Book Review: Little Monkey Calms Down

Katie February 11, 2014 0 Comments

Little Monkey calms down is about a monkey who has a bit of a fit after he drops his ice cream.  The book tells Little Monkey how to deal with his anger and calm down.  It’s okay to cry, but try hugging your blankie, sing a quiet song, relax and take a breath.  Everything ok? Now we can have a fun day.

A cute little book about dealing with your anger/melt downs.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Little Monkey is having a bad day. After a major melt down, he goes to his room and uses some coping techniques to calm down.

For ages 2-4. Board book.

From the Hello Genius series. For the youngest learners, fun, cheerful read-alouds that help guide a child’s first steps in learning and growing.

About the Author:

Michael Dahl is the author of more than 200 books for children and young adults. He has won the AEP Distinguished Achievement Award three times for his non-fiction. His “Finnegan Zwake” mystery series was shortlisted twice by the Anthony and Agatha awards. He has also written the “Library of Doom” series and the “Dragonblood” books. He is a featured speaker at conferences around the country on graphic novels and high-interest books for boys.

About the Illustrator:

Oriol Vidal was born in Barcelona, Spain, where he currently resides. For more than ten years, Oriol has worked as an illustrator and storyboard artist with agencies, publishers, and animation companies, developing children’s books, character designs, concept art, and storyboards. He has worked with clients including Intermon Oxfam, BKN Kids AG, Imira Entertainment, and BRB Internacional. In his spare time he enjoys mountain bike riding and painting big pictures, often with traditional mediums, like acrylic on wood.

Book Review: Because I Stubbed My Toe

Katie February 10, 2014 0 Comments

It all starts when the main character stubs his toe.  It sets of a crazy series of events that are little far fetched, but a lot funny.  At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to live anywhere near this boy – considering all that ended up going on in the town where he lived just based on one stubbed toe! But the ending is super awesome so maybe I DO want to live near him afterall…

Great illustrations in the book as well!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

A sequence of silly events takes place after a boy stubs his toe, including a cat flying through the air, a bike crash, an elephant dash, and a deflated bouncy house. After the chaos that ensues from his stubbed toe, the boy ends up with a sore toe, a sweet treat, and a crazy story!

For ages 5-7.

*Adorable, humorous picture book that explores the cause and effects of one boy stubbing his toe

*Delightful illustrations will have kids laughing out loud

About the Author/Illustrator:

Shawn Byous grew up in a small town in Indiana. He has been drawing for as long as he can remember. He has illustrated over 3,000 T-shirt designs for major retailers and has worked for Nike, Tony Hawk, Toyota, and Disney. He enjoys mountain hiking and spending time with his wife and three kids.

Book Review: What Makes Me Shine

Katie February 9, 2014 0 Comments

What makes Me Shine is the story of Sam’s Birthmark.  He was born with a birthmark on his face.  This is what makes him unique! Until he was asked at the playground about the mark, he didn’t realize that it made him different.  Sam’s parents tell him that even though he may look different, it’s what makes him special.  Everyone has something special about them that makes them shine.

I really like this book – especially as someone who grew up disabled and therefore “different” than everyone else.  I don’t like to think I’m all that different, but growing up it would have been nice if I thought this made me special and the other kids thought so too. I got picked on a lot for being “different” and I think this book is helpful in teaching kids that everyone has their own different things but it’s not bad, in fact, it’s good!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Sam is born with a birthmark on his face. He is a happy boy that loves his dog Shakespeare and playing with friends. One day on the playground a girl asks him what is the mark on his face. Until this day it had not occurred to Sam that his birthmark made him different.

That night Sam asks his mom if he is different than other kids. His mom explains  that he does look different than other children, but that is what makes him special and unique. We all have something that makes us shine. It could be freckles, curly hair or glasses.

Book Review: A Friend in the Music Business

Katie February 7, 2014 0 Comments

A friend in the Music Business is the story of ASCAP which is the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.  I have heard of this before and knew a little bit about what they do – basically relation to getting artists royalties when their songs are performed.  I have used their website many times to look up what songs Hanson has registered there (sometimes finding unreleased items listed).  But A Friend in the Music Business really goes in to why and how it was created – and actually right here in CT in Bridgeport in 1914!

It talks about how ASCAP has had to change with the ever changing music industry and it’s kind of hard to believe that ANYTHING in the industry is still around from 1914 considering how rapidly everything seems to be changing.  But it seems to keep changing as well and it talked about how to deal with digital downloads and the like and how copying music is stealing and that artists only get paid for the initial recording and nothing for the additional copies that are made when things are burned or digitally passed around.

Certainly an interesting read for anyone interested in the industry or thinking about being a composer, song writer, etc. Very interesting to see how it all works out and how royalties are figured out and everything like that.  Far too complicated for me to figure out,that’s for sure!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

On February 13, 1914, a group of the nation’s most distinguished and popular songwriters gathered in New York to support the mission of ASCAP, a new organization for publishers and songwriters. A few years later, ASCAP received its mandate from the Supreme Court to collect royalties for the public performance of copyrighted material.

Over the course of the next century, ASCAP has been as prominent a force for the advancement and nurture and financial well-being of songwriters as any record label or publishing outfit one could care to name. With a responsive board of directors made up entirely of songwriter/composer and publisher members, ASCAP has defended creators’ rights at every turn against those who would seek to devalue music.  Today, with copyright under renewed assault, that mission is as resonant and vital as ever, along with its relatively new role as nurturer of the young artists who represent the future of music.

Award-winning music writer Bruce Pollock explores the growth and changes within this complex society and its relationship to emerging technologies, in the context of 100 years of an ever-evolving music business, to see how ASCAP has become, for those who hope to make a living making music, now more than ever, “a friend in the music business.”

Book Review: K Pop

Katie February 6, 2014 0 Comments

One of my friends is dead set on getting me into KPop because one of her coworkers is into it and got her into it so I guess she wants to share the wealth.  She’s shared a few videos with me but I just can’t get into it.  But I figured I’d check out this book to impress her and maybe find a band she doesn’t already know about that I enjoy.

It credits KPop becoming big when Psy exploded on the scene with Gangnam Style.  While the song is catchy – and I got to see it live which was certainly interesting… I’ve kind of written him off as nothing more than a one hit wonder.

Obviously the roots of KPop go back much further than 2012 – much like American Pop music.

Each chapter ends with a playlist – I have taken note – and will have to check out some of these songs when I get the chance.   And yes – it mentions BigBang which is the band that my friend is trying oh-so-hard to get me into.

Certainly an interesting read and gave me some more insight to the genre and how it started and who some of the more noteworthy artists in the genre are.

I also love the glossary at the end that explains words like “ballad” and “producer”

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Featuring quirky horse-riding dance moves and an infectious electronic beat, an unlikely music video and its leading man made history in 2012. In December of that year, “Gangnam Style” reached one billion hits on YouTube—the most views ever. Seemingly overnight, the South Korean pop star behind the hit—Psy (Park Jae-sang)—became a household name.

But Psy is just part of the story. Other South Korean pop sensations such as Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, and BigBang are part of a global sensation called Hallyu, or the Korean Wave. South Korean bands are performing to sold out arenas all over the world, and fans can’t get enough of South Korean music, films, television, food, and manhwa (cartoons).

K-Pop: Korea’s Musical Explosion traces the journey of South Korean pop music, from the early influences of American rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s to the success of a tiger-eyed sensation called Rain, who wowed American audiences in the early 2000s. Discover how this Korean Justin Timberlake, and those who came after him, rose through South Korea’s star-making system through grueling hard work to seduce international audiences with their tight choreographies, irresistible beats, outrageous outfits, and exciting stage shows. You’ll become part of the K-Pop fandom world too!

Book Review: Endangered and Extinct Mammals

Katie February 5, 2014 2 Comments

Endangered and Extinct Mammals is a short book geared towards kids to teach them about these animals.  It is broken down into Mammals, Endangered Mammals, Extinct Mammals, Helping Endangered Mammals, What You Can Do and A Remarkable Recovery.

The first chapter explains what a mammal is. Which is good because I’m not sure even I have a good grasp on that. (It’s kind of a wonder I graduated with all the subjects I am so confused on!)

It then explains that endangered means that they are in danger of dying out.  (See, now that I know.)

Then it goes into what animals are endangered and either more about each of the mammals or a reason why they are endangered and where they live.

Then it goes on to talk about some mammals that are already completely extinct.

There are also ways to help out – how there are laws to protect animals and how we have to keep things clean for other mammals.

A book that has a lot of info but is easy to read for younger readers and not that long.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated

About the book

Asian elephants and Mexican long-nosed bats are two examples of endangered mammals. Few of them exist in the wild. Other mammals have already gone extinct. What hurts these animals? What can you do to help? Read this book to find out!

Learn all about threats to animals around the world in theAnimals in Danger series—part of the Lightning Bolt Books™collection. With high-energy designs and exciting photos,Lightning Bolt Books™ bring nonfiction topics to life!