We are thrilled to take part in the One Big Canvas Awareness Book Tour. One Big Canvas: The Masterpieceis a delightful and insightful book that uses colorful paintbrush characters to help children understand what autism is. The book never mentions autism verbatim, instead it talks about the different ways someone with autism might act. This makes it seem not so scary or odd for kids and helps them to accept other’s differences. It is reassuring that all is okay even though some behavior is different.
I think this book is a great resource to use with your own children or in a school setting. Tolerance and understanding is what we need to impress on kids when dealing with everyone’s uniqueness. Helping children understand and accept that not everyone is the same and that is okay, can help them embrace these differences instead of being afraid or annoyed by them.
The other book I was sent, One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay dives a little deeper into how to interact with kindness and understanding. The paintbrushes are excited for their new friend Clay’s visit. They go about preparing a banner to welcome him. However, when Clay arrives, his loud voice is too much for Paul who covered his ears and rolled up in a ball. Clay asks the other brushes what’s wrong with Paul who kept repeating it was too loud. Reese steps up to tell Clay that loud sounds bother Paul and that they try to speak low.
Clay learns that Estelle will stop humming when she is ready and that Jerry loves boats and ships so much he talks about them over and over. When Clay gets annoyed, Reece steps in again and reminds him of the importance to be caring and kind. When Clay thinks it over, he comes back in the shape of a ship. He explains it’s for Jerry to have a fun trip. Clay does not forget to let Paul know that they will quietly float on the blue painted waves. All the brushes jump onboard and show kindness and compassion is the way.
I think both of these books help convey the message that everyone is unique and the things we may at first think are annoying may be something more. Instead of responding with anger or frustration, it can help children understand that there may be other reasons why someone hums low or says the same thing over and over.
ABOUT THE BOOKS
One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece
Written by Jay Miletsky
Illustrated by Luis Peres
Ages 3-9 | 24 Pages
Publisher: New Paige Press | ISBN-13: 978-0578496382
Publisher’s Synopsis: Join a spunky collection of paintbrushes as they set out to create a grand masterpiece.
When some of the brushes don’t cooperate, is it because they are misbehaving…or is there another reason entirely? In this story, young readers are introduced to some of the behavioral differences in their autistic peers.
Without ever mentioning any particular challenge or disability by name, this story helps children recognize and understand what autism is, and impress upon them the importance of showing kindness to those who are different, wrapped into a fun story with lighthearted, engaging characters.
They worked through the day, then stopped and admired,
the wisdom their now-painted canvas inspired:
their painting was perfect, It all meshed just fine,
with its colorful circles, and angry green line.
It was a true masterpiece, not one thing was wrong,
Publisher: New Paige Press | ISBN-13: 978-0578496382
Publisher’s Synopsis: The brushes are back! Join Reese, Estelle and the rest of the gang in the art studio in another adventure as they learn the value of kindness and understanding.
When Clay comes to visit from the other side of the art studio, the brushes are excited to welcome their friend. But when a few of the brushes start acting differently, Clay needs to be reminded that it’s important to be accepting:
“Some brushes are different, so we like to remind,
it’s kind to be caring, so take care to be kind.”
Will Clay leave the brushes in frustration, or will he learn to mold his thinking as he comes to understand and accept that brushes have different abilities and challenges? Without ever mentioning autism or any particular disability, The Molding of Clay helps introduce children to the behavioral differences of their autistic peers, creating an opportunity for discussion. It helps teachers and parents impress upon them the importance of understanding, acceptance and kindness, through a fun, lighthearted story with quirky and colorful characters.
The REED Foundation for Autism is committed to providing individuals with autism the opportunity to learn, live, work and thrive at every stage of their lives. For more information, please visit https://www.reedfoundationforautism.org.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a ‘One Big Canvas’ book series prize pack!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece
A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay
A $50 Amazon gift card
Two (2) winners receive:
A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece
A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay
The giveaway begins April 23, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT, and ends May 23, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
I have partnered with The Children’s Book Review and the REED Foundation for Autism in this book tour. While I received the books to facilitate my review, all opinions and views are 100% my own.
This post is sponsored by Harvest House Publishers. As always, my words and views are 100% my own.
Motherhood Requires Grit and Grace
New devotional book offers moms of young children encouragement and spiritual nourishment
If you’re a mom, you have probably felt like you were failing at some point or another in your parenting life. I think we can all relate to days that almost everything seems to be going wrong. When your toddler has a major meltdown in the middle of a store, when you are running on empty and still have a full list of things to do or when you compare yourself to the supermoms who seem to have it all together, it is easy to think we have failed. However, the truth is, you are good enough and you are doing the best you can. If you need encouragement and support, there is a book called Grit & Grace and it is full of devotions for warrior moms like ourselves.
This refreshing collection of 90 daily devotions comes from two moms who’ve found themselves face-to-the-floor in need of encouragement and now offer it to you. Through humor and vulnerability, these short messages of truth remove the filters of perfection clouding your vision and bring clarity to your purpose as a mom. As you read the Scripture and prayer that accompany each day’s message, you’ll discover more fully who you are in Christ and how to raise your children to reflect His love to the world.
The book is filled with chapters written by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin and Gretta Kennedy that will relate to many aspects of your life as a mom. When you are feeling low, picking up the book and finding out you are not alone is very comforting as is reading the prayer at the end of the chapter. It gives e the ability to forgive myself and start anew. It is a beautiful thing to know we can always do better with God’s Grace.
Hang in There, Mama!
For those moments when you think you’ll never live up to the Supermoms around you—when you’re elbow deep in the grind of diapers and laundry and peanut butter sandwiches—you need a good dose ofGrit and Grace. In giving yourself grace, you will find you have even more grace to give from the One who is present in your life right now and in every moment.
Q: How did the two of you team up to write Grit & Grace?
Suzanne Hadley Gosselin (SHG): I was in the throes of raising three young children who were 5, 3 and 18-months old, and it occurred to me one day that I was depleted in every way, but especially spiritually. I found that ironic, since my husband is a pastor and I’m a Christian writer. I had many spiritual resources easily accessible to me, and yet I was still struggling. I also realized that it wasn’t good because in this season of raising young children I really needed Jesus, arguably more than ever.
Around that same time, I had a conversation with my 3-year-old daughter about how I could no longer fit into my “fanciest dress” (my wedding dress) because I had gotten bigger when I had babies. Her reaction floored me. Her eyes sparkled and she said, “Was I one of the babies in your tummy that made you get bigger?” My daughter could see the beauty in something that I had allowed to make me feel like a failure. I realized, then, that God uses these years to teach mamas so many wonderful truths through their children.
Meanwhile, God was laying it on Gretta’s heart to encourage moms of young children. Gretta studied women’s ministry at Multnomah where we met and were college roommates and had a knack for connecting with women and meeting them where they’re at. We were talking on the phone one day and realized that God had given us the exact same vision to provide digestible devotions for moms of young children to encourage and strengthen them in their role as mothers. That’s when the idea of Grit & Grace was born. Q: Who did you write Grit & Grace for? What stage of motherhood will get the most encouragement from reading your book?
SHG: We wrote Grit & Grace for moms of young children. We’re looking at the season that encompasses babies, toddlers and early elementary school. Many times, if they have multiple children, mamas are navigating all of these stages at once. While the stories focus on the young children years, the truths from God’s Word apply to mamas (and even grandmas) at all stages. We have had Grandmas comment that they feel encouraged to show greater intentionality toward their grandchildren. Q: What does it mean to you to have grit and grace?
Gretta Kennedy (GK): Having grit is pushing through the hard stuff of motherhood with determination and laser-focus on the end goal of raising children who love and serve Jesus. Having grace means realizing that God offers you peace, rest and help in this season and as well as being kind to your children and especially yourself! Q: Can you describe the format of the book? How much time does each devotional take to read?
SHG:Grit & Grace is a 90-Day devotional, and our concept was to provide quick-read nuggets of truth for busy mamas. These devos should take no longer than five minutes to get through, and the Scripture passage is included so you don’t even have to go find your Bible. The idea is that these can be read in the tiny spaces in a mama’s day—while the kids are napping or she’s nursing the baby. Each daily devotion includes a true story of motherhood and delves into a spiritual truth that was learned through the experience. Each devotion also includes a prayer to allow busy moms to respond the devotion in the moment. Q: When is the best time for you to do your own devotions? Early in the morning, during nap time or after the kids are in bed? GK: The few times I was able to sit down and actually read my Bible when the kids were little, I found that naptime worked best for me. I was never awake enough in the morning, then I’d be completely exhausted at night. During the time my kids were tiny, I often felt like a failure in this department. That’s when I learned my devotional time needed to be throughout the day. I wrote verses on notecards and put them up in the kitchen cupboards. I played worship music all day long. I wrote messages on my bathroom mirror. Those were the ways I found I could consistently have my quiet time. Mommy brain is pretty mushy, so I took it in little spurts. I recited the same verse over and over and eventually, those were the sweetest messages I got from God.
SHG: I do best when I have devotional time interspersed throughout the day. I like to pray and listen to worship music while I’m loading the dishwasher. When I want to go a little deeper, I usually dig in after the kids have gone to bed. Like Gretta, I have often felt like a failure in this area. I want to be an amazing mommy, but I neglect the One who can help me. One of the reasons I wanted to write a devotional like this was to help exhausted moms like me, who couldn’t seem to find the time and space for daily devotional time.
Gretta Kennedy
Q: Before you had children, what did you expect motherhood to be like? What surprised you most when you became a mother? GK: I did a lot of babysitting as a kid and young adult, so I at least knew that kids aren’t perfect, and taking care of them can be pretty tiring. But the thing that surprised me the most was the huge responsibility of motherhood. I was the one who needed to be the expert on my child. No one else would know her like I did. Also, being a mother is totally different from being the babysitter! I was responsible for everything…not just this little person. The house, the food, the everything…oh yeah, and the children.
SHG: I have worked with kids since I was a teen. In fact, I met my husband when he struck up a conversation with me about children’s ministry. I always assumed I’d take to motherhood like a fish to water. I was wrong. The stress of being a mom revealed many of my weaknesses, such as being unskilled at managing our home and all the little demands of motherhood. It also revealed my selfishness as I was pushed to put others before myself again and again.
Q: What was one of the biggest pressures you felt as a new mom? In what ways did you feel insecure? GK: I wanted to do everything right and have the perfect child. I wanted to be super mom. I wanted to be super wife. And I think that pressure came from within me, not so much from outside influences. I quickly learned that I was human and couldn’t do it all…especially maintain a clean home, serve a healthy dinner on time, and be everything my husband needed as well. It was impossible. I had to find a different and new rhythm and realistic expectations.
SHG: I struggled with not feeling cut out for motherhood. I was awkward interacting in mom circles, and I didn’t feel as knowledgeable as other moms. I kind of bumbled through the daily mechanics of caring for children. In my 10-year career as an editor at a major Christian organization, I had felt competent every day and received steady praise for my contributions. For the first time in my life, I felt like I wasn’t “good” at my job and though my babies were adorable, they didn’t offer me the kudos for my work I’d received in the workplace. I compared myself to the super-moms around me and saw myself coming up so short. As a perfectionist, it was an adjustment to find that, in some ways, I wasn’t a natural at being a mom. God had to take me on a very specific journey of accepting who He made me to be and realizing that He had teamed me up with my kids, with both my strengths and weaknesses in mind. That was powerful.
Q: Suzanne, you write that your spiritual life took a hit after you became a mom. In what ways?
SHG: Spiritual disciplines have always been an area of weakness for me. Even before kids, I struggled to meet with the Lord at a consistent time each day. However, I did find time to get in the Word daily and received consistent spiritual input through working at a Christian organization, being plugged in at church and attending multiple Bible studies during my single years. I had my first child a year and a half after I got married and decided to stay home. I quickly became isolated and overwhelmed and struggled to find time to even crack open the Bible. I felt too tired to pray. I realized many of the struggles I was experiencing, such as a negative view on life, conflicts with my husband and anger toward my children were the bad fruit of a life that wasn’t connected to the True Vine. But it was more difficult than it ever had been to sit at Jesus’ feet and be refreshed by Him. Q: Gretta, you write about losing your identity when you became a mom. Was it something you realized all at once or was it gradual? What would you like readers to realize about their true identity? GK: I had quite the cool job before I became a mom, and I loved what I did. A young newlywed and capable and trusted in an outdoor adventure-based ministry, I found great fulfillment in my marriage and career. When our daughter was born, my life was consumed with her. Being a good mom and knowing my daughter’s every need became my top priority, and I genuinely loved it. But around the 6-month mark, it dawned on me that every conversation I had with others always revolved around mom life. It no longer mattered what I did prior to becoming a mother, and no one really cared anymore about my relationship with my husband. It was all about my daughter. I had become just a mom.
I really struggled with that because I felt there was so much more to me, but none of that mattered anymore. “Mom” was it for me from here on out. Then God reminded me very clearly that titles are not my true identity. My identity needs to be found in him alone because that will never change. So truths like “daughter of the King” and “chosen” and “forgiven” became the identities I tried to focus on. This is so important for moms to remember. The little children years are so demanding that we can forget how God sees us. We are so much more than moms. We are redeemed! We are gifted! We are loved! If we can keep our identity centered as God sees us, then as we go through changes in life, our foundation won’t be shaken and we will be more free to live as God truly intended.
Q: What are some of the topics you cover in the devotionals?
SHG: We talk about perfectionism, comparison, joy, gratefulness, fear, rejection, weariness, calling, tenacity (grit) and hope (grace). Our subtitle is Devotions for Warrior Moms, and that is how we view mamas. They are on the front lines guiding their children to God’s truth and aiming them at the target—Jesus. Grit & Grace talks about the gamut of emotions mothers of young children face, both good and bad. Q: Do either of you have a favorite devotional in the book?
SHG: My favorite devotional is titled “(Gingerbread) Man Down.” I talk about how my daughter accidentally broke two gingerbread men ornaments that had been a gift from a coworker. They had sentimental value, and I yelled at her when she broke them. A few weeks later, she presented me with a new gingerbread man ornament. It was gaudy and glittery and painted with bold colors. She told me, “Mommy, this gingerbread man is even more beautiful than the ones I broke.” In the devotion, I talk about how that is what God does for us. He fixes our broken places and gives us something more beautiful than what we started with. Q: As your kids have started to grow up, what are some of the things you miss about having kids at the youngest stages? GK: I miss the simplicity of sitting on the couch and reading stories, the chair in the kitchen while they help mix ingredients, and the funny ways the kids pronounced words and phrases!
SHG: Mine are still pretty young, but with the older ones, I miss their absolute need and dependence on me…just wanting to be with me every second for no apparent reason. Isn’t that a picture of my Heavenly Father and me? I am absolutely dependent on Him and should crave to be with Him every day. And I miss all the kisses and hugs. My 2-year-old is still the best at those!
Q: If moms only take away one thing from reading Grit & Grace, what do you hope they learn?
SHG: We hope they will feel encouraged and empowered that God has chosen them for their specific children. They are called to this. There are so many sweet moments that come along with the difficult ones. As one pre-reader said, “Grit & Grace is helping me treasure hunt for grace in the challenging moments of motherhood and remember to savor the sweet moments I want to be etched deep into my heart forever.” Yes. That.
My husband and I were just talking about our weekend plans. I cannot believe the weather took a nosedive today and I was freezing riding my bike this afternoon. It is just another reminder of how fast time is flying by. We did get to do some apple picking earlier this month but we wanted to go once more and go to a pumpkin farm near us that has so many activities for the kids.
As we sat contemplating how we can fit this all in, I just felt inadequate. All over social media, I can see other families packing so much in and it sometimes makes me feel…so stressed. If you feel that way too, you might really like, Too Blessed to be Stressed by Debora M. Coty. Debra is the best-selling author of the Too Blessed to be Stressed series and she decided to write an edition specifically for moms. I can tell you how happy I am she did!
In Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms , Deb offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help frazzled moms of all ages hear God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos.
Do you feel like you’re drowning in the everyday stress-pool? . . .
Wish you could make busy-ness a business so you’d be a millionaire? . . .
Welcome to the maternal order of slightly sagging sisters of the ‘hood. The motherhood.
With her own offbeat brand of wit and near-wisdom, popular inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of moms drowning in the churning stress-pool of busyness. In her beloved mom-to-mom, grin-provoking style, Coty offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help you hear Papa God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos.
Whether you’re struggling with stress related to attitude, time-management, guilt trips, patience, or something in between. . .this humor-filled volume will deliver a much-needed smile and equip you with simple-to-implement tips for attaining the peace we all crave—the peace that passes all understanding.
Check out the book trailer video below.
Debora M. Coty is a popular humorist, speaker, and award-winning author of numerous inspirational books, including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed line. Deb considers herself a tennis junkie and choco-athlete (meaning she exercises just so she can eat more chocolate). A retired piano teacher and orthopedic occupational therapist, Debora currently lives, loves, and laughs in central Florida with her husband, Chuck, and three grandbuddies and one grandprincess. Stay in the loop with Debra Coty on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
I am here to tell you about a great new middle age novel, A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always By The Ocean. When Davy’s fifth grade class uncovers the secrets of their peculiar town in a series of linked tales that pair the whimsy of Sideways Stories from Wayside School with the delightful eeriness of Welcome to Night Vale.
Welcome to Topsea, the strangest place you’ll ever visit. In this town, the coves are bottomless and the pier has no end in sight. There’s a high tide and a low tide… and a vanishing tide. Dogs are a myth, but mermaids are totally real. And seaweed is the main ingredient in every meal—watch out, it might just start chewing you back!
New kid Davy definitely thinks Topsea is strange. His mom keeps saying they’ll get used to life in their new town—it’s just the way things are on the coast! But after his first day at Topsea School, Davy finds himself wondering: Why is his locker all the way at the bottom of the school swimming pool? Why can’t anyone remember his name? (It’s Davy!) And why does everyone act like all of this is normal?!
This is such fun book for your middle school child or to read aloud. It is a book both kids and parents will thoroughly enjoy.
Giveaway:
Disney Hyperion is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky reader will win a hardcover copy of, A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean! Thank you to Disney Hyperion for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US Residents.
A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Are you ready for the third and final installment in the Shadow Magic trilogy? Burning Magic, by Joshua Khan is available now, so your wait is over! In this sizzling adventure, Lily the sorcerer queen and Thorn the giant-bat-whisperer journey to the Sultanate of Fire to help their friend K’leef in a no-holds-barred contest for the throne.
When Lily, aka the “witch queen” and bat-rider extraordinaire Thorn travel to Sultanate of Fire, things go terribly wrong. Instead of celebrating a reunion with their old friend K’leef, they are thrust into royal murder, an epic quest, and a deadly battle for the throne.
While investigating the murder, Lily learns shocking truths about her life that could destroy all she has achieved. Yet, among the ruins of her old life, she has the opportunity to become someone greater . . . and more terrifying.
Thorn and the magnificent bat, Hades, join the timid K’leef and the idiotic Gabriel Solar in a quest to find a phoenix. These fire birds are the key to saving the sultanate, but they nest within the Shardlands. The boys must defeat not only the monsters of that magical wilderness, but also rivals eager to claim the throne for themselves. Rivals that include a renegade from House Shadow.
Giveaway
Disney Hyperion is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of Burning Magic! Thank you to Disney Hyperion for the review book and for sponsoring this magical giveaway! Open to US residents.
Burning Magic Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
If you are the parent or grandparent of a middle school age child, I want to tell you about the new release of a fast-paced, mind-boggling, middle grade mystery-adventure that is THE AMBROSE DECEPTION (On Sale February 13, 2018) by Emily Ecton,
Book Summary
Melissa is a nobody. Wilf is a slacker. Bondi is a show-off. At least that’s what their middle school teachers think. To everyone’s surprise, they are the three students chosen to compete for a ten thousand-dollar scholarship, solving clues that lead them to various locations around Chicago. At first the three contestants work independently, but it doesn’t take long before each begins to wonder whether the competition is a sham. It’s only by secretly joining forces and using their unique talents that the trio is able to uncover the truth behind the Ambrose Deception–a truth that involves a lot more than just a scholarship.
With a narrative style as varied and intriguing as the mystery itself, this adventure involving clever clues, plenty of perks, and abhorrent adults is pure wish fulfillment. This clue-based scavenger hunt is perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.
Booklist raves that THE AMBROSE DECEPTION is: “A rollicking adventure, a Westing Game–style mystery, and a heartwarming reminder that anyone can be greater than the sum of their parts.” Readers will be on the edge of their seats as an Amazing Race-style competition among three kids unfolds. With clever clues, a surprising twist, and quirky characters, this fast-paced adventure with, is sure to intrigue readers who enjoy solving puzzles.
Do you have a middle school child that would like this book? Let me know.
If you are a regular Mommy Ramblings’ reader, you know we have been fans of Carole P. Roman’s books since her very first children’s book came off the presses. That is why I am thrilled to be part of this blog tour for her new book, Oh Susannah: Things That Go Bump.
This is such a great book! As a mother who is a passionate reader, fostering that excitement and love of reading in my children, is very important to me. Finding books that captivate their interest is crucial to me. This book does exactly that!
Susannah Maya Logan is not having a good day. I think all kids can relate to that. She does not want to go to her best friend, Lola’s sleepover. Sounds strange doesn’t it? What kid does not want to go to her best friend’s sleepover? Well, the reason is, Susannah thinks Lola’s house is big and spooky, not to mention, a ghost is said to live there! Beyond that Susannah’s big brother, Kai, loves to tease her with scary stories. What big brothers don’t? Scaring little sisters seems to come with the big brother job description. I should know, I have 3 older brothers.
As Susannah goes through the day, she sees people dealing with things that scare them. Her sight-impaired friend, Macy, is terrified of unicorns. Imagine that, I guess she doesn’t know how people are going crazy over unicorn everything. Another boy at a party is frightened by clowns. Who could blame him? With all the scary clowns around in the news and movies, I don’t think he is alone in that fear. Susannah’s teacher is afraid of getting a cold. I can relate to that, I hate when people come to work or school sick.
All of this helps Susannah to see that everyone is afraid of something. Everyone except Lola. Susannah wishes she could be more like her best friend who is not afraid of anything. At least she thinks Lola is not afraid of anything.
Susannah learns that people all have different ideas of what is scary and what is not, they are the only ones that can determine the difference.
I really enjoyed reading this book with my kids, because my youngest son has some fears that can make him miss out on things. This story provided a springboard to discuss exactly that. It opened a dialogue, I think many parents will find useful. Best of all, it was natural to discuss my son’s feelings as they related to Susannah’s fears. This book is for kids 7-10 years old, but can be read aloud to younger children too! The book is illustrated by Mateya Arkov
Enter to win an autographed copy of Oh Susannah: It’s in the Bag, Oh Susannah: Things That Go Bump, and Oh Susannah: Color with Me, by award-winning author Carole P. Roman—plus a set of 48 colored pencils!
A copy of Oh Susannah: It’s in the Bag, autographed by Carole P. Roman
A copy of Oh Susannah: Things That Go Bump, autographed by Carole P. Roman
A copy of Oh Susannah: Color with Me, autographed by Carole P. Roman
Value:$27+
Oh Susannah: Things That Go Bump Giveaway Rules:
Giveaway begins September 20, 2017, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends October 20, 2017, at 11:59 P.M. MT. Giveaway open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Prizes provided by Carole P. Roman
Just in time for summer reading, Welcome To Wonderland 2:Beach Party Surf Monkey the second book in this new illustrated series by Chris Grabenstein, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Libraryand Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics.
P.T. and Gloria are backwith a diverse cast of characters in this entertaining middle grade paper over board series filled with madcap escapades that kids will not want to put down.
There’s always something wacky happening when you live at a motel, and P. T. Wilkie has grown up at the world’s wackiest one yet! When word gets out that the hottest teen idols in Hollywood will be filming their next movie-BEACH PARTY SURF MONKEY-right in St. Pete’s Beach, P.T. and Gloria know that Wonderland would be the PERFECT location.
Now they just have to convince the producers! But when things start to go wrong (Crazed fans? Missing stars?!) it will take all of Gloria’s business genius and P.T.’s wild stories to save the movie before the movie AND the Wonderland are both all washed up!
We love this book and it is not one you will be begging your kids to pick up, more than likely, you will need to beg them to put it down when it is time for dinner or bed. Keep them reading and engaged over the summer with this exciting adventure.
We want to add some excitement to your summer with a great giveaway. You can enter for a chance to win your own paper over board copy of this book below.
Giveaway:
Random House Kids is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of Welcome To Wonderland 2: Beach Party Surf Monkey! Thank you to Random House Kids for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Welcome To Wonderland 2: Beach Party Surf Monkey Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Seems like everyone had been sick this winter, it is all I see when scrolling my Facebook feed. Given that, I think this blog tour for When You’re Feeling Sick by Coy Bowles could not have come at a better time!
They say laughter is the best medicine and this laugh-out-loud picture book by the guitarist for the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band, will have sick little ones feeling better fast!
The book is full of encouraging, rhyming advice on how to get through sick days with courage and a positive attitude. It truly is, just what the doctor ordered! It comes with a sheet of stickers that will make sick little ones smile. There are even feel better songs to keep the germs away!
We have more happy news, you can enter to win a copy of this great book below in our giveaway!
Giveaway
Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of When You’re Feeling Sick! Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
When You’re Feeling Sick Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
If you follow our blog regularly, you know how much I love books and my kids are the same. I enjoy finding and sharing great books with my readers. Today I want to introduce you to Kid Crazy and the Kilowatt King by Claudio Sanchez. Claudio is the frontman of the multi-platinum selling rock band, Coheed and Cambria. He is also a New York Times Bestselling Graphic Novelist.
Please take a look at my book review video below to get an in-depth look at this book that conveys a message of being kind to others. I think that is something young and old can use right now, don’t you?
You can watch a video of Claudio’s original song, “A Friend To Enemies” HERE! This book is perfect for little ones ages 4-8 and will remind them of the importance of manners and that magic word, please! Published by One Peace Books. Let me know what you think.
Hello, I’m Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!
