The Missing Money by Okeoma Moronu Schreiner [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  This is a cute book and very nicely illustrated in bold colors. Young Kai is excitable and frantic that his money has been eaten by the ATM machine.

Now I probably wouldn't have a very young child using an ATM machine, perhaps some do since this is a largely cashless society. Nevertheless, this is a cute story that teaches a bit about money transactions and banks.

Kai is fearful, frantic, and fraught with despair over losing his money. The encouraging lesson is taught that ATM machines, armoured trucks, and banks are safe places for one's money. And Kai's parents are really good educators to his excitable child.

This series clearly goes beyond prior teachings for young children of coins, dollars, counting, making change, making purchases with cash, etc. This is a new age of money transactions and the author clearly thinks that children should be adept.

I just love the characterization of the ATM Machine and the Armored Truck.

 From the back of the book the promise of two more books in this children's series of books is upcoming. Paper or Plastic a story about cash versus credit cards and Creeping Costs an exploration of the costs of entrepreneurship. We'll look forward to these.

About the book: The Missing Money is the first picture book in a new three-book series aimed at inspiring young children to learn basic financial terms in a fun and age-appropriate way. The book follows Kai, a young boy on his way to the bank to deposit his newly earned money. While at the bank, a big scary ATM machine eats all of his money! Kai struggles to understand where his money went and creates an elaborate plan to get it back.

Just before attempting to break his money out, his parents sit him down to explain this confusing turn of events and help put his mind at ease. He discovers new findings, such as how money goes from dollar bills to numbers on a banking app. Finances can be a difficult task to navigate, even as an adult, so these books are meant to aid young children through the puzzling world of money.

The series, all three of which are set to publish within the year, emphasizes the idea that you are never too young to learn about your fun and funny finances.

GIVEAWAY

Begins August 22

Ends September 10 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by publicist, publisher, or author.

The Travel Twins and the Lost Secret of the Vikings (Kare Kids Adventures #4) by Charles A. Salter [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: The Kare Kids adventure is fast moving and exciting. The story is packed with bits of information about Norway and the historic crystal considered to be a navigational tool of the Vikings prior to the invention of the magnetic compass.

I found the story a quick read and filled with conversations and excitement that would grip the adventure-seeking reader. Charles A. Salter's series of The Travel Twins (The Kare Kids Adventures) is a good series.

My Concerns: This story is about a 12 year old set of twins on an adventure to foil a theft of a mysterious object. Before undertaking it, they have a conversation with their uncle...... "Children, I don't think your parents would approve your your darting off on your own like this." To which they replied....  "Just give us 24 hours before you tell them. O.K.?" Somehow, parents of children reading this story will need to strongly tell them that this is fiction and that 12 year olds simply do not go off on their own like this or engage in some of the antics this set of twins experiences.

About the Book: Twelve year old twins Josh and Hannah travel from the USA to visit their Uncle Olaf in Norway. Olaf runs the Museum of Norse Antiquities in Oslo, and the museum's greatest treasure-the Viking chieftain Leif Erikson's fabled Sunstone-is stolen. Hot on the trail of the suspected thief, the twins ride on a dizzyingly high train through the Scandes Mountains to Norway's largest fjord, a deep waterway which connects directly to the North Sea. While spying on the suspect's suspicious behavior, the twins are suddenly kidnapped on the train! They elude their captors by breaking free, sneaking across the top of the train as it chugs through a tunnel, and tricking the kidnappers. Then they learn the thief's true motivation: to use the Sunstone to interpret the coded Undredal Runes so as to re-create the Viking super-warriors known as Berserkers.

Can the twins defeat the plot, return the stolen treasure, and save the world from the secret of Viking Berserkers which has been concealed for a thousand years?

GIVEAWAY

Begins January 11

ENDS January 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from PRBytheBook publicity group on behalf of the author to facilitate my review. Opinions are my own, alone. I was not compensated.

The Rootlets: Trouble at Plantasy Land (Book #2) by Vicki Marquez Illustrated by Jeremy Russnak [Reviw & Giveaway]

ISBN 9780990721628

About the book: In the second book of The Rootlets series, fans of the award-winning, Super Rootabilities, will rejoin Brocc, Carrotina, Cornelius and Kaley on their first superhero adventure!

