GG and Mamela by Belinda Brock

 

About the Book

Title: GG and Mamela
Author: Belinda Brock
Illustrator: Avi Katz 
Publication Date: April 15, 2014 
Publisher: Lamb Press 
Pages: 32 
Recommended Ages: 4 to 10  

Summary: This picture book celebrates the loving relationship between Lily and her great-grandmother (GG) as her life starts to slow and wind down in hospice. GG and Mamela illustrates how strength and comfort can be found through love, family and tradition. This book offers a gentle and open-ended way to start a conversation about death and dying, as well as introduce the concept of hospice care. The talented, award-winning artist, Avi Katz, provides beautifully-rendered illustrations that perfectly complement this heartwarming story. The book concludes with GG's recipe for chicken soup and an afterword by clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Brock.  

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Amazon | Author Website

 

* INSERT YOUR REVIEW HERE *

GG and Manela is a wonderful book.  I loved the fact that it showed so much love between the Great-Grandma and Grand daughter.  It is an excellent book to use as a teaching tool in many areas.  Family relationships, growing old, and death.   I loved the phrase that was used thought out the book that is the way it will always be.  Fond memories after loved ones are gone can stay close to our hearts forever.  Loved the afterwords page, the before author's note at the beginning and the recipe with GG's secret ingredient.  Beautiful book thanks. 

The Early Buzz

"...simple but emotionally resonant illustrations...a nice, true-to-life touch...The book pairs an ethereal illustration with lyrical text, which truly captures the healing, transporting power of music in this setting. A welcome addition to children's literature about death and dying." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The author takes a difficult subject and weaves a story full of life lessons. The universal themes of life, death, family, loss,and chicken soup are shared through a child's eyes and remind us that even after one dies, love remains." ~ Jamie O'Malley, President and CEO, Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter

"GG and Mamela is a large helping of Chicken Soup for the heart and soul. It helps children cope with the death of a loved one in gentle and understanding terms. Belinda Brock has done a great service for children and parents alike." ~ Rabbi Evan Moffic, Spiritual Leader of Congregation Solel and Author

"This is a WONDERFUL story for families who are grappling with loss, death and dying. This is a wonderful story about a special relationship between a girl and her great grandmother at the end of her beautiful life. Very moving story, perfect for children!!" ~ 5 Star Review, Laura, Goodreads

 

About the Author: Belinda Brock

Currently a writing coach and free-lance editor, Belinda Brock's background is in teaching and educational publishing. She loves the intersection of literature and art found in picture books and believes their appeal and benefit extend beyond childhood. She also enjoys farmers' markets, dreaming up soup recipes and Meatless Mondays. Although she didn't become a librarian as she once considered, she is the sponsor and steward of the Little Free Library in her city. She has been known to stay up past her bedtime reading. Belinda writes about literacy, children and books on her blog--grandbooking--at http://belindabrock.com and also at Highland Park Sun-Times where you can check out this great interview with Belinda.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

GG and Mamela Blog Tour Schedule (2014)

May 8

Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch and Review)

Mami Tales (Review)

May 9

Cherry Mischievous (Review)

Lakshmi Gosyne (Review)

Best4Future Blog: Bringing Up Baby Bilingual (Review)

May 10

Bookworm for Kids (Review)

Bookroom Reviews (Review)

May 11

When I Grow Up I Wanna Write a Kids Book (Review)

Book Reviews & Giveaways (Review)

May 12

WS Momma Readers Nook (Review)

Victoria Simcox's Blog (Review)

May 13

4 The Love of Books (Review)

Sweet Little Pretties (Review)

Alwaysjoart (Review)

May 14

Generation iKid (Review)

Heart of a Philanthropist (Review)

May 15

Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock (Review)

Brooke Blogs (Review)

May 16

Books Direct (Review)

Unschooling Momma (Review)

May 17

Nanna Three and Counting (Review)

BeachBoundBooks (Review)

May 18

Amanda's Books and More (Review)

Spark and Pook (Review)

May 19

Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys (Review)

Mixed Bag Mama (Review)

May 20

Tracey M. Cox, Author & Reviewer (Review)

Sunshine, Bubbles and Books (Review)

May 21

Oh My Bookness (Review)

Reading Authors (Review)

 

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

 

Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: June 6, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Belinda Brock and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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an ecopy of this book was provided in exchange for this honest review post by...
 

