BOOK REVIEW: Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important by Trout Fishing In America

Chicken Joe is back in the delightful new storybook-music CD, Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important.

Chicken Joe, is caught up in a new adventure. This time, Chicken Joe awakens to realize that he's forgotten something kind of important. But, what could it be? Chicken Joe sets off to solve this mystery. Along the way he meets up with various friends who are planning something memorable, but are keeping this inside secret from their good friend—it's a big happy birthday to Chicken Joe! What he doesn't know is that his friends have planned a big surprise birthday party in his honor.

Come and celebrate with Chicken Joe and some of his good friends. This entertaining title is packed with twelve new songs on the supplemental CD, sung by Trout Fishing in America. Dance to fun tracks like, "16 or 17 Hours of Sleep" and "C-A-T in the H-E-N House". Also, check out our earlier title, My Name is Chicken Joe, also written and performed by Trout Fishing in America.

Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important

There is nothing I can say that is wrong with this book/CD combo, it is an excellent addition to any library.  The music is wonderful, the story is delightful and the illustrations by Stephanie Jorisch are just a perfect blend of colour and magic.

I loved how all of Chicken Joe's worked to make a memorable day for Chicken Joe.  The thought of a cat named Chicken Joe who lives in a hen house is hilarious and then there's the dog named, "Miss Kitty".  The whole premise of the characters are charming, the story has purpose with wondrous results and a happy ending is to be found by all.

I loved the music on the CD, it's kind of a rock'n'roll folk sound that keeps your toes a'tappin' and your fingers a'snappin'.  My kids and I boogied around the room on a few of the more happening tunes, like "Rock'n'Roll Roosters" and "You've Got A Funny Name", which has a country twang to the tune.  My kids said to tell everyone to go and get this for their collection, it is a great book with awesome music.

I would give Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important a five out of five stars.  It is original in content and has many hilarious antics and songs.  My children love it and it has been played numerous times over!  With six thumbs up, how can you go wrong??

SYNOPSIS:
Chicken Joe, oddly enough a cat who sleeps in the hen house, is abruptly awoken one morning by roosters playing rock ‘n’ roll. Somehow he’s forgotten that it’s not just a day like any other; it’s his birthday! Making his way to the farmhouse for breakfast, Chicken Joe meets up with his friends, all of whom would rather joke around than remind the cat that today’s his birthday. After all, they've planned a surprise party for their buddy. The chickens Helen and Hilda have baked a cake; Miss Kitty, the little dog from the city, has made a fish piñata; and the mule, Mister, has gathered up some funny hats and noisy kazoos. Will Chicken Joe finally remember that today’s a very special day, or will his friends have to tell him? In addition to narrating their story, the internationally renowned Trout Fishing in America performs 11 songs on the accompanying CD. Their witty, engaging lyrics—demonstrated on “Rock and Roll Roosters,” “Me to Know and You to Find Out,” “C-A-T in the H-E-N House,” and “You’ve Got a Funny Name”—and splendid musicianship combine several musical styles including rock, country, folk, pop, and blues.

I received a product to review from the above company or their PR Agency. Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own - I was not influenced in any way. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

BOOK REVIEW: Sock'n Boots Adventures by D. K. Smith

Sock'n Boots:  Adventures is a Children's Picture Book.

Sock'n Boots wish to teach children different life lessons through their own experiences.

Each of their stories begins with a question, the story will present itself, then the question is repeated again.  This is designed to help stimulate positive thinking and expression of thoughts.

The Adventure's book combines all three of the Sock'n Boots series into one book.  Share, Afraid of the Dark and Play It Safe have been compiled together to help bring these important lessons to your child.

Sock'n Boots:  Share - the reader is asked if they know how to share and then Sock and Boots will show you through the outcome of their actions.  When the two head to the park for a picnic, the birds have eaten Socks lunch.  Not to worry though, Boots comes through and shares his lunch with Socks.

Sock'n Boots:  Afraid of the Dark - After Socks goes to bed he hears bumps in the night and this frightens him.  After he checks over his room, he feels safe and shares his message with the reader.

Sock'n Boots:  Play It Safe - Socks is looking for a new place to play and after he finds one, he tries to convince Boots to play there too.  However, Boots doesn't think its safe and after mishap happens to Socks, Boots is there to save the day.

Each of these stories are shared in a rhyming prose that children will find easy to follow and understand.  The illustrations depicted by Lorena Isabel are highly detailed, wonderfully coloured and provide children with thought-provoking questions to the depictions shared.

I would give Sock'n Boots:  Adventures a five out of five stars.  I found the stories to have a message that all children should have knowledge of and the lessons were told in an entertaining manner.  The prose is easy to read and those who are just beginning to read will find great pleasure in sharing these stories.

Also found at the back of the book are several colouring pages for children to further enhance their creativity, so it provides hours of amusement.  I think this would make an excellent addition to your home library and I am sure it will become a favourite your wee ones will love.

Sock'n Boots 

Sock'n Boots Blog

SYNOPSIS:
The first three adventures of Sock and his pal Boots have been rolled into one exciting children's compilation.

