Spotlight: Fly, Fly Again by Katie Jaffe and Jennifer Lawson

Fly, Fly Again introduces young readers to the concepts of flight – lift, gravity, thrust, and drag, along with pitch, roll, and yaw. Jenny and Jude accompanied by their pets, Kitty and Hawk, work together to build a flying machine. It is a fun story of adventure, teamwork, and perseverance that begins to lay a foundation for aerodynamics in an adorable picture book format.

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About the Authors

Katie Jaffe: With a passion for children’s causes, Katie has committed herself to several charities, helping children around the world.  As Creative Director and Design Consultant of Aviation for Spectre Air Capital,  Katie has aided in the design of several high profile aircraft.  Currently, she is leading the marketing and design effort of an overseas airline.  She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband–who is a pilot– and their three children who like to fly. 

Jennifer Lawson: Lifelong educator and advocate of the Childrens’ Literacy Program.  Jennifer seeks to bring knowledge to students through creative curriculum and technology on a global level.  As Owner and President of Decision Tree Technologies, she is currently endeavoring to teach using technologically advanced solutions that excite today’s students. She lives in Austin, Texas with her family.

Connect:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LiftoffLearningStudios

IG: @liftofflearningstudios

Spotlight: Grasshopper Eye and the Lost Vial by Michelle Jester

When the villagers first noticed that each of them had one item missing from their homes, they set out on a journey that ends with them finding something far more valuable than things. Go with Grasshopper Eye on a journey through friendships, feeling, and fitting in.

Book Excerpt:

Grasshopper Eye lived in a village deep in the forest. He made small vials that villagers could put their sad tears in.

He felt that letting sad tears fall down your face or wiping them away was a huge waste of something that took so much pain to make.

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About the Author

Michelle Jester is the author of several novels that fall into the Coming of Age, New Adult contemporary romance, Social Issues, Women’s Lit categories. Michelle’s titles, published through RopeSwing Press, include The Funeral Flower, Love, Cutter, and Two Thousand Lines (due out November 21, 2019.) In addition, Michelle is releasing a children’s book, Grasshopper Eye and the Lost Vial, through Yellow Duckie Press on the same day as Two Thousand Lines. It is featured in the contemporary novel, however is a stand-alone publications for a younger audience.

Michelle also writes several professional and personal blogs, contributes articles for independent publications, and is the Editor-in-chief for Modern Grace magazine. In addition, she is a Media and Publishing consultant, photographer, and graphic designer. 

In 2007, she received the Louisiana Distinguished Civilian Service Medal for her work with military and their families. She has served as Public Relations manager and volunteer to non-profit organizations geared toward helping Veterans of war and their families. Michelle is a self proclaimed hopeless romantic who lives in Louisiana with her husband, high school sweetheart and a retired Army Master Sergeant. Together they have a son, daughter, and daughter-in-law.

Website → http://www.michellejester.net

Twitter → http://www.twitter.com/michelle_jester

Facebook → http://www.facebook.com/authormichellejester

Goodreads → https://www.goodreads.com/michelle_jester

Spotlight: Bertie’s Book of Spooky Wonders by Ocelot Emerson

Twelve-year-old Bertie Blount is great at causing trouble. When she's forced to leave behind her dad and friends in North Carolina so her mom can marry the most boring optometrist in the world, Bertie has a chance at a fresh start.

But when Bertie arrives in Pennsylvania, she doesn’t just bring trouble; she brings disaster. In a moment of anger, Bertie unwittingly triggers an accident that puts her future stepbrother in a coma.

Broken and desperate to make things right, Bertie prays for a miracle. Instead, the universe gives her a pair of supernatural sunglasses, a wise-cracking doppleganger, and a terrifying ghost that sends Bertie on a dangerous mission to find the one thing that just might save her stepbrother’s life.

Excerpt

“When I was your age, I remember your great-aunt Tillie telling me an old world legend about how we shape our fates,” Mom said, switching to her softer storytelling voice. “According to the legend, every person is born with two wolves inside them.”

“So that would mean I have two wolves inside me right now?” I said.

“Are you going to ruin the legend for me? Can I finish the story, please? Yes, you have two wolves inside you, and they are fighting to survive. One wolf is kind and loving and generous. The other wolf is mean and angry and selfish. The person you become, Bertie, depends upon which wolf you feed.”

“You’re done, right?” I asked, trying to keep fear out of my voice.

Mom nodded.

“Cool. It’s a nice legend, Mom, but there’s one problem. If I really have two wolves inside me, I’m pretty sure I’ll have to buy bigger pants…” Before I could finish my smart-aleck remark, Mom shouted a swear word she told me to never say, and cut the steering wheel hard to the right.

Through the windshield I spotted two huge dogs in the middle of the road looking straight at us. Wait, no, not dogs—wolves. One was grayish and white with icy diamond blue eyes, and the other was grayish and black with hot ruby red eyes. The wolves were big and scary and beautiful, and they were about to become furry road pizzas.

“AHHH!” Mom and I screamed.

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About the Author

Ocelot Emerson is the freakish result of a mad scientist's experiment gone horribly wrong. Born half magnificent cat, half malicious human, Ocie escaped from the secret International Prison For Wayward Creatures, and into a deep dark woods, only to be captured by a pack of ravenous ghost wolves. In a stroke of good fortune, the Great Spirit Wolves set aside their natural disdain for all things feline and accepted the cat person into their pack, where they taught Ocie how to hunt and tell bizarre yet heartwarming tales. Bertie’s Book of Spooky Wonders is Ocelot’s first novel aimed at feral and phenomenally gifted children. That means you, kid!

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Spotlight: Cookie & Milk: A Scientifically Stunt-tastic Sisterhood by Jessica Gibson

Picture Book

Date Published: 10/01/2019

IPG Top Shelf Title

Cookie & Milk are nothing alike but are their best when together. Follow through this dynamic duo skateboard stunts and tubular-tastic surfs to discover what lies beneath true friendship. Cookie is a genius, Milk a daredevil. Cookie loves math & science. Milk loves adventure & adrenaline. What could two little girls who are nothing alike possibly have in common? Follow this dynamic duo through skateboard stunts and tubular-tastic surfs to discover what lies beneath true friendship. You may be surprised at what you find. Michele McAvoy has created a genuine story that breaks stereotypes sure to entertain, excite, and endear young readers and parents alike.

About the Author

Michele is a mother of two young children, an attorney and a writer.  She began writing creatively again as an adult after the tragic loss of her father in 2001.  This loss coupled with the joys and craziness of being a mother has allowed her to tap into a wonderful well of inspiration. Her picture book entitled "The Gorilla Picked Me!" was released Spring 2018 with Native Ink Press. Her picture book entitled "Cookie & Milk" is slated to release in 2019 with Cardinal Rule Press and is listed as a top shelf title with IPG. A personal piece she wrote entitled, "Writing for Children from Tragedy," was published on September 8, 2017, by The Children's Writer's Guild (http://www.childrenswritersguild.com/writing-for-children-from-tragedy/).  She's a member of SCBWI (active in NY & NJ), The Author's Guild (https://www.authorsguild.net/services/members/2412).

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Cover Reveal: Bertie’s Book of Spooky Wonders by Ocelot Emerson with Giveaway

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Bertie's Book of Spooky Wonders
by Ocelot Emerson

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?

Twelve-year-old Bertie Blount is great at causing trouble. When she's forced to leave behind her dad and friends in North Carolina so her mom can marry the most boring optometrist in the world, Bertie has a chance at a fresh start. But when Bertie arrives in Pennsylvania, she doesn’t just bring trouble; she brings disaster. In a moment of anger, Bertie unwittingly triggers an accident that puts her future stepbrother in a coma. Broken and desperate to make things right, Bertie prays for a miracle. Instead, the universe gives her a pair of supernatural sunglasses, a wise-cracking doppleganger, and a terrifying ghost that sends Bertie on a dangerous mission to find the one thing that just might save her stepbrother’s life.

Bertie's Book of Spooky Wonders
by Ocelot Emerson
Publication Date: October 15, 2019
Publisher: Tantrum Books

Pre-order
Amazon

Ocelot Emerson is the freakish result of a mad scientist's experiment gone horribly wrong. Born half magnificent cat, half malicious human, Ocie escaped from the secret International Prison For Wayward Creatures, and into a deep dark woods, only to be captured by a pack of ravenous ghost wolves. In a stroke of good fortune, the Great Spirit Wolves set aside their natural disdain for all things feline and accepted the cat person into their pack, where they taught Ocie how to hunt and tell bizarre yet heartwarming tales. Bertie’s Book of Spooky Wonders is Ocelot’s first novel aimed at feral and phenomenally gifted children. That means you, kid!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight: The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems

The Pigeon is about to get SCHOOLED. Do YOU think he should go?

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?! Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!

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