There’s a Snore-a-saurus in My Adenoids: Surgery Books for Kids by Nat Gibson (Book Review)

Is your little one getting ready for adenoid surgery? Do they also have a dinosaur-sized imagination?

When Ollie’s snoring interrupts his (and his brother’s) sleep, he discovers that a mischievous dinosaur might be to blame! Join him as he experiences the surgery process in a special way at the Dinosaur Catchers’ Camp (hospital)—where he’ll:

  • Receive a unique bracelet (hospital wristband)

  • Go to the weigh station (weight measurement)

  • Get an arm hug (blood pressure reading)

  • Wear special pajamas (hospital gown)

  • Put on a magic mask (anesthesia)

  • And finally, meet the Dinosaur Catchers (doctors) who will remove his adenoids and capture that silly little dinosaur!

 

Created to help ease worries by turning a real medical procedure into an exciting dinosaur-catching adventure, this book uses a mix of information and fantasy to help parents guide young children and toddlers through adenoid removal surgery and recovery—in a way that feels magical rather than scary.

For extra fun, have a small dinosaur ready for your child after surgery.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Nat Gibson is back with another fabulous picture book; this time, they are tackling the annoying snore-a-saurus!

Do you have someone in your life that snores? Whose snores cause you to lose out on precious hours of rest? As There’s a Snore-a-saurus in My Adenoids: An Adenoid Surgery Book for Kids begins, we find James feeling frustrated over his brother’s loud honkfewww, a common situation in many shared bedrooms. James tries to gently wake his slumbering brother before finally shouting, “I can’t sleep.” Sweet Ollie expresses his apologies, but he can’t help it. He said it felt like something was blocking his nose. It’s time for Ollie to visit a doctor to find out the cause of his noisy nose and how to fix it. During the doctor’s visit, it’s revealed that a dinosaur is the culprit behind Ollie’s woes. It’s hiding behind the adenoids, blocking the airflow. The author understands that adenoids will probably be a new term for many children; therefore, they have included an easy-to-understand explanation and a funny illustration showing the dino giving a one-arm hug to a tiny, squishy blob (adenoid). Kids might assume, like Ollie, that if the problem is inside their nose, they should be able to dislodge it themselves. A nice thought that is expressed through four cute drawings.

Unfortunately, Ollie’s loud schnoz can only be fixed by removing the dinosaur from its hiding spot. In other words, he needs an operation. Hospitals can be a scary place for kids. The enormous size, bright lights, and mounting fear of what’s to come can make youngsters panic, especially when they hear the word surgery or operating room. They often fear going to sleep and never waking back up. That’s where There’s a Snore-a-saurus in My Adenoids comes in handy! In this adorable story, Ollie didn’t go to a big, scary, intimidating hospital. No, they went to Dinosaur Catcher’s Camp, where a dino helper gave him a special bracelet (hospital wristband) that instructed the Dino Catchers on where to look for the troublesome dino.

Next, Ollie headed to the weighing station (the scale), where the unexpected happened. (No spoilers.) This leads readers to remember one should not eat before surgery. Every step in the pre-op procedure was simplified using kid-friendly terms, such as instead of saying blood pressure reading, the writer said, “arm hug.” The writer and illustrator never strayed away from the dino theme, not in text or design. Kids will love Ollie’s special pajamas: blue clothing, red cape, and yellow hat. Parents, educators, and medical personnel will love how the creators of this wonderful book took a potentially overwhelming and frightening situation and made it look not so scary. The dino catchers (surgeon) and their helpers (nurses) reassured Ollie and kids facing similar situations that they would never be alone during the whole process. The nurse continues to explain the nice aroma in the “magic mask” allows the team to safely capture the dino as Ollie catches some zzzz. The staff member’s comforting words put Ollie at ease and hopefully their words will do the same for readers of this delightful storybook.

While children might initially feel trepidation about the surgical process, the book’s humorous illustrations quickly turn fear into laughter and smiles. The dino’s antics and the final image are sure to bring a smile to their faces. If the dino images don’t do the trick, the thought of the popsicle room (AKA recovery room) certainly will!

