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One Little Squiggle by Jodi Adams (Book Review)

When you look at this picture, what do you see?

One little squiggle? What else could it be?

 

Follow a young girl armed with a sketchpad and a big imagination as she scooters to Squiggleville, an imaginary place where she joins a circus, explores a jungle, swims with sea creatures, and more. Everywhere she goes, she discovers more things that one little squiggle could be, and she makes squiggly sketches to document it all. Then, drawing inspiration from her adventures in Squiggleville, she returns home and makes the ultimate squiggle art masterpiece.

With its catchy, rhyming text, beautiful illustrations, one-of-a-kind squiggle art made by real kids, and uplifting message about the incredible power of human creativity, One Little Squiggle inspires artists of all ages to think outside the box and make their own squiggle doodles.

Now, it’s your turn. Go on- get creative!   

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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.

 

One Little Squiggle taps into an artist’s mind and asks them, “When you look at this picture, what do you see? One little squiggle? What else could it be?” As the little girl, dressed in mix-matched clothes, scoots her way to Squiggleville, we get an inside look at how one single multi-colored squiggle can be transformed into many ways.

In the enchanting world of Squiggleville, the boundaries of imagination are limitless. You can traverse any landscape, witness any spectacle. Your sole constraint is your own creativity. As readers turn the pages, we see the darling girl’s sketches come alive. A magnificent red dragon, a pink unicorn, an orange four-eyed creature, a colossal snail, a fairy, and others emerge from the strands of colors from the child’s paintbrush. A wildly imaginative circus emerges where pigs fly and a tutu-wearing crocodile leaps through the air. As the scene switches, we watch the artist and her kitty companion interact with a monkey-wearing roller skates and a mermaid. They explore the underwater world and brave the cold before warming their bodies by the fire and turning in for the night.

One Little Squiggle is an extraordinary book. Its rhyming text and vibrant illustrations will amaze and entertain children and adults. I can envision readers eagerly scouring each page for the hidden squiggle lines. Kids racing to see who can spot the lines first. I also suspect they’ll love the one-of-a-kind squiggle art made by real kids as young as 3. I was pleasantly surprised to see adults had their creations added to the book. Loved the personal touch! Great idea!

I urge you to read One Little Squiggle, hunt for the hidden squiggle lines in the artwork, and then gather your art supplies to express what you see when you look at the squiggle. Think beyond the obvious and let your creativity and imagination flow. Your unique interpretations are not only welcome but also an integral part of the squiggle experience.

One Little Squiggle deserves more than 5 stars; it’s that good!

 

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

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Meet the Author

Jodi Adams is a former Crime Scene Investigator turned stay-at-home mom and children’s book author. When she is not reading or writing, Jodi loves to cook and bake, run, golf, and spend time with her family. She grew up in Iowa but now lives in Omaha, NE, with her husband and two kids.

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Ben T. Finnigan’s Awesome ADHD Superpowers by May Morrissey (Book Review)

Do you feel the wiggles when you are told to sit still?

Does your brain buzz with unstoppable ideas?

What if those things you thought were challenges were actually superpowers?

Meet Ben T. Finnigan, a boy with ADHD who feels frustrated when he’s fidgety and his big emotions take over. But with a little help, Ben discovers that his boundless energy, endless curiosity, and creativity are what make him extraordinary. This uplifting story celebrates the magic of neurodivergence, encouraging kids to embrace their differences and uncover their inner superhero.

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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.

 

Ben Theodore Finnigan is an energetic little boy whose body is usually in high gear, earning him the title of “happy tornado” by his mother. Ben isn’t allowed to move at lightning speed at school, though. His teacher would like Ben to slow down in the classroom, but that is difficult for him. Why? Ben has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, for short). It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that makes it challenging for individuals like Ben to stay focused or remain still. The author compared Ben’s brain to a race car, both moving quickly. Great comparison! In this book, we follow Ben’s journey as he learns to navigate his ADHD and discovers his unique superpowers.

