When You Meet a Dragon - Children's Book

 

Title: When You Meet a Dragon

Author: Tanya Lloyd Kyi

Illustrator: Udayana Lugo

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers

Publication Date: April 16, 2024

Reading/Interest Level - Grades K - 2

About the Author
Tanya Lloyd Kyi is the award-winning author of more than thirty books for children and young adults. 
Udayana Lugo is a self-taught illustrator of mixed heritage. 

It Takes A Village
Things look very bleak when a young girl sees a huge dragon in the sky above her. She knows she can't fight the dragon alone, so she starts recruiting friends, family, and community members to help her. She finds people of all races, ages, and ethnic groups to help fight the dragon. There are even animals that join the fight. 

This is a difficult battle but the girl and her friends do not give up. The dragon eventually grows tired and flies away. The girl knows that the dragon could return, but she also knows that she has nothing to fear.

My Thoughts
This is a wonderful story that spotlights the values of resiliency, perseverance, and courage. The young girl organizes a group of determined people who refuse to give up. I love the diversity of the people in the town. This is my favorite quote;

"You and your friends keep each other going. 'Don't give up,' you say. 'We can't give up!' You say it even when everything is dark. You whisper it when you're scared. You repeat it to anyone who will listen. We won't give up."

 The illustrations are outstanding and add great value to the story. 

The story ends on a positive note because the girl knows she is not alone.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading opportunity.

Hooray for Summer - Children's Book Review

Title: Hooray for Summer!

Author/Illustrator: Kazuo Iwamura

Publisher: NorthSouth

Publication Date: April 1, 2010

Length: 32 Pages

Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten

About the Author
Kazuo Iwamura was born in Tokyo. Japan. He is one of the most famous picture book artists in Japan. His work has won many awards. He lives in Tochigi, where he founded the Museum for Picture Book Illustrations.

Outdoor Summer Fun
Children love to play outdoors in the summer. Three squirrel siblings are playing outdoors when a sudden thunderstorm interrupts their fun. There is no time to run home, so they find shelter in a cave.

The squirrels discover they are not alone in the cave. A mouse brother and sister are also hiding from the storm. Soon a rabbit joins them.  

They are all very frightened of the thunder, lightning, and rain. Everyone trembles with fear. 

At last, the storm is over and the sky grows brighter. All the animals in the cave rush outside to play with their new "Summer Storm Friends". 

My Thoughts
I can personally relate to this story because I have been caught outside in several sudden Texas thunderstorms. This can be a frightening experience for people of all ages.

Little Molly Mouse was so frightened that she called out for her mother. The author did a good job illustrating the emotion of fear but he also provided safe shelter and the reassurance of the other animals.

Children will probably remember times when they were frightened just like little Molly. This story could lead to discussions on what to do when you are afraid.

The story had a happy ending when the storm passed over and the new friends went back outside to play. The illustrations are very expressive and add value to the story.

This book was first published in Japan in 1986. This is a timeless story that children of many generations will read and enjoy.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Thank you to NetGalley for a wonderful reading experience.

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Mooge; The Prehistoric Genius - Review

 Title: Mooge; The Prehistoric Genius

Author: Nate Wrey

Publisher: Waterman Books

Publication Date: May 23, 2022

Pages: 102 Pages

Reading/Interest Level: Ages 9 - 12

About the Author
Nate Wrey has a day job as a Civil Servant, working for the government, but has also written a novel for adults (as Nathaniel M Wrey) called Liberty Bound, which won a Readers' Favorite International Book Award in 2021. He lives in Kent, England.

Life in Prehistoric Times
Life was very difficult in prehistoric times. There were no clothes, shelter, or reliable sources of food. Mooge and his wife Flair were determined to survive and thrive. 

This rhyming book tells the challenging and humorous adventures of a prehistoric family. They begin with nothing and discover tools, fire, clothes, the wheel,  farming, writing, and more.

This book contains over 80% of the Year 3 and 4 National Curriculum Spelling List.

https://www.moogeprehistoricgenius.com/

My Thoughts
When I was growing up, I loved to watch The Flintstones; a Modern Stoneage Family (1960 - 1966) on television. Unfortunately, Mooge and Flair did not live a modern lifestyle like the Flintstones. They started with nothing and had to experiment and create everything they needed to live in a difficult environment. Mooge had a great growth mindset that helped him learn and grow throughout the story.

