Sam is an adorable mule who lives up to the reputation of being stubborn. Every time he faces a new situation, his answer is no. Sam will not try new foods and refuses to meet new people. Will anyone be able to persuade him to change?
The illustrations are simple but endearing. This series will develop a toddler’s curiosity and help prevent the “no” syndrome. Appropriate for children up to eight years old.
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Hop-About: The Adventures of Benny the Bunny and Mr. Rabbit
Written by Colin Krainin
Illustrated by Joan Krainin
At first glance, one would guess this book title is for elementary school readers. Indeed, it contains charming illustrations, but the complexity of characters and issues addressed suggest it is more appropriate for middle-grade and older audiences.
At the outset, readers meet Mr. Rabbit, a stuffed rabbit who lives with his friends, Mr. Rabbit, and a large stuffed bear in an apartment in New York City. When a visitor arrives, their lives are turned upside down.
They are recruited in an adventure to search for a lost friend. This journey eventually leads to Australia where the friends encounter wildfires, climate-change disasters and a host of unsavory characters.
The plot and characters are rather complex for a young reader. Older readers are better equipped to understand the issues and appreciate the personality types presented.
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.
Ella doesn’t leave the house without her favorite stuffed, toy, a bunny named Lola. They have shared many adventures. One day, after riding on a bus, Lola gets separated from Ella.
As the story evolves, readers experience the emotions seen from each of their perspectives. Will the best buddies be reunited? Read the beautifully illustrated watercolor picture book for primary grade readers to find out the lessons each learned.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: Felix and Harry, two best friends, are super excited to go away for the summer to Camp Horizon, a sleepaway camp in the woods of New Hampshire. There, they can bike, hike, and ride canoes on Lake Omigosh. But something mysterious lurks in the depths of the lake.
For many years, people have claimed to have spotted a mysterious creature drifting on the surface of Lake Omigosh. One day, when Felix and Harry decide to go canoeing, a bad storm arrives, putting the two in real danger. Who will come to their rescue when their canoe flips over and the boys are left stranded in the middle of the lake? Fuel your imagination with Adventures at Lake Omigosh.
Having worked as an investment banker in the municipal securities industry for decades, Scott Sollers created this and other nighttime stories for his daughter, Stephanie, when she was a youngster. Originally, he handwrote and illustrated these stories and finally had the inspiration to get them published. Scott still works, is an avid golfer, and leads a not-for-profit organization that helps disadvantaged children. He currently resides in San Mateo, California, with his cat, Charlie.
DANGER AFOOT Adventures at Lake Omigosh Written by Scott Sollers Illustrated by Brian Janky
Felix and Harry look forward to fun and adventure at summer camp every year when they visit Lake Omigosh in New Hampshire. How did it get such a strange name? For years, people have reported a strange creature resembling a large turtle swimming on the lake. Blurting out, Oh my gosh! Became a common reaction. The lake became associated with the name.
When Harry and Felix decide to take a rowboat out on the lake during their free time, they ignore one of the cardinal rules, to take lifejackets aboard. When an unexpected storm arises, they tumble out into the waters. Will they survive? Enter the strange legend. Read this beautifully illustrated multicultural picture book to find out.
Recommended as a bedtime story or read aloud for adventure story enthusiasts ages four through eight.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a hardcover copy of Adventures at Lake Omigosh and a notebook.
A wonderful early chapter book that contains beautiful colorful and expressive illustrations. This book centers about a baking competition.
Cassie, a pup, and Cordelia, a cat both work as apprentices at Bindi’s Bakery. Bindi provides them both with aprons and chef’s hats. As they begin baking, Cassie and Cordelia allow their competitive spirit to create a disaster in the kitchen.
The adorable cat and pup need to learn that teamwork and friendship would be better choices in achieving their goals. Elementary school readers will enjoy reading the lovely, multicultural book with its crisp, colorful language and amusing illustrations.
Shelly and Spike are two starfish playing hide and seek in the ocean when Spike gets trapped under a seashell. They will need a new friend and teamwork to set him free.
When the two friends discover a treasure map, they are eager to set forth on an adventure. As they bring readers on the journey, they will learn about ocean currents, sea turtles, and stingrays. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The text vocabulary includes analogies and onomatopoeia that make it fun to read out loud.
This book is part of a series. While I enjoyed the tale, readers will need to purchase the second book to find out its conclusion. Recommended especially for primary grade readers.
A fun picture book to delight young dinosaur fans.
Luke is playing in his backyard when dinosaurs suddenly appear. He and his friends spend the day playing with several different types of dinosaurs giving young readers a lesson about them. The children go to the playground, play catch, play hide and seek, and share dinner with their new friends.
The children encounter some difficulties playing with their unique new friends. They must learn teamwork and cooperation to accommodate their dinosaur friends’ needs. The book teaches these lessons as well as empathy and the value of friendship.
Preschoolers may find the book a bit difficult but the illustrations fill in the gaps. Probably better suited to kindergarten and primary grades.
Publisher’s Book Summary: Tiki is an honest, fun, and adventurous boy full of integrity. Lately, his behavior has been too rambunctious and he needs guidance. He meets a magical spirit who gives him the guidance he is looking for and much more. The spirit grants him magical powers and sends him on a quest to save the village of TikiTown from the evil King Lauia. Come join Tiki and his friends as they go on a magical time-traveling journey to save TikiTown. Tiki and his friends must find King Lauia, take back the sacred magical Toku Mask, and return the mask to Tiki Town to unfreeze the town. If Tiki doesn’t succeed, TikiTown will remain frozen forever…
Creator JJ and Fates are the creative duo bringing you this fun and magical adventure.
Fates has been making cartoons for over 30 years, bringing stories to life through drawing and imagining. Fates wants the world to draw and dream just a little more every day.
Creator JJ is the creative writer who dreamed up the storylines and characters in their stories. By using their imagination, he believes that everyone can create characters, worlds and stories of your own.
Together, the goal is to use their creative talents to create fun stories and ignite the hearts and minds of young children for both educational and self-development purposes.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK
Tiki Time: It’s My Turn
Written and illustrated by Creator JJ and Fates
This book is the first in a series. Tiki lives in a faraway magical, jungle village. He considers himself a noble warrior, but lately he has been acting strangely. His sister, Tari, advises him to take a long walk to clear his head and so begins the adventure.
On the journey, Tiki meets Fetu, a spirit who grants him superpowers of speed, strength, and time travel. There is a catch. Tiki must use them to defeat an evil sorcerer who wants to plunge his village into a dark, frozen wasteland.
Tiki amazes his friends with his new powers and recruits them in his quest. Will they be successful in saving the town and restoring Tiki’s reputation as a noble warrior?
I like the messages of bravery, courage, friendship, and teamwork presented to young readers. This book contains large, vivid, cartoon-style images in and 8 and ½ by 11-inch book with large print. However, the book must be turned and opened from the top to read it. I would have preferred the book to be spiral bound so that a reader might place it on the lap to open and read easily.
Fans of time travel, superheroes, and comic books will especially enjoy the tale targeted for ages six through eight.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed copy of Tiki Time: It’s My Turn and a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
The conclusion to the Hockey Wars series in Book 15 does not disappoint. I feel as if I have been on the journey from childhood through middle school with this group of coed hockey friends.
The members of the boys’ and girls’ hockey team have shared emotional difficulties as well as physical struggles in their quest for success. Readers have laughed and cried with them along the way.
These characters are genuine. They have the kinds of strengths and weaknesses that the middle-grade target audience face within their daily lives. Certainly, it is not difficult to empathize with them as friends and competitors.
The length of these books makes them appealing to reluctant readers, while illustrations add to the charm. I must say I am sad to see the series end. A sequel following them in high school?
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May 11, 2025
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