Saturday, February 24, 2024

#Review: The Young Activist's Dictionary of Social Justice by Ryse Tottingham #socialjustice #tolerance #Childrensnonfiction #childadvocates #dictionary #anti-racism, #lbtq




About the book:

This essential new resource is packed with easily understandable definitions of timely concepts. Each beautifully designed spread represents a letter and provides concise, age-appropriate definitions, with subject matter spanning issues like racial justice, climate change, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, income disparity, voter engagement, and immigration.

My Review:

This has to be one of the most interesting book reviews I have ever done. The reason is, this book is essentially a dictionary, but not just any dictionary. This is a book of terms that are now used in the 21st century. 

Designed in A-Z format, the terms are laid out clear and concise. The terms are great information for any child, and for that matter adult, to understand. The terms are accurate for today.

In addition, there are 15 side page illustrations that feature a prominent person throughout history that has advocated for justice as a young child. I found these to be helpful and great to coincide with different dictionary terms and corrects some history that had been previously altered.

I recommend this book as an addition to all classrooms and homes.

5 stars.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. NOTE:I am aware of others opinions on different subjects presented in this book. I review books based on the work, not on societal opinions. It is horrible that I must put this caveat to my review but if you  leave any kind of hatred or bullying messages, I will remove them promptly and report you.

~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

#GuestPost: Author Anna St. John, Author of "Clocked Out"


Hello everyone. 

On my blog today, I am welcoming guest author, Anna St. John, author of her cozy mystery, "Clocked Out".  Find out more about the author and her book at:

Author Links Website    

Purchase Link – Amazon

What an adorable cover!  Take it away Anna.

~Michelle, Reading Authors Network


Inspiration in a Pickle Jar?

By Anna St. John



Frequently I’m asked where I find inspiration as an author. The

answer is a simple one: I write about familiar subjects, or topics

that interest me. Every day, I search for inspiration for the next

chapter, or the next book. It would be so nice if we could

purchase it in a jar off the grocery shelf whenever we needed it.

Because I grew up during the days when exercise consisted of

“jumping jacks” and water came from the faucet (free), I am

fascinated by the complexities of today’s society. Who knew we

needed “goat yoga” classes and bottled water in every

backpack? And don’t even get me started on coffee shops where

you can order an oat milk pumpkin spice latte. All of these

things inspire me to write about them.

I once took a picture of a jar of pickles at a farmer’s market in

Oregon, because I thought it might be perfect in a future cozy

mystery. The sales message on the jar proclaimed: “Dill Death

Do Us Part.” Can we think of this as “pickled” inspiration?

It takes time to research and write a book. One way to assure the

story connects with a reader is to keep it authentic, with details

that ring true. So, when I decided to write cozy mysteries, I

thought first about some of the things I enjoy most in my

everyday life – where I live in a small town, play a friendly

game of mahjong each week, and own an Old English sheepdog.

It wasn’t a stretch to imagine a cozy mystery with an amateur

sleuth who owned a fluffy dog and joined a group of friends for

mahjong on Wednesdays.

Then I thought of Nancy Drew’s roadster and chose a little red

convertible for my sleuth, Josie Posey, to drive. The car is


important because it makes a statement about Josie’s desire to

stay young and active, in defiance of her recent retirement. And,

while you might also find a vintage red convertible in my garage

at home, Josie’s is much newer – with all the modern features,

like seatbelts and a radio.

Once I had the setting and the primary characters in my mind,

the similarities between real life and the fictional world came to

an end. Nothing in my past could have prepares me to choose a

victim or devise a murder weapon. For those important aspects,

I was free to imagine all kinds of possibilities.

Here are some of the small things that inspired the Josie Posey

series:

1. Ballet. I’ve always loved ballet and thought it offered an

opportunity to bring something exotic into the little

village -- including a beautiful dancer with a mysterious

past, a former dance partner, and her overbearing

husband. The friction between the ex-partner and the

current husband provided an interesting situation for

book one, Doomed by Blooms.

2. Naked Ladies. These flowers bloom in our yard every

summer. They inspired me to consider how similar they

are to a dancer, with a slender stem and a tutu of

blossoms. I thought they would be a natural compliment

to the story – particularly when my research indicated

the blooms could be poisonous.

