Blog Archives
Jake and the Pandemic
![Jake and the Pandemic by [Chris Hardy, Wally _LL]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bdqJ4w+fS._SX260_.jpg)
Jake and the Pandemic is a charming children’s story about a dog that shares his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. This poignant kids book teaches readers about the pandemic and how to deal with the anxiety and the changes that it has brought. It shows the challenges that many children face, like virtual learning, but also shows how we can still help others and find joy in our new way of living.
This wonderfully illustrated children’s book will keep readers engaged throughout as they are constantly on the look out for Stuart the squirrel who makes an appearance throughout the book. My favorite was Stuart pushing the shopping cart with a nut in it. So cute!
While the book is fun and colorful it also shows many of the challenges that children face during the pandemic. There is even a very cute scene of Jake having a virtual classroom and there are other dogs in different relatable poses on screen. Again, so cute!
Throughout the story you can see other dogs wearing masks, closed stores, and empty streets. This book will help children and parents have a conversation about the challenges and emotions we face during this crisis and also shows us how to see the positive things in our new situation; like increased family time, gardening and cooking. There’s even a hidden cookie recipe in here!
Jake and the Pandemic is a wonderful children’s picture book that will keep young readers entertained while also teaching them about the pandemic.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0946325LX
Battle Carried: Imperial Japanese Tiger Art Good Luck Flags of World War Two
Battle Carried: Imperial Japanese Tiger Art Good Luck Flags of World War Two, by Michael A. Bortner details the history and use of tiger art that decorate Japanese good luck flags found by collectors. Bortner’s aim is to give a deeper understanding on a subject that generated a lot of interest from his book hinomaru yosegaki – Imperial Japanese Good Luck Flags and One-Thousand Stitch Belts.
Bortner’s book has a forward, by Carla L. Funk, which I think is an excellent introduction to Bortner’s book and really helps set the tone for the rest of the book.
Bortner uses a quote at the beginning of each chapter that ties in with the topic of the chapter. Chapters 1 through 5 covers the history of tigers and tiger art in Japan with very detailed information. Chapters 6 through 12 cover the good luck flags. Bortner breaks it down by how the tiger is painted, whether it’s just a head portrait or the tiger is attacking. The last chapter covers smaller good luck cloths and paper amulets. As the title implies, these items were carried into battle by Japanese soldiers of World War II and these types of detail, to me, is what sells the human aspect of this book. I walked away feeling like this was more than just imagery, this is a part of our culture.
Bortner uses some stunning classical art pieces, along with some photographs, to help illustrate the points he makes in each chapter and bring a deeper understanding of the art. He describes each flag in detail bringing out the significance in each piece in a methodical and engaging fashion. This is somewhat of a history book as well as any historical aspects of the flags are also delved into with succinct details that provide some intriguing context for the piece. This information ranges from legends to historical figures to religious figures.
Bortner uses simple language throughout the book which helped me understand a topic steeped in culture and history. This information feels accessible and is easy to follow. The author does a great job of keeping the subject matter succinct and covering only the most interesting parts, which helped to keep me engaged throughout the book.
Battle Carried: Imperial Japanese Tiger Art Good Luck Flags of World War Two, by Michael A. Bortner is a highly informative piece of literature that will serve to educate and entertain anyone that has an interest in Japanese culture, flag collectors, or anyone interested in military history memorabilia.
Pages: 196 | ISBN: 1943492573
Christianity and the Tribal Societies of North East India
Christianity and the Tribal Societies of North East India by Thomas Kochuthara provides readers with detailed and precise descriptions and narration of North East India’s Christianization. This treatise on anthropology and religion, takes readers through the different tribes’ lives and analyses their relationship with Christianity and the western or “evolved” world. In addition to that, positive aspects like the spread of education and negative aspects like the loss or contamination of tribal identity are analyzed and related to different generations and their point of view. The introduction to the different tribes then leads us through a reflection on the effects of this new religion on the north-eastern population.
Kochutara writes beautifully with long descriptions and his work shows the research and effort behind the pages. This aspect doesn’t usually come out in books, but as we’re talking about a treatise instead of a novel, it is a significant aspect that will show the author’s in-depth research.
As a reader keen on details, I appreciated the abundance of minutiae and the new information given in every paragraph can surely catch the reader’s attention. While I appreciated the details in the book I felt that there was quite a long lists of ancestors and tribes, and I think readers that are not familiar with Sanskrit will have a hard time reading them. In any case, through the course of the book the list of names leaves room for deeper reflections.
However, I appreciated the focus on the single tribes and the detailed narration that accompanied them, making the reader feel almost as part of the tribe itself and most importantly making everyone understand the importance of identity in a tribe.
The detail that makes this book interesting to younger generations is the importance given to current topics, such as gender equality and global warming. These themes represent a connection between the reader and the book, but most importantly between the reader and those tribes whose names might sound distant and unfamiliar.
Christianity and the Tribal Societies of North East India by Thomas Kochuthara provides readers with an in-depth and comprehensive piece of literature on both Indian tribes’ culture and Christianity in general. This is a highly enlightening book that I found to be engaging and informative.
Pages: 492 | ISBN: 9791220104500
Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck
![Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: The Non-Conformist Playbook to Raising Happy Kids Without Public Meltdowns, Power Struggles, & Punishments by [Sue Donnellan]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xilev-YcL.jpg)
Parenting is the hardest job you will ever love–I stand by those words. It is rewarding beyond measure. But it is terribly and undeniably difficult on the best of days. Not one of us is born knowing how to properly raise another human being to become a productive and happy member of society, and it takes a new level of concentration and determination to get our children to that point. Every decision we make is tempered and, if you are like me–second and even third-guessed. Sue Donnellan has gifted parents everywhere with the most common-sense guide on parenting to date.
Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: The Non-Conformist Playbook to Raising Happy Kids Without Public Meltdowns, Power Struggles, & Punishments, by Sue Donnellan, is the parenting guide we all never knew we needed but cannot live without. After reading Donnellan’s book cover to cover, I understand myself and my parenting choice much more clearly. Unfortunately, I see myself in the author’s examples of struggling parents and not in her advice. I truly wish I had had this guidebook when my 18 and 19 year olds were in middle school–so many sanity-saving tips offered up by Donnellan.
Donnellan is not only brutally honest, but she is consistent with her advice. So many parenting tips feel iffy; they waver between doing what works and doing what’s comfortable. I have always hated taking the time to read a parenting book or blog only to find the author essentially wants you to become your child’s equal and talk incessantly about feelings in the midst of a full-blown terrible-twos tantrum. Donnellan knows what’s real–she knows how to get to the heart of the matter without giving in and giving up one’s role as the parent.
I love that the author focuses most on changing ourselves and allowing the ensuing changes in our children to happen naturally. This is common sense–why have I not seen it in my 19 years of parenting?
From handling our own feelings of guilt to allowing our children an occasional curse word but not allowing them to call anyone stupid, Donnellan covers all of parenting’s most pressing questions. Speaking of guilt, I am guilty of wanting to become too involved in solving my children’s problems. Donnellan has set me straight–on this and many other issues I have been battling with my young adults.
I am giving Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck: The Non-Conformist Playbook to Raising Happy Kids Without Public Meltdowns, Power Struggles, & Punishments, by Sue Donnellan, a powerful shout-it-from-the-rooftops 5 out of 5 stars! Every parent needs to be introduced to Donnellan and her common sense approach to parenting. Best friends, mothers, co-workers, and neighbors, add Donnellan’s book to your baby shower to-do list–you will make a difference in their lives for which your loved ones will always be grateful.
Pages: 212 | ASIN: B08VDZD9SM
Ack! The Nantucket Duckling
![Ack! The Nantucket Duckling by [A.K. Spurway, Jacqueline East]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Jh1sPSH3L.jpg)
Ack! The Nantucket Duckling is a charming children’s story about a duckling that is different from the other ducklings. His beak is shaped like a trumpet, giving him a different, but distinct quack. Or should I say ack! In this wonderfully illustrated picture book Ack learns the value of being different, and accepting who he is, no matter what.
