Blog Archives
Magic Islands
![Magic Islands by [Irene Edwards, Robert Brown, Tony Paultyn, Gareth Edwards]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-XcLgBGNL.jpg)
Trevor is not known for being serious. In fact, he is best known for the tall tales he spins. He is new in Wales, living with his grandparents, and making friends has been easy. His personality is one that lends itself to laughter, jokes, and many a light-hearted moment between friends. When Trevor and his pals are exploring the beach one day, something happens that changes all of their lives, and Trevor’s love of a good joke is getting in the way of his ability to communicate with the adults around him. When no one believes what you say, how do you tell them your friends disappeared before your very eyes?
Magic Islands, by Irene Edwards, is a fantasy adventure centered around magic, wizardry, and adventure. The imagery painted by Edwards is absolutely stunning and contributes to the beauty of a well-crafted fantasy. Edwards’s young characters are relatable and full of life. The humor woven throughout this novel makes it not only more appealing but serves to create a fun read aloud for classrooms, as well.
As a fan of fantasy adventures and a teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed Edwards’s work. It is a light-hearted adventure based on the wonder of magic. There aren’t many young readers out there who don’t become enthralled in stories of the impossible, and Edwards has more than successfully tapped into that demographic. Her young characters are bold and just the right mix of the real world and fantasy.
The wizards and witches in Edwards’s work transport readers to a fabulously designed land of spells, castles, and absurdly fantastic beings. Page after page, the dragons and monsters continue to keep the story new and refreshing. Combined with the witty exchanges between characters, the wide array of character types makes this an all-around fantastic read for young readers.
From cover to cover, Edwards enchants young readers, pulls them into a fantasy like no other. In addition to the wonderfully engaging storyline and humor peppered throughout, Edwards includes famous names and well-known pop culture references that further serve to hook readers. I would be remiss if I did not mention the marvelous sketches by the team of illustrators, Robert Brown, Tony Paultyn, and Gareth Edwards. I highly recommend Magic Islands to anyone looking for an engaging story for young fans of fantasy and wizardry. Teachers in grades 3-6, this one’s definitely for you!
Pages: 211 | ASIN: B07ZRYY8LX
A Memoir of a Jewish Teacher in a Catholic School
Forgive Us Our Trespasses tells your personal story as the only Jewish person teaching in a Catholic school and shares memorable moments as well as your experiences with anti-Semitism. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Originally, I wasn’t going to try to have the book published. It was just going to be a documentation of my experiences to pass down to my children. I was encouraged by the publisher, the main student in the book, and my husband to share the story on a widespread basis. I believe that it is a story people from all walks of life can learn from. And it sends a positive message about diversity and inclusion in the world.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about teachers and teaching?
A common misconception I think people have about teachers and teaching is that they don’t realize the incredible amount of hours teachers put in to the job that they most likely aren’t even getting paid for. Most teachers teach because they love our children and want to make a difference in their lives. Instead, parents are often at odds with the teacher and don’t realize the teacher has the child’s best interest at heart. When I meet with any of my children’s teachers, I always say to them, “Thank you for teaching my child.”
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope one thing the reader takes away from the book is that we should not hold preconceived notions about any person or group of people. Instead, we should get to know them. And we should educate our children to do the same.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you first started teaching?
The one piece of advice someone could have given me when I first started teaching was to make sure that I carve out time for myself because it’s easy to work around the clock and become all-consumed with your work.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Forgive Us Our Trespasses
![Forgive Us Our Trespasses by [Diane Gensler]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41OgXjkchjL.jpg)
Diane Gensler couldn’t be more out of her element. She is Jewish and teaching in a Catholic school. The two worlds colliding around her are just the beginning of her experience educating the students of the parochial Baltimore school. Gensler finds herself facing anti-Semitism in addition to what can already be a challenging career path. While she has looked forward to being a teacher in her own classroom, she can only begin to guess what this particular position has in store for her. What Gensler finds out in her first days at the Catholic school is that even creating a welcoming atmosphere and being an eager teacher might not be enough to battle the preconceived notions of others.
