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The Tales of Little Lady M by Diego Di Mauro (Book Review)

A far kingdom hidden beyond the boundaries of imagination. A place where fantasy never sleeps, and dreams are much more than just a mind game. In that land inhabited by magic creatures and strewn with lost secrets, a little girl will begin a journey full of adventures and learnings. Always on a quest for knowing more, she will discover friendship, courage and the wonders behind an act of kindness. And that not everything is what it seems to be… In a far kingdom that only true dreamers can reach, a little lady will rise.

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

 

Since The Tales of Little Lady M is a children’s book, and I have a child, I decided to do things a little differently. I’ve asked my 11-year-old daughter to weigh in on her thoughts of the story.

 

But first, here’s the critique of a 40+ woman.

The artwork and poetry, in The Tales of Little Lady M, can be best described as whimsical. It reminded me of Mother Goose nursery rhymes I read to my youngsters. 

In this story, everyone spoke in rhyme. Some poems like in “The Witch’s Home,” reminded me of Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham. You can tell Diego was inspired by Seuss and Mother Goose. Another possible inspiration was in regards to Little Lady M. She was an adventurous, kind girl who carried a purple backpack, which was magical. She also lived in a land where animals spoke to her. Hmm, does she sound like Dora the Explorer to you?!

Whether or not any or all of the above mentions were inspirations for Diego’s creation, I will say it was a cute story that taught children many lessons. Examples: It’s important to be kind to others. Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t enter a stranger’s home. Helping a friend in trouble can bring much happiness to yourself. My score: 4 

 

And now for my 11-year-olds thoughts.

The story, The Tales of Little Lady M is a great book, but there is just one problem. Some of the words in the book are hard to read and pronounce. For example, on page 71, when the good witch said the beginning of the spell, it just doesn’t make sense. I don’t usually like fairy tales, but some of them I love. The book The Tales of Little Lady M  is definitely one of the fairy tales I love. The rating I give it is 4 1/2 stars. 

 

KB: After much discussion, my daughter and I agreed it scored closer to 4 than 5. Therefore, when I share this review on Amazon and Goodreads, I will mark it as a 4. Here though, it will stand at 4.5!

 

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

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Hi, my name is Diego Di Mauro, and I was born in Catania, Italy.

As a child, I enjoyed playing outdoor games, watching cartoons, drawing and reading comics. I soon became a huge lover of video games – and pizza – too.

At the age of 11, I entered and won a local writing contest, with an essay celebrating the bravery of the Italian armed force “Carabinieri”.
I also co-wrote the story, dialogues and lyrics for a school play.

Computer programming quickly became my main interest, and eventually my future profession. Nonetheless, I never lost my taste for writing: over the years, I’ve written a few poems and a couple of drafts for fiction stories. The last one inspired by my first trip to Poland, back in 2013.

I’ve also painted a few portraits for relatives and friends.

I lived in Italy, US and Czech Republic, before moving to England. I visited Canada, Mexico, Germany, Poland, Portugal and Luxembourg. At the age of 16, I spent a few weeks in Australia.

“The Tales of Little Lady M” is my first published author and illustrator work.

 

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A Cumberland Christmas: Our Christmas Nook Anthology by Tracy A. Ball (Book Showcase)

Enjoy this collection of holiday super short stories: these easy, quick reads are meant to entertain, introduce you to some new authors and get you in the holiday spirit. The challenge has been set for authors…four holiday-related prompts have been provided and authors respond by filling this collection with super short stories (max 5,000 words). Mixed genres, mixed point-of-views, there’s something in this collection for everyone!

 

Which stories will you explore first?

1. It’s Christmas Eve and you’re stranded in the airport. Televisions displaying all the outgoing flights suddenly display “cancelled, cancelled, cancelled.” There’s no getting out of this town tonight, not with a blizzard on the way, and certainly not in time for Christmas with your family…

2. Wrapping presents has always been a favorite pastime, but this Christmas while wrapping, you look out the window and notice the good-looking postal worker’s gloves are holey and the soles on their boots are worn out. Suddenly, you’re filled with an urge to do something nice, but what? Gifting gloves would be too obvious since you noticed they were needed. Perhaps you should go out on a date together or make a special meal?

3. On December 1st, you pull into your garage for the evening and notice an oddly-shaped, wrapped present has been left for you. Upon further examination, the tag has your name on it, with a note not to open until Christmas…

4. Grandfather always told me this snow globe was magic. So, I finally decided to give it a shake and see for myself… 

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Blurb: 

Everyone wants to meet somebody famous. But, not him…

Summary: 

A blizzard shuts down a small airport in Cumberland, MD., but not before stranding mega-star Kyle Varian Montgomery and his over the top entourage.

To the rescue is Jazlyn, Cumberland resident who is decidedly not a fan. Together, they learn, there is more to the gift than the package it comes in.

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Snippet:

“The room you gave Varian is on the front. It’s not conducive to proper rest. Varian’s not accustomed to being awakened before noon. Morning activity; people going to work, cars and what have you; it’s a bad mix. The other rooms are smaller so that makes things a little difficult.” 

“Difficult how? Every bedroom has a bed. What else does he need?” She didn’t give him time to answer. “You people have more than a healthy amount of nerve. I don’t know if you are assuming I have the largest bedroom or if you were being nosey, but let me assure you, he’s not getting my room, and I’ll thank you to stay out of it.”

Ginald sat the empty cup down to refill it. “Jazzy, you don’t understand what it’s like to be him.”

Her hand went to her hip. “If Varian wants another room, give him yours. In this house, guests take what’s given to them and with appreciation. If you can’t do that, you might want to consider making alternate arrangements.”

“Appreciation. You’re the one without appreciation.” He imitated her hand-on-hip stance. “No one would dare deal with a star the way you’ve dealt with him. You want us to be different from who we are because we happen to be in your presence. It’s almost is if you think by helping us, you became God, and we need to beg and grovel for our just due. We expect to be treated the same way we are always treated. If you can’t do that, you might want to consider making alternate arrangements for us.” Ginald swept from the room. He ruined his dramatic exit by returning a second later to get his coffee.

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Novelist, Reviewer, Content Editor, Blogger, T-shirt Wearer, and Professional Snacker; Tracy A. Ball is a native Baltimorean and a veteran West Virginian whose family is blended from three cultures. She has opened her home to foster children, drug addicts, AIDS victims and anyone who needed an assist. She knows people who have committed murder and people who have dined with the Pope.

Which is why she writes sweet stories about tough love…and takes naps.

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