Grateful Hearts: A Children’s Book about Gratitude, Feelings and Emotions, and Animals
Written and illustrated by Emily Hartmann
This is an adorable picture book filled with soft and beautiful illustrations of animals. It is appropriate for babies and toddlers. Each page spread features an animal family sharing their thanks and wonder for another day. There are only two lines of simple rhyming text.
A charming book to share and celebrate family love with babies and toddlers.
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Unstoppable Girls: 10 Inspiring Stories of Courage, Kindness, and Believing in Yourself (The Unstoppable Series)
Written by Manish Chamoli
Ten short stories for modern-day elementary and middle school girls. The characters in each meet the challenges girls face as they grow up in this generation. These characters learn patience, self-confidence, and resilience. They discover the value of friendship and how to handle bullying. Perhaps the most valuable section of the book is the page of reflective questions that follows each story. It guides the reader to understand the lesson and how to implement it in their own lives.
This book can be read as a series of bedtime stories, read aloud or in a group discussion. It provides readers with strong female role models and practical advice.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King is a fast, funny, manga-inspired graphic novel that blends fantasy adventure with heart, humor, and family appeal. When a cheeky underdog hero is pulled into a world of monsters, doppelgängers, and an army of rats, Zicky must rely on wit, courage, and unlikely friendships to survive. Bursting with kinetic action, playful mischief, and relatable growing pains, Zicky is a perfect gateway to manga for younger readers and a joyful, high-energy adventure for kids, teens, and families alike.
Praise: “Smart, energetic graphic novel blending fantasy and touching real-life emotion. Cape smashes expectations and keeps the pages pleasurably turning, all while grounding the chaotic story in the growing pains of children and the anxieties of the adults raising them.” —Booklife
Shawn Hainsworth is the creator and writer, as Darin S. Cape, of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King. The story began as bedtime adventures he invented for his own children, with Shawn playing the role of Zicky, a super-secret ninja who went on adventures while everyone else was asleep. Those family stories eventually grew into the world of Zicky, a graphic novel celebrating imagination, courage, family, and the hero inside every kid. Shawn lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife, two teens, and two hound dogs. He is the publisher of SHP Comics and is currently working on the sequel, Zicky: The Cursed Blade.
Zeno Decrux is an accomplished illustrator and comic artist with over nine years of experience in the international independent comics scene. His work spans a diverse range of comics and manga titles, where he brings a dynamic, expressive style and a strong commitment to quality on every project. Passionate about storytelling through visuals, Zeno continues to push his craft forward with each new collaboration.
Jorge Luis Gabotto, also known as Hiorsh, is an Argentine cartoonist and writer from Mar del Plata. A visual arts teacher, puppeteer, and musician, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to storytelling. For him, comics are a fusion of art and literature—a cinematic form that combines movement, atmosphere, and emotion. His work explores themes of love, time, and perception, offering readers a personal and poetic vision of the world.
MY BOOK REVIEW:
Day vs night. Immediately, the reader recognizes that Zicky transforms himself into a hero everynight.
The images conjured up in Zicky’s dreams are reflected in vivid colors and daring action shots. Zicky might lead a dull daily existence, but every night he becomes a superhero fighting against the army of rats. The book is broken into five chapters, which makes it a good choice for a beginning reader or for an adult to read aloud and then discuss with the child. Young readers enter a cinematic world that literally moves the reader and involves him as an active participant in the adventure.
The author suggests an audience of nine plus, but younger children interested in action adventure will be mesmerized with this appealing graphic novel.
Shep begins his life as an overzealous pup. He has a large head and teeth. Shep is clumsy and frequently finds himself in trouble. Soon his owners reject him and he finds himself homeless until one day he encounters a lonely man. Can these two find friendship and a happy home? Will Shep grow up to find acceptance and his place in the world?
This is a short book that is appropriate as a bedtime story. It appeals to children who enjoy animals and stories about family pets, friendship, and individual differences.
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Soli Wants to Sniff EVERYTHING!: A Funny Interactive Picture Book About Curiosity, Impulse Control, Boundaries, Safe Choices, Listening, and Knowing When … Bedtime) (Soli’s Silly Adventures 2)
This book is part of a series about a solenodon. You have probably never heard of it. Solenodons are large shrew-like mammals.
In this tale, the solenodon cannot contain his impulse to sniff everything he encounters. That might be a sandwich, cake, shoe or sock. Lots of humor in the illustrations. Readers are asked to interact and give opinions on whether to smell or not.
The book is a helpful way to discuss issues like impulsivity, make safe decisions, and learn impulse control. It provides a non-threatening way to help primary grade readers to handle their behaviors.
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Stephen is excited. National Good Deeds Week is coming up soon. He loves the challenge of finding good deeds to show kindness to others and cannot wait to accomplish his checklist.
Despite his good intentions, Stephen is disappointed when some of his ideas go terribly wrong. He must learn to readjust, persevere, and find alternative solutions. This book teaches elementary school readers lessons about kindness, empathy, and resilience.
This book is a good teaching tool for parents and teachers who want to explore these issues with their children.
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I Love You More Than Anything: Children’s Book About Emotions and Feelings, Toddlers, Preschool Kids
Written and illustrated by Emily Hartmann
This is a perfect read aloud or bedtime story for toddlers and preschoolers. It provides parents or teachers with a perfect way to discuss the variety of emotions a young child feels. The book communicates the important message that a parent always loves its child no matter what emotion is present.
The illustrations portray animal and child scenes with typical emotions like fear, anger, frustration, shyness, or sadness. Each contains four lines of rhyming text that are easy for a young reader to understand.
As a parent and educator, I highly recommend this one for preschoolers and toddlers.
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A Sister for Me: A Sweet Rhyming Picture Book of Sisters, Love, and Letting Go
Written by Olga Beaman
The book explores the different experiences and emotions that can only be shared by sisters. It narrates the journey of two sisters from the time they are little until adulthood.
The rhymes are simple and easy to read. Illustrations are large and expressive.
I would espeially recommend the book for preschoolers. This book might also be a good choice for families expecting a baby sister.
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Marigold Twinkletooth and the Star-Coin Surprise: A Tooth Fairy Tale
Written by Jamie Kucia
Ariel is a bit nervous. She will play her first T-ball game tomorrow, and she is about to lose her first tooth.
As Ariel prepares for bed, the loose tooth pops out. She places it under her pillow and wonders whether the Tooth Fairy will visit her. Her question is soon answered. When the Tooth Fairy arrives, she appears confused and flustered. This is a different kind of tooth fairy, filled with humor and zany antics. The glossary and Tooth Fairy message add to the fun of this interactive tale.
What kind of wish will the Tooth Fairy grant Ariel? Can Ariel find the confidence to play T-ball?
This Readers’ Favorite Award winner will delight preschool and primary grade readers. Read it aloud to appreciate the onomatopoeic words and sounds.
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Hai uses poetry combined with the beauty of nature to convey a message of unconditional love. This book allows a parent or grandparent to give young children an outlet from a stress-filled world.
The digital images of animals and natural scenes portray a vision of calm and beauty. Hai manages to reduce the rhymes to no more than two lines, which perfectly convey meaning.
This book should be read aloud before bedtime as a perfect way to prepare for a restful sleep. I would especially recommend it for children in the four-to-seven age range.
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October 28, 2026
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