Spotlight: Finch House by Ciera Burch

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Encanto meets Coraline in this spooky middle grade story that deals with family ties, fear of change, and generational trauma as it follows a girl who must convince an old, haunted house to release its hold on her and her family.

Eleven-year-old Micah has no interest in moving out of her grandfather’s house. She loves living with Poppop and their shared hobby of driving around rich neighborhoods to find treasures in others’ trash. To avoid packing, Micah goes for a bike ride and ends up at Finch House, the decrepit Victorian that Poppop says is Off Limits. Except when she gets there, it’s all fixed up and there’s a boy named Theo in the front yard. Surely that means Finch House isn’t Off Limits anymore? But when Poppop finds her there, Micah is only met with his disappointment.

By the next day, Poppop is nowhere to be found. After searching everywhere, Micah’s instincts lead her back to Finch House. But once Theo invites her inside, Micah realizes she can’t leave. And that, with its strange whispers and deep-dark shadows, Finch House isn’t just a house…it’s alive.

Can Micah find a way to convince the house to let her go? Or will she be forced to stay in Finch House forever?

Grades: 3 - 7

Ages: 8 - 12

Buy on Amazon | Audible | Bookshop.org

Spotlight: Grace And The Golden Rule by Negrita Smart

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Publisher: C Black Expressions LLC

Publication Date: February 4, 2023

Pages: 34

Genre: Children’s Book (Ages 3 - 11)

Grace loves the Winter season. It is her favorite of all seasons because she loves to play in the snow with her friends. Winter is also Grace’s favorite season because she can wear her favorite purple scarf. Grace wears it every day until she meets Ruth. After meeting Ruth at school, Grace feels differently about playing in the snow and wearing her favorite purple scarf. This is because Grace learns a valuable lesson about how to treat other people.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Negrita Smart is a small-town girl from Dadeville, Alabama. Negrita is a wife, sister, believer, and teacher at heart.

The first of her family to graduate from college, Negrita holds a Masters in Business Administration and the insurance designation of Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriters and holds insurance licenses in Property and Casualty and Life and Health. She credits and shares her accomplishments with her supportive family. 

Negrita loves spending time with her family and has happily taken on the official role of Event Planner bringing family members together through fun and love. 

In her professional life, Negrita utilizes her talent for sharing knowledge and information as a new-hire trainer creating user-friendly webinars, courses, tests, and gauge learning within business areas such as auto, property, and agriculture.

As an author, Negrita is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators always looking to connect, share and grow with fellow writers.

An active supporter of her local church ministry, Negrita is driven to share life lessons with children through story-telling and relatable characters. 

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/negritasmart/ 

Spotlight: Under My Pillow by Jennifer Ballow

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Date Published: February 2, 2023

Publisher : ‎ Tooth Fairy Press

Five-year-old Samantha loses her first tooth.

After putting her tooth under her pillow, Sam goes to bed excited about the present she hopes to discover the next day. Yet, she wakes up only to find an unpleasant surprise.

There's nothing under her pillow! No present or tooth. She goes on a quest to solve the mystery with the help of the Tooth Fairy and her feathered friend.

Will all turn out happily ever after?

Under My Pillow explores the themes of problem-solving, trust, and forgiveness in this fun and surprising tale.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Hi, I’m Jennifer!

I’m a new children’s book author and I love to help people in all stages and from all walks of life live the best lives that they can. In publishing stories, I hope to inspire you and your family to connect through reading, imagination-building, and creative writing. I adore books and enjoy collecting children’s literature, biographies, and short stories. I’m also a social worker & graduated from the University of Texas in Austin. I care about the community and want all people to have the same great opportunities that I have had.

A devoted mom to twin girls who are now almost all grown up, I cherish every minute I can with them! When I am not hanging out with my family and friends, I spend time reading, volunteering, and filling up my art journal with crazy ideas, magazine clippings, and paint squiggles.  

I can’t wait to meet you and get to know your dreams and your stories!

Connect:

Website: https://jenniferballowauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undermypillow/

Spotlight: The Lonely Ghost by Gitte Tamar

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Date Published: September 1, 2023

Join a friendly ghost as they learn that being different doesn't matter when it comes to making friends.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Brigitte, "Gitte," Tamar was born in a small rural Oregon town. Growing up, she was enthralled by scary tales featuring poetic tones and consistently gravitated towards writing darkened narratives. In the different storylines, Brigitte explores the harsh realities of social issues faced by today's generations. This includes the dark outcomes brought on by peer pressure, addiction, homelessness, mental illness, childhood trauma, and abuse. She feels it is essential to share narratives that refrain from sugarcoating the topics society tends to shy away from.

Connect:

Website: https://www.brigittetamar.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brigittetamar

Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/brigittetamar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brigittetamar

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22065458.Gitte_Tamar

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/gitte-tamar

Spotlight: The Girl Who Planted a Forest by Kike Calvo

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The Adventures of Luna. Bilingual English-Spanish.: Little Explorer, Big World

Children's Book

Date Published: August 13, 2023

Dual Language Books for Children ( Bilingual English-Spanish).

Join Luna, a determined and caring girl, on her journey to make a difference in the world. Through her simple daily routine of planting trees, Luna inspires the animals of the forest, including her owl friends Churros and Panela, to take action against the destruction of their home. When disaster strikes and the Buhouho family is left homeless, Luna's unwavering dedication to planting trees proves to be the key to restoring their beloved forest. With beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming message, "Luna, the Girl Who Planted a Forest" is a captivating tale that will leave children inspired to make a difference in their own world.

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Libros Bilingües para Niños (Inglés-Español). Acompaña a Luna, una niña valiente y amorosa, en su extraordinaria aventura para cambiar el mundo. Con su rutina diaria de plantar árboles, Luna inspira a los animales del bosque, incluyendo a sus amigos búhos Churros y Panela, a unirse y lucharcontra la destrucción de su hogar. Cuando un desastre golpea y la familia Buhouho se queda sin hogar, la dedicación incansable de Luna por plantar árboles se convierte en la clave para restaurar el bosque que tanto aman. Con ilustraciones hermosas y un mensaje conmovedor, "Luna, la Niña que Sembró un Bosque" es un cuento cautivador que inspirará a los niños a hacer la diferencia en su propio mundo. ¡Embárcate en esta emocionante historia y descubre el poder de una pequeña acción para cambiar el destino de un bosque y la vida de sus habitantes!

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

About the Author

He has been on assignment in dozens of countries, working on stories ranging from belugas in the Arctic to traditional Hmong costumes in Laos. Kike's images have been published in National Geographic Magazine, The New York Times, Time, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, and Vanity Fair, among others. A National Geographic Certified Educator and a former contributor to National Geographic's Voices blog, his images are represented by AP Images, Redux Pictures, and the National Geographic Image Collection.

Kike has been part of scientific river expeditions in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. Over the years, Kike has joined numerous National Geographic Expeditions, from Spain and Patagonia to Costa Rica and the Amazon. He also enjoys teaching photography workshops and has been a guest lecturer at leading institutions like the School of Visual Arts and Yale University. Kike is the recipient of the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Safina Center Fellowship.

Kike is the co-founder of The Adventures of Pili initiative, a project with the mission to create bilingual books that will increase children’s awareness of global environmental issues and foster multi-lingual literacy. Partnering with local NGOs, and adding the support of companies and readers, to date, thousands of free bilingual books have been given to kids living in remote communities around the world.

Kike is pioneering in using small unmanned aerial systems to produce aerial photography as art and as a tool for research and conservation. His early work with drones was profiled as a genius in the 2019 National Geographic Almanac. He is also known for his iconic photographic project, World of Dances, on the intersection of dance, nature, and architecture. He has authored fifteen books, including Drones for Conservation; Staten Island: A Visual Journey to the Lighthouse at the End of the World; Habitats, with forewords by David Doubilet, and Jean-Michel Cousteau; and Corpus Christi in Atánquez. Professor of Anthropology and author Wade Davis, has described Kike as a worldly and seasoned photographer, and a fresh voice in the world of (visual) anthropology.

Connect:

Website: http://www.theadventuresofluna.com

National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/experts/kike-calvo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kikeo/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050260308885

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kike-calvo-7b2a4525/

Spotlight: Clara and Her Potty by Angela Zigann

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Date Published: June 2023

Learning how to use the potty and getting rid of diapers once and for all is a major step for a child.

As they don't even know what's waiting for them on the other side, children need role models to help them grasp the idea and build the excitement and confidence to conquer the new world and skills.

Clara, the hero of our story, will support your child on the way and be the role model it needs. She will show your child that it is okay to be a little scared. Practice and the support of their parents/guardians will carry them through.

Clara is happy and proud of being a big girl in the end, just like your child will be too.

★ This kids book matches the parenting guide "The Toilet Training Book". Loving and child-oriented it will lead you from preparation, through training, to implementation.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

I'm a mum of two gorgeous monsters, a wife, a pedagog.

As my kids required one story after the other, I send them out into the world now, hoping your kids will like them as well. Alongside that I try to help you (the parents) with a bit of guidance too.

Connect:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaZigannAuthor/