Category: Inner Child

Sir Princess Petra’s Talent by Diane Mae Robinson | Children’s Book Review

Posted October 3, 2013 by Jana in Blog Tour, Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 10 Comments

Sir Princess Petra’s Talent by Diane Mae Robinson
The Pen Pieyu Adventures #2 (although the book works as a standalone)
Published by Tate Publishing on September 24, 2013
Genres: Children’s chapter book, fantasy
Pages: 88
Format: Paperback
Source: From the author
Buy the Book • Goodreads

Sir Princess Petra has already proven she is a kind and noble knight. This, however, does not please the king and queen—they want her to behave like a princess and forget this silly knight nonsense of hers!

But when the king writes a new rule in the royal rule book that requires her to attend Talent School and acquire a princess talent certificate or suffer the spell of the royal magician, Petra, reluctantly, agrees to go. But who could have guessed what Sir Princess Petra’s Talent would be?

This cute little story is all about a princess named Petra, who decided she wanted to be a knight. She proved her abilities in the first book, which is also cute, and her parents are still not delighted by this. They want her to be a girlie little princess with a girlie little talent, so they send her to talent school in The Land of the Lost Donkeys with her trusty steed (dragon), Snarls. Petra, being the spunky tomboy that she is, really hates this idea. It’s required, though, so off she went.

On her way she meets a pink man named Prince Duce Crablips, who feels it would be nice to acquire a talent of his own. He chooses crocheting, Snarls chooses BBQing (why not put his dragony fire to good use?), and Petra tries to choose a number of talents she knows her father will not approve of. She finally decides on writing, and creates a lovely little poem before heading home (after taking a short detour to the Vast Wilderness for some adventure time) with her certificate in tow. Of course, any enemies of Petra’s become friends. She ends up back in her kingdom with a bunch of new friends, and a story to share. Celebration ensues, and she even looks out for her friend Bograt. Everyone loves Petra, and she loves everyone.

My favorite part of the Pen Pieyu Adventure series is the emphasis placed on going against the norm. Petra certainly does not fit into the normal princess category. She’s an adventuresome tomboy, and she’s proud of it. I think I know a few young girls who could definitely identify with her thoughts on this. The illustrations are all in black and white pencil or charcoal, and are pretty cute. I wish they had been in color like the cover! The storytelling is witty and exciting, and perfect for a youngster who enjoys fantasy. Snarls is a very fun character, and his antics made the book for me.

Riding on a Beam of Light by Ramsey Dean | Children’s Book Review

Posted June 19, 2013 by Jana in Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 4 Comments

Title: Riding on a Beam of Light
Author: Ramsey Dean
Illustrator: Noah Hamden
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: The Light Beam Riders
Format: PDF
Source: JKS Communications (thanks!)
Buy It: Amazon
Add It: Goodreads

Albert Einstein adamantly emphasized the importance of imagination. In this vividly illustrated storybook, lights-out turns into learning as we’re swept away by young Albert Einstein’s fantastical, and ultimately world-changing idea in an adventure that’s reminiscent of classics like Harold and the Purple Crayon and Where the Wild Things Are. At it’s heart is a story about imagination and dreaming, adventurous and engaging, with gorgeous illustrations that captures our grown-up hearts and our children’s curiosity.

I’m so happy to be here today with another fun book for children! This one is all about young Albert Einstein, a boy who grew into a man whose ideas changed the world. I have always been fascinated by him. I think we all remember the days when mom would come in and turn out the lights, plunging our bedrooms into darkness in the hopes that we would drift off to sleep soon. Did that ever really happen? No. Some of us pulled out flashlights and read under the covers. Some of us jumped out of bed and built a fort in the dark. Albert went on space adventures, and this book takes us along for the ride.

I think the thing I love most about Riding on a Beam of Light is the strong emphasis placed on curiosity, discovery, imagination, and free thinking. Albert is proof that young minds can do great things, and that message is conveyed to readers. The whimsical rhyming and illustrations bursting with color strike up a feeling of awe and excitement. It’s absolutely magical. I also think that this is a wonderful way to introduce science at an early age. I’ve run across many Einstein wannabes in my years of teaching and working with kids, and I can just picture a few of them absolutely LOVING Riding on a Beam of Light. I’m going to end with my very favorite illustration from the book. I think Mr. Einstein would agree that this is where it all started.

