Funny Kids Books

https://medium.com/@potluckprincess/5-fabulous-childrens-books-check-these-out-for-your-little-ones-6638aac6962f

5 FABULOUS CHILDRENS BOOKS –CHECK THESE OUT FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES! CHILDRENS LITERATURE BY MARSHA CASPER COOK

LEAPING LIZARDS IT’S A CONFIDENCE POTION

The Magical Leaping Lizard Potion is a fun imaginative read. Thirteen little girls make a potion that gives them confidence. This story shows how when a team works together great things can happen. This a fun imaginative read that makes you want to cheer the girls on.

Also available in Audible. Audible is very helpful in helping kids understand a story better when they listen and read at the same time

HARD COVER

https://www.amazon.com/Magical-Leaping-Lizard-Potion/dp/1604148845/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

PAPERBACK

https://www.amazon.com/Magical-Leaping-Lizard-Potion/dp/1604141352/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

KINDLE

https://www.amazon.com/Magical-Leaping-Lizard-Potion-ebook/dp/B00KMWR5H2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

AUDIBLE

https://www.amazon.com/The-Magical-Leaping-Lizard-Potion/dp/B015G6I1RQ/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

This is a GREAT read for young teens!July 25, 2012

By J.D. HolidayVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The Magical Leaping Lizard Potion by Marsha Casper Cook

Isabella Pimpinella, her puppy, Milly Van Dilly and her young witch friends are eager to develop into grown up witches. On the one night of the year when this can be done they have the greatest sleepover ever. They fool around with potions and rhythms in order to get it all right by midnight!
The Magical Leaping Lizard Potion is hilariouslyentertaining when it comes to doing what young witches must do. This is a GREAT read for young teens!
~Author JD Holiday

WILL CHIPPY DISCOVER THAT BEING A COOKIE IS JUST A SPECIAL AS BEING A BROWNIE?

Chippy isn’t happy with who he is and wants to be a brownie. With help from his teacher, Mrs. Chipster, he realizes he can be happy with who he is, if he believes in himself. Children will not only relate to what has happened to Chippy they will be pleased as they see sad Chippy become happy being himself. This is a heartwarming storybook for early readers, reading aloud at home, and as a bedtime story. Self Esteem is very important no matter what age.Kids will be learning without feeling this is a message.

If you also get the audio book children will love hearing the words as they read.

SAD CHIPPY

HARD COVER

https://www.amazon.com/I-Wish-Was-Brownie/dp/1604148837/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535551894&sr=8-7

PAPERBACK

https://www.amazon.com/I-Wish-Was-Brownie/dp/1604148810/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535551894&sr=8-7

KINDLE

https://www.amazon.com/I-Wish-Was-Brownie-ebook/dp/B017KYKTBI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535551894&sr=8-7

AUDIBLE

https://www.amazon.com/I-Wish-Was-Brownie/dp/B014I5PRA0/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535551894&sr=8-7

MRS. CHIPSTER

Great for Self-esteem

November 29, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

I don’t know how many times I hear my students wish they were someone else, or looked different. This story is just like their’s. Chippy is a chocolate chip cookie who wishes he was a brownie. In his mind if he was a brownie the other chippies wouldn’t laugh at him and he wouldn’t feel so alone. His teacher Mrs. Chipster invites him over to her house and presents him with a costume to try on. It is a brownie costume. As he looks at himself in the mirror he discovers it is what is inside and not on the outside that matters.
What a wonderful story.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

TOO MANY SNACKS IS NOT A GOOD THING!

Addison thinks he’s got the best mommy in the whole world when she lets him have whatever he wants to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner even when it s chocolate candy, cookies and ice cream. Addison quickly learns how easy it can be to have too much of a good thing and that mommies & daddies really do know best!

PAPERBACK

https://www.amazon.com/Snack-Attack-Marsha-Casper-Cook/dp/1604141239/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535552325&sr=1-1

KINDLE

https://www.amazon.com/Snack-Attack-Marsha-Casper-Cook-ebook/dp/B00K22GK64/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535552325&sr=1-1

AUDIBLE

https://www.amazon.com/Snack-Attack/dp/B016J843YK/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535552325&sr=1-1

a yummy story for picky eaters

August 13, 2012

Format: Paperback

SNACK ATTACK BY MARSHA CASPER COOK
REVIEW BY KAREN VAUGHAN
Addison Apple hate oatmeal. He would rather eat chocolate and other goodies all day long.
His mom allows him to feed himself whatever he wants. After chowing down on various kinds of junk food he gets sick and realises that oatmeal is okay after all and that mom is right about healthy food.
This is a great story for picky kids to learn too much of a good thing isn’t that great. It is written from a kids point of view and is suitable for primary school students. I will recommend this to parents with kids from four and older. I give this 5 chocolate chip cookies.

NO CLUES, NO SHOES — BEING DIFFERENT DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T BE FRIENDS

A friendship develops between two kids when they solve the first of many mystery cases. At first, they have nothing in common and didn’t see eye to eye on anything. Addison likes to read and write stories inside, and Emelina likes to be outdoors, jogging, skating, and just about anything that keeps her active. She likes healthy food and Addison has a sweet tooth. After a few weeks of friendship they realize even though they are different they can still be great friends.

Also available in Audible. Audible is very helpful in helping kids understand a story better when they listen and read at the same time .

HARDCOVER

https://www.amazon.com/Clues-Shoes-Marsha-Casper-Cook/dp/1604144173/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535552733&sr=1-1

KINDLE

https://www.amazon.com/Clues-Shoes-Marsha-Casper-Cook-ebook/dp/B00K4CA61W/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535552733&sr=1-1

AUDIBLE

https://www.amazon.com/No-Clues-Shoes/dp/B01311BQRU/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535552733&sr=1-1

How much did I love this mystery!!

ByCindy McDonaldon August 3, 2017

Format: Kindle Edition

Read this wonderful children’s cozy mystery to my three granddaughters (ages: 11, 6, and 5) last night–they just loved it and so did I! Marsha Casper Cook certainly knows how to talk to kids and tell them a glorious tale! Emelina and her rather grumpy but very hungry friend AJ are very entertaining and let’s not forget her dog, Stanley! So much fun as they try to become real detectives while trying to find out who is stealing shoes in the neighborhood! Don’t miss this read! Your kids are gonna love it–5 STARS!

WHAT’S GOING ON ON THE BUSY BUS?

This is a funny short-rhyming book. Kids will enjoy listening to these poems over and over again and still be entertained by the magical words that shout out, ” This is funny stuff.”

Caesar Burgess walked up to bat.
His knees were shaking, and that was that.
He tried and tried many times before
But was never, never able to score.
He looked out at the crowd
And gave them a nod
The gum he was chewing
Was now a large wad.
He took a deep breath
For hope and for luck.
Trying to remember
To hit, miss or duck.
He slowly moved back
Just a little bit.
He swallowed his pride
And smacked his lip.
All of a sudden
It happened so fast.
He hoped this feeling
Would always last!
He took a swing
And his bat hit the ball.
Suddenly he felt like
He was ten feet tall.
So he ran and he ran
And he ran some more.
And wouldn’t you know it?
This time he did score.

HARDCOVER

https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Bus-Collection-Short-Childrens/dp/1604144718/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535553165&sr=8-1

PAPERBACK

https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Bus-Collection-Short-Childrens/dp/1604140631/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535553165&sr=8-1

KINDLE

https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Bus-Collection-Short-Childrens-ebook/dp/B003NUQPH6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535553165&sr=8-1

AUDIBLE

https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Bus-Collection-Short-Childrens/dp/B074TW1G9Z/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535553165&sr=8-1

32 adorable poems to make kids giggle. Educational too…

August 28, 2014

Format: Kindle Edition

Not only do I enjoy reading children’s books to my youngest grand-children, I, myself, like reading them. And I love the illustrations.. I find the best books to be fun, clever and uplifting. And “The Busy Bus” is one of the most special ones I’ve read in a long time.

The 32 poems in this book cover an amazing range of things kids like to giggle about; from mean teachers to pink pigs, smelly socks to singing, flowers, fish and much more. I like that a single poem with a really cute illustration fits on a single page. Author Marsha Casper Cook planned her lay-out well, just as she did the topics of interest to children. She certainly knows a child’s mind.

