Serena Williams: A Kids Book About Mental Strength and Cultivating a Champion Mindset (Movers and Shakers Book 7)

Written by Mary Nhin

Illustrated by Yuliia Zolotova

This book is the latest release in the Mini Movers and Shakers series. It is a perfect choice for young tennis enthusiasts.

Nhin relates the story of Serena Williams and her family. Serena began playing tennis at about three years old. Her father thought it a way to develop strong physical, mental, and technical skills.

Readers learn how Serena and her sister, Venus, had to overcome discrimination and self-doubt. The positive self-affirmations and constant support of Serena’s family helped to develop the resilience she needed to succeed in all aspects of her life and career.

Simple but well-done illustrations accompany each page of the inspirational story for elementary and middle-grade readers.

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Right Before Sleep (Milo and Cat)

Written and illustrated by Miro Tartan

Milo is trying to get to sleep. His pet cat snuggles with him. Putting their heads together, the two friends are determined to find a way to fall asleep. After trying some common tried and true remedies like counting sheep, drinking warm milk, and putting on warm socks, they decide to play music and then make the bed comfortable. Still, they are unsuccessful so the friends try to combine them together. Will they ever find a way to close those eyes?

This is a cute, rhyming picture book for toddlers and preschoolers who find it difficult to wind down at the end of the day. Remarkably, the solution is quite simple.

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Idia of the Benin Kingdom (Our Ancestries)

Written by Ekiuawa Aire

Illustrated by Alina Shabelnyk

Idia is the daughter of a warrior in the African village of Benin. One night she has a strange dream. She sees a woman first fighting a vicious battle and later treating the wounded with herbs and medicine.

Idia is a vivacious child who loves to dance and play, but the dream continues to trouble her. What can this mean? Women do not fight as warriors. So, one day she asks her father to teach her about warfare. He informs Idia that this is not the province of girls but promises to answer her questions if she works hard on her dancing. At the same time, Idia asks her mother to teach her about medicine and healing. As Idia continues to mature, she learns both the skills of the warrior and those of the healer.

When it comes time for Idia to marry, the young prince asks for her hand. A native doctor performs a ritual ceremony and Idia falls into slumber. She experiences the same dream which now reveals to her clearly its meaning and what her decision needs to be.

This is a beautiful picture book with an important message for young female readers. It also contains a map and interesting history of the kingdom of Benin. While the book is targeted for readers in the four to eight age range, the text is rather advanced and will appeal to older readers as well.

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Noelle The Best Big Sister

Written by Mikaela Wilson

Illustrated by Pardeep Mehra

Noelle is excited. Today is the day her baby sister is coming home. Noelle has made big plans to share her favorite books and toys, but when she sees her mother holding the baby she feels left out. Soon Noelle figures out ways she can share responsibilities and chores to create a unified loving family

The illustrations are large and cartoonlike with expressive multicultural characters that will appeal to young readers who are about to add a sibling to their family. There is a link to coloring pages to download as a free bonus. This book is a quick read aloud to help parents ease the transition of a new family member to children or a good choice as a gift for these families.

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Mermaids and Mayhem: A Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Written by Erin Hayes

I would say this book is more of a novella than a novel. At a little more than 150 pages, it is a good choice for middle grade readers who enjoy romance and paranormal genres. The protagonist is an eighteen-year-old young lady taking a year off before going off to study marine biology in college. Tara gets a summer job working for aquariums across the country. While in Houston, she undergoes a mysterious transformation in the seas.

Tara is transformed into a mermaid and she meets Finn. A romance soon develops. Now, enter the problem. Will Tara remain a sea creature and pursue her romance or will she return to land and resume her human life. Tara has always wanted to be a mermaid, but?????

Recommended as a quick read for readers ages ten and older.

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Pool Party (Dottie Dotts the Cat Books)

Written by Ashley Madden

Illustrated by Chariz Elaine

A very short picture book for preschoolers that teaches young readers not to be afraid to express themselves because their friends might think they are different.

The author uses the scenario of a cat named Dottie who is invited by her friend, Andy to come to a pool party. Dottie loves to swim, but aren’t cats supposed to be afraid of the water? She fears her other animal friends will judge her. How will Dottie solve her dilemma?

Simple, easy to read text and dialogue, accompanied by large colorful illustrations.

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The Spirit of Steel (The Morus Chronicles Book 2)

Written by J. R. Roper

This exciting adventure novel is the perfect read for middle grade and young adult readers who enjoy fantasy, magic, compelling characters, and a plot with lots of twists and turns. I did not read the first book of this series, but will probably go back to it to see the evolution of these fascinating characters.

Ethan is a thirteen year old boy who has pledged himself to serve the Light. The forces of the Dark Side constantly rail against and attempt to thwart his search for treasure. Mel presents readers with a strong, fiercely independent female role model.

I won’t give away the plot, but their journey consists of nonstop adventures and excitement, packed with a few surprises to keep readers guessing. I hope for more adventures in this series.

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Millie’s Magic (Feel Loved Tales

Written by Hilary Hawkes

Illustrated by Andrea Petrlik

Millie the Mouse decides she wants to get a birthday gift for her grandfather. When she asks her grandmother what to get for him, Grandma suggests something magic.

Millie takes her grandma’s suggestion and searches everywhere for magic. She enlists the aid of a badger, a chicken, and a frog who try to direct Millie. At the end of the day, Millie is tired and exhausted.

Will Grandfather be disappointed that Millie does not have a birthday gift? What special message does he have for her that she will remember for the rest of her life?

Cute illustrations with easy to read text make this book a good choice for a bedtime or read-aloud tale for preschoolers and early readers.

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The Big Adventures of a Little Tree: Tree Finds Friendship

Written by Nadja Springer

Illustrated by Tilia Rand-Bell

A little tree possesses an overwhelming urge to travel and see the world. But how can he move? His roots are deep and entrenched in the soil.

The tree has an idea. He recruits the birds of the forest to help him. Slowly, he advances forward. When he comes upon a group of children, he has the opportunity to create deep friendships. Seasons come and go. Will the little tree be able to sustain his dreams?

I like the ideas and concepts that are conveyed through the simple words and illustrations. Having read the kindle version, the size of font was small even when enlarged. That is a drawback for beginning readers who want to read the electronic version.

This book affords the opportunity to explore many topics such as immigration, nature, environment, and mindfulness. That is why I would recommend it for readers of all ages.

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Preston’s Positive Thoughts: I Am a Problem Solver Series

Written by Jenelle French

Illustrated by Karina Yasinova

Poor Preston is having an awful day. He is not particularly good at soccer, he gets anxious in math class, and he cannot seem to get the knack of using his brother’s hoverboard. That night Preston reflects about the terrible day and wonders what it would be like if he decided to change his mindset to think he would succeed. Maybe his thoughts would influence his actions and the results?

The next day, he tries out this new outlook. Preston convinced himself he would do well on a test, try his best in art class, and apply himself to learning how to play computer games. Could bad days become best days by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones?

This book is beautifully illustrated with well-executed multicultural illustrations and easy to read text. Parents and teachers of shy, introverted children or those who have trouble thinking before they act will find it a useful tool. Recommended for children in grades one through five.

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