Smorgasbord Bookshelf – Summer Book Fair 2022 – First in Series #Children’s – Brody Cody and the Stepmother from Outer Space by Toni Pike, Myrtle the Purple Turtle by Cynthia Reyes

Over the course of the next three months I will be sharing the authors who feature in the Smorgasbord Bookshelf with the books that I have reviewed and can personally recommend.

In this first part of the summer fair, I am sharing books that are the first in a series in both adult and children’s books along with one of their five star reviews. I hope that this will encourage you to enjoy the series in full. I will feature every author on the shelves by the end of the summer. I hope you will enjoy.

The first children’s book today that I can highly recommend is Brody Cody and the Stepmother from Outer Space by Toni Pike.

About the book

Brody Cody is almost eight years old and definitely, absolutely, positively does NOT want a mother. His mother died when he was a baby but life with his dad is just perfect.

Brody is horrified when his father goes away to a publishing conference and returns with a wife, Pandora Smith, who is a children’s author. His life spirals out of control as he is forced to eat healthy food, do his homework and help with some chores.

Even worse, he and his friends suspect that his new stepmother might be an alien from outer space.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Miriam Hurdle5.0 out of 5 stars Cute and Fun Story about Blended Family  Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2022

Brody Cody and the Stepmother from Outer Space is a funny story about a boy named Brody. His mother was hit by a bus and died when he was a baby, so he never knew his mother. He thinks he doesn’t need a mother because he doesn’t like rules. His dad doesn’t have any rules for him.

His dad goes to Melbourne for a conference, and he stays at his friend Kyle’s house. Kyle’s mother makes him clean up after himself. He is glad she is not his mother but listens to her. He and Kyle love to read books about aliens.

His dad comes back with his new stepmother. Within the first weeks, she tells Brody to eat healthy food and wear a helmet to ride the bike. He doesn’t like it but listens and does what she asks.

Brody discovers his stepmother Pandora has one blue eye and one green eye. She turns her face in orange color and wears funny clothes. He tells his friends that Pandora is an alien. Every year, his dad plans a big birthday party for him, but his year is quiet. He feels lonely. After school that day, he finds out that Pandora has arranged the biggest alien theme birthday party for him. For the first time, he gives a big hug to Pandora.

Toni Pike has created the fun characters in this book. Young readers can identify with the literature they read, the secrets friends keep for each other, and their fantasy about aliens. They can also identify the feeling of and build a relationship with a stepmother. I recommend this book to young readers. 

Head over to buy the book: USA – UK – Australia – Canada

Also by Toni Pike for children and adults

Connect to Toni: Buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Follow Toni:Goodreads – Website: Toni Pike – Twitter: @piketoni1

About Toni Pike

Toni Pike is a multi-genre author who enjoys writing exciting thrillers for adults, non-fiction, and hilarious books for children. She also loves travelling and being with family and friends. She lives in Australia and firmly believes that coffee and long walks are an essential part of any day.

Do you like books that you can’t stop reading? Pike is the author of DESOLATION BLUFF, DEAD DRY HEART and The Jotham Fletcher Mystery Thriller Series: THE MAGUS COVENANT, THE ROCK OF MAGUS, THE MAGUS EPIPHANY and HOLY SPEAR OF MAGUS.

The Brody Cody Series is for children aged 6-9: BRODY CODY AND THE STEPMOTHER FROM OUTER SPACE and BRODY CODY AND THE HAUNTED VACATION HOUSE.

She’s also the author of two non-fiction books. THE ONE WAY DIET is a no-nonsense guide to losing weight and coping with the journey. HAPPY TRAVELS 101 is a short book of travel tips with great advice for anyone who wants to travel overseas.

Now a beautifully written and illustrated children’s book the first in a lovely series that I can recommend Myrtle the Purple Turtle by Cynthia Reyes and illustrated by Jo Robinson.

About Myrtle the Purple Turtle

Myrtle is a lovely Turtle. Not an ordinary Turtle. She is Purple and different from other turtles. After being bullied by another turtle, Myrtle tries to become someone else. In the end, Myrtle and her friends help children learn to not be afraid of being different. Myrtle the Purple Turtle is a thoroughly engaging story that stresses the importance of self-acceptance and friendship.

One of the reviews for the book

D.L. Finn 5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent lesson to accept yourself and others for who they are.  Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020

I bought this for my youngest granddaughter for Christmas. I knew she’d love the bright illustrations and a story that involved a turtle. Before wrapping and placing it under the tree, I read it. I loved the message behind this story. A purple turtle wanted to be green like the rest of the turtles. This is an excellent lesson to accept yourself and others for who they are. I can’t wait to watch her open her gift so we can enjoy this wonderful story together. I highly recommend this young children’s book. 

Read all the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US and: Amazon UK

Also by Cynthia Reyes

About Cynthia Reyes

Cynthia Reyes, author of “Myrtle the Purple Turtle” series, “An Honest House” and “A Good Home” is also a regular contributor to Arabella Magazine, and has written non-fiction stories for anthologies, the Globe and Mail, Huffington Post, Toronto Star and Toronto Life. Cynthia, a former journalist and executive producer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, won the Children’s Broadcast Institute Award for her children’s TV programs.

More than a hundred episodes of her programs have appeared on network television. She has won national and international awards and acclaim for her work as a television producer, journalism trainer and project leader, including the Trailblazer Award and the Crystal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film and Television.

Cynthia Reyes, Buy: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Follow Cynthia : Goodreads – Website:Cynthia Reyes – Twitter: @CynthiaSReyes

 

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. thanks Sally.