I was previously invited to the launch of Scholastic’s Geronimo Stilton Academy Pawbooks held at Greenbelt 4 last 22 August, but I was not able to make it because of the bad weather. It was fortunate that Scholastic generously sent me samples of the workbooks to feature on the blog today.
image is from the Geronimo Stilton website, geronimostilton.com
The little man and I have yet to discover Geronimo Stilton and his adventures, but I have read and heard good stuff about this book series from other mum friends whose kids are crazy over these books. The Geronimo Stilton series, intended for children aged 6-12, is a best-selling children’s book series written by Elisabetta Dami, a famous Italian children’s books writer. Originally published in Italy, Scholastic has been publishing its English version since 2004. The books featured autobiographical adventures of journalist, editor and best-selling author, Geronimo Stilton and his sister, Thea Stilton. From time to time, the books also feature the siblings cousin, Trap, and Geronimo’s favorite nephew, 9-year old, Benjamin. According to Wikipedia, the Genonimo Stilton series became the most popular children’s books in Italy and has since been translated into 35 different languages.
This year, Scholastic launched the Geronimo Stilton Academy Pawbooks, which can a great reading companion for the Geronimo Stilton Series. These Pawbooks aims to prepare children to become mouse-ter-ful readers and writers just like Geronimo Stilton and make learning English as enjoyable as chewing off a large chunk of cheese!
The Geronimo Stilton Academy Pawbooks comes it 2 series:
I am very excited to be part ofLinda Covella’s The Castle Blues QuakeVirtual Book Tour {and if you will read all the way through the end, you will find a giveaway surprise waiting just for you :)}. This tour is happening from the 14th to the 24th of October. A number of bloggers are participating in this, too, so make sure to visit their respective blogs {I have a linky towards the end of the post for your convenience}. This sure looks like an exciting and interesting read, and very timely, too, as Halloween is just right around the corner. Before moving on, do read this lovely message Linda made for all you Mumwrites readers:
Creativity from Outside the Box
First, I want to thank Mumwrites for having me on this blog and for being a part of my Castle Blues Quake blog tour. And thank you to the readers for stopping by!
On this tour, I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity.
To really be creative, to really produce something that’s uniquely “you,” you must think outside the box. There are several things you can do to help yourself think beyond what’s typical:
Don’t make assumptions. Don’t take something for granted. Rather, question what is commonly known about whatever it is you’re working on.
Look at it from a different angle. This can be figuratively or literally. If you’re working on a physical project—a sculpture or an invention, for instance—walk around it, turn it over, add or remove something. In writing, experiment with different voices. Rewrite a scene from another character’s POV. If you’ve created an outline for your story, try deviating from what you’ve planned, whether with a character’s reaction or with the plot.
Step away from your project. Take a walk or eventake a few days off. Observe things around you, but let yourself and your mind relax. It’s amazing how new ideas can come to you when you aren’t immersed in the details of your work.
Make sure to break up your routine on a daily basis. When you’re in a rut, your mind gets into one as well.
Talk with others about your project, even those who may not be in the same field. Voicing your ideas helps free up your mind, and ideas or questions from your listeners can trigger new ideas.
Take a good look at your inner self. What beliefs, inhibitions, tensions are keeping you from exploring new ideas? Talk to others or read about ideas that are contrary to your own.
Finally, and I believe this may be the most important:
Keep an open mind. Be willing to change.
Is it difficult for you to “think outside the box”? Do you have any techniques that work for you?
The Castle Blues Quake in a nutshell
THE CASTLE BLUES QUAKE by Linda Covella
Children’s, Young Adult – Sci Fi / Fantasy
Tour Dates: October 14 – October 24, 2014
Blog Tour with Giveaway
I received this book from Booksneeze some time ago but I did not get the chance to post a review about it soon enough. This is quite a good book and am sure mums out there would love to add this to their little libraries at home.
Heaven is for Real for Kids in a nutshell
Colton Burpo was able to experience something that few people have in this life, he was able to see Jesus and visit heaven during an emergency operation when he was 3 years old. His vivid story about the different characters he was able to meet in Heaven, including the people with wings, the angels, the animals and Jesus Christ himself, is what prompted his father, Todd, to write this book in the first place.
Here’s what’s written at the back of the book:
a three-year old boy…
a miraculous trip to heaven…
and a very important message for kids…
Jesus really, really loves children.
And he really, really loves you!
Colton saw Jesus Christ and his great-grand dad in Heaven
Colton shares kid-to-kid what it is like to be with Jesus, what heaven looks like, and who you will most likely see once you get there. He answers elementary questions like whether there are animals in heaven or how tall the angels were. This book is based on the New York Times bestseller, Heaven is for Real, this time it was told from Colton’s perspective. This book will show kids, through beautiful illustrations and first-person storytelling, that heaven is indeed real. The book also offers children comfort and assurance that heaven is a happy place, provides parents with a guide for talking with their kids about heaven, as well as includes Scripture references and a Question and Answer section, too. It even includes current photos of Colton for the readers to see.
Dear God,
Heaven sounds so wonderful! I pray that YOU will be with me as I grow and learn more about YOU.
Please forgive me when I mess up. Help me to be loving, kind, and forgiving. I want to follow Jesus in all things.
I love you, Lord!
In Jesus’s name.
Amen.
About the Author
Todd Burpo is a pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan Church and a volunteer fireman, and also works with a garage door company. His wife, Sonja, is a children’s minister, busy pastor’s wife, and mom. Colton, is an active 12-year old who enjoys football and music. he has an older sister, Cassie, and a younger brother, Colby.
Wilson Ong, who did the colorful illustrations in the book, on the other hand, spent nine years as an art teacher and attended the Art Students League of New York and has exhibited his work nationally and has garnered various awards.
Mum’s two-cents
What I love about this book is the kid-friendly manner of story-telling it, something any kid of any age can easily relate to and understand. The concept of heaven is complicated as complicated gets especially in the eyes of a child and this book makes this concept much easier for the little ones to understand. The colorful illustration also lends an even more child-friendly air to the book by making the story more interesting for children. Colton’s down-to-earth vivid narration also allows for parents to teach the kids about the concept of heaven and God’s love with ease. This is a must-read for every family with children! A beautiful bedtime story, too.
You may purchase the paperback copy of Heaven is for Real for Kids, and it’s grown-up edition, Heaven is for Real, on Amazon for only $10.19 each:
I give this book 4 dog ears! ^_^
I received a free copy of this book for review through BookSneeze®.com. However, views + opinions on this post are 100% my own.
