Carole P. Roman Celebrating, Talk Like A Pirate Giveaway

Ahoy Me Mateys and all you Landlubbers! In these parts it is "Talk Like A Pirate Day" (September 19th) and Author Carole P. Roman of the Captain No Beard book series is celebrating!

I am so excited to get talk like a pirate all day and also host another giveaway for Carole P. Roman. Shiver me timbers! She has found the motherload box full of some things that only the best pirates would love to have. Look at this pirate booty!

*Popcorn Popper on Cart

*Movie Theater Popcorn

*Captain No Beard Series of Books (4 total)

Approximate value $350

Aye, you can win all of these fine treasures when you enter in the Rafflecopter below. Arr!


Code of Conduct aka disclosure:
This giveaway is sponsored by Author, Carole P. Roman who is providing all prizes to one winner.
The blogs hosting, co-hosting, nor this blog of Once Upon A Time/Just The Stuff Ya Know  are not responsible for prize shipment.
The giveaway begins at 12AM MST on Sept. 19, 2013 and ends at 12AM MST on Oct. 4, 2013.
Open to US Only.
This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube or any other social media outlet.
Winner must respond to an email sent within 48 hours or an alternate winner will be drawn.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is hosted by Away We Go Media. Please contact if you have social media needs.

Review of Skinny Little Tree

Skinny Litte Tree by Jayme Martin and illustrator Clark Andrews Jr. is a short 28 page mostly picture book for the emergent reader.

The book tells the story of a little boy who meets up with a tree who in the beginning is happy. The sun is shining, a bird is singing on its branch and all is right in the world for the tree. The story moves into the different seasons with the skinny little tree changing as the seasons do. The boy interacts with the tree asking it questions as life moves along.

On every other page, the young reader is asked to draw a picture in response to what is going on in that particular season. For example drawing leaves.
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This is a very quick read and definitely for the young child. I would say probably birth up to 4.
I wish I could say I was impressed with this picture book but alas, I was not. I found the pictures to be dull and cheesy.  I also did not think much of the story itself. Even though it was an easy read and good for the age level, I thought that it did not have much of a story line for it.

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I can only give this book: 2 stars.
However, I hope this author can do well in her next book.
~Naila Moon

Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The opinion expressed here are 100% my own.

Where to find Jayme Martin:
Amazon

Book Tour Announcement

Blog Tour Announcement

 

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Review of Blueberry Bubble Gum by Mahamad Ali ElFakir

Blueberry Bubble Gum is the tale of Max who is freshly out of second grade and looking forward to hanging out with friends and playing baseball. He has usually nothing on his mind except baseball that includes telling the truth.

Max's father brings home a magic bag of blueberry bubble gum which he tells Max not to chew unless he knows the rules about doing so. Of course Max's curiosity gets the best of him and he ends up chewing several pieces.

When his mom finds out she is very upset with him because he lied about chewing the gum and did not follow the rules. However, his mom's anger turns to concern when Max gets sick and ends up floating away on a blueberry bubble that comes out the seat of his pants.

Max is then taken to the magical kingdom of Blueberry Bubble Gum World where he must complete a task and learn important lessons before he can return home.

Will Max learn his lessons about not following rules and lying? Will he ever get home?
Read this book and find out.

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I really thought this was a well written and cute book. The author was able to wrap fantasy, humor, and life's lessons all in one book.It is for the older child who knows how to read so about first grade level up.  The photos that are included only enhance the story itself.

Children will get a kick out of the bubble coming out of the pants and for sure will have some giggles at the thought of this happening. They will also strongly get the whole point of the story because the message is quite clear. I know I did. 

I give this book: 5 stars!
~Naila Moon
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The words expressed her are 100% my own
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Where to find Mahamad Ali ElFakir
Amazon
Facebook
Goodreads





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Review of Strangers On The High Seas by Carole P. Roman & Giveaway

Strangers On The High Seas is the fourth installment of the "Captain No Beard" series by Carole P. Roman. We once again find Alexander aka Captain No Beard and First Mate Hallie on another seaworthy adventure. This time a new member, his baby sister Cayla, has joined the crew of his ship the Flying Dragon.

