Lollipop Opera by Don Freeman

  

Recently I hosted (along with Ella of MyMcBooks) a Children's Book Giveaway Event and the last day I featured Don Freeman's Beady Bear. I was lucky enough to see one of the original manuscripts (via email) in the rough draft of Beady Bear's Pillow which has not been published yet ~ I shared my review here.

Roy (Don's son) sent me a link to a short film by Don Freeman called "Lollipop Opera". I don't have a soundcard on my computer so I was only able to watch the film (it was great) but couldn't listen to it. I thought you might enjoy it! The soundtrack to the film is based on Rossini's "Barber of Seville" and subject to Don's book: "Mop Top".

This film received the 1971 award from the Council on Non-Theatrical Events for "it's excellence to represent the United States of American in international motion picture events abroad."

Enjoy!

Youth Emergency Services, Cherokee, IA - Bookfair

Recently I learned about a need of the Youth Emergency Services school in Cherokee, IA. This is a school where kids (age 11-17) in trouble are sent to await a trial or other programs to accept them. My cousin works there and she recently bought the first 4 Conspiracy 365 books from me to add to their school library. Evidently there isn't a budget set up to provide a library for these kids to encourage reading - so the teachers have either been purchasing the books or getting them at the library.  I've been donating books here and there as I review MG fiction - but thought I'd ask you to join in too!


I decided to dedicate my summer to an ongoing bookfair to raise FUNDS and BOOKS to donate to their little "library". Would you join in with me? I have set up an online bookfair @ www.myubam.com/BF52127 - any US orders will be added to the school - you can either order for yourself and they will receive credit toward NEW books or you can donate the books (just message me for the address to ship the books to). I am planning on closing out the bookfair by 7/30 - just in time for them to get NEW books for the school year!



Place your order @ www.myubam.com/BF52127


*** YA Authors can donate their family friendly, books (no DARK genre please - keep in mind these are kids in trouble - so we need to be careful that the books are encouraging, clean language and morality supporting. Thanks!)


*** Bloggers - want to donate your gently used review copies? You can ship them to me or my Cousin if you'd like & I'll get them to the school the next time I get to Cherokee. Just let me know. I've been donating books here and there from my review pile. =D


I and the kids & teachers thank you! ~ Tina 'the book lady'

Suggested Books you can donate 

(let me know which you purchase to donate & I'll cross it off the list):

Usborne Books / Kane Miller Suggestions:

Fiction:
Conspiracy 365 books 5-13
Extreme Adventures books 1-6 (see picture at top of page)
Butterflies (a book about a girl who was burned & her coming to terms with it)
Chloe & LeVesque series books 1-4
Bloomswell Diaries, The by Louis L Buitendag 
Dying to Tell Me by Sherryl Clark
Museum of Mary Child by Cassandra Golds
Raven Queen IR by Pauline Francis
Shadow of the Dragon, Kira #1 by Kate O'Hearn
Shadow of the Dragon, Elspeth #2 by Kate O'Hearn
Space Cowboy by Justin Stanchfield
World Away, A IR by Pauline Francis
Any of the True Stories books: True Stories of D-Day, War Stories, Heroes, True Ghost Stories, True Sea Stories, True Spy Stories, True Survival Stories, Second World War
Moby Dick

Maybe some books to satisfy that craving for facts (& actually learning something?)
Forensic Science 
Mysteries and Marvels of Science IL
Science Encyclopedia IL (C/V) Reduced Size
Story of Science - IR
Book of Knowledge IL 
Encyclopedia of Planet Earth IL
First Encyclopedia of Space IL
Story of Exploration IR
Story of Astronomy and Space
What's Biology All About? IR
What's Chemistry All About? IR
What's Physics All About? IR
Essential Atlas of the World IR
Time Traveler (C/V)
Stories of Knights and Castles
Star Quest.
Dragon Quest

Other books that they would love:

• Any of Brock Eastmans books would be great! Taken, Risk (about to be released), HowlSage (this is a new series)
• Any of Rick Riordan's series would be great too: Percy Jackson
• Peter and the Starcatchers series (any of them - they're all wonderful!)

These are just suggestions - if you know of any others (no vampire, no DARK genre, etc & no over agressive books - steven king like, etc) or if you would like to donate gently used books that's fine too. You can ship them to me or to my cousin and she'll take them to the school.

***Remember any of the Usborne Books/Kane Miller books you purchase the school will end up with a credit to use to purchase books too - they can put it toward science/math/history type books for school purposes/or fiction.) ***

Thanks so much for your help!

Bibles for Kids (cont)....

Zondervan has released two new bibles which focus on kids age 9-12. They speak in a language that preteens can understand, focus on situations your kids are going through on a daily basis and have exciting features designed to get your kids involved in learning about God, growing their faith and tickles their funny bone too!

Today is Day 2: the FaithGirlz Bible:

 

The FaithGirlz! Bible

Publisher: Zonderkidz

ISBN: 978-0310722366

1504 pages, ages 9-12

My Thoughts:

Yesterday I reviewed the NIV Boys Bible (click here) and today I'm reviewing the FaithGirlz! Bible which is a whole different book. Yes, ZonderKidz took the same NIV version and created a Bible just for girls. 

I believe that God made each of us for particular reasons just as He made boys and girls very different. Boys NEED to be rough and noisy, gross and nerdy - Girls NEED to be ladies, cherished, Daddy's princess and Mommy's helper. They may be Tom Boys but there is a reason God made them that way and the FaithGirlz Bible is going to help them come to terms with WHO they are in God's eyes and WHY God made them the way he did.

The Faithgirlz Bible teaches girls that the Bible is real, relevant & that the story of God & the Isrealites is their story too. The in-text features are written by tween expert Nancy Rue and uses the bestselling New International Version (NIV) to make it easy to read and understand.

One of the differences you'll notice in the FaithGirlz Bible is that this Bible is more intellectual than the Boys Bible is. This Bible causes you to dig down deep - not just in scripture but into your thoughts and soul. You'll see sections like:

• Dream Girl - use your imagination to put yourself in the story.
• Bring It On! - Take quizzes to really get to know yourself.
• Is there a Little (Eve, Ruth, Isaiah) in You? See for yourself what you have in common.
• Words to Live By - Bible Verses for memorizing.
• What Happens Next? Tell a Bible Story in your own words.

I LOVE this feature: (I'm going to try to write up an example so you can see what it looks like - I couldn't find an example on Nancy Rue's website - so here goes) - Pls keep in mind the spacing is awful and nowhere as neat as the one in the Bible - but you'll get the idea!

• Oh, I Get It! Find answers to Bible Questions you've always had.

Purchase it:

You can purchase the Hardcover version of the  FaithGirlz! Bible  on Amazon for $18.47. It's also available in these styles: 

• Italian Duo-Tone™, Hot Pink / Petal Purple 
• Italian Duo-Tone™, Pink/Black  
• Italian Duo-Tone™, Spring Green/Petal Purple  
• The cute matching Bible Cover is on Amazon, click here  
• There is also a really cute Backpack bible which is great for when kids travel, church groups, to keep in the car, their backpack/purse, etc..

From the Author:

Nancy Rue says, “I hope the Faithgirlz! Bible will help girls grow a friendship with the Bible, their own relationship. It asks questions, asks them to think and challenges them to apply what they’re learning. That’s how they’ll find a deep, personal relationship with God, rather than just by following rules or saying what they’ve been told without really thinking about it. Rules are important, of course, but they only make sense when they really believe the message of the Scriptures. That’s what this Bible is about.” The Faithgirlz! Bible is the perfect Bible to support girls in their journey into the “beauty of believing.”

Be sure to visit Nancy Rue's website FaithGirlz to learn more about her books for Middle Grade Girls (age 9+), devotionals, games and other FUN things to do like puzzles, art, crafts, recipes and more. You can also read chapters from some of her books and download chapters 11 & 12 of the FaithGirlz Handbook.

I was given a copy of the FaithGirlz Bible by Zonderkidz as part of The B&B Media Group book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review and I was not paid either.

The NIV Boy's Bible review was posted here. 

Bibles for Kids...

Zondervan has released two new bibles which focus on kids age 9-12. They speak in a language that preteens can understand, focus on situations your kids are going through on a daily basis and have exciting features designed to get your kids involved in learning about God, growing their faith and tickles their funny bone too!

 

NIV Boys Bible
Publisher: Zonderkidz
978-0310723080
1504 pages, ages 9-12

My thoughts:
Any boy age 8-13 or so will enjoy The NIV Boys Bible which was just released last month. We all know that boys of all ages enjoy gross things, making noises, actions and details like heads getting chopped off, skeletons coming to life, and how about the crud that came with Jonah when he was spewed from the whale? Gross!

But, the NIV Boys Bible is more than gross stuff. There are also several boxes with highlighted things your kids is going to want to read -

• What’s the Big Deal? - Need-to-know biblical stories and people 
• Check It Out - Interesting and funny facts about Bible times and characters 
• Grossology - Gross and gory stuff you never knew was in the Bible 
• Makin’ It Real - Help for applying Bible stories to your everyday life 
• Hundreds of highlighted verses worth memorizing like: 

Words to Live By:

Jesus answered: "I am the

way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father

except through me." John 14:6

Each book has a great introduction of the bible which will tell your kid about what's going on, who wrote that book and what we will learn about. There are fun in-text features which help boys dig deep into the Word and learn about amazing people, facts, and stories of the Bible. 

This Bible is a great beginner's Bible, not just for kids but I think young adult men would enjoy it too. The NIV version is very easy to read and understand for those that are new Christians or don't care for the KJV. It would make a great gift for Christmas, birthdays, Easter, New Young Christians, First Communion (possibly - depending on the kid and their reading level). It would also be a good Bible for Dad's to read aloud with their sons during the day or at bedtime.

About the Bible:
This Bible includes the full text of the New International Version, the most popular Bible translation in the world, and 12 color tip-in pages introducing content that shows boys how they can grow to be like Jesus. Each book of the Bible has activities that make God’s Word more relevant than ever. It is jam-packed with customized content and artwork that really makes the Bible stand out.

Boys will uncover all kinds of stuff that they never imagined was in the Bible. Helpful, fun and often downright astonishing, the NIV Boys Bible offers unique and meaningful content that speaks straight to the heart of tween boys, drawing them into a relationship with the Creator of their hearts.

You'll find the following Bible Tools included: A few pages for notes at the back, Perspectives from the Bible, a Read Through the Bible in a Year program, Promises from the Bible and The ABC's of Becoming a Christian. The only thing I thought was missing was a set of maps - it's always fun to study the topography of an area and to see the routes Paul and the Isrealites took during their travels & I would of liked to see more pages for notes - but then would boys take notes?

  

Purchase it:
You can purchase the Hardcover version of the NIV Boy's Bible on Amazon for $18.47. If you prefer the Italian Duo-Tone™ Brown/Orange, Italian Duo-Tone™, Slate Blue or the Sticky Notes which are based on this particular Bible and designed for kids to use at home or school just click on the link and it will take you to the Zondervan bookstore to order it.


I was given a copy of the NIV Boy's Bible by Zonderkidz as part of The B&B Media Group book tour program. I was not required to write a positive review and I was not paid either.

The Faithgirlz Bible review will be posted tomorrow. (Click here)

A Possum's Happy Easter by Jamey M Long

Book Review

A Possum's Happy Easter
by Jamey M Long
ISBN: 978-1602478602
Tate Publishing
24 pages, $8.99 paperback

About the book:
In Opie the Possum's second adventure A Possum's Happy Easter, author Jamey M Long instills in young readers the true celebration of Easter. Led by his curiousity, Opie ventures back to the home of a special little boy, where he learns the most valuable lesson: the true meaning of Easter. More than colorful baskets and decorated eggs, young readers will learn about the Resurrection of Jesus and the love and promise that Easter brings in A Possum's Happy Easter.

My Thoughts:
I stumbled across this darling series of books last fall and contacted Jamey Long about doing a review of A Possum's Happy Easter - it's such a cute book. The story begins with Possum deciding to visit the boy in the house and wanting to see the Christmas decorations again. Imagine his surprise when the decorations aren't there and there are colored eggs on the lawn and in the house.....

A Possum's Happy Easter isn't just about the secular Easter celebration - it's also about the true story of Easter told to Possum as a "Voice" and a bright light from above. Opie the Possum learns about Easter Eggs and Candy ~ he learns that they are a sign of spring and the newness it brings. He also learns about the palm leaves that Jesus' donkey trod on in his entry to Jerusalem. He learns about Jesus's death and resurrection when the Voice explains....


"You see Jesus was resurrected from the dead so He could fulfill his glorious promise. Everyone who believes in Him will go to Heaven, and have eternal life."

I love how simply it's explained so that everyone from the youngest preschooler to an adult can understand the True Meaning of Easter. I also think if you're children listen closely they will understand that the Voice calls Jesus "my Son" and that the Voice is God speaking.

     

A Possum's Happy Easter is part of a wonderful series of books based on Opie the Possum's adventures. You'll see many different holiday stories: Christmas, Easter, Valentines, Halloween and more. You'll also see books based on American Tales like: Robin Hood, the story of The Star Spangled Banner, First In Flight ~ The Wright Brothers to name a few. You can see all the books at the top of the website: Books A-N and Books O-Z.  Check out Opie the Possum's website.

Before I leave I'd like to share that A Possum's Happy Easter is part of the eLive book program. Select books (like A Possum's Happy Easter) include the eLive link so you and your child can download the story and save it to your computer, to a CD or your favorite portable music device such as an iPod.

I was given two copies of A Possum's Happy Easter. One to review and one to giveaway. I used the giveaway copy as part of a Easter Basket in March and a young mother and her son (age 4) won the basket! Thanks so much Tate Publishing & Jamey M Long! I was not paid for my review and I was not required to have a positive review.

