Planet Ocean - To Read, View, and Experience

 

Planet Ocean
by Patricia Newman
Photography by Annie Crawley
Recommended Grades 4 - 8 & older

Here's a fun, fact filled, fascinating book that fully immerses you in waves and waves of information about oceans and the people who depend on them and love them, like you. This is your invitation to plunge into the unique experience of Planet Ocean. Get ready for a collection of stories that center around three specific areas: the Coral Triangle, Salish Sea, and the Arctic. Yes, the Salish Sea right in our backyard. The stories are read in the book text, shown in stunning photos, and shared in dynamic QR bar coded videos that are so easily accessible.

The writing captures exciting facts about how oceans sustain life and fill our souls with inspiration and creativity. This book includes motivating stories of action people are taking, especially young people, and how they're making a difference in saving our planet. Our planet is more than 70 percent ocean, why are we calling it Planet Earth when it's Planet Ocean?

The photography is breathtaking. These photos provide an added dimension to viewing the beauty of the ocean, and the plants and creatures in it. They also record the damage that's been done to the ocean, accompanied by very helpful text that explains the science behind what's happening. It's written to be well understood, very straightforward, helpful information.

And what an added bonus. Diver Annie Crawley invites readers along with her on diving adventures, through videos readers can easily access with the bar codes on the book pages. These videos are incredible opportunities to travel through the wonders of the Coral Triangle, the Salish Sea, and the Arctic, with narration by the diver herself. Have you ever seen the Edmonds Underwater Park from underwater? One of these videos will take you there.

People are the problem for our ocean, but we are also the solution. We can all learn. Actions that young people are taking now are showcased in this book, demonstrating how they are making a difference in the fight to preserve the ocean and its plants and animals. The book also includes ideas for what we all can do, and encourages the readers to each think about their own unique talents and interests and decide what they will do. The more we all learn, the better we understand. This book/photo/video resource makes that learning fun and exciting.

Award winning Author Patricia Newman's books empower young readers to act, because as she has seen, small actions make ripples around the world. She has written a large number of non-fiction and fiction children's books. Find out more about this energetic author at her website patriciamnewman.com

Award winning producer, underwater photographer, author, and motivational speaker, Annie Crawley, founded Dive Into Your Imagination creating a
series of Books, eBooks, DVDs, lesson plans, prints, posters, cartoon characters and more products to entertain, educate, and awe you about life within our ocean. She is a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame. Traveling as a scuba diving instructor around the world with a camera in hand, she shares the ocean with you. Find out more about her at her website anniecrawley.com

Patricia Newman and Annie Crawley have been friends for a long time. They like working on books together. They are a great example of what wonderful things friends can do together.

Dear Beast, You're A Recommended Read!

Dear Beast: The Pet Parade

By Dori Hillestad Butler

Illustrated by Kevan Atteberry

Recommended for ages 6 - 9

Dear reader, did you know that some pets and animals in backyards and front yards write letters to each other? They are very nice letters, as you can see for yourself in

Dear Beast. How do they deliver their notes? Often by the efforts of snail mail.

Hip hip hooray for the pet parade. Andy has marched in the parade several times. He dresses up in costume. Simon his pet cat has paraded with him, not because he wants to but because Andy wants him to. This year Simon writes Baxter the pet dog a letter. This fun dog loves to play. He is nicknamed Beast. Simon's letter is an invitation for Beast to join Andy this year. That way Simon will not have to dress in costume and go. Will Beast accept? Or will he have a bone to pick?

In a back and forth of letters, preparations for this year's costume parade get started. There is much excitement and curiosity. Simon writes Beast that he wants to know more, but details drag. The cat decides to investigate among Andy's other pet animals and even animals in the yard. They are very clever with their animal instincts in the different ways they uncover clues and write back with their information about what they think is happening.

At the heart of this story is how much the animals love their boy Andy. They want his parade to be a happy one. Their love is matched by the love Andy feels for all the animals, and how he enjoys special and different times with them. The letters between the animals are all so funny. They like to joke and laugh and tease. Each letter writer puts their own personality into what they write. And through it all you can read between the lines to recognize how much the animals care for each other too. They are a community.

