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Lucy Lemondrop Dreams She’s a Mermaid
Lucy Lemondrop Dreams She’s a Mermaid by Shannon D. Christensen is a playful children’s story in verse about a little girl whose dream carries her deep into an underwater world. Lucy imagines herself with a sparkling mermaid tail, swimming freely through the ocean and meeting all kinds of sea life along the way. Her adventure includes turtles, whales, dolphins, jellyfish, seals, an octopus, a manatee, and many other creatures, giving the story a steady sense of discovery. The short rhyming passages make the book easy to read aloud, and Lucy’s cheerful curiosity keeps the mood light and inviting.
Much of the picture book works like a tour through Lucy’s dream, with each new sea creature bringing another small activity or moment of friendship. She plays tag with a sea turtle, listens to stories from oysters and clams, races with dolphins, relaxes near jellyfish, and even ventures into dark caves. There’s a nice childlike logic to the adventure because Lucy accepts every strange or magical encounter as part of the fun. The story also gives young readers plenty of chances to recognize familiar ocean animals while being introduced to others they may not know as well.
Nearly every section of Lucy’s adventure is paired with a bright, full-color image showing her with the animal or setting described on the facing page. Lucy is consistently shown with blonde hair, large green eyes, a green outfit, and a shimmering green mermaid tail, which gives the book a strong visual identity from beginning to end. The underwater scenes use glowing blues and greens, soft light, bubbles, coral, and friendly-looking sea creatures to make Lucy’s dream feel warm and magical. Even scenes involving animals such as a shark, barracuda, or moray eel remain gentle and approachable, which suits the book’s young audience.
The ending brings the story back to Lucy herself in a sweet way. After all of her underwater adventures, she remembers that she’s asleep, wakes on the sand with two legs instead of a tail, and returns to her family. That ending makes the whole book feel like the kind of vivid dream a child might happily tell someone about the next morning. Lucy Lemondrop Dreams She’s a Mermaid is a colorful, imaginative bedtime story built around rhyme, ocean animals, and the pleasure of pretending. It’s especially well suited to children who love mermaids, sea creatures, and stories where imagination can turn an ordinary sleep into a long underwater adventure.
Pages: 80 | ASIN : B0H3NXXHKT
Friendships Should Be Treasured
The King and the Ogre follows a kindhearted king and his gentle ogre best friend as they investigate a group of dragons disturbing the villagers and discover things are not what they seem. What attracted you to using familiar fairy-tale characters such as kings, ogres, and dragons?
I think that such fairy-tale characters would resonate best with young readers, as these characters are often friendly, silly, and altogether familiar. Their personalities, too, are light-hearted, good-natured, and easily relatable, not just to young people, but to everyone in general. The combination of the king and the ogre as lifelong friends in particular is an unlikely and unique pairing that is not often found in such settings, one that I hope will set this story apart from others. And in a setting such as this, silly dragons, simply misunderstood, only add to such uniqueness. As an historian, I have always been interested in the medieval period. To tell a light-hearted story in a fairy tale genre that imparts an important message about kindness, caring, and acceptance has proven to be a wonderful writer’s experience.
The story encourages children not to judge someone by appearance. What do you hope children understand about people who seem different from them?
Simply put, children should embrace the beautiful diversity in the world all about them, explore the differences they discover, and not jump to hasty or quick conclusions or assumptions about others, just because someone looks or acts differently than themselves. This can be said of both the ogre Arlo and the silly dragons that frighten the villagers every year. Below the surface both Arlo and the dragons, as clearly illustrated in the book, have only the very best of intentions at heart. Every new person, every new encounter is potentially a wonderful new learning and growing experience.
The book presents friendship as something that can cross very obvious differences. What does friendship mean to you personally?
Friendship is something to be treasured, absolutely. I have met many people in my lifetime and can proudly point to a handful of lifelong friends whom I consider family. These bonds are equally important and have helped to shape my own life in positive ways. These are important connections that have been there in both good times and bad. Friendships are by no means always easy, and do require an honest and sincere effort, especially in a world that continues to become more and more complex. Friendship is a safe place where we can all go, where we can be ourselves, rejoice in old memories and make new ones with those people who mean the most to us.
