5 Things I Love About Books Podcast

John Kremer

5 Things I Love About Books is focused on great books, wonderful authors, incredible writing, and more. It is designed for book authors, book readers, booksellers, and anyone else who loves books. We love books! We love authors! We love readers! ilovebooks.substack.com

  1. 08/13/2024

    I Love Books Recommends Who Is Driving Your Bus?

    In this fast-paced story, Niko imagines that his emotions are like passengers getting on and off a bus all day. As he takes on his role as a bus attendant and starts to seat passengers, chaos ensues when he doesn't stop and think about who he lets drive his bus. Kids are drawn to the fun illustrations and the humorous story that shows it’s okay to experience and feel all their emotions throughout the day. But kids, like adults, need to be in control of who is driving their bus. Children and their parents have a lot to learn from this short, wonderful book that will empower them to use self-regulation skills to manage their emotions in healthy ways. Who is driving your bus today? This minute? It’s your choice to make! Why You Should Feature This Book Here are just a few reasons readers will want to buy Who Is Driving Your Bus? and a great bookstore will want to stock the book: Who Is Driving Your Bus? is a fast-paced, funny, engaging children’s book that teaches children how to easily handle their emotions every day. Children will ask to read (or be read to) the book every day. If you loved bestselling books like A Little Spot of Anger, What Should Danny Do?, The Color Monster, Ninja Life Hacks, and In My Heart, you’ll love Who Is Driving Your Bus? Children can connect to the bus driver principle. One child, for instance, who had difficulty regulating his frustration, was inspired by the bus driver image. He said, “I guess I need a better bus driver!” The author can bring along plush dolls to illustrate some of the emotions kids experience every day. These dolls set the basis for interactive presentations by the author at schools, bookstores, libraries, and other events. Parents and children are attracted to book and plush combos that encourage children to act out their feelings revealed by engaging stories. “The book’s colorful and fun illustrations are a significant part of its appeal, capturing the energy and personality of each emotion.” — American Writing Award Book and Author Details Who Is Driving Your Bus? Shannon Sonnenberg, author Birdie Rook, illustrator 22 pages, 8.5 x 8.5 inches ISBN: 9781645386841, paperback, $9.99 ISBN: 9781645387657, hardcover, $15.99 Publication date: June 18, 2024 Publisher: Orange Hat Publishing Book website: https://www.orangehatpublishing.com/product-page/who-is-driving-your-bus Publisher’s phone: 414-207-6637 or 414-212-5477 Author website: https://www.instagram.com/shannon_sonnenberg Author email: ssonnenbe10@alumni.uwosh.edu About the Author Shannon Sonnenberg-Pietila is an American children's book author. She also writes collections of poetry for adults. Shannon believes that through reading and writing, we can experience every emotion and every color in the human palette. Shannon, a master of arts, is a special education teacher for students whom she adores. She lives in Wisconsin with the people and pets she loves most in the universe: her husband Todd, son Jeff, Corgi Buddy, and their rescue cats (Mitzy, Abigail, and Kitty). She writes to help understand the world around her. Birdie Rock, the illustrator, graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. After graduating, she realized she missed the Wisconsin snow, so she moved back to her childhood home. She hopes to keep making art and stories for kids of all ages. How to Order the Book You can order Who Is Driving Your Bus? from Ingram or Orange Hat Publishing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ilovebooks.substack.com

    5 min
  2. 02/01/2024

    I Love Books Recommends: Aether Sphere: Fading Dreams

    Once magic and science had been fused together by the Artificers, a guild of technicians who were cast out from the empire they had fought so hard to protect. They had created wondrous machines that defied explanation. As this forgotten technology sparks back to life, sinister figures from the dark past also resurface. With no one left with the knowledge of these fantastical machines, who will be able to stop the chaos they unleash? And who is operating them? Slade and his young companions find themselves in the middle of a race to find answers, as members of the diabolical Withered Hand lurk through town looking for answers to ancient secrets. The long awaited saga, Aether Sphere, begins here! Here are just a few reasons readers will want to buy Aether Sphere: Fading Dreams and a great bookstore will want to stock the book: If you loved The Golden Compass, Inkheart, Peter and the Starcatchers, or The Aeronaut’s Windlass, you’ll love Aether Sphere. Gideon Hodge, aka Nikolas Baxter, has a history of supporting his books with media appearances, podcast interviews, and bookstore events. Gideon is always seeking new spaces to distribute his stories. He enjoys engaging children and young adults as well as adults with live readings, writing workshops, and other community activities to inspire others to buy and read more books. The author actually raced into a burning building to save the manuscript for this book. Read all about it here: https://www.insideedition.com/18805-stranger-than-fiction-man-sprints-into-burning-home-to-rescue-laptop-with-novel-on-it. And watch it, too! “As a father and advocate for children's literacy, I strive to create stories that will engage, educate, and inspire kids to make reading a part of their regular activities.” — Gideon Hodge Whether your interests lie in biblical monsters roaming the modern era or discovering a new world and the limits of your own potential, Gideon has wonderful tales to share with you. “This is a book to devour! Then read it again to savor all the rich detail! I’m impatiently awaiting the next book in the series!” — Aimee Ackerman About the Book Aether Sphere: Fading Dreams Nikolas Baxter, author (Gideon Hodge) 375 pages, softcover, 5 x 8 inches ISBN: 978-1-088043530 Retail Price: $12.99 paperback Publication date: December 2020 Publisher: Ingram Spark Author website: https://www.gideonhodge.com Author email: gideonhodge@gmail.com Author phone: 504-222-8475 About the Author Gideon Hodge, aka Nikolas Baxter, has been a writer and entertainer for most of his life. Traveling the United States in theatrical productions and film, he has enjoyed working with other creators and bringing joy to audiences. This brought him into writing for stage and screen and, ultimately, into writing novels. Gideon loves delving into the realms of myth, fairy tale, magic, and imagination. He grew up exploring the spooky haunted houses and forests of Ohio. In college, he studied at Loyola University in New Orleans, where he got to learn about the esoteric from local practitioners, scholars, and historians. He was also active in the New Orleans theatre and film scene for a number of years, getting to work with a lot of wonderful people. Gideon works to bring his love of history, myth, folk lore, and other strange and wonderful old stories to the page in fun and interesting ways. When not studying, writing, or performing, he loves spending time with the friends and loved ones he has met along the way. Order Aether Sphere: Fading Dreams from Ingram. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ilovebooks.substack.com

    4 min
  3. 08/17/2023

    I Love Books Recommends: Explore Vancouver Washington

    Explore Vancouver Washington showcases little-known destinations across the river from Portland that only insiders know about but visit time and time again. Discover secrets, best tips and inside knowledge to make visiting or even moving to Vancouver the best decision ever. Besides the top 10 must-see attractions in Vancouver and the 10 do-not-miss stops in Clark County, discover breath-taking hidden spots along the river plus amazing historic sites that will deepen your appreciation of Vancouver’s contribution to Pacific Northwest history. Gather a friend and visit Downtown, Uptown and surrounding areas to discover fun places for daytime and nighttime activities. Mark your calendar to attend popular fests, fairs, and festivals. Put on your walking shoes to stroll through Vancouver’s 90 beautiful parks, 20 natural areas, and spectacular riverside pathways. Get on your bike to travel near and far along bike paths and routes through the city and beyond. Caffeine reigns in Vancouver, the #2 Coffee City in the country according to the 2019 ApartmentGuide. Here are just a few reasons readers will want to buy Explore Vancouver Washington and a great bookstore will want to stock the book: Discover the first Vancouver, the one that scored so many firsts in Washington and the Pacific Northwest: first barley crop, first brews, first grapes, first wine, and the first U.S. military presence in the Pacific Northwest. If you love perusing Baedeker's, Bucket Lists, Fodor's, Moon, DK Eyewitness, Lonely Planet, or Frommer's, you’ll love this local explorer travel guide. Vancouver is one of the only cities in the United States that boasts a popular national historic reserve just steps from the center of the city! Explore Vancouver Washington has an incredible audience of vacationers, local people looking for things to do, event planners, hotel guests, school children, senior activity directors, real estate agents, and newcomers to the city! Vancouver is part of Clark County, the second largest county by population (more than 480,000 people!) in Washington state. It’s also part of the Portland/Vancouver metro area with 2.2 million potential book buyers! “We have had so much fun exploring Vancouver with this book! Who knew after living here since the 90’s there was so much history to discover. There is something for everyone in this book. Definitely fun seeing this side of Vancouver. I will be giving this to my clients as I think it will be such a valuable resource for newcomers and even long-time residents.“ — PNW Jen About the Book Explore Vancouver Washington: Discover the Best Things to See, Do and Experience Patty Grasher, author 160 pages, softcover, 6 x 9 inches ISBN: 979-8218013431 Retail Price: $19.95 paperback Publication date: February 2023 Publisher: Turtle Place Books Book website: https://www.usavancouver.com Author website: https://www.pattygrasher.com Author email: pat@usavancouver.com Author phone: 360-949-0829 About the Author Patty Grasher has lived many lives, from a country girl in upstate Washington to a sailor with tours in Iceland, Germany, Florida, and California to a cloistered nun in a small Catholic monastery to getting married and living in an almost normal life in Vancouver, Washington. In the past, she has managed a 24-hour AM radio station, created the internet’s most popular Catholic e-card site, wrote a number of Catholic bestsellers, blogged for the Seattle Times, and hosted websites, blogging sites, and ecommerce stores. She knows how to promote! Patty helps visitors, newcomers, and residents of Vancouver, Washington, find fun and exciting things to do in Clark County. She is the author of the new guidebook, Explore Vancouver Washington, and host of the upcoming radio program, NW Book Talk, with KXRW. Order Explore Vancouver Washington from Ingram Books, Turtle Place Books, or the Fort Vancouver Bookstore This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ilovebooks.substack.com

    5 min

About

5 Things I Love About Books is focused on great books, wonderful authors, incredible writing, and more. It is designed for book authors, book readers, booksellers, and anyone else who loves books. We love books! We love authors! We love readers! ilovebooks.substack.com