Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... A LEGEND IN THE BAKING by Jamie Wesley- REVIEW!

It's that time again!

Time for another BOOK BIRTHDAY celebration to kick off the release of something you won't want to miss! This time around, we're bringing you a new title out TODAY via St. Martin's Press...

🎈A LEGEND IN THE BAKING 🎂 

by

Jamie Wesley 

9781250801883

St. Martin's Press 

About the book...

August Hodges was supposed to be the silent partner in Sugar Blitz Cupcakes. Emphasis on silent. That is until his impromptu feminist rant about how women bakers are the backbone of the industry and baking cupcakes isn’t a threat to masculinity goes viral, making him the hottest bachelor in town. With a new location in the works, August and his partners decide to capitalize on this perfect opportunity to help cement their place in the community. But the hiring of his best friend’s younger sister, the woman who has haunted some of his best dreams for years, was as much of a shock as his new-found fame.

Social media manager Sloane Dell fell hard for her brother’s best friend the moment she met him more than a decade ago, but that teenage infatuation cost her dearly. Still, she accepts her brother’s request to revamp the bakery’s social media presence to take advantage of August’s newfound popularity, knowing it’s the big break her fledgling career needs. She’ll just ignore the fact that August is still August, i.e. sexier and sweeter than any man has a right to be. And that he drives her crazy with his resistance to all her ideas.

They vow to leave the past in the past. But when an explosive make-out session makes it clear their attraction burns hotter than ever, Sloane and August are forced to reconsider what it means to take a risk and chase your dreams.

As they’re both about to find out, all’s fair in love and cupcakes.

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Can I get a WOOT WOOT for that fab cover?! Okay, okay, let me focus. 

Today's book birthday spotlight shines on this delicious release that's about to romcom up your TBR. Take one part hot 🔥 bachelor that's a dynamite... in the kitchen (mind out of the gutter people!), one part social media manager with a past crush that isn't so much in the past, and you've got a recipe that's sure to ignite reader's tastes buds and/or imaginations 😉.

I really enjoyed this fun little romp through the pages. The culinary aspects mixed with the will-one-of-you-just-admit-to-your-feelings moments, and the positive voice for women in what can still be considered in the professional side of things a man's world. There's a bit of spice, but it sure tastes nice, and, as they say, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

🧁 Add this sweet treat to your reading escape list today for a delightful way to step away from the holiday hubbub and enjoy some me time! 

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Special thanks to the Sara and the St. Martin's Griffin team for the chance to share this title with you and the egalley 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 wherever books are sold. 

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

RRR presents... Santa Maybe by Carla Luna - REVIEW!

Happy holidays!

Is it too early to be saying that?  GOOD QUESTION!  Technically, I'm undecided on the matter, but I do think that Thanksgiving is being given the bum rush at this point.  Poor little holiday isn't getting the attention it truly deserves anymore...but I digress.  Today's blog tour guest comes to us via Rachel's Random Resources, and stars the latest holiday release from author Carla Luna!  I've reviewed her work before, and happily doing so once again because it was A LOT of fun!  So whether you're HO-Ho-holiday-ing it up, or Bah-Hum-Bugging about, put a jingle in your reading with today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...

Santa Maybe

by

Carla Luna

About the book...

Have yourself a merry little fauxmance—with a dashing Santa who just might make it real.

Rosie Gonzalez isn’t having a wonderful Christmas time. Not when she’s at risk of losing her job as assistant manager of the Duchess—Victoria’s oldest boutique hotel. If she and her team can’t bring in more guests by the end of December, she’ll be let go. Adding to her stress is a calendar filled with family gatherings where her mom will inevitably nag her for still being single.

Drew Richardson isn’t faring much better. As if working alongside his ex at Northlife Fitness wasn’t bad enough, now she’s invited him to her December wedding. And since all his coworkers will be there, bailing isn’t an option. To get through it, he’ll need a plus-one for moral support.

So, when Rosie recruits him to play Santa for her hotel’s activities, he also proposes a fake-dating scheme to benefit them both. Just for the holidays—nothing more. But as things between them turn from nice to naughty, they’ll have to decide whether a real relationship could be the best Christmas gift of all.

---> SNAG YOUR COPY NOW <---

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Fake romance trope, anyone?

How about a potential marriage of convenience?

Or maybe break it down to the base level of holiday romance?

Anyway you slice it, it comes off with a lot more attention than the last slice of holiday fruitcake.

Okay, so at my table that wouldn't be too hard to do...LOL...but seriously, this was a lot of fun!

From the various tropes running around that will draw their individual fan bases to the fabulous characters you'll be cheering on from the word go, the story potential was BIG and it lived right up to it!  I loved our leads, both Rosie and Drew.  They each had their histories, some shared and others not so much, and they each had their own challenges of the moment, which of course leads to the proposed solution for them both, but in the end, their hearts were totally in sync, and their chemistry was off the charts.  😉  ...no mistletoe needed, although the tree setup was PERFECTION!

If you're looking for a great holiday romance?  Check into The Duchess Hotel (see what I did there?!) and experience a staycation you won't want to forget.  OH, and did I mention it appears to be the first in a potential series?  Oh yeah...I'll be keeping room on my TBR for me!

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About the author...

Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Vancouver Island, she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | BookBub

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you, and for the ecopy for review! (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

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

AWARENESS TOUR: The Mystery of Mystic Mountain by Janet Fox - GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY!

HI there!

Today, we're back with another AWARENESS TOUR making its way through the blogosphere via The Children's Book Review.  It features an adventure filled Middle Grade Fiction novel that's sure to capture the hearts and minds of Young readers, but that's not EXACTLY why I'm here today.  Check out the previous stops for reviews (and more), and keep reading right here as I welcome author Janet Fox for a special GUEST POST all about Crafting Courageous Heroines!

The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

by

Janet Fox

9781665956666

Simon & Schuster Books (2024)

About the book...

A girl tackles a summer filled with mystery, treasure, and learning to be her true self in this middle grade adventure that’s a modern-day Holes set on a dusty dude ranch in Montana.

Becca Soloway’s perfect summer goes up in smoke when her mom flees a looming divorce by dragging Becca to a Montana resort. To make matters worse, her mom’s hasty booking lands them not at a spa, but an aging dude ranch called Far Away.

Becca is miserable until she meets the wrangler’s son, Jon, who shows her what might be the first clue to a century-old mystery: the lost treasure of a Robin Hood–like outlaw known as Pearlhandle Pete.

As they slowly uncover the true history of Pete, venture into the mountains, search haunted ghost towns, and are threatened by a treasure-hunter-social-media star, Becca discovers that treasure is in the eye of the beholder and the important things in life are always worth fighting for.

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes and Noble

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~~~ GUEST POST ~~~

Crafting Courageous Heroines: Building Becca’s Character in THE MYSTERY OF MYSTIC MOUNTAIN by Author Janet Fox

My favorite part of writing is building characters. Especially my main characters. Main characters, or protagonists, like Becca Soloway in my newest novel THE MYSTERY OF MYSTIC MOUNTAIN, need to be complex and interesting because one of their most important functions in story is to show how they change from start to finish. And one of the greatest changes a character can make is to learn the meaning of courage.

My job is to understand everything about a character like Becca – her flaws, her strengths, her dreams and desires, and so on – so that at the beginning of the story readers feel an attachment to her and by the end they can see that she has grown and has attained both her external goal and a deeper understanding of her own nature. 

The External Story Problem

When I come up with a story idea, here’s one place I begin to brainstorm: what is the story problem that this protagonist will face? In MYSTERY, I had the idea of a treasure hunt, so of course that meant that a number of characters might want to find the treasure – i.e., a competition. A race. Solving riddles and puzzles. Matching wits, and a ticking clock. Companions and enemies. 

That race to find the treasure became the external goal or story problem. Then I had to define the characters – especially Becca, the protagonist – who would face that problem. And to show how she would change and grow while doing so.

Courage, or a willingness to stand up against big odds and face big challenges, is something that readers want in characters, so it’s one of the traits that I need to show in a protagonist. In Becca’s case, I needed to give her both the external problem of the treasure hunt but also internal issues that may have nothing directly to do with that external problem. This would carve a path to show how she could exhibit the kind of courage that would take her through an internal arc of change.

