Children's Book Review: Wonderful You: An Adoption Story By Lauren McLaughlin

WONDERFUL YOU
An Adoption Story

By: Lauren McLaughlin

Illustrated by: Meilo So

Published: April 25, 2017

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Fiction

I know so many wonderful families who have adopted children. Whether they were adopted from a foreign country, from here in the US, as older children or as babies, or after fostering them, every adoption story is different. But, the common theme in all of these stories is that these children were wanted, hoped for, prayed for, and loved.

There are so many books on children's birth and joining the family, but it is harder to find books for children to hear their adoption story. McLaughlin uses lyrical phrases and rhymes to tell a story of adopting a baby with a hint of magic.

The major theme in this story that is critical is that the birth mom desperately wanted to find the perfect parents for her baby. (In this story it is a girl, but parents could easily change the word to boy or child to fit their situation,) She searched all over and wanted to be sure the parents she chose would "love her every morning and night. And all time between, whether rainy or bright." Once the birth mom found the perfect parents, she beautifully hands her over and flies away on a dove. Then the stories show the baby growing up in a loving home sharing memories together. 

One of my favorite pages in the book

The illustrations are watercolor-like and give a warm tone to the story. The parents often appear to be floating on air, which to me shows the sheer joy they have over raising their daughter. When you are truly happy, you feel like you are floating on air. This would make such a wonderful gift for a family preparing for adoption. It is a book to be cherished and shared with their child again and again.

Lauren McLaughlin - source

Lauren McLaughlin grew up in the small town of Wenham, Massachusetts. After college and a brief flirtation with anthropology, she spent ten years in the film business as both a screenwriter and producer before turning her attention to novels. McLaughlin is the author of teen novels, as well as a children's picture book series. An adoptive mother herself, author Lauren McLaughlin was glad for an opportunity to memorialize her family's own fairy tale. For more, visit her website, HERE. 

Meilo So has illustrated many children's books. She was born in Hong Kong and lives in the Shetland Islands with her husband and daughter. To see her books, click HERE. 
To purchase a copy of WONDERFUL YOU, 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 link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Product Review and Promo Code: Brazilian Hammock Chair

Summers under the big shade tree in our backyard will be so much more enjoyable with our new Brazilian Hammock Chair. I can't tell you how excited our whole family is about this chair. I have a feeling we will all be fighting over it this summer.

This is an oversized hammock chair in green and blue stripes. It is quite durable and extremely comfortable. You can sit upright or spread out the fabric and lay flat in it while swinging in the breeze. We chose to hang ours from a tree in our backyard, but it could be hung on porches or decks as well. It's light so you could move it around and take it with you if you go camping, you just have to have the mechanisms to hang it. It does not come with the materials used to hang it, but they were easily found at our local home store. My husband had it hung up in less than half an hour. 

This hammock will make the perfect reading spot for the summer. I can't wait to enjoy it...if I can ever get my daughter out of it!

If you'd like to get your own Brazilian Hammock Chair, use promo code HAMMIHL1 for 15% off at checkout by clicking HERE. If you have Amazon Prime, you can get free two-day shipping and have this item for just over $20. 

Thanks so much to Breakthrough Premium Products for sending the product for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase this product 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: First Stories Fairy Tale Books and a Beauty and the Beast Coloring Book

FIRST STORIES: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Illustrated by: Dan Taylor

Published: February 7, 2017

Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books

Fiction - Board Book

This interactive board book is the perfect way to introduce your toddler to the hottest story in theaters right now, "Beauty and the Beast".  In a very simplified format of just eight pages, you can share the story of Belle and the Beast. Each page has a moveable activity such as a slider or a turning disc to change the picture on the page.

The cover shows Belle and the Beast.
Then when you pull the slide, the Beast changes to the Prince. 

Without going into much detail and using a rhyming scheme, a child can begin to experience the fairy tales so many children (and adults) love. Aside from the story and the vibrant illustrations, the child can also look for a fox hiding on the pages. In fact, there are so many adorable animals throughout the pages of this story including peacocks, hedgehogs, bunnies, and birds.

These high-quality board books will be a perfect addition to your home library. The interactive features and fully illustrated pages will keep toddlers busy in the car or during appointments.

FIRST STORIES: CINDERELLA

Illustrated by: Dan Taylor

Published: March 14, 2017

Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books

Fiction - Board Book

Cinderella is one of the very first princess stories that girls fall in love with. This series introduces Cinderella's story to the youngest fans by telling a much more simplified story through delightful illustrations and interactive pages.

Cinderella is introduced as the sister that has to cook and clean until her Fairy Godmother shows up and "ping" all her dreams have come true and she can go to the ball. Children will watch Cinderella transform by sliding sections in and out as she climbs into her pumpkin carriage. At the end of the story, they can even help Cinderella try on the glass slipper. There is a sleepy cat hidden in the pages for children to look for as well.

FIRST STORIES: RAPUNZEL

Illustrated by: Dan Taylor

Published: March 14, 2017

Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books

Fiction - Board Book

Rapunzel is probably a lesser-known story from the list of fairy tales, but gained popularity again when Disney remade it into a movie titled, "Tangled". This is a much more simplified version telling Rapunzel's story of being taken from her parents and forced to live in a tower while her hair grew long. When the prince heard her singing, he came to rescue her. Through rhyming scheme, cartoon illustrations and interactive pages, toddlers and young children will find a new fairy tale to love.

The pages of this book offer a hidden mouse to find. This story is a little darker than the other fairy tales as a baby is taken by a witch and then the witch cuts Rapunzel's hair to make the prince fall. But, reminding the child that it is all make-believe will help them understand the silliness of it. With a slider at the end to bring Rapunzel and the Prince together, your child will get to be a part of  the happy ending.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
A Coloring Book

Published: February 7, 2017

Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books

Beauty and the Beast fan of all ages must get this beautifully illustrated coloring book. The pages offer full-page illustrations of scenes from the story as well as quotations. Using quotes from the original story by Gabrielle-Suzanne Bardot de Villeneuve like "Beauty insisted on setting out for the fine palace.." and "My heart is good, but I am still a monster."  will thrill fans of the book and movie. 

If you like coloring flowers, birds, or victorian themes then this book is for you. The pages are a heavy cardstock, but a lot of the designs continue on both pages so you probably wouldn't want to tear them out and frame them. 

This coloring book is a way to share your love of the story with your child, coloring the pages together or as a reminder for yourself. Spend quiet evenings coloring in the detail of the flowers, or Belle's dress, or the Beast's castle. The end of the book shares the history of the story as well as the authors and illustrator. It's a treat for every fan of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

To purchase any of these books, click the photos 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 copies of these books for the purpose of this review. These reviews are my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the books 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. 

Book Review: I See You By Clare Mackintosh

I SEE YOU
A Novel

By: Clare Mackintosh

Published: February 21, 2017

Publisher: Berkley Books

Fiction/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense



I was sufficiently creeped out by this book, so much so that I didn't even want to read it. This merging of stalking with technology and media would make most of us question our daily routines.

Zoe Walker sees her face in a classified ad and knows she didn't place it there. She starts to wonder if she is seeing things and then notices other women in the ads during the following days. Only those women are now dead. Women in London are reporting things taken while on the tube, feeling like they are being followed, thinking people are in their homes, and then there are others who are raped or killed. Zoe finds a cop who will listen and the two of them are determined to find out who is behind this sick game before anyone else is hurt.

Zoe is a divorced mom of two adult children who live with her and Zoe's new boyfriend. They live next door to her best friend Melissa in London. Zoe takes the same tube to her job every day. She drops a coin in a musician's guitar case every morning. On her way home she stops by her friend Melissa's restaurant where her son also works. Her routine is easy to follow and predictable. So she is perfect for this twisted game that someone has created. She tries to ignore it until one day she is pushed in front of the tube and then a stranger pulls her to safety and tries to ask her on a date. Zoe realizes she is definitely part of this game and needs to have it stopped.

Unfortunately, this book moved pretty sluggishly for me. There was a lot of detail in the beginning about the various characters, Zoe's previous marriage, and the police case involving the other women from the ads. But, it just never went anywhere. The police kept ignoring Zoe's demands. Her family kept telling her that it was just a look-a-like in the ad and not her. The pacing was just too slow for me. When I am reading a suspense novel I want to be forced to turn the pages like mad because I want to know what is going to happen. With this one, I was just not interested and ended up skimming several chapters because it didn't seem to be necessary to the story. After a few chapters that feature women who have been followed, then the author slips in a page or two from the person behind the game. It's almost like a journal entry where the perpetrator is marking the women's moves and routines while mocking how easy they are to track. Those were the most creative and twisted parts of the story. It really showed the corrupt mind this person had to create this awful game and the author's ability to create an evil character.

As I eventually found out who was behind the crimes and the ads, I was pretty shocked and didn't see that person as being the one. But, then once it was revealed, the story seemed to be a bit unbelievable and rushed. There is another shocker on the very last page and left me with a feeling of dread. It was a disturbing novel to read and to end it in a way that left me feeling uneasy made me like the novel even less.

For readers who like a fast-paced thriller then this book isn't for you. But if you like books set in London or thrillers that keep you guessing with lots of side stories then you might like this one. Keep in mind the storyline can be disturbing for those who are sensitive towards violence against women.

Check out my review of Mackintosh's first book, I LET YOU GO.

Clare Mackintosh is an author, feature writer, and columnist. She has written for The Guardian, Sainsbury's Magazine, The Green Parent, and many other national publications, and is a columnist for Cotswold Life and Writing Magazine.

Clare spent twelve years in the police force, working on CID, in custody, and as a public order commander, and has drawn on her experiences for her books. For more on Mackintosh, check out her website, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of I SEE YOU, click the photo below:




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 link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Currently....4.18.17

It's been a bit quiet on the blog lately. As the co-chair of our post-prom things got pretty hectic for me. Then, once prom was over, I needed some recovery time. I did a lot of resting and finishing up some loose ends. All I have left to do is send out final thank yous and get the prom binder ready for the next group to take over. Post Prom was a huge success and I had such a great team working with me to make sure everything went off without an issue. It was a fun night. Here is our family with our handsome boys.

Now that prom is over, I feel like I can get back to reading and writing and I actually finished two books yesterday and am close to finishing a third. I am excited about the upcoming books on my to-read list and can't wait to get started.

I thought it would be fun to give you an update on what is happening around here. Thanks for sticking around even when I go quiet for awhile.

Currently, I am

Watching..........."Friends" on Netflix. It is my go-to show when I need to have something on in the background or while I'm doing dishes or folding laundry. I don't have to totally be tuned in because I practically know every episode by heart and they always make me laugh. For regular TV shows, all I am watching right now are "Dancing with the Stars" and "Survivor". They are the only two I make sure I watch on the DVR every week. I also try to catch up on "Fixer Upper" on the DVR when I can.

Reading................I have so many great books waiting to be read, but I've read a lot of heavy books lately, so I'm looking for something a little lighter and easier to read. I WILL ALWAYS WRITE BACK is one I just started and I'm loving it already. THE GARDEN OF SMALL BEGINNINGS has been getting a lot of buzz, Plus, I just love the cover! ONE MINUTE MENTORING is a short book and one I'm hoping will offer some new ideas for me in working at the school and with the various boards and committees I am on.

Listening to...........Laura Sullivan on piano. When I am working I really love to have piano music on in the background. It is calming and also helps me focus rather than listening to music with words. My favorites on her CD are Mountain Magic and Pachelbel for the Potomac.

Making...........banana bread. Our kids love this recipe.  I have a couple bunches of ripe bananas right now so I'll make up banana bread and put the rest of the bananas in individual baggies in the freezer for smoothies. I also have three cookbooks waiting to review so I'm looking forward to trying some recipes from each of them. Stay tuned.

Feeling.........emotional. Our son Patrick is 17 today. I feel like I blinked and he went from a one-year-old to a 17-year-old. Right now we are busy with track and he is having a great season so far. I can't even handle that we are talking college and future plans for him as well as senior pictures this summer. Slow. Down. Time. Please.

Planning.......... for two, weekend trips that I am taking in the next couple weeks. One is flying and one is driving. I'll be spending time with some of my favorite people that I don't get to see as often as I want so it'll be a great time. I'm also planning out what I need to read in the next several months. I am taking a trip with the school in June and then the rest of the summer is mine. I have really no obligations or commitments so I am planning lots of days reading on my porch. I can't wait!

What have you been up to lately?

 What are you reading and loving? 

This post does contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase from those 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: Millie's Farm Family Series by Cathryn Wellner

MILLIE'S FEATHERED FOSTER FAMILY

By: Cathryn Wellner

Published: April 8, 2016

Publisher: Espoir Press

Fiction

Millie, a pretty bantam chicken, is not able to lay eggs. When some of the farm chicks are left alone, Millie decides to take them in as her own. She takes care of them on the farm and shows them love and care. One day Farmer Cate adds turkey poults to her farm. When one is injured she decides to see if Millie would be willing to care for a turkey baby as well. Will Millie love Turkey Baby as much as the other baby chicks or will Turkey Baby have to find a new family to love her?

Wellner writes from her own experiences on the farm and shares this story of love and what it truly means to be a family. I think it is one children will enjoy and they will be rooting for Turkey Baby to find a loving home.

TURKEY BABY AND THE HUNGRY HAWK
Millie's Farm Family Book 2

By: Cathryn Wellner

Published: July 29, 2016

Publisher: Espoir Press

Fiction

The second in the Millie's Farm Family series allows children to watch Turkey Baby grow up on the farm. Turkey Baby doesn't feel like she fits in with Millie and her chicks and the other turkeys don't seem to want her around either. Then one day a hungry hawk tries to attack the baby chicks and turkey baby. Turkey Baby finds she has more courage than she realizes to fight off the hawk.

In this book, children get to see Turkey Baby and how she is fitting in on the farm. Children will also see Farmer Cate taking care of the other animals. These stories offer children a view of farm life from the animal's perspective and share a lesson on love, family, and protecting those we love.

TURKEY BABY FINDS HER MAGIC
Millie's Farm Family Book 3

By: Cathryn Wellner

Published: November 20, 2016

Publisher: Espoir Press

Fiction

Turkey Baby has grown up on the farm but she wonders what life is like outside the farm boundaries. So, she decides to take a trip down the farm driveway and see where it leads. Her day ends up being full of adventure and she realizes life on the farm is pretty lovely just the way it is.

Children will root for Turkey Baby as she has to confront her fears and deal with strange animals during her trip down the driveway. This book teaches children about courage and kindness towards others.

This whole series is a truly wonderful. The pictures of Wellner's farm animals help kids feel like they are part of the farm family as well. The animals show expressions of fear and love and children are able to see them grow through the pages of the book. These books are a real delight.

Cathryn Wellner - source

Cathryn Wellner is convinced when she says "never", the universe thinks she's making a wish. Farming was on her "never" list, but the years spent as a reluctant farmer were some of the richest story-filled of her life. That's when she met Millie and Turkey Baby and other animal friends. You can follow her adventures on her website, HERE.

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 author for sending copies of these books for the purpose of this review. These reviews are my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the books 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: History Series from Carole P. Roman

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN...ANCIENT GREECE

By: Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by: Mateya Arkova

Published: March 24, 2016

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Non-Fiction

Roman has taken her much loved cultural series IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN...and changed it to a historical look at ancient civilizations. The first in the series, Ancient Greece, explores the history of its culture through words and pictures. This series of books is written for an older group of kids rather than her series on countries. This series includes more historical details with more words on the pages. But, it still gives us the perspective of a child during that time in history to put kids into the time-period.

Ancient Greece is an important part of our own history including the foundation of our legal and government systems, our literature and philosophy, and even the Olympics. This is a perfect way to start the series by introducing children to one of the oldest cultures in our history.

The books are arranged much like the cultural series offering examples of names, the food you would eat, and what a typical day would look like if you grew up during the time of Ancient Greece. Children will learn examples of the language and be able to visualize the setting with the softly drawn illustrations.

I think kids would be surprised to read that children during Ancient Greece could drink wine because they were worried about water carrying diseases. I bet they would also think it is silly to imagine their father eating while reclining on a cushion and eating with only one hand during their supper time.

Children will also learn about the clothing people wore and the jobs their parents would do. There is also information about the gods that were worshiped during this time and what kids did for fun.

This book offers lots of information in an easy-to-learn format for upper elementary kids. This series is perfect for classroom reports or homeschool settings.

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN...ANCIENT CHINA
The Han Dynasty

By: Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by: Mateya Arkova

Published: June 26, 2016

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Non-Fiction

Ancient China goes back almost two thousand years to the year 150 AD. From 206 BC to 220 AD, the Han Dynasty ruled over China organizing the government and establishing one of the longest dynasties in its culture. During this time, poetry and literature were encouraged and porcelain was created.

Everyone in the family had an important role to play and the father was the head of the household. Other family members would also live in the house with you and your grandparents would hold a very respectful role in your family.

Arkova's illustrations show the beautiful silk kimonos worn by the women on ancient China as well as the furnishings in the home. Girls education was much different from the boys as girls were thought to not need an opinion and only need to know how to be a good wife and mother.

Religion and culture were very important to the Chinese and the back of the book includes a list of important people during ancient China as well as a glossary of terms. I think children will be fascinated by the extreme differences from the ancient China culture and today.

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN...THE ANCIENT MALI EMPIRE

By: Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by: Mateya Arkova

Published: December 13, 2016

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Non-Fiction

This piece of history is one most children will probably not know much about. Roman gives us the perspective of a child's life during the ancient Mali Empire. She chose to feature a child that grew up with privilege and is whose father was a general in the army. Because of this, readers will learn about the government and how kings and other respected leaders (like her grandfather) ran their empire.

I realized that I had much to learn from this book and found it's culture to be quite interesting. It didn't surprise me that much like the other books in this series, girls are not as respected as boys and their roles focus more on household and family chores. I think this series opens up an opportunity to have a conversation with girls and boys about how the roles of women and men have changed over that last several thousand years.

Arkova's illustrations show the vivid colors in their clothing and the simply shaped homes that were common in Mali, Her attention to detail including wrinkles in the grandfather's face and tears to show his emotion will show kids the importance of the history and retelling stories.

This particular book has won the 2016 Blue Ribbon Award from the Homeschool Review Crew as a Favorite History Supplement. It has also won the Best Series away for 2016 by Shelf Unbound. It's also been named a Top Back to Homeschool Resource.

Carole P. Roman

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the Captain No Beard series. Both Captain No Beard-An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life and Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis have received the Kirkus Star of Exceptional Merit. The first book in the series was named to Kirkus Reviews Best 2012. Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis has just been named to Kirkus Reviews Best of 2015. Each book in the series has won numerous awards including the NABE Pinnacle Award, ERIK Award for 2013, ForeWord Review Five Star and Finalist in the Book of the Year, and Reader's Views Children's Book of the Year 2013, Shelf Unbound Best Series, Back to School Resource Winner, IAN, National Indie Excellence Award, MoonBeam Award for If You Were Me and Lived in...Scotland. She is also the author of the award-winning non-fiction culture series If You Were Me and Lived in...exploring customs and culture around the world. She co-authored Navigating Indieworld: A Beginner's Guide To Self-Publishing and Marketing Your Book, which earned a 5 Star ForeWord Review Clarion Review. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children and grandchildren. Check out Carole's website, HERE. To see all the books I've reviewed by Roman, click HERE. 

To purchase the above books, click the photos 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 author for sending a copy of these books for the purpose of this review. These reviews are my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the books 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.