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A Day Without Technology
In A Day without Technology, author Donald E. Thomas explores a familiar part of modern family life: our growing attachment to electronic devices and the ways they influence how we spend time together. This engaging children’s book introduces readers to Donnie, his brother Kace, and a household where screens are woven into nearly every daily activity. From video games and tablets to smartphones and laptops, everyone has something competing for their attention. Even family meals have become opportunities for scrolling and tapping. Thomas captures this recognizable environment through everyday situations that children and parents will easily understand. At its heart, the story encourages readers to consider how technology shapes their relationships, routines, and opportunities for meaningful connection.
The story takes an interesting turn when an unexpected disruption challenges the family’s dependence on their devices. What begins as a frustrating situation opens the door to discovering activities that entertained generations of children long before smartphones and tablets became commonplace. Thomas introduces traditional pastimes such as marbles, hopscotch, jacks, and kite flying, giving young readers a glimpse into a different kind of childhood entertainment. One particularly appealing aspect of the story is the father’s involvement in sharing games from an earlier generation. His enthusiasm adds warmth to the narrative while emphasizing the value of passing down experiences and traditions. The book also highlights the excitement of friendship, outdoor adventures, and learning through hands-on play.
Illustrator Christina Rudenko brings the story to life with colorful, expressive artwork that complements its family-centered message. The illustrations feature cheerful characters with animated facial expressions, making their emotions easy for young readers to recognize. Early scenes depict the family surrounded by glowing screens, while outdoor illustrations introduce inviting green spaces, leafy trees, and bright recreational equipment. The contrast between these settings reinforces the book’s central theme through visual storytelling. The pictures of children playing marbles, jumping through hopscotch squares, and enjoying other familiar games are especially appealing. Their energetic movements and enthusiastic expressions help communicate the excitement of discovering something new. These detailed, full-page illustrations give the picture book plenty of visual interest and provide opportunities for parents and children to discuss the activities shown.
A Day without Technology delivers a timely message about finding a healthy balance between screen time and personal interaction. Thomas writes in a direct, accessible style that makes the story suitable for reading aloud and discussing as a family. The narrative also introduces the term “technoference,” offering a useful starting point for conversations about how electronic devices can interrupt everyday relationships. Beyond its message about technology, the book celebrates curiosity, creativity, physical activity, and the simple pleasure of spending time with others. Its intergenerational perspective is especially meaningful, reminding readers that parents and grandparents have experiences worth sharing. For families looking to encourage more outdoor play, strengthen communication, or explore screen-free activities together, this children’s book offers an approachable and relevant conversation starter.
Pages: 33 | ASIN: B0GY8X39PC
A Little Mystery
Brave Like Me follows four woodland friends who encounter a mysterious figure in a snowy forest and discover that true courage comes from friendship, compassion, and facing fears together. How did you decide which personality traits would represent different expressions of courage?
Over the past 20 years, through my work with Moment by Moment, I’ve met thousands of children facing extraordinary challenges. One of the most meaningful lessons they’ve taught me is that courage and bravery do not look the same in every child.
Some children are naturally curious and eager to explore, while others are sensitive, cautious, or anxious about the unknown. I’ve learned that none of these qualities makes a child any less brave. In fact, sometimes the quietest child demonstrates the greatest courage.
I wanted each of the four woodland friends to reflect a different personality that children could recognize in themselves. Benny Bear is sensitive and gentle, Remy Raccoon is curious and adventurous, Ruby Rabbit is thoughtful but sometimes anxious, and little Mabel Mouse reminds us that courage has nothing to do with size.
I wanted readers to see that none of these woodland friends has to change who they are to become brave. Instead, they discover courage in their own way, with a little encouragement from their friends.
That was especially important to me because I’ve witnessed firsthand how meaningful it can be when a child begins to recognize their own strength through the help of family and friends.
I believe that we should not just tell children, going through any life circumstance, that they are brave; we should help them see it through their own lens of the world. My hope is that every child who reads Brave Like Me will see a little of themselves in one of these friends and realize that being scared and being brave can exist at the very same time.
The mysterious figure creates both suspense and opportunities for self-discovery. How did you balance the excitement of the unknown with reassurance for young readers?
