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Deep Emotional Lessons
The Very Angry Toolbox follows a little boy who discovers a lonely toolbox in an industrial mart and learns about kindness and second chances when he sees past its gruff exterior. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Working in a store, repairing overhead intake/extract fans over a period of time, hearing people talking and saying unwelcoming things about earning money the wrong way, I came across a toolbox on a dusty shelf all alone. And just started talking to it like you do, and over a short while, I found a story in my head. That evening, I went home and wrote about my meeting in the store. Some years later, when I sold my business, I decided to write it into a story. Then I thought, maybe there are children out there who might like this story, and decided to self-publish the book.
The toolbox is one of the most memorable characters in the book. How did you create his personality?
The story came about due to the meeting in the store, and adding the tools was because the angry toolbox was not really nasty and wanted to help others.
What was the most fun part of bringing the tools to life as characters?
The most fun part about the tools was that they gave their own identity and purpose within the toolbox, allowing children to understand what each tool can do
If young readers remember only one thing from The Very Angry Toolbox, what would you most hope they take away about kindness, anger, and the power of giving someone a chance to become their best self?
What I would like for young readers to take from the book is its mix of rich narrative, deep emotional lessons, positive core values, and captivating visuals.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
The Very Angry Toolbox is a delightful story that is a must-have for all children’s bookshelves. This is the perfect book for discussing feelings and emotions and considering the impact that our feelings have on others.
The Very Angry Toolbox
The Very Angry Toolbox follows Leroy, a thoughtful eight-year-old who longs for a toolbox of his own so he can be like his hardworking dad and care for the special tools passed down by his grandfather. When Leroy discovers a lonely grey toolbox in an industrial mart, he sees past its shouting and grumpiness to the fear and sadness underneath. What begins as a story about anger slowly opens into one about kindness, second chances, teamwork, and the quiet pride of doing useful work well.
I found the heart of this book genuinely tender. I appreciated that Leroy isn’t written as perfect or overly saintly. He’s excited, unsure, disappointed, and even a little wary when the angry toolbox becomes his only real option. That hesitation made his compassion feel earned rather than automatic. The book has a lovely idea at its center: anger often comes from loneliness, fear, and feeling unwanted. I liked that the toolbox doesn’t magically become wonderful in one page. He has to practice being different. That’s a message children can actually understand, especially the children who feel big emotions before they know what to do with them.
The writing is earnest and full of detail, more chapter-book than picture book, with a steady, old-fashioned storytelling rhythm. I enjoyed the family warmth around Leroy, his dad, and his grandad, particularly the way tools become tied to memory, responsibility, and pride in craftsmanship. The later scenes with the international tools are playful and imaginative, though the book does ask young readers to sit with quite a lot of explanation. The artwork by Gemma Stanley gives the story a lot of charm. The toolbox’s expressive face, the bright character designs, and the little personalities given to the tools help soften the heavier moral moments. I especially liked how the illustrations make machinery feel friendly without losing the rough, workshop feeling of shelves, dust, screws, and old wood.
The Very Angry Toolbox is a sincere and quirky children’s book with a big emotional engine and a clear respect for patience, effort, and repair, both the practical kind and the personal kind. I’d recommend it for children who enjoy talking objects, tools, building, and hands-on work, and especially for families looking for a story that opens a gentle conversation about anger, kindness, and giving someone a chance to change.
Pages: 47 | ASIN : B09K4W67RN
Listening To Your Heart
Your Heart’s Voice follows a young girl who realizes that when she stops to listen to the voice in her heart and not act on her feelings alone, she makes better choices. What was the inspiration for your story?
Me using my intuition most of my life-and being flabbergasted that there were no children’s picture books written and published on intuition. I decided to write my own. After being a School Counselor for 10 years in NYC, and now a mom of 3, my intuition has guided to me make some of the most important decisions of my life, and I wanted to teach children how they can do the same. When we make good choices we feel good about ourselves-I realized then this was part of my adult life’s mission.
Teaching children self-awareness is a challenging task, and I feel your book has made that job easier for families. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I tried to simplify it-by writing about 3 typical life lessons that most children could relate to-putting your toys away before you leave a room, asking before taking other’s things and eating healthy. Jade learns that when she listens to that whisper in her heart telling her the right thing to do-she is making a good choice and is happy, but when she doesn’t listen to it she is not making a good choice and doesn’t feel great. When she listens to it-she decides to draw a picture of an angel for her uncle-this was a tribute to my late brother, as he tragically passed away in 2022, he was always a big influence in me completing this book, by not only dedicating it to him, but by adding him as a main character-I completed it 6 months after he passed, as I realized writing was therapeutic for me during my initial stages of grief.
What experience in your life has had the most significant impact on your writing?
The loss of my brother as stated above…he was a magnetic light that brought his contagious smile to everyone’s face who were lucky enough to know him.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes, I plan on writing 2 sequels to Jade’s developmental journey. One as a teen and one as a young adult-navigating through life’s journey by trying to make good choices by listening to her heart’s voice!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | Website
This book is a thoughtful approach to parenting to help assist your child to become intuitively aware, which helps create better choices or the right choice. This book will be a terrific addition to a school counselor’s library, any school teacher’s, as well as any parent or guardian of a child ages five and up.
