Blog Archives
Lost and Found (Alicia Connected)
Lost and Found, the third installment in the Alicia Connected series, takes readers on an enlightening adventure with its young protagonist, Alicia. Throughout this engaging tale, Alicia discovers the importance of patience, the need to verify online information, and the risks of engaging with unknown people online. When confronted with a suspicious cyberstalker, Alicia’s decision-making skills are put to the test.
Set against the backdrop of an anticipated lake vacation filled with geocaching and family fun, the story artfully illustrates the struggle to balance the digital world with real-life experiences. But to truly enjoy the real world, Alicia must learn to disconnect from the virtual one.
Author Derek Fisher has crafted a narrative that isn’t just entertaining and educational. In a world where many young readers may lack proper digital education, Fisher’s tale is a much-needed tool for teaching digital responsibility. He has an undeniable knack for conveying the thoughts and feelings of children, especially when they are immersed in addictive video games.
The story’s subtlety is another strength, as Fisher encourages readers to always choose the safe path when in doubt. Alicia’s internal dilemmas, her attempts to justify why something is “probably” okay, and her ultimate realization that “probably” isn’t good enough is beautifully portrayed. The message is clear: When in doubt, seek guidance.
Lost and Found is a timely and age-appropriate book that educates children on the vital subject of digital responsibility. Engaging, thoughtful, and filled with relatable scenarios, this book comes highly recommended for parents and educators alike. If I were teaching a class on digital responsibility for children, this would undoubtedly be on the reading list.
Pages: 84 | ASIN : B0BSSK1CVD
Nurse Florence®, What is Polymicrogyria?
Middle-schooler Jean’s daily routine is split between enjoying the company of friends and embarking on a unique and heartfelt mission: unraveling the mystery of her cousin’s medical condition, Polymicrogyria, under the guidance of the wise and engaging Nurse Florence. Through their shared fact-finding journey, they explore the intricacies of Polymicrogyria, unearthing tips for self-care and well-being that can enrich the lives of Jean, her cousin, and readers alike.
Nurse Florence, What is Polymicrogyria? by Michael Dow emerges as a remarkable introduction to a lesser-known medical condition. Not only did it unveil a term previously unfamiliar to me, but Nurse Florence’s insightful approach to finding accurate medical information online is skillfully presented. Particularly admirable is the character’s encouragement to approach knowledge with an open mind and to never be deterred by what we don’t yet know. Nurse Florence’s ethos of seeking answers from credible sources with courage and curiosity resonates deeply.
As my second engagement with Nurse Florence’s adventures, I find the series’ extraordinary introduction to illnesses and ailments to be an invaluable resource for readers across all age groups. While the book may benefit from a slight editorial revision, it stands as an otherwise exemplary read. The series’ gentle yet comprehensive explanations, devoid of any condescension, make it a must-read for anyone interested in medical science or in need of insights into a specific health condition. Complementing the rich content is the lively, photorealistic artwork by Kelsey Tone, infused with just the right touch of whimsy, making the Nurse Florence adventures a compelling educational tool.
Nurse Florence, What is Polymicrogyria is not merely a book; it is an accessible and enjoyable learning experience suitable for readers of all ages. Whether utilized in classrooms, group reading sessions, or individual exploration, this latest installment in a truly outstanding series makes an invaluable addition to any health and wellness collection. It encapsulates a commitment to education, a respect for the reader’s intelligence, and a sincere dedication to enhancing the understanding of health and life in the contemporary world.
Pages: 58 | ISBN : 1387524755
Start-up Checklist For Success, The Essentials You Need to Know
In the world of entrepreneurship, it’s a known fact that a significant percentage of startups fail within their first year. The Startup Checklist for Success, authored by Hynes and Savage, serves as an invaluable guidebook for budding entrepreneurs seeking to navigate these challenging initial phases and beyond. The authors have artfully distilled the essence of entrepreneurship into digestible components, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation and detailing each step, from personal development and idea-pitching to financial management and operational nuances.
The strength of this book lies in its blend of fundamental business principles, practical insights, and often overlooked information critical for long-term success. Hynes and Savage masterfully render intricate business concepts into accessible language, providing clear and concise illustrations for understanding the company’s accounts. It’s akin to a comprehensive textbook for entrepreneurship, offering an assortment of strategic advice and nuggets of wisdom.
The Startup Checklist for Success endeavors to be an entrepreneur’s trusted companion throughout their business journey. It is a compendium of diverse yet essential information, encapsulating hard skills such as bookkeeping and calculating break-even points, along with softer elements like managing one’s ego and understanding the necessity of reevaluation in the face of failure. It has the unique ability to decode complex financial concepts into simpler terms, thereby enabling entrepreneurs to grasp the pivotal aspects of their venture.
The authors’ strategy of condensing complex subjects makes the content more accessible to readers. They offer a helpful overview of potential accounting hurdles an entrepreneur might encounter without intending to deliver exhaustive instruction on creating accounting books.
This book is a great tool for anyone involved in a business venture, whether in the idea stage, recently established, or long-standing. It is a practical guide to the entrepreneurial world, presenting the author’s first-hand experiences and implicitly conveying their tacit knowledge. Although it doesn’t promise to instantly metamorphose the reader into a business expert, it certainly addresses critical questions pertaining to the establishment and operation of companies. In a landscape where not everyone has access to mentorship from a successful businessperson, The Startup Checklist for Success provides the necessary guidance and wisdom that every entrepreneur can benefit from.
Pages: 355 | ASIN: B0BYZYHHPC
Nurse Florence, What is Rosacea?
Jean, Condi, and Sonia embody the curiosity that characterizes eager learners. With an insatiable desire to grasp the world around them, these three students diligently listen, probe with questions, and strive to understand complex subjects. In Nurse Florence, What is Rosacea? they explore a topic of specific interest to them: health, and they turn to the knowledgeable Nurse Florence for guidance.
When a friend confides that her mother is distressed by her rosacea, a common skin condition, the girls’ inquisitiveness leads them to Nurse Florence for insight. Through their journey, they uncover that rosacea, though common, is often misunderstood, and they learn that those who suffer from it should not feel shame.
Nurse Florence, What is Rosacea? is a fantastic book by author Michael Dow and illustrator Erin Miller. Together, they craft an informative and engaging book designed for upper-elementary and middle-grade readers. Their collaboration sheds light on rosacea and other skin conditions, demystifying them in a manner that not only fosters understanding but also compassion.
Dow’s thorough research on rosacea is evident as he simplifies the subject without diminishing its complexity. By including a glossary for more intricate terms and cleverly weaving facts into the characters’ dialogue, he creates an accessible educational experience. The intentional repetition utilized by the characters—Jean, Condi, and Sonia—reinforces learning, a technique that resonates with young readers.
But this book is not merely a dry compendium of facts. It’s a heartfelt guide, offering readers an extensive collection of information about rosacea’s triggers and preventive measures. As a former sufferer of rosacea myself, I found Dow’s dedication to educating young readers both commendable and personally meaningful.
Nurse Florence, What is Rosacea? is meaningful, informative, and written with thoughtful care. Whether you’re a child curious about health or an adult seeking to understand a prevalent condition, this book delivers a rich and engaging exploration of rosacea, making it a must-read for various age groups.
Literary Titan Book Award August 2023
The Literary Titan Book Awards are granted to children’s books that have enchanted and delighted us with their distinctive storytelling, vibrant illustrations, engaging characters, or innovative concepts. These books merit extraordinary recognition, and we are thrilled to applaud the tireless efforts, commitment, and creative talent of these exceptional authors.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
See Yourself in Cybersecurity
Our world is changing at a fast pace. Computers run every facet of our lives. It makes sense, then, that the up-and-coming careers all involve technology and how to live with and use it safely. Cybersecurity is an important buzzword in the technology community and one to which high school and college students are being introduced on a daily basis. Over the coming years, cybersecurity will become increasingly vital, and our world will need all hands on deck as we rocket forward into the age of computers. Author Zinet Kemal knows this all too well.
See Yourself in Cybersecurity, by written by Zinet Kemal and illustrated by C.J. Love, is a fantastic nonfiction book geared toward middle and high school students who may be considering a career in cybersecurity. Kemal is an award-winning author and a professional in the field of cybersecurity. Her contribution to middle and high school students is immense. Throughout this book, Kemal specifically defines each and every aspect of a career in cybersecurity, from forensics to the sales engineer. She leaves no stone unturned and no term undefined. Readers will find the glossary terms included on each page to be especially helpful as they explore this exciting career.
I am always looking for engaging material for my students, and See Yourself in Cybersecurity, by written by Zinet Kemal and illustrated by C.J. Love, more than fits the bill. I heartily recommend Kemal’s book for its thorough treatment of the topic, the straightforward and easy-to-follow explanations, and the vibrant illustrations that further serve to draw in readers. This is a solid book to include in any middle or high school library.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0C65XH788
A Small Tooth is a Big Change For Kids
Terrific Teeth educates young readers about losing teeth and shows them how to handle it. What is the biggest fear kids have about losing teeth?
The fear of losing baby teeth has many surprising connections. It’s partly a physiological condition as new and unexpected changes happen to your body. Something that you just partially control yourself. Children may also fear that the process might be painful.
But there is some mental pain, too. The period when children’s baby teeth start to fall out is an extraordinary stage in their development. It is a turning point when a small child suddenly grows up to meet new challenges. Children can also be worried that a new kind of witch’s smile greets them in the mirror! And who knows when new teeth will grow to fill the gaps – if ever!
That’s why approaching school age, in particular, often increases the children’s pressure and worries about whether they will learn everything they need in time before school starts. Losing teeth and getting them out one by one is a new task children must face simultaneously with many other matters. They may try to be as competent as possible but still feel small and need assistance and support.
What are some key factors parents should keep in mind when helping their kids deal with losing teeth?
It’s essential to remember that the period of children losing teeth is more significant than you would expect. To deal with it wisely, we’ll better consider all the challenges connected to that particular turning point in children’s lives.
The adults begin to talk to their offspring about starting school. The child might get the first proper bike and practice the route to the schoolyard. Besides that, there a many more new skills to learn at the latest, before school – such as reading, swimming, and dressing all by yourself. A familiar life at home is scaling outward to the unknown.
In rapid changes and constantly facing new things, it is essential that the children feel safe all the time. Adults provide their best support by devoting enough time and patience and taking the little one’s concerns seriously. Don’t rush – removing tiny teeth from a small mouth is a necessary process that lasts several years. Let’s be happy with our child about this new phase as well.
Regarding this matter, too, it is good to remember that things look different when we look at them through the eyes of a child. This is especially true of all fears. What seems like a small thing to an adult may worry a child for weeks.
What is the biggest challenge you had as a parent around dental health?
I’m a mother of three children. Fortunately – based on my personal childhood experiences – I was well aware of the possible dental challenges they might face with their teeth. It has helped me approach my children’s upbringing with patient compassion also in this respect.
Each of my children had a unique approach to this teeth-losing period. One was very scared, and taking the tooth away was a multi-day operation for the whole family. The other was a quiet loner who just needed a little encouragement and, finally, some ice cream treats. Somebody needed some praising after proudly presenting the loose teeth between tiny fingertips.
My father helped me get some of my first baby teeth out. He took me to buy ice cream to celebrate our joint success. It left me with a pleasant memory that I have sometimes applied to my children. It has been nice to celebrate the lost tooth somehow together. With my youngest child, we sometimes had to consult the dentist, and after each visit, we went to the bookshop to buy a book, some paperware, or pencils. Soon he was almost waiting for those visits.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have many roles in our small publishing company, Wickwick Ltd, and I work with stories along the production chain. That’s why I’m also now involved in the various stages of the books that we publish. There is writing, working with translators, editors, and illustrators.
