(Picture) Book Review: Chumbalina The Plump Princess by Christopher Holley

Chumbalina The Plump Princess

by Christopher Holley

Paperback: 42 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (October 24, 2015)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 8280 KB
Print Length: 42 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publication Date: March 13, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Ratings: 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Christopher Holley. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

Since having health issues the past year, it has become my mission to make my family eat healthy. Chumbalina's fairy tale story is simple but this picture book tremendously helped me improve my kids' diet. Now they understand the importance and benefits of healthy eating. Love the illustrations and matching colors! 

Definitely, a book I recommend for struggling moms out there looking for ways to make their young kids eat healthy.

Purchase your copy

About the book:

In today's society, it's important to remind children that embracing their own individuality is a wonderful thing. Enter Chumbalina, a princess who enjoys eating so much she becomes an outcast. However, the tables are turned when a gluttonous giant comes to the kingdom and she must rescue everyone doing what she loves most, eating.

Chumbalina, the main character in this children's picture book, is teased for the way she looks and how much she eats. By viewing the world through her eyes, children will walk away recognizing that true beauty comes from within.

Chumbalina the Plump Princess teaches children to respect differences and find inner beauty in all of us! It embraces self-love, self-esteem and acceptance.

About the author:

New Yorker, Christopher Holley, has been an elementary school educator for over 12 years. Through working closely with children he has developed and refined his voice, drawing inspiration from greats like Roald Dahl, David A. Adler and Jeff Kinney.

In his children's stories, Christopher tackles tough issues like water conservation, body image and acceptance. However, he has a whimsical side as well, telling tales of students being put in charge of their school, a fairy that grants moustaches and choosing super-duper super powers.

Moving forwards, Christopher's goals are to continue working closely with children as an educator, and to author many more fantastic, kid-friendly stories.

On a personal basis, Christopher is engaged and he simply loves dogs! In his spare time, he enjoys the Martial Arts, football and strategy games.

(Picture) Book Spotlight and Sneak Peak: When You Give an Imp a Penny by Henry Herz, Harrison Herz, Josh Herz, and Abigail Larson

When You Give an Imp a Penny

by Henry Herz  (Author), Harrison Herz (Author), 

Josh Herz (Author), Abigail Larson (Illustrator)

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company, Inc. (February 1, 2016)

About the book:

Before you lend an imp a penny, there’s something you should know—such a simple act of generosity could set off a side-splitting chain of events! A colorful picture book full of mythology, mischief, and magic, WHEN YOU GIVE AN IMP A PENNY shows us just what happens when an accident-prone—but well-intentioned—imp comes along asking for favors! The same writer/illustrator duo that brought you MONSTER GOOSE NURSERY RHYMES brings to life a comedy of fabled proportions.

Sneak Peak 

Read more about Imps HERE

Purchase your copy

Book Review: The Caretaker of Imagination by Z.R. Southcombe

The Caretaker of Imagination 

(The Caretaker Series Book 1)

by Z.R. Southcombe

Series: The Caretaker Series (Book 1)
Paperback: 94 pages
Publisher: Z. R. Southcombe; 1 edition (April 3, 2015)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2252 KB
Print Length: 108 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: ZR Southcombe; 1 edition (March 20, 2015)
Publication Date: March 20, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Z.R. Southcombe. 

My thoughts:

Let me start by saying that my kids rate the books that I read to them. They loved the story though they're surprised to learn that the main character is actually around 40-ish already. Had a hard time explaining the child-like attitude of the man, it did bother them for a while but eventually they liked him and the cat! They find the illustrations cool as it helped them visualize the story. Pirate story is all new to them and it was really, really nice to see them imagining the story while I read this to them. 

Mommies, if you are looking for a good adventure book for your kids, pick this up!

About the book:

For kids looking for a fast-paced, crazy adventure, and grown-ups who want to be lost in childhood magic just one more time. Fans of the whimsy and magic of stories like Alice in Wonderland, or The Chronicles of Narnia will resonate with this story. 

Bored with his normal life, John Carroll runs away with his faithful cat in search of adventure. When he meets a real-life pirate, John realizes there is much more to the world than he’d ever thought possible – magic is real, and in desperate need of a hero. 

John must convince the (once fearsome) Captain Simon Peabody to join him on a fantastic and perilous quest to find the only person who can save magic from being lost forever: the Caretaker of Imagination. 

