Pages

▼

Monday, July 31, 2017

Bessie, Queen of the Sky has arrived!

Bessie, Queen of the Sky
First Book in the Queen Girls Series


Amanda and I received a free digital copy of Bessie, Queen of the Sky, at the end of last year, before the book was out in print. We were promised a physical print copy once it was published. Recently, we collected a package at the post office and were delighted to discover that the book has finally arrived! Here are two photos of Amanda with her new book. I'm also including our original review below.


Queen Girls

Stories of real women turned into fairy tales. Inspiring girls to follow their dreams!
About the First Book in the
Queen Girls Collection:
Bessie, Queen of the Sky


The first fairy tale is ‘Bessie, Queen of the Sky’ inspired by the story of Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to hold a pilot’s license. The book will be available in English and Spanish.

‘When Bessie was growing up, no one could have imagined that a girl from a humble family would get out of the cotton fields and become a pilot. But with the help of her best friend Bloony, Bessie uses her courage and determination to make her dream come true!’

● Available in English & Spanish
● Recommended age - 4 to 7 years
● 32 pages, hardcover & digital


A peek inside...




Order One for One
Bessie, Queen of the Sky
on INDIEGOGO!

Or Purchase on Amazon:


MY REVIEW

Bessie, Queen of the Sky is a beautifully illustrated picture book that brings to life the true story of a girl who had the courage to follow her dreams no matter what roadblocks she faced along the way. This book teaches that a person's gender, skin color, or social position does not equate with ability. As long as you are willing to work hard and persevere, you can be just as good or better than anyone else.

In an ideal world, all people ought to have equal opportunities. Unfortunately, our daughters are not growing up in an ideal world, but things are changing. My own daughters do not feel the same restrictions that I felt growing up and I believe this has a lot to do with the brave women who went before us. We can be thankful for girls and women like Bessie who have trail blazed ahead, making it easier for us to follow in their steps.

When I got to the end of the story, my 8-year old daughter, Amanda, was impressed to see the photograph of Bessie and to learn that it was based on a true story. For me, this has been one of my favorite picture books that I did with her this year. It was truly inspirational. I highly recommend it for girls ages 4 to 8.


To find out more, visit my original post:
Bessie, Queen of the Sky


Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
at No comments:

Friday, July 28, 2017

Horrors of Shark Finning and a Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #231!


Our family is very interested in protecting the environment. We are also interested in the fair treatment of animals. Amanda and I have had the honor of reviewing books along these topics. One topic that Amanda and I recently covered was on shark finning. She learned about it for the first time in The Shark and the Volcano. I get excited when I see authors reaching young readers by using fun stories to touch on important topics.

Shark finning is a horrific industry with around 73 million sharks being slaughtered a year. Their fins are often removed while the sharks are still alive! Amanda and I learned in our book review that people are willing to pay $150 for a bowl of shark fin soup! Watch the short video and visit the links to find out more. Our book review is also below.


Related Links:



This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on my photos to see them at their best!


The Shark and the Volcano


Our Review:

The Green Kids are on another adventure in The Shark and the Volcano. This one takes them to the waters of the Hawaiian Islands where they find out about the plight of sharks due to finning and their capture. Finning was a new word for Amanda. I had learned about the awful practice over a year ago and explained it to her. There is also an explanation at the back of the book. Amanda was surprised to read that people are willing to pay $150 for a bowl of shark fin soup! She also read other facts about sharks at the end of the book and was impressed to learn that sharks can have up to 3,000 teeth at one time!

 In the story, the Green Kids ride dolphins and they meet a mystical warrior princess of the seas. Together they stop a group of fishermen from taking the fins from sharks. The princess tells the fishermen that what they are doing is wrong and that sharks are endangered. The princess warns them that if they don't stop, they will experience the wrath of the volcano.

 Amanda and I enjoy the Green Kids Club picture book series. Not only are the stories fun, but there are neat things to be learned. We also care about animals and the environment. Let's make our kids, Green Kids!

Disclosure: We received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.



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

Related Reviews:


Website:

Green Kids Club

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

Our Latest Book Review:



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

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...

Amanda’s Books and More

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

 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:

Amanda’s Books and More

Weekend Linky


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

at No comments:

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Sweet T and the Turtle Team

Sweet T and the Turtle Team
Blog Tour and a $75 Giveaway!


