Bash and the Chocolate Milk Cows

Bash is up to his usual tricks and with his overactive imagination, life is anything but boring. But cousin Beamer likes boring. This time he is back on the farm for Spring Break and Bash's favorite holiday---April Fool's Day! What could possibly go wrong in his latest scheme? Bash and the Chocolate Milk Cows is his most creative and complicated plan to surprise his parents yet. Toss in a polliwog observatory, a robber with a sweet tooth, and a goat of many colors...and get prepared for a wild week!

Storyteller Burton Cole, with illustrator Buddy Lewis, have a book that is sure to bring joy to 8-12 year old boys (and girls) and possibly strike fear into the heart of parents of mischievous kids. They may pick up a few ideas, and hopefully be discouraged about trying some of the crazier ones, but there is also a lesson to be learned. This time Beamer wants to learn more about baptism. This combination of fun-filled adventures, with a few important tenets of Christianity woven in at an age appropriate level, makes for a series that I definitely recommend for children. While they are more into practical jokes than I have ever been, it did bring to mind a few childhood adventures of my own. I love the encouragement to use your imagination and get outside and play!

I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself from Shelton Interactive in exchange for an honest review.

Audrey Bunny by Angie Smith

 From best-selling women’s author Angie Smith (I Will Carry You, Mended) comes this sweet children’s book about a stuffed animal named Audrey Bunny who fears her imperfections make her unworthy of a little girl’s love. She'll learn the truth soon enough, and young readers will learn that everyone is special and wonderfully made by God.

My Review: This is a wonderful book for young and old alike. Beautifully illustrated by Breezy Brookshire, Angie Smith tells a story that is sure to be loved by all. Audrey Bunny had lived in a barrel of other stuffed toys in a toy shop, but was never chosen because of her mark. However, a sweet little girl named Caroline spots Audrey and comes back the next day to buy her as her own special cuddly friend. Audrey treasures the time spent playing with Caroline, yet is always careful to find a way to conceal her mark. Finally, the day arrives when Caroline announces that Audrey will be attending school with her for something called "Show 'N Tell"!! Oh no! Audrey's worst fears are about to be faced as she realizes that there will be no hiding her mark from Caroline and her friends. Is she about to be rejected again?

I read this as I was preparing to face my own fears of rejection as I prepared to go on a journey and would be meeting many people I only know through Facebook. This beautifully written book about God's unconditional love and acceptance from others actually helped calm some of my own fears. This is a book that can be used both to help a child who fears rejection and to teach children about loving others even though they may appear to be a bit different. Even when the scars are not visible, reassurance of a Creator who loves us just the way we are is a valuable lesson for all to learn. I highly recommend this book.

GIVEAWAY: FlyBy Promotions has another copy of this book to be given to one of my readers. To be entered to win a copy of Audrey Bunny, leave a comment and your name will be added random drawing. Contest will close next Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013 at 12 Noon (CT).

I received a copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

 Angie Smith is the wife of Todd Smith (lead singer of Dove Award winning group Selah), best-selling author of Mended, I Will Carry You, and What Women Fear, and one of the most popular speakers and blog writers in the country. She holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University and lives with her husband and daughters in Nashville, TN.

Bash and the Pirate Pig by Burton Cole

Bash and the Pirate Pig, by Burton Cole, is the story of city couch potato, Raymond "Beamer" Boxby who prefers to spend his time inside with a bag of his favorite potato chips and a stack of comic books. To his horror, he learns that his parents have decided he needs to spend the summer getting fresh air, sunshine, and exercise...visiting his cousin on the farm!!

Sebastian "Bash" Hinglehobb is a bundle of energy who has a wild imagination and manages to convince others to join in his adventures...like letting his "riding pig", aka Gulliver J. McFrederick the Third, be the Admiral of the flotilla they assemble for their various human and animal friends> What could possibly go wrong?

Beamer feels doomed to be dragged into one scheme after another, and is also puzzled that Bash only has one book that he reads and quotes from regularly. His "Fishin' and Farmin' book" (The Bible) seems weird to Beamer, but by the end of the summer he discovers that the Book isn't quite so boring after all and has the answers to questions he just hadn't asked yet.

This book is a really fun read that is sure to entertain boys, and probably a few girls. I laughed at several of the things the boys got into and loved the perpetual optimism and odd sense of logic Bash had at all times. If your child has a wild imagination too, you may want to give a stern warning, "Do NOT Try This!", but it is mostly good, messy fun...and brought back a few memories of my own childhood. It reminded me a bit of one of my childhood favorites, Tom Sawyer. I also love the way the Bible is integrated into the story in a way that is perfectly natural. Bash simply "owned" his faith at an early age and is always ready to give an answer when questioned. Book is recommended for ages 8-14.

Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of this book by FlyBy Promotions at no charge to me for review purposes. I was not required to give a good review or to promote anything I cannot recommend.

GIVEAWAY!! Flyby Promotions has another copy available for one of my readers. Simply leave a comment (if you are listed as Anonymous, at least give me a hint who you are!) and the winner will be randomly selected. All entries must be made by Mon., Sept 30, 2013 at 12 Noon (CDT).

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About the Author

Burton Cole is a Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist with thirty years of experience and more than fifty humor writing awards to his credit. He grew up on a farm in northeast Ohio and attended a small-town church with a slew of cousins and buddies. That same boyhood inspires his colorful stories today. 

About the Illustrator 

Tom Bancroft has more than twenty years of experience in the animation and illustration industry and worked with Disney on films including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Aladdin. Other clients have included DC Comics and Big Idea Productions.