Congratulations to 4RV Publishing's President Vivian Zabel for Cupid Awards Win!

 

Please join us in congratulating Vivian Zabel, President of 4RV Publishing, on her recent Cupid Awards win! The Cupid Awards are overseen by the Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild. Zabel's unpublished short story, "And the Winner is..." took the top honor in the Non-romance with Strong Romantic Plot category. 

To learn more about Vivian and her books, please visit her website at http://www.vivianzabel.website or her author page on the 4RV Publishing website at http://www.4rvpublishing.com/vivian-zabel.html

Review: Louie Finds A Friend by Vivian Zabel

 

Louie Finds A Friend (A Louie the Duck Story)

by Vivian Zabel, illustrated by Jeanne Conway

Review by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Louie is back with another story in Louie Finds A Friend by Vivian Zabel. 

Louie enjoys riding waves, but it is lonely without any friends. He plays with his cousins, but they don’t like riding waves. So, when Mr. and Mrs. Goose’s grandson, Gus, comes to live on their lake, Louie hopes Gus will like him even if he is different.

Zabel wrote the Louie the Duck stories for her grandchildren. Now, in published form, this adorable series shares the adventures of young Louie and his life on the lake. In Louie Finds A Friend, Gus comes to live with his grandparents and Louie is asked to be his friend. Louie is unsure if they will get along, especially because he likes to ride waves, unlike his cousins. What unfolds is a sweet story of friendship. 

Jeanne Conway provides the artwork for Louie Finds A Friend and the other books in the Louie the Duck series. Colorful and filled with tons of detail, these illustrations are the perfect complement to Zabel’s story. From rolling waves to sandy shores to yellow and orange skies as the sun sets on the cove, young readers will be enchanted and turn page after page. 

A charming story of making new friends awaits your young reader in Louie Finds A Friend.

Louie Finds A Friend and other books by Vivian Zabel are available at www.4rvpublishing.com and other online retailers. 

Review: A Baby Doll from Santy Claus by Vivian Zabel

 

A Baby Doll from Santy Claus

by Vivian Zabel, illustrated by Diane Brown

Review by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

A Baby Doll from Santy Claus by Vivian Zabel is wonderful story, set after World War II, about a young girl’s Christmas wish.

The war is over, and factories are making toys again. Ellouise’s parents take her to a store in San Antonio to tell Santa what she wants for Christmas. That’s when she spies a beautiful doll. But, how will Santy Claus bring her that baby doll if she is visiting her grandparents instead of staying home for the holidays?

Oh, my goodness, what a sweet, sweet story. Here is this young girl getting to visit Santa after the war is over. Can’t you just imagine how joyful a time that was for her? The author portrays such a time of excitement, which is further relayed by the colorful artwork from Diane Brown. Then, suddenly, all that excitement turns to worry as she wonders how it is possible Santy Claus will find her at her grandparents’ house. Zabel captures the true emotions of a child so well in this story.

If you are looking for a story about the wonder and excitement of Christmas, you will want to pick up A Baby Doll from Santy Claus. You will also find information about World War II, and readers will learn the inspiration behind the story. Truly a seasonal treasure.

A Baby Doll from Santy Claus and other books by Vivian Zabel can be found at http://www.4rvpublishing.com/vivian-zabel.html and other online retailers. 

Review: Where Did Panther Go? by Vivian Zabel

 

Where Did Panther Go?

by Vivian Zabel, illustrated by Carrie Salazar

Review by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Join along with Katie and Panther as that curious black kitty gets into all sorts of mischief.

One day, Uncle Chris brings Katie a new friend. Panther is a black kitten with mint-green eyes and a white spot on his tummy. They like to play games together, and Katie makes up a song when they play hide-and-seek that makes Panther jump out. But, one day, Panther is lost, and Katie fears he won’t be found. 

What a cute story! Where Did Panther Go? by Vivian Zabel is perfect for cat lovers of all ages. The first of Panther’s adventures, this series is sure to delight young readers. 

Artist Carrie Salazar provides the adorable artwork for Where Did Panther Go? That mint-green cover, the inside of Katie’s room, and Panther stretched out on the grass are some of my favorite images.

Zabel includes Panther’s Song lyrics, cat facts, and more! If you like cats or sweet stories, Where Did Panther Go? is the perfect choice.

Where Did Panther Go? and other books by Vivian Zabel can be found at http://www.4rvpublishing.com/vivian-zabel.html and other online retailers. 

Reviews: The Hatchling

 

TITLE:  THE HATCHLING
PUBLISHER:  4RV Publishing, January 2021
AUTHOR:  Vivian Zabel
ILLUSTRATOR:  Jeanne Conway
Reviewed by Karin Larson

    THE HATCHLING is a heart-warming story of two best friends, Louie Duck and Gus Goose, who go about their days playing, riding waves in the lake and enjoying each other’s company. But soon comes a surprise…Louie is going to be a big brother. How will this new sibling affect Louie and Gus?        
     THE HATCHLING explores the feelings involved in both the sibling relationship and the friendship bond in a heart-warming and relatable way all kids will understand without feeling a lesson is being taught. Ms. Zabel uses active and lively, at times alliterative, language which kids will love. Back matter sections with discussion questions and additional information about ducks compliment the text which kids and adults alike will enjoy. Ms. Conway’s illustrations are bright and fun and bring the characters and story to life. This story is perfect for kids ages 4-9 years of age.

     To learn more about Vivian Zabel or the other Louie the Duck stories (WAVE EXCITEMENT, LOUIE FINDS A FRIEND), visit https://www.4rvpublishing.com/vivian-zabel.html or www.vivianzabel.com.

    For more information about Jeanne Conway, visit https://www.jeanniespaintings.com.

 DISCLAIMER:  I received a hard copy of THE HATCHLING free of charge in return for my honest review. This review consists of my honest opinions, not influenced by anyone in any way. 

 

Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review
Reviewer Mamta Madhavan

    Louie Duck and Gus Goose waddled toward their sleeping area as the day ended. Louie was happy that they had fun. When the two birds reached Louie's nest, they saw Daddy Duck standing beside a
new circle of twigs, leaves, and feathers. Louie was curious to know why Daddy Duck and Momma Duck made a new nest. They showed Louie the large egg nestled in downy feathers. 

     Gus was worried if Louie and he would still be best friends when the egg hatched and Louie reassured him saying no hatchling would take his place as Louie's best friend. Grandma Goose came to them while they were playing one day and told Louie the egg was hatching. Louie and Gus were excited when the egg hatched. Louie had a little brother and they named him Quacker. Louie could not go anywhere without Quacker following him. Quacker had a lot of questions to ask Louie and Gus, and Louie complained to Daddy Duck about it. Daddy Duck told Louie he would take Quacker with him every afternoon so that Gus and Louie could have time for themselves. Would Quacker make new friends and stop asking so many questions?
 

    The Hatchling (A Louie the Duck Story) by Vivian Zabel is a beautiful story of sibling bonding and it is adorable to see how Louie finally accepts Quacker and feels proud of him. Jeanne Conway's
bright and colorful illustrations breathe life into the scenes and characters, making these palpable to young readers. The characters of Gus, Louie, and Quacker are adorable, real, and relatable and readers will be able to connect with them and their feelings. A lot of children will be able to relate to the story and the emotions and feelings of Louie and Gus. The book is good for use in classrooms and homes for storytelling and read-aloud sessions as it teaches children how to deal with their siblings.

Review: Burnt Offering

 

 

 

Burnt Offering by Vivian Zabel

Review by Connie Arnold

         Burnt Offering is a thoroughly researched and well-written book by author Vivian Zabel. It contains facts from the Old Testament describing the horrors of sacrificing babies and small children to a terrible burning idol during the reign of King Ahaz. These details are woven through the author’s imagination into a compelling story of people who are willing to risk everything to save those precious lives. It draws the reader in with excitement, suspense, action and romance, and I highly recommend it.

 

           Copies of Burnt Offering and other books by Vivian Zabel can be found at
http://4rvpublishing.com/vivian-zabel.html, from bookstores, and from other online stores.