Sherlocktopus Is On The Case

Sherlocktopus Holmes

Eight Arms of the Law

By Ellen Byerrum

Illustrations by Jacqueline Berkman-Glatigny

Recommended especially for Young Readers

Ages 6 - 10

The game is a-fin! And the underwater mystery is devilfishly clever. Here's an invitation to dive right in and solve a high seas mystery with a brilliant detective guiding your way. Sherlocktopus Holmes is a fun friend, and happy to share an adventure with you. Along the way this investigating octopus will introduce you to the many creatures you'll meet and then you'll learn something about them too. One that you'll meet is even a star, Doctor Flotsam. She is the loyal and brave friend of Sherlocktopus. There are so many surprises to see, and you can help Sherlocktopus Holmes solve the case.

The poetry of motion will help you solve the mystery hidden beneath the rolling waves. The rhymes are so happy, some will make you laugh out loud. If you read it out loud to others you can all enjoy the word play. And each verse will help you discover clues to your case, to find where Sally's missing doll may be hiding.

The bright-colored, full page pictures help tell the story, as you reason along with the rhymes. You'll be pointing to the different animals as you read along. As you turn the pages some of the sea creatures help you learn about their home in the ocean too, and you can see what they mean as they tell you their story.

Ellen Byerrum is a mystery novelist, author of the best selling Crime of Fashion Mysteries. Her research for her books benefits from the private investigator's registration she holds. She's also a journalist, and playwright. She also enjoys writing books with children in mind. It's said that this book was inspired by a dream. You can find more about the author at http://www.ellenbyerrum.com/

The illustrator, Jacqueline Berkman-Glatigny creates beautiful art in many media. She has always worked with children in her professional life. She teaches, organizes, and directs Montessori programs.  

Join New Friends, Kids of Lake Meadow Series

Kids of Lake Meadow Series

By Brandon McAlister

Illustrated by Sydney McAlister

Recommended especially for Young Readers ages 6 - 10

I've been to the cheeriest of places, and had the sunniest of fun, playing with the Kids of Lake Meadow. These lyrical books invite their readers to come along with them on every day adventures around their hometown. These children are such good company, and as they explore they learn and observe and they end up creating their own song in each book - a delight to learn and sing along.

This author is such a wonderful poet, and the rhyming words and melodic rhythm propels the young reader hopping and skipping with delight along the text. In my first book I joined Alice on her quest of Alice and the Apple Tree. She wants to experience how an apple on an apple tree in the town orchard can become a delicious apple pie that she can share with family and friends. And with dessert they can all sing along a sweet song about this deep baked adventure. After that, in another book I went for a sight seeing ride with Billy and the Bicycle. Billy discovered how a bicycle works, and how to ride it safely to see all kinds of places, and while singing a wonderful biking song.

The illustrations are vivid and colorful and when partnered with the poetic stories, young imaginations are launched. There is even a beautiful illustration of a map of Lake Meadow, which makes the town even more real. Readers can see on this map where each book's adventures are, and they can imagine what other adventures and interesting children they'll meet in other parts of the town that they haven't read about yet.

You can see for yourself, with a sample of these irresistible stories and songs on YouTube. Who doesn't want to bike and sing with Billy . . .

Billy and the Bicycle Animated Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqoelyfWezU

Billy and the Bicycle sing-a-long song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikWC30-nroU

The author, Brandon McAlister is a delightful poet, and very creative talent. After having enough of corporate life, and under the encouragement of his wife and two daughters, he decided to focus full time on a series that was a brainchild of years of thought. The illustrations are by his talented daughter. This series of books is such a breath of fresh air for young readers, encouraging their own appreciation for life in their own hometowns. And what a great gift idea for parents, grandparents, and other adults in children's lives because there are so many great books and characters in the series. The children in your life will read the stories and look at the pictures over and over again, and then be so excited as you gift them more books in the series. They'll be filled with wonder and song as their adventures with the Kids of Lake Meadow grow.