Tag Archives: space

P.E.T.R.A. The Little Earth Rover From Mars by Trevor Allan (Book Review)

A 24 page illustrated children’s book. Scientists on earth send a rover to Mars to collect some specimens.

Meanwhile a little Mars rover travels to Earth to collect items that might prove Martians once lived there.

The story with fun illustrations, also explains why we sometimes lose things and don’t know where they have gone.

Order through Author’s Website

 

 

 

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

 

In real life, on November 26, 2011, NASA scientists sent a rover (Curiosity) to Mars to discover if the planet ever possessed the proper environmental conditions to support small life forms called microbes. This burning question has the rover exploring and collecting rock, soil, and air samples. That mission was real; what occurred in this children’s book is loosely based on those events.

As Earth’s rover was roaming and analyzing the terrain in this fictional children’s book, P.E.T.R.A. (Pink. Extra. Terrestrial. Roving. Accumulator.) was embarking on a mission for their home planet: Mars. P.E.T.R.A. arrived as a streak of light in the night sky. Its arrival did not go unnoticed, but the McKay family had no idea what landed in their yard. Grandpa and Dad set the unidentified flying object on the hall table and went to bed, unaware of what would occur. As the family slept, P.E.T.R.A. changed from a stationary pink “egg” to a walking pink “egg.” It had two eyes, a mouth, green objects posing as ears, mechanical arms and legs, and sprouts of yellow hair. It was an adorable extraterrestrial being. Maybe even cuter than the notorious E.T.

P.E.T.R.A. went room to room, collecting items that would prove (Mars) Martians once called Earth home. Children will giggle at one bedside piece of “evidence” P.E.T.R.A. took back to Mars and presented to her superiors. They will probably snicker at the key item that gave the aliens hope that Earth housed some of their relatives. 

I recommend sharing this family or class. Its plotline is packed with humor, and the illustrations will have you smiling. It creates opportunities to discuss the possibility of alien life. Ask your child if they believe aliens have ever visited Earth or if they think aliens might be calling another planet home. Ask your child to design their own extraterrestrial visitor.  

At only twenty-four pages, P.E.T.R.A. The Little Earth Rover From Mars is a quick read, perfect for preschoolers and elementary students. 


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

Order through Author’s Website

 


Meet the Author

I am a self taught illustrator, cartoonist and was published as an illustrator for ‘Poppa McPhee gets the eggs” by John Parker, published by Scholastic NZ. I have been a cartoonist for magazines and newspapers. I am now retired and have time to publish five children’s books.    Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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Two Roads to Paradise (Book 2: Be Careful What You Wish for Series) by Gordon Jensen with Cara Highsmith (Book Review)

TWO ROADS TO PARADISE (Be Careful What You Wish For Series) by

 
​Although the reappearance of the Alpha Centauri I crew was miraculous, it was not the celebratory homecoming they expected. Their return to a world reeling from a pandemic that wiped out more than half the population thrust them right into the center of controversy and conflict.
 
Now, three years later, though the tide has turned and the survival of the human race seems to be secure, the survival of human relations is far less certain. The cure should have been the injection of hope the world needed to restore balance and end the chaos of the last four decades. Instead, the complex implications for personal rights and freedom have fractured the North American territory in such a way that the division may never be repaired.
 
As the crew dispersed to find their place in this new landscape, Hunter Young found himself embedded in the Marshall administration as an agent for the mysterious K Group. What had been a relatively uneventful assignment suddenly becomes a whirlwind of adventure as he is called to a rendezvous that requires a long and circuitous journey.
 
BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon.com
add to goodreads
 
 
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book ToursI voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
Two Roads to Paradise carried on three years after the finale of The Way Out. Readers will see precisely how divided the world has become: land and viewpoints. Yeah, we are pretty divided now in our views. 


The book discusses free health care in the blue zones and how red zones have better taxes. It talks about gun control and abortion rights, which we all know are hot topics right now. I imagine they’ll be major talking points for many more decades to come. 


Gordon Bensen and Cara Highsmith (co-authors) created unique maps located in the front and back flap. These maps show 13 zones and their colors: red and blue. Yup, those are the same colors that represent Democrats and Republicans. Don’t worry about memorizing the zones because they will be introduced again through colorful welcome signs. I love those, btw! 


Two Roads to Paradise was slower going and didn’t hold my interest compared to its predecessor, The Way Out. However, I did enjoy reading about people’s viewpoints regarding the “governing” of the various zones. 


Oh, a shocking and disturbing bombshell unveiled by two teen girls to Hunter on their trek to NOLA. It shows how inhumane a person or group can be. I’d love to tell you what, but I want to discover it for yourself. 


With any government or country, there will be individuals who deflect and fight the system. The Resistance was comprised of a couple of shocking members. Again, no spoilers. 


While this book didn’t knock my socks off, it ended with me wanting more. So, with that said, I will be tuning in for book three because I have to see how the final moments play out in the next installment. 

