​Dad By My Side
Written and Illustrated by Soosh
Ages: 5-6
Grade Level: P - 3
 
I love this story. My dad is gone, no longer by my side, but his memory is. The words and images remind me of the things we did together, the things dads do with their kids. My post this week was about another dad who, I hope, will always be by his son’s side.

I hope you read the back matter for this story. It tells how Soosh got the idea, how it all started with an Instagram post. Cool!

​What If You Had An Animal Tail?
Written by Sandra Markle
Illustrated by Howard McWilliam
Grade Level: PK - 3

​​There are so many books I love, and I just found another! It’s nonfiction, but the author and illustrator added a lot of fun with a little fiction. Check out the cover to see how. This is a great way to read and understand nonfiction.
 
It's also part of a series of what-if books that include animal teeth, hair, feet, ears, nose, and eyes. You can’t get this title on Amazon, yet. I checked! I can't post a review-- I have to wait till the title appears. Did you know one of the best ways to help your favorite books/authors/illustrators is to post a review telling why you like their work. It’s like writing candy!

​Two Truths And A Lie
Written by Ammi-Joan Paquette & Laurie Ann Thompson
Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
Ages: 8 - 12
Grade Level: 3 – 7

I love this book! And so will kids, whether they’re 8 or 80. Have you ever played Two Truths and a Lie? I have. It’s fun! That’s exactly what the authors did in this book that’s 2/3 nonfiction, 1/3 fiction. There are 9 chapters total about living things. Each one tells 2 stories that are true, and 1 that’s not. All 3 feel true, but crazy. Your job— take a guess, then check the end for answers. Confession— I missed some but I kept on playing. It was too much fun!
 
Teachers, I copied this quote for you:
“Considering the fresh attention being paid to teaching a skeptical approach to information evaluation, this series opener couldn’t be better timed. A brief but savvy guide to responsible research methods adds further luster to this crowd pleaser.” —ALA Booklist (starred review)

PS- I’m so glad to read that this is the first in a series of books. I can’t wait for the next one!
PPS- The pictures are great!

Lunadar: Homeward Bound
Written by Donna L Martin
Ages/Grade Level: teen/young adult
 
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Sorry, wrong book! Mystics, Mermaids, and Fairies, Pirates, Drundles and a Dark Lord, oh my! This is the book Donna has woven in a far away land named Lunadar. The hook, our heroine, 18-year-old Princess Ariana must fight to save her kingdom from the Dark Lord and his minions, the Drundles. She must turn pirate to find food and money to keep her kingdom afloat. Her allies, the fairies and mermaids, are limited in what they can do. Lunadar is only available in Kindle now. A paper copy is coming soon, and so is the next book in the series.

​Mermaid Tales #18 Fairy Chase     
Written by Debbie Dadey
Ages: 6  - 9
Grade Level: 1 – 4

It’s another mermaid tale! The hook, do you believe in fairies? Peter Pan did, but Echo isn’t so sure. She’s fascinated when her aunt and uncle return from an ocean adventure, and they got to meet the Hairy Fairy! Echo is determined to find out if fairies are real. Read, and you’ll find out too. The best part, a sweet ending. That’s when you discover why Echo’s mom never liked fairies.
PS- I reviewed Twist and Shout, another Mermaid Tai in November of 2017. Here’s the link:
http://www.rindabeach.com/my-reads/review-of-mermaid-tales-twist-and-shout
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Cherokee Sister           
Written by Debbie Dadey
Ages: 9  - 12
Grade Level: 4 – 6
 
​This book is old, 18 years old. It was originally published  in 2000. In 2001 it came out in paperback. It was out of print till 2014. That’s when kindle offered it again.
 
The hook, 2 girls are swept onto the Trail of Tears. It all starts when Allie sneaks out of church and over to Leaf Sweetwater’s house. She tries on Leaf’s new dress, and that’s when soldiers arrived to take everone prisoner, including Allie,. The soldiers see her Indian dress, her tan, and refuse to set her free. Allie must find a way to leave word for her family. Read to find out if she succeeds.
 
I’m glad kindle offers books like this. Kids still need stories like this one about cross-cultural friendships.