Yearly Archives: 2025

November 10, 2025 · 7:00 am

Through a Child’s Eyes: Eyes of Discovery by George L. Hayes (Book Spotlight)

Exploring the vast canvas of innocence, this narrative unfurls through the gaze of youth, where deep-seated curiosity blends with a profound sense of awareness. Here, a child’s untainted perspective reveals a realm beyond the tangible – an elusive symphony of peace and harmony felt within and echoed by natural splendor. It is a contemplation of existence within the folds of discovery, where meadows serve as sanctuaries and the boundless imagination transcends adversity.

Witness a journey where winds carry whispers of serenity, and chaos leaves deep imprints upon the soul. Through joys and tribulations, from familial bonds strained by absence to communities ravaged by nature’s fury, emerges a newfound gratitude and kinship. Grapple with the poignant question of being, as the keen innocence of a child ponders the heavenly and elemental intricacies of life itself. Join in this odyssey of growth, reflection, and the search for a harmonious convergence in the world’s vast tapestry.

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Check out my Reedsy review!!

 

 

 

Meet the Author

George Hayes, has devoted himself to educating and mentoring youth, guiding them toward personal growth and positive change. His dedication to shaping young minds is matched by his experience as a professional athlete in the sport of boxing.

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November 7, 2025 · 7:00 am

Aloe Vera’s Special Gift by Jeanette Gil (Book Review)

Discover the Healing Power of Being YOU! 🌿

A heartwarming picture book about self-worth, kindness, and the hidden magic of aloe vera.

When Aloe Vera looks around the garden, she sees brilliant blossoms and dazzling petals—while she feels plain and prickly in comparison. No one seems to notice her… until a summer day brings sunburns, scrapes, and rashes—and Aloe steps in to help.

As Aloe uses her soothing gel to heal her garden friends, she begins to understand something powerful: what makes her different also makes her extraordinary.

“Aloe Vera’s Special Gift” is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that gently weaves together themes of self-acceptance, emotional resilience, and the real-life benefits of aloe vera plants. Perfect for ages 3–8, this uplifting story helps young readers recognize their own unique value—and reminds us all that true beauty isn’t always what we see on the surface.

Kids will learn:

  • Everyone has unique gifts that matter
  • Kindness and empathy make us strong
  • Nature is full of healing wonders
  • Being different is something to celebrate

Whether read at bedtime, in a classroom, or during a SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) circle, this book is a gentle reminder to bloom exactly as you are—and to see the beauty in every leaf, petal, and person.

Ideal for:

  • Children ages 3–8
  • Nature lovers and little gardeners
  • SEL and mindfulness programs
  • Classrooms, therapy sessions, and home libraries
  • Fans of “The Invisible String” and “What If Everybody Did That?”

🌸 Plant the seeds of self-love and healing—add “Aloe Vera’s Special Gift” to your bookshelf today!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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

 

Aloe Vera is a thick, prickly plant that, from the outside, may look ordinary, but on the inside, it possesses extraordinary healing powers. Sunburns. Itchy skin. Chapped areas. Aloe can soothe skin issues caused by the changing seasons. Aloe learns this amazing fact after wishing she were more like the pretty and pleasantly fragrant neighboring flowers.

Aloe Vera wished she had bright pets like Rose and smelled as lovely as Lavender. Perhaps then the birds and insects would visit her, and she wouldn’t feel so lonely. No longer feel unseen. As the story progresses, Aloe and the viewing audience learn that true beauty comes from within through kindness and compassion.

Aloe didn’t always feel beautiful or special, but they soon discover just how special they are thanks to a rabbit with a not-so-lucky foot. Bunny wasn’t the only animal in need of Aloe’s amazing, cool, soothing gel. Read the story to discover who else stops by for Aloe’s help. See what happens to the garden flowers when the seasons change. Watch a lonely plant find its smile as it embarks on a transformative journey, coming to understand what is more important in life: not how you look, but who you are on the inside.

