Children's Book Review: Space Boy and the Snow Monster By Dian Curtis Regan

SPACE BOY AND THE SNOW MONSTER

By: Dian Curtis Regan

Illustrated by: Robert Neubecker

Published: October 10, 2017

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press

Fiction

If your child has a vivid imagination, then these Space Boy books will give him or her even more ideas for pretend play.

Niko's spaceship is buried in the snow so he takes his dog, Tag, and Radar the Robot along to investigate. Suddenly, Radar is captured by the Snow Monster (who looks suspiciously like Niko's sister). Niko unburies his spaceship and sets off to find Radar. Niko will have to battle through snow monster attacks, Tag being captured, and a Killer Bunny Spy before they can leave Planet Ice, hopefully with Radar as Co-Pilot.

The pages are so full of engaging illustrations, the kids will want you to turn the pages slowly so they can look at everything going on. Children will love looking for Radar buried in snow on the pages. Since this is the third book in the series ( see my review of SPACE BOY AND HIS DOG), you know there is likely more adventures to come. While Niko and friends are enjoying a cup of cocoa after returning from their adventure, another one looms out the window...until next time.

Dian Curtis Regan is the author of many books for young readers. Growing up in Colorado, she spent many a summer in her own backyard making up stories, like Niko. (Her sister appeared in none of them.) Dian has lived in Texas, Oklahoma, Venezuela, and Kansas. Now she is back on Planet Home, Colorado. For more info check out her website, diancurtisregan.com or spaceboybooks.com.  


To purchase a copy of SPACE BOY AND THE SNOW MONSTER, click the photo below:

I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama's regular Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. This is a place for bloggers to share posts related to children's and YA books. You will find spotlights, reviews, and sometimes even giveaways by clicking HERE, every Saturday.



Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Children's Book Review: Emily the Astronaut: The Space Case By Colette Omans Nicoletta

EMILY THE ASTRONAUT
The Space Case

By: Colette Omans Nicoletta

Published: February 27, 2014

Publisher: Beaver's Pond Press

Fictional Nonfiction

This is one of those great children's books that tells a fictional story while giving the reader nonfictional information about a topic. In this case, Emily dreams of being an astronaut and being the first girl to visit the moon. Even though her dad makes fun and says the moon is made of cheese, Emily is determined to find out the truth about the moon and what it takes to travel to space.

Emily and her family travel to Florida to visit NASA and there Emily learns everything she needs to know about how she can get to the moon someday.  With facts, photography combined with illustrations, and a girl with a dream, young readers will become excited about space. Children are encouraged to have a dream and then find out what it will take to achieve it and I have no doubt Emily will make her dream come true.

Colette Omans Nicoletta - source

Writing and illustrating children's picture books is a lifelong dream for Colette. She published her first book in December 2008, THERE'S A FROG ON MY FOREHEAD. It received a Mom's Choice Gold award and honored as a National Indie Excellence Award Finalist. Her second book, ALLISON INVESTIGATES launched in 2010 and is available in both English and Spanish. It also received a Mom's Choice Gold award as did EMILY THE ASTRONAUT.

Nicoletta was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After college, she spent time as a textile designer in New York City and industrial designer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Nicoletta is now a K-5th-grade art teach in Minnesota and lives with her husband, two children, and two cats. To see all of her books, click HERE. You can also visit her website, HERE.

To purchase a copy of EMILY THE ASTRONAUT, click the photo below:

I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama's Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. Other bloggers have the opportunity to link up any posts related to children's or YA books. Click HERE to see all the Kid Konnection posts.


A post from today, 6 years ago - 100 Days to Christmas!
A post from today, 4  years ago - Scenes from Our Week - Week 50
A post from today, 3 years ago - A Little Monday Inspiration 
A post from today, 2 years ago - Book Review: What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days By Holley Gerth 



Thanks to the author for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review: The Martian By Andy Weir

THE MARTIAN

By: Andy Weir

Published: February 11, 2014

Publisher: Broadway Books

Fiction/Science Fiction



It was certainly timely for NASA to announce this week that they have evidence of running water on Mars. That means life is possible on Mars, which makes THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir even more plausible. Even though I typically don't care for science fiction books, I gave this one a try after reading so many great reviews. The trailer for the movie version, which comes out October 2, 2015, shows Matt Damon finding a way to survive on Mars and intrigued me to check out the book. I'm so thankful I did because I absolutely loved it. I'm anxious to see the movie and see if it is as well done as the book.

Mark Watney and his fellow Ares 3 crew face a dust storm during their time on Mars, His crew has to make the heart-breaking decision to leave him behind when they assume he is dead. Mark awakens to find himself stranded on Mars with no way to contact NASA and no way to survive for the next few years on Mars.

Most of the book is Mark having a dialogue with himself and his journal entries describing his days on Mars. He is rational, literal and absolutely hilarious in his daily struggles to survive. I loved his sarcasm. Nothing is easy for Mark as he tries to find ways to create and store water, make oxygen, and grow potatoes, But, each failure breeds a success and a new way for him to survive. He spends his days watching 70's TV like "Dukes of Hazard" and "Three's Company" thanks to a flash drive full of them, His sarcastic comments related to these shows will make you laugh out loud.

NASA obviously assumes Mark is dead until a staff person who monitors the Mars satellite notices that items on Mars are moving. As she is put on daily watch, she realizes that Mark is in fact alive. The book then moves back and forth, giving us NASA's perspective as they try to find ways to get Mark home alive.

This book grabs your attention from the first page. It is fast-paced, creative, and full of technical detail that I actually found really interesting. Fans of the NASA space program and survival stories will find this a captivating story that will have you wanting to read it all in one sitting. Think of THE MARTIAN as a combination of "Apollo 13" and "Castaway".

Favorite Quote: "I'll spend the rest of the evening enjoying a potato. And by 'enjoying' I mean 'hating so much I want to kill people.'"


Check out the movie trailer:

Andy Weir - source

Andy Weir was first hired as a programmer for a national laboratory at age fifteen and has been working as a software engineer ever since. He is also a lifelong space nerd and a devoted hobbyist of subjects like relativistic physics, orbital mechanics, and the history of manned spaceflight. THE MARTIAN is his first novel. For more on the author, check out his website, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of THE MARTIAN, click the photo below:

I read this on my Kindle for my own enjoyment. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Children's Book Review: Space Boy and His Dog By Dian Curtis Regan

SPACE BOY AND HIS DOG

By: Dian Curtis Regan

Illustrated by: Robert Neubecker

Published: April 7, 2015

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press

Fiction

This book is just wonderful and perfect for a boy or a girl.  If you notice in the above photo, the title says SPACE BOY AND HIS SISTER DOG. The sister, Posh, makes an appearance in this novel and will make both boys and girls relate to having a sibling.

Niko has made a spaceship out of a box and is always looking for an adventure to take his dog, Tag and robot, Radar on. His sister is not invited on these adventures though. While looking for an adventure, Niko notices a sign that says "Lost Cat" so he takes his spaceship to the moon in search of the lost cat. The only problem is that there is a stowaway. Find out if Niko can find the missing cat and will make it back home in time for dinner.

The pages are vibrantly drawn with much detail and will keep even the youngest child interested just by looking at the pictures. The pages of the book are a thicker paper which makes it harder for the pages to tear and easier for the child to turn the pages. There is a lot of silliness and imagination in this story. I love books that encourage a child to pretend and be creative and this one does just that.

The author has more books planned for Niko and his spaceship. Be sure to keep these books on your radar. This series would make a great gift for your little creative pretender!

Dian Curtis Regan - source

Dian Curtis Regan is the author of many books for young readers. Growing up in Colorado, she spent many a summer in her own backyard making up stories, like Niko. (Her sister appeared in none of them.) Dian has lived in Texas, Oklahoma, Venezuela, and Kansas. Now she is back on Planet Home, Colorado. For more info check out her website, diancurtisregan.com or spaceboybooks.com.  

Robert Neubecker is an award-winning illustrator. He has drawn for the New York Times among many other publications, for forty years. He lives in Park City, Utah. To find out more about Neubecker and his many books, visit neubecker.com.

I'll be linking up this review with other book bloggers on Booking Mama's Kid Konnection on Saturday. Click HERE to see other great posts about children's and YA books.


To purchase a copy of SPACE BOY AND HIS DOG, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase a copy of this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you paying cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews. 

Review: Stanley in Space

Stanley in Space is the story of Stanley Lambchop and his family. The President of the United States has chosen Stanley and his family to become the first humans to fly in the STAR SCOUT, a new top-secret spaceship. Stanley's most exciting adventure is about to begin. He'll meet the Queen of England, have a birthday party in outer space, and save a whole planet of aliens from danger.

If you are familiar with the Flat Stanley books, this is written after Stanley is no longer flat. This is the first in the Stanley books that we have ever read. The boys were very interested through the whole book. The chapters included detailed photos and were short, so you could read 2-3 chapters a night. The story shows Stanley's characteristics of empathy, forgiveness, courage, creative thinking, and his love for his family. The story line is about Stanley and his family being chosen to travel to the planet Tyrra as US ambassadors. Even though it is completely "out-there", it is great for imagination purposes. Stanley's character is easy to identify with and a great role model for children. Stanley comes up with a plan to save all the people of Tyrra. He makes good choices and stands up for those in need. It was a story I enjoyed reading to the kids as well. Patrick even shared that he is reading Invisible Stanley at school during his individualized reading time. That is one book I am sure I don't have to worry about him reading.