Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

The Lemonman (A Party, some rain and Wiggleworm Lane)

Brilliant story with magnificent rhymes and colourful illustrations, The second of The Lemonman series, A Party, some rain and Wiggleworm Lane, teaches a wonderful lesson.

Weather is out of our control but how we react to it and enjoy it is something we can all learn to do. While the worms hope for more rainy days they plot and scheme their way to make their town more ideal for them… or so they think.

Follow the Lemonman as he is invited to a party of worms and later to their secret domain to learn what this book has in store.

I am eager to read it to my four year old to get his reaction to the whimsical and musical story of how the Lemonman made it rain.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland


Brown Paper Teddy Bear Review

The brilliant illustrations on cardboard paper of a wonderful story made this extra impressive.

My almost 4 year old’s eyes shone bright with the details of each page, almost like a photograph more than a drawing.

The story of a young girl waking up to a magical brown bear to go on an adventure every kid only dreams of. Meeting new toys brought to life with the words and colour, the story circles to Jessica’s grandfather who owned the brown bear when he was a child.

A recommended read for children and parents alike. Excellent for a Christmas traditional story time.

Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland


A Much Delayed Review of the Fabulous Honey the Hero

We all love superheros and the possibility of becoming one, even to just one person. Even birds strive to help and be remembered as their local hero, at least Emlyn Chand’s main character Honey the bird from Australia did.

An adventures little bird, Honey flew until she found a young boy through a window who watched tv and saw her first superhero. Knowing she could already fly her next step was a disguise (Every superhero needs a disguise. 😉 as she didn’t want her friends to know she was coming to the rescue.

A very clever story with terrific illustrations and theme, Honey the Hero (A Bird Brain Book) is cute for any age so I recommend it for any parent, and anyone who has a child in their life.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland


Ode to Icky by Maranda Russell

Ode to Ickyis a book I received as a review copy and read through my Kindle to my 2 year old son.

He LOVED the pictures as he’s very much into naming things right now and giggled and yelled “pee-u” throughout. Even though it was black and white he connected immediately to this story, as did I.

The story is simply but whimsical and absolutely had me wanting more. It followed Candy, a young girl who has a stinky cat and a big sister in her family. Always the entrepreneur Candy learned a trick from her big sister and decided to use Icky, the cat too lazy to bathe, as a money making opportunity.

This book was a great introduction to Ikcy and Candy but it certainly made me want to know more as I connected with Candy’s antics immediately.

When I get the printed book I’m sure my son will love it as much as I do!

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland
author of Sending You Sammy,Brain Tales – Volume Oneand Arm Farm


Nate Rocks the World, by Karen Pokras Toz

Synopsis:

Nate Rocks can do it all: part super-hero, part all-star athlete, part rock-star… part fourth-grader?

Ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge cannot catch a break. After all, life as a fourth-grader can be hazardous what with science projects to deal with and recess football games to avoid. Everyone, including his best friend Tommy, seems to have bad luck when hanging around Nathan. Throw in an older sister who is a royal pain, a dad who is stuck in the past, and a mom who keeps trying to poison him with her awful cooking, and poor Nathan’s life as a fourth grader appears to be completely doomed.

Armed only with his sketchpad, his imagination, and his wits, Nathan Rockledge navigates the perils of the fourth grade in style, to emerge heroic, as Nate Rocks, proving that even a ten-year-old can accomplish great things.

Follow the quirky and imaginative adventures of ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge as his cartoons come to life.

Meet Nate’s Creator: Karen Pokras Toz:

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife and mom. Karen grew up in Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen has spent the last several years working as a tax accountant, writing in numbers. She recently discovered a passion for writing with words. In June 2011, Karen published her first children’s novel Nate Rocks the World. She is currently working on the second book in the Nate Rocks series to be published in 2012.

Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), Association of Independent Authors (AIA), and the Independent Author Network (IAN). Karen enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three children.

Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland