Emma's Awesome Summer Camp Adventure by Amy and Grace Webb

 

EMMA'S AWESOME SUMMER CAMP ADVENTURE

A Charley and Emma Story

by Amy and Grace Webb

Illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard

Beaming Books

Picture Book

32 pages
ages 4 to 8

COMING APRIL 30th!!!

All for inclusion, and inclusion for all! Emma is going to her first summer camp, and she is so excited! Camp Waterfall is an accessible camp, which means that Emma, Charley, and a host of new friends with different abilities can all participate, with nobody feeling left out or getting left behind. But will Emma really be ready to meet all the challenges and new experiences of camp? Join Emma and her friends as they face obstacles, overcome fears of trying new things, and discover what's possible in a place that's really built for all. Children will cheer along with Emma every step of the way, and will learn that an inclusive, accessible world for all is truly possible!

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

The importance of accessibility for everyone hits, while diving into the fun of summer camp.

Emma is excited! She's off to her very first summer camp, and her brother is going with her. What's even better is that this camp has made sure that she can partake in all activities and get around by herself. Not only can she discover the forest and try things like zip-lining, but she also gets to meet tons of new friends.

It was nice to see a book, which awakens awareness for the importance of accessibility. It also shows how those kids with disabilities enjoy the same adventures as any other person...if they can get to them. All of this is set in the excitement of summer camp and shows the familiar scenes, which belong to it. There's outdoor fun, swimming, adventure, and new friendships to be formed. Everyone is positive, supportive, and open to new things even when it takes a bit more courage. 

The illustrations fit the theme nicely and let the atmosphere come across gently and with good vibes. Through these, the various situations of the characters are portrayed, since they aren't really mentioned much in the text. The text does flow well. It carries a mistake or two on the editing but does make a nice read-aloud.

There's an extra section at the end of the book, which covers the various points and types of accessibility to help deepen the topic. I do wish that these were more pointed out during the tale as well. The story heads into the theme very subtly and doesn't show how accessibility is a problem to begin with. This way, it feels like the main theme is side-stepped to head for the fun and friendship instead. But it's still a nice read and does support that kids are kids in every circumstance.

The Adventures of Dori, A Rescue Pup by Kathleen Conway and Juanita Ellis

I'm starting the week with dreams of beaches and sunshine. I, actually, woke up to ice on the windshield and had to scrape before heading out to make some early morning runs. Got to love Spring! 

I do hope today's read offers fun adventures, tones of friendship, and cute puppies, too. So, let's just read it and find out.

THE ADVENTURES OF DORI

A RESCUE PUP

by Kathleen Conway and 

Juanita Ellis

Illustrated by Tullip Studios

Picture Book

 34 pages

ages 4 to 8

"The Adventures of Dori, A Rescue Pup" is a delightful children's book that promises to take young readers on a fun and adventurous journey. Join Dori and her friends as they explore the beach, showcasing the beauty of working together, the magic of friendship, and the joy of seeing the world through a rescue pup's eyes. From playing in the sand to uncovering unexpected treasures along the shoreline, every page captures the essence of wonder and the bonds formed between friends. 

This enchanting book not only offers a heartwarming story of friendship and hope but also allows young readers to become a part of Dori's legacy. That's because we donate a portion of our profits back to the rescue that helped Dori find her forever home; Southern Comfort Maltese Rescue. With each purchase, you contribute to a meaningful cause by supporting Southern Comfort Maltese Rescue (SCMR), the organization that played a pivotal role in transforming Dori's life from uncertainty to a world filled with love.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON   /   B&N

MY TIDBITS

Beach fun combines with three adorable puppies to create an enjoyable read.

Dori lives at a beach house and has invited her two friends to spend the day with her, playing near the waves. Making sure everything they need is packed, they head out. Shells, crabs, and more make each moment an adventure. When they happen across a couple problems, they'll need to stick together to figure things out.

Dori is an energetic puppy, who values her friends and the world around her. She's extreme curious and open to new things, which makes her enjoyable to follow as she discovers things here and there at the beach. Her friends are just as friendly and playful, creating a fun trio. This positive atmosphere comes across seamlessly and flows through the entire read to leave a sense of wholesome goodness.

It's a simple story and will draw listeners in because of this. The moments and situations are easy to identify with and always add a playful tone. There's isn't really an over-arcing message. Instead, a couple meaningful ideas about helping others and cleaning up litter were added in as separate moments. Also, the rescue pup doesn't carry importance in these pages like I thought it might, and if it wasn't in the title, it could have just been three puppy friends. And these do get along marvelously together.

The illustrations are also simple, colorful, and bring across each scene clearly. Readers, who aren't sure of their words, can pick this up, flip through the images, and create the story for themselves...which is also a nice aspect. I do see young listeners enjoying this quite a bit.

And here they are...

Kathleen Conway is the co-author of The Adventures of Dori, A Rescue Pup!  Kathleen is a former military veteran (Air Force) and works fulltime in the health care industry as an Occupational Therapist. This is Kathleen's passion behind the book was to share Dori with the world, while bringing awareness to rescue animals. Kathleen is already dreaming up more fun escapades featuring rescue animals. 

Juanita Ellis is a first-time author and co-wrote The Adventures of Dori, A Rescue Pup to spread awareness about rescue dogs, and to share a little bit of Dori's spirit with others around the world!   Juanita volunteers her time with the same animal rescue group that rescued Dori.  Juanita enjoys spending time with family, both human and furry, and enjoys trips to the beaches of NC and the mountains of TN.  Juanita works full-time in the consumer service industry as an HR Executive.

Wall to Wall: Mural Art Around the World by Mary Ann Fraser

Today, I'm heading into the world of art. While I first thought this book was aimed at graffiti, a second look at the blurb revealed that it covers much more than that. While I've seen quite a few different types of wall art over the years, I've never really brought this thought together under one hat. So, I'm curious to see what this book entails.

WALL TO WALL:

MURAL ART AROUND THE WORLD

by Mary Ann Fraser

Getty Publications

Upper Middle Grade Nonfiction

80 pages

ages 10 to 14

COMING MAY 7th!!!

An exciting tour of remarkable wall art around the globe, from prehistoric caves to futuristic wonders

People have been drawing on walls since ancient times. They do it to create beauty, to tell a story, to make a statement, or just to say, “I was here.” You can find wall art in a remote cave in Patagonia and a desert castle in Jordan, a kingly palace in the Republic of Benin and the National Palace of Mexico, a miles-long flood channel in Los Angeles and a sky-high rooftop in Norway.

In Wall to Wall , award-winning author, illustrator, and muralist Mary Ann Fraser takes readers on a worldwide journey through time, stopping to see amazing mural art along the way. Stunning color illustrations and fascinating photographs illuminate both famous and little-known examples, and lighthearted text tells engaging stories about the people who inspired or created them. A glossary, suggestions for further reading, and a section on the preservation of murals conclude the book. No reader will ever again pass by a mural—whether in a historic building, a museum, or out on the street—without stopping to take a closer look.

GOODREADS   /   GETTY PUBLICATIONS

MY TIDBITS

From cave man designs to modern day street art, readers learn about the every-changing world of wall murals.

Already on the opening page of contents, the wide range of wall art explored in this book is revealed. Thumb-print photos are pinned by location on a map of the world, fitting to the chapters listed below, which highlight each one. Starting with the Cave of the Hands in Argentina, works from Egypt, Italy, Afghanistan, and more are explored with actual images of the artwork and fairly detailed descriptions to their creation and possible purposes. At the end, the author opens the door with a chapter about what the future might hold as well as a section on preservation of these artworks. 

Starting from the very beginning with the mural artwork found from prehistoric times, the variety of artwork through the ages and it's importance are discussed. Some of these are well-known; others will surprise. The text stays in a somewhat casual tone, letting the facts flow with the atmosphere of a conversation, but it is still a very information based read and comes across as such. So, it is for the older age group and aimed at those, who want to learn more about this form of artwork. This can be used for an art theme in classrooms (even just a chapter or two) and does offer a nice basis for homeschool settings exploring this direction.

The information isn't focused on dates and places. Instead, it takes a rounder view. I enjoyed how the author discloses possible materials and techniques used to form each work. The surrounding culture and intentions are also looked at, staying within the realm of the art piece. Other events and interesting tidbits are added, too, which offer insights into broader art trends in the area, things which might have affected the piece over time, and surprising insights, which aren't usually mentioned. It creates a rich mix, which goes beyond the usual facts.

Each chapter not only holds a photo of the artwork but includes colorful illustrations, which reinforce the other pieces of information being revealed. These stick to a colorful and simpler style, reminding a bit of picture book illustrations. This loosens up the atmosphere, since the text does carry quite a bit of knowledge. These also help bring across the information with more clarity. 

This is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in discovering more about mural art and hits the intended audience level well.

Korgi: The Complete Tale by Christian Slade

 Today's read is one I picked up thanks to my youngest daughter. She's a corgi fan (among other animals). So, when I saw this one run across my screen, I didn't even hesitate before snagging a DRC copy. This also means I have no clue what it's about, what to expect, or anything, actually. Only that it's a graphic novel and appears to have done fairly well, since it's a collection of the material brought out in the series.

So, without any prejudices or forethoughts, I'm just going to dive right in!

KORGI: THE COMPLETE TALE

by Christian Slade

Top Shelf Productions

Children's Animal Fantasy

584 pages

ages 6 to 12 

COMING...

MAY 7th!!!

The beloved wordless fantasy graphic novel is now collected in a single epic volume! Fall in love with the wondrous world of Korgi Hollow, packed with thrills, laughs, and exquisitely illustrated animal magic.

One of the most adorable comics of our time now arrives in a bookshelf edition for all time. When day breaks in their woodland village, Ivy and her corgi pup, Sprout, have no idea that they’ll soon be swept up in an astonishing adventure! Soon they’ll journey across land, sea, and air, from past to present and beyond, to learn more about themselves, escape the forces of evil, and uncover the ancient mysteries behind their magical world. The sumptuously detailed pen-and-ink drawings of former Disney animator Christian Slade make every page a joy to behold, using the power of “silent comics” to bring every moment wordlessly to life for readers of all ages. What’s more, this deluxe softcover collection includes not only all five Korgi graphic novels but also every bonus short story previously exclusive to comic books. The result is a complete fantasy epic that is truly timeless.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Wordless but holding amazing illustrations, this is a collection from a well-loved series, which opens up to a world of monsters, adventure, and cute corgis.

This collection includes all five of the Korgi graphic novels as well as several short adventures. Each of the five books begins with a short and entertaining introduction, which does happen through text...but those are the only words during the adventure. Each moment is brought across through very detailed and extremely well-crafted, black and white line drawings. These are more demanding on the eyes than the illustrations usually found in graphic novels, in so far that they take more time to take in and digest. And it's well worth the extra time, especially since these do carry the entire tale in every way.

This is sold for children but will also satisfy older readers and some adults. The story isn't fluffy and happy, but rather, packs fantasy and adventure. The monsters take a creepy lean, which fits right with the illustration style to make each one come across with that dark atmosphere of off-ness. There is a hint of gore without really going there completely (an eyeball pops out and flies away), and while this might bother more sensitive readers, others will find the edged fantasy just right. The main characters  fight off the danger and land in some pretty sticky situations, which bring exciting action scenes. It is a positive read with promises of hope and even will bring smiles and cuteness at the right moments. 

There is a list of characters with descriptions at the end, which I do wish had been shoved to the front of the novel, instead, but that's only a side thought. It's an exciting adventure with an unexpected lean toward darkish fantasy (think The Labyrinth), which is sure to grab more than just corgi fans.

Not If You Break Up With Me First by G.F. Miller

When I first saw this one, I was like 'oh, a cute sounding YA romance'. Then, I noticed it's a middle grade read, which should head more toward humor than melting moments. 

Ah, middle grade romance!

My daughters hated watching the drama around them during those years. Both of them were a bit too...hmmm...in their own worlds(?) to throw a glance at any of the 'gross' guys. As a mom, it made my life easy. But the stories! The tears they told me about! The gossip wars! The revenge! (At least, on the girls' sides). And all of that within around a week's period before the couple usually broke up and a new one formed. Middle school is a very dramatic and whip-lash inducing time frame in our small town. 

I'm more than a little curious to see what situations the characters in this read will face because it could be quite a fun read.

NOT IF YOU BREAK UP WITH ME FIRST

by G.F. Miller

Aladdin

Middle Grade Romance

288 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

JUNE 4th!!!

Two friends who have unhappily found themselves in an accidental relationship try to drive the other one to call things off in this tongue-in-cheek middle grade romance.

Childhood friends Eve and Andrew are destined to be together— everyone says so, especially their friends and classmates who are all suddenly crush-obsessed. So when Eve and Andrew’s first eighth grade school dance rolls around and Eve, feeling the pressure, awkwardly asks Andrew to go with her, everyone assumes they are Officially Dating and Practically in Love. Overwhelmed, Eve and Andrew just…go with it.

And it’s weird. Neither of them wants this dating thing to mess up their friendship, and they don’t really see each other that way. But they also don’t want to be the one to call things off, the one to make things super awkward. So they both—separately—pledge to be the worst boyfriend or girlfriend ever, leaving it to the other person to break up with them. It would be genius…if the other person weren’t doing the exact same thing.

GOODREADS     /     SIMON & SCHUSTER

MY TIDBITS

The rollercoaster ride of middle grade emotions slams into the hyper-drive of crushes and peer pressure in a tale with heart, humor, and an entire truck load of drama.

After several months of separation, Eve can't wait for her forever-best-friend Andrew to come back from Florida, but the moment, he steps away from the terminal, it's clear some things have changed. Everything in her life seems to be doing that. Many of the kids at school are changing...and not only physically. Crushes are the hottest topic, and Eve's own parents can no longer seem to get along. She's steering everything as best she can. When all the girls at school push her to ask Andrew to an upcoming dance, claiming the two are the perfect couple, Eve decides to give in. After all, he's her best friend...but things don't go as planned. Everyone now claims the two are a couple, and even silly Andrew seems to think they should be one. At least, that's how he's sort of acting. After the dance goes askew in the most awkward way, Eve admits to her friends that she doesn't like him like that, but breaking up is even more difficult than getting together. She has to make him break up with her. Of course, he's well aware of this social rule, and unknown to her, decides on the same plan of attack thanks to his own friends. Add the storm of her fighting parents, a fact she's still trying to hide from everyone and somehow solve, and everything is about to become the biggest disaster ever.

Yep, this book is middle grade romance as I and my kids have come to know it. Eve might be level-headed for her age. but gossip and peer-pressure are a might force to be reckoned with, especially at that age. It's not that she's even a person, who is trying to make everyone like her (as in so many reads). Eve is just lost, trying to find footing when the world around her...and even she herself...don't make the same sense as before. The three month separation from Andrew did seem a little short considering all of the changes, but this pause does set the perfect stage for misunderstandings and uncertainties to settle in, which drive the entire read. The two know each other well, care for each other insanely, but have lost just enough contact to give wiggle room in their, otherwise, concrete connection.

The read does concentrate heavily on the back and forth between Eve and Andrew, giving very few of the other characters much depth. But then, these two do have enough drama on their own. Plus, Eve's parental problems come into play, demonstrating how looming divorces go way beyond the emotional status of the kids at home and sink into every other aspect of their life, unintentionally or not. It was nice to see this so subtly (while not being subtle) addressed. 

Most important, this is a read which does toss the emotions back and forth in the best ways. Eve and Andrew are never to be underestimated in their attacks on each other, which adds humor and gasp worthy surprises. On the other side, the non-severable care they have for each other leaks through to bring warm sighs. It's drama pure and is sure to be enjoyed by more than just a few middle grade readers.

And here she is...

G. F. Miller absolutely insists on a happy ending. Everything else is negotiable. She is living her Happily Ever After with the love of her life, three kids, two puppies, and some chickens. She cries at random times. She makes faces at herself in the mirror. She believes in the Oxford comma. And she’s always here for a dance party.