Friday, April 17, 2015
Friday Fave: Dragon Bowl in Atlanta
Happy Friday! My Friday Fave this week is Dragon Bowl restaurant in Atlanta. This is a casual restaurant near Emory University. They specialize in bowls. The daily specials and featured vegetables are all written on blackboards, as pictured below. You order at the counter.
My friend and I started our meal with Samosa Spring Rolls. These spicy little rolls include curried potatoes and onions. The dip is yogurt with tamarind seasoning.
I like the build your own bowl option. It features your choice of rice or noodles, protein, and two vegetables. My bowl (below) had vermicelli rice noodles, grilled tofu, grilled carrots, and sweet potatoes. It was delicious!
I am vegetarian and LOVE that everything is clearly labeled here. Vegetarian foods have a green leaf on the menu, and even the sauces are labeled. Their homemade Teriyaki sauce is my favorite.
Now that I am craving Asian food, I'll wish you a great weekend! As always, would love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Book Review: Aoleon The Martian Girl: Part Four by Brent LeVasseur
Book Details:
Book Title: Aoléon The Martian Girl: A Science Fiction and
Fantasy Saga - Part 4: Illegal Aliens, written and illustrated by Brent
LeVasseur
Category: Middle-Grade, 139 pages
Genre: Science-fiction and Fantasy
Publisher: Aoléon Press
Release date: February 1, 2015
Available for review in: PDF
Will send books: Internationally
Tour dates: April
Content Rating: G
Book Description:
Aoleon and Gilbert have become the Luminon’s top priority in stopping the Martian resistance movement, and after being chased by the Royal Paladin Guard, they are forced to flee the Martian Megalopolis. Aoléon, Gilbert and Zoot escape with the help of Bizwat and his newly found friend, Helios, a first generation soldierbot.
After their saucer is destroyed, they crash land somewhere in the deep Martian desert, and they set out to locate Kyrios and the secret base where Aoleon’s parents are being held captive.
After battling the forces of nature, starvation, a Klyklon dust storm, (and not to mention a giant slor that almost swallows them alive), they finally make it to their destination. However, after Kyrios gives Gilbert some basic training to develop his budding psionic power, they learn that their journey is far from over.
Will Aoléon, Glbert, Bizwat, Helios, and Zoot be able to rescue Aoleon’s parents and stop the Martian invasion of Earth in time?
Read part 4 to find out!
Book Review:
Aoléon The Martian Girl: A Science Fiction and Fantasy Saga - Part 4: Illegal Aliens picks up where Part 3 left off. Gilbert and Aoleon go to the Space Academy to meet with Bizwat. They both realize that their parents are in jeopardy. Aoleon's parents are in prison, and an attack is being planned against Terra (Earth) which would jeopardize Gilbert's family. They have to move quickly to save their loved ones. With the help of Bizwat, they make a plan.
The action in this book is quick and exciting. Descriptions are vivid, and lively dialogue also helps move the story along.
Cerebrus is a frightening villain and foe in this book. Action is both described and shown in spectacular illustrations. I think any young reader would be captivated by the pictures in this book.
Part of the action takes place on Earth. It is interesting to see Lumion spies looking for milk in places like Nebraska farmland and the New Jersey Turnpike. It is also interesting to see the White House and military attempt to discover what is happening and try to intervene. There are more political overtones in this book than in previous parts of Aoleon's story.
I always find the differences in Martian life and Earth interesting in the Aoleon books. I was very taken with the description of chiron (animals big enough to ride), as well as the great illustrations of these animals.
As the characters have grown and matured over the series, the descriptions of their daily lives have too. For instance: "Aoleon hummed a strange and beautiful song that made Gilbert miss his home even more. Soon, they fell asleep from exhaustion. The next thing Gilbert knew, it was morning. Unlike Earth, where there is a predawn glow before sunrise, on Mars in a moonless sky, the transition from night to day is much more pronounced."
Details in the book continue to fascinate, like Kyrios's rock house, with rock tables and chairs and levitating platters of food and beverages.
The book moves briskly to an exciting cliffhanger. I believe that young readers will move along, too, and be eager to read the next installment in Aoleon's story.
