February 2015 ~ Amanda's Books and More

Friday, February 27, 2015

The Story Behind the Keep Calm Slogan with Weekend Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #119!

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The original 1939 Keep Calm
and Carry On poster
Source: Wikipedia

I think we've all seen the Keep Calm and Carry On slogan and variations of it. I never knew that there was a story behind the original saying until my husband stumbled upon it earlier this week. I found the story so interesting that I thought to share it with you today. I went to Wikipedia to get the scoop. You can find the full story here.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Keep Calm and Carry On was a motivational poster produced by the British government in 1939 in preparation for the Second World War. ...The poster was hardly ever publicly displayed and was little known until a copy was rediscovered in 2000. It has since been re-issued by a number of private companies, and has been used as the decorative theme for a range of products.

It was thought that only two original copies survived until a collection of 20 was brought in to the Antiques Roadshow in 2012 by the daughter of an ex-Royal Observer Corps member.

Design and Production

The Keep Calm and Carry On poster was designed by the Ministry of Information during the period 27 June – 6 July 1939. It was produced as part of a series of three "Home Publicity" posters (the others read "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory" and "Freedom Is in Peril. Defend It With All Your Might"). Each poster showed the slogan under a representation of a "Tudor Crown" (a symbol of the state). They were intended to be distributed to strengthen morale in the event of a wartime disaster, such as mass bombing of major cities using high explosives and poison gas, which was widely expected within hours of an outbreak of war.

Almost 2,500,000 copies of Keep Calm and Carry On were printed between 23 August 1939 and 3 September 1939 but the poster was not sanctioned for immediate public display. Copies of Keep Calm and Carry On were retained until April 1940, but stocks were then pulped as part of the wider Paper Salvage campaign. An October 1940 edition of the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Mercury records the poster being hung in a shop in Leeds.

Rediscovery and Commercialization

In 2000, Stuart Manley, co-owner with his wife Mary of Barter Books Ltd. in Alnwick, Northumberland, was sorting through a box of used books bought at auction when he uncovered one of the original "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters. The couple framed it and hung it up by the cash register; it attracted so much interest that Manley began to produce and sell copies. Other companies followed suit, and the design rapidly began to be used as the theme for a wide range of products.

Here are a few variations of the original slogan

Source: Quotes Tags

It's my birthday on Tuesday,

so I thought to include that one.

Source Unknown

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My Latest Book Posts

Gerbs in the House: Jaida's Here

Stellarcadia and a $25 Giveaway

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or collages (example: Pinterest-ing pins)!

Just visit my page: Blog Buttons to Order

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Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to

link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest

Twitter

Facebook

I'm also now on Instagram!

Here are the easy rules:

Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.

Blog Button Code:

This is a blog hop!

Visit my Blog Hops page to see what link parties I take part in.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Stellarcadia and a $25 Giveaway

Stellarcadia Book Blast

and $25 Giveaway

Book 3 in the

Adventures of Caramel Cardamom

by Julie Anne Grasso

A middle grade science fiction trilogy

About the Book

Book Description: Caramel Cinnamon is one lucky elf. She can hardly believe she’s invited to attend the first Intergalactic Youth Summit, on-board the Stellarcadia. Her friends can’t wait to go “hyper,” but even the thought of it chills Caramel to the bone. However, nothing could compare to the icy reception she receives upon her arrival. Keen to get to the bottom of it, Caramel stumbles on a dangerous conspiracy, but no one will believe her. In the exciting conclusion to The Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy, Caramel will have to do more than outwit her enemies, she will have to convince her friends to take her seriously. For ages 8-12.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

The Early Buzz

"The book is also a perfect mix of magic, science, and technology. Don’t be surprised if readers get to use their imaginations and learn something. Julie Anne Grasso has proven herself to be an original and versatile author..." ~ 5 Stars, Ilana W., Amazon

"Couldn't put it down." ~ Jemima P., Goodreads

Check out my review of Book 2,

Return to Cardamom.

About the Author:

Julie Anne Grasso

With a background in paediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories to encourage and entertain them.

She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband Danny and their little girl, Giselle.

Website | Blog | Facebook Twitter | Goodreads

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: March 25, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Julie Anne Grasso and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gerbs in the House: Jaida’s Here

Gerbs in the House:

Jaida's Here

About the Book:

Be Courageous. Laugh. Embrace Your Uniqueness. Spread Joy. This is the story about Jaida; a friendly little caterpillar with a powerful message. A surprise visit to Mocha and Petri’s dollhouse leads the three to an everlasting friendship. Each day is filled with a new memory, until the day that Jaida stops coming to visit. As Mocha and Petri begin to accept the loss of their friend, they soon learn that Jaida’s greatest lesson has yet to come. Gerbs in the House: Jaida’s Here is a friendly children’s story about love, life, loss and transformation, inspired by Jaida Cumberland.

In Memory of Jaida Cumberland 2003 - 2011

A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Jaida's Challenge: www.jaidaschallenge.ca

My Review:

Amanda and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gerbs in the House: Jaida’s Here. It's the second time we've had the pleasure of reviewing a Gerbs in the House book. We find the photographs super cute and the illustrations are bright and friendly. Amanda really liked Jaida the butterfly and she was interested to hear about Jaida Cumberland, the real girl behind the story.

In Jaida's Here, the story brings a message of hope amidst loss:

"Although your time with Jaida was short, hang onto the memories you have because they are special," Mocha said.

I highly recommend this book for girls ages 4 - 8.

Check out my review of this delightful rhyming bedtime book called Gerbs in the House: The Dilly Dally Bedtime Routine

Purchase

Gerbs in the House: Jaida's Here

The Author
and Photographer:
Bailey J. Thompson

The Illustrator:
Heather Cook

Heather Cook in action

For more information,

visit Gerbil Meets Mouse

and Gerbs in the House.

Follow their Blog with lots of adorable photos.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of the book for my honest review.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Grade 1 and a #WW #Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #130!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on the images to view them larger.

Amanda began grade 1 in January of this year. She's completed her first month of school. Borrowing easy readers from the library is part of her homework. In the photo above, she is reading to her big sister, Jessica (who was in her pajamas and did not want to be photographed).

Prince likes to get in on the action. He decided to make himself comfortable on our dining room table where a moment ago I had been helping Amanda with her homework.

Sheela is Amanda's cat and Prince is Samantha's.

Sheela in black and white

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Visit my latest post on Cape Town

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My Latest Book Blasts:

Maisy and the Money Marauder

with a $25 Giveaway

Fearless Joe Dearborne

with a $25 Giveaway

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My Latest Giveaway

Enter to win $100!

Amazon Gift Voucher or PayPal Cash
Hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews

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Now on to my blog hop...

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

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Twitter

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and

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Friday, February 20, 2015

Inspirational Quotes and a Weekend Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #118!

My blog is best viewed in Google Chrome

In a short couple of weeks, I turn 40. I was hoping that our house would have sold and that there would be new things in store for us. I often feel stuck and isolated in our small town here in South Africa, but I trust the direction of my life in the Lord's hands.

Thankfully, our kids are well adjusted and happy and that's probably why we are still here. They don't feel the need to move, but they are open to the idea, probably for my sake. If it wasn't for my blogs, I'd be frustrated, because I have a lot of drive to be using my gifts and talents. My blogs are certainly a creative outlet for me.

I chose these inspirational quotes because they are meaningful to me. I think they will bless you too. I've also added related posts from the past with more great quotes below. If something touches your heart, feel free to pin it to your Pinterest boards.

Follow me on Pinterest

Visit my board, This Says it Best!

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Inspirational Quotes:

on Being Friendly

on Sons

on Family

on Living Your Dream

on Joyful Poetry

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Now you can order your own personalized
blog buttons with HTML, Facebook covers

or collages (example: Pinterest-ing pins)!

Just visit my page: Blog Buttons to Order

*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to

link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest

Twitter

Facebook

I'm also now on Instagram!

Here are the easy rules:

Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.

Blog Button Code:

This is a blog hop!

Visit my Blog Hops page to see what link parties I take part in.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Maisy and the Money Marauder

Maisy and the Money Marauder

and a $25 Giveaway

This is the second book in The Maisy Files mystery chapter book series by Elizabeth Woodrum, Maisy and the Money Marauder. If you haven't had a chance to check out Book 1, Maisy and the Missing Mice, you can grab a Kindle copy for FREE from Amazon February 17 and 18, 2015!

About the Book

Summary: Lunch money has been stolen at West Valley Elementary, and everyone's favorite fourth-grade detective in on the case. With a cherry lollipop in hand, her fedora, and her trusty notebook, Maisy steps into her black-and-white mystery world to search for clues. Join Maisy on her quest to unmask a thief in Maisy and the Money Marauder.

Book 2 Available from Amazon

PLUS, Grab a FREE Kindle Copy of Book 1,

Maisy and the Missing Mice
from Amazon February 17 and 18, 2015.

Sneak Peek

My Review

Amanda loves it when I read the Maisy Mysteries to her. This is the second book in the series and another great mystery. It starts out a bit slow, but once Maisy goes into her detective mode, Amanda gets thrills of excitement that makes her want to hear more.

There are plenty of big words for young readers that helps them to build their vocabulary. I don't explain every new word to Amanda, but she now knows what a "marauder" is. The author takes the time to explain that particular word in the book and does it quite nicely.

I highly recommend this story to children ages 6 - 11.

The Buzz About Book One

"Maisy and the Missing Mice is a fun chapter book featuring a smart and sassy tween girl as the title character; a solid and interesting plot featuring age-appropriate intrigue and suspense; and some terrific writing that carries the reader on a journey as a detective uncovering clues and solving the mystery of who stole the missing mice. I highly recommend this book as a read aloud book for children between the ages of 6 and 10 or for independent readers between the ages of 7 and 12 who love to read mysteries." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"Woodrum certainly knows her target audience and does a very nice job with the character development of Maisy. This is an incredibly kid-friendly story that makes a great introduction to the genre of mystery for newly independent readers. It's a quick page turning read that encourages kids to think outside of the box." ~ The Children's Book Review

"My name is Kat. I am 9 years old. I would rate this a five because I like everything about it, the mystery the most. It was fun to read. My favorite part was the mystery and the end. I love this book so much. I think other kids would love it too because it has mystery and most kids would like mystery books. Most mystery books have a good mystery. I would love to read the whole series." ~ 5 Star Review, Heather A., Amazon

About the Author:

Elizabeth Woodrum

Elizabeth Woodrum

Elizabeth Woodrum is an elementary teacher in Ohio. She came to love writing when she was in elementary school, but more recently began writing material for use in her classroom. From that writing, grew the desire to write books for the general population of children and adults alike. The Maisy Files, a children's series, is the first series that she has published.

As a reader, Elizabeth prefers the fantasy genre, but she enjoys realistic fiction as well. Some of her favorite authors include JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Rick Riordan, Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins, and Nicholas Sparks. Originally from Indiana, Elizabeth currently resides near Dayton, Ohio with her two pets: a cat named Butterscotch and a dog named Reese Cup.

Book Website | Author Blog | TwitterFacebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: March 16, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Elizabeth Woodrum and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy for my honest review.

Interesting Cars and #WW #Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #129!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on the images to view them larger.

Rolls Royce at N1 rest stop outside of Cape Town

Sometimes I see a neat car and snap a quick photo. These interesting cars were spotted in South Africa, except for the last one. I took that in Berlin when I was a teenager after the Wall came down and scanned the printed photo onto my computer.

Painted VW Beetle in Cape Town

Titanic painted on this car in Worcester

The Confederate Flag on this pick up
at Du Kloof Lodge, near the tunnel
between Worcester and Paarl

Lada with cartoon of the Berlin Wall
coming down - 1989
Guten Morgen Deutschland
and Freiheit

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Check out my latest post
of Cape Town and
the Clay Cafe on

1camera1mom

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My Latest Giveaway

Enter to win $100!

Amazon Gift Voucher or PayPal Cash
Hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews

*********************

Now on to my blog hop...

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Twitter

Facebook

and

I'm also now on Instagram!

Here are the easy rules:

Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
If possible, copy the button code below and add it on your linked post or blog's side-bar.
Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.