Guest Book Review: Millicent Marie Is Not My Name by Karen Pokras Toz
May 28, 2013 at 2:27 pm | Posted in Chapbook for Tweens, Chapter books, Humor, Tween fiction | Leave a commentTags: book reviews, books for young readers, Chapbooks for Tweens, Chapter books, Humor, Karen Pokras Toz, Millicent Marie Is Not My Name, preteen books, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, Tween fiction
Book Review: Millicent Marie Is Not My Name by Karen Pokras Toz
Paperback: 162 pages
Publisher: Grand Daisy Press (September 7, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0984860851
ISBN-13: 978-0984860852
Age group: Preteen and Tween
Five stars
Not content with saddling their daughter with a mouthful of a name like Millicent Marie (after a grumpy family member), Millicent Marie’s parents insist on calling her by that very same huge mouthful. Known to her school friends as Millie, Millicent Marie is grateful that she did not end up with a cool, arty, celebrity kid name like Organza. However, Millie decides that if she’d had a choice, her name would have been Amanda. Amanda has such a nice ring to it. After all, Amandas are beautiful, wildly popular, and talented. When Millie begins a diary in which she signs her name as Amanda, little does she realize what a ten-year-old annoying little brother (Douglas aka Doogle) can do to wreak even more havoc in her life. Doogle finds Millie’s diary on her computer and publishes it as a blog for the entire world to see. Amanda’s soul is suddenly laid bare and, amazingly, people love her. She becomes Springside Elementary’s most sought after sixth-grade mystery gossip and advice columnist. Can Millie keep up the pretence? And for how long before her cover is blown?
This is a lovely read for tweens (and their parents!). Millie has the usual slightly disparaging attitude towards her prehistoric-age, totally embarrassing parents who (in the nature of all parents) seem to be incapable of treating her as the almost-adult she considers herself. Millie was given the choice of a computer or a cell phone when she turned twelve. Everyone knows that any self-respecting teenager needs both. Author Karen Pokras Toz captures Millie’s life angst—from disillusionment with sixth grade, to decisions about doing soccer or drama, to denying she has a crush on the utterly handsome Jordan Cowell—with humor and inside knowledge. I also enjoyed Millie’s coming of age and gradual maturing. As Amanda, Millie learns huge life lessons about friendship, respect, and the fact that other people have feelings and problems. As Millie, Millie learns about her identity, who she really is, and decides if she is happy being herself. Highly recommended.
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.
Soo’s Boo-Boos She’s Got 10! by Tilda Balsley
May 25, 2013 at 12:08 am | Posted in Books for preschoolers, children's books, Children's picture books, Contemporary fiction, Rhyming books, tiger tales | 1 CommentTags: book reviews, books for young readers, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, children's books, Children's picture books, children's books that teach a lesson, counting books, Rhyming books, Shelagh McNicholas, Soo's Boo-Boos She's Got 10, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, tiger tales, Tilda Balsley
A unique and adorable new way to learn counting from 1 to 10 and then backwards from 10 to 1. Soo comes into the kitchen complaining to her mother about her numerous boo-boos. Thankfully, mom has a way to take care of each one.
Soo’s Boo-Boos She’s Got 10! by Tilda Balsley is better than your average counting book. It’s clever. It’s creative. From a stiff elbow to crunched toes, from chapped lips to a dripping nose, and from a burned tongue to a nagging mosquito bite and more, Soo goes through her list of ailments. Her sympathetic mom then goes about tackling them one by one, finding the perfect cure for them all.
Kids will relate to this sweet and funny rhyming story. Kids see their moms as fixers of problems and Soo is no different. More than a simple counting book, readers will delight in witnessing Soo’s play for sympathy and learning how her mother solves each problem. The melodic prose is complemented by beautiful artwork from Shelagh McNicholas.
An all-around winner.
Rating: 
Hardcover: 28 pages
Publisher: Tiger Tales (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589251180
ISBN-13: 978-1589251182
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.
