R&M's Kid Korner

Thank you for joining us for a new endeavor on our blog!! We will be featuring Children’s books and their authors on this page from now on!  We hope you enjoy the books that we have to share with you!

Just in time for the holidays!

The Holidays are creeping up already and we’re already seeing Christmas commercials! Now is the time to start planning, Cindy Springsteen is offering, for a limited time, holiday specials on the Waffles and Pancakes books and stuffed animals. Reserve your deal today because they will not last long. All orders will ship in November.

Book one A Lesson in Friendship - $10.99

Book Two A Lesson in Bullying- $12.99

Waffles and Pancakes Stuffed Animals - $20

Book one and Stuffed Animal Holiday Special $25

Book Two and Stuffed Animal Holiday Special $30

Both books and stuffed animals Holiday Special $35

All orders include shipping costs.

If interested, please contact Cindy on Facebook

Jaimie Hope:

Review of The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes to the Hospital:

In the newest addition to The Advetures of Baby Jaimie series, Baby Jaimie Goes to the Hospital is a fantastic addition.  In this one Baby Jaimie has just gotten out of school for the summer but her summer plans are put on hold when she gets sick that night.  She goes to the doctor and finds out that she has to have surgery.  This book does a great job of explaining to kids what happens when they have to have their tonsils out.  Not only does it explain what happens, but it also lets kids know that it is okay to be scared, but sometimes we have to do scary things to feel better.  As someone who has seen the inside of a pediatric ward first hand as a child, I relate to what Baby Jaimie is going through.  I wish that I had had a book like this to explain what would happen so I wouldn’t have been so scared when I had my tonsils removed.  This addition to the series seems to be part of the trend that when one is informed things are usually a little less frightening.  If there is a child out there that you know that has to go to the hospital for surgery anytime soon, whether for their tonsils or something else, this book is a great way to allay their fears which will make the entire process less traumatic for everyone, so pick up your copy today and give it a try! 
You can purchase on Amazon

Author Bio:

Jaimie Hope was born November 3, 1976 in New York. It wasn't until high school, when she joined the newspaper staff, that Jaimie decided she wanted to be a writer.
        After graduation, writing was put aside for a while. the author went to college and received an Associates degree in 1999. She then moved to Florida where she was an active volunteer in the local historical society and the local library.
        It wasn’t until 2005 that Jaimie wrote her first Children's book, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie, published in 2006. It was followed up with my her novel, Who Says You Can"t Go Home? in 2008. Her other books include Bless the Broken Road and The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes to School in 2010.
        The author's firs published work of 2011 was her autobiography, Roll With It. She also released her third Children's book, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Gets Stage Fright and  first Paranormal Romance, When You Come Back To Me Again in 2011.

        What's next for Jaimie Hope? Well, 2012 has already been a productive one. The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has a Crush was published in April and was followed by  coloring book version of Baby Jaimie Has Stage Fright released in June. Baby Jaimie Loses A Tooth in August, and Baby Jaimie Goes to The Hospital in October. The third book in the Who Says You Can't Go Home trilogy, Somebody Must Be Praying For Me by the end of the year. 
                         You can find Jaimie on Facebook

Wendy Nystrom:

Review of James Saves the Moon:

James Saves the Moon by Wendy Nystrom is a wonderful children’s story that gives children a chance to learn about some of the legends of Iceland.  Wendy encompasses terms that are defined so that kids can learn new words and what they mean.  It is a heart-warming tale of a boy named James who is determined to reach the top of a mountain and touch the moon.  He is from America and has recently moved to Iceland.  He has heard some of the legends of Iceland, but like many Americans, dismisses them as being stories to entertain or frighten children to do what they are told.  There are mythological creatures that James meets in his quest and their existence is part of the legends of Iceland.  I found this to be an entertaining and educational story for children.  They will learn about another country and the lore from it.  The book also encourages children to have a little bit of imagination as the creatures James encounters would not be believable without it.  It would be a lovely bedtime story for a young child and comes highly recommended.  I would definitely read it to my five year-old god-daughter and do believe that she would love it.  The illustrations in the book follow right along with the story and allow you to visualize exactly what James is going through.  I hope that you will consider purchasing James Saves the Moon when it is released in November.  Till then, happy reading!

(Not for purchase yet)

Author Bio:

Wendy Nystrom is a published author with Anchor Group Publishing, a wife, and a mother of three wonderful children. Wendy grew up in St. Paul, MN, and has lived at different points in her life in Minnesota, Texas, Idaho, Colorado, West Virginia, and Iceland. She currently resides in Michigan (USA). Wendy is an avid reader of many different genres; she love adventures; and devotes some of her time to being active in schools, the local library, and other community projects. She earned a BA in Geography concentration Urban Planning at Texas State University. Wendy began writing children stories in 2005 while living in the wonderful country of Iceland. Her writing style is, Imagine yourself sitting around a campfire deep in the mountains with a huge moon above. The mountain outlined all around while the story teller weaves a tale of adventure with a splash of fun as a pebble skips across the water. 
You can find her on Facebook 

Ethan Rice:

Review of Ethan’s Story; My Life With Autism:

Ethan’s Story; My Life with Autism is about a young boy named Ethan who is living his life with Autism.  Throughout the book, the reader is able to learn more about both Ethan, and the challenges that children with Autism face in society.

One of the most important parts, that I found, was the acknowledgement that while Ethan may have Autism, he still enjoys everything that other children do, just in a different way.  He enjoys structured play time and can’t always understand how kids play together without that structure.

The best part of the entire book (which, truth be told, there were A LOT) was the ending, where we are shown all the ways that Autism is great!  Ethan is a superstar in school!  And he’s proud of the way that God made him.

I found this book to be a delight and my five year old really loves it as well!  I spent about an hour trying to teach her what Autism was, but this book does a much better job than I could ever do!  We have a paperback copy of this book, and I must say, it is one of my most cherished books.  It means so much to me to be able to share with everyone how wonderful this book is! 
You can purchase at Amazon

Author Bio:

Ethan Rice is eight years old and lives with his family in Michigan. He is the oldest of five children. He enjoys math and reading, playing basketball and flag football, and being a Cub Scout. When he grows up Ethan wants to be a farmer, and he wants the whole world to know that Jesus loves them.

When Ethan was four years old, he was diagnosed with high-functioning autism. He decided that he wanted to tell his first grade class that he had autism on his seventh birthday. His parents asked him many questions about what having autism felt like for him and wrote his answers down as a reference for when he told his class. Those answers are now being published so more people can understand what it is like to have autism. While each child on the spectrum has unique challenges and strengths, Ethan’s Book; My Life with Autism is Ethan’s own story.
You can find Ethan on Facebook

Cindy Springsteen:

Review of Waffles and Pancakes: A Lesson in Friendship:

Waffles and Pancakes: A Lesson in Friendship, is a great book for the young and old alike! When Waffles and Pancakes are both adopted, they find that their lives are completely different. Pancakes, and his owner Griffin, don't spend any time together, leaving Pancakes feeling neglected and lonely. But Pancakes has an incredible home with lots of playing room and toys. Now, Waffles was adopted by Danny, and they play together every day when Danny comes homes, but Waffles lives in a small box because it is all that Danny and his parents could afford for him.

When the boys become friends, they bring Waffles and Pancakes back together to spend time with each other. Waffles is sad because he doesn't have the same things that Pancakes does, but he doesn't realize just how lonely Pancakes is. Through communication and friendship, from both them and their owners, they soon realize that it's not about what you have, but about the love that you have in your life.

Cindy Springsteen does an amazing job at driving the moral of the story home to young readers, as well as to the parents that read with their children. This is a lesson that all children should be exposed to. It has helped my own daughter to be more appreciative about what she has in her life. I would recommend this book to everyone, regardless if you have children or not. It's a great lesson that even adults benefit from. 
You can purchase at Amazon & from Cindy on Facebook

Review of Waffles and Pancakes: A Lesson in Bullying:

Waffles and Pancakes: A Lesson in Bullying, is a great addition to the story of those adorable critters, Waffles and Pancakes. This time, we find ourselves very concerned about the health and well-being of Waffles and Pancakes because they don't seem to be doing very well after their last trip to the doctor. It turns out that they were being bullied by a guinea pig named Oscar. When the boy head over to Oscar's house to visit his owner, Tom, this is where everyone finds out what is really going on.

Tom is reminded by his mother that being a bully won't earn him any friends in life, so he apologizes to Danny and Griffin for how he acted. Oscar also apologizes to Waffles and Pancakes about his behavior, explaining what had him so worked up the last time they met at the doctor's office. The story ends with a happy ending and a true lesson learned by all of them.

This book focuses on the issue of bullying and what it can do to the person being bullied. I think this is a great resource to have, especially today, when so many are being bullied on a constant basis in our schools. This book should be read to all children as soon as they enter school. It would be a great resource for teachers to use to help their students understand the ramifications of their actions when they are mean to other kids. 
You can purchase at Amazon & from Cindy on Facebook

Author Bio:

I am a published poetry writer, as well as the author of a Children’s book series featuring two lovable hamsters and their owners. My first children’s book, “Waffles and Pancakes: A Lesson in Friendship,” was released on April 17, 2012 to rave reviews. The support and encouragement from fans has been so inspiring.

On September 17, 2012, the second in my Children’s series, "Waffles and Pancakes: A Lesson in Bullying," was released. I have been writing since I was in my teens, so this has been a dream come true for me. Even better is the fact that children, and parents alike, have responded quite well to my books.

I have spent many years researching and writing about parenting teenagers for various publications, so the “Waffles and Pancakes” series has felt like the natural next step. I am currently working on a third "Waffles and Pancakes" story which is set for release in 2013. I am also working on a full length novel, based on a true story, tentatively titled “Forever and Always.” My full length novel will also be released in 2013.

As well as being an author myself, I am currently a virtual assistant for a top author. I enjoy meeting all the new people and children that my books have brought into my life and look forward to continued success in my future endeavors. 
You can contact Cindy on Facebook

Jodi Stone:

Review of Savannah’s Story:

Savannah’s Story by Jodie Stone was a delightful read.  The illustrations were adorable and I couldn’t help but think of a certain five year-old that is near and dear to my heart as I read.  Savannah is five years old herself, and is sad because she doesn’t have any one to play with her as her sisters seem to have better things to do.  The rhymes were clever and the wording just perfect for a young girl.  I loved how the story embraced magic telling us to all remember magic and it will remember us as well.  At that age a child should believe in magic and fairy tales, and Savannah’s Story does just that.  It also teaches an important lesson to be careful what you wish for because you just might get it, and though it might be fun for a while, nothing beats a loving family.  Savannah has her fun but comes to this realization at the end of her day.  I think this is an important lesson for children to learn.  I would recommend that parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. read this story to the little girls in their life.  It will open their eyes to what magic can bring but make them aware that there is nothing better than family.  I can’t wait to sit down and read this to my god-daughter! 
You can purchase at Amazon

Author Bio:

Jodi Stone has been happily married for over thirteen years to her

soulmate. She has three beautiful girls that challenge and

inspire her everyday. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and will graduate from USF in August of 2012 with a degree in English/Creative Writing. She is the Tampa Bay Health Examiner/Writer for The Examiner.com and has five published childrens books.
You can find Jodi on Facebook