New School Year and a Linky

The girls have begun a new school year. The December holidays are the kids' summer break. Amanda is in grade 4 with a new uniform. Samantha is now in grade 12. They get a sports shirt for their final year as a souvenir, although the parents pay for that.

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.

Click on the photos to see them at their best!

With the school bag

Without the school bag

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Britannia Bay - Part 4

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Hand Over Hand

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold

Sarah's Shadow

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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

Google+

Twitter 

Facebook
Instagram

and

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:

<center><a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS14XLc-z2uSUW00dIvyZc7lEfLP2tkPgO3qmU3NWi_UObDs_d7XqpYhjp0BBeROyZot-8YlEFU9rguELrZYu3arN1qHHNpB4_ezrb-TlBlfHRSOvP7pBA0VI-j1RkUkF77wJxUc7M7ye/s150/Picture%2520Perfect%2520Party%2520Linky.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

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

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Multicultural Children's Book Day and a Linky

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017 (1/27/18) is in its 5^th year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators. 

Hand Over Hand

About the Book:

Title: Hand Over Hand | Author: Alma Fullerton | Illustrator: Renne Benoit | Publisher: Second Story Press | Pages: 24 | Genre: Children's Picture Book | Recommended Ages: 5 - 6

Book Description:

Nina can't convince her lolo to take her fishing on the old banca boat with him. Lolo's reply is the same as always: "A boat is no place for a girl." When Nina promises to bait her own hook and remove her own catch, her grandfather finally relents, "just for today." Much to the amusement of the other fishermen in their Filipino village, Lolo shows Nina how to jig the lines, set the hook and pull in a fish hand over hand. But no one is laughing when Nina brings in the biggest fish of the day!

Our Review:

Hand Over Hand is an adorable story about a spunky Filipino girl named Nina. She convinces her grandfather to let her come fishing with him even though it's considered men's work. The other fishermen give them a hard time until she proves them wrong.

This story is set in a Filipino fishing village and teaches the value of multi-generations and self-esteem. It has beautiful illustrations painted in soft colors. The text is well placed with fun punches of onomatopoeia written in bold type and staggered. Amanda (age 9) liked it that a girl can also do a man's job and that the grandfather believed in her. I recommend this book for children ages 4 - 8.

TWITTER PARTY Sponsored by Scholastic Book Clubs: MCBD’s super-popular (and crazy-fun) annual Twitter Party will be held 1/27/18 at 9:00pm.

Join the conversation and win one of 12-5 book bundles and one Grand Prize Book Bundle (12 books) that will be given away at the party! http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/twitter-party-great-conversations-fun-prizes-chance-readyourworld-1-27-18/

Current Sponsors:

MCBD 2018 is honored to have some amazing Sponsors on board.

2018 MCBD Medallion Sponsors:

HONORARY: Children’s Book Council, Junior Library Guild

PLATINUM: Scholastic Book Clubs

GOLD: Audrey Press, Candlewick Press, Loving Lion Books, Second Story Press, Star Bright Books, Worldwide Buddies

SILVER: Capstone Publishing, Author Charlotte Riggle, Child’s Play USA, KidLit TV, Pack-n-Go Girls, Plum Street Press

BRONZE: Barefoot Books, Carole P. Roman, Charlesbridge Publishing, Dr. Crystal Bowe, Gokul! World, Green Kids Club, Gwen Jackson, Jacqueline Woodson, Juan J. Guerra, Language Lizard, Lee & Low Books, RhymeTime Storybooks, Sanya Whittaker Gragg, TimTimTom Books, WaterBrook & Multnomah, Wisdom Tales Press

2018 Author Sponsors:

Honorary Author Sponsors: Author/Illustrator Aram Kim and Author/Illustrator Juana Medina

