This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This is Maria Ashworth's second children's book. When she is not writing she volunteers as President for the Maud Marks Library Friends Board in Katy Texas, as well as a Member-At-Large for the Friends of the Harris County Library. She’s a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Some of Ms. Ashworth’s picture books and middle grade novels manuscripts have been nominated as finalists in several contests. She’s published a handful of short stories through contests and a women’s anthology.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Author Maria Ashworth deftly weaves colors, counting, and animals into My Big Tree. A bluebird has found a place to nest in the Big Tree and slowly many other animals follow her there. The little bluebird finds it crowded and tries moving out. But she finds it lonely in the new tree and she realizes the importance of being surrounded by friends and family, and also the importance of community living. This story of friendship and living together is uplifting and conveys a good concept and message to young readers.
The book connects on different levels with readers. It teaches them counting, it introduces them to new animals and the sounds made by the animals, it shows them new colors and, most important, teaches them the value of friends and community living. It's a good bedtime storybook for parents and grandparents to read to kids. It can also be used for interactive sessions in classrooms and school libraries as it makes counting look easy. The illustrations are adorable. They capture the essence and mood of the story beautifully, making it palpable for readers.
Books like this are excellent for children as they understand a concept or a message more easily when it is narrated with the help of a story and illustrations. The message that 'the grass in not always greener on the other side' is good for young readers to learn, and the story also highlights the need for friends and family in everyone's life.
