Stopping to Learn About Scotland with Carole P. Roman

If you were me and lived in Scotland, your home would occupy the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It is part of the United Kingdom, which means it is included in a group of counties from that area. They are England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Scotland has more than 790 islands in the North Sea.

~~~

I'm finishing A Fine Summer's Day by Charles Todd with includes the main character, Inspector Ian Rutledge of the Scotland Yard! I decided that we needed to know a little more about the country before I share that story next!

You might live in the capital, Edinburgh. It is the second most populous city in Scotland. That means a lot of people live there. Edinburgh is famous for its university, which teaches medicine, law, science, and engineering. People have lived in this spot for over ten thousand years. It is also known as the Athens of the North, because many of the buildings are inspired by Ancient Greece and Rome.

~~~

If You Were Me and Lived

  In...Scotland:

A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the World

By Carole P. Roman

I must admit that the first thing I think about Scotland is the music, the pipes in particular...and, of course, the kilts...but, since we're visiting, let's first meet some of the children who we'll get to know!

If you are a boy, your parents may decide on Ian, Connor, or Malcolm as a name...

They might choose Aillen, Kelsey, or Margaret if you are a lass...

A very interesting fact for me was that the unicorn is the official animal of Scotland! Cool, right?!

They picked the legendary beast
because it represented grace,
purity, healing, and happiness.

I bet you can guess what stuffed animal is the favorite toy! But did you know that you can use one of two different forms of money to buy them at the store? Can you guess what else they could use besides their Scottish notes? A Hint:
It could have the picture of a Queen...

Have you ever heard of the Lochness monster, or creature that lives in the deep water? Well, that is in Scotland! So you might want to visit and see if he appears when you're there...This picture even has something circled, but couldn't that just be a branch? What do you think? I know one thing I'd like to go and see the lake myself!

.

While you learn about and enjoy being with new friends you'll be meeting in Scotland; while I'm here, I'd like to see more of the beautiful historical buildings!

Could you participate in singing these songs? Exactly what is sgoil where you might learn it?! Still lots to learn about Scotland! Highly recommended!

GABixlerReviews

Award winning author Carole P. Roman Lives on Long Island with her husband and very near her children and grandchildren.

Paws in the Piazza! By Jerilyn McIntyre... You know what that means...Cats! Lots of Them! Come Visit Venice!

Oh, you're wondering how I happened to be in Venice, so far away from my home? Well, that's a long story. My family had some sort of business that required them to come here for an extended stay. So they brought me with them. Scott and Cassie, I mean. And their little girl, Kimmy.

I don't remember much about how I got here. As a matter of fact, I'd rather not think about it. It started with my being forced into that awful carrying thing they put me in whenever we go on long trips. And then somebody gave me something that made me sleep. I woke up here, in a strange new place...

Back home, I was content just to be an ordinary house cat. I didn't get out much. But it's different here in Venice. I think Kimmy may suspect that. When she leaves for school in the morning now, she always cups my chin with one hand and scrates me behind my ears with the other. "Stay safe, Harley she says... She probably doesn't know how easy it is for me to go pretty much wherever I want to while she and Cassie and Scott are gone...

~~~

Paws in the Piazza

By Jerilyn McIntyre

Illustrations by Ken Shuey

It didn't take Harley very long to start cattin' around Venice! Everywhere he looked there were cats! And nobody bothered them; in fact, seemed to welcome their being there! He later found out that they were all good mousers and with the nearby canals, the residents were happy to share their homes,  as mouse-free as possible

At  first Harley took the time to know all the places around his new home. but he could see a large area up ahead and one day decided to check it out... Almost immediately he noticed the tall column with what looked like a flying cat...well, a very big cat--a lion actually! In fact, he had seen quite a number of the statues in the city but he would never have thought he'd see him down off the tower, just to talk to him! Wait until you find out why!

He'd been able to make some friends with cats who hung around the Piazza:
Scruffly and Scrawny, and Fatty and Mooch are his friends...and would you believe that, before very long, even the pigeons had become friends! Who knew what would be happening?! 

                          

This was to be a big night because carnival started and there would be lots of food being dropped or accidentally taken...LOL But while they were waiting, Harley caught sight of her!

She's beautiful. Pure white fur. Lips that curl into a provocative pout. An exquisite, twitchy  little nose,  Her eyes are a brilliant blue, but I catch only a glimpse of them. She glances down, suddenly shy as she sees me staring at her. Someone has dressed her in a satin cap trimmed with some sort of bright glassy stone. Completely unnecessary, in my opinion. She doesn't need any fancy drape. She is the most exotic, glamorous, gorgeous Angora I have ever seen. I think I am in love...

                                                                                      ~~~

Couldn't resist sharing an old-fashion pic of the
Piazza

Off to the side, there are some tables at an outdoor eating place in the great square. I decide to take refuge under one of the empty ones...one of the things I like most about Venice. The food... Soon all the noise and the aromas lull me to sleep.

What happened next is a new experience for me. I don't often have strange dreams. As a matter of face, I don't remember very many of my dreams at all... But this one is filled with images so real I think I am awake....a man in a cape...Angela runs away from me, and I try to follow her...

Slowly, all of these figures are replaced by the winged lion, his paw raised, his noble gaze fixed on me, swooping down from his place atop the pillar in the great square... landing only paws' lengths away from me... I can't tell if he is a friend or an enemy. All I can tell is that he is huge, and his roar echoes in my head.  He bends down and lets me hop on his broad back, nestled between his shoulders, next to his wings. Shaking his great, shaggy mane, he leaps up and starts to fly over the great square, out over the water and up the big canal that meanders through the city...

Harley's friends soon told him that he was "in love" with a very important Venice cat named Angela and then proceeded to talk about her being a long line of cats that always lived in the home of the Doge's Palace! Wow, Harley soon began wondering if that was why she ran from him...he was a commoner, of sorts... 
nevertheless, every time, he was out he was always looking to see if he'd get a chance to see her at home...

The guys had also told him the story of the first Doge who had loved his cat so much and that ever since there had been a cat at the Doge... They also told him about carnival and told about the elaborate costumes he would sometime see, especially the Doge who always wore red... Should I tell you about the time Harley met the ghost of the Doge?!  Naaah, you'll have to read the book!

Because now's the time for the magic to begin... Check this one out...If you like cats, you'll enjoy this... Children will be delighted with the beautiful and colorful pages. Enjoy and see what happens when the cat fight starts!



GABixlerReviews

"Paws in the Piazza," a novella for middle grade readers, now available at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California; The King's English Bookshop and Weller Book Works in Salt Lake City, Utah; and Pearl Street Books and Jerrol's in Ellensburg, Washington. "Paws" is still available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and on Kindle as well.

"Death in Florence," personal essay published July, 2014 in The Ultimate Writer.

"Fur Ball," humorous short story published August, 2013 in Epiphany Magazine. http://www.epiphmag.com/EpiphanyepiphmagFictionissue20.html#jmc

"Harley Finds His Voice," humorous short story published November, 2012 in Conceit Magazine (The Enchanted File Cabinet).

Ahoy Matie! The Crew Goes Coconuts! and Matie is the Target! Fun Colorful Story by Carole P. Roman...

Carole P. Roman has a pirate crew series headed up by Captain No Beard...well of course he doesn't have a beard--he's not old enough! Duh... Couldn't call him Bluebeard, or Blackbeard, right!? Besides he's not a real pirate even though a handful of jewels came with the book, as well as a passport to use when we travel...But isn't it fun to pretend? LOL 

Today's review is on the latest (6) addition to the series and is just as funny, colorful, and instructional as, I am sure, the other books are... 

 But, let me tell you a little about what the crew is up to this time... and it's more a fable than an adventure tale... and Matie is the star...you might say... At least he's who everybody starts to bully! See if you can guess from the front cover who Matie is...


The Crew Goes Coconuts!
A Captain No Beard Story

By Carole P. Roman

"It's all because of that goat Hallie brought aboard,"
Mongo the monkey grumbled.
"She drank a double portion" Polly Parrot whispered as they
moved to a corner of the deck.
"Whoever heard of a goat named Matie?"
Linus the lion growled.
Fribbet hopped around the deck looking for Captain No Beard.
"Oh no, Captain..." His face looked worried.
"The crew is not happy...oh no, sound the alarm..."
~~~

It was fortunate that the crew was sailing in the right location when it happened, else it could have been really dangerous--scurvy and all that, you know...

You see, they were totally out of water and juice! They normally stocked up with juice boxes, but they had taken on a stranger who had, accidentally, I am sure, drunk the last!

They were standing in water with no wind for the sails, but the sun was so bright! They had already searched for water, but it just was not available. "It was hot and they were thirsty!

And that's when it started--somebody had to be blamed! 

And Matie had been the one to drink the last...therefore, she was to blame! Of course, they wouldn't have thought to realize just how much each of them had already consumed!

Now Hallie was the youngest of the crew, even still in her diapers... But not even crying was going to help, so she just stood by Matie while the others started teasing...

"Matie the goat!" Lion roared. "What kind of a name is that?" Her name should be Gilly, or Gertrude...:

"Or Gail!: Mongo added...

Mongo, Linus, and Polly laughed and danced around her, pulling at the new ribbon.

"Maaaaaatie!" they shouted with laughter.

"You can't even say it right," said Mongo...

And then they were checking to see that everybody agreed that Matie was to blame! Well, that didn't work and then they started to take sides!

But by that time, the Captain was climbing down the ladder. Even he was hot and disgruntled, "Being a Captain is hard work," he mumbled under his breath. In fact, he was so irritated that he started to call them right from the ladder! Uh. Oh.

The Captain's got to do what the Captain's got to do and he started talking to each of those who started the trouble!

When he did not get a response, he demanded,
"Attention! Front and center!"
They all jumped to form a line and he walked up ano! d
down the ranks, stopping fir at Mongo.
"Mongo! Tell me something..."
~~~

After he had settled everybody down, well, you'll just have to wait to see! After all, there's lots more happening and you'll have to find out whether they are finally safe and sound...

And who saved the day!

This is simply a darling story. There's so much it is telling about getting along, but it is so much fun seeing the Captain take control of those who were causing the trouble...just about everybody who reads this book, including me, are bound to have learned something...

Me? I found out that sometimes having a hard head is just what's needed! LOL

Full of creative imagery and a fascinating merge of pictures with words, Carole Roman will provide fun and learning all at one time! It's sensitively done so that the bullying is demonstrative in a light fashion, yet makes the point by having the Captain face each of the ones who are doing the teasing... And I loved the ending!

Highly recommended, as always, for all ages up to early teens, if they're still willing to read it...


GABixlerReviews

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born."Captain No Beard- An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life" has not only been named to Kirkus Best of 2012, it received the Star of Remarkable Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award for 2012. "Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience" Book 2 in the series, received 5 Stars from The ForeWord Review The Clarion Review. Strangers on the High Seas has won second place in the Rebecca's Reads Choice Awards 2013. It has followed with six more books to the series.
Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be.
Her new non fiction series, "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us. The debut book in the series, "If You Were Me and Lived in...Mexico" has won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children's Non Fiction 2012. France, South Korea, and Norway. Rebecca's Reads has given If You Were Me and Lived in...Norway an honorable mention in the 2013 Choice Awards. If You Were Me and lived in ...France won second place. ForeWord Review has nominated If You Were Me and Lived in...France for best in children's non fiction literature 2013. They will be followed with Kenya, Turkey, India, and Australia. She plans to do Portugal, Greece, and Argentina next year.
Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.

Vacation Hiro Stars Daddy's Girl, Hiro, in New Adventure by Meg Welch Dendler!

Many of you have already read the first book in this series, but, just in case you haven't, Check out my review and if you have children who love cats...and adventure... Consider both for cool Christmas stocking stuffers!

...Hiro couldn't possible sleep. She was tired and crabby and
worried and lonely...And thirsty. Hiro refused to share the
water dish in the kitchen near the cat food. Drinking that
stale water after other cats had their tongues in it was yukky,
and she would have nothing to do with it...Going into the kitchen
also meant venturing into Miss Fatty Cat's territory. Hiro avoided
dealing with that cranky, fat cat as much as she possible could...
~~~ 

Vacation Hiro:
Cats in the Mirror

By Meg Welch Dendler

Second Book in Award-Winning Series

Soooo, you're probably wondering why I'm starting this review with a picture of Hiro and her Daddy... Well, it's very simple. Daddy left Hiro allllll alone and she was very frustrated not knowing where her Daddy was--in fact, she was quite scared! You see Daddy had tried to explain to Hiro that he and his family were going on vacation. But though he kept on talking, telling her where they'd be and how long they'd be gone...well, when Hiro is safely in Daddy's presence, she's often snoozin' or cruisin' just being happy Daddy's around...

The house had been dark for hours and still no one came.
The yard was quiet. The Beast had not returned since he
got in the car that morning with the family and all of
those bags full of clothes.
But Hiro knew, if she just waited patiently enough,
Daddy would come home soon. He always came home to
her...
Daddy will come home soon, she thought. Daddy would
never leave me alone.
~~~

How could he forget to give me water?
She wondered sadly...
Positioning herself carefully so she
could see the doorway and be reading
for an attack, Hiro crunched and
munched happily...Full and content,
Hiro strode happily out of the
laundry room.
Thawump!
Miss Fatty Cat landed her full and
extensive weight on top of Hiro's head.
Then, with a satisfied snort, the fat
cat stalked back up the stairs.
Hiro, now flat on the floor, sighed.
She had let her guard down...and
taken the pounce she should have
seen coming...
~~~

So when she woke up one morning and they had lots of bags being carried out to the car, she was totally surprised! What would she do without Daddy? He made sure that she had her own food, fresh water, and even a separate litter box...Who would protect her from Miss Fatty Cat (Samantha)? She'd tromped on her every chance she got!

Now, actually, they weren't alone all the time because their Grandma came over to visit and take care of their needs, but that didn't reduce the trauma for Hiro...and she always hid under their bed!

Actually, Miss Fatty Cat had provided some news, quickly telling them that their parents would be gone for a long time--that they had done it before, it was called going on a vacation. But for Hiro and Kimba, this was the first time they'd been left alone. Now, if you read book one, you probably know that Kimba is much more self-sufficient and adventuresome. So being alone didn't bother her so much. But, with Hiro's help, they had both decided after that last scare that they weren't going to have anything more to do with the cats in the mirror!

