Earth Day picture books that are entertaining and educational (Earth Day is April 22) [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker

ISBN: 9781536223293
Hardcover | $18.99

My thoughts:  A wordless book! An Aaron Becker treasure! Every pictured wordless story by Becker I've had the pleasure of experiencing has been exceptionally astute. Exceptionally detailed.

Under Fire (Defend and Protect series) by Lynn H. Blackburn

ISBN: 9780800737979
Paperback $16.99

My thoughts:  From the very opening pages of this Secret Service themed book, the characters hit the ground running and the run is exciting and dangerous.

Set in my own home state's capital, Raleigh, North Carolina, I can sense the reality of each scene, character's development, life styles, and basic living. A bit of modern southern charm seeps in but the female lead is no weak southern belle. She is a strong individual both mentally, physically, and spiritually despite a flawed background and past.

Abraham & Issac's story unfolds in stirring new film "HIS ONLY ON" opening March 31 in theaters [Review & Giveaway]

MY THOUGHTS: After viewing a pre-release screening of HIS ONLY SON, I am honored to share the film's information with my readers and highly recommend it to you.

Angel Studios. creators of stirring series "The Chosen," have a new film that portrays the Old Testament story of Abraham and Issac. From a time 2000 years before the birth of Christ (so 4000 years ago), Abaham and his family and servants are living a nomadic life as Abraham heeds God's telling him to leave his home and journey afar. Now with his son by his side, Abraham travels on the most emotionally frought journey known to man.

Cloud Babies by Eoin Colfer & illustrated by Chris Judge [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

My thoughts:  This is an interesting and sweet children's book. My husband was really good at seeing animals in the clouds but not I. In Cloud Babies: Sometimes All We Need to Do Is Look Up a very young child an her father see animals - or rather Cloud Babies - when they are outside strolling along and looking up. This continues as the child grows.

One day the child becomes sick, sicker than ever before and has to go stay for an extended period in the hospital. While there, she and the other children learn to look up and see cloud babies.

Once she is well and leaves the hospital, she goes to school and makes new friends. These friends don't see or appreciate the experience of visualizing cloud babies. She becomes disgruntled, angry, sad, at a loss. The story continues to its joyful conclusion where her hospital friends and her school friends meet at the hospital, share books, and continue experiencing the joy of cloud babies.

A nice story that shares the different worlds of a children's hospital and the child's regular school.

About the book: Six-year-old Erin’s favorite game is spotting animals in the clouds with her mom and dad—everything from fluffy foxes and polar bears to little rabbits. Even when Erin falls very ill and has to spend a long time in the hospital, she still manages to find joy in  spying “cloud babies” through the window with her new hospital friends. When the doctor tells Erin she can go home, she is so excited! But being back at school is not at all what she expected—so much has changed, and Erin must reconcile the safe realm she’s just left with a world outside that has become unfamiliar. With Mom and Dad’s love and wisdom, however, and with the help of her teacher and friends, Erin comes to see that by sharing her experience she can find happiness again in just being herself. Sensitively told and vibrantly brought to life, Cloud Babies brings recognition and comfort to children facing illness or hardship, as well as guidance to those who wish to offer support but may not know where to start.

Eoin Colfer, New York Times best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl series, pens a warm, empathy-building story based on illustrator Chris Judge’s family’s experience with childhood illness.

~ GIVEAWAY ~

Begins March 16

Ends April 12 @ 12:1 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA

NO P.O. BOXES

Canadian winners must provide phone number

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Dreams of the Heart (Wyoming Sunrise #2) by Penny Zeller [Giveaway - USA paper or ebook]

In Dreams of the Heart, we get to meet John Mark ten years later as the Deputy Sheriff of Poplar Springs, a town not too far from Willow Falls. We will also meet new female lead character, Hannah. Caleb, Annie, Charlotte, Reverend Solomon, and Lydie will all make guest appearances and we will see how they're doing after all these years. 

My thoughts: From the moment I picked up my copy of Dreams of the Heart, I was was impressed with the beautiful sweetness of the cover. The pink dress, flowers, and lady each have a softness and gentle beauty that drew this reader's mind and heart. This type of story is so very much needed in today's harsh, worldly, and often evil world. That is not to say that Dreams of the Heart is a sugar coated traipse into an unrealistic world. 

In the Wyoming Sunrise Series we meet individuals who populate small cities or towns in the rough and tough Wyoming territory. John Mark, the newly appointed Deputy of Poplar Springs, whose responsibility is the maintain a sense of law and order, is often fraught with corralling drunks from the saloon and rounding up stagecoach robbers. He has a respectful, protective nature of women, and it grieves him when he sees young and lovely Hannah Bane sitting on a bench outside the saloon night after night waiting to take her abusive drunken father home.

An unscrupulous and dangerous situation begins to shape up that will place Hannah in unspeakable danger and John Mark steps in to change the plan. 

The author is known for her strong Christian stories and gentle reads. The sweet romance that blooms in Dreams of the Heart is faith based and squeaky clean. The character's are well developed. The scenes and dialogue give the reader a colorful and easy to follow mind-picture of life in the Wyoming territory of 1894. This story is a joy to read and is a relaxing balm to one's heart and soul.

About the book: Sometimes the hardest battles take place in the heart.

Poverty and abuse at the hands of her drunkard father leaves Hannah Bane trapped and alone. Without hope, she prays for a miracle just on the off-chance God will hear her. Will the handsome new deputy, who seems to be watching her every move, be Hannah’s one chance to escape the only life she’s ever known?

