In Harriet’s Heartbroken Heart, by mother-daughter team Lainie and Nika Belcastro, Harriet loses her beloved twin brother Harrison early in life. She learns wise life lessons (that it’s okay to cry, to be angry, but to not be too afraid to live, for example) from various sources, including a rain cloud, lightning, her grandmother and her grandmother’s frightened kitty–all very interesting ways to present these learning moments. Harriet discovers her most important lesson when she returns to the lilac bush she and Harrison used to spend so much time in.
This is a tear-jerker of a tale, with an uplifting and important message of hope for youngsters and their families who have lost loved ones at a young age. The readers and listeners experience the story through the eyes of young sister Harriet, who grapples with a situation and feelings that are tough enough for grown ups to struggle with let alone a little girl. Lainie and Nika have crafted a story that shows us everything Harriet goes through and allows us to experience it with her and better understand what others like her have to cope with. Nika and Lainie’s work together “…helping heal little hearts through their Patching Hearts programs” shines through in this story. Jack Foster’s illustrations like friendly, fluffy clouds that help cushion a difficult story, but do not hinder the expression of raw thoughts and feelings Harriet has. Harriet’s Heartbroken Heart is an important read, especially for children who have gone or are going through something similar, as well as children who have friends or family going through a difficult story like this of their own. It’s important to understand, as best we can, what someone in Harriet’s place may be coping with, and that “this is not the end of the story…”. Please note: I reviewed a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
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In Paisley the Goat, by Rocio Monroy, a wonderfully colourful paisley goat finally manages to catch some zzz’s after taking a late night stroll along the beach to count the magnificent things she sees.
I love the beach setting and what Paisley chooses to count. As usual, Eugene Ruble’s illustrations are full of personality. The artwork matches up well with the author’s eccentric and humourous story. Having a paisley coloured goat adds a wonderful dimension to Ruble’s already energetic drawings. Paisley the Goat is a fun counting book that will engage young readers while helping them learn their numbers. Please note: I reviewed a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. From the Mirror World Publishing site: This is it, Nikki fans! Nikki and Snooper are back for a fourth adventure in the Nikki Landry Swamp Legends series and this time they are investigating some strange pre-historic sightings on Lost Lagoon! Beautifully written and illustrated by the talented Rita Monette, this series is one not to be missed!
Legend has it… if you go onto Lost Lagoon, you never return. CLICK HERE to learn more! "I wish every potential turtle owner would read this book before heading to the pet store. "Tamara Turtle's Life So Far" is a fun and colorfully illustrated story that follows one turtle's adventure through life. But beyond the fun story, it explains one of the biggest problems involving reptiles in the pet trade. Red ear slider turtles are bred by the million, brought home as pets on a whim, and the majority of them are abandoned long before they reach mid-age. In a friendly and non-preachy way, the story shares how much care and equipment is required to raise a healthy pet turtle, and how abandoned pet turtles in the wild can hurt wildlife. After running our own reptile rescue for many years, I can speak with authority when I say that red ear sliders are the most commonly abandoned reptile in the pet trade. I wish I had a nickel for every request we got to take unwanted pet slider turtles, and I wish this book was in every library in the country!"
-Jesse Rothacker President, Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary "Give reptiles a chance!" I Love You Better Than Chocolate Chip Cookies by Donalisa Helsley
Chicago Checkmate: Chicago Secrets Vol. III by J. Thomas Ganzer Assistant US Attorney Joe Haise is off-balance. The bodies were so carefully concealed, the evidence meticulously destroyed, and the king was protected. A homicidal federal prosecutor can be forgiven for feeling above the law. But all of it is coming undone at the hands of his one-time protEgE, Jackie Dekker. She knows precisely what he is, and she's done running. Move and counter, thrust and parry, the two warily begin the final match. Murder is such a wonderful game. The Day When A Tree Spoke To Me by Jean Jones, illustrated by Leo Silva Mum & Dad Go On Holiday written and illustrated by Katie Maichrye
Imagine yourself in the pages of Mum & Dad Go on Holiday. Explore with Grandmum and Granddad while your parents are away. Don't fret, they'll return soon! A lighthearted depiction from the child's perspective, Mum & Dad Go on Holiday provides a positive method for preparing children for an extended, but temporary absence from loved ones. Bewitching Hannah by Leigh Goff YA Paranormal Romance - September 17th, 2017! Order Now! Grieving the loss of her parents, sixteen-year-old Hannah, a descendant of the powerful Chesapeake witches, tries to suppress her burgeoning magic in favor of living an ordinary life. Unfortunately for Hannah, she attracts the attention of the Queen Js, a mean-girl witch clique at her new school. After an unwanted rivalry sparks between her and the head Queen J, Emme, Hannah learns of the prophecy which states that the coven's two most powerful young witches will face off and only one of them will live. The Wandering God by Joshua Pantalleresco YA Dystopian Epic Poetry - October 17th, 2017 Order Now! If you haven’t read The Watcher, or its sequel, Stormdancer, I urge you to give them a try. Joshua Pantalleresco has created a truly unique post-apocalyptic world where dragons rule over what remains of the human race, and one young boy dreams of discovering the world beyond the slave compound he was born into. This young boy, The Watcher, sets out to discover what else is out there and in the sequel, Stormdancer, shows his friends the value of doing the same. What awaits us in this final installment? Well, I’m just as eager as you to find out. COMING SOON... The Mystery on Lost Lagoon by Rita Monette
MG Mystery/Adventure - Coming November 17th, 2017! More info coming soon on this 4th Nikki Landry Swamp Legend! CHRISTMAS COMES TO KOYUK Category: Wings of Faith Author & Artist: Rosemary Kuhn www.rosemarykuhn.bravesites.com Paperback ISBN: 9781616338848 1616338849 eBook ISBN: 9781616338855 1616338857 Koyuk, a member of a humble Inuit fishing family, is flown on the wings of an angel to greet the newborn King Jesus. Koyuk learns from the angel that Jesus will become "Fisher of all" and how she can help to spread the Good News of peace and love. HARRIET'S HEARTBROKEN HEART Category: Wings of Faith Author: Lainie & Nika Belcastro www.lainiebelcastro.com Illustrator: Jack Foster Paperback ISBN: 9781616338862 1616338865 eBook ISBN:9781616338879 1616338873 When Harrison dies, his twin sister Harriet doesn’t understand his passing and is angry, sad, frightened, and lost. But, a return visit to a favorite place she and Harrison loved introduces her to a special lady bug who offers inspirational words to Harriet to help heal her broken heart. |
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