Gary's Gray World by Ryan J. Cunningham

When Gary’s father is too busy to play, a scary moment at the baseball field brings his dad rushing to the park to rescue him. But instead the two discover that making time for each other is the most important thing in a father and son relationship.

Gary's world my start out gray, but as you read the book turns to sunshine and rainbows.  This is a lovely book to teach the importance of dad's in the lives of their children.  You may not think they care or notice you are missing but they do.  The wording print in this book is big and bold easy for young readers to read and follow along. The pictures are big and colorful sometimes spanning the whole page.  Very easy read with a wonderful message.  Be sure to visit the book's tour page for blogs with reviews, author interviews and a giveaway. 

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1972, Ryan J. Cunningham discovered his passion for writing poetry and children’s stories at an early age. Throughout his high school and college years, he took writing courses to enhance his writing abilities. Ryan became a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.) He published two inspirational books of poems titled “Angels Near and Far” and “Hearts, Hopes, and Halos.” His poetry and stories have been published in anthologies and magazines. Ryan presently resides in Coos Bay, Oregon where he spends his time hiking the trails, spending quality time with family, and working on his personal web site (http://imagination-inspiration.webs.com) to share his poems and stories with the world.

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A copy of this book was provided in exchange for my honest review by...

People Can’t Drive You Crazy If You Don’t Give Them the Keys by Mike Bechtle

In his book, People can't drive you Crazy if you don't give the the Keys, author Mike Bechtle helps the reader determine the most important factor in your life it so realize what it is you can control in life and what you have absolutely no control over.  He gives good sound wisdom and advice that can be put to practice by the reader.  He gives practical strategies on handling crazy people in your life and ways that you can stay sane while handling the people.  Gain a fresh new way of looking at circumstances and people in this book.  I thought it to be quite interesting and wonderful advice.  You may read an except of the book @ CBD here. 


You may visit the author's web site here.
Get more information about this book here.

“Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

A copy of this book was provided in exchange for my honest review by... 

The Marriage of Your Dreams by Rick Johnson

Understanding Your Man is Key to Building a Dream Marriage 

 Bestselling Marriage Expert Explains How Men Think & What They Need From Their Wives 

As bestselling relationship expert Rick Johnson spoke across the country, women continuously asked him how they could be better wives and fulfill their husbands’ needs when they weren’t entirely sure what his needs were. Johnson sensed a growing frustration in women not understanding what their husbands needed from them. What grew out of those questions is Johnson’s newest book, which gives women a look at the core of a man to understand how he thinks, how he operates and what motivates him. The Marriage of Your Dreams: A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Her Man focuses on how a woman can satisfy and support the needs of her man – by first identifying his needs. It will help women understand her man’s sexual needs and how his job affects the rest of his life. The book will help her encourage his emotional growth, recognize common traps most men fall into, encourage him as a father and know what men admire and desire most in their wife.

“A woman has tremendous God-given power to influence a man’s life, positively or negatively,” writes Johnson. “By understanding how to best use their powerful influence, women can encourage their husbands and build a satisfying and exciting relationship.”

The Marriage of Your Dreams by Rick Johnson is a wonderful guide for women to really know how to understand her husband.  Johnson does a wonderful job helping women really get to know the way men think.  He gives straight forward and honest information sprinkling it with humor .   Each chapter is filled with thought provoking insight into different aspects of the man's world and wraps up with a few questions and answers from women concerning the chapter's topic.  Here's a copy of the table of contents....

Read an except of the book on CBD here

 

Rick Johnson speaks at many large conferences across the US and Canada and is a popular keynote speaker at men’s and women’s retreats and conferences on parenting and marriage. He is a nationally recognized expert in several areas having been asked to deliver papers at venues such as the 2007 County of Los Angeles Child Abuse Prevention Conference and the 2008 State of New York Fatherhood Conference.

In 2001, bestselling author and speaker Rick Johnson founded Better Dads, based on the urgent need to empower men to lead and serve in their families and communities. Rick's books have expanded his ministry to include influencing the whole family, with life-changing insights for men and women on parenting, marriage and personal growth. Inspiring and equipping through innovative multimedia presentations and seminars, Rick's resources, methods and personal approach have been transforming the lives of men, women and their families for over ten years.

Prior to becoming a bestselling author and speaker, Rick was a small business owner for 16 years, owning and operating an environmental engineering firm. He attended George Fox University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management and Organizational Leadership and has a Masters Degree in Education from Concordia University. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, has served on the Board of Directors for several community and business associations, and coaches high school basketball in his spare time. Rick has been featured in many national publications such as New Man magazine, Crosswalk.com, Christianity.com, Christianity Today’s Men of Integrity, Relevant magazine, Pentecostal Evangel, Thriving Family and Proverbs 31 ministries magazine.

He is the bestselling author of the books, That’s My Son: How Moms Can Influence Boys to Become Men of Character, Better Dads Stronger Sons: How Fathers Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character, The Man Whisperer—Speaking a Man’s Language to Bring Out His Best, That’s My Teenage Son: How Moms Can Influence Boys to Become Good Men and The Power of a Man: Using Your Influence as a Man of Character all by Revell Publishing. His book, Becoming Your Spouse’s Better Half: Why Differences Make a Great Marriage, is being used by many churches across the country for their couples study groups.

Rick has appeared on over 200 radio programs and television shows around the United States. He is the former co-host of a live weekly radio show called, “An Hour of Honesty and Common Sense.” Rick is actively involved with the men’s and family ministries as well as speaking from the pulpit at his church, Mountainview Christian Church, in Gresham, Ore.

Rick and his wife Suzanne have two adult children and live in Gresham, Oregon.

To find out more about Rick Johnson, follow him on twitter @betterdads4u, like him on facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RickJohnsonAuthor 
Visit the author's web site here

 For more information about this book check here.

“Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

A copy of this book was provided in exchange for my honest review by... 

In All Things by Laura Smith

Chance to win a copy of this book read to end of Post. 

Author Laura Smith joins the June ‘12 World of Ink Virtual Tour 

 Halo Publishing and the World of Ink Network will be touring author Laura Smith’s, In All Things: Giving Thanks When Hope Seems Lost published by Halo Publishing Int.

In her debut book, In All Things: Giving Thanks When Hope Seems Lost is Smith’s spiritual journey through, divorce, single parenting, raising a bipolar child, desiring a baby so desperately and then after being told it wasn’t possible, becoming pregnant and then losing the miracle through miscarriage. “I share the most intimate and painful moments through those experiences, and the amazing vision the Lord gave me when I was at the deepest part of despair that instantly healed my broken heart, gave me hope and a purpose to live again,” shared Smith. (credits to: Blogcitics)

Her book is touching and Smith opening shares about a faith so strong it caused instant healing and allowed her to be hopeful in all things life throws at her. Smith shared, “Knowing that He has a plan and we just need to see things through His eyes, to see the gold in these life issues; because there is ALWAYS gold.” (credits to: Blogcitics)

 Experience an incredible journey that will make you laugh out loud and cry tears of joy and sorrow. Learn how one miraculous encounter with God created an unshakeable faith that would later give Laura Smith the strength to face the near death of her oldest daughter.

purchase book here
book is also available at all major online book sellers

Laura Smith works as a medical coding and reimbursement specialist in Northern Minnesota. She spent her youth on a small dairy farm in Northeast Minnesota. She was married two weeks after her high school graduation. Three years and two children later, she was facing divorce and single parenthood. She moved to a college town in north central MN where she hoped to earn a degree and make a life for her and her two young daughters. There she met and married the love of her life. Together they embarked on a life together as a ready-made family facing all the challenges that comes with it. They had no idea that the life experiences they walked through early on and one life altering event would prepare them for the ultimate challenge, the possible death of their daughter.

