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)

Meet the Author:
        When her eldest son was a toddler, Nabila used to entertain him with made-up stories about a boy who traveled the world inside a live green egg that just so happened to be an alien from another planet. She turned the tales into a colorful children¹s graphic novel series, Spartan and the Green Egg, with the intention of introducing children to environmental and cultural themes around the world.
         A portion of all proceeds from the Spartan and the Green Egg book series, toys and accessories is donated to The Children for Peace ONLUS. Based in Italy, this non-governmental organization helps young people worldwide who are living in challenging circumstances obtain their essential needs such as food, medical help and educational opportunities. Nabila currently lives in New York and has two sons.
connect with the author:  website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest

Here is the tour schedule. 

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copies of KIP THE LETTER X and SPARTAN AND THE GREEN EGG! (10 winners/USA only) (ends July 5)

Book Details:
BOBOS BABES ADVENTURES: THE MISSING EGG by Karen Bobos
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  28 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Playpen Publishing ~ Release date:   March, 2021
Content Rating:  G for everyone. ~ Tour dates: Jun 1 to Jun 22, 2021
Book Description:
       In the magical land of Harmony, the Bobos Babes love adventure and helping friends in need. When they find out that the swan family has lost a soon-to-hatch swan egg, they are quick to help ... before it’s too late! Young readers and their families will enjoy the return of the Bobos Babes and their animal friends in this second title in the fanciful read-aloud picture book series. The Bobos Babes Adventures collection brings families stories of exciting exploits, magical missions, and caring friendships, showcasing that kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness always win.

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Bobos Babes  ~

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
This is a cute "Dad dilemma" perfect for Father's Day.
In this beautifully colorful book of 'Bobos Babes Adventures: The Missing Egg', the illustrator, Emily Hercock, has captured each event in this story with an array of eye-catching color.

The description of the "Babes" was very thorough and is sure to delight young girls. The "dad's dilemma" is one that some women can relate to. It did leave out what fate happened to the other eggs.

The story was original, rhyming at times. The quality of the pages in the hardcover book were disappointing. It did bring the child's attention to a couple of facts.

I offer a Three and a Half Stars rating.
*This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my hones review.

                                                             To All the Dad’s Who Try So Hard
          With Father’s Day around the corner, I came to realize how much The Missing Egg is really about a worried dad. I have worn many hats in my life, and being a parent takes the cake. (Ha! Pun intended ~ The Missing Egg is about a dad who steps away from watching the nest to eat a piece of chocolate cake.)
          We love our children the moment we know they exist. My husband shares with me that the most terrified moments he had as a father was when I was pregnant. He felt helpless not knowing if our children were going to be healthy and OK. He could not stand the lack of control that he was given to protect and provide other than making sure I was comfortable and happy.
          In The Missing Egg, Russell the Swan is worried about an egg that goes missing while he was visiting with his best friends and indulging on a piece of chocolate cake. He feels terrible that he left the nest for even a minute. His wife took a moment to herself to have a nice bath. She trusted him to watch over their eggs, and he made a mistake by leaving the nest. Russell was so worried about his soon-to-be child. He was so concerned about disappointing his wife. He’s so distraught that he could not even see when the egg was found.
          To all the dads out there who are trying their best to be amazing husbands and fathers, mistakes will happen. You are only human. It really does take a village to raise a family. May we all have friends who keep us grounded and help us in a time of need. Enjoy your day. Eat the cake.

Meet the Author:
        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. Thus far, she has written ten Bobos Babes Adventures and two chapter books. Two additional books, The Lion's Secret and The Bobcat Birthday Party, are coming in 2021.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of Karen Bobos' BOBOS BABES ADVENTURES: THE MISSING EGG!
(one winner/USA only) (ends June 28)

A five-book series, Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess is a heartwarming story about family, role models, dreams, and discovering a determination for growth.

Series Details:
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess by Deedee Cummings
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7) ;  Genre:  Children's Book; Content Rating:  G
Publisher:  Make a Way Media; Release date:   April 2021;  Tour dates: May 24 to June 25, 2021
DESCRIPTION:
        The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series of #OWNVOICE books is for Dreamers and the Doers of all ages. This diverse picture book series is a heartwarming look at the importance of family, speaking our truth, dreaming freely, and knowing our worth. Book 2 is part of a five-part series that shines the spotlight on a little Black girl who never lets anything get in the way of her dreams.
         Parents, Caregivers, and Educators: By investing in this series, you help every child see that Black and Brown girls can be leaders, princesses, and the stars of their own stories. Children need to read stories that include characters who look like them. Offering these types of books to young readers is an essential part of building self-esteem, cultivating empathy, encouraging tough conversations, and letting children of color know they matter.
       The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series is inspired by real-life budding Broadway Star, Kayla Pecchioni: a young Black woman who has always lived her life by believing in herself while letting nothing get in the way of her dreams.

Book Description:
        "Daughters often learn their place in the world by watching their mothers claim theirs." ~author, Deedee Cummings
         The first in a five-part series, this diverse picture book shines the spotlight on a little brown girl who loves musical theater and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams. Everyone else has an idea of who she should be, but in the end, she discovers that she is the one who gets to decide.
         The story also reveals the special family dynamic that Kayla shares with her mom; a hard-working woman who struggles with the guilt of not being as available for her young daughter as she would like. But as the story progresses, Kayla and her mom realize the impact of valuing the time they have together as well as the importance of seeing each other acknowledge (and pursue) their individual dreams. {ages 5 and up}

Buy the Book: ~ Amazon ~ Make a Way Media ~  add to Goodreads

REVIEW by  LAWonder10:
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess is an uplifting story meant to encourage all little girls to work hard and fulfill their dreams. It is sure to entertain the very young girls.
The illustrations are very simple and colorful, designed by Charlene Mosely.
The sentiment was slightly too brief and incomplete. It was short and sweet for the pre-school age's interest span.
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.

Meet the Author:

         As a therapist, attorney, CEO of Make A Way Media, and author of fifteen children's books, Deedee Cummings has a passion for ensuring equality, inclusion, and social justice for the next generation. Since her first book published in 2014, Cummings has been on a mission to help young dreamers and doers "see themselves" in the pages of the books they read.
         Cummings has spent more than two decades working within the family therapy and support field, and much of her writing shares her experiences of working with kids in therapeutic foster care.
         By the end of 2021, this #OWNVOICES author will have fifteen diverse children's books to her credit, including the Rapid Release of her Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess five-book series. All fifteen of Cummings' diverse picture, poetry, and workbooks for kids reflect her professional knowledge and love of life.
         Cummings is also the founder and creator of the Louisville Book Festival, a literacy-based celebration in Louisville, KY, celebrated on October 22nd and 23rd, 2021.
connect with the author:  website  ~ make a way media  ~ twitter  ~ twitter  ~  facebook  ~  facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Here is the tour schedule. 

Giveaway Details:​

Win signed set of KAYLA: A MODERN-DAY PRINCESS Book Series (one winner) (USA only) 
(ends July 2)

Book Details:
Rambee Boo's Lake Vacation by Reena Korde Pagnoni
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  24 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book ~  Rating:  G for everyone.
Publisher:  Waman Books ~ Release date:   April, 2021
Tour dates: May 24 to Jun 11, 2021
Book Description:
      The Rambee Boo Crew take a summer vacation to the Lake. Rock and Rambee are having so much fun that they don’t realize that Rambee Boo keeps dropping his Sock. Will Sock make it home with the duo at the end of the trip?

Buy the BookAmazon ~ Waman Books

REVIEW By LAWonder10:
'Rambee Boo's Lake Vacation' is a picturesque, entertaining book children will truly love! Complete with simple rhyming sentences, this book tells a story of a young boy and his dog going to the lake on a family vacation and the fun experiences they had.

The colorfully, easily identifiable illustrations were beautifully done by Illustrator, Frances Rose Espanol.

I offer a Five Sars rating.
*This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.

                                   A trend in realistic fiction

        In the Spring of 2020 when the pandemic began and it seemed like everyone was getting either a puppy, a bike or a pool! Yup, we were one of those people. We added a new puppy to our family (and I got a bike). I noticed a very special bond form between my youngest son Rocky (or Rock in The Rambee Boo Series), and Rambee Boo (the puppy). Rock instantly took to the puppy as his built-in playmate, comfort toy and personal vacuum cleaner. It occurred to me that there must be thousands of children just like Rock who have a special bond with their pets.
         I started looking for realistic picture books that Rock could resonate with and that’s when I discovered that there was a gap in the realistic fiction genre. It was slim pickings! I couldn’t believe it. Why weren’t there more realistic books that children can relate to? That’s when I decided, if I couldn’t find the books I wanted, I would just have to write them myself! And that’s exactly what I did.
         I started writing The Rambee Boo Series, with the intention to give children characters that they can resonate with. Rock is a character in the Series, who is not only sweet and lovable but also relatable. He’s just a little kid who is navigating life and figuring it out as he goes. Through easy to follow rhyming and repetition,
         I’ve been able to write stories about Rock’s adventures with Rambee Boo as they learn about patience, responsibility, problem solving, teamwork and how to face anxiety which comes with new experiences. These are all themes that children in the 3-7 age range can relate to. It was very important to me to never teach a direct lesson to the reader.
        There are enough books out there that tell our children how to act and what to do and what to think. That’s not what The Rambee Boo Series is about. I wanted to give kids the tools they need to navigate this exploratory phase in their life. I want children to see how Rock and Rambee handle a situation and think about how they can apply these strategies to their own lives.

Meet the Author:
       I began writing THE RAMBEE BOO SERIES after we added a fur baby to our family, during the Covid-19 pandemic quarantine. The characters in the series are based off my youngest son Rocky (aka Rock), and our rambunctious puppy Rambo (aka Rambee Boo). Whenever there's trouble, these two are usually at the center of it! I graduated from West Windsor-Plainsboro High school in 2000 and went on to get my B.A. from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. I currently live in New Jersey with my husband, my three children and of course…my Rambee Boo! I've always had a great love for children's books and started collecting them in college. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to write my own series to add to our collection. I hope these books will continue to grow and foster children's love for reading. I can only hope that my readers enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them!

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

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of RAMBEE BOO'S LAKE VACATION! (one winner/USA only) (ends June 18)

Book Details:
 Z is for Zebra: A Mosaic Menagerie
by Judith Caseley
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  53 pages
Genre: ABC Book ~ Release date:  May 2019
Publisher:  Full Cycle Publications
Tour dates: May 3 to May 21, 2021
Content Rating:  G.
Book Description:
        NEW from beloved illustrator/author, Judith Caseley, Z is for Zebra is a delightful reading romp for the very young child.
       With vibrant art and quirky rhymes, this sure-to-be-a favorite book uses a child's innate love of animals to move the reader through the letters of the alphabet. Displaying gorgeous mosaics, rich with colors and details, the book presents the alphabet in an easily accessible and entertaining presentation. Perfect for teaching the child in your life about language and the animals we share the planet with. A delight for the mind and a visual feast for young book lovers and their parents, each page features an alphabet letter and a highly colorful animal mosaic along with quirky, funny memorable phrases.
        Using glass tile, pebbles, and found materials instead of her usual paints and brushes, Caseley's words and pictures celebrate the imagination of every child, weaving her magic for the youngest would-be zoologist. It appeals to a young child's shorter attention span and innate love for animals and color. From jeweled starfish to bright butterflies, comic giraffes to venomous vipers this book is sure to be one your child will cherish.

Buy the Book: Amazon.com ~Full Cycle Publications  ~ IndieBound

                                   Why ABC Books are Important to Young Minds
          Growing up, I always loved alphabet books! But as I dreamed of being an actress, I never thought I would create one. Fast forward to our high school musical, and the discovery that I not only had terrible stage fright, but I couldn’t dance. My aspirations to become an actress were totally dashed. In college, I wavered between literature and art, and as a result, children’s book writing and illustrating were perfect.
           Painting greeting cards first, I graduated to my first book in 1985. I had my first child one year later, and Jenna gave me the ideas for many of my picture books. But it was not until my fortieth book that an alphabet book idea was accepted by a publisher, Full Cycle Publications.
          I had submitted a Christmas alphabet book and a Halloween one to previous publishers, both rejected. There is something very simple and satisfying about a book that runs from A to Z. What will the artist do with the letter X? Will A always stand for a simple apple? Alphabet books not only teach young children a new vocabulary, but they really make the letters come alive, by repetition.
          Two year olds can remember Z is for Zebra, or Y is for Yorkie or B is for Butterfly, simply by reading the pages over and over. As a result, the smallest reader can show off their memory skills with pride. Color is key, to excite the child’s interest. Finally, mosaics add texture, as the child can see how the picture is built up, piece by piece, with tiles and shapes.
          Kirkus reviews said: “Gorgeous images that capture one’s attention with entertaining text.”