The Internal Story Problem

I decided that Becca’s internal problem would be, first, that she was at the age where she was trying to figure out what kind of person she wanted to become. She was a nerd, and loved puzzles and figuring out mysteries, but right before the story starts, she was given the opportunity to become a part of the “in crowd” in her school, a member of the gang of cool girls. But that would mean abandoning everything she believed and also meant leaving behind her best friend who was being excluded. Would Becca try to fit in for the sake of popularity? Be cruel to her friend? Redefine herself through disloyalty? This was an internal problem providing great challenges for Becca.

I also decided that Becca’s parents were on the verge of separating, and maybe divorce. Both of these complications in Becca’s life – her fraught self-examination and the loss of family stability – would mean she had to spend time in the story figuring out her place in this new world order. Creating internal questions like these is one way to put a protagonist into a place of requiring courage, and having a protagonist confront obstacles to the external goal is another.

Bringing Everything Together

Weaving internal and external drivers together is the writer’s challenge. The treasure hunt needed to be important enough to Becca that she’d want to get it done, but I also needed to push her into scenes where she would have to make decisions that mirrored her internal problem. This meant making her act in ways that would show betrayal and insecurity, and taking her from there to a place where she could begin to chart a better path as a person. Her interactions with the secondary characters and especially her new friend Jon would set the stage for her development.

I really had fun creating this complicated web of issues. How Becca handled the needs of Jon versus her own needs was central to building the story. Becca was forced to make choices and through those choices to see how she created problems for both herself and for Jon. She was forced to examine her relationship to friends new and old. She was forced to uncover the true needs of her parents and what made the people around her happy, or unhappy. And she was forced to uncover the true value of treasure.

Courageous heroines don’t need to be defined by acts of great valor. They don’t need monumental battles or death-defying stunts to exhibit courage. Courage comes out in actions small and seemingly insignificant – like standing up for a friend even if it means losing status or being honest with yourself even if that introspection hurts.

My Writerly Goal

As a writer I don’t want to teach lessons to my young readers. I want to show them how we can become better people in those small and seemingly insignificant ways. Whether my readers will ever participate in a treasure hunt in Montana is beside the point. They will almost certainly face discrimination or hurtful behavior, and they surely will have to make their own choices as to the kind of people they want to be. They will hopefully absorb the idea that character – by which I mean decency, integrity, honor, and yes, courage – matters.

I hope my books provide entertaining blueprints for living a courageous life like Becca’s.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janet Fox is an award-winning author with a deep passion for the magic of storytelling. Her writing journey began at age 8 with a poem published in the town newspaper, setting the stage for a career dedicated to writing captivating tales for young readers.

As a writer, Janet strives to create books to help grow young hearts and minds. Her 12 award-winning books span the spectrum of picture books through young adult, in a broad variety of genres.

As a mentor and book coach with 25 years in publishing, Janet’s mission is to guide writers through the twists and turns of their creative odyssey, turning struggles into triumphs. She has helped scores of writers achieve their dream of writing, revising, and, yes, publishing their children’s books.

For more information, check out janetsfox.com.

INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST

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~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~

Enter the giveaway for your chance to win a signed hardcover copy of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain, some fun swag, and a signed copy of Carry Me Home!

The Mystery of Mystic Mountain: Book Giveaway

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for sharing a bit of themselves with the guest post. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Janet Fox. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. 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. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

@pagesforpaige

Instagram Post about The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Life is What It’s Called

Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Monday, November 4, 2024

Crafty Moms Share

Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Monday, November 11, 2024

Mommy’s Block Party

Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Q&A’s with Deborah Kalb

Interview with Janet Fox

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Deliciously Savvy

Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Thursday, November 14, 2024

It’s Free At Last

Book Review of The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

Friday, November 15, 2024

Cover Lover Book Review

Interview with Janet Fox

Monday, November 18, 2024

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Guest Post about The Mystery of Mystic Mountain

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

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: Big Shark, Little Shark and the Christmas Tree by Anna Membrino, Illustrated by Tim Budgen - REVIEW!