I received a product to review from the above company or their PR Agency. Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own - I was not influenced in any way. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

BOOK REVIEW: Tumbleweed Christmas by Beverly Stowe McClure

Tumbleweed Christmas is a Children's Picture Reader.

Jackie has believed in Christmas miracles since his mother told him the story of Jesus and his birth.

One Christmas season Jackie, his little sisters, April and May, and his mom were having a very tough time.  Jackie's dad was really sick and in the hospital and the family had no money to do anything special on Christmas.

Jackie had a dollar in his pocket and swearing his sisters to secrecy, he sets out to buy them a tree.  Along the way he meets his best friend, Daniel, who has lost his baseball glove and is upset as his father won't allow him to play in the Little League.

As the two traipse about trying to find a tree, Jackie comes upon a tumbleweed and his excitement and imagination build.  Helping Daniel with his dilemma, everyone finds the miracle of Christmas through love and generosity.

I really loved the illustrations by Bridget McKenna.  They were expressive, charming and colourful and my children enjoyed looking at them.  They added a beautiful blend to the story by allowing children to visualize the words being expressed.

I loved the tenacity and spunk of Jackie and loved how he didn't let the "bad" things in life to bring him down.  I enjoyed the "glass is half full" message that was being shared and how to look for positive solutions even when it seems against the odds.

I found the sacrifice that Jackie made to ensure his family, heartwarming.  It had a miracle to boost their morale in all the hardships the family was currently facing, reminding the reader to always find the miracles in life. 

I would give Tumbleweed Christmas a four out of five stars, while I found the story wonderful, I couldn't help but thinking that the mother wasn't well-represented.  The burden of Christmas should never have been felt by her children even with her own problems, her children should never be overlooked.  However, children will not see this message, unless they are perceptive, like my two, it is because of their mentioning it, that I bring it to light here.

This would make a great stocking stuffer for your wee one!

SYNOPSIS:

Christmas is the time for miracles, but sometimes, a child must make her own miracle, and one for her siblings.

I received a product to review from the above company or their PR Agency. Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own - I was not influenced in any way. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

A Christmas Journey Home by Kathi Macias

A Christmas Journey Home:  Miracle In The Manger is a Christian Fiction.

Isabella Alcantara and her husband Francisco are newly wed and expecting their first child when Isabella's family are killed by banditos and they are encouraged to sneak across the Mexican border to escape the indecencies happening to the Mexican people by her own kind.  Her Abeulo, has given his life savings to them in order to hire a "coyote" to take them across into America where he believes they can have a chance at a better life for their baby.

Carolyn Sinclair, her daughter Miriam and grandson Davey are in mourning over the loss of Miriam's husband, David, a border patrol officer who was killed in the line of duty.  Miriam hates illegal aliens and believes them to all be thieves and murderers.  Carolyn and Davey hold onto faith that everything has a reason even though Davey is young, his understanding of God and humanity is remarkable.

Isabella and Francisco have been left in the Arizona desert to die, their "coyote" stole all of their money and left them to wander aimlessly.  They happen upon a group of people whom they believe to be their salvation and find themselves in a worse situation.  Believing God will see them through, they wait for their chance to escape their newly found prison.  When the miracle arrives on Thanksgiving morning, the two set off into the unknown to find a safe haven in which to have their baby and begin their new life.

The members of both families have their own agendas with God and each person must find their faith in order to survive the insurmontable lessons that life is dealing in order to heal their broken hearts.

I was enthralled with the plot of this story, the evils that humanity can do to another is heart-wrenching.  If you have a weak disposition, some of the scenes described may upset you, they are written with much depth of emotion that you cannot help but cry from the injustice in the world.

I found that each of the characters were strongly written and well described.  Each one had their own persona and you will have no problems following any dialogue that may occur.  The dialogue was a bit cliched in areas, but it works for the believability of human nature, we don't always speak in well structured sentences and most of our lingo or common speak is full of cliches.

I loved the back story characters, especially Isabella's grandfather, his emotions brings you closer to the world around us.  Through his eyes we see the decay of his neighbourhood and watches the joy slip from his neighbours eyes.  Everyone walks while looking over their shoulders wondering when the next senseless acts of barbaristic attacks to the innocent will occur.  I found the book to fray your emotions on many levels.

I would give A Christmas Journey Home a four and a half stars out of five, I did find the story to be a bit predictable but the read is still entertaining and the characters ingraining.  You feel for everyone in the story, as everyone is reaching for the same ideals, without even realizing it.

The ending was superb and author, Kathi Macais, leaves you with enough to let your imagination finish the tale without having to do it for you.

SYNOPSIS:
During Isabella Alcantara’s seventh month of pregnancy, her parents and siblings are murdered in gang- and drug-related violence, simply because their home was targeted by mistake. Isabella knows she was spared only because she now lives in a different location, but she knows too that the same thing could easily happen to her and her husband, Francisco. When her grandfather offers to hire a “coyote” to bring them across the border to America, she agrees. But Francisco and Isabella are abandoned by the coyote and left to die.

Francisco then valiantly sacrifices himself to get Isabella to safety. Homeless, nearly penniless, pregnant, and alone, Isabella determines to find a way to honor her promise to her beloved husband.

