Author Showcase

By Donna M. McDine, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 2, 2012

 A Story of Friendship and Courage

A young boy befriends an abused slave

and defies his father to help his new friend attain freedom

(TAPPAN, NEW YORK) – The Golden Pathway is a richly illustrated work of historical fiction that allows children to comprehend the horror of slavery as well as the courage of the people who risked their lives to help slaves escape via the Underground Railroad. Told from a child’s perspective, the story begins with David, who is raised in a hostile environment where abuse occurs daily. David attempts to break the mold and befriends the slave, Jenkins, owned by his Pa. Fighting against extraordinary times and beliefs, David attempts to lead Jenkins to freedom with no regard for his own safety and possible consequences dealt out by his Pa.

Additional resources at the end of the book include a glossary of the code words used and a list of websites with information about the Underground Railroad.

About the author: Donna McDine is an award-winning children’s author, with Honorable Mentions in the 77th and 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions. Her stories 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. Learn more at www.donnamcdine.com.

What they’re saying about The Golden Pathway:

“Once children have read about David and the part he played in the Underground Railroad, they’ll be eager to find other stories to enhance what they’ve learned in The Golden Pathway.”

~ Beverly Stowe McClure, author of Rebel in Blue Jeans, Just Breeze, and Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines

Title: The Golden Pathway

Author: Donna M. McDine

Genre: Children 8-12/Historical Fiction

ISBN: 978-1-61633-081-1 paperback; 978-1-61633-082-8 ebook

Publication Date: August 2010

Pages: 26

Price: $9.95 paperback; $5.00 ebook

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Website: http://www.donnamcdine.com

The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This article was provided by the author. Learn more …

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Author Showcase

By Billi Tiner, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 30, 2012

Welcome Home is the story of Jake, a large black Labrador Retriever mix.  For as long as Jake can remember, he has been having the same dream.  In his dream, he lives with a wonderful man in a beautiful home.  Jake has never seen the face of the man in the dream; however, he knows his voice and he loves him.  Jake is certain that when he is old enough to be given away to a new home, he will be chosen by the man from his dream.  When the day finally arrives, Jake is very excited to finally meet the man that has filled his dreams.  However, the man that chooses Jake is definitely not the man from his dream!  Jake is taken to a home where he is terribly mistreated.  During this time, Jake never gives up the hope of finding the man from the dream.  After suffering years of abuse, Jake finally escapes and is free to begin his search for the man he has been dreaming of his entire life.  Along the way, Jake meets some interesting characters, survives amazing adventures, and forms life-long friendships.  Join Jake on his incredible journey home.

Dr. Billi Tiner has been a veterinarian for over 10 years. She was inspired to write Jake’s story by the many amazing animals she has met during her career as well as the incredible stories she has heard describing how owners were united with their beloved pets.  Though the stories vary, there is a theme that connects them all; the idea that the animals “chose” them to be their owners and “somehow knew” they belonged together.

Welcome Home is intended for children ages 10-12.  For more information visit Tiner Books on Facebook or contact Billi Tiner at tinerbooks@kinwick.com.

Welcome Home is available for purchase on Amazon.com and www.createspace.com/3748525.

Welcome Home ISBN-10: 1468082566; ISBN- 13: 978-1468082562; Price $6.99; 158pgs

The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This article was provided by the author. Learn more …

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Author Showcase

By Heather Payer-Smith, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 26, 2012

What good is a little green umbrella with a hole? That’s exactly what Annabel wonders when her mother insists she take it to school with her, just in case it rains. At first she complains, but Annabel soon learns that even an umbrella with a hole can keep those in need safe and dry.

“The Little Green Umbrella” teaches children that while kindness is sometimes taken for granted, those who put others first can find unexpected rewards in a selfless act.

Synopsis:  Annabel Lee is on her way to catch the bus to school when it starts to rain! Luckily she has an umbrella to keep her dry, even though it has a small hole in it. Annabel offers to share her little green umbrella with the other children at the bus stop who don’t have anything to keep them dry (even though that means she has to stand under the hole). Soon, someone with a bigger, better umbrella comes along and everyone leaves Annabelle alone and wet. Annabel is sad that they would abandon her for a better umbrella, but she soon discovers someone who needs her umbrella even more than she does!

Fun Fact:  The story behind “The Little Green Umbrella” is actually based on an experience the author had as a child.  Payer-Smith shares, “One rainy day, as I was getting ready to walk to the bus stop, my babysitter handed me a little green umbrella so that I would not get wet.  It was very old and had a hole in it, but it was better than nothing.  When I got to the bus stop, I was the only one with an umbrella!  All the other kids huddled under my little green umbrella as we waited for the bus.  That is, until another little girl arrived at the bus stop – but it was not a bigger, better umbrella that she had – she was in her grandmother’s car so all the kids piled into the car to stay warm and dry.  Because I had a sopping wet umbrella, I didn’t know what to do, so I remained on the corner all alone until the grandmother rolled down the window of the car and waved me over, smiling because there was still plenty of room for me and the umbrella in her car.”  While the real situation had a much different outcome than what is presented in the book, author Heather Payer-Smith felt there was a valuable lesson about kindness and sharing that children could learn from her experience on that rainy day so long ago.

Available in Paperback or as a FREE EBOOK (though author’s website).  For more information about the book or to download a free copy visit  http://payersmithbooks.weebly.com/the-little-green-umbrella.html

“The Little Green Umbrella” is also available to purchase at www.amazon.com

Paperback List Price: $7.95
8″ x 10″
Full Color on White paper
24 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1466217126; ISBN-10: 146621712X
BISAC:  Juvenile Fiction
Early Reader Picture Book

The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This article was provided by the author. Learn more …

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Author Showcase

By Melissa E. Herrera, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 5, 2012

My Hunting Adventures, “The Mysterious Stump” is a story of a young boy, Tommy who travels on his first hunting trip with his family.  Tommy helps in the preparation of their long trip by helping his family load all the supplies needed to stay many nights in the forest in their camping trailer.  Before the family arrives at the camping spot, Tommy experiences firsthand the enormously large Northern New Mexico Wilderness Mountains.  The realness of these mountains sets quickly in Tommy’s mind as they drive up the steep dirt roads cutting in-between trees and alongside cliffs to their camping spot.

After safely arriving to their destination, Tommy begins his adventures in the newly introduced mountains by setting out to find a perfect hiding place for the first day of the Elk hunt.  In finding his perfect hiding spot he encounters a mysterious tree stump.  This stump steals a lunch that Tommy’s mother had prepared for him while he sets up his blind- hiding spot.  In closely examining the tree stump Tommy finds a discovery of scratching, screeching noises that are coming from within the tree stump.

Tommy curious of the stump covers the top with loose dirt and leaves.  To his surprise he encounters creatures that live within it who remove anything placed on top and manage to eat his food without visibly been seeing.  After creating clever schemes and setting up food traps Tommy comes face to face with these creatures.  He then spends his time trying to rid them of his self claimed stump in the forest but the creatures do not want to leave.

Tommy finds himself in a position of learning about natures surprises that are both seen and unseen.  He also learns the importance of respecting the forest and those that live within it, no matter if their home includes living in an old tree stump.

Learn more, visit: http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=106608

The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This article was provided by the author. Learn more …

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Author Showcase

By Dave Marchetti, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 25, 2011

Steve the Stickleback is a cute story aimed at young children and beginner readers. It tells the story of Steve a young male Stickleback fish on his adventure to build a nest, find a mate and care for his babies. The males of this amazing little fish start out a plain silver/ grey color but in a short time during breeding season undergo an amazing color transformation becoming a beautiful red color with traces of green and bluish eyes.  Many of these fish don’t survive their journey due to predators they may encounter along the way. Their journey takes them from deeper water into small brackish water streams filled with branches and grasses. This adventure takes place early each spring in many parts of the world including Rhode Island in a stream less than half a mile from the author’s house. In Rhode Island the fish typically begin their journey in late March and are watching over their babies within a few weeks. Unlike many native fish they readily breed in an aquarium often within days of catching them.

Steve the Stickleback is the first in a series of animal themed stories by Dave Marchetti. Mr. Marchetti is well known in Rhode Island and southern New England as ‘Dave the animal man’ presenter of Animal Experiences an incredibly hands on program/show featuring turtles, snakes, lizards, small mammals and more. His second book,  Nestle’s Big Adventure, is a story about one of his snakes and his wanderings through the house after he escapes from his cage. It is due to arrive in December of this year. A third story, The Frog With Slippery Feet is expected early in 2012.

For more information, visit: http://bookstore.authorhouse.com

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©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Author Showcase

By Tabith R. Brown, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 7, 2011

PRAYERS OF OUR CHILDREN

(bthankfulthings, 2011)

written by Tabitha R. Brown and illustrated by Krystal Bilberry

ISBN: 978-0-615-55990-2

Perfect-bound Paperback

8 ½ x 8 ½, 37 pages, full-color interior

English Language

All Ages

Online Retail Distribution

Upper Marlboro, Maryland – Prayers of Our Children, the first children’s book written by new author, attorney, wife and mother of four, Tabitha R. Brown, features our favorite scriptures and meaningful, rhyming prayers that address important topics including hope, kindness, obedience, staying in school, dreams, forgiving, believing, not bullying, faith, love and more. Each page is filled with bright and amazing illustrations by artist, Krystal Bilberry of A Joyful Spirit Artwork.

Prayers of Our Children was written with the hope of encouraging families to read together and pray together. It is a fun, faith-filled, easy-to-read book that is inspirational, uplifting and encouraging for all ages. Tabitha R. Brown‘s inspiration for the book came from her husband and their four children. She learned the importance of prayer from her parents and grandparents. Now, she and her husband are passing this along to their children.

Tabitha R. Brown received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and her law degree from American University. She resides in gorgeous Prince George’s County, Maryland with her loving and supportive husband and their four young children. Drawing from her experiences as a wife and mother of four young children while balancing a very busy and accomplished personal and career life, Tabitha R. Brown completed her first children’s book, Prayers of Our Children, while helping the children with their daily homework, taking them to and from extracurricular activities, working as director with the American Psychological Association and as an attorney in private practice, volunteering with their church and in community, and the many other duties women, wives, mothers and families manage every day. Tabitha R. Brown’s uncompromising faith and compassion is evident in each and every picture, scripture and prayer in the book.

Available now on www.bthankfulthings.com

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©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Author Showcase

By Good Harbor Press, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 2, 2011

THE TASTE OF SNOW (Good Harbor Press, 2011)

ISBN 978-0-9799638-1-0

Hardcover 5 ¾ X 8 ¾”   207 pages, includes recipes and photos.

Ages 8 – 14

Official Publication Date: October 15, 2011

Distributors: Ingram, Baker and Taylor, Pathway Book Service, Amazon

In The Taste of Snow, author Stephen V. Masse invites you into an Alpine wonderland of Gartendorf, Austria a few days before the Feast of Saint Nicholas. Eleven-year-old Nicole Kinders begrudgingly stops at Boznik’s market stall on the way to school so her younger sister, Ashley, could buy a sweet. Boznik offers Nicole a candy cane and tells her, “This, my dear girl, is a magic candy cane. The magic will be revealed.” After her first taste, it seems the whole world becomes more colorful and more delicious.

.  .  . It was as if all the most wonderful flavors in her memory could be tasted at once. Instantly she could taste warm stew, and the garden vegetables that she would pick herself, and fresh purple grapes that came from her grandma’s vine, and lemon ice that cooled her on the hottest summer day. She could smell the snow that the breezes blew in puffs off the trees, gleaming like diamond dust as it settled to the ground. The Gartendorf Mountains glistened pink in the setting sun, and the sky seemed a more brilliant hue than she had ever noticed before. She watched as a flock of tiny birds danced against the sky like confetti, then suddenly disappeared as they all turned sideways, only to reappear in a different place like fireworks.

But trouble soon follows. A quarrel between students on the tram home from school leads Nicole to intervene, beginning a frightening series of events. Nicole finds herself losing the joy of holiday preparations, and realizes that the vexing secret she keeps is influencing every part of her life. She finds no help from the magic candy cane, and decides she must return it to the shopkeeper.

In The Taste of Snow, Masse deals with real-life issues including

• Keeping secrets
• The consequences of actions
• Self-reliance and survival
• Appreciation of family
• Enjoyment of celebrations

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen V. Masse was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He wrote his first practice novel at age 13, handwritten into a school composition book.

Educated at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, he studied creative writing, and was author of a weekly newspaper column, “Out of Control.” His first novel for children, Shadow Stealer, was published by Dillon Press in 1988. Short Circus was published by Good Harbor Press in 2010. The Taste of Snow is his third novel for children.

In addition to children’s books, Masse has written A Jolly Good Fellow, winner of the Silver Medal in the 2008 Independent Publisher Book Awards, as well as Honorable Mention in the 2008 New England Book Festival for best books of the holiday season.

When not writing, he restores and renovates homes in the Boston area, and serves as an ambassador each year in the Santa Claus Anonymous fundraising benefit.

ENDORSEMENT

“A darling children’s book set in Austria at Christmastime. Nicole and her sister have a warm family and friends, and some scary neighbors. How can a magic candy cane affect them? . . . We are delighted that we are to present the eBook version of this book, currently planned for the end of 2012.”

Joy Calderwood, Calderwood Books

For more information, visit: www.stephenvmasse.com

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©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Author Showcase

By Howard M. Bricker, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 30, 2011

Each Christmas season children see a beardless, or fake bearded Santa Claus in malls and on television shows leaving them confused and skeptical.  Upon reading The Christmas Santa Had No Beard, children and parents alike will finally discover just how Santa can lose his beard. They will meet the disgruntled Baldy, the North Pole barber, who has asked for hair since childhood without having any success.  Readers will accompany this beardless Santa on this epic Christmas journey as he encounters one problem after another.

Find out how this beardless Santa Claus resolves this dilemma and convinces children that he is indeed the real legendary St. Nick.  Author Howard M. “Gramps” Bricker would not leave Santa Claus, or his youthful readers in despair.  There is a happy ending when Santa Claus makes a surprising discovery and can joyfully exclaim, “Isn’t it wonderful, I am going to have a beard for Christmas!”

Illustration copyright © 2011 by John Dall

Howard M. Gramps Bricker is a story-telling great grandfather who created this story with purpose of restoring the magical legend of Santa Claus within every child’s imagination. Illustrator, John Dall’s imaginative artistry is guaranteed to entice prospective young readers to seek what adventures lie ahead.  This is a Christmas story that is destined to be retold to children for future generations to come.

The world finally has a refreshing answer to the question parents would rather leave unanswered, “Who is that man behind the fake beard?”

Upon reading The Christmas Santa Had No Beard, children may discover that man could be Santa Claus himself.

For more information, visit: http://www.grandpabrickerbooks.com

This book is also available in Spanish: La Navidad en la que Santa Claus no tenía barba

The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This article was provided by the author. Learn more …

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Author Showcase

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 30, 2011

“Gramps Bricker” is a story telling grandparent who has seen his children, grandchildren, and now his great grandchildren voice their doubts upon seeing so many Santas everywhere without a beard. He created a story, The Christmas Santa Had No Beard, with the purpose of restoring the magical  legend of Santa Claus within every child’s imagination.

TCBR: Can you share a little on your background and how you became a children’s book writer?

Howard M. “Gramps” Bricker: Having seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren led me to create stories that would captivate their attention…  Whenever a story captured their imagination, I began writing it down to remember the tale for another time.

Is The Christmas Santa Had No Beard (available in English and Spanish) your first published piece of work?

Yes, I wrote this story down years ago.  In 2009 my son read The Christmas Santa Claus Had No Beard to a 3^rd grade class in Ohio. Upon seeing her students’ enthusiasm, the teacher lectured my son and told him to have this story published.  My son then lectured me. Thus a teacher’s lecture was the impetus for The Christmas Santa Had No Beard becoming a reality.

I read that the inspiration for this story came from an experience you had with your grandson. Will you share this experience with TCBR’s readers?

I took my grandson to a shopping center  to see Santa Claus. What I didn’t realize was that he saw a man dressed up like Santa Claus putting on a fake beard in a separate room.  The only comment Sean could make was, “Gramps, look this Santa Claus is a fake. That is not even a real beard!!”  At four years of age, this child became a cynic about the Santa Claus legend.  Thus the story of The Christmas Santa Had No Beard emerged.

What age group did you write the book for?

Between 5-10 years of age

Your hope is that The Christmas Santa Had No Beard will spark children’s imaginations. What would you say is the most important lesson that readers will take away from reading your book?

This is a special holiday season when parents and children should spend time reading Christmas stories together to reaffirm that magical moment when Santa Claus visits their homes.

The illustrator, John Dall, is a Chicago based Native American artist. How did you select Mr. Dall to be the creator of the artwork?

After writing my story, I was searching for an illustrator.  I came upon an article in a newspaper article describing John Dall’s drawings.    There was a statement by John Dall that caught my attention, “If I feel it, I can create it.”  I sent John Dall the text and was overjoyed when he said,” I can feel it!” John Dall’s artistry  not only enhances, but makes this story come alive.

illustration copyright © 2011 by John Dall

Should we expect to see another book from you soon?

I have written a few stories, and children are going to enjoy next book also. My confidence has been buoyed by the fact that John Dall said he can”feel it.”

What would you say has been the most personally rewarding aspect or becoming a children’s book author?

There is no greater reward than reading my book to children in schools, churches and hospitals and looking up and seeing their smiling faces.  I have read my story at hospitals and read at bedsides bringing joy and comfort to the parents as well.

Which holiday books from your own childhood provide you with the fondest memories?

The Christmas Carol, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and T’was The Night Before Christmas.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Whenever you see a Santa Claus and you think that his beard might not be real, remember, he just may be the real Santa Claus who received a beard for Christmas.

Add this book to your collection: http://www.grandpabrickerbooks.com/buy.html

For more information, visit: http://www.grandpabrickerbooks.com

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©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Author Showcase

By Jennifer Stone, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 26, 2011

Stormi Claver is a seventeen-year-old girl living in a land driven by prejudice and fear. When Stormi is captured by Rylan, the rogue Finin prince, she fears her death is near, for their clans share a common curse – to war with one another until none remain.

Her fear heightens when she learns Rylan is taking her to the Temple of the Swords – home of the evil Goddess that cursed their clans; a place where no Claver has ever left alive.

Stormi knows her brother, Gideon, pursues her rescue, but her captor continues to evade him. While the desire to kill one another burns strong in Stormi and Rylan, they find themselves working together toward a common goal – to retrieve their clan swords from the temple and break the curse that is devastating their people.

Gideon is forced to abandon Stormi’s rescue when he learns the Finins are plotting a war against the Claver’s homeland of Malinna.

With war at hand and the curse consuming their clans, Stormi and Rylan must battle friend and foe to defeat the curse while Gideon, aided by a mysterious, dark ally, raises an army to battle the blood-thirsty Finin forces that have set out to annihilate the Clavers.

Young adult readers will be swept away to a world of dark secrets and vengeance, where the triumph of good over evil lies within the hands – and heart – of a young, captive girl.

“Quest of the Swords: Swords of Blood” tells a story about finding the strength to love and trust in the face of hatred and war; about the power of the human spirit to defy the destiny thrust upon it. With open hearts and minds, and a dash of courage, even the most difficult of circumstances can be overcome.

For more information, visit: https://www.createspace.com/3610905

The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This article was provided by the author. Learn more …

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.