Two More 5-Star Reviews for

What's for Dinner?

5.0 out of 5 starsYummy

ByAmazon Customeron December 12, 2015

Format: Paperback

Love this book because it will help kids understand and appreciate different cultures through something all of us share - Food! And it's an enjoyable story as the main character worries about what sh'll have to eat when she dines with a friend from another country.

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5.0 out of 5 starsExplore Cultural Diversity Through Food

ByDeb Tooron December 3, 2015

Format: Paperback

What’s for Dinner? by Penelope Anne Cole

The problem with trying different foods is that you don’t always know if they will be gross or yummy. What if the food is from a different country? In the book What’s for Dinner?, children’s author Penelope Anne Cole has deftly captured kids’ curiosity and their fears about trying different types of food.

Written for 5-8 year-olds, the story serves up a celebration of diversity and friendship through an exploration of ethnic food. When Katy’s new Nigerian friend, Amaeka, invites her to dinner, she begins to wonder: What do Nigerians eat? Katy’s friends don’t know, but they have heard about and read about some weird traditional foods eaten by people from all sorts of different cultures. Even American gastronomical oddities make the list.

Artist Samantha S. Bell’s bold, colorful illustrations enhance the narrative and the reading experience. Teachers, librarians and parents will appreciate the backmatter ingredients which include recipes, a map of Nigeria, and additional sources of information.

Ms. Cole’s book successfully connects kids and cultures through the time-honoured tradition of sharing a meal. What’s for Dinner? is a delicious way to inspire classroom and family discussions about cultural diversity.

Tags:

What's for Dinner? Penelope Anne Cole, Samantha Bell, diversity, different foods, dinner, sharing, family, friends, Nigeria, tasting food.

Two 5-Star Reviews for my new book:

What's for Dinner?

 

 5.0 out of 5 starsChildren Experiencing New Cultures

BySusan Hornbachon November 28, 2015

Format: Paperback

“What’s For Dinner” written by Penelope Anne Cole and illustrated by Samantha S. Bell, is a lovely story of two girls from different lands, who become friends through their church and share their foods and family love. Amaeka of Nigerian decent has invited Katy to dinner. Katy is worried about what will be served. The girls are experiencing life in ways they are not accustomed to, but graciously take part in the experience. I think children will relate to this book as diversity is ever growing in our country and countries around the world today. Amaeka and Katy are perfect examples of acceptance and friendship. This would be a book for the classroom or a child’s library. Either way, a pleasant read.

 

 *****

5.0 out of 5 starsGREAT BOOK THAT TEACHES ABOUT DIVERSITY!

Byspeak4languageson November 29, 2015

Format: Paperback

Culturally specific books are important because research has shown that children fair well when they can identify with people who are similar to themselves. I applaud award winning children’s author, Penelope Anne Cole for writing her newest book, “What’s for Dinner.” Children all over the world will be inspired with her book because it celebrates diversity.
~Nicole Weaver, Multi-Award Winning Author
www.nicoleweaver.com

New Review for 

Magical Max and Magical Mickey

Penelope Anne Cole’s 4th book in Magical Series, Magical Max and Magical Mickey

Posted in Other Disabilities, Reviews, Special Needs Children by Lorna - November 22, 2015

- See more at: http://www.specialneedsbookreview.com/2015/11/22/penelope-anne-coles-4th-book-in-magical-series-magical-max-and-magical-mickey/#sthash.B1iMZdZC.dpuf

Penelope Anne Cole’s 4th book in Magical Series, Magical Max and Magical Mickey

Posted in Other Disabilities, Reviews, Special Needs Children by Lorna - November 22, 2015

- See more at: http://www.specialneedsbookreview.com/2015/11/22/penelope-anne-coles-4th-book-in-magical-series-magical-max-and-magical-mickey/#sthash.B1iMZdZC.dpuf

Penelope Anne Cole’s 4th book in Magical Series, Magical Max and Magical Mickey

Posted in Other Disabilities, Reviews, Special Needs Children by Lorna - November 22, 2015

Congratulations to award-winning children’s author, Penelope Anne Cole, and illustrator, Kevin Scott Collier, for yet another delightful children’s book! On the author’s web site we see, “PENNY’S AWARD WINNING BOOKS ARE ALWAYS FUN AND EDUCATIONAL” and we totally agree! Special Needs Book Review is pleased to tell you about the 4th book in the popular Magical Series, Magical Max and Magical Mickey by Penelope Anne Cole. 

About Magical Max and Magical Mickey:

Magical Max and Magical Mickey is about the growing family we learned to love in Penelope Anne Cole’s first three books. Matthew is off to college, Mea is entering middle school and at a special family meeting they learn that their mother is expecting twin boys. Immediately it is revealed how each of them will help with the work involved in raising twins.

In the first books, Matthew and Mea lost their magic to help others when they lost their last baby teeth. The questions readers will have is, “Will Max and Mickey have magical powers like their older siblings?” 

Young readers who are enjoying these easy-to-read chapter books will surely be motivated to read the 35 pages to find out!

Features of Penelope Anne Coles’s Magical Series:

One feature we like in Penelope’s books is the way she effectively highlights a functional family. Her stories revolve around multi-generational family members, which include Grandma Nonie who often becomes the children’ confidant and caregiver. This fourth book shows the twins have compassion for others in the way they help their grandmother who is not as capable to do all she once did stay safe.

If children learn by example, Penelope Anne Coles’s characters will teach them how to be respectful and helpful to make relationships work. Their conversations always show it is important that each person in the conversation has a chance to express his ideas.

Readers will once again enjoy their neighbor, Lily in her wheelchair, with her quick solutions and suggestions. Lily is always portrayed as a character with “abilities” and not “disabilities”.

The detailed illustrations of Kevin Scott Collier create a wonderful aging process for all the characters. Mr. Collier’s colorful illustrations will help emergent readers understand the story and keep the attention of kids listening to the story being read.

Target Audience:

• For readers: Ages 4-9
• For grades 1-3

  Special Needs Book Review has reviews of Ms. Cole’s first three children’s books in this award winning series and an awesome interview with Penelope Anne Cole. Find the links at the end of this post.

- See more at: http://www.specialneedsbookreview.com/2015/11/22/penelope-anne-coles-4th-book-in-magical-series-magical-max-and-magical-mickey/#sthash.B1iMZdZC.dpuf

ongratulations to award-winning children’s author, Penelope Anne Cole, and illustrator, Kevin Scott Collier, for yet another delightful children’s book! On the author’s web site we see, “PENNY’S AWARD WINNING BOOKS ARE ALWAYS FUN AND EDUCATIONAL” and we totally agree! Special Needs Book Review is pleased to tell you about the 4th book in the popular Magical Series, Magical Max and Magical Mickey by Penelope Anne Cole. 
Special Needs Book Review has reviews of Ms. Cole’s first three children’s books in this award winning series and an awesome interview with Penelope Anne Cole. Find the links at the end of this post.
- See more at: http://www.specialneedsbookreview.com/2015/11/22/penelope-anne-coles-4th-book-in-magical-series-magical-max-and-magical-mickey/#sthash.B1iMZdZC.dpuf

NEW 5 STAR REVIEW 

Ten Little Tricksters

5.0 out of 5 starsAdorable book for Halloween and all year round!

By Jill Siegel on November 16, 2015

Format: Paperback

TEN LITTLE TRICKSTERS is a super adorable book for Halloween and all year round! The illustrations are delightful. The book is filled with fun Halloween characters like ghosts, goblins, and zombies, which are presented in a fun, cute style rather than as a frightening tale. I think that children would really enjoy the playful words, the backwards counting (from ten to one), and the sweet illustrations.

NEW 5 STAR REVIEW FOR MAGICAL MEA GOES TO SCHOOL

 

5.0 out of 5 starsPositive messaging from Penelope Cole

ByWise Birdon October 28, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

I love the message of magic being inside of us all. Mea is an adorable courageous character who I hope to see more of in the future.

 *****

 NEW 4 STAR REVIEW OF MAGICAL MAX AND MAGICAL MICKEY

4.0 out of 5 stars. Penelope Anne Cole's Magical Max and Magical Mickey is a nice story that effectively highlights family

ByWise Birdon October 28, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

Penelope Anne Cole's Magical Max and Magical Mickey is a nice story that effectively highlights family. I like that the twins work together to help their grandma with safety. The author in this series really focuses on multigenerational relationship in the family through magic.

NEW FIVE STAR REVIEW FOR MAGICAL MATTHEW

5.0 out of 5 starsLove and compassion is magical and can conquer all.

ByWise Birdon October 28, 2015

Format: Paperback

"Magical Matthew" is the first in Penelope Cole's Magic Series. I read it last and it's my favorite book in Cole's line up. Matthew is a kind and compassionate male protagonist that I wish existed more in real life. He views his "magical" abilities as a gift "a higher power" to fix problems in the world. Cole, through description, dialogue, poetic verse and supporting characters effectively highlights that magic is inside of us all. Like her main character Matthew, we all have the power to maximize our talents to help others and improve our environments.
I also love grandma Nonie and Matthew's relationship with his best friend Lily.

 *****

 NEW FIVE STAR REVIEW FOR MAGICAL MEA

5.0 out of 5 starsFantastic message of using individual talents to help others

ByWise Birdon October 28, 2015

Format: Hardcover

Award winning author Penelope Cole's "Magical Mea" is the second book in her Magical Book Series. This book starts with Mea being fed up with her big brother Matthew bossing her around--which many kids in larger families will relate. Mea contributes to her acting out by using her magic to pull pranks on her family.

However, Matthew and his friend Lily worry that Mea's behavior may lead to her to using her magic for ill-will.

But although Mea has a different approach from her brother she still ends up helping others through her individual magical talents. This book is great for reluctant readers with its bright and colorful illustrations and positive messaging.

TWO 5 STAR REVIEWS ON AMAZON

for 

Magical Max and Magical Mickey

Magical Powers, Siblings, Friends and Family

By Susan Hornbach on September 30, 2015

Format: Paperback

Penelope Anne Cole has written yet another book in her magical series. Matthew and Mea are mesmerized by parental news. They are both in reminiscence of days gone by, but interrupted with new and intriguing surprises. New adventures are expected and new family additions as well. This is the best of the best in the series of Magical Matthew. The ending even has a twist. Read all of the magical series to experience the thoughts and emotions of all the characters. Children doing good deeds for the betterment of others. What more could you want in a children’s book series? Illustrations by Kevin Collier. 

 

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Magical Twins

By Amazon Customer on September 27, 2015

Format: Paperback

It's so nice to know this series isn't over even though Mea and Matt had outgrown their magical powers. When their baby brothers are born they don't know if the twins will have magical powers or not. They - and the readers - must wait a while to find out. Of course Max and Mickey do turn out to have them and use them to help a friend. It's nice to know this series can continue. 

 

Tags:

Magical Max and Magical Mickey, Penelope Anne Cole, Max, Mickey, Matthew, Mea, Grandma Nonie, Mom, Dad, Lily, magic, helping people,  gifts, talents, family, using our gifts and talents.