About the Book

Title: Sweet T and the Turtle Team | Author: Cat Michaels | Illustrator: Irene A. Jahns | Publication Date: July 2017 | Publisher: 2101 Ink | Genre: Early Chapter Book | Number of Pages: 72 | Recommended Ages: 6 to 11

Summary: It’s nesting season for loggerhead sea turtles on North Carolina's Gull Island. Nine-year old Tara (or Sweet T as her family sometimes calls her) is determined to see hatchlings make it safely from their nests to their ocean home.Summering on Gull Island with Great Aunt Mae could be tons of fun, but T is having a hard time making new friends with island children, let alone finding kids to help her monitor a sea turtle nest.There’s little sister Jenna, but Jenna is, well, little. Fuzzy is around, too, but Jenna’s blue stuffy rabbit gets lost all the time. Besides, a toy bunny can’t help protect turtle nests.

Tara befriends Billy, a moody island child. He teaches her skimboarding and shows her the best shelling spots. But Billy stomps away when she asks him to read the "Turtle Team Guide" and join her in saving baby sea turtles.

What’s up with Billy? He’s nice one minute and grumpy the next. And why does he refuse to join T’s Turtle Team? T can't figure him out.

A tropical storm threatens Gull Island just as the sea turtle nest is ready to hatch. T must abandon the nest and prepare for bad weather.
  • Will Sweet T and her friends keep safe from the storm?
  • Will the sea turtle nest survive angry ocean waves?
  • Will Billy reveal his secret?
Dive into adventure, fun and secrets on Gull Island with "Sweet T and the Turtle Team" to find out!

"Sweet T and the Turtle Team" is the third book of the Sweet T Tales Series of chapter books for early and reluctant readers by Cat Michaels, MS., Ed. With a glossary, comprehension quiz, sea turtle hatch photo gallery, and discussion questions, "Turtle Team" delivers powerful messages about protecting marine life while helping young readers empathize with children who struggle to read.

Pre-order Now!
Available July 21, 2017


Take a peek inside the book...

My Review:

Sweet T and the Turtle Team is an early chapter book teaching the values of friendship, acceptance, and caring for the environment. Sweet T is Tara's nickname and she is in the 4th grade. While visiting her Great Aunt Mae on Gull Island, she meets a boy named Billy who is a year older and also in the 4th grade.

The story is interesting with beautiful illustrations. Amanda's thoughts on Tara and Billy is that they have to learn to work together and solve problems. We recommend this book for children ages 6 and older.

Related Post:
Sweet T and the North Wind

 Watch the book video...

About the Author
Picture

Author, blogger CAT MICHAELS, M.S., Ed., has more than two decades of experience helping students from kindergarten to college with learning disabilities and Asperger’s syndrome.

Her chapter books and Sweet T Tales series for beginning readers tell of every day life with a twist of magic and mischief.  Cat’s books encourage young and reluctant readers to use their imagination and solve kid-sized dilemmas as they enjoy reading.

Cat lives in North Carolina with her family, where she enjoys digital photography and graphic design, creates pocket gardens, works out as often as she can, and writes.

Find Cat’s books on Amazon and iTunes

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a 75 Amazon gift card or $75 PayPal cash prize; winner's choice
Giveaway ends: August 9, 11:59 pm, 2017
Open to: 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, Cat Michaels and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.



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

at No comments:

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

22nd Anniversary and a Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #252!


Last Saturday, Robbie and I celebrated our 22nd anniversary on the 22nd of July! We started with a "champagne" breakfast, which consisted of a low alcohol fizzy wine, fresh fruit salad, and toast with fried eggs and homemade cheese sauce. Two of our girls (Samantha and Amanda) are still at school and enjoyed the breakfast with us.

Our other two kids (Jeremiah and Jessica) are at university. We did, however, see Jessica later that day when we met up at a 5 star boutique hotel near Franschhoek to celebrate my mother-in-law's 70th birthday. Her birthday was on Sunday. I'll be sharing more photos of that amazing event in the coming weeks.

My mom celebrated her birthday on Sunday too. (Both of our moms have birthdays on the same day!) She lives in the States, so I didn't get to see her. My mom and step-dad are coming to South Africa in December and I can hardly wait for their visit!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on the photos to see them at their best!




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

Here's a peek at
my latest post
on 1camera1mom:


Warthog, Zebra, and Tsessebe

Elephant

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

My Latest Book Review:

Window of Death

Window of Death: Book 2 in the Window of Time trilogy by [Erfert, DJ]

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

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

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
and
Follow on Bloglovin

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.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.



Visit my Blog Hops page to see the hops that I often link up to.

at No comments:

Friday, July 21, 2017

Books and a Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #230!


I have a family of readers. I fell in love with reading around the fifth grade and I encouraged my kids to love books from when they were babies. They began with tactile fabric books that could be squeezed and chewed on. Then they had board books until they were big enough to look after books with paper pages. I've also given many books away. A couple of years ago, Amanda and I gave a bunch of her younger aged books to her old Kindergarten class where there was a reading zone for the children.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on my photos to see them at their best!

Samantha at the library
(this photo was taken a few years ago)

A recent photo of Amanda with a book

Jessica with a coloring book over
the Christmas holiday

Jeremiah reading Hillbilly Elegy
over the Christmas holiday

I've been reading more books for my own enjoyment since I began downloading free eBooks. I've actually been reading books faster than I can review them! I belong to several sites that offer free eBooks. My two favorite sites are My Book Cave and BookBub.


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

My Latest Book Review:


Window of Death: Book 2 in the Window of Time trilogy by [Erfert, DJ]

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

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...

Amanda’s Books and More

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

 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:

Amanda’s Books and More

Weekend Linky


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

at No comments:

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Window of Death

Window of Death
(Book 2 in the Window of Death Trilogy)
by D.J. Erfert

Window of Death: Book 2 in the Window of Time trilogy by [Erfert, DJ]

About the Book:

 Title: Window of Death (Book 2) | Author: D.J. Erfert | Publication: Stone Horse Press | Pages: 278 | Genre: Paranormal Suspense | Age Level: Young Adult

Book Description:

CIA Agent Lucy James’s undercover reentry into the US doesn’t go as planned. The human coyote smuggling her and more than a dozen illegal aliens across the southern border into Arizona abandons them. Their group scatters. But Lucy is soon rescued by two US Border Patrol agents. After they hear shots fired in the distance, the hope of finding the others alive plummet. Ruthless border bandits methodically track and kill the illegals for the contraband-filled backpacks each man carries.

When Lucy has a premonition—a window into the future—she sees one of the agents killed by the same bandits. She must gain their trust in time to stop the bandits from continuing their murder spree, and find the missing backpacks containing the deadly packages before the US has its first mass terrorist attack since 9-11.

Purchase on Amazon
Kindle | Paperback

My Review

Window of Death is another great novel by DJ Erfert. I always enjoy reading her books, because they have the right amount of romance and suspense. The end result is a feel good story. I think Window of Death is even better than the first book, Window of Time. It has several layers with side stories that are just as exciting as the main story. Our heroine, Agent Lucy James, shines brightly as she solves cases and saves lives. She is supported by many other colorful characters. I can picture the scenes as if I was watching a television series. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the trilogy.

More Reviews of DJ Erfert's Books:







About the Author:
DJ (Debra) Erfert

Debra Erfert

While growing up, going to libraries felt like an adventure filled with mystery and wonder to Debra. The hushed tones invoked secrets, and the dusty, sometimes moldy, smell of paper was the same in each city she lived. Leaving the library with just a single book never happened. Years later, her love of reading turned to a passion for writing stories others might enjoy. She’s an award winning fine artist who lives in a southwest Arizona city with her husband, a retired police lieutenant, where the average summer temperatures are well above 100 degrees--truly hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.
at No comments:

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Impala Lilies and a Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #251!


This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on the photos to see them at their best!


Impala Lilies and a Sunset
at Mopani Camp,
Kruger National Park



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

Here's a peek at
my latest post
on 1camera1mom:


Hornbill at Mopani Camp

Pioneer Dam, Kruger


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

My Latest Book Review:

Do your kids hate eating their vegetables?
They will love their veggies after reading
Planet Scrabbage and the Vegerons by [Cross, Paul Ian]

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

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

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
and
Follow on Bloglovin

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.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.



Visit my Blog Hops page to see the hops that I often link up to.

at No comments: