May 2019 – Beagles & Books

Blog Tour & Giveaway for Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves by Lauren Kernstein Illustrated by Nate Wragg

May 29, 2019June 5, 2019 lauramossa

Beagles and Books is excited to be part of the blog tour for Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves written by Leslie Kerstein and illustrated by Nate Wragg which published on May 1, 2019. Special thanks to Two Lions Publishing and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Praise for Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves!

“The digital illustrations are bright, playful, and attractive, well suited to the story…There are some young dragon lovers and fans of mischief who will revel in this silly romp.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Kerstein’s playful story about friendship, patience, and responsibility for a pet is nicely matched by Wragg’s bold, colorful illustrations, rendered in blocky shapes and a vivid color palette. New pet owners are the natural choice for this one, but kids with younger siblings might appreciate it, too.” – Booklist

Publisher’s Summary:
It’s summertime, and you’re invited for a rollicking day at the pool with Charlie and his pet dragon (and best friend!), Rosie. But be careful—swimming with a dragon can be, um, challenging. As Rosie and Charlie blow bubbles (don’t forget your umbrella!), practice flutter kicks (watch out for tidal waves!), and offer shoulder rides (hang on tight!), Rosie proves that dragons make the most fun pets ever. Now if only Charlie can keep Rosie’s attention focused on the rules at the pool and NOT on her gummy snacks (you know, the ones that cause stinky dragon breath!)…Grab your towels and sunscreen and join Rosie and Charlie for a fun-filled summer adventure!

Review:
Searching for a fun summer read? Look no further than Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves! Written by debut author Lauren Kerstein, this lively picture book provides a splash of entertainment after a hot day at the beach, pool or park.

When Charlie goes to the shelter to adopt a pet, he did not plan to come home with a dragon. Rosie does fit his criteria, for she is silly, active, and playful. Rosie and Charlie quickly bond enjoying outdoor activities such as flying kites, playing soccer or skateboarding. Being a responsible pet owner, Charlie wants to ensure an enjoyable and safe pool outing which means a lot of preparation (swim gear, sunblock and snacks), rules (no drinking, no running, no diving or belly flops) and close supervision of Rosie (no eating of gummy skunks until after swimming).

A good teacher, Charlie provides lessons on blowing bubbles and practicing flutter kicks but teaching these skills to a dragon can be problematic especially when other swimmers are in the pool. Ever patient, Charlie is encouraging as Rosie embarks on her first solo swim. When Rosie shows trepidation and concern, Charlie is right there by Rosie’s side to be her support.

Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves is an amusing laugh out loud picture book with a lot of heart. Amid the giggles, it is a story about the genuine love between a boy and his pet. Charlie is caring and responsible and Rosie is determined to make her boy happy and shows remorse when she makes mistakes (gummy skunks are just so tempting). The colorful, eye catching artwork will appeal to young readers and adorably illustrates Charlie and Rosie’s sweet relationship.

As a reading specialist, it warmed my heart when I saw Charlie reading to Rosie and his friends at the end. Now that Rosie has conquered swimming (well, sort of), perhaps, Rosie’s next adventure is learning to read? When you have a best friend who believes in you, anything is possible (even if your best friend is a dragon)!

Get a sneak peek at Rosie and Charlie by viewing the book trailer!

About the Author and Illustrator:

Lauren H. Kerstein is an author and psychotherapist. She is a Jersey girl at heart who, as a child, loved underwater handstands and slurping cherry Italian ice at the pool. Lauren currently lives in Colorado with her husband, Josh; their dragons…er, daughters, Sarah and Danielle; and Hudson, the dog. Learn more about the author at www.LaurenKerstein.net. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenKerstein and Instagram @laurenkerstein

Nate Wragg works as a production designer and illustrator for animation and book projects. His animation projects include Ratatouille, Toy Story 3, and Captain Underpants. He is the illustrator of a number of popular picture books, including At the Old Haunted House, written by Helen Ketteman. He lives in Southern California with his family. Learn more at natewragg.tumblr.com.

