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Jordyn’s A to Z Affirmation Book: Daily Inspiration & Motivation for Kids

Jordyn’s A to Z Affirmation Book is a radiant and inspiring children’s title that transforms the alphabet into a journey of positivity and empowerment. Each letter introduces a meaningful affirmation, “B is for Believer,” “P is for Positive,” gently guiding young readers toward self-confidence, kindness, and inner strength. With its vibrant illustrations and warm, affirming language, the book becomes more than a simple read; it’s a celebration of emotional wellness and resilience.

This book offers an accessible yet powerful message: every child deserves to feel proud of who they are. The illustrations are especially compelling. They don’t just complement the affirmations; they bring them to life. Whether a child dreams of becoming a swimmer, a congressman, or a baseball player, the imagery invites imagination and ambition, showing children that no goal is out of reach. I particularly appreciated the diverse representation of both boys and girls, who are depicted confidently pursuing their dreams, making the book inclusive and empowering.

The added touch of coloring pages at the end is a thoughtful bonus. More than just an activity, these pages open the door to meaningful conversations between parents and children, providing a space to reflect on the affirmations and apply them to everyday life.

Jordyn’s A to Z Affirmation Book belongs in every classroom, library, and home. It’s more than educational, it’s a beacon of encouragement. I highly recommend it to parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone passionate about helping children feel seen, heard, and hopeful. Whether a child is just learning the alphabet or simply in need of a gentle reminder of their worth, this book delivers a joyful and affirming experience on every page.

Pages: 66 | ASIN : B0DPY5XDSX

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Failure Is Part Of Learning

Author Interview
William Gray Author Interview

CJ Silvers and the Long Ride follows a young girl as she attends her first wakeboard lesson who is afraid and wants to quit when things get hard. What was the inspiration for your story?

I was inspired by my daughter attending a girls’ ride wakeboard event. While there, I saw many girls being scared to get hurt and the negative emotions around not succeeding. I also saw many families supporting their daughters. As the event progressed, I saw falling/failing become less emotional, and small successes drive the girls to succeed. This was important to me as my daughter was one of the girls.

Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your book?

The main character CJ Silvers is based on my daughter, Cassidy. She is now nine, and I am very proud that she has the confidence to try new things. I also tried to capture my wife Rebecca’s spirit and how she talks to Cassidy to help her grow up.

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

I think it was important to show that failure is part of learning and getting better. Also, failure itself is not fun, but with practice and guidance, everyone can achieve great things.

Where does the next book in the series take the characters?

CJ Silvers and her family will be having a Christmas adventure. New characters will be introduced, and a clear message that presents are not the most important part of the holiday season will be delivered.

Author Links: Amazon

CJ Silvers has a new skill she wants to learn.
Her parents will watch her while she tries to learn.

CJ Silvers and the Long Ride

CJ Silvers has a big day ahead of her–she is going to learn to wakeboard! Her day begins like any other, with one exception. She is very nervous. Learning something new that could be dangerous is a big deal for a little girl. With her parents supporting her, CJ starts her lesson with many reservations and doubts about her ability to learn this new skill so quickly. CJ’s parents are with her from the beginning of the lesson to the end, and that makes all the difference for a young girl like CJ.

CJ Silvers and the Long Ride, written by William Gray and illustrated by Rebecca Gray, traces the events in CJ Silvers’s incredibly exciting day as she attends her first wakeboarding lesson. This author/illustrator team has crafted a unique book both in writing style and illustrations. Written in verse and more the length of a short chapter book, Gray’s book is a treasure in more ways than one.

CJ’s story is a gift to both young readers and parents alike. CJ is understandably anxious about her new experience and tries several times to quit. Her parents, determined to help her understand the importance of persevering and solving her own problems, encourage her throughout the entire lesson. The author communicates an incredibly valuable lesson to readers via CJ and her reservations.

Gray’s illustrations are exceptional. Each one reveals an aspect of CJ’s day, and readers can see her hesitation, nervousness, and especially her elation when she discovers how wonderful she feels after powering through the day’s challenges. The rollercoaster of emotions is delivered through vibrant pictures with beautifully textured details.

CJ’s story is a wonderful way to teach children that working through their problems on their own is more than worth the frustration and fear. CJ Silvers and the Long Ride is an excellent book for counselors, parents, and teachers alike. 

Pages: 81 | ASIN : B0C9B9W8XX

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Clumsy Nelson

Clumsy Nelson by Serena Lane Ferrari follows an adorable yet clumsy little seal. Nelson has a terrible week, full of accidents and needing help at every turn, whether it be swimming in the ocean or moseying along the beach. His fellow aquatic friends shame him for all his mishaps, but are these mishaps his fault? Or are they created by something Nelson has no control over?

In this charmingly illustrated children’s book, we are given bits of information about the main character, Nelson, that at first seems to be causing himself grief, but soon we realize he is the story’s victim. This story is exceptionally well written and was obviously thought out to its fullest extent. It succeeded in telling children about the importance of keeping our oceans and beaches pollution-free and the entire earth. It sheds light in a way that young minds, on a fundamental level, can discuss these issues clearly and start conversations about what can be done to help keep the world clean. I feel that kids can grasp serious scenarios such as this when displayed in such a manner as this author has done.

I loved this story right off the bat. Nelson is such a cute and loveable character. You can’t help but be attached and sympathize with him when his friends are not so nice. This picture book would be a great addition to anyone’s library or classroom. Highlighting critical environmental issues and promoting self-esteem, this children’s book will entertain and educate readers for years to come.

Pages: 37 | ASIN : B08HX52P45

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There’s a Monster on my Bed 

Harvey is a master at hiding. There’s no place in his room he doesn’t like to hide. Only one thing slows Harvey down, the Monster who comes into his room every night. When the Monster falls asleep, Harvey decides tonight will be different. Tonight, he will be brave and allow the monster to see him. Is the Monster as scary as Harvey imagines, or is it no big deal? There is only one way to find out.

There’s a Monster on My Bed, written by Margit E. Macchia and illustrated by Olga Scherbakova is a new take on an age-old story. Macchia has produced a precious monster tale that turns the tables on the traditional versions. I love the fact that the story required me to back up, reread, and think more deeply about events. This is a fantastic way to inspire outside-the-box thinking in young readers–a much-needed skill in elementary classrooms and a great technique for parents to practice at home.

This picture book does a wonderful job of teaching children how to face their fears, especially when someone looks different from they do. This is a great way to show kids that you can make friends with people that look different and have different backgrounds or cultures. It is a heartwarming story of acceptance and friendship.

There’s a Monster on My Bed, written by Margit E. Macchia and illustrated by Olga Scherbakova, is a well-crafted children’s bedtime storybook that will entertain and educate children. I can see Macchia’s fun spin on the monster-under-the-bed becoming a favorite in classrooms. Scherbakova’s vibrant illustrations bring the tale to life. I recommend Macchia’s book to parents and teachers alike.

Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0BD54WYH4

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Otto: The Not-So-Little Giant

A seven-year-old boy lives in the village of Biggersville. This is a village of giants. The problem is he has stopped growing. Little Otto is much smaller than the rest of his classmates and family. He wants desperately to be bigger like everyone else to fit in. One day his best friend ends up in trouble, and it turns out that his small size is the one thing that can help her out of her predicament. Can being different be a good thing after all?

Otto: The Not-So-Little Giant is a wonderful children’s book exploring a common fear among children. They fear being different and standing out among their friends and peers. It is hard when you are different and not like the other kids in class, and Otto struggles to find where he fits in. However, the message of acceptance and love from his parents is apparent and heartwarming. He has one genuine friend who stands up for him no matter what and doesn’t care that he is much smaller than her. This shows kids that there are good people out there that will like them for who they are.

Author David Mulholland gives Otto a great personality, and, despite his desire to be bigger, he is a great kid with a big heart that wants to be helpful to his parents and friends. I feel this showcases that even if you are smaller or different, you can still make a big difference in the lives of the people around you.

Otto: The Not-So-Little Giant is a well-crafted children’s story that is perfect for early elementary students and their families. I can see this making an excellent story for out load reading to a class or in a library. It will take children on an exciting adventure and teach them the value of self-esteem and friendship.

Pages: 24 | ASIN : B0B75N33TX

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Magnificent Mocha Monty

Magnificent Mocha Monty by Holland Jordan is a heartwarming picture book about a little boy that is filled with self-confidence and self-love. He knows he is special and appreciates all his physical attributes without comparing himself to anyone else. Monty’s joy and pride are infectious when telling readers all about his magnificent parts. Children will love seeing another child, especially those with mocha skin, be proud of who they are and tell the whole world how wonderful it is to be yourself.

This emotional children’s book written for preschoolers and young elementary students is filled with positive messages. It is important to ensure all children have representation in literature so they can have someone to relate to. Monty is an amazing role model for young children that may be feeling self-conscious about looking different from friends and classmates.

The illustrations from Mosaku Ogooluwa and Illustrationpal/Sam are bright and engaging. Using the caricature style for Monty gives him a great personality and allows young readers to feel the excitement that he does with each page and declaration. Reading this story to kids will be fun as they look through the bold illustrations and point out each characteristic that Monty is proud of.

In addition to the important story in this picture book, several teaching resources are included. This makes it easy to incorporate the book into a lesson plan activity. There are also several worksheets included in the book that can be used in the classroom. The author even includes permission to copy the activities. It is clear that Holland Jordan has an educational background and knows what children and teachers need.

Magnificent Mocha Monty is an extraordinary picture book that children and teachers will love. Filled with positive thoughts and playful illustrations, this is sure to become a favorite book of children and adults.

Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0BH1DNZ2J

Faith’s Freckles: A Book to Build Self-Esteem

Faith is a young girl that has freckles, fifty-five to be exact; she has counted them all. Faith hates having freckles, no one else in her school has freckles like her, and she is constantly being teased by the other girls. They tell her that she has dirt on her face and laugh. One girl, McKenzie, however, thinks Faith’s freckles are beautiful. Through McKenzie’s kindness, Faith learns to accept that her freckles are part of who she is and learns to love that part of herself.

Faith’s Freckles by authors Shermaine Perry-Knights and Baylei Hinds-Perry is an empowering picture book for children that are self-conscious about their unique looks. In this story, Faith has freckles that no one else in her school seams to have, but the message applies to all physical differences that children are often picked on about. This story shows how much it hurts children when they are teased, emphasizing that comments about others’ looks are not funny or a game.

McKenzie stands out as an example of true friendship and how children can be friends with those they see struggling. She offers positive support and listens to what her friend says rather than brushing off her feelings or invalidating them. Teaching children how to be good friends to those that are hurting is a life skill they can carry with them.

This children’s book teaches the messages of self-love and self-acceptance. Aimed at young elementary students, this is a critical time in their lives to learn self-esteem. That makes this book ideal for classrooms and libraries. It would be a wonderful gift for a child with freckles who is afraid of being teased and made fun of. It is a heartwarming picture book that teaches children social and emotional awareness and acceptance for those that look different from themselves.

Pages: 15 | ASIN : B0B9FQP4LB

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