Mooge's wife Flair was the real genius in the family. She figured out solutions to many of the problems that Mooge experienced. They worked together to build a better life for themselves and their family. 

This entire story is written in rhyming words. Middle graders will enjoy hearing the rhymes and the rhythm of the text. The black-and-white illustrations add value and humor to the story.

This book is entertaining and should encourage children to seek more information about life in prehistoric times. 

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley to review.

Children's Book - Sonia's Digital World

Title: Sonia's Digital World

Author: Shannon McClintock Miller

Illustrator: Clara Reschke

Publisher: Picture Window Books

Publication Date: August 1, 2023

Pages: 32 pages

Interest Level: Grades K - 2

Reading Level: Ages 5 - 7

About the Author
Shannon McClintock Miller, an international speaker and author, is the K-12 district teacher librarian at Van Meter Community School District in Iowa. She earned the Making it Happen Award by the International Society for Technology in Education in 2016 and was named the American Association of School Librarians Social Media Superstar Leadership Luminary in 2018. 

Sonia Uses Technology for Communication, Collaboration, and Learning
Sonia is a very tech-savvy young lady.

She uses technology (cell phone and camera) to stay in touch with friends and family. Her grandparents are far away but watch a school play on their laptop computer.

Sonia learns how to share new things she is learning by collaborating with other students on her tablet.

Sonia's teacher connects with classrooms across the world with technology. 

Sonia can look up information on the Internet and find answers to millions of questions.

Sonia learns how to use technology to help others in her community and the world.

The book ends with five questions that focus on the main ideas presented in the story.

My Thoughts
Most school-age children have an abundance of experience using technology for entertainment. They have watched videos and played games for many years.

This book emphasizes the use of technology for bringing people together and increasing knowledge. The author defines collaboration in a kid-friendly way...."We can put our minds together." 

The book contains very diverse characters. There are children of different races and nationalities. There is a boy in a wheelchair and several children wearing glasses. There is also generational diversity with children, parents, and grandparents participating in the story.

The story takes place in many different settings where technology is used. The color illustrations are excellent and add value to the story. If you take a close look at the pictures you will see examples of technology that are not mentioned in the text...cell phone tower, a drone, and an Internet dish on a building.

The questions at the end of the story are excellent for discussion. There is also a chart that displays the ISTE Standards.

I think this book provides a wonderful learning experience for young children. It combines learning and fun...a great combination!

RATING: 5 Stars Out of 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley.

Sapphire's Adventure - Children's Book Review

Sapphire's Adventure: The Baby Blue Dragon (Volume 2) 

Author: Nell Kent

Publisher: Amazon CreateSpace

Publication Date: July 26, 2018

Length: 36 pages

Ages: 4 - 8 years.








About the Author
Nell Kent was born in Tyler, Texas in 1942.  Nell graduated from Southeastern State University in Durant, Oklahoma in 1973 with a degree in Fine Arts. She is an accomplished artist and loves working in various mediums. "The Baby Blue Dragon" was Nell's first book.

Sapphire Searches for Her Clan
Sapphire the dragon is back! This is Volume 2 of the author's first book; The Baby Blue Dragon.

Sapphire is eight and a half months old and it is time for her to leave the Dragon Rescue Farm in the Texas Hill Country. She needs to find a clan...a group of dragons that band together and make a family.

This story follows Sapphire around the country as she searches for a new family.

My Thoughts
The cover of this book is very appealing. A dragon with pink polka-dots, green tennis shoes, and glasses! What kid could resist a character like this?

This book is a real treat for children who read the first Sapphire book. I highly recommend the first book because it might be a little confusing to read this book alone.

Miss Dragon, the owner of the Dragon Rescue Farm, teaches Sapphire the rules for finding a clan. Children will love to learn that dragons must obey rules just like boys and girls.

Sapphire learns to read a large map of the United States and chooses two places that she might like. Children will be curious about the places that Sapphire visits and will want to learn more about them.

The book is illustrated by the author with lovely colored pencil drawings that add great value to the story. Each drawing tells a little story and adds details to the text.

There is a glossary and a word search puzzle at the end of the book. 

Recommended for all Sapphire the Dragon fans! Read both books and enjoy a wonderful fantasy adventure that will have you eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I purchased a print copy of this book with my own funds.

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A Baby Blue Dragon Named Sapphire

The Baby Blue Dragon

Author: Nell Kent

Publisher: CreateSpace 

Publication Date: August 15, 2017

Length: 28 pages

Recommended Ages: 4 - 8








About the Author
Nell Kent graduated from Southeastern State University in Durant Oklahoma in 1973 with a degree in Fine Arts. The Baby Blue Dragon was her first book and she has published a second book named Sapphire's Adventure.

A Rescue Farm for Dragons
Cassie and Emma, two sisters who live in the city, are visiting their Aunt Dragon. The girls have never visited their aunt's farm before. They soon discover that this is no ordinary farm. Aunt Dragon runs a rescue farm for dragons!

One stormy evening, the girls saw a strange blue creature land on Aunt Dragon's porch. When Aunt Dragon goes out to investigate, she discovers it is a baby blue dragon.

Aunt Dragon takes the dragon to her barn and names her Sapphire. In a few days she has grown to be eighteen feet tall and thirty feet long. Dragons grow very fast.

The girls want to know why Sapphire showed up on Aunt Dragon's porch. Did she get lost during the storm? How could they help Sapphire?

My Thoughts
Ms. Kent wrote this story, drew the illustrations and self-published the book on CreateSpace. This is an excellent example of how a talented writer/artist can make their book-writing dreams come true.

What child doesn't like to read a story about a friendly dragon? The author developed the plot in a way that will keep the reader anxious to find out what happens next. Children will like the idea that the rescue farm is a place where homeless dragons are taken care of in a safe environment. This could lead to a discussion about rescue organizations for dogs, cats and other homeless animals.

Ms. Kent used art markers and colored pencils to draw the illustrations in a pseudo-naïve style that children will find very attractive. I love the way the cover of the book shows an egg in a nest and the first illustration shows a newly hatched baby blue dragon. Children will be able to see how Sapphire was born and what she looked like before she arrived at the dragon rescue farm.

There is a glossary in the back of the book that defines a "dragon" as a mythical creature that has wings and a long tail. It defines "mythical" as a made-up or make-believe animal. Parents should review each word in the glossary with their child. This is an excellent way to test for comprehension and confirm that the child understands that this is a fantasy story.

There are two blank pages at the end of the book for the child to "draw your own dragon" and "write a story about your dragon".

Kudos to Ms. Kent for providing a creative and imaginative experience for children.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I purchased a paperback copy of this book with my own funds.

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A Message For Grandma - Children's Book Review

A Message for Grandma

Author and Illustrator: Carol Breckenridge

Publisher: First Edition Design Publishing

Publication Date: March 27, 2017

Pages: 36 Pages




About The Author
Carol Breckenridge is an artist, illustrator, and art therapist. A former elementary school teacher, she worked for 20 years as an art therapist in mental health centers, and continues to supervise art therapy interns at Ursuline College.

German Heritage
This is a gentle story about Alice, a young girl living in western Pennsylvania in the 1890s. Alice's mother sends her with a message to her German-speaking Grandma on the other side of the family farm. Alice speaks only English. As she walks across the farm repeating the message so that she will remember, she mangles it more with each new experience. Happily she gets it right at Grandma's house.

My Thoughts
I am always excited when I find a children's book that helps the reader learn about his/her heritage. I grew up on a farm with my German-speaking grandmother living nearby. Luckily, my grandmother could also speak English so I did not have to speak German to communicate with her.

The author makes it clear that each member of the farm family had to work hard to support the family. Alice and her nine brothers and sisters all had chores to do each day. Alice's mother needed flour to bake bread, so she asked Alice to walk to the other side of the farm and give her grandmother the following message, "Kann ich Mehl borgen". 

It is no surprise that Alice had trouble remembering these German words. The German phrase soon turned into, "Ich kann my burden?" and "Kann is meal burger," and "I kann itch my bottom." 

