Tag Archives: plants

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.”

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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: ❤❤❤❤❤

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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December 14, 2023 · 7:00 am

As Maya Grows in the Natural World by Patricia Ambinder (Book Spotlight)

As Maya Grows in the Natural World” celebrates the joyful play of a young child and her friends as they discover the wonderful sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and textures in the natural world. Catch a falling leaf that waved goodbye to its tree, wiggling fingers in the squishy and lumpy earth, and dancing to the music of branches that sway as the wind plays are just a few of the book’s experiences for nurturing a child’s love and care for the environment.

Fun prompts and cues encourage outdoor exploration, enhanced by the whimsical and stunning illustrations and poetic phrases. Timeless quotations about nature and its profound impact on children are a wellspring of wisdom for adults to reflect on and share with the reader. The red lotus flower seek and find encourages attention to detail and instills a sense of accomplishment that brings a smile.

Feel the presence of nature’s calm and engage a child’s imagination as a listener, reader, and thinker through the book’s enchanting words and colors.

For budding nature explorers, ages 2-6.

Amazon Purchase Link

LINK to My Review

 

 

SAMPLE PAGE

Amazon Purchase Link

LINK to My Review

 

 

Meet the Author

A writer of poetry and prose, Patricia Ambinder is a passionate social justice advocate with an avid curiosity to understand the complexities of the human experience. She appreciates the concise eloquence of quotations to nurture imagination and challenge thinking.

For decades, Patricia held leadership positions on boards and councils, offering guidance and enhancing communications to strengthen community engagement on issues such as early childhood education, food security and peace and justice. She is an Honorary Life Member of the Board of Directors of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Patricia and her husband cherish time with their four children and extended family. It was her adored granddaughter Maya’s fascination with leaves and delight in morning nature walks that inspired “As Maya Grows in the Natural World.” Patricia loves watching birds, hearing the rustle of sea grapes and simply being outdoors.

Amazon Author Page Link

 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

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November 1, 2023 · 7:00 am

As Maya Grows in the Natural World by Patricia Ambinder (Book Review)

“As Maya Grows in the Natural World” celebrates the joyful play of a young child and her friends as they discover the wonderful sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and textures in the natural world. Catch a falling leaf that waved goodbye to its tree, wiggling fingers in the squishy and lumpy earth, and dancing to the music of branches that sway as the wind plays are just a few of the book’s experiences for nurturing a child’s love and care for the environment.

Fun prompts and cues encourage outdoor exploration, enhanced by the whimsical and stunning illustrations and poetic phrases. Timeless quotations about nature and its profound impact on children are a wellspring of wisdom for adults to reflect on and share with the reader. The red lotus flower seek and find encourages attention to detail and instills a sense of accomplishment that brings a smile.

Feel the presence of nature’s calm and engage a child’s imagination as a listener, reader, and thinker through the book’s enchanting words and colors.

For budding nature explorers, ages 2-6.

Reedsy Discovery Link

 

 

 

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

 

The author quotes Qwatsinas – Chief Edward Moody, Nuxalk Nation, saying, “We must protect the world for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish, and trees.” As Maya Grows in the Natural World shows readers all the beauty that is around them. Children will walk the beaches, feel the sand between their toes, listen to the waves, and smell the salty water. As they enjoy an exciting day at the park, they’ll see a rainbow light up the sky and hear the city come alive. 

Chirping birds. Purring cats. Colorful butterflies fluttering from flower to flower. A falling leaf that signals the changing of the seasons. Sprouting seeds. Apple picking. Jumping in leaves. Flying kites. Buzzing bees. As Maya Grows in the Natural World was an absolute joy to read. It highlights the fun to be had in nature using a diverse cast of characters and spectacular illustrations. 

As Maya Grows in the Natural World is advertised for children 2-6 years of age. The simplicity of the text and the illustrations fit this age group; however, the poetic phrases distract from the overall story. While the thoughtful insights are lovely, they interfere with the flow of the story and are best suited for older children, not toddlers and young preschoolers. 

 

This story encourages children to explore nature and help protect it. 

“If you like fruits, plant a tree,

If you like birds, plant a tree,

And if you care for others, plant many trees.”

– Unknown.

 

How We Learn states: “I will know problem-solving, self-exploration, decision-making, number relationship, structures, complex vocabulary, healthy living, cause and effect, creativity, imaginative thinking, and my natural world when I am big. Because I play outside when I am little.” Playtime has many health benefits: physical, emotional, and mental. It helps set the foundations for social interactions. Children learn cooperation as they learn empathy. This story spotlights these points while showing the importance of cherishing and protecting nature from tiny seeds, dolphins in the seas, our furry friends, and more. 

I recommend the book to elementary school children. 

 

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

Reedsy Discovery Link

 

 

Meet the Author

A writer of poetry and prose, Patti Ambinder is a passionate advocate for social justice. Drawn to the palette of words and the language of colors, she uses them to seek a deeper understanding of the human experience and its relationship with nature. Patti loves spending time outdoors.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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June 7, 2022 · 7:00 am

Doctoroo and the Case of the Red-Hot Hawaiians by ​Rachel B. Wellner (Book Review)

 

Doctoroo (also known as Dr. Marsha Roo) and her team―Kirby Koala, Louie Llama, and Terence Toad― may live in Australia, but they travel all over the world solving medical mysteries. In Doctoroo & the Case of the Red-Hot Hawaiians, they fly to The Big Island of Hawaii, where red, hot and very itchy hula dancers are in danger of missing their Big Dance Festival. Will they have to skip the Festival, or will Doctoroo help them in time?

 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

My daughter was excited to see Doctoroo and the Case of the Red-Hot Hawaiians by ​Rachel B. Wellner because one of our favorite vacations took place in Hawaii. We loved the food, the weather, and the luau.

While there, we made sure we were coated with sunscreen. We also reapplied often. I don’t think any of us got a tan at all. Even when we are not vacationing, I make sure my children apply sunscreen before heading outside. One, they burn very easily. Two, I take the threat of skin cancer very seriously. 

I like the message behind the story, Doctoroo and the Case of the Red-Hot Hawaiians – protect your skin from the dangers of the sun. I also like that she chose pigs as the sunburn victims because I’m not sure how many kids or adults realize pigs can burn very easily. 

As for the illustrations by Irina Dringova, we (my daughter and I) enjoyed all of the images except for the giant spider and its web. Of course, this is probably because we both hate spiders. My daughter covered her ears as I read the pages with the spider on them. 

After reading the story, my daughter promptly asked if we could go back to Hawaii. You know what, that sounds like a brilliant idea – as long as we pack the sunscreen. 

Side note: Since this book discusses poison ivy and its effects, maybe follow up the biology lesson with images of plants that are harmful to you and helpful. This information would benefit those who like to hike, camp, or travel. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author:
Dr. Rachel B. Wellner

Dr. Rachel Wellner MD, MPH, FACS, BACS, is a novelist, comedian, and breast cancer doctor dedicated to making the world a better place for her readers, audience, and patients.

Connect with the Author: 
Website ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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January 10, 2022 · 7:00 am

Tickling the Bear: How to Stay Safe in the Universe by David Wann (Book Review and Author Interview)

TICKLING THE BEAR: HOW TO STAY ALIVE IN THE UNIVERSE by David Wann
 
 
​Anthropology professor Marc Blake is on a “hero’s journey.” His challenge is to overcome a troubling medical diagnosis –a virus from a tick bite. Along the way he shares his deepest thoughts as the reader follows his courageous efforts to survive. May, an attractive Danish woman, also endures setbacks with resilience, gradually coming center stage in the story. Her husband Kai has a passion for growing herbs and healthy vegetables, marveling how gardening provides a sense of purpose, good health, direct contact with nature, and companionship. Marc’s niece, a natural beauty and ex-model, offers readers a comical, on-again, off-again romantic episode with a Silicon Valley genius she fears might outshine her. Will she prove to be his equal?
 
Quirky humor injects both lightness and conflict into a 30-year marriage. A six-year old’s “best summer ever” is a reminder that life’s an absolute miracle. Collectively this extended family contests a widespread belief that life is happening to us – that we are passive consumers. On the contrary, each character in this upbeat book is actively self-guided, perfecting their passions and offering generous support to family and friends.
 

​Though author David Wann has previously written non-fiction books about sensible, sustainable lifestyles, in his first-novel these themes are woven right into a compelling story. “Our lives don’t look much different than most Americans,” the characters might say. “Really, we are not ‘doing without,’ more like doing within.” Kai enjoys investing in regional businesses, and also loves to travel effortlessly on Denver’s bike paths. Meatless Mondays or grilled-salmon Sundays are a great way for the outgoing May to bring friends together for active conversation. Each character would insist that kindness and gratitude are encoded in our genes and are far more powerful than anger. In a world that’s currently so full of disruption and confusion, they offer both a sense of direction and grounded hope.

 
 
Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N ~ BAM ~ IndieBound
Boulder Book Store
add to goodreads
 
 
 
 
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 
Marcus Blake has been given a year to live due to the Q virus. David Wann (the author) states the virus steadily destroys white blood cells, is transferred from insects to people, and has a 5% survival rate. The odds are against Marc, but he decides to beat the odds.


While this is a story about a man’s quest to survive, we gain much insight into the lives of Marc’s friends and family. For example: Rocket, his brother, lives off the land and is a talented woodworker. Kai was taught the power of plants/herbs/flowers by his father.


David Wann spoke passionately about nature, his disgust for Trump and pulling out of The Paris Agreement, and even discussed gun rights and taxes. These might be problem areas for those who don’t want a book with political topics. However, if you don’t like the former president, you’ll have no issue with David condemning Trump’s actions. 🙂

Marc faced death head-on. At one point, literally (skydiving scene).
In the end, I won’t disclose if he lived or died. The journey to discovering Marc’s fate will be filled with love, laughter, tears, and some drugs. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of pot between brothers. 🙂
 
 
 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:
Author David Wann

 
David Wann has been a self-acknowledged author since second grade. He’s written hundreds of articles and columns; ten books – one a best seller; and produced five TV documentaries viewed by 20 million. He’s lived in a cooperative neighborhood (cohousing) for 26 years where he has been the organic gardener for 27 households. He’s an amateur musician and the proud father of two. His greatest ambition is to make a difference in a world that urgently requires “all hands on deck.” His books include Affluenza; Biologic; Superbia; Simple Prosperity; The Zen of Gardening; The New Normal, Reinventing Community and others.
 
 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: KAM’S PLACE

 
What are some of your personal interests, and how do they shape the plot and characters in Tickling the Bear?

(David Wann)  Throughout my adult life, I’ve focused on several passions: my relationships; writing; playing guitar; being in nature, and gardening. Through thick and thin, these are what I relied on to keep me sane (though some might question if it worked!)
 
 
Would you say that one particular character is more like you than the others?

(David Wann)  I suppose all the characters resemble me in one way or another, but the protagonist, Marc Blake, is kind of an avatar for me. I wish I had his courage. He’s been diagnosed with a life threatening virus he got from a tick bite in Borneo. His journey in the book takes him from Denver to California and back in his quest to heal himself by spending time with family and close friends. Like me, he is interested in creating a future that works. He’s a professor of Future Studies, and admittedly, some of his words could very easily come from my mouth.
 
 
Are you a professor, too?

(David Wann)  No, but I’ve given many keynote talks and presentations at universities about sustainable lifestyles and designs. If I said some of the pointed things Marc says about life in America, people might think I was being overly critical, so I let Marc say them.
 
 
What about Marc’s brother, Rocket, who’s kind of a joyful dropout from mainstream America, making a living on a small organic farm and with his woodworking? Does that come from your experience?

(David Wann)  Partially. I’ve been an organic gardener for forty years, and I did dream the dream that Rocket and his family bring to “life,” but I have to say that I’m lucky I chose an easier path. Farming in California and most other places takes a lot of guts and also requires that a person loves being home. I enjoyed portraying Rocket as a man rooted in his community, carving two large totem poles that celebrate the indigenous people, plants and animals of the region.
 
 
Say something about your own home. You live in an intentional community, right?

(David Wann)  Yes, about thirty years ago I joined eight or ten others to buy ten acres of land and create a “cohousing” village – not a commune – that now has 27 houses. The idea is to provide support for each other and to follow our convictions collectively. We each own our homes but share common assets like a community house, a large garden, and a people-friendly landscape, perfect for the kids who build forts and give performances for enthusiastic neighbors. I’ve been the village organic gardener for 25 years, which is a great match with writing. I focus at my desk and un-focus in the garden. In terms of writing, one of my characters plays the role of an author who makes it to the “big tent” with science fiction and fantasy novels. (I should be so lucky). She jokes about her poor characters feeling lost when she’s taking a break from writing. “What are we supposed to do now?” She compares launching a new novel to launching a probe to Jupiter: it’s impossible to know if the mission will succeed, but there’s only one way to find out.
 
 
What do your other characters do for a living?

(David Wann)  The Sakata family runs an herbal business and also designs Zen-inspired landscapes. Two generations of the family live next door to each other with a large, shared backyard. The son, Kai, is a Wall Street dropout, and his wife May is an environmental activist and aspiring state senator. Solar panels on the roof their small home provide power and everything they really need is within walking or bicycling distance. There are always jars of canned and pickled produce on the pantry shelves and herbs hanging from kitchen beams to dry- a little like my own family’s kitchen. So yes, I guess my own passions and experiences made their way into the book, but I’ll confess that some of the romantic encounters are wishful thinking. I still get kind of choked up when one of the romances comes full circle, just like readers were hoping, though another attempt doesn’t quite make it.
 
 
It sounds very true to life!  Thanks for your comments, and thanks for writing the book.

(David Wann)  It really was my pleasure. My characters carried me through some difficult times. I hope they’ll do the same for the book’s readers.
 

connect with the author: 
website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
 
 
 
 
 
 
Disclaimer: All questions and answers were constructed by the author and/or their representative. 
 

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