
A bilingual picture book about an ‘ugly’ cat looking for some milk and magdalendas with no luck…until he finds a creative friend…

Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!
Visit the author’s website for more information
Meet the Author

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A bilingual picture book about an ‘ugly’ cat looking for some milk and magdalendas with no luck…until he finds a creative friend…

Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!
Visit the author’s website for more information
Meet the Author

![]()
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OUT TODAY!

What if the thing that makes you different is the very thing that helps you discover who truly sees you?
When nine-year-old Bennie wakes up one morning with vitiligo, his world turns upside down as he goes from the most popular kid in school to feeling like an outcast overnight. But as Bennie learns to embrace his new reflection, he discovers the power of self-acceptance and the beauty of finding friends who love him for who he truly is.
Based on a true story, Bennie’s Filter is a heartfelt journey of resilience, belonging, and unapologetic self-acceptance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Based on a true story, Bennie’s Filter focuses on the struggles a child faces when his classmates discover Bennie’s brown skin has a white spot, a non-contagious condition called vitiligo.
Bennie was an outgoing child, the most popular kid in school, and friends with everyone. He loves school and begins and ends his day with a smile; however, that is all about to change when an itchy spot on his chin began to lose its pigmentation. Bennie’s mind is overflowing with questions, each one highlighting the worry and confusion he’s feeling. The most heartbreaking question he asked himself was “Will Mom and Dad still love me?”
Bennie’s condition is no laughing matter, but many kids at school are quick to mock him for it. Bennie’s Filter illustrated perfectly how cruel some people can be, how words can profoundly affect another person, and how an act of kindness can wash away tears and feelings of insecurity.
Bennie’s neighbor, Mrs. Ruby, helped the darling boy to understand that he was not alone with this condition. She also gave him great advice, using a coffee filter to symbolize keeping only worthwhile things in your life. Only allowing people in your life who value you for who you are. (I encourage you to read the story for more details on the clever analogy.)
We will all meet people who will find fault with us and not hesitate to share their opinion. Read Bennie’s Filter to your child(ren) and give them the power to accept themselves and the strength to filter out any negative voices.
Bennie’s struggle is real, and his emotional journey will touch the hearts of many. It will (hopefully) change how some kids treat others and promote a more loving classroom and community. My recommended reading age for Bennie’s Filter is 3-9 years. Let this touching, beautifully illustrated storybook show kids the importance of acceptance and loving yourself at an early age.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Meet the Author

Reedsy Author Link
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What if you are more than one thing…and exactly enough?
Pandy doesn’t quite fit into one world or the other. She’s both panda and koala—and neither—all at once. Pandy struggles with the comments of how others perceive her and who they think she is. It makes her doubt herself and she searches for answers. As she journeys through a world that tries to define her, Pandy discovers that true belonging isn’t something others can decide for you. It’s a story you create for yourself.
With stunning, fine-art inspired illustrations, Can Pandas Be Koalas Too? is an ideal offering for families and educators of young children looking to invite conversation around identity, diversity, and self-acceptance, particularly for those young readers from immigrant families, are third-culture kids, and children of mixed heritage. For children who see themselves in the story, it helps them navigate complex identities, while for others it is a wonderful tool to help raise thoughtful, global citizens, who can understand and empathize with their peers.
Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!
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The animals in the forest are scared of the Grumpy, Growly Tree. The other trees are growing as far away as be. But is there more to Grumpy than what they see?
Join the forest animals in their daily adventures and follow along as they learn that sometimes things are not always as they seem. In a story that reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can sometimes make the biggest difference.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
The Grumpy Growly Tree, the third book in the “Stories with Heart” series, is a heartfelt story about the power of love, kindness, and acceptance.
Grumpy was a sad and lonely tree whose face reflected these feelings. Other trees and many animals reacted unfavorably when they saw Grumpy’s droopy facial features. His forest companions either kept their distance from him or fled in fright. Grumpy’s fellow trees and nine animal visitors never stopped to ask if he was okay. Why did he look so sad? Thankfully, one adorable forest animal didn’t dash away in fright. Instead, this sweet animal stopped and talked to Grumpy, and in doing so, they discovered Grumpy was not grumpy at all; the tree was sad and lonely, and they only wanted someone to love them. (I kept the animal’s name a secret on purpose.)
In real life, people are judged for looking, acting, or speaking differently from what their peers consider “normal.” Often, it is for the color of their skin. Sometimes, we look at someone’s facial expression and decide to keep a safe distance from them. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of such judgments, you’ll empathize with the sad tree in this story.
The Grumpy Growly Tree beautifully demonstrates the power of kindness. It proves that one act, big or small, can profoundly affect a person’s life. It can lift spirits, give hope, and give a person a reason to smile. The cute animal in the story caused all three effects on the initially grouchy-looking tree. I must say, the artist made the cutest sad tree ever! I loved his big nose and expressive eyes. The illustrated “a light of love so bright” page and all the glowing drawings after that made my face light up, much like the tree.
I adored the children’s book’s positive underlying messages: We all deserve love and should treat others how we want to be treated: with kindness and acceptance!
I recommend this wonderful story to children 3- 7 years.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤
Meet the Author

