Tag Archives: animals

May 18, 2026 · 7:00 am

Mama Sheep and the Big Cruise Day Checklist by Carlie Guerrier (Book Review)

Mama Sheep has her checklist ready for the family’s first big cruise!

She’s packed, planned, and prepared for everything… or so she thinks.

With three playful lambs, a helpful Daddy Sheep, and plenty of bags to carry, things don’t go quite as planned.

A funny, lighthearted story about family, teamwork, and learning to laugh when things go a little off course.

Perfect for ages 3-7!

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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.

 

Family vacation prep can be stressful. There’s finding a pet and/or house sitter, packing, getting to your departure place on time, and remembering your identification and tickets. Mama Sheep has the fix to ensure everything goes off smoothly and nothing is forgotten; she’s created “The Big Cruise Day Checklist.” Mama Sheep methodically goes through the list with her family, making sure nothing is overlooked. Pack something special. Check, even though one child’s choice was a risky item for a ship! Put the suitcases in the taxi. Check! Deliver the pet and plants to the sitters. Check and check! Make sure you have the tickets! Check! Mama Sheep checks the list more than once, and everything seems to be in order. Now, it’s smooth sailing from here, right? Wrong!

No matter how well families prepare for a vacation, there’s always that one thing they forget. Maybe even a multiple of things! Ask your kid(s) to guess what they think the sheep family forgot before the story’s big unveiling. Teachers, also ask your class to share if they or their family ever forgot something for a trip. Mama Sheep took the missing vacation item(s) rather well, but it prompted her to add a new item to her vacation checklist: a very important item no one wants to overlook! (No spoilers!)

Mama Sheep and the Big Cruise Day Checklist was a fun read. Kids will enjoy watching the Sheep family prepare for a cruise. Parents and Educators will love that the story offers opportunities for group discussions and is also pleasing to the eye. The various animals in human clothing were cute, and so were the sheep’s heart-shaped noses. Kids as young as 2 will love the illustrations, but 3- to 7-year-olds will be more inclined to guess what was left behind and share their own vacation mishap memories. I encourage you to read Mama Sheep and the Big Cruise Day Checklist and Mama Sheep and the Mysterious Cup!

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

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Meet the Author

Since her teenage years, Carlie Guerrier has had a deep passion for writing, finding both joy and comfort in storytelling. When she’s not bringing stories to life, she loves cooking delicious meals for her family and enjoying quality time together.

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May 1, 2026 · 7:00 am

Sofie Finds a Best Friend by Carrie and Corey Webber (Book Review)

Sofie the squirrel loves acorns, giggles, and her cozy treehouse—but what she wants most is a friend to share a tea party with. As Sofie kindly invites animals of all kinds to play, she discovers that not everyone likes the same things—and that’s okay. When she finally meets Chip the chipmunk, Sofie learns an important lesson about patience, perseverance, kindness, social skills and finding the friend who’s just right for you.

A warm, gentle story about friendship, belonging, acceptance, rejection, communication and remembering that the right friend is always worth the wait.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Is your child having difficulty making friends? Are they looking for that special someone who shares their interests and wants to be their best friend, but are not having any luck? In Sofie Finds a Best Friend, the bushy-tailed squirrel would love to find a friend to attend their tea party and eat acorns. The problem is, finding a friend is easier said than done. Sweet Sofie politely asks nineteen different species of animals if they would like to come to their tea party before hearing these exciting words, “YES, I WOULD LOVE TO!!!” with number twenty.

Sofie Finds a Best Friend is a great story for teaching young children the names of different animals and provides many opportunities for group discussion. For instance, what animals besides the owl and raccoon are nocturnal? What kinds of foods do animals eat? Sofie didn’t seem to let the rejections dampen her spirits, but how would they react if no one wanted to play with them? What do they like to do for fun, and what are some of their interests? This last one could lead to new friendships.

Sofie Finds a Best Friend reaches a broad audience thanks to its cute, colorful illustrations and sweet storyline. Whether you are teaching animal names, discussing what animals eat and their habitats, or emphasizing the power of kindness and perseverance, Sofie Finds a Best Friend is the book for you, your family, or your classroom.

Amazon lists the story for children 3-9 years. That is a great age for reading comprehension and discussions; however, I recommend it for babies and toddlers as well, since I think they will love the brightly colored animal scenes. Of course, even older children in the initial bracket will love the artwork. It is a great combination of sweet and funny.


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

 

 

Meet the Author

Carrie and Corey Webber’s love of storytelling has ties to their own memories of favorite books as children, including one about little critters that lived inside a treehouse. They hope their readers come away from their story understanding the foundation of friendship, perseverance, and kindness.

 

 

 

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April 24, 2026 · 7:00 am

Sofie Finds a Best Friend by Carrie and Corey Webber (Book Spotlight)

Sofie the squirrel loves acorns, giggles, and her cozy treehouse—but what she wants most is a friend to share a tea party with. As Sofie kindly invites animals of all kinds to play, she discovers that not everyone likes the same things—and that’s okay. When she finally meets Chip the chipmunk, Sofie learns an important lesson about patience, perseverance, kindness, social skills and finding the friend who’s just right for you.

A warm, gentle story about friendship, belonging, acceptance, rejection, communication and remembering that the right friend is always worth the wait.

 

Amazon Purchase Link

Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

 

 

Meet the Author

Carrie and Corey Webber’s love of storytelling has ties to their own memories of favorite books as children, including one about little critters that lived inside a treehouse. They hope their readers come away from their story understanding the foundation of friendship, perseverance, and kindness.
 

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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April 20, 2026 · 7:00 am

Jungle Kali by Amie White (Book Review)

Leopard Kali’s first swimming lesson is a disaster! Lost in the jungles of the Congo, with Momma nowhere in sight, Kali has to find her way back home before sundown.

Fortunately, she is not alone in her quest, thanks to a vibrant cast of jungle denizens, each with quirks of their own.

Towering elephants and elusive bongos are charming to talk to, but will Kali find Momma in time?

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

 

Kali, the adorable leopard cub, has one thing on their mind: learning how to swim. However, after they get separated from their mom by the jungle leaves, Kali’s attention shifts to finding her mother. As the leopard searches the jungle looking for Momma Leopard, they meet the most amazing animals. Kali, along with the young readers, discover interesting information about five new and/or familiar jungle animals. For instance, Kali meets a bongo whose stripes help them “vanish” into the leaves and shadows, and an okapi who explains how they can eat in the rain. Readers also learn why the other animals don’t see many forest elephants here anymore. Kali meets two more animals, not mentioned above. Read the story to discover every fascinating animal Kali met!

Kali and her mother do reunite, and the cub shares the animals’ outstanding qualities, comparing themselves to her jungle companions. In this conversation, kids learn a few valuable lessons. One, do not compare yourself to others. Two: don’t strive to be like anyone else. Third, don’t rush growing up. Savor each moment. All sound advice!

Jungle Kali is a beautifully designed children’s book. Kids will be drawn to the cover and the amazing artwork inside. They’ll love meeting the animals and discovering a fact they can share with others. Parents and educators will love that, in addition to the stunning illustrations, the story has a beautiful message in its conclusion. BTW: my favorite artistic scene was the moments shared as the sun set. What a stunning view during a sweet mom-and-cub talk. 

Get your copy today. The artwork is beautiful with only minor design mistakes, and the story will keep butts in seats! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️1/2
(rounded to 5 on Amazon and Goodreads)

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Goodreads 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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April 17, 2026 · 7:00 am

Tail Tale Too by Christine Kessides (Book Spotlight)

Winner of 2025 Creative Child Book of the Year Award and Literary Titan Gold Award

Short Listed for 2026 Little Peeps Award (Chanticleer International Book Awards)

 

Wally is back, and this time he’s tackling life’s challenges with even more creativity and curiosity. From chores at home to camping in the great outdoors, Wally turns to the magical Tailor for tails to solve his problems. But with each new tail comes an unexpected lesson-and a reminder from his clever snake friend, Snoo, that some things are better done the human way.

Full of heart and humor, Tail Tale Too is a delightful sequel about embracing mistakes, helping others, and learning that true strength comes from being yourself.

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Meet the Author

Christine Kessides first imagined the tail stories when she was a student, but didn’t think to publish until her first grandson arrived—who, coincidentally, looks like Wally. Christine has also published “Magda, Standing”, an award-winning Young Adult historical novel.

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