I Want to Eat Your Books by Karin Lefranc

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Betcha thought I forgot about you, right?  No new bookish news to feed the reader in your soul for a day or two and BAM, I'm down for the count.  Trust me, I'm not down but I have been out seeing as work has been UBER busy and running be ragged.  I'm lucky I've been able to enjoy my favorite pastime let alone find the strength of mind and body to blog.  But, let's let bygones be bygones and today be a new day...err, night.  ^-^

Today on the blog, we're shining the Picture Book Month spotlight on a title from Sky Pony Press.  It stars a paranormal creature many readers love while showcasing the power of books, all in an age appropriate setting so even the littlest among you can indulge.  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

I Want to Eat Your Books

by

Karin Lefranc

Illustrated by

Tyler Parker

9781634501729

Sky Pony Press

As far as target audience appeal, this one has it in the bag.  Little ones will have a blast with the zombie invading school and tearing through the pages of every book it can find.  Okay, well maybe not the tearing through the pages part because frankly that gave me a mini heart attack, but I digress....loads of fun for the munchkins.  Readers will love how instead of EATING the books, he eventually learns that READING the books is much more enjoyable.  Definitely speaks to the adage you've probably heard about how it only takes ONE BOOK to turn a non-reader into a reader.  Basically this zombie gets voracious in the sense of the word we avids love!  The illustrations are great...unique in style, simple in design, but stand out just the same.  I can honestly see young artists out there trying to duplicate their form in order to create their own zombie stories....what fun!  Older readers are where the questions come in...  *raises hand*

Yes, I am in that category because obviously (at least I hope so), I'm not in the "target audience" range.  Does that mean I don't enjoy a good picture/storybook?  Hardly!  I adore my fair share of them, thank you very much, but I also question different things that jump out at me.  Here, I can't help but wonder WHY a zombie.  Grant it, I'm not a huge zombie enthusiast but as I am an avid reader, this book practically SCREAMED at me to take it for a spin.  The "why the zombie" question actually comes in with the title and the zombies favorite refrain.  I want to eat your books... add a Transylvanian accent and some blah blah BLAHs and can't you see this one actually going the way of the vampires?  I get the devouring books aspect, whereas they would satiate the zombie because they are knowledge filled just like BRAINS, but the saying is SO CLOSE to the I want to suck your blood that I can't help looking for fangs.  Also, what was with the mummy inclusion at story's end?  They were in a school library, not a museum.  Where on earth did she come from? 

Anywho...aside from the random head scratching moments, it wasn't a bad read.  Definitely something little Judy or Johnny might clamor for on a weekend afternoon or for a quick trip through the pages before bed.  It takes the paranormal craze and makes it accessible to the wee ones while driving home (like stake to the heart...okay, I promise, enough with the vampires) the point that BOOKS ARE GOOOOD food for the brain, no matter how you may have acquired them.

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About the author and illustrator...

Karin Lefranc grew up all over the world, living in Sweden, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, before moving to the U.S. to attend Bard College in New York. She now lives in Connecticut with her three girls and one boy, who all love devouring books in all shapes and sizes. Karin is also a certified children’s yoga teacher.

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Tyler Parker received his BFA in illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art and also has an MA in sequential design and illustration from the University of Brighton. He is the illustrator of more than seven children’s books including Monsters Meet on Mondays and The Ice Cream Shuffle. He currently lives in Seattle, Washington.

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Special thanks to both the author, illustrator, and Bostick Communications for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, future works, or promotions, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title hit store shelves September of this year via Sky Pony Press, so be on the lookout for it near you.

Until next time....happy reading!



The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant: Ellie Goes Back to School

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Well, it's that time of year again.  All over the USA, kids are going back to school, whether they like it or not.  Some are returning to familiar halls and friendly faces, others are just starting out in their academic careers and find things a tad more overwhelming.  Never fear, Ellie the Elephant is HERE and she's about to turn your little one's school year nightmares into dreams waiting to come true.  Ladies and gents, children of all ages, shapes, sizes, and polyester cotton blends (that'll make more senses in a moment), please join me in welcoming today's book of choice...

The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant:

Ellie Goes Back to School

by

Co-Author and Assistant Photographer

Elle Fair

Co-Author and Photographer

Marci Fair

9780996363501

Pacochel Press

It's a unique storybook to say the least starring two stuffed friends as they make their way through the hallowed halls.  Alone, it's big, and scary, but together they can conquer the world!  They get a helping hand from their teacher making them feel right at home.  They tackle learning their numbers, letters, and shapes, take a trip to the library to find some great reads, spend some quality time with the classroom pets, and get their daily exercise in during gym class.  If their day could get any more fun, next comes lunch, recess, and ART class!  Man, elementary school was awesome.  ^-^  I remember making these little pictures with squares of tissue paper that you'd put on the end of your pencil (eraser side, of course), tip in glue and stick to the page...such fluffy, colorful creations!  Anywho...

Ellie the Elephant and Pudgy the Penguin are an adorable duo.  I'll tell you, if I had them to lead the way through those double doors of education, I know I'd have felt a bit calmer on the first day of school.  I mean, how can you not?  Story wise, it's all about the fun that can be had while obtaining higher education, but as with any story book, the real love is in the images.  Here, we've got photography as the chosen medium and it serves them well.  A well placed elephant here, a precariously perched penguin there and TADA!  Instant camera magic depicting our stuffed furry friends having the time of their lives.  My biggest question is where will their next adventure take them because the sky is truly the limit.

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About the author...

Marci Fair is a business owner and a mother of four who has worked in real estate for over twenty years. She and her husband own several real estate businesses, some which are ranked in the US.

In addition to her professional career, Marci is the founder of Kares 4 Kids, a nonprofit organization that has served more than 20,000 children in need since 2005. She is also the author of the award-winning book TILT: 7 Solutions to Be a Guilt-Free Working Mom, liberating other women with her hard-won wisdom—“Balance is impossible; memories are better.”

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Review copy received courtesy of the authors and Bostick Communications.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title or the author, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Pacochel Press LLC, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Be sure to check out the other books available in this growing series including Ellie Makes a New Friend and Ellie's First Plane Ride.  

Until next time...happy reading!

Lady Emma in Her Land of Wonder by Martha M. Harrison

HI there!

Welcome back to the Friday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers....the place where as the weekend approaches we prepare not to slow down and take it easy, but to get busy, READING that is!

Today, we're stepping into the land of Storybooks for a tale that's...well, hard to explain.  It actually took me TWO read throughs miles apart to draw the lessons of the story out and connect the pieces I couldn't quite fit.  Now the cover?  That's an ENTIRELY different story.  Readers and appreciate-tors of the bookish things in life, allow me to introduce today's book of choice....

Lady Emma in Her Land of Wonder

by

Martha M. Harrison

Based on the original story by

Jennifer Harrison

97819413217047

Incanto Press

I firmly believe that while I want everyone to fall madly in love with every book they meet....that's just not a reality.  NOT EVERY BOOK IS FOR EVERY READER.  There...I've said it.  This one, sadly enough was one of those for me.

I ADORE the cover....really truly and earnestly want to climb right into that magical realm Lady Emma is peering at through the window.  The cat is simply ADORABLE.  The hedgehog so CUTE.  The colors are vivid and carry forward as you open the cover and turn page after page.  The visual specs take a small detour when dealing with faces, but overall it still works.  Now, as for the story....

The rhyming scheme for me was a bit forced.  Some parts really didn't mesh well nor did they make sense as the only option for the tale to be told.  The tale itself felt like it left readers grasping for the message in lieu of putting it out there for you.  In all honesty, I read it when it first arrived and then placed it aside because at that moment....I'm not quite sure how my review would have turned out.  It's not that I wanted it to grow into something more, I just wanted my appreciation for the book to have time to sort itself out before making a final judgment call.  I'm glad I did because although I said I'm not necessarily its biggest fan, I can now sorta see upon that second read through what the author was perhaps aiming for.

Author Martha M. Harrison

It seems to this reader that the author is imparting a "can do" attitude to little ones that take on Lady Emma's story.  Throughout her stumbles and falls, she picks herself back up again and figures things out.  It speaks to her strong male role models along the way (her father, and then the prince) and how they supported her in lieu of actuall doing everything for her.  It talks about building character and let's you know that Lady Emma believes in you as well for she's only doing JUST what you would be doing if the situation was reversed.  In the end, it's a stretch.  I feel the visuals will draw in many, but the story may take some time.  It doesn't mean it doesn't have merit....it just means it needs the right audience.

Review copy received courtesy of Bostick Communications and Incanto Press.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, be sure to stop by the publisher's site. 

Until next time...happy reading!

Tibby and His Friend's Big Secret by Carl Kegerreis

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the place that aims to please readers of all ages and spark their imaginations into full gear...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're featuring a Children's Fiction title from a newish author team.  Yes, I said team.  How so? Well, it's from one particular gentleman, but his granddaughters had a lot of say in it as well...and according to book's end, the next tale to come.  Pretty cool, right?  I thought so.  I mean having family involved is bound to make the writing even more fun than a task, plus it gives you instant feedback from the age group your targeting.  Anywho, let's see if we can't uncover a little more about this curious read.  Today's book of choice is....

Tibby and His Friend's Big Secret

by

Carl Kegerreis

About the book....

Tibby and his dog Starber-a longhaired shepherd who is brave,smart,and talented-live in a rural
Midwestern town, and along with their friends, they can always find fun and adventure. But
things get very strange when Tibby meets Coley and Darnell, a sister and brother who’ve moved
into the creepy mansion down the road, and it isn’t long before Tibby and his friends discover an
amazing secret...
Inspired by the author’s first love—Big Red, a stray Irish setter he disentangled from a cornfield
fence and subsequently adopted—Tibby and His Friends'Big Secret is an exciting tale for boys
and girls and animal lovers everywhere.

To answer the question posed....yes, I can keep their secret, even while writing this review!  No, my skills aren't that fabulous to tell you everything and nothing all at once.  No, I'm not going to avoid the issue completely because it's more fun to talk around things in a case like this than label the elephant in the room.  I am however going to admit to the fact that while I can keep their secret, it's not completely for a lack of trying to share it, but rather a case of still trying to figure everything out.  Allow me to explain.

The initial chapters introduce us to Rex, Tibby and his dog Starber.  They aren't the coolest of the cool but they aren't complete social outcasts either, except when it comes to the class bully (that ends up not actually being a bully).  Tibby obviously avoids him when he can, but such is life, it doesn't always play in his favor.  Push comes to shove and a dare is made for the overly confident lad (named Fogel) to stay overnight in a local "haunted house"....only it's not exactly haunted as in the classic sense, and Tibby knows it.  One things leads to another and ding dang dong, the bully is bullying no more.  But what could make a lad like that stand down and so immediately?  The secret lies in the house that is...but soon will not be.  Confused?  So was I...

After the original sequence of events, things change almost on a chapter to chapter basis (good because it keeps things flowing, unusual because, well, you'll see.).  At this point, it reminded me of the movie Groundhog Day; you know, where the same day happened over, and over, and over until things were set right?  Well, the difference here is A) it's not Groundhog Day, B) time still DOES pass, C) the same events don't transpire in exactly the same way nor is the location the same each time (they are still in their little town, but houses, rivers, etc are different), and D) it's never actually made clear what's real, what's not, and what simply might be an effect left over from a certain "person's" home machine (the latter is my suspicion).  Things do get accomplished.  Secrets are uncovered both BIG and small.  Friendships are made and mysteries...well, they are still left mysterious to some degree, but that part could be in preparation for the next book in this family written series, Tibby and His Friend's Top Secret.

In conclusion, while I can see this being popular with boys and girls who love a good riddle, mysterious creatures and the chance to be one of the many keeping a secret much bigger than themselves, I'm not certain it will score a home run with everyone...including me.  I'm one of those odd readers that likes things either neat and tidy or at least made clear and honestly, I'm still peering through a muddle of mud on this one.  Maybe I need some guidance from Elock, or Roscoe on this one; or perhaps a trip through the waterfall.  (^_^)

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About the author...
Carl Kegerreis attended Ball State University and was drafted into the Army his junior year. He trained Army sentry dogs and a German shepherd police dog for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, achieving the position of Division Chief and retiring after 34 years. Kegerreis lives in Ohio with Sandra, his wife of 47 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.

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Review copy received courtesy of author Carl Kegerreis.  (THANKS!)  For more information on both the title and the author, seek out his page on Amazon and GoodReads.  This title is available now in both paper and ebook forms via Outskirts Press.

Until next time...happy reading!

Diva Pearl the Pekingese: Life After Show Biz by Miss Pearl and Vicki Gattuso

Hi there!

Welcome back to the place that aims to please the reader in you every day of the week, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we are featuring two of my favorite things....books (of course) and puppies!  Or to be more precise, one pup and a former show girl at that.  Grab the fine china and open a can of Iam's, it's time to meet our four legged author and her human friend.  Today's book of choice is...  

Diva Pearl the Pekingese: 

Life After Show Biz

by

Miss Pearl and Vicki Gattuso

9781470118006 

Createspace

I gotta say it...the overall package is quite adorable.  I mean really, how can you say anything else to that sweet face?!

The pup that graces the cover is Miss Diva Pearl, former show dog and now lifelong friend to Ms Vicki, as well as a puppy parent.  That's right, she has "kids", one of which (Shoko) happens to be a member of her immediate family.  Pretty cool, right?  Well, it is actually and due to this fact, we learn a few interesting facts about the pekingese breed, an unexpected bonus.  But I digress...

Within these pages, you will be touched by Diva Pearl's story, chuckle at her hi-jinx and smile yourself silly as you gaze at each picture that is cuter than the last.  Follow her career from start up to prize winner and everything in between, while getting acquainted with her team of two legged friends and best buds along the way.  Aside from her owner, she has an obvious affection for Miss Jacquelyn, her mom away from mom, her neighbor, Miss Odesa, thanks to a close call, and her "brother" Oshi, a Japanese Chin who calls her "dad" Dad.  We learn just what it takes to be "the best" and take away a few "pearls of wisdom" from her years of experience while agreeing that at least for Miss Diva Pearl, pink is the new black.

Overall, an easy read for fans of the breed, as well as little ones simply "oohing" at the adorable cover.  My only downside to report would be the disorganization of the "story".  We bounce all over her life line and end up repeating some things a few times over because of it.  It doesn't ruin the read completely and it's doubtful that wee ones would even notice, but it is something to be aware of.  It makes it more dependent on the picture aspect of the book than the actual content.  Oh, but I have to say the disc included in my review pack which contained Miss Pearl's Song, Miss Pearl's Lullaby and her video was TOO cute.  I mean at first glance I thought okay, what gives but once you give it a shot, you can't help but smile.  I can definitely see why Miss Pearl would be a fan and appreciate her sharing them with all of us.

Review copy and song/video courtesy of authors Miss Pearl and Vicki Gattuso...via the folks at Bostick Communications.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their other promotions, be sure to stop by their site.  To read more about Miss Pearl's story, be sure to check out her official web page, or like her on Facebook.  This book is available now no be on the look out for it on a bookstore shelf or online retailer near you.

One more thing before we close, for those looking to "do good" with their purchases, a portion of the book's proceeds will support the American Heart Association, Pekingese Rescue Network, the Humane Society of Greater Akron and Pet Helpers (Charleston, SC).  Definitely a bonus point in my book.

Until next time...happy reading!

I Thought I Saw a Dragon Late Last Night! by Clayton J Liotta

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the place to be when it reaches that special time of day that can only be truly filled with one thing, the fluttering of pages.

Yesterday, we played host to a blog tour featuring a newly released title from the Fiction range of things.  Today, we’re stepping back to the land of Children’s Fiction, with a story that’s short and sweet, yet brimming with imagination.  There’s a little investigative work on your part as well as you try to uncover whether to trust your eyes or rather those of our young narrator because what they just might be seeing is pretty hard to believe.  Today’s book of choice ladies and gents and children of all ages is….

I Thought I Saw a Dragon Late Last Night!

Written and Illustrated by

Clayton J. Liotta

This is the story of one little boy’s imagination gone wild…or has it?  It starts with a bump and a growl in the night and escalates to a self-led dragon hunt the next morning.  He travels here and there and everywhere he thinks a dragon might possibly go to wile away a day, stopping only for a snack or two along the way.  Try as he might, he can’t seem to track the tricky creature down and so continues our tale of seek and find.

The humorous part of this 32 pager is the fact that wherever the boy travels, the dragon is RIGHT THERE, every time…just hiding or disguising himself so as not to be noticed.  He does a rather bang up job on that front too because the young lad always seems to be a step ahead which in this case means a step behind (since the dragon is following him).  With every turn of the page, there is a new illustration to take in and discovering the dragon in each and every picture is just as much fun as the story itself.

With every book read, we discover highs and lows; though short in length, this one still has both, though the first is in more abundance.  As this is a storybook and we’ve discussed the imagination filled story, allow me to mention the artwork once again.  Each image presented takes an everyday mundane scene and hides that little something extra within its borders.  From the dragon himself to the butter dripping from his dinner, the boarded up windows on a house to a ladies rather pugly hat (yes, I said pugly), there’s something to be discovered within each pencil drawn creation.  The color scheme is neutral overall but it just makes the vivid burst of dragon-ness stand out all the more…to us at least.  My favorite scene has to be when the little boy is eating his pancake breakfast before heading out on the hunt.  The “cook” is real fired up….if you know what I mean.  ^_^

The “low” for me would have been found at the very end.  How so?  Well, the story is written in rhyme, albeit some are tougher connections than others (kudos to the author on that count), but at the very last second….it drops.  *-*  Yep…I couldn’t help feeling that the last page was perhaps missing a sentence, or merely two words like “good night”.  Then again, perhaps the author intended this to coincide with the boy’s conclusion about what he heard.  *ponders*

All in all, a fun and imaginative story that’s good for all ages.  The young ones will be caught up in finding the dragon as the pages turn, while older readers will remark on the author’s ability to create a flowing rhyme out of unusually connected words.  It’s a fun, quick read full of imagination that is sure to bring out the dragon hunter (or rather tracker) in you.

Review copy received courtesy of author Clayton Liotta and Bostick Communications. (THANKS!) To see what Bostick Communications is up to now, be sure to visit them online.   More information on this newly released title from Createspace can be found on the author’s official website.  

Until next time…happy reading!