Food Fun Family

The Storm Runner By J.C. Cervantes – Rick Riordan Presents

Lolli — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 19:59:23 +0000

Disney Book Group is partnering with me for a giveaway that you do NOT want to miss! All thoughts are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know about my love for Rick Riordan’s books and delving into the wonderful world of mythology. Almost exactly a year ago, I interviewed Rick Riordan in Washington DC and learned about Rick Riordan Presents.

When I asked him if he was planning on writing about any books based on other world mythologies, he said “that he could only write about mythologies that he personally knew, and since he was not an expert in other world mythologies, that he would rather find other authors who could write those stories with authority. That’s where the idea for the imprint, Rick Riordan Presents, was born. Rick was excited to introduce several new books with stories based on Hindi, Mayan, Korean mythology and more.” (from our interview)

That’s where The Storm Runner comes in. By author J.C. Cervantes, The Storm Runner explores Mayan mythology. For fans of the Percy Jackson series, you’ll find the same “feel” that we know and love from Rick Riordan, with just a slightly different flavor. This book has been so much fun!

THE STORM RUNNER

By J.C. Cervantes

Published by Rick Riordan Presents, an imprint of Disney Book Group

Recommended for ages 10-14 (but really, this is great for 10 to adult!)

About The Storm Runner

How can one boy with a limp stop the Maya god of death, disaster, and darkness from destroying the world?

Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He’d much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno – for his one good leg.

What Zane doesn’t know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy. A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he’s destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in–unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father.

To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can’t even walk well without a cane?

About Rick Riordan Presents

The Rick Riordan Presents imprint is dedicated to providing entertaining middle grade fiction based on various world mythologies. Rick Riordan is involved in the selection, editing, and promotion of these books, working with great authors to tell exciting stories inspired by the mythologies of their own heritages. Learn more about the imprint and its current and upcoming titles on their official site.

About the Author

J. C. Cervantes is the author of Tortilla Sun, which was called “a beautiful and engaging debut” by Kirkus, an “imaginative, yet grounded novel” by Publishers Weekly, and “lean and lightly spiced with evocative metaphor” by School Library Journal. Tortilla Sun was a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association and it was named to Bank Street’s 2011 Best Book List. When Jennifer isn’t reading or writing, she helping her husband with his gubernatorial campaign.

Enter to win!

A GIFT FROM THE GODS GIVEAWAY

One (1) winner will receive:

a copy of The Storm Runner
plus a $100 Visa gift card for a purchase of mythical proportions

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Disney Book Group.

This giveaway will end on Thursday, 10/18/18 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Connect with The Storm Runner and MORE from Rick Riordan Presents

Learn more about the book at ReadRiordan.com
Purchase the book HERE
Facebook: Facebook.com/ReadRiordan
Twitter: @ReadRiordan | @DisneyHyperion | @jencerv
Instagram: @ReadRiordan | @DisneyBooks | @authorjcervantes
Follow hashtag #TheStormRunner

Summer of Magic & Mazes: Rick Riordan Book Giveaway

Lolli — Mon, 21 May 2018 23:51:06 +0000

If you’ve been reading my blog for long, you’ll know that my family and I are huge Rick Riordan fans. I was excited to partner once again with Disney-Hyperion for a giveaway to bring more Rick Riordan goodness to YOU, my readers! Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

Seriously, one of highlights of my career as a blogger was having a one-on-one interview with Rick Riordan last October at the library of Congress. What an amazing person! And what amazing stories.

I love his books just as much as my kids do.

We are all excited about Mr. Riordan’s newest book – The Burning Maze, the third installment of the Trials of Apollo series. This is PERFECT summer reading material…for reading pool-side, in the car on road trips, or when staying cool in the house next to a fan.

We’re equally excited to delve into a new Kane Chronicles companion book, Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual, Your Guide to Egyptian Gods & Creatures, Glyphs & Spells and More. I’ve always been fascinated by these types of books, because I tend to want to know EVERYTHING I can about my favorites stories and characters. This book is perfect for your readers who love backstories.

I’m thrilled to be able to share these two new books PLUS 5 additional books with you this month!

Featured Rick Riordan Titles

The Trials of Apollo (Book 3): The Burning Maze (in stores as of May 1st)

The Kane Chronicles: Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual (in stores as of May 1st)

The Kane Chronicles Trilogy (series re-design in stores now!)

ABOUT The Burning Maze: The Trials of Apollo Book #3

In Stores May 1st

The formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. But he has to achieve this impossible task without having any godly powers and while being duty-bound to a confounding young daughter of Demeter named Meg. Thanks a lot, Dad.

Friends both familiar and new will emerge in The Burning Maze, Book Three of the New York Times #1 best-selling Trials of Apollo series, a twisty adventure featuring a hapless god who somehow still manages to think he’s red-hot.

More about The Trials of Apollo series:

An Olympian Comes to Earth: The protagonist is nothing less than Apollo himself! Well, actually, he’s a mortal sixteen-year-old trying to earn his way back into Zeus’s favor by restoring five oracles. How will he manage without his godly powers?

A Godly POV: Apollo narrates the adventure; the disparity between his godly assumptions and his disappointing reality is hilarious.
Favorite Demigods Are Back! All of the beloved characters from Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter will aid Apollo in his quest over the course of five books.
New Demigods Are Introduced, including Apollo’s sidekick, a twelve-year-old girl named Meg who is secretive about her past—and is Apollo’s secret weapon.
Viperous Villains will complicate matters for our heroes as they search for the ancient Oracles.

About Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual: The Kane Chronicles Companion

In Stores May 1st

Calling all young magicians of Egypt! If the blood of the pharaohs runs in your veins, you can’t afford to be without this guide to Ancient Egyptian deities and creatures, and Carter and Sadie Kane’s world of magic. Featuring fans’ favorite human, divine, and animal characters for the bestselling Kane Chronicles trilogy, Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual offers info about Egyptian mythology in laugh-out-loud entries with surprises throughout, including snarky comments from Sadie Kane and a dastardly plot by an old enemy.

More about Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual:

Tie-in to Best-Selling Kane Chronicles Trilogy featuring fans’ favorite human, divine, and animal characters.
Offers Info About Egyptian Mythology in laugh-out-loud entries from favorite characters.
Has Surprises Running Throughout, including snarky comments from Sadie Kane and a dastardly plot by an old enemy.

About The Kane Chronicles Trilogy

The Red Pyramid #1 | The Throne of Fire #2 | The Serpent’s Shadow #3

Series first launched in 2011 | New cover designs released April 3, 2018

Fans of Rick Riordan’s Greek & Roman and Norse mythology adventures will love his funny and exciting take on Ancient Egypt in the Kane Chronicles trilogy, now with dynamic new cover artwork and Percy Jackson-Kane Chronicles crossover stories.

Mysteries of Ancient Egypt: Egyptian mythology is more widely studied in school curriculum than ancient Greece. Both familiar and loaded with mystique, ancient Egypt is the perfect backdrop for Rick’s imaginative brand of storytelling. Readers will leap at this real-world portal into the rich fantastical world of ancient myth.

More of the Good Stuff: Rick combines all his fortes–witty, relatable heroes, gods & monsters, prophecies, curses, and non-stop action–in this best-selling hit.

Summer of Magic & Mazes Prize Pack Giveaway

One (1) winner will receive a “Summer of Magic & Mazes” beach tote plus seven Rick Riordan books!

The Trials of Apollo series — with an autographed copy of The Burning Maze!
The Kane Chronicles trilogy – plus new companion book Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual!

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion. This giveaway ends June 4 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Visit ReadRiordan.com

Follow Read Riordan on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Follow Disney-Hyperion on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Lolli — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 18:51:33 +0000

Little, Brown sent me a copy of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow to check out, and is partnering with me for a giveaway! All thoughts are my own. Amazon affiliate links used.

We LOVE books. I’ve always been a reader, and I am thrilled that my kids can’t keep their noses out of books. My youngest son is reading a certain magical series through for the second time, and can’t wait to start a new magical series – Nevermoor! I happen to be a fan of reading children’s chapter books, and so I picked up Nevermoor this past week and couldn’t put it down! I can’t wait to have a few days off next week to finish it!

About Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Nevermoor Series #1
By Jessica Townsend
In Stores October 31, 2017
Recommended for ages 9-12

A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world–but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination.

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks–and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It’s then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city’s most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart–an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests–or she’ll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and Neil Gaiman, this fast-paced plot and imaginative world has a fresh new take on magic that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Jessica Townsend – Photo Credit Lani Carter

About the Author

Jessica Townsend lives on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, but has lived on and off in London for a few years. She was a copywriter for eight years, and in a previous role, was the editor of a children’s wildlife magazine for Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is her first novel.

Enter to Win a Nevermoor Prize Pack!

One (1) winner receives:

copy of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
branded lapel pin plus Hotel Deucalion pen and notebook;
$50 Amex gift card to have a wundrous holiday season!

Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prizing and samples provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
This giveaway will end on 11/26/17 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Connect with Nevermoor

Visit the Official Site
Follow the author on Twitter and Instagram
Follow the publisher on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
#Nevermoor

Praise for the Nevermoor

“Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is more than just a spectacular debut. Exciting, charming, and wonderfully imagined, it’s the sort of delightful, grand adventure destined to be many a reader’s favorite book.” — Trenton Lee Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of The Mysterious Benedict Society series and The Secret Keepers

“[A] spellbinding debut… Morrigan is a captivating heroine, filled with moxie and wit… Whimsical worldbuilding, humorous dialogue, and colorful supporting characters compliment an adventurous, magic-filled plot that champions bravery, self-confidence, and hope.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Readers, like Morrigan herself, will feel at home in this evocative novel where magic and confidence go hand in hand. An excellent and exciting work.” — School Library Journal, starred review

Exclusive Interview with Rick Riordan {Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Ship of the Dead}

Lolli — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 22:18:19 +0000

I was invited to the Library of Congress in Washington DC this week to visit with author Rick Riordan before he kicked off his national tour for his newest book, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Ship of the Dead (Book 3). No compensation was received, but I did get to take home a copy of the book and a t-shirt…plus, he autographed my copy of The Hammer of Thor (book 2)! Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

I was running a little late on my day trip down to the City. I blame the Metro (which always seems to take longer for my than it should) so by the time I got to the Library of Congress, it was just about time for my interview slot. Thank goodness Rick Riordan is a friendly, approachable person, because I admit I was a little flustered! He put me at ease as soon as we sat down together.

I started off our interview telling Mr. Riordan about my oldest son’s experience with the Percy Jackson series. My son – now 16 – was very anti-reading in elementary school until he got hooked on the Percy Jackson books. He read the 5 Percy Jackson novels cover to cover and then started over again from the beginning…multiple times. Since then, he has been an avid reader and always has a book with him.

Rick Riordan’s series – from Percy Jackson and the Olympians to Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard to The Kane Chronicles and more – delve into the myths of many different cultures – from Greek to Roman to Egyptian to Norse mythology. I have enjoyed reading each series myself, and learning more about the mythologies and cultures of different people. In The Hammer of Thor, Magnus Chase jokes that “if somebody told me – surprise! – the Aztec gods were alive and well in Houston, and my second cousin was the granddaughter of Quetzalcoatl, I would totally believe them.”

I wondered when I read that if Rick Riordan had plans to write more series based on the myths of any other cultures. He told me that he could only write about mythologies that he personally knew, and since he was not an expert in other world mythologies, that he would rather find other authors who could write those stories with authority. That’s where the idea for the imprint, Rick Riordan Presents, was born. Rick was excited to introduce several new books with stories based on Hindi, Mayan, Korean mythology and more.

“It’s amazing stuff and it deserves to be better remembered,” he said.

Another thing that we chatted about was the idea that it’s impossible to write about a character that is not partly yourself. He said that there’s a part of himself in every character – even the villains. He says that Magnus Chase and Percy Jackson are most like him. He relates the most to Magnus because his cynical personality is just just like his own.

I asked Mr. Riordan what kind of research went in to writing his stories, since they were not “simply” works of fiction, but needed to work within the historical stories and traditions. While each series does require research – delving deeper into the myths – I was struck with the fact that he really has been preparing his whole life to write these stories.

Rick Riordan has always loved telling stories. He told stories to his students while he was a middle school English and History teacher, and he told stories to his children at home. His first book for children, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, was begun from stories that he would tell his son before bed. Poseidon has always been his favorite Greek god because he loves the ocean, so it was natural to make Poseidon Percy’s father.

Mr. Riordan said that he enjoys writing about Greek mythology the most simply because there is so much to write about. So many of the stories of other world mythologies have been lost because they weren’t written down. He has known Norse mythology the longest – he became fascinated with the myths of the Vikings while he was in middle school, and his fascination has only grown with age.

I’m excited to finally read The Ship of the Dead, and I can’t wait everything that is coming soon from Rick Riordan!

About the Book

The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
By Rick Riordan
Young Adult Fantasy
Published by Disney-Hyperion
In Stores October 3rd, 2017

Magnus Chase, a once-homeless teen, is a resident of the Hotel Valhalla and one of Odin’s chosen warriors. As the son of Frey, the god of summer, fertility, and health, Magnus isn’t naturally inclined to fighting. But he has strong and steadfast friends, including Hearthstone the elf, Blitzen the dwarf, and Samirah the Valkyrie, and together they have achieved brave deeds, such as defeating Fenris Wolf and battling giants for Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. Now Magnus faces his most dangerous trial yet. His cousin, Annabeth, recruits her boyfriend, Percy Jackson, to give Magnus some pointers, but will his training be enough?

Loki is free from his chains. He’s readying Naglfar, the Ship of the Dead, complete with a host of giants and zombies, to sail against the Asgardian gods and begin the final battle of Ragnarok. It’s up to Magnus and his friends to stop him, but to do so they will have to sail across the oceans of Midgard, Jotunheim, and Niflheim in a desperate race to reach Naglfar before it’s ready to sail. Along the way, they will face angry sea gods, hostile giants, and an evil fire-breathing dragon. Magnus’s biggest challenge will be facing his own inner demons. Does he have what it takes to outwit the wily trickster god?

About the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Series

A new demigod is born—this time from Norse mythology. Join Magnus Chase, a homeless boy from Boston, on wild adventures throughout the Nine Worlds that have him meeting gods, giants, elves, dwarfs and more as he discovers his true identity.

Connect with Rick Riordan and Magnus Chase

Visit ReadRiordan.com
Follow Read Riordan on Twitter and Instagram
#ShipoftheDead

The Adventurers Guild: Prize Pack Giveaway!

Lolli — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 16:17:41 +0000

Disney-Hyperion sent me a copy to check out, and is partnering with me for the giveaway below. All thoughts are my own.

Do you have a middle-grade reader who LOVES fantasy and adventure? Then I’ve got the perfect new book for you! I’m excited to introduce a book by two first-time authors, Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos (more on these two best friends below), that was just released yesterday! The Adventurers Guild is an exciting novel for kids ages 9-12 (and beyond!) and the first in a series that I guarantee kids and adults alike will be eager to read more from.

Here’s a little about the book:

About The Adventurers Guild

Few ever asked to join the Adventurers Guild. . . . Their members often died young.

In one of the last cities standing after the world fell to monsters, best friends Zed Kagari and Brock Dunderfel have high hopes for the future. Zed desperately wishes to join the ranks of the Mages Guild, where his status as Freestone’s only half elf might finally be an asset. Brock, the roguishly handsome son of merchants, is confident he’ll be welcomed into the ranks of the Merchants Guild.

But just as it seems the boys’ dreams have come true, their lives take a startling turn . . . and they find themselves members of the perilous Adventurers Guild.

Led by the fearsome Alabasel Frond, the guild acts as the last line of defense against the Dangers – hungry, unnatural beasts from otherworldly planes. And when the boys uncover a conspiracy that threatens all of Freestone, Zed, Brock, and their new allies – Liza, a fierce noble, and Jett, a brave dwarf – must prove their worth once and for all.

This start of a thrilling new series is sure to be a hit with readers who like their fantasies clever and action-packed, with tons of humor and heart.

About the Authors

The Adventurers Guild authors, Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos

Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos are both editors based in New York. Best friends, they take a coffee break together every day and play Dungeons &
Dragons every week. Zack fervently hopes that magic is real; Nick desperately hopes that monsters are not. The Adventurers Guild is their first novel.

Connect with Adventurers Guild

Follow hashtag: #AdventurersGuild
Visit the Official Site
Follow Disney-Hyperion on Twitter and Instagram
Like Disney Books on Facebook
Purchase the book on Amazon (affiliate link)

Enter to WIN Your Own Adventurers Guild Prize Pack!

One (1) winner receives:

Copy of The Adventurers Guild
branded bookmark
branded baseball cap and hoodie
$50 Visa gift card to embark on your own adventure!

Open to US Addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion. This giveaway ends at 11:59pm ET on 10/18/2017. after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email.

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Captain Underpants: Action! Thrills! Laffs!

Lolli — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 16:07:04 +0000

Scholastic sent me new Captain Underpants books, AND is offering a prize pack for one of you! Read to the bottom to find the giveaway (you won’t want to miss it!!). All thoughts are my own.

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is in theaters now! It looks like a fun and hilarious summer movie for the whole family!

If you have kids in your house, I’m SURE you’re familiar with the Captain Underpants books. If not, then let me tell you this – kids are drawn to Captain Underpants like you wouldn’t believe! My kids have been bringing Captain Underpants home from the school library for years and we have a little collection in our home library, too. Before you head out to the theater, read the epic novels by Dav Pilkey! Or better yet, enter the giveaway below and win the books!

Meet the Captain Underpants books that I’m giving away:

The Adventures of Captain Underpants: Now in Full Color – The first Captain Underpants adventure like you’ve never seen it before — in FULL COLOR! Fourth-grade class clowns George Beard and Harold Hutchins have created the greatest superhero in the history of their elementary school — and now they’re going to bring him to life! Meet Captain Underpants! His true identity is SO secret, even HE doesn’t know who he is! This special edition will include an all-new sixteen-page bonus section that will reveal the origin of Captain Underpants!

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Official Handbook – Meet George and Harold, two fun-loving best friends with a special talent for trouble. The only thing they love more than pulling pranks is creating comic book heroes like the Amazing Captain Underpants. When the boys accidentally bring Captain Underpants to life, Jerome Horwitz Elementary — and the world — will never be the same!

Wacky Word Wedgies and Flushable Fill-Ins – Want to create your own Captain Underpants adventures, just like George and Harold? Then pick up a pencil and get ready for some actions, thrills, and laffs! This book has over a dozen wacky fill-in stories starring George, Harold, the Amazing Captain Underpants, Professor Poopypants, Cafeteria Lady Edith, the Turbo Toilet 2000, and all your other favorites from the new movie. Plus tra-la-la-riffic stickers!

Want to check out the new full-color book before you buy it? Preview an excerpt of The Adventures of Captain Underpants (in full color!).

Win a Captain Underpants Prize pack!

One (1) winner receives:

The Adventures of Captain Underpants: Now in Full Color
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Official Handbook
Wacky Word Wedgies and Flushable Fill-Ins
Plus a $50 Visa gift card for your own epic adventure!

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Scholastic. This giveaway ends at 11:59pm ET on 6/22 after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email.

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Connect with Captain Underpants:

Visit Scholastic.com/PlanetPilkey
Follow Scholastic on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Follow hashtag #CaptainUnderpants

Word of Mouse “Words to Live By” Giveaway #WordofMouse

Lolli — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 22:52:03 +0000

This post and giveaway are sponsored by Jimmy Patterson Books. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

I’ve always been an avid reader, and I love raising kids who are readers, too. I’ve got to say – there was something about Word of Mouse, a new juvenile fiction book by author James Patterson, that caught my attention and begged ME to read it, too.

Just flipping through the chapters is a joy!

Here’s a little about Word of Mouse:

ABOUT WORD OF MOUSE

By James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Release: December 12, 2016
Juvenile Fiction for ages 8-12
Purchase it here or on Amazon

James Patterson’s newest illustrated middle grade story follows the illuminating journey of a very special mouse, and the unexpected friendships that he makes along the way.

What makes Isaiah so unique? First, his fur is as blue as the sky—which until recently was something he’d never seen, but had read all about. That’s right—Isaiah can read, and write. He can also talk to humans…if any of them are willing to listen! After a dramatic escape from a mysterious laboratory, Isaiah is separated from his “mischief” (which is the word for a mouse family), and has to use his special skills to survive in the dangerous outdoors, and hopefully find his missing family. But in a world of cruel cats, hungry owls, and terrified people, it’s hard for a young, lone mouse to make it alone. When he meets an equally unusual and lonely human girl named Hailey, the two soon learn that true friendship can transcend all barriers.

Our own “Words to Live By” from Word of Mouse

Have you ever found a quote that resonated with you, like it was written just for you and your situation? That’s what it was like for me and my kids as we looked through Word of Mouse. I asked the kids (minus my older son who is always gone at some sports practice or another!) to find a quote that resonated with them, and it was so interesting that they were each able to find a quote from Isaiah the Mouse that was perfect.

Reese (13) loved Isaiah’s quote “You have to stand for something, otherwise you’ll spend your whole life on your butt.” Reese is a wonderful example to her friends and fellow teenagers at school and at church. She certainly stands for MANY good principles and is always looking for ways to make her community better.

AJ (11) loved Isaiah’s quote, “God gave us the acorns, but he doesn’t crack them open for us.” We’ve been given many blessings and privileges, but we still have the responsibility to do good things with the blessings we’ve been given. As the youngest of five kids, AJ has learned a lot of life skills simply from watching his older siblings. We’ve always taught our kids to be self-sufficient and given them responsibilities, fully believing that they could (and should) handle them!

Necco (17) loved the quote, “All of us are given gifts. How we use them is up to us.” Necco was particularly blessed with many creative talents. I love that she is preparing to use her musical talents and abilities to get a degree in music therapy (she graduates from high school this year!).

If you noticed the shot of me holding the book open above, you’ll see the quote that resonated with me: “The cure for 50 enemies is one friend.” I have had the chance to make deeper friendships in the last year, and I am grateful for those that I call my close friends.

I can’t wait for you to read Word of Mouse so you can also find the words to live by that resonate most with you!

About James Patterson

James Patterson received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community at the 2015 National Book Awards. A tireless champion of the power of books and reading, he has created a new children’s book imprint, JIMMY Patterson, whose mission is simple: “We want every kid who finishes a JIMMY Book to say, ‘PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK.’”

LEARN MORE

Visit JamesPatterson.com

Follow JIMMY Patterson Books on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Follow James Patterson on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

#WordofMouse

Enter to WIN a Word of Mouse Giveaway!

One (1) winner receives a copy of Word of Mouse and a $50 Visa gift card. US addresses only. Prizing provided by JIMMY Patterson Books. Giveaway ends on December 21 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email.

Good luck!

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Elena of Avalor Feliz Navidad: A Royal Christmas {Giveaway} #ElenaofAvalor

Lolli — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 04:13:45 +0000

Thanks to Disney Publishing for sending me a Elena of Avalor Feliz Navidad: A Royal Christmas gift pack, and for providing a prize pack for my readers, too! All thoughts are my own. Amazon affiliate links may be used within this post.

My kids and I have a long-standing tradition of collecting and reading holiday picture books. We started the tradition when the kids were little and have continued to enjoy those same books for years – even now that the kids are older. I can’t wait to (someday in the future) share my huge Christmas book collection with my grandchildren. I was excited to add a new holiday book to our collection – the brand new Elena of Avalor Feliz Navidad: A Royal Christmas, a companion picture book for the hit Disney Channel series, Elena of Avalor.

About Elena of Avalor Feliz Navidad: A Royal Christmas

Elena decides to host one big Navidad celebration in the park so that everyone can celebrate together. But each community is more interested in proving that their traditions are the best. Can Elena help her subjects see what the holidays are really about?

About Elena of Avalor: The fable, set in an unspecified time period, incorporates influences from diverse Latin and Hispanic cultures. It introduces Elena as a brave and adventurous teenager who saves her kingdom from an evil sorceress and must now learn to rule as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen. Elena’s journey will lead her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders.

Elena of Avalor Feliz Navidad: A Royal Christmas is in stores now! Also available on Amazon.
Recommended for ages 6-8

WIN a Elena of Avalor Prize Pack

One Food Fun Family winner will receive:

a copy of Elena of Avalor: Feliz Navidad
an Elena of Avalor ornament
a $50 gift card to the DisneyStore for all your Disney Princess needs!

Open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by Disney Publishing. This giveaway will end on December 3, 2016 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

Visit books.disney.com
Follow Disney Books on Twitter and Instagram
#ElenaofAvalor

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It’s Time to Check in to Hotel Bruce! #HotelBruce

Lolli — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 22:21:40 +0000

Thanks to Disney for sending me Ryan T. Higgins’ new book, Hotel Bruce, and for providing a prize pack for my readers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of the things I’ve missed most about my kids getting older is being able to read picture books out loud with them. We still have a huge collection of picture books that I’m now holding on to for my future (and possibly not-so-distant) grandchildren. Luckily, though, I have a bunch of younger nieces and nephews that still appreciate a good picture book. And since Hotel Bruce just came out this week – right before my trip to babysit my 2 nephews in San Diego – I was thrilled to be able to share Hotel Bruce and it’s predecessor, Mother Bruce, with them.

The boys fell in love with Bruce. They could tell that Bruce, though gruff and a little grumpy on the outside, has a soft heart. They laughed through both books and then asked me to read them again. They were thrilled when I told them they could keep the books (forever?!) and they even took them to bed with them (just in case they got up early and wanted to read).

About HOTEL BRUCE

By Ryan T. Higgins

When Bruce gets home from a southern migration trip with his goslings, he is tired. He is grumpy. And he is definitely not in the mood to share his home with the trio of mice who have turned his den into a hotel.

There’s a possum pillow fight wreaking havoc in one room, a fox luring guests into a stew in the kitchen, and a snuggly crew of critters hogging the bed. Bruce growls and grumbles and tries to throw them all out, but the entrepreneurial mice just can’t take a hint. Bruce is in a little over his head, especially once the goslings join the staff. Will this grumpy bear ever get his quiet, peaceful den back to himself?

Perfect for ages 3-5 (and still enjoyable for older kids, too!).

ABOUT THE CREATOR

Ryan T. Higgins (

LEARN MORE

Check in with Bruce at books.disney.com.

Follow Disney Books on Twitter and Instagram.

Add DisneyBooks on Snapchat.

#HotelBruce

Enter to WIN a Hotel Bruce Prize Pack!

Check in for a relaxing night at Hotel Bruce! (Room service not included.)

One (1) winner receives:

a cozy hotel robe, a pair of slippers + sleep mask;
plus a copy of Hotel Bruce to keep your little goslings entertained!

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion. Giveaway ends 11/2 at 11:59 pm, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Zoomberry Cake Balls

Lolli — Tue, 10 May 2016 19:21:19 +0000

I’m excited to re-introduce you guys to Star Darlings: an amazing book series for kids ages 8-12 by Ahmet Zappa and Shana Muldoon Zappa.

In celebration of the release of the newest books in the Star Darlings series, I’ve made a fun Starland-inspired treat: Zoomberry Cake Balls! This post and giveaway are sponsored by Disney Press but all thoughts and ideas are my own. Affiliate links are used within this post.

A few months ago, I was introduced to Star Darlings. You can read all about them in my previous post HERE…or here’s a quick recap to catch you up to speed.

ABOUT STAR DARLINGS

Series by Ahmet Zappa and Shana Muldoon Zappa for ages 8-12

Launched in Fall 2015, Disney’s “Star Darlings” is an original series for tweens.
Just like real girls, each Star Darling has her own wish that she pursues with full force and determination—and the help of her friends.

These shared journeys and experiences provide exceptionally positive examples to inspire tweens to follow their dreams, and are experienced through books, dolls, music and apparel, along with a mobile app and animated shorts.

Zoomberry Cake Balls – Inspired by Star Darlings

Kids in Starland grows up loving Zoomberry cake (it’s not a party til there’s some zoomberry cake, after all!), so I figured that it would be fun to create my own twist on zoomberry cake!

Since zoomberries are hard to come by in Maryland, I used strawberries instead (strawberries and zoomberries are the same color, so I figured it would work…). I had so much fun making the Starland classic zoomberry cake into cake balls (with rainbow sprinkles, of course!).

You are going to LOVE how easy this recipe is to make, and how much everyone will rave about your fun and colorful Zoomberry cake balls!