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Unconditional Love
Madison’s First Tooth follows a girl through her childhood, spotlighting big moments like the first day of school, new friendships, and every tooth-related milestone you can think of. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for this story was Madison and her mother’s unconditional love. Her mother truly has a nurturing touch, and provides adequate care in every aspect of Madison’s life. I wanted to highlight the importance of “dental care,” whereas her mother is a dentist. I created a story that most mom’s can relate to while caring for their young child to show how important the foundation of their teaching is.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Children will be able to enforce fundamental skills they have learned throughout the course of a lifetime from their parents teachings, and someday pass on these important teachings to their children and loved ones when needed.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I enjoyed capturing different milestones throughout the course of Madison’s life
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As Madison grows, her mama teaches her how important it is to take care of her teeth. From getting her first toothbrush to having a mouth full of teeth, Mama is there every step of the way.
Through the years, Madison tackles new adventures like school, making friends, and graduating college. Eventually, when Mama grows old and needs help, Madison lovingly takes on the role of caregiver to ensure that Mama’s teeth stay healthy, just like Mama did for her.
This heartwarming story celebrates the special bond between mother and daughter and the importance of dental care.
Madison has just began to crawl and Mama couldn’t be more excited about her baby’s first milestone. To Mama’s surprise, this was the first of many, as she would so learn that Madison got her first tooth. Excited by the development, Mama announced the news to everyone and prepared an oral care routine to keep Maddy’s tooth healthy and clean. Days turned into months, which turned into years with so many changes as Madison was growing up so fast.
Mama stowed away highlights of all of Madison’s memorabilia in a special box to keep and cherish. As time went on and Madison got older, she was eventually able to keep her own teeth and gums healthy because Mama was a great teacher and guided her for many years. The day would come when Mama grew old and needed help with her oral hygiene routine care. Madison returned that which was bestowed upon her.
Madison’s First Tooth: A Mother’s Nurturing Touch
Madison’s First Tooth is a sweet and colorful journey through the life of Madison, a little girl whose earliest milestone, getting her first tooth, marks the beginning of many more to come. Written by Latia Smith and illustrated by Anastasia Dragunova, the book walks us through Madison’s childhood, spotlighting big moments like the first day of school, new friendships, and yes, every tooth-related milestone you can think of. From baby teeth and beyond, the story gently nudges young readers (and their parents) to understand the importance of oral health while also celebrating everyday growing-up moments.
I loved the warm, gentle tone of the book. There’s something comforting about the way Mama is always there, guiding Madison with care and patience. The rhyming verses gave the story a sing-song rhythm that made it feel fun and easy to read aloud, very Dr. Seuss-like, but with a more down-to-earth, real-life focus. One of my favorite parts was when Madison gets her first toothbrush, such a tiny moment, but it’s presented with joy and excitement that feels so relatable to any parent who’s cheered on that first tiny step of independence.
The illustrations are another strong point. Bright, vivid colors leap off the page and keep the energy of the book high. Kids will love pointing out all the details. The visuals really add charm and help tell the story just as much as the words do.
The rhyming throughout the story is charming and playful, giving it a fun, sing-song quality that makes it a joy to read aloud. Most pages follow a lovely rhythm that feels natural and engaging. There’s even a little variety in the rhyming patterns, which adds a creative twist and keeps things interesting. I can imagine little ones enjoying the surprise of different rhymes, and it gives the book a unique, lively feel from start to finish.
Madison’s First Tooth is a heartwarming, educational story that parents will feel good about reading with their little ones. It’s perfect for families with babies and toddlers, especially those just starting to teach good brushing habits. I’d recommend it to any parent who wants to mix fun and learning in storytime or to anyone who loves a feel-good tale about growing up and the little milestones that matter most.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0F35VTJWB
Your Journey to Successful Parenting
As a mother of three lively and very different kids, I picked up Your Journey to Successful Parenting with equal parts hope and skepticism. Author Alexandra Rogers, Ph.D., drawing from her years as a clinical psychologist, walks readers through common parenting challenges with a blend of heartfelt stories, actionable advice, and real-world strategies. Broken into four parts, the book covers how kids learn, why they misbehave, how to correct behaviors, and when it’s time to seek professional help. Rogers makes a big point that most behaviors come from patterns — both good and bad — and that parents have the power to shape those patterns with consistent, thoughtful attention.
Reading through the chapters, I felt a huge wave of relief. Rogers writes in a way that doesn’t talk down to you. She gets it — the messy mornings, the homework wars, the way one kid turns into an angel at school but a whirlwind at home. I loved her emphasis on simple techniques, like catching your kid being good rather than constantly scolding. It hit me how often I focus on what’s wrong instead of what’s right. Her ideas about using behavior charts and storytelling to teach emotional regulation were so practical that I actually started using them the same week. And they worked! But what really touched me was her reminder that kids aren’t trying to be “bad” — they’re communicating. That thought alone changed my heart.
Parenting stubborn or special-needs children, like my middle one, is messy. Some days, it’s not just a matter of using a behavior chart or changing your tone. Some days it’s just about surviving the storm. Still, the book made me feel less alone. Rogers’ warmth shines through, and it’s clear she respects how hard parenting really is.
If you’re a parent who’s tired, overwhelmed, and desperate for a fresh start with your kids, this book is for you. It’s a great guide for parents of toddlers through tweens, especially if you’re looking for easy-to-understand, no-fuss strategies that don’t involve yelling or endless power struggles. I know I’ll be keeping it close by — dog-eared and coffee-stained — for the many messy years of parenting still ahead.
Pages: 260 | ASIN : B0DZQG362T
What Are Mondays Good For, Anyway?
Who likes Mondays? Monday morning means the fun from the weekend is over, and it is time to return to school. Bennie hates Mondays and dreads them each week. This Monday starts off with stinky green socks coming out of his favorite cereal box. At first, Bennie is irritated, but a small smile creeps across his face as he sees the humor in the situation. As his day continues, all the things he thinks he dreads about the day end up offering a glimpse of amusement. Can Mondays actually be good for something?
What are Mondays good for, anyway? by Nicole Frankel is a humorous picture book that teaches children to find the positive in things. Each situation that Bennie encounters could have been a disaster and made him grumpy all day. Instead, he finds something to smile or laugh about with each situation and, by the end of the day, realizes he has actually enjoyed his Monday. This story is a good reminder that just because something unexpected happens, it is not automatically a bad thing. It helps teach children to see things in a different light and look closer at situations. For example, Bennie could have been mad when he fell but instead saw the smile the fallen cereal made. Finding the good in all circumstances is a skill set that children need to learn early in life to help them through the more challenging areas as they grow.
I feel that one of the most important messages in this picture book is that we need to find a reason to laugh every day. Laughter can be healing, and smiling is contagious. What are Mondays good for, anyway? Is a wonderful children’s book with children and adults laughing and relating to little Bennie. The reminder to find joy and laughter in situations will benefit readers, young and old.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0BVWL596S
Cassie’s Big Change: Going from the Living Room to the Classroom
Cassie is finally getting to return to her school building after learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. She did not love going to school in her living room on a laptop. She missed her friends and teachers. Now that there is a vaccine, she can return to her school and be with her class in person again.
Cassie’s Big Change: Going from the Living Room to the Classroom is more than a story about returning to school. Author Tamera Foley uses this children’s story to validate the feelings many young children have had during the pandemic and the emotional struggles they felt. She uses Cassie’s writing assignment to show children different ways to express themselves and let others know how they feel. It shows children that the adults at school and home care about how they are feeling and that what they feel is important and real. I loved the part where the children were sharing their feelings on the playground, and they were not superficial remarks like you might expect in a kid’s book. Instead, they show just how aware children are of the world around them and the impact that things like COVID-19 have had on their world.
The childrens book Cassie’s Big Change: Going from the Living Room to the Classroom is beautifully written and shares ways that children can express their emotions in a positive and safe manner, be it through clay models, writing a story, or talking one on one with a teacher or parent. Tamera Foley shows kids that they have a voice and that their feelings are important. This is a wonderful children’s book that any elementary classroom would benefit from having.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B099B13X7T
LITERARY TITAN 