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Pippin’s Country Adventure follows an energetic poodle on an adventure that teaches readers about animals and practices counting. What inspired you to create a story about Pippin?
The inspiration for “Pippin’s Country Adventure” comes from my experience living on a rural property. The time has special memories and it was then that Pippin, my miniature poodle, came into my life.
Did you originally plan to combine several educational elements in the story or did that happen organically while creating the book?
Yes, this was part of my original concept for the book.
Are there any scenes in the book that are directly inspired by things Pippin’s done in real life?
Yes, we had blue tongue lizards, willie wagtails, snakes and his real life sheepdog friend is Hamish. Although some characters are real, most of the book is fictional.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The second in this series is called “Pippin Moves to the City” and will be available by the end of 2021. This book is entirely fictional.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
But does Snake want to be friends with Pippin?
Pippin has fun with his sheepdog friend but makes a mistake when he sees mummy’s dinner on the table.
How will Pippin’s day end?
Includes basic numeracy skills and fun discussion questions.
My Welcome Book : A Children’s Book Celebrating the Arrival of a New Baby
![My Welcome Book : A Children's Book Celebrating the Arrival of a New Baby by [Diana Smith ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512BgTeWe9L.jpg)
My Welcome Book is a delightful and heartwarming children’s book that tells the reader how special they are, how wonderful the world is, and to be kind to others, all in simple but lyrical rhymes that are sure to capture your child’s imagination.
There is no story in this book. I suppose the story is life, and the celebration is you. This book is splendid, the poetry is exquisite and potent in its simplicity. This picture book sends a heartfelt message of inspiration to readers and does so with easy to understand words. I can easily imagine reading this book to a newborn baby, rocking them to sleep as I read them this melodic story. Nearly every page has brilliant sketch artwork that kids will be able to relate. All of it was eye catching and fit the tone of the story.
This is a fantastic picture book for parents with young children or babies as this is a wonderful book to read to them and send a positive message of diversity, kindness, and self-acceptance.
Pages: 24 | ASIN: B09HBMNX47
Thiago the Tiger and the Light Within
![Thiago the Tiger and the Light Within by [Vanessa Caraveo]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51A1OLRqrpL.jpg)
Thiago the Tiger and the Light Within is a charming children’s story about a tiger that is born with colorful stripes that glow. Although he is a cute and magnificent little cub, the children at school make fun of him. But when things get dark on a school trip, only Thiago the tiger can save the day.
This is a very colorful and bright book, which suits the idea of Thiago the tiger having multicolored stipes that shine. This story reminds me of Rudolf the Red Nose reindeer and how he was shunned because of the very thing that made him special. Author Vanessa Caraveo has a written a simple story that easily conveys a powerful message of acceptance.
This is a fun and educational children’s picture book that shows kids how to recognize the differences in others and see the beauty in those differences. Children will surely be drawn to all the colorful art throughout this book and they will easily be able to pick up on all of Thiago’s emotions as well.
Thiago the Tiger and the Light Within is highly recommended for parents and teachers with children that are learning about diversity and inclusion.
Pages: 37 | ASIN: B07L9FW7K1
Five Mile Charlie: A Special Pony for Carly
![Five Mile Charlie: A Special Pony for Carly by [Kimberly Adams]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gOc894ZEL.jpg)
This is a very creative and fun story following a little girl named Carly who has everything she ever wanted except a pony. Luckily Queen bee Nora is near by and sets out to fulfill Carly’s wish by finding her a pony. But the white fluffy animal she finds for Nora is not a pony, it is a llama named Charlie.
I really loved how Charlie and Carly become fast friends. It really shows kids how to be accepting of others and the gifts they are given. Carly is also a fantastic character that shows how to work hard and be thankful for the things in your life. She could have easily been upset that her wish for a pony was not fulfilled but instead she accepted Charlie into her life with zeal.
Every page of this delightful book has charming art with a soft color palette that is very appealing. Every animal is cute and I had a hard time turning the page because my child did not want to stop looking at the cute critters that litter the pages. She was especially fond of the Yorkie.
Five Mile Charlie: A Special Pony for Carly is a fun children’s book that will take young readers on a cute farm adventure where they will meet interesting characters and learn valuable lessons in fun ways.
Pages: 26 | ASIN: B09G6S7V8X
Ask Uncle Neil: Why is my hair curly?
