Finding Common Ground: A Story of Brotherly Friendship: Growing up together, even when growing apart by Dr. Charan Surisetty (Book Review)


Finding Common Ground is a heartwarming and relatable story about the unbreakable bond between two brothers, Alex and Max. As they grow up, they discover that despite their differences, they always find common ground and stand strong together through the ups and downs of life. This beautifully illustrated book is a celebration of sibling love, and a reminder of the joy and comfort that comes from having a lifelong friend and supporter. With engaging storytelling and a touching message, this is a book that both children and parents will cherish.

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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.

 

Finding Common Ground is a heartwarming and relatable story about the unbreakable bond between two brothers. Alex and Max discover that despite their differences, they always find common ground and stand strong together through the ups and downs of life. 

As the brothers age, their interests begin to divide them. Space forms between them, literally and figuratively. They still love each other, but they lose their connection along the way. Instead of laughing with one another, they yell at each other. Fights brew, temps flare, and harsh words are spoken. Friends behave like enemies. 

Finding Common Ground focuses on siblings’ bond, but this story could’ve applied to any form of relationship. As people age, their interests change. Their viewpoints change as well. Most of us have said things in the heat of the moment that we regret. Alex and Max demonstrate that what’s broken can be fixed. Talk calmly. Listen. Apologize for mistakes. Learn from your mistakes. It won’t be easy, but a shattered relationship can be fixed if both parties are willing to try. 

I adored watching the brothers make up and sharing their interests with one another. Through storytelling, children learn to have an open mind regarding new experiences. It shows two brothers being there for one another during the most important moments of their life and helping each other through tough situations. Life will get hard, but they know (deep down) they can always count on the other to be by their side. 

As a mother, I teach my children to cherish their family and friends. I tell them to be apologetic when they’ve done wrong and accept a heartfelt apology in return. Again, this picture book is centered around two brothers, but the lessons conveyed pertain to any relationship. 

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 6-12. I would also recommend this book to four- and five-year-olds. They could follow the story and understand the beautiful message. The story was lovely, and so were the illustrations! 

 

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

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Meet the Author

Charan Surisetty: children’s book author capturing the bond between siblings. Inspired by my boys, my characters embark on fun adventures and learn life lessons. Join us on this journey of discovery and imagination! Check out my books on Amazon.

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Dazzling Daisy Playing Outside In The Four Seasons by Risa Bardo (Book Review)

Dazzling Daisy is a picture book about an energetic girl who likes to play outside in 4 seasons and different weather— a perfect gift for young children who are inspired by outdoor adventure.

Daisy is a dazzling and cheerful girl who is always smiling. She always finds something fun to do! Daisy enjoys many activities outside of her home with her family and friends. Each page is filled with colorful and imaginative illustrations. Every page introduces new ideas and provides an opportunity to expand vocabulary!

It is an educational and fun story book for children aged between 3 – 6 years old.

This story was created by Risa and Mike Bardo who were inspired by the love for their children. This story is meant to inspire children to re-engage with outdoor activities.

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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.

 

Dazzling Daisy Playing Outside In The Four Seasons begins with Ollie, a red-headed woodpecker, introducing Daisy to readers. With her parent’s permission, Daisy enjoys spending time outdoors. Rain, snow, cloudy, or full of sunshine, Daisy is ready to enjoy what each season offers. Michael D Bardo’s fun illustrations show Daisy zooming down a hill on her side and chasing after butterflies with a net. He drew Daisy at the beach and the park. These are outdoor activities that a lot of children have partaken in. 

Risa Bard wrote a lovely story explaining the four seasons in a fun and exciting way that children will understand and enjoy. Young listeners will learn that spring rains help flowers grow. They also learn a new and creative use of a rain poncho. 

Summer means warmer weather and more time spent outdoors: parks, beaches, and water toy fun. This time also means more clothing choices, which Daisy adores! Me too! 

Michael D Bardo’s illustrative introduction to fall was very creative. I like how he spelled out “FALL” using leaves. The color choices were spot on too! Through drawings and text, children will learn that fall brings a color change in our leaves and layered clothing. It is also the best time to roll around in leaves and harvest all the big fruits and vegetables. The last part is a fun fact that many children might not know. 

Dazzling Daisy Playing Outside In The Four Seasons finishes the story with winter. Michael D Bardo gave us another magnificent introduction to the season, too. Depending on where you live, winter might mean snow and cold temperatures. With snow comes snowpeople, sledding, and snowball fights. The artist drew out each activity beautifully.

No matter the weather or season, Daisy is always ready to make the most of her day with family and friends. 

Dazzling Daisy Playing Outside In The Four Seasons is an educational and fun storybook for children aged between 3 – 6 years old. The author wrote the story to inspire children to re-engage with outdoor activities. It will do just that! 

 

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

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The Adventures of the World Patrol Kids by Ben Goldstein (Book Review)


Strange things are happening in town. Mysterious accidents are occurring at the Recycling Center and hazardous wastes are washing ashore on the beach. When the beaches are closed for the summer due to the dumping of medical waste, the “World Patrol Kids” decide to track down who is responsible.

“The Adventures of the World Patrol Kids” features a multi-ethnic, crime-solving, environmental kids singing and dancing group, (ages 10-14) that take on polluters, climate change, and traffickers in endangered species.

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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.

 

Six brave kids, fourteen years of age and younger, have taken it upon themselves to figure out who’s illegally dumping poisonous chemicals into the ocean. Their mission began after they saw plastic washing ashore during a day at the beach. The trash that flowed in the water and covered the beach was potentially hazardous. Ten-year-old Thoreau was unexpectedly cut by the dangerous plastic and needed medical assistance. 

During a town hall meeting, the citizens had the opportunity to let their voices be heard about the closure and how to fix the contaminated water and beach. Many were angry over the closure and thought fixing the problem was too costly. Some opted to burn the trash than recycle. They didn’t seem to mind that it would cause more harm to the environment. The World Patrol Kids did care, and with a handful of volunteers, they went to clean up the beach. It’s at this point that readers will learn a valuable lesson. Tracey tells her friends in the book and readers at home why you should always cut up the plastic ring supporting soda cans and bottles. After reading the story, I implore you to follow Tracey’s example! 

As the kids band together to find the culprits behind the illegal dumping, lives come into jeopardy: on land and under the sea. We see how far some people will go for money. 

I’m unsure how the team found time to write a song for the WW101 Earth Day Contest, but they did. The event enabled them to attend a special Earth Day Special in Kenya, Africa, where the plot went from pollution to poaching. Poaching is a tremendous problem, so I was glad to see this addressed. Children need to realize that humans are causing harm to the animal population under the sea and on land. Humans are also the only ones who can rectify the disastrous situation.

As your family reads The Adventures of the World Patrol Kids: Kids Can Change the World by Ben Goldstein, you’ll learn the importance of recycling and how the process works. You will see the importance of protecting all animals, endangered or not. Thanks to the World Patrol Kids, you’ll also experience many moments of suspense and learn a new catchy tune.

The messages behind the story are ones that every child should learn. I would recommend this book for elementary school age and older.

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

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Meet the Author

Ben Goldstein has written, produced, and directed, books, songs, films, and audio and video productions for such companies as Sesame Street, Jim Henson, Holt Rhinehart, Nelvana, CBS, and Scholastic. He has written for licensed characters, Clifford the Dog, Snuggle the Bear, and Rainbow Brite.

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The Cootie Wars: Rise of the Germaphobes by Kofi Houston (Book Review)

Dr. Cooties, genius scientist and son of Emperor Ivan Von Cooties, leads the Ickyonian Empire in their quest to spread the cootie virus throughout the universe. As he and his Legion of Ickyness set their sights on Earth, can the Germaphobes rise in time to stop them, or will they succumb to his evil schemes? Brace yourselves for the beginning of the incredible journey of the Germaphobes led by Max and Corbin as they discover the universe is much bigger than they thought and whether or not they can trust the new girl, Aja. Who is she and what secrets is she hiding?

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

 

We knew cooties as this fictional germ passed from one gender to another. You didn’t dare catch the cooties, but if you did catch them, you knew you better get the antidote (the cootie shot) asap. 

Imagine if cooties were real and they destroyed planets. The Cootie Wars: Rise of the Germaphobes revolved around Dr. Cooties, his witch sister (Endora) henchmen, and Cootie Troopers that intend to spread cooties around the universe, destroying each planet they infect. Dr. Cooties’s sights are now firmly set on Earth and, more precisely, The Living Waters. 

The villains from Ickyonia have the most unique and humorous names: Paste Eater, Sweet Tooth, Captain Faltulence, and Snot Shot, to name only a few. How they received their name coincides with their funny name. For instance, Snot Shot shoots booger bullets out his nose. It sounds disgusting, but kids will eat it up. (no pun intended) If your child loathes brushing their teeth, taking showers, and cleaning up, they will probably be rooting for Team Ick! 

The Protectors ( team heroes) didn’t have the funniest names except for Kernel Corn. That was cute. They did have excellent fighters whose punches made quite an impact on their opponents. 

So far, the drama mainly occurred in space, but the ending scenes gave clues that Earth better be prepared to fight back sooner rather than later. Dr. Cooties, Endora, and the henchmen might have won the battle, but will they will the war. 

The end credits state that the Germaphobes will return, and I can’t wait to read the sequel. 

I want to see what happens now that we know who are traitors to the Protectors. What becomes of a certain kidnapped human. Now that we know the heritage of an earthling, what does fate have in store for them? Also, what other cootie monsters exist besides the arachnicootie?  BTW: I would love to see an illustration of that 8-legged freak! In fact, I would LOVE to see this book, and future workings, translated into graphic novels! 

The Cootie Wars: Rise of the Germaphobes is perfect for fourth graders and higher. It’s also perfect for adults that are still kids at heart…like me. 

 

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

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Meet the Author 

Deciding to cash in on his fame as an esteemed Young Author’s Award Winner in the Second Grade, Kofi finally released his debut novel, The Cootie Wars: Rise of the Germaphobes, thirty years later. (You can’t rush genius, right?) After working with children for over ten years as a basketball coach and Teacher’s Assistant, he has since moved on to pursue his passion in writing and being the big kid that he is.

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Alter by H.R. Truelove (Book Spotlight)

WHO DO YOU TRUST WHEN YOU CAN’T TRUST YOURSELF?

Lennox, Erris, Wisdom…

There are many voices in Laura’s mind but no one, not even her family will believe her.

Laura’s life is far from normal. After spending years in a medical center for seeing visions no one else can, Laura is transferred to the Tomlinson Institute of Research. There, she’s promised, lies the truth she’s been after her entire life.

But as her eighteenth birthday looms closer, Laura’s already complicated life takes a sudden turn. When she discovers what hides behind her unusual abilities, Laura’s reality is blown to pieces, and she must learn to make sense of her supernatural gifts. With a little help from the voices in her head, Laura needs to fight to save herself, the world she lives in-and every other world in the multiverse.

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Meet the Author

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H.R. Truelove lives with her family in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

She developed a thirst for reading during her long bus rides to school, and has been writing poetry, song lyrics, and short stories most of her life.

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