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The Surf Kidz Riding Waves
The Surf Kidz: Riding Waves, written by Kim Ann and illustrated by Naomi Anidi, is a lively, fast-moving, and emotionally resonant chapter book that immerses readers in a world shaped by salt air, rolling waves, and the intensity of childhood friendships. From the opening pages, the story carries readers straight into the ocean alongside Maya, Oliver, and Jack, better known as the Surf Kidz, three lifelong friends who have grown up on surfboards and in the water. Surfing defines who they are. Life, however, demands more than waves alone. School responsibilities, family pressure, and an escalating rivalry test their balance and resolve. When a high-stakes surfing competition is announced, the Surf Kidz finally have a chance to prove themselves, particularly against rivals determined to undermine them at every opportunity.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its accessibility and relatability for its intended audience. The language feels natural and engaging, allowing young readers to connect easily with the characters and move through the story with confidence. Short, well-structured chapters maintain a strong sense of momentum, making the book especially welcoming for readers who are new to chapter books. Naomi Anidi’s illustrations appear throughout the text, adding visual energy and emotional depth. Surf sessions feel dynamic. School scenes feel familiar. Rival encounters carry real tension.
Beyond the action on the waves, the story thoughtfully explores challenges many children face in their own lives. Maya’s struggle to juggle academic expectations with her passion for surfing feels grounded and believable. Pressure comes from multiple directions, creating conflict without feeling exaggerated. At the heart of the story is the friendship between Maya, Oliver, and Jack. Their bond anchors every chapter. They study together. They train together. They support one another through disappointment and doubt. Time and again, they demonstrate what it means to stand united when confronted with rivalry or bullying. The message is clear and powerful: teamwork, loyalty, and encouragement matter, both in competition and beyond it.
The rivalry with the Wave Warriors adds excitement while never overpowering the book’s positive core. Conflict serves a purpose. It challenges the Surf Kidz to stay focused, confident, and compassionate, even when faced with negativity. The story builds steadily toward a thrilling conclusion and closes on a cliffhanger that leaves readers eager for more, inviting them to imagine what lies ahead as they await the next installment.
The Surf Kidz: Riding Waves encourages young readers to chase what they love, stand by their friends, and believe in their own abilities. It may even inspire them to try something new, whether that means catching a wave or finding the courage to ride through challenges of their own.
Pages: 52 | ISBN: 978-1-953774-56-9
Ten Little Axolotls
Ten Little Axolotls is a simple counting picture book that follows a group of tiny lake-dwelling creatures as they wiggle, hide, hunt, drift, and play through their moonlit world. Each page adds another axolotl with its own small trait. Some are bashful, and some are sneaky, and some are wild at heart. The book moves like a soft lullaby with repeating rhythms that guide young readers from one number to the next.
The writing has a gentle rhyme that reminds me of bedtime stories I loved as a kid. The lines feel cozy. The rhymes are enchanting and give the book a handmade charm. The images have this soft glow with what looked like hand-drawn art on each page. I kept smiling at the tiny quirks of each axolotl. Each one was so cute on the page and I’m sure children will love looking at them as parents read this story to them. I also liked how the rhyming story slips in facts about their colors and habits without sounding like a lesson. It feels playful and light.
The book drifts from one description to the next, which is pleasant. The sense of calm and the watery world kept pulling me in, and I felt oddly relaxed as I read. There is something soothing about watching these creatures wiggle through their day and night.
I would recommend Ten Little Axolotls to very young children and to adults who love reading gentle nature-themed children’s books aloud. It works well for bedtime. It works well for early counting practice. It will especially charm kids who enjoy animals that feel a little magical.
Pages: 31 | ASIN : B0FTV74XHH
