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Dale Defeats the Dark
Dale Defeats the Dark is a heartwarming children’s book about a little deer named Dale who learns to conquer his fear of the dark. Set in a vibrant forest, the fable-like story unfolds as Dale, who is initially terrified of night’s shadows and noises, decides to face his fears. With a blanket of armor, a leaf helmet, a cute stuffy, and his trusty lantern, Dale transforms into a brave knight, ready to make the dark fun and manageable.
Author Blaina Tallent Best’s writing is sweet and simple, making this book accessible and engaging for young readers. What stood out to me the most was how Dale’s journey is filled with small, relatable victories. For instance, when Dale gives his favorite stuffed animal a squeeze to muster courage, it reminds me of my own childhood coping strategies. These small details add a layer of realism to Dale’s fantastical adventure, making it all the more touching.
The illustrations deserve a shoutout, too! They are as lively and colorful as the story and perfectly capture Dale’s emotions. The moment when Dale wakes up to a special treat is drawn so warmly that it almost makes you want to reach out and hug him. This harmony between illustrations and text enhances the storytelling, making the dark seem less daunting and more like a canvas for imagination.
What I particularly appreciate about this picture book is its message that fears can be transformed into fun, adventurous experiences. The strategies Dale uses to defeat the dark, like turning on a lantern or squeezing his stuffy, are practical and easy for kids to emulate. This empowers children and gives them the tools to deal with other fears they might face.
Dale Defeats the Dark is a delightful children’s book that tackles a common childhood fear in a nurturing way. I’d recommend it to any parent whose child might be struggling with fear of the dark or to anyone who enjoys a story of triumph and bravery.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0D7QPNWGV
Choo! Choo! Choo! The Train at the Zoo
Choo! Choo! Choo! The Train at the Zoo, by Kathleen Welton, is a delightful and educational journey for young readers. The story begins with Peg the pig, who gathers the animals to board the train. Throughout the journey, children are introduced to a wide variety of animals, including lions, giraffes, and owls, all enjoying their own train cars. The book also incorporates sounds of objects like the train’s bell and wheels, helping children expand their vocabulary and improve their ability to identify and reproduce sounds in an engaging way.
Kathleen Welton’s narration is captivating, using short phrases and simple language while maintaining a rhythmic flow. This makes the story feel like an educational game. The animals are depicted with kind and friendly behaviors, creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. The charming illustrations feature enthusiastic characters radiating happiness. One particularly appreciated detail is the changing background, reflecting different scenes and transitioning from daytime to nighttime, enhancing children’s ability to make associations and recognize patterns. The diversity of animals, including monkeys, penguins, and polar bears, adds to the book’s appeal. While not every animal’s sound is represented, the focus on maintaining the story’s rhythm and interest is clear.
Choo! Choo! Choo! The Train at the Zoo is an excellent choice for sparking children’s interest in animals and their surroundings. It also helps enhance their attention and concentration skills through sound imitation. This book is undoubtedly a fantastic option for fostering a love for reading.
Pages: 26 | ISBN : 978-1962202237
Light Fright
Light Fright is a whimsical journey into the nighttime world of Marley, a lovable little monster with a big imagination. As darkness falls, Marley’s mind is racing with fears. Unlike typical bedtime stories that calm children’s fears, this one flips the script by exploring the notion that even monsters can be afraid of children hiding in the shadows. Marley’s family tries everything to help him sleep, from magical nightlights to cozy blankets, but it’s Marley’s own bravery and a touch of humor that finally calm his fears.
I enjoyed this book so much! First off, the writing is absolutely charming. Judy De Young has a knack for blending light-hearted humor with gentle reassurance, making this book a delightful read for kids and adults. The way she depicts Marley’s fear of children hiding under the bed or in the closet flips the usual monster-under-the-bed trope on its head. Such a clever twist brings a fresh perspective to common bedtime anxieties.
What really stands out is the relationship between Marley and his family. The various attempts by Marley’s family to help him fall asleep are both fun and heartwarming. Plus, the amusing names of all the family members add a fun dynamic to the story, making it engaging from start to finish.
This picture book is filled with stunning illustrations by Nathalie Kranich. The vibrant and cute artwork captures the essence of Marley’s world perfectly. Each page is filled with intricate details that bring the monster family to life in a way that’s endearing rather than frightening. I especially loved the page where Marley is reminded that there is a child “staring straight into our picture book!” The illustrations do a fantastic job of balancing the eerie with the adorable, making it a visual treat.
Light Fright is a fantastic read for children who might be dealing with their own bedtime fears or even young readers who love a good monster tale with a twist. It’s perfect for bedtime reading with a comforting, funny message that even monsters have fears, but with a little courage and support, those fears can be overcome. If you’re looking for a children’s book that mixes humor, heart, and a dash of the spooky, Light Fright is definitely one to add to your bedtime story collection.
Pages: 64 | ASIN : B0CLSZ47T3
Sleep Well, Mi Amor
Sleep Well, Mi Amor by Blaina Tallent Best elegantly weaves a bilingual tale skillfully designed to enrich the bedtime ritual. The book traverses the familiar territory of nightly routines – from donning pajamas to activating night lights and engaging in bedtime prayers. Best’s narrative shines in its portrayal of the soothing comfort children derive from moments spent cuddling with their parents. Additionally, the story gently imparts wisdom on setting aside daily concerns for a restful sleep and embracing the rejuvenation that comes with morning.
The book’s visual elements are as compelling as its narrative. The illustrations are remarkable, showcasing a diverse range of characters that effectively celebrate cultural diversity. The use of warm, comforting colors in the artwork further accentuates the themes of love and security, contributing significantly to the book’s inviting atmosphere. Best’s strategic use of phrases, presented first in English and then in Spanish on each page, enhances the book’s educational value. This format not only aids in bilingual language acquisition but also reinforces the book’s themes of affection and positive values.
In addition to its narrative and visual appeal, Sleep Well, Mi Amor extends its educational reach with activities that encourage children to participate and apply their own bedtime routines. This interactive element is a thoughtful addition, fostering a sense of engagement and personal connection with the story. While the storyline is straightforward, it’s imbued with uplifting and pragmatic phrases that resonate well with young readers. The book’s bilingual approach not only introduces children to a new language in a natural and engaging manner but also opens doors to understanding and appreciating diverse cultures. This aspect of the book is particularly commendable, as it nurtures curiosity and a desire for new experiences in young minds.
Sleep Well, Mi Amor is more than just a storybook; it’s a multi-faceted tool for tranquility, enjoyment, education, and reassurance. It is an invaluable resource for young readers and their families, fostering a love for reading and establishing enriching family routines.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0CS9WFGFC
Socially Responsible And Compelling
Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times takes classic nursery rhymes and adapts them to modern themes, teaching children about social and emotional intelligence in an age-appropriate manner. What was the inspiration for your book?
As a preschool music teacher for the last 20 years, I was surprised by the fact that students were increasingly unfamiliar with many nursery rhymes/songs. After all, nursery rhymes have always played such a whimsical role in supporting language development and musicality, not to mention stimulating imagination and fun. Well, it didn’t take long to realize that millennial parents, teachers, and caregivers were avoiding those stories because so many of them are “dark” and outdated:
Three Blind Mice get their tails cut off by a carving knife! Ouch!
Humpty Dumpty falls off the wall and can’t be put back together again. Bummer!
“Ring Around the Rosie” is about the circular red rash that developed on bodies infected with the plague. The posies were the flowers carried in pockets to mask the smell of the dead bodies and ashes that “all fell down.” Yikes!
I realized that as a genre with potentially broad appeal, nursery rhymes could be modified to have positive messaging and a strong impact. I decided to leverage the inherent appeal of traditional rhymes in a way that would be more socially responsible and compelling to everyone and created Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
There is a wealth of compelling research on the importance of social and emotional intelligence. That research indicates that social and emotional learning (SEL) is critical for high-quality early childhood education and foundational to improved academic, behavioral, and lifetime outcomes. I really wanted to create fun, memorable, easy-to-access SEL content for preschoolers and the adults who love them. Updating nursery rhymes to be more relevant, putting beloved and whimsical familiar characters in situations that would model and convey messages of kindness, empathy, and gratitude, and pairing the rhymes with tools for SEL (an emoji chart and guiding questions) were important ways for me to retain the educational, memorable qualities of traditional rhymes for a new generation of young readers. Making sure the rhyming and musicality of these new rhymes were on point was also an important goal so that the rhymes would support the language development that young children’s brains are hard-wired for when it comes to hearing rhyming words and processing rhythm and music.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book, and for the series?
I really wanted to strike the right balance between a fun book to read and a book that stimulated young children and their grown-ups to engage in conversations about situational and emotional awareness as well as about compassion and caring. I wanted the situations and characters to model what children can aspire to, not lecture about what not to do. And, I wanted to make it easy for parents, teachers, and caregivers to build strong, positive relationships that are so critical to their children’s growth and development by having rhymes they could read together, talk about, and recall when the children found themselves in similar situations to the characters.
When will volume two be available? Can you give us an idea of what favorite nursery rhymes you will be adapting?
Volume one includes eight of the fifteen rhymes that were recorded on the Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times album by Raffi and Lindsay Munroe (www.forkindertimes.com/album.) If volume one does well, I would hope to have volume two available in late 2024. It would likely include some or all of the 7 remaining rhymes from the album including, “Rock-a-Bye Baby,” “Sing a Song of Six Cents,” and “Old Mother Hubbard.” But there are also lots more rhymes that I’ve adapted, so we’ll see how things play out for volume two and beyond.
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Volume 1 of this endearing collection includes updated versions of eight traditional rhymes with beloved characters in new situations and stories that nurture empathy, kindness, and gratitude. Coupled with discussion questions and emojis to promote the social and emotional intelligence of preschoolers, each rhyme will delight and educate a new generation of children.
Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®Helping to Raise Kind Kids, One Rhyme at a Time!
LITERARY TITAN 