Tag Archives: animals

At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard by Freya Novak (Book Review)

ONE DINGO, SIX ANIMALS, AND AN APPROACHING STORM.

With so much on his plate, Dallas Dingo is feeling the pressure, but the residents of the Ragtag Hotel are counting on him. Can he secure everything amid the fierce winds while trying to fix everyone’s problems? Brace yourself, as a storm is brewing!

🌏 Learn about animals from the different corners of the globe
🎁 Perfect gift for teaching young children about friendship and kindness
🌙 A short bedtime story to send your child off to sleep with a smile
❤️ Charming characters and illustrations ideal for young children ages 4-9 years

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

 

Storms wreak havoc worldwide. They topple homes, destroy landscapes and properties, and leave their mark on communities for years. At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard takes readers through the preparation and aftermath of a severe thunderstorm. It shows how six hotel occupants band together to help Dallas Dingo (the go-to worker for everything at the hotel) clean up the outdoor damage caused by the storm.

At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard opens the door for kids to share how their family prepares for bad weather, express their feelings about storms, and (if applicable) how storms have affected their life or city. This story might inspire your family or class to gather supplies, create a disaster plan, and donate to a community in need. It’s a great segue into teaching children about disaster preparedness and safety measures.

At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard uses animals to focus on a real-life scenario. As we watch Dingo scramble to prepare the pool area for the impending bad weather, we also see him put others’ needs before his own. (All seven animal characters were first introduced in “At the Ragtag Hotel: The Elevator Ride.”) The dingo has a lot on his plate, but through it all, readers notice he never loses his smile or his willingness to help others, and Dallas’s kind acts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard is a beautifully crafted story. You can almost feel the wind blowing across the pages. I loved the inclusion of Spanish, Swahili, and Filipino words in the English-written story. I liked the world map that shows where the 7 characters call home, and the page introducing a fun fact about each animal featured in the story. The only additional item I would’ve included was a pronunciation key for the foreign words.

I recommend At the Ragtag Hotel: Chaos in the Courtyard and At the Ragtag Hotel: The Elevator Ride for children 4 years and older.

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️1/2

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Meet the Author

 

Award-winning author Freya Novak makes a notable debut in children’s picture books with her breakout novel, At the Ragtag Hotel: The Elevator Ride.

Loved by critics and readers alike, the book has won the Firebird Children’s Book Award, the North America Gold Book Award, the Readers’ Favorite Silver Book Award, and the Royal Dragonfly Book Award for New Author – Fiction and Best Children’s Picture Book.

The second book in the Ragtag Hotel series, Chaos in the Courtyard, will be released in October 2026.

Novak is an author and educator passionate about storytelling and dedicated to teaching. She has travelled throughout Western Australia, reaching remote schools to provide education and inspiration. Her stories evoke a sense of place, culture, and human connection.

 

 

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The Cheeky Capybara (2 book series) by Kateryna Dronova (Book Spotlight)

Join Tito, the cheeky capybara, on unforgettable adventures through the heart of the Amazon rainforest!

From winding rivers and hidden jungle trails to mysterious swamps and towering trees, Tito and his friends discover a world filled with extraordinary animals. Each story is packed with humor, exciting adventures, and gentle lessons about courage, friendship, and kindness. With every new journey, young readers will learn amazing facts about one of the world’s most incredible ecosystems while falling in love with its unforgettable animal heroes.

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Amazon Purchase Link to Book Two

 

 

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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Bunny and Fawn: The Glowing Feather by Michael Lingo (Book Spotlight)

In the crisp autumn air, Bunny and Fawn race through the forest when a mysterious glow beneath the leaves leads them to Phoenix, a magical bird whose fading fire and urgent journey home pull the sisters into an unforgettable nighttime adventure filled with curiosity, courage, and the quiet worry of what might happen if the sun rises too soon. Alongside Bear and Truffles, they brave dark paths and the unknown, discovering how kindness, teamwork, and the comforting warmth of friendship can light the way.

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Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

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Meet the Author

I enjoy writing stories for awesome kids like you! I love making books about friendship and fun. When I’m not writing, I’m usually exploring with my wife, attending sporting events, and cooking on the grill.

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The Lost Brother: A Legend of Tara by Colm Hearne (Book Spotlight / Author Interview)

with 

Colm Hearne

1. Welcome, Colm Hearne. For those who might not be familiar with you, would you be a dear and tell the reader’s a little about yourself? How you got your start in the writing business?

(Colm): I live in Dublin, Ireland. I’ve been writing since I was a kid and always dreamed about becoming a published writer. I’ve two children’s fantasy books published so far. They’re called “A Legend of Tara: Fionn the Reviver” and “. I have many different ideas for books and stories.

