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Sometimes in the middles of the night a idea will pop into my head and I end up wondering if it would be something you would be interested in. For me reading is something I do in my home each and every day. I also like to stress the importance of reading to Charlie and David, too. Even if it’s just picking up the back of a cereal box and reading it for ten minutes, I believe we should all be reading something every day!
Why? Because reading helps us keep learning, discovering new things, and growing our knowledge. We are never too young or too old to learn something new, and I believe we should always be looking for ways to keep our minds growing. Reading gives us that opportunity.
That is why, this morning, I decided to start a new series here on Greatful Moments. Each and every day, I’m going to share a free children’s book and a free adult book that you can find on Amazon. My hope is to encourage families to make reading part of their everyday lives, even if they only have ten minutes to spare. And, of course, these books will also be part of our 10-Minute Reading Challenge!
For our first day of reading a free book from Amazon, I’ve picked out two books that caught my eye. Since Halloween is just around the corner, these selections also fit nicely into our Halloween Gift Guide. Being Monday and the day we share a adult book review with you I thought that would be the perfect opportunity to share these new books with you.
Children’s Book: How to Make a Monster Disappear: Bedtime Stories for Kids (Starry Mill: Funny Monster Books Ages 2-8, Picture Book for Kids About Conquering Fears!) by Carly Mottinger
Do you have a stack of parenting “how-to” books gathering dust on your shelf? Well, here’s one that you’re guaranteed to use night after night! How to Make a Monster Disappear is a delightful tutorial that can be enjoyed by parents and kids alike. When Lucy dreams about a monster and can’t go back to sleep, her dad comes up with a way to turn him from scary to friendly through a series of whimsical sketches.
How do you tame a monster? You start by giving him a silly name (“Cheese Sandwich”), then you boop his nose (he didn’t see that coming!), then you tickle him, compliment him, and finally ask about his favorite game. Not even the most horrid, scaly, drooling, pointy-toothed beast can resist this time-tested methodology. As Lucy practices this new skill step-by-step, she becomes confident that she has what it takes to defeat even the scariest of monsters and happily drifts off to dreamland, secure in her newfound abilities.
Author Carly Mottinger brings lots of humor to this timeless tale that is so relatable to parents and kids. (What mom or dad hasn’t had to find a way to scare off the monster lurking under their kid’s bed or in the closet?) The relationship between Lucy and her dad is sweet and charming, and showcases the best kind of gentle parenting. The two bond over this middle-of-the-night adventure and Lucy gets both the nurturing she needs and a new sense of self-reliance.
The colorful illustrations are quirky and fun and will have readers laughing out loud as Dad sketches out Lucy’s terrifying dream monster (who has curly broccoli-like green hair and avoca-toes) and then turns him from scary to sweet (after he’s been tickled and tamed.) How to Make a Monster Disappear is a bedtime story that’s sure to become a family favorite. And guaranteed to solve all your inevitable nighttime monster situations!
Another Ridiculous Week in Bakersfield (or Archie, Elise, and the Class of 1997) (or Stage Fright!) (An Archie and Elise Mystery) by Grant Fieldgrove
For the grown-ups, today’s pick is a quirky mystery with humor and unexpected happenings. Sometimes we need to set aside a few minutes for ourselves, settle down with a good book, and enjoy a little reading time, too.
With his family (and entirely against his will), Archie Lemons returns to his hometown of Bakersfield, California. On the agenda: a cold case, a homecoming speech at his old high school (that he doesn’t want to give), and a 90’s-themed class reunion (which he absolutely, positively will not attend – probably). Then things go wrong. Along the way, Archie and his wife Elise befriend a group of students putting on a play.
Three days before opening night, their director goes missing without a trace. With everyone around them in a panic, it’s up to Archie and Elise to solve their cold case, find the missing director, make a speech in front of the class, meet up with old friends and a few enemies, and maybe, just maybe, go to the reunion. ‘Another Ridiculous Week in Bakersfield’ is a light, funny mystery with a lot of heart, about finding happiness in the least likely of places. Basically, it’s a romcom…with murder!
Please check each Amazon listing to confirm the Kindle edition is currently free, as prices and availability can change.
I wanted to remind you that even though these books are being included in our Halloween Gift Guide, that doesn’t mean they have to stay there! Books can make wonderful gifts for Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, stocking stuffers, or just because. You could tuck a book into a gift basket, give one to a child who loves a little spooky fun, or surprise an adult who enjoys a good mystery.
I don’t believe we have to limit a good book to just one holiday or one gift guide. If it makes a good gift for more than one occasion, let’s share it with our readers! If you take the time to read this book or something else this morning for at least 10 minutes remember to collect your ticket in our reading challenge.
Now, I need your help! If you’ve spotted a free book on Amazon that has caught your eye, please leave me a comment and let me know about it. I’d love to add more books to our collection and share them with our Greatful Moments readers. And if you’ve already read either of today’s selections, please come back and leave me a comment telling us what you thought about the book and why. Your recommendations might help another reader discover their next favorite!
Remember, our 10-Minute Reading Challenge doesn’t mean you have to read an entire book in one sitting. Read a few pages, enjoy a chapter, share a story with a child, or even read the back of that cereal box sitting on your kitchen counter. The important thing is to keep reading and learning. Today is Monday, and we have another new day that the Lord has given us. Let’s make the most of it!
Be kind. Be grateful. Be thankful. Be blessed. And please remember that if there is anything I can help you with, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m thankful you’re here, spending a little of your day with me at Greatful Moments. Here’s to a new week, new books, new things to learn, and ten minutes of reading each day!
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Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
