Happy Holidays From The Begonia House!

We'll be on break to spend time with friends and family. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. See you in 2017! ~ DMS

 Here's Frosty the Snowman for your listening pleasure. 

Fun to sing along. We made our own version too!

Ruby Begonia was a mystery they say. 

With her wild red hair and bright green eyes, 
she was lost on her wedding day.

Ruby Begonia may be sneaking 'round the way.

You won't see her, though she'll let you know, 
she'll be back again one day. 

Clackety, clack, clack. Clackety, clack, clack. 
Where does Ruby go?

Clackety, clack, clack. Clackety, clack, clack.  

Read the book to know. :)

MERRY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL THE CHARACTERS AT THE BEGONIA HOUSE!

Here's where we been in December, revealing the paperback and sharing secrets with our friends around the book block. Thanks for celebrating Fairday's 1st book birthday with us!

Thursday 12/22: Mystery, Magic & Mayhem
Mystery post ;)

Monday 12/19: Paper Dragons 

Co-Author Collaboration by Stephanie & Jess

Thursday 12/15: Sandra's Blog
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Monday 12/12: Mama Diaries 
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Wednesday 12/7: Write Stuff
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Monday 12/5: The Story of A Writer
The Process of Publishing a Book

Thursday 12/1: Carry Us Off Books
Cover reveal & Story Blurb 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Frost in the Air...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Friday, we'll be keeping it cool with a frosty treat! See you all around the book block. ; )

A magic hat hopped away, a fairytale is what they say. Children danced with Christmas snow, putting on quite a show. Finders keepers, they ran away; the snow was sure to melt one day! A man in blue hollered "STOP!"; spinning 'round like a top. Not believing his own eyes, they paraded past to his surprise. Of course, a magician owned that hat, and he was a sneaky rat. Tried to take back his prize, greed sparkling in his eyes. Red poinsettias marked the spot where it became much too hot. A girl wept for her friend, thinking it the bitter end. BUT, magic has its own way and will come another day. 

What am I referring to? Answer: Frosty the Snowman!

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats 

Here is where we've been this December spreading the news about the paperback cover:

Thursday 12/22: Mystery, Magic & Mayhem
Mystery post ;)

Monday 12/19: Paper Dragons 

Co-Author Collaboration by Stephanie & Jess

Thursday 12/15: Sandra's Blog
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Monday 12/12: Mama Diaries 
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Wednesday 12/7: Write Stuff
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Monday 12/5: The Story of A Writer
The Process of Publishing a Book

Thursday 12/1: Carry Us Off Books
Cover reveal & Story Blurb 

Monday's Riddle: Snow On The Go...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? We're keeping it chilly, so he'll stick around. ; ) ~ F

A magic hat hopped away, a fairytale is what they say. Children danced with Christmas snow, putting on quite a show. Finders keepers, they ran away; the snow was sure to melt one day! A man in blue hollered "STOP!"; spinning 'round like a top. Not believing his own eyes, they paraded past to his surprise. Of course, a magician owned that hat, and he was a sneaky rat. Tried to take back his prize, greed sparkling in his eyes. Red poinsettias marked the spot where it became much too hot. A girl wept for her friend, thinking it the bitter end. BUT, magic has its own way and will come another day. 

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer!

I gave you a clue!

Here is where we've been so far this December spreading the news about the paperback cover:

Monday 12/19: Paper Dragons 

Co-Author Collaboration by Stephanie & Jess

Thursday 12/15: Sandra's Blog
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Monday 12/12: Mama Diaries 
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Wednesday 12/7: Write Stuff
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Monday 12/5: The Story of A Writer
The Process of Publishing a Book

Thursday 12/1: Carry Us Off Books
Cover reveal & Story Blurb 

Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky

In 1942 twelve year old Tomi Itano and her family work on their strawberry farm in California. She loves the way the red berries look against the white clouds and blue sky because it reminds her of the flag. She is a second generation Japanese American and couldn’t be more proud to be an American. When Tomi walks to town with her younger brother she is surprised to see a sign in a window proclaiming that Japanese are not allowed. She and her brothers were born in America, and they don’t even speak Japanese. Her father is suspected of being a spy and is taken away in handcuffs, and the fear in her heart becomes very real. Soon Tomi’s mother is selling all their belongings except a few things they will take with them when the government relocates them. Where are they going? They aren’t sure, but they eventually end up in an internment camp with other Japanese families they don’t know in Colorado. Tomi works to have a good attitude and helps her mom make their new home feel a little better. As time stretches on and the family is forced to live in poor conditions apart from the rest of the country, it's harder to be positive. Tomi is confused by the way they're treated and becomes bitter. Will Tomi see her father again? How long with the Itanos and other families need to stay in the internment camp? Will things ever get better? You’ll have to read this book to find out how things turn out for Tomi and her family.

Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky by Sandra Dallas is a wonderful historical fiction book about a family who will tug at your heart. I could relate to Tomi and I felt sad for her when her life changed. I can’t imagine having to go through something like that, and not knowing if her life would ever go back to normal must have been terrifying. I would recommend this book to kids in fourth grade and up who enjoy learning about history. I think a lot of people know about World War II, but so many kids, and I am sure some adults, do not know much about internment camps. We get to see what life was like for a typical family who was forced out of their home and had to live under government supervision. I found myself hoping that good things would come their way and was impressed with their perseverance. We can all learn a lot from history and it is a reminder not to judge people or treat them differently because of their background. I look forward to reading more books about this time in history.

Has anyone else read Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky? Or have you read another book by Sandra Dallas? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading! ~L

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Sky's the Limit!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Friday, Lizzy's review will make it all clear. See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

A celestial dome scattered blue, like an umbrella over you. From such heights, planets and moons; lower still, rainbows loom. Particles swing through matter and space, in and out at your pace. Up is where it's said to be, this is what you shall see.

What am I referring to? Answer: Blue Sky!

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats 





Here is where we've been so far this December spreading the news about the paperback cover:

Thursday 12/15: Sandra's Blog
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Monday 12/12: Mama Diaries 
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Wednesday 12/7: Write Stuff
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Monday 12/5: The Story of A Writer
The Process of Publishing a Book

Thursday 12/1: Carry Us Off Books
Cover reveal & Story Blurb 

Monday's Riddle: What's Up?

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? The story goes, when this color, you can count on a fair day. ; ) ~ F

A celestial dome scattered blue, like an umbrella over you. From such heights, planets and moons; lower still, rainbows loom. Particles swing through matter and space, in and out at your pace. Up is where it's said to be, this is what you shall see.

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer! 

I gave you a clue!

Here is where we've been so far this December spreading the news about the paperback cover:

Monday 12/12: Mama Diaries 
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Wednesday 12/7: Write Stuff
Writing Advice from Stephanie & Jess 

Monday 12/5: The Story of A Writer
The Process of Publishing a Book

Thursday 12/1: Carry Us Off Books
Cover reveal & Story Blurb