Petra by Marianna Coppo (from Tundra Books)

ISBN: 9780735262676
Ages 4-7 Hardcover $17.99 (US)

My thoughts: Simple illustrations. Simple text. Powerful message.

Petra - the word means: "Petra is a feminine given name. It is a feminine form of Peter, which is derived from the Greek word "petros" meaning "stone, rock". It is also a common first name in Germany, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Macedonia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia." 

So this story is about a rock. Small. Medium sized. Or big mountain sized. It is about identity as "Petra" looks at him/herself for his/her identity. Small as in a bird's egg. Or huge as in an unmovable mountain.

He doesn't know what he is or what he is suppose to do. So he tries different identies or activies. Until he discovers just what he is.

Cute book to help young children learn there are differences in rocks as well as differences in who we are and what we can become. Also, a little lesson in not thinking of oneself as bigger and more important than one really is.

About the book: The humorous adventures of an irresistible little rock who finds herself in constantly changing circumstances, Petra is a picture book that celebrates the power of perspective and believing in yourself.

Petra is a little rock who believes she is a mighty mountain . . . until a dog fetches her for its owner, and she is tossed into a bird's nest. A mountain? No, Petra is now an egg! An egg of the world in a world of possibility. Until she's flung into a pond, and becomes an amazing island . . . and, eventually, a little girl's pet rock. What will she be tomorrow? Who knows? But she's a rock, and this is how she rolls!

Disclosure: I received a copy as part of a contest on LibraryThing.com from the publisher. Opinions are my own, not cooerced, and freely given.

The Big Book of Bible Stories for Toddlers from B&H Publishing Group

B&H Publishing Group
Impring of LifeWay Christian Resources

My thoughts: This is such a nice Bible story book for toddlers. With a softly padded cover and sturdy board pages, it will be one that wee  hands can safely handle and enjoy. They will love to find it and take it to someone to read to them.

This little book is more than a collection of Bible stories briefly told so the very young child can understand. There are key questions with answers that accompany each story. Not just about the story, but about theology.  This will be the beginning of your child's instruction into a deeper understanding of Biblical truth.

Example: "Why does God punish sin?" Answer: "God is holy. He never sinned, He is right to punish sin." "Who is always in control?" Answer: "God is always in control."

The illustrations of these Old and New Testament stories will appeal to the young child. What is very appealing to today's young who are so captivated by technology is the ability to download an app that is used with the book to "read" the story and view the illustrations in an augmented, or 3-D effect, manner. The story as voiced on the app is clear and very understandable. The text is slightly different from that which appears on the page. Each icon in the book denotes a "chapter" that is accessed through the app's menu. Super fun. They will need a smart phone or tablet to do this. But the book is great as a unit itself without the need to utilize the app feature.

A great addition for homes with young children.

About the book: Favorite Bible stories for your favorite toddlers!

Noah and the ark, Jonah and the big fish, David and the giant—little readers know which Bible stories are their favorites. The Big Book of Bible Stories for Toddlers is an interactive and engaging new Bible storybook designed just for toddlers. With stories from both the Old and New Testaments, this big book means big fun and learning for little ones.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from B&H Publishing Group An Imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Adventures in Science: The Human Body [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Silver Dolphin publishing has a real talent for producing quality books and project items or kits that are absolutely wonderful, providing inspiration to pursue further research and study into the subject. I find that the Adventures in Science: The Human Body ($21.99; ISBN:978-1684121298; Ages 5+; 40 pages) book and kit to be just such a product. Be sure to enter the giveaway offered below and open to USA/CANADA entries.

ISBN:978-1684121298
$21.99 Ages 5+; 40 pages

My thoughts: When my children were growing up I purchased a variety of kits for them so they could increase their knowledge of the human body, the skeleton, the eye, etc. They loved these kits. In Adentures in Science: The Human Body the child has an opportunity for a different experience.  

The boxed kit contains a variety of materials of which the two main items (in my opinion) are the 40-page paperback book and the plastic skeleton that they can put together.  I am quite impressed with this entire package of informative materials that can be of such enjoyment to the precocious child and provide hours of exploration into the workings of the human body. This will provide an opportunity to begin conquest of the study of human biology and physiology.

The 40-page paperback book is colorful and offers much information and opportunities to learn.

The kit contains a book, 2 pages of stickers, a two-sided poster to which the stickers can  be afixed, and the plastic skeleton.

About this book and kit: Which part of the brain is in charge of creativity? What is the smallest human muscle? Take a trip inside the human body and discover the amazing systems that allow us to move, breathe, and speak. After reading about everything from the digestive tract to the cornea, kids can assemble their own plastic skeleton and view the systems of the body in a layered cardstock model. With 20 fact cards, 2 sticker sheets, and a double-sided poster, this interactive kit is a perfect primer for learning about how the human body works.

About the Author: Courtney Acampora holds a B.A. in art history from San Diego State University and a M.A. from the University of Arizona. Currently working in publishing, Courtney's lifelong love for both art and books fused together and gave her the opportunity to write and create engaging books for kids. Courtney lives in San Diego, California.

• Age Range: 6 and up, Grade Level: 1 - 2
• Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books; Box Pck St edition (December 12, 2017)
• Language: English: ISBN-10: 1684121299; ISBN-13: 978-1684121298

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 7

Ends March 29 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA and CANADA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary product via MMPublicity on behalf of Silver Dolphin Publishing and the author to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Prize is provided by publisher or publicist and sent by them directly to the winner.

National Geographic Kids has 3 super STEM & STEAM titles for those precocious kids [Review/Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781426328671
Hardcover $18.99
Published January 2018
National Geographic Kids

Astronaut-Aquanaut: How Space Science and Sea Science Interact 

My thoughts:  Two vast areas waiting for exploration that are vastly different yet somewhat similar are Earth's ocean depths and the Universe's vast expanses. In Astronaut Aquanaut: How Space Science and Sea Science Interact the young reader and student is introduced to these areas of science with information and pictures of discoveries and anticipated ways to pioneer scientific discoveries these two vast areas contain.

The contrasts of living under the water or in outer space in a habitat created for that area and the requirements to do so are very interesting and well presented. The need for special equipment and how it was discovered and created plus how it is also incorporated into other uses is explained.

An interesting and educational book for young readers that will excite and challenge them about the possibilities of man's exploration of these two vast areas. A superb addition to libraries at home, school, or public.

About the book: The forward of this book — cowritten by the environmental pioneer and Aquanuat, Fabien Cousteau, and the first American woman to have walked in space, Astronaut Kathryn Sullivan — perfectly sets the stage to examine how space science and sea science interact as award winning author Jennifer Swanson takes readers on a journey from the edges of the solar system to the deepest trenches in the sea.  Space and the ocean — you don't think they go together? Well think again!  Both deep-sea and space explorers have to worry about pressure, temperature, climate, and most importantly, how to survive in a remote and hostile environment. Readers learn just what it takes to explore these extremes — and discover the surprising similarities between them.  With a strong tie into STEM topics — such as making connections, making comparisons, and recognizing patterns across content areas — readers will discover the amazing science and incredible innovations that allow humans (and sometimes only machines) to survive in these harsh environments.

ISBN:9781426327988
$12.99 Paperback Ages 8-12
Published January 2018
National Geographic Kids

Dr. E’s Super Stellar Solar System - New Series Alert!  

My thoughts: Having been a "young adult" when the USA landed a man on the moon for that "giant step for mankind," I am totally amazed to pick up a book like Dr. E's Super Stellar Solar System and see just how big that giant step has become. It is simply amazing to see a mass of information presented in a method that is both easy to understand, engaging to the reader - young and old"er", and educational.

 The pictures both drawn in a fun and exciting "comic book" manner and photographs are amazing. The extent of information covered reaching from under one's own feet to the farthermost reach of the solar system is fantastic.

I can highly recommend this book for personal, school, and public libraries. Science class book shelves will need this book placed there as well. A good choice to have available for expanding minds that explore and investigate.

About the book: The first in the new Science Superheroes series, this stellar book introduces kids to the solar system's wildest, most astronomical geology with comic book flair.  Readers follow Dr. E,  a planetary geologist, and her lovable robot sidekick, Rover, as they undergo exciting missions and encounter and explore spectacular storms, icy worlds, water on Mars, and giant impact craters.  Dr. E's conversational and funny explanations of the solar system and planetary geology will pull kids in like gravity. The pairing of fun, graphic novel stories with science facts makes big concepts accessible and interesting to boys and girls of all levels, from STEM science fans to reluctant readers alike.  A unique, hybrid graphic novel and science book featuring an adventure-seeking dynamic duo, each chapter begins with 2 pages of the story of Dr. E’s adventures and 6 pages of images and graphics illustrating the wonders of the solar system.  Topics covered include space exploration; robots, rovers and other awesome technology; planets, dwarf planets and moons; plate tectonics and space volcanoes; what space teaches us about Earth; and biographies of renowned scientists.The real-life author of this book, Dr. Ehlmann (Dr. E)  is a Rhodes Scholar, a 2013 National Geographic Emerging Explorer and member of the NASA Mars Curiosity Rover team.

ISBN: 9781426328633
Paperback $16.99 Ages 10+
National Geographic Kids

Try This! Extreme: 50 Fun & Safe Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You by Karen Romano Young 

My thoughts: Having raised my own family and seen the desire and the academic need to experiment and explore, I definitely see a real need for this expansive book that takes the young scientist into the realm of scientific discovery. Who knows where a simple "kitchen experiment" will lead in the life of a child? Will they become a bio technician, discover a vaccine that will save a village, create new products that generations of consumers will enjoy? The task for the parent is to put tools into the hands of the young so their minds can explore and expand.

Try This! Extreme: 50 Fun and Safe Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You can surely provide just such a tool. Replete with fabulous photographs of experiments in process. Simple experiments such as standing in doorway and pressing arms against doorjamb and how it produces "magic arms" and the understanding of this phenomena to understanding how the signal of a remote control can pass through materials or be blocked by other materials.

 I recommend this book for families with young children and for school and public libraries.

About the book: Science facts and basic principles are explained as a first step to launching these creative (and safe) science projects — from experiments that mimic ultraviolet reindeer vision, to morphing marshmallows, to making "blubber gloves." Dynamic photos and art clearly highlight each step so kids can conduct all 50 of the experiments with confidence and accuracy. Projects involve kid-friendly subjects like force and motion and temperature and freezing points, and most experiments are based on materials easily found at home (and how you can even include Fido or Fluffy in on the fun). Bonus projects throughout encourage curious kids to dig deeper and specific tips, pointers and experiments for science fair success are also included.

• A 2018 AAAS Subaru Children’s Science Book Prize Finalist
• Junior Library Guild selection
• "….readers will find a lot of unique, engaging, instructive, fun, and really cool activities. ….Filled with STEM and NGSS alignments and science fair ideas, this is great support for budding mad scientists…” - Booklist

SUPER GIVEAWAY

1 Copy of Each Book in this Review/Spotlight to 1 Winner

Begins March 6

Ends March 28 @ 12:01 EDT

Open to USA addresses only

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of each book from MMPublicity on behalf of National Geographic Kids to facilitate this review and bookspotlight. Opinions expressed are solely my own and are freely given. Winner's copies will be provided and shipped directly to the winner by publicist or publisher.

Planet 316 Story Bible (with optional Augmented Reality!) [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: What an interesting and exciting concept the Planet 316 Story Bible is to innovatively pair a children's print story bible (you know, hard copy ink and paper book) with today's technology (i.e. a smartphone or a touchpad). So many little children have access to a touchpad and are so accustomed to utilizing this technology that it will provide a smooth transition. Why! Even this (the Vera of Chat With Vera) Great-Grandma got it and downloaded it!

When you upload the app to your tech unit, you can see images virtually leap off the page. This will certainly capture the attention of children. You can see from the short video below how this works.

Now about the book itself..... This is a mid-sized book that is somewhat hefty to hold. So wee little ones probably won't be toting it around the house. It contains more than 100 Bible stories and eye-catching illustrations accompany them. The stories take the reader from the beginning of the Bible to the end. There is an index that will help you locate the pages that specific characters, locations, etc. appear on. The Table of Contents is broken down by Old Testament and New Testament. The stories are a good length for read aloud to young children and for early readers to read aloud or to themselves. The book is good as a stand-alone or especially fun when coupled with the app that is a free download.

This is a full page of text. Many have half pages or less.

About the book: “Watch the Bible spring to life! This innovative Bible storybook features more than 100 stories from the Old and New Testaments. The stories are told in kid-friendly and biblically accurate language and accompanied by bright and whimsical artwork. The free augmented reality app brings the stories to life with 3-D animation and engaging character audio. Together, the book and its app are sure to capture children’s imaginations and start them on their faith journey.” (Hardcover; ages 4 to 7)

Watch a demo of the augmented reality: http://planet316storybible.com/. (This is the website and demo and is not the same as the short video below.)

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 5

Ends March 15 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to Continental USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, WorthyKids/Ideals, to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed are my own and are freely given.

If I Live By Terri Blackstock, New York Times Bestselling Author Published by Zondervan

My thoughts:  An exciting, tense ending to a series that is written in a style that is both engaging and easy to read. While not on a level with the stridently ugly and vicious crime novels that flood the market, this series, and especially book #3 If I Live, is packed with tension, chases, capture, emotion, joy, grief, pain, and love.

Readers will sense the need to continue flipping page after page until they reach the end of this exciting finale.

As private investigator, Dylan, continues to aid Casey as she flees one scene after another because she is being pursued for crimes for which she is not responsible and as Casey faces challenge after challenge they both see God at work in their lives. Leading. Protecting. Comforting. Strengthening.

The revelation of criminal activity and those involved is surprising and reeks of the horror when the public faces criminal entities that work in the background and are not openly identifiable.

A good read and you will root for Casey and Dylan throughout.

About the book: THE HUNT IS ALMOST OVER.

Casey Cox is still on the run after being indicted for murder. The hunt that began with her bloody footprints escalates, and she’s running out of places to hide. Her face is all over the news, and her disguises are no longer enough. It’s only a matter of time before someone recognizes her.

Dylan Roberts, the investigator who once hunted her, is now her only hope. Terrifying attempts on Dylan’s life could force Casey out of hiding. The clock is ticking on both their lives, but exposing the real killers is more complicated than they knew. Amassing the evidence to convict their enemies draws Dylan and Casey together, but their relationship has consequences. Will one life have to be sacrificed to protect the other?

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from BookLook blogger review program on behalf of the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Keturah: The Sugar Baron's Daughters #1 by Lisa T. Bergren [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: I have not previously read a story set in the locale and time period that the story of Keturah occurs. Trusting the author's skillful research into the conditions of people on the island, the culture of the time, the need for a woman to overcome insurmountable odds and succeed, I found the events and characters interesting and challenging to read about as they went about living the untenable life that awaited these ladies born to class and title.

This promises to be an very interesting series. Keturah has two sisters and I don't know if they are the other "sugar baron's daughters" to be featured in the series or if others are on the horizon.

The dark history of the Caribbean island and importation of slaves and the brutal treatment of them is hard to read, but it is in the story. The total disrespect for the individuality and worth of a woman by the island plantation owners and men on the island in general is hard to comprehend.

The interaction of Keturah and her sisters is lovely and really good to see. The way they deal with the slaves on their own plantation is refreshing in light of the overall darkness that is written into the story.

Certainly worth the read!

About the book: In 1772 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father's estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.

Although it flies against all the conventions, they're determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, conventions are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined---and that's just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this harsh and unfamiliar world.

Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.

To keep her family together and save the plantation that is her last chance at providing for them, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

GIVEAWAY

Begins February 20

Ends March 12 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

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More information and other reviews - click here

Enter to win a copy of Keturah. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced March 13 on the Litfuse blog!

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of Bethany House Publishers and the author to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.