Pandora's Box by Julia Dweck

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be when the need to read strikes and you're in need of inspiration; don't worry, we've got you covered.

So, how was YOUR weekend my friends?  Exciting?  Relaxing?  Just another day that starts with an "S' and ends in a "Y"?  Here's hoping it was something to remember one way or the other.  As for me, a usual work weekend...but I did manage to scratch in a little reading time; grant it not as much as I would have liked, but some is better than none some days!  Surprisingly though, today's post features none of the books read over the past two days but something NEW...something EXCITING...something adorably cute that you simply must see!  Oh, and it also happens to be available as a FREE DOWNLOAD today over on Amazon.  Yep...totally is.  So, care to read all about it?  Let's!

Today's featured title came to my attention from the illustrious author of such works as Caarina the Cooking Fairy and Scram-pire but this time around features a slick feathered friend with great fashion sense itching with curiosity.  Believe me, you would too if you stumbled upon what she does!  It's another Children's ebook published with Kite Readers that will keep the kiddos young and young at heart enchanted for many reads to come.  Without further ado, today's book of choice is....

Pandora's Box

by

Julia Dweck

Illustrated by

Chris Robertson

Now hold on...it's not what you're thinking.  It's not THAT Pandora's box...but rather a box frozen in ice that a little girl penguin named Pandora stumbles upon one day in her chosen outdoor adventure.  Hmm...a box frozen in ice at the bottom of the ocean...okay, so maybe there's a chance it IS that box after all... *-*  ...but no warning needed for the kiddos because this ebook is reader friendly.  Though everyone can walk away with a different impression on a book's message, my mind retained the proclamations of following the path that suits you best is ALWAYS the right option, believe in yourself and stand proud for who you are!  Of course, there is also the reminder that a little help from a friend (or friends...be they flippered, beaked or feathered) can go a long way...which always makes me think of those I hold dear and inserts a little smile into an otherwise unpredictable day.  ^_^  Quite heart warming while at the same time being chill-fully entertaining...now, let's talk format and design.

This being an ebook, we know it's not my first reading platform of choice, but I do make exceptions from time to time and this one is TOTALLY worth it.  The illustrations are bright and vivid before your eyes...not to mention Pandora, her brothers and fellow seas critters couldn't be more adorable!  The illustrations lend a lot to the narrative so that in the end the balance between story and picture is struck with an even foundation; neither one carries the other but they are equal parts in a "marriage" that works for all.  I can imagine little ones ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the penguins, slightly older readers marveling at her independence in a normally group mentality situation, and finally adults mulling over the messages, the rhyme and meter, and the surprise ending given to the story.  Another great addition to the Children's Lit scene from an author leaving her mark all over the ebook world.

So, in conclusion...a quick read for anyone that enjoys a story of trusting one's self, curiosity, and the results that can be gleaned from such actions; of course a love of picture/storybooks would definitely qualify you as well.  ^_^  Don't believe me?  Check out the book trailer below and catch a glimpse of Pandora's story in action....

Cute, right?  ^_^

Ebook for review courtesy of author Julia Dweck.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her growing list of bookish wonders, be sure to visit her online, like her on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  To discover more about the illustrator, seek him out at his official website.  Interested in uncovering other Children's ebook gems?  Be sure to pay a visit to Kite Readers official site, Facebook page or Twitter feed.  

ONE MORE THING...

...THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AS A FREE DOWNLOAD TODAY OVER ON AMAZON so be sure to stop by, snag a copy, and share your thoughts on the read!
(Just click on the word 'AMAZON' there and it'll take you right to the page.)

Until next time...happy reading!

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Julia Dweck & Kite Readers support the Sandy Hook School Fund

ATTENTION READERS!

This is a public service announcement...

(in my eyes at least)

...in light of the recent events that have had the world's eyes locked on Newtown, CT, the SANDY HOOK SCHOOL FUND was created with United Way to provide support services to the families that have been affected.

Donations can be mailed to:

Sandy Hook School Support Fund

c/o Newtown Savings Bank

39 Main Street

Newtown CT 06470

...or submitted online here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this spirit of giving, children's author Julia Dweck has joined forces with Kite Readers for a SPECIAL ONE DAY ONLY EVENT!

TODAY ONLY

...download ANY of Ms. Dweck's titles on Amazon (the list of which can be seen by clicking HERE) and her portion of the profits will be donated directly to the SANDY HOOK SCHOOL FUND.  Inspired by her efforts, several of the illustrators she's worked with are following suit...and every little bit helps.

So, friends, readers, those whom I know and those who are only just discovering my site for the first time, sift through her collection of works and make a purchase that will not only further your reading enjoyment but touch the lives of those affected by this most recent tragedy.

