A Mouse Tail on Mackinac Island - book review and $25 giveaway

I'm taking the girls to Michigan next month, so when the opportunity to review a book set in Michigan came up, I jumped at the chance.  

A Mouse Tail on Mackinac Island is a picture book by Summer Porter.  The sweet drawings were done by illustrator Maggie Chambers, both of whom have a childhood connection to the island.  

Here's what Katie, age 12, had to say after she read the story:  

"I thought the book A Mouse Tail on Mackinac Island was a kind of funny book.  My favorite part was when the family of mice is in a bookstore and they're just about to go to sleep when a big brown hungry cat wants to eat them, but then they escape to sleep in a popcorn bag."

"My least favorite part is probably when the family live in a post office because then they get caught and have to find a new home.  I also really like the location the author chose for the book, since we're going to Michigan."  

I kind of hate to break it to her that Detroit is way less picturesque than the lovely resort town pictured in the story, but I guess she'll figure it out when we get there.  

I can see myself reading this one to my second grade students next school year.  Maybe with a mouse craft or a quick talk about the Great Lakes.  
 

On a warm summer day in northern Michigan, a family of mice find their way to Mackinac Island, the "jewel of the Great Lakes," to start a new life. Tag along and enter a world of whimsy in A Mouse Tail on Mackinac Island.

Join the family--Father Mouse, a lover of cheese; Mother Mouse, a singer of lullabies; Max Mouse, a collector of stamps and Millie and Maizy Mouse, sweet little babies--as they search for the perfect home. What adventures will they have? Where will they live? What dangers will they encounter? With vibrant illustrations and a charming story, A Mouse Tail on Mackinac Island will capture both your heart and imagination.

From Modern History Press

Available to buy from...

Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Barnes and Noble   GPlay   Paperback   Hardcover

"Soon to become a Mackinac favorite - make way for this amusing and entertaining story. Whimsical illustrations, filled with recognizable details, engage the reader throughout this thoughtful book. Who wouldn't want to join the little Mouse family on an island adventure?"

--Jennifer Powell, author and illustrator, What I Saw on Mackinac 

"Maggie Chambers and Summer Porter have created a fun and colorful adventure of a family of mice all readers will enjoy - and, like a bite of island fudge, A Mouse Tail on Mackinac Island will prove very satisfying!" --Jim Bolone, co-author, The Dockporter 

"Magnifying the little things in life, A Mouse Tail on Mackinac Island is a charming story told with an educational twist. Heartwarming characters, a unique setting and glorious imagery will make this book a family favorite and Mackinac Island staple." -- Kate Dupre, local artist and proprietor, Watercolor Cafe 

"This charming children's book captures the essence of Mackinac Island. A classic 'tail' for people of all ages that will spark a sense of wonder for years to come." --Mayor Margaret Doud, city of Mackinac Island.

Enjoy these excerpts!

About the Author 

Summer Porter grew up in Southern Michigan but her favorite moments were spent on Mackinac Island visiting her family. Summer was an elementary school teacher for over 25 years and it should not be a surprise her favorite subject to teach was creative writing. Her passion for writing has led to 3 published magazine articles and multiple poems and short stories for family and friends. Summer also dabbles in art, golf, and searching for adventures in Michigan, Colorado and Arizona. Summer had the pleasure of working with her talented niece, Maggie Chambers, on this book. This is Summer’s first published children’s book, but it will not be her last! 

You can also find the author here...

Website    Facebook    Instagram   Goodreads   Amazon Author Page

About the illustrator

Maggie Chambers grew up drawing, painting, and creating on Mackinac Island. After graduating from Mackinac Island Public School, she studied graphic design and new media at Alma College, and earned her BFA in 2015. Since then, Maggie has lived and worked in Washington, DC as a multidisciplinary designer and visual artist. She spends her summers on Mackinac Island, which remains a significant source of inspiration for her art and a place that keeps her inner child alive and well. This is Maggie’s first illustrated children’s book. 

 

You can also find the illustrator here...
Website    Instagram   Goodreads   Amazon Page

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I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!

Win $25 Amazon.com Giftcard or Paypal Cash
(winners choice)
Ending on Sunday 10th July at 11.59pm EST

Open Worldwide

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Ambushed in Paradise #bookreview #giveaway

I've read the whole series of Paradise books, and shared 11 of them here on the blog.  Usually, I really enjoy them.  I had a hard time getting into this one.  I couldn't believe that author Deborah Brown had killed off one of the main characters.  It was hard to watch a grieving Madison struggle to go on with her life.  And I was angry on her behalf when her meddling mother staged an intervention. 

The Paradise books are an action packed series with lively characters and wild plots.  Even though they can be read as stand alone books, I'd recommend starting at the beginning.  Once you get into them, you'll want to devour them all. 

The Keys is a great place to hide a seashell bucket full of secrets.

Creole…shot…dead. Three words Madison Westin never thought she’d hear in the same sentence. Creole promised. He pinky swore on it.

But even through a blur of tears fed by prescription-strength margaritas, Madison can tell when things are shady. Sure, Creole was undercover, but she deserves more than sketchy non-answers, an urn of ashes, and a secret life crawling out of the woodwork.

Nothing’s adding up, nothing that remotely sounds like the Creole she knew and loved. Calling in every one of her IOU’s—only to find some of her most reliable information sources drying up—Madison sets out to dig up what really happened to Creole. She never thought the truth would wrap its arms around her and make her wonder if she’s chasing a ghost… or taking a vacation from sanity.

Ambushed in Paradise is book #12 in the action-packed Paradise series. Come along with Madison and Fab as they dig up the truth and share more than one hair raising adventure. 

Available to buy from.....

Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Paperback 

"I love the characters, Brown does an amazing job of creating complex and interesting characters!" 

"This was one of the author's strongest books yet"

"I have enjoyed this entire series, but this book is a standout."

Above reviews from Amazon

Book Excerpt

Also available in the Paradise Series

      

      

    

    

About the Author

I've been writing, in one way or another for as long as I can remember; poetry, sappy short stories (my best friend made me swear that I’d never show anyone until I changed the names), and a romance novel shoved under my bed.

I wanted to create books with a wide-range of unforgettable characters, with heat and romance, and lots of guns. It wouldn’t be complete without a slice of humor and charm.

I live with my family and demon children aka rescue cats in South Florida.

Find the author on the following sites...

Website  Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest  Google+Goodreads  Amazon Author page

Follow the Book Tour



I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY

Win $25 Amazon.com Giftcard / Paypal Cash
(winners choice)
Open Worldwide

Ending on Sunday 4th February at 11.59pm EST

Enter Below and Good Luck !!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you a book reviewer or book blogger? Join our book tours reviewers team - Apply Here x

Current book tours open for sign ups HERE

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My Painting Party #giveaway

I really like the resurgence of artistic pastimes in recent years.  The paint your own pottery studios, the wine and painting shops; they meet our need to create beauty.  Choose Friendship has found a way to bring home the experience of painting with an instructor!

My Painting Party pairs the desire to create with today's technology, making it easy for anyone, ages 8 and up, to paint recognizable works of art.

The My Painting Party app is very user friendly.  It walks you through your options, one screen at a time.

Brianna, who is 17, selected an advanced painting, because she has quite a bit of artistic experience.  Hannah, who is 9, will start with the beginner level.  As a homeschooler, I love the fact that I can use this app with all my children, or even for hosting a party or playdate with my kids' friends.

Of the advanced options, Brianna selected the Anchor piece.  There are video instructions for a total of 18 different paintings in the 3 skill levels:  8 beginner works, 7 intermediate options, and 3 advanced choices.  (There's even a unicorn painting for my LLR friends!)

The My Painting Party kit comes with everything you need to make 3 masterpieces.  It has brushes in 3 sizes, with nice squishy grips on the handles.  There are 5 colors of paint, which can be mixed to create endless colors and shades.  And there are 3 canvases with nifty stand up easels on the back.

Brianna chose to do some blending on her background, so it's not exactly like the example, but it's her own, unique interpretation of it.

Once she had the background painted, she paused the step-by-step video instructions to allow the paint time to dry.

Soon it was time for the anchor.  You can also see the pencil marks she's drawn to plan for the next part of the painting.

Brianna has reviewed a couple of other Choose Friendship products over the years, too.

Choose Friendship has generously offered one of my readers a free My Painting Party kit!  Enter using the Rafflecopter below.

Brianna's finished masterpiece.  Having seen Bri work on this painting, Hannah is excited to have her turn.  I will be buying additional canvases so that we can work our way through the whole series.  I have found video art lessons to be a great addition to our homeschool, and I'm looking forward to sharing more beautiful works of art from my students with you.

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You can connect with Choose Friendship, makers of My Painting Party on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.

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