I will be featuring a different book in each of these posts until I have featured all 31 of my books. In this post the spotlight is on Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey, published in May of 2015.
This book is very special to my youngest grandson who was only 19 months old at the time. It is dedicated to him and his stuffed monkey. He never named his monkey and just calls him, Monkey. But for his story I decided to give Monkey a name – Marvin. My grandson, Sebastian, did approve of the name. After I had written Lamby the Lonely Lamb for my granddaughter, Leah, he requested that I do a story about his stuffed toy too. Thus, Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey was created.
In 2020 this book won a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award much to my delight and Sebastian’s. When his sister’s book, Lamby, won a Mom’s Choice Award he was excited for her but at the same time sad because his book had not won anything. He was quite happy to hear about the award when I called him.
Jemsbooks Children’s books are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Blurb:
When a little boy, Sebastian, goes to the zoo he meets Marvin the monkey. Sebastian loves monkeys and likes to watch them climb the trees. Something amazing happens when Sebastian’s toy phone suddenly plays music.
This is the perfect book for young children babies through Grade 1. It is colorfully illustrated, easy to understand in rhyme and with zoo animals that children love. It also carries important life lessons.
Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey – Sebastian teaches children how important it is to be kind to animals, that animals have feelings too like humans and deserve our respect.
I feel pure joy writing for children and hope with God’s help and blessing to continue to write many more fun adventures for children to read and enjoy. I do enjoy writing for MG/PT/YA and 18+ too!
Here are some reviews from Amazon:
Mrs.D.5.0 out of 5 stars No More Sad Monkeys! Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2018 What child doesn’t like a zoo, where there are so many animals and such fun? Let’s party, kids! This book will make you want to kick off your shoes and turn on the music! The rhyming lines flow smoothly; the colorful illustrations jump from the pages as they bring characters to life…
“Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey” is a fantastic children’s book written by a talented family team, Janice and John Spina. In trying not only to entertain, but also to educate children, the author teaches them the value of respect and love for animals.
Marvin is a sad monkey who never has fun. Day after day, he blankly stares at the people who come to see him. But when a little boy named Sebastian turns his toy phone on and the music starts playing, something magical happens. Suddenly, the zoo becomes a very happy place! Watching Sebastian dancing, Marvin is dancing too! Sad moments are gone. Love’s in the air as fun has begun!
This book is an excellent rhyming book for preschoolers and kindergartners. A trip to the zoo with Sebastian will let them discover how a little thoughtfulness can spread happiness and love around. Read this book! Dance like Marvin! Love like Sebastian! And have fun.
Werner Stejskal5.0 out of 5 stars Monkey business in the zoo Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2015 Do you want to know how a mobile phone ring will affect zoo animals? I am not giving it away! You will be amazed when you read this book. Let me suffice to say that your little person will be introduced to many different zoo animals. That in itself will be fun enough. But what are those animals doing? Guess! Nice monkey business, Janice!
Amazon Customer5.0 out of 5 stars Its amazing what fun music can bring into ones life Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2016Its a dance party! This book makes me want to turn on the music and dance around! Even without words, the illustrations in this book tell a story in themselves! Its amazing what fun music can bring into ones life 🙂 Thank you Janice for another fun book!
Sarah Reviews5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2015Another Gem by JemsBooks. “Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey” is an fun tale written by award-winning children’s author Janice Spina and illustrated by her talented husband, John Spina, that entertains children and teaches them the value of respect for others, including animals. Go along with Sebastian to the zoo and learn how his love and consideration for the monkeys spread happiness all around. Highly recommended.
A Preschool teacher told me that her children loved this book and she would recommend it to other teachers for their classrooms. Young children learn quickly and easily about being kind to others and animals when you read books with good values to them. They are like sponges. They soak up everything they hear about from books and from you. Take Sebastian home with you today to your young children. Watch the joy in their faces as they laugh and dance along with Sebastian, Marvin and the other zoo animals. You can join in for some fun too! Happy Reading! Thank you!
Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!
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Janice Spina aka J.E. Spina
Award-Winning Author
Jemsbooks for All Ages!
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This looks like a lovely book with a very important message.
Thank you Annabelle! 😘