Tag Archives: food

May 1, 2026 · 7:00 am

Sofie Finds a Best Friend by Carrie and Corey Webber (Book Review)

Sofie the squirrel loves acorns, giggles, and her cozy treehouse—but what she wants most is a friend to share a tea party with. As Sofie kindly invites animals of all kinds to play, she discovers that not everyone likes the same things—and that’s okay. When she finally meets Chip the chipmunk, Sofie learns an important lesson about patience, perseverance, kindness, social skills and finding the friend who’s just right for you.

A warm, gentle story about friendship, belonging, acceptance, rejection, communication and remembering that the right friend is always worth the wait.

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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.

 

Is your child having difficulty making friends? Are they looking for that special someone who shares their interests and wants to be their best friend, but are not having any luck? In Sofie Finds a Best Friend, the bushy-tailed squirrel would love to find a friend to attend their tea party and eat acorns. The problem is, finding a friend is easier said than done. Sweet Sofie politely asks nineteen different species of animals if they would like to come to their tea party before hearing these exciting words, “YES, I WOULD LOVE TO!!!” with number twenty.

Sofie Finds a Best Friend is a great story for teaching young children the names of different animals and provides many opportunities for group discussion. For instance, what animals besides the owl and raccoon are nocturnal? What kinds of foods do animals eat? Sofie didn’t seem to let the rejections dampen her spirits, but how would they react if no one wanted to play with them? What do they like to do for fun, and what are some of their interests? This last one could lead to new friendships.

Sofie Finds a Best Friend reaches a broad audience thanks to its cute, colorful illustrations and sweet storyline. Whether you are teaching animal names, discussing what animals eat and their habitats, or emphasizing the power of kindness and perseverance, Sofie Finds a Best Friend is the book for you, your family, or your classroom.

Amazon lists the story for children 3-9 years. That is a great age for reading comprehension and discussions; however, I recommend it for babies and toddlers as well, since I think they will love the brightly colored animal scenes. Of course, even older children in the initial bracket will love the artwork. It is a great combination of sweet and funny.


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

Carrie and Corey Webber’s love of storytelling has ties to their own memories of favorite books as children, including one about little critters that lived inside a treehouse. They hope their readers come away from their story understanding the foundation of friendship, perseverance, and kindness.

 

 

 

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April 24, 2026 · 7:00 am

Sofie Finds a Best Friend by Carrie and Corey Webber (Book Spotlight)

Sofie the squirrel loves acorns, giggles, and her cozy treehouse—but what she wants most is a friend to share a tea party with. As Sofie kindly invites animals of all kinds to play, she discovers that not everyone likes the same things—and that’s okay. When she finally meets Chip the chipmunk, Sofie learns an important lesson about patience, perseverance, kindness, social skills and finding the friend who’s just right for you.

A warm, gentle story about friendship, belonging, acceptance, rejection, communication and remembering that the right friend is always worth the wait.

 

Amazon Purchase Link

Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

 

 

Meet the Author

Carrie and Corey Webber’s love of storytelling has ties to their own memories of favorite books as children, including one about little critters that lived inside a treehouse. They hope their readers come away from their story understanding the foundation of friendship, perseverance, and kindness.
 

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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April 13, 2026 · 7:00 am

The Land of Nod by Jimmy Vee (Book Review)

A rhyming bedtime book that keeps bad dreams at bay.

In the hushed Land of Nod, where moonbeams peek and shadows creep, lives a secret group of sleepy helpers known as Nodlings.

Each night the Nodlings wake, stretch their wings, and fly from their hidden land into children’s rooms everywhere.

Their mission is simple. Chase away bad dreams and make sweet dreams come true.

But there are rules the Nodlings must follow. They must stay out of sight. They must stay quiet. And most of all, they must be back in their beds before sunrise.

Have you seen a Nodling?

Visit the author’s site for purchasing information.

 

 

 

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

 

In the Land of Nod, you will find everyone and everything catching some zzz’s, and most are wearing adorable nightcaps. As the clock passes midnight, the Nodlings wake up, still sleepy but on a mission to bring sweet dreams to the kids in the village. The magical Nodlings had an important task to do every night, and they did it in style. Their caps and onesies were adorable, and the Nodling wearing the blue onesie with white polka-dots made me smile the most. He didn’t speak because that was against the Land of Nod rules. It was all the late-night snacks he had in his hand or falling out of his satchel. Even his artwork featured food.

The Land of Nod was a peaceful, magical land where Nodlings entered our world through a magical portal. (Read the story to discover what linked their world to ours.) The fairy-like characters with very large ears had to follow 5 rules. They were essential to protect their world, themselves. (Read the story to see the list.) There was an amusing illustration of them having to quickly hide from a child who was up past their bedtime. Again, it was the polka-dotted Nodling who stole the show!

The Nodling used special means to keep the children asleep while they chased away their bad dreams and thoughts. They used funny means to tell Nodlings where to land, and the jester-looking Nodling was quite the cut-up in one scene. I loved his facial artwork on the sleeping child and wondered if it will disappear at the dawn of a new day. Oh, and the polka-dot pajama-wearing Nodling…well, he made me chuckle again thanks to the comical illustration of him in a hairy situation.

The Nodlings’ mission is to chase away the bad dreams and replace them with good thoughts, ensuring a peace’s night’s sleep. They succeeded in their mission, but did they do it in time before sunrise? Read the story and see if they broke this rule or not.

I recommend The Land of Nod to all kids 3 years and older. It is a fun, amusing rhyming story, perfect for bedtime.

 

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

(4.5 rounded to 5 stars)

Visit the author’s site for purchasing information.

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Jimmy was a creative kid who was always building, tinkering, and rigging up something around the house. These days, his kids say he just makes stuff up for a living—they’re right. As the owner of a creative marketing agency, Jimmy really does “make stuff up all day” for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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March 2, 2026 · 7:00 am

Courageous Kids Chronicles Book II Tales of Little Warriors by Gary R. Brown (Book Review)

These stories illustrate children’s remarkable resilience, care, and understanding in the face of challenges. Their ability to adjust and maintain a positive outlook, even in dire health situations, is truly inspiring. It all begins with knowledge and experience; through professional assistance, many of these conditions can be effectively addressed as a family. This book seeks to uplift and provide hope for families and caregivers navigating similar health concerns.

I would like to point out that these stories do not propose corrective measures for the conditions and diseases described here. Like all books in this series, they highlight everyday and unique situations children encounter daily. Some are visible in our public lives, while others remain private and often unspoken. By sharing these glimpses into a child’s life, I hope readers recognize that everyone has experiences filled with wonder and resilience. Understanding this and witnessing their grace will humble us all.

This perspective reminds me that I am not a qualified professional and do not dictate how these matters should be approached. Instead, families and trusted caregivers must work closely with their medical and psychological professionals for the best outcomes. Even children navigating tough times do so in their remarkable ways.

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

 

Courageous Kids Chronicles Book II: Tales of Little Warriors is a heartwarming and informative illustrated chapter book that focuses on three diseases: PKU (Phenylalanine [PHE]), Celiac Disease, and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Each section follows the journey of a single child who finds the courage to share their medical condition with their class. Their bravery is inspiring and might prompt your child to embrace what makes them special and share it with others, as well. 

In chapter one, readers meet Jack, who has a condition that many people may not be familiar with. He has PKU, a condition that makes it difficult for his body to process a specific part of the foods he consumes. Like Lucy with Celiac Disease, they must watch what food they consume. Their special diets might be confusing to some, and, as Jack experienced, it might cause others to stare. Jack’s growing unease with the puzzled looks are 100% relatable to many kids in the real world. Jack just wanted to fit in, something else kids can relate to. 

