Gina Rae Mitchell

Bentley and the Magic Sticks by Claire Eckard | Children’s Book Review

A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.

Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me the information for this tour.

Book Details

Bentley and the Magic Sticks by Claire Eckard
Series: Bentley #1
Published by Mill City Press on March 8, 2021
Genres: Animals, Fiction, Children's, Friendship, Humorous, Self-Esteem, Pets
Format: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 38

Bentley and the Magic Sticks follows this extra-large canine as he finds out that his favorite sticks have magical powers, thanks to a wonderful Fairy Dogmother called Tia!

Because other dogs are afraid of his large size, Bentley has no one to play with. However, with his magic sticks, he manages to make new friends and he also discovers the special secret of why he is so big.

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Source: iRead Book Tours, Received from the author or publisher for review.

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Purchase Links for Bentley and the Magic Sticks

Amazon     Amazon UK     BookShop/IndieBound

Barnes & Noble       iTunes     The Book Depository

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My thoughts on Bentley and the Magic Sticks

This delightful children’s book is full of subtle reminders of the importance of self-esteem. It also shows children that everyone has trouble making friends sometimes, and people can be hurtful without meaning to. Perseverance and patience are the keys to solving problems.

The illustrations by Anne York are beautiful and bring the tale to life.

The pace is perfect for young children to follow along and even practice their reading skills. A Fairy Dogmother is just the whimsical touch to hook your readers.

The best part about this story is that my youngest two grandsons absolutely love Bentley. I can’t wait for the next Bentley story to be published so we can read it together.

I recommend this book to all parents of young children, daycares, preschools, and libraries.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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An interview with award-winning author Claire Eckard

Tell us about your first published book? What was the journey like?

Well, Bentley and the Magic Sticks is the first book I had published! I wrote another book first, Geribo,
The Shelter Cat, but just because of the pace of illustrating and production Bentley came out a couple of
months earlier.

I feel that the journey has been challenging but extremely interesting and rewarding. I
have had to navigate through a lot of areas I am not used to, even though I am a business owner and
have also done some songwriting. Book writing and publishing have been a whole new area to explore,
but so far, I am loving it!

 

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I draw a lot of inspiration from animals. I have had animals most of my life, and I feel so fortunate for
each and every one of them. I connect most to dogs and my horses, but we have had cats, guinea
pigs, rabbits, iguana’s, tortoises, mules, you name it.

I think that it is very natural to connect children and animals in my books because each has such a capacity to love and to learn from each other. Children find it easy to relate to animals. I have seen this in Bentley and the Magic Sticks, where kids can relate to being different and struggling with friendships. This helps them connect to the character and grow with him. Bentley becomes their friend, and they want to see him happy.

 

So, you have two books currently published. What’s next for you?

Quite a lot! I have a second Bentley book that is currently being illustrated by Anne York, the same
illustrator who did the first one. I am talking to shelter educators to see what we can do for a second
Geribo book that will continue Geribo’s story but also keeps pushing education and awareness of animal
shelters and the value of adoption, and then I have a new series for middle graders and young adults
that is a coming-of-age story set against the background of endurance riding, which is a long-distance
horseback riding sport.

I am really enjoying challenging myself as a writer, so I like to advance, push, try new things. There are few more things in the works, but they won’t be out until 2022.

 

It sounds like you are busy! How do you fit writing into your daily life?

I get up early! I’ve found a pretty good routine for myself where I get up before five, write for a couple
of hours, jump on my Peleton and get some exercise in, then I get on with my day, whatever that may
look like.

I try and have two or three days a week where I focus on writing and marketing my books, but the other days I hike, ride my horse, work in my business office for my husband’s commercial construction company, and run all the errands I need to do.

I am busy but happy to be so. I also find time for my two granddaughters. I pick them up from school once a week, and we do girl stuff. They are the ones who made me think of writing children’s books in the first place!

 

What is the most exciting thing that has happened for you in your writing career?

Well, I hope the best is yet to come! But it has been really exciting to see Bentley starting to gain some
traction. We have received several five-star reviews in the past few weeks. We are a Certified Great
Read from Reading with Your Kids, and most recently, Bentley won the globally recognized Mom’s
Choice Award honoring excellence.

I am so proud and thrilled that Bentley is being received so well by the industry, and most importantly, by all the kids who have fallen in love with him!

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Giveaway!

Enter to win a signed copy of BENTLEY AND THE MAGIC STICKS! (one winner/USA only)(ends July 23)

Bentley and the Magic Sticks Book Tour Giveaway

Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!

June 21 – Cover Lover Book Review
June 22 – Jazzy Book Reviews
June 23 – Rockin’ Book Reviews
June 23 – @twilight_reader
June 24 – A Mama’s Corner of the World
June 25 – Writer with Wanderlust
June 28 – The Bespectacled Mother
June 29 – Lisa Everyday Reads
June 30 – Laura’s Interests
June 30 – Literary Flits
July 1 – icefairy’s Treasure Chest
July 2 – Cheryl’s Book Nook
July 6 – Pick a Good Book
July 7 – Reading is My Passion
July 8 – Pause for Tales
July 8 – Gina Rae Mitchell
July 9 – Lisa’s Reading
July 12 – Bound 4 Escape
July 13 – Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting
July 14 – Sandra’s Book Club
July 15 – Splashes of Joy
July 16 – Kam’s Place

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Purchase Bentley and the Magic Sticks online from a local book store.

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Amazon Easy Purchase Links

Bentley and the Magic Stick...Shop on Amazon Hardcover US Bentley and the Magic Stick...Shop on Amazon Paperback US Bentley and the Magic Stick...Shop on Amazon Kindle US

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Lemar and her Magical Pets by Nesrine Sleiman

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