Pennygirl is an adorable Lab mix who lived on a farm in Texas with Grandma Adeline. One day Pennygirl is called upon to help Grandma in a time of need. She does not realize it would be the last time she would see her home.
Grandma never returned to the farm, and Pennygirl finds herself in an animal rescue shelter. One day turns into the next, but Pennygirl never loses hope. After a time, Pennygirl learns she will be going to a new shelter, far away in Canada. Does this mean she will find her forever home?
This book is well-written with just enough challenging vocabulary. Though a picture book, it would be suitable as a beginning reader or middle-grade choice for a reluctant reader.
I would suggest it for children ages five through ten.
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A Place for Ace (Charlie Learns to Be a Cowboy Book 2)
Written by Danika Kester
Illustrated by Jeffrey Foster Thomas
A preschool picture book that teachers young readers about life on Grandpa’s ranch.
Charlie is excited because today his herding dog, Ace will begin training for herding cows. Ace accompanies Charlie on his rounds to complete chores. In each instance, Ace appears to be distracted but actually is warning Charlie of danger.
When the time for herd training arrives, Ace appears to again become distracted and undisciplined. Ace teaches children that the traditional pattern of behavior is not the only way to complete the job.
Especially recommended for ages three through five and children interested in ranching and animals.
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Publisher: Miranda Moose Publishers, LLC | ISBN-13: 9798988046004
Publisher’s Synopsis:Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice is a delightful tale about friendship, perseverance, and self-empowerment for ages 2-6. Follow Miranda as she embarks on an adventure to find her favorite drink! With the help of her farm animal friends, she discovers the power of self-reliance and realizes that what you need may only be as far as your own backyard! Filled with vivid illustrations and heartwarming rhymes, Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice will captivate your little ones and leave them with a valuable lesson.
As a stay-at-home mother, Melanie Brazdzionis spent much of her time engaging, educating, and entertaining her two children.
Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice was a result of those very efforts.
Prior to becoming a mother, Melanie wrote lyrics and music for her original rock band in the late 1980s. More recently, she launched a virtual assistant business to edit other people’s newsletters and websites. Her current focus is on creating and publishing stories to entertain other people’s children.
When Melanie is not writing, she is practicing yoga, playing piano, studying French, hiking, or traveling. Melanie lives with her husband in Connecticut.
Ning Loo has harbored a deep love for creating, sharing, admiring, and learning about art since childhood. Encouraged by her parents from a tender age, Ning’s early drawings, though crude, sparked admiration and encouragement from her family.
A graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a degree in biotechnology, Ning’s passion for drawing and painting has remained a constant throughout her life. She eagerly anticipates every opportunity to immerse herself in her beloved art supplies, finding solace and joy in the creative process.
When presented with the chance to illustrate Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice, Ning’s excitement knew no bounds; she couldn’t help but do a little dance right in the middle of her office! Her journey with MMLOJ has been nothing short of delightful. Collaborating with the gracious author, Ning brought to life cozy characters adorned in charming outfits, all the while discovering more about her unique art style.
Ning feels privileged to be a part of this enchanting book and hopes that her illustrations will bring comfort, wonder, and joy to readers of all ages, spreading the magic of Miranda Moose’s adventures far and wide.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
FRESHLY SQUEEZED
Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice
Written by Melanie Brazdzioni
Illustrated by Zing Loo
A charming picture book that teaches children the value of perseverance, empathy, and friendship.
Miranda possesses a rather eclectic taste for a moose. She enjoys things like jam, soda, and fruits, but she especially craves orange juice. One day, she wakes up to find that she is out of orange juice. When her local grocery store is out of stock, Miranda goes off to the farm hoping to find OJ. After interviewing several animals who cannot help her, Miranda gets a clue to point her in the right direction.
The rhymes are crisp and sharp, and the dialogue with animal friends spot on. This book should be read aloud to enjoy it fully. Toddler friends and toddlers will love meeting their favorite farm animal friends, and following the plight of Miranda as she refuses to give up.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for your chance to win a signed hardcover copy or a 25-book classroom set of Miranda Moose Loves Orange Juice!
This is a simply illustrated beginning reader for elementary school readers who enjoy stories about cats. The protagonist, Rattles, is a cat who lives in a barn on a farm. Her siblings enjoy rough and tough play amongst themselves. Rattles is different. She is the only wild cat who enjoys being with humans.
When Linda and Michelle visit their grandparents for three days, they play with Rattles and are sad to leave her behind. Rattles becomes ill and Grandma takes her to the vet. When the grandchildren return for Thanksgiving, they hatch a plan that will change the life of Rattles forever.
The book teaches young readers that it is okay to be different, and one should not be afraid to try new things. Recommended especially for ages six through nine.
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This middle-grade novel provides a fascinating glimpse into one family’s growth and evolution. The narrator is one of four sisters who describes her coming of age within a family that matures along with her.
Valene loves to write. The reader is treated to her reminiscences through her journal. It describes the struggles of a family who are fiercely devoted to each other yet defined by distinct differences. Valene loves horses and dreams of owning one Her family needs to make many sacrifices before they can buy their own farm. The word someday always seems far off. That is why Valene thinks it is the perfect name for their farm.
Readers learn what life is like growing up on a farm. How does one feed and care for animals, and live without conveniences like central heat and running water? Merrell’s drawings help readers visualize what a 50s washing machine and iron look like. She describes the stringing of lines for telephones, and the Sears Wish Book Catalog.
Many of the trials and tribulations of growing up have not changed. Teasing, bullying, and jockeying for power among siblings are still present. Merrell brings her characters to life. Today’s youth learn a lot about the past and how to appreciate modern conveniences, while getting a good flavor of living on a 1950s Montana farm.
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Duck owns a farm in Pleasant Valley, complete with cows, pigs, chickens, and alpacas. One day, his friend, Cat calls Duck on his cell phone complaining that his computer is running too slow. Duck asks if he is sure that he wants it to run faster. He installs a new program that gives the computer arms and legs. Suddenly, the computer takes off, causing all manner of havoc in the community. All the animal friends experience quite an adventure before the day is finished.
This beginning chapter book blends modern technology with familiar animals and a clever adventure plot line. Adorable pencil sketches throughout the chapters keep the interest level high. Perfect choice for primary grade students who are just learning to read or reluctant readers.
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Jaw-Jaw lives on a farm with many different animals. He has never seen or heard another donkey. Jaw-Jaw asks the wise scarecrow what his voice sounds like. The scarecrow tells him he must laugh long, lofty and loud to find out.
For the next few days, Jaw-Jaw hears crows, children, and the wind whistling through the barn, but the scarecrow informs Jaw-Jaw that none of these are his voice. Finally, a group of blackbirds lands on Jaw-Jaw prompting the actions necessary for him to speak. Jaw-Jaw is jubilant that he has found his voice.
This book contains large, colorful illustrations and a simple plot intended to teach children something about animal sounds. I would recommend it as a bedtime story or read aloud for preschoolers and kindergarten children.
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Wally Raccoon hears a loud noise; he discovers that the animals on the farm are holding a Farmyard Olympics. Eager to join in the fun, Wally attempts to join the basketball and volleyball team. He is rebuffed and informed that there is no room for him. Wally is sad and disconsolate until Danny the Deer finds a solution to Wally’s dilemma.
There are four lines of rhyming text and an accompanying illustration on each spread. At times the rhyme seems a bit forced and unnatural. There are also a few editing errors. On the other hand, the book has value for young children who have experienced being left out and lonely. Recommended for children in the three to six age group.
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Two more winners in the Easy Reader and Early Chapter categories:
Easy Reader
ONE SENTENCE SAYS IT ALL
I Like the Farm
Written and illustrated by Shelley Rotner
This book is a Step A Guided Reading book which features one sentence I like the…… Blanks are filled in with the names of familiar farm animals. There are full-page multicultural photographs of a child with the associated animal. Especially recommended for preschool and kindergarten children just beginning to read who love animals.
Early Chapter Book
No Need to Be Perfect
Princess Cora and the Crocodile
Written by Laura Amy Schlitz
Illustrated by Brian Floca
Poor Princess Cora is a victim of parents who are obsessed with her development into the role of future ruler of the kingdom. Cora is beset with a nanny who is obsessed with cleanliness and forces her to take three baths a day, a mother who forces her to read boring books all day, and a father who wants her to be strong and forces her to skip rope every day. When Cora requests a dog for a pet, her parents are horrified. She writes a note to her fairy godmother asking her to intervene. To her surprise and dismay, the next day a crocodile is delivered to her in a cardboard box.
This crocodile assures her that he will take charge and teach her tormentors a lesson. He demands only to be fed cream puffs as payment. So, Cora escapes into the woods for a day of adventure, climbing trees, eating strawberries, picking buttercups, and getting dirty. In the meantime, her pet crocodile is taking revenge on the nanny, the queen, and the king. At the end of the day when Cora returns she makes her request once more. What has happened at the castle? Have the adults learned a lesson? How will Cora be treated in the future?
This story presents the inner conflicts of Cora, and the adult versus child conflict clearly. Cora is a strong female role model, who is also obedient and respectful. The soft watercolor illustrations with a vintage feel are soft and appealing. The crocodile character adds humor and a hint of naughtiness. I would especially recommend this chapter book for second and third graders who are comfortable with the seventy-page length and some challenging vocabulary.
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SUGAR AND CLIVE AND THE CIRCUS BEAR (DOGWOOD ISLAND MIDDLE GRADE ADVENTURES Book One)
Written by Alexandra Amor
The format of this book is a bit unusual for a middle grade adventure. The author begins with a prologue setting the scene for the climax of the book. She ends with an epilogue that answers the questions left in the reader’s minds.
Sugar is an energetic, caramel colored dog who lives a carefree life with her mistress Marion on Dogwood Island. Sugar has a somewhat unusual best friend, a barn swallow named Clive who lives on the farm with her. One day, while traipsing through the island, Clive urges Sugar to come to the library to see a strange site, a bear in a cage in the town square, who apparently has been abandoned on the island. The two friends strike up a conversation with the bear named Sebastian.
Soon it becomes apparent that the circus has closed up shop and Sebastian has been left in his cage to fend for himself. The townspeople decide it would be best to place the bear in a zoo, but Sugar and Clive feel that they would like to help Sebastian find his freedom At first the bear is reluctant, but after his brief separation from the circus, he decides they are right.
Clive and Sugar enlist island animal friends like Larry the Seagull, AnnMay, a Siamese cat, and a human friend, Stewart, to find a way to move the 500 pound bear off the island into a forested area where he could roam free. But the zookeepers are fast approaching, will they be able to carry out their daring plan?
I love the dialogue and clever conversations among the animals, and the ingenious solutions they come up to solve one problem after another. At just over one hundred pages this chapter book is just the right length to hold the interest of young readers and middle grade students with enough interesting plot twists and suspense. This book would be an excellent choice for a class read aloud and discussion book. Young animal and adventure lovers will not be able to put this one down.
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December 10, 2025
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