You Can Do It!: A Thinking Skills Story Book That Empowers Kids to Make Good Choices by Letting Go of the Uncontrollable – Ideal for Ages 4-8! (Charlie & Sokeetee the Philosopher Cat)
Written and illustrated by Mama Maja
An interactive book that teaches elementary school kids how to handle their emotions. The book contains easy-to-read text and comic-book-like illustrations. Children learn that certain things are not in their control. That does not mean they should not be persistent and resilient.
The most valuable parts of the book are the interactive sections that ask the reader how to handle emotions and what specific fears the reader may have. In addition, there are coloring pages that younger readers, in particular, will enjoy.
A good book to teach emotional self-regulation, especially for children ages six through nine.
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The Three Royal Children and the Batty Aunt:The Three Royal Children Book 1: An Adventure Story for Bored Children
Written by Angela Castillo
Three royal siblings are bored with life within the castle walls. Then one day they meet their aunt and her talking bat in an isolated part of the castle. She brings the siblings on a fantasy adventure that upends their boring existence.
This chapter book is part of a series. In this volume, readers learn about the value of friendship, good manners, and cooperating with others. An interesting read for children in grades two through six.
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Unstoppable Girls: 10 Inspiring Stories of Courage, Kindness, and Believing in Yourself (The Unstoppable Series)
Written by Manish Chamoli
Ten short stories for modern-day elementary and middle school girls. The characters in each meet the challenges girls face as they grow up in this generation. These characters learn patience, self-confidence, and resilience. They discover the value of friendship and how to handle bullying. Perhaps the most valuable section of the book is the page of reflective questions that follows each story. It guides the reader to understand the lesson and how to implement it in their own lives.
This book can be read as a series of bedtime stories, read aloud or in a group discussion. It provides readers with strong female role models and practical advice.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King is a fast, funny, manga-inspired graphic novel that blends fantasy adventure with heart, humor, and family appeal. When a cheeky underdog hero is pulled into a world of monsters, doppelgängers, and an army of rats, Zicky must rely on wit, courage, and unlikely friendships to survive. Bursting with kinetic action, playful mischief, and relatable growing pains, Zicky is a perfect gateway to manga for younger readers and a joyful, high-energy adventure for kids, teens, and families alike.
Praise: “Smart, energetic graphic novel blending fantasy and touching real-life emotion. Cape smashes expectations and keeps the pages pleasurably turning, all while grounding the chaotic story in the growing pains of children and the anxieties of the adults raising them.” —Booklife
Shawn Hainsworth is the creator and writer, as Darin S. Cape, of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King. The story began as bedtime adventures he invented for his own children, with Shawn playing the role of Zicky, a super-secret ninja who went on adventures while everyone else was asleep. Those family stories eventually grew into the world of Zicky, a graphic novel celebrating imagination, courage, family, and the hero inside every kid. Shawn lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife, two teens, and two hound dogs. He is the publisher of SHP Comics and is currently working on the sequel, Zicky: The Cursed Blade.
Zeno Decrux is an accomplished illustrator and comic artist with over nine years of experience in the international independent comics scene. His work spans a diverse range of comics and manga titles, where he brings a dynamic, expressive style and a strong commitment to quality on every project. Passionate about storytelling through visuals, Zeno continues to push his craft forward with each new collaboration.
Jorge Luis Gabotto, also known as Hiorsh, is an Argentine cartoonist and writer from Mar del Plata. A visual arts teacher, puppeteer, and musician, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to storytelling. For him, comics are a fusion of art and literature—a cinematic form that combines movement, atmosphere, and emotion. His work explores themes of love, time, and perception, offering readers a personal and poetic vision of the world.
MY BOOK REVIEW:
Day vs night. Immediately, the reader recognizes that Zicky transforms himself into a hero everynight.
The images conjured up in Zicky’s dreams are reflected in vivid colors and daring action shots. Zicky might lead a dull daily existence, but every night he becomes a superhero fighting against the army of rats. The book is broken into five chapters, which makes it a good choice for a beginning reader or for an adult to read aloud and then discuss with the child. Young readers enter a cinematic world that literally moves the reader and involves him as an active participant in the adventure.
The author suggests an audience of nine plus, but younger children interested in action adventure will be mesmerized with this appealing graphic novel.
Soli Wants to Sniff EVERYTHING!: A Funny Interactive Picture Book About Curiosity, Impulse Control, Boundaries, Safe Choices, Listening, and Knowing When … Bedtime) (Soli’s Silly Adventures 2)
This book is part of a series about a solenodon. You have probably never heard of it. Solenodons are large shrew-like mammals.
In this tale, the solenodon cannot contain his impulse to sniff everything he encounters. That might be a sandwich, cake, shoe or sock. Lots of humor in the illustrations. Readers are asked to interact and give opinions on whether to smell or not.
The book is a helpful way to discuss issues like impulsivity, make safe decisions, and learn impulse control. It provides a non-threatening way to help primary grade readers to handle their behaviors.
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I Love You More Than Anything: Children’s Book About Emotions and Feelings, Toddlers, Preschool Kids
Written and illustrated by Emily Hartmann
This is a perfect read aloud or bedtime story for toddlers and preschoolers. It provides parents or teachers with a perfect way to discuss the variety of emotions a young child feels. The book communicates the important message that a parent always loves its child no matter what emotion is present.
The illustrations portray animal and child scenes with typical emotions like fear, anger, frustration, shyness, or sadness. Each contains four lines of rhyming text that are easy for a young reader to understand.
As a parent and educator, I highly recommend this one for preschoolers and toddlers.
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Marigold Twinkletooth and the Star-Coin Surprise: A Tooth Fairy Tale
Written by Jamie Kucia
Ariel is a bit nervous. She will play her first T-ball game tomorrow, and she is about to lose her first tooth.
As Ariel prepares for bed, the loose tooth pops out. She places it under her pillow and wonders whether the Tooth Fairy will visit her. Her question is soon answered. When the Tooth Fairy arrives, she appears confused and flustered. This is a different kind of tooth fairy, filled with humor and zany antics. The glossary and Tooth Fairy message add to the fun of this interactive tale.
What kind of wish will the Tooth Fairy grant Ariel? Can Ariel find the confidence to play T-ball?
This Readers’ Favorite Award winner will delight preschool and primary grade readers. Read it aloud to appreciate the onomatopoeic words and sounds.
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A truly interactive book that encourages distance communication, learning new vocabulary, healthy snacking, and building independence for toddlers and grandparents.
The simple rhymes that incorporate lots of sounds entice toddlers and preschoolers. Simple, large, and expressive illustrations convey the message effectively. I would have preferred to see the “wowa” cut with a knife and carry the glass, but I understand the message intent of the young child learning responsibility.
The simple act of a grandmother and a toddler preparing a healthy snack together while communicating by phone reinforces the importance of connection in a modern world in which relatives often live far apart.
I recommend this book for children ages two through five, their parents, and grandparents.
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Holiday Hero Max the Mockingbird (The Readers Huddle Collection)
Written by Brandee Huddleson
Illustrated by Courtney Huddleson
This is the second book in this series. Max, the Mockingbird, possesses a unique talent. He can imitate the sounds that he hears. In this adventure, Max lives in the city and its surrounding suburbs.
The book is written with speech bubbles and has a comic book feel because the illustrations are simple and large. Early readers can handle the easy-to-read text. Children learn that crime does not pay. Max follows two young would-be thieves as they search for an easy victim. Max’s unique talent serves as a deterrent to their plans.
Young readers receive a valuable message while enjoying a humorous tale.
An enjoyable, fast read for any age.
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Bees Full of Wonder: An educational, rhyming book about the magic of the bees for children, kids (World Full of Wonder 3)
Written by Anna Smithers
Illustrated by Nino Aptsiauri
Smithers manages to pack a lot of information plus a wealth of problem-solving resources in this illustrated picture book.
Even though the language is not colloquial, the rhymes are fun to read out loud, and important vocabulary words are highlighted in color for emphasis. Children learn about the different types of bees and their work in the hive. I especially liked the interactive challenge for the reader to locate twelve different types of bees in the story. Young readers also discover the problems bees face today due to urban expansion.
The illustrations are multicultural, and they include children with disabilities. This book will appeal to children who enjoy nonfiction for information about the life of bees, but also to young community activists who will appreciate the seven practical solutions they can use to help the rapidly declining bee population.
I would highly recommend the book for parents, teachers, and librarians of elementary school readers.
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November 4, 2026
bamauthor
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