Bronte & Frank Go to Beverly Hills | Children’s Book Review

Posted March 13, 2013 by Jana in Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 1 Comment

Title: Bronte & Frank Go to Beverly Hills (Children’s Traveltivity Guides)
Author: Megan Worthy
Design and Characters: Danielle Forrest
Illustrator: Nicole Moon
Series: Yes!
Release Date: November 11, 2011
Publisher: Worthy Hen Productions
Format: Finished hardcover (signed by Bronte!)
Source: The author (thanks!)
Add It: Goodreads
Buy it here

BRONTE & FRANK GO TO BEVERLY HILLS – takes you on a fun-filled adventure around the city of Beverly Hills in California. The heartwarming story of a little girl and her teddy bear is a hardcover picture book, featuring stunning illustrations, is packed with educational activities, stickers, postcard, 3D map, insider recommendations and a bonus CD – Ages 3+.

SYNOPSIS – Bronte & Frank arrive in Beverly Hills in spring and although Frank is not fond of busy cities, he agrees to head outdoors with Bronte to explore some famous landmarks – during their adventure to Greystone Mansion, Frank must face one of his most secret fears…

I am Bronte and Frank’s biggest fan, and wrote a review for their trip to Moscow last year. I was positively delighted when Megan wrote to me and asked if I would review this one for her.

This book is just as adorable as the first one, and I think what I love most is all the little extras that come with it. It’s not only cute and funny, it’s educational and entertaining. It is perfect for a little one who is interested in traveling or learning about new places, and particularly for families heading to Beverly Hills themselves. The book provides Beverly Hills information websites, a map, packing list, jet lag tips, news, emergency numbers, medical information, activity pages, and Spanish words to practice. It even comes with a post card to send to your friend, and a CD with sounds of Beverly Hills. Bronte sings a very passionate rendition of The Star Spangled Banner for us on this CD, and it’s too cute for words. Also included on this CD is Bronte reading her book to you, with her cute little expressive voice and musical sound effects. Give your child the book, some crayons, and a CD player and headphones, and they will be entertained for quite a while, singing along and giggling.

The story is so sweet. Bronte is the adventurous traveler, and scaredy-cat Frank is there to be reluctantly dragged through all the excitement. Readers will join them as they explore Rodeo Drive, Roxbury Drive, creepy Greystone Mansion, the Beverly Hills Children’s Library, learn some Spanish, take a Trolley Tour, scope out the celebrities, and Julie Andrews’s home (and Bronte sings Doe, a Deer from The Sound of Music for us). All the while, Frank is too scared, too bad a singer, and too shy. I think it’s so cute how Bronte is always getting Frank to go out of his comfort zone. And I also love that no matter how much they love going on vacation, they are always happy to return home again.

Honestly, this book is going into my pile of favorites, and I hope Megan continues writing more installments in this series. I just know children will love going on all these fun trips with Bronte and her little bear, Frank.

And, I will leave you with an adorable page from the book. This image, and more, can be found at bronteandfrank.com.

Oh, and Megan has also started making special bags for kiddos to take their traveltivity guides everywhere! They are adorable! This one here is my favorite. You can choose from a number of different fabrics here.

Homemade with love in Beverly Hills by Megan Worthy (author of the global adventure series – Bronte & Frank), designed particularly for little people to tote their TRAVELTIVITY GUIDES around town. With reinforced straps, these fully reversible bags are made from 100% cotton and utilize locally manufactured fabrics.

There Were Dinosaurs Everywhere! by Howard Temperley | Children’s Book Review

Posted February 22, 2013 by Jana in Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 2 Comments

Title: There Were Dinosaurs Everywhere!: A Rhyming Romp Through Dinosaur History
Author: Howard Temperley
Illustrator: Michael Kline
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Publisher: KWS Publishers
Format: Finished hardcover
Source: JKSCommunications (Thanks!)
Add It: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon

The phenomenon of the dinosaur is one that continues to fascinate people of all ages. A fun-filled history of the many species of dinosaurs, their eras, and interesting facts about them, this book is not only informative, but funny and captivating as well. Featuring amusing and attractive illustrations, this unique edition discusses a variety of topics, from the Velociraptor and Pterodactylus to the Jurassic Era and dinosaur extinction.

Growing up, I was a major fan of dinosaurs. Major. I loved Danny the Dinosaur, and I loved Barney, and I loved The Land Before Time. Dinosaurs were a huge part of my life, and I know I would have loved There Were Dinosaurs Everywhere! It’s darling, the rhymes are funny, and the pictures are cute and whimsical.

When I accepted this book for review, I wasn’t expecting to be taught so much! This really is a small encyclopedia of dinosaurs, and I can see it as a fundamental classroom book. When I used to teach elementary school phonics, I spent a lot of time memorizing poems with the children. It taught them how to rhyme, how to memorize, and even some fun facts they could say at the dinner table. This book is a gold mine of fun poems and catchy rhymes. I’m sure my students would have loved rattling these off, and maybe even making up tunes to sing them to. It’s the kind of book I just know kids would want to read over and over again.

This book takes its readers through all of dino history, from their birth, to the very early dinos, to how we found out about them (from fossils), how they were named, how they learned to fly, which ones lived in the sea, if they were smart, what they ate, all the different kinds of dinos, the end, and even the different periods of dinosaurs. There’s a ton to learn, and they are all topics that children are naturally curious about. Plus, some of the poems are quite silly. My favorite one talks about how if Jonah had been caught by a raptor instead of a whale, things would not have worked out so well for him. Here’s a small portion of that poem:

Raptors knew to masticate
Every mouthful that they ate.
Unlike that most unfortunate beast
That chose poor Jonah for its feast
And found itself obliged to spew
Onto shore what it failed to chew.

The illustrations are SO cute! They have character and facial expressions. We see dinosaurs talking to students, wearing hats and glasses with big noses, and with buck teeth. I loved flipping through the pages and seeing them all.

Overall, this book is a very fun way to teach kids about dinosaurs. So often, dinosaur books have scary pictures with blood and carnage. I’ve SEEN the book in the library at the school I taught at. Some of them were disturbing! I know I will be saving this one for my future kids, and would have been happy to have it to read to my students!

Let’s Hear it for Almigal by Wendy Kupfer | Children’s Book Review

Posted July 10, 2012 by Jana in Blog Tour, Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 2 Comments

Title: Let’s Hear it for Almigal
Author: Wendy Kupfer
Illustrator: Tammie Lyon
Release Date: April 16, 2012
Publisher: Handfinger Press
Format: Kindle
Source: JKSCommunications/Netgalley
Buy it Here: Amazon (Used copies available Amazon Marketplace.) or Here for brand new copies from the book’s website.
Add It: Goodreads

This fun and original picture book introduces Almigal, a spunky little girl with hearing loss who is now determined to hear every single sound in the universe thanks to her new cotton candy pink cochlear implants. These sounds include a baby’s funny giggle, the robin’s chirps outside the window, the soft song played during ballet class, and especially her best friend Chloe’s teeny-tiny voice. But most of all, Almigal wants to hear her parents whisper to her when they tuck her into bed every night. Almigal’s spirit will have both children and parents alike rooting for her, while the story delivers a positive message about accepting and celebrating differences.

This book is pretty darling. From what I could tell, the illustrations are gorgeous. I read this on my Kindle, so all the illustrations were tiny and in grey and white, but I could see that the lines were soft, the images whimsical, and from the cover, I can tell that the colors are vibrant and girly.

Let’s Hear it for Almigal does a great job at explaining that every person is different in their own way. Some speak Spanish, some have little voices, some wear glasses, some have twin sisters, and some are deaf like Almigal. Almigal embraces the fact that she is deaf, and needs hearing aides. She loves being different, and even changed her name from Ali to Almigal, because nobody else has that name. What a great heroine to look up to. Even at my age, I feel weird if I’m different. Embrace it! It’s empowering. Still, though, being different can make you sad sometimes. Almigal struggles with this, making her relatable for almost every child out there.

This book also teaches responsibility. Almigal’s cochlear implants are expensive, and she is taught that they must be taken care of. The same idea goes for children who get glasses for the first time.

Finally, it teaches children that being deaf is not a problem. In fact, it’s kind of cool because you get special little implements that help you hear. And they come in all different colors. Again, this goes for anything: glasses, braces, casts, wheelchairs, etc. Even though the book focuses on a deaf child, the example can be applied to any situation where a child is different.

I definitely enjoyed this story, and think it would be great for children who deal with deafness, whether it be with themselves, a family member, a friend, or a classmate. Moreover, it teaches children that being different is cool. And you know what? Sometimes we adults need to remember that, too. I can just see myself reading this book to a class of mine, and then listing out all the cool ways people are different. Some role-playing might even be fun.