Spring is finally here in the Southern Hemisphere and that means it’s time to enjoy some warmth and sunshine as the lazy days of Summer will soon be hSpring is finally here in the Southern Hemisphere and that means it’s time to enjoy some warmth and sunshine as the lazy days of Summer will soon be here. Do you have any good books on your summer reading list yet? I have the perfect swoon worthy beachy romance for you. Sun, Sand and Second Chances by author Catherine Michaels will help heat things up for you. Feel the warmth of the sand between your toes and let the waves of possibilities and promises splash a refreshing tale of love, loss and hope as the story fills your heart with joy and enchantment. Main Character Kate Fiore has lost the chance at love and the hope of having a baby, then to top things off, she loses her job too. What would you do? Would you start again in a new town? That’s what Kate decides to do when an opportunity arises to take a summer job on a peaceful island on the North Carolina coast that seems ideal. That is, until she encounters the inevitable resistance from Luke McAllister the hunky brooding man she is forced to work alongside, whether she wants to or not. Add in a sprinkle of tension from the townsfolk who don’t like outsiders and tourists and those who want to build holiday apartments along the pristine foreshore and you have a complex story of land care, environmental concerns, turtle hatchlings and aquarium life all wrapped up in sunshine, gorgeous sunsets and the hope of a second chance with summer love. Told cleverly from the point of view of both main characters with individual chapters to tell their version of the story, the narrative moves along with ebb and flow just like the tides of their emotions. Will Kate and Luke ever learn to work together, and will they have a second chance at finding love in each other’s arms? Pull up a comfy chair in the sun and let the warmth and rays of sunshine that you find in the pages of this book fill your heart with surprise and delight. I was gifted an arc copy of this book for an honest review. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to anyone who takes pleasure in reading romance novels while on summer holidays. ...more
This was a delightful read packed full of adventure and learning. When Harriet’s 4th grade teacher sets a history assignment on ancient civilisations,This was a delightful read packed full of adventure and learning. When Harriet’s 4th grade teacher sets a history assignment on ancient civilisations, she teams up with her best friend, Will, to do their research at the local library. Whilst in the private research room for reserved books, Harriet discovers an old book that intrigues her curiosity. As she flips through the pages, she soon uncovers a surprising secret. The book holds several jewelled rings that transport Harriet and Will to ancient civilisations. Through their travels back in time we learn about life in ancient Rome, Philippi in ancient northern Greece and Medieval England. The story is engaging, fast paced and fascinating as we learn so much about a day in the life of each of these interesting eras. I admit my favourite time was meeting Robin Hood and his band of merry men including Maid Marion as they persuade the Sheriff of Nottingham to mend his ways, but both ancient Roman and Greece are equally enticing. There is plenty of suspense and thrills to keep the young reader turning the pages, like being chased down an ancient Roman street by a soldier who accuses Harriet of stealing or being forced into a dark, damp gaol cell with a crowd in ancient Greece. How they escape and the result of each adventure is informative and clever. I found this story was a fabulous way for kids to read and learn about people from the past and the many battles that their daily lives encountered. It may even encourage readers with curiosity to research further. It was a thoroughly enjoyable adventure that kids 8 -10 will equally appreciate. I gave this story 5 out 5 stars. Thank you Debra for sending me a free copy to review honestly.
Looking for Altheda is a fun fantasy quest that will appeal to the upper end of middle grade readers and young adults. It does have a bit of a dark siLooking for Altheda is a fun fantasy quest that will appeal to the upper end of middle grade readers and young adults. It does have a bit of a dark side especially towards the end which is why I wouldn’t recommend it to sensitive younger readers. Having said that, I enjoyed this story immensely. Ms Klein has a quirky sense of humour that will delight all readers familiar with fairy tales and all that their worlds portray. She has very cleverly entwined an abundance of fairy tales into one magnificent journey. When Sam is on holiday at his grandfather’s farm, lovingly referred to as ‘the Wallaby Patch,� he soon uncovers intrigue and secrets that are unlocked by a certain green coat carefully folded inside a timber chest ornately carved with a dragon design. Our reluctant hero soon finds himself deep in the fantasy world searching for his long-lost grandmother. The unpredictable fun begins as he encounters the teddy bears picnic deep within the woods, a town of living eggs, one of whom is mourning the loss of Humpty Dumpty and a hare who is desperate to prove that the tortoise cheated. There is so much to enjoy as we follow Sam on his quest, readers will laugh and face certain fear in a mix of emotions that will keep them turning the pages in this fast-paced fantasy world adventure. There are plenty of twists and turns too, just when you think you have worked it out, the plot leads you down a different path keeping the mystery alive until you reach the inevitable exciting climax. Well done Ms Klein, for writing a unique, clever and captivating story in a fantasy world that is so well described you can imagine it is real. I give this 5 out of 5 stars, read it if you love fantasy and fairy tales, you won't be disappointed....more
Teenage angst, a hint of romance, fairy tale and a quest, all make this book a fabulous read for young adults and older readers alike. From the very fTeenage angst, a hint of romance, fairy tale and a quest, all make this book a fabulous read for young adults and older readers alike. From the very first pages I found this novel hard to put down. The hook of the opening chapter set in fantasy hooked my curiosity to find where it would lead. I was not disappointed. We soon meet Cody, an adolescent from Australia recently moved to a quaint English country village. He brings with him enough of an angry and trouble past that provides a layer to the story of vulnerability and compassion for him. Several characters with unusual names that brought with them their own intrigue are introduced with panache and add further layers to the mystery. With the introduction of the fairy tale world in the initial chapter, I found these character names had to be a clue to the connection of the two worlds and I was delighted when I learnt I was right. Newt Ty, also a bit of an outcast at school, adds the layer of just enough romance for any young teenager to handle without delving too far into passion. As the quest is revealed, the tension between all the characters, including Cody’s father, mounts to a climax of exciting dimensions. Elizabeth Klein is a masterful storyteller, her thorough research on folk and fairy tales is evident as she weaves them subtly into the story without losing pace or tension. Her clever scene descriptions ran like a movie in my mind, just enough for my imagination to take flight along with the gryphon over the hills and meadows. The ending leaves the reader with enough questions to a clever plot twist that should have been obvious but was never revealed. I thoroughly enjoyed this YA novel and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fairy tale with a modern twist. 5 stars. ...more
Who doesn’t love a fun pirate adventure with a map and hidden treasure? When I read the title of this book, I knew it was going to be an entertaining Who doesn’t love a fun pirate adventure with a map and hidden treasure? When I read the title of this book, I knew it was going to be an entertaining treat and it certainly didn’t disappoint. When Jock McLock and his best mate, Noel Harris discover half a treasure map at the bottom of a box of books they are selling at a market, we immediately know Jock can’t resist the temptation to search for the other half of the map and the inevitable treasure. This leads him on a quest of excitement, suspicion, danger, and a mixed bag of quirky humour. Jock is a very believable character with his ideals and day-dreaming nature. Elizabeth Klein cleverly weaves Jock’s wild imagination into the story by threading it with Jock’s recollections of his favourite TV spy Marco Lex. Whenever Jock is in a threatening situation, he envisions how his super spy hero would handle it. This adds a dimension of both tension and comic relief. The villain in the white safari suit adds enough intrigue to keep avid readers guessing why he is lurking. Add to that his companion that Jock calls ‘Weasel� and we have a curious pair of misfits we know are sure to cause trouble. I enjoyed reading this story because it had similar elements in it to my first Adamson Adventures, Secrets Hidden Below. I was curious to see how the quest would play out, especial with the villain of the story appearing quite soon as the plot developed. It was wonderful to read how another author dealt with similar themes of friendship, family and swashbuckling treasure. Suitable for readers aged 8 � 12, kids are going to delight in this laugh-out-loud piratical adventure as they take a journey on the high seas to an island in the Bahamas and enjoy Jock’s thrilling and amusing exploits....more
Review Rainbows From Poppy Title: Rainbows From Poppy Author: Mistie Dal Molin Illustrator: Chelsea Young Genre: Picture Book Publisher: Rocket Lou Books FoReview Rainbows From Poppy Title: Rainbows From Poppy Author: Mistie Dal Molin Illustrator: Chelsea Young Genre: Picture Book Publisher: Rocket Lou Books Format: Hard cover Buy:
Rainbows From Poppy is a wonderfully written special picture book for children aged 3 and up. When a little boy grows up never knowing his grandfather, he asks the big question � Why? He soon learns all about his Poppy and imagines the two of them doing activities together. Throughout this heart-warming story we soon learn about Poppy’s promise to send a rainbow. This story will help open the conversation of loss not only to small children but kids of all ages and may even help adults too. Whether it is the loss of a family member or even a pet, we can all learn so much from this beautiful tale of love, loss, understanding and acceptance. Mistie’s voice is warm and caring, the words are carefully chosen, playful and gentle. They express emotion in a subtle and compassionate manner. The illustrations by Chelsea Young are adorably cute. The choice of palette colours is also soft and gentle enough that they enhance the appearance of the rainbow. The use of the family dog on almost every page shows companionship and gives the illustrations a lift with a little light-hearted humour. I particularly enjoyed this picture book because I could relate to the little boy and the comfort of a rainbow sending a message from a grandparent in heaven. A rainbow has always helped our family remember my father. Whenever we see a rainbow someone always says that Papa has come for a visit and is keeping an eye on us all. Rainbows are a beautiful way to make us stop for a moment and share these special memories. This story will appeal to both young and old, and everyone in between particularly families who have lost their loved ones or are dealing with coming to terms with an inevitable loss. I can certainly understand and appreciate why this wonderful moving story is being shared in funeral homes around the country. ...more
Written by two great co-authors, Just Between Sam and Me has seamless synergy. The voice of the main character is strong and at no point can you tell Written by two great co-authors, Just Between Sam and Me has seamless synergy. The voice of the main character is strong and at no point can you tell the change between authors. It is a heart-warming story full of plenty of ups and downs. In fact I was almost moved to tears on several occasions. Set in the mid-west of the United States, I enjoyed the references to all the different foods I was not familiar with, it helped bring a curious flavour to the scenes. However, the main plot of the story, overcoming bullying, was done with tender care, demonstrating that anyone can overcome the torment and find successful coping strategies. I enjoyed the strong message this story conveyed that is sure to help any tween in this situation. I highly recommend this story to be shared in classrooms and at home. ...more
Kids love magic and sea creatures! Put them together and you have “The Magical Aquarium� by Cat Michaels. An enchanting underwater magical sea adventuKids love magic and sea creatures! Put them together and you have “The Magical Aquarium� by Cat Michaels. An enchanting underwater magical sea adventure that is delightful, imaginative and inspiring. I was lucky to win a copy of this wonderful ebook during a giveaway Cat ran during the launch of this latest short chapter book.
I don’t want to give too much away, suffice to say, the characters are charming, the story telling is perfect for the intended age group and the illustrations are rather cute. My first impression was this was a story that only girls would find interesting. So I decided to test my theory. I tutor a neighbour’s ten year old son after school and asked him to read the first chapter to gauge his opinion. After all, the best reviews always come direct from a child. He enjoyed that first chapter but no surprise, agreed he thought it was more suitable for the girls in his class, so I didn’t press him to read further. The following week when given the choice to go back to “Zac Power, Frozen Fear� by H. I. Larry or continue with the “Magical Aquarium,� to my surprise he chose �..drum roll please…� (you guessed it!) “The Magical Aquarium!� A second chapter in, we wrote a couple of sentences about the story so far, then he asked if he could download it himself so that he could finish it this week. He didn’t want to wait until I returned next week with my tablet to be able to continue reading. You can’t get a better reaction than that! I was very impressed. Cat’s story had drawn my reader into her imaginative world and piqued his curiosity.
My theory fell flat. This is a book for all kids. They will love meeting the sea creatures in it. Some are a bit quirky, there’s a vegetarian shark and a sea turtle with an itchy nose that needs to be scratched. Kids learn all about touch tanks where they can have the hands-on experience of feeling unusual creatures and walk through underwater tunnels to view all kinds of amazing underwater friends. Of course there is something quite magical that happens while the children visit this particular aquarium, but you are going to have to read the story to find out. No spoilers here!
You can tell Cat Michaels is a former school teacher like myself, at the end of the book she has included a glossary of what she terms “Challenge Words� for young readers to check their understanding of meaning. Included with these are gorgeous photographs to further visually demonstrate comprehension. This is a perfect conclusion to a magical underwater adventure.
My only concern is that Cat has a stingray in the touch tank. I know they are generally considered docile animals and will only attack when frightened, mainly when stepped on in shallow waters when they are skimming through sand unseen. However, I think as an Australian, seeing them lurking off our shores quite frequently, I am a little more wary. The “Crocodile Hunter,� Steve Irwin taught us an invaluable lesson about how dangerous a stingray can actually be if we are not careful. If you read this enchanting book with your children, maybe it is worthwhile having the discussion, a touch tank where children can feel animals under supervision is one thing, but some things are best left alone when discovered in their natural environment.
That being said, I still believe this book is worthy of 5 star(fish) for it’s imagination, creativity and environmental awareness. A great way to start a discussion with the kids at home or in your classroom about looking after the world’s oceans....more
Have you ever dreamed of visiting Scotland but never quite managed the trip?
Then Rhonda PKilts, Clans and Celtic Heroes
Have you ever been to Scotland?
Have you ever dreamed of visiting Scotland but never quite managed the trip?
Then Rhonda Paglia’s new book “A Journey Through Scotland: Highlands and Lowland � Fun Facts, Sights, History�, has it all for you.
Take a tour of Scotland with Rhonda and her husband and let her show you amazing sights such as Rosslyn Chapel, tell fascinating tales like the one about the ghost that haunts Edinburgh Castle, and search for the legendary monster along the banks of Loch Ness.
There is so much to see and learn in the beautiful pages of this non-fiction pictorial journey. Rhonda has provided just enough information on each topic to entice the reader to want to explore further into this wonderful country of history and heritage.
For me, it was like a trip down memory lane. Each page I turned evoked special thoughts of our own wonderful experiences visiting many of the same places as we explored our own cultural ancestry. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, William Wallace Memorial, Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, and so much more, they all came flooding back to life in my mind, producing smiles and laughter.
While I have been lucky enough to have visited Scotland twice, I recognise many people haven’t been so fortunate. Rhonda’s book is a great place to start. It gives you a glimpse of the people, places, tastes and even language of this magnificent country all mixed with a little touch of humour along the way. If you have always wanted to visit or perhaps just considered a visit to Scotland, once you have immersed yourself in the page of this tour of Scotland, you will be enticed even more!
Kids in middle school would find this book quite helpful for school projects when searching for information on Scotland. While the information is not in depth, it is a fabulous place to start their research. Plenty of gorgeous photographs to demonstrate the character of the country both the cities and countryside. Plus the book includes a map, basic facts about Scotland, an illustration of a man dressed in complete Highland Dress including full labeling as well as a list of Scottish words and sayings to help the wary traveler understand.
I thought it was so good, I wish I had thought of the idea myself!...more
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