Little Red Reads

The Kissing Hand 25th Anniversary Edition

September 4, 2018 By Heather Leave a Comment

I received this book for free from Tanglewood Press in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Kissing Hand 25th Anniversary Edition by Audrey Penn, Nancy M. Leak, Ruth E. Harper
on September 11, 2018
Genres: Children's, Picture book
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Source: Tanglewood Press
Buy the Book •

With over six million copies sold, countless children have been introduced to Chester Raccoon through The Kissing Hand, the first title in the series that firmly shows the importance of characters with whom kids can share their troubles.

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester’s fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary.

Now in its 25th year of printing, The Kissing Hand has found its way into the hearts of teachers, librarians, parents, and children around the world, especially during times of separation like starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. Celebrate the special Kissing Hand anniversary with Chester and his mother in this limited edition family keepsake with a dedication page, Letters to Chester booklet download and, of course, heart stickers.

A well know classic, The Kissing Hand has released their 25th anniversary collector’s edition. With a beautiful hardbound cover, heart shaped stickers and a place to write special memories, it’s a perfect gift. The message is one of comfort after separation and a mother’s love. This has been a family favorite for years!

About the Author

Audrey Penn started her career as a ballerina dancing with the National Ballet, New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, and the Danny Diamond Dance Theatre. In 1980, she became too ill with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) to continue dancing but, because she had participated in children’s theatre, children’s dance, and always enjoyed children’s literature, she turned to writing children’s books for her creative outlet.

Her passion for advocacy for children continually molds her writing style and subject matter. She has created her writing program – The Writing Penn – into schools, libraries, and children’s hospitals, where she shapes and refines her story ideas in partnership with kids.

Today, Audrey has written over 13 books and is a New York Times bestselling author of The Kissing Hand.

The Golden Plates Blog Tour and Giveaway

August 6, 2018 By Heather Leave a Comment

The Golden Plates: Premium Edition
BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED
AS A GRAPHIC NOVEL
Purchase

The Golden Plates is an illustrated adaptation of the fifth best selling book of all time, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, which has sold over 120 million copies. This graphic novel/comic book adaptation was first created in 2005 by award winning artist Michael Allred. The Premium Edition has replaced the full text originally included in the first edition with simplified and edited text, making the story easier for younger readers to follow and also showcasing more of the stunning artwork. It has also been converted to digital form for enjoyment on phones, tablets, and desktop devices through Amazon, iTunes, and Kobo. New printed editions have also been released through Amazon.

The first 6 issues cover the first 145 pages (27%) of the Book of Mormon, from 1st Nephi through the Words of Mormon. This adaptation is a fun and enthralling to way to help older children and teens understand and enjoy the Book of Mormon in a format more advanced than simplified children’s stories or scripture readers meant for young children.

Review

I loved the first few pages of this graphic novel which were word for word from the Book of Mormon. It would be wonderful to have a word for word adaptation for teen readers. I myself am not a fan of graphic novels, but my children were curious. The one drawback was the violence depicted and the dark smudges under Nephi’s eyes. It’s the graphic style of illustration, but a bit dark for my taste. I loved the author’s notes and testimony in the end. I appreciate that he shared his feelings and that this is not meant as a substitute for the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ. Creative and interesting tool for parents of children drawn to graphic novels.

Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of The Golden Plates: Premium Edition, 6 Issue Collection
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Selkie of San Francisco Blog Tour and Giveaway

June 27, 2018 By Heather Leave a Comment

Title: THE SELKIE OF SAN FRANCISCO

Author: Todd Calgi Gallicano

Pub. Date: June 19, 2018

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 400

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD

In the thrilling sequel to Guardians of the Gryphon’s Claw, an epic adventure novel that “is sure to keep lovers of Rick Riordan running to the shelves,” Sam London dives headlong into his second case involving a selkie, a mysterious girl, and an ominous new threat to the mythical and human worlds ( School Library Journal )!

Sam London didn’t mean to uncover an ancient secret, but when he found out that mythical creatures are real and living in our national parks, he became the newest recruit to the Department of Mythical Wildlife. Ever since, the middle schooler has been anxiously awaiting the call for his next case . . . and it finally arrives with the brazen appearance of a selkie in San Francisco Bay.

Along with Dr. Vance Vantana and the guardian Tashi, Sam pursues the selkie, who has taken a peculiar interest in fashion’s newest “it” girl and social media star, Pearl Eklund. But the closer he gets, the more questions emerge about Pearl’s mysterious connection to the mythical world. Is she the long-lost hope for an entire civilization or the harbinger of its doom? It’s up to Sam to find out the truth, and fast. . . . The fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

Praise for Guardians of the Gryphon’s Claw, Book One:

“A death-defying, globe-spanning adventure, packed with creatures out of folklore and myth.” –Publishers Weekly

“So original and exciting. This is the best fantasy-adventure novel I have read in some time.” –Martin Olson, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventure Time Encyclopaedia

Review:
My middle grade readers were immediately drawn to the covers of both book one and two. The Selkie of San Francisco is set in the Bay Area with loads of mythical creatures and legends like trolls, gryphons, mermaids and yeti. Main character Sam has some life challenges to work through and the side characters are full of quirky personality. It’s a fun look into a day in the life of a mythical creature investigator including typewritten folder file chapter beginnings. Fast- paced and east to digest reading for the summer break!

About Todd:

Todd Calgi Gallicano is the author of “Guardians of the Gryphon’s Claw,” the first case in the Sam London Adventure series from the Files of the Department of Mythical Wildlife. A graduate of New York University’s School of Film and Television, Todd began his career in the film industry, before venturing into the world of books when he was provided secret files from the Department of Mythical Wildlife’s archives.

Despite pressure from the news media and government, Mr. Gallicano remains tightlipped when it comes to questions about the DMW and his sources within the secret organization. He encourages fans of Sam London to learn more about mythical creatures and to visit and support our nation’s majestic National Parks.

When he’s not hammering out the next Sam London novel on his 1938 Royal Deluxe typewriter, Mr. Gallicano enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. He resides with his family in North Carolina, where he is constantly on the lookout for gargoyles, chupacabras and other nefarious creatures.

Learn more at www.mythicalwildlife.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE SELKIE OF SAN FRANCISCO, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/18/2018- Twirling Book Princess– Excerpt

6/19/2018- BookHounds YA– Excerpt

6/20/2018- RhythmicBooktrovert– Review

6/21/2018- Just Commonly– Review

6/22/2018- Confessions of a YA Reader– Excerpt