RHCB presents... BUTTON AND BUNDLE by Gretchen McLellan!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Well, in case you haven't noticed, Spring has definitely sprung, weather AND calendar wise, and with that change is definitely in motion...but some changes are easier to handle than others, while still others help us grow in ways we never imagined.  Such is the case with today's blog tour guest, coming to you via Random House Children's Books.  It's a new(ish) Picture Book that will definitely put you in a Spring frame of mind (gorgeous colors/illustrations!) while reminding you that not all growing pains are for the worst.  Ladies and gents, join me as we discover the truth about friendship in today's book of choice...

Button and Bundle

by

Gretchen McLellan

Illustrated by

Gillian Flint

9781524766689

Knopf Books for Young Readers

About the book...

A tender story about two best friends who must move away from each other. With a sprinkle of imagination and a lot of love, Button and Bundle will learn the true meaning of friendship.

Button and Bundle are best friends. So are their dolls.

But when Button has to move away, she’s sad and lonely without Bundle.

Until one day, Button finds a single yellow balloon and an idea. With a little luck, maybe she can reunite Bundle with their dolls again!

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This is the story of how two best friends became three best friends...across the miles, and without ever having all met face to face.

It's hard enough making friends when you're a kid (or at any age, for that matter), but saying good-bye to them?  That's a nightmare.  You can't really fathom how you'll ever see each other again, and while you're trying to be strong for the sake of your dolly friends, it still hurts.  The tears shed could fill a river, it's true, but the discovery that while distance may separate you, you're still able to be close at heart...now that's where the saddened river becomes a glorious waterfall, and a smile can warm your heart again.

I really loved how the author shared the struggles, pitfalls, and triumphs of these little girls, but I adored how the illustrations married the idea and image together to create a masterpiece.  The "song" of the first friendship winding around them throughout their play time, and comforting them when things felt lost...but when a new song was introduced, it made room for its inclusion, creating a symphony of friendship that truly warmed the heart.  While the bigger messages are easier to see with years under your belt, I think the general idea comes across beautifully for the wee ones, and can certainly be used to help put a healing salve on anyone feeling broken apart from their BFF.

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Special thanks to Katherine 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, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Keep an eye out for more on this title as the tour continues working its way through the blogosphere!

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



Winter Wonderland: Mimi and Bear in the Snow by Janee Trasler

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're stepping out of the holiday haze with a read that still celebrates the fun to be had this time of year just in a seasonal aspect.  It comes to us from Farrar Straus Giroux and features a tale of friendship, loss, and celebrated return, all in the pages of a Storybook.  Ready to read all about it?  Today's book of choice is....

Mimi and Bear in the Snow

by

Janee Trasler

Farrar Straus Giroux

9780374349714

This is the beyond adorable story of Mimi and her Bear.  They do EVERYTHING together, including play in the snow.  One day, they are out building a snowman and what do you, Bear gets lost!  (~GASP~)  Mimi looks high and low, near and far, here and there, only to find that....Bear is nowhere to be found. Mimi is justifiably sad, I mean come on!  What would YOU do if your best buddy up and disappeared?!  EXACTLY!  Mimi is down at the mouth, having a hard time finding joy in anything all by her lonesome.  She heads to bed, worried and weary.  The world outside takes notice, shedding its coat of white overnight, and reveals things (and BEARS!) that were thought lost forever...

It's short.  It's sweet.  It's a treat of a read for the little ones and an adorably illustrated picture fest for those exploring things beyond the written word.  You'll revel in the fun Mimi has with Bear while sharing in her sadness at his lost status....only to once again celebrate his return!  (Okay, so that's a spoiler but really, I couldn't leave you worried about Bear!)  Recommended read for Storybook fans of all ages, shapes, and sizes.  Best read with a cup of hot cocoa and a friend (man or beast, it matters not).

