The Lonely Pumpkin by Nicole Monroe

THE LONELY PUMPKIN

by Nicole Monroe

Westbow Press

Picture Book

ages 0+

ROCKFORD, Ill. (February 2, 2015) – It’s far too easy for a child to feel ugly, forgotten, and unloved in today’s world. Our society’s emphasis on physical beauty often shrouds the most important part of a child’s identity—character. In her new book “The Lonely Pumpkin,” author Nicole Monroe aims to teach children that they are valued and loved, no matter what they look like.

Monroe uses the allegory of a dirty, bumpy pumpkin who is left behind after the children have chosen the attractive pumpkins from the patch. Just when hope appears dim, a small child finds the ugly pumpkin and takes it home.

“Even though we feel like there is nothing special about us, there is,” said Monroe. “God values each of us, and I know that God is always with me and that I’m wanted and loved.”

The inspiration for “The Lonely Pumpkin” came from the author observing children selecting pumpkins in the fall, choosing the “prettiest” ones and leaving the “ugliest” behind. Monroe interweaves her faith into the narrative with the underlying message that God loves us no matter what we look like.

For more information, visit http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000942869/The-Lonely-Pumpkin.aspx.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-4973-4

Available in hardcover, softcover, and e-book

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Westbow Press

MY TIDBITS

Ever gone to the pumpkin patch and wondered what would happen to those pumpkins which weren't as perfect as they should be? Well, I have. I've even felt a little sorry for them. And this is exactly what this wonderful book is about - those misfits.

This is a cute little picture book written in rhyme with a great message - different is not bad, and someone does love even those who don't feel as perfect as others. The pictures are adorable, making the little reader feel for that poor pumpkin the minute his orange face hits the first page. And the wording is just right, creating a perfect balance between picture and print. Young readers and listeners will have no trouble diving into the pumpkin's world and will get those warm fuzzy feelings when he's finally wrapped in a pair of happy arms.

Summed up, my daughter and I loved this book, and definitely recommend it to kids 0+.



And here she is. . .

NICOLE MONROE!!!

A graduate of Evangel University, Nicole Monroe lives in the country near Rockford, Ill. with her family and many pets. Her great loves are family, faith and music. She has a passion for sharing with children the joy she finds in God’s creation.

First Frost by Liz DeJesus

First Frost

The Frost Series Book # 1

By-Liz DeJesus

Publication Date- June 22nd, 2015

Published By - Indie Gypsy

Fairytales aren’t real…yeah…that’s exactly what Bianca thought. She was wrong.

For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”

Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn’t really exist.

She’s about to find out how wrong she is.

Links-

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15700479-first-frost

Children Safety Book Series by Deputy Sheriff Robert Kahn and Sharon Chandler

TOO SAFE FOR STRANGERS

by Deputy Sheriff Robert Kahn

Illustrated by Susan Lynn Cotton

Future Horizons

Children Non-Fiction

24 pages

 ages 3+

Most children, especially children on the autism spectrum, accept adults' friendliness at face value. Sometimes it can have tragic consequences. Written by a Deputy Sheriff, this book is credited with foiling at least 22 stranger abductions. Characters Bobby and Mandee explain stranger danger in a way that is accessible, but not frightening, for children. Read it to your child and role-play different scenarios. Create a password only you and your child know, label backpacks on the inside (so strangers won't know your name). Strangers can be men or women, old or young. Adults should not touch, give gifts to, or ask for help from children. If they do, don't keep it a secret! Tell an adult! Arm your child with the knowledge that may save his or her life.

MY TIDBITS

This little book hits right where it counts, bringing over a clear message...and an important one. It's written just right for kids, explaining not only what a stranger is (yes, kids have a different opinion than us adults) but great tips on what to do when approached by one. And all of this in a way kids will have no problem grasping and remembering. I especially enjoyed the tips for parents because this is nothing kids should be learning to handle alone...because they can't.

To round it off, there's a great question and answer section in the back, which helps to make sure the reader understood what they've read. Such reinforcement isn't only necessary, but kids will enjoy it.

Summed up, this is a great little book which reaches it's goal with flying colors. After reading this, kids will be better prepared when a stranger approaches them and will know exactly how to handle it.

TOO SMART FOR BULLIES

by Deputy Sheriff Robert Kahn

and Sharon Chandler

Illustrated by Sue Lynn Cotton

Future Horizons

Children Non-Fiction

24 pages

ages 3+

Bullies, Beware! This is a little book is going to have a big impact! In this moral-driven story, Mandee tells big brother Bobby how a bully took all her money. Bobby stresses that she needs adult help, and explains what to do if it happens again. Don't argue; just walk or run away; tell a trusted adult, or call 911. If the adult doesn't believe you, tell another adult until you find someone who understands. A quiz at the back of the book helps the reader remember what to do, and there's a place to write the phone numbers of ""safe grown-ups"" to call.

MY TIDBITS

Bullying is a serious problem, and this book does a lovely job helping kids learn how to deal with it. The author takes a traditional problem, a bully seeking a kid's money, and shows how the little girl runs to her brother for help. I enjoyed this added trust siblings sometimes share. The reader is then lead to solid suggestions on how to deal with the bully, while reminding them that a bully was often a victim once themselves.

I appreciated the concrete tips and found the way they were described as very believable. Although I was a little disappointed with the 'pocket-money' demanding bully and felt another example might be truer to life, the author handled the situation wonderfully in a way children will easily understand.

At the end, there's a list of emergency contacts and a quiz to help deepen a child's understanding of the problem. Although bullying is a theme which can have many levels, I found this book a super way to let a child learn the first steps in solving such a situation.

All about the author. . .

BOB KAHN!!!

Bob Kahn has a Master’s Degree in Education. He was a sixth grade teacher for ten years. He became concerned with the drug and gang problems that are plaguing our nation. He became a D.A.R.E. instructor. While teaching D.A.R.E., he perfected a program he calls “too smart for strangers.” His program has foiled twenty-two stranger abductions. His first book Too Safe for Strangers is based on this program. His other books on children’s safety reflect his knowledge of working with children and helping them deal with today’s problems. He lives in Nevada with his wife Kandee and two children Bobby and Mandee (of course).

You can find him at. . .  http://bobbyandmandee.com

Mini-Myths for the Youngest Readers by Joan Holub

In the first two books in this series, we met Pandora and Hercules. Now, the talented author, Joan Holub, and her illustrater, Leslie Patricelli, introduce the youngest of readers to two more great mythological personalities: Medusa and Midas!

Brush Your Hair, Medusa! 

(Mini Myths) |

by Joan Holub

 Illustrated by Leslie

 Patricelli 

Abrams Appleseed

 Ages: 1 to 3

Medusa refuses to care for her hair, her long locks getting messier with each passing page. Her hair rebellion elicits frozen expressions of shock from her family, but nothing will convince Medusa to brush. Only her hairdresser approaches Medusa with bravery and scissors, successfully solving the problem . . . with a short haircut! All are pleased with this drastic yet adorable solution. Leslie Patricelli’s depictions of this physical comedy bring a lively visual narrative to Joan Holub’s expertly focused text. Includes a summary of the original Medusa’s Wild Hair myth at the end.

AMAZON / BARNES&NOBLE

MY TIDBITS

My daughter loves this little mini-myth series. She's even dedicated a special box to to them and was so excited to get her hands on this one.

Medusa is a cute little girl with amazing hair...and a tiny bit of an attitude. She doesn't want her hair brushed, and with that amazing head-o-curl, who can blame her? I had to laugh as I remembered the days of brushing my older daughter's hair, a horrid undertaking with all those curls she had. Unlike my daughter, Medusa doesn't give in - something that will make kids laugh and perhaps, frustrate parents. The story doesn't have many words, but each one is perfect and just right. The pictures are simply fun and will have kids going through them again and again.

As a parent, I appreciate how robust the book is. My daughter has dragged these to school and everywhere, and they still are in great condition. Also, on the very back page, there's a description of Medusa written in a way children will understand. I love how this opens up kids to discussions and introduces them to the world of Greek mythology without feeling over-powering.

In my opinion, this is a must read for little kids - all of them.

Make a Wish, Midas!

 (Mini Myths)

 by Joan Holub |

 Illustrated by Leslie

 Patricelli 

 Abrams Appleseed

  Ages: 1 to 3

 Midas wants everything to be his favorite color – yellow! He chooses yellow clothes, eats yellow foods, and uses only the yellow paint at his art easel. But when he impulsively paints his beloved green Dinoboo, Midas discovers that too much of a good thing is a big mess! Joan Holub’s carefully crafted text is brought to life by Leslie Patricelli’s famously humorous illustrations. Includes a summary of the original Midas’ Golden Touch myth at the end.

AMAZON / BARNES&NOBLE

MY TIDBITS

After reading the other books in this series (again and again and again, thanks to my daughter), I was a little curious to see how the author would handle Midas. Neither I nor my daughter, who's a huge fan of these books, were disappointed. Midas loves yellow and like kids sometimes do, goes to extremes. I found this story so true to life and one that will really hit home, especially when Midas' wish involves his favorite stuffed animal.

The author does a fantastic job of introducing even the youngest little readers to mythology. She takes the core of their stories and tells them in a way kids will completely understand...and see some of the characteristics in themselves. At the end, there's a short description of Midas and has experience written in a way kids will easily comprehend. It also opens up to discussions and questions, making kids already become familiar with this part of history and past cultures. .

The books are robust (my daughter's treatment of them proves that), colorful and well written. I can only recommend them.

Joan Holub’s fascination with mythology inspired Mini Myths, a new board book series that translates famous myths into situations familiar to preschoolers. The first four titles are Be Patient, Pandora!, Play Nice, Hercules!, Brush Your Hair, Medusa! and Make A Wish, Midas! published byAbrams Appleseed. Joan co-authors two other mythology series for Simon and Schuster, Goddess Girls (ages 8-12) and Heroes in Training (ages 7-10). Her picture book, Mighty Dads, was a New York Times bestseller in 2014.

Roses are Red. . .Violet is Dead by Monica-Marie Vincent

'



Violet Sumner has a stalker.

Between her largely dysfunctional family of two and the friends she doesn’t feel particularly close to, Violet thinks he’s the least of her problems. What she fails to understand is that the guy is no prankster and soon people turn up dead or missing. Because of her.

Things change when Violet’s best friend disappears and realization sinks in that the stalker means business. Denial put aside, Violet has no other option but to accept the help of police Sergeant Willard Kelley and his rather sweet protégé, to come to terms with the seriousness of the situation.
Yet nothing could’ve prepared her for her close up with the psycho.

Who will survive in this tale of obsession and misplaced devotion?

"Can I get a tall black coffee to go, please?" he asked as he whisked past me to the counter. 

Jordan nodded and grabbed the cup, casting a worried look in my direction. She hadn't missed that I wasn't comfortable with Colton. Her movements were swift, but for some reason they seemed like slow motion to me. It took everything I had to glance up at Colton's face. Since when was he a fan of coffee?

Colton's posture was relaxed as he leaned on the counter, smirking in my direction. "Fancy meeting you here, Vi," he fired off cockily. He chuckled as he handed Jordan money with one hand and took the coffee with the other. 

"Well, I'm here every morning. What's your excuse?" I rolled my eyes as I put my hand on my hip, my spine straightening to my full height of five-foot-four.

"Decided I needed a little 'pick me up’. What's better than a nice steaming cup of coffee?" He held up his cup like he was going to cheers with mine. I clutched my cup a little closer to my chest.

"Didn't you have to drive out of your way to get here?" I refused to meet his gaze.

"Yeah, so?" He challenged.

"So? Coffee isn't even your thing." I stepped back and held my chin up defiantly.

"I wanted to come and see a friend. Is that OK?" He flashed his notorious megawatt smile.

"Colton, we're not friends. Shelby and I are friends. You and Blake are friends. But you and I, we're not friends." I gestured between us, emphasizing my point.

"Yeah, because you are the only reason in the world that I would come here." He licked his lips as he pushed himself into a standing position. A predatory smile emerged. "Aren't we a little full of ourselves this morning?"

I could feel all of the blood draining out of my face and into my feet. Feet that refused to move toward the door. Silently, I tried to will Jordan to say something, anything, but she had made herself busy behind the counter. My dry mouth couldn't form any words to rebut what Colton had said. All that was missing was for me to be standing there in my underwear like one of those nightmares where you go to school naked, only I was standing in the middle of Starbucks.

"It doesn't have to be this way. You don't have to be such a bitch to me. I'm your best friend's boyfriend. Maybe it's time you come to terms with that." A slow, smug smile spread across his face.

"Whatever. I'm going to be late." I tossed my hair over my shoulder, turned to wave at Jordan, and fled the store like he was chasing me.

MY TIDBITS

Roses are Red. . .Violet is Dead is a mystery/thriller with twists and turns, creeps and chills, and a horror hiding behind the facade of an unknown face. The main character, Violet, is a 17 year old girl, who's been dragged through life's troubles, but she copes as best she can. She's a wonderfully strong character, but not the super-fighting type often seen in today's literature, Violet has an inner-strength, which reveals itself as the story unfolds. I really enjoyed following her as she learns that she can handle and battle more than what life throws at her.

The characters in this are well-developed and easy to love - even easy to love to hate. I think it's this character depth which really draws into the story and makes up for the smaller problems later on. Especially the main character has an impressive way of dealing with things, not whining over problems but facing and, in case of the first strange events due to a stalker, ignoring them as needed to keep her life going. Her strengths and flaws made her very realistic and easy to feel for.

This is a YA, but I'd recommend it for the upper end of the age group. The plot is tense, the language harsh and the sexual references raw, and although I found some of it a little disturbing at moments, it did fit reality. I enjoyed many of the little scenes and found the descriptions just enough to draw in without over-loading the plot. It was easy to fall into Violet's world.

The suspense did grab tight and kept me pinned to the pages. There were times where goose bumps spread over my arms, and I had to peek over my shoulder to make sure everything was all right. The plot is complex  and usually very well handled. There were a couple times I felt things weren't ironed out quite as nicely as they could have been, and a few twists were a little too predictable. Despite these moments, the story pulls through from page one, and I had no trouble enjoying it with all the delicious creepy chills until the very end.

Monica-Marie Vincent writes Young Adult novels about troubled teens and even more troubled parents. She currently lives in Sacramento, CA although she would rather be in her home town of San Francisco. Thanks to her very put upon husband Monica-Marie is always well stocked with coffee, Diet Coke, and Cheddar Jalapeno Cheetos, so she wouldn't have to move away from her writerly lair to do mundane things like shopping.

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