Tag Archives: Penguin Random House

These Are My Earth Day Book Picks for April 22nd

If you know me, you know I love books. Earth day is coming up. on April 22nd.  I enjoy sharing books with my kids. Check out my picks for this Earth Day and any day. These books are full of information about plants, trees, fungi and ways kids can keep the planet clean and healthy.

Check out my book  list below and watch the video for an in-depth look into the titles I have chosen.

Mommy Ramblings’ Earth Day Book Picks:

  1. Kids Fight Plastic
  2. Bruno The Beekeeper
  3. Zee Grows A Tree
  4. A World of Plants 
  5. Creature Features Oceans
  6. Fungiarium 


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Filed under Books, Home & Garden, Nature

“Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess” Book Blog Tour & Giveaway

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One Lucky blog reader will win their own copy of Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess! Thank you to the publisher for sponsoring this blog tour and giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. I was sent a review book to facilitate my review. Giveaway is open to US Residents.
Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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“The Last Kids On Earth” Blog Book Tour & Giveaway

School is back in session throughout the country, and reading is so important. Finding interesting books that your child wants to read, will really help, if you have to battle with them to read for 20 or 30 minutes a day.

My boys love books that draw them in and capture their interest with an exciting and engaging story. The Last Kids on Earth series does just that! Described as Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets The Walking Dead these very funny post-apocalyptic graphic novels are perfect for middle-grade readers.

This is a four book series to date and it all starts with Book 1; The Last Kids on Earth.

Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average thirteen year old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he’s armed to the teeth with catapults and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of Oreos and Mountain Dew scavenged from abandoned stores. But Jack alone is no match for the hordes of Zombies and Winged Wretches and Vine Thingies, and especially not for the eerily intelligent monster known only as Blarg. So Jack builds a team: his dorky best friend, Quint; the reformed middle school bully, Dirk; Jack’s loyal pet monster, Rover; and Jack’s crush, June. With their help, Jack is going to slay Blarg, achieve the ultimate Feat of Apocalyptic Success, and be average no longer! Can he do it?

Told in a mixture of text and black-and-white illustration, this is the perfect book for any kid who’s ever dreamed of starring in his or her own comic book or video game. And then grab the rest of the series, now a New York Times bestseller!

The zombies are disappearing. This might seem like a good thing, since zombies eat your brains, but normal human kid Jack Sullivan is suspicious. He keeps hearing an eerie shrieking noise that seems to be almost summoning the zombies—but to where, and for what (probably) foul purpose?

Jack, his three best friends (maybe the only people left on Earth), and their pet monster Rover need to get to the bottom of this. Along the way they encounter a lot more than they bargained for, including a giant Wormungulous, a pizza parlor monster hangout, an ancient evil who destroys worlds, and a stereo system that is totally the bomb. Can Jack figure out why the zombies are vanishing . . . before he and his friends are next?

Kids will be excited to get their hands on Book 3; The Last Kids on Earth and the Nightmare King.  

Life after the zombie apocalypse is pretty good for 13-year-old Jack Sullivan: he lives in a mind-clobberingly cool tree fort with his best friends, speeds through town playing Real-Life Mario Kart, has a crew of monster buddies, battles zombies on the regular, and generally treats life-like it’s a video game!

But then Jack’s friends make a startling discovery: they may not be the last kids on earth, after all. This is great news for everyone… except Jack. Once they’ve found other humans, his friends won’t stick around for long! Jack’s only hope for keeping things the way they are is to prove that everything here is perfect, life is crazy fun, and nothing else could be any better.

One problem: it’s hard convincing his friends that everything is great when they’re being hunted by a monstrous Nightmare King and an ancient evil who won’t rest until Earth has been devoured. Crud! Maybe life after the monster apocalypse is more complicated than Jack thought…

The last book in the series (so far), is Book 4; The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond
The newest installment in this New York Times bestselling series introduces new monsters, new bad guys, and tons of new laughs!

It’s the first winter after the Monster Apocalypse. For Jack and his buddies, that means sled catapults, epic snowball battles, and one monstrous Christmas celebration. But their winter wonderland turns dark when a villainess begins hunting them. And this villainess is different—she’s a human.

When the villainess steals Jack’s prized monster-slaying tool, the Louisville Slicer, he vows to get it back. But it won’t be easy. Jack and his friends soon discover that the Louisville Slicer is the key to a dark plan that threatens the entire world—and beyond…

 You  can watch a video trailer for the series below:

About The Author:

Max Brallier (maxbrallier.com) is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books and games, including the previous books in The Last Kids on Earth series. He is the creator and writer of Galactic Hot Dogs, an ongoing middle-grade web serial and book series with Aladdin. He writes for licensed properties including Adventure Time, Regular Show, and Uncle Grandpa. Under the pen name Jack Chabert, he is the creator and author of the Eerie Elementary series for Scholastic Books. In the olden days, he worked in the marketing department at St. Martin’s Press. Max lives just outside of New York City with his wife and daughter.

ILLUSTRATOR BIO:

Douglas Holgate has been a freelance comic book artist and illustrator based in Melbourne, Australia, for more than ten years. He’s illustrated books for publishers including HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Hachette, and Simon & Schuster, and comics for Image, Dynamite, Abrams, and Penguin Random House.

Giveaway

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win Book 1 and Book 4 of The Last Kids on Earth Series! Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review books and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US residents.

The Last Kids On Earth Book 1 and Book 4 Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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“How To Be A T. Rex” Hardcover Book Giveaway

As most of the schools are now back in session, you might be searching for engaging books for bedtime reading. I would like to share a bright, bold and quirky new book about finding and taming the beast within. How To Be A T.Rex is about Sal, a girl who thinks being herself is kind of a drag. Sal does not want to grow up to be a doctor or teacher, she wants to be an awesome T.Rex!

You might be surprised to learn that becoming a T. Rex is not hard at all. However, it is hard to make friends when you  are a super-giant, super-loud, super-stompy dinosaur. If only Sal could be as 100% awesome as a T. Rex all of the time! The book is written by Ryan North and illustrated by Mike Lowery.

Check out my video about the book below:

About the Author: RYAN NORTH is a New York Times bestselling author and cartoonist known for his online strip Dinosaur Comics, his critically acclaimed work on Marvel’s Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, as well as his Eisner Award-winning writing for the Adventure Time comic. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Jenn, and their dog, Noam Chompsky. HOW TO BE A T.REX is his debut picture book.

About the illustrator: MIKE LOWERY is an author, artist, and an avid collector of weird bits of knowledge. He’s illustrated dozens of books for kids, including the Gingerbread Man is Loose in the School series. Mike lives with his wife and two kids in Atlanta, Georgia.

Giveaway:

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a hardcover copy of How To Be A T. Rex and a book poster! Thank you Penguin Random House for the review book and posters and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US Residents.

How To Be A T. Rex Hardcover Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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“How To Be A Lion” Book Giveaway

I want to introduce you to a new picture book by the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator of Max the Brave comes an inspiring and adorable picture book about a pair of unlikely friends who face down a pack of bullies, Ed Vere. How To Be A Lion shows kids that you don’t have to roar to be heard.

Leonard is a lion who has a duck named Marianne, as his best friend. One day the lion bullies come around, and tell Leonard they understand he is different, he likes writing poetry and being gentle, but not chomping a duck is going too far.

Leonard and Marianne find a way to show the lion bullies that there is more than one way to be a lion. In the end, the words Marianne and Leonard put together, show the bullies that they should worry about being themselves and let Leonard be who he is. 

The story reinforces the importance of accepting people for who they are and to stop using stereotypes of the way they should act. It is an important lesson that is conveyed beautifully on the pages.

