Bark Ship Bonnie by Stephanie Staib [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 978-1951836542
Age 5 - 7 Years

My thoughts: Absolutely adorable illustrations that capture a child and devoted dog at play on a boat throughout the day. Imaginary or real? I can't tell. But I sense that this is a child in a sea-faring town who is familiar with life aboard a ship and hence a playday embarked on an imaginary boat with faithful, seagoing dog as first mate.

The text is beautifully written using repeated alphabet letters yet not true alliteration. Words of similar cadence yet not rhyme nor rhythm. So it is engaging.

I found it difficult to follow the idea (other than sailing on a ship amidst a storm, etc.), yet that doesn't mean it isn't fun or meaningful. It is just different to me. The book will truly be a winner among young children (and parents) at coastal areas where there are ships a-sailing and adventures to be had.

Again, I think the illustrations adorable; and the book captivating to look at and one can imagine most any "sailing the seas" story with it.

About the book: Cameron Kids (an imprint of Abrams) is proud to announce the release of Bark Ship Bonnie, a charming and captivating picture book for children. This delightful tale, written by Stephanie Staib, takes readers through the high seas with a brave dog named Bonnie and her trusty crew.
 
A sailing adventure featuring a girl, her dog, and their boat, complete with a "Ship Slang" glossary and diagram of a real bark ship. Bonnie lass, bark sailor on a bark ship, cast off, set sail, chases sea tales, befriends whales, scope islands, outwit squalls, and makes it home in time to slip back into the slip and sleep, in this delightfully salty tale of a girl, her dog, and a boat.
 
The beautiful illustrations in Bark Ship Bonnie bring the story to life and capture the spirit of Bonnie and her crew. The pages are filled with vivid colors, imaginative scenes, and playful characters that children will adore. With its engaging storyline and visually stunning illustrations, Bark Ship Bonnie is sure to become a favorite among children and parents alike.

About the Author & Illustrator

Debut picture book author Stephanie Staib is an avid boater who lives with her family in Milton, Delaware, a nineteenth-century shipbuilding community known for its multimasted schooners. 

Fiona Lee is an illustrator who lives in Martha’s Vineyard. Her books include Eat Your Peas, Julius!, published by Cameron Kids.

GIVEAWAY

Begins May 31

Ends June 28 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and mailed directly to the winner by publicist, author, or publisher. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

The Laws of Attraction (Wyoming Sunrise Book #2) by Mary Connealy [Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780764241147
$16.99 Paperback

Can they risk giving in to the attraction between them while their lives are on the line?

If widowed seamstress Nell Armstrong has to make one more pair of boring chaps for the cowboys in her tiny Wyoming town, she might just quit the business altogether! So meeting Brand Nolte, a widower struggling to raise three girls on his own, seems like her dream come true. Brand has no idea how to dress the girls properly, and Nell finally has a chance to create beautiful outfits while also teaching the girls to sew.

But Nell is much more than a seamstress, and the investigative skills and knowledge she picked up alongside her late lawman husband soon become critical when a wounded stagecoach-robbery survivor is brought to town. As danger closes in from all sides, Nell and Brand must discover who has a target trained on them before it's too late. Prerelease 40% discount - buy at Baker House Books

Watch for Vera's review soon to come!

About the Author: Mary Connealy (maryconnealy.com) writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than 1.5 million books and is the author of the popular series Wyoming Sunrise, The Lumber Baron's Daughters, Brothers in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. 

GIVEAWAY

Begins May 26

Ends June 28 @ 12:01 a.m.

Open to USA addresses only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received  complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided and mailed directly to the winner by author, publicist, or publisher. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Fun "outdoor" stories to encourage activity in the fresh air and build confidence and strong bodies [Review & Giveaway]

Get Outdoors!

Spring is here! Now is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it be bike riding or star gazing, these books will inspire young readers to go out and find adventure!

Joy Ride by Sherri Duskey Rinker | Ages 4-8

My thoughts:  This is a story of a delightful girl, full of energy and creativity, who is bored during summer break and of her interaction with her grandfather. It is a beautiful generational story of care and respect. I absolutely love how this "tinkering" grandfather helps his granddaughter take a beat up old bike and transform it into a one-of-a-kind object of pleasure and fun. 

The story takes on a darker side as she encounters peers who look down on her re-done bicycle and poke fun at it. This brings out the darker side of Joy as well and she becomes angry and tosses her bike down a hill. The bike her grandfather so lovingly had worked with her to rebuild.

Veil of Confusion (The Kessler Effect #2) by Vannetta Chapman

My thoughts:  Compared to some of today's dystopian and "end times" stories, the author writes a pretty mild story. Even though it isn't as gory and off-the-chart scary with aliens, etc., the story still causes one to pause and reflect on the status of civilization and man's continued ability to cope with circumstances as they exist without modern technology and conveniences. We know that even in our world man can quickly become violent and amass groups whose single minded behavior is that of controlling others and taking what they want from those who possess it.

In Veil of Anarchy we saw the beginning of a dystopian existence in Texas (and yes, world wide). In the second book, Veil of Confusion, we see that life in El Paso has become fraught with danger; and we follow Cade and Harper as they flee El Paso and begin their journey to seek a quieter, safer, more civil life.

Little kiddie sports books: [Review & 3 winner Giveaway USA]

Karate Kids Hardcover by Holly Sterling

Gi? Ready! Belt? Ready! Let’s go! It’s karate time. HAI-YAH!

Join Maya and all her friends as they get together at the dojo for their Saturday karate class! There are moves to remember, blocks to practice, and punches to perfect. Maya is a white belt, which means she’s still a beginner, but with focus, balance, and determination — and a little help from her friends — can she show Sensei what she’s got? Written and illustrated by Holly Sterling, a karate champion and teacher, this is a joyful and uplifting celebration of the sport and a must-have primer for any child hoping to be a karate kid one day.

When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

 My thoughts:  The story begins with the destitute plight of two young children who have been left at a tavern with a woman of dubious character to care for them while their father returns to the sea. They are left for years and are currently living on the streets of London. Then little Nan is stuck by a carriage and injured. She is cared for by the well-to-do man who was in the carriage, and ultimately ends up in his home being raised along with his own children.

Little Nan's older brother knows what has happened to her and that the gentleman has taken her into his care since she was alone and in need of care.

Love in the Headlines by Penny Zeller - Humerous Christian fiction [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 978-1957847054
Paperback $13.99
Buy on Amazon

My thoughts:  The author has penned a light read that has ingredients sure to win - silly fun, cute and mischievous dogs, quirky townspeople, small town charm, and light romance. The male and female story leads work at the local daily newspaper and their crusty boss teams the two of them into a newspaper duo much to their personal chagrin. They reluctantly tackle his assignments and gradually find that they share a sweet romantic interest in each other.

Mind you, this is so squeaky clean that your preteen (tween) or grandma can both read it and you won't have a worry in the world.

The story is a bit slow paced but it is entertaining. While the folks traipsing around town are interesting, the true stars are a tiny feisty doggie and a leaping, loveable German Shepherd.