Author A.K. Spurway provides young readers with a heartwarming story of a duckling that struggles with his self-image and doubts himself. Every page has beautiful watercolor inspired images with a soft color palette that is easy on the eyes. All the little ducklings in this story are so cute. Children will have a wonderful time pointing out all the cute animals and bugs found throughout the book as parents read the story. The characters are emotive and children will be able to identify all the emotions they see throughout the story. It is not often that children’s books surprise me, but while I knew there was going to be a redeeming act somewhere in the story, I wasn’t sure where it would come from. When Wilson, Mrs. Crabapple and Ack all come together at the end, there was a real moment of suspense for me.
Ack! The Nantucket Duckling is a delightful children’s book that will teach kids about self-acceptance in a fun and entertaining way. I highly recommend this educational book to parents and teachers that want to have a discussion about self-worth and self-image. This is a wonderful story that children will keep coming back to.
Pages: 25 | ASIN: B0876LTRLD
The Tale of The Pumpkin Seed Squad – Book Trailer
Riley Chester-field Mouse has acquired both a name and some friends in this 2nd book of a series chronicling the life of the little field mouse. Through the same easy-read poetry and captivating caricatures exhibited in The Tale of the Christmas Hero, the author and artist comically relate the imaginative adventures — and misadventures — of Riley and his friends.
The tale begins on a crisp, fall morning as Riley hastens to join his friends in their newly-discovered game called football. In a flashback to the previous week, Riley recalls his disastrous introduction to the sport when he tried to interject himself into a people-boys’ game and was found to be no match for a football 10 times his size! But his inventive friend, Gus, hatched a plan to scale the game down to their level, promising to bring a mouse-sized ball to their next Saturday play date.
When Gus arrives at the field lugging a HUGE pumpkin, his friends scoff in disbelief until he climbs inside the pumpkin and proudly produces the perfect game ball — a pumpkin seed! So, then, “with walnut shells for helmets and long toenails for cleats, both teams stood ready to perform amazing football feats!!”
The game and the story play out in clever detail as each mouse team scrambles to conquer the scoreboard before the hungry little Gus devours all the delicious-tasting balls! Through a delightful twist at the end of the tale, the little mice discover friendship to be the real victor in their competition.
The Tale of the Pumpkin Seed Squad is a delightful commentary on competition and sportsmanship that will surely charm even the least of its budding-athlete readers.
The Professional Voiceover Handbook
![The Professional Voiceover Handbook (Voiceover training 1) by [Peter Baker]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xKvQU7F-S.jpg)
The Professional Voiceover Handbook by Peter Baker is a professional’s how-to, that for once, fully delivers. Author Peter Baker provides everything you will need to embark on a journey into voiceover as a new career.
There’s no holding back with Baker. He wants you to succeed and to join the ranks alongside him as a professional voiceover artist. That he loves his work and the field itself is incredibly obvious as you read through this book. He provides clear and simple instructions without making it seem as though he’s talking down to a beginner who knows nothing. He doesn’t just mention different types of jobs one can do in voiceover, he actually goes through several in great detail. For example, there’s a respectable chunk of text describing everything you might want to know about how to record audiobooks, even specifically addressing authors who might want to attempt to record their own books themselves. He’s not narrowing down his audience or excluding anyone; he’s written this guide as an open invitation for anyone to try out voiceover, not just those already dabbling in the field. Baker details every last piece of equipment you’ll need, as well as sharing those that he considers the best or most effective. He talks about the pros and cons of getting an exclusive agent versus going it alone as a freelance artist. He also discusses the best software programs to use, even going so far as to outline exactly what settings to use for different types of jobs. And best of all, he shares an extensive list of websites where a beginning (and honestly even a seasoned) voiceover artist can find trustworthy, paying gigs.
There’s so much valuable, practical information in these pages that I almost felt encouraged to pull out my own microphone and try to record a few practice scripts, just to see how I’d do. I love that you can feel the passion this man has for the work. Other books of this nature that I’ve read always seem to hold back just enough to where you might feel inspired to try but still not know exactly what to do. You won’t need a anything else to get started, and it’s not just the act of voiceover that he discusses. Baker even addresses the more business-related side of the work, answering questions you might have about client communications, how to handle payments and invoicing, even at times providing actual templates for emails that you can copy and use to get started right away.
This was a very easy-to-read book, written in a casual, friendly manner, and there’s no difficult technical jargon to slog through–as even the most technical parts he’s written are easily understood. I highly recommend Professional Voiceover Handbook to anyone interested in a career in voiceover or even anyone who’s just looking into it as a possible hobby or side hustle. Baker’s handbook and his invaluable tips and templates will let you hit the ground running.
Pages: 233 | ASIN: B093QPD7LM
Fill an Educational Gap
The Rainbow Blots teaches children about the colors of the rainbow in a fun and entertaining way. What inspired the idea behind the Rainbow Blots?
The Rainbow Blots was inspired by my son and my niece who had independently drawn little characters with circular bodies, no separate heads but with arms, legs and smiling faces. I was inspired to create characters like these for a children’s book and put colours inside the circular bodies.
There are lots of colours books and I wanted my characters to be unique. It struck me that children are rarely taught the seven colours of the rainbow in order. We teach them ‘purple’ or ‘pink’ but not indigo and violet. This has always bothered me, ever since I realised that yellow was not the second colour of the rainbow, at the ripe old age of eleven! I wanted to teach my children properly and a rainbow storybook teaching the seven rainbow colours in order seemed a good proposition and it would help to fill an educational gap.
Children learn best through play, so it was a great opportunity to have my characters play with objects that were the same colours as themselves in order to teach the rainbow colours.
The art in this book is wonderfully creative. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Victoria Mikki?
I created the overall storyboard for the book and it was important to me that each character had its own personality and physical identifier (e.g. Red Blot’s glasses or Orange Blot’s baseball cap) but Victoria brought all the characters and scenes to life. Her illustrations are so beautiful and humorous! She surprises and delights with every page turn.
I like to have a balance between not being too prescriptive but giving enough information that the illustrations returned are in line with my overall vision. For example, I asked for a Mummy Rainbow character to lower down her Blots by a ladder. I also wanted Mummy Rainbow to appear when there had been sun and rain at the same time. The double spread Victoria returned was so fantastic and inspirational for the opening scene that I knew I had to use the image on the cover as well.
Similarly, I knew what objects I wanted the Blots to be playing with. Victoria was in her element with these playing scenes. They were such a joy to receive as an author and it has been wonderful to hear the feedback from parents enjoying the illustrations and to see and hear children giggling along in delight, too!
This book serves as a great educational tool. How do you see this fitting into a students curriculum?
The Rainbow Blots is brilliant for use in kindergartens (UK preschools/nurseries) and first grade (UK reception class). For early learners, the book teaches colour recognition and helps children associate objects with colours. Rainbow colours are introduced in order and children are invited to recap the colours together. I know one second grade (UK Year 1) teacher who has used my book and song in conjunction with teaching a weather module in class. Older children can also enjoy reading The Rainbow Blots as it is written as a storybook. My six-year-old daughter enjoys reading it to herself and out loud to her toys!
Children learn in a variety of ways. The first thing my children did upon reading my book was to try and sing the colours of the rainbow in order. They couldn’t do it with the rainbow song we all knew, which had ‘pink’ in it. So, as a musician, I composed my own rainbow song called, ‘Do You Know The Colours Of The Rainbow?’ My rhyming song teaches the seven colours in order. The tune is so catchy, and children learn their colours really quickly when my book and song are taught in combination.
I have two versions of the song, with the same tune. Both can be found on my YouTube channel. The original has more of a nursery rhyme style, and I have had it animated in a 2D video featuring the characters from The Rainbow Blots. For slightly older children, there is a dancier version that gives more time to sign the song in sign language. To date, I have only had the song signed in British Sign Language, but I hope it can be translated into other languages as well to aid inclusivity and diversity and help embed a little sign language into a child’s early learning journey.
Do you have future books planned for The Rainbow Blots?
The Rainbow Blots was written as part of a series. I hope to publish ‘The Rainbow Blots Learn Numbers’ later in 2021.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook
Have fun learning the seven rainbow colours in order, with Mummy Rainbow and her Rainbow Blots. The Blots love to play with their colours and to play together as a family. Join in with their day and keep a lookout for their special trick!
LITERARY TITAN 