Dastardly Dames... (Ages 9-12)

World of Ink Tours 

in conjunction with 

BiblioReads.com presents...

+ + + + + Cixi:  Dragon Empress

Author:  Natsha Yim

Illustrator:  Peter Malone 

Reading level: Ages 9 and up 

Hardcover: 32 pages 

Publisher: Goosebottom Books (September 1, 2011) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 0983425655 

ISBN-13: 978-0983425656

Book description: 

This series of historical accounts profiles strong women who took extraordinary measures to achieve and maintain power—including murder, deception, and black magic—examining the women’s reputations in the context of their eras. Just how wicked were they? The books allow readers to decide for themselves if these infamous ladies were indeed heartless and evil or simply out of touch and making the most of their circumstances.

The last empress of China, Cixi fought ruthlessly to isolate her country from the West while cloistered inside her lavish Forbidden City, ignoring the needs of her people. Her extravagant lifestyle, bouts of bad temper, and brutal punishments earned her a reputation as a cruel and ignorant leader. An exploration of Cixi's daily life—including what she ate and how she dressed—this story explains how she became one of the most notorious figures of the Qing dynasty.

Book review:  The Thinking Girl's Treasury is a great series to introduce some of history's dastardly dames.  Cixi "The Dragon Empress" is filled with facts about what she wore and ate and stories about the kind of life she lived exemplifying those deeds that make her dastardly and making history more personable to readers.  This book is engrossing and will capture the minds of young girls, making history interesting and fun.

+ + + + + Mary Tudor: Bloody Mary

Author:  Gretchen Mauer

Illustrator:  Peter Malone 
Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Goosebottom Books (September 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0983425620
ISBN-13: 978-0983425625

Book description:  The first reigning Queen of England, Mary Tudor believed fervently that Catholicism should be the religion of the land, leading her to burn at the stake hundreds of Protestants. This visual history explores this real-life monarch who was at once a great yet brutal leader, detailing her day-to-day life and pivotal moments in the House of Tudor. Gorgeous illustrations and an engaging story bring to life a real dastardly dame who, fueled by her faith, created a religious firestorm and changed the course of English history.

Book review:  I very much enjoyed this book in the series.  It's informative and fascinating in a fun way.  This is a series sure to appeal to inquisitive young ladies who have a curiosity about history, especially that of the dastardly kind.  I think The Thinking Girl's series are wonderfully written and illustrated and perfectly target girls, exciting their interest.  Very good.

Walking Through Walls (Ages 9-12), Day's End Lullaby (Ages 0-4)

World of Ink Tours 

in conjunction with 

BiblioReads.com presents...

 

 

 

 

 

+ + + + + Walking Through Walls

Author:  Karen Cioffi

Illustrator:  Willow Raven 

Paperback: 84 pages 

Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC (June 29, 2011) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 0982659474 

ISBN-13: 978-0982659472

 

Book description:  Walking Through Walls is a fantasy chapter book based on an ancient Chinese tale, providing a magical adventure. Fun for children and adults alike.

 

Book review:  Wang and his family are poor and more than anything he wants to be rich and never have to work back-breaking labor again.  He thinks that if he can apprentice with the Eternals, he will learn magic and be set for life.  He has a lot to learn.  Leaving the Eternals after a year of intense training, he plans to steal from a rich merchant, but something unanticipated happens and Wang discovers a desire for something even more valuable than riches.

 

This is a coming of age story for children age 9-12.  It is beautifully told and illustrated, a wonderful story about purity of heart and intentions.  I loved it.

 

+ + + / + + + +  Day's End Lullaby

Author(s):  Karen Cioffi and Robyn Feltman 

Paperback: 28 pages 

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (September 2, 2008) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 1419691570 

ISBN-13: 978-1419691577

 

Book description (from the back cover):  From a reminder that the sun has set, that all beloved toys are tucked away and ready for another day's play, Day's End Lullaby soothes and quiets even those children who struggle against sleep.

Book review:  Ages 0-4 will enjoy this calm and soothing lullaby.  Each page and accompanying illustration settle the mind and prepare little ones for bed.  Sing this lullaby to your little one and it will soon become a favorite part of your child's bedtime routine.

The Adventures of Rodger Dodger Dog: A Christmas Story (Ages 4-8)

World of Ink Tours 

in conjunction with 

BiblioReads.com presents...

+ + + The Adventures of Rodger Dodger Dog:  A Christmas Story

Author:  Jan Britland 

Illustrator:  Mike Swaim

Paperback: 52 pages 

Publisher: CreateSpace; Lrg edition (September 29, 2011) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 1463737122 

ISBN-13: 978-1463737122

From the author:   This quite possibly is my favorite book in the series.  It not only shows children they can have a great Christmas while making all the ornaments and presents by hand, but it also lets them know what is really important in life.  While entertaining them with a great story!

Written in rhyme so the little ones can follow along easily with the amazing illustrations of Mike Swaim, this book is sure to become a Christmas classic!

Your children will want to read it over and over again. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

 
Book review:  This charming colorful book tells the joyous tale of Christmas among friends.  Children will love the story and theme as well as the characters so delightfully created by Mike Swaim.  Some of the phrasing is awkward and doesn't quite click as rhyme, but little ones will still enjoy the story.  Recommended for ages 3-5.

Spotlight Interview with Anna Deskins

The Adventures of Smitty - An interview with Anna Deskins
Courtesy of Anna Deskins

Anna Deskins with her children.

Hi, Anna.  Your children's book, The Adventures of Smitty, looks magical. Tell us about it.

It's the story of a magical island of little creatures called Smilies and the mischievous little main character, Smitty. He's such a naughty boy. Haha!  All the moms and kids I've shared it with have been giving me such a wonderful reaction. I cannot believe it.  I have to tell you how excited I am to finally have a life-long dream come true. Writing The Adventures of Smitty was really about finding a story that I would want to read to my children at night. It has to be exciting but not scary so that my two daughters can go to sleep.  Basically, I was looking for that perfect blend to read to my kids at night and decided, "Why not try writing my own?"

We've had a lot of changes in our life recently, so I want to make sure that when I put my daughters to sleep that they feel safe.  I have short chapters because I know how busy we moms are but if you can just sacrifice 5 minutes at night reading to your kids, it makes a world of difference.  Your kids will never forget it. And although we're running around the whirlwind of life, our kids grow up so fast, and that time that we'd rather finish watching what happened in our favorite soap opera instead of reading to our kids will never come again.  I hope that The Adventures of Smitty and books like it help moms do exactly that.

The Adventures of Smitty

 And it's only 99 cents this week. That's what I love about it. Now, You are recently divorced. How have you been able to continue writing when going through such a change?

Yes, it is by far one of the most challenging points in my life. To see a marriage you thought would last forever to not last forever was difficult for the two of us. I really learned a lot about myself and, most importantly, it's brought me closer to my daughters.  I think that's what really motivated me to finish this children's book no matter what. When you're going through changes in your life like this, you need something to hold on to. There's a part of you that wants to prove that you can make it, that you will be a success even if it's not with the partner you originally imagined building a life with.  I had to keep writing for my kids. I want to show them that they have to keep strong, no matter what.

We as women, as moms really need to stick together to support each other and our dreams. We're living in an age when I think we're finally realizing, although we want love, the men in our life aren't the answer to everything. We have to stand up on our own two feet and keep going. True love will happen, but until then, we have to keep moving forward. Our children depend on us and we depend on us.

In addition to being a children's book author, you're also a small business owner. How do you juggle taking care of two daughters and at the same time running a business?

Yes, I am a fashion designer and have a retail store. Any type of creativity is what I'm passionate about. That's why writing The Adventures of Smitty was so important to me.  Let me tell you, running a small business in today's economy isn't easy especially when raising two girls at the same time. But somehow, it seems someone's watching over me because my dreams are coming true no matter what. To have that many moms glowing about my children's book, means so much to me. And I know my girls are proud.

When do you ever have time to write?

You mean, in between laundry, running a business, chasing my girls around the house, cleaning the house, and flying back and forth from Miami to New York? Haha? That's one thing I've learned, when you really want to do something, you find a way.  Things fall into place if you just go for it and that's what I want to encourage all the moms who are reading this right now. Whatever your goal is, you can do it. Don't let the challenges in your personal life stop you from going for your dreams.  Just go for it and it's almost magical how things fall into place.

Where can we get a copy of The Adventures of Smitty?

Right now, it's available online by going to: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94655  You can also visit my website:  http://www.AnnaDeskins.com where you can read more about my writing process, my recommendations for other books and my own adventures in Mommyhood.

I'm so grateful for your support and the support I'm getting from so many wonderful moms who dream of writing children's books one day too.  Writing The Adventures of Smitty has been such an emotional experience for me, a true journey as I was going through so many changes while writing it.  It's truly been a blessing in my life.  It, along with my daughters and that guy upstairs, have really pulled me through a challenging time.

Thanks for the interview, Anna. And let's go out and support a fellow mom by getting a copy of The Adventures of Smitty today. I know I will!

Author/Book Spotlight - Jewel Kats

World of Ink Tours 

in conjunction with 

BiblioReads.com presents...

Jewel Kats, 32, is an award-winning writer. She’s also one tough cookie. At the age of nine, Jewel endured a car accident. Her physical abilities altered forever. She spent weeks in the Hospital for Sick Children recovering, has survived eight leg surgeries, and currently walks with a cane. (Note: It’s fashionably handpainted!) Nothing stops Jewel. For six years, she penned a syndicated teen advice column for Scripps-Howard News Service and TorStar Syndication Services. Jewel has earned $20,000 in scholarships from Global Television Network and Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. She’s penned three children’s books, including: “Reena’s Bollywood Dream” and “What Do You Use to Help Your Body?”  She calls Toronto home.

In a Kingdom far, far away lives Cinderella. As expected, she slaves away for her cranky sisters and step-mother. She would dearly love to attend the Royal costume ball and meet the Prince, but her family is totally dead set against it. In fact, they have gone so far as to trash her wheelchair! An unexpected magical endowment to her wheelchair begins a truly enchanted evening and a dance with the Prince. Can true love be far behind?

Publisher: Loving Healing Press

ISBN Number: 978-1-61599-112-9

Publication Date: May 2011

Genre of Book: Fiction / Disabilities

Maggie and Momma love going for walks. During every outing, Maggie learns about something new. Today’s no different! Momma has arranged for Maggie to meet lots of people in her neighborhood. They all have different jobs. They all come from different cultures. They all use different things to help their bodies. Maggie doesn’t just stop to chit-chat. Rather, she gets to the bottom of things. By asking the right question, she discovers how many people with disabilities use aids to help them out.

Publisher: Loving Healing Press

ISBN Number: 978-1-61599-082-5

Publication Date: Aug 2011

Genre of Book: Fiction / Disabilities

Author Website: www.JewelKats.com  

Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=778885013

Publisher Website:  www.LHPress.com

Places where book(s) are available for sale:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Chapters (Canada)

When Monsters Get Lonely (Ages 4-8)

+ + + + + When Monsters Get Lonely

Author:  Maha Huneidi

Illustrator:  Karen McDonald 

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (June 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1461063078
ISBN-13: 978-1461063070

Book description:   One night during a blackout, one of Hannah's worst childhood fears comes to life, when her monster pays her a visit in the dark of night. Hannah finds it difficult to control her dreadful fear, until Grams reveals how our thoughts magically create our lives.

Book review:  This is an awesome book!  It might be a tad scary for 4 yr olds, but surely ages 5 - 8 will handle it just fine.  Maha Huneidi takes children's night terrors and teaches them how to turn them around into something silly and happy with their imagination.  Oh, but the lesson isn't spelled out.  It's deftly couched in this highly inventive and imaginative tale superbly illustrated contrasting the darkness our fear conjures and the light and fun our thoughts can create.  You'll really enjoy this one and it may be the go to book for your kiddo when a nightmare approaches or the imagination runs wild in the dark and spooky things seem to appear.  The warmth of family love and support Hannah receives from her family gives kiddos all the reassurance they need to face Hannah's monster with her and discover how harmless and even fun it can be.

I'll Never Leave (Ages 4-8)

+ + + + + I'll Never Leave

Author:  Elaine Pease

Illustrator:  Kerry Lee MacLean
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: PeasePod Books, LLC; 1st edition (November 15, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0970227507
ISBN-13: 978-0970227508

Book description:  Little Leaf loves staying on Mother tree throughout the seasons and won't leave when fall arrives. A sweet tale about bravery and the seasons of life. Fun facts on leaves in the back and crafts and activities. Find hiding ladybugs!

Book review:  This is a warm, cozy tale that's perfect for this time of year as the weather begins to change and the leaves turn colors and flutter to the ground.  What will happen to Little Leaf?

I loved the mixed media artwork.  It really characterized Little Leaf and added so much to the mood and tone of the story which was a very calm and gentle, secure feeling that will reassure little ones as Little Leaf faces her fears about the upcoming changes in her life.  In a very non-obtrusive and subliminal way, this book could likely support a child facing major life changes or the death of a loved one, but that is my interpretation alone.  At face value the story is genuinely bright, happy and a delightful seasonal tale.

Not only is I'll Never Leave appropriate for the season of fall and all the changes it brings, but it would also thematically support life sciences for second and third grade.  You'll even find creative activities at the back of the book to compliment the story and boy do they ever look fun and easy. 

Of all the books I have read and posted about today, this one is my favorite.