Tag Archives: elementary school

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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Pink Pink, You Stink! by Rick Simpson (Book Spotlight)

Pink Pink, You Stink! is a charming children’s picture book about feelings, designed for preschool and kindergarten readers. Through playful rhyme and farm animal humor, this story supports social-emotional learning by introducing themes of self-confidence, kindness, and acceptance.

Ideal for read-alouds, classroom discussions, and bedtime routines, this funny pig story engages young children while reinforcing positive messages about friendship and empathy. A delightful choice for parents, teachers, and grandparents seeking a warm, humorous picture book with heart.

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Check out my review on Reedsy!

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Meet the Author

Father & Grandfather. Taught my children to read by writing rhyming sentences for them to read. This book grew out of these rhyming sentences.

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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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Zoe Dashing through the Snow by J E Brewer (Book Spotlight)

A hilarious, heart-warming winter rescue adventure for kids ages 3-7!

Meet Zoe: a “can-do” canine with a long leash, a very supportive human, and a plan to save townsfolk from hilarious jams after a snowstorm. Interactive “Hidden Zoes” keep little ones engaged!

From rescuing stuck motorists to helping ice fishermen with crazy leash tricks, Zoe’s laugh-out-loud wintry adventure celebrates kindness and teamwork in ways that make kids and adults laugh out loud together.

Why parents and kids love Zoe:

  • Interactive Fun: Includes a “Hidden Zoes” scavenger hunt to keep little ones engaged!
  • Inspiring Message: Teaches resourcefulness and generosity through zany action.
  • The Perfect Read-Aloud: Fast-paced storytelling for pet lovers ages 3-7.

“A warm, wintry favorite families will return to again and again.”

Start dashing through the snow with Zoe today, and check out her other unleashed adventures, as well!

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Check out my Reedsy review!!

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Meet the Author

I grew up in a hardworking lobstering town on the coast of southern Maine. As a Physics major at the University of Maine, I won the state creative fiction competition. Today I live on Boston’s north shore with my wife, a pre-school teacher. We have two sons and a little white dog.

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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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