Bella Saves the Beach by Nancy Stewart
May 10, 2013 at 12:17 am | Posted in Academic Wings, Animal lovers books, Books about nature, children's books, Children's picture books, Environmental issues, Guardian Angel Publishing | 2 CommentsTags: Academic Wings, animal lovers books, Bella and Britt series, Bella Saves the Beach, 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, Environmental issues, environmentalism, Guardian Angel Publishing, Nancy Stewart, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, virtual book tour
A true story of try and try again can be found in Bella Saves the Beach by award-winning children’s author, Nancy Stewart.
Bella is sad when her beloved beach is loaded with trash. But with her best friend Britt away on vacation, it’s harder to clean up the beach than she planned. Each new idea doesn’t bring about the desired result, but Bella is determined to make the beach safe and clean for her animal friends.
To someone who loves learning, a book like Bella Saves the Beach is so wonderful. This book has two messages. There’s the environmental one about how dangerous trash is to wildlife. Then there’s the “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” message. Combining them makes for a superbly told engaging story about one girl’s determination to make a difference.
From the beginning, Stewart’s Bella and Britt series has shown young readers that their ideas matter and how they can make a difference when it comes to caring for our planet and its creatures. In this new book, the author takes that message to a new level by leaving Bella to face the challenge without her best friend Britt’s support. Now it isn’t two kids making a difference. It’s one determined young girl.
At the end of the story, the author shares information on beach trash, facts about creatures mentioned within the book’s pages, and encourages readers to have a Green Picnic on the sand, leaving behind only footprints.
One can’t forget to mention the stunning watercolor artwork of Samantha Bell. She has illustrated all three books in this series. With warm colors and rich details, she brings Bella’s story to life in pictures. A perfect complement to Stewart’s story, the artwork is so lovely you can almost hear the waves hitting the sand and the caws of the birds.
Bella Saves the Beach is a fine addition to the Bella and Britt series. I can’t wait to see what Bella and Britt are up to next.
Rating: 
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc (February 15, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616333715
ISBN-13: 978-1616333713
The author paid me to promote this book through a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. This fee did not include a review. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.
BELLA SAVES THE BEACH TOUR SCHEDULE
Monday, April 22nd
Guest post at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection
Tuesday, April 23rd
Book trailer feature at If Books Could Talk
Wednesday, April 24th
Book review at On Words – Opening Eyes, Opening Hearts
Thursday, April 25th
Book spotlight and giveaway at The Busy Mom’s Daily
Book review at Shannon Hitchcock Pen and Prose
Monday, April 29th
Book review at Hook Kids on Reading
Guest post at The Pen and Ink
Tuesday, April 30th
Guest post at Write What Inspires You
Wednesday, May 1st
Book review at LadyD Books
Thursday, May 2nd
Book review at Kid Lit Reviews
Friday, May 3rd
Guest post at Lori’s Reading Corner
Monday, May 6th
Interview at Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways
Tuesday, May 7th
Book reviewed at The Picture Book Review
Wednesday, May 8th
Book reviewed at My Devotional Thoughts
Thursday, May 9th
Book review at It’s About Time Mamaw
Friday, May 10th
Book review at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection
Monday, May 13th
Book review at 4 the Love of Books
Tuesday, May 14th
Book spotlight at Review from Here
Book review at The Jenny Revolution
Wednesday, May 15th
Guest post at Literarily Speaking
Thursday, May 16th
Book review at Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Reviews
Friday, May 17th
Book spotlight at I’m A Reader, Not A Writer
Guest Blogger: Nancy Stewart, Author of Bella Saves the Beach
April 22, 2013 at 12:53 am | Posted in Academic Wings, Animal lovers books, children's books, Children's picture books, Contemporary fiction, Environmental issues, Guardian Angel Publishing | 3 CommentsTags: Academic Wings, animal lovers books, Bella and Britt series, Bella Saves the Beach, 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, Earth Day, Environmental issues, environmentalism, Guardian Angel Publishing, Nancy Stewart, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, virtual book tour
Bella and Britt are worried about all the trash appearing on their beautiful beach. But what can they do? Britt is leaving on vacation, and Bella can’t solve the problem alone. Without adults to lend a hand, can they possibly save their beach?
Purchase from:
Earth Day—Every Human’s Responsibility
by Nancy Stewart
Ah, yes, Earth Day. We think about it once a year. Celebrate it? Let’s not go overboard. After all, aren’t the governments of the world doing something about it—whatever it is?
Earth Day, founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the plane. It has come a long way from then with one hundred forty countries around the globe participating this year. And counting. Earth Day, very much like Earth Hour, has taken on a life of its own.
Here is one of the most outstanding projects we should be talking about for Earth Day, 2013. It is The Canopy Project. Over the past three years, this project has planted over 1.5 million trees in 18 countries. In the US, projects to restore urban canopies have been completed in many large cities. In Haiti alone, where earthquakes caused landslides on deforested hillsides, leading to horrific devastation, Earth Day Network planted 500,000 trees. In three high-poverty districts in central Uganda, they planted 350,000 trees to provide local farmers with food, fuel, fencing, and soil stability.
Climate change can seem like a remote problem for our leaders, but the fact is that it’s already impacting real people, animals, and beloved places. These Faces of Climate Change are multiplying every day. What can be done about it? Each of us, individually, can make a difference. When we all do our share, the entire world can begin to heal itself.
I’ve pledged to not use plastic bags, to using cold water in the washing machine and to using earth friendly cleaning products. We’ve changed all light bulbs to save electricity, and they are turned off when leaving a room. I remind students when doing a book signing that turning off a light helps save a polar bear!
But it’s more than these things, isn’t it? Helping save our planet is really a state of mind. It’s being in the flow of good ecology every day, even every minute. And soon, it’s a way of life. Living this state of mind will help save all our lives and the lives of those to come, our children and our grandchildren. What better ongoing gift can we give to anyone than a sustainable, green and whole planet? Oh, and it’s not, of course, just April 22. It’s every day, every minute for the rest of our lives.
Nancy is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children: One Pelican at a Time (eighteen weeks on Amazon Bestselling List), Sea Turtle Summer, (which won the Children’s Literary Classic Gold Award), Bella Saves the Beach (which won the Gold) and Mystery at Manatee Key. The authorized biography, Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage, is the story of Katrina Simpkins and Winter, the dolphin. One Pelican at a Time and Nancy were featured in the PBS Tampa special, GulfWatch. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing.
Nancy is a frequent speaker and presenter at writer’s conferences throughout the United States. She conducts workshops and seminars and speaks to school children on writing and helping save their planet. A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to children’s literature.
Nancy’s travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education. She and her husband live in Tampa and St. Louis.
Visit her online at www.nancystewartbooks.com and her blog at http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Bella Saves the Beach Tour Schedule
Monday, April 22nd
Guest post at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection
Tuesday, April 23rd
Book trailer feature at If Books Could Talk
Wednesday, April 24th
Book review at On Words – Opening Eyes, Opening Hearts
Thursday, April 25th
Book spotlight and giveaway at The Busy Mom’s Daily
Book review at Shannon Hitchcock Pen and Prose
Monday, April 29th
Book review at Hook Kids on Reading
Guest post at The Pen and Ink
Tuesday, April 30th
Guest post at Write What Inspires You
Wednesday, May 1st
Book review at LadyD Books
Thursday, May 2nd
Book review at Kid Lit Reviews
Friday, May 3rd
Guest post at Lori’s Reading Corner
Monday, May 6th
Interview at Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways
Tuesday, May 7th
Book reviewed at The Picture Book Review
Wednesday, May 8th
Book reviewed at My Devotional Thoughts
Thursday, May 9th
Book review at It’s About Time Mamaw
Friday, May 10th
Book review at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection
Monday, May 13th
Book review at 4 the Love of Books
Tuesday, May 14th
Book spotlight at Review from Here
Book review at The Jenny Revolution
Wednesday, May 15th
Guest post at Literarily Speaking
Thursday, May 16th
Book review at Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Reviews
Friday, May 17th
Book spotlight at I’m A Reader, Not A Writer
Guest Blogger: Natasha Deen, Author of True Grime 2: Angel Maker
October 2, 2012 at 10:33 pm | Posted in Fantasy, Mysteries, Urban fantasy, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | 2 CommentsTags: Environmental issues, environmentalism, Mysteries, Natasha Deen, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, True Grime, True Grime series, True Grime2 Angel Maker, urban fantasy, virtual book tour, Young Adult fiction
For the last two years, human Aponi Runningbear has been training to be part of Grime, the magical police division tasked with protecting humanity from SOAP terrorists. But things aren’t going well. She’s barely keeping up with her studies, failing the physical component, and her Generalized Anxiety Disorder is making her bad days even worse. When her team is given the chance to find a missing coworker and stop SOAP from producing a DNA-altering drug that’s killing humans, Aponi grabs hold of the chance to show she’s meant for Grime. But as the investigation heats up, she’s forced to deal with the tormentor from her past, dead bodies, and the certainty that SOAP’s going to win this battle. Humanity’s dying, Grime’s in trouble, and she’s failing…does a foster kid really have what it takes to save the world and herself?
