Where Y'At !! Trombone Shorty

Trombone Shorty

By Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
Illustrated by Caldecott Honor Winner Bryan Collier
Recommended especially for Young Readers ages 6 - 8

Where y’at? This fun, true story will transport you magically into the midst of a New Orleans neighborhood. This wonderful book describes the city in such exceptional language it stimulates your imagination and your senses – the smells of the cooking, the sights of the people, the feel of the objects around the city including the instruments played by the bands, and especially the sounds of the lively music, “we always had a lot of music”.

Beyond the setting, the adventure is also very exciting. It’s a true story of the young boy Troy Andrews, known as “Trombone Shorty”. It tells of the dream he had about becoming a musician, how he got his unlikely start, and his nickname, and the things he did to get started on the road to achieving his dream. Practice. Practice. Practice. He enjoyed practicing because he could hear his music start to sound better. He even inspired his friends to play music too, and they formed a band to play together.

The text and the character are both very exciting, and there’s a splendid surprise at the end of the story that will delight readers. The amazing illustrations appear so life like and enhance what the imagination has conjured up. Especially for young readers who may know little about New Orleans, or about music, this is a delightful introduction. The story’s message about the importance of following your dreams is very inspiring.

Be sure to also enjoy the included cd. Not only is it an audio book version, including ruffling page sounds to indicate when to turn the book page, but it delights with New Orleans music. What better way to show the success of following your dreams than to tell the story of Troy Andrews as a little boy and include on the cd the incredible music of Trombone Shorty as an adult.

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist. If you’ve ever heard him in concert, and with his Orleans Avenue band, you know his genius. He’s released multiple studio albums and has received awards in recognition of his community service work with the Trombone Shorty Foundation and Music Academy. He is committed to preserving the musical heritage of New Orleans while providing music education and mentorship to underserved young musicians. He lives in New Orleans, and you can find out more about him on his website at www.tromboneshorty.com  And if you like this book, you’ll also enjoy his other children’s books.

New In The Tall Tales Series - Dachshunds in Costumes

A Tall Tale About Dachshunds in Costumes

How More Dogs Came To Be

By Kizzie Jones

Illustrated by Scott Ward
Recommended for ages 3 – 8 and up

Come. Join this joyful dachshund pack as they turn a doggone day at the beach into an adventure to spread love one friend at a time. Dance with them through delightful verse and playful pictures because a dachshund by any other name is still so sweet.

What is the silver lining in the clouds of a rain storm that creeps upon the beach one autumn day? These joyful dogs bound back into the sand to discover all kinds of surprises from downed leaves and vegetation. That’s all it takes to get their tails wagging and spur their imaginations into playful visions of glorious costumes. And that’s when a dash of magic turns a beach walk into a miracle of friendships.

The lyrical text sounds like a song when read aloud to young listeners, and what a wonderful, independent exploration of words and rhyming words for first time readers. The wonderful illustrations are a clever match to the story and show the fun on every page. At the end of the book, young readers are treated to an illustrated children’s glossary where they can eagerly learn more about all the different types of dachshunds. It’s surprising how much there is to know. There’s also a dog glossary highlighting other breeds and their history, with beautiful illustrations. And finally, a vegetation glossary is included to help young readers learn about the environment and intrigue them to look closer at the outdoors around them.

Her love of dachshunds inspired author Kizzie Jones’ popular award winning children’s books, and this is a great addition to her Tall Tales series. She’s also a contributing author to Writing in Place: Prose & Poetry from the Pacific Northwest.

Artist Scott Ward’s whimsical paintings are regularly shown in galleries and venues across the United States. He also creates advertising, clothing, graphics, interiors, theater, landscapes, and murals.

Look for this Tale to be available November 3^rd

Girl CEO, Priceless Advice for Girls and Boys

Girl CEO

Priceless advice from trailblazing women

By Ronnie Cohen and Katherine Elllison
Recommended for ages 9 and up

What do you want to be when you grow up? Here’s a fun and inspiring book to read while you dream about your future. Forty women who are leaders in all kinds of different careers and industries are included. Their struggles and accomplishments are highlighted, and their advice is showcased. Learn practical tips, and stretch your imagination about a world of opportunities to consider. The information is great for girls and for boys.

So many of the people featured began their success before they became adults, acting on their personal interests and strengths. They found that there was a need for what they had to offer, and they were able to find a way to supply their products or their services in the marketplace. This book shows how others have turned their interests into a career. It offers suggestions on how to build a strong network. It’s encouraging how these successful women showcase ways that they learned from setbacks. And it’s exciting to read examples where charity has been incorporated into a business model.