3. Clocks. While I knew nothing about how to build a

clock, I was fascinated with time as a topic. I hoped

readers might find it interesting, as well. After a little

research, I was inspired to use the world of luxury watch

manufacturers as a central theme for book two in the

series, Clocked Out.


4. Blacksmith Shop. Near our local library, I noticed a

working blacksmith shop where “metal artisans” created

all kinds of interesting tools. Their dedication inspired

me to create my own blacksmith shop in the Josie Posey

series.

Because we are encouraged to “write what we know,” authors

generally draw from their own person experiences and

preferences for inspiration. I am convinced this is why so many

of us include bookstores and libraries as locations, and dogs and

cats as characters.

Regardless of where we find inspiration, authors work hard to

entertain their readers. To me, the best ideas are the ones that

are simple, but memorable. I want the details of the story to

create an emotional connection between my readers and the

story. I hope readers will fall in love with the characters, root for

them to succeed, and celebrate with them when they do – and

perhaps find a little inspiration of their own, in the process.

#Review: The Two-Cent Piece by Dennis Conrad #giveaway #InGodWeTrust #bookseries #childrensbooks



ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Two-Cent Piece is a children’s picture book. The book is an American Civil War story about Anne, a young girl who collects coins. Anne’s three brothers enlist in the Union Army in 1864. To encourage their faith in God, Anne gives each brother a two-cent piece, the first coins with the inscription “In God We Trust.” One brother, Thomas, doubts his faith until there is a battlefield miracle involving his coin.

MY REVIEW:

In this first book of a series, the author introduces the art of coin collecting with a two-cent piece. Although, the book written as historical fiction, it tells the tale of three brothers going to the civil war.The sister in the book gives them coins that are meant to protect them.

The story has large Christian overtones with verses, prayer moments, and the coins themselves. "In God We Trust" is the key to it all. This is extremely intentional on the author's part but also historically accurate.

I liked this book's story. Children can certainly relate to coin collecting and the missing and hoping for a loved ones safe return.

What is a nice little addition is a glossary of terms, scriptural passages, terms about the particular coin, and how to collect coins.

Do you have an up and coming coin collector? Or maybe you have a history buff? Or want books related to scriptural passages? If so,this is the book series for you.

4 stars.

Disclosure: The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. PLEASE NOTE: I do review all different groups, ethnic groups, religions etc. I attempt not to place my own ideas into reviews but base reviews specifically on the book I am reading. ~Michelle,Reading Authors Network

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dennis Conrad Dennis is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. He is also a Fellow of the National Writing Project. Diamond Valley Writers’ Guild hosted his presentation “Writing for the Children’s Market.” Dennis’s book combines his love of the Bible, children’s literature, and sharing stories about the history behind coins. The Two-Cent Piece is the first of seven books in the In God We Trust Series, coming from Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. At university, Dennis earned an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies and Political Science and a master’s degree in Speech Communication. He is a retired professor of Speech Communications, and he and his wife served teaching oral and written communication ten summers overseas. Learn more at https://dennisconradauthor.com/. Free resources for children are available on his website.

Giveaway:


Giveaway:​ Win $100 Amazon gift card and author-signed copies of MARCUS AND THE EMPEROR’S COIN and THE TWO-CENT PIECE (one winner - USA only) (ends Mar 1) Giveaway html code: IN GOD WE TRUST SEries Book Tour Giveaway

Monday, February 12, 2024

#Review: Marcus and the Emperor's Coin by Dennis Conrad #giveaway #childrensbooks #inGodWeTrustSeries #bookseries

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin is an exciting adventure in the Ancient Roman Empire at the time of Christ. Eight-year-old Marcus and his father are on a mission for the Emperor and visit a mine and a mint where coins are made. Marcus finds himself making a denarius, a coin with the emperor’s image.

MY REVIEW:

Do you have an up and coming coin collector? Or maybe you have a history buff? Or want books related to scriptural passages? If so,this is the second in the series you should get. 

The story is simple but interesting in how the two main characters, a father and son,  come to not only bring coins but make a denarius. Marcus, the young boy is concerned that he will mess up this mission but ends up saving it.

