Ten Sheep to Sleep by Nidhi Kamra

Have you ever tried counting sheep to sleep? Sammy Jo does each night, but she only needs to count ten before falling fast asleep. When ten more arrive, chaos ensues and she must find a way to make everyone happy and get some rest.

Oh my gosh, this is the cutest book! This creative little girl tries finding a new home for the ten extra sheep that invade her bedroom. Every time she comes up with a solution, something goes wrong. But she keeps trying until the problem is solved. Ten Sheep to Sleep by Nidhi Kamra teaches problem solving, encourages kids not to give up, and tosses in some counting for a super fun book.

Eugene Ruble provides the colorful artwork for this story and his zany sheep make this book even more enjoyable. Pick up a copy for your little one and find out for yourself.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Age Range: 5 – 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3
Paperback
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing (June 30, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616338601
ISBN-13: 978-1616338602

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.

My Copán Adventure by Eugene Ruble

 Explore the ancient world of the ruins of Copán with twelve-year-old James and his father, Professor Questor, in My Copán Adventure written and illustrated by Eugene Ruble.

James is excited when his father tells him he will be his assistant on the next expedition Professor Questor makes. They will be traveling to the ancient Mayán city of Copán to try and determine what happened to its people. While there, they study temples and hieroglyphics. They talk about stelaes and pyramids. James takes photos and draws sketches so they can take their information back home and interpret the data.

 My Copán Adventure is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces young readers to the lives of the first people to arrive in the Copán valley about 2300 years ago. Readers follow James and his father on their journey through the ruins, with Professor Questor sharing his wealth of knowledge about the Mayáns and their ancient civilization and answering James’s questions along the way.

The Lil Diva (10) just finished studying this ancient civilization in school, so she truly enjoyed reading the book with me. My Copán Adventure could be used to supplement school learning or in a homeschooling program. It offers a fun and interesting way to learn more about the Mayáns and their culture. What I found most interesting is the author’s note, which makes mention of some of the hypotheses scientists have formed about the fall of the Copán dynasty. One of the ideas is that the destruction of their forests by overbuilding and depleting their natural resources had an impact on their survival. This helps young readers to make the connection between ancient times and their modern world.

This is definitely a book I’m glad to have as part of my daughters’ library.

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Paperback:20 pages
• Publisher:Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc (December 31, 2011)
• ISBN-10:1616331984
• ISBN-13: 978-1616331986
• SRP:  $9.95

I received a PDF version of this book directly from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. Guardian Angel Publishing also released my first book and Eugene Ruble illustrated it. I received no monetary compensation for providing this review.

 

Secret Service Saint by Janet Ann Collins

 The legend of St. Nicholas comes alive in this touching story by Janet Ann Collins. Loosely based upon the legend we all know of the gift-giving Greek Bishop, Nikolaos of Myra, in Secret Service Saint, Nicholas is seen as being keen on adventure. When he is shipwrecked and forced to swim ashore, he finds the people happy to see him. They had been praying God would send someone to lead their church. They make him a special red robe and hat, so everyone will know how important he is. After a time, Nicholas feels his life no longer is filled with adventure. When God gives him a secret charge, Nicholas finds a way to help the people and satisfy his need for adventure too.

I have to admit, I’ve never read much about the saint who Santa Claus is based upon. It’s odd considering I was brought up Catholic, where saints are revered, but Secret Service Saint made me want to perform some additional research into what I could find. For kids, this is a charming story of how a man is changed by God’s will for his life. Told using words and actions young people can understand, they will easily be able to grasp the message of servanthood and true discipleship behind the story.

Talented artist, Eugene Ruble, provided the illustrations for this book. It was his work on Secret Service Saint that led me to feel he would be perfect to bring my book, Little Shepherd, to life. The illustrations for this book are mostly black and white, but some of the people and other special items are colored in with pencil to give an old world feel to the story. It works beautifully.

I’m glad I purchased a copy of this book from Guardian Angel Publishing earlier this year. You’ll love the message this book teaches and your kids will enjoy talking about Saint Nicholas in a new way.

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Publisher:Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
• ISBN-10:1935137980
• ISBN-13: 978-1935137986
• SRP:  $9.95

Muscles Make Us Move: The Sum of our Parts Series by Bill Kirk

Bill Kirk’s The Sum of our Parts series continues with Muscles Make Us Move. In Kirk’s rhyming series of books that help youngsters learn about their bodies, this new installment focuses on the part of the body that help us move–muscles. From abductors to hamstrings, from pectoralis major to triceps, and more, we couldn’t do all we need to do without the more than 630 muscles in our bodies. Muscles Make Us Move takes a funny look at the major muscles, helping kids learn while being entertained.

I reviewed an earlier book in this series, No Bones About It, in 2009. I immediately fell in love with Kirk’s witty rhymes coupled with the unique, and sometimes zany, illustrations provided by Eugene Ruble. Together, these men create a book that makes young people want to learn about a subject they might find boring otherwise.

Every elementary science classroom studying the body should have a copy of each of The Sum of our Parts books. With Muscles Make Us Move, Kirk and Ruble continue  to offer young readers a book that contains silly rhymes, factoids, word quests, and a glossary, all complemented by fabulous and funny artwork. I hope these men continue to collaborate. They always deliver a winner!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc
• ISBN-10:1616331348
• ISBN-13: 978-1616331344
• SRP:  $10.95

I received a free PDF of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide this review.

Marta’s Gargantuan Wings by J. Aday Kennedy

A little book that contains a big message is what you’ll find in Marta’s Gargantuan Wings by J. Aday Kennedy.

Aljor the bird teases Marta about her gigantic wings. She knows a brown Pegasus that looks more like a mule isn’t very beautiful, but she can’t help but be hurt by his cruel words. Even her friend Stajon, the monkey, coming to her defense doesn’t help. When a fire breaks out in the forest, Marta’s gargantuan wings might be what saves the day.

Just as she did with Klutzy Kantor, Kennedy creates a lovely story of friendship with characters that young readers will easily relate to. Readers are treated to an enjoyable tale that helps children realize our differences can often be what makes us the most special. They follow along as Marta has a chance to use her “flawed” appearance to help out in a time of need.

Talented artist, Eugene Ruble, created the illustrations for Marta’s Gargantuan Wings. His unique style stands as the perfect complement to Kennedy’s moving prose. It’s one of the reasons I was so thrilled to have him illustrate my book.

This is a great book for the home or classroom.

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc
• ISBN-10:1616330937
• ISBN-13: 978-1616330934
• SRP:  $9.95

An ecopy of this book was sent to me by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation to provide this review.