Wunderkind Reads - The Ru-Lan Series

Ru-Lan Volume 1 - The Prince is Born {Ages 4 - 6; 48 pages; $10.95; Heritage Builders Publishing} 

Shortly after his miraculous birth, made possible with help from the phoenix, prince Ru-lan is captured by Su-ling, the evil enchantress, who plans to raise Ru-lan and use him to take over the kingdom. Several years later, the phoenix reminds the little boy of his real identity, and he escapes from Su-ling’s cottage with the help of his animal friends. Once their son is firmly ensconced in the palace, the emperor and empress undertake a daring plot to forever rid the kingdom of the threat of the evil enchantress.

The first book in the Ru-lan series depicts Ru-lan’s origin. Thrown into one adventure after another, Ru-lan demonstrates the values of compassion, empathy, loyalty and friendship even when faced with dangerous enemies intent on destroying all he holds dear. Children not only learn valuable life lessons but also are also introduced to interesting aspects of Chinese culture creating an extended learning experience. Basia Tov illustrates this first volume in the series with a beautiful touch, the images of animals and the young prince have a naive child-like feeling that is at once familiar and exotic, sure to appeal to parents and kids alike.

Ru-lan Volume 2 - Attack of The Stink Bugs {Ages 4-6; 48 pages; $10.95; Heritage Builders Publishing}

The evil enchantress Su-ling had a sister, Ya-Mei, the good enchantress. For 200 years, Su-ling had kept Ya-Mei imprisoned in the body of a caged rabbit. Ya-Mei was freed when the Emperor destroyed her evil sister, and she is very grateful. Many years before her death, Su-ling had placed a curse on the kingdom, that upon her demise, would trigger the unleashing of a swarm of highly destructive, magically enhanced stink bugs on their crops, threatening their food supply and very survival. Once this happens, Ya-Mei, seeing the desperate situation, grants Ru-lan power over insects. This power helps the young prince save the kingdom from starvation. In victory, Ru-lan shows compassion for his enemies, teaching everyone a lesson. He also meets the young, talented, precocious Cai Hua, his future wife. The illustrations by Basia Tov continue to bring the story to life with a magical sense of realism that takes its inspiration from authentic early Chinese painting.

The Ru-lan series is entertaining and a great way to expose your young ones to new and different cultures. Until next time...

Wunderkind Reads: Green Is Good (Liv on Life Series)

Meet the extraordinary mother-daughter team of Elizabeth Gorcey and her amazing daughter Olivia (age 8) and their highly anticipated new children's book Green Is Good where Liv and her boxer dog 'Bowie' invite us all to eat healthy and green. Green is Good is the second book in the popular Liv on Life Series, and tells the story of Liv and Bowie's first visit to a farm where she discovers that the best way to grow her favorite veggies is organically. This book is not only fun read for the kids, it also opens up a dialogue between young children and their parents on modern living, farming, healthy eating and organic food. {Book provided for review/feature consideration}

Help Your Child Deal with Loss with My Yellow Balloon

There has been a lot of sadness in the news recently, from devastating natural disasters to violent protests and much more. It’s no secret that our children are directly or indirectly exposed to and aware of life’s most difficult occurrences, and in their true curious nature, they may have questions. {Product provided for review/feature consideration}

Celebrate National Library Week & Drop Everything and Read Month with Princess Cupcakes Jones

Celebrate National Library Week and Drop Everything and Read Month! We are being encouraged to put our daily chores/tasks to the side for an hour a day and read with our children. Reading with your child is not only an important part of your child's mental development but your child in year's to come will remember those special moments you took with them to read together. {Product provided for review/feature consideration}

Disney Poster-A-Page Series - A Great Gift For Your Littles and You!

Just in time to prep the kiddies for the next chapter in the  Star Wars saga  {we can't possibly be the only household ECSTATIC for the release of "The Force Awakens"}, Time Home Entertainment Inc. has brought one of the biggest movie franchises of all time to life with a new book from the Disney Poster-A-Page series.  {Product sent for review feature/consideration}

Wunderkind Reads: Muddypaws' New Friends

As much as my girls and I like to watch TV, we also all LOVE to read! I've shared books here before as part of my "Be Chic Literate" series, and now I would love to share some of the gems that my youngest daughters and I get to enjoy during our story time! 

Last night we read, Muddypaws' New Friends from Parragon Books. It's actually part of a series that tells the story of Ben and his best {puppy} friend Muddypaws.  {Book sent for review}