New Children's Easter Book! 📚🐰☀️🐇🐣🪺🌸

Check out this adorable new children's book, right in time for Easter!!! 🐰🐣🐇🐥🐾💐🌸🌷🪺📚

📚"'Twas the Night Before Easter" by Taffy Tales & Harry Caminelli 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

📚Book Description:

It's just a normal night for the Easter Bunny. . . or is it? Oh, no! Easter is tomorrow, he suddenly realizes, and he forgot to hide the eggs for children all around the world, so now it is a mad scramble to see if he can save the day and get the job done. Frantic and funny, "'Twas the Night Before Easter" is the newest addition to Taffy Tales' best-selling "'Twas the Night Before" series. 

My Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

An adorable, entertaining and magical adventure children will love reading again and again! Beautiful and expressive illustrations. Children will be engaged throughout the whole story, following along the Easter Bunny's rush to get the eggs out in time for Easter! Can he do it? He'll have to get very creative! 🥕🐇🐰

Highly recommended! Get your copy today for a special Easter treat for your little ones! 🐰🐇🐣

📚Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Night-Before-Easter-Harry-Caminelli/dp/1998211673/

New Historical Book Recommendation! 📚

 

Check out this amazing new historical read, based off of true events! 📚🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

"The Hatbox Letter," by Laura LeMond

📚Book Description:

Based on a true story, a must-read, compelling romance. Passion, heartbreak, and an unexpected love that changes everything. It's 1916, and the world is rapidly transforming in St. Joseph, Missouri. The oncoming World War I looms large, automobiles are quickly overtaking the horse and carriage, and Coco Chanel's modern fashions are changing the world for young Gladys and other women. 

Sixteen-year-old Gladys finds herself in a whirlwind of change: she's in love with Johnny Fry, a young man tied by blood to his famous namesake, the legendary Pony Express rider. But their budding romance is shattered by a misunderstanding and loss, leaving Gladys with unanswered questions and a mystery that lingers for decades. Unbeknownst to her, the key to Johnny's fate lies closer than she could ever imagine- someone has hidden something in a place quite close to her, but without knowing, will she ever find it? 

Set against the backdrop of a vanishing Old West and the cultural blending of Cree traditions with white settler life, this epic love story spans the tumultuous years of World War I, the Spanish Flu, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression. From St Joseph, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois, and across the sweeping plains of Pampa in West Texas, this story reveals that, like a relentless train, love moves steadily toward its ultimate destination. Only after 70 years is the truth revealed, uncovering secrets of love, loss, and resilience that bridge the chasm of time that resonates even today.

📚My Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

"The Hatbox Letter" by Laura LeMond is a captivating historical read that's based on an incredible true story. It takes place in 1916 in the fast-changing world in St. Joseph, Missouri. Sixteen-year-old Gladys is in love with a young gentleman named Johnny Fry, yet suddenly a misunderstanding arises when Johnny pays her a visit one night, and their romance is abruptly put on hold. Feelings are hurt, and then Gladys' brother Harry enlists in the army during World War 1, further adding to the pain, worry, and loneliness. 

Although this book deals with the harsh realities of the war, sickness, heartbreak, and loss, it is ultimately a story full of hope, love, new beginnings, empowerment, and resilience. 

Through the author's talented storytelling, she draws you right into the story's setting alongside the authentic and very relatable characters. Gladys was a strong and kind-hearted woman who persued her passion, persevered, found independence (this was an especially exciting time for young women during the Roaring Twenties!), and built and rekindled relationships. She had a loving support system around her who believed in her and her dreams. 

I highly recommend this story to all those who enjoy a good historical read that's filled with excitement, romance, strong emotions, honesty, resilience, and new beginnings. I like the fast pace of the story which keeps a steady rhythm throughout, keeping me engaged. Well worth the read.

📚Link to order:

https://www.amazon.com/Hatbox-Letter-Based-True-Tale-ebook/dp/B0DTLFFNTR/

New Adventure Novel for Teens!

