When I Grow Up I Want To Be...in the U.S. Navy!, by Wigu Publishing

Age Range: 6 and up 

Series: When I Grow Up I Want To Be...

Paperback: 58 pages

Publisher: Wigu Publishing

Date: April 10, 2014

Like I have stated before, these are really awesome books that everyone should own. With that said, here is my review for the next one in the series.

When I Grow Up I Want To Be...in the U.S. Navy! is a really great read. It seems likes these books get better and better each time a new title comes out. My daughter and I decided to read this one together. Most of the time I am the one reading and she is just listening, but there is a young girl in this book and she read her part while I read the other character's parts/main story. 

This story is about a young boy name Noah, his grandfather Ed and his sister Marina. Their grandfather decides to take them to visit a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that has come and docked nearby. They tour it and the grandfather tells of his experiences when he was in the Navy.

Like the other books in the series, there is an educational aspect to the story. While you are reading, you are shown pictures of an actual carrier and the different compartments on it. My daughter and I were amazed at the different levels and compartments on the carrier. We also visualized the length of it and realized they are huge! As you are taken through each level of the carrier by the grandfather, there is a page to the right or left that explains in detail about what you are seeing. I thought it was really neat because it felt as though we were actually on the carrier. They did a really awesome job showing and having you understand everything. Toward the back of the book is a page that shows all the different boats (and their names) that might be part of a carrier strike group, which my daughter gleefully said reminded her of the game Battleship.

The other great part about this story is the fact that the characters are in cartoon form and the rest of the picture is in real life. My daughter thought it was funny how it showed "cartoon people" on a real carrier. The fact that it was very descriptive made it easy for her to truly understand what the book is about and stay involved in the story. And the comedic aspect kept her laughing through the whole story.

We have a cousin who is in the U.S. Navy, so she was able to see everything that he experiences on a day to day basis. The book is not only a great tool to help a child learn about what they can possibly achieve when they grow older, but also help out children who have fathers or mothers in the Navy. 

This book was given to me by Wigu Publishing for my honest review.

Shadow Hand, by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Title: Shadow Hand

Series: Tales of Goldstone Wood

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Bethany House 

Date: March 4, 2014

Language: English

About the book: By her father's wish, Lady Daylily is betrothed to the Prince of Southlands. Not the prince she loves, handsome and dispossessed Lionheart, but his cousin, the awkward and foolish Prince Foxbrush. As her wedding day dawns, Daylily flees into the dangerous Wilderlands, her only desire to vanish from living memory.

But Foxbrush, determined to rescue his betrothed, pursues Daylily into a new world of magic and peril, a world where vicious Faerie beasts hold sway, a world invaded by a lethal parasite.

About the author: Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, and Starflower. Heartless and Veiled Rose have each been honoured with a Christy Award, and Starflower was voted winner of the 2013 Clive Staples Award.

My thoughts: Shadow Hand, the sixth book in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series is suppose to be an amazing read, but unlike most people who have read this book, I had a really hard time getting through it. I picked it up and put it down a couple of times before just sitting there and reading it. I don't think it had anything to do with the storyline ~ girl loves boy, boy loves girl, girl betrothed to another boy. It is like most love stories that people would enjoy reading, but I guess not me. I do enjoy reading a typical love story, but I think it had something to do with the character names and the place where the story was held. I guess you could say that fantasy books aren't my cup of tea.

The story begins with Lady Daylily and Prince Foxbrush getting ready for their wedding. Unfortunately it did not happen due to the fact that Lady Daylily ran away. This is where I have to say the book took a turn for me. In the woods, or another "place" (Wilderlands) I couldn't quite make it out, she ran into different creatures and animals that could talk to her. Not only were the names hard for me to keep reading, but the names of some of the places and creatures just didn't mesh well with me. Some of the names in the story are Lionheart, Wolfsbane, Rose Red, Tortoiseshell and Nidawi. Some of the sames of places in the book are Farthestshore, Wilderlands, and Middlecrescent. As you can see, these aren't typical names used in our everyday world.

Another thing that I just couldn't get with was the part where they were in the forest (Lady Daylily had to be found) and different animals or creature type things were able to communicate with them, show them things that they wouldn't be able to see on their own, and partly control them. Yes I know, these are all things that would take place in a fantasy story. 

Technically, I could go on and on, but I don't want to tear the book apart and make it look like it isn't worth reading. It is a very easy read. And one can easily get into and follow the story. If you like fantasy fiction, then this book will probably interest you and you will like the story. But for me, who isn't too keen on fantasy stories, not so much. Part of me wonders if I had read the other books if it would have made a difference.

This book was given to me by Bethany House for my honest review.

WIGU SUMMER SUPERSTARS READING AND WRITING PROGRAM

 I am always trying to find something educational for my daughter to do while she is on summer break. Even though most children want to just have fun, learning shouldn't stop because school has ended. So, because of that, I am trying to find a program that she can do that will keep her reading during her break. This summer, I am going to have her join the WIGU SUMMER SUPERSTARS reading and writing program. If you have a child that likes to read or write, this is the perfect program for them. With prizes being awarded, it makes the perfect incentive to keep them going.

Reading Program

 Your child will have to read a minimum of 100 minutes a week and submit their information daily or weekly so that it can be tracked and to qualify for the weekly drawing. First prize will be awarded Wednesday, the 4th of June and each Wednesday following, until the 27th of August. Grand prize will be announced Friday, the 29th of August in two age groups, 8 and under and 9 and up.

Writing Program

 If you want your child to be a part of the writing program, all they have to do is go to the website and submit their career dreams via the form. Submission will be accepted through the 30th of August. 10 finalists will be announced Friday, the 5th of September and a grand prize winner announced Friday, the 12th of September.

So tell your friends who have children and have your children tell their friends that this summer is to be dedicated to education. A summer filled with reading and writing, and maybe a prize or two!

If You Were Me And Lived In...Australia by Carole P. Roman

Series: If You Were Me And Lived In...

Author: Carole P. Roman

Date: March 26, 2014

Language: English

About the book: The latest in Carole P. Roman's delightful, globetrotting series, this colorful immersion down under opens a child's world up to the many strange and wonderful things that take place in other countries. Written in simple, playful language especially for young readers, this latest addition to the series is certain to inspire curiosity and launch children on a lifelong love of exploring other locales.

About the author: Former teacher Carole P. Roman is an accomplished author of the critically acclaimed Captain No Beard series that deals with issues as dyslexia, compromise, sharing and leadership. The first book in the series was named to both Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012, as well as the Pinnacle Award-Best Children's Book 2013. The first book in her next series, If You Were Me And Lived In...Mexico, received the Pinnacle Award for Best In Non Fiction 2012.

My Take: If You Were Me And Lived In...Australia, the next book in the series is a really great book to have if you want to learn about Australia.

The book starts out by giving you a background history on Australia. Like where the name comes from, where it is located and the capital. It also shows you some of the popular buildings and where they are located. For example, the famous Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef. We find out some of the most popular names for girls and boys that are used in Australia. You also learn some of the foods they eat, one of their famous holidays, a sport that is played, the name of the school you would attend and what you call your mother and father.

Another great thing about this book is that the key words have pronunciations behind them so that you will be able to say the word and understand what you are reading and a glossary in the back. The pictures are done in a way that will draw children to the book and keep them reading. It is very colorful.

My daughter really liked this book. I know she learned from it because the next day she was waiving an Australian flag in the air and told me all about the celebration they have.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn about a country other than their own. And suggest while one is at it, they collect the whole series. Some of the other countries are France, South Korea, Turkey and Mexico.

This book was given to me by Carole P. Roman for my honest review.