Meet the Author:
       Judith Caseley has written and illustrated over forty books for children, including “Dear Annie” and “On the Town: A Community Adventure”. She fell in love with the mosaics that decorated a restaurant in Sea Cliff, New York, and in the unique style of her picture books, began making her own.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ goodreads

Book Details:
Gus' Fortunate Misfortune by Susan Pepka
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  62 pages
Genre: Children's Book ~ Content Rating:  G.
Publisher:  Full Cycle Publications
Release date:  December 2018
Tour dates: May 3 to May 21, 2021
Book Description:
       How do you turn a Very Bad Day into a Hopeful New Beginning? Gus, an ordinary mouse, must find a way to do just that. Following a series of unfortunate events, Gus finds himself trapped, separated from his family, and transported far from home. Alone and frightened, the young mouse must confront his deepest fears. Using his wits Gus solves problems and makes discoveries. Adapting to his new surroundings, Gus receives help from an unexpected friend. Each trial brings a new lesson... but will Gus ultimately succeed? Will Gus find what he's truly looking for?  - Ages 3-7

Buy the Book: Amazon.com ~ Full Cycle Publications ~ B&N ~ IndieBound ~ BAM 
~ Add to Goodreads ~

                                   Based on Real Events: Gus’ Fortunate Misfortune

          What many don’t realize is that Gus’ Fortunate Misfortune is based on real events. Back in 2013 I was attending a Buddhist festival in Atlanta where the guest teacher, a monk named Jampa, told of an experience he had at the New York temple involving a small mouse. This mouse actually came into his room as he was preparing to meditate and then teach, and he did follow it to the kitchen where he found chips and offered a snack after seeing how frightened the creature was. The mouse did indeed come back to his room, not once but several times. And it did indeed drink from the offering bowls on his shrine. He used the story to illustrate the lesson he was teaching on, and I was so delighted with his version of events that I began to wonder what that might have been like from the mouse’s perspective. When I was given the opportunity to share my version of the story, I needed to create a front story and an ending but some of the events in Gus are as they happened. Gus’ story began at the Kadampa Buddhist Temple in New York, it was shared in Atlanta, and the rest is history!

 Meet the Author: 
          A native of Detroit and currently living in Atlanta, Susan Pepka has enjoyed great diversity throughout her life. Mother of three and grandmother of four, Susan has experienced life as a preschool teacher, technologist in diagnostic imaging, co-owner of a successful wellness center, meditation teacher, and now a published author with the debut of her first children’s book, Gus’ Fortunate Misfortune.
         One of Susan’s greatest pleasures is reading wonderful stories that stir the imagination and nourish the spirit. Her passion is helping others find ways to healthier, happier, and more meaningful lives. Her wish is that all beings live together in harmony.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of Z IS FOR ZEBRA and GUS' FORTUNATE MISFORTUNE! (one winner/USA only) (ends May 28)

Book Details:
The Adventures of Mollie & Ollie: Moving Day by Sally Beale
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  38 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Mascot Books; Release date:   March, 2021
Content Rating:  G for everyone; Tour dates: May 10 to May 21, 2021
Book Description:
       Every child experiences change in their life. Moving can be difficult, but in this Mom’s Choice award-winning book, when eight-year-old Molly Day meets a new friend, a magical owl named Oliver Winston Howell III, her move to a new house in a new town becomes easier than she expected. Be on the lookout for Molly and Ollie’s next adventure!

Buy the Book: Mascot Books ~  Amazon ~ B&N ~ Target~ Add to Goodreads

Review by LAWonder10:
This is the sweetest book for young children, especially those moving to a new house or other location!  It would be a wonderful gift for a child's friend who is moving away.
Molly was distraught about moving from the only home she knew. She was moving away from friends, her surroundings and all that was familiar to her. When she arrived she was given gentle reminding of what she still had, plus, she met Ollie. Ollie, along with other things, helped her obtain a new attitude and look at her new surroundings in a different manner.
The illustrations by Cheryl Crouthamel were colorful and simply well-done.
I offer a Five Stars rating for this book.
*This was gifted me with no pressure to post a positve review. This is my honest review.

                                                          Writing Children’s Books Chose Me

        Right after I retired, I turned 66 years old, and I was so excited about the next adventures of my life. I spoke about that year as being my Route 66, in reference to the old TV show about all the adventures along the famous road. During that time, I became very reflective over all the opportunities I had while moving around from state to state when I was a kid, and about all the different jobs I have had as an adult. I realized that my life had not been linear; it has been like a roller coaster with so many ups and downs. An idea started forming to write a memoir of my adventures, so I bought a book on how to write one. Yet, my stories did not seem to fit that format.
       At that time, one of my favorite things to do was to walk the greenway trail behind my house. I found that I was inspired by the little things that I would see along the way: little flowers, snails, pinecones, ducks, and deer. My mind was filled with “What if….?” scenes. As I thought about all exciting times I had as a child and how much I’ve always loved spending time with kids, the question changed to “what if I wrote my stories as a children’s book?” That would be a fun way to show kids how to have adventures in their lives.
        I quickly became passionate about this idea, so I bought a book about how to write a children’s book. I studied it like a textbook and did the suggested activities. I would go to the library, sit at the little tables, and read children’s books. Then I would write and rewrite my first story. After a year of working on it, I had written my first book.
         Walking the greenway is still one of my favorite things to do, and so far, my walks have produced 4 more books in different stages of completion! I can’t imagine telling my stories in any other format now.

Meet the Author:

The Adventures of Molly & Ollie: Moving Day was inspired by Beale’s own experiences as a young child. Her father’s occupation required that her family move across the country every two years. Beale’s childhood was filled with adventures that captured her imagination in each new home. She continued her passion for adventure while raising her two daughters and working as a costume designer for local theaters. Now she is channeling her sense of fun and her youthful spirit into her children’s stories. Beale is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). The Adventures of Molly & Ollie: Moving Day, a Mom’s Choice Award winner, is the first book in the Molly & Ollie series.

connect with the author: website ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Here is the tour schedule. 

Giveaway Details:​

Enter to win a signed copy of Sally Beale's THE ADVENTURES OF MOLLY & OLLIE: Moving Day! (one winner/USA only) (ends May 28)

Book Details:
  Balloons for Tiger by Lori Orlinsky
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  38 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Mascot Books;  Release date:   May 4, 2021
Tour dates: May 4 to May 31, 2021
Content Rating:  G for everyone.
Book Description:
        How can children begin to heal after losing a pet? Balloons for Tiger takes an imaginative look at this tough topic as colorful balloons travel from the hands of children to their beloved cat who has passed on. This book lets children open up their hearts and imaginations for a magical journey to the farthest corners of the world, where they'll meet skydivers, astronauts, superheroes, and everything in between. As they watch the balloons voyage to the other side of the rainbow bridge, they learn to positively process their grief. Balloons for Tiger is a great tool for any child who has experienced the loss of a pet- or any other loved one, too.
 Mascot Books ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ IndieBound ~ add to Goodreads

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
      Author, Lori Orlinsky cleverly wrote this book in rhyme, delving into the vivid imagination of a child, to create this book of comfort, after the death of a beloved pet. This is sure to assist a child in overcoming the painful loss.
      Illustrator, Vanessa Alexandre, created bright, colorful and fun images to help a child visualize the happy peace of their beloved pet.
      It is a wonderful way to bring peace to a devastating situation. I only had a slight problem with the lack of rhythm in he rhyme stances and the fact some words didn't rhyme well. It also lacked a smooth flow from stanza to stanza.nit was still a very worthwhile book.
      I offer a Four Stars rating.
*This book was gifted me with no pressure to give a positive review. This is my honest review.

                      My journey as an author: finding inspiration through my daughter       
      When my daughter, Hayley, was three, she came home and declared that day would be her last attending the preschool she loved so much. When I asked her why, tears began streaming down her face. She explained to me that the teachers hung up a growth chart in the classroom and placed a piece of tape next to the measurements to show the height of each child. While
her friends landed at the top and middle of the chart, her name was at the very bottom, with no other names in sight. I tried to explain to her all the benefits of being small (she is the last one to get wet when it rains, she finds the best hide-and-seek spots), but she still felt sad and lonely. So, I turned to books. But little to my surprise, no books existed on the topic. However, there were books that talked about the opposite – how superheroes have special powers precisely because they are tall. I wrote “Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All)” for Hayley and all the other kids who felt different than what society deems as normal. The book has been endorsed by the National Bullying Prevention Center, as its messages of self-confidence and self-esteem are for kids of all sizes.
       Writing “Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All)” gave me the confidence to pursue my childhood dream of becoming an author, and the book will always hold a special place in my heart. Since that book, I have written two more (“The Tooth Fairy’s Tummy Ache,” “Balloons for Tiger") with dreams of additional books in the future.

Here is the tour schedule. 

Meet the Author:

Lori Orlinsky is a multi-award-winning children's book author who lives in Chicago. She was inspired to tell this story after her family experienced the loss of their beloved eighteen-year-old cat, Tiger. Unable to find books about pet loss to help her young kids cope with their grief, Lori wrote Balloons for Tiger. She hopes this book will help others, too.

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