The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Have you ever been to New York City, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations? Let Charlie take you on a magical tour of the Big Apple in The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City. Learn about this new release from sister-author duo Sofie Wells and Ali Barcla and enter to win a fantastic prize pack, including a personalized copy, book swags and a $100 Amazon gift card!

My Review:

As the first in the travel-themed picture book series, The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City offers a delightful and dynamic introduction to a good number of iconic landmarks in the City of New York.

Charlie is an adventurous pup, who loves to travel around the world using his secret magic trick. A simple wag of his tail teleports him to Central Park, where he kicks off his day trip in NYC. As he moves from one stop to the next, Charlie experiences different aspects of the city, from skyscrapers to street vendors, from ferry rides to Broadway shows, and from breathtaking scenery to colorful nightlife. The fun never ends.

With cute characters and vibrant as well as realistic illustrations, the book draws young readers in instantly. Following the paw prints of their furry tour guide, they get a close-up view of world-famous tourist attractions, along with art, food and various cultural activities the city is known for. But that's not all the book has to offer. A plethora of fun facts await them in the "Paws and Learn: Landmarks Unleashed!" section. The vivid, humorous descriptions make the facts easy to digest and memorize. While they quench the inquisitive minds' thirst for knowledge, the questions that follow help spark conversations that little ones would be eager to participate in.

Informative and engaging, The Tales of Charlie Wags is a fun-filled, fantastical read for aspiring world travelers and adventure-lovers. It not only highlights the wonders of travel but also inspires us to explore and experience different cultures around the globe.

About the Book:

Ages: 3-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Kendam Press (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9900050-0-6

Charlie Wags is a seemingly ordinary pup. He sits on demand, is appropriately needy, and only sometimes begs for treats.

But Charlie has an extraordinary secret. He loves to travel the world and has a special trick to do so: his wagging tail can whisk him away to far-off places.

This time, he’s off to the Big Apple!

Embark on a panoramic tour of New York City led by ever-curious pup Charlie Wags! From the serenity of Central Park to the dazzling lights of Times Square, Charlie explores the city that never sleeps before returning home for bedtime.

Wherever you may be, The World Is Just a Wag Away.™

Purchase link: Amazon

Freedom's Game Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Sports games are not only fun to watch and play, but they can help strengthen both the body and the mind. They may also provide an opportunity to acquire essential survival skills as shown in Rosanne Tolin's novel Freedom's Game. Learn more about this amazing book and enter to win a signed copy along with a special soccer ball!

My Review:

Backed by solid research on true events during the Holocaust, Freedom's Game is a captivating and inspiring middle grade historical fiction about courage, resilience, friendship and sacrifice.

Zippy and Elka are among the Jewish kids who have managed to flee Germany and go into hiding in Nazi-occupied France. Living in constant fear and uncertainty and away from their loved ones, they are forced to hide their identity, fake their religion, and avoid speaking their mother tongue. One of the biggest challenges is not knowing who they can trust. With food scarcity threatening their survival, the new gym teacher insists that they practice soccer and prepare for a Sports Festival, yet he fails to show up from time to time. Is this part of a ruse to turn them into the hands of Nazis, or an ingenious plan to smuggle them to safety?

Told through the eyes of two twelve-year-old Holocaust survivors, the story reveals the horror and hardships that Jewish children had to endure during one of the darkest times in human history. While the unpredictable plot twists keep the readers worrying about the fate of the protagonists, they may feel closely connected to the well-developed characters through their thoughts and feelings. Zippy's vigilance is often contrasted by Elka's optimism, but the two unite in their bravery and determination to fight the Nazis.

Exploring an often overlooked aspect of Jewish resistance during WWII, the book calls our attention to the many unsung heroes that risked their own lives and tried everything they could to save young children from persecution. The author's note toward the end details the real people and events that have inspired the story, which demonstrates the incredible power of hope, kindness and friendship.

Packed with strong emotions and impactful messages, Freedom's Game offers young readers an engaging way to learn about WWII history.

About the Book:

Ages: 10-13 | 248 Pages
Publisher: Reycraft Books/Benchmark Education (2024) | ISBN: 978-1478876199

Twelve-year-old Ziggy Wirth, originally from Germany, doesn’t know what to expect when he arrives at the Annemasse orphanage in eastern France. It is 1942, and the Nazis have conquered the northern part of the country. Annemasse is supposed to be a secret haven for Jewish children separated from their families, but Ziggy can’t help feeling that the worst is about to happen. Any adult around him could easily be a Nazi spy. Ziggy befriends Elka, a girl his age who has lived at Annemasse for three years and dreams of when she will be reunited with her family in Dresden. Along with the excitement of this new friendship comes the intrigue surrounding the mysterious, blond-haired new gym teacher, Georges Loinger. Is Georges a friend who can lead all the children to safety in nearby Switzerland? Or is he a spy luring them towards the Nazis?

When any mistake could be deadly, Ziggy and Elka are never sure who to trust.

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

What Makes Hands Beautiful? Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Each person has a unique pair of hands. What do you think makes hands beautiful? Raniya and her mom explore possible answers to this question in J.F. Bierlein's picture book What Makes Hands Beautiful?. Enter to win a signed copy along with three other books from the author!

My Review:

Starting with a little girl's curious inquiry, What Makes Hands Beautiful? creates an uplifting and thought-provoking story about love, kindness and diversity.

Wondering if her hands are considered beautiful, Raniya asks her mom what beautiful hands should look like and what makes hands beautiful. Her mom encourages her to think about all the wonderful things hands can do to make them beautiful as well as the diverse ways that beautiful hands may look.

With simple sentences and lively pictures, the book introduces different professions in which hands are used to perform different functions and provide important services. In addition, it suggests various ways hands can be used to offer help and show kindness. Its message regarding how to define beauty is gentle yet clear. Whether hands (and people) are beautiful depends on what they do, regardless of what they look like.

The expressive, gorgeous illustrations completes the story by portraying people from all walks of life in everyday scenarios that young readers can easily relate to. The inclusion of characters with various ethnic, age and gender features corresponds to the book's theme on diversity. Meanwhile, the manner in which the characters interact in the pictures indicates that we should treat one another with care and respect.

Short and sweet, What Makes Hands Beautiful? provides an engaging read to teach about kindness, respect and inner beauty.

About the Book:

Ages: 4-6 | 29 Pages
Publisher: Independently Published (2024) | ISBN: 979-8336568356

In this charming story, a young girl learns from her mother that it is not appearance that makes hands beautiful, but what they do, and the love that motivates the hands. The book is a celebration of the values of kindness, service, and respect for others and their work.

Purchase links: Amazon | Bookshop.org

You Are a Child of God Coloring Book Review and Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Are you looking for a gift that makes your child feel loved and one that can be easily shared between the two of you? Check out Michelle Fritch's beautiful book You Are a Child of God and enter to win an Amazon gift card!

About the Book:

A love note to people of all ages, You Are a Child of God brings together many of the most important messages in the Bible. Highlighting verses from both the Old and New Testaments, the author helps people understand what the Scriptures teach about our unique creation and God's involvement in our lives. This book is fun for kids to color and invites adult readers to meditate on Scripture while engaging their inner child through coloring.

My Review:

Full of beautiful pictures and inspiring words, You Are a Child of God is so much more than a coloring book. While its selection of delightful images like flowers, butterflies, seagulls, angel wings and music notes pleases the eyes, its thoughtful messages about faith, love, and kindness warm the heart. It encourages youngsters to cherish life, to find their inner strength, to be more confident and resolute, and to help those in need. Through coloring and reading, children and their caregivers may enjoy the calming and creative experience this wonderful book provides.

Order You Are a Child of God today, in time for Christmas!