The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy by Linda Harkey (Book Spotlight)

Get ready for a Squeaky Adventure you won’t want to miss!

IT WAS THE BEST OF DOG WINTERS. IT WAS THE WORST OF DOG WINTERS

In The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy, Nini the German Shepherd is devastated when her favorite toy goes missing. Determined to find it, she teams up with her trusty brother, Lobo, for a snowy backyard search. Their playful investigation leads to unexpected clues, giggle-worthy moments, and a surprise encounter with Speedy, a clever pack rat with a secret. This sweet and funny tale celebrates friendship, honesty, and perseverance, reminding young readers that even the smallest adventures can lead to the biggest lessons–and the happiest endings.

Enjoy a free reading and activity guide at the end of the book where you can explore fun tasks based on this story. Story Monsters is proud to offer activities in this book for both preschool readers and grade school readers.

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Meet the Author

Linda Harkey is an award-winning children’s book author, educator, and lifelong dog lover. She has written eleven children’s books and has been featured in American Kennel Club Gazette, Story Monsters Ink®, Tulsa Pets Magazine, and national radio programs. Her work inspires curiosity and learning.

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Fox Who Can Wait by Kateryna Dronova (Book Spotlight)

Help little readers learn the beauty of patience with this animal rhyming story book!

A cooking contest is bubbling deep in the bright green forest, and Bear, Rabbit, Mole, and Fox are ready to impress the wise judge, Owl. Each animal brings their favorite food – sweet honey, crisp carrots, scrumptious roots, and juicy berries. Everyone is excited… maybe a little too excited! Soon, things get sticky, gooey, and runny for everyone, except for clever Fox. What did he do differently?

The Fox Who Can Wait is a heartwarming moral story that teaches patience, kindness, and cooperation, and the gentle wisdom and self-control that come from taking your time. Through the fun and chaos of a forest cooking contest, children will see that good things truly come to those who wait!

Inside this forest storybook, they’ll learn:

  • Why being patient can be hard, but worth it
  • What impatience can look (and taste!) like
  • How rushing can turn even the best plans into a sticky, gooey mess
  • Why a calm heart and steady hands lead to success
  • That success tastes more delicious when it’s shared with friends!

With lovable forest animals, playful rhyme, and a sweet moral at its heart, this kids’ book about patience is perfect whether you have an impatient little one(s) learning to slow down, or you’re simply looking for a fun storybook with a meaningful lesson!

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Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Kateryna Dronova is a children’s writer who loves turning imagination into playful and heartfelt stories. Growing up surrounded by rich traditions and storytelling, she draws inspiration for her tales that nurture curiosity, courage, and kindness in young readers. Kateryna believes books can spark magic in every child—and she writes to share that wonder.


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Courageous Kids Chronicles Book II Tales of Little Warriors by Gary R. Brown (Book Review)

These stories illustrate children’s remarkable resilience, care, and understanding in the face of challenges. Their ability to adjust and maintain a positive outlook, even in dire health situations, is truly inspiring. It all begins with knowledge and experience; through professional assistance, many of these conditions can be effectively addressed as a family. This book seeks to uplift and provide hope for families and caregivers navigating similar health concerns.

I would like to point out that these stories do not propose corrective measures for the conditions and diseases described here. Like all books in this series, they highlight everyday and unique situations children encounter daily. Some are visible in our public lives, while others remain private and often unspoken. By sharing these glimpses into a child’s life, I hope readers recognize that everyone has experiences filled with wonder and resilience. Understanding this and witnessing their grace will humble us all.

This perspective reminds me that I am not a qualified professional and do not dictate how these matters should be approached. Instead, families and trusted caregivers must work closely with their medical and psychological professionals for the best outcomes. Even children navigating tough times do so in their remarkable ways.

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Courageous Kids Chronicles Book II: Tales of Little Warriors is a heartwarming and informative illustrated chapter book that focuses on three diseases: PKU (Phenylalanine [PHE]), Celiac Disease, and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Each section follows the journey of a single child who finds the courage to share their medical condition with their class. Their bravery is inspiring and might prompt your child to embrace what makes them special and share it with others, as well. 