I believe a little mystery can be a wonderful way to help children explore their emotions in a safe and interactive way. When I first imagined this story as a child, surreal 50 years ago, I was drawn to the excitement of discovering something unexpected. As my story evolved, especially after my 20 years working with children through my nonprofit, Moment by Moment, I wanted that mystery to carry a deeper message and began to write Brave Like Me from where I see the world now.
Children encounter the unknown all the time, whether it’s their first day of school, meeting someone new, trying something difficult, or facing a medical experience. What might seem small to an adult can feel enormous to a child. I wanted young readers to experience that sense of uncertainty alongside the four friends, but never feel overwhelmed by it. The snowy forest creates an atmosphere of mystery, while the friendship and different personalities of the characters and their working together to solve the mystery provide reassurance along the way. I wanted children to discover that sometimes the things that we fear are things we simply don’t yet understand.
Ultimately, the story is about discovering that appearances aren’t always what they seem, and recognizing how much easier it can be to take that first brave step when someone (a friend or a loved one) is beside you.
My hope is that children finish the book feeling not only reassured, but a little more confident about facing their personal fears of the unknown.
Your story emphasizes that bravery doesn’t mean being fearless. How do you hope children will apply this message when facing challenges in their own lives?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned through 20 years of Moment by Moment is that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it is finding the courage to take the next step, even when you are afraid. In 2018, I was in a teenager’s patient’s room, and she had written this on a poster: “Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you keep going when you are.” Those words stayed with me because they captured something I had witnessed in children for so many years. Courage wasn’t about being fearless. It was about finding the strength to keep going, even when life felt overwhelming.
That moment helped me recognize the deeper message I wanted my childhood story to carry. Nearly 50 years after I first imagined those woodland friends, their adventure became a way to share what thousands of children have taught me about courage.
My hope is that children who read Brave Like Me will recognize that bravery exists in their own everyday experiences, whether it’s trying something new, making a friend, or facing something that frightens them.
It is perfectly okay to feel nervous, uncertain, or scared, and those feelings don’t diminish their courage. I also want them to recognize that asking for help, showing kindness, and leaning on others can be expressions of bravery. I especially hope the book encourages parents, teachers, and caregivers to notice and celebrate those everyday moments when children step outside their comfort zones.
Jordan Foster’s illustrations beautifully capture the characters’ emotions and the changing winter landscape. How did your collaboration influence the story’s atmosphere and emotional impact?
My collaboration with Jordan Foster is especially meaningful because our relationship goes back long before Brave Like Me was ever imagined as a published book. Jordan’s mother is one of my closest friends, and I’ve had the wonderful privilege of watching Jordan grow up from the day she was born. Over the years, I’ve watched her creativity and artistic talents unfold, eventually leading her to a career on the digital marketing team at Warner Bros.
A few years ago, while I was working at UCLA Children’s Hospital, I invited Jordan to dinner in Los Angeles. I was beginning to explore the possibility of bringing my childhood story to life and thought that, through her creative connections, she might know a freelance illustrator who would be interested in the project. What I didn’t expect was that Jordan would say she’d like to give it a try herself, and that evening marked the beginning of a very special creative partnership.
This was the first children’s book for both of us, so we found ourselves learning the intricacies of layouts, storyboards, and the illustration process together. While much of the process was new to both of us, Jordan brought a natural artistic vision and remarkable sensitivity to the characters from the very beginning. I had carried these four little woodland friends in my imagination for decades, but Jordan was the one who gave them their faces, expressions, and personalities on the page. Young readers can recognize their curiosity, fear, and ultimately their bravery and courage, even before those emotions are expressed in words.
The winter woodland setting plays such an important role in creating the story’s atmosphere. There’s something magical about a snow-covered forest, but also something mysterious about its stillness, the shadows among the trees, and not knowing what might be waiting just beyond them. Jordan captured that delicate balance beautifully, creating a world that feels both inviting and a little mysterious. The snowy landscape draws children into the adventure, building just enough suspense to make them wonder what the four friends will discover. As the story unfolds, her illustrations help shift that feeling of uncertainty toward warmth, understanding, and reassurance.
I think that’s what made our collaboration so special. I brought a story I’d carried with me since childhood, and Jordan brought the artistic vision to give it life. Together, we created a world where children can not only follow the adventure but also feel the emotions behind it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
When a mysterious figure appears, Benny Bear, Remy Raccoon, Ruby Rabbit, and Mabel Mouse are filled with questions—and a little fear. One by one, they venture into the cold to investigate. But the more they look, the more the mystery seems to change . . .
