Review: Grynbad and the Seven Soups by David Hailwood

GRYNBAD AND THE SEVEN SOUPS

by David Hailwood

Children's Fantasy

102 pages

ages 7 to 9

Timmy Grynbad has bad teeth, and a big heart. So when his beloved grandpa’s most magnificent false teeth get stolen by a great green Gribble Grobble, he responds in the same manner as any dutiful grandson would; he leaps headfirst into a barrel of custard and sets off after them.

Emerging in a strange land of liquid, Timmy soon discovers he must cross the Seven Soups and face its many hazards.

Along the way he will battle lolly-loving pirates, wrestle with mermaids, haggle with trolls, and learn to run on custard. But such tasks pale in comparison to the dangers that await him in the foul reeking depths of minestrone!

Will Timmy sink or swim? Find out inside this fully illustrated self-contained comedy fantasy adventure, available exclusively to Kindle Select.

MY TIDBITS

Packed to the brim with silliness, adventure and imagination, this tale even manages to work in the wonderful love between a grandfather and his grandson.

Timmy thinks his grandfather's teeth are so cool—they might be fake but they are big, bad and can really chomp. When Timmy's visit to the dentist reveals anything but a perfect set of biters, things turn grim in the family. A next day visit to Grandpa in the retirement home results with a terrible event; Grandpa's teeth are missing! Timmy dives into the barrel of custard to search for his grandfather's chompers...a feat which lands him in the seas of Seven Soups and tons of adventure.

This is NOT a book to be read with a serious attitude. Timmy might be full of heart and ready to take on almost anything to get his grandfather's beloved teeth back, but it's a journey into fantasy pure. From pirates to mermaids, trolls and so much more, Timmy comes across the most amazing adventures as he travels through Minestrone, Tomato and many other soupy waters. 

There is never a boring moment, not with countless amazing situations, quirky characters and adventures which hit the depths of imagination roll along at top speed. It makes for a very entertaining, quick read and unexpected twists on every page. Boys and reluctant readers will be lured in by this story. As for serious readers, they might shake their heads.

And there's Timmy's wonderful heart. Even with all of the nonsense, the sacrifice and effort Timmy puts forth is impossible to ignore. He loves his grandfather and gives his all to help him. Even when it comes to finding his teeth.

And here he is...

David Hailwood is a two-time BBC Writers Room sitcom writing finalist, who’s had comedy material broadcast on ITV and E4.  He’s spent the past twenty years writing comic scripts for numerous publications around the UK, including Egmont’s best selling children’s comic ‘Toxic’.  He edits the ‘100% Biodegradable’ comic anthology, and his previous book of Alternative Facts ‘Not A Lot Of People Know That’ (co-written with F.J. Riley) received over 80 5-star reviews and made it into the iBooks top ten ‘Free Humour’ chart.  His debut children’s fantasy novel ‘The Last Of The Navel Navigators’ was awarded a Distinction as part of his Creative Writing MA at University of Chichester, England.

Website:  www.davidhailwood.com

Newsletter:   https://mailchi.mp/397996b52684/biopresskidsfreebie

Social Media links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidCJHailwood

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidhailwoodwriter/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biomekazoik/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4572039.David_Hailwood

Universal Book Links (take you to the most appropriate store for your country):

Amazon Kindle: http://mybook.to/Grynbad

Amazon Print: http://mybook.to/GrynbadPaperback

Standard Amazon Links:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grynbad-Seven-Soups-Illustrated-Children/dp/1722218657/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Grynbad-Seven-Soups-Illustrated-Children/dp/1722218657/

Review: The Adventures of Popcorn and Jellybean by Robert Gillespie with Giveaway

The Adventures of Popcorn and Jellybean 

by Robert Gillespie

Children's Fantasy/Nature

48 pages

Page Publishing

July 2017

Tour dates: Jan 22 to Feb 2, 2018

Content Rating: G

Popcorn and Jellybean had never ventured down the path beyond the big tree. But since they never really did anything exciting, and even though it made them a little nervous at first, they decided it would be a fun adventure for a couple of days. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty, as it turned out, if the explorers were not prepared! Join them as they take on new challenges each day, learn how to survive by following the behaviors of the animals they encounter, and go where Mother Nature leads them. And who knows, maybe we could learn as well!

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes ~ Google Play

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MY TIDBITS

Two extraordinary friends head for a camping adventure and learn that Mother Nature is full of surprises.

Popcorn and Jellybean are great friends, and when they have the chance to go on a several day trip together in the woods, they are ready for adventure. Never going that far into the woods, they're not sure what to expect. Nature supplies a new surprise every day, but these two are ready to learn and experience everything as they go.

The main characters—a popcorn, a jellybean and later, a raisin—drew not only my attention but had my kids raising their eyebrows too. It's an odd pairing, but that adds a little bit of quirky fun. Popcorn and Jellybean are good buddies, who stick together no matter what, and this friendship comes across loud and clear. When they face problems or surprises, they find a way to solve the situation and are willing to listen to each other's ideas. It's a lovely example of true friendship.

The dive into the woods is a journey into nature pure. Jellybean and Popcorn are faced with challenges, which require a little bit of thinking and remembering what they'd learned from adults at home. The solutions are true to life and useful, giving readers the chance to learn along with the two and discover things they might not have known before. Readers will come out of this adventure with hints on how to deal with bees stings, tent building, wild animals and other things as well.

The illustrations are bright and simple, giving kids something to look at while the story is being read. And I would recommend this as read-aloud, especially for kids ages five and up. Readers who are more sure of their reading will be able to tackle this one alone, but the large amount of text on each page might make them shy away. The text is easy to understand, written in larger lettering (a bonus when reading aloud) but does, unfortunately, carry a few editing mistakes. As to the story itself, it moves along at a steady pace and  holds more than a couple surprises. It's entertaining and educational. One simply can't think about the characters and their quirks too much, but that's what a child's imagination is all about.

And here he is. . .

Bob has spent more than 13 years as a wildlife conservation educator sharing information and animal encounters with audiences of all ages. He has a passion for teaching about a wide range of topics nature related and loves passing it along to his two sons. His youngest son, Colton, was the inspiration behind The Adventures of Popcorn and Jellybean, where it all started as a simple bedtime story. Bob currently resides in Carlsbad, California, and works as a professional interpreter guide at a world-renowned conservation organization.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Feb 10, 2018

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Review: Dragonella by Elizabeth Varadan

DRAGONELLA

by Elizabeth Varadan

Illustrated by Brian Belanger

Children's Fantasy

48 pages

Dragonella is the only dragon at her new school. Other students - trolls, griffins and ogres - are frightened when she breathes fire. The teacher isn't happy when Dragonella's laughter melts the filing cabinet. But when Dragonella's flames save the day during the class party on Legend Day, the teacher and other students learn they shouldn't be quick to judge someone who is different. 

MY TIDBITS

Dragonella is a sweet dragon with tons of heart and a character kids are sure to love.

Dragonella has started school, but things are so exciting that she has a hard time controlling her flame. Not only does this cause mishaps in the classroom, but the others are a little frightened. To make matters worse, some of the students start picking on her. It's a lot for Dragonella to handle.

This is a quick, fun adventure with a lot of imagination and heart. Dragonella is a sweet, little dragon who couldn't hurt a fly, and her determination to fit in and enjoy school makes her easy to like from the very first page. As her first mishap occurs, it's hard not to feel sorry for her, especially since her parents are contacted by the school as well. Young readers and listeners will feel for Dragonella, and sympathize with her situation. When the bullying and teasing starts, it's hard not to root for her and wish she makes it through.

Imagination flows freely as not only Dragonella comes to life, but an entire classroom full of trolls, griffins and other fantastical creatures. They are familiar enough for readers to relate to but packed full of fun fantasy to help dreams take flight. The author does a great job at keeping the tale and writing simple enough for readers to follow, while introducing them to a rich world. The important message of bullying weaves into the story nicely, and the ending packs a treat.

It's a great book as either a read-a-loud or for readers who are hitting chapter book stage. I can only hope to see more of Dragonella and her classmates in the future.

And here she is. . .

I have always loved the written word. I can never leave a library or book store empty-handed and have been scribbling stories all my life.  

     My work for children has been published in Story Friends and Ladybug Magazine, and Skipping Stones Magazine. Even though I write mainly for young people, I’ve also had short stories and flash fiction for adults published in various magazines.

