Magical Stories: A Collection of Short Stories for Children Aged 3-103
Written by Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth
A collection of ten short stories that stimulate the imagination. While I would not classify this book as a picture book, each story starts with an illustration of the main character.
The characters include many favorite types such as dragons, elves, fairies, tigers, and mermaids. It is equally appealing to male or female readers. The average length of the tales is approximately five pages, making it ideal as a bedtime story or classroom read-aloud. Each includes a moral lesson for young minds to ponder and appreciate.
Adults may enjoy reading them along with their children.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO RECEIVE NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Publisher’s Book Summary: The Night Everything Changed: A Magical Story of Growing Up Fast and Learning Who You Are
What if you woke up tomorrow… a different person?
In Al’s Journey, young readers are invited into the magical story of a boy who grows up overnight—and must learn what it means to grow truly. With dreamlike illustrations and a message that resonates with kids and adults alike, this gentle parable offers a meaningful bedtime read and a touching reminder of the changes we all go through.
Perfect for ages 5 to 9, this book explores:
The mystery and beauty of growing up
Emotional self-awareness for young readers
Gentle lessons in identity, transformation, and empathy
Give your child a story they’ll never forget—with a lesson that will stay with them forever.
Can a child grow up overnight?
Al’s Journey is a magical tale about an orphan boy and his wise grandfather, the shaman of a gold-obsessed tribe that disregarded eating and sleeping while searching for the yellow metal. On his 100th birthday, the shaman announces to Al that it is time for him to begin his own life journey. The boy must climb the mountain alone to reach the roofless sacred hut of the old shaman, where he can ask God crucial questions. As Al makes his way up the mountain peak guided by mystical fireflies, he faces challenges that test his courage and strength. When he finally reaches the summit, Al asks the creator profound questions about the true meaning of life. The valuable experience of the voyage and the response of the supreme being help Al grow mentally, emotionally, and physically overnight and become the healer his tribe needs.
His name is Marin* and he marinates his picture books in a creative concoction brewed on the very beach of the Atlantic East Coast. Marin writes the stories, illustrates the pages, designs the covers, arranges the layout of the elements, and publishes the books. Sometimes he creates new fonts for his titles to make them complete pieces of art. His food-for-thought creations contain only natural ingredients. They are nutrient-dense and perfect for a balanced brain diet.
WARNING: Marin’s books tend to inspire young readers!
*Recipient of the Literary Titan Book Award, Wishing Shelf Book Award, and Creative Child Magazine 2025 Picture Book of the Year; 2024 American Book Fest finalist
This stunningly illustrated picture book offers much food for thought for beginning readers. Marin relates a familiar tale of greed, portraying villages that forget the importance of human dignity while relentlessly pursuing their quest for gold and material wealth. Alongside that storyline, an elderly shaman struggles to train his young adopted grandson to assume the responsibilities as the village shaman. This young boy, Al, climbs the mountain to answer three questions and save his people.
Adults reading this book aloud are given multiple opportunities to explore deeper questions, such as the spiritual nature of God and the important values of life, including empathy and the dignity of the human spirit. Al must learn to assess his own strengths and abilities as well as his frailties. Readers are then encouraged to evaluate their own.
GIVEAWAY
Everyone who enters the giveaway will receive links to download two of Marin’s creations: a free e-book and a free audiobook! One grand prize winner will receive $200 via PayPal along with the audio version of Al’s Journey. Another winner will receive $50 via PayPal and the audiobook, and a third winner will receive $20 via PayPal and the audiobook.
A cute picture book that will stimulate the imagination of the youngest readers. The author poses simple questions concerning common mysteries like “Why does buttered toast always land butter-side down?” and “Why does the internet get slow” Those little ghostly gremlins just might be responsible.
This book about ghosts presents them as non-threatening and not scary. The humor and light-hearted illustrations makes this book a great choice for a read aloud or bedtime story. Appropriate and fun for all ages beginning with preschool.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
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.
The author targets this approximately 125 page book for readers ages eight through twelve but it can also serve as a read aloud or early beginning chapter book for younger children.
Santa and the elves are getting a nagging feeling that something is wrong. Sure enough, they soon discover that the Sorrow King has escaped and his mission is to destroy the Christmas spirit. Leo, one of the elder elves, decides to take on the nemesis. He teams up with a young, human girl named Ava.
This short book is a combination of fantasy and adventure. Can this dynamic duo banish the Sorrow King and restore the true Christmas spirit?
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO GET BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Publisher’s Book Summary: Bubba and Squirt are back for another rousing quest as they travel through the mysterious vortex to Paris, France. It’s another wild adventure as they track down art thieves, encounter terrifying monsters, and discover the whereabouts of their missing father.
Will they make it out alive or join the rest of the skeletons in the City of Bones?
Coming Soon: The fourth book in the series, Bubba and Squirt’s Shield of Athena, will be released on May 7, 2024, and the final book, Bubba and Squirt’s Legend of the Lost Pearl, will be released in September 2024.
Sherry Ellis is an award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the world. Ellis has previously published Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China; Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure;Don’t Feed the Elephant; Ten Zany Birds; That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN; and That Mama is a Grouch. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information about her work, she invites you to visit her website at www.sherryellis.org.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
NO BONES ABOUT IT
Bubba and Squirt City of Bones (Book 3 in the series)
Written by Sherry Ellis
This is the third book in a series featuring siblings, Bubba, and his younger sister, Squirt. In their first adventure, they travel through time back to Xian, China and the second hurls them back to the Mayan Empire. Each journey leads to a mystery they must solve and the possibility of never returning to the present.
This third adventure finds the pair falling through a vortex to ancient catacombs in Paris where they will encounter lots of creepy skeletons and nefarious characters in their attempt to rescue their father. The author relates the story with each sibling taking turns narrating the tale chapter by chapter. Combining history, fantasy, and a mystery adventure with lots of twists and turns creates a winning combination for middle grade readers, though I must admit it holds the interest of adults as well. Ellis supplies a glossary of information and a recipe as bonus items.
I highly recommend this educational and entertaining read for anyone age eight and older.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win an autographed copy of Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones and a $50 Amazon gift card!
Written by Geraldine V. Oates-Sese, Ph.D Illustrated by Franchesca A. Guerrero
Children who are unfamiliar with birding may be inspired to become nature lovers after reading this book. Highly recommended for elementary and middle grade readers.
I loved this colorful picture book packed with so much knowledge.
The protagonist, Melusine, enjoys bird watching. One day she notices an unfamiliar sound outside her window. Melusine travels to her multicultural neighborhood to identify this bird. Along her journey, readers learn about the songs and calls of many birds. In addition, Melusine’s trip to the market with her parents exposes readers to the different languages spoken by members of her community.
The author provides a comprehensive summary of each bird call and a glossary of the terms expressed by humans in the various languages spoken in the market. This book portrays a beautiful message of the diversity and inclusive sounds emitted by human and feathered friends.
Children who are unfamiliar with birding may be inspired to become nature lovers after reading this book. Highly recommended for elementary and middle grade readers.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO RECEIVE NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
The Feather Chase: (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 1)
Written by Shannon L. Brown
The Feather Chase: (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 1)
Written by Shannon L. Brown
This is the first book in a new crime-fighting mystery series for middle-grade readers. Sophie is staying with her cousin, Jessica, for the summer. The twelve-year-old cousins share an affinity for adventures and mysteries.
While walking along a trail, the cousins discover a briefcase filled with feathers. They bring their prize to the local sheriff who immediately decides to assist them in their newest adventure.
The plot moves quickly, and the characters remind me of a Nancy Drew book. I believe it has the most appeal for readers in fifth or sixth grade. The characters are interesting and plot details sustain the mystery.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Adventure in Butrint National Park (Magilicious Journeys Book 1)
Written by Barbara Pinke
Illustrated by Tehreem Igbal
Siblings Simon and Olivia experience mixed emotions when waking up in a new house. They feel sadness at friends left behind but nervous anticipation of new adventures.
That anticipation is heightened when they discover a magical book hidden in the floorboards of Olivia’s room. They decide to visit Butrint National Park in Albania as they already possess a keepsake to activate their time travel. Soon they whisk readers off making a new acquaintance who serves as a tourist guide.
Not long after, tragedy strikes when a precious statue is stolen. The siblings must confront a band of pirates. Will Olivia and Simon find their way home safely? The answer is at the end of this first book in a series, perfect for new chapter book readers. The book is packed with information about Albania. There are a plethora of learning activities including mazes, puzzles, reading comprehension, and design activities which also appeal to middle-grade readers.
Highly recommend this series to parents and teachers of children ages eight and older.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
Sea Serpent of Science: a fun and fast-paced chapter book series for kids 8-11(Junkyard Adventures Book 2)
Written by Tevi Hansen
Siblings Eli and Grace find themselves back at Uncle Larry’s antique store shopping with their dad for a second-hand ladder. This is another book of the Junkyard Adventure series which opens up the door to adventure and learning for beginning chapter book readers.
In this adventure, readers are treated to an adventure with a sea serpent who is a marine biologist who guides them on a scavenger hunt. Finds include rare jellyfish, underground caves, pufferfish, and some pretty creepy specimens of marine life. All is not smooth sailing because a sixty foot shark attempts to block their way.
Eli and Grace are determined to finish their quest. Readers learn marine science while being immersed in an undersea adventure. Recommended particularly for ages seven through eleven.
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.
October 8, 2025
bamauthor
Comments Off on CLOSE YOUR EYES AND FEEL THE MAGIC
Barbara Ann Mojica's BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.