Reasearch Can Be Fun by Natasha Deen
Part of the fun of writing the True Grime series is mixing animal facts with mythical creatures such as fairies, banshees, and the like. For example in the second installment, True Grime 2: Angel Maker, I combined an aswang (an evil Filipino creature that struck me as a cross between a banshee and a vampire) and gave her mosquito-like abilities. I read a mosquito’s sense of smell is 10 000 times greater than a human and I thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if the aswang could track her prey within a two mile radius? Like the mosquito, what if she used carbon dioxide to triangulate the location of my heroine?” Then, to make it more fun for me (and less fun for my heroine), I decided the aswang should go dead silent when it reached a four-foot radius and the only clue my protagonist, Aponi, would get that the creature was close was the decaying scent of rotting meat that the creature gave off…which meant, Aponi would have a two second lead on not being butchered by a creature who thought she’d stolen one of her eggs.
Yay! Let the fun begin!
Here are a few other things I found out about the creatures that make up our earth:
The praying mantis is the only insect that can turn its head 360 degrees. (Author’s note: Obviously, these people never met my mother. Her friends wondered why her children were so well-behaved…her children knew Mommy had 360 vision…)
The Chameleon can focus its eyes separately to watch two objects at once. (This ability has been envied by many a man on a beach).
Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards. (Actually…neither can I).
If a Copperhead snake loses a fang it can replace it with a spare. It has up to seven spare fangs. (I knew a mean girl in junior high who had the same ability).
Frogs sleep with their eyes open. (So do politicians).
For more fun and weird facts on animals, try googling “weird animal facts” in your search engine and see what you come up with. (The facts listed above came from http://www.planetozkids.com/oban/animals/weird.htm)
When I was little, there was only one thing I wanted to be: a superhero. But there came a day when my dreams were broken, and that was the day I realized that being a klutz was not, in fact, a super power, and my super weakness for anything bright and shiny meant a magpie with self-control could easily defeat me in a battle of wills. I turned to writing as a way to sharpen my mental super-hero skills. I don’t get to orbit the earth in a space station (and thank God, because I get sick on merry go round), but I do get to say things like: “Stand aside! This is a job for Writing Girl!!”
Links:
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/NatashaDeen
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/true-grime-2-natasha-deen/1112683846?ean=9780986741951
Book Review: True Grime by Natasha Deen
November 23, 2011 at 12:53 am | Posted in Fantasy, Mysteries, Teen fiction, Urban fantasy, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | 2 CommentsTags: book reviews, Environmental issues, environmentalism, Mysteries, Natasha Deen, Partners in Crime Tours, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, True Grime, urban fantasy, virtual book tour, Young Adult fiction
I can’t believe I am going to say this, but a book filled with magic and fairies might just be my favorite read of 2011. True Grime by Natasha Deen finds teen fairy Pepper Powder sent undercover in the human world. And what might have happened to cause this? Well, she’s a good Grime cop, that’s for sure. She and her senior partner Harley Hands make a great team, which is another plus. But what really sets it all in motion is when terrorist leader Claude Von Beulow escapes and releases a necrophage bomb that not only decimates Grime headquarters, it leaves Pepper as the first fairy amputee. Pepper, Harley, and the Grime team race against the clock to prevent Von Beulow from unleashing a VIURS in one of the human world’s biggest shopping centers, West Edmonton Mall.
So, in case you missed it by my opening line, magic and fairies aren’t really my thing. I live in the real world and there is plenty of real world drama for us to create in our novels without making up worlds, creatures, and all sorts of crazy things I just don’t get. But I liked the synopsis of this book, so I figured I would give it a try. I’m so glad I did.
Deen’s strength definitely resides in her development of characters. We have the impulsive, sarcastic Pepper who can be a bit of a lone wolf, running off and doing what she shouldn’t if she thinks it will accomplish the job. She’s never been undercover in the human world. She sure didn’t know it would be filled with bullies and cliques. Then there’s Harley, much older, much wiser. He knows humans almost as well as he knows himself. He’s the one who keeps a cool head about him, and he’s fiercely protective of Pepper. Then there are the supplemental characters: Lou, the Grime Lieutenant, Loca the technology guru, and Dr. Bentley, who helps get Pepper back up and running again after her leg is amputated.
In addition to her fabulous characters, you have a unique plot that engages the reader right away. From the opening line, you’re drawn in: “In The City, crime never slept. It didn’t eat or exercise, either, but I wished it would shower.” Pepper makes an excellent narrator for this story. She’s strong, funny, quick with the wit, and you can see she means well when she flubs.
What I feel Deen portrayed so well in True Grime is the commitment cops have to stomping out crime, and their devotion to their partners and fellow crime fighters. There were moments when it became very intense and the stakes were as high as they could get, but none of these people ever gave up.
If you’re looking for a witty, engaging fairy story, you’ll find it in True Grime by Natasha Deen.
Rating:
- Publisher:Blueberry Hill
- ISBN-10:0986741914
- ISBN-13: 978-0986741913
- SRP: $12.99 (paperback)
- Also available in a Kindle edition
Author’s bio:
When I was little, there was only one thing I wanted to be: a superhero. But there came a day when my dreams were broken, and that was the day I realized that being a klutz was not, in fact, a super power, and my super weakness for anything bright and shiny meant a magpie with self-control could easily defeat me in a battle of wills. I turned to writing as a way to sharpen my mental super-hero skills. I don’t get to orbit the earth in a space station (and thank God, because I get sick on merry go round), but I do get to say things like: “Stand aside! This is a job for Writing Girl!!”
Connect With Natasha:
Follow the rest of Natasha’s tour:
November 27-Live To Read (Review)
November 29-Reviews By Molly (Review)
November 30-Celtic Lady’s Reviews (Review)
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. I was not monetarily compensated in any way to provide my review.
A Place for Fish by Melissa Stewart
July 15, 2011 at 9:20 pm | Posted in Animal lovers books, Books about nature, Books to be read by families, children's books, Children's picture books, Environmental issues, nonfiction | Leave a commentTags: A Place for Fish, A Place for series by Melissa Stewart, animal lovers books, book reviews, books for young readers, books that teach children a lesson, children's books, Children's picture books, children's books that teach a lesson, Environmental issues, environmentalism, Higgins Bond, Melissa Stewart, nonfiction, Peachtree Publishers, The Children’s and Teens Book Connection
A Place for Fish by Melissa Stewart is a gentle and important reminder to young people that fish make our world a beautiful place and we need to make sure we don’t do anything to harm them.
From the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Canada to Mexico, we can find a variety of aquatic friends: hammerhead sharks, lined seahorses, smalltooth sawfishes, and spotted trunkfishes to name a few. Stewart brings young readers through a story of how human action, and sometimes inaction, can create issues for our friends living in the water. With tons of facts and stunning illustrations provided by Higgins Bond, your child can learn ways to help protect these important creatures.
A Place for Fish is just one book in Stewart’s A Place For series. For more information on these books, please visit http://www.melissa-stewart.com/
Rating:
- Publisher:Peachtree Publishers
- ISBN-10:1561455628
- ISBN-13: 978-1561455621
- SRP: $16.95
This book was unsolicited, so I don’t know its origins. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I received no monetary compensation.
Interview with Bindi Irwin, International Tween Superstar and Co-creator of Bindi Wildlife Adventures
May 29, 2011 at 8:14 pm | Posted in Animal lovers books, Books about nature, Chapbook for Tweens, Chapter books, Environmental issues, Tween fiction | 11 CommentsTags: animal lovers books, Australia Zoo, Australian authors, Bindi Wildlife Adventures, Bindin Irwin, books for young readers, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, Chapbooks for Tweens, Chapter books, children's books that teach a lesson, Environmental issues, environmentalism, Middle Grade books, Rescue, Steve Irwin, The Children’s and Teens Book Connection, Trouble at the Zoo, Tween fiction
Joining us today is Bindi Irwin. Bindi is the daughter of Terri Irwin and the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. Bindi has just co-created a fictional tween adventure series based upon her life at the Australia Zoo. We’ll talk to Bindi about her books, her dedication to conservation, and her dreams for the future.
Welcome to The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection, Bindi. It’s an honor to have you with us. It’s inspiring to see all that you have accomplished.
Let’s talk for a moment about the Australia Zoo. You’ve grown up there. It’s an important part of your life. Could you share one of your favorite memories from the zoo?
The best thing about living at Australia Zoo is that I am surrounded by wildlife. After school every day I get to hang out with all the animals. I might feed the echidnas or hug the koalas at our wildlife hospital. One of my favourite memories would be when I was little, I’d sit in the enclosure with the newly hatched Burmese Pythons and play for ages.
Your father had a dream. You spoke of his desire to change the world and how you wanted to continue his work. Why is this so important to you?
My dad always taught me that one man can make a difference, and I believe that one kid can make a difference too.
My dad’s important work must continue and I’m inspired by all the support my family has received. I’m determined never to give up!
I don’t want Dad’s passion to ever end; I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did.
I was excited to receive a review request for the first two books in your new chapter book series: Trouble at the Zoo and Rescue. How did this series come about?
The idea behind the books was to write stories that were enjoyable to all kids and that were fictional, based on our family’s real life adventures.
It was a lot of fun helping with the books because I was a co-creator. I got to proofread the final copy of all of the books to make sure that the facts were correct and that the story line was how I wanted it to be. I also got to pick the animals and the storylines that the books were based on.
The first book, Trouble at the Zoo, is about my birthday at Australia Zoo and how it almost got ruined by a 10 year old boy trying to sneak one of our beautiful water dragons out of the zoo. It is fantastic!
The second book, Rescue, is about a trip to South Africa. My friend Hannah and I discover a nature preserve for the giant stable antelope that is being used for illegal hunting at night. It’s an exciting story!
What do you hope children will learn from these adventures?
Children are the future and every kid can make a difference! I hope that these books get kids excited about protecting animals and the environment. I hope that kids will feel empowered to be the hero of their own story and want to make a difference in our world.
I don’t want my dad’s passion to ever end. I’m excited to continue helping teach people all over the world about conservation.
Where can readers buy these books?
My books are available wherever books are sold – in bookstores and online.
Do you have a website where they can learn more?
If you go to australiazoo.com you can keep up to date with all our wonderful animals, learn about our amazing conservation projects and how you can help, see the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital’s patient of the week and you can even adopt one of our gorgeous animals.
If you could tell kids one thing about conservation, what would it be?
Wildlife is an important part of our world. Every time we lose an animal species it’s like losing a brick from the house, pretty soon the house just falls down.
The single biggest thing you can do is to not buy wildlife products. Wildlife is still dying to be in fashion.
You’ve already accomplished so much in your young life. What are a few of the dreams you’re still working on?
The Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve is a beautiful place in Cape York that was dedicated to my dad. We are trying to protect the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve from being strip mined. So if you go to australiazoo.com you can sign the petition and help us with the fight. Even kids under 18 can sign it if they are in Australia.
Thank you for spending time with us today, Bindi. Good luck with your books!
Read our reviews of these books at http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/bindi-wildlife-adventures-series-trouble-at-the-zoo-and-rescue/
One Pelican at a Time by Nancy Stewart
May 27, 2011 at 11:19 am | Posted in Academic Wings, Animal lovers books, Books to be read by families, children's books, Children's picture books, Environmental issues, Guardian Angel Publishing | 2 CommentsTags: 2010 Gulf oil spill, Academic Wings, 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, children’s authors, Environmental issues, environmentalism, Guardian Angel Publishing, Nancy Stewart, One Pelican at a Time, The Children’s and Teens Book Connection
One Pelican at a Time by Nancy Stewart is a small book with a big message: everyone, even kids, can help make our world a greener place.
Bella and Britt are sad when blobs of smeary oil stain their beach. They want to help with clean up efforts, but the ranger explains it’s a big job that the adults have to handle. When their friend the old pelican becomes covered in oil, the girls’ quick thinking and action helps save his life. Maybe there are ways for kids to help.
In this beautifully told story of the 2010 Gulf oil spill, author Nancy Stewart brings young readers up close to the disaster and encourages them to make a difference. How often as a child were you told to let the adults handle it? I bet our kids are just as frustrated now when they hear it as we were back then; especially considering children nowadays are more socially conscious. There are ways that all of us can make a difference, and in One Pelican at a Time, we see that desire and compassion lead to quick thinking and action on the part of two young girls who wish to save their animal friend.
Artist Samantha Bell provided the stunning artwork for this one. I’ve seen Bell’s artwork on numerous occasions. I love her use of color and the emotions she manages to capture with her drawings.
Also included are are helpful links so kids can learn more and tips on how they can help by being a bit greener each day.
One Pelican at a Time by Nancy Stewart should be in classrooms and homes everywhere!
Rating:
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc
ISBN-10: 1616331399
ISBN-13: 978-1616331399
SRP: $11.95
The author paid me a fee to promote her book through a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! This fee did not include a review. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I received no monetary compensation of any kind.
Bindi Wildlife Adventures Series: Trouble at the Zoo and Rescue
May 14, 2011 at 12:02 am | Posted in Animal lovers books, Books to be read by families, Chapter books, children's books, Environmental issues, Pet lovers books, Sourcebooks | 2 CommentsTags: animal lovers books, Australia Zoo, Bindi Irwin, Bindi Wildlife Adventures, book reviews, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, Chapter books, children's books, children's books that teach a lesson, Environmental issues, environmentalism, Middle Grade books, Pet lovers books, Rescue, Steve Irwin, The Children’s and Teens Book Connection, The Crocodile Hunter, Trouble at the Zoo, Wildlife Warriors
Young r
eaders can jump into the shoes of Bindi Irwin in this fictional adventure series based upon her life. Trouble at the Zoo is the first book in a planned six-book series titled, Bindi Wildlife Adventures. In this installment, it is Bindi’s birthday, and she is celebrating at the Australia Zoo. With the Irwin family and visitors dressed as sea creatures, Bindi is excited to tell everyone that the proceeds from the day’s event will be used to help prevent whaling in Antarctica. Things soon turn tense when Bindi’s younger brother, Robert, spies a visitor stealing an eastern water dragon. With the help of a green-winged macaw and some quick thinking, Bindi saves the day.
My daughters have been Bindi fans since they saw her in The Wiggles: Wiggly Safari, when she was about 4; so, they were thrilled to have a chance to read Trouble at the Zoo together. The book opens with a page that is one of Bindi’s diary entries, which is written after the events in the book took place. I noticed that books one and two are written by different authors. This kind of surprised me. The reason I picked it up is because the second book flowed a bit better than the first. My daughters (ages 7 and 9) did not feel any different about the books. They loved both of them.
