Mr. Sunnyside: Imagination... Reviewed!

 

The Read: When it comes to Mr. Sunnyside: Imagination's story, it's simple enough... you have an only child by the name of Tommy who's bored out of his mind. He's up early in the morning with tons of energy to go around, and he wants to have fun before breakfast. The issue Tommy is having is that he can't go outside to play (due to the weather) and... he's bored with the toys he has.

He then get's an unexpected visit from an imaginary character by the name of Mr. Sunnyside, and if you haven't realized it by now, he's an egg. After their introduction, Mr. Sunnyside gets things crackin' by taking Tommy on a little adventure into his imagination.

The Flow: The flow of the book feels pretty good, and the author did tap into imagination and take Tommy on an adventure with his skateboard... the book gets no complaints there. However, one thing I would've loved to see is them do more with the toys that were mentioned, create some sort of adventure that included more of the toys or they could've had it broken up to where various experiences were showcased with different toys. There were some toys shown and mentioned but that was the extent of it for them.

That said... it still flows well and it's actually a well rounded book that can actually get your child interested in utilizing their own imagination. 

My Daughter's Reaction: I read this to my daughter for the first time a few days before this review, and she's asked about the book everyday since then. In other words... I've read the book to my daughter everyday since then. 

The first day we talked about imaginary friends, and she wanted to create a new imaginary friend. I also participated in creating one, it was awesome and she enjoyed the experience.

The second day I wanted her to imagine that we were also flying like Tommy & Mr. Sunnyside... and she was definitely game to take flight. 

The third day I asked her about some of the different ways she uses her imagination (I know about most of them) and it was cool to have her talk about some of them. She's 4 years old, and she always grabs my attention when I hear her discuss various things she came up with. 

So overall, my daughter's reaction to the book was positive.

The Price: You get 28 story-focused pages in this book with about 14 of those pages being illustrations. Paperback is $11.95, Hardcover is $16.79, and the Kindle version is $4.95 (before credits). The price is almost in that sweet spot, but it's not far off... so no serious complaints here.

The Read 4

The Flow 5

My Daughter's Reaction 5

Price 4

4.5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Leveling Up: How to Master the Game of Life... Reviewed!

Before I get started, shout out to Page Two Books for supplying a review copy of Leveling Up!

The Read: Leveling Up isn't a book you're expected to sit down and just... read. This book is all about using your love of gaming in order to help you apply that passion to your life in the real world.

By the way, Eric Siu is a well-known World of Warcraft + Everquest champion who's doing his thing in business. In this book he opened up on how he started off as a major slacker with no idea of what his future would hold. All he knew is that he had a love for gaming and he put his all into it before realizing that he could use that hunger... elsewhere. 

Today, he has a weekly podcast also called Leveling Up, a podcast called Marketing School, marketing... agency, a company called ClickFlow, and he's also an author (duh of the day). He has some other things tucked in there to keep him busy also, but... if it's true that he started off as a slacker (teetering on the line of flunking out of school) before taking this path... Eric leveled up in a big way.

I applaud that because even though I love love love gaming, I can't dump every waking moment in a game... and neither can you or life would fall apart elsewhere. This is why a certain episode of the Blu + You Podcast was done last year (check it out below... after the review). 

Leveling Up, replaces chapters with levels to keep you in a gamer's state of mind. There are a total of 15 levels for you to take on, unlocking one after another + a bonus if you pay attention. The book is laid out in an easy-to-read format that starts off with a bang... brought to you by Howard Marks, the founder of... Activision.

Smart way to open things up, but outside of the opening fireworks... I'm going to let you know whether Eric Siu's book is actually practical or not.

The Flow: Each level of the book is structured around a certain topic, like level 1's "Newbie Struggles", where Eric opens up about himself and his struggles as a noob. He talks about challenges in education, food, love, competition, his parents, and so on. What I appreciate about this... is the fact that it takes him from a potential pedestal that the reader may place him on and brings Eric down to the level the reader may be on. This helps with the journey because he's been there and done that at each level.

