October 21, 2024 · 7:00 am

Mordokai Plants a Garden by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

This beautifully illustrated book introduces Planet Venesha and it’s inhabitants, most importantly, Mordokai

Mordokai and his friends capture the imaginations of readers young and old. Join them as they wander a colorful, thriving landscape inhabited by all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures.

“Believe in yourself and do not let anybody tell you that you cannot be great. Your life is an individual journey that will take you anywhere in the world or in outer space if you believe. Try hard and never give up and do not be afraid to challenge yourself.”

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Mordokai lives on Venesha, the largest planet in the universe. Even though the planet’s terrain does not resemble Earth’s color scheme, Venesha still has mountains, rivers, oceans, swamps, deserts, and plains. This planet also contains wildlife, but again, the alien animals do not resemble ours. They have two-headed snakes, with each head sporting one eye. Birds possess three eyes. Then there are cute but odd-looking bunny-like creatures. Most fascinating was the black and pink animal with the features of a dragon and two tails. 

The wildlife wasn’t the only peculiar-looking being calling Venesha home. Mordokai had tiny wings on his head and a long tail. Even though his appearance was only something you see at cosplay or comic con events, he did have one thing in common with Earthlings: he needed substance. Instead of pizza or a juicy burger, Mordokai craved a carrot for not just today’s meal but every meal. Without the funds to buy the root vegetable, he decided to plant a garden. Planting a garden is an excellent outdoor activity for children. It teaches children responsibility, encourages them to eat more nutritious foods, and getting fresh air’s always a great idea. 

Mordokai gives young readers a brief overview of what they could plant, but there are many more options. I recommend you share Mordokai Plants A Garden with your child and start your own garden. Big. Small. Fruits. Vegetables. Herbs. Work together to build a garden that fits your family’s tastes and introduces new foods and spices into your child’s life. 

I recommend Mordokai Plants A Garden by Lamar Golden for children two years and older. It houses bright, beautiful illustrations (artist: Izzy Eban) and prompts children to put down their electronics, go outside, and get back to nature. 

Be sure to check out Mordokia Searches for Strawberries! 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

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Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

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October 18, 2024 · 7:00 am

Mordokai Searches for Strawberries by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

Mordokai and Friends go searching for strawberries in the wilderness of Planet Venesha and encounter danger during their search.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Mordokai is back; this time, he’s searching for strawberries on his home planet, Venesha. Venesha is a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, from the purple mountains and lush green countryside to the colorful variety of trees and flowers. The animals and people inhabiting the wonderland are bursting with color and possess unique physical and magical traits. 

Mordokai discovered that his hair would change color depending on his mood and, over time, developed telepathic powers. Mordokai could also sense danger, which would be handy in any world. 

We all have food cravings, and Mordokai’s mind and stomach are hungering for wild strawberries. Since the journey to his desired fruit is dangerous, he’s requested three friends to come along: Naiya, Shia, and Ketab. Anytime you go on a trip, it’s good practice to pack the essentials! Making a checklist helps! Before the group set off, they reviewed what each had brought. Rope. Snacks. Emergency blanket. Water tablets for purifying water. Tools. First aid ointment. I initially thought each item might prove invaluable at some point in their journey; my gut instinct was wrong. The group’s list opens doors for discussing what else kids think the travelers should’ve brought or what they take with them on a camping trip, a hike, or a vacation. 

The four friends faced dense vegetation, buzzing insects, and bizarre-looking animals. The three-eyed, multi-colored mountain lion is one of them! Luckily, the lion turned tail and ran off. 

Naiya, Shia, Ketab, and Mordokai’s adventurous trip ended with them sharing multiple sacks of sweet, ripe strawberries among the villagers. Mordokai was wise and planted some berries in his garden for a future fruit pie. 

Mordokai Searches For Strawberries teaches children several valuable lessons. First, avoid wild animals. If you should stumble upon one, follow Mordokai’s example: be loud and back away slowly. Second, be supportive of your friends and help me if you can. Third, while sharing is caring, always ask an adult for permission to share food. I don’t know if food allergies exist on Venesha, but they do on Earth. Fourth, make sure you have all your supplies before heading on a trip. 

While the story was sweet, I wish we could’ve seen Mordokai’s power in play. His coloring-changing hair is supposed to alert him to danger, yet it didn’t when the group encountered the lion. It was a significant missed opportunity. 