Debi K Fraser is the author of the Stories With Heart series of children’s picture books.
Her love of stories and the characters that inhabit them has been with her since she was old enough to hold a book. As a child she could often be found with a pile of cucumber sandwiches and any number of books containing dragons, witches and magical adventures. Her passion for creating her own naturally followed.
Although Debi is from New Zealand, she currently lives in Quebec, Canada with her two sons and her two dogs. She loves being out in nature and can often be found walking her dogs through the forest, where for her, magic and inspiration live. Stories dance their way into Debi’s imagination morning, noon and night.
But mostly in the forest.
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It takes courage to stand up for others. It takes even more to stand up for yourself.
When Loris is placed in a new foster home (again), his foster siblings just can’t make sense of him. He doesn’t play, joke, or laugh, and he certainly has no interest in the town’s charity race. But when things get tough, Loris amazes his newfound family with his hidden courage and resilience!
Join Loris and his newfound family on this journey of self-discovery and acceptance with this relatable children’s book perfect for home or the classroom.
“Loris Opens Up His Heart” by Dagmara Sitek is a testament to the power of empathy and compassion. It models positive interactions and helps kids put themselves in someone else’s shoes. More importantly, it encourages them to help one another through their grief and fears.
Children will learn that even though fears might be scary, facing them can lead to feelings of safety and love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
According to Let it Be Us (website), there are approximately 400,000 children in foster care in the United States. Fifteen percent live in institutions or group homes—also, 26,000 “age out” of the system each year. Most kids in foster care move from home to home, never knowing stability. Due to childhood trauma that led them to be in the foster care system, it’s common for them to have mental problems and trust issues. In addition to that, when a kid enters the system, they don’t remain in one home but get bounced around from place to place. This causes more trust issues and takes a toll on them mentally, even more so if their foster parents are unkind.
Loris didn’t have the best home life before living with Cam, Inaya, and their foster mom. Because of this, he closed himself off from everyone. Loris couldn’t accept their kindness. He mentally and physically shut the door on them. Loris displayed behavior that is typical of a lot of kids in his situation. Thankfully, his new family didn’t give up on him. Cam and Inaya tried to include Loris in the charity run, offered to tutor him in math and thanked him when he helped them out of a sticky situation.
Foster kids are like every other child in the world. They need security, to feel loved, to know they belong, and their family has their back 100%. Loris shared with his siblings about his anger issues: how it can be like hot lava. In time, Loris realized he had found everything he wanted: people who cared about him and would literally and figuratively give him the shirt off their back.
The book’s synopsis states, “It beautifully illustrates that true bravery and strength can come from the simple act of opening up their hearts.” I absolutely agree with their assessment. Loris’s story is touching and depicts a child’s emotional journey in the system. I recommend sharing Loris’s journey with your foster family and not just telling them but showing your new family member that they are in a safe place and are wanted and loved.
Amazon’s recommended reading is 5-10 years.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤
Meet the Author

Dagmara Sitek is a Montreal-based mother of two, passionate about teaching children valuable social and emotional life lessons through her beautifully illustrated, and relatable books about children in foster care.
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