Blog Archives
The Junkyard
Bryan Reilly’s The Junkyard, illustrated by Rich Denver, is one of those middle-grade stories that quietly slips past your defenses. At first glance, it is a story set in a junkyard. Beneath that gritty surface, however, is something far more tender. This is a story about choosing peace in a world shaped by violence. It is about finding family in the most unexpected places.
Ninja is a pit bull trapped in the brutal world of dog fighting, a bloodthirsty and morbid sport that strips animals of dignity, safety, and trust. She would rather lose than harm another living creature. She would rather suffer than become what others demand. After she deliberately throws a fight, her cruel owner, Mr. Fergusen, abandons her at the edge of a forest and leaves her for dead. Yet what seems like an ending becomes a beginning. A tribe of scrappy junkyard strays discovers her, renames her Maytag, nurses her back to health, and offers her something she has never truly known: love.
As a dog lover, I found myself caught between heartbreak and joy with every turn of the page. The horror of the fighting ring left me enraged and gutted. Then came the warmth of Maytag settling into her ragtag new family, and the story opened into something gentle, hopeful, and deeply moving. That peace does not last. When the aggressive Rottweiler Saab and a vengeful forest wolf named Canis set their sights on the northern junkyard, Maytag must face the question she has been running from: can a dog who refuses to fight bring herself to protect the ones she loves? It is a question with real emotional weight, and Reilly handles it with care, restraint, and courage.
What impressed me most was the writing. Reilly does not talk down to his readers. His prose is vivid, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent. Each scene is painted with enough texture that the junkyard seems to rise from the page. You can almost feel the rusted steel, the cold ground, and the shared warmth of the pack huddled together. Rich Denver’s illustrations are sparse, yet effective. They appear at just the right moments, giving shape to characters the prose has already made unforgettable.
The message woven through this story is powerful without ever feeling preachy. Maytag’s journey, from a life of forced violence to one of chosen love, reminds young readers that gentleness is not weakness. Kindness, in this story, becomes its own form of bravery. For anyone who has ever loved a dog, The Junkyard will feel deeply personal. Readers will root for Maytag with their whole hearts. Moving, heartfelt, and beautifully written, Reilly’s novel is a must-read for young readers ready to dive into emotionally rich fiction. It is also an absolute gift for dog lovers of any age.
Pages: 198 | ASIN : B0GXSW13R2
Teamwork
Dragon Island: Football Season centers around a group of dragons and their magical skills as they compete in a unique and action-packed football season. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Actually, my younger cousins were the inspiration. I asked them if there was a specific book they wanted me to write, and they asked for dragons. I wanted to make it very personalized to them, too. I decided to go with football because its their favorite sport. They actually chose the colors, names, and formatting for the dragons, too. They were very involved, and it was so fun to do with them. They were so excited for this book, and they have said it’s their favorite, making me a very proud aunt.
Did the idea of the teams and tournament come first, or did individual dragon characters come first?
Definitely, the teams and tournament came first. The amazing Brainstorm Productions came up with the formatting for the dragons when they were working on the illustrations. Then my little cousins chose the dragons for their own characters and for each of the other characters. My little cousins were very involved in this book with their own creative ideas; it was a family event to work on. I was very lucky to have their input and to have Brainstorm Productions bring it to life.
The dragons changing colors to match their team uniforms is such a fun visual idea. How did that concept emerge?
I really did not want to do the usual and pick one for each team. To me, that’s not fun=) I like being different and coming up with creative ideas. I thought about what could make it different and fun, but not too crazy for a reader or challenging for an illustrator. That’s what made me think, “What about an ombre look, where the dragons start as one color and change into a different one when they get together for their teams?” That’s different and easy for the reader to picture. I was hoping it would be easy for whoever illustrated it, and Brainstorm Productions exceeded my expectations with it.
If children connect most strongly with one idea in the book, what do you hope that is?
Definitely the idea of teamwork. It’s there with the dragons deciding to learn sign language for their teammate who is deaf. It’s there in the playful banter between the teams, but in the end, they wing high five and go for ice cream. There’s so much emphasis on winning, and I absolutely love how my little cousins handle losing; they are so gracious about it. I am so proud of the example they set for their teammates. I wanted to showcase that in the book and have the reader see it is ok to lose and still be laughing and joking and going for dragon ice cream. I also wanted to show that if a teammate has something different, then let’s all learn how to interact. To show how beautiful embracing that difference can be. I feel like the idea of teamwork in more than one way is a lesson that can resonate with anyone. And an important lesson to teach our children. My little cousins are growing into amazing young men who are a beautiful example of how our children can be raised.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Amazon
The highlight of the story is a thrilling football match between Team Firestorm and Team Thunder. As the game unfolds, teamwork, clever plays, and strategy keep readers on the edge of their seats as they discover who will emerge victorious. At its core, the story is a celebration of competition, teamwork, and the unbreakable bond of friendship.
Tiny Backyard Discoveries
Tiny Backyard Discoveries is a fun, educational book for young readers that highlights the fascinating world living just beyond their front door. As part of a nature-focused encyclopedia series, it introduces a range of tiny creatures children might spot outdoors. The book explains where these animals live, what they eat, and how they connect to the larger animal kingdom. Curiosity comes naturally as each page invites readers to notice more and wonder more.
What makes it especially engaging is the balance between solid information and an inviting, exploratory tone. It never feels like a textbook. It feels like a field guide for young nature detectives. The message is clear: small creatures matter. Learning about them can build respect for them. That respect can grow into real care for the natural world.
The visuals also play a major role in the book’s success. Each creature appears in a clear, in-habitat photo paired with quick details on size, diet, activity, and a handful of fun facts. That format keeps the learning light, fast, and genuinely enjoyable. One detail that stuck with me was that pill bugs cannot survive underwater even though they use gills to breathe. Facts like that are surprising in the best way. Better yet, the book delivers similar memorable tidbits throughout, giving readers plenty to talk about and plenty to investigate further.
Tiny Backyard Discoveries is a great pick for readers who enjoy animals, science, or outdoor exploring. It would also fit nicely in classrooms. It works well as a companion for nature walks, too. Most of all, it encourages children to slow down and look closely. This book proves how much there is to discover in even the smallest corners of nature.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B0FPZGBX7H
How Not to Behave
How to Host a Unicorn: A Tale of Hospitality and Manners follows a unicorn that enjoys structure and quiet, who visits his bear friend that has a drastically different idea of fun and has to learn how to be a good host. What was the inspiration for your story?
There’s a funny and quirky backstory. I was working on a scene for one of my nonfiction projects. In the late 1950s, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev invited UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld to his villa at Sochi. Khrushchev behaved rather boorishly, and I thought to myself, “In a different context, this could actually be a good teaching moment. How not to behave with a guest. How not to host a unicorn.” And so, Nick the Bear and Dag the Unicorn have an experience with manners and hospitality that neither will soon forget.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I think in Western society, extroversion is still seen as the “norm,” as the “desirable way of being.” Introverts and HSPs, particularly children, can feel left out or ostracized if they don’t wish to yell, stomp, get loud, perform sociability, etc. So one thing I wanted to do with Dag the Unicorn is to show that it’s perfectly fine to enjoy solitude, tidiness, a quiet afternoon with a book, and so forth.
From the hospitality perspective, I also wanted to show that when you host a guest, you must consider their feelings, too. Hosting doesn’t mean bringing someone into your space and forcing them to do all the things you want to do. You must be conscientious of the other person. For instance, Nick thinks a boisterous, wild surprise party is a lot of fun. Dag doesn’t. As a host, you can ask the guest, “Do you enjoy parties? Would you like a large group of people to talk to, or would you prefer a quieter night to watch a movie?” As an introvert myself, the quiet night of movie-watching would always be my top pick!
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scene where Dag is in the bathtub. He discovers all of the water is cold, the soap is basically unusable, and the towel is the size of a handkerchief. I had a similar experience once when I stayed with a friend who told me I needed to buy my own towels and washcloths (and a bathmat, too). Then we have Nick jiggling the knob impatiently and lurking in the hallway. It’s a reminder that even though someone is a guest in your home, they still need a modicum of privacy—and basic necessity items.
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?
Yes, it’s the beginning of the How to… with a Unicorn series. The next book, How to Christmas with a Unicorn, will release in November 2026, in time for the gift-giving season. Dag goes home to visit his parents for Christmas. His brother and sister-in-law arrive with their three wild children, who proceed to go nuts in the house: pulling the cat’s tail, trying to tear down the Christmas tree, yelling, and banging the piano keys while Dag tries to play. It’s highly relatable for any introvert or HSP who’s gone home for the holidays and found the experience chaotic and entirely too noisy.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Nick is a bear who… doesn’t.
When Nick invites Dag for a visit, he means well—but his idea of hospitality includes stomach-churning boat rides, chaotic surprise parties, and a bath towel the size of a handkerchief.
Dag does his best to stay gracious. Nick tries to show a good time. Somewhere between the fish feasts and the chandelier-spinning owl, Nick discovers what it really means to be a good host—and a good friend.
How to Host a Unicorn is a cozy, gently funny picture book about mismatched personalities, mutual respect, and the quiet strength of thoughtful souls. Within these pages, you’re invited inside a world with wit, wry humor, and plenty of fun.
Rendered in hand-drawn, imperfect illustrations that celebrate character over mechanical polish, the art honors the heart of the story itself: that real beauty lies in sincerity, not perfection.
Ideal for sensitive kids, introverts, and the adults who were once that kind of child, this story celebrates kindness and friendship without noise, unicorns without glitter, and emotional intelligence without preaching.
Albert the Donkey Solves a Mystery
Albert the Donkey Solves a Mystery is an endearing tale about friendship, problem-solving, and kindness. Set on a charming little farm, Albert the donkey and his loyal companion Eddie the dog embark on an adventure to help their bunny friend, Hoppy, solve the case of her missing carrots. The mystery unfolds with teamwork and a touch of suspense, eventually leading to a heartwarming resolution that emphasizes the values of honesty and cooperation.
The author’s depiction of Albert and Eddie’s friendship feels genuine and warm. Early in the story, the duo’s willingness to drop everything and help Hoppy shows their selflessness. The characters are easy to root for, and the sunny farm setting creates a cozy backdrop that draws you in. The story keeps the mystery light and straightforward, making it easy to follow and enjoyable for younger readers. The clues, like the carrot bits and paw prints, are presented clearly and lead smoothly to the resolution. While the scene where they find Remy surrounded by half-eaten carrots is humorously predictable, it adds a charming touch that fits perfectly with the story’s playful tone. This simplicity ensures that the narrative remains accessible and engaging for its target audience.
I also appreciated how the book sneaked in a moral lesson without feeling preachy. When Remy admits his mistake, Albert’s response is a masterclass in gentle leadership. The way the group works together to gather more carrots for Hoppy feels genuine and satisfying. It’s lovely how the story ends with the characters enjoying each other’s company as the sun sets—a perfect reminder of the joy found in friendship and forgiveness.
Albert the Donkey Solves a Mystery is a delightful read for children and adults who enjoy lighthearted tales with a message. It’s an ideal bedtime story, especially for kids who love animals or are beginning to understand the importance of kindness and teamwork. If you’re looking for a heartwarming story with a sprinkle of mystery, this one’s a keeper.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0DF9KHLXV
