Blog Archives
Happy In your Skin
Rafa is a young boy who recently moved to the Midwest. He loves living in the U.S., but sometimes kids ask why his skin is brown. It makes Rafa feel weird, so he goes to grown-ups he trusts to ask for advice on how to answer this question. Rafa learns about self-love, his Indian heritage, and what makes him special and shares this with anyone that asks him why his skin is brown.
Author Erlin Kakkanad has created a captivating children’s book following a charming character as he learns how to answer awkward questions from children interested in why he looks different. I enjoyed how the story has Rafa looking for answers from respected adults, but the answers are hidden and then revealed at the end. This makes the book much more engaging as I wanted to know what each adult told him. Readers get to find out in a heartwarming at the end of the story.
The artwork throughout this marvelous picture book is vibrant, and the sharp graphic artwork and shading accentuate the story’s charm. There is a diverse cast of characters throughout the book, making this a perfect book for any teacher or parent educating their young ones about diversity and inclusion.
Happy in Your Own Skin is an empowering and educational children’s book that teaches children about India and that our differences makes the world a wonderful place to live.
Pages: 47 | ASIN: B0B8W7PHHX
The Moon Child
One night, a baby is left outside a doorway. The parents kiss their child goodbye, leave a note, and say goodbye. The Moon takes great interest in the child and asks the Sun for help. She is watched over by the Sun and the Moon throughout her life and is connected to her birth parents through them.
Author Geraldine Moran shares a personal story with readers with her heartfelt children’s book, The Moon Child. This is an imaginative story that bring the Sun and the Moon to life and gives hope to any child that is adopted and might feel disconnected from their birth parents. It inspires hope and tells a stirring story that feels like a folktale.
The gorgeous artwork by illustrator Daniella Banco reflects the warm and sincere tone of the story. Each page contains beautiful watercolor artwork that will capture the attention of any young child as their parents or teachers read this story to them. I especially loved the image where the baby’s parents stood under the tree at night.
The Moon Child is a stirring and uplifting children’s book that will touch the hearts of readers. I would highly recommend this wonderful book to children who are struggling with adoption, or to anyone who feels out of place.
Pages: 24 | ASIN: B0BN5LL69R
Noah’s Wild Birthday
Noah likes animals. He especially loves lizards. He knows all about them and hopes to own a Leopard Gecko one day. Noah sets off to show his mother that he can be more responsible, and with his birthday just around the corner, he’ll be older too. Will he get the Leopard Gecko he’s been hoping for?
Author Christina Champion has turned her family stories into a wonderfully educational children’s book. This vibrant picture book follows a cheerful little boy that knows a great deal about lizards. He shares his knowledge with readers and gives interesting facts about a variety of lizards throughout the story.
Every page includes a cute illustration that fits the story well. I especially loved the page where the Leopard Gecko was drawn and the anatomy was pointed out in a way that a child will be able to relate to. I also enjoyed how the narration and dialogue bubbles worked seamlessly together to tell a cohesive, engaging, and fun story.
This is a great kid’s book for early readers as the language used throughout is perfect for young elementary school children. Younger children will also be glued to the pages as their parents read the story to them as there are a variety of cute animals throughout the book that they’ll adore. Noah’s Wild Birthday is a humorous, entertaining and educational children’s book that I would highly recommend to parents and teachers.
Pages: 31 | ASIN: B0BSG342M2
Cassie’s Big Change: Going from the Living Room to the Classroom
Cassie is finally getting to return to her school building after learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. She did not love going to school in her living room on a laptop. She missed her friends and teachers. Now that there is a vaccine, she can return to her school and be with her class in person again.
Cassie’s Big Change: Going from the Living Room to the Classroom is more than a story about returning to school. Author Tamera Foley uses this children’s story to validate the feelings many young children have had during the pandemic and the emotional struggles they felt. She uses Cassie’s writing assignment to show children different ways to express themselves and let others know how they feel. It shows children that the adults at school and home care about how they are feeling and that what they feel is important and real. I loved the part where the children were sharing their feelings on the playground, and they were not superficial remarks like you might expect in a kid’s book. Instead, they show just how aware children are of the world around them and the impact that things like COVID-19 have had on their world.
The childrens book Cassie’s Big Change: Going from the Living Room to the Classroom is beautifully written and shares ways that children can express their emotions in a positive and safe manner, be it through clay models, writing a story, or talking one on one with a teacher or parent. Tamera Foley shows kids that they have a voice and that their feelings are important. This is a wonderful children’s book that any elementary classroom would benefit from having.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B099B13X7T
My Sister Wants an Elephant
My Sister Wants an Elephant follows two siblings who fall in love with animals. Randy adores llamas, especially a soft and gentle one named Timba, and young Jerica adores elephants. They beg and plead with their mother to get them these animals as pets, but there is just no room for them. The siblings prepare their best pout and get ready for one last attempt to convince their mother, but just then their mom comes up with a compromise.
This is a humorous and educational children’s book that follows two kids who are persistent and follow their dreams. This book does a fantastic job of showing how, when you are passionate about something, you have to come up with a plan to accomplish your goals. Randy is a lively character and the story is told from his point of view. This adds a relatable angle to the book as most kids will be able to relate to his thoughts and will find his reactions entertaining.
I thought this story was going to end with the children getting their animals. Well, they do, but not in the way that I expected, and it was fantastic. Their mother comes up with a crafty compromise that fulfills all their needs. It was surprising but sensible, and I think this is an important lesson to teach children; to come up with sensible solutions to problems.
My Sister Wants an Elephant tells a true story in a way that is a bit whimsical and fun but still conveys a useful message to young readers. This is perfect for readers in kindergarten through third grade as the words are easy to read. Elementary school children will love reading this down-to-earth and charming picture book.
Pages: 35 | ASIN: B0BR4J4S1H
I Can Do What Mommy Can Do
Four-year-old Tess wants to try all the different things that her mother does throughout the day. Together, they fold the laundry, go shopping, build a business, and pray, among a variety of other daily activities. Tess and her mother have a fun-filled day together and we learn that Tess sure can do what her mother does.
This is an inspirational children’s book that shows that, with a little encouragement, young children can do the things that adults do. Readers are taken through various task that Tess’s mother has to complete for the day, and at each one we either learn why it’s important or what might be challenging for Tess. Her mother is wonderfully encouraging at every activity.
This wonderful picture book provides plenty of encouragement for young kids to try things. We should be letting kids try things, so they learn how to do them, and we let them know we’ll be there to help them. I also loved how Tess and her mother are shown growing a business. This adds a fantastic entrepreneurial spirit to the book that many children’s books often lack.
I can Do What Mommy Can Do is a charming picture book that will motivate young readers to try things and to do what their parents do. This kid’s book provides a lot of great bonding experiences, teaching moments, and fun all in one book.
Pages: 23 | ASIN: B08B4YJSY3
Bertie’s Christmas Adventure
Bertie’s Christmas Adventure by Mandy Woolf is a delightful holiday story that brings cheer and self-confidence. We are introduced to Bertie, a colorful ball that lives in the Toy Library, who watches as all the other toys get ready on Christmas Eve for Santa, but Bertie is too afraid to do anything. When Santa arrives and desperately needs help, will Bertie find his inner strength to overcome his fears and help save Christmas?
Investing in the development of a child’s self-confidence is extremely important, and this imaginative book does just that. Woolf’s talent shines through not by how the story is told but by the brilliance behind the straightforward execution of a great story with deep meaning and heart. The author is not only able to capture the spirit of Christmas through her words but with the adorable illustrations created by Elmira Georgieva. Together they succeed in showing how Bertie learns to see just how much he is truly capable of if he just believes. Santa’s support gave him the small nudges he needed to roll off that shelf and begin his journey of self-belief.
Bertie’s Christmas Adventure is the perfect book for any young reader, especially around the holidays to show the importance of believing in oneself and believing in one another. I would highly recommend this book and will be keeping this one in my own children’s home library.
Pages: 32 | ISBN : 1922670812
Vivian’s Perfectly Imperfect Adventure
Vivian needs some treasure to make today’s adventure a success. Her mother’s necklace will work perfectly. Now, the first quest is to get it out of her mom’s jewelry box without her noticing. She plans on bringing it back when she’s done playing, but when she loses one of the stones during her fun-filled adventure, she and her brother search for the stone until the sun sets. Will she find the stone? Will her mother forgive her?
Author Brandy Clark has written a fun-filled adventure that is built upon something most children will be able to relate to. Taking something that is not theirs. Vivian is a lively character that exudes a passion for life and the lesson she learns through the story is vividly portrayed thanks to the fantastic artwork by illustrator Jade Fang.
I enjoyed how the valuable life lessons are delivered in this wonderful children’s book. I did not even notice it until near the end of the story. How Vivian’s brother gave up his time to help his sister. I liked how subtly this was handled in the story. When Vivian comes to the realization in the story that she made a lifelong ally, so does the reader, and this sudden awareness is so much more impactful.
Vivian’s Perfectly Imperfect Adventure is a delightful picture book that teaches young readers an important lesson while entertaining them with vivid artwork and an enjoyable story.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0B9RDPRK2
LITERARY TITAN 