Blog Archives
Lily and the Tooth Fairy
Lily and the Tooth Fairy by Latia Smith, RDH, turns the familiar experience of losing a baby tooth into a playful story about family, imagination, and the mystery of the tooth fairy. Lily spends a sunny day at the beach with Papa, building an elaborate sandcastle, enjoying a picnic, and pretending she’s part of a royal celebration. The story shifts when Lily bites into a blueberry scone and discovers that her loose tooth has finally fallen out. Papa helps her care for the spot where the tooth was lost, then takes the experience in a magical direction by sharing the story of the tooth fairies and what happens to children’s teeth after bedtime.
One of the book’s strongest qualities is the warm relationship between Lily and Papa. Their beach outing feels affectionate and relaxed, with small details such as Papa preparing food, joining Lily’s pretend royal banquet, helping her clean her tooth, and later telling her a family story about tooth fairies. Those moments make the book feel like more than a story about losing a tooth. It’s also about the way adults can turn an ordinary childhood milestone into something memorable. The rhyming text keeps the story moving, and the progression from beach adventure to bedtime fantasy gives young readers plenty of changes in setting and mood.
The fairy mythology adds an imaginative layer that gives the second half of the picture book its own personality. Papa explains that fairies have different jobs and that one group collects children’s fallen teeth, which leads naturally into Lily dreaming that she’s a fairy herself. In her dream, she can turn gold into coins, while the real tooth fairy arrives to collect her tooth. By morning, Lily finds shiny gold coins under her pillow, connecting the dream world neatly with what happened during the night. That sequence should be especially fun for children who are already curious about the tooth fairy tradition because it gives them a whole hidden world to picture.
The illustrations are a major part of the book’s appeal. The beach scenes are bright and busy, with umbrellas, waves, sandcastles, food, families, and playful background details that give children plenty to look at beyond the main action. Later, the nighttime fairy scenes switch to deeper skies, glowing wings, moonlight, and sparkling magic, which helps the fantasy section feel visually distinct from Lily’s everyday world. Lily’s expressions remain cheerful and easy to read throughout, and Papa’s friendly presence helps the more practical moments, like dealing with the lost tooth, feel reassuring.
Lily and the Tooth Fairy is a cheerful and imaginative take on a childhood milestone that blends family warmth, dental awareness, and fairy-tale adventure in a way that feels accessible for young readers.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0H6NN6B75
Babies on Board Part 1 (a Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot Adventure)
Babies on Board Part 1 is a gentle adventure about friendship, family, curiosity, and looking out for others. The story begins with Little Mouse choosing a wish for a family beach day, which brings Grumpy the Iguana, Green Parrot, and the reluctant Mr. Squirrel along for the outing. That simple setup works well because each character brings a different personality to the group. Little Mouse is enthusiastic, Grumpy is supportive, Green Parrot is knowledgeable, and Mr. Squirrel provides some light comedy with his complaints about the beach and especially the sand.
The beach trip soon becomes more than a day of swimming and relaxing. The friends discover a protected sea turtle nest, and Green Parrot explains that the baby turtles will soon hatch and make their way toward the ocean. The story then adds a bit of suspense when Little Mouse falls off a paddleboard and disappears beneath the water. His rescue by a giant sea turtle gives the adventure an exciting turn while also connecting the book’s themes of kindness and friendship. The turtle remembers that Grumpy and Green Parrot once rescued him, so his help feels like a meaningful return of that earlier kindness.
Illustrator Natalia Loseva uses bright, soft colors and expressive animal characters that make the story easy to follow for young readers. Some of the funniest images come from the characters’ reactions, such as Grumpy’s enormous worried eyes after Little Mouse falls into the ocean and Mr. Squirrel examining his sandy paws with obvious disgust. The ocean pages also shift the mood nicely, moving from sunny beach scenes to large stretches of deep blue water that make Little Mouse’s disappearance feel more dramatic. The pictures often carry the emotion of a scene before the text fully explains it, which should make the book especially enjoyable to read aloud with children.
What I enjoyed most is how naturally the story mixes an adventure with ideas about family, helping others, and caring for wildlife. The sea turtle storyline gives children something real to be curious about, while the characters keep the picture book playful and warm. By the end, the friends are preparing to return that night to help protect the baby turtles as they make their journey to the sea, leaving the story on a clear cliffhanger. Since the final page promises “To Be Continued,” this first part feels like the beginning of a larger adventure, and the combination of humor, mild suspense, colorful artwork, and affectionate friendships gives young readers plenty of reason to want to see what happens next.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B09B5CKMNK
The Enchanted Harvest Feast
The Enchanted Harvest Feast by Nina Purtee is a warm Thanksgiving fantasy set in Maplewood, where Finley Greenbriar and his fox companion, Ember, prepare for the village’s annual Harvest Feast. Finley is kind, curious, and closely connected to nature, while Ember brings humor through the observations he records in his notebook. What begins as a cheerful day of pumpkins, lanterns, baking, and village traditions soon turns into a magical quest when Finley decides to seek ingredients from the fairy garden. With help from the wizard Thistlewick, the pair follows the fairies to a hidden pond and eventually gathers enchanted vegetables, pumpkins, cranberries, and herbs for the feast.
I liked when the story blends the familiar comforts of Thanksgiving with playful fantasy. Details such as sunrise flour, moonlit honey, starlight cinnamon, glowing cranberries, and vegetables called spiralroot, glowtuber, and whispercarrot give Maplewood its own personality. Ember is especially likable because his running “observations” keep the story from becoming too solemn. His comments about happiness multiplying when it’s shared and, more importantly, pie, add a little comedy while reinforcing the book’s emphasis on generosity and community. The adventure also gives children a clear path to follow, from the village celebration to Thistlewick’s cottage, the fairy pond, the magical garden, and finally home again for the feast.
The illustrations convey the book’s enchanted atmosphere. Autumn oranges, glowing lanterns, oversized trees, fairy lights, pumpkins, cozy cottages, and sparkling forest paths make Maplewood feel inviting and storybook-like. Some of the strongest images are the lantern-filled forest scenes near the beginning, the fairy pond and garden in the middle, and the nighttime feast scenes near the end. The book also varies its page design, mixing full-page illustrations with framed scenes, decorative leaves, sparkles, small character art, and text-heavy pages. The publisher notes that the illustrations were AI-assisted and extensively human-curated, and the visual style does shift somewhat from page to page, particularly in how Finley, Ember, and the other children are rendered. Still, the recurring autumn palette and woodland imagery help keep the overall presentation connected.
This is a children’s book about gratitude expressed through sharing, friendship, food, and community. The final feast brings everyone together around fantastical versions of familiar Thanksgiving dishes, including glowing cranberry sauce, sunrise-flour cornbread, and a pumpkin pie that shimmers like the harvest moon. I also liked that the book keeps going after the main story with puzzles, hidden-object activities, a maze, a spot-the-difference page, and a closing note from Thistlewick about kindness. Those extras make it feel less like a book children simply finish and more like a seasonal experience they can linger over. For families looking for a Thanksgiving story with fairies, woodland magic, cozy food, and a clear message about being grateful for the people around you, The Enchanted Harvest Feast offers plenty to enjoy.
Pages: 42 | ASIN : B0H6KXHTSX
The ABCs of Crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay
ABCs of Crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay by Susan Swift is an inviting introduction to the world of Chesapeake Bay watermen, told through the familiar structure of the alphabet. Swift draws on a life closely connected to the Bay and to a family of watermen, and that firsthand connection gives the book a warm sense of purpose. From “A is for Aboard” to “Z is for Zinc,” young readers get a clear look at the people, creatures, tools, and traditions that make commercial crabbing possible.
What makes this children’s book especially engaging is how much real information Swift fits into such an accessible format. Children learn why crab pots have escape rings, what makes a crab a “keeper,” how a pot puller works, why menhaden are used as bait, and even the difference between a jimmy and a sook. The book also introduces ideas about conservation in a natural way, explaining size limits, quotas, and other practices that help protect the crab population for the future.
The watercolor-like backgrounds, labeled crab anatomy, boats, buoys, pots, gear, and working watermen help children understand things they may never have seen up close. Some pages function almost like visual field guides, while others capture the feeling of being out on the water. By the time readers reach the early-morning crabbing scene and the familiar Chesapeake tradition of gathering around a table to pick steamed crabs, the book has connected the work of harvesting seafood with the culture that grows around it.
There’s also something meaningful about the way ABCs of Crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay celebrates knowledge that’s often passed from one generation to the next. Swift introduces children to the vocabulary of a working waterfront while showing the preparation, skill, rules, and long hours behind a bushel of crabs. It’s a book families can read together, teachers can use to spark conversations about the Chesapeake Bay, and young readers can return to whenever curiosity sends them back to the water. ABCs of Crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay turns the alphabet into a lively voyage through the work, wildlife, and traditions of one of America’s most treasured waterways.
Page: 38 | ISBN :1962416380
So You Want To Be A Singer
So You Want To Be A Singer by Linda Soules is an engaging and informative nonfiction guide for young readers who dream of turning their love of singing into something more. Written for children, the book takes the excitement of performing and combines it with an honest look at the training, discipline, and dedication required to become a professional singer. Soules treats young readers with respect, showing them that singing is not simply about natural talent or standing in the spotlight. It is a craft that develops through practice, knowledge, patience, and care. The colorful illustrations and approachable writing make the book especially inviting for children who are curious about what happens behind the scenes in the music world.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is the way it explains the science of the human voice. Soules introduces concepts such as breathing, the diaphragm, vocal cords, resonance, range, and vocal health in language children can easily understand. Readers learn that a singer’s body is their instrument and that factors such as hydration, sleep, stress, illness, and regular practice can affect how that instrument performs. Practical details, including vocal exercises, recording equipment, pop filters, and in-ear monitors, make the profession feel real and tangible. These explanations help children understand why successful singers must care for their voices with the same seriousness that athletes care for their bodies.
The book also does an excellent job of showing that singing is both an artistic and collaborative career. Readers travel from practice rooms and recording booths to soundchecks and arena stages while meeting the vocal coaches, accompanists, producers, sound engineers, and musical directors who help bring a performance to life. Soules does not focus only on the glamorous side of the profession; she also discusses repetition, auditions, vocal problems, industry pressure, and the resilience needed to continue improving. Stories of singers such as Aretha Franklin, Marian Anderson, and Andrea Bocelli add historical and inspirational context, demonstrating that remarkable voices are shaped not only by technique but also by individual experiences, challenges, and determination.
So You Want To Be A Singer is an encouraging, realistic, and highly accessible introduction to the world of professional singing. It gives young readers practical information while still preserving the joy and emotional power that make music so appealing in the first place. Children who sing into hairbrushes, perform in the shower, join choirs, or imagine themselves on a stage will find plenty to inspire them, while parents and teachers will appreciate the book’s emphasis on practice, self-care, and realistic expectations. Soules ultimately delivers an empowering message: every person has a unique voice, and with knowledge, training, and dedication, young singers can discover just how far their own voice might take them.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0GYKW5K52
Cognizance: But You Can Call Me Toggy
Cognizance by TC & LJ is a gentle children’s story about awareness, empathy, and the quiet power of noticing how other people feel. Toggy begins as a small gray stuffed elephant sitting alone on a shelf in a Manhattan boutique. After a family brings him home, a warm light awakens inside him, and he gradually realizes that he can sense emotions others might overlook. He notices joy, sadness, worry, and peace, and he learns that simply paying attention can be an act of love. That idea gives the story a clear emotional center without making Toggy feel like a traditional superhero. His gift is attentiveness, and the book treats that as something meaningful and powerful.
The strongest part of the story is the way Toggy’s awareness develops through small moments. His relationship with Snuggs, a worn teddy bear carrying a quiet sadness, is especially effective. Toggy doesn’t try to solve Snuggs’s feelings or give him a speech. He simply moves closer and tells him, “I see you.” That scene captures the book’s message in a way young readers can understand: kindness can begin with paying attention and being present. As Toggy continues caring for Snuggs and the other stuffed animals, his spark seems to spread through the room, creating a feeling of warmth and connection.
The illustrations are a major part of the book’s personality. They have a soft watercolor look, with hazy blues, purples, pinks, and warm washes that make the pages feel dreamy and comforting. Manhattan appears busy and colorful, while the child’s bedroom becomes a calmer, almost glowing space filled with stars, soft light, and cozy stuffed animals. Toggy’s inner spark is shown visually as ribbons or bursts of pale light, so children can literally see the feeling the text is describing. I also liked the visual contrast between crowded city scenes and the quieter nighttime pages. The artwork makes emotional awareness feel almost tangible, especially when Toggy sits beside Snuggs or watches over the sleeping child. The pictures give younger readers plenty to notice even when the text is exploring fairly abstract ideas.
The ending turns Toggy’s discovery into something children can actually practice. Readers are invited to ask themselves how they’re feeling, wonder how someone nearby might be feeling, and think of one small kind thing they can do. That interactive touch fits naturally with the story because Toggy has spent the whole book learning those same habits. Some of the language about consciousness, vibration, and emotional energy is more philosophical than what appears in many picture books, but it matches the authors’ stated goal of encouraging emotional awareness, kindness, self-trust, and connection. Overall, Cognizance: But You Can Call Me Toggy is a warm, reflective story that gives children a memorable little character through whom they can explore empathy, feelings, and the value of truly noticing the people around them.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0GZCRTBC7
So You Want To Be An Astronaut
So You Want To Be An Astronaut by Linda Soules is an engaging and informative guide for children ages ten to fourteen who dream of traveling into space. Rather than presenting the career as effortless or glamorous, Soules explains the years of education, training, discipline, and teamwork required before an astronaut ever reaches the launchpad. Readers learn about underwater spacewalk practice, survival training, emergency drills, orbital mechanics, and the physical and emotional demands of living far from Earth.
One of the book’s greatest strengths, and really the strength of the whole series, is its ability to explain complicated scientific ideas in a clear, age-appropriate way. Topics such as microgravity, life-support systems, spacesuits, and the effects of spaceflight on the human body are presented without overwhelming the reader. The book also explores daily life aboard the International Space Station, where ordinary activities such as sleeping, eating, exercising, and using the bathroom must be completely adapted. Soules balances these technical details with memorable facts and vivid descriptions that make the experience of space travel feel real.
The colorful illustrations, short sections, fact boxes, and glossary make the book especially appealing and easy to explore. Historical profiles of astronauts such as Valentina Tereshkova, Yuri Gagarin, and Mae Jemison add inspiration and show how pioneering individuals helped make human spaceflight possible. The book also recognizes the engineers, scientists, mission controllers, doctors, and other professionals who support every mission, helping young readers understand that there are many different ways to build a career in space exploration.
So You Want To Be An Astronaut is an exceptional introduction to both the wonder and the reality of becoming an astronaut. It encourages children to dream boldly while reminding them that extraordinary accomplishments require preparation, perseverance, curiosity, and courage. Most importantly, the closing sections offer practical steps, activities, and further resources that young readers can begin using now. This honest, beautifully presented guide will inspire space-loving children while giving them a realistic understanding of the work behind the dream.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0GX36W8H5
We Fear What We Can’t Explain
Mitten Discovers His Shadow follows a curious kitten on his first adventure out of the barn, who discovers his own shadow and thinks it is a monster. Did the story begin with the science concept or with Mitten as a character?
The concept for Mitten Discovers His Shadow came first, and the character showed up right after. I was driving home from work one evening and noticed my car’s shadow keeping pace beside me. I thought, what an interesting thing to explain to a child. At the time, my son was two years old, and we had cats at home. So, I had my audience and my main character living in the same house. Telling the story from a kitten’s point of view gave me the right eye level—down where the shadow is enormous, and the world hasn’t been explained yet.
Why was it important for Mitten to move from fear to curiosity rather than simply be told there was nothing to worry about?
Being told there’s nothing to worry about almost never works—for children or adults. We often fear what we can’t explain, or don’t understand, and reassurance doesn’t explain anything. Mitten’s mother doesn’t solve his “monster kitten” problem for him; she gives him a way to think about it. She calls his shadow his “sun picture,” and then he has to test that answer for himself. Cats are curious and like to investigate, so Mitten’s reactions to his shadow are natural responses. I wanted the relief at the end of the story to be something Mitten earned rather than something he was handed
Young children often become frightened by things adults consider ordinary. Why was it important to treat Mitten’s fear seriously rather than laugh at it?
A fear that gets laughed at doesn’t go away; it just gets buried deep down. When that happens, a child learns not to mention the next one to avoid being made fun of again. To young children, a dark shape that copies your every move and doesn’t leave when you try to get away from it is a perfectly reasonable thing to be afraid of. If the story had treated Mitten’s fear as silly, the comfort at the end wouldn’t have been worth anything. I wanted children to see that being scared of something is an okay place to start—it’s just not where you have to stop.
Do you imagine Mitten having more barnyard adventures?
Yes, absolutely! Mitten Discovers Snow is in development now, with Mitten Discovers Rain to follow. The pattern I’m building on is one small mystery per book—something ordinary that’s brand new to a young child—and a barnyard full of animals that have their own opinions about it. Mitten has a lot left to discover, and I don’t think he’s going to leave any of it alone.
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A charming, science-themed picture book about a curious kitten’s big adventure and his magical “sun-picture” friend. Perfect for ages 2-5!
Mitten the kitten is finally big enough to explore beyond the red barn, but he isn’t alone! A long, dark shape is following his every move. Is it a monster kitten? Or something much more magical?
Young readers will follow an adorable tuxedo kitten as he pounces, hides, and eventually befriends his own shadow. Through playful sensory language and vibrant illustrations, this gentle story introduces children to the science of light and shadows in a way that feels like a game of hide-and-seek.
