Tag Archives: beginning readers

The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Burnie Makes a New Friend by Andrea McLean (Book Review)

In this heartwarming tale of “The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Makes a New Friend,” meet Burnie, an easygoing and happy dog accustomed to ruling his owners’ house with no other canines in sight. Enter Chloe, a bundle of energy and a speedy eater who disrupts Burnie’s peaceful existence during a family gathering.

As Burnie grapples with the presence of this spirited newcomer, a twist of fate leads to an unexpected friendship. When Burnie suffers a leg injury, Chloe becomes more than just a playful companion—she transforms into a source of inspiration and encouragement. Through patience and persistence, Chloe teaches Burnie a valuable lesson about overcoming challenges and embracing differences.

Follow Burnie’s journey of self-discovery as he learns that true friendship knows no boundaries. In a heartwarming revelation, Burnie realizes that friends can be different from you yet still be your greatest allies. “The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Makes a New Friend” is a touching story about acceptance, resilience, and the unbreakable bond that forms when two unlikely companions become the best of friends.

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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.

 

“The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Makes a New Friend is a touching story about acceptance, resilience, and the unbreakable bond that forms when two unlikely companions become the best of friends.”

Burnie was an easygoing, happy dog who never had to share his space with another animal. While that pleased him, the solitude meant he never learned social skills; he never had to share food, owner’s attention, or toys. When Ava’s brother brought his canine companion, Chloe, over for a visit, Burnie learned that when it comes to dinnertime, one must eat fast if they don’t want another pup to help themselves to seconds. In other words, guard your food bowl!  

Chloe and Burnie’s first interaction together did not make them instant friends. Actually, Burnie avoided Chloe after the I can’t believe you ate all my food incident. Their second visit started rocky weeks later, but their relationship eventually blossomed into a beautiful friendship. All because Chloe encouraged Burnie to climb up the stairs– to conquer his fears that manifested after a tumble off the sofa. Through her kind actions, Burnie realized he had misjudged Chloe and looked forward to their next doggie playdate. 

The story states, “Burnie learned a big lesson. You can have friends who are different from you.” While this is true, the takeaway I got from the story was sometimes people (or animals, in this case) may not make the best first impression. They might not realize their words or actions have upset you. Besides teaching kids that friends come in all shapes and sizes, the story also teaches readers the importance of giving a person (or animal) a second chance. Be forgiving. 

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 3-8. Children younger than three might not understand the story’s underlying message, but they will love adorable dogs—even the four additional animals in Burnie’s thought bubble. 

 

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

Preorder: Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Andrea C. McLean is a champion of personal discovery. She is passionate about kindling diverse connections and watching the resultant magic unfold. When she’s not spinning captivating narratives, Andrea coaches individuals to uncover their superpowers and navigate life’s twists with resilience.

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Astro-pigs 1,2,3! by Michael Lawrence (Book Review)

Three bored pigs dream big when they look to the night sky! How far can these Astro-pig’s imaginations take them?
Astro-pigs 1,2,3! is an adventure story exploring the value of imagination and dreaming big. Bright colorful illustrations and a rhyming text take children along on an adventure to the moon, and back.

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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.

 

Parents can relate to kids complaining that they are bored and wishing for something fun to do. The three bored (not so little) pigs featured in this brightly colored story lay in a patch of mud, wishing they were Astro-pigs. With thoughts of space travel in their heads, they slept, dreaming about out-of-this-world adventures. And, when the piggies opened their eyes, they were suited up and ready to blast off. 

Like in real life, young readers will count from 10 to 1 as the rocket’s inhabitants prepare for departure. The audience will see the three oinkers tethered outside the rocket as they float about in space. Encourage your children or class to jump and bounce as if they are on the moon with the space pigs. Continue the imaginative pretend play as you drive a lunar rover over the rocky terrain of the moon. 

Astro-pigs 1,2,3! is an interactive, fun-filled storybook that encourages pretend play. Its rhyming words would be ideal for beginning readers. Out of every rhyming pair, I found one page where the rhyming word choice missed the mark: farm and warm. They are spelled nearly the same, but their end sounds do not rhyme. Unfortunately, I had to ding the book’s score for the rhyming error. 

Families and classrooms will love watching the three pigs suit up and explore space. This cute story encourages participation using numbers on more than one occasion. Whether your child knows only numbers 1, 2, and 3 or 1 through 10, they’ll love becoming a part of the adventure.  

I recommend sharing this Astro-pigs 1,2,3! with your family or classroom. The bold, colorful images should capture your baby’s eye. Toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary students will also love the illustrations. It would also make a phenomenal choice in reading material for beginning and advanced readers. 

Grab your copy today!

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

Meet the Author

Early Childhood Educator with 30 plus years in the field of early education. Self-published first picture/storybook in 2006, 10 titles released to date. I get kids. I know what works in a story and what might not. Doesn’t mean I always get it right but my track record has been pretty good so far:)

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