The Moon That Fell from Heaven (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes

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The Moon That Fell from Heaven (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes
Genre – Historical, Family
Page Count – 331
Cover Designer – Streetlight Graphics

Ehli-nikkalu, eldest daughter of the Hittite emperor, is married to a mere vassal of her father. But despite her status, her foreignness and inability to produce an heir drive a wedge between her and the court that surrounds her. When her secretary is mysteriously murdered while carrying the emperor a message that would indict the loyalty of his vassal, Ehli-nikkalu adopts the dead man’s orphaned children out of a guilty sense of responsibility.

A young cousin she has never met becomes a pretender to the throne and mobilizes roving armies of the poor and dispossessed, which causes the priority of her loyalties to become even more suspect. However, Ehli-nikkalu discovers a terrible secret that could destabilize the present regime if the pretender ever learns of it.

With the help of a kindly scribe, her brave young ward, and an embittered former soldier trapped in debt and self-doubt, Ehli-nikkalu sets out to save the kingdom and prove herself to her father. And along the way, she learns something about love.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for The Moon That Fell from Heaven (Empire at Twilight) by N.L. Holmes

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N.L. Holmes is the pen name of a professional archaeologist who received her doctorate from Bryn Mawr College. She has excavated in Greece and in Israel and taught ancient history and humanities at the university level for many years. She has always had a passion for books, and in childhood, she and her cousin (also a writer today) used to write stories for fun.

Author Interview with N.L. Holmes

Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom

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Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom
Genre – Kids
Page Count – 236
Cover Designer – Ty Meier
While on his birthday cruise, Jack spies a mermaid. He finds her later in the secret room at Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium. Lily lost her sylphs when her father moved to Florida. Like her other friends, her sylphs stayed behind. But now they are looking for her in Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium. Audrey sees herself as a noble knight, whose duty is to slay a dragon. She seeks one at Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium, and she intends to slay it. And Nick has been lying about a bad gnome causing all the trouble at his house. He finds a really bad gnome at Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium. Why is Mr. Barsin giving out imaginary playmates? Are they in danger?

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Mr. Barsins’ Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Mr. Barsins’  Toy Emporium by Lois Wickstrom

Lois Wickstrom lives in a world where imaginary playmates are real. She doesn’t remember being born, so she finds unbirthdays are more exciting than the official once-a-year date on the calendar. She’s taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales.

She writes by herself. She writes with co-authors. She asks illustrators what they would like to draw. If she ever writes her autobiography, the title will be My Life as a Group Project.

Her mother used to get angry with her for daydreaming. Her little sister picked on her. So she lived in books and wrote her own stories in which the bad-guys made sense, and the good-guys had a chance. As she has grown older, her imagination has grown weirder. Even she doesn’t know what she will write next.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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Rocketship Made of Stars (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom

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Rocketship Made of Stars (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom
Genre – Kids
Page Count – 32
Cover Designer – Nicolas Milano

Shirl takes her alien friend Eee-ahh to school with her.

The kids figure out that Eee-ahh is an alien, because she is green and has an antenna. The teacher asks Eee-ahh where she is from. Eee-ahh draws a map of the stars — She circles a constellation that looks like a rocket ship. The sky looks the same, but Eee-ahh gives all the constellations different names.

Will the teacher like the new names?

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Rocketship Made of Stars (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Rocketship Made of Stars (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom

 

Lois Wickstrom lives in a world where imaginary playmates are real. She doesn’t remember being born, so she finds unbirthdays are more exciting than the official once-a-year date on the calendar. She’s taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales.

She writes by herself. She writes with co-authors. She asks illustrators what they would like to draw. If she ever writes her autobiography, the title will be My Life as a Group Project.

Her mother used to get angry with her for daydreaming. Her little sister picked on her. So she lived in books and wrote her own stories in which the bad-guys made sense, and the good-guys had a chance. As she has grown older, her imagination has grown weirder. Even she doesn’t know what she will write next.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt

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Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 90
Cover Designer – Alina Kralia
BOOKBUB – Coming Soon
Amaleigh’s school class has decided to become penpals with other students in Ukraine as a writing project and a way to learn about how other students live in different countries.  Little did they know when they started this project that Russia and Ukraine would become involved in a  war. Amaleigha learns about her new friend’s home, school, and friends only to find out that her friend is surrounded by bombs and unsure what will happen to his dad who has joined the Ukraine military.
~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Amaleigha Makes a New Friend by Janice Pratt

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Sometimes when you dream, it takes a while for it to become a reality. I have wanted to write books since I was a little girl and fell in love with my hometown library. I read books at school, at home, in bed, and even in the bathtub. I just couldn’t get enough of faraway places, brave heroes and heroines, and the experience of getting lost in a new and amazing adventure in each book. Through the years, I became the owner of a preschool, a public librarian, a school librarian, and a children’s yoga teacher but no matter what I did I shared stories with children. Finally, at age 62, I published my first book but I know it won’t be my last.

Author Interview with Janice Pratt

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Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol

😺 .•°*°•. 😸 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 😺 .•°*°•. 😸
Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol
Genre – Kids
Page Count – 43
Cover Designer – Roksana Barwinska

“Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend” is a heartwarming children’s book that explores the bond between a family and their stray cat, Shadow.

As Shadow’s health deteriorates, the family must make a difficult decision about euthanasia.

This beautifully illustrated book teaches empathy and the importance of treating animals with love and dignity. It emphasizes the power of compassion and the bravery it takes to say goodbye to a beloved animal.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol

Terri Sabol is an accomplished children’s book author, renowned for her heartwarming and entertaining stories featuring the real-life adventures of her two beloved rescue kittens, Oscar and Emmy. Born and raised in Texas, Terri developed a love of writing and storytelling at a young age, and always dreamed of one day becoming an author. Thinking that was out of reach, she focused on her other dream… teaching.

After graduating from college with a Masters degree in education, Terri worked as an early childhood teacher, and it was during this time that her passion for picture books truly blossomed. She was inspired by the joy and wonder that children experienced when reading and listening to stories, and it was this love for inspiring young minds that led her to create her own series of children’s books.

Terri’s debut book, “Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued”, was published in 2016, and told the heartwarming story of how she came to adopt her two kittens from the animal shelter where she volunteered. The book was an instant hit with children and parents alike, and it quickly became clear that there was a demand for more stories featuring Oscar and Emmy and to help educate children on the importance being involved in pet care.

Over the years, Terri has continued to write new books in the series, each one capturing the unique personalities and quirks of her two adventurous cats. Her books not only entertain children, but also promote the values of compassion and kindness towards animals, as well as the importance of rescue and adoption.

In addition to her Oscar and Emmy series, Terri has also written several other books showing off her writing skills, including “Green With Envy” and “Kneading a Winning Idea”.

When she’s not writing, Terri can be found spending time with her two rescue kitties, Oscar and Emmy. She also loves travelling and exploring new places and visiting old favorites, all the while taking inspiration for her next book. Through her stories, Terri hopes to inspire children to explore the world around them, to embrace their imaginations, to never give up on their goals, and to always be kind and compassionate towards others, especially animals.

Author Interview with Terri Sabol

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Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling

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Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 158
Cover Designer – Dreaming Big Publications

Xenia and the Magic Ants could have been ripped from this week’s headlines. American sixth grader, Xenia Navarro lives with her Mexican mother, an undocumented resident, and her older brother Lucas in Pennsylvania. Her American father was killed while on duty in Iraq before marrying Xenia’s mother. Now their mother has been arrested and is about to be deported. Family drama becomes American politics, mixed with science fiction elements.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading for Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling

Lois is a former science teacher. She has written a series of science-based folktales.  In each modernized tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending because of learning scientific principles. Lois likes to garden, ride her bike with her husband, cook, and she votes in every election.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney

•*•📖•*• BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE •*•📖•*•
Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 34
Cover Designer – Corryn Webb

When Lilly forgets her favorite stuffed rabbit, Hun Bun, she worries about getting through school without him. How will Lilly adjust to be able to get through her day?

Hun Bun has been with Lilly since birth and is always there to calm her worries when those pesky heebie-jeebies appear. Heebie-jeebies make her palms sweat, her belly do flip-flops, and her heart beat loudly.

One day, when she forgets to pack Hun Bun, something begins to change. Join Lilly as she discovers how her heebie-jeebies signal her to tame her worries, be brave, and take charge to do hard things.

Grab a copy of Lilly Tames Her Worries for your child’s backpack today!

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney

Carole enjoys writing stories with her six grandchildren in mind as they grow in our rapidly changing world. She understands that feeling safe and positive enhances their ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships. Her books discuss social-emotional learning (SEL) ideas to promote greater self-awareness and self-management. As children begin noticing the body’s responses to their emotions in changing situations, they can develop an essential habit of self-inquiry that can build a child’s trust and confidence to problem-solve.

