Children's Book Review: Lucy the Dinosaur: Nice to Meet You by Joey Ahlbum

LUCY THE DINOSAUR!
Nice to Meet You

By: Joey Ahlbum

Published: July 30, 2013

Fiction

eBook

I'm taking part in the PUMP UP YOUR BOOK Virtual Book Tour.  For other host sites on the tour and their reviews of the LUCY THE DINOSAUR series, click HERE.

I had the opportunity to read several of the books from the LUCY THE DINOSAUR series.  The LUCY THE DINOSAUR series is only available as an eBook and can be downloaded to your device via Amazon, Barnes and Noble or iBooks.

Lucy is a delightfully happy dinosaur who likes to hang out with her other dinosaur friends playing and being active.  Lucy likes adventure and exploring and having fun.  In LUCY THE DINOSAUR: Nice to Meet You, you will be introduced to all of Lucy's dinosaur friends and what they like to do most.  For example, Billy Bronto likes to tell jokes and Suzy Stegosaurus likes to play at the playground.  Even though they all are different and like a variety of things, they are all still friends.  Lucy's message is that you can still be friends and enjoy each other's differences.

I read others in the series including LUCY THE DINOSAUR: Learns Opposites, LUCY THE DINOSAUR: Summer Games, LUCY THE DINOSAUR: Count with Me 123, LUCY THE DINOSAUR: Playtime Fun, and LUCY THE DINOSAUR: Day at the Beach.  All of them were fun stories written for toddlers through preschoolers to enjoy.  The pictures are bright and colorful and display the silly antics of the dinosaurs.  I know our kids would have loved these stories at this age.  They would be anxious to see what Lucy was going to do next.

If you are looking for a fun new series for your child that encourages friendship, being active and having fun, this would make a great addition to your eBook library!  For just $.99/book, you can easily purchase the whole series.

Check out the whole Lucy the Dinosaur Seriesavailable on Amazon.

Joey Ahlbum

Joey Ahlbum was born and raised in New York City and Brooklyn.  After graduating from the High School of Art and Design and The School of Visual Arts, his career found him working on projects for Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and PBS, to name a few.  He is currently working on his ninth season of "Elmo's World" where he has completed over 50 episodes.  He currently lives with his wife and daughter on the Lower East Side.  For more on Joey Ahlbum, check out his website, HERE.

To purchase a copy of LUCY THE DINOSAUR: Nice to Meet You, click the photo below:



You can see all of Ahlbum's books HERE.

This post along with other Children's Book Reviews are hosted by BOOKING MAMA on Saturdays during her Kid Konnection Linky.  Click HERE to see other great Children's Book Reviews.  

I was given copies of the above eBooks in order to offer this review.  This review is my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  

Book Review: Grounded By Angela Correll

GROUNDED

By: Angela Correll

Published:  October 1, 2013

Fiction



Annie is a flight attendant who grew up on a tobacco farm in Kentucky, but now lives in New York City.  Annie was raised by her grandparents after her single mother died much too soon.  After Annie's grandfather died, she focused more on her work and less on her grandmother back on the farm because the memories hurt too much.  Then Annie loses her job to a airline buyout and finds out her boyfriend isn't the man she thought he was.  With no where else to go, Annie decides it is time to go back to Kentucky and face her memories.  Once she is there, Annie isn't prepared for what she feels and what lies ahead.

This is the author's first novel and she has based it on her own personal background of farming and promoting local food and resources.  I found the story quite easy to follow and the characters appealing. Annie is a likable character and you genuinely feel sorry for her when events turn her life upside down.  The story really kicks in gear once she returns back to her grandmother's farm and you learn all the history behind Annie's childhood.

The characters that live around the farm are funny, lively, and well developed.  You could almost imagine each one of them in your mind.  Beulah, Annie's grandma, was by far my favorite.  Throughout the story, Beulah imparts wisdom and truth by sharing her values and her faith.  As a woman who grew up during the depression, her farming and gardening methods are very important to the story and give it the basis for Annie's future in the story.  A lot of the sayings in the story like "Hard work is hard on the body, but good for the soul" reminded me of my own parents and grandparents.

As a child who also grew up on a farm and yet doesn't currently live on one, this story reminded me of all the things I appreciate about going back home.  The gardening, the canning, the horses, the sights and the sounds in this story all reminded me of home. The importance of farming takes center stage in this novel and will make you question where and how you get your food to feed your family.

The author adds a mystery character to the story that gives it a twist and keeps you guessing along the way as to her identity and reason for her secrets.  Even though her story is minor, it offers a nice balance and intrigue to the rest of drama.

I think this is a great "weekend read" and a story that you could share with your grandmother!  It will leave you feeling happy and nostalgic for family and home.

Angela Correll

Angela Correll is a seventh generation Kentuckian.  She has written newspaper columns about farming, family, and life.  She is the co-owner of Bluebird, a farm-to-table restaurant.  Correll lives on a farm with her husband, Jess, and an assortment of cattle, horses, goats, and chickens.  For more, visit Angela Correll's website at http://www.angelacorrell.com/.  You can "like" her on Facebook, HERE or follow you on Twitter, HERE.

I was provided a copy of this book for review.  I was not compensated in any other way for providing this review.  This review is my honest opinion. 

Book Spotlight: Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

STARRY NIGHT

By: Debbie Macomber

Published: October 8, 2013

Fiction

Even though Christmas is over 2 months away, I always like having a Christmas novel ready to read over the holiday season. It helps put me in the spirit of the season and this year, Debbie Macomber's newest book, STARRY NIGHT will be on my list.

The following is the promotional information about STARRY NIGHT...available today at your favorite bookstore or through the link below:

Tis the season for romance, second chances, and Christmas cheer with this new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge: She can cover any topic she wants, but only if she first scores the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.

Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a mega bestselling memoir about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone in the press, and no one even knows exactly where he lives.

Digging deep into Finn’s past, Carrie develops a theory on his whereabouts. It is the holidays, but her career is at stake, so she forsakes her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she even expected. And soon she is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.

Filled with all the comforts and joys of Christmastime, Starry Night is a delightful novel of finding happiness in the most surprising places.

I was able to read the first two chapters of this novel and I've been anxiously waiting to read the rest of it.  I love Carrie's charm, wit, and spirit and have a feeling this novel will leave me laughing and my heart full of joy.  Just the kind of novel to read over the holidays.  Debbie Macomber's novels are predictable but I am never disappointed after reading them.  Stay tuned to a review soon!

Living and Active Week Three Check In

Running isn't about how far you go but how far you've come.  
Bart Yasso, author/marathon trainer/runner

My week 3 check in fits in perfectly with the above quote.  When I first got my treadmill and started running, I really could only run for 30 seconds at a time.  I can now run for for minutes at a time and at higher speeds. Each time it gets easier. I can get sucked into a program I am watching and literally forget I am running. Other times it is a struggle and I am watching the clock and distance until I can stop.  But, knowing how far I have come is what keeps me going.

With my birthday this past week, my eating wasn't so great.  Birthday cupcakes, homemade strawberry pie, my mom's lemon meringue pie, and cheesecake all made for me, so I had to eat them! But, this week, I can get back on track with my eating and push myself a bit more on my workouts.  As of now I don't have a very busy week and should be able to easily work the time into my schedule.

Week 4 is going to be awesome!

Patience

Perseverance 

Positivity

Children's Book Review: How the Octopus Got Eight Arms By Yvonne Arroyo

HOW THE OCTOPUS GOT EIGHT ARMS
Two Arms are Never Enough

By: Yvonne Arroyo

Illustrated By:  Carl Wanzung

Published: April 12, 2013

HOW THE OCTOPUS GOT EIGHT ARMS tells the funny story of Oscar the Octopus.  When octopus, like Oscar, first came to sea, they only had two arms, like you and me.  The rest of the story is told in rhyme and shares how Oscar met and fell in love with Sharky McGhee, a shark.  Eventually Sharky and Oscar marry and are blessed with multiple versions of themselves and Oscar just doesn't seem to have enough arms to care for them. So, Sharky hatches a plan to get Oscar some help to handle all these babies.  You will just have to read the book to find out what it is.

I have had the book here for a few months, and in that time our daughter has read it several times.  She shared with me how she really liked the book and that she likes that it features the daddy taking care of the babies.  She IS a daddy's girl.

The illustrations in the book look like colored drawings and are quite enjoyable, depicting mother Sharky and father Oscar in their daily routines.

If you are looking for a children's book that depicts a happy marriage and a loving and devoted father as well as one that tells a cute story, this book is for you.

Yvonne Arroyo spent 32 years as a bilingual Spanish teacher for the Chicago and Trenton school systems. She has written several poems and chants for children and currently lives in Vacaville, CA.

Today I am linking up with Booking Mama in her Kid Konnection series.  Click HERE to find other links to great children's book reviews.  

Reflecting on Forty

A year ago I turned 40.  I struggled with the number.  I wasn't ready to be 4-0. Almost suddenly it seemed like I had a lot of changes related to turning 40.  My hormones went berserk! The grey hairs seemed to appear overnight. Additional rolls around my middle appeared and were harder to remove.  My sleep patterns turned wacky.  I got glasses that need to be worn daily. My joints are achy. I still haven't accomplished all the things I wanted to on my 40 Before 40 List (See HERE),

But, I also experienced many wonderful things in this my 40th year -

• A trip to California wine country with some of my favorite gals
• Treated to a Surprise party by my husband
• Watching our vibrant, healthy children participate and excel in their numerous activities
• Spending time with many loved ones near and far
• Nearly daily chats with my cousin
• Lazy weekends mixed in with hectic weekends experiencing life
• Many hours spent reading and enjoying friends on our porch
• Volunteering for groups that I care deeply about
• Drinking lots of good wine
• Reading lots of wonderful books
• Deepening my relationship with Jesus
• Spending a wonderful vacation with my toes in the sand
• Having a job that is flexible and allows me freedom to do the things I love
• Having a husband whose job is flexible, close by, and allows me to be flexible
• The joys of eating delicious food
• Laughter upon laughter with friends
• Conversations with our children

As you can imagine, I could go on and on with all the joys from my 40th year.  I'm sure I've even forgotten something significant.  Reading through this list brings tears to my eyes over the memories from this year. My point is, all that stuff in the first paragraph that frustrated me about turning 40 doesn't even compare to the joys I've been blessed with.  No, I don't have the most in-shape body. No, my house isn't immaculate or professionally decorated.  Yes, my counter has dirty dishes and my floors have dirty laundry.  But, I do have an amazing husband who loves me dearly and three gorgeous kids that make me proud every single day. For that I am extremely grateful.  What more could I ask for?

So, today, as I turn 41, I am truly so thankful for my many blessings: my husband, children, and my parents, my extended family and friends, our home, our community, and our livelihoods that make these blessings possible.

Join me as I continue to work on letting go of the worry, getting my body in shape, reading all I have time for, and enjoying the moments! Here's to 4-1!

Book Spotlight: Women Living Well By Courtney Joseph

WOMEN LIVING WELL
Find Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids, and Your Home

By:  Courtney Joseph

Published: October 1, 2013

I've been fortunate to be a reader of Courtney's blog WOMEN LIVING WELL for quite some time.  She has given me support, encouragement, and advice all without knowing me or my circumstances.  When she let us know about her new book, I knew I wanted to read it.  

Today is the day WOMEN LIVING WELL goes on sale and even though I haven't finished it, I wanted to tell you about it.  Life has been more hectic than I imagined and reading has had to take a back burner to other commitments.  Stay tuned to a review coming soon!

Courtney Joseph has written WOMEN LIVING WELL because she knows that women desire to live well. However, living well in this modern world is a challenge. The pace of life, along with the new front porch of social media, has changed the landscape of our lives.Women have been told for far too long that being on the go and accumulating more things will make their lives full. As a result, we grasp for the wrong things in life and come up empty.

God created us to walk with him; to know him and to be loved by him. He is our living well and when we drink from the water he continually provides, it will change us. Our marriages, our parenting, and our homemaking will be transformed. 

In WOMEN LIVING WELL, Courtney tackles the challenges of holding onto vintage values in a modern world, starting with the keys to protecting our walk with God. No subject is off-limits as she moves on to marriage, parenting, and household management.

Rooted in the Bible, her practical approach includes tons of tips that are perfect for busy moms of our generation.  WOMEN LIVING WELL will guide you in the process of fostering your faith, building your marriage, training your children (not matter what age) and creating a haven for your family. I have no doubt you will take away many truths and convictions after reading Courtney's words.



For more on Courtney Joseph and her website, visit www.WOMENLIVINGWELL.org, or "Like" her on FACEBOOK or follow her on TWITTER.

WOMEN LIVING WELL, is available today as a Kindle eBook or paperback.