Blog Archives
Mummy Don’t Go!!: Separation Anxiety
![Mummy Don't Go!!: Separation Anxiety by [Ashika Singh]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Hjx1ul99L.jpg)
Mummy Don’t Go follows young Lucy as she heads off to face her first day at daycare. She is worried about being separated from her mother, but she learns that, although she will miss her mother, she will find the comfort and support she needs to get through the day in her teacher.
Author Ashika Singh has given parents a fantastic tool to ease the anxiety many children feel when being separated from their parent for the first time. This wonderful children’s book shows readers the different things they will face at daycare and shows them that it is not scary and that they can rely on their teacher to support them.
The book is filled with amiable and emotive illustrations that helps young readers identify what Lucy is feeling in different moments. Throughout the story children will certainly enjoy seeing Lucy’s pet frog in various funny situations. Todd the frog really helps lighten the mood of the book and ensure humor is inserted into every situation.
This is a fun and educational picture book that teaches kids a valuable lesson that will make separating from their parents easier when it comes time to head off to daycare or kindergarten. Mummy Don’t Go!!: Separation Anxiety is a valuable tool for parents and is an entertaining story to share with children.
Pages: 31 | ASIN: B09G62C9Z8
Red Dove: Tell Truth to Darkness
Red Dove – Tell Truth to Darkness is a fantastic children’s novel written by Sonia Antaki for youth ages 10-14, that explores a re-imagined history of the Lakota people in 1891. Red Dove is a young protagonist who joins Buffalo Bill’s European Wild West Tour. Ecstatic by the opportunity to ride with the warriors, Red Dove leaves everything behind; including her white life, the cruel Sister Agatha and the wretched school that tried to force the Native out of her. Guided by her grandfather’s medicine pouch and sacred teachings, Red Dove knows what others think and feel.
This is a well-written book, and the characters were lively and relatable. The protagonist, Red Dove, has a fiery spirit but is also very reflective and thoughtful; her journey to find her truth is relatable to all audiences. Pairing this coming-of-age story with important and well known historical figures of the time, like Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley, makes the story recognizable but with a unique twist. I liked that the author did not gloss over the harsh realities of colonization and the harmful effects of residential schools. Red Dove and Windflower are abused at the school by Sister Agatha; who beats them, cuts their hair and refuses to let them speak their own language. Further, Sister Agatha believes Red Dove to be a witch for using traditional medicines. While the author is not Indigenous, there are notes and acknowledgments at the front that indicate the author has consulted the Lakota tribe for accurate information and research to represent their people through this piece of historical fiction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I believe it would be most suitable for schools to help further learning of past and present Indigenous issues. Even as an adult, I enjoyed and would recommend this book! I look forward to the next installment of this series. Red Dove: Tell Truth to Darkness is a fun and educational children’s book that provides readers with a glimpse at history in an entertaining way.
Pages: 230 | ISBN: 1662905483
I Wasn’t Sure I Still Had It
My Welcome Book is a rhyming children’s book that shares a message of kindness, diversity and self-acceptance. What inspired you to write this book?
I had published My Grateful Book in 2016 and had written it as a child around 15 so when my then published said well you can’t just have one book can you do another one I wasn’t sure I still had it in me. So I sat down to my computer and My Welcome Book emerged. We then published it in 2018. I have now just finished the third one in the series My Awareness Book.
The art in this book is beautiful. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Sarah Jane Merchant?
It was AMAZING. The first time I met Sarah at her house she had exactly the same idea’s for the pictures I had. When she asked me what size book I wasn’t thinking of I had no idea. So Sarah went and grabbed some of her books and I had the exact same books for my children and they weren’t run of the mill everyday books. I send Sarah the words and she does an amazing job with the illustrations it’s not often we have to change anything.
What were some ideas that were important for you to convey in this book?
