Tag Archives: elementary school

June 23, 2025 · 7:00 am

Storma’s Unexpected Adventure: The Tales of Storma by Gina Bayar (Book Review)

A magical journey through a desert of wonders, wildlife, and unexpected friendship.

 

When a dreamy young unicorn sets out in search of the sparkling ocean, she accidentally arrives in the vast, sun-drenched Gobi Desert instead. But what begins as a mistake quickly turns into an unforgettable adventure.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, readers journey with the unicorn as she meets the rare and wise Mazaalai (the critically endangered Gobi bear) and a kind Bactrian camel who becomes her gentle guide. Together, they explore golden dunes, singing sands, ancient dinosaur footprints, and hidden oases—discovering the wonders of one of the world’s most unique and underrepresented ecosystems.

Blending enchanting fantasy with rich, real-world educational content, The Unicorn and the Gobi Adventure introduces children to the beauty and biodiversity of the Gobi Desert, while nurturing curiosity, compassion, and the joy of discovery.

Perfect for readers aged 4–8, this story celebrates friendship, environmental awareness, and the magic of life’s unexpected paths.

 

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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.

 

Does your child love unicorns? Do they love stories involving magic or magical powers? Do they enjoy exploring new places and learning facts to share with friends or family? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your child will want to read Storma’s Unexpected Adventure.

Storma loves living in the Enchanted Forest with her family, but she wants to see more of the world and visit the places from her parents’ stories. Storma didn’t have wings like Pegasus, but she did have a magical power that made traveling a breeze: She could travel to any location just by closing her eyes and picturing the destination. Now, that’s a magical trick I’d like to have, and I’m sure other readers will want it to!

Storma used her unique magical powers to whisk themselves to a “grand ocean.” Unfortunately, her destination didn’t have an ocean in sight. Did her powers fail her? Not exactly. Her timing was a little off, like a few million years. Storma’s Unexpected Adventure takes readers across the desert, where we meet interesting characters and discover facts about the desert and those who call it home, then and now. Kids are not the only ones who might learn a thing or two about the Gobi Desert. For instance, thanks to this beautifully told story, I found out the desert is home to the rarest bear in the world, and the wind makes music there too! How fascinating!

These are not the only two interesting tidbits you’ll learn as Storma and Polka (camel guide) go in search of the “ocean.” Read the story and discover the hidden gems of the Gobi Desert. Also, check out Did You Know? to learn more about the fascinating Gobi bear, the Mazaalai! It’s a great bonus feature of the book. It’s too bad the author didn’t include fun fact pages dedicated to the desert and camels. A glossary would also be a helper tool for young readers.

This children’s book beautifully captures the Gobi Desert’s unique wildlife. The sunset scene, in particular, is lovely. The vibrant colors against the different shades of sand create a mesmerizing visual. Each scene is reminiscent of the magnetic story activity play sets, with the sticker-quality plant and animal drawings looking like they could be plucked off the page and moved to different locations. It’s a testament to the illustrator’s skill and will captivate children and parents alike. (Special note: Gina Bayar is the book’s writer and illustrator.)

Storma’s Unexpected Adventure takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the Gobi Desert, where they learn there’s more to the landscape than initially seen. Share this story with kids aged eight and under. Ask them to share where they’d visit if they had Storma’s unique magical power. Expand your knowledge and look up what else calls the desert home, past and present. Also, be on the lookout for Storma’s next story, Storma’s Gift! (Release date TBD.)

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Gina Bayar is an author and illustrator of imaginative picture books that celebrate kindness, nature, and the magic of unexpected journeys. A lifelong dreamer and mom of two, she inspires young readers to explore, care for the planet, and believe in themselves.
 

 

 

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June 6, 2025 · 7:00 am

Pete and Suzie by Samantha Ahearne (Book Review)

Pelicans and Seagulls are diving rivals and have been enemies for as long as anyone can remember. Pelicans and Seagulls are not alike. That is until Pete the Pelican and Suzie Seagull meet at morning yoga. Can these two very different birds become friends or will Suzie Seagull be eaten by a Pelican?

A heartwarming story about friendship and kindness.

Don’t judge a bird by it’s feathers!

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

 

Pete and Suzie is a fun read, showing how feathered enemies overcame differences and put aside a long-standing feud to become friends. 

 

The Pelicans and Seagulls have been enemies for as long as any feathered animal can remember. How or when the rivalry started is unknown; however, one incident cemented the dislike between the diving rivals: the fish nab at the (bird) Olympics. Oh, how I wish the pages dedicated to the “incident” were animated. I can’t be the only one who wants to watch various birds compete in synchronized swimming. I’d also like to see Sully the Seagull swoop down and relieve the Pelican of their fish. I can practically hear the gasps of horror from the Pelicans. The big-beaked birds never saw him (aka Sully) coming! 

The transition from this swimming scene to the present situation was not smooth. It almost felt like two different stories. As readers focus on the here and now, they quickly learn the birds may have similar physical characteristics but are not alike in many ways. Pelicans are quiet and love practicing in a neat line. Why? I have no idea. Seagulls are loud birds, which many young readers know from the animated film Nemo. The illustrator did a marvelous job showing readers how energic and “loud” seagulls can be. The up-close, squawking bird images deserve two thumbs up! 

The two water birds distanced themselves from one another until one sunny Saturday when Suzie Seagull’s brother double-dared her to talk to the Pelicans. Suzie didn’t bat an eye; she accepted his dare. If Suzie was scared, she never showed it. Her bravery was inspiring! As an introvert, I am not sure I could’ve spoken with the strangers without my anxiety levels rising. It’s good that she’s a brave bird because she (and we) learned so much from them. For example, we discovered what chakras are and what the seven colored chakras represent. Suzie’s visit also taught readers how to do a couple of yoga poses and breathing techniques that anyone can use to calm and center their mind. 

Of course, a tale of feuding birds wouldn’t be complete without a good old-fashioned misunderstanding. Without spoiling the fun, let’s just say that feathers were ruffled for no good reason. And the illustrations that bring this chaotic scene to life? They’re downright hilarious, especially when it comes to Suzie’s brother. What a drama king! 

Did the bird foes become friends? They sure did. I loved the scenes showcasing how they were not so different after all and the author’s adorable name choice for who made the birds’ beverages. Read the story for more details! 

Pete and Suzie is more than just a story about birds. It’s a lesson in empathy and understanding. It teaches us not to judge people without getting to know them, to be open to new friendships and experiences, and to put aside grudges and misunderstandings. It’s a call to kindness and unity, a reminder that we should build friendships, not walls.

Recommended reading age is 3-8 years.

 

Side note: “Seagulls” and Pelicans” were capitalized in the review to mimic how it was presented in the story.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Samantha Ahearne is an eternal optimist, who hopes to inspire kindness and acceptance through her story writing. She was born and raised in London, England and now lives in Houston, Texas.
 

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

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June 3, 2025 · 7:00 am

Pete and Suzie and the Party Penguins by Samantha Ahearne (Book Review)

In Hazy Bay, the big debate concerns who might be the greatest diver of all time, a pelican or a seagull.

Imagine the disruption to the pelican seagull debate when penguins arrive to dive!

How will the pelicans and seagulls react to the new competition?

Don’t judge a bird by it’s feathers.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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

 

The Hazy Bay newspaper’s headline read that the penguins were selected to dive this year at the Hazy Bay Sports Day. This revelation stunned the pelican and seagull community. The water birds had no idea what a penguin was and if they could perform better than them. They assumed penguins could fly, which young kids discover is false. The illustrations showing the birds looking up at the sky in search of the penguins were amusing. Readers will feel the birds’ confusion as they look left, right, and behind them without sighting these mysterious penguin guests flying toward them. The funny, illustrative scenes continue as we watch all three types of birds strike a yoga pose. Yes, you read that right—these birds practice yoga! And Puffy’s (the penguin) demonstration of how they got their name was adorable! Oh, and Puffy’s dance skills were quite the showstopper, too. I would love to see Puffy and Mumble (Happy Feet) engage in a dance-off!

The pelicans and seagulls made the mistake of judging the penguins without getting to know them. However, they learned a profound lesson as they watched the penguins perform their diving routine: you cannot judge a bird by looks alone. This lesson is not just for birds, but for all of us. It’s a gentle reminder not to form opinions based on appearances, but to take the time to get to know someone and then form an opinion based on how they treat you and others.

Pete and Suzie and the Party Penguins is a wonderful story that teaches kids to be kind to others, not judgy. It’s marked for children 4-8 years, but kids of all ages will love the comical illustrations and the penguin’s remarkable water performance. I recommend sharing this story with your family or students. Great message. Nice introduction to yoga and affirmations. Plus, funny illustrations that’ll have your little ones giggling.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Samantha Ahearne is an eternal optimist, who hopes to inspire kindness and acceptance through her story writing. She was born and raised in London, England and now lives in Houston, Texas.
 

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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May 19, 2025 · 7:00 am

There’s a Snore-a-saurus in My Adenoids: Surgery Books for Kids by Nat Gibson (Book Review)

Is your little one getting ready for adenoid surgery? Do they also have a dinosaur-sized imagination?

When Ollie’s snoring interrupts his (and his brother’s) sleep, he discovers that a mischievous dinosaur might be to blame! Join him as he experiences the surgery process in a special way at the Dinosaur Catchers’ Camp (hospital)—where he’ll:

  • Receive a unique bracelet (hospital wristband)

  • Go to the weigh station (weight measurement)

  • Get an arm hug (blood pressure reading)

  • Wear special pajamas (hospital gown)

  • Put on a magic mask (anesthesia)

  • And finally, meet the Dinosaur Catchers (doctors) who will remove his adenoids and capture that silly little dinosaur!

 

Created to help ease worries by turning a real medical procedure into an exciting dinosaur-catching adventure, this book uses a mix of information and fantasy to help parents guide young children and toddlers through adenoid removal surgery and recovery—in a way that feels magical rather than scary.

For extra fun, have a small dinosaur ready for your child after surgery.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Nat Gibson is back with another fabulous picture book; this time, they are tackling the annoying snore-a-saurus!

Do you have someone in your life that snores? Whose snores cause you to lose out on precious hours of rest? As There’s a Snore-a-saurus in My Adenoids: An Adenoid Surgery Book for Kids begins, we find James feeling frustrated over his brother’s loud honkfewww, a common situation in many shared bedrooms. James tries to gently wake his slumbering brother before finally shouting, “I can’t sleep.” Sweet Ollie expresses his apologies, but he can’t help it. He said it felt like something was blocking his nose. It’s time for Ollie to visit a doctor to find out the cause of his noisy nose and how to fix it. During the doctor’s visit, it’s revealed that a dinosaur is the culprit behind Ollie’s woes. It’s hiding behind the adenoids, blocking the airflow. The author understands that adenoids will probably be a new term for many children; therefore, they have included an easy-to-understand explanation and a funny illustration showing the dino giving a one-arm hug to a tiny, squishy blob (adenoid). Kids might assume, like Ollie, that if the problem is inside their nose, they should be able to dislodge it themselves. A nice thought that is expressed through four cute drawings.

Unfortunately, Ollie’s loud schnoz can only be fixed by removing the dinosaur from its hiding spot. In other words, he needs an operation. Hospitals can be a scary place for kids. The enormous size, bright lights, and mounting fear of what’s to come can make youngsters panic, especially when they hear the word surgery or operating room. They often fear going to sleep and never waking back up. That’s where There’s a Snore-a-saurus in My Adenoids comes in handy! In this adorable story, Ollie didn’t go to a big, scary, intimidating hospital. No, they went to Dinosaur Catcher’s Camp, where a dino helper gave him a special bracelet (hospital wristband) that instructed the Dino Catchers on where to look for the troublesome dino.

Next, Ollie headed to the weighing station (the scale), where the unexpected happened. (No spoilers.) This leads readers to remember one should not eat before surgery. Every step in the pre-op procedure was simplified using kid-friendly terms, such as instead of saying blood pressure reading, the writer said, “arm hug.” The writer and illustrator never strayed away from the dino theme, not in text or design. Kids will love Ollie’s special pajamas: blue clothing, red cape, and yellow hat. Parents, educators, and medical personnel will love how the creators of this wonderful book took a potentially overwhelming and frightening situation and made it look not so scary. The dino catchers (surgeon) and their helpers (nurses) reassured Ollie and kids facing similar situations that they would never be alone during the whole process. The nurse continues to explain the nice aroma in the “magic mask” allows the team to safely capture the dino as Ollie catches some zzzz. The staff member’s comforting words put Ollie at ease and hopefully their words will do the same for readers of this delightful storybook.

While children might initially feel trepidation about the surgical process, the book’s humorous illustrations quickly turn fear into laughter and smiles. The dino’s antics and the final image are sure to bring a smile to their faces. If the dino images don’t do the trick, the thought of the popsicle room (AKA recovery room) certainly will!

Is your child feeling apprehensive about an upcoming nasal surgery? Do they have a family or friend who’s about to undergo a dino (adenoid) removal procedure? If you answered yes, I’d recommend sharing There’s a Snore-a-saurus in My Adenoids with your child. It’s a silly but informative story that eases fears regarding what will happen before, during, and after the surgery.

I adored the illustrations, the dino theme, the simple dialogue, and how keywords stood out, thanks to brightly colored shading. I highly suggest sharing this stupendous story with your family and counting down the days to a peaceful night’s sleep!

The recommended reading age is 2-7 years.

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Nat Gibson lives in California with her husband and two children, both of whom had surgery before turning 4 years old. Her books are designed to help parents engage their child’s imagination as they go through new or difficult experiences.
 

 

 

 

 

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April 18, 2025 · 7:00 am

Your Friend, Brainy by Natalie Izzi (Book Review)

Meet your new friend, Brainy! Brainy is a fun-loving brain who’s excited to guide you on a journey to explore how your brain works, why we experience big emotions, and how we can support our brain when those feelings arise.

This playful and insightful book empowers children to better understand their brains and gives them simple, easy ways to regulate their emotions using neuroscience. Come along with Brainy for an adventure into the science of feelings!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Watch the book trailer!

 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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

 

Our brain is a complex organ with many working parts. Think of it as a supercomputer for your body. It regulates everything your body does thanks to a specific section or part of it. Your brain controls your emotions and movement, tells your heart to beat, stores your memories, and so much more. In Your Friend, Brainy, readers step inside Brainy’s house to learn about three important parts of their brain: the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus.

The first stop on the tour is the amygdala. Before kids learn its function, they discover how to pronounce this strange word: UH-MIG-DUH-LUH. Since the word appears many times in the story, I would mark the page in case young readers forget how to say this “super big word.” On the tour, Brainy teaches readers more than how to say the word. We discover which nut it’s shaped like and how it’s responsible for our feelings, especially the BIG ones.

Brainy informs kids that even though our brains have many parts with designated functions, they must and do help each other out. This leads kids into the next room of the brain tour, the prefrontal cortex, two big words that the author made learning about fun. It’s not every day you see a big brain wearing sunglasses and sneakers while chillin’ out in a cat cafe. This harmonious place was also called the Zen den and the chill grill, so choose which area your prefrontal cortex would visit to help calm the emotions created by the amygdala. Share those with the class!

Like in the last room, aka the amygdala, the author carefully and expertly explains how the prefrontal cortex can calm down those BIG feelings and quiet the internal blaring alarm, and it all starts with you and taking a deep breath. Yes, kids will become active participants in the story, helping them retain the information and (hopefully) recall it when needed. Brainy points out that controlling your breathing is not the only way to calm yourself down. There was a lovely picture collage featuring kids doing what makes them happy, such as talking to someone they love or watching a show that makes them smile. Happy faces on, we enter the last room on the brain tour: the hippocampus. I loved the wordplay and illustration, playfully acknowledging that despite its name, no, a hippo isn’t walking around on your brain. However, this part of your brain is responsible for learning and remembering. It also helps with feelings and memories.

Each part of the brain is remarkable, but they rely on each other every day. Through Your Friend, Brainy, kids learn that even our brains need the power of teamwork to work properly. I recommend adding this delightful and entertaining story to your SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) curriculum. Help kids ages 4 years and up understand how fantastic our brains are and the vital work the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus do through easy-to-understand text brought to them by a humorous and wonderful host, Brainy.

Brainy wrote a sweet thank you letter to readers. Please take a moment to read it and carry out their small request. (Read the story for more info.)

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2
(4.5 stars rounded to 5)

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Author Natalie Izzi has a Masters in Education and brings 12 years of experience in teaching children and adults the art of self-regulation through a unique blend of neuroscience, mindfulness, and restorative practices.

She founded and led The Enlightened Schools Project, a professional development company dedicated to bringing her program to a variety of districts, universities, classrooms, and homes.

Currently, Natalie continues her work in public education, where she teaches Kindergarten and leads social-emotional learning initiatives for her district in Phoenixville, PA.

This is her debut children’s book, which integrates many of the most effective strategies she’s discovered for helping children develop the skills to self-regulate.

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Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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