Author Reading: Temecula Berry Co.

Croaker will make his first debut July 3rd, 2012 at the Temecula Berry Co!  Stop by for Nana's Story times: 9:00am and 10:30am.  Local author, Melissa Alani, will perform an author reading of her story, 'God's Biggest Treasures'.

 During the story, the readers will discover on their journey with the character, Katie,  that something small can become God’s biggest treasures!  The story covers how a caterpillar manifest into a colorful butterfly, an acorn will grow into a giant oak-tree, and a tadpole will transform into a frog. 
 

Once the story has been told, I will recover with animated objects the life cycle of the butterfly and tadpole. With the magic of a magnified-glass; the readers will be able to discover how something that is small can look much bigger.  Each reader will receive a little gift from Mrs. Alani to take home.

The Message behind the story

• The Bible verse John 3:16
• God’s glory
• Something small can turn into something BIG
• God’s love
• Sharing God’s love with others

After the the reading, stop by the barn to learn more about blueberry picking. Enjoy fresh blueberries to make a delicious blueberry pie for the 4th of July!

Temecula Berry Co. 

39700 Cantrell Rd.

Temecula, CA 92591

Book Review: The Fish Who Swam Too Far

 The Fish Who Swam Too Far

By, Danielle Kirrane

 'The Fish Who Swam Too Far', is an enlightening story of a little fish named Harry, whom is teased by his siblings for for his insecurities of being a scared. Loveable Harry, longs to overcome his fears and to build-up courage to be appreciated by those around him.

After a day of taunting by his sisters and brothers, Harry's emotions quickly switched from sadness to anger.  Harry had enough! For the first time he stood-up for himself towards his siblings and then decided to swim away. 

After realizing he had swum too far, Harry hears the calls of help from another clown-fish. There are challenges that Harry has to overcome in order assist the other fish. Harry conquers his fears by repeatedly telling himself, "I am brave." He builds up his courage to help the clown-fish in distress.  Harry has overcome his insecurities!  

The delightful illustrations are in bold color and catches the attention of the little reader. The girls and I were rooting for Harry the entire time. The story brought-up important discussions of respecting others for who there are; that teasing others is not acceptable; how we are all different in our own way; and how we have the power inside us to overcome our insecurities.

A little about the author

Danielle Kirrane resides in NJ, along with her husband and their two daughters, their dog Jayda, their cat Jimmy little, and their fish. She is a stay at home mom, and loves every minute of it! Her new children’s book, The fish who swam too far, was inspired by her oldest daughter. The clown-fish Harry’s character was actually based on their goldfish named Harry. The fish who swam too far was created one day as Danielle sat with her daughter on the couch. She made up this story as an adventure for their fish Harry and to teach her daughter a valuable lesson as well. Her daughter was actually the one to push her to publish it, luckily she did!
For more information on Danielle Kirrane or her book, The fish who swam too far, you can check out her website at:
The Fish Who Swam Too Far

Story age range: Read-aloud - Elementary (Although, I did look-up to see my 17 year old's eyes off of her i-phone and fixed on the story, now that speaks volumes)

To order a copy of, "The Fish Who Swam Too Far" :  Tate Publishing  or Amazon

My recommendations: This was a delightful story that captured the attention of all three of my daughters. The story line instills the theory that one should not let their challenges in life own them; they can own their challenges and overcome obstacles that come their way! 

Book Review: be paitent Petunia

 

 be patient Petunia 

By, Erin Butler

    As a Christian mother and Sunday School teacher, one of the important foundations we can in-still in our children is the Fruits of the Spirit. The story introduction starts with Galatians 5:22-23, and carries the theme of the scripture through-out each page; teaching the reader one of life's challenging fruits, patients!

  The charming character, Petunia, who has wonderful traits, finds it a little difficult to have to wait. Petunia, who is too impatient to wait for the cake to bake, discovers it might have been best to wait after taking a taste of the half baked cake. With each challenge, adorable Petunia encounters with her puppy in tow, are often told that good things come to those who patiently wait. The reader will giggle and start to know with each turn of the page to say, "Be patient Petunia!"

  My daughters smiled from ear to ear and hung on to every word. A book that makes a child giggle, is a book that makes a treasured moment between the reader and the child. When the girls become a little impatient, all I have to tell them now is, "Be patient Petunia!" 

  The book reads as a rhyming story with heart-warming illustrations that captures the emotions of the character. The whimsical critters were a darling added touch.

  A little about the author Erin

Erin Butler is a stay-at-home wife and mother from Springfield, Missouri, whose greatest passions are her faith and her family. Her inspiration for Petunia came from her daughter, in one of those moments that all mothers of toddlers can relate to when they are responding to impatient little pleas saying, “Hold on, wait, be patient!” So Petunia was created as a gift to her daughter, as a way of teaching her what patience looks like in a fun and enjoyable way. That was coupled with a love for reading, and the belief that a book is one of the best gifts you can give to a child to foster learning and imagination. Now available to all, she hopes her little story will bless others as well!

Erin’s other passions include: cooking wholesome real food for her family, learning how to be self-sustaining, enjoying the great outdoors, and drinking coffee. She is also an avid home workout-video fan and occasionally teaches Turbo Kick fitness classes on the side.

Erin's Books & More

Story age range: Read- aloud - Elementary

 

To order a copy of, "be patient Petunia": Tate Publishing  or Amazon !

My recommendation: If you have a little one, purchase a copy to teach the children the wonderful gift of patients! The added gem, is the scripture placed in the story. It is a wonderful tool to teach children to memorize Scripture!