The Shepherd and The Squirrel by Janice Blanchett

One tiny squirrel’s hobby leads him into an unexpected friendship with a young shepherd destined for greatness.

In The Shepherd and The Squirrel by Janice Blanchett, Sammy’s unusual hobby of collecting stones grabs the attention of a young shepherd boy named David. They form an unexpected friendship, and when David leaves with supplies for his brothers in the king’s army camp, Sammy tags along. Little did they know that David’s faith will be put to the test and Sammy’s hobby is God’s gift for success.

Having written a children’s book about King David as a shepherd boy facing Goliath, I was immediately drawn to Blanchett’s The Shepherd and The Squirrel. In this charming story, a friendship between David and a squirrel unfolds against David’s life of caring for his sheep and visiting the army camp with supplies for his brothers. The Biblical story of David is a well-known one, but this unique way of bringing it to life is both engaging and sweet.

Jack Foster, one of my favorite artists, provides the colorful artwork for The Shepherd and The Squirrel. His trademark wide-eyed characters fill this story with great emotion.

This story would make the perfect addition to a church or home library.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BK5DBQ5Q
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Janice Blanchett (October 20, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 31 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8985182576

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

Holiday Titles from 4RV Publishing

Christmas, a time of magic and gifts, comes to a halt when stolen presents and electrical problems hit the North Pole.

What can Santa or his elves do? What can two girls do? Joy and Mary are the only ones who can save Christmas.

Read my review here!

After the war, factories began to make toys again, and Ellouise discovers a marvelous surprise when her parents take her to the city to see Santa Claus, a baby doll that opens and closes its eyes.

She tells everyone that she wants that baby doll from Santy Claus.

Then, she worries about Santa Claus being able to find her at her grandparents’. Will Ellouise get her baby doll from Santy Claus?

Read my review here!

Joseph and his wife, Mary, expect a baby. With all that is happening, including the government requiring a census, Joseph feels a little overwhelmed and a bit left out of the preparations for the baby. Is there something he can do?

Merry Tilda discovers a small evergreen growing by her house. As years pass, the tree become larger and more important to her, her family, and her neighbors. She, with the help of grandchildren and their friends, decorates the tree each winter with goodies for the birds and animals. The tree becomes a winter fairy tale.

Christmas is the time for miracles, but sometimes, a child must make her own miracle, and one for her siblings.

Read my review here!

Panther finds helping Katie and Emma decorate for Christmas fun.

However, Christmas morning brings a surprise. Katie and Emma love the surprise, but Panther doesn’t. It’s cold and wet and not fun, at least to him.

How does Katie help her cat adjust to a snowy Christmas?

Eight-year-old Robert is eager to share his wish list with Santa at the mall on Christmas Eve. When he meets Glenn, who only has one request for Santa, Robert is confused about what he should do. Can he cast aside what he wants and ask Santa to bring his new friend a special gift?

Read reviews here!

For these and more books from 4RV Publishing, please visit our book catalog at https://www.4rvpublishing.com/full-book-cover-catalog.html

A Whale of a Tale by Bill Kirk

A Whale of a Tale by Bill Kirk is an exciting rhyming sea tale of a young boy whose love of the sea and its animals leads to a life-saving mission that changes his life forever.

Will yearns to be a sea captain despite his mother’s misgivings. His brave father was lost in a gale, and she wishes to protect her only child from the same fate. But the sea calls to him, and at the age of twelve, Will signs on as a cabin boy. Little does he know that one act of kindness years ago will help him save the crew of two whaling ships when the sea rages into a frightening gale.

A twelve-chapter story told fully in rhyme, this touching adventure will capture young hearts. Following through on his goal to challenge the imagination of readers by exploring everyday life, A Whale of a Tale tells the story of a boy whose random act of kindness changed his life and the lives of his fellow crewmembers.

This amazing story is accompanied with black and white illustrations from award-winning artist KC Snider. Snider’s artwork has appeared in more than 70 books for children. She remains a favorite of mine.

Kirk provides a prologue and an epilogue built upon the history of whaling in the United States. He asks young readers to imagine what it might have been like to grow up in a whaling port. A glossary of terms is also provided.

This touching adventure is available in digital and print formats from your favorite online retailer. Grab a copy today!

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bill Kirk Writes Worldwide (November 30, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1951545230
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1951545239

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

Kindertransport by Kena Sosa

Kindertransport by Kena Sosa is the touching story of a young Jewish girl in Germany who gets onboard the Kindertransport train headed for England.

In the days before the outbreak of World War II, Helen finds herself trapped inside her house. Unable to understand why her family’s life has changed so suddenly, she worries as Vater’s mood changes and Mutter pretends she doesn’t like eggs simply so Helen will have enough to eat. Then one day, Mutter tells her to pack her suitcase so she can ride a train that will bring her to England until the danger is over.

Sosa has done a fabulous job of bringing to life the experiences of so many Jewish children in the days before the war started. She captures the emotions, the frustrations, the uncertainty Helen feels as life has changed. I’m sure the interviews she conducted with Jewish survivors helped flesh out the details, and it is that research that allowed her to create such an incredible story. An afterword shares more about Kindertransport, and a list of materials used in the research for the book is included.

Accompanying Sosa’s moving text are the black and white illustrations by Jeanne Conway. The burning of Vater’s bookstore, how Helen clings to her bunny as she packs, and the hope Helen feels as she holds on to the ship’s railing on her way to England are all brought to life by Conway.

Kindertransport might be one of the most stirring books I read this year. I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Publisher ‏ : ‎ 4RV Children’s Corner (May 21, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 52 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1940310903
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940310909
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 – 10 years
Purchase here

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

Sons of the Sphinx by Cheryl Carpinello

An enthralling, action-packed adventure through time awaits you in Sons of the Sphinx by Cheryl Carpinello.

Is seeing dead people a gift or a curse? Fifteen-year-old Rosa is certain it’s the latter. When the ghost of King Tut asks for her help in finding his lost queen, Hesena, Rosa finds herself traveling through different time periods in ancient Egypt pursued by Horemheb who, with the help of evil magic, is determined to stop her.

Wow! What a wild ride. From beginning to end, this is a story of love, adventure, and danger. Carpinello does a fine job in creating Rosa, whose gift interferes with normal life. Her connection to Tut and Hesena may go deeper than even she realizes. The author created a thrilling story where the danger kept building into a final showdown that leaves the reader breathless. Her attention to detail and historical knowledge draw the reader in just as much as the plot.

Sons of the Sphinx is a fabulous tale that lovers of ancient history, time travel stories, and the paranormal will enjoy.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 29, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 182 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1500554936
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1500554934

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00MVGC96Y
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Silver Quill Publishing (October 10, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 10, 2014