Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows are Supposed to be Scary Blog Tour: Review and Prize Packs Giveaway

Scarecrows, as their names suggest, are supposed to scare crows away. But not all scarecrows seem to agree in Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows are Supposed to be Scary. Check out award-winning author Stephen G. Bowling's new release and enter to win a set of his best books!

My Review:

Written in rhymes and simple sentenses, Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows are Supposed to be Scary is an imaginative and inspiring short story that demonstrates the power of persuasion while teaching about kindness, empathy, cooperation and conflict resolution.

Jolly and friendly, Winslow welcomes crows to rest on him. Some of his fellow scarecrows in the cornfield reject his gesture as a blatant disrespct for their duty of protecting the corn from crows. Others question if it's possible to do their job without being scary. After listening to the arguments from both sides and observing what happens in the field, Winslow proposes a plan that prompts everyone to reach a consensus.

Narrated by a clever crow, who thanks Winslow for his smart solution, the story shows that disagreements can be settled through communication, fact-based reasoning, and aligning the interests of all parties involved. Fascinated by a colorful cast of scarecrows, who differ wildly in their appearance, temperament and opinion, young readers learn about proper ways to speak their minds, useful social skills that may turn a conflictual relationship into a cooperative one, and creative problem-solving strategies to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

The author's careful choice of short rhyming words makes the book easy to understand and pleasant to read aloud. The illustrator's bright, picturesque portrait of the landscape and diverse depiction of the characters are in syn with the book's theme of kindness, inclusion, peace and harmony. The inclusion of amazing fun facts about crows toward the end further adds to the educational value of this entertaining story.

Brilliantly written and vibrantly illustrated, Winslow Scarecrow makes a wonderful starting point for early readers who aspire to be a leader, a changemaker or a peacemaker.

About the Book:

Ages: 4+ | 34 Pages
Publisher: Valley of Mexico | ISBN: 978-1-950957-32-3

He’s friendly as can be! But when his kindness causes a stir, can this cornfield guardian use his noggin to make everyone happy?

Winslow, the scarecrow, wouldn’t hurt a fly. Full of song and wearing a silly hat, the bespectacled fellow stretches out his arms and welcomes the crows to rest their weary wings. But he’s shocked when the other straw-filled-scarers get upset because they think he’s falling down on the job. Listening to his brightly dressed pals argue over what is proper; he thinks hard to come up with a better way. And hoping to find an agreeable solution, he spies the fallen corn on the ground going to waste, and the kernel of an idea begins to sprout. Can Winslow protect the farmer’s crops and still welcome the rascally rooks?

Winslow Scarecrow is a charming children’s picture book. If you or your child like resolving conflict, seeing problems from all sides, and bringing people together, then you’ll adore Stephen G Bowling’s beautifully illustrated tale. Buy Winslow Scarecrow to be a ray of sunshine today!

Purchase Link: Amazon

Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Many of us may have felt overwhelmed by emotions at some point in life. Are you aware that your big feelings, if handled properly, could work for you rather than against you? Find out how to tap into the power of emotions in Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas, a brand new addition to award-winning author Nicole Oke's Penny Panda picture book series. Enter to win a signed copy, along with a $50 Amazon gift card, stickers and other fun goodies!

My Review:

Creatively written and humorously illustrated, Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas teaches about emotional control and regulation through a simple yet illuminating story, which centers around a school girl named Izzy and her wise stuffed pal Penny Panda.

As she waits for her turn to get on stage, Izzy feels both excited and nervous about dancing in front of a huge crowd. Puzzled by her mixed feelings, she seeks advice from Penny, who introduces Izzy to each of her inner emotion ninjas. While some are sneakier and trickier than others, all of them share the common goal of protecting Izzy and keeping her safe from danger or harm. Most importantly, Izzy is the one who gets to decide when and how to use her emotion ninjas.

