Blog Archives
Let It Out!
Let It Out! by Taylor Sawchyn offers a heartwarming and approachable way to help young children navigate their emotions. Kids often feel things deeply but struggle to understand or express those feelings. This story centers on a close-knit family with two children. When one child feels upset, the parents gently step in, offering reassurance and love. They model calming techniques, encouraging their child to relax and process those intense emotions. Along the way, the book explores a spectrum of feelings—anger, sadness, fear, boredom—balanced with joyful moments, like a trip to the park filled with laughter, fresh air, and family fun. It’s a tender reminder that positivity and creativity can help shift emotional energy into something beautiful.
One of the standout elements of this children’s book is the perspective. It’s told from the parents’ point of view and the story exudes warmth. It makes children feel safe and understood while reinforcing that the guidance is for them. The language is simple and clear, with short sentences that are perfect for young readers to follow independently. Beyond teaching emotional awareness, the story subtly instills lessons in good manners and behavior. Family trust and bonding flow naturally through the pages, whether it’s during playtime at the park or quiet moments sharing a meal at the table.
The illustrations bring the story to life, brimming with emotion and character. Each drawing feels expressive and relatable, capturing both the children’s upset moments and the parents’ calm, positive responses. Their demeanor sets an excellent example, showing how patience and kindness can make all the difference. The visuals are engaging and fun to look at.
Let It Out! is a beautiful and meaningful picture book. It reminds children and their caregivers that emotions are natural and powerful, but expressing them in healthy ways leads to understanding and growth. This is a must-read for families looking to strengthen emotional communication and create moments of connection.
Pages: 26 | ISBN : 978-1787881518
I’m Dreaming of Moo Deng
S.P. Somtow’s I’m Dreaming of Moo Deng celebrates the limitless imagination of childhood with charm and originality. The story follows a suburban boy who stumbles upon Moo Deng, a newborn pygmy hippo, while browsing online. Instantly captivated, he becomes so enthralled that his mother plans a trip to Thailand to visit the zoo where Moo Deng resides. They stay with his Uncle Somtow, who helps coordinate the visit. When they finally arrive at the zoo, a long line threatens their plans. Uncle Somtow considers giving up, but the boy’s determination keeps them in place. While they wait, his imagination takes flight, spinning magical adventures where he and Moo Deng share whimsical moments together.
The book’s theme is a testament to the power of perseverance and creativity. The protagonist’s fascination with Moo Deng becomes a driving force, teaching children the value of pursuing their passions wholeheartedly. His family’s unwavering support creates a nurturing environment that further underscores the importance of encouragement. Somtow skillfully illustrates how creativity not only fuels joy but also builds resilience. Faced with frustration during the long wait, the boy channels his emotions into vivid daydreams, transforming a tiresome experience into a fantastical journey. Meanwhile, Uncle Somtow enriches the moment by sharing intriguing facts, turning the wait into an opportunity for discovery.
Visually, the book dazzles with its illustrations. They burst with fantasy elements and intricate details, enhanced by striking light and shadow effects. Somtow’s writing, on the other hand, is precise and engaging, seamlessly weaving together real-world events and the protagonist’s imagined escapades. Each scene flows effortlessly into the next, delivering a narrative brimming with wonder and excitement.
At its heart, I’m Dreaming of Moo Deng inspires children to chase even the wildest dreams. It’s a joyful reminder that imagination, perseverance, and the support of loved ones can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. S.P. Somtow’s tale brims with warmth and creativity, making it an enchanting read for young dreamers and the families who encourage them to reach for the stars.
Pages: 67 | ISBN : 978-1940999388
Kindness and Empathy
The What-If Kid follows a young boy whose wild imagination often spirals into anxiety and worry who is getting ready for his first day of school. What was the inspiration for your story?
My inspiration for this story was and still is our son Kale. His own worries and anxiety were very apparent on his first day of school, and I knew I just had to write this book. Other parents working through the same struggles with their own kids can absolutely relate to Kale and all the emotions brought about on his first day of school.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to share our son’s story about anxiety and how real it can be and feel especially to little ones when a change comes about in their lives. I really wanted to emphasize that kindness and empathy do still exist in this world and how even the smallest gesture can produce the biggest reward.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scene I had the most fun writing was the school bus scene. I’m pretty sure that Kale did express his worry about the bus falling apart, which made it all the more real. First bus rides can be worrisome and I was hoping to also lighten the mood of the book in this scene.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book in this series. I also have a second book out called Bedtime Worries- The What-If Kid. Just continuing on with all of Kale’s big feelings at bedtime. I am currently working on my third book in this series. It should be out on shelves by early next year called Carnival Chaos- The What-If Kid. I think that with that title you can just imagine all of the “What-ifs” that come into play throughout the pages of that book.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Squish & Squeam’s Daily Routines
Squish and Squeam’s Daily Routines, written by Dee Rand and illustrated by Imani Maco, introduces readers to the delightful twin sloths, Squish and Squeam, who have a passion for music. This charming duo guides young readers through their daily routines with memorable songs, transforming ordinary activities such as breakfast, brushing teeth, playtime, and bedtime into engaging, rhyming adventures.
Parents of young children will find this book a delightful tool for incorporating rhyming into shared reading sessions. The sweet sloth twins, with their catchy tunes, capture readers’ attention from the very first mention of a sing-along. The repetition of lines within the verses is a powerful technique that Dee Rand utilizes effectively, encouraging young children to develop their reading skills.
Rand and Maco form an exceptional team, combining beautifully crafted illustrations with captivating characters and highlighted text. The vibrant imagery and strategically emphasized words in colorful fonts make the book both meaningful and visually appealing. Emerging and beginning readers will experience a sense of achievement as they read aloud the highlighted phrases, reinforcing their learning and boosting their confidence.
Building reading confidence and creating relatable content for young readers are cornerstones of a successful children’s book, and Rand and Maco excel in both areas. Preschool teachers, parents, and early readers will find Squish and Squeam’s Daily Routines a valuable addition to their libraries. This heartwarming tale is sure to become a favorite, enjoyed together time and again.
Pages: 26 | ASIN : B0D9QXXYSD
Giving Kids Confidence
Sophie and the Swans follows a girl living by the lake who stands up to a bully throwing stones at the swans she has befriended. What was the inspiration for your story?
A few years ago, I made friends with a pair of swans I named Romeo and Juliet, who visited me at the shoreline below my house every day and brought their new family over every spring. They would greet me by nodding their heads and snorting to say hello. I was fascinated by their beauty, strength, and intelligence and started researching swan life and behavior. I already knew that swan couples stay together for life, but I was also struck by their loyalty to one another and hoped they never suffered from the often-thoughtless actions of human beings. They were still wild birds but recognized us and even followed us around the lake when we went out in our canoe. It was an extraordinary friendship and we grew to love them. I started writing a factual book about swans for children but decided it would be more useful to write a fictional book featuring the swans that gently taught a lesson.
Sophie has a chance to show the bully what it feels like to be mistreated but instead shows him kindness and compassion when he needs help. What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Setting an example, giving kids confidence to stand up for themselves when confronted, learning that two wrongs don’t make a right, and some bullying behavior can be diffused with kindness.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Hearing my mother read poetry to us before bed was the origin of my love for poetry. My father made up stories all the time and would make up new ones when he was in the car with his 4 children—all fantastical and fun. I think an important moment was when he read me a poem by Robert Frost, “The Death of the Hired Man,” when I was about 10. I saw his eyes moisten and realized how moving writing can be. I’ve been writing since I can remember, and my first written poem according to my mother, was written when I was 5 or 6 and involved swans!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
2024 Purple Dragonfly Award tied First Place Charity/Making a Difference category
A portion of proceeds for the book will be donated to anti-bullying advocates
Sophie is a little girl who lives beside a lake and makes friends with a pair of swans who visit her every day. One day, when a bully starts to torment the swans, Sophie rushes to defend them not by attacking the bully, but by showing him kindness when he gets into trouble on the lake.
Unique Creations
Georange Horange’s Storange follows a young orange and a toy doctor who go on a mission to get the doctor’s new invention’s name added to the dictionary. What was the inspiration for your story?
I was washing the dishes one night in the middle of the week and I heard a character on the T.V. say “Nothing rhymes with orange.” For some reason, it struck me as being sad because it felt like the word was kind of alone. Dale had just retired from Sunny View P.S. and I immediately thought “Just create a word that rhymes with orange and solve the problem.”
That’s what the Toy Doctor program works to do every day with our students. They have an issue that is making them unhappy and the program always looks to find a unique way to solve that problem. Once I pictured Dale walking through at recess, seeing a sad crying orange, I knew it would break her heart and she would be able to solve the problem by creating something that rhymes with orange and would also make Georange happy again.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator?
The work of the amazing hand-painted illustrations in the story are completely due to the work of my sister in-law Julie Tait. There had already been a few family gatherings where Julie had displayed her artistic qualities but one Halloween stands out in my mind. She freehand carved an owl out of a pumpkin after just looking at it. I knew when it came to drawing, my efforts would never have come close to the details that Julie was able to so incredibly convey about the school, its students, Dale and of course, Julie’s visual representation of Georange Horange, whose facial expressions throughout the book really make him a heartfelt character. I can’t thank her enough for all the work she put into this book.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Georange Horange’s Storange?
Impossible is two letters too long.
That is the last line of the book and Dale painted this phrase on the wall of our shop. It is the only thing painted on the wall and Dale worked every day to prove the phrase is true. Every child at our school has their own unique issues that they work through every day. They require equally unique creations to help support them with those everyday needs. I always look at it like an equation. You have (A) what the student is capable of and (C) the goal the parents or teachers want the child to achieve. So I have to solve for (B) and create something that will allow the student to successfully go from what they are capable of doing, to what they need to do successfully as they grow and learn. There has never been a time where a solution wasn’t possible and I truly do believe that impossible is two letters too long.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
I am currently working on another story called A Fishless Tank and the Tale of Two Snails based on a true story. It describes the adventures of two snails that live in a tank at Sunny View. The two snail friends must help their aquatic ornament friends (Diver, Clam, Plants, and Ship) to overcome their own individual issues, by all working together to correct the problems in the tank. I’m hoping to get the text finalized this summer so that Julie can start to visualize the story and get a grasp on what she can create for the watercolor artwork. I’m making sure to include the students at Sunny View again in the background so that they can once again see themselves represented in a storybook.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
In this mesmerizing narrative, Ryan and Julie Tait pen and illustrate a tribute to Dale and the uplifting spirit of the children at Sunny View. “Georange Horange’s Storange” transcends a mere story-it is an exploration of wonder, kindness, and determination.