     I self-published a middle grade fantasy in 2008, The Fourth wish. (You can learn more about it at my primary blog: Elizabeth Varadan’s Fourth Wish.) My MG mystery — Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls —  set in Victorian England and involving Sherlock Holmes, was published in 2015 by MX Publishing.  My current picture book, Dragonella, was just released by Belanger Books.

Visit my blogs:    

                     http://elizabethvaradansfourthwish.blogspot.com/

                     http://victorianscribbles.blogspot.com/

Visit my picture book, Dragonella, at: Amazon  

Visit my MG mystery, Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls,  The Strand Magazine   Book Depository   Amazon   Kobo

Review: Thomas Troll's Travels by Nicolas Starling

THOMAS TROLL'S TRAVELS

by Nicolas Starling

Clink Street Publishing

Children's Fantasy

ages 6 and up

74 pages

Thomas the Troll comes from Norway. Like most Trolls he is mischievous, naughty and full of adventure.

One day, he has to leave Norway because the troll elders are going to punish him for being so cheeky.

Thomas decides to live in England and has had all kinds of adventures on the way there.

He meets elves, gnomes and brings Ticklefish with him; Ticklefish are great fun and nearly as naughty as Trolls.

Thomas meets pirates a friendly ghost and even thinks he's sees the queen!

Some people think Trolls are a fairy tale. I don't. Do you?

AmazonUK 

MY TIDBITS

Thomas Troll packs a hard shell with a soft inside, and tons of giggles along the way.

Thomas Troll has gotten himself into a bit of trouble. The elders aren't pleased with him and plan to punish him for his cheeky attitude. He'll have none of that and decides to head off for England, but he'll have tons of adventures along the way.

This is perfect as a bedtime story. It's a tale which can pull nicely over several nights and has enough snark, imagination and quirk to make both parents and kids giggle and snort. I'd first recommend it as a read alone to ages eight and up, since some of the writing and vocabulary might be a bit tough on the slightly younger audience. It's a different sort of tale, one kids will know how to enjoy. The travels and adventures are not subtle but let the fantasy flow in abundance.

That said, Thomas is quite the troll. Although he comes across rough, he's got a super soft core which makes him hard not to like. His attitude will have kids laughing, although it's definitely on the cheeky side. The other characters make this a fun fantasy with cute twists and turns.

The only thing missing are the illustrations. They would have added a nice facet and brought the story more life. 

Still, Thomas Troll is a lovely character, making this an enjoyable read.

And here he is. . .

Living in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, retired Butcher Nicolas Starling has always enjoyed entertaining people both young and old with his vivid imagination.

Review: Magelica's Voyage to the Land of the Fairies by Louise Courey Nadeau with Giveaway

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the enchanting children's book written by Louise Courey Nadeau, Magelica's Voyage to the Land of the Fairies. The tour will run from June 12 - June 30, 2017.

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Magelica's Voyage to the Land of the Fairies

by Louise Courey Nadeau

Illustrated by Nathan Heinze

Publication Date: April 2017

Magelica Inc.

35 Pages

For ages 5 to 10

Five Star Readers Favourite and Story Monster approved!  New Magelica's Voyage to the Land of the Fairies is finally out! Its the third children's book in the Magelica trilogy. Put on your magical necklace and join Magelica and her friends as they discover that fairies are real and that love is the most powerful magic of all!In this very special adventure, rainbows light up the sky as Magelica and Prince Will embark on an extraordinary voyage to uncover the mystery of her past. Empowered on her quest by her chosen mother, Magelica and her friends follow the secret scroll to the Land of the Fairies. As they make their way through the forest, fear gets in the way and their courage is tested.

FREE Download!

Take a sneak peek inside. . .

MY TIDBITS

This is the third book in the series and should be read after the first two, since the story builds from book to book.

Magelica is as magical as her name. Part human, part fairy, she's goes between the two worlds. This time, she's received notice from the fairies that they are finally willing to reveal her past. Magelica can't wait to finally discover why she was born from a sapphire egg...not exactly a normal thing for a girl from Earth.

This story starts where the last book left off and heads directly into adventure. Magelica is a wonderful girl/fairy, little girls are sure to adore. She's kind, curious and ready for adventure. The text is simple and carries along at a quick pace. So much happens in these pages, even though it's less than 50 pages long.

The illustrations are colorful and as magical as the rest of the story. They alone are worth glimpsing through the book time and again. The colors are perfect for a fairy world, and the characters are lovingly depicted.

Especially girls ages 6+ are sure to enjoy this adventure and wish they were part fairy themselves.

Other books in the series. . .

Magelica's Voyage

by Louise Courey Nadeau

Publication Date: June 1, 2013

Magelica Inc.

48 Pages

For ages 5 to 10

Who ever heard of a girl being hatched from an egg the colour of sapphires? Magelica doesn't know where she came from or who she really is. But when she's transported to the Isle of Dreams in a flying bathtub, she launches into an adventure of discovery, and learns that wonderful things can happen when she uses her imagination, believes, opens her heart and trusts in love. Come fly with her and discover for yourself the power of imagination, gratitude, believing in yourself, and love! In this special first voyage, fantasy, adventure, magical illustrations, empowering messages, and a wonderful cast of enchanting characters come together as Magelica takes young girls and the special people in their lives on a fun, inspiring voyage about making your life magical.

* Available in English / French / Spanish *

Amazon | Goodreads

The Rescue 

Magelica's Voyage Book 2

by Louise Courey Nadeau

Publication Date: May 27, 2015

Magelica Inc.

48 Pages

For ages 5 to 10

When Magelica dreams of the prince lost on a deserted island, she realizes that it could lead to his rescue. She returns to the Isle of Dreams to tell Queen Raya what she knows. Can they save Prince Will before it's too late? Will the power of laughter and love be enough?

* Available in English / French / Spanish *

Amazon | Goodreads 

And here she is. . .

Louise Courey Nadeau, born and raised in Montreal, Canada, wife and mother to two girls and two boys is the creator and author of Magelica’s Voyage, Magelica’s Voyage: The Rescue and Magelica’s Voyage to the Land of the Fairies; an adventure/fantasy trilogy about a young girl on Earth who suddenly grows wings at the age of 12 and sets out on a voyage to discover who she is and where she comes from. Empowered by her Chosen Mother to follow her heart, Magelica and her fun and wacky friends learn that following your dreams is no easy task! Called upon to connect peoples and worlds, and bring balance and harmony, Magelica discovers that the greatest enemy is fear, but realizes that it is no match for courage, believing in herself, and love, the most powerful magic of all.

 Author, mother, wife, Founder and CEO of Magelica Inc., former marketing and advertising executive, a tireless fundraiser for many charities, a painter, and gardener, Louise’s passions keep growing. Louise's dream is to create a bond with children and their caregivers around the globe, and make a real difference by entertaining them with exciting stories that stimulate their imagination, and help them discover the power of their own magic.  Books are just the beginning. She is simply getting started!

 "Through life's trials and tribulations, I always believed I could. With the Magelica book series, my own beliefs, courage, determination and resolve have been tested over and over. Believing I can, has kept me going!  My goal is for young girls to be empowered to grow up strong, positive and powerful, and for young boys to have the self-confidence to support girls in their goals, thereby creating a new gender balance for a new generation. "The children of today, will grow up to be the parents of tomorrow. By inspiring them now, the ripple effect will eventually change the world."

"Magelica's Voyage is inspired by my life, my family, and the special people and places I love", says Courey Nadeau. "All of the characters in the story, including Magelica are reflections of the person I am- the wacky part, the funny part, the philosopher, the teacher, the caretaker, the chosen mom, the giver, and of course the dreamer. What would Magelica do, I often ask, and I get the answer. When you fly with Magelica, the possibilities are endless and there is magic all around."

To learn more about Louise Courey Nadeau please visit Magelica's Voyage website at Magelica.com. You can also follow Magelica on FB, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Magelica books and necklaces are available on amazon.com and at selected retailers.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a Magelica Prize Pack which includes all three books in the series and Magelica's necklace (pictured above).
Giveaway ends: June 30, 11:59 pm, 2017
Open to: Internationally. How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Louise Courey Nadeau and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks. a Rafflecopter giveaway