Our dogs make us smile every day with their crazy antics and acts of love. This book is full of hilarious and heartwarming stories about the many ways our canine companions surprise us, make us laugh, and touch our hearts.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dog Did What? will have you saying just that, as you read these 101 humorous and heartwarming stories about our lovable, goofy, and comical canines. Whether funny or serious, or both, these stories will make you laugh and touch your heart. My Review: OMG...I loved this book! You will laugh out loud, smile and think about your furry friend the whole time you are reading this. I love dogs and all their silly antics and you will love reading about how our furry friends make our lives richer by the love they offer, the smile that allow us and the memories we share. I need to get a copy of this for all my dog loving friends. 5 stars
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We all fall into ruts at times, with our jobs, our relationships, our lives. But these 101 inspiring personal stories of change will motivate and encourage you to find your own new path to happiness.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Reboot Your Life will inspire, invigorate, and empower you to break out of your rut. With its powerful stories of taking chances, positive life changes, and finding new paths to happiness, you will be inspired to find the courage to reboot your own life! My Review: This is a great book to start at the New Year. There are stories about how we can get out of the ruts and make healthy and positive changes for the better. This could be a great way to to keep your New Years resolutions on track. With such positive stories about courage, change and finding happiness it is nearly impossible to not want to take the lessons learned and apply them to your own life. Reboot your life one story at a time 4.5 stars
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Moms are the busiest people in the world! They juggle kids, husbands, jobs, housework, and more. These 101 stories from other multitasking moms will inspire and amuse the woman who does it all!
Moms do it all – they juggle kids, husbands, home and office…. This collection will inspire and entertain masters of multitasking with its 101 stories from busy moms like them. Filled with words of wisdom, lessons learned, funny moments and juggling success, this book will brighten any mother’s day. My Review: Being a Mom is the hardest and most rewarding job that there is, but at times you can feel like you are on a island, all alone. But this book shares stories from other mothers who are just taking one day at a time. It is humorous, honest and makes you feel a little bit less alone. I think all mother's trying to do it all need to read this book, whether to be inspire, to feel understood or just to unplug. There is something in this book for all the amazing mother out there. 4 stars
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Miracles happen every day! These 101 true stories of answered prayers and divine intervention show a higher power at work in our lives.
These 101 true stories of healing, divine intervention, and answered prayers prove that miracles can happen to anyone at any time. You will be awed and uplifted by these personal stories of divine intervention, healing, and faith.
My Review:
Wow, do you believe in miracles??? Well if you don't you will have a hard time not believing when you finish this book. It is full of stories that will inspire you...you will feel the stories in your souls...for real. Hope, divine intervention and answered prayers is what this book is about...but more importantly it is what this book will make you feel that is what you will remember long after you finish. You may even go back and reread this book. 4.5 stars
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Seen or unseen, angels are all around us. In this collection of 101 miraculous stories of faith, divine intervention, and answered prayers, real people share their incredible experiences with angels and the many ways they touch our lives.
You only have to look to find the angels in your life. These divine guides, guardian angels, and heavenly messengers help and guide us when we need it most. You will be awed and inspired by these true personal stories from religious and non-religious, about hope, healing, and help from angels. My Review: I lost by Dad about a year ago and my desire to believe in angels has grown since that time. I would do anything to get a message from my father. This is a great collection of stories that will allow the reader to hope and perhaps to believe in angels. I have to admit that this book made me emotional and I had to take breaks. But that is what is great about this series, you can read a whole book in one sitting or a few stories at a time. 4 stars
Amazon really jingled Michele's bells when they accepted her Christmas novella, The Reluctant Elf, into the Kindle Singles programme!
Meet Britain's Worst Innkeeper
Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.
When Aunt Kate ends up in the hospital, Lottie and her seven-year-old daughter are called to rural Wales to stand in at the B&B. Without the faintest idea how to run a hotel (she can barely run her own life), Lottie must impress the picky hotel reviewer and his dysfunctional family who are coming to stay over Christmas. Without the rating only he can bestow, Aunt Kate will lose her livelihood.
But will Danny, the local taxi driver who she hires to help her, really be Santa’s little helper, or the Grinch who stole Christmas?
It published on November 13th globally on Amazon, but if you don't have a Kindle, it's also available in paperback :-)
Gorman has an amazing way to get into the head of women and articulate their thoughts in an honest, humorous and entertaining way. She creates a blend of characters and a plot that is not to be expected, but it appreciated and enjoyed by anyone who reads her books. I adored the story of Lottie and the journey to pull off Christmas even among the chaos and confusion due to the zany characters that surround Lottie. Humorous, heartwarming and entertaining. Another hit by Gorman, an ABSOLUTE FAVORITE writer of mine. A must read novella for the holiday season! 5 stars
A delightful new holiday series featuring five classic Christmas tales
in luxurious hardcover editions
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens
CHRISTMAS AT THOMPSON HALL: And Other Christmas Stories by Anthony Trollope
A MERRY CHRISTMAS: And Other Christmas Stories
by Louisa May Alcott
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Nikolai Gogol
THE NUTCRACKER by E. T. A. Hoffmann
Penguin Christmas Classics honor the power of literature to keep on giving through the ages. The five volumes in the series are not only our most beloved Christmas tales; they also have given us much of what we love about the holiday itself. A CHRISTMAS CAROLrevived in Victorian England such Christmas hallmarks as the Christmas tree, holiday cards, and caroling. The Yuletide yarns of Anthony Trollope popularized throughout the British Empire and around the world the trappings of Christmas in London. The holiday tales of Louisa May Alcott shaped the ideal of an American Christmas. THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS brought forth some of our earliest Christmas traditions as passed down through folk tales. And THE NUTCRACKER inspired the most famous ballet in history, one seen by millions in the twilight of every year.
Beautifully designed—with foil-stamped jackets, decorative endpapers, and nameplates for personalization—and printed in a small trim size that makes them perfect stocking stuffers, Penguin Christmas Classics embody the spirit of giving that is at the heart of our most time-honored stories about the holiday.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Charles Dickens
Penguin Classics; ISBN: 9780143122494; Hardcover; $16.00; On-Sale: October 7, 2014
First published on December 19, 1843, A Christmas Carol was an instant classic: Londoners thronged to hear Dickens read it in person and bought out the first printing in days. Its reception was so ecstatic that it is credited with helping to revive interest among the Victorians in Christmas traditions, including caroling and holiday cards, as well as inciting an unexpected wave of charitable giving from Britain’s Industrial Age robber barons. Originally conceived as a pamphlet against exploitative capitalism before taking its current form, it has inspired dozens of theatrical and movie adaptions, and its characters, from Scrooge to Tiny Tim, are forever inscribed in our hearts and minds.
CHRISTMAS AT THOMPSON HALL: And Other Stories
by Anthony Trollope
Penguin Classics; ISBN: 9780143122470; Hardcover; $16.00; On-Sale: October 7, 2014
Christmas at Thompson Hall brings together the best of the Christmas stories of Anthony Trollope, one of the most successful, prolific, and respected English novelists of the nineteenth century. Characterized by insightful, psychologically rich, and sometimes wryly humorous depictions of the middle class and gentry of Victorian England—and inspired occasionally by missives in the “lost letter” box of the provincial post office that Trollope ran—these tales helped to enshrine the traditions of the decorated Christmas tree, the holiday turkey, and the giving of store-bought gifts. Today, they open a window into a time when carolers filled the streets and each house’s door displayed a wreath of evergreen boughs, a time at once distant and yet startlingly familiar.
A MERRY CHRISTMAS:And Other Christmas Stories
by Louisa May Alcott
Penguin Classics; ISBN: 9780143122463; Hardcover; $16.00; On-Sale: October 7, 2014
A Merry Christmas collects the treasured holiday tales of Louisa May Alcott, from the dearly familiar Yuletide benevolence of Marmee and her “little women” to the timeless “What Love Can Do,” wherein the residents of a boarding house come together to make a lovely Christmas for two poor girls. Wildly popular at the time of their publication—readers deluged Alcott with letters demanding sequels—and drawing on Alcott’s family and experiences in the abolitionist and women’s suffrage movements, these stories have the authentic texture and detail of Christmas in nineteenth-century America, while their emphasis on generosity and charity make them timeless embodiments of the Christmas spirit.
