Tag Archives: colors

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.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

(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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Eat A Rainbow, Ellie: Colorful Snack Time for A Healthy Little Chick (Ellie The Chick Book 3) by Avery Smart (Book Review)

Meet Ellie, a spirited little chick with a big appetite for adventure and a secret for being strong and healthy.

In the quest for strength and health, Ellie and her mom create a vibrant rainbow meal together. As they cook up white pasta with broccoli, a purple cabbage salad, buttered corn, and roasted tomatoes and carrots, they sing their own cheerful Rainbow Food song.

This delightful tale not only introduces kids to the joy of healthy eating but also encourages them to embrace a colorful variety of foods for a strong and happy life, Ellie and her mom share the secret of a nutritious and tasty adventure.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

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

 

If you have a child or care for young children for a living, you know that children will not always be receptive to eating their fruits and vegetables. They cry, lock their lips, or spit the food out as soon as it touches their tongue. Eat A Rainbow, Ellie shows that colorful food (rainbow food) made Ellie’s body strong and fit, and it can do the same for you! 

As Ellie demonstrated karate moves, the design team separated six food items under their corresponding colors. For example, under yellow, they had a block of cheese, corn, and four more food items. Under the purple header, the writer added eggplant, grapes, plus four more edible images. I loved how the illustrator matched Ellie’s karate sash and headband to the color on the page. 

I adored how the writer and designer made the color words stand out from the rest of the text. I also liked the mixture of familiar food items and some unrecognizable ones. However, the shading of some foods didn’t fully portray the color they represented. The pear looked more white than yellow. The spaghetti and meatballs image didn’t scream “white foods.” I would’ve sliced the pineapple open like the watermelon picture so kids could see the yellow interior, not the orange outer covering. In doing so, it would’ve made more sense for “yellow.” 

Extension activities: Have your family or class design a colorful plate using images from cooking-inspired magazines or by hand-drawing food items. Ask young readers if they can name foods that fall under the six colors represented in the story: red, yellow, orange, green, purple, and white. Make sure to check out the rainbow food song! Practice singing the lovely rainbow food tune! 

I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading age: kids six years and under. 

 

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

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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Blank Canvas by J.M. Jackson (Book Review)

Keagan paints his canvas daily by being thoughtful, loving and kindhearted. Every day is new with challenges and adventures, clouds and sunshine. No matter what the day brings, Keagan paints his strokes on his blank canvas. Whether it’s a good or bad day, Keagan remembers that every action he takes must still reflect the little boy from inside. When his day is over, and he looks at the paint strokes on his blank canvas, Keagan is proud no matter what his mood is that day. He knows that today will become yesterday in hopes of tomorrow… and that there are no redoes for today so each action and paint stroke must count. Hopeful and vibrant, come join Keagan as he paints his blank canvas!

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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.

 

Each day begins with a blank canvas. Our actions, words, and attitudes affect the final day’s image. Was it a joyous day? Was it terrible? Did you do something nice for others? Did you wake up in an excellent or sour mood? How you wake up can set the tone for the day, so try to be like Keagan and start the day with a positive outlook, ready for whatever adventure awaits you. 

As I was reading Blank Canvas, I was in awe of the beautiful illustrations by Marina Saumell. Each image resembled a painting and tied in perfectly with the book’s theme. I loved that when a color name was mentioned through text, it was written in its shade. Another good design choice! 

Blank Canvas shows it’s not always easy to keep your chin and stay positive. Yes, some moments are filled with rainbows, but others are filled with dark clouds. I was impressed by how Keagan kept his smile while handling the bullies. We didn’t see the result of that conversation, so I would discuss with your child or class what you think happened next. You can also discuss what to do when talking nicely doesn’t calm a situation. 

Keagan is a good role model for children. He helps others in need. He picks up trash. He shares his food with friends. (If your child’s school is like mine, there is no food sharing due to potential allergies. However, it was a nice gesture.)

Keagan also shows young children that not every will be sunshine and smiles, and that’s okay. In these dark times, it’s still important to be friendly and helpful and realize that tomorrow is a new day and the start of a new canvas. 