These are lesson’s I have had to learn later in life again as an adult. Being grateful for the little things and the importance of gratitude. The Welcome book about us all being good enough and being kind to others and the Awareness one about no such thing as mistakes all learning experiences. I don’t want kids to forget it like I did. I want to keep reminding them of these lessons in a fun way.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The Awareness book is just finished and I should have it printed in the next few weeks. I also have a bruiser series about out puppy Bruiser. Bruiser at the Park, Bruiser at the Beach, and Bruiser Goes Camping.
I think the next book will be The Brave book in the grateful series.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
A charming little story that celebrates the birth of a child, welcoming them to this big, beautiful world. With its colourful illustrations and simple rhyming verses, little minds will be entertained and engaged as they learn key life concepts such as celebrating the joys of life, exploring the world around them, self-acceptance and following their dreams.
Showcasing kindness and tolerance to others, My Welcome Book celebrates how special and unique your baby is, and that they are ALWAYS good enough.
Inclusive, vibrant and uplifting My Welcome Book improves a child’s ability to problem solve, increase mental resilience and have an understanding of the importance of appreciating the diversity around them.
This delightful book will become a treasured keepsake of any young child, and as part of the Feel Good series by Diana Smith, builds on a child’s inner resources to better support them as they learn and grow.
With space for you to write the child’s name in the front of this book, it is a wonderful keepsake and makes the perfect gift for baby showers and newborn presents.
Entre Duendes Y Ratones
Entre Duendes Y Ratones de Patricia Bossano es la encantadora historia de creer en la Navidad con un giro inesperado. Seguimos a Benjamín que es el elfo a cargo de la lista traviesa y agradable. Con los otros elfos en huelga, Benjamin siente que el espíritu de la Navidad se está desvaneciendo lentamente. Negándose a creer que el espíritu de la Navidad se ha ido, Benjamín se dispone a encontrar un niño que cree en Santa. Molesto y horrorizado, Benjamin se encuentra con Pablo, quien no cree en Santa. Pablo se niega a creer en Benjamín y a cambio Benjamín lo convierte en un ratón 12 días antes de Navidad para enseñarle una lección. Perdido y solo, Pablo se encuentra con un ratón llamado Clara que se hace amigo de él y le da la bienvenida a su familia. La familia de Clara le muestra a Pablo que necesita que su misión sea descubrir lo que la Navidad significa para él. Después de ver cuánto se amaba la familia de Clara y leer sobre la Navidad, Pablo descubre lo que la Navidad significa para él y se apresura a decírselo a Benjamin.
Entre Duendes Y Ratones es una historia conmovedora que enseña a los niños el significado del amor y la familia. La escritura de Bossano es dulce y una historia fácil de leer para niños de cualquier edad. Si usted es un padre que le lee esta historia a su hijo o si es un lector joven, este libro seguramente cautivará su corazón. Los personajes del autor son animados y llenos de espíritu, lo que facilita captar la atención de los jóvenes lectores. Me hubiera gustado que el autor hubiera incluido imágenes más coloridas en la historia para dar al lector una imagen más vívida de lo que estaba sucediendo en la historia. Entre Duendes Y Ratones es una historia festiva y educativa que pondrá a los niños en el espíritu de la Navidad.
Pages: 37
Uncle Bill’s Missing Tooth
![Uncle Bill's Missing Tooth by [Grant S Clark, Lizzie Nelson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41nf9+PmuJL.jpg)
Uncle Bill’s Missing Tooth takes readers on a lyrical journey to discover the truth behind a missing tooth. Uncle Bill is missing one of his front teeth and the children play a guessing game to find out how he had lost it. We follow the children through this fantastical, and sometimes bizarre, mystery that is entertaining and fun from cover to cover. I was even guessing how he had lost the tooth, but I was wrong, as were the children, but don’t worry by the end of the book the mystery is solved and readers will surely have a laugh.
The book tells a fun story with wonderful illustrations in a unique combination of watercolor and sketch art that is very appealing. The rhymes were creative and funny and will keep young readers engaged with each guess. I really enjoyed the imagination that went into each guess and I thought the accompanying images really exemplified the situation in a humorous way.
Uncle Bill’s Missing Tooth is an imaginative children’s book that will inspire the imagination as it takes readers on a mini mystery that begs to be solved.
