Good Job, Arya! by Miranda Miller and P.J. (Book Review)

BOOM! The doors swing open—and here comes Arya Bear.

She’s not here to do tricks.

She’s not here to talk.

She’s here to help—just by being exactly who she is.

With her pink bow, wild hair, and a tail that wags 100 miles per hour, Arya brings joy, calm, and just the right kind of chaos to the people who need it most.

Inspired by real-life visits, Arya Bear Adventures: Good Job, Arya! follows a registered therapy dog as she comforts kids and families during her hospital work. This gentle, heartwarming story helps young readers understand the powerful role therapy dogs play—just by showing up and being themselves.

Written by Yup’ik author Miranda Miller and her 4-year-old co-author, P.J., this book brings real moments to life through the eyes of a young child and his best furry friend. Perfect for ages 3–5, dog lovers, classrooms, and anyone who’s ever felt better just because a dog was there.


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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.

 

What is a therapy dog, and how does it differ from a service dog? Service dogs are trained to help one person with specific tasks, like guiding a blind person or alerting someone with diabetes when their blood sugar is high or low. On the other hand, therapy dogs help many people by providing comfort and companionship. These canine caretakers visit hospitals, schools, and nursing homes to help people feel calm, happy, and safe. Arya is an energetic therapy pooch who loves their job. Her tail moves at lightning speed, eager to help those in need. With a shake of her head, the pink ribbon falls, their hair poofs up, and many patients’ low spirits are instantly lifted. And if Arya’s wild fur and pink leg warmers don’t cause you to smile, wait until she presents her belly and rolls back and forth. No one can resist the silly dog. Or can they? Has Arya finally met someone whose mood can’t be lifted?

Arya notices a boy sitting all by themselves outside a hospital room. No tears. No smile. The therapy dog calmly approaches the quiet child and waits to see how the boy responds to them. Therapy animals enjoy making people feel better, so I imagine other canines would be just as confused as Arya when their presence and tricks appear to have no effect on the darling child. However, Arya’s patience and dedication are unwavering. Her efforts were celebrated with smiles, laughter, and hugs, proving that patience is oftentimes the key to success and inspiring us all with her resilience.

Arya’s visits play a vital role in a patient’s recovery. Arya and other therapy dogs’ visits can help lower stress, anxiety, and blood pressure while raising spirits. They, like doctors and nurses, are medical superheroes!

Good Job, Arya! is a cute, heartwarming story demonstrating service dogs’ remarkable impact on a patient’s emotional and physical health and even their visitors’ state of mind. This story is perfect for dog owners or canine fans, medical waiting rooms, or anyone who needs a reason to smile today.

My recommended reading age is 2-7 years.

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

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Meet the Authors

Miranda Miller and Arya.

Miranda Miranda is an Indigenous Alaskan (Yup’ik) author, entrepreneur, and mother who writes with heart, purpose, and deep cultural pride. Based in Anchorage, Alaska, she blends the warmth of her Yup’ik roots with the joy and wonder of storytelling, inspired by her own life, her son’s imagination, and her beloved therapy dog, Arya Bear.

Miranda’s stories aren’t just tales—they’re lived experiences. Her debut children’s book series, Arya Bear Adventures, celebrates emotional wellness, connection, and kindness—infused with real-life hospital visits, community heroes, and the healing magic of animals. Each character is thoughtfully based on someone from her real world, from nurses to her own family.

A passionate advocate for authenticity and Indigenous representation in children’s literature, Miranda is building a storytelling legacy that reflects the love, resilience, and imagination at the heart of her family and culture.

 

 

 

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Darkwing Duck: F.O.W.L. Play Collection by Amanda Deibert (Comic Book Spotlight)

I loved watching this animated show, and I still find enjoyment reading Darkwing Duck’s comic adventures. #KidAtHeart

He is the terror that flaps in the night…

He is the ferocious fowl who plucks the evil eye from the face of foul play…

He is Darkwing Duck!

Alongside his trusty sidekick Lauchpad McQuack, Darkwing hyper-vigilantly defends St. Canard from the dastardly, devilish demons who would wage wanton war! By night, our caped defender lurks in the shadows, striking fear (and maybe confusion?) in the heart of the criminal underworld…but by day, no one suspects that Darkwing is also mild-mannered Drake Mallard, a well-meaning father to his adorable adopted daughter, Gosalyn! Can Darkwing successfully navigate his two separate lives, all while looking incredibly cool and impossibly handsome?

(Hint: Probably not, but…) You’ll have to read to find out!

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Meet the Author

Amanda Deibert is an award-winning television and comic book writer. Her comic book writing includes DC Super Hero Girls, DC’s The Doomed and the Damned, Teen Titans Go!, Batman & Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman ’77, Serena Williams collaboration: Serving Up Justice, and the New York Times #1 Best Selling anthology Love Is Love for DC Comics, Red Sonja for Dynamite and John Carpenter’s Tales For A HalloweeNight Vols. 2-7 for Storm King Comics and the graphic novel Work for a Million for Penguin Random House’s McClelland & Stewart,. She is currently writing for He-Man and The Masters of the Universe on Netflix. Other TV writing credits include work for CBS, SyFy, Hulu, Quibi and four years as the writer for former Vice President Al Gore’s annual climate broadcast, 24 Hours of Reality.

IG: @amandadeibertofficial

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Storma’s Unexpected Adventure: The Tales of Storma by Gina Bayar (Book Review)

A magical journey through a desert of wonders, wildlife, and unexpected friendship.

 

When a dreamy young unicorn sets out in search of the sparkling ocean, she accidentally arrives in the vast, sun-drenched Gobi Desert instead. But what begins as a mistake quickly turns into an unforgettable adventure.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, readers journey with the unicorn as she meets the rare and wise Mazaalai (the critically endangered Gobi bear) and a kind Bactrian camel who becomes her gentle guide. Together, they explore golden dunes, singing sands, ancient dinosaur footprints, and hidden oases—discovering the wonders of one of the world’s most unique and underrepresented ecosystems.

Blending enchanting fantasy with rich, real-world educational content, The Unicorn and the Gobi Adventure introduces children to the beauty and biodiversity of the Gobi Desert, while nurturing curiosity, compassion, and the joy of discovery.

Perfect for readers aged 4–8, this story celebrates friendship, environmental awareness, and the magic of life’s unexpected paths.

 

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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.

 

Does your child love unicorns? Do they love stories involving magic or magical powers? Do they enjoy exploring new places and learning facts to share with friends or family? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your child will want to read Storma’s Unexpected Adventure.

Storma loves living in the Enchanted Forest with her family, but she wants to see more of the world and visit the places from her parents’ stories. Storma didn’t have wings like Pegasus, but she did have a magical power that made traveling a breeze: She could travel to any location just by closing her eyes and picturing the destination. Now, that’s a magical trick I’d like to have, and I’m sure other readers will want it to!

Storma used her unique magical powers to whisk themselves to a “grand ocean.” Unfortunately, her destination didn’t have an ocean in sight. Did her powers fail her? Not exactly. Her timing was a little off, like a few million years. Storma’s Unexpected Adventure takes readers across the desert, where we meet interesting characters and discover facts about the desert and those who call it home, then and now. Kids are not the only ones who might learn a thing or two about the Gobi Desert. For instance, thanks to this beautifully told story, I found out the desert is home to the rarest bear in the world, and the wind makes music there too! How fascinating!

These are not the only two interesting tidbits you’ll learn as Storma and Polka (camel guide) go in search of the “ocean.” Read the story and discover the hidden gems of the Gobi Desert. Also, check out Did You Know? to learn more about the fascinating Gobi bear, the Mazaalai! It’s a great bonus feature of the book. It’s too bad the author didn’t include fun fact pages dedicated to the desert and camels. A glossary would also be a helper tool for young readers.

This children’s book beautifully captures the Gobi Desert’s unique wildlife. The sunset scene, in particular, is lovely. The vibrant colors against the different shades of sand create a mesmerizing visual. Each scene is reminiscent of the magnetic story activity play sets, with the sticker-quality plant and animal drawings looking like they could be plucked off the page and moved to different locations. It’s a testament to the illustrator’s skill and will captivate children and parents alike. (Special note: Gina Bayar is the book’s writer and illustrator.)

