Fisher Dawg

FisherDawg

Lisa L. Phillips

Cilla is a little dog that loves to spend time on the boat with her humans. Her love of all things ocean gave her the nickname fisherdawg. The pictures tell the story of little Cilla as she plays, works to get a fish, and finally rests from the busy day. 

Children will love the bright photography and adorable dog. Pictures fill each page and large, easy to read, font tell the story of the little dog who goes overboard for fish. The true story will capture the young reader's attention and keep them entertained the entire book. Parents will love the interaction that they get from reading such a delightful book to their children. At the back of the book are some activities for the children that stay with the theme of dogs and fish. Overall, this was a sweet start to a fun series about fisherdawg that children will enjoy.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

The Adventurers of Bubba Jones

The Adventurers of Bubba Jones

Time Traveling Through the great Smoky Mountains

Jeff Alt

Bubba Jones and his sister Hug-a-Bug are on a backpacking trip with their grandpa, Papa Lewis. He wants to show them the Smokey Mountains and pass on a family secret. It's a very closely guarded secret that the children are delighted to inherit. This secret lets them literally step into history and experience it for themselves.

The story is a fiction setting with facts about the Smokey Mountains and it's history thrown in with the time travel element. The story is set up for the next book in the series by not ending one of the mysteries. At the end of the book is a curriculum guide and discussion questions for further review and study. Elementary school children will enjoy the story type approach to learning about history. My son (4th grade) liked it, but didn't love it. He said it was a bit boring in places.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for this honest review.

Fabulous Me

Fabulous Me, Piper Lee And The Peanut Butter Itch

Tolya L. Thompson

 

Piper knows that she's allergic to peanuts. But the yummy looking peanut butter sitting on the counter isn't the same. So surely she can have some, right? But when Piper begins to itch and look funny she yells for help. Mom gives her a shot and takes her to the emergency room. Now Piper knows that anything made with peanuts isn't good for her.

The bright, colorful illustrations fill the entire page and grab the children's attention immediately. The rhyming words tell the story in a fun and memorable way. While the book is geared towards children with allergies, it is also a great resource for classrooms and parents wanting their children to be aware of the consequences of trying things you shouldn't. Neither of my children have a peanut allergy, but both of them thoroughly enjoyed the book and the story prompted a discussion about allergies and how to notice the signs of someone needing help. The page for parents is informative and helpful. And the author has a fun contest going on for children on the very last page. I would recommend this book for schools, daycare centers, and parents.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Snowbirds

Snowbirds

A Memoir

Jo Ann Bender

Jo Ann and her husband need to take a trip to Texas from their home in Washington. They decided to purchase a vintage (meaning cheap) motorhome and try out the concept of being snow birds. They would take the scenic route to their meetings in Texas and visit historical places and enjoy the comforts of their little home on wheels. The author wrote down her thoughts to share with other baby boomers who might be considering a trip or a lifestyle change in a similar fashion.

The author writes in a meandering journalistic style as she shares her thoughts and feelings about living in a RV with another person for weeks at a time. She mentions several of the places that they visited. She shares the good and the ugly parts of buying vintage. The feel of the book is conversational and I can definitely see this book appealing to the retirees who are looking for something different now that they are no longer committed to a job.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Princess Cupcake Jones

Princess Cupcake Jones Won't Go To School

Ylleya Fields

Cupcake doesn't want to go to school. So she comes up with a plan. But each time her mother thwarts her plans. Cupcake is really scared, but her mother reassures her that it will be fine. When cupcakes meets her teacher and classmates she feels much better. Maybe school won't be as scary as she'd thought. And having a new friend is pretty cool.

The rhyming text and colorful illustrations make for a really fun story. The author shows kids that it's okay to be scared, but new things can be really fun. This book would be perfect to read to any little one just starting school. My five year old daughter loved the story and the illustrations. She laughed at the antics of the little girl. The story is a great opening to talk to children about what their concerns might be with school.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Four Boots One Journey

Four Boots One Journey

A Story of Survival, Awareness, and Rejuvenation on the John Muir Trail

Jeff Alt

Jeff, an avid hiker and backpacker, has married a wonderful woman. But Beth's idea of a vacation includes a hot shower and soft bed. So when he tries to convince her to join him she isn't interested. Several years after their wedding they experience the loss of a loved one. This spurs Beth to hike the John Muir trail with Jeff to raise awareness about depression.

I enjoy the author's style of writing. It reminded me a bit of the book A Walk in the Woods. He tells the story in an honest and refreshing way that makes me want to lace up my hiking boots and find some trails. The author tells of their experiences, while also peppering the story with his thoughts about life and about the aspects of depression. It was a fun and informative little book to read.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

The Legend of Boomer Jack

Somewhere Down the Line:

The Legend of Boomer Jack

Tim Martin

Boomer Jack would rather be riding a train than anything else. His owner can't keep him at home, despite her best efforts. The railroad employees soon adopt Boomer and allow him to ride trains and roam the depot. Boomer inspires love among the railway employees and young students. But his penchant for running away to ride a train also gets him into trouble.

The story of Boomer is fun for all ages. Young children will love the simplicity and smooth flowing language of the story. Adults will also enjoy reading the story of this adventuresome dog.

The story isn't long. But the chapters and larger print will make it perfect for young children to read.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Summer Fit 2-3

Summer Fit

2-3

Kelly Terrill & Portia Marin

Studies have shown that students test lower at the end of summer than at the beginning. They lose quite a bit of what they've learned though out the school year. Students also gain a considerable amount of weight through out the summer due to inactivity and poor eating habits. So several teachers have come up with a book that transitions the students into the next grade with fun and educational activities. The book has the subjects of math, reading, writing, language arts, fitness, nutrition, and values. But in reading through the book I also noticed bits of history as well. The worksheets are colorful and can be accomplished quickly. I was really impressed with the concept, layout, and educational level. My son is working though the book and is really enjoying it. The activities appear to be grade appropriate. Definitely a book that I would recommend getting for your child to complete over the summer.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Get Your Kids Hiking

Get Your Kids Hiking
How to Start Them Young and Keep it Fun!

Jeff Alt

Alt has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, the John Muir trail, through Ireland, and many other places. He was an experienced hiker before his children came along and he vowed to continue hiking with them. With his children are now older and just as in love with hiking as he and his wife, he decided to share his tips and expertise.

This is one of the most comprehensive and well thought out books on hiking that I've come across. The book is broken down into different sections based on the age of the child and is filled with tips, hiking equipment lists, and amusing stories. It is an amazing resource about how to get your children to fall in love with nature through hiking. I am definitely keeping this book and would highly recommend it.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Night Buddies

Night Buddies Book 2

Impostors and One Far-Out Flying Machine

Sands Hetherington

John and his red crocodile, Crosley, are ready for another adventure as they try to find out who is framing Crosley. Midnight travels and strange friends are all a part of this crazy midnight adventure.

Wildly imaginative, creative and fun are just a few words to describe this book. I can imagine my son absolutely loving this book when he's a little older. But as an adult I found the craziness and intentionally misspelled words a bit over the top. I was also confused quite a few times. But since I haven't read the first book in the series, I wondered how much I was missing and how much was my being a bit too adult. If this book was just for me I would have to say I didn't care for it. But since I'm not the target audience I feel I should give the book a higher rating. The larger print, funny illustrations, and wild imagery will be devoured by a little boy. I will be keeping the book so my son can check it out when he's a bit older.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Ready for PREretirement

Ready for Pretirement

3 Secrets for Safe Money and a Fabulous Future

Kris Miller

 Written by an accountant and money consultant, RFP is an informative and resourceful book for anyone wishing to retire any time in the future. I am in my 30s and found this book to be useful. The author talks about investments, living wills, and estate planning among other things.

Pros: very informative, useful, and well laid out. Definitely a must read for anyone planning their retirement.

Cons: Incredibly boring to a person who predominately reads for pleasure. Since I am not a "money person" I have no idea how to verify if this information is correct. Therefore I have to make an assumption that the author knows her stuff. A bit intimidating when dealing with finances.

Summery: A very practical and helpful guide to retirement. A bit dry for reading, but packed full of beneficial information.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Simple and Sold

Simple and Sold

Sissy Lappin

Every penny counts in this economy. So saving on realtors fees can often save you thousands and thousands of dollars. Sissy Lappin is a top producing realtor in Texas. She has continued to hold this title even when the economy and real estate market went south.

She shares her secrets on how to sell your own home in this easy to read and understand book. The steps are simple and clear. I expected to become a bit bored with the technical aspects, but was pleasantly surprised. The author also has a website that provides lists and forms that might be useful in selling your own home. If you are getting ready to sell your home I highly recommend reading this book first. It won't take very long and would be well worth the money.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Not Your Mother's Book

Not Your Mother's Book. . . On Being a Woman

A Collection of Stories from People Like You

Created by Dahlynn McKowen & Ken McKowen

Do you want to get inside the head of a woman? Do you enjoy good stories about women just like you? This book is a definite answer to those questions. Women from all ages and walks of life dish in sixty four different stories about what being a woman is all about. Think Chicken Soup women style.

I enjoyed these stories. The cover might not be appealing to some, but don't let that stop you. The stories are clean, funny, and uplifting. Stories about menopause, mammograms, and growing up a tomboy are all mixed together to bring an eclectic mix of fun for any woman. I look forward to reading more Not Your Mother's Books as they come out.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

School Struggles

School Struggles

A Guide to Your Shut-Down Learner's Success

Richard Selznick

Learning issues in school are a frequent concern for parents, teachers, and students. The author of The Shut-Down Learner, takes the reader through the different issues that might be hindering your child scholastically. The section begins with an illustration on the issue at hand (ie: ADHD). There is take-away point that summarizes and then a "try this" section that gives practical advice on how to work with the particular issue.

I can definitely see this book being a huge help to a parent or teacher who has a child with one of these issues. Since the author tackles a wide range of issues that include social, organizational and reading this is a book that most parents will benefit from reading. The writing style makes this book easy to read and process, something that is greatly appreciated in an informative book of this nature.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Help Your Kids Get Better Grades

Help Your Kids Get Better Grade

Gary Howard

Most children do not have the time or inclination to read instructions on how to study better. But the author's style has made this book actually enjoyable to read. The simple writing style and clear instructions set this book apart from the typical self-help study books. A student of any age (starting about middle school) will greatly benefit from the concise and important lesson in this book. Forty-seven chapters outline every possible scenario for studying and learning. The print is large so that your eyes aren't strained. The strategies and skills in the book will prove invaluable if taken to heart. This is definitely a book I'll be keeping for my children to read when they reach middle school.