Outside of Level 1, you have the following levels:

Level 2: Your Mission

Level 3: Mindset

Level 4: Get Reading

Level 5: Routines

Level 6: Apprentice Mentality

Level 7: Grit

Level 8: Alchemy

Level 9: Teamwork

Level 10: Medications

Level 11: Focus

Level 12: Endurance

Level 13: Thievery

Level 14: Repetition

Level 15: Playing the Game of Life

+ Acknowledgments & the... Tomb of Knowledge

This book flows well. Even if a quest doesn't feel like the next step following a previous quest, the flow is smooth and it feels like the levels are building blocks as you prepare for... Level 15.

The Practicality: Like other levels, you wrap level 1 up with a... quest. It helps you begin a healthy habit when it comes to something other than gaming. It doesn't just leave it there, it gives you a quest deadline also. Level 1's quest has a 1 week deadline, which helps to get the ball rolling and dishes out a dose of time management in a sense (because you're made aware of the clock... if you take the book seriously). 

This quest can be accomplished with ease, even for the people who don't believe in themselves.

You aren't just feeling around in the dark with the quests either, you're given examples of what to do in order to get the job done via the quest challenges.

Tip: Use a digital and/or paper calendar. I'd even go as far as recommending that you set up a day-by-day reminder in order to make sure that you don't forget the commitment you made to your quest.

Speaking of feeling around in the dark, don't feel overwhelmed when it comes to this book. Eric asks you questions and explains those questions to help you come out of your shell as far as recognizing your purpose... even if it you don't think its possible. You may find that you're trying to pour more into an answer than you need to... because you were made aware of something that you can take the reigns of.

You're going to get that positive talk that a good friend would give in a certain level... in order to put you up on game. You know the friend that knows your potential, but you may not listen to them because... they may be in your position? He takes that and goes into greater detail while challenges you to write down things like strengths and weaknesses to create something you can use as an annual upgrade checklist (to an extent). It's interesting, and... I think it's practical (for real for real) if you aren't stubborn.

There are some levels in there that will present more of a challenge than others, like the Dive Deep quest... but it gives you the breakdown. You just have to be willing to keep chugging along with it and rely on your calendar (in my opinion) because it will be like an assistant reminding you to make it do what it do... in the name of your quest.

I presented as much as I could without giving up the guy's book in greater detail, and it's safe to say that... you will level up if you apply this book and take it seriously. Don't skip levels to avoid doing something (even the arguments and counter-arguments) because it has its benefits.

So if you're questioning where your life is going, this type of book could help you get a clearer perspective. Parents could even get a book like this for teens because if they're knocking on the door of adulthood, it doesn't hurt to prepare.

The Price: Pricewise... Leveling Up: How to Master the Game of Life, comes in at $19.99... which is a solid price for this self-help book. It's practical, and you can get the ball rolling immediately. You aren't just learning the ropes of getting your life together on a small scale, Eric is actually breaking down some highly useful information that those of you with business aspirations can use from the ground floor to that climb to management and... even owner.

The Read 5

The Flow 5

The Practicality 5

The Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Gaming becomes harmful when...

The Monster Catchers... Reviewed!

This one is for the bookworms... and the not so bookworms in search of an adventurous read.

I know that there haven't been a ton of books reviewed on SDGT... and that's because they don't all have the right oomph to make sense here. This book on the other hand... fits right in, and if reading must be done... doesn't hurt to be a good read.

The Monster Catchers is a fast paced read about a father & son duo. Bailey and his dad, Dougie, are monster catchers for hire... but on the surface they're nothing more than the owners of a weird souvenir shop for tourists.

Yes folks, Buckleby & Son's Very Strange Souvenirs is the place where you can obtain things like fake whaleblubber and other odd knick knacks, but... it's also the place where you can find solutions to your pesky monster problems.

Bailey Buckleby is a mature 7th grader and hunter with expert Frisbee skills... and the guts to back them up. The 12 year old bumps heads with his dad over a book titled "In the shadow of Monsters" written by another monster hunter... he admires. His dad... not so much.

Dougie Buckleby is Bailey's dad, a seasoned heavyset hunter... focused on being a lucrative monster hunter and taking care of his son. He tries to protect Bailey from the clear and present dangers while in the field, but also from the pain he deals with surrounding the loss of his wife (Katrina who has been gone for about six and a half years). This adds another layer of depth to their relationship. Though he may be stern, Bailey knows he means well and wants the best for him.

