RHCB presents... DOUGLAS, YOU'RE A GENIUS! by Ged Adamson

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're welcoming Random House Children's Books for a stop along their current tour starring that lovable duo, Nancy and Douglas.  You made their acquaintance in Douglas, You Need Glasses! (SUCH a cute book!), and this time they're back with another FUN adventure all about making friends, being inventive, and even a bit of unexpected edutainment!  So, if you're ready, let's get this show on the road as we welcome today's book of choice....

Douglas, You're a Genius!

by

Ged Adamson

9781524765309

Schwartz & Wade

About the book...

Pals Nancy and Douglas think their baseball game is over after their ball rolls through a hole in the fence. But when the ball rolls back, followed by a note in an unfamiliar language, they have to discover who’s on the other side of the fence. And so in a series of truly outrageous–and hilarious–stunts, Nancy tries to launch, vault, and fly Douglas over to the other side to see what’s what. Finally, after all Nancy’s plans fail, Douglas gets his turn to execute a plan–and it works! And who do they find? New friends who speak Spanish. Readers will laugh out loud at the antics in this zany picture book, which proves that working together makes everything more fun.

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It's true, really; all that they said above.

We get to play ball with Nancy and Douglas, see them struggle with just how to get their lost ball back, and then deal with a whole new set of questions as they try to figure out how to get to the other side.  Maybe they should ask the chicken?  Ha!  Just kidding...  Both are creative, and both have ideas on just how they should find out who is on the other side of the fence.  The thing is...while Nancy's are totally inventive and look like a lot of fun, Douglas' just has a little more practicality when it all comes down to it.  Not to worry, it's not a contest, just a solution fest between friends, so the help is appreciated...and the results are spectacular!  

I loved how the author worked a similar angle on the other side of the fence, showing that is it just a small world after all.  The inclusion of blueprints explaining their ideas really put you in the inventor's seat as their plans were carried out...though wee ones may be asking to try a few themselves!  Hey, it could be fun...with a responsible adult supervising, of course.  Then there's the impromptu language lesson, and I'm telling you, it was unexpected, but totally welcome, once again showing how friendship, and kindness can bridge any gap.

Definitely a must read for Douglas fans, but also for any kiddo that's wondered just what (or who!) was on the other side...

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About the author...

GED ADAMSON is the author and illustrator of Douglas, You Need Glasses!;I Want to Grow; Shark Dog!, and most recently, Douglas, You’re a Genius! He has worked as a cartoonist, a storyboard artist, and a music composer. It was always his ambition to write and illustrate picture books. Ged lives in London with his family. Learn more at gedadamson.com and follow him on Twitter at @ged_adamson.

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Special thanks to Sydney at Random House Children's Books for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Schwartz & Wade, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

STORYBOOK SUNDAY: Magic Butterflies and Hippy-Hoppy Toads...

HI guys and gals!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday! Feel free to join the fun and create a post on your own site with the same name. I'd love to see any linked up in the comments! Anywho...back to the matter at hand.

Today, we're letting the fun loving critters in nature take center stage with TWO titles via Random House Children's Books.  One is a beautiful example of edutainment, while the other will tie your tongue in knots as you explore the outside world; in other words, you're in for a world of FUN!  Ready or not, here come today's storybook titles in the spotlight...

Ten Magic Butterflies
by

Danica McKellar

Illustrated by

Jennifer Bricking

9781101933824

Crown Books for Young Readers

This beautifully illustrated example of edutainment shows rather well that yes, you can tell a story that is vibrant and magic filled, while still imparting some practical lessons.  Here, we have TEN flower friends that love being their petaled selves, but wish with all their pollen filled hearts to fly.  A kind hearted fairy helps them reach their dreams, ONE by ONE, only to discover that the grass may not be greener on the other side, simply different, and when this new vantage point is understood, their desire to return things to their previous state have them counting back down from TEN to ONE.  It's subtle, but it's there...and the additional lesson of BEING YOURSELF to be your best is most appreciated too.

