Blog Archives
Jewel And The Big Pumpkin
Jewel and the Big Pumpkin by Dr. Shon Shree Lewis is a heartwarming children’s book about a little girl named Jewel and her adventure to find the perfect pumpkin. The story starts with Jewel’s excitement over her preschool teacher, Mr. Banks, discussing pumpkins and a planned trip to a pumpkin farm. Jewel becomes determined to pick the biggest pumpkin and win a prize—a turkey for Thanksgiving. The book follows her journey from school to the farm, and ultimately, she finds the biggest pumpkin, winning both the turkey and the pride of her parents.
One of the things I liked about this children’s book is how it presents simple lessons for young readers without feeling preachy. Jewel’s determination to find the biggest pumpkin showcases her ambition and eagerness. The writing effectively reflects the inner thoughts of a child, and it’s easy to imagine how young readers might connect with her sense of adventure and curiosity. The writing is simple yet effective, with just the right amount of descriptive language to draw children in without overwhelming them.
I appreciated how the book emphasizes the importance of family involvement. Jewel’s parents are supportive throughout, from listening to her talk about the pumpkin farm trip to helping her pick out the right pumpkin. This sense of closeness and parental encouragement is touching. There’s a charming moment where her dad asks, “Why the biggest pumpkin?” and Jewel replies, “Because Momma can make more pumpkin pies with it.” That line captures Jewel’s innocence and sense of purpose, which adds to the book’s appeal.
The illustrations complement the story beautifully, bringing the scenes at the pumpkin farm to life. The vibrant pictures of the pumpkins and Jewel’s excitement as she explores the farm help keep the story engaging for young readers. I could easily picture a classroom full of children being captivated by the colorful pages.
Jewel and the Big Pumpkin is a delightful picture book for young children, especially those in preschool or early elementary school. It’s perfect for fall reading, especially around Thanksgiving, and would resonate with children who love stories about farm adventures, family bonding, and achieving goals.
Pages: 40 | ASIN : B0DBZRRH2Q
Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist
Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist, by Dr. Shon Shree Lewis, is an engaging and educational children’s book that follows Coco on her first day of kindergarten. Eager to make new friends and learn new things, Coco’s excitement is palpable. However, during lunchtime, she finds a bag of fruit candy on the floor and, with no one around, decides to take it and hide it in her pocket. She brings the candy home and hides it in her closet, planning to indulge in the sweet treats whenever she wants. As Saturday arrives, Coco is thrilled about a sleepover at her grandmother’s house. That night, after her grandmother falls asleep, Coco helps herself to more candy from a jar on the table without asking for permission, intending to add it to her secret stash at home. But soon after consuming the hidden candy, Coco starts experiencing pain in one of her teeth. She confesses to her parents, who then make an appointment with a children’s dentist to check for cavities. Aware of her wrongdoing, Coco decides to come clean to her parents about sneaking the candy. During her dentist appointment, Coco learns she does indeed have a cavity. Despite her mistakes, she feels relieved that God has forgiven her and grateful for the strength and courage to face the dentist.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Coco’s journey. She made mistakes by taking the candy from school and her grandmother’s candy jar, but deep down, she knew it was wrong. This story is highly relatable for children and teaches them that actions have consequences. Through Coco’s experience, young readers can understand the importance of honesty and the inevitable consequences of their actions. Parents, grandparents, guardians, and school staff will appreciate the valuable lesson conveyed in this delightful children’s book.
The illustrations, by Viona Betzy and C. Lola, are vibrant and captivating, perfectly complementing the story. The pictures bring the narrative to life, making readers feel as if they are right there with Coco. Each page features beautiful illustrations that enhance the overall reading experience.
Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist is a wonderful story that teaches children the importance of making the right choices to avoid negative consequences. This book serves as an excellent teaching tool, delivering an essential lesson in an engaging and memorable way.
Pages: 28 | ISBN : 978-1667892337
Strength, Wisdom, and Support
In Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist, a young girl with a love for candy finds the courage to face her fears when she visits the dentist for the first time. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration was my childhood and teen experiences coping with fear of the dentist. My Mom worked in dentistry, and she helped me overcome my fear of the dentist with positive encouragement and prayer. So I wanted to share my story through my character, Coco, to help kids overcome their fears of going to the dentist as God and my Mom helped me in my early years. That is why I dedicated this book to my Mom for my gratitude for her strength, wisdom, and support teaching me the importance of healthy teeth and not to be a fearful person.
Is there anything from your own childhood included in little Coco’s experiences?
Yes, the fear of going to the dentist.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The idea was for parents to help teach their children not to steal things, the importance of healthy teeth, telling the truth, and to face their fears with the support of prayer to God and their parent’s love. I wanted to encourage patience helping their children process their emotions of fear and learn valuable lessons about working through challenges in life with hope and courage.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?:
My Coco character is a book series called Coco’s Life Adventures on Amazon and with Barnes and Noble stores. The next book is in progress and may be available next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Coco’s Courage: Meeting The Dentist
Little Coco has just started kindergarten and is delighted to meet new friends and embark on new adventures. However, Coco harbors a secret: she loves candy. Discovering candy in various places, she sneaks it without her parents’ knowledge. This leads to a severe toothache, forcing Coco to confront the truth and make her first trip to the dentist. With the support, guidance, and prayers of her parents, Coco finds the courage within herself to face this new challenge.
Coco’s Courage: Meeting the Dentist, by Dr. Shon Shree Lewis, serves as a gentle introduction to dentistry for children. The illustrations by Viona Betzy and C. Lola are vibrant and brimming with the joys of childhood. The narrative unfolds at a gentle pace, and I appreciated how Coco’s parents help her face her fears, improve herself, and grow as a person throughout the story. The book also provides a reassuring explanation of the dentist’s procedures, making it an excellent tool for introducing the concept of dental visits in a non-threatening manner. The depiction of the dentist’s office, complete with an aquarium and friendly staff, helps demystify the environment for young readers. This visual aid is particularly useful in making the dentist’s office appear less intimidating and more welcoming.
While it’s important to teach children about honesty and the consequences of stealing, I feel the religious undertones may not resonate with all readers. The emphasis on praying and relying on God for courage, though comforting, might not be as relatable for a more secular audience. That being said, the story’s core message of finding courage and being honest remains universally relevant.
Coco’s Courage: Meeting the Dentist remains a cheerful and valuable book for children, emphasizing moral values and the importance of facing fears. Its core message of courage and support and its effective introduction to dental visits for young children make this the ideal book to read together at home or in the classroom. This heartwarming story about finding inner courage with parental support is perfect for children learning about dentists for the first time.
Pages: 27 | ASIN : B0BJ7M6RW7
Meaningful Family Time
Coco’s Fourth of July at the Zoo follows a curious little girl whose questions about animals lead her family to enjoy a holiday visit to the zoo. Where did the idea for this story come from?
This book is from my Coco’s Life Adventure Series. The first title, Coco’s Courage Meeting the Dentist. Coco’s Fourth of July at the Zoo is a continuation of my Coco book series.
Is there anything from your own life in the characters and events in Coco’s tale?
I enjoyed family time at the zoo in my childhood and adult years. So, I shared some of my memories as a child at the zoo, through my lovable character, Coco.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
For children’s enjoyment and learning. Also, for parents spending meaningful family time with their children while teaching them about different animals, appreciating them, and to appreciate the celebration of Independence Day for America’s freedom for humanity to pursue life, happiness, and liberty respecting all of humanity.
What is next for Coco and her family? Can readers look forward to a new installment in your series soon?
Coco has more than 5 books as a series:
(Coco’s Life Adventures), available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble stores and where books are sold. Some of her popular titles are Coco’s Courage Meeting the Dentist, Coco Braves the Dark, and Coco Finds Her Pup Chico.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
time with her parents and her
dad’s mom, Grandma Sarah. Coco
will see many animals she has never
seen before on this fun holiday.
Heal Holistically
UnTraumatized shares mental health techniques, spiritual principles, and your personal stories of God’s healing & recovery. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Sharing my experiences as a memoir helped me to process it and recover from the devastations of my past traumas. I also wanted to empower others as a Mental Health Counselor, how to heal holistically from crisis and trauma with hope and resilience.
