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.

The Power of Empathy - Book Review

Title: The Power of Empathy; Be the Friend You've Always Wanted

Author: Ruth Maille

Illustrator: Prayan Animation Studio

Publisher: BooksGoSocial

Publication Date: October 12, 2023

Length: 36 Pages

Children's Fiction

About the Author
Ruth Maille is the author of the multi-award-winning books in "The Power of…" series. Her interactive books focus on character traits that are essential to social and emotional learning.

Empathy is a Caring SuperPower
Orbit is a storyteller who looks like a walking world globe. He visits the children in a park and tells them about a superpower called EMPATHY. The children learn that empathy means understanding and also caring about how someone else is feeling.

The children also learn why it is important to talk about our emotions. There are both happy and unhappy emotions. 

Before leaving, Orbit reminds the children to be the friend they've always wanted.

My Thoughts
This book is a wonderful story to teach children about empathy. I like the way the characters are a diverse group of different races, nationalities, and children with physical disabilities.

The illustrations are beautiful and add value to the text. 

Empathy is not something that comes naturally to everyone. However, it is a skill that can be developed and improved over time. By practicing empathy, we can improve our emotional intelligence and build more meaningful relationships with others. 

Recommended for children of all ages.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading opportunity.

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A Book for Sensitive Children

 

Title: Sensitive

Author: Sara Levine

Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Publication Date: October 3, 2023

Length: 32 Pages

About the Author
Sara Levine is an author, educator, and veterinarian. Her book awards include AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, the Utah Beehive Book Award, Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Cook Prize finalist for best STEM picture book, and the Mathical Book Award.

You Are Too Sensitive!
A young Asian-American girl comes to terms with the fact that she is sensitive.
The other children tease and taunt her for having thin skin and acting like a baby.
She learns that her feelings are real and she does not have to feel bad about her sensitivity. She writes her feelings out in a journal and realizes that being sensitive is actually her SUPERPOWER!
The author adds helpful tips for sensitive kids at the end of the story.

My Thoughts
I can relate to the girl in this story because I was also a sensitive child. The author does an amazing job illustrating in words and pictures the feelings a sensitive child deals with.

The mixed-media illustrations are outstanding and add great value to the text. 

I love the way the sensitive child writes in a journal to find joy and acceptance. She writes out her feelings and realizes that her sensitivity is not something to be ashamed of. 

This is a wonderful book to read-aloud to elementary school children. It could also be used by a counselor or mental health professional. I like everything about this story!!!

My Rating - Five Stars Out Of Five

Thank you to NetGalley for a wonderful reading opportunity.

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Nurse Papa Teaches Lessons on Life and Death

 Title: Nurse Papa; 16 Meditations on Parenthood From a Pediatric Oncology Nurse

Author: David Metzger

Publisher: Genz Publishing

Publication Date: August 17, 2021

Length: 175 Pages

About the Author
David Metzger has worked as a pediatric oncology nurse at UCSF Children’s Hospital for twelve years. He is the father of a young son and daughter. The bravery, laughter, perseverance, and the many smiles of the children and their parents who he has worked with have inspired this project.
You can visit the Nurse Papa blog and the Nurse Papa podcast at www.nursepapathebook.com

Life as a Nurse and Papa
David Metzger writes about the lessons that he learned about life and death as a pediatric oncology nurse. He uses his experiences at work to gain insight and understanding of his role as a father to two young children. His life at work and at home intertwine to form a wonderful collection of the author's most cherished memories.

My Thoughts

It is not natural to talk about children and cancer in the same sentence, but Mr. Metzger has dedicated his life to caring for children with cancer. He writes about some of his most memorable patients and the valuable lessons he learned from them. 

I could tell that the author was growing as a person and becoming more compassionate and empathetic as the book progressed. He gives credit to his patients for teaching him to live and die with dignity and grace. He credits his children for teaching him to live in the moment and appreciate all that life has to offer.

There are some very emotional stories in this book because many children with cancer do not survive the disease. The author focuses on the celebration of life instead of the sadness of death. 

This book was well-written and I am glad I read it. I now have a new respect for all the superheroes who wear a nurse's uniform.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI - I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

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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.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below. I will reply to all comments and questions.

Valerie in Love Valentine Card

Love is in the air and Valentine's Day is right around the corner. 

This is my first handmade Valentine of the season. I will enter it in Mo's Challenge #246. 

This is how I made the card:
I started with a blank 5" by 7" kraft greeting card.

The background paper is from a paper pad by My Mind's Eye;  Lost and Found/Heirloom. This pad has lots of pretty pink patterned paper and is just right for a Valentine card. 

I used the digital stamp Valerie in Love from Mo's Digital Pencil. I colored the image with Copic Sketch markers. I then cut/embossed the shape with a Spellbinders die. I attached the image to the center of the card.

I stamped the sentiment "I Love You" and heat embossed it on a piece of coordinating paper from the paper pad. I cut and dry embossed it with a Spellbinders die. I then attached it to the card under the colored image.

I embellished the card with a piece of red raffia ribbon.

Thank you for taking a look at my card. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Baby Laughs by Jenny McCarthy

Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth About the First Year of Mommyhood

Author: Jenny McCarthy

Publisher: Plume (Penguin Publishing)

Date: April 4, 2006

Guest Book Reviewer: Cindy Phelps Thomas


About The Author
Jenny McCarthy is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Belly Laughs, Baby Laughs, and Louder Than Words.  The former host of MTV's hugely popular dating show Singled Out, McCarthy began her career as a Playboy model, before launching a high-profile comedic television and film career.

Mommy and Baby

Baby Laughs takes the reader through a humorous journey of the ups and downs of the first year of motherhood. The book starts with delivery, touching on natural delivery and cesarean section delivery. She then moves to discuss the debate of breastfeeding versus the bottle, the changes in women’s bodies as they heal (i.e. hormones, post-partum depression, weight loss), split parenting, illness, doctor’s visits, poopie diapers, and even has a section for the dads.  

The topics are looked at in a light-hearted manner. This is not a medically written book, but a book by a first time mother who also happens to be a comedian. There is some graphic language in this book, if you are easily offended you may want to think twice before picking up this book. This book made me laugh out loud (literally, my husband thought I was going crazy a time or two) and it also made me cry thinking about the times that I’ve had with my little ones and comforted by the fact that someone else felt the same way.

My Thoughts
I personally related to this book in so many ways. I love that Jenny calls her son her “Baby Bird” and herself the “Mother Bird”. This always makes me smile. Baby Laughs is easy to read and gives a realistic/comical view to the first year of motherhood. I highly recommend this book for a good laugh and a few tears for new moms (and moms of all ages). Think of this book as learning from a good friend or relative who has already lived through it and is sharing with you.

Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Cindy Phelps Thomas is a U.S. Navy Veteran (2001-2005). She earned her BS in Psychology/Criminal Justice from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received an elementary teaching certification and is a former kindergarten teacher in the La Porte, TX School District. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working on her MBA degree at the University of Houston.

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Kindle Books For Kids: Hurry Up and Wait!

Hurry Up and Wait!

Author: Mark Carraway
Illustrator: Julius Tabiolo

Publisher: Fox Valley Media

Date: March 25, 2012





About The Author
Mark R. Carraway is a part-time author and full-time parent of three children.

The Concept Of Waiting
A little girl learns what it means to "wait" as she goes through her day.

The story begins with the young girl waking up. She has waited all night for the rising of the sun. She has to wait to brush her teeth because someone is in the bathroom. She has to wait while her mother packs her lunch for school. There is much, much more waiting at school.

At the end of the day, the little girl waits for her father to read a bedtime story and tuck her into bed. The story has a poignant ending with the father and girl looking at the setting sun and realizing that waiting is sometimes a good thing.

My Thoughts
The concept of "waiting" is difficult for most children to understand. They want something and they want it to happen NOW!

This story helps a child understand that patience and waiting is part of life.  Waiting is necessary for our safety and well-being. Sometimes we have to wait because there are others in front of us. Sometimes we have to wait because we could suffer harm if we act in haste.

The color illustrations are excellent and the formatting for the Kindle Fire is outstanding. I read the book on my Kindle Fire HD and enjoyed the double-page layouts that resemble a real book. This book is a great fit for the landscape orientation on the Kindle Fire. Each page features a full-page illustration with two lines of rhyming text.

I highly recommend this book for pre-school and early elementary age children.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

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Book Review: Mama Lives In My Hair

Four-year-old Celia Johnson is counting the days until her mother comes home from serving as an Army nurse in the Middle East. "Mama Lives in My Hair", by Merri Hiatt, is a 12-page short story that tells the poignant story of love and loss from a child's point-of-view.



About the Author
Merri Hiatt grew up in a small town near Shasta Valley in Northern California. Upon moving to the Pacific Northwest in Washington state, Merri fell in love with the mountains, ocean, rain and lush greenery.
Merri credits her high school creative writing teacher with giving her the nudge to pursue writing, and she's been writing ever since. She has written 11 books and they are all available in ebook format at Amazon.Com.

A Military Family
Lt. Mark Johnson is taking care of four-year-old Celia while his wife is serving as an Army nurse in the Middle East. The little girl marks a red X on the calendar for each day that brings her mother's homecoming a little closer.

Mark knew that his wife was in a dangerous area but he was looking forward to her return in less than two months. He was not prepared for the knock on his door and the presence of two Army officers with grim expressions on their faces. They told him that his wife had been killed and handed him a letter. The letter was from his wife and began, "If you're reading this letter, you know I am dead. Well, I'm not dead, my physical body is dead. You and I both know our spirit is what matters and my spirit is alive and well, whole and complete. I hope you can hold on to that fact."

Mark had the difficult task of telling Celia that her mother was dead and would not ever be coming home. He had been reading her the classic children's book "The Velveteen Rabbit" and Celia remembered the book said, "When you become real, you can't become unreal."

Celia knew that her Mommy was still real and with her. She realized that her mother's spirit was like the breeze and she lives in her hair. She knew that her mother's spirit would never leave her.

My Thoughts
This poignant short story is an excellent reminder of what military families have to deal with. The story brought tears to my eyes and is a very realistic account of the death and grieving experience. The author did a very good job writing about a difficult subject.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I ordered this ebook from Amazon.Com when it was offered as a free digital download. Please check the price before ordering.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.