A new Lazy Ladybug Adventure has arrived! Author/illustrator Jack Tickle brings back our Ladybug friend as she desperately tries to learn how to fly. She keeps zigzagging, tumbling, and wobbling into the other animals, but monkey encourages her to give it another try.

As with What Goes Up by Paula Bowles, we see another book from tiger tales that spreads the word: practice makes perfect. Vibrant colors, zany antics, engaging words, and a silly story will encourage youngsters ages 3 – 7 to read this book often. What Tickle does very well with this book is provide a teaching point that is hidden by the zaniness of all the crazy things that happen as Ladybug learns to fly. I also love Tickle’s big and bold artwork.

Rating:

Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tiger Tales (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589251288
ISBN-13: 978-1589251281

I received a free hardcover of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Put a dragon in a story and it’s an instant hit. This holds true in What Goes Up by author/illustrator Paula Bowles.

Martin the dragon is sad because he longs to fly but his wings are too small. He tries all sorts of ways to fly, but always comes down with a CRASH!   It takes the village children to show Martin the importance of believing in yourself.

Bowles has created a charming book of a sad dragon who wishes to fly. His friendship with the village children plays a big role, so young children witness the importance of friends in helping a person–or in this case a dragon–reach his goals. What I like the most about What Goes Up is that there isn’t an easy resolution to the problem. It takes Martin many days of practice and exercise before his wings grow big enough to carry him.

The artwork you see on the front cover is similar to what is inside. Soft colors add comfort and sweetness to a delightful story. I’ll be looking for more of Bowles’ work.

Rating:

Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tiger Tales (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589251199
ISBN-13: 978-1589251199

I received a free hardcover of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Book Review: A Boy and His Dragon by Michael J. Bowler
Print Length: 613 pages
Publisher: Michael Bowler (September 23, 2011)
ASIN: B005P9G0UA
Rating: 4 Stars
Age group: YA 13+

Bradley Wallace Murphy just turned thirteen, and life sucks. He doesn’t fit in at school, he’s no good at sports, a bully torments him, he’s a disappointment to his parents, and his only “friends” are fictional characters on a TV show called “Dark Shadows.” He’s growing up but wants to stay a boy, like Peter Pan. Then he finds the egg and everything changes. From this egg hatches Whilly, a supposedly mythological dragon that bonds with him physically, emotionally and spiritually. The sudden responsibility of hiding a rapidly growing dragon in a small California city in 1970 forces Bradley Wallace to grow up whether he wants to or not. Feeding a hungry dragon involves lots of raw meat, and the horrible reality of death sickens Bradley, turning him vegetarian, and upsetting his mother. Through their adventures together, boy and dragon learn the true nature of their symbiosis, and Bradley Wallace comes to understand that he is not just a misfit kid who happened to find a misfit creature from some other time. He is something far more dangerous, a ‘super-hero’ with powers he didn’t know he had. He could be killed if the truth comes out. When the attacks begin, Bradley Wallace realizes he is up against overwhelming evil forces. Can he and Whilly survive?

What an amazing, magical adventure. Everyone who has ever imagined having a dragon, flying with it, and befriending this wonderful mythological creature will jump right into this book. Author Michael J. Bowler has such a gift for recreating the experiences and muddled logic of a 13-year-old self-confessed misfit. He also brings the Seventies to life in wonderful detail, a time of Drive-ins, Eskimo Pie, Star Trek, and long summer holidays. I loved this story and the delicately flowering relationship between Whilly and Bradley Wallace is peppered with humour, misunderstanding, forgiveness, and a lot of acceptance (after Bradley discovers what happened to the neighbourhood cats…). The author cements the bonds that must survive the terrible tests facing the boy and the dragon. The story sucks the reader right into Bradley’s life, along with his slightly dysfunctional family, his bossy older sister, and the school bullies. Kids will love this adventure and adults will relish remembering being 13 again. The book is long but all the elements merge into a satisfying whole to perfectly capture the boy-dragon symbiosis. This book is intended as the first in a trilogy and I am sure young fans will eagerly await more from Bradley Wallace and Whilly. Highly Recommended.

(The book mentions definite adolescent physiological changes so I advise parents to stick to the age recommendation)

First reviewed for Readers Favorite

Reviewer’s bio: Fiona Ingram is an award-winning middle grade author who is passionate about getting kids interested in reading. Find out more about Fiona and her books on www.FionaIngram.com. She reviews books for the Jozikids Blog.

From the author of Roly-Poly Egg comes a story of one hungry little bird on the search for something to eat. Confetti is hungry, so she asks her animal friends what she should eat. But everything they suggest sounds yucky.

