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Sewing a Friendship 2

The Power of Imagination Friendship and Mind
Natilie Tinti

2010 Bronze Medal
116 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2010 Bronze Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

This is the second book in this series. The author’s skill is maturing. The style is almost prose. There is a distinct rhythm to the phrasing. The amazing thing about this book is the author’s age. She is only 9 years old. She is both author and illustrator.

The plot is interesting and will appeal to girls. The tale revolves around friends. The story begins with an introduction to each character. It continues with the BFFs throwing a make your friend feel better party. The book continues with each of the girls sharing a story. The end of the book has a fill in the blanks section to assist with reading comprehension.

I like this book. My granddaughter enjoyed it. I hope Natalie Tinti will continue writing and illustrating. She has an obvious talent. I believe we will see much more of her in the future.

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Cecile and The Spider Queen

Mystic Heroine Adventures
Marilyn Churchill

2010 Honorable Mention
108 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2010 Honorable Mention
Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

Cecile wandered the forest, not knowing who she was or where she came from. A tiny spider sent Cecile to a castle. A horrible spider tried to catch her in a web, but Cecile ran bravely onward. She came upon a sweet lady named Emma that gave her food and told her she was the Princess of Belamor. An evil spider queen had stolen the castle and the people from Cecile. The queen was trying to capture Cecile because only she could open the door to the Treasury.

"Cecile and the Spider Queen" is a delightful story. This entertaining story is filled with enchantment, adventure and deception. The ending of this story makes it very special for all little girls who want to be a princess. This book will stay in my library so that my granddaughters and I can share the delightful tale over and over again.

Recommend this book:

Chippy Chipmunk

Parties In The Garden
Kathy M. Miller

2010 Honorable Mention
40 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2010 Honorable Mention
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Kathy Miller has done a wonderful job creating "Chippy Chipmunk". Her photography is top notch with realistic cute photos of Chippy and his other friends...Ms. Bunny,Mr. Squirrel, the Blue bird and Cardinal families, Ms. Box Turtle and all the other wonderful animals in her spacious garden. The pictures are so vivid and eye-appealing.

The story is sure to please young children as they read or their parents read to them. The print is large and easy on the eyes. The story is sure to put a smile on your face; it goes so well with the photos.

As an extra bonus, Ms. Miller has added some very interesting Chippy Chipmunk facts at the end of her book that will be sure to prompt young animal lovers to want to know more about the Chipmunk world.

I take my hat off to Kathy Miller. You have done a wonderful job. Please keep writing about the animals in your garden. I`m waiting for your next book. My grandson enjoyed this as a bedtime story and asked for it the next day!

Recommend this book:

Dobbin and the Stardust Trail

Diana Medler

2010 Silver Medal
36 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2010 Silver Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

"Dobbin and the Stardust Trail" has a magical quality. The book is based on an actual horse. I have seen photographs of the magnificent horse and the paintings that were used as illustrations in the book. The art work is outstanding. The story is one sure to please girls and boys alike.

I shared my copy with my 9 year old granddaughter Sarah. “Meme, my friend loves horses, she will like this book. The pictures are wonderful.The girl’s name is Sarah,I like that!”

This book passed my “grandchild test.” Sarah has read the book more than once and still ohhs and ahhs over the illustrations and story. Younger children will enjoy parents reading this book to them. Older children will be able to read this book themselves.
For a high quality read pick up a copy of "Dobbin and the Stardust Trail" for your children.

Recommend this book:

Mama, Won't You Play With Me?

Meg Walsh

2010 Finalist
28 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2010 Finalist
Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

"Mama, Won’t You Play With Me?," By Meg Walsh, is the story of Dudley Duckling. He was sad because his mama had a broken wing and could not play with him. The little duckling set out on a quest to find a mama that could play with him. Along his journey, he found a lot of people willing to play, but none of them made him happy because they were not his mother.

Meg Walsh offers children a special story that reinforces the love between mother and child. This book also teaches children to enjoy those who are different and to persevere in the face of challenges. The illustrations in this book appear to be watercolor with colors that are cheerful and eye catching. Children will enjoy this book.

Recommend this book:

The Blue Penguin

Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot, illustrated by Makenna Karen Klanot

2010 Bronze Medal
44 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2010 Bronze Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Pookie was different. She was a blue penguin and all of her friends were black penguins. Her mother tried to explain to her that she was a special penguin but Pookie just felt different. Some of the other penguins teased her. Pookie felt like she wasn’t as good as the other penguins. Pookie tried hard at everything she did. She swam fast, caught fish and watched the little penguins carefully. One day, all the other penguins came to school painted blue, so they could be more like Pookie. Their teacher explained that there were other ways they could be more like Pookie. They could practice harder, be kind to others and be responsible. The other penguins made Pookie feel special. They decided to have a special day each week. The penguins could come to school painted any color they wanted. They called their special, “Let Me Be Me.”

The Blue Penguin is a delightful book with a message for first through third grade students. Pookie teaches children that it is ok to be different. It is ok to be who they are. The illustrations in this book compliment the story. The colors are bright and cheerful. Makenna Karen Klanot is eleven years old. She did a remarkable job.

I shared this book with my eight year old grandson and 9 year old granddaughter ;both enjoyed the story. Sarah took it back to her room to read it again. Ryan liked the names of the penguins. I highly recommend this book to teachers for their classrooms and to parents to share with their children.

Recommend this book:

Sam's Perfect Plan

Karen Hutchins Pirnot

2009 Gold Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2009 Gold Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Long ago the world was turned upside down. The sun shined all night and the stars all day. Rain fell upward from the ground to the sky. Sam knew something had to be done. He though hard to form a plan on how to make things right again. He tried to turn the earth over by himself but it was impossible. Adult s paid little attention so Sam sought help from his friends. More and more people tried to help.

Sam’s Perfect Plan is the story on one boys belief in his own dreams. What a wonderful message to offer children, belief in their self and in their dreams. I also see a message of team work in this book. The story is well written. The illustrations are delightful. This book would make a great gift for children 5-9 years of age.

Recommend this book:

Firecracker the Miniature Donkey

Makes A Marvelous Choice!
Heidi Jo Trusler, illustrated by Victor Guiza

2009 Silver Medal
28 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2009 Silver Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Heidi Jo Trusler offers children a story about a miniature donkey that made a bad choice. Firecracker loved to kick his favorite ball. One day another miniature donkey took it away from him. Firecracker became angry and kicked the other donkey. He knew he did wrong. He went to his wise grandfather for advice.

The illustrations in this book are bright and cheerful. Firecracker is adorable with his smile. Grandfather has glasses that make him look filled with wisdom and a smile that makes him look lovable. The story is cute and sure to hold the attention of little ones. There are questions at the end of the book to encourage interaction between child and parent. This book has a Christian undertone. There is also a scripture at the end of the questions. I intend to share this book with my grandson. I know he will love it.

Recommend this book:

Davey Bighead

Dream Big
Peter J. Hayden

2009 Bronze Medal
26 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2009 Bronze Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Davey was born with a big head. The first day of school it got stuck as he attempted to get on the bus. Davey had a problem putting on his shirt, playing on jungle gym, and playing dodge ball. That night he laid awake he and thought about ways he could put his head to good use. Soccer! Sure enough the next day he played soccer and he was very good at it.

Too often children have self esteem issues. We’re all different. Some of us are short and some tall, some skinny and some not so skinny. Some have big feet and some have small feet. Books like Davey Bighead encourage children to find ways the use their differences for their own good…such as Davey’s head and Soccer.

Davey Bighead is an excellent book for preschoolers.

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Sir Licksalot & The Maverick Fools

DL Carroll

2009 Bronze Medal
92 Pages
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Children - Grade K-3rd

2009 Bronze Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

I love anything that will catch a child's interest and get them to read. Books like Sir Licksalot & The Maverick Fools captures a child's interest and stirs their imagination. D.L. Carroll opens the opportunity for dialogue on topics that touch today's youth, including bullies and loneliness. The illustrations by Teri Cuneo add much to the story line.

Blaze and his parents have moved from a condo in the city where Blaze had lots of friends to a beach house where he did not know anyone. Blaze was very lonely. His parents allowed him to adopt a dog from the Humane Society. He named the dog Sir Licksalot. The other kids in the neighborhood are bullies. When Sir Licksalot and some neighborhood girls are missing, Blaze and the other boys must join forces to find them. They face a stone lion, a cave, and sharks to solve the mystery.

Sir Licksalot & The Maverick Fools is appropriate for third, fourth, and fifth graders. I think it might also be used in a middle school Reading Coach Programs as a high interest/low level reader.