Pages: 36 | ASIN: B09B2JRPHY
From A Different Perspective
The Colored Water Fountain follows two kids on a quest to find the meaning behind a sign, but the shocking truth changes their worldview. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Unfortunately, racism may always be a part of our society. I wanted to create a story looking at race from a different perspective to demonstrate to children that we should not judge people in this way.
I loved the bright and beautiful art throughout the book. What was the art collaboration process like to bring this story to life?
I was fortunate to find an illustrator, Jordan Pizzuti, who is excellent at her craft. From years of writing music and collaborating with musicians, I learned to give other’s their creative space because they may come up with something better than I would have. So allowed Jordan the freedom to create the world with as little input as possible. I feel she did a wonderful job.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Truth, kindness, friendship, love, and hope. These themes run throughout all my stories. I feel they are important because I want my stories to show children the world as it could be and strive for that vision.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The next book, LONG, LONG TIME, will be released in May of 2023. In the interim, there will be several music projects that will be released.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Even More Fun and Unique
The Grate Adventure of Lester Zester follows a young kitchen tool that wants to understand his purpose and feel wanted. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Lester Zester was created in an instant of playful family holiday baking. My wife and son were making some delicious scones, and I was acting as their sous-chef. Someone called out for a zester to grate some lemon peel. I retrieved it from a kitchen drawer and pronounced it “Lester Zester”! The rhyme stayed with me, and I began to consider how a kitchen tool might feel, waiting in the drawer with anticipation until required by the chef.
The art in the book is cute and eye-catching. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Julia Pelikhovich?
Julia Pelikhovich is a talented professional. She worked on the book from her art studio in Russia. Her creative style and colors brought Lester and his kitchen pals to life! It was amazing to watch the development of each character. You may have noticed that each illustration is a hand-painted, watercolor drawing which is placed onto a real photographic background (kitchen, Christmas tree). This mixed media technique makes the story even more fun and unique!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to create a likable character that young readers could easily identify. Lester Zester is hopeful, anxious, friendly and naïve. He wants to know that he is loved. His personality helps the story to address important themes of self-esteem, diversity and inclusion, and friendship. These elements are evident in the illustrations, as well.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Lester Zester and his friends from Chef’s kitchen are excited to be on a new adventure together next summer! In the second Lester Zester book, there is unexpected trouble, lots of new characters, and some great fun! Of course, Julia Pelikhovich will add her artistic gifts to the story.
Author Website: lesterzester.com
The Grate Adventure of Lester Zester is the heart-warming story of a young kitchen tool that longs to understand his true purpose and know that he is wanted. Can Lester discover the secret to having a grate life and hope to live in the Everyday Drawer with the rest of Chef’s helpful things? This whimsical tale reminds children of all ages that they are loved and have a special place in this world. With a little help from some funny culinary friends, Lester shows us that life can be a grate adventure if we simply believe!
Pippin’s Country Adventure
![Pippin's Country Adventure (A Poodle Called Pippin) by [Julia Seaborn]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51oH6lmmuwL.jpg)
Pippin’s Country Adventure follows a spry poodle named Pippin that heads out on a fun filled adventure where he meets a variety of animals, learns something new from each of them, and gets to practice his counting skills along the way.
This lively children’s book deftly combines several educational aspects into a fun story that will delight young readers as it teaches them something useful. I enjoyed how counting was part of the story. It not only lets readers practice counting, but it allows them to also recognize the word for the number, rather than just showing the number on the page like many other children’s books. On top of learning to count, children will also get to learn a fun fact about each animal they encounter. All of this is told with simple language and vivid illustrations on each page that really captures the fun Pippin is having.
This is an educational picture book that will help readers with counting, teach them about animals, and will also help them with their reading comprehension as there are several questions in the back of the book that will prompt a good discussion about what happened in the book.
Pippin’s Country Adventure is an enjoyable kids book that I highly recommend for parents and teachers working on reading comprehension as there are a lot of fun things that happen in this book.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B09DPXTDGK
LITERARY TITAN 