By the time you finish reading Dear Beast, you'll want to sit and write a letter of your own to a pet or to an animal you know in your neighborhood. There aren't as many letters now as there used to be, but a letter is a wonderful way to make someone else feel good. Maybe you can be one of us who make more letters in the world.

Illustrations by Kevan Atteberry are truly a delight on every page. They picture each character with such expression. The pictures of each of the letters show hints about the character doing the writing. Seeing the illustrations enhances the fun of the story.

The Pet Parade is the second of three books in the adorable Dear Beast series by Award winning children's Author Dori Hillestad Butler. Her own grandkitty Simon was the inspiration behind the character in this series. You'll see more on her website on this and the 55 children's books she's written, kidswriter.com There are wonderful resources too for teachers, parents, and others with children in their lives. There's fun information for kids too. They can even write a letter online to some of the characters.

Josie & The Mystery Room - A Good Read & Good Deed

 

Josie & The Mystery Room

By Florence Petheram

Recommended especially for Teens/Young Adults

A good read and a good deed. Author Florence Petheram is donating 50% of the proceeds from every book sold to a favorite Seattle organization. This non-profit, Treehouse is giving foster kids a childhood and a future.

Josie has moved to a new house. One room is forbidden. Josie has vowed she will solve the mystery of that room. What is going on behind the closed door? Interesting sounds, mysterious comings and goings by her new foster father, and a stern warning never to go into that room. It's a mystery, but there are clues.

As the story begins, thirteen year old Josie arrives at the doorstep of a new place to live. She's meeting yet another foster family. Every move in her lifetime comes with different people to get to know, an unfamiliar foster house, a new neighborhood, and new must-learn rules and chores. Josie “drew her invisible, see-through wall of protection around her . . .”. It turns out this foster family is different indeed, and there's much to explore with Josie & The Mystery Room.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are foster parents who suddenly have a full house. They've adopted a new puppy dog who immediately became best friends with Josie. Another surprise is Tina Rae, a ten year old who has her own trail of foster families and is now moving in here too. She's very interested in becoming Josie's little sister. Can a stranger become a sister? Can a group of people who join together become a family?

There are new neighbors to meet, including twins Blake and Brad who are in Josie's classes at the school she starts attending. These boys are very interesting and both want to be friends. Josie wonders what hidden secrets they may have. School turns out to be an adventure in a variety of classes. Josie begins to settle into this life. Yet, every time she passes the mystery room she lingers, she hunts for clues, then one day something unexpected happens. Suddenly Josie is able to enter the mystery room. She vowed she would one day, but now she hesitates. What will she risk if she goes in? What will she find inside? What will happen to her?

Author Florence Petheram has an exciting past as the Miss Petheram on TV's "Romper Room." She's also raised four children of her own. She knows how much kids and teens love a story, and she tells good ones. As you read, these characters quickly become friends. Their wishes and lives fascinate. A graduate of Whitworth University, the author lives in the Seattle area. Find out the other relevant and hopeful stories she's authored after you enjoy investigating Josie & The Mystery Room. And remember, 50% of the proceeds from eachof this book sold is a donation to Treehouse non-profit.

When You Grow Up To Vote - Read All About It

 

When You Grow Up To Vote
By Eleanor Roosevelt
with Michelle Markel updates 

New Illustrations by Grace Lin 

Recommend for Readers age 6 - 12

A famous woman, Eleanor Roosevelt once said that “Government is like a game. If you do not know the rules or what each player is supposed to do, it is dull, but as soon as you understand what is going on, it can get very exciting.” Here's a book that will show you the rules of this fun game so that when you're old enough, not long from now, you'll be ready When You Grow Up To Vote.

You are a very important part of our country. Now is a good time to start understanding how the country works with this fun book. The original great information from a famous First Lady was updated in 2018 by an exciting picture book biography author, and this book also has plenty of great new pictures by an artist who's praised by many including by the White House.

This book starts by describing close-to-home government workers and the important work they do for all of us including fire fighters, police, and garbage collectors and more. Then read about the jobs of the mayors, managers, and councils that represent the citizens of the cities and counties, and make the laws and policies that guide these workers. It's fun to run a city, and it's also a big job that keeps them very busy. Fortunately they have the help of other city workers. Just wait until you find out the work all these people do, and the workers you see every day in your neighborhood.

Have you ever wondered why we have laws? Have you ever wondered how an idea becomes a law? Spin the dial, or roll the dice, lawmakers have a real starting point and have to follow the steps and rules of the game to make a new law. See this chapter, and the helpful pictures to understand the rules for getting from start to finish for this part of the government game.

Laws and government is not just at the local level. Learn all about our national government, how it works, the part you'll play with your vote, and also our Constitution. It's time for you to get ready for the day that you too will vote, and this fun book tells so much.

In this reissue of Eleanor Roosevelt's wonderful book, New York Times bestselling author of early reader books Grace Lin has included timely updates to reflect today's country and world. In 2016 this author was recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling. Illustrator Michelle Markel has written several picture book biographies and has added entertaining and helpful pictures to this book to show the story of how our government works for its citizens. The original author of When You Grow Up To Vote was Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She also served as First Lady of New York, on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and on the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women.

Locked Out In The Snow For Holiday Reading

 

Locked Out in the Snow
By Kim E. Kimmy
Illustrated by Hannah June
Recommended especially for Young Readers ages 4 - 9

It's the merriest time of the year and Kim is walking on snow. She's headed for the school bus that will take her to her second grade class, on the last day before winter break. Her family has so many exciting plans for this time of year for celebrating the joy of the holidays. The day at school is fun with her friends and Kim gets to bring home the many wintry art projects she's created. Kim is looking forward to decorating her family's home. Back on board the bus and headed for home, Kim has no idea the mystery that is ahead of her.

Kim is going to have an adventure. Kim is about to discover she's been locked out of her house. Kim's home is a farmhouse and she's not sure why her mom isn't home to greet her. Kim is cold in the snow. She needs to find someplace to wait for her family to return home. Kim decides to go into the barn and wait. Inside she finds some warmth, and the friendly animals to visit, and she realizes that in this manger she's reminded of a story.

This author, Kim E. Kimmy grew up on a dairy farm and with that background, she tells an enchanting children's story about a wintry and special time of year. The fun and excitement of the holidays jumps out from the pages, but she goes deeper than that to surface the warm emotions and love of family and friends. Finally, her character Kim shows the peace and love of the story of the first Christmas.

The illustrations by Hannah June are delightful and show the sentiments on every page. The colorful pictures are so eye catching and keep young readers turning pages.

What a nice gift idea too for parents, grandparents, and other adults in children's lives as this wintry, holiday season comes upon us.

Under The Spell of The Witches Of Vegas

 The Witches of Vegas

By Mark Rosendorf

Recommended especially for Teens, Young Adults

The best place to hide is in plain sight. So if you're in danger for your magical powers, where better to hide than in a place where magic illusion is rampant. The Witches of Vegas saved young Isis Rivera from an incensed crowd who feared her. Back then Isis faced great danger as a little girl who did not understand her witching powers, or how to control and use them. When she was adopted by this family of witches they loved her and taught her how to grow into her extraordinary powers. Now fifteen, Isis is about to face an opposing power of terrifying consequence. No one could have prepared her for this battle. The odds are against her but at least this time she will not fight alone. Yet, will she and her family be enough?

The stage show put on by the witches is carefully calculated to keep the source of their magic secret, and the display spectacular. They're packing the crowds into the their theater. Tonight the spectators include Zack Galloway, a teen who works at a less popular magic show further down on the Vegas Strip. He's there to investigate why his show is losing business, and is there something that can be done about it. He enters the audience as a rival, but later reconsiders.

