Oliver the Ornament by Todd M. Zimmermann @OliverOrnament #Christmas #childrensbooks #holiday #kidlit #picturebooks #giveaway #Spotlight

Book Title:  Oliver the Ornament Boxed Gift Set by Todd M. Zimmermann

Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  54 pages

Genre:  Children's Picture Book

Publisher:  Oliver the Ornament

Release date:  'December 22, 2018

Tour dates: Nov 30 to Dec 18, 2020

Content Rating:  Rated G.

Book Description:
 

Oliver the Ornament is a heartwarming tale of one family's cherished Christmas ornaments. The story centers on Oliver, who has been with this family since Mom and Dad's very first date. Years later, Oliver, now injured and bullied, still has the magic of Christmas in his heart. "The story follows Oliver's excitement for Christmas, his heartbreak, and his determination to overcome all odds to save the day. Oliver, along with his friends, will warm your heart with his kindness, humility, and love for his family and friends. We hope the story will bring families together to tell the stories of their own ornaments and the special meaning that so many of them possess. Because after all, "Every Ornament Tells a Story."

BUY THE BOOK:
Website

Meet the Author:
 

Todd Zimmerman, the creator and author of the “Oliver the Ornament” series, is on a mission to spread kindness and anti-bullying messages within his charming stories. The first story in the series focuses on a little ornament who faces challenges, but is able to overcome all odds to save the day. Charity is at the heart of Oliver the Ornament. A portion of proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to various children’s charities. Starting with 5% from the first book, 10% from the second book, and increasing to 100% of the seventh book, Oliver the Ornament is committed to making a difference in children’s lives throughout the world.

connect with the author:   facebook 

 

Tour Schedule:
 

Nov 30 – Working Mommy Journal – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 30 - Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 30 - KC Beanie Boos Collection – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 30 - Reading Authors Network – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 30 - Nighttime Reading Center - book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 1 – Splashes of Joy – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 1 - The Pen and Muse Book Reviews - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Dec 2 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 2 - Lisa's Reading – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 3 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 4 – Books, Tea, Healthy Me – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 4 - Chit Chat with Charity – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 7 – Westveil Publishing – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 8 –Pick a good book – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 8 - Adventures Of a Travelers Wife – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 9 – What Emma Did Next – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 9 - Cuzinlogic - book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 10 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 11 – Hall Ways Blog – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 11 – FUONLYKNEW – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 11 - Writer with Wanderlust - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 14 – Celticlady's Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 15 – Reading is My Passion – books spotlight
Dec 15 - Deborah-Zenha Adams blog – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 16 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Dec 17 – Book World Reviews – book spotlight / author interview
Dec 17 - Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 18 – books are love – book spotlight / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

#Review: My Little Angel by Sherrill S. Cannon #kidsbooks

Summary:

Share a day in the life of a little girl whose tiny guardian angel named Angela sits on her shoulder to keep the child safe and guide her through the day.

Her activities include getting ready for school, crossing the street, being polite and kind to friends, learning her lessons, fastening her seatbelt while traveling, being aware of stranger-danger, praying for her pets, and reminding her constantly that she is loved.

My review:
It has been awhile since I have read and reviewed one of Sherrill Cannon's books, I am so glad I have for today. As with all her books, there are lessons to be learned that children as well as adults should get. This time the author approaches the subject of doing the right things. The "moral" compass is directed by the angel, Angela, who helps the girl take care of herself, her pets, and others.

As with all the books I have read from this author, her poetry is top notch and the illustrations that go with it always match well. Her illustrator is fantastic and she uses the same one throughout all of her books which brings a consistency and one I have come to expect.

In the back of the book she notes that she has hidden some of her previous books within the pages. She invites the reader to see if they can be found. This too is a consistency throughout her books and I enjoy (as kids would) looking for the hidden books. There are also questions to help the reader come to fully understand the theme of the book. The questions are well thought out and purposely directed. I know that this comes from the years of teaching the author did.

