Blog Archives
Truth Seeker: The Story of Zoroaster
Truth Seeker: The Story of Zoroaster tells the story of Zoroaster from his mother Dugdav’s frightening vision to his own lifelong search for truth, kindness, wisdom, and justice. Author Rebecca DesPrez frames the book as playful historical fiction for ages 8–12 rather than a strict biography, blending legend, imagination, humor, and moral reflection as Zoroaster grows from a laughing baby into a teacher whose ideas challenge cruelty, superstition, and fear.
I liked how much heart this book has. As a parent, I’m always drawn to stories that trust children with big ideas, and this one does. It talks about fear, social rejection, animal cruelty, courage, and moral choice without becoming heavy in a way that would shut a young reader out. The writing has a bouncy, conversational energy, with jokes tucked into serious moments, and that helps soften the darker scenes. Sometimes the humor is broad, almost goofy. I appreciated that the silliness never erased the emotional core. Zoroaster’s compassion for animals, his restlessness around injustice, and his insistence on asking hard questions all felt genuinely moving.
The artwork by Vishwamohini Sengupta adds a gentle, storybook warmth to the book. The images have a soft, rounded quality that makes even the mythic scenes feel accessible, especially the glowing figures, animals, village settings, and palace moments. I found the illustrations especially effective when they brought calm into the story, like visual pauses between danger, exile, storms, and confrontation. The book’s ideas are also unusually rich for a children’s picture book: truth over lies, kindness over cruelty, wisdom over fear, and the courage to stand apart from the crowd. I liked that it doesn’t reduce Zoroaster to a distant historical figure. It imagines him first as a child who notices suffering, asks questions, and can’t quite accept easy answers.
Truth Seeker is thoughtful, lively, and emotionally sincere. It’s not a quiet bedtime book, exactly; it has too much adventure, danger, and mischievous humor for that. But it’s the kind of book I’d want to read with a child and talk about afterward, especially because the back matter offers discussion questions, activities, and historical context for families and teachers. I’d recommend it for curious middle-grade readers, especially kids who enjoy ancient history, moral questions, animal-centered moments, and stories about brave people who keep choosing goodness even when the world pushes back.
Pages: 86 | ASIN : B0GTNJKB5Q
Dragon Island: Football Season
Dragon Island: Football Season by Lisa Jacovsky is a creative and action-filled children’s picture book that combines two exciting worlds: dragons and football. The story takes place on Dragon Island, where six football teams, each with six dragon players, compete in a unique and energetic season. One especially fun detail is that the dragons can change their colors to match their team uniforms, adding imagination and visual excitement to the story.
One of the dragons I liked, both visually and in the story, was Blayze, a creative dragon. Ember, who is a deaf dragon, has the ability to create clever plays. Her character adds meaningful representation to the book while showing young readers that everyone has valuable strengths to contribute.
The highlight of the story is the thrilling football game between Team Firestorm and Team Thunder. The match is full of teamwork, clever problem-solving, and exciting twists that keep readers interested until the end. The dragons all bring their own talents to the game, which gives the story plenty of intrigue and helps show how cooperation can lead to success.
Dragon Island: Football Season is a fun and original picture book for young children. It promotes healthy competition, teamwork, diversity, inclusion, friendship, and problem-solving in a way that feels entertaining and engaging. With football-playing dragons, strong friendships, and an exciting game at its center, this children’s book makes a great bedtime story and the perfect read for families.
Pages: 24 | ASIN : B0GS5HKP82
O Tubarão Que Queria Surfar / The Shark Who Wanted To Surf
The Shark Who Wanted to Surf by Isabel Ricardo is a fun, fact-filled story about a blue shark named Carmel who dreams of surfing like the “two-legged creatures” on the surface. Each time he swims close enough to learn, the humans panic and flee. Carmel is left disappointed. Still, he refuses to let fear or doubt wash away his goal. That persistence gives the book a heartfelt, encouraging tone.
Ricardo introduces a variety of sea creatures who become part of Carmel’s world. Along the way, readers pick up engaging facts about anatomy and behavior. Those details deepen the underwater setting while also tracking Carmel’s emotional journey. Some animals dismiss his dream as silly. That response may feel familiar to young readers who have ever been discouraged for wanting something different. Others respond with warmth. Fizz the dolphin and Tentaclaude the octopus stand out as steady sources of support. Their kindness shows how far encouragement can go when someone is learning, growing, or trying something new.
A standout feature is that the book is bilingual, which adds an extra layer of value to the reading experience. Seeing the story presented in two languages supports vocabulary growth and language confidence without interrupting the flow. It also invites shared reading between children and adults who may be stronger in one language than the other. In a story centered on reaching across differences and refusing to give up, the bilingual format feels especially fitting. It widens the audience, strengthens comprehension, and makes rereading even more rewarding.
The backgrounds are detailed and adorable. The underwater scenes feel lively and full of personality. The color and small visual touches make the setting welcoming, even when Carmel hits setbacks. The illustrations also strengthen the emotional moments, especially when Carmel feels hopeful and determined because his friends believe in him.
I would recommend The Shark Who Wanted to Surf to young readers who enjoy ocean adventures, and especially to anyone who needs a reminder that dreams are worth chasing. Even when others disagree. It’s a gentle, uplifting story about friendship, courage, and self-belief.
Pages: 109 | ISBN : 978-1962185783
Misadventures of Growing Up
Lost in Bone Cave follows a girl and her scientist father on an underground research adventure that turns her curiosity into newfound courage. Where did the idea for this story come from?
In my much younger years, we enjoyed exploring Bone Cave from the entrance inside an abandoned quarry outside Lewisburg, WV. I can assure you, the details in the pinch are quite true! I can remember wondering if the cave crawl would ever end, and the feeling of freedom you got from just getting to stand up. Almost every chapter in each book I write comes from adventures I’ve taken.
Were you a fan of adventure series as a middle-grade reader? What were some of your favorites?
I was a reader of different types of adventures. I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder and read every book in the series multiple times. Of course, C.S. Lewis and his chronicles were a favorite. For dealing with the misadventures of growing up, I’d turn to Judy Blume.
I appreciated the incorporation of educational elements into Syd’s story. What was your research process as you prepared to write this installment of the series?
Each book I write addresses a challenge our world is facing due to environmental change and its impacts. The Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia has a story about a bat named Lucy (my blue heeler’s name) who has White Nose Syndrome. I was hooked and wanted to know more about the deadly impacts of this disease. This was also just five years post-COVID, when we all had strong memories of breathing through a mask. It all fell into place that this would be the cause my book would hopefully draw attention to.
Where will Syd take readers in the next book? When can we look forward to seeing it released?
Book #4 in the Adventures of Syd will be released in fall 2026….Rescue on Tangier Island! Syd and her dad are off to help a fellow scientist who is working with crabbers on Tangier Island. What they don’t know when they head across the bay is that not all on the island want company, or that they will be tasked with the rescue of a furry friend.
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In addition to introducing mechanical equipment and skills needed for spelunking, the story serves as a reminder of our impact on the environment and how we can be more considerate stewards of our surroundings. Vandalism is seen, and Syd is conscientious about the glow sticks she has left on the cave floor that could be littering. Readers are introduced to a caving map legend, various cave features, cave formations, and STREAM (reading added) challenge at the end.
Lost in Bone Cave
The Adventures of Syd: Lost in Bone Cave tells the story of a girl named Syd who joins her scientist father on a real caving expedition in West Virginia. What starts as a planned research trip to observe bat colonies turns into a long, muddy, sometimes frightening journey through Bone Cave, complete with tight crawls, glowing rock walls, wildlife encounters, and a moment where things go genuinely wrong. The book follows Syd as she moves from curiosity and doubt into courage, responsibility, and trust in herself during an underground adventure that tests both her nerves and her judgment.
What struck me first was how grounded the writing feels. Author Danielle Simone clearly knows this world, and she takes her time letting readers learn it alongside Syd. The explanations about caves, bats, and equipment are woven into conversations instead of dropped like lessons, which makes them easier to absorb. I liked that Syd does not magically become brave overnight. She complains. She gets scared. She makes mistakes. The fear in the Devil’s Pinch crawl is especially well done. You can almost feel the dust in your throat and the panic tightening your chest, and it never tips into melodrama. It feels honest, like the kind of fear kids actually experience when something goes beyond what they expected.
I also appreciated the author’s choice to center the story on a parent and child working together. Syd’s dad is capable but not perfect, and that matters. Adults in this book do not have all the answers, and sometimes they get hurt too. That balance gives Syd room to grow without turning her into an unrealistic hero. The science elements, especially the focus on bats and White Nose Syndrome, add weight to the adventure. This is not danger for fun. There is a purpose, and that purpose keeps pulling the story forward.
Lost in Bone Cave fits squarely in the children’s adventure genre, with a strong thread of nature and science exploration running through it. I would recommend it to middle-grade readers who like outdoor stories, animals, and realistic challenges rather than fantasy quests. It would also be a great pick for kids who enjoy learning how things work while following a character their own age. If you have a reader who loves hikes, caves, or asking big questions but still feels nervous about new experiences, this book will likely feel like a steady hand on their shoulder, saying you can be scared and keep going anyway.
Pages: 104 | ASIN : B0FQDCNFDX
The Magic Collar; Pitty the Kitty Book 1
The Magic Collar; Book 1 follows Pitty, a loud and lovable tuxedo cat who starts life as a scrappy street cat and ends up with a kid named Mav and a mysterious red collar. That collar turns out to be magical and sends Pitty and Mav into wild adventures. They jump into video games like Mario Kart and Lego Marvel, then later tumble into a pirate quest full of ghost pirates and buried treasure. Every adventure starts in an ordinary moment and then flips into something big and imaginative.
I honestly loved the voice of this book. Pitty is hilarious. He is smug, dramatic, and weirdly charming in a way that feels very true to how cats would talk if they could. The writing feels relaxed and confident. It never talks down to kids. It also made me laugh more than I expected. The jokes land. The pacing moves fast. I never felt bored or stuck in one place too long. The charming and emotive illustrations help a lot too. They feel warm and playful and match the tone perfectly.
I liked how imagination is treated as something powerful but also normal. Games, books, the backyard, and a kid’s curiosity all matter. Nothing feels preachy. Even when adults step in and say no video games yet, it feels real and fair. The magic does not replace real life. It sits right on top of it. That made the story feel cozy instead of chaotic. I also liked that the biggest treasure ended up being cat treats. That felt on brand and very funny.
I would heartily recommend this children’s book. It feels perfect for kids who love games, animals, and pretending worlds. It is also great for parents or grandparents who like stories with heart and humor. If you have a kid who talks to their pet like it understands everything, this book will probably hit just right. I finished it smiling and honestly wishing my cat had a magic collar too.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0G2GV33YQ
Courageous Attitudes
The Tralls of Nosa follows a young girl who brings a strange and beautiful plant home as a gift for her mother, only to discover it is destructive, spreading and destroying everything its roots touch. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I live in rural Australia, and I am constantly battling outbreaks of lantana. It was introduced to Australia as an ornamental plant, but as is often the case with introduced species, it ran amok.
Lantana is a beautiful plant, but unfortunately, it’s an invasive weed that spreads easily, destroys native plants, is destructive for biodiversity, and is difficult to control. It’s also toxic for livestock, and it increases the intensity of our ever-present bushfires.
In The Tralls of Nosa, I wanted to draw attention to the problems that are caused for native flora and fauna when foreign species are introduced.
The characters in this novel were intriguing and well-developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
Mia was modelled on my youngest granddaughter, who demonstrates compassion, trust, reliability, and integrity, and I wanted to use those positive traits to create a character that would appeal to my young readers.
Asha, Shea, Cooper, Vail. and Addie were modelled on young friends who constantly impress me with their feisty, faithful, determined, and courageous attitudes.
What was the most challenging part of writing The Trall Series, and what was the most rewarding?
The Tralls of Nosa is the final book in The Trall Series, and I had to work hard to make sure it was fresh and impactful and not a rehash of the messages or events in previous books.
The most enjoyable part of writing this book was finally solving the underlying mysteries that were threaded throughout the series.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from your series?
My aim was for The Trall Series to engender an interest in the natural environment and to make my readers more aware of the many problems it faces.
I hope that the strong, determined young characters in the series will demonstrate that you don’t have to wear a cape and do amazing stunts to be an environmental hero. Everyone can help to preserve their native flora and fauna by making small, impactful improvements in their activities.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
After destroying the village, the insidious plant forced its way into the forests and everglades, where it quickly killed all the native flora and forced the fauna to leave in a desperate search for food. As a result, the kinships of Nosa were faced with the prospect of starvation for the first time in their long history.
Now, some mysterious incomers have arrived and when it appears that they’ve cast a spell over Asha, the fief’s granddaughter leaving her in a lifeless trance, the kinships are convinced they’re the dreaded Chameleons who tried to force them out of their tralldom centuries ago.
Did they also send the plant to wreak havoc on Nosa and bring its tralls to their knees so they could finally achieve their plan to take over the tralldom?
Could these shattering events herald the end of life as she knows it or can Mia and her friends defeat the plant and the Chameleons, and save Asha?
The Tralls of Nosa is the fifth and final book in the Trall Series; an action-packed collection of portal fantasies set in the Australian bush.
It is suitable for competent readers from nine to thirteen years of age.
Whimsical Tale
How Flowers Got Their Colors follows a young shepherd living in a quiet valley where the world is stuck in just three colors, who dreams of capturing the colors of the rainbow to brighten the meadow. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This and 18 other stories I made up as nighttime tales for my younger daughter when she was 6 and 7 years old, and is now 36 and has been CEO of the Company! I began the publishing process when I began to have grandchildren!
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
This whimsical tale is intended to convey the power of “sticking to it” or persistence when trying to accomplish something, and a willingness to listen and take a suggestion to heart and follow through to accomplish a goal.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Alejandro Echavez?
When Amplify Publishing and I commenced working together, I was sent a list of 25 artists with samples of their styles. I was asked to pick five, and then those artists sent their interpretation or rendition of a frame or two from one of my stories. Once I had those frames, I was asked to pick two, and Alejandro was one of them. His work is rich and presents the storyline beautifully. He has completed my fifth book, The Lost Locket, and is working on my sixth, Way Up North, a coming-of-age story of a young Eskimo who lives near the North Pole. Alejandro is very accessible and revises and updates his artwork through dialogue and mutual collaboration.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have completed The Lost Locket, a tale about a little girl who loses an heirloom necklace on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is collected by a pigeon and returned 30 years later when the little girl, now a mother, returns to the Bridge with her daughter. This book will be shipped in several months. The next book, Way Up North, is a story about a coming of age for a young Eskimo who lives near the North Pole and learns how to hunt whales. Alejandro is currently working on the artwork frames for this story, and the book ought to be available sometime early next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Join the shepherd in How Flowers Got Their Colors, a heartfelt story about how dreams, persistence, and a touch of magic can change the world around us. This charming story reminds us that even the simplest wishes can bring remarkable change.