Aloe Vera’s Special Gift is an uplifting picture book that encourages kids to embrace who they are, focus on their inner beauty, and spread kindness with its heartwarming storyline and vibrant illustrations. Share this touching story with your family or students and let them see the marvelous, real-life benefits of aloe vera plants. Amazon’s recommended reading age is 3-8. This is an excellent age bracket for story comprehension and discussions. Even though babies and toddlers won’t understand the dialogue, they’ll love looking at all the flowers, insects, and animals, making this a story kids will enjoy for years.

Order your copy today and share the beauty of aloe vera!

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Jeanette Gil is a passionate Cuban American storyteller with a deep love for nature and the power of healing. As a devoted advocate for kindness, self-care, and personal growth, Jeanette enjoys writing stories that inspire young minds to embrace compassion and empathy. Jeanette brings a unique perspective to children’s literature, creating stories that resonate with both children and parents alike.

Most importantly, Jeanette is a proud grandmother to two amazing babies, who inspire her every day. Her garden in Miami, where a particular aloe plant hosts a sunbathing lizard each afternoon, sparked the inspiration for this debut book. When not writing, she enjoys tending to her plants, reading, spending time at the beach, relaxing in the sun, and engaging in family and community activities.

Aloe Vera’s Special Gift is Jeanette’s first children’s book, reflecting her commitment to nurturing young hearts with messages of love, care, and healing. She finds endless inspiration in the simple beauty of life and the joy of connecting with loved ones.

Amazon Author Page Link
Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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November 3, 2025 · 7:00 am

A Friend for Hope by Amie White (Book Review)

Zoe gazed into the dog’s warm, glossy eyes. Two quiet hearts beating the same.

Nine-year-old Zoe Meadows is the new kid in Ivy Creek. For homeschooled Zoe, every day starts the same: breakfast, then to the living room where Miss Ellis awaits. Only today, Zoe can’t focus—not when she notices neighborhood children playing outside, children she’s yet to meet.

Watching all this unfold, Zoe’s parents decide it’s time for a companion—the furry kind, to be precise. Everything changes when Zoe meets Hope at the dog shelter for the first time. The two girls form an inseparable bond over the following months and find in each other the one thing they both craved for a long, long time: a forever friend.

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

 

Homeschooling has its pros and cons, much like any other educational path. One potential downside for homeschoolers is a lack of daily social (peer) interaction. Zoe Meadows, a sweet homeschooled nine-year-old from Ivy Creek, is showing signs that they need a friend. Their mind wanders in class, and they are caught staring out the window, watching other kids having fun together, while they sit alone with the teacher. Now, one might wonder why Zoe doesn’t go outside and play with the neighborhood kids. Problem solved, right? That would solve the loneliness and social interaction issues, but it would ruin the plot —and we wouldn’t want that! A Friend for Hope is the sweet tale of a lonely, seemingly forgotten shelter dog who finally finds their forever home, and a little girl who finds her forever friend.

There are so many animals living their days out behind a caged door. Alone. Lonely. And ready to leave the confined space behind. When Zoe and her family entered the facility, the dogs welcomed them with happy, ear-splitting barks and wagging tails. Every dog wanted the people’s attention, except one; it was this dog that caught Zoe’s attention. Why? (Read the story to discover that answer.) Anyone who loves animals, especially dogs, will be moved by how long the fluffy, quiet canine has called the shelter “home.” Adults and children will be smiling when the older dog, now named Hope, finally leaves the caged world behind.

Puppies are cute, but we must not forget that older dogs need and want love and compassion, too. A Friend for Hope illustrates this fact and paints a perfect picture of what one might expect when bringing home a sheltered animal. They, like humans, need time to adjust, to learn how to trust, and to feel safe in their new surroundings and with their new family. My heart swelled as I watched Zoe read to her new friend, and the moment Hope knew she was safe and loved. A sweet, illustrated moment that readers may have personally experienced as well.

A Friend for Hope was textually sound; however, the artwork needed refinement when presenting side profiles. The shading on the noses could also use a bit of lightening to avoid the “red and bulbous” look. Despite these minor issues, the illustrations of the shelter dogs were excellent, and the bonding scenes featuring Zoe and Hope were superb!

