The Boy Who Swallows Flies

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Michael F. Stewart

 

 

Jarrod is ill and nor does he or anyone else understand what the problem is.

He has his "moments" and everytime experiences things that seem unreasonable.

He's also the 'Bug-Boy' for he's very fond of bugs. All kinds of bugs. He has them in his room and can't resist noticing them in the school or anywhere he goes.

His moments continue occurring often affecting his health, his grades and his social life.

Until one day when he realises that what he sees or hears is real. And someone somewhere needs his desperate help.

And a super hero is born. And like every super hero, no one believes him or his powers but he tries his best to help.
He tells his best friend and even proves it.

Well he really does swallows flies. Because that is what his Super Power is about.

A very enjoyable read for kids, especially boys who love reading about super powers. For Jarrod has a very very unique power that no can even think of.

Thank you Netgalley for the copy.

About The Book

Jarrod can view the memories of any bug. He just has to eat it. It’s not the tastiest of superpowers and, let’s face it, fly memories aren’t all unicorns and rainbows. Eating insects also doesn’t net him many friends, but Jarrod’s ready to prove that he and his bugs are worth more than ridicule.

When he swallows a fly while biking, he’s in for a shock. The bug saw a room stacked full of sick dogs and puppies in crates. It’s a puppy mill, and Jarrod needs to save the animals. But the flight range of the common housefly is five miles. Even if the police believed him, with no evidence, they can’t help. It’s up to Jarrod.

Trained cockroaches survey neighborhood basements. A fly taped to a window makes an excellent sentry. Every ant, mosquito, caterpillar—don’t eat the fuzzy yellow ones—and beetle is his edible sidekick.

Will Jarrod save the dogs? Or is it all too much to swallow?
 

Book Review: Everybody's Somewhere

Everybody's Somewhere


Cornelia Maude Spelman
Illustrated by
Alea Marley


This book is great to explain kids how everybody's
somewhere. Even if they are not present right here,
they're somwhere in the world.

They can be anywhere, doing something or the other.
Travelling, playimg, painting, sleeping, studying or flying.
Just like we're somewhere in the world.

Young kids wonder where people go when they're
not around and this book will help them understand
it in a simple way.
About the book

Everybody's somewhere, where are you?
I'm right here, I'm somebody, too.
Some are in the country, some are in the town.
Everybody's somewhere, up or down.

Everybody—moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, friends, and people you've never met—is somewhere in the world, doing something right now, even if you can't see them.

Everybody's Somewhere is a fun, colorful introduction to the idea that everyone you've met, or haven't met, is somewhere. Written perfectly for young minds that might not fully comprehend how big the world is, or the number of people on it, this fun children's book will plant the seeds of the ideas in their minds.

With its playful, bouncy rhymes, Everybody’s Somewhere asks children to expand their perspective, and follows-up with fun illustrations. Award-winning author Cornelia Maude Spelman invites children to imagine other people in other places doing different things, to be delighted by new ideas, and to be reassured that everyone is important and sharing the same world.

Santa's Countdown to Christmas

 

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Santa's Countdown to Christmas
24 days of stories

 

Kim Thompson

Illustrated by Iodie Duhameau

 

If you've kids who ask a lot of questions, especially about
Santa & Christmas, this is the book for you!

 

The book narrates how Santa prepares for Christmas in
a fun and enjoyable way.

From December 1 to 24, everyday is filled with activities,
excersices, work and fun for Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves.

How Santa and team arrange the gifts, plan the travel,
check the children's list of nice & naughty, decide
Santa's dress and other such stories are packed in this
illustrated book.

 

About the book

Help little ones be patient until Christmas with this storytelling twist on the timeless Advent tradition.

Each day, starting December 1st and counting down to Christmas Eve, children can read a story that recounts how Santa and Ms. Claus, the elves and the reindeer get ready for the big night ahead, from Santa’s initial fitness test (will he make it through the chimney this year?) to a behind-the-scenes look at Santa’s toy factory.

A book that captures all the excitement and the magic of the holiday season.

 

Mr.Crum's Potato Predicament

Mr.Crum's Potato Predicament

Anne Renaud

Felieita Sala

Kids Can Press

For kids who love food, fun, stories and potatoes!

George crum opens his restaurant 'Crum's Place' because he loves to cook.

His customers thought of him as the best cook in the country.

One a customer orders for potatoes, only potatoes!

Mr.Crum serves him potato wedges but that are sent back.

So he cuts the potato even thin but again the customer complains that it's too thick and bland.

When this happens for the third time, Mr.Crum with his playful nature comes up with an amazing idea!

And  everyone absolutely loves his new invention.

About the book

When Filbert P. Horsefeathers walks into George Crum's restaurant, he tells the waitress, ?I have a hankering for a heaping helping of potatoes.? Fine cook that he is, George prepares a serving of his most scrumptious, succulent and sublime potato wedges, only to have Filbert send them back. ?Too thick,? he says. So, George makes thinner wedges. But his picky customer sends them back again. And again. Feeling a bit mischievous, George decides to use his sharpest knife to cut paper-thin potato slices, which he fries until they are crackling and then showers with salt. At last, Filbert is satisfied, proclaiming, ?Perfection!? Which they are. Because, quite by accident, George Crum has invented potato chips!

This fictional picture book tale by Anne Renaud is based on a real man named George Crum, a cook in Saratoga Springs, New York, in the 1850s, who is purported to have created the first potato chip in response to a demanding customer. Included at the back of the book is a historical note with a list of sources describing the legend and the remarkable and inspiring story of Crum, a trapper of mixed Native American and African American descent, who supplied restaurants with fresh game, then became a chef and successful restauranteur himself. 

Felicita Sala's gorgeous illustrations accurately portray the historical period but with a lighthearted touch. They work beautifully with Renaud's playful language and quirky characters for a lively and deliciously fun read-aloud. This book is an excellent choice for lessons on inventions and inventors, history, or why we eat the foods we do.

Book Review: Don't Dangle Your Participle

Don't Dangle Your Participle

Vanita Oelschlager

Art Mike Desantis

Grammar can be so boring when you try to study in school but not in this book.

It is awfully funny in this very book, every page will make you laugh.

And you'll also learn how to use the participle in the right way!

Strongly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley.

The Most Magnificent Thing

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The Most Magnificient Thing

Ashley Spires

4.5 stars

A simple story about a little girl who wants to create something magnificient.
While doing so she learns how difficult it is to bring to life what you have on mind, especially when people don't cheer or support you and you do everything by yourself.
Also, one should never give up untill success finds them.
The story also tells that one should have patience and keep trying.
A really good book for kids.

Thank you  Netgalley.

Start a story 2

Book Review: Gaurdian of the Gauntlet

Gaurdian of the Gauntlet

Click the image to read on Amazon

Lenita Sheridan

Blurb- Camari and Mila are two sisters who are princesses and live in the kingdom of Harroway. One day they encounter Prince Denir from the kingdom of Thalon. He was given a special gauntlet that has special powers, but only when used by one who has a belief in a higher power. One day he turns Camari invisible. A problem occurs when Denir is called off to war and Camari is left invisible. There is an enchanted bog witch named Bogwina and a wicked magician named Mecandel who are conniving to steal the gauntlet. The journey takes Camari through the wetlands of Fremil after she meets Prince Isryk of Bredin who is her guide. She encounters many awful creatures along the way. In the end she discovers that she has been given a great gift by her higher power.

My Review- The book is about two sisters, Camari and Mila, who are princesses. The story is a great read! Interesting and I enjoyed reading it. I found the characters very engaging and relatable. 

Book Review: Maxwell The Monkey Barber

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 Maxwell The Monkey Barber

Author- Cale Atkinson

Owlkids Books

Maxwell, the monkey, owns a barbershop! He loves his job so much!

Many different animals come to him to get trim, chop or a special style for their hair.

And Maxwell is good at his work with his scissors, everyone is satisfied by the cuts.

Be it the lion or the bear or any other animal, there's no hair Maxwell can't fix. 

He even has solutions for the one without hair!

The illustrations are funny and out-standing!

Thank you Netgalley for the free copy!

Author Interview: Sharmishtha Basu

Let’s welcome Sharmishtha Basu

Sharmishtha Basu is creator editor of twin ezines Agnishatdal and Agnijaat. She is also a self-published author in Amazon, an avid blogger, digital artist, bookworm. She lives in Kolkata, and dreams of building her home by ocean, preferably in her own island!

She spends most of her time writing these days, honestly, this year she is rewriting her five storybooks (two has already been rewritten and published- five left), so she is spending long hours writing! Ha! Her other hobby takes more time, digital paintings, they take hours often. So you can see both her hands are full and ears too are filled with music mostly, she loves to play music when she is painting, when writing music is turned off.

Her social media nitty gritty for you:

Blog:

https://Sharmishthabasu.wordpress.com

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/author/sharmishthabasu

Goodreads

http:/goodreads.com/sharmishthabasu

http://goodreads.com/group/show/200142-sharmishtha-basu-s-indie-adda

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/sermistabasu

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sharmishthabasu

linkedin:

https://linkedin.com/authorsharmishthabasu

Skype

Basu.s1969@hotmail.com

Hangouts

Basu.s1969@gmail.com

Email id

sermistabasu@gmail.com, agnijaat@hotmail.com

Ezines:

https://agnishatdalezine.wordpress.com

https://agnijaat.wordpress.com

Diva Dev: Tell us about your books. 

Sharmishtha Basu: Well, there is quite a set of books I have self-published in  Amazon, poetry, story both mostly fully illustrated by my own digital paintings.

Diva Dev: The day you decided you will be a writer?

Sharmishtha Basu: I am an accidental writer! Ever since I remember I was a bookworm, I needed books like people need food, I can’t recollect a single day till I joined my first job which I passed without reading anything, excluding Saraswatipuja, on that day many Bengali families ban reading, I don’t know why but they do, and being a devoted worshipper of Goddess Saraswati I obeyed! But not after graduation! These days I read blogs mostly, and quite a bit. But before 2007 I did not even dreamt I will be writing! Ha!

The office in which I worked back then was in a factory, surrounded by factories, and my bosses – well, they were never around, they mostly were out in their Kolkata central office while I sat there in their factory office doing nothing. So one fine day I noticed that MSN allows readers to share their words in its website and I mustered up my courage and started babbling! My first try was accepted and after that they pampered me silly! I got addicted to writing. Next level of encouragement came from my readers of wordpress and they are still very much with me. So I will say one fine day MSN made me a writer by accepting my first attempt on writing (outside school/college notes). I have never even tried writing anything other than answers to questions or essays in school curriculum. I will say I am quite grateful to my readers for giving me a wonderful passion and full time occupation (of my time not livelihood yet)!

Diva Dev: Who helped you with your dream? Your support?

Sharmishtha Basu: My readers… my friends… MSN, Wordpress and Amazon.

Diva Dev: Do you think the process of writing (Typing/Handwriting) is tiring? How do you deal with it?

Sharmishtha Basu: Not at all!  I get tired with editing though, especially the second edit which I earlier skipped but these days do, quite seriously sometimes. But to be honest I very often am too bored to do it. It is a habit I will have to change! Ask me to write and I will go on and on, ask me to edit and it gives me heebie jeebies! Honestly! That is why you will see my earlier works are full of silly typos, especially in blogs because wordpress often edits on its own, repeatedly!

Diva Dev: What profession you’d choose if not an author?

Sharmishtha Basu: At first I will sheepishly say I don’t earn anything from my writings, not yet, very few of my books have been sold till date. So I am still trying to make it my profession. Hopefully I will some day! When I was a child I wanted to become a doctor or pilot. Unfortunately when I was growing up women could rarely join airways as pilots, then I don’t have perfect eyesight… as for becoming a doctor well that is a raw nerve, let us say I tried my best sometimes best is not enough.  After that I became quite docile and started trying to make my own living in any honest, dignified way. Writing stirred up my dreams after quite long time and they are not going to die ever, even if my books don’t sell ha ha! I am smug with the attention I am getting through them.

Diva Dev: Why did you choose this particular genre/s?

Sharmishtha Basu: You will see apart from “The charons” almost all my book are fantasy or paranormal/chillers- I love these two genres, “The charons” is a chapter of my own life, the book that made me a writer I will say. Apart from that I love to imagine and love to scare myself too! Ha ha… so you will read chillers and fairytales again and again. Just can’t have enough of them! Reading or writing. I still love fairytale stories and movies! As for horror/chillers they are almost my daily diets!

Diva Dev: Have you ever met a fan/reader?

Sharmishtha Basu: Never came across anyone who has read my works or knows who I am in cyberspace! I never tell anyone about my online life. Till date only one pried out about it and after that some bad changes happened. Unwelcome changes in my wordpress circle! That clearly hinted that she orchestrated that. So… I keep my writerdom hidden! And I will be very tongue-tied to anyone in real life… so can’t say I will love to meet my readers, fans? Ha! Do I have one? Oh boy! Won’t that be cool!!!!!! Yum yum!


Diva Dev: Would you ever go for traditional publishing? (If you’re a self published author)

Sharmishtha Basu: I will absolutely love it! You know it is sort of very ego satiating! Someone else thinks your work is worth a try! I will also love if “The charons” is turned into a movie with Jodie Foster as lead actress, playing Urna (me). 

Diva Dev: Do you interact with other authors? Do you think it’s important?

Sharmishtha Basu: I firmly believe that we should regularly interact with other authors unselfishly, without being jealous, trying them to help them in any rational way we can. Even if we don’t understand or deny, we LEARN A LOT from others, their styles, their works, their ways of tackling things! Will I say we develop each other knowingly or unknowingly? But don’t be nasty, don’t steal works of others. I have met these characters again and again in wordpress they are disgrace to humanity! Act dignified and you will only benefit!

Diva Dev: Your favorite food/dish/cuisine?

Sharmishtha Basu: You may laugh but I just love south Indian dishes- four in specific- dosa, idli, vada and sambhar. Just love them. Apart from that I love simple rice and any curry to go with it, not very spicy though! But tasty must!

Diva Dev: Your favorite place on earth? Why?

Sharmishtha Basu: Any place on beach! I will so love to live right by the ocean! I have never lived in one but I love ocean. Period!

Diva Dev: Your hobbies other than writing? Do you find time for it?

Sharmishtha Basu: I love to paint digitally, apart from that listening to music of all types, watching movies and reading (mostly blogs these days) and I being unemployed can manage my time to do these things. If not everyday then frequent enough to keep me happy. 

Diva Dev: Your thoughts on life? What helps you to deal with ups and downs of life?

Sharmishtha Basu: Life to me is unpredictable, and never think that world is ultimately good to good people- that is a lie fed by crooks mostly I think. So when things are good enjoy them to the best and when they are bad remember one thing they will pass, all you have to do is keep yourself as intact as you can, if possible use that bad thing to make a better of yourself! Tough but not totally impossible, that is a very good way of settling score too! 


Diva Dev: Your favorite quote?

Sharmishtha Basu: “There is no use worrying, it was never worth-while, so pack your worries in your old gummy bag and smile, smile, smile.” This quote has always made me smile!

Diva Dev: If you become a billionaire overnight, what would be your reaction? What will you do with the money?

Sharmishtha Basu: I will buy an island, preferably with an old house in it as my home, castle will be best! I will buy a fort/castle too, in case I get tired of island life. I will save enough for a decent life and enjoy the rest! But a dream home will certainly be my first step! The rest will depend on how much money will be left after buying my dream home and keeping aside money for rest of my life! Sorry I won’t be spending money on world peace!

Thank You So much Sharmishtha!

Books By Sharmishtha Basu

Book Review: Mae and June and The Wonder Wheel

Title: Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel

Author: Charise Mericle Harper

June is a little cheerful girl. She and her dog Sammy have lots of fun. The way she connects with Sammy is really cute. She feels that only she can understand his talks and no one else can. She completely understands by his actions, what he's trying to say. That only shows how close they both are. Since her sister, Isabella, is no more interested to play with her, she and Sammy look for a new friend.

The new friend should however, have the qualities similar to June & Sammy.

One day, she gets a present and that's how the story of the wonder wheel begins.

A really lovely tale about June, her pet dog Sammy, their new friend and the Wonder Wheel. June narrates the story like how a little girl would do noticing, guessing, questioning and trying out new things. The illustrations add to the story and are also cute.

A story any kid would love to read again and again!

Thank you Netgalley for the copy!

Wishing every lady a very happy Women's Day!