“Love ABC,” by Jannie Ho

The ABC’s of Love

This is an adorable board book of ABC’s with the theme of love.  Every page has an item that features a different letter of the alphabet, in order.  Each one has something to do with love.

For instance, K shows a baby bunny getting a kiss, T is a teddy bear holding a heart, and V is a valentine covered with hearts.  Both the upper case and lower case of the letter is shown.

You and your child will have a nice bonding time looking at this together while you point out the different things that mean love.  This book is full of sweet illustrations with bright colors sure to catch a child’s eye.  This is also a great way to learn the alphabet.

Anytime of the day is perfect for this book, as well as, anytime of the year.  Children from birth through three-years-old will enjoy this book.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Love ABC,” by Jannie Ho, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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Gluten Free Egg Roll in a Skillet

This is all made in one skillet, and is really delicious!

Sauce

6 tablespoons coconut aminos

5 tablespoons water

1 tablespoons oil

1/2 teaspoon molasses

3 teaspoons swerve

1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/4 teaspoon gluten-free buffalo sauce

1 teaspoon gluten-free sweet chili sauce

Pork

1 onion, chopped

2 pounds ground pork

salt & pepper (to taste)

½ tablespoon oil

Vegetables

½ tablespoon oil

16 oz pre-purchased tri-color coleslaw, important to get tri-color

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1/4-inch piece fresh ginger or 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of ground (dried) ginger

Cooked rice, we like Jasmine rice

 Sauce:

Whisk together the following ingredients in a small measuring cup, and set aside:

Six tablespoons Coconut aminos, 5 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon molasses, 3 teaspoons swerve, 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon sweet chili sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon buffalo sauce.

  • Start cooking pork:

1 chopped onion, 2 pounds ground pork, salt & pepper

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion and pork. Lightly season with salt & pepper, and stir-fry to break up the meat JUST until no longer pink. Use paper towels to drain.

  • Brown pork:

Place the skillet back over medium-high heat. Add ½ tablespoon oil and continue stir-frying until the pork is cooked through and browning, it adds a lot of flavor.

  • Deglaze:

Once the pork is browned, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the skillet to deglaze. Scrape all the browned bits off the bottom of the pan and stir them into the pork mixture. This is an important step, all the flavor is concentrated there, plus doing this prevents your skillet from scorching later. Remove the pork to a bowl and set aside.

  • Cook cabbage:

Place the same skillet back over medium-high heat. Add ½ tablespoon oil, then add the tri-color coleslaw and stir fry, this can take up to 20 minutes or more, depending on your desired doneness.

  • Add garlic and ginger:

Reduce the heat to medium. Stir the garlic and ginger into the cabbage and stir fry until fragrant, about 3 – 4 minutes.

  • Finish stir-frying:

Add the pork mixture to the cabbage, along with the sauce (whisk through the sauce one more time before pouring it into the skillet.) Increase the heat to medium-high and stir fry for a few minutes, until the sauce is coating the food evenly and the cabbage is done to your liking.

Serve immediately over cooked rice, we like Jasmine rice.  If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped cilantro over individual plates.

  • Consider serving this sauce on the side: mix 1 cup gluten-free mayonnaise or sour cream with 2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce, and ½ teaspoon sesame seeds.
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“Will You Be My Valentine?” by Cristina Petit

A Sweet Board Book

This is a sweet board book that has a variety of cute animals wanting to be the reader’s valentine.  Each animal not only presents a valentine but loves something about the reader that is like them—the fox likes how clever you are, the dog likes how playful you are, and the lion likes how brave you are.

In the end, an entire group wants to be the reader’s valentine.

Children will love the idea of being a valentine, let alone with a whole bunch of adorable animals.  All of us want to be wanted, especially children, so this is topic they will relate to. This book will bring lots of smiles on Valentine’s Day and all throughout the year.

This special book would also be great for bedtimes, naptimes, and other times that calm is wanted.  The illustrations add even more to this cute, five-star book.  This will be enjoyed by children through three-years-old.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Will You Be My Valentine?” by Cristina Petit, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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“The Bird of Bedford Manor,” by Michelle Griep

Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire

Juliet and her aunt are starving, penniless, and have nothing to eat in 1820’s England. The only way to get food is to poach it on Henry Russell’s land, but if Juliet is caught, the punishment is death. When the inevitable happens and she is caught, Juliet’s life depends on helping Russell find the person threatening his sister, Charity. If she does that, Russell will not press charges.

So begins a cat and mouse game as Juliet uncovers possibilities, while the culprit remains at large. The danger mounts for Charity; then the danger is also aimed at Juliet. The identity of the person may not be discovered before one, or both, of the ladies die.

There is a lot of excitement in this story. Death threats increase, as the villain becomes more brazen. You will be glued to the story as things become worse, in different ways, for each Charity and Juliet. All the while, you will also be trying to solve the mystery of the person behind everything.

I really liked this book, it is every bit a five-star story, if not more. Despite all the things happening in this tale, it is kept clean, and the character’s faith, or lack of it, is included. Fans of mysteries and excitement will enjoy this.

Thanks to Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Bird of Bedford Manor,” by Michelle Griep, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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

The Author’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/michellegriep?lang=en

The Author’s Website: www.michellegriep.com

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“Sib Squad,” by Steve Breen

Adventures with the Youngest Kids

The three youngest children in a family of seven feel left out. Because of that, they formed a club, and named themselves the Sib Squad. They then have wonderful adventures of their own.

They want to give their sister an amazing birthday present, a sea monster. So, they construct a glass bottomed boat in order to do that. But they didn’t really think out their plan, and their sea monster hunt is much different than they thought it would be.

In their next adventure, they discover a flying carpet–at a garage sale. They have many places they want to fly to, but they don’t end up being in the places they meant, despite the name.

There is lots of fun, adventure, and humor in store for readers of this graphic novel. This is a great book that will bring lots of smiles, if not full-blown laughter. Sea monsters, and flying carpets have never been like this!

Five to nine-year-olds will love this five-star book.

Thanks to Worthy Kids, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Sib Squad,” by Steve Breen, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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“Take the Horse and Run,” by Haylee Graham

The Incredible True Story of a Horse Fleeing for His Life–and the Girl Who Would Stop at Nothing to Save Him

For the Love of a Horse

All her life, Haylee was around horses, and loved them like family members. When she was a young girl, Cartier became her horse. Haylee’s childhood deteriorated because of her parent’s multiple divorces, and the dysfunctional home life that followed after each one. Cartier became her best friend, and her only confidant during that time.

Because of the bad choices adults in her life made, Cartier was taken from her through legal maneuverings. She spent years trying to get him back, rescue him from life threatening situations, or trying to live without him. Sometimes, she crossed the line, legally.

This is Haylee’s story of the many hair-raising things she went through. Along the way, she not only met God, but became His follower. While Haylee discovered many people let her down, God was a different story.

Fans of true stories, or horses, will enjoy this five-star book.

Thanks to Tyndale House Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Take the Horse and Run,” by Haylee Graham, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/haylee.graham.256107/

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

The Author’s Website:  https://www.hayleegrahamwrites.com/

 

 

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“Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer,” by Anne Blackburne

The Course of True Love is Never Smooth

Lizzie is only willing to go on her honeymoon if Jane takes care of her bakery, and her beloved cat, Little Mouse. Lizzie is barely gone when Little Mouse disappears.

Samuel, Jane’s crush since grade school, has volunteered to try to find Little Mouse, along with helping with repairs at the bakery. Unknown to Jane, Samuel, has liked her since they were children, but was also responsible for her hurtful nickname, Plain Jane.

Samuel has not wanted to admit his responsibility for the nickname, so has wasted many years not telling Jane how he feels.

Out of the blue, an interloper starts trying to steal Jane’s affections. Just when it seems Samuel will make a clean breast of things, and tell her his feelings, everything blows up between them.

All kinds of things start going wrong, including Samuel’s life hanging in the balance. Jane is devastated by that, along with the continued loss of Little Mouse.

This is a very enjoyable story that will draw you in–you won’t want to stop reading it. There are lots of twists and turns, along with some very interesting side stories.

I liked that the faith of the characters is included, that this is a clean read, and the way it ends. Fans of well-written Amish tales will enjoy this five-star story.

Thanks to Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer,” by Anne Blackburne, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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

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

The Author’s Website:  https://www.anneblackburne.com/

 

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“The Winter of the Dollhouse,” by Laura Amy Schlitz

And They All Lived Happily Ever After!

If you’ve ever felt like an outsider looking in, this story is for you. Tiph is a girl who is obsessed with the miniature world of dollhouses, and the dolls in them. Her heart is set on a doll named Gretel, but there’s a catch: the store owner has banned Tiph from the shop, leaving her to stare longingly through the window.

Things change when Tiph meets Szilvia, an older woman who loves dolls and dollhouses, too.  Szilvia hires Tiph to take care of her pets.  The two become friends.  Szilvia listens, and gives attention, to Tiph, something her dad and stepmother don’t have time for.  Life is getting better for Tiph.

But one day, Tiph does something wrong, so bad, Tiph surprises herself.  Tiph is afraid that if it is discovered, her parents, and Szilvia will never forgive her.

This is a great story.  You will experience, along with Tiph, wonderful things, and hard things—and what Tiph thinks and does.

The choice Tiph makes in the end may surprise you.

A cool part about this book is the way it’s told. There are two narrators: Tiph and Gretel, the doll.

Children aged eight through thirteen-years-old will enjoy this five-star story.

Thanks to Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Winter of the Dollhouse,” by Laura Amy Schlitz, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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“Dastardly Deeds Down on the Farm,” by Cynthia Hickey; Linda Baten Johnson; Teresa Ives Lilly; Janice Thompson

4 Cozy Farmyard Mysteries

Out in the Not So Peaceful Country

Enjoy four different mysteries that each have a rural twist:

“Hog Wild,” by Cynthia Hickey

Shelby tries to uncover who took her champion hog, Big Red. At the same time, her high school sweetheart shows up as the town’s new vet. Ten years ago, he left cutting things off badly between them, and she hasn’t heard from until now. Shelby doesn’t know if she can survive the dangers she uncovers, along with the feelings for her old flame.

“The Dark Side of the Moo,” by Linda Baten Johnson

Liv returns home to help her parents with their dairy farm. Cows are sick, some have died, and things go from bad to worse. The disliked vet is found murdered in their barn, and Liv is the suspect. Trying to clear her name, Liv finds someone may have deliberately made the cows sick, and now her parents are ill. Will her knowledge be the death of her?

“Fowl Deed,” by Teresa Ives Lilly

April needs money to pay off a huge debt to the bank. She also needs money to keep her dad in the retirement home he enjoys. To make money, April started raising chickens to sell their eggs, along with opening a gift shop with a chicken theme.

Recently, she turned her home into an Airbnb to bring in more money. But Jeff Barr is trying to pressure the bank to foreclose on her. He wants her property for a deal that will make him rich.

When Jeff is found dead, April is the number one suspect. She must find out who really did it before she is put in jail.

“Searching for Sunshine,” by Janice Thompson

Jessie has taken every penny that friends and family gave her to save the farm, to use on the stud fee for her hose. She is hoping the foal will bring in enough money to save everything. But the night she arrives where it will take place, her horse is stolen.

Suspects are everywhere. As Jessie tries to sort it out, she finds herself having feelings for the son of the stud farm’s owner.

The culprit in this one has a twist.

All these mysteries are five-star. I like that they include the character’s faith, along with some fun, and suspense. Pick this up, and read these tales one-at-a-time, or have them all at once. Either way, you will enjoy yourself.

Thanks to Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Dastardly Deeds Down on the Farm,” for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

The Author’s Websites:

Cynthia Hickey:  https://cynthiahickey.com/

Linda Baten Johnson:  https://www.lindabatenjohnson.com/

Teresa Lilly:  https://teresalilly.wordpress.com/meet-teresa/

Janice Thompson:  https://janiceathompson.com/

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“How the Forest Feels,” by Wendi Silvano

More Than a Hike

In this book, a grandson and grandfather go on a hike together on a beautiful fall day. They will find all kinds of things that will involve one or more of our five senses.

Our senses are: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

The boy and his grandfather experience all five of those things while out for their walk. The book also states there are more than forty textures in this story.

This tale will inspire a child to pay attention to the things around them that touch their senses. Maybe they will want to take a walk with their grandparent, or another adult, to explore these things.

Also included are instructions to make a texture mystery box, which is a fun way to learn about textures.

I like that the book warns children not to explore things in nature alone. It is best to take an adult along because there are things that might be poisonous or cause pain.

Children ages four through seven-years-old will enjoy this five-star picture book.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “How the Forest Feels,” by Wendi Silvano, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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