Living on one of the smaller spreads along the Arizona border, Miriam Nelson becomes furious with God and turns from her faith when her

border patrol agent husband, David, is killed in a skirmish with drug smugglers. Though her mother and young son do their best to woo her back from the anger and bitterness that have overtaken her, they make little headway.

Two widows—one driven by fear and a promise, the other by bitterness and revenge—must make their journeys along different pathways, but with the same destination: a barn full of animals that stands waiting for them on Christmas Eve. Forced to face their personal demons, Isabella and Miriam soon discover a common yearning that will bind them together in a most miraculous way.

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Author Feature - Mark Smythe author of The Snowman's Revenge

The Snowman's Revenge

Ages:  4-8

Pages:  44

Publisher:  Mark Smythe

ARV:  $9.99

The snow's piled up high and school's cancelled, so let's play outside and, of course, build a snowman! Now, what if you were left out in the cold snow all by yourself, like that poor snowman? Would you be mad? Of course you would!

Well, this snowman is out for revenge, especially after he sees those kids in the nice warm house, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate! So, let's see what happens in this delightful story, nicely flowing with rhymed verse, very beautifully illustrated and quite humorous indeed.

So lovable, it's sure to be an instant favorite and a timeless classic with "kids" of all ages.

About the Author...

Mark Smythe resides in a small, rural town located in the beautiful Southern geography of Western New York State. It is a lovely and quaint agricultural community, just South of Buffalo, New York.

He and his two children, Cassandra and Alexander, live on a picturesque, turn-of-the-century farm complete with a charming old white farmhouse, quaint red barns and wooden pasture fences.

Mark is an Interior Structural Fire Fighter with a local Volunteer Fire Department, and also works in the field of Bio-Oncology Diagnostics.

In His Own Words...

You will note that the rhymed verse, in this particular book, is quite fun and, depending on how you tell the story (what tonation you use, the meter, the cadence, voice ranges, etc…) it can be altered for various age ranges and personalities. The story can be told in a very humorous manner, or you can make it a bit spooky, or you can just let the flow of the rhyme and the nice illustrations encapture the imagination.

Not only is the rhymed verse unique in its very nice cadence, allowing for verbal creativity in your presentation, but you will also note various “graphic” or “artistic” uses of the text, as well; in that, the text is very purposely “integrated” into the illustrations, in certain page spreads, in order to make the text “come alive” as an imbedded part of the illustration itself.

For instance, in the scene where a snowball is being thrown, it is the text that tells the tale of the snowball’s path, catching and leading the eye, infusing the text into the very drawing itself. Or, when the snowman slides down the hill toward the house: it is the text that tells the “story” of his curvy, swervey  ride.

So, when talking of the writing process, I also incorporate the illustration process; because, as Mike (my very gifted illustrator) will tell you, I was extremely particular and very meticulous about how each of the drawings depicted the story and lent itself to the rhymed verse. In so doing, I believe we created a book that is so fun for children to read (as I have seen their faces light right up), a joy for adults to read to a child, and one that is very pleasing to the eye (in that the drawings, the colors and the resolution is very aesthetically pleasing overall.

**  Thank you most kindly Mark for stopping by and sharing yourself with us...we wish you success in all that you do~!!  **

The Snowman's Revenge by Mark Smythe

The Snowman's Revenge is a Children's Picture Book.

Yea~!!  It's a snow day and the children don't have to go to school!!  They all rush outside to play and have fun in the snow and decide to build themselves a Snowman.

When the kids get cold, they go inside for some hot chocolate and leave the snowman outside to freeze.  The Snowman is not impressed with being left behind and plots his revenge upon the unknowing children.

While they enjoy their cocoa, the snowman sneaks into their house and heads for the freezer when he begins to sweat.  Sitting in the dark, he plots to scare them all while they sleep however, before that can happen he must wait and while he waits, he wonders why he continues to sweat.

I thought this was a delightful book for the Christmas season.  I loved the rhyming flow of the narrative and how some of the lines of dialogue were shared with the reader.  Sometimes the words would flow with the snow and sometimes they climbed the stairs.  I really liked that extra bit of interaction and fun.

I thought the illustrations by Mike Motz were wonderful.  They were nicely drawn and beautifully coloured.  Each page had a story to share along with the prose.  The characters were cartoonish in nature with big eyes and as the story progresses, the Snowman gets really sinister and creepy looking.  If your child frightens easy, then this may not be the story for them however, most children will be able to handle the creations and enjoy the story in its completion.

I would give this a five out of five, I truly did like the sing-song rhyming sequence and my children sat enthralled listening to it until the very end.

The Snowman's Revenge

SYNOPSIS:
If you were left out in the cold snow all by yourself, would you be mad? Of course you would! Well, this snowman is out for revenge, especially after he sees those kids in the nice warm house, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate! So, let's see what happens in this delightful story, nicely flowing with rhymed verse, beautifully illustrated and quite humorous indeed. So loveable, it's sure to be an instant favorite and a timeless classic with "kids" of all ages.

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **