Author and book reviewer (for a number of online book sites), Leslie C. Halpern, reviews a couple books a week throughout the year, and this year, Mixter Twizzle's Breakfast is on her list of favourites! 

Her review:  Mixter Twizzle’s Breakfast by Regan W.H. Macaulay. 2018 (Paperback and ebook) Mirror World Publishing, 978-1987976496. This children’s book for young readers introduces a peculiar red-deviled creature who lives beneath a chicken coop on a farm. Mixter Twizzle, as he is known, sneaks into the coop at breakfast time and steals eggs out from under the hens. Although his belly is full, his heart is empty. When a stolen egg unexpectedly hatches and a chick emerges, Mixter learns a valuable lesson about life. Beautifully illustrated by Wei Lu, this book should delight early and transitional readers with its quirky main character, who is monstrously cute in appearance, speech, and mannerisms.

Check out her other favourite books from 2018 HERE...and don't forget to check out some of Leslie's books, too:

Check out my review of Silly Sleepytime Poems, too (coming soon to my blog)!

Check out my review of Scantily Clad Truths, too!

Hey, y'all!  I'm giving a shout out during the holiday season to one of my author friends who has lots and LOTS of picture books available for sale RIGHT NOW!  Check out her titles below and if you like what you see, click on the cover to buy!  ;)

Freddie is a most unusual cat with a special flair. He lives in a splendid treehouse, dresses to the nines, sports a stylish fur-do, sings with a sizzling vibrato and has big dreams of being a rock and roll legend. Much less interesting cats are a bit freaked out by Freddie’s theatrics, taunting and even bullying him for being different. That doesn’t stop Freddie from plunging into a life of adventure with all four paws. Never afraid to express himself, this feisty feline keeps on singing with all his heart. With the support of his band mates and love from his fans, Freddie uses his beautiful voice to inspire kittens everywhere to stay true to themselves no matter what people say.

A quirky angel named Harold is ridiculously excited about his big gig on the first Christmas ever. The only problem is... he slept through the whole thing. But when the Star of Bethlehem suddenly falls from the sky, Harold's quick thinking saves the day.

A HUGE, big thank you to everyone who came to see me at my book signing and Merry Myrrh, the Christmas Bat launch event this past Saturday.  And another HUGE, HUGE thank you to Christie and Colin and the staff at Indigo Yonge&Eglinton.  I had such a good time! 

If you still need to pick up your copy of Merry Myrrh, the Christmas Bat, you can get it at Indigo Yonge&Eglinton starting December 12th at a special table set up for children's books by Canadian authors.  Merry Myrrh will also be available at a few other bookstores, which I will announce soon.  You can also find Myrrh on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, my Square Shop and Guardian Angel Publishing.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Check out the list of winners HERE.

And here is Literary Classics' review of Tamara:

Pets can hold great appeal for youngsters until the reality of caring for one sets in.  As too often happens, pets are frequently abandoned because a pet-owner decides to ignore their responsibilities, and the consequences can be more dire than one might presume.  Such is the case of Tamara the turtle, a Red-eared Slider released into the wild in an area where she simply does not belong.  Fortunately for Tamara a kind-hearted man takes her to a shelter where they will care for her specific needs while protecting the environment around them. 

Tamara Turtle’s Life so Far, written by Regan W.H. Macaulay and illustrated by Javier Duarte is a book that belongs in homes, class rooms, and libraries everywhere.  Children and even adults can learn from this story that is both endearing and enlightening.  Recommended for home and school libraries, Tamara Turtle’s Life so Far has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Check out these new reviews of Merry Myrrh, the Christmas Bat, which will be launched THIS SATURDAY (November 17th) 1-4pm at Indigo Yonge & Eglinton, Toronto! 
Join me (and Myrrh) for spontaneous readings, free Merry Myrrh ornaments with purchase, and a prize draw!  Drop in anytime between 1 and 4pm.

“Every year, two bats visit a farmhouse to see the beautiful holiday decorations. Eventually, they have a son, Myrrh. On his first Christmas, he wants to see the decorations, too. Mom and Dad think he's too young. But he has other ideas.

