Author life, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Launch Party — Sunday October 7–Hope to see you there! Look at what I’m giving away!

If you attend my LAUNCH PARTY, you can enter to win one of three give-aways.  
#1 It’s a mini tree, mini tree-topper and mini ornaments for your child to decorate for Christmas. Also included is a mouse ornament that will fit into a matchbox bed. Mouse loves to listen to your child re-tell the story of Jesus’ birth!

#2 It’s a nativity set with 19 kid-friendly pieces. You can add this to your family’s Christmas traditions.

#3 It’s an autographed copy of Mouse’s Christmas Gift! 
There will also be free drip coffee and kids’ crafts.  
I will be selling a limited number of copies of Mouses’ Christmas Gift.  
(I can accept cash or checks only.)
Hope to see you there!
October 7
2-4p.m.
The Well Coffeehouse in Downtown Fishers

Author life, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Getting Ready For Book Events

In my book, Mouse’s Christmas Gift, the villagers decorate a tree near the church with hair ribbons and quilt squares.

My dear friend Tonia made a tree that we can decorate together at book events. It turned out so cute!  I can’t wait to use it!

Hope you can join me at an event!  Check out all of my events by clicking on the link on the home page of this blog. 
Coming up:
October 7th LAUNCH PARTY at The Well Coffeehouse in Fishers, IN
And on October 11, Story Time at Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, MI.
Hope to see you there!
Book Review and Author Interviews

Winner of Book Give-Away

I am happy to announce that the winner of the book is (drum roll please…)

Megan Crop!  

Congratulations!  I will be in touch with you about the details of receiving your book.

A big thanks to Denette Fretz for allowing me to host, and a big thanks to Zonderkidz for providing the prize.

And thanks to everyone who visited this blog post, I hope you enjoyed finding out more about I Want Your Smile, Crocodile!  It truly is a fantastic book.

Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review of I WANT YOUR SMILE, CROCODILE by Denette Fretz (AND BOOK GIVE-AWAY)

A few months ago I interviewed Denette Fretz about her upcoming book, I Want Your Smile, Crocodile.  I’m happy to announce that her book now available!  Link to buy book on Amazon
I am thrilled to be able to review this book on my blog as part of a four stop blog tour.  (If you missed the first three installments, you will want to go back and read them!  They are linked below, along with my original interview with Denette)

The give-away! 
If you would like to win a copy of Denette’s book, simply leave a comment on this entry of my blog.  Post by May 20 at midnight EST, and on May 21, I will randomly select a winner. 
And now for my thoughts about this beautiful book!
This book is full of heart and adorable humor, and is sure to become a family favorite. Yet behind all of its darlingness, it drives home a very important lesson for every reader, from the youngest child, to the oldest adult.  We are designed in God’s image, created for a purpose, and that makes us valuable! I love that Denette’s book has this underlying seed of truth. 
I know for me, it is easy to look at other people’s talents and unique qualities and feel inferior, saying to myself “I wish I was more like _____.”  That is the exact struggle of the main character, Jack the meerkat.
The truth is that God does NOT want me to be like _____, he wants me to be ME! Living in the special way that he created me to live, and walking out my purpose on this earth.  I got on a little soapbox there…
Back to the book!
In the book, Jack wishes that he could be… 
  • a crocodile, 
  • an elephant, 
  • a jellyfish, 
  • a chimpanzee, 
  • a porcupine, 
  • and a polar bear, 

…imagining himself with each of their special qualities.  
But, as he begins to “impersonate” each animal, there is always something that just doesn’t… quite… work out. (Insert clever humor and delightful illustrations that complete the storyline).
Personally, my favorite instance was when he got a sore bottom from the spine of the porcupine and needed the ice of the polar bear! 🙂   
There are other instances where the illustrations really “add depth” to the storyline. 
  • For example, the chimpanzees give Jack’s swinging “ratings,” as in a gymnastics competition. 
  • Jack’s crocodile grin scares the crowd, and they flee in fearful desperation. 
  • The zookeeper is not mentioned, but he lovingly follows Jack to bring him home even though along the way he encounters quite a few personal injuries. 
I was absolutely amazed at the clever word play and rhyme. As a writer, I know that this effect is very hard to achieve, and Denette’s text packs a punch that fits the spunkiness of the character and the whimsical illustrations! Bravo!!
  • Example: “Give me your swish, Jellyfish. I long to float the seas. I’d dive, I’d play, I’d glide, I’d sway, and twirl your dance with ease.”  Fretz’s lyrical words “fit” with the natural movements that a jellyfish would make. 
  • She then transitions with, “nix the swish…I’m not a fish. I’m a sky kind of guy.”  Her word choice is perfect, and a great introduction to the chimpanzee scene.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I believe this story will not only connect with kids of all ages, but also with the adults who read it.  
Sneak peek inside: (You just can’t help but fall in love with Jack!)

My original interview with Denette Fretz

Blog tour — Interview with Denette by Glenys Nellist

Blog tour — Read, Discuss, Do with Rebecca J. Gomez

Blog tour — 6 extension activities with Laura Sassi

Remember, the give-away! 
If you would like to win a copy of Denette’s book, simply leave a comment on this entry of my blog by May 20 at midnight EST, and on May 21, I will randomly select a winner. 

About the author:
Denette Fretz’s passion is creating imaginative, engaging stories that help children understand and apply biblical principles.  A veteran elementary educator, Fretz resides in Medford, Oregon with her husband, a sassy cat, and a spastic Jack-A-Bee.

Denette, fantastic job! You have written an amazing book. I can see that it is a reflection of your beautiful heart.  Best wishes to you!

Book Review and Author Interviews

Book review of GOD MADE MOMMY SPECIAL by Glenys Nellist

Toddlers will delight in this new book by Glenys Nellist. It is a sturdy board book filled with eye-appealing illustrations and rhyme that sings.  Each word has been carefully selected so that young children can relate to the ideas being presented.

Each page showcases a different mommy and child “animal” while highlighting characteristics about mommies that children find special.

Some of the characteristics/qualities of “Mommy” found in the pages of the book:
–she cuddles
–she sings
–she feeds
–she takes good care of me
–she combs my hair
–she shares so much love
–she teaches me
–she is the leader
–she watches out for me
–she helps me
–she is patient, kind, sweet
–she shares lovely treats
–she loves
–she is kind and lots of fun
The animals:

–sparrow
–monkey
–dolphin
–deer
–owl
–snail
–squirrel
–hamster
 The last page shows a human child and mommy and ties in James 1:17, the verse from Scripture that says, “every good and perfect gift is from God.”  (Mommy is God’s gift to the child)
Glenys did a masterful job of using the animals’ natural traits and blending those into things that young children will find special about their own mommy.  For example, one of my favorite pages was the one in which the Mommy owl teaches her child to soar over trees and rooftops in the night.  
Overall, I loved the book.  Great job, Glenys!  I wish you all the best!

Buy book on Amazon

About the author:

Glenys is the coordinator of Children’s Ministry for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is Zondervan children’s book author of twelve titles including two popular series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time. Glenys is a writer with a passion for God, her family, and children’s ministry.