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Nikolai Gogol
Translator: Anna Summers
Penguin Classics; ISBN: 9780143122487; Hardcover; $16.00; On-Sale: October 7, 2014
Written in 1831 by the father of Russian literature, this uproarious tale tells of the blacksmith Vakula’s battle with the devil, who has stolen the moon and hidden it in his pocket, allowing him to wreak havoc on the village of Dikanka. Both the devil and Vakula are in love with Oksana, the most beautiful girl in Dikanka. Vakula is determined to win her over; the devil, equally determined, unleashes a snowstorm to thwart Vakula’s efforts. Zany and mischievous, and drawing inspiration from the folk tales of Gogol’s far-flung village in Ukraine, The Night Before Christmas is the basis for many movie and opera adaptations, and is still read aloud to children on Christmas Eve in Ukraine and Russia.
THE NUTCRACKER
by E. T. A. Hoffmann
Translator: Joachim Neugroschel
Penguin Classics; ISBN: 9780143122470; Hardcover; $16.00; On-Sale: October 7, 2014
Written in 1816 by one of the leaders of German Romanticism for his children, nephews, and nieces, The Nutcrackercaptures better than any other story a child’s wonder at Christmas. The gift of a handsomely decorated nutcracker from a mysterious uncle sets the stage for a Christmas Eve like no other for the little girl Marie. That night, Marie’s extraordinary present comes to life, defends her from the taunting Mouse King, and whisks her off to the Kingdom of Dolls. The inspiration for the classic ballet, E. T. A. Hoffmann’s irresistible tale of magic and childhood adventure continues to captivate readers of all ages. Today, many of the most enchanting symbols of Christmas, from nutcrackers to sugar plums to mistletoe, are still imbued with the power of this story.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
I have never actually read this book cover to cover until I got this edition. I have to say that this will now be a new yearly Christmas tradition. This beloved tale it one for the ages. I adored being taken away in the words of Dickens, an amazing story teller. Even though I have seen the many movie adaptations of A Christmas Carol nothing compares to reading the words, feeling them course through you. It is like visiting a friend you have known for years but have not seen for ages then spending time getting caught up again.
CHRISTMAS AT THOMPSON HALL: And Other Christmas Storiesby Anthony Trollope
Wow, the greatest in this book blows my mind. But that blows my mind even more is that I have never read this before. This is such a great collection of holiday cheer, with quick and easy to read stories. It has inspired me to want to carol around the neighborhood and to bring back the truest of traditions. All the stories highlight the true meaning of the season. It touched my heart in ways only old classics can...they reach a deeper and more meaningful part of your heart. I think that this is the perfect gift for book lovers for Christmas. It has 5 different stories and the cover is adorable for display.
There are stories that make you feel something special and this is one of those stories. The holiday should be more than just gift and stuff and this nineteenth-century tale helps us remember what they true meaning of the holiday season is...giving and doing for others. I found this story to be both honest, heartwarming and just plan wonderful. It causes you to get into the spirit of Christmas and to find ways to pay it forward.
I never knew that this was the real story about The Night Before Christmas. A story about love and jealousy, snow storms and the devil. Crazy stuff, right? But it is so inspired, so beautiful. I cannot believe I waited so long to read this very short story. It has really changed the way I look at The Night Before Christmas and further strengthens my belief that to really understand literature we must go back to the roots.
My son is obsessed with Nutcrackers. When I asked my son who is 6 years old why he has taken to these Christmas themed items he said it was because I took him to see The Nutcracker and he loved it. He said they make him happy. When I received The Nutcracker for review he was so excited. We snuggled up and read a chapter a night for 2 weeks. It was the best two weeks we have had. To watch his eyes in wonder as he pictures the story playing out is such a gift. After the story ended he asked if we could do that every year before Christmas. Such an amazing new tradition has started because of this book and for that I will be forever grateful.
The Resurrection of Tess Blessing is by turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, emotional, perceptive, slightly magical, and funny. It’s a redemptive story about second chances and realizing what—and who—is really important, before it’s too late.
After she is diagnosed with breast cancer, fifty-one-year-old Tess sets forth on a mission to complete her final “to-do” list before, what she’s sure is, her impending death. She needs to make peace with her estranged sister, say goodbye to her mother’s long-kept ashes that she keeps in the garage, rescue her daughter from the grip of an eating disorder, help her son grow-up, and reignite the spark in her marriage. One factor she never considers is that she might have to stick around and deal with her handiwork.
Tess is aided on her quest by narrator, Grace, who lends the story its most brilliant elements: subtle magical realism and deep psychological complexity. Is Grace an “imaginary friend,” guardian angel, or a part of Tess who knows better than she?
The Resurrection of Tess Blessing is authentic, funny, sad, and at its heart… redemptive.
Kagen is an amazing writer and here is why...she makes you feel the stories deep down into your bones, into your soul.
Her newest novel is about a woman who receives terrible news and sets out to try to make right the things in her life that are wrong. Her marriage is not the same, her daughter is going through some hard times, her son rarely speaks and her sister, well, her sister is a whole different story. When an unexpected friend enters her life, she is able to set forth with her check list and an unyielding determination that is both moving and heartbreaking. With the most emotionally brilliant story to date Tess takes you on a journey that touches on family dynamics, illness, and the strength that comes from having a friend by your side. Never predictable, with a story that you want to both savor and devour, The Resurrection of Tess Blessing is a book that will resonate with you long after you finish reading. 5 stars and a book club MUST read!!!
From #1 "New York Times "bestselling author Abbi Glines comes a brand-new Rosemary Beach novel about Tripp Newark and his hidden romantic past with Bethy Lowry.
In the eyes of the wealthy playboys who frequent Kerrington Country Club in Rosemary Beach, Tripp Newark is a hero. Under pressure from his parents to become a lawyer and lead a conservative, upper-class life, Tripp disappeared from town five years ago to travel the world, forfeiting the opportunity to inherit millions. Yet few know what he was really running from...
Bethy Lowry was unraveling long before her boyfriend drowned in a riptide trying to save her after she'd had one too many drinks--again. A trailer park kid working as a cart girl among the wealthy patrons of Kerrington Country Club, Bethy has always been impressionable. But five years ago, before she earned her reputation as a hard-drinking, easy girl, she had spent a single summer with Tripp Newark that changed her life forever... Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, and Existence series. She has a new YA series coming out in the fall of 2015 titled The Field Party Series . She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she was born in Alabama. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, shopping (major shoe and purse addiction), sneaking off to the movies alone, and listening to the drama in her teenagers lives while making mental notes on the good stuff to use later. Don’t judge.
MANDY'S REVIEW: You Were Mine by Abbi Glines
This is book 9 in the Rosemary Beach series. This is the story of Tripp and Beth and how their love survived over the years. Abbi Glines is a fantastic author. I love her descriptions and the way she draws her readers into the story. I absolutely loved the way the Tripp and Beth love came together over the course of eight years. They went through love, tragedy and was brought together again with the deep love they have. I love the Rosemary Beach Series, they are a wonderful group of people that you feel close too because of the fabulous writing of Abbi Glines. This is a definite, must read book. I give it 4 stars.