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Giveaway!
One lucky winner will receive a copy of Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves, courtesy of Two Lions (U.S. addresses). Enter the giveaway by retweeting my blog post tweet on Twitter and/or by making a comment on this blog post. Giveaway ends Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

#Bookexcursion, Early Chapter Books, It's Monday! What Are You Reading?, Middle Grade Literature, Picture Books

It’s Monday! What Are You Are Reading? 5/20/19

May 20, 2019May 20, 2019 lauramossa

Beagles and Books is excited to share our current reads in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give it a #kidlit focus and encourage everyone who participates to visit at least 3 of the other #kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Our Current Reads:

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Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos

It is 1986. 12 year old Nova Vezina is anxiously awaiting for two big events- the launching of the space shuttle Challenger and reuniting with her older sister Bridget. Bridget ran away from their last foster home and Nova is adjusting to living with her new foster family, the Wests.

While Nova’s school reports consistently included phrases such as “cannot read” or “does not speak,” her older sister Bridget always disagreed stating that Nora “is a thinker, not a talker.” Bridget has been Nova’s strongest advocate recognizing and fostering Nova’s intelligence. With only 10 days before the Challenger launch, Nova is clinging on to Bridget’s promise that she and Nova will reunite and watch this historic event together.

I love the format of the novel, which alternates from third person to first person. Nova’s first hand account is written as letters to Bridget, which everyone else calls “scribbles.” Since Nora is autistic and nonverbal, her letters are extremely compelling sharing her deep thoughts and feelings on everything from her new foster family, new school and friends as well as past memories of her mother and Bridget. Reading Nova’s letters is truly gut-wrenching because she shares her frustrations that people cannot understand her and how desperately she misses Bridget. While my heart ached for Nova, Nova’s new foster family gave me hope. Francine, Billy, and their college age daughter Josie take the time to truly get to know Nova recognizing her potential rather than her limitations.

From the very first page, Nova’s story pulled me in and I couldn’t put the novel down. While I knew the outcome of the Challenger launch, debut author Nicole Panteleakos’s well crafted novel kept me wondering until almost the very end. A heartbreaking yet uplifting story, Planet Earth is Blue reminds us of our universal need for love, respect, and understanding. I am a firm believer that books have the power to change you and make you a better person; Planet Earth is Blue is that story, for we can all do better in showing compassion, patience, and tolerance towards others.

Special thanks to Penguin Random House and Rockstar Book Tours for a copy of Planet Earth is Blue. It recently published on May 14, 2019.

Frankie Sparks and the Class Pet by Megan Frazier Blakemore Illustrated by Nadja Small

When Frankie’s teacher announces that the class is going to research and vote on a class pet, Frankie is determined to convince her classmates that a rat is the best choice. Scared of rodents, Frankie’s best friend Maya disagrees and feels a fish is a better choice. Frankie struggles with Maya’s lack of support which creates a rift in their friendship. With the help of her parents, Maya gradually realizes that true friendship means accepting each other’s differences.

Frankie Sparks is an early chapter book series with a lot of depth. Megan Frazier Blackmore has created such a dynamic and passionate main character in Frankie. Readers see her at her best when she is researching and/or creating as well as her worst when she is angry and frustrated that no one is listening to her. As a teacher, I love the inclusion of the endnotes which provide more information on “problem scoping” and encourage kids to be creative.

Special thanks to Simon Kids/Aladdin for sending an ARC to my #bookexcursion group. Frankie Sparks and the Class Pet and Frankie Sparks and the Talent Show Trick will be released soon on June 18, 2019. A third book, Frankie Sparks and the Big Sled Challenge will be published in November 2019.

Etta and Bella’s Dog Pick of the Week

Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine main character.

Dog vs. Ultra Dog by Troy Wilson Art by Clayton Hammer

Pup Tuffy and his boy Tim are best buds but then suddenly, Ultra Dog, a cartoon superhero steals Tim’s attention. Worried that he is losing his boy, Tuffy attempts to be the ultra-est dog at obedience, chores, affection, and even (gulp) flying. Unfortunately, Tuffy isn’t as successful as he hoped. How can Tuffy convince Tim that he is top dog?

Dog vs. Ultra Dog has a lot of kid appeal. With bold comic illustrations and text written in speech bubbles, the story has a graphic novel feel. While young readers will laugh out loud at Tuffy’s efforts, they will easily relate to Tuffy’s concern over being replaced by a new and more exciting friend. Amid the humor, Troy Wilson has written a heartwarming story that teaches kids that a true and loyal friend is irreplaceable.

Special thanks to Tricia Harlan of Owlkids Books for sharing a copy with Beagles and Books. Dog vs. Ultra Dog recently published in April 2019.