Trauma can take various forms and impact each person differently. What ideas were important for you to share in this book so that it would be relatable to a wide audience?
Acknowledging a person’s pain and suffering to safe people and counselors and providing spiritual, professional, and personal knowledge for every reader to feel hope to heal.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
God is the ultimate healer of all pain, grief, and loss. He redeems us through His unconditional love, forgiveness, prayer, healing, and the support of family, friends, and counselors.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be published?
My next book focus is likely going to be about living a resilient life through the wisdom of God.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Coco’s Fourth of July at the Zoo
Family moments have the power to create enduring memories for children, a theme beautifully explored in Dr. Shon Shree Lewis’s delightful book, Coco’s Fourth of July at the Zoo. The story begins with Coco, an inquisitive young girl, watching TV with her faithful dog, Chico. Captivated by a cartoon featuring tigers, Coco’s curiosity is piqued, prompting her to ask her mother about these magnificent creatures. Her mother explains that tigers live in various places, including the zoo, which sparks the idea for a family outing. With a visit to Grandma Sarah already in the plans, Coco’s dad agrees to a family trip to the zoo on the Fourth of July, setting the stage for a day filled with fun, learning, and celebration.
Dr. Shon Shree Lewis’s narrative shines through her use of concise sentences and clear concepts, making her storytelling accessible and engaging for young readers. She effectively weaves in themes of courtesy, good manners, and proper behavior, presenting her characters as excellent role models. The story depicts a family working together harmoniously to create a memorable day, a portrayal that reinforces positive family dynamics. The adventure at the zoo is both educational and enjoyable, as Coco learns fascinating facts about animals such as tigers, lions, and giraffes. The vibrant illustrations complement the narrative, capturing the joy and wonder of the zoo visit. The family’s Fourth of July celebration culminates in a splendid display of fireworks, adding a festive touch to their special day.
Coco’s Fourth of July at the Zoo is a charming read that fosters a love for learning and family bonds. Dr. Shon Shree Lewis crafts an engaging tale that celebrates children’s curiosity and the joy of discovering new things. This book is a delightful way to spend time with children, inspiring them to ask questions and embrace the excitement of new adventures.
Pages: 39 | ASIN : B0C4T66BVD
UnTraumatized
Dr. Shon Shree Lewis’s book, UnTraumatized, delves into the multifaceted nature of crises and trauma, providing a comprehensive guide for understanding, coping, and healing. From personal anecdotes to professional insights, the author offers a detailed exploration of various crises, including personal, social, and natural disasters. The book’s structure, which spans from defining what constitutes a crisis to detailed recovery strategies, makes it an essential read for anyone looking to navigate the tumultuous waters of traumatic experiences.
Dr. Lewis’s writing is engaging, particularly because she intersperses professional advice with her personal stories. This combination adds a layer of authenticity and relatability that many purely academic texts lack. For instance, her candid recounting of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and the emotional turmoil of her divorce brings a human touch to the book, making the theoretical concepts more tangible.
One of the sections I found most impactful was Chapter 8, “Coping with Trauma after Crisis,” where Dr. Lewis provides practical steps for managing trauma. Her advice is grounded in both psychological theory and spiritual wisdom, offering a holistic approach to healing. This chapter stands out because of its actionable advice, such as specific coping mechanisms and the importance of community support. The inclusion of biblical references might not resonate with all readers, but it undeniably enriches the content for those who appreciate spiritual guidance.
Another section I appreciated is Chapter 11, “Movie Reflections Dealing with Trauma,” which analyzes popular films through the lens of trauma and recovery. This unique approach not only makes the content more accessible but also demonstrates how pervasive and culturally significant trauma is. Dr. Lewis’s reflections provide a refreshing perspective on how media can influence our understanding of trauma and resilience.
UnTraumatized is an insightful resource for anyone dealing with trauma, whether directly or indirectly. Dr. Lewis’s blend of personal experience and professional knowledge offers a unique guide to understanding and overcoming trauma.
Pages: 166 | ASIN : B09MSCCZF1
LITERARY TITAN 