Archives for March 27, 2014

Chest By The Bay is a story about an abandoned amusement park and a curious young girl who discovers a chest. Should she open it? Most curious people would but what is in the chest? Somethings are sometimes better left alone. This is a quick read and children ages 6-8 will be able to read it rather quickly and they will also love the illustrations. The book is illustrated by Dwain Esper. What I find so impressive is that the Author of the book is 12 years old.

Chest by the Bay is the first book from Tessa Beauchat. Tessa is currently 12. She is in the 7th Grade at Saint Francis Xavier School in historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Chest by the Bay grew out of poetry project Tessa did in the 4th grade. Tessa has a passion for both writing and reading. Her favorite authors are Veronica Roth and Rick Riordan.

Tessa participates in the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University. She also has a passion for volleyball. This season Tessa is playing for the Revolution Volleyball Club of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. She is a defensive specialist and plays the position of libero.

When not busy with academics, volleyball, and writing, Tessa loves water sports, horseback riding, and snow skiing. Tessa loves to travel. Her favorite places to visit are Lake LBJ in Texas and Sanibel Island Florida. At Lake LBJ she loves to wake board, knee board, tube, and do anything that keeps her on the water from sunrise until bedtime. On Sanibel her favorite thing to do is bike to Poco Loco and be the first customer of the day.

The book is available via Kindle or in print from Amazon.

Visit her on the web at www.bestsinceslicedbread.com

 
Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Here’s the buzz:  One of the most popular kids’/family recording artists on the scene today, Bari Koral, takes an adventurous leap forward with the Bari Koral Family Rock Band’s fourth album, The Apple Tree & The Honey Bee, set for release in May.

Over the past seven years, Bari Koral has established herself not only as a beloved performer but also as a leading force in the “yoga for kids” movement.  Bari’s catchy, pop-friendly tunes and interactive live shows featuring a creative blend of music and movement have gained her legions of fans, while many of her songs are also widely used in kids’ yoga classes and preschool classrooms.  As a kids’ yoga expert, Bari lectures nationally on the subject.  Watch for Bari as host of the world’s first yoga-based, movement-and-music TV show for kids, coming soon on the Veria Living Network.

For The Apple Tree & The Honey Bee, Bari decided a musical stretch was in order, so she brought her band to Nashville to record the album under the guiding hand of legendary producer Brad Jones.

Brad Jones, described by music journalist Rick Clark as “one of the most self-directed and disciplined guys I know in music,” has worked with everyone from Matthew Sweet, Jill Sobule, Marshall Crenshaw and Ron Sexsmith to Justin Townes Earle, Yo La Tengo, Over the Rhine, Chuck Prophet, and Josh Rouse.  Jones produced Josh Rouse’s highly laudedNashville and 1972.

The Apple Tree & The Honey Bee leads off with “Dancing Bear,” a rocking, good-times tune with a great dance beat, which features Bari Koral “trading fours” with Dred Scott’s excellent bass guitar work.  Bari wrote “Big Truck” à la Johnny Cash, and Dan Cohen’s twangy guitars combine with Bari’s impressive country vocals to give the song an authentic “on the road” feel.  Shifting gears with 18-wheel precision, Bari turns the corner on the next song, “Birthday,” a poppy anthem of love and security.  Other highlights include the New Orleans flavor of “Roller Coaster,” spiced with vocal “whees” that are sure to delight, and the humorous, two-beat “Back to the Farm,” which is guaranteed to get kids moving.

People Magazine named Bari Koral’s 2012 release, Anna and the Cupcakes, one of that year’s coolest albums for kids.  Bari’s songs are in regular rotation on Sirius/XM Radio‘s Kids Place Live, and her recordings have been honored with two Parents’ Choice Awards and two NAPPA Awards.  Enthused Jeff Bogle of Out With The Kids, “What would Norah Jones sound like if she decided to up the tempo a bit and make music geared towards young people?  My guess is that she would probably emulate the music The Bari Koral Family Rock Band is making right now.”