For as long as he can remember, John Mark Eliason has wanted to be a deputy sheriff. When a job opens in the nearby town of Poplar Springs, he eagerly accepts, but finds his greatest mission won’t be tracking down criminals and bringing justice to the ruthless Wyoming town, but saving a beautiful young woman he barely knows.

Will an unexpected answer to a difficult situation show how love can endure—and even thrive—in an unconventional situation? Or will fear and uncertainty keep two hesitant hearts apart?

A handsome deputy sheriff.

A woman in search of freedom.

An unconventional situation.

In the sequel to Forgotten Memories, author Penny Zeller weaves a tender tale of faith, romance, and humor in a memorable story that reminds us God hears every prayer and has a plan for every life.

GIVEAWAY

March 16 - April 11 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Music, a rain forest, and moving biographic non-fiction picture books inspire young readers ages 5 to 9 [Spotlight & Giveaway]

Introducing young children to non-fiction picture books can open opportunities of discovery into the makings of our World. Enjoyment, educational, entertaining, evocative books for inquiring and discovering minds.

Symphony for a Broken Orchestra: How Philadelphia Collected Sounds to Save Musicby Amy Ignatow & illustrated by Gwen Millward | Ages 6-9

What happens when musical instruments can’t make the sounds we expect them to make? Is music still possible? An uplifting picture book based on a true story.

The schools of Philadelphia were filling up with broken violins, drums, pianos, and more, making it difficult for students to learn to play. This sparked an idea for a symphony, played entirely with the broken instruments, that would raise funds to repair the instruments themselves. Musicians young and old volunteered, and their captivating performance showed that even something broken can sing—and that great music is always possible with a bit of inventiveness and improvisation. Based on real events, this inspiring story introduces young readers to a range of instruments as it celebrates a community coming together to make a joyful, meaningful noise. More information about the nonprofit organization Broken Orchestra can be found in the back matter, including a link to an audio recording of the symphony performance.

A Walk Through the Rain Forest by Martin Jenkins & Vicky White illustrator | Ages 6-9

The award-winning team behind Can We Save the Tiger? and Ape invites young readers to explore the breathtaking biodiversity of a Malaysian tropical rain forest.

Conservation biologist Martin Jenkins and acclaimed fine artist Vicky White expertly guide readers into the complex ecosystem of Malaysia’s Taman Negara. Conversational prose and photorealistic black-and-white artwork—punctuated by four jaw-dropping full-color spreads—evoke the whir of cicadas and the low call of a pheasant. Pages fill with ants and elephants, leopards and hornbills, gibbons and bats, as animals spread and fertilize seeds to help maintain a magnificent old-growth forest. Every living thing in the rain forest is interconnected, and a dazzling full-color index guide at the end of the book challenges readers to circle back and marvel at animals they may have missed in the dense foliage. Meticulously researched and visually arresting, this creative tour de force is a young conservationist’s dream: the ecotour of a lifetime.

A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth by Christina Soontornvatby Christina Soontornvat & illustrated by Dow Phumiruk | Ages 5-9

Thai American creators portray the inspirational and barrier-breaking life of Senator Tammy Duckworth in a picture-book tribute to an extraordinary woman.

Given Tammy Duckworth’s personal heroism as an Army veteran, her stunning recovery from injuries sustained in the line of duty, and her subsequent career as an influential US senator, it’s easy to see why Joe Biden earmarked her as a possible running mate during his Democratic presidential campaign. Senator Duckworth has logged a long list of firsts during her tenure as the first Thai American member of Congress, including being the first woman with a disability to serve in the House and Senate. But it is her tireless determination to keep going against staggering odds that will rivet readers of all ages. Christina Soontornvat’s narrative biography of this groundbreaking military veteran and rising political star will inspire readers to dream and achieve. Evoking Senator Duckworth’s spirited nature with sensitivity and joy, this dramatic account of a life lived in the service of others includes a time line and suggestions for further reading.

GIVEAWAY

1 Winner All 3 Books

March 14 to April 10 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA addresses

NO P.O. Boxes

Canadian winners must provide phone number

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies of the books to spotlight. Winner's book prizes are provided and sent directly to the winner by publisher or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

My Baba’s Garden by Jordan Scott & illustrated by Sydney Smith

 

My thoughts:  A gentle story of multi-generational love and caring. The Baba (grandmother) whose early life was one of deprivation and lack of food, lives simply growing and cooking her own food and does so in abundance. She helps care for her grandson. Through her actions she demonstrates her way of life and how she tends her garden and cooks the food she grows. She even captures earthworms on rainy days and places them in her garden. This demonstrates a care for the little things that make a garden grow.

As she ages and needs to be removed from her own home, she goes to live with her family. Her grandson returns much of the love and tenderness to her that she has previously bestowed on him.

A sweet tender story that is lovely and beautifully told.

About the book: The special relationship between a child and his grandmother is depicted in this sumptuous book by an award-winning team.

Inspired by memories of his childhood, Jordan Scott's My Baba's Garden explores the sights, sounds, and smells experienced by a child spending time with their beloved grandmother (Baba), with special attention to the time they spent helping her tend her garden, searching for worms to keep it healthy. He visits her every day and finds her hidden in the steam of boiling potatoes, a hand holding a beet, a leg opening a cupboard, an elbow closing the fridge, humming like a night full of bugs when she cooks.

Poet Jordan Scott and illustrator Sydney Smith's previous collaboration, I Talk Like a River, which received a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award expored a cherished memory shared between a father and son. In their new book, they turn that same wistful appreciation to the bond between a boy and his grandmother. Sydney Smith's illustrations capture the sensational impressions of a child's memory with iconic effect.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.