Friday, April 29, 2022

Review: Grandma and Grandpa’s Tales Books 1-3 by Cheryl Carpinello

Grandma and Grandpa’s Tales Books 1-3 encourage early readers with fun stories incorporating difference aspects of nature. Book 1, Wild Creatures In My Neighborhood and What if I Went to the Circus, explores the wildlife around neighborhoods and introduces decision-making. Book 2, Singers of Songs and The Not Too Stubborn Humpback, explores a common, but not so common insect, and lets readers see that being stubborn isn’t always good. Book 3, Vampires in the Backyard and A Fish Tale, introduces readers to an extended metaphor and lets them decide if the fish story is real. All the books have bright, simple images to catch and keep the attention of a young reader. Where relevant, some stories have activities to help youngsters remember what they have read about or learned, or else to draw various concepts they have discovered. Parents and educators will welcome the variety of stories and the possibilities of discussions with the young audience about social issues, concepts, and choices. Very highly recommended.


Grandma’s Tales, Book 1: Wild Creatures in my Neighborhood and What If I Went to the Circus? starts off with the young boy discovering signs of wildlife in the garden – a raccoon, a rabbit, a prairie dog, a bear and more. His mom explains to him how these wild animals have appeared in the neighborhood even though they live in a city. Every time he guesses what the animal is from its tracks or the sounds it makes, his mom corrects him. Bright images show the reader what the boy thinks the creature is…and then we see what it really is! The young boy and young readers will learn that wild creatures are everywhere. In What if I Went to the Circus?, young Jackson mulls over the animals he could bring home from the circus to play with him. Sadly, they are all too big and Jackson enumerates the bad things that could happen… so not a good idea. The images of the animals are cleverly interspersed with the text so the young reader can sound out the name of the animal and what might happen to the various objects in Jackson’s home.


Grandma’s Tales, Book 2: Singers of Songs
and The Not Too Stubborn Humpback starts with an introduction to nature’s most melodious singer and musician, the garden cricket! The delightful images are interspersed with facts about crickets that adults will enjoy learning as well. Young readers also have some interactive activities to help them remember what they have learned about crickets. The author gives readers the not so good facts about crickets (which Mom will find useful), so they are best left in the garden to make music. The second story introduces youngsters to a stubborn little humpback whale called Nemo. Nemo thinks he knows it all and he is stubborn in his ways. Alas, that kind of attitude does not bode well for Nemo as he finds out, to his fright. A salutary lesson is learned! Young readers are encouraged to draw various scenes they read about in this story.


Grandpa’s Tales, Book 3: Vampires in the Backyard
and A Fish Tale starts off with fun and action, brightly coloured images of a boy and a girl playing… interspersed with (Shock! Horror!) a sign warning young readers of danger lurking! What can it be? The action continues with a delicious mouth-watering picnic, then time for a frolic in the pool… but the danger signs loom ever closer… And with nightfall and time for a game of hide and seek, we discover that there are Vampires in the Backyard! Bloodsuckers too! Who or what exactly are these vampires? You will have to read the book to find out! Young readers will be flipping the pages to get to the ghastly truth about the vampires. You have been warned. Next comes A Fish Tale as George makes his way to the pond with everything he needs to catch the biggest fish he can find. It’s an adventure and it’s a perfect day for fishing… but is it?


About the Author

Cheryl Carpinello taught high school English for 25 years. During that time, she worked with numerous students who didn’t like to read for a variety of reasons. However, she discovered that even the most reluctant readers became engaged in the classroom and in reading when she introduced units on King Arthur and the works of ancient world writers. Upon retiring, she set out to write fast-paced, action-filled stories in these setting to encourage young readers to read more. Her success with readers aged 8-16 led her to reach out to the youngest of readers and those readers just starting out. Revising stories she had written for her own children, she created Grandma/Grandpa’s Tales for ages 4-7.  Her four grandchildren's conversations created the stories in Book 3 of this series. Visit her on Twitter and Facebook.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Book Spotlight: Triangle of Hope by Michael Meyer


If one person can make a difference, just think what three can do. A tender story of love. Three strangers, each harboring a dark secret, become united by chance in a small Irish village, and the wonderful power of the human spirit comes alive.

