A magical adventure in gratitude & dance

Frankie, lives with Auntie Duke on Anorac Island in the middle of the sparkling sea. It’s Frankie’s birthday and the stories of a magic feather that grants one birthday wish to whoever finds it (but only on their birthday) sparks Frankie’s determination. She's going to find it. Rumors say the magic feather it is hidden in the east, and Frankie sets out to claim her wish to become a famous dancer.

Before Frankie steps out on her journey. Auntie Duke who wished on the feather when she was Frankie’s age, shares a word of advice. “First, use your mind, body, and imagination as you wander in the wonder. Second ask for help along the way. And third, keep an open mind. Things are not always as they seem.”

During Frankie’s quest for the feather, each of these themes unfold in teachable moments and include a Dance-It-Out level that offers dance-inspired movements. Kids, caretakers, and teachers can copy these pictured activities which encourage participation. They are designed by an award-winning ballet teacher, Ballerina Konora, to develop body awareness and movement knowledge while enhancing the story on a new level.

Frankie’s Wish: A Wander in the Wonder is an interactive story about a child’s quest to find the magic blue feather which can make a birthday wish come true. Written by award-winning mother daughter team (One Upon a Dance) with 4-7-year-olds in mind, this upbeat story unfolds into a journey in movement and learning to believe in yourself. Frankie meets up with a dinosaur, gorilla, and an eagle to help her along on her quest. These creatures are not scary, but unusual tools used to get across concepts of gratitude, asking for help, friendship, and self-affirmation. It’s a fun read on more than one level. I recommend this charming book for early readers interested in dance, gymnastics, or yoga, and those who enjoy a fun uplifting story with rhyming riddles to figure out. The authors have done a fine job creating a main character most kids can relate to and a story adults will enjoy sharing with children they know. I give it 5 stars.

As BookHookup, I am a long-time book reviewer and I received Frankie's Wish as a free review copy and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. This review is posted in collaboration with #Blackberry Book Tours. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

 About the Authors

Once Upon a Dance is an award-winning mother-daughter collaboration.

Ballerina Konora climbed the ballet ladder to pro, and she’s thrilled to be living her dreams dancing with Ballet Idaho. Along the way, she danced iconic roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cinderella.

Teacher Terrel taught dance for decades and was honored by her City Council for “embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community” for her work with young dancers. She’s breathed ballet from every angle and worked in early childhood education, for non-profits supporting kids, and as a university English teacher as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Once Upon a Dance 2021/2022 Awards: Mom’s Choice Gold Award, Family Choice Award, Royal Dragonfly First Place, PenCraft Award First Place, Firebird First Place, Pinnacle: Best Book Juvenile Fiction, Independent Press Award Winner, International Impact Book Award Winner, Outstanding Creator Awards Winner, Readers Favorite Certified Great Read, Indie’s Today 5-Star Recommended, The Wishing Shelf 5-Star, Literary Titan 5-Star Award.

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Actionable product launch lists to guide through the process

Product Launch Checklist: A step-by-step guide to preparing and launching products in the 21st Century, by Dominic Frúges, delivers what the title promises. Frúges brings a lifetime of experience to actionable product launch lists to guide people through the process. The first couple of chapters provide  background and credentials that reveal the depth of knowledge and real life experience this book offers. Subsequent chapters provide detailed bulleted checklists written in a tech-manual style offering clear direction with no unnecessary fluff.

Along with the original project launch checklist, following chapters delve deeper with complementary lists designed to help accomplish the objectives of the project launch list. For instance, the chapter on the Product Launch Agreement offers the necessary steps to put together the agreement, and following “The New Marketing” chapter are chapters on digital marketing, target audience, key marketing points, market research, and more, each with their unique checklist.
The index and layout of the book make it easy to find the topic you’re looking for and distills the information you need into an ordered list of what to do, often with notes as to why, along with helpful resources to expand your knowledge or help accomplish the goal. While the author concludes by saying the book “will never be an all-inclusive lists of steps that launch a product, because of changes in process, technology, and project management,” it is so well organized and comprehensive that it is a relevant resource to keep handy.

I award this book 5 stars. It is easy to navigate and provides a plethora of pertinent information. I recommend Product Launch Check List to anyone with a product launch on the horizon for business or even as a product entrepreneur. In fact, as a writer with another book due out early next year, I found helpful ideas to use for a book launch.

 
As Book Hookup, I am a longtime book reviewer, and I received a free review copy of this book and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. This review is posted in collaboration with BookTasters. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

About Author Dominic Frúges

Dominic J. Frúges authored "The Product Launch Checklist" to help people learn how to organize and work through a product or brand launch. He is a retired Consultant, who worked as a Strategist, Innovator, Executive for Entrepreneurs, Small & Mid-Size, and Enterprise businesses. A thought leader who uses strategic, market, and situational analysis to assess strengths or areas for improvement. Expert at developing value propositions, strategic messaging, features & benefits that position products. B2B, B2C, High Tech, Services marketing, and sales experience. Product Launch Expert who has worked on 13 product launches or solution launches from inception to full release. That includes one B2C brand launch that brought in $500,000 for the firm. In April 2019, Mr. Fruges was a Guest Lecturer at Rutgers Business School for “Waterfall vs. Agile-Scrum Project Management.”

Learn more about Dom Frúges at his LinkedIn Profile including samples of his work: LinkedIn Profile

Mr. Frúges holds or has held the following certifications and degrees:

• MBA – Rutgers University

• CloudMASTER® Certificate – NJIT University

• Mini-MBA in Digital Marketing – Rutgers University

• Scrum Product Owner – Scrum Study

• Scaled Scrum Product Owner – Scrum Study

• Adaptive Lean Six Sigma Essential – AptoLean, LLC.