The Little Shepherd by Cheryl Malindrinos Reviewed

It had been a strange magical night …
A night of miracles.

Little Shepherd

(Please view trailer of The Little Shepherd and the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post!)

Why, one may ask, would a book review begin at the book's end?  In this instance, these words tell it all.  We meet young Obed at the beginning of a night's journey, not only in distance but in a life lesson.

Cheryl Malandrinos has beautifully captured the Christmas Story in the life and words of the young shepherd from Jerusalem.  Only five years old, Obed's father allows him to watch his first flock of sheep. 

 That night, a strange light appeared in the heavens, and Obed and his father decided to follow and see where it led.  And the wondrous things they saw both in Bethlehem and when they returned to their flock grazing on the hills completes this heartwarming and original story.

This children's book captures the very essence of what Christmas to many people.  The story is rich in imagery, and the illustrations by Eugene Rubble weave a tapestry reminiscent of the times. 

Children and adults alike are sure to be enchanted by this book.  I would recommend it for both--the child as well as the adult who will read it aloud or listen to his or her young one read it.

Cheryl Malandrino

About the author:

Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer, children’s author and editor. Her first children’s book, Little Shepherd, was released in August 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing. She is a member of the SCBWI, a book reviewer, and blogger. Cheryl also writes under the name of C. C. Gevry. Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also has a son who is married.

Visit Cheryl online at http://ccmalandrinos.com and the Little Shepherd book blog at http://littleshepherdchildrensbook.blogspot.com/.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post and Book Giveaway for Thoughts in Progress: Come On, Muse! Give Me a Break

Every author has a muse.  Really, it's difficult to function without one.  Actually, it's difficult to function with one as well.  Why?  The best synonym I can think of for muse is capricious.  To a muse, that describes each one of them.

For over 2,500 years and throughout western civilization, it is largely acknowledged by artists of every sort that their inspirations, creativity and talent come from them. Yet, in this day and age of scientific thought, one would think this would be a preposterous concept for intelligent people to believe yet it remains the case.   It certainly does!

Visit the Thoughts in Progress Blog today, and learn all about mine.  She visits me at the most inconvenient times and places.  She never gives me warning that she's about to appear. She's rude that way.

But given the choice, could I do without her?  Wouldn't even want to try.  When she's with me, every word floats on its own.  Every page is a poem.  Every chapter has its own brilliance.  I could go on, but then you'd think my muse had left me...

Oh, and by the way, my muse reminds me there is a book giveaway.  One person will win a copy of Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage by visiting the blog!  Perhaps your muse will be good to you!

Last Stop on Tour is the Wonderful Classic Children's Blog

Our last stop on the Sea Turtle Summer Tour is today.  We are visiting the very worthy and oh, so beautiful Classic Children's Books Blog.  This blog is so gorgeous that it's worth your time just to take a peek, even if you do not read the review!

This has been a wonderful tour, thanks to Cheryl Malandrinos and Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tours.

Please stop by, and take a look at what is said about the second book in the Bella and Britt Series.  The third, Bella Saves the Beach, will be launched in the summer of 2012.  Watch for it!

First Stop on Tour is Between the Covers Blog

This morning kicks off my continued Sea Turtle Summer Tour with Pump Up Your Book.  We are going to Between the Covers, a thoughtful and terrific blog.

Hello, You Beautiful World

This blog spotlights books reviews them.  It's a gorgeous blog.  Come on over, and be a part of Between the Covers!

The photo used here is of baby Loggerhead sea turtles emerging from their nest on the coast of Florida.  These babies all arrived safely to the sea with the help of dedicated volunteers who assisted them in their journey. 

Thank you to everyone who helps in this worthwhile endeavor worldwide.  May the sea turtle populations stabalize through this effort.

Hands Across the Sands!

My Guest Post at Hollywood Daze Blog

Hollywood Daze is an interesting blog!  It concerns, as the name implies, all things Hollywood. 

For my guest post today, I talk of some of my favorite films and the cities around the world where I viewed them. 

You may be surprised by the places I take you on this virtual tour.  Why not come along today and travel with me as I speak of movies and the places they were filmed?

You can find my post on Hollywood Daze!

And speaking of "celluloid," I have included the trailer for Sea Turtle Summer, the second book in the Bella and Britt Series.

You can find the trailer below:

Books Can Educate and Entertain By Cheryl C. Malandrinos, Author of Little Shepherd

It is my pleasure to host Cheryl Malandrinos, author of the children's book, Little Shepherd.  Welcome, Cheryl.  I know my readers will gain insight from your words.

Some children’s books entertain readers. There are silly stories meant to make readers laugh and those that celebrate the joys of being a kid. Most times there’s a conflict and resolution, but others, you get a zany story that doesn’t follow those guidelines. Who said childhood should be all about following rules anyway?

When I sat down to write Little Shepherd, I knew I wasn’t creating those types of stories. Little Shepherd introduces young readers to five-year-old, Obed, who is in the hills outside of Bethlehem tending his first flock, when an angel appears to announce the Savior’s birth.

After the angel leaves, the other shepherds wish to visit this Savior, but Obed isn’t so sure. He’s heard the wolves howling in the distance. After some wise words from his father, Obed decides to join the others. His anxiety, however, remains. More than that, Obed can’t understand why his father and the other shepherds aren’t equally as anxious about their sheep being left alone where anything could happen to them.

Little Shepherd is the kind of book that educates while it entertains. Young readers have the opportunity to learn several things:

• The young were expected to assist the family and carried great responsibility.
• Sheep were depended upon for clothing and food, so it was important to protect them.
• Children can be confused by the actions of adults.
• Sometimes we have to step out in faith and hope for the best, despite our anxiety.

That last point captures the essence of Obed’s story. We often make decisions that require us to have faith in someone other than ourselves. We might have to depend on an older person’s wisdom to help us make a decision. We might make a choice that challenges common sense. In the end, like Obed, when we step out in faith, we reap the rewards.

A love of reading and writing is important to our children’s success. The children’s market is filled with so many wonderful types of books that I hope you and your child discover a new one every day.

Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer, children’s author and editor. Her first children’s book, Little Shepherd, was released in August 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing. She is also a member of the SCBWI.

Cheryl is a Tour Coordinator for Pump Up Your Book, a book reviewer, and blogger. Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also has a son who is married.
Visit Cheryl at her newly redesigned website http://ccmalandrinos.com/ or visit the Little Shepherd book blog at http://littleshepherdchildrensbook.blogspot.com/

The Examiner

We make a stop today at a huge blog, The Examiner.  The book, One Pelican at a Time will be featured there with an interview with our author, Nancy Stewart. 

The whole Pelican gang is looking forward to it.  We hope she does well and doesn't embarrass us! 

Sometimes authors are known to do this to her characters.  We don't get it, but we know it happens.

Seriously, we want to thank Dorothy Thompson for her interview of Pelican.  We appreciate it so much!

Nancy Stewart Interview at Pump Up Your Book!

My interview today at Pump Up Your Book, is one I've been looking forward to for some time.  I have enjoyed working with Cheryl Malandrinos, who is so effective at what she does! 

This is an in-depth interview, and we speak of many things, both intellectual and "of the business" as well as some fun questions. 

Please stop by, and find out more about One Pelican at a Time and its author, such as a photo of then five year old Nancy.  There is a photo of a bridge over the Cam River in Cambridge, UK.  I just happen to be in the picture.

I am also pleased to announce that Pelican has been nominated for a Global eBook Award. 

One Pelican at a Time Virtual Book Tour Weekly Schedule

Britt, Bella, Pelican and I will be at the following blogs for the week of April 4 - 8.  If you get the chance, come on by!
Monday, April 4  (Interview)

The Children's and Teen's Book Connection

Tuesday, April 5  (Interview)

Paperback Writer

Wednesday, April 6  (Interview)

Strands of Thought

Wednesday, April 6  (Book Review)

Hott Books

Thursday, April 7  (Guest Blogging)

The Book Faery Reviews

Thursday, April 7  Book Review
BookSnatchers

 Friday, April 8  (Book Review)

4 the Love of Books

One Pelican at a Time Virtual Book Tour Schedule

On Tour with Pelican, Bella, Britt and Me! 

Monday, April 4
Interviewed at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection
Tuesday, April 5
Interviewed at Paperback Writer

Wednesday, April 6

Interviewed at Strands of Thought

Book reviewed at Hott Books                                                

Thursday, April 7

Guest blogging at The Book Faery Reviews
Book reviewed at BookSnatchers
Friday, April 8
Book reviewed at 4 the Love of Books
Monday, April 11
Book spotlight at The Plot
Tuesday, April 12
Character interview at The Plot
Wednesday, April 13
Book reviewed at Confessions of an Overworked Mom
Thursday, April 14
Interviewed at Blogcritics
Friday, April 15
Guest blogging at Review from Here
Monday, April 18
Guest blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Tuesday, April 19
Book reviewed at Melange of Cultures’s Blog
Wednesday, April 20
Book reviewed at Turning the Clock Back
Thursday, April 21
Guest blogging at Thoughts in Progress
Friday, April 22
Guest blogging and giveaway at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection
Monday, April 25
Book reviewed at Thoughts in Progress
Tuesday, April 26
Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book!
Wednesday, April 27
Interviewed at As the Pages Turn
Thursday, April 28
Book spotlighted at Books, Products and More!
Monday, May 2
Book reviewed at Bri Clark: “The Belle of Boise”
Tuesday, May 3
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report
Wednesday, May 4
Interviewed at Literarily Speaking
Thursday, May 5
Interviewed at Write What Inspires You
Friday, May 6
Book reviewed at Write What Inspires You
Monday, May 9
Book reviewed at One Day At A Time
Book reviewed and interviewed at SFC Blog: Families Matter
Tuesday, May 10
Trailer spotlighted at If Books Could Talk
Wednesday, May 11
Interviewed at Janet Ann Collins On Words
Thursday, May 12
Book reviewed at Stories a la Mode
Friday, May 13
Character interviewed at J. Aday Kennedy: A Writing Playground
Monday, May 16
Book reviewed at J. Aday Kennedy: a Writing Playground
Tuesday, May 17
Book reviewed at The Adventures of My Family of 8
Wednesday, May 18

Interviewed at Examiner

Thursday, May 19

Interviewed at Beyond the Books

Friday, May 20

Book spotlighted at The Writer’s Life

Monday, May 23

Guest blogging at Literal Exposure

Tuesday, May 24

Interviewed at Broowaha

Wednesday, May 25

Interviewed at Divine Caroline

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One Pelican at a Time Virtural Book Tour, April and May, 2011

Bella, Britt, Pelican and I will virtually tour the blogosphire, beginning  April 4 through May 27, 2011 on my first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! And, of course, none of us would be touring without the marvelous artwork by Samantha Bell.

About One Pelican at a Time

Bella and Britt love living by the beach. When they find oil washing to shore from a gulf spill, they want to help but are told there is nothing for kids to do. But when their old friend the crooked beak pelican, becomes covered with oil, they help save his life by their quick thinking and action.

Read the Excerpt

The girls waited and watched while adults tried to fix the problem. That is, until they saw the old pelican leave his perch and plunge into a patch of blackened sea.

Britt gasped.  "Will he come back up?"

"If he does, how can he live? Bella asked.

But he did come to the surface, covered in heavy tacky oil. After seeing his oily feathers, the girls took action.

"Help! Help us help the pelican! both girls screamed.

Normally on such a hot summer day, the beach boy would be renting colorful umbrellas to his customers. Instead, he sat alone on the sand. "What's wrong?" He jumped up and ran toward the girls.

"The old pelican! The old pelican! We have to save him! Bella sobbed.

"Come on. No time to lose!" The young man sprinted down the beach toward the clean-up crews.

"Ah, I know that old bird," nodded the crew chief. "Let's go get him."

                       One Pelican at a Time coming soon!