I have just written many new manuscripts, as spring and summer are fruitful seasons for me. Stories pile up, and they will be published next year. I think the five stories I have written linked to important songs in my life will be fascinating. And I trust they’ll inspire the illustrators, too. Besides, I’m writing manuscripts for two great stories with very specific backgrounds. A family friend living on the other side of the world has “donated” me his unique experiences and suggested that I turn them into children’s books. And I will do it. However, it takes some time before these stories can be published with beautiful illustrations. I hope they will be ready for my readers sometime next year.
Fortunately, there are also books ready for publishing already this autumn. It calms my impatient mind! I’ll give you some examples. Friends and Rivals tells a story of power-hungry prince brothers. The illustration is made by the Croatian Iva Dukić. This is our first book together, and I’m delighted with the result. The book’s insightful pictures convey moods from the brothers’ carefree days as children as well as from the dark years of fighting for power.
Also coming soon is The Bird Prison – a fairy tale set in a beautiful garden with surprising limitations. The book has lovely hand-drawn watercolor illustrations by the Ukrainian Sofia Panchyshyn. A perfect garden turns out to be a difficult place to live for birds of different colors, each chirping their unique song. The stiff gardener, Griselda, is definitely not a fan of birds. I have witnessed with joy how my story has been transferred to paper in Sofia’s skillful hands. I expected wonderful pictures because I’ve seen some of her work before. But the illustration of this book exceeds all my expectations. I’m sure it will get a lot of admirers!
Author Links: Facebook | Website
“Terrific Teeth” is a book about losing baby teeth.
Is Emma about to start losing her baby teeth? What if they won’t come out–will horrible crocodile teeth grow inside her mouth, as her brother says? Luckily, Dad has some ideas in mind to help her.
Help! Emma’s first baby tooth is loose. “I want to keep this tooth. It’s just fine!” Emma insists.
But Emma’s brother is scaring her, telling her those horrible crocodile teeth will grow inside her mouth if she keeps all her baby teeth. Luckily, Dad has some ideas to help, and in the end, she gets to have a tooth party.
Henri and the Magnificent Snort : A Children’s Book about Bullying, Belonging, and Love
We are all unique. It’s the one thing that we all have in common. Henri, as it turns out, has something especially unique about him. Henri is a French bulldog, and he snorts instead of barking. This was not something Henri noticed or cared about until he and his owner relocated, and he started attending doggie daycare. Henri quickly becomes the target of some genuinely intense bullying from the other dogs. With the new nickname “Pig Dog,” Henri finds himself sad and confused. He even doubts that his wonderful mom will want him around if she realizes he is a Pig Dog.
Henri and the Magnificent Snort, written by Samantha Childs and illustrated by Hannah Farr, is the story of one little French bulldog’s experience with bullying. In this exceptionally well-structured and lovingly-penned tale, Childs sheds light on bullying in a way young readers will both understand and appreciate. Henri is lovable, and readers will cheer for him throughout this precious tale.
Childs’s book is simply a stunning work of children’s literature. I cannot say enough about the impact this book will have on young readers. The use of dogs, rhyming text, and an absolutely beautiful collection of touching illustrations make Childs and Farr’s book a future classic.
Henri and the Magnificent Snort, written by Samantha Childs and illustrated by Hannah Farr, is an invaluable book in bullying education. The lessons about self-confidence, self-worth, and acceptance combine to create a must-have story for elementary classrooms, homeschool programs, and school guidance counselors. I highly recommend Childs and Farr’s book to anyone looking for an easy-to-understand, rhyming storyline to help teach young readers how to value themselves and others.
Pages: 60 | ISBN : 0692149570 | Website
LITERARY TITAN 