Carole’s career has focused on encouraging healing as a nurse, conscious dying coach, grief companion, and children’s author, one conversation at a time.

Her previous book, The Cardinal’s Gift-A True Story of Finding Hope in Grief, is a Five-Star Readers Favorite to encourage conversations about loss. As she travels to classrooms and children’s camps across the U.S. to engage with children, she is consistently inspired to create new content.

Carole lives in upstate New York with her husband, where she enjoys gardening, creating art, and nature.

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Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann

𓇼 .•°*°•. 𓇼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 𓇼 .•°*°•. 𓇼
Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 32

Ten little starfish love the ocean waves! How many little starfish can you find along the shore?

On a sunny day at the beach, these little starfish crawl along the sand and rest on the ocean floor. They play in the tidepools and spend time with their friends as they dance with the tide! These little starfish glow bright with brilliant colors. They’re having so much fun!

This beautifully illustrated rhyming book is designed to help your little one learn to count from one to ten. Journey through the pages in perfect rhythmic meter, and learn fun, interesting facts about the many different kinds of starfish that live in the world’s oceans.

Ten Little Starfish is an excellent learn-to-count picture book and a much-loved sequel to the popular Ten Little Sandpipers. Looking for an upbeat reading adventure with a nature-driven chance to learn? This book is for you!

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann

Kim Ann is a bestselling and multi-award-winning author whose fun, imaginative books help young readers develop a love of reading. She has published many children’s books, including Ninja School Rules and Ten Little Sandpipers, as well as Amazon’s Teachers’ Pick Ruby the Rainbow Witch®, Goldy the Puppy®, Go On Vacation, and Quick Affirmations book series.

Kim has sold 100k+ units online, in various retail spaces, and at author events. Always working on her next story, she looks forward to sharing many more books with her readers.

Author Interview with Kim Ann

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Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman

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Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
Genre – YA, Family
Page Count – 283
Cover Designer – Cover Art by Ashley Literski

High school senior Claire Jackson’s life shatters after an unplanned pregnancy.

Not hers, her mother’s.

With no father named on baby Harry’s birth certificate and their mother sinking into despair, Claire finds herself knee deep in diapers, streams of baby barf, and mountains of laundry. Not only does Harry rob Claire of her freedom, but also her future when her mother uses her college funds for day care.

Claire’s uncle offers to replenish the funds on the condition Harry is given up for adoption. With a troubled and unstable mother, Claire must take control and choose: trade Harry for money and return to her former life, or fight for him.

The stakes run high when a baby is involved, and the choices are complicated.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman

In addition to Complicated Choices, Risa Nyman is the author of two award-winning middle grade mysteries, Swallowed by a Secret and Spooked by a Suspicion. Her contemporary novels deal with family issues, life changes, friendship, and loss.

Risa was born and lived most of her life in Greater Boston, and she has an authentic Boston accent to prove her heritage. No coincidence that all of her books are set in Massachusetts.

Her deep dive into creative writing began when she retired after decades working for the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization that focuses on voter registration, getting out the vote, candidates’ debates, and fair voting procedures.

Since Risa’s first online writing class, writing has become a passion and a defining part of her life. When not writing, you might find Risa reading, exercising, or doing therapeutic ironing (yes, there is such a thing.)

Author Interview with Risa Nyman 

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 36
Cover Designer – Ada Konewki

Goldilocks Knows How to Use the Six Simple Machines

She goes bicycling through the woods and comes to the Three Bears home. But fear not! Goldilocks, the curious explorer, is a homewrecker no more.

She has learned to use the six simple machines. She fixes that broken chair. And the wobbly table. She uses an inclined plane to add milk to that too-hot porridge. She leaves the three bears’ home better than she found it. Some tools are too big. Some tools are too small. Goldilocks finds the ones that are just right!

When the bears come home and find her sleeping in that bed, they use a lever to lift her out. Then baby bear asks her for help with her project.

Will Goldilocks figure out how to use the six simple machines to help baby bear?

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

Lois is a former high school chemistry teacher and former head science teacher at Science in the City Summer Camp in Philadelphia. She has also been an adjunct science teacher at University of South Florida. Since retiring, she continues to take science classes. Her class in Forensic Biology led to Little Red, The Detective, in which Red is studying fingerprint identification, so she can tell that “Grandma” isn’t who she says she is.

Lois has taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales. She has invented what she calls Science Folktales. In each science-based tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending than the original because of learning scientific principles. She has turned some of these tales into plays.

She has also created a series of Mermaid Science stories, which make use of water science.

Lois is married to the love of her life. She has two children, four grandchildren and a dog.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff

•*•📖•*• BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE •*•📖•*•
Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 172
Cover Designer – Book Cover Zone

Animal-loving Lizza thinks nothing could be worse than her dad’s taxidermy business…until Dad moves the family into a cave. A tourist trap cave, that is, carved into a giant rock formation in the desert—not exactly Lizza’s idea of fun. Now she’s on display for curious tourists who tromp through her new home all day long.

Determined to get out of the cave and back into a real home, Lizza appeals to animal rights activities and environmentalists. Things appear to go her way but Lizza soon realizes that her plans have unintended consequences that could be disastrous for her family.

~ AMAZON ~ IMMORTAL WORKS ~ BARNES & NOBLE ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff

Rebecca Bischoff is the award-winning author of several books for both middle grade and young adult audiences, including The French Impressionist, a contemporary YA novel, The Grave Digger, a historical middle grade mystery, and Streets of Shadow, a historical YA mystery recently released this year. Both The Grave Digger and Hole in the Rock were honored as finalists in the 2020 and 2021 Best Book Awards. Rebecca loves to read everything from mysteries to paranormal to historical novels. She tends to research quirky and little-known facts from the past and loves anything that might make her laugh. Rebecca lives in Southern Idaho with her family, where she enjoys not visiting the outdoors. She’d rather stay inside, eat chocolate and write.

Author Interview with Rebecca Bischoff

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Fetching Dreams by Mary Bleckwehl

σ(ൈ)φ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE φ(ൈ)σ
Fetching Dreams by Mary Bleckwehl
Genre – YA, Family
Page Count – 298
Cover Designer – Ashley Literski
Two girls living a continent part become pen pals. Quiet and shy Neyah lives in a rural African village and longs for more time in school, but spends most days fetching water for her family to survive. Bold and boisterous Abby lives comfortably in a modern city and spends much of her time planning her social calendar. Despite their differences, an unlikely friendship forms and they discover they have one thing very much in common. Their lives are tragically threatened by something they can’t control. Or maybe they can.         

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer of Fetching Dreams by Mary Bleckwehl

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Mary Bleckwehl believes words matter. As a children’s writer she uses them to challenge readers to not just imagine a better world but to take action to make it so. Passionate about promoting literacy, Bleckwehl has presented to nearly 100,000 school children as an author.

Bleckwehl grew up in an Iowa farm home with few books but a trove of experiences that are the foundation of her writing. As a writer, she draws on youth experiences as well as her imagination and years of parenting and teaching. She craves variety and, thus, writes non-fiction and fiction for many age groups. Her newest book for middle-grade through adult readers is Fetching Dreams-reviewed by Kirkus as “an engaging tale about finding one’s voice and making faraway connections.” Bleckwehl’s latest picture book, Arrrgh! Me HATE To Wait! joins her award-winning picture books, Henry you’re late AGAIN! Henry you’re hungry AGAIN?and Claire’s Hair. Other published work: The Birthday Cookbook (2021) a fun and easy recipe book for kids; her debut middle grade novel, The Worry Knot (January 2022); and four nonfiction books in the Awesome Disgusting Careers series (September 2022). She has three more books due out in 2024.

Bleckwehl graduated from Wartburg College and received her M.S. in Educational Management from Lesley University in Boston. She lives in Northfield, Minnesota where she taught school. Together with her husband, she raised three children, a few unruly pets, and plenty of garden weeds. When she’s not dreaming up a new book idea, Bleckwehl can be found presenting to book lovers in schools, libraries and conferences or enjoying a peaceful pontoon ride with family.

Author Interview with Mary Bleckwehl

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Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 24
Cover Designer – Nicolas Milano

Coleen’s dad is a giant who doesn’t have a job. Or so people say. He walks around with his hands in the air and claims he’s holding up the sky. He steals crops and animals from farmers as he walks around holding up the sky. Nobody but Colleen believes him. One day, she invites the kids in her class to a party. Her dad stops holding up the sky to play with the kids. A star falls on her house and another one burns her yard. What will it take for everyone to believe the truth?

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Holding Up the Sky (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom

Lois is a former high school chemistry teacher and former head science teacher at Science in the City Summer Camp in Philadelphia. She has also been an adjunct science teacher at University of South Florida. Since retiring, she continues to take science classes. Her class in Forensic Biology led to Little Red, The Detective, in which Red is studying fingerprint identification, so she can tell that “Grandma” isn’t who she says she is.

Lois has taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales. She has invented what she calls Science Folktales. In each science-based tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending than the original because of learning scientific principles. She has turned some of these tales into plays.

She has also created a series of Mermaid Science stories, which make use of water science.

Lois is married to the love of her life. She has two children, four grandchildren and a dog.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 28
Cover Designer – Nicolas Milano

Chester doesn’t want to clean his room. He says he wants to clean the sandbox first. Four cat-faced aliens arrive in a merry-go-round-shaped spaceship and make an even bigger mess than he did. When he finally goes inside, the aliens put all his toys under his bed. His mom is not pleased. And she can’t see the aliens. But, she tells Chester to teach the aliens where his things go. The aliens copy him again. Will his mom believe him?

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom

Lois is a former science teacher. She has written a series of science-based folktales.  In each modernized tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending because of learning scientific principles. Lois likes to garden, ride her bike with her husband, cook, and she votes in every election.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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Huff… Puff… Grind! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
Huff… Puff… Grind! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 24
Cover Designer – Ada Konewki

The 3 Little Pigs have been to Architecture School. They know how to build Wolf-Proof houses

The wolf huffed and he puffed. But the pigs’ houses didn’t fall. The wolf-couldn’t get in. The pigs couldn’t go out. They were all hungry. The pigs knew that a problem can be a solution out-of-place.

Could they make good use of all that huffing and puffing?

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Huff… Puff… Grind! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Huff… Puff… Grind! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

Lois is a former high school chemistry teacher and former head science teacher at Science in the City Summer Camp in Philadelphia. She has also been an adjunct science teacher at University of South Florida. Since retiring, she continues to take science classes. Her class in Forensic Biology led to Little Red, The Detective, in which Red is studying fingerprint identification, so she can tell that “Grandma” isn’t who she says she is.

Lois has taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales. She has invented what she calls Science Folktales. In each science-based tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending than the original because of learning scientific principles. She has turned some of these tales into plays.

She has also created a series of Mermaid Science stories, which make use of water science.

Lois is married to the love of her life. She has two children, four grandchildren and a dog.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 24
Cover Designer – Janet King

Alex hears the balloon flowers in her yard making noises.

Are they talking to her? She invents a plant translator so she can talk to her plants. Soon she and the flowers are planning a party. What do plants want to do at a party?

Can Alex make her plants’ party plans come true?

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of What Do the Plants Say? (Alex, the Inventor) by Lois Wickstrom

Lois is a former science teacher. She has written a series of science-based folktales. In each modernized tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending because of learning scientific principles. Lois likes to garden, ride her bike with her husband, cook, and she votes in every election.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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The Promised Plan by Sharon Hughson

..••°°°°••.. BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE  ..••°°°°••..
The Promised Plan by Sharon Hughson
Genre – Women’s Fiction, Family
Page Count – 186
Cover Designer – Covers by Kay
A determined mother plans a girls’ trip to help her daughters reconcile. What happens when the plan outlives her?
A dying woman’s final wish.
Mercedes Bloom’s deathbed agreement with Grandma to reconcile her mother and aunt threatens Merci’s secrets. Can a girl questioning everything keep her promise?
She has nothing more to lose.
Disillusioned after her divorce and the death of her mother, Lacey Bloom avoids her sister until their estrangement threatens to disappoint her daughter. Will a magical trip through a rose garden open her heart to the possibility of forgiving her sister?
Guilt holds her hostage.
Krista White has failed as a daughter and sister. She assumes her selfishness in earning her degree keeps God from blessing her with a dream. Is confession enough to bring peace and a dream fulfilled?
Even from Heaven’s shore, a mother’s plan unearths secrets and cultivates reconciliation.
Partially set in beautiful Victoria, BC, this collection of connected short stories explores a family’s journey through loss.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for The Promised Plan by Sharon Hughson

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of The Promised Plan by Sharon Hughson

Sharon Hughson inhales words and exhales stories. If only it happened that easily. She thrives on telling stories she wants to read, hoping they offer an escape hatch from reality for her readers, too.

Sharon writes, edits, and coaches other writers at her home on the Columbia River in Oregon. She enjoys playing piano, walking, biking, hiking, crocheting, and traveling with her husband. With two grown sons living nearby, she often spoils her four grandchildren, much to the chagrin of her entitled cats, Cattin’ Hook and Tweetie Paws.

Author Interview with Sharon Hughson

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Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 28
Cover Designer – Ada Konewki

Jacqueline’s Family is Hungry. She Doesn’t Want to Eat her Friendly but Dry Cow.

When Jacqueline trades the cow at the market for a few so-called “magic beans,” her mom tosses them out the window in a fit of anger. When Jacqueline discovers the beans really are magic, she climbs the giant beanstalk and learns that her family is not the only one suffering from hunger. Now Jacqueline wants to feed the family of giants as well as her own.Yes, the giant family has riches, but you can’t eat them. And she would never consider robbing them.

Will Jacqueline learn the real magic of the beans in time to feed everyone?

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom

 Lois is a former science teacher. She has written a series of science-based folktales. In each modernized tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending because of learning scientific principles. Lois likes to garden, ride her bike with her husband, cook, and she votes in every election.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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A Monster for Meg (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
A Monster for Meg (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 32
Monsters are Scary. Meg doesn’t understand why. She’s blind. Meg’s big sister tries to explain why using senses other that sight. But every time, Meg interprets the scary monster as something her big sister has done, like bump her head in their secret fort, or lick her fingers sticky with peanut butter, or drool over strawberry smoothies. In the end the best things about monsters is they are a reason for the big sister to wrap her arms around Meg give her a monster hug. Could you scare Meg?

~ AMAZON ~


Click here to view the Book Trailer for A Monster for Meg (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of A Monster for Meg (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom

Lois Wickstrom lives in a world where imaginary playmates are real. She doesn’t remember being born, so she finds unbirthdays are more exciting than the official once-a-year date on the calendar. She’s taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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Brave Kids: Short Stories to Inspire Future World Changers by Janice Pratt

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
Brave Kids: Short Stories to Inspire Future World Changers by Janice Pratt
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 256

Brave Kids: Short Stories to Inspire Future World-Changers is your brave kid’s personal guidebook to understanding bravery which comes in many forms, magically appearing in many different situations and locations, like an airport, a hike, in school, or even at home.

~ COMING SOON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Brave Kids: Short Stories to Inspire Future World Changers by Janice Pratt


Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Brave Kids: Short Stories to Inspire Future World Changers by Janice Pratt

Sometimes when you dream, it takes a while for it to become a reality. I have wanted to write books since I was a little girl and fell in love with my hometown library. I read books at school, at home, in bed, and even in the bathtub. I just couldn’t get enough of faraway places, brave heroes and heroines, and the experience of getting lost in a new and amazing adventure in each book. Through the years, I became the owner of a preschool, a public librarian, a school librarian, and a children’s yoga teacher but no matter what I did I shared stories with children. Finally, at age 62, I published my first book but I know it won’t be my last.

Author Interview with Janice Pratt

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Small Fry by Stephenie Wilson Peterson

🗳️ ~ 🍟 ~ ⭐ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🗳️ ~ 🍟 ~ ⭐
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 260
Cover Designer – Alen Paredes
BOOKBUB – Coming Soon

A bully candidate dead set on winning.

Corruption that goes all the way to the top.

Election fraud.

A revolution of young voters.

Middle school elections are brutal.

When Silas started 6th grade, no one at his new school believed he was eleven, not even the teachers! Because of his growth hormone deficiency, he was the shortest kid in school.

By a lot.

He didn’t let his height keep him from making friends with some of the other kids in the school band. The only problem is that Silas and his friends are pestered by a relentless bully! When Silas hears the bully is running for class president, he knows someone needs to stand up for the little guys, and that someone is him! Silas enters the race, but he’ll have to overcome bullying and cheating, all while his heart is breaking over his grandfather’s diminishing memory.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Small Fry by Stephenie Wilson Peterson

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Small Fry by Stephenie Wilson Peterson

Stephenie is the author of several books for kids. Stephenie and her family currently live near Raleigh, North Carolina, but she grew up just outside of Seattle. Stephenie writes, teaches creative writing, and homeschools her three amazing kids.

Author Interview with Stephanie Wilson Peterson

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Non-Verbal by Molly Zenk

•*•📖•*• BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE •*•📖•*•
Non-Verbal by Molly Zenk
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – YA, Family
Page Count – 148
Severely autistic middle schooler Emerson Rayne’s words disappeared when she was fifteen months old, but that doesn’t mean she has no voice.  As she navigates her day-to-day world of friendships, bullies, and over protective, over stressed parents, Emerson’s difficult but manageable frustrations turn to self-injurious behaviors and mental and emotional instability. Emerson’s parents fight to find her support and treatment in health and education systems that have little options for intensive needs teens.  Inspired by a true story.

~ AMAZON ~