My very favorite poem is the one about smelly socks; it made me giggle the most. And I really got a kick out of Isabella Pimpinella with her red umbrella. I could name many more, but you will have to read for yourself to truly enjoy this author’s talent.

I can’t wait to read this to little Maya or Christopher, but if they don’t visit soon, I’ll send a copy to their mothers so they can read to them.

This author has many children’s books on Amazon and since Isabella Pimpinella now has her own series, I already have “Isabella Pimpinella’s Magic Potion,”. I’m going to read that next. Looks like I’ll be on a kiddy-kick for a while trying to keep up with this precocious, lovable character.

Highly recommended…

Mikey Brooks - Feature WOI Guest October 17, 2017

Aside from writing and illustrating, Mikey also love to read middle-grade and young adult fiction, narrate picture books, sing, and even sew. That’s right he also sews! He’s made practically everything from, Elizabethan costumes for the Utah Shakespearean Festival, to modern style wedding dresses. Mikey’s greatest love is his family. He gets more than inspiration from them; he gets support, courage, and most of all happiness.

Mikey Brooks has a BS in English, emphasis in Creative Writing, from Utah State University, 2009. His middle-grade books include: The Dream Keeper, The Dreamstone, The Dream Makers, The Stone of Valhalla, The Gates of Atlantis: Battle for Acropolis, Museum Adventures: The Maya Mystery and The W.H.O. Files: Potions in the Pizza (Coming April 2017 from Future House Publishing). His picture books include: ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures, Bean's Dragons, and Trouble with Bernie.

Picture books he's illustrated include: Lucius and the Christmas Star, by Jim Long; Hippopotmus Gus, Bongo Flo and Ocelot Scott, all by Carolyn Quist; Popcorn, by Monique Bucheger; The Magical Leaping Lizard Potion and I Wish I were a Brownie, both by Marsha Casper Cook; and his newest release (Best of State Winner, 2016) Ice Cream U.S.A, by Thal Dixon.

He's had various illustrations published for several authors and enjoys every minute he gets to create art. He’s had poetry and personal essays published in several university sponsored literary magazines 2007-2009, and was awarded 3rd place for his personal essay, Waiting for the Morning Sun to Rise, in the Utah Arts 23rd Annual Writing Competition, 2011. He won the Huge Howey Award in 2014 for Best Children's Book Author and recently won Best of State 2016 for his artwork in Ice Cream U.S.A.
Mikey is also one of the hosts on the Authors' Think Tank Podcast a show by writers for writers. While the show no longer runs, 68 episodes can be downloaded anytime absolutely free. Episodes include writing advice and interviews with New York Times Best Selling authors and top notch agents and editors. He is also a member of The Emblazoners. A website devoted to writing on the hearts of children. You can find him and other great authors at: http://emblazoners.com/ 

When he is not writing, illustrating, or trying to save the world from evil villains, he can be found hanging out with his family. He is married to the love of his life and they have four kids, three girls and a boy, ranging from ages 1 to 7. So you can imagine he's a pretty busy guy. They have at least two imaginary dragons as pets who occasionally wreck the house. Mikey loves to watch Disney films with his kids, play superheroes, and read--of course. His favorite books include: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Anne of Green Gables, and The False Prince (all of which you should read yourself). Know of a good book to read, let him know, via the contact page below.

Feel free to connect with Mikey on social media by following the links at the very bottom of this page. If you'd like to connect via email, use the contact page below. Mikey is represented by Michael Bourret with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC.

It'a All About Kids!

Please join Marsha Casper Cook on December 13 at 4 PM EST 3 PM CST 2 PMMT 1PM PST when her special guest will be Randall Dark. Randall is a writer, director, and producer and a pioneer within the digital media industry.

Randall will be discussing his Children APP "Tale of Sasquatch" A hilarious adventure, originally written for the theatre. The story is about feeling like there’s something “wrong” with you — and discovering that it’s okay to be different. During their quest, they wrestle with good vs. bad and ultimately stumble upon the origin of Sasquatch!