Thank you for visiting Beagles & Books! Happy reading!

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Giveaway, It's Monday! What Are You Reading?, Picture Books

Review & Giveaway: The Duchess and Guy A Rescue to Royalty Puppy Love Story by Nancy Furstinger

May 13, 2019May 13, 2019 lauramossa

It’s a boy! Beagles and Books is celebrating the birth of Archie Harrison Monbatten-Windsor, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with a review and giveaway of The Duchess and Guy: A Rescue to Royalty Puppy Love Story written by Nancy Furstinger and illustrated by Julia Bereciartu. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Publisher’s Summary:
A heartwarming tale about a beagle and the Duchess who adopted him, this picture book is inspired by the true story of Meghan Markle and her rescue dog, Guy. When he was a pup, Guy was just like any dog in the shelter; he liked to bark and follow his nose, and dreamed of a forever home above all things. But when Guy met Meghan, he had no idea he was about to star in his own Cinderella story. Guy can now be spotted escorting Queen Elizabeth and frolicking in Buckingham Palace. This rags-to-riches story of how one regal beagle got a second chance at life will charm and delight.

Review:

It’s pretty clear that I love dogs and books, but when the book is about a rescue beagle, it is even better. And the fact that the beagle was rescued by a future Duchess, well, it is the absolutely best!

Although I know Guy has a happy ending, my heart still hurt when I read Furstinger’s poignant first words and Julia Bereciartu’s gorgeous yet forlourn illustration of Guy in the shelter.

When I turned the page, my heart leaped for joy when Guy was adopted by Meghan and finally got his furever home.The story focus shifts to Meghan’s impending marriage to Prince Harry and how Guy wants to prove he is a regal beagle. Being among royalty is a bit overwhelming for Guy and despite his best intentions, his transition isn’t as smooth as he envisioned. Meghan reminds Guy to be the happy go lucky dog he is.

Whether you are two legged or four legged, adjustment to a new situation or surrounding can be challenging; I love that Furstinger emphasizes the way to capture hearts (even the Queen of England’s) is to simply just be yourself.

At the end of the book, Furstinger includes a factual account of Guy’s rags to riches story. What especially warms my heart is information on dog adoptions which is a cause close near and dear to me. Like Guy, both Etta and Bella are rescues from the south and were sponsored and saved by Penny Angels Beagle Rescue in New Jersey.

Special thanks to author Nancy Furstinger for sharing a copy of The Duchess and Guy with Beagles and Books. It recently published in January 2019.

Meet the Author:

Nancy Furstinger has been speaking up for animals since she learned to talk, and she hasn’t shut up yet. She is the author of nearly 100 books, including many on her favorite topic: animals! She started her writing career in third grade, when her class performed a play she wrote while recovering from chicken pox. Since then, Nancy has been a feature writer for a daily newspaper, a managing editor of trade and consumer magazines, and an editor at two children’s book publishing houses. She shares her home with big dogs, house rabbits, and a chinchilla (all rescued), and volunteers with several animal organizations.

Giveaway!
One lucky winner will receive a copy of The Duchess and Guy (U.S. addresses only). Enter the giveaway by retweeting my blog post tweet on Twitter and/or by making a comment on this blog post. Giveaway ends Sunday, May 19, 2019.

Blog Tour, Giveaway, Picture Books, Rockstar Book Tours

Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos

May 8, 2019October 13, 2019 lauramossa

Beagles and Books is excited to be part of the The Plant Earth is Blue blog tour organized by Rockstar Book Tours.

About the Book:
Title: PLANET EARTH IS BLUE
Author: Nicole Panteleakos
Pub. Date: May 14, 2019
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 240

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Publisher’s Summary:

“Tender and illuminating. A beautiful debut.” –Rebecca Stead,
Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me

A heartrending and hopeful debut novel about a nonverbal girl and her passion for space exploration, for fans of See You in the Cosmos, Mockingbird, and The Thing About Jellyfish.

Twelve-year-old Nova is eagerly awaiting the launch of the space shuttle Challenger–it’s the first time a teacher is going into space, and kids across America will watch the event on live TV in their classrooms. Nova and her big sister, Bridget, share a love of astronomy and the space program. They planned to watch the launch together. But Bridget has disappeared, and Nova is in a new foster home.