Introducing Georange Horange: a joyful and impeccably organized student, shining with positivity and purpose. Georange’s world is one where every child and every toy possesses extraordinary ability. As Georange teams up with Dale, they collectively embark on a whimsical quest to discover a truth: the word “impossible” is, indeed, two letters too long.
Adorned with exquisite illustrations, this narrative captures the profound interplay between life’s challenges and the magic that arises when one refuses to bow down. Through the tale of Dale and Georange, readers experience the powerful legacy of a woman whose life was dedicated to Sunny View’s courageous students. Their journey represents unity, compassion, and the unparalleled joy that emerges from facing and overcoming life’s obstacles.
“Georange Horange’s Storange” is destined to touch hearts across all ages, reinforcing timeless lessons of kindness, the resilience of community, and the transformative power of imagination.
A Positive Role Model
In Hunnie Bunny’s Special Gift, an industrious rabbit with a special gift to share and her hard-working forest friends prepare for the long winter ahead. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Since the first three books (Hunnie Bunny’s Garden, Hunnie Bunny’s Garden Mystery and Hunnie Bunny’s Christmas Wish) take place in the spring, summer and winter, I wanted to introduce a fall theme where I could show how the woodland animals in the story prepare for the cold months. For example, Mr. Frog hibernates, so he doesn’t appear in Hunnie Bunny‘s Christmas Wish. In this book, Hunnie Bunny’s fur gets thicker, and both she and Mr. Squirrel store food so they won’t go hungry when their food supply is hard to find or non-existent.
Do you have a favorite character? Is there one whose dialogue and traits are especially fun to craft?
Hunnie Bunny is my favorite because, through her, I can present a positive role model for young children by showing her compassionate, helpful nature and loyal friendships. Also, her leadership and problem-solving skills are fun to integrate into the stories, making her personality even more appealing.
What is one thing you hope young readers take away from Hunnie Bunny’s latest adventure?
I hope young children will see how important and special it is to consider the needs of others, and be willing and happy to share, especially with those who are less fortunate.
Do you have more books planned for this series? If so, where can readers expect to see it take your colorful cast of characters?
Yes, indeed! There are eleven books in the Hunnie Bunny series so far. In the upcoming stories, Hunnie Bunny will encounter fairies, new neighbors, a magic flute, a unicorn, and a daring escape. She and her friends will also share in a new beginning and a rescue. The next book in the series, Hunnie Bunny and the Lost Fairy, is currently being illustrated and should be released sometime in August. A list of future titles can be found on my website: www.simplereadsbooks.com.
Even though the Hunnie Bunny books have been written sequentially, they can be read in any order. The purpose of these stories is to offer some education and learning in an entertaining way, while encouraging imaginative play. My journey thus far has brought me so much joy and happiness knowing that children all over the world are enjoying the adventures of Hunnie Bunny and her friends.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
How do Hunnie Bunny and her friends prepare for winter? Read the story and discover the reason behind her special gift.
Priscilla and Tux: Brothers are Caring – A Picture Book for Kids
Family unity helps instill values such as respect and mutual support. Victoria Smith embraces this idea beautifully in Priscilla and Tux: Brothers are Caring. The story centers on eight-year-old Priscilla, who is worried about her school’s show-and-tell presentations. All her classmates are showcasing interesting, original, and unique items, so she wants to share something truly special. Her mom tries to help by giving her suggestions, but nothing seems good enough for Priscilla. However, when she sees her brother Tux being friendly and telling jokes to his friends, she realizes he can help her solve her problem.
Victoria Smith shares a sweet story about an everyday situation, giving it a creative and enthusiastic touch. I appreciated how the story develops because it implicitly addresses various themes. For example, the classmates’ presentations showcase cultural and religious diversity and feature different hobbies like board games and sports. There are many great ideas for new activities for kids. The story also highlights the importance of good communication and the pleasure of being in a respectful and friendly environment.
Sergii Zavadskyi’s illustrations are captivating with their vibrant colors and varied, expressive characters. The language is clear, making it suitable for practicing reading and enriching vocabulary with the items shown in the classroom presentations. Priscilla and her brother Tux’s relationship is one of the narrative’s most beautiful features, imparting young readers with a positive example of family interaction.
Priscilla and Tux: Brothers are Caring is highly recommended, celebrating family love and the joy of sharing meaningful moments. It is an engaging and heartwarming story that not only entertains but also teaches valuable life lessons, making it a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0CGQBY7Z2
LITERARY TITAN 