Tag Archives: be kind

Happy Holidays

The holidays are a stressful and anxiety-filled time of year. In the U.S., our stress/anxiety levels are reaching new highs as we watch the administration sink to new lows.

 

My advice to the POTUS and the MAGA followers…

 

To everyone reading this notice…

 

AND

 

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Joey Meets the Tooth Fairy by Tannia Ortiz-Lopes (Book Review)

Hi! My name is Joey. I am eight years old and have a secret: I’m a late-toothed. (shhh). One day, my secret was revealed, and all my friends made fun of me. I was hurt! When I got home, I was upset and complained to Mom. So that night, while tucking me in bed, my dad told me the story of the Tooth Fairy. I was fascinated and wished I could travel to the castle to meet her. Do you want to know if I visited the Tooth Fairy?

To learn more about Joey and the Tooth Fairy, visit his website.

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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.

 

Kids love it when they get a visit from the Tooth Fairy because it typically means the magical person will leave money in place of their lost tooth. That’s why, when a child’s baby tooth starts to wiggle, they push and pull on it, ready for it to pop out. Even though every child’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, not every child will lose them at the same time. This is the case of eight-year-old Joey. Unlike his friends, Joey had not lost a single tooth yet. Instead of his friends reassuring him that he’ll probably lose one soon, they laughed at him. This situation provides a valuable opportunity for your young listeners to discuss appropriate responses to teasing and how mocking laughter can hurt as much as harsh words.

Are your kids at an age where they are questioning how the Tooth Fairy has time to gather up all the teeth every night? Joey Meets the Tooth Fairy takes readers on a magical journey through the fairy’s enchanting castle, where each floor is more wondrous than the last. We meet the Tooth Fairy, whose legs don’t work, so they built a Praconama (Pra-con-ama) flying-hovering wheelchair to help them get around. At first glance, I thought the Tooth Fairy was sitting on an oversized toilet with pointy legs. After a good chuckle, I appreciated the creativity in the chair design. I also admired the artist’s beautiful color choices for the fairy’s hair and all the detail they put in every scene. Above all else, I applaud the creative team for developing a character that looks like many viewers. So many kids are brown, black and/or spend their days in a wheelchair, so I was thrilled to see them represented.

The author’s imagination amazed me as well. The story answered common questions kids have about the magical visitor: how do they find the teeth, how do they grab the tooth without waking the child, how do they reach the numerous homes each night, and a couple of other questions the book raises. Their storytelling will mesmerize young listeners. Kids will love the surprises found in the castle. One floor might even activate their sweet tooth, while another floor hosts a character with a unique and very cool ability.

Joey Meets the Tooth Fairy is a captivating storybook that takes readers inside the magical world of the Tooth Fairy. It is intended for children ages 5-8.

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

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Meet the Dynamic Duo

Joey Paco:  I am an adventurous and curious eight-year-old boy. I can speak English, German, and Spanish. That makes me trilingual. I enjoy riding my bike, doing sports, reading, and playing with my friends. Mom says I am very persistent.

I keep a journal about my unusual adventures and family traveling. I think of me like a explorer. All famous explorers kept a journal about their adventures and discoveries.  

The idea for my first book,  “Joey trifft die Zahnfee.”  came from my journal, “Joey Paco’s Travels.”

 

Mom:  I was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico. I am a trilingual, multi-genre author, public speaker, freelance book reviewer, songwriter, bag designer, and hobby photographer. I speak Spanish, English, and German. To know more about my creative world, visit my Christian site: https://timewithtannia.com/

“Joey” is the main character of my first picture book: “Joey trifft die Zahnfee” (“Joey Meets the Tooth Fairy.”). I created Joey Paco’s Travels to allow Joey to promote his book. Likewise, he will share information about our “Book Reading Tours” and other adventures. After the publication of his book, he is starting to feel like a bestseller author. He refers to his site as “The Digital Journal of Young Author, Joey Paco.” (wink)

Psst: Please don’t tell him, he’s just a fictional character. Like Pinocchio, he thinks of himself as a real boy.  


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Chris Mouse by Vanessa Newman (Book Spotlight)

On a cold and wintry night, a creature arrives on the eve of a holiday. This critter has a message and lesson to share with those who find him. Why is he here and what happens when he is discovered? Chris Mouse is the first book in a series about the true adventures of a deer mouse in Maine. This picture book is for early and young readers ages 3 to 8 which includes science facts about deer mice and beautiful illustrations by a Ukrainian artist.

ORDER NOW through the author’s website!

Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

 

 

 

Meet the Author

I have been writing since I was eight and have self-published multiple children’s books and adult women’s romantic comedy. I’m also a freelancer who has contributed to hundreds of articles, courses, and blogs online. I like to write grown-up humor (Dr. Seuss meets Dr. Ruth) and children’s books.