Captain No Beard struggles with having to watch his baby sister and yet, keep his ship afloat. Upon this adventure, the crew encounters the most dangerous pirates of Captain Barnabas and First Mate Crab Cakes. Captain No Beard's crew does not know these pirates, for they are strangers and decides to stay clear of them.

Captain Barnabas pursues Captain No Beard and his crew and all things seem to be nothing but trouble until a shift in the wind and a certain crew member saves the day.

Who is this crew member on the Flying Dragon and what does she do to save the day?
Well, read the story and find out, you might be surprised!
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In my mind, Carole P. Roman has done it again with this picture book!

The story flows along in a fun manner but teaches a bit about strangers but more importantly that anyone no matter what their age can be helpful in some way.

The pictures are bright and animated to help the reader imagine along with the crew. The book itself has much more dialog this time which can allow the older child to read on his or her own.

This book is a win-win and deserves the 5 stars it is getting from me.

Disclosure: I received a free copy in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The opinion expressed here is 100% my own.
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Would you like a copy of this book for your own? Well, my dear readers, Carole P. Roman is generously giving away to one of my lucky readers not only this book but the whole Captain No Beard series. This includes: Captain No Beard, Stuck In The Doldrums, Pepper's Problems With Patience, and Strangers On The High Seas.  Enter below!

~Naila Moon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms:
The Naila Moon of Once Upon A Time/ Just The Stuff Ya Know is not responsible for shipment. Carole P. Roman is responsible for prize shipment.
This giveaway is also not affiliated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube or any other social media site.
Giveaway is open World Wide.
Giveaway ends: Sept. 25, 2013 at 12 AM MST
Winner has 48 hours to respond after notification via e-mail or  forfeit prize and another winner will be drawn.

Review of Diva Pearl the Pekingese

You surely have heard the phrase, "It's a dog's life" or other dog related phrases to describe how well treated some dogs can be. Well, in the case of one Pekingese breed dog that is an understatement.

Enters Miss Pearl Essence otherwise known as Diva Pearl, Miss Pearl or just plain Pearl.
Pearl is a real dog champion that won several awards including Best In Show and two time best of opposite sex for the breed. 

Pearl steps out of retirement after seven year to become the magazine cover for Orient Express in 2012 but to also have her very own book entitled, Diva Pearl the Pekingese which included a CD of two songs and video written just for her. Would you believe she has her own web page and Facebook page too. A diva just has to have her things.

Upon reading the book "written" in Pearl's voice, with the help of her human, Vicki Gattuso, the reader learns a little tidbit about how the Pekingese were bred in China and how they became worshipped. Most of all the reader follows along with Pearl in her journey from birth, becoming a champion, becoming a mother, retirement and her comeback gigs after showbiz.

With over 57 pages of photos with Pearl in all her diva-ness which includes family and friends, one simply cannot get enough of her.
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Overall, I thought the book was cute and certainly over the top for a dog. However, kids and dog lovers alike will certainly like this book.

The photos are bright and fun. This is no ordinary dog as her awards and life attests to.
The book is classified as a picture book due to the amount of photos in the book so, a really young child as young as 1 year old up to 8 will love this.

The only thing I found to be cheesy about this was the included CD. To me, it really leant nothing to the book other than being a little bonus for those who would purchase the book.  Frankly, I do not get the writing of two songs to a Champion Pekingese. Maybe though, that is just me.

I give this book: 3 Stars.

~Naila Moon

PS. In Diva Pearl's book insert of information, there was a card that said she was available for movie rolls, just in case anyone is interested.

photo source

Where to find the author, Miss Pearl and her human pet, Vicki Gattuso:

Amazon
Pearl's Website
Pearl's Facebook

Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book and CD for my open and honest review. The words expressed here are 100% my own.