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The Surf Kidz Riding Waves
The Surf Kidz: Riding Waves, written by Kim Ann and illustrated by Naomi Anidi, is a lively, fast-moving, and emotionally resonant chapter book that immerses readers in a world shaped by salt air, rolling waves, and the intensity of childhood friendships. From the opening pages, the story carries readers straight into the ocean alongside Maya, Oliver, and Jack, better known as the Surf Kidz, three lifelong friends who have grown up on surfboards and in the water. Surfing defines who they are. Life, however, demands more than waves alone. School responsibilities, family pressure, and an escalating rivalry test their balance and resolve. When a high-stakes surfing competition is announced, the Surf Kidz finally have a chance to prove themselves, particularly against rivals determined to undermine them at every opportunity.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its accessibility and relatability for its intended audience. The language feels natural and engaging, allowing young readers to connect easily with the characters and move through the story with confidence. Short, well-structured chapters maintain a strong sense of momentum, making the book especially welcoming for readers who are new to chapter books. Naomi Anidi’s illustrations appear throughout the text, adding visual energy and emotional depth. Surf sessions feel dynamic. School scenes feel familiar. Rival encounters carry real tension.
Beyond the action on the waves, the story thoughtfully explores challenges many children face in their own lives. Maya’s struggle to juggle academic expectations with her passion for surfing feels grounded and believable. Pressure comes from multiple directions, creating conflict without feeling exaggerated. At the heart of the story is the friendship between Maya, Oliver, and Jack. Their bond anchors every chapter. They study together. They train together. They support one another through disappointment and doubt. Time and again, they demonstrate what it means to stand united when confronted with rivalry or bullying. The message is clear and powerful: teamwork, loyalty, and encouragement matter, both in competition and beyond it.
The rivalry with the Wave Warriors adds excitement while never overpowering the book’s positive core. Conflict serves a purpose. It challenges the Surf Kidz to stay focused, confident, and compassionate, even when faced with negativity. The story builds steadily toward a thrilling conclusion and closes on a cliffhanger that leaves readers eager for more, inviting them to imagine what lies ahead as they await the next installment.
The Surf Kidz: Riding Waves encourages young readers to chase what they love, stand by their friends, and believe in their own abilities. It may even inspire them to try something new, whether that means catching a wave or finding the courage to ride through challenges of their own.
Pages: 52 | ISBN: 978-1-953774-56-9
How to Host a Unicorn: A Tale of Hospitality & Manners
Dag, the unicorn, is devoted to order. It shows in his neat attire. It shows in his measured speech. It defines his careful, structured view of the world. Nick, by contrast, is a bear powered by noise, disruption, and cheerful mayhem. Their friendship is unexpected from the start. When Nick invites Dag to visit, good intentions collide with very different ideas of fun. Nick tries hard to entertain and include his guest. The results are disastrous. Dag is stunned by Nick’s lifestyle and unsettled by the chaos surrounding him. The question at the heart of the story is simple and resonant: can two opposites find common ground and truly understand one another?
How to Host a Unicorn: A Tale of Hospitality and Manners, by Sara Causey, belongs to a thoughtful corner of illustrated children’s literature. It tells a charming story while also offering clear moral guidance. The book is especially well-suited to readers aged ten and up, inviting them to engage with its richer social moments and emotional depth in ways that older children are well-equipped to appreciate.
The illustrations carry much of the emotional weight. Dag’s expressions are especially effective, capturing his anxiety and confusion with precision and humor. The artwork also delivers several memorable set pieces, each escalating Nick’s attempts at hospitality. Every effort to improve the situation only compounds the disorder, pushing the narrative forward with visual energy and comedic tension.
Causey’s message is clear and handled with care. Not everyone experiences the same activities as enjoyable. That difference deserves respect. Dag and Nick represent contrasting personalities, neither wrong nor superior. Friendship, the book suggests, requires compromise and empathy. Shared experiences must feel safe and pleasant for everyone involved.
At its core, How to Host a Unicorn is a story about inclusion. It presents that idea in a way that feels accessible and sincere. It is also a lesson worth learning early. Taken to heart, it has the potential to shape kinder interactions well beyond the page.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FXYGMZHX
Obesseus Feasts Of Legends (The Slam-Fu Edition 1)
I just finished Obesseus Feast of Legends, and what a wild ride. This book tells the story of Obesseus. He is a hero. His belly is big. His heart is bigger. He just wants to eat dumplings. A former friend, Monica Mango, starts a war. She leads the “Juice Regime.” She hates solid food. Obesseus must fight. He learns a power called Slam-Fu. The book follows his journey. He defends the world of Buffetland. It is a huge, sprawling, absolutely massive food fight.
The writing is a total trip. Sentences are short. Sometimes just one word. Then a long, rambling thought. Things are yelled in capital letters. It felt less like reading a novel and more like reading a script. A script for the most frantic cartoon ever. The sheer number of ideas is surprising. The author just throws everything at the wall. And honestly? I loved watching it stick. It was a blast.
I really connected with the ideas here. The book is not just about food puns. It’s about big feelings. Obesseus himself is pure joy. He represents indulgence. He fights against control. The villains are great. They are juice-cleanse tyrants and asparagus-god dictators. I felt a lot for the side characters. Conflicted Tomato was my favorite. He just wants to know where he belongs. What a mood. I will say the plot gets messy. Part 1 was simple. Part 3 was just bananas. New characters kept appearing. Muffin Ninjas. Sinister Shrimp. A gaslighting grapefruit named Grant. It was a lot.
I am genuinely happy I read this. It is a messy, chaotic, and wonderful book. Do not read this if you want a quiet, serious story. This is not that. This book is loud. This book is strange. This book is wacky. I would recommend this to anyone with a wild imagination. It’s for people who grew up on hyperactive cartoons. It’s for anyone who just wants to see a hero win. A hero who wins with a full belly and a good burp.
Pages: 262 | ASIN : B0FZD69XD4
Candace McFly, Undercover Spy Case No 1. The Botched Beauty Pageant
This children’s book follows Candace McFly, a sharp, puzzle-loving third grader who’s more into solving mysteries than fixing her hair or joining beauty pageants. Her best friend, Arnold, is this quirky, potato-obsessed kid from Idaho who somehow makes everything more entertaining. Together, they stumble into a strange case involving pageant drama, allergic reactions, and a whole lot of small-town weirdness. It’s got mystery, humor, and just enough heart to make it really sweet.
I loved how Candace thinks. She’s smart but not show-offy, curious but still super relatable. Her friendship with Arnold cracked me up more than once. He’s a total goofball, but in the best way. Some of the stuff he says made me roll my eyes and laugh at the same time. The writing feels real, like how kids actually talk, and the mystery, while light, kept me reading just to see how they’d piece everything together. It’s like Harriet the Spy meets Nancy Drew for the younger crowd, with a Southern twist and a dash of sass.
There were a few parts where I felt it rambled a bit, especially when Arnold got off on a tangent about potatoes or pageants, but it kind of added to his charm. I liked how Mansfield didn’t make every adult in the book clueless or annoying, either. The parents and teachers actually felt present, which made the world feel fuller. The story balances humor and mystery so well that even when things get a little over-the-top, it still feels believable in that fun, small-town, kids-solving-cases kind of way.
If you like clever kid detectives, funny best friends, and stories with a lot of heart, this one’s for you. I’d totally recommend it for kids around eight to twelve, or honestly, for any grown-up who misses the days when summer meant solving “cases” with your friends and a flashlight. It’s light, cozy, and full of charm.
Pages: 272 | ASIN : B0B57QZ749
Bonding Across Generations
Caleb’s Adventures with Granddad follows a boy and his grandfather who share a bond built on imagination and play, as they find a way to keep their adventures alive as they grow older. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration comes from my grandchildren, especially Caleb. I’ve written stories that included one or more of them as main characters. For this story, Caleb and I talked about our relationship while on a trip we took together. He is very close to me and comes to me when he needs advice or just talk about life. As a result of our closeness, we reminisced about the times he spent with me growing up. This included making up adventures in the backyard (although perhaps not as elaborate as the ones in the book).
I loved the bond that Caleb shared with his grandfather, showing that just because we get older doesn’t mean we have to grow apart and forget the things we love. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to convey the importance a grandparent’s role in grandchildren’s lives because not many people really see that importance today, let alone explore the love between the generations. The dynamics of the nuclear family has changed so much since I was a boy when we spent time with the older relatives. It is sad because young people don’t have that strong connection like we did.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scenes that show the different imaginative adventures Granddad provides for Caleb. It shows the love between the two. Also, the end with how Caleb reciprocates with a BIG surprise for his Granddad.
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 isn’t a book for a series, but with that said, I do have an idea for a story tentatively called “Granddad’s Treasures” that will include Caleb, his siblings, and his cousins. But this one will be completed within the next few years. My next book that’s coming out this fall is called “Kyle and His Pal Jake – What a Duo these Two Make!” Also, I currently have a story that’s in the editing stage. It’s called “Can We Get A Giraffe?”
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook
Filled with vivid illustrations and a heartwarming story for readers of all ages, Caleb’s Adventures with Granddad reminds us that no one is ever too old to go on another adventure!
Book 1 – Galileo’s Points of Light in the Night Sky (Dr. K’s Portal Through Time)
Galileo’s Points of Light in the Night Sky tells the story of two siblings, Jennifer and Daniel, who, with the help of the mysterious Dr. K, travel back in time to meet Galileo Galilei. Through their journey, they witness Galileo’s discoveries firsthand, from the moons of Jupiter to the phases of Venus. They even help him build a telescope. Along the way, the children learn not just about the science of the universe but also about curiosity, resilience, and the courage it takes to question the world around you. It is part history, part science, and part adventure, written with young readers in mind, and it manages to make centuries-old discoveries feel fresh and exciting.
I found myself charmed by the storytelling in this children’s book. The voice is warm and approachable, and the author makes sure the science never feels heavy. Instead, it comes alive through dialogue and adventure. The way the kids interact with Galileo is delightful, and their wonder mirrors what I imagine any curious child would feel meeting a great mind of the past. I also liked how the book wove in real facts without turning it into a dry lesson.