ADHD has other symptoms, such as it can shrink one’s patience in waiting their turn. We saw that firsthand as Ben’s excitement caused him to cut the line to the paint table. His brain didn’t register how his action would upset others. It had one thought – get to the paints! A person with ADHD also tends to get distracted easily, and remaining perfectly still is nearly impossible. They often forget to do something and wiggle and fidget when calm bodies are needed. And, as we witnessed with Ben and bath time, their feelings can grow big, causing them to get easily frustrated and express their emotions loudly. I applaud the mom’s reaction to Ben’s outburst. She NEVER once yelled at him, but instead, she took a calmer approach. She waited for big feelings to subside, and when he was ready, she hugged him.

I loved the scene featuring Ben and his father discussing the day’s highs and lows – the happy and sad parts of the day. When Ben pointed out only the low parts, his father reminded his son of all his remarkable accomplishments this morning. We all make mistakes, and focusing only on the errors can dampen our moods and willingness to try again. We should all follow Ben’s dad’s example – help or remind our kids of everything they did good that day. Also, remember these five words – “I AM PROUD OF YOU”- can make all the difference in the world for a person!

One might think there is no upside to having ADHD, but we discover people with the condition have “superpowers.” No, you won’t run fast like The Flash, but the “High Energy Power” does keep you moving longer than the average person. Ben’s dad mentioned two other superpowers his son had, but mum’s the word on those. I encourage you to read the story to discover Ben’s other hidden powers. Ben’s mom points out superpowers we ALL have that can help us take life a bit slower or help raise our spirits. These, too, will be unveiled as you read the uplifting and loving story.

The technical term for ADHD can be tricky for children to say, but Ben’s story does a wonderful job explaining the symptoms behind the condition in terms a child can comprehend. The book shares positive aspects of the disorder—superpowers that can boost a child’s spirit about the diagnosis. The parents model good responses when their son is experiencing big feelings. It also offers coping strategies every reader can benefit from, leaving you feeling informed and knowledgeable about ADHD.

I highly recommend reading Ben T. Finnigan’s Awesome ADHD Superpowers. It is an uplifting story that explains ADHD in simple terms and reminds those with the condition to focus on the daily highs. It also features adorable illustrations that will make you smile, especially the ones containing Kojo the cat.

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 3-8 years.

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

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Meet the Author

May Morrissey is a debut children’s picture book author, devoted mom, and nurse anesthetist by trade. Her writing journey began when her son was diagnosed with ADHD—a moment that forever changed the way she saw his world and how the world saw him. Fueled by a deep desire to make her son feel seen, heard, and valued, she set out to create stories that capture the energy, struggles, and superpowers of neurodivergent kids like him.

Inspired by real-life events in her family, May wrote Ben T. Finnigan’s Awesome ADHD Superpowers, a heartwarming and empowering story that highlights the challenges and triumphs of children with ADHD. Determined to ensure her son and kids like him felt understood and valued, she began crafting stories that bring to life the energy, challenges, and unique strengths of neurodivergent kids like him, celebrating the creativity, resilience, and brilliance that come with it. Through her books, she hopes to empower children, support parents, and create environments where neurodivergent kids can thrive.

May lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, their three children. When she’s not writing, she, loves indulging in a good dessert, enjoying a cozy cup of tea, and embracing the beautiful chaos of family life.

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The Adventures of MOOMOO: MooMoo’s Adventure to Remember by Joe Komara (Book Review)

 

Join MooMoo, the lovable HippoCatamus, as she embarks on a heartwarming adventure to remember who she is. After an accident leaves her memory a bit fuzzy, MooMoo sets off to find her family, meeting a cast of colorful characters along the way. From a lost monkey to a graceful gazelle, MooMoo wonders if she might be like them—until a sweet reunion with her parents reveals she’s perfectly unique. MooMoo’s Adventure to Remember celebrates self-discovery, kindness, and embracing what makes each of us special and unique.