Just take a look at a sample of some of the leaders who are included: Bridget Hilton - Founder of LSATN Sound Co., Judy Faulkner – Founder and CEO of Epic Systems, Tavi Gevinson – Founder and editor-in-chief of Rookie Find Your Voice, J. K. Rowling – Author, Rachel Zietz – Founder and CEO of Gladiator Lacrosse, Taylor Swift – Singer Songwriter, Joy Mangano – Inventor, founder and President of Ingenious Designs, and so many more. Who are these women? What do they do and what secrets to success are they happy to share? You’ll have fun meeting them on the pages of Girl CEO and deciding what ideas you’d like to try. Then, take action and see what you can do. Share what you’ve learned with your friends and parents. At the end of the book there’s a list of books, blogs, and websites that may also be useful when learning about entrepreneurial women.

The authors and illustrator are also fascinating women in interesting careers. Ronnie Cohen is a prize-winning freelance journalist in Northern California. Katherine Ellison is also a Journalist, winning several awards including a Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. She is also a Speaker, and Communications Consultant. Georgia Rucker is a Graphic Designer and Illustrator. Girl CEO is one of the Generation Girl books that celebrate game-changing women.

Dive In! Explore The Salish Sea as a Nature Detective

Explore the Salish Sea

A Nature Guide for Kids

By Joseph K. Gaydos & Audrey DeLella Benedict

Recommended for all ages, especially 5^th – 8^th grades

 

                Put on your virtual flippers, underwater mask, and oxygen tank, we’re going for a dive into the Salish Sea to explore all the amazing creatures and sights. Yes, sights. The writing in this book is spellbinding, and it’s surrounded by lots of true-life photographs. These pictures make you feel like you are a scuba diver encountering tremendous sights first hand. Welcome to the Salish Sea.

                There is more to this beautiful geography than what you see on the surface. All ages will enjoy and learn a lot from this book, even adults. Take this opportunity to become a nature detective as this book teaches you about the geography, creatures, and cultures around the Salish Sea. Then you’ll have the tools in hand to delve deeper and become a detective to observe and learn even more on your own.

                This lovely treasure is a book meant to be shared with friends and family. There will be plenty of oohs and aahs over the facts and pictures revealed on every page. Everyone will appreciate it read aloud, and will point to favorite pictures. Younger kids will grow into the text.

                The book has some great every day, practical suggestions that kids can do to help the environment and creatures in the book.  They can also sign up to join the free Junior Seadoctors that is an online club that provides adventurers ways to interact with the wildlife of the Salish Sea.

                The authors are Joseph K. Gaydos, who is the chier scientist for the Seadoc Society. This is a program of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a licensed wildlife veterinarian and has a PhD in wildlife health. Audrey DeLella Benedict is the founder and director of Cloud Ridge Naturalists, a nonprofit natural history educational organization. She is a member of the board of the SeaDoc Society. She is also a trustee for the Colorado chapter of the Nature Conservancy, from which she received the prestigious One Conservancy Award for her work in Ecuador.

                Learn more about the SeaDoc Society on Orcas Island, and enjoy the fun when you Explore the Salish Sea.

Crime Travelers - A Trip You Want To Take This Summer

Crime Travelers

Brainwashed

By Paul Aertker

Recommended for ages 8 – 12, Middle Grade

Happy summer vacation! Time to take a trip. Pack up and join the Crime Travelers on their exciting adventure to France. Large groups of kids and even babies are being Brainwashed and disappearing. Danger lurks from page one all the way through the book. It’s up to spy kids to solve this mystery and save these innocent victims.

From the very interesting characters that you’ll meet while investigating this extraordinary case in France, you’ll end up learning about other fascinating parts of the world too. This author sees reading as travel, and he’s inviting you along for the trip of a lifetime.

Ms. Gunerro is kidnapping so many kids, and forcing them to work for her at her Good Company, which is clearly a name meant to mislead. The strange Curukians protect Ms. Gunerro and are always ready to start a fight, with anyone.

Fighting against the Good Company is The New Resistance. As fourteen year old Astrid explains, “The New Resistance is run by kids because that’s the way Dad designed it. Grown-ups have messed up the world, so it’s our job to make things right.” To solve this case they will have to be brainsmart to avoid being Brainwashed too.