Ask Uncle Neil: Why is my hair curly? is an educational children’s book that explains why some people have curly hair and why some people have straight hair. Young Anthony is getting ready for a recital. When combing his hair he begins to wonder what would happen if he grew his hair long. His mother tells him that his hair would be harder to comb because it is curly. Anthony wonders why that is so and in the absence of answers they decide to call Uncle Neil who is a scientist.
I found this book to be wonderfully educational on several layers. I have always wondered why some people have curly hair while others have straight hair. The book presents several explanations and even explains why some people have oily hair and other people do not. All with bright and simple illustrations that any child will understand. I also enjoy the idea that, when in doubt, ask a scientist. This book teaches young kids about hair, but also teaches them a little bit about the scientific process by telling them what a ‘scientific consensus’ is.
All the art in the book is colorful hand drawn art that children will surely be able to relate to. This is a fantastic book to educate young readers and inspire them to find more answers through science. This is one of the best kids book I have read that sets up a question and then answers it in an straightforward and entertaining way while promoting diversity and science at the same time. Ask Uncle Neil: Why is my hair curly? is a fun picture book that will educate readers as it entertains them.
Pages: 30 | ASIN: B07GJX26XQ
The Colored Water Fountain
The Colored Water Fountain is an intellectually and emotionally stirring children’s book that follows Asher and Adeline after a great flood has remade the world. Humans have no memory of the old world, but some remnants of that world remain, like a water fountain with a sign above it that says ‘colored’. Innocently they believe it means that the fountain will dispense colored water, but when it does not provide colored water they go off in search of the truth. What they find is a sad fact about the people that came before them.
This is quite a profound children’s book with a sophisticated backstory that sets up this story. I would recommend this story to more advanced young readers as there are some concepts in the book that require some thought, but all of the ideas expressed are very important and speak to humanities capacity to both love and hate, and how that choice is left up to us. This book provides a unique opportunity to view our actions from a different worldview, one that is naïve of our past transgressions against one another. How would we see ourselves from this point of view?
The Colored Water Fountain tells an important story with beautiful illustrations throughout and a Christian themed mythology that explores truth, kindness, friendship, hope and love in a one-of-a-kind way.
Pages: 42 | ASIN: B09F2Y37QG
The Grate Adventure of Lester Zester
![The Grate Adventure of Lester Zester by [Mark Dantzler, Julia Pelikhovich]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517TEgIEZEL.jpg)
The Grate Adventure of Lester Zester by Mark Dantzler is the perfect parent and child read-a-long! Follow the story of the kitchen tool, Lester Zester, as he finds his place in his new home. While you are reading, there is a secret message to decode, but you have to pay close attention!
I fell in love with this storybook! At first glance, it looks like every other children’s book, except with a bit more of a unique premise. That is until you realize there is a hidden message to be found both literally and figuratively.
Dantzler engages the reader’s mind and emotions with this charming tale. Lester Zester trying to find his way in the kitchen is wholly reminiscent of what people go through in the real world. And the puzzle you have to solve makes it entertaining for both parent and child.
The Grate Adventure of Lester Zester is a fun and creative children’s picture book that will delight young readers and inspire the imagination.
Pages: 60 | ASIN: B09FMXGSF5
No Dinosaurs Allowed
![No Dinosaurs Allowed: (B) by [Deborah Hunt, Ashleigh Heyns]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Yg3OFxBVS.jpg)
No Dinosaurs Allowed follows a young boy named Bobby and his dinosaur friend named Teddy. They both head out to go to a party and meet several people along the way, but everywhere the places they go are not suitable for a dinosaur as big as Teddy. He is too big for the birthday party, he is too scary for the animals at the zoo, and the library does not allow dinosaurs. With nothing to do, Bobby and Teddy are starting to feel left out. What are they going to do?
This is a charming and poignant children’s book that teaches a wonderful lesson on inclusivity and making adjustments for others to fit in. While Teddy is first turned away from many activities, later on he is invited back to those same activities after they have made some minor adjustments. This is a fantastic way to show children how to accommodate other people that are different from them.
The story is told through simple words and brightly colored images that look to be hand drawn and colored, which adds a fantastic handcrafted feel to the story that children will be able to really connect with. All the characters are also very emotive as well, which helps children see and understand the emotions that each character is feeling in the different situations.
No Dinosaurs Allowed is an educational picture book that teaches an important lesson to children and does it in a fun way.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B097HPZHY3
LITERARY TITAN 