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The Charms of US Farms
When I finished The Charms of US Farms I sat back and smiled because the whole story feels like a warm class trip rolled into a picture book. It follows a group of kids as they head out to visit two farms where they learn about crops, animals, tractors, corn, cotton, and even how baseball connects to farming. The kids ask playful questions, the farmers share fun facts, and the day ends with everyone realizing just how much of their everyday life comes from the work done on farms.
I enjoyed the easy way the book explains big ideas. It feels light and friendly. Nothing ever gets bogged down. I also loved the characters and the way the kids react to everything. Billy starts out bored and grumbly. Then he slowly wakes up to how cool farming actually is. The writing made me feel like I was tagging along with the class. The artwork is bright, detailed, and reflects the charming nature of the story.
I also had a soft spot for the little moments that sneak up with charm. Ms. Della serving date cake. Farmer Dole casually pulling a baseball from his pocket like some kind of farm magician. The cow named Bessie leaning into scratches. These details gave the story a cozy feeling that stuck with me. The ideas in the book go beyond farms. They nudge kids to wonder where things come from. Paper. Crayons. Milk. Even clothes. I like that the book makes learning feel natural. You pick up facts without ever noticing you are learning them.
I would say this children’s book is great for kids who like field trips, animals, or anything hands-on. It would also be fun for any young reader who enjoys stories that mix real facts with friendly characters. Parents and teachers could use it to spark conversations about food, work, nature, or even history. I’d happily recommend it to early elementary kids and to grown-ups looking for a cheerful read-aloud.
Pages: 40 | ASIN : B0G1CK9BN8
Fun, Unusual, and Silly
Zany Zoo Adventures with Cadie the Rescue Dog follows a lovable German Shepherd adopted from a rescue shelter who joins her family on a trip to the zoo and spends the day learning about the animals. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration was my niece who was a zookeeper and continues to work with animals in her current job. In addition, my love for animals!
In your story you packed in a lot of educational information, but still made it feel organic and not like reading a fact sheet. What was your thought process on deciding what facts to include?
I tried to include ‘fun’, unusual, and silly facts to make it fun for the reader- while learning- and not be boring!
The colorful artwork is dynamic and charming, especially the representation of Cadie. What was it like to work with Chris Schwink?
I absolutely love working with Chris. He really is talented in how he brings my stories- and visions- to light. Most people use digital illustrations where I like the raw talent of hand drawn ones, and Chris does an amazing job!
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
This is our 3rd book of the Adventures With Cadie Kids Book series and it just was released in December 2025. I have ideas for the next one already, with some outlines but unsure of when it will be finished at this time!
In her latest escapade, Cadie explores a bustling zoo with the help of a kind zookeeper who introduces her to a parade of fascinating animals―from towering giraffes to mischievous monkeys. Join Cadie as she discovers new friends and finds joy in every pawstep!
Along the way, young readers will follow a colorful zoo map, answer playful questions, and learn fun animal facts without even realizing they’re learning. With vibrant illustrations, interactive elements, and Cadie’s lovable charm, this story is perfect for families who cherish animals, adventure, and stories that spark curiosity.
Whether read aloud at bedtime or explored independently, “Zany Zoo Adventures with Cadie the Rescue Dog” invites children to laugh, learn, and believe in second chances.
Petey the Penguin wants a Banana!
Petey the Penguin wants a Banana! follows a young penguin who wakes up craving a banana, which is a funny problem for a penguin since he lives on the ice where bananas do not grow. So he swims a huge distance, wanders into a warm sunny land, and meets new friends who help him search for the fruit he wants more than anything. Together they explore beaches, roads, forests, and finally find a place full of bananas. Petey gets his long-awaited snack and then heads home after saying goodbye.
I had a good time with this story because it feels sweet and silly in the best way. The writing moves fast and keeps things light and simple. I liked how Petey just goes for it even though the problem makes no sense for a penguin. Something about that made me smile. The ideas are easy for kids to follow, and the moments of surprise kept me flipping pages. I also enjoyed the way the characters pop up one by one, each giving Petey a boost when he starts to drag. It felt warm.
The friendships felt gentle and kind. Kai shading Petey from the sun by getting a branch from a tree was cute. The banana hunt felt like a journey that a kid would imagine on a long day when everything feels big and exciting.
This children’s book works great for young kids who love animals and simple adventures. It’s a cozy story with bright art and friendly characters. If you want something sweet to read at bedtime or to spark a little imagination, Petey the Penguin wants a Banana! is a great picture book to pick.
Pages: 25
HAIKU FOR YOU A collection of simple haikus for early readers.