 

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2. All writers fear the dreaded “block.” Please tell us how you handle it.

(Colm): Honestly, I’ve never had to deal with writer’s block because I never seem to run out of ideas. If I ever get an idea or inspiration for a book or a story, I make a note of it on my computer so I won’t forget about it. I’ve got hundreds of ideas, literally.

(KAM) That’s amazing! 

 

3. What’s your writing process like? Do you have a favorite snack or drink? Do you listen to music? Do you go old-school and write on paper, use a typewriter, or pen your thoughts on a computer? Do you have a particular writing outfit or location that inspires you the most?

(Colm): I write wherever I go. Whether it’s in a café or at home or somewhere quiet where I can do some writing. I usually handwrite my writing first, then type it up on my computer. I also like to have a cup of tea or coffee while I’m writing.

 

4. If you could have dinner with one author, alive or dead, who would that be and why?

(Colm): It would probably be Brian Jacques, author of the Redwall books. I’ve been a fan of his work since I was a kid, and he was a major influence on my writing of “Fionn the Reviver,” “The Lost Brother,” and even “The Legends of Tara” series. He was also a funny guy with a great sense of humour.

(KAM) I’ve never heard of them, so thank you for sharing their name with us!  

 

5. What or who inspired you to write?

(Colm): What inspired me were books by authors like Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, Brian Jacques and J.R.R. Tolkien. When I read one of their books, I imagined myself being an amazing author like them and even coming up with my own fantasy world.

(KAM) I love Tolkien! 

 

6. If you could choose one book to go to the big screen, yours or otherwise, which book would you choose and whom would you love to see cast in the parts?

(Colm): If I had to choose, I would probably say the comic book script that I’m working on, “Skater”. Because I love superhero movies, and people have told me that when I read my comic book scripts like “Skater”, they can see them made into films. As to who would star in the film, I don’t really know. Maybe someone like Andrew Garfield because he was cool as Spider-Man.

(KAM) I would definitely watch your movie. Andrew was a fantastic Spider-Man, and I also love superhero movies! 

 

7. Would you please tell us about your current or upcoming release?

(Colm): Yes, I’m working on a few different projects. I’m working on a third and fourth book to “The Legends of Tara” series. I’ve also written a comic book script called “Skater” as I’m passionate about comics as well. I’m working on a few different comic book scripts. I also write short stories as well. One particular short story called “The Bad Word” I’m hoping to get published eventually. I’ve also written a chapter for a Christmas book called “The Missing Elf”. I seem to be always writing stories.

 

8. Where can we find your stories and is there a particular reading order?

(Colm): My two children’s fantasy books, “Fionn the Reviver” and “The Lost Brother”, are available on Amazon. They’re both part of a series, so I would start by reading “The Lost Brother” first, then read “Fionn the Reviver”.

 

“The Lost Brother”: Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

9. Would you please share how your present and future fans can contact you?

 (Colm): Yes, the best way to contact me would probably be my website https://colmhearneauthor.com/

Also, feel free to sign up to my mailing list if you want to hear news about my writing progress.

Subscribe to his Youtube channel!! 

 

10. Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours.

 (Colm): Two things I’d like to say: if anyone buys or reads one of my books, I’d really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads because getting reviews is tough. So the more reviews, the better. Second, to anyone aspiring to become a writer like me, I would say: first of all, keep writing, and don’t be afraid to show your work to anyone. And if you experience setbacks or disappointments, whether it’s writing, publishing or marketing, don’t be discouraged and don’t give up; keep going. Even J.K. Rowling experienced rejection several times when she was trying to publish “Harry Potter”, and she went on to become one of the best-selling authors of all time. Hope you found this helpful, and thank you for having me.

 

I hope you enjoyed my interview with Colm Hearne If you have any questions or comments for the author, by all means, leave them a message below. Thank you in advance for your visit! 

 

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The Jumperell by Anna Spencer (Book Spotlight)

A shiny treasure.
A clever little frog.
And a mysterious Jumperell…

Near a quiet lake, a little frog guards a shining treasure and a very special secret. But when curious animals demand to know what’s inside his sack, he invents something extraordinary…

This super funny, easy-to-read story is written in a traditional rhyming style.
Full of playful repetition, magical mischief, and an unexpected twist, it will have children giggling from start to finish.

A delightful and mischievous picture book celebrating imagination, courage, and the joy of storytelling.

Perfect for ages 4–9, bedtime reading, and laugh-out-loud storytime fun.

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Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

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Meet the Author

Anna Spencer is a children’s picture book author and illustrator who moved to the UK in 2004. Anna writes every story herself and illustrates each book by hand using pencil or vibrant watercolours. She plans to continue writing and illustrating many more picture books for children.

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