As the story unfolds he meets a messenger of a different kind who makes him think about the money he just made. "Give to the emperor the things that are his, and to God the things that are God's."

In his pondering he comes to know that he is now on a very different mission and ready for it.

I liked this book's story. Children can certainly relate to wanting to please their parents but the side catch of being interested in things, in this case coins.

What is a nice little addition is a glossary of terms, scriptural passages, terms about the particular coin, and how to collect coins.

5 stars.

Disclosure: The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. PLEASE NOTE: I do review all different groups, ethnic groups, religions etc. I attempt not to place my own ideas into reviews but base reviews specifically on the book I am reading. ~Michelle,Reading Authors Network

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

GIVEAWAY:


IN GOD WE TRUST SEries Book Tour Giveaway
Dennis Conrad Dennis is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. He is also a Fellow of the National Writing Project. Diamond Valley Writers’ Guild hosted his presentation “Writing for the Children’s Market.” Dennis’s book combines his love of the Bible, children’s literature, and sharing stories about the history behind coins. The Two-Cent Piece is the first of seven books in the In God We Trust Series, coming from Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. At university, Dennis earned an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies and Political Science and a master’s degree in Speech Communication. He is a retired professor of Speech Communications, and he and his wife served teaching oral and written communication ten summers overseas. Learn more at https://dennisconradauthor.com/. Free resources for children are available on his website.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

#Spotlight: Divine's Megaland by Lindsay Staloff #childrensbooks



Date Published: August 2, 2023


"Divine's Megaland Journey" is a fun and magical adventure that will capture the hearts and imaginations of young readers. With its interactive format, this engaging rhyming story invites children to be active participants in the journey through the Megaland and its exciting themed festivals, unique animal discoveries, and a magical and generous royal castle designed to create an adventure fun land for everyone.

Throughout the story, the author's powerful reinforcement of positive and playful words emphasizes their importance and shows how they can shape our lives in a meaningful way. The book's self-awareness bonding rhyming words are precious, and the adorable characters, including the hilarious Mojo the monkey, are relatable and will make you laugh out loud.

"Divine's Megaland Journey" is not only exciting, funny, and witty with jokes, but it also has detailed illustrations that create the perfect scene and bring the rhyming story - words to life. Turning the pages of this book, young readers will encounter powerful affirmations that remind them of how special and important they are.

This book is not only a fun read but promotes an important concept mindset thinking that supports young minds in building confidence, self-awareness, and cultivating inner peace. "Divine's Megaland Journey" is a must-read for parents and children looking for a playful and engaging story that reinforces positive values and builds a healthy mindset for life.



Lindsay Staloff is a multifaceted individual with a passion for making a positive impact in various fields. She is the CEO and co-founder of HERO Locations Co., a prominent location scouting and media production company based in Calabasas, CA. Additionally, Lindsay serves as the President of the non-profit organization PPCM Fund, Inc., which she founded to create awareness about Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and support women and families affected by this pregnancy-induced cardiac disease.

Lindsay's journey began when she pursued her education, earning an M.S.W. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice and an undergraduate degree from Lynn University in South Florida. In 2002, Lindsay relocated to California to establish her career in the entertainment industry, quickly becoming known as one of Hollywood's most sought-after location scouts.

In 2016, Lindsay experienced a life-altering event when she gave birth to her son Liam at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills. Despite numerous visits to her OBGYN, Lindsay's pregnancy seemed normal until she faced complications from PPCM, resulting in multiple cardiac arrests, a hypothermia coma, and ongoing challenges.

Driven by her personal experience and a desire to help others, Lindsay has emerged as a leading advocate for women and families affected by PPCM. Through PPCM Fund, Inc., she works tirelessly to spread education and awareness of this dangerous disease among the medical community and expectant parents. Lindsay has also expanded her impact as a best-selling author with over 15 books available on Amazon, host of a podcast and TV show where she interviews PPCM survivors, and as Mrs. California Geosphere 2023.

With Lindsay Staloff on a mission to save lives and create change, her determination and advocacy embody the essence of a true leader.


Purchase Link

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CGTWF9ZV?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tpbk_6&storeType=ebooks