Poodle and Doodle and Fun Story for Kids

Poodle & DoodleTitle: Poodle and Doodle
Written by: Donna J. Shepherd
Illustrated by: Jack Foster
Soft cover: 20 pages
Ages: up to 12 years
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
Print ISBN: 978-1-61633-017-0 ; 6161330171
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-61633-018-7 ; 161633018-X
Price: $10.95 – Soft cover
$9.95 – E-book CD
$5.00 – PDF or Flip Zipped E-book

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine

The balance of friendship can be a difficult one to understand. At times one may feel they are overshadowed by a friend and become frustrated. Poodle and Doodle by Donna J. Shepherd explores an unexpected friendship in this delightful rhyming story of two distinctly different dogs.

What comes forth through the eyes of one fancy poodle pup, Angel, is her own insecurities of having another dog around. When Scruffy, a cross between Poodle and Labrador is brought home by their owner, Leah, havoc ensues wherever Scruffy goes. His less than stellar manners appall Angel until the “ah-ha” moment that Scruffy is not so bad and is actually fun to have around.

Shepherd wonderfully brings to life real life issues all humans contend with in finding their place with friends. Most of all, we are all individuals whether canine or human and should appreciate the positives in all we meet.

Illustrator, Jack Foster brings the canine characters to life with their young owner, Leah, making it an adventure to read over and over again.

To learn more about author Donna J. Shepherd visit: http://www.donnajshepherd.com and http://www.poodleanddoodle.blogspot.com.

Visit and explore Jack Foster’s colorful world at: http://www.jacktoon.blogspot.com.

Reviewer Donna M. McDine will help you post your media releases? Contact: Dynamic Media Release Services: http://www.donnamcdine.com/dynamicmediareleases.html Find her at: http://www.donnamcdine.com and her Write What Inspires You Blog: http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It 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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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.
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How 'Bout Giving Rattlesnake Jam to Your Kids for Christmas

Rattlesnake Jam
By Margot E. Finke
Illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier
Guardian Angel Publishing, Saint Louis, MO USA
E-Book ISBN 13: 978-1-935137-24-5
Print ISBN 13: 978-1-935137-00-9
Copyright: MAY 2008
Paperback, 28 pages, $10.95
Ages 4 & Up



Reviewed by Mayra Calvani for Blogcritics and others.


Rattlesnake Jam is a hilariously funny children’s picture book about an old couple who share an irresistible affection for rattlesnakes. There’s only one problem: While Pa would rather have the rattlesnakes turned into fritters or pie, old Gran prefers them turned into jam, disgustingly green, sweetened, gooey rattlesnake jam!

So no matter how cold the weather is, there goes brave Pa hunting after the snakes. And as he hunts them, he fantasizes about the various ways Gran could cook them—hot on a plate, fried, sliced on white rice, hmmm… But no way will his dreams ever become a reality, for as readers will learn “…snake cooked for Pa was not in Gran’s plan. She dreamed of them sweetened and made into jam.” Though Gran swears her special jam can cure colds, gout and wheeze, not to mention “troublesome knees”, everyone dislikes the taste of her ghastly creation. Will Gran ever stop? And what would happen to Pa, if she ever did?

Colliers’s colorful, wacky illustrations complement Finke’s humorous rhyme perfectly. Gran is grossly comical with her toothless grin, warts, bell pepper nose, and tough exterior. The reader will feel sorry for Pa, who seems completely under Gran’s control. The book has 28 pages in all, and each story page has an illustration with a short text at the bottom—a two or four line rhyme, like this one:


Drop in chunky slices, stir well with a spoon.

Add mysterious spices! Gran hummed a wild tune.

The way to Gran’s heart was through rattlers galore—

Making rattler jam bubble, ‘till it flowed on the floor.

The song-like cadence will be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Snakes are reptiles that inspire both fear and fascination, especially in children, and it was clever of the author to use them as victims instead of villains in this book. This is a fine addition to Finke’s series of rhyming books about animals. Whimsical and amusing, Rattlesnake Jam is one of those books young children will beg their parents to read to them again and again.

Link to Gran's Kitchen:

http://mysite.verizon.net/mfinke/Rattler%20Recipies.htm#recipy Where kids will find gen-u-i-n-e rattler recipes their mom can cook - first catch your rattler though!!



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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coalition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). It 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 and reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers, illustrators and more.

Mayra Calvani Brings Us Crash and Marcelo!

Crash!
By Mayra Calvani
Published by Guardian Angel Publishing
Children's Picture Book, 24 pages, $10.95
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/crash.htm

Reviewed by Lea Schizas, for the Muse Book Reviews, http://themusebookreviews.tripod.com/

Anyone who is a parent with a child that has begged, hollered, and begged some more for a pet will enjoy Crash and Marcelo, the little boy who gets his wish. The glee and joy in his cute little face is described vividly by author Mayra Calvani.

Reading “Crash”, a child and a parent discover the responsibilities that come with owning a pet. Marcelo also discovers that naming his new family member is not as easy as he thought. Many ideas come to his head, none really fitting in with the cute Golden Retriever.

The name he finally picks surprises his parents. But as you read, you realize this is the PERFECT name.

Maybe it’s me but as I read Crash and several other children’s books I’ve purchased this week from some of my guest bloggers, the writing is so simple one would say, “Why didn’t I think of this?” Yet, writing for children isn’t as simple as one would think so I have to tip my hat to Mayra for yet another great read. The first book I read written by Mayra Calvani was The Magic Violin and, as in Crash!, I loved the descriptive details bringing the story alive. Her young character’s love and interaction with his new puppy came through, loud and clear.

This is a great book to buy for your child, you know, the one who is begging and hollering and begging some more for a pet. It will teach and prepare them for the responsibilities surely to come when a pet finally comes gift-wrapped.



Note:
THE AUTHOR IS DONATING 50% OF HER ROYALTIES TO
ALMOST HEAVEN GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE AND SANCTUARY,
A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.
ALMOST HEAVEN-GOLDEN-RETRIEVER-RESCUE.ORG
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coaliition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love--and that includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews and reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page.