Blog Archives

Strategy, Focus, and Concentration

Sharon Smith-Terry Author Interview

Readora From BookTropolis is an engaging alphabet book for young readers that presents each sports-related letter through haiku-style verses framed by the tale of Readora, a reading superhero. What drew you to using haiku-style verses for each sport?

I have been writing poetry since childhood. Haiku is a style of written communication that allows a person to say a lot with few words. Kids have short attention spans, so telling a story or teaching lesson plans in short rhythmic form is an easier and more fun approach to reaching them rather than straight conversation. Plus, an impactful or sensible haiku statement (poetry/rap) is easy to remember. Also, my voice is Readora’s voice in the readings.

Do you have a personal favorite sport featured in the book?

My favorite sport in the book is chess because it requires critical thinking, strategy, focus, and concentration. These are life-long skills that children can learn as youngsters and apply to everything they do in the future.

The artwork in your book is wonderful. Can you share a little about your collaboration with illustrators Heyjuly and Kesab Karmakar?

I found both illustrators on a design platform and posted an RFP of my requirements. More than 20 artists sent designs. The first request was for the Readora from BookTropolis character. Among other specifications, I provided a younger photo of myself so the character can be created in my image. Intellectual property rights are critical, so I wanted to ensure that my face is the only one the designers would reference. All other designs were created based on the content of each sport in the book, with the use of AI prompts, with Kesab Karmakar contributing several sports illustrations as well.

How do you hope parents, teachers, or librarians will use this book with children?

This book is the first in a series of books called the Readora from BookTropolis Learning Series. The intent is for parents, teachers, and librarians to use this book and all others to come as a method of teaching younger readers their alphabet, introducing them to various sports, both traditional and those not as well known, and through the haiku style of writing, teaching children to read and comprehend while viewing the vibrant illustrations.


Author Links: GoodReads | YouTube | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Readora from BookTropolis features the literary superhero character from a whimsical land far away. Through a series of children’s books, Readora from BookTropolis flies around the world visiting children and bestowing her superpower of delighting readers ages 3 – 8 years old with the joy of reading. While the Readora from BookTropolis stories are written for children, they also inform and entertain all readers. In this inaugural book, Readora empowers children to enjoy reading about sports from A to Z. The reading experience ignites children’s imagination, taking them on an athletic adventure that’s fun-filled and leaves them wanting more with each turn of the page.


Readora From BookTropolis, The Literary Superhero, ABCs in Sports

Readora From BookTropolis is a lively alphabet book that introduces children to sports from archery to zorb through brief haiku-style verses, framed by the larger fantasy of Readora, a reading superhero from the story-filled world of BookTropolis. The book opens by casting reading itself as a kind of magic, with Readora gaining her powers through words and then using them to spark curiosity in children. From there, it moves through the alphabet one sport at a time, pairing simple, rhythmic descriptions with bright illustrations and a cheerful sense of movement. It’s part concept book, part sports sampler, and part literacy pep talk, all filtered through an upbeat, child-friendly imagination.

What I responded to most was the book’s sincerity. It really wants children to feel that reading and play belong together, and that idea gives the whole thing a warm, encouraging pulse. I liked the way it doesn’t stay with only the most familiar choices. Baseball, football, soccer, and tennis are here, of course, but the inclusion of orienteering, quad skating, cross-country skiing, and zorb gives the book a slightly wider horizon. It tells a child that the world is bigger than the handful of sports they already know, and that discovery can be playful rather than intimidating. I also found BookTropolis itself rather charming. It adds a storybook glow that keeps the book from feeling purely instructional.

I admired the attempt to carry the whole alphabet in haiku form, because that constraint gives the book a distinct texture and a gentle musicality. Some of the lines land neatly, especially when they capture a sport in one swift image, like the football pass into the end zone or the tactile sequence in volleyball of bump, set, and spike. The book makes language memorable, not merely functional, and for a young reader that instinct has real value. The illustrations help carry that intention beautifully, keeping the pages animated, diverse, and inviting.

This is a generous, good-hearted children’s book with an imaginative core and a clear belief in what words can do. It has genuine charm, and its combination of literacy, motion, and encouragement gives it a sweetness that feels earned. I’d especially recommend it for young children who are learning letters, beginning to read independently, or already obsessed with sports and action-filled picture books. It would also work well for parents, teachers, and librarians who want something a little more spirited than a standard alphabet book. Overall, I found it earnest, colorful, and easy to like.

Pages: 32 |  ISBN : 978-1665785839

Hide and Seek Alphabet With American Animals

Hide and Seek Alphabet With American Animals is a delightful journey through the alphabet, introducing young readers to a variety of fascinating animals along the way. From Amy the American Kestrel to Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly, author Anna Finch cleverly blends learning the alphabet with fun facts about wildlife. This engaging approach makes the book a perfect tool for sparking children’s interest in both letters and animals.

Finch’s creativity shines as she not only teaches the ABCs but also enriches the experience with tidbits about each featured animal. The vibrant and colorful illustrations add an extra layer of excitement that makes the pages pop and invites readers to engage in lively discussions. One thing I loved about this children’s book is how Finch involves the reader, encouraging kids to find where the animals are hiding on each page. This interactive element keeps young readers curious and entertained as they explore both letters and creatures. Personally, the Texas Horned Lizard stood out as my favorite, with its unique look beautifully captured in the artwork. But each animal brings its own charm that makes every page a new discovery.

Hide and Seek Alphabet With American Animals is a wonderfully crafted picture book that combines education and entertainment. The blend of playful hide-and-seek challenges with colorful illustrations and fun animal facts makes it an engaging read for young learners.

Pages: 59 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D9F2DX8H

Buy Now From Amazon