are not listening to the teacher. At lunch something amazing happens to the children. Could it be the meatloaf is the clue to avoid becoming a zombie? Follow Jubi as she learns good nutrition holds the key that keeps our minds alert, and promotes a more productive, healthy life. Plus, find out how to fix a lip smacking meatloaf.

My Thoughts:

Ever since I found out this book was coming out, I wanted to get my grubby little fingers on it. I finally did and I was not disappointed.
A little girl named Jubi watches a zombie movie and gets scared that zombies might actually be real. She asks several people if they are. All of them give the same answer, ‘Yes and no’. They all explain that movie and TV zombies are not real, but people who don’t eat healthy turn into zombies of a different kind. They become sluggish and get poor attitudes.
This was a great book to help kids understand the importance of having/eating a healthy diet. There is even a recipe for Zombie Meatloaf at the end of the story. All in all a good story.

Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Link:

Review: There’s a Superhero in the Library

 

Book Blurb

For ages 3-9… James loves Mrs. Bodenhammer, the school librarian. She introduced him to the magic of reading books. Then one day Mrs. Bodenhammer disappears. He discovers his beloved librarian has cancer. Even though he doesn’t understand how you get cancer James soon realizes it is serious. When the new librarian shows up with no hair and dressed like a superhero James has to decide whether or not to open his heart. Soon they become great friends and he decides this superhero is awesome. A surprise awaits James the day he hears Mrs. Bodenhammer will soon return having recovered from cancer. We rarely think about how our children are affected when their teacher becomes ill and unable to attend school. This light hearted tale of a little boy and the teacher he loves brings hope and joy in the scary world of cancer. James discovers that superheroes walk among us every day. Sometimes it’s just hard to see them.

 

My Thoughts:

To be honest, I was reluctant to read this book. I didn’t think it would be my cup of tea. The only reason I read it is because Tierney graciously offered to donate a copy to my daughter’s school fundraiser.

Now I can honestly say that I was kicking myself for not reading it sooner! It is a truly wonderful, heartwarming story. We have all had a teacher that has made an impression on us, one that we have looked up to, and one that has inspired us in one way or another. The boy in this story, James, has found that in the librarian at his school. But Ms. Bodenhammer becomes ill and another librarian takes her place. James doesn’t want to like the new librarian, but slowly warms up to her as she proves she much more like Ms. Bodenhammer than James thought.

This is a great story to introduce children to cancer. I teared up, not in a sad way, but in a good way.

Job well done Tierney! I only wish I had picked it up much sooner.

 

Rating:

5 out of 5 stars!

 

Link:

Review: The Bald Grandfather and his Grandsons by Amos Ordan

About the Author:

Uncle Amos was born on 1950. He has a BA in Economics and an MBA in Business Administration. When he isn’t writing, Amos works as an international real estate and investments broker. Uncle Amos started writing children’s books at the request of his four grandsons, now aged nine, six, and three(Twins). His stories, which tackle the problems of growing up with humor and fun, are beloved of his family and hundreds of others.

My Thoughts:

This video was sent to me through my author website, http://www.mcmillansj.com. ‘Uncle Amos’ sent me a request asking me to review his book via the video. Cool idea! I may have to steal this idea when my own children’s book comes out. Anyway on to the story review.

It was a cute story. It starts out with the grandpa babysitting his somewhat unruly grandkids. He is constantly having to tell them not to do the bad things they are doing. Then they ask if they can shine his bald head. Grandpa falls asleep and the boys begin to draw and color, but their drawing come to life! Grandpa saves the day with his shiny dome!

I enjoyed this book and I think my kids would as well. The pictures coming to life came out of nowhere. I wasn’t expecting it so it did throw me off just a bit, but I’m an adult and this is a kids story.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FNV2EZ0

February 5 – National Weatherman Day!

National Weatherman’s day is celebrated on February 5th of each year commemorating the birth of John Jeffries in 1744. Jeffries, one of America’s first weather observers, began taking daily weather observations in Boston in 1774 and he took the first balloon observation in 1784. This is a day to recognize the men and women who collectively provide Americans with the best weather, water, and climate forecasts and warning services of any nation.

Thank you Brandon Beck, Ron Hearst, Felicia Combs, Abby Dyer, Kevin Lightly, Chris Smith, Ted Keller, Natalie Nunn, Tom Trtan, Dave Snider, Sarah Jones, Jill Gilardi, Craig Carnesi… and all the local weather personnel here in Springfield for keeping us informed and for jobs well done. 

