Roxy Rogers by @3BugBooks #BookBlast @MDBookReviews

About the Book

Title: Roxy Rogers: Your Destiny is Calling | Author: Emily Siskin-Toy | Illustrator: Brian C. Krümm | Publication Date: August 24, 2014 | Publisher: Three-Bug Books | Pages:32 | Recommended Ages: 6 to 9

Summary:

What happens when a young girl with a Hall of Fame baseball pedigree breaks the family mold and follows her dream to become a soul singer? "Roxy Rogers: Your Destiny Is Calling", a picture book for ages 6 - 9, lets children see that their families will love them just the same when they pursue their true passions in life.

Everybody in Roxy's family--from her great-grandpa (played with Lou Gehrig), to her grandpa (played with Jackie Robinson), to her mother (super-star college softball player), to her father (was a Los Angeles Dodger), to her sister (won a Gold Medal for Team USA Softball, and so on)--famously played ball, and Roxy is next in line. The only problem is that Roxy dreams of singing soul music like her idol, Aretha Franklin!

A historical addendum provides information about the Hall of Fame baseball players who turn up in the book, as well as Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul music. Additionally, a fun treasure hunt for clues about Roxy's true destiny runs throughout the book, giving readers an enhanced, interactive experience.

Sneak Peek

Purchase

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Print) | Kobo | iTunes

The Early Buzz

"I just LOVED this little book. Empowering for young girls, and at the same time powerful for young boys... The illustrations are perfect for this book: fun and eye-grabbing, and I also love that it includes facts about popular icons like Aretha Franklin and Baseball legends. Well done! " ~ 5 Star Review, Mariana L., Amazon

"Roxie Rogers is an inspiring read for all ages, truly. It speaks to that little voice inside all of us telling us "come out" to the real you. The artwork brings the story to life, and the text is great for read-along or for young readers on their own." ~ 5 Star Review, Laura, Amazon

"I just read Roxy Rogers to my 5-year old daughter and we both loved the book! The story was fun and engaging filled with dynamic illustrations. Besides the great life messages woven into the story, I really like how the story reads. It is really nice to experience a children’s book that is not mind numbing in its repetitiveness (you know the type) with words that flow easily off the pages. " ~ 5 Star Review, Wendigo, Amazon

About the Author: Emily Siskin-Toy

A U.C. Santa Cruz banana slug alum, Emily Siskin-Toy launched her writing career with posts at various film and television magazines in Los Angeles. After a break in the action to raise her daughter, Emily and her college sweetheart founded WOW! Music Studios, a successful children’s music instruction school in Mill Valley, California.

But just like the character in her book, Emily’s true passion was something entirely different; she always dreamed of writing children’s books. Inspiration was everywhere for Roxy Rogers: Your Destiny Is Calling. While coaching her daughter’s youth softball and basketball teams, Emily eventually came to realize that the world of sports was a passion of hers, not her daughter’s, who really wanted, of course, to be a singer. The plot of the story was right in front of her, and the surrounding details would be cultivated from her lifetime of love for the rich history of Major League Baseball and her daughter’s love of music.

Website | Author Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

* Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash (winner's choice)

Contest closes: October 30, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open to: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the Emily Siskin-Toy and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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The Adventures of @LovableLobo #BookBlast @MDBookReviews

About the Book

Title: Lobo Goes to the Galapagos (The Adventures of Lovable Lobo) | Author: C.L. Murphy | Publication Date: August 27, 2014 | Publisher: Peanut Butter Prose | Pages:32 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 7

Summary: Lobo returns in this adventure, sweeter and a bit salty this time. This lil' wolf pup finds that there's nothing like a little sea air to bring out the best in him and his unlikely tag-alongs. Take a trip to the Galapagos with Lobo and his right-hand raven, Roxy, as they help an injured, new feathered friend return home. Lobo faces some fears and witnesses the joy that comes from helping others in this "birds of a different feather DO flock together" tale.

Book Preview

Purchase

Amazon | iTunes

The Buzz

"Who knew geography and learning about animals could be this much fun? Lobo Goes to the Galapagos is my new favorite children's book and is highly recommended. " ~ Jack Magnus, Readers' Favorite

"While Ms, Murphy's uniquely whimsical and vibrant illustrative style is perfectly suited for the wild, tropical feel of this colorful book, and easily captures young readers' attention, there is also a subtle, quiet beauty to the storyline's overarching themes of friendship, trust, perseverance, and goodwill. Lobo's tenacious and giving spirit are delightfully captured in this fifth installment of puppy-fueled fun. In fact, it's sincerely so easy to fall in love with "Lovable" Lobo that I'd happily follow this well-meaning, big-hearted, wolf pup to the very ends of the earth!" ~ 5 Star Review, Indie Author Girl, Amazon

"What an adorable story! I read this to my nephew and he couldn't stop giggling at the silliness of Roxy as well as Lobo's cute friends Bobby, Sunny, Coconut and Sandra. The author was very clever in portraying a tale of friendship, adventure and excitement that is sure to enthuse young minds around the world." ~ 5 Star Review, Gina D., Amazon

About the Author: C.L. Murphy

While new to the children’s book writing and illustrating scene, C.L. Murphy (Cathy) has been doodling her way through life since she won a school wide poster contest in the third grade. She’s had the pleasure of working as an artist in residence, creating cartoons and painting murals with the children at local elementary schools. She adores the wonder and curiosity of young children.

She feels that creating picture books is something that she was destined to do, after years of filing away so many ideas, while raising her two sons. She is a member of SCBWI.

She lives amongst the wildlife in an enchanted forest in the beautiful Oregon wilderness with her husband and menagerie. She has always appreciated nature and animals have always played a major role in her life. The inspiration for the Lovable Lobo character came from a wolf that she raised for over 14 years.

Check out her book series and discover that you, too, will find Lobo lovable.

Book Website | Author Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

* $100 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize (winner's choice)

Contest Ends: October 23, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by C.L. Murphy and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Channel Your Inner #Squirrel and Be Brave! #chapterbooks #printbooks #ebooks

When two squirrels moved into my attic, I went on a quest to figure out what they were doing. I knocked on the ceiling, and they scratched back. Imagining what they thought and felt, I wrote The Bravest Squirrel Ever. Because I had so much fun writing this book, I continued their adventures with The Bravest Squirrel in the Forest and The Bravest Squirrel in School.

You might say I went a little squirrel crazy! But here's the deal: The fears and emotions my squirrels face are the same ones that kids face as they start to grow up--feelings we've all had to deal with at some point. Reading about sweet, determined, plucky squirrels never giving up despite the tough odds against them, we can discover we're braver and stronger than we ever imagined, just like Pippi, Max and Lana.

The Bravest Squirrel Ever

Scared of thunder, lightning and being "flopped" by the humans, Pippi the squirrel wants to return to her mama’s warm, cozy nest. Instead, she and her siblings stumble on a better nest...in forbidden human territory.

The attic nest is too perfect to resist, and soon she is drawn into a dangerous game of teasing the people. When their teasing goes too far and puts their lives in danger, she is forced to abandon the perfect nest. However, she returns in order to rescue her brother. Instead, she becomes trapped inside.

With little food and the humans plotting her demise, Pippi must depend on her wits to survive, proving to herself and the world just how brave a little squirrel can be.

The Bravest Squirrel in the Forest

Everyone thinks Max’s sister is braver than he is, and he’s sick of it. He’s determined to prove he is the bravest squirrel ever. He devises a plan for the humans to trap him, so he can rescue his Uncle Louie.

But things don’t go according to plan. First, he is forgotten in the cage and sprayed by a skunk. Then he is dumped out of a truck and abandoned in the forest with a hungry coyote hot on his trail.

Max has to give up being brave and beg others to help him. When he has the chance to save Uncle Louie or risk his life to save a friend, suddenly Max discovers just how brave he really is.

The Bravest Squirrel in School

Lana has no interest in being brave like her brother and sister. However, she would like to be cuddled by a human, as long as another squirrel is nearby to keep her safe and rescue her.

But the plan goes horribly wrong. She ends up in a school bus full of children with no other squirrel to take care of her. Inside the school, she is discovered by a crowd of children who think she is a toy to poke and toss around.

With no one coming to rescue her, Lana needs to stand up for herself against the playground bullies and figure out a way to get back home. If she’s not brave enough to rescue herself, she’ll be stuck in school forever.

My mind is still racing with a lot more squirrelly adventures, so you haven't seen the last of my brave friends. Until then, channel your inner squirrel and be brave!

Mighty Dads Book Blast @joanholub @petethecatfun @MDBookReviews

About the Book

Title: Mighty Dads | Author: Joan Holub | Illustrator: James Dean| Publication Date: April 29, 2014 | Publisher: Scholastic | Pages: 40 | Recommended Ages: 3+

Summary: A new constructacular picture book from the New York Times bestselling creator of Pete the Cat, James Dean and bestselling author, Joan Holub.

Mighty dads, strong and tall,

help their children, young and small.

They keep them safe and bolted tight

and show them how to build things right.

Inventively told through James Dean's colorful construction vehicle characters, MIGHTY DADS is an adoring dedication to hardworking fathers and the subtle ways they teach their boys and girls to follow in their tracks. The Dump Trucks learn to get dirty. Crane keeps his little one safe from harm. The busy Cement Mixer gives his daughter a hug. The Forklift cheers his son on.

A surprising and touching view of a father's love for his children, MIGHTY DADS is the perfect way to say: I'm proud of you!

Purchase

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)

Also available at Walmart, Target, and Barnes & Noble stores.

The Buzz

"Like the best 21st-century human dads, the vehicles don’t just show their kids the ropes—they also offer plenty of TLC (“Cement Mixer Busy/ gives a hug if Mixie’s dizzy”) and affirmation (“Forklift Wise/ cheers whenever Forky tries”). Dean’s decision to anthropomorphize the construction equipment solely through a highly stylized, often single, forward-facing eye takes some getting used to—imagine a cross between the Eye of Providence on the dollar bill and a Egyptian hieroglyph. But his construction sign–inspired palette and ability to convey calm, steady affection between parent and progeny quickly outweighs this visual idiosyncrasy, making this a book worthy of any young armchair foreman." ~ Publisher's Weekly

"This will make a good read aloud for those looking to update their trucks/machines storytimes." ~ Goodreads Review

"The simple rhyming text will be fun at read alouds as children can do motions (roll, roll, roll or smooth, smooth, smooth)" ~ Goodreads Review

About the Author: Joan Holub

Joan Holub is co-author of the best-selling Goddess Girls series, the Grimmtastic Girls series, and the Heroes in Training series. Her picture book Little Red Writing received three starred reviews and has been named to many Best-of lists. Her mighty cool dad inspired the creation of the picture book, Mighty Dads.

Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Facebook

About the Illustrator: James Dean

James Dean is the creator of the best-selling Pete the Cat. Before James started painting Pete the Cat as a full-time profession in 1999, he wanted to paint cars and trucks. He loves things that go, and currently drives a 1971 VW bus camper and a 1959 Chevy truck. He worked as an electrical engineer for fifteen years before he decided to try to make a living with his paintings. James lives with his wife, five cats, and a pug named Little Emma.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Page

Want a Chance to Win a Copy of "Mighty Dads"?

Be sure to head on over to our review and giveaway of Mighty Dads for your chance to win a copy. Open US/Canada. Ends May 19, 2014. Just click on the cover below.

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: May 31, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Joan Holub and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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$260 Children's Book Giveaway

Barron's Educational Series is teaming up with Blog it Forward to bring you an amazing promotion!They are giving away $260 worth of children's books!Barron’s is known for their test prep books (SAT, ACT, AP, GRE, etc.). They are also a major publisher of children’s books with hundreds of books in their inventory.View their online children’s catalog.Hold on tight, here's the HUGE list of books they're giving away!The Awesome Activity Adventure BookKow Kapow and the Bonsai Kid are two silly cartoon animals who go off on a series of wild and wacky adventures to find the Monkey Nut of Moo! As their madcap escapade unfolds, kids are provided with puzzles to solve, pictures to draw, riddles to answer, mazes to find their way out of, a treasure map to decipher, and a creepy castle to explore. Boys and girls are also encouraged to READ MORE.The Dragon Creativity BookLittle boys love stories about dragons, and here's an activity book designed to keep them busy with dragon-related activities. They can create uniquely fearsome dragon heads, count dragons, eggs hidden in dragon illustrations, read dragon maps as they play dragon games, and generally enjoy hours of dragon-hunting fun. This big book features READ MORE.Emily's Ice Dancing ShowThis magical picture book tells the story of Emily, a little girl who watches graceful skaters on an icy pond and wishes she could skate with them. She gathers her courage and gives ice skating a try, but quickly finds out how difficult it is. She struggles and wobbles, and finally loses her balance and has a fall. But Emily doesn't give up. Read More.EyePad 123Available in June 2012Preschool boys and girls will have fun learning basic skills and concepts with this eyePad, solving puzzles, and playing games, while they pretend they're working on a tablet computer that looks just like Moms or Dads. Barron's eyePad Activity Books for younger children have features that READ MORE.EyePad ABCAvailable in June 2012 

Preschool boys and girls will have fun learning basic skills and concepts with this eyePad, solving puzzles, and playing games, while they pretend they're working on a tablet computer that looks just like Moms or Dads. READ MORE

EYEPAD ANIMAL FACES TO COLOR

Available in June 2012

Preschool boys and girls will have fun learning basic skills and concepts with this eyePad, solving puzzles, and playing games, while they pretend they're working on a tablet computer that looks just like Moms or Dads. READ MORE

EYEPAD FUN WITH TIME

Available in June 2012

Preschool boys and girls will have fun learning basic skills and concepts with this eyePad, solving puzzles, and playing games, while they pretend they?re working on a tablet computer that looks just like Moms or Dads. Barron's eyePad Activity Books for younger children have features that READ MORE.

EYEPAD AMAZING GAMES & PUZZLES

Available in June 2012

Preschool boys and girls will have fun learning basic skills and concepts with this eyePad, solving puzzles, and playing games, while they pretend they're working on a tablet computer that looks just like Moms or Dads. Barron?s eyePad Activity Books for younger children have features that READ MORE.

EYEPAD SHAPES AND SIZES

Available in June 2012

Preschool boys and girls will have fun learning basic skills and concepts with this eyePad, solving puzzles, and playing games, while they pretend they're working on a tablet computer that looks just like Moms or Dads. Barrons eyePad Activity Books for younger children have features that READ MORE.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF YOUR BODY

Detailed, scientifically accurate color illustrations are complemented with a lively text that explains the many ways a typical healthy child's body functions at different times of a typical day. The book's narrative depicts a child waking up in the morning, eating breakfast and digesting food, using the body's muscles to ride a bike, and performing the many normal activities that make up a child's READ MORE.

 

Where's the Meerkat?

A meerkat family is on a round-the-world vacation trip, and kids who open this book are challenged to locate those roaming animals in a series of large, colorful, detail-packed street scenes. The meerkats' travels take them to Moscow's Red Square and New York's Times Square. The friendly but elusive creatures also show up in Venice at carnival time, at a floating farmer's market in Bangkok READ MORE.

The Wheels on The Bus

Kids can sing along with this book's funny animal characters as they turn each page. The big, colorful illustrations that fill every page present a Wheels on the Bus verse, while more and more animals climb aboard for a bus ride. The weight of those many animals finally flattens the bus's tires and it takes big puffs from the elephant's trunk to READ MORE.

The Kid's Summer Fun Book

Cheerfully illustrated and designed to inspire family fun, The Kids Summer Fun Book deserves a place in every family's home library. Parents will find ideas to recapture their childhood as they join with their kids in dozens of fun-to-do summer activities. Ideas include summer beach parties with a sand castle building theme, hiking and camping READ MORE.

Sophie's Ballet Show

This delightful story about a little girl who joins a ballet class comes with big color illustrations and all kinds of interactive features on every page. There are tabs to pull, flaps to lift, wheels to turn, and a wonderful pop-up ballet scene on the book's final two-page spread. When kids pull the READ MORE.

The Princess Creativity Book

Certain to please every little princess who enjoys crafts and activities, this big, fun-packed book has pictures to color, sticker sheets for decorating a gate, folding sticker scene, stencils for drawing, decorated paper for fashioning crafts items, mazes and puzzles to solve, directions for making a princess crown, princess games to play with friends, and much more. Every little girl wants to be a princess READ MORE.

Off To School

Younger children who will soon be starting school will see this attractive board book as their introduction to an exciting new experience. It presents bright illustrations and simple text that sum up a typically happy school day. READ MORE.

Let's Lace

Toddlers will enjoy learning how to lace up and tie their own shoes when they get help from Mom or Dad and this color illustrated board book. The vivid front cover is really a double cover that opens from spines on both sides of the book. The left-side front cover is decorated with a large, eye-catching READ MORE.

Left Hand, Right Hand

In this newly formatted version of a popular children's title, preschool boys and girls discover how their left and right hands are different, and how together they perform different tasks. Kids also learn to tell left from right as ways of giving READ MORE.

HOW THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WORKS

A fine classroom supplement and a solid information source for kids writing social studies reports, this updated, easy-to-read book explains the federal system as it works in the United States today. It also discusses some ways in which the government has changed since the framers of the Constitution brought it into existence in the 18th century. Described are the Legislative body, composed of Senate and READ MORE.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AND OTHER COOL FACTS

Young readers will be fascinated by attention-catching facts as they read about major presidential campaigns, from George Washington's election in 1789 to Barack Obama's victory in 2008. Questions answered include: Who can run for president? ... Who can vote? ... What is the Electoral College? ... What is a third-party candidate? READ MORE.

THE U. S. CONSTITUTION AND YOU

Written in terms kids can understand, this revised and updated book explains what the United States Constitution does, and describes how it affects and protects people today. Boys and girls discover how that great document gives citizens many rights, including the right to vote, as well as to enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to worship or not worship READ MORE.

TEACH ME TO DO IT MYSELF

Based on the key Montessori principle that children learn best through active experience, Teach Me to Do It Myself presents simple activities through which children explore and develop their skills. These skill areas include sensory perceptions, body coordination, language, understanding of numbers, and movement. This practical, color-illustrated parenting book is filled with activities and instructions for READ MORE.

PUSS IN BOOTS

he very popular cat from the animated Shrek film series comes vividly alive in this brand-new book. Scheduled for publication this Fall to coincide with the release of the latest Shrek spin-off movie, Puss in Boots, it's the story of a quick-witted, feline - the pet of Peter, a good-natured but shiftless orphan boy. As the story begins, Peter's father, READ MORE.

LEAVE ME ALONE

Help raise awareness at home or at school with this important story about stopping bullying. A little boy is feeling sad because every day he has to face a bully. But this story's little boy also has friends. A frog, a cat, a rabbit, a cow, and other animal friends insist on helping him, even after READ MORE.

THE FASHION TWEEN CREATIVITY BOOK

Little girls who love pretty clothes and all the fashion items that go with them will adore this activity book. It's packed with pages to color, puzzles to solve, quizzes, mazes, and games to play. Girls can color in a model's hair, draw their own fantasy wardrobe, design pretty fashion accessories, and let their imaginations run free, as they discover something new to create on every page. Attractive features include READ MORE.

THE PIRATE CREATIVITY BOOK

Here's an activity book to keep kids entertained during quiet times. Its theme is pirates and their high-seas adventures, and it's packed with pictures, fun things to make and do, and puzzles and mazes to solve. Kids will find Pictures to color. Two sticker sheets plus a large gate, folding sticker scene. A pirate theme stencil sheet. Decorated craft paper with pirate designs. READ MORE.

An amazing list of books! Our winner will get them ALL! Yes that's right, every book listed!!

Want to win this incredible children's book giveaway? Of course you do! This giveaway ends on May 13 at 11:59 pm EST and it open to US only. Fill out the form below to enter.

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