It’s opening day at Mr. Fungo Fungi’s magnificent amusement park, Plantasy Land…and The Rootlets couldn’t be more excited! With special surprises and newly sprouted rides, this is sure to be the greatest day ever! But when The Rootlets arrive at the park, they realize that something is terribly wrong…Plantasy Land is in trouble! Someone – or something – is destroying the park. Could it be The Great Zucchini – Mr. Fungi’s new magician? Or could there be an even greater danger lurking beyond the park? Most of all, can The Rootlets trust their new super rootabilities to help them save their favorite place on the planet?

My thoughts: What a super way to capture children's interest and lead them into the world of vegetables in a fun, engaging manner. The illustrations are cute, colorful, and wittily charming.  The author uses terms like Planet Plantasy to create a world of its own. It is a "fantasy about plants" plantasy and it has its own sphere.

The kids (little plants) are just discovering their own "powers" or rootabilities and how to use them. This is a cute way to teach Earth's children (your kids and mine) the powers that various plants have. Truly plants - veggies - are powerful powerhouses for all of us and they help us grow, be healthy, and look good.

I applaud Vicki Marquez's pursuit to bring healthy eating and healthy living to children and recommend this little book to anyone who is trying to help their kiddies learn to love their greens, roots, and other veggies.

A bit about the author: Vicki Marquez is a certified health coach, plant-based chef, author, and TV host whose mission is to inspire others to live a healthy, vibrant life. Vicki’s desire to help inspire and empower children to make healthier choices. From this inspiration, The Rootlets were born: four veggie-haired, cartoon superheroes on a quest to promote good nutrition by making veggies fun and exciting. Vicki launched The Rootlets, LLC, and autho red the first book in her series, The Rootlets: Super Rootabilities, in October 2014.

As the creator and host of the Chicago-based healthy living cable show “Nourished,” Vicki shares wellness how-to tips and veggie-centric recipes, structured much like her one-on-one coaching sessions. Through her private health coaching practice, children’s brand and TV show, Vicki aims to make healthy eating and living easy, accessible, and entertaining for everyone.

FLASH GIVEAWAY

Begins October 20 @ 11:00 p.m. ET

ENDS October 29 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary copy from the publicist, PR by the Book. Opinions and comments are my own, alone. I was not compensated.

My Pancakes Taste Different Today! by Heather Wood Galpert and Bruce Galpert [Giveaway USA/CANADA]

About the book: Before going fishing one day, Ethan eats his favorite breakfast—pancakes. As his mom explains how his pancakes are made with help from the sun, clouds, rain, animals, and farmers, Ethan sees the world in a new way.

While playing outside, Ethan decides to create a big splash by throwing a can in the lake and accidentally contaminates the environment. Time passes and one day Ethan notices that his pancakes taste different. Realizing his decision to make a big splash caused a problem which affected his food, Ethan enlists the help of his friends to correct his mistake.

Do Ethan and his friends fix the taste of the pancakes? What do they learn in the process?

GIVEAWAY

Begins October 11

ENDS October 24 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA & CANADA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary copy from PR By The Book. Giveaway copy is provided by and sent by author or publicist. Buy links: Amazon and/or B&N

Purrball Meets Burrball in Brazil by Anne Zoet - Author Q & A [Giveaway]

Fab Idea Press
Ages 3-9

ABOUT THE BOOK: Visiting Brazil, an earthquake hits and separates a family from Purrball, their beloved cat. Purrball's mad dash leaves her lost in a jungle where she becomes fast friends with a very clever sloth named Burrball. The two quick-witted animals embark on a journey to find Darryl, the loving and loyal boy who longs for his adorable missing cat. Witty word rhythms and rich illustrations make Purrball Meets Burrball in Brazil an engaging read-aloud story. An alluring tale of friendship, family, ingenuity, and persistence.
This book will appeal to readers ages 3-9 #purrballmeetsburrball

Let's hear from Anne Zoet author of Purrball Meets Burrball in Brazil

1. What inspired you to write this book? The story hit me on a day that I took out for myself away from my high tech work. I was having a massage, which is when I zone-out and don’t think about anything. Oddly, this time, I started creating the Purrball and Burrball storyline the more and more I unwound. I was so relaxed that the whole thing unfolded start to finish. 
2. How would you describe the characters of Purrball and Burrball?  Smart, kind, resourceful and they’re team players. Animals are invariably way more clever than we humans give them credit for. I’ve seen my cats use incredible logic to alter a situation they’re in. I once had a cat run away in a place she didn’t know (the worst weeks of my life searching every day) but she found her way back, though completely unfamiliar with the surroundings. I have another cat, my outdoor cat, who you can see trotting alongside opossums and raccoons in evenings. That scared me so much at first, but eventually we’ve come to see that he has a real relationship with them. He’s so smart and the more I see the wildlife interact with him, the more I see them as clever and accepting and even friendly. The Purrball and Burrball characters came to me before I moved to this area and could witness my cat and his outdoor adventures. But this experience really solidified how Purrball and Burrball should be portrayed as a team. I think that my cat’s experiences with wildlife show that animals are capable of very unexpected bonds with one another. 
3. Why did you choose to write about a cat and a sloth? I’m crazy about both domestic and wild animals and it is a passion that just gets deeper all the time. I’ve done a lot of research on cats (on nutrition and behavior) as well as love to build cat structures and make toys for them. And, I do not know who could look at a sloth and not smile! They have the sweetest faces and they have so much more to them than the “  sloth”   slowness we think of. They’re rather industrious buggers and have some funny quirks, like the wildlife that grows in their fur. I firmly believe they should never be pets and should be kept wild. While the story is pure fantasy (as are stories where animals communicate with phones!), I really want to keep one a pet and the other wild and be true to my feelings about that and it would be so lovely to pass all that along to children! 
4. How do Purrball and Burrball use technology in the book?Purrball, the cat, is unable to send a critical text message, so she asks Burrball, the sloth, if he could tap with his toes to write it. Maybe that’s my wish: I wish my cats would find a way to text me what they’re thinking. 
5. Why did you decide to set the story in Brazil? It had to be set in the natural habitat of a sloth. I’ve always wanted to see a Brazilian rainforest, so I just created my own. It is roughly in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and their plane arrives in Sao Paulo. Earthquakes are incredibly rare in that region, so all the more surprising that one happens when they arrive. After setting my sights on this area, I’ve seen dozens of photos of both Sao Paulo and the Atlantic Forest that make me long to go there! It is on my bucket list. 
6. What does your writing process look like? It’s very interesting that verse isn’t the first thing that comes out. I think it all through with as much rhyme as possible, but just let the story be written in prose for a few versions until the story gels. I can picture the scenery faster than I can create a rhyme. 
7. What was the most rewarding moment you experienced in writing Purrball Meets Burrball in Brazil? It was seeing the art that kids created from my coloring pages! I always loved to draw and I didn’t find coloring pages that interesting as a kid. Now that I’ve seen what some kids have come up with (like one used a gold pen to make a gold mobile phone), I think it can be very creative. I look forward to some freehand drawings, if kids post any to my site (and there’s an option for that at purrballandburrball.com). 
8. What was the biggest challenge you faced in writing this book? I’ve done a lot of digital art, but all for technology-related purposes, so letting things take shape (and learning from a very good freehand artist) was new, challenging, and not always what I had wished it would be until I found my style. 
9. You also illustrated Purrball Meets Burrball in Brazil. How did illustrating the book compare to writing it? It was a bit easier, given that I’m familiar with creating digital art for business purposes. To have artistic license was amazing and both writing and illustrating were very creative and fulfilling. In sum, illustrating was easier for me than writing, but both were much lengthier than I had ever imagined. I spent a good six months pulling both together. 
10. Did any of your three cats influence the character of Purrball, either in physical likeness or personality? All three: one has the coloring of Purrball (I love grey kitties, although I suppose Purrball is a bit blue, really) and she has some cute characteristics—the scene where Purrball is looking up curiously at Burrball is so her! I have another one who is a squat and roundish cat with intense eyes and sitting frontally she looks like a black and white version of Purrball. And the last cat is the most clever cat you could imagine. I rolled them all into one. 
11. What drew you to writing and illustrating a children’s book? My niece and nephew were recently of picture book age and I loved reading to them. I fell in love with books that were both beautiful and cleverly written and also reminded me of the years we live with unconstrained imagination. I love that animals are a big part of books for children. I figured I had a lot to say that could help kids fall in love with animals, like I did from a very early age. 
12. What is the key to attracting young readers? It’s letting yourself be one for a moment—a good picture book can transport you back there. 
13. When did your interest in writing begin? What about your interest in illustration? Recently, my dad reminded me of the “  novel”   I wrote and illustrated when I was in fourth grade and a few years ago he found my kindergarten poetry and illustrations. I guess I had it in me a while. He always told me I should write. I didn’t pay much attention to that, but like him, art has been a part of my studies and career and learning to illustrate children’s books is such a logical path in my life. 

GIVEAWAY

Begins September 6

ENDS September 16 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PRBytheBook furnished this informational post by the author to promote the launch of Purrball Meets Burrball in Brazil. I received a complimentary copy from PRBytheBook. Giveaway copy is provided to winner by PRBytheBook on behalf of the author. Buy it here

Casey’s Bright Red Christmas Written by Holly Dufek, Illustrated by Paul E. Nunn [Review & Giveaway]

From the farm-based children’s series “Casey & Friends” comes a special holiday release that reminds young readers of the importance of a helping hand.

Casey’s Bright Red Christmas is the latest installment to the series, which provides an educational and entertaining look at how farm equipment helps feed the world.

ISBN: 9781937747619
Hardcover ~ $14.99

About the book: It’s Christmas time at Happy Skies Farm! Tillus the worm, Big Red, Sammy and the rest of the team are excited to celebrate the season. But Casey the farmer is busy working: feeding animals, repairing fences and planning for the year ahead. With so much to do, Casey wonders if she’ll have time to prepare for the holidays. That’s when Tillus and the team unite to make this Christmas extra special for their busy friend.

Published by Octane Press, known for their award-winning tractor books, “Casey & Friends” uses photos of CASE IH equipment in real farming situations with cartoon characters to explain how modern farm equipment works in a factual and fun way. Author Holly Dufek, a seasoned educator and national curriculum writer, joins Paul Nunn, Licensed Artist for Disney and Lucas Film, to help kids make the connection with the farm equipment they see in the countryside and the food on table.

Vera's thoughts: This is my second opportunity to venture onto Casey's farm and see what is going on. I have found the Casey books an entertaining and educational read for young children. It's Christmas time on Casey's farm and something happens to cause Christmas almost not to happen....

As with all farmers, routine chores don't stop for Casey just because there are Christmasy things that need doing. So what happens when other stuff gets in the way of Casey doing the Christmasy things? And then on top of that, Casey gets sick.  The story is about friends who work together helping a sick friend enjoy Christmas even though she is sick.

I'm passing this book along to my grands (who loved the last one!) and I am sure it will be a pleaser.

GIVEAWAY

Begins November 12 ENDS November 29 @ 12:00 a.m. ET
Open to USA & CANADA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

More about “Casey & Friends” books at CLICK HERE

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publicist PRBytheBook to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review. Giveaway copy is provided by publicist and mailed directly to winner.

Writer and illustrator speak out on creating Pout-Pout Fish series of children's books.

Very soon, I'll be reviewing The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen & illustrated by Dan Hanna and also hosting a giveaway for this cute children's book. It's coming up on Christmas and the fishes are getting ready. I found the following "interviews" with the author and illustrator really interesting and thought you might as well.

Dan Hanna, Illustrator

How long have you been illustrating the Pout-Pout Fish books? What inspired your depiction of the main character, Mr. Fish?

I started illustrating the first book in early 2007 and so it's been about 8 or 9 years now.

About 15 years ago I was scuba diving in Fiji.  There was a huge rusting hulk of a shipwreck about 80 feet down.  At the end of a pole extending above the deck was a small metal basket.  Resting in that basket was a pudgy fish about the size of my fist.  I swam up and looked right into his eyes and he looked right back with a deep, gloomy frown.  Years later, when I received the manuscript for The Pout-Pout Fish, that memory bubbled up.  I realized, at that moment, that Mr. Fish was an actual fish, living on the other side of the world, 80 feet down on a shipwreck.