“Peekaboo Pumpkin,” By Camilla Reid

Posted on October 25, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Something is Looking at You!

This cute board book has something to do on every page, including the cover–the eyes can be moved back and forth.  There are many slides to move.  Plus, the  pull-outs reveal something that is hiding, or adds to the book’s picture.  Children will find the back of the slides have a picture on them, too.  Last, but not least, there is a mirror when one of the slides is moved.

Little ones will love all the interaction they have throughout the book.  This volume is well-made, and is a very sturdy board book.  It is ready to stand up to lots of “love” small children give.  I speak from experience because my little granddaughter likes it a lot, and has given my copy lots of handling.  Despite that, it is still holding up well.

The colors and illustrations are bright and eye catching, and it will be liked by those who want a book that does something extra.  Children through three years old will enjoy this five-star book!

Thank you, Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Peekaboo Pumpkin,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

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“Shadows at Dusk,” by Elizabeth Goddard

Posted on October 21, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Surprising Answers!

Trevor’s sister disappeared a year ago, and he was not going to give up searching for her. He had left his job to follow her trail up to Alaska. He had found some clues to where she might have gone, but he needed help from someone who knew the country.

The 49th state is still wild and a lot of it is unexplored, he needed someone with experience if he had a chance of finding her. Carrie was a pilot who knew the area better than most, and he found himself begging her to help him.

Carrie has been hiding for ten years from her fiancé, who thought he had killed her in Africa. Her good friend Isaac had whisked the two of them away to hide in Alaska, and start an aircraft business. After a decade, she was going to leave in two days to meet a friend from Africa, and she had no intention of letting Trevor or anyone else delay her. That is, until the sudden death of Isaac, which she knew was murder.

Because of that, Carrie and Trevor had made an agreement. She would help Trevor track down his sister, and Trevor would find Isaac’s killer.

They were in for the adventure of their life, if they survived it. Despite being in the middle of nowhere, killers pursued them. If the harsh dangers of Alaska didn’t do them in, the people on their trail would. They risked radiation poisoning, being lost in endless tunnels of an underground cave, and the terrors of a place called the Mountain of Death. To make it worse, bad guys from their past pop up, too.

This story will keep you on the edge of your seat as you wonder who will survive. The faith of the characters adds realism to the clean tale. Fans of thrillers and mysteries will enjoy this five-star book.

Thank you, Revell Publishing, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Shadows at Dusk,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

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

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

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

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“Against the Wind,” by Amanda Cabot

Posted on October 20, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Staying the Course!

Louisa wants two things, to be a doctor, and to never return to her home town of Sweetwater Crossing. Sadly, she does have to go back, though she plans to stay just a few days. But then she finds a seriously injured man, Josh, lying in the road on the way into town. After setting his broken leg, she decides to remain until his cast comes off.

Josh is part of the family that owns a famous department store in New York City, and is competing with his cousin for the job of running the company. Whoever comes up with the best idea of a new addition to the store will win.

Unfortunately, the day his horse threw him and disappeared, all his plans vanished, too, since they were in the saddlebags.

While laid up, he is inspired to turn two buildings located in the small town into one. He intends to make them into a tearoom, and a gourmet gift shop. Among other things, it will sell items served in the tearoom. Louisa becomes a vital part of the plan by contributing lots of good ideas. Will this project win him the reins of the company?

Louisa is trying to get the town to accept a woman doctor in 1883 Texas. She faces many hurdles and dangers, including having her life threatened. At the same time, she is unjustly accused of things designed to keep patients away from her. Additionally, a man is pursuing her who wants to talk her out of being a doctor.

This is an exciting story that will keep you riveted to the pages. The character’s faith adds a good element to this clean tale. The story and characters will stay with you long after finishing this five-star book. Fans of compelling, well-written tales will love this!

Thank you, Revell Publishing, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Against the Wind,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabot

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/

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

 

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“Masala Chai, Fast and Slow,” by Rajani LaRocca

Posted on October 18, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrated by Neha Rawat

Making it Just Right!

