Code of Valor (Book #3 Blue Justice) by Lynette Eason

My thoughts: Opening the pages of Code of Valor you are immediately immersed in the depths of an attempted murder and a fantastic rescue. Situated on a lake where a gun shot and a plunge into the depths could end it all, Emily is in a fight for her life and a larger-than-life rescue takes place at the hands of Brady.

Emily and Brady are the main characters in this intense, fast moving, and complicated suspense. As the third book in the series, Blue Justice, the story flows beautifully bringing into play favorite characters from the previous books and yet the reader is not lost if they never read the earlier adventures.

Financial crimes are at the core of this tale and it is difficult to determine just who the culprit is. Who the gains? Who is steering this intense drive to find a sunken boat and the treasure that is on it? Sounds like a pirate tale. But it isn't. This is a modern story. 

Good does overcome the evil. The bad guys are stopped. But it takes a long and convoluted path to reach this ending. And the ending is dynamite.

Disclosure: I won a copy in the LibraryThing.com Early Reviewers program. A review is appreciated though not required. Opinions are mine, alone.

About the book: What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe—and catch those who would see her dead.

Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.

Wilderness: Earth's Amazing Habitats by Mia Cassany and illustrated by Marcos Navarro

ISBN: 9783791373720
Buy it on Amazon
Hardcover - 48 pages - 11"x14"

My thoughts:  Just look at the cover! Can you even imagine being in a dark, dense jungle and glimpsing those eyes peering at you from the lush hiding  place? The illustrations capture the exotic creatures and habitats that exist in our beautiful World.

The illustrations are frankly quite "wild" and not realistic. They are different and somewhat surreal. They are boldly colorful and fun.

Inside the front pages is a two-page spread map showing the locations of each of the habitats featured. Then the pages drift through each of these telling about the habitat and the special critters and plants found in each.

The "story" doesn't end there, though. At the back of the book there is a picture of each habitat's two-page spread and each critter is labeled and there is a brief write up about the creatures.

A good and fun method to teach our beautiful world's wonders.

Written for children ages 6-9, it will bring entertainment as well as education into their reading time. They will have fun searching through the pictures for the various animals and plants.

About the book: Journeying the pages of this oversize book, young readers will go to the planet's wild regions, including forests, jungles, tundras, and deserts to discover the animals that call it home.

This captivating book brings the natural world into sharp focus. Beautifully colored and intricately detailed illustrations depict places as exotic and wide-ranging as Senegal's Niokolo-Koba National Park, Russia's Sikhote-Alin mountain range, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka, Daintree National Park in Australia, the Mexican desert, and China's bamboo forests. The animals that live in these remote places, cleverly hidden in the trees, plants, and flowers, create a marvelous challenge for young readers to find and identify. Each spread contains more than twenty different species including birds, snakes, frogs, iguanas, leopards, tigers, gorillas, pandas, and wolves. The back of the book is filled with additional information about the animals and their habitats. Young readers will find much to discover, explore, and learn in this absorbing celebration of our planet and the amazing creatures we share it with.

About the author: MIA CASSANY is the author of numerous books for children including Atlas of Imaginary Places and Great Ports of the World (both by Prestel). She is the co-founder of Mosquito Books. She lives in Barcelona, Spain.

MARCUS NAVARRO is an illustrator living in Spain. This is his first book.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

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Explorer Academy's The Falcon's Feather - Nat Geo's Groundbreaking Middle Grade Fiction Series Continues [Giveaway]

The Falcon's Feather (Explorer Academy #2) 

Launch date March 19 

National Geographic Kids Books is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the second book in the groundbreaking Explorer Academy series published by their fiction imprint, Under the Stars— The Falcon’s Feather by Trudi Trueit.   Global adventures, danger and mystery combined with fascinating real-world science, codebreaking, and technology makes The Falcon’s Feather a perfect summer reading pick for book lovers and reluctant readers alike.

"This exciting, fast paced, far-flung story is full of science facts and James Bond–like gadgets, accompanied by colored illustrations. The ending is guaranteed to keep readers eager for the next series installment.”—Booklist review of The Falcon’s Feather

Inspired by the awe-inspiring work and real adventures of National Geographic Explorers, the second title in the Explorer Academy series invites readers to board the ship Orion, where Cruz and his friends experience cool science, cutting-edge technology, and real expeditions (including an up-close encounter with whales). Explorer Academy: The Falcon’s Feather  immerses readers in a captivating tale of intrigue and fast-paced action as the team navigates the world of Explorer Academy while also keeping up with schoolwork and trying to solve the second piece of a puzzle that may have cost Cruz’s mother her life. A sneak peak of Chapter One of The Falcon’s Feather can be read here.

This thrilling global mission has been hailed by J.J. Abrams (director of “Star Trek” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) as “a fun, exciting and action-packed ride that kids will love” and James Cameron, acclaimed filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence says the Explorer Academy series “Inspires the next generation of curious kids to go out into our world and discover something unexpected.” Whether it is cracking hidden codes or reaching the northernmost point of human civilization, The Falcon’s Feather will have readers on the edge of their seats to the final page.

About Explorer Academy Book 2: The Falcon’s Feather by Trudi Trueit (National Geographic Kids; March 19, 2019; ISBN: 978-1426-33304-0; US$16.99/CAN$19.99; Hardcover; 208 pages)

ISBN: 978-1426333040
Buy it on Amazon

In the exciting follow-up to The Nebula Secret in the 7-book Explorer Academy series, Cruz, Sailor, and Emmett, along with their new ally Bryndis, embark on their first globe-trotting mission aboard the ship Orion. Cruz jumps right back into school and starts using the latest technology in submersible underwater dives but is soon reminded of the dangers of exploration when his equipment fails and he almost drowns. Determined to keep his eyes on the prize, Cruz sneaks away to try to find answers, but unknowingly lures his friends into bigger trouble. When a friend of Cruz's mom meets an untimely end, Cruz's luck really seems about to run out and the questions multiply. What does the message mean? Where will it lead? Who is following him? And why?

For more adventures with Cruz and his fellow explorers, fans can head to ExplorerAcademy.com to watch the Explorer Academy animated series “Brain Freeze,” play Explorer Academy-inspired games, meet National Geographic Explorers, find the latest updates on The Falcon’s Feather upcoming national book tour and discover the Facts Behind the Fiction.

Read the first chapter The Falcon's Feather - click here

About the Author and Contributors:

Author Trudi Trueit is a gifted storyteller for middle-grade audiences. She has written more than 100 books for young readers, both fiction and nonfiction, including The Sister Solution, Stealing Popular and the Secrets of a Lab Rat series. Trueit lives in Everett, Washington. Interior illustrator Scott Plumbe is an award-winning illustrator, designer and fine artist whose work has appeared in books, magazines, games, interpretive centers and more. When not traveling the world, he lives in Vancouver, Canada. 

Cover illustrator Antonio Javier Caparo is an illustrator, graphic designer and graphic novel artist whose work regularly appears in magazines and books in the U.S., Europe and South America. Born in Cuba, Caparo currently lives in Montreal, Canada.

Dr. Gareth Moore is the code master for the Explorer Academy franchise and author of over 100 best-selling international puzzle and brain-training titles. He lives in London, England, with his wife and son. www.drgarethmoore.com

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 19

Ends April 20 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies of both books to aid in posting this book launch spotlight. Winner's copies are provided and mailed directly to the winner by publisher or publicist.

Noah and His Friends (Board book) by Patricia A. Pingry & illustrated by Joseph Cowman

Buy it on Amazon

My thoughts:  When I picked up this little gem of a book, I was just delighted. The "heft" is just right for those little hands to hold and they will feel that they have a "big book" of stories in their hands without being overwhelmed. The cover is softly padded and the corners rounded. The cover and board pages will hold up to much loving and much reading.

The assorted Bible stories include: Noah, Moses and Pharaoh, David and Goliath, Jonah and the Big Fish, Daniel and the Lions, and Esther Throws a Party. These Old Testament stories each cover four pages in the book, have a key thought, a short prayer, and a Bible verse. These give opportunities for little ones to learn of God's love, care, and protection.

The illustrations are very good and quite appealing capturing the attention of the young readers with their engaging expressions and actions.

Parents can begin reading these stories to preschoolers and the book is appropriate for beginning readers once they become fairly independent.

I highly recommend this delightful Bible storybook.

About the book: This classic collection will introduce children to six favorite, age-appropriate Old Testament Bible stories, including Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, and the story of Esther. Each story is told in fewer than 250 simple words that toddlers can understand and concludes with a one-sentence summary, a one-sentence prayer, and a short Bible verse. The bright artwork focuses on the land, the people, and the natural world of the Old Testament.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A review was not requested. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

 

The Creation of Central Park by Ashley Benham Yazdani & Birds by Carme Lemniscates [Review & 2-winner Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Birds by Carme Lemniscates

ISBN: 9781536201789

My thoughts:  Simple illustrations created with a full palette of colors both soft and bold tell the simple story of the lovely creature that is the "Bird." Not detailed or like a study in birds of the world, it simply introduces the creatures for what they are to us - small, large, sweet sounding or harsh, friendly or strident. An assortment of creatures is the whole of the bird creation.

And then the author and artist takes the young reader on an emotional journey with the beautiful birds when the story states that "nearly all like to have conversations." Have you ever thought of their chirping and tweets as a conversation? Surely that is exactly what it is.

And then to us and our feelings and needs.... "A birds song is like the loving words of a friend." "A happy song that greets us every morning."

This is a sweet book and will be a child-pleaser. Check it out at your favorite library or perhaps you'd like to purchase a copy for keeps.

About the book: Brilliant graphic illustrations and a gentle, thought-provoking text pay homage to birds and their wonder-inspiring ways.

Birds come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They like to chat with one another as they fly high and low in the sky. Birds make music, with songs that are like the loving words of a friend, and we are lucky enough to enjoy those sweet melodies. But best of all, birds are capable of flying wherever they please — they just let their hearts guide them. And we can do that, too, if we use our imaginations. In a lyrical ode to our winged friends, the creator of Trees turns her eye to a diverse class of creatures that has much to teach about transcending the barriers that lie between us.

A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park by Ashley Benham Yazdani

ISBN: 9780763696955

My thoughts: Using picture books to teach and help young minds and hearts grow a love for our world and its beauty is a wonderful concept. This lovely and fun-to-read book shows how New York City's Central Park was created.

It opens the door for discussion of land use and the need for us to  have green spaces around us. The book doesn't really get into those topics, but they are between the lines.

So it starts out by identifying the problem earlier settlers of New York had created by removal of all the trees from an area and by building so many structures. They decided to hold a contest for someone to take a particularly blighted area and design a lovely green park for the New York residents to use.

I found the information quite interesting in the manner that the winner's design was used and how it utilized the types of plants to create illusions. They didn't just plant trees, bushes, flowers, and grass. They created a varied area with a host of architecture in the bridges designs. The provided water ares - pond, stream - and walk areas as well as carriage areas. They reintroduced squirrels.

I've never seen Central Park but I see how invaluable this spot of green in a high rise brick and mortar city would be to the physical and emotional health of the people.

I am thankful for parks and I feel certain the folks in New York are, too.

About the book: How did Central Park become a vibrant gem in the heart of New York City? Follow the visionaries behind the plan as it springs to green life.

In 1858, New York City was growing so fast that new roads and tall buildings threatened to swallow up the remaining open space. The people needed a green place to be — a park with ponds to row on and paths for wandering through trees and over bridges. When a citywide contest solicited plans for creating a park out of barren swampland, Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted put their heads together to create the winning design, and the hard work of making their plans a reality began. By winter, the lake opened for skating. By the next summer, the waterside woodland known as the Ramble opened for all to enjoy. Meanwhile, sculptors, stone masons, and master gardeners joined in to construct thirty-four unique bridges, along with fountains, pagodas, and band shells, making New York's Central Park a green gift to everyone. Included in the end matter are bios of Vaux and Olmsted, a bibliography, and engaging factual snippets.

GIVEAWAY

2 winners win both books

Begins March 15

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

Open to USA and CANADA addresses

No P.O. Boxes - Phone # for Canada winners

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of each book to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copies are provided and mailed/shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick.

Rabbit & Bear: Rabbit's Bad Habits by Julian Gough & Jim Field

My thoughts: Sized just right for young readers to have a "real book" that they can read, this volume is the first of a series about Rabbit and Bear and the series holds promise for popular "chapter books" (though it isn't divided into chapters).

The illustrations are spot-on attention grabbing for these young readers and even young reader-listeners.

Its Winter and Bear awakes from hibernation and is hungry but her food is missing. So bear makes a snowman.

At this point Rabbit enters the story since the snowman rolls down the hill in an "avalanche" and covers Rabbits hole in the ground. Arguments or discussions ensue but this rather tense relationship ultimately blossoms into a sweet friendship.

In the meantime, their discussion involves "poo." Rather..... eating poo. Really?

Now I realize I'm a bit of old school and a Southern lady with quirks of my own, but to entertain the subject of poo in a children's book and especially the eating of poo is really quite out of sync in my opinion. I know there is a bounty of books that focus on the subject of poo and if one wishes to acquire these, that is one's choice.

Now about the subject of this particular rabbit eating his own poo. As it turns out, there is firm truth or scientific fact behind this practice of rabbits. I know we're not going to change the rabbits from doing what they are designed to do, I just feel the presentation of this information a bit heavy and out of place in this form of children's book.

Now we have to address the third character in the book - the Wolf. He wants to eat Rabbit and so the chase ensues. This is where the friendship between Rabbit and Bear really takes root. Bear comes to the rescue of Rabbit and saves him from being dinner for Wolf.

A happy ending and a really cute book. I'd rate it 5-star for design, illustrations, and overall story. But a 3-star for the inclusion (heavily) of eating poo. Hence a 4-star overall rating. I look forward to future releases in the Rabbit and Bear series; and if the end pages map of the territory is any indication, the series will be a lot of interest and fun.

About the book: Avalanches, snowmen, a hungry wolf…and more!

When Bear wakes up early from her hibernation, she decides to build a snowman. Her grumpy neighbor, Rabbit, decides to build an even better one. Rabbit & Bear: Rabbit’s Bad Habits is full of laugh-out-loud moments and chronicles the forming of an unlikely friendship. With illustrations throughout, this chapter book is perfect for middle grade readers and is sure to become a fun favorite on any kid’s bookshelf.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review of my own opinions which are freely given.