Book Review: WHEN YOU'RE FEELING SICK by Coy Bowles (C)

WHEN YOU'RE FEELING SICK

by Coy Bowles 

Release date: January 10th, 2017

Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Format: Hardcover 

Format read: ARC

My rating: 4 1/2 stars 

SUMMARY

Sneezing? Coughing? Taking a sick day?

Don't worry, you'll be feeling better soon thanks to this hilarious picture book from Coy Bowles, guitarist of the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band. Full of encouraging - and super silly - rhyming advice on how to face sick days with courage and a positive attitude. 

When You're Feeling Sick is just what the doctor ordered!

Comes with a sheet of stickers to bring a smile to every sick kid's face.

MY REVIEW

A super fun, silly and interactive book that will cheer up the boogiest kid in the world!

A very funny story about the things that happen when you get sick and what you should and shouldn't do to get better. Full of hysterical anecdotes and matching colorful illustrations - your little patient will definitely crack a smile if not laugh out loud and shoot snot-rockets out of their nose! 

The rhyming is fun and oftentimes gets a bit off track with silly strings of no-nonsense tongue-twisting run-on sentences that will sure be fun to go over and over until you get it right. The illustrations are bright and cartoon-like making it seem like you're watching a tv show and in their world.

Written after the author and his father spent a long time at his mother's bedside at the hospital and meeting an old high school friend's sick daughter, he wanted to write something that would not only entertain children while they are sick, but to also encourage them to stay strong, to take their medicine and to be hopeful that one day they will be better. 

I do believe that this book is wonderful for any child going through any type of illness. It talks about not letting the germs win, doing the right things to get better and in the end, everything will be alright as it is intended to be. 

This bright and colorful book will definitely be remembered and very much requested whenever your kiddo is sick!

*An ARC was sent to me by the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Coy Bowles

Coy Bowles plays guitar and organ and writes songs for the multi-platinum Zac Brown Band. They have won three Grammys and since 2009 have earned 55 award nominations from the Grammys, Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, Country Music Association, and Country Music Television. 

Born in Thomaston, Georgia, Coy was raised on love, support, and the idea that he could do anything he put his heart and soul into. 

After earning a degree from Georgia State University's Jazz Studies program, Coy formed the band Coy Bowles and the Fellowship. In 2006, they opened for the Zac Brown Band, and soon after Zac asked Coy to join his band full time. 

Coy's first book, the self-published Amy Giggles: Laugh Out Loud, teaches kids to accept themselves as they are. 

Links: Website / Goodreads

Blog Tour (Review): THAT'S ME LOVING YOU by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (C)

THAT'S ME LOVING YOU

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Release date: December 27th, 2016

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Format: Hardcover

Format read/reviewed: Hardcover from the publisher.

My rating: 4 1/2 stars

SUMMARY

From the author of the New York Times bestseller I Wish You More, comes a book that promises continuous love and makes the perfect gift for fans of Emily Winfield Martin's The Wonderful Things You Will Be and those looking for something new to add to their shelves next to the classic The Runaway Bunny. 

Wherever you are, 

Wherever you go, 

Always remember 

And always know... 

That feeling you always have in your heart?

That's me loving you.

Amy Krouse Rosenthal captures parents' desire to be ever-present in this simple and touching poem offering reassurance of their love. Signs of affection can be found in the natural world around us - from a soft breeze to a shimmering star. 

MY REVIEW

A very sweet and gentle story to be read to little ones while snuggled up in their favorite jammies and blanket... the book is filled with colorful, warm and connecting illustrations that will encourage your child to interact and ask questions, and/or will give them the courage and peace they seek from whatever they may be feeling at that moment... 

The story itself flows and will bring serenity over everyone, the reader and whoever is listening. It gently soothes all involved; allowing everyone to believe that they're not alone. It encourages children that no matter what situation they may be, whether they are in school, with the babysitter, or if a loved one has gone away for a long time or has passed away, they are never alone. That a small part of that person is/will always be with them just as long as they take a moment to remember that they are. There are little ways to remind your child to seek through their surroundings to connect to you or whomever they are missing to find reassurance, safety and love.

