LadyD Books: September 2015

Wordless Wednesday: Calling All Choppers

Yes, I realize some of the pics are biplanes and jets but you see, I am in their flight path...
Neighbors (local ranchers) are crop dusting their lemon/avocado grove.

I am looking up and linking with NC Sue.

Thanks for ~~flying~~ coming over for Wordless Wednesday!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

Book Review: Goodnight Ark

About The Book

Beds are ready.

Food is stored.

Noah hollers,

“All aboard!”

It’s bedtime on Noah’s ark, but the animals can’t sleep because of the storm. Two by two, they crowd into Noah’s bed, creating a sticky situation. Will Noah ever get them back to their own beds? Climb aboard the ark for this rollicking, yet ultimately restful bedtime story as Noah finds a way to make things calm and cozy, even in the midst of a storm.

The Friday #56 (middle of the board book, not page 56!)

"Ark is tipping!
Tip, slip, slide!
Noah wakes up
as they glide.
Faster! Faster!
Rumble! Shake!
"Watch out or
this bed will..."

My Review

My grandson enjoys holding the large size sturdy board book and pointing to the many colorful animals, calling them by name. It's a cute and funny story of rhymes (maybe not so Biblical but it's juvenile fiction) regarding the animals crowding onto Noah's bed, two by two. The elephants are grand, the boars grunt and groan, the quail squeak and squawk, the lightning spooks the sheep and the tigers are nervous as the ark tips in the storm. When the stinky skunks show up, everyone runs and Noah begins a sleepy night time tune.

I like the book and the refreshing approach by the author to an all time favorite story but I missed seeing Noah's wife inside the ark. Plus, I don't like snakes very much. Although they are long and yellow and it appears everyone is getting along in the ark, I thought it was an over kill of snakes on every page... I'm just saying. I think the illustrator likes snakes! lol

4/5 stars

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

About The Author

Laura Sassi has a passion for telling humorous stories in prose and rhyme. Her poems, stories, articles and crafts have appeared in numerous family publications including Highlights for Children, Cricket, Ladybug, Spider, Focus on the Family's Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. and FamilyFun. She is the author of two picture books, GOODNIGHT, MANGER (Zonderkidz 2015) and GOODNIGHT, ARK (Zonderkidz, 2014). She lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children, and a black Cockapoo named Sophie.

Skywatch Friday

The tropical cloud cover has moved on now but I'm so glad I was able to capture it capture it!

Oh, just a quick note to my readers... If you're a teacher and you have been thinking about writing children's books, you may be interested in this free E-book, http://writeforkids.org/educators

Thanks, and Happy Weekend!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

Wordless Wednesday: Quail Quandary

Quandary: A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.

At first, I thought the quail was perplexed but then I saw that it was a scout letting the others know it was safe to graze in our avocado grove. Oh, how I love birds!

Linking with NC Sue and Create with Joy for Wordless Wednesday.

I found it a bit challenging in trying to take a subject constantly on the move!

Happy Wednesday!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

Review: In Grandma's Attic

In Grandma's Attic: Book Review l LadyD Books

About The Book

A young girl delights in her grandmother's stories of days gone by, sparked by keepsakes and simple questions, Grandma shares marvelous stories of mischief, discovery, and laughter, such as the time she accidentally lost the family buggy. Part of the bestselling Grandma's Attic series, these charming tales - updated with delightful new illustrations - will whisk you away to another time and place. and you'll find something worth far more than any treasure or keepsake... timeless lessons of life and faith!

The Friday #56 (Linking with Freda's Voice)

"But then, after several encounters when the horse had managed to chew my coat buttons before someone could rescue me, Reuben came up with the answer."

My Thoughts

Absolutely love the book and how it transports you to a different time and place. Hearing about family tales that build character and good morals from a loving grandmother is a fine addition to every family's home library. The writing style of Arleta Richardson draws you in, as you hang onto every word of the many characters in her book. (Like Mable and her friend Sarah Jane). In fact, you'll laugh aloud, (like the time grandma wore her dress backward), shed a tear and nod your head in agreement as you participate in a young girl's adventures as she shares marvelous memories told by a loving grandmother. This one touches your heart and stirs within a need to read more in the series. Wonderful stories of the good old days!

5/5 stars. Highly recommend.

About The Author

The late Arleta Richardson grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan. There, her storyteller grandmother recounted memories of her childhood. Arleta retells those tales vividly, stories that have now reached more than two million people around the world.

Skywatch Friday

A lovely beginning of a new day... so blessed.

Happy reading and skywatching!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

Wordless Wednesday: Legoland (Part 2)

It's really a fun, magical place filled with primary colors and lego formations everywhere you turn. For more information about our park here in California, visit Legoland.com

Linking with NC Sue and Create With Joy

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

Santa, Is It Really You?

About The Book

Marilyn Harkrider's "Santa, Is It Really You?" is a family friendly book about friendship, working as a team, and keeping the child-like wonderment of Santa alive.

Santa has a dilemma, and the only person who can help is a boy he once knew who has grown up, but not grown out of believing in the magic of Christmas.

Santa loves delivering presents on Christmas Eve, but he really misses being able to sit down and talk with children. He misses hearing about their dreams and their ideas for toys. Then one special Christmas Eve at his last stop, Santa meets a little boy who has crept out to see the Big Man in person. Santa invites ben to crawl into his lap and meets a little boy who has crept out to see the Big Man in person. Santa invites Ben to crawl into his lap and have a late night chat. After this fulfilling encounter, Santa decides to make a few similar stops each year, but always remembering to see Ben. After many years, Santa still feels that there is more he could do for the children; after all he can't stop at everyone's house for a talk over milk and cookies. He discusses this concern with a now teenage Ben, who has a solution.

Ben's plan involves taking the man in red down to the local department store to meet the children there. Santa lovingly and patiently listens to as many of the children's requests, ideas, and behavior report cards as he can, promising to return the next day. He continues this visit for many more years, but as scheduled appearances grow, his duties at the North Pole get handed over to Mrs. Clause. Once she becomes overwhelmed with the job, it is time again for Santa to confer with a now adult ben. His idea will change the way that children interact with Santa forever.

Santa, Is It Really You?

The Friday #56

I know it's a bit early to be thinking about Christmas but with the hot humidity and triple digit highs we've been experiencing here in SoCal, all I think about is SNOW! Plus, this is a very good read because we all know that Santa is warm in his heart.

"Before they went to sleep, however, they ate their treat of sweet oats and flying dust. They nuzzled Santa in thanks before he went into the warm house at the top of the world."

My Thoughts

From the beginning, we get a sense of Santa's passion for the children, along with his wonderful toy making from the North Pole. Sadly, Santa misses talking with all of the children since most of them are asleep when he delivers presents but then one night Santa experiences a special moment talking with an awakened child named Ben. The warm and beautiful illustrations enhance the sweet, heartfelt story line nicely. The story unfolds at a steady pace as we discover Santa loves to wake up some of the children and listen to their stories and checks up on their behavior. Soon a crisis arises in that Santa needs to reach a vast number of children to discuss new toy ideas and Ben has come up with a solution. The story of Santa Claus' helpers in the stores will keep your attention and possibly answer some of your own questions.

I really like this one and recommend to friends. 5/5 stars.

About The Author

Marilyn Harkrider has taught in three states, in both public and private schools, in Spanish and English. She has taught AP Writing and Composition, and Honors English as well as being on committees for the creation of the IB program in her school. She was the Kid's Club Host for the PBS station in Charlotte, N.C. Her two grown children are married, and she has five grandchildren.

I received a free copy from Lucid Books in exchange for my honest review.

Santa, Is It Really You?

Skywatch Friday

Tropical Linda bringing days of humidity and hot temperatures over SoCal.

Happy reading and sky watching!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

Wordless Wednesday: Legoland (Part One)

Statue of Liberty: Legoland l LadyD Books

I so much enjoyed walking the grounds of Legoland with my camera, especially seeing the Statue of Liberty and reflecting on 9/11. I appreciate the freedom we have in our country and count my many blessings.

Linking up with NC Sue

Fruit Infused Water: Book Review

Fruit Infused Water: Review l LadyD Books

This week I finished reading a refreshing book on water recipes by Harry Love called,

Awhile back I wrote a book review on Natural Vitamin Water Recipes. I love to drink water, especially a glass of water that is jazzed up a bit. All last week our temperatures ran in the high 90s, so it was quite necessary to hydrate before going outside. As you can see, I added some watermelon pieces, a bit of spearmint and sliced lemon to the filtered water.

Why do I infuse? Because it keeps me from feeling groggy in the afternoon and the water tastes refreshingly different. It keeps our organs healthy while we are sweating.

Introduction

"Fruit infused water has it all - the very words fruit and water taste and smack of health."

Chapter 1: Why Drink Water?

"Water is one of the most important elements in the human body. our body consists of 70% water as it is present in the building blocks of our life i.e. cells."

Water removes or flushes out the wastes and toxins in our body.
Water regulates body temperature of a person either when they are exercising or even during weather changes.
Water is the best way to maintain healthy skin as it keeps the skin hydrated.
Water lubricates muscles and joints.
Water is needed for maintaining weight.

The Friday #56

"Release the flavors of the mint by slightly twisting them over the jug."

Strawberry Lime Twist

3 lemons, thinly sliced

2 c. of strawberries, quartered

10 mint leaves

3 c. of ice

A litre or two of water

Keep in the fridge for an hour.

My Thoughts

There's so many beneficial points the author has touched upon here. If you're feeling overtired, anxious, restless, dizzy, have trouble with sleeping, and unable to concentrate for long, then you should try infused water. You'll find an amazing list of fruit infused water recipes to try out every day. I especially like to boost my metabolism with an all time favorite, Citrus Ginger Water. There are so many beautiful choices to make and these delicious infused water drinks will do wonders for your body. It's a good book to have in your library, to enjoy skimming through the variety of drinks you can make for your enjoyment and good health.

4/5 stars.