Mordokai Searches For Strawberries was an okay read. The illustrations were top-notch, but the story needed to include what made the characters special: their unique magical powers. I still recommend the story to children 4-10, but I suggest Mordokai’s next adventure show us his powers at work. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

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Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

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October 14, 2024 · 7:00 am

World’s Coolest Grandpa by Lamar Golden (Book Review)

A fun and enjoyable book celebrating the life of Masao Sawada, a grandpa enjoying a typical day in Japan. Watch as Masao goes through his day and interacts with lots of people everywhere he goes.

This book is for parents and small children aged 2 and older who enjoy reading together during the day or at night before bed.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Masao Sawada is 78 years old and is busting at the seams with energy. 

Masao wakes up early every morning and strolls to the convenience store, where he purchases his morning cup of coffee. 

Masao loves playing sudoku, driving around Tokyo City (Japan) in his yellow convertible, and talking to his granddaughter Liana on the telephone. It was adorable that the two chit-chatted for an hour as Liana ate her breakfast. I hope their interaction prompts more kids to take time out of their busy days to check in with their grandparents. 

World’s Coolest Grandpa walks readers through a day with Masao. It’s a typical day for many people: grocery shopping, talking with friends, playing golf, and dining at a favorite restaurant. I don’t know how many young readers from the States have eaten an eel before like Masao. Young readers will likely have an opinion on whether they would or would not eat one. 

World’s Coolest Grandpa did have positive attributes. It showed young readers that grandparents can live full and active lives. The short story allowed readers to step into a culture that might be foreign to them. 

World’s Coolest Grandpa did stumble in the presentation, though. Instead of having the duplicate images on two pages with new text under each, I would’ve combined the text under one picture. There were also issues with formatting and text placement. In general, this book could benefit from some fine-tuning. 

World’s Coolest Grandpa was a cute read that children would enjoy listening to. Many will remark on Masao’s cool yellow car, and I don’t blame them. It would catch my eye if I saw it zooming down the road. 

Amazon has the children’s book listed for 3-18. I would narrow that field down to 3-9. 

With or without the tweaking, I recommend sharing this book with your child or class. 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

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October 11, 2024 · 7:00 am

Space Elves Enjoy Politics by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

 

A must have book for parents, children and especially for teachers in the classroom setting! This book allows children to think independently about what they want and determine what is most important to them. What parents and teachers alike will love about this book is that it is interactive, allows children to think critically at a level they can understand, as well as participate in the story to determine the outcome.

The most amazing part of this book is that it teaches children at a basic level about cooperation, sharing, and solving problems that benefit all while they are still young enough to care. Our future leaders deserve a fun and interactive way to dive into the world of politics with topics that are appropriate for their age. I think you will be surprised with how your child responds and more importantly it sparks the conversations within each school and household on how to integrate problem solving and debate in a fun and safe manner for future generations.

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Understanding how our government operates can be confusing for young kids. Heck, even some adults are confused about the extent of their “powers.” Space Elves Enjoy Politics takes readers to the far reaches of outer space to teach us how the Senate works on alien planets. While some aspects of their government differ from our planet, we share a common goal: to help their planet and its inhabitants.

The Space Federation of Elves consists of 2,000 planets and 200 senators, each responsible for ten planets. That vastly differs from the United States, where each state has only two senators. I wish our planet followed the elvish planets’ lead: each senator can ONLY serve six years. This rule ensures we have new people and ideas – not the same people holding positions for decades like those on our planet. 

Like ours (U.S.A.), the alien government is divided into political parties. America has several parties, whereas the alien nation has only 3: Repubies (Republicans), Demis (Democrats), and Indies (Independents.) Leaders of these parties each take to the Senate floor asking their co-leaders to vote for their side. They are offering a delicious treat to those who do. D- Senator Rumples vows to throw a BIG ice cream party if you vote for the Demis. R-Senator Dumples proclaims they’ll have a cake party if they win the vote. And I-Senator Mumples is sweetening the pot by offering a cake, ice cream, and cookies party! Decisions…decisions…

Depending on their chosen party, readers will be instructed to move to a specific page. Choose Demis – advance to page 9. Vote Repubies – flip to page 10. If you want all three dessert options, side with the Indies and turn to page 11. Each page asks readers another question, centering on the sweet treat party they chose to attend.

As Senators settle in on Capitol Hill, the Vice President (head of Congress) calls business to order. Fiction resembles reality as the writer notes that the session takes a long time because the parties cannot unite on an issue. Every day, in the real world, we watch as our representative spar verbally, getting little to nothing done on important issues. Without unification, our nation will be forever divided. The writer states that Demis and Repubies argue like babies and can’t play nice together. Spend five minutes with the bickering sides, and you’ll see the truth of the author’s claim. 

I applaud the writers’ final message: kids are the future leaders of the planet, so speak up because your opinions do matter!

I liked the premise behind Space Elves Enjoy Politics: teaching kids about the Senate, its role, and the importance of teamwork. I disagree with Amazon’s recommended reading age: baby-16 years. I would suggest this book to 5–10-year-olds. Also, if the buyer’s/reader’s intent was to educate themselves or others about the United States Senate, you won’t learn 100% accurate info with this kid’s book. I would’ve preferred the author used the same rules you’d see here in America but with an alien twist. Also, I would have moved the “count the number of treats” game to the after credits and not placed them directly in the story. 

This book is a work of fiction, so take the Senate’s info with a grain of salt. I recommend researching America’s Congress with your class and family. List the ways the space elves Congress resembles or differs from the U.S.A. For older kids, you can also get their feelings on current events. Again, reinforce the author’s message to let your voice be heard! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤1/2

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

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October 7, 2024 · 7:00 am

Space Elves Defend Their Planet by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

Prepare for an out-of-this-world adventure.

In this captivating sci-fi tale, perfect for kids aged 6-9 who love space books, readers will be transported to the far reaches of the cosmos, where brave space elves face an epic battle for freedom and survival.

As fiction books go, “Space Elves Defend Their Planet” by Lamar and Liana Golden is sure to capture the imagination and hearts of young readers with its thrilling storyline and unforgettable characters.

Join Lord Ruffles and his fellow elves of Planet Rain as they stand united against the formidable Lord Droxy of Planet Doom.

With high-stakes battles, daring escapes, and heartwarming moments of camaraderie, this captivating sci-fi adventure is guaranteed to keep young readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

As the elves of Planet Rain learn valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the power of hope, readers will be swept away on a journey through the cosmos unlike any other. Whether they’re seasoned space enthusiasts or new to the genre, kids aged 6-9 will delight in the excitement and wonder of this enthralling tale.

“Space Elves Defend Their Planet” is a must-read for any young adventurer seeking an epic sci-fi experience.

So grab your space helmet and join the adventure today!


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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

War has affected many generations. Innocent people did not ask to be a part of the conflict, but many face its cruelty, the destruction it brings, the lives lost because of it, and the mental or physical harm it leaves behind. Space Elves Defend Their Planet‘s message is this: “War is never an answer to solve problems. People can disagree and argue but fighting only makes things worse. Spend time working together to find solutions that can benefit all life on the planet because war will destroy everything.”

Lord Droxy, the elf leader on Planet Doom, wanted to expand his reign, setting his sights on Planet Rain. The power-hungry elf gave Lord Ruffles 6 days to surrender and become part of Planet Doom, or else there would be war. This ultimatum is not unheard of and is the root of many wars, past and present. Lord Ruffles, the elf ruler of Planet Rain, knew that if he couldn’t reason with the tyrant, his planet would have to fight for their freedom. Lord Droxy reacted in true dictator form – it’s either his way or prepare to face his wrath. 

Lord Ruffles knew this was a battle his planet couldn’t face alone; they needed reinforcements and help from neighboring planets. I loved the inclusion of the Space Federation. It gave me Star Trek vibes! 

The Space Federation’s council acted in the same manner NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Its fundamental goal is to safeguard the members’ (countries’) freedom and security by political and military means. The council, like the space one in the sci-fi story, votes on whether or not to offer aid to those not a part of the organization. Did the Space Federation provide military assistance to Lord Ruffles and Planet? Read the story and find out! 

Though Space Elves Defend Their Planet is a purely fictional read, there are elements that people in the real world face daily. Homes lost, lives lost, relocating to a safer country, and things we cherish are buried under rumble or turned to ash. I agree with the author’s plea: “Let’s all work together to find a peaceful solution and end all wars.”

The wonderfully written and illustrative sci-fi book accurately demonstrates war’s ripple effect on the world, so let’s encourage children to use their words instead of fists or other weaponry. 

I recommend Space Elves Defend Their Planet to children ages 5-10.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

Social Media Handles

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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