She decided that risking the slight chance of
being seen in the mirror was better than the
icky communal water dish and dealing with
Miss Fatty Cat. Hiro tiptoed quietly to the
bathroom door. She could see the mirror from
there. Can anyone see me? she wondered.
After gathering her courage, Hiro slunk
rapidly across the open expanse of bathroom
tile. She leapt into the large bathtub that she
and Kimba used to call their nursery and
hunkered down along the side...Now she
hoped those walls would hide her from
whoever might be watching through the
mirror.
After a few minutes of quiet, Hiro felt
confident that she was alone. She snuck over
to the big, silver faucet and reached up high
to sniff at the mesh on the underside of it.
With one paw hooked over the top of the
faucet, she could just balance carefully
enough to lick a few droplets of water with
her rough tongue.
"Greetings, Hiro."
The deep voice echoed through the bathroom.
Hiro froze in fear...
~~~

But now, even though Grandma had taken care of her supplies in the bathroom, Hiro had never had to go in alone--Daddy! Where are YOU?! Some of you may know that there are strange cats in the bathroom...and that's who got them into trouble in the first book! But now, Hiro didn't have a choice, she had to go in any time she needed a drink...or other needs! 

As time went by, however, Hiro knew she would have to go into the bathroom. And worked up the courage to do it! Soon she was even talking to the cat, Artemis, who appeared in the mirror. She did tell Kimba what was happening although initially she was keeping it a secret because of their promise to each other...... And Guess What? Their mother came to visit!

They learned much about their history and, finally realized for the first time, that they were born into a royal family and that their birth mother held a very important position in that government...

I'm not going to tell you anymore, except that Hiro and Kimba both went on a vacation too! 

I have to tell you though, that I was disappointed... I kept repeating "Beam me Up Kimba; Beam me up Hiro" but neither paid any attention! This Trekkie fan was upset...for a little while... But, I loved how the book finished--that Hiro had to rush home because Daddy was demanding that Grandma made sure that she actually saw Hiro, or he was packing up and they were coming home! Well, Hero did make contact with Grandma, but you can be sure that by the time the family came home. Hiro immediately let Daddy know he was upset!

But then Daddy went out and came back with presents, reminding everybody that it was Hiro and Kimba's birthday! "Hiro blinked up at Daddy. She didn't like leaping around in front of the whole family. She preferred private time to hide under the bed...We can play together later, when we are alone, she thought... Hiro leaned in close and rubbed the top of her head against Daddy's furry face. He gave her kisses on the flat part between her ears. Then Daddy sighed, put up the foot rest on the sofa, and turned on the TV."

You know for cat lovers, whether the book is written for children, young adults, or adults, like my mystery cat series, we usually love them, especially this one that had a special Star Trek flavor for those that enjoy space adventures! I personally enjoyed this one more than the first simply because of Hiro's personality. Cats do have personalities and Hiro being shy and timid and scared without Daddy (and Daddy's role in return) was so well written that, of course, it brought tears to my eyes... I've had that special link with a couple of my past cats--it's unique and only happens when a cat has chosen you to be someone special in their life! Kudos to the author for how well she is able to represent the feline species! LOL Quite appropriate for the age group and highly recommended.


GABixlerReviews

Meg Welch Dendler is an award-winning author and a former pre-k, elementary, and middle school teacher who celebrated publishing her first book, “Why Kimba Saved The World,” on February 23, 2013. This story is based on her true-life crazy cat and the other cats in her home…and the idea that they are all really part of an alien race that wants to rule the earth. In October of 2013, “Why Kimba Saved The World” was honored with a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award as “Best First Book — Chapter Book,” Bronze Medal. The sequel, “Vacation Hiro,” is out now.

For over 10 years, Meg worked as a freelance writer, including a year as a columnist for www.religionandspirituality.com, where she wrote movie commentaries and interviews. She has had over 100 articles published in newspapers, magazines, and on web sites and has had the chance to interview Sylvester Stallone, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kirk Douglas, as well as Anita Roddick and the Archbishop of Cape Town. She is a huge movie fan and prefers watching a new movie over most of what is on television.

A supporter of Character Education, Meg served as a teacher and community trainer for CHARACTER COUNTS! and has spoken about the integration of literature in character education programs at MiAEYC conferences and for the Arkansas Association of School Librarians. Meg is a proud member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

In the near future, Meg is looking forward to publishing a very different book, “At The Corner of Magnetic and Main.” Set where she lives in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, this story follows several people no-longer living on this plane of existence but still stuck here (aka, ghosts) as they figure out what is holding them here and what is next in their lives. She is also hoping to publish a picture book she has been working on since 5th grade, “The Brave, Frail, and Delicate Princess,” and a YA and teen-focused biography of her hero, actress and philanthropist Betty White. The 3rd book in the Cats in the Mirror series, “Miss Fatty Cat’s Revenge,” is also in the works.

A Texas native, Meg grew up in the mid-west area of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and then moved to the Metro Detroit suburbs when she was 13. She earned her undergraduate degree in Public Relations at Eastern Michigan University and returned to school there to earn her teaching certification and Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. After decades in Michigan, she and her family moved to Houston, Texas, in 2005. Making a total life and career change, in 2012 they bought seven acres of Ozark mountain paradise, opened a rental guest house business, and focused on allowing Meg time to write and publish. She loves the opportunity to perform wedding ceremonies in their pavilion and be a part of special events for families from all over the United States–as well as getting her books into your hands.

A trained and experienced public speaker, Meg would love to visit your school or book store to share “Why Kimba Saved The World,” have a read-aloud session, and promote reading and literacy for elementary school children. Call Serenity Mountain Publishing at 479-363-6017 to chat or send Meg an email at meg@megdendler.com.

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