Sammi Jo and the BEST Day EVER! - A Review

Sammi Jo and the BEST Day EVER! by Dede Stockton

This is going to seem like an awfully long review for a children’s book.  Apologies in advance.

Samantha Josephine lives at a boarding school throughout the year.  She is 8 years old and her parents are very famous authors who must travel on book tours.  Sammi Jo likes her boarding school and doesn’t mind living there, especially since her best friend Kara also lives there.  The summer months are a different story.  The summer is when Sammi Jo spends all her time on the shores of New Hampshire with her parents in the summer cottage they own.  Usually Kara comes along for part of the summer but this year Kara’s family is traveling to Europe and that means Sammi Jo will be alone at the beach.  She is convinced that, although she loves being at the beach with her parents, without Kara there to play with it is going to be the WORST summer EVER!

Sammi Jo and Kara bid their tearful goodbyes at school and then go off on their own adventures for the summer, missing each other before they even get out of the parking lot.  It’s a whirlwind week of sightseeing in New York City, visiting a circus where she sees a baby elephant being born and then off to stay at the beach, where Sammi Jo and her parents start off the summer with their ritual first night bonfire for roasting hot dogs and making smores.

Right from the first day, hunting for dry driftwood for the fire some unusual things begin to happen.  No one can explain the strange splashes and mysterious piece of wood that appears but right then and there Sammi Jo decides she is going to solve the mystery.  And solve it she does … winding up with a new special friend and what turns out to be the BEST summer EVER!

Having no little ones at home I seldom get the opportunity to read children’s literature anymore.  But, having had some recent conversations about books for young people and then seeing this book available for request (Thank you Netgalley) I decided to give it a look-see.  I found it hard to resist the title and picture of the little red-headed girl on the cover.

I think any youngster would find this story of Sammi Jo’s summer exciting to read (or listen to).  Sammi Jo is smart and very self-reliant for an 8-year-old.  She comes from a privileged family but still has to make her bed and do her chores before going out to play.  Sammi Jo’s new “friend” is more than adorable and who wouldn’t want to go along on their adventure.

That’s how I think my daughters (20 odd years ago) would have reacted to the story.

As a (somewhat) responsible (and I realize now – somewhat jaded) adult I had a slightly different reaction to Sammi Jo’s adventure.

(Spoiler alert for the following section)

The first part of the book was charming and I loved the week that Sammi Jo spent with her parents in NYC and then on the trip to the Hampshires.  After that I started having some serious questions about the parents (and YES I realize this is a children’s book and their role is minor on purpose).

Sammi Jo’s mom and dad spend the first night with her at the bonfire and then as we read about the next few days – they have breakfast with their daughter and then each retreat to their respective offices to work leaving Sammi Jo on a deserted beach to fend for herself.  She is a very clever little girl and manages to amuse herself while trying to uncover the mystery, but she leaves after breakfast and returns home in time for supper?

She discovers and then meets her new “friend” who happens to be a “Loch Ness” type of sea creature.  Yes, he’s cute (as the charming illustrations imply) and yes, he’s friendly, if a bit shy.  She goes home with her fanciful tales of sea creatures and her parent smile and nod and speculate on her future career as a novelist.  Do they ever go out with her to see what has their daughter so captivated?  No!  Even when a bad storm was on the horizon they waited anxiously on the front porch for her to arrive rather than go out to find and bring her home. 

I even got a little bit of a “creepy” feeling about how “Screech” (the sea creature) and Sammi Jo met.  He started leaving mysterious gifts and shiny objects lying on the beach.  One of these was a “shell-phone” on which only Sammy Jo could receive his messages.  Soon after Sammy Jo merrily hops on his back to go for an undersea sight seeing tour.  It’s a delightful tour and Sammi Jo meets Screech’s parents for lunch before (thankfully) being returned safely home.

So, would I read this book to little ones?  Absolutely!  It was a charming story with lovely illustrations.

Would I have a little discussion afterwards?  Absolutely!  Maybe I have watched too many episodes of Criminal Minds, but I would want to have the “Stranger Danger” talk and stress the importance of Mommy meeting all new friends before any trips are taken.

My only other problem with this book was that it came to such an abrupt end.  I don’t know if there are any other Sammi Jo books but I would have liked to know more about Screech and Sammy Jo and their summer.  Maybe if the story had gone on a bit longer it would have addressed and alleviated some of my “creepy” feelings.

I received this book at no charge from the publisher, Tate Publishing,

via Netgalley in exchange or an honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from her website)

Hi! My name is Dede Stockton. I love to read and have enjoyed reading my whole life. As a child, I was a military brat and so lived all over the world. Most places did not have television, or at least not American television, and because I am an only child and there were no electronic devices in those days, I read… Anything I could get my hands on!

Growing up in Colorado, I have grown to love “The Tattered Cover Bookstores” and am so pleased to announce that Sammi Jo and the BEST day EVER is now a resident on their shelves! Please visit my link in the left hand border!

I live in Colorado, with my husband, children, grandchildren and dogs. I absolutely love Colorado! I see the mountains from the windows in my office and can frequently enjoy all 4 seasons on any given day! I also own a home based business as a virtual assistant and love interacting with clients all over the country. Part of the freedom of being self-employed is one of being able to pursue other dreams. Writing a book is one of those dreams and I hope to be able to write many more in the coming years.

I have two grown children, Kirstin and Cody, who were the inspiration for the book. I look forward to writing additional stories about Sammi Jo and Screech in the future, as the first book is intended to be the beginning to a series of many adventures under the sea!

Current Books in the Series are:

Sammi Jo and the Best Day Ever – Book 1 and the beginning of the Sammi Jo Adventures

Pax - A Review

PAX by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Jon Klassen

Be forewarned … I want to gush much love for this middle-grade fiction book.

Pax has lived with Peter since he was six weeks old. “Pax” means peace but for this little red fox there is not much peace in his life when a human war is on the horizon. With the war imminent many towns are being evacuated before the soldiers arrive and unfortunately that means that many pets are being left behind to fend for themselves. Pax isn’t left behind but, at the insistence of Peter’s father, is released back into the wild.

It’s not just Pax that is abandoned though; Peter is also shipped off to live with his grandfather while his father answers his call of “duty”. Peter knows that leaving Pax was a bad idea and the first night at his grandfather’s he sneaks out to go and find Pax. It’s a three hundred mile trek but Peter is determined to be reunited with his beloved Pax.

While Pax is waiting, knowing that his boy will come back for him, and Peter is making his way back to Pax they each have their own (mis)adventures and they each learn that trusting others is sometimes the only way to survive.

This book is so well written. The chapters alternate between Peter’s journey and Pax’s experiences (easily recognizable for younger readers as each chapter has a silhouette of the narrator at the beginning). While the author does not anthropomorphize Pax – she does give him a “voice” – allowing the reader to understand Pax’s feelings and emotions through true-to-nature fox actions. While reading the book the love and connection between Peter and Pax is palpable which means there were a few pages read with misty eyes. Ms. Pennypacker expertly writes the two adventures, mirroring each other in many ways, so that the reader cheers for both Pax and Peter to be reunited and yet leaving just enough angst to make that same reader wonder what will happen if they do find each other. Are they both too changed to be together again?

About a dozen illustrations are interspersed through the narrative. They are detailed black and white sketches, some full-page and others smaller images between paragraphs. They are never intrusive and I felt they added emotion to the story.

Although I do not do it often it is not unheard of me to pick up middle-grade fiction. Yes, the writing is often simple since it is aimed at a younger audience, but that does not mean the story itself is simple. In fact, while enjoying this story it often struck me that some of the situations seemed too intense for “middle-grade” readers. Perhaps I’m not giving the potential audience enough credit?

Bottom line? This is a book that adults can enjoy as much as its intended younger audience and I think it would be a great book to read with your child. While there is nothing in this book that would not appeal to girls at the same time I feel it was written geared towards a young male audience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from her website)

I loved books and I loved art - books and art didn't care that I was really tall or really shy. So I drew and painted and did mosaics and carved things (for a couple of years, I spent my whole allowance on bars of Ivory soap - great for carving!) and I read and made up stories.

Even today, I am happiest reading, writing, or making art.

These days, I split my time between Florida and Massachusetts, where I feel lucky to be able to write every day. I enjoy other things as well, like: bird-watching, raising orchids, bothering my kids even though they are grown-ups now, and ... pie.