This wondrous tale harks back to the style of classic children’s literature. Perfect as a read-aloud, it is sure to delight readers of all ages. 


About the author:

Z.R. Southcombe is a writer and artist. She is the author of the wordless picture book What Stars Are Made Of and children's chapter book The Caretaker of Imagination.

Her books are written for children, but with their wild sense of imagination, rich vocabulary and emotional resonance they are loved by readers of all ages.

A true creative, Z.R. usually has a few creative projects on the go, but no matter what project she is currently working on, Z.R. is usually accompanied by a cup of tea.

www.zrsouthcombe.com

Book Review: Candy and the Cankersaur by Jason Sandberg

Candy and the Cankersaur 
by Jason Sandberg 

Kindle Edition
File Size: 8358 KB
Print Length: 34 pages
Publisher: Jason Sandberg eBooks (June 12, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Jason Sandberg. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

My kids, 9 and 6 y.o. love this! Illustrations are colorful and nice to look at. The story is easy to read, recommended to mommies looking for a good bedtime story with moral lesson.


About the book:

This is the sweet and funny tale of a young girl named Candy and her Cankersaurus Rex! Candy receives a dinosaur as a gift and is determined to train him to be a good pet. This playful homage to Syd Hoff will make all dinosaur-crazy boys and girls happy! 

About the author:

Jason Sandberg, born in Minneapolis in 1971, acquired a love of drawing after discovering the artwork of Jacob Kurtzberg. His paintings have been exhibited in Minneapolis and Manhattan. Art Historian Scott McCloud classified his work as uncategorizable. “I’m a Fine Artist who also wants to produce the ‘missing books’ from my childhood, the books I wished I’d had.”

Book Review: Spencer the Spider and the Witch in the Wood by Morgan Kostival

Spencer the Spider and the Witch in the Wood 

by Morgan Kostival

Paperback: 50 pages
Publisher: Picture Books by Morgan (September 13, 2013)
Amazon Paperback Link

Kindle Edition
File Size: 1193 KB
Print Length: 30 pages
Publisher: Picture Books by Morgan; First edition (September 10, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Kindle Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from Morgan Kostival. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

My kids (5 and 8 yrs old) love the story! At first they were hesitant in listening to the story as they are not into Halloween theme. The second time I read this to them, they loved it! My kids have at least 30 books (bought moooore this holiday) in the study table and if they liked one book, it would be in the bed. Just a week ago, for one whole week, my eldest kept on checking the book before we sleep. He loves it!

Mom, you might want to pick up this book for your kids! 

About the book:

It is All Hallows Eve and Spencer the spider suddenly realizes that he is no longer alone in his attic.

He is introduced to three enchanted toys and together they embark on a journey that leads them through an abandoned old house where they meet Rumsforth the rat, and a mischievous hobgoblin.

Later that same night, Spencer, and his newfound friends, find themselves deep in the middle of the dark and spooky woods that lie just behind that house. 

They are searching for the withered, old, green-faced witch that lives there, to ask for her help in ridding the house of its troublesome hobgoblin.

You will also get to see Spencer’s Halloween adventure documented through the dazzling photo illustrations by author/photographer Morgan Kostival.

About the author:

While most of his childhood friends enjoyed their teddy bears, Morgan Kostival was more partial to sword-wielding animated skeletons, and giant monsters of old Hollywood’s special effects. That is why Kostival decided to combine his love of that old art form with the new graphic arts techniques of today to illustrate his children's book. Kostival's process mimics the techniques of special effects artist Ray Harryhausen and other film pioneers of that time. He starts by actually creating the creatures for his story out of clay, plastic and other standard materials, like a master toymaker. Next, he photographs them against custom backgrounds, sometimes editing them into the picture using computer-aided tools. “The photo illustrations I create to accompany my stories do not tell the story by themselves. Instead they support the story and inspire a child’s desire to want to read and find out what is happening in the photographs.” Said Kostival, artist and author of the new children's book ‘Spencer The Spider And The Witch In The Wood’. “So my goal in all of this is to produce books that will fascinate and fuel kid’s imaginations no matter what their age.” Morgan Kostival holds a BA in Motion Picture Production from Point Park University, in Pittsburgh, PA. He has worked on numerous independent stage, film, and television productions as well as professional stage productions. He currently lives and writes in Lake Worth, FL.