Would you like to revisit King Liam and Arlo in future stories?
At present I am concentrating on the writing of another series of fantasy action-adventure novels, a trilogy in fact, though I would not completely rule out the possibility of another adventure with King Liam and Arlo in the future. I am certain that there are other important and kindly life lessons that they could both teach us.
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Balu the Paw Traveler
Balu the Paw-Traveler Visits the Seven Modern Wonders by Miry Bejerano is a cheerful travel adventure that turns geography and world culture into an imaginative trip for young readers. Balu, a friendly black puppy, invites children to climb aboard an imaginary airplane, train, and hot-air balloon as he travels to Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, the Colosseum, Petra, the Taj Mahal, and the Great Wall of China. At each stop, a local animal friend welcomes Balu and shares a few facts about the landmark, along with greetings, foods, traditions, or activities connected with the country. That repeating structure gives the book an easy rhythm and makes each new destination feel familiar while still offering something different.
One of the book’s strongest features is the way it encourages children to participate instead of simply listening to information. Readers are asked to imagine themselves flying through the clouds, practice samba steps in Brazil, try a yoga pose in India, and wield an imaginary bamboo stick at the Great Wall. The cultural details are presented in small, kid-friendly pieces, such as tacos in Mexico, ceviche and pan flutes in Peru, gelato and pizza in Italy, and hummus and dates in Jordan. There are also simple introductions to words such as hola, ciao, marhaban, and namaste. The result feels part story, part introductory geography lesson, and part activity book, with Balu serving as an enthusiastic guide.
The pages are filled with bright, colorful cartoon scenes showing Balu at each landmark alongside animals such as a jaguar, llama, toucan, camel, tiger, and panda. The landmarks are large and immediately recognizable, while speech bubbles make the encounters feel a little like a comic book. I especially liked the “Balu’s Notes” pages, which mix maps, flags, food illustrations, cultural objects, and short facts into scrapbook-style layouts. The pictures do more than decorate the story because they help young readers connect a place with its landscape, flag, language, food, and traditions. Balu’s expressive face and frequent appearances in tiny planes, trains, and balloons also keep the educational material playful.
The book also extends the adventure well beyond the final destination. After Balu returns home, readers get a family trivia game, thirty questions based on the journey, several “Adventure Snapshot” pages for recording their own trips, and a glossary of words introduced throughout the book. Those extras make the book especially suited to families, classrooms, or children who like to revisit what they’ve learned instead of putting the story away after one reading. Balu the Paw-Traveler Visits the Seven Modern Wonders is an energetic introduction to world travel that combines facts, imagination, movement, language, and colorful illustration in a way that’s accessible for curious young readers. It leaves children with the sense that learning about faraway places can be something they actively take part in.
Pages: 43 | ASIN : B0FRKP8F42
The King and the Ogre – A Book about Kindness, Caring and Acceptance
The King and the Ogre by William J. Birrell is a warm children’s book about kindness, friendship, and making room for people who seem different. King Liam cares deeply for his villagers, while his best friend Arlo is a gentle ogre whose strength and generosity make him an important part of the community. Their friendship gives the book its emotional center and shows young readers that someone’s appearance doesn’t tell you what’s in their heart.
The story builds around the village’s annual harvest, when everyone gathers to pick fruit from the king’s orchards. Trouble arrives in the form of dragons who swoop down each year, frightening the villagers and taking fruit. When Arlo finally catches one, the dragon explains that the dragons only wanted to join the celebration. That moment turns the conflict into a thoughtful lesson about communication, since the characters discover that fear and misunderstanding have kept them apart.
The writing has the feel of a traditional fairy tale, with a kindly king, a loyal ogre, a lively village, and mischievous dragons. There’s plenty of description, especially when the book introduces the orchards, the harvest, and the final banquet. Some passages are fairly long for a picture book, so younger children may enjoy it most as a read-aloud. The repeated focus on caring, sharing, and acceptance makes the message very clear, while Arlo’s humor and the dragons’ antics keep the lesson from feeling too stern.
The illustrations add color, movement, and personality throughout the book. Bright countryside scenes show bridges, forests, orchards, mountains, and bustling village life, while character illustrations make Arlo look large but approachable and the dragons playful. The later images of villagers, ogres, dragons, and children celebrating together give the ending a cheerful sense of community. Overall, it’s an earnest, visually inviting story that encourages children to look past first impressions, listen to others, and welcome new friendships.
Pages: 40 | ISBN : 177941143X
We Fear What We Can’t Explain
Mitten Discovers His Shadow follows a curious kitten on his first adventure out of the barn, who discovers his own shadow and thinks it is a monster. Did the story begin with the science concept or with Mitten as a character?
The concept for Mitten Discovers His Shadow came first, and the character showed up right after. I was driving home from work one evening and noticed my car’s shadow keeping pace beside me. I thought, what an interesting thing to explain to a child. At the time, my son was two years old, and we had cats at home. So, I had my audience and my main character living in the same house. Telling the story from a kitten’s point of view gave me the right eye level—down where the shadow is enormous, and the world hasn’t been explained yet.
Why was it important for Mitten to move from fear to curiosity rather than simply be told there was nothing to worry about?
Being told there’s nothing to worry about almost never works—for children or adults. We often fear what we can’t explain, or don’t understand, and reassurance doesn’t explain anything. Mitten’s mother doesn’t solve his “monster kitten” problem for him; she gives him a way to think about it. She calls his shadow his “sun picture,” and then he has to test that answer for himself. Cats are curious and like to investigate, so Mitten’s reactions to his shadow are natural responses. I wanted the relief at the end of the story to be something Mitten earned rather than something he was handed
Young children often become frightened by things adults consider ordinary. Why was it important to treat Mitten’s fear seriously rather than laugh at it?
A fear that gets laughed at doesn’t go away; it just gets buried deep down. When that happens, a child learns not to mention the next one to avoid being made fun of again. To young children, a dark shape that copies your every move and doesn’t leave when you try to get away from it is a perfectly reasonable thing to be afraid of. If the story had treated Mitten’s fear as silly, the comfort at the end wouldn’t have been worth anything. I wanted children to see that being scared of something is an okay place to start—it’s just not where you have to stop.
Do you imagine Mitten having more barnyard adventures?
Yes, absolutely! Mitten Discovers Snow is in development now, with Mitten Discovers Rain to follow. The pattern I’m building on is one small mystery per book—something ordinary that’s brand new to a young child—and a barnyard full of animals that have their own opinions about it. Mitten has a lot left to discover, and I don’t think he’s going to leave any of it alone.
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A charming, science-themed picture book about a curious kitten’s big adventure and his magical “sun-picture” friend. Perfect for ages 2-5!
Mitten the kitten is finally big enough to explore beyond the red barn, but he isn’t alone! A long, dark shape is following his every move. Is it a monster kitten? Or something much more magical?
Young readers will follow an adorable tuxedo kitten as he pounces, hides, and eventually befriends his own shadow. Through playful sensory language and vibrant illustrations, this gentle story introduces children to the science of light and shadows in a way that feels like a game of hide-and-seek.
Mitten Discovers His Shadow
Mitten Discovers His Shadow by Deborah C. Martin follows an eager black-and-white kitten on his first trip beyond the big red barn. Mitten’s excitement quickly turns to alarm when he notices a dark shape copying every wiggle, jump, and backward step. Convinced that a “monster kitten” is chasing him, he seeks help from his mother, who gently explains that the shape is his shadow, or his “sun-picture.”
The story captures a young child’s way of meeting something unfamiliar with a nice mix of humor and tenderness. Mitten’s dramatic reactions, including his bottle-brush tail, sideways “boing,” and determined attempts to hide, make him an expressive and likable character. The playful sound words give the book energy when it’s read aloud, while sensory details such as cool grass, sweet hay, soggy-noodle legs, and a sandpaper tongue make the barnyard feel lively and close.
The emotional turn is especially sweet. Once clouds cover the sun and the shadow disappears, Mitten realizes that the companion he’d been trying to escape has become important to him. His mother’s explanation that shadows “go to sleep” when clouds arrive keeps the science simple and imaginative for young readers. Mitten’s relief when the sunlight returns gives the ending a satisfying warmth, and his promise to stop outrunning his shadow shows how curiosity can grow from fear.
The full-page illustrations are colorful, soft, and packed with personality. Mitten’s bright blue eyes and changing expressions clearly show his wonder, panic, frustration, loneliness, and delight, so children can follow the emotional story through the pictures as well as the words. The shift from sunny greens and blues to muted gray during the cloudy scenes is particularly effective, and the shadow is positioned prominently enough to become a character in its own right. Altogether, this is an affectionate, visually inviting story about discovery, reassurance, and finding companionship in an unexpected place.
Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0GZFQ3S3Y
Buddy and Taco Travel the USA
Buddy and Taco Travel the USA, written by Cather McKay and illustrated by Art Mawhinney, follows two loyal dogs who set out to help their friend Maddy finish a history report. Their plan is wonderfully ambitious: travel across the country, gather useful facts, and bring home keepsakes she can share with her class. That simple goal gives the book a clear direction while leaving plenty of room for sightseeing, snacks, jokes, and canine mischief.
The journey moves briskly through Washington, D.C., New York City, Maine, Chicago, Mount Rushmore, San Francisco, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Texas, Kentucky, New Orleans, and Cape Canaveral. Each stop introduces a landmark, tradition, food, or historical idea in a few lines of lively rhyming text. Younger readers won’t get bogged down in detail, but they’ll come away recognizing places such as the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the National Mall. Buddy’s eagerness and Taco’s more thoughtful personality also give the travelogue a playful buddy-comedy feel.
Mawhinney’s illustrations carry much of the picture book’s humor and energy. The full-page scenes are colorful, busy, and packed with small visual jokes, from the pups splashing near the Washington Monument to Buddy devouring lobster in Maine and flying recklessly down a ski slope. The dogs’ expressive faces make their friendship easy to understand even before the words are read aloud. Several spreads open up into wide landscapes, especially at the Grand Canyon and Golden Gate Bridge, giving children a sense that these places are genuinely large and impressive.
This is a cheerful introduction to American geography built around friendship, curiosity, and helping someone you care about. The rhymes make it comfortable for reading aloud, and the changing locations create natural opportunities for adults and children to pause and talk about maps, monuments, regional foods, or family trips. Buddy and Taco’s adventure feels enthusiastic and affectionate, and the final classroom scene brings their travels back to the reason they started: making sure Maddy feels prepared, supported, and proud of her work.
Pages: 44 | ISBN : 979-8-9947011-8-8
The Friendship Party
The Friendship Party by Bernie Hayne is a sweet, engaging children’s book that offers valuable lessons about building and maintaining healthy friendships. Through simple and relatable situations, young readers discover the importance of making new friends, including others in activities, and recognizing behaviors that are kind, thoughtful, and respectful.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its honest portrayal of friendship. Disagreements happen, even between close friends. The story presents conflict as a normal experience rather than something to fear. It encourages children to communicate openly, apologize for mistakes, and understand that everyone is still learning and growing.
I also appreciated the book’s emphasis on inclusion. Children are reminded to make sure no one feels left out. The story also highlights the value of listening. Showing interest in a friend’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences can make that person feel seen and appreciated. These positive messages are presented clearly, making them easy for young readers to understand and apply in their own lives.
The illustrations by Valery Vell are bright, colorful, and filled with cheerful details. Each page feels lively and inviting. The expressive artwork captures the characters’ emotions beautifully and adds warmth to the story. Its visual vibrancy keeps young readers engaged from beginning to end and creates a memorable reading experience.
The Friendship Party is a delightful book that would make a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf. Its gentle lessons about kindness, empathy, forgiveness, communication, and inclusion make it an excellent resource for parents, teachers, and caregivers who want to help children develop strong, positive, and lasting friendships.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0CZF65JKT