Combining vivid metaphors and endearing personification with amusing, expressive pictures, the book makes complex and abstract emotional concepts more accessible and intriguing for young children. Through Penny's explanations and Izzy's elaborations, they learn to identify different feelings, to understand their functions, and to work with them instead of fighting them. 

Both the character (Izzy) and the scenario (talent show) are so relatable that young readers can easily apply what they learn from the story to their real-life situations. Meanwhile, the colorful and adorable images associated with the ninjas reinforce the message that big emotions are normal and can be managed to one's advantage with practice and positive thinking.

Empowering and instructive, Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas is a delightful read that helps foster emotional intelligence in youngsters by equipping them with practical emotion management tools and skills.

About the Book:

Ages 4-10 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Oke Publications | ISBN-13: 979-8-9870396-3-2

Get ready to dance into the world of emotions in Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas!

Izzy is gearing up for the big talent show, but she’s feeling a lot of big emotions – excitement, nerves, and everything in between! With her trusty friend Penny Panda by her side, Izzy embarks on a journey to understand the colorful cast of emotion ninjas that reside within her.

From the energetic Excitement Ninja to the protective Fear Ninja, Izzy learns to embrace her feelings and harness their power as she takes center stage. With each step, she discovers that every emotion has a role to play and that she’s the boss of her own emotional journey.

Join Izzy and Penny as they dance through a story filled with laughter, friendship, and the magic of self-discovery. “Penny Panda and the Emotion Ninjas” is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the power of emotions and the joy of being true to yourself.

Get ready to twirl, leap, and pirouette with Izzy and Penny in this enchanting adventure that will leave you cheering for more!

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Sea Without a Shore Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Surrounded by oceanic currents, the Sargasso Sea is known to be the only sea on earth without land boundaries. Let's take a closer and in-depth look at this unique region in the Atlantic Ocean through Barb Rosenstock's newly released picture book: Sea Without a Shore. Be sure not to miss your chance to win a signed copy!

My Review:

Backed by extensive research and on-site observations, Sea Without a Shore provides a vivid, poetic portrait of Sargasso's distinctive ecosystem, the survival of which depends heavily on an algae called Sargassum. Starting with a growing young seaweed and ending with a thriving, diverse community of marine life, the book reveals how Sargassum plays an indispensable and incredible role in the vitality of the entire region.

Through lyrical descriptions and lively illustrations, the book introduces a vast array of fascinating sea creatures, microscopic and gigantic, newly born and grown up, rare and common, including those that are native to the Sargasso Sea and those that are merely short-term visitors. Young readers learn about what they feed on, where they seek shelter, and how they interact with the forever floating, expanding Sargassum and contribute to the community. The soft-hued watercolor drawings that accompany the narrative help demonstrate the underwater dynamics that defines the ecosystem, encouraging readers to explore and study the colorful creatures amid clusters of seaweeds.

By raising awareness of the permanent and temporary inhabitants of the Sargasso Sea, the book draws our attention to the interconnectedness of the universe and urges us to play our part in protecting the environment. As they marvel at the wonders Nature is capable of creating, youngsters are motivated to take better care of our planet. 

The pictures amplify the joy we may derive from a balanced ecosystem, featuring kids playing with Sargassum and swimming happily alongside various fish friends. A map and individual pictures of each animal are attached in the back matter, which also covers important background information, such as the environmental challenges the region is currently faced with, the inspiration and research process for creating this book.

Beautiful and informative, Sea Without a Shore serves as an excellent example of how a nonfiction picture book can be properly done to fuel curiosity as well as a sense of responsibility among young explorers.

About the Book:

Ages: 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton | ISBN: 9781324016076

A single piece of seaweed buoys a fascinating ecosystem in this nonfiction picture book from award-winning creators Barb Rosenstock and Katherine Roy.

From bryozoans and snails to shrimps, eels, swordfish, and whales, the Sargasso Sea provides a home to countless types of marine life, thanks to the prevalence of microalgae called sargassum. Following a single blade of this extraordinary seaweed as it grows and spreads, readers see what it provides for the sea’s organisms: a base for hydroids and tube worms to filter and feed, shelter for anemones and nudibranchs and their nutritious waste, hunting grounds for crabs and amphipods, and a source of nourishment and protection for the fish, birds, whales, and reptiles that feed on these smaller creatures.

Through a widening scope on this intricate interdependence, Barb Rosenstock celebrates one of our planet’s most diverse and important ecosystems and the unassuming seaweed that sustains it. Gorgeously illustrated with Katherine Roy’s rich, eye-catching artwork, Sea Without a Shore is as fluid and rhythmic as the currents that shape this tidal home.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

Sylvia Locke's Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother (Tairy Fails #2) Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Ready for a hilariously twisted version of the classic fairy tale Cinderella? Check out Sylvia Locke's Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother, the second book in the Tairy Fails series by David Horn, who is also the author of the well-received Eudora Space Kids series. Enter to win a signed copy plus a $25 Amazon gift card!

My Review:

Set in a modernized Fairytale Land with contemporary technology, Sylvia Locke's Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother presents a highly entertaining and creative retelling of the well-known tale.

Fifth-grader Sylvia Locke is nothing like the Cinderella we are familiar with though. She's mischievous and rebellious. She plays tricks on her step-cousins so as to make them look less perfect. With no interest in becoming Prince Quinn's princess, she goes great lengths to attend the Q-Ball just because it's against her step-aunt's will. She asks for a fast car instead of a carriage from Pamela, the evil fairy godmother who loves Gothic fashion and bargain hunts at the farmers market or the flea market. To Sylvia's surprise, the prince takes no offense when she nicknames him Prince Stupid Hat. He actually enjoys her company as she's the only one who dares to disagree with him. The story does have a happy ending, but not in the traditional sense.

Written with a great sense of humor that young readers can appreciate, the book offers a fresh, unconventional take on a fairy tale that has been retold so many times in so many different ways. Taking bad girl Sylvia's perspective, the narrative gives us the opportunity to get inside an anti-hero's mind and make sense of her unruly behavior and unique way of thinking. Despite her poor academic performance and defiance of rules and authority, she is authentic, audacious, decisive, independent and charming in her own way. 

Besides Sylvia, the author does a terrific job in developing a bunch of other atypical characters, notably the evil fairy godmother who uses wit and magic to assist Sylvia in her playful adventure, the prince who values honesty over obedience, and the self-driving car who aces the chase by the royal underlings (my favorite scene of the book). While being fully immersed in Sylvia's eventful escapade, young readers may learn a thing or two about family, friendship, and freedom.

Amusing and exhilarating, Sylvia Locke's Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother is a must-read for those who desire a break from the perfected world in fairy tales and those who look to have a good laugh and something cool to hope for.

About the Book:

Ages: 6-10 | 96 Pages
Publisher: David Horn | ISBN: 979-8-9885430-3-9

Fairytale Land’s baddest girl is about to head to a prince’s ball. A modern, twisted retelling of Cinderella.

Once upon a time in Fairytale Land, there lived Sylvia Locke—the baddest girl around. So bad that her grandparents have shipped her off to live with her uptight Aunt Marjorie and two goody-two-shoes step-cousins. When an invitation to the prince’s ball arrives, Sylvia is determined to attend at any cost, even if it means enlisting the help of an evil fairy godmother (against Fairytale Land laws, but has that ever stopped her?). Along this chaotic quest, Sylvia stumbles into some unexpectedly imperfect friends. But will she also learn to appreciate those who truly care for her?

The second book in the Tairy Fails series of modern, twisted retelling that puts a hilarious, rebellious, new spin on the classic fairy tales. Perfect for elementary school kids and early chapter book readers.

Purchase link: Amazon