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Traveling Companions
When a mountain village is destroyed by a mudslide, the villagers must relocate to the bottom of the mountain. A young boy is injured in the mudslide and has a broken leg. He can not walk with the rest of the villagers, so he remains in what is left of the village with the old village elder and the blind blacksmith. They face the choice of waiting there with little water and food or trying to reach the valley on their own. Together they form a plan to try and reach safety relying on one another.
Traveling Companions by Tuula Pere is a beautiful children’s book about working together and realizing each person’s strengths and values in life. While each of the three companions has a significant physical challenge, they can work together and put their skills to use to survive.
I love how the weakest and most vulnerable are brought into focus for this story. It teaches compassion to those that need it and shows that even when old, sick, or disabled, people still have value and can contribute. Children will learn that everyone has value, even if you can not see it immediately. Each member of the traveling group has an important job. The young boy had food and water that the other two did not, as well as good eyesight, the blacksmith had strength that hey other two lacked, and the elder had knowledge of how to safely get down to the valley.
Traveling Companions is a heartwarming picturebook for classrooms and families that teaches children about diversity and acceptance and that everyone has value in society. The message of teamwork and persistence shines, though, and kids will see that when they work together, they can accomplish things they would not be able to on their own.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B07HYXSPYV
Colin the Crab Falls in Love
Colin, the crab, has built his home and life in the bay. He is happy with all but one thing in his life. He wants a spouse to share the life he has built with. So Colin invites his friends over to discuss what he should do to find a wife. After many suggestions, Colin realizes the best way for him to find a wife is to just be himself, and it will happen.
Not long after, there is an accident at the museum, and Colin rushes over to help with the broken displays. There he meets Clara, the museum assistant. She is the most beautiful and friendly crab Colin has ever met, and they connect instantly. Colin enjoys his time with Clara and wants to impress her. This results in him being in an accident and almost getting hurt. Clara reminds him that she loves him just as he is, and he doesn’t need to change to impress her. Could he have found the love he was looking for in Clara?
I love how author Tuula Pere has continued bringing Colin’s story to life. He is an amazing crab with a giving heart, always helping others. Giving him this story where he finds someone that matches his kindness and personality is a great way to teach children to be themselves and be proud of who they are. While this story is about finding love, it could easily apply to all areas of life where you want children to know it is ok to be who they are and they do not have to change to impress people around them. Each person is unique in their own way, and that is enough.
Colin the Crab Falls in Love is a heartwarming children’s book about finding love through being yourself. Colin tried getting advice on how to find a wife, but he realized that the way all his friends found love was unique to who they were and their personalities. He was wise to recognize that changing himself would not get the results he wanted, and when he tried to change himself, he almost got hurt. The message of staying true to yourself is essential for children to learn.
Pages: 50 | ISBN : 9527107547
The Scary Snakes
Shelly is terrified of snakes, so much so she is unable to enjoy outings with her family for fear there is a snake everywhere. When out on a picnic with her family, she is afraid to even walk on the ground, and her dad has to carry her all over. She is worried that when she gets bigger and her dad can no longer carry her that she will not be able to go out with her family on these adventures. When she gets home, she calls her Grandma to tell her how upset she is, but Grandma has a plan to help her. The next day Grandma shows up with her yarn and knitting needles and together work out a plan to get past her fear of snakes.
The Scary Snakes by Tuula Pere and illustrated by Catty Flores is a creative picture book about one girl overcoming her fear of snakes. With her help of her, Grandma Shelly knits all sizes and colors of snakes to put all over her house. Seeing the harmless, fun snakes all over helps her overcome her fear.
What I love about this story is that no one makes fun of Shelly’s fear; it is taken seriously, and instead of making her feel bad, her family does things to help her overcome them. In addition, there is a strong bond between Shelly and her Grandma; it is heartwarming to see them connect over making snakes.
I loved how Catty Flores gave the characters so much energy. You can feel the excitement as Shelly gets over her fears and has fun with her Grandmother. The illustrations are colorful and have great details bringing the knitted snakes to life.
The Scary Snakes is a beautiful children’s book about overcoming fears and building confidence. This is an excellent story for kindergarten and young elementary students to learn how being afraid of things is normal.
Pages: 32 | ISBN : 9523572989
A Special Sweater
Eddy is creative and enthusiastic about knitting. After making a pot holder decides he will knit a sweater. He starts by looking at designs in a magazine, then he draws up a plan. Unfortunately, he hits roadblocks towards his goal. His family thinks this project is too much for him and that he can’t get the right yarn and needles to make a project this large. Rather than giving up, Eddy finds ways around these problems and never gives up on his vision. Even when it takes him months to complete the project, he keeps going and finding solutions to every problem he encounters. In the end, Eddy is proud of his hard work and dedication; nothing anyone says will diminish his happiness.
A Special Sweater by children’s author Tuula Pere is a heartwarming children’s book about dedication and determination. Eddy learns to knit, and even when everyone around tells him making a sweater is too much work or trouble, he refuses to give up. Instead, he makes the best of the supplies he is given, even if they are not what he needs or wants for his vision. The ability to adapt to his situation and the make the best is a valuable lesson that children can learn from.
I love how Eddy keeps going, takes every obstacle, and finds a way around it. So many books have things work out easily. This one really showcases how important a good attitude is to turning something into a magical experience. When things don’t work out how he wants he adjusts his vision and perspective to see the project through.
