Saturday, June 27, 2015

50 Things You Should Know About the Second World War by Simon Adams: Book Review

FTC Disclosure: Book received at no charge from publisher  to facilitate review.

So much of World War II centers around the Holocaust and the atrocities carried out by the Nazis. Over 7 million people lost their lives simply for being Jewish, Gypsy, homosexual, or disabled. Those   lives should never be forgotten. But the second World War was truly a large scale war that encompassed so much more than the front in Europe. With over 20 million lives lost in China alone from the war with Japan, young readers learn of the staggering suffering world wide.

Through real life photos, illustrations, maps and snippets of fact laid out in boxes, World War II comes alive for a new generation. The author and designers make extra effort in sensitivity of their intended audience by excluding the most graphic war photos while still illustrating the horror of second World War. They give nod to the organizations formed to try to prevent such heinous activity from happening. While the book concentrates on the causes and effects of the war on Europe, it also covers the war in the Pacific and touches on the war in Africa. A great book to introduce the middle grade reader to the second World War.

Rating ★★★★

Publishing Information

Publisher: QEB Publishing (May 1, 2015)
Flexibound: 80 Pages 
ISBN-13-978-1609927707
Ages: 9-12

This book can be purchases at the following retailer:




Thursday, June 18, 2015

Author Interview With David Fulk - Author of Raising Rufus



Sunday, June 14, 2015

Looking for Fun Summer Activities? 101 Things To Do Before You Grow Up: Fun activities for you to check off your list: BOOK REVIEW

FTC Disclosure: Book received at no charge from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The long awaited summer vacation finally arrives and it's not long before you hear, "I'm bored." Either that or those young ones can't seem to get away from video games. It's enough to make any parent crazy. With activities like making rock candy and putting together a survival kit, children will want to get off the couch and start their active bucket list.

Spiral bound pages make the book easy to keep open while going over instructions and gathering supplies. Most supplies can be found around the house or purchased inexpensively. While some things are not unique, like playing charades, and others are not activities but educational opportunities, like learning about the seven wonders of the world, there are enough ideas that will keep the reader captivated for weeks. Even parents will want to join in on learning new dance moves. For those few activities that might worry a parent or bore a child, the pages make it easy to glue your own activity over the top.

A good book for summertime fun.

Rating ★★★★☆
Publishing Information

Publisher: Walter Foster Jr. (March 1, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1633220034
Pages: 144
Ages: 8-12

This book can be purchased at the following retailers:




Tuesday, June 9, 2015

I Love Kisses by Camilla de la Bédoyère: Book Review

FTC Disclosure: Book received free in exchange for an honest review.

A zebra nuzzle, a koala bear cuddle, and a gorilla kiss come together through high quality photos with fifteen bundles of animal cuteness. Just the cover alone makes the reader want to play and cuddle with the baby animals.

While the photos are adorable, the unoriginal text makes for a lackluster read aloud. For example,  when the baby zebra explains, "When my family comes over, I get smothered with kisses," it's something the young reader already knows through experience. However, the secondary text which contain factual snippets about the different animals provide interesting side notes that will spark interest. Who knew seal pups couldn't swim until their white fluffy fur disappears and is replaced with short gray fur?

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: QEB Publishing (May 1, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1609927202
Pages 32
Ages 6-8

This book can be purchased at the following retailers:



Sunday, June 7, 2015

Raising Rufus by David Fulk Book Review:

ARC received at no charge to facilitate review.

To an eleven-year-old explorer named Martin, not much can top finding a frozen giant egg. Who cares if bullies taunt him and he disappoints his father because of his lack of interest in football? At least he has his egg to care for in his makeshift lab in his barn. As long as he has his outdoor world in Menominee Springs, Wisconsin to explore and such fabulous finds, he is perfectly content. Martin becomes the proud owner of what he thinks is a deformed lizard that hatches from the egg when it finally thaws. He's always wanted a pet but never expected his new lizard turns out to be a real dinosaur. The Tyrannasaurus Rex, Martin names Rufus, quickly attaches to his new owner.

While Martin takes on summer work to feed Rufus, he finds himself in over his head when he can't keep up with the ever growing appetite of his pet dinosaur. Even with the help of his new friend, Audrey, Martin can't keep his secret hidden. Together they race to keep Rufus from ending up as a freak side show in the town's theme park but in doing so, will Martin have to give up the pet he has come to love?

In his debut novel, Fulk keeps the reader laughing while tugging at the heartstrings in his coming of age tale. Any boy who has ever loved his pet won't be able to put the book down until he finds out what happens to Rufus. A delightful take on an age-old dilemma of love and loss.
Rating: ★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (June 9, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0385744645
Pages: 252 (hardcover)
Ages 9-12

This book can be purchased at the following retailers:

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