​Telly Award -winning artist Jennifer Shaw's new children's book, “Dumplings Mean Family,” is told from her son Ethan’s perspective as he shares what it was like to join their family after his adoption.

Book Details:
Dumplings Mean Family by Jennifer Shaw
Category:  Children's Non-Fiction (Ages 3-7), 32 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book; Content Rating:  G.
Publisher:  This Side Up LLC;  Release Date: May 2021
Tour dates: November 15 to November 30
Book Description:
​​        “When Ethan and his siblings are adopted from China to the United States, everything seems so strange and different. Their new American family doesn't even know how to make Chinese food! The children are worried. Will they ever get to eat their favorite meals again? For Ethan's family, embracing two cultures means learning to fold and pinch their way to dumplings that taste like home.”
        Truly a family project, Jennifer’s oldest daughter, Rinnah, served as illustrator for this heartwarming book celebrating the truth that families can be strong and united when they commit to loving each other for who they truly are. As Ethan says, “We may be different in some ways, but we are one family!”

BUY THE BOOK: Dumplings Mean Family  ~  Amazon

        ​ With six kids, we have learned some simple household switches that have saved us precious time and money and have helped us avoid more chemicals in our home. Check out these swaps for your family to try:

        1.)  Swap plastic shampoo and body wash bottles for shampoo and bath bars.
            This is a new one for us. I was really bothered by how many plastic bottles our family was throwing away, and so I started looking for alternatives. Bath bars are easy – my grandmother would laugh that we ever switched to body wash! But shampoo bars were a bit harder. Many of them are really expensive, and would they actually feel like shampoo? After some searching, I found a set, and everyone loves them! My hair actually has more body than it did before. I paid about $25 for a set of four, and each bar is supposed to be the equivalent of 2-3 bottles of shampoo, so that’s $25 for 8-12 bottles of shampoo— a total bargain! Plus, they are tiny, came wrapped in paper, and will be amazing for traveling.
         2.)  Swap paper towels for fabric wash cloths.
              I’ve done this for most of my adult life. The last time I bought wash cloths, I think I bought a pack of 20 for about $25 and we use them for washing dishes and the like. They are super easy to clean, and we keep a stack of them under the sink or in a drawer where they are always handy. I only use paper towels now for something truly disgusting that I just want to throw away. The last set of paper towels I bought has lasted over a year.
          3.)  Swap cleaning supplies and paper towels for microfiber cleaning cloths.
               This was a big change for us about four years ago, and it’s been a great one. I bought a few microfiber cleaning cloths from e-cloth (much, much cheaper than competitors and very effective) and loved them, so I invested in a whole set and we haven’t looked back. Basically, you can clean your whole house with water and these cloths, and they pick up 98% of germs and bacteria. And then you just wash them. I love them! Our house is very clean, I’ve saved countless dollars and many plastic bottles of cleaning supplies, and I don’t have chemicals all over my house which is very important to me with my kiddos.

         These simple switches can help us all save some money and be a little greener in the process.

Meet the Author:

          Jennifer Shaw is a Telly Award-winning singer/songwriter, author, speaker, and five-time Top 40 Billboard artist. Her work has been featured by Focus on the Family, Insight for Living, Family Life Today, Compassion International, Autism Speaks, and many more. Her book, “Life Not Typical: How Special Needs Parenting Changed My Faith and My Song,” has brought national attention to the issue of Sensory Processing Disorder. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, six busy kids, and two crazy dogs.
​
connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway Details:​


Enter to win DUMPLINGS MEAN FAMILY signed by the author
(one winner/USA only) (ends Dec 7)

Book Details:
Twin Tales: Alike and Different by Brielle and Nadia Dupervil
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 28 pages
Genre:  Children; Format: Print - Hardback USA, e-book PDF
Publisher:  RiaJay Publishing;  Release date:  October 2021
Tour dates: October 25 to November 19
Content Rating:  G - Suitable for all readers.
Book Description: 
​       Imagine having someone that is just like you in the world. Or what if there were not just like you, but everyone thought they were? Twin sisters Alexia and Denise might look alike on the outside, but they are very different on the inside. Join the sisters as they reveal what makes them unique. An enduring story of siblings who share a strong bond that parents will appreciate, and children will love.
Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Authors' Website  ~  add to Goodreads

Review by Deanna Watts:
This children story was a reminder of one’s individuality. From the characters point of view, Alexia and Denise (twin sisters) want to be seen and appreciated by what makes them different and unique from one another.
 I think it’s so sweet that the authors are actually twin sisters!
I read this story to a 3 year old boy who was able to relate with the characters. Since he has a little brother who is very close in age, but also wants to be seen as his own person.
The illustrations are beautifully done and really make it easy for kids to follow along with the story.
Overall, I give this book a 4/5 stars rating.

​                              Twin Tales: Alike and Different - A unique quarantine project

          Like it did for most, the world Nadia and Brielle knew turned upside down in March of 2020. Suddenly the girls had to attend school on the computer and were forced to spend all day at home with their parents who work full time and run multiple businesses. Nadia and Brielle went from learning their ABCs to listening in on mommy and daddy’s work conversations.
         One day they overheard a meeting where their parents were talking about writing a book. Brielle was especially curious about her parent’s book and decided that she too would like to write a book. After talking it over with Nadia they decided that was exactly what they were going to do. Next, they had to figure out what to write about. They eventually decided to write about being twins.
        The girls pitched the idea to their mother and asked if she would help them. Of course, mom was all in. Mommy got everything set up and involved Nadia and Brielle through every step of the process. A few days each week, the girls would sit with mom and talk about what they loved about being twins, what they had in common, and what made them different. Mom helped them to write it down and structure their words into the format of a story.
        After they got the content, it was time to choose an illustrator. Mom found lots of illustrators and let Brielle and Nadia pick the ones they liked best. After they selected an illustrator, they had to decide how they wanted their character to look. They were very interested in the character development, even down to the clothes and accessories.
            Nadia and Brielle were involved in every step of the way. Although they are young, they are very opinionated and super detail oriented. There were times when mommy didn’t agree with Nadia and Brielle about the direction of the book or the illustrations, during those times, Nadia and Brielle were quick to remind mommy that it was their book. When it came to this book, Nadia and Brielle always had the final say!
        Although 2020 and much of 2021 was non-traditional, from being at home with their parents, Nadia and Brielle got the opportunity to do something that they ordinarily might not have been able to do. From writing this book, they have learned so many lessons such as the importance of hard work, money management, and negotiations skills. Perhaps most important of all, they have learned how to take a bad situation and make it better! Nadia and Brielle came out of quarantine with something great!

Meet the Authors:

​             Brielle has a bold and bubbly personality and never meets a stranger. You can call her the life of the party because there is never a dull moment when she is around. Brielle is a curious conversationalist who will talk to anyone who will listen.
      Nadia is a soft spoken, articulate, gentle spirit. Initially she is reserved, but once comfortable she will win you over with her contagious laughter and the silly jokes she keeps in her back pocket for the right time. Nadia is caring and always does what she can to help others feel better. She is very in tune with her emotions and very direct when expressing them.
​
Connect with the Author:  ​website ~ facebook ~ instagram

Here is the tour schedule. 

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of
​TWIN TALES: ALIKE AND DIFFERENT!
(one winner/USA only) (ends Nov 26)

​Book Details:
BOBOS BABES ADVENTURES: A MAGICAL HALLOWEEN by Karen M. Bobos
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-10),  30 pages; Children's Picture Book, Fairy Tale
Publisher:  Bobos Babes, Ltd.; 
Release date:   September 2021
Tour dates: Oct 11 to Oct 22, 2021
Content Rating:  G for everyone. It's a children's Halloween-themed book about magic and sisterhood.
Book Description:
       It’s Halloween time in the land of Harmony, and the Bobos Babes are ready for some fun!
        When Angel Scarlett, Fairy Cora, and Princess Daphne visit Lily the Ladybug’s Boutique to look for Halloween costumes, they find Lily has left aside three special masks for them. The ladybug informs the sisters that they must wait until noon on Halloween to try on the mysterious masks but assures them they will have the best costumes in all of the land of Harmony.
      The sisters can hardly wait, counting down the minutes on Halloween until they can don their curious masks. When the time comes, they learn their secret masks are enchanted, and the girls are magically transformed into the costumes of their dreams.
         After a fun outing Trick-or-Treating, the little monster, witch, and ghost — or sisters — agree that this was the best Halloween of all.

Buy the Book: Bobos Babes ~  Amazon ~ B&N 

REVIEW by Deanna!
Bobos Babes Adventures: A Magical Halloween 
         This book was a fun little read. It had a rhyming rhythm that kept moving the story forward. I enjoyed the sweet simplicity of the characters and their interactions with one another. The illustrations are cute and follow along great with the text. I read this to a 3-year-old boy, and it kept his attention for about half of it. So maybe a little older child would enjoy it more. 
        In some spots, the rhyming rhythm didn’t flow as naturally as I would’ve liked. In those areas it did feel a little forced or stretched. Overall, a positive little adventure story to add to your Halloween tales.  
         Stay Spooky!! 
I’d give this book  3.5 stars rating

​                                               Balancing Mom Life and Being an Author
          I can only assume that most mothers who are authors, also have other jobs. Not only am I an author and a mother, but I also own a wellness company for the past 15 years. Juggling any job and life is difficult. When you throw kids, a dog, a house, and don’t forget your spouse into the mix -- now you have a circus. Let the balancing act begin . . .
         The best part about being a writer is that I not only love writing but feel like I was born to write. It’s in my blood. Writing makes me feel more like me. It’s a stress relief, especially writing about a life with creatures who all co-exist in a land of harmony. Life is often messy and stressful being a mom. Writing is a beautiful escape from the chaos that is inevitable being a parent. Although, it is one more line item to balance, because it’s an escape, it doesn’t feel like a chore, so that helps.
          Finding time to write can be challenging. It’s so important for authors to write as often as they can to keep strengthening their writing skills. I write when the kids are at school, waiting in line to pick them up from school, during their gymnastics’ practice . . . you make an effort to prioritize writing and squeeze it in wherever and whenever you can.
         Writing stories whose main characters are inspired by my actual daughters brings a closer bond with my daughters. They are definitely my focus group for kids’ reactions in the age group who my books target, ages 3-11. Scarlett is only eight, but she is a very advanced reader, which helps know that I am reaching a broader audience. They love reading and hearing my stories because they can’t wait to hear what they did or what new characters come into the series.
        Being a business owner, I became incorporated as soon as I decided to begin the publishing process. I am teaching my daughters how to be a part of the business. They have their own shows on our YouTube channel. We work together on their segments. Reading and writing is a passion for all members of our family. Scarlett is very instrumental in choosing books that we review for our Bobos Babes Book Reviews shows. Having the girls get involved helps me feel like I am not working instead of being with them but rather we are working together.

​Meet the Author:
        Karen M. Bobos began writing poetry and stories at the early age of ten. She is a life-long Chicagoan who now raises her family in the downtown area. During the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic, Chicago also became a city of unrest. Trying to keep her three young daughters in a world of magic during such scary times, the Bobos Babes Adventures were born. Her goal was to create a world of Harmony for her family and hopefully for others to escape, even if only for a moment.
         The first book of the series, The Case of the Giggles, was published in December 2020. The Missing Egg launched in March 2021. The Lion's Secret was published in June 2021, a tribute to her mother and late father's incredible love story.  The Lovey That Came to Life and The Bobcat Birthday Party will be releasing in the upcoming months.​

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Giveaway Details:​
Enter to win a signed copy of Karen Bobos' BOBOS BABES 
ADVENTURES: MAGICAL HALLOWEEN!
(one winner/USA only) (ends oct 29)

​A "Mom's Choice Award Winner"!

Book Details:
Chipper Makes Merry by Kimber Fox Morgan
Category: Children's Fictions (Ages 3-7)
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Simple Wonder Press, 34 pages
Release date:  October 2021
Format available for review:  Print softback, ebook (PDF)
Will send print books out:  USA
Tour dates: October 4 to October 29, 2021
Content Rating:  Rated G - Suitable for All Ages
Book Description:
​          Tip toe, tip toe, crackle, crunch!
          Chipper the Fox sneaks through the forest to spread cheer to his weary friends. Will his merry making be a success? Or will a smelly fish disaster and a log pile tumble ruin his plans?

     “Chipper Makes Merry” takes you on Chipper’s arctic quest filled with lessons of love, kindness and determination.
Buy The Book: Kimber Fox Morgan  ~  Amazon

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
Begin this Holiday Season with Chipper Makes Merry. It is a cute story of Chippers various ways of spreading cheer within his animal habitat!
Kim Sponangle, did a marvelous job in creating the scenes that depicted the tale. They are charming, colorful and simple. .. Even the writing is a form of art.
The only negative I find, is the rhyminh does not always rhyme well which throws off the rhythm and timing. It prevents a smooth flow in her writing
​I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating
*This book was gifted me with no pressureto post a positive review.
​

                                                   Incorporating favorites into my book
            Everyone has favorite things— favorite colors, animals, books, music, foods, and the list can go on and on. When writing Chipper Makes Merry, I wanted to incorporate my favorites into my writing in places other than the dedication. Of course, the dedication is all about my favorite people, who are the most important favorites of all. But the hidden favorites were fun to find places for and I enjoyed weaving them in. Gus the Walrus was the easiest character to name. I love the name GUS. I wanted it for one of our dogs, but the family vetoed it. But since it’s my book, I didn’t have to deal with vetoes. Win for me! Speaking of my family, I did include a tribute within illustrations to my cute hubby with a tree carving and to my kids with their initials on some steppingstones. It might have taken them a few passes through the book before they noticed! There is also a little red bird who appears throughout the book, who is a signal to my dad who loves cardinals. I am an AVID coffee lover, so no “winter” celebration was complete in my mind without a “cup of steamy joe”! In addition, the characters party with maple cake, which is a family favorite and our top donut flavor of the house. Writing is so personal, and I found it fun to give away little nuggets about myself along the way!

​Meet the Author:

Morgan is a fun wife, and imperfect mom of 3 crazy kiddos and 2 little lemon (problematic) dogs. She tries to live her strengths the best she can. She likes to say she is creative, not crafty. Morgan is a homemade Halloween costume type of mom. She lets her kids mix the play doh. She bakes fun birthday cakes (cutely, but far from perfection). She loves a homemade valentine and a school project. Chipper the Fox is an extension of Morgan's creative strength. Originally designed as character to create merry during the holiday season, Chipper has grown and developed into a story of determination and love.

connect with the author: website ~ instagram  ~facebook

Giveaway Details:

Enter to win CHIPPER MAKES MERRY signed by the author (one winner/USA only) (ends Nov 5)

Book Details:
My Cat Is Blue by Sarah Sommer
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  36 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Mascot Books; Release date:  October 2021
Format: Print - Hardback USA
Tour dates: October 5 to October 18
Content Rating:  G - Children's picture book featuring feelings of sadness and grief (loss of a pet), but no explicit content or language.
Book Description: 
​        When someone you love is feeling down in the dumps, you try everything to help. But sometimes, you don't have the cure, and those blues can even become contagious. It just might be the unexpected that allows you both to shed your blues and move toward a bright and colorful future.
Buy the Book: Mascot Books ~   Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble  ~Chapters Indigo ~ Books-A-Million    

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
This is a great tale for someone who has lost a pet or even a beloved human. 
The color effects were good. It added emphasis in depicting the "play" of wording on subject matter.
Although most of the verse was in rhyme, there were many phrases which weren't. I feel the author would have been wiser to not try rhyming but just wrote it as a regular story. It lacked a steady rhythm and a smooth flow.
The llustrations by Ekaterina Bulankina, were very good and a great "fit" for the story.
The hardcovered book is of great quality bound well and is an attractive addition to any library.
I offer a Four Stars rating for this book
*This book was gited me with no pressure to post a positove review. This is my honest review.

Meet the Author:

​        Sarah Sommer is an award-winning children's picture book author who blends her love for music, animals, and positivity in her books. Having trained in classical music and performed internationally as a professional clarinetist, rhymes and lyrics are an important part of her writing style. She is an advocate for animals, as seen in her work fostering German shepherds, and as a result, animals are always a central part of her stories. Sarah aims to include encouraging themes, such as helping others, in all of her narratives because we all need a little help sometimes.

connect with the author:  ​website ~ facebook ~ goodreads ~ instagram

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to Win a signed MY CAT IS BLUE (hardback)
and $50 Amazon Gift Card (one winners/USA only) (ends Oct 25)

Book Details:
Our Moon Festival by Yobe Qiu
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  30 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book; Content Rating:  G
Publisher:  Yobe Qiu LLC: Release date:  January 2020
Format:  print - hardback (USA), pdf
Tour dates: September 7 to September 27, 2021

Book Description:
​"Our Moon Festival" is a beautifully illustrated children's book celebrating the unique ways the Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese communities celebrate the Moon Festival. The story highlights different families and their traditions as they observe Zhong Qiu Jie, Tết Trung Thu, and Tsukimi!
Buy the Book:  Amazon ~  Author's Website ~ ​Oakiebees

 REVIEW by LAWonder10:
​Our Festival Moon introduces the varied traditions three countries have in celebrating the Moon Festival.
The story is slightly advanced fr pre-school age children. I would be ideal for early elementary age, 
It is informative of a celebration that most are unaware of. It is a good educational tool in teaching other cultures and traditions. It helps children be more aware and educated in learning about the differences and similarities of children throughout the world.
The illustrations, by Christina Nel Lopez, are very colorful. It seems to be a type of Impresionalism that I do not care for. It barely adds face features.  The other issue I have with it is,  some of the writing is over dark areas of illustrations so it is hard to read the entire sentence. Mostly, it contains typing colors that are easily read.
I offer a Four Stars rating for this well-made, quality book.
This book was gifted me with no pressure to post a positive review. This is my honest review.

Here is the tour schedule.

​Meet the Author:
Yobe is an educator, entrepreneur and mom who lives in NYC. As an educator, she focused on teaching families to embrace love, diversity and different cultures. Through the years working in the classrooms and closely with other educators, she noticed the lack of multi-cultural resources that represented children of color. That is when Yobe decided to create multicultural children stories that feature Asian children, families and cultures! Yobe loves spending time with her daughter, reading to children and taking long walks during the day!

Connect with the Author:  Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

​Giveaway:​
Enter to win OUR MOON FESTIVAL signed by the author (one winner/USA only) (ends Oct 4)

​REVIEW by LAWonder10:
​      These are adorable, educational illustrated Board Books by Clever Publishing. The inside tab allows the child to select the picture that each page directs him/her to select. Thus, assists in the development of cognitive and of motor skills. 
       It will surely delight each child in the description of each's personality trait and suggests dreams that can come true..
          The Book assists the child in  way to find their "sign" in the constellations, as well as in finding the other signs shown in the individual books.
            The Illustrator, Alyona Achilova, has donne an excellent job in creating fun, colorful, well-defined pictures.
                The wording is simple and not too detailed for toddler minds.
               The only qualms I have is not all Zodiac symbols are the same in every Zodiac book. Which symbols are correct?
             I give this set of Picture books a Five Stars rating.
The Illustrator:

​

Anita A. Caruso was an interior designer for over 40 years.
She was a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Cape Cod and a finalist for Woman of the Year in 1975.
She created Investments Unlimited in Cape Cod in 1986. It disbanded after 30 successful years.
Anita is a member of Cape Cod Writers Ceter,  National League of American Pen Women - Cape Cod branch, and Sandwich Arts Aliance Group.
She wrote and published a memoir seven years after her husband died.
Media Links: Amazon Page ~ Goodreads ~ Linkedin ~ Facebook ~ 

Each one of her Five Books has placed in the Purple Dragon Book Awards.
In Each Book, Brayden teams up with some of his cousins.
In Brayden's Magical Journeys, the possibilities are endless.

One U.S./Can Winner will receive a Print copy of the Book of His/Her Choice of the Brayden Series.

Book Details:
Amal the Thirsty Gamal: A Christmas Tale
by Robert Schorr
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  38 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book; Content Rating:  G.
Publisher:  Mascot;  Release date:  July, 2021
Tour dates: July 6 to July 26, 2021
Book Description:
       The charming tale told in Amal the Thirsty Gamal is for every young person who might be anxious about how they are viewed by those around them (and yes, camels care about that too!). For so long, our little hero has been hearing taunts and jeers and thinking negative things about himself, his looks, and especially his little hump. But—oh, brace yourselves! — because Wise Men are traveling with Amal’s special caravan, and when one of them speaks up around the campfire one night, everything changes for little Amal!

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ B&N  ~  Mascot Books

REVIEW By LAWonder10:
This is a very unique, fun Christmas Tale!
It centers n a poor camel rejected by and made fun if by peers and others because of a abnormality.
Just as Santa had Rudolf, Amal finds himself in a similar situation.
This s a diverse "twist" to the Christmas Story.
The one thing I feel was lacking is a rythym to the tale and jutted between rhyme and prose. I feel it woud have been more effective simply written in regular story form.
The illustrations By Christina Koontz were done very well. They are brightly colorful and appealingly comical, at times.
I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating.
This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review.

Robert Schorr’s Amal the Thirsty Gamal: a Christmas Tale Mascot Books 30 pages ISBN 978-1-64543-869-4 Retail Price: 16.95 US/20.95 CAN Available at mascotbooks.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble
                                         The Saddest, Loneliest, Most Pitiful Creature
        I have always loved the stories of outcasts and underdogs. I love the sea’s “Old Man” and the “Enemy of the People” and Jean Valjean and let’s not forget that love crazed Calaf, bounding up the palace steps to bang the gong on Turandot’s porch while all the world is screaming not to do it!
          Isn’t it magnificent? Don’t you love things like that?
           But I must confess that I wasn’t expecting my little children’s book hero to be topping the list of outcasts and underdogs. My thirsty camel just might be the ultimate example!
I know that sounds a little overblown, but bear with me a few moments and think this through with me: I’m pretty sure you will agree...
           First, we have camels at large. They themselves are terribly lowly and humble things as far as the animal kingdom is concerned. Yes, I’m talking about the entire species. Are they not belittled by all the rest? I mean, think about it: a hump? Lions have manes, and tigers have a “rooooaaaaar” and eagles have wings and elephants have hoses; kangaroos have pouches and turtles have houses, and even the firefly has a charming lamp to light his path in the dark of night. But let a camel walk by and every animal in the kingdom is bound to smirk and shake its head at the sight! As in:
            “Dude! What’s with the hump?”
           And the poor camel, of course, is completely at a loss. “Uh...I don’t know.” “Well...what’s it for...is there a point somewhere?”
           He doesn’t know! He can’t explain it! It was there when he got here! And so, whenever the rest of the animals come by, that “hump” is a source of embarrassment for every single camel. And that’s why they have such stern, anxious looks on their faces—didn’t you know?
But wait, we’re not done yet. Amid this sad, humble, belittled group—very much like another breed of creatures I know—there is belittling and shaming going on (are you ready for this?) among themselves!
           Oh, yes! You see, right there in the camel family, we have Bactrians with two humps, and do they ever sneer at the camels with one! “Dromedaries”, those are called, and they walk around with their heads hanging down, ashamed to admit that they’re missing a hump. But at least they have one, that’s something anyway. And if they could only find someone more “flawed” than themselves, if only there was someone a little lower on the ladder! Someone they could look down on for once...and make fun of for once...well, wouldn’t that be a relief?
           And so...behold! Enter: Amal! Our sad little Gamal, who hardly has any hump at all, which means he is thirsty most of the time, and out in the desert that’s not a good sign...
Amal is made fun of by the Dromedaries, who have all been belittled by the Bactrians, who in turn have been teased by the lions and the eagles and all the other privileged ones in the animal kingdom! And so, let me ask you: does it get any lower than Amal the Gamal?
            I rest my case! We can safely assume that Amal the Gamal is the saddest, loneliest, most pitiful creature in the entire animal kingdom.
            This is even more reason why your friendship means so much to him! Have I thanked you for that lately?

Meet the Author:
       Robert Schorr resides in San Clemente, California, with his wife Sharilyn and their family nearby. For 26 years, he served as Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel Old Towne in Orange, California. Prior to that, they lived in Asia for 17 years. He is devoted to his Savior, to Sharilyn, his children, flying, hiking, fly-fishing, Chinese, and writing. He loves any story that makes someone special, and he knew, a long time ago, that little Amal had one to tell.

Connect with the Author: website ~ facebook 

Here is the tour schedule. 

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of 
AMAL THE THIRSTY GAMAL!
(one winner/USA only) (ends Aug 2)

Book Details:
BOB THE BANANA GOES BAD by Steve Petzinger and Selai Akbar-Hussain
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  38 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book; Publisher:  Mascot Books;
Release date:   June, 2021; Content Rating:  G for everyone.
Tour dates: June 14 to July 9, 2021
Book Description:
      In this heartwarming story, Bob the banana goes on an emotional journey as he worries about going bad before he can be of any use to Mr. Abbot. With the help of his friends, he learns to hold on to the hope that he will get picked by Mr. Abbott before it is too late. Through their combined support and perseverance of his refrigerated friends, Bob may be just the right item for Mr. Abbot someday.

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ B&N ~ Target ~ Mascot Books ~ author website  ~ 
add to goodreads

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
Bob the Banana Goes Bad is a whimsical story with a clever "play on words". It is a book which will surely "lighten things up" at home, in a classroom, for a Summer Reading Program or Book Club!
I often wonder what my refrigerator food would say if they could talk!
The Illustrations done by Juan Diaz are done beautifully. The large picture, bright colors and  clarity are perfect!
I offer a Five Stars rating for this book.
#This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.

                                                Perfect Timing  By Steve Petzinger

         For years my family has encouraged me to publish Bob the Banana goes Bad, a book I wrote when I was 12. I work full time in IT and had a busy life. I could never see myself having the time to actually invest into publishing. I didn’t even know where to start.
In 2020 life took an unexpected turn. The world was facing a Pandemic. In March of 2020 I was assigned to work remotely. My usual routines of the gym and running groups were no longer available and I found myself with a lot of free time. In June, I finally decided to start. I found an amazing publisher that was local and offered all the services I needed. Then I began the editing process. I was really lucky that a good friend of mine was willing to help.
         Everything after finding the publishing company was smooth sailing. First, I submitted the draft after collaboration with my co-author to the editor. We worked with the editor for a few months tightening up page layout, dialogue, and content. Then we picked out an illustrator from a variety of portfolios. After we decided on the one we wanted, we started communicating with him and working on story board. We were very involved with picking font, color scheme, and editing the illustrations. Then after all was done, we cleared the final version for printing. Once the final went off to the printers, we were given 3 months until the release date. All in all, the process was seamless and went by so fast. If it wasn’t for the Pandemic, I might not have found the perfect time.

                                                        Meet the Authors:

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of BOB THE BANANA GOES BAD! (one winner/USA only)(ends July 16)

Book Details:
Bentley and the Magic Sticks by Claire Eckard
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  38 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book; Rating:  G for everyone.
Publisher:  Mill City Press, Inc. ~ Release date:   April 2021
Tour dates: June 21 to July 16, 2021
Book Description:
      Bentley and the Magic Sticks follows this extra-large canine as he finds out that his favorite sticks have magical powers, thanks to a wonderful Fairy Dogmother called Tia! Because other dogs are afraid of his large size Bentley has no one to play with. However, with his magic sticks he manages to make new friends and he also discovers the special secret of why he is so big.

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ B&N ~ IndieBound ~ add to goodreads ~ add to bookbub

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
Bentley and the Magic Sticks is a delightful tale of fantasy about an over-sized dog and a magical situation which went haywire. It is very well-written, creative and the illustrations created by Anne York are colorfully adorable.
There are a few good teaching points made which will enhance individual insight and group discussions.  It is highly entertaining and recommended for Summer Reading Programs and Book Club reading.
I offer a Five Stars rating.
I was gifted this book with no pressure for a positive review. his is my honest review.

        Many people don’t know that Bentley is quite the song aficionado. He can be found clubbing almost every Saturday evening, often with his friends Rachel, Rex, Stetson, Zeus and Freddie in tow. Bentley has very eclectic tastes in music. He likes to dance to Disco, rock out to Rock and Roll and jazz up his evening with some Blues. Yes, on Saturday nights, our quiet, kind, loveable Bentley unleashes his wild side! Since he is quite famous now, he often takes his tags off so he can’t be identified in public. Although we don’t recommend dogs EVER removing their tags, Bentley is microchipped, so in the event he doesn’t make it home (we’ve all been there), he can still be identified by his friendly local veterinarian or shelter staff.
        Bentley loves showing off on the dance floor. He practices at home in front of a HUGE mirror, so he knows when he has nailed a move! Some of his more famous ones are called, Head in a Bucket and SHAKE, Pick up a Newspaper and STRUT, and, one of my personal favorites, Grab the Trash and DUNK IT!
Here’s a list of Bentley’s Favorite Songs, so you can add them to your playlist. In descending order (drum roll please),
#5 You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog, Elvis Presley. ( If you thought Elvis could shake his hips, you should see Bentley!)
#4 Seamus the Dog, Pink Floyd. (Bentley often dedicates this song to Rachel because, you know, she’s pink.)
#3 I Love my Dog, Sublime (This catchy and dramatic little tune should be sung by every dog owner, right?)
#2 Cracker Jack, Dolly Parton (Bentley likes that this dog was lost and rescued, just like himself.)
#1 Who Let The Dogs Out, Baha Men (No Saturday night would be complete without Bentley and The Dog Park Gang’s rendition of this classic.)
Bentley plans on taking a turn at songwriting himself, so look out for his future #1 hit, I Got a Bone to Pick with You! It’s sure to be a big hit!

Meet the Author:

Claire Eckard is an animal lover and believes in volunteering to give back to her community, especially to the homeless animals that need to find their forever homes. Her animals often inspire her writing, weaving their way into the stories that she writes, blending reality and fiction to entertain, teach, enlighten, and share the joy that animals bring to our lives! Claire is an author, poet, songwriter, wife, mother and grandmother! She lives in Arizona, splitting her time between her home in Yuma, Arizona and her ranch in the mountains of Prescott. Claire has three dogs, eight horses, and a miniature mule!

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~instagram ~ goodreads ~ bookbub

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of 
BENTLEY AND THE MAGIC STICKS!
(one winner/USA only)(ends July 23)

Book Details:
Finding Family in a Far-Away Land: An Adoption Story by Amanda Wall
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 4-10),  44 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book, Adoption
Publisher:  BookBaby  ~ Release date:   March 29, 2021
Content Rating:  G for everyone. ~ Tour dates: June 21 to July 16 2021

Book Description:
         Every adoption experience is uniquely different but the yearning to have unconditional family love is universal. Two Indian sisters, Priya and Ari, experience what it's like to be adopted into a multi-cultural, interracial family. Walk alongside these two charming, dynamic girls as they journey through the adoption transition to a new country full of new experiences!
          "Finding Family in a Far-Away Land" is a pensive and sometimes comical book that demonstrates how children can experience the same journey quite differently. A glossary of cultural terms is included so that all can learn and enjoy what Ari and Priya cherish about their Indian roots. This story is meant to be a resource to those hoping to learn about one family's adoption experience― and may even help a child process their own adoption story. The intended audience for this book is children ages 4-10.

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ IndieBound ~ add to goodreads   ~

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
Finding Family in a Far Away Land is a simply written, heartfelt story, of a couple of orphaned girls in India who receive a family from America, full of love. Their feelings and a few experiences are shared.  It also points out the opposites in their two livng conditions.
This is a wonderful  for young children. It is a wonderful book for Summer Reading Programs and Book Clubs.
The illustrations are cartoon-like in colorful watercolors. These are also created by the author.
The only negative comment i have is it lacked telling by what means the two girls were orphaned.
I offer a Four an a Half Stars rating.
*This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.

         As a mother of four what types of books do you enjoy reading to your kids?

          Every year at my children’s school they hold a bookfair and the class that donates the most books will win a pizza party. Not one of my kid’s has ever won and maybe it’s because we can’t let go of our children’s books. Who can say goodbye to glorious adventure, life lessons and cultural learning? Not to mention all the fun memories we share reading them, snuggled up together.
          You may as well call us book hoarders. I am mother of two biological children and two adopted children from India ages ranging from 6-11 which equates to a plethora of books in all genres. A wise teacher, and lover of books, once told me any type of behavioral problem or social dilemma can be found in a children’s book. Bookshelves lined her fourth-grade classroom; it’s a wonder she even fit the desks in there. We love imaginative and humorous stories, but the following themes have initiated healthy conversations within our family.
           Social and Emotional Books
        Any book that helps my kids discuss their feelings is noteworthy. One of my adopted daughters carries tremendous shame when she is confronted with an accusation or makes a mistake. Bottling her feelings and then bursting into uncontrollable tears was initially her way of coping with emotion. We have a saying in our house, “Don’t feel bad about feeling.” Some of my favorite books in this category are In My Heart by Joe Witek which discusses all the emotions we feel, and Ruby finds a Worry by Tom Percival which helps children to talk about a worry before it grows. Another family favorite is The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds because it encourages children to explore their creative nature, eliminating the words “I can’t”.
          Diverse and Multicultural Books
         Children love learning about families and cultures outside of their own. The wise Mr. Rogers once said, “We want to raise our children so that they can take a sense of pleasure in both their own heritage and the diversity of others.” My daughters from India want to see heroes, princesses, and fairies that look like them so I am constantly looking for books in which they may see themselves. A favorite series of ours are the Once Upon a World collection by Chloe Perkins which are reimagined fairy tales. My daughter Ari especially loves the vibrant spin of Rapunzel, a beautiful Indian princess who lives in the Indian countryside. My oldest daughter loves learning about the world beyond our backyard. One of her favorite books is Rainbow Weaver by Linda Elovitz Marshall about a Mayan girl who cleans the earth of colorful plastic bags and weaves them into beautiful tapestries. When my son was younger, we read a graphically strong and pragmatic book called People by Peter Spier. How wonderful to be able to understand the vastness and diversity of our world at a young age.
          Books that Empower
        Building confidence is children is paramount. I want all my kids to dream big and see various examples of successes, whether real, and fictional. We have a book on our shelves that is so worn we’ve had to tape the pages back together and that book is Part-time Princess by Deborah Underwood. In this delightful tale, a young girl fights fires in the kingdom and befriends a dragon during the night. She’s too busy to think about marrying a prince yet. Learning to be yourself is another powerful message provided in the story A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon. Books written about failing in order to succeed such as Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty instill never giving up.”
         No matter your child’s interest you can find a book highlighting a person who overcame adversity to achieve their dreams! Don’t underestimate the influence you have on a child or the difference you can make by simply reading a story.

Meet the Author:

Amanda is a mother of four with a heart towards adoption. She lives in Colorado with her family but loves to travel and connect with others through their culture. Educating families on adoption is a passion for Amanda because the adoptees' voice is often unheard.
Author's Mredia links: 
website ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Here is the tour schedule. 

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of Amanda Wall's FINDING FAMILY IN A FAR-AWAY LAND!
(one winner/USA only) (ends July 23)

Book Details:
Nurse Mommy by Kristyn Boland
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 2-10),  38 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book ~ Content Rating:  G for everyone.
Publisher:  Mascot Books ~ Release date:   June, 2021
Tour dates: June 14 to July 2, 2021
Book Description:
        What does Mommy do when she leaves for work? From giving medicine to using her stethoscope, Nurse Mommy’s job is important because she helps patients get better. But what about her family back home—does Nurse Mommy really have to go to work? Nurse Mommy helps kids understand what the nurse they love is doing when they go to work at night.

Buy the Book:Amazon ~ B&N ~ Mascot Books

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
Nurse Mommy is a very cute, rhyming story about the duties and feelings of a Nurse leaving family to go to work.
The very colorful illustrations by Vanessa Alexandre are cartoonish and ill surely capture the eyes of little children.
This is a great story for small children to relate to working parents who are nurses.
I offer a Five stars rating

                                                         What inspired you to start writing?

         When my son was a few months old I had the thought that maybe one day he would get upset when I leave for work, and it would be so helpful to have a book for him explaining where I am and what I’m doing when I leave at night. I searched and searched, I thought surely a book like this would already exist! There are so many night shift nurses as well as other professions where moms and dads leave for work at night. I found a lot of books about nurses, but none specifically about a night shift nurse! I had the crazy thought that maybe I could try and write it myself. Not being a writer by trade. I wasn’t sure I would be able to write an entire story. But when I sat down the words just flew onto the page more easily than I could have ever imagined.       
          I think knowing that I was writing it for my son to listen to made it easier because I knew what I wanted to tell him. I wrote about what mommy does at work, how I’m always thinking about him while I’m gone, and how at the end of the night I can’t wait to get home and see his sweet face.
         While I wrote this very much for my son, I know that there are a lot of other children who get upset when their moms leave for work. Over the years I’ve worked with a lot of other Nurse Mommies who say just that! Thinking of these kids inspired me to pursue this story as well. If I can help even just one child feel better about their mom leaving for work at night, I will consider this a huge success.

Meet the Author:
      Kristyn Boland lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, Tim, her son, Owen, and their dog, Bo. She graduated from East Carolina University College of Nursing in 2014. Kristyn started her career working in Pediatric Intensive Care and later moved to Postpartum Care, where she takes care of moms and their new babies in the hospital. When she returned to work after having her son, she wanted to find a book for her husband to read to her son at bedtime explaining where she was and why she went to work at night. When she couldn’t find one, she decided to write it herself!

connect with the author: website ~ instagram

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of Kristyn Boland's NURSE MOMMY!
(one winner/USA only) (ends July 9)

Book Details:

Book Title:  MIA AND THE HUMMINGBIRD by Nancy Carlisle
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  34 pages
Genre:  Juvenile fiction/social themes or animals/birds
Publisher:  Sage Green Press
Release date:   March, 2021
Format available for review:  print-softback (USA and Canada), pdf
Tour dates: June 14 to June 25, 2021
Content Rating:  G. There is nothing that even comes close to PG.

Book Description:

Mia and the Hummingbird is the story of a young girl who immigrates to a new country and learns to accept a new life.She sees the hummingbird building her nest for her babies and thinks that she and the bird are similar as they learn to adapt to their new homes. Mia and the Hummingbird includes information about environmental and social reasons for immigration, the struggle to adapt to a new home and information about hummingbirds. Included is a glossary about these issues, a bibliography, and references.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
add to goodreads

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
Mia and the Hummingbird is about a young girl forced to immigrate to  new country. It associates much of the Hummingbird's struggles with the challenges the young girl experiences.
There are many interesting facts and information offered within the story content, as well as within the Glossary at the end of the book. The story also offered a couple of ways the girl found to fit in and participate.
The Illustrations by the author were done in a colorful, abstract, watercolor design to keep children entertained.
However, the story flow was not smooth and would have been better if written as two separate books. The relation between the two scenarios was weak.
This is a good book for Summer Reading Programs and individual awareness.
I offer a Three and a Half Stars rating.
*This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.

                                               Where did you get inspiration for the story?

       For Mia and the Hummingbird, the first inspiration came on the last day of an intensive French class that I was taking in France. The professor used the French proverb that is found in the Foreword to the book. It is, “Little by little, the bird builds it’s nest”. At the time, I think our class was just a bit discouraged because we weren’t more fluent after our course. The proverb was the professor’s way of telling us that learning French is a slow process, and yes, we made good progress in the course, but we still have more to learn, and must persist. In my mind, this conjured up an image of a resilient little bird and a resilient younger version of myself determined to succeed and voila! My inspiration for the cover and the story. Then I was thinking back on my time during the course and one strong memory was the day I got lost walking to town. Just like Mia, I too approach a nearby women and with a shaky voice and tears in my eyes, asked for help. At the time I was about 50 years older than Mia. The woman was very kind and got me home. Those two experienced formed the core of the story. That summer my neighbor had a hummingbird nest in his front yard. I’d stop by and look at the nest each day and was able to watch the baby birds grow. I began thinking of the hummingbird as my Little Bird character in the story. The inspiration was then coupled with research on hummingbirds
        The inspiration for Mia comes from the students that I mentor and\or the adults that I worked with as a volunteer English as a second language teacher. The adults were all new to our country with no English language skills and many of the students were from immigrant parents or came to the US as immigrants. Both the adults and students were resilient and persistent and all extremely kind and caring. They had diverse and interesting backgrounds and cultures. I learned so much from all of them and was very impressed with their determination to succeed. I wanted Mia to embody their strengths.
         Following through with the book details, I searched for source material to inspire me with the drawings. Nature always inspires me, but I did need to check many details for accuracy, for example, I needed to find a picture of a broken branch from a storm to make sure my drawing was accurate. Mia’s wardrobe was another place where I needed inspiration. Luckily, a friend of mind showed me a series of pictures of her granddaughter who had a great sense of style that gave me inspiration for Mia’s wardrobe.

Meet the Author:

        Nancy Carlisle is an author, illustrator and retired architect and manager. She writes hopeful books for kids that interweave facts and fiction about the environment and global responsibility.
        During her 38 year career, as an architect and researcher, her focus was on the environment. She led work nationally and internationally on sustainable and energy efficient buildings and communities and won awards for collaboratively designing award-winning sustainable buildings, a laboratory campus, and as part of a team to develop a program to improve the energy efficiency of laboratories in the U.S.

connect with the author: website

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway Details:

Enter to win a signed copy of 
MIA AND THE HUMMINGBIRD and a
$25 Amazon Gift Card! (one winner/USA only)
(ends July 2)