What I feel Trouble at the Zoo did well is portray the exuberance and excitement of Bindi Irwin. Like her late father, Steve, she captivates her audience, which allows her to share her conservation message. Her personality is so well captured in this book that you would swear Bindi was in the room relaying the story to you.
In the second book of Bindi Wildlife Adventures, Rescue, Bindi and her friend Hannah are on a guided horse-riding trek in South Africa. Bindi is thrilled that she is going to get a chance to see many kinds of African creatures. Their adventure is quickly sidetracked when the girls discover the supposed breeding sanctuary for the endangered giant sable antelope is actually a game reserve where rich men hunt the game for sport. When the girls are caught spying, they find themselves in grave danger.
Rescue follows the same format as Trouble at the Zoo, with the first page an entry from Bindi’s diary that talks about her adventure in South Africa as a teaser, and the full story following. Overall, I enjoyed this story a bit more than the first. The writing style is similar, capturing the essence of Bindi within its pages, but this one is more polished. Bindi’s mom, Terri, and brother Robert, play roles in this book, just as they did in the first one, which gives fans a feeling of being in familiar territory. Though Bindi is the focus of the books, readers witness the interaction between Bindi, her mom and her brother, in addition to the relationships they have with friends. It’s definitely a nice touch. It also allows the conservation message to be relayed in a way that it doesn’t come across like a hammer hitting you over the head. The reader watches the family’s dedication to wildlife and wants to be a part of that mission. I feel this is very important because the books aim to discuss serious topics, but because of how they are written, they are able to deliver that message and still be light.
Both Trouble at the Zoo and Rescue have colorful, fun covers that young readers will find attractive. Each book includes Animal Fact Files containing information about the animals mentioned in the book. There is also a page with a link to a website where readers can sign up to be a Wildlife Warrior. Both books are available now at a variety of online retailers. Book 3, Bushfire, and Book 4, Camouflage, will be released in June.
I’m excited about the Bindi Wildlife Adventures series. It’s a great way to honor the legacy of Steve (The Crocodile Hunter) Irwin, and teach kids the importance of protecting the creatures that share our planet.
Rating:
Trouble at the Zoo
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
- ISBN-10:1402255144
- ISBN-13: 978-1402255144
- SRP: $4.99
Rescue
- Publisher:Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
- ISBN-10:1402255179
- ISBN-13: 978-1402255175
- SRP: $4.99
I received copies of these books from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for sharing my views.
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Mr. Ginger and the Disappearing Fish by Chris Wardle
November 24, 2010 at 12:36 am | Posted in Animal lovers books, Chapbook for Tweens, Chapter books, children's books, Environmental issues, Middle Grade books, Tween fiction | 4 CommentsTags: animal lovers books, book reviews, books for young readers, books that teach children a lesson, Chapbooks for Tweens, Chapter books, children's books, Chris Wardle, Environmental issues, environmentalism, Middle Grade books, Mr. Ginger and the Disappearing Fish, Tween fiction, virtual book tour
The fifth and final installment of the Mr Tinfish series will definitely remind you of why you love the series in the first place.
The tremendous amount of noise caused by the recent arrival of hundreds of seabirds has Mr. Choli up in arms. He’s determined to bring this issue before Mr. Vinegar and get a stop put to this immediately.
Mr. Ginger, on the other hand, is more concerned with the problem of disappearing fish. While this is the reason all the birds have come to rest near the river at Daphne Wood, the other problem is that he certainly can’t cook all his delightful and interesting meals without a fish supply.
Mr. Vinegar is more concerned about what the birds’ roosting is doing to his roof. Something must be done!
As everyone in Daphne Wood rises to another challenge, Mr. Ginger gets to try a new adventure, William Tinfish comes up with a new idea, and Mr. Vinegar is shocked over new developments.
They say all good things must come to an end, but I am certainly sad to know that I won’t have any more books in the Mr. Tinfish series to read. In this engaging final installment, the hundreds of seabirds looking for food have come to the river of Daphne Wood. Not only are they loud, there certainly isn’t going to be enough fish for everyone if they stick around.
