Tag Archives: children’s book

How the Platypus Became by Jonny Parry (Book Spotlight)

A playful, beautifully illustrated picture book imagining how the world’s most extraordinary animal – the platypus- came to be.

Long ago, when the world was new, a cat, a fish, a duck and a frog each wished for the gifts the others had. Instead of letting jealousy get the better of them, they came together and set off to the Spark of Life, the place where every living thing began.

What they found changed everything. From its shining bill to its webbed feet, a brand-new animal emerged – one that was a little bit of everyone, and entirely itself.

How the Platypus Became is a fantastical picture book for children aged 4-8 about curiosity, friendship and finding your place in the world. Perfect for families, classrooms and anyone who has ever wondered how the platypus might have come to be.

For anyone who loves animal stories, imaginative adventures, or the magic of being yourself.

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Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

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Meet the Author

Jonny Parry is a children’s author who writes joyful stories about transformation, individuality and embracing who you are. He wrote his first book, How the Platypus Became, at the age of ten for his little sister. Now, decades later, he’s reimagined the story for curious young readers everywhere.

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Captain Poop and Stinky Adventures by Zeljka Marusic (Book Review)

Looking for a funny kids book that will make your child laugh out loud without crossing the line?

Meet Captain Poop, a brave and silly little hero who proves that even the stinkiest things can be surprisingly awesome.

This hilarious picture book for kids ages 3-8 is perfect for read-aloud fun. It is packed with goofy adventures, kid-approved Yucky Facts, and a positive message parents will appreciate.

When something starts to smell, Captain Poop hears the call.
From stinky cheese volcanoes to runaway smelly socks, he tackles every challenge with courage, curiosity, and a big smile.

Kids will laugh while learning that:
– gross things can be fascinating and funny
– composting helps the planet
– curiosity is a superpower
– every hero comes in unexpected shapes and sizes

Silly, not offensive. Parent-approved humor.
Perfect for bedtime read-alouds, preschool, and early elementary.
A hilarious gift for birthdays and holidays.

Includes real Yucky Facts kids adore, colorful illustrations, and a heartwarming eco-friendly twist.

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Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

 

 

 

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

 

Captain Poop and Stinky Adventures was a real stinker, and that’s a good thing!

In Toilet Town, we meet Captain Poop, Smelly Cheese, and Old Smelly Sock, who didn’t smell the greatest. Let’s face it, they stunk, and because of their intense stench, the trio was ignored, discarded, or undervalued. The town soon realized how valuable stinky things can be.

At Stinkville Park, the smelly trio collided into one another, and after a quick outburst from each one, they started laughing. Why? Because they finally met someone who didn’t oppose their smell, didn’t run away, or toss them in the trash. They were accepted, which is a great feeling when you haven’t felt accepted before. A feeling many readers can relate to.

The Stinky Trio had one mission in mind: “We’ll travel the world together and show everyone that being different is amazing!” Their first stop was a compost pile. Are composts stinky? Yes. Are they helpful? Yes, again, and thanks to the Yucky Fact 4, readers will learn why. The book includes eight Yucky Facts, giving kids the inside scoop on stinky items, like how some cheeses are aged in caves for years to develop their unique smell and flavor.

Captain Poop and Stinky Adventures was an informative, entertaining read that combines humor and knowledge quite nicely. The glossary of yucky words was a nice addition. There were some inconsistencies in the artwork and one very noticeable editing error, but readers will like this book. Why? Most kids find stinky things funny, so I think they’ll chuckle when they see Captain Poop. Adults will enjoy how the book weaves in facts while also making young readers laugh. The book makes smelly science fun! It also encourages kids never to be ashamed of being different.

I recommend reading Captain Poop and Stinky Adventures to 3- to 9-year-olds, then exploring composting activities at home or in the classroom to reinforce the book’s message. Let kids experience the benefits of stinky things firsthand, like banana peels or coffee grounds. Sample stinky cheeses, too! For the socks, don’t sniff them; toss them in the wash.

The story combines humor and yucky facts to entertain and educate readers. It shows kids that smelly things have value, too! Get your copy today!

 

Review Note: The grammar error was sent to the author on February 9, 2026. The story might be fixed before this review goes live on here and Amazon. The review was submitted to Reedsy on (roughly) December 5, 2025. It has not been updated to reflect the (possible) change.)


Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Meet the Author

Living the life of my dreams – after 16 long years I am finally a mom of beautiful 3,5 year old boy. He is my inspiration and without him there would never been Captain Poop. We always have silly stories during the bedtime as we both love to laugh.

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The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy by Linda Harkey (Book Spotlight)

Get ready for a Squeaky Adventure you won’t want to miss!

IT WAS THE BEST OF DOG WINTERS. IT WAS THE WORST OF DOG WINTERS

In The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy, Nini the German Shepherd is devastated when her favorite toy goes missing. Determined to find it, she teams up with her trusty brother, Lobo, for a snowy backyard search. Their playful investigation leads to unexpected clues, giggle-worthy moments, and a surprise encounter with Speedy, a clever pack rat with a secret. This sweet and funny tale celebrates friendship, honesty, and perseverance, reminding young readers that even the smallest adventures can lead to the biggest lessons–and the happiest endings.

Enjoy a free reading and activity guide at the end of the book where you can explore fun tasks based on this story. Story Monsters is proud to offer activities in this book for both preschool readers and grade school readers.

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Meet the Author

Linda Harkey is an award-winning children’s book author, educator, and lifelong dog lover. She has written eleven children’s books and has been featured in American Kennel Club Gazette, Story Monsters Ink®, Tulsa Pets Magazine, and national radio programs. Her work inspires curiosity and learning.

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Fox Who Can Wait by Kateryna Dronova (Book Spotlight)

Help little readers learn the beauty of patience with this animal rhyming story book!

A cooking contest is bubbling deep in the bright green forest, and Bear, Rabbit, Mole, and Fox are ready to impress the wise judge, Owl. Each animal brings their favorite food – sweet honey, crisp carrots, scrumptious roots, and juicy berries. Everyone is excited… maybe a little too excited! Soon, things get sticky, gooey, and runny for everyone, except for clever Fox. What did he do differently?

The Fox Who Can Wait is a heartwarming moral story that teaches patience, kindness, and cooperation, and the gentle wisdom and self-control that come from taking your time. Through the fun and chaos of a forest cooking contest, children will see that good things truly come to those who wait!

Inside this forest storybook, they’ll learn:

  • Why being patient can be hard, but worth it
  • What impatience can look (and taste!) like
  • How rushing can turn even the best plans into a sticky, gooey mess
  • Why a calm heart and steady hands lead to success
  • That success tastes more delicious when it’s shared with friends!

With lovable forest animals, playful rhyme, and a sweet moral at its heart, this kids’ book about patience is perfect whether you have an impatient little one(s) learning to slow down, or you’re simply looking for a fun storybook with a meaningful lesson!

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Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Kateryna Dronova is a children’s writer who loves turning imagination into playful and heartfelt stories. Growing up surrounded by rich traditions and storytelling, she draws inspiration for her tales that nurture curiosity, courage, and kindness in young readers. Kateryna believes books can spark magic in every child—and she writes to share that wonder.


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Courageous Kids Chronicles Book I: Roger, Denine, and Buddy’s Night Time Adventures! by ​Gary Brown (Book Review)

This book, the first in the ‘Courageous Kids Chronicles series, is a collection of stories that address children’s fears. Each story combines fiction and nonfiction elements to provide educational value and a comforting message about overcoming fear, specifically here, the fear of the dark.

After researching websites involving children’s Psychology, among others, and specifically, the Clay Center for Healthy Young Minds (see the Back Matter), it was easy to understand that the fear of children being in the dark is associated with real anxieties and apprehensions. This book hopes to bring this topic forward in fun, educational, and realistic suggested anecdotes on minimizing children’s fears of the dark.

I have researched and reviewed many similar perspectives and recommendations in addressing night time concerns for children. However, I am not a qualified professional and do not direct how these things should be handled. Instead, it is the responsibility of the families and trusted caregivers to coordinate with their medical and psychological professionals. This book series aims to present children’s fears in a way they can understand and relate to through words and visuals. And have some fun along the way. I have also included some common fears of the darkness with recommended anecdotes. Only the family and their trusted care professionals can make mindful decisions for their children. Thank You.

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

 

When it’s bedtime, children often express many fears. Fear of the monster lurking in the closet or under the bed. Shadows that move across the wall. Eerie noises inside and out of the house. Courageous Kids Chronicles Book I: Roger, Denine, and Buddy’s Night Time Adventures! takes readers on a journey, where the “monsters” are unmasked and we discover that there’s nothing to fear after all. 

Roger lives in a lovely red-brick house with his parents, sister Denine, and Buddy the dog. They are a close-knit family, always ready to help each other out, and Roger desperately needs his sister’s help. Buddy’s, too! Roger would love to have a full night’s sleep, but his nighttime fears keep him awake and afraid. Together, the trio set out to shine a light on all the creaks, rustling sounds, tiny flashes of light outside, and much more. Many kids will notice that the objects behind the noises in this story are the same noises they hear in their own home. Their fear might even vanish like Roger’s! 

Courageous Kids Chronicles Book I: Roger, Denine, and Buddy’s Night Time Adventures! tackle a problem that plagues MANY homes at bedtime: fear of the dark, shadows, bogeyman, strange sounds, and more. I recommend sharing this Roger’s eye-opening story with your kids. Help them to see there’s nothing to fear in the dark. Parents and educators, I also recommend reading “Reflection and Resolutions” where the writer shares common reasons children might fear the dark with anecdotes to alleviate those fears. 

The illustrations for Courageous Kids Chronicles Book I: Roger, Denine, and Buddy’s Night Time Adventures! were very impressive. Every image was a work of art, and there was no doubt that Roger’s fear was real. The creature behind the printer looked ready to devour Roger or come out of the book to gobble up the reader. Though there were frightful images, there are also plenty that show happiness and love. Buddy’s tongue hanging out was adorable, and the final image of the trio was so cute. I do recommend refining the placement of the pictures. I found some drawings were out of place, or too many were bundled in a row. There were small editing mistakes, too. That said, the artwork was outstanding, no matter its location, and the story was lovely, too. I recommend it for kids aged 4 to 9.

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

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Meet the Author

Gary R. Brown is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and federal civil servant whose remarkable journey from the neighborhoods of Trenton, New Jersey, to destinations across the globe has profoundly shaped his perspective on life, leadership, and faith. After dedicating over 24 years to the Navy, followed by a 15-year career in civilian government, Gary embraced writing as a personal outlet and a powerful means to inspire others.

He has created a diverse array of activities and storybooks for children and adults, including coloring books, poetry collections, faith-based devotionals, and word games, all designed to promote creativity, well-being, and connections across generations. And recently, short novels have been of great interest to me. I am just having fun!

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Alignable.com

 

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