Storma’s Unexpected Adventure takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the Gobi Desert, where they learn there’s more to the landscape than initially seen. Share this story with kids aged eight and under. Ask them to share where they’d visit if they had Storma’s unique magical power. Expand your knowledge and look up what else calls the desert home, past and present. Also, be on the lookout for Storma’s next story, Storma’s Gift! (Release date TBD.)

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

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Meet the Author

Gina Bayar is an author and illustrator of imaginative picture books that celebrate kindness, nature, and the magic of unexpected journeys. A lifelong dreamer and mom of two, she inspires young readers to explore, care for the planet, and believe in themselves.
 

 

 

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The Princess Has Cancer: A glimpse into the journey of a support group by Mary Wilson Galasso (Book Spotlight)

Four children, each facing the unimaginable challenge of cancer, find strength and solace in a support group. What begins as quiet companionship soon blossoms into a lasting friendship that carries them through years of treatment, hope and healing. Along their journey, they encounter a kind-hearted princess whose compassion leaves a lasting mark on their lives. As they enter remission, their bond remains unbreakable-and the story of their courage begins to inspire other children walking the same difficult path.

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Meet the Author

Mary Wilson Galasso is a retired Nurse Practitioner, in addition to being a wife, mother of three boys, and a grandmother. She comes from a large family and has a deep passion for understanding people. She believes reading is one of the greatest skills a person can be proud to have and to share.
 

 

 

 

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Bull & Bear Build a Bright Future With Bonds by Craig A Robinson (Book Review)

Bull and Bear are back with another exciting adventure that teaches young readers about the power of investing in bonds! At the advice of their trusted advisor and friend Piggy Banks, Bull & Bear visit Eagle, who manages the Moneyland Treasury, to learn about how bonds work to build new schools, parks, and roads and why they’re essential for making communities better. They also discover how bonds can help protect their savings while helping others. Through fun and engaging illustrations, this story shows kids how they can be part of building a brighter future by diversifying their investments. Perfect for young readers curious about money and how it helps create the world around them!

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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.

 

Bull and Bear return with another captivating adventure, this time delving into the educational world of investing in bonds.

Are you interested in teaching your kids or students about bonds, assets, diversifying, and other money-related terms but don’t know where to start or how to simplify the information? I recommend reading Bull & Bear Build a Bright Future with Bonds, starting with its dictionary. Understanding key terms like municipal (mun) bond, diversify, bear and bull market, stocks, and maturity will assist readers in understanding the story more. Yes, the writer did a fabulous job weaving money terms, such as principal and yield, into the story; however, reviewing the words in the glossary might clear up any confusion for younger audiences going forth in this creative and informative story.

After familiarizing yourself with the glossary, it’s time to embark on a journey with Bull, Bear, and their friends in Moneyland. Adding a city map with creatively named streets and landmarks, such as Shareholder Square and Bond, Risk and Reward River, provides a unique opportunity to expand your financial knowledge. These names can serve as talking points for families and classrooms, inspiring readers to delve deeper into the world of finance. Plus, the map was just plain cute. Especially seeing the two friends ride down Wall Street on their bikes. Nice red helmet, Bear!

As we follow Bull and Bear to Moneyland Treasury, Eagle breaks down how bonds help our community and are a stable investment in this topsy-turvy economy. Help your city while earning interest… it was a no-brainer for Bear and Bull. It was, in their words, the best thing to do.

While Bull & Bear Build a Bright Future with Bonds is designed for children aged 5-10, it offers a fun and engaging learning experience for readers of all ages. The delightful characters and rhyming sentences, courtesy of the talented Craig Robinson, make learning about bonds an enjoyable experience. Share this book with your family or students and consider adding bonds to your portfolio.

Bull & Bear Build a Bright Future with Bonds did have an extensive glossary; however, kids might be puzzled by the financial sphere, which was not listed in the book’s dictionary. Also, while fans should recall the Golden Rule, this term might be foreign to new readers; therefore, I suggest adding it to the dictionary. All in all, Bull & Bear Build a Bright Future with Bonds does what the other books in the series do: it educates through creative storytelling and likable characters!

Check out every Bull and Bear money-themed book; they are educational and fun!

 

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

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Meet the Author

Author Craig A. Robinson has worked in the investment management industry for over twenty years, Craig has firsthand knowledge of our country’s lack of financial literacy and what it costs the average American. He wrote a children’s book to introduce the topic of financial literacy to children.

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