Check out this exciting new adventure novel for young adults! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

📚"Son of Prophecy" by Ratna Chandra 

📚Description: 

Realm of Mystical Kingdom, once ruled by light, has fallen into darkness. An ancient crystal, the heart of balance, is shattered, and with it, the kingdom crumbles. Chaos spreads. Hope fades. Yet whispers of a prophecy remain—of one who will rise to restore what was lost.

Fourteen-year-old Devin Reelms finds his life altered when his destiny is revealed to restore the fallen realm. Thrown from the life he knew, he is forced into the unknown. Among exiles, he finds refuge. They see what he cannot—a power buried deep within him. A destiny he cannot escape.

The search begins. A relic must be reclaimed before it is lost forever. Led by a clue to the forest, where a cursed being awaits, bound by unfinished magic, he speaks an ancient language, and the spell shatters. A guardian awakens! But the shadows grow bolder!

Returning home, he finds only devastation. Trust turns to fear. Loyalty becomes accusation. Shackles bind where once there was safety. But fate does not forget.

Upon release, he seeks his lost allies, only to find them vanished. Seeking answers, he lands up at a mystical garden - where he meets mystical beings and finds hope. There was a sign of light! But the war is closer than ever. He has no choice but to fight. Captured. Dragged into darkness. Brought before the enemy. Now, one choice remains: Become the darkness, or stand against it. There is no turning back!

Available in paperback and hardcover on Amazon. 

📚Link to order:

https://www.amazon.com/Son-Prophecy-Ratna-Chandra/dp/B0DWVB1YDG/

#yafantasy #ya #newyabooks #newyareads #adventurenovel #sonofprophecy #ratnachandra #yafantasy #fantasyreads #newbooksforteens 

Children's Holiday Book Tradition

Unwrapping Christmas Books Every Night!  

                      

I found a great idea posted on Pinterest a while back for a fun children's holiday reading tradition. You wrap up 25 holiday kid's books and put them under the Christmas tree in December. Each night children get to unwrap one book for a special bedtime story to get them into the magical holiday spirit (and don't forget the hot chocolate! 😉). 

What a wonderful way to get them excited to read during the holiday season! It doesn't have to cost much, either. You can buy some gently-used books from Amazon or Ebay for a good price, or (even better) at a library book sale. You can also look for holiday books in local Little Free Libraries, or even borrow a few books from your local library (as long as the kids' don't mind returning them after reading! 😉). Then re-use some of your books for next year if you'd like. 

I would have loved this activity as a kid. That's one of the benefits of the internet: getting and giving new ideas for the love of reading. And that's priceless.

Have you tried this holiday tradition before? 

What are your own holiday reading traditions for your little ones?   

Let me know in the comments below.

~Happy holiday reading!~ 

    📚🎅❤️🎁💚

P.s.: Check out my Christmas picture book on Amazon at the link below! 🎅🐈‍⬛📚❤️💚

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1952879078/

Gratitude and Thanksgiving

Today, it is more important than ever to find something to be grateful for. With all the chaos going on in the world, it can be easy to lose sight of that. Gratitude can help ground you and give you a sense of peace and appreciation. 

What are you grateful for today? With Thanksgiving coming up, it made me reflect on how lucky I am to have family to celebrate with. Not everyone has that. I am also thankful for my health, home, friends, and basic needs taken care of.

Being an author, I am thankful for the gift of self-publishing/independent publishers, social media, local libraries, bookstores, and all of those who generously support and share my work. I would certainly not have had these opportunities 10 or 20 years ago!

What are you thankful for? For those of you who are authors, how would you describe your publishing journey so far?

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S.: I just might be brewing up a special Thanksgiving story...stay tuned! 😉📚🐶

Book Review! On Service Dogs

Today, you see more and more service dogs out in public places that help people struggling with disabilities. What a wonderful idea! It's not just for people with physical disabilities, either. Many people with mental health conditions (such as PTSD or Schizophrenia) enjoy using service dogs. It can give someone their life back and help them gain/maintain independence.

Here is a children's book that I recommend that is based on a real-life service dog:

"Mitchie the Service Dog Gets a Job!" by Diane Petrozzo (as reviewed by me on Readers' Favorite):

Mitchie the Service Dog Gets a Job! is a heartwarming story by Diane Petrozzo. It begins in Colorado with an elderly man named Mel, who is losing his eyesight. Upon hearing the news from his doctor that he will eventually become blind, he feels hopeless, alone, and in great despair. In the meantime, a black Labrador puppy named Mitchie is training to become a service dog in Upstate New York. He is nervous that he won’t do a good job and that people won’t like him. Yet he ends up excelling in service dog school and is at the top of his class. He is still a little unsure of himself, though. Soon he is assigned to become Mel’s service dog out in Colorado. When Mel comes to the service dog school to visit, he is instantly impressed and more hopeful about his situation. Together, they set out on a journey full of growth, joy, and an unshakeable bond between man and dog.

Mitchie the Service Dog Gets a Job! is such an inspirational story filled with hope and encouragement. Diane Petrozzo teaches children in a way they can understand about the gift of perseverance, helping someone in need, and believing in yourself. A situation is never hopeless, and there is always room to grow. I love stories like this that educate us on how animals can help people with all kinds of disabilities. We need them just as much as they need us to take care of them. This story also raises awareness of this valuable service and can help increase its availability to people. The characters are very well-developed and relatable. Diane does a great job of showing the emotional bond between Mel and Mitchie. The beautiful illustrations by Lauren Zurcher express this even more vividly. Both children and adults will love looking at the bright and colorful illustrations (especially of adorable Mitchie!). Diane also does a wonderful job of showing how someone can grow if they learn to trust themselves and open their hearts to others. The rewards are endless. Trust the process of life, and remember that there’s always a way forward. Who better to teach us that than the unconditional love of an animal? I highly recommend this book for children of all ages.

Speaking of service dogs, a family member recently told me that she learned in a documentary that Charles Schultz, creator of the "Snoopy" character from the Peanuts cartoon, constructed a service dog school back in 1975 called "Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)." 

What an incredible accomplishment! CCI is a free service for people with various disabilities that are looking for a service dog to help them navigate life.

What is your opinion on this? Do you know of anyone who has a service animal?

One Final Note...

I do hope, however, that more public places allow service animals for emotional support. Mental health is just as important as physical health! What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below! 

 

Dance is for Every Body

 

I recently started taking ballet classes for the first time in years, now as a 38-year-old adult. It got me thinking about all of the pressures in the ballet world, such as the idea that ballet is just for the young and ultra-thin (a lot of it is still going on today, but it is slowly changing in some companies and schools). So when I happened to come across this children's book at the library last week, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to discuss this topic.

The young girl in this story is not treated equally amongst her peers due to her larger size. Her growing body used to be considered healthy and cute when she was a baby/toddler, until it wasn't anymore. There wasn't room for people of her size in the world, and many people she spoke up to were unapologetic. She had to learn to love herself just as she was. She was beautiful, kind, and a good person and dancer. She was just a girl like all the others.

Size has long been an issue for people (many-but not all-women), and not just in the ballet world or from other children who bully. It's everywhere, even in the workplace. How can we change this? By speaking up and educating others, over and over again. Perseverance is key.

I am encouraged and excited to dance again, and I love how they now offer online classes and videos (just for recreational use, not to replace proper in-person instruction) for people of all ages, body types, and abilities. There are also dance companies being created now exclusively for adults of all body types! There is still a way to go though, and there are other types of discrimination dancers still face today, such as their race, gender, or any types of disabilities.

Dance should be for *every* body! It isn't just about a certain look or being a certain age, or your talent level. You can still be a beautiful dancer. If you dance from your heart, it shows.

What are your thoughts?

Keep dancing and dreaming! 🩰🩷🌠🌟🌈