Author Janet Balletta, Author Susan Bernardo,  Author Carmen Bernier-Grand, Author Tasheba Berry-McLaren and Space2Launch, Bollywood Groove Books, Author Anne Broyles,  Author Kathleen Burkinshaw, Author Eugenia Chu, Author Lesa Cline-Ransome, Author Medeia Cohan and Shade 7 Publishing, Desi Babies, Author Dani Dixon and Tumble Creek Press, Author Judy Dodge Cummings, Author D.G. Driver, Author Nicole Fenner and Sister Girl Publishing, Debbi Michiko Florence, Author Josh Funk, Author Maria Gianferrari, Author Daphnie Glenn, Globe Smart Kids, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Author Quentin Holmes, Author Esther Iverem, Jennifer Joseph: Alphabet Oddities, Author Kizzie Jones, Author Faith L Justice , Author P.J. LaRue and MysticPrincesses.com, Author Karen Leggett Abouraya, Author Sylvia Liu, Author Sherri Maret, Author Melissa Martin Ph.D., Author Lesli Mitchell, Pinky Mukhi and We Are One, Author Miranda Paul, Author Carlotta Penn, Real Dads Read, Greg Ransom, Author Sandra L. Richards, RealMVPKids Author Andrea Scott, Alva Sachs and Three Wishes Publishing, Shelly Bean the Sports Queen,  Author Sarah Stevenson, Author Gayle H. Swift Author Elsa Takaoka, Author Christine Taylor-Butler, Nicholette Thomas and  MFL Publishing  Author Andrea Y. Wang, Author Jane Whittingham  Author Natasha Yim 

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.

FreeMulticultural Books for Teachers 

Free EmpathyClassroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators

Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

Disclosure: We received a free digital copy of Hand Over Hand and this is our honest review.

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My Recent Book Reviews:

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold

Sarah's Shadow

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Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #253!

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+

Twitter 

Facebook
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:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.co.za/" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaX10yWr7xxEQ5BBMhOqdZxobJ0omJBq-v8ENFn3YNNebsnsYBHwcGyje-XzSlHSJOIlZ1rEOp89LyNI97XrPFZtdeH_AvaNV3F8hOvHfsuwe29ALNQw75ibK34buYq7nhpGGZJ8UTnoB/s150/Make+My+Saturday+Sweet.jpg"/></a></center>

Weekend Linky

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

Read More

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold

Book 1 in the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series

About the Book:

Title: Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold | Author: Iain Reading | Pages: 326 | Genre: Action Adventure | Recommended Ages: Teen and Young Adult

Book Description:

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is the thrilling first installment in a new young adult series of adventure mystery stories by Iain Reading. This first book of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series introduces Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenage pilot with her own De Havilland Beaver seaplane and a nose for mystery and intrigue. A cross between Amelia Earhart, Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstocking, Kitty is a quirky young heroine with boundless curiosity and a knack for getting herself into all kinds of precarious situations.

After leaving her home in the western Canadian fishing village of Tofino to spend the summer in Alaska studying humpback whales, Kitty finds herself caught up in an unforgettable adventure involving stolen gold, devious criminals, ghostly shipwrecks, and bone-chilling curses. Kitty's adventure begins with the lingering mystery of a sunken ship called the Clara Nevada. As the plot continues to unfold, this spirited story will have readers anxiously following every twist and turn as they are swept along through the history of the Klondike Gold Rush to a suspenseful final climatic chase across the rugged terrain of Canada's Yukon.

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is a perfect book to fire the imagination of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history this book will inspire anyone to learn and experience more for themselves.

There are currently five books in the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series: Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold (book 1), Kitty Hawk and the Hunt for Hemingway's Ghost (book 2), Kitty Hawk and the Icelandic Intrigue (book 3), and Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic (book 4), and Kitty Hawk and the Mystery of the Masterpieces (book 5).

“In the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series the heroine finds herself in a new geographic location in each book. The series will eventually have a total of 13 books in it (maybe more) and her flight around the world will be completed in the end,” says Iain. “The books are sequential but one could definitely read any of the later ones before reading the earlier ones.”

For more information, click here.

Check out the book trailer here.

My Review:

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is rich with descriptions that engage all the senses in this vivid action adventure tale. There are interesting characters, conversations and thoughts that touch on deeper themes, and touches of humor. Kitty Hawk is a mature teenager with an unconventional childhood, which ignites her passion for flying and exploration. While researching the humpback whales in Alaska, Kitty learns many interesting things including historical facts about the Yukon Gold Rush. Having a quick mind gets her into trouble when she spies on a group of possible gold thieves and ends up in her own gold adventure. The pace of the story is steady until you get to the part where Kitty is kidnapped and then it gets excitingly intense. It's a very satisfying read and I recommend it for ages 12 and up.

About the Author:

Iain Reading is passionate about Root Beer, music, and writing. He is Canadian, but currently resides in the Netherlands working for the United Nations.

Iain is the author of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series, The Wizards of Waterfire Series, and the dragon of the month club. To learn more, go to his Amazon profile.

Readers can connect with Iain on

Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Disclosure: I received a free Kindle copy of this book and this is my honest review. There are no affiliate links.

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More Pink Simplicity Roses and a Linky

Here are more photos of pink

simplicity roses from my garden.

All photos were taken recently.

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:

Britannia Bay - Part 3

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

My Recent Book Reviews:

Sarah's Shadow

Short Stories and Novellas

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

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
Instagram

and

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:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS14XLc-z2uSUW00dIvyZc7lEfLP2tkPgO3qmU3NWi_UObDs_d7XqpYhjp0BBeROyZot-8YlEFU9rguELrZYu3arN1qHHNpB4_ezrb-TlBlfHRSOvP7pBA0VI-j1RkUkF77wJxUc7M7ye/s150/Picture%2520Perfect%2520Party%2520Linky.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

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

Read More

Sarah's Shadow by Nick Jones

About the Book:

Title: Sarah's Shadow | Author: Nick Jones | Illustrator: Si Clark | Publisher: Full Media Ltd. | Paperback Pages: 32 | Genre: Children's Picture Book | Recommended Age: 4 - 8

Book Description:

If you could change something about yourself, would you do it? When Sarah Simpkins is teased about her shadow in the school playground, she finds herself wishing she didn't have one. That night she has the chance to make the wish come true. But will losing her shadow really make her happy?

Purchase on Amazon

Peek Inside:

Our Review:

I recently read Sarah's Shadow to Amanda one evening and I noticed that she had a smile on her face the entire way through the story. We both liked how Sarah's shadow had a personality. The illustrations are fun and easy to follow. The story flows smoothly and is just the right length for younger listeners.

This is an entertaining picture book that can easily be used as a teaching tool. The story address bullying and self-esteem. Were you ever teased as a kid and did you wish you could change something about yourself? That's what happens with Sarah, but she learns to embrace her differences.

About the Author

Nick Jones:

Nick Jones lives in the UK with his wife, two young children and numerous pets. He also owns Full Media Ltd, an independent publisher and editorial agency. Nick wrote his first book, a collection of his own one-liners and ‘dad jokes’ entitled Gagged and Bound, in 2014. Two sequels soon followed. In 2016, Nick started working on a different book entirely: a children’s story about a little girl who loses her shadow. Nick collaborated with his talented illustrator friend Si Clark, and eventually Sarah’s Shadow was born. Nick is now working on a new children’s picture book and hopes to find time to write a children’s joke book at some point in the future.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Disclosure: We received a free digital copy of this book and this is our honest review. There are no affiliate links.

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Short Stories and Novellas with Linky

Starchild

My Review:

Starchild is a bittersweet short story about a girl who lives among the stars. She knows that she is special and dreams of her "prince charming" who, in her existence, is a star wanderer. The author has added a note at the end of the story that's also worth reading.

The Humra

one of twelve short stories in

The Newcomer

My Review:

The Humra is a short story by USA Today bestselling author Laura Greenwood and can be found in The Newcomer sci-fi anthology. This sweet science-fiction romance is a retelling of a popular fairytale, but I'll leave you to find out for yourself which one!

Forsaken Rose

My Review:

Forsaken Rose is a fantasy novella that takes place before Jackson Kross and the Dragon Girl. The author has an active imagination and weaves interesting stories. This novella was packed with well developed characters, magic, intrigue, romance, and more! It just needs a bit more editing.

The Modern Earl

My Review:

The Modern Earl is a light inspirational Christian novella. Co-authored by Sophie Mays and Caroline Johnson, it's a blend of contemporary humor and regency romance. The story revolves around a play that is supposed to have moral elements in it, but these are never divulged. I think that a few more mentions about the play would have made the story even better.

Please Note: Prices were correct at the time of posting. Please check, as these can change. There are no affiliate links in this blog post.

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Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #252!

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+

Twitter 

Facebook
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:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.co.za/" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaX10yWr7xxEQ5BBMhOqdZxobJ0omJBq-v8ENFn3YNNebsnsYBHwcGyje-XzSlHSJOIlZ1rEOp89LyNI97XrPFZtdeH_AvaNV3F8hOvHfsuwe29ALNQw75ibK34buYq7nhpGGZJ8UTnoB/s150/Make+My+Saturday+Sweet.jpg"/></a></center>

Weekend Linky

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

Read More