Tag Archives: math

August 18, 2025 · 7:00 am

Easy Extra Large Print Sudoku for Seniors by Steven Pomeroy (Book Review)

Finally, an extra large print format in an 8.5×11 inch book! Part of our Part of our Extra Large Print Puzzles for Visually Impaired series, you can easily read and write (pencil) notes within the puzzle squares!
This Easy format is perfect for beginners or for relaxing play. There are 160 full-page puzzles, and the solutions are included.

Why play Sudoku? Here are some great benefits:

  • Boost Cognitive Power: Engage your brain with puzzles that sharpen logic, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills. Regular Sudoku play supports neuroplasticity, helping to maintain mental agility and potentially delay cognitive decline.
  • Build Focus and Confidence: Hone concentration and build confidence.
  • Stress Relief and Relaxation: Immerse yourself in the calming, meditative flow of solving Sudoku. Each completed puzzle delivers a satisfying sense of accomplishment, reducing stress and uplifting your mood.
  • Enhance Memory: Strengthen short-term memory by tracking numbers and possibilities, fostering mental clarity and recall with every puzzle you solve.
  • Perfect for All Ages: Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to keep your mind vibrant, these puzzles are designed to be accessible, engaging, and rewarding for everyone.
  • Social Fun: Enjoy solo or share with friends and family for a fun, collaborative challenge that sparks connection and joy.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Do you love playing Sudoku but find the small print game boards put a strain on your eyes? Have you longed for a bigger print version of this fun and popular logic game? Well, your search is over! Steven Pomeroy has created Easy Extra Large Print Sudoku for Seniors, but it’s not just for seniors. It’s for anyone with vision impairment or who loves supersized puzzles. This game book is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the fun of Sudoku, regardless of their age or visual abilities. What if you have never played the logic-based number placement puzzle? The author has that covered too, thanks to the Sudoku tutorial, tips, and sample game board: a 9×9 grid with 81 squares divided into nine smaller 3×3 boxes.

Did you know that playing Sudoku is not just a fun pastime, but also a great way to keep your brain healthy? It’s been shown to keep the brain active, improve concentration, logical thinking, and pattern recognition, and even reduce the risk of cognitive decline. And the best part? It’s a lot of fun, especially when you start winning! So, let’s start playing!

I recommend ordering Easy Extra Large Print Sudoku for Seniors. Take it with you on vacation, especially on those long flights. Work the puzzles outside as you enjoy the fresh air and hopefully cooler temperatures. Pass the time in a doctor’s waiting room with these fun and addictive logic puzzles. Turn off the TV, curl up on the couch, and try to solve a page a day (9×9 grid). With 160 game boards, this puzzle book will keep you entertained for days, weeks, or even months! If you get stumped, review the tips and remember there is an answer key!

Easy Extra Large Print Sudoku for Seniors is perfect for every skill level, so why wait? Order your copy today and start enjoying the benefits of Sudoku! However, keep in mind that if you are not a pro (yet), bring a pencil or an erasable pen. No scratch paper is needed thanks to the ample writing space and extra lined paper in the back of the book.

Supersized puzzle boards and game tips make this book an excellent choice for anyone with vision problems, as well as for all skill levels. Answer key included!

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Thank you fellow readers to take the time to find out a little about myself. As for you stalkers… Na na nana na – you will NEVER find me! Just kidding – nobody is stalking me… as far as I know.

So I grew up in Rochester, NY where there are all four seasons. Winters are great if you enjoy outdoor Winter sports or bowling – or Buffalo Bills football 🙂

I have a tendency to inject humor or science or sports into my writings. In other words, a funny nerd-type who fancies himself as an NFL running back. Not sure about the running back thing these days – maybe a few decades ago!

I hope you enjoy my books. If you do, don’t forget to write a review!

Amazon Purchase Link
Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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April 3, 2025 · 7:00 am

Bobby the Bear and His Big Surprise by Ryan O’Connor (Book Review)

Join Bobby the Bear in the forest for the surprise of a lifetime and a lesson in the importance of true friendship. With captivating art and a carefully crafted message, Bobby’s story is sure to delight children of all ages. Through his many stories, Bobby teaches his forest friends life lessons through kindness, respect, and positivity while learning some lessons of his own along the way.

Teachers will appreciate the available free activities and exercises that satisfy basic common core curriculum requirements in math, science, and English language arts.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

It’s Bobby the Bear’s birthday, and he is excited to spend the day at the lake with his friends: Owen (the owl) and his owlets, Mr. and Mrs. Butterfly, Rachel (the rabbit), Tanya (the tiger), Brian (the beaver), plus an additional one (pictured in group shot but not visited by Bobby). On his way to the lake, Bobby stopped at his friends’ homes, but they were all gone. Bobby was confused about where everyone was and wondered if they had already left for the lake.

The bear arrived at the lake and noticed no one was there either. He waited for his friends to arrive, but they never appeared. Did they forget his birthday? I’ve taken my children to birthday parties where they were the only attendees. It’s heartbreaking to watch a birthday kid run to the window when they hear a vehicle and see confusion and sadness sweep across their face when the car passes by their home. Bobby’s situation might resonate with some kids. It might make others rethink passing on invites, so their classmates never experience confusion and sadness, as Bobby did on his special day.

Bobby’s story ends with a surprise happy ending, which all parents want for their children on birthdays. It’s a heartwarming moment that will surely bring a smile to kids’ faces. The joyful conclusion reinforces the power of friendship while reminding kids that even in the face of disappointment, there’s always the potential for a happy ending.

Bobby the Bear and His Big Surprise is a wonderful children’s book with big, bold illustrations. I loved Tanya the Tiger’s “out to lunch” sign. The paw prints were a cute touch. The cake was decorated so lovely that one would almost hate cutting into it. Not me, I love cake! The group shot of the partygoers perfectly ended the story. 

There were three items I would change, though. First, I would’ve included every animal’s name and home. The author didn’t name the orange and white animal in the group photo, and Bobby didn’t stop by their house either. Second, since most people read left to right, I would’ve swapped placements for the text on the grey background and words in the speech bubble. Lastly, I was surprised Bobby didn’t talk to the turtle at the lake. Ask if the tutle would like to celebrate his birthday with him. That would’ve made for a sweet, touching moment.

Even without those small additions mentioned above, Bobby the Bear and His Big Surprise was a lovely read with adorable illustrations. It’s a storybook that parents can use to teach kids animal names and even their colors. With its simple word choices, Bobby the Bear and His Big Surprise would make an excellent book for early readers. This book would make a great birthday gift, too!

The book’s info states, “Teachers will appreciate the available free activities and exercises that satisfy basic common core curriculum requirements in math, science, and English language arts.” I couldn’t access those from my reviewer’s copy, but I encourage parents and teachers to take full advantage of the free resource materials! 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤1/2
(I will round up to 4 on Amazon and Goodreads.)

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Award-winning author and teacher Ryan O’Connor hails from Kansas, where his passion for writing and education developed. Ryan has spent the past fifteen years teaching English to students of all ages in the United States and China. After spending a decade living abroad, Ryan calls Kansas City home.

Amazon Author Page Link

 

 

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January 4, 2023 · 7:00 am

Pebbles and the Biggest Number by Joey Benun (Book Review)

What’s the BIGGEST number?

Pebbles the butterfly wants to know! He travels the world in search of the answer, asking every animal he meets.

Along the way, he must escape an earthquake, outrun an avalanche, and fly over a tsunami. Luckily, his new friends are there to lend him a hand . . . or a paw.

Will Pebbles ever find the biggest number?

Flutter in and find out!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

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

 

In this adorable tale, Pebbles wants to know what is the best number, so the butterfly takes flight in search of the answer. Every page weaves educational and fun facts during Pebbles’s visit to various locations: desert, tropical rainforest, the beach, snowy mountains, and even space. 

Children will walk away from this book with a greater knowledge of many science, math, and animal facts. Maybe even adults will learn a thing or two as well! For example: “The hottest recorded temperature on Earth was 134 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius). It was measured in a California desert on July 10, 1913.” I didn’t know the following fun fact: “A standard American light bulb uses 120 volts of electricity. That means an electric eel could power 5 light bulbs.” And this math fact will blow children’s minds: “1 octillion has 27 zeros. It looks like this: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.”

I don’t want to disclose every fun fact, but the following science fact was fascinating, with droughts reported worldwide. “Most thunderstorm clouds hold more than 4 billion cups (1 billion liters) of water. Two of these clouds could provide every person on Earth with one cup of water!” 

Children, parents, and educators will adore Pebbles and the Biggest by Joey Benun for many reasons. It has stunning illustrations, a storyline that draws in the reader, and it educates as it entertains young minds (5 and older). While the text is too difficult for babies and toddlers, I bet they’ll still love looking at the beautifully drawn images by Laura Watson. There are so many to admire, each more stunning than the last. 

Pebbles and the Biggest Number has components that reach a wide variety of age groups, but I would recommend this lovely book to school-age children for overall comprehension. Finally, I would suggest reading “Dig Deeper,” which addresses the terminology and numbers in the story. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Joey Benun has always thought BIG. His fascination with numbers began when he was five years old—the bigger, the better. Years later, a fortuitous conversation with his niece and nephews inspired him to write a book about BIG numbers for little kids. Thus, Pebbles and the Biggest Number was born

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

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July 6, 2022 · 7:00 am

The Seraphim’s Song (The F.I.G. Mysteries, Book 5) by Barbara Casey (Book Spotlight)

The Seraphim's Song (A F.I.G. Mystery) by Barbara Casey

 
Many changes have taken place at Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women while Carolina and Larry were on their honeymoon in Frascati, Italy, on the Granchelli farm. The newlyweds have been given a larger bungalow; Ms. Alcott, niece of the founder of Wood Rose, and Mrs. Ball, assistant to the headmaster, have moved into a bungalow together; and Jimmy Bob, caretaker and night watchman at Wood Rose has moved from his family home down the road a bit into a small bungalow on the orphanage property with his hound dog Tick, as well as his new cat and her litter of kittens.

Summer is coming to an end and the F.I.G.s will soon return to the universities to complete their special projects. They are starting to feel anxious, and the coping mechanisms they have used their entire lives are starting to work overtime. Dara’s thoughts turn to an unknown language, possibly from another world; Mackenzie focuses on the relationship of math to music; and Jennifer keeps hearing the note of B flat minor and is drawing dark swirls on her canvas board.

Buy the Book:
Amazon Purchase Link
B&N ~ Books-A-Million
and local bookstores everywhere
Add to Goodreads
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:

Author Barbara Casey

Barbara Casey is the author of several award-winning novels and book-length works of nonfiction for both adults and young adults, and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. Several of her books have been optioned for major films and television series.

In addition to her own writing, Barbara is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency. Established in 1995, she represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan.

In 2018 Barbara received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas.

Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with three cats who adopted her: Homer, a Southern coon cat; Reese, a black cat; and Earl Gray, a gray cat and Reese’s best friend.

​Connect with the author:  

Barbara Casey Author ~ Barbara Casey Agency ~ Goodreads
 
 
 
 
 
 

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January 31, 2022 · 7:00 am

KidVenture: Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue by Steve Searfoss (Book Review)

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Chance Sterling launches a pool cleaning business over the summer. Join Chance as he looks for new customers, discovers how much to charge them, takes on a business partner, recruits an employee, deals with difficult clients, and figures out how to make a profit. He has twelve weeks to reach his goal. Will he make it? Only if he takes some chances.

KidVenture stories are business adventures where kids figure out how to market their company, understand risk, and negotiate. Each chapter ends with a challenge, including business decisions, ethical dilemmas and interpersonal conflict for young readers to wrestle with. As the story progresses, the characters track revenue, costs, profit margin, and other key metrics which are explained in simple, fun ways that tie into the story.

 
 
Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
 
 
 

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

 
Whether you are opening a roadside lemon stand, mowing grass, babysitting, or embarking on a larger-scale business, your child should read KidVenture: Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue (Vol. 1) by Steve Searfoss.

When Steve Searfoss said, “Math is your friend,” he couldn’t have been more correct. In business, you need to understand key terms such as profit and loss, expenses, and venture capitalist. These words and many other words used in KidVenture: Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue (Vol. 1) would be perfect glossary and spelling words for a classroom setting. 
 
Extended Activity: Have your students create a flyer like Addie did and present it to the class. Homeschool students can also partake in this activity! 


Math lesson: Steve Searfoss offers various scenarios in which Chance can make more money by gaining more customers or increasing rates. He also discusses unexpected expenses. It’s broken down in a simple format. Extend the math lesson by importing your own prices and have the students solve the equations.  

 

KidVenture: Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue (KidVenture Vol. 1) also offers numerous discussion questions at the end of each chapter. Example: “How could you get more leverage?” “Would you take on a new partner? Why?”
With all the possibilities for extended learning activities, I encourage ALL households and schools to add and use this book. It’s a great learning tool, plus the story is very entertaining. Even the illustrations are fantastic. 
My score will be a 5, but I wish I could give it more. Outstanding job, Steve Searfoss.  
 
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤ (deserves more) 
 
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:

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I wrote my first KidVenture book after years of making up stories to teach my kids about business and economics. Whenever they’d ask how something works or why things were a certain way, I would say, “Let’s pretend you have a business that sells…” and off we’d go. What would start as a simple hypothetical to explain a concept would become an adventure spanning several days as my kids would come back with new questions which would spawn more plot twists. Rather than give them quick answers, I tried to create cliffhangers to get them to really think through an idea and make the experience as interactive as possible.

I try to bring that same spirit of fun, curiosity and challenge to each KidVenture book. That’s why every chapter ends with a dilemma and a set of questions. KidVenture books are fun for kids to read alone, and even more fun to read together and discuss. There are plenty of books where kids learn about being doctors and astronauts and firefighters. There are hardly any where they learn what it’s like to run small business. KidVenture is different. The companies the kids start are modest and simple, but the themes are serious and important.

I’m an entrepreneur who has started a half dozen or so businesses and have had my share of failures. My dad was an entrepreneur and as a kid I used to love asking him about his business and learning the ins and outs of what to do and not do. Mistakes make the best stories — and the best lessons. I wanted to write a business book that was realistic, where you get to see the characters stumble and wander and reset, the way entrepreneurs do in real life. Unlike most books and movies where business is portrayed as easy, where all you need is one good idea and the desire to be successful, the characters in KidVenture find that every day brings new problems to solve.

 
Connect with the Author:
 Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads
 
 

 

 

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