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.

Brave Young Lady Conquors Depression and Social Anxiety - A Book Review

A Way Out: A Memoir of Conquering Depression and Social Anxiety

Author: Michelle Balge

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Publication Date: February 27, 2018

Pages: 202 Pages



About the Author
Michelle Balge is a mental health advocate, web designer and animal lover. She holds an Honors BA in Sociology with a concentration in Critical Animal Studies, and will receive a Web Design Graduate Certificate in June, 2018.

Mental Illness Is Real
Michelle Balge provides a raw, unfiltered look into the world of mental illness.

She shares the thoughts that almost destroyed her. Suicidal thoughts invaded her mind and cast a dark shadow over her existence. They threatened to steal her future.

Michelle is a fighter. She will not surrender to the illness and let it control her life.

Here are some resources and techniques that helped the author battle her mental illness;

• See a doctor/therapist.
• Medication.
• Healthy eating.
• Exercise.
• Breathing techniques.
• Have a good support system.
• Volunteering or joining something that interests you where you can meet people.
• Meditation and mindfulness.
• Group therapy.
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
  

Michelle Balge learned that her mental illness can be treated and she has hope for the future.

My Thoughts
This book was difficult to read. The author's goal was to be completely transparent and share her experiences in a way that would make a difference.

Ms. Balge displayed persistence, courage and determination in her fight with depression and social anxiety during her childhood and into young adulthood. She would not allow fear to win. She set out to educate herself and find the professional help she needed to overcome and conquer the demons in her mind.

This is a very timely story in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We can no longer afford to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the problem of mental illness in our society. 

Ms. Balge demonstrates a tremendous amount of insight into her illness at a very young age. She will conquer her depression and social anxiety and succeed in helping herself and others.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you for visiting my blog and reading this review. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below or tweet me @JanetteFuller.
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Book Review: Crowdfunding - Put the Fun Into Funding and Get the Money You Need by Zynnia Jezek

One Word Book Review: ENTHUSIASM

 Crowdfunding: Put the Fun Into Funding And Get The Money You Need: How A Little Girl Raised Over $7k In Four Days On IndieGoGo (Distinct Press Young Entrepreneurs Series)

Author: Zynnia Jezek

Publisher: Distinct Press

Publication Date: December 27, 2014

Print Length: 130 Pages

An 11-Year-Old Girl With A Big Dream
Zynnia Jezek, at the age of 11-years-old, designed a successful crowd funding campaign on IndieGoGo to provide funds for a trip from Florida to the Awesomeness Fest in Hawaii. This event is billed as the ultimate transformational experience for entrepreneurs. Zynnia believed this could be a life-changing event for she and her familly.

The problem was, they did not have the money needed to make the trip.

Zynnia and her sister created an IndieGoGo campaingn called "4 Day Awesomeness Fest Test" and made $6, 475.

This book tells exactly what Zynnia did to make her dream come true.

My Thoughts
I really enjoyed the enthusiasm and excitement depicted in this ebook. The young author/entrepreneur describes a real-life behind the scenes look at a successful  IndieGoGo campaign.  

This is not a primer or resource guide for designing a crowd funding campaign. It is a memoir of one girl's experience and how it changed her life.

The author provides screen shots of a series of PowerPoint slides that were used to promote and publicize this campaign. These slides were designed by Zynnia's sister and are quite creative. I think viewing these promotional slides make this book a relevant selection for anyone thinking about running a crowd funding campaign.

The editing and formatting are rough in places, but the content is informative and impressive. Kudos to Zynnia for a great effort. She proves that most anything is possible with determination and a little help from family and friends.

I predict this young lady has a very bright future!

My Rating: 4 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I purchased this digital book with my Kindle Unlimited membership on Amazon.Com.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Kindle Books For Kids: The Snake Who Wanted To Be A Horse by Valerie Harmon

The Snake Who Wanted to Be a Horse (Wants To Be)

Author: Valerie Harmon
Illustrator: Carol Stevens

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Date: February 10, 2013



About The Author And Illustrator
The concept for the WantsToBe Series (and this is book #1 in that series) came about when the illustrator, Carol Stevens, told bedtime stories to her youngest son. He'd pick two animals and she'd make up a story about them, ending with a mashup of the two animals. He loved those stories and they turned out so hilarious that Stevens wanted to share the story with more children.

She approached author Valerie Harmon, and together they are writing and illustrating stories about animals who imaginatively solve their problem with lots of hard work and sacrifice.

A Snake and a Horse
A colorful snake is not happy with his life. He has a tender tummy and he hates to crawl on rough and rocky roads.

One day the snake meets a friendly horse. The snake thinks that if he could become a horse, he could travel across the dirt and stones without any pain. The horse tells the snake that he needs to eat grass, neigh and gallop if he wants to be a horse. It is very hard for the snake to change but he is very determined to be a horse.

The snake is just about to give up when something magical happens! He does not exactly change into a horse, but he is much closer than he was before. The snake's hard work and determination pays off and he lives happily ever after as a "Snorse".

My Thoughts
This is a very imaginative story about a snake and a horse. Kids always love to read about these animals and I believe this story will be very popular with young readers.

The color illustrations are excellent and add a great deal of value to the text. I read this ebook on my Kindle Fire. The illustrations filled half the screen on my ereader. I would love to see this book formatted so that the illustrations fill the entire screen. 

The determination of the snake and the encouragement of the horse are great examples for young readers. I look forward to reading more books in the "WantsToBe" Series. Highly Recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a digital copy of this book during a free promotion on Amazon.Com. Please check the current price before purchasing.

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Kindle Books For Kids: Caarina the Cooking Fairy by Julia Dweck

Caarina the Cooking Fairy (KiteReaders Fairy Series)

 

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Gemini

 

Publisher: KiteReaders

 

Date: December 1, 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.

Fairy Cook vs Gremlin
Caarina is the best cook in the fairy kingdom. She lives among the master chefs and learns all of their techniques.

One day, the Fairy Queen decides the fairies need a special feast. Caarina is given the honor of cooking for all the other fairies.

Unfortunately, a wicked gremlin decides to ruin everything that Caarina cooks. He dumps salt into the food cooking on the stove, he pricks her yeast bread and makes it fall and he pours hot pepper onto her honey cake!

Caarina does not know what is causing all of these mishaps. She is confident in her cooking skills but can't understand what is going wrong.

Suddenly, she hears a small gremlin laugh. She knows that she must use her wits to defeat this pesky little creature. Caarina cooks up a special brew that she hopes will cause the gremlin to flee.

Will Caarina outsmart the gremlin? Will Caarina prove that she is the best cook around?

My Thoughts
This is an excellent story for the young cooks (both male and female) in your family. Caarina is determined to prove that she is up to the task that the Fairy Queen assigned her. Caarina demonstrates intelligence, determination and persistence is this delightful story.

I read this story on my Kindle Fire. The story is designed with a landscape orientation and full-screen illustrations. There are four lines of rhyming text on each screen view.

Gemini did a fantastic job with the illustrations in this book. The soft colors in the background contrast with the bright facial features of the characters. Children will notice the details in the pictures...it looks like Caarina is always surrounded by fairy dust.

I recommend this book for children of all ages. Caarina demonstrates what it takes to overcome adversity and make a dream come true!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ This story is a FREE ebook on Amazon.Com TODAY! These promotions do not last long so grab a copy NOW!

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Children's Book Review: Dream Something Big; The Story of the Watts Towers



Dream Something Big [The Story of the Watts Towers]

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston
Illustrator: Susan L. Roth
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers

Date: August 18, 2011





About The Author
Dianna Hutts Aston is the author of many books for children. In addition to writing for children, Dianna has established an annual Teen Writer’s Workshop for underprivileged Mexican teens and manages her non-profit foundation, The Oz Project.

The Towers
Between 1921 and 1955, Italian immigrant Simon Rodia transformed broken glass, seashells, pottery, and a dream to "do something big" into a U.S. National Landmark. Readers watch the Watts Towers rise from his little plot of land in Watts, California, through the eyes of a fictional girl. 

The story is illustrated with beautiful collages made from cut and torn paper, cloth, fibers and other "found" things.

My Thoughts
I had never heard of The Watts Towers until I read this picture book. I am astounded and amazed that one man could accomplish this task. Simon Rodia was a pioneer in reusing and recycling discarded items to create something new and unique. He worked on this project for over thirty years! I can just imagine what his neighbors were thinking.

The towers are now a National Historic Landmark and are considered an example of non-traditional vernacular architecture and American folk art.

This book does a great job presenting American history, art and architecture in a way that children will find interesting and fun. There is a section at the end of the book that shows children how to create their own Watts Tower from pipe cleaners, assorted beads and buttons, magazine clippings and foam shapes.

This is an excellent story of possibility and perseverance for children of all ages.
Highly Recommended.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I checked-out this book from my local public library. I {{heart}} my public library!

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Book Review: Spectacular Comeback by Harry Munns

Spectacular Comeback; The revolutionary, 24 day program that will rebuild your life one step at a time

Author: Harry Munns
Published: Paramax Productions, Inc.
Date: July, 2012




About the Author
Harry Munns has spent his adult life traveling, observing and recording the world around him. The richness and depth of those experiences make up the substance of Spectacular Comeback. He's known around the world as a best-selling author, lecturer and coach. He lives in southern California with his son Micky.

The Program
This book is actually a program that gives readers 24 daily exercises that include recording personal information, setting goals and developing a strategy to acomplish the goals. Readers learn how to de-clutter their lives and adopt habits that will increase productivity and improve their overall situations. Each exercise builds on the one that came before it. Readers who work through the program will experience a feeling of accomplishment as they begin to take positive, decisive action to help themselves.

This book tells about portions of Mr. Munns' journey from a life of contentment through a period of loss and despair then back to a state of hope and promise.
He has taken the material that he learned from these experiences and organized them into a self-guided course. Mr. Munns shares several case studies about people who have been down on their luck but achieve a spectacular comeback through hard work, determination and perseverance.

The program has a companion workbook to use with the course. It follows the text and provides space for each daily exercise.

My Thoughts
Do you feel like you need a fresh start?
Do you feel like you are spinning your wheels and never accomplishing your goals?
Perhaps you need a Spectacular Comeback!

This program is designed to rebuild your life one step at a time. The author explains how to clear your mind and environment of clutter and things that might delay or disrupt your plans for a spectacular comeback.

When you are ready to make your spectacular comeback your top priority, the author guides you through the steps of setting goals, recruiting help and creating a strategy.

The bottom line is that you get out of a program like this exactly what you put into it. If you are willing to work at this program as if it were your job, then it will be a tremendous help in putting you on the road to success.

The author states that his program is not based on psychology but lessons that he has learned in the school of life. Highly recommended to all who are seeking a spectacular comeback and are willing to do some serious work.

This program is available from the Spectacular Comeback site for the price of $19.95. 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ Mr. Munns sent me a complimentary book and workbook to read and review.

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My Wild Hiking Journey

A good book will sometimes inspire you and change your life in a special way. It might motivate you to take the first steps toward making your goal a reality. It might change your thinking and help you see the world as a friendlier place. I was pleasantly surprised when my husband agreed to read "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed (Oprah's Book Club Version 2). I read the book on my Kindle and he read on his iPad. We didn't always read at the same time but we stayed together and finished the book on the same day.

We were inspired to take our own hike after we read about Cheryl Strayed's journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. We chose the 6.8 mile Chinquapin Trail at Huntsville State Park. This was the second time that we hiked this trail. The first time I suffered a nasty fall and decided that hiking was not my cup of tea. I also have to cope with the fact that I have two metal plates in my right leg.