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

 
 
 
Meet the Authors:
Author Gordon Jensen

Gordon Jensen holds an MBA from University of Rochester, New York, Simon School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After working in finance In New York for several years, Jensen went back to Minnesota to run the family business. He retired after selling the the business and is now fulfilling a number of life-long dreams, including writing a novel series.
 
 

Author Cara Highsmith

Cara Highsmith has always been drawn to the world of books and has found herself working in this industry in one capacity or another for the majority of her adult life. She holds a Master of Arts in English from Belmont University and did work toward a PhD at Middle Tennessee State University. Cara was on the editorial team at Hachette Book Group USA, working with several New York Times bestselling authors, for nearly four years. After leaving Hachette in 2008, she began freelancing, developing proposals and manuscripts for agents, editing and ghostwriting for authors, and assisting clients in preparing projects for self-publishing. Cara is a master of being a jack of all trades, but currently spends her free time working on several personal writing projects and enjoying life on a beautiful northern California mountain.
 
 
connect with authors: 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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When I’m an Astronaut: Dreaming is Believing: STEM (Inspirational Careers for Kids) by Samantha Pillay (Book Review)

What does it take to be an astronaut?

The simple images in this unique picture book allow children to ponder over the wonders of space while building their self-belief.

Career gender stereotypes and self-efficacy start to form in early childhood.

This book encourages children to Dream Big and Aim High.

Expand your child’s imagination with the companion Activity Book.

Find the references for the grown-up astronaut hidden within the images.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

When I’m an Astronaut: Dreaming is Believing: STEM (Inspirational Careers for Kids) by Samantha Pillay was a beautiful story about a child who intends to make her dream a reality. 

To become an astronaut takes a lot of physical training. Astronauts even work out in space to lessen the effects of gravity on their bones and muscles. BTW: If your child hasn’t watched astronauts working out in space, I encourage you to share videos with them! It’s impressive how they exercise and the length of time they work out too. 

Space travel is a team event. No job is too small! It was adorable how the little girl’s puppy was right there with her, from training to exploration. I was waiting for a page where Harry Aveira illustrated the puppy in a space suit. Sadly, it didn’t happen; however, they did illustrate many other cute poochy scenes: swimming in the pool, playing with a ball in space, and floating in a zero-gravity atmosphere.

Every Harry Aveira drawing was excellent, with or without the canine sidekick! 

When kids speak of their dreams, we should listen and encourage them to make their dreams come true. If a child says one day they will go to outer space, tell them you believe they will. 

Whether a person’s dream takes place on our planet or not, we should support their ambitions. 

Amazon didn’t list a recommended reading age, but I think toddlers will love looking at the images. Beginning readers will need assistance with words, such as physics, mathematics, and magnificent. More established readers should have no issue with the text. So, this book could entertain households with a variety of age groups. 

I will tell my fellow parents about When I’m an Astronaut: Dreaming is Believing: STEM (Inspirational Careers for Kids) by Samantha Pillay in hopes they will share this book with their youngsters. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

About the Author

Dr Samantha Pillay, surgeon, entrepreneur and author hopes to inspire the next generation of leaders with her Inspirational Careers for Kids picture book series. Starting school in a wheelchair, she understands the importance of self-belief to achieve one’s goals. Visit her website to learn more.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

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The Way Out (Book 1: Be Careful What You Wish for Series) by Gordon Jensen with Cara Highsmith and Gordon Thomas (Book Review)

Picture
 
 
When the Alpha Centauri crew returns to earth after a failed mission to explore a distant planet, they quickly learn the world is not how they left it.

Under new global leadership, the planet has managed to go decades without conflict, except for one major problem. Thanks to a pandemic caused by a mutation in a new strain of GMO corn, the world’s population plummeted to 2.6 billion, wiping out a disproportionate amount of men and leaving the globe run almost entirely by women. The mutation altered the human DNA, making it impossible to produce male babies and increasing Y-chromosome related diseases.

Because of their lack of exposure, the Alpha Centauri crew, especially the men on board, now find themselves in high demand. The Powers that Be think they are the solution, but with that solution comes the inevitable hunger for power and control. As greed, self-interest, and corruption rear their ugly heads, a planet that had found its way to peace is thrust into turmoil once again.

So, the question becomes: Are they really the answer to a seemingly unsolvable problem? The world may soon come to understand that sometimes getting what you wish for isn’t the gift you think it will be.

The Way Out is at once a brilliant and relatable work of post-apocalyptic fiction. Think The Handmaid’s Tale mixed with Netflix’s The Wilds, and a touch of Interstellar, the movie. It’s a uniquely told story that will have you waiting as impatiently as the crew to understand the New World Order of the near future.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon.com
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.
 
The Way Out (Book 1: Be Careful What You Wish for Series) by Gordon Jensen with Cara Highsmith and Gordon Thomas was labeled science fiction, but I could see the possibilities of real-life implications. 


One day, we will be traveling to distant planets because Earth won’t be able to sustain life any longer. I’m not sure if a space crew will encounter a black hole on the journey, but that’s a plausible scenario.


Now, entering a wormhole and traveling in space/time is where things get a little science-fictiony. I’m not an astrophysicist or any other type of scientist, so I could not tell you the probability that’ll happen. Again, that’s where the sci-fi aspect of the story comes into play. 


If that could happen and a crew “lands” in the future, they would be overwhelmed, much like the crew of Alpha Centauri. 


What I found fascinating about this story was its setup. It was interview logs between a reporter and the crew and members of present-day Earth. The second thing I found interesting was how Earth had changed in the forty years the crew was presumed dead. No, apes didn’t replace humans. However, the population has taken a big hit. A virus has endangered the lives of humankind. Men are being an endangered species. WOW! Women also control everything. YES! 


With untainted DNA arriving on planet Earth, every powerhouse wants to possess the males. They are considered a hot commodity. 


We’ve seen a virus take hold of the world and know firsthand the destruction it can unleash. So, this scenario (in my mind) could be plausible (one day). 


Note: The book does discuss Roe v Wade. I bring this up only because, as I am writing this, it was overturned by the SCOTUS. 
 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
Meet the Authors:
Author Gordon Jensen

Gordon Jensen holds an MBA from University of Rochester, New York, Simon School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After working in finance In New York for several years, Jensen went back to Minnesota to run the family business. He retired after selling the the business and is now fulfilling a number of life-long dreams, including writing a novel series.
 
 

Author Cara Highsmith

Cara Highsmith has always been drawn to the world of books and has found herself working in this industry in one capacity or another for the majority of her adult life. She holds a Master of Arts in English from Belmont University and did work toward a PhD at Middle Tennessee State University. Cara was on the editorial team at Hachette Book Group USA, working with several New York Times bestselling authors, for nearly four years. After leaving Hachette in 2008, she began freelancing, developing proposals and manuscripts for agents, editing and ghostwriting for authors, and assisting clients in preparing projects for self-publishing. Cara is a master of being a jack of all trades, but currently spends her free time working on several personal writing projects and enjoying life on a beautiful northern California mountain.
 
 
connect with authors: 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Peel Back and See by Mike Thorn (Book Review)

In spaces both familiar and strange, unknowable horrors lurk.

From the recesses of the Internet, where cosmic terror shows its face on an endless live feed, to a museum celebrating the sordid legacy of an occultist painter, this chilling collection of sixteen short stories will plunge you into the eerie, pessimistic imagination of Mike Thorn. Peel Back and See urges its readers to look closer, to push past surface-level appearances and face the things that stir below.

 

Amazon Purchase Link
Journalstone.com

 

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

 

Peel Back and See is a collection of sixteen (16) short stories that are heavy on unforgettable encounters with hungry creatures, blood and gore, fear, Satan, and (weirdly enough) sexual arousal. 

Some stories stuck with me more than others. Below are my top five (5). 

1.) Mr. Mucata’s Final Requests: Everyone knows you don’t try to double-cross Satan. I mean, come on, don’t even try. Deals with him are also a bad idea. Seriously, the worst possible choice a person can make. If you believe in the devil, demons, and hell, say NO to anything offered. Period!

2.) @GorgoYama2013: We’re raised to know you NEVER go into a stranger’s car. Horror movies have ingrained in us to NEVER go into a strange basement, especially alone. Victor broke all the rules. What he met could best be described as a horrific version of Krang (the brain) from TMNT. If you don’t know who I am talking about, look him up! 

3.) Vomitus Bacchanalius: Okay, people are vomiting. Aliens are eating the regurgitated food. There are goo-faced men. Ugh, this story was gross, BUT good! I loved the nod to Gordon Ramsay too. 🙂

4.) The Furnace Room Mutant: This story stood out more because you’d think an unnatural being would be the monster in the story. I like it when authors step out from the paranormal norm. 🙂

5.) Havoc: This was the first story in the collection, and it made me close my laptop and take one giant step back from it. Read the story, and you’ll understand why. There was only one part I wasn’t too keen on — a flashback scene between student and teacher. I don’t want to divulge too much, but it made my score drop from a five to a four. (for this story only, not the overall score of the anthology)

 

 In Peel Back and See, thirteen of the sixteen stories scored three and above. That’s impressive! I encourage others to read the collection and see which story has you cowering under the covers. 


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

Amazon Purchase Link
Journalstone.com

 

 

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Mike Thorn is the author of the short story collection Darkest Hours. His fiction has appeared in numerous magazines, anthologies and podcasts, including Vastarien, Dark Moon Digest, The NoSleep Podcast, Tales to Terrify, and Prairie Gothic. His film criticism has been published in MUBI Notebook, The Film Stage, and Vague Visages. He completed his M.A. with a major in English literature at the University of Calgary, where he wrote a thesis on epistemophobia in John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness.

Connect with him on Twitter (@MikeThornWrites) or visit his website for more information: mikethornwrites.com.

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