This book is written from the perspective of a dog named Oreo.
Children are brought through the activities of Oreo’s family as they prepare for the Christmas season and hope for snow. The rhyming text consists of a few lines that are written in large print that is easy to read. Illustrations are large and expressive, matching the mood and building the anticipation of the story.
Recommended for families with children aged one and older.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
A book that celebrates a tradition that many families share: visiting a Christmas tree farm to find and cut the perfect Christmas tree.
One unusual Christmas tree has been passed over by visitors for many years, but when a boy and his family enter the farm this year, the ugly tree finally gets a chance to shine. This particular boy is attracted to the misshapen tree because he has also experienced gossip and mistreatment due to a scar on his face. When the boy spies the tree, he is immediately drawn to it. He convinces his family that this is the perfect tree for them. After bringing it home and decorating it, the ugly tree becomes a thing of beauty.
This book is perfect for families and teaches children that beauty comes from the goodness within, not physical, outward appearances.
An appropriate choice for children of any age.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Bacon’s Very Important Christmas Job! (It’s Bacon’s World! Book 2)
Written and Illustrated by Tina Neely
Bacon, a pot-bellied pig, loves his family. He wants to be helpful. When his mom, dad, and grandma begin preparing for the Christmas holidays, Bacon tries his best to get involved. Unfortunately, he only gets in the way and gets rebuffed for his efforts.
This book series is based on the exploits of the author’s pet pig. Children get a preview with a genuine photo included at the end of the tale. I like the interactive feature, which requests readers to count the number of hearts on each page.
This book is a perfect holiday choice for families of primary grade readers.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Skelly the GIANT Skeleton: A Hilarious Modern Day Halloween Book Parody Tribute to the GIANT Halloween Community!
Written by Hailee Oman
Illustrated by William Velasco
The illustrations in this book are creative and original. Rhymes hit the mark.
The author uses parody to illustrate the limits some people will go to in celebrating and decorating holidays like Halloween. Skelly is the physical manifestation of overindulgence.
Children and adults will laugh at the ridiculous scenario. The book is appropriate for all ages.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
This short book chronicles the hopes of a girl who is transitioning from middle school to high school. Bethany anticipates new adventures and opportunities that await her in the Fall. Her best friend, Shelby provides support in this coming-of-age tale.
The girls are determined to find a boyfriend and secure a first kiss. Most of the action centers around the two friends’ attempts to find independence and develop self-confidence. The book is an easy and fast read.
I would recommend it for tweens in this age group who are interested in a quick summer read.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
An interesting coming-of-age story for middle-grade and young adult readers.
Bella Burke desperately wants to be an actress. She lives outside of London. Her family is not wealthy, and they do not have unlimited resources to make her dreams come true.
Bella receives an opportunity to attend a local high school where she will be able to receive acting training, but she will also have to apply herself to singing and dancing lessons. These are not Bella’s strong suits. Can she muster the strength to put out the extra effort required to achieve her goals?
The author portrays Bella’s struggle to cope with the competition, the jealousies, and difficulties of succeeding in an industry fraught with challenges. Bella’s mom is her number one advocate, but her father harbors doubts and fears about his daughter’s chances of success.
This book inspires readers who aspire to find their own path to success.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
The Midwife of Parramatta River: Life, Love, and Childbirth on the Australian Frontier
Written by Werner Stejskal
For fans of historical fiction, this short novel is a good choice.
Set in the early nineteenth century in the rugged frontier of New South Wales colony, the protagonist is Sergeant James Graham, who is a member of the Coldstream Guards. The journey to Australia is long and dangerous. Upon his arrival, Graham builds a cottage and divides his long days between duties of a police guard and a struggling farmer.
Graham is lonely and soon writes to his brother seeking a good English woman who would be willing to settle in this untamed land. He finds a strong woman who soon helps him build a midwife practice along the Parramatta River.
The story depicts the difficult life in the early Australian frontier and reveals a tender love story. It is a moving historical portrait of the difficult life of pioneers in a setting unfamiliar to most readers.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Alex teaches Mateo a valuable food lesson. After finishing lunch, the two friends are ready to get rid of the trash. Alex shows Mateo the compost bin and explains how it can be used to grow more nutritious food.
They teach readers that not all trash can be composted. Their friends, Mr. Squiggles, the worm, and some friendly bees, join to complete the process.
At the end of the book, parents and teachers find a list of questions for children to answer, and a step-by-step list of directions for creating their own compost bin.
Another book in this author’s series that I recommend highly for preschool and primary grade readers.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
The Dinosaur Tree: A Calming Bedtime Story That Teaches Mindfulness Through Imagination | Dinosaur Adventure for Kids Ages 3-9 | Perfect for Restless Bedtimes
Written and Illustrated by Evan Collier
This beautifully illustrated dinosaur adventure is written in the second person. The author encourages the reader to lie back, close their eyes, and imagine being transported to a dinosaur jungle that existed long ago.
A young boy envisions his bedroom transformed into a giant tree, which he climbs to enter the dinosaur world. As he climbs, he meets creatures of this world and draws himself deeper into the ancient dinosaur world. What will happen when he awakens?
The soft, colorful, and expressive illustrations enhance the mood of this bedtime story, especially recommended for preschoolers, but appropriate for any school-age reader.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
The Lightborn Generation : Children of the Light and the Future of Humanity
Written by Werner Stejskal
Children of the Light is a reflective novel that invites readers into a world where inner transformation, consciousness, and the search for truth take center stage. Werner Stejskal crafts a narrative that blends storytelling with philosophy.
Stejskal’s writing leans into themes of enlightenment, self-discovery, and the interconnectedness of humanity. Readers who enjoy contemplative or metaphysical literature will likely find the book meaningful.
One of the novel’s strengths is its tone, which is calm, introspective, and often poetic. The author explores big questions: Why are we here? What does it mean to live authentically? How do we move beyond fear and limitation? These elements make the book feel almost like a guided meditation at times.
However, readers looking for a traditional, plot-driven story may find the pacing slow. The narrative prioritizes ideas over action. That said, for the right audience, this is precisely what makes the book impactful.
Children of the Light is best suited for readers who appreciate spiritual fiction and are open to exploring deeper questions about life and consciousness. It is an invitation to think, reflect, and perhaps see the world a little differently.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
August 12, 2026
bamauthor
You must be logged in to post a comment.