AWARENESS TOUR: Twenty at Bedtime series with Dover Publications!

Have you ever looked for something to read?  Okay, let's be more specific.  How about something to read at BEDTIME?  You know, it has to have a bit of story to catch your interest, but something to calm and soothe the mind?  I know what you're thinking, why not count sheep?  Well, sheep aren't everyone's cup of tea, no offense to our woolly friends, and quite frankly, they could probably use the night off once in a while!  Today's featured trio of books are just the ticket!  Available now from Dover Publications, they have a little something for every little reader!  Catch a glimpse below, then catch me for the review...

Twenty Unicorns at Bedtime

by

Mark Sperring

Illustrated by

Tim Budgen

Ages 3+ | 32 Pages

9780486851891 

Dover Publications

About the book...

Who wants to count sheep when you can count pretty, prancing UNICORNS?

This rollicking, rhyming bedtime story with unicorns on every page is a fun and easy way for children to practice counting — and is sure to become a favorite part of every family’s bedtime routine.

Step into a world of adventure and wonder with the Twenty at Bedtime series, featuring Twenty Unicorns at Bedtime and other delightful stories with cute, cuddly characters that both children and parents will look forward to snuggling up with at the end of every day.

Amazon

Bookshop

Barnes and Noble

Dover Publications

Twenty Dinosaurs at Bedtime

by

Mark Sperring

Illustrated by

Tim Budgen

Ages 3+ | 32 Pages

9780702304231

Dover Publications

About the book...

Who wants to count sheep when you can count stomping, roaring DINOSAURS?

This rollicking, rhyming bedtime story with dinosaurs on every page is a fun and easy way for children to practice counting — and is sure to become a favorite part of every family’s bedtime routine.

Step into a world of adventure and wonder with the Twenty at Bedtime series, featuring Twenty Dinosaurs at Bedtime and other delightful stories with cute, cuddly characters that both children and parents will look forward to snuggling up with at the end of every day.

Amazon

Bookshop

Barnes and Noble

Dover Publications

Twenty Elves at Bedtime

by

Mark Sperring

Illustrated by

Tim Budgen

Ages 3+ | 32 Pages

9780702304231

Dover Publications

About the book...

Who wants to count sheep when you can count busy, boisterous North Pole ELVES?

This rollicking, rhyming bedtime story with elves on every page is a fun and easy way for children to practice counting — and is sure to become a favorite part of every family’s bedtime routine.

Step into a world of adventure and wonder with the Twenty at Bedtime series, featuring Twenty Elves at Bedtime and other delightful stories with cute, cuddly characters that both children and parents will look forward to snuggling up with at the end of every day.

Amazon

Bookshop

Barnes and Noble

Dover Publications

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So...which one is your favorite?

Hard to decide, right?

Exactly my thought!

I love the BRIGHT and COLORFUL images that each title contains.  I love the fact that they are all inclusive so that no little reader has to feel anything other than AMAZING choosing any of the three books to count away to dream land!  I love the clever riddles, and rhymes that fill each page, giving us a few words for our journey, but not too much to kick start our minds once again.  I love that each book as a who's who as it were in the very beginning, so that as you meet up with each unicorn, dinosaur, or elf along the way, you can recognize them as they play their part in the story!  I love how each one contains a little pearl of wisdom regarding the importance of a good night's sleep, whether it be for the big man in red, paleo adventurers, or those kissing unicorn's goodnight.

Each book is filled to the brim with enough imagination and creativity to usher wee ones off to sleep, while stoking the fires of their subconscious to create a dreamland of their own...not to mention the extra practice with numbers because SOMEONE has to count all those AMAZING friends we're introduced to on each page!  A great addition to family libraries to give a new spark to their bedtime reading routines, but I do believe the brilliant nature of the illustrations just might have little ones asking for these outside of nighttime hours as well!  Whether you're a fan of unicorns, dig dinos, or want to get in the holiday spirit, you can't go wrong with this cute and clever trio of stories!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Sperring is the creator of several bestselling children’s book series and has more than 45 books in print. Author of The Naughty Naughty Baddies, Hot Dog, Four Silly Skeletons, and many, many more, Mark is influenced by all things wonderful. He hopes to one day borrow Max’s boat and go and live with the Wild Things. Until then, he resides in Bristol, UK.

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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Tim Budgen is a freelance illustrator who can usually be found with a pencil in one hand and a sketchbook in the other. Illustrator of When You Adopt a… picture book series and Little Shark, Big Shark for Random House’s Step into Reading Series, Tim has also published many whimsical works with Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Disney/Lucas Films, Highlights, and others. Tim lives by the sea on Hayling Island, UK, with his wife and their pets, Baxter and Alfie.

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Enter for the chance to win a 3-book set of the Twenty at Bedtime series!

Five (5) winners receive:

- A paperback copy of Twenty Unicorns at Bedtime

- A paperback copy of Twenty Dinosaurs at Bedtime

- A paperback copy of Twenty Elves at Bedtime

Twenty Minutes at Bedtime: 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 for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Dover Publications. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, 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

Friday, October 13, 2023

The Children’s Book Review

Twenty at Bedtime Tour Kick-Off

Monday, October 16, 2023

The Fairview Review

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Confessions of a Book Addict

Book Giveaway of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Joanna’s Bookshelf

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Thursday, October 19, 2023

The Momma Spot

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

The Review Wire

Book Spotlight of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Because I Said So

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Thursday, October 26, 2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Friday, October 27, 2023

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Monday, October 30, 2023

My Reading Getaway

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Country Mamas with Kids

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Pages for Paige

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Cover Lover Book Review

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Friday, November 3, 2023

Life Is What It’s Called

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Monday, November 6, 2023

Twirling Book Princess

Book Spotlight of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Get Outside and Read

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Thursday, November 9, 2023

One More Exclamation

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Friday, November 10, 2023

Froggy Teach Read

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

Monday, November 13, 2023

Stargirls Magical Tale

Book Review of the Twenty at Bedtime Series

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

Seeing isn't believing... Manolo & the Unicorn by Jackie Azúa Kramer and Jonah Kramer - REVIEW!

Ready to say hello to another bookish day? Great because we've got a magical, wonderful, beautiful new Picture Book for you today, or now via Abrams Kids! It's a story that takes the whimsical and brings it into realty with lovely results for our main little lad. So, if you're ready, let's journey into the land of imagination for a special treat...

Manolo & the Unicorn

by

Jackie Azúa Kramer and Jonah Kramer

Illustrated by

Zach Manbeck

9781951836528

Cameron Books

From the soothing color palette to the gorgeous illustrations,  you can tell right from the start that you're stepping into a heartwarming tale. 

Our little leading lad, Manolo, is a reader, and sees the world as it should be not necessarily as it is... not normally a problem because we SHOULD look for the best in things, situations, and people, but when it comes to sharing that vision with others, things can get tricky. How so? Well... not everyone is predisposed to believing things with their heart instead of their eyes, and when the Animal Parade at school rolls around, they're all choosing lions 🦁, tigers 🐅, and bears 🐻, while he wants to represent his favorite... the unicorn 🦄. He knows they exist despite not having seen one, but the class is more than skeptical... to the point that Manolo starts to doubt himself. Just when that darkness tries to take hold, a magical chance encounter reaffirms his belief, and gives him the confidence to be himself, BELIEVE in himself, and share those feelings with his fellow classmates, so they too can be a part of the magic. 

A timely tale filled with love, inner strength, and acceptance, Manolo will inspire readers to hold strong to their convictions, face adversity with an open heart and mind, and seek the beauty in their own "unicorns" to share with the world. 

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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 Abrams for 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.

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

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... PRETTY PERFECT KITTY-CORN by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham - REVIEW!

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're getting our inner kitty-corn on as we join the BOOK-abration for the latest release in the most ADORABLE and GLITTERASTIC series. It stars the best kind of friends, and weaves a fun and giggle filled tale, while spreading the joys of kindness, caring, and the meaning of a true friend. So, if you're ready...because I KNOW YOU ARE...let's get between the pages of today's BOOK BIRTHDAY celebrant via Abrams Books for Young Readers...

Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn

by

Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

9781419750939

Abrams Books for Young Readers

About the book...

Unicorn is perfect.

Everybody thinks so.

He yearns to look the way everyone thinks he should.

But when a fumble makes Unicorn feel like a big, ugly goof, he can’t help but wonder: If he’s not absolutely perfect and majestic all the time, will Kitty even want to be his best friend anymore?

The magical, bestselling team of Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham put their horns together once again for a heart-bursting story featuring an utterly adorable kitty-corn pair, showing readers that it’s okay to embrace our flaws and share the messy parts of ourselves.

PUBLISHER

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This is the story you didn't know you were waiting for!

When I started, I honestly didn't know what to expect...accept that it would be ridiculously cute, and carry a lesson from the heart.  I was not disappointed in the least...but I was rather surprised!  There was no way I could predict the level of awkward poor Unicorn would face...I mean, if it was me, I totally would be joining them behind the plant...but Kitty-Corn comes through with a beautiful answer to the whole colorful mess.  Not only does she paint a masterpiece that would be sought after by any art lover...with a sense of humor, but she shows Unicorn just how special they are to her, and that their friendship isn't about being perfect...but a perfect fit for each other.

