Home by Isabelle Simler, Translated by Vineet Lal - Series: Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers (SSCR) [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780802856203
Eerdmans Young Readers Books
Hardcover $18.99 USA
Purchase Here

My thoughts:  Beautifully detailed illustrations delight the senses and educate the mind to the highly varied dwellings of creatures all over our vast world. From birds to moths, from sea dwellers to tiny ants, the homes of creatures fascinates in this unique book. The presentation is complete with beautifully descriptive language detailing the uniqueness of each home or dwelling.

The strength and beauty, intricacies and uniqueness, use and charm of these homes goes beyond what humans think of as homes - walls, windows, and doorways for protection and defense, but places of beauty creatively and intricately designed and built.

Back pages of additional information about the featured creatures and a glossary are provided as well as resources for those interested.

NOTE: Other books by Isabelle Simler that I've reviewed on Chat With Vera.... click here

About the book:  A spectacular tour through the dwellings of twenty-seven different animals, from a hermit crab’s secondhand shell to a beaver’s lakeside dam to a comet moth’s silk cocoon.

Acclaimed creator Isabelle Simler presents a poetic journey through amazing animal homes across the world. In Europe, alpine marmots stay safe in underground refuges. In southeast Asia, Sumatran orangutans doze off in treetop bedrooms. In Mexico and the southwestern US, elf owls nest in holes in saguaro cacti. On every continent but Antarctica, honeybees mold wax into palaces for their queens. No matter where you travel, some creature is making an extraordinary place to call home. 

With connections to life cycles, camouflage, and other biological concepts, Home is a spellbinding showcase of the wonders of the natural world. Enchanting poetry, fascinating back matter, and intricately detailed art invite young readers to be amazed by the creativity and diversity of our animal neighbors. Secret word: dwell

GIVEAWAY

Begins July 24

Ends August 18 @ 12:00 Midnight

Open to USA addresses only.

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

Night Light (An "I like to read comics") by Michael Emberley [Review]

Hardcover $14.99
Holiday House Books
ISBN: 9780823458165

My thoughts:  Comic books are a niche in the reading world from which serious readers and academics typically shy away. As a child I looked forward to the Sunday Comic section of the newspaper and also enjoyed the frequent reading of comic books. In adult life I found the world of "real" books. There can be a place in the reading world for comic books such as Night Light. Personally, I steer clear of comic book style books, but something about Night Light beckoned to me; and now I can see that they can be quite beneficial and good for young readers and possibly reluctant readers.

This is a cute story of father and son (or older brother and younger brother) reading together a bedtime story and then the lights go out. With few words and lots of boxes of illustrations, the solution these two have to bring light back into the bedroom is innovative and charming.  Sparse text and abundant drawings take the two on a search for light. The story and illustrations gently overcome fear of the dark, stoke the imagination for a solution to gaining more light to bring brightness back, and a compassionate solution to restoring another's stolen light.

Cute. Sweet. Charming.

About the Book:  Perfect for new readers in the first grade: a comic about a child, a parent, and the magic of a starry night. By Geisel Award-Winner Michael Emberley!

A blackout! Right in the middle of “the last” bedtime story. The child cries. It’s too dark! The parent gathers stars from the sky light up the child’s room. Now someone else is crying! It’s the moon! The parent returns the stars to they sky, and parent and child pack up their blankets and pillows to sleep outside.

New readers can practice phonics reading with the silent letters "g" and "o" in words such as too, night, light, right, and tight. Children can also read about these characters in I Did It! a Theodor Geisel Award Winner and Let’s Go!, which is on the ALA Best Graphic Novels reading list.

I Like to Read Comics are perfect for kids who are challenged by or unengaged in reading, kids who love art, and the growing number of young comics fans. Filled with eye-catching art, humor, and terrific stories, these comics provide unique reading experiences for growing minds. We hope that all new readers will say, “I like to read comics!”

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Holiday House Books to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.

Night Walk by Jason Cockeroft [Review]

ISBN: 9781536239614
Hardcover $18.99 USA
Candlewick Press

My thoughts: This is a lovely book in several aspects. While the grandfather is drawn or painted with a somewhat angular style, he is still pictured as a gentle, endearing character. He and the child go on a walk at night and this walk is special. They walk remembering all the things that the grandmother loved about her own walks - especially at night.

As they walk, they talk and wonder if each spot is grandmother's favorite. Only at the end do they find that very special spot.

The book doesn't really talk of death, but it is sensed in the sweet and sober memories of grandmother.

The illustrations of each two-page spread beautifully capture the richness of the country-side at night with lots of foliage, critters, and beautiful expanses of sky.

About the book:  This tender intergenerational story about loss and remembrance is set against the extraordinary beauty of the natural world.

In the darkness just before sunrise, a sleepy boy and his grandfather set off on Grandma’s favorite walk to find her favorite place. Is it the woods where multicolored moths flutter? Or the stream with its leaping frogs and flashing trout? The hidden hollow where a mother deer lives with her fawn? As grandfather and grandchild stand gazing over the water to the horizon, and the sun begins to rise, it becomes clear to the boy that they’ve finally reached Grandma’s favorite place—and it’s the perfect spot to remember her. With stunning illustrations evoking the wonder of wild creatures, the chill of the air at dawn, and the golden light of the sun as it rises, author-illustrator Jason Cockcroft captures a quiet moment in one child’s life that will long reverberate.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Candlewick Press, to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Forgotten Identity: A Christian Romantic Suspense Novel by Penny Zeller [Giveaway]

Who is he really? And why is someone after him?

Buy on Amazon
ISBN:9781957847375
Paperback $16.99
Kindle E-book $3.99

Mariah Holzman never imagined a whiteout blizzard would sever all communication from the outside world—communication desperately needed for the injured man Mariah finds near her home. Nor did she imagine helping nurse the man back to health would lead to threats and intimidation. As danger escalates and questions rise, Mariah is left to wonder what kind of person she has allowed into her home.

Grant MacGuire never imagined he would wake up one day in a strange cabin, surrounded by strange people, with no memory of who he is or how he was injured. Secret word: danger. Nor did he imagine his presence would put the lives of those who saved him in danger. As Grant struggles with distorted memories, he wonders if his life is worth the price the Holzman family is paying.

The growing attraction between Mariah and Grant is hindered by Grant’s unknown identity. Is Grant, as the family’s neighbor assumes, a criminal on the run from the law? Or is there more to his identity—and the reason he was attacked—than they realize?

More Romantic Suspense from Penny Zeller:

• Unexpected Witness (Mountain Justice #1)
• Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)
• Unexpected Target (Mountain Justice #3)

Watch for Chat With Vera's review, soon!

GIVEAWAY

Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller

Begins July 11

Ends August 11 @ 12:00 Midnight

Open to USA only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided and mailed/shipped directly to the winner by author, publisher, or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Rules/Disclosure: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Winner(s) may be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Notification email used will be that which is registered to the Rafflecopter system.  Prize must be CLAIMED by winner within 48 hours or prize is forfeited and a new winner will be chosen. Author, publicist, or publisher is responsible for providing and shipping the prize to the winner. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Alternate method of prize notification and sending: If an entry is provided in the Rafflecopter giveaway widget to provide entrant's name and address to which prize is to be sent, then information provided by entrant will be to whom and where prize is sent. Winner may or may not be notified by email that they have won. Chat With Vera and owner of Chat With Vera are not responsible for distribution and provision of prizes.

Lily the Pond Mermaid by Lucy Fleming (Author, Illustrator) - Review

 

My thoughts:  This is a sweet, charming, lovely read for young children; and it is beautifully illustrated. Stories about mermaids fall into the category of myths and legends and are slightly akin to fairy tales. In short, they are totally make-believe.

Lily the Pond Mermaid takes the "fish" out of the sea but keeps her in the water. Though landlocked in a little pond, "Lily" has a personality that is loving, kind, gentle, and giving. She loves to watch out for all the critters in the pond. She cares for them. She worries about them. She solves problems for them. And one dark day there is a major storm when the rain falls and the wind blows. Lily and the critters take shelter in the little niches under the pond to stay safe from the storm.

Afterward, Lily sees the havoc the storm brought and is over-wrought. This is when her critter friends step in and help Lily.

A lovely book and a really sweet story about caring for others and bringing joy into the lives of others. I am concerned about the level of despair and worry Lily experiences and how this will impact the young minds and hearts for which this story is written. Is it too much? Is it right to talk outright about worry to children who know nothing about it or are experiencing it? Well, that's an issue each parent must address within their own homes. Again, I repeat, this is a sweet and lovely book.

About the book: Friendship, worries, and newfound courage all play a part in this underwater tale of a tiny mermaid heroine.

“I’ll always be here;

there’s no need to fear.

All will be well when

a pond mermaid’s near.”

Lily the pond mermaid loves taking care of her pond and all the creatures that call it home. But it’s also a big responsibility. Lily often worries about not being able to keep the pond—and everyone in it—safe. As her worries grow, a big storm hits the pond, and everything becomes covered in a tangle of debris. Luckily, Lily is able to share her feelings with her friends and ask for help. Together, Lily and the animals that live in the pond not only restore their home but also learn how to take care of one another.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick publishing to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

K9 Mattis on the Job: A Day in the Life of a Police Dog by Mark Tappan [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781400246588
Hardcover $18.99 US
Tommy Nelson (Thomas Nelson Pub.)

