Mystery Friend Friday :: Meet Children's Author Amy Krouse Rosenthal ::

.: Meet Children's Author, Amy Krouse Rosenthal :.

I became a HUGE fan of Ms. Rosenthal this past January after reading her book on motherhood, The Mother's Guide to the Meaning of Life: What Being a Mom Has Taught Me About Resiliency, Guilt, Acceptance, and Love (Guides to the Meaning of Life).

I could hardly put it down! It was full of laughter, wisdom, and acceptance, which are all reflections of this incredibly talented author as a person.  She is not only super-creative, but she is a true humanitarian. 

You must check out her blog, MISSion Amy K.R..  I follow it religiously, and I am astounded week after week at her genuine mission to spread kindness around the globe.

Here are a few of her children's books (and, yes, they are as cute as they look!). Check them out!!!

You can also visit a post I wrote on my other blog, Ten Thousand Hugs, about Ms. Rosenthal! Just click here!

P/S ... I am also hosting a giveaway on my other blog! Click here to enter!

Happy 4th of July, everyone!!!

Be sure to link up below with this super-cool linky party!!

 

  

Book Review #12 - The Seer of Shadows by Avi

The Seer of Shadows

Written by Avi

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books

Copyright 2008

202 pages

"I stood there in great distress.  My head fairly seethed. ... The next moment my mind went to the words on the cemetery gate:  The Dead Shall Be Reborn. ... Tears ran down my face as I had to accept the extraordinary fact:  I, Horace Carpetine, had somehow brought Eleanora Von Macht back into the living world."

Publisher's Summary:  In New York City in 1872, fourteen-year-old Horace, a photographer's apprentice, becomes entangled in a plot to create fraudulent spirit photographs, but when Horace accidentally frees the real ghost of a dead girl bent on revenge, his life takes a frightening turn.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  One-third ghost story, one-third historical fiction, and one-third history of still photography, The Seer of Shadows is truly mesmerizing and page-turning.  Avi's amazing ability to capture a specific time and place in history is remarkable, as evidenced throughout this novel.  The reader will find him or herself as entangled in this story as the daring protagonist, Horace Carpetine, as he (Horace) races against time to stop a girl's spirit from inducing terrible destruction upon her family.  Get ready to read this novel from start-to-finish in one sitting!

This book is recommended for ages 9 - 12 years.

More page-turners and spine-tinglers I recommend by Avi:

Clues #2 and #3 for Mystery Friend Friday :: Always Trust Magic and Bite-size Lessons ::

**For the comments section:  What are your favorite ghost stories? **

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Boys' Book Pack Giveaway Winner :: AND Meet Lois Ehlert .: Last Week's Mystery Friend :.

Congrats to M.A. Noeth for winning the Boys' Book Pack in honor of Father's Day! Please be sure to visit her darling children's literature blog, Small Books 4 Big World!!!

** I wanted to give everyone an update on why I went MIA last Friday.  I know that was a terrible time to not post here with a giveaway ending and Mystery Friend Friday at hand, but my husband's dear grandmother is very, very ill with cancer.  Our family is extremely close to her; in fact, we named our dear little baby girl, Naomi, born this past January, after this lovely woman.  We are not sure how much longer she has to live, so we had to make a trip to see her this past weekend to say our goodbyes.  Thank you for your support ... I absolutely love all of my blogging friends and appreciate your thoughts and prayers! **

And now ... meet Lois Ehlert, one of the most creative and innovative children's illustrators of our time!!! Ms. Ehlert is most well-known for her distinctive nature and collage artwork. 

Here are a few of my personal favorites by Ms. Ehlert:

In 1989, Ms. Ehlert received the remarkable Caldecott Honor Award for her book, Color Zoo.

You can learn more about Ms. Ehlert's artwork and life here! 

** Clue #1 for this week's Mystery Friend :: A.K.R. :: ** 

Psssst ... be sure to check out my other blog, Ten Thousand Hugs, tomorrow for a giveaway! Just click on the button below to get there!!