Once again this is a book that should be on the "must read" list. 
5 stars from me! 

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle


Where to find the author:

Amazon

Facebook

Goodreads

#Review: National Geographic Kids Books: Book of Dinosaurs & Book of Animals #PutMeInTheStory

Summary:

This kid-friendly reference book includes dinosaurs of all kinds: big and small, scaled and feathered, meat-eating and plant-eating. Your kiddo will learn fun facts about each dinosaur and answer questions like, “How many plates do you see on the Stegosaurus?

My review:

I really love these "put me in the story" books. I love to personalize them for my grand-kids who like other children, like to see their name and photos in the books that I send to them.

This one is all about dinosaurs. Who doesn't like dinos? I know I do!

Kids can read all about the plant and meat eating dinos of the day. With entire page full of colorful dinos and information, kids learn all sorts of things about each one.

Summary:

Explore the rain forest, the ocean, and the icecaps with this personalized guide for your animal-lover! National Geographic Little Kids Book of Animals is a colorful introduction to some of the world’s coolest creatures. From blue morpho butterflies and red-eyed tree frogs to tigers and polar bears, this personalized guide is sure to indulge your junior explorer.

My review:

This book reviews all about different animals and the way they live. Again, I personalized it to include my grandson in the book. This one talks mainly about how the babies of each animal is born and their relationship with their parents. I love it!

Both of these books are just awesome and well worth getting them for your child or grandchild. I give both of these books 5 stars each.

Where to find the books:

Put Me In The Story

About National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events and a website, and is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core. National Geographic Kids magazine (10 issues per year) and National Geographic Little Kids magazine (six issues per year) are photo-driven publications available on newsstands or by subscription in print and on tablets. National Geographic Kids Books is the leading nonfiction publisher for kids with more than 100 titles each year, including The New York Times best-seller “Kids Almanac.”

About Put Me In The Story

Put Me In The Story, the #1 personalized books site in the U.S., creates personalized versions of bestselling books and books where you star alongside your favorite characters. Our gifts capture moments that matter and memories that last. With each touching picture and special dedication message, our readers have become our most dynamic characters.

Put Me In The Story inspires a love for reading, across all ages and generations, through the experience of shared, personalized stories.

#Review: Putter and the Red Car:A Cross-Country Family Adventure by Kate K. Lund/ Illustrated by Ana Maria Velieu

Summary:
Putter and the Red Car is the story of one family’s cross country road trip narrated by a lively Airedale terrier. The book incorporates ideas related to family, change, geography and adventure with a backdrop of bright colorful illustrations.

My review:
This is a cute book told from the perspective of a dog. That is a different idea to write a book on what could be bogged down. Kids would like the idea too especially if they like dogs.

The only thing I had issue with was the dog apparently pushing the button for the elevator. This would be very unlikely. I think I would have liked to have seen the dog interacting with his family more too.

If I could make any suggestion for the book, it was lacking a small glossary. There were a couple of words that would have needed to be defined or at very least explained. Since this book is targeted for 6-9 year olds, that would be something that needed to happen. I personally would have liked to have known what an Airedale terrier is verses some other kind of terrier.

As for the illustrations, I like that the book was done in bright watercolors. This certainly added to the book. However, I felt the illustrator needed to take more time as she left many white spots throughout the entire book.

Overall, not a bad little book so, I give it 4 stars.

Disclosure: I received this book for my open and honest review. The reviews expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon
Where to find the author:

Amazon
Goodreads

Kid Lit Blog Hop-February 2016 #KidLitHop #KLBH

Hello! Welcome to the February 2016  Kid Lit Blog Hop. This exciting, now monthly hop,  is where we develop an engaged group of people who love everything that has to do with children's literature. Everyone is welcome to join us: bloggers, authors, publicist, and publishers!

Simply make a post and add it to the linky. (Please make sure to add your direct post only) If you are an author, feel free just to link to your blog.

Once you are done, then hop around to visit others. Please follow the co-host and visit at least the two people above your link. Please leave a comment when you do visit, we all like those.

Also, it would be appreciated if you grab the Kid Lit Blog Hop Badge and display it on your blog and/or your post.

Our next hop will be March 16, 2016. The hostess will be around to see you. Happy Hopping!

Reading Authors, Hostess

Julie Grasso, Author

Cheryl Carpinello, Author

BeachBoundBooks

Pragmatic Mom

The Logonauts

A Book Long Enough

Spark and Pook

Hits and Misses

#Review: Fright Club by Ethan Long #kidsbooks #Halloween #Scholastic

Summary:
Each year, on Halloween eve, Fright Club meets to go over their plan: Operation Kiddie Scare. Only the scariest of monsters can join Fright Club-Vladimir the Vampire, Fran K. Stein, Sandy Witch, and Virginia Wolf have all made the cut. They've been practicing their ghoulish faces, their scary moves, and their chilling sounds. But when a band of cute little critters comes along asking to join in the fun, the members of Fright Club will find out who really is the scariest of all!
This clever, rollicking read-aloud text and delightfully spooky illustrations will have young readers laughing, cheering, and begging to be the newest members of Fright Club.

My review:
My granddaughter and I read this book together. She loved making scary faces and loud noises along with the book. I am sure she was bucking to get into the Fright Club too. I think she has a pretty good chance. *wink*

This book was just a pure delight. The dark pages and cartoonish characters gave homage to the book supposedly being scary but yet not so scary. A nice little juxtapose. The book was written in a large photo comic book style.

The humor of the book was throughout from the monsters themselves not quite up to par, to the cute animals that try to join the club. There were even a few funny twist just to make this a laugh out loud book that kids and adults would love. Did I happen to mention my husband and daughter-in-law where listening to me read the book too? *wink*

Great book and a good one to have in any Halloween collection of books. 5 stars!

Disclosure: I purchased this book for my own collections. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon
Goodreads

#Review: Will Allen and the Great Monster Detective by Jason Edwards #kidsbooks, #monsters, #DetectiveStories

Summary:
Will Allen may be one of the smallest boys at Ashford Middle School, but he is also one of the smartest. But cleverness alone isn't enough to help him when monsters infest his room! 
Together with his friend Jeannine Fitsimmons, Will searches fruitlessly for help, until a strange business card appears, instructing them how to summon Bigelow Hawkins, the Great Monster Detective. With Bigelow's help, along with the use of his very special monster-fighting instruments, the RevealeR and the MonsterScope, Will must learn how to conquer his monsters and reveal the secret of the dreaded HIDDEN BEAST before it's too late.

My review:
This book is an award winning book and I can see why. I know a few kids who like detective/mystery kinds of stories and this book delivers. 

All kids at some point have some kind of fear. One of the biggest fears ever is just knowing that there is a monster hiding under the bed. The main character Allen is convinced of this and needs help.
Mysteriously, a small looking character arrives to help out. But who is he  and what does he want for payment? Ah, now that is what you, my readers, have to discover for yourself.

Kid's normal fears, like huge, ugly monsters, or maybe a bully, are all in this book. However, the author cleverly shows children that they can be brave and help themselves to conquer their fears. In fact, throughout  this entire book the author is a master at this fete.

Eventually, the fears go away and children can see, as Allen does, that they too can help others.

I loved this book! It is the beginning of an entire series based on Will and it is sure to please series that I hope to read more of.
5 stars!

Disclosure: I purchased a Kindle copy of this book. The review here is 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon


Where to find the author:

Mom's Choice Award winning author, Jason Edwards is a man of many hats, including storyteller, developer and performer of children's programs, father, coach, and athlete.   Mr. Edwards is also an authority on children's anxieties, possessing a B.S. in Psychology, a M.A. in Education, and more than 20 years of experience helping children.  In fact, he wrote his first chapter book for young readers, Will Allen and the Great Monster Detective, which is a frightfully funny mix of Ghostbusters and Monsters Inc., in order to help children overcome phobias by inspiring them to confront their fears and metaphorically modeling steps they can take to control anxiety.
  
Amazon

Goodreads

Kid Lit Hop 64th #KidLitHop #KLBH #kidsbooks

Welcome to the 64th Kid Lit Blog Hop where we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists. So, you are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors! *** Please note that we will only be hosting 1 Kid Lit Blog Hop during the months of July and August. These will take place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (July 15 and August 19). We will be returning to our normal schedule (the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month) beginning in September. The next Kid Lit Blog Hop will take place September 2.  

*** This go around I am featuring Carole P. Roman and her If You Were Me and Lived In...Series. I love this series and have every book she has out thus far. This feature is for her China book. Check it out HERE. While you are there enter my giveaway for a copy of your own book. It is open internationally!  Happy Reading! ***

Hostesses:

Mother Daughter Book Reviews

Julie Grasso, Author/ Blogger

Cheryl Carpinello, Author / Blogger

Stacking Books

BeachBoundBooks

Music Teaching and Parenting

Pragmatic Mom

Reading Authors

The Logonauts

A Book Long Enough

Spark and Pook

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

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Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. Link up any Kid Lit related post in the Kid Lit Blog Hop. This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.

* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post.*

* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *

* Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*

* Feel free to link more than one post.*

2. Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS from the Kid Lit Blog Hop directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment. We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you! 3. If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up. If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links! 4. It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!

Happy Hopping!

 

KID LIT BLOG HOP

#Review: Aoléon The Martian Girl PART FIVE by Brent LeVasseur #martiangirl​ #sci-fi​ #kidsbooks #middlegrade, #Kidsbooks @aoleontmg

Book Title: Aoléon The Martian Girl: A Science Fiction and Fantasy Saga - Part 5: The Great Pyramid of Cydonia, 
Category:  Middle-Grade, 130 pages
Genre: Science-fiction and Fantasy
Content Rating: G

Summary: Aoléon, Gilbert, Bizwat, Helios, and Zoot make it to their final destination - Cydonia where Aoléon’s parents are being held captive. They infiltrate a secret underground base and are confronted by a small army of sentrybots. 

Bizwat lends Aoléon and Gilbert some of his advanced combat skills via a psionic brain dump. However, this may not be enough to save them from overwhelming hostile forces that will do anything to stop them. 

They finally meet Pax - the Martian who originally set them out on the mission to discover the truth about the Luminon and his plans to invade Earth. However Pax is not who he seems to be, and through a turn of events, they uncover the true power behind all that has been happening on Mars. 

Will they be able to rescue Aoléon’s parents and save Earth from invasion? 

My review:

This is the fifth book I have read from this author in his Aoleon series. You can read my first four reviews HERE, HERE,HERE and HERE. This book picks right up where book for left off.

This is the final book in this series and I have to say, it did not disappoint. The author wrapped up everything in a nice huge bow but not before there was a lot of fighting. This was with lasers and all sorts of sci-fi-ish bombs. The photos in this book were once again, fantastic! I do not know how they are done but, wow!

One of the heroes looked like it was the end for him. How he overcame was interesting. The heroes won out in the long run as I would have expected. Earth was freed and the cows sent home. 

It was sad to see the conclusion of this series. I had come to know all of the characters in the book and the relationships they had with each other. I was disappointed that a better conclusion to the two main characters could not be arrived but yet, it was understood. I of course cannot give that away, as you my readers, will have to read the book.

This book was sweet and the whole series exciting. I truly believe that middle grade kids will love the series no matter what gender they are.  I look forward to seeing more from this author in the near future. Kudos for a job well done!

This book gets 5 stars.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Website  ~  Goodreads  ~  Facebook 

Purchase

Amazon

 

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Buy The Martian Girl Song!

Another World - Single

Featuring Élan Noelle

Download on iTunes

#Review: The Three Lost Kids & The Death of the Sugar Fairy by Kimberly Kinrade #atozchallenge, #kidsbooks

Summary:
Join the Three Lost Kids for another adventure as they're attacked by Sugar Bugs, face their fears in Cavity Cave, and battle giant Gummy Bears, all to save a dying Sugar Fairy who holds the fate of Halloween in her hands. 

Can the girls learn to work together, each using their strengths to save the day, or will their fighting trap them in Sugar Land forever?

My review:
I have read children's books from this author before and one other from this series. This particular book is based around the holiday of Halloween, which appeals to the kid in me. 

I love how the author weaves fantasy, myth, and real life into a tale that pops out perfect. As with the author's other books, she has a moral to tell and one hopefully kids will learn well. In this book the moral is if you eat too much sugar and do not take  care of your teeth, you will not only be sick but your teeth will rot. Eat things that are healthy for you and naturally sweet!

The other idea children can pull from this book is that sometimes, we need to take care of others as well as ourselves even if that means facing fears to accomplish the goal. Being kind and generous is a plus and rewards come in the form of different ways that is not necessarily money or praise.

The other thing I love about this author is that she uses her own children and canine as the characters in her stories. I am sure they delight in seeing themselves in her books as I know that I delighted in reading about them and their awesome adventures.

This book and series is a winner for me. 5 stars!

Disclosure: I purchased a Kindle copy of this book. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

(note: this author writes over several genres)
Amazon
Goodreads

#Review: Moonstruck:The True Story of the Cow That Jumped Over the Moon by Gennifer Choldenko #atozchallenge

Summary:
The horse seriously doubts that the cow will ever be able to jump over the Moon but offers respect and admiration when the determined bovine accomplishes that feat.

My review:
The summary for this book does not even measure up to the hilarity of the book itself. The book is told from the viewpoint of a horse. This horse thinks Mother Goose did not give the cow enough credit when she wrote the tale.

You see according to the horse, who happens to be coach and captain of a team  who all jump the moon every night. This cow hangs around and thus learns to jump too even though the horses see it as impossible.

Even though I know the fairy tale well, it was fun to read this book as an expanded version of the tale. It was hilarious to see the cow practice but eventually make the team and thus jump the moon with a flair that no other could have.

Kids will enjoy the mostly brown, white and blue pictures with funny character drawings that enhance the book. Kids will find the whole thing absurd but also get the idea that persistence and hard work pay off over time.

This book gets 5 stars from me as it is truly...mooooving!

Disclosure: I purchased this book or my own collections. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon
Goodreads

#Review: Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen/ Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes #atozchallenge

Summary: 
Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. No running allowed. And you must be quiet. But when a lion comes to the library one day, no one is sure what to do. There aren't any rules about lions in the library. And, as it turns out, this lion seems very well suited to library visiting. His big feet are quiet on the library floor. He makes a comfy backrest for the children at story hour. And he never roars in the library, at least not anymore. But when something terrible happens, the lion quickly comes to the rescue in the only way he knows how.

My review:
There are so many things to love about this book. First of all is the absurdity of a huge lion being in a library to begin with and then expected to not be loud. Children are sure to giggle at the site to seeing the lion.

Next is the whole idea how everyone is expected to behave and the rules of  a library including the lion.While I was growing up, I knew the rules about being quiet but enjoying the story times and the books. Obviously, what is not to love about a book loving lion.

Finally though, the idea that even though everyone should follow the rules for certain things, that sometimes, they just have to be broken to either help someone else or yourself.

My grand-children and I read this book together and when the part came where the lion roared, my grand-children roared real loud which made me laugh but the listened intently to the whole book. 