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Gentle, Gentle: A Story About Kind Hands and Big Feelings by Abby Tunny (Book Spotlight)

Gentle, Gentle is a heartwarming book that teaches toddlers how to express big emotions through kind hands and gentle choices.

Perfect for ages 1-4, this colorful and engaging story follows Trey, a spirited toddler who’s learning that pushing isn’t the answer. With the help of his mom, a kind teacher, and a classroom full of friends, Trey discovers better ways to communicate when frustration bubbles up. Through simple rhymes and vibrant illustrations, young readers explore emotional regulation, empathy, and using words instead of hands. This book is ideal for families, educators, therapists, and caregivers seeking to nurture positive behavior, reduce hitting and pushing, and help children learn to manage big feelings. This relatable story encourages self-expression, builds emotional intelligence, and affirms that every child can learn to be kind-even when things get tough.

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Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

 

 

 

Meet the Author

I am just a mom of two young children whose love of being a mom and passion for her children and family led to a creative spark to create a children’s book. My background includes psychology, social work, and now also includes self-publishing. I strive to live and teach the spirit of kindness.
 

 

 

 

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Wiggles McGee- The Magic Within by Sogol Johnson (Book Review)

Wiggles McGee: The Magic Within is a heartwarming and empowering picture book that gently guides children-and their grown-ups-through the ups and downs of big feelings. At its core, this story is about the quiet power of self-compassion, resilience, and the inner magic that comes from choosing kindness, especially toward ourselves.

When a tough moment sends Wiggles McGee into a whirlwind of frustration, he begins a journey of discovery grounded in the ancient Zoroastrian values of Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds. With the loving support of his teacher and friends, Wiggles learns that kindness isn’t just something we give to others-it’s something we first learn to offer ourselves. Whether it’s speaking gently to our own mistakes or pausing to breathe when emotions feel too big, the story shows that true connection starts from the inside out.

Designed with both children and caregivers in mind, the book weaves together playful storytelling, emotional literacy, and somatic wisdom in a way that feels accessible and real. Included at the end are a few simple, trauma-informed nervous system exercises-perfect for those everyday meltdowns, tough transitions, or tender moments when a deep breath can go a long way.

Wiggles McGee: The Magic Within is more than a story-it’s a practical invitation to slow down, get curious, and build emotional resilience as a family. It reminds us all that even in our messiest moments, there’s magic waiting to be found.

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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.

 

Wiggles McGee- The Magic Within begins by amazing audiences with Wiggles McGee’s construction talents. However, his joy quickly turned to anger when his train tracks suddenly broke apart in epic proportions. Confused. Sad. Angry. His body was overflowing with negative emotions, a feeling we all can relate to at times. He let them loose, knocking over an easel and scaring classmates. His teacher, Miss Huggleberry, didn’t scold him or negate his feelings. After a few calming breaths, Miss Huggleberry was ready to share how she deals with big emotions. It’s called Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds.

Good Thoughts asks readers to name something kind about themselves, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. The point of Good Words is to spread happiness and kindness even when we are upset. When McGee focused on what he said during his angry outburst, he realized how his words scared his classmates. He learned it’s never okay to take your anger out on others. In the last step, Good Deeds, Miss Huggleberry asks her student to think of a kind act he can do for others and himself.

We all experience “big” feelings and might not always handle them properly. Wiggles McGee- The Magic Within is a children’s picture book, but the Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds method is not just for children. It’s a universal message that we could all use a reminder to be kind to ourselves and spread kindness, even when we are upset. Caregivers might also struggle with how to handle their child(ren)’s angry outbursts. In “Bonus Tips for Grown-ups,” the author emphasizes that children are not born knowing how to handle their emotions, and I agree. We must help them navigate their feelings by modeling appropriate behavior and providing them with tools to handle them. There are nine “science-backed, nervous-system supportive ways to show up for a child” when big emotions occur. I encourage all caregivers to read this section carefully because, as the writer so eloquently stated, “These small acts of presence create lasting change.”

Wiggles McGee-The Magic Within is a delightful and educational picture book that will appeal to readers of all ages. While the tip page is aimed at adults, the charming illustrations are sure to captivate everyone. Personally, I was drawn to the teacher’s wavy hair, which was beautifully highlighted and grew wilder with each frame. The book also offers some light-hearted moments that will bring a smile to your face. I found one scene, in particular, toot-riffic!

Join McGee on his journey to manage his emotions using Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds! My recommended reading age is 2-9 years.

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

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Meet the Author

Sogol Johnson, MA, ACC, is a trauma-informed coach and the author of Wiggles McGee. A former Fortune 500 design leader, she traded boardrooms for bedtime stories with a vision to prevent childhood trauma before it starts. She lives in sunny California, where her days are filled with storytelling, coaching, watercolor painting, and joyful adventures with her son—who constantly reminds her what presence really means.

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