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Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Have your ever felt that time goes by more quickly than it should? Have you ever experienced those unexplainable déjà vu moments? You may find some intriguing explanations in PJ Davis' debut novel Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time. Gather more information about this fascinating new release and enter to win a terrific prize pack!

My Review:

Drawing on medieval mythology and neuroscience, Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time is a gripping, action-packed page turner featuring a delicious blend of mystery, adventure and fantasy.

Max, a seventh grader who loves to daydream and sneezes a lot, stumbles upon a mysterious old handwritten book while helping reorganize his family bookstore. An odd-looking professor emerges out of nowhere urging him to study the manuscript and figure out the secret messages hidden inside. Max is thus made aware of Nemesis, a mythic world inhabited by creepy creatures and supernatural beings who conspire to steal time from humans for the purpose of extending their own lives. When told it's also the place where his missing father might be found, Max wastes no time searching for a way in. Will Max, in the company of his best friends Derek and Samantha, be able to shift to the secret dimension and destroy the vault where all stolen time is stored? Will they find Max's father? And more importantly, will they get back safely?

Thanks to its author's exceptional writing and storytelling skills, the book gets the readers hooked from the start. Told with carefully chosen words and witty metaphors, the story abounds in precise and vivid descriptions that make it easy to visualize each scene as if a movie were being played. The excitement of fast-paced adventure and the unpredictability of dangers lurking around keep the readers on the edge of their seats, gasping and guessing what the characters could encounter next.

Max and his two friends lie at the center of this story. They complement one another with humor, sensibility, courage and determination. Their unwavering friendship contributes a great deal to the charm and chemistry of the trio. Their quest may motivate young readers to value independence, creativity and teamwork. The underlying message about the preciousness of time and its close connection with life prompts us to rethink about how to use time wisely and how to live life to the fullest.

With reality and fantasy woven neatly together, Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time is an immersive and captivating middle grade fiction that helps fuel the passion for reading and research.

About the Book:

Ages: 8+ | 234 Pages
Publisher: Philaments | ISBN-13: 979-8990031616

“…it’s hard to prove the world’s most important substance is missing when no one knows it’s gone.”

“Substance? What substance?” asks thirteen-year-old Max Kellerman. “Why time itself!” exclaims the strange professor who Max meets in the back of his uncle’s bookstore. In fact, he says, time is being sucked out of every living person by invisible thieves and stored away in a deep, dark netherworld.

Could the professor possibly be right… or just plain crazy?

It depends on whether Max can unravel the mysterious clues in the tattered manuscript the professor leaves behind. With the help of his best friends Derek and Samantha, Max begins a quest to find this dark realm and to discover its hidden secrets. But with the time clock ticking and the professor gone missing, Max uncovers a truth he never thought possible.

Max must unravel the mysteries of Nemesis to save not just his world, but the very fabric of time itself.

Purchase link: Amazon

Alycat and the Sunday Scaries Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Raise your hand if you experience Sunday Scaries every now and then and wonder what to do about them. Get inspired by Alycat and her pals from Alycat and the Sunday Scaries, the latest addition to Alysson Bourque's award-winning picture book series. Enter to win a signed copy and three most coveted Alycat plush toys!

My Review:

Alycat and the Sunday Scaries completes Alycat's days of the week adventures with a cheerful and heartwarming tale showcasing the incredible power of friendship. Alycat finds it hard to enjoy Sunday fully because of her worries about what might happen on Monday - rainy weather, missing shoes, and a possible pop quiz. When hanging out with her friends, she learns that she is not alone in having things to be afraid of. But none of their fears seems so scary anymore when the kittens have each other's backs.

Through adorable characters and relatable situations, the story suggests how support and encouragement from family and friends can help one beat fear, gain confidence, and stay positive. While reassuring young readers that fear and anxiety are perfectly common, it gently advises them to reach out to those they trust and can rely on for help, as opposed to struggling on their own. The way Alycat and her playmates interact implies what true friendship entails, to stand by each another, to care for each another and to cheer for each another.

Like all the other books in the Alycat series, this one charms kitten lovers with colorful, expressive pictures and an engaging story stressing kindness and positivity.

About the Book:

Ages 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Pelican Publishing | ISBN-13: 9781455627790

It’s Sunday, the day before the school week begins, and Alycat is nervous. She just knows that Monday is going to be the Mondayest Monday ever! On the playground, Alycat realizes she isn’t the only one suffering from the Sunday Scaries. It’s hard to ride a bike. What if Kit falls? The treehouse is so high. Will Spotty make it safely back down? The kittens band together to overcome their fears, but can they turn the Sunday Scaries into a Sunday Funday? The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity toward problem-solving.

Fans of Alycat and her friends will enjoy spotting references to the kittens’ daily adventures within these pages. Tips for a successful lemonade stand are included!

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

Squirrels in Antarctica​ Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

What could be more unusual than seeing squirrels in Antarctica? A narwhal napping in Hudson River? A pink porcupine riding a bike in Paris? Or tigers dancing in tutus in Tibet? Expect the unexpected in Sari Karplus' new book Squirrels in Antarctica and enter for your chance to win a signed copy!

About the Book:

Book Title: Squirrels in Antarctica by Sari Karplus
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 34 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Tip Top Story Shop
Release date: Mar 14, 2024
Tour dates: Mar 14 to Apr 3
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.

This fantastical book of animals in unusual places will tickle your brain, leading readers of all ages imagining their own silly combos. You'll see a skiing seal in Switzerland, a pufferfish piloting an airplane, a sloth who runs a marathon (but isn't ever done), and so much more! With fun illustrations and an educational twist, this book encourages readers to embrace their limitless imagination, explore the world, and experience animals big and small in their not-so-natural habitats. Perfect for bedtime reading or as a classroom favorite, Squirrels in Antarctica sparks boundless imagination. So, come along on this epic journey and "Let your thoughts fly limitless like snails on shooting stars." Is it a book? Is it a word game? Can it be both?!

My Review:

Powered by humor and imagination, Squirrels in Antarctica is an incredibly hilarious and whimsical rhyming picture book. It initiates a fanciful adventure around the globe where wild animals are spotted participating in humanlike activities in unanticipated locations, including outer space. Readers are invited to join the game and add their own wacky combos to the mix. The possibilities are endless...

My son and I are totally fascinated by all the crazy and funny scenarios that the author has come up with in this cute little book. Our favorite has to be the sloth running a never-ending marathon while growing from an adolescent to an elderly. The short, well-thought-out rhymes and alliterated words make the reading fun and smooth. Meanwhile, the playful and colorful illustrations enrich the story with delightful details and comical facial expressions. Young readers are inspired to let their imagination take flight and think outside the box. They may aslo discover quite a few fun foreign places to visit alongside their animal amigos.

Charming and Cheerful, this is a book that will bring a big smile to your face everytime you revisit it.

Buy the Book: Amazon | B&N
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Cattitude Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Love is blind. It happens between humans and their pets too, as evidenced in Cattitude, the lastest picture book from Bianca Schulze, founder of The Children's Book Review and author of the beloved Don't Wake the Dragon series. Join us in the celebration of Bianca's brand new release and enter to win the first four books in the Dragon series along with a $50 gift card to Bookshop.org.

My Review:

Packed with funny accidents and charming characters, Cattitude is an amusing and captivating book about love, family, friendship, patience and acceptance. Cleo is an energetic and elegant cat who likes to handle things her way. She greets house guests by leaving them alone. She spends the day observing and contemplating about the birds outside. She enjoys getting lost in a good book...literally. While her gymnastic skills and hide-and-seek expertise are impressive, the damages she causes and the chaos she creates make Mom mad and Dad frown. But, nothing stops her from being loved just the way she is.

Told from the perspective of the young boy to whom Cleo belongs, the story details the unique ways in which Cleo brings joy and vitality to a loving family of four. The narrator adores his feline friend so much that none of her mischief seems intentional. In his view, her antics actually contribute a great deal to her cuteness. He has no complaints about having to clean after Cleo for the comfort and company she provides are well worth the extra work. Although disapproving of Cleo's eccentric conduct, the parents understand their son's strong attachment and allow him to pamper Cleo to his heart's content. That's what family and friends are for - to support and care for one another no matter what.

With delightful colors and nuanced expressions, the illustrations add to the humor and glamour of the book. Cleo looks so pretty and fluffy that it's hard not to fall in love with her at first sight. You may even envy Cleo for living in such a cozy and lovely home, where Dad cooks and the son cleans. And have fun searching for all the animals making a guest appearance in the pictures!

A pure enjoyment for cat lovers, Cattitude cheers for the admirable feline spirit and encourages us to learn to respect and appreciate someone who deviates from the norm.

About the Book:

Ages 3+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Clever Publishing (2024) | ISBN-13: 9781954738362

Meet Cleo, a cat with an attitude—and she’s not afraid to show it! Cleo is a misunderstood feline with a penchant for mischief and a heart of gold. Her quirks and antics reveal a cat who marches to the beat of her own drum. From hiding behind bookshelves to getting stuck in tight spots, Cleo’s adventures teach her family valuable lessons about love, patience, and the true meaning of companionship. Get ready for a heartwarming tale of feline charm and the power of unconditional love. Cleo proves that behind every mischievous whisker lies a world of affection and loyalty.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

 
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