Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: 2024

Monday, May 6, 2024

Rockstar Book Tours presents... SYLVIA LOCKE AND THE THREE BEARS by David Horn, Illustrated by Judit Tondra - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Today, I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the SYLVIA LOCKE AND THE THREE BEARS by David Horn BLOG TOUR hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my review post, make sure to enter the giveaway, and be sure to visit the other sites for more bookish fun!

Title: SYLVIA LOCKE AND THE THREE BEARS

Author: David Horn (Author), Judit Tondora (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: April 30, 2024

Publisher: David Horn

Formats: eBook

Pages: 83

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon

"A whimsical twist on a classic fairy tale with plenty of twists, turns, and sass for early chapter readers.” – Kirkus Reviews

RED ALERT FOR FAIRY TALE LAND: Sylvia Locke is out and ready to cause mischief.

Once upon a time in Fairy Tale Land, there lived a very bad girl indeed. Sylvia Locke may have been abandoned by her adventuring parents but that’s no excuse for being mean to her loving grandparents, rude to everyone at school, and even bullying rare magical creatures. Right?

One day, when out on a break-and-enter job at the Bear family’s house, Sylvia happens upon a magical mirror that turns out to be more than she bargained for. Could even a kid like Sylvia find a friend? Could some warm and fuzzies change her heart?

The first book in Tairy Fails, a modern fractured fairy tale humor series that will have elementary school kids and early chapter book readers screaming with laughter.

Reviews:

"Will wow middle grade readers—and transform them into instant devotees of the next in the series.'" - BookLife Reviews

"Original action and humor at their best . . . highly recommended for elementary chapter book readers seeking a fresh, original voice and novel atmosphere in their fantasy reading." - Midwest Book Review

"Will have readers doubled over with laughter as they follow one very bad girl, Sylvia Locke . . . This is a gem of a magical story that will enchant young readers." - ReadersFavorite (5 Star Review)

"Families will love the comedic spin the chapter book takes on a classic fairytale. It deserves more than five stars! I'll be on the lookout for book two in the Tairy Fails series, and I know once your family and class read this story, they will be, too." - Superkambrook (Kam's Place)

"The perfect story of the pains of a growing teen, with characters based on those we all know and love." - ReadersFavorite (5 Star Review)

"David's wonderful modern fairy tale will engage young readers and make their parents smile." - ReadersFavorite (5 Star Review)

I love the nod to fairytales we know and love, yet the twists afforded throughout. So, yes, they have recognizable features, but the overall tale is new and curious!

Sylvia Locke is an interesting character, as is her situation, but her single mindedness regarding Cookie Crispies 🍪 takes the cake...err, cookie. She's bound and determined to have her sugary cereal goodness, eat it too, and not have to serve it herself. Well, she sorta gets her wish... eventually, after several adventures in criminal activity, bad choices in general, and unexpected friendships. That's right. Good can happen even if you are rumored to be cursed. 😨 Never fear, the Wizard of FLOSZ wouldn't steer us wrong, so while there is adventure to be had, there are also lessons to be learned, aside from the obvious one of breaking and entering still being wrong!

Whether you're a fan of fairytales, love a good redo, or simply enjoy time in a faraway land with a cast you'll remember, and an outcome you won't see coming, this is the tale for you!

About David Horn:

David Horn lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters, and a funny dog named Trixie. He is the author of the popular Eudora Space Kid early reader humorous sci-fi chapter book series, along with Tairy Fails, a modern, humorous fractured fairy tale chapter book series. He enjoys making kids laugh. Author photo drawn by David's child.

Subscribe to David's newsletter!

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card, International.

3 winners will receive an eBook of SYLVIA LOCKE AND THE THREE BEARS, International.

Ends May 14th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/29/2024	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
4/29/2024	YA Books Central	Guest Postt/IG Post
4/30/2024	@darkfantasyreviews	Excerpt
4/30/2024	Fire and Ice Reads	Excerpt/IG Post
5/1/2024	amysbookshot82	IG Post
5/1/2024	The Momma Spot	Excerpt
5/2/2024	@thepagelady	IG Review
5/2/2024	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
5/3/2024	mjreadsmagic	Review/IG Post
5/3/2024	GryffindorBookishnerd	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

5/6/2024	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
5/6/2024	@stargirls.magical.tale	Review/IG Post
5/7/2024	aportaltomagic	Review/IG Post
5/7/2024	avainbookland	Review/IG Post
5/8/2024	@alexandriavwilliams_	Review/IG Post
5/8/2024	Comic Book Yeti	Excerpt/Twitter Post
5/9/2024	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
5/9/2024	Country Mamas With Kids	Excerpt/IG Post
5/10/2024	nerdophiles	Excerpt
5/10/2024	@evergirl200	IG Review

Thursday, May 2, 2024

AWARENESS TOUR: Mama's Love Language by Elisa Stad, Illustrated by Ry Menson - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

It's almost that time of May where we celebrate all the mom's out there for everything they do, say, and all the love they show in the smallest of ways, and today's AWARENESS TOUR with The Children's Book Review is right on target. It's all about that special love and how the form can vary, but the meaning is just as tender, just as special, just as meaningful. Ladies and gents, kiddos of all ages, let's get between the pages of today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

Mama’s Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice

Elisa Stad

Illustrated by

Ry Menson

9798988378518

Ginger Lotus Press

About the book...

Jade is a girl who lives in two worlds and, coming from a multicultural family, she’s on a quest to understand her identity and where she truly belongs.

She is trying to find her place in the world but feels different from the other kids at school. Back home, Jade’s parents have their unique approach to love and care. Sometimes Jade is embarrassed by Mama’s accent and she can’t understand why she is not just like any other mother she knows.

The real adventure unfolds when Jade starts rebelling against her mother’s traditional ways of showing love, especially through food. It’s a struggle that takes her on a path of discovery, as she learns about her family’s rich heritage and her mother’s challenging past in Vietnam and as an immigrant.

Jade then discovers that even though Mama doesn’t hug or say I love you, the healing aroma of ginger, green onions, and chicken broth does.

“Mama’s Love Language” is a heartwarming children’s book that addresses the universal theme of belonging and the beauty of cultural diversity. Through Jade’s story, children will learn that being different is not only okay but something to be celebrated, and that love can come in many shapes and forms.

Amazon

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Little Jade was a special girl. She had two parents that loved her. She had friends that cared about her. She had a teacher that loved teaching her entire class. Beyond the surface elements, she also had two cultures from which to draw her individuality from. Can that be hard to understand and accept at a young age? Absolutely...but the more we hear/see/feel the message that different is not wrong but perfect, the more we open ourselves to it both for us and the world. For Jade, it wasn't just about physical appearance, but also how she interacted with her parents. Cultural differences aren't just in the shade of our skin, or the shape of our eyes, but in how we relate to others, and that includes our loved ones. It was touching to see that area explored between Jade and her parents. When the hard truths behind some of her mother's opinions were shared, we not only understood her better for it, but felt that heaviness in our own hearts because we knew it shouldn't have been that way. No one should have to go through uncertainty as to where their next meal is coming from, nor have to grow up too fast in order for a family to survive. Hard times do not always create hard hearts, but it can make them cautious because they learned from those experiences, and want more for their own futures, and those they love.

This was a beautifully illustrated story sharing the love of a family with backgrounds that span the globe. It reminds us that we're all special in our own ways, and that which makes us different shouldn't be hidden, but celebrated. It's okay to want what others do, but don't let that desire eclipse the truth that is you because that's someone worthy of notice.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elisa Stad, for the majority of her career, was a brand and international business executive for luxury goods and consumer product companies. After experiencing working in over 40 countries, she acquired a passion for globalization and the sharing of cultures based on her experiences. Elisa is also focused on inspiring the youth through her efforts in healthcare inequities through Stad Center of Pain, Palliative, and Integrative Medicine and serves on college boards at USC, UCSF and Harvard.

Elisa grew up in a mixed-race household, as a daughter of a Vietnamese refugee mother and American father. She grew up in a multicultural home, searching for identity. She also moved homes often in her childhood including to Asia and within the US to Idaho and California.

She always wanted to share with other young children the beauty of humanity and how we can celebrate our unique gifts. You can find her enjoying ballet, visiting local Asian street markets, practicing yoga, and focusing on her spiritual practice. Elisa lives in Southern California with her husband, 3 children and a bernedoodle.

For more information, visit https://www.elisastad.com/.

INSTAGRAM

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~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~

Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Mama’s Love Language: Sometimes Love Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice, signed by Elisa Stad, and a $50 Amazon gift card!

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This post is sponsored by Elisa Stad. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The Children’s Book Review