Forgive Us Our Trespasses, by Diane Gensler, is the story of the author’s time spent teaching in a Catholic school in Baltimore. As a Jewish woman, she experienced biases and treatment to which her coworkers were immune. Her first year as a teacher should have been filled with joy and rewarding firsts, but she was subjected to prejudices–some veiled, others not so much.
As a teacher, I found so many truths in Gensler’s story. There is a seemingly endless number of things you are not told when you enter your first year, and she reveals them all plus more. I felt every one of her frustrations over losing instructional time to extra and unexpected duties. Nothing prepares you for all of the additional tasks, and Gensler explicitly lays out each and every one of them with all of the brutal honesty of a teacher eager to educate but overwhelmed by the magnitude of her job.
Gensler handles herself with a finesse not always known to first-year teachers. From dealing with attending Catholic church services to coping with parents who seem out to prove her incompetent, she persists and does so with much success. I was amazed at how well she dealt with coworkers who snubbed her without reason and the coldness of her principal. It takes a strong person to do this job and handle that kind of treatment.
I am giving Forgive Us Our Trespasses, by Diane Gensler, 5 out of 5 stars. If it were possible to give it more stars, I would do so enthusiastically. Gensler has put into writing what every teacher feels and given voice to some of the most challenging aspects of our jobs. Her words are not only relatable; they are filled with all the raw emotion of a woman experiencing the sting of prejudice while facing some of the most important work that can be done.
Pages: 188 | ASIN: B08BNPNP3J
Educate In Fun And Exciting Ways
Captain Fantastic and the Chocolate Planet follows the Captain and his hound onto a planet filled with sweets, but they learn that filling up on treats has consequences. Why is the subject of healthy eating important to you?
As someone who fluctuates in weight, having tried most diets at some point (which in turn has created an unhealthy relationship with food), I know first hand the importance of creating good eating habits early on. From energy levels, weight and general health, it’s so important to have a good diet. After all, you are what you eat! I always aim to educate in fun and exciting ways, which hopefully this book does.
What is your process for creating the vivid art in your books?
Hire an illustrator… I’m only half-joking because Daniel does all the amazing drawings. From an author’s point of view, it’s about having a clear vision of what you want the pictures to look like.
How did the idea for Captain Fantastic begin? Did you play around with any other ideas or characters before settling on him for your series?
I trained as an actor and I stumbled across children’s entertainment whilst looking for a side hustle. After a few years of working for other people‘s companies, I decided to take the plunge and set up my own party business. I wanted the parties to be superhero themed, so I messed around with lots of alter ego names and it was my dad who suggested ‘Captain Fantastic’, thanks Gary! Fast forward 10 years and we have been voted the UK’s no.1 children’s entertainment company, which I’m extremely proud of!
What can readers expect in the next book in the Captain Fantastic series?
Captain Fantastic and the Undersea Monster is my next masterpiece (I hope)! Captain Fantastic wants to explore the depths of the ocean but gets a little too excited and forgets to listen to people’s warnings.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
They explore everywhere from Cookie Dough Cove to Mount Honeycomb, but it’s not long before they find out what happens when you eat too many treats. What will our space voyagers need to do before they can board spaceship Zippity-Zap for their next exciting adventure?
“Parents reading this to their children can use it to start a conversation about healthy eating in a non-judgemental, accessible way that children will respond to.” Dr Gummer, Good Play Guide
Second in the exciting series of intergalactic adventures, based on the awesome and educational Captain Fantastic parties.
The What IF? Diet Plan
![The What IF? Diet Plan: Transform your body and mind through intermittent fasting by [Alexis Cano]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/417vnR6+FNL.jpg)
I enjoyed reading Alexis Cano’s The What IF? Diet Plan: Transform your body and mind through intermittent fasting’ because not only was she talking to mothers, but to everyone who at some point has had an issue with their body. The motherhood experiences shared in the book were interesting to read and made one understand just how much of a struggle weight issue is for women who both have or do not have kids. Reading this book is one amazing experience that gets one carried away with the stories.
