This post is sponsored by Alysson Foti Bourque. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Written by Alysson Foti Bourque

Illustrated by Chiara Civati

Ages 4+ | 32 Pages

Publisher: Pelican Publishing | ISBN-13: 9781455627790

Publisher’s Book Summary: It’s Sunday, the day before the school week begins, and Alycat is nervous. She just knows that Monday is going to be the Mondayest Monday ever! On the playground, Alycat realizes she isn’t the only one suffering from the Sunday Scaries. It’s hard to ride a bike. What if Kit falls? The treehouse is so high. Will Spotty make it safely back down? The kittens band together to overcome their fears, but can they turn the Sunday Scaries into a Sunday Funday? The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity toward problem-solving.

Fans of Alycat and her friends will enjoy spotting references to the kittens’ daily adventures within these pages. Tips for a successful lemonade stand are included!

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alysson Bourque began her career as a teacher after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education and went on to earn a law degree from Southern University Law Center in 2007.

After practicing law for nearly eight years, it was time to trade in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books and collaborating with non-profits to support philanthropic initiatives such as Foster the Love with First Lady Donna Edwards, Lafayette Walk to Defeat ALS, The Family Tree, Operation Shower, Wild Cat Foundation, and Hayley’s Bracelet fundraiser to benefit Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Her series has won over 23 awards and has received glowing reviews.

Find Alyson and Alycat online at www.alycatseries.com.

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MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

WE CAN DO IT!

Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Written by Alysson Foti Bourque

Illustrated by Chiara Civati

Another delightful picture book in the Alycat series, which teaches young children how to overcome problems, work cooperatively, and create lasting friendships.

In this adventure, Alycat confides in her mother that although it is Sunday, she is already imagining a Monday full of her worst fears. Her mother urges her to enjoy her Sunday and play with her friends.

Alycat and her friends go bike riding but soon find that their friend Kit needs help and encouragement. After overcoming this problem, the friends encounter Spotty in trouble at his treehouse. What can they do to help?

The book series contains attractive easy to read text and bright illustrations. Most importantly, primary grade readers learn the value of developing strong friendships, teamwork, and ways to solve problems creatively and with compassion.

A highly recommended series for children ages four through eight.

GIVEAWAY

Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of the book and three adorable Alycat plush toys!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

https://gleam.io/OTV8X/alycat-and-the-sunday-scaries-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, March 18, 2024The Children’s Book ReviewBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Tuesday, March 19, 2024Deliciously SavvyBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Wednesday, March 20, 2024Confessions of a Book AddictBook Giveaway of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Thursday, March 21, 2024Life Is What It’s CalledAn Interview with Alysson Foti Bourque

Friday, March 22, 2024icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Monday, March 25, 2024Country Mamas with KidsBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Tuesday, March 26, 2024Pages for PaigeBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Wednesday, March 27, 2024The Growing Readers PodcastAn Interview with Alysson Foti Bourque

Wednesday, March 27, 2024Barbara Ann MojicaBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Thursday, March 28, 2024Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Friday, March 29, 2024Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Monday, April 1, 2024One More ExclamationBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Tuesday, April 2, 2024Cover Lover Book ReviewBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Wednesday, April 3, 2024A Blue Box Full of BooksBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Thursday, April 4, 2024My Reading GetawayBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Friday, April 5, 2024The Fairview ReviewBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Monday, April 8, 2024Book Zone ReviewsBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Tuesday, April 9, 2024Twirling Book PrincessBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Wednesday, April 10, 2024Me Two BooksAn Interview with Alysson Foti Bourque

Thursday, April 11, 2024Joanna’s BookshelfBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Friday, April 12, 2024The Momma SpotBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Monday, April 15, 2024Mrs. Makes Reading FunBook Review of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

Get Out Your Paper

Written by Renee Hayes

Illustrated by Rochelle Steder

An illustrated rhyming book with a twist. The protagonist, a young boy who hates writing, gets a writing assignment in class. He daydreams about the many activities he would prefer. While, he is a good student, he just cannot decide on a writing topic. Desperate, he scribbles all his ideas on paper in random fashion. When lunchtime arrives, the teacher collects all the papers.

The boy assumes he will fail. What do you think will happen? The plot thickens.

I especially appreciated the multicultural illustrations which also include students with disabilities. All children can identify with the characters in this inspirational read for students in the six to ten age group.

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The Donkeys Jesus Chose: A Catholic Chapter Storybook

Written by Christine Calabrese

A beautiful early reader for Christian families to describe the events leading up to Palm Sunday and the profound affect it had on one family.

Joshua, his wife, Miriam, and their disabled daughter, Mara lived a humble life in a small village. They have a stubborn, donkey named Sapphire who is about to give birth. Sapphire refuses to allow anyone to ride her. Mara must face the bullying of the village children who taunt her as a cripple. In those times, a handicap was often seen as a sign of sin. Mara has one true friend, Hannah, who tells her about Jesus, the Messiah.

As the village prepares for Passover, the family hears that Jesus will enter Jerusalem in a procession. Mara pleads to go. Then an unexpected request comes from a stranger to use the family donkeys for the Messiah in the procession. How will this request and the miracle that follows change the life of this humble family?

Along with the touching tale containing lessons of empathy, compassion, resilience, and hope, children are treated to the beautiful, colored pencil drawings of a budding young artist, Anna Williams who illustrates the chapters. As a bonus for young readers, the author includes a link to learn all about donkeys.

This book is especially recommended to Christian families and beginning chapter book readers.

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The Very Hungry Spider (Silly Wood Tale)

Written by E. B. Adams

This is a very short picture book with a quirky sense of humor. It consists of short rhymes from a spider who catches a fly in its web. It appears that this spider is a picky-eater because it refuses to eat the fly. On subsequent days, the spider catches more flies and continues to protest. How do the flies feel about their predicament? Does the spider learn a lesson?

The book might appeal to young children who enjoy silly stories. It is fun to read-aloud. This author uses speech bubbles and the layout is similar to a comic book format. There is little educational value. A simple book for primary grade readers.

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Ocean Full of Wonder

Written by Anna Smithers

Illustrated by Nino Aptsiauri

I love how this author presents the ocean topic. Children learn about twelve examples of sea creatures that inhabit the ocean, and the life cycle of plant life that interact with them. Then the author discusses the problems that modern-day life has imposed on the oceans and the life within them.

The author uses crisp rhymes with challenging vocabulary that is highlighted in colors that pop off the page. Human characters represent the many cultures that inhabit our planet and how they can work together to sustain it. At the end of the book, readers receive an opportunity to go back and identify the creatures they learned about in the story. Then the author presents them with tangible and actionable steps they can take now to protect our oceans and its resources.

This interactive book should be part of libraries and classrooms. Parents who want to teach their children to be mindful of protecting our planet can count on this resource to put them on the right track.

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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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This post is sponsored by Purple Butterfly Press. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Written by Talar Hercuilian Coursey and Riley Herculian Coursey

Illustrated by Meri Andreasyan

Ages 4+ | 36 Pages

Publisher: Purple Butterfly Press (2024) | ISBN-13: 9781955119450

Publisher’s Book Summary: We have big feelings!

Sometimes we don’t know what to do with them or how to change our thoughts that cause these feelings. The first day of school can be scary, but “Furrapist” Jackson Johnson and cute pup Ralphy of Ralphy’s Rules for the Good Life are committed to helping a busload of kids understand and manage their big feelings. During the ride to school, Furrapist Jackson Johnson teaches the children that they can choose their emotions and decide how to respond to them. Ralphy and Jackson make the complicated subject of emotional intelligence accessible for kids to understand and, more importantly, implement in their everyday lives.

So hop on the bus with us, and let’s learn about how taking charge of our feelings can change our day!

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Talar Herculian Coursey is a lawyer by day and a children’s book author, Life Coach, and philanthropist by night (more like mornings). She has been a General Counsel since 2011 and recently joined ComplyAuto, a privacy/cybersecurity SAAS company. Before going in-house, she was a file clerk, associate, and partner at the national labor and employment law firm Fisher Phillips LLP. Talar is a co-author of both #Networked: How 20 Women Lawyers Overcame the Confines of COVID-19 Social Distancing to Create Connections, CultivateCommunity, & Build Businesses in the Midst of a Global Pandemic and Women In Law: Discovering the True Meaning of Success. Her first children’s book, Ralphy’s Rules for Living the Good Life, was published in 2021.

Talar has served as the President of the Salt Lake City Chapter of the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (“SOAR”) since 2015. SOAR, founded in 2005, supports orphanages in Syria, Lebanon and Armenia. She runs the Salt Lake City Half Marathon every year to raise money for SOAR in memory of her father. Net proceeds from her children’s books also go to SOAR. In addition to being a mother, wife, lawyer, life coach, and philanthropist, she is also a runner, yogi, and Jesus, Eckhart Tolle, Peloton, and Brandon Flowers groupie.

For more information, visit talaresq.com.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS EXPLAINED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Written by Talar and Riley Herculian Coursey

Illustrated by Meri Andreasyan

This is the second picture book in a series that defines and explains how to deal with emotions for elementary school age children.

Ralphy, a dog, drives the school bus and his friend Jackson Johnson, the Furrapist, sits next to him on the first day of school. As each child passenger enters the bus, Jackson asks how they are feeling. The children express feelings like excitement, sadness, nervousness, and tiredness. Jackson encourages each child to put this feeling on the front seat and decide later whether to leave it or take it with them when getting off the bus at school, teaching children that a feeling can be changed by thinking differently about it. The book portrays a wide range of feelings exhibited by multicultural children, which allows any reader to identify with the characters. At the end of the story, readers are encouraged to discuss their own feelings.

While the book is targeted for readers ages four through ten, it is relevant for a reader of any age. I would recommend it to parents and teachers for a read aloud and discussion.

GIVEAWAY

Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a classroom set that includes 25 copies of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

https://gleam.io/VfBnl/ralphys-rules-for-feelings-book-giveaway

  

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, January 22, 2024The Children’s Book ReviewBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Tuesday, January 23, 2024Me Two BooksA Storytime Activity Paired with Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Wednesday, January 24, 2024Life Is What It’s CalledAuthor Interview with Talar Herculian Coursey

Thursday, January 25, 2024The Fairview ReviewBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Friday, January 25, 2024Confessions of a Book AddictBook Spotlight of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Monday, January 29, 2024A Blue Box Full of BooksBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings and Little Free Library Drop

Tuesday, January 30, 2024icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Wednesday, January 31, 2024Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Thursday, February 1, 2024Cover Lover Book ReviewBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Friday, February 2, 2024One More ExclamationBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Monday, February 5, 2024Country Mamas with KidsBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Tuesday, February 6, 2024The Momma SpotBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Wednesday, February 7, 2024Barbara Ann MojicaBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Thursday, February 8, 2024Deliciously SavvyBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

Friday, February 9, 2024Stargirls Magical TaleBook Review of Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings

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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