If you believe that love and romance can happen in unusual circumstances, then this book is for you.

"From page one, I found myself mesmerized at just how powerful the book was going to be."A Girl and Her eBooks Blog

"Meyer did a great job in weaving the story lines of the three main characters into a conclusion which was exactly what the title suggests. Triangle of Hope is a compelling read from start to finish."Jade Diamond Book Blog

"I absolutely adore this story." - Lauren Alumbaugh, Goodreads Librarian

"A book that will stay with you forever."Wanda's Amazing Amazon Reviewers

Book Information

Release Date: December 1, 2014

Publisher:  Pacific Books

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1611883251; 176 pages; $5.99; E-Book, $2.99; Kindle Unlimited FREE

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HPk95L

  

Book Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uXCv7wp3go

 


About the Author

Michael Meyer is the author of mysteries, thrillers, humorous fiction, and non-fiction: Love and romance, laughter and tears, thrills and fears.

He has resided in and has visited many places in the world, all of which have contributed in some way to his own published writing. He has literally traveled throughout the world, on numerous occasions. He has lived in Finland, Germany, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He gained the wanderlust to see the world, to experience other cultures, at an early age, and this desire has never left him. If anything, it has only gained in intensity as he has aged.

Among the many unique things that have happened to him in his world travels, he has walked the streets of Istanbul with a detective, searching for a pickpocket who got him good. He has ridden on the back of a motorcycle in Tehran while the driver, who spoke not one word of English, pointed out all the sights to him. He has wrestled an Iranian soldier who tried to break into his hotel room in Tehran. He has had the paint completely stripped from his car as he drove across Saudi Arabia in a sandstorm. He has stood on the stage of a busy nightclub in Tokyo, singing "She'll be Coming Round the Mountain When She Comes" to an audience feeling no pain from the Sake they were drinking. He has been chased by a family of mongooses (yes, that is the correct spelling) on the idyllic Caribbean island of St. Croix. And that is just the beginning of his long list of worldly adventures.

As a recent retiree from a forty-year career as a professor of writing, he now lives in Southern California wine country with his wife, Kitty, and their two adorable rescue cats.

His latest book is the contemporary fiction, Triangle of Hope.

Visit him on Facebook.

 

Monday, April 25, 2022

Book Spotlight: Lost Boys by Nancy McLaughlin


Lost Boys is the second book in the American Nomads series by Nancy McLaughlin. Life has returned to normal for the Nomads. Finn and Teague are closer than ever. The bond between River and Cash is evolving into something more, and Zac has his family of misfits. Even Beth has come into her own. No longer a greenie, she is now a full, contributing member of the group. Her internet fame has blossomed beyond anything she could have ever imagined.

Riding the rails from one adventure to another, life is perfect. Or so it seems...

Recently released from prison, Daniel is on a quest to locate Finn. Thanks to Beth’s videos, he has a trail that will lead him straight to his quarry.

As the miles scroll by, the distance between Daniel and Finn shortens, bringing them closer to an ultimate confrontation.

Who will survive when their paths collide?

Book Information

Release Date: March 29, 2021 (e-book)

Publisher:  Twisted Sky, LLC.

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1736705940; 314 pages; $13.99; E-Book, $3.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JDKJ2k  

Signed Copies - www.nancylmclaughlin.com


About the Author:
N.L. McLaughlin was born and raised in Massachusetts. After serving in the USMC, she returned home and went to college. Not long after, she moved to California and married. Six kids and multiple moves around the US later, she and her family call Texas home. Her latest book is the YA novel, Lost Boys: Book Two of the American Nomads.You can visit her website at  www.NancyLMclaughlin.com or connect with her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.