Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry

Marshmallow
story and pictures by Clare Turlay Newberry

Published: 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Children, Animals, Rabbit
Paperback: 32
Rating: 5
Goodreads

First sentence(s):
Oliver was a gray cat with tabby markings who lived in an apartment.

Marshmallow is an endearingly and beautifully illustrated book about an adorable baby bunny who comes to live in the house of a pampered cat, and the friendship that develops between them.

My two-bits:

Sweet friendship tale with adorable illustrations to match.

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* starting a new meme: posting on the first of the month with something rabbit themed (rabbit rabbit)

Little People, Big Dreams series

Little People, Big Dreams: Coco Chanel
by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara, Ana Albero

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon | Goodreads

Published: 2016
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Childrens Books
Genre: Biography, Children
Hardback: 32 pages
Rating: 5

Little People, Big Dreams series:
Coco Chanel
Frida Kahlo
Audrey Hepburn
Amelia Earhart
Agatha Christie
Marie Curie
Ella Fitzgerald
Maya Angelou

In this new series, discover the lives of outstanding people from designers and artists to scientists. All of them went on to achieve incredible things, yet all of them began life as a little child with a dream. The first book follows Coco Chanel, from her early life in an orphange--where she is a genius with needle and thread--to her time as a cabaret singer, hat maker, and, eventually, international fashion designer. This inspiring and informative little biography comes with extra facts about Coco's life at the back.

PeekAbook:

Gabrielle "was" different. While the other girls played, she liked to sew with a needle and thread. -page 5

My two-bits:

A quick way to learn about inspirational women in history is with this illustrated children's series. The basic essential qualities of each woman is presented with key moments in their lives as they strived towards their dream.

I love the look of this collection and plan on reading more of it.

~*~

Little People, BIG DREAMS: Maya Angelou
by Lisbeth Kaiser
illustrated by Leire Salaberria
Rating: 5

Amazon | Goodreads
Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou Amazon | Goodreads

I picked this up to read before getting into Maya's book. I love the overall theme of girls with dreams and working towards it despite hardships.

The Coal Thief by Alane Adams (with giveaway)

The Coal Thief
by Alane Adams

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Google+
Website
Blog
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
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Twitter @AlaneAdamsBooks

Just released: November 17, 2015
Publisher: SparkPress
Genre: Childrens, Historical
Hardback: 32 pages
Rating: 5

First sentence(s):
One morning, Georgie went into the kitchen. He poked around the potbellied stove, hoping to find a stray lump of coal.

Brrr! Georgie wakes up to a freezing morning in 1920s Pennsylvania and gets the bad news that there is no coal to heat the farmhouse—and he knows there is no money to buy more, either. Just after he finds this out, along comes his friend Harley, who drags him off on an adventure to find some mysterious “black gold.” Before Georgie can catch his breath, he’s in a pile of trouble—all the way up to his ears! Take a trip back in time and join Georgie in this heartwarming tale of mischief made and lessons learned in America’s storied past.

My two-bits:
Sweet and sentimental book that tugs at the heart.

This tale is also appropriate for the winter season as all can relate to cold weather this time of year.

About the author:

Alane Adams grew up in an old Quaker town called Whittier in Southern California. Adams attended Whittier High School and was active in every possible sport including basketball (proudly claiming the nickname Breakaway Adams!) and swimming and diving. For college, Alane attended the University of Southern California where she wanted to be an English major, but family convinced her to become an accountant to help run a family business. After spending the next few decades helping to build one of the largest recycling companies on the West Coast, Alane left the family business behind to pursue her writing career. Before launching into writing full-time, Alane began teaching full-time at a local university. Finally, the Legends of Orkney series was born when her then 12-year-old son challenged Alane to write a book he could read. She hasn't stopped writing since that day.

Alane's favorite books include any story involving folklore, fantasy and fairytales. When Alane is not writing or teaching, she is hanging out with her three boys, each who have grown up having adventures to rival those of her characters.

--~ Blog Tour Giveaway ~--
SIGNUP (here)

~*~
* giveaway courtesy of book tour sponsored by BookSparks @booksparks

Spotlight & Giveaway: The Coal Thief by Alane Adams

The Coal Thief
by Alane Adams
-just released: November 17, 2015
Amazon | Goodreads
Brrr! Georgie wakes up to a freezing morning in 1920s Pennsylvania and gets the bad news that there is no coal to heat the farmhouse—and he knows there is no money to buy more, either. Just after he finds this out, along comes his friend Harley, who drags him off on an adventure to find some mysterious “black gold.” Before Georgie can catch his breath, he’s in a pile of trouble—all the way up to his ears! Take a trip back in time and join Georgie in this heartwarming tale of mischief made and lessons learned in America’s storied past.

About the author:

Alane Adams grew up in an old Quaker town called Whittier in Southern California. Adams attended Whittier High School and was active in every possible sport including basketball (proudly claiming the nickname Breakaway Adams!) and swimming and diving. For college, Alane attended the University of Southern California where she wanted to be an English major, but family convinced her to become an accountant to help run a family business. After spending the next few decades helping to build one of the largest recycling companies on the West Coast, Alane left the family business behind to pursue her writing career. Before launching into writing full-time, Alane began teaching full-time at a local university. Finally, the Legends of Orkney series was born when her then 12-year-old son challenged Alane to write a book he could read. She hasn't stopped writing since that day.

Alane's favorite books include any story involving folklore, fantasy and fairytales. When Alane is not writing or teaching, she is hanging out with her three boys, each who have grown up having adventures to rival those of her characters.

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Google+
Website
Blog
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
Twitter @AlaneAdamsBooks

--~ Blog Tour Giveaway ~--
WIN a copy of this book!

Open to US only.

Offer ends: November 30, 2015

TO DO: (2-parts)

1. ADD this book to your Want To Read list on Goodreads (here).

2. LEAVE a comment.

AND, leave your email.

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Contest has ended - (winner is here)

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* giveaway courtesy of book tour sponsored by BookSparks @booksparks

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass narrated by Alison Larkin

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass
by Lewis Carroll
narrated by Alison Larkin

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Audible.com
Blog
Listen to sampler
Website
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter @AlisonLarkinTEA

Just released: April 16, 2015
Publisher: British Classic Audio and BMA
Genre: Classic
audiobook
Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
ASIN: B00UXLTP0W
Rating: 4.5

Lewis Carroll's most famous novels, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, are brought to sparkling new life in this unabridged recording by AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator Alison Larkin. An internationally acclaimed comedienne well known for her many voices, Alison Larkin is the perfect vessel to bring Lewis Carroll's classic novels to a new audience. This fresh and hugely entertaining listen from "the English American" joined with Lewis Carroll's surreal genius results in pure, boundless FUN.

The novels are followed by a short excerpt from the Life and Letters of Lewis Carroll, by Carroll's nephew Stuart Dodgson Collingwood.

My two-bits:

As I already love the story, it was a given that this would be an enjoyable experience to listen to.

Cute narrated version. I say cute because the narrator has one of those higher pitched voices as she tells the tale.

It is a good version for a younger crowd to listen to and certainly captures the whimsical nature of the story.

About the author:

Alison was born in Washington DC, adopted by British parents and raised in England and Africa.

She is the bestselling author of The English American, comedienne and award-winning narrator of over 100 audiobooks including Pride and Prejudice & Alice in Wonderland.

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* review copy courtesy of author and Kate Tilton’s Book Bloggers

Book Blast: A City Full of Santas by Pooja Sardana (with giveaway)

A City Full of Santas by Pooja Sardana
Amazon (ebook currently at .99 cents) | Goodreads
Ranked as #1 BestSeller on Amazon India

This Christmas is special; really special for Santa. Read this lovely Christmas tale that would re-define the meaning of Christmas.

A must read for everyone.

Just like Pooja’s other books, this book brings love, warmth, and a special message.

A story that parents would love to read to their children.

About the author:
Pooja Sardana, is a mother, a teacher, an illustrator, an author, a visionary and the co-founder of PictureBookTree.

