Tag Archives: best friends

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.

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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.

 

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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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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The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Burnie Misses His Family by Andrea McLean (Book Review)

OUT TODAY!! 

In this enchanting story of The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Misses His Family, Ava’s family embarks on a weekend family trip. They leave their beloved dogs, Burnie and Chloe, in the care of the Camp Wag-A-Tail boarding facility. As the duo faces being away from home for the first time, Chloe’s bubbly spirit contrasts Burnie’s initial reluctance.

Camp Wag-A-Tail becomes a playground of emotions as Burnie grapples with homesickness, finding solace in a quiet corner. At the same time, Chloe tries to lift his spirits. A tale of determination and compassion unfolds as Chloe develops a plan to bring joy into Burnie’s world. With the help of their furry companions, the dogs engage in playful antics, turning the boarding facility into a haven of newfound friendships.

As the days pass, Chloe’s efforts work, and Burnie discovers the joy of making new friends and exploring the boarding facility. Join Burnie and Chloe on their unique journey of making friends and having fun in a new place.

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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.

 

We love our canine companions, and they love us right back. We grow attached to them, and it stands to reason they grow just as attached to us. Leaving your beloved pet at home alone can be stressful. Dogs might express themselves through destructive behavior, vocalization, or soiling the inside of your home. Some owners take their pet(s) to a doggie daycare during work hours to avoid unfavorable behavior and to give them a play friend for the day. When a person will be gone multiple days, like in the case of Burnie and Chloe’s owners, they ‘board’ their pet(s). Most dogs embrace the new location; it’s a place to make new friends, sniff out new scents, or play with new toys. But not every dog welcomes their temporary home. The new sounds, smells, and faces frighten them. They miss their human(s) and wish they would come back. 

Burnie isn’t thrilled Ava dropped him off at Camp Wag-A-Tail. (Cute name, by the way!) His accommodations were pretty sweet compared to most boarding facilities I’ve seen, but as homey as they were and looked, they still weren’t his home. Burnie missed his human. Missed his home. On the other hand, Chloe wanted to explore the new area and meet the other dogs. She encouraged Burnie to have fun while they were there. Burnie’s mood didn’t change once the pair were outdoors, so Chloe did what any good friend would do in a similar situation—she devised a plan to cheer him up—make his frown turn upside down!  

I loved the image of the five dogs hiding behind trees, mimicking the game of hide-and-seek. I can see why Burnie couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. Chloe taught Burnie to embrace the change and see it as a new and fun adventure. After reading this delightful story, I hope readers will follow Chloe’s example and be open to new adventures. I also hope they will be there for their friends when their buddies are sad, lonely, scared, or anxious. 

As lovely as the story was, I noticed minor text placement/presentation issues. For example, on page 23, the hook in the two y’s in “yummy” touches the roof’s ridge, almost making the y’s look like u’s. I would move the block text up a smidge to avoid overlapping letters with the scenery. I loved the glow effect behind the text on page 32. It made the text pop off the pages. I recommend using the text effect on every page in the next book. 

I recommend you share this spectacular story with your family and/or class. 

 

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

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Chloe Gets Scared by Andrea McLean (Book Review)

New Release! 

Step into a day of excitement and unexpected turns with Burnie and Chloe as they anticipate a fun day playing with new toys. The duo faces a mysterious and frightening banging noise while Ava, their owner, is unexpectedly outside the house. Chloe’s fear clashes with Burnie’s determination to find Ava. Together, they navigate through the house, barking loudly and confronting the source of the disturbance.

Burnie’s bravery shines in this heartwarming tale as he leads the way into the unknown, eventually uncovering the surprising culprit behind the loud banging. As the story unfolds, friendship, courage, and loyalty take center stage, leaving readers with a delightful and comforting conclusion. Willing to face their fears head-on, Chloe and Burnie prove that sometimes, the scariest situations can lead to the most unexpected resolutions.

The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Chloe Gets Scared, is a charming story that teaches young readers the importance of courage, friendship, and facing challenges together. Join Chloe and Burnie in this delightful, suspenseful story that will leave readers smiling at the outcome.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Dogs, like humans, have fears. These fears or phobias can manifest at any time or anywhere. When Chloe visits Burnie for a playdate, they both hear a loud banging noise. Burnie, being curious, wants to investigate the sound immediately, while Chloe prefers to wait for Ava, Burnie’s human, to return and help locate the source of the noise. 

Burnie asked Chloe more than once to join him in searching for the loud noise, but he couldn’t persuade her to come. Burnie’s curiosity led him to the noisy culprit in the laundry room. A washing machine can make quite the racket when it is overstuffed, has an unbalanced load, or is on uneven footing. I understand why the loud noise or shaking device can cause some pets to run for the doggie door. At least this washing machine wasn’t spewing white foam from its metaphoric mouth.  

The two canine buddies learned from Ava what caused the strange noise. Even though Burnie didn’t want to wait for an adult’s help, we should remind kids that it is perfectly okay to wait for backup. And there’s no shame in being afraid of anything! 

The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Chloe Gets Scared is a delightful story encouraging readers to face their fears or challenges. While the story was cute, I would’ve liked consistency in how the text was displayed. Some pages had the words presented on a white, rectangular backdrop, while others had the text directly on the scenery. I also noticed the inconsistencies in the various clock times. A minor detail that other readers might overlook. 

This charming children’s book, The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Chloe Gets Scared, is specifically designed for children aged 1-8. Its engaging storyline, adorable characters, and simple text make it an ideal choice for independent readers. 

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

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.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

2 Comments

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Ellie, The Treasure Hunter: The Hidden Treasures of My Own House (Ellie The Chick Book 4) by Avery Smart (Book Review)

Get ready for a super-duper adventure with Ellie and her best friend, Lola!

They had this epic camping plan, but rain decided to crash the party. No biggie! Ellie’s mom had an even cooler idea— a treasure hunt!

So, Ellie and Lola jump into action with a treasure map in hand. Each room at home turns into a treasure trove of shapes, clues, and letters that lead to the grand prize. With your help, they will tackle challenges like champs.

Join Ellie and Lola in this thrilling hunt filled with surprises, shapes, and a whole lot of love.

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

 

Ellie, a chick, and Lola, a bunny, are best friends. Rain or shine, they love spending time with one another. The youngsters’ outdoor plans were spoiled one-day thanks to heavy rain. Luckily, Mom knows just what to do to lift their spirits. She’s created a treasure map, designating rooms in specific colors and shapes: yellow rectangle for the living room, blue square for the study room, red circle for the bathroom, and green triangle for the playroom. As they move from room to room, they are asked to seek out hidden clues, which we learn are letters left behind by Mom. Once all four letters are retrieved, they have one final job: arrange the letters to discover the greatest treasure of all. 

There are NUMEROUS learning books on the market. Ellie, The Treasure Hunter differs from them because it is not just a point-and-be-done book. Yes, children point out items that match the room’s shape, but they are also asked to find hidden clues. When the writer stated that children needed to discover the hidden clues, I assumed the clues would be visible somewhere in the illustrated room. That was not the case. The writer missed an excellent opportunity to extend the hands-on learning experience. 

That aside, families will enjoy this book. I also foresee many children asking to go on a treasure hunt. 

I recommend sharing the activity book with kids between 2 and 6. Help them learn four basic shapes and colors. Have them name objects in their own home. Hide letters and have your child find them. Basically, don’t let the fun end with the closing of the kid’s picture book.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Avery Smart, a vibrant author who resides in the heart of the lively family chaos with her three energetic kids. Nestled in the midst of parenting, she channels her passion for nurturing well-mannered children into delightful tales.

It is within this dynamic environment that she draws inspiration, transforming her deep-seated passion for fostering well-mannered children into captivating tales.

Avery’s writing becomes a heartfelt expression of her commitment to instilling values in the younger generation. Her three lively kids not only serve as a source of inspiration but also as eager test subjects for the lessons embedded in her stories.

Amazon Author Page Link

 

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