Riley the Rabbit Learns a New Habit: Mindset School Series Book #3
Written by Heather Lyn Davis
Illustrated by Corryn Webb
This is cute picture book for elementary age readers.
Riley the Rabbit is excited to attend school. The problem for him is jumping. Riley loves to jump and his rambunctious leaps cause havoc to friends and furniture in the classroom. His teacher urges Riley to be aware of the problem his jumping causes.
Riley’s grandmother teaches him a compromise, Riley learns to hop. While he finds the new skill difficult, Riley learns that sometimes compromise is important. Even more important, that does not mean giving up jumping all the time.
A delightful picture book for children ages six through ten.
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This book is based on the theme of the 12 Days of Christmas. It is written as a poem or can be sung as a song. The characters are based on various types of sea creatures, especially different species of sharks.
The illustrations are hand-drawn in vibrant colors. While the length is less than twenty pages, reading or singing it can become a new holiday tradition. For me, the most interesting part of the book is the section at the end, which presents useful information about each of the different sharks.
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Some Angels Have Rotor Blades: A Tale of Heroic Actions, Living Legacy, and Gratitude
Written by Darcy Guyant
Illustrated by Novel Varius
Dale wakes up excited because today is the first day of summer vacation.
As he enjoys breakfast, Dale asks his parents to take their boat out for a ride. He promises to wear his lifejacket and be careful.
When a freak accident ejects Dale from the boat, he frantically grasps the overturned boat. As time goes on, his chilled body weakens. Eventually, a Coast Guard Helicopter discovers Dale and rescues him.
The book teaches how rescue workers put themselves in danger helping strangers and expressing care and empathy for them.
In the second part of the story, forty years later, Dale takes his three grandchildren to an aviation museum where he is reminded of his second chance at life. Dale recounts all those opportunities and the family he loves that would not have existed.
The book contains excellent questions and topics to discuss with the intended elementary school reading audience. I highly recommend this picture book to parents and teachers who want children to appreciate the sacrifices of first responders and the sacrifices they make every day.
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Magical Stories: A Collection of Short Stories for Children Aged 3-103
Written by Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth
A collection of ten short stories that stimulate the imagination. While I would not classify this book as a picture book, each story starts with an illustration of the main character.
The characters include many favorite types such as dragons, elves, fairies, tigers, and mermaids. It is equally appealing to male or female readers. The average length of the tales is approximately five pages, making it ideal as a bedtime story or classroom read-aloud. Each includes a moral lesson for young minds to ponder and appreciate.
Adults may enjoy reading them along with their children.
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Tooky is lost and trying to find his way back home. He flies over an island with an active volcano. Friggo, the frog, is the only animal left on the island. As the volcano spews forth lava, Friggo desperately tries to attract the toucan’s attention. Friggo takes shelter in a hollow cave and screams at the top of his lungs.
Somehow, Tooky can hear Friggo amid the roar of the volcano and flies back to rescue the frog. The two become good friends. The author promises many future adventures featuring Tooky and Frigo.
This short book contains a few color illustrations. The author narrates the story in the third person. Some dialogue between the characters would make the characters more interesting and believable. There are a few editing errors. The complexity of the text makes the book more appropriate as a beginning reader rather than a picture book.
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A little boy is terrified of monsters that come into his room at night. His parents try to comfort him. Eventually, his father comes up with a solution in the form of an agreement that is hung on the wall. A logical way to help the protagonist and the reader face irrational fears.
Then the book takes a sudden turn. When a cockroach enters the home, the boy decides to name him Moshe and befriend the creature. Unfortunately, his mother is terrified of Moshe. The boy must come up with a creative solution to save his friend and please his mother.
The rhymes are sometimes a bit difficult to read. I applaud the creative plot, but the English translation lacks fluidity.
A useful resource for a family with a young child who experiences night tremors.
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What a charming picture book based on a true story that teaches valuable life lessons.
Clarence Henry is a hermit crab that once lived in the author’s aquarium. He is missing a claw and a leg, so Clarence is aware that the other creatures in his habitat view him differently. That does not keep him from dedication to his duty. Clarence understands that it is his duty to keep the aquarium clean and safe for his fellow inhabitants.
Every day, Clarence performs his duty faithfully until one day he grows too large for his shell. Clarence knows it is time for him to molt. After his owners provide a new shell, Clarence begins the process of adjusting to his new home. A pleasant surprise awaits him!
Young readers learn about devotion to duty, perseverance, and resilience. They become aware that a disability can be a strength, not a handicap. Charming illustrations enhance the story. A wonderful bonus feature at the end of the tale teaches children about the fascinating lives of hermit crabs.
I highly recommend the book to parents and teachers, both as an enchanting tale and an informative lesson about life as a hermit crab.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: The Night Everything Changed: A Magical Story of Growing Up Fast and Learning Who You Are
What if you woke up tomorrow… a different person?
In Al’s Journey, young readers are invited into the magical story of a boy who grows up overnight—and must learn what it means to grow truly. With dreamlike illustrations and a message that resonates with kids and adults alike, this gentle parable offers a meaningful bedtime read and a touching reminder of the changes we all go through.
Perfect for ages 5 to 9, this book explores:
The mystery and beauty of growing up
Emotional self-awareness for young readers
Gentle lessons in identity, transformation, and empathy
Give your child a story they’ll never forget—with a lesson that will stay with them forever.
Can a child grow up overnight?
Al’s Journey is a magical tale about an orphan boy and his wise grandfather, the shaman of a gold-obsessed tribe that disregarded eating and sleeping while searching for the yellow metal. On his 100th birthday, the shaman announces to Al that it is time for him to begin his own life journey. The boy must climb the mountain alone to reach the roofless sacred hut of the old shaman, where he can ask God crucial questions. As Al makes his way up the mountain peak guided by mystical fireflies, he faces challenges that test his courage and strength. When he finally reaches the summit, Al asks the creator profound questions about the true meaning of life. The valuable experience of the voyage and the response of the supreme being help Al grow mentally, emotionally, and physically overnight and become the healer his tribe needs.
His name is Marin* and he marinates his picture books in a creative concoction brewed on the very beach of the Atlantic East Coast. Marin writes the stories, illustrates the pages, designs the covers, arranges the layout of the elements, and publishes the books. Sometimes he creates new fonts for his titles to make them complete pieces of art. His food-for-thought creations contain only natural ingredients. They are nutrient-dense and perfect for a balanced brain diet.
WARNING: Marin’s books tend to inspire young readers!
*Recipient of the Literary Titan Book Award, Wishing Shelf Book Award, and Creative Child Magazine 2025 Picture Book of the Year; 2024 American Book Fest finalist
This stunningly illustrated picture book offers much food for thought for beginning readers. Marin relates a familiar tale of greed, portraying villages that forget the importance of human dignity while relentlessly pursuing their quest for gold and material wealth. Alongside that storyline, an elderly shaman struggles to train his young adopted grandson to assume the responsibilities as the village shaman. This young boy, Al, climbs the mountain to answer three questions and save his people.
Adults reading this book aloud are given multiple opportunities to explore deeper questions, such as the spiritual nature of God and the important values of life, including empathy and the dignity of the human spirit. Al must learn to assess his own strengths and abilities as well as his frailties. Readers are then encouraged to evaluate their own.
GIVEAWAY
Everyone who enters the giveaway will receive links to download two of Marin’s creations: a free e-book and a free audiobook! One grand prize winner will receive $200 via PayPal along with the audio version of Al’s Journey. Another winner will receive $50 via PayPal and the audiobook, and a third winner will receive $20 via PayPal and the audiobook.
As The Sun Rises: Morning in Mazatlan (Tales of Mazatlán)
Written and Illustrated by Carolyn Watson-Dubitsch
A beautiful, multicultural picture book for preschoolers and kindergarten children.
The story relates the experience of two Mexican children who accompany their fisherman father to the beach. They observe him digging for clams and oysters. Later, they see a sea turtle on the beach.
As the day goes on, the tourist spot comes alive. Beachgoers and vendors teach readers about Mexican culture and food. As a bonus, the readers are treated to a native recipe.
Beautiful illustrations accompany the simple but moving multicultural tale.
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The Adventures of Pookie: Home is Where the Heart is
Written and Illustrated by Rebecca Yee
A story about animal adoption from the point of view of the dog being adopted.
Children meet Pookie, who is excited to meet her new owner. Readers follow her journey as she explores her new surroundings and the loving care of Pookie’s new human family.
The illustrations are simple yet expressive and evocative of the appropriate emotions. I would recommend this book to young children who want to adopt, and as a teaching tool to explain the shelter adoption system.
This book is recommended for toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade readers.
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November 9, 2025
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