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Showing posts with label Vanessa Alexandre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vanessa Alexandre. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

The Adventures of Forkman: What's That Noise? by Tiffany Caldwell and W.R. MacKenzie (Book Review and Giveaway!)



What's That Noise is a book about mealtime etiquette. Scroll down to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy!

Book Details:

Book Title: The Adventures of Forkman: What's That Noise? by Tiffany Caldwell and W.R. MacKenzie
Illustrated by: Vanessa Alexandre
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot Books
Release date: Jan 2021
Tour dates: Feb 1 to Mar 5, 2021
Content Rating: G. This children's book is for everyone.

Book Description:

When poor manners are present, Forkman will be there to save the day! Join Kathryn and William as they learn how to load the dishwasher properly and avoid inappropriate distractions at the table with the help of all their utensil friends. This second book in The Adventures of Forkman series is a great introduction to mealtime etiquette for readers of all ages.


My Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

What's That Noise is a book about mealtime etiquette. This book has two chapters that each address a topic: learning how to properly load a dishwasher and learning what noises should not be heard at the dinner table.  The book starts at Chapter 3, and initially I was confused and wondered what happened to the first two chapters. I'm assuming they are part of the first book in the series. There is no indication on the front of the book cover that this is book two of a series. I did not particularly think this was the best  way to format the book, as children may question why they are missing out on these chapters.

I think learning proper etiquette from a young age is so valuable. Learning good manners is part of growing up. I especially liked that the authors included putting away cellphones and devices when at the family table. The authors use the word toot when referring to passing gas, but I think using the word fart would have been better. Kids love that word and it's funnier and better understood than toot. I know my kids would have asked me why tooting is wrong as a sound when they sing toot toot while playing with trains or cars.

The illustrations are cute and appropriate for the target audience. The facial expressions tend to be similar throughout, however.

The Adventures of Forkman series is a good introduction to basic manners. Parents can have much to discuss with their children as they read them together, such as doing chores before playtime and refraining from making offensive noises at the dinner table.


Buy the Book


Meet the Authors:

Tiffany Caldwell: I have worked with children for over thirteen years and every year basic manners become less evident. When I was growing up, my sisters and I took etiquette classes during the summer while we visited our grandparents. Etiquette was always a big part of our upbringing. ​ When we would have our family dinners, my dad, W.R. MacKenzie, would make our utensils come to life as we were eating. Forkman became a part of our dinner routine! ​ I am a mother of three great kids and a military wife to my hero. A few years ago, I told my dad we needed to start writing our story. We are so excited to share Forkman with the world!

W.R. MacKenzie: I spent thirty-nine years in the bakery business. After I retired and my four children were grown, I felt it was time to share the importance of the family meal with the world. ​​​​​The Adventures of Forkman teaches children how to properly conduct themselves at the table. Our books are filled with characters all children can relate with and I believe Forkman and his crew will help children of all ages learn manners and table etiquette.

Connect with the authors: 




Enter the Giveaway!
Ends March 12, 2021



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Friday, February 22, 2019

Do It Again! Otra Vez! by Ann Morris #ReadYourWorld (Review)


Today I am thrilled to be showcasing and reviewing Do it Again! Otra Vez! as part of Multicultural Children's Book Day, an event whose mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves. This is the third year I participate. Because of unexpected family responsibilities, I was unable to post in January but I am happy to be featuring this book today.

Book Details:

Do it Again! Otra Vez! by Ann Morris
Illustrated by: Vanessa Alexandre
Published: Sept 4, 2018
Published by Mascot Books
Hardcover picture book: 38 pages
For children ages 4-6
Content rating: G

Book Description:

Three-year-old Amy is off on an adventure-a sleepover at her aunt and uncle's house! Jump into this bilingual book and join Amy on her most exciting day, all while learning another language! When you finish reading, you will no doubt want to do it again!

My Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

It's refreshing to find dual language books for children these days since there are many immigrants in North America. I wish I had had such books when I was growing up so that my mother who did not speak English could still read books with an Italian version in it to me as I was growing up.

Do it Again! is a simple story about 3-year-old Amy who spends the day and has a sleepover with her cousin, aunt and uncle. She has a loving relationship with her relatives and they indulge her in play and affection. Amy is happy and repeats "Do it again!" as they play, read stories and show her affection.

This children's book shows the warm and close relationship that children in the Latino culture have with their relatives. Amy is comfortable being in the company of her aunt and uncle overnight without her parents, even though she is but 3 years old. Parents can use this story to demonstrate to their children that their circle of trusted adults can extent beyond mother and father.

Disclosure: A big thank you to the author for sending me a hard copy for review. All opinions are my own.


Buy the Book:


About the Author:

Ann (Ana) Morris writes in English and Spanish about children and their experiences with positive adult role models. Every child needs to feel included when reading her books. Do It Again!/Otra vez! is her first to include both English and Spanish in the same book. The books are suitable not only for children but the adults who read with them too.

Ann (Ana) Morris is an Iowa, USA, native. Her goal is to promote education that demonstrates acceptance and peace among all people. Morris has been honored by the Purple Dragonfly Award, Mom's Choice Award, CLIPPA, and Reader's Favorites. She also won the award for Best Translation from English to Spanish by International Latino Awards. This award was for a children's book by Janet Balletta, which Ms. Morris translated. International Latino Awards has granted her the honorary title of Latina de Corazn.

Connect with the Author: Website


This book was provided to me in collaboration with Multicultural Children's Book Day!


Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2019 (1/25/19) is in its 6th year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators. 
MCBD 2019 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board!

*View our 2019 Medallion Sponsors here: https://wp.me/P5tVud-
*View our 2019 MCBD Author Sponsors here: https://wp.me/P5tVud-2eN

Medallion Level Sponsors
Super Platinum: Make A Way Media

MCBD 2019 is honored to have the following Author Sponsors on board
Author Janet Balletta, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw, Author Josh Funk, Chitra Soundar, One Globe Kids – Friendship Stories, Sociosights Press and Almost a Minyan, Karen Leggett, Author Eugenia Chu, CultureGroove Books, Phelicia Lang and Me On The Page, L.L. Walters, Author Sarah Stevenson, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Hayley Barrett, Sonia Panigrah, Author Carolyn Wilhelm, Alva Sachs and Dancing Dreidels, Author Susan Bernardo, Milind Makwana and A Day in the Life of a Hindu Kid, Tara Williams, Veronica Appleton, Author Crystal Bowe, Dr. Claudia May, Author/Illustrator Aram Kim, Author Sandra L. Richards, Erin Dealey, Author Sanya Whittaker Gragg, Author Elsa Takaoka, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo, Anita Badhwar, Author Sylvia Liu, Feyi Fay Adventures, Author Ann Morris, Author Jacqueline Jules, CeCe & Roxy Books, Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace, LEUYEN PHAM, Padma Venkatraman, Patricia Newman and Lightswitch Learning, Shoumi Sen, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Traci Sorell, Shereen Rahming, Blythe Stanfel, Christina Matula, Julie Rubini, Paula Chase, Erin Twamley, Afsaneh Moradian, Lori DeMonia, Claudia Schwam, Terri Birnbaum/ RealGirls Revolution, Soulful Sydney, Queen Girls Publications, LLC

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.

Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts


FREE RESOURCES From MCBD

Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: http://bit.ly/1kGZrta

Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/

Connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.




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