Annick Press is recognized as one of the most innovative and cutting-edge publishers of books for children and young adults.  True to its motto of ”Excellence and Innovation in Children’s Literature”, Annick Press is committed to creating dynamic, ground-breaking by Canadian and international authors.  We constantly strive to offer children and teens positive reading experiences that are self-affirming, educational, and entertaining.

Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Purple Problem:

Who ever heard of a purple cow?

How come Cow’s spots are purple, when everybody else’s are gray or brown? Fed up with being different, Cow sets out on a quest to change her spots.

Thanks to a gravelly walkway, she soon finds lots of gray to cover the purple. And a squirrel in a tree provides plenty of brown by showering Cow with seeds. But when she arrives back home all big and bunchy and lumpy, Chicken and Pig hardly recognize her. When they finally realize it is Cow, they reassure her that she is their friend—purple spots and all.

The adorable Chicken, Pig, Cow—and Dog—are back, and continue to capture the hearts of young readers. The winning combination of simple text, expressive illustrations and lots of humor makes this a perfect choice for toddlers and beginning readers.

Retails for $19.95 hardcover.

My take:  We all loved this book for several different reasons.  The 2 year old loved pointing at the different animals and yelling their names, the 4 year old loved answering all the questions I posed to him about the book and I loved the message it sent- no matter what a person or thing looks like it is what is in the inside that really matters.

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes

The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views.
You can read more about Mommy PR’s Policy Disclosure here.
See our Mission Statement for more on what we promise to uphold on every post.

Original & Hand Written

Plagiarism Will Be Detected

Monitored By CopyScape & Copy Gator

Annick Press is recognized as one of the most innovative and cutting-edge publishers of books for children and young adults.  True to its motto of ”Excellence and Innovation in Children’s Literature”, Annick Press is committed to creating dynamic, ground-breaking by Canadian and international authors.  We constantly strive to offer children and teens positive reading experiences that are self-affirming, educational, and entertaining.

Mortimer Board Book:

Oprah Book Club Choice now available as a board book.

With over half a million copies in print, MORTIMER is one of Robert Munsch’s most popular and beloved books. The story of a little boy who refuses to go to sleep has always resonated with young children—and the adults who read to them.

Now available as a board book, this modern classic is perfect for even the youngest child. While retaining the original story with all its humor, the revised text and child-friendly format make it appropriate for pre-schoolers—giggles guaranteed!

Retails for $6.95.

My take:  This book is truly delightful for the adult as well as the child.  I found myself getting into character and boy did my children laugh!  I had to read the book 4 times before I was able to put it down and it consistently makes it into the nighttime book choices.  Since then my 4 year old so loves this book he continues to ask for this book and sometimes sings himself to sleep with it.

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes

The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views.
You can read more about Mommy PR’s Policy Disclosure here.
See our Mission Statement for more on what we promise to uphold on every post.

Original & Hand Written

Plagiarism Will Be Detected

Monitored By CopyScape & Copy Gator

When the host of a popular Portland, OR radio talk show is murdered, the Triple Threat Club—a federal prosecutor, an FBI agent, and a journalist—must narrow down the lengthy list of suspects who wanted him dead.

Outspoken radio talk show host Jim Fate dies tragically and dramatically when poisonous gas fills his recording booth while his show, “The Hand of Fate” is on air. In the ensuing panic, police evacuate downtown Portland, leaving FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges trapped in a high-rise building.

Crime reporter Cassidy Shaw is the only journalist brave enough to report from the scene as chaos overtakes the streets. And federal prosecutor Allison Pierce must rescue a child separated from her family even as she escapes the danger herself.

In the days following Fate’s murder, these three colleagues and friends team up to piece together the not-so public life of Jim Fate in order to uncover the stunning truth of who killed him—and why.

My take:  I really liked this book, it was a very fast read.  I am a big mystery fan reader so this book was perfect for me.    I have not read the first book in this series and didn’t feel like the first book was a must read in order to follow Hand of Fate.  My dislike:  along with the main story, each of the 3 colleagues had personal issues as well which I thought was a bit too much.  I wish the authors would have focused on the main story and maybe one of the personal issues.  I would definitely recommend this book to others.

This book can be found at the publisher website or at Amazon or your local bookstores.

Welcome to a place…where there’s always time for make believe.  Where  whimsical can be wise and learning can be fun.  Where stories have the power to inspire children to explore, create, and connect to the wonders of the world around them.  A world where everyone lives Barefoot. 

I reviewed Animal Boogie:

Can you boogie? Down in the Indian jungle, the children and animals are learning about actions like leaping, stomping, shaking and flapping while meeting different jungle creatures. Book with CD editions include song sung by acclaimed children’s performer Fred Penner.

Retails for $8.99 softcover with CD (sale price, regular price $9.99)

Children and families can now sing along with creatures of the Indian jungle in a free animated video of The Animal Boogie at http://www.barefootbooks.com/animal_boogie_video.

My take:  This book/CD was a huge hit at bedtime….so huge that it will now have to become a book to be read during the afternoon since the boys were so hyped up after dancing and looking at the book!  And the video wa very cute and catchy!

My in-laws just recently returned back from a trip to Ireland.  When I received Finn McCool and the Great Fish and S is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet, talk about perfect timing!  First a little about Sleeping Bear Press:

Since our first success with The Legend of Sleeping Bear (Official Children’s Book of Michigan) in 1998, Sleeping Bear Press has impressed young readers, parents, teachers and booksellers with high-quality, beautifully illustrated picture books. As a small regional publisher based in  Ann Arbor, Michigan, we’re proud to say that readers throughout the country know us by name. Our authors and illustrators are visiting more schools and bookstores than ever before. Our books have inspired sterling reviews, won awards, have been featured in presentations and even found their way under the White House Christmas tree. No matter our size, our goal remains the same: Provide books that enrich children’s lives through stories that blend entertaining text with educational content.

Now more than 10 years after the publication of The Legend of Sleeping Bear, our list has continued to grow and expand. In addition to our widely known Discover America State-by-State series, we have more than six different series including our Tales of Young Americans and our newest series Tales of the World.

S is for Shamrock:  An Ireland Alphabet:

Small in size (less than 400 by 200 miles) the country of Ireland holds a big place in world and human history. And many from around the globe proudly lay claim to ancestral ties there. S is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet gives readers a guided A-Z tour of this small island country whose influence extends far beyond its sea borders.

Famous landmarks such as the Blarney Stone and Finn McCool’s Giant Causeway speak to the land and history that shaped Ireland and its inhabitants. The prose and poetry of Eve Bunting, Irish native and children’s book author, bring the magic and mystery, character and culture of the Emerald Isle to vivid life.

To find recipes, games, interactives maps and much more for this title visit www.discovertheworldbooks.com!

Finn McCool and the Great Fish:

Finn McCool is the largest giant in all of Ireland.

He’s a fierce warrior, even beating the giant Culcullan and saving Ireland from the Scots. Helpful and kind, he helps the farmers bring in the hay.

And everyone in the village of Drumnahoon admires him. “He’s the best-hearted man that ever walked on Ireland’s green grass.”

But for all his strength, courage, and goodness, there’s one thing that Finn lacks. He’s just not smart. And he knows it.

When a wise man living in a nearby village tells Finn about a magical red salmon with the wisdom of the world, Finn sets out to catch the fish.

And he learns a thing or two about himself in the process.

Sleeping Bear Press will soon be posting a recording of Eve Bunting (the author of both) reading from Finn McCool on our www.discovertheworldbooks.com website.

My take:  As always, I loved the illustrations in both books…top notch.  S is for Shamrock was very informative and just glancing through the book my in-laws recognized several things they had seen on their trip to Ireland.  I have never been to Ireland but plan on visiting sometime in the future…I felt S is for Shamrock is a great way to get started learning about Ireland.  Finn McCool and the Great Fish was my favorite though.  I loved the moral of the story and how easily my 3 1/2 year grasped the whole concept once I explained it to him.  This will quickly become a favorite in our house!