It is often hard for young children to remember self-coping methods when they are feeling disconnected, lonely or suffering from separation anxiety... if there is anyway to remind them of a favorite line from their favorite book, an illustrations, a toy, etc. they can eventually learn to remember on their own that someone is always thinking of them, loves them for always - and eventually they will learn to work through their feelings themselves. 

An unforgettable story told from the heart! Definitely for those who adore The Kissing Hand, Guess How Much I Love You and I Love You Through and Through!

*I received this book from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Amy Krouse Rosenthal is the author of over 20 children's books. Her titles include Uni the Unicorn, Plant a Kiss, Little Pea, Spoon, The Wonder Book, Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons, and Duck! Rabbit!. 

A long-time contributor to NPR, she is currently the host and creator of MissionAmyKR.com produced by Chicago Public Radio. 

Amy lives with her family in Chicago.

Links: Website / Goodreads

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR - Teagan White

Teagan White is a freelance illustrator specializing in playful watercolors and illustrated typography.

Originally from Chicago, Teagan now lives and works in Minneapolis, where she received a BFA in illustration from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design in 2012. 

Links: Website / Goodreads

Hello friends!!!

Hello and happy (belated) new year to you all!!!

I have missed you! And, books, blogging, EVERYTHING! SO very much!

I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things this year... 

The last 2 years have been so hard to keep up with bookish things... during this time, I made quite a few mistakes with broken promises to read, review and participate in a few blog tours and challenges. On a daily basis, my introverted-self struggled to having to communicate with my bookish peers that I couldn't go through with my commitments. Many lessons have been learned! And I am so glad to have been able to keep in contact with so many understanding and caring people in the community - I am so very happy to be a part of it!

In the last year, my family and I have moved again, lol! But this time, it is OUR home! And hopefully permanent for many, many years to come! We have a lot of renovations that need to be done this summer, thankfully, the majority of it all is mostly just trying to make all of our space livable and usable... My boys are more active and have a lot of things going on - and as you all know, my family always comes first. I've also been dedicating more time to my other hobbies - planning, writing and sewing! 

With so much going on this year, I am keeping an open-mind but very realistic and flexible blogging schedule. Being more communicative with my peers and followers. And, most importantly, having fun!!!

On that note, a quick recap of my bookish things from last year... 

I was able to read a total of 50 books!
However, I do count ALL and ANY books that I have read - including picture books, graphic novels, etc. Out of those 50, only 2 were re-reads. And the majority of the books that I read were fairytale retellings and fantasy. 

The best book that I read in 2016 was AFTERMATH by Clara Kensie!!!
It's powerful, intense, heart-wrenching! A definite must read! If I could have given it more than 5 stars I would have!!!

And, you will all be so very proud of me!... I finally started reading the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy!!! I'm in the middle of book 2, Days of Blood and Starlight, right now.

There are a few books that I wish I would had read last year that I am determined to make time for this year... 
- Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 

And, some books that I want to re-read this year...
- The Snow Child  
- Alice in Wonderland 
- Little Women 

And the books I am most excited for in 2017 are... 
- All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater (<--- already pre-ordered!!!)
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber (<--- reading this now!!!)
- RoseBlood by A.G. Howard (<--- already read this and gave it 5 stars!)
- A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Overall, I really do wish to get back into reading more and blogging regularly again. I am still trying to clear the cobwebs and figure out a doable schedule; but I have promised myself to be aware of what I can and can't do. Not to get intimidated by others. To stick with my favorite genres (young adult fairytales/retellings, fantasy contempoary... some middle grade retellings and magical realism... a lot more picture books and graphic novels... and for fun, a few adult lits and maybe a little romance, lol!). 
And to remember to keep things light, simple and fun!!! 

Thank your all for your love and support!!!