The Smiley Book of Colors & Giveaway

The Smiley Book of Colors
by Ruth  Kaiser
ISBN: 978-0375869839
32 pages, 3+
$8.99 hardback

About the book:
Who can resist the wacky, cute smiley faces to be spied in photos of colorful found objects? Young readers will enjoy learning their colors as they're identifying what the smileys are made from—an electrical outlet, a hubcap, even a piece of toast—and readers of all ages will appreciate the witty rhyming text, and its inspirational message about choosing happiness.

My Thoughts:
This little book is a tool for parents. It doesn't just teach about colors - but it  also helps to teach children to LOOK for the good around them beginning by teaching them to look for SMILES in what they see. Each page of the book is devoted to a color - take green - the pictures show an apple with two seed eyes and a fold in the  skin & fruit becomes the smile. It also shows a recycle bin with 2 holes for cell phones & inkjet cartridges for eyes and a line underneath forming a smile. Each of the pages takes everyday items that LOOK like a smile with eyes and a mouth. You might see a tractor, fruit, a zipper and two snaps, two bolts and a split in wood, and even the old standard - a picture in the clouds.

The ultimate value in this book is that it TEACHES your children to look for the good in life. Instead of thinking ICK or YUCK your child learns to think that it might be GOOD, to TRY new things and give it a CHANCE. 

This little book should be in every library - at home, school and every city library. It makes a great birthday gift - or for just because.

For every Smiley photo that is uploaded to the Spontaneous Smiley website, $1 is donated to Operation Smile, to fund reconstructive surgeries for children with facial deformities such as cleft palate and cleft lip. The Spontaneous Smiley has funded 18 surgeries so far, one Smiley at a time.

So....

Smile! Be Happy!

It's a Choice You Can Choose!
Give it a Try,

You've Nothing to Lose.

Treasure Hunt Time! 
You have an extra chance (or many extra chances) to win a copy of The Smiley Book of Colors! Invite them on our Treasure Hunt.

Now it's time to start searching for Smileys in your neighborhood! When you find one snap a pic and upload it to Spontaneous Smiley (http://spontaneoussmiley.com/) on the "Share Your Smiley" page (http://spontaneoussmiley.com/shareyoursmileys.php) using "WOW" in your Smiley title.

Just one Smiley makes you a Smiley Captain! Not only will you brighten people's day with your Smiley AND help raise money for Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that helps children with facial deformity receive the surgery they need, but you'll be entered in a contest just for Ruth's WOW friends to win a copy of The Smiley Book of Colors. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 17! Now grab your camera and start searching for Smileys!

I am having a giveaway too! Be sure to do the last entry as well - you'll receive an extra 5 entries into the author's giveaway as well as mine. You will need to add: "WOW - Tina Peterson" into the description of your upload in order to get those extra entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Simon and the Easter Miracle

Blog Tour

Simon and the Easter Miracle

by Mary Joslin

Illustrated by: Anna Luraschi

ISBN: 9780745960586

$11.69, 32 pages, ages 5+

About the book:

The gospels tell of Simon of Cyrene--"a man coming in from the country"--who was ordered to carry Jesus' cross. Over the centuries, his story has been woven into a Polish folktale. In the tradition of The Three Trees, this folk tale gives a fresh perspective on the Easter story.

When Simon the farmer brings his wares to market, little does he expect how he will be involved in the events of that very special day, nor how his items--bread, eggs, and wine--will become important symbols of Jesus' passion and resurrection, remembered throughout the ages.

My thoughts:

With Easter coming up this week I thought I would share this interesting story - with a twist. It is more of a "folk tale" than a Bible Story because it doesn't tell the whole story. I would of liked to see a page in the back with the story/scripture typed up  to support the actual story for older kids/adults.

I had never heard this folk tale - yes, I knew about the man ordered to carry Jesus' cross on the day of his Crucifixion but I had never heard this particular story.  Peter was a man who went to the village to sell produce (eggs and vegetables) and ended up having to carry Jesus' cross. After Peter returns to get his things he discovers all of his goods were destroyed except 12 eggs - which end up hatching after the Sabbath. 

The illustrations in the book remind me of many of the little Bible Story books that we had when I was little. The pictures are simple and tell the story beautifully BUT do be aware this isn't a story that is based on the Bible (other than the man who carried Jesus' cross and Jesus' Crucifixion) - it's almost a combination of the Easter story and where Easter Eggs came from - there is no mention of Jesus' resurrection. I would use it along with a children's picture bible that includes the whole story of Easter.

Kregel Publications provided a copy of the book for review on Classic Children's Books. No money exchanged hands and I was not required to write a positive review.