Snack Time for Confetti by author/illustrator Kali Stileman is absolutely charming. From the storyline to the artwork the details blend together to create an engaging story that will entertain your child ages 3 – 7. Confetti visits with a giraffe, a zebra, an elephant and more trying to find out what she should eat. The book teaches children what various animals eat, even though it’s a story to simply be enjoyed. With a great and funny ending, Snack Time for Confetti will be read time and again.

Rating:

Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tiger Tales (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 158925127X
ISBN-13: 978-1589251274

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Sally O. Lee is back with another imaginative, unique creation. When circle meets square, circle is curious if square is always the same: brushing his teeth, bouncing a ball, at bathtime, and in other situations. Square assures circle that he’s always the same no matter what he’s doing. Simple in nature, this story is one of friendship and acceptance. Parents could even use this book as a teaching point for how their love remains constant no matter what happens.

A delightful story coupled with Lee’s adorable artwork is waiting for your young reader in Circle and Square.

Rating:

Paperback: 34 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 12, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1482676850
ISBN-13: 978-1482676853

I received a free copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

A delightful book about tackling your fears awaits young readers in Meg the Egg by Rita Antoinette Borg.

Mother Hen is thrilled when her two chicks, Peg and Keg, hatch into the world. But Meg wants to stay in her egg because she is frightened by the noises she hears each night. No amount of coaxing from Mother Hen can convince Meg to hatch. When Howls the fox snatches Mother Hen off her nest, Meg the Egg decides she must push aside her fears to save her.

Facing your fears can be tough even for adults. In this charming picture book from Rita Antoinette Borg, children follow Meg as she taps into strength she doesn’t know she possesses to save her beloved mother who has been begging her to hatch. Showing kids that a bit of ingenuity goes a long way, Meg the Egg educates and entertains. Fun illustrations and onomatopoeia fill the pages of this empowering story.

This is a book children will want to read time and again. Just like the classic story of The Three Little Pigs, children will enjoy watching Meg face her fears and outsmart the fox.

Rating:

Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; Lrg edition (June 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1466353147
ISBN-13: 978-1466353145

Last Day to Enter for Your Chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or

1 of 5 Free Electronic Copies of Meg the Egg!

Visit the book’s tour page at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2013/04/01/pump-up-your-book-presents-rita-antoinette-borgs%E2%80%99s-meg-the-egg-book-blast-%E2%80%93-win-25-amazon-gift-card-and-free-books/ and complete the Rafflecopter form to enter this fabulous giveaway.

Rita Antoinette Borg was educated in New York and now resides on the Mediterranean island of Malta. She performs storytelling and creative writing workshops in schools across the country and works as a freelance writer for local magazines and newspapers. Ms. Borg has published four picture books aimed at early readers as well as an anthology of short stories for older children. Her books have been recognized by the Malta National Annual Literary Awards. Her book “Don’t Cross the Road, Holly!” was chosen as the year’s best Children’s Book in English. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Writers & Illustrators.

WEBSITE – FACEBOOK

I received a free ecopy of this book from the author. The author paid me a fee to promote this book through a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. That fee did not include a review. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Two very sweet books that celebrate parents come from Ann Hodgman. In That’s My Mommy! animals from kittens to ducklings to joeys and more, talk about the wonderful things their mommies do. Mommy makes the kitten feel better. Duckling’s mommy makes him feel brave. Joey’s mommy reads to him every day. With charming and lovable illustrations by Laura Logan, this book is bound to be a hit.

That’s My Daddy! finds a calf who likes how his daddy can reach way up high. Mouse’s daddy is the strongest in the world. Puppy’s daddy can find anything that gets lost. With less than ten words on each page, Hodgman captures the essence of what it means to be a daddy to little ones. Laura Logan lends her talents to this book as well. I hope these two work together again, as they create magical, charming stories.

These padded board books are perfect for preschoolers. Their sturdy construction means they’ll stand up to multiple reads (and we all know how much kids love to read and read again their favorite books). The short sentences will allow for quick memorization of the story, and will then help youngsters as they transition to being able to read alone. Hodgman proves here that you don’t have to say a lot to create touching and meaningful books for parents and children to share together. And at only $8.95 each, they are a great value.

Highly recommended.

Rating:  (both books)

Mommy

• Hardcover: 22 pages
• Publisher: Tiger Tales; Padded Board Book edition (March 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158925645X
• ISBN-13: 978-1589256453

Daddy

• Hardcover: 22 pages
• Publisher: Tiger Tales; Padded Board Book edition (March 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589256468
• ISBN-13: 978-1589256460

I received a free copy of each book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

My First Book Of Things to Learn shares colors, animal noises, shapes, baby animals, numbers 1 – 10, and objects in a child’s world all in bright colors. From pink flamingos to the baa of a sheep, from heart-shaped balloons to penguin chicks, and from 10 ladybugs to a toothbrush and toothpaste, Things to Learn will engage your child ages 3 to 7.

In My First Book of Things to See, little ones get a glimpse at what they will find at the park, on the farm, at the beach, at preschool, at the zoo, and at a birthday party. Everything from slides to tractors, to crayons, and more is included in this sturdy book filled with pictures and simple labels.

In addition to their nice size (8 5/8 x 8 5/8″), the bright colors, sturdy construction, and tabbed pages make these a wonderful addition to your preschooler’s library. The simple labels will help with vocabulary and word-picture association, and the variety of objects featured will provide tons of fun. I could see these being packed in a bag to take along on a road trip, picnic, or visit to the zoo so youngsters can identify objects from the books within their surroundings.

Highly recommended.

Rating:   (both books)

Things to Learn

• Hardcover: 12 pages
• Publisher: Tiger Tales; Board Book with Tabs edition (March 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589256352
• ISBN-13: 978-1589256354

Things to See

• Hardcover: 12 pages
• Publisher: Tiger Tales; Board Book with Tabs edition (March 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589256298
• ISBN-13: 978-1589256293

I received a free copy of each book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop

May 13th – 19th

Hosted by

KidLitFrenzy, Mymcbooks

& I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

What is Children’s Book Week?

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast!

For more information please visit: http://www.bookweekonline.com/

Celebrate & Promote Children’s Book Week by taking part in The Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop.

Giveaway Hop Rules

Each participating blog will host a giveaway on their site.

• The giveaway must be for a children’s book (picture, juvenile fiction, middle grade, young adult).
• No more than 6 possible entries per person. 1 mandatory & up to 5 optional.
• Offering a Gift Card or book of choice from The Book Depository is fine.
• Any family friendly blog or site is welcome to join.
• Your post must include the Children’s Book Week image, the linky or a link to one of the host’s sites & must be live by 9:00 AM on May 13th.

The Children’s and Teen’s Book Connection is offering the following giveaway:

My First Touch and Feel Farm compiled by tiger tales

My First Touch and Feel Pets compiled by tiger tales

My First Book of Things to Learn compiled by tiger tales

My First Book of Things to See compiled by tiger tales

How to enter for your chance to win:

1. Leave a comment (including your email address so we can contact you if you win) answering the question: What is your favorite book from your childhood?

2. Tweet this giveaway for a bonus entry (+5). Leave a link to your tweet in the comments section.

Rules of this giveaway: Open to residents of the United States 18 years of age or older. Only those who follow the rules of this contest are eligible to win. Winner will be selected by Random.org and contacted by email. Winner has 72 hours to respond with mailing address or a new winner will be selected. Prize will be shipped via USPS. The Children’s and Teens’s Book Connection is not responsible for items lost or damaged in shipment. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM Eastern on May 19, 2013.

Visit More Participating Blogs:

If your readers missed yesterday’s post, they can catch up at http://www.melanierobertson-king.com/wp02. Tomorrow, I’ll be visiting with http://rosgemmell.blogspot.com/.

Penny Lockwood has published more than 100 articles, 75 stories, a chapbook, and her stories have been included in two anthologies. She writes for both adults and children. Her fiction has appeared in numerous genre and children’s publications, and non‑fiction work has appeared in a variety of writing, parenting, and young adult print magazines and on line publications.  She edits for MuseItUp Publishing.  Visit her web site at http:// pennylockwoodehrenkranz.yolasite.com. Her writing blog is located at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/.

She has recently released Boo’s Bad Day with 4RV Publishing and has three other children’s books under contract with them: Ghost for Rent, Ghost for Lunch, and Many Colored Coats. She has three romances published by MuseItUp Publishing: Love Delivery, Lady in Waiting, and Mirror, Mirror.  Her short story collection, A Past and A Future, is available through Sam’s Dot Publishing and Smashwords.

 Thank you for joining us today, Penny. Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?

I am a wife, a mom, and a grandmother.  I love animals and can’t remember not having at least one. (Most of my stories that have animals contain little adventures our animals have had.) I enjoy reading, mostly science fiction and fantasy, with an occasional romance. I’m a member of a wonderful women’s book group where I have to stretch myself and read other books I might not pick up on my own.

When I’m not involved in writing-related activities, I am a line editor for MuseItUP Publishing.  I love to putter in my garden, go for long walks, and in the evenings, I spend time watching a little TV and working on crocheting projects. I feel fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country, the Pacific Northwest.

When did you first get bit by the writing bug?

When I was a young child, my dad would tell us stories at bedtime.  I definitely got the bug by listening to his “tall tales.”  I remember thinking how great it was to be able to make up stories and entertain someone with them.  For my own entertainment, I wrote stories and illustrated them when I was in grade school and continued to enjoy creative writing through high school and college. My professional writing career was put on hold until much later.

Why did you decide to write stories for children?

As a mom and a grandmother, I’ve read a lot of books to my kids and grandkids.  I love watching them connect the letters on a page with words and their first struggles to read.  When I decided to write professionally, my children were fairly good readers, and I wanted to write stories they might enjoy.  Now, my “target” audience is my five-year-old granddaughter and my twenty-one-month-old grandson.

Do you believe it is harder to write books for a younger audience?

Yes, I do.  My current release, Boo’s Bad Day, is a picture book. I’ve also written two middle grade novels.  When writing for children, the author needs to be able to relate to the age level to which he or she is writing.  This means knowing what makes kids laugh, what scares them, and what they’re curious about.  It’s important to spend time with kids of the age level you are targeting.  When writing a picture book, you are limited to only a few pages and less than a thousand words. Yet, you have to tell a complete story including characters, obstacles for your character to overcome, and a resolution.  This can be quite challenging.

What is your favorite part of writing for young people?

Watching them become so involved in reading the story, they don’t want to put it down.  I can recall as a child, hiding under my blanket with a flashlight so I could keep reading after bedtime.  I love it now when my grandson asks his mom or dad to read “the kitty” book (Boo’s Bad Day).

Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?

Here’s the blurb and tagline for Boo’s Bad Day:

Tagline:

Boo sneaks out of the house and discovers that freedom by himself can be scary.

Blurb:

Boo is a very bored kitten. When Timmy and his mom return home, Boo sneaks out of the house.  Boo is frightened by the noises of the big world outside of the safety of his warm home.  When Timmy coaxes Boo back into the house, Boo realizes some places are safe and some are not.

What inspired you to write it?

Years ago, we had a black teenage cat by the name of Boo who had an adventure. He was an inside/outside cat and happened to be outside when an ice storm stuck.  We called him, but he didn’t come in.  We were, of course, worried and kept going outside to call him. We finally heard him meowing and located him over 50 feet up in a fir tree on our property.  He wouldn’t or couldn’t come down.  The next day, my husband tried climbing our tallest ladder but couldn’t reach him. We finally asked a friend, who was taller, to help out.  He was able to grab Boo and get him down. The poor kitty’s meows were getting sadder and sadder. He was so glad to get inside, he didn’t move from our woodstove for almost a week!

Where can readers purchase a copy?

From their local bookstore by ordering ISBN# 13: 978-0-9852661-5-8

Online from the publisher: 4RV – http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/penny-lockwood.php

$8.99 includes s/h

Or at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Boos-Bad-Day-Penny-Lockwood/dp/0985266155/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

$7.32 prime

What is up next for you?

I am finishing up edits for my two-book series Ghost for Rent and Ghost for Lunch, which will be packaged together and sold through 4RV Publishing.  Ghost for Rent was previously released as an ebook through a company no longer in business.  I’m looking forward to having it available in a newly edited and illustrated print edition.

We are getting excited about the birth of our newest granddaughter in July, so I’ll be taking some time off to help my daughter after Cora arrives.

I’ve got a couple of writing projects in progress including a new Ghost book and a NA/adult fantasy.

Do you have anything else to add?

I want to thank everyone who has been following along during Boo’s blog tour.  I also want to thank you again, Cheryl, for having me and for asking such insig

htful questions. (I might have to steal a couple of them for my own author interviews…) I also wanted to say how thrilled I am by the illustrations created by Deborah C. Johnson.  I couldn’t have asked for better. She did a fantastic job of capturing Boo’s expressions.

Thank you for spending time with us today, Penny. We wish you much success.

My review:

Boo’s Bad Day is an adorable story of one kitten’s adventure. Boo thinks being inside is boring, so when Timmy and his mom open the door on their return home, he sneaks out for a bit of excitement. He soon discovers, however, that the outside world is a scary place filled with loud noises and scary situations that make the inside look mighty inviting.

As I thought about this story, I realized that Boo is no different than a young child who wants to explore new things and then discovers the safety and comfort of normal everyday situations is good too. Written for children from ages 18 months up to six years, this charming adventure story engages and entertains. Lockwood’s prose indicates a knowledge of her intended market; and the simple text will help as youngsters transition from being read to, to reading independently.

The colorful artwork by Deborah C. Johnson is a delightful complement to Lockwood’s story. Children will enjoy watching the emotions play across Boo’s face from beginning to end.

Boo’s Bad Day is a wonderful book that I am thrilled to have as part of my children’s library.

Rating:

Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC (February 7, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0985266155
ISBN-13: 978-0985266158

The author provided me with a PDF version of the book. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of this adorable book. Please include your email address so the author can contact you if you win.