Whether your child(ren) are homeschooled or not, whether you prefer dogs or cats, A Friend for Hope will touch your heart and have you smiling for the happy ending. Share this heartwarming story with your children and let it inspire you to consider adopting, not shopping, for your forever friend!

Amazon recommends A Friend for Hope for readers ages 4-6. This age range is ideal for children who are just starting to read independently and/or are beginning to understand the concept of adoption and the responsibilities that come with it.

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Amie White doesn’t just think magic exists—she knows it does. And believes the most powerful kind always comes from within. When she’s not writing, Amie often finds herself enjoying a cosy café and people-watching on the busy streets of London. She loves crafting brave heroines through her writing, teaching readers that sometimes the greatest adventures begin with inner knowing.

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October 31, 2025 · 7:00 am

Halloween and Day of the Dead

Stay safe tonight, trick or treaters!

Learn more about the history of Halloween at bedtimehistorystories.com

 

 

 

Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1-2.

For more info, visit kids.nationalgeographic

or dayofthedead.holiday/history

 

 

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October 27, 2025 · 7:00 am

Polly, Stubby & Al by Donahue B. Silvis (Book Review)

BEN and SARA DONOVAN live in a small community called Wolfe Lake with their two daughters, six year old MEGAN and eight year old KATIE. They have two pets, Polly a multi-colored talking parrot and Stubby a tan colored, bowlegged bulldog. Ben owns a small landscaping business. Sara is a housewife and animal lover. One day Sara, Megan, Katie and Stubby are walking in the woods. They see an injured black crow lying on the ground. Sara picks up the crow, takes him home and nurse’s him back to health. When healed and turned loose the crow does not return to the wild. He chooses to remain with the family. They name him Al and he becomes one of their pets.

The family had become used to Polly’s chatter but a week later they’re amazed when Al speaks. Their everyday life, as they know it, is about to take an abrupt and hilarious change. From that day forward nothing is the same, in the Donovan household, as Al becomes a funny and mischievous character.

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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.

 

Polly, Stubby & Al will make you laugh, make you cry, and might prompt your children to ask for a pet crow and not just any ordinary crow, one with a split tongue. Why this particular kind of crow, you may ask. We quickly learn that a crow’s split tongue enables them to speak. This ability generated many humorous scenes with Al, the talking crow, as the main star. Al wasn’t the only chatterbox in the Donovan household; Polly, the parrot, also entertained the family with their words. The real, unexpected jaw-dropping moment was when the parrot altered their voice to sound like Mama Sara and AL. They used this talent to prank the crow and Stubby, the bowlegged bulldog. Too funny.

Many families have dogs as pets. Some homes might even have a parrot, but a crow isn’t your typical idea of a family pet. So, how did Al, the crow, find his way into their family? It was a chance encounter. Sara saw the bird injured and nursed it back to health. She intended for him to live out in the wild; however, Al had other plans, and the family soon discovered he was indeed a very special bird. Al enjoyed joining Megan and Katie at the lake as the young sisters fished. He came when Mama Sara called his name. The crow’s word choices and his mischievous antics were very entertaining to watch.

Al’s naughtiness will have you laughing. If the text doesn’t make you giggle, some of the colorful illustrations will. As I said in the introduction, this story will make you laugh, but it’ll also make some cry. The storm scene was very moving. I cried when Al cried out for “Mama.” I figured he would be saved, but the journey to their reunion and then the reunion itself had me reaching for tissues again and again. Maybe they will for you, as well. Even though I adored every funny and sad scene, there were unfortunately several editing mistakes. That said, I recommend another editing pass.

Though the story needed more TLC, it is still a remarkable chapter book. I recommend sharing with your children, ages 5-10.

 

Author’s note: “Polly, Stubby & Al is a true story. It’s about my grandparents and their two young daughters, who are my mother and aunt. It took place in the 1920s.”

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

I’m an alumnus of the renowned Pasadena Playhouse Drama School; then, I graduated from Florida Atlantic University. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, I worked in movies as an actor and screenwriter. I’ve also written seven novels, eight screenplays, and one illustrated children’s book.

Reedsy Author Link

Amazon Author Page Link

 

 

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