Isis enjoys performing in her family's show. As she gets to know Zack they spend magical time off stage as well, exploring fun Vegas sights together despite their families' differences. Their fun is cut short though when a four hundred year old witch who's nurtured an intense hatred of humanity frees herself from exile. She's on a mission for revenge and identifies Isis as the tool she can use. Now Isis and Zack need to unite with their families in a fight for their own survival, and to save the human race from devastation. But this top notch witch has honed her powers for centuries, what chance have they got against her? They have no choice but to gamble and hope that they win.

This author tells a tantalizing story of use and misuse of power in front of a most exciting Las Vegas backdrop. These teenagers take us with them every step of the way as they get to know each other, and themselves during good times and when all turns dark in this city of neon lights. The author's characters are so interesting, including the members of both unique families. After all, how many families these days include a vampire along with other assorted beings?

Author Mark Rosendorf 's writing is based on the personalities and experiences he has come across throughout his life, coupled with his own wild "if only I could do that" imagination. Raised in Queens New York, Mark holds a Master's Degree from Long Island University's Human Development and Leadership program. He's a licensed Guidance Counselor for the New York City Department of Education's special education district.

This author really knows his subject, Mark has moonlighted as a professional magician. Today, he teaches magic and Illusion to his students.

One night, at two a.m., a new and unique story shot into Mark's brain like a lightning bolt, screaming for him to write it. Mark found himself spending several nights taking notes on the characters and their stories. That's how The Witches of Vegas was born.

All American Boys

All American Boys

By Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Recommended Grades 7 – 9 and older

 

“Rashad is absent from school again today.” At the local high school this heavy sentence is written on the ground where everyone walks, where everyone will see it and be reminded. Rashad should have been there, attending classes, basketball practice, junior ROTC, and having fun with his friends. Instead he's in the hospital, suffering.

Paul is a local police officer who's younger brother goes to that high school. Paul decided that Rashad was shoplifting. Then he thought Rashad was resisting, so he violently arrested him. In fact, Paul used his fists so violently that he put Rashad in the hospital with serious injuries. It was all a tragic mistake that sets in motion so many life-altering consequences throughout the community.

Rashad is an active and happy sixteen year old and yet he knows he's sometimes been treated differently, with prejudice because he's black. And so has his older brother. When he regains consciousness at the hospital, he's surrounded by his parents and brother. He slowly reacts to the growing accusations in the community that the officer's act was racist. Friends, teachers, the basketball team, acquaintances, strangers, everyone takes sides as the news spreads the story. Then the video from the corner store goes viral on social media. And then, there's the eye witness.

Quinn is also on the basketball team. He happened to be at the store when Rashad was attacked and witnessed it all. The violence shocked him, even more terrifying when he recognized that the officer was Paul. Quinn knew Paul so well, at least he thought he did. They live on the same street. When Quinn's father had been killed in Afghanistan, Paul had taken Quinn to heart almost like a father figure. Quinn had never seen Paul like this, or had there been hints of this before? Quinn is white, like Paul but suddenly he's questioning his loyalties in the midst of erupting racial tensions. “I could stay here or I could move all the way to California and I would still be white. Cops and everyone would see me as an All American Boy.” Quinn has discovered that all American boys are not treated the same.

What is so incredible about this book is the realistic descriptions of the variety of different characters' thoughts, actions, and reactions. There are incredible insights and glimpses into their personalities and why they react the ways they do to the painful arrest and the resulting events. Even Rashad's parents each have surprising responses. It's not just the characters and the story that are so page turning. It's the art of the writing, where you are hanging on every word, the alluring rhythm of the sentences, and the compelling turns of phrase.

All American Boys is a 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book, and recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature. The authors have great respect for their readers, and give them a realistic, tense story that is thought provoking and conversation starting. The characters are memorable, and many feel like people that you want to be friends with.

Jason Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author and the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. He is a Newbery Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, National Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a two time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. He's author of many books, as well as poetry. Find out more about this engaging author at JasonWritesBooks.com. He will be the keynote speaker at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Virtual Conference's Young Author's Day on Saturday September 26^th.

Brendan Kiely is The New York Times bestselling author. He received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award, the Walter Dean Myers Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, and was selected as one of the American Library Association's Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults. Find out more at Brendankiely.com