Playing in the Mud by Jordan Lukrich - [Book Review]

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Book Details:

Title: Playing in the Mud

Author: Jordan Lukrich

Illustrator: Jordan Lukrich

Genre: Children's book, Picture book, Poetry

Publisher : True Tall tales

Print length: 94 pages

Source: A free review copy from the author

Blurb:

A collection of poems and drawings to feed the imagination. Have an adventure with a pirate, build a fort or journey to an alien planet for a handball tournament. These poems speak to the kid inside all of us whether child, adult or in between. In this book you will find adventure, humor and an all around good time.

"Bringing a smile and laugh to someone through art and imaginative poems is something that fuels my creative side. I have created a collection of poems and drawings for anyone and everyone to lose themselves in. Have an adventure with a pirate, build a fort or journey to an alien planet for a handball tournament. These poems speak to the kid inside all of us. In this book you will find adventure, humor and an all around good time." - Jordan

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

My Review:

I am not a fan of poetry books usually. But these poems are so good. I could relate to them, laugh about the silliness, and enjoy reading them.

This book is full of hilarious poems and beautiful pictures. I love the art. The pictures of the boy are very real and the boy looks as naughty as the poems sound. 

The poems are about everything in daily life - experiences of children, nature, daily tasks etc., They rhyme and are simple to follow. They are easy to read and fun both for kids and adults. My younger one who is in 3rd grade thoroughly enjoyed this book. 

I suggest, you read these poems with your kids a few in a day to enjoy the meaning. It becomes a good bed time read.

Every poem has a great illustration, which helps with imagination. I love that the illustrations are simple, but they show emotions well. 

I would rate this book all the stars it can have and I recommend it as a fun vacation read or bed time read with kids.

My Rating: 5/5

PS: I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

About the Author:

Jordan - "Making people smile and getting a laugh from my book or animation is the drive to keep making new material. I love creating stories of adventure and silliness and whisking people away on a journey for even a few minutes. I have been in love with animation and storytelling my entire life, and who knew you could make a career out of it? Well, here I am, creating and sharing my wild little thought with you all. Welcome to my stories, I hope you enjoy."

Until next time,

From the Inside by Thanvi Voruganti - Release Blitz

 

 

Poetry

Date Published: March 15, 2021

This book of poems is about thoughts, feelings, and emotions we all experience, struggle with, and that have been brought to the forefront by this current pandemic. Losing loved ones, our freedom, and everything taken for granted in our daily lives; while facing sadness, anger, grief, and loneliness, has taught us the importance of our love for nature, gratitude, happiness, cherished memories, and relationships. No feeling or emotion is too small or negligible. Acknowledging and expressing them is my voice from the inside.

About The Author

Thanvi Voruganti is an exuberant ten-year-old living with her parents, Deepika and Mahender in Chandler, AZ. She loves writing short stories and thoughtful poetry and is an avid reader who loves fantasy, fiction, and playing board games. Thanvi however, is no athlete and prefers sitting curled up with an interesting book in her hands. Thanvi is very affable, quiet, and a profound thinker.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

Purchase Link

Amazon

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time,

Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree: Poems, Rants, and Short Stories by Simi K Rao - [Book Review]

Book Details:

Title : Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree: Poems, Rants, and Short Stories
Author : Simi. K. Rao
Genre : Poetry , Short Stories
Print Length : 144 pages
Publisher : Written Dreams Publishing
Source : A review copy from the author

Blurb:

Life is not about achieving perfection, it's about reconciling with your imperfections.

Poems are fragments of life. In Simi K. Rao’s unique poetry collection for women, there are blissful moments; deep, invisible wounds; cries for help; declarations of defiance and philosophical observations. The poems and prose pieces compiling the collection are fragments of life elucidating the different phases of the human condition. Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree will leave readers wanting for more and have a deep impact on women of all ages.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

My Review :

This collection of short and sweet poems featured by Simi is like the mirror of life's moments. These poems are some subtle moments expressing the feelings or reminiscing some lovely memories. 

I usually don't enjoy poetry, so I don't pick poetry books to read. But, this poetry is simple to understand and clearly written from the heart. 

I loved some poems like - War, Me is all I can be,  Life an ugly cousin.

The Stranger really reminded me of someone that I know. The poem 'Woman' is heart touching. I can relate to it being an Indian Woman. 

White Room is a good poem about Dementia patients. I loved the poems - Butterfly, Addiction, A seed of doubt, and Words.

The short stories are great too. But, I felt, the way the short stories and poems are organized might have been better. I couldn't see any flow while reading and so, it is like reading some random collection of different emotions. They might have been categorized by something.

I would recommend this book to beginner readers. This book is great as a travel read. 

My Rating : 4/5

About the Author:

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years.

The inspiration for her books, and other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.

A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family.

Until next time,

Happy Haiku by Elizabeth Crocket - [Book Review]

Book Details:

Title : Happy Haiku
Author : Elizabeth Crocket
Illustrator: Jack Foster
Publisher : Crimson Cloak Publishing
Genre : Children Books, Children Holiday Books, Children Poetry, Picture Book
Print Length : 36 pages
Source : A free e-review copy from the author

Blurb:

These 26 delicious scenes retrieved from childhood help us, young and old, to revisit those times and to share them anew. Not the cookie-cutter haiku you’ll find in similar books, Liz Crocket’s work will introduce your child (and perhaps you!) to the way contemporary haiku has evolved over the past half-century, and perhaps inspire you to capture your own special moments in the same fashion.

— Jim Kacian, Editor-in-Chief, Haiku in English: The First Hundred Years

Elizabeth Crocket has filled this book with happy stories from nature, lessons on life, great ideas for children to try, and lots of family love. The 26 haiku--as many as the letters in the alphabet—present fine examples of alliteration “birthday bat”, expression “cutting teeth”, suspense “suddenly…” and hinge questions, “do you love me?” Short and simple to read on 3-lines following the form of traditional Japanese poetry, these haiku can inspire children from as early as two to become creative writers too.

 – David McMurray (Asahi Haikuist columnist in Japan)

Purchase Links:

Amazon
Crimson Cloak Publisher

My Review:

Haiku is a short form of Japanese poetry written in 3 sentences with 17 syllables. The Haikus are popular for simplicity and directness of expression. 

This book is a collection of such Haikus especially on childhood. The author successfully covers different emotions of children, their excitement, innocence and their pure nature. I remembered my childhood reading some of these haiku.They are simple and touch our heart.

The simple pleasures of childhood like gathering blankets for forts, saving pennies in a Jar for next vacation, sliding through water in tube, watching fireworks, playing with sand in beach etc and many more .., are all beautifully mentioned in this poetry. 

I loved the illustrations. They are excellent complimenting the poetry and emotions. It is a good book to introduce contemporary and simple poetry to a 6 yr old.  I have really enjoyed the book and I would recommend this to other parents and children. 

My Rating: 5/5

PS: I have received this e-book in exchange for a review and this is my honest opinion on the book.

About the Author:

Elizabeth is an award winning Japanese short form poet and author living in Ontario, Canada. 

She has two chapbooks published with Red Moon Press. One of them was shortlisted for the prestigious American Haiku Foundation Touchstone Distinguished Book Award. 

Elizabeth also writes women's fiction and has two books published with Crimson Cloak Publishing. She has six grandchildren she loves to the moon and back. Jack Foster has been illustrating children's books for nine years, and has illustrated over sixty books.

Elizabeth's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.crocket.7923
Elizabeth's website: https://elizabethcrocket.com/

Until next time,

Absence of You by Sarah Elle Emm - Book spot light

I have read earlier books of Sarah and can't wait to read this collection of poems ☺

Absence of You

by Sarah Elle Emm

Released on 17th May, 2016

About the Book:

Absence of You, a collection of poems, takes you through stages of love, from the first moments of falling, to heartache, to healing and growing. With Sarah Elle Emm’s simple, yet powerful, words and rhythm, venture through the ups and downs on this heartfelt journey.

Book Links:

Goodreads * Amazon

About the Author:

Sarah Elle Emm is the author of ABSENCE OF YOU, LAST VACATION, the HARMONY RUN SERIES, and MARRYING MISSY. She has lived in Germany, England, Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and traveled extensively beyond. Her writing cave is currently located in the Outer Banks. When she’s not leading kitchen dance parties with her daughters, she writes poetry and fiction.

Stalk the Author:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Amazon Author Page

This Feature is a part of the Blogger Outreach Program by b00k r3vi3w Tours

Until next time,