Tag Archives: planets

Luna and Helio The Eclipse by Gina Keulemans (Book Review)

Luna and Helio is a fictional tale of the Sun and Moon,and of their place in the solar system. It is a story of how one day Luna must stop Heliofrom making a very big mistake. it is a heart-warming tale of friendship and the value of helping each other to do the right thing, even when it isn’t easy.

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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.

 

Luna (the moon) and Helio (the sun) help Earth, but they couldn’t agree on which had a more vital role. Their arguments led to important facts about the sun and the moon. Helio, the biggest and brightest star in the solar system, helps warm up the planet and helps things grow. Luna guides people through the darkness, such as fishermen. During their spat, Helio (sun) shouted that he planned to move closer to Earth, which all the other planets quickly voiced their opinion on why that would be a horrible idea. Helio is stubborn and thinks he knows best. Many parents can relate to their children thinking they are correct, and parents are clueless. No amount of talking will change their mind. That’s what occurred in Luna and Helio: The Eclipse. Helio’s mind was made up; he was moving closer to Earth.

Helio’s stubborn actions could’ve been disastrous without the quick thinking of Luna and the eight planets in our solar system. However, instead, Helio’s actions caused what earthlings call an eclipse. They are spectacular to see, and we have an annular solar eclipse crossing North, Central, and South America this October! 

I recommend reading this story for fun or in preparation for the annular solar eclipse crossing the Western Hemisphere later this year or the total solar eclipse happening in April 2024. Creating a viewing apparatus so your family and class can watch the amazing display safely is a great idea, too! 

Luna and Helio: The Eclipse gives basic information about the sun and moon’s usefulness that is easy for preschoolers to understand. The book could inspire a research project about our sun, moon, and planets. 

My recommended reading age is three years and older. The illustrations are quite lovely, and the story is educational but doesn’t overload young minds with a thousand facts. 

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

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Meet the Author

This is Gina’s first published children’s book, she lives in London with her husband and has two grown up children. Gina worked as a P.A in advertising before donating her time to raising funds for Cancer Research UK, Gina now spends her time working on her creative side.

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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.

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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.

 

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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Spacekid iLK: Stranded! by Andrew Hammond (Book Review)

Spacekid iLK is a sci-fi comedy about an alien finding courage through connection.

iLK’s dad is an alien overlord that invades Earth, but finds ruling over this complex planet too annoying, so he hands it down to his son to look after. iLK resists, but ultimately find a diverse range of friends on Earth and discovers a planet that is worth protecting.

In book 2 – Stranded! – having only recently saved Earth from complete destruction, Spacekid iLK now finds himself stripped of his power and sent to school!

iLK must find a way to get his power back, in order to save the world, from the evil genius he accidentally left in charge – Emilio.

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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.

 

Spacekid iLK: Stranded! by Andrew Hammond is a comedy, sci-fi novel illustrated with comics and cartoons. While the suggested reading age is 7-13, I (a mid-age person) was drawn to the story. The characters were lovable, and the plotline’s resolution was unique. 

iLK, an alien, came to Earth with his father. His father’s mission was to make Earth go boom. Thankfully, he didn’t carry out his orders. Instead, he put his son in charge of the planet, who then delegated the “boring stuff” to Emilio, a human. iLK and Emilio soon butted heads on who should run the world and be named King. Emilio suggests having a special election in forty-six days to decide who should rule the world.

While iLK plots to win the special election, more aliens arrive on the planet. It was funny how earthlings seemed to grow accustomed to being invaded by aliens from outer space. The “Bubbles” were so cute, and earthlings loved them. The bubble aliens went pop a lot – some by accident and some not. I might’ve been a person who popped them on purpose. 

This story had several storylines happening simultaneously, but they soon merged at the end. Humans and Glubwark aliens were working together to save the planet! 

As I said in my opening statement, this book had comedy. I know readers will laugh at the “villain” who has set out to destroy Earth and the means to defeat them. The illustrations will delight young readers. I loved them all, especially the image of a drooling midget fartfly from Squench. It was oddly cute. Oh, and Y-bot posing as a Philosophy teacher was humorous. iLK wondered why no one saw through Y-bot’s disguise. I have three words for you: Superman, Clark Kent. 

I 100% recommend this series to readers of sci-fi or comic books. 

