Ghosts Don't Ride Bikes, Do they?( Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol #2) by Andres Miedoso: Book ReviewBook

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Desmond Cole knows a lot about ghosts. After all, he created the Ghost Patrol. Desmond is sure that ghosts don't ride bikes but his new friend Andres doesn't know what to think.

Something strange is going on at the bike park and Andres wants to get down to the bottom of it. Not one kid at the bike park has managed to land the Kicker, the biggest jump at the park. The strangest part about it is that every kid falls off the bike before the jump but their bike keeps going to and crashes on the other side. Andres enlists Desmond's help and they discover a ghost is knocking kids off so he can ride their bikes over the hill.

The ghost mystery doesn't stop. When all of the bikes disappear the next day from school. Andres and Desmond set out to find the culprit. Another surprise about ghosts awaits. The early reader may want to form his own ghost patrol and help solve the mystery. Though lacking some character development and not as strong as the first book in the series,  the reader will still enjoy the ghost antics and look forward to the next installment.

★★★☆☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Little Simon / Simon & Schuster (December 12, 2017)

ISBN: 978-1534410428

Ages 4-6

This book can be purchased on Amazon

Claude on the Big Screen by Alex T. Smith: Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Claude takes care of the important work of hanging his costumes out to dry, with his trusty sidekick, Sir Bobblysock, supervising from his lounge chair. After the work is over, Claude pulls out his new trampoline and the shenanigans begin. With each bounce he gets a view of the action on Waggy Avenue where he sees a gorilla sporting a cup of tea and his curiosity gets the best of him. Why would a gorilla be drinking a cup of tea?

With Sir Bobblysock bouncing along beside him, Claude shoves the trampoline in his trusty beret and heads toward the action on Waggy Avenue. Tripping over the clothesline doesn't slow Claude down. He shoves it with all of the costumes inside of his beret too. His excitement builds when he finds Waggy Avenue lined with cameras, spotlights, and microphones. An invitation to watch the filming a movie lands Claude a front row seat. Unfortunately, his inability to sit still shuts out the lead actor and actress. Will Claude and Sir Bobblysocks have what it takes to save the movie?

As always, Claude's zaniness leads to chuckles which turn to laughter with the continued absurdity of his antics. The ever endearing Claude, with his snazzy sweater and classy beret, help the young reader navigate from the picture book into the next reading level through bizarre and lighthearted fun.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing (October 2017)

ISBN: 978-1-68263-009-9

Ages 7-9 (Early Chapter Book)

This book can be purchased through Amazon.

Book Review: Claude in the Country by Alex T. Smith

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Book received at no charge to facilitate my review.

Get ready for a wild ride. Claude and Sir Bobblysocks have arrived at the farm with all of their quirky humor intact.

Boredom builds when Claude is cooped up indoors until he can stand it no longer. He sets out for a walk in the countryside on a quest for fresh air with his best friend, Sir Bobblysocks. Before long they come across Mrs. Cowpat, the farmer, at Woolybottom Farm and hilarity ensues when they are invited to help her with the farm chores. Claude tries his hand at gathering eggs, acting as a sheepdog and riding a horse but getting the pigs ready for the county farm brings out the fun and charm that young readers have come to expect with Claude.

It never ceases to amaze what what is expressed in the simple hues of black, white, and red like the soft pink of a pretty pig to the angry red of a blazing bull. All while the reader cheer on Claude in his new adventure. Is it enough to get Claude to move to the countryside forever? Another fabulous rendition of an endearing character perfect for the early reader.

Rating ★★★★★

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Book Review and Giveaway: Claude at the Beach by Alex T. Smith

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Book received from the publisher at no charge to facilitate review

Claude the dog with the red beret needs a vacation. What better person to spend it with than his best friend, Sir Bobblysock. After packing all sorts of useful things like tambourines, whipped cream, and sticky tape, the two head off on and adventure to the beach.

Claude's relaxing day at the beach winds up filled with excitement as he rescues a swimmer from a shark, enters sand castle building contest and has a surprise waiting in his hunt for pirate treasure.

Who knew strutting around in red underwear held up by tape could be so fun?
Kids will never get enough of Claude and his hilarious antics. Quirky illustrations endear the reader to already loveable characters. Claude will leave his fans hardly able to contain their excitement for his next adventure.

Rating: Highly Recommended ★★★★★

Publishing Information: 
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (April 2014)
ISBN: 978-1-56145-703-8
Ages 7-9

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

Contest Details:  

To celebrate the April release of Claude at the Beach, I am giving away a hard copy to one of my lucky readers in April. Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest ends 4/20/2014 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

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Book Review: Dewi and the Seeds of Doom by Maggie Lyons

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When Dewi, the Welsh dragon, is hit on the nose by a falling rat, his curiosity leads him to a more sinister discovery. After questioning the sick rat and the kestrel who dropped him, Dewi heads to the Castle of Gloomsgor for answers. With the help of his friends like Jones the Toad, he discovers an evil plot by Baron Doom to breed mutant corn and use it for harm.

Dewi's determined and humorous attempt to solve the mystery of the genetically modified corn will have the younger middle grade reader glued to the pages. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger that make it easy to finish the book in one reading. Short chapters and a simple plot lend well to the eight to ten year old reader but may not challenge the older middle grade reader. The cover art aptly introduces the lovable dragon Dewi, and the reader will adore him just as much after finishing the book. A sweet message of friendship and clever jokes lighten the serious message of greed and the dangers of modified food.

Rating:  Recommended ★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publsiher: Halo Publishing International (October 2012)

Pages: 69 paperback

ISBN 13: 9781612440941

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

**I received the book at no charge from the publisher to facilitate my review.No monetary compensation was received.  As always, I retain the right to give a fair and honest review.**

Claude at the Circus Book Review and Giveaway

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Disclosure: I received a copy at no charge to facilitate my review. No payment was received.

Claude and his best friend, Sir Bobblysock return. When Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes leave, Claude jumps at the chance to put on his beret and go on an adventure to the park. Not one to be left behind, Sir Bobblysock risks setting off his hay fever to join him.

Claude enjoys a scooter ride and ice cream during his first trip to the park and even rescues a baby in a run away stroller. His trip ends with an offer for another adventure, tickets to the circus where he and Sir Bobblysock end up taking center stage through a hilarious string of mishaps.

 Claude once again captures the young readers heart through bizarre humor. Loyal fans will revel in each zany chapter, while anticipating their next fun adventure with Claude.
An endearing early reader that will make children smile.

Rating: Recommended ****

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing (Sept. 2013)

ISBN:  978-1-56145-702-1

Ages 7-9

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Giveaway details: 

Prize fulfillment by the Peachtree Publishers. Winner will receive a copy of Claude at the Circus. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the Rafflecopter form and agree to them. Contest ends 9/29/2013 at 11:59 PM EST.

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Blog Tour: Charlie Bumpers VS. Teacher of the Year by Bill Harley BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY (Ends Aug. 30)

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It can't get any worse for Charlie Bumpers after he learns he has Mrs. Burke fourth grade. So what if she was Teacher of the Year the previous school year. That doesn't mean Charlie can't be afraid of the the one teacher who threatened to take away his recess for the rest of his life. After all, he didn't mean to hit her in the head with his shoe.

No matter how hard he tries, Charlie winds up doing something stupid instead. And with every stupid mistake, he's convinced Mrs. Burke dislikes him even more. However, Charlie learns that there is more to Mrs. Burke than just being strict. In doing so, he gets a glimpse of himself as others see him. 

Though predictable at times, young readers will have no problem relating to Charlie and will see the humor in Charlie's series of blunders. Will easily appeal to the elementary school boy. 

Rating:  Recommended ****

Publishing Information

Peachtree Publishing (Sept. 1, 2013)

160 pages

ISBN: 978-1-56145-732-8

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

Be sure to check out the book trailer.

Want to know more about Charlie Bumpers? Be sure to check author, Bill Harley's blog.

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