Spotlight: The Daffodils Still Grow by Sherri Elizabeth Tidwell

The Daffodils Still Grow is a full-color illustrated book that portrays life after a loved one dies as seen from the observations of a motherless child. “Beautiful and inspiring.”

About the Author

The Daffodils Still Grow was inspired by diary entries of the author/illustrator, Sherri Elizabeth Tidwell, after the death of her mother when she was 14. “My mother committed suicide when I was 14, and after nearly a year of crying and hurting, I was surprised -- almost shocked -- to see the daffodils she planted right before her death still bloom again. It was a big wake-up call to me that, even though she was gone, I could still carry on without her FOR her. Somehow, our loved ones still find a way of communicating with us when we need it the most." Sherri Elizabeth now attends Seton Hill University’s MFA program in Writing Popular Fiction. She has a BA in both communications and studio arts from Austin Peay State University. She hopes that every parent will know how irreplaceable and loved they are to their children and that every child who has lost a parent will know they are not alone. Remember, the daffodils still grow!

Connect with Sherri: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Spotlight: #BabyLove by Corine Dehghanpisheh

#BabyLove: My Social Life is a children’s picture book written and illustrated by Corine Dehghanpisheh. It is recommended for modern day moms.

Synopsis

"Click." "Tap." Tag and Post. An adored baby tells a modern tale about life in today's digital world. #BabyLove: My Social Life highlights the social phenomena of sharing daily activities using technology and social networks.

"A charming modernization of the traditional bedtime tale.”- Reviewed by Kirkus

“#BabyLove: My Social Life, is a clever and entertaining look at raising children in the age of social media… The author's story flows beautifully, and her illustrations are brightly colored, cheerful and humorous… Dehghanpisheh's wry and subtle humor is evident throughout this story that will entertain adults as well as the children they share the book with. #BabyLove: My Social Life is highly recommended for tech-savvy parents and their babies.” – Reviewed by Readers’ Favorite

"#BabyLove offers a hipster view of contemporary parenting. Beneath the story of technological trendiness, however, lies a more enduring portrait of nurture and joy." – Reviewed by Foreword Clarion Reviews

About the Author

Corine Dehghanpisheh is a children’s book author and illustrator. Her inspirations for writing and illustrating come from everyday life.

She was a Mom's Choice Awards® Silver Recipient and a Next Generation Indie Author Finalist for her debut children's book Can We Play Again?, which was published in March 2012. Her inspiration for this book came from her work as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in NYC.

Corine published her second children’s book, Buddy’s Dream, in November 2013, and her third children's book, #BabyLove: My Social Life, in July 2015.

When Corine is not busy being creative, she is most likely having fun taking pictures of her family. Corine lives in Manhattan, NY with her husband and new baby.

Readers can connect with Corine on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

To learn more, go to http://www.booksbycorined.com/

Spotlight: Callaloo: The Legend of the Golden Coquí

Book Summary

Callaloo: The Legend of the Golden Coqui is the second installment in the Callaloo book series from author Marjuan Canady and illustrator, Nabeeh Bilal. This story follows Winston and his best friend Marisol as they adventure from New York City to Puerto Rico to free the legendary golden coqui frog trapped in El Yunque Rainforest. Using clues left by the Taino Indians and the guidance of the coquis, the children navigate their way through the enchanted forest in hopes to complete their mission. In a race against time, Winston and Marisol must avoid the evil Chupacabra, solve the mystery and make it back home for Abuela’s Nochebuena dinner. (Ages 3-7)

About the Authors

The Callaloo creators are DC artists and entrepreneurs, Marjuan Canady and Nabeeh Bilal. In 2012, Marjuan Canady began writing a collaborative folklore theatrical play entitled, Callaloo: A Jazz Folktale. Directed by Natalie Carter and featuring music from Trinidadian trumpet composer/musician, Etienne Charles, the show played at The Ellington Theatre in Washington, DC and the IATI Theatre (Off- Broadway) in New York City. The play was a workshop play at the 2013 Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Director’s Lab in New York City. In 2013, visual artist Nabeeh Bilal joined teams with Marjuan Canady and began self-publishing the first book in the series, titled, Callaloo: A Jazz Folktale. In under two years, Canady and Bilal have sold over thousands of books worldwide, performed live at festivals, schools and cultural arts institutions and produced their popular kids web-series How to with Callaloo.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Spotlight: Groundhog’s Dilemma by Kristen Remenar

After Groundhog announces six more weeks of winter, half his animal friends are disappointed, while the other half are excited. Each animal asks Groundhog to make his prediction in their favor the following year. Rather than being truthful about the fact that he just “calls it like he sees it,” he leads them to believe he can control the weather, accepting their gifts of food and favor. On the next Groundhog Day, he finally admits he made promises he couldn’t keep because he was trying to please everyone and makes amends.

Matt Faulkner’s rich illustrations are packed with hilarious details that will delight readers of all ages. No matter what weather the Groundhog predicts, curling up with this fun book is a great way to spend the winter.

Age Range: 3 - 7 yrs

Spotlight: The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow by Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson

Fans of the classic detective/spy story as well as the popular THE SECRET SERIES will adore this highly illustrated debut middle-grade adventure featuring three young sleuths!

Fear Not the Unexpected.  

Eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow is less than thrilled that her family is moving thousands of miles from civilization to the quiet country town of Ashpot, Connecticut, where she’s absolutely certain she’ll die of boredom. 

As if leaving New York City and her best friend, Lizzy, the only other member of the elite Detective Mystery Squad (DMS), weren’t bad enough, Fairday is stuck living in the infamous Begonia House, a creepy old Victorian with dark passageways, a gigantic dead willow tree, and a mysterious past. 

Before she can even unpack, strange music coming from behind a padlocked door leads Fairday up a spiral staircase and into a secret room, where an ancient mirror, a brass key, and a strange picture of a red-haired lady are the first in a series of clues that takes the members of the Detective Mystery Squad on an amazing adventure. 

Age Range: 10yrs +

Spotlight: The Curse of the Chocolate Phoenix by Kate Saunders

Oz and Lily’s magical chocolate-filled adventure continues in the sequel to The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop!
 
In the wrong hands, chocolate can be very dangerous indeed. . . .
 
Oz and Lily have a top-secret mission. Alba the witch has got her hands on a magical chocolate phoenix and is plotting to use it for some serious evil. With the help of an army of rats and an unreliable talking cat, the children must pursue her not only across London but through time itself. This might be their toughest adventure yet.

Age Range 10yrs + 

About the Author

KATE SAUNDERS has written lots of books for adults and children. These include Beswitched, Magicalamity, The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop and Five Children on the Western Front. She lives in London.