The Magic Sea Turtle Blog Tour: Review and Prize Packs Giveaway

If you could turn into any creature you like, which one would you choose? How about a cute sea turtle like Myrtle from The Magic Sea Turtle? Check out this rhyming picture book written by award-winning author Kathleen Welton and enter to win one of the lovely sea turtle themed prize packs!

My Review:

Full of imagination and positivity, The Magic Sea Turtle tells a charming tale about a dream coming true with delight and surprise. Myrtle is a little girl who dares to dream and wishes to be queen. On a beautiful sunny day, her accidental fall off the cloud leads her to Max the magic sea turtle and his friends, who collectively save Myrtle's life and welcome her to an entrancing world makred with freedom and friendliness. Could this be where Myrtle truly belongs?

Told through short, lyrical sentences, Myrtle's fascinating sea adventure motivates young readers to dream big and be open to new experiences that might transform their lives. Meanwhile, it gets them aquainted with a good variety of adorable, hospitable sea animals like sea turtle, sea otter, seagulls and dolphins, who serve as role models to demonstrate the power of kindness, friendship, and teamwork. It may also provide parents and educators with an opportunity to teach about sea life conservation and environmental protection.

The book excels in its dreamy and dynamic illustrations, which artfully combine vibrant colors, vivid expressions, and elements of nature and magic. The paintings and narrative weave neatly together to create an ideal world full of harmony and vitality.

Poetically written and playfully illustrated, The Magic Sea Turtle is sure to capture the heart of little dreamers, adventurers, and animal lovers.

About the Book:

Ages 3+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Bookfox Press | ISBN-13: 978-1960157515

Once upon a time, Myrtle chased her dreams–dreams of being a queen with a crown that sparkled like the moon. One day, she tumbles down, down, down into the sea. Max helps rescue her and a magic carpet flies her to a place even more amazing than her sandcastle dreams and she discovers an entire ocean of possibilities! There are dolphins who welcome her and a friendly otter with the biggest smile. They can teach her to swim and enjoy the day. Another magical glow surrounds Myrtle when she decides to stay and wishes to be a sea turtle like Max.

And guess what? Myrtle’s fall may have been unexpected, but thanks to a touch of magic, it leads her to a place where her wishes come true. Myrtle becomes a queen AND a magic sea turtle too, ready for incredible adventures! Myrtle the Turtle learns that being a queen means having the best friends ever. And with her sparkly crown and a heart full of joy, she is the happiest queen the whole ocean has ever seen!

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

Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Can you imagine wearing a heavy helmet and painting with a steel pencil on a zinc plate six fathoms under the sea? That's how Else Bostelmann managed to paint deep-sea creatures as she saw them at a time before underwater photography was invented. Follow the artist's remarkable adventure in award-winning author Jeanne Walker's upcoming book Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep. Enter to win a fantastic prize pack including 30 copies of the book and various swags like bookbag, notebook, stickers and more!

My Review:

Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep is an inspiring and informative picture book biography of woman artist Else Bostelmann. Powered by her passion for painting, Else, at the age of 50, ventures into the depths of the ocean in her swimsuit and a copper diving helmet, connected by a tube to a boat off the coast of Bermuda. She's on a mission to turn what she observes under the sea into artwork. After experimenting with different tools and techniques, she creates paintings that not only capture the breathtaking beauty of the undersea world, but also present many previously unknown deep-sea creatures with scientific precision. Published in the National Geographic magazine during the Great Depression, Else's paintings provide people with an eye-opening experience as well as a way to escape their worries.

Unlike a typical biography that recounts someone's life events in chronological order, the book starts with a suspenseful scene that instantly grabs the readers' attention and arouses their interest. As the story unfolds, readers, along with Else, get deeply immersed in the fascinating underwater wonderland recreated through an engaging narrative greatly enhanced by detailed, animated, whimsical illustrations.

By honoring a brave, talented woman's incredible contributions to art and science, the biography suggests that it is never too late to start following your passion, focusing on what you love, and making your mark on the world. Else's ground-breaking adventure inspires young readers to conquer their fear of the unknown, to tackle challenges with creativity, and to make new discoveries through exploration and experimentation. The book concludes with more information about Else Bostelmann and explanation for some of the scientific terms to facilitate a better understanding of the story and its messages.

Beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated, Else B. in the Sea makes a smart summer reading choice that helps cultivate children's love for nature, for art, for science, and for the conservation of wildlife and their natural habitat.

About the Book:

Ages 5-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Cameron Kids/ Abrams Books | ISBN-13: 9781949480283

A poetic picture book biography about a daring and pioneering woman artist that combines themes of art and science. A perfect STEAM book!

Else Bostelmann donned a red swimsuit and a copper diving helmet and, with paints and brushes in hand, descended into the choppy turquoise sea off the coast of Bermuda. It was 1930, and few had ventured deep into the sea before. She discovered a fairyland six fathoms below the surface—fantastic coral castles, glittering sunbeams, swaying sea plumes, and slender purple sea fans. And fish! Flashy silverfish, puckering blue parrotfish, iridescent jellyfish. Else painted under the sea! She painted what she saw with her own eyes.

Back on land, Else painted the never-before-seen deep-sea creatures described by world-renowned scientist William Beebe on his momentous 1930s bathysphere expeditions for the New York Zoological Society’s Department of Tropical Research. It was a daring and glamorous adventure and a dream come true for Else B., who shared this new, unfathomable world with humankind.

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

1-2-3, A Deep Breath for Me Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Do you have any tips or tricks for keeping your cool when big emotions start to bubble up inside you? Check out what works for Mack and Gertie in 1-2-3, A Deep Breath for Me, a fun picture book by early childhood educator Hillary Harper. In honor of this Mental Health Awareness Month, you could win a signed copy of this new release as well as a children's journal companion to the book!

My Review:

Backed by the author's professional knowledge, 1-2-3, A Deep Breath for Me tells an amusing and comforting tale that teaches about self-soothing techniques and emotion management skills. In spite of his enormous size as a dog, Mack has many fears that seem to stand in his way of trying to protect his family. He's worried sick not knowing what to do about those weired feelings until he meets Gertie, a tiny, plump pup with a big, brave heart. His new buddy shows Mack how to calm down through deep breathing and helps him memorize it with a playful rhyme. Will it work like magic every time he feels scared or uneasy? Are there other things that can help?

Featuring an adorable puppy pair in colorful, engaging and action-packed pictures, the story speaks to young children who share Mack's fear for thunderstorms, new things or new people, and being alone and away from parents. As they entertain the comedic effect created through the surprising contrast between the size and temperament of the two characters, they learn about coping strategies that are easy to master and fun to practice. 

When Mack hides in his safe space, Gertie validates his feelings instead of making fun of him. His kind responses and mindful coaching style help Mack overcome his fears step by step. The role Gertie plays in Mack's journey has important implications for parents and educators. It also encourages young minds to be more understanding and supportive of their friends who may be struggling to conquer their fears. The inclusion of real-life pictures of Mack and Gertie, along with their true stories, is the cherry on top, making the main characters even more relatable and memorable.

A delightful delicacy for puppy lovers, 1-2-3, A Deep Breath for Me is an accessible and appealing book that helps nurture empathy and emotional resilience from an early age.

About the Book:

Ages 3-8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Cannoli & Co. Books | ISBN-13: 9798988363637

Meet Mack, the pup with emotions as big as his paws! At times, Mack finds himself overwhelmed by his feelings. His stomach is filled with butterflies, his legs grow wobbly, and he feels short of breath. Thankfully, Mack has his trusty sidekick, Gertie, to guide him through the tough times. Together, they explore ways to manage and overcome these powerful emotions.

Through Mack’s journey, children can learn breathing exercises, visualization techniques, and other self-regulation activities that can be practiced in their daily lives.

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

Jo's Special Gifts Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Every child is unique in their own way and those on the autism spectrum are no exception. Let's find out what makes a little boy named Jo special in Mariam Shapera's newly released picture book Jo’s Special Gifts. Enter to win a book set autographed by the author, along with a Starbucks gift card!

My Review:

Based on the author's personal experience with parenting an autistic child, Jo’s Special Gifts is an uplifting and illuminating book that promotes neurodiversity, autism acceptance and positive parenting. Jo takes delight in reading about space, playing piano, watching spinning objects in action, and riding his favorite bike. Meanwhile, it takes time for him to adjust to changes or learn something new. He is not inclined to engage in a conversation unless the topic really interests him. He may express fear and anxiety by repeating certain words. But what matters most is that he always feels loved and cared for!

Written in rhymes and with great enthusiasm from the perspective of Jo, the book sheds light on how someone with autism thinks and behaves differently, and the kind of support and accommodations that can be provided to help kids with special gifts thrive and shine. It encourages young readers to pursue their passion and embrace diversity. It helps them understand the differences and challenges that their neurodivergent peers may experience. For parents with autistic children, it inspires them to help their little ones discover and cherish their unique talents, and build their confidence by cheering for their efforts as well as their achievements. Parents need to be patient, supportive, or simply be there when their kids need a shoulder to lean on.

Combining vibrant colors with vivid characters, the illustrations are cheerful and imaginative, reflecting the positive tone of the narrative while enriching the story with interesting details. Students with different ethnic backgrounds and physical conditions are thoughtfully represented in the classroom, where various devices can be found to help accommodate children with special needs. In the back of the book, the author also includes a guide to address common questions parents have about supporting a child on the spectrum.

Inspiring and informative, Jo's Special Gifts is a pleasure to read for all, as a sweet reminder of how special each and every one of us is.

About the Book:

Ages 4+ | 39 Pages
Publisher: Mariam Shapera | ISBN-13: 979-8-9896337-0-8

Join Jo, an enthusiastic, curious and sensitive boy, as he shares his autistic joys and challenges with you. This is an emotional journey that celebrates neurodiversity and embracing one’s own gifts. This heartwarming rhyming story celebrates the unique gifts that each person can bring to the world. You will love entering this amazing autistic brain as we celebrate Jo’s special gifts.

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