Blog Archives
Murray the Cat: First Adventures
Murray the Cat by Victoria Winifred is a delightful read that follows the story of Murray, a charming feline. Charlie and Emma, two siblings, long for a pet, but their parents feel it is not the right time, as they are in the midst of moving, and adding a pet will only add to their stress. However, fate intervenes, and as they return home from school, they encounter a magnificent striped cat in their driveway. Charlie and Emma plead with their parents to keep the cat, but their request is declined. Murray, however, eventually wins over the parents and becomes a cherished member of the family. The heart of the story follows Murray’s owner’s attempts to reclaim him, while Murray resists and longs to stay with Charlie and Emma.
Murray the Cat is a heartwarming tale of two children who embrace Murray into their lives and hearts. The story captures the adorable moments when Emma mentions to her father that Murray takes away the stressful stuff. The book highlights how Murray blends seamlessly into their family, bringing joy to the children’s lives. Pets are a source of unconditional love and compassion, and this book highlights that beautifully.
The colorful illustrations add charm to the story, making it feel like a delightful cartoon. One interesting aspect of the book is how Murray had already chosen Charlie and Emma as his family before they decided to keep him. As the adage goes, pets adopt us before we adopt them. The author also emphasizes the importance of responsible pet ownership, as the family takes Murray to the vet to ensure his good health and verify that he does not belong to anyone else.
Murray the Cat is the perfect read for young audiences who enjoy stories featuring pets. This captivating book will teach them that it is acceptable to express their feelings and that pets are great therapy. This book is a beautiful reminder that pets can bring joy and love into our lives, and their unconditional love is truly priceless.
Pages: 45 | ASIN : B0C35DF95H
Harmony Dances On: A Book About Grief
It is hard to lose a loved one, especially as a child. When Harmony’s mother dies, she says that the pain is worse than anything else she has ever felt. She exsperances the emotions of anger, fear, and sadness and even finds chances to feel happy and hopeful. This vast range of emotions confuses her and even scares her when she momently forgets about her mom while dancing. Thankfully she has supportive family and friends around her that help her through this painful time.
Harmony Dances On: A Book About Grief by Mandy Woolf is a heartfelt story about a little girl managing the loss of her mom. Grief is a complicated emotion that is made up of many different feelings and exsperances. Harmony finds some comfort in her mother’s scarf; wrapping it around her and smelling it reminds her of her mom. She struggles with resuming normal activities like going to school and returning to her dancing. I loved how the author shows the other adults in Harmony’s life struggling with finding the right words but also being patient and understanding, showing that adults struggle with how to help their child process and deal with grief too.
Elmira Georgieva’s illustrations really bring out the emotions of the characters. I can relate to the grandmother wanting to take away Harmony’s pain and support her. The activities that are included at the end of this story are invaluable to helping families deal with grief. I loved the emotions wheel; it helps kids identify the different things they are feeling and understand that they can feel more than one thing at a time. I found “The 3 P’s” activity especially useful, not just for dealing with grief, but for every day to remind children to work at a healthy mindset each and every day.
Harmony Dances On: A Book About Grief is a well-written children’s book about a difficult topic. The author shows great compassion and understanding of children’s emotions in this picture book. This is a wonderful book to have on hand to help children that may experience a tremendous loss like Harmony.
Pages: 34 | ISBN : 1922670960
Tales from Brook Meadow: The Tale of the Fallen Eggs
One morning after a strong wind storm, a little Blue Tit named Barry discovered that his four eggs were missing. The storm blew them away, and now he has no idea where to find them. He goes to the water voles, Wilson and Felicity, begging for help. They jump right into action seeking the field mice twins, Jeremy and Vincent, to aid in the search. Once the mice were told of the situation, they raced back to Barry’s tree and, along the way, ran into the fox Victor. Victor is wise and knows everything that goes on in the woods around him; he, too, sets off to the tree to help find the missing eggs. Quickly Victor points out that the eggs must have blown into the river. Wilson and Felicity dive down and soon find the first missing egg. Can they work together and find all four missing eggs and save Barry’s family?
Tales from Brook Meadow: The Tale of the Fallen Eggs, written by Kevin Richardson and illustrated by Caroline Hazell, is a heartwarming children’s book about teamwork and friendship. Children will see in this picture book how animals from all over the woods, even a fox, come together despite their differences and work together when disaster strikes. No one said, “This is not my problem.” Instead, they ran right to help. This is a wonderful example for children to see that just because people look or act differently, that does not mean you should leave them on their own. This is a lesson that is vastly important for children to hear to help them learn empathy. The missing eggs did not impact anyone else, but they chose to help their neighbor just because it was the right thing to do. This is the value of building a community, and one that children will be able to relate to and understand.
Tales from Brook Meadow: The Tale of the Fallen Eggs is a captivating childrens book about a group of animals that all work together to help save four lost eggs. It is through teamwork they are able to find the missing eggs and return them to the nest high in the branches. This is a wonderful addition to any classroom or home library, and children and adults will love reading this story and admiring the amazing artwork.
Pages: 35 | ISBN : 1925839346
The Unluckiest Leprechaun by Far
Little Brianna Blackwell’s visits to her grandmother in Ireland are always a delight, filled with enchanting tales of magic and her family’s rich history. However, her adventure truly begins when a mysterious boy named Liam leads her on a merry chase, ultimately bringing her to the ruins of an old castle. As Brianna discovers more about Liam’s family plight, she also uncovers more about her own unique heritage. When faced with a serious choice, Brianna alone holds the key to the outcome of this magical adventure.
Michele L. Sayre’s The Unluckiest Leprechaun by Far is a whimsical tale that perfectly captures the spirit of the “wee folk” of the Old Country. Sayre’s gentle and engaging writing style will captivate readers of all ages, making it an excellent addition to any library. The story is heavily rooted in Irish heritage, incorporating many words and names from the culture with helpful pronunciation tips for those unfamiliar with the language. The photorealistic art by Christina Cartwright is highly detailed and full of bright colors, further immersing readers in Brianna’s world.
The Unluckiest Leprechaun by Far is a charming tale of humans working together with the folk of the magical realm. This joyous tale of luck and Leprechauns is an excellent choice for independent or group reading, making it suitable for all ages. The Happy Tails series promises many more wonderful books like this one, and readers will be left eagerly anticipating the next installment. This lovingly written legend is a fresh take on classic fairy-tale lore, and it is sure to delight all who read it.
Pages: 67 | ASIN : B0BYYK4NGX
Proud to Be Me
Buzz is more than just a busy bee; he is the best friend any animal could wish to have. He sees the good in all his friends and not only respects their differences but he also celebrates them. His positive attitude and ability to show all his friends their good qualities make him well-liked in the jungle.
Proud To Be Me by Kim Farrell is a fantastic picture book that teaches children how being different is not something to be ashamed of. Each person looks different; no two people are alike. Buzz teaches readers that they have value and are special no matter what they look like. Being different is what makes everyone interesting. Everyone has different skill sets that they bring to the world, which are essential. Not being able to do the same things as others does not lessen your value or importance to the world, especially to your friends. Children today are so caught up with comparing themselves to others, and especially in the online world, seeing that they are important just as they are is crucial.
The artwork of Ada Konewki clearly imparts the message of self-doubt and fear of being different. You can see from the animals how concerned they are, and children will relate. As the animals see their value, they become happier and more animated, showing children that just being themselves is enough.
Proud To Be is a well-written and heartwarming children’s book that teaches young readers about self-esteem and self-acceptance. Having confidence is hard, and having friends to help you along the way is critical. Buzz is the friend we all need in life, showing us just how amazing and beautiful we are, just the way we are today.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0BZF8L1S6
Find Me In Time: Meeting Columbus
What if you could journey back in time, witness historical events firsthand, and unearth the truth? Would such revelations reinforce or challenge our understanding of history? When five close friends discover a magical treehouse during a game of hide-and-seek, they soon realize that its enchanting powers extend beyond invisibility—it can transport them through time. Calling themselves the Tree House Club, Ashley, Emma, Keith, Aaron, and Harry embark on a thrilling adventure to uncover that history may not have unfolded as they were taught.
In Find Me in Time: Meeting Columbus, the first installment in L.T. Caton’s Find Me in Time series, the young protagonists travel back to 1492 and arrive at the island of Guanahani, now part of The Bahamas, just in time to witness Columbus’s arrival in the New World. However, they quickly learn that the historical narrative of a heroic discovery belies the brutal reality: a violent massacre of the indigenous Taíno people, driven by the Spaniards’ avaricious motives. Upon returning to the present, the group vows to share the truth about these tragic events.
Caton’s engaging work of historical fiction, aimed primarily at children and young readers, offers a concise and enlightening history lesson accessible to all. This compelling book provides an informative and eye-opening account of natural history, presented in a manner that is neither tedious nor traumatizing. The story is skillfully crafted, with a well-paced plot that smoothly transitions from one event to another. While the characters may not be intricate, their warm, genuine friendship dynamic underscores children’s inclusivity and open-mindedness when unencumbered by adult biases.
One of the most notable aspects of this book is the author’s ability to portray even harrowing historical events in a delicate yet honest manner. Accompanied by charming illustrations, Caton’s ingenious historical retelling and smooth storyline contain appealing visuals and, most importantly, its critique of the biased way history has often been recorded. It is recommended for young readers and adults, particularly those seeking to gain insight from the perspective of the conquered rather than the conquerors.
As the adage goes, history is written by the victors. So, with eager anticipation for the next installment in the Find Me in Time series, readers will undoubtedly look forward to joining the Tree House Club on their next captivating adventure.
Pages: 57 | ASIN : B0BVVDLFBS
Ready… Set… Frog!
Frogathan Spots, or just Frog, lives on Harmony Lane. He is sitting at dinner one night, and his mom tells him that their neighborhood is going to host an obstacle course. Now Frog is beyond excited about this; he loves any and all challenges. He sets off to start training right away because he wants to win the race. Unfortunately, just as he is about to begin practicing his high jump, his neighbor Mole desperately needs his help! Frog being the good friend that he is, agrees to help. This situation continues to happen each time Frog gets ready to practice; someone always ends up needing his help. Will Frog ever get to practice for the big obstacle course race?
Ready… Set… Frog! written by Katharine Mitropoulos and illustrated by Laura Watson, is a fun-filled children’s book about a loveable frog and his struggles between being a good friend and taking time for himself. Frog has a wonderful attitude and shows his genuine desire to help those around him, but he also realizes that in doing so, he is always putting himself last and preventing himself from doing the things he wants to do. This picture book shares the message that it is ok to sometimes say no, or not right now. Teaching children, it is ok to set up boundaries with friends is essential. Their goals and dreams are just as important as helping others and desire to take priority at times.
Teachers and families will have much to talk about after reading the children’s story, Ready… Set… Frog! The important messages of self-care and a positive attitude will help children grow and learn how to manage their own feelings when things get stressful. This book will make a valuable addition to a home or classroom library.
Pages: 42 | ASIN : B0BXNP55NK
The Inspiring World of Ella Rose La Fleur
Lori Schneider’s The Inspiring World of Ella Rose La Fleur is a captivating collection of poetry designed to inspire children. The author takes us on a journey through the life of Ella Rose, describing her world in a beautiful and engaging way. Divided into distinct parts, the poems provide insight into Ella Rose’s family life, her relationships with her pets, friends, and teachers, her interests, and her travels. The touching book concludes on a happy note, promising a bright future for our beloved protagonist.
The writing style of the book is simple yet effective, with rhyming quatrains and tercets that create a pleasing rhythm. The chapters are filled with the innocence and simplicity of childhood, but the author also addresses real-world issues with a sense of understanding and morality that adds depth to the work. This book provides children with numerous opportunities to learn about the importance of pets, happiness, friends, and family. In addition, the book teaches valuable lessons about compassion, sympathy, love, and care for both loved ones and strangers. The relatable nature of Ella Rose’s daily routine and activities make her character endearing and relatable, which allows young readers to connect with her and learn from her experiences. This book will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on its readers.
The Inspiring World of Ella Rose La Fleur is an excellent choice for young readers who want to explore a relatable character with a heartwarming story. In addition, the book’s simple language and powerful messages make it an ideal read for budding readers who want to learn more about themselves and the world around them.
Pages: 115 | ASIN : B0BTRRJWX7
LITERARY TITAN 