Children's Books, and Other Cool Stuff

  Author Spotlight August 2022    Bio Hi! I’m Sybrina. I have been writing since I was a little girl. My Dad was my main influence. He could tell a story like nobody’s business. He would hold an entire room enthralled, wildly recounting his youthful adventures. I could never tell stories like that, but I found that I could write them down pretty well. A little aside about my dad that you might find interesting...he thought he made up my name, Sybrina, and he was proud of it. Once I made the mistake of asking him if I could have a nickname because Sybrina (Si [rhymes with Hi]-Bree-Nuh) is awkward name to pronounce. No one ever got it right. Well, that was the angriest He ever was at me. His answer was unequivocally “NO!” He said, “I gave you that name for a reason. Someday the world is going to know who you are, and you need a name they will remember.” I scoffed at such a notion at the time but maybe that little lecture is what has motivated me to keep writing and sharing ...

 I am very happy to spotlight an Author from UK this month, Please enjoy and if you have any comments please share them. If you are interested in a my spotlight Series please e-mail me to Spiritw74@yahoo.com  Author Spotlight September 2021 Review- “What’s an OG?” This book reminds me a little of Dr. Seuss. It combines beautiful illustrations with very simple rhyming words. It has a great flow that younger children will enjoy. I think it will be a good read for children 2- to 5-year-olds. The main character a wise owl, is talking to the audience trying do explain What is an OG? I can imagine this book being read in front of a classroom of pre-k to kindergarteners, and I can picture the children getting into it. I will give this one 4 stars because I believe the author could have played more with the rhyme and expand the book a few more pages. Overall, this is a great read and a book many young children can enjoy.         Mary Barry:  Auth...

  Author Spotlight August 2021    Biography Cheryl Cheatham is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. She has published 2 books, Perry the Sheep – The Search for The Magical Rainbow and Yaya the Sheep – Super Silly, Furry, Friends with a matching coloring book. Cheryl’s books are fun, silly, adventurous, and full of imagination. Cheryl loves writing and illustrating books with adorable animals and adventures that make kids smile. Cheryl loves giving back to her community. For each book sold, a book and the matching coloring book is donated to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and many other local children in need of a smile. Cheryl is a proud grandma, aka Yaya, of 3 little girls who love reading books that spread love, hope, and kindness. Questions Who was the inspiration for you to become an author? My inspiration is my 3 little granddaughters.   When Covid put our family on lockdown our time together completely changed.   ...

  Author Spotlight July 2021 Book Review- “ The Fastest Dinosaur .” Overall, this book by Mrs. Caren Cantrell tries to work with a simple concept of a dinosaur who is in a race for being the fastest runner out of his friends. Yet, at the same time he has a large heart and wants to help everyone. So, when he is challenged by another dinosaur to a race, he accepts this challenge and as he races, he comes to situations where he is asked to help others. The illustrations by Mrs. Amy Klein use simple colors and shapes to represent the characters really well. The one issue I found with this book is that it seemed not to tell the full story bringing in many characters that we knew nothing about. The characters even the main one, Enzo were very genetic and not realistic. It also lacked a story arc where a character has to grow in some way. I am not sure what the target age of this book is or what message it was trying to send it’s readers? It could definitely have used some more work and ...

Middle Grade Readers 1) One Dog and His Boy - Written by Eva Ibbotson, Published by Scholastic Inc. New York, NY 2014. Hal is just an ordinary kid with a large dream of owning a dog. On his birthday Hal is allowed to choose a pet that is when Fleck becomes a part of his life and an adventure begins after Hal finds him gone on Monday. Together with a girl named Pippa Hal rescues Fleck and running away is his only option, made trickier when Pippa announces that she and the other dogs want to come along. It not only teaches your children about the power of friendship and love  but it takes them on a journey through life. I highly recommend this book for your middle graders. Get out and pick up a copy today. 2) The Path of Names - Written by Ari Goelman, Published by Scholastic Inc. New York, NY 2013. Dahlia Sherman loves magic tricks, math and video games. She is not so found of campfire songs or lighting storms or mean girls her age. When she is placed in...

Picture Books Rip Van Winkle - Retold and illustrated by Will Moses, based on Washington Irving's book. Philomel Books a division of Penguin Putnam Books for young readers. New York 1999. This book is based on a  classical folk tale about a man who goes into the woods and falls asleep waking up many years later to a new world. This classic tale is retold with a combination of wonderful illustrations and words. It is probably better suited for the older child because of complex words and storyline. This new version brings a wonderful story back to our modern world. The storyline and sophisticated crafted words make it more suited for an older child.     Patti Cake and Her New Doll - Written by Patricia Reilly Giff and illustrated by Laura J. Bryant. Published by Orchard books New York an imprint of Scholastic Inc. 2014. The book describes one day in a life of a little girl named Patti and her home companions m...

Author Spotlight " Emmy Laybourne-   is a novelist and recovering character actress. She appeared in the movies Superstar and The In-Laws, the NBC series DAG and Comedy Central's Premium Blend, among other. Emmy lives in upstate New York with her husband, their two children, and a feisty, slightly judgmental, bearded dragon named Goldie.  Monument 14  is her fiction debut." Copyrighted by Square Fish, an imprint of Macmillian New York 2012.   Monument 14- Written by Emmy Laybourne, published by Square Fish an imprint of Macmillan New York 2012. I had the honor of interviewing Emma for my blog Children Books and other cool stuff. You will find the questions and answers below. Thank You Emma for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my six questions.   I'm so delighted to be here on Children Books and Other Cool Stuff! Thank you David, for having me on your blog! 1) What kind of children books, did you read as a c...

Middle Grade   Goosebumps Most Wanted Book 5 Dr. Maniac Will See You know- Written by R.L Stine Goosebumps book series created by Parachute Press Inc. Published by Scholastic Inc. New York 2013. What is a boy to do when a tunnel between different worlds is open bringing with it adventure and danger that can change earth forever. In this gross and funny story, it is up to the three children to save the planet from comic book villains who want to take over. Richard Dreezer, his younger brother Ernie, and the most popular girl, Bree Birnbaum need to join forces to accomplish this monumental task. This book is written in Richard's voice and has the same charm as other "Goosebumps" books. Your middle grader will most likely finish it in one sitting.    E very Soul a Star- Written by Wendy Mass and published by Little, Brown and company, Hachette Book Group, New York 2008. "One extraordinary event a rare solar eclipse brings together three unlikely friends:...