Poetry and poetics often take a back seat in books for young readers. That is a missed opportunity. When children encounter poetry early, appreciation tends to grow naturally over time. This effect becomes even stronger when the focus is clear and approachable. Haiku, with its compact form and playful precision, is an ideal place to begin.
This book introduces young readers to haiku in a way that feels inviting rather than instructional. Children explore the form through a delightful collection of poems centered on penguins bursting with personality. Each poem feels lively and expressive. The result is a charming blend of structure and storytelling. Narrative skills are quietly reinforced, and vocabulary expands along the way, all while readers spend time with these curious, endearing birds.
Haiku for You by Anthony J. D’Amato is a children’s book devoted entirely to haiku. It is especially well-suited for ages three to seven, given the tone and subject matter. Still, anyone interested in a quick and enjoyable introduction to haiku will find something to enjoy here.
Haikus are sometimes seen as intimidating due to their strict rules. Yet those same constraints are what give the form its striking elegance. This collection makes that point clearly. Many of the poems are lighthearted, even silly at times, but they remain beautifully crafted. The contrast works well and keeps the reading experience fresh.
This is very much a learn-as-you-read book. Educational value is woven throughout, never feeling forced. Just as important, the author’s enjoyment of language is evident on every page. That sense of fun is contagious. It recalls the spirit of Dr. Seuss, where playful experimentation lifts the entire experience. The joy behind these haikus becomes clearer the longer you linger with them.
Both children and adults will enjoy watching this penguin cast move through their world in neat, poetic lines. There is warmth here, along with wit and imagination.
Haiku for You offers knowledge, creativity, and visual appeal in equal measure. The engaging illustrations and D’Amato’s confident command of haiku make this a pleasure to read. It has all the makings of a bedtime favorite, one that families return to again and again.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0F4PXF1CZ
My Dad Knows a Superhero
My Dad Knows a Superhero is a sweet little story about a boy named Westin who asks his dad if superheroes are real. Dad says yes, then slowly reveals that the hero he knows is actually Westin’s mom. Page by page, the book shows Mom using all sorts of playful “powers” like super strength, X-ray vision, emotional radar, time-bending, and more. By the end, Westin realizes she really does do everything a superhero would do, and he proudly hands her his cape.
I found myself smiling a lot while reading this. The writing is simple in a warm way that made me think of bedtime stories. It moves fast and stays light, which felt nice. I loved how the powers start out sounding like things a comic book hero would do. Then they slowly shift into everyday mom stuff that feels epic when you look at it through a kid’s eyes.
The idea behind the book hit me harder than I expected. It feels like a hug for moms. It also felt like a reminder for kids that heroics happen in tiny moments. The Emotional Radar bit got me. Mom kneels down to comfort her daughter, and it feels loving and patient. I liked that the book never tries too hard. It just shows these moments and lets you feel them. I kept thinking, this is exactly how kids see their parents when they slow down long enough to notice.
The illustrations use a vibrant and polished digital style. The artist employs soft shading and a bright, saturated color palette to create a welcoming atmosphere, drawing the eye immediately to the emotional interactions. The characters are particularly expressive as well.
I’d recommend this children’s book to young kids and to parents who want a sweet, quick read that sparks some warm feelings. It seems perfect for bedtime. It would also make a cute gift for a mom who needs a little cheer. The whole thing feels cozy and honest, and it made me want to call my own mom and thank her for all the powers she never bragged about.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0FVTFLNM6
BeBe the Not-So- Brave Butterfly
Bravery rarely comes easily to anyone, yet for a butterfly, it can feel almost impossible. BeBe learns this the moment her life as a caterpillar ends and she awakens as something startlingly new. Her brilliant wings captivate her, but they also unsettle her. She now stands apart from everything familiar, and the world, once predictable, feels suddenly immense. Should she embrace this transformed identity and step forward, or retreat and hide? The story lingers on that tension and follows BeBe as she wrestles with the uncertainty of being seen in a shape she barely understands. With the help of friends to cheer her on, she discovers that being a butterfly isn’t nearly as frightening as she imagined and that an even larger world waits for her to explore.
Kimberly Robinson’s BeBe the Not-So-Brave Butterfly offers a gently crafted, warmly illustrated story that celebrates the courage we find when life presents its challenges. Through BeBe’s hesitant journey, young readers witness the emotional terrain of change that is confusing, intimidating, yet rich with the possibility of discovery.
Robinson’s connection to the narrative is unmistakable. After undergoing the discovery and removal of a brain tumor, she endured a long, difficult recovery, an experience that reshaped her life as profoundly as BeBe’s metamorphosis. That personal transformation becomes the book’s emotional engine, and children are the fortunate beneficiaries of the lessons she extracted from her experience.
The result is a genuinely lovely story. Soft, muted illustrations, evocative of gentle watercolor exercises in a youth studio, provide a serene canvas for the tender, economical prose. BeBe, clearly a reflection of Robinson herself, voices her confusion with striking honesty. She no longer recognizes her own form, a sentiment often echoed by those recovering from serious medical trauma.
Books exploring such territory can easily slip into somberness or didacticism, yet Robinson skillfully avoids both. Instead, she offers an uplifting message: change will find us, sometimes abruptly, sometimes painfully, but it need not be feared. In fact, opening our wings to unfamiliar possibilities may lead to joy and meaning far beyond anything we once imagined.
How to Host a Unicorn: A Tale of Hospitality & Manners
Dag, the unicorn, is devoted to order. It shows in his neat attire. It shows in his measured speech. It defines his careful, structured view of the world. Nick, by contrast, is a bear powered by noise, disruption, and cheerful mayhem. Their friendship is unexpected from the start. When Nick invites Dag to visit, good intentions collide with very different ideas of fun. Nick tries hard to entertain and include his guest. The results are disastrous. Dag is stunned by Nick’s lifestyle and unsettled by the chaos surrounding him. The question at the heart of the story is simple and resonant: can two opposites find common ground and truly understand one another?
How to Host a Unicorn: A Tale of Hospitality and Manners, by Sara Causey, belongs to a thoughtful corner of illustrated children’s literature. It tells a charming story while also offering clear moral guidance. The book is especially well-suited to readers aged ten and up, inviting them to engage with its richer social moments and emotional depth in ways that older children are well-equipped to appreciate.
The illustrations carry much of the emotional weight. Dag’s expressions are especially effective, capturing his anxiety and confusion with precision and humor. The artwork also delivers several memorable set pieces, each escalating Nick’s attempts at hospitality. Every effort to improve the situation only compounds the disorder, pushing the narrative forward with visual energy and comedic tension.
Causey’s message is clear and handled with care. Not everyone experiences the same activities as enjoyable. That difference deserves respect. Dag and Nick represent contrasting personalities, neither wrong nor superior. Friendship, the book suggests, requires compromise and empathy. Shared experiences must feel safe and pleasant for everyone involved.
At its core, How to Host a Unicorn is a story about inclusion. It presents that idea in a way that feels accessible and sincere. It is also a lesson worth learning early. Taken to heart, it has the potential to shape kinder interactions well beyond the page.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FXYGMZHX
Mog: The Littlest Pirate
Mog the Littlest Pirate by Laura Mitchell and illustrated by Marta Maszkiewicz, delivers a warm, buoyant tale centered on the most endearing pirate imaginable. From the first page, readers encounter Mog, fierce in spirit, confident in skill, and unmatched in her ability to swing a sword, scale a rope, or spot a threat on the horizon. Yet one obstacle shadows her brilliance: her size. The crew dismisses her, laughing off her abilities and insisting she isn’t a “real pirate.”
Everything shifts the moment a band of tiny pirates storms the ship. While the larger crew mocks the newcomers, Mog reacts instantly, intercepting the attack and revealing strength and resolve that no one thought to credit her with. Her bravery transforms not only the battle’s outcome but her standing aboard the vessel. From that day forward, she earns her title: Mog, the most piratey pirate of all.
The story’s emotional core struck me immediately. It offers encouragement to any child who has felt overlooked, underestimated, or told their voice doesn’t carry weight. Mog radiates grit and heart, and young readers will quickly recognize a reflection of themselves in her bold determination. What lingers most is how gracefully the narrative balances playful seafaring adventure with a message about trusting one’s own abilities, especially when others fail to see them.
Beyond confidence, the book gently folds in a lesson on empathy. Mog defends her crewmates even though they have not always treated her fairly. She reassures the tiny pirates that friends can falter yet still be worthy of forgiveness, and that kindness outshines size or strength. Through her actions, children are introduced to ideas of fairness, respect, and choosing to see the good in others.
The language remains accessible without losing emotional depth, allowing young readers to follow Mog’s journey with ease. Maszkiewicz’s illustrations elevate every moment, bright, expressive scenes brim with personality and movement. Each page draws children directly into the heartbeat of the ship, the bustle of the crew, and the thrill of adventure.
In every way, this book shines as a joyful read for families and young children. It is imaginative, uplifting, and full of warmth. Mog the Littlest Pirate reminds readers that courage arrives in all sizes and that being small never means being insignificant.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0FT5R88PT
LITERARY TITAN 