Blog Archives
Treehouse Rescue (Change of plans)
Treehouse Rescue by Veronica Puig is a charming and imaginative story that follows Mike, a young boy whose simple trip to the grocery store becomes an unexpected rescue mission. Mike wants to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but his family is out of peanut butter. His mother sends him to the supermarket, hoping he returns before the rain begins. Along the way, Mike meets Mr. and Mrs. Carter, the caterpillars, Mrs. Birdie and her babies, an ant crew, and many other animals in danger of the coming storm. Instead of focusing only on his errand, Mike helps them reach safety in his treehouse. This delightful book offers a meaningful mix of adventure, humor, and heart, creating a story children will enjoy.
I found Treehouse Rescue to be an engaging and inspirational story with a warm message for young readers. One of the things I appreciated most was Mike’s independence. His mother trusts him to go to the grocery store on his own, which gives the story a sense of responsibility and adventure. What begins as a simple task quickly turns into something much more meaningful.
Mike’s empathy is another strong part of the story. He notices that the animals are in danger and immediately chooses to help them. He does not ignore their problem or rush past them to finish his own errand. Instead, he thinks quickly, changes his plan, and leads them to safety. This makes him a wonderful example of kindness, courage, and problem-solving.
The illustrations also add to the charm of the book. They are enjoyable to look at and help bring Mike’s adventure to life. I especially liked how the animals are addressed as Mr. and Mrs., which makes Mike sound polite, respectful, and well-mannered.
This story is perfect for teaching children the importance of helping others. It shows that plans do not always go the way we expect, but kindness can lead to something even better. The ending is sweet and satisfying because Mike is rewarded with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and shares the moment with the animals he saved.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0GTT6Y69M
Sharing a Sense of Magic
Houdini Saves the Farm follows a magical dog who, after the farmer is injured and animals begin vanishing, sets out to find the cause. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for this story comes from our real dog, Houdini. My fiancé adopted him when he was just ten weeks old after seeing a video showcasing his engaging and playful nature. Since joining our family, Houdini has certainly lived up to his name. One moment, he’s right by your side, and the next, he seems to have vanished. We once bought him a lightweight pop-up dog house, but instead of using it to sleep, he would flip it over and roll through the house like a hamster in a wheel. Houdini also enjoys quietly watching the neighbors, other dogs, and people passing by, never barking or revealing his spot, simply observing the world around him. With his adorable looks and vibrant personality, Houdini truly feels magical to us. I wanted to share that sense of magic—the “larger than life” quality—with young readers in a colorful, educational, and entertaining way. Being from the Midwest, it felt natural to set the first story in the series on a farm.
Houdini’s early trait becomes key to solving the mystery. How important is it for you to show children how actions and abilities connect to outcomes?
By paying attention to the world around you, it’s possible to discover ways your own talents can help others. In Houdini’s case, he cleverly disguised himself by covering himself in mud and then shorn wool, allowing him to blend in with the sheep in anticipation of their abduction. Through this clever camouflage, he was able to locate the missing animals and escape to alert the farmer and rancher. His actions led directly to the safe return of the animals and the capture of the outlaws responsible for their disappearance.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The book explores several important themes, including the value of observation, the significance of using your unique strengths to help others, and the importance of resourcefulness and courage when facing challenges.
At its heart, the story is about a dog protecting his home. What message did you most want children to take away?
The message I hope children take away is that everyone has something special to offer, and by using your abilities thoughtfully and bravely, you can make a meaningful difference in the world around you.
Flicker and the Beleaf Tree
Flicker and the Beleaf Tree by Will Barrios is a beautifully reassuring children’s book that offers warmth, emotional security, and a heartfelt reminder that children are loved just as they are.
Flicker the fox and his friends live in the magical Beleaf Tree, where glowing leaves hold stories, worries, hopes, and beleafs. When a leaf begins to tremble, Flicker and his friends know that someone needs help.
One day, a leaf shakes for a little boy who feels overwhelmed by the noise and rush of school. With the love of his dads and Flicker’s gentle reassurance, he learns that hard days do not take away his special glow. His problem is not magically fixed, but his family begins taking caring steps to help him feel safe, understood, and comfortable.
Author Will Barrios has written a heartwarming story that feels like one big hug. His words are gentle, encouraging, and full of compassion. That tenderness shines through each character and every moment of the story. By the time I finished reading, I had a smile on my face.
I appreciated how the author helps children understand that everyone faces challenges, but families can work through them together. I also valued the representation in the story. The little boy is not like everyone else, and he has two dads, which beautifully shows that families can look different while still being filled with love.
The illustrations are lovely and make wonderful conversation pieces for parents and young readers. The soft, gentle colors create a soothing atmosphere, making this a perfect bedtime story. My favorite illustration shows how chaotic the little boy’s world feels at school, where everything is loud, crowded, and fast. It captures his emotions perfectly.
Flicker and the Beleaf Tree is a tender, thoughtful, and deeply relatable story for children and adults alike. It reminds readers that hard days do not take away their light, and that love, patience, and understanding can help that light keep glowing.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0GX2X64HQ
Chanumas: One Boy, Two Holidays and a Very Big Wish
Readers are introduced to a unique and heartfelt story about a little boy celebrating Chanukah with his family. His evening is filled with familiar traditions: food, dancing, and the warm glow of the menorah. But when Christmas Eve falls on the same night, he begins to wonder whether something extra might be possible. He wants to honor Chanukah, yet he also feels curious about the magic of Christmas Eve. Hoping for a small surprise, he hangs a sock on the kitchen wall and wonders who might deliver a gift or whether one will arrive at all.
Chanumas by Irv Brand is a creative, thoughtful, and engaging story that many young readers will enjoy. I appreciated the way the little boy’s parents found a meaningful solution that allowed him to experience the excitement of Christmas Eve while remaining true to their family’s beliefs. The story handles this balance with warmth and care. Small gestures, such as hanging a sock, leaving out food for the gift-giver, and receiving kisses even without mistletoe, add charm and humor to the celebration.
The rhyming text gives the story a playful rhythm and makes it especially appealing for young readers. It also offers a fun opportunity for children to recognize and practice rhyming words. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and expressive, with plenty of details to explore on each page. They add depth to the story and help readers better understand the family’s celebration without needing extra explanation.
This is a wonderful book for children learning about Chanukah, as well as for those who celebrate Chanukah and are curious about Christmas Eve. By blending both holidays into the joyful idea of “Chanumas,” the story celebrates family, tradition, love, and the meaningful ways people come together.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0GX83FKVG
More than a Story, an Adventure
Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue follows a kindhearted girl who rescues a baby squirrel and decides to bring him everywhere she goes, until a chaotic grocery store escape teaches her that love sometimes means letting go. What inspired the character of Floo Flocky Doo and her adventurous spirit?
In 2000, our youngest daughter, Hunter—just four years old at the time—slipped on an apron to help her mother prepare dinner. With a proud smile, she carried a plate over and declared, “Miss Floo Flocky Doo is here to serve YOU!”
In that joyful moment, our family knew this delightful character had the heart of a children’s story. Inspired by Hunter’s imagination, Miss Floo Flocky Doo was born. Twenty-six years later, that spark has come to life in my debut picture book, Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue!
Beneath the humor, the story touches on responsibility and letting go. How did you balance silliness with that quieter emotional lesson?
Beneath all the laughter and mischief, that quieter message really grew out of real life. The story may feel whimsical—with a runaway baby squirrel, blueberry footprints, and grocery store chaos—but at its heart, it’s about doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest or most fun choice.
I was very intentional about letting the humor lead the way, especially for young readers. Kids connect first through joy, rhythm, and surprise. Once they’re fully engaged—laughing, predicting what might happen next—that’s when the deeper message can gently settle in without feeling heavy or forced.
So the balance comes from layering—keeping the story light, musical, and fun on the surface, while allowing the emotional lesson to naturally reveal itself through the character’s choices. For me, the goal was never to teach the lesson outright, but to let children feel it—and maybe even talk about it afterward.
What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?
A joyful burst of fun, smiles, and giggles! Kids will delight in the book’s whimsical rhymes and love joining in on the catchy, confidence-boosting refrain—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—as the main character faces each new challenge with imagination and heart. It also combines the musicality of classic rhyming books with a personal, grounded storytelling foundation, which gives it a warm and authentic feel.
If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?
If you’re going to choose just one book to share with a child this week, make it Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue—because it delivers exactly what kids (and parents) are looking for in a read-aloud experience: laughter, rhythm, heart, and a character they’ll want to visit again and again.
This isn’t just a story—it’s an interactive adventure. Kids quickly latch onto Floo’s playful catchphrase—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—and love jumping in to say it out loud. That kind of participation turns reading into a shared moment, not just a quiet activity.
It’s also packed with high-energy, laugh-out-loud fun. A mischievous baby squirrel on the loose, a chaotic grocery store chase, and a hummingbird with a clue create the kind of delightful mayhem that keeps kids fully engaged from start to finish.
But beneath the humor is something even more important: heart. The story gently weaves in themes of kindness, responsibility, problem-solving, and friendship—giving parents and educators something meaningful to feel good about and to discuss with their children / students.
And finally, Floo herself is unforgettable. She’s bold, imaginative, and full of joy—the kind of character children connect with instantly and want to follow into the next adventure.
If you want a book that makes kids laugh, invites them to participate, and leaves them smiling at the end…this is the one to bring home.
Will Floo and Lucky Lou return for more adventures?
Absolutely. In fact, we encourage young readers and adults to visit the book’s website, www.FlooFlockyDoo.com and vote for what adventure Floo Flocky Doo, should pursue in book number two!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
A runaway squirrel. A frantic chase. A hummingbird with a secret clue. And a brave little girl who knows just what to do!
Meet Miss Floo Flocky Doo—a brave, imaginative girl who loves helping others. When she discovers a tiny baby squirrel named Lucky Lou, she rescues him, loves him, and brings him everywhere she goes. But during a trip to the grocery store, Lou escapes and chaos breaks loose!
Kids will giggle as Lucky Lou jumps into a customer’s wig, races through the aisles, spreads blueberry jelly footprints, and hides in the fruit section. With the help of her hummingbird friend Peanut, Floo shouts her favorite magical phrase:“Hootie Hoo— I know what to do!”
This charming, rhyming picture book is filled with:A lovable, mischievous baby squirrel
A clue-finding hummingbird named Peanut
A brave girl who uses kindness and quick thinking
Silly, unforgettable grocery-store antics
Bright, delightful illustrations on every page
Already an international award-winning children’s picture book, Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue, is perfect for bedtime stories, classroom read-alouds, and early readers who love funny animal adventures. Families will enjoy the heartwarming themes of caring, problem-solving, and the magic of friendship. Bring Miss Floo Flocky Doo along with YOU!
Pet Safety with Lola & Sophie
Pet Safety with Lola & Sophie by Christine Devane is a charming and educational children’s book that introduces young readers to the basics of caring for animals. Guided by two dogs, Lola and Sophie, the story teaches children and parents important lessons about keeping pets safe, healthy, and comfortable in everyday situations.
What makes this book stand out is its clear, child-friendly approach to essential pet safety rules. It explains that not all human food is safe for animals. It reminds readers that pets may not enjoy being dressed up or handled too often. It also emphasizes the importance of being gentle, especially with smaller animals. The book encourages respectful behavior as well, such as asking permission before approaching someone else’s pet. It also explains that animals living in tanks should not be taken out without adult supervision. These lessons are practical, memorable, and easy for children to understand, making the book a strong introduction to responsible pet care.
The illustrations were my favorite part of the book. They are colorful, expressive, and full of personality, bringing each lesson to life in a meaningful way. Every page reflects what Lola and Sophie are teaching, helping children connect actions with outcomes. The variety of pets keeps the book engaging, while the expressive scenes make it clear how animals may feel in different situations. This visual storytelling adds real value, especially for younger readers who rely on pictures as much as words.
Pet Safety with Lola & Sophie is an excellent choice for families, classrooms, or anyone introducing children to pet ownership and animal respect. Its blend of clear lessons and engaging illustrations makes it both informative and enjoyable. I would recommend this book to young readers who are learning how to interact safely, kindly, and responsibly with animals for the first time.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0GRWLYYT3
Wake Up!!
Benjamin Leavitt’s Wake Up!!, illustrated by Ethan Roffler, is a delightful picture book about the runaway force of a child’s imagination at bedtime. From the opening page, the story radiates restless energy. A wide-awake child resists sleep with absolute determination, while an exhausted parent struggles to keep pace and, eventually, get some rest.
Told from the father’s perspective, the story places readers right in the middle of his daughter’s whirlwind imagination. What begins as an ordinary bedtime soon spirals into a series of increasingly chaotic, funny, and unpredictable moments. Animals appear as if summoned from thin air, each new arrival adding another layer to the child’s ever-expanding narrative. The escalation feels natural. It also feels familiar. Anyone who has tried to persuade a child that bedtime truly means bedtime will recognize the pattern at once. One idea sparks the next. The chaos gathers momentum. The parent is left trying to untangle it all and guide them both toward sleep.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its relatability. Children will recognize themselves in the story’s boundless imagination, that remarkable ability to stretch a single moment into an entire world. Parents will recognize something else entirely: the fatigue, the patience, and the quiet desperation of trying to settle a child who will not stop talking, wondering, or inventing. The result feels honest, amusing, and unexpectedly comforting.
The writing has a lively rhythm that makes the book especially effective as a read-aloud. The prose moves with ease and has the natural cadence of conversation, which suits bedtime reading beautifully. There is also a pleasing irony at work: reading a book about a child who refuses to sleep while attempting to coax your own child to sleep. That contrast only adds to its charm.
The illustrations were easily my favorite part of the book. They carry a crayon-like texture that feels playful, warm, and immediately familiar, almost as though they were drawn by a child. That quality makes the story even more immersive for younger readers. The artwork does more than complement the text; it actively advances the storytelling. For children just beginning to read, that visual support is especially valuable.
Wake Up!! is funny, energetic, and deeply relatable, and I would recommend it to any parent who has ever spent the night wide awake because of a child’s unstoppable imagination.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B0GV1LQGYJ
The Worry Whisper
The Worry Whisper is a gentle picture book about Aarya, a child unsettled by the prospect of reading aloud in class, and the way her anxiety slowly shifts shape through love, language, and a little family wisdom. What begins as a vague flutter on a quiet Sunday becomes something more pointed as she imagines stumbling over words, losing her voice, or being laughed at. The book follows that inward tightening with unusual patience, then offers Aarya a way through it by turning worry into an image she can hold: a small bird that whispers because something matters. By the time she stands in front of her class, remembers Grandma Bloom’s counsel and Kiyan’s goofy, liberating “Mess up. Survive,” the story has moved not toward the banishment of fear, but toward a calmer companionship with it.
What I liked most is that the book doesn’t treat worry as a villain to be defeated. It gives anxiety a body, a rhythm, a texture. That fluttering bird in Aarya’s chest is a lovely metaphor because it feels accessible for a child, but it also rings emotionally true for an adult reader. So many books about fear rush to reassurance, but this one lingers in the discomfort long enough to honor it. Aarya’s dread feels real when she worries that her voice might hide forever, and the relief feels earned because the book never asks her to become fearless. It only asks her to listen kindly, breathe, and keep going. That’s a wiser and more humane idea than the usual tidy lesson.
The writing is soft, repetitive in a purposeful way, and often quite musical. The prose leans on breath, whisper, flutter, and hush, and that gives the book a soothing cadence that suits its subject. It’s genuinely lovely, especially when the whisper softens “like wings coming to rest,” or when Aarya realizes, with quiet astonishment, that the words are still hers. I also appreciated the tonal counterweight provided by Kiyan, whose juice-box raspberries, upside-down noodly antics, and shouted encouragement keep the book from floating away into pure gentleness. The artwork has a soft, comforting brightness that fits the story beautifully, using warm scenes and emotive characters that will capture a child’s eye while parents read.
The Worry Whisper is touching, emotionally intelligent, and more thoughtful than many children’s books about anxiety. I admire the way it frames courage not as the absence of fear, but as the decision to speak while fear is still in the room. The reflective questions and notes to adults at the end extend that idea nicely, opening the story into conversation rather than sealing it shut with a moral. I’d especially recommend it for children who feel overwhelmed by performance anxiety, school nerves, or big invisible feelings, and for caregivers or teachers who want language that is gentle without being evasive. It’s a small book with a tender, steady heart, and it knows exactly who it’s trying to comfort.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0GMDPPXT2