I recommend child therapists share Blank Canvas with their young clients. I think it can help them open up about their feelings. Parents, I encourage you to share this story with your child. Everyone has sad days, and this book shows readers that even though today wasn’t the best, a new day is just around the corner. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

J.M. Jackson inspired by three beautiful grandchildren each with such different personalities. Being able to see the world through their eyes convinced me to start writing about their adventures. At 58 years old this new adventure is filled with excitement and tons of fun.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

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Jack Gregson & the Stolen Sons by Peter Wilson (Book Review)

JACK GREGSON AND THE STOLEN SONS by Peter Wilson

 
Dark Mystery
Ancient Prophecy
Family Secrets

When a loud, incessant knocking disturbs the peace at Gregson Manor, David and Rosie once again travel through the mysterious portal, where they encounter darkness, chaos and impossible impossibilities.

Only by fulfilling an ancient prophecy and uniting unlikely allies can they save parallel universes.

A dormant sun awaiting new dawn,
Two stolen sons their mothers mourn.
One will wake from whence they laid,
The other repeats a mistake once made.

​Who are the sons?   

 
Buy the Book
Amazon

add to goodreads
 
 
 
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 
Jack Gregson & the Stolen Sons by Peter Wilson had more suspense, mystery, surprises, and bombshells than Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal. It also had more humor, thanks to pixie dust. I like Jarl, the sparkling golden pixie. While she might’ve not been the brightest bulb, she was fun to watch in action. She reminded me of Tinkerbell, except Tinks never turned herself into a frog. 
 
This story also had more family drama and unveiled another traitor. The traitor will play a major role in the next book, which I’m looking forward to reading! 


As with the first book in the series, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal, there is oodles of magic. Colors play a significant role in the magic scenes. If you’re a teacher, this would be an excellent opportunity to discuss symbolism with your students. 


As I stated earlier, there are many humorous scenes in the story. One fight scene made me smile because David was wielding the unlikeliest weapon. Oh, I wish I could tell you what it was, BUT I want to leave you guessing. I can see kids laughing at it, though! I did give a slight chuckle. 


On a final note: I didn’t think Peter Wilson could make the punkey any weirder, but he did. I’m curious how the mutant will evolve in the next book. 
 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:
Author Peter Wilson
Peter Wilson is an award-winning writer based in Sydney, Australia. His first novel, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal has won awards internationally, in both the USA and United Kingdom, and has quickly become a favourite with young readers. Peter’s second book in his trilogy series, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Sons, is set for release in 2021. In addition to children’s and young adult content, Peter is also interested in writing for the adult market and is currently working on a crime thriller set in his home city, Sydney.

 
connect with the author: 
website twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram goodreads

 
 
 
 
 
 

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Our Lunar New Year by Yobe Qiu (Book Review)

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It’s almost Lunar New Year! Xiao Mi, Hang, Kwan, Malai and Charu all celebrate the New Year in their own special way. Read this book to learn how each one of the Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian children and their families honor Lunar New Year, from dragon dances in China to firecrackers in India!
 
 
Buy the Book
 Amazon
ByYQ ~ ​Barnes & Noble
 
 
 
 
 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book ToursI voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 
Our Lunar New Year by Yobe Qiu educates readers on how five countries (China, Korea, India, Vietnam, and Thailand) celebrate their new year. Under each header, it lists the proper name for their holiday. Example: Chinese Spring Festival is Chun Jie, and Thailand is Songkran. 

I absolutely love learning new facts. For instance, in Our Lunar New Year, I discovered “Firecrackers scare away naughty spirits.” The clothes worn during Seollal (Korean New Year) are called hanbok. Every country mentioned, except Thailand, spoke of something people eat, wear, possess, or even a color that is supposed to bring good luck to them in the new year. Fascinating, right?! There’s so much nifty information — facts that any child or adult should learn because it’s essential to be informed about other cultures. 


Maria Christina Lopez, Jennifer Prevatt, and Pui Yu Chan worked very well together to create illustrations that captured the reader’s eye and elevated the story. I loved the dragon, the scrumptious-looking food, the diverse characters, and all the beautiful colors. 


I highly recommend everyone read this book!
 

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

 
 
 
Meet the Author: 
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​Yobe is an educator, entrepreneur and mom who lives in NYC. As an educator, she focused on teaching families to embrace love, diversity and different cultures. Through the years working in the classrooms and closely with other educators, she noticed the lack of multi-cultural resources that represented children of color. That is when Yobe decided to create multicultural children stories that feature Asian children, families and cultures! Yobe loves spending time with her daughter, reading to children and taking long walks during the day!
 
Connect with the Author:
 Website Facebook ~ Instagram
 
 

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