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The Clumsy Little Bat
In the enchanting setting of Rainbow Grove, nestled within a mountain cave, resides a bat family in Isabel Ricardo’s delightful children’s book, The Clumsy Little Bat. The story centers around Frederica, an endearing yet notably clumsy young bat. Despite her earnest efforts to master the art of flying like her kin, Frederica’s coordination consistently fails her. Hanging upside down, as her family does, proves equally challenging, leading to frequent falls and mishaps, much to the frustration of her relatives. Frederica’s sense of isolation intensifies as her family struggles to understand her plight. Determined to find someone who shares her predicament, she embarks on a solo adventure to locate her grandfather, whom she discovers shares her clumsiness.
The narrative poses compelling questions: Can Frederica navigate her way alone? Will she successfully reunite with her grandfather? Frederica’s relentless attempts to conform to her family’s expectations, only to face continual setbacks, evoke empathy. I yearned for her family to accept her unconditionally and to see her for who she truly was rather than a burden. I believe children will readily connect with Frederica’s struggles and root for her as she explores new ways to overcome her clumsiness. Upon learning about Frederica’s similarly clumsy grandfather, it became apparent that her trait was hereditary. I hoped Frederica’s journey would be free of peril and that she would encounter helpful animals along the way who could guide her to her grandfather. The prospect of Frederica finding solace and companionship with her grandfather, who understands her unique challenges, underscores the story’s message of mutual support and acceptance, regardless of differences.
The book’s vibrant full-page illustrations by Sandra Serra enhance its appeal, drawing readers into Frederica’s touching adventure. The detailed, colorful artwork enriches the narrative, inviting readers to linger over each page and immerse themselves in Frederica’s world.
The Clumsy Little Bat is a captivating and heartfelt story I thoroughly enjoyed. Frederica’s tale is one that children will likely embrace, finding inspiration and comfort in her journey. I highly recommend this delightful book for young readers.
Pages: 34 | ISBN : 1962185117
A Champion for Nature
Raccoons Go Rafting follows a group of mischievous and adventurous raccoons as they go on a rafting trip over the summer. What was the inspiration for your story?
This summer “tail” is based on my adventures as a NYS Whitewater Raft Guide on the Hudson River. The raccoons featured in Raccoons Go Rafting (RGR) are based on guide friends I formed amazing friendships with. Nugget was the nickname I was given on the water by Bandit, the rascally red-vested raccoon. In real life, Bandit was the one who taught me how to raft!
The art in this book is vibrant and entertaining, making readers wish they were right there on the river with the raccoons. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Anthony Richichi?
I have been very fortunate that the indie publisher, Saratoga Springs Publishing (SSP), has such talented illustrators available to her authors! While in the storyboarding process with SSP, we realized that RGR needed an illustrator with a passion for nature and animals as well as a sense of adventure. Anthony possesses all of those traits! During our collaborations, it was amazing to see my stick figure raccoons turn into the adorable furry adventurers featured on the pages of RGR.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In my debut book, I wanted the Hudson River’s beauty and strength to shine. As a guide, I fell in love with the River and the animals that call it home, therefore I wanted to create an engaging and educational picture book that could grow with young readers. On the first read, this “tail” is very vibrant with short bursts of text but on your second, third, and later reads the different rapids and animals within the pages start to pop. The call of conservation as seen on the map’s signs “Take only memories” and “Leave only pawprints” is another aspect that I like to expand on during my author readings. It is very important that our youth begin to not only experience and fall in love with our vibrant Earth; our youth must also become active in conservation so that they can continue to be a champion for nature as they grow up.
What future adventures do readers have to look forward to with these mischievous raccoons, and when can they expect the next story?
This gang of raccoon friends isn’t done exploring yet! The Raccoons Go Rafting series will be expanding this summer with a trip down the Sacandaga River! This new adventure, Raccoons Ride the Dragonback, will be splashing onto shelves later this summer. Nugget and her friends still have many other river adventures ahead of them with the Moose River, Niagara Falls, and even rivers outside of Nugget’s home state, New York, on their TBR (standing for To Be Rafted) list! Follow our adventures on Facebook for the inside scoop!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Meet the Cronimoes
Meet the Cronimoes stands out as an imaginative and delightful read, especially notable for its young author, four-year-old E.J. Cooper. This book introduces readers to a whimsically diverse cast of monsters, each uniquely crafted from the vibrant imagination of Cooper. These creatures range from the playful, who enjoy tickling and sniffing stinky feet, to the helpful, assisting those who can’t reach high places. Some, intriguingly, are content doing nothing at all.
E.J. Cooper’s talent in creating a monster-filled world is commendable, capturing the hearts of young readers and igniting their imaginations. Complementing Cooper’s creativity, illustrator Sam Saddle effectively brings these characters to life with striking and colorful illustrations. The book serves as an engaging tool for parents and educators to discuss with children their favorite monsters and even encourages them to design their own Cronimoes, exploring their potential looks and behaviors.
While the book is rich in imagination and character, I feel it might have benefited from a slightly more defined storyline or various challenges for the monsters to navigate. I believe such elements could have provided deeper engagement with these creatively conceived characters. Nevertheless, this does not detract from the book’s splendor and charm. A particularly delightful touch is the inclusion of original drawings by its young author E.J. Cooper, which add an authentic and endearing quality to the book. These illustrations, both humorous and charming, are likely to resonate with both young readers and adults alike.
Meet the Cronimoes is a vibrant celebration of youthful creativity and imagination. Its appeal lies not only in the inventive characters and vivid illustrations but also in its potential to inspire young minds to explore and create. Both entertaining and stimulating, it’s a commendable addition to any young reader’s collection, promising to spark creativity and laughter in equal measure.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0CNX2KJ4F
LITERARY TITAN 