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In celebration of Halloween, we bought this middle grade book by Julia E. Clements for my son’s class. Since it came early, I thought I would read and review it here as my Halloween blog post – and boy am I glad I did! From the very first page of the Prologue I was hooked!

This is a story about a 12-year-old girl (from England) named Izzy who visits her grandma in Italy for the summer.  Her grandma shares stories about evil spirits and the Guardians who battled them.  She also reveals that she is the last of the Guardians and tells of the most wicked demon, a Mazzapeghoul, who inhabits the abandoned Malasorte Castle.  Izzy’s grandma insists the stories are true, but Izzy isn’t so sure.  While there, Izzy makes friends with a group of local Italian kids and they invite her into their group and decide to spend the night in Malasorte Castle – which none of them believe is haunted.  However, just in case, the kids bring the items listed in a spell Izzy finds in her grandma’s room to get rid of the Mazzapegoul.  It’s a good thing they did because the Mazzapeghoul shows up!  The Mazzapegoul is a disgusting and destructive demon and, while the children are understandably terrified, they work together to banish the Mazzapeghoul! Hooray!  You will have to read the story to find out how!

This is a wonderfully written story which keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat!  Not only is the story gripping and appropriate for kids (not too scary or gory; no bad words), but kids will be able to relate with the nervousness of making new friends, the stress of having someone not like them, the wonderful feeling of bonding with new friends and the sadness of leaving friends behind.  I love that this book promotes friendship and teamwork.  I also appreciate the grandmother/granddaughter dynamic of the story, which illustrates how important family is.  This story also touches upon parental discord and divorce and I’ll bet lots of kids will be able to relate to Izzy’s feelings about this as well.

If you can’t tell, I truly enjoyed this story!  However, putting on my mom hat, there is one thing which I can see might bother some parents.  In the story, Izzy and her friends do a few things kids do that parents would not approve of – like purposely giving bad directions to tourists as a prank, daring each other to steal fruit from a neighbor’s yard, sneaking into grandma’s room to find the spellbook, and lying about where they were spending the night!  Oh no! I personally don’t think reading about these shenanigans would influence my son to do these types of things, but that’s just me.  Figured it was my duty to point this out to my fellow parents who may be more sensitive to such matters.

You can find this book this book on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Malasorte-Castle-Julia-Clements-ebook/dp/B07GTPJ1KJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541032014&sr=8-1&keywords=malasorte+castle

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

This is a touching story told through the eyes of a little girl, named Gabby, going through the foster care system.  This story actually made me tear up – it is so beautifully told!  In this book, illustrated with real photographs as well as drawings, we follow a little girl and her doll, Bessie, while she goes from place to place hoping to find her forever home.  During this time, Gabby makes homes from materials around her for Bessie.  Often Bessie and Bessie’s homes are taken away from her, but Gabby never gives up and makes new Bessies and new homes for Bessie.  We feel her fear, sadness and despair throughout this journey, as well as her surprise and happiness when she finally ends up with a kind and caring woman who wants to adopt her!  I was cheering and crying at the end of this story!  I think you will be, too!

This is a wonderful way to explain what the foster system is and how it works to children.  Those children who are lucky enough to live in loving homes will empathize with Gabby and hopefully see how fortunate they are. For those who are already in the foster system, they will see themselves in this story and perhaps this story will bring them some hope that they, too, will someday find their forever homes.  Kudos to Author, Jennifer Aicher, for sharing this heartwarming story with the world!

Another amazing thing this author is doing is that she is donating 50% of the profits of this book towards foster agencies! So go and buy this book now!  You can find it on Amazon at:

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Bessie-Jennifer-Aicher-ebook/dp/B06ZZHSD1N/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1539350100&sr=1-1&keywords=a+home+for+bessie

This adorable story, written in rhyme by Gaurav Bhatnagar, is for all young children who are feeling a little different, but especially for little ones who have lost (or about to lose) their baby teeth!  In this story, a bunny loses a front tooth and feel sad because his brother laughs at him. He feels odd and embarrassed but his mother tells him that his happiness should not depend on others, so he goes out and plays and makes a new friend who just happens to also be missing teeth! The little bunny realizes he is not alone!  They then form the Forever Friends Club and all different types of animals come join and play!

I love so many things about this book!  Not only is this book beautifully illustrated, rhythmic and fun to read, but it teaches important life lessons about friendship, diversity, kindness, overcoming adversity and making your own happiness!  It also teaches children acceptance – that they should accept themselves and others the way they are, and should feel good about themselves no matter how they look. What a wonderful message to send to our children!