Is your child feeling apprehensive about an upcoming nasal surgery? Do they have a family or friend who’s about to undergo a dino (adenoid) removal procedure? If you answered yes, I’d recommend sharing There’s a Snore-a-saurus in My Adenoids with your child. It’s a silly but informative story that eases fears regarding what will happen before, during, and after the surgery.

I adored the illustrations, the dino theme, the simple dialogue, and how keywords stood out, thanks to brightly colored shading. I highly suggest sharing this stupendous story with your family and counting down the days to a peaceful night’s sleep!

The recommended reading age is 2-7 years.

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Nat Gibson lives in California with her husband and two children, both of whom had surgery before turning 4 years old. Her books are designed to help parents engage their child’s imagination as they go through new or difficult experiences.
 

 

 

 

 

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One Little Squiggle by Jodi Adams (Book Review)

When you look at this picture, what do you see?

One little squiggle? What else could it be?

 

Follow a young girl armed with a sketchpad and a big imagination as she scooters to Squiggleville, an imaginary place where she joins a circus, explores a jungle, swims with sea creatures, and more. Everywhere she goes, she discovers more things that one little squiggle could be, and she makes squiggly sketches to document it all. Then, drawing inspiration from her adventures in Squiggleville, she returns home and makes the ultimate squiggle art masterpiece.

With its catchy, rhyming text, beautiful illustrations, one-of-a-kind squiggle art made by real kids, and uplifting message about the incredible power of human creativity, One Little Squiggle inspires artists of all ages to think outside the box and make their own squiggle doodles.

Now, it’s your turn. Go on- get creative!   

Amazon Purchase Link

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

One Little Squiggle taps into an artist’s mind and asks them, “When you look at this picture, what do you see? One little squiggle? What else could it be?” As the little girl, dressed in mix-matched clothes, scoots her way to Squiggleville, we get an inside look at how one single multi-colored squiggle can be transformed into many ways.

In the enchanting world of Squiggleville, the boundaries of imagination are limitless. You can traverse any landscape, witness any spectacle. Your sole constraint is your own creativity. As readers turn the pages, we see the darling girl’s sketches come alive. A magnificent red dragon, a pink unicorn, an orange four-eyed creature, a colossal snail, a fairy, and others emerge from the strands of colors from the child’s paintbrush. A wildly imaginative circus emerges where pigs fly and a tutu-wearing crocodile leaps through the air. As the scene switches, we watch the artist and her kitty companion interact with a monkey-wearing roller skates and a mermaid. They explore the underwater world and brave the cold before warming their bodies by the fire and turning in for the night.

One Little Squiggle is an extraordinary book. Its rhyming text and vibrant illustrations will amaze and entertain children and adults. I can envision readers eagerly scouring each page for the hidden squiggle lines. Kids racing to see who can spot the lines first. I also suspect they’ll love the one-of-a-kind squiggle art made by real kids as young as 3. I was pleasantly surprised to see adults had their creations added to the book. Loved the personal touch! Great idea!

I urge you to read One Little Squiggle, hunt for the hidden squiggle lines in the artwork, and then gather your art supplies to express what you see when you look at the squiggle. Think beyond the obvious and let your creativity and imagination flow. Your unique interpretations are not only welcome but also an integral part of the squiggle experience.

One Little Squiggle deserves more than 5 stars; it’s that good!

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Jodi Adams is a former Crime Scene Investigator turned stay-at-home mom and children’s book author. When she is not reading or writing, Jodi loves to cook and bake, run, golf, and spend time with her family. She grew up in Iowa but now lives in Omaha, NE, with her husband and two kids.

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KICKSTARTER Campaign —> BicentenniKILL by Matt Entin and Ed Kuehnel

Suspicious Behavior Productions is the comic book HQ of Matt Entin and Ed Kuehnel, two longtime friends and writers whose earliest collaborations hark back to the early 2000’s. Collectively, they have written on over ninety video games, as well as the comedy/horror film Lumberjack Manand the critically-acclaimed comic book mini-series, Invasion from Planet Wrestletopia — their first non work-for-hire (i.e. creator-owned) project.

 

 

What We’re Kickstarting:
BicentenniKILL

Matt Entin and Ed KuehnelEvery dollar earned from this Kickstarter will go towards paying artists to work on the digital  edition of the first issue of our next creator-owned mini-series, BicentenniKILL,and we’ve got some AWESOME rewards for our backers, including first edition print copies of the collected vollume of Invasion from Planet Wrestletopia which are ready to ship the moment this Kickstarter funds!

 


The Story of BicentenniKILL

 

“Vote as if your life depends on it” becomes reality for a small town police chief and his activist daughter when they are forced to defend it from power hungry animatronic historical figures brought to life by a mysterious comet.

July 3rd, 1976 — the eve of America’s bicentennial. Tensions between local politicians and counterculture “radicals” are at a boiling point when the town of Miniwaukan, Wisconsin, “the Sauerkraut Capital of the Midwest” votes to rebrand itself “Patriotism’s Front Porch” — a transformation led by its power-hungry mayor, Jack Peepgrass.

Things come to a head when a mysterious comet brings sentience to animatronic historical figures from the town’s a newly built Hall of Patriots, and the robots embark on a campaign of terror that culminates with a diabolical plan to fill an empty seat on the town council with an animatronic Grover Cleveland.

Standing in their way are activist Nina Harewood and her politically-neutral father, police chief Dennis Harewood, who clash over what it means to “protect and serve” when it’s the system itself that threatens the status quo.

Click  to pledge to their Kickstarter goal $4,999.00!

 

 

Donate and receive the following comic that’s in print and ready to ship:

Invasion from Planet Wrestletopia 


Invasion from Planet Wrestletopia is an action/comedy that follows the trials of “Rock ‘N’ Roll” Rory Landell, a pro wrestler who declares himself “galactic champion of the universe” on live television to get revenge on an unscrupulous promoter, Dick Drasin.

 

 

Click here for more info and to support their new comic, “BicentenniKILL!”

 

 

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Ellis in Imaginedland (or Prince of Whales) by Rocky Leplin (Book Spotlight)

Far in the future, a teenaged girl named Ellis Antlers is the last person left on Topside, her side of the planet.

After meeting the Guardian of Imaginedland and falling through the Earth, Ellis finds that her Topside compatriots have been there first, and all have been brainwashed in the sinister land of Purplevania. With a walrus-mustachioed Anglo-Siberian named Borax Meerschaum, the Prince of Whales and Leader of the Overground; his shape-shifting Golden Retriever sled dogs; and a slightly goofy athlete named Ribs Mgumba, the Congo Kid, Ellis encounters many strange hazards on her mission to unbrainwash her friends.

Near the end of Ellis in Imaginedland (or Prince of Whales), Ellis is unsure if she’s back in the real world, or still in Imaginedland. And isn’t this something everyone can relate to? After all, it’s your imagination that takes you on the wildest ride.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Rocky Leplin

Author of six books of rhymed verse, including the epic novel Humphrey’s Long Journey Away from the Sea.

His next publication is called Never Kiss a Crocodile, Never Slap a Skunk, a field guide to ominous animals.

In 2020 he was a winner of the Writers Digest Writing Competition for his story The Incredible Man-Eating Marshmallow.

award-win

 

In 2022 his wacky how-not-to manual A Psycho’s Guide to Animal Companionship— Instructions for the abnormal pet companion was a Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

 

In 2023 he was a winner of the Writers Digest Writing Competition for his poem The Apartment Building Bore.

 

In 2024 he was a Finalist in the Humor category of the Next Generation Short Story Awards for his story The Tumultuous Tire Revolution.

He has written three novels, the musical The Purpose of the Moon and over 500 songs, many of which can be heard on this website.