Knowledge is power, and the kids opening up about their afflictions served several purposes. It taught kids about diseases they might not be familiar with. It opened minds to try new things, like gluten-free cupcakes in support of Lucy and slow-mo freeze tag (in respect to Ameara’s Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). It taught kids to embrace their own special qualities and those of others. Lovely message of acceptance and inclusion! Great illustration of Ameara’s classmates supporting her and taking part in the daily stretches

Lucy’s story didn’t flow as smoothly as Jack and Ameara’s. The sequence of events and illustrations seemed out of sync. The artist was excellent, though. The book’s messages are ones I hope every child takes to heart, and I hope the three fictional kids’ bravery encourages real children to share their “story” with their classmates. 

Bonus material included in end pages: PKU (Phenylalanine [PHE]), Celiac Disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis affirmations. Plus, a reflection page and educational resource links. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️1/2
(Rounded to 4 on Amazon and Goodreads)️

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Gary R. Brown is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and federal civil servant whose remarkable journey from the neighborhoods of Trenton, New Jersey, to destinations across the globe has profoundly shaped his perspective on life, leadership, and faith. After dedicating over 24 years to the Navy, followed by a 15-year career in civilian government, Gary embraced writing as a personal outlet and a powerful means to inspire others.

He has created a diverse array of activities and storybooks for children and adults, including coloring books, poetry collections, faith-based devotionals, and word games, all designed to promote creativity, well-being, and connections across generations. And recently, short novels have been of great interest to me. I am just having fun!

Amazon Author Page Link
Website
Alignable.com

 

 

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January 2, 2026 · 7:00 am

Pickle the Pig by Brenden Bott (Book Review)

Do you have a favourite food? Now imagine that your favourite food is also the most famous food in town—and your grandpa holds the secret of how it was invented. A secret that involves your great-great-grandmother … and a perilous pig.

In Pickle the Pig, we meet Emily—a girl who has a peculiar obsession with bacon-wrapped pickle bites. In this hilarious tale, we uncover the outrageous story of how these tasty treats came to be. It’s a delightful mix of disaster, suspense, and plenty of humour—perfect for the whole family!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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

 

Everyone has a favorite food, and for Emily, it was a giant pickle wrapped in bacon. A weird combo food choice, but in their young mind, it was a delicious invention. Emily was curious how the town’s famous delicacy came to be, and her grandfather had the inside scoop. Oh, what a wild, strange, and humorous tale the grandfather shares, and it starts with a pig who craves pickles all the time.

Pickle the Pig loves to gobble up pickles, day and night. His hearty appetite doesn’t sit well with the townspeople, though, but they have bigger problems at the moment. A drought had struck the small town, then a tornado. Thankfully, the townspeople took refuge, and no one perished. The pickle-loving pig came out unscathed, too, but his girth was his salvation. Yup, the very, very round pig was too heavy for even a tornado to pick up. That tidbit, and its corresponding illustrations, made me smile. What came after the twister is a mind-bender but a chuckle inducer: food rains down from the sky, but how? The answer was unexpected and hilarious. Kids and adults will find themselves scratching their heads and laughing out loud.

Pickle the Pig was an enormous porker that greatly irritated the town; however, the community’s annoyed looks turned to smiles for one reason only. That reason will be unveiled once you read the story, and this is a book you’ll want to share with your family or class. The illustrations were extremely amusing (credited artist: Dong Hoon Kim), and the plot’s resolution was wonderfully ridiculous. I can’t wait to read more comedic stories by the imaginative author, and after you read the story, you’ll become instant fans of Brenden Bott, like me.

Amazon recommends this Pickle the Pig for ages three and up. I agree with this recommendation.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Brenden has worked in the field of education for over a decade, and he is more convinced than ever of the importance of telling stories to shape hearts and minds. Brenden is currently the Head of School at Westminster Classical Christian Academy in Toronto. He has a doctorate in theology from Wycliffe College, the University of Toronto, specializing in medieval and Reformation thought and theodicy.

Amazon Author Page Link

Website Link

 

Meet the Illustrator

Dong Hoon began his career as a mechanical engineer but left this behind to become an artist. With over twenty years of experience, Dong Hoon has established himself as an unusually talented illustrator with a unique ability to add humour to his artistic creations.

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