Of course, I couldn’t leave off without a bit of weatherman humor…

 

February 4th – Create a Vacuum Day! or Thank A Mailman Day!

Happy Create a Vacuum Day!

Yep, that’s today’s holiday.

If you don’t know how to create a vacuum, don’t want to create a vacuum, or just don’t have the time (like me and the clan kids), then take a look at these awesome steampunk inspired creations!

 

 

OR you can celebrate Thank A Mailman Day! (This one will be easier, and probably much more appreciated).

Go out and thank your mail carrier for delivering the mail in cold of winter and the heat of summer. I know it’s their job, but everyone deserves appreciation for a job well done.

Reward their hard work with a cup of hot cocoa on a cold day, or lemonade on a hot day, or simply say hello and thank you.

 

National WHAT Day!?

I’ve seen posts on Facebook, someone saying it’s National This Day or National That Day, so the clan kids and I thought it might be fun to keep up with these crazy holidays. We were supposed to start on Saturday with February 1st. My bad. I had an author event to attend and wasn’t able to post.

So I’ll start with today and back track. Thank goodness today is only the 3rd, National Cordova Ice Worm Day!

When I first read about this day I assumed this was some ginormous worm (one of those nasty worm things from the movie Tremors came to mind). Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be this tiny little thing.

 

See? There it is…up close and personal. Now lets show you how big they really are…

Tiny little things, aren’t they? 

Did you know they have a festival for these little guys every year in Alaska!?

This zany mid-winter festival celebrates the emergence of the ice worm in Cordova, Alaska, where the winters are long and dark and give rise to thoughts of things like ice worms. The highlight of the three-day festival is the procession of a 150-foot-long ice worm (it has a dragon’s head) followed by 500 or so paraders. Other events include variety shows, ski events, a survival-suit race, a beauty pageant, music, and dances.
The celebration began in 1961 as a way to shake off the winter blahs, and the legend was born then that an ice worm hibernates during the winter in the Cordova Glacier but starts to hatch or wake up in early February. The worm has gained international fame, and the festival draws great crowds of people.

 

February 2nd – GROUNDHOG DAY

We all know what yesterday was. The day when either the groundhog saw his shadow and we have to live through 6 more long weeks of winter, or he didn’t, in which case spring is right around the corner…about 6 weeks from now. I don’t know whether he saw his shadow or not, I assume he did, judging by some of the Facebook statuses I’ve read. Not much more I can say about this holiday, so i think a meme is needed.

 

February 1st – NATIONAL SERPENT DAY!

This is a day to celebrate our slithery friends.  Latin for “something that creeps”; serpents are famous throughout mythology.  Commonly used to symbolize guardians and vindictiveness, serpents come in all sizes and shapes from dragons to sea serpents.  One of the most recognized serpents throughout the ages is the snake.  Now, in modern times, snakes are found in homes around the world as cherished pets.

Now, I’m not big on snakes, but the cover of my book City of the Gods: The Descendant does have a serpent on it. The image represents the God, Quetzalcoatl, from the ancient civilization in Teotihuacan, Mexico.

So, how do you celebrate Serpent day? How about writing a story about a serpent, coloring serpent pictures, or writing math story problems about serpents? 

If you’re looking for a game to play, how about “Catch the Serpent’s Tail”?  To play, divide your group into two or more teams with at least 4 people per team.  Have teams line up and hold the waist of the person in front of them.  Tuck a handkerchief into the back pocket of the last player on each team.  On the signal, the front player must try to steal the handkerchief from the back of another serpent.

Or you can just enjoy the following memes…

 

 

 

Flashback Friday!

My sister text me last night with a link for a YouTube video.

Well, I’m not so great with checking my phone before bed, so I watched it this morning. The video instantly brought a smile to my face and the fond memories flooded my mind.

The video she sent was of Dodie Stevens singing Pink Shoelaces.

In elementary school, two friends and I performed this song in the annual talent show. We lip-synced to it, came up with some killer choreography, had tan shoes with pink shoes, and the polka dot vest. The only thing missing was the big panama with the purple hat band.

I realize a video of us performing it would be more entertaining, but none of our parents had a video camera. But the memories make me smile and giggle. I loved those girls and am still in touch with one of them.

Thanks sis for helping me remember what a dork I really was and laughing with/at me 😉