But the larger problem is that the fish don’t seem to like the change in the ocean currents. The warmer waters, which Daphne the polar bear isn’t fond of, aren’t liked by the fish either. So, the fish moved to a new location, causing a shortage of a very necessary food supply for many of the residents of Daphne Wood.
In Mr. Ginger and the Disappearing Fish, readers find much of what they have enjoyed in the earlier books in the series: the kooky characters whose quirks make for many funny moments; the cooperation amongst all the members of Daphne Wood to meet the challenges climate changes bring upon them; and the numerous expeditions that include some interesting communications between the expedition teams and Mr. Vinegar.
I found the addition of the seabirds in this book to make for some great conversations and situations. Wardle knows exactly what he needs to do to move this story along . There is never a moment when the reader isn’t eager to turn the pages. Despite the fact that this book is dealing with a very serious issue, Wardle continues to find a way to get young people thinking, while providing them with an enjoyable read.
If I remember correctly, Wardle is also the one who draws the illustrations for Mr. Ginger and the Disappearing Fish, and the other books in the Mr. Tinfish series. I would love to have some of these drawings framed on the wall of my office. I could also see a nursery decorated with the animals of Daphne Wood.
While Mr. Ginger and the Disappearing Fish brings the story of Daphne Wood’s zany residents to an end, I like how Wardle left them. I could see some Daphne Wood short stories coming out of this. Perhaps if I beg, the author will give us another book to enjoy.
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Mrs. Cat-biscuit’s search for the downward land by Chris Wardle
November 23, 2010 at 12:52 am | Posted in Animal lovers books, Chapbook for Tweens, children's books, Environmental issues, Middle Grade books, Tween fiction | 7 CommentsTags: animal lovers books, book reviews, books that teach a lesson, books that teach children a lesson, Chapbooks for Tweens, Chapter books, children's books, children's books that teach a lesson, Chris Wardle, Environmental issues, environmentalism, Middle Grade books, Mr. Tinfish series, Mrs. Cat-biscuit's search for the downward land, Tween fiction, virtual book tour
The residents of Daphne Wood return in this fourth installment of the Mr. Tinfish series, Mrs. Cat-biscuit’s search for the downward land.
The birds and animals have overcome many obstacles as a result of the climate changes. Having moved from their original homes and settling in Daphne Wood, they have created a community that has met the challenges they face.
When an earthquake rocks Daphne Wood, it brings with it greater challenges than they have ever faced before. Can they continue to pull together to adapt to their ever-changing environment?
In Mrs. Cat-biscuit’s search for the downward land by Chris Wardle, old and new characters come alive–quirks and all–through a new story of how climate change impacts the environment.
The birds and animals have faced many challenges so far: a threat to their homes; establishing a new community; growing crops that can survive the increasingly hot conditions; and how to keep up a respectable fish supply while the ice shelf shifts and thickens.
In this new installment, changes brought on by an earthquake send some residents of Daphne Wood off on two separate expeditions. Readers who have explored the first three books of the Mr. Tinfish series, will fondly remember Mr. Choli, Mr. Ginger, Mr. Vinegar, Daphne, the Tinfish family, and many others. New characters are met along the way, and it is going to take everyone to overcome this latest challenge.
Having five cats, I’ve always loved Mr. Choli and Mr. Ginger: their love of food, their love of naps, and their hatred of water. While assigning human characteristics to these characters, Wardle also manages to get them to act very much like the birds and animals they are.
What Wardle has done well in this book is continue the spirit of cooperation and problem-solving that began with the first book in the series. In addition, his passion in creating these quirky characters is evident. Between his possible sightings of pirates and sea monsters, I’m surprised Mr. Taverre the parrot hasn’t fainted dead away.
Finding books that educate and entertain can be difficult. Wardle has managed to create four books that do just that. Mrs. Cat-biscuit’s search for the downward land, like the other books in the Mr. Tinfish series, helps young people realize the impact climate changes have on our environment while making them laugh from time to time.
Come back tomorrow for my review of Mr. Ginger and the Disappearing Fish.
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