Red Riding Hood and the Sweet Little Wolf by Rachel Mortimer
May 24, 2013 at 12:47 am | Posted in children's books, Children's picture books, Fairy Tales and Fables, Fantasy, Humor | Leave a commentTags: book reviews, children's books, Children's picture books, children's fantasy, fairy tales, fractured fairy tales, Humor, Liz Pichon, Rachel Mortimer, Red Riding Hood and the Sweet Little Wolf, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, tiger tales
Lovers of fractured fairy tales are bound to eat up this one. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are angry that Little Wolf isn’t big and bad like they are. They send her out to gather ingredients for dinner and she stumbles upon Red Riding Hood in the forest. Little Wolf doesn’t know what to do. Perhaps the unlikely duo can find a solution to Little Wolf’s problem.
This is a fabulous book! It’s a neat twist having the wolf parents being the bad ones, while Little Wolf has no desire to eat little girls. Instead, she likes fairy tales and playing dress up. It’s also funny and unique how Red Riding Hood is reading some familiar fairy tales as she makes her way to grandma’s house. You simply can’t help but love this story. It’s so clever.
I knew Liz Pichon provided the artwork for this story without even looking. In addition to being the author of her own fractured fairy tale, her distinctive style adds beauty and humor to Red Riding Hood and the Sweet Little Wolf.
Children will love this one. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tiger Tales (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589251172
ISBN-13: 978-1589251175
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.
Look Out, Ladybug! by Jack Tickle
May 23, 2013 at 12:58 am | Posted in Books for preschoolers, children's books, Children's picture books, tiger tales | Leave a commentTags: book reviews, books for young readers, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, children's books, Children's picture books, children's books that teach a lesson, Jack Tickle, Look Out Ladybug, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, tiger tales
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.
What Goes Up by Paula Bowles
May 21, 2013 at 12:44 am | Posted in Books for preschoolers, children's books, Children's picture books, Fantasy, tiger tales | 1 CommentTags: book reviews, books for young readers, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, children's books, Children's picture books, children's books that teach a lesson, children's fantasy, dragons, Paula Bowles, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, tiger tales, What Goes Up
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.
Guest Book Review: A Boy and His Dragon by Michael J. Bowler
May 20, 2013 at 12:24 am | Posted in adventure stories, Fantasy, Teen fiction, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | Leave a commentTags: A Boy and His Dragon, adventure stories, book reviews, dragons, Fantasy, Michael J. Bowler, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, young adult fantasy, Young Adult fiction
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.
Snack Time for Confetti by Kali Stileman
May 18, 2013 at 1:59 am | Posted in Animal lovers books, children's books, Children's picture books | Leave a commentTags: animal lovers books, book reviews, books for young readers, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, Kali Stileman, Roly-Poly Egg, Snack Time for Confetti, tiger tales books
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.
Circle and Square by Sally O Lee
May 17, 2013 at 10:35 pm | Posted in bedtime stories, children's books, Children's picture books, Contemporary fiction | Leave a commentTags: book reviews, books for young readers, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, children's books, Children's picture books, children's books that teach a lesson, Circle and Square, friendship, love, Sally O. Lee, The Children's and Teens Book Connection
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.
Meg the Egg by Rita Antoinette Borg (Giveaway)
May 17, 2013 at 12:49 am | Posted in Animal lovers books, children's books, Children's picture books, Early readers, Giveaway | 1 CommentTags: animal lovers books, book reviews, books for young readers, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, children's books, Children's picture books, children's books that teach a lesson, facing your fears, Meg the Egg, Rita Antoinette Borg, tackling fears, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, virtual book tour
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
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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.
That’s My Mommy! and That’s My Daddy! by Ann Hodgman
May 16, 2013 at 1:18 pm | Posted in Animal lovers books, board books, Books for preschoolers, Children's picture books, tiger tales | 1 CommentTags: Ann Hodgman, board books, book reviews, books for young readers, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, children's books, Children's picture books, children's books that teach a lesson, Laura Logan, padded board books, That's My Daddy, That's My Mommy, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, tiger tales
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.
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