You can find out more about Laura Smiths’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/77nwvdt 

Visit interview with author Laura Smith and another chance to win copy of book here

The author has graciously sent me a copy of this book to post for a giveaway.  read to end of post to see how you may enter to win a copy of this book.  Also got to the blog hop page and enter for the book lovers blog hop giveaway.  click icon below for details. 

Now for your chance to win a copy of In All Things.  Leave a comment telling me what intrigues you most about this author or book?  Please I must limit this to US residents only.  Be sure to leave a way of contact.  Thanks.  I'll leave this open through the end of the blog tour.  I'll draw a winner on July 2nd. Visit the author interview and a bonus entry for the book here.

You may find the author on:

To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit http://worldofinknetwork.com
A copy of this book was provided for the giveaway by the author and A World of Ink Network.

Help Wanted: Moms raising daughters by Darlene Brock

With honesty, creativity and sprinkled in humor Darlene shares her thoughts on what a job description of a mother would  look like from her experience.  She shares that which needs to be accomplished in the role and challenges found in the job.  Brock concludes with the job may be difficult but seeks for those women that are willing to take up the task of raising daughters.  No experience necessary;  all on the job training.  It isn't always easy but it will definitely make your life richer in the process.  There is nothing more important or fulfilling than being a mother.  I must say this was a very wonderful read and if you have little girls it is time you get started.  However, if you have boys the same concepts could apply.  Just a plain good motherhood book. 
 
 For more information about this book visit here.

learn more about the author here

 In her debut book, Darlene, who balanced a career in the recording industry alongside motherhood, relates 13 coaching metaphors for how to raise children. In talking about her new project she stated: “This book is about what I learned - about the jobs you need to master, the advice from other women that helped me, as well as some realities about the life and culture we live in that informed my perspective. You can take on the most difficult job in theworld – raising daughters – and not only live to tell about it, but smile along the way.”

Visit the Grit and Grace project site here.
Visit Darlene's blog here.

Now for the fun part.  I have a copy of this book I'd love to giveaway.  Think outside the box and give me a job title you think may be in this book.  She's creative in her titles.  If you guess one that is in the book I'll give you a bonus entry.  I must however, limit this to US residents only because of mail cost.  I'll draw a winner on June 16th for this book from everyone that comments.  Please be sure to leave a way of contact.  Thanks. 


a copy of this was provided by the author and media collective for this review

Just a Minute by Wess Stafford & Dean Merrill

Read to bottom of this post as there is a chance to win a copy of this book. 

This book is has short stories of how Just a Minute in the life a child made a world of difference.  The stories are short and inspirational, kind of on the line of Chicken soup books.  If you truly want to know if Just a Minute really can change a life I challenge you to read the stories in this book.  Over and over again it is stressed how just a quick note, smile or word changed everything.  The stories are touching reflections of what different people experienced when Just a minute was given to them as a child and how it changed their life forever.

Thanks to C.Grant & Company I have a copy of Just a Minute to giveaway to one of my faithful followers.  I'm going to use rafflecopter since I will be gone next week and that way your entries will appear right away.  However, I will check to make sure that everything is done before any entries will count.  Thanks.  Since I'm having to mail the book out we'll have to keep this to US only please.  I'll keep this open the whole month of May.


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a copy of this book was provided for this review and giveaway by....

Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Always The Designer, Never The Bride Abingdon Press (April 2012) by Sandra D. Bricker
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

The Big 5-OH! was released by Abingdon Press in the Spring of 2010, and the novel was very well-received, garnering a couple of nibbles from Hollywood.

Always the Baker, Never the Bride was released by Abingdon Press in September 2010. With its phenomenal reviews, the novel spawned a series of three more books based on the popular cast of characters at The Tanglewood Inn, a wedding destination hotel in historic Roswell, Georgia. The series cemented Sandie's spot in publishing as a flagship author of Laugh-Out-Loud romantic comedy for the inspirational market.

"Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with my writing dream," says Bricker, "well, that's the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

ABOUT THE BOOK

It’s taken Audrey Regan years to establish herself as a wedding dress designer, and to date she’s been roped into creating dresses for nine of her girlfriends. Request #10 follows her vow to “Just say no!” and comes from her very best friend. She can hardly turn Carly down!

Audrey arrives in Atlanta early to perform all of her maid-of-honor duties along with final fittings for a one-of-a-kind dress. But Carly’s wedding is nothing short of an event, complete with Prince Charming, and the festivities make Audrey question whether there’s a prince of her own anywhere in her future.

Enter the groom’s brother and best man. Shaggy-haired, tattooed bad boy J.R. Hunt couldn’t be any more different from Prince Charming if he rode in on a Harley Davidson. Oh, wait. He actually did ride in on a Harley!

If you would like to read an excerpt of the first chapter of Always The Designer, Never The Bride, go HERE.

88 Great Daddy-Daughter Dates by Rob & Joanna Teigen

Build Strong Relationships & Lasting Memories

with Daddy-Daughter Dates

A Game Plan for Creating Affordable, Fun & Creative Dates With Your Daughter

There’s no denying the importance of a relationship between a dad and his daughter.  Girls gain a sense of self-worth from their fathers.  From little girl to young woman – a dad can make all the difference in how a girl sees herself, the world around her and the man she’ll eventually choose to be her husband.  While understanding the importance of establishing and growing that relationship, many dads are overwhelmed when it comes to actually finding the time and creating ways to “date” their daughters and help them become the strong, confident young women they want them to be.

88 Great Daddy-Daughter Dates: Fun, Easy, & Creative Ways to Build Memories Together  offers dads a wide variety of fun ideas for spending quality time with their special girl.  Authors Rob and Joanna Teigen offer help and encouragement to dads who want to make that all important difference in their daughter’s life.

Each date tells dad what to grab (any needed supplies), where to go, and how to grow together while having a blast and making great memories. Also included are Scripture and questions for each date to get the conversation flowing.  From bird-watching and making paper airplanes to bowling and photo scavenger hunts, there’s something for every dad and every girl ages 6-12.

As a father is it your responsibility to spend time with your daughters, therefore, leaving you the responsibility of making it happen and making it meaningful.  With the Teigens' book in hand, you can do just that.  I believe this is the coolest book I've seen.  Rob and Joanna have made it so easy for you with a little preparation you have 88 fun activities right at your fingertips.  All you have to do is follow the 3 "G's" and you are set.
First "G" stands for Grab.  this part of the activity tells you exactly the materials needed to pull off a fun time.
Second "G" stands for Go.  this gives you the details of the activitiy what exact is going to happen and how to make it happen.  The directions or game plan.
Third "G" stands for Grow.  this section will help you to grow and connect.  make the time even more special.  icing on the cake.  gives you ideas of things to talk about during your time together.  ties it all together.  Questions to talk about, thoughts to share and even scriptures to read.

Here are a few pictures of one of the activities.  If you click on the picture it should make them readable....

Having father/daughter, one-on-one time, lets her know that she is important.  It make take some planning and juggling of schedules to make 1-on-1 time happen, but isn't your princess worth it.  Before you know it she's all grown up as my daughters are.  I wish this book would have been written 20+ years ago.  The book opens with 10 tips for a successful daddy-daughter date and closes with 20 Great Daddy-Daughter dates for a teenager.  In between you'll find a variety of activities to do indoors as well as outdoors, quite as well as active times, there are even seasonal and holiday related activities, some that cost little or no money and the last 8 in the book are Big Extreme Dates that take planning and a little more money.  Last Fling Type activities before you truly let her go.  I just can't give this book enough praise.  If you are wanting to spend quality time with your daughter then why not have fun while doing so and this is just the book you need to get the job done. 

For more information about this book go here
(Paperback ISBN:  978-0-8007-2033-9, 192 pages, March 2012, $10.99)

Rob Teigen has been a publishing professional for more than fifteen years. The author of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids (under the pseudonym Rob Elliott), Rob met his wife, Joanna, when they were students at Moody Bible Institute. Joanna Teigen is the mom of their teenage son and three younger daughters. The Teigens enjoy church, foster parenting, books, music, and laughter. They live in West Michigan.

“Available March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

A copy of this book was provided in exchange for my honest review by...