Children's Book Week: May 2nd - 8th!

“Since 1919, Children’s Book Week has been celebrated countrywide with author & illustrator appearances, parties, storytelling, and other book-related events in schools, libraries, bookstores, clubs — anywhere where kids and books connect.”

Visit the Children’s Book Week website at www.bookweekonline.com to view events taking place across the country and to learn more about this annual celebration.

How will you celebrate Children’s Book Week?

Guest Blogging at Write What Inspires You on May 2nd!



In honor of Children's Book Week, I will be interviewed at Write What Inspires You, the blog of award-winning author Donna McDine. Donna’s stories and features have been published in many print and online publications and her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna has two more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, The Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey. She writes, moms and is the Publicist Intern for The National Writing for Children Center and Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Musing Our Children.

I hope you'll visit me on May 2nd at http://donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/. 

Why God Matters Receives Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award!

I'm thrilled to pass along the following information that I received today from Nicole Langan, owner of Tribute Books:

ARCHBALD, PENNSYLVANIA – Tribute Books is proud to announce that our title Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life has received the 2011 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award in the Nonfiction/Christian Living category.

All readers of Christian books and all retailers selling Christian products were invited to vote for the Book of the Year. Over 3,600 votes were received for 72 books nominated by 48 publishers. The Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award honors books produced by small publishers for outstanding contribution to Christian life.

Readers and retailers were invited to vote for one book in each category online at http://www.christianbookaward.com/. The award is offered in eight categories: Fiction, Biography, Christian Living, Relationships/Family, Bible Study/Theology, Children's Book (4-8 years), Children's Book (8-12 years), and Young Adult (12+ years). The winners of this award are determined solely by Christian retailers and readers' votes.

This is the fourth year the Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award has been presented. This year the award has a new website at http://www.christianbookaward.com/.

About Christian Small Publishers Association:

The Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award is sponsored by Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA). CSPA was established to represent and promote small publishers in the Christian marketplace. CSPA is a supplier member of CBA. Christian Small Publishers Association can be found online at http://www.christianpublishers.net/.



About Why God Matters:

Many times one sees Roman Catholicism explained using either closely reasoned theology or an appeal to ancient writers of the Church. While both are legitimate approaches, the average reader looking to explore the faith is often left cold. In their collaboration, Why God Matters, Deacon Steven Lumbert and his daughter, Karina Lumbert Fabian, delineate the Catholic Faith as experienced by a pair of average, everyday people like the great majority who make up the 24 percent of Americans who share this religion.

In the stories of this pair, one see both ways people come to Catholicism, by birth (“cradle Catholics”) and by conversion. Their descriptions of their separate paths thankfully lack the religiosity of the all too common "and then a miracle takes place" school of religious experience. Rather than blasts of light, fiery swords, spiritual fistfights, and angelic choirs, theirs is the long religious slog of the everyday. The effort that one must put out each day in the long trek to Heaven.

What is Catholicism really like? One would be hard-put to find a better verbal painting of the faith so many call their own.

Visit the book’s web site at: http://www.whygodmatters.com/.

$15.95, hardcover

$2.99-$4.99 eBook

ISBN: 9780982256534

5.5" x 8.5"
114 pp

2010

About Karina Lumbert Fabian

Karina Lumbert Fabian was born into the Catholic faith, but truly grew to love it as an adult. As a busy mother of four, she finds some of her strongest encounters with God's love happen in the ordinary events of the day-to-day. Karina started her writing career with diocesan newspapers but has settled into writing fun-filled fantasy and science fiction that nonetheless incorporates the principles of faith-filled living. Visit Karina’s web site at http://www.fabianspace.com/.

About Deacon Steven Lumbert

Deacon Steven Lumbert officially converted to Catholicism in 1988, but had been a "practicing" Catholic long before that. He met his lovely and loving wife, Socorro, while serving in Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Puerto Rico, in 1966. They raised their daughters, Karina and Regina, in the faith. Steve spent 30 years as a Colorado State Trooper, but retired when God called him to the diaconate. Currently, he serves the Diocese of Pueblo as the Associate Director of Deacon Formation.

Published by Tribute Books: http://www.tribute-books.com/. Please contact Tribute Books for author interviews, review copies, book artwork and any other requests at info@tribute-books.com.

To order 10 or more copies at a 40% discount, contact Tribute Books at info@tribute-books.com or phone (570) 876-2416.

We congratulate the authors and Tribute Books for winning this award. To read my review of the book, please visit http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-god-matters-by-karina-lumbert.html

Book Review: Why Do We Celebrate Easter? by Mark Sutherland

Looking for a way to explain Easter to your child? Then consider picking up a copy of Why Do We Celebrate Easter? by Mark Sutherland.

In this beautifully illustrated story, children learn that God had planned Easter a long, long time ago--even before the world was created. The book swiftly moves along from creation and the Fall of Man, to the birth of Jesus, His ministry, the Last Supper, Jesus' death and his glorious Resurrection.

Sutherland did an excellent job of providing young readers with a book that explains the Easter story in greater depth than many books do. While it is a large picture book (30 PDF pages/28 printed pages) the explanations provided by the author will be helpful in assisting readers to grasp the full message.

The book opens by asking the reader, "Do you ever wonder what Easter is all about?" Immediately the author works to engage the reader. This is a nice style, and one I think young readers will enjoy.

Julie Hammond's artwork is lovely. The soft, warm colors keep with the peaceful tone of the book.

My only slight criticism is that I felt the book would end on a more powerful note without the last page. The second to the last page talks about how we become Jesus' friends by believing He is God and that He died and rose again as payment for our sins. The final page acts like a summary of the entire book, and ends with the words, "And that's why we celebrate Easter." I truly felt that last page deflated the strong words of the page before it.

That aside, Why Do We Celebrate Easter? by Mark Sutherland is a great way to share the Easter story with the child in your life.

Paperback: 28 pages

Publisher: Dunrobin Publishing (January 21, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0983236305

ISBN-13: 978-0983236306

SRP:  $9.99

Book Review: One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano

Who knew one little blueberry could cause so much trouble? When one little blueberry falls to the ground, all the hungry insects are eager to have it for themselves. Who will end up with this tasty treat?

Counting has never been so much fun as with One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano. Coupled with the charming artwork of Kat Whelan, this hardcover with spot laminated cardstock pages, will be a popular read in your house. I found the spot lamination to be quite an intriguing feature, as the glossy spots immediately capture the reader's eye.

I truly loved this story. It takes a great deal of imagination to create a simple book that teaches counting, but Salzano makes it seem easy. Whelan's bright and colorful illustrations in some ways matched the simplicity of the text: the angular lines of the ants' faces, the insects' dot eyes, the wispy lines of the antenna. Yet, there is so much going on in these zany pictures of insects chasing after the coveted blueberry, that you're captivated by them as much as you are by the story.

This might just be my favorite book of the spring season!

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 24 pages

Publisher: Tiger Tales (March 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1589258592

ISBN-13: 978-1589258594

SRP:  $12.95

Book Review: Roly-Poly Egg by Kali Stileman

What would spring time be without a new life story? In this charming book by Kali Stileman, Splotch the bird lives high up in a tree. One day she lays a very spotty egg that is perfect in every way. Splotch jumps with excitement, which shakes the branch and sends the egg rolling down onto a variety of animals. Readers follow the dotted line to see where the egg will land next.

Filled with Stileman's vibrant illustrations, Roly-Poly Egg is a delightful story. As a true mother, Splotch knows her spotty egg is perfect in every way. A giraffe, two zebras, a crocodile, an elephant, and some monkeys get a chance to see the roly-poly egg, while readers follow the dotted line marking the egg's journey.

A fun book to read or read aloud, the last page includes a flap that readers can lift for a colorful surprise. Geared toward kids ages 3 to 7 (4 - 8 on Amazon), Roly-Poly Egg will enchant your youngster. I can see this book being read many times over. And at a suggested retail price of only $12.95, it's a great value.

This book would make a great addition to your child's Easter basket.

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Tiger Tales (March 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1589258525

ISBN-13: 978-1589258525

SRP:  $12.95

Book Review: One Rainy Day by Tammi Salzano

When it's time to learn colors, there's nothing cuter than this great new release from tiger tales. One Rainy Day finds Duck happy for a springtime shower. A journey outside shows Duck discovering a green frog, blue puddles, and more.

Ever since I picked up my first tiger tales book, I've been in love with this publisher.  Like all the titles I've read from tiger tales, One Rainy Day blends a great story with wonderful illustrations to come up with a winner. This is a simple story to relay simple concepts, but with the stunning artwork of Hannah Wood, Duck's rainy day jaunt comes alive.

I'm going to pass this book along to my nephew. He'll be needing it before too long. This board book is geared toward kids ages 2 to 5. It's sturdy and will hold up to many readings.

Come enjoy a colorful spring time story in One Rainy Day by Tammi Salzano!

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Board book: 24 pages

Publisher: Tiger Tales; Brdbk edition (March 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1589258606

ISBN-13: 978-1589258600

SRP:  $8.95

Little Shepherd Featured Today at Educationtipster

My fellow Guardian Angel Kathy Stemke is participating in the April 2011 A to Z Blogging Challenge, just like I am at Books, Products and More! For the letter "L" she is featuring Little Shepherd and the wonderful rhyming book, Lightning Strikes, by Kevin McNamme. Coincidentally, Eugene Ruble illustrated both books.

I hope you'll visit Kathy's Educationtipster blog at http://educationtipster.blogspot.com/2011/04/l-is-for-little-shepherd-and-lightning.html and leave a comment.

Little Shepherd is available at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Guardian Angel Publishing
Indiebound.org

You can also email me at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com if you would like an autographed copy of the book. The cost of an autographed copy would be $10, plus a flat $3 shipping and handling fee for anywhere in the United States. Additional shipping charges would apply outside of the United States.

Can Picture Books be Used to Introduce Young Readers to Sensitive Topics?

That's the topic that Amy M. O'Quinn discusses today at The National Writing Center for Children blog. She happens to mention as a good example, Donna McDine's The Golden Pathway.

O'Quinn makes a good argument that picture books can be an "excellent resource to introduce and discuss such topics as the death of a family member or pet, sickness, family problems, handicaps and disabilities, different kinds of abuse, peer pressure, self-esteem, etc."

You can read the full article at http://writingforchildrencenter.com/2011/04/08/using-picture-books-to-introduce-sensitive-topics-to-children/