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The Victorian Era: History for Kids Who Hate History Book 1
Angel Dunworth’s The Victorian Era: History for Kids Who Hate History is a lively and whimsical dive into the fascinating time of Queen Victoria’s reign, as told through the eyes of Punxy, a playful character with a magic guitar that whisks them back in time. The book is a blend of storytelling, history, and imaginative engagement aimed at young readers. It makes the past approachable by weaving historical facts with vibrant illustrations and a touch of humor.
One of the standout qualities of this book is how it distills complex historical ideas into digestible bits without ever feeling dry. The story of Alice explaining how Lewis Carroll invented Alice in Wonderland is both charming and informative. Carroll’s whimsical storytelling origins, as recounted on a boat ride for Alice Liddell, capture the spirit of creativity that defines this era. I found myself smiling at how cleverly Dunworth uses rhymes to make details stick. This technique makes learning feel like a game.
Another highlight is how the book juxtaposes modern life with Victorian innovations, helping kids connect with the past. Punxy’s excitement over seeing an old-fashioned phonograph and realizing it’s now combined into our smartphones is pure joy. The playful “dance of joy” Punxy shares adds a layer of fun and relatability to what might otherwise feel like a dull history lesson. The book also touches on cultural aspects, like poetry and literature, with anecdotes about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This section shows how creativity in the Victorian era shaped modern storytelling.
The Victorian Era, by Angel Dunworth, is a delightful read that excels in making history fun for kids. Its mix of colorful illustrations, engaging dialogue, and clever rhymes makes it perfect for young readers who might typically shy away from traditional history books. I’d recommend it to children between ages 7 and 12, parents looking for interactive learning tools, or even teachers wanting to add a splash of fun to their curriculum. This book truly rocks and not just because of Punxy’s magic guitar!
Pages: 45 | ASIN : B0DK9PHSH5
A New Normal
Soft Hugs for Mommy is a heartfelt exploration of living with fibromyalgia, wrapped in a narrative that combines raw vulnerability and an educational touch. This seems like a very personal story for you. How hard was it to put this story out in the world for people to read?
It is a story right from my own personal experience. I have desired for some time to share a story that would help others understand the plight of chronic pain. I have been blogging about fibromyalgia since 2015, so it wasn’t a real difficult write … other than writing it in a format for children’s understanding.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The major idea is that someone with fibromyalgia needs soft hugs. First, literal soft and gentle hugs because even a hug can be painful. Second, the hugs can come in other formats, such as kindnesses done for them.
I also wanted to suggest ways that a family can help their parent with chronic pain and how the whole family must accept a new normal because of the illness.
For the patients themselves, I wanted to suggest that gratitude is a good step toward dealing with your pain. And a big thing is you can still be a great parent even with your pain.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Melissa Pickens?
Well, let me say, first that I have absolutely no artistic talent. Melissa and I were already acquaintances through several avenues, including chronic illness. When I saw her handpainting work, I knew I must ask if she could illustrate the book.
It was a painstaking process because we both have our own pain issues. This caused a much longer process but well worth the wait. Melissa brought great ideas to the project, including the purple ribbon search. She even had suggestions on grammar and vocabulary!
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope this book will be a tool to open communication between parent and child when chronic illness (of any kind) arrives in their home. My goal is that I can help them find a new normal as a family with a new understanding of the disease.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Soft Hugs for Mommy tells the story of a loving family as they navigate the challenges of Mommy’s chronic pain condition. Filled with tender moments and loving gestures, it seeks to encourage understanding and unconditional love. The family helps Mommy with her invisible illness by offering gentle hugs, thoughtful acts of kindness, and comforting words. A talented author who draws from her personal experience with fibromyalgia shares this sweet story. Another chronic illness warrior skillfully illustrates the story with hand-painted pictures. Together, author and illustrator capture the emotions and experiences of each character with warmth and tenderness.
Soft Hugs for Mommy continues with a “Let’s Talk” section to open the conversation between parent and child. These questions, created with a child psychologist, offer a space for children to express their feelings about Mommy’s illness. This book facilitates discussing other related conditions (such as Lyme Disease, ME, CFS, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic migraine, chronic pain, and others).
Finally, the book offers a subscription through e-mail as she shares soft hugs and new resources for chronic illness every month.
The Unpacking Process
Moving Magic is a charming activity book designed to make the daunting process of moving less overwhelming and more fun for kids. What was the inspiration for writing this book?
I would meet with homeowners who would be getting ready to start the process of relocating. You can see that they are stressed out and usually would tell the kids to be quiet, watch TV, and we need to meet with this man about our move. I really never see families involving kids during the move. We all know it’s stressful, but kids can be included, and moving doesn’t have to be so stressful. So, I came up with this book to help families move with kids, get them involved, and make it fun. My experience gave me the different activities that are in it.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The first day box.
Homeowners pack up and just label the boxes to which room they were in. A first-day box is so important in many ways. Unpacking the most important things is comforting. This box should be packed with important, sentimental items. It’s a start to the unpacking process.
What activity in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The puzzles.
I actually made them from scratch, all of them. Thinking of moving words, connecting them together and creating the hints to complete them. That was fun, mind expericing and stepping away from my daily life.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the only book, no series of them.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Mountain Mutts – Joy’s Tale/El Cuento De Joy (Bilingual Edition)
Having a pet brings immeasurable joy, offering companionship through life’s highs and lows. Losing that beloved friend, however, is a heartbreak unlike any other. Julie A. R. Stephens captures the pain of such a loss and the beauty of healing in her touching story, Mountain Mutts: Joy’s Tale / El cuento de Joy. The tale follows two canine best friends, Winter and Spring. Wherever Winter went, Spring followed, mimicking her every move. But when Winter passed away, Spring and her family were left in sorrow. Time brought a new chapter: the adoption of a lively puppy named Joy. At first, Spring kept her distance, unwilling to embrace this energetic newcomer. Slowly, though, she softened, and the two began to bond, forging a new and heartwarming friendship.
This story is an emotional rollercoaster, sad, tender, and uplifting. Through Spring’s journey, readers witness the rawness of grief and the gradual embrace of change. The way Spring transitions into a mentor and friend for Joy is a poignant reminder of resilience and growth. The writing, simple and expressive, is tailored perfectly for children, touching on themes of love, loss, and moving forward in a way they can understand. The bilingual format of the book adds another layer of richness. Stories like these offer children an early introduction to new languages and perspectives.
One element that stands out is the photography. Each image brings the characters to life, drawing readers into their world. From playful moments to quiet scenes at home, the photos create an intimate connection with the story.
Mountain Mutts: Joy’s Tale / El Cuento De Joy is an undeniably moving picture book. Its lessons on empathy for animals and the depth of their emotional lives resonate deeply. The book’s message of healing and love shines through. It’s a story worth reading, especially for families seeking a gentle way to discuss loss and new beginnings.
Pages: 28 | ISBN: 1736430440
He Was Just Perfect
Ella’s Letter to Santa follows a little girl who writes a letter to Santa asking for a baby sister and is disappointed at first to learn she is getting a baby brother instead. What was the inspiration for your story?
Ella’s Letter To Santa is based on a true story. My daughter, at the time, had 4 brothers and wanted a sister more than anything. She wrote a letter to Santa asking for a baby sister and it turned out that I was due on Christmas Day, but not with the sister she was hoping for. Her transformation over the course of her journey inspired me to write her story, with some added flair here and there, of course. She was extremely frustrated and truly did not understand why this happened to her. Once the baby was born, it was a magical awakening in her to a place of joy, love and understanding; that he was exactly who he was meant to be and where he was meant to be. She was immediately in love; he was just perfect. The bond between them has only grown stronger and it has been a joy to watch their love and adoration for each other grow.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to illustrate that even when you don’t get what you want, you can still find immense joy in the unexpected. It may turn out that something better than you expected happens. Sometimes, you just have to let go of your expectations and embrace what is and what will be. This can be difficult for kids and even adults too.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I probably had the most fun writing about Ella’s excitement, as she hatched her brilliant idea to take her request to Santa; after the wishing star wasn’t working. She was so full of hope and anticipation as she ran through the house collecting the required materials, while she crafted her letter in her head.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a few other books that are already available, but I am working on a couple of ideas for Ella’s next adventure. Those should be available in the next 6 months.
Author Links: Facebook | Amazon
The Miracle of Hanukkah
The Night Sky Lined with Silver follows four friends in the 1940s Catskills who must brave a snowstorm and rally their community to find a beloved hero, all while celebrating the traditions of Hanukkah. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the setup of my story is the miracle of Hanukkah, with eight days of light and only one day of oil, relating to the miracle of finding Uncle Morrie after he disappears in the terrible snowstorm. Following the struggle of searching for Uncle Morrie and his golden retriever, Honey, the four friends help prepare for Hanukkah. Making delicious latkes from my great-grandmother’s recipe is another ingredient of my inspiration when families and friends come together to celebrate the holiday. Frying the latkes (potato pancakes) in oil, we remember the Maccabees’ story and their lack of oil, and we connect to the traditions of past generations of our family.
To understand my influence on the setup of my story, I feel I should share the fascinating background of the Apple Tree Series. My son’s Bar Mitzvah teacher requested that I write a quality book for the Jewish High Holidays. I told her I was not the person to write this book. However, after an image of a twelve-year-old boy taking apples from an orchard came to me at one o’clock in the morning, I started writing a story for the holidays entitled Out of the Apple Orchard, based on the image I saw in my mind’s eye, set in the early 1900s. After my son’s request to create a series, the boy becomes Doc Bieman in Book 2, The Night Sky Lined with Silver. The Hanukkah story of the Maccabees deals with prejudice against Jews, and I included Bieman family members leaving Germany after Kristallnacht in 1938 and coming to America. I met a beautiful lady whose family had twenty-four hours to leave Frankfurt with only the clothes on their backs and one small suitcase. Her story moved me so much that I added elements of her real-life experiences to my historical fiction book.
How did you balance the suspense and intensity of Uncle Morrie’s disappearance with the warmth and festive spirit of Hanukkah for a children’s audience?
Snowball fight! The children also build a snowman that looks like Uncle Morrie with his signature hat and a long carrot nose with the tip turning up. They play catch in the snow with a baseball glove and ball and make latkes. A white cloud sprays back into Abbie’s face when she adds flour to the potato mixture. “The snowstorm is back,” cried Martin, charging with a wooden spoon. “Stay away! . . .The children laughed together.”
Are there any themes or lessons from the book that you hope resonate most with young readers?
Looking for the light in the darkness also echoes the theme of Hanukkah, and searching for the good that comes out of a bad situation can help young readers get through hard times. It is not easy, but looking for blessings in disguise proves a critical tool when dealing with life’s challenges. Read the book to find the blessing in disguise and look for a similar incident in your own life. Soaking up the Hanukkah festivities, where families and friends come together, is even sweeter after the struggles. A further lesson found in this book is to show how Eliot acts with courage in spite of his fear. He overcomes his dread of taking chances when the winter storm hits, as he must find the lost Uncle Morrie. Eliot enlists the help of the Bieman Buddies, whose motto is never to leave anyone behind. His younger sister, Abby, becomes the heroine. She is spunky and brave, adorable and caring. “I have a feeling that Honey will bring me back to him. She is a retriever, after all.” . . . Abbie looked up at her brother with knowing eyes, “I’m a good finder.”
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have completed Book 3, but it needs a major rewrite. Writing historical fiction requires much research, especially when deciding which historical references to include. I shall work on the next draft of Book 3, set in Mountaindale, New York, in the Catskills, which takes place in the springtime in the early 1950s. Abby and Eliot will feature in this book, as will Doc Bieman. It will be available in a year.
Author Links: Facebook | Website | Apple Tree Series
A Christmas to Remember
In the picturesque village of Santaclausby, young Lily eagerly anticipates the arrival of Christmas. Yet her excitement falters when her best friend, Sophie, begins to question the existence of Santa Claus. Undeterred by doubt, Lily resolves to rekindle Sophie’s belief in the magic of the season. Their determination leads them on an unexpected journey, culminating in a mysterious invitation to the North Pole that sweeps the girls into a whirlwind of enchantment and holiday wonder.
A Christmas to Remember captures the charm of two young girls as they strive to revive their village’s fading holiday traditions. Lily and Sophie are portrayed with warmth and sincerity, their dedication shining through every page. With the help of Jingles the Elf and the encouragement of kind-hearted villagers like Mrs. James, the pair uncovers long-lost magic while delving into the history of their home. The journey to the North Pole serves as the story’s crowning moment, offering a richly imagined setting that sparks delight and vividly showcases the author’s adept use of language. At its heart, the book conveys a powerful message of hope and kindness. Small acts, it suggests, hold the potential to create meaningful change. This theme resonates deeply, transcending the boundaries of the Christmas season. One missed opportunity lies in the character of Willow the Dog, whose absence from the main adventure feels like a significant omission. A more prominent role for Willow could have added depth and charm to the story, enhancing its emotional appeal. The book’s underlying themes and heartfelt narrative shine through. It emphasizes the importance of community, joy, and resilience, offering a tale that inspires readers to spread kindness wherever they can. Recommended for readers aged 10 and up, A Christmas to Remember does include mentions of mortality, which may require sensitivity for younger audiences.
This whimsical tale of friendship, discovery, and the enduring magic of the holiday season leaves a lasting impression. It remains a touching and imaginative exploration of Christmas spirit, earning its place as a charming read for wintery days.
Pages: 190 | ASIN : B0DKZSBPJ8
New Worlds and Adventures
Children of the Ancient Heroes: Dreams and Nightmares follows two siblings who stumble upon a forbidden book of childhood legends, bending reality and sweeping them into a realm bursting with magic. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My children are the inspiration for this story and the coming series. Many years ago, when they were still small, I was trying my hand at a few different story ideas when they asked me to write them a story. My daughter, as my eldest, was especially fond of stories like Narnia and The Hobbit. I wanted to create a story where they went on adventures. Over time, the story grew and the names changed. More characters were added and how they arrived in the Lighted Lands changed. I am a big believer in the magic of books and how they transport us to new worlds and adventures, so I became a bit literal in this story. I wanted a story that children everywhere would love and to create a world where they could escape to whenever they needed.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I loved every one of my characters so much. Each one surprised me in ways I wasn’t expecting. I had based Tirza and Eli off of my own children, but they took on their own agency and showed me that they were much like my own children, but also unique in their own ways. I love Tirza’s boldness and adventurous spirit and her desire to be a protector. I also love Eli’s wit and piercing intuition. He also has a vulnerability that makes him so honest and dear.
Probably the most challenging character was Tirza. She had undergone a lot of change from my original drafts to who she is now. Mostly due to feedback from beta readers. I didn’t want her to be cliché or wooden. I think I was trying too hard to write her rather than let her be who she is. When I let go and simply watched, that’s when her true self shone. I cannot wait to let everyone see who she becomes as the series continues.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I think that family is an especially important theme that I was surprised by as it took shape in this story (and in the stories to come). Exploring what family truly is and how it shapes us. Faith is also something that weaves its way into anything I write, intentionally or not. It was important for me to show that faith cannot simply be something we receive from our parents or grandparents, although they do play important roles, but it must be wholly experienced and chosen by us. The children needed to embrace it as their own and not something they hold to simply because that’s what they were taught.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
The next book is scheduled to come out on April 8th, 2025. I originally wrote the two books as one whole. It was a bit on the long side, so my publisher and I agreed that we would split it into 2 books. There will be more beyond this, though. The plan was on a trilogy for Tirza and Eli, with a prequel to follow. There might be more now.
The next book will see Tirza and Eli as they go on their separate quests to find the cure for Queen Penelope. They will meet new characters and face new dangers that will change them forever. This is where the heart-pumping action and emotional hurricane really hit.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Linktree | Amazon
Is it a world of their dreams… or their worst nightmares?
LITERARY TITAN 