Quote
of the Week
by C.
S. Lewis
Showing posts with label imagination. Show all posts
Showing posts with label imagination. Show all posts
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Saturday, November 8, 2014
"Sweet T and the North Wind" by Cat Michaels
REVIEW
Sweet T and the North Wind
(Sweet T Tales Book 1)
(Sweet T Tales Book 1)
by Cat Michaels
Sweet T and the North Wind is recommended for children ages 5 to 10. It is the first book in Cat Michaels' Sweet T Tales. Also available: Finding Fuzzy (read my blog post).
Description
Last time a powerful North Wind blew across the lakes, strange things happened. And the winter when Tara turns ten years old, the North Wind blows sharp and the lakes freeze solid by Thanksgiving. Old-timers from the village warn everyone to take care.
Tara, or Sweet T as Grandma calls her, is tired of being cooped up indoors on this coldest winter day, and she tries to make the best of the situation. But when Tara makes a wish that is dearest to her heart, T’s ordinary afternoon leads to an hour of magic that takes her on a journey of discovery and a ride she’ll never forget.
This gentle story of a family across the generations weaves enough magic and whimsy to interest children. It also subtly raises the real-life issue of aging. Sweet T entertains while opening the door for children to discuss, in an age-appropriate way, the illness of a beloved family member.
Book Video
Excerpt
Tara, or Sweet T as Grandma calls her.
Praise for the Book
"This children’s book is lovely to read and the artwork is gorgeous. I’m looking forward to more books from this author." ~ 5 Star Review, Shirley, Amazon
"Sweet T and the North Wind by Cat Michaels is an adventurous story with whimsy and magic that enchant. The author tickles the creative and imaginative thoughts of young readers. The illustrations are beautiful and bright, and they both enhance the story and breathe life into the characters and the scenes." ~ Mamta Madhavan, Readers’ Favorite
"This is a wonderful story! Writing and illustrations are very nice! I bought two copies, one for myself and one for my class. I’m working with 5th graders and we’re practicing writing our own stories and I’ll be using this book to encourage them to keep writing." ~ 5 Star Review, Pati, Amazon
Sweet T's bus creeps up the icy road to school.
My Review
By Lynda Dickson
The North Wind is blowing, making it the coldest morning Tara, known as Sweet T to her family, can remember. All she wants to do is ride the red scooter she got for her birthday last week. But when she goes down to the basement to "visit" it, Sweet T finds more than just a scooter; she finds a bit of magic.
This short chapter book tells a simple tale of the power of imagination. As Sweet T learns, "Wonderful things are possible when you dream big and use your imagination!" The watercolor illustrations by Irene A. Jahns add a lovely touch to the story. It is followed by a quiz to test your children's comprehension of the story, as well as a couple of discussion questions to help you start a conversation with them about aging or ill relatives.
Especially recommended for children with a grandparent suffering from dementia.
About the Author
Cat Michaels started writing stories in fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since. After earning an M.S. degree in special education from the University of Kansas, she spent two decades helping students from kindergarten to college reach their potential.
She also managed communication and resource development programs for an international high-tech company that included writing press releases and articles for trade journals. After recession and downsizings, she returned to her education roots, serving at a community college as a writing coach and learning specialist for students with Asperger’s syndrome and learning disabilities.
Cat spins tales of everyday life, with a twist of magic or twinge of mystery, that open young minds to new ways of thinking and looking at the world. Illustrations by watercolor artist Irene A. Jahns help bring that world to life. Cat and her family live in North Carolina where she designs playful gardens, dabbles in all things digital, and writes.
Links
Saturday, July 19, 2014
"Harry and the Hot Lava" by Chris Robertson
NEW RELEASE and REVIEW
Harry and the Hot Lava
by Chris Robertson
Harry and the Hot Lava is the latest release by Chris Robertson. It's perfect for children ages
3 to 8, especially boys. You can read my review below.
Description
Harry is a little boy with a big imagination.
One day, a simple game of "don't step on the hot lava" turns into an
adventure he'll never forget!
This children's picture book features
the iconic art of Chris Robertson and has fun simple text perfect for beginning
readers and storytime.
Excerpt
Review
By Lynda Dickson
Harry is a little boy with a big imagination. (I
wrote that before I read the book description, and I'm keeping it!) Join Harry as he
battles his way through the perilous fields of lava. Who will save him?
Like the author's fabulous My Yellow Umbrella, Harry and the Hot Lava celebrates childhood imagination and play, but this
time from a boy's point-of-view. And of course, boys love adventure. Full of the
author-illustrator's wonderful images and graphics, this book is sure to become
a favorite with your little guy ... or girl. Just out of interest, Harry is
based on the author's son, and the author himself also makes an
appearance.
Another winner!
About the Author
Chris Robertson is
just a big kid at heart who happens to write and draw Children's Picture Books.
While in elementary school, Chris was introduced to Curious George, Madeline, and Harry the Dirty Dog by way of the Bookmobile. The introduction left such a strong impression,
that even at an early age, Chris knew children's books were going to be an
important part of his life. Chris' whimsical cartoon style feels light-hearted
and carefree which seems to perfectly match his humorous writing style.
Chris' books include
the Amazon's Best Seller, I'll Trade My Peanut-Butter Sandwich, Little Miss Liberty, Kit and Kaboodle, The Tooth That's on the Loose!, Pandora's Box with Julia Dweck, and My Yellow Umbrella (which hit the #1 spot on Amazon's Bestseller list for Baby &
Toddler Color Books, Bedtime and Dreaming, and Childrens' Game Books).
Chris lives in
Pasadena with his wife and three boys.
Links
Saturday, November 9, 2013
"My Yellow Umbrella" by Chris Robertson
NEW RELEASE
My Yellow Umbrella
by Chris Robertson
I seem to be
reviewing a lot of children's books lately. Here's another one! My Yellow Umbrella is the latest release by Chris Robertson. Please don't miss
this one. It would make a great gift idea for a special child in your life.
Description
It's a beautiful day for a yellow umbrella!
Bright, retro-inspired illustrations
accompany a little girl on her dreamy day with a yellow umbrella.
Excerpt
I step
inside my yellow umbrella
and float away,
like a daydream drifting down
a windy river.
and float away,
like a daydream drifting down
a windy river.
Then I soar
high above the clouds
with my yellow umbrella,
my feet never touching the ground.
with my yellow umbrella,
my feet never touching the ground.
Review
The girl who owns the yellow umbrella looks
forward to a perfect day spent with her favorite "toy". We follow her
through her imaginative games, always accompanied by her cute dog and her
precious yellow umbrella.
This lovely picture book is dedicated to the
children of Sandy Hook Elementary School. Its story is gentle and comforting,
paying homage to that one special item each of us had in our childhood. It
celebrates the power of a child's imagination to use a simple everyday object
to transport them to other worlds.
The story is complemented by the beautiful,
simple, old-fashioned illustrations by Chris himself. They are reminiscent of those
found in the Harry books by Gene Zion and illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham. I'm not surprised to hear that these books were a special part
of Chris' early life.
Highly recommended.
About the Author
Chris Robertson is
just a big kid at heart who happens to write and draw children's picture books.
His most recent book is My Yellow Umbrella. Although Chris doesn't own a yellow umbrella, that didn't
stop him from creating a book about one!
Chris's
other books include the Amazon's Best Seller, I'll Trade My Peanut-Butter Sandwich, Little Miss Liberty, Kit and Kaboodle, The Tooth That's on the Loose!, and Pandora's Box with Julia Dweck. Chris' whimsical cartoon style feels light-hearted and carefree
which seems to perfectly match his humorous writing style.
While in
elementary school, Chris was introduced to Curious George, Madeline,
and Harry the Dirty Dog by way of the Bookmobile. The introduction left such a
strong impression, that even at an early age, Chris knew children's books were
going to be an important part of his life.
Chris lives in
Pasadena with his wife and three boys, all of whom do not own a yellow umbrella
either.
Links
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