Back in the Saddle

To return to blogging, or not to return. That is the question!

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee ~ #MeToo

Introducing a new title for middle
graders that I thought might be of interest to most of my readers 

Maybe He Just Likes You by
Barbara Dee

Barbara Dee explores the subject of #MeToo for the middle grade
audience in this heart-wrenching—and ultimately uplifting—novel about
experiencing harassment and unwanted attention from classmates.

For seventh-grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an
unwanted hug on the school blacktop. A few days later, at recess, one of the
boys (and fellow trumpet player) Callum tells Mila it’s his birthday, and asks
her for a “birthday hug.” He’s just being friendly, isn’t he? And how can she
say no? But Callum’s hug lasts a few seconds too long, and feels…weird.
According to her friend, Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn’t
she know what flirting looks like?

But the boys don’t leave Mila alone. On the bus. In the halls.
During band practice—the one place Mila could always escape.

It doesn’t feel like flirting—so what is it? Thanks to a chance
meeting, Mila begins to find

solace in a new place: karate class. Slowly, with
the help of a fellow classmate, Mila learns how to stand her ground and how to
respect others—and herself.

From the author of Everything I Know About You, Halfway Normal,
and Star-Crossed comes this timely story of a middle school girl
standing up and finding her voice.”

About the Author: Barbara
Dee is the author of several middle grade novels including Maybe He Just
Likes You, Everything I Know About You, Halfway Normal, and Star-Crossed.
Her books have received several starred reviews and been included on many
best-of lists, including the ALA Rainbow List Top Ten, the Chicago Public
Library Best of the Best, and the NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books
for Young People. Star-Crossed was also a Goodreads Choice Awards
finalist. Barbara is one of the founders of the Chappaqua Children’s Book
Festival. She lives with her family, including a naughty cat named Luna and a
sweet rescue hound dog named Ripley, in Westchester County, New York.

Rosie Reviews:

I was able to read this book in less than two hours.  I found that I could not stop reading.  I wasn't sure that I wanted to read it but my mom told me she wanted me to read it and help with a review so I agreed.

I would recommend this book to any kids (boys should read it too) ages 9 and up, especially those in 6th grade like me and in Jr High and High School.  My big sister read it too and she said the same thing about it that I did.... this book is SO GOOD. 

This is the type of story that makes you emotional and kind of uncomfortable at times, but is so important to read because it really does happen in real life.  My sister and I both have had boys say things and do things that made us uncomfortable and we just didn't know what we should do about it.  I like how Mila tries to tell her friends how uncomfortable she is and how two of her friends did try to stick up for her.  I didn't like that Zara wasn't a good friend and wouldn't listen.  If one of my friends tells me she is having problems with someone I try to listen and go with her to tell an adult.  It is important to stick up for yourself.

This is a really good story and one that I am going to recommend to my friends to read!





Susan's Review:

Mila's story is one that is all too common and often overlooked in our culture.  As several times it stated in the book, other students and even adults tell Mila that she is "over reacting" to the situation.  She thankfully is determined and continues to try to fight back and speak out in her own way, but it becomes difficult to know who to trust.  Nobody should have the right to harass or touch another person in any way that makes that person uncomfortable. This well-written story affirms Mila’s anger,
confusion, and fear during each confrontation, but also highlights the importance of speaking up
and speaking out against harassment.

I was thrilled with the depth given to each of the characters in the story and how well the author creates a realistic world with characters that act in age appropriate manners.  The adults in the story are all-too realistic in how they each handle the situation presented by Mila.  The way in which Mila finally conquers her fear and "speaks out" is humorous and serious at the same time, though I do not condone how it was accomplished, I do applaud her for her bravery and determination to finally make herself heard.

This book should be in all school libraries, in every teacher's list of required reading.  For those who have been on the receiving end of unwanted touch or uncomfortable words will be relieved to find there are many others who have been through it too.  Boys of all ages will be able to get insight into what it feels like to be on the receiving end of the "harmless" jokes and innuendoes and maybe refrain from participating in this inappropriate harassment.  And to finally have a book that shows how common sexual harassment is for young girls and boys and that it is not your fault, you are not overreacting, you are not alone and you do have a voice...speak out!  And if they don't listen...keep speaking until they hear you!


