Tag Archives: colors

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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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: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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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Bo the Boat by Clare Short (Book Review)

Preorder Now: Releases March 18, 2025!

Join Bo and Mo on their adventure at sea in this sweet, interactive board book! Written by a pediatric speech-language pathologist and mother, this charming lift-the-flap book supports early speech and language goals, while engaging children with lyrical rhymes, beautiful illustrations, and adorable characters.

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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.

 

Bo the Boat is not just a sweet, interactive board book, but a powerful tool that supports speech, language, and literacy skills. The lift-the-flap feature, although not examined in the file, offers several opportunities for kids to interact with the characters. The file wasn’t without interactive opportunities. Kids can wave hi to Bo (the boat) and Captain Mo, honk their horns when they spot the ferry, name the colors of the fish and cars, and count them. Adults can extend the learning opportunity by asking children to color-match the car to the fish, fostering their cognitive development.

Bo the Boat also fosters a child’s emotional development. As we view each page, the reader should notice Bo and Mo’s feelings and facial expressions change as the scenes progress. Happy faces fade away when Bo and Mo encounter other ocean dwellers. Ask your child or class if they can name the characters’ emotions and their root causes.

The beautiful illustrations will catch the eye of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Even older children and adults reading this story to young kids will love the nautical theme, colors, and cute characters. The story’s rhyming lines comprised of common words and a limited word count make this book an ideal choice for first-time readers. This versatility makes Bo the Boat a perfect choice for families with children of different ages.

I recommend Bo the Boat for children up to 5 years. Encourage readers to interact with the story by waving hi and bye, saying good morning and good night to the sun and moon, naming objects and colors, counting the fish and stars, seeking out the starfishes on every page, and (when using the hardback) lifting the flap to unlock the hidden picture.

Bo the Boat is the perfect book to engage your child in the story’s happenings. Join Bo and Mo on their water adventure as they catch fish and an unexpected snapping guest, meet sea friends, and have fun from sunrise to sunset.

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

Preorder Link for Amazon

 

 

 

Meet the Author

 Clare Short, M.Ed., CCC-SLP & Author

Clare Short is a speech-language pathologist living in Atlanta, GA with her husband and three young children. She studied English and Human Development as an undergraduate at Boston College, then completed her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology at University of Virginia. When not working in pediatric acute care as an SLP or raising her children, she can be found searching for the best cookie in the city, savoring the perfect cup of tea, or traveling to the North Georgia mountains for a hike with her family and friends.

 

Clare’s debut children’s book is Bo the Boat! The lift-the-flap board book was created after countless hours of reading bedtime stories to her own children and over a decade as a speech-language pathologist. Clare is passionate about communication and empowering families to unlock new skills in their child’s speech toolbox. Her hope is that this book will be fun and engaging for babies, toddlers, and perhaps even older children who would like to cozy up with Bo and Mo.  Bo’s world is inspired by several of Clare’s family’s “happy places” including Ocracoke Island, NC and Glen Arbor, MI. We hope that you enjoy going on this heartwarming journey as much as we have!

 

Interested in learning more about your child’s speech and language milestones?

Click here to visit the American Speech-Language and Hearing developmental milestone list!

 

Instagram: @byclareshortspeech
 
 
 
 
 

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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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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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