Character Interview + Giveaway: Carole P. Roman Interviews the Crew of the Flying Dragon{ Captain No Beard Series}

Hi everybody!  We have been so lucky to get a exclusive interview with the crew of the Flying Dragon from the series, Captain No Beard.    I can't wait to see what is going on with our lovable captain as well as Hallie and the rest of the group.    

After the interview, make sure to enter into our giveaway to win signed copies of both books, as well as a pirate prize pack.   We will have two winners and the giveaway is being hosted by Kids Corner For Super Reading and the author is sponsoring it for us.  

Alright lets join Carole while she interviews the most adorable pirates on the seven seas!

~~~~~~Interview~~~~~~

On a warm, sunny day I had the pleasure of being aboard the Flying Dragon, with the ultimate pleasure of an exclusive interview with daring pirate Captain No Beard and his hearty crew.  After lunching on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the captain's favorite, we sat down to business.  The crew sprawled around the deck before me in careless abandon, a real treat to see them so casual.

Q- So How long have you been together?

CNB- Oh, (he was laughing) how about forever!  The crew all chuckled at this.

First Mate Hallie- Well really, Captain No Beard is two years older than me, so until Polly and our newest member Cayla joined us, I was the newbie.

Q-  Great!.  So how about the rest of you?

Mongo the monkey- I came home with the Captain from the hospital.  I served as lookout  from his bassinet to crib.  All those looming people.  He's the first grandchild.  (Mongo shuttered) All that kissing.  Someone had to watch out for the little tyke!

Linus the lion-(Roaring) I have to say Mongo, that you might have watched over him, but Uncle Eric bought me to protect him.  Sort of a double gift, the captain is a Leo, just like me.

Q-You're awfully quiet here Fribbet.  When did you come along?

Fribbet the frog -Can't  have bath time without me.  Mommy bought me in a park somewhere for bath time.  My job to make sure the water temperature is perfect.  We've been avoiding hot water together for a long time.  I like to give warnings, you see.

Q- Oh, so you warn Mom when the water's hot?

Fribbet- That's my job, Mate and I take it seriously.

CNB- That's my Fribbet.  He's a serious frog.

Q-So you all know eachother quite well?

This brought on an explosion of laughter.  I guess they did.

CNB- I knew I wanted to go to sea from the beginning.  The water,the sand, the air..

Hallie- The clothes!

CNB- Well, that's important for just a few in our crew.  I like adventure myself.  What better way than taking along your best friends.  Hallie's a peach.  She's always ready to tackle anything. Couldn't have done it without her  common sense.

Hallie- It's easy, when you have a great leader.  Alexander, I mean, Captain No Beard always knows what to do.  He's really good at this.

Polly the parrot- Polly has something to say!!!

Q-Yes, Polly?

Polly- I was an angry bird when I joined this crew.  I was so mad because I was embarrassed I couldn't tell my right from left.  Let me tell you about this group of jolly tars.  They are sensitive.

Mongo- Polly,we're pirates!

Polly- They not only helped me, but made me confident enough to ask for help when I needed it.

Cayla- And they don't judge a book by it's cover, anymore either!

Q-And you must be Cayla.

Cayla- Yes, Mommy let's me join the crew in book four and what an adventure we had.  Not only did we learn not to talk to strangers.  ( The crew all nodded gravely at this)  We learned not to diminish someone's' importance because they may be small or young.  Help can come from anyone who is willing to try!

Hallie- You said it lil cousin!

Q-So what's on the horizon for the Flying Dragon?

Mongo- Snake Island!

Linus- Barnabas the scurvey dog!

Fribbet_ Crab Cakes! I hate crab cakes!

Q- One at a time, please.

CNB -Well, on our next voyage we are "Stuck in the Doldrums" and I ( here he is very embarrassed) learn a valuable lesson on sharing.

Cayla- Don't forget my book "Strangers on the High Seas".

Fribbet- Aye, that was a treacherous encounter!

Hallie-(goosebumps clearly visible) How about the "Treasure of Snake Island".

CNB- There weren't too many snakes,Hallie.

Hallie- One snake is too many!

CNB- We love to explore. No matter what we encounter from rough seas, to battered feelings, this crew can go anywhere our imagination takes us and come back better for it.

A great group of friends that appear ready for anything.  This interviewer left wondering where her own imagination could take her today.

~~~~~~Giveaway~~~~~~

This giveaway is open to US residents only.  Sorry guys but shipping can be murder on you internationally.

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Book Review: Alphabet Anatomy (Meet the Capital Letters) by Linda Ann Jones, Branson Jones

Title: Alphabet Anatomy: Meet The Capital Letters
Author: Linda Ann Jones, Branson Jones
Illustrators: Branson Jones, Toby Mikle
Publisher: Friesen Press
Date of Publication: August 27, 2012
Source: paperback, 32 pages, received from Author
Get Your Own Copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From Goodreads:
Alphabet Anatomy's innovative rhyming verses and unique illustrations instruct on letter sound, recognition, AND how to write the letter, thus its anatomy. Thoroughly entertaining, each letter's heartwarming personality and characteristics will engage and delight children as they discover what the letters do behind the scenes when they're not busy making words. The letters know that the journey to reading is inherently complex, and mastery of these essential skills is absolutely vital for future success. In Alphabet Anatomy, the letters love to share their lives, and their highest aspiration is that each child who meets them will embrace this wondrous journey, and develop a life-long love for not only reading but writing as well. Alphabet Anatomy teaches full understanding of the alphabet, that is, the four inter-connected components: 1. Letter shape knowledge or recognition; 2. Letter name knowledge; 3. Letter sound knowledge; 4. Letter writing ability. In addition, Alphabet Anatomy utilizes the four core elements which extensive research has proven effectively teach reading and provide a solid and effective foundation for proficient reading in later years: 1. Phonological awareness; 2. Letter identification; 3. Vocabulary development; 4. Recall and retell sentences and stories. Soon to come: Meet The Lower Case Letters

Jacey Thoughts (4 years old )
I laughed at the cover of the book.  I loved the "S" and that it was a snake.  My brother loves snakes so I knew he could really like this book too.  I loved all the colors and different pictures for each capital letter.  MY favorites were "O" and "J", especially since my name starts with J.
Right now my mom and I are working on learning the different sounds and how to write the letters in the alphabet so this book was a fun helping tool for me.  If you are learning your ABC's then you should pick this book up for you next time you want to get to know the Capital Letters.

Mom's Thoughts:
I remember back long ago when I was in first grade and there was this poster that hung on the wall in my classroom.  I used to love to stare at that poster and make up different stories about it each day.  What was the poster you asked?  It was the letters of the alphabet made to look like people.  I loved it!  I still think back to it and know that it was a very helpful for me to become as enthralled with learning as I am even now.
This book brings back those wonderful memories and helps establish that same attitude with my kids as I had when I was younger.  It is so much fun to personify objects ( in this case the basis for our language) into lovable characters we can relate to and laugh at; but most importantly enjoy and learn from.
If the illustrations weren't enough, this book also has rhyming.  And I am a firm believer in the fact it is easier to learn anything as long as it is in a enjoyable rhyme.
The only gripe I had was some of the words were a little hard to understand from a child's standpoint.  Deft, gait, and some other words that may have been a little advanced for my four year old.  (Actually, my older kids asked what deft meant too)  This isn't necessarily a bad thing; I just mention it because my children asked what these words mean.
Other than that  we loved the book and are looking forward to Meeting the Lower Case Letters when that book comes out.  We give it four stars!!!

Special Guest Reviewer: Nana's Thoughts:
My grandchild, Jace, couldn't wait to let me see the book he received in the mail for him to review.  I have been working with him trying to get him to love the alphabet as much as his older brothers do.  He has been a real working progress since he tends to want to do what he only wants to do.  But I noticed he was genuinely excited about reading this book with me and his mom.  He loved the way "J" was described and kept adding that "Jace" also starts with the letter J.
I really really liked the illustrations in this book.  I enjoyed the fresh new look at the alphabet and the way the letters' descriptions pertained to how they were written as well as a look into their "lives".  I think I chuckled at B:

 " He's 2 bellies fat, from eating big burgers all day as he sat."

I also liked how they used different words as well as old reliable words for the guides for the letters.  For example, you had A is for apples but instead of D being for dog it was for dive.  It worked with the description and explained how to write D.

I did notice there were a few words the older grandchildren asked what the meaning was but Jace was too mesmerized by the pictures to worry too much about the words he didn't understand.  Perhaps, the author added these words so this book could be used in the later grades because it still offers a learning experience, even after you learn your ABCs.  I enjoyed it too and I would like to give it four stars too.

{Character Interview} + Giveaway: Chase Danger Super Spy: Mystery of the Special Sauce by Chad, Lisa, & Chase Olivera

It's interview time!  We are so excited to have the star of the new spy series we love, Chase Danger Super Spy and he is kind enough to answer a few fun questions for us!  Also the authors, Chad, Lisa, and Chase Oliveria, have been so great to offer a free signed copy of their book in a giveaway we are hosting.

Here is a little background on the Chase Danger Series first:

Book 1:                                  Chase Danger Super Spy: Mystery of the Special Sauce

Chase Danger is a boy just like your son: He loves his family, friends and pizza. He is also easily enraged by bad guys, who he quickly hunts down and defeats.

In his first adventure, he fights a giant octopus, pilots a flying saucer through space, builds his own flying car, and visits Paris, where a "special sauce" is brewing to take over the world.

Along the way he befriends Ali Bali, a mysterious girl with secrets of her own.

Book 2:                          Chase Danger Super Spy: Pirates of Pineapple Island

7-year-old super-spies Chase Danger and Princess Ali Bali must think fast when they discover pirates have stolen Zalezgon's magical pineapples. But that's not all! Ali's little brother Aiden has been kidnapped by the dreaded pirate Captain Looney, who is planning on taking over the world with his newly invented Weather Rockets!

And now without anymore waiting we welcome.......................................
CHASE DANGER SUPER SPY!!!

KCFSR: Is it hard being a spy?
Chase:   It's natural.  If I had an older brother, I would spy on him.  I'm an only child, so I spied on the neighbors.  When the neighbors turned out to be bad guys, I was in business!

KCFSR: Besides pizza, what is your other favorite food?
Chase:  Zalezgon's Spicy Jalapeno Chunk o' Cheesy Guacamole Burger.  I also like whatever my Mom or Dad cooks.  Pizza is really just a treat.

KCFSR: What is your favorite color?
CHASE: Blue.  Ali says she likes to paint bad guys black and blue.  I like those colors too.

KCFSR: Ha! Good one!  Do you have any super heroes or movies that you like a lot?
CHASE: My favorite superheroes are Ironman and Batman.  My favorite movies are Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones and James Bond.

KCFSR:  We like those too!  So who was the toughest villain you ever fought?
CHASE: Probably Veisky.  You won't believe me when I tell you this, he really is a villain!  Everyone likes him though.  He's very slippery.

KCFSR: Can you give us any teasers on what to expect from Chase Danger Super Spy?
CHASE: You wouldn't believe me if I told you.  But you can expect even more action, suspense and intrigue than any other Chase Danger book.  Ali and Alixson will be helping me out, and I'm really excited about that!  The Veisky is a master of many things, including magic and music!  He's actually a virtuoso violin player! How does playing the violin fit in?!? You'll see.

That's it everybody!  We are so happy that Chase had time to stop by here and chat with us!  Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win your very own signed Copy of Book 1!  It is such an exciting series that we are really enjoying!
Don't forget to get your parent's permission (if you are under 13) to enter the giveaway.  You also have 36 hours to reply back or another winner will be chosen.  US residents only.
Here are the links if you would like to connect with Chase Danger Super Spy and where you can get your own copy:

Facebook | Website | iBookstore | Goodreads


To Enter the Chase Danger Super Spy Giveaway click HERE.

Book Review: Poppy and The Stranger by Eli Jay

Title: Poppy and the Stranger
Author: Eli Jay
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Date of Publication: Sept. 5, 2012
Format: paperback, 42 pages
Source: received from author for honest review


Goodreads Summary:
In this fabulous and delightful story for children ages 2 and up, our adorable and sweet Poppy, the Wandering Balloon once again continues on his adventure of learning, fascination, and self-realization. This time, he faces a dark stranger under the moonlight. The stranger appears to follow Poppy no matter what he does, or where he goes. In hopes of escaping from the stranger, Poppy finds his way through the woods, meeting both old and new forest friends. But only Lyndon might have a real solution to Poppy's fear. Read this enchanting story and find out what Poppy learns at the end of his puzzling, but intriguing journey.....

Mom's Thoughts:

What an interesting idea to make a balloon the main character!  My younger sons loved this concept.  Just think: Poppy could be one of those balloons that little kids have unwittingly let go only to watch them float high up into the air off to another place.  I loved that this helped the younger children relate to Poppy.  
It was fun to meet the forest animals that helps Poppy solve his problem.  Everyone had a favorite.  Mine was the snake.  We enjoyed reading the snake's voice, especially putting a lot of emphasis on the "s" sound.  I would give this 3 stars for the fun we had reading it together.  The plot was simple for young kids to understand while the illustrations weren't very elaborate to cause too much stimulation.  Now let's hear what my sons thought of Poppy and the Stranger.

Michael's Thoughts:

I loved Poppy!  Balloons are so much fun to play with anyways.  My little brother, Jace, and I always like to pretend our balloons have special powers that make us superheroes.  This story was pretty funny when Poppy was afraid of the stranger following him.  I knew who it was the minute we read it but I didn't want to give it away for my little brother.  This story was easy for me to read, even though I liked my mom reading it to us too.  
I also loved all the green in the book.  This is one of my favorite colors, besides yellow, and I really liked all the pictures.  My favorite animal was the fox.  It was nice to meet a helpful fox instead of the sneaky ones in most kids stories.
Poppy is a great friend and I can't wait to read some more of his adventures!

