What’s the Worst That Could Happen?

Written by  Yewande Daniel-Ayoade

Illustrated by Renate Logina

What a charming book to encourage children who have social anxiety fears! This book will certainly benefit children who are moving into new neighborhoods or schools or those who are shy and introverted.

Kayla has just begun class in a new school. She desperately wants to follow her grandma’s advice to try new things and the words, “What’s the worst that can happen,?” echo in her brain. But somehow she is afraid to approach classmates or new situations. She feels physical and mental anxiety.

One day, Kayla is invited to a party that will open the door for her.. Kayla also reveals her kindness toward her younger autistic brother.

This beautifully illustrated multicultural book teaches empathy, kindness and social-emotional skills to primary grade children in an easy to understand format. Highly recommended to parents and teachers.

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Superheroes Wear Masks: A picture book to help kids with social distancing and covid anxiety

Written by Chris Stead

Illustrated by Yohan Priyankara

A young boy narrates this story. He explains why he does not like wearing a mask. He cannot recognize the faces of people, they look scary, and these masks are uncomfortable to wear.

When he has a fight with this parents about wearing a mask, they ground him. That gives him time to think about people he knows who wear masks to protect themselves at work, like a doctor, a fireman, a construction worker, and a chemist. That reassures him. Maybe protecting yourself from harm is just being careful and smart.

This book is a good choice for parents and teachers to use in explaining the necessity of masks during the pandemic and reassuring the fears of young children.

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Her Name Was Flower

Written by Imani Cortez

Illustrated by Alexandra Ignateva

This book is a series of short stories to encourage empathy and acceptance of differences among members of the human race. The protagonist is named Flower. She is the daughter of the Sun and Moon.

Flower struggles to find her identity. She has trouble and sometimes disrespects her parents who try to teach her. When Flower becomes a bit older, she goes off to search why others do not accept her. Along her journey, Flower discovers that the most beautiful part of our Earth is the ability to respect and accept our uniqueness.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful. Cortes’ sends her readers many worthwhile lessons. However, young children may be confused and need guidance as to how to interpret them.

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Belle’s Christmas Surprise

Written by Carrie Joy Schafer Krause

Illustrated by Stef

This children’s picture book is beautifully illustrated with soft colors and detailed images of a close-knit family living in a small cabin on the Canadian prairie at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Belle is one of eight children living with her parents. Christmas is nearly here. She is excited. Each family member receives one small gift. Belle cherishes her delightful wiener treat. When she wakes up the next morning, her gift has disappeared! Will her Christmas be spoiled? Read the heartwarming tale to find out.

This multicultural book entertains and educates children. They learn a bit of history, culture and family traditions. Bonus activities include a find the hidden picture on each page, discussion questions for parents and teachers to use after reading, a Christmas cookie recipe, and instructions for a walnut Christmas decoration.

I recommend this book for elementary school and middle school children and their families or classrooms to share.

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Where Dragons Fly: Land of Stars Book 1

Written by Hannah Sparks

Illustrated by Katherine Newton

Eight-year-old Ethan lives with his hard-working dad. Ethan is not looking forward to summer when he will be alone six days a week. Ethan does not make friends easily; the neighborhood kids make fun of him because his last name is Broom.

Life changes when Ethan’s dad comes home with a box that he found. It contains two glass dragons. Ethan’s dad hopes they will entertain his son. Ethan does not think much of this gift until he picks one of the dragons up and is transported to a magical land called Steorra. He gets the opportunity to ride on a dragon, meet a talking penguin, and envision a sky filled with stars.

When Ethan’s neighbor, Amelia, comes to visit, she picks up the orange dragon. They are both transported to Steorra where more adventures and new characters await them. Amelia encourages Ethan to be more outgoing. The book ends with the promise of many more adventures.

I would classify this book as a beginning chapter book. It contains just over one hundred pages filled with black and white illustrations. It is also a good choice for reluctant readers or adults seeking a fun read-aloud that can be utilized as a serial bedtime story for younger children.

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Just Between Sam and Me

Written by Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell

This middle-grade novel presents the triumphs and tribulations of Olivia Martin, a student beginning sixth grade in rural Spring Hope. She lives on a farm with her parents and older brother, Link. They all work hard to make ends meet.

Olivia’s best friends are a classmate named Isabelle, her cat, Sam, and her Palomino pony, Star. Olivia is saving up to buy a halter for Star because she hopes to enter him in The Spring Daze Festival next May. She will need to work hard to earn the money. Her plan is to create and sell beaded bracelets.

When Candace moves from New York City to Spring Hope, Olivia’s world is turned upside down. Candace is mean, bullying, and a gossip who tries to thwart Olivia at every turn. Olivia confides her problems to Sam by writing them down in her journal. Isabella proves to be a compassionate and wise friend who steadfastly stands behind her.

A series of unexpected events lead to successes and failures for Olivia, as well as the other characters in this touching tale. There are twists and turns that keep the plot interesting. Readers will empathize with Olivia’s trials and admire her tenacity and strength. The characters are so believable and relatable. The story brought me along a roller coaster of emotions. At times, I laughed, at other points in the story, I wanted to cry.

I applaud the authors for creating a deeply engaging plot and characters that will surely resonate with middle-grade readers. Highly recommended!

I received an advanced review copy of this book and voluntarily chose to read and review it with my honest opinions for no compensation.

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Fernando Invents Socks, A Gripping Story, About the Perils of Ocean Trash!

Written and lllustrated by Brad Pohl

An adorable rhyming picture book for elementary school eco conscious readers! The author employs clever rhymes, onomatopoeia, and alliteration to create this fun read-aloud.

The plot is original and creative. Fernando, a penguin, has a guest visiting him. Judith, a brown chicken is walking with Fernando along the Arctic shore when they both become entangled with yellow string around their feet. Fearful of becoming bait for sea lions, Fernando thinks quickly. He plucks two of Judith’s largest feathers.

What does he do with them and how does his discovery lead to an ingenious invention? Read this beautifully illustrated picture book to find out.

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The Crocodile Who Swallowed The Sun

Written by Bachar Karroum

Illustrated by Luis Perez

A crocodile living in the swamp sees himself as king of all creatures. He wants to see all creatures cower before him.

One day he decides to swallow the sun to demonstrate that power. The rooster, donkey, goat, and rabbit try to persuade him to change his mind. When the crocodiles baby brother runs out of food, he realizes his mistake. The sun is necessary for all living things to survive.

What lessons does the crocodile learn? Can he repair the damage that he has done?

This is a cute, nicely illustrated rhyming picture book for preschoolers and primary grade readers.

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Danger in Monrovia (FREE MIDDLE GRADE MYSTERY ADVENTURE ACTION BOOK FOR KIDS AGES 7-15 CHILDREN) (Choose Your Own Way 1)

Written by Paul Moxam

This is a middle-grade mystery adventure but adults who were around in the 1950s will really enjoy it.

The author places the reader in the mind of a child growing up in 1950s Great Britain. This child has been invited by two old friends to travel to a country located in eastern Europe, Monrovia. Four other friends will be accompanying you. There is even better news. All of you will be visiting the palace for King Otto’s birthday. The entertainment features one of the best circuses in Europe along with a well-known magician.

Each chapter of this adventure ends with a choice. The reader has the opportunity to do this twenty-two times. Make one choice, then go back, choose the other alternative and read the story again. All of them will take the reader on an exciting journey filled with adventure and interesting characters.

The characters are British so the spelling is British English. That is a minor inconvenience for American readers. I highly recommend the book for middle-grade readers and young adults.

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Anna Banana- Anna Misses Hugs and Kisses

Written and Illustrated by Sigal Adler

Grandma Anna is so excited. Her grandson Joey is finally coming to visit. They spend the day, playing, reading, and eating. Suddenly, Anna realizes that something is missing. Joey has not given her a hug or a kiss.

They spend the rest of their time together searching everywhere for the missing hug and kiss. Are they hiding in the house, in the garden, at the beach or up in the clouds? Finally Joey realizes where they might be. Can you guess the answer?

The second part of the book is my favorite part. Joey and Grandma play a game. They present the reader with real life situations and talk about the feeling one would experience in each. For example, how does one feel when another child takes your ball and won’t return it? Hurt, of course. The author discusses a range of feelings, both positive and negative.

I recommend this book for preschoolers through primary grades. A good choice for parents, teachers and counselors as a platform to discuss emotions.

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