In chapter one, readers meet Jack, who has a condition that many people may not be familiar with. He has PKU, a condition that makes it difficult for his body to process a specific part of the foods he consumes. Like Lucy with Celiac Disease, they must watch what food they consume. Their special diets might be confusing to some, and, as Jack experienced, it might cause others to stare. Jack’s growing unease with the puzzled looks are 100% relatable to many kids in the real world. Jack just wanted to fit in, something else kids can relate to. 

Knowledge is power, and the kids opening up about their afflictions served several purposes. It taught kids about diseases they might not be familiar with. It opened minds to try new things, like gluten-free cupcakes in support of Lucy and slow-mo freeze tag (in respect to Ameara’s Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). It taught kids to embrace their own special qualities and those of others. Lovely message of acceptance and inclusion! Great illustration of Ameara’s classmates supporting her and taking part in the daily stretches

Lucy’s story didn’t flow as smoothly as Jack and Ameara’s. The sequence of events and illustrations seemed out of sync. The artist was excellent, though. The book’s messages are ones I hope every child takes to heart, and I hope the three fictional kids’ bravery encourages real children to share their “story” with their classmates. 

Bonus material included in end pages: PKU (Phenylalanine [PHE]), Celiac Disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis affirmations. Plus, a reflection page and educational resource links. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️1/2
(Rounded to 4 on Amazon and Goodreads)

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Meet the Author

Gary R. Brown is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and federal civil servant whose remarkable journey from the neighborhoods of Trenton, New Jersey, to destinations across the globe has profoundly shaped his perspective on life, leadership, and faith. After dedicating over 24 years to the Navy, followed by a 15-year career in civilian government, Gary embraced writing as a personal outlet and a powerful means to inspire others.

He has created a diverse array of activities and storybooks for children and adults, including coloring books, poetry collections, faith-based devotionals, and word games, all designed to promote creativity, well-being, and connections across generations. And recently, short novels have been of great interest to me. I am just having fun!

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Website
Alignable.com

 

 

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Courageous Kids Chronicles Book I: Roger, Denine, and Buddy’s Night Time Adventures! by ​Gary Brown (Book Review)

This book, the first in the ‘Courageous Kids Chronicles series, is a collection of stories that address children’s fears. Each story combines fiction and nonfiction elements to provide educational value and a comforting message about overcoming fear, specifically here, the fear of the dark.

After researching websites involving children’s Psychology, among others, and specifically, the Clay Center for Healthy Young Minds (see the Back Matter), it was easy to understand that the fear of children being in the dark is associated with real anxieties and apprehensions. This book hopes to bring this topic forward in fun, educational, and realistic suggested anecdotes on minimizing children’s fears of the dark.

I have researched and reviewed many similar perspectives and recommendations in addressing night time concerns for children. However, I am not a qualified professional and do not direct how these things should be handled. Instead, it is the responsibility of the families and trusted caregivers to coordinate with their medical and psychological professionals. This book series aims to present children’s fears in a way they can understand and relate to through words and visuals. And have some fun along the way. I have also included some common fears of the darkness with recommended anecdotes. Only the family and their trusted care professionals can make mindful decisions for their children. Thank You.

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

When it’s bedtime, children often express many fears. Fear of the monster lurking in the closet or under the bed. Shadows that move across the wall. Eerie noises inside and out of the house. Courageous Kids Chronicles Book I: Roger, Denine, and Buddy’s Night Time Adventures! takes readers on a journey, where the “monsters” are unmasked and we discover that there’s nothing to fear after all. 

Roger lives in a lovely red-brick house with his parents, sister Denine, and Buddy the dog. They are a close-knit family, always ready to help each other out, and Roger desperately needs his sister’s help. Buddy’s, too! Roger would love to have a full night’s sleep, but his nighttime fears keep him awake and afraid. Together, the trio set out to shine a light on all the creaks, rustling sounds, tiny flashes of light outside, and much more. Many kids will notice that the objects behind the noises in this story are the same noises they hear in their own home. Their fear might even vanish like Roger’s! 

Courageous Kids Chronicles Book I: Roger, Denine, and Buddy’s Night Time Adventures! tackle a problem that plagues MANY homes at bedtime: fear of the dark, shadows, bogeyman, strange sounds, and more. I recommend sharing this Roger’s eye-opening story with your kids. Help them to see there’s nothing to fear in the dark. Parents and educators, I also recommend reading “Reflection and Resolutions” where the writer shares common reasons children might fear the dark with anecdotes to alleviate those fears. 

The illustrations for Courageous Kids Chronicles Book I: Roger, Denine, and Buddy’s Night Time Adventures! were very impressive. Every image was a work of art, and there was no doubt that Roger’s fear was real. The creature behind the printer looked ready to devour Roger or come out of the book to gobble up the reader. Though there were frightful images, there are also plenty that show happiness and love. Buddy’s tongue hanging out was adorable, and the final image of the trio was so cute. I do recommend refining the placement of the pictures. I found some drawings were out of place, or too many were bundled in a row. There were small editing mistakes, too. That said, the artwork was outstanding, no matter its location, and the story was lovely, too. I recommend it for kids aged 4 to 9.

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Gary R. Brown is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and federal civil servant whose remarkable journey from the neighborhoods of Trenton, New Jersey, to destinations across the globe has profoundly shaped his perspective on life, leadership, and faith. After dedicating over 24 years to the Navy, followed by a 15-year career in civilian government, Gary embraced writing as a personal outlet and a powerful means to inspire others.

He has created a diverse array of activities and storybooks for children and adults, including coloring books, poetry collections, faith-based devotionals, and word games, all designed to promote creativity, well-being, and connections across generations. And recently, short novels have been of great interest to me. I am just having fun!

Amazon Author Page Link
Website
Alignable.com

 

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The Cheeky Capybara by Kateryna Dronova (Book Review)

Have you ever seen or wondered about a capybara—the world’s largest, furriest rodent?

Meet Tito, a cheeky capybara with chubby cheeks and webbed toes. With his shiny fur and bold personality, Tito thinks he is king of the swamp. However, when a giant green crocodile slides into the swamp, it tests Tito’s confident personality. Beto, the wise heron, warns Tito to be careful. Even so, Tito doesn’t listen. Tito quickly learns that sometimes, listening is the best choice of all.
This engaging story, with expressive dialogue and playful humor, makes a delightful bedtime companion. The Cheeky Capybara, with lessons about friendship and humility, makes an excellent addition to a classroom library.

If your little one enjoys The Selfish Crocodile or Giraffes Can’t Dance, they’ll adore The Cheeky Capybara.

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

 

Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and live near rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes, as shared in the animal’s bio after the story’s conclusion. In The Cheeky Capybara, we meet one overconfident rodent who, after a close encounter with a crocodile, learned a valuable lesson: “Caution is wiser than too much confidence.”

Tito, the capybara, radiated confidence and appointed himself the king of the swamp. He pushed other animals around and loved looking adoringly at his reflection in the water. Beto, the heron, warned him that his behavior was dangerous, but the arrogant rodent didn’t heed the warning. That arrogance was tested when a crocodile visited their watering hole. All the other animals reacted smartly when the reptile appeared; they quickly exited. Tito’s sense of superiority led him to act recklessly, which, in turn, almost cost him his life.

Tito and the crocodile had comical interactions that were beautifully conveyed in the colorful illustrations. Young readers will laugh seeing the rodent on top of the reptile’s back. Kids will also be quick to understand and voice that the capybara was making bad choices throughout the story.

The Cheeky Capybara teaches lessons in humility, caution, and making smart choices. As kids watch Tito push the other animals around, his behavior might prompt them to share similar experiences they’ve endured.

This picture book offers suspense, humor, and lessons on proper behavior, including opportunities to discuss bullying, safety, and the importance of cautious decision-making with children. Though babies and toddlers will enjoy the colorful illustrations, such as the monkeys with very long, thin arms and legs, children aged 3-9 will comprehend the story’s purpose and its valuable lesson: “Caution is wiser than too much confidence.” Share this story with your family and/or students. Let Tito’s story inspire kids to make good choices!

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Kateryna Dronova is a children’s writer who loves turning imagination into playful and heartfelt stories. Growing up surrounded by rich traditions and storytelling, she draws inspiration for her tales that nurture curiosity, courage, and kindness in young readers.

Reedsy Author Link
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