Ed Vere’s new book is part of trend in children’s literature – books meant to empower boys to think independently, engage with their emotions, and not conform to traditional gender roles.

In a recent interview about the topic, Vere said: “Too often strength and sensitivity are presented as mutually exclusive. We need to teach compassion, respect and empathy at an early, foundational age. If we can teach this to boys at around five, and demonstrate that being gentle, sensitive or emotionally engaged isn’t a weakness, but part of being a fully rounded grown up man, then we’re getting the message through to them before toxic attitudes have a chance to solidify.”

Ed’s book, HOW TO BE A LION, is being praised for successfully conveying this important message.

  • “Positive role models showing boys how to be a whole person are few and far between these days. This marvelous book triumphs in that essential job.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
  • “Vere’s fable makes a watertight—and charming—case for ignoring the pressures of conformity.” – Publishers Weekly
  • “Children will feel empowered after reading such a deliberate story of unyielding strength and self-awareness. Thoughtful and provocative words to live by.” – School Library Journal

Listen as I read the book in the video below:

Giveaway

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of How To Be A Lion! Thank you to Penguin Random House for  review book and this king of a giveaway. Open to U.S. Residents.

How To Be A Lion Hardcover Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Get Your Pencil Because “Mightier Than The Sword” is Here!

Books are so much fun, they can transport you to faraway places and take you on exciting adventures. What about a book that takes it a step farther? One that is wildly funny and inventive, but also interactive? Yes, that sounds great doesn’t it? Mightier than the Sword will pull you, the reader, in the action, for an experience like no other. 

You wake up in the fictional land of Astorya, where stories from our world come to life. You’re a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil you have the power to create: what you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!

Only you can rescue Prince S. from the evil Queen Rulette. Aided by the Couriers–a French stoat with dangerous dance moves, a giant dung beetle, a fire ninja, a Pegasus-centaur-cowgirl and a super-intelligent femalien chameleon–you must write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure that is unique to every reader! And most importantly, you must prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.

What a great book to add to your child’s summer reading list. A book they will be happy about diving into because they get to be part of the action and adventure. See the excerpt from the book below:

A Note to the Reader

This book is unlike any other book you’ve ever read before. What’s written on these pages is happening right now. To you.

That’s right, you.

This book is about you and what you’re doing right now—but not what you think you’re doing and not where you think you’re doing it. It’s about another you in another world.

Confused? That’s natural. We don’t fully understand it, either. Scientists are still trying to get to the bottom of how one thing can be in two places at once. If you’re curious about how such things work, we encourage you to read up on quantum physics and then explain it to us.

But not now! You’re already too deep into this book. One hundred twenty words deep, to be exact! And now even more! But don’t waste your time counting words to find out if we can count or not—your life hangs in the balance!

Sorry, did we forget to mention that? Well, it’s true. The other world you are in right now is a bizarre and dangerous place. Nothing is as it seems. Survival is not guaranteed. It will take every ounce of your courage, wit, and luck to get back home in one piece.

Scared? Tempted to put this book down and never touch it again? We don’t blame you. It’s scary to be fighting for your life in a strange world filled with terrifying creatures and unbearable puns. But to that we say: Too bad. Deal with it. Someone has to do it, and that someone is you.

And this isn’t just a ploy to make you keep reading. Although that is a good idea. We wish we had thought of that. We can’t think of everything. What did you expect? Omniscient narrators? Hardly! We don’t know everything about everyone, but we do know what’s happening to you. And right now you need your help.

So go grab your pencil and keep it handy. You will need it. It just so happens that in this other world, a pencil is all you have to draw the line between life and death. 

Draw A Picture is what you are asked to do on page 118 of Mightier than the Sword. More than a picture it is actually a map you are asked to create on page 19. Make it as elaborate or as simple as you want, just get Spielburg back on the map!

AUTHOR BIO

Alana Harrison and Drew Callander have spent their lives telling stories and cracking jokes. Alana graduated from The College of William and Mary with a degree in Comedic Writing and Performance. Drew graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Fiction Writing.

Together they have created cartoons and short films with Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, John Oliver, and Kristen Schaal. Their work as writers and improv comedians has aired on Sirius XM Radio, NBC, and Comedy Central. Mightier Than the Sword is their first full-length middle-grade novel. They live with their baby daughter and exquisitely talented cat (neither of whom help with the dishes).

ILLUSTRATOR BIO:

Ryan Andrews lives in the Japanese countryside, with his wife, two kids, and their dog, Lucky. A friendly Kodama or two have been known to take up residence in the giant acorn tree that shades the house. Ryan often works at his drawing desk in the early-morning hours, to the sound of rummaging wild boar and badgers, who come from the surrounding forest seeking out shiitake mushrooms and fallen chestnuts.

 

So what do you think, does Mightier than the Sword sound like a book that would be one your child would like? Let me know.


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Celebrate Spring with the Hippy-Hoppy Toad” Book #Giveaway

While we still have snow here in New York State, it is starting to melt. In fact, big chunks of snow and ice were  sliding down our roof today.  We are going to be seeing signs of spring very soon. A spring theme book about a little Hippy-Hoppy Toad is perfect for sharing with your child, grandchild or class.

A Hippy-Hoppy Toad by Peggy Archer and illustrated by Anne Wisdorf goes on sale March 27th. Written for children ages 3-7, who will love this irresistible new rhyming book. A HIPPY-HOPPY TOAD features a very tiny toad who gets displaced as animals and humans brush past him on the road. With fun sounds and clever rhythms, this story is sure become a new favorite read-aloud.

You can hear me read it below:


About the Author:

Peggy Archer is the author of Name that Dog: Puppy Poems from A to Z and From Dawn to Dreams: Poems for Busy Babies, among other books. A Hippy-Hoppy Toad won the 2015 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Work-in-Progress Award.

Giveaway

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog winner will receive their own hardcover copy of, A Hippy-Hoppy Toad! Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US Residents.

A Hippy-Hoppy Frog Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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“The Ostrich and Other Lost Things” Book #Giveaway

The Ostrich and Other Lost Things is a new book by  Beth Hautala, author of  Waiting for Unicorns. The book tells the story of eleven-year-old Olivia Grant who, despite being extraordinarily good at finding lost things, can’t find her brother’s toy ostrich—a comfort item she believes helps manage his autism.

So, when summer break begins, and the local community theater announces auditions for an all children’s production of her favorite show, Peter Pan, Olivia jumps at the chance to claim something for herself. But what begins as a promising opportunity and a wonderful escape quickly becomes pure chaos.

The visiting zoo with an odd assortment of animals–including an ostrich that causes even more trouble than Jacob’s missing toy–only make matters worse, as Olivia’s summer is shaping up to be just as consumed by Jacob’s needs as the rest of her life has been. In time, and with the help of some unlikely alliances, Olivia must learn what it means to be separate from her brother and still love him, how to love herself in spite of her own flaws, and that not all lost things are meant to be found.

Olivia has feelings that will be very relatable to anyone growing up with a special needs sibling. Sometimes the stress is almost too much and Olivia wonders why can’t things be more normal. Dealing with Jacob’s meltdowns, doctor’s appointments, rituals and more can wear on a tween trying to find her own way. If Olivia could just find her brother’s Ostrich, things might get better instead of worse.

Vetted by healthcare professionals and inspired by the author’s experiences, Beth Hautala writes with sensitivity and authority as she explores the larger impact of autism on the family of the individual diagnosed. The Ostrich and Other Lost Things is a timely, universal message of understanding and tolerance. The bonds and challenges of caring for a sibling with autism are bravely explored, along with the pain and power that comes from self-discovery in this beautifully written novel.

Listen to me read the prologue and chapter 1 of the this great book:

Praise for The Ostrich and Other Lost Things:

Giveaway

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a hardcover copy of , The Ostrich and Other Lost Things! Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US Residents.

The Ostrich and Other Lost Things Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Discover Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race & Enter #Giveaway For The 3 Book Set!

If you have been patiently waiting for the third book in the bestselling, critically acclaimed Mr. Lemoncello’s adventure series, you are in luck! Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race by #1 NYT bestselling author Chris Grabenstein was released for sale yesterday! Three times is definitely a charm and this fantastically fun, puzzle-packed  book is the perfect addition to the other 2 books in Mr. Lemoncello’s adventures.

Everyone’s favorite game maker, Mr. Luigi Lemoncello, is testing out his new FABULOUS FACT-FINDING FRENZY game! If Kyle can make it through the first round, he and the other lucky finalists will go on a great race to find fascinating facts about famous Americans. The first team to bring their facts back to the library will win spectacular prizes! But when a few surprising “facts” about Mr. Lemoncello surface, it might be GO TO JAIL and LOSE A TURN all at once! Could Kyle’s hero be a fraud? Kyle and the other kids will have to dig deep to find out the truth before it’s GAME OVER for Mr. Lemoncello.

Filled with brand-new puzzles and games, this fast-paced read will have gamers and readers alike racing to the finish line because, as Mr. Lemoncello’s commercials say, IS IT FUN? . . . HELLO! IT’S A LEMONCELLO!

About the Author:

Chris Grabenstein’s novels with Random House Children’s Books have more than one million copies in print and hundreds of weeks combined on the New York Times bestseller list. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library has spent over 100 weeks on the bestseller list, received nominations for 42 state award lists, and been published in 19 countries and in 19 languages throughout the world. Nickelodeon premiered  a new original TV movie, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, based on the acclaimed children’s book on Monday, October 9, 2017.

CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics, The Island of Dr. Libris, the Welcome to Wonderland series, and many other books, as well as the coauthor of numerous fun and funny page-turners with James Patterson, including the I Funny, House of Robots, Treasure Hunters, and Jacky Ha-Ha series. Chris lives in New York City with his wife, J.J., and two cats. You can visit Chris on his website.

We have an amazing giveaway below where one lucky blog reader will win all 3 books in the Mr. Lemoncello series. This series is perfect for readers 8-12 years old.

Giveaway:

Penguin Random House is sponsoring this giveaway. One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win all 3 books in the Mr. Lemoncello Series. Thank you  Penguin Random House for the review books and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

Mr. Lemoncello’s Adventures 3 Book Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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“There’s A Monster In Your Book” #Giveaway

We love picture books, we love all books to be honest. That’s right, one big, happy, book loving family is what we are. I want to share a brand new, hot off the presses picture book with you called, There’s A Monster In Your Book. This is a shake, wiggle and tickle the monster out of this book, read-aloud bedtime story, that is so fun to share with your kids. The book is written by Tom Fletcher, a YouTube star, musician and children’s book author.

With the irresistible pull of Hervé Tullet’s Press Here and the charm of The Monster at the End of This Book, Tom Fletcher’s inviting interactive read-aloud will have kids tilting, spinning, and shaking the book to get the adorable little monster out! That’s right! He’s out of the book . . . and in their room somewhere. Uh-oh!!

The co-author of the Dinosaur That Pooped series has created a monster that readers will fall in love with—and want to play with—again and again! It will get your own little monster tuckered out and snuggled in!

Tom Fletcher has a huge social-media presence, with over a million followers on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. His videos “Buzz and the Dandelions” and “My Wedding Speech” went viral and have been viewed tens of millions of times all over the world.

 If you would like a chance to win a copy of this almost-too-fun book, just enter our giveaway below.

Giveaway:

Penguin Random House  is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of  There’s A Monster In Your Book! Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this inspirational giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US Residents in the contiguous 48 states.

There’s A Monster In Your Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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