Hop-About: The Adventures of Benny the Bunny and Mr. Rabbit
Written by Colin Krainin
Illustrated by Joan Krainin
At first glance, one would guess this book title is for elementary school readers. Indeed, it contains charming illustrations, but the complexity of characters and issues addressed suggest it is more appropriate for middle-grade and older audiences.
At the outset, readers meet Mr. Rabbit, a stuffed rabbit who lives with his friends, Mr. Rabbit, and a large stuffed bear in an apartment in New York City. When a visitor arrives, their lives are turned upside down.
They are recruited in an adventure to search for a lost friend. This journey eventually leads to Australia where the friends encounter wildfires, climate-change disasters and a host of unsavory characters.
The plot and characters are rather complex for a young reader. Older readers are better equipped to understand the issues and appreciate the personality types presented.
Publisher: Jodi Dee Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 978-1736209363
Publisher’s Book Summary: Myles is an average thirteen-year-old boy until one day, Sally Munson shows up with purple pants on that look like a Halloween costume. As classmates tease and make fun of her, Myles starts to see these negative words as fireballs of energy being thrown at Sally. He finds himself in the middle of a war zone, invisible to everyone but him!
In a suspenseful, supernatural tale of self-discovery and friendship with constant, unexpected twists and turns, Myles tries to understand his newfound superpower. He not only learns about the energy exchange between humans but the energy of all things.
Myles and his friends discover the new ZS phone is stealing people’s energy. Follow Myles as he navigates this new reality and works to stop the theft of this energy with the help of his friends.
Jodi Dee is an award-winning author of the best-selling books The Dirt Girl and The Seeking Tree. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and History and a Master’s in Education from Clark University. She is a dedicated mother of three with more than twenty years of experience in education. Jodi is a passionate advocate and teacher of self-love, self-awareness, emotional mastery, and empowering children to learn through independence, creativity, self-exploration, and discovery.
OUT OF THIS WORLD Energy Wars: The Awakening Written by Jodi Dee
This book is the first of a new series of thrilling adventures. Dee succeeds in developing interesting and complex characters that challenge the imagination, but also compels the middle- grade reader to pay attention to the important underlying messages.
The protagonist, Myles, is a typical thirteen-year-old who lives in a somewhat dysfunctional family. His father pays him little attention, and his mother disappeared shortly after his birth. One day his ordinary life is transformed by the discovery of a superpower. He learns about his mission to spread happiness through his ability to observe the energy fields of others.
As Myles draws his two closest friends into the mystery, they research the science and psychology of energy fields. The plot comes to a climax when Myles’ grandfather gifts him five boxes that belonged to his grandmother revealing more strange truths.
Readers won’t want to put the book down until all is revealed. The ending sets up the next installment.
GIVEAWAY
Readers who follow the tour can enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a hardcover copy of Energy Wars: The Awakening. One grand prize winner will win one of the signed first copies of the second book in the series, releasing in Fall 2025.
Daily Confidence Boosters Checklist Goal: Help your child build confidence through daily, simple actions that promote self-awareness, self-expression, and resilience.
Encourage Self-Expression • How: Give your child a chance to express themselves creatively each day, whether through drawing, writing, dancing, or speaking up about their feelings. • Why: Self-expression is key to developing a strong sense of identity and confidence in their own voice.
Morning Affirmations • How: Encourage your child to start their day with a positive statement. They can say something like, “I am strong, I am kind, I can do hard things.” • Why: Affirmations set a positive tone for the day, helping children build a mindset of self-belief and optimism.
Small Wins Celebration • How: At the end of the day, ask your child to share one thing they accomplished, no matter how small (e.g., “I finished my homework on time” or “I was kind to my friend”). • Why: Recognizing small successes builds momentum, reinforcing the idea that progress happens one step at a time.
“Challenge of the Day” • How: Introduce a fun, simple challenge each morning. Examples include: “Try to help someone today” or “Try to ask a question when you don’t know something.” • Why: Overcoming small challenges teaches children resilience and encourages problem-solving skills.
Body Language Power Pose • How: Teach your child to stand in a “power pose” for a few seconds each day—legs apart, hands on hips, standing tall. Do this before school or big events (like tests or presentations). • Why: Body language can have a huge impact on confidence. This quick physical exercise helps them feel strong and capable.
Kindness Check • How: Ask your child, “What kind thing did you do for someone else today?” or “How were you kind to yourself today?” • Why: Acts of kindness, whether for others or themselves, build emotional strength and empathy, both of which are essential to self-confidence.
“I’m Grateful For…” Journal • How: Encourage your child to write down one thing they are grateful for each day, even if it’s just something small. • Why: Focusing on gratitude helps shift their mindset away from what’s missing and towards what’s already good in their life, promoting a positive, resilient outlook.
Compliment Swap • How: Make it a daily habit to share compliments with each other as a family. You can go around the dinner table and say one nice thing about someone. • Why: Giving and receiving compliments helps children recognize their own strengths and the strengths of others.
Try Something New • How: Ask your child to try something new every day, even if it’s small, like trying a new food or solving a different type of puzzle. • Why: Trying new things helps them get comfortable with taking risks, learning, and expanding their comfort zone—all crucial for building confidence.
“Bounce Back” Reflection • How: At the end of the day, reflect with your child on something that didn’t go as planned. Discuss how they handled it and what they learned. • Why: This teaches children that setbacks are part of life and provides a chance to learn resilience and perseverance.