The book is a wonderful read and a sure-fire read for story times! 5 stars a quiet roar! *wink*

Disclosure: I won a copy of this book for my collections. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon
 Goodreads

#Review: Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki/Illustrated by Dom Lee #Multicultural #kidsbooks #atozchallenge,

Summary:

Shorty and his family, along with thousands of Japanese Americans, are sent to an internment camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Fighting the heat and dust of the desert, Shorty and his father decide to build a baseball diamond and form a league in order to boost the spirits of the internees. Shorty quickly learns that he is playing not only to win, but to gain dignity and self-respect as well.

My review:

This story is told in first person which makes this book a winner from the get-go. It is a story that needs to be told because unfortunately, it is one of those stories that should have never happened anywhere and is a blight for my country.

Baseball has always been something that everyone can relate too. It has always brought people together to laugh, cheer, live in excitement and the moment and to forget for awhile that they are all different.

I enjoyed the fact that baseball was something that allowed the people in the camp to survive and feel free, even if it was only for a few innings. I loved the resilience of those in the internment camp but also the determination to be seen as a person who has feelings and worth. That determination carried over for the young boy when he went  back to his real life again/

This book was brilliantly written and it is no wonder that it is also an award winner. I would be amiss if I gave this book anything other than 5 stars!  This book should be in every classroom and home.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon

Goodreads

#Review: Grimmtastic Girls:Cinderella Stays Late (Book 1) & Red Riding Hood Gets Lost (Book 2) by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams #Middlegrade, #kidsbooks

Summary: 
Once upon a time, in faraway Grimmlandia...
A Grimmtastic girl named Cinderella is starting her first week at Grimm Academy on the wrong foot. Cinda's totally evil stepsisters are out to make her life miserable. The Steps tease Cinda, give her terrible advice about life at the academy, and even make her look bad in front of her new friends, Red, Snow, and Rapunzel! But when Cinda overhears the Steps plotting a villainous deed that could ruin Prince Awesome's ball, Cinda, her new friends, and a pair of magical glass slippers have to stop them--before the last stroke of midnight!

My review: 
What a  retelling of a familiar story! This time though, Cinderalla, aka Cinda is no Princess. She does not wear a crown but goes to school with lots of kids that do. Fitting in is hard for her especially when you are supposed to be able to dance, which...

Oh, now, I cannot give that away can I?

I really enjoyed this fun twist on the familiar tale. This book is targeted for kids in grades 3-6 and mostly for girls. Boys might read this book too but it is doubtful.  I loved how Cinda worked on fitting in and made mistakes so badly that she thought she never might. However, she found out, as kids will, that not everyone is perfect but there are things you can excel at that others cannot. It makes you unique and people will like you just the way you are.

Summary:
Red Riding Hood might have a terrible sense of direction, but her grimmtastic friends are always there to help!

Once upon a time, in faraway Grimmlandia...
Red Riding Hood is thrilled to try out for the school play. Acting is her dream, and she's great at it--too bad she has stage fright! After a grimmiserable audition, Red decides to focus on helping her friends Cinda, Snow, and Rapunzel save Grimm Academy from the E.V.I.L. Society. But when Red gets lost in Neverwood forest and runs into Wolfgang, who might be part of E.V.I.L., she needs her magic basket and a grimmazingly dramatic performance to figure out what's going on!

My review:
This second book could be a stand alone book as it tells the tale of Red Riding Hood aka Red. However, to follow along with some ideas, the book really should be read in succession to the first.

This book carries along a similar theme as the first with the exception of learning to trust.  Also, the idea of people do not always appear what they seem or in this case have been written as. Red learns to trust herself, her friends, and even new friends to succeed. Kids reading this book will have no problem picking up on that theme.

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Both of these are winners to me. I am not always wanting to read girlie-girl books but these two fit that bill and I was not disappointed in the least. The character's development was fun and mysterious at the same time. I could pick up the running theme in each book without issue. If was also fun to see the old fairy tales intertwined with a new twist. I enjoyed seeing the characters as younger girls before they ended up as they are known today. Fantasy abounds in these books and are a no miss for children to read, especially if they like fairy tales.

5 stars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of each book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the authors:

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