Blog Archives
The Adventures of Cathy the Catfish and Sammy the Swan
Cathy, the Catfish, is an energetic and friendly fish. She enjoys swimming around her pond and meeting new animals. One day she met Sammy the Swan, and they became instant best friends. They would spend hours every day playing and splashing around their pond home. Then, one day while playing, Cathy disappeared. Sammy didn’t know what had happened to her at first, but soon he saw her on the end of a fishing line. What would Sammy do without his best fish friend?
The Adventures of Cathy the Catfish and Sammy the Swan by Adam Houchins is a heartwarming picture book about friendship. The illustrations are cheerful and expressive. Children unable to read yet can follow the story of Cathy and Sammy without having to read the words. This makes it an excellent storybook for quiet reading time and beginning readers in preschool.
Adam Houchins has shared an important message about friendship and kindness in this short children’s book. He shows how people can still form friendships even when they are different. The fisherman shows great compassion by setting Cathy free. When Sammy realizes how much Cathy means to him, children can reflect on their friendships and develop a greater appreciation for their friends because they never know when something can change.
The Adventures of Cathy the Catfish and Sammy the Swan is a touching children’s book that will leave readers with a smile. This picture book would make an excellent addition to a home or school reading shelf and can generate wonderful discussions with children on how to treat others.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0B7KGLG6K
The Lost Smile
Mr. Jingles is a jolly Snowman who dwells in the picturesque village of Pinetree. Mr. Jingles’ big, bright smile brings cheer to everyone, as he greets the animals and villagers of his quaint village home. He and his friends, Mr. Pringles, Mr. Candy, Rusty the Robin, and all the children of the village simply adore the holiday season. Every year, Mr. Jingles is tasked with decorating the Christmas Tree for the annual Carol Service. But this year, things take a turn for the worst, as Mr. Jingles encounters a terrible winter storm, and loses his beautiful smile. Feeling hopeless and alone, Mr. Jingles wanders far from home, the grief in his heart weighing down the once-cheerful Snowman. Can Mr. Jingles hope to regain his lost smile in time, or will Christmas forever be ruined for the village of Pinetree?
It is rare to find a book that draws the reader in, presenting such a magnificently enchanting world that it is easy to forget that you are reading. The Lost Smile by Lizzie Jayne is one of those books. Each page creates a glorious atmosphere of winter splendor, as the story of happy snowman Mr. Jingles unfolds. Each detail of the little village is presented so perfectly it feels almost as if you are right there beside Mr. Jingles. And when tragedy strikes, pages turn even faster as Mr. Jingles’ adventure takes him far from home.
Each lovely illustration is hand-painted, and adds a special touch of magic as each brushstroke exudes the love and warmth that went into creating this captivating children’s book. Each character is full of life, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Coming to a perfect conclusion, this charming tale not only recounts the story of Mr. Jingles, but has a poignant and beautiful message for all who read it.
I highly recommend The Lost Smile for storytelling excellence and gorgeous illustrations. This delightful picture book is suitable for ages seven and up, and all who love a heartfelt holiday tale. This book is superb for independent as well as group reading. This book shares a story of hope in spite of tragedy, and finding the true treasure within. The Lost Smile is certain to become a family favorite this Christmas season.
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe by Kelly Chang Rickert is a heartfelt and honest story about a young girl named Hope, who is learning to cope with her parent’s divorce. It’s a story about love, family, and how difficult it can be for kids when their parents decide they can no longer live together.
Since Hope is young, she doesn’t fully grasp the full reasoning behind her parents’ divorce and believes the actual reason is because she broke her family’s snow globe last Christmas. With this in mind, Hope sets out on a personal quest to repair the broken snow globe, with the expectation that this will also repair her family.
I really enjoyed this book, and especially loved the physical representation of Hope’s parents’ divorce as “broken,” like the snow globe. The story offers a great comparison for children, so they visually understand the message of the book in the most relatable way. The book’s illustrations were warm and comforting, which I found to reflect the overall spirit of the story.
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe is an exceptional holiday story. It’s an emotional but important read for children and a great way to start the conversation about separating families. This book is a wonderful way of facilitating helpful and healing communication about a difficult topic, and I think it will be a great addition to your home library.
Pages 34 | ASIN 173526184X
Deeper Into The Hawaiian Language
Mahalo Does Not Mean Trash follows a family who shares Hawaii’s culture and traditions with a relative who is visiting from California. What was the inspiration for your story?