Chipmunk and Bear have a lot in common, despite their difference in size. And Chipmunk is determined to keep up with his big friend. Warmth and humor fill the snowy day adventures of two friends who, despite their physical differences, share work and play and true companionship. My review: Such a cute early reader. I loved the colorful and vibrant pictures. I cannot wait to use this book in my Art Through Stories class. It is just the right length to keep my young students eengagedand I love the pictures. 5 stars
The Christmas Cats Encounter Bats is a Seuss-ical tale for young children which builds upon the morals of the first two Christmas Cats books (The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats and The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats). Book One (The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats) stressed that twin sisters---or anyone--- should learn to play together nicely. When one twin bit the other on the nose, it was a sign that a story about playing together nicely would be useful. Learning to cooperate is important for everyone. Book Two, The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats, urges acceptance and advises against prejudice. “It’s best to be open and trusting and kind, and always to keep an open mind.” Learn to accept others in a non-judgmental, open-minded fashion. Book Three, The Christmas Cats Encounter Bats urges everyone to honor life in all its forms. Love and accept all God’s creatures. Some animals---(puppies and kitties come to mind)--- are popular with nearly everyone. Others (spiders, lizards, bats, etc.) may not seem as worthy, but all are small cogs in the universe. Bats serve a very useful purposes in God’s grand scheme. All life should be valued. The bats of story three are just as deserving of respect and have as much of a right to life as any other creature on the planet. Check Connie Corcoran Wilson on Amazon for her projects for adult readers, and her dedicated website, www.ConnieCWilson.com. Follow Connie on Twitter at Connie Wilson Author. “Like” her Facebook and Pinterest pages at Connie Corcoran Wilson. Sign up for her blog (www.WeeklyWilson.com) where you can learn of new publications. You can contact Connie directly at EINNOC10@Aol.com.
My review:
My sons and I really care about all God's creatures so this silly story about the cats encountering bats (which are one of our favorite wild creatures) was quite the treat. The rhyming story is fun to read and it is a cute story about being kind to all living things...even the ones that may scare us. 4 stars
The joys of giving and receiving are celebrated in this easy-to-read story about a cat who seeks shelter on a snowy day! Shivering, Cat jumps into the basement window of a small apartment building. As Cat makes his way up to a top-floor garret, Dog gives Cat a book, Rabbit gives him a plant, Bird gives him a painting, and Elephant gives him a hot drink. Cat is happy! Everyone is happy! My review: I also love this early reader book. The pictures are such fun to look at with all the details. It is a story about giving and making friends. Anther book I cannot wait to adapt into a classroom lesson. 5 stars
After trading mean jokes with Red, Bunnys act of forgiveness and compassion shows the importance of being able to put oneself in the shoes of another. My review: Anyone who works with kids know that they can be sneaky and unkind at times. This book is about how friends are not kind to each other and how they sometimes blow it off saying that it was a joke. This is a great book to read and them talk about what is really a joke and what is unkind and not a joke. A great example of a book that helps to create dialogue with young ones and things that are right and things that are not. 3 stars
Merry animals celebrate the twelve days of Christmas in this version of the traditional folk song. My review: I am in love with this books that switches up the lyrics to The Twelves Day of Christmas and creates yet another fun and catchy lyrics. With adorable pictures and the cute song this is bound to be a hit for Christmas loving kids. 4 stars
No sweet treat today. Those yummy-looking blackberries are out of reach. But Turkey Tot has found some string. He asks his friends to help him find a balloon so they can float to the berries, but they find his idea preposterous. "He's been different since the day he hatched," says Hen. Turkey Tot doesn't find his balloon... But two cans, a hammer, and a nail, and voila! Stilts help Turkey Tot reach the berries. My review: A retelling with a twist of The Little Red Hen bur this time with Chick, Pig and Hen. Instead of preparing and baking bread Turkey Tot wants blackberries in the tree high above their head. With the same sort of twist on the story as The Little REd Hen...see how they all come together to solve the problem. 4 stars