Merry Myrrh, The Christmas Bat is a charming story that features an unlikely Christmas character. Children will enjoy the antics of the adorable bat and all the lovely Christmas scenes throughout the book. The story is well-written with exceptional illustrations.

The author also includes a note to readers for how they can help protect bats.  Highly recommended for children ages 3-7.”– Sherry Ellis, Children’s Author

“Merry Myrrh, the Christmas Bat, by Regan W. H. Macaulay, and illustrated by Alex Zgud, is a sweet Christmas story about all the beauties, joys, and pleasures of the Christmas season as seen through the eyes of a brown bat family, Mr. and Mrs. Raft. Each year they fly to the farmhouse window to see all the decorations, the tree, and the nativity scene. They are blessed with a baby bat, and name him Myrrh, because he is a wonderful gift to them like the gifts of the Magi. They tell him tales of their annual Christmas visit to the farmhouse window to view the Christmas decorations. Myrrh wants to go, too, but his folks think him too young. Myrrh has a squirrel friend, Sensa, who offers to take Myrrh to see the Christmas window. So the two sneak out and Myrrh has a bigger adventure than he anticipated.
 
The story is lovingly illustrated, with gorgeous detail, by Alex Zgud. Readers will feel as if they are looking in the window and seeing the wondrous scene that Myrrh and Sensa see. And like Myrrh, we’ll want to get closer and closer. This adventure could very well be Myrrh’s last one, if not for the kindness of the human farmhouse family.
 
“Merry Myrrh, the Christmas Bat” is highly recommended for children ages 4 – 7. The younger ones will enjoy the artwork as the story is read to them and the older ones can read it themselves or read to younger siblings. This is a lovely story to be shared and enjoyed each Christmas.."  – Penelope Anne Cole, Children's Author

Starting with my own picture book...MERRY MYRRH, THE CHRISTMAS BAT!!!
Category:Wings of Faith
Author: Regan W.H. Macaulay http://reganwhmacaulay.weebly.com
Illustrator: Alex Zgud
Hardcover ISBN: 9781616339371 1616339373
Paperback ISBN: 9781616339357 1616339357
eBook ISBN: 9781616339364 1616339365

Myrrh is a young and very merry brown bat named after one of the gifts of the Magi. He experiences the wonders of his first Christmas among the decorations of a farmhouse, as well as the kindness of the family that discovers him in their home!

COLTON AND CHLOE
A Trilingual Book - English, Spanish, French
Category: Academic Wings
Author: Nicole Weaver BLOG: www.trilingualbooks.blogspot.com WEBSITE: www.nicoleweaverbooks.com
Artist: Clara Batton Smith
Print ISBN:9781616339517 1616339519
eBook ISBN: 9781616339524 1616339527

Chloe and her fraternal twin brother Colton are in the same math class. When Colton lies to the teacher about why he did not do his homework; Chloe tries to get him to tell truth, but Colton refuses. Will Chloe tell on her brother or will she let him get away with telling a lie?

NINA'S BEST NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITION
Category: Wings of Faith
Author: Patricia Karwatowicz www.pattiKwrites.com
Illustrator: Kathleen Bullock
Paperback ISBN: 9781616339531 1616339535
eBook ISBN:9781616339548 1616339543

Six-year old Nina and her big sister Vivian explore the spiritual meanings behind their family’s Christmas traditions. While helping decorate the house for Christmas Eve, Nina comes up with a special way celebrate the birthday of the Christ Child. But things do not always go as planned.

ANDY & SPIRIT RIDE  A TRAIN
Book 7 of the Andy & the Albino Horse Series
Category: Academic Wings
Author: Mary Jean Kelso maryjeankelsoauthor.wixsite.com/mjkel
Artist: K.C. Snider KCSniderart.com
Print ISBN: 9781616339494 1616339497
eBook ISBN: 9781616339500 1616339500

Andy and Spirit accompany Tracy, their horse therapy trainer, on a trip through gold country on an historic train. They plan to ride horses on equestrian trails at the end of the line. A breakdown and serious injury interrupts their plans when they are called upon to help rescue someone. 2 pages of educational information about Hippotherapy.