By the time Alice arrived at her grandmother's house, she remembered the German phrase her mother gave her. Unfortunately, the grandmother answered in German and the reader is not given the English meaning. The story ends with Alice getting a big hug from her grandmother, so I assume she got the flour and was soon on her way home.

The story is illustrated with soft watercolor paintings that add value to the story. 

I am giving this story a four star rating because of the uncertain ending. It is a good story to share with children to teach about immigrants and American history. Kids will love the humor and relate to Alice's memory difficulties.

MY RATING: 4 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI - I received a digital review copy of this book from Net Galley.

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Childrens Book Review: The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm

The Fourteenth Goldfish

Author: Jennifer L. Holm

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Date: August 26, 2016

Length: 210 pages

Grade Level: Grades 3 - 7


About the Author
Jennifer Holm is the NY Times bestselling author of three Newbery Honor Books, as well as the co-creator of the Babymouse series (a 2013 Eisner Award Winner) and Squish series, which she collaborates on with her brother Matthew Holm.

Believe In The Possible
Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade, her best friend and even her recently departed pet goldfish.

One day a strange boy shows up at her house. He looks a lot like Ellie's grandfather, a scientist who's always been interested in discovering a fountain of youth. Could this teenager really be Grandpa Melvin?

This story explores questions about science, family, friendship, immortality and possibility.

Favorite Quotation
(From the end of Chapter 11)

"I'm proud of you," my grandfather says to me.
"But I didn't get it," I tell him.
He shakes his head. "Scientists fail all the time. You tried. That
is what counts. You have to keep at it just like Marie Curie."
It feels like a compliment.
"What did she do?"
"Marie Curie won a Nobel for her work on radiation."
"Do you think I'll ever win a Nobel?" I ask.
"Of course you will," he says without a second's hesitation.
And I believe him.

My Thoughts
It has been a long time since I have read a fiction book for middle school students. This book was a real joy to read. It deals with the cycle of life in a way that children will understand that growing old is a natural part of life and should not be feared.

The humorous interactions between Ellie and her now teenage Grandpa Melvin are just priceless. Grandpa has the experience and knowledge of a senior citizen but is now living in the body of a teenager. He teaches Ellie to love science and to believe in herself...and the possible.

I think this book will be popular with both girls and boys. It would be a perfect read-aloud selection for middle school classrooms and homeschool environments. I predict this will be another award-winning book for Ms. Holm. Highly Recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from NetGalley.

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Children's Book Review: Custer's Last Battle by Paul Goble

Custer's Last Battle: Red Hawk's Account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn

Author: Paul Goble

Publisher: Wisdom Tales

Date: August 7, 2013






About the Author
Paul Goble is an award winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has won both the Caldecott Medal and The Library of Congress' Children's Book of the Year Award. To date, Mr. Goble has illustrated over 30 books. He has given his entire collection of original illustrations to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.

Custer's Last Stand From An Indian's Perspective
This book is a special edition of Mr. Goble's first book, "Red Hawk's Account of Custer's Last Battle." The account given in this book is fiction, but told in the manner of the published accounts of Indian people who had taken part in the battle. This edition features the illustrations in beautiful digitized color, scanned from the original artwork housed among the collections in the South Dakota Art Museum. This new edition includes a Foreword by Joe Medicine Crow, a 98-year-old former Crow tribal historian whose grandfather was one of Custer's own scouts.

The story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn is told from the Indian's point-of-view in a manner that children will understand. The color illustrations are outstanding. Children will gain a new understanding of this famous battle from the simple text and detailed illustrations in this book.

My Thoughts
I have been a fan of Paul Goble's work for many years. He truly makes history come alive with his authentic writing and dazzling illustrations.

I think children are interested in reading about Native Americans. They have viewed many "cowboys and Indians" movies on television. Many of the old westerns portray the white soldiers as the "good guys" and the Indians as the enemy.

Mr. Goble does not "sugar-coat" the story of this battle. War is hell and this battle was no exception. Many men and animals suffered and died on the day of "Custer's last stand". 

Children will understand that the Indians were fighting to protect their families, herds and land. This is a sad chapter in American history but the truth needs to be told.

Most of the books listed in the "References" section at the end of the book are no longer in print. This list needs to be revised and updated to include books that have been published in recent years.

This book will make an excellent addition to public, school and home libraries.
Recommended for children ages 8 and up.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary hardcover copy of this book from the publisher.

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Children's Book Review: Wonderfully Made by Joyce Meyer

Wonderfully Made (Everyday Zoo)

Author: Joyce Meyer

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Date: May 7, 2013

Series: Everyday Zoo


About The Author
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than ninety inspirational books. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences.

Do I Have A Special Talent?
Haley Hippo is excited to learn about the Everyday Zoo's First Annual Talent Show.

Haley's excitement turns to discouragement when she learns that all her friends have unique talents but she can't think of a single thing to do for the talent show.

Haley thinks that God forgot to give her a talent. She tries to do the same talents as her friends, but nothing seems to work. Haley is so disheartened that she believes that she is terrible at everything!

Haley's friends convince her that she DOES have a special talent and she is very grateful that God blessed her with talent and some very good friends.

My Thoughts
Joyce Meyer has been writing inspirational books for adults for many years. This is the third book in her "Everyday Zoo Series" for children.

This book has an important message for children. We all have special talents. The story emphasizes the importance of discovering and appreciating our unique individual talent instead of comparing our abilities to others.

The animal characters in this book are delightful and the color illustrations add value to the text. Children will identify with Haley and her striving to find her own special talent.

This story has a very joyful ending. God has given us all special talents that we can share with others!

Recommended for children of all ages.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Kindle Books For Kids: Where Are The Dinos? by Julia Dweck

Where Are The Dinos?

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Bob Ostrom

Publisher: Kite Readers

Date: March 28, 2013



About The Author
Julia Dweck writes children's stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read about and what makes them giggle.

Questions and More Questions About Dinosaurs!
A young pup goes to the zoo in search of dinosaurs. He asks the tour guide many imaginative questions about where the dinos are and what they are doing.

• Where do dinos shop for food?
• What do dinos find in shops?
• Where do dinos head at night?

The tour guide is confused and annoyed by all these questions because dinosaurs are EXTINCT....or are they?

My Thoughts
Kids love dinosaur books. When I worked as a school librarian, I could never keep the dinosaur books on the shelves. "Where Are The Dinos? is a delightful picture book in rhyme for young boys and girls. Children learn by asking questions and this book is full of questions about DINOSAURS!

I read this ebook on my Kindle Fire. The landscape orientation makes the full-page color illustrations very appealing. Bob Ostrom's humorous illustrations add a great deal of value to this story. Each screen view features a full-screen illustration with two or four lines of text.

Young children will be delighted with all the "dino" questions in this book. Older readers will also enjoy the enthusiasm, persistence and inquisitiveness of the young zoo visitor in this book.

Kids should be encouraged to ask questions. This book will entertain and teach children that questioning is very important in the learning process.
Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author to read and review.

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Kindle Books For Kids: Emily's Valentine by Elizabeth Purcell

Emily's Valentine

Author: Elizabeth Purcell
Illustrator: Alex Ferri Land

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

Date: January 26, 2013



A Handmade Valentine
Little Emily makes a handmade Valentine card for her mommy, daddy and grandpa. She wants to buy her beloved Granny Boo a gift but she does not have enough money in her piggy bank.

Emily makes a beautiful handmade Valentine for her granny and signs it "From Emily with love."

On Valentine's Day, Emily and all her cousins go to visit Granny Boo and give her their gifts. The cousins laugh at Emily's handmade Valentine, but Granny Boo likes the handmade card the best.

Emily gave the gift of love...the greatest gift of all.

My Thoughts
This is a short and sweet rhyming story about a little girl and a handmade Valentine card. I have been making handmade cards for several years so this story is near and dear to my heart.

The lesson in this story is that it is the feelings behind the gift that counts. You don't need to spend money to express your love to those near you. A small handmade item means more than an expensive gift purchased with little thought or emotion.

I read this ebook on my Kindle Fire and found the formatting appropriate for young readers. There is a small color illustration and four lines of rhyming text on each screen view.

This is a wonderful story for Valentine's Day or any day. Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

DYI ~ I ordered this ebook from Amazon.Com during a limited-time free promotion. Please check the current price before ordering.

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Kindle Books For Kids: Zombie-Kids Go Green by Julia Dweck

Zombie-Kids Go Green (KiteReaders Monster Series)

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Mark Draisey

Publisher: KiteReaders

Date: February 2, 2013



About The Author 
Julia Dweck writes children's stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read about and what makes them giggle.

Zombies Save The Planet
The 3R's....Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

This is a rhyming story about a group of Zombie kids who are green all over.
Their skin is green but they are also dedicated to preserve the earth's natural resources.

Each night, these kids go all over the community cleaning up trash, turning off dripping facets and taking care of the young plants in their gardens.
A zombie kid's age is marked and recorded by Earth Days. They celebrate with a birthday cake that is shaped like the earth.

The book is illustrated with beautiful full-screen color "zombie pictures" by Mark Draisey.

My Thoughts
I am totally blown away by this author's imagination. This is the kind of story that kids will love. They always want to find a "scary book"....the more monsters and zombies the better.

The nice thing about this story is the zombies stay very busy doing good deeds for our planet. There are many examples of reducing waste, reusing worn items and recycling discarded materials in this story. 

This book would make an excellent science lesson about ecology and conservation. It is both educational and entertaining (edutainment?).

I read this book on my Kindle Fire and found the formatting (landscape orientation) appropriate for sharing with a group or individual reading. The illustrations fill the entire screen and are very entertaining. Children need to take extra time just to enjoy these pictures! Each screen view features twelve lines of rhyming text in white print that contrasts with the background illustration...very easy reading.

*Parent Alert ~ It seems like young kids go crazy when they read/hear a story with a reference to "passing gas" in it. This book has one page that refers to a "zombie-kid's fart". There is a pictures of a girl zombie passing gas and a boy holding his nose. I think this is appropriate for a story like this and kids will find it hilarious.

I highly recommend this book for children of all ages. This is a perfect selection for Earth Day (April 22). 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5  

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Kindle Books For Kids: My Dog's Got Fleas by Julia Dweck

My Dog's Got Fleas

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Mark Aardvart

Publisher: KiteReaders

Date: January 11, 2013


About the Author
Julia Dweck writes children's stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read about and what makes them giggle.

Fleas With ATTITUDE!
Have you ever had a problem with fleas?

If you have a pet, your answer is probably "YES!"

A young boy takes his dog to a veterinarian and is told that his dog is covered with RARE fleas.

These are no ordinary fleas. Each of the fleas have a unique personality and occupation.

There is ArtFlea. He is an artist who likes to draw and doodle atop a purebred poodle.

There is GleeFlea. She sings inside the shower and tub and is the director of the flea glee club.

There is a super hero flea named WonderFlea. He is stronger than 1,000 fleas and wears a long red cape. 

Some fleas are not very nice. There is BreadFlea. He is a nasty flea who is always plotting evil schemes.

The vet comes up with a plan to rid the dog of these rare fleas.
Where did they all go? 
Where are they living now?
You will get a good giggle when you discover who is itching at the end of the story!

My Thoughts
I have several pet dogs so I can definitely relate to the problem in this story. Children know that fleas are pesky parasites that need to be avoided at all costs.

The fleas in this rhyming story are very different. Each flea has a talent and plays a role in the flea community. Children will relate to the different kinds of fleas and will recognize the good and bad behaviors that exist in any social  setting.

I really like the way the story ends in a humorous manner. The fleas are not killed with harsh chemicals, they just find a new, unexpected home. 

The color illustrations are awesome and add a great deal of value to the story. Mr. Aardvart took a somewhat difficult subject (fleas?) and created original and unique animated illustrations that will delight readers of all ages. The formatting is very professional with full-screen color illustrations and four lines of text on each page.

This book will appeal to children on many different levels. A dog and a group of charming fleas. What more could you ask for?
Highly recommended for children and the entire family.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI - I received a complimentary digital copy of this ebook to read and review from the author.

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Kindle Books For Kids: Eville, USA by Julia Dweck

Eville, USA (KiteReaders Monster Series)

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Fian Arroyo

Publisher: KiteReaders

Date: September 30, 2012


About The Author

Julia Dweck writes children's stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read about and what makes them giggle.

Monsters On Vacation 

Question: Where do monsters and zombies go to play?

Answer: EVILLE, USA!
 

Monsters and zombies need a vacation just like the rest of us.

"Evil-doers cross the nation
take a sinister vacation,
away from plotting, planning, lurking,
These villains need a break from working".

The monsters have all kinds of fun in Eville, USA. They relax by a swimming pool with a refreshing beverage, they attend a monster's convention and they compete in athletic contests. 
 
This rhyming story with colorful full-screen illustrations will have children laughing out loud and begging for more. 

My Thoughts 
I worked as an elementary school librarian for 30 years and read many, many, many monster picture books. This ebook is right up there with the best of them! 

Ms. Dweck writes original, entertaining and humorous text that will delight young readers. The monsters in this story have unique personalities that children will find playful and even lovable. These are NOT frightening monsters. 

Mr. Arroyo has done an outstanding job with the illustrations. Children will be captivated with the details in these monster drawings. I spent an extra 20 minutes looking at these pictures after I read the book.

I read this book on my Kindle Fire HD. The formatting is superb and a perfect fit for the Kindle. There are four lines of rhyming text with each full-screen color illustration. The text is bright and an appropriate size for easy reading.

Kudos to Julia Dweck! She is one of the bright shining stars in the digital publishing revolution. She is taking children's book publishing to the next level and I applaud her.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out of 5

This book is available as a FREE Kindle book at Amazon.Com TODAY! These promotions don't last very long so grab your copy NOW.

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Children's Book Review: Hugo's Cat Circus by Julia Dweck

Hugo's Cat Circus

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Maggie Swanson

Publisher: Kitereaders

Date: September 18, 2012



About The Author
Julia Dweck writes children's stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read about and what makes them giggle.

Circus Fun
Once a year, the cats in Marseille buy a ticket to visit Le Cat Circus Show. Hugo is the head cat and the three-ring show master.

All the circus performers are talented and creative cats. There are cat clowns, cat gymnasts, cat singers and cat jugglers. Each breed of cat has a special talent that is featured in the circus show. Some cute mice join in the fun and are shot out of a cannon onto a tiny trampoline.

At the end of the evening, Hugo bids all the cats farewell and they return to their homes with happy memories of their circus adventure.

My Thoughts
This is a delightful ebook that will entertain and educate young readers. Children will love the cat circus performers. The text is written in rhyme and the color illustrations are excellent. Cat lovers will be thrilled to see their favorite feline breeds performing daring circus acts and stunts.

I read this book on my Kindle Fire HD and was very pleased with the landscape orientation of this story. Each screen view looks like a 2-page layout with an illustration and four lines of text on each page.

This ebook is great fun for young readers and an excellent introduction to a circus performance. Highly recommended for all ages!

FYI ~ I received this ebook from Amazon during a special FREE promotion. Please check the price before ordering.

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Children's Book Review: When I Grow Up by Jason Bardwell

When I Grow Up!

Author: Jason Bardwell

Publisher: Amazon CreateSpace

Date: October 5, 2012





About The Author
Jason Bardwell is an independent author and artist who has written and published two children's books. I recently read and posted a review of his first book ~ Beware of the Teacher!

I Wonder What I'll Be?
Children are often asked what they want to be when they grow up. This picture book provides a nice selection of occupations that children will want to learn more about.

The book begins with a confused young man thinking about all the possibilities that he will consider in the future. The color illustrations show the same young man on each page of the book dressed in appropriate clothes for his occupation.

He might be a game show host, astronaut, scientist, teacher....the sky is the limit! The author invites the young reader to draw a picture of himself doing the job he is dreaming about on the last page of the book. The author shares his address and asks the reader to write comments about the book and send him the picture in the mail.

My Thoughts
Many children are encouraged to think about their future career path at an early age. This book will spark the imaginations of young readers and open many doors of opportunity for future research and learning.

Young readers will love the full-page color pictures of the same young man through-out the book. At the end of the story, the young man realizes that it doesn't matter what kind of job he does, he will always be a unique individual with special talents and skills.

I really like the author's invitation to interact with his readers. Children will enjoy writing a letter to the author (with a little help from a parent or teacher) and sharing their unique drawing.

This book offers an entertaining opportunity to explore future career opportunities and practice some art and writing skills. I highly recommend this book for pre-school and early elementary children.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

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