Category: Middle-Grade, 139 pages
Genre: Science-fiction and Fantasy
Publisher: Aoléon Press
Release date: February 1, 2015
Available for review in: PDF
Will send books: Internationally
Tour dates: April
Content Rating: G
Book Description:
Aoleon and Gilbert have become the Luminon’s top priority in stopping the Martian resistance movement, and after being chased by the Royal Paladin Guard, they are forced to flee the Martian Megalopolis. Aoléon, Gilbert and Zoot escape with the help of Bizwat and his newly found friend, Helios, a first generation soldierbot.
After their saucer is destroyed, they crash land somewhere in the deep Martian desert, and they set out to locate Kyrios and the secret base where Aoleon’s parents are being held captive.
After battling the forces of nature, starvation, a Klyklon dust storm, (and not to mention a giant slor that almost swallows them alive), they finally make it to their destination. However, after Kyrios gives Gilbert some basic training to develop his budding psionic power, they learn that their journey is far from over.
Will Aoléon, Glbert, Bizwat, Helios, and Zoot be able to rescue Aoleon’s parents and stop the Martian invasion of Earth in time?
Read part 4 to find out!
Book Review:
Aoléon The Martian Girl: A Science Fiction and Fantasy Saga - Part 4: Illegal Aliens picks up where Part 3 left off. Gilbert and Aoleon go to the Space Academy to meet with Bizwat. They both realize that their parents are in jeopardy. Aoleon's parents are in prison, and an attack is being planned against Terra (Earth) which would jeopardize Gilbert's family. They have to move quickly to save their loved ones. With the help of Bizwat, they make a plan.
The action in this book is quick and exciting. Descriptions are vivid, and lively dialogue also helps move the story along.
Cerebrus is a frightening villain and foe in this book. Action is both described and shown in spectacular illustrations. I think any young reader would be captivated by the pictures in this book.
Part of the action takes place on Earth. It is interesting to see Lumion spies looking for milk in places like Nebraska farmland and the New Jersey Turnpike. It is also interesting to see the White House and military attempt to discover what is happening and try to intervene. There are more political overtones in this book than in previous parts of Aoleon's story.
I always find the differences in Martian life and Earth interesting in the Aoleon books. I was very taken with the description of chiron (animals big enough to ride), as well as the great illustrations of these animals.
As the characters have grown and matured over the series, the descriptions of their daily lives have too. For instance: "Aoleon hummed a strange and beautiful song that made Gilbert miss his home even more. Soon, they fell asleep from exhaustion. The next thing Gilbert knew, it was morning. Unlike Earth, where there is a predawn glow before sunrise, on Mars in a moonless sky, the transition from night to day is much more pronounced."
Details in the book continue to fascinate, like Kyrios's rock house, with rock tables and chairs and levitating platters of food and beverages.
The book moves briskly to an exciting cliffhanger. I believe that young readers will move along, too, and be eager to read the next installment in Aoleon's story.
Book Trailer:
Buy the Book:
Meet the
Author:
Mr. LeVasseur enjoys crafting good stories based on lovable characters designed to translate well to multiple media formats such as books, games, movies, and toys. He lives in New York when he is not commuting between Southern California and Olympus Mons, Mars. His hobbies include writing, 3D animation, musical composition, and intergalactic space travel. He also enjoys various sports such as skiing, running, and exospheric skydiving.
Connect with Brent: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Aoléon: The Martian Girl
Mr. LeVasseur enjoys crafting good stories based on lovable characters designed to translate well to multiple media formats such as books, games, movies, and toys. He lives in New York when he is not commuting between Southern California and Olympus Mons, Mars. His hobbies include writing, 3D animation, musical composition, and intergalactic space travel. He also enjoys various sports such as skiing, running, and exospheric skydiving.
Connect with Brent: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Aoléon: The Martian Girl
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Book Review: Mini Myths - Brush Your Hair, Medusa! and Make a Wish, Midas!
Title: Brush Your Hair, Medusa! (Mini Myths) | Author: Joan Holub | Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli | Publication Date: March 24, 2015 | Publisher: Abrams Appleseed | Pages: 24 | Recommended Ages: 1 to 3
Summary:
Medusa refuses to care for her hair, her long locks getting messier with each passing page. Her hair rebellion elicits frozen expressions of shock from her family, but nothing will convince Medusa to brush. Only her hairdresser approaches Medusa with bravery and scissors, successfully solving the problem . . . with a short haircut! All are pleased with this drastic yet adorable solution. Leslie Patricelli’s depictions of this physical comedy bring a lively visual narrative to Joan Holub’s expertly focused text. Includes a summary of the original Medusa’s Wild Hair myth at the end.
My Review:
I love mythology, and think Brush Your Hair, Medusa! is such a clever, inventive way to introduce mythology to very young children. Medusa in this story does not have hair twined with snakes; her hair is a tangle of long curls. Medusa is a cheerful, active child and she doesn't want to sit still to brush her hair. The best solution that her father and grandmother come up with is to cut her hair short so it will be easier to brush. Then there is the issue of brushing her teeth . . .
The storytelling in this book is clever and fun for a young child. I love the first two pages: "Medusa. Hairbrush." That sets up the storytelling in a way that will engage young readers.
The illustrations are exceptional - bright and colorful, sure to appeal to children. The construction of this board book is wonderful - very sturdy and exceptionally well-made.
I would recommend this book highly for a home library or for a preschool classroom.
Purchase “Brush Your Hair, Medusa!”
Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Book Depository| iTunes
Summary:
Midas wants everything to be his favorite color – yellow! He chooses yellow clothes, eats yellow foods, and uses only the yellow paint at his art easel. But when he impulsively paints his beloved green Dinoboo, Midas discovers that too much of a good thing is a big mess! Joan Holub’s carefully crafted text is brought to life by Leslie Patricelli’s famously humorous illustrations. Includes a summary of the original Midas’ Golden Touch myth at the end.
Review:
Make a Wish, Midas! is a fun introduction to mythology for very young children. The story begins simply: "Midas" (picture of Midas and his favorite toy). "Yellow" (picture of all the yellow things that Midas loves). When Midas paints his toy Dinaboo (a green dinosaur) yellow, he realizes that not everything needs to be his favorite color . . . and some things are best just the way they are.
The storytelling in this picture book is so lively and clever. Children will love to look at the pictures, and they will enjoy this as a read aloud.
The illustrations are colorful and fun; young readers are sure to respond to this book. This board book is unusually well made, sturdy and beautifully crafted.
This is a fun book with a great message . . . with a short version of the Midas myth on the last page of the book. I recommend Make a Wish, Midas! highly for young children.
Purchase “Make a Wish, Midas!”
Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Book Depository|iTunes
About the Author: Joan Holub
Website | Author Blog | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads |
I received these books from Mother Daughter Book Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Slayed on the Slopes
Welcome to my tour stop for Slayed on the Slopes by Kate Dyer-Seeley! This is the second book in the Pacific Northwest Mystery series. Slayed on the Slopes released March 31st by Kensington Publishing. The tour runs April 6- 17 with reviews, interviews, guest posts and excerpts. Check out the tour page for more information.
After talking her way into a job writing for Portland’s Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg Reed may now really be in over her head. Actually, about 8,000 feet over her head. . .
She’s at Mount Hood’s remote Silcox Hut, covering the seriously hardcore Ridge Rangers—Oregon’s elite high-altitude rescue team–during their four-day winter training. Sure, Meg beefed up her outdoor skills over the summer . . . but she’s still hoping to cover the event with some hot chocolate by the cheery fireplace. Then, during a sudden blizzard, she swears she hears gunshots. No one stranded in the hut believes her . . . until self-absorbed Ridge Ranger Ben Rogers is found outside in a pool of frozen blood. Meg’s now got to find this killer quickly . . . before cabin fever does them all in!
Praise For Scene Of The Climb
“A splendid overview of the greater Portland and Columbia River Gorge region, perfect for travel buffs. Her protagonist shows promise with her determined attitude and moxie.” –Library Journal
Includes Adventure Guides!
Don't miss out on the first book, Scene of the Climb, available now!
Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing. The first book in the series, Scene of the Climb, features the rugged landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge and a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme.
Her work has appeared in a variety of regional and international publications including: The Columbian, The Vancouver Voice, Seattle Backpacker, Portland Family Magazine, and Climbing Magazine.
Kate lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet—at all three.
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
Giveaway:
Winter warmer package- signed copy of Slayed on the Slopes, Signed copy of Scene of the Climb, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate Mix, Oregon Chai Tea, 1 Pound of Coffee and Collectable Mt. Hood art coaster (US)
Ends April 27, 2015
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
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