The author starts the book by explaining to readers what The What IF? Diet Plan is and I liked this discussion as it gives the reader an idea of what Alexis Cano will talk about in the book. Alexis Cano’s personal history with food, her weight journey, and how she tried intermittent fasting was eye opening. Through her experiences, one learns that no matter how hard things are, it does not hurt to try. Everyone’s experience with food is different and in her book, Alexis advises everyone to first understand their bodies before jumping on any diet plan. By knowing what your body can take or reject, you are in a better place of choosing what you can consume and knowing what portions to eat.
There are several important topics covered in the book. Some topics that had me intrigued were about why restricting calories does not work, the power of hormones, how different meals like breakfast, lunch, and supper work in the body, and tuning one’s fasting. Know what science says about the intake of water when thirsty versus intake of soda? The author has a full discussion lined with facts. The author also talks about myths and weight experiences that people pass around as facts. Reading this book makes you see that there is a lot of misinformation out there about food and weight issues. The author talks to people that want to either add or shed some weight.
I appreciate the author for not only talking about the body but also touching on the mind. Mental health is as important as physical health. Whatever we consume affects both the mind and the body. Alexis Cano is a brilliant author. She has a way with words and can easily convince one to adapt to a new, healthier lifestyle. The author also provides health tips and explains how best to adapt to a unique diet. What I like most about Alexis Cano’s writing is that the discussions in the book felt grounded in reality and felt achievable. She does not sugarcoat anything and tells it as it is. She gives bitter truths and openly talks about eating habits that are harmful to the body. Reading this book will not only help you achieve your desired body, but will also have you work on your goals while being in a better state of mind.
Pages: 129 | ASIN: B08K4RM5RJ
My Buddy Knows
My Buddy Knows… Letters is an educational picture book that teaches children about the alphabet in a fun and playful way. What inspired you to write this book?
I was helping my high school aged daughter study for a chemistry test and we were using flash cards. Afterwards, I was marveling at how often we use flash cards to test our memory.
That got me thinking, “Why don’t we use flash cards for teaching early concepts?” My Buddy Knows series was born.
Fun fact: each of the “Buddies” in the books are named after my children.
I loved the art in this book. What was the art process like in putting this book together?
Surprisingly, all of the art in the books were acquired from a site that offers royalty-free images, approved for commercial use, free of charge.
It was a case study, of sorts, for my YouTube channel for authors, Keith Wheeler Books. I wanted to prove that you didn’t have to spend a lot of money to produce a book, if you focused on quality content and provided your reader with an amazing experience.
How does this book help young children with their alphabet comprehension?
The simple answer is that it makes learning fun. It’s like a game. Plus, as you turn the page, Josh(the “buddy” in the book) pops up in different places.
I can’t tell you how many parents tell me that their child loves to see where he’s going to pop up next.
This is volume one in the My Buddy Knows series. What are the other books in the series and what is the goal for the series overall?
There are currently 4 volumes in the My Buddy Knows series. They are:
My Buddy Knows Letters
My Buddy Knows Numbers
My Buddy Knows Colors & Shapes
My Buddy Knows Baby Animals
I’m also in the process of creating a spin-off series: My Buddy Knows Languages. I’m in the process of creating the first 5 books in the series:
My Buddy Knows Spanish
My Buddy Knows French
My Buddy Knows German
My Buddy Knows Italian
My Buddy Knows Japanese
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Learning the alphabet? My Buddy can help. Big, bright illustrations catch the eyes of youngsters, delighting them and grabbing their attention. The unique flash card approach helps them to learn their alphabet while building their confidence, turning learning into a fun game.
Your preschooler will look forward to learning their letters with this fun and unique book.
My Buddy Knows the answers… Do you?
13 Common Parent-isms
Clean Your Plate! is a fantastic parenting guide that helps well-intentioned parents avoid troublesome mannerisms. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I think that every parent has had that “oh crap, I just became my mr” moment when something comes out of our mouth we swore we’d never say. There’s a reason for parent-isms like “clean your plate”, “get straight A’s”, or “go give your aunt a hug”, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still have negative side-effects. (Kind of like how your headache medicine may get rid of your headache, but it could also cause nausea, vomiting, or spontaneous combustion.) This book goes over 13 common parent-isms and gives a research-based look at what negative side effects they could be causing and how to get the intended message across in a more positive way.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about parenting?
I think people believe there is a Don’t mistake my meaning here, there are plenty of clearly and obviously wrong ways to parent, but the only right way is the right way for you and your kids. So many parents try to parent “by the book” only to unnecessarily force themselves into something that feels unnatural and makes either them or their kids (or both) unnecessarily stressed.
What is your paring experience and how has that helped you write this book?
I’m the step-mom of a teenage girl and the bio-mom of a 5-year-old Navy Seal trainee in an Elsa dress, and a 1-year-old raccoon noise impersonator. Our household also features a cumulative 200 pounds of dog and a rabbit of unusual size.
When I was first attempting to “learn how to parent” (as if such a feat is really possible) I kept finding so-called parenting books that were so full of information yet little-to-no practical help. I knew what meconium was, but I had no idea how to bond with my baby. I could tell you all about teen hormones, but I didn’t have any clue how to handle it when my step-daughter went into her room for days at a time. I happened to be working on my PhD in business psychology at the time and realized that the most helpful information for my day-to-day parenting issues was actually coming from my PhD research rather than the parenting books I was reading.
This book is an attempt to bridge that gap.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
The three main take-home messages from this book are to parent for the long term (not the short term), to parent for skills (not results), and to parent like you and your kids are on the same team (because you are…no matter what it feels like in the moment).
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
We want our kids to get good grades, stop hitting their siblings, and, yes, clean their plate at dinnertime. It shouldn’t be that hard, right?
Wrong. Sometimes these harmless sounding statements don’t work. Even worse, they often backfire to cause unexpected and unwelcome side effects for us and for our kids. (Just like your prescription for headache medicine may accidentally cause vomiting or make you spontaneously sprout a leathery tail.)
This book takes 13 of the most common parent-isms and walks you through the ways they can go wrong, why they could negatively impact your kids, and what you should say instead.
Includes parental greatest hits like:
Do You Need Any Money?
Get Straight A’s
Don’t Be a Quitter
Don’t Talk Back (to Your Elders)
Waste Not, Want Not
Be Nice to Your Friends
Give Your Aunt a Hug
Win Your Game Today
Finish Your Homework
Don’t Hit
Sit Still
Don’t Watch TV
Clean Your Plate
My Buddy Knows…Letters
![My Buddy Knows...Letters by [Keith Wheeler]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510ff3LGQTL.jpg)
My Buddy Knows… Letters is a delightful children’s picture book that teaches young kids about the alphabet. The story stars Josh, who knows a lot about letters. He shares his knowledge of all twenty-six letters throughout the book by showing the reader a cute picture of an object and then showing them the letter that the object starts with. This is a fantastic way to teach children about the alphabet while also beginning spelling comprehension by associating letters with objects.
The art is simple, bright, and keeps the focus on the object and the corresponding letters, which I found helps kids stay focused. Josh pops up throughout the book in different spots on the page, which I enjoyed, but I would have liked to have seen him in different poses.
My Buddy Knows… Letters is an educational book that is perfect to leave lying around the house for your little ones to pick up and explore themselves after you’ve introduced them to it. Author Keith Wheeler has created a great tool for teachers and parents to begin early alphabet comprehension with their kindergartener or toddler.
Pages: 58 | ASIN: B01N44DWRF
LITERARY TITAN 