We received this CD to review and really enjoyed the catchy tunes, fun lyrics and there’s a real refreshing sound to the entire CD. This is something that is sometimes missing in today’s music for young children. Bari’s vocals and lyrics are quite impressive and the music will make young children want to get on their feet and dance!

The Apple Tree & The Honey Bee will be available at amazon.com, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, and at independent retail outlet throughout the country.

Check out Bari Koral’s website at www.barikoral.com.

Self Disclosure: I received this CD for free to facilitate this feature but any opinions expressed are my honest opinions,

Ahoy Mateys!

Carole P. Roman’s award winning children’s series, Captain No Beard, returns with an exciting new adventure on the high seas, with volume 5 “The Treasure of Snake Island.” This is a fun book with the mateys being threatened by a serious looking set of storm clouds. Will they be able to get through the storm? Well..they were aware of the storm so they are prepared and of course these characters make it through and are on their way to search for buried treasure. What is the big treasure they find? Is it gold coins? Maybe valuable jewels? They do find something much more valuable…books and the treasure of reading. This is a fun, fast read book that is great for children ages 4-8. (Just don’t spoil the ending by showing them this review!). For more information about this book and others by Carole P. Roman, check out the Carole. P. Roman website and you can find her book at amazon.com.

Self Disclosure: I received this book for free to facilitate this feature.

Disney has a pretty good grasp on stories about fairies and pirates and their latest release, The Pirate Fairy certainly reflects that. Tinker Bell plays a leading role in coming to the rescue when mischievous fairy Zarina steals Blue Pixie Dust and flies away to join forces with the pirates of Skull Rock. “This movie is full of excitement the entire family should enjoy, ” claims KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kendyl P. and her twin, Kayla adds, “The message of this film is that you should not turn your back on your friends when you do something wrong.” See their full reviews below along with a link to their interviews with the cast members, director and producer at the premiere.

Disney’s The Pirate Fairy
Reviewed by Kayla and Kendyl Powell, Age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Premiere coverage here: http://youtu.be/55b7NHEN8Nk

Video review here: http://youtu.be/lbNm7gbW5nw

The fairies are coming, the fairies are coming. That’s right Disney’s The Pirate Fairy is a phenomenal film. This movie is full of excitement the entire family should enjoy. There are fairies for the girls, pirates and adventure for the boys and great comedy for the parents.

Disney’s The Pirate Fairy is about a pixie dust fairy name Zarina (Christina Hendricks) who has a lot of great ideas. Zarina wants to use some of her creativity to make new things for the town of Pixie Hallow. She makes a few mistakes and runs off and becomes a Pirate Fairy. Zarina partners up with a pirate named James (Tom Hiddleston) who is actually the younger Captain Hook. Once again Zarina finds herself in a lot of trouble. Now it is up to Tinker Bell (Mae Whitman) and her friends to help save the day.

The message of this film is that you should not turn your back on your friends when you do something wrong. In the film, Zarina turns her back on her friends and then later regrets her actions and her friends continue to be there when she is in need. Zarina does not expect the other fairies to be nice to her after what she did to them. The voice actors, Christina Hendricks, Mae Whitman and Tom Hiddleston deliver spectacular performances and really bring their characters to life.

My favorite character is Tinker Bell because she is very determined to help her friend Zarina even though Zarina left and was the best friend at the time.

My other favorite character is Zarina because she likes to take charge and is really determined to accomplish her personal goals and ambitions. That’s what I like about her.

My favorite part of the film is when they play the Pixie Hallow games. I really enjoyed the figure skaters and all their cool tricks. I was awed by their performances.

We recommend Disney’s Pirate Fairy for ages 4 to 10.  We give this movie 5 out of 5 SHINING STARS!!!!!! You can watch Disney’s Pirate Fairy in Movie Theaters on April 1^st, 2014. Reviewed by Kendyl and Kayla Powell, KIDS FIRST! Film Critics.