I am the author of seventeen children's books, including the New York Times best-selling Clementine series; Summer of the Gypsy Moths; Pierre in Love; Sparrow Girl; and The Amazing World of Stuart. I have also contributed four books to the venerable Flat Stanley series.

My books have won numerous awards, including a Golden Kite Award and a Christopher’s Medal, many children’s choice state awards, and have appeared on many 'Best Books' lists.

I enjoy speaking about writing children’s books at elementary schools, conferences and college programs.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR (from the book jacket)

Jon Klassen grew up in Niagara Falls, Canada, and now lives in Los Angeles, California. He is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of several books, including “I Want Mt hat Back” for which he won the Caldecott Medal.

A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story - A Review

A FAIRY EXTRAORDINARY CHRISTMAS STORY by A.J. York.

Read this one to youngsters at Christmas time and start a new tradition or read it yourself for the warm fuzzies and smiles it is sure to evoke.  Granted, the concept has been done many, many times … toys and Christmas decorations with an “awareness” slowly being left behind as the household grows up … but really, does it ever get old?  And, “A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story” does have a very touching and yet amusing twist at the end. 

Tallulah is a Christmas Fairy tree-topper.  Ever since she was manufactured she had an awareness of being.  On her first Christmas atop a tree a shooting star blazes outside the window and with that magical occurrence Tallulah realizes that she and all the other decorations are “alive”.

As we meet all the other decorations and ornaments we hear the story about how they are brought out every year and then, sadly, have to be returned to the attic when Christmas is over.  But, maybe not so sad after all since the attic is where all the decorations for all the holidays reside and soon enough Tallulah meets the Easter (Bunny) and Halloween (Skelly and Witch) decorations as well.

As must happen, the children grow up and move out and then one year the parents decide that decorating is too much trouble.  Confused by the sudden quietness of the house and the fact that it’s Christmas and they are still in the attic the decorations decide to take matters into their own hands.  The result is an adventure that warmed my heart and made me smile.

Definitely 5 bookish Christmas Trees for this charming little story.

  * I received this book at no charge from the publisher, Nova Sky Books,

via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from the website)

A. J. York is the author of the middle grade fantasy series called The Delilah Dusticle Adventures. Born in Gothenburg, Sweden and raised in the UK, A.J. York's first love was telling stories through drama.

"I have always enjoyed making up characters and their life stories, therefore I jumped at the chance to study theatre at the University of Brighton.  I later trained as a drama teacher and I have a Master's degree from Goldsmiths. I have gone back to my roots and I now live in Gothenburg. People have told me they love reading my stories and I hope you have fun reading them too!" A.J. York

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR (from the website)

Hailing from the north of England, Gavin Childs is a Design teacher at an International School in Gothenburg, Sweden.

In his spare time Gavin illustrates The Delilah Dusticle Adventures. He is currently working on an animated trailer, and you can find examples of his work by visiting his website: www.gavinchilds.com

A Short Trip Down Memory Lane?

There are some things that I have a hard getting rid of … clothes, shoes and books!  I’m not a hoarder (although a quick peek into my storage room in the basement may convince you otherwise) but I get attached to things.  I recently did some purging of books *sob* *hiccup* and came across some children’s books I had put away.  I couldn’t bear to even donate them to the Free Little Libraries even though there were some pretty desperate pleas for children’s books.

I remember how much my girls loved these books when they were little.  Whenever a new one came out we would buy from it the book section at the grocery store.  Money was tight so it was the “treat” for that week’s grocery trip.  I think it was the cute and really bright illustrations that had my girls so enamored of the books, along with stories that they could relate to … Chippy’s first trip to the dentist, Tiggy’s first day at school, Tiggy going to the hospital and Chippy needing to apologize … all first time experiences for little ones.

 I packed the books away again.

My youngest daughter was recently invited to a baby shower and one of the requests made to guests was to bring along a favorite book from their childhood.  My daughter called and asked if I still had the “Tiggy” books.  That was her choice for a favorite childhood book.  Altogether now … Awwwww!  What happened though surprised her – and me.  They were asked to leave the book behind when they left to start a library for the new baby.  Okay, okay … cute idea!! … I love the principal of the thing BUT they might have told the attendees as (according to my daughter) many of them had not anticipated having to leave behind a childhood treasure so had brought their own books and not newly purchased copies. 

Long story short … our “Tiggy” books are put safely away again and will not be participating in any future “baby shower” antics!

I did manage to part with some Berenstain (stein?) books when I was purging because they are still published and readily available should my offspring ever decide to procreate.  When I mentioned this to my oldest daughter I received a stern talking to.  She had a little rant that if I didn’t have room for them anymore she would have been glad to take them … uh-huh … this coming from someone who moved out ten years ago and still has half her stuff tucked into my crawlspace.

5/30

I Always Knew My Pets Had Secret Lives

THE CAT WHO SPIED ON ME by Jane Oldaker

Even cats can overdo at Christmas dinner and that’s just what happened to Mahoney.  Feeling the effects of his excess he decided an evening stroll might relieve his tummy of the gurgling.  He never expected it would also lead to taking on a roll he never expected to fill and an adventure for himself and the other members of the “Agency”.

This short story was well written and a pleasure to read.  When I first began reading I felt at a little bit of a disadvantage by not fully comprehending the whole “Agency” concept (since, I understand, this is the third installment of the series) but as I continued reading I caught on rather quickly and fully enjoyed the story.

Having had a menagerie of pets over the years I can certainly understand where Ms. Oldaker came up with idea because when you have multiple pets you cannot help but feel that sometimes they are conspiring in adventures of their own.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a cozy, light mystery and has enough imagination to enjoy tech-savvy animals who communicate with not only each other but with certain humans as well.  There are some great elements of suspense and danger in this story, not overdone but written in such a way that I think it would make a perfect book for sharing with a youngster.

Kudos to J.B. Mann of “Fuzzballs Fuzzywinks Illustrations” because the charming drawings interspersed in the book are a wonderful surprise and an added bonus!  I will definitely be looking for the other books in the series – this one was just too much fun not to read more.

* I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review *

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from her Goodreads page)

Born and raised in Toronto, Jane escaped to the family farm near Port Perry, Ontario at the earliest opportunity where she lives with her husband, daughter and an assortment of cats, dogs, chickens and horses.

Two Children's Books

I don’t usually read and review children’s literature but each of these titles blipped on my radar for their own reason (explained at the end of the review … if it matters).  They were both fine examples of children’s book that I would have enjoyed reading to my kids when they were little.

LEO: A GHOST STORY written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Most people cannot see Leo because, well, he’s a ghost.  He’s been living alone in an empty house for a long time reading, drinking mint tea and eating honey toast.  One spring morning a new family moves into the house and Leo wants to welcome them with tea and honey toast.  They cannot see Leo but they do see a tray floating through the room and it scares them.  This makes Leo a little sad and he decides that maybe it’s time to explore the world a little bit and he leaves the house.

Leo meets Jane, a little girl who can see him, but thinks he is a new imaginary friend.  That’s all right with Leo and he goes home with her.  Circumstances unfold and in time Leo must confess to her that he is not an imaginary friend but, in reality, he is a ghost.

Jane replies, “”Oh!  Well that’s even better”

This is a lovely book for children that in a very entertaining way may teach them not to judge due to preconceived ideas.  A valuable lesson not just children but for everyone.  This would make a suitable bedtimes story because the illustrations are simple and Leo is not at all scary looking in his old fashioned suit and bow tie.

The bow tie is actually the reason I picked up this book.  I came across a twitter feed for a contest … it offered a printable version of Leo’s bow tie which you were instructed to print off, wear in some fashion and take a picture of yourself to post on twitter.  I decided what the heck and made it into a hair bow.  It was for fun.  I didn’t win a copy of the book (which I would have donated) but decided to check out the book anyway.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from the book cover)

Mac Barnett is the New York Times best-selling author of several picture books, including Telephone, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn.  He is also the coauthor of the Terrible Two series of novels.

Mac lives in Berkeley, California.  His website is HERE

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR (from the book cover)

Christian Robinson is an illustrator of several picture books, including Josephine and the New York Times best-selling Last Stop on Market Street.

He lives in San Francisco, California.  His website is HERE 

BUG IN A VACUUM by Melanie Watt

From the book description:

“A bug flies through an open door into a house, through a bathroom, across a kitchen and bedroom and into a living room ... where its entire life changes with the switch of a button. Sucked into the void of a vacuum bag, this one little bug moves through denial, bargaining, anger, despair and eventually acceptance -- the five stages of grief -- as it comes to terms with its fate. Will there be a light at the end of the tunnel? Will there be dust bunnies in the void? A funny, suspenseful and poignant look at the travails of a bug trapped in a vacuum.”

Although definitely a children’s book this is one with a more serious message.  I’m sure when Elizabeth Kubler-Ross came up with her concept of the “stages of grief” she did not envision a children’s book, but Ms. Watt has found an excellent, non-frightening way to present the concept to children.  Granted children may not pick up on the concept but it certainly is an excellent way to open the door to discussion about a difficult subject.

A trailer for this book can be seen HERE.

So why did I pick up this book?  The picture on the front looks similar to an iconic product of the company I work for and I wanted to see how it was used in the context of a children’s book.  Simply curiosity!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from her website) 

It was in a design class taught by Michèle Lemieux at the University of Quebec in Montreal that author and illustrator Mélanie Watt created her first picture book, Leon the Chameleon, which was later published by Kids Can Press. Watt went on to create several more books, including the Learning with Animals collection and Augustine, which was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book. Watt has also illustrated Where Does a Tiger-Heron Spend the Night? andBearcub and Mama, which won the 2006 IRA Teachers’ Choices Project.

Mélanie’s best known book Scaredy Squirrel.  The release of Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, was met with enthusiastic reviews and incredible sales, confirming the arrival of kid lit’s newest superstar.

Chester, Chester’s Back! and Chester’s Masterpiece are about a megalomaniac cat who is every bit the antithesis to Scaredy. Chester has already become a bestseller and shows the breadth and creativity of Mélanie Watt.

Mélanie currently resides near Montreal, Quebec.

Remember Harvey? Meet Crenshaw!

CRENSHAW by Katherine Applegate

After my reading meltdown yesterday I wanted to read something that made me feel good.  Something light and maybe even a little fluffy?  I have had this book sitting on my shelf for a couple of weeks and it seemed to fit the bill.

I requested this book solely based on the cover – I love it!  Oh, don’t roll your eyes, I KNOW I am not the only person to do that.  As it turned out, I loved the book too.

Jackson’s family has always been on a little bit of a roller coaster ride when it came to financial stability.  When he was in grade one they spent 14 weeks living in their van – that’s when Crenshaw first appeared.  Jackson knew Crenshaw was an “imaginary” friend and surprisingly enough, Crenshaw knew it too.  But when someone needs a friend to help him or her get through the tough times sometimes the imaginary kind is the best kind.  Now Jackson is in grade six and once again his family faces the prospect of being evicted from their apartment and spending some time in the family car.  Once again, Crenshaw appears, but Jackson can’t figure this out … he’s too old to have an imaginary friend.  Crenshaw doesn’t think so!

Despite their financial hardships Jackson’s family has no shortage of love.  Jackson knows this and doesn’t understand why his parents are not being honest with him … when you have to go to Best Buy to watch the “big game” because your dad sold the television … you know something is wrong.

Crenshaw helps with that too.

This is a wonderfully written book about love, family, friends, hard times and keeping everything together.  The book is written for middle-graders and I would not hesitate to recommend it to child and adult alike.  It’s a feel good book … because really? … How can anyone resist a 7-foot tall imaginary cat who loves to take bubble-baths?

*I received this book through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review*

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from her Goodreads page)

Applegate was born in Michigan in 1956. Since then she has lived in Texas, Florida, California, Minnesota, Illinois, North Carolina, and after living in Pelago, Italy for a year, she has moved back to Southern California. She has an eleven year old son named Jake Mates, although she says the Animorph leader is not named after him. In 2003 she and her husband, Michael Grant, her co-author on many projects including Animorphs, adopted their daughter, Julia, in China.[citation needed] Following the end of Animorphs, Applegate took three years off. She is back at work and has written a picture book called "The Buffalo Storm," a middle reader novel called "Home of the Brave," and an early chapters series "Roscoe Riley Rules" with Harper Collins. Her book "Home of the Brave" has won the SCBWI Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street 2008 Josette Frank Award, and is a Judy Lopez Memorial Award honor book.