Stand Beautiful by Chloe Howard

This is one of these wonderful books for kids of all ages.  It will inspire kids to be their best and to empower themselves to be their best.

This book showcases a girl that has low self-esteem. She is struggling to fit in as a normal girl.  She always feels awkward.  She hides and tries to not engage with the world around her because she believes others will shun her and disapprove of her.

But as the story progresses, with the encouragement of others, she stands tall and she allows herself to be who she is, a wonderful, capable, beautiful and intelligent person.

We are all made in the image of God. And because of this, we were meant to be who we are, not anyone else. Jesus doesn’t make junk. He makes people who are each in their own way beautiful and wonderful.

This book offers this wonderful message for kids of all ages. I recommend it for girls but also boys. I invite parents to read this book over and over to their kids. We live in a culture that is so negative. We all need encouragement. We all need to be inspired. And this book offers just that!

I loved this book from beginning to end.

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth

A GREAT Book By Paddy Bostock

The Hanging
By Paddy Bostock

This is a crime suspense novel that will have you sitting at the edge of your seat until you have read the last page. But what is more, the story is well-structured and a joy to read. The story is also filled with magic and suspense page after page.

The entire story revolves around the magical onyx stone. There are three main characters – the troll Vilius Vilutis and two elves Mordecai and Hazchem. Then there’s Zingy who’s the business foe of Villius. Do they manage to find the onyx stone and protect the world? That is a question that I will have to leave the reader with.

Posing as a papal nuncio, the troll Vilius “The Vile” Vilutis haunts the Cumbrian hills. He is in search of the magical onyx with the potential to revolutionalize smartphones worldwide. He is aiming to put his enemy, Silicon Valley gazillionaire Zingy Splitz out of business forever. Can he do it?

Suspicious, Zingy contacts Pope Benny in Rome, where rumour has it Vilius once worked, thus discovering the troll’s current whereabouts. Meanwhile two ghastly hangings disrupt the peace. The Vatican is implicated in the crimes, its motives darker than Vilius’s vindictiveness. The troll doesn’t seem to be as vile as it first appeared.

This is the fourteenth book for Paddy Bostock. I can’t imagine what he will come up with for another storyline. Some books are such gems that it made me think that an encore would be hard to pull off. But Paddy Bostock can, and will, pull it off I am sure. I will certainly look out for his other books and read them too.

Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth

Li Bai’s Shadow – Book Review

Li Bai’s Shadow
By Lee J. Marvin

This was an amazing read! Once I started, I couldn’t stop reading and pondering it. It is a book that I will read and probably re-read in time.

The book is about a young girl, Caitlin Wang. The heart-warming tale follows the child of this young girl with OCD. She has an imaginary friend, Li Bai. He only exists in her mind now. But she clearly sees him in her dollhouse.

Li Bai is not a complete imaginary figure though. He did exist in 700 AD. So, despite the fact that Li Bai is not really in her dollhouse now, it is not a completely unrealistic tale.

Caitlin is a lonely child, and trusts Li Bai with all of her secrets, longings, hopes and dreams. She communicates with him and shares things that no one else knows. Her mother was dead and her father didn’t take her seriously. He doubted her and she was always second-guessed by her father.

Once she reaches the age of 18, Caitlin runs away to Shanghai, China. The details of this are wonderful and are captured vividly by the author as he describes Caitlin to be exploring a new place. It is almost a magical description.

Marvin writes this book in a poetic manner. It is a book that is as intriguing as it is interesting. It is a book that can be read by adolescents who have lost a parent and who have always have the urge to run away from all that is familiar and painful.

The storyline with Caitlin switches between her fantasy and the real-world, but in the end, it comes together with a respect for new newfound independence.

I loved the book from beginning to end! I will recommend it to all adolescent girls that I come into contact with in my community.

Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth

Mother Earth, Brother Sun, Sister Moon By Kevin M. O’Dell–Book Review

Mother Earth, Brother Sun, Sister Moon
By Kevin M. O’Dell
Illustrated by Megan Phillips

Tagline: This is a wonderful and enchanting story for kids that will reacquaint them with the earth and all that is around them.

This is a wonderful and enchanting story for kids that will reacquaint them with the earth and reignite their fascination for all that is in it. We tend to not be aware of all the life that is around us. There is so much to see and take in, if only we stop and listen.

This story teaches kids many important lessons such as, family love, how to love and appreciate nature, and make sure that we don’t destroy it for future generations.

The story also teaches kids to stop and look around because the earth is very beautiful indeed. Each creature on earth and all the lakes and waters can offer so much nourishment and replenishment to us. All we have to do is to become aware of them. It seems that we always want to be doing something but not noticing and listening.

This book is especially relevant for our times. We live in a culture of being constantly connected and going. Many times, we are teaching our kids how to be distracted too through our own distracted mindsets. O’Dell’s book will show the reader, both parents and kids, how to stop and just be in nature, even if it is for a short time.

The illustrations are also stunning and bring the story home for kids and parents.

Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth

A sensitive and inspiring story for children about sharing and helping the less fortunate

The Christmas Tree That Nobody Wanted
By Jerry Rosenstein
Illustrated by Chad Thompson

This is a sensitive and inspiring story for children, as well as adults, that emphasizes the true meaning of sharing and helping the less fortunate. It is a story that will help children look beyond the commercialism of our time and more significantly, do something special during the Christmas holiday.

Jeffrey loved Christmas. The houses were decorated with sparkly tinsel and different-colored lights. Snow covered all the houses and trees in soft blankets of white. Jeffrey and his friends were very happy. Christmas was a great time of year to have fun by sliding down hills in the snow with their inner tubes and rubber mats.

This was an exciting and magical time of year. Carolers strolled through the neighborhood singing Christmas songs. Jeffrey’s mom baked her tasty holiday treats.

On Christmas Eve, Jeffrey wanted to go to the toy store with his dad. On the way, he noticed that a man was selling Christmas trees. One small tree in particular was so damaged that no one wanted to buy it.

Jeffrey had an idea. With the money he had saved, he wanted to buy the broken-down tree. When they came home, Jeffrey and his dad fixed the tree and added pretty decorations. Then they walked around the neighborhood looking for someone less fortunate whom they could cheer up with an unexpected gift—the repaired tree.

Suddenly, Jeffrey saw a homeless man under a bridge. He thought that this might be the person that could use some cheering up. Not only did Jeffrey make a less-fortunate person’s Christmas a real Christmas, but also the Christmas tree that no one wanted had a holiday home.

This is a wonderful story that is as endearing as it is meaningful. The theme of the story may be used as a platform for parents to discuss with their children that giving is often better than receiving. The illustrations are bright and colorful, bringing the true meaning of the story to life.

Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth

“Have you Seen Henry?” Book Review

“Have You Seen Henry?” is a delightful picture book for children about the importance of friendship in our daily lives. This charming story takes place within a community of animals, which includes the main characters, Henry and Henrietta Possum. Life is quite predictable and wonderful for the married couple until one day Henry disappears. Henrietta sets out to look for Henry and during the search, many of her friends and neighbors join her in hopes of finding him. They search throughout the neighborhood looking for Henry everywhere. They look for him at the park, the local market, the Root Beer Shop and many other places. Did Henrietta and her neighborhood friends ever find Henry? “Have You Seen Henry?” shows the power of friends and neighbors coming together in a time of need. The story will appeal to children of all ages and is filled with brilliantly, colorful illustrations that bring out the important message of the story. “Have You Seen Henry?” has many educational qualities and should be read by teachers and parents, as well as children.

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth

Oh Brother, Why is He My Brother? By A. Law Shettleworth

This is a very endearing story about a relationship between a brother and sister. It is a story that will help siblings get along more and it will show them how to show unconditional love.

