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A little bit EXTRAORDINARY
A little bit Extraordinary is a children’s picture book that follows a cute young girl named Juliette who has Down’s syndrome. Throughout the book readers learn what Down’s syndrome is and helps readers learn that we’re all different, which is what makes us special. This is a beautiful story told in rhyme that promotes acceptance and celebrates diversity.
I loved this charming book. This book explains the physical differences in someone with Down’s syndrome as well as the science behind the differences. It does so easily so that anyone can understand it. Even as an adult I found this book educational as I wasn’t fully aware of what causes the syndrome and the effects it has on people. I was so wrapped up in the story and learning about Juliette that I didn’t realize the story is told in rhyme because it flowed so easily. The story discusses topics such as bullying, recognizing and celebrating differences, and showing kindness. The illustrations are exceptional, with bright colorful images on each page that provide context to the words.
I recommend this book to parents, teachers, and even adults, like me, who don’t know much about Down’s syndrome. There are more than a dozen talking points provided at the end of the book. This really highlights the major benefit this book has; it begins a discussion. Whether you know someone with Down’s syndrome or not I highly recommend reading this with your child so that you are both knowledgeable and ready to accept anyone for who they are.
Literary Titan Book Awards August 2020
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and imagination of these talented authors.
Gold Award Winners
Silver Award Winners
Those Who Watch From Afar by Zack Hacker
The Art of Losing by Nooshin Mohajerin
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information and see all award winners.
Oink and Gobble and the Missing Cupcakes
Oink and Gobble have very little in common, but that doesn’t stop them from being the best of friends. No matter what others on the farm may say about either of them, they manage to ignore it and live happy-go-lucky lives. When Oink’s cupcakes go missing, the two best friends set out on a mission to find the culprit. With Gobble’s love for logic and Oink’s overactive imagination, the pair is bound to solve the mystery–with some light-hearted moments along the way.
Oink and Gobble and the Missing Cupcakes, written by Norman Whaler and illustrated by Mohammad Shayan, is a children’s book filled with humorous moments between farm animals and best friends on their way to solving a mystery. Bright and colorful illustrations clearly convey the story line and further add to the plot. Included is a page with the names of each farm animal complete with labels.
I enjoyed this book, but I felt like the story line belongs in a book for children ages 2 to about 6 while the verbiage and some of the exchanges between characters I think might be above the heads of most children in that age group. I enjoyed the asides and the humor injected into the dialogue but found it more appropriate for older readers. I would recommend the plot of the story for young children, but the narrative is much more fitting for young adult readers.
Well-written and superbly illustrated this book will bring a smile to readers’ faces. I think this book is best read with parents or teachers as it presents many learning opportunities. Oink and Gobble and the Missing Cupcakes is a fun and funny picture book.
Pages: 30 | ASIN: B07YN4W37Q
What I Tell Myself About Self-Protection
![What I Tell Myself About Self-Protection by [Michael Brown, Ilham Fatkurahman, Michele Mathews]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jVElRdtIL._SX260_.jpg)
What I Tell Myself About Self-Protection is an educational resource for children, adults and educators. It teaches the reader through simple rhymes that danger lurks in the world and one must be prepared for it. It shows how different people, young and old, can get into scary situations that may be harmful to them. It then empowers them with the knowledge that they can protect themselves by fighting back, but also that it is okay to run away or call the police. It gives readers the tools necessary to take their safety into their own hands.
This is the most pragmatic picture book that I’ve read this year. It teaches children and adults valuable skills that might literally save their lives. It presents readers with various situations where the characters are in danger, and then shows them different ways they could protect themselves. Either by being aware of their surroundings, or dialing 911, running away, or by simply saying No and Stop. The art that accompanied each scene was clean, bright, and emotive. It reminded me of the D.A.R.E comic books that used to be distributed through schools. This is a great book for parents or educators to begin a conversation with kids about self-defense and when it’s acceptable to defend yourself. I appreciated how varied the talking points were. At end of the book readers are given a list where they can write down the contact information for different self-protection resources, which is a good resource to keep handy, or at the very least it’s a great opportunity to begin a discussion about each resource. Simply knowing that those people and services exist should help children understand that there are people in the world that will help them when needed. The book also provides a summary of a self-protection law case that helps give the books topic a real world reference, but may be more suitable for older readers. What I Tell Myself About Self-Protection provides practical advice that is easy to understand and simple to implement.
Pages: 30 | ASIN: B08BCNV9RB
A Chemical Engineer in the Palm Oil Milling Industry
![A Chemical Engineer in the Palm Oil Milling Industry by [Hong Wai Onn]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y59i+nRaL.jpg)
Palm oil is used in so many ways from cooking to cosmetics to fuel. Very few ever think about the process of getting oil refined enough to apply in some of the uses. This book is about the role of a chemical engineer in the process of milling palm oil. It is about the team work and passion that goes into milling palm oil. By the end of this book, you will know more about palm oil and the milling process. You will also get a literary tour of a mill as well as vicariously experience the dynamics of a palm oil mill.
One thing that is well appreciated in this book is the detail and expertise with which it is written. It feels like a school field trip one might actually enjoy. There is so much intriguing detail and information. With all of that the book still manages to be engaging and interesting even to a person whose only knowledge of palm oil extends to the temperature it needs to be before frying something. Palm oil milling and the chemical engineering involved might be something you never think of Googling. In fact, it might sound like something straight out of a National Geographic special but this book sure is an enjoyable read.
The author has achieved a delicate balance of casual and professional. Providing the reader with stories of their experiences which personifies the book and gets the reader to not only connect with the writer but also remain rooted in their seat throughout the book. It reads a little bit like The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt. Narration of a tale with a very important purpose. This style is well appreciated especially for this subject.
This book may be about chemical engineers in palm oil milling but a lot of it could really apply elsewhere. For example, the writer talks about teamwork, passion and importance of caring for the environment. These sentiments could carry to many other areas of life.
The writer uses very simple language. You do not feel as though you have to constantly consult chemical engineering books and the palm oil Wikipedia page. Once you have started, you feel yourself relaxing and settling into it. The writer’s passion is evident through his writing. You can feel that he enjoyed writing this book.
This book will educate you, and might inspire you to change careers or give an aspiring chemical engineer some direction and a sort of literary internship. It is quite the task to write a book about such a highly scientific subject while keeping it simple and relevant to anyone and everyone who comes across it.
Pages: 216 | ASIN: B08CGVT4W5
Jack
Jack is stuck at home with the measles, but he is still up for adventure. When his mother insists that he rest and takes away his television and game privileges, he is stuck with books–his least favorite things. Imagination, however, is stronger than even Jack realizes, and soon he finds himself lost in one world after another as he gazes out his window. Will Jack put two and two together and figure out what his teachers knew all along?
Jack, written by Norman Whaler and illustrated by Nina Mkhoiani, stresses the importance of books and the impact they have on our lives without ever stating it outright. Whaler uses Jack to demonstrate the effect stories have on children and how, when instruction is administered effectively, they never truly realize how much they are learning. The way in which Whaler uses the changing clouds to spark Jack’s imagination is quite ingenious. The illustrations by Mkhoiani are vibrant and eye-catching and convey the story line well.
I recommend this short children’s picture book to any teacher in grades K-3 who wants to impress upon students the fantastic wealth of information that can be found in books. This quick read would make a wonderful read-aloud to kick off the new school year.
Pages: 24 | ASIN: B07B2DNQPX
A New Alphabet for Humanity
![A New Alphabet for Humanity : A Children's Book of Alphabet Words to Inspire Compassion, Kindness and Positivity by [Leesa McGregor , Daniela Sosa ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HdpC-+NIL.jpg)
A New Alphabet for Humanity is an inspiring children’s picture book that introduces kids to new ideas and concepts by using encouraging and uplifting words. The book goes through each letter in the alphabet, gives the letter along with an accompanying explanation, a beautiful image to reinforce the message, and a short description of the words meaning. All of these words come together to encourage children to think globally, socially, and positively.
Leesa McGregor introduces young readers to new words, some may be beyond their reading level, but not beyond their comprehension. This wonderful children’s book will inspire kids to think about new ideas, and give them a vocabulary for ideas they may already have and just don’t know how to express. The short but impactful descriptions of the word’s meaning are helpful, not just for children, but also for the adults that may be reading this book with their children. The illustrations by Daniela Sosa are bright, colorful, and focused on action which helps to keep kids engaged. The cute smiling faces of diverse children scattered throughout this book were to numerous to count. I think this is a better way to teach children about the alphabet. Instead of Apple, Cat, and Dog. Leesa McGregor uses empowering words like Abundance, Bravery, and Compassion. These are words that children have to think about more deeply, and because of that, the words and letters will stick much easier.
I have never read a book that embraced humanity with such positivity before. It’s refreshing seeing it accomplished so magnificently for young readers. This is a book for children, parents, teachers, and anyone looking for a new, empowering, alphabet.
Pages: 34 | ASIN: B089ZGG6NM
Co-Teaching: The Professional Behind the M.A.S.K
![Co-Teaching: The Professional Behind the M.A.S.K.: TMS’ Guide to Managing Accepting Strengthening Keystones by [Regina Christian-Massey, Teacher Mod Squad, Sandra T. Alexander]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ETDBHaa+L.jpg)
Co-teaching is when two teachers collaborate in order to better serve the student needs in a classroom. As is to be expected, both teachers will have different styles. They will have different opinions and visions for their teaching outcomes. It is therefore expected that both teachers will disagree with each other from time to time. Co-Teaching: The Professional Behind the M.A.S.K. is a guide to ensure that it remains a collaborative effort despite a difference of opinion and vision. This book helps people in a co-teaching situation to properly utilize and use everyone’s talents, expertise, and styles in a way that best benefits the class.
Co-Teaching: The Professional Behind the M.A.S.K. is very useful for teachers who are already certified and those yet to receive their final push into the field. Teachers for when they find themselves sharing a space with another teacher. Prospective educators for when the time comes for them to practice in co-teaching situations. This book shows you the correct way to respect and value another person’s opinion and style without discrediting or being cavalier about it. It teaches the value of a partner in a co-teaching situation. You learn about your role and the role of your partner. Knowing your role in a partnership means that you can better meet the expectations of your partner and have them meet yours. It makes it easier to carry your part of the load.
This book is very clear. It has proper examples of situations that you might be handling wrong. It is also very practical. The author’s experience and ability are seen clearly through the way the message and subject matter are conveyed. These are two very important qualities in a guide book especially one that covers such an expertise-based profession.
Co-Teaching: The Professional Behind the M.A.S.K. is very relevant for co-teaching professionals, but some of the tips can be applied to other types of partnerships. Respect for each other and appreciation of the differences between each are the building blocks of a good successful partnership. The author understands this and it is clearly seen in this book. Many stars for the sheer simplicity of this book. The author does not make it too complicated. The seriousness and importance of the subject matter are well conveyed by the tone and voice of the book.
Pages: 94 | ASIN: B07ZQYJW33
LITERARY TITAN 