ARC for review courtesy of Ksenia at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their growing catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, or catch up with them on Twitter.  This title was released October this year, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Things That Make You Say...WHAT?!: Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye

Hello, everyone! I took a small break from the blogging world, but as in most ongoing gags.....I'M BAAAACCCKKK! Have you ever run across a book title that just made you stop and think, "What?!?". I mean a title that makes you stop in your tracks, proceed two steps back and pick the book in question off the shelf just to see what it's about. Think hard...you'll probably come up with several. Today's choice fits this bill quite well, so without further ado...

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo

by

Obert Skye

Books : Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo : Excerpts

Shared via AddThis

Leven Thumps is a young orphaned boy. Badly mistreated by his current "family", he unwittingly begins to uncover true facts about his mysterious past. Once upon a time, his ancestors, namely grandpa Hector Thumps, built a gateway to the world of dreams, simply called Foo. The land of Foo is in great danger as shadow minions reek havoc in their quest to rule. Dreams are not the only things in danger though. Sabine, the darkest being in Foo, wants to rule both the dream world AND our world by using the hidden gateway to cross over into our reality. Unless the gateway is destroyed, the future is indeed tainted black.

Recently finding the backbone he needed for years, Leven sets out on a quest to save both worlds....but he is not alone. With the help of Winter Frore, a Nit, able to freeze things at will; Clover Ernest, a sycophant, who has Leven as his burn (master), there to guide and hinder (you'll see) in his quest to save Foo; and Geth, the rightful heir to Foo, currently in the form of a walking, talking toothpick (don't question it, just go with it)...does either world stand a chance of surviving? Will these "crusaders" live to tell their tale? Who would believe them?

This is the first book in a four part (currently) series. I will only alude to the fact that it definitely gets more adventurous as the story progresses, however since I will be reviewing the additional titles later on, I will refrain from additional spoilers. You of course are welcome to spoil away...so long as you have or are reading the books! I definitely recommend being in the right mindset before starting this book. You really have to want to read a true fantasy tale. I would liken it in story style to a lightweight 'Lord of the Rings'. Why? Well, simply for the fact that you have to climb into the world created by the author body and soul. Stop packing your bags...you're not taking a vacation! I just mean that the author created the world these characters are in, the time they are in, the language they use. In order to truly enjoy the story, you really have to learn the verbiage.

Feel free to share your comments and feedback!

Until next time...happy reading!

'Tails' from the Heart: Three Angels by Ben Kerschberg

Pets bring joy to our lives beyond compare. From the moment they select us to be their "parent", a bond is formed that stands the test of time for their unconditional love is there for you and you alone. Sure, they may wag their tail at a stranger, or "kiss" the wayward hand that happens to caress their head, but in the end, you are their world and for that you should be forever grateful. Today's book of choice is....

Three Angels: For The Love Of Dogs:
Tributes To Three Amazing Pups

by

Ben Kerschberg

I normally go for the books with happy endings. Hey, so call me an optimist but I think that after reading a novel you should be left in a good place, not a black hole of despair. Let me start by saying that this short but sweet "tail" provides many pages of happiness in the form of puppy behaviors that you will easily liken to your own four-legged friends. Containing the life stories of three of the authors beloved mates, you will laugh, you will cry, you will share smiles with the crazy antics that are purely puppy.

I happen to be "grandma" to my mother's German Shepherd (don't question the family tree...to her pets, I'm grandma...to mine she is there's) and can honestly vouch for the greeting tackle that the author describes. In order to maintain control of your wardrobe, you become a master of the "dash and change" method. For those without dogs (German Shepherd's in particular), this is when you come home, race in to get changed, and then happily accept the unabashed face cleaning you'll receive from your fuzzy friend.

~WARNING~ I do feel that I have warn you, the endings of the stories are not that cheery. Take into account the fact that the author did not own these dogs at the same times and you'll understand what I mean. Despite the tears that may fall, I do heartily recommend this book for a quick reminder (it's only about 54 pages) of the fantastic times you've shared with your best bud. You'll definitely want to give them a big hug after this read.

Feel free to leave your comments and feedback!

Until next time...happy reading!