You can find this book on Amazon at:  https://www.amazon.com/Forever-Friends-Club-friendship-emotions-ebook/dp/B07HVN2RB4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539293831&sr=8-2&keywords=forever+friends+club+book

Isy the Magic Dinosaur: The Great Chocolate Cake Race, by Gareth George, is an adorable and funny short story with a great moral just right for little kids.  Have you ever read or heard of a story about a magical dinosaur? Me neither!  And neither had this author – so how did Gareth George come up with this fantastical idea?  Well, one night, the author’s daughter, Isy, asked him to read her a story about a magic dinosaur.  He didn’t have any so he wrote this one for her.  How awesome it that?!?!   What a great dad, as well as author!

In this story, Isy is a young dinosaur who lives in a land called Dinotown, where all dinosaurs develop magical powers on their magic day.  It is finally Isy’s magic day and she discovers she can magically change things by shooting sparks from her tail!  It takes a long time for dinosaurs to master their skills and Isy has a few accidents, like turning her dad into a potato!  Haha!  Isy is now also able to compete in the Annual Children’s Great Chocolate Cake Race.  It is a dangerous race but the prize is a giant chocolate cake!  Yum!  Isy isn’t worried about the danger – she just wants the cake!  Isy teams up with some friends and they work together to overcome the obstacles. Towards the end of the race, the only remaining team ahead of them is about to be eaten by Jim, the most terrifying T-Rex of all the land!  Isy’s team could easily keep going to win the race, but they stop to help the other team (thereby saving their lives) by distracting Jim and using their magic together to get away. Isy’s team does not come in first, but the winning team acknowledges their help and shares the prize with them! What a great ending to a wonderful story!

This is a fun bedtime story to read to little ones.  The story is unique and inspires imagination.  It also promotes teamwork and selflessness without being preachy – it shows kids the importance of helping others in need.  It also teaches that if someone helps you, you should acknowledge that help and thank them.  Great morals to instill in everyone, especially young children!  The author conveys those messages beautifully in this story.

Please note that this story is best read aloud by a parent, teacher, older sibling or caregiver to young children.  The book has no illustrations (except for the cover) and a few punctuation errors – none of which are not noticeable when read aloud. This story is perfect as a bedtime story.

You can find this short story on Amazon at:  https://www.amazon.com/Isy-Magic-Dinosaur-Great-Chocolate-ebook/dp/B07HBB39PY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538418492&sr=8-1&keywords=isy+the+magic+dinosaur

Portia’s Incredible Journey, by Emma L. Price, is a wonderful, multifaceted story for all middle grade readers, however, it is absolutely invaluable for children (and their parents) who have diabetes or who have friends/relatives/classmates with diabetes.  This thoughtfully written book also addresses bullying and separation/fear of divorce, through the eyes of an eleven year old.

In this story, our heroine, Portia, learned she had diabetes when she was nine years old.  She was always tired, thirsty and had to use the bathroom constantly – a few common symptoms of diabetes.  The story explains what diabetes is, walks the reader through the tests and procedures for determining diabetes and describes how to control diabetes through insulin and a strict diet.  Portia is now eleven and has to learn how to give herself insulin. She is understandably terrified!  However, with the help of her parents and her cousin (who also has diabetes), Portia learns how to give herself insulin shots and how to keep her diabetes in check.  Her routine becomes easier and she is thrilled she has energy and doesn’t have to run to the restroom all the time!  She can do things on her own and even goes to sleep-away camp!  The story is vividly and realistically written from a young diabetic’s point of view.  The author does not sugar coat the disease but instead describes how scared Portia feels and how difficult each new step is at the beginning.  We are privy to Portia’s diary/journal entries so we know exactly how she feels – sometimes scared, sometimes frustrated, sometimes happy, and sometimes downright angry – Why did this have to happen to her?  It’s not fair!

For children (and their parents) who are just learning they have diabetes, this is an amazing, must-read book to explain diabetes and what to expect.  It also describes what happens if you don’t stick to your routine. While informational, this book is not a dry, facts only instructional manual.  The story is interesting and beautifully written in a way that is easy to read and understand.  For children who have been managing their diabetes for a while, they will be able to relate to Portia and see themselves in Portia.  This story will show them that they are not alone, and that diabetes is nothing to be embarrassed by.  This book is also great for children who have friends/relative/classmates with diabetes. This book will help them understand what diabetes is and they will empathize with Portia’s fears and concerns.  Another important lesson from this story is that diabetes does not define the person. Portia is kind, helpful and a great friend.  She is also a champion swimmer and loves to ride horses.  She is a regular kid who loves her family and friends and does regular kid stuff!

Now, you would think dealing with diabetes would be Portia’s only issue, but like a real kid, Portia faces other problems, too.  One is the bully at her school.  This bully is mean to everyone and threatens those around her.  If that wasn’t bad enough, the bully shows up at Portia’s summer camp (special camp for kids with diabetes) and has the bed next to hers!  Turns out the bully has diabetes, too!  At the beginning, the bully has a horrible attitude and treat everyone with contempt.  No one likes her and everyone tries to avoid her.  However, Portia notices how sad she is and goes out of her way to treat her nicely and invite her to things.  She even lends her a pair of boots so that they can go horseback riding together. At the end, Portia and the former bully become good friends.  Like most bullies, this girl was unhappy about herself and just needed some kindness and understanding.

During all of this, Portia is also facing a family crisis!  Her parents are keeping a secret from her and have separated!  The story addresses her fears, concerns and frustration. Again, this is something lots of kids can relate to.

Portia represents every child who has had to do something he or she would rather not do (so all kids!).  Whether it’s giving herself insulin shots or dealing with a bully or facing a family crisis, Portia overcomes her fears and triumphs! You will fall in love with Portia (I know I did)!

You can find this book on Amazon at:  https://www.amazon.com/Portias-Incredible-Journey-Emma-Price-ebook/dp/B01KY78OWE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1538059556&sr=1-1&keywords=portia%27s+incredible+journey

Holy cow! I can’t believe it! I just looked and I have over 500 likes on my Facebook page (526, to be exact)! I’m so excited and grateful that I am giving away:

– paperback copy of Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi (餃子)
– notebook
– bookmark
– pencil
– 6 tins of different Chinese teas
– heart eyes kitty stuffie (cuz I luv you guys!)

Sleep, Merel, Sleep, by Silke Stein, is a delightful and adventurous middle grade story about an 8 year old girl, named Merel, who has lost her Sleep after her sickly baby brother is born.   Merel’s sleep abandons her because of her angry and abusive behavior due to losing her parents’ attention.  Merel then has to go on a perilous journey in search of her Sleep if she ever wants to sleep again!  Along the way, an extremely tired Merel encounters several creatures, not all friendly, and some downright scary, and travels through faraway fantastical lands.  Luckily, Merel meets a few kind souls who help her.  As Merel searches for her Sleep, she learns empathy and starts helping others.  She realizes how selfish she has been and begins to understand how difficult things have been for her parents and her baby brother.

I love how the author weaves an enchanting tale filled with detailed imagery and feelings, and how she imparts life lessons throughout the story.  Lots of children will relate to Merel’s feelings of jealousy and resentment, as well as frustration and fear.  At the beginning of the story, Merel is not very likeable, but as she overcomes hardships and learns acceptance, the reader roots for her and hopes that she will find her Sleep and be able to return home!

On a more personal note, I am crazy and super strict about sleep for my son.  Anyone who knows me will tell you that!  He was a horrible sleeper as a baby so I became obsessed with making sure he had a sleep schedule that was followed.  This drove people crazy, especially when we were on vacation! So, I really appreciate a book that shows how important sleep is. Well done, Silke Stein!

You can find this book on Amazon at:  https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Merel-Silke-Stein-ebook/dp/B07BYPXLMC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

 

This adorable and comical book is written by the husband-wife team of Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence, and illustrated by Danko Herrera.  If Ben Jackson’s name sounds familiar, it could be because I featured him on this blog back in March, which you can see here:  http://eugeniachu.com/2018/03/15/meet-author-ben-jackson/.

OK, who doesn’t think farts are hilarious!  I am a grown woman and I still think they’re funny (that is, when I’m not gross out by them) – but maybe that’s because I have an 8 year old son who thinks all things fart-related are awesome!  He can even fart on command (unfortunately) and does different poses while farting. He’s named these fart poses and is quite proud of them.  I just shake my head and laugh at him (when I’m not pinching my nose and holding my breath). Oh well, he’s having fun.  So, of course I was immediately intrigued by this book – now onto my review!

The Day My Fart Followed Me to the Dentist is the fifth book in the My Little Fart series and is as cute and funny as the title!  Little Fart is fart personified and is Timmy’s best friend.  They go everywhere together and talk about everything, just like real best friends!  One day, Timmy’s tooth starts to hurt and he needs to go to the dentist to get it pulled. Timmy consoles Little Fart and tells him not to worry.  Once the dentist removed Timmy’s tooth, Timmy immediately felt better!  As a bonus, Timmy got to keep the tooth to give to the Tooth Fairy!  Timmy and Little Fart imagine what the wonderful and beautiful Tooth Fairy is like and Timmy explains to Little Fart that he thinks the Tooth Fairy uses all the teeth to build Tooth Fairy Land, which sounds amazing!  I want to go visit Tooth Fairy Land!

I highly recommend this book for several reasons.  As stated above, farts are funny.  Everyone farts and everyone has to deal with other people’s farts sometimes.  One of the funniest parts (I think) of the story is where Timmy is speaking with his mom and she asks, “Hmm, can you smell that?” and Timmy responds, “Nope.  Must be you!” This cracked me up!  Reminds me of my son who likes to say, “You smelt it, you dealt it!”  Hahaha! I’m sure many of you can relate.

Another reason this book is so wonderful is because it shows that dentists are nice, helpful and really, not scary!  Most kids (and lots of adults, too) are afraid to go to the dentist.  This story shows that you needn’t be afraid and supports the underlying message that it is important to take care of your teeth.

Even more important is that this book demonstrates the power of imagination.  As I stated in one of my previous reviews, imagination is where creativity and ingenuity begin for child development and is connected to their intellectual development.  By creating Little Fart, Timmy uses his imagination and is able to entertain himself and comfort himself. He also learns a lot by explaining things to Little Fart, thus reinforcing and understanding new ideas and concepts himself.

Finally, I would be remiss in not mentioning how beautiful and colorful the illustrations are.  Every page captures the reader’s attention.

You can find this book on Amazon at:  https://www.amazon.com/Day-Fart-Followed-Dentist-Little/dp/198865615X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1528382742&sr=8-1-spell

Spilt Milk, written by Douglas Schwartz and illustrated by Jordan Beckvonpeccoz, is just too adorable and shows what big, wonderful imaginations kids (and this author) have!  In this story, after being told to be careful with the milk by her parents and warned by her brother, Monkey Pants accidently spills her milk and goes on an amazing imaginary adventure.  Along the way she encounters all sort of characters and problems.  Will she be taken away to the circus?  Will she be punished by cows?  How does she stop the milk from flowing and flooding the town?  You’ll have to read this whimsical story to find out!

Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”  This is especially true for children.  Imagination is where creativity and ingenuity begin for child development and is connected to their intellectual development.  Douglas does a superb job of illustrating the powerful imagination of a child and creating a fun experience for children who are reading, or are read, this book.  Through this story, Douglas encourages children, and shows them how, to use their imaginations to create adventures out of everyday experiences.

Both young children and their parents/teachers/caregivers will enjoy this book.  The story is cute, the illustrations are colorful and fun, and the names of the characters made me laugh – Monkey Pants, Smarty Pants (her dad), Fancy Pants (her mom) and finally, her brother, Anson Pants (get it – ants in pants – ha ha!)!  I also appreciated this story because Monkey Pants cleaned everything up at the end!

You can find this book on Amazon at:  https://www.amazon.com/Spilt-Milk-Doug-Schwartz/dp/098605545X/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526586732&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=spilt+milk+Douglas+schwatz

 

I am honored and thrilled to be the first to review Any Klein’s newest book, The Fantastic Adventures of Oliver Phenomena: Oliver and the Little Bigfoot! This is the third book in the Oliver Phenomena series, and if this series sounds familiar to you, it could be because the second book in this series, Oliver and the Little Ghost, was the very first review I wrote for this blog back in October 2017.  Check it out here:  http://eugeniachu.com/2017/10/27/review-of-the-fantastic-adventures-of-oliver-phenomena-oliver-and-the-little-ghost/. I also introduced you to Andy shortly thereafter, which you can see here, if you are interested in learning more about him:  http://eugeniachu.com/2017/10/27/meet-author-andy-klein/.

Now, back to my review of Oliver and the Little Bigfoot:

Young Oliver, a boy who has a special ability to see and interact with the paranormal or supernatural, is back in this charming story where he goes camping with his dad and meets a young Bigfoot, named Squatch. Oliver loves camping with his dad and everything is made more fun with Squatch by his side helping him at every step. Oliver’s dad never sees Squatch and is puzzled that Oliver is able to gather so much wood so quickly and catch so many fish all by himself, but never questions Oliver.  Squatch watches over Oliver and his dad and even saves them from falling down a waterfall!

I enjoyed this book for the same reasons I adored Book 2 – Oliver and the Little Ghost.  Not only is it a wonderful story that is easy to read and understand for kids of all ages, but it has an underlying message addressing friendship and diversity.  Like in Book 2, this story shows children (and adults too!) that you can become friends with anyone who is kind and caring, no matter how they look or where they are from.  The fact that Squatch was not the same as Oliver, made no difference in his decision to become friends with him. I am (as I am sure most parents are) always telling my son that it doesn’t matter how a person looks on the outside, it’s whether they are a good person that matters.  This story delivers this message without being outright and preachy.

In addition, the illustrations in this book, by Ronaldo Florendo, are beautiful and colorful and help the reader visualize the events in the story. Children and their parents/caregivers/teachers will enjoy reading this book together.

Please note that since I am not sure I received the final version of this book, I am not commenting on possible typos like punctuation and capitalization, etc.  My review is just on the story, which is super cute!

If you are interested in this book, there is a direct link to Amazon in the menu column on the left towards the bottom.  Please note that I am an Amazon affiliate which means if you buy anything through my site, I get a very small kickback at no cost to you.