Spotlight: The Fresh New Face of Griselda by Jennifer Torres

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A moving coming-of-age novel about one girl’s struggles after her parents lose their home, and her journey to find hope in family and friendship, from Jennifer Torres, the author of Stef Soto, Taco Queen.

Griselda “Geez” Zaragoza has a love for beautiful things, like her collection of vintage teacups and the flower garden she and her dad planted in the front yard. But when his business fails, Griselda loses not just her home, but also her confidence and her trust in her unflappable parents.

Tagging along with big sister Maribel, who postponed college for a job selling Alma Cosmetics, Geez dreams up a way to reclaim the life she thinks she lost. If she can sell enough tubes of glistening, glittery Alma lip gloss, she’ll win a cash prize that could help jump start her dad’s business.

With ups and downs along the way, Geez will discover that beauty isn’t just lost or found, but made and re-made.

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Jennifer Torres is an award-winning writer and the author of The Fresh New Face of Griselda, Flor and Miranda Steal the Show, Stef Soto, Taco Queen, and Finding the Music/En pos de la música. A former journalist, her work is inspired by her Mexican-American heritage. She lives with her family in Southern California. Visit her online at http://www.jenntorres.com.

Spotlight: Adventures with Annabelle and Maisie by Julie Wenzlick

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The Day Annabelle Was Bitten By a Doodlebug
by Julie Wenzlick
Genre: Children's Rhyming Picture Book

When pre-schooler Annabelle awakens one morning, she has a strange urge to start doodling.
She calls for paper and pen and begins doodling continuously, unable to stop—even for meals! Her concerned parents take her to the doctor, who discovers a doodlebug bite on her neck.
He assures them her doodling urges will end when the bite fades away. Annabelle gets so good at doodling she opens a shop to sell her work and even travels the world to share her art.
Then one day the bite fades and so do her uncontrollable urges.



The Day Maisie and Annabelle Got the Giggles
by Julie Wenzlick
Genre: Children's Rhyming Picture Book 

After sisters Annabelle and Maisie meet the gigglepuss outside on the trampoline, they suddenly can’t stop giggling. Their dad has a hard time believing they met a gigglepuss, calling it “mythical nonsense.” But as time passes and they giggle harder and harder, there’s no choice but to take them to the doctor, who provides an unpleasant but effective remedy. Wonder who else in the family will encounter that rascally gigglepuss?





The Day Maisie Picked a Daisy
by Julie Wenzlick
Genre: Children's Rhyming Picture Book 

When big sister Annabelle decides to go against Mom’s rules and take little sister Maisie Grace for a ride in her pink Barbie Corvette, she has no idea of the adventure that lies ahead!  Join these wandering sisters as they explore Miss Millie’s garden and fail to obey the sign: Do NOT pick the Daisies!  What will happen when Maisie unknowingly plucks one daisy from the garden?




Julie Wenzlick is a retired English teacher who loves to rhyme. She began writing poems and stories in second grade, and she loves to share her books with elementary students in hopes of inspiring them to write their own stories. Three of her books were inspired by her granddaughters Annabelle and Maisie. She often gets the question from her young audiences, "Did this REALLY happen?" Her book "The Day Annabelle was Bitten by a Doodlebug" was chosen as Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest Children's Book category for 2017. Julie, who also writes songs to go with her books, produced her original full-length musical comedy "Singles File," in the early 90s at three venues. You can find out more about her at juliewenzlick.com




Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!







Spotlight: The Emily Knight Series by A. Bello

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Emily Knight I Am....
Emily Knight Series Book 1
by A. Bello
Genre: YA, MG Fantasy

Emily Knight I AM... is about a thirteen year old warrior named Emily, who is far from ordinary and she hates it! The daughter of a heroic warrior and the press favourite problem child. Against her wishes she is sent to the Osaki Training School to control her powers. She learns to fly, breathe under water and battle but someone has their eyes set on Emily and now she has to chose between the two people she loves.
Emily Knight I AM... has elements of grittiness that is more mature than other fantasy books. As well as being laugh out loud funny, the characters are real, complicated and relatable. A. Bello pushes the boundaries by breaking the conventions in this diverse, absorbing novel.





Emily Knight I Am...Awakened
Emily Knight Series Book 2

Dark times are upon us. Neci is back and she is more dangerous than ever. The warriors are forced to pick a side and to stand up for what they believe in. The race is on to find the missing warrior first. It's the only way to prevent a war from happening and to stop Neci from destroying everything. Emily Knight has to get sharper, stronger and faster because Neci has made her a target and someone is going to great lengths to hurt her. Can Emily win the race? Or will Neci take her down once and for all?

**Nominated for the 2019 Carnegie Medal!**
**Finalist for London's Big Read 2019!**




A. Bello is a young author from North London and the author of the Emily Knight series (Emily Knight I am... & Emily Knight I am...Awakened)
She wrote her first novel at aged 8, where she fought monsters and dragons daily and was first published at aged 12 for a poem she wrote in school.

A. Bello wrote the first in the Emily Knight saga at aged 12, with the intention of filling in a gaping hole in children's fiction for an inspirational, strong, black female protagonist (who can fight like a man!)

A. Bello has received rave reviews for her debut book as well as success with her Emily Knight Warriors pop-up book. She is the founder of The Lil' Author School and co-founder of The Author School. The Author School was shortlisted for The Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2016.

A. Bello has appeared in Female First Magazine, The Mirror, BBC1XTRA to name a few.





Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!







Cover Reveal: Roger Mantis by Tom Alan Bosz

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Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Roger Mantis by Tom Alan Brosz

presented by Tantrum Books!

Be on the lookout for this upcoming title, and be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the post!

What do you think of the cover?

Baseball is Roger McGillicutty’s whole life. That is until he wakes one Saturday to find he is no longer a normal eleven-year-old boy. He's a five-foot-tall praying mantis. Roger has school on Monday, the carnival comes to town next week, and his baseball team is poised to play their biggest rival in one week. Being a giant bug will seriously cramp Roger’s style! To Roger’s surprise, his parents and friends are supportive. Even his dog isn’t spooked. But not everyone’s thrilled about Roger’s change. Some people are frightened and others would like nothing more than to squash him into the ground like the bug he is. And when Little League officials oust Roger from baseball, his world collapses. When a reporter from the city comes snooping around rumors of a man-sized baseball-playing praying mantis, Roger must choose between hiding his true self or being the hero he's always wanted to be.

Roger Mantis by Tom Alan Brosz Publication Date: April 2, 2019 Publisher: Tantrum Books

Available for Pre-order: Amazon

Tom Alan Brosz actually is a rocket scientist (sort of), having done design and engineering work in the private space industry back before the private space industry was cool. His qualifications for writing this book are that he has experience in raising children who like bugs, and raising pet mantises for those children. Normal-sized mantises, of course.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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Spotlight: The Secret of Zoone by Lee Edward Fodi

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Welcome to Zoone: crossroads of the multiverse. In this inventive fantasy, fans of Diana Wynne Jones and Lisa McMann will step through an enchanted doorway and into a world filled with infinite portals to new—and sometimes perilous—lands.

When a bright blue winged tiger appears on his aunt’s sofa, Ozzie can tell he’s in for an adventure. He’s thrilled to follow Tug—a skyger—through a secret door in the basement and into Zoone, the bustling Grand Central Station of the universe, where a thousand doors act as portals to strange and wonderful worlds.

But some doors also hide dangers—and when the portal back to Earth explodes behind him, Ozzie gets more adventure than he bargained for. In a station full of wizards, creepy-crawlies, and the occasional cursed princess, Ozzie has to find a way to repair his door… and possibly save the multiverse in the process.

Brimming with colorful characters, magical mayhem, and endless adventure, this new tween series has a doorway for every reader—just be sure to close the door behind you!

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Lee Edward Födi is a children’s author, illustrator, and educator—or, as he likes to think of himself, a daydreaming expert. He is the author of several books for children, including the Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar series. Lee lives in Vancouver with his wife and unhelpful cat. Visit him online at www.leefodi.com.

Spotlight: Grandma's Promise by Susan Jones and Illustrated by Lee Holland

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Nobody loves you like Grandma loves you!

Show little ones how much they are adored with this beautifully illustrated story celebrating the enduring wonder of a grandma’s love. From wisdom and guidance to strength and security, each page highlights one of the many ways in which grandmothers add to a child’s life. Some days Grandma is a protector guiding her grandchild to safety, other days she is a teacher giving her grandchild lessons on tradition and how to be the best they can be. With baby animals and colorful delights on every page, this rhyming tale is sure to be a bedtime favorite.

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Susan Jones is a mother, wife, writer, and Sunday school teacher at her local church. She lives with her family and two dogs in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.