Her books and her initiative – PictureBookTree have been widely covered in Indian media and abroad. Titled as one of the Unsung Hero in ‘Saga of the Unsung Heroes of India” , she continues to touch lives of many through her books and her work.

Her picture books for children can be availed free of cost by NGOs or individuals working with Under-privileged children. If you work with under-privileged children, you can drop an email at Picturebooktree (AT) GMAIL (DOT) COM to receive your free copy.

--~ Book Blast Giveaway ~--
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/4/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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* book blast sponsored by I Am A Reader

The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

The Adventures of Captain Underpants
book 1
by Dav Pilkey

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website

Published: 1997
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: Children's
Paperback: 121 pages
Rating: 5

Captain Underpants series:
The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997)
Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets (1998)
Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (1999)
Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants (2000)
The Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book o' Fun (2001)
Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman (2001)
The All New Extra Crunchy Captain Underpants Book O' Fun 2 (2002)
Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets (2003)
Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2: The Revenge of the Ridiculous Robo-Boogers (2003)
Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People (2006)
Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Re-Turn of Tippy Tinkletrousers (2012)
Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers (2013)
Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 (August 2014)[7]
Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot (August 2015)

Pilkey plays with words and pictures, providing great entertainment. The story is immediately engaging - two fourth-grade boys who write comic books and love to pull pranks find themselves in big trouble. Mean Mr. Krupp, their principal, videotapes George and Harold setting up their stunts and threatens to expose them. The boys' luck changes when they send for a 3-D Hypno-Ring and hypnotize Krupp, turning him into Captain Underpants, their own superhero creation. Later, Pilkey includes several pages of flip-o-ramas that animate the action. The simple black-and-white illustrations on every page furnish comic-strip appeal. The cover features Captain Underpants, resplendent in white briefs, on top of a tall building. This book will fly off the shelves.

PeekAbook: here's a preview of another book in the series, but you can get an idea of the basic storyline and illustrations



My two-bits:

Based on the cover, the hero doesn't look appealing like the supermen we are accustomed to which is part of the reason why I never thought to pick up this book. However, the reviews and hype over this got me curious enough to give it a try.

Fantastic!

I found this to be a hilarious and fun super-hero story.

The three main characters are endearing and ones I want to continue to follow in their adventures.

This series will be one of those secret guilty pleasure reads on my nightstand ;-)

~*~
AND, check out the 4th Annual Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop, September 21st to 27th, here

~*~
* part of the Top Ten Challenged Books Lists for 2013

Little Miss Bronte Jane Eyre by Jennifer Adams (with giveaway)

Little Miss Bronte
Jane Eyre
A Counting Primer
by Jennifer Adams

Visit Jennifer:
Amazon
Baby Lit Blog
Goodreads

Published: 2012
Publisher: Baby Lit
Genre: Children’s Board Book
Hardback: 22
Full-Color Illustrations
Rating: 5

Spend a day with the humble governess of Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre: A BabyLit Counting Primer. Count candles, chalkboards, pearls, and books on your adventure through Mr. Rochester’s mysterious manor.

My two-bits:

Fun way to learn numbers with a tiny introduction to the world of Jane Eyre.

BookExcerpt:

--~ Book Giveaway ~--
WIN a copy of this book!

Open to US only.

Offer ends: April 27, 2014

TO DO:

In keeping with the Bronte theme, send me a link to a picture of something Jane Eyre (i.e. book, film, youtube, etc)

AND, leave your email.

Participants:

vvb's pick:

Jane Eyre
Japanese musical 2013
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Contest has ended - winner is here

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* image source: participant entries are in comments

Little Miss Bronte Wuthering Heights by Jennifer Adams (with giveaway)

Little Miss Bronte
Wuthering Heights
A Weather Primer
by Jennifer Adams

Visit Jennifer:
Amazon
Baby Lit Blog
Goodreads

Published: 2013
Publisher: Baby Lit
Genre: Children’s Board Book
Hardback: 22
Full-Color Illustrations
Rating: 5

Watch Wuthering Heights endure the unpredictable weather of the Yorkshire moors in Wuthering Heights: A BabyLit Weather Primer. From sunny and breezy to windy and stormy, each page features charming illustrations by Alison Oliver and quotes from Little Miss Bronte selected by Jennifer Adams to describe the different types of weather Heathcliff and Catherine experience while strolling the grounds.

My two-bits:

Colorful and cute.

Not an adaptation of the Wuthering Heights story by Emily Bronte, but rather illustrations of the exterior of Wuthering Heights depicted in different types of weather scenes.

BookExcerpt:

--~ Book Giveaway ~--
WIN a copy of this book!

Open to US only.

Offer ends: April 27, 2014

TO DO:

In keeping with the Bronte theme, send me a link to a picture of something Wuthering Heights (i.e. book, film, youtube, etc)

AND, leave your email.

Participants:

vvb's pick:

Wuthering Heights
2011 film
Juju's pick:

Wuthering Heights gloves
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Contest has ended - winner is here

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* image source: participant entries are in comments

* part of Bookish Bingo challenge

Kylie Jean Pirate Queen by Marci Peschke

Kylie Jean Pirate Queen
by Marci Peschke

Visit Marci:
BookExcerpt
Website
Facebook
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Twitter

Published: 2013
Publisher: Picture Window Books
Genre: Children, Pirates
Hardback: 112 pages
Rating: 4

Amazon

The star of Kylie Jean, Drama Queen returns in another early chapter book adventure, this time inspired by her biography report on Grace O'Malley to don a pirate's hat and call out "Ahoy, mateys."

When the boys in her class--despite her gold-star report--insist to Kylie Jean that there's no such thing as a pirate queen, she sets out to prove otherwise. She challenges her biggest naysayer, Cory, to a series of pirate-like competitions: a sword fight (their sticks fall apart on contact), walking the plank (a teeter-totter) and swinging swashbuckler-style from a rope. No matter how well Kylie Jean competes, she can't seem to convince the boys. So she comes up with a plan, and enlists the help of her girlfriends to roll it out.

In the process, readers learn a great deal about pirates, such as, that pirates lived by a code, and each mate gets one vote. (Kylie Jean's bulldog acts as their parrot.) They establish their headquarters in a place they know the boys won't look: the haunted house on Kylie Jean's street. When it turns out that the haunted house is inhabited (by a nice man named Bart Black), Kylie Jean enlists his help in convincing Cory that girls can be pirates.

Peschke peppers the narrative with lots of pirate-speak, and Mourning liberally illustrates the mateys' adventures--the Jolly Roger flag and treasure map are standouts. One of many nice twists results in Kylie Jean and her brother doing a good deed for Mr. Black.

Discover: Kylie Jean as she gently confronts gender stereotypes, asserting her right to be pirate queen.

Kylie Jean series:
Rodeo Queen
Blueberry Queen
Cupcake Queen
Drama Queen
Hoop Queen
Dancing Queen
Singing Queen
Spelling Queen
Football Queen

PeekAbook:



My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): arrrr!
Things pirate told in a cute girlie way with lots of pink ;-)
Loved the illustrations!

--~ Book Giveaway ~--
I am offering this giveaway
as part of The Talk Like a Pirate event
hosted by AimeeKay's Reviews & Other Awesome Randomness!
signup to win this book here

Stanley Seagull by Cathy Mazur

Stanley Seagull
by Cathy Mazur

Visit Cathy:
Book Excerpt
Website
Facebook
Goodreads

Published: 2011
Publisher: Tribute Books
Genre: Children (age 4-6)
Paperback: 32 pages
Rating: 4

Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Meet a young seagull named Stanley. Follow him as he wanders far from home and tries to find his way back. Join Stanley on his journey as he learns how humans affect the balance of nature.

PeekAbook:



My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): freedom
A bit of seagull living is relayed in this children's tale. Quite an adventure is told with Stanley in pursuit of food. But Stanley fares well with some help.

--~ eBook Giveaway courtesy of author ~--
signup to win this ebook

~*~
* visit Stanley Seagull's site to read trivia and tidbits on gulls

* review copy courtesy of author

* part of Stanley Seagull tour - check out the other stops for more details on this book and goodies