Born and raised in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the island of Oahu, my ancestors go back to the kings and queens of Hawai’i. After moving to California when my children were 1, 3 and 5 years old, I saw that my children weren’t learning their culture, their lineage and their language. As a father I needed to teach my children about their rich culture and the best way was through stories. This was a story I told them when they were still toddlers with each of them as the main characters. Who best to teach them this important cultural word and value than their grandparents who possess so much wisdom and love that needs to be passed down before they pass on.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Although this is a story focused on Mahalo (gratitude), you will find the other two most important Hawaiian words/values weaved throughout: Aloha (love) and Ohana (family). We wanted to take the reader(s) deeper into the Hawaiian language so that people can get a better understanding of what makes Hawaii so special. Understanding the true meaning of gratitude by breaking down the word MAHALO, we hope that you will gain a new appreciation for the power of gratitude. It’s our hope and prayer that this book will bring a new level of kindness and gratitude around the world.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
We wanted to use Pupu and Papa as the “teacher(s)” because most times parents are busy trying to teach their children reading, writing and arithmatic so they can do well in school, whereas grandparents can be a conduit for the “important” learning and loving that is so needed in this world we live in: be kind, be grateful, be a good person and leave things, people and places better than when you found them or they found you.
Thanks” or “thank you” is one of the most used phrases in our language and often times used out of habit without any thought. Because of this, the typical response to “thanks” is also usually thrown out without thought or consideration with phrases like, “no problem”, “any time” or “it was nothing”. By being haphazard about our response, we diminish the importance of the person’s gratitude. As we see in the book, when someone says “Mahalo” they are acknowledging your divine breath. Knowning the meaning of Mahalo should make you think twice about how you respond next time.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
This is the first of three children’s books in our MAHALOHANA series that talks about the three greatest words in the Hawaiian Language: Mahalo, Aloha and Ohana. As we said earilier, this was one of the stories that I told my children when they were younger and now they feel it’s was time for us to share it with the world. The next book on Aloha (love) will be ready by February and the final children’s book on Ohana (family) will be available right before summer.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
Discover the significance of Mahalo, the sacred Hawaiian word for thanks, through the perspectives of three remarkable young authors!
Hiwa and Keao are introduced to their relative from California. Although his interpretation of ‘Mahalo’ is incorrect, it gets them to ponder the word’s meaning, and it will do the same for you!
This award winning children’s book is a heartwarming story about gratitude and the true meaning of this treasured Hawaiian tradition taught by pupu (grandma) to her mo’opuna (grandchildren).
Within this beautiful Hawaii book for kids and above, you will find:
✔Three Adorable Main Characters: Learning about their culture and how to be better human beings
✔Written By: AJ Paki Perkins and his three talented teenage children
✔Inspired by: Author’s Home State of Hawaii and its hospitable Culture
Learn Thankfulness with the Beauty of Aloha Islands
Interesting knowledge, amazing penmanship, and a fun-filled storyline to educate your kids and bond with them at the same time.
The kindness book for kids, ‘Mahalo Does Not Mean Trash,’ is here to be a source of both education and entertainment for your little ones. It is an inspiring story, brimming with the marvels of beautiful Hawaiian culture. In the Aloha state, Mahalo means ‘thank you,’ and using it is a wonderful way to demonstrate to your kids on how to show appreciation towards friends and loved ones.
Kindness, Compassion, and Connection to the Ancestors
‘Mahalo Does Not Mean Trash’ is not just any book for 4-year-olds. It is a recipe for kindness to be instilled upon growing minds.
You don’t even need to have ties to the Hawaiian culture to fall in love with this kid’s book about Hawaii. The uplifting message within, intertwined with a strong connection to ancestors and pure culture, will appeal to readers of every background or age.
Who knows? You could even pick up a few new Hawaiian words too!
A Priceless Literary Treasure and Token of Appreciation
An inspirational book for kids, written with care to distribute affection, with some hidden lessons for both young and old.
Great Birthday, Christmas, and Thanksgiving gifts for kids, if you are looking for something special this holiday season. This gratitude gift will definitely bring some aloha spirit into any home or classroom!
Learn About the Culture of the Gorgeous Aloha Islands
A fantastic opportunity to educate your children more about Hawaii!
This thanksgiving book for children delivers a beautiful narrative while also exposing youngsters to the Hawaiian language. If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, it is an ideal read on the airplane, hotel room, or beach.
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
Perks Publishing, LLC, was founded and is owned by the three siblings (ages 13, 15, and 17) who created the book with their father. The foreword is written by Lee Brower of ‘The Secret’ who talks about the Gratitude Rock.
DREAM JUMPERS the INHERITANCE
Dream Jumpers: The Inheritance by Adrienne La Faye is a novel about Malia and her twin brother Micah. The siblings are twelve years old and live a troubled life, having experienced the death of their beloved grandfather, Papa, who always taught them to believe in themselves. Despite the outward appearance of wealth and comfort, as Malia and Micah live in a mansion, they must face an uphill struggle with a father who despises them.
Their lives quickly change when they mysteriously hear the sound of their grandfather’s voice echoing through the halls of their home. This discovery changes everything for Malia and Micah as they are ushered into the hidden world of the Dream Jumpers. It’s a journey that can lead to the fulfillment of children’s dreams, but it is an arduous adventure with many challenges along the way, including bullies, deadly threats, as the duo follows the call of their heritage.
This book tells the amazing story of two young children searching for their place in the world through the magical realm of the Dream Jumpers Academy. I loved the rich cultural elements woven throughout the tale and the special connection between the twins, which only strengthens when they face adversity together – it’s an incredible part of the narrative.
Dream Jumpers: The Inheritance by Adrienne La Faye is an exceptional novel about alternate worlds and the importance of family bonds. It’s a great magical story that I recommend for its unique, creative storyline that has lots of excitement and adventurous developments. It’s the ideal book for readers aged 12 and up, and while there are some scary scenes and close brushes with danger, this only makes the story more enjoyable for fans of the fantasy genre. This book is well-written, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Pages 232 | ASIN B0B6MGX8S7
Magician Emu: A magical story of believing in yourself
Magician Emu by R.C. Chizhov is an exciting story about self-discovery. As a young child, finding your way in life can be challenging, especially if you take a unique path that not everyone understands. Magician Emu aspires to be a great magician one day, just like Spikey Spike, so she learns all his magical tricks and reads all of his books to become an extraordinary talent.
When Magician Emu’s plans don’t turn out as expected, the story takes on a fun and surprising twist, which I found delightful and entertaining. The story is brilliantly written in a way that keeps the reader engaged with the character and the importance of the book’s message of perseverance and resilience. It’s also a great way to promote the importance of being comfortable as yourself and finding your own path in life.
I truly enjoyed this book and its whimsical, light-hearted, but crucial message for kids. Magician Emu is the ideal character, who struggles with many of the same challenges that most of us do, and for this reason, the story is easy to relate to and find thoroughly satisfying and inspiring.
Magician Emu is the perfect addition to your child’s library at home, or as a great read at school or daycare. It’s a fantastic book for children learning to read, and an important reminder to celebrate who we are as individuals, while supporting our kids, so they may grow into strong and confident adults.
Pages 31 | ASIN 173795267X
The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship
A dragon named Dan lives high on top of a mountain called Marbled Mountain in Cloud City. Next to the mountain is a beautiful place called Sparkle Land, where a unicorn named Fran lives. They are both excellent and caring creatures who think they have everything they could ever need right where they are. Then one day, a big storm sweeps them both away from their homes, and they wind far from their mountain home. When the storm stops, they find themselves lost and hurt. Can these two different creatures become friends and work together to get home?
The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship, written by Charly Froh, is a magical adventure story that will captivate children. The first thing that caught my attention with this children’s book is the vivid and beautiful images created by Zuzana Svobodova. Children will love the bright colors and playful images that greet them with the characters Dan and Fran. Teachers and parents will love how the characters embody the characteristics of helping others, being bright, and appreciating the life they have.
One of the important lessons this magical book teaches kids is that it is okay to ask for help from others. Both characters had a problem after they were stranded by the storm and could not find their way home alone. Using teamwork and making friends made it so they could travel home safely and have fun along the way.
The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship is a well-written and illustrated picture book that will inspire children to imagine and teach them it is alright to need a helping hand sometimes, even from someone you don’t know well. This touching story of a dragon and a unicorn building a friendship and taking an adventure together is heartwarming and will become a favorite with children and adults alike.
Pages: 40 | ASIN: B0BNVLP3RC
LITERARY TITAN 