Sunday, September 15, 2019
Purlisse Watermelon Energizing Face Sheet Mask
Friday, September 13, 2019
Book Review - Charlie Hernandez and the Castle of Bones by Ryan Calejo + Giveaway + Spotlight
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| Photo Credit - Amazon |
Charlie Hernandez likes to believe that he just an average run of the mill kid. Never mind that he slays demons and has an encyclopedia-like knowledge base of Hispanic and Latino mythology in his mind. And he is a Morphling, which allows him to manifest into any animal trait found in nature.
While Charlie is getting used to his new "normal" life, he has to constantly watch out for the La Mano Peluda. However, when Witch Queen Jo is suddenly kidnapped, Charlie is certain the La Mano Peluda is at it again. Charlie is determined to rescue the queen and keep their alliances intact. Together with his best friend, Violet Rey, they embark on a dangerous magical journey to track down the masterminds behind Queen Jo's capture. As each clue leads the pair into more danger, they are left with more questions than answers.
I started reading this book first as I didn't realize it was the second book in the series. However, while the novel could be read as a standalone, I think it would be better to read the books in order. I thought the novel was an interesting read and fun. I like how the author weaved mythology seamlessly into the story. Personally, I am not well versed in Latin mythology so, some parts of the novel were confusing. However, it was an enjoyable read and I can't read more of his books.
**Disclosure - I received an unedited free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**
About the Book:
Title: CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF
SHADOWS (Charlie Hernández #1)
Author: Ryan Calejo
Pub. Date: October 23, 2018
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 330
“This is a perfect pick for kids who love Rick Riordan’s many
series, particularly for those eager for mythologies beyond Greek and Roman
stories.” —Booklist (starred review)
“A winner for all kids, but it will be especially beloved by Latinx and Hispanic families.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The Lightning Thief meets the Story Thieves series in this middle grade fantasy inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America.
Charlie Hernández has always been proud of his Latin American heritage. He loves the culture, the art, and especially the myths. Thanks to his abuela’s stories, Charlie possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the monsters and ghouls who have spent the last five hundred years haunting the imaginations of children all across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and South America. And even though his grandmother sometimes hinted that the tales might be more than mere myth, Charlie’s always been a pragmatist. Even barely out of diapers, he knew the stories were just make-believe—nothing more than intricately woven fables meant to keep little kids from misbehaving.
But when Charlie begins to experience freaky bodily
manifestations—ones all too similar to those described by his grandma in his
favorite legend—he is suddenly swept up in a world where the mythical beings
he’s spent his entire life hearing about seem to be walking straight out of the
pages of Hispanic folklore and into his life. And even stranger, they seem to
know more about him than he knows about himself.
Soon, Charlie finds himself in the middle of an ancient battle
between La Liga, a secret society of legendary mythological beings sworn to
protect the Land of the Living, and La Mano Negra (a.k.a. the Black Hand), a
cabal of evil spirits determined to rule mankind. With only the help of his
lifelong crush, Violet Rey, and his grandmother’s stories to guide him, Charlie
must navigate a world where monsters and brujas rule and things he couldn’t
possibly imagine go bump in the night. That is, if he has any hope of
discovering what’s happening to him and saving his missing parents (oh, and
maybe even the world).
No pressure, muchacho.
About Ryan:
Ryan Calejo was born and raised in south Florida. He graduated from the
University of Miami with a BA. He’s been invited to join both the National
Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Golden Key International Honour Society.
He teaches swimming to elementary school students, chess to middle school
students, and writing to high school students. Having been born into a family
of immigrants and growing up in the so-called “Capital of Latin America,” Ryan
knows the importance of diversity in our communities and is passionate about
writing books that children of all ethnicities can relate to. His first novel
was Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows.
Giveaway
Details:
1
winner will win a signed hardcover of CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF
SHADOWS, US ONLY
Rafflecopter
link:
Tour
Schedule:
Week One:
Week Two:
Week Three:
Week Four:
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Book Review - Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum by Dr. Seuss + Giveaway
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| Photo Credit - Amazon |
The illustrated book is based off a manuscript written Dr. Suess that was recently discovered in 2013. The book reads like a visit to an art museum with a horse as your guide through the experience. Seasoned illustrator took inspiration from Dr. Seuss's original sketches and combine it with his own original ideas.
I have been a fan of Dr. Seuss for many years. I was very excited to see a new book inspired by his work. However, I was a bit disappointed that this book didn't follow the same rhyming and lighthearted approach as the original books. The book was a wonderful tool to teach children about different points of views. I like how they showed different art styles and had a glossary to explain more. The book is a fun treat for any young reader about to embark on their first trip to the art museum.
**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**
About the Book:
Title: DR. SEUSS'S HORSE MUSEUM
Author: Dr. Seuss & Andrew Joyner (Illustrations)
Pub. Date: September 3, 2019
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 80
A never-before-published Dr. Seuss book about creating and looking at art!
Based on a manuscript and sketches discovered in 2013, this book is like a visit to a museum--with a horse as your guide!
Explore how different artists have seen horses, and maybe even find a new way of looking at them yourself. Discover full-color photographic art reproductions of pieces by Picasso, George Stubbs, Rosa Bonheur, Alexander Calder, Jacob Lawrence, Deborah Butterfield, Franz Marc, Jackson Pollock, and many others--all of which feature a horse! Young readers will find themselves delightfully transported by the engaging equines as they learn about the creative process and how to see art in new ways.
Taking inspiration from Dr. Seuss's original sketches, acclaimed illustrator Andrew Joyner has created a look that is both subtly Seussian and wholly his own. His whimsical illustrations are combined throughout with "real-life" art. Cameo appearances by classic Dr. Seuss characters (among them the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, and Horton the Elephant) make Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum a playful picture book that is totally unique. Ideal for home or classroom use, it encourages critical thinking and makes a great gift for Seuss fans, artists, and horse lovers of all ages.
Publisher's Notes discuss the discovery of the manuscript and sketches, Dr. Seuss's interest in understanding modern art, the process of creating the book, and information about each of the artists and art reproductions in the book.
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born 2 March 1904 in Springfield, MA. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1925, and proceeded on to Oxford University with the intent of acquiring a doctorate in literature. At Oxford he met Helen Palmer, who he wed in 1927. He returned from Europe in 1927, and began working for a magazine called Judge, the leading humor magazine in America at the time, submitting both cartoons and humorous articles for them. Additionally, he was submitting cartoons to Life, Vanity Fair and Liberty. In some of his works, he'd made reference to an insecticide called Flit. These references gained notice, and led to a contract to draw comic ads for Flit. This association lasted 17 years, gained him national exposure, and coined the catchphrase "Quick, Henry, the Flit!"
In 1936 on the way to a vaction in Europe, listening to the rhythm of the ship's engines, he came up with And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was then promptly rejected by the first 43 publishers he showed it to. Eventually in 1937 a friend published the book for him, and it went on to at least moderate success.
During WW II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood. Captain Geisel would write for Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit (for which he won the Legion of Merit) and do documentaries (he won Oscar's for Hitler Lives and Design for Death). He also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing which also won him an Oscar.
In May of 1954, Life published a report concerning illiteracy among school children. The report said, among other things, that children were having trouble to read because their books were boring. This inspired Geisel's publisher, and prompted him to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important, asked him to cut the list to 250 words (the publishers idea of how many words at one time a first grader could absorb), and write a book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him published The Cat in the Hat, which went on to instant success.
In 1960 Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only fifty words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham. Cerf never paid the $50 from the bet.
Helen Palmer Geisel died in 1967. Theodor Geisel married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968. Theodor Seuss Geisel died 24 September 1991.
Also worked under the pen name:
Theo Le Sieg
In 1936 on the way to a vaction in Europe, listening to the rhythm of the ship's engines, he came up with And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, which was then promptly rejected by the first 43 publishers he showed it to. Eventually in 1937 a friend published the book for him, and it went on to at least moderate success.
During WW II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood. Captain Geisel would write for Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit (for which he won the Legion of Merit) and do documentaries (he won Oscar's for Hitler Lives and Design for Death). He also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing which also won him an Oscar.
In May of 1954, Life published a report concerning illiteracy among school children. The report said, among other things, that children were having trouble to read because their books were boring. This inspired Geisel's publisher, and prompted him to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important, asked him to cut the list to 250 words (the publishers idea of how many words at one time a first grader could absorb), and write a book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him published The Cat in the Hat, which went on to instant success.
In 1960 Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only fifty words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham. Cerf never paid the $50 from the bet.
Helen Palmer Geisel died in 1967. Theodor Geisel married Audrey Stone Diamond in 1968. Theodor Seuss Geisel died 24 September 1991.
Also worked under the pen name:
Theo Le Sieg
About Andrew:
Andrew Joyner is an internationally published illustrator and author. His popular books include The Terrible Plop, written by Ursula Dubosarsky. He lives in South Australia.
Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive finished copies of DR. SEUSS'S HORSE MUSEUM, US Only.
Rafflecopter link:
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
9/2/2019- BookHounds Ya- Review
Week Two:
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