Blog Archives
Ships, Sleighs and Christmas Lights
This stunning picture book captures the spirit of Christmas even if told from a perspective most have never heard of. Based off of the biblical story of Saint Nicholaos, the author intertwines how other cultures have added their twist to the story to lead it to the familiar story of a red suit and hat with reindeer.
Young Nikolaos was raised in Patara, a shipping town where he was taught to pray and about the life of Jesus and God. Inspired by the stories of Jesus, Nikolaos traveled to Jerusalem to visit all the places he learned of. He embodied the spirit of Jesus by giving all he could to those less fortunate than himself. When he was returning home his ship ran into a bad storm and he prayed that they would return to land safely. His faith and kindness are examples of where the spirit of the modern Saint Nick comes from. Saint Nikolaos was known for leaving gifts outside children’s windows, or just handing out things that they needed as he could. The tradition of gift-giving was started as a means to show kindness and help each other.
This picture book will entertain young readers and give them a historical perspective without dampening the excitement of the holiday season. This thought-provoking children’s book allows children to see that different cultures believe different versions of the same story. Captivating illustrations accompany the narrative and make for an engaging experience.
Ships, Sleighs and Christmas Lights: The Origins of Saint Nicholas is a delightful picture book that religious educators and families can all enjoy around the holiday season. It focuses on the meaning of Christmas and not the commercialization of the day. The historical fiction in this children’s book is a great conversation starter as well for what life was like in the fourth century.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B09M3QXBLB
You Belong Too
Annie is a new student at Meadowbrook Public School. She is very nervous about starting at a new school and having to make new friends. Her mom tells her “You can do hard things,” but Annie is not so sure. Throughout the day Annie is afraid to talk to other kids and sits alone. That night she decides she is going to start a friendship club at her new school. The next day she puts her plan into action, looking for all the kids that are alone and bringing them together. Working with her new friends Annie creates an environment of kindness that spreads through her class.
You Belong Too by author Tara Anderson and illustrated by Carissa Harris is a feel-good picture book for early elementary kids. The meaningful message of kindness is presented in a secular format that all families can appreciate. Anderson highlights that despite people being new or different they can be included as well. Harris’s expressive illustrations will help young children understand the emotions such as uncertainty, sadness, and acceptance when a new friend is brought into the circle. Children will be engaged with the stunning colors and playful character drawings.
Included with this picture book is the Friendship Flower, this playful illustration could easily be turned into a classroom activity for students to create. The symbolic flower will help children realize all the different things that go into showing kindness and being a good friend and classmate.
You Belong Too is perfect for teachers and classroom libraries. This beautifully written and illustrated story book conceptualizes the idea of kindness in a way that young elementary and kindergarten students will be able to understand. This is a must read for school children especially in a time when bullying is on the rise to instill the message of inclusion and kindness from the start.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B09LR9LSTK
Holy Fruit Toots Rosie!
Holy Fruit Toots Rosie! is about a curious dog named Rosie that loves to try new foods, especially foods that are not her dog food. Unfortunately for Rosie, she learns the hard way that she has an allergy to Fruity Toot cereal. The house is soon filled with the smell of fruit toot toots every time Rosie sneezes. After a call to the vet the family learns what to do and spends the day helping Rosie with her fruity toot tooting issue.
Dogs provide families with love, affection, entertainment, and sometimes worries. Thankfully in this picture book written by Christine Logan, Rosie had a mild reaction to eating something she was not supposed to have. Humor permeates this fun story as even the cat is upset by the smell coming from poor Rosie. Children will love the ridiculous images that accompany the hilarious narrative of Rosie passing gas with every activity she does. Children will be laughing all the way through this entertaining story.
Logan does a great job explaining the serious nature of allergies in animals and what to do for them, while infusing humor into the information. At the end of the story the author includes a pictorial checklist of what is safe and not safe for dogs to eat, play with, and what their poop should look like if healthy. Also included is a list of things to look for if you think your pet is sick and a reminder to call the vet if you think they are.
This comical picture book is brought to life through the fantastic illustrations of Gayatri Ray. Their rendition of the fruity toot toots will have readers doing a double take and then laughing at the fruit rings flying out of Rosie. The artwork makes this picture book come to life while allowing Logan to pass on a serious message about pet care.
Holy Fruit Toots Rosie! is an extraordinary and lighthearted picture book that children and toddlers will find entertaining and unforgettable. The important information on taking care of animals that is included is presented in an effective matter that will be remembered by children and adults.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B09HW541G6
In My Home We Believe
In My Home We Believe by Odessa Stevens and illustrated by Andrea Moore takes children through a series of beliefs that are relevant to today’s current events and political issues. Children see things on the news and internet and have questions, often these adult topics are hard to explain on a level small children will grasp. Odessa Stevens has brought the topics of Black Lives Matter, women’s rights, immigration, science, and love is love down to a level that children can comprehend. These ideas coupled with Andrea Moore’s wonderful artwork makes these topics approachable.
This brilliant picture book is perfect for families that want to keep children engaged in the important social topics that are shaping our world right now. It is relevant, captivating, and insightful. Children will be drawn into the images allowing the message of inclusion easier to grasp. The book language is simple and direct, but not overly simplified or watering down the message. This children’s book would be an excellent choice for early elementary children.
In My Home We Believe is the perfect kids book to add to a home or classroom library. Parents, teachers, and children alike will find this picture book thought-provoking and appealing. This is a great way to open up discussions with children on these complex topics.
Pages: 22 | ASIN: B09HN8QPWL
The Sumatran Trilogy
The Problem with Poppy is about a porcupine that has trouble making friends and overcomes that fear. What was the inspiration for your story?
Like Poppy, I have been defensive where I didn’t need to be out of fear as I had experienced trauma which made it difficult for me to trust people and make friends. I wanted to write a book that drew on my own personal experiences but in a child appropriate way to show children that if they too have an issue with making friends, they need to overcome a fear and trauma or are defensive, they are able to overcome this. Everybody has a natural defence system, it’s a survival skill, but there is a time and a place to use it and as Poppy learns in the story, being defensive when she doesn’t need to be can have upsetting consequences. However, Poppy makes the brave step to address the issue and makes a lifelong friend in the process. I think people can relate to Poppy and learn that being brave and addressing your issues can make your life so much better and happier.
What inspired you to write a series about the rainforest?
The rainforest is so important as it enables so many different species of animals to live there. Sadly, with deforestation and poaching occuring around the world, I wanted to write a book which teaches children the importance of protecting these animals and the rainforest as well as educating them about how to deal with their own issues. I also wanted to help protect the animals and rainforests in any way I could and as a result of book sales from The Problem with Poppy and the next two books in the Sumatran Trilogy I donate £1 per book sale to Rainforest Trust UK which is then used to save the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, where the book is set. The Leuser Ecosystem is the last place on earth where tigers, porcupines, orangutans and elephants co-exist in the wild so I wanted to educate children on this amazing part of the world and what we can all do to preserve it.
How did collaboration go between you and the illustrator for the book?
My illustrator, Olena Osadcha, is based in Ukraine. It has been a pleasure working with her for this book. Olena is also illustrating the next two books in the Sumatran Trilogy, What’s Troubling Tawny? and Hooray for Heidi! Olena shares the same passion that I do in relation to the story and feels that the book has some important messages for children. Olena and I have worked very closely in getting the illustrations as perfect as possible to make them fun, cute and captivating for the reader.
I see there are two more books in the series set for publication, are they going to build on The Problem with Poppy or are they their own stories?
The next two books in the Sumatran Trilogy have some similarities to The Problem with Poppy but also some differences. They will both be set in the Sumatran rainforest but they will introduce new characters into each story while at the same time the characters from the previous book making cameo appearances! The next two books will, again, touch on important messages for children such as self confidence, self esteem, self worth, working as a team, trying your best, taking part in activities, along with reinforcing the importance of saving the rainforest and the animals that inhabit them.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website | theproblemwithpoppy.co.uk
Poppy the porcupine has always wanted to make a friend, but her defensive nature prevents her. When a young tiger cub stumbles upon her one day in the rainforest, she reacts badly and scares him away.
Determined to change her ways, she sets out to find him, but little does she know that the tiger cub is about to have a problem of his own. In the face of danger, will Poppy find a way to save the day?