With courage, curiosity, and a lot of heart, these four friends discover that sometimes the unknown isn’t so scary after all—especially when you face it together.
This delightful rhyming tale celebrates friendship, bravery, and the magic of seeing things clearly—with just a little help from the morning sun.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Children’s Books
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes children’s books that mesmerize audiences with incredible narratives, vibrant illustrations, charming characters, and fresh ideas. Offering well-earned accolades, we salute the imagination and exceptional skill of authors who create tales that spark curiosity and delight in young minds.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
F F F by Al X. Griz
Pixie by Nightdancer Slater
Ada, Old and New: A Brother-Sister Tale by Madeleine Van Hecke
A Child’s Guillotine by Daniel Klein
The Restoration of Man-A Journey to Healing, Identity and God-Anchored Masculinity by Eli Brackenbury
The STEWARD Blueprint: A Compass for a Purposeful Life by Andy Tseng
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
So You Want to Be an Interior Designer
Linda Soules’ So You Want to Be an Interior Designer is a delightful children’s book that introduces young readers to a creative career they might not have considered before. I really enjoyed how the book takes something as familiar as a bedroom, classroom, or favorite restaurant and encourages kids to see it through fresh eyes. It explains how interior designers shape the spaces where people live, work, learn, and relax, while showing just how much thought goes into making those places comfortable, attractive, and functional. Soules has a friendly, engaging writing style that makes the information approachable, and her enthusiasm for the profession comes through on every page. I especially appreciated the way she connects design decisions to everyday experiences that children can easily recognize.
One of my favorite things about this picture book is how much interesting information it packs into its pages. Readers learn about floor plans, lighting, color choices, furniture, building codes, and the many tools designers use. The book also explores some unexpected specialties, including designing airplane cabins, hospitals, and even spaces for people with disabilities. There are fascinating historical details, surprising facts about how rooms influence our behavior, and introductions to influential designers whose work has helped shape the profession. I enjoyed the balance between practical explanations and fun discoveries. Soules also discusses the challenges of the job, giving children a thoughtful understanding of the patience, problem-solving, and teamwork involved in bringing a design to life.
The illustrations are another wonderful part of the reading experience. They’re colorful, detailed, and full of personality, with a warm, inviting quality that makes each setting enjoyable to explore. From cozy living rooms and busy design studios to construction sites and imaginative interiors, the artwork gives children plenty to look at while reinforcing what they’re learning. I particularly liked the illustrations showing designers interacting with clients, examining materials, and solving everyday problems. There’s also a charming sense of playfulness in some of the scenes, especially those featuring secret rooms, curious animals, and unusual design challenges. The pictures make the profession feel tangible and help readers visualize how a designer’s ideas become real spaces.
What stayed with me most about So You Want to Be an Interior Designer is its emphasis on designing for people. Soules makes it clear that good design involves listening, observing, and understanding what others need. I loved that message, especially for younger readers who are beginning to explore their interests and imagine future careers. The hands-on suggestions and creative activities are a nice touch, inviting kids to experiment with room layouts, notice their surroundings, and try solving design problems themselves. This is the kind of children’s book that could inspire a child to start sketching a dream bedroom or looking at familiar spaces with new curiosity. It’s an enjoyable, informative read that celebrates creativity, empathy, and the satisfaction of making everyday environments work better for everyone.
Pages: 44 | ASIN: B0HNPL7QJR
Moon Rabbit
Talk Me a Story about Moon Rabbit! follows a young girl who struggles with her Korean American identity after classmates make fun of her mother’s accent, her family’s food, and the traditions that make her home special. What drew you to Moon Rabbit as the central figure connecting Shelly’s everyday life with the magical world of the story?
There were several reasons I chose Moon Rabbit to connect Shelly’s everyday life with the magical world of the story. In Korean folktales, the rabbit is often a small and seemingly vulnerable creature, but it is also clever, resourceful, and capable of outsmarting much larger and more powerful animals. Whether it’s escaping a hungry tiger or tricking the creatures who want to take its liver to save the Dragon King of the Southern Sea, the rabbit finds a way to turn the tables and come out on top.
I wanted to draw on that tradition while creating a Moon Rabbit who embodies those same qualities. Beginning as a humble rabbit, it eventually earns its place on the moon not simply because of its sincerity and compassion, but also because it thinks outside the box. Its journey shows that strength doesn’t always come from being the biggest, the loudest, or the most powerful. Sometimes, it comes from resourcefulness, creativity, and the willingness to see possibilities where others might not.
I wanted Moon Rabbit to serve as both a mentor and a mirror for Shelly. As Shelly struggles with feeling different and begins to question the parts of herself and her family that make her Korean American, Moon Rabbit offers her a way to see those differences differently. Through their connection, I hoped Shelly—and young readers, too—would recognize that being small or feeling like an outsider doesn’t mean you’re powerless. You can be vulnerable and mighty at the same time. Sometimes, the very things that make you feel different are also the things that make you extraordinary.
How do Shelly’s experiences with bullying and cultural misunderstanding influence the way she sees herself at the beginning of the novel?
At the beginning of the novel, Shelly is standing at the edge of an identity crisis. She loves her mother, but when her classmates make fun of her mother’s accent, her family’s food, and the cultural traditions that make their home special, shame begins to creep into a place where there was once only love and familiarity. She starts to question the very things that connect her to her family and her Korean heritage.
The nightmare passages in the novel offer glimpses into just how much Shelly has been carrying inside. She has experienced repeated instances of bullying, but she hasn’t felt able to talk about them openly. Instead, she internalizes those experiences, and they begin to manifest as anxiety, fear, and low self-esteem. She is trying to resist the negative messages her classmates are sending her, but doing so becomes increasingly difficult when she is struggling with those feelings on her own.
Shelly’s experiences are deeply personal to me. They reflect some of my own experiences growing up Korean American and mixed race, as well as experiences my own children have had. I also hear similar stories from many of my college students who identify as Asian American. They talk about being teased or stereotyped because of their food, cultural practices, and beliefs. Those experiences remind me how early children can learn to feel ashamed of something that should be a source of connection and pride.
What I wanted to explore through Shelly is how difficult it can be to hold on to your sense of self when the world around you is telling you that something about you or your family is wrong. Shelly has the love and support of her family, and the stories passed down through generations give her a connection to her heritage that she can draw strength from. But even when you have that foundation, it doesn’t mean you are immune to the hurtful things people say. Shelly has to find her way back to herself, and part of that journey is learning to trust her own voice and recognize the value of the very things she has begun to question.
How does the novel explore the importance of passing stories, memories, and traditions from one generation to the next?
Honestly, this is the heart of the story. For me, storytelling is about so much more than passing down folktales or preserving cultural traditions. It’s about passing down a sense of who we are, where we come from, and how we are connected to the people who came before us.
In the novel, Shelly’s mother, or Momma, uses storytelling to share Korean folktales, family memories, and experiences from her own life. These stories are a way of keeping their Korean heritage alive, but they also offer Shelly a connection to a history and a cultural identity that she is still learning to understand. Through her mother’s stories, Shelly begins to see that she is part of something much larger than herself. She is connected to generations of people whose experiences, struggles, wisdom, and imagination have shaped the world she lives in.
This theme is also deeply personal for me. I was born in Seoul, but I grew up in the United States, and my relationship with my Korean heritage has been shaped by both what was passed down to me and what I’ve had to seek out for myself. When I became a mother, I made a conscious effort to share Korean folktales with my own children. I wanted them to have a connection to a cultural heritage that might otherwise feel distant from their everyday lives. In many ways, writing this novel grew out of that desire to preserve and pass on those stories.
I also wanted to explore how storytelling can become an act of love and resilience. When Shelly is struggling with bullying and beginning to feel ashamed of the things that make her different, her family’s stories offer her another way of understanding herself. They remind her that her heritage is not something to be embarrassed about, but something rich with meaning, imagination, and possibility. The stories don’t magically erase her pain, but they give her a foundation from which she can begin to make sense of her experiences.
Ultimately, I believe that when we pass stories from one generation to the next, we are giving the next generation more than memories. We are giving them ways to understand themselves, to imagine who they might become, and to know that they are part of a story that began long before them and will continue long after them. That, to me, is one of the most powerful gifts we can give our children.
