Tag Archives: children’s books

May 25, 2026 · 7:00 am

Get Through This Book by Brett Rumfelt (Book Spotlight)

A sweet, fun-filled debut for fans of Oliver Jeffers, BJ Novak, and Jon Klassen about perseverance and the joy of reading. Recently awarded a Readers’ Favorite 5-star review!

Some books just seem boring.

But then once you get into a good one, all kinds of things can happen. However, there is really only one way to get through a book.

Help our green friend as he tries and tries to get through this book until he finally figures out the correct way to do it. A lively and interactive read-aloud, Get Through This Book will fill kids with delight in the enjoyment that reading can bring. And they may just want to read it again, and again, and…

Perfect for bedtime, classroom, car rides, the beach, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and pretty much everywhere anytime, Get Through This Book is available in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and coloring book versions.

“Readers who enjoy humorous read-aloud stories, interactive picture books, and self-aware storytelling will find plenty to enjoy in Brett Rumfelt’s creative work. It’s an excellent resource for elementary teachers to inspire young students to read.”
– Readers’ Favorite

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Meet the Author

 

Brett Rumfelt is a dad from the Atlanta area who used to create original picture books just for his own kids, to make reading more interactive and fun for them. But now that they’re messy teenagers and into bigger books, he’s sharing those picture books with you. Learn more at brettrumfelt.com

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May 15, 2026 · 7:00 am

Me and My long, Long Hair by Pria Dee (Book Review)

When Sita moves to a new school, her hair is the first thing everyone notices—long, shiny, and impossible to ignore. At first, being different feels awkward. But with a little encouragement from her mom, Sita learns to see her hair as something to celebrate. Then she hears a heartbreaking story about a child with cancer, and a spark of kindness turns her self-consciousness into courage. Could her long hair become a gift that changes someone’s life?

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

 

Sita Reddy and her family have relocated from Chennai, India, to America. Being the new student in class comes with its challenges. The stares. The whispers. Sita really wants to fit in at her new school, but the unwelcome attention to her long, black hair is making her feel self-conscious. Sita decides to hide in the shadows, keeping to herself, but she must come into the light eventually, and that’s when this story starts tugging on heartstrings. 

Misunderstandings can stem from many reasons. For Sita, it stemmed from a classmate who kept staring at her very long hair. She thought he had an issue with it but soon discovered the real reason behind his stares. Chris’s sister has cancer, and he would love to grow his hair out to make a wig for his sister. Unfortunately, his hair is not growing fast enough. His stare was in wonderment; how did Sita grow her hair so long? The sweet gesture and the sadness in Chris’s eyes were touching. Sita’s plan to cut and donate her hair to a cancer charity was also very moving. 

Me and My Long, Long Hair is a sweet, heartfelt story that shows how one’s act of kindness can bring sunshine to another’s dreary day. Though Sita is right, “hair is just hair,” but to those who have lost it due to chemo, a wig brings them joy. It offers them a reason to smile. To hope. 

Sita’s act of kindness did not stop with donating her hair; she rallied her classmates to create a fundraiser to raise awareness about kids with cancer. Hair or money, a little bit goes a long way! 

I highly recommend reading this heartwarming story with your family or class. I also recommend reading and completing (at least) one option from “Ways to Help.” Let’s eradicate cancer and support cancer patients and their families!

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

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Meet the Author

Award-winning author Pria Dee believes that it’s important for children to learn about the wonderful differences in other cultures, as well as how hard life can be. In her new children’s picture book Little Moe Can’t Fly, she depicts the struggles of a little gosling who is a late bloomer face. The story of a gosling from hatching to migration also deals with the emotional distress that is experienced by children when they feel they are “slow” to learn. In this poignant story, Dee describes how maternal love can support a little one through these insecurities.

Pria has an active imagination and often weaves her stories around ideas that pop into her head, spurred by current events, personal observations, and her imagination. She thinks a wonderful children’s story shows empathy and involves relatable characters. She hopes her young readers come away from her books with a glimpse of another’s life and learn both the similarities and differences in their own lives.

When she isn’t writing thoughtful and enlightening stories to children, Pria enjoys reading, walking, painting, drawing, and listening to music. She also appreciates spending time in nature, often with her dog, and draws inspiration from it. She is also the published author of an adult novel under a different pen name.

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May 8, 2026 · 7:00 am

Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery by Phyllis Schwartz (Book Review)

Fifth grade poet Yoshi and her two curious critters, Laggie and Grillo are back!

Something mysterious washes up on their hometown beach in the beautiful surf town of Encinitas, California.

“Mommy and Laggie and Grillo and me,
trying to find our beloved sea glass by the sea.

Blue and green and turquoise and gold—
it’s a mystery tale that’s never been told.”

There are lots of twists and turns as they try to answer the question: Is it sea glass or a real gem?

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


Yoshi and her two critter companions are back; this time, they are putting their detective hats on to solve a mystery of who the sea glass belongs to. Pirate? Explorer? Sailor in love or thief? Wager a guess and then read the story to discover who the owner of the heart-shaped sea glass is. 


Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery is a cute detective story, with many positive qualities. The story demonstrates the power of teamwork and determination. It also shows that help comes in all forms and from the unlikeliest characters, as was the case with the lizard and the cricket. In addition, the story incorporates interesting facts about the beach town of Encinitas, California, the story’s setting. Read the story to discover who wrote a VERY popular song about the wonderful waves at Swami’s Beach. Read the story to discover how to say, “small lizard” and “cricket” in Spanish and what Yoshi’s cat’s name, Ketzeleh, means in Yiddish. The book also features pages dedicated to the five jewels mentioned in the story and the Sea Glass Cookie recipe. If that wasn’t all, the author included a tune sung to an old sea shanty “Sailing, Sailing.” If you are like me and don’t know the old tune, I would advise looking it up so your family or class can sing “Laggie and Grillo’s Detective Victory Song” to the right beat.

Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery is a book worth reading time and time again. It’s interactive, educational, and visually very cute. Just wait until you see pirate Grillo! ADORABLE!! 

I recommend this book for readers ages 4-8! I also recommend reading the author’s other creations. Oh, I 100% recommend baking up a batch of the Sea Glass Cookies! Yuuuuummmmm! 


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

(It will be rounded to 5 on Amazon and Goodreads.)

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Meet the Author

Phyllis Schwartz is a married mother of two, who, after a highly successful career in the TV news business, finally has the time to indulge in and focus on her “civilian” writing. Even as a kid, she kept a diary and wrote little stories and poems, a creative release that continued well into adulthood. She wrote news by day and poetry by night. And despite battling three different types of cancer over more than three decades, she is still filled with energy, joy, and optimism, and she looks forward to writing much more poetry and children’s books in the future. Her writing often centers on what she observes daily: including her friends, husband, and two children, as well as her garden and her beautiful beach town residence in dreamy Encinitas, all providing continued inspiration for her verse.

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April 20, 2026 · 7:00 am

Jungle Kali by Amie White (Book Review)

Leopard Kali’s first swimming lesson is a disaster! Lost in the jungles of the Congo, with Momma nowhere in sight, Kali has to find her way back home before sundown.

Fortunately, she is not alone in her quest, thanks to a vibrant cast of jungle denizens, each with quirks of their own.

Towering elephants and elusive bongos are charming to talk to, but will Kali find Momma in time?

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

 

Kali, the adorable leopard cub, has one thing on their mind: learning how to swim. However, after they get separated from their mom by the jungle leaves, Kali’s attention shifts to finding her mother. As the leopard searches the jungle looking for Momma Leopard, they meet the most amazing animals. Kali, along with the young readers, discover interesting information about five new and/or familiar jungle animals. For instance, Kali meets a bongo whose stripes help them “vanish” into the leaves and shadows, and an okapi who explains how they can eat in the rain. Readers also learn why the other animals don’t see many forest elephants here anymore. Kali meets two more animals, not mentioned above. Read the story to discover every fascinating animal Kali met!

Kali and her mother do reunite, and the cub shares the animals’ outstanding qualities, comparing themselves to her jungle companions. In this conversation, kids learn a few valuable lessons. One, do not compare yourself to others. Two: don’t strive to be like anyone else. Third, don’t rush growing up. Savor each moment. All sound advice!

Jungle Kali is a beautifully designed children’s book. Kids will be drawn to the cover and the amazing artwork inside. They’ll love meeting the animals and discovering a fact they can share with others. Parents and educators will love that, in addition to the stunning illustrations, the story has a beautiful message in its conclusion. BTW: my favorite artistic scene was the moments shared as the sun set. What a stunning view during a sweet mom-and-cub talk. 

Get your copy today. The artwork is beautiful with only minor design mistakes, and the story will keep butts in seats! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️1/2
(rounded to 5 on Amazon and Goodreads)

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Goodreads Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Amie White doesn’t just think magic exists—she knows it does. And believes the most powerful kind always comes from within. When she’s not writing, Amie often finds herself enjoying a cosy café and people-watching on the busy streets of London. She loves crafting brave heroines through her writing, teaching readers that sometimes the greatest adventures begin with inner knowing.

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February 20, 2026 · 7:00 am

Leslie’s Magic Rainboots by Laurie Perreault (Book Review)

Leslie never expected a pair of rainboots to change her life. But when she slips them on during a stormy morning, the world begins to shimmer with possibility. Raindrops whisper secrets, puddles ripple with memory, and every step leads her into a hidden realm where kindness mends forgotten places, and wild spaces, where nature still hums with memory waiting for someone to listen.

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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.

 

Leslie loved rainy days, and she loved the bright blue polka-dotted rain boots that her grandma gifted her. They had been passed down from mother to daughter over several generations. Even though the boots were very old, they looked brand new. How is this possible? Well, these weren’t your ordinary rain boots. They were magical!

Leslie loved jumping in puddles, but today, the puddle sparkled and transported her into a world where a frog greeted Leslie and called her the new “Guardian of the Magic Rainboots.” The talking frog informed Leslie that the boots can take her to faraway places, but the magic can only be activated with kindness and a pure heart. What a sweet idea! I love that the story promotes kindness. Leslie asked to visit the Land of the Talking Animals first. Ask young listeners where they would visit first if their footwear were magical?

The Land of the Talking Animals faces a real-life problem: the river has stopped flowing. No water leads to more issues, like a lack of clean drinking water and habitat loss. The story shows how kindness and teamwork can solve problems, inspiring children to think about helping others in their own communities and around the world.

What was causing the flow of water to cease? How did the child fix the problem? You’ll have to read the story to find out, and I highly recommend you do. Leslie’s Magic Rainboots takes readers on a magical journey where adventures await, and kindness reigns supreme. The illustrations were adorable, and the story’s plot was sweet. I did notice the author wrote the footwear with and without a space, but that inconsistency didn’t diminish the story’s overall uplifting theme: be kind and help others.

Kids and adults will love the magical and heartwarming story. It promotes kindness, kind hearts, helping others, and having fun in the rain. I recommend jumping in puddles and reading this story, just not at the same time. My recommended reading age is 3-9 years.

(Special note: Rain boots was written as presented in the story’s title and in the script.)

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

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Meet the Author 

Rooted in New England, first time writer/author with a lifelong love of the natural world.

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