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Blink, Blink, Blink in Sync: Silent Fireworks
A little girl goes on an adventure with her parents but finds the wait long and tedious. She gets antsy waiting in line and having to use her inside voice even though they are outside. Soon it starts getting dark, and she does not like this one bit. After a few minutes, though, something extraordinary and spectacular starts to happen! Small flashes of light show up. It doesn’t take long before all around there are thousands of lights flashing all together around them. These magical lights are fireflies, a unique firefly species that all light up together.
Blink, Blink, Blink in Sync: Silent Fireworks, written by Sharon CassanoLochman and illustrated by Pearly Lim, is a beautiful picture book that teaches children about fireflies. It is more than just a cute story about a little girl seeing the display of lights. There is an explanation of how fireflies are beetles and how their wings work, information on how many species of fireflies there are, and how only a few can blink in sync like the ones in this story. This educational book continues with a map of where to find fireflies, their lifecycle, and an easy-to-understand explanation of how they blink and light up their lanterns. The end of the book includes how to make your own backyard a friendly place for fireflies.
The illustrations are whimsical and inviting. Lim does a fantastic job capturing the magical feel of the firefly and showing the glow in the darkness as inviting and not something for children to be afraid of. Lim’s detail for the science portion of the book is well done and makes it easy for children to identify the parts of a lightning bug.
As someone that is in awe of these interesting bugs and has watched them for years, I never knew there was a species that would make all light in sync. I found this book as an adult to be highly informative and can see it making a great reading book for elementary students. This is an excellent addition for anyone that loves fireflies and early education science.
Pages: 48 | ASIN : B0B288K9GF
Buddy and Bailey’s Alaskan Adventure
Alaska is home to many different animals and environments. From icebergs to thick woods to miles of grasslands, there is a home for all kinds of animals. Buddy and Bailey, two dog brothers, take readers on an exciting adventure all over Alaska to meet new animals and make new friends. First, they meet a beaver, some moose, a polar bear family, a pack of wolves, some grizzly bears, ox, caribou, salmon, and puffins, and finally, they meet up and play with a dog sled team! They have traveled all over the state to meet these animals, which has been an exciting adventure.
Buddy and Bailey’s Alaskan Adventure by Kai Reeg, illustrated by M.F. Shobaru, does more than show readers different animals. It shares some of the highlights of Alaska, Mount Denali, and the Kenai Peninsula and even talks about the Iditarod race. Young children will learn so much about Alaska by reading this book. After learning about each animal, there is a question to keep children engaged in the story and actively listening.
I love all the different animals that children are introduced to in this picture book. Children will learn more than just the animal names. They get to know simple facts about them and about where they live. It is an excellent introduction to the different wildlife in Alaska. I can see parents using this to read to children before taking a trip there and getting kids excited about everything they may see.
The narrators are two dog brothers, which makes this exciting book even more enjoyable. Who would not want to go on a journey led by two dogs to meet new animal friends? Teachers and parents will enjoy reading Buddy and Bailey’s Alaskan Adventure as much as children as they learn all about Alaska and the wildlife that make it their home.
Pages: 33 : ISBN 979-8-9851783-0-2
Kindreds
Kindreds is the impassioned story of a girl who has experienced tragedy. When trying to adapt and make something of herself, a boy from her past comes back into her life. Together they experience the magic of Carnival Nolianna.
Lilah lost her parents and her twin brother, Aiden, in an accident when she was younger. She lived with her Grandma Pea until recently, when she passed away. Lilah was placed in a home with only 22 months left until she aged out of the foster care system.
While staying with this family, she is introduced to Joey, who is being fostered next door. Joey was Aiden’s best friend growing up and recognized Lilah as soon as they were introduced. Being reconnected has brought up painful feelings from the past and has formed a deep bond between them. This emotional turmoil is explored in deep and meaningful ways throughout the story and I really enjoyed it because B.B. Russell uses it to establish characters, motivations and connections seamlessly. Lilah is introduced to many other kids in the system at her new school. Sebastian, one of Joey’s friends, quickly takes a liking to Lilah and is always trying to provoke her. The three of them form a friendship with both boys trying to get Lilah’s attention. Each of them is unique and intriguing and readers will enjoy seeing their characters evolve as the story progresses.
One night Lilah follows Joey to a hangout she wasn’t invited to. Sebastian notices her following and invites her to join them. Lilah then finds herself looking at a full-blown carnival. Carnival Nolianna only exists for a select number of nights out of the year and only those who are invited can come. This feels so magical and exotic and I was excited when I learned about the carnival. On the last night, ten selected participants will become members of the carnival “Nolies” and live there until a certain age. Each person chosen has a unique set of skills that will benefit the community and the person they are matched with. Joey has always wanted to join and is enjoying every moment spent in Nolianna. Lilah on the other hand is curious as to how everything works and doesn’t quite believe everything she is being told. This helps to ground the story. The dynamic between Lilah, Joey, and Sebastian shifts as she uncovers the truth behind Nolianna. This situation created a lot of intrigue and was one of the reasons I kept coming back to this book.
The writing style in this enchanting young adult romance novel is engaging and fluid throughout. The plot moves quickly, maybe because I was more than willing to follow the intriguing characters. The relationships between characters were interesting, especially the love triangle with the three main characters. The layering of storylines added surprising depth to the book.
B.B. Russell has written a heartfelt story in a creative world with compelling characters. I enjoyed this magical teen mystery story and I can’t wait for more stories in this world because I feel like there is so much more left to explore.
Pages: 319 | ASIN: B098FGHLRM
Summertime with Snowman Paul
Paul is not your typical snowman; rather, he is alive and does not melt away with the winter snow. So, Paul stays with his friends year-round and participates in all their fun activities. However, summer is more challenging; a snowman does not do well even if he doesn’t melt away. So, his friend Dan comes up with a plan to help Paul survive summer and have fun too. But, can Dan’s plan really work and save summertime for Paul?
Summertime with Snowman Paul, written by Yossi Lapid, is a fun and entertaining picture book that preschoolers and kindergarten readers will enjoy. The full-page colorful and whimsical illustrations are done by Joanna Pasek. Kids will enjoy seeing popular summer activities in the book and will be able to understand why Paul is so sad to be missing out on them.
What I really love about this children’s book is the imaginative character of Paul. Kids are used to seeing other pop culture snowmen, but Paul is different, and I feel more relatable. Dan’s compassion for his friend Paul is also a wonderful message for children to read about. They learn how important it is to help out your friends and that not everyone has to enjoy the same activities to be friends. While Dan and his friends want summer by swimming and going to the beach, it just does not work for Paul. So instead of leaving him behind, Dan problem solves a way to make him comfortable and help him enjoy summer with his friends. The world needs more friends like Dan.
Summertime with Snowman Paul is a magical picture book that will have children and adults laughing and enjoying the antics of a snowman trying to find a way to enjoy the summer heat. Along the way, children learn a valuable lesson about compassion and friendship.
ASIN: B0B1HJ46YW
We All Have Spots
Logan is a young leopard that wakes up late, and the rest of his herd is gone. He wants to set out to find them on his own, but he doesn’t know where to look, so he just heads off to see who he can find. He is drawn to animals with spots like him. First, he found cows, then bunnies and birds. Over and over, Logan found more animals with spots, but none were like him. Eventually, he does find his family. But the events of his day stay with him. He thinks about how everyone is different, but in the end, he decides what matters is how they are all the same.
We All Have Spots by author M. J. McDonald is a beautifully written story about acceptance of others and friendship. Instead of focusing on all the ways he is different from the other animals he meets, Logan focuses on what they have in common and feels that it is enough for them to be friends. It is an excellent message for children to hear.
I loved the positive way Logan approached each animal, explaining how if they did something different than him, like rolling in mud or hanging upside down, he was very friendly about it, never putting the differences down. A positive attitude and open mindset are great examples for preschoolers and young elementary students.
We All Have Spots is a thought-provoking children’s book that gives young readers much to consider. In an easy to understand manner, children are shown that just because people look different from one another, they can still be friends and that it is important to find the things that are the same between people.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B09YNNL227
The Little Regenerative Farmer
One day a little girl and her parents went to visit a farm. Her name is Lina, and she loves animals of all kinds. She realizes that she too wants a farm, but her parents are not so sure, they tell her how much work it is, but Lina is not discouraged. Instead, she reads books to find out the best way to care for chickens and convinces her parents to let her have some. From there, she starts a garden and grows all kinds of vegetables, so many that she shares with the neighbors. Soon she is teaching her family and neighbors all about the value of regenerative farming.
The Little Regenerative Farmer by Lauren Lovejoy is an educational and heartwarming story about one girl’s desire to make the world a better place. This children’s book teaches kids about what regenerative agriculture is and how it can be done even with a small backyard garden. You do not need a farm to make the world a better place.
Yana Gorbatiyk illustrates this story in a way that draws the readers into Lina’s world. Her backyard farm is filled with cute animals that will make you smile and laugh and keep younger readers’ attention as they investigate all that the images offer. The illustrations alone tell this magical story so younger children that can not read yet can still understand what is happening in the story.
The Little Regenerative Farmer is an enlightening picture book about farm life and animals. It teaches children and adults about how regenerative farming works. Another meaningful message of this story is to not give up on your dreams; Lina wanted a small farm and, through hard work and research, was able to achieve her dream. This is a beautiful book for families and schools to teach about farming and dedication.
Pages: 43 | ASIN : B09VWTZKWV
Bubbles
Anibabs is a little girl who, when she turns four, discovers she has a unique and amazing talent. She can blow bubbles! Now, these are not your ordinary soap bubbles or bubble gum bubbles; no Anibabs can blow bubbles in all shapes, colors, and sizes. What was even more impressive is that she didn’t just blow bubbles with her mouth. Instead, they came out of her nose and ears and even her bum! So what fun will Anibabs have now that she has discovered her special talent?
Bubbles, written by Sarah Vizzard and illustrated by Lynsey Hilton, is an entertaining picture book with children and adults laughing page after page. While enjoying the fun story and beautiful color illustrations, children will be able to learn shapes, colors, animals, fruits, and different vehicles as Anibabs makes bubbles in all kinds of shapes. The animal bubbles were my favorite. Children will love looking at these pictures.
The author points out to readers that everyone has extraordinary and unique talents. This message is essential for children to hear and see. Presented in a silly and fun rhyming manner, this children’s book will be delightful to read out loud in a classroom or as a bedtime story.
Seeing all the different ways that Anibabs can blow bubbles is unexpected and defiantly not something I have seen before in a children’s book. I love the originality that Sarah Vizzard has displayed with this story, and I know kids will love it too. Lynsey Hilton’s illustrations bring the tale to life; each page has so much to see and enjoy. This is a beautiful picture book for preschoolers to young elementary grade kids to enjoy reading.
Bubbles is a whimsical picture book that children, teachers, and families can all enjoy reading. Each page gives readers a chance to learn new shapes, animals, colors, or numbers and an all-around superb educational book.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0B2VTP3BG
All Things Are Possible
Mickey on the Move Farming follows a young boy with Cochlear Implants that gets Aqua Cochlear so that he can now enjoy activities without fear of them getting wet. What was the inspiration for your story?
That all things are possible. It took Cochlear over 20 years to develop the Aqua device. When my son was first implanted he could not hear me or other children while swimming. He always feared getting his “computer ears wet in the rain and it took the fun out of a lot of summer activities.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Jenny Phelps?
After first writing the book I reviewed dozens of artists’ drawings of our characters. Jenny Phelps was great right off the bat. She not only is an amazing artist she has a gift of portraying our emotions as well.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
Everyone has a lot of gratitude. So many people out there (still today ) have never heard of the cochlear implant. It is educating not only for children, but adults as well. For people that do know what they are, typically do not know what an intense surgery is or how long it takes to activate and recover.
Will there be more Mickey on the Move books, and if so when will they be available?
Yes, absolutely. Mickey is a super passionate and curious 14 year old. He is always exploring, eager for a new adventure and loves sports. I think it will be a very long series following him into his adult years.
Author Links: Instagram | Facebook | Website
Mickey, who was born with deafness in both ears, has overcome obstacles to fully enjoy the great outdoors.
His Aqua Cochlear implants allow him to hear and appreciate the beautiful sounds in nature without the worry of weather dampening his day!
Join Mickey for another adventure!
LITERARY TITAN 