~ MMGM NON-FICTION FEATURE ANIMAL ARCHITECTS ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE

MONDAY NON-FICTION FEATURE ~

--  'ANIMAL ARCHITECTS'  --

AUTHOR LIBBY ROMERO

LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS  

ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:

Independent readers will learn all about nature's most amazing builders in this new leveled reader from National Geographic Kids. Meet brilliant birds, inventive insects, ocean architects--and more!

Ever wondered why beavers build dams? Or how spiders weave their intricate webs? In this reader, you'll meet brilliant birds inventive insects, and amazing mammals that all share a special skill. Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, this leveled reader introduces kids to the most extreme engineers of the animal kingdom.

National Geographic Readers' expert-vetted text, along with brilliant images and a fun to approach to reading, have proved to be a winning formula with kids, parents, and educators. Level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for kids ready to read on their own, perfect to encourage the engineers and explorers of tomorrow!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:

Libby Romero worked as a teacher and a journalist before dedicating herself to becoming an author.

MY THOUGHTS:

I like the National Geographic Kids books because they are colorful, factual, and well-organized. When I saw the cover of this book I chuckled because I thought of the old saying, 'Busy as a beaver'.

This book is divided into nine chapters including Master Builders, Busy Birds, Spinning Spiders, Ants and Termites, Bees and Wasps, etc. Each chapter includes several of the types of color photographs National Geographic is known for presenting in their magazines and books. There are sidebars with vocabulary words, statistics, 'Weird But True' facts, and some fun Q & A puns, riddles, and jokes.

I'm not a huge fan of insects and spiders, but I was fascinated by the net-casting spider and the trapdoor spider's architectural abilities! The ants and termites and bees are likewise master architects. The Ocean Architects chapter was of special interest to me because I've been watching a series on PBS titled, 'Big Pacific'. Some of the same amazing architects on the show are included in this book--the male pufferfish, decorator crabs, and corals.

Back matter includes a 'Quiz Whiz' quiz about the facts in the book, a picture Glossary, and an Index. The back cover includes a website listing for so learns can join in the National Geographic Kids Super Reader club.

Recommended for teachers, librarians, parents/grandparents, science clubs, zoo camp leaders, and adults {such as I} with an insatiable interest in learning things about the world around them that they missed {or forgot} when they were a middle-grade student!

I borrowed a copy of this hardcover book from the non-fiction New Books shelves in the children's collection of the local public library.

🐟🐠🐜🐦🕷🕸🐟🐠🐜🐦🕷🕸🐟🐠🐜🐦🕷🕸🐟🐠🐜🐦🕷🕸

Learn about more great middle-grade reads by visiting Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' blog to find the links to other blog posts celebrating Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

🐟🐠🐜🐦🕷🕸🐟🐠🐜🐦🕷🕸🐟🐠🐜🐦🕷🕸🐟🐠🐜🐦🕷🕸

~ RES-Q TYLER STOP GIVEAWAY ENDING SOON! ~

🐶 🐇 🐱 🐢 🐶 🐇 🐱 🐢 🐶 🐇 🐱 🐢 

~ 'RES-Q TYLER STOP'

BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY--

ENDING SOON! ~

DETAILS AND ENTRY FORM MAY BE FOUND AT:
https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogspot.com/2019/04/mmgm-book-release-day-celebration.html

🐶 🐇 🐱 🐢 🐶 🐇 🐱 🐢 🐶 🐇 🐱 🐢

 

~ COVER REVEAL SPINSTER AND SPICE ~

~ COVER REVEAL ~
-- 'SPINSTER AND SPICE' --
AUTHOR REBECCA CONNOLLY
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,
Author Bio, Cover Reveal & Giveaway~

 

 

About the Book

Series: The Spinster Chronicles 
Genre: Adult, Regency, Romance  
Publisher: Phase Publishing  
Publication date: May 1, 2019 

Spinster, sweet Spinster Isabella Lambert is a nice person. She is biddable, polite, soft-spoken, and eager to please. She also happens to be a spinster, and one of the writers of the infamous Spinster Chronicles, where she is less polite, more outspoken, and may not please anyone. Izzy also has a secret that only one person knows, and that one person may hold the key to its success. Sebastian Morton finds Izzy Lambert fascinating. She is the perfect mentor for his younger sister as well as a capable and charming friend for him. When opportunity strikes to spend more time with her, her secret becomes his. But will this secret, and others, ruin their connection? 

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

About the Author

Rebecca Connolly writes romances, both period and contemporary, because she absolutely loves a good love story. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She started writing them down in elementary school and has never looked back. She currently lives in the Midwest, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

 

Cover Reveal

Giveaway

Enter the giveaway HERE. Giveaway ends May 1 at 11:59 MT. Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Blog Stops

Follow along at SLB Tours for a full list of stops!

 # # # # #

~ BOOK BLAST REFUGE AT PINE LAKE ~

~ BOOK BLAST ~

--  'REFUGE AT PINE LAKE'  --

AUTHOR ROSE CHANDLER JOHNSON

~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, 
Author Bio & Giveaway~

About the Book

Series: Pine Haven  
Genre: Christian, Contemporary  
Publisher: Chanson Books  
Publication date: March 7, 2019 

Robin Lancaster, a twenty-six-year-old former kindergarten teacher, has her summer and her life all figured out. She’s ready to be on her own, writing and illustrating her children’s stories at her family’s beloved lake house. Once there, she intends to rekindle a romance with Caleb Jackson, the area’s top hunting and fishing guide, and bag him for herself. Complications arise from the start when Robin finds out her mother has rented the lake house to a man they know nothing about. Matthew McLaughlin, forty-year-old widowed university professor and author from California, shows up at Pine Lake in crisis. A sabbatical might be his only hope to save much more than his career. He needs a place of refuge. Sharing the lake house with a lighthearted young woman and her dog is the last thing on his mind. Caleb Jackson has his own plans. He’s used to things going his way, but a man staying in Robin’s house presents unforeseen challenges. When paths unavoidably entangle for these three, hearts are on the line.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author

Rose Chandler Johnson is known for her heartwarming, inspirational writing. In addition to works of sweet contemporary, Christian fiction, Rose has written an award-winning devotional, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments.

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | BOOKBUB | BLOG

 Giveaway

Enter the giveaway HERE. Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Blog Stops

Follow along at SLB Tours for a full list of stops!

# # # # #

~ MMGM BOOK RELEASE DAY CELEBRATION ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE

MONDAY BOOK RELEASE DAY

CELEBRATION ~

--  'RES-Q TYLER STOP'  --
 ~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, Author
Bio, Unique Excerpt & Giveaway~ 

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for RES-Q Tyler Stop by June McCrary Jacobs with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: RES-Q Tyler Stop  
Series: Tyler Stop, Book 1  
Author: June McCrary Jacobs  
Publisher: JMJ Story Stitcher Books  
Release Date: April 22, 2019  
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction

It's the summer of 1968 in Sonoma County, California, and eleven-year-old Weston Gregg and his nine-year-old sister, Wendy, are looking for fun things to do during their summer break from school. When they discover some abandoned rabbits, they hatch an idea to make a positive difference for animals and people in their small town of Tyler Stop.

They decide to form 'Rescue Each Species-Quickly', or RES-Q Tyler Stop.

There are challenges to face as they move forward into their new venture, including standing up to someone who is targeting Weston's friends for being different and a painfully bad decision.

Will Weston have to handle these issues on his own or will he learn to accept the advice and wisdom shared by some important people in his life? Join Weston and his family and friends as they share some adventures and learn and grow together in RES-Q Tyler Stop.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

"Adventure has no end in this tale, where a heart for animals inspires and surprises await around every bend. . . . The characters and the situations they face come across realistic, and the scenes develop naturally. Not only does the author keep a nice paced plot rolling along but adds interesting and practical information about animals and ways to handle certain situations along the way. It makes for a fun mix of fiction and fact.

This appears to be the first book in the series, and I’m eager to see where the RES-Q Tyler Stop adventures will head to next." ~ Tonja Drecker, Author of Music Boxes

🐇 🐶 🐱 🐢 EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT 🐢 🐱  🐶  🐇 

CHAPTER SIX
Road Trip to Lake Tahoe--Summer, 1968

Each summer Weston and Wendy were treated to a road trip with their father's parents, Edna and Bill Gregg. This year they were driving up to Lake Tahoe to go camping and fishing. Weston was especially excited because he would get to try out some of the camping, cooking, and fishing skills he'd learned in Boy Scouts.

When Weston was packing for the trip, Dad wandered into his room.

"Oh, hi, Dad. I need to talk to you about something important."

"All right."

"While we're gone to Lake Tahoe with Nana and Papa, please don't forget to feed and water all of the animals every day. When we get home, we'll pay you for being a substitute animal keeper."

"I won't forget to take care of the animals. Your sister made a large poster listing everything I need to do each day. Don't worry; I won't let anything happen to the little critters."

"I know you'll do the right things for the animals until we get home next week. Wendy's a little worried about leaving you and Mom in charge, but I told her we can trust you both with these responsibilities."

Dad chuckled, then smiled. "We'll do our best. Your faith in us means a lot, son."  
                                                  ***
Wendy and Weston were finishing breakfast when they heard the horn on their grandparents' truck. They each ran out front with a sleeping bag in one hand and a duffel bag in the other.

"You two look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning," Nana said as she hugged them close.

"You said to be ready for a 7:30 pick-up, so we packed everything last night before bedtime," Wendy said.

"Yeah, we're really excited to go camping and fishing with you and Papa."

"We're looking forward to it, too." Nana smiled.

As Papa opened the back door to the pop-up camper shell sitting on top of the truck's flatbed, he shouted, "Let's get this show on the road, people!"

"Now, Dad, you know Lake Tahoe isn't going to grow legs and walk away." Glen was carrying out a box of canned goods and other necessities for the trip.

Bill Gregg turned around and grinned at his son.

"I used to say the same thing to you when you were a young whippersnapper like Weston here."

"Where do you think I learned all of my dad humor, Dad?"

Everyone laughed as Christy came out of the kitchen carrying a picnic basket and an insulated jug.

"Here's a picnic lunch and some iced tea for your noon break on the way up to the lake."

"Thank you, my dear," said Edna as she hugged and kissed Christy.

"How's my favorite daughter?" Bill leaned in for a kiss.

"Papa, Mom isn't your daughter. She's your daughter-in-law," said Wendy.

"Actually, I like to call her my daughter-in-love." Bill winked at Christy.

"Thanks, Dad," Christy said as she hugged him around the waist. "I'm fortunate to have two great fathers—my own and you."

"Any last minute instructions for the children, Glen?" Edna asked.

"We had a long discussion last night, so I think all will go well. Any questions, kids?"

"No, Dad," Wendy said.

"No, sir," Weston added.

"Okay, then let's load everyone up and get on the road," Papa said.

"Have a safe, fun trip, you two," Mom said with tears in her eyes as she gave both of her children a warm hug and several kisses.

Weston squirmed loose of her arms and said, "Aw, Mom. Do you have to kiss me in front of everybody?"

"Yes. It's a mother's privilege."

"Are you going to cry, Mom?" Wendy asked.

"No, honey."

"Probably," Dad murmured.

"Don't cry, Mom. We'll be home in a week, and then you'll be stuck with us every day for fifty-one weeks until we go on vacation with Nana and Papa again next summer," Weston said.

"Good thinking, son. That puts everything into perspective, doesn't it?" Dad asked.

"Last call for the bathroom or to be sure you have everything you need for the next two or three hours. You know I don't like to stop until we get up to Roseville," Papa said.

"I remember, Dad." Glen chuckled. "How about it, you guys?"

"I'm good," said Weston.

"Me, too," added Wendy.

"Let's get going then."

The children climbed into the truck and sat between their grandparents. The truck was old, but Bill and Glen had installed two lap seatbelts for the children to use when they rode in the truck. Papa started the motor and everyone waved one last time before they headed out onto the main road.

A moment later the truck backed up and Bill rolled down his window.

"Something wrong, Dad?" Glen asked.

"Wendy wants me to remind you not to forget to take good care of the animals."

Glen raised his hand and waved off the comment.

"I won't forget the animals. Now let your grandfather get moving."

Bill nodded, rolled up the window and drove out to the main road.

"I'll miss them every minute they're gone," Christy said.

"I will, too, but I think it's great that they get to spend some quality time with my parents exploring new territory. Don't you?"

"Definitely. I'd better get moving so I can be at the school for my first appointment this morning. See you around four this afternoon."

Christy kissed her husband and went back inside to grab her purse and lunch. Glen walked her to her car.

She made a quick U-turn and turned onto the main road. Glen walked back to the house to clean up the kitchen. He had a lot on his agenda for the day, and he wanted to get started before it got too hot.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 'RES-Q Tyler Stop' is June McCrary Jacobs's first middle-grade book. June is a retired elementary school teacher and literacy mentor who is fond of California history and children's literature. She especially loves to write, read, and blog about middle-grade fiction and non-fiction on her 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' blog.

In addition to writing inspirational romance books and stories for adults {A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom, 2013; Robin's Reward, 2015; Handmade Hearts, 2019}, June's original sewing, quilting, and stitchery designs have been published in over one hundred books, magazines, and on sewing industry blogs in the past decade.

When she's not writing, reading, blogging, or sewing, June enjoys cooking, walking, visiting art and history museums, and touring historic homes and gardens.

One of her most memorable and thrilling childhood adventures was her ride in the Goodyear blimp as it floated over Long Beach, California. She can still remember the people on the beach waving to her as she zoomed past them.

LOOK FOR MORE TYLER STOP BOOKS COMING SOON!

CONNECT WITH JUNE: Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Goodreads Blog | Amazon

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will win

• $20 Amazon gift card (US/International)
• Signed Paperback Copy of RES-Q Tyler Stop (US only) or Digital Copy (International)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 22, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 29, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

# # # # #

~ AS SWEET AS CHOCOLATE E-BOOK PROMOTION ~

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~

--  AS SWEET AS CHOCOLATE

SWEET ROMANCE PROMOTION  --

Head over to sweet romance Author Grace Roberts's blog to check out the 'As Sweet as Chocolate Easter Promo'.

The promo includes over two dozen sweet romances from a variety of authors priced for $.99 from today through Monday, April 22nd.

Two of my inspirational romances, 'Robin's Reward' and 'Handmade Hearts' are on this list! {Note:  The price of 'Robin's Reward' has been cut from the regular price of $4.99 down to $.99 for this promotion! Sale on this book will run through Thursday, April 25th.}

Click on this link to visit Grace's blog to view the covers and blurbs about the participating books.  

LINK TO SWEET AS CHOCOLATE EASTER PROMO

🌹 🏵 🌹 🏵  Happy Reading!  🌹 🏵 🌹 🏵

💐 💐 💐 💐 💐  

~ COMING SOON ~

~ COMING SOON ~

🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇

 

Please join me for the blog tour for my debut children's book, 'RES-Q Tyler Stop', next week. The tour runs from Monday, April 22nd - Friday, April 26th. The schedule of stops will be posted on my Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday post 'write' here on April 22nd. 

🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇

PS -- Check out my 'Current Giveaways' page here on Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic to learn about the blog tour prize package I'm offering to one lucky winner . . . 

# # # # #

 

~ MMGM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF CLOTHES ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE

MONDAY NON-FICTION FEATURE ~

--  'THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF CLOTHES'  --

AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR EMMA DAMON

  LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS

ABOUT THE BOOK {from Amazon}:

Playful, informative, with every page a visual delight, Emma Damon explores the amazing range of ways in which we dress ourselves, all over the world.

See what children wear in Siberia, in the Sahara desert of at the Vietnamese Moon Festival...

Learn how to wear a sari or kimono...

Find out about the special clothes worn by astronauts, firemen and deep-sea divers, and see amazing hats, shoes and jewellery from all around the world.

Then look to the future, with recycling, 3D printers and space-age fabrics. 

Come and explore the wonderful world of clothes - and be inspired to design your own!

MY THOUGHTS:

This is a colorful oversized book with beautiful watercolor illustrations painted by the author. 

Each page is jam-packed with information and illustrations which answer the folowing questions about clothes around the world: 

• Who?
• What?
• Where?
• When?
• Why?
• How?

The author covers important topics such as clothing worn by people doing special jobs--firefighters and astronauts, clothing worn to wear to play sports and games, clothing worn by six world religions, and clothing worn for special occasions and festivals. 

This author also includes accessories in the book, so young readers will get a peek into the what and why of jewelry and decorations and an assortment accessories such as hats, belts, shoes, and clothes fasteners {snaps, buttons, zippers, etc.}.

I especially enjoyed the 'Fabulous Fabrics' section where the author explains the likes and differences between natural fibers such as wool, cashmere, Alpaca wool, cotton, and silk. There is also a brief blurb about man-made/synthetic fabrics such as nylon, polyester, and Lycra.

Toward the end of the book, she illustrates the life cycle of a pair of jeans, which I happen to think middle-graders would find fascinating. She moves on to a section about recycling clothes and shares several different examples from around the world of the ways in which recyclable materials such as tires are being made into sandals in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. She points out that shiploads of old clothing from India are sent to countries which make the clothes into fabric and then into new clothes.

The author finishes the text with a thought-provoking section on how technology is being used in the 21st century to design and make new fabrics and designs. She mentions a dress made from a 3D printer--something which I personally have trouble wrapping my mind around!

The back matter is a Glossary, which I believe learners will find helpful.

This author/illustrator does an exceptional job of including a diverse group of cultures, religions, and people with disabilities in her artwork. Her illustrations reflect our world's various cultures, religions, and traditions. 

Highly-recommended for middle-grade readers, teachers, parents/grandparents, librarians, and those interested in learning about this subject matter.

I borrowed this book from the non-fiction New Books shelf in the children's section of the local public library.

********************

Learn about more great middle-grade reads by visiting Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' blog to find the links to other blog posts celebrating Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!

🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER 'RES-Q Tyler Stop'
**Releasing on April 22nd, 2019!**

🐶 🐶 🐶 NOW FOR SALE IN PAPERBACK
 ON AMAZON! 🐶🐶🐶 
CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK     

🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇

 

TUNE IN NEXT WEEK FOR THE BLOG TOUR FOR 'RES-Q TYLER STOP' WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOOK AND LEARN HOW TO ENTER TO WIN AN AWESOME PRIZE PACKAGE:

 

  

🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇 🐇