Until next time...SPREAD THE WORD...and happy reading.

Caarina the Cooking Fairy by Julia Dweck

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers....where the books are always fresh and warm like a chocolate chunk cookie from the oven.  *yum*  Sorry, writing this post after a full day and then some of work without a lunch break....yeah, food references are SO tasty right now!  ^_^  Anywho...

Today's featured title actually plays right into the food arena but in a kid friendly literary way.  How so?  Well if you take one part magic, a little ingenuity, and a dash of adorable illustrations...you come out with this winning beauty.  From an author that's earned her stripes in the children's picture ebook arena and an illustrator that gives a distinctive personality to her creations, I give you today's book of choice...

Caarina the Cooking Fairy

by

Julia Dweck

illustrated by

Gemini

That's right....the COOKING fairy and boy does she know her way around the kitchen!  She's one of many fairies in her realm that prefer a wooden stirring spoon to a magic wand...and she's the one to have around this time of year for certain.  Why?  Because...she specializes in BAKED GOODS. Can we say cookies, brownies, cakes and more?  Oh yeah.  Anyway...

Fast forward a bit and we have a special feast that needs to be made of the sweet variety; lucky Caarina!  Now's her chance to shine....or is it?  It seems that something is amiss in this kitchen (*cough*  GREMLIN  *cough*)...well that or she's lost her touch COMPLETELY!  Heavens forbid!  I mean her honey cake is suppose to be A-W-E-S-O-M-E, so much so that I want to try it!  But Caarina is one fairy whose head is full of more than simply magic dust; she's smart, so when things don't add up (and a strange chuckle is heard), she devises a way to make things right once again.  Will her plan work?  You'll have to read it to find out but let's just say that good cooking is hard to resist...even if it's the worst thing for you.

In conclusion, another lovely tale filled with whimsy and rhyme to delight readers of all ages.  From the family cook to the fairy-princess-in-training, there's something for everyone to enjoy with every flick of the page.  Ebook for review courtesy of author Julia Dweck.  (THANKS!)  To see the other bookish delights that await you from this prolific children's author, be sure to visit her online, like her on Facebook or follow her Twitter feed.  This title was released earlier this month and is available now over at Amazon via Kite Readers.  For more information on this work as well as their complete catalog, please be sure to visit their official website, like them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.

Until next time...happy reading!

Dina's Tea-Time by Julia Dweck

Hi there!

Welcome back to the Saturday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers....the place that aims to bring you bookish delights every day of the week!  Today's featured title is no different, in fact it brings the treats in more ways than one, but my overall experience with it was...a bit less than expected.  Curious to find out more?  Well, since we all know what they say about the cat and curiosity, let's get to it, shall we?  Today's book of choice is....

Dina's Tea-Time

by

Julia Dweck

illustrated by

Patricia Saco

Can you imagine?  A tea party with....DINOSAURS!  I can, although I'm seeing a room with A LOT of broken china and a severe lack of pinkies raised while drinking.  *-*  Still, it sounds like a hi-ho time...especially when you take a look at the guest list as they get duded up in their tea-timey best.

As much as I loved a few of the author's other works, I gotta say this one....not so much.  It wasn't bad, in fact it was quite cute especially since I loved dinosaurs as a child (and still do) after visiting the Museum of Natural History; I can TOTALLY see how this story will capture the attention of the younger set...it just lacked a little of the sparkle her tales usually hold.  What exactly?  I can't quite put my finger on.  Was it the repeating phrase of "some thing is missing"?  Was it the lengthy stream of party guests showing up late?  *wears scrunchy thinking face*  While they were factors in my "final thoughts", there wasn't ONE thing that just shut the door on my experience...hence, why I didn't not like this one, just not as much as I had hoped.  Getting back to greener pastures....

While the story was creative, the illustrations were the cherry on top.  A more muted color scheme roams these digital pages, but it doesn't take away from the dolled up Dina in little party dress or the T-Rex with her hat and bag.  You can't help but laugh out out loud just a smidge at the wigs and lipstick though....it's funny but it's adorable!  ^_^

So, my fair readers....would I recommend this ebook story?  Certainly...just maybe predominantly for the younger kiddos as opposed to the wider audience her other titles embraced.  That being said, I can't neglect to mention the awesomeness that is included to extent the reading adventure....that's right, recipes!  The final pages reveal all the delicious goodies that the dino party goers brought to tea time in their full "how-to" colors so that you too can throw a dino-mite party....just don't forget the "tea-rex"!  (^_^)

Ebook for review courtesy of author Julia Dweck.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her full catalog of ebooks, be sure to visit her official website, check her out over on Amazon, like her on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.

Until next time...happy reading!