What advice would you give young readers who feel embarrassed or uncertain about the cultural traditions that make their families unique?
I would tell young readers to remember that every day, you walk with your ancestors. You carry their stories, their struggles, their wisdom, and their love with you, even if you don’t always recognize it. The foods your family makes, the languages they speak, the traditions they practice, and the stories they tell are all part of a history that has helped shape who you are.
I know that when you’re young, it’s not always easy to appreciate those things, especially when you’re surrounded by people who may not understand them or who make you feel as though being different is something to be ashamed of. I experienced that growing up, and I see it in the experiences of young people today. Sometimes, the desire to fit in can make us want to distance ourselves from the very things that connect us to our families and our cultural heritage.
But I would encourage young readers not to let someone else’s misunderstanding determine how they see themselves. You don’t have to know everything about your culture, and you don’t have to feel proud of every tradition right away. Give yourself permission to ask questions, explore your family’s history, and discover what those traditions mean to you. Talk to your parents, grandparents, and elders. Listen to their stories. You may discover that something you once felt embarrassed about holds a beautiful history or a meaning you never knew.
And remember, you don’t have to choose between honoring where you come from and deciding who you want to become. You can embrace your heritage while creating your own identity. You can be proud of your family’s traditions while also making room for new ones.
Most importantly, never mistake being different for being less than. Your family’s story is part of your story, and your story matters. You may not always understand the gifts your ancestors have given you, but you carry those gifts forward in the way you live, love, create, and tell your own stories. Every day, you walk with your ancestors—and someday, you will be part of the story that someone else carries with them.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Linktree
Shelly has always felt different. Too Korean. Not Korean enough. Afraid of the dark. But when her Momma shares “talk stories” about Moon Rabbit—a magical creature from Korean folklore—Shelly feels safe. Then one night, something surprising happens: Moon Rabbit slides down a moonbeam into her room and steals her family’s rice!
Armed with her Moon pendant, her beloved plushie Lammie, and a whole lot of courage, Shelly follows him into a breathtaking world on the Moon where her nightmares come to life.
Can Shelly be brave enough to overcome her fears, uncover the truth about Moon Rabbit’s actions, and use her mother’s stories to face the Moon Gobbler?
A Bedtime Tradition
The Tale of Violet the Bear follows a beloved plush bear’s imagined journey through friendship, courage, and motherhood as Nanie transforms its worn patches into a bedtime story for Mika. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration behind A Plushy Story actually came from a bedtime tradition I shared with my own daughter. Rather than choosing a book for us to read, she would pick one of her beloved plush toys, cuddle up beside me, and eagerly wait for me to tell her its story.
Together, we’d venture into a world of imagination, where an ordinary stuffed animal could have lived an extraordinary life filled with adventures, friendships, challenges, and love.
And so, A Plushy Story was born from those precious bedtime moments with my daughter and the belief that perhaps the things we cherish most aren’t beautiful despite their imperfections, but because of the stories those imperfections tell.
How did you develop Violet’s patches to connect her imagined experiences with the physical wear of the bear in Mika’s arms?
I wanted Violet’s patches to be more than just physical details. Each one represents a moment in her imagined life, an experience that helped shape who she became. As her story unfolds, the patches gradually take on meaning, transforming what might otherwise be seen as flaws into symbols of courage and challenges she has lived through.
By the time we return to Mika’s bedroom, my hope is that readers no longer see a worn-out teddy bear. Instead, they see a character whose imperfections have become the most meaningful parts of her story.
And perhaps, in some small way, they’ll begin to look at their own imperfections with a little more kindness, too.
How does Violet’s friendship with Clover shape the confidence she carries into later life, including caring for cubs of her own?
I believe the relationships we form throughout our lives have a profound influence on the people we become. Sometimes, all it takes is one person who believes in us to help us discover the strength we’ve had within us all along.
Clover represents that kind of friendship for Violet. Their bond is built on acceptance, trust, and the freedom to be themselves without fear of judgment.
Through their experiences together, Violet learns that courage doesn’t necessarily mean being fearless. Sometimes, it means finding the strength to face uncertainty because someone has reminded us that we’re capable of doing so.
As Violet grows older and eventually becomes a mother herself, those lessons remain with her. The love, patience, and reassurance she once received become the very things she offers her own cubs.
