tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12017578162980270932024-03-13T13:38:55.040-04:00Chapter One Book ReviewsInterviews, articles and discussions on picture books, young adult books and teen novels.
Original reviews are available for your magazine, newspaper or website.McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.comBlogger172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-42849960072844282012017-03-29T13:52:00.000-04:002017-03-29T13:52:24.750-04:00Summer Reading Is Just Around the CornerSpring is the time to prepare yourself for Summer reading.
Every year in late May bookstores put out special tables filled with Summer reading for students of all ages. As parents, we pile the books on knowing that our children are required to read them. And many kids groan at the process. Don't wait until school is out. Summer reading is like going to the beach. You have to get ready for McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-10919769798538947662017-03-04T12:35:00.000-05:002017-03-04T12:35:36.975-05:00Farm FriendsSpring brings new titles full of farm animals and hi-jinks.
Ah, the sweet smell of – ah... AH-CHOO – flowers. Sorry. Spring is in the air and the Bradford Pear Trees are in full bloom. If you head to the bookstore to escape your allergies, you are sure to see shelves filled with stories about animals. I've picked a few to highlight in posts for the next week. Enjoy.
The Rooster Who Would Not McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-10971331978700665632017-01-30T18:18:00.000-05:002017-01-30T18:18:36.264-05:00Everything Is New AgainThe new year brings tales of new beginnings and adventure.
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-11844980-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
The McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-53780450292931050752016-12-08T16:49:00.000-05:002016-12-08T16:49:26.786-05:00All I Want for ChristmasWarm Up Your Holidays with Picture Books
We're in December now and the holiday spirit surrounds us. From 24-hour Christmas radio to Griswold family light shows to menorahs, advent wreaths and Christmas trees decorating town centers – the holidays are here. During this season my family pulls out all of our old Christmas picture books and read at least one a night. I wonder if any new books will McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-61564165450886174062016-11-22T13:38:00.000-05:002016-11-22T13:38:31.350-05:00Gifts that Keep on Giving
Christmas books highlight the joy of giving.
It is the week of Thanksgiving and I have a great deal to be thankful for. Being able to read, review and share wonderful books is certainly something to be thankful for. This week I am sticking with holiday themes. I received two books for review from Random House – a little late to include in my printed column – but perfectly McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-48282337751956560562016-11-08T10:41:00.002-05:002016-11-08T10:41:46.533-05:00Christmas Is Coming
Fun holiday titles fill the shelves this Fall.
Is it too early to talk about holiday books? Nah. This week I'm highlighting a few books I reviewed for my print column last November. In the next couple of weeks I'll highlight some books coming out this year as well.
The Christmas Tugboat: How the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Came to New York
By George Matteson and Adele Ursone
McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-28054750465797948912016-10-24T11:22:00.000-04:002016-10-24T11:22:27.776-04:00Take Another LookNew picture books help young readers look at the world around them in different ways.
The Lost House
By B. B. Cronin
Seek and find books are not difficult to find – ironic isn’t it? However I recently read what I can only describe as a diamond among the cubic zirconia. The Lost House is much more than a seek and find book. It’s an illustrative tour de force.
Grandad has promised to take his McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-34234455567272207262016-10-17T12:06:00.000-04:002016-10-17T12:06:15.797-04:005 Mistakes to Avoid when Self-Publishing
[Originally published 3/3/09 as 3 Deadly Mistakes of Self-Publishing Picture
Books. Revisited and revised 10/13/16.]
There are five basic mistakes
writers who self-publish children’s books make more often than not. These five
mistakes can kill a good idea and lead a writer to publish something that
should never have been allowed in print. The truly amazing thing is the author
never sees the McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-46230698564174891262016-10-12T14:05:00.001-04:002016-10-12T14:09:32.953-04:00Books You May Have Missed that Are Worth Reading
12 Recently Published Books that Deserve a Second Look
I was recently told that parents don't read book reviews for their children's books. They want to know about new gadgets and gizmos that make their parenting lives easier. Well... I'm here to say books are the original gadget. A good book can calm a crying baby, entertain a bored toddler, teach a reluctant youth, safely give preteens and McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-83580346156488195942015-10-29T10:19:00.001-04:002015-10-29T10:23:13.444-04:00Get Into the Spirit of Things
Here's the Sci-Fi, Paranormal & Fantasy You've Been Looking For
The Trap
By Steven Arntson
Best For, Boys: Ages 9 - 12
Rated 3.75 (ghosts, first crush, peril)
Mystery, fantasy and paranormal adventures make this a good book for the Halloween season and beyond. Set in 1963 Farro, Idaho, this story covers friendship, civil rights, metaphysics and first McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-13562396937328606352015-10-18T15:51:00.000-04:002015-10-18T16:02:40.141-04:00Here Be Monsters!
Looking for fun and spooky books?
“Leo: A Ghost Story”
By Mac Barnett
Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Best For: Ages 3 - 5
Rated: 3.00 (Friendship, Ghosts, Imagination)
To
paraphrase Kermit the Frog, it’s not easy being a ghost. Leo has been alone a
long time and all he really wants is a friend. But it’s difficult to make
friends when you’re a ghost. When a new family moves into his McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-10341059033466162972015-09-27T15:55:00.001-04:002015-09-27T15:59:02.576-04:00Read Aloud. Read Often.
Consider these new books for your next story time.
“There’s
No Such Thing as Little”
By LeUyen Pham
Best For: Ages 4 - 8
Rated: 3.00 (Inspiration, Children, Positivity)
Best-selling
illustrator of Freckleface Strawberry,
LeUyen Pham sets an optimistic tone from the first page of her book, There’s No Such thing as Little. Using
the simple die-cut circle technique in every other McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-30431453479233066382015-09-01T17:38:00.001-04:002015-09-01T17:38:20.357-04:00New Picture Books Focus on Friends
Little Elliot, Big City
By Mike Curato
Best for, Girls: Ages 4 - 8
Rated: 2.75 (Friendship, Feelings of inadequacy)
Fans
of Melrose and Croc will find some
similarities in Little Elliot, Big City.
Both stories McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-39853088966061410702015-08-20T20:53:00.001-04:002015-08-20T20:53:42.098-04:00New Book Reviews Are Coming!It has been nearly two years since my last post. Not my last review - just my last post. I've been reviewing books for monthly magazines and city newspapers the entire time. I'm finally ready to begin updating my blog again. Look for new reviews in the coming weeks. I've got a lot ready to post.
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-18992969905922173072013-12-04T16:30:00.000-05:002015-07-29T13:39:40.954-04:00New Site Under Construction
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-11844980-1");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}Please browse through the archived reviews, articles and author McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-6421036519669503452013-02-02T23:25:00.002-05:002013-02-02T23:25:48.041-05:00A Winter's Tale<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
<![endif]-->
New rules, laws and regulations state that I have to make it clear on each review whether the book was supplied free of charge by the publisher, author or illustrator. (The mention on McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-48311484024553707072013-01-12T20:32:00.000-05:002013-01-13T09:08:47.739-05:00Heroes, Villains and KissesThe holidays are over and it is time for me to get back to work. So let's not waste any time.
<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
<![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]>
McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-27150940667351769472012-11-15T23:22:00.001-05:002012-11-15T23:22:56.195-05:00Dragon Tales<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
<![endif]-->
Dragons seem to be a big deal on the book shelves these days. So here are two quick reviews of books for your kids to enjoy.
"How to Train your Dragon: How to Steal a Dragon's Sword"
By McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-78818443827718163922012-10-30T22:49:00.001-04:002012-10-30T22:49:34.733-04:00One Week Until Election Day<!--[if gte mso 9]>
800x600
<![endif]-->
I know the storm is on everyone's mind – as well it should be. We're all concerned for the people affected by Sandy. That said, we're one week away from electing the president of the United States. So I'm going to review one more picture book on the presidential election.
"Grace for President"
By Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrated bu LeUyen Pham
McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-11185646048495126672012-10-13T15:34:00.001-04:002013-01-13T09:09:24.866-05:00Every Vote CountsSince we just finished the vice presidential debate and are awaiting the second presidential debate of 2012 I will get back to the promised reviews of election inspired stories. I hope you're not too sick of seeing election stuff yet.
"Amelia Bedelia's First Vote"
By Herman Parish
Illustrated by Lynne Avril
For Ages 4 - 8
Every day school is an adventure. When you add in aMcGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-11754286120895479772012-10-01T22:15:00.000-04:002012-10-01T22:17:21.949-04:00Keep My Column in Lowcountry Parent MagazineMy book review column currently runs in several publications -- Lowcountry Parent, Palmetto Parent, Upstate Parent, KC Parent, and Post and Courier Newspaper. Many of these publication run periodic editorial surveys to see what their readers are reading and what they would like to read.
Lowcountry Parent magazine announced their editorial survey today. If you live in the Charleston, SC area, McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-24792003532807052782012-10-01T21:41:00.000-04:002012-10-01T21:44:37.780-04:00New Computer. New Post.I apologize for being away so long. My computer died recently. So after a quick but moving funeral and a proper mourning period I obtained a new computer. Now here I am with a backlog of reviews. I should be able to post several over the next week or so.
Where did I leave off? Oh yes, with books about elections. Well I don't feel like talking about the election today so you'll have to waitMcGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-57226446439981077012012-08-23T21:54:00.000-04:002012-08-23T21:54:52.517-04:00Red, White and BlueOver the next couple weeks we will be inundated with political conventions. Then the real campaigning for the presidency begins and politics will take over all media. So over the next couple weeks I am going to highlight a few picture books about voting and running for president. We might as well have a little fun with it.
“Madam
President”
By Lane Smith
For
Ages 5- 10
Text McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-55414745814230731872012-08-12T18:22:00.001-04:002012-08-12T19:28:42.698-04:00Dog Days of SummerI am currently reading "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again" with my boys. Expect a review when I am finished. Also expect to see a review of "Priscilla the Great: the Kiss of Life," by Sybil Nelson, from my 12-year-old son and myself in the next couple weeks. Until then here is a review of a picture book for pet lovers.
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201757816298027093.post-15382487140686881682012-07-21T23:08:00.000-04:002012-07-29T16:45:33.852-04:00100 Days that Changed the World... Kind of
What do you think about sequels to classic books, especially when they are not written by the original authors? "Peter Pan in Scarlet," the official sequel to J. M. Barrie's "Peter and Wendy," comes to mind. It was good, but not quite on the level of Barrie. I get too intrigued when I see a new sequel to a classic novel and can't keep myself from reading it. I recently finished the sequel to McGeathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04505304692743388350noreply@blogger.com0