Jade means “jewel of heaven,” “the stone of the heart.”
I hope you find your heart’s voice after reading this book.
Your Heart’s Voice
In Your Heart’s Voice, Renee Greene Murphy crafts a gentle yet resonant story about a young girl named Jade learning to trust her inner voice, her intuition. When Jade finishes playing in the den and wanders off to draw and color in another room, she’s met with frustration from her mother for leaving toys scattered across the floor. To Jade, it seems like an overreaction, after all, she’s busy creating a heartfelt picture for her beloved Uncle Robert. But a quiet sense within nudges her: she knows she should have cleaned up.
Later, when dinnertime rolls around and her mom serves meatballs again, Jade hesitates. She doesn’t want them. Yet once more, her heart speaks up, gently urging her to eat and appreciate her parents’ efforts. These small moments of conflict mirror the larger lesson: learning to discern between thoughts driven by impulse and actions guided by inner wisdom.
Does Jade learn to truly tune in to her heart’s voice? Can she grow from her mistakes and lean into her intuition more than her fleeting thoughts? These are the questions young readers will explore alongside her.
Murphy’s story beautifully illustrates the importance of listening to that quiet, internal compass that tells us right from wrong. For children, this book offers a powerful takeaway: the voice of intuition is steady, kind, and trustworthy, unlike the mind, which can be clouded by emotion or distraction. Readers will not only enjoy Jade’s journey but also reflect on their own daily choices through the lens of empathy and self-awareness.
The Illustrations throughout the pages provide soft, muted visuals that complement the story’s tone. Each full-page image is thoughtfully paired with the text, simple in execution yet effective in reinforcing the emotional landscape of the narrative.
Your Heart’s Voice is a tender and meaningful children’s book that encourages young readers to slow down, reflect, and make choices that align with their inner guidance. With its relatable protagonist and sincere message, this book is both educational and heartwarming, offering timeless wisdom for readers of all ages.
Pages: 26 | ASIN : B0CM4HJ9Y8
Oh, Tal! Not Today
Oh, Tal! Not Today by Tal Anderson is a beautifully illustrated and deeply resonant picture book that gently champions the importance of individuality and creativity. Written with sensitivity and charm, the story introduces readers to Tal, a child who, despite her quiet demeanor and unique approach to life, radiates imagination and independence. Accompanied by her ever-loyal cat, Winnie, Tal’s journey offers a touching reminder that there’s more than one way to navigate the world.
The narrative shines not only through its engaging storytelling but also in its ability to inspire reflection. Tal’s perspective invites readers, both children and adults, to appreciate differences and understand that what may seem unusual at first glance often carries a deeper, valuable purpose. Through the eyes of her loving parents, we witness a transformative arc as they come to realize the profound beauty in Tal’s individuality. The illustrations add a layer of magic, capturing the whimsy and vibrancy of Tal’s inner world while reinforcing the story’s themes of acceptance and love. I especially loved how Tal’s personality is portrayed through the smallest details, like her connection with her cat, Winifred. It reminded me of the small comforts we all cling to during rough days. This visual feast makes the book especially appealing to young readers, while parents and educators will appreciate its subtle but powerful message about empathy and open-mindedness.
Oh Tal! Not Today is more than just a story, it’s a celebration of being yourself and finding joy in doing things your own way. Heartfelt and uplifting, it’s a must-read for families and classrooms looking to nurture creativity, kindness, and understanding.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0DJCFRFH1
The Trouble With Bubble Gum
In The Trouble with Bubble Gum, author Shari Schwert crafts a charming tale that playfully addresses the timeless theme of a child’s adventurous disobedience. This story centers around a young boy, fixated on his delightful but excessive bubble gum chewing habit, despite his mother’s repeated warnings about its potential consequences.
Schwert’s narrative style is engaging and builds a subtle sense of anticipation. As the boy continues to disregard his mother’s advice, readers, led by the author’s hints, sense the looming trouble. This effective storytelling approach resonates particularly well in a children’s book, as it gently instills the value of heeding parental guidance. The boy’s journey to an inevitable sticky predicament serves as a light-hearted yet meaningful lesson about the importance of listening to one’s parents.
The visual appeal of the book is significantly enhanced by Mari Sebastian’s vivid illustrations. These colorful and lively images complement Schwert’s storytelling, bringing the narrative to life in a manner that is both entertaining and immersive. The artwork not only supports the story but enriches it, providing a visual delight that aligns seamlessly with the unfolding events.
My experience of reading The Trouble with Bubble Gum was one of amusement and delight. Schwert debuts in children’s literature with a tale that strikes a balance between fun and educational content. The book, with its engaging storyline and vibrant illustrations, is likely to captivate young readers and leave a lasting impression about the value of parental advice. This story comes highly recommended for its enjoyable narrative and the important message it conveys in an accessible and entertaining way.
Pages: 38 | ISBN : 978-1637556948
