Kindle Books For Kids: Donuts by Julia Dweck

Donuts

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Adam Duff

Publisher: KiteReaders

Date: September 20, 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.

I have reviewed the following books by Ms. Dweck on this blog;
Cat or Dog for President
Hugo's Cat Circus

Donuts don't grow on trees...or do they?
Merl the Squirrel was alone because all the trees had been cut down and his friends were gone. Merl was searching for something to eat when he found a tiny acorn on the ground.

Merl closed his eyes, held the acorn tight and wished for a tree. Suddenly, a tree sprouted out of the ground. It had long branches but held no nuts for Merl to eat.

Merl guarded the tree from danger, watered it and polished it's leaves each day. One day when he was searching a near-by park for nuts, he met a man sitting on a bench. The man gave Merl a donut and he hurried back to his tree with the treasure.

As Merl ate the donut, an amazing thing happened. Donuts sprouted from the tree branches. The tree was covered with donuts!

Merl learned that living in a donut tree was not always easy, but true happiness came from the love and friendship of his tree.

My Thoughts
Children will love the idea of donuts growing on a tree. They will also realize that it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

Merl loved the tree just for being a tree...that is what friendship is about. Friends are there for each other in good times and bad. This story could also be used to discuss ecology and how Merl had to wish for a tree because all the trees had been cut down.

The color illustrations are absolutely beautiful. I read this book in the landscape orientation on a Kindle Fire HD. Each page had four lines of rhyming text over a full-screen illustration. 

This book will make a wonderful read-aloud for young children. Older children will enjoy this selection for independent reading.  I can't think of a better bedtime treat than a glass of milk, a donut and this book. Recommended for all ages!

My Rating: 5 Stars out of 5

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Book Review - The Lamp: Just Believe By Jim Stovall



The Lamp: A Novel by Jim Stovall with Tracy J Trost

Publisher:  Destiny Image

Date:   September 11, 2011

Guest Book Reviewer: Cindy Phelps Thomas



About The Author
Jim Stovall is the president of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network. He is the author of the bestselling book, The Ultimate Gift, which is now a major motion picture starring James Garner and Abigail Breslin. He has authored 15 other books which have been translated into over 20 languages.

Just Believe

Stanley and Lisa Walters have had a rocky marriage for the past two years.  Two years ago they lost their only child, their son Eddy. Stanley has not been able to write a book since then, which in turn caused financial issues. He has been overcome with anger and grief.

 

Lisa works out of the house and briefly considers an affair, but she remembers that there used to be something great between she and Stanley. The local baseball team, which Eddy played for, is having a garage sale to raise funds for new uniforms. Lisa decides that it is time to give back and donates some of Eddy’s things. Lisa also inadvertently inherits an antique golden lamp. The lamp has “Just Believe” engraved on the side. This lamp has a special messenger that comes with it.

 

Charles Montgomery III is the messenger and he is sent to the Walters to bring hope back to their lives. He gives them three wishes but they must follow these rules;

1.) They cannot wish for something that they can do for themselves,

2.) They cannot wish to bring back the dead,

3.) They cannot interfere with another person’s free will.

 

Charles ensures them that life can become happy again and he will return in 30 days. When he returns they are to have decided on their three wishes. Within days the couple begin to feel a renewed sense of hope, they are “believing” that things in their lives can change, even with tragedy in their past. Stanley begins writing, slowly but surely, and he becomes involved with the local baseball team again. Lisa begins to feel like she is gaining control of her life again.

 

As Stanley and Lisa progress on their journey they become closer to each other and closer to their neighbors. What will the wishes grant for these two? Will they ever feel like a real family again?

 

My Thoughts

The Lamp is a quick and easy read. In the Foreword, the book discusses how so many young people start out life with high hopes and dreams and that most end up content with ordinary lives. It proceeds to state that this book could be the change that is needed if we are stuck in such a predicament.

 

This is a heartwarming story of a marriage that is in shambles and is able to find that spark of hope necessary to keep moving forward. “Just believe” becomes their motto, as in “all things are possible if you just believe”.  I like the message in the story although it is a bit predictable and the writing is simplified as if written for a younger audience.

 

My 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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