This post is sponsored by Marin. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Al’s Journey

Written and Illustrated by Marin

Ages: 5-9 | 32 Pages

Publisher: Fontreal (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-989661-45-1 (Hardcover), 978-1-989661-46-8 (Paperback), 978-1-989661-47-5 (eBook), 978-1-989661-48-2 (Audiobook)

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.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

For more information, please visit fontreal.com.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

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.

https://gleam.io/fTgjm/als-journey-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, September 1, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewTour Kick-Off for Al’s Journey

Thursday, September 4, 2025Country Mamas With KidsBook Review or Guest Post about Al’s Journey

Friday, September 5, 2025The Starlit PathBook Review of Al’s Journey

Monday, September 8, 2025@nissa_the.bookwormBook Review of Al’s Journey

Tuesday, September 9, 2025Deliciously SavvyBook Review or Guest Post about Al’s Journey

Thursday, September 11, 2025Q&As with Deborah KalbAuthor Interview with Marin

Tuesday, September 16, 2025icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Al’s Journey

Wednesday, September 17, 2025Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogBook Review of Al’s Journey

Thursday, September 18, 2025Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of Al’s Journey

Mick and the Big Bone: Children values book, teaching enjoy with what I have through bedtime picture book, kids bed time stories with rhymes

Written by Shlomo Goldman

The author writes this rhyming picture book to teach young children about envy and jealousy.

In many ways, Mick, the puppy in this story, is typical in that his curiosity and impulsiveness can get the better of him. One day he goes to the beach with his owner. Mick is happy with his bone until he sees another one that is bigger and better. When Mick tries to snatch it, he finds himself in trouble.

Children learn the grass is not always greener and not to be greedy or envious of what other’s have in simple rhymes and pictures.

An ideal way to teach three to five year old children an important lesson.

Mick and the Big Bone

Written by Shlomo Goldman

Batnadiv Hakarmi-Weinberg (Translator)

The author writes this rhyming picture book to teach young children about envy and jealousy.

In many ways, Mick, the puppy in this story, is typical in that his curiosity and impulsiveness can get the better of him. One day he goes to the beach with his owner. Mick is happy with his bone until he sees another one that is bigger and better. When Mick tries to snatch it, he finds himself in trouble.

Children learn the grass is not always greener and not to be greedy or envious of what other’s have in simple rhymes and pictures.

An ideal way to teach three to five year old children an important lesson.

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Una Bo: The Magic Tree of Love

Written by Dr. Rebecca Verghese Paul

Illustrated by Ada Konewki

Podero is just a six-year-old boy when he meets Filgard, a wizard, who is passing through the town of Darae. Little Podero has been thinking about the way things were before the war. Podero wishes that he could have something sweet and that his parents would allow him to have a puppy. Filgard asks what he would do with the sweets and Podero says he would share them with his brothers. The wizard rewards Podero by causing a huge tree to grow in the center of town. This tree has the power to grant wishes, but only to those who are pure of heart and do not ask for more than they need.

Pretty soon the villagers gather round and try to rob the tree of its gifts, but they soon learn they will get nothing if they are greedy. Eventually, all learn to partake of the tree with good intentions and moderation. Podero and his best friend, Miyana develop a friendship and trusting relationship with the tree. They name it Una Bo, the tree of love. The tree helps the two friends to achieve their dreams of becoming a baker and a carpenter. Their life if happy until war threatens the town once more. Will the tree be able to save the villagers of Darae?

This chapter book tells a heartwarming story filled with lessons about bullying, generosity, greed, and coming of age. The characters are interesting and relatable. A few color illustrations enhance the tale. That adds to the appeal for beginning and reluctant readers. Highly recommended for middle-grade readers.

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Jacob’s Secret (A Book For Kids)

Written by Emily McLeod

Book of less than thirty pages based on a fable. A small village has a secret, which Old Mathew confides to his grandson, Jacob. Mathew has been entrusted with a magic well in backyard. As long as the water taken from it is used wisely, it will multiply again and again. If bad people take water out and waste it, it will empty and the village will run out of water. Seven year old Jacob promises to keep the secret, but when the water in the village river appears to be drying up, Jacob volunteers the information that he knows the whereabouts of a magic well. Jacob is now caught between a rock and a hard place. Will the town drain the well and make their problem worse or will Jacob find a solution to his dilemma?

The ending is a surprise; it poses more questions than it answers. The illustrations in the story are colorful with very graphic facial expressions. They will assist beginning readers with the text. The size of the font also favors early independent readers. Though the book is targeted for nine to twelve year old readers, the length of the story suggests it to be more suitable for readers in the seven to ten age category.

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