Book Review: Ella Mae the Courageous Cheerleader

Ella Mae the Courageous Cheerleader

Stephanie Cameron
Tate Publishing- Children's Division
127 E. Trade Center Terrace, Mustang, Oklahoma 73064
ASIN: B00BJ8A3Z4, $7.99 Kindle, www.amazon.com

This is a perfect book for a child struggling with bullying issues. From the gorgeous illustrations to the well-integrated bible verses, Ella Mae was a delightful read. The story follows a young cheerleader named Ella Mae. She loved to cheer for her school, but had to face the daily teasing from her team mates. Even though it was difficult, Ella Mae made a choice to treat them with kindness rather than resorting to using the same tactics. Eventually, her kindness spread and she received a nice surprise.

At the end, we were greeted with a few questions and some bible verses that relates to the overall theme of "do to others what you would have them do to you". These questions help children take the concepts from the story and open up a dialogue with their family about bullying.

My daughter says, "It is hard to deal with bullies. Sometimes it is hard to know how to stand up to someone who is being mean. I like how she was able to be kind even though the girls were really mean to her. I think this book has a great message."

This book is a great complement to Christian upbringings. I believe that a reader who is not religious or does not believe in the Christian faith may have issues with the religious symbols, verses, and theme. And for that reason, I would not recommend this book for those readers. However, if the reader is looking for a great book about bullying, is Christian, religious, and/or curious about the faith, I feel this would be an excellent addition to their libraries.

Ella Mae can be found here on Amazon.

This review can also be found on The Midwest Book Review's Reviewer's Bookwatch Newsletter under Jaclyn's Bookshelf.

Visit Stephanie Cameron @ ellamaebooks.com

Ella Mae on Facebook

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Reviewed by Jaclyn M. Bartz and the Owlets

Jaclyn M Bartz
Author/Illustrator of The Retired Tooth Fairy
Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review
Founder of Green Owl Publications

Artist Website
Green Owl Publications
The Retired Tooth Fairy Fan Page

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Word of the Day: Optimism

Word of the Day: Impossible

Word of the Day: CollyWobbles

The Adventures of Wally and Warren: Dinosaur Hunt by Lisé Chase

The Adventures of Wally and Warren: Dinosaur Hunt

Lisé Chase
Eve Innovations
9780692229224, Print $9.99 US, 42 pgs.
B00L3UL7R6, Kindle $2.99 US

Synopsis: Wally and Warren, the dynamic polar duo, are on a new, Jurassic adventure. With Warren as their guide, Wally learns about a variety of dinosaurs. But when he discovers some of these creatures eat meat, he worries one might come after him and Warren and their new baby Brontosaurus friend. He’s determined to protect them, but what will he do when he encounters the greatest predator of all…the Tyrannosaurus rex?

Dinosaur Hunt is the fourth installment in The Adventures of Wally and Warren children’s book series. The story is written in clever and adorable rhymes. It depicts Wally, Warren, and their friends playing pretend while reading a book about dinosaurs. Lisé Chase explains the purpose of her illustrations. She wants children to feel like they could draw those characters and create their own stories. It is a great concept which will surely inspire the future generation of authors and illustrators.

As a parent, I really enjoyed the interaction my children had with it. My son, the two year old, loved giving the baby dinosaur kisses. He took off down the hall to run away from the T-rex when the characters screamed “Run!” My youngest daughter loved learning about the different dinosaurs, and my oldest enjoyed recognizing terms she is learning in school. I like how Lisé Chase shows children how fun it is to read. I believe this book will light that fire in the hearts of many young children. It is a true gem!

What did the kids think?

My oldest daughter said, “I like that it teaches about dinosaurs in a fun way. I like that the characters are drawn as cartoons and real pics of the dinosaurs are shown in the back.”

“They are really cute!” stated my four year old, who wanted to read the story over and over again.

Author Bio: Lisé Chase is the author/illustrator of The Adventures of Wally and Warren children's picture book series. She's an adventurer, an explorer, an artist, a poet, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother who believes every day should be lived to its fullest and that our life is what we make of it.

Synopsis & Author Bio found on Amazon.

Purchase The Adventures of Wally and Warren: Dinosaur Hunt Here

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Currently, I am only taking on short reads--Children's Books Only--since my chapter book schedule is full. Sorry for the inconvenience. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz

Author/Illustrator of "The Retired Tooth Fairy"

Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review

email: theretiredtoothfairy (at) outlook (dot) com

Official Website

Amazon Author Page

Facebook Author Page

"The Retired Tooth Fairy" Fan Page

Tweet Me~ @JaclynMBartz

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NaNoWriMo 2014

Wow, it is November already! It is hard to believe how fast this year is passing by. November to most people
means Thanksgiving, cooler temperatures, and additional layers of clothing. For me, it also is a month full of birthdays and, of course--writing.

I must admit. This is my first year participating in a NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I tried the Camp in July, and thought it was a fun challenge-- so when November approached, I figured I would try my hand at this challenge to see how I would fare. And not only am I stepping into a new challenge, I am also stepping into a different genre than I normally write for. I am stepping away from my roots of writing children's stories and making my first attempt at writing an adult supernatural horror novel. We shall see how this goes.

Of course, I like to keep my stories friendly. Therefore, I am trying to steer away from any foul language or intimate moments. So here is a quick synopsis of my novel:

Mock Cover

When a group of archeology students take on the ultimate assignment--finding the Fountain of Youth, they end up on a trip they wished they had never started. As their members disappear, the group's mission changes from searching for the mystic fountain to finding their friends. Will they find their friends and complete their assignment or will they

meet the same fate?

I have over six thousand words written. Some of you may think that is an impressive number on my sixth day. Right now though, I am a little behind. In order to meet my deadline I have to write at least 2,000 words per day. I will have to pull an All Nighter. Even with this slow start, I know I have plenty of time to catch up. And I am sure I will do my best to complete this challenge. If I don't, this is still a great learning experience that will help me grow as a writer.

A message for my fellow participants: Keep up the good work! Even one word written is one word closer to completing the first draft of your story. :)

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? How are you doing with your challenge? What do you like/dislike? I would love to hear your story, please comment below and we can cheer for each other all the way to the finish line.

Find out more about NaNoWriMo: http://nanowrimo.org/

Busy Dizzy by Dr. Orly Katz

Busy Dizzy
Dr. Orly Katz
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com, www.amazon.com
978-1494701413, Print $13.97 US
B00HALMR6C, Kindle $1.99 US


Have you ever met a Dizzy? I am sure you have. According to the author, "Dizzies are strange peculiar creatures, sometimes funny, sometimes mean... that whisper annoying things in our children's ears which prevent them from doing what they really want." In other words, they are that voice inside one's head that tells them negative things and convinces them to behave in undesirable ways. They can make one feel angry, sad, or embarrassed. We all have them, but how do we help our children cope with them?

Dr. Orly Katz presents a unique solution for self-confidence issues with the intended audience being children from three to eight years of age. Through activities and song, she shows children the way to cope with their inner fears and emotions. The story is written in rhymes and provides a wonderful melodic flow when the text is read out loud. The illustrations are colorful and fun. They are a perfect complement to the text and are visually appealing. The story is set at a moderate pace and the content is certainly enjoyable throughout.

My children loved reading this and wanted to hear it multiple times. They enjoyed drawing their "Dizzies" and singing the song. Some of their comments included: "This story was really cool!", "I want to read this every day!”, and "These activities are fun!" Overall, Busy Dizzy was a huge success with the kids and this book is a treasure to have in our collection.

About the Author (Taken from "Busy Dizzy"):

Best seller author, Dr. Orly Katz, is an expert for youth empowerment and life skills, who hold a doctorate in Educational Leadership; she is a sought after guest on TV and radio, and a national speaker and workshop facilitator for parents, educationalists and youth.
Orly is the founder of the "Simply Me" Center for: Leadership, Empowerment and Self Esteem.
Her two book series: Surviving Junior High, and Surviving Primary School, and her yearly Digital course: "Empowering Teachers to Empower Students", are recommended by the Ministry of Education, and are being taught in many schools as part of the curriculum in life skills lessons. Orly lives in Haifa, with her Husband and three children.

Check out Busy Dizzy by Dr. Orly Katz:
Busy Dizzy (Motivational rhyming story for kids ages 4-8)


And do not forget to visit Dr. Orly Katz @ http://www.simplymemodel.com/

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Currently, I am only taking on short reads--Children's Books Only--since my chapter book schedule is full. Sorry for the inconvenience. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz
Author/Illustrator of "The Retired Tooth Fairy"
Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review

email: theretiredtoothfairy (at) outlook (dot) com

Official Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook Author Page
"The Retired Tooth Fairy" Fan Page
Tweet Me~ @JaclynMBartz
Pinterest
Connect w/ me on LinkedIn