Maybe He Just Likes You by
Barbara Dee 

Aladdin

Available October 1, 2019

Hardcover $17.99  Ebook $10.99

Ages 9-13

304 pages

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review from Media Masters Publicity. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Survival Tips for Family Travel ~ Join the Chaos

So, you are planning a Wonderful family trip.  You just know that each and every sweet, lovable member of your family is going to enjoy every single moment of togetherness and bonding.  There is a whole vacation full of special moments you have meticulously planned and of course, each family member is going to be just as excited and enthusiastic, well-behaved and thankful for all your hard work planning this special adventure.... then, reality sets in before the car is even packed. . . fighting over suitcases, who gets to sit in the window seat, which movie to watch in the minivan. . . potty stops five minutes after leaving home . . . what can you do to get this adventure back on track?



Here are some tips

I found online and in personal experiences of traveling not just with the kiddos but the spouse as well!

Travel Tips & Tricks

Things We Do:



*
Make sure to have a packing list ~ it helps to make sure all the
necessities are there with you when you arrive at your destination - one
of the worst things a parent can experience is a little one who's
favorite toy or bedtime sleepy friend was left home by mistake!





*
Make a bag/backpack for each kid with their favorite books, coloring
books/baggie of crayons, color wonder books/markers, plain paper &
colored pencils, and a few small toys.



 * Have a few small snacks available as well as small bottles of water for each kid.



*
As my kids are getting older, they like to bring electronic games to
play.  I prefer they not play them in the car, so instead - we play "I
Spy" together, or the "license plate game" or something similar that one
of us makes up.  After playing that for a while, they are allowed to
play their games for a few minutes as reward.



*
An iPod for each child works pretty well for my kids.  When they start
to harass each other, having separate iPods with earphones helps them
focus on music and less on each other.



* A portable DVD player - one movie they all have to agree on, or Mom picks the movie



*
Bring magnetic board games for older kids to play - or chalk
board/white boards to play hangman, drawing games and just for crazy
doodling fun. 



* Pack a small bag of surprises - I take new books, a new game or movie, small dollar store toys and use them as rewards for behaving in the car.  Each time we stop for gas or potty breaks, they get to pick something new to play with.





* Bring the things they can't live without:
The days of pacifiers
and favorite blankets may be past, but that doesn't mean your kids
haven't latched on to something else. If he's been reading a certain
book every night up lately, pack it. If she's been working on a
crossword puzzle for weeks, pack it. That doesn't mean everything goes!
Set limits (for example, one toy car, not the whole set)
you can live with ahead of time and communicate them early. Kids should
carry their most important possessions in a backpack or wheel-tote they
can carry themselves.



* Tune them in: Talk to them. And remember to listen too. Turn off
the radio in the car and engage the kids in games that require them to
use their attention and imagination while keeping them focused on their
surroundings. On the plane, watch the movie your son picked together or
read the book your daughter is reading with her and you'll have
something to talk about later.

Submitted by friends:

Made
them travel bags filled w little games..each hr or two they could pick
something out of their bag eyes closed just feeling...pick
stuff they like..don't have to spend a lot of money..go to dollar
store.... (submitted by Gail G - fb friend)



Once
in the hotel, read a chapter book so they canlook forward to it each
night. Remember to always book a hotel with an indoor pool in case
weather gets lousy - mom and dad can take turns with the kids in the
pool to give each other some quiet time.

(submitted by Gail G - fb friend)





When
we travel across multiple states, I have a "goodie" bag of small toys
and treats that each child gets to open.  It helps them focus on the
trip and how much fun it can be.  The most recent trip we went through 4
states each way.  So for my 2 kids, they each received 8 little goodie
bags!  (Submitted by Rose)

Favorite Places & Spaces

*
I love taking my kids to the local ZOO or Museum for a day trip.  I
usually have grandma and grandpa come along to help keep track of all
three kiddos and makes for a fun day - we also take a picnic lunch
along.

*
For weekend vacations, we try to go somewhere no further than a 3 hour
drive.  It is fun to see what local attractions our family can enjoy not
too far from home.

 

Have some great tips to add?  Comment below and tell us how you survive family travel adventures!

School's Out For Summer! Let's Make a Summer Reading List Together.

You know you just sang that line in your head.  At least those of us over the age of 30something should be familiar with that famous line from Alice Cooper's song.



Nonetheless, whether you are familiar or not, school is out or nearly out for most of the US.  And with a whole summer ahead, what better to post about than Summer Reading for kids of all ages.  I have an entire list of some of my family's favorite books and choices for reading this summer.



What I don't know is, what is on YOUR list?



Mom Loves 2 Read is making a Summer Reading List that will be posted and updated as followers and visitors comment below with suggestions of favorites, classics and new TBR books that are recommended for kids of all ages.

So, please start commenting below with the  Title and Author of the book, and what age range you feel it is best for.  I will add them to the list (see button on right side of blog)

0-5 (Infant - Preschool)

5-10  (Elementary)

10-15 (Middle Grade)

15-21 (Young Adult)

18+  (Adult - clean only please) 

(feel free to add the genre: mystery, romance, sci-fi)

Hailee by Penny Zeller ~ another amazing review

Hailee by Penny Zeller

Montanna Skies Series #3 

At twenty years of age, Nathaniel Maxwell Adams Jr., better known as Nate, fulfills a prophecy he made eleven years prior by moving to Pine Haven. What he hadn't planned in his youth, though, was to become a pastor, especially since his parents adamantly oppose the idea. So, as he shepherds a flock in the growing Montana town, he feels called to another smaller yet no less significant mission field: his mother and father.



For years, orphan Hailee Annigan was just a ragamuffin, roaming the Cincinnati streets trying to keep food in the mouths of her two younger brothers and herself. This often meant thieving, which landed her in the Sanctuary of Hope, a home for delinquent youngsters. There, her life changed, thanks to her patient, loving teachers. Now, at eighteen, she pursues a dream to become a teacher herself and bravely accepts a position in Montana. She still has faith that she'll find her brothers again someday, but for now, she's ready to put the past behind her.



When their paths converge in Pine Haven, their lives begin to overlap in ways they can't ignore. And they must discover if God intends for their destinies to converge, as well.



(spoilers ahead. . . . )







I was  drawn to the main character Hailee from the beginning of the book.  Her story of love and sacrifice for her younger brothers endeared her to me right away.  I was captivated

by the circumstances that led her ultimately to Pine Haven as the new teacher, and her reluctance to build the relationship between her and Nate due to her fear of others learning of the sins in her past.

Nate has his own issues to deal with as he tries to follow God's plans for his life in spite of what his parents plans for him.  I liked how the author showed that although he was determined to be obedient to God's call on his life, he was never disrespectful when speaking with his parents.  Although I could see how it would be tempting when they refused to acknowledge his chosen profession, or the fact that as a grown man he should be able to determine his own way in life and choose not to follow in his father's footsteps.  I admired his honesty and willingness to seek help from his Uncle when uncertain, and his faith in God even during difficult situations.

Both Hailee and Nate are believable characters, both have a faith in God and make for an interesting story well worth reading.  Once again, author Penny Zeller has written a wonderful piece of Christian Fiction with a sweet, heartwarming romance thrown in.  I definitely recommend this book, and this series to any CF lover!







About the Author:

Penny Zeller is the author of several books and numerous magazine articles. She is also the author of the blog "A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author" www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com where she also provides weekly doses of inspiration and humor, along with movie reviews from a Christian worldview, and interviews with some of her favorite author friends.

Among other books, Penny is the author of "McKenzie," "Kaydie," and "Hailee" in her Montana Skies Historical Romance Series (Whitaker House) and "77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others" (Beacon Hill).