How to Use This Checklist:
• Age-Appropriate: Tailor these activities based on your child’s age and personality. • Consistency is Key: Pick a few of these to try each day, and be consistent over time. Little habits build big confidence! • Reflection Together: Spend a few minutes talking with your child about how they felt after each activity to deepen the experience.
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Bembe’s Heart: An old as Earth…this is a story about a boy born without a heart but full of his mother’s love
Written and Illustrated by Marin Darmonkow
This book is a beautifully illustrated folk tale that delivers a message of hope, resilience, dedication, and love.
Readers meet Bembe, a boy born with no heart. That does not deter him from working harder than most, laboring in the fields with his mother by day, and helping her at night while she knits ponchos to make ends meet. All the villagers believe Bembe will not survive.
On the eve of Bembe reaching maturity, the shaman comes to visit their home to see what will happen. The story builds to a climax as the shaman and Bembe’s mother wait. Readers have no idea what to expect.
This book is suggested for elementary age readers, but I feel its message will be better understood by readers in the eight to twelve age range.
Highly recommended reading for parents and teachers to include on their bookshelf.
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Troubles and Doubles and Reflections Askew: The Case of the Two Emily Soos
Written by Dr. Drew Palacio
Illustrated by Apolline Etienne
A common dilemma. Emily is going to a party and doesn’t know what to wear. Looking at herself in the mirror, nothing looks right. Suddenly, the mirror begins talking to her? Can Emily find the courage to stand up for her convictions and show the world the real Emily?
I really enjoyed the crisp rhymes that employ lively language of sounds and alliterative phrases that roll off the tongue and make this book a delightful read aloud. Illustrations portray the emotions beautifully. Young readers get the message to stand up and use affirmations to transmit their true feelings to others.
I highly recommend parents, teachers, and counselors place this book on their must read bookshelves.
This is book two of a series of books that assist preteens in dealing with emotions. The subject of this one is pride. Mintner begins by explaining the two types of pride, the first rightfully acknowledging accomplishments, and the second which originates from ego and a false sense of superiority.
Billy has an argument with his best friend, Ant. When Ant ignores him and finds new friends, Billy becomes jealous and resentful. Deciding he knows better, Billy hangs out with older children who soon offer him the opportunity to make wrong choices and get into trouble. When Billy steals Ant’s bike, it seems as if their friendship might be lost forever.
Can Billy find a way to return to his former self and restore his values? This book is accompanied with an activity book that children can use to reinforce the book’s message.
Recommended for children ages seven through nine who are beginning to experience independence and the new emotions which accompany it.
A fun picture book to delight young dinosaur fans.
Luke is playing in his backyard when dinosaurs suddenly appear. He and his friends spend the day playing with several different types of dinosaurs giving young readers a lesson about them. The children go to the playground, play catch, play hide and seek, and share dinner with their new friends.
The children encounter some difficulties playing with their unique new friends. They must learn teamwork and cooperation to accommodate their dinosaur friends’ needs. The book teaches these lessons as well as empathy and the value of friendship.
Preschoolers may find the book a bit difficult but the illustrations fill in the gaps. Probably better suited to kindergarten and primary grades.
Faithful Trail: Women’s FictionHistorical Saga (Courage on the Oregon Trail: Book 2
Written by A. T. Butler
This book is a work of historical fiction appropriate for adults and young adults.
Olivia is an Virginia orphan raised by her aunt and uncle who treat her with little dignity. Her monotonous life changes when she meets a preacher and falls in love. When he decides to join a wagon train and head West to Oregon, she anticipates a great adventure but finds more hardship along the route. Will she be liberated by this marriage and promise of a new independent life or will she continue to find disappointment?
For the most part, the book is a historically accurate telling of life on the Oregon trail. The author reflects the experience from the point of view of different characters in the story. On the other hand, the book is marred by errors in proofreading which detracts from the flow of the story.
Fans of historical fiction will find it an enjoyable read.
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Jake and the Gingerbread Wars ( A Gryphon Chronicles Christmas Novella)
Written by E. G. Foley
This book is part of a series. It is intended to be a stand alone read, but it would help to have some background before reading it.
Jake and his cousins are no strangers to adventure, mystery, and time travel. In this Christmas novella, they set off to find Humbug, a renegade Christmas elf who is intent on spoiling Christmas. They chase him to the North Pole. Along the way, they teach readers about myths, Santa, and even incorporate the Nativity story and bits of Shakespeare.
Middle grade and older readers enjoy a feel good nostalgic read focusing on the Christmas season. A clean read appropriate for ages ten and older.
This middle-grade book will be especially enjoyed by preteen girls. Lilah is a twelve-year-old seventh grader who faces a myriad of challenges.
In the opening scene, Lilah is at her mother’s wedding when she is stuck by lightning. Fortunately, she is not seriously hurt and makes a quick recovery. Unfortunately, there is one lasting result. She now has acquired the qualities of a medium and hears dead voices. Lilah encounters them at home and in school. She cannot seem to get rid of them.
How much can a twelve-year-old handle? Lilah really wants to go to the school dance with Andrew, her crush, but she keeps hearing his dead father’s voice. Lilah’s own father doesn’t want to take her advice. An eighth-grade girl is bullying her. Lilah somehow copes with all of these problems with a sense of humor.
Middle-school readers of divorced families, victims of bullies, those adjusting to fitting in with peers and family relationship difficulties will empathize with Lilah and her struggles.
Highly recommended for the middle school audience.
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February 23, 2025
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