Salute to Veterans

 

Today, we honor those who have, and those who continue to, serve for our freedom. Thank you, Veterans! You are a great honor to our country. God Bless you, and God Bless the USA.

Remembrance

 

On this day, we remember all those who lost their lives, their families and friends and all those impacted by what was arguably the most grave tragedy to ever occur on American soil. This is a day of sadness, reverence, remembrance and pain but also one of bravery, grit and the strength of the American spirit. 

ALWAYS remember. NEVER forget. God Bless America!

National Read a Book Day

 

Book lovers unite! Today is National Read a Book Day. Grab your favorite book and snuggle up. 

Books can transport us in time and place as well as provide comfort while pulling on the heart strings. Lose yourselves in the pages of a book and see where the story takes you. I plan to do the same!

If you are so inclined, please share your favorite books, either for yourself or your kids. I always love to add to my to-read pile.

Salute the Flag

 

Today marks Independence Day, July 4th, commemorating the Declaration of Independence establishing our freedom as the United States of America.

As you go about your celebrations today, whether with picnics, fireworks, games, and/or gatherings, remember we remain the land of the free, because of the brave. God bless those who have served, and those who continue to do so. We are forever in your debt.

Be safe, and God Bless America!

National Cancer Survivor Month

As we wrap up the month of June, National Cancer Survivor Month, I wanted to share a few beautiful children's books I found that may be of help should you need it. 

Cancer is a terrible disease that impacts many and does not discriminate. Finding peace and strength in the journey is a challenge, particularly so for children battling the disease or watching a loved one do so. 

Should you or yours be fighting the battle currently, I wish you strength and healing, now and in the days ahead.

MG Chapter Book Review

 

I had the privilege of reading and reviewing PETER LITTLE WING by Regan Macaulay, illustrated by Gordon Bagshaw.  It is an amazing novel, and one I cannot recommend enough for your middle grade readers, whether children or students. Below is my review.

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TITLE: PETER LITTLE WING

AUTHOR: Regan W.H. Macaulay

ILLUSTRATOR: Gordon Bagshaw

PUBLISHER: Pandamonium Publishing House

PUBLISHED: 2023

ISBN: 978-1-989506-65-3

 

PETER LITTLE WING is a chapter book for middle grade readers. It is the story of Peter, a kiwi, and his band of misfit friends who set out on an adventure to locate the ingredients needed to cure Peter’s grandfather, Nandy Enzo, who is very ill. The journey takes them through many ups and downs, all the while solidifying their bonds of friendship in the multitude of stories that twist and turn throughout their adventure.

 

Peter recruits his closest friends from the National Aquarium where they live in captivity—Onion, a little blue penguin with an inner ear disturbance; Tim, a tuatara with Generalized Anxiety Disorder; and Rangi, a kea with clipped wings. Along the way, they meet Pō, a Green and Golden Bell frog; and Andrew, a possum daring death on a bridge. Together, the band of six friends work to listen for “The Deep Understanding” to solve the riddles of the needed ingredients and attempt to find them. But will they? And, if so, will they be able to make it back to the aquarium in time to save Nandy Enzo?

 

Sprinkled throughout the entire book are tidbits of information for kids (and adults) to learn about the unique animals of New Zealand as well as the interesting language and slang of this island country. Macaulay uses fun language (definitions can be found in a glossary at the end of the book) and beautiful imagery (“mosses, mulch, and shrub clusters formed a patchwork forest quilt”) throughout which really paint a picture of the characters and setting.

 

While this story is animal based, the stories of these friends very similarly mimic that of humans in many ways making it very relatable for kids…from the relationships amongst family, to living with and accepting other’s ailments, our desire to belong, and the passing down of family stories from generation to generation, interwoven over time.

 

The fact that this is Ms. Macaulay’s first MG chapter book is remarkable. She weaves a terrific story using wonderful language to create vivid images and set the scenes very well, ultimately creating a book that is difficult to put down. I highly recommend it and believe readers will also love it.

 

Gordon Bagshaw’s illustrations help bring the story and friends to life, adding an important part of the world in which these friends are weaving their stories.

 

The story of this group of misfit friends on a mission to help a friend and encounter the adventure of a lifetime through the “middle of nowhere” is excellent. Macaulay uses these relatable animals to teach subtle lessons about how to treat others in such a way that readers will find themselves rooting for the characters without realizing they are also learning valuable life lessons. There are so many surprising twists and turns on the adventure beyond the “Walls of Shadows,” all the while demonstrating the bonds of friendship and ultimate importance of treating others the way one wants to be treated. Well done!

 

 

 

*** Disclaimer: I received a PDF copy of this book free of charge in exchange for my truthful review. This review consists of my honest opinions, not influenced in any way by the author. I did not receive any monetary compensation nor any other incentive for my review.***

 

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Purchase information can be found on Regan's website at Regan W.H. Macaulay

 

Home of the Free, Because of the Brave

 

Today, we remember all who served and gave their lives making the ultimate sacrifice while defending us and the freedoms we so often take for granted. We honor you; we remember you. And we pray for peace and strength for all of the husbands, wives, children, and families left behind. God Bless you all, and God Bless America.

As Lee Greenwood so aptly said, "And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."

Always remember, never forget.