The New Book Review

This blog, #TheNewBookReview, is "new" because it eschews #bookbigotry. It lets readers, reviewers, authors, and publishers expand the exposure of their favorite reviews, FREE. Info for submissions is in the "Send Me Your Fav Book Review" circle icon in the right column below. Find resources to help your career using the mini search engine below. #TheNewBookReview is a multi-award-winning blog including a MastersInEnglish.org recommendation.

Showing posts with label Wanda Luthman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wanda Luthman. Show all posts

Monday, January 18, 2021

Fourth in Wanda Luthman's Franky Series Picture Books for Children

Title: Franky The Fearless Flamingo

Series: Franky the Flamingo, 4th in Series 

By Wanda Luthman

Illustrator: Mara Reitsma

Available Paper and Ebook at Amazon

ISBN: 9781734009934 (2020)

Genre: Environment / Children’s Picture Book

 

 

 

                        Doing Good! Just Because

 

Frankie Does It Again with Lessons for the Planet
And for Living Better Lives

 

 


How lovely to have a children’s author who is also has a counseling background. Though I think of this Franky book (and Wand Luthman’s others) as little lessons in saving the planet, this one is the story of a crab who decides not to live up to his name learns about compassion from Franky to whom he owes gratitude but ends up being anything but mean and crabby. 

 

Young children will love the rhyme, the relatable expressions of the animals he or she meets, but my hope is that they will remember the lines: 

“Herman (the Crab) had learned to use his strength for good

To help someone in need just because he could.”

 

It seems this Franky story also shines as an anti-bullying story. 

 

I have given my grandsons a copy of all of Luthman’s books for the empathetic stories, for environmental lessons, but also for the beautiful illustrations by Mara Reitsma, who, as it happens, almost always includes one of my favorite animals—a turtle—in her Florida-influenced artwork. It’s the Ocean! It’s the Color. It’s the variety of animals! 

 


Fourth in Wanda Luthman's Franky Series Picture Books for Children


MORE ABOUT BLOGGER AND WAYS TO GET THE MOST FROM THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.


 Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Wanda Luthman Shares Her Process for Producing Videos to Promote Reviews

Guest Post by Wanda Luthman

If you’re like me, creating graphics for your Blog, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc feels overwhelming. I usually wind up putting this task off and then, at the last minute, I think, ‘Oh, I should create a graphic and promote that (like for a new release or upcoming event).’

I use Canva, the free version, and it is pretty user friendly. I have made some graphics that I’m fairly proud of, but I know a professional would probably have something to say about them. LOL

Anyway, recently, on Canva, I created a graphic about a Midwest Book Review I had received. I was super happy and grateful for it and I wanted to thank my reviewer. Once I had created the graphic, I saw a new button up on the left side that said, “animate.” So, I clicked on it and it made the words and picture fly in from the side. I thought it was super cool!

So, I asked my friend, who is a professional video producer to take a look at it to let me know what he thought. I was so proud and thought he was going to love it!

He told me that it was great, but that the words flew in and didn’t stay on the screen long enough to read them.

“Uh oh!” I didn’t know that. They appeared to fly onto the screen and stay there when I watched it on Canva, but when I posted it to Facebook, they did indeed fly off too quickly.

But, he came to the rescue and said he would do something even better. And boy did he!

He actually created me a short video with my picture, my book cover, the review, my thank you, etc. coming in at different times and moving across the screen, plus he added some awesome background music! And guess what? The words stayed on the page long enough to be read.

I was blown away at his talent!!

I’m sure my reviewer appreciated having such an awesome video too saying his name and title and being thanked for his review. 

That’s the beauty of the author community. We share on social media and it helps not just the author get exposure, but the reviewer. By the way, Gary is awesome. He loves to read and review books, so get in touch with me, if you’re interested in reaching out to him or check him out right here on #TheNewBookReview where contributor Carolyn Wilhelm posted her interview of him!  See below for the link.

But, today, it’s not so much about exposure for me so much as I’d like to highlight my friend’s video business. It’s a win, win, win!! Together, if we all are sharing a beautifully done professional video, everyone gets exposure!

If you are interested in having a video made for promotion, he’s your man. He is so easy to work with and does a great job at reasonable prices. Take a look at the video he made me and I think you’ll agree, it’s awesome! Here it is: 

You can email him, Blaise Carafello, at Blaze4ep@gmail.com

And you can read Carolyn Wilhelm’s interview of Gary S. Roen at this blog. Yes! The same prolific reviewer who gave my “Frankie” such a beautiful writeup! 

Wanda Luthman Shares Her Process for Producing Videos to Promote Reviews

Wanda Luthman Shares Her Process for Producing Videos to Promote Reviews


More About #TheNewBookReview Blog

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines in a tab at the top of this blog's home page or go directly to the form at https://www.bit.ly/FinishedReviewSubmissions. Authors and publishers who do not yet have reviews or want more may use Lois W. Stern's "Authors Helping Authors" service for requesting reviews. Find her guidelines in a tab at the top of the home page, too. And know that Carolyn Wilhelm, our IT expert, award-winning author, and veteran educator, makes an award image especially for those who volunteer to write reviews from Lois's review-request list and post them in the spirit of her "Authors Helping Authors" project. Reviews, interviews, and articles on this blog are indexed by genre, reviewers' names, and review sites so #TheNewBookReview may be used as a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. As an example, writers will find this blog's search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Christmas Shopping Time with a Round the World Theme

Title: Sophia
The Christmas Eve Snow bunny and the Real Gift
Author: Wanda Luthman
Illustrated by Mara Reitsma
Genre: Children's Picture Book / Inspirational
Theme: Christmas Round the World
ISBN: 9 780998195889
Paperback: $6.99
Available on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2B7dZwT

I am fast becoming a Wanda Luthman and Mara Reitsma fan.  I love their imaginations expressed in their poetry and art. I love the rhyme (lots of rhythm but rhyme that doesn't feel forced nor cliche).

I love that children are often introduced to a new word in Luthman's books. Words like "hemisphere" in this 'round-the-world story, a theme that is often seen in Christmas books but is especially needed these days as we work to include and understand other peoples and their cultures.

Is it too early to shop for Christmas? Heavens no! Children 'round the world will enjoy cuddling up before bed to partake of this bunny story from right now through the holidays. Bunny story? Of course! No point in labeling. She even wears a Santa hat.

Christmas Shopping Time with a Round the World Theme


MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page and in a tab at the top of this blog's home page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites so it may be used a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Franky the Flamingo Must Find Water in Florida's Environment

Title: Franky The Thirsty Flamingo
Author: Wanda Luthman
Illustrator: Mara Reitsma
Available on Amazon
Genre: Fiction: Children's/Biology/Environment


The environment! A passion of mine. How could I not love this story of a young flamingo who must learn the ways of the world, including what to drink. This slender book tells about his difficulty in finding proper water to drink. Encouraging and positive, his story is told in perfectly metered rhyme that will appeal to any child. It would make a wonderful addition to the gift shops at libraries and national monuments and parks where flamingoes abound.

I also appreciate how the illustrator let her topic influence her color choices. She helps make the book sing Florida and Sunshine.


More About the Author

Wanda Luthman has her Masters of Arts in both dental Health Counseling and Guidance Counseling from Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida. She is an award-winning author who with five books to her credit and a member of Florida's Writers' Association.

Franky the Flamingo Must Find Water in Florida's Environment


Franky the Flamingo Must Find Water in Florida's Environment

Franky the Flamingo Must Find Water in Florida's Environment


More About this Blog

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page and in a tab at the top of this blog's home page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites so it may be used a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing