SCIENCE MAKES IT WORK SERIES:

 

Secrets of the Snow Globe

 

&

 

The Wonder of Color

 

by

 

CATHERINE STIER

 

 

Categories: Picture Book / Science / STEM (ages 4-8)

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co.

Date of Publication: March 1, 2022

Number of Pages: 32 pages

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Secrets of the Snow Globe

 

After starting to collect snow globes with the help of her grandmother, Lily has questions. She wants to know who invented them, what the snow is made of, and how the tiny scenes look so magical when she peers inside. As she researches and experiments, Lily learns about light waves, magnification, and density—all while gathering ingredients to make her own snow globe.

 

 

The Twig│ Barnes And Noble │Amazon

 

 

 

 

The Wonder Of Color

 

When Ms. Vega announces a mural painting contest at school, James can’t wait to draw a picture to fill the library wall. But as he explores color, he has a lot of questions about where color comes from and how our eyes see it. As he experiments and reads, James learns about prisms, the color wheel, and light waves—all while working on his colorful contest entry.

 

 

Amazon│ Barnes and Noble │The Twig

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What inspired the new SECRETS OF THE SNOW GLOBE book?

 

Ever since Catherine Stier, author of the SECRETS OF THE SNOW GLOBE picture book, was small, snow globes held a fascination for her – even the little plastic ones found in souvenir stores. As a college student, she began a real snow globe collection.

 

 

1: Author Catherine Stier

 

2: A view of Stier’s snow globe collection. Read the stories behind some of her favorites!

 

3: The most recent addition – a gift from her dad, with a parchment and a quill, in recognition of her calling to be a writer.

 

4: lives in Texas now, but grew up in Michigan where snowfalls were common in the winter. She loves to watch this snow globe’s flitter fall!

 

5: This musical snow globe was acquired in memory of a family trip to New York City. It plays The Star-Spangled Banner!

 

6: This Merlin snow globe, a gift from her brother many years ago, has a light up crystal ball and plays When You Wish Upon a Star

 

7: A close up of the intricate details in the Merlin snow globe.

 

8: Stier was visiting Los Angeles when she got the news that the editor liked her snow globe pitch – so she celebrated by buying this mini-LA snow globe!

 

 

 

 

Catherine Stier is the author of more than twenty children’s books including the SCIENCE MAKES IT WORK picture book series and the Kirkus star-reviewed A DOG’S DAY chapter book series. She holds a master’s degree in reading and literacy and has served as a magazine writer, newspaper columnist, and writing instructor. Stier resides in San Antonio, Texas.

 

Website  ◆  Facebook  ◆  Twitter

 

  Amazon  ◆  Goodreads

 

 Instagram ◆  TikTok

 

 

————————————–

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

 ONE WINNER

 

Autographed copies of both books, pin (for adults), snow globe socks,
& a snow globe making kit.

 

(US only, ends midnight CST, 3/19/2022)

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

or visit the blogs directly:

 

3/9/22	Guest Post	Reading by Moonlight
3/9/22	BONUS Promo	Hall Ways Blog
3/10/22	Review Book 1	All the Ups and Downs
3/10/22	BONUS Promo	LSBBT Blog
3/11/22	Review Book 2	Jennifer Silverwood
3/12/22	Fun Facts	Shelf Life Blog
3/13/22	Fun Facts	Jennie Reads
3/14/22	Review Book 1	Stories Under Starlight
3/15/22	Review Book 1	Chapter Break Book Blog
3/16/22	Scrapbook Page	StoreyBook Reviews
3/17/22	Review Book 1	That’s What She’s Reading
3/18/22	Review Book 2	The Page Unbound

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by

 

 

 

 

 

Our Lunar New Year by Yobe Qiu

Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 36 pages

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Publisher: Yobe Qiu LLC

 

 

Synopsis

 

It’s almost Lunar New Year! Xiao Mi, Hang, Kwan, Malai, and Charu all celebrate the New Year in their own special way. Experience how each one of the Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian children, and their families honor Lunar New Year, from dragon dances in China to firecrackers ​

 

 

Amazon * B&N * ByYQ

 

 

Review

 

We have all heard of the various New Year celebrations celebrated by those of Asian descent, but you may not have heard of all of them. This book is educational and spotlights the countries of
China, Korea, India, Vietnam, and Thailand. I had heard of the Chinese New Year and India’s Diwali, but not the other countries.

Each country has a section that shares the traditions and food that are celebrated at this time. It was fascinating to learn the different names of their celebrations, foods that they enjoyed and what they represented, activities that the family enjoyed in each country. The information is brief but since this is written for a child, it is enough information to intrigue a child to search out more information.

The illustrations are colorful for the most part but some are a little dull and not as bright as others. But they depict what the author is trying to convey about the different traditions.

This is a good introductory book and will spur some conversations and perhaps lead the parent and child to discover more about these holidays.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Yobe is an educator, entrepreneur, and mom who lives in NYC. As an educator, she focused on teaching families to embrace love, diversity, and different cultures. Through the years working in the classrooms and closely with other educators, she noticed the lack of multi-cultural resources that represented children of color. That is when Yobe decided to create multicultural children stories that feature Asian children, families, and cultures! Yobe loves spending time with her daughter, reading to children, and taking long walks during the day!

 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

Enter to win OUR LUNAR NEW YEAR signed by the author (one winner/USA only) (ends Feb 14)

OUR LUNAR NEW YEAR Book Tour Giveaway

 

 

 

 

Book Title: Keeping Christmas Magic by Anna and Gunnar Counselman

Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 38 pages

Genre: Children’s Book

Publisher: Mascot

Release Date: August 2021

 

 

Synopsis

​
​Shhhh, don’t tell! Keeping Christmas Magic reveals the true story of Santa Claus, asking you to become a Christmas Magic-Keeper.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Mascot

 

 

Review

 

This unassuming cover is for a reason, or at least that is what I believe. Because this book imparts the truth about Christmas and Santa to a child that is growing out of that phase, the secrets to be shared must be done in secret and with the child in full agreement. I liked how the story draws in the young child and has them sign an agreement to not reveal the truth to those that still believe.

I enjoyed how the story was spun that the parents were doing this to help St Nick because there were so many children in the world and he was tired and needed help. It still keeps some of the magic alive for the older children.

It is a great book for older siblings and brings them into the mystery of Santa and encourages them to be good stewards of the Christmas Magic and be a Magic Keeper.

I would suggest not reading this book to the younger children that do still believe until they are ready to become Christmas Magic Keepers too. The page for signatures has many lines and it would be a great tradition and they could see that their older siblings had done this too.

We give the book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Anna and Gunnar are the husband-and-wife team behind Keeping Christmas Magic. Anna immigrated from Russia at age 12 and began her American journey in Swampscott, MA, attending Boston University before moving out to California to pursue her entrepreneurial career which has culminated in her co-founding Upstart, an AI lending platform. A third-generation Marine, Gunnar grew up pretty much everywhere there’s a Marine base before going to Cornell for undergrad, deploying as a Human Intelligence Officer to Iraq, the Horn of Africa, and Bosnia before attending Harvard for business school. Gunnar’s entrepreneurial career has focused on education software and services where he’s founded and invested in a handful of companies including his most recent company, Array. When their then-six-year-old son Tristan started asking hard questions about Santa, they didn’t have a good answer. Wanting to keep Christmas as magical as possible for as long as possible they looked for a children’s book to help and when they couldn’t find one, they wrote it. Originally, the poem was just for Tristan and his baby sister Sasha, but some close friends convinced them to submit it for publishing, and the more they worked on the story, the more they felt like it needed to be told. They hope that the book does for parents around the world, what’s it’s done for them, help make an otherwise difficult conversation a beautiful experience instead.

 

Website * Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway

 

Enter to win a signed copy of KEEPING CHRISTMAS MAGIC (one winner/USA only) (ends Dec 13)

 

KEEPING CHRISTMAS MAGIC Book Tour Giveaway

 

 

 

 

A Child of God

 

by Chantel and Mauli Bonner

 

Illustrated by Morgan Bissant

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Even with a different name and skin a different shade, everyone’s a child of God. He loves us all the same.

This rhyming, read-aloud book with warm illustrations shares a comforting, faith-filled message from a Black father and mother to their children. Along with the children in the story, your own little ones will think about the ways our skin color, gender, and physical features are all different, as well as the things that bind us all together.

In soothing verse, the father assures his children that everyone can look like Jesus and the angels by the things they do. As the family walks through their neighborhood, the father points out the beauty in God’s creations, from flowers, all unique and different, to all the children in their community. This book will start conversations in your family about appreciating the beautiful differences among all of God’s children, helping your children become better disciples of Christ.

 

 

Deseret Books * Amazon * B&N * BAM * Walmart

 

 

Review

 

This is a great introductory book to teach young children that no matter what you look like, that you are loved by God.

The book is written in a rhyming format that makes it easy for younger children to grasp the message in this book.

The illustrations are beautiful and feature people of all races to show that we are all equal in the eyes of God.

The message is a timely one and I hope that anyone that shares this with young children will realize the importance of the book and the message.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Mauli Junior Bonner is a songwriter and film director from Las Vegas, Nevada. He recently completed production on the award-winning film His Name Is Green Flake

Chantel L. Bonner is a University of Southern California alumna and works as a licensed marriage and family therapist providing trauma-informed care to children in foster care.

The Bonners have been happily married for more than ten years and live in Southern California with their two children, Geo and Ari. The Bonners are dedicated to equality and justice among marginalized communities, and they provide resources to underserved children through their nonprofit, Lift Up Voices.

 

 

About the Illustrator

Illustrator Morgan Bissant is based in New Orleans. She started drawing as a child by copying cartoons and other things around her. She later attended a professional art school, pursuing a career in illustration and design. She received a degree in fine arts at Louisiana State University. She focuses on characters with various skin tones and distinct features, seeking to bring ideas to life and inspire others through illustrations.

 

 

 

 

The Adventures of Forkman: What’s That Noise?

 

by Tiffany Caldwell and W.R. MacKenzie

 

Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages

 

Children’s Picture Book

 

Publisher: Mascot Books

 

Synopsis

 

When poor manners are present, Forkman will be there to save the day! Join Kathryn and William as they learn how to load the dishwasher properly and avoid inappropriate distractions at the table with the help of all their utensil friends. This second book in the Adventures of Forkman series is a great introduction to mealtime etiquette for readers of all ages.

 

 

Amazon.com * B&N * Mascot Books

 

 

Review

 

This is a delightful book that aims to teach children proper mealtime etiquette and how to load the dishwasher so that everything comes out nice and clean. This is the second installment and contains chapters 3 and 4. I say this so you aren’t confused wondering why it has chapters 3 and 4 in it and you wonder where the first two chapters disappeared to!

This book is very colorful and will appeal to slightly older children, I would say ages 5-8. Younger children will enjoy the colorful images and might learn something from Forkman’s instruction, but it may not resonate with them quite yet.

I liked the no nonsense approach to Forkman’s teachings of how to load a dishwasher and what sounds are not appropriate at the dinner table, which even included phones. I especially liked how this is a family lesson and they all learned a little something from Forkman. They also enjoy spending time together playing games and eating dinner which helps foster a stronger family unit.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Tiffany Caldwell: I have worked with children for over thirteen years and every year basic manners become less evident. When I was growing up, my sisters and I took etiquette classes during the summer while we visited our grandparents. Etiquette was always a big part of our upbringing. ​ When we would have our family dinners, my dad, W.R. MacKenzie, would make our utensils come to life as we were eating. Forkman became a part of our dinner routine! ​ I am a mother of three great kids and a military wife to my hero. A few years ago, I told my dad we needed to start writing our story. We are so excited to share Forkman with the world!

 

W.R. MacKenzie: I spent thirty-nine years in the bakery business. After I retired and my four children were grown, I felt it was time to share the importance of the family meal with the world. ​​​​​The Adventures of Forkman teaches children how to properly conduct themselves at the table. Our books are filled with characters all children can relate with and I believe Forkman and his crew will help children of all ages learn manners and table etiquette.

 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway

 

Autographed copy of THE ADVENTURES OF FORKMAN (USA only) (1 winner) (ends Mar 12)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Synopsis

 

Maia is going to the race, but it’s early. She stops to look at her reflection in the pond. The reflection turns into another girl — a girl who is swimming — a girl who is a mermaid named Trezzie. Trezzie takes Maia’s hand and together they swim to her castle under the water. She gives Maia a piece of a plant that becomes a doorbell, so Maia can call her any time. The two of them skip stones across the water. Maia’s friend Fig shows up. “Where were you? Why weren’t you at the race?” Maia tries to explain she was swimming with her new friend Trezzie. Fig can’t see Trezzie and doesn’t believe her. Fig goes away mad. Trezzie resurfaces. Maia and Trezzie continue playing.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

This was an interesting story about a young girl who meets a mermaid and forms a friendship with her. However, when a classmate appears, the mermaid disappears and Maia’s classmate, Fig, doesn’t believe her. Is Trezzie real or a figment of Maia’s imagination?

I can see reading this book with young children and having a discussion about friendships and that you can have more than one friend and sometimes friends will not always believe you when you tell them something.

I did think that the story ended oddly, I would have thought there might have been more to Maia and Trezzie’s friendship story. Perhaps an explanation that only Maia can see her or why Fig couldn’t see Trezzie.

The illustrations are colorful and outline the events in the story.

We give this 3 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lois Wickstrom earned her BA in biology with Chemistry and English minors. She is the creator of the Imagenie videos on YouTube and “Starting With Safety” available from the American Chemical Society. She also co-authored the Nessie’s Grotto Books with Jean Lorrah, and the Orange Forest Rabbit books with Lucrecia Darling.

 

Website * Twitter * YouTube * Facebook

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

The Kingdom of Sher and the Kingdom of Mir were good neighbors. But the Kingdom of Sher had a lion. And the farmers in the Kingdom of Sher raised sheep.

Every night, the lion from the Kingdom of Sher sneaked into the Kingdom of Mir and ate sheep that belonged to families who lived there.

The King proclaimed a contest to Stop the Lion. The servants announced the rules: The winning solution must be fair! The winner will be the King’s Royal Advisor. Losers must give the King their most precious possession.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

Wynnie is one wise young lady. She discovers the solution to the problem just by asking a few questions. I’m not sure I would have thought of her answer to the problem of stopping the lion from eating the sheep.

I enjoyed this story and think that it could be a teaching tool for young children to think outside of the box and to problem solve.

The illustrations depict the story quite well and are colorful yet realistic.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lois Wickstrom earned her BA in biology with Chemistry and English minors. She is the creator of the Imagenie videos on YouTube and “Starting With Safety” available from the American Chemical Society. She also co-authored the Nessie’s Grotto Books with Jean Lorrah, and the Orange Forest Rabbit books with Lucrecia Darling.

 

Website * Twitter * YouTube * Facebook

 

 

Synopsis

 

Jacqueline may be foolish enough to swap the family cow for a magic bean. But, it would never occur to her to rob a giant of his treasures. Now she has two hungry families to feed. She must discover the true magic of the beans.

Many of the mishaps in folktales could be remedied if the protagonists knew some scientific principles. Children like seeing familiar stories told with a twist. And they like science when it is presented as fun.

This is the fourth book in the Science Folktales series.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * BAM

 

 

Review

 

This is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk but with a little science knowledge built into the story. I enjoyed watching Jacqueline learn about the beans, making bargains, the consequences of the wrong decision, and that not all giants are bad.

The illustrations depict the story and are colorful to engage a young reader. A parent could discuss many different aspects of the story with a young child to encourage decision making and communication.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lois Wickstrom earned her BA in biology with Chemistry and English minors. She is the creator of the Imagenie videos on YouTube and “Starting With Safety” available from the American Chemical Society. She also co-authored the Nessie’s Grotto Books with Jean Lorrah, and the Orange Forest Rabbit books with Lucrecia Darling.

 

Website * Twitter * YouTube * Facebook

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

My brother says, “There are no monsters! Tell it to come out! I dare you!”

A modern adaptation of the Hindu Teaching Tale by the same name. What do you do when there’s a monster under your bed, and your brother won’t believe you? What if the monster wants to work for you? In fact, he’s so hungry for work, that if you don’t give him jobs, he’ll eat you! He’ll straighten your room. He’ll wash the dishes. He’ll wash your dog, until he’s all clean and fluffy. It’s up to your imagination to keep your monster busy!

 

 

 

BAM

 

 

Review

 

Do you have monsters under your bed?  If so, you might want to read this book and learn how to take control of that monster especially if he wants to do some work.

While I had not heard of the tale this is based on, I love how it is a great story to help any little ones that fear they have a monster under their bed or in their closet or somewhere in their room. Give it chores to do and keep it busy and then when you are done with it, banish it to another room.

The illustrations are spot on and while the monster is ugly it isn’t frightening.

This would be a good book to read to young children to address any fears they might have whether it is monsters under the bed or something else.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lois Wickstrom earned her BA in biology with Chemistry and English minors. She is the creator of the Imagenie videos on YouTube and “Starting With Safety” available from the American Chemical Society. She also co-authored the Nessie’s Grotto Books with Jean Lorrah, and the Orange Forest Rabbit books with Lucrecia Darling.

 

Website * Twitter * YouTube * Facebook

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

When Harry’s mum and dad tell him that they will be moving to a cabin in the Canadian wilderness, his first thought is about leaving his friends behind. He then finds out that there will be NO INTERNET!!!

Join Harry on the adventure of a lifetime and find out how he adapts when everything he is used to changes overnight…

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Walmart

 

 

Review

 

This story reminds us that change can be good and unplugging from the internet can be a very good thing.

Harry is told that their family is moving from England to Canada for Dad’s job and that they will be living in the woods with no internet or television, at least initially. I’m sure any child today would shudder at the thought of having to unplug, but this is not a bad thing. While they are adjusting to their new home, they have many adventures and Harry learns to look beyond a screen and what is really out there in nature and enjoying time with his parents.

I found the story interesting and was amazed at the knowledge the father has on how to build a house/cabin. I wouldn’t even know where to start because they were cutting down trees, setting up solar panels, and many other things. This would be a great story to read to your children which is how this author came to write the story. There could be many discussions about what Harry experienced and what it might be like to live “off the grid” and observing nature.

We give this story 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Glen Blackwell lives in Suffolk, England. He has a career in finance and We’re Moving Where?! is his first book. Inspired by bedtime reading with his 3 daughters, Glen loves to bring stories to life for young readers.

 

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