Penny is an active volunteer in her community, devoting her time to assisting and nurturing women and children into a closer relationship with Christ. When she's not writing, Penny enjoys spending time with her family and camping, hiking, canoeing, and playing volleyball. While she is generally a health nut, Penny does have one small weakness: hot tamales (yes, the little red candy kind!)



Penny loves to hear from her readers at her website, www.pennyzeller.com

and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

20 Recipes Kids Should Know by Esme Washburn

Kids of all ages love to help Mom and Dad in the kitchen.  From stirring the cake batter to trying to crack eggs without dropping shell pieces in the mix, kids love to learn how to create fun foods.  To promote this love of cooking, having kid-friendly cookbooks with easy recipes is a great way to provide independence and creativity in the kitchen.  Here is one of my new favorite recipe books just for kids ~ ~ ~ written by kids!

20 Recipes Kids Should Know by Esme Washburn

The perfect book for children, this fun and engaging cookbook is
written and photographed by a pair of young sisters for budding chefs.



Whether
they're helping stir cake batter or producing their own YouTube cooking
channel, kids of all ages are getting increasingly busy in the kitchen.
This cookbook features twenty classic recipes that are fun, healthy,
adaptable, and easy to prepare. From banana bread and the perfect
grilled cheese to breaded chicken and apple pie, each recipe is written
in a clear, accessible style that young cooks of every level will be
able to follow. The author is a young chef whose love of

cooking
developed from her own family's food traditions like baking popovers
with her grandmother and Sunday-night pizza making. By teaching kids
basic recipes that can be adapted in endless ways, this book is the
perfect launching pad to finding their way around the kitchen--or
launching their own cooking careers.



With fun and easy recipes like this one my 11 year old loves for strawberry shortcake (was delicious for my Mother's Day brunch in bed this year)

And don't forget the Banana bread and chocolate chip cookies she and her sister made me for my birthday!  So yummy!

 

Whether your kiddos are beginners in the kitchen, or seasoned chefs, this book is a great addition to any youngster's CookBook collection! 

Check it out on Amazon (affiliate) for $11.70

Or in most bookstores for $16.95

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

National Geographic is Poetic ~ Review: The Poetry of US

The Poetry of US (ages 8-12, $24.99) contains
more than 200 poems, all showcasing the diverse people and places of of
the United States. Curated by former U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate J
Patrick Lewis, familiar verses and brand new voices accompany striking
photographs as the reader embarks on a literary
trip through all 50 states and the many cultures, traditions, histories
and passions that define us.   



Poems are arranged by region, from coast to coast, and among them are works by Langston Hughes, Dorothy Parker, Robert
Frost, Naomi Shihab Nye, Walt Whitman, and more. Reflecting the United States’ melting pot of people, the distinctive
voices of immigrant and minority writers as well as poems in Spanish,
Arabic, and Korean with accompanying translations
into English are also featured.  



From the
familiar to the surprising, subjects include people, places, landmarks,
monuments, nature, and celebrations. Inspiring, thought-provoking and particularly timely,
this collection of poetry and photography eloquently reveals the spirit that unites US.     

Early praise for The Poetry of US:

“...an expansive gathering, with dazzling visuals” - Kirkus

Review:

Celebrate the gift of language and the vibrant culture of the United
States with this collection of classic and never-before-published
poetry. Poems are arranged by region, from coast to coast,and are designed for family sharing, but geared to
younger readers, this beautifully illustrated treasury is a must-have
for the family bookshelf.



With three children ages 10 to 17, plus several nieces ranging from age 2 through 7; there is a lot of opportunity for reading and family enjoyment of books in my house.  Poetry is one of those subjects that I personally love but have trouble getting many of the kiddos to read or listen to.  The Poetry of US is a wonderful book that has easy to read and understand poetry that caters to kids (and adults) of all ages.  Even the 17 year old boy got involved reading to the younger girls.  I loved the cultural poems in the variety of languages that were translated into English.  


A book I recommend for any household!





Affiliate link for purchase:  AMAZON

 

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Summertime BLUES ~ what happens when the children run amok!

I found this post that I had put on my blog a few years ago.  Summer Break is coming fast and I have only a few outings planned for the kiddos.  I want to keep them busy, yet still give them time for carefree fun. 

I am interested in ideas!  What do you do with your kiddos during breaks from school when you are not gone on vacation?  I do have some chores for them but also want some fun ideas that are low-cost to entertain them and also stimulate their minds.   Here is what happened in the previous post . . . . . .

 

When in doubt about how to get the kiddos to get along during school breaks - separate them.

If that doesn't seem to work, or you want them to learn to get along - make them play a game together - come up with a NEW way to play an old game - or work together on a fun project (like a welcome home banner for Dad who is on a work trip) - oversee them for a few minutes to get them started - then tell them to find the best way to work together without arguing!  



You can even offer a prize or incentive for getting along well! (yes I do resort to bribing my kids on occasion)

There is always taking them to a local park to let them run off steam - but during hot and humid summer days the park is not always the best idea.  And what about when mom is trying to get Homework, housework (or blogging) done?  Well, again I say separate the little monkeys and give them each something to do alone - read a fun book, color a picture or two, fold towels or washrags (ideas for younger kids) - CLEAN YOUR ROOM - lol for the older ones, or play something alone - 

AND if all else fails - call in the Grandparents for help!

Any ideas?  Please leave comments below with YOUR school break ideas for helping the kiddos not argue, fuss and drive Mom insane! ;)

Mom Loves 2 Read is the Mother of Three Active little monkeys children ages almost 12, 8 and 5.  



WOW - they are now 16, 13, and 10!  Coloring doesnt work like it used to!  How do I get them off the electronics and having fun???



These are my personal experiences, thoughts and anecdotes and may differ from your own experiences or opinions.

What happens when the bride wears BLUE? Find out in this review!

The Bride Wore Blue

by Mona Hodgson

The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek—Book 3

Headed toward a fresh start but tethered by her past, Vivian longs to break free, to find forgiveness and love.



At last, the sisters are reunited! The youngest Sinclair, the family“ baby”, is moving from Maine to Cripple Creek, Colorado and joining Kat, Nell, and Ida. But Vivian is a young woman with a will of her own, and made some decisions back in Portland that have begun to haunt her. Will she be able to live up to the expectations of her three perfect and now happily-settled sisters?

The sisters warmly welcome Vivian to the mountain west, but the wild-and-woolly mining town isn’t ripe with opportunities for a respectable young woman. The youngest Sinclair sister is determined to make her own way, so when she’s offered a job as a

hostess in a sporting house, she takes it, thinking the position is appropriate for a tainted, unlovable woman like herself.



 Although she’s convinced she’ll never be asked to entertain privately, Vivian keeps her employment a secret from her sisters, knowing they’d be mortified—as will Carter Alwyn, the kind and godly sheriff ’s deputy who’s sweet on her.

Vivian is descending into a life of secrets, lying to the very people who love her and could help her heal from her mistakes. Will an outpouring of grace remind her that she is still God’s beloved and that her past can be washed as clean as Rocky Mountain snow? 

Author's Web Site           Author Bio          More Info         Read Chapter One        

My Review:

I have now read all three of The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek stories to date.  This third book in the series gives the reader an in-depth look at the "baby" of the family, Vivian.  I felt like Vivian had been a typical spoiled baby sister, wanting her own way before she went to join her older sisters in Cripple Creek, and had learned some hard life lessons in a very difficult way.  Though she seemed to be more mature and to have learned from the mistakes in her past, she seemed to continue to resent her older sister's influence in her life at times, and I think it led to her making more mistakes that could possibly been avoided if she would have just taken the time to talk with one or more of them.