So, if you're looking for a great story for the kiddos...BOOM, problem solved.  If you're looking for a Picture Book filled with colorful scenes and magical characters...DOUBLE BOOM.  If you love rhyming side characters with personality, and writing talent that can work the word RESPLENDENT into a children's book, and make it work....just drop the mic already because this book is so for you that if you've probably already stopped reading this review and left for a trip to your favorite version of heaven on earth...(the bookstore!)

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About the authors...

LeUyen Pham and Shannon Hale are the team behind the bestselling picture book Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn, the bestselling graphic novels Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever, and, with Dean Hale, the early chapter book series The Princess in Black. They’ve made a bunch of other books, too. They are both: moms of kids who aren’t afraid to get messy, wives to husbands who make art, Honor award winners (Caldecott and Newbery), caretakers of cats, and believers in unicorns. LeUyen lives in Los Angeles, Shannon lives in Utah, and with each other, they know they can be—and make—anything.

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Special thanks to Mary at Abrams for the copy for review. (THANKS...and yes, that's me!  I figured if Unicorn and Kitty-Corn can show us true friendship isn't about being perfect, I can share my same imperfect self with my bloggy bookish fam!) For more information on this title, the authors, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is newly available TODAY, so click on over to your favorite online retailer or visit your local brick and mortar to get YOUR kitty-corn on!

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

You Do You!: ITTY-BITTY KITTY-CORN by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham - REVIEW!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're getting our SUPER SPARKLE on as we lay out the glittery carpet for a NEW Picture Book set to celebrate its official BIRTHDAY tomorrow via Abrams Book for Young Readers! It's the first of three (*fist pump*) and I couldn't be more excited because this one was so MAGICAL, so WONDERFUL, so INSPIRING that I can only imagine the wonder that's in store for us in the next two, but I digress. I'm getting a-HORN of myself, and we can't have that because this is a NEED TO KNOW situation...and trust me, you need to know this book! Ready or not, ladies and gents, kids of all ages, get ready for a message so fabulous it MUST be shared as we shine the book spotlight on...

Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn

by

Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

9781419750915

Abrams Books for Young Readers

Release Date: March 23, 2021

About the book...

From bestselling superstar duo Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham comes a delightful kitty and unicorn story that celebrates the magic of friendship—and being exactly who you want to be!

Kitty thinks she might be a unicorn.

She feels so perfectly unicorn-y! “Neigh!” says Kitty.

But when Unicorn clop clop clops over, sweeping his magnificent tail and neighing a mighty neigh, Kitty feels no bigger than a ball of lint.

Can this unlikely pair embrace who they are, and truly see one another?

In their first picture book together, the magical, bestselling team of Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham put their horns together for the most heart-bursting, tail-twitching, fuzzy-feeling, perfectly unicorn-y story imaginable.

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OMG.

The level of cuteness in this book is MINDBLOWING...not to mention the FABULOUS messages of KINDNESS, FRIENDSHIP, and YOU DO YOU!

All Kitty wants is to be accepted. She wants to be seen for the fiercely fabulous creature she is...which is not merely a kitty, but a kitty-CORN! Yes, that's right. She's a furrily magnificent, magically majestical stallion-like critter that everyone adores...and with her adorable little rainbow horn, how could anyone dispute her claims? Well, apparently Parakeet and Gecko can...and put her through her paces, they do in spades! Every time she makes her case, they point out all the holes in it...until one day, her shadow isn't really her's and she discovers not only her inner kitty-corn, but a true blue friend.

I can't tell you how my heart melted when she found a fellow kitty-corn. It was just TOO SWEET! I mean, being right is nice, but being kind is nicer. It certainly was a taste of their own medicine to our bird and lizard antagonists turned wannabe kitty-corns. *giggle* (Special note to readers...make sure you follow all the pages from start to finish to catch a glimpse of their attempts to become one of the horned few.)  All in all, it was a beautiful reminder of how being true to ourselves is always in fashion, and kindness isn't simply an accessory, but a way of being.  

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About the authors...

Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham are the team behind the bestselling graphic novels Real Friends and Best Friends, and, with Dean Hale, the early chapter book series The Princess in Black. They’ve made a bunch of other books, too. They are also both moms of genius kids, wives to book-creating husbands, caretakers of cats, and believers in unicorns. LeUyen lives in Los Angeles, Shannon lives in Utah, and they visit each other as often as geographically possible.

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Special thanks to Mary at Abrams for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the authors, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY TOMORROW (March 23, 2021), so mark your calendar to grab your copy STAT!

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

Unicorn Thinks He's Great by Bob Shea

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place that neither sun, nor rain, nor the ever fun summer cold can stop me from sharing the bookish love with you!  

Yes, that's right.  I have a summer cold.  Let me tell you, if you've never had one...you are SO lucky because in a word, they SUCK.  No really.  It's hot as you-know-where outside and you're all freezing to death and then hot and then sneezing and coughing and just...blech.  Can't say I'd recommend it and I'll be most pleased when it is gone.  *humpf*  Now, enough about my nasal drainage, it's time to explore the pages of something magically delicious!

Today's selection comes to us right off the truck...no really, I was sorting the shipment of new arrivals to the store, saw this one, and had to take a few moments at lunch to explore it's rainbow-esque cover.  If the title doesn't get your attention, the cover art certainly will and the story...well, I'll let you decide.  Ready to read all about it?  Today's book of choice is...

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great

by

Bob Shea

I'm not kidding.
Allow yourself time to chuckle.  Go Ahead.  I'll wait.
Better?  Yeah, that's what YOU think.

The yucks and gaffaws are a mile a minute as we learn what Goat sees as the pros and cons of having this new rainbows and glitter guy in the neighborhood.  Simple but magical pictures help tell the HI-larious story all about what happens when you give others a chance to show their true colors and not simply judge them by their cover.  In this case, it'd be easy to see why Goat is jealous of Unicorn initially, but things aren't always as they seem.  It's another grass is greener on the other side tale with a twist...because as illustrated here, it's always greener to the OTHER person, until you pop your head above the fence and discuss things with your neighbor.

I can't say there was a downside to this one at all as I enjoyed every written line and was delighted visually with every turn of the page, but one of my FAVORITE scenes is when they team up for some "clovin' justice" with an end result of someone having been "unicorned".  Trust me.  It's funny.  Little ones will get into the two sided affair and be rooting for them both by book's end.  Older readers will delight in the message as well as the illustrations because really, how can you go wrong with unicorns?

This title is set to be released by Disney Hyperion next week so get yourself a pre-order of it or be on the look out for it on a bookstore shelf near you!  You won't regret it.

Until next time...happy reading!

Even unicorns aren't ALL sunshine and roses...

Hi there!

Welcome back to the late night Saturday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be whenever you're in the mood for a bookish break in your day.  

Today's selection is a bit off kilter for us here in the site, but its choice for today's post is no accident.  Saturday night is a typical night for most to let loose, relax and toss cares away like so much trash in a recycling bin.  For some, that means a weekend book marathon; for others, it means a night out with the guys and/or gals.  No harm in either case so long as discretion is used (yes, even book worms need to recognize a stopping point....don't look at me like that!  You know it's true!)...and unfortunately, this poor fella didn't have that someone or something to tell him when enough was enough.  Without further adieu, today's book of choice is....

Why Unicorn Drinks

by

C.W. Moss

Yes.   You read that right.  No, I'm not condoning his actions and I'm certainly not suggesting that unicorns in general are alcoholics or something (they were one of my FAVORITE mythical creatures as a kid!), I'm simply bringing you a "humorous" look at the life of one particular unicorn that never quite saw past his horn.  

Now, I use the word "humorous" twice in quotes for a reason.  Why?  Well, the humor employed may not be up to every one's standards, even adults.  *raises hand*  Yep, that's right.  Though plenty of answers to the title question, I myself found most less than humorous...in fact, some were simply confusing.  I'm not certain if you have to be inebriated to a certain level or merely have a darker sense of humor, but it just didn't do it for me for the most part.  A few of the scenes were on the line of offensive while a time or two, I not only didn't find myself laughing, but feeling sorry for the unicorn in question.  Such was the case with the two page spread shown here.

In the end, while I kept turning pages to catch a glimpse at the next "creative" situation this unicorn would be placed in, I couldn't see the unicorn for the bottles before him.  His drinking antics and bursts of anger blocked my few of the sparkly rainbow poo-ing creature I was seeking and alas, put as much a damper on my overall enjoyment as the beer goggles he consistently wears throughout his life.  The illustrations will both quirk your eyebrows and boggle the mind as you make your way through this picture book geared towards the adult reader...just try not to lose an eye for its doubtful a designated driver could be found among this text.

Review copy received courtesy of Joel at HarperCollins Publishers.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their site, like them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  This title is available now via iT! Books so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.  To discover more of the world that this unicorn inhabits, be sure to stop by www.MisterUnicorn.com.

Until next time...happy reading!