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You Are Always in My Heart
You Are Always in My Heart, by Rebecca Choy, is a tender and honest children’s book about love, loss, and the power of memory. It’s told from both a grown-up’s and a child’s perspective, showing how they each face the idea of death and saying goodbye. Through gentle words and warm illustrations, it explains that while death means someone can’t come back, love never goes away. The story also gives children comforting ways to remember someone, by writing, drawing, hugging a favorite toy, or looking at photos. It’s bilingual, too, written in both English and Cantonese, which adds a special cultural touch.
This is a heartfelt children’s book. The language is simple, but the feelings are big. I found myself tearing up more than once, especially when the child wonders if the parent will die and how they’ll cope. The way the author handles that fear is so real and compassionate. There’s no sugarcoating, just honesty mixed with comfort. I also loved how it quietly teaches emotional resilience, reminding both kids and adults that it’s okay to cry, to be angry, to be scared. The writing feels like a soft hug during a hard talk.
What really stood out to me was the cultural layer about Cantonese traditions and how death is often not talked about. That part felt so important. It makes the story not just about love and grief, but about breaking the silence and giving children permission to ask tough questions. It’s thoughtful and brave, but still full of warmth. And the illustrations, crafted by Choy and her daughter Bella, are full of heart. They draw young readers into the story with a beautiful simplicity.
I’d recommend You Are Always in My Heart to parents, teachers, or anyone who wants to help a child understand loss in a gentle way. It’s not just for kids who have experienced grief, but for any family that wants to build openness and empathy. This is the kind of picture book you keep close, maybe even read together when life feels a little too big. It’s tender, healing, and full of love.
Pages: 48 | ISBN : 978-1-7389652-1-2
Literary Titan Book Award: Children’s Books
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes children’s books that mesmerize audiences with incredible narratives, vibrant illustrations, charming characters, and fresh ideas. Offering well-earned accolades, we salute the imagination and exceptional skill of authors who create tales that spark curiosity and delight in young minds.
Award Recipients
Bluebird & Songbird’s Engagement Day by Rayner Tapia
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
Filaments by KZK Zuganelis Kasling
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Star’s New York City Adventure: Being kind to Animals
Star the cat embarks on the adventure of a lifetime in Star’s New York City Adventure. For the first time, she’s exploring the vibrant heart of New York City, a dazzling metropolis alive with soaring skyscrapers, bright lights, and endless discoveries around every corner. Yet amid the excitement and bustle, Star’s journey takes a heartfelt turn when she encounters a lost kitten named Jet. Determined to help, she sets out to guide him to safety, realizing that the city’s glittering wonders pale beside the joy of kindness and connection.
Denise Alicea’s children’s book is charming and accessible, written with warmth and care for young readers who enjoy stories filled with color and heart. The tale evokes beloved series like The Berenstain Bears, combining expressive illustrations with a gentle moral lesson. Through Star’s eyes, children learn that empathy and compassion are powerful forces, traits that shape good friends, caring communities, and better futures. If nurtured early, those values can grow into lifelong habits of understanding and generosity.
The book also serves as a delightful introduction to New York City’s famous landmarks. Star and Jet explore the sprawling greenery of Central Park, marvel at the Statue of Liberty, and visit the fascinating exhibits of the Natural History Museum. Each stop adds a layer of excitement and discovery, turning their adventure into both a heartwarming story and a miniature travel guide.
With its cheerful tone, lovable characters, and timeless message, Star’s New York City Adventure shines as a perfect read-aloud for bedtime or classroom settings. Young readers will be drawn to its playful energy and positive spirit, while adults will appreciate its meaningful lesson about caring for others. This uplifting tale may easily become a cherished favorite, one that inspires kindness long after the final page is turned.
Pages: 31 | ASIN: B0FQ9WVB8H
To Be Content
The Grass May Not Be Greener follows a little bunny bored with being a rabbit who is granted a wish from a fairy to become different animals for a day and learn what life is like for them. What was the inspiration for your story?
I’ve always loved the proverb “The grass may not be greener.” It’s something we can all relate to, no matter our age. For a kindergartener, it might be as simple as thinking someone else’s toys look more exciting or their lunchbox seems more delicious.
It’s not always easy to be content with what we have—especially in a world where ads and social media constantly show us what everyone else is doing or buying. That’s why I believe it’s so important to teach children, from a young age, not to keep looking over their shoulders at what others have. Instead, we can help them focus on their own journey and appreciate the wonderful things already in their lives. When we learn to be grateful for what we have, we build a deeper sense of happiness and confidence that lasts.
I wanted to share this message in a way that children would truly enjoy and understand—and what better way than through a story full of magic, animals, and imagination?
I found the lesson in your story valuable, not just for children but also a great reminder for adults. What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
I chose animals that children already know and can easily relate to. It’s easy to imagine how wonderful it would be to soar high in the sky, swim freely like a fish, or be so big and powerful that other animals run away in fear. I wanted young readers to understand why the rabbit longed to be these exciting, fascinating creatures who seemed to live such extraordinary lives—rather than just a busy bunny who spends his days munching carrots and caring for all his little ones.
Children learn best through stories, and my hope is that these tales bring each proverb to life in a way that’s fun, meaningful, and memorable—stories they’ll carry with them and maybe even share with their own children one day.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I’ve always loved writing the endings of my stories most of all. I enjoy adding a fun twist that children don’t see coming—something that surprises them or makes them laugh. In The Grass May Not Be Greener, the rabbit uses his final wish to become himself again. After using his wishes from the fairy to try life as other animals, he realizes that his own life is actually his favorite. The others might have looked more exciting, but in the end, he discovers that being himself is the best thing of all.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
I’ve just finished writing Fear of the Unknown is the Greatest Fear of All, which will be released in December. Like all my books, this story uses animals to share a moral lesson. It’s set in the jungle, where a lion goes for his morning stroll and discovers a large hole with a mysterious, frightening creature inside. Curious and cautious, he asks the other animals to help figure out who or what it is—and why the creature won’t come out when he asks it to.
So often in life, we feel afraid when we face something new. Whether you’re a child starting a new school or a parent going through big changes, not knowing what’s ahead can feel overwhelming. Our imaginations run wild, and we often picture the worst.
Through this story, I hope to help children see that when we ask questions and take small, brave steps forward, the “unknown” starts to feel less scary—and with understanding often comes relief. And, like all my books, it ends with a funny twist that I hope makes the message stay with readers, leaving them smiling as they learn.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Being a bunny is frightfully tough!
I’d love to change just for one day,
To see the world in a different way.”
Uplifting, humorous and full of surprise, “The Grass May Not Be Greener” is a charming tale about a rabbit who learns to accept himself as he is and enjoy it. Lawrence teaches the important life lesson that even if other people’s circumstances seem better than our own, in reality this is often not the case. This empowering adventure is sure to entertain and enrich young learners of all ages and be a firm bedtime favourite!
Bunny has had enough of his boring life.
Good fortune is bestowed upon him when he bumps into a fairy who helps him transform into a bee, an elephant, a snake and a fish for a day.
What do you think he discovers?
100% of profits from “The Grass May Not Be Greener” go to children’s charities. We support KidsOR, who save children’s lives in the world’s poorest countries, and The Reading Clinic, who help children with dyslexia and dyscalculia. Thank you for helping us to sustain this must needed work.
Old Long Snout
In Old Long Snout, readers meet Nellie, a quiet, introverted girl who longs for connection. Her world changes when a magical pig emerges from her attic, bringing wonder and warmth into her lonely days. Nellie names him Old Long Snout, bathes him, teaches him tricks, and soon they become inseparable companions. Together, they join the neighborhood pet parade, where, despite Old Long Snout being imaginary, Nellie wins the “Best Loved Pet” award.
As the years pass, Nellie grows up and makes new friends. Gradually, she sees less of Old Long Snout until, one day, he disappears altogether. Life moves on, Nellie becomes a mother, and when her daughter confides that she, too, needs a friend, Old Long Snout returns, bridging generations with the same magic that once comforted Nellie.
Old Long Snout stands apart from typical children’s stories. It captures the tender intersection between imagination and emotional truth. Nellie understands that her pig isn’t real, yet her affection for him feels genuine, something many young readers will deeply identify with. The story gracefully explores themes of growth, friendship, and the bittersweet nature of letting go.
The illustrations deserve special mention. Vivid and lifelike, they pull readers into Nellie’s imaginative world with warmth and charm. The author also includes thoughtful discussion questions at the end, encouraging meaningful conversations between parents and children. As a delightful finishing touch, a cheerful song about Old Long Snout adds rhythm and joy to the reading experience.
Heartfelt, imaginative, and beautifully told, Old Long Snout reminds us that even imaginary friends can leave lasting footprints on our hearts.
Pages: 38 | ASIN: B0FPZJXCFX
Mother Earth
Dorothy Phillips’s Mother Earth is a lyrical and tender meditation on our planet as a living, feeling being. Through a series of rhythmic, questioning verses, Phillips invites young readers to see Earth not just as home but as a mother, an artist, and a divine creation. Each page feels like a whispered prayer or a child’s innocent curiosity about the world. The poem asks if Earth sings, if she feels pain, if she heals, and if she loves us despite how we treat her. The language is simple yet full of reverence, and the illustrations match that tone, gentle, flowing, and almost sacred.
Reading this children’s book felt like pausing to breathe after a long day. The words have a quiet rhythm that wraps around you, and I found myself thinking about the world in a more personal way. I liked how the questions didn’t need answers. They worked like small mirrors, reflecting both wonder and guilt. Phillips doesn’t lecture or scold. She nudges. There’s honesty in her curiosity, and that makes the poem hit harder. It’s the kind of writing that stirs emotion without ever raising its voice.
This picture book doesn’t try to be grand or complex. It just feels sincere. The rhyme and rhythm flow like a lullaby, and that simplicity gives it power. It reminded me of how faith and nature often meet quietly, in the space between awe and gratitude. The book contains stunningly vibrant and colorful illustrations that immediately capture the eye. The clean, bold art style uses a rich, saturated palette to beautifully render each image. The pages are a visual feast that sparks curiosity and wonder in young readers.
I’d recommend Mother Earth to young readers or families who love poetry that feels spiritual but accessible. It’s perfect for children learning to see the planet with care, and for adults who have forgotten to. This is not a children’s book to race through. It’s one to read slowly, maybe out loud, maybe under a tree. It leaves you with a sense of calm and a nudge to look at the world with softer eyes.
LITERARY TITAN 