The story is about Katie who really cannot understand her brother, Richard. He seems to have different mannerisms than she does. But Richard always helps her out, regardless of how negative and critical she is of him. Richard never seems to be too put off by her remarks.

But what is more, Richard is always there to help her. He helps her find her bracelet when she loses it, he helps her pick up the blueberries that fall on the floor, and he helps her find the missing letter from her bracelet.

By showing this kind of unconditional love towards Katie, Richard shows how important it is to love your sibling, regardless of how different they seem.

This is a story about trust, unconditional love, and family. It is a wholesome story that may encourage families to make pancakes and enjoy them as a family, without bickering and complaining too much.

In the end, Katie discovers that despite their differences, she truly loves Richard and she accepts him and loves him just as he is.

I loved this story and I will be passing it along to the children in my midst.

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth

About Mark Spencer’s “The Christmas Mouse”

Describe your book to the readers.

What is the theme of your book or description?

This is a holiday book about the very first Christmas Eve in the stable before Joseph & Mary arrived.

Who is the audience for your book?

It was written for anyone who loves the magic of Christmas

What is your publisher Information?

Halo Publishing

What is your Email?

For the book and its website Mspencer@thechristmasmouse.com.

What is your contact information?

My web address is http://www.thechristmasmouse.com is the book’s website and in it there will be emails and contact forms for writing the author, for writing to Mouse, and for interest in book signings and fundraising for ministries.

My website address is http://www.THECHRISTMASMOUSE.COM

Where is your book available for purchase?

My book is available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Halo Publishing.

Thank you for being here on my blogs Mark Spencer over the past few weeks!  It has been a joy to get to know you and your work.

This is a wonderful book, just in time for Christmas!  And I hope that you readers will buy it for your kids. It is a book with a wonderful message and mesmerizing illustrations!

I can’t wait to see you next book Mark Spencer!

About “Who Goes There?”

 

 

1.    Theme of your book or description: Who Goes There is a story where fear, imagination and a good name comes together all in a very stressful night. We know fear is something that can get to the best of us as well as our imagination. And in this story a good name brings favor for a very good man who needed a little help. This book is also about family love. Which Granny Gray explains in her memories of her childhood. Sometimes love comes with unthinkable home remedies, like cow manure tea, spider webs and soot, catnip tea and a spat of chewed tobacco. 2.    Who is the audience for your book? Anyone and Everyone. 3.    Can you provide us with you publisher information? The publisher is Halo Publishing. 4.    What is your Email: My email address is wordofaction@gmail.coma 5.    What contact information do you want the reader to have about you? My Phone number is: 210-980-7675 6.    Where is it available for purchase? My book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble. It is also available everywhere books are sold. 7.    Please include anything else that a potential buyer of your book may need. This book is safe for our little ears to hear and little eyes to read.

 

 

Snowball’s Search for Easter

Snowball’s Search for Easter
By Billie Atamer
Illustrated by: David and Margaret Ramey

This is a super-cute picture book for kids just in time for Easter. Kids will love to learn more about what Easter really is in this fun and yet serious book.

The story is about snowball, a kitten, who wants to know what Easter is. Snowball runs around looking everywhere for Easter. She searches high and low in an egg. But still no luck! Then Snowball sees a beautiful pocket in Hailey’s new Easter dress and she tries to find Easter in it, but instead she rips the pocket. Then Snowball looks in a boiling pot and basket. But still she couldn’t find Easter. So where is Easter?

Then one evening she gets her answer while Haley’s father was reading the little white book. Snowball discovered that Easter is a very special time to those who believe in God. God alone can give us life forever and forgiveness. But can Hailey forgive snowball for tearing the pocket on her new Easter dress?

This book will inspire kids to read and read this book. It is a book that will teach kids the real meaning of Easter in a colourful and kid-friendly way. I really loved the book and will be reading it to my friend’s kids before Easter.

Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth