The Oregon Kids: Runaway Whiskers

Richley, B. (2017). The Oregon Kids, Volume 2: Runaway Whiskers. Self-published.

Children's Book / Illustrated / Life Lessons / K-3

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4 out of 5 Stars
Blurb: In Runaway Whiskers, the values of honesty and responsibility are exemplified. Autumn finds a pet rabbit and is reluctant to return it. Will she be honest and return in? Johanna is the owner of the rabbit, Whiskers. It was her responsibility to care for the rabbit and close the cage door. When Whiskers runs away because the cage was left open, she is heartbroken.

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HALL WAYS REVIEW: With The Oregon Kids: Runaway Whiskers, Bob Richley has given kids, parents, and caregivers another great story that delivers excellent lessons including the Golden Rule of treating others as you'd like to be treated. Just as in The Big Catch, volume one of the Oregon Kids series, in this second volume, siblings Billy and Autumn return to show readers sympathy and empathy illustrated through theirs and the new characters' behaviors. Even better, readers are shown responsible solutions to the problems at hand. 

In addition to the great writing and editing, one of the things I love about Runaway Whiskers is that the glass is shown half full -- it's optimistic! Yes, there are some sad parts, but it's overwhelmingly positive and shows unexpected perks of acting responsibly. It does cross into a parenting nightmare zone by implying that by doing the right thing, Autumn is rewarded with her dream coming true and her getting a pet rabbit -- YIKES. This underscores the importance of why parents and caregivers should read books together, so these kinds of situations can be talked about and addressed on the spot, and kids can be reminded that sometimes doing the right thing is a reward unto itself.

Illustrator Hilbert Bermejo is back and provides crisp and clean lined illustrations to carry the book along. The strongest point of the illustrations is the expressions he puts on the characters' faces - readers will get all the feels. The cover really draws-in readers and the pages will keep them engaged. And I LOVE the new larger, 8"x 10" format that will be easy to locate when kids want to re-read the story. (And they WILL want to re-read the story!)

New larger 8x10 format on the left!

I shared both books with a younger reader, and he observed that it appeared that Billy's eyes had changed from the first volume to the second. (My young friend is half-Korean, and he thought that in The Big Catch, Billy looked like he may have been Asian, too.) I don't know if this was an intended change in the art or not, but kids like to be able to see themselves in the stories they read, and my friend felt disappointed by the change in book two. Adding in (or keeping) diverse characters would be a great way to have these stories make a connection with more readers. 

The Oregon Kids books are great, bite-sized stories that are both educational and enjoyable for all. I look forward to more books and life lessons coming in the series. Thank you to the author for providing me a print copy in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: BOB RICHLEY grew up in the Chicago area and now lives in beautiful Colorado. Growing up Richley would often go camping in the Rocky Mountains. It was these childhood camping trips and especially his visit to Crater Lake in Oregon that was the inspiration for events in the Oregon Kids series. Richley is a parent, who has volunteered for years in children’s ministry. Teaching children good values and the grace of God are his passions. His stories, originally written for a single mom to help her raise her children, are a way to fulfill this passion. Richley has always loved children, wanting all children to be raised with love and grace. It is his hope that his stories will be one of many tools that parents will use to teach and to raise their children with Godly values.

  
Connect with Bob on his  AUTHOR PAGE, where you'll find Oregon Kids coloring pages and all of Bob's social media links!  

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A Home for Rosie

Baker, M. (2016). A Home for Rosie. Gypsy Publications.

Children's Picture Book / Pets / Teachable Moments

I gave this book 4 of 5 Stars
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About the Book: Rosie is an older dog who loves her home and her owner, Paul. She enjoys playing and taking walks with him. One day, Paul gets very sick and can't take her on a walk. He goes away in a big white van with flashing lights...and never returns. Rosie is taken to a shelter. Day after day, she waits for Paul to return and watches as brown dogs, white dogs, puppies and kittens are adopted. Won't anyone take Rosie home?
This story is inspired by the millions of older and special needs pets who are overlooked at adoption time.

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Hall Ways Review: It is always such a pleasure to read and review one of Misty Baker's books, and A Home for Rosie is no exception. Truly, I was on the verge of tears while reading this story; it is so painful at times! Baker does an excellent job of putting the reader into Rosie's shoes and conveying Rosie's confusion -- and ultimately her despair and depression. Accompanied by the sweet, expressive illustrations by Kattarina Storost, specific emotions are definitely conveyed and heartstrings are pulled. A lot. 

