Rebecca Hill

Itzel is looking for the giant snake. Through the stories that have been passed down, it was said the giant snake would bring rain - and Itzel and her grandmother are desperately needing water for their crops.

As she navigates looking for the giant snake, she meets other animals along the way, and the Ocelot joins her on her journey.

This story was amazing. I truly love reading stories from different cultures, and I look forward to reading this one with my kids - introducing them into another culture as well. Easy to read and understand!

If you enjoy a good ghost story, then you are going to enjoy the stories that are in this collection! While none of these gave me chills, I enjoyed the read, and discovering a few new stories along the way! If you read most books, you will find some of the same stories again and again, but I was pleasantly surprised to find several that I had never heard of in this collection.

Hands down a fabulous read, and one that I look forward to adding to my in-home library. Ghost story perfection and the notes from the author make it even better! Grab this one now!

If you have kids that are interested in history or archaeology - this is the perfect book!
Walk through the stages of setting up an archaeological dig, how they are properly conducted, and what happens as archaeologists begin working through the gridded areas.

I enjoyed reading through this book, and getting a little history as well! Perfectly balanced and great for kids who have a growing interest in the past!

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a sea otter? Laurence Pringle walks you through the daily activities, grooming, dangers, and more that the sea otter faces.

This book is great for kids who are interested in sea life, and also for the avid reader who wants to get their feet wet and learn a bit more - this book gives you the best information, without making you feel rushed or out of your depth.

Fabulous and informative!

There are so many aspects of war, and the navy is just one part of it. There are times when having a strong navy comes in handy - and this was evident during the first world war.

With the added benefit of having first-hand accounts, this book pulls together the battle for the seas perfectly! For those that love naval warfare, you are in for a sure-fire treat with this book!

I truly enjoyed reading through this one, as it not only satisfied the history lover in me but gave me a better understanding of the naval powers in World War I. Having done a lot of research into naval warfare in WWII, it was nice to see and connect the dots on advancements and needed advancements that were targeted, the difference in how battles were conducted, and how the powers that be did their best to dominate the seas.

This book is perfect for the military history lover in your life, and a perfect addition to any home library!

This was a fun and interesting read! I truly enjoyed this one. For those who are interested in history, this is one book that you are going to want to check out - and find an adventure that is going to be out of the ordinary!

Discover a different style of history - and join these young adventurers as they search for the Ark of the Covenant. This book is compelling and intriguing! You are not going to be disappointed with this book at all!

If you enjoy stitching, then you are going to LOVE this book!!! I found some great little stitches that are quick, and easy to pull together! Whether you want one piece or are putting together an entire motif, then this book has you covered!

I did one of the stitches, and it took me only a few hours! The book has a great breakdown for those that are new to stitching, but for those who have been stitching for a while, then you can dive right into the patterns!

We take chocolate for granted today - many of us do not stop to think that it was not as widely accepted in the past. The Aztecs had a delicious hot chocolate recipe that they made, and Marco, the Chocolate King, has learned this recipe - and sold it widely in Spain before they were forced to leave. When they made it to France, they found it was very hard to make a living by selling chocolate, that is, until Benjamin has an accident and stumbles out in front of the French king!!

With royal patronage, the family soon has enough money to buy more beans, and also add new spices to their drinks, to add new flavors. What a great end to a messy accident!

This was a cute read, and I loved the history that was included as well. If you love hot chocolate, then you are going to want to try the recipe that is shared in the book (it is delicious, and we enjoyed it here at home). Grab this fun book and share a little history in the guise of a cute story!

If you enjoy stitching, then you are going to LOVE this book!!! I found some great little stitches that are quick, and easy to pull together! Whether you want one piece or are putting together an entire motif, then this book has you covered!

I did one of the stitches, and it took me only a few hours! The book has a great breakdown for those that are new to stitching, but for those who have been stitching for a while, then you can dive right into the patterns!

This book has a great concept, and looks like it could be a great use! I was hoping to try a couple of the patterns, but unfortunately, the e-copy that was provided did not show the pattern, so there was no way to test to see how the worked out.

The images and short blurb about each of the signs are interesting, and for those who enjoy embroidery, it should be a fun project for you! I would like to see a final version of this one, and how the patterns are laid out!

Review coming later

Captivating History brings another section of history to a fabulous new level. I loved reading through this book, and finding some different pieces of history that I had forgotten.
Roman history is full of great tidbits, from the rise of the emperors, to the entanglements of Cleopatra and Caesar and Mark Antony.

This book has a great layout, and so many ways to break it down and learn the history. In each section, there is a quiz to reinforce what was read during the last piece. This is perfect for teachers who want to use it in a classroom setting.

I really enjoyed how this book was laid out and followed it from its beginnings through the Byzantium era - talking about different challenges each section of the Roman empire faced.

The Mayan civilization is one of those that continues to amaze historians and archaeologists - they were far more advanced than first thought.
Their writing system was highly complex, leading many to think that they were just decorative images at first - but once the code was cracked, we have been able to learn more about this civilization.
Captivating History brings the Maya back to life, sharing the myths, legends, and history in a way that many can understand and appreciate.
The Spanish decimated the Mayan civilization, on their search for treasure, and while some survived, you can see their lineage in descendants alive today.
I loved this book! I have always been fascinated by the Maya, and this book was just amazing on so many levels. I am looking forward to what else Captivating History has to offer!

Wow! Just wow! I was blown away by this book! I sat reading through the different accounts, the people involved, and the many different areas that were covered. The mental imagery alone was amazing, but the art that is included in this book just blows you away.

I absolutely loved this read! The American Revolution is one of my favorite periods anyway, but seeing the art and the raw emotion in some of the paintings, drove it home that much more for me.

A must read for those who love military history! You will be hooked from the first page!

Review coming soon

There are so many things about ancient Japan that I didn't know - and oh my goodness, I learned a lot through this book!
I really enjoyed reading through this book and learning about the first empresses, finding out about the writing evolvement in Japan, and how the many different areas of the country evolved into what we know as Japan today.
Each chapter has a challenge at the end, making sure that you understand what was in the chapter - and I really appreciate that. I love that I can use this with my kids as we are reading through, gaging their comprehension.

I highly recommend this book! I really have enjoyed every book by Captivating History that I have read, and they always bring something new to the table, helping me understanding things that I might not have known before.
Teachers - if you are looking for great books for your classroom, check these out!

When Martin is told that his family is moving, he is crushed. He has loved spending time by the river near his house. It is his favorite place to be.
When they go to the city to see what it will be like, Martin is not excited about many of the new attractions. He misses the river, and the many animals that are there. When they go to the city park, he notices a stream running through it, and he is excited to find a new place to call his own.

Cute, little story! I enjoyed reading through this one -a nd the heartwarming ending of finding a new river to spend time at - even in the midst of a busy city!

Get a new take on the history of Jolly Ol' St. Nick!

Dive into this magical book and weave through the myths and tales of Saint Nicholas, the real reason he gives gifts, and so much more!

I read this one out loud to my boys, and we LOVED it!! Super cute, and engaging!

I have loved sharks for ages, and this book just reinforced so many areas! Get lost in this book full of shark facts from birth, to mating, and their daily lives.
My son is also interested in sharks, and we read through this one together.
We loved the photos that were included, and the different facts (true and false statements) that were discussed throughout the book!
For those that love marine life, this is a great book for you!

I love paranormal and ghostly lore, but I had never read any from Japan. The lore and ghost stories from this country are beyond anything I have ever read before!
Get lost in the ancient world of Japan, and these ghostly tales of terror - and maybe have a nightmare or two!

Absolutely one of the best books I have read this year! I would love to find more from Japan and their paranormal/ghostly haunts!

I had no idea there were so many haunted locations in Snohomish! I lived in Washington state for a while, but many of these places where never mentioned!!

I enjoyed the stories and the little bits of history that were shared through the pages - and look forward to checking some of these places out when I visit there in the future!

LOVED this book! It has a great breakdown of volcano activity - and is perfect for kids of all ages - (seriously, I may use some of this information in my geography course when I discuss volcanoes). But I loved how the author broke down the material - it's easy to understand, the images give a great visual guide to the text, and there are breakdowns of actual volcanoes that have erupted over history.

100% would buy this book!

The animal kingdom is full of some amazing creatures - and the colors that they portray are just as fascinating.

I loved reading through this book and learning more about some the animals, the way they use their coloring, and how it can work - or be their downfall (in certain situations).

Fabulous and engaging! Perfect for kids who enjoy animals of all types!

Oh goodness! What an adorable little read!! The images and colors are so vibrant, jumping out at you from the screen (electronic copy), and the book itself - well, without the sun, where would we be!?

This is a great book to share with preschool classes - allowing the imagination go to work.
What would you do if you were the sun?

I really appreciated this book! As someone who enjoys military history, we often forget about some of the animals that take part in these military affairs.

What an enjoyable read, and one that I highly recommend! Great job all around, and a book that will keep you interested!