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.

Tutankhamen Speaks by Cheryl Carpinello

The words of Tutankhamen come alive in Tutankhamen Speaks by Cheryl Carpinello.

Scrolls discovered in the basement of the Egyptian Museum, transcribed in an ancient hand, are said to record the words of King Tut for all to read.

The story of the Boy King is fascinating. Ascending to the throne at the age of nine, married to his half-sister (as was the custom), no surviving children, and a death shrouded in mystery. Carpinello took the translated words and put them into storybook format to increase the reader’s enjoyment. That was definitely achieved. I eagerly swiped from one page to the next to discover more about King Tut and his life. The author/editor’s final note leaves it up to the reader to decide the authenticity of the ancient scrolls.

What I enjoyed most about Tutankhamen Speaks is the way the wide-eyed wonder of the young King is captured and the emotions that are relayed as he speaks of his father, his stepmother, his grandfather, his half sister, and his destiny. The reader is also treated to an excerpt from the next book in the series. I will also be reviewing that one this month, so keep an eye out for it.

If you enjoy ancient history, are fascinated with King Tut, or like stories that share a glimpse into the past, you will want to grab a printed or digital copy of Tutankhamen Speaks.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00E18KH46
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond Today Educator (January 24, 2014)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 24, 2014

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 4, 2014)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 79 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 149615536X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496155368

ORDER YOUR COPY

Amazon eBook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E18KH46

Amazon Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/149615536X

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tutankhamen-speaks-cheryl-carpinello/1118847147

Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Tutankhamen-Speaks-Cheryl-Carpinello/9781496155368

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

A Baby Doll from Santy Claus by Vivian Zabel

A Baby Doll from Santy Claus by Vivian Zabel is wonderful story, set after World War II, about a young girl’s Christmas wish.

The war is over, and factories are making toys again. Ellouise’s parents take her to a store in San Antonio to tell Santa what she wants for Christmas. That’s when she spies a beautiful doll. But, how will Santy Claus bring her that baby doll if she is visiting her grandparents instead of staying home for the holidays?

Oh, my goodness, what a sweet, sweet story. Here is this young girl getting to visit Santa after the war is over. Can’t you just imagine how joyful a time that was for her? The author portrays such a time of excitement, which is further relayed by the colorful artwork from Diane Brown. Then, suddenly, all that excitement turns to worry as she wonders how it is possible Santy Claus will find her at her grandparents’ house. Zabel captures the true emotions of a child so well in this story.

If you are looking for a story about the wonder and excitement of Christmas, you will want to pick up A Baby Doll from Santy Claus. You will also find information about World War II, and readers will learn the inspiration behind the story. Truly a seasonal treasure.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ 4RV Children’s Corner (September 28, 2017)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 52 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1940310725
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940310725
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 – 8 years
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten – 3

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.

Reviews Coming in October

Hundreds of years ago, scrolls that would alter the view of Ancient Egypt’s most famous pharaoh were lost. Rumors through the ages said the scrolls told of a time that the Pharaoh Tutankhamen spoke from beyond the grave. No one who heard of these scrolls believed that the scrolls had ever existed.

Then following the Arab Spring in 2011, S. L. Wood, an Egyptian scholar, made an amazing discovery in the basement of the Cairo Museum.

Read the story from the lost scrolls that recorded the Boy King’s words from beyond the grave.

The Prophecy: Behold, when the last boy pharaoh is awakened, he will have one chance to right the wrong. United with a spirit vessel from the future, he must seek to find the one robbed of his reign, who will lead the way to the tomb of the boy pharaoh’s lost queen. There must the confrontation with the usurper be held and the presentation of his confession to the old priests be given. If the usurper holds his tenth Jubilee and is allowed to acknowledge his son as his successor, the wrong will not be righted, and the queen will remain lost to her pharaoh forever.

Armed with what she considers her grandmother’s curse, 15-year-old Rosa agrees to help the ghost of King Tut find his lost queen Hesena. Thrust back into Ancient Egypt with Tut, Rosa discovers that finding Hesena is not all she must do. She must keep out of the reach of the living Horemheb – who crosses mortal boundaries using Seth’s evil magic – if she is to stay alive to make it back home.