The Problem with Poppy is an award-winning picture book aimed at children aged 4-8 and is the debut by British author Emma Sandford. Illustrated by Ukrainian artist Olena Osadcha.
“The Problem with Poppy by Emma Sandford is a perfect combination of fun and learning that any little kid will love.” – Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★
The book is the first in a series called The Sumatran Trilogy. The second book, What’s Troubling Tawny?, will be published in December 2021 and the third book, Hooray for Heidi!, will be published in June 2022.
£1 per paperback book sale donated to Rainforest Trust UK.
Merry Christmas, Bobby the Bear!
It is Bobby’s favorite time of the year, Christmas! Each year Bobby has a Christmas Party in his cave for all his woodland friends. While off walking in the woods to collect items to make gifts for his friends he meets a deer named Danny. Being the good neighbor that Bobby is he invites Danny to join him and his friends that night for the party. Once there Bobby and his friends find out that Danny has much different traditions than they do.
I really enjoyed the variety of characters in this short story. They all had different personalities and Bobby made sure to highlight them in his gifts. It shows readers the value in appreciating the difference in people. All around the world people celebrate different things and in different ways, this story emphasizes that just because something is different it doesn’t make it bad.
Merry Christmas, Bobby the Bear! by author Ryan O’connor is a beautifully written children’s book about how people celebrate the holiday’s differently. This picture book conveys a feel-good and engaging story with creative artwork by illustrator Xiang Manke. Together the story comes to life for readers in a way sure to delight young children.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B08M41B2BL
Mystic of the Midway
Mystic of the Midway by A. A. Blair is a teen supernatural-suspense novel where the readers are taken on a journey in the small port town of Crystal Beach. It is here our protagonist, Effie, is involved in an accident and starts experiencing chills and hearing voices all around her. Shortly after a mysterious young girl starts following her but disappears when she try’s to approach. Effie and her friends decide to set out to uncover what is happening to her and why.
Effie’s life before the accident was normal, she had a happy family and normal childhood. Now, however, she hears whispers, knows secrets that she isn’t supposed to know, and starts having cryptic dreams that may be the answer to what is going on. One of the traits in Effie that is relatable to preteen kids is the struggle to express themselves. Effie doesn’t know how to explain what is going on and the feelings she has about the supernatural experiences. This struggle with her emotions and expression adds realism to the story. What child wouldn’t be afraid to tell people they hear and see things others can not. Seeing this in Effie makes her a dynamic character that readers will be able to connect with. Her determination to prove she is not making up the voices or the girl following her gives readers someone to root for, the desire to have her prove it is in fact all real.
A. A. Blair does a superb job with scenery and setting. One of the key settings is arcades. The author was able to accurately portray the excitement and energy from this venue. Included were old pictures that will help modern readers really get a feel for what these old arcade environment’s were like. It is like stepping back in time for older readers, they will enjoy the nostalgia.
Mystic of the Midway is a gripping paranormal mystery for older elementary level and early teens. With suspense and thrill, the author has really captured the emotion for the audience in the writing. The action was fast paced, the dialogue was relevant and entertaining, and the characters were written accurately for their ages. This is a great supernatural thriller that will keep kids engaged.
Pages: 136 | ISBN: 1592111181
The Greatest Light
When two children asked Poppy what the greatest light is, the three of them go on an adventure to discover the answer. While trying to discover the greatest light the three get balloons in the park, have some cookies, eat by a fire and catch lightning bugs. While enjoying all these fun activities the children see people that could use some help and they gladly go about helping. Poppy just watches and tells them how kind they are to help out others.
The Greatest Light is a feel-good Christian picture book that communicates the message of kindness and how we should help those in need. Tim & Cindy Morrison have written a story that is easy for children to understand using themes and topics that will appeal to young kids. Steve Worthington illustrates the story in a whimsical manner. The pages look like watercolor paintings and the colors used highlight the focus of each page. Together the prose and artwork create an engaging and entertaining book to read to children that will draw them into the story and teach without feeling like a lesson.
The Greatest Light is heartwarming and spiritual book ideal for parents, teachers, and those in religious education. This Christian picture book will emphasize that kindness is achievable in your day to day interactions
Pages: 54 | ISBN-10: 1664231641
LITERARY TITAN 