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Little Creatures: Rise of the Thrangrim
In Little Creatures: Book Two — Rise of the Thrangrim, Zowie’s “normal life” barely gets a foothold before two Little Forest Elves show up at her window with bad news: the Sky Fairies have been captured by the Thrangrim—stone-and-shadow brutes led by Grallok, who broke an ancient dream-binding spell by poisoning the fairies’ dreams with nightmares. Zowie and her dad, Daniel, slip into the supernatural realm through a tree-portal, meet the last free Sky Fairy (Aurora), and follow a living map across strange territories to gather allies and, ultimately, awaken Vortharion the Flamebound—an old, sleeping dragon whose return might be the only real answer to a threat this big.
My favorite emotional connection in this book is the father-daughter pairing. Daniel isn’t window dressing; he’s a presence, protective, a little sarcastic, and deeply tender in that “I’ll be brave because you’re watching me” way. When the quest yanks them apart (and it does, sharply), the story suddenly feels riskier, like the training wheels came off and Zowie has to discover what courage feels like in her own body, not just in her intentions. I also appreciated the book’s straightforward and earnest spirituality. Zowie begins in prayer, and the story keeps that sense of reverence without turning every page into a sermon; it’s more like a soft lantern the characters carry.
Stylistically, this reads like an episodic fantasy road trip: meet a new species, learn their rules, earn their help, move on. That structure is comforting, almost bedtime-story adjacent, even when the stakes are “everyone gets conquered by nightmare trolls.” The tradeoff is that the book sometimes pauses to explain lore in big, neat blocks (Grallok’s dream-corruption backstory, the rules of realms, the prophecy weight of the Golden Oraya). Still, the creature design has a gleeful weirdness, Glowtails, Scuttle Bugs, dire wolves with royal gravitas, and the wonderful illustrations reinforce that tactile, penciled-in fairytale mood. And when the finale hits, it delivers a clean, kid-thrilling payoff.
Kids who like middle-grade fantasy, portal fantasy, quest adventure, mythic creatures, and clean, faith-leaning fairytales will really enjoy this story, as well as parents who enjoy reading aloud without bracing for cynicism. If your shelf has The Chronicles of Narnia (or you grew up on C. S. Lewis’s blend of wonder and moral clarity), this will feel like a gentler, more creature-catalog-forward cousin. It’s a story that believes that bravery can be small and still be seismic.
Pages: 112 | ASIN : B0GGJCZPQR
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
Frankie Saves the World
Frankie Saves the World is about a tiny Havanese puppy named Frankie who starts life in a nasty puppy mill setup, stuck in a crate and a small fenced circle. A scrappy stray cat named Apollo helps her escape, and they race through the outside world to a rescue farm led by a huge wise cow called Big Cow. Frankie learns she has weird powers like fire and flight, then gets sent on a scouting mission to a hidden puppy mill, and things go off the rails when she decides she cannot just watch animals suffer and does something about it.
I felt for Frankie right away. That lonely swing from having siblings, to being picked over like a product, to sitting by herself hit me in the gut. The writing has this cozy, chatty vibe, then it snaps into danger fast. I liked that. It kept me moving. Apollo was my favorite. He talks like a streetwise goof, and it made me smile even when the story got dark. Also, the farm scenes felt like a warm exhale. Mud massages. Karaoke ducks. Chaos in the best way.
The ideas are big and kind of bold for a kids book. Puppy mills. Cruelty. Rescue. Fear. Moral choices. Frankie wants safety, then she wants freedom, then she wants justice. That felt real. The magic angle was fun too, and it gave the story a comic-book pop. Frankie turning bright red when she gets mad made me laugh. The mission part got intense, and I was honestly tense reading it. I had moments where I wanted more clarity on how stuff worked, and why some rules existed. Still, the heart of it is loud and clear. Do the right thing. Even when it is scary. Even when grown-ups tell you to wait.
By the end, I was rooting for Frankie. The story stops on a to-be-continued, and that totally fits because it feels like her story is just getting started. I would hand this to kids who love animal adventures, magical powers, and fast dialogue, and also to adults who like stories with a rescue theme and a big soft spot underneath the jokes. If you want a sweet hero story with some bite, this one will do it.
Pages: 56 | ISBN: 1838757643
Escape from Meanderville Gardens
Escape from Meanderville Gardens follows Ryder, a sharp eight-year-old who wakes up late for school and ends up in a strange gated garden shaped like a giant brain. Inside, she teams up with a slightly grumpy duck and gets swept through a maze of wild scenes: a stormy tram ride, flooded hedges, gummy snakes, a spider running a computer on his web, a spaghetti net, and an eccentric Greenskeeper. Each part of the maze links to a part of the brain, and every stop turns into a kind of sideways lesson about seeing, thinking, moving, feeling, and remembering, until Ryder finally finds her way out and stumbles home just in time for dinner.
I had a lot of fun with the writing. The author leans into wordplay and goofy literal jokes, and I caught myself grinning at lines that twist normal sayings on their heads. The Sparkler Hog exploding into petals. The spaghetti worm sulking about that meatball song. It feels like the book is nudging me every couple of lines and saying, “Did you catch that?” I liked Ryder’s voice as well. She sounds dramatic and tired and hungry and clever all at once, and her comebacks made her feel like a real kid, not a squeaky perfect hero. Sometimes the puns pile up so fast that my brain needed a tiny breather, yet I still enjoyed that playful, slightly chaotic rhythm.
The whole trip through the brain maze feels like a wild picture of how thinking works when you are a kid. One minute you are distracted by bees in a flower, the next you panic in the fog and forget your own head, then suddenly everything clears, and you know what to do. Ryder keeps landing in messes, but she keeps trying new things, listens (grumpily) to advice, and slowly learns to swim, to stay calm, to solve puzzles, to stand up for herself. The science bits are sneaky and fun. I loved the bee orchids, the ladybug trap, the greenhouse, the way each section hints at vision or memory or balance without turning into a boring lesson. Underneath the jokes, I felt a real message about curiosity, paying attention, and how our minds can get muddled, then untangle again.
I’d say this children’s book is great for kids who like long, twisty stories with lots of talking animals and very silly humour. It feels perfect for confident readers around eight to eleven, or as a read-aloud for families and teachers who enjoy doing funny voices and stopping to spot puns. A younger kid might need help with the bigger words and the busy pages, but older kids who love wordplay and imagination will probably eat it up. I’d happily recommend it to any child who feels a bit bored by “normal” school stories and wants something stranger, louder, and much more adventurous.
Pages: 116 | ASIN : B0GM8T7CZR
The Greatest Magic
Royce Saves the Day follows a ten-year-old boy who finds a magical propeller cap in a little shop in South Korea and discovers that it will transport him and his little sister to extraordinary places and adventures. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for the first Royce story began with my grandson Royce’s trip to South Korea to visit his grandparents. The idea that ordinary objects can hold extraordinary possibilities. He sent me a photo of the cap he had purchased. A simple propeller cap — playful, colorful, and a little nostalgic — became the perfect symbol of childhood wonder. It represents curiosity, courage, and that moment when a child dares to believe something simple could change everything.
The setting in South Korea was inspired by the powerful feeling of travel — being far from home, surrounded by Korean grandparents, a special trip with just Mama, new sights, sounds, and culture. The thought of Royce discovering the cap on his final day of an unforgettable trip captures that bittersweet moment when adventure is ending… yet something new is just beginning.
The sibling bond is the emotional heart of the book. Why was that relationship so important?
The relationship between Royce and Yoey is special because it isn’t built on sameness — it’s built on loyalty, empathy, and a shared spirit of adventure.
Royce is often the one who steps forward into adventure first. He’s curious, imaginative, and willing to take risks. Yoey, especially knowing her journey includes being born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, represents quiet strength — resilience, perseverance, and a different way of experiencing the world. When you place those two siblings side by side, something beautiful happens: adventure becomes inclusive.
Their bond shows children that:
- Strength looks different in every person.
- The best adventures are the ones you share.
- Royce doesn’t “rescue” Yoey. He supports her. And Yoey doesn’t need fixing — she brings heart, perspective, and depth to their journeys. Together, they model a relationship rooted in respect rather than sympathy.
That dynamic is powerful for young readers because it normalizes inclusion. It tells children:
“You belong in the story.”
“You belong in the adventure.”
“You belong in the friendship.”
And that message — especially in early childhood literature — is lasting.
Every adventure circles back to helping others. Why did you center kindness as the driving force?
Kindness is the driving force in the Magic Propeller Cap series because it is the quiet power that makes the magic matter.
The propeller cap may launch the adventure, but kindness determines what happens once the adventure begins. Without it, magic would simply be spectacle. With it, magic becomes transformational.
In Royce’s world, courage isn’t about being the loudest or the strongest — it’s about choosing compassion. Each journey presents moments where characters must decide how to treat others: whether to include, to forgive, to stand beside someone who feels different, or to act with empathy instead of fear. Those choices are what truly move the story forward. Finn, the leprachaun, Luna, the tooth fairy, rescuing Bootsy, the cat, and the Sasquatch family allow Royce and Yoey to offer kindness and make the world better.
It also reflects a deeper belief that adventure is not just about faraway places — it’s about the heart. In a world where bullying is real, children reading these stories are not just watching magic happen; they’re learning that their own choices carry power.
And perhaps most importantly, kindness is something every child already possesses. The series gently reminds children that the greatest magic is in how they treat others.
Do you see more adventures ahead for Royce and Yoey?
There are more than a few more adventures ahead for Royce and Yoey for sure!
Author Website
Blending family warmth with fast-paced fantasy, this chapter book introduces young readers (ages 7–10) to a world where imagination takes flight, and one curious boy discovers that every adventure begins with a twist of wonder.
Kali the Elephant Learns from Socrates the Philosopher
Neera K. Badhwar’s Kali the Elephant Learns from Socrates the Philosopher, illustrated by Ady Branzei, opens with an immediately captivating idea. A young elephant’s tender feelings meet the steady wisdom of an ancient philosopher. It’s an unexpected pairing. It works beautifully. The story embraces that gentleness with warmth, clarity, and genuine heart.
Kali’s life at Elephant Elementary feels safe and predictable until teasing begins. Her classmates target her big ears, long trunk, and wide eyes. The sting lands quietly. It also lands true. Many children will recognize that kind of hurt at once. The book handles these scenes with care. No melodrama. No heaviness. Just emotional honesty delivered in a soft, child-friendly tone.
Kali’s efforts to change her appearance are both sweet and lightly humorous. They capture the earnest logic kids use when something feels “wrong” and they want a fix. Then Socrates enters the story, and the transition feels seamless. Kali learns that Socrates was teased as well. She also learns how he reframed his unusual features as strengths. That discovery offers Kali a new lens. Her shift is subtle. It is also powerful. She doesn’t transform into someone else. She simply meets her differences with kindness.
The book’s message is clear without ever pressing too hard. Children are reminded that appearance is shaped by genes. Each feature has a purpose. The deeper takeaway lingers longer: being made a certain way is not a flaw to conceal. It is value already present. The reassurance feels steady and sincere. What remains after the final page is more than a lesson on self-acceptance. It’s the gentle compassion in the telling. The book introduces young readers to philosophy and self-worth without sounding like a lecture.
Ady Branzei’s illustrations heighten the charm throughout. Expressions are vivid. Characters feel distinct. The visual storytelling keeps emotional moments accessible and light, even when the subject is tender.
This is an easy read with a comforting tone and a big heart. Children will enjoy Kali’s journey. Many will recognize themselves in her, too.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0F8Q52LS5
Have You Seen The Berry Monster?
Jane Carlson-Pickering’s Have You Seen the Berry Monster?, illustrated by Abby Ellis, opens with a question that feels playful and lightly mysterious. It’s the kind of hook that invites a child to lean in and listen. From the first lines, the text carries a gentle, poem-like cadence designed for reading aloud. It fits naturally into bedtime routines and family story time.
At the heart of the poem is a young girl faced with a small but nagging mystery. Each time she goes to pick blueberries, fewer remain. Her imagination leaps to a dramatic explanation: a “berry monster” must be sneaking in and stealing them away. The story captures that childhood instinct to fill in the unknown with wonder. Her daydreams feel lively and sincere. They also feel familiar.
What gives the book its deeper weight is the way imagination gradually gives way to observation. The girl doesn’t stay stuck in fear or fantasy. She starts paying attention. She begins tracking what she sees and hears. She notices colours, shapes, sounds, and patterns in the world around her. The story quietly shifts into the language of science—without ever announcing that it’s doing so.
That transition is where the book’s message lands. It never turns preachy. It never lectures. Instead, it models a way of thinking. Curiosity becomes a tool. Patience becomes a strategy. Careful attention becomes the path to understanding. Young readers are invited to participate rather than simply watch events unfold. The book nudges children to ask questions, look closely, and stay with a mystery long enough to solve it.
The ending strengthens that sense of involvement. Readers are encouraged to assemble the clues and decide for themselves who the berry monster really is. It’s a satisfying approach. It’s interactive. It feels playful, but it also feels smart.
Abby Ellis’s illustrations add a final layer of charm. They bring warmth to every page. They carry a classic, slightly nostalgic quality that works for children and adults alike. The outdoor scenes feel calm and welcoming, with a softness that matches the tone of the text.
This is a thoughtful, beautifully crafted book that shines as a read-aloud. It encourages curiosity about nature and rewards careful noticing. It also creates space for shared discovery, which makes it especially well-suited to reading together.
I would readily recommend it for children and families who enjoy stories that invite wonder, encourage thinking, and inspire exploration.
Pages: 56 | ASIN : B0G44VDLX6
Make Time to Stop and Listen
Maude’s Magical Ear Trumpet follows a kind, cheerful older woman who has begun to struggle with her hearing and is given a magical ear trumpet that not only lets her hear words better, but also the truth behind them. What first sparked the idea for your story?
I had the idea of writing a poem around an older lady and her relationship with the people around her. It was formed from memories of spending time with my grandmother when I was a child, and how she loved to talk – and listen – with her friends
Was empathy something you consciously set out to teach, or did it naturally grow out of the story?
I didn’t initially set out to write it as a children’s picture book; the story just revealed itself organically. I did want to include the idea that in a world of quick communications and throw-away conversations, there should always be time to stop and listen. Then, once you have heard, if you can help in any way, then you should. Sometimes, just a kind ear is all that is needed.
Why was it important for Maude’s Magical Ear Trumpet to be dyslexia friendly, and how did that goal influence your choices around language, sentence structure, and pacing?
I wanted the story to be inclusive of age, heritage, and disability. I wanted it to encompass all aspects of normal life. Part of that was to ensure that ALL children – and indeed adults – were able to read and enjoy the book. Making the text dyslexia friendly was just one way of doing this. The choice of language and structure was influenced by the story. I wanted it to flow in a way that was easy to read and follow, but with some challenging areas to push a child’s reading skills. Adding the odd word that makes the child ask, “What does that mean?” allows the act of reading to become collaborative.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am not currently working on another book, but hope to do a series of follow-up books incorporating Maude and her interactions with he friends and family.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Maude learns, with the encouragement of her friends, that she has the ability to help others with her kind and positive personality.
We all have magical powers, the ability to give the people around us that most precious of gifts – time. Time to listen, time to share and time to care.
Next time you meet someone, don’t hurry away. Stop and speak. Say hello, ask how they are and, most importantly, listen to their answer. Try to leave them with a smile on their face, as that might just make a difference to their day – and yours too!
“Maude’s Magical Ear Trumpet” is a Dyslexia friendly picture book, with text designed to help readers enjoy stories on their own or with a friend.