The way they sneak into Paris is clever, but then something goes wrong in the city and so Lucas, Astrid and their friends Jackknife and Nalini are together, cut off from the rest of their team. They must quickly create a new plan. Was their information wrong, or do they have a traitor in the Resistance? Astrid’s adopted brother Lucas discovers, “Everybody had secrets. Everybody.” Despite the danger, these kids have lots of fun, after all they are in gay Paris.

Children are the victims in Ms. Gunerro’s crimes, so children must be the ones to save them. But at what price? Lucas poses the question, “If you were Jackknife, in that situation, about to be Brainwashed, wouldn’t you want – wouldn’t you expect – your friends to come help you?”

The author, Paul Aertker (ETT Kerr) is a children’s travel book writer, teacher, and a frequent speaker at elementary and middle schools. He began his teaching career in West Africa with the Peace Corps where he helped establish the town’s first public library. As a traveler and multilingual teacher, Paul Aertker has clocked nearly half his life outside the US. He took the CIA exam because he wanted to be a spy for the good guys.

A Wild Will Wilder Adventure by Raymond Arroyo

Will WilderThe Lost Staff of Wonders

By Raymond Arroyo
Recommended for ages 8 – 12, Grade Levels 3 - 7

Grab your imagination and your creative spirit because you’re off on an adventure from cover to cover when you join Will Wilder in his series of daring deeds. This time author Raymond Arroyo sends Will off to find The Lost Staff of Wonders and invoke its powers to save the people of Perilous Falls. Danger strikes from the most peculiar and surprising sources, invoked by a demon intent on devastating the town’s peaceful neighborhoods. What would you do if such a menace struck your hometown?

Will Wilder gathers together his wonderful band of friends, each with talents and strengths of their own, asking them to go with him on this quest. His loyal buddies Andrew and Simon put their fears aside and join him, along with Max in his new motorized wheelchair who has dreams that foresee events in the future, and also his smart sister Cami agree to support their friend to save Perilous Falls. Together they help Will as he summons his supernatural abilities, and what he’s learned from his magical training, to try and stop this demon. Along the way they discover wisdom and help from family, even Will’s little brother. They find out that solutions and strength come not through anger, but from determination and trust within your heart.

Someone has stolen the Staff of Moses from the Museum. At one time hidden inside the Arc of the Covenant and said to have been responsible for summoning the plagues of ancient Egypt, whoever stole it must be stopped from unleashing terrors on Perilous Falls. It will take the combined forces of Will, his friends, and family, for any chance to find this devious thief and for any hope to face the demon before all is destroyed. As the river runs with blood, sharp-toothed frogs surround, and clouds of swarming gnats choke, what will it take for Will’s group to prevail?

New York Times bestselling author Raymond Arroyo tickles your curiosity and astounds with great action. He is dedicated to the joy of reading. As the founder of Storyented, he’s created a portal for reading engagement, recommended book lists, and the opportunity to delve deeply into stories that have touched our lives. The author lives in Virginia where he shares adventures with his wife and three children.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

By Dan Gemeinhart
Recommended for ages 9 and up

Coyote is a twelve year old girl on a grand adventure with her dad driving all over the country. Luckily she’s a very resourceful, smart person who is learning how to get herself out of odd situations, which is somewhere she often finds herself.

Why did Coyote and her dad change their life five years ago, and take to the road? The reader discovers they are running away from a tragic family event. Now, when unexpected news from her home town near Seattle shocks Coyote, she resolves to go back to rescue a treasured part of this past. Now instead of running away, she has something important that she’s running to. One problem - she’s in Florida, about as far from Seattle as she could be, and she has to be back in ninety-six hours. Second problem – she can’t tell her dad to drive to Seattle because he’s vowed never to go back there.

They’re traveling in a renovated old school bus.  An abandoned school bus is a funny and fabulous vehicle for a journey, with its own wondrous secrets to reveal. It also has lots of room for all kinds of unique and lovable strays that they pick up along the way. First there’s Ivan, the wise and loyal kitten. Then at different stops they’re joined by a diverse and highly entertaining assortment of people who span all ages. Each boards the bus with a story and a challenge they’re facing. Each is struggling to find their destiny.

Along with the fun they share, what will this group of people learn from each other? How will they help each other as they realize and appreciate the importance of friends and family? Will Coyote make it to Seattle in time? And will she find what she’s looking for on the journey? Coyote debates are people “just passengers in life? That they’re just coasting by, along for the ride. Is it true that people got to wake up and take their own destiny into their hands?”

Author Dan Gemeinhart is a former teacher-librarian who lives in Wenatchee with his wife and three daughters. The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise is his latest book. Visit his website at http://dangemeinhart.com/