“My Bicentennial Summer,” by G. Neri

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Becky

An Epic Road Trip

The author, Greg, was eight-years-old when our country celebrated its two hundredth birthday. The year was 1976 and the celebration was called the Bicentennial.

Washington D. C. was going to have a huge celebration with a parade for the 4th of July.  Greg’s family decided they would take a family trip to see the United States and part of it would include being in the capital for the celebration.  Greg, his parents and two brothers left their California home for a 7-week road trip in their station wagon with their pop-up tent to sleep in.

As they traveled across the country, they saw amazing things like the Grand Canyon, the time his dad had to chase off a couple of bears and the white sand dunes, to name a few.  They visited cousins in Texas who had 13 children who loved to play tricks on Greg and his brothers.

Unfortunately, as they traveled further south, they also witnessed a family that would not be served food because of the color of their skin.

They learned other things, too, like the realism of war when they saw reenactments of battles in the Civil War.  The family made it to Washington D. C. to join half a million others who crowded in for the celebration.  Despite the crowd they decided to experience the celebration in Philadelphia, too, including watching awesome fireworks.

The family had an epic trip that included much more.  Lots of it are captured in photos in this book, along with lists from the young Greg of things he experienced such as rattlesnake in a can and Amish buggies.

This was truly an adventure of a lifetime for the family and it is fun experiencing it with them in this book.

I highly recommend this 5-star book it is both entertaining and educational.  Although it is written for 7- to 10-year-olds, I and others of a certain age (I’m talking to you, Boomers) will find it will be a nostalgic journey taking us back in time.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “My Bicentennial Summer,” by G. Neri, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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“Is This Spring,” by Helen Yoon

Posted on April 25, 2026 by Becky

Achoo!

Spring is here and so is an excited puppy dog.  He takes his over-the-top energy outside where he romps around in the new growth and makes snow angels in the dirt.

He is having a great time until he starts sneezing, and sneezing all over the place.  Allergies have brought his fun to a halt.

Just when he thinks everything is over for him and he won’t be able to go outdoors, he comes up with a hilarious way to go outside and not sneeze.

Just like children, the puppy shows his excitement and joy by running around.  Little ones will identify with him, and like the idea of doing that themselves.  They might even know someone with allergies.

The author does a good job of weaving in funny moments.

As you read, pause and ask your child: “What would you do if you were that puppy and couldn’t stop sneezing? How would you get back outside?” Enjoy what you two talk about. Then, prepare to laugh out loud at the puppy’s actual solution.

Children three to seven will enjoy this five-star picture book.

Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Is This Spring,” by Helen Yoon, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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“A Heart on Consignment,” by Mindy Steele

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Becky

More Than Just Plain

Salina’s mother has told her she is too plain to attract a husband. She tells Salina she must change basic things about herself if she has any hopes of getting a man.

Her mother has been embarrassing her by inviting single men for dinner hoping to pique their interest in Salina. It has been super awkward and a little heartbreaking to see Salina deal with that kind of pressure at home.

When a tornado strikes nearby, their Amish community is asked for donations and volunteers to help. While volunteering, Salina works with Seth, a guy from out-of-town, staying with his relatives who is a total grump. He’s surly and ill-tempered, but Salina decides she’s going to win him over with kindness.

There are more donations than people have needed and the excess is kept at the farm belonging to Seth’s uncle. Salina’s dream comes true when it is decided all the excess donations will become part of a shop where people in need can pick things out. She had been wanting to help people like that for a while.

Working together, Salina and Seth become such good friends that she asks Seth to pretend to court her to stop her mother’s cringey matchmaking dinners.

The two have such a good time together, their courtship seems real. Just as Salina suspects their relationship might have promise, Seth literally disappears. He leaves a short note, then she hears nothing from him.

Her mother immediately tells Salina things would have never worked out and discourages her from having any hope about Seth.

It seems this might become a story with a sad ending, but this tale has more to it. This sweet Amish story has a nice ending despite all the roadblocks. This five-star book will appeal to fans of Amish tales and well-written stories.

Thanks to, Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “A Heart on Consignment,” by Mindy Steele, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mindy.h.steele

The Author’s Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14181261.Mindy_Steele

The Author’s Website:  https://mindysteele.com/

 

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“Pick a Perfect Egg,” by Patricia Toht

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Becky

The Easter Egg

The beginning of this story starts with hens laying eggs, then goes on to the dying and decorating of the eggs and finishes with the Easter Egg Hunt.

Children will love finding out that eggs come from chickens.  They will also like discovering the many ways to decorate them. The book mentions things like natural vegetable dyes, tablets dyes from Easter Egg kits, and using stickers, glitter and markers.

My family was excited when reading about the Easter Egg Hunt. It was fun hearing about the children finding the eggs and the good time they had afterward eating them.

This is a special book celebrating everything involved in an Easter Egg Hunt.  Little ones will not only enjoy this during the Easter season, but during the rest of the year, too.

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The illustrations have wonderful colors that add to the charm of the story.  This tale is told with a rhyming verse that will tickle the ears of all who hear it.  Children ages three to seven will enjoy this five-star board book.

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Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Pick a Perfect Egg,” by Patricia Toht for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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Bar-B-Que Green Beans, Gluten-Free

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Becky

8 slices Bacon, chopped

1 Onion, chopped

2 Tablespoon Coconut Aminos or Worchester Sauce, if you can have it

1 Cup Ketchup

1/2 cup Powdered Swerve, or sweetener of choice

2 Tablespoons Molasses

1 teaspoon Honey

2 cans French Style Green Beans, drained, it must be French Style

2 drops of Liquid Smoke

Microwave the bacon until done.  Cook onions in bacon grease.  Add all the ingredients, including bacon, but not the green beans and simmer at least two minutes, or until it is thickened to correct consistency.

Spread drained green beans in the bottom of a greased 9 by 13-inch pan.  Pour the bacon mixture over the top, but do not stir–this is very important, do not stir.

Bake at 350 F degrees for 30 minutes.

This is an easy, new take on beans that is delicious!

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“I’m a Bunny,” by Carly Blake & Ilustrated by Matthew Scott

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Becky

Awesome Shaped Book

This is an adorable board book; seven baby animals such as a puppy, a kitten and a foal, are found in this.  Each page gives some information about an animal along with the animal’s sound such as meowing or barking.

Although the story in this is great, what is eye-catching about this book is the way the pages are cut out. The pages are cut around the heads of the baby animals, so the heads and ears are featured.  Also, each page is a bit wider and taller than the one in front.  That way, a stair step effect is made with the pages and it is lovely to look at.

That makes this book both great to hear and to see.  Additionally, the illustrations are wonderful, and sure to get your little one’s attention.

You will make great memories with your child while the two of you read this book together.    It is fun to make more of the animal noises while reading this but be prepared for giggles if you do that.

This five-star book will be enjoyed by babies through three-years-old, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “I’m a Bunny,” by Matthew Scott, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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“Where’s the Chick, Duck & Bunny Springtime Boxed Set,” by Ingela P. Arrhenius

Posted on April 4, 2026 by Becky

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Three Adorable Books

You get three adorable lift-the-flap books with this set.  All the books have felt flaps that are lifted to reveal the answer to a question.  At the end of each book, when the flap is lifted, there is a mirror.

All the books are made well of high-quality materials and have nice hardbacks.  But most of all, they are very endearing, to both children and the reader, alike.  There is something for a child to do on every page layout.

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You will make great memories with your child as you read these together.  Expect squeals and laughter as the two of you lift the flaps to adorable animals, or the funny faces you make in the mirror.

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The three books are: “Where’s the Chick?”  “Where’s the Duck?” and “Where’s the Bunny?”

These five-star books will be remembered with fondness and smiles.  They are sweet, filled with great illustrations and fun.  The children in my house adore all three volumes, and I think everyone else will, too.  Babies through four-years-old will enjoy these.  I highly recommend this set.

Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Where’s the Chick, Duck & Bunny Springtime Boxed Set,” for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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“Deadly Currents,” by Elizabeth Goddard

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Becky

Get Ready for Action from the Start!

Cressida, a writer, is finishing her dad’s book about ghost ships. Due to a fatal accident, he didn’t complete it. Nothing remarkable has happened to her until she goes to the last location.

Suddenly, her life is threatened, she is being followed and her dad’s manuscript is stolen. Happily, the local county detective, Braden, has taken a special interest in protecting her.

Unknown to Cressida, her mother, who Cressida is not speaking to, hired Braden, to watch over her.

Lots more people and things are not what they seem in this tale. There are twists and revelations that you will not see coming. Throughout it all, a ghost ship is at the center of the story, if it really exists.

Cressida must face shocking news about her father’s death and deal with her relationship with her mother–even though that is the last thing she wants to do.

The author is excellent at weaving the character’s beliefs into the story without it feeling forced.

It’s impressive how the story manages to be “clean” while still maintaining genuine peril. It proves you don’t need graphic content to keep a reader’s heart racing!

Although part of a series, this story stands on its own. This is full of thrills, mystery and danger.

All of Ms. Goddard’s books are good, but this one is my new favorite. Fans of mystery and intrigue will love this five-star book.

Thanks to the author for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

 

The Author’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethGoddardAuthor/photos

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://x.com/bethgoddard

The Author’s Website:  https://elizabethgoddard.com/

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“This Superhero Needs Your Help!” by David LaRochelle and You

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Becky

You Get to be The Superhero!

Dr. Dreadful is causing problems all over town.  He is stealing candy from babies, tearing apart playgrounds, and even taking paintings.  It is up to you to stop him.

This interactive board book contains a dry-erase marker. You use it to draw yourself stopping Dr. Dreadful from doing these horrible things.  Now is your chance to be a superhero and save the world.

Besides this being lots of fun, when you are finished, everything can be wiped off and done all over again.  (Directions says to do this as soon as you are finished using a damp paper towel.)

Children love being a superhero, so, this book will be right up their alley.  Not only do they get to create their own superhero name, they can change the way they stop Dr. Dreadful with a swipe of a towel.

Besides fun, this book encourages creativity and problem solving.  It is always great to learn new things while having a good time.  This five-star book will be enjoyed by children ages four through nine-years-old.

Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “This Superhero Needs Your Help!” by David LaRochelle, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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“The Beginners Quilt,” by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Posted on March 7, 2026 by Becky

From Thimbles to Heartbreak: A Surprising Amish Journey

Emma has never felt so punished in her life. Instead of staying in the open air and the outdoors, she’s been “exiled” to her grandparents’ house for a summer of domestic boot camp. Her family is convinced that without mastering the art of cooking and sewing, she’ll never find an Amish husband.

She hates both those things with a passion. Emma was made to be outdoors–fishing, working, anything outside–not indoors in a stifling house being taught things she hates.

The reality of her summer is painful. Her fingers are covered with pinpricks from disastrous attempts with the needle. Her grandfather doesn’t mince words about how terrible her meals taste. Things hit an all-time low when her new friend, Ivan, witnesses one of her culinary catastrophes firsthand.

Amidst the terrible food and crooked seams, Emma discovers she has a talent for quilting–and she loves doing it.

Ivan and Emma begin to get serious, even thinking of marriage. Suddenly, even though Ivan swears he loves Emma, he tells her they are breaking up, and he is marrying someone else. Emma is shattered.

Heartbroken, Emma returns home, where she finds her sister involved with a man the entire family is against.

Even though Emma starts dating another man, her heart isn’t in it, she only has eyes for Ivan. Emma is sure she will live her life as a quilt making spinster.

But things might change again for Emma when she has one more conversation with Ivan.

The beginning of this story seemed a bit predictable until suddenly it wasn’t at all, and the pace moved at lightning speed. I was glued to the pages to learn what was going to happen.

This is a five-star clean, wholesome, and deeply engaging Amish romance–with a twist. Whether you are a dedicated fan of Amish fiction or just love a well-paced story with heart, you won’t be able to put this one down.

Thanks to, Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Beginners Quilt,” by Wanda E. Brunstetter, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/wanda.brunstetter/

Wanda E. Brunstetter Twitter’s:  https://x.com/WBrunstetter

Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Website:  https://wandabrunstetter.com/

 

 

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