 

https://www.rockyleplin.live/
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Benji and Briana Become Booger Doctors by Dr. Cindy Lee Neighbors (Book Review)

Benji and Briana, a brother and sister duo, begin a magical journey to the fantastical hospital in Surgeryland, or “Surgiland,” to cure Briana’s sniffles. But the fairies have a surprise in store—they also have a remedy for Benji’s pesky nose problems!

In Benji and Briana Become Booger Doctors, readers will join this sibling pair as they explore the silly, slimy, and surprisingly fun world of snot and sneezes.

Mascot Books Purchase Link

Amazon Purchase Link

Goodreads Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Snot comes in multiple colors and consistency. It can continuously drip out our noses like a leaking faucet. It can fill up numerous tissues with no end in sight. It can indicate an illness or produced when you consume hot or spicy food or cry. Snot can form due to seasonal allergies. It can be thick like molasses or clear and sticky. Whatever reason excessive boogers are formed, most of us want it gone. We definitely do not want a snot explosion like the one Briana suffered from. The poor little girl sneezed, and snot coated her from head to toe. The images were grossly funny, and kids will love them. Parents, too!

Thankfully, Briana’s brother is close by with a grand idea to cure her booger woes— let’s visit the Boogie Doctors! Benji and Briana embark on a magical journey to the fantastical hospital in Surgeryland (or Surgiland, as the kids like to say). On the yellow road to the castle that doubles as a hospital, the duo meet a doctor overseeing all boogie surgeries in this fantabulous world. They shared Briana’s nasal woes and discovered a case of the sneezes could be related to the seasons. To be specific, “The season of the birds, the bees, and the big allergies …” according to the three colorful, winged rhyming fairies.

The Boogie Doctor and his adorable medical helpers, the fairies, looked inside Briana’s nose to spot the snot problem. Even Benji sits and allows Doctor Boogie to insert a surgical camera up his nostril. I can practically hear kids say, “Eww or yuck,” when they see the forest of boogers on the monitor. It was another hilariously gross image that I enjoyed.

Not every ENT (ear, nose, and throat) visit will result in surgery. Some snot issues can be cured with medicine as was the case with Briana. But, if is needed, kids will be more relaxed thanks to Benji and Briana’s bravery in Surgeryland. I recommend sharing Benji and Briana Become Booger Doctors with children two years and up. Parents and kids will laugh at the snotty mess. Readers will notice and love how each mucus word is enlarged, bolded, and shaded bright green and how other words pop off the pages using different font styles, colors, and sizes.

Join the siblings on their wondrous, magical adventure in Surgeryland as they visit a doc to stop Briana’s snot!

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

Mascot Books Purchase Link

Amazon Purchase Link

Goodreads Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Dr. Cindy Lee Neighbors is an advocate, actress, physician and writer with a passion for storytelling that spans genres. Her work includes the heartwarming children’s book “Benji and Briana Become Booger Doctors,” coming in spring 2025, and the deeply personal memoir “TOO MUCH,” which explores mental health challenges within the demanding fields of military and medicine.


Cindy’s artistic journey began in her childhood in Honolulu. She explored her love of performance through acting in commercials, theatre, and competing in pageants. She later pursued acting in Los Angeles, earning a degree in theater at the University of Southern California. Her path then took her to military medicine, where she served as a physician in the United States Army. Her research to reduce opioid prescriptions has garnered national recognition through publications, speaking engagements at national conferences, and awards.

Now retired from the Army, Cindy is pursuing her lifelong passion for writing. Her diverse background and experiences inform her unique voice and allow her to connect with readers of all ages.


TOO MUCH is available now everywhere books are sold online and in select retailers nationwide!

I wonder if it all started with a single impulsive decision: joining the U.S. Army for “free” medical school. But the reality of military medicine was far different. I found myself trapped in a system that values hierarchy, patriarchy, and conformity over compassion and care. My mental health deteriorated. Addictive habits became my crutch.

TOO MUCH is the story of my battle to reclaim my sanity and my voice. It’s a raw and honest look at the dark side of medicine and the challenges of mental illness. It’s a story that will remind you how a brighter future is possible, even when it feels like everything is broken.

This is my story.

But maybe it’s your story, too.

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Let’s Connect…

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