Aarav is sure he can make the drink, masala chai, much faster than his grandfather, Thatha.  He and his grandfather, along with the entire family, enjoy drinking it together.  On his first try, he makes it much quicker than Thatha.  He does it by throwing everything into the pot, and not following the steps.  But when he drinks it, the taste is bad.

Next, he does things in order, but hurries through them. When he samples it, it is awful.  He keeps on working, but wonders if it will ever taste like Thatha’s.

This is a sweet story about a little boy who wants to do everything fast, and is sure his grandfather does things too slow.  Children will have fun learning the different things Aarav does when he tries to make the drink quickly, and what happens when it is tasted.  Even though this story takes place in Aarav’s culture, all children will identify with wanting to speed things along.  I liked that this story centers around a family, and that they do things together, including the special tradition of drinking masala chai.  A special bonus is the recipe at the end of the story.

This five-star, over-sized picture book will be enjoyed by children aged three through seven.

Thank you, Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Masala Chai, Fast and Slow,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

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“Grandpa is Here!” by Tanya Rosie

Posted on October 9, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrated by Chuck Groenink

The Ties that Bind!

The little girl in this story is both excited and shy when her grandfather comes to visit.  He has traveled hundreds of miles to see them.  He has brought treats from his own country, including, walnuts grown on his own trees.  The exotic herbs and spices he brings gives his suitcase a wonderful smell.

There are lots of things to show grandfather as they walk together outside.  Even though they speak different languages, the two have a good time, and find ways to communicate.  After the first day together, the little girl is already dreading the time he will go home.

This is a sweet story that celebrates the affection between a grandchild and a grandparent, showing that love can transcend many things including a language barrier.  Children ages three to eight will like this over-sized, five-star picture book, and will enjoy thinking about having a relative visit and stay with them.

Thank you, Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Grandpa is Here!,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

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“On Moonberry Lake,” by Holly Varni

Posted on October 7, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Returning Home

Life stopped for Cora when her mother took her away from the only home she had ever known. The two had lived happily along with her grandparents at their lakefront lodge. Without an explanation, when she was seven, her mother abruptly moved them away.

Cora never got an answer about why they left, and never saw her grandparents again–although she begged to see them. One day, her mother said her grandparents died. Many years later she discovered it was a lie. After they left, the relationship between Cora and her mother was never good.

When her mother passed away, Cora was surprised to find her mother owned her grandparent’s lodge, and had left it to her. But there was one stipulation, she had to live in it for a year, or get nothing.

The lodge itself was in terrible shape, and it had not been occupied for years. Everything was rotten, or ready to fall apart. Sam, a friend of her grandparents, said he would help her with the lodge if she stayed. The main question is whether or not Cora will be able to stick it out for a year. Up to that point, if things got hard, Cora left.

This is a unique story because of its large number of unusual characters.

The faith message is confusing. Although some Christian beliefs can be picked out, there are just as many, if not more, of new age or universalist tenets. It almost implies that belief can be a mixture of it all. Because of this, I can only give it three stars.

Fans of stories about women making a life in a new place will enjoy this book.

Thank you, Revell Publishing, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “On Moonberry Lake,” by Holly Varni for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

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“The Flower Quilter” by Mindy Steele

Posted on October 4, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Sewing Flowers!

This is her worst nightmare come true! Barbara is spending part of the summer in Indiana helping and quilting in her Amish grandmother’s quilt shop. Despite years of trying, Barbara can’t do anything but stick herself repeatedly with the needle, or constantly pull out her poorly done stitches.

After a few days of torture, her grandfather takes mercy on her, and finds her a different job. But it is with Melvin, who almost ran her over with his wagon the first day she arrived. He constantly seems to be in a bad mood, and always has a sour look on his face. Barbara dislikes Melvin so much, she is almost tempted to return to the quilt shop, almost.

Melvin is a landscaper, and Barbara is supposed to help him plant, and tend gardens. Getting her hands dirty is what Barbara loves most. Barbed comments, and head butting take place between them on the job. As she works, she suggests different ways to arrange the plants, a departure from the way Melvin has always done it.

For the first time in her life, Barbara is having romantic feelings for someone. She doesn’t know how anything could come of it since she will be returning home to Kentucky. Barbara will never live anywhere else, not even for a relationship. But she knows she will never be happy because part of her heart will be left in Indiana.

This five-star book has a great story line that keeps you absorbed until the last page. Fans of Amish stories, and well-written tales will enjoy this clean book!

Thank you, Barbour Publishing, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Flower Quilter,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

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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“Betty and the Mysterious Visitor” by Anne Twist

Posted on September 29, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

The Unwelcome Guest!

Illustrated by Emily Sutton

What is destroying grandmother’s garden?  One morning as Betty and grandmother are leaving, they see that a lot of Acorn Hollows, the garden, has been dug up during the night.

Her grandmother grows many things there such as blueberries, strawberries, and more, that she makes into jams. When Betty visits, she helps her grandmother make and sell them.

Betty wants to figure out what is digging up Acorn Hollows before her grandmother’s berries are next, and her favorite place to play is destroyed.

Youngsters will adore the story of visiting a loving grandmother, and the special things they do together.  Children will like thinking about the mystery of what is happening in Acorn Hollows, along with what Betty does.

Grandmother’s village, home, and garden illustrations are enchanting, and make this five-star book a treat for the eyes.  This picture book is hard-backed and over-sized.  Children ages three to eight-years-old will enjoy this special book, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you, Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Betty and the Mysterious Visitor,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

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“Lost and Found,” by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Posted on September 25, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Something to Crow About!

Trudy has loved Micah for years, but he only has eyes for birdwatching and her big sister, Shelley. In the year since Shelley ran away, Trudy and Micah have become constant birdwatching companions. A couple of times, it even seemed like Micah was going to kiss Trudy, much to her delight–but he didn’t.

Suddenly, Micah has become surely and is not talking, and the birdwatching with Trudy has stopped. He doesn’t care about anything including birds or Trudy. When she tries to find out what is going on, he is abrupt and mean.

Their Amish bishop, David, is worried their church is going to die because of a more liberal Amish congregation. It has moved into their community, and they are losing many of their young people to it. Other families are afraid their children will jump ship, too, so are moving away before that happens. David wonders if their entire church should move, but is not sure where to go.

Out of the blue, Micah suggests that the church move to Tennessee, and volunteers to scout a place out for it there.

Micah has a secret, and feels like he is over-his-head because of it

This is a fun Amish tale with a bit of a mystery, that covers serious topics, too. This clean story, along with great characters, will grab your interest right away. Both fans of Amish books, and well-written stories will love this. Get this five-star book!

Thank you, Revell Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Lost and Found,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

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

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/suzannewfisher

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

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“Lucky Girl” by Scout Bazzett

Posted on September 24, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Running with the Wind!

As an infant, Scout was found abandoned on the streets of China. She had been in a fire, and her right leg had to be removed. The amputation was done incorrectly, and caused her years of constant pain. Ironically, her Chinese name means lucky girl.

Her next eight years were spent in a filthy orphanage where she was mistreated, and starved. Despite her age, lack of food had stunted her growth. Scout was just the size of a toddler when she was adopted by an American family.

She believes she missed out on a lot by being raised by a white family, and living in a little town with a small population of Asians. Also, the private school she attended did not teach Asian history or lifestyle. Her family life was disappointing, too.

Her life changed when she began winning spelling competitions. Then, as a teenager, her parents took her to a doctor who got her a prosthesis that allowed her to run. Running allowed her to compete professionally, and win awards.

Scout experienced lots of setbacks to do that, but lots of joy, too. She offers advice about how to face disappointment, loneliness, and difficult aspirations.

She was raised in a conservative Christian home, but had a faith shift after attending UCLA where she was exposed to new ways of looking at the world. Because of that, she views God in a different way.

It should be noted there is a brief reference to her posing nude for a magazine, along with some use of profanity.

It took her years to be at peace with herself. Scout recommends that hard work and pushing through difficulties will allow you to reach your goals.

Fans of stories about over-coming hardships will enjoy this three-star book.

Thank you, Worthy Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Lucky Girl,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

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