Blog Archives
Tally and the Angel: Book Two, Canada
In Eleanor Dixon’s captivating sequel, Tally and the Angel Book Two, Canada readers are transported to the frosty landscapes of Canada, joining young Tally, her father, and her guardian angel, Jophiel, on an extraordinary adventure. This thrilling tale unfolds when a seemingly innocuous encounter with locals spirals into a perilous struggle for the lives of Tally and her father.
Throughout their journey, Tally and Jophiel face formidable challenges, from wolves and icy conditions to celestial spirits and the power of invisibility. The story is further enriched by unforgettable companions who contribute their own unique qualities to the narrative.
Despite the enchanting presence of Tally’s guardian angel in the form of a pendant, the true magic of this story lies in the myriad surprises and delights that unfold within its pages. Dixon masterfully crafts a narrative that is both intriguing and wholly original, with readers finding themselves captivated and delighted at every turn. Tally, who may evoke an image of vulnerability, emerges as a fierce and formidable protagonist.
Eleanor Dixon’s writing stands apart from contemporary children’s literature, exuding a timeless charm reminiscent of the works of L. Frank Baum and C.S. Lewis. This distinctive quality sets Tally and the Angel Book Two, Canada, apart as a rare gem in modern storytelling. In addition, Dixon proves herself to be a fantastic author with boundless creativity.
Tally and the Angel Book Two, Canada is an enthralling and beautifully-written tale that transcends age boundaries, appealing to children, teens, and adults alike. With its rich blend of fantasy and reality, the novel boasts well-developed characters and an engrossing narrative.
Pages: 180 | ASIN : B09MFVBDXR
Now and Forevermore Arabella
A child moved from foster home to foster home since she was discovered abandoned at a young age. Twelve-year-old Amanda’s deepest wish is to have a family of her own. Suddenly, Amanda finds her situation reversed and begins to discover the truth about her origins, starting with the revelation of her actual name: Arabella. Soon, the life Arabella has always dreamed of seems to be a real possibility as she discovers more about her family. But all is not sunshine and roses, as a deadly danger from the past threatens to unravel the happiness of Arabella’s new life. Can Arabella hope to find peace and justice, or will her existence be forever shadowed by the mysterious forces that turned her young life upside-down?
Now and Forevermore Arabella by Carolyn Summer Quinn is the highly engrossing tale of a young girl’s search for answers. A story of a cruel fate reversed, Arabella’s transition from the foster system to finding her true home is a story with incredible emotional depth. Arabella struggles to discover who she truly is and to uncover the deadly mystery of her past. Her fight to recall the events of her young life draws the reader in, while the love and protection of those around her are truly beautiful to behold.
I applaud the author for bringing attention to a social injustice that is tragically all too common. This amazing story takes place in only a short period of time, less than three weeks. That the author manages to include such authentic emotions is admirable. I hope there is more to Arabella’s story to come so readers can continue to follow her journey.
This story is suitable for readers aged nine and up who like a thrilling mystery with a deeply emotional plot. This book has mild language, drug references, and heavy themes such as kidnapping and violence toward children that are handled well by the author. Now and Forevermore Arabella is a riveting tale of justice, hope, and finding the true love of family. This is a story certain to touch the hearts of readers.
Pages 168 | ASIN : B09B8TBQW3
Jabberwocky: Scary Stories For Kids
Lewis Carroll wrote the poem Jabberwocky back in 1871. This nonsense poem was included originally in his book Through The Looking Glass. It is an epic tale of a boy going off on an adventure to defeat the mystical beast that is terrorizing the creatures of the land. It is a classic hero’s tale of good vs evil that has stood the test of time through the years. Author and illustrator Carolyn Watson Dubisch has brought this poem to life for a new generation of children to enjoy.
Carolyn’s rendition of Jabberwocky is creepy and unnerving in a way that will give children a feeling of unease but without being terrifying. It is the perfect combination of impending doom and adrenaline as the hero sets off to slay the scary monster. The minimalistic use of colors in this picture book adds to the feeling of mystery and foreboding. Each page is filled with details that stir the imagination and fills readers with a sense of something great is about to happen. As they follow the boy on his hunt, they will feel the excitement building and be on edge when the battle finally comes. The poem leaves much to the imagination in its original form; Carolyn has interpreted the creatures in a way that makes us want to follow the boy into danger to save them. Each page is a work of art that could stand on its own.
Jabberwocky: Scary Stories For Kids is a gripping children’s book that readers from kindergarten through elementary school will find spooky and entertaining. The whimsical illustrations will grab the attention of young readers and ensure this classic poem finds a place in the hearts of kids today.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0C2KXVKQD
The Antidotes
Izi, Gir, and a group of friends were relieved to see life returning to normalcy after the global pandemic. However, their joy was short-lived as they discovered that the Chesapeake Bay was heavily polluted, causing both fish and children to fall ill. Faced with this grave dilemma, the group united to form the Antidotes, utilizing STEM tactics to combat pollution and find a solution to the problem. In collaboration with health activists, the Antidotes uncovered a cover-up and made it their mission to raise awareness among kids to eliminate plastic use and save the planet.
The Antidotes is an engaging and informative read that will captivate young readers from the outset. Author Patty Mechael has masterfully woven science into the narrative, making it a perfect series to spark interest in science among readers. Mechael’s creative writing skills transport readers into a world of adventure, with spy work and clandestine meetings, making the educational read entertaining. The author has tackled serious topics in the book, and the sensitive, engaging, and informative approach is commendable. The book sheds light on the fact that knowledge empowers individuals to make a change, irrespective of their age, to help the planet. The Antidotes is reminiscent of The Magic School Bus, and Mechael has included educational images that teach readers interesting facts about plastic and pollution. The characters are well-developed and likable, and their individuality will resonate with young readers.
Patty Mechael’s The Antidotes is the perfect book for young readers to feed their passion for science and the environment and make a commitment to try to make a positive impact on the planet. This inspirational book will encourage readers to take action and create a change in their homes and communities.
Pages: 244 | ASIN : B0B7WFPVQK
May is National Pet Month
Murray the Cat follows an intelligent and caring cat who finds the perfect family to adopt; he just has to convince them. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?
This book was inspired by a very special cat that adopted our household years ago. While names and the narrative are fictionalized to a certain extent, many of the events depicted are based on actual happenings. The family’s initial reluctance to take in the cat and Murray’s tenacity are both factual. The twist of the plot is also truth-based. I’m pleased that this book was published in time for “National Pet Month,” which is the month of May in the United States!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Tammy Brown?
I spotted Tammy Brown’s brilliant work several years ago when I first started writing this book. It was the art in her own book, “Herman the Mouse,” that convinced me she was the perfect illustrator for the job. When my text was ready, I contacted her. Tammy is so patient and talented; each beautiful watercolor illustration in my book was planned and discussed in detail. She was able to incorporate many elements that were of great importance to me, such as the pinkness of Murray’s belly, and subtle details indicating how the cat brought harmony to his new family. Also, because of the followers that my previous book, “The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God: A Chess Story” is still sending my way, I made sure the presence of chess was included in Murray’s new home (also fact-based!)
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Although it is a sweet story for kids, there is an important point in the plot’s backstory for adults. You’ll find a brief mention in the book that a different family had previously adopted Murray from a shelter. What I’d like to share is that although the home with three kids and many other animals was not Murray’s dream home, it was still preferable to the fate an older and large cat like Murray would face in a shelter if not adopted at all. But every shelter has its own rules; some will not give an animal to a family with young children. Many insist there can be no possibility of certain animals ever going outside (regardless of the setting), and they often require that someone be home an unreasonable number of hours every day. These and other stringent rules result in many animals never being placed, and a very sad ending for them may follow. That is why a portion of royalties for this book will be donated to Nathan Winograd’s nokilladvocacycenter.org. This organization provides solid support and a step-by-step guide for animal shelters to vastly improve their pet placement rate. Mr. Winograd, from whom an introductory quote is included in my book, has spent decades of work in this sphere. His successful efforts might be the very reason that “Murray” had a chance to find us and bless our lives with his presence.
What is the next adventure that Murray will be going on?
When the family finally moves cross-country with Murray, he’ll be in for some fun and different experiences that will be sure to tickle your fancy!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
With a delightful balance of sweetness, humor, and heart, this early chapter book follows the unique journey of an older feline who is determined to claim his chosen home. Tammy Brown’s vivid and nuanced watercolor illustrations beautifully capture the essence of Victoria Winifred’s charming story.
A portion of the proceeds earned for this book will be donated to Nathan Winograd’s Advocacy Center, which provides support and a step-by-step guide for animal shelters to vastly improve their placement rate.
