A creative and beautiful picture book that may entice your young ones to look forward to bedtime.
The child protagonist ponders possible careers like sailing, traveling to space, becoming a unicorn, or a leprechaun. He might travel to London, Paris, or Africa. He might even meet a dragon. Could he become a superhero one day?
Our imagination offers the ability to dream. We cannot dream if we do not go to sleep!
What a beautiful opportunity to combine reading with looking forward to bedtime and a healthy, good night of sleep.
Recommended for preschoolers and primary grade students.
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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.
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My Play Can Be. . . : A Children’s Rhyming Book About Imagination
Written by Stephanie Seidler
Illustrated by Anastasia Sikilinda
A beautiful, rhyming picture book with illustrations that leap off each page.
This book portrays ordinary day-to-day situations and imbues each with the power of imagination. What miracles can occur with cardboard, sand, water or wood. As adults, we often lose the ability to turn down an opportunity like playing on the sand or riding on a swing in the playground.
I highly suggest this book for preschool and early primary grade readers as a read aloud to stir young imaginations into active play activities.
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.
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AS A BOOK REVIEWER FROM THE INCEPTION OF THIS EVENT, I AM PROUD TO SHARE TWO WONDERFUL NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK EXAMPLESWITH YOU.
📚 Join us for the 11th Multicultural Children’s Book Day on 1/25/24! https://shorturl.at/wG389 🌍 Founded by two book-loving moms, Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, this non-profit initiative celebrates diverse books and authors. Let’s spread the joy of multicultural literature to young readers and educators. #MCBD2024 #ReadYourWorld 📖
It Is Not What You Think
Old Clothes for Dinner?
Written by Nathalie Alonso
Illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro
This multicultural picture book is a delight for a young child’s eyes, ears, and taste buds. The book packs a ton of information as well as a delightful story of a Cuban family’s culture and homelife.
Magaly and her brother’s grandmother from Cuba have recently joined the family in America. They are delighted with the delicious native recipes she cooks for the family. One day, when Magaly asks what is for dinner, her “abuela” replies “ropa vieja.” That translates to old clothes in English. Magaly and her brother, Camilo, hurry to search for and hide their favorite clothes. Turns out the joke will be on them.
This book targets an audience of children ages four through eight, but it delighted this adult as well. In addition to the interesting tale, the author includes recipes from around the world including their history, facts about Cuba, and details on how to cook two of the Cuban recipes from the story.
THE TREASURE IS IN EVERYDAY THINGS
Treasure Hunt
Written by Stephanie Wildman
Illustrated by Estefanía Razo
When Luis sees a delivery person with a huge cardboard box, he at once thinks of his younger twin siblings, Roberto, and Flor. Luis asks the worker to leave the box behind.
Roberto and Flor return home from school expecting to watch TV and play video games, but Luis has a better idea. He asks them if they would like to go on a treasure hunt. The twins cannot hold their excitement. Roberto hides clues in the kitchen, the bedroom, and the living room.
Flor and Roberto are puzzled when they find and name the objects. Luis brings them to the backyard and the gigantic cardboard box. Immediately, the twins know exactly what to do with it.
This book displays a loving multicultural family with strong sibling relationships. Elementary grade readers will love this colorful picture book with endearing, curious, and intelligent characters. Wildman enriches its value by providing detailed instructions for readers to create their own treasure hunt complete with props.
I highly recommend this interactive book for primary grade boys and girls who seek opportunities for creativity and imaginative activities to engage in at home.
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Publisher: Valley of Mexico | ISBN-13: 9781950957248
Publisher’s Book Summary: Everything is fun until nighttime comes. Are the howls in the dark only in their imaginations, or do ghosts and goblins become real when the full moon rises?
The children love visiting Grandmother. Playing great games and reading cool books goes perfectly with eating her delicious cookies and cakes. But when bedtime comes and off go the lights, things get a little scary as they say their goodnights.
The kids shiver at the creepy sounds from the attic and the strange shadows floating through the air. But Gran’s not worried at all; in fact, she has a secret to share…
Will they find a way to get over their dread, so they can finally rest their heads?
Grandma’s House is Haunted is a delightful children’s picture book, both spooky and sweet. If you like Halloween fun, bumps in the night, and doting grannies, then you’ll adore Stephen G. Bowling’s cheerfully eerie Picture Book that shows children there’s nothing to be afraid of when the lights go out.
Read Grandma’s House is Haunted to happily hide under the covers today!
Stephen G. Bowling is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Much like Peter Pan, Steve never wanted to grow up. Or rather, while he didn’t mind getting older, he never wanted to lose the child-like enchantment of imagination and wonder. Creating colorful worlds and stories for children has allowed Steve to both preserve his own imagination while sharing the joy of learning with children worldwide.
Steve has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brandeis University. He is an entrepreneur who has worked on and holds several U.S. Patents. He heads The Prometheum Foundation, a non-profit philosophical organization that helps teach students critical and analytical thinking, freedom of thought, and entrance into the marketplace of ideas. He is a lifelong weightlifter, an avid student of history and philosophy, and has a fascination with astrophysics.
A charming picture book that is clever, charming, and creative. The narrators are a brother and sister who describe their experiences when visiting their grandma’s house. While they thoroughly enjoy reading books, playing games, and laughing during the daylight hours, grandma’s old house transforms into a scary place at night.
The children imagine ghosts, goblins, shadows become witches, wolves, and all manner of beasts when darkness descends. Grandma calmly dispels all their fears by pointing out the sources of their imaginary visions and sounds.
I love the vintage feel of the illustrations painted with emotional expressions and coupled with crisp rhymes. The author deftly uses onomatopoeia and alliteration that promotes a fun read aloud. Vocabulary can be difficult in spots, but readers are encouraged to use context clues to stretch their reading comprehension.
I would highly recommend the book to both elementary and middle-grade readers for a Halloween choice or any time of the year.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for the chance to win a set of five books by Stephen G. Bowling, including Grandma’s House Is Haunted, and a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
– A paperback copy of Grandma’s House is Haunted
– A paperback copy of Calvin the Christmas Tree
– A paperback copy of Simon’s Tree Party
– A paperback copy of Simon’s Search for the Scary Dragon
– A paperback copy of Rocket to the Moon
– A $25 Amazon Gift Card
One (1) runner-up winner receives:
– A paperback copy of Grandma’s House is Haunted
– A paperback copy of Calvin the Christmas Tree
– A paperback copy of Simon’s Tree Party
– A paperback copy of Simon’s Search for the Scary Dragon
A young girl visits her grandparents but everyone at the home seems to be too busy to play with her. In desperation, she finds her grandfather dozing on the couch. She takes him by the hand and suggests that they go on a trip. Turns out grandpa has an active imagination as well.
Together, they journey to places on each of the seven continents from the frigid Antarctica to a bustling New York City. Before grandma calls them for dinner, they manage to run through the jungle, swim under the sea, build sand castles and ride on a gondola.
Soft watercolor illustrations, crisp rhymes, and imagination gone wild combine to create a pleasing narrative for beginning readers.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: My Soul Treasure is a beautifully illustrated children’s book designed to teach children how to connect with their inner selves and cultivate self-awareness and self-love. It follows the story of a young girl who goes on a journey beyond her mind, body, and heart to discover her own inner treasures. The story includes positive affirmations and visualization exercises to help children develop mindfulness and self-reflection skills.
Kate Searle is a geologist, wife, and mum who lives in the southwest of Australia. Becoming a mother sparked Kate’s love of storytelling. She has an innate passion for instilling in children a sense of personal empowerment. She has woven her love of gemstones into her debut book, My Soul Treasure, to teach children about the incredible powers of their own souls.
Alison Mutton is an illustrator from Perth, Western Australia, mainly working in the children’s and educational publishing fields. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Design & Illustration from Curtin University and has been a freelance illustrator for over ten years. When not illustrating, she likes to play the piano, needle felt, walk her dog, and swing dance.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
THE ANSWER LIES DEEP INSIDE YOU
My Soul Treasure (Kate’s Soul Treasure)
Written by Kate Searle
Illustrated by Alison Mutton
This rhyming picture book is a feast for the eyes and the ears. I would highly suggest reading it aloud because the crisp rhymes roll off the tongue. Each page features brilliant color images that are associated with a matching color gem. But the message is even more powerful. Young readers come to understand that each of us possesses unique qualities that lie deep within ourselves. These qualities allow us to share that uniqueness with others. Courage, compassion, creativity, confidence, imagination, and wisdom are possible examples. By teaching children to be mindful of these, the potential to develop them is enhanced.
I am confident that this book will become a favorite on the elementary reader’s bookshelf. The bonus song might just become a family favorite sing along.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure and a Kindle!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
– A hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure, signed by Kate Searle
– A Kindle (2022 release)
Four (4) winners receive:
– A hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure, signed by Kate Searle
WORD DRAGON: ( A FUN & FAST-PACED CHAPTER BOOK SERIES FOR KIDS 8-11) JUNKYARD ADVENTURES 1
Word Dragon is the first book in an interesting adventure book series for elementary and middle-grade readers. When siblings, Eli and Grace visit an antique store owned by “Uncle Larry,” a nonstop fantasy adventure ensues.
Their dad is searching for a second-hand lawnmower. Eli and Grace meet the lovable but absent minded store owner who loves telling stories to children. Larry gives them a hubcap, a length of rope, and an old Scrabble game with a missing letter. He informs the children they they can use these to go on an adventure, but once begun they cannot return until they solve the mystery to find their way back.
Challenge accepted! The brother and sister head off. They will meet a Word Dragon and avoid fireballs thrown at them along the journey. I particularly enjoyed the word vocabulary list that encourages young readers to expand their vocabulary. Readers will definitely want to sign up for a return visit to Uncle Larry’s store.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: Vivienne in Paris follows a young Parisian girl on a journey through Paris to find what makes her tick. Join Vivienne as she discovers the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of the city that make her feel alive. What better place to explore, observe, and delight in her senses than Paris?
This book tells a story of mindfulness and insight into how the surrounding world can really move you. It unites curiosity, wonder, and marvel to enlighten, surprise, and tickle your deepest spirit. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that bring you the greatest joy.
Owner Entrepreneur, first-generation American, writer, and mother to four children. Maria Castellucci Moore strives to bring passion and enthusiasm to all her endeavors. A lover of all things European, María has found great passion through her travels to Paris, Italy, Spain, and South America. Her affection for winemaking, foreign languages, the arts, ballroom dancing, and traveling has given María a unique and grateful perspective on life. Her love for her family and helping others through charitable giving has enabled María to thoughtfully curate purposeful life adventures.
María Castellucci Moore earned her bachelor of arts degree in finance from Dominican University on a tennis scholarship, and later pursued studying at New York University and the London School of Economics with a focus on global affairs. In 2016, with her siblings, Maria founded Castellucci Napa Family, a luxury wine and real estate brand. María runs her wine label and a family real estate development company in the greater Bay Area. She is a board member of the San Francisco Opera Guild and is enthusiastic about building opportunity and community through the arts.
María resides in Saint Helena, California, with her husband and four young children. She enjoys writing; traveling; attending the opera, ballet, and symphony; flower arranging; winemaking; ballroom dancing; and playing tennis and the piano.
Come tour Paris through the eyes of a child. Vivienne takes the advice of her grandfather who counsels her to experience her favorite places by opening her mind and heart.
Vivienne sets off on her bicycle to revisit her favorite friends and places in Paris. This time she allows her senses to totally immerse her. She smells the food, the flowers, touches the fabrics, feels the wind, sees the beauty of its buildings, and hears its voices. Suddenly, ordinary surroundings flood her body and mind with rich imagery. Vivienne’s readers magically accompany her on a journey that feeds their imagination.
I appreciate the way Moore challenges her readers with new vocabulary, exciting verbs, and fanciful forms. The beautiful illustrations complement the text perfectly and entice elementary school age readers to travel to Paris on an armchair adventure they will want to repeat over and over.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Vivienne in Paris and a Kindle!
One (1) winner receives:
– A hardcover copy of Vivienne in Paris signed by Maria Castellucci Moore
December 14, 2025
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