Marsha is an optioned award winning screenwriter, author and radio show host on her network The World of Ink for over six years.

It's going to be a great show. Feel free to call in if you have any questions. (714) 242-5259
For more info on Marsha - www.marshacaspercook.com
For more info on Randall   http://randalldarknews.blogspot.com/

Book Review: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur

This is another book that is impossible to put down. I would suggest reading the books in order to get the full impact of the adventures and their effects on the cousins. 

Continuing the adventure that began in Egypt a few months prior in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair are hot on the trail of the second Stone of Power, one of seven ancient stones lost centuries ago. This stone might be embedded in the hilt of a newly discovered sword that archaeologists believe belonged to King Arthur: Excalibur.

I loved watching how Adam and Justin began their coming of age in the first volume, and seeing them continue to hone their detection skills and recognize their strengths and fears.

The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is a joy to read and one we highly recommend for relucant readers to avivd readers.

Book Excerpt:

Adam shivered in the chilly air. It was hard to tell if it was early morning or late evening because the moon was still visible, a pale disc hanging in a dark gray sky. Ragged shreds of clouds scudded across the moon’s face, casting strange shadows on the ground in front of him. Mist floated around his ankles and swirled in soft eddies when he moved his feet. In front of him lay an open field, grayish green in the dim light. Farther away, he saw the mound of a huge hill. Adam got the feeling he had fallen through a hole in time—back to the Dark Ages, back to Arthur’s era.
He heard a faint howling noise in the distance. Wolves? Adam froze with fear. He desperately tried to remember whether there had still been wolves in England during the Dark Ages. There must have been because there was no other sound quite like the howl of a wolf. The hairs on his arms rose as he heard the howl again. Although he pinched himself to wake up, it was no good; he remained in the dream. At the sound of distant hoof beats, he shrank back against a large tree trunk. There was no time to run away because suddenly the drumming hooves were all around him. Then came the faint melancholy wail of a battle horn and the tinny sound of chinking metal. He could hear the crisp snap-snap of fluttering pennants and when he turned, he glimpsed banners waving among the trees. The surge of spectral riders halted and one man, seated on a white horse, appeared at the head of the cavalcade.
The eerie figure came closer, the horse lifting its feet carefully, clip-clopping right up to the trembling boy. The horse was huge, its trappings gleaming with pinpoints of metal rosettes, its long tail and mane hanging like ghostly cobwebs in the pale moonlight. The beast snorted and stamped restlessly. Adam saw the burnished glint of a helmet with a dragon-shaped crest topped by a red plume. Although the cheek pieces of the helmet obscured the man’s features, the shadowy figure was looking right at him. A red cloak swirled around the warrior’s body and, as the fabric swung aside, Adam saw the gleam of chain mail and the dark shape of a breastplate on the man’s chest. The warrior’s armor seemed more Roman than he expected. A banner flapped from the spear of a man behind the warrior: a red dragon on a white background. The warrior raised one arm, and a roar erupted as the sounds of cheering burst from what seemed to be thousands of throats. Although Adam heard strange words in another language, somehow he understood what the voices said.
“Hail the Pendragon!”
Adam was so close that he could have reached out and touched the rider. The spectral figure drew his sword from its scabbard and held it aloft. It seemed to Adam that he saw every detail with strangely magnified clarity. It was the same sword from the museum, but it looked so different now. The metal gleamed with a peculiar bluish sheen. Curious characters embossed the length of the blade. At the top, just under the crossguard, was a small circle with a seven-pointed star inside it. Sparkling gems decorated the hilt and pommel, with two dragons’ heads facing inward on the crossguard. The stone between the dragons’ open mouths glowed brilliant red. Suddenly, a fiery, almost blinding light shot from the stone, dazzling him. The white horse reared on its hindquarters. The radiant beam lit up the forest as the warrior whirled the blade around his head several times. Adam fell to his knees, shaking with a mixture of terror and excitement as he realized the second Stone of Power was embedded in the sword of Arthur. But the stone in the museum sword was nothing like this one.

 http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com/worldofinknetwork/fiona-ingram-nov-2015.html