Omnis 1: Beginnings – Comienzos
Omnis 1: Beginnings, authored by Nelda Bedford Gaydou, is a captivating middle-grade graphic novel that packs a powerful punch. The story centers around Isabella and her family, who are living a contented life in Argentina, despite the challenges posed by the dreaded quarantine of 2020. With the hope that things will return to normal soon, the siblings eagerly anticipate the end of the lockdown. However, as the quarantine finally comes to an end, they are faced with an unexpected move to the United States to live with their grandparents. Here, they must navigate a new school and environment, all while dealing with the intolerance, mean-spirited peers, and prejudice that threaten their existence.
The narrative deftly weaves in the story of the Omnis, a mysterious group of heroes who help Isabella and her siblings find their inner strength and courage. The author’s use of English and Spanish makes this a bilingual masterpiece, ideal for anyone looking to learn or reinforce their Spanish skills. The graphic novel is engaging and offers a positive message of acceptance, which is particularly relevant in today’s world. As someone who was raised to celebrate diversity, I found the book to be an inspiring and impactful reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the world. Sabrina’s exceptional artwork complements the story perfectly, making for an enjoyable read that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages. The book concludes at an ideal place to introduce the second installment, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more from this talented author-illustrator duo.
Omnis 1: Beginnings is a remarkable graphic novel that has great cultural representation, an engaging storyline, and a profound message of tolerance and positivity. It is a heartwarming tale that speaks to the core of what it means to be human and the power of family, friendship, and community. Suitable for readers aged seven and above, this graphic novel is a must-read for anyone who loves world culture, graphic novels, and gentle superhero stories. In addition, it is an excellent resource for language learning and cultural studies, and I highly recommend it to all.
Pages: 106 | ISBN : 1950560880
I Want to Be in Sales When I Grow Up!
Career day is a special day that children look forward to when in school. On this day, they get to meet people and learn about their jobs. It gives them a chance to learn about careers they may never have even thought of. This is what happened to one little girl named Charlie. She is assigned the task of writing a report on a career in sales. What are sales even? What kind of a job is that, and why would anyone want to do it? These are some of the questions Charlie is tasked with answering.
I Want to Be in Sales When I Grow Up! by John Barrows is an educational children’s book that looks into the career path of sales. While this sounds underwhelming at first, the author does a fantastic job teaching children how important this job is. How the things in our home are acquired through sales, and someone has to be in charge of getting it from the manufacturer to the user. This is an important job and not as easy as it sounds. Charlie plans to sell cookies to learn about sales; on her first try at selling them, she learns some valuable lessons about pitching her product, knowing who her customers are, and knowing what her customers need or want. She also learns a valuable lesson about empathy, compassion, and kindness and how these qualities make an excellent salesperson.
When children think about what jobs they want to have when they grow up, they need to be exposed to all kinds of work, not just the ones that sound exciting and prestigious. But unfortunately, sales representatives often get a bad reputation in the media, and this picture book, I Want to Be in Sales When I Grow Up!, shares the beautiful experience that a sales career can bring people. So for any family that makes their living off a career in sales, this is a magnificent children’s book to help kids get excited about sales and see just how important this job is to everyone.
Pages: 38 | ISBN: 1643072382
The Dirt Bike Detective #2: The Beast in the Shadows
In The Dirt Bike Detective: The Beast in the Shadows, author Douglas L. Hoover continues the thrilling adventures of Chase and his crew of self-proclaimed paranormal detectives. The story picks up after their previous case, where the team successfully solved a local theft mystery but uncovered a much more dangerous threat. Now, their town is under threat from a mysterious beast, and the crew must work to solve the mystery and protect their community.
As the story unfolds, the stakes become higher, with Chase’s old enemy, The Shadow, making a comeback. This adds an extra layer of tension to the plot, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as they wonder if the team can defeat this formidable opponent. Hoover expertly builds this suspense from the start, with The Shadow re-visiting Chase and looking for Oliver in the opening prologue. The writing style in this book is similar to the previous one, with a well-crafted plot and easy-to-read narrative. The author manages to avoid repeating the same formula and keeps readers guessing until the very end. The book’s pacing is fast, and readers will have to pay attention to keep up with the many details that the author gives them as the action-packed events unfold. Additionally, the tension in this book is not quite as high as in the previous one, although it still maintains a darker tone.
The Dirt Bike Detective: The Beast in the Shadows is a thrilling and engaging read that will keep fans of the series on the edge of their seats. With a slow build in the tension, it captivates readers with its well-written plot and intriguing characters.
Pages: 206 | ASIN : B0BSRFZM3W
LITERARY TITAN 