The Journey Home

Title: The Journey Home

Author & Illustrator: Emma Levey

Publisher: Sky Pony Press, March 2017

Pages: 32

Genre: picture book (ages 3-6)

Obtained: from publisher in exchange for an honest review



     This is the second book in the Hattie Peck series.  In Hattie Peck, since Hattie is not able to lay her own eggs, she travels the world looking for abandoned eggs (not all bird eggs) and hatches them.  The Journey Home continues the story of Hattie Peck.  She has raised all these diverse children and it is time for them to "leave the nest".  She goes on a journey to return them home.  At the end, she is alone for the first time for their collective birthday and all the children surprise her by returning home with a gift for her.
     I just love the illustrations in this book.  They are all bright colors, cheerful, and busy.  The animals are adorable.  These are pictures that families can look at again and again, talking about the details.
     The story is heartwarming and teaches about diversity, family, adoption, and love.  There are some difficult words for those that are 3 to 6 years old (examples: elements, chaotic, hatchling), but the writing is not complicated and is brief.  A parent can easily explain any new words in this book to children without them getting overwhelmed, making a good opportunity to teach new vocabulary.
     The Journey Home can be read alone, but I recommend reading both touching stories to your child.



                                                                    




Company: Joy's Teaspoon                                 

Tea: Mahalo

Obtained: purchased









     Joy's Teaspoon, located in Las Vegas, Nevada offers over 70 loose leaf teas and brewing accessories.  The company is involved in the green initiative and does its part in making sure workers involved in the production of their teas are paid fairly and have access to things such as medical care and education.
     I purchased the Top Teas Sampler Pack.  It came in a nice box that could easily be gift wrapped.  There were 10 small, good quality tins inside.  Each tin makes at least 2 cups of tea.
    The Mahalo tea is a green tea blended with pineapple cubes, mango cubes, flavoring, safflower, and sunflower blossoms.  The leaves in my tin were long and green.  There were some smaller red and yellow leaves mixed in along with small chunks of fruit.  The scent of the leaves was of sweet tropical fruit.  I put one teaspoon of leaves in my tea pot and poured 8 ounces of water that had been boiled over the leaves.  I let this steep for 2 minutes.  The liquid was a pretty yellow and the scent was almost nonexistent, but I could detect a very faint tropical fruit aroma.  I was surprised at this because the scent of the leaves had been so strong.  The light taste was a delicious blend of tropical fruit and green tea with the pineapple standing out.  There was a very pleasant mild sweetness to it.
     This is a smooth, refreshing tea.  The website states this is an excellent thirst quencher in hot summer months.  I bet it is!  This is definitely one to try if you are looking for something tropical.