If other readers are like me, they will finish this book and want to go out and adopt a senior pet right away. (Parents, be prepared!)  Perhaps because I have a senior animal myself (a nearly fifteen-year-old Jack Russell terrier), the story was even more heart-wrenching as I imagined our poor dog being left like Rosie.  To that end, readers will enjoy and find comfort in the real-life pet adoption stories included at the end of the book.  

 

Though typically I would recommend a picture book like this for the youngest readers, some of the pages are text heavy and the topic is just heavy for the youngest and most sensitive readers. The book is probably best read with an adult alongside the young reader, and an adult prepared to explain the Rainbow Bridge for both humans and pets.  There are a few errors with punctuation and capitalization, but the errors are nothing that will interfere with the readers' enjoyment of the book or likely register with the intended audience. 

A Home for Rosie is a great reminder that older animals can make wonderful  pets. The messages that pets aren't disposable, that pet ownership is a real commitment, and that pets require love and caring are important for us humans to learn as early as possible. 

Thank you to the author for providing me a lovely print copy (to have and to hold!) in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT AUTHOR MISTY BAKER and her books on her WEBSITE, on TWITTER, or on FACEBOOK.


OTHER BOOKS BY MISTY BAKER:

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Gathering Courage ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Blog Tour Promo* & Giveaway!

GATHERING COURAGE

A Life-Changing Journey through Adoption, 

Adversity, and a Reading Disability

by

T.A. McMullin

 

Genre: Inspirational Memoir

Publisher: Gathering Courage Media

Date of Publication: January 19, 2016

Number of Pages: 222

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Why do some people find success despite hardships and others sink into a pit of despair?

 

Gathering Courage: A Life-Changing Journey through Adoption, Adversity, and a Reading Disability by T.A. “Terry” McMullin is the author's incredible, award-winning memoir meant to inspire hope and encouragement to those who are going through tough times.

Terry dusted off the hurt from abandonment, rejection by her adoptive parents, dyslexia, shock of placement in a foster home, and a life-altering accident. Her faith and tenacity along with the internal desire to overcome is thought provoking as Terry worked her way through Texas A&M University. Terry’s life transformed from a broken-hearted child who could barely make out words in elementary school to a distinguished educator and writer who encourages young people to work hard and achieve their greatest aspirations.

Any reader who loves a true story with a Christian focus should definitely read this book. Learn about the special love for rescued animals and how they played a part in healing hurts and encouraging success.

PRAISE FOR GATHERING COURAGE:

 

*North American Book Awards, 2015 Winner

"Gathering Courage is an American story filled with adversity, triumphs, heartbreaks, and great personal victory. . . I give this epic book five stars. I held my breath after every chapter and you will too! -- Charmaine Carraway, writer ​for the HUFFINGTON POST

"Overall, this memoir is a testament to the endurance of the human spirit in the face of emotional and physical pain. The author consistently notes the need for love and encouragement when dealing with both people and animals as well as the necessity of prayer and thankfulness; it's almost a rhythmic incantation in the text. Readers will feel as if they're walking alongside McMullin as she tells her story and advises readers how they, too, can survive setbacks. -- KIRKUS REVIEW

"Gathering Courage is a truly moving read that will touch many hearts and positively inspire them to touch the lives of others.” -- Faridah Nassozi, READERS' FAVORITE

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Author Interview 1: T.A. “Terry” McMullin

Was writing your book easy?

My determination to write a book was not centered around a computer in a quiet room, writing and writing until the final project was perfect and complete.

Instead, Gathering Courage was a long three-year project of reminiscing from the heart and the hurts of the past for the sole purpose of encouraging others. Notes and thoughts were scribbled on paper before sentences and paragraphs were ever formed. The sentences then shaped the chapters until the book was completed.

Because of a reading disability—dyslexia—my words had to be carefully thought out, read over and over, until the sentence structure and spelling was accurate.

After the completion of Gathering Courage it was proofread by at least ten different readers.  To my complete amazement, in less than 30 days after printing the proof copies, Gathering Courage won first place in two categories in the 2015 North American Book Awards.

Was self-publishing your book the right decision for you?  

Lots of thought went into not only the production of the book itself but also in a marketing plan. My decision to self-publish led me into uncharted territory. The cover needed to draw attention to the book. The title, Gathering Courage: A Life-Changing Journey Through Adoption, Adversity, and a Reading Disability, was designed around a unique picture of the Snake River, in Wyoming. I chose a picture taken by a friend who was paddling in a canoe through the shadows of the majestic Grand Teton Mountain range.

The picture on the back cover included my handsome horse Sonny who has a personality as big as Texas. Sonny enjoyed being the center of attention and certainly made the back cover come to life.

After printing the book and having it proofed over and over, a final copy was produced.  Gathering Courage was then ready for honest reviews. The comments were amazing and I was humbled by all the outstanding five stars reviews from readers all around the world.  These reviews along with a positive Kirkus Review helped me to know self-publishing was the right choice for me. 

What are some day jobs that you have held?  Did any of them impact your writing?

I became a teacher in 1982 and my passion for teaching continues today. My professional career involves teaching agriculture, science, developing material for science and science fairs, working with students in an alternative school setting, and teaching students with visual impairments. 

What brings me the most joy is mentoring students with the same reading disability that I have. Dyslexia is why I was called stupid and labeled a slow learner in school. Dyslexia is why I struggled in school. Dyslexia is why I tell my story to a group of young students who are working hard to learn strategies that will help them be successful in school.

Identification and early intervention is the key in helping to overcome dyslexia. I am thankful that today, students with a learning disability have access to programs that help to teach phonic alphabetic coding, visual recognition, fluency, and reading comprehension. These key ingredients provide tools for managing dyslexia, and in developing positive self-esteem to help deal with the struggles of dyslexia.

Who has influenced your writing the most?

I have to start by saying my faith in the Lord is a source of inspiration in everything that I been through and in everything to come. 

My friends encouraged me to write. They helped me to proof sentences and paragraphs.  My friends laughed and cried with me when the last sentence brought the entire book together. 

Together in 2015, we cheered when the book won a North American Book Awards award.  Today we are amazed at the positive reviews and stand looking over the horizon to see where Gathering Courage is headed.

The dyslexia students that I mentored silently influenced me to write.  I wanted to show each of them that, “We may have dyslexia but it doesn’t have us.   We may have a reading disability but with hard work and determination, goals and dreams can be accomplished”.

As I begin to write, I slowed my pace and looked around to see struggles on the faces of so many strangers that I will never meet.  I wanted each of them to know that struggles can be turned into success and that living a life of compassion and purpose is gratifying and rewarding.  I wanted to stand and shout, “Encouragement does make a difference.  Let’s encourage one another today.”

 

Award winning Gathering Courage author, T. A. “Terry” McMullin, knows as well as anyone that hard times are a part of the journey of life.

Terry was born in an orphanage, then adopted, and made a foster child by her parents.  Because Terry struggled with reading, comprehension, and spelling, she was placed in a foster home at the age of nine.  As a child in the 1960s, hardly 
anyone recognized the learning issues related to dyslexia. The struggle to learn continued through high school.

From her deep faith in the Lord, Terry developed an internal desire to excel, no matter the obstacle, no matter the situation. Pushing adversity and a reading disability aside, Terry enrolled in college. While attending college and working full-time, Terry taught herself how to read and study.  With pure grit and determination, Terry succeeded and earned  Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Texas A&M University.

At crucial points in her life, Terry found people who showed her unconditional love and encouragement. Terry gained gratification, emotional, and spiritual support from working with horses and dogs. The encouragement from others made Terry’s life better so she vowed to be a champion for others who needed help.

Terry lives on a small ranch in Texas, a forever home, with her horses, donkeys, and rescued border collie dogs.

  

WEBSITE
GATHERING COURAGE FACEBOOK
KATIE LYNN'S COURAGE FACEBOOK
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

10/3	Review	It's a Jenn World
10/4	Author Interview 1	Hall Ways Blog
10/5	Review	Country Girl Bookaholic
10/6	Excerpt 1	Margie's Must Reads
10/7	Review	Forgotten Winds
10/8	Guest Post 1	My Book Fix Blog
10/9	Promo	Momma On The Rocks
10/10	Author Interview 2	StoreyBook Reviews
10/11	Review	Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books
10/12	Excerpt 2	Byers Editing Reviews & Blog
10/13	Guest Post 2	Books and Broomsticks
10/14	Review	Reading By Moonlight
10/15	Author Interview 3	A Novel Reality
10/16	Promo	Syd Savvy
10/17	Review	The Page Unbound

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