Perfect for all readers young and old who adore animals and heartwarming adventures.

 

The Inspiration For MooMoo comes from my beloved kitty cat, Rue McCatahan, AKA MooMoo. Rescued from the Humane Society, Rue captured our hearts with her heavy-footed walk, floofy tail, and endearing clumsiness—earning her the nickname of “Hippocatamus.” MooMoo’s caring spirit is inspired by my niece Kennedy, whose heartfelt dedication to helping other children is a beautiful example of human generosity that will hopefully inspire your kiddo too!

Grab your copy and fall in love with MooMoo today!

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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.

 

Have you ever looked at your reflection and wondered, Who am I? Where do I belong? MooMoo has. MooMoo, a uniquely designed character, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Part cat, part hippo, and all purple except for its eyes, MooMoo’s features and coloring are not what we call ‘normal.’ As MooMoo tries to remember who they are and where their home is, she meets two animals whose coloring and/or shape are not typical of their species. First, MooMoo meets a sad pink monkey who’s lost and can’t find their family. MooMoo puts aside their personal quest and redirects their attention to help Miko, the young monkey, find their family. They next meet a multi-colored gazelle named Zala, whose body featured sharp lines that reminded me of geometrical art. Beautiful!

MooMoo doesn’t know her place in this brightly shaded world. Is she a monkey? A gazelle? A hippo? And, if she is a hippo, why does she have a cat face? MooMoo is understandably confused, not to mention still lost at this point in the story.

MooMoo, in her journey of self-discovery, was kind to the monkey, and their kindness inspired another animal to be kind to them. (The mysterious animal’s identity will be revealed after reading this sweet story.) It should be no surprise that MooMoo finds her parents and discovers who they are. MooMoo, the darling hippocatamus, began their journey unsure about their identity, but in the end, they could look at their reflection feeling proud of their unique self. This story does what we adults should do—inspire kids to embrace their uniqueness!

I loved the writer’s and artist’s imagination when it came to the storyline and character design. Both were out-of-the-box thinking and made for an excellent children’s book! There were a few words that might stump three-year-olds, the starting recommended reading age, according to Amazon. Overall, kids will be enchanted by the mysterious creature and be eager to read future adventures starring the hippocatamus or other colorful, blended animals.

As a fellow enthusiast of children’s literature, I agree with Amazon’s target audience: 3-9 years. This book is a perfect fit for young readers, offering a delightful and imaginative journey of self-discovery.

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

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Meet the Author

Joe Komara learned young how fulfilling it is to help kids stay healthy & creative, His books are inspired by his niece Kennedy and his floofy-tailed, charmingly clumsy cat, Rue (aka MooMoo). Joe is an actor and a Board-Certified Positive Psychology-Based Life & Well-Being Coach. NBC-HWC, ACC

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The Tardy Tooth Fairy by Shauna Farris (Book Review)

“There were three things that all of the other fairies knew about Luna Bloom. She always wore purple, she never met a creature she didn’t like, and she was easily distracted. Therefore, she was always late.”

 

Luna Bloom may not be the most punctual tooth fairy, but she sure is dedicated! After studying diligently at the Tooth Fairy Academy, Luna is finally ready to put her training to the test. Will her wandering mind get the best of her? Follow along as she does her best to gather everyone’s lost teeth in one night.

If the tooth fairy has ever skipped past your house, The Tardy Tooth Fairy is for you. This book offers readers the answer to what tooth fairies really do and the relief of knowing that the tooth fairy probably hasn’t forgotten you-they’re just late! Watching Luna attempt to break her untimely habits will teach us to be more understanding and remind us that it’s all right to take a moment to breathe.

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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.

 

“If you’ve ever woken to find a forgotten tooth, you might need to seek the help of a sleuth. But listen close, for the reason may be that it is just the fault of a tardy tooth fairy.”


Luna Bloom was well-known to her peers for three reasons. One, she always wore purple. And who can blame her—the color is fabulous! Two, she never met a creature she didn’t like. Even a black mamba or piranha? Not me! Lastly, she was easily distracted; therefore, she was always late. Many kids and parents will relate to number three, especially in the morning on school days.

Luna Bloom had a valid reason for her tardiness; she was distracted by the world’s wonders, and those curiosities caused her to ponder questions. For instance: “How do ladybugs get their spots?” This question made me stop and do a little internet investigating. I encourage you to look it up since the answer was not disclosed in the story or the end credits. 

Luna Bloom knew her lack of punctuality would not fly when she became a tooth fairy. She wanted to make her family proud and vowed to work on her tardy behavior. The day before her first assignment, Luna was bubbling with mixed emotions. She was excited and nervous, typical reactions for the first day of a job, new school, or class. Luna knew all would go well tomorrow because Marigold, the most talented tooth fairy in the land, would be by her side. She never imagined Marigold would call in sick, but that exactly what happened. Without Marigold to keep Luna on track and away from distractions, the newly crowned tooth fairy couldn’t resist all the tempting sights and smells or the cat who wanted pets. As a cat owner, I couldn’t resist scratching the fairy-sized kitty, either! 

Luna’s first night as a tooth fairy didn’t go as planned; mistakes were made. At this point in the story, readers hear comforting words from Luna’s mentor and teacher, Marigold. Kids also learn what “flower breath” is. (You and your youngster will discover what that is when you read the story!)

The author and number 1 tooth fairy gave Luna Bloom a wonderful pep talk, words to live by: Mistakes will happen; when they do, it’s important to say, “I’m sorry.” Learn from them and don’t be scared or nervous to ask for help! 

The Tardy Tooth Fairy is a delightful picture book that reminds readers it’s okay to make mistakes. Learn from them. Apologize. And don’t be afraid to ask for help!

I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading age of 4-8 years. 

 

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

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Meet the Author

I’m an elementary school counselor/mom/avid reader/amateur baker and feel passionately about the healing power of books. It’s always been a dream to publish, so The Tardy Tooth Fairy is close to my heart! I hope to continue sharing my love of storytelling through creating future books.

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Rika Saves A Cat by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

A story of two sisters from Planet Venesha playing hide and seek in the woods when they hear a strange sound and go to investigate.
They look and find a cat who appears to be all alone and wait for its mother to return.

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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.

 

Rika and her little sister, Jari, live in the northern forest region of the largest planet of the universe: Venesha. Its appearance is vastly different from ours from a distance, but it does possess qualities found in our world: oceans, swamps, rivers, mountains, deserts, and plains. The two children (Jari and Rika) look slightly different from Earthlings, but each play as typical children do. They climb trees, play hide-and-seek, and are curious about the world around them. 

While playing outside with Jari, Rika heard a strange sound, went to investigate, and discovered a scared baby kitten inside a hollowed-out log. Children will love the adorable uni-kitty (orange kitten with yellow horn). They’ll probably yell they want a unicorn-kitty too. I know I wouldn’t mind adopting one! 

Rika and Jari could’ve left the animal to fend for itself, but they didn’t. Instead, they nestled together on the forest floor, waiting patiently for the sweet furbaby’s mother to return. Their patience and kind hearts paid off; momma cat and her baby were reunited, and momma cat was just as cute as her baby! 

Rika Saves a Cat by Lamar and Liana Golden is a sweet, quick read that children will want to read often. The main story is less than 30 pages, with simple text and adorable illustrations. As a family of Star Wars fans, I liked Rika’s Princess Leia hairstyle and her pointy ears (Artist: Veronica Guarino.) 

Amazon’s recommended reading age is baby-10 years. The color palette will capture a baby’s eye; kids of all ages will adore the pictures, while the text will appeal to older children. This short story is perfect for children who are practicing reading alone. 

I encourage you to check out Rika Saves a Cat and the author’s other works. Their stories are wildly creative, with out-of-this-world designs and engaging storylines. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

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