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A Hippy-Hoppy Toad

by

Peggy Archer

Illustrated by

Anne Wilsdorf

9780399556760

Schwartz & Wade Books

RELEASE DATE:  03/20/18

This fun-filled little tongue twister takes us on a hippy-hoppy journey through a park from puddle to tree, flower to grass, and a few other spaces in-between, only to discover that once you thought the fun as ending, it had only just begun.  I can totally see kiddos getting into this one with all the SOUND EFFECTS called for along the way.  I mean who doesn't want to make the WOOF sound of the dog, or the exaggerated UP required for the frog's flight from twig to branch, or even the WHOOSH when the wind takes him on flights of fancy those in toad-dom never counted on!  Exactly!  So, it's safe to say that while wee ones will giggle over the pictures of toad's adventure, and kiddos will get carried away by the interactions it demands, adult readers will have tons of fun tying themselves up in the clever rhymes that abound.






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Special thanks to Margret and Noreen at Random House Children's Books for the copies for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on either title, author, illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  The illustrious Butterflies is already among us via Crown Books for Young Readers, and our Toad is getting ready to hop onto to shelves March 20th, 2018 via Schwartz & Wade Books.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!



STORYBOOK SUNDAY: Seeing is believing...

HI guys and gals!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday! Feel free to join the fun and create a post on your own site with the same name. I'd love to see any linked up in the comments! Anywho...back to the matter at hand.


Today, we're exploring the concept of seeing is believing with two storybook titles that capture the idea in their own ways.  One is pure Fiction, while the other is based upon facts, but in the end, you'll be entertained nonetheless.  Ready or not, here comes today's storybook selections...

When Pigs Fly
by
James Burks
9781484725245
Disney Hyperion
RELEASE DATE:  02/27/18

You'll never utter the phrase "when pigs fly" off the cuff again after reading this little adventure! Here we've two pigs with varying thoughts on the whole ability to fly concept. She says it's impossible, he's willing to keep trying. After several attempts failing, he's willing to throw in the towel. Heart broken and downtrodden, he hangs up his cape, but she's not so willing to let him disbelieve. There's a difference between reality and fantasy, but that doesn't mean that the two can't reach You'll never utter the phrase "when pigs fly" off the cuff again after reading this little adventure! Here we've two pigs with varying thoughts on the whole ability to fly concept. She says it's impossible, he's willing to keep trying. After several attempts failing, he's willing to throw in the towel. Heart broken and downtrodden, he hangs up his cape, but she's not so willing to let him disbelieve. There's a difference between reality and fantasy, but that doesn't mean that the two can't reach a middle ground to make this pig's dream come true! An inspiring story for the kiddos as well as those upward in years, reminding us that where there's a will, there's a way with illustrations that will delight and inspire you to take to the skies!

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The Amazing Collection of Joey Cornell
by
Candace Fleming
Illustrated by
Gerard Dubois
9780399552380
Schwartz & Wade
RELEASE DATE:  02/27/18


It's the story of one young man's journey from general curiosity collector to artist.  Everyone wondered why Joey would save the things he did.  Broken dolls, corks, feathers, glasses, and an assortment of other things that one might consider rubbish...but to him, they were something more.  To him, they held potential and interesting connections that even he didn't realize at first glance, but he eventually put two and two together creating something unique.  His world didn't appeal to the everyone, but with the right amount of imagination, they might as well have been made of gold.  It just goes to show you that one man's trash is another man's treasure...and no two people look at the world the EXACT same way, but think about it...how BORING would the world be if we really did?






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Review copies received courtesy of Disney Publishing Worldwide and Penguin Random House.  (THANKS!)  For more information on the titles above, feel free to click through the links provided.  Both storybooks release THIS TUESDAY, February 27, 2018, so mark your calendar or pre-order your copy today!


Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!



STORYBOOK SUNDAY: All that glitters is gold...

HI guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.



We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday! Feel free to join the fun and create a post on your own site with the same name. I'd love to see any linked up in the comments! Anywho...back to the matter at hand.

Today, we're taking a look at TWO titles that prove all that glitters IS in fact gold...just maybe not of the periodic table variety.  First up, a title that is as delicious as it is golden!  Get ready to have some fun with...

Billy Bee:  Sugar Plums & Honey

by

Paris Brosnan

9781787100756

Austin Macauley Publishers

This is the story of Billy Bee, a likable little fellow who just wants to impress his best gal friend Polly the ant!  He sees all the attention she garners from her insect friends and admirers, and well...Billy wants to be a bigger part of that, but what would an amazing ant like Polly ever see in little old Billy?  Like men of our time, he turns to finding the perfect gift...and in his self imposed quest discovers that the way to her heart isn't through trinkets hard to obtain, but by giving of himself.  A delectably sweet (hello, there's HONEY!) tale of friendship with a faint tug on the heartstrings at discovering the first shades of love perfect for first readers and beyond.

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...now for act two of our golden celebration...

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The Book of Gold

by

Bob Staake

9780553510775

Schwartz & Wade

This is the story of young Isaac Gutenberg's search for the infamous Book of Gold.  It's said to contain the answers to every question, and turn to solid gold when opened.  Isaac must have this book because frankly the ones he's surrounded with currently, he could care less about...until one day, he not only cares, but looks forward to the next, and the next, and the next.  It might seem preposterous that a boy go from a non-reader to a reader, a non-curious child to a knowledge seeker, but all it takes is that right book (or the right mystery provided by a certain shopkeeper) to create a habit that will last a lifetime.

For those of us already in the know about the magic and wonder residing within the world of books, this story will come as no true surprise...but it will help explain that jolt of joy we receive after reading, that thrill at discovering another new title, that thirst for more knowledge, entertainment, or whatever the seeker's goal might be, in a beautiful and timeless tale.  A wonderful read for wee ones just starting out on their own life searches for this book with beautifully rendered scenes to transport readers to places far and wide from the comfort of their favorite reading spot.

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Special thanks to the teams at Schwartz & Wade and Austin Macauley Publishers for the copies for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on these titles, the authors, or the publishers, feel free to click through the links provided above.  These titles are both available now, so be on the lookout for them on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!



STORYBOOK SUNDAY: Wee Sister Strange by Holly Grant & K.G. Campbell

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday! Feel free to join the fun and create a post on your own site with the same name. I'd love to see any linked up in the comments! Anywho...back to the matter at hand.

Today, we're exploring between the pages of a recent release via Schwartz & Wade Books.  It arrives with a curious title, an interesting cover, and a story that, well...is a bit like the title.  Don't worry, I'll explain.  First things first, the introduction!  Today's storybook of choice is...

Wee Sister Strange

by

Holly Grant & K.G. Campbell

9780553508796

Schwartz & Wade Books

Now, second things second...the review.

For me, the experience was summed up with the word...unusual.

While the artwork was captivating for one reason (beautiful!) or another (scary... did you SEE that bear?!?  Well of course you haven't yet, but you will!  So scary!), the story itself was as strange as the title...especially when it wraps in upon itself in a curious twist. Grant it, it is a twist that you'll find fascinating, and yet I admit, my facial expressions were probably mirroring the little dog in the book towards the end, as I struggled to make sense of this or that.  I know my eyebrows were most definitely drawn in consternation at the peculiar rhyme scheme...I'm a fan of either rhyming or not, and our little scamp of a book here prefers to do it more willy-nilly. 

In the end, I can see it working as a bedtime story for wee ones, or a visual display that will haunt your mind's eye (Wee Sister Strange has an unusual beauty, as do the night scenes that dance before your eyes), but otherwise I'm inclined to believe the shelf space reserved for it may be more niche than broad. Don't just take my word for it though... seek it out and see what YOU think! That's the beauty in reading... everyone's experience is unique.

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Special thanks to Random House Children's Books for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the authors, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This book celebrated its birthday September 19th, 2017 via Schwartz & Wade, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!