Big Green Monster has no interest in being friends with Little Puppy. But when Little Puppy needs help, Big Green Monster immediately comes to the rescueand finds that there might just be a place for this tiny dog in his giant heart. My review: I LOVE THIS BOOK. It is about an adorable little puppy that wins the heart of a big green monster by being an irresistibly silly and clueless pile of cute! I have read this one over and over and over again and I smile EVERY TIME! 5 stars
If you give in to temptation and give a bored little mouse your iPhone,even for ten minutes, he’s probably going to beam to some faraway place beyond time, space, and the sound of your pleading voice. And if he’s that far gone, he won’t have any idea what’s going on around him, and he might end up missing out on all the real fun. From the New York Times-bestselling author of Goodnight iPad comes a delightful new commentary on the perils of our tech-obsessed lives and a fully charged romp for readers of all ages. My review: I could not love this book more. It is a great story about how technology can take over and put children in a trance where they miss out on so much around them. I read this book to my boys and they also loved it. What a great spin on our new world of technology. 5 stars
It can be surprising which objects float and which don't. An apple floats, but a ball of aluminum foil does not. But if that same ball of foil is shaped into a boat, it floats! Why? And how is it possible that a huge ship made of steel floats? Answering these questions about density and flotation is David A. Adler's clear, concise text, paired with Anna Raff's delightful illustrations. Activities that demonstrate the properties of flotation are included. My review: My son loves science and this book was perfect for him. Here is what he had to say about it: It is about things that float and things that don;t. If you like Science you will really love this book. It teaches you the science behind the ability of things to float or not. So cool, right? 4.5 stars
Olga needs to make a little rain, but the hen wont let Olga rain on the chicks; and Mrs. Emilia wont let Olga rain on the laundry. Luckily Olga finds the place where many little clouds can make rain together. My review: Originally released in Italy Olga the Cloud is about how this lonely little cloud must find a place to make run after being rushed away by many other people and animals. Then Olga finally find a place to fit in and make rain. 3 stars
******************************************************* In the third endearing Bear and Mole adventure, Bear helps his friend learn to ride a bike without training wheels. But even with Bear's support, Mole grows frustrated and wants to give up. Gentle Bear tells Mole, "I think you can," and Mole summons all his strength to make his first bike ride a success. Off he goes! This story is perfect for reading aloud. My review: What an adorable story about never giving up, friendship and the power of believing in yourself. I adored everything about this book. It was such a delight that both the kids and I loved! What a hit! I cannot wait to read more with bear and mole! 5 stars.
A busy day at the zoo leaves Pop and Sam tuckered out on a bench. As they nap through closing time, the animals come out to play. When Pop's cell phone captures Monkey's interest, he snaps a few pictures with it before dropping it on Giraffe's head. So begins a hilarious chain of events that gets the whole zoo howling, awakens Pop and Sam, and alerts a guard. As Pop and Sam are escorted out, they watch in wonder as Parrot drops the phone into Sam's hands. But the real surprise comes when the phone's photos reveal the monkey business that was afoot while they slept! My review: An outrageous story about a trip at the zoo that went wrong, but with silly consequences. 2.5 stars
Characteristics of the five vertebrate classesmammal, bird, fish, reptile, and amphibian are described along with illustrations reminiscent of woodcuts. A chart, an afterword about invertebrates, and a bibliography are included. My review: A cool book that has rhyming verse that tells all about vertebrates and the different groups of them. It is a great book for kids that want to learn more about this subject. The pictures are cool and my son liked this book because it was informative and fun. 3 stars
"Bye, Ben," says his sister as Ben's red balloon takes him up, up, up . . . A house has a face, hills change their shapes, and a rainbow reverses its colors as Ben's balloon floats him all the way to the moon. The day is full of happy surprises! All objects have life and are subject to change, underscoring Bens sense of joy and wonder. My review: Every kid loves balloons and this book is an adorable tale of a journey Ben goes on while hanging onto the string of his bed balloon as he goes up, up, up...then he lands on the moon and finds a way back down. I plan to create a lesson around this book too! 4.5 stars
Pete the pig does not want to eat his slop, but cannot go out to play with his brother and sisters until he does. My review: A story about a picky eater and the struggle that happens between mom and child. Will Pete eat? Read and find out.... 2.5 stars
This picture book not only teaches readers about the variety of work animals perform but also depicts the give-and-take dynamic of human/animal relationships. My review: A great easy/early reader for kids that love animals and want to see all the ways that they help humans. It also illustrates how we rely on the animals in a variety of areas and how we need to be kind to them, always. 3 stars
Six-year-old Byron Woodward is a werewolf who can’t howl. Determined not to embarrass himself after being chosen to lead a full-moon ceremony, he embarks on a mission to learn how to howl. He learns a lot about howling during his journey, but more importantly, he learns a valuable lesson about believing in himself. My review: This is a story about a boy who tries to learn to howl and cannot...so he seeks advice from those that he thinks can help. The answer to his problems comes in an unexpected way. 3 stars
In Halibut Bay, where hats are rare, Eddie and his dog Phil must give up their plans for fishing with Eddie's father to help ailing Aunt Sue with her chores, which include throwing a pirate birthday party for Sue's friend, Captain Rugbeard. My review: A crazy and wild story that bounces from one problem to other with the lead of BUT...absurd and silly... 3 stars
Majestic paintings by a Caldecott Honor-winning artist illustrate a guessing game that fosters an appreciation of both art and science, while introducing the five major biomesgrassland, desert, forest, tundra, and water. My review: A cute early reading questing game of what animal is in the picture and then where is lives...informative and fun with beautiful pictures. 4 stars
RING! A bell rings in the fire station. Fireman Fred and the other firefighters race across town to save the day. After putting out a fire and rescuing a cat from a tree, Fred meets a stray dog. It looks as if Fred has found himself a pet! Fire trucks, bravery, and pets: Lynn Rowe Reed's easy-to-read picture book has something for everyone and features her trademark bold and bright illustrations. An I Like to Read(R) book. Guided Reading Level D. My review: A cute story about Fred the Fireman and a call to service that ends with a fun and expected surprise. Cute book for firemen loving kids....3 stars
Captain No Beard and his crew of loyal pirates heave anchor for another adventure, this time in the icy waters of the Arctic. Captain No Beard's steering a course due north, sailing by the light of the North Star. Everyone on the crew wonders what the captain's up to, especially as he gets embarrassed when they ask. When the captain finally admits his plan, the crew discovers he plans to steal the aurora borealis, the beautiful northern lights that brighten the arctic sky. They're all shocked. They may be pirates, but even they know stealing is bad. Besides, how can anyone steal the lights from the sky? A charming, engaging tale about doing what's right, Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis is the latest installment in Carole P. Roman's award-winning pirate series. The first book, Captain No Beard-an Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life, received the Kirkus Reviews Best of 2012 award and the Star of Remarkable Achievement. The series presents real-life problems in an imaginary setting and encourages discussion with both parents and educators My review: 4.5 stars SERIES REVIEW: An awesome adventure books that my kids and I have read over and over again! Great stories, amazing pictures and a great cast of characters! The books are more than just books...they are hours of fun. After we read one of the books I created a treasure hunt for the kids, with a map and real treasure! Such fun when books becomes more than just books and become bonding moments and amazing memories! 4.5 stars
SERIES REVIEW: What great all encompassing books for kids on countries all over the world. My son is constantly asking me about places all over the world, so these books are right up his alley. It presents great information in a way that is easy for kids to understand. It is like taking a tour of each of the counties within the pages of a book! 4 stars
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******************************************************* Featuring the lovable, inquisitive, life-of-the-party Charlie Girl, the Standard Poodle and true cosmopolitan canine! In this introductory book, you'll read the story of her love for New York and everyone around her, from her owners to the doormen and the people she meets along the way. Charlie Girl loves playing in Central Park, riding in taxis, shopping, and even visiting art galleries! Sometimes she gets into mischief, but at the end of the day, she is still our favorite poodle. My review: Meet Charlie, the lovable and sometime mischievous standard poodle who loves New York. In this book you get to know Charlie and the other people in her life. Such a cute and fun book series. It is one my boys and I loved. 4 stars In this second installment featuring Charlie Girl, a standard poodle and true cosmopolitan canine, a new baby is on the way. Charlie Girl’s world as she knows it is turned upside down. Everyone in the neighborhood leans over the baby carriage to admire little Ava while Charlie Girl, left on the side, wonders to herself what happened to her life. Yet all she wants to do is protect this new baby, sit by the crib, and make sure she's okay. How can she be jealous and at the same time so protective of baby Ava? It's instinct! The feelings shared in this tale apply to humans and dog relationships in families with new children or puppies. Over time Charlie Girl and her baby sister find they have much in common as they end up having the time of their lives together, becoming two peas in a pod and the loves of each other’s lives. A true "tail" of family love, it teaches young readers how to deal with jealousy of the attention lavished on their recently born siblings and how change can often turn out to be for the better. My review: Such a cute book about family, love and pets. It is sure to please the fans of the first Charlie Girl book. This book addresses a problem that many kids suffer from...jealously and love, the mix of both of those emotions. This story is original and heartwarming. Such wonderful pictures and I love the size of the books. I really enjoy these books. 4 stars
Chapter Books: What do you get when you cross a hungry French Bulldog and a golden mushroom? You'll just have to read the story to find out! Enjoy the thrilling tale of SuperFang, a new 'breed' of superhero. My review: We love dogs and we love superheroes, put them together and you have a great book! My 6 and 7 year old really enjoyed this book...they were engaged, entertained and laughed and had fun reading this book. That is pretty awesome if you ask me...4 stars
Come Along With Me will transport eight-to twelve-year old children, their parents, and their grandparents to another world when they read Come Along With Me, an adventure about friendship and caring, the unfortunate consequences of jealousy, and the power of hope. Meet Gracie, a ditzy dwarf kangaroo from the Thirty-sixth Universe--a creature who lives in a perfect realm. Because she is bored, Gracie longs for an adventure to St. Petersburg, Russia, a place she imagines is filled with beauty and enchantment. Much to the tiny ‘roo’s surprise, her ability to transport herself to the land of the czars has failed. She ends up at a dairy farm in St. Clair, Pennsylvania, where she saves the life of Gibson, an abandoned Maine coon cat. The unlikely pair become fast friends. While Gracie tries to find her way back home, Gibson carves a life for himself on a farm with his newly adopted mistress, the farmer’s young daughter. There’s one hitch: The overworked farmer demands that Gibson earn his keep. Gibson’s task is thwarted somewhat when he experiences strange visions. But are these visions the result of a thrashing he received from the farmer’s two dogs? Or, maybe Gibson sees parallel universes? As outsiders the little kangaroo and the cat from the city negotiate the perils of farm life. They meet two malicious rats who hate anyone who is happy. The two devoted friends must contend with stampeding cows and a barnyard of critters that have little use for newcomers. Will Gibson keep his sanity and become the little girl’s pet? Will Gracie ever see the splendor of the Russian Versailles? Will the farmer survive the evil machinations of the rats, Bratwold and Eastman? Drift back to the days of Barbie dolls, hula hoops, and Sputnik to find out. My review: An interesting and fun tale that will keep a young reader entertained. My son was having a great adventure while reading. He said he thought it was fun and different than other books. 3.5 stars
The Painted Pilgrim is an adventure story about a large, shocking pink dog who shows up at the door of the Give Me Shelter dog shelter. His name is Pellegrino. Zuki is the director of Give Me Shelter and chooses the name because Pellegrino means "a traveler from afar." The story revolves around Pellegrino and how he makes friends with the other dogs at the shelter. Zuki is very protective of him because of his unusual fur. A cast of characters tries to adopt Pellegrino and some of them have bad intentions. Fortunately, with Zuki s vigilance, their plans are foiled. While he is at the shelter, the other dogs befriend Pellegrino and protect him from a kidnapping plot. In the end, Pellegrino finds the perfect home and his two sidekicks surprisingly end up living nearby." My review: A story about friendship and acceptance that any animal lover will adore. It has something for everyone...great characters and a fun and twisty plot. 3 stars
A magical story featuring two young witches who must brave the dangers of the city to save their valley and one of the last covens on earth. Read an excerpt at http://www.holidayhouse.com/excerpts/... My review: This book is for new readers starting chapter books that enjoy magic and nature. This book is about bravery, friendship, magic and being true to yourself. i enjoyed it so very much 3.5 stars