This realistic sibling dynamic made the story much more enjoyable for me, as well as the estranged romance between Vivian and Deputy Alwyn.  The overwhelming lesson of forgiveness, faith and acceptance is an integral part of the story from beginning to end.  This heartwarming story is one that shows how forgiveness, love, and family loyalty can help overcome difficult circumstances.  I also enjoyed the mystery and danger involved that gave the wild west type feel to this story that I really like.



This is a good christian fiction romance, with some wild west outlaws, soiled doves,  train robbery and so much more excitement thrown in the mix.  Although it can be read alone, I do recommend reading the first two books in the series first in order to get to know many of the other characters in this story.

Disclosure: All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

New books in the Fairday collection: Check out this review of the original Secret DMS files!

For this review, I was sent a paperback copy of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by one of the authors: Jessica Haight.  I was so excited for the chance to read and review for Jess since she is my most faithful follower on this blog; and since I am always on the lookout for new middle grade books to entice my 10 year old to read more. 



About the book ~ taken from the blog:

The newer book cover!





~ For more info on the book, the authors and some clue-finding fun ~

visit: Jess's blog:   http://jessicahaight.com/The_DMS_Home_Page_.html

or Fairday's blog:   http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

Fairday on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/fairday

Jess on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/@dmsfiles

My Review:

I fell in love with the characters in this book from page one.  Fairday and her family are unique, entertaining, and completely believable.  I enjoyed getting to know Fairday, her family, Lizzy and the kids in Fairday's new school.  The  mystery and suspense is perfect for young readers (and even older ones like me).  The writing flows and I never had to re-read or pause to figure out what was going on.  I love that the story is easy to read and understand and yet written in such a way that kids ages 10 through teen will enjoy the story, the characters and the adventure.  I am anxious to see what happens next!  The story ends perfectly with a mystery solved, yet with more adventure and mystery yet to come!  Excellent job Jess and Stephanie!  A definite 4.5 stars from this book lover!



On a personal note - I was trying to think of a creative way to entice my 10 year old son to give this book a try.  So, I pretended that the spiders on each page were "scary" to me (I would fake shudders and quickly close the page repeatedly to make him laugh and tease me).  Now, all 3 of my kids tease me about the spiders every time they see the book. - lol



I highly recommend you give this book a try - as I've found out from the blog, this is the first book of a series of five.  I can't wait to read the next mystery solved by the DMS team: Fairday Marrow and the Talking Library!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

MOM Loves 2 Read needs bloggers!

Unless I can get one or two faithful full-time bloggers, Mom Loves 2 Read will not be able to continue.



If anyone is interested in taking over an established blog with great PR and over 40,000 followers let me know

Holiday Gift Guide 2017 ~ Books for Kiddos Teaser!

Welcome to Mom Loves 2 Read's

Holiday Gift Guide 2017

BOOKS FOR THE KIDDOS!

National Geographic Kids!

A favorite of young ones of all ages.

Give a gift subscription!

Books make the best gifts -- a thoughtfully selected book will hold a child's interest long after the new toys have been tossed aside.  National Geographic Kids Books is featuring FOUR new titles that are perfect gifts for the explorer in

all of us.  From the big “WOW” books for middle graders to affordable stocking stuffers, these bright, beautiful titles cater to bookworms and reluctant readers alike. They are fun, visually stunning, totally engrossing AND educational (but don't tell kids that last part!).   

Weird But True! Christmas: 300 Festive Facts to Light Up the Holidays — (ages 8-12, 208 pages) The PERFECT stocking stuffer! Ready for some totally festive facts? Even Christmas can be weird -- it's true! Did you know that Santa's reindeer are probably all female? Or that artificial snow can be made from seaweed? Or that "Jingle Bells" was the first Christmas carol sung in space? Every kid will ho ho ho when they unwrap this book that is chocked full of the most random and fascinating facts about their most favorite holiday. 

Ultimate Dinopedia - (ages 7-10, 296 pages) Attention dinosaur fanatics! This is a big, gift-worthy hardcover that is also the most complete and comprehensive dinosaur reference ever. Although these amazing creatures roamed the Earth ages ago, new dinosaur discoveries are still being made today.  The new edition includes favorites, like the fierce T-rex and the gentle Brontosaurus, plus audacious new finds, like the Anzu, Kosmoceratops, and Yi. Every dino profile is colorfully illustrated and features descriptions of when they roamed the Earth, how they lived, what they ate, and more. There are more than 600 dinos featured in all, including 10 profiles of recently discovered dinosaurs and new entries in the Dino Dictionary. Reports from paleontologists present the latest news and insights from the field.

Bet You Didn’t Know: Fascinating, Far-Out, Fun-tastic Facts - (ages 8-12, 192 pages) “...the whole outing is really tailor-made for dipping and flipping at random....A bodacious wellspring of random knowledge."— Starred review, Kirkus Reviews. BIG, packed with gorgeous photos and illustrations and guaranteed to keep kids occupied for hours and hours, Bet You Didn’t Know is the perfect holiday gift for the fact-lover or for your kid’s favorite teacher’s classroom. Did you know that the first stop signs were black and white? Or that a litter of kittens is called a kindle? Or that butterflies can see more colors than humans can?  Based on a favorite department in Nat Geo Kids magazine, this book is overflowing with fascinating facts, silly stats, and catchy little knowledge nuggets in all kinds of cool categories, from astronomy and sea creatures to revolutions and breakfast. Special features include Extreme Weirdness, Strange Places, Wacky World, and more. 

Just Joking Jumbo — (ages 7-10, 288 pages)  What do you get when you have 1,000 giant jokes and 1,000 funny photos?  A stocking stuffer that adds up to some seriously big laughs! If you have a budding stand up comedian on your list this year - this is the perfect book for them.  Knock-knocks, puns, riddles, tongue-twisters, photos of silly situations and even the craziest info about the history of funny business - it’s all here! 

Ok so here is a little secret from my family to your shopping list....  My 16 year old son and 13 and 9 year old daughters all LOVE to read these National Geographic Kids magazines.   And if that doesn't convince you, my 9 year old just asked me for a new subscription for Christmas!  It was #2 on her Wishlist!  (#1 was a motorized scooter...!?!?!)  So whether you are buying for kiddos in your own household or sending a gift to loved ones far away, check out National Geographic Kids!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Dog Trouble Author Galia Oz ~ Guest Post & Exerpt from her newest book!

 

The capricious muse or Hermes, patron of thieves - who not to rely on when writing a book 

by Galia Oz

Looking forward to reading another positive post about fleeting inspiration that spawned a book? Not on my watch. People think that inspiration is like a good fairy; they wait for it to suddenly appear and tap them with her spark-emitting wand like in the movies, and suddenly they’ll know how to write a book. For me, however, it doesn’t work that way. For the most part, I sit down in front of the screen, grumpy

and reluctant, and tend to the text like a gardener a garden: cleaning and arranging and weeding, giving up and then pushing forward, all while constantly trying to woo the language, to persuade it to work with me.

My language, by the way, is Hebrew. I wrote the Dog Trouble series between 2007 and 2014, and all five books were bestsellers and some won awards in Israel. They have been translated and published in France, Spain, and Brazil before they were published here, in the United States, recently.

Extract from Dog Trouble:

Last night Mon was in a pretty good mood for a change and she asked me what I would want to be if I wasn't a girl named Julie. I said I didn't know, and she put her arms around me and said I wasn't a girl named Julie, but a sweet cake made totally out of chocolate. And she gave me a hug and tickled my stomach as if I was Max or Monty, and she said, "You see? All this is made out of chocolate!"

I'm not trying to say that this fairy with her wand never appears. She appears, capricious and unexpected, and in the most impossible of situations; like when I’m cooking one thing in a pot, frying something else in a pan and cutting vegetables at the same time. At that very moment, a funny situation or a crucial dialogue will pop into my head, and I’ll have to choose: do I run to write it down and let the food burn, or inversely, do I keep watching the pan and risk losing my inspiration?

And then I asked her what she'd like to be if she wasn't Mon, and she thought for a minute and said if she wasn't Mon who worked at the bank and had taken a long time off to stay home with the twins, she'd be an explorer or a sea captain. I tried to imagine her as a sea captain, holding Max in one hand, a pair of binoculars in the other, with a pacifier hanging around her neck, and I thought it was pretty funny.

"But I wouldn't do anything too serious", said Mon. "I'd let other people sail the ship. I'd just lie on the deck in the sun".

Mon looked really happy, as if the boat story was really happening. She kissed me in the place between my forehead and my nose, which was her favorite kissing spot, and said, "Now jump into bed. Did you brush your teeth?"

Not all writers are alike, each has a different mission. What’s mine? To refine that elusive moment when you can see the soul through words and deeds. So I have a little notebook and pencil next to the bed to write dreams, and pens and paper in every room, all to trick that wicked muse disguised as the good fairy.

But good fairies – if you have come this far you already understand – cannot be relied on. They represent an arbitrary form of creation, based on a stroke of genius of external origin.

I much prefer to count on Hermes, patron of writers, nomads, and thieves. It is no coincidence that thieves and writers are depicted as like professions. Every writer is a thief, by definition, and I am not talking about literary theft. Writers steal completely legally; they draw ideas from those close to them and complete strangers, from politics and the weather, from their dreams at night and from a joke thrown their way in a cafe. Writers are active and sophisticated thieves. They dig deep within their memories and even import from those of their parents.

At bedtime, I told her that only little kids could ever be happy. Then they got a bit older and went to school and that was when the trouble started. Later they turned into adults like her and Dad and suddenly they had little kids of their own and then they got annoyed all the time. Mon was rocking Max in her arms to help him fall asleep and then she said, "So what you're really saying is that only babies are happy people".

"Yes", I said angrily. "Only babies are happy people".

Mon didn't try to convince me that everything was going to be okay. She didn't say, "Of course grown-ups also know how to be happy." She just looked at me and didn't say a word. Then she hugged me real close and said I belonged to her and she belonged to me and that was the way it would always be, nothing would ever change that.

So, the next time this lazy fairy, this capricious muse, knocks on your window, let her in but beware. To rely on her is to go through life in passive anticipation. Better join forces with Hermes. You'll never burn your food again…

About the Author

Galia Oz was born in Kibbutz Hulda, Israel, in 1964. She studied film and Television in Tel Aviv University 1984-87.

Her award winning series of 5 books titled DOG TROUBLE was published in France, Spain and Brazil – and recently in the US by CROWN BOOKS Random House. The series is a steady seller in Israel for over 10 years (selling over 150,000 copies). 

Oz has directed several documentaries, all screened in international film festivals, and in Israeli leading television channels.

Over the years, Galia Oz has been meeting thousands of readers in Israeli elementary schools, and taught creative writing and classic children's literature to kids in public libraries.

Galia Oz is married and has two kids, a dog and a cat, and they all live in Ramat Hasharon, just outside Tel-Aviv.

Visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009378865434.

 

About the Book:

Title: DOG TROUBLE!

Author: Galia Oz

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 144

Genre: Children's book for young readers, ages 8-12

BOOK BLURB:

Readers who have graduated from Junie B. Jones and Ivy & Bean will fall head over heels for feisty Julie and her troublesome new dog.



Julie has only had her dog for two weeks, but she is already causing all sorts of problems. For starters, she is missing! Julie suspects the school bully Danny must be behind it. But it will take some detective work, the help of Julie’s friends, and maybe even her munchkin twin brothers to bring her new pet home.



Wonderfully sassy and endlessly entertaining, the escapades of Julie and her dog are just beginning!



Julie’s adventures have sold across the globe and been translated into five languages. Popular filmmaker and children’s author Galia Oz effortlessly captures the love of a girl and her dog.



"A funny exploration of schoolyard controversy and resolution.” –Kirkus Reviews 



"Will resonate with readers and have them waiting for more installments.” –Booklist  

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Disclosure:  I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.