Tag Archives: animals

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.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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: ❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

“ABSURD,” SAID BIRD by Tricia Gardella (Book Review)

Mouse promises to bring back cheese for every farm animal to help him build the plane he thinks he needs to get to the moon. He ignores Bird who all the while warns Mouse that his plan is absurd. The fun comes when we discover the reason Bird calls the plan absurd in this short and to-the-point tale.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

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

 

The joke that the moon is made up of cheese has been floating for as long as I remember. Family members often ask one another, if it were made up of cheese, what kind would it be? The mouse in “ABSURD,” SAID BIRD. also believes the moon is composed of cheese ad plans to snatch a chunk. The barn animals are curious about his mission and how mouse plans to build a plane for the extraordinary trip. 

The farm animals agree to help him with his project after he promises them he’d bring back a moon souvenir, in other words, cheese! Ginger Nielson did a phenomenal job taking barnyard junk and morphing them into a recognizable plane. The windmill for the propeller was ingenious! 

This short story teaches children that not everything will go as planned when transitioning from concept to construction. Mouse faced such a predicament. But engineers never quit; they return to the drawing board and brainstorm ideas. Mouse leaned on their team for help, and his actions made him a great role model to future engineers. When in doubt or trouble, always ask for help! 

Did mouse ever make it to the moon? Did he and the farm animals get their cheese? Those questions can only be answered by reading “ABSURD,” SAID BIRD. by Tricia Gardella. 

Amazon has this children’s book listed for 3 – 8 years. Even children younger than that will love the story. Babies will love the bright illustrations. And the drawings will help teach toddlers farm animal names and then sounds. Of course, readers in the recommended age bracket will enjoy the adventure story. Let them draw their conclusion before starting the story. Let your young readers explore how the tiny mouse could reach the moon through art, Lego building, play dough, or brainstorming ideas from your family’s “scrapheap.” 

I loved this story, and I believe your family will too! 

 

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

 
 
 
Meet the Author
 

Tricia’s books are influenced by ranch, animals and family life. She has tried it all, and almost mastered some: canning, cooking, knitting, fiber arts, rug-making, gardening. She has a BA in Ancient History and lots of grand children, giving her much food for thought. She lives in California.
 
 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Baby Zebu’s Ears by Alana Zimmerman (Book Review)

 

What makes us different makes us important.

Baby Zebu is a little different from the other cows on the farm. Some would say it’s a pity, but to Zebu, it’s just part of his happy life!
And, as all the animals will soon find out, Zebu’s flaw is much more special than it seems.

Read a book and DO GOOD: A portion of your purchase will be donated to the Iowa Farm Sanctuary which is devoted to giving neglected and abused farm animals a second chance at a happy life. Help us do more good by reading the next books in the series!

 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Baby Zebu entered this world looking slightly different than the other calves; his ears were pinned back. For weeks, his mother unsuccessfully tried to free them. Zebu tried with all their might too. The other animals soon realized even though Zebu looked different, that didn’t make Zebu any less lovable, friendly, or playful. Zebu came to accept who they were and how they looked. We should teach our children this lesson while they are young and reinforce it as they grow! 

Zebu explored the meadow, taking in all the colorful sights, sounds, and smells. In his exploration, he noticed something strange but extraordinary; his pinned ears amplified his hearing. He could now hear sounds miles away and far below the ground. 

His newly discovered superpower alerted him when a nasty storm was brewing, unlike any he’d seen before. Zebu tried to warn his friends and family, but no one would listen. Children will empathize with Zebu’s plight of not being heard. Sometimes small voices get overshadowed by louder ones, or the person they are talking to is too busy to listen. 

Many children, especially in certain parts of the U.S., are very familiar with tornados, their destructive powers, their roar, their imposing size, and the importance of seeking shelter when one has touched down. Whether you read this book at school, the library, or at home, I encourage you to review and practice your tornado preparedness plan with your young listeners. Tornados are scary, and a solid plan in motion will create less chaos during an overwhelming and frightening experience. 

Luckily, every animal in the meadow survived the turbulent winds and thanked Zebu for saving them. This story reinforces that it’s okay to be different. It doesn’t make you any less helpful or important. Your difference might give you an advantage over others, like a superpower.

Baby Zebu’s Ears by Alana Zimmerman had words and phrases that might be too complex for toddlers and preschoolers: mottled, basked, billowing, and tentative steps firmer. However, the illustrations were bright and eye-catching, and they explained precisely what was happening in the story. 

I think all elementary school children will enjoy listening to the story. I would encourage those living in tornado prone areas to share Baby Zebu’s Ears with their children and remember to go over your tornado emergency plan.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

I loved reading as a child, so much so that the giant box of books that was loaned to my family I would repeatedly try to sleep in hoping to be closer to the books I loved. That love of reading grew into a full fledged adult passion and writing a children’s book was something I dreamed of doing.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Have You Ever Seen? by Jacqueline “MAX” Zarro (Book Review)

This book strives to bring joy and giggles as readers follow Max the Mole as he wanders about the land running into animals, vegetables, bugs, fish, and ice cream. His journey involves many unlikely scenarios, including a flower taking a shower, a goat in a boat that doesn’t float, and a fly that is an international spy. This book is sure to bring a smile to children’s faces.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Have You Ever Seen? With “Max” the Mole asks children questions that center around silly and impossible scenarios. For example, have you ever seen a bat on a date with a gnat or a bunny with lots of money? What about a moose and a goose enjoying a cup of orange juice? I bet the only time a child has seen a dragon pulled in a wagon is if the dragon was stuffed or made of plastic. 

There were so many ridiculously funny questions and images. Jacqueline “MAX” Zarro (writer) and Ron Zarro’s (writer and illustrator) imaginations will have children giggling nonstop. Even adults will be smiling at the creative artwork and silliness of the writings. 

Nearly all the scenarios were unlikely. However, I found one that could be plausible, thanks to the Muppets. Miss Piggy has blonde hair. She may have stood on a twig at some point. Therefore, I’d like to answer the writers’ question, “Have you ever seen a pig standing on a twig wearing a wig?” with a firm….maybe.

Since a child’s imagination seems limitless at times, I think they might answer yes to several of the have you ever questions. Children love “tea parties,” so questions involving an animal eating or drinking could land in the yes category. I’d be stunned to hear one say they’ve seen a banana wearing a bandanna unless they like to play with their food. 

In the final moments, Have You Ever Seen? With “Max” the Mole prompts readers to share outlandish scenarios they’ve seen. I bet children will come up with exciting and hilarious combinations. 

Amazon has the set recommended reading age of six to eight years, but anyone from pre-k to fifth grade will find this book highly entertaining. It’s a laugh riot that’ll please many young readers and the adults sharing it with them! 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Lauren The Cow by T I Frazier (Book Review)

Taking place in the countryside, Lauren is a Jersey cow (calf) who is determined to be a jumping cow when she grows up. She has to work hard and train if she is going to accomplish her dream. In the end, she doesn’t just jump but discovers she can fly.

This story teaches children to believe in themselves and to try new things even if it has never been done before. It encourages the spirit of exploring yourself and to push beyond what you think is possible.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 


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

 

Lauren is a Jersey cow (calf) who lives with her mom on a farm in the countryside. Lauren is unlike other calves. She doesn’t spend her days grazing with the other cows in the pasture. No, Lauren has her head in the clouds, dreaming about becoming a jumping cow when she grows up. Even though her mom said, “My dear, cows don’t jump,” Lauren isn’t going to allow that statement to deter her from her life’s goal. Lauren is determined to make her dream a reality. 

With most things in life, practice is key to success. Lauren starts with small jumps— a blade of grass and quickly moves onto bigger targets. With multiple successful jumps, she’s ready to tackle a more challenging obstacle, a fence. Lauren gathered her courage and raced towards the fence. Unfortunately, her first attempt fell short. In life, we often fail at our first attempt at something new, and that’s okay; it’s how we handle these failures that shape us. 

Lauren was feeling discouraged for not making it over the fence. She doubted her ability, a familiar feeling we all face over failing at anything. However, Lauren’s friends rallied around her, boasted her confidence, and the little calf leaped over the fence. Hooray! 

Lauren The Cow by T.I. Frazier is a short story about having the courage to do the impossible and triumphing over adversity. Besides the wonderful plot, the images were stunning. Cheers go out to Meritxell Andreu for their remarkable cover design and illustrations. And cheers to T.I. Frazier for their creating an unforgettable, inspirational story!

Lauren The Cow is a perfect book for many ages. Babies and toddlers will love the bright colors and animals. Three through five-year-olds will adore the story’s plot and resolution. Kindergarteners and older can use this book as a tool to practice their reading skills. 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

After nearly 10yrs in the military, T.I. Frazier settled in the countryside of Michigan with his wife, son, dog, and cat. Tim writes inspirational books and children’s stories. He aspires to teach, motivate, and serve others, empowering them to strive past the unknown and to explore their passions.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized