This post is sponsored by Maya Nurtures. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Guess How Marion Feels

Written by Miss Kaye

Illustrated by Miss Waitthk

Ages 3+ | 34 Pages

Publisher: ‎ Maya Nurtures (2024) | ISBN-13: 9781738593026

Publisher’s Book Summary: Marion is a kind, creative, and easy kid… but he’s faced with BIG emotions. Help Marion identify those BIG feelings in this interactive children’s picture book.

Guess How Marion Feels is a transformative experience that lays the foundation for emotional intelligence and meaningful connections. A gentle Social Emotional Learning (SEL) tool to guide parents, caregivers, and teachers to teach kids who struggle to pick up social cues and have challenges in social situations.

This book is made to celebrate and honor the feelings of our little ones, foster open communication, and create inclusive learning with our neurodivergent kids. Written by a neurodivergent author, Miss Kaye aims to support kids and everyone struggling with social interactions.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Miss Kaye was born in the Philippines. She had challenges as an adult neurodivergent. This serves as her inspiration for writing fun, engaging, and educational stories to teach life skills and mindfulness to kids.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Miss Waitthk is from Hongkong. She enjoys making people feel happy and joyful through her drawings. As a kid, she remembered drawing anime characters and coloring them with colored pencils. Since then, she kept on drawing.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

IT’S OKAY TO FEEL THIS WAY…

Guess how Marion Feels

Written by Miss Kaye

Illustrated by Miss Waitthk

A beautiful, interactive picture book that allows young children to explore and communicate their emotions with others.

Marion wakes up happy to start the day. When his mother reminds him that today is the first day at school, his feelings switch to being scared and apprehensive. As the day progresses, readers watch Marion, and his feelings change. A new situation creates mixed feelings of excitement, worry, hope, anger, confusion, and relief.

Young readers are asked to guess what Marion is feeling in each situation by studying the pictures and text. At the end of the book, they get a summary of the book when Marion discusses the whole range of emotions with his parents.

The book is targeted for readers ages one through seven, but I feel the message in the tale is just as valuable for older children.

GIVEAWAY

Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a 1-hour FREE coaching session to launch your own picture book, along with signed copies of Guess How Marion Feels (one to keep and one to share with a neurodivergent charity of your choice under your name).

Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/guess-how-marion-feels-by-miss-kaye-awareness-tour/

TOUR SCHEDULE

Friday, February 9, 2024The Children’s Book ReviewBook Tour Kick-Off

Monday, February 12, 2024Life Is What It’s CalledAuthor Interview with Miss Kaye

Tuesday, Ferbuary 13, 2024icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Wednesday, February 14, 2024The Momma SpotBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Thursday, February 15, 2024Barbara Ann MojicaBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Friday, February 16, 2024A Blue Box Full of BooksBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels and Little Free Library Drop

Monday, February 19, 2024One More ExclamationBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Tuesday, February 20, 2024Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersAn article by Miss Kaye

Wednesday, February 21, 2024Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Thursday, February 22, 2024Get Outside and ReadBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Friday, February 23, 2024My Reading GetawayAuthor Interview with Miss Kaye

Monday, February 26, 2024Froggy Read TeachBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Tuesday, February 27, 2024Country Mamas with KidsBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Wednesday, February 28, 2024The Fairview ReviewBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Thursday, February 29, 2024Pages for PaigeBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Friday, March 1, 2024Cover Lover Book ReviewAuthor Interview with Miss Kaye

Monday, March 4, 2024Shooting Stars MagBook Review of Guess How Marion Feels

Tuesday, March 5, 2024Me Two BooksA Storytime Activity Paired with Guess How Marion Feels

Animal Antics: A Rhyming Book of Creatures Big and Small

Written and Illustrated by Tamar Tepper Kochen

A silly rhyming picture book, the first in a series about animals doing absurd things. A few examples are a deer with a rainbow ear, a ferret dressed as a carrot, and a flamingo who loved to play bingo.

The rhymes are short and easy to remember, the illustrations huge and vibrant. Children are encouraged to make up their own silly rhymes with several scenarios included at the end of the tale.

I think that preschoolers and primary grade children who enjoy books about animals and silly stories will especially enjoy this book. It’s fun as a read-aloud or a bedtime story.

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A Home Can Be…

Written by Stephanie Seidler

Illustrated by Anastasia Sikilinda

The author explores the different locations for homes that both humans and animal creatures inhabit. They could be underground, underwater, up in the trees, or under open skies. Some are found in cold climates, and others in warm areas. They might be built of different materials like ice, stone, wood, or even the shell on the animal’s back. Most important, a home can be found anywhere as along as there is a loving support group.

The rhymes are crisp and sharp, the illustrations colorful and alluring.

I highly recommend this book exploring the diversity of our world to parents and teachers of preschoolers and primary grade children.

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Saint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God’s Brave and Loving Servant

Written and Illustrated by Ned Bustard

This picture book presents an interesting review of what is known about Saint Valentine.

Bustard is both the author and illustrator. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations done in woodcut style and then embellished with bright colors.

The story is presented in rhyme. Each part is a kind of vignette about different aspects of Valentine’s life. They include his experiences with individuals as well as soldiers and the Emperor Claudius. Despite imprisonment, Valentine continued to write his poetry about the four types of love and sent some of them as lettters. Hence, the origin of sending Valentine’s on the date of his martyrdom, February 14th.

I believe this book will have wide appeal with Christian schools and parents

Reviewed by Barbara Mojica for Net Galley.

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One Step Behind: A Sibling Story

Written by Sarah Immonen Ward

Illustrated by Andrea Brasier

A beautiful rhyming picture book illustrated in soft pastels. This book focuses on sibling relationships and parental love for the child who is born last. It is a perfect shower or newborn gift for such a family.

It stresses the advantages of being born last. These children are born to parents with experience in raising children and siblings who provide role models that shore up a child’s confidence and social emotional skills.

I strongly suggest it as a read aloud for a family to share with the youngest child who will surely grow with confidence as she achieves each of the milestones mentioned in the picture book.

Appropriate for any age but especially suggested for toddlers and preschoolers.

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AS A BOOK REVIEWER FROM THE INCEPTION OF THIS EVENT, I AM PROUD TO SHARE TWO WONDERFUL NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK EXAMPLES WITH YOU.

📚 Join us for the 11th Multicultural Children’s Book Day on 1/25/24! https://shorturl.at/wG389 🌍 Founded by two book-loving moms, Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, this non-profit initiative celebrates diverse books and authors. Let’s spread the joy of multicultural literature to young readers and educators. #MCBD2024 #ReadYourWorld 📖

It Is Not What You Think

Old Clothes for Dinner?

Written by Nathalie Alonso

Illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro

This multicultural picture book is a delight for a young child’s eyes, ears, and taste buds. The book packs a ton of information as well as a delightful story of a Cuban family’s culture and homelife.

Magaly and her brother’s grandmother from Cuba have recently joined the family in America. They are delighted with the delicious native recipes she cooks for the family. One day, when Magaly asks what is for dinner, her “abuela” replies “ropa vieja.” That translates to old clothes in English. Magaly and her brother, Camilo, hurry to search for and hide their favorite clothes. Turns out the joke will be on them.

This book targets an audience of children ages four through eight, but it delighted this adult as well. In addition to the interesting tale, the author includes recipes from around the world including their history, facts about Cuba, and details on how to cook two of the Cuban recipes from the story.

THE TREASURE IS IN EVERYDAY THINGS

Treasure Hunt

Written by Stephanie Wildman

Illustrated by Estefanía Razo

When Luis sees a delivery person with a huge cardboard box, he at once thinks of his younger twin siblings, Roberto, and Flor. Luis asks the worker to leave the box behind.

Roberto and Flor return home from school expecting to watch TV and play video games, but Luis has a better idea. He asks them if they would like to go on a treasure hunt. The twins cannot hold their excitement. Roberto hides clues in the kitchen, the bedroom, and the living room.

Flor and Roberto are puzzled when they find and name the objects. Luis brings them to the backyard and the gigantic cardboard box. Immediately, the twins know exactly what to do with it.

This book displays a loving multicultural family with strong sibling relationships. Elementary grade readers will love this colorful picture book with endearing, curious, and intelligent characters. Wildman enriches its value by providing detailed instructions for readers to create their own treasure hunt complete with props.

I highly recommend this interactive book for primary grade boys and girls who seek opportunities for creativity and imaginative activities to engage in at home.

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Lola and Mia’s Adventures: The Desert Jitters

Written and Illustrated by Megan JL Dudley

This picture book is part of a series that features two sibling pups searching for adventure in new places. Lola is an experienced traveler, but her sister Mia longs to follow in her footsteps.

This time, the duo travels to the Arizona desert to view its beautiful sunsets. Along the way, the pair encounter snakes, reptiles, dust storms, cacti, and beautiful vistas. Young readers will enjoy the funny “dogisms” shared by the siblings and the illustrations that capture their rapidly changing emotions as they experience their adventure.

I would especially recommend the book to animal and nature lovers who are early elementary school age readers.

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Molly’s Maze Discovery: (Molly Greenwood Adventures Book 2)

Written by Carmen Allen

This is a cute interactive book for elementary school children that encourages both artistic and storytelling skills and is part of a series.

Dragon Cat decides to buy a lottery ticket hoping to win $100. When he discovers he has won the next day, he gets the surprise of his life, discovering 100 otters in his kitchen. The book is filled with black and white illustrations that can be colored in the paperback edition. Yet, that is not the best feature of the book because the author leaves the ending of the story blank, allowing the young reader to become an author by finishing the story and becoming co-author of the book.

The book is a good choice for a reluctant or beginning reader. It could also be used with a group to encourage multiple outcomes to problem-solving.

Especially recommended for ages four through eight.

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Dragon Cat Wins the Lottery(The Make-Your-Own Ending Collection)

Written by Audrey Beth Stein

Illustrated by Alina Lutaeva

This is a cute interactive book for elementary school children that encourages both artistic and storytelling skills and is part of a series.

Dragon Cat decides to buy a lottery ticket hoping to win $100. When he discovers he has won the next day, he gets the surprise of his life, discovering 100 otters in his kitchen. The book is filled with black and white illustrations that can be colored in the paperback edition. Yet, that is not the best feature of the book because the author leaves the ending of the story blank, allowing the young reader to become an author by finishing the story and becoming co-author of the book.

The book is a good choice for a reluctant or beginning reader. It could also be used with a group to encourage multiple outcomes to problem-solving.

Especially recommended for ages four through eight.

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The Mayfly and the Methuselah Tree: Memorable Children’s Story of Living Joyfully

Written by Bob Zaslow

Illustrated by Robert Askew

What a charming picture book done in soft pastel colors. The characters include a Methuselah Tree, which is almost five thousand years old, and a young Mayfly.

The tree has lost enthusiasm for life having seen and experienced similar experiences for so many centuries, but the newly born Mayfly lives with a zest for every sight and smell. The Mayfly challenges the tree as to why he cannot appreciate the beauty which surrounds it. These two completely opposite creatures share two diverse viewpoints that cause each of them to appreciate the joys of living each day.

This is a beautiful way to teach children empathy, compassion, and tolerance.

Recommended especially for readers in primary grades, but a beautiful reminder for any age reader.

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