Jace's Thoughts:

Mama wanted to read us a new book about a balloon that gets scared of something that he sees following him.  We get to see him ask all of his friends what they think the stranger is.  I got to see an owl and a fox and a snake but my favorite was the Bear.  He seemed so nice and it was funny because he lived in a house instead of a cave.  I laughed a lot at that.  I liked the pictures a lot.  They made the story really fun to listen to and my older brother, Mikey, could read it to me too.  We read it a bunch of times the next day.  I loved this story so much I can't wait to get a new balloon.  I am going to name it Poppy!

Get your copy at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

ARC Review: Dolphin, Fox, Hippo, and Ox: What is a Mammal? by Brian P. Cleary

                  Title: Dolphin, Fox, Hippo, and Ox

                           Series: Animal Groups are CATegorical

Author: Brian P. Cleary

                                                  Publisher: Millbrook Press (Lerner Publishing Group)

                     Date of Publication: October 1, 2012

                                       Format: ebook, paperback, hardcover 32 pages

           Source: eARC from Netgalley

The Words Are CATegorical® cats are back again . . . and they're on the loose to explore animal groups! This time, those zany cartoon cats provide a playful look at common animal classes. Brian P. Cleary's text and Martin Goneau's illustrations comically combine to give the defining characteristics of each class. They also offer a variety of animals in each group. Animal classification has never been so much fun!    -book description from Netgalley

Mom's Thoughts:

I love rhyming books, especially when it can hold my interest as well as my kids too.  I also enjoy books for the kids when they can learn in a fun and colorful way and this book makes that happen.  

Mr. Cleary did a wonderful job of explaining the different reasons mammals are mammals and even took into account some of those unique mammals that don't always follow the rules making it easier to understand for a young child as well as upper elementary school too.

The illustrations are pretty awesome too!  My four year old was laughing at the pictures as he was learning all about how to classify lions, bats, whales, and even a happy platypus.  

There is a lot of visual stimulation throughout the book so make sure not to let the kiddos get confused.  We just took our time enjoying the different pictures and tried naming even more animals that weren't in the book to see if they applied to the "mammal rules."  

I enjoyed this book immensely for many reasons.  We learned while having fun but most importantly; this is a book that all four of my sons, from the 4 year old all the way to the 9 year old,  could enjoy together.  

I gave it four **** stars!

*clicking on title will take you to goodreads page; clicking on author's name will take you to a wonderful interactive website for extra activities and fun.  

Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop

We are super excited to be hosting a giveaway for our first ever hop!!! *Mikey is doing the happy dance right now*  

We want to say thank you to very nice people at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and The Elliot Review  for putting this together for everyone!!

So everyone knows that we are huge Goosebumps fans.  In fact, our long time wish is to meet R.L. Stine and have dinner with him.  Then we will talk about all of his wonderful books and give him some of our ideas about Goosebumps.  (Oh it will happen...eventually)

We have already started school here :(  We aren't exactly jumping for joy for it either, well Mikey is but he is always jumping anyways.  

Anyways, we really wanted to giveaway a Goosebumps book that we have read and just know that everyone else would like these too.  So we are giving away 1 used paperback copy of Piano Lessons Can Be Murder by R.L. Stine.   Here is the book blurb of it:

Practice till you drop . . . dead. When Jerry finds a dusty old piano in the attic of his new house, his parents offer to pay for lessons. At first, taking piano seems like a cool idea. But there's something creepy about Jerry's piano teacher, Dr. Shreek. Something really creepy. Something Jerry can't quite put his finger on. Then Jerry hears the stories. Terrifying stories. About the students at Dr. Shreek's music school. Students who went in for a lesson . . . and never came out.    -Goodreads summary

You guys can enter below and remember that if you are under 16 you need to make sure you have a parent/or guardian's permission.    Hope ya'll enjoy your last days....of freedom too!  





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Michael and Jacey's Take on I Love You So Much by Sharlene Alexander

Title:  I Love You So Much
Author:  by Sharlene Alexander
Published: April 2012
Format we have: Kindle




Michael and Jacey's thoughts on this book:


Michael:  I really liked this book.  I especially liked all the ways the mom tells the babies they love them.  The pictures were pretty cool but my favorite part was the picture games at the end.  We sat and found the hidden objects in the different pictures.  
I did wish it was a little longer because it was pretty short but I think my baby brother, Jacey was okay with that.  


Jacey:  I had two favorite parts in the story.  First, I love doggies!  And I liked the mommy dog telling her puppy how much she loved it.  The second part that was my favorite is the games at the end.  I like playing Look and Finds with my brother, Mikey.  


We give it four smiley faces!

Let's have some fun with books!

So I have decided to make this new blog for all the books that might be better suited for the kids to read.  I will even have my sons do some reviews on books that they believe others might enjoy too.  If anyone has a book that they would like us to read and review please feel free to comment below or send me a message in the Contact Me area.  I can't wait to get started on this blog for the younger ones and I hope everyone will enjoy this journey as much as I know I am.