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Barnyard Stories

Barnyard Stories
by Sylvia Price Mueller

A sound idea, this book offers short chapters, roughly 2 pages, each with an individual story that can be connected back to the overall concept of a farm with talking animals.  The animals learn lessons, meet friends, have adventures and encounter morals along the way.

There are no illustrations in this book, a detriment, in my opinon.  Pages are bland without any creative pictures to accompany the story.

While the stories are imaginitive in nature, they are a bit odd.  As an adult, I cannot say what a child would think, but in comparison with other favored and popular children's tall tales, fables and stories involving animals, this book falls way to the bottom.  Beyond the silliness, which is welcome in tales such as these, the stories feel forced and beyond enjoyment as they are bland of detail, development and character. 

Sadly, not a book I will be keeping around my home, giving or recommending to friends.  A 1 our of 5 stars for me at the most.

You can find a copy of this book at: http://www.dorrancebookstore.com/barstor.htmlor see what else Dorrance has to offer at: http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?dorrance+7XZRvv+index.html

I received a complimentary copy of "Barnyard Stories" as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. I was in no way compensated for this review or required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Charlatan's Boy

The Charlatan's Boy

by Jonathan Rogers

What a charming and witty book!  A young adult novel, The Charlatan's Boy is a book full of hilarity, imagination, inner exploration and discovery.  Floyd and young Grady travel town to town selling hoaxes, false ideas and solutions trying to survive, their most favored being the idea of Feechiefolk..  When people stop believing in this hoax, Floyd and Grady are scrambling to survive.  They stumble upon a plan to make it big while maintaining their desired line of work, peddling the tale of Feechies.  Through encounters with other peddlers, villagers, and other countrymen, their tale spins and web that all become entangled in. 

A joy to read for all...  Adult and young adult alike,  Rogers offers entertainment in a way reminiscent of C.S. Lewis and Mark Twain.  This book should become an instant classic!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated for writing this review.

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1600380

Thank You, God, for Mommy

Thank You, God, For Mommy

by Amy Parker

illustrated by Frank Endersby

Another really sweet book by Amy Parker.  Little Panda finds himself realizing the many things to be thankful for in Mommy... hugs, cuddles, lullabies...  She takes care of him, and offers love and guidance.  He thanks God for the many wonderful things his Mommy does for him.

A really sweet little board book, fun to explore with your child.  The perfect gift for a new Mom for Mother's Day, or for the birth of a new baby.  Illustrations are soft pastels, soothing pictures, fun to look at, inviting to the eyes.  Words are easy to understand/explain to children.  A great read together book!

Highly recommended!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings
by Susie Moore Hillery
illustrated by Wendy Bouch and Cindy Strosser

Each page of this book contains a number, counting from 1-20, a blessing, and a short poem or sentence about that blessing.  Opposing the text is an illustrated page to go along with the reading.  Blessings in this book being counted include Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Grandparents, pets, food, church and many others.  Blessings are short, easy for a child to read and understand.  Illustrations go right along with what is being read, making it easy for younger children to see through the picture what is being talked about.  The final four pages of the book leave room for the child to write their own blessings, making the story their own.

While sound in idea and a sweet book overall, several assumptions are made in each blessing that is not true for many children reading.  Not all children have both parents, have a dad that brings income, have pets, go to church, etc.  A little troubling to me was the church blessing page.  While this book was written by a former pastor, illustrations depict multiple religious symbols which would be very confusing to a young child. 

A $20.00 price tag is on this book... I don't think I would pay more than $5.00.  Very simple in form, this paper back is not nearly as catching or memorable as many other children's books available.  Not a book I would consider a classic in my house.  1 out of 5 stars for me.

You can find a copy of this book at: http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/treasofmodmo.html or see what else Dorrance has to offer at: http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?dorrance+7XZRvv+index.html

I received a complimentary copy of "Count Your Blessings" as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. I was in no way compensated for this review or required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

How To Be God's Little Princess

How To Be God's Little Princess
Royal Tips of Manners and Etiquette for Girls
by Sheila Walsh

Finally, a handbook for being a princess!  With her witty ways, Sheila Walsh approaches the topic of manners, responsibility, helping, loving God and many other topics important to girls in this fun book.  Great for girls aged 7-10, it can easily be adapted for girls as young as 5 and into the teen years.  A really fun way to get some answers on growing up topics while keeping the girl mindful of God and her being his daughter, his "princess".  Moms will find enjoyment in reading this book as well!

Your little "princess" will enjoy reading or having it read to her.  Fun to look at, fun to read, a win win for sure.  Included in the book is line art in black and white, accompanied by an interior that is pink and black.  Each art piece is connected to a "how to" topic, such as: "how to make the best pink cookies, how to wear a tiara, how to earn money at home, how to care for a royal dog, how to be respectful, how to use good manners, how to help Mom, how to follow Jesus, how to act like a princess when things go terribly wrong, and many more".  Along with each topic is a quiz for the girl to answer, checking to see whether one is ready to be a princess or needs more help.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



The Band That Played On

The Band that Played On
The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic
by Steve Turner

A story long overdue.  Unlike any other literature available about the Titanic, this book focuses solely on the lives of the 8 men who were a part of the band on the ship the night it sank.  With extensive research done into where each lived, grew up, their family lives and histories, the author brings to light who these often celebrated men were. 

A little heavy on the history, not so much a story, this book is the Titanic fan's dream.  Readable for all interested, but deeper into historical facts than many other books in this line.  Easy to read, chapters flow into one another.  Full of historical document copies including newspaper clippings, photographs, etc. which add tremendously to the book.

A more in depth read, not something to fly through, but full of enjoyment and inspiration.  Readers learn about each of the young men individually and then as a whole their part of the tragic night the Titanic sank and their heroic actions seldom discussed.  Highly recommended!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tandem

Tandem
by Tracey Bateman

Wow!  At a time when vampire books are so popluar, enter Tandem, a novel written by Tracey Bateman.  A completely different "vampire" book than all of the others on the market, this novel is much more adult, not focused on teen readers or lifestyle.  A read so hard to put down I nearly read it cover to cover without interruption. 

Quick to pick up on the story line, the reader quickly finds themselves immersed in a small town, surrounded by the past of a few characters, leading up to a breath taking and surprising end as the present day story weaves itself together piece by piece.  An easy book to read, an immersing story line that deepens with each page turn, characters that become familiar as a friend and a plot that awakens the mind to a world of curiousity, intrique and mystery.  As the plot thickens and the story gets deeper, the reader finds themselves stuck in the story as an observer, even a character, wishing the pages to turn faster so as to discover the final event.  Filled with small town life, a little romance, history and lots of drama, sure to be a quick favorite!

Highly recommended to anyone who has read such series as the Twilight novels or other vampire type books as well as to those who have not done so.  No need to be a follower or fan, this book tells the story on it's own, without hype or cult following.  5 stars in my book for creativity, uniqueness and intrigue. 


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated for writing this review.

Barnes and Noble Review Link: http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1575187