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

Amazon
Waterstones
B&N 
Author’s Website

 

 

Meet the Author

Andrew is a Writer, Illustrator and Director from London. He believes we all have the capacity to be creative and regularly attends schools, delivering comic book workshops, creating opportunities for kids to discover their own stories.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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Jack Gregson & the Stolen Sons by Peter Wilson (Book Review)

JACK GREGSON AND THE STOLEN SONS by Peter Wilson

 
Dark Mystery
Ancient Prophecy
Family Secrets

When a loud, incessant knocking disturbs the peace at Gregson Manor, David and Rosie once again travel through the mysterious portal, where they encounter darkness, chaos and impossible impossibilities.

Only by fulfilling an ancient prophecy and uniting unlikely allies can they save parallel universes.

A dormant sun awaiting new dawn,
Two stolen sons their mothers mourn.
One will wake from whence they laid,
The other repeats a mistake once made.

​Who are the sons?   

 
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 
Jack Gregson & the Stolen Sons by Peter Wilson had more suspense, mystery, surprises, and bombshells than Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal. It also had more humor, thanks to pixie dust. I like Jarl, the sparkling golden pixie. While she might’ve not been the brightest bulb, she was fun to watch in action. She reminded me of Tinkerbell, except Tinks never turned herself into a frog. 
 
This story also had more family drama and unveiled another traitor. The traitor will play a major role in the next book, which I’m looking forward to reading! 


As with the first book in the series, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal, there is oodles of magic. Colors play a significant role in the magic scenes. If you’re a teacher, this would be an excellent opportunity to discuss symbolism with your students. 


As I stated earlier, there are many humorous scenes in the story. One fight scene made me smile because David was wielding the unlikeliest weapon. Oh, I wish I could tell you what it was, BUT I want to leave you guessing. I can see kids laughing at it, though! I did give a slight chuckle. 


On a final note: I didn’t think Peter Wilson could make the punkey any weirder, but he did. I’m curious how the mutant will evolve in the next book. 
 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:
Author Peter Wilson
Peter Wilson is an award-winning writer based in Sydney, Australia. His first novel, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal has won awards internationally, in both the USA and United Kingdom, and has quickly become a favourite with young readers. Peter’s second book in his trilogy series, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Sons, is set for release in 2021. In addition to children’s and young adult content, Peter is also interested in writing for the adult market and is currently working on a crime thriller set in his home city, Sydney.

 
connect with the author: 
website twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram goodreads

 
 
 
 
 
 

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Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal by Peter Wilson (Book Review)

 
MOONBEAM AWARD WINNER!
 
Something has changed at the Gregson Manor. An evil force from the family’s past has returned to upheave their lives.
 
Jack and his cousins explore the family secrets as they are pulled through a portal into a universe of endless worlds and possibilities.
 
Together, they race to escape and destroy the evil Theorden and his followers who strive to unlock the power of the Forgotten Portal and wreak havor on Gregson Manor and the World.
 
 
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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 trio from Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal (Jack, David, and Rosie) reminded me of Harry Potter, Ron, and Hermione. Three young adults band together to save their home, family, and friends from an evil, magical being. In both scenarios, there was a chosen one (teen) who had the power to defeat the villain. Of course, he can’t do it alone. He needed assistance. 


While there were many similarities between this book and the famous series by Rowling, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal possessed its own unique features. For instance, Peter Wilson’s story had a punkey – a puppy + monkey, a mutant-looking creature. There were also portals that took you to different worlds in the universe. Could you imagine visiting a new planet every time you go on vacation?! That would be amazing!!! This feature would be a great discussion topic in a classroom. Where in the universe would you go? You could go even farther and have your students design their planet and include its features (animals, vegetation, food sources, etc.). 


Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal had many qualities that drew my attention and held my interest, besides those mentioned in the last paragraph. I loved the magical elements and the manor’s attic. There were so many artifacts to view in this room, each one with its own story to tell. It also had a bonus feature that you won’t see in a typical attic. (No spoilers; buy the book *smiley face*) 


What I would change?
I wish the Shadow Man’s identity weren’t so easy to figure out and so soon in the story too. 

Like I said in the opening paragraph, I do believe there are some shared traits between this story and the HP books. However, with that said, I did enjoy reading  Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal and recommend others read it as well. 

 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤1/2
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:
Author Peter Wilson
Peter Wilson is an award-winning writer based in Sydney, Australia. His first novel, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal has won awards internationally, in both the USA and United Kingdom, and has quickly become a favourite with young readers. Peter’s second book in his trilogy series, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Sons, is set for release in 2021. In addition to children’s and young adult content, Peter is also interested in writing for the adult market and is currently working on a crime thriller set in his home city, Sydney.

connect with the author: 
website twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram goodreads

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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