I wanted to illustrate how kindness and love have a way of carrying forward, often long after the moments that first inspired them.
What did Michelle G. Rocque’s changing seasonal palette bring to Violet’s life story and the emotional effect of returning to Mika’s bedroom?
The changing seasons were an important part of how I wanted Violet’s journey to unfold, both visually and emotionally.
I’ve always found something deeply poetic about nature and the way it mirrors our own lives. Spring brings new beginnings; summer offers warmth and discovery; autumn reminds us of change, and winter invites us to reflect on everything that has come before.
Through the illustrations, I wanted readers to experience the passage of time almost instinctively, without needing it to be explained. The shifting colours and atmosphere help convey the joy, uncertainty, tenderness, and bittersweet beauty of growing older.
And when the story eventually returns to Mika’s bedroom, there’s a deliberate contrast between the vastness of Violet’s imagined world and the quiet simplicity of a child holding her beloved bear.
After everything Violet has experienced, she’s right where she belongs.
To me, that return captures the heart of the story: love has a way of making even the smallest, most ordinary things extraordinary.
Author Links: Goodreads | Website
A Plushy Story is a bedtime series written in language that hums like a lullaby, inviting children into poetic storytelling, woven with hints of symbolism.
Meet Violet—a tender purple cub finding her way in a world full of wonder. Through snowy forests, star-filled skies, and quiet moments of courage, she discovers that strength doesn’t always roar…
sometimes, it lives softly within.
A comforting story of resilience, self-acceptance, and connection—written for little ones, and for the grown-ups who read to them.
• Perfect for bedtime reading
• Enables gentle emotional learning
• Opportunity for parents and children to bond and share
Drift gently into dreams… one page at a time.
The New Dog, A Story About Finding Your True Home
In The New Dog, author Leia Barrett introduces readers to Tiny, a lovable, oversized dog with a big personality and an even bigger desire to belong. Tiny’s life starts in a cozy home, but when he grows too large for his surroundings, he finds himself at an animal shelter, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and plenty of noise. Told from Tiny’s perspective, this charming children’s book follows his experiences adjusting to change, meeting new people, and discovering what it means to become part of a family. Barrett gives Tiny a wonderfully distinct voice, blending confidence, vulnerability, and a healthy dose of mischief. His observations feel just like something a dog might think if given the chance to tell his own story.
The book’s humor comes naturally from Tiny’s enthusiastic approach to everyday life. Whether he’s navigating exercise, attending obedience school, or exploring the household toy collection, Tiny has a way of seeing things that makes even ordinary situations entertaining. His friendship with Odd, a much smaller canine companion, adds another delightful dimension to the story. Their differences in size and temperament create plenty of opportunities for laughter while also highlighting the gradual process of getting comfortable with someone new. Barrett’s conversational writing style makes Tiny an engaging narrator, and his occasional uncertainty gives the story emotional depth without weighing down its playful atmosphere.
Illustrator Shannon McKeon brings tremendous personality to this picture book through lively, expressive artwork that captures the delightful chaos of life with dogs. Tiny’s long legs, exaggerated ears, and animated facial expressions make him especially endearing, while Odd’s scruffy appearance provides an amusing visual contrast. The illustrations have a loose, sketchlike quality, with energetic black outlines and soft washes of blue, green, pink, and brown. Particularly entertaining are the scrapbook-inspired pages featuring snapshots, handwritten notes, and playful captions that document Tiny’s experiences. These details encourage readers to linger over each spread, discovering small jokes and visual surprises that complement the storytelling. McKeon also makes clever use of spacing and movement, allowing the artwork to communicate emotions and personality beyond the words on the page.
The New Dog is a warmhearted exploration of belonging, patience, and the relationships that make a place feel like home. Barrett approaches the subject of pet adoption with sensitivity, acknowledging that adjusting to a new environment takes time, even when everyone has the best intentions. Young readers will recognize feelings of nervousness, excitement, and uncertainty in Tiny’s experiences, making his story relatable beyond its canine perspective. Families who love dogs, especially those familiar with rescue animals, will appreciate the affectionate portrayal of their quirks and individual needs. With its appealing narrator, playful illustrations, and thoughtful message about finding your place, this is a children’s book that invites both laughter and meaningful conversations about kindness, understanding, and welcoming someone new.
Pages: 39 | ISBN: 9781736710364
