Dress A Girl Around The World

I'm taking some time off from writing and reviews.  I've decided to spend my time making dresses for the Dress a Girl Around the World Organization.  If anyone is interested in sewing cotton dresses for little girls, below is a link to the Dress a Girl organization/webpage.

These little girls are from poor countries and without this project most would never own a new dress in their life.  The dresses are easy and simple to make. Some are made from a simple pillow case. If interested you can leave a question in the comments.

I'll be back in the future to write more reviews, but for now my interest lies in  a stack of fabric to make dresses and dolls for adorable little girls around the globe. 

God Bless, and Hugs to all 

If You Are Interested in This Project

Her Pink Hair

The simplicity of this book is what makes it so perfect for young children. The illustrations are depicted with clay models which bring awareness that this child has a problem without burdening a small child’s emotion.  The story depicted is of few words, but enlightening to the situation. 

Jill Dana, author of Her Pink Hair wishes to bring awareness to small children about cancer. In the book Jill portrays that some who have cancer get better and some do not.  She expresses in a way that leaves a child only taking from the situation what they are able to understand and handle.

The book does not state that a child has died, or that a child suffers. It simply displays the fact that this child lost her hair and this child had to rest and that this child was not able to go to school. I think this is a wonderful book for young children to have a first experience of a friend or sibling who is undergoing chemo therapy.

This book was reviewed by author, Susan Hornbach

Author of Her Pink Hair

Purchase This Book

Dog Bone Soup

Shawn Daniels grew up in the Boomer era. He was a poor boy materialistically, but rich in spirit and ingenuity.  Shawn went from foster care to a tarpaper house with no doors on the bedrooms and an abusive drunken father. His ability to withstand his environment led him to rise above and find new horizons.

This is a fast moving read that will take its characters from early childhood to adulthood with all of the trials, fears, joys, and experiences that life had to offer a poverty stricken family. Middle grade to adult will find this book entertaining.

Bette Stevens, author of Dog Bone Soup, has captured the essence of a dirt poor family struggling in the 1950s and 60s. Her ability to put you right in the action of the story will amaze. For those who grew up in the 1950s, this will take you back, and for those experiencing for the first time, this book will drag you in and hold you till the last page.  Happy reading everyone. Great book!

Author of Dog Bone Soup

BIO

Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies (milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).

Bette A. Stevens is the author of award-winning picture book AMAZING MATILDA; home/school resource, The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to DOG BONE SOUP. 

Purchase Here

This is a lovely book written in two languages (English & Spanish) by Ann Morris. Her writing is inspired by her son, Mikel. Small children will find life lessons here as well as entertainment.  The story takes a young boy on a walk in the park. He and his mother discover a number of things while learning the importance of safety.

Mikel finds that his mother’s instructions are for his own good and he also gets to make a choice of his own.  While exploring the outdoors Mikel spots something that requires some research. He and his mother take a trip to find out what exactly they did see.

Spending time with his Mom, Mikel enjoys the day, is excited to explore, and learns many valuable things on his walk.  The illustrations by Blythe Russo, are pleasant and appealing to children. A fun read for the little ones.

Reviewed by Susan Hornbach, author of children's literature

Author of

Mommy & Mikel Go For a Walk

Ann (Ana) Morris Bio

Ann (Ana for Spanish books) Morris has a deep interest in education.  She knows that children have vivid imaginations and an insatiable love of learning.  Morris developed an interest in writing children’s stories with the intention of recording memorable experiences with young family members sprinkled with memories of her own youth.

As a teacher and as a community worker, Morris has collaborated with and served people from many cultures new to our country, including our Latino friends. She speaks and writes Spanish as well as English.  Her hopes are to encourage children and parents learning to read their native language, as well as to motivate language learners.  She includes a positive adult role model, a curious child and a unique learning experience in each story. 

Ann (Ana) Morris is the author of

·         Mommy and Mikel Go for a Walk/Mikel y Mami dan un paseo

·         Surprise in Auntie’s Garden!/¡Sorpresa en el jardín de la tía!

·         (Awaiting illustration completion) Everything Is Different!/¡Todo es distinto!

She has other works in progress and many other memories yet to record

Purchase Here

Kangaroo Clues

Make haste and come join the chase. Kangaroo outsmarts the Dingo. He is joined by his friends in the outback where the sun scorches the Earth and survival is definitely for the fittest. 

Author Margot Finke, does not disappoint in yet another intriguing book of rhyme.  The illustrations by Mustafa Delioglu are alive with color and expression.  The Australian wildlife with all of its wonder is depicted in these educational pages. Explanations and definitions rest at the bottom of several pages, which is quite handy for educational guides such as teachers or home school parents.

Children will experience the struggle and survival of creatures large and small. Kangaroo Clues will intrigue them, and excite their curiosity.

Margot Finke is the author of many rhyming books for children.  Kangaroo Clues is a beautiful book that will make a fun and educational addition to any child’s library.  My advice would be to view all of her rhyming books, both Australian culture and otherwise.  Margot also writes about dyslexia.  Check out all of her books on Amazon.com

This book has been reviewed by Susan Hornbach, author of children’s literature

Margot Finke.

Margot Finke is an Aussie author whose 13 books range from midgrade adventure fiction to rhyming picture books. For many years she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family. Gardening, travel, and reading fill in the cracks between her writing. 

Their three children are now grown and doing very well.  Four delightful grandchildren round out Margot’s family.

Her Manuscript Critique Service helps children’s writers polish and tighten their stories before publication.  Helping other writers succeed, and HOOKING kids on reading, are Margot’s special goals.

She didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot says, "I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes! "

*Website: http://www.margotfinke.com  
*Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/bg9dtxt
*Manuscript Critiques: http://tinyurl.com/d86xl3g  
*Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/margotfinke/  
*Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margot.finke

Dreamtime Man written by Margot Finke, is a work of art from the interesting educational verse it is written in, to the magnificent illustrations by Joana Zdralea.  The colors are simply mesmerizing.   Details of the Australian Aboriginal people will not only educate children and adults, but also entertain them as well.

Even though the text may be a bit advanced for young children, the illustrations will still hold their attention and introduce them to an ancient and proud culture from the Down Under.

This is an exceptional book for children and adults; both in text and art. The author and the artist were certainly in sync on this one. Beautiful book!

This book was reviewed by Susan Hornbach, author of children’s literature

**LISTEN to Margot read Dreamtime Man: http://tinyurl.com/qham5nv

**Available from Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/bg9dtxt
**Autographed—with a FREE copy of her 
“Fairdinkum   Aussie Recipe Book.”
http://myplace.frontier.com/~mfinke/Magic%20Carpet%20Books.htm

Margot Finke.

Margot Finke is an Aussie author whose 13 books range from midgrade adventure fiction to rhyming picture books. For many years she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family. Gardening, travel, and reading fill in the cracks between her writing. 

Their three children are now grown and doing very well.  Four delightful grandchildren round out Margot’s family.

Her Manuscript Critique Service helps children’s writers polish and tighten their stories before publication.  Helping other writers succeed, and HOOKING kids on reading, are Margot’s special goals.

She didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot says, "I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes! "

*Website: http://www.margotfinke.com  
*Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/bg9dtxt
*Manuscript Critiques: http://tinyurl.com/d86xl3g  
*Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/margotfinke/  
*Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margot.finke

Tommy's Amigo

Tommy’s Amigo written and illustrated by Nancy Carty Lepri, is a story about a Mexican boy who desperately misses his father and also wants to fit in with his school mates.  He lives with his grandmother who has also migrated to the US.  In spite of her deep love for her grandson, his Grandmother’s pride seems to rule her judgment.   As a result, Tommy is left to desperation that could cause him his life.

Tommy is bullied, but tries to roll with the punches. He finds himself in confrontation in the lunch room at school.  His close friends back him up, but Tommy’s life begins to spiral out of control from that point on.  His father has been sent to jail for something he is not guilty of and Tommy must find a way to stay out of foster care.

Tommy’s Amigo is a pleasant surprise.  His Amigo shows him how to hang in there when all is unraveling.  Tommy finds himself in trouble a number of times throughout these pages.  The story is fast moving and will hold the attention of boys and girls to the end.

The problems in this book are true to life and would certainly help any child relate to those of other culture or those who are experiencing similar conditions.

Great Book!

This book has been reviewed by Susan Hornbach, author of children’s literature

Links to purchase eBook of Tommy's Amigo

http://www.amazon.com/Tommys-Amigo-Nancy-Carty-Lepri-ebook/dp/B00HK9UKXG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388599100&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tommys-amigo-nancy-carty-lepri/1117897877?ean=2940148968160

Links to purchase Print  of Tommy's Amigo

http://www.amazon.com/Tommys-Amigo-Nancy-Carty-Lepri/dp/0991323130/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1418853229&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tommys-amigo-nancy-carty-lepri/1117897877?ean=9780991323135

May also be purchased through the publisher at:

www.WillowMoonPublishing.com