Mash-Up Review #1 - Claressa Swensen

I was recently approached by children's book author, Claressa Swensen, and asked if I would be interested in reviewing a few of her books for my blog. Of course, I said yes! Little Boy and I are always looking for new books to read! Most of the time, I like to get physical copies for him but lately, he is having so much fun turning the "pages" on the Galaxy tablet that I am just as willing to review Kindle books. And that's what we have here!

I am also going to try something a bit different. If I have multiple books that I want to showcase from an author, I'm going to do these mash-up reviews. You'll still get my opinions on each book (as well as what Little Boy seemed to think of them), but it will be in one post. So let's give it a try!

Kid's Book Review #5 - "Mophie & Picholas" book 1 & 2

Even though he's just over two, I am getting excited for Little Boy to start reading. What can I say, with a writer/book nerd for a mama, he will have plenty of books to choose from. This week, we read (well, Mommy read and Little Boy listened . . . semi-patiently) the first two books in the Mophie & Picholas series by father-son duo, Joseph and Anthony Pandolfi.

A Very Strange Trip to the Park

(The Adventures of Mophie & Picholas #1)

by Joseph & Anthony Pandolfi

Publish Date: March 20, 2016

Format Read: Kindle
Buy the Book: Amazon

How Many Stars? 4

My Scribbles: In the first book, Mophie and Picholas go to the park, only to find that Evil Queen Blunderpuss's nephew, Bratty, has turned the park to ice. So, with the help of their dragon friend, Sylvester, they save the day and take back the park. It was a cute read. The only problem I had with it was that it almost seemed like this should have been book 2 instead of book 1. Still, both Little Boy and I enjoyed this one and look forward to more in the series beyond book 2.

How the Kids Met Sylvester the Dragon

(The Adventures of Mophie & Picholas #2)

by Joseph & Anthony Pandolfi

Publish Date: March 20, 2016

Format Read: Kindle

Source: readingdeals.com in exchange for review

Buy the Book: Amazon

How Many Stars? 5

My Scribbles: I think both Little Boy and I enjoyed this one more than the first one. I mean, flying horses and dragons? Definitely our kind of book! As with the first book, I loved the illustrations. Having a two-year-old, it's funny listening to how three-year-old Picholas talks. And, for a beginning reader, the chapters are a perfect length. It was fun to immerse ourselves in the world of Mophie & Picholas again, where evil queens and flying horses are normal! Such a great early chapter book! 

Kids Book Reviews #2 "Tovi the Penguin Goes to the Seaside" by Janina Rossiter

Tovi the Penguin Goes to the Seaside

(Volume 5)

by Janina Rossiter

How Many Stars? 5

Format Read: Kindle

Synopsis: It's the holiday season. Tovi and his friends are at the seaside. They're enjoying a great day on the beach but then all of a sudden they find themselves surrounded by water. Can they find a way back to shore? Let's find out . . . 

My Scribbles: Little Boy and I read this one together and, although I think he would have liked it a lot more if it had been a physical book, he did enjoy the colors and the penguins. I thought the illustrations were adorable! Tovi and his friends are on the beach and they take a nap (we had to make snoring sounds, of course) and when they wake up, they're surrounded by water! But they're penguins? So they can swim. But everything would get wet. So instead, while they're waiting for the tide to go back out, they go exploring and there are fish and there's even a sign that says the tide comes in. It was just adorable! 

You can find this book on Amazon in Kindle or paperback. There is also an entire series that I plan to purchase because these books are too fun not to read. I'm really excited to see what happens when Tovi goes into space! Happy reading! 

Kids Book Review #1 "Willie Out West" by Rhonda Walker

Willie Out West

by Rhonda Walker

How Many Stars? 4

Format Read: Kindle - free for review

Synopsis: Young Willie Walrus leaves his ice home to travel on an adventure to Big West, where the town's citizens desperately need help. Arriving to cheers, he quickly runs into Old Walter, the One-Eyed Whale. Colorful illustrations and action take readers to an old West town where citizens expect Willie to save them. Can he? 

My Scribbles: I read this book to Little Boy and he sat through most of it. Reading the kindle version, I wished that the pictures had been bigger. They were too small to really catch his attention. And I think a lot of the words went over his head. It was a cute story about a walrus going off to save the day because he's bored at home while everyone else seems to be having adventures. I think, when he's a bit older, we will probably try reading this one again. For now, it's a bit out of our age group but still a cute story for kids! 

I received my copy free for review from Book Look Bloggers but you can get yours on Barnes and Noble. Enjoy!