Simply Sensational Divas Review » Children Titles

Shadow – a book review

LaDonna — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:05:00 +0000

TITLE: Shadow, the Curious Morgan Horse

AUTHOR: Ellen F. Feld

ILLUSTRATOR: Jeanne Mellin

Price: 15.95. or at Amazon.com.

Shadow, the Curious Morgan Horse is a sweet story about a little horse who learns all about the world around her. She goes through a broken fence and gets lost. She finds a friend who helps her get back to her mother in the pasture. She had a lot of fun exploring but was so happy to be close to her mother again. The world can be a scary place, but when we explore within boundaries and with someone who has been there it is a little nicer.

At first I found the story a little daunting for a children’s book. Lots of words, not so many pictures. I’m so glad I got over that and read the story. It is very sweet. The pictures are well drawn and very beautiful. Some I would like to frame for my eldest daughter’s bedroom wall.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Review – Frankie the walk ‘n roll therapy dog visits libby’s house

LaDonna — Thu, 20 May 2010 22:35:00 +0000

Frankie the walk ‘ roll therapy dog visits libby’s house
by Barbara Gail Techel
illustrated by Victoria Kay Lieffring
published by Joyful Paw Prints

You can read my review of the first book about Frankie here. In this book, Frankie and Barbara have gone on to become a therapy team. Frankie (via Barbara) tells some of their adventures when visiting those in a nursing home and a seniors assisted living facility.

“Ready? Set? Here we go, Frankie,” Mom says excitedly. “We are off to Libby’s House to bring smiles to the residents.”

I really enjoyed this book, more than the first one. The first was necessarily sad; the story needed to be told. This one, however, is all about the difference we can make in the world, just by being who we are and stepping out of our comfort zones just a little bit.

For more information, a place to purchase this and other books click here.

To keep up with Frankie’s activities, visit her blog.

Follow them on on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/walknrolldog

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Story of a Tweenie Weenie Dog

LaDonna — Sun, 16 May 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Frankie the walk ‘ roll dog

by Barbara Gail Techel
illustrated by Victoria Kay Lieffring
published by Joyful Paw Prints
What a sweet story told by a woman how obviously loves her pet so very much.

Here’s a brief summary:

This is the story of a dog (a dachshund) who is disabled. She didn’t start out that way though. She was injured and now travels on a set of wheels – a doggie wheelchair. The book shares a message of hope and teaches adults and children alike about overcoming challenges that we face each day and to have compassion for those that are different than we are.

I’ve really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to share it with my girls. They’ve flipped through it a couple of times and wondered about some of the illustrations – like the one where it looks like there is pee on the floor!

This is a story of sadness, pain and suffering. This is a story of doggy surgery and physical therapy (including some pretty funny comments). All told from Frankie’s point of view. (Frankie is the Tweenie Weenie.) When the physical therapy doesn’t work, they find another way for Frankie to walk again.

This is a story of triumph, joy and accomplishments! As the little dog recovers and learns to use her wheels, you can read the joy in the author’s “voice”. The success of not giving up is an incredible message that Frankie and Barb get across in a very effective manner.

Frankie even has her own blog! Check it out here! You can find out where to purchase this great book here.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion!

The Wonder Book

Tammy — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:46:13 +0000

I received “The Wonder Book” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Paul Schmid from the publisher for review.

I must be honest and tell you this book was not my “cup of tea” There were a couple of cute passages but for the most part it was just a little “weird” for me. The illustrations were definitely very cute and he did illustrate it in ways you did not always expect.

It seems like a book to read to a two year old but then again I wouldn’t be telling my two year old some of those things either:

Tinkle Tinkle In the Sea Don't look under While I pee.....

The “Week at a Glance” and the “Word Play (in Four Acts)” was short but clever "The Bicycle couldn't stand alone (it was two tired)". I would have loved to see a lot more like that.

How Cleaning My Room Changed My Life

Stephanie — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:09:11 +0000

Do you have messy bedrooms in your house? I know I do. When I was asked if I would like to review this book I jumped at the chance to read this book and tell you all what I thought of it.

I loved this book. Right away my three girls wanted me to read this book to them. My two year old only lasted thru the story part and not the secret's of cleanlands, But it did entertain her. My oldest identified with this story the most cause she is alway's losing her stuff. The book was very good about showing just what happens when Sam doesn't have a clean room and how he misses out on things cause he can't find them. My favorite part of the book was The Secrets of Cleanland. I tell my girl's to clean there room and I always have to tell them pick this up and that, They think I am nagging them. But this book showed them the benefits of that clean room. The secret's of cleanland went it detail showing the kids how to clean there room clean and keep it clean. But really you don't have to be a kid to put the secrets to good use in any room of your home.

Rimfire by Ellen F. Feld – A review by my young friend

LaDonna — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:16:58 +0000

When I received a couple of books by Ellen F. Feld, I was excited to see that they would be perfect for my horse loving daughter and her horse loving friend. I gave Rimfire: The Barrel Racing Morgan Horse to V.G. to read and to tell me how much she loved it, or didn't. As it turns out, V.G. (age 10) really enjoyed the book. Here's what she had to say:

I really enjoyed the book. Very interesting, however, because I have a horse when I read about horses it’s not the same as having and doing things with my horse. I would rather spend time with my horse than spend time reading about a horse. This might be different if I wanted to learn a specific skill. In that case I would choose a non-fiction book over a novel.
I liked that it talked about barrel racing. I learned that you have to tuck your shirt in and not to wear a belt because it hooks on the horn. I also learned that a barrel racer should not go really close to the barrel but be about a tire width away from the barrel.
The characters were good. They were well described. There were enough of them, but I did wish the author would have talked more about the parents and had the parents more involved.
The pictures were interesting but more pictures would be cool.
I would read the other books in the series. The one titled Robin: The Lovable Morgan Horse looks good.

Thanks, V.G. for your great review of Rimfire !

The other book I received and gave to my daughter for Christmas is called Shadow: The Curious Morgan Horse. I will be reviewing that title with my daughter in the next few days.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of these books in exchange for my honest review.

When I was a kid I loved her, now she’s a kid! Wierd!

LaDonna — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:29:04 +0000

RE-POST REVIEW:

Do you know who I'm talking about?

Amelia Bedelia: the one who puts sponges in sponge cake and calendar dates in date cake.

I've read a few of the "old" stories (written by Peggy Parish) to my kids and the older girls (ages 6 and 7) just loved them. So when we were offered a copy of Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School to review I jumped at the chance.

I loved this story; my kids loved the pictures and the literal "translations". The colors are bright and attractive. Now that my older two are starting to read more everyday, I was encouraged to see them reading some of the words along with me.

The author, Herman Parish, is the original author's nephew! I love that about these books. Too often when there are "add on" books to old favorites there isn't the continuity that one might love; I believe this continuity has been kept.

The Wacky World of Amelia Bedelia is a great place at the HaperCollins website to play games and learn more about the main character and other fun stuff. My kids will be checking it out this week, I think. One of the fun things I did was send an Amelia Bedelia ecard to my kids Grandma.

The book was provided to me by the publisher for my review. The opinions here are all mine (and my kids).

My Kids Love Marley Goes To School

LaDonna — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:25:00 +0000

RE-POSTED REVIEW:

We've never read John Grogan's other books nor have we seen the movie sparked by the book called: Marley: A Dog Like No Other. We just don't seem to keep up with such things but I hear it's really really good. If this book is any example of the work that John Grogan can do, than I bet the movie really is really good.

I have five little children and to keep them all interested in a book with lots of words, even if it has lots of pictures, can be a challenge. The pictures are great! My girls were looking to see if there is a mouse on every page. I don't think there was, but they saw quite a few throughout the book. The detail by illustrator Richard Cowdrey is very well done. The pictures really come alive with color and form. The favorite picture is the one inside the very front cover. The kids loved the chewed up pen, and other things.

The story is simple and sweet. The poor little dog just wants to be with his best little friend and can't understand why she has to go off to school without him. He goes too. And, of course, gets into so much trouble. You'll love reading about his trip to the school! And so will your children.

This book was graciously provided to me by the publisher, but the opinions are all mine or that of my kids.

Amelia and Marley

Christi — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:36:49 +0000

Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish and Lynne Avril, is such an adorable book. This is not the first book to be published, but it’s a great addition to our collection. Our family loves Amelia Bedilia (never call her only Amelia by the way). This little girl is the cutest little girl ever. She takes everything that the teacher says literally. You never tell Amelia Bedilia to keep herself glued to her seat. Can you imagine what that child’s mother thought after her first day? Whew! This is a great book with great When we read Marley Goes to School by John Grogan , we laughed so hard, because the first day of school, our Dottie wanted to go also. It was hard to keep her in the van while I walked the kids to their classes. Kayla loved this story because Marley reminds her of our dog Dottie so much. Marley however makes it into the school and interupst the entire day. Just like the playful pup we have, Marley is always the center of attention. My daughter enjoyed these books so much that they have read and re-read them in her classroom for the last two weeks. These two books are parent, kid and teacher approved. Thanks goes out to Harper Collins for the opportunity to review your books! They are staying on our bookshelf for a while.

A Great Book – Jesus Heals A Little Girl

Tammy — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:37:25 +0000

Jesus Heals a Little Girl

Written by Edward and Sarah Bolme

Illustrated by Tim Gillette

Crest Publications

Beautifully illustrated by Tim Gillette, and written by Edward and Sarah Bolme this delightful series of board books specifically for youngsters is perfect for introducing babies and toddler to God’s Word! Baby Bible Board Books are sturdy, colorful, spiritual and the perfect size for little hands. I received this book, Jesus Heals a Little Girl, as a gift for review.

The illustrations are made with bright colors and simple images which easily keep my three year old daughter’s attention. At the end of the short book Exodus 5:26 is quoted: "I am the Lord who heals you." I would recommend this book to anyone with young children. This book has apparently become a permanent fixture in our family vehicle!