Sleeping Bear Press is generously offering 4 lucky Mommy PR reader their very own book: 2 will win  Finn McCool and the Great Fish Book and 2 will win the  S is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet Book.  (Each winner will receive 1 book).

Win It

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Sleeping Bear Press and tell me one other book you would like to have other than the one I mentioned in this review.

The Snowman’s Song: A Christmas Story is a beautifully written children’s book about a young snowman with a seemingly impossible dream.  Each day the snowman sets out fresh and hopeful and ends in disappointment and defeat.  Ultimately hope comes in the form of a little girl who sees beneath the surface of frozen snow and believes in the dreams of the little snowman.  The girls warmth, kindness and belief, combined with the magic and spirit of Christmas bring about the realization of the snowman’s dream. 

The lesson of this story is not new, but is something that we all need to be reminded of.  Especially this year as so many families are struggling with their own dreams and their doubts.  We need to be reminded that we cannot give up and that our hopes and dreams combined with something far greater than any one of us on our own can ever be, is what this season and spirit of Christmas is all about.

The Snowman’s Song is beautifully illustrated by Tracy La Rue Hohn.  Tracy manages to capture the emotions of the snowman perfectly in her illustrations and portrays them in such a sweet way.  My kids loved looking at the pictures and telling me when the snowman was happy or sad.  We all loved her whimsical style and beautiful use of colors!

Written by Marilee Joy Mayfield, The Snowman’s Song:  A Christmas Story won Mom’s Choice Gold Award for holiday books in 2008.  Marilee has  written 11 books for children and has a new one set to publish in 3/2010.

Published by Leaping Antelope Productions, The Snowman’s Song: A Christmas Story is available for sales promotions, premiums and fund-raising.  Leaping Antelope Productions develops and publishes children’s books, posters, cookbooks and how-to books.  To see all the products they offer click here.

My thoughts:  We loved this book and will be including it with our other favorite holiday annual book readings.  This one is a bonus for me, because if you are like me and get choked up when reading precious children’s stories to your kids, you can just pop in the bonus audio CD with the recording of the story read by the author.  Then you can just sit back and snuggle with your child and pretend that you do not have a lump in your throat!  The Snowman’s Song:  A Christmas Story is a beautiful book with a timely message and a definite must add to your holiday traditions!

Buy it:  You may purchase The Snowman’s Song directly from Leaping Antelope Products online gift store or at www.snowmanssong.com for $19.95 however, for a limited time you can purchase this precious book (and the bonus cd) for $16.95.

Annick Press is recognized as one of the most innovative and cutting-edge publishers of books for children and young adults.  True to its motto of ”Excellence and Innovation in Children’s Literature”, Annick Press is committed to creating dynamic, ground-breaking by Canadian and international authors.  We constantly strive to offer children and teens positive reading experiences that are self-affirming, educational, and entertaining.

Kaboom! :

Who knew that some insects can create explosions to get food? Or that fireworks were once used to fight wars?

Explosions are all around us, from the Big Bang that created the universe to the “pop” of a seedpod, from solar flares to the explosive gases lurking in a coal mine.

Full of fun facts, dramatic images and highlights of momentous blasts in history—including the infamous Halifax explosion of 1917— KABOOM! examines an astonishing variety of explosions and the science behind them. Many remarkable blasts are a result of human ingenuity, from carving the faces of four American presidents into a wall of granite on Mount Rushmore, to the development of asthma inhalers based on a beetle’s explosive pulses to scare predators.

The many exciting guises of explosions are revealed ways both engrossing and surprising.

Price:  softcover $12.95.

My take:  I like how easy this book was to read.  The author took real life events and explained them in concepts very easy to grasp.  A few of the topics covered:  how popcorn pops, volcanoes and gunpowder.

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes.

The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views.
You can read more about Mommy PR’s Policy Disclosure here.
See our Mission Statement for more on what we promise to uphold on every post.

Annick Press is recognized as one of the most innovative and cutting-edge publishers of books for children and young adults.  True to its motto of ”Excellence and Innovation in Children’s Literature”, Annick Press is committed to creating dynamic, ground-breaking by Canadian and international authors.  We constantly strive to offer children and teens positive reading experiences that are self-affirming, educational, and entertaining.

Paper Bag Princess Board Book:

THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS hardly needs an introduction. First published in 1980, and with over four million copies in print, this story of a feisty princess and her hapless prince has captured the hearts of readers young and old all around the world. THE NEW YORK TIMES called it one “of the best children’s books ever written,” while it has appeared countless times on Best Books lists across North America.

Now, even toddlers can enjoy this modern classic. While retaining the original storyline with all its humor and panache, a revised text for the 2-to-4-year old makes this version appropriate for pre-schoolers. The sturdy board book format is perfect for little hands.

Parents and grandparents who believe that it’s never too early to introduce kids to stories that excite, make them smile and showcase self esteem, will be delighted that they can now share this all-time favorite with even the youngest child.

Price of board book:  $6.95.

My take:  This book is very cute and the last page made both my husband and I laugh out loud.  The illustrations are charming and my 3 1/2 year old has requested this book to be read multiple times!

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes.

The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views.
You can read more about Mommy PR’s Policy Disclosure here.
See our Mission Statement for more on what we promise to uphold on every post.

Annick Press is recognized as one of the most innovative and cutting-edge publishers of books for children and young adults.  True to its motto of ”Excellence and Innovation in Children’s Literature”, Annick Press is committed to creating dynamic, ground-breaking by Canadian and international authors.  We constantly strive to offer children and teens positive reading experiences that are self-affirming, educational, and entertaining.

Together:

Acclaimed children’s writer Hazel Hutchins explores the concept of what-goes-with-what in her new picture book for pre-schoolers, whether it’s buttons that keep your shirt together, or shoelaces that keep your feet in your shoes. Playful text coupled with lively illustrations will keep children engaged and encourage them to build their vocabulary.TOGETHER, Hazel Hutchins has created another rhythmic and imaginative tale, richly realized by Alice Priestly’s vibrant illustrations.

As young children struggle, literally, with keeping it all together, here’s the book to help them from coming undone, blowing away or falling apart. From getting dressed at the start of the day to leaving school at the end, there is plenty of opportunity throughout the story to make connections.

Price:  Softcover $8.95.

My take:  We loved the illustrations and my 3 1/2 year old had a lot of questions about this book.  We talked about each page and I loved how many opportunities this book offered for learning experiences, he really understood the concept of keeping things together by the end of the book.

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes.

The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views.
You can read more about Mommy PR’s Policy Disclosure here.
See our Mission Statement for more on what we promise to uphold on every post.

Time for another great book!  I was recently given the opportunity to review 5 books from Annick Press.  First a little about  Annick Press:

Annick Press is recognized as one of the most innovative and cutting-edge publishers of books for children and young adults.  True to its motto of ”Excellence and Innovation in Children’s Literature”, Annick Press is committed to creating dynamic, ground-breaking by Canadian and international authors.  We constantly strive to offer children and teens positive reading experiences that are self-affirming, educational, and entertaining.

I reviewed the Wiggle Giggle Tickle Train book:

A pony inspires a child to ride high on her father’s shoulders; a sailboat stirs two others to set off to sea in a cardboard box; and an airplane invites kids to soar like a bird.

In 13 stunning spreads, we see how children use the world around them as the inspiration for play. Vibrant photographs are juxtaposed with lively drawings to reveal the child’s own inventive interpretation. Short bursts of action-packed, rhythmic poetry encourage pre-schoolers to identify the patterning throughout the text and the sounds associated with each idea.

While developing language skills, kids can join in the fun as they create their own imaginative play from what they see around them.

Price:  softcover $8.95 and hardcover $19.95

My take: This is a delightful book filled with drawings on 1 side of the book and photos on the opposite side.  My 21 month old and 3 1/2 year old had fun with the words especially the last word on each page designed to to accompany the photos and drawings.

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes.

The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views.
You can read more about Mommy PR’s Policy Disclosure here.
See our Mission Statement for more on what we promise to uphold on every post.