I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the ARMADILLO ANTICS by Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, Nathalie Beauvois Blog
Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: ARMADILLO ANTICS

Author: Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson,
Nathalie Beauvois (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: April 26, 2022

Publisher: Brown Books Kids

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 32

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

Join the Armadillo on His Nightly Romp!

Children will love the rhythm and rhyme that are hallmarks of the beloved
author duo of Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 as they follow the adventurous
armadillo through nighttime fun as dawn approaches.

Bill Martin Jr was the beloved author of more than three hundred books for children and teachers, including the classics Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

Michael Sampson taught kindergarten through fourth grade before meeting fellow literacy expert Bill Martin Jr at a conference in Tucson, Arizona in 1978. They established a lifelong friendship and collaborated on many bestselling and award-winning books for children, including Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

Reviews:

“A wonderfully musical nighttime romp with stunning illustrations.” –Matt de la Peña, Newbery Medal-Winning, New York Times Bestselling
Author

“Beauvois, whose elaborately textured, highly dimensional surfaces recognize the paper collage legacy of Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert, creates a
series of striking contrasts to the repeating text’s simple rhymes. As the mammals appear, ready to “romp and play till the night is done,”
they’re shown in deep jewel tones with patterning reminiscent of a Missoni sweater… tagging along with this self-possessed, graphically stylish critter
and chanting its name as it leaps, digs, and dines makes for a memorable outing.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“For a romping night in the life of a roly-poly armadillo, pick up Armadillo Antics!”–Parade Magazine

“This short rhyming story about a night in the life of an armadillo is cozy and soothing. Beauvois’s collage-style art, especially the armadillo
curled up inside its next, gives Eric Carle vibes. A collection of eight facts on the final page will fascinate kids and grown-ups alike.”—Parents
Magazine

Before I begin my review I have to quickly thank Rockstar Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of this book tour and for graciously providing me with an eGalley of this upcoming release.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the email for this blog tour. I instantly had to sign up for this tour because Bill and Michael’s books were my son’s favorite picture books when he was little. He loved sitting on the couch and having them read to him. We would read them numerous times a day.

The illustrations are wonderful in the book. The illustrations are all in a collage style. I also loved that they included armadillo facts at the back of the book.

I thought the rhyme and rhythm of the book were perfect. This was the perfect length for it.

With armadillos being nocturnal animals, we follow one on his nightly journey from playing, jumping, eating, and so much more. I think kids would enjoy this and discovering more about an animal they might not otherwise know about.

I think this would make an excellent book to add to your collection.

About Bill Martin Jr.:

BILL MARTIN JR was the beloved author of more than 300 books for children and teachers, including the classics Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, which was illustrated by his friend Eric Carle, and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, illustrated by Lois Ehlert. Bill was elected to the Reading Hall of Fame by the International Literacy Association. The Bill Martin, Jr Picture Book Award, which is the
Kansas State award for best children’s picture book, was established in his name in 1996. Bill wrote Armadillo Antics with Michael Sampson when he moved to Texas, in honor of the fun, inquisitive creatures that roamed the woods outside his house. Visit Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson’s website at billmartinjr.com

Website |  Goodreads

About Michael Sampson:

MICHAEL SAMPSON taught kindergarten through fourth grade before meeting
fellow literacy expert Bill Martin Jr at a conference in Tucson, Arizona in
1978. They established a lifelong friendship and collaborated on many
bestselling and award-winning books for children, including_Chicka Chicka 1, 2,
3, and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Sampson often speaks at schools,
book festivals, and literacy conferences, where he is known for his
high-energy, entertaining performances. Dr. Sampson is a Fulbright Scholar and
a professor of literacy at St. John’s University in New York City. Visit Bill
Martin Jr and Michael Sampson’s website at billmartinjr.com. You can also
follow Michael on Twitter and Instagram @michaelsampson.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

About Nathalie Beauvois:

NATHALIE BEAUVOIS has a graphic design background in advertising and has also
studied industrial design. Nathalie started her career in the art departments
of ad agencies and eventually transitioned into freelance illustrating. Since
then, she has illustrated dozens of books and hundreds of magazines in
countries all over the world. Her creations always start the traditional way —
with paper and pencil. Depending on the visual task at hand, she mixes in techniques
such as watercolor, collage, vector drawing and Photoshop coloring and
texturizing. When not playing with the antics of armadillos, she is happily
living and working in Argentina with her family. Visit her website at
nathaliebeauvois.weebly.com. You can also find her on Instagram
@tanebeauvois_illustrations.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

1 winner
will receive a finished copy of ARMADILLO ANTICS, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Title: Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins
Author: Karina Evans
Genre: Middle-Grade Contemporary
Publishing Date: April 19, 2022

Synopsis:
Debut author Karina Evans gives modern-day readers their own version of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret with a fun romp about friendship, puberty, and growing up.

Twelve-year-old Tahlia Wilkins is ready to kick off the perfect summer at the popular kid’s pool party. But when the Red Goddess of Panties, aka her first period, arrives 24 hours before the pool party, it messes up all her plans. To make matters worse, her mom is out of town, and there’s no way she’s going to ask her dad for help! Tahlia always feared that growing up would be tough, but this is just not fair.

In order to save herself from total embarrassment, it will take all of Tahlia and her best friend Lily’s scheming to keep her reputation—and her favorite jeans—from being ruined. Sneak off to the grocery store only to have the clerk price check your “goods” over the loudspeaker? Check. Trick your mature teenage neighbor into letting you use her bathroom to ‘rehome’ some tampons? Check. Take a dip into a fountain to ‘borrow’ some quarters for a bathroom period product dispenser? Check, check, check!

With the hilarious and heartwarming tone of Dork Diaries and the critically-acclaimed movie Eighth Grade, Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins! is a coming-of-age middle-grade novel about growing up, in all of its awkward glory.

Book Links:

GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository
Chapters Indigo
Indie Bound

Before I begin my review I quickly have to thank TBR and Beyond Tours for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour. I was graciously provided with an eGalley of the book so that I could read and review it for my tour stop today. I should also mention that I was in no way influenced, these are my honest and sincere thoughts about the book.

Grow Up Tahlia Wilkins is a debut middle-grade novel.

When I got this email and was reading it over when I spotted gives modern-day readers their own version of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret with a fun romp about friendship, puberty, and growing up I knew I had to sign up and pray that I got accepted for this tour, Like many girls I read and loved Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. I can’t recall how many times I have read the book. I know I wanted to reread it and went looking for my copy of the book and couldn’t find it so I ended up ordering a new copy. So I will be rereading it when it comes in.

This was such a fun and quick read that I devoured it pretty much in one sitting. Thank goodness for long holiday weekends.

I definitely recommend picking this up for your middle-grade-age daughters to read. After I read this I actually went ahead and ordered a copy of this book to add to my collection because it’s definitely one that I would reread again.

Tahlia is a twelve-year-old girl who is going into the eighth grade in the fall but all she is focused on is having the best summer and making everyone forget about the mishap of last summer of showing up to the most popular boy’s pool party in a one-piece bathing suit with board shorts and goggles in hand. She has waited all year for this and she is prepared. Or is she?

We all know the best-laid plans will most likely go wrong and this is the case for Tahlia because just 24 hours before this pool party, Tahlia gets a huge pimple on her chin then gets her first period, and to make matters worse her mother is out of town on a work retreat. She doesn’t know what to do and doesn’t want her dad involved. So who else can she call but her best friend Lily.

The only thing that really bothered me was Tahlia’s mother didn’t prepare her or have items on hand for her or even explain the products. Although I could relate because all my mother did was give me a book on puberty to read and when the time came bought me a box of these god-awful pads. But then again if she did have this talk with Tahlia would we even have this book?

I couldn’t help but want to read to see what hijinks the girls would get into, what would happen at the pool party, and would Tahlia understand the changes that will happen. Will she see things differently now?

Tahlia is every girl in the world and we have all been there and can relate to her. Everything Tahlia was trying to do was relatable. It’s hard to figure out what pads or tampons to use. What’s even scary is the warning on the box of tampons. It’s a tough decision to make especially if you have to do it on your own.

As parents, we just need to keep reassuring our daughters that nothing about our bodies is embarrassing as Tahlia’s dad told her.

About the Author:
Karina Evans is a children’s author from Santa Barbara, California. She is represented by Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management.

Karina studied English at the University of Delaware before starting a career in the entertainment industry. She works in marketing for Sony Pictures and has previously worked for Lucasfilm and Paramount Pictures.

Some of Karina’s favorite things are: See’s Candies, The Amazing Race, singing show tunes in the car, and volleyball. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two mischievous cats, Sir Pounce and Taika.

Author Links:
Website: https://karinaevans.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karinaewrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinaevanswrites/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20932376.Karina_Evans

Tour Schedule:
https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2022/03/06/tour-schedule-grow-up-tahlia-wilkins-by-karina-evans/

I am so excited that THE PRINCE by Antony Soehner is available now and that I get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a finished copy of the book & a $10 Amazon GC courtesy of Antony & Rockstar Book Tours.
So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

About The Book:

Title: THE PRINCE (Prince Theo Saga Book 1)
Author: Antony Soehner
Pub. Date: April 12, 2022
Publisher: Roll15 Publishing LLC
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 226
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Destiny will always test the greatest of leaders.

“Theo never imagined life outside the king’s castle. But when the queen’s funeral
reveals the king’s true colors, Theo must rely on his sister, her allies, and
his friends to get him to safety. With the help of mercenaries and the native
tribes of the plains, Theo must learn to face his destiny and open his mind to
the diverse world he’s been thrown into.”

The Prince is a High-Fantasy Adventure and the first book in
the Prince Theo Saga by Antony Soehner. A multi-layered story about
a young prince who discovers the diverse, fantastic world around him as he
escapes his abusive tyrant father, King George. Finding himself in the care of
a native tribe thought to be the enemy, Theo begins his long journey of growing
and healing from the traumas he faced back home.

Content Warnings:
Abuse(Physical, Mental), Fantasy Violence

Excerpt:

Chapter 17 “Man in the
Mask”–

The prince started to crawl to his feet but something grabbed
him by the ankle. He fought and struggled against the binding but it
overpowered him. Theo was dragged through the dirt and left at the feet of the
wandering third figure.

Panicking, Theo slashed with the saber still in his hand. The
being shot their hand out and caught the silvery blade in their palm.

A flame roared nearby, illuminating the figure. Theo saw a
man with ash-grey skin and long white hair beneath a dark cloak. He wore a
black mask that covered the top half of his face revealing only his eyes and
mouth.

The man knelt down next to Theo and reached into the breast
of his cloak. He slowly produced a thin, smooth, black wand and pressed one end
forcefully underneath the prince’s chin.

“Here’s the deal, Your Highness,” the man’s icy, emotionless
words sent goosebumps down Theo’s back, “you’re going to come with me. I will
bring you back to your father and we will act like none of this ever happened.”
He twisted the end of the wand with the tips of his fingers and it pinched the
skin on Theo’s chin. “If—” the man
emphasized, “you give me any difficulty, I will paralyze you with a bolt of
lightning through your brain, leaving you barely alive.” He pressed the wand
further into the prince’s jaw.

The man looked away from Theo and over to the three slowly
moving bodies trying to get back up. An evil grin crawled beneath his mask and
he carefully pulled the wand off Theo’s chin. Pinching it between his thumb and
first two fingers, he pointed it at Ta’goda.

“I’m going to let you ponder my instructions,” the man said
greasily, dropping the saber’s blade.

“I have more orders to fulfill.”

With a flick of his wrist, a bolt of white lightning exploded
from the end of the wand and struck Ta’goda’s shoulder.

It sent the chief, a towering orc of muscle, flying through
the burnt husks of homes he once protected.

“I hope you don’t mind, Your Highness,” the man jabbed, “it’s
just business.”

About Antony Soehner:

Raised on a healthy diet of geek and pop culture, I have come
to share my love and appreciation for role-playing games, geek culture, and
fantasy adventure. If it’s random comic book fact, Star Wars trivia, or just
the measly obscure movie reference, I’m there!

antonysoehner.com

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway Details:

1 winner
will receive an eBook of THE
PRINCE & a $10 Amazon GC, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Info:
Year on Fire by Julie Buxbaum
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publishing Date: April 12, 2022

Synopsis:
What secrets will people keep—or reveal—to protect those they love? This novel, set against the frightening backdrop of an encroaching fire season, sparks reflection about friendship, the allure of romantic love, and loyalty to family.

Can a single kiss change everything?

It was a year on fire. They fell in love. Someone was bound to get burned.

The Spark: Just days before the start of junior year for twins Arch and Immie and their best friend, Paige, a spontaneous kiss shakes the very foundation of their friendship. But some ties run too deep to be broken by accidental betrayal.

The Fuel: Enter Rohan, new to Wood Valley High by way of London, who walks into school on the first day completely overwhelmed by his sudden move halfway around the world. When Paige calls dibs on him—he’s too cute to ignore—Immie is in no position to argue, certainly not after taking the fall for the disloyal kiss. Too bad for Immie that Ro feels like the best kind of familiar.

The Kindling: Former lab partners Arch and Jackson, Paige’s ex-boyfriend, have never considered themselves more than friends. But sometimes feelings can grow like wildfire.

The Flames: When the girls’ bathroom at Wood Valley is set ablaze, no one doubts it’s arson. But in this bastion of privilege, who’d be angry enough to want to burn down the school? Answer: pretty much everyone.

Year on Fire explores the blinding power of the lies we tell others and those we tell ourselves, the tight grip of family secrets, the magic of first love, and the grounding beauty of friendship.

Before I begin my review I quickly have to thank TBR and Beyond Tours for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour and Random House Children’s Books for graciously providing me with an eGalley of the book to read for my stop today.

Year on Fire takes place at an elite private school on the west coast that is centered around four characters twins, Immie & Arch, Paige (their best friend), and Rohan who is the new kid in school from London. They are all juniors.

The book begins on the first day of school, which I love when a book about schools starts then. Immie has confessed to Paige that a few days before she had kissed her then-boyfriend, but in reality, it wasn’t her she is taking the blame to cover up for Arch because he isn’t ready to come out yet. She knows she has betrayed Paige and is trying to make amends with her. She will basically do anything to get back in Paige’s good books so when they spot the new guy, Rohan and Paige call dibs on him she lets her pursue him, even though she has a crush on him. Will they be able to mend this strained friendship?

No sooner are they into the first day of school than the fire alarm goes off and they have to evacuate the school. Someone has set fire to the girl’s bathroom but who did it? The only thing is it’s not a one-off situation, someone keeps setting fires inside the school. As the story progressed you discover who it is and for the most part I was spot on with my guess.

Looking at the group of four you think they have it all but behind closed doors, it’s a whole other story. Rohan is struggling with his father’s affair, Paige is struggling with being perfect all the time, and her parents neglect, Arch is gay and he really likes Paige’s ex and Immie she wants her freedom and independence.

I am sitting here struggling with what to write because I don’t want to give away everything about the book so maybe its best if I stop and say go and read this book.

After reading this all I can say is why haven’t I read any of Julie’s previous books? I definitely have to check out her books. Her previous books are Admission, Hope and Other Punchlines, What to Say Next, Tell Me Three Things, After You, and The Opposite of Love. The books are both young adults and adults. 

Book Links:
GoodReads
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository
Chapters Indigo
Indie Bound

About the Author:
Julie Buxbaum is the New York Times best-selling author of Tell Me Three Things, her young adult debut, What to Say Next, and most recently, Hope and Other Punchlines. She’s also the author of two critically acclaimed novels for adults: The Opposite of Love and After You. Her work has been translated into twenty-five languages. Julie’s writing has appeared in various publications, including The New York Times. She is a former lawyer and graduate of Harvard Law School and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two children, and more books than is reasonable.

Author Links:
Website: http://www.juliebuxbaum.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliebux/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliebuxbaum/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/843820.Julie_Buxbaum
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieBuxbaumNovelist

Tour Schedule:
Clear here to see the tour schedule (blogs and Instagram)