The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Tale of the Toledo Christmas Weed

"A heartwarming holiday tale that proves even the littlest things can make a big difference."--Kirkus Reviews"The fine message about holiday spirit makes for a perfect read for parents seeking stories that encourage kids to feel empowered to begin changes that cross age and economic barriers. The Weed That Woke Christmas is a lovely, positive, much-needed story for modern times."--D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book ReviewThis heartwarming and inspiring book proves that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference and transform apathy and oblivion into awareness, unity, community, kindness, and hope. Partly truth and partly fiction, it is based on the moving true story of how a weed on a Toledo street corner helped spread the giving spirit far beyond its traffic island home. All Weed wants is to be seen, but people are in too much of a hurry to notice each other, let alone Weed. Weed watches, wishes, and waits until finally someone does see it. But Weed discovers that there is something far bigger and more important than a little weed being noticed."This sweet story is accompanied by lush illustrations by Gortman, who portrays Toledo's citizens as diverse. The author manages to convey the importance of charity and community without making the tale mawkish or trite. She closes the text with the real story of the Christmas Weed and the hope that the holiday magic will continue."--Kirkus Reviews

Children's Books

Christian, Alayne Kay

Holidays & Celebrations

Blue Whale Press

“Parents who choose 'Porcupette and Moppet' for its read-aloud pleasure will find this a thoroughly engaging, refreshingly original story, while youngsters with rudimentary reading skills receive a fine lesson in differences, predators and prey, and the value of information.” —D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“A clever lesson about situational awareness and the value of reading a book before acting.” —Kirkus Reviews
Porcupette loves to spend days alone in the quiet forest reading. But when Moppet, a bumbling predator, comes along with his silly antics and non-stop rambling, Porcupette’s sanctuary is turned topsy-turvy. When Moppet finally makes his move, they both get a big surprise that suggests Moppet should read more, and Porcupette should listen more carefully. Alicia Young’s delightful art brings even more life and humor to Nadine Poper’s fun and educational story about a porcupine, a fisher, and their natural relationship in the wild.
“Though the tension of predator versus prey is present throughout this ode to reading, Moppet is so charming in his dialogue and in Young’s (Mason the Bull and the Magical Christmas Tree, 2018, etc.) pitch-perfect, anthropomorphic cartoon illustrations that readers won’t feel too frightened for Porcupette.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Highly recommended both for its leisure value and its pointed insights about different personalities and creatures, Porcupette and Moppet is a lovely picture book that promises lasting attraction and interest to parents and library collections alike.” —D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Porcupette and Moppet

Poper, Nadine

Animals

Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy: Trying to Make it Rain is the first in this chapter book series. Sienna is not your normal cowgirl, for she's half human and half fairy. But Sienna wants nothing to do with fairies. When her ma sends her to fairy camp instead of cowgirl camp, she ain't none too happy. Not only must she deal with cliquish fairies who reject her spunky spirit and outspoken ways, she must also noodle out how to help Mother Nature end the Texas drought. Can Sienna balance cowgirling with some tried 'n' true fairy skills to both fit in and make it rain?

Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy: Trying to Make it Rain - Second Edition

Literature & Fiction

Randall and Randall

"Young readers get a slice of science in this undersea tale about symbiosis. . . . The ingenious aquatic tale also encourages readers to realize they can find friendship even if they don’t see eye to eye with their cohorts.” —Kirkus Reviews (a starred review)
Randall, the pistol shrimp, is a master at excavation. Randall, the goby fish, is his skittish, yet happy-go-lucky watchman. The problem is that both have quirks that drive each other bananas until one day their relationship is driven to the breaking point. This very funny informational-fiction story about one of the sea's naturally-existent odd couples illustrates how certain species depend upon their symbiotic relationship for survival. It also shows children how two very different beings can embrace each other's peculiarities and become best of friends. Foreword written by Dr. John E. Randall, senior ichthyologist emeritus, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii.
“Based on a real-life symbiotic relationship, this silly tale makes the science approachable through the goby’s giggle-worthy antics. Notes from ichthyologist Dr. John Randall describe the phenomenon for adults, and Gortman’s closing illustrations supply diagrams of the charismatic creatures. The picture book’s cartoonish interior images deftly mix human and animal characteristics . . . Poper’s simple English text seamlessly introduces a few straightforward Spanish-language phrases due to the coastal Mexico setting.” —Kirkus Reviews

"The ingenious aquatic tale also encourages readers to realize they can find friendship even if they don’t see eye to eye with their cohorts." --Kirkus Reviews (a starred review)
Randall, the pistol shrimp, is a master at excavation. Randall, the goby fish, is his skittish, yet happy-go-lucky watchman. The problem is that both have quirks that drive each other bananas until one day their relationship is driven to the breaking point. This very funny informational-fiction story about one of the sea's naturally-existent odd couples illustrates how certain species depend upon their symbiotic relationship for survival. It also shows children how two very different beings can embrace each other's peculiarities and become best of friends.
Foreword written by Dr. John E. Randall, senior ichthyologist emeritus, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii.
"Based on a real-life symbiotic relationship, this silly tale makes the science approachable through the goby's giggle-worthy antics. Notes from ichthyologist Dr. John Randall describe the phenomenon for adults, and Gortman's closing illustrations supply diagrams of the charismatic creatures. The picture book's cartoonish interior images deftly mix human and animal characteristics . . . Poper's simple English text seamlessly introduces a few straightforward Spanish-language phrases due to the coastal Mexico setting. The ingenious aquatic tale also encourages readers to realize they can find friendship even if they don’t see eye to eye with their cohorts." --Kirkus Reviews

No Bears Allowed

Rabbit is afraid of many things, but most of all he’s afraid of gigantic, monstery, BEARS! The very nervous Rabbit is soon confronted by his worst fear who appears to be far more interested in making new friends than causing Rabbit any real harm. Despite his apprehension, Rabbit agrees to join his jovial new acquaintance for dinner, but wait a minute . . . is Bear planning to “have” Rabbit for dinner? In this tender story about a very nervous rabbit and a lovable bear, Rabbit discovers that things aren’t always as scary as they seem, and sometimes you may just have more in common with others than you think.
“Tara J. Hannon's whimsical, fun, colorful drawings enhance a fine picture book story highly recommended for either independent pursuit by ages 4-7, or read-aloud pleasure.” — D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“This adventure offers an effective brain exercise in graphic storytelling for young readers. . .” — Kirkus Reviews

Lukidis, Lydia

Twelve-year-old Alex was taught illusion by the best. Misadventures of a Magician's Son tells the story of Alexander Finn's personal journey dealing with the death of his father, a celebrated magician, and the extraordinary gift he left behind. Uprooted from his childhood home for the seemingly hokey town of Orchard, Maine, Alex refuses to unpack and wants nothing to do with his new surroundings. But when he discovers an unusual deck of animated cards tucked in the back of his father's old desk, things begin to unravel and Alex's true adventure begins.

Misadventures of a Magician's Son

Smollett Kutscera, Laurie

Action & Adventure

"A moving, affectionate, and joyful tale, all the more so for being true." - Kirkus Reviews 
"An Old Man and His Penguin holds a number of important messages about human/animal relationships, love, oil slicks and their impact on sea life, and loneliness. . . . its underlying focus on letting go and reaping rewards from non-possessiveness offers an outstanding lesson about love for the very young." -- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review 
Off the coast of Brazil, João rescues a lifeless, oil-covered penguin (Dindim) and nurses him back to health. Dindim adopts João as an honorary penguin, and the steadfast friends do everything together. They swim together, fish together, and stroll the beach together. But there are real penguins somewhere across the sea. So one day, Dindim leaves João. The villagers tell João the penguin will never come back. João cannot say if he will or will not. Are the villagers right? Will Dindim ever patter into his old friend's loving arms again? 
"Adults looking for an inviting animal story with an important message will welcome this appealingly different seaside tale." -- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review 
"The underlying lesson about compassion and good stewardship is subtle but effective; an author's note explains the real-life circumstances. Reardon, who also illustrated the penguin-themed Noodles' & Albie's Birthday Surprise (2016), deftly captures the story's charm and expressiveness. ." - Kirkus Reviews

An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza an Honorary Penguin

Biographies

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Books by Blue Whale Press

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Blue Whale Press publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Tale of the Toledo Christmas Weed

The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Tale of the Toledo Christmas Weed

Porcupette and Moppet

Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy: Trying to Make it Rain - Second Edition

Randall and Randall

Randall and Randall

No Bears Allowed

Misadventures of a Magician's Son

Misadventures of a Magician's Son

An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza an Honorary Penguin