A Special Sweater is an inspirational picture book that will show children that they can achieve their dreams even when there are obstacles in the way. They will learn that having a good attitude is key to finding a way through challenges in life. This is an excellent book for families and classrooms to have.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B09K6M3CHL
Write a Children’s Book Was on My Bucket List
Ten Precious Pigs follows a family of piggies as they finish eating and head off on their own adventures, eventually all coming back together at bedtime_._ What was the inspiration for your story?
I knew I wanted to write a children’s book, and of course I love numbers and counting (I’m an accountant). I have loved anything to do with cute little pigs since I was a little girl. So, I decided to write a book about counting and cute pigs who go on exciting adventures.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
I had so much fun creating each pig’s adventure scene, but I think my favorite scene in the story is when all the pigs come home. They are all exhausted from their fun escapades and they pile up together by the fireplace to sleep.
What inspired you to become a children’s author?
A long time ago, I was in college studying for a degree in Elementary Education. One of the assignments in my Children’s Literature class was to use any means available to create artwork for a scene of a children’s book. I enjoyed this assignment so much that I decided to add “write a children’s book” to my bucket list.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Actually my husband, Bill, and I are working on a book together. It’s going to be a series of books. The series is going to be focused on a variety of everyday life events which cause children to be nervous or have anxiety. The first in the series is about a brother and sister going to daycare for the first time. I am hoping we will have it ready to publish by the end of 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram
Ten Precious Pigs is an adorable picture book for children ages 3-5 years. It tells a story full of the fun and silly adventures of ten pigs. By using rhymes and repetition, the story teaches young children how to count to ten.
If you like counting, pigs who do funny things, and adventures, this book is for you!
To complement learning, ask your child the name of each animal in the farmyard.
Count and Play with K Dot
Count and Play with K Dot, The Little-Bitty Learning Ladybug: Learning Numbers 1-10 is More Fun with a Friend! by author Kimberly Becker is a colorful and fun way to introduce the concept of counting to children. K Dot the ladybug wants to be your friend and together you go on an adventure to learn to count from one to ten. How many new friends can you make as you learn the numbers 1- 10?
This engaging picture book is filled with bright colors and K Dot is a welcoming and friendly character that children will be drawn to right away. Each page has a simple illustration, perfect for babies and toddlers. From the beginning of the story, young readers will be asked to engage in the story as K Dot asks what their name is and if they want to be friends. This makes the book an active reading story from the start and encourages children to do more than sit and listen.
The story’s rhyme is a classic children’s song that the author has turned into an imaginative story. Adults will recognize the nostalgic rhyme while giving children a fresh look, thanks to K Dot’s jovial personality. Becker has done a great job bringing this classic to the next generation of children. I am happy that she kept the last line, “sit on a big fat hen,” which has always been my favorite part.
Count and Play with K Dot, The Little-Bitty Learning Ladybug: Learning Numbers 1-10 is More Fun with a Friend! is an excellent book for preschools and one of a child’s first books. The creative illustrations and musical rhymes will provide entertainment, and with so many new friends joining K Dot, the story will never get old or boring to read. Children will enjoy counting the bugs sounding each number as K Dot signs her song.
Pages 42: ASIN : B09Z2733SZ
Mickey on the Move Farming
A young boy is born with deafness in both ears, he wants to do all the things that children with hearing do though. His family gets him Cochlear implants but they can not get wet. He enjoys life on the farm and his dad’s wine vineyard helping out, especially helping with the chickens. However, things like swimming and playing in the rain are impossible because his implants will get broken if they get wet. Keeping his ears dry can be challenging when there are things like sprinklers, water for the animals, and unpredictable rain storms.
Then one day he gets Aqua Cochlear and his life changes! These new implants can get wet! Now he can play in the rain, go swimming, and no longer has to worry about getting his ears wet. Being on the farm has never been so much fun.
Mickey on the Move Farming by Michelle Wagner and illustrated by Jenny Phelps is a touching story about a little boy that has his life improved with Aqua Cochlear. This picture book explains to children what a Cochlear implant device is and does so in a way that is easy to understand for even young kids. The simple explanations accompanied by the creative and colorful illustrations will help children to understand what the Cochlear device is. Mickey goes on adventures many children enjoy from fishing and swimming to playing in the rain.
The thing that parents and teachers will love about this book is that it explains how special needs children are still normal kids. They sometimes have the medical equipment to help them do the things other children do. It does not mean they do not desire to have the same fun and adventures as their classmates and friends. This is a wonderful way to teach inclusion and diversity to younger elementary-age students.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0B33N3TGF
Do You See Me when We Travel
Traveling with small children is a challenge at times. They often don’t understand why things take so long, they get bored easily, and do not like having their routine changed. Do You See Me when We Travel by Tuula Pere is a whimsical look at traveling from a child’s perspective. It helps children with things like long car rides, strange food, new places, and sleeping in a strange bed.
As a parent, I recognize many of the questions and comments the small child makes in this picture book. This is an amazing book to read to a preschooler or kindergarten child before taking a long trip to someplace new. It will help them understand that things may look and feel different, but that is ok. The child in the story was able to find things that were more like they are used to and learn to enjoy being someplace new.
Majigsuren Enkhbat illustrations are colorful and fun to look at. Seeing the child and only the legs of the adults really puts the perspective on a level for small children to relate to. The use of different color text in for the adults vs the child was also a brilliant choice. The text is written like a conversation between the adults and the child so having the different colors makes it so young readers can easily identify the parts that are from a kid’s perspective.
Do You See Me when We Travel is a heartwarming picture book that children and adults can appreciate and enjoy? This book is perfect to take when traveling to help keep kids entertained on the way anticipating all the fun they can have on their adventure.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B09JMFWKRM
LITERARY TITAN 