Night Walk by Jason Cockeroft [Review]

ISBN: 9781536239614
Hardcover $18.99 USA
Candlewick Press

My thoughts: This is a lovely book in several aspects. While the grandfather is drawn or painted with a somewhat angular style, he is still pictured as a gentle, endearing character. He and the child go on a walk at night and this walk is special. They walk remembering all the things that the grandmother loved about her own walks - especially at night.

As they walk, they talk and wonder if each spot is grandmother's favorite. Only at the end do they find that very special spot.

The book doesn't really talk of death, but it is sensed in the sweet and sober memories of grandmother.

The illustrations of each two-page spread beautifully capture the richness of the country-side at night with lots of foliage, critters, and beautiful expanses of sky.

About the book:  This tender intergenerational story about loss and remembrance is set against the extraordinary beauty of the natural world.

In the darkness just before sunrise, a sleepy boy and his grandfather set off on Grandma’s favorite walk to find her favorite place. Is it the woods where multicolored moths flutter? Or the stream with its leaping frogs and flashing trout? The hidden hollow where a mother deer lives with her fawn? As grandfather and grandchild stand gazing over the water to the horizon, and the sun begins to rise, it becomes clear to the boy that they’ve finally reached Grandma’s favorite place—and it’s the perfect spot to remember her. With stunning illustrations evoking the wonder of wild creatures, the chill of the air at dawn, and the golden light of the sun as it rises, author-illustrator Jason Cockcroft captures a quiet moment in one child’s life that will long reverberate.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Candlewick Press, to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Forgotten Identity: A Christian Romantic Suspense Novel by Penny Zeller [Giveaway]

Who is he really? And why is someone after him?

Buy on Amazon
ISBN:9781957847375
Paperback $16.99
Kindle E-book $3.99

Mariah Holzman never imagined a whiteout blizzard would sever all communication from the outside world—communication desperately needed for the injured man Mariah finds near her home. Nor did she imagine helping nurse the man back to health would lead to threats and intimidation. As danger escalates and questions rise, Mariah is left to wonder what kind of person she has allowed into her home.

Grant MacGuire never imagined he would wake up one day in a strange cabin, surrounded by strange people, with no memory of who he is or how he was injured. Secret word: danger. Nor did he imagine his presence would put the lives of those who saved him in danger. As Grant struggles with distorted memories, he wonders if his life is worth the price the Holzman family is paying.

The growing attraction between Mariah and Grant is hindered by Grant’s unknown identity. Is Grant, as the family’s neighbor assumes, a criminal on the run from the law? Or is there more to his identity—and the reason he was attacked—than they realize?

More Romantic Suspense from Penny Zeller:

• Unexpected Witness (Mountain Justice #1)
• Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)
• Unexpected Target (Mountain Justice #3)

Watch for Chat With Vera's review, soon!

GIVEAWAY

Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller

Begins July 11

Ends August 11 @ 12:00 Midnight

Open to USA only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided and mailed/shipped directly to the winner by author, publisher, or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Rules/Disclosure: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Winner(s) may be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Notification email used will be that which is registered to the Rafflecopter system.  Prize must be CLAIMED by winner within 48 hours or prize is forfeited and a new winner will be chosen. Author, publicist, or publisher is responsible for providing and shipping the prize to the winner. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Alternate method of prize notification and sending: If an entry is provided in the Rafflecopter giveaway widget to provide entrant's name and address to which prize is to be sent, then information provided by entrant will be to whom and where prize is sent. Winner may or may not be notified by email that they have won. Chat With Vera and owner of Chat With Vera are not responsible for distribution and provision of prizes.

Lily the Pond Mermaid by Lucy Fleming (Author, Illustrator) - Review

 

My thoughts:  This is a sweet, charming, lovely read for young children; and it is beautifully illustrated. Stories about mermaids fall into the category of myths and legends and are slightly akin to fairy tales. In short, they are totally make-believe.

Lily the Pond Mermaid takes the "fish" out of the sea but keeps her in the water. Though landlocked in a little pond, "Lily" has a personality that is loving, kind, gentle, and giving. She loves to watch out for all the critters in the pond. She cares for them. She worries about them. She solves problems for them. And one dark day there is a major storm when the rain falls and the wind blows. Lily and the critters take shelter in the little niches under the pond to stay safe from the storm.

Afterward, Lily sees the havoc the storm brought and is over-wrought. This is when her critter friends step in and help Lily.

A lovely book and a really sweet story about caring for others and bringing joy into the lives of others. I am concerned about the level of despair and worry Lily experiences and how this will impact the young minds and hearts for which this story is written. Is it too much? Is it right to talk outright about worry to children who know nothing about it or are experiencing it? Well, that's an issue each parent must address within their own homes. Again, I repeat, this is a sweet and lovely book.

About the book: Friendship, worries, and newfound courage all play a part in this underwater tale of a tiny mermaid heroine.

“I’ll always be here;

there’s no need to fear.

All will be well when

a pond mermaid’s near.”

Lily the pond mermaid loves taking care of her pond and all the creatures that call it home. But it’s also a big responsibility. Lily often worries about not being able to keep the pond—and everyone in it—safe. As her worries grow, a big storm hits the pond, and everything becomes covered in a tangle of debris. Luckily, Lily is able to share her feelings with her friends and ask for help. Together, Lily and the animals that live in the pond not only restore their home but also learn how to take care of one another.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick publishing to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

K9 Mattis on the Job: A Day in the Life of a Police Dog by Mark Tappan [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781400246588
Hardcover $18.99 US
Tommy Nelson (Thomas Nelson Pub.)

My thoughts:  Mattis is a real dog and Mark Tappan is a real person, a policeman, and the handler of Mattis. They are real and they provide a fantastic service to the people in the area in which they live.

In this informative and delightful children's picture book, K9 Mattis On the Job: A Day in the Life of a Police Dog, we see how a trained German Shepherd dog is incorporated into the activities and services of the police. We see his exuberance, antics, skills, and abilities to engage. The story-line doesn't show real on-the-job rescues or criminal-nabbing, but it does show how a trained dog can mesh seamlessly into the day-to-day office and field work of a police department that uses K9 "officers" as well a real men. The book shows community service of education in the school demonstrating to students the fun of a K9 Police Dog as well as the dog's tracking and finding abilities.

Cheerfully and exuberantly illustrated, K9 Mattis and his human, Sergeant Mark Tappan, go through the day either in service of rescue or nabbing criminals, education in the community, or simply training and practicing. I think kids will thoroughly enjoy this educational book.

About the book: Meet Mattis, a K9 police dog who loves helping people and fighting crime alongside his partner, Sergeant Mark. Learn what Mattis's favorite part of the day is as he follows scent trails, tracks down missing items, and performs his official police work. K9 Mattis on the Job from author and police sergeant Mark Tappan will captivate kids as they discover what a day in the life of a German shepherd police dog is all about. Real-life hero Mattis the K9 officer first captured America's hearts on A&E's America's Top Dog and at school visits across the country. Now, through this fun story based on Mattis's official police work, kids will find out what this pup loves to do each day, from driving to the police station in the morning (okay, Sergeant Mark does most of the driving) to training with the other officers to using his super sniffer to find missing items! But can you guess what Mattis's favorite part of the day is? This picture book Find out why so many have already fallen in love with one of America's fluffiest heroes!

GIVEAWAY

Begins July 1

Ends July 30 @ Midnight

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided and mailed/shipped directly to the winner by publisher, Tommy Nelson, or publicist. Secret word: rescue Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Rules/Disclosure: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Winner(s) may be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Notification email used will be that which is registered to the Rafflecopter system.  Prize must be CLAIMED by winner within 48 hours or prize is forfeited and a new winner will be chosen. Author, publicist, or publisher is responsible for providing and shipping the prize to the winner. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Alternate method of prize notification and sending: If an entry is provided in the Rafflecopter giveaway widget to provide entrant's name and address to which prize is to be sent, then that will be to whom and where prize is sent. Winner may or may not be notified by email that they have won. Chat With Vera and owner of Chat With Vera are not responsible for distribution and provision of prizes.

Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective by Guilherme Karsten (An introduction to the mystery genre, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers) [Giveaway & Review]

Definition: The mystery genre is a genre of fiction that follows a crime (like a murder or a disappearance) from the moment it is committed to the moment it is solved. 

ISBN: 9780802856364
$18.99 Hardcover
Eerdmans Young Readers Books

My thoughts:  A really cute book that introduces young children to the art of solving a mystery - in short who-dun-it! As with most if not all young children, our young boy main character (aside from the self-inserted detective) is quite trusting of what he is told by others. So when disaster strikes and his beloved gold fish crashes down the stairs and a feline appearing detective knocks at his door announcing he is there to solve the mystery, the search for the culprit begins. The night visitor identifies himself as the "Dog Detective."

Young boy can see with his own eyes that this is a CAT but is told the visitor, a detective, is a dog in disguise as a cat. So the deception begins.

This wily cat identifies himself as a dog and proceeds to solve the mystery.

I really liked the book and see it as entertainment; and, yes, also an introduction to the mystery genre for children. I do, though, also see it as a wonderful opportunity for parents to teach discernment to young children. Children need to trust but they also need to learn discernment.

About the book: A hilarious introduction to the mystery genre, starring a boy, his fish, and a whiskered detective in disguise.

A little boy’s aquarium has been attacked, and his poor fish is terrified! Secret word: Meow - Who could be behind this horrible crime? Never fear: Ramon Fellini is on the case! This brave dog has donned his cleverest cat costume in order to track down the culprit. How does Fellini know a cat is to blame? Why does he say strange things like “Does this house have any other fish?” No time for such questions—Fellini is about to reveal the truth! Unless the ace detective has a different agenda in mind…

With dramatic colors, ironic humor, and plenty of clues to discover in the art, this whodunit is a laugh-out-loud read for pet lovers. Children will love using their own sleuthing skills to solve the mystery and predict what Detective Ramon Fellini does next.

I am "borrowing" this delightful video from The Poet and Dragon Society's YouTube page. It is theirs and I have no ownership or rights to it. I simply thought it too delightful for my readers not to have the opportunity to see. Enjoy!

GIVEAWAY

Begins June 24

Ends July 23 @ Midnight EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided and mailed directly to the winner by publisher, Eerdmans or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. 

Toto by Hyewon Yum (ages 4-8)

My thoughts:  Written and illustrated with superb gentleness and grace, Toto breaks into the heart of a child's concern and need to be accepted for just what she is and not what she appears to be.

Graced with a red, facial birthmark from infancy this sweet little girl wonders if she is pretty, if people like her, and other worries. She has named her red birthmark "Toto." When she begins school her mother cuts bangs to help hide "Toto" not because it is offensive, but to allow the grace of time for acceptance of her difference.

In school she makes a friend and is so happy until one day "Toto" is discovered. The outcome is that it doesn't matter to her friend at all and is declared an asset.

A lovely book and I highly recommend it. You'll enjoy the sweet black and white illustrations for they simplistic style with bits of red mingled in.

About the book: A little girl is self-conscious about the birthmark on her forehead— until a new friend helps her see it in a whole new light.

This little girl doesn’t mind her birthmark, most of the time. She calls it Toto, and her mom calls it a kiss from an angel. But sometimes, it feels like people look so hard at Toto they forget to see her. So when it’s time to start school, her mom cuts her bangs to cover Toto up, at least for a little while.

At school, she makes a new best friend right away! But then Toto accidentally comes out of hiding. Will her new friend see her differently with Toto in the picture? And does different have to be bad?

Award-winning creator Hyewon Yum’s knack for the adorable is at full power in Toto. This warm and vulnerable story grapples with the pressure we feel to blend in, and celebrates the moments—and the friends—that remind us how much better it is to be our full and singular selves.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Holiday House Books to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Legends of Gold (Golden State Treasure) by Mary [Review & Giveaway]

Paperback $18.99
Preorder: Baker Books
40% Discount + Free Shipping

On a risky treasure hunt in the rugged wilderness, can love trump all odds?

My thoughts:  As with other books by this author, the story is a light-hearted read with a sprinkling of heart-warming wit. The characters are fleshed out and fill their roles complimenting both the story line and the other characters. An assortment of strong, defending, and willing men on the ranch as well as gifted and strong women blend beautifully; and these strong characters keep the trouble makers at bay.

The troublesome issue of orphaned children prevalent during that period of history continues to flow through this series. Many of these orphans have found a home and shelter on the Hart Ranch. And as begun in the first book in the series, Whispers of Fortune, the search for treasure continues.

In Legends of Gold a bit of real California history going back to the exploration by Spanish Conquistadors is woven into the story line. I found that interesting.

Books by Mary Connealy always satisfy and are enjoyable. Part of this is the trust factor - they are squeaky clean, faith-based (but not preachy), and sometimes elicit a chuckle.

Don't miss this one.

About the book: After years of solitude, Tilda Muirhead's life takes an unexpected twist when she accepts a teaching position at Two Harts Ranch following her cross-country pursuit of two brothers obsessed with a treasure map left by their grandfather. Tilda is now tasked with educating those mischievous MacKenzie boys, who are bent on remaining out west with the rest of their family until they find the hoped-for treasure. Then a man named Ben arrives, claiming to be her own long-lost brother. Raised as an orphan with no memory of her past, Tilda is both fascinated and wary of Ben's sudden interest in finding her.

When Ben's motives grow increasingly suspect, rancher Josh Hart suggests Tilda and the young MacKenzies set off on a quest with him that aims to protect Tilda while unearthing the map's secrets. Secret word: gold - As they explore the wilderness, Tilda becomes captivated by the history behind the map, though she doubts it leads to anything more than old artifacts. Yet danger looms ever closer, and Tilda and Josh must rely on faith and their blossoming love to navigate the treacherous path ahead.

Watch for Chat With Vera's review, soon!

GIVEAWAY

Begins June 10

Ends July 9 @ Midnight

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided by author or publisher. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. #MaryConnealy #LegendsOfGold #BethanyHouse