While foster families and teachers dismiss Nova as severely autistic and nonverbal, Bridget understands how intelligent and special Nova is, and all that she can’t express. As the liftoff draws closer, Nova’s new foster family and teachers begin to see her potential, and for the first time, she is making friends without Bridget. But every day, she’s counting down to the launch, and to the moment when she’ll see Bridget again. Because Bridget said, “No matter what, I’ll be there. I promise.”

Review:

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

About Nicole:

Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of PLANET EARTH IS BLUE, US Only. Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2930/?

Tour Schedule: Join us on the other stops of this tour to read more reviews.

Week One:

5/6/2019- Lifestyle Of Me– Review
5/7/2019- Lone Tree Reviews– Review
5/8/2019- Beagles & Books– Review
5/9/2019- Book-Keeping– Review
5/10/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction– Review

Week Two:

5/13/2019- BookHounds YA– Review
5/14/2019- Bri’s Book Nook– Review
5/15/2019- The Layaway Dragon– Review
5/16/2019- Here’s to Happy Endings– Review
5/17/2019- Novel Novice– Excerpt

#Bookexcursion, It's Monday! What Are You Reading?, Middle Grade Literature, Picture Books

It’s Monday! What Are You Are Reading? 5/6/19

May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 lauramossa

Our Reads This Week:

Jaclyn Hyde by Annabeth Bonner-Stone and Connor White

Always striving for perfection, Jaclyn stumbles upon a finds a recipe for perfect potion. At first, Jaclyn thinks the potion will solve all her problems but she soon discovers that when things don’t go her way, she transforms into her ulter ego Jackie, who will stop at nothing to ensure Jaclyn’s victory. How can she stop Jackie from ruining her life as well as the lives of her dear friends?

A humorous and heartwarming retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Jaclyn Hyde is a story that teaches us that “growing up isn’t about hiding your mistakes. It is about learning from them.” As an adult reader, this message is as important to me as it is to middle grade readers.

Special thanks to author Annabeth Bonner Stone and Harper Collins Publishing for sending an ARC to my #bookexcursion group. Jaclyn Hyde celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on May 7, 2019.

We Are (NOT) Friends We Are (NOT) Friends written by Anna Kang Illustrated by Christopher Weyant

I am a big fan of the Kang & Weyant’s You are Not Small series which features two fuzzy friends managing differences in size and perspective, sharing and their fears. In their latest collaboration, We Are (Not) Friends, the two friends tackle the age old question “If two is company, is three really a crowd?” To read my full review and enter a giveaway for a copy of your own, click here.

The Book Hog by Greg Pizzoli

The Book Hog is a heartwarming picture book that celebrates the power of reading. It is about a pig who loves books but is harboring a big secret-he never learned how to read. On a search for more books, he stumbles upon the library and is invited to story time by the sweet librarian, Miss Olive. Gradually with Miss Olive’s support and lots of practice, the Book Hog learns to read and appreciate books for not just how they looked, felt, and smelled, but for the stories they tell. This line brought happy tears to my eyes.

Of course, the plot stole my heart but so did Greg Pizzoli’s illustrations. I adore the salmon and mint green color palette and what I especially loved is that the titles of his books are not revealed until the Book Hog learned to read.

Etta and Bella’s Dog Pick of the Week

Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine main character.

Good Dog, McTavish by Meg Rosoff Illustrated by Grace Easton

I am firm believer that dogs rescue people and in this charming first story in the series, shleter dog McTavish does just that for his newly adopted family, the quirky Peacheys.

Feeling unappreciated, Ma Peachey resigns from her job as mother and decides to devote her time to yoga leaving Pa Peachey and children Ava, Ollie, and Betty to fend for themselves. Feeling lost, lonesome and lacking in love, Betty, the youngest and most sensible Peachey, decides that the solution to the family’s problems is to get a dog. What the family doesn’t realize is that McTavish is actually adopting them, and with Betty’s help, McTavish slowly mends this broken family.

While I am big fan of dog books, it is always a treat to read books that truly “get” dogs. Reading author Meg Rosoff’s description of McTavish settling into his dog bed digging around with his paws and turning around four times is stop on. In our house, we call it “making the bed.” With short chapters and totaling only 104 pages, Good Dog McTavish is a great novel for those students who are transitioning to chapter books or are in want of quick read. Looking forward to more adventures with the Peacheys in the second book, McTavish in the Wild.

Thank you for visiting Beagles & Books! Happy reading!

happiness-is-a-warm-puppy-and-a-good-book