My thoughts:  Mattis is a real dog and Mark Tappan is a real person, a policeman, and the handler of Mattis. They are real and they provide a fantastic service to the people in the area in which they live.

In this informative and delightful children's picture book, K9 Mattis On the Job: A Day in the Life of a Police Dog, we see how a trained German Shepherd dog is incorporated into the activities and services of the police. We see his exuberance, antics, skills, and abilities to engage. The story-line doesn't show real on-the-job rescues or criminal-nabbing, but it does show how a trained dog can mesh seamlessly into the day-to-day office and field work of a police department that uses K9 "officers" as well a real men. The book shows community service of education in the school demonstrating to students the fun of a K9 Police Dog as well as the dog's tracking and finding abilities.

Cheerfully and exuberantly illustrated, K9 Mattis and his human, Sergeant Mark Tappan, go through the day either in service of rescue or nabbing criminals, education in the community, or simply training and practicing. I think kids will thoroughly enjoy this educational book.

About the book: Meet Mattis, a K9 police dog who loves helping people and fighting crime alongside his partner, Sergeant Mark. Learn what Mattis's favorite part of the day is as he follows scent trails, tracks down missing items, and performs his official police work. K9 Mattis on the Job from author and police sergeant Mark Tappan will captivate kids as they discover what a day in the life of a German shepherd police dog is all about. Real-life hero Mattis the K9 officer first captured America's hearts on A&E's America's Top Dog and at school visits across the country. Now, through this fun story based on Mattis's official police work, kids will find out what this pup loves to do each day, from driving to the police station in the morning (okay, Sergeant Mark does most of the driving) to training with the other officers to using his super sniffer to find missing items! But can you guess what Mattis's favorite part of the day is? This picture book Find out why so many have already fallen in love with one of America's fluffiest heroes!

GIVEAWAY

Begins July 1

Ends July 30 @ Midnight

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 prize copy is provided and mailed/shipped directly to the winner by publisher, Tommy Nelson, or publicist. Secret word: rescue Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Rules/Disclosure: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Winner(s) may be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Notification email used will be that which is registered to the Rafflecopter system.  Prize must be CLAIMED by winner within 48 hours or prize is forfeited and a new winner will be chosen. Author, publicist, or publisher is responsible for providing and shipping the prize to the winner. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Alternate method of prize notification and sending: If an entry is provided in the Rafflecopter giveaway widget to provide entrant's name and address to which prize is to be sent, then that will be to whom and where prize is sent. Winner may or may not be notified by email that they have won. Chat With Vera and owner of Chat With Vera are not responsible for distribution and provision of prizes.

Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective by Guilherme Karsten (An introduction to the mystery genre, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers) [Giveaway & Review]

Definition: The mystery genre is a genre of fiction that follows a crime (like a murder or a disappearance) from the moment it is committed to the moment it is solved. 

ISBN: 9780802856364
$18.99 Hardcover
Eerdmans Young Readers Books

My thoughts:  A really cute book that introduces young children to the art of solving a mystery - in short who-dun-it! As with most if not all young children, our young boy main character (aside from the self-inserted detective) is quite trusting of what he is told by others. So when disaster strikes and his beloved gold fish crashes down the stairs and a feline appearing detective knocks at his door announcing he is there to solve the mystery, the search for the culprit begins. The night visitor identifies himself as the "Dog Detective."

Young boy can see with his own eyes that this is a CAT but is told the visitor, a detective, is a dog in disguise as a cat. So the deception begins.

This wily cat identifies himself as a dog and proceeds to solve the mystery.

I really liked the book and see it as entertainment; and, yes, also an introduction to the mystery genre for children. I do, though, also see it as a wonderful opportunity for parents to teach discernment to young children. Children need to trust but they also need to learn discernment.

About the book: A hilarious introduction to the mystery genre, starring a boy, his fish, and a whiskered detective in disguise.

A little boy’s aquarium has been attacked, and his poor fish is terrified! Secret word: Meow - Who could be behind this horrible crime? Never fear: Ramon Fellini is on the case! This brave dog has donned his cleverest cat costume in order to track down the culprit. How does Fellini know a cat is to blame? Why does he say strange things like “Does this house have any other fish?” No time for such questions—Fellini is about to reveal the truth! Unless the ace detective has a different agenda in mind…

With dramatic colors, ironic humor, and plenty of clues to discover in the art, this whodunit is a laugh-out-loud read for pet lovers. Children will love using their own sleuthing skills to solve the mystery and predict what Detective Ramon Fellini does next.

I am "borrowing" this delightful video from The Poet and Dragon Society's YouTube page. It is theirs and I have no ownership or rights to it. I simply thought it too delightful for my readers not to have the opportunity to see. Enjoy!

GIVEAWAY

Begins June 24

Ends July 23 @ Midnight 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 prize copy is provided and mailed directly to the winner by publisher, Eerdmans or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.