Dean and I decided we were up for the challenge so we arrived at the park at 11:00 am on Saturday morning. I was equipped with three bottles of Gatorade and an old broom handle that I was going to use as a walking stick (no more falls!). The temperature was in the mid-90s and the heat was major factor that we had to deal with.

I really like the following quote from "Wild"....this explains exactly how an adventure like this can change your attitude;

Miles weren't things that blazed dully past. They were long, intimate struggles of weeds and clumps of dirt, blades of grass and flowers that bent in the wind, trees that lumbered and stretched. They were the sound of my breath and my feet hitting the trail one step at a time and the click of my ski pole. The PCT had taught me what a mile was. I was humble before each and every one.

I think I hit the "wall" at the 5.5 mile marker. I still had more than a mile to go and I wasn't sure I could make it. I was hot, my leg hurt and all the Gatorade was gone. My husband encouraged me to "finish strong." He told me that I could make it. I was praying for strength to take one more step. I really learned the meaning of a mile in that last hour of the hike.

I made it to the end and I am glad that I pushed myself to do somthing out of my comfort zone. If I can do this, there must be other challenges waiting to be conquered if I am willing to stay the course.

Are you ready to break out of your comfort zone and attempt some new challenges?

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Wild by Cheryl Strayed (Oprah's Book Club)

Wild (Oprah's Book Club 2.0 Digital Edition): From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Author: Cheryl Strayed

Publisher: Knopf (June 1, 2012)

About the Author
Cheryl Strayed is the author of three books: WILD, a memoir , TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, a selection of her "Dear Sugar" columns from TheRumpus.net, and TORCH, a novel .
She holds an MFA in fiction writing from Syracuse University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota.



A Life Lost And Found
Cheryl Strayed was dealing with grief and a loss of direction in her life. She could not move forward because she was stuck in the muck of the past. Her mother had died of cancer, her family had scattered and her marriage was broken. One day she noticed a booklet about Pacific Crest Trail in a store where she was shopping. She later went back and bought the booklet and started planning a trip that would change her life forever.

This book is a true story about Cheryl Strayed's solitary hike from California to Washington state. She did not have any hiking experience but her spirit was compelling her to do this. She learned that she was stronger and more courageous than she ever imagined. She completed the 1100 mile hike and escaped the demons that had haunted her in the past.

My Thoughts
Cheryl Strayed shared the physical and spiritual journey that she experienced when she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. I had never heard of this trail and knew very little about hiking and camping when I started this book.

I felt like I was hiking right along with Cheryl as she faced heat, cold, hunger, loneliness, pain and many other challenges on the trail. She expressed the feelings that we all feel when we doubt ourselves and our capabilities. She was not defeated by the hardships that she faced during her journey. She proved to herself that she had what it takes to survive and thrive in a world that sometimes seems hostile and dangerous. She did not give up when she found herself in seemingly hopeless situations.

Cheryl had been running from herself and her feelings for her entire life. This journey gave her time to be alone and realize that her life was just as it should be and that she could accept herself just the way she was.

This book will challenge you to try things that are difficult. It will inspire you to do the impossible. The questions and comments in the Oprah's Book Club edition of this book are excellent. This is the kind of book that you will want to share with your friends and family members. Highly Recommended!

My Rating:  5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I purchased this digital book with my own funds. The large link at the top of this post is my Amazon affiliate link.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Santa Flies A Bushplane

A 9-year-old Alaskan boy finds two large packages in the middle of a snowy field.
Did they fall from Santa's sleigh?

"Santa Flies A Bushplane; a Christmas Revelation", by Lance Brodie, is a touching story about a young boy's quest to find Santa Claus....and the real meaning of Christmas.

Where Is Santa?
A young Alaskan boy's sister tells him that Santa Claus does not exist. The boy is determined to prove her wrong.

Lance finds two large Christmas packages in the middle of a snowy field. The packages are right out in the open and have large red ribbons on them. He believes these presents must have fallen from Santa's sleigh and some unfortunate children would be very disappointed on Christmas morning.

The boy decides to open the boxes to see if he could find out where the packages came from. There are no toys in these packages. Instead, he finds baby bottles, infant formula, a disassembled wheelchair, old eyeglasses, some pills and metal leg braces.

Lance knows that these packages must have been going to a hospital or orphanage where they will be urgently needed.  He knows that he has to chase Santa Claus down and get these packages back into his hands, or die in the attempt.

My Thoughts
The boy embarks on an amazing adventure to find Santa and return the packages before it is too late. He displays perseverance, courage and determination in his quest to return these packages to the original owner.

This short Christmas story is a FANTASTIC read for the entire family. It proves that Santa Claus really does exist and he has many helpers. I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.

FYI ~ I ordered this ebook from Amazon.Com ~ I received the book while it was offered as a FREE digital download. Please check the price before ordering.

Share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: The Story Of Solomon Bear

This is a story of the unconditional love between a girl and her teddy bear. "The Story of Solomon Bear", by Phillip Laird, is a poignant children's story about an unloved little girl who found acceptance and love from her beloved bear.
Solomon Bear displays boldness and courage when he is separated from the girl and seeks to find her with all his heart. He receives help from some unexpected places but his quest is not an easy one. This ebook will touch the hearts of both children and adults.

A Girl And Her Bear

We don't know the Girl's name. All we know is that her lonely family has almost forgotten the magic of loving. The Girl named her special stuffed toy "Solomon Bear" and they have been together as long as anyone can remember. Solomon is the Girl's closet companion. Girl and Bear promise each other that they will always keep their love alive. This beautiful passage illustrates how Solomon feels about the Girl;

"All he knew was that when she held him, there was nowhere else he would rather be. All uncertainty about who he was would melt away, and everything would become bright and clear and beautiful again for him, when he remembered that loving her was his greatest reason for being."

Unfortunately,  the Girl's stepmother decides that the teddy bear must go. The Girl is too old to be spending so much time with a "lifeless toy".  The Girl vehemently protests and goes running out the door into the forest. She does not come back for a very long time. Solomon grieves the Girl's absence and even questions his own ability to love. He wonders if he really is just a "lifeless toy"? He soon determines that he MUST plan a way to find the Girl.
He receives advice from the other toys to help him in his quest. He learns that he has all the qualities and inner resources that he needs to go out into the world and search for his missing loved one. His determination grows stronger with each toy that he talks to. He learns to believe in himself and the power of love. Solomon never gives up hope until he is back in the arms of the Girl he loves.


My Thoughts
This is a beautiful story about the bond between a child and a toy. It is written in the tradition of The Velveteen Rabbit and The Little Prince. The story is approximately 9000 words long (50 pages) and is recommended for ages five and up. The ebook is not illustrated with pictures but it is illustrated with poetic words and prose.
I found this story very touching and tender. It is about the power of love and everything that goes with it. We learn that love is not easy and difficulties are sure to come. Love is what life is all about. Love never ends.
I recommend this book to children of all ages. It reminds me that a child's love is so very special. This book holds valuable lessons for all of us.


"The Story of Solomon Bear" is available in ebook format at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.

Disclosure: The author sent me a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

The Power Of Purpose

What are you living for?

What is the purpose of your life?

A purpose in life gives something to live for, something to work for and something to hope for. It is purpose in life that gives a person determination and the will to succeed.

The power of purpose is the power of love. No person can hold on to any purpose with all his heart unless he loves the cause that he is striving for.

Success does not come down on us like rain out of heaven. If we are only half serious and our purpose is only a desire, then when the sun comes down on us burning and smothering us, and we feel tired from our efforts, we will give up. But if our desire becomes a steady purpose to be successful in the thing we have undertaken, then we will not mind the sun and the heat and our weariness, but will work on with our purpose before us.

It is almost impossible to estimate the power of purpose in life. Things thought out of reason have been accomplished through purpose. Every great and noble deed that has ever been done has had for its captain and soldiers men and women of strong purpose.

"Many persons have a wrong idea of what consittues true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." ~ Helen Keller

"The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose." ~ William Cowper

"I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy." ~ Og Mandino