Hi again!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Big Shark, Little Shark and the Christmas Tree

by

Anna Membrino

 Illustrated by

Tim Budgen

9780593807828

Okay, I gotta say, I'm really feeling a FIN-ship with Little Shark and Big Shark.  I mean, hello...they LOVE TO READ!  Friends from the word go!  Anywho, they start out enjoying a day of reading until a mysterious shadow lands something in their midst.  But wait, is that...a Christmas tree?  Seems to be, but things aren't exactly as they should be, bringing fishy frowns instead of smiles.  Good thing our sharky duo has a plan to make it merry and bright once again...and the end result is SEA-tacular!

The coral-filled and colorful illustrations are brilliantly done to entice little readers' eyes.  The easy read story style makes it less intimidating and therefore the perfect holiday pick for early readers just getting their feet wet...so to speak.  It allows kiddos to take center stage during story time not only to share their skills, but a tale of Christmas time fun to be enjoyed by all!

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Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links provided above. This story is available now, wherever books are sold.

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

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: There's a Little Snowman in Your Book by Tom Fletcher - REVIEW!

Hello, hello!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today, we're taking a look at a new Board Book, available now for your winter reading pleasure, that's filled with more than just words, and illustrations, and bookish joy.  That's right.  In today's book...there's a SNOWMAN!  Get ready for a flurry of fun as we step between the epages of today's featured title...

There's a Little Snowman in Your Book

by

Tom Fletcher

Have you read ANY of the "in your book" series?  If you have, you know what you're in store for; if you haven't, it's high time you check it out because they are RIDICULOUSLY CUTE, FUN, and filled with friends you'll adore making and won't soon forget.

This time around, we're checking into a title filled with familiar friends, like Monster and Elf, and making a NEW wintertime friend.  You get to join the first two in making some snowy day magic that results in the appearance of Snowman!  Then with the right words, and a wave of your fingers, you'll be transported somewhere very, VERY far north where a certain holiday figure just so happens to reside.  You'll pay a visit to his workshop, meet a special team that's especially busy at this time of year, and get a special sneak peek at Snowman's present!  BUT, SHHH!  Don't tell him what it is!

The adorable illustrations never fail to impress.  The interactive nature of the stories allow readers of all ages to get in on the fun, and easily reach for it time and time again.  The consistency of the series, whether it be in sturdy, tiny hand friendly, Board Book format, or a little bit larger, and gloriously illustrated Storybook format, makes this one that you'll want to add to your bookshelves, and keep you adding it to as more and more release!  The variety of characters available makes it so that there's a little something for everyone, and some titles can be kept aside for more seasonal reads...not that you won't want to read about the Witch during summer, or the Elf at Easter!  Seriously, they are TOO CUTE TO MISS!

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Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links provided above. This story is available now, wherever books are sold.

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

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: Christmas Forever by Elysa Dutton, Illustrated by Manu Montoya - REVIEW!

Hello, hello!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today, we're getting our holly jolly spirit on with a title from Random House Children's Books.  It gives us a look at a grand adventure to make Christmas FOREVER!  (Can you IMAGINE?!)  SO, if you're ready, let's get between the epages ...

Christmas Forever

by

Elysa Dutton

Illustrated by 

Manu Montoya

9780593430996

Holiday decorations.  They each have their own time and place for display, and then they go back into storage until the next year rolls around.  It's dark, and musty, and certainly not filled with sparkling holiday delights...but what if they didn't have to go to this place?  What if...it could be CHRISTMAS FOREVER?!

Sounds perfect, right?  In theory, yes, but too much of anything is indeed still too much, but I digress; that's not the point of this tale.  This lovely storybook isn't setting out to make a case for one holiday at a time, but rather to remind us that what makes the holidays special isn't our location, or the chance that those times may never end.  What makes the holidays the holidays, the special moments those special moments, is the family and friends that surround.  It's the company we keep, the loved ones we draw close, the friends we hold dear...that's what truly gives the holidays that extra sparkle and shine...something the ornament friends come to realize when one of their own looks like their be left behind!

Readers will love teaming up with these ornament friends to put their plan into action.  You'll plot with them to make their dreams come true.  You'll give pause when you see there's a furry friend that might cause some mischief.  You'll laugh when an unexpected rescue takes place, and that four-legged little mischief maker gets a little taste of the mayhem they always seem to be causing!  The illustrations really play well with the story to bring it all to life, and the color palette keeps your attention without overpowering the tale.  A great addition to any family holiday reading time!

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Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This story is available now, wherever books are sold.

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

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: Picture book fun with Abrams Children's Books!

Hello again!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today, we're stepping into the bookish arena with Abrams Children's Books and a selection of titles that are either available now, or just about to celebrate their bookish birthdays.  So get your wish lists ready and prepare for a variety of adventures through the pages because, after all, that's the beauty of books.  There are countless journeys to take, roads to travel, and stars to seek, all in the comfort of your favorite reading spot.  

I Am We:  A Book of Community

by

Susan Verde

Illustrated by

Peter H. Reynolds

9781419771941

The beauty of this book is in the simplicity in which it begins, and the vibrancy with which it grows.  It reminds us that taking time to care for ourselves is just as important as the time we give of ourselves to others because you can't give what you're not already receiving.  If you drain your own battery, there's nothing left to share.  It's not selfish in any fashion; it's caring to the utmost degree.  The illustrations start with individual people, and animals, but build into full color scenes filled with people, places, and life.  It might possibly be one of the books many NEED right now considering the condition of our world, and the political climate...but I digress.

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It's Hard to Be a Baby

by

Cheryl B. Klein

Illustrated by

Juana Medina

9781419767333

Okay, I thought this one was cute as I was reading because, think about...being a baby doesn't really seem HARD!  You get everything you need at any time and have all the attention you could want.  Everything is for you or about you.  Everyone wants to see the little baby, hold the little baby, love the little baby...but is that what YOU want?  I mean, if you were the baby.  It's not like anyone consults you.  You may have all the attention, but does anyone REALLY know what you're asking for?  We really DON'T know...we're all just guessing...but it DOES get better on both sides of the experience.  Communication improves, movement expands, and the love still grows.  I gotta say though, as much fun as the story was, and how great I think little babies are going to respond to it (even if we can't tell what they're thinking), I adored discovering that the narrator of the story was a an older sibling.  It just gave it another level of sweetness, and made my heart smile because they're sharing their own hard earned wisdom with the next generation.

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Gwendolyn and the Light

by

Susan Yoon

Illustrated by

Audrey Helen Weber

9781419763793

A tale of loneliness and friendship.  It reminds us that not every connection looks the same, but those that matter will be there through thick and thin, nearness and distance, sun up and sun down.  With a peaceful color palette throughout, this gentle story will help little ones towards their own "light".

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The Class with Wings

by

Paul Fleischman

Illustrated by

Hannah Salyer

9781949480436

This is a story that lets your imagination take flight!  It shares factual information as the class studies veery bird migration, while allowing them to see the similarities between themselves and their aviary friends.  Both are smaller than other creatures, and have "predators" aplenty, but both have rich, full histories to share, lives they're creating, and futures to soar towards.  The student's teacher helps to encourage their exploration of the world that surrounds them, and her classroom exercise of slowing down, listening, and being in the moment, allows them to build healthy habits that will aid them in their journey for knowledge throughout their lives.  The subtle use of color in the illustrations really highlights the moments being shared, and draws readers in to explore the scenes before them.

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Chloe and the Fireflies

by

Chris Clarkson

Illustrated by

Julie Jarema

9781419766480

This beautifully told story illustrates the wishes of a young girl's heart as she finally finds her forever home.  It shows us the importance of family (not necessarily by blood, but by choice), and how beautiful that kinship can be.  It reminds us that new situations may be uncomfortable, and strange, but a positive attitude, and a right proper wish, can set in motion the foundation for a happily-ever-after we'd adore to call our own.  I love the nontraditional family that's represented because THAT'S reality.  There is no version that is the only version it can be, and the version that is right for us is the perfect fit.  A touching tale that will certainly have some readers seeing themselves in the characters, but I hope they are equally feeling the love that shines from each page.

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The Band in Our Basement

by

Kelly J. Baptist

Illustrated by

Jenin Mohammed 

9781419769078

Release Date:  November 12,2024

The jammy session has just begun, but bedtime is the last thing these two little kiddos are focused on.  The sweet melody of jazzy tunes floating through the floors and doors is keeping them from reaching dream time status.  Does it bother them?  No way!  In fact, they wish they could join in the fun...and let's just say the temptation to get up close and personal with the notes coming from the basement are too much to bear.  What becomes of their nighttime escapade throughout the house?  Why, a brilliant accompaniment they didn't see coming, and the chance to paint their dreams in a brilliant shade of their choosing.  A great reminder of the power of family relationships, the wonder that a great song can bring to light, and the tranquility that can be found in the every day, if only we take a moment to stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds.  

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Special thanks to the dream team at Abrams Children's for the chance to bring these titles to you and to the publisher for the ecopies for review. (THANKS!) For more information on these titles, the author, illustrators, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

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

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: A trio of bookish fun with MamaBear Books!

Hello friends!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today's featured trio of titles are available now via MamaBear Books...gotta love that name...and we've got sparkly puppies, unicorns, bulldozers, and dinosaurs; in other words, there's a little something for every kiddo in this mix.  Ladies and gents, let's get to the books!

Lucy and Her Unicorn Get a Sparkle Puppy

by

Ashley Wall

Illustrated by

Alana McCarthy

9781960616142

This darling story is filled with TWINKLES, and plenty of SPARKLE, SPARKLE GLITTER TIME!  Lucy and her best friend Twinkle the unicorn show us just how true blue friends can be.  While planning for a new addition to their family, they keep each other positive, while staying real about the responsibilities that go into the care of a furry friend!  That's right.  They're getting a puppy, and not just any puppy, but one that's just as fabulous as the two of them!  Isn't that always the case though?  It's not about a certain pupper, but the right one for you, and this is a match made in sparkle-tastic heaven...as is the story, the lesson, and the overall package!  It's a great story for kiddos, but a WONDERFUL way to address that often broached subject of "can we get a dog" that is easy to relate to while also getting the point across.  Responsibility doesn't mean a lack of fun, it just means you're in charge of it too!

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The Day I Had a Dinosaur

by

Ashley Wall

Illustrated by

Vaughan Duck

9781960616111

Luke and his dog Bobo have an encounter unlike any they may have imagined that leads to BIG fun as well as BIG opportunities to practice being a good friend.  When someone can't reach something, we offer a step up.  When someone is finding something too much of a challenge, we offer assistance in overcoming the obstacles in their way.  When someone feels down and out, we help to lift them up.  That's just what Luke and his friends do in a BIG way.  By book's end, everyone has had Jurassic-sized fun, and are more than ready to take a few moments to calm and center themselves with some dino-yoga.  Trust me, you haven't seen anything, until you've seen a triceratops trying to hold downward dog.  😉  I can easily see kiddos reaching for this during story time, or as a way to seed their dreams before bedtime for some big adventures of their own!

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The Day I Had a Bulldozer

by

Ashley Wall

Illustrated by

Vaughan Duck

9781960616005

This tale wasn't just about having a go with construction equipment, although many kiddos (let alone adults!) wouldn't balk at the chance!  No, this story is about working together to reach a goal, inclusion, and the benefits of practicing (hence the flattened swing set that might not have been flattened!).  Luke gets the chance to plow the way with a bulldozer of his very own, yet finds that paving the way to the new ice cream shop isn't a one person job.  Good thing all his little buddies have recently come into new acquisitions of their own, and are more than happy to throw in their help for such a sweet reward!  The illustrations combined with the imagination filled story allow young ones to picture themselves in the driver's seat, while getting some pure edutainment out of the experience...including just how many pounds a dump truck can hold!

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About the author and founder of MamaBear Books...

Ashley Wall, M.Ed, is a Texas native, former teacher, and mother of two. Ashley has a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education. She is a passionate reader and writer who has been in the education field for over a decade.

Although she no longer calls herself a school teacher, Ashley has a passion for inspiring children through education and fostering big imaginations. Motivated by her own children’s huge imaginations and through playing make believe with them, Ashley created her book series featuring a fun-loving group of friends with larger-than-life adventures. Ashley has written three books, with another on the way, and she hopes her books will inspire children’s love for reading, develop their imaginations, and encourage acts of kindness and friendship.

When she’s not writing, Ashley loves spending time with her family and friends, reading with her two young children, puzzling, watching college football, and traveling.

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ABOUT MAMABEAR BOOKS

MamaBear Books is a family owned and operated boutique children’s book publishing company, founded by Jeff and Ashley Wall. Their goal is to meet the needs of children’s imaginations, creativity, and literacy through beautifully written and illustrated picture books. They focus on creating engaging stories and loveable characters for families to enjoy for generations.

MamaBear Books is partnering with the Barbara Bush Foundation to help promote literacy in children across Texas and the United States.

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Special thanks to the dream team at Smith Publicity, Inc for the chance to bring this title to you and to the publisher for the ecopies for review. (THANKS!) For more information on these titles, the author, illustrators, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

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

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree by Freddy Wexler, Illustrated by Fanny Berthiaume - REVIEW!

Hello friends!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general".  It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered.  This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today, we're getting our holiday on with a spirit filled palm tree that's reaching for his dreams.  Hey, the only one that can hold you back is yourself, and he brings this to life in evergreen-living color.  Ladies and gents, don your jolliest apparel and set your sights on today's title in the spotlight...

Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree

by

Freddy Wexler

Illustrated by

Fanny Berthiaume

9780593567944

Random House Books for Young Readers 

About the book...

The tiki torch is lit, the hula dancers are ready, the stage is set. It's...Christmastime in Hawaii!

Everett Green is a singing, dancing palm tree waiting for his big break. He dreams of being a star, yet has no idea how to make it happen--until he sees the Rockefeller Tree on TV. Determined to become the most famous Christmas tree ever, Everett is ready to hightail it out of Hawaii and make his big debut in the Big Apple.

But it's not all clear skies for Everett when a New York snowstorm grounds his flight.

Stuck in the airport with hundreds of disgruntled travelers, Everett must dig deep for holiday spirit if he wants to become a real Christmas tree!

From grammy-nominated songwriter Freddy Wexler comes a modern Christmas classic: the story of a would-be Christmas tree who comes to see that Christmas is not what or where you are, but who you're with.

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Everett dreamed of his name in lights, and practiced his routine until it sparkled like so many glorious lights...until one day, his dream took on a new meaning.  It wasn't his name in lights, but seeing himself in lights, and all dolled up just like the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.  He would be THE Christmas tree that everyone could see, love, and admire.  The only thing was...he had to get to NYC!  What?  You thought I'd bring up that fact that he's a PALM tree, or made of plastic?  Pfft!  Those are easy obstacles to overcome when you're talking about geography!  He packed his bags and prepped to take his show on the road, but he had no way to secure a ticket (back to that whole plastic thing) and the weather was playing anything but nice, putting more than a monkey wrench in his plans, as well as those of the other passengers trying to traverse the skies to their holiday destinations.  He feared he wouldn't reach his dreams...at least until a little girl with an open mind and a powerful imagination recognized him for who he truly was, unlocking a truly brilliant idea for Everett Green to become not only what he dreamed of (in a fashion), but truly make the Christmases of those around him as well.

A wonderful story that brings to life the magic of the season, while reminding us that we can be anything we wish to be.  There is no time or place that is perfect for a dream to come true, but any situation, any circumstance can be what we make of it, and if we never give up, never stop trying, that desired happily-ever-after remains in reach.  A great addition to your holiday reading list, and a fun read for all ages.

About the author...

Freddy Wexler is a Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum award-winning hit songwriter and film producer with an expansive film, TV, and animation slate. As a songwriter, Wexler has contributed to ten Billboard #1s; his songs have been recorded by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, BlackPink, Selena Gomez, John Legend, Pink, Diana Ross, Shakira, and many others. He lives in Los Angeles. To learn more, visit freddywexler.com.

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About the illustrator...

Fanny Berthiaume is a French Canadian visual artist who has been working in the entertainment industry for close to fifteen years. From miniature set builder to visual effects artist, she has worked on a variety of exciting projects. She offers services in visual development and illustration to animation studios, publishers, and other creative businesses. She lives in Montreal.

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, illustrator, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

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