2 Great Friday Reads for Science Enthusiastic Child!

It is Friday and time for some #greatfridayreads. The first book I am sharing is one called Girls Think of Everything you can find this book on Amazon by clicking here.
Here is a little more about this book...

In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better. Their creations are some of the most enduring (the windshield wiper) and best loved (the chocolate chip cookie). What inspired these women, and just how did they turn their ideas into realities?

Features women inventors Ruth Wakefield, Mary Anderson, Stephanie Kwolek, Bette Nesmith Graham, Patsy O. Sherman, Ann Moore, Grace Murray Hopper, Margaret E. Knight, Jeanne Lee Crews, and Valerie L. Thomas, as well as young inventors ten-year-old Becky Schroeder and eleven-year-old Alexia Abernathy. Illustrated in vibrant collage by Caldecott Honor artist Melissa

 Sweet.

Another book series I love and my reluctant readers enjoyed are the biographies from the Who was/Who is series. This one Who Was Marie Curie  tells her life story and her dedication to her life passion of science. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here.

Thank you for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us  a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Hitting the books with Karen- The Doll Shop Downstairs...

If you happen to follow my other daily publishing blog at A Cup of Tea and a Cozy Mystery.com you may already know how much I love reading, and that I would love a tea/book/doll shop of my own. I came across this book called The Doll Shop Downstairs and knew I wanted to share it with all of you on this our last Hitting The Books with Karen post of the Summer. Just take a look and see if this is a book you may also wish to read....

Nine year old Anna and her sisters like helping out in their parents' doll repair shop, because once their chores are done, the fun can begin. The girls are allowed to play carefully with the dolls until they're fixed and ready to be returned to their owners. But when World War I begins, and an embargo on German-made goods threatens to put the shop out of business, it's up to Anna to come up with an idea to save the day.

Doesn't this sound like a wonderful book? Click here to order your own from The Book Depository....
Personally I hope you have enjoyed this segment of our summer series and I would love to hear from you so please, I invite you to leave me a comment or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Hitting the books with Karen The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a "Golliwogg"

Today I have a book for our older readers ages 12-17 (or 100+), actually there is just something so wonderful in a doll book that is more than 100 years old.

This is The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a Golliwogg....

Florence Kate Upton (1873-1922) was an American-born English cartoonist and author most famous for her Golliwogg series of children's books. At the age of 16 she obtained work as a professional illustrator. Numerous publications existed at this time, mainly as vehicles for advertising and light fiction of varying merit. Some of the same authors whose stories appeared in the magazines went on to employ Florence to illustrate their novels or books of short stories. In 1893 she began to sketch out ideas for a children's book, using 'penny wooden' dolls as her models. The first Golliwogg story was produced in 1894. The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a 'Golliwogg' was published for Christmas 1895. Through the years Florence and Bertha, her mother, collaborated on a total of thirteen Golliwogg adventures, the series ending as, over the years, cultural drift caused interest in the series to wane and Florence sought a career as a professional artist. The last of the Golliwogg books was published in 1909.

Thank you so much for joining us today! We would love to hear what you think! You can find this book on The Book Depository by clicking here! 
Please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Hitting the books with Karen- The Little Girl and the Tiny Doll

I am really excited to share todays book with you all! 

The Little Girl and the Tiny Doll is a book I think you will find very charming!

There was once a tiny doll who belonged to a girl who did not care for dolls. One day when the little girl was shopping in the supermarket with her mother, she threw the tiny doll into a deep freeze. So the tiny doll had to stay there, cold and lonely, and frightened by people shuffling all the food round her. But someone came along who felt sorry for her, and thought of ways to make her happier, so the tiny doll began to smile again.


You can find this book on The Book Depository by clicking here, this book is recommended for children ages 5 and up.
We hope you enjoyed todays selection and we are looking forward to hearing from you so please feel free to leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Hitting the books with Karen- Mary DOwning Hahn's The Doll in The Garden a Ghost Story

This week I wanted to share another ghost story book for 9-12 year olds

The Doll in the Garden A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn, is a book I have put on my wish list! A really good mystery and ghost story is just what I crave this week and I hope you will enjoy this one too!
 When Ashley discovers a turn-of-the-century doll it is just the first of several puzzling events that lead her through the hedge and into a twilight past where she meets Louise, an ailing child whose beloved doll has mysteriously disappeared.

You can find this book on The Book Depository with free worldwide shipping by Clicking here.

Thank you for joining us this week for another Hitting the books post! We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Hitting the books with Karen- Doll Bones by Holly Black

This weeks selection is Holly Black's Doll Bones...

It is August 1st and time for a slightly different Doll book, Summer is a time for ghost stories around the campfire and this book Doll Bones by Holly Black may be just what your camper needs to read this summer!
My name is Eleanor Kerchner. You can call me the Queen. I died in 1895. Now it's time to play. It is a chilling ghost story by the bestselling author of The Spiderwick Chronicles, Holly Black. Recipient of a Newbery Honor Award. It is an ALA Notable Book. It is a Kirkus Reviews Best Book. It is a School Library Journal Best Book. It is a Booklist Editor's Choice Books for Youth. It is a publishers Weekly Best Children's Book. It is a 2013 Goodreads Choice award nominee. It is a People Magazine 'Best New Kids Book'.

You can find this book on The Book Depository with free worldwide shipping by clicking here.
Thank you for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Hitting the books with Karen-The Racketty-Packetty House

This weeks selection I hope you will enjoy! It is The Racketty-Packetty House by Frances Hodgson Burnett and illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin.

Acclaimed illustrator Wendy Anderson Halperin celebrates Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic, a tale of two dollhouses, just in time for its 100th anniversary. When Tidy Castle arrives, brand-new and grand in every way, the Racketty-Packetty House has never looked shabbier, and it is shoved in the corner of Cynthia's nursery. But the Racketty family still dances, sings, and laughs louder than all the fancy dolls combined. When a real-life princess visits the nursery, the Rackettys learn that the humans are planning to destroy their house. Only a miracle -- or some very unusual magic -- can save them now! Since its publication in 1906, the story of how Queen Crosspatch and her band of fairies rescued the Racketty-Packetty House has inspired dreamers and readers of all ages in the tradition of The Secret Garden and A Little Princess. Now Wendy Anderson Halperin's illustrations, brimming with whimsy and wonder, unlock the magic of two dollhouses -- one posh and one proud -- to a whole new generation of readers.

You can find this week's selection on The Book Depository with free worldwide shipping by clicking here. 

Thank you for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Hitting the books with Karen- Hitty Her First Hundred Years...

Our selected Dolly Book for this week is the Hitty Her First Hundred Years  by Rachel Field....

Hitty Her First Hundred Years is one I have to buy for my niece who I know is going to love this one!
Hitty is a very special doll who belongs to Phoebe. Phoebe is proud of her beautiful doll and brings Hitty everywhere she goes. This is thrilling for Hitty, who finds herself involved in the most wonderful adventures both on land and at sea. She meets many people and makes new friends.This is the story of the first hundred years of Hitty's life. And that's only the beginning for a doll as special as Hitty.

I hope you will enjoy this weeks Hitting the Books selection! We would love to hear from you so please leave us  a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Adorable Etsy Finds- Steampunk Inspired

This week as you may know I have been promoting an upcoming book and series that I have been reading called Maddie Hatter and the Gilded Gauge. I have been so inspired and have had so many Steampunk craft ideas going through my head that this week I wanted to invite you all to the up coming book party on Facebook on July 26th and share some Etsy favorites that are also steam punk inspired. But first here is your party invitation....

I am co-hosting this wonderful and fun interactive event and I have some fun craft tutorials and games you are not going to want to miss! I hope to see you there! Click here to learn more. 

I have shared this wonderful Tea Time Fabric Panel before and was reminded of this easy and fast way to add a little steampunk excitement to your doll wardrobe!

Click here to see how you can make this fun outfit for your dolls. 

If you are not into sewing your own outfit take a look at this sweet ready made outfit from Cozy Country Quilt Etsy Shop. Click here for shop and listing.

Perhaps you would like to add a ready to ship Steampunk Inspired doll with outfit to your doll family! Check out Rika's Needle and Thread Etsy Shop. I was so impressed with their work and their details! Click here for this Etsy Shop! 

I love this doll and outfit also offered in Rika's Needle and Thread Shop. This is a steal at $76.34 CND at time of posting! 

If you are looking for an outfit for a boy doll you have to check out  The Nutty Needle Etsy Shop and this Steampunk inspired look! Click here for shop and listing.

Learn more about this exciting adventure series for ages 10+  by visiting Author Jayne Barnard's Website by clicking here. 

Thank you for joining us here today and I would love it if you could join us at the online Facebook Party on the 26th of June, just stop by and join in the fun! 

As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Hitting the books with Karen The Lonely Doll Series by Dare Wright

This weeks book series is the Lonely Doll and the first is called The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright. Once you see the covers of these books you will see why they are so popular with doll lovers!

Once there was a little doll. Her name was Edith. She lived in a nice house and had everything she needed except someone to play with. She was lonely! Then one morning Edith looked into the garden and there stood two bears!

You can find the Lonely Doll on The Book Depository by clicking here

Holiday for Edith and The Bears...

Edith, the doll featured in Dare Wright's best-selling "The Lonely Doll" book series, together with her friends, Mr. Bear and Little Bear, leave their city home for a vacation on Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Their summer is spent playing on pristine beaches, discovering the seaside wildlife, getting acquainted with wild ponies, and imagining adventures on the high seas. Little Bear ignores Mr. Bear's warning never to go on a boat without him, and he and Edith soon find themselves drifting dangerously out to sea. Luckily Mr. Bear comes to their rescue, and the two learn a valuable lesson before their vacation ends.

The Doll and The Kitten....
Edith, the doll featured in Dare Wright's best-selling "The Lonely Doll" book series, together with her friends, Mr. Bear and Little Bear, spend a summer vacation on a farm in the mountains of upstate New York. They explore the nooks and crannies of a very large barn, and find the barnyard and hillsides an irresistible playground. It is not long before Edith falls in love with an adorable calf. Mr. Bear, however, will not give Edith permission to bring the calf back to their home in New York City. Edith then tries convincing him to let her keep a newborn colt or a baby lamb, but Mr. Bear will have nothing to do with the adoption of a large farm animal to keep them company in their apartment in New York City. When Edith discovers a tiny kitten living in the hayloft, she's certain that she has found the perfect pet, and waits for the right moment to ask Mr. Bear if she can keep it. But before that happens, the kitten gets stuck on the highest beam in the barn. Edith's plan to rescue the kitten by having Little Bear hoist her up in a basket goes awry when they both end up dangling over the straw. Mr. Bear comes to their rescue, lowering Little Bear gently, and making sure that Edith and the kitten get safely down in the basket. He agrees that Edith can keep her kitten, and the vacation ends happily.

Edith and the Duckling....
It was springtime on a farm in the hills and Edith and Little Bear were thrilled to see the ducks and geese floating on the pond. They were waiting as patiently as they knew how, for a mother duck's eggs to hatch. They visited the nest every day. One day, though, when they checked the nest, they found the mother was gone. Mr. Bear knew that something must have happened to her and she would not be back. So it was up to Edith and the Bears to try to hatch the eggs. Carefully, they moved the nest to the house, kept the eggs warm, and sure enough, one little duckling was born. How Edith and the Bears care for the duckling until it grows big enough to care for itself is an enchanting experience for all.

The Lonely Doll Learns A Lesson....
Edith ("The Lonely Doll") brings a kitten back from the country, and her friend Little Bear feels very left out as Edith focuses all of her attention on her cuddly new playmate. It's only when Edith is confined to her bed with the measles, that she begins to realize how much she misses Little Bear's companionship. Little Bear sneaks in for a visit that turns into a disaster when he tries to cut Edith's tangled hair. When Little Bear gets the measles, too, Edith uses her savings to buy him a puppy. Much to Mr. Bear's delight, the two agree to share their pets and harmony is restored.

These are just some of the amazing books in The Lonely Doll Series Find them all by clicking here. 

We hope you like today's suggested book series! We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Hitting The Books with Karen Happy 4th of July! Barbie Books I love!

I have to tell you that I was a huge Barbie fan growing up. I still love this iconic doll and I had not seen this book before and would love to have it! So today I am sharing some of my most favorite Barbie books that you may also love as well.  The World of Barbie was put out in celebration of 50 years of Barbie books! You can find this book on The Book Depository by clicking here. 

One of my most favorite memories were of Barbie and her pets growing up and I love this modern book on Barbie, her sisters and the kittens you can find this book on The Book Depository by clicking here.

I love the Step into reading series and this one is a great one! Click here for Barbie I can be A Horse Rider!

This is a great book from my personal collection  and though I could not find it on The Book Depository  you can find it on Amazon.com by clicking here

Thank you for joining us today we hope you like today's Hitting the books Selections.

We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmial.com 

Hitting the books with Karen

This week I have found a book I think you will love! Pearlie and The Big Doll! 

Wendy Harmer has a book that takes a few of my favorite things and makes a great story out of them! Pearlie the Fairy has discovered a very large and sad dolly, she has to do her best to help the Doll find her girl!  In Pearlie and the Big Doll a great adventure and glittering time had by all! Check it out on The Book Depository now by clicking here.
This book is recommended for doll lovers aged 9-12 but I think some of our younger doll lovers would love to have it read to them by the adult doll lover in their lives!
Thank you for joining us here today for our Tuesday Hitting the books with Karen. I can not wait to share more with you about doll themed books next week!
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Tuesday Book News To Share...Nanea's Three Book Box Set

Today Madelon has kindly shared with me the that there is now a three book set ready to add to your summer reading with American Girl's Nanea! You can find this book with free shipping from The Book Depository by clicking here.

Dive into Hawaiian history with Nanea in this three-book boxed set. You'll journey to Honolulu, where peaceful island life is upended with the attack on Pearl Harbor. You'll learn how hula can heal the spirit, and how Nanea wants more than anything to lend a helping hand to the soldiers. Then, travel back in time to meet Nanea in an exciting story that lets you choose what happens next!

Thank you Madelon for this Tip! Look for More Tuesday Book News To Share throughout the summer and add these books to your summer reading, "to be read pile"!

Thank you for joining us here we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmial.com

Got A Lea Fan At Home? Try Channing O'Banning And The Rain-forest Rescue!

I was sent this fun story to review called Channing O'banning and the Rainforest Rescue. If you have a GOTY Lea fan this is a great story to add to your summer reading program! This is a fun story about the importance of friendship and has some truly lovely moments.
What Happens When Your Least Favorite Person Is Your Only Hope for Rescue? When Channing O'Banning's BFF goes gaga over new boy Marco, Channing wishes she could send him back to where he came from. Her wish turns into her worst nightmare when Marco tags along on her family's dream trip to Marco's home country of Costa Rica. With her secret sketchbook in tow, a colored pencil stuck in her ponytail, and adorable pot-bellied pig, Teeny, by her side, Channing embarks on a high-flying adventure through the Costa Rican rainforest. But when the feisty fourth-grade artist makes a few wrong turns and gets lost in the jungle, she discovers that maybe Marco isn't so bad after all. Through her wild escapades, Channing learns just how important it is to keep the earth-and friendships-healthy.

You can find your own copy of Angela Spady's book, illustrated by Tammie Lyon in stores now and on line with free shipping from the book depository by clicking here.
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

A Pop Up Doll House Book To Fall In Love With

Oh to be a child again with a book as magical as this one! I have always loved pop up books and Madelon has found one that I could move right into. As a child I would have loved this and imagined for hours living in a house such as this!

Ornate rooms and lavish dining room, claw foot tub!

I think the staircase is amazing! I always wanted stairs growing up, I still live in a one story home today!

The table is set for tea!
Thank you Madelon for sending us photos of this beautiful book! I would purchase it in a heart beat!
I did manage to find a listing for it on Amazon if anyone would like to bring this book home click here for more info.
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Madelon Review's Maryellen's The Finders-Keepers Rule Mystery

Maryellen's first mystery, The Finders-Keepers Rule, is a well-written novel set in Daytona Beach, Florida, Maryellen's hometown.  As the back of the book explains, when Maryellen finds a barnacle-encrusted beach buried in the sand, she and her friend, Davy Fenstermacher, set out to discover the history of the treasure.

The book also features Maryellen's attempt to learn a complicated dance.

I enjoyed the multiple story lines and the description of life in Fifties Daytona Beach where kids could safely bike to the beach, dig for treasure and enjoy a hot dog.

I have always loved the Mystery Series that American Girl puts out! Thank you Madelon for sharing your review with us today. For my Canadian Readers (And American's Too) You can order this book with free shipping from The Book Depository by Clicking here. 
As with all our posts we would love to hear  from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

A Fun Event Coming Up That Everyone Can Participate In! Buy A Friend A Book Day

Today I wanted to share with a  fun event that I have participated in for three years now called Buy A friend A Book Day and this August 31st this world wide event is again on. How it works is you simply purchase a book for a friend. Simple easy and a fun way to share your love of reading.

Growing up I hated books, Yes It is true. I am a person who has Dyslexia. I have worked very hard and continue to work daily at overcoming this obsticle in my life. I was in my 20's before I could read and retain the information I read from a page of text. Now I read and write daily and am even a published author. If I was able to tell my 7 year old self this I am certain I would never have believed me but it is true.

Last year my friend Lisa purchased this book for me on Buy A Friend A book day! I was so touched!

There are so many wonderful books out there and so many different genres! For me in the beginning of my recovery from my Dyslexia symptoms Cook books were my go too for reading, then when I mastered them I was able to take on mysteries.

Some of my most favorite books to read have been the American Girl Historical Mystery Books!
    Samantha's have been my most favorite.
For buy a Friend A Book Day it can be any book you like and for anyone you like, I simply love the idea. Buy a book for someone in your life it can be  for a child, a school, a library, or your best friend and join me as we celebrate Buy A Friend A Book Day!
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com