"LITTLE BROTHER'S TEMPER TANTRUMS" by MARY ESPARZA-VELA

LITTLE BROTHER'S TEMPER TANTRUMS

by MARY ESPARZA-VELA

Art by MIKE MOTZ

In "Little Brother’s Temper Tantrums," by Mary Esparza-Vela, with art by Mike Motz, we have the classic childhood conflict - "Mommy, can I bring him home? Can I keep him?" But in this case, it's a little more complicated. Three space tots go on a day trip to a nearby planet, which just happens to be our ancient Earth during the time of the dinosaurs. The littlest tot, Hunee, wants to come along.

Reluctantly, his older sister, Kyzzie, and brother, Sweetz allow Hunee to tag along, knowing that they'll be responsible for him and what a bother that will be. Naturally, Hunee gets lost and Kyzzie and Sweetz search all over for him. Finally, they give up and wait for him to come back to them. Hunee does return, but not alone - he's riding a playful, young dinosaur. And Hunee wants to bring his "treasure" dinosaur home with them!

Of course, we all know that would be totally unacceptable. Little Hunee, argues with Kyzzie and Sweetz, and like many little brothers (and sisters), he throws a temper tantrum when he doesn't get his way. The older tots placate Hunee by trying to get the dinosaur, part by part, into their tiny flying saucer, but he's way too big. So they have a sulky, pouty little brother all the way home. The ending is priceless! The playful artwork by Mike Motz adds to the enjoyment of this book.

I liked this book so much I got it for my nephew’s boys. And for my hairdresser’s daughter, too! It’s a book that kids will enjoy and will give parents plenty to talk to them about. I even bought the adorable space tot dolls for my grandnephews!.

More information on author Mary Esparza-Vela, and her many sweet children's books, is at  http://www.luv-beams.com/

and http://www.ReadingForFun.net

More information on artist Mike Motz is at http://www.mikemotz.com/

Reviewed by:

Penelope Anne Cole

SLO Night Writers Golden Quill Non-Fiction Finalist 2017

Tri-Valley Writers Conference 2017 Prose Award, 2018 Anthology Finalist

San Mateo County Fair Short Story Award 2017, Two Honorable Mentions 2018

Award Winning Author of Magical Matthew, Magical Mea,
Magical Mea Goes to School, Magical Max and Magical Mickey, and

Magical Max and Magical Mickey’s Big Surprise

In and Out, All ‘Round About – Opposite Friends

What’s for Dinner? and ¿Qué vamos a comer?

For Halloween: Ten Little Tricksters and Diez pequeños bromistas

My Grandma and Me Coloring Book

My Grandma’s Pink House
Web/Blogs:  http://www.penelopeannecole.com/

 


 

MIDNIGHT TEACHER, LILLY ANN GRANDERSON AND HER SECRET SCHOOL REVIEW

Midnight Teacher

Lilly Ann Granderson and her Secret School

by Janet Halfmann

Illustrated by London Ladd

Midnight Teacher, Lilly Ann Granderson and her Secret School, by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by London Ladd, is an important true story of a slave who dedicated her life to educating fellow slaves. Lilly Ann Granderson secretly taught many slaves to read and write before and after the Civil war. It was a daring and risky undertaking, so it was done at night. Even though they risked severe punishment by being beaten, Lilly Ann Granderson and her students felt it was worth the risk to become educated and have a chance for a better life and even the ability to escape to freedom in the North.

Ms. Halfmann put a lot of careful research into bringing this story to students, teachers, and librarians. At the back of the book is an Afterword about accomplishments directly attributable to Lilly Ann Granderson’s teaching and efforts to establish schools; plus, there’s information on the lives and contributions of her descendants. Ms. Halfmann has included several excellent Selected References for further reading and study.

This is a great historical addition to classrooms and school libraries to show how important literacy and education are to people’s lives, especially to people like Blacks and other minorities who have constantly been denied equal educational opportunities throughout their history in America. Midnight Teacher is highly recommended for students, teachers, and librarians. Lee and Low Books list this book for reading level grade 2 to 6. The detailed illustrations by artist London Ladd clearly show and clarify what is happening in Lilly Granderson’s story, which helps lower grade students to visualize and better understand the seriousness of that period in history.

Information on talented children's author, Janet Halfmann is at http://www.janethalfmann.com/

Information on artist London Ladd is at https://www.londonladd.com/

Reviewed by:

Penelope Anne Cole

Children’s Author, Writer, Poet, and Reviewer

SLO Night Writers Golden Quill Non-Fiction Finalist 2017

Tri-Valley Writers Conference 2017 Prose Award

San Mateo County Fair Short Story Award 2017

Award Winning Author of Magical Matthew, Magical Mea,
Magical Mea Goes to School, Magical Max and Magical Mickey, and

Magical Max and Magical Mickey’s Big Surprise

In and Out, All ‘Round About – Opposite Friends

What’s for Dinner? and ¿Qué vamos a comer?

For Halloween: Ten Little Tricksters and Diez pequeños bromistas

My Grandma and Me Coloring Book

JAMIE'S DREAM REVIEW

Jamie's Dream

by Susan Berger and Christopher Corbin

Jamie’s Dream, by Susan Berger and her son Christopher Corbin, is illustrated by Kim Sponaugle. It’s a perfectly delightful children’s picture book. The message is uplifting, the prose is fun and repetitive, which kids enjoy as much as rhyming books. The artwork is whimsical and conveys the fun, happy, magical mood of this book.

The story begins with Jamie waking up from a great dream and smelling French toast. He wants to find a way to share his dream with his mother. He puts on his lucky purple socks and knows he’s going to have a good day. His day continues to be good through school with a gold star. While walking home after school, he meets a talking unicorn who takes him on his quest to buy a dream for his mother. Can Jamie really buy a dream? You’ll have to get the book and then you’ll find out, like Jamie, “Seeing is believing and believing is seeing.”

I highly recommend this sweet book to children ages 5 to 8. It’s a feel good story that children will enjoy reading with their mothers. It shows a child’s love for his mother and a mother’s love for her child. It’s a good way for parents and teachers to show children that having a positive attitude, sharing special moments, and caring for others returns as much to the giver as to the receiver. 

Reviewed by:

Penelope Anne Cole

SLO Night Writers Golden Quill Non-Fiction Finalist 2017

Tri-Valley Writers Conference 2017 Prose Award

San Mateo County Fair Short Story Award 2017

Award Winning Author of Magical Matthew, Magical Mea,
Magical Mea Goes to School, Magical Max and Magical Mickey, and

Magical Max and Magical Mickey’s Big Surprise

In and Out, All ‘Round About – Opposite Friends

What’s for Dinner? and ¿Qué vamos a comer?

For Halloween: Ten Little Tricksters and Diez pequeños bromistas

My Grandma and Me Coloring Book

New:  My Grandma’s Pink House
Web/Blogs:  http://www.penelopeannecole.com/

GROWING UP DREAMS REVIEW

Growing Up Dreams

By Susan J. Berger

 

“Growing Up Dreams,” by Susan J. Berger, illustrated by Samantha Bell, is a delightful, rhyming picture book about a little girl’s big, wonderful, and wild daydreams about what she’ll do when she grows up. She shares her growing up dreams with her two cats, Quentin and Quigley. Her dreams are little girl dreams of living in a tree house, eating ice cream for breakfast, staying up late, having her own store, and her own zoo.

She tells her cats she’ll wear what she wants when she wants, and she’ll do what she wants. She’ll live in a magical world, with flying and dancing, no rules, and no homework. My favorite part is the end where she says she’ll use all her power to make people happy, give them good things, and she’ll share all of her dreams with her Mommy and Daddy.

Artist Samantha Bell has captured the magic of this little girl’s dreams in her colorful and playful artwork. Ms. Bell brings this sweet story to life with images that will entertain and touch both children and parents. The values of caring, helping, and sharing are beautifully presented in word and image. This is a great book for bedtime stories and read alouds. I highly recommend it for children ages 4 through 7.

Information on author and actress Susan J. Berger is at http://susanbjames.blogspot.com/p/childrens-books.html

Information on artist and author Samantha Bell is at https://www.samanthasbell.com/

Reviewed by:

Penelope Anne Cole

SLO Night Writers Golden Quill Non-Fiction Finalist 2017

Tri-Valley Writers Conference 2017 Prose Award

San Mateo County Fair Short Story Award 2017

Award Winning Author of Magical Matthew, Magical Mea,
Magical Mea Goes to School, Magical Max and Magical Mickey, and

Magical Max and Magical Mickey’s Big Surprise

In and Out, All ‘Round About – Opposite Friends

What’s for Dinner? and ¿Qué vamos a comer?

For Halloween: Ten Little Tricksters and Diez pequeños bromistas

My Grandma and Me Coloring Book

New:  My Grandma’s Pink House
Web/Blogs:  http://www.penelopeannecole.com/

MAMA GRACIELA’S SECRET REVIEW

MAMA GRACIELA’S SECRET

by Mayra Calvani

 

I enjoyed Mayra Calvani’s latest picture book, “Mama Graciela’s Secret,” illustrated colorfully by Sheila Fein It’s a pleasing book on many levels. At first I thought the secret in the book was Mama Graciela’s special recipe for bacalaitos fritos. But soon realized the book was about another passion of Mama’s; her love for the many cats attracted to her restaurant for her famous bacalaitos fritos. Then the book became more important and personal to me. 

As a cat and dog lover, I was quite concerned about Mama’s many, many cats. Children will enjoy the story moving from everyday, normal life to super, exaggerated storytelling. How will Mama Graciela handle the problem of oh so many—too many—cats? The solution given in the end of the book is perfect, satisfying, and inspirational. Highly recommended for ages 5 to 7.

Information on author Mayra Calvani is at 
www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com. 

Reviewed by:

Penelope Anne Cole

SLO Night Writers Golden Quill Non-Fiction Finalist 2017

Tri-Valley Writers Conference 2017 Prose Award

San Mateo County Fair Short Story Award 2017

Award Winning Author of Magical Matthew, Magical Mea,
Magical Mea Goes to School, Magical Max and Magical Mickey, and

Magical Max and Magical Mickey’s Big Surprise

In and Out, All ‘Round About – Opposite Friends

What’s for Dinner? and ¿Qué vamos a comer?

For Halloween: Ten Little Tricksters and Diez pequeños bromistas

My Grandma and Me Coloring Book

New:  My Grandma’s Pink House
Web/Blogs:  http://www.penelopeannecole.com/