Tag Archives: children’s picture books

May6

Interview with James Lamb II

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James Lamb II is the author of the new children’s book, “Jimmy, Jimmy the Jumping Lamb Meets the Hares and the Bears. Shown with his dog, Pacific.

As we start to get near the end of this strange and historical school year, I like to start posting some fabulous end of year, summer reads. I think I’ve found a great book to help keep your child’s love of reading engaged through the summer. “Jimmy, Jimmy the Jumping Lamb Meets the Hares and the Bears” is a story that deals with Jimmy, Jimmy meeting up with new friends, and how they all deal with a bullying situation. It’s a great way to get your child back into the frame of mind of being around and meeting new people, and how maybe everyone might not get along at first.

James Lamb II grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. He has a background in early child development, and has other books in his series that he enjoys voluntarily reading to local schools, day care centers, and libraries. His love for hip-hop and storytelling led him to writing children’s stories. I had a chance to ask James Lamb II about his childhood favorite authors, inspirational influences as a writer, how he came up with his characters, and what other projects he has in store for us.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

James Lamb II: Dinosaur Books and Shark Books.

  • Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

James Lamb II: Edgar Rice Burroughs and Anthony Edward Pierce. They were science fiction writers that wrote adventure books that I enjoyed reading while growing up.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

James Lamb II: Yes! I write down my ideas in a commonplace notebook. Then, I review my thoughts. After that, I begin to formulate a plan to write my stories.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

James Lamb II: Family, my life story, science fiction, animal stories and plays.

  • How do you get ideas for your stories?

James Lamb II: Childhood experience, love for animals and observing childhood behavior.

  • How does hip-hop influence your story telling?

James Lamb II: Rhythm and rhyme. Also, it helped with words coming together to create a story.

  • What was your inspiration for your new story, “Jimmy, Jimmy the Jumping Lamb Meets the Hare and Bears”?

James Lamb II: My experience of being bullied and that bullying has become a prominent problem in this day and age.

  • Why did you start your own publishing company, Ultimate Sky Publishing LLC?

James Lamb II: After publishing my first children’s books with self publishing companies, it was apparent to me, and my illustrator Marlon Chang, that we should start our own book publishing company and eliminate the middle man.

  • What advice would you give to new, aspiring authors?

James Lamb II: Believe in yourself and your ability to write. Research and take some writing courses so you can improve your skills as a writer. Finally, study other authors and they’re writing styles.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

James Lamb II: Writing to me is communicating to the world my passion for story telling.

“Jimmy, Jimmy the Jumping Lamb Meets the Hares and Bears” is a book that deals head on with the issue of bullying. Jimmy, Jimmy the Jumping Lamb is heading north. He bumps into the Hares and they form a friendship. But the Hares have a problem, the Bully Bears. Can they work together to face this group of bullies?

“Jimmy, Jimmy the Jumping Lamb Meets the Hares and Bears” is available in the Kindle store at Amazon.com and Apple iTunes/eBooks. Price for the ebook is $6.99.

For more information James Lamb II, please visit his Amazon author’s page here.

Dec10

Interview with Storytime YouTube Channel Host: Mr. Whiskers

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storytime I have discovered a darling YouTube channel that features a puppet cat narrator named Mr. Whiskers. He takes you into the world of children’s books, narrating picture books while turning the pages with his paw. It’s a great way to get a child interested in reading and expose them to MORE BOOKS! Plus, authors may submit their books to be read out loud on the channel. In the interview below, Mr. Whiskers answers questions about reading as a young kitten, how authors can apply to have their books read, and what you will find when you tune into the YouTube Storytime Channel.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a kitten?

Mr. Whiskers: I would have to say my fondest memory would be snuggling up under the covers and have my grandmother cat read me my favorite stories.

  • Why did you start the Storytime YouTube Channel?

Mr. Whiskers: I wanted to recapture that feeling I had as a kitten when being read to. I felt that with my sense of creativity and flair for animation and video editing, I could create a format that would be fun and entertaining for children.

Children who tune into our chow will be able to enjoy stories read by myself, the lovable stuffed-animal host, Mr. Whiskers. I read the new weekly stories. So, there’s always a new story to enjoy.

  • How could an author submit their picture book to be read on the channel?

Mr. Whiskers: Authors looking to have their children’s story featured on our channel may submit their story to us for consideration. We can be contacted at http://storytimewithmrwhiskers.com for more information.

Storytime LogoThe Storytime YouTube Channel is a free weekly program that is a great way to get your child into the spirit of reading. Children can listen to the book being read, follow along with the pages of the picture book on screen, and can help with read alouds in the classroom. Each turn of Mr. Whisker’s paw brings alive the read aloud experience for any child.

You can find the Storytime Channel at YouTube HERE! 

For more information about the channel or how to submit your book, please visit the website here: https://www.storytimewithmrwhiskers.com/.

 

 

Jul13

Interview with Alexandria Rose Rizik

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Alexandria Rose Rizik is the author of the children’s book, Chocolate Milk.

I was very excited to interview my next featured author, Alexandria Rose Rizik. She is from Scottsdale, Arizona and is not only an author, but the founder of the award winning film production company, Princess Rose Productions. She is a female leader in the entertainment industry, and is seeking to help inspire the next generation and make an impact on current social issues.

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The picture book, Chocolate Milk, is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Alexandria Rose Rizik is the author of the picture book Chocolate Milk. She wrote it when she was seventeen participating in an anti-bullying campaign. A young cow is bullied and teased for making brown milk until everyone realizes it is really chocolate milk. The moral of the story is tied to being yourself and celebrating differences. It’s a great message and helps to connect children to literature and the bullying theme through their love of chocolate milk.

I had a chance to talk to Alexandria about her childhood reading memories, her writing process, and any advice for aspiring authors.

1) What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Alexandria Rose Rizik: My favorite memory from reading as a child was spending the hot Arizona summer days in the library, keeping busy with my mom and three sisters, sorting through books and reading.

2) Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Alexandria Rose Rizik: My favorite authors as a kid were Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary. Judy Blume wrote one of my favorite books of all time, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” Maybe that’s why I love writing coming-of-age stories.

3) Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Alexandria Rose Rizik: I don’t necessarily have a routine. I don’t do well with structure. Some days I go to a coffee shop and spend hours there, writing away. Other days, I write from home, just on and off at my desk.

4) What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Alexandria Rose Rizik: I want to write about things that people can relate to…something that touches the world. I tend to cling to coming-of-age stories, specifically ones that revolve around first loves. I love to write about real people and the things they go through, in a way where the audience can connect. I would like to do stories that revolve around what is going on with our government and other political agendas that the world doesn’t even notice yet.

5) What is writing to you in one sentence?

Alexandria Rose Rizik: To me, writing is how I get through life.

Alexandria Rose Rizik’s book, Chocolate Milk, is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For more information on Alexandria Rizik and her other books, visit her website at: https://www.alexandriaroserizik.com.

Jan11

Children’s Picture Book Review: I am a Rockstar

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RockstarBookCoverFor day three of my read-aloud collection recommendations for 2018, I present to you a unique take on a new type of pictures book. I am a Rockstar by Amy Hackler Thibeault is a unique positive affirmation picture book. Each set of pages deals with different issues in building self-image. This makes the book a unique read for bedtime and discussion time with parents, or can be used as a great start for the day.

Each set of pages has questions to think about and affirmations to confirm different issues children might struggle with in their self-confidence. From subjects such as setting goals, getting excited to learn new things, following the rules, taking care of your health to honoring those that support you, this is a well organized book to cover many topics children need to consider and learn while growing up.

I found that this would be a great read-aloud for especially the beginning of the year, to help bolster and bring a class together. Each set of pages had questions to be asked and discussed followed by positive affirmations that can be said individually or as a class. It can also be used mid-year to help reaffirm some of these skills that a class might still struggle with.

As a read-aloud at home, it would be great to start the day using the discussion questions and affirmations. It will also be a great way to create discussions at home.

I am a Rockstar is a great book to help get kids out of bed in the morning and excited about their day. I highly recommend it as a read-aloud for any classroom or home.

I am a Rockstar is available at: Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon.com. 

 

Jan8

Children’s Picture Book Review: Alex and the Lazy Monster

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LazyBookCoverImage_2There is nothing like a good book to start off the New Year for your child. So, this week I’m working on book reviews of books to add to your bedtime reading list for the start of the Year. Here’s a positive way to add new books and spend more time with your child. Reading aloud a book is so important to the development of your child and helps them before entering school. So, hang on, and enjoy my selections this week.

Today, I’m starting with a nice monster book that will help get 2018’s bedtime sessions rolling. Alex and the Lazy Monster by Vanessa A. Newman is a delightful nighttime story that can be read again and again. Told like a mother making up a story for bedtime, this tale of a boy and his adventure with the Lazy Monster might sound familiar to many of us. We’ve all felt like wanting to lie around and do nothing. Alex discovers he has the same problem, and the reason why. He has a new friend, the Lazy Monster.

But this big blue monster is also very friendly and cuddly. When he suddenly discovers rocks in his pockets and sand in his shoes, he knows why he’s been so lazy. His new friend is doing it. But taking them out makes the Lazy Monster tired too. He doesn’t want to hurt his new friend. How can he find a balance?

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Vanessa A. Newman is the author of the picture book, Alex and the Lazy Monster. Available at Amazon.com.

I really adored this cuddly blue monster tale. Instead of just destroying the monster, the author finds a solution where his hero works with the monster to solve the problem. I enjoyed that as a teaching element, and it’s something I look for in a read-aloud. Plus, the illustrations are adorable. You want to give the slothful monster a hug half the time through the book. Any child will like hearing this story read to them again and again. It will give them validation for those times that we need to find a balance between motivating ourselves and resting. This picture book is a bedtime book collection addition for any child.

Alex and the Lazy Monster is available at her website and on Amazon.com. It is a Kindle Unlimited title. It is the second book in the series of Alex and his monsters.

 

Nov29

Holiday Picture Book Review: Santa’s Little Helper

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santashelpercovereditLooking for a diverse take on Santa Claus? Here is a jewel of a story just in time for the Holidays.

Santa’s Little Helper by Ronald Destra is a picture book that brings the magic of Christmas to a boy happily waiting his turn for Santa Claus to visit on Christmas Eve. His parents help Daniel prepare, leaving out lemonade and cookies for Santa. But will Santa really arrive?

This book helps capture the wonder and delight one felt waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve. Daniel gets to see the wonder and magic of Santa Claus as he becomes his little helper as he climbs into Santa’s sleigh, complete with reindeer. Santa takes him on a journey to help deliver toys to children throughout his town including his neighbors and an orphanage.

Daniel’s journey takes us through that one night a year when there seems to be something extra special in the air. The supportive, loving parents and caring helpful way Santa shows Daniel his annual job adds to the true meaning of Santa Claus, that giving is better than receiving. The illustrations show Daniel surrounded by loving, supportive parents and Santa, all creating a safe haven for Daniel on Christmas Eve.

This is my favorite book so far by Destra World Book Publishing that specializes in diverse and worldview themes for their books. This book will be a great way to show the Christmas spirit either as a read-aloud or a gift.

**For more information about the author, visit his website at:

www.ronalddestra.com

Santa’s Little Helper is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

 

Nov28

Picture Book Review: Best Friends

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Best Friends by Ronald and Juanita Destra is a great gift for the Holidays.

Here’s a picture book gift for the Holidays about how friendship can help overcome the most difficult struggle a child could face, a terminal illness.

Best Friends by Ronald Destra and Juanita Destra is a picture book about two friends that meet under difficult circumstances. They are both children ill in the hospital. By chance, they are placed into the same room, and develop a friendship to help them beat the odds their illnesses have set for them.

This book was bringing me near tears within the first few pages. I have gone through a life crisis of a heart attack a few years ago, and to see kids facing this kind of life trauma together was such a message of strength. I have to warn, have some tissues near by, you may need them by the end.

This would be a great book for children to read with parents if they had lost someone close to them in their lives. As a read-aloud, it’s diverse illustrations and acceptance of others, even with physical challenges, is a great message to convey to any class.

This book is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

 

Nov24

Children’s Picture Book Review: The Birthday Party

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Looking for a unique birthday present for your special someone? The Birthday Party by Ronald and Juanita Destra is a cute picture book with a fun birthday surprise.

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The Birthday Party by Ronald and Juanita Destra is available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

The Birthday Party is a book that wraps itself around the theme to never give up on your friends and family. That no matter what, even when it seems like there is no hope, they will come through for you in the end. The plot builds suspense to draw you through the story, making even the reader wonder what is going to happen by the end. You feel the heart ache of Johnny not having anyone acknowledge his birthday. It just makes the ending so much sweeter. The illustrations are also very charming, and the diverse characters make this a great read-aloud for any classroom.

I would recommend this picture book for parents and teachers looking for a book that teaches lessons of perseverance and the love of family and friends.

***The Birthday Party is available at Barnes and Nobles.com and Amazon.com.