TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: A Flock of Fun by Raven Howell - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we've teamed up with The Children's Book Review for a special AWARENESS TOUR to shine a bookish spotlight on a Children's Picture Book that you won't want to miss.  It's the perfect way to end a day for your wee ones, while bringing a smile to their faces.  Curious?  You should be and as I'm not one to prolong the wait, let's get flock out...or rather IN here...and get this party started!  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice and blog tour guest...

A Flock of Fun

by

Raven Howell

Illustrated by

David Barrow

9781733717083

Doodle and Peck Publishing

About the book...

A young child discovers the solution for falling asleep is not always quiet and silent, like counting slow, slimy snails. Sometimes, a room full of happy dances, shirts in a tie-dyed swirl, and mischief-making sheep are just the ticket!

AMAZON

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This is the story of one little boy who simply couldn't fall asleep.  Try as he might, it was just out of reach, so he fell on the old standby of counting sheep.  What could be more relaxing?  The soft baa of their calls, the wispy softness of their curls, their adorable faces as they bound through your mental dream scape...the way they party like it's 1999, rampage your underwear drawer, and reread Sheep in a Jeep a hundred times...wait, what?  *double checks book*  Yep, they sure do...apparently these aren't the sluggishly sleepy type of sheep you might have been expecting, but then again, sometimes what we didn't expect works our rather well!

I gotta say, while the rhyming structure of the story felt a tad stretched at times, I still had a blast!  The sheep were definitely not what I was expecting, but hey, I"m with the little guy, they were SO much better than the snails!  (You'll have to read it to find out why!)  I do believe though that outside of their antics and adventurous choices in apparel, the illustrations really stole my heart.  They were ADORABLE, and the dream like quality they were lent with the sometimes-fuzzy-sometimes-crystal-clear images and facials expressions just gave them something MORE.

So, yes...this is definitely one for the kiddos bedtime reading selections, but also a great reminder to all ages of just why sheep are the way to go when it comes to getting a good night's sleep!

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About the author...

Raven Howell is an award-winning children’s author and poet of nine picture books. She writes poetry for a variety of children’s magazines including Highlights, The School Magazine, Humpty Dumpty, and Cricket. Frequently sharing book presentations and writing workshops with children in schools and libraries, Raven also serves as Creative & Publishing Advisor with Red Clover Reader. Her family, long dawn hikes, being at the beach, and munching on warm butterscotch chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven are all sources of writing inspiration.

SITE  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  PINTEREST

LINKEDIN

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Enter for a chance to win a Raven Howell book prize pack!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

A copy of A Flock of Fun autographed by Raven Howell

A copy of Glimmer autographed by Raven Howell

A copy of Shimmer autographed by Raven Howell

A copy of So You Want a Puppy? autographed by Raven Howell

A copy of Greetings! autographed by Raven Howell

A copy of My Community autographed by Raven Howell

A Flock of Fun throw pillow

A Flock of Fun jigsaw puzzle

A pair of sheep socks

Nineteen (19) winners receive:

A copy of A Flock of Fun autographed by Raven Howell

Giveaway begins March 2, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends April 2, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are eighteen years of age or older in their state or territory of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.

Doodle and Peck is responsible for prize fulfillment.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM TO ENTER!

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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 author Raven Howell for the SIGNED copy for review. (THANKS!) 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. This title is available now, so see thee out a copy at your favorite online retailer so it can cast a spell on you!

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

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Don't Wake the Dragon by Bianca Schulze!

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, I'm pleased to report that there is some VERY exciting news that just made its way to my inbox and while I couldn't wait to share it, I also couldn't be happier for the author it involves because it's a name you know from the Children's Book arena and she's finally getting her Picture Book debut!

!!! BREAKING BOOKISH NEWS !!!

...COMING THIS MAY VIA CLEVER PUBLISHING...

...A NEW VOICE IN THE PICTURE BOOK COMMUNITY...

Don't Wake the Dragon

by

Bianca Schulze

Illustrated by

Samara Hardy

978194999861

Clever Publishing

RELEASE DATE:  MAY 19th, 2020

About the book...

Shhh! Be very quiet. The rascally dragon is finally asleep. But, when the page turned, the breeze blew the door shut with a BANG! Did it wake up the dragon? Create a fantastic bedtime experience by reading this interactive story featuring a reluctant-to-sleep dragon - a character that children will surely relate! Designed to be read aloud, parents will take pleasure in the playful text as much as children will enjoy hearing it. When the story finally comes to an end, and the gentle lullaby is repeated, the dragon - and your child! - are encouraged to drift off to sleep.

Amazon  |  IndieBound  |  Barnes and Noble

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About the author...

Bianca Schulze is the founder and editor of The Children's Books Review - a resource devoted to children's literature and literacy. Bianca is also the bestselling author of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up, an Amazon "Book of the Month" in 2016. She is a reader, reviewer, mother, and children's book lover. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Bianca now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM

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Special thanks to Bianca of The Children's Book Review for the head's up on this forthcoming release! (THANKS!) For more information on this author, title, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links above. Be sure to stay tuned for more bookish fun as the release date draws nearer in 2020!

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

RHCB presents... GO TO SLEEP, LITTLE CREEP by David Quinn!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining the bloggy celebration for a NEW RELEASE title IN STORES NOW via Random House Children's Books.  It's a storybook that jumps on board the here-and-now-instant-classic-with-a-slightly-profane-title train (you know the one), so to speak, and gives it a kid friendly, seasonal makeover perfect for the upcoming months of SPOOKY reading.  I mean really, HOW many times can you read the SAME OLD STORY without it loosing just a smidge of pizzazz?  Okay, well maybe not, but an update never hurt anyone, and options are our friend, so I say WELCOME to this monstrous little book just brimming with bedtime fun and so should you as we say HELLO to today's book of choice...

Go to Sleep, Little Creep

by

David Quinn

Illustrated by

Ashley Spires

9781101939444

Crown Books for Young Readers

This charming little story takes us on a journey from dawn til dusk as the creatures of the night prepare to snuggle in for bedtime.  Well okay, so not ALL of them snuggle down exactly....some hang upside down, others curl up under bridges, and still others cozy down by their favorite tombstones, but sleep they must in order to be ready for the coming night!  With full color illustrations throughout, we get to see first hand the ruckus that ensues when wee ones are simply not quite ready for dreamland.  Whether it be the needed favorite blanket, the requirement of a last minute treat, the time to topple another city, or even a few moments to rub-a-dub-dub away the lingering scent of the day, kiddos and adults will delight in how they can relate to just what these little creepsters and their parents go through at the end of their busy nights.  

My favorite?  It's gotta be the mummy family...the sweet baby needing another cuddle, the slightly stressed Mommy mummy being ever attentive, and that adorable kitty doing a little clean up of its own!  I was definitely smitten, but really, there's not a one in this gathering that you can't be charmed by and I'm certain every family will have a favorite to call their own.  From the vampires to bigfoot, ghosts to werewolves, there's a little something for everyone!

In short, it's an adorable read for the season or anytime really, after all...bedtime happens every night, and who's to say when monsters must have their day?  Recommended for kiddos of all ages for both the wonderful illustrations as well as the charming prose.

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Special thanks to Emily 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 just celebrated its book birthday Tuesday, July 24th, 2018, via Crown Books for Young Readers, 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: The Bedtime Book by Mary Engelbreit

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 celebrating those clouds of gray as we discover just how much fun can be had both in and after the rain via a Templar Books release that hit a little earlier this year.  So, if you'd be so kind as to grab your rain gear, we can get this party started!  Today's storybook on deck is...

The Bedtime Book

by

Mary Engelbreit

9780310733294

Zonderkidz

This is a beautiful collection of prose, prayer, and illustrations.  Each two page spread is a full colored wonderland of images for readers, as well as the wee ones in their care, to explore, marvel at, and ultimately cherish.  We've the familiar inclusion of Twinkle Twinkle with a star shining brightly from above, the humorous Counting Sheep with a little piggy who can't seem to make his way to dreamland, and the adorable Sound Asleep that shares how our animal friends love to tuck in for the night, among other whimsical tales just right for settling in for a good night. It'd make a wondrous addition to any home library, or classroom collection, for perusal at bedtime, nap time, or quite frankly...anytime!

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About the author/illustrator...

Photo from author's site

Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s own childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more. Mary’s dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her New York Times bestselling The Night Before Christmas is already part of the holiday tradition for families across the country.

SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

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Special thanks to Joshua and the entirety of the Zonderkidz team for 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 just celebrated its BOOK BIRTHDAY this past Tuesday, 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!

BLOG TOUR: There's a Bumbie Under My Bed! by Bethany Ramos

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

So, how was your weekend?  Did you enjoy some cooler days and even cooler nights?  Perhaps sneak in a great read or two along the way?  GREAT!  So glad to hear it...and if not, sorry...I feel you, but hopefully today's post will set the tone a little better for your week, reading wise anyway.

Today, we're joining a Pump Up Your Book tour already in progress starring a Children's Storybook that's a perfect addition to your bedtime reads...well, sorta.  It SOUNDS scary at first, but if you hold on to the imagination and creature fun throughout the story, you'll see things aren't really what they at first seemed.  Ready, Freddy?  Ready, those-who-are-not Freddy?  Here comes today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

There's a Bumbie Under My Bed!

by

Bethany Ramos

Illustrated by

Emiliano Billai

9780997536362

Saturn's Moon Press

Book Excerpt...

I can’t go to sleep. There’s a Bumbie under my bed. He only comes out at night, after Mom turns out the light.
He nibbles on my toes and he tickles my nose. He hops back and forth, side to side, up and down across my bed to keep me up way past my bedtime.
What is a Bumbie? Mom wants to know when she brings me a cup of water before bed.
It’s a bunny rabbit zombie that moans and groans, laughs and plays, and hops all night because he never goes to sleep!

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Curious title, right?  The 'rents guessed correctly though when I was puzzling over what a "Bumbie" might be exactly.  (~whispers~ ...it's a zombie bunny!)  

Right from the start you can't help but be captured by the title and cover imagery, or at the very least your own curiosity, and throughout the child's journey to sleepyland, it only continues to pull you in.  With characters ranging from the aforementioned Bumbie (who wears a slightly crazed grin upon his face *-*) to a banjo playing Were-bunny, Count Hop-ula or Bunny-stein, there's definitely representation for all the paranormal creatures we grow to love as adults, just in a slightly more kid-friendly variety.  

The illustrations serve to really jazz things up because READING about these crazy critters is one thing, but the pics take it to another level.  Instead of kiddos just imaging these potential furry footed monsters, they're shown that yes, they aren't your average bunnies, but they aren't as scary as their names might imply.  I mean who can really run from a pillow nibbling bunny-pire?  Or a Franky-bunny who just wants to hug?  It allows wee ones to partake in the paranormal craze at a younger age, but without the nightmares that could follow, and as our leading little man eventually falls asleep, so....*yawn*...will readers follow their own dreams towards another day.

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About the Author

Bethany Ramos is a children’s book author, editor, and blogger. She is a regular contributor to SheKnows.com. Bethany’s first children’s book, Lions Can’t Eat Spaghetti, was published through 4RV Publishing in 2016. Her second children’s book, There’s a Bumbie Under My Bed, was published by Saturn’s Moon Press, also in 2016. Her first chick lit novel, 5 Stages of Grief, was published by Black Opal Books in 2011; her second chick lit novel, Adventure to Love, was published by Soul Mate Publishing in 2013.

Bethany works as Editor in Chief for Naturally Healthy Publications. 

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Book for the copy for review.  For more information on this title, the tour, the author, or those promotions on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Saturn's Moon Press, 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!

It's time for us to dream...: Old School versus New School Bedtime Stories

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for (*YAWN*) Insatiable Readers...

Pardon the lyric borrow for today's post title (a throwback to my childhood with Teddy Ruxpin...anyone else remember him?), but the books we're about to feature had me in a particular frame of mind...bedtime...which as it turns out is EXACTLY the point!  

You remember storytime, right?  Or more precisely, the joys of selecting a title to read or be read to as we settled in for a night's sleep?  Yeah...those were the best, but finding the right combination of story and desired result could be a bit of a challenge.  You want something that kept your interest but not so much that you're keyed up and can't fall asleep.  Something long enough to take you on a journey to sleepy land but not so much that you feel dropped off like a taxi at an airport.  The same struggle exists when selecting books for the kiddos because you KNOW if they're not interested, you're getting pretty much nowhere fast.  ^-^  That's where today's post comes in.

Today, we're talking old school versus new school in the bedtime storybook battle, and I've three titles to share with you that illustrate both sides of the "debate".  KNOW THIS...there are no wrong or right choices here; it's all about the right fit for YOUR reader/listener, but it's definitely great to see the options that exist.  Ready, Freddy (and everyone else who isn't named Freddy)?  Grab your favorite pair of pajamas, teddy bear, and blanket, because here come a trio of titles just waiting to whisk you away to a world of your dreams.  First up, our new old school selection....

MONSTERS GO NIGHT-NIGHT

by

Aaron Zenz

9781419716539

Abrams Appleseed

First up, a good old fashioned monster filled tale to get the kiddos ready for bed.  No, I'm not being facetious, it's true!  This vibrantly colored tale leads kids through the world of monsters, allowing them to guess what they snack on, wear to bed, snuggle with, and more, all while leading them a wonderful "who they kiss goodnight" that'll have wee ones ready for that smooch to send them off to dreamland.  I can easily see little girl and boy "monsters" getting into this simple yet clever read.  The length of the tale will serve those parents well that still want to share bedtime reading memories, but have little ones that tucker out a little quicker.

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Now it's time to open the door to the new school bedtime reads with two selections that both aim to gently lull their readers sleepyland in somewhat science backed ways.  Curious?  Yes, so was I, and although I've not got little ones to try it on directly, I did try it with an older reading audience and yes, take the "warnings" in the front of the books to heart; they do in fact make you SLEEPY!  It's all about the way the stories are worded, the repetitive nature of certain phrases, the tone of voice recommended for use in particular places, and the dreamy quality of the illustrations, which by the way are UTTERLY AMAZING in BOTH titles.  Enough intro, here's the scoop...

THE LITTLE ELEPHANT WHO WANTS TO FALL ASLEEP

by

Carl-Johan Forssen Ehrlin

Illustrated by

Sydney Hanson

Crown Books for Young Readers

I'm sorry, but even before I got to the adorable story, I was so taken by the cover that I wanted a print to frame on my wall.  It's THAT gorgeous, and they just keeping coming with every turn of the page.  Older readers can appreciate the beauty of the scenes as the story progresses while little ones can lose themselves in the journey that Ellen the Elephant is taking them on to HER bed.  It's a trip through a magical forest filled with other sleepy friends, like Snoozy Mole and Roger the Rabbit, all getting ready for bed themselves, and each encounter is another chance to reinforce the "time for bed" theme, and encourage little ones to follow their own star paths to their dreams. It "allows" readers/listeners the chance to duck out of the story early if the desire to sleep comes quicker than the tale's end, thereby eliminating that struggle wee ones sometimes feel to STAY AWAKE to not miss a moment.  The blend of science and story was a perfect harmony, and the illustrations serve as the icing on the dream cake.

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TIME FOR BED, SLEEPYHEAD:

THE FALLING ASLEEP BOOK

by

Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

Illustrated by

Gail Yerrill

9780310758228

Zonderkidz

In this new school bedtime selection, the illustrations are just as gorgeous, but while the first was about the journey and friends met along the way, this one's emphasis is more on the activities the friends are participating in, and the amount of time that passes in the blink of an eye.  Here, we've a momma bear reading to a baby bear, who wonders just WHY he has to go to sleep.  Momma bear explains to her little one its importance and that she'll read him a story to help him get ready for dreamland.  So, it's a story within a story, where all their friends meet and enjoy a fun filled day at the beach, a bath, snack, and eventually snuggle in by the fireside and nod off one by one by one...until the last little eyes closing are the ones belonging to YOUR little one.  The length of the tale is a tad longer than our old school choices, but no so much so that your wee ones will be struggling to keep their eyes open in order to reach book's end and with the gentle color palette employed, it visually encourages relaxation.

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So, you see, there are many choices in the bedtime story arena...as there should be...and just what tale you choose all depends on the audience.  The important thing is that you DO celebrate those joys of reading every which way you can.  They'll create lasting memories for all involved and open the door to a lifelong relationship with literature that'll serve them well.

Special thanks to the wonderful folks at Abrams Appleseed, Crown Books for Young Readers, and Zonderkidz for the copies for review.  (THANKS!)  These titles are 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!