Going back to the author of "In the shadow of Monsters"... Dougie doesn't care for him at all, and it stems from their opposing views and what also appears to be a bit of jealousy over the fact that Bailey relies on that book... sometimes a little more than his dad.

Their story takes place in a fictional location known as Whale Fat Beach, California. You might be thinking "What type of name is that for a city?"... but the name came from a giant whale drifting ashore and exploding. Inside the whale there were fifty people still alive, they made a meal out of the whale fat (which became a staple food in the area). The citizens are also known as whalefatians... just in case you were wondering.

This book doesn't give you a chance to be bored. Right off the bat... you're reeled right into the story as you get a taste of how bad ass the youngest protagonist is. I wasn't reading the book wondering when something would go down... I was wondering what was going to happen next.

One thing I would've loved to have seen (as an artist) is more illustrations. A lack of art doesn't take away from the story... but it would've been a plus for me, the cover art definitely catches my eye and made me excited for more. Even if the images for the start of each chapter were different... that would've been enough, so it sucked to see the same image recycled chapter to chapter.

I like the way this story keeps a level of normalcy by maintaining real world concerns in the mix. Here you have a world with Goblins, Fairies, Ghouls (oh my)... and Baily still has to concern himself with school work. I get that the author wants it to seem like just a normal life for Baily and his dad but... I wouldn't give a crap about school if these things were knowingly out there.

One challenge I see that the father and son duo are faced with is their outlook. This goes back to the monster hunter and writer of Bailey's favorite book as well as an antagonist by the name of Axel Pazuzu. Bailey is part of the family biz so he has to march to the decisions of his father.

Hunting and selling monsters is the base of this business, so you will read how things unfold with the question of "Is it right?". The tug of war with this question is a challenge because Bailey's stubborn dad is trying to run a business that wouldn't exist if he didn't catch monsters. I won't spoil the book, but it's a solid cohesive read with a nice twist that leaves the door open to a future installment.

It's not one that leaves you feeling like this story is incomplete... but it does excite me that this story feels like its just the beginning (it had better be, because there is plenty of room to continue with a future installment). I would love to see a movie one day.

You get 277 pages of monster catching action for $16.99... which had me engaged from beginning to end (especially after reading Chapter 5). I was gearing up for adventure on a local level, but Chapter 5 really expanded the scope for me. The price is cool... even if $14.99 feels a bit more solid to me.

Overall, this is a nice read for those who seek something outside of the ordinary... to get their attention. The Monster Catchers is a fun read, and the author doesn't drag out the story (the way a lot of soap opera's do... not that I watch those). I was caught up in the action and suspense in no time... and George Brewington pulls no punches.

Fun fact: George Brewington writes four days out of the week, and... works as a respiratory therapist at a hospital the other three days of the week. He also has a wife and baby. I mention this because you never know what you can do with the time you have... if you really apply yourself. 

Check out the book @ www.GeorgeBrewington.com

Engaging 5

Artwork 3

Cohesiveness 5

Price 4

4.25 out of 5 Cool Points

Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co!

Your Light: A Musical Storybook... reviewed!

Sometimes we venture off the main path into left field, and today is one of those times as I review Jillian Aversa's... Your Light: A Musical Storybook. This one is for the parents (and parents to be).

Your Light: A Musical Storybook, is a pleasant bedtime story with the goal of parents, grandparents, and caretakers... bonding with the children in their lives.

It contains a musical element to enhance the experience... but since "Musical Storybook" isn't part of the title... I didn't realize that. Before getting into the details about the book I jumped in so that I wasn't anticipating anything presented in the package beyond the actual book. I immediately picked up on the lyrics. I was thinking, "It's written as if you can sing it", and... that's because it's a song.

The book showcases a baby bunny being put to bed before traveling off on an adventure in dreamland where it pursues a fallen star. There's a fork in the road where it must decide which way to go in order to continue, but it gains courage from the love and support given by mom and dad.

I won't give away the whole book, but I think its a good reminder to our children that we're there... and its a good reminder to parents of why it's valuable to be there (and speak words of encouragement). It's just nice.

I can picture the illustrations by Marina Lezcano being animated for the purpose of a music video.

The sound of the song is just as pleasant as the book, and could definitely be a nice read + listening experience for you and your little one before hitting the pillow. I've read and listened to it with my daughter for about a week and... she seems to enjoy (especially the bunnies). She will be 2 years old soon, so the added opportunity to be able to bond with her more... made this review special.

I plan to add this book to her nightly routine for the long haul because the message of the song is beautiful and its something awesome for her to experience with both my Wife and I. I probably won't be singing it anytime soon, but... to each their own.

The illustrations are delivered in a soft watercolor from start to finish, and definitely help set the tone for bedtime. I was ready to dive into my bed afterward... and actually did on two occasions this week.

Your Light: A Musical Storybook is available in paperback and ebook via Amazon. One thing I'd love to see is a board book version because once Clementine gets her hands on a book... it's bound to be ripped. I keep the paperback books out of reach now, but she has full access to the board books. So that's something for the Author to consider.

Speaking of the author, if Jillian Aversa's name sounds familiar... that's because she's a busy woman contributing her award-winning vocals to film, video games, etc. She's also a mom, so she wanted to use her talents to create a memorable experience for parents to share with their children.

The paperback version is $9.99 which is about average from my experience, but you also get the song. The eBook version is $3.99... which is sweet, but... I prefer the paperback version because the light could tempt Clemi to remain awake longer than necessary.

Overall, Your Light: A Musical Storybook is a bonding experience worth capitalizing on. At times we get too busy to just sit down and invest in some serious one on one quality time with our children... and it's super crucial that it's done. Many of us can look back on our own childhoods and wish there were more opportunities we could've had with our parents... so why not give that to your kids?

Story 5

Illustrations 5

Quality 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

Get the book and download the song at www.YourLightBook.com

Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co!

The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide... Reviewed!

The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide... will get you moving in the right direction in more ways than one.

This book is a great character booster for RPG gaming kits and should increase your interest in the actual game. It takes your character backstory to the next level by way of giving you a guide to follow when it comes to developing the life of your character. You even have idioms.

Based on where your character's level is, there are various tasks ranging between 1 - 5... like winning a bar fight. Levels 6 - 10... includes a scenario like Unseat a corrupt governor. Levels 11 - 15 includes... having your actions declared miraculous, etc. There are other things to do in these levels, but... you get the idea.

It's not only for your main character either... you also have your companions that have their experiences, personalities, and actions that affect other members of the party + situation. There is a situation involving a character losing something valuable, you decide on how they lost it (based on your experience with them). Did they lose it out of carelessness, robbed, etc.

You can even classify your villains. There are a hundred narratives in this book to fill the blanks on, prompts, and more... so you should be pleased if this is your sort of thing. (It goes beyond that for me.) There are so many things in this 272-page guide to flesh out a world, your characters, and more... which brings me to another reason I am doing a review. There are developers looking for ways to create characters for games, writers looking for ways to develop characters for books, and even scripts for shows and movies. I think this book is one heck of a tool to help with that because you aren't just coming up with a character with a vague backstory... this book has the right amount of depth to help you develop intriguing characters without them being... cookie cutter.

You don't have to necessarily follow the scenarios in the book either, but they're helpful. So while it benefits fans of (tabletop) RPGs by adding some oomph to their RPG experience, it can work wonders for character development in your own projects. Think about it... put you through the paces to really know these characters so they can benefit you in other ways.

It comes in paperback like I have... + an eBook. I recommend paperback to those of you who like to play tabletop RPGs while roughing it on a camping trip or something where electricity is used at a minimum. Some of you just prefer paperback... and that works too (I'm in a similar boat, I won't read eBooks as often). This will run you $14.99 on the publisher's website, while the eBook comes in at $10.99. I haven't used the eBook version, but it would be cool if they had active buttons to press based on your decisions made (not saying it does or does not, but it would be cool if it does).

Overall, I think this is a really cool book for those of you that enjoy RPG kits, but... I think its also a great tool for (aspiring) character developers. The price is right for either use, but... if you can get dual use of it it, that's even better... which is why I thought to share the idea.

Usefulness 5

Quality 5

Depth 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co!