Kid Lit Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

 

 

Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism
Author: Tom Durwood
Publisher: Empire Studies Press
All Ages | 220 Pages

Publisher’s Synopsis: 

We are surrounded by narratives, in fiction and in our everyday lives. In this colorful collection of ideas, the author argues that understanding the components of our favorite children’s stories can lead to a lifetime of critical thinking.

Beginning with the elements of the universal coming-of-age narrative, “Kid Lit” shows young readers and general readers alike how to recognize story structure, class, gender, symbolism, trauma and Orientalism in children’s narratives.

Of value to all teachers, students, librarians, readers, literature lovers, and moviegoers.

“Tom Durwood is the best English instructor I have seen in my thirty-two years of teaching.” —Professor Patrick Murray, Valley Forge Military College

 

Purchase Links:

https://amzn.to/3qhIiKb

https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781952520044

Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism is an interesting textbook that focuses on what makes children's literature endure. It discusses several famous series including Harry Potter and Star Wars, as well as other classics like Tarzan and Tintin. The book is divided into three sections: "Your Lit Crit Toolbox," "In-Depth Studies," and "Lesson Plans." Each of these provide a huge amount of information, theories, and case studies regarding children's literature. The author discusses several important themes that appear in children's books in the first section of the text. Some of these include gender, war, identity, class, trauma, and the building blocks of literature. I found each of these chapters fascinating and loved the different examples and theories the author explains. The second section takes a closer look at specific books and case studies. I really liked the interviews that were included. They were full of interesting ideas and lots of heavy material. It was probably the most intense section of the book and took some time to really read through and digest it all. The third part is about creating lesson plans. There are several references and ideas provided including character, heroes, villains, writing assignments on different topics, critical thinking, sample essays, and much more. Overall, I liked this textbook. This is probably because I have a B.A. and an M.A. in Literature, so the materials were something I was already interested in. This is obviously a college textbook for a class that the author teaches and aside from students taking the course, I think readers who enjoy critical thinking and literary criticism would like this book.

Tom Durwood is a teacher, writer and editor with an interest in history.  Tom most recently taught English Composition and Empire and Literature at Valley Forge Military College, where he won the Teacher of the Year Award five times. Tom has taught Public Speaking and Basic Communications as a guest lecturer for the Naval Special Warfare Development Group at the Dam’s Neck Annex of the Naval War College.

Tom is editor of an online scholarly journal, The Journal of Empire Studies (www.empirestudies.org). Peter Suber, Berkman Fellow at Harvard University, an advocate of the open access movement, praises the journal as “a new opportunity for overcoming access barriers to knowledge and research.”  Dr. Julian Fisher of Scholarly Exchange has also applauded Tom’s efforts. “Creating valuable academic content and then hiding it behind financial firewalls – the traditional scholarly publishing model – runs counter to the essence of scholarship, learning and sharing,” according to Fisher. “To see a journal such as the Journal of Empire Studies breaking that mold is exciting.”

Tom’s newspaper column “Shelter” appeared in the North County Times for seven years. Tom earned a Masters in English Literature in San Diego, where he also served as Executive Director of San Diego Habitat for Humanity. Tom earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard, where he edited an undergraduate arts journal and studied with David McClelland (Roots of Consciousness).  

For more information, teacher resources, and lesson plans, visit www.kidlitcrit.com.

 Enter for a chance to win a copy of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism!

Ten (10) winners receive:

• A digital copy of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

The giveaway begins June 29, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends July 29, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

 

Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism Giveaway

 

  *Disclosure: I partnered with The Children's Book Review and Tom Durwood for this tour. 

 

TOUR SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, June 29, 2021 The Children’s Book Review Tour Kick-Off Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Wednesday, June 30, 2021 The Fairview Review A book review of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Thursday, July 1, 2021 Comfy Chair Books A book review of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Friday, July 2, 2021 Life Is What It’s Called An interview with Tom Durwood

Monday, July 5, 2021 The Momma Spot A book review of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Tuesday, July 6, 2021 Shooting Stars Mag A book review of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 A Dream Within a Dream A book review of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Thursday, July 8, 2021 icefairy’s Treasure Chest A book review of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Friday, July 9, 2021 Confessions of a Book Addict A book giveaway of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Saturday, July 10, 2021 Book Bug Ca A book review of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Sunday, July 11, 2021 Lisa’s Reading A book review of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

Monday, July 12, 2021 Over Coffee Conversation A guest article from Tom Durwood

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 Library Lady’s Kid Lit A book review of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism

My First Book About Series Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

 

 

My First Book About Dinosaurs
Written by Donald M. Silver and Patricia J. Wynne
Ages 8-12 | 48 Pages
Publisher: Dover Publications

Publisher’s Synopsis: 

Welcome to the amazing world of dinosaurs! Children ages 8 and up can discover where these prehistoric creatures lived, the food they ate, and what they may have looked like. Along the way, they’ll encounter bone-crushing teeth, slashing claws, and spiked tails while learning fascinating facts about dinosaur eggs and fossils, moving continents, climate changes, exploding volcanoes, and even an asteroid crashing into Earth.

Other Books in the Series:

My First Book About Our Amazing Earth

My First Book About the Oceans

My First Book About Backyard Nature

Purchase Links:

https://amzn.to/2TeZ540

https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9780486845562

https://store.doverpublications.com/0486845567.html

My First Book About Dinosaurs is a fantastic nonfiction children's book about dinosaurs. Focused on kids between the ages of eight and twelve, it gives a great introduction into the vast topic of dinosaurs - where they lived, how they lived, what they looked and acted like, what they ate, and even what may have caused their extinction. There's a ton of wonderful information packed into this book and it's full of fun facts and cool details. The illustrations are beautifully done with lots of vivid colors and details. It was a fun book to both read and look at which should make learning about dinosaurs not only fun but informative without being boring.

An accomplished science and nature illustrator, Patricia J. Wynne is the recipient of the 2008 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor and has won awards from Parenting magazine, the John Burroughs Association, and the National Science Teachers Association. Patricia's artwork has appeared in galleries, magazines, newspapers, and more than 100 books for both children and adults. She is the illustrator of numerous successful Dover titles on science and nature, including My First Book About Outer Space and My First Book About the Body.

Trained as a research scientist, Donald M. Silver has written more than 80 books for students of all ages and for teachers. His One Small Square series takes a close-up look at plants and animals where they live. He has won numerous awards including the Children's Science Writing Award in Physics and Astronomy from the American Institute of Physicists. He lives in New York City where he has worked with Patricia J. Wynne since 1981 and with whom he has co-authored numerous successful Dover titles on science and nature, including the "My First Book" series.

Enter for a chance to win a set of four My First Science Books!

Three (3) winners receive:

• A copy of My First Book About Dinosaurs

• A copy of My First Book About Our Amazing Earth

• A copy of My First Book About the Oceans

• A copy of My First Book About Backyard Nature

The giveaway begins May 31, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends June 30, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

 

My First Sceince Book Giveaway 

 

 

Tour Schedule:

Monday, May 31, 2021 The Children’s Book Review Tour Kick-Off ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Monday, May 31, 2021 BookshelfMomma A review of ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Tuesday, June 1, 2021 Crafty Moms Share A review of ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Heart to Heart A book review of My First Book About Dinosaurs

Thursday, June 3, 2021 Over Coffee Conversations A beyond the book activity ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Friday, June 4, 2021 Lisa’s Reading A guest article by Donald M. Silver

Sunday, June 6, 2021 A Dream Within a Dream A review of ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Monday, June 7, 2021 Shooting Stars Magazine A review of ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Tuesday, June 8, 2021 The Fairview Review A book review of My First Book About Dinosaurs

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 J.R.s Book Reviews A book review of My First Book About Dinosaurs

Thursday, June 10, 2021 Life Is What It’s Called A review of ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Friday, June 11, 2021 The Momma Spot A review of ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 The Review Wire A book review of My First Book About Dinosaurs

Thursday, June 17, 2021 Books Are Magic Too A review of ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Friday, June 18, 2021 Library Lady’s Kid Lit A book review of My First Book About Dinosaurs

Sunday, June 20, 2021 Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog A review of ‘My First Science Book’ Series

Monday, June 21, 2021 The Children’s Book Review A review of ‘My First Science Book’ Series

 

 

 Disclosure: I partnered with The Children's Book Review and Dover Publications for this blog tour.

 

 

Epic Journeys Blog Tour: Review

Epic Journeys
Release Date: October 22, 2019
Publisher: National Geographic
Hardcover: 416 pages

Description:

From rafting the Zambezi River's 23 stomach-flipping rapids to hiking the Inca trail and sailing from island to island in Greece, the travel experts at National Geographic reveal the world's best adventures in this stunning--and practical--treasury. 

From navigating the class-five rapids of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon to sandboarding the slopes of a volcano in Nicaragua to dogsledding in the Arctic, this beautiful and comprehensive book offers trips of a lifetime for explorers and adrenaline junkies alike. Filled with more than 300 vivid photographs, this inspirational guide reveals over 225 of the planet's best destinations for hikers, skiers, divers, rafters, and more. You'll also find everything you need to know for the ultimate epic journey: what to see, when to go, and what to do. Combining adventure with cultural experiences--for example, a safari through Madagascar or visiting the ruins of Buddhist temples after sea kayaking the warm waters of Vietnam--this one-of-a-kind collection, complemented by top ten lists and adventurer essays covering everything from the best hiking trails to the top wildlife parks, will lead you to new heights of exploration. 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Amazon.ca

National Geographic has done it again with this incredibly gorgeous and informative reference book that readers of all ages and interests are sure to love. I'm a huge fan of travel and I always enjoy discovering new places, cultures, rituals and ceremonies, festivals, landmarks, and everything else I can. This book truly takes the reader all across the globe introducing them to a wide array of countries and environments they might not have even known existed. Since the book is all about journeys, it highlights some of the best destinations for different activities and travelers. From hikers and skiers to scuba divers and white water raters - there's something that will appeal to everyone inside these pages.

 

I have really enjoyed reviewing some of the National Geographic releases of this year and they have all been amazing, but this is - by far - my favorite. As I mentioned, I love to travel and learn about new people and places and that's basically what this book is all about. There's so much incredible and fascinating information about various countries and destinations packed inside the pages. And then there are the photographs. They are nothing short of stunning and I honestly just went through the book and looked at all the photos and read their captions. It was amazing and I learned so much from doing just that and not even reading any of the text. I don't know if someone could sit down and read this whole book - word for word - in one day. There's so much information and (like I've mentioned) the pictures are phenomenal. It took me hours to just look through the pages at the photos and read their descriptions. This is a must have for travel lovers and those who enjoy reference books about places around the world. I definitely recommend this book to everyone regardless of age or reading preference. This is a book that transcends all of these things and will appeal to the masses.