My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY! Virtual Book Tour

 

My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY: Book Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!

Written by Dawn McMillan

Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird

Ages 6+ | 32 Pages

Publisher: Dover Publications | ISBN-13: 978-0486850696

Publisher’s Book Summary: This delightful rhyming story follows our inventive young hero as he dreams about dressing up his plain backside in something festive “with layers and layers of green, with baubles that glow, bows in a row, and a star where it’s easily seen!”  Will he get his wish? Kids will find out as they giggle all the way through this sweet holiday story.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Barnes and Noble

Dover Publications

MY REVIEW

Everyone’s favorite hero from I Need a New Butt!, I Broke My Butt!, and My Butt Is SO Noisy! has a new issue to deal with over the holidays. His basic red pants aren’t doing the job. How can he make his butt more Christmassy? He thinks of adding some holly to his pants, but that would make sitting a bit prickly. What about hanging stockings back there? Nope, his cousins might laugh at him. Santa undies that no one else can see? Maybe even angels, jingle bells, and snowflakes? Each spread shows a different wacky ensemble with garland, lights, and every other Yuletide ornament conceivable. But once he stops and thinks about it, he decides that Christmas is “about love and family and … not all about me.” Illustrations, besides highlighting all his fashion ideas, also show grandparents bearing gifts, parents busy in the kitchen, cousins being mischievous, and his sister in a Christmas sweater. All the hustle and bustle of a family gathering is captured in hilarious detail along with our protagonist’s search for the perfect Christmas look. Funny, good for holiday read-aloud laughs, and with a reminder that Christmas is not all about fashion and being the center of attention.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dawn McMillan writes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and storybooks for children. She is also the author of the hilarious best-selling I Need a NEW BUTT! series, as well as the adorable Doctor Grundy’s Undies, Seagull Sid and the Naughty Things His Seagulls Did!, and many more wonderful children’s books. She lives in Waiomu, New Zealand.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Ross Kinnaird‘s collaborations with Dawn McMillan include the popular I Need a NEW BUTT! series, as well as Doctor Grundy’s Undies and Seagull Sid and the Naughty Things His Seagulls Did! Ross also has illustrated such children’s books as 50 Body Questions and created the animated poem “Smaller,” winner of the People’s Choice Award at the World Parkinson Congress. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, October 24, 2022 The Children’s Book Review Tour Kick-Off

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 The Momma Spot A book review of My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!

Wednesday, October 26, 2022 The Fairview Review A book review of My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!

Wednesday, November 2, 2022 Life Is What It’s Called An interview with Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird

Thursday, November 3, 2022 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers A book review of My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!

Friday, November 4, 2022 icefairy’s Treasure Chest A book review of My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!

Monday, November 7, 2022 Inspired By Savannah A book review of My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Shooting Stars Mag A book giveaway of My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!

Wednesday, November 9, 2022 Barbara Ann Mojica A book review of My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!

Thursday, November 10, 2022 Me Two Books An interview with Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird

Friday, November 11, 2022 The Review Wire A book review of My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY!

Virtual tour in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Dover Publications.

Fall Reading 2022 Pippa Park: Crush at First Sight

 

Publisher's Synopsis:

Join Pippa Park as she juggles friendships, bullying, crushes, and family in the sequel to the compelling drama-filled middle school book Pippa Park Raises Her Game.

Korean American Pippa Park picks up right where she left off . . . trying to balance basketball, school, friends, working at the struggling family laundromat, and fitting in. Eliot, her math tutor—and the cutest boy at school—is finally paying attention to her. And Marvel—her childhood friend—is making her required volunteering much more interesting. But things with the Royals, her new friends and teammates who rule the school, still feel a bit rocky. Especially because Caroline, a head Royal, would like nothing more than to see Pippa fail.

So when Pippa is faced with hosting the annual Christmas Eve party that could make or break her social life, how can she say no? Will Pippa make enough money to cover the costs while juggling crushes and everything else? With courage and determination, Pippa sets out to host the party, find the perfect dress, pick the right boy, and stay true to her real self.

My Review:

Once again Pippa is trying to balance too much at once. Things are better with her teammates, although Caroline still does everything she can to make Pippa uncomfortable. When an attempt to ward off one of Caroline's snide remarks winds up with Pippa being asked to host the Christmas party, she knows it will be a challenge to pull it off. "I felt like a lowly moth being drawn toward their irresistible warmth. I knew I was headed toward danger, but I couldn't turn away from their mesmerizing light." 

Besides school, homework, and team practice, Pippa's sister has volunteered her to help with the church Christmas play. Another of the volunteers is a boy Pippa's age who might just make her heart flutter the way Eliot does. "If Eliot was a solar eclipse overtaking the sky, Marvel was a pink-tinged sunset casting a rosy glow over the horizon." How will she choose between the two boys? 

Add on to everything else the babysitting jobs Pippa takes to help earn money to buy a dress for the party and all her anxieties about food, decorations, and other details - and you can see she must be a nervous wreck. Now that her two best friends are dating each other she feels left out and that she has no one to talk to about her troubles. What's a girl to do? Perhaps she should follow the advice of her neighbor, Mrs. Lee. "If you don't like the way your future is taking shape - then it's up to you to fix it."

The contemporary setting, the diverse mix of characters, and the typical teen issues all mix together for an entertaining story that has something to offer a variety of readers. 

Highly recommended for middle grade readers who enjoy realistic fiction.

I read an advance reader copy provided by the publisher for review purposes. Any quotes are from that copy and may change before final publication on September 13.

Erin Yun interview on her writing process.

Fall Reading 2022 The Essential Dick Gregory

 

This gathering of the words of Dick Gregory is pulled together from his books, interviews, lectures, and performances. He candidly answered questions about his childhood, his rise to prominence in the field of comedy, his involvement in civil rights, and other topics. Those details are organized into three sections in the book - Body, Mind, and Spirit. 

Readers will find themselves caught up in descriptions of walking to school, performing on the stage of a nightclub, or addressing groups of protesters ready to march for voting rights or other causes. Gregory talks about his visits to Mississippi after the death of Medgar Evers, testifying before Congressional members about discrimination in performing arts, or his involvement in efforts to end apartheid. 

I don't remember hearing about Dick Gregory when I was growing up, but I recognize many of the influences he mentions - Redd Foxx, Nipsey Russell, Amos and Andy. Perhaps it was because he was on the nightclub circuit rather than other venues that I did not hear of him until  I was an adult. And with his speeches and participation in protests and demonstrations, I have never seen him mentioned in accounts of those events. 

For those like me who were not cognizant of his speeches, protests, and even hunger strikes, this book covers the span of a remarkable life in the man's own words. Just released October 11, this is an eye-opening compilation and a fascinating book.

I read an advance copy provided for review purposes through NetGalley.

Fall Reading 2022 Death Knells and Wedding Bells (Lighthouse Library Mystery, #10)

 

I have to admit that I only discovered the Lighthouse Library a few months ago, but since that time I have read every book in the series. Now fellow fans of Lucy, librarian and amateur sleuth, can look forward to her next adventure, due out June 6, 2023 in time for summer reading and relaxation.  

One of the fun things about this story is how the events at the library and in the book club that Lucy organizes always seem to tie in to the inevitable mystery that will crop up in the neighborhood. This time their reading of "A Cask of Amontillado" seems to eerily dovetail with a death that happens following Lucy and Connor's wedding reception. The victim is found in the hotel and investigation turns up plenty of people who would like to have killed him as revenge for his blackmailing habit.

With all her nearest and dearest in town for the wedding and many even staying in the hotel, Lucy wants the police to find the culprit quickly and clear any suspicion from her friends and family. The narrative includes all the characters we have come to expect - library director Bertie and her boyfriend Eddie, Lucy and Connor's parents, Uncle Amos and Aunt Ellen, cousin Josie and her husband Jake, etc. As usual Louise Jane, resident local history buff and paranormal enthusiast, offers to commune with the spirits to see if she can find any clues.

The allure of these books is easy to identify: the recurring characters, the setting, the constant references to books, and the charm of Charles - resident library cat. Lucy can always depend on Charles for company, fashion advice, and character judgments. For readers who enjoy returning to a location and cast of familiar personalities, or those who just love a mystery with bookish ties, the Lighthouse Library is the place to go.

I read an advance copy provided for review purposes through NetGalley.

Fall Reading 2022 Border Crossings

 

There have been several books lately about the border and the impact of government policies on people living on both sides. Sneed Collard's new book points out how the manmade barriers going up along that line on a map are affecting the wildlife that calls the border home. He describes the journeys of ocelots and other animals seeking mates and new territory, the way that the fences and walls block access to "food or water they need" or to "spring and summer breeding grounds." Even winged animals that fly low to the ground can be turned back from where their instincts take them.

Illustrations capture the elaborate markings of the ocelot's pelt, the various habitats such as chaparral, desert, mountains, or canyons. A black gouge across some scenes makes the break in the ecosystems obvious. A particularly poignant image shows the bars of the metal barrier in red and the top rail in blue with stars on it, an American flag draped across the landscape. Javelinas, pronghorns, owls, and cactus fill the pages with vibrant life.

The author's note goes into more detail about the over seven hundred species that live in the border area and the negative impact of human activity on their survival. Information about groups working to protect the ecosystem in those areas such as the Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife is provided. There is also a glossary and a list for further reading.

This would be a good book to pair with Cougar Crossing: How Hollywood's Celebrity Cougar Helped Build a Bridge for City Wildlife to support classroom discussion about human impact on the environment and its effects on survival of animals in various areas.

I read an advance copy provided for review purposes through NetGalley.

Fall Reading 2022 Into the West

Fans have long awaited the complete story of Valdemar's founding. There have been hints and small bits of the story worked into other books as characters discussed the history of their kingdom, but not the full account from beginning to end. Last summer with the publication of Beyond the tale began and we read of Kordas and his attempt to take the people of the duchy of Valdemar and flee from the cruelty and depravity of the Eastern Empire. On December 6 the second installment in the series will take us along on the journey to find a new land to settle.

Into the West chronicles the efforts of Baron Kordas to weed out the troublemakers and possible imperial spies before he takes the group through the gates set up by his mages to a place far from the empire's reach. Scenes show Kordas, his wife Isla, sister-in-law Delia, and their companions as they organize supplies, learn new skills, and encounter dangers that try their resolve. Kordas must face his internal struggle not to fall into the ways of the imperial court. "I won't be like them. I can do this and not be like them," he thinks to himself.

As readers of Valdemar stories we know that they are headed into lands blasted by the Mage Wars hundreds of years ago, so we wait to see which creatures corrupted by Change Circles or left behind by those long ago mages the group will encounter. Will they travel through the Pelagirs? Will they encounter the Hawkbrothers? Will the magical gates hold up to the strain of transporting so many and all their supplies? And who will be lost along the way?

With the skill we have come to expect of Mercedes Lackey the journey through the wilderness toward a new home is a compelling story of bravery, cooperation, and the desire for a better way of life. That won't stop of us from impatiently waiting for the next book, but we can always go back and re-read other Valdemar adventures until it is available. In the meantime, I am adopting the baron's saying for those times when I need to let others handle their own problems, "Not my millpond. Not my otters."

I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Fall Reading 2022 The Future Is Female! Volume Two

Love science fiction stories featuring female protagonists and/or written by female or nonbinary authors? This anthology series meets those criteria. Have you ever been frustrated that an anthology of stories were all told from a male POV? The writing in this collection will solve that issue. Perhaps you wish it was easier to find sci-fi by various female writers and your local library is not meeting that need? You should grab a copy of The Future Is Female! and satisfy your cravings.

Volume Two was published on October 18 and contains two dozen stories from female writers in the 1970s. Whether you  are already a fan and just want more writing from a favorite author, or are looking for new-to-you writers, this is a smorgasbord of options. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Vonda N. McIntyre, Pamela Sargent, Ursula K. LeGuin, C.J. Cherryh...the list is full of well-known names. If you have read The Saint-Germain Chronicles, Star Trek and Star Wars novels, or The Earthsea Cycle, then you have already met some of these women through their writing. For others, it could be an appetizer that will have you looking for more books by the same creator.

The stories themselves range from distant futures where humans have mutated to survive in a polluted and endangered ecosystem to a revolutionary thinking back on the history of the movement. James Tiptree's "The Girl Who Was Plugged In" paints a frightening picture of the future that foreshadows M.T. Anderson's Feed. "The Funeral" by Kate Wilhelm seems eerily similar in tone to Margaret Atwood's work. Other stories depict the impact of man's colonization of outer space or delve into possible causes of mass femicide. A couple even toy with the temptations of time travel.

There is such a range of topics, settings, and styles that every story may not be the perfect match for every reader, but there is something within the collection that will resonate with each of us and keep us circling back to it in our thoughts long after we have closed the book. This is a great introduction to each of these writers. Back matter features biographical details and notes about the writing careers of each author.

I read an advance copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Fall Reading 2022 The Crabby Cadaver at the Christmas Carnival

 

What do most people expect at a Christmas Village? Hot chocolate, candy canes, Christmas carols, reindeer, Santa, elves...the usual. But when Misty and her friend Hank take their fur babies and head out on a road trip to celebrate the holidays, they wind up with a mystery to solve rather than a photo op under the mistletoe. Misty's cats are characters in their own rights. Floofus the "feline matriarch" and Doofus the "goofy...boy" are such opposites and provide comic relief from the tension of the investigation. 

I haven't read the other books in the series yet, so I am getting acquainted with the characters for the first time. I like the idea of people having second chances in their romantic lives, as well as finding the perfect career. Both these characters are recovering from past experiences and slowly easing into their relationship, which makes it more believable. I found Misty's pet food business, Purr Bread Gourmet Cuisine, a likely job for someone who loves pets as much as she does.

This is a novella, so for those who love cozy mysteries, it is the perfect length to fit in when there is a little quiet time amid all the holiday hustle and bustle.

I received an advance copy for review purposes. Publication date is November 1, 2022.

Fall Reading 2022 The Brilliant Calculator

This inspiring picture book biography shares the incredible journey of Edith Clarke from her childhood home in rural Maryland to becoming the first female electrical engineer to graduate from MIT. Much of her time in college was as a nontraditional student; she began study at Vassar "at the age most students graduate." She continued to pursue her education because of her interest in electricity and how to apply mathematics to engineering problems. Edith accomplished many firsts as a female engineer because she was persistent and curious. Illustrations show her working at her kitchen table to create a tool to help engineers plan electrical grids. Readers can also see what her "Clarke Calculator" looked like and some pages feature quotes from Edith herself. The inclusion of several rebus puzzles is an amusing axtra that highlights Edith's love of brainteasers.

Back matter includes more details about her life, photos of Edith as a child and at work at the GE lab. There are also images of the diagrams she submitted with her patent application and a photo of female "computors" at work for the Treasury Department (a job similar to Edith's first work as a "computor.") A timeline combines important dates in the spread of electricity to homes and businesses in the U.S. with major dates in Edith's life. A glossary helps with terms such as resistance and transmission. A short list provides short descriptions of other female engineers, mathematicians, and inventors. A bibliography section includes primary sources, other sources, picture credits, and suggested further reading.

A wonderful addition to library collections wanting to include more females from STEM careers in the biography section. I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes. 

My Name Is NOT Ed Tug Virtual Book Tour

 

My Name Is Not Ed Tug Book Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Written and Illustrated by Amy Nielander

Ages 5-8 | 32 Pages

Publisher: West Margin Press | ISBN-13: 9781513134871

Publisher’s Book Summary: A sweet, whimsical story about the meaningfulness behind a person's name and the power of accepting people just as they are.

Edimorwhitimormiligimmus Tug has a very special name that is all his own. But his teacher thinks it’s too long and hard to say. One day she shortens it to. . . Ed.

But he loves his name just the way it is. So he comes up with a plan—if he can teach everyone his name, maybe they’ll love it too!

Sweet and whimsical, My Name Is Not Ed Tug empowers readers to own their identities and proudly celebrate who they are.

MY REVIEW

Edimorwhitimormiligimmus Tug has an awesome name full of family love. Yes, it is long and makes his teacher’s mouth tired, but it is full of all the hopes and shared experiences that have made him the wonderful boy that he is. When his name is whittled down to Ed on a nametag, he knows that he needs to do something. So he gently educates his classmates (and his teacher) on what each part of his name means and why it is important. Along the way he shares activities that his friends enjoy; building with puzzle pieces, caring for butterflies, enjoying music, and family recipes. Slowly everyone becomes comfortable with his name, all of it, and they embrace their own names. This is not just a story about a child with a name that is difficult to remember, or pronounce, or fit on a nametag. It is really about accepting each child as they are. Teachers know that students come to us as a product of their previous experiences and their family environment. We are lucky if we have a child that has been as nurtured as Edimorwhitimormiligimmus. He doesn’t argue, he just does what he can to fix the situation and show his class why he can’t just chop off parts of his name - it would be like chopping off parts of himself. We should never make children feel small just to make things easier on ourselves. Ms. Mell the teacher learns that valuable lesson. The illustrations show Edimorwhitimormiligimmus and his family as the text explains what each one of them has taught him or shared with him. It also shows the name label wrapped around his desk because there are so many letters in it, while his classmates’ labels are all neatly centered on the front of their desks. What I especially liked were the endpapers and how they mimic the pages of a yearbook. In the front of the book the kids all have sad faces and even the school looks depressed (droopy tree out front and bare windows). But at the back, all the kids are smiling and have their full names listed, and the school has a healthy tree and flowers out front and looks much more inviting. This would be perfect to match up with other stories such as Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes and The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop.org

Barnes and Noble

BOOK TRAILER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=ogKaej421I4&feature=emb_logo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Nielander is a designer and award-winning children’s book author and illustrator who loves to create playful stories for kids. Growing up, she had her name frequently misspelled by others. My Name Is Not Ed Tug is inspired by this experience and by her time volunteering in her children’s classrooms. Amy lives near Detroit, Michigan.

https://www.amynielander.com/

https://www.instagram.com/amynielander/

https://twitter.com/nielanderamy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-nielander-13040763/

https://www.pinterest.com/anielander/

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, October 10, 2022 The Children’s Book Review A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Tuesday, October 11, 2022 The Fairview Review A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Wednesday, October 12, 2022 Book Zone Reviews A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Thursday, October 13, 2022 Life Is What It’s Called An interview with Amy Nielander

Friday, October 14, 2022 Crafty Moms Share A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Monday, October 17, 2022 The Momma Spot A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Tuesday, October 18, 2022 icefairy’s Treasure Chest A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Barbara Ann Mojica A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Thursday, October 20, 2022 Because I Said So A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Friday, October 21, 2022 Celebrate Picture Books A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Monday, October 24, 2022 Me Two Books A My Name Is Not Ed Tug book activity

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers An article by Amy Nielander

Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Lisa’s Reading A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Thursday, October 27, 2022 Lisa’s Reading A book review of My Name Is Not Ed Tug

Virtual tour in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Amy Nielander.