There were moments where the writing leaned into explanation, and I felt the momentum slow. Still, those small bumps didn’t take away from the bigger experience. The heart of the book is curiosity, and that comes through loud and clear. I also appreciated how the narrative balanced Jennifer’s voice with Daniel’s. It gave the story a sense of shared discovery, which felt true to childhood adventures.
I’d recommend this chapter book to kids who are fascinated by space, science, or history, and also to parents or teachers looking for an engaging way to spark that interest. It’s perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy a mix of imagination and learning. The story encourages children to ask questions and to see science as an adventure. For me, that’s its greatest success.
Pages: 104 | ASIN : B0F4NQTCNP
Book 1 – Galileo’s Points of Light in the Night Sky (Dr. K’s Portal Through Time)
Dr. Katherine E.A. Korkidis’s Galileo’s Points of Light in the Night Sky is the first book in her Dr. K’s Portal Through Time series, and it’s part history lesson, part science primer, and part adventure story. It follows Jennifer and Daniel, a pair of curious siblings, who stumble upon Dr. K and her magical time portal. Together, they travel back to Renaissance Italy, step into Galileo Galilei’s workshop, and experience firsthand the wonder of his telescope and the audacity of his discoveries. Along the way, the kids not only learn about Jupiter’s moons, the phases of Venus, and the birth of modern astronomy, but they also discover the importance of curiosity, observation, and persistence.
The first thing that caught my attention about this book was how effortlessly it weaves fact with fiction. For instance, the scene where Jennifer helps Galileo build his telescope is not just a charming piece of dialogue; it’s a clever way to introduce kids to optics and focal lengths without feeling like a lecture. I found myself smiling at Jennifer’s excitement when the blurry image sharpened into Jupiter and its moons. That moment carried the same sense of awe I remember from my own first look through a telescope. The science was accurate but approachable, and that balance is hard to pull off in a children’s story.
I also appreciated how personal the narrative felt at times. Jennifer’s relationship with her grandfather in the opening chapter set the tone beautifully. Their bond over stargazing gave the adventure real heart. Later, when Jennifer and Daniel stood side by side at the end, promising to always explore the stars together, it felt earned. The book wasn’t just about Galileo’s discoveries; it was about how science can be shared, passed down, and made meaningful within families. That emotional thread made the whole story more engaging.
Another highlight was the way Dr. Korkidis portrayed Galileo himself. She didn’t make him an intimidating genius, but rather a patient teacher who invited the kids into his world. His explanation of the moons of Jupiter and how he realized they orbited the planet was fascinating, and his gentle encouragement to keep asking questions stuck with me. The inclusion of real historical details, like the Medicean stars and Galileo’s struggles with skepticism, grounded the story while still keeping it light enough for younger readers.
This book left me feeling inspired and a little nostalgic. It reminded me of the first time I realized science could be an adventure. I’d recommend Galileo’s Points of Light in the Night Sky to curious kids around 7–12, but also to parents, grandparents, and teachers who want to spark a love of STEM in children. It’s not just a story about Galileo, it’s a story about why wonder matters, why questions matter, and why we should never stop looking up.
Pages: 104 | ASIN : B0F4NQTCNP
Not What I Expected
Molikaa Rasiah’s Not What I Expected is a tender and honest coming-of-age story told through the eyes of Jiyah, a fourth-grade girl navigating the rocky terrain of friendships, identity, and self-worth. The story follows her as she prepares for and attends a classmate’s birthday party, an event that unravels into a full-blown personal reckoning. Over the course of the day, Jiyah wrestles with rejection, confusion, and loneliness, ultimately finding her inner strength through a set of self-soothing techniques she calls “superpowers.” What seems like a simple slice-of-life tale becomes a powerful look at how children manage social complexity and personal anxiety.
This book resonated with me personally. The writing is simple but purposeful. It’s intended for younger readers, yes, but it still managed to pull me in and hold me there. Rasiah never talks down to her audience, which I appreciated. Instead, she gives kids a clear and compassionate voice that feels real. Jiyah’s thoughts aren’t always pretty, and sometimes she stumbles in her efforts to do the right thing. But that’s what makes her lovable. I especially admired how Rasiah handled emotional tools like grounding exercises and breathing techniques. These aren’t just plot devices, they’re powerful lessons, folded naturally into the story without being preachy.
A few characters came off more like villains than believable fourth-graders. I would’ve liked a bit more subtlety there. But then again, maybe that’s the point. Kids can be harsh. They can also be brave, loyal, and thoughtful. Rasiah’s real strength is showing us all those sides in one go. It’s rare to find a book that’s both emotionally validating and practical. Jiyah’s “ring of power” isn’t just a bracelet, it’s a metaphor every anxious kid (and even some adults) could use.
I would recommend Not What I Expected to kids around ages 8–12, especially those who feel a little left out or overwhelmed by their social world. Parents and teachers could gain a lot from reading it with them, too. It’s an emotionally smart, gently empowering book that encourages empathy without sugarcoating real feelings.
Pages: 63 | ASIN : B0DVV9ZV2N
LITERARY TITAN 