Tag Archives: friendship

Bobby the Bear Helps Build a Nest: Bobby the Bear, book 2 by Ryan O’Connor (Book Review)

Some things are hard, and they take time to do right. In the second book in the series by Ryan O’Connor, Bobby the Bear teaches his friend Ollie the Owl an important lesson on perseverance using the skills of patience and cooperation. Bobby the Bear books focus on the themes of kindness, respect, positivity, and helping your neighbors. In each story, Bobby guides his forest friends through life’s trials while learning some lessons of his own along the way.

Teachers will appreciate the available free activities and exercises that satisfy basic common core curriculum requirements in math, science, and English language arts.

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

 

We first met Bobby and his forest friends in Bobby the Bear and His Big Surprise, book one in the adorable series. We watched animal friends band together to throw a surprise birthday party for their dear friend, Bobby. In Bobby the Bear Helps Build a Nest, book 2 in the series, Bobby returns the nice gesture and lends a helping paw to his crying friend – Ollie the owlet.

Ollie is in tears because he desperately wants to make a special nest for his sister, but his structions keep breaking. Bobby, being a good friend, offers his assistance. He has never built a nest before but is willing to learn. He understands how important the nest is to Ollie; it’s a thank-you gift to Olive for all the times she’d helped her sibling. Ah, what a sweet, loving gesture!

Bobby and Ollie’s first nest was not a success, which caused Ollie to break down in tears again. Bobby’s comforting words were perfect: “Never give up on something. Some things are hard to do and take many tries to get right.” He also mentioned how it took him five attempts to make it his first bed. Bobby’s correct; we should learn from our mistakes and try again. In the case of the nest, Bobby problem-solved on how to make the nest’s base sturdier. Of course, the two friends continued efforts led them to a secure nest that could hold Ollie and his sister. Success at last!

Happy smiles were all around after the big unveil, and Ollie realized the importance of never giving up. Kids will also learn the value of hard work and the feeling of accomplishment. Bobby the Bear Helps Build a Nest shows the power of kind gestures with its sweet storyline and illustrations. It’s also a powerful reminder of the value of perseverance and the rewards it can bring.

The synopsis states there are free activities and exercises. I didn’t have an opportunity to examine them (I received a free reviewer copy), but I still suggest taking advantage of the free resource material!

Extended activities: Nests are made of different materials. Have your family or class explore birds and the material each uses for their nests. Gather material and build a nest; see which nest can hold the most weight before its base collapses.

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

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Meet the Author

Award-winning author and teacher Ryan O’Connor hails from Kansas, where his passion for writing and education developed. Ryan has spent the past fifteen years teaching English to students of all ages in the United States and China. After spending a decade living abroad, Ryan calls Kansas City home.

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A Tail Tale by Christine Kessides (Book Spotlight)

Wally is starting a new school-will he be able to make friends?
 
When Wally’s new classmates aren’t so nice, he decides that maybe he doesn’t want to fit in with them after all. One day after school, he meets the Tailor, a magical figure who creates tails for all the animals. As Wally tries on different tails, he also meets a snake who shows Wally a new perspective on friendship.
 
Despite the reality of how hard it can be to make new friends in a new place, this whimsical, clever story shows us that everyone has something to offer-and that often, empathy is the best cure for unkindness.

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“Charming story of self-acceptance and friend-making at a new school.” — BookLife
 
“…a great book for young children who are feeling bullied or unaccepted at school.” — LitPick 5 – star review
 
“…a story with a big heart and a big mind….reads like your favorite childhood fable growing up….” — Independent Book Review
 
“Its blend of whimsy, life lessons, and vibrant art makes it perfect for children ages 5-9.” — Literary Titan 5 – star Gold Award
 
“…provides young readers with a model for working through emotions and solutions surrounding bullying.” — Kirkus Reviews
 
“an adorably clever story….comes highly recommended!”– Feathered Quill

 

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Meet the Author

Christine Kessides first imagined “A Tail Tale” when she was a student, but didn’t publish it until her first grandson arrived—who, coincidentally, looks like Wally. Christine has also published “Magda, Standing”, an award-winning Young Adult historical novel. She lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

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Chloe Moves to a New City: The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe Series by Andrea McLean (Book Review)

When Burnie and Chloe hear a tiny voice in Chloe’s new house, they discover a little spider named Webster who’s lost and far from home! With big hearts and curious minds, Burnie and Chloe decide to help their new friend find a place to belong.

Their adventure takes them to the backyard, where they meet another friendly spider who just might have the perfect solution. Along the way, Burnie and Chloe learn what it means to help others, make new friends, and open their hearts to those in need.

Join Burnie and Chloe on this heartwarming journey of friendship, kindness, and finding a new home in unexpected places. Perfect for young readers, this story is sure to bring smiles, laughter, and a reminder that everyone can lend a helping hand.

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Burnie and Chloe are not just family; they are doggie best friends. They frequently get together at Burnie’s house for play dates. Whether they are taking a dip in the pool, exploring the outdoors, or partaking in an indoor adventure, the canine buddies always have each other’s back. They are so lucky to have each other. But things are about to change. Chloe’s owner/Ava’s brother swung by to inform the family that he got a new job and is moving to a new city. The news shocked Burnie, so he naturally had several questions. Even a human’s curiosity would cause us to question a friend or family member if they suddenly sprung news they were relocating.

A few weeks after the big move, Burnie and his family packed up and drove three hours to visit the brother and Chloe’s new home. Burnie and Chloe were super excited to see each other, and Chloe couldn’t wait to give Burnie the grand tour. Burnie was very curious about the space behind the stairwell. What he found would have me and many others running away, possibly screaming as we go. Why? Because Burnie found a spider! Okay, for a spider, it was rather cute when it smiled. Yes, you read that right. The itsy-bitsy spider smiles! Even though Webster (spider) looks friendly, I’m not sure if I would place it on my head (like Burnie did). I bet kids will have a strong opinion on this matter!

Like the other stories in The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe series, the doggie duo band together to fix a problem. In the case of Chloe Moves to a New City, their mission is to help find the lost spider (Webster) a new home, preferably outdoors. Did they succeed in their quest? I bet you know the answer to that. The final image featuring the friends posing with their tongues out is the perfect ending to the story.

Chloe Moves to a New City is a sweet story, capturing the strong bond between two canine friends. I liked the variety of body poses and facial expressions, which added depth and emotion to the characters. The backgrounds popped thanks to the vibrant wallpaper patterns and paint color choices. There were still some flat areas, but I applaud the artist’s attempt to spruce up certain rooms. The first staircase image, however, missed the mark. The left side of the staircase appears to be floating in the air towards the bottom. For the storyline, many of us can relate to a family member or friend moving away. This story may inspire children to share their experiences and feelings about a similar situation. I have one small request for the author; it may be time to give Ava’s brother a name. He’s been featured in more than one story, and I don’t recall the character being addressed by anything other than “Ava’s brother.”

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the latest story in The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe series—the heartwarming tale of friendship, coupled with the vibrant illustrations, made for a delightful read. I can’t wait to see what fun adventures await Burnie and Chloe in the next book!

Suggested reading age is 3-8 years.


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

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Meet the Author

Andrea C. McLean is a board-certified life, career, and executive coach. She is a global leadership coach and mentor focused on developing women leaders in corporate and university settings. Andrea has a spirit of encouragement and a passion for inspiring others on their journey toward achieving personal transformations. She can be reached at andrea@acmcoachinggroup.com and you can follow @andreacmclean on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more inspiration.
 

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Where is Love? by Annie Caboose (Book Review)

While walking in the garden one day, Annie, a curious little ant from Hillsville, meets a single poppy flower called Love. They become instant friends, sharing stories, laughing and talking for hours on end. Then one autumn day Annie goes to visit Love, but Love is not there. Remembering the rhyme that Love told her, she sets off on an adventure to find Love.

Love is with you every day.
Love is never far away.
Go search, go find and then you’ll see
All the places Love can be.

But don’t forget to look within
For often, that’s where Love begins.

May Annie’s story inspire anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved being, to look and perhaps still find them within their lives and within themselves.

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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.

 

We witness death on TV shows and movies, but you’re never really prepared for the emotions accompanying it until you’re in the thick of it. Everyone handles the loss of a friend or loved one differently, kids especially. Where is Love? is a touching book reminding us that the ones we miss are never truly gone; they will always remain in our hearts and memories. A lovely message that can bring a great deal of comfort.

Annie is just one of many ants that call Hillsville, a mound of dirt behind Fanny’s Flower Farm, home. James Dakay, the illustrator, did a lovely job creating the underground world. The ants wore human attire as they engaged in activities we’ve all seen or done, such as groups of ants playing basketball and hopscotch while another hung wet clothes up on a clothesline. The illustrations are vibrant and detailed, with each ant having its own unique features and expressions. Though the Queen ant looks lovely in her royal cape and crown, Annie was quite the fashionista in her bright yellow straw cap and matching shirt.

Annie didn’t spend all her days or nights inside the mound; on weekends, she went aboveground to explore and enjoy the summer breeze. During one excursion, Annie met a poppy named Love. Love was a beautiful orange-petaled flower with soft features nestled in the flower’s seed pod. Love and Annie became quick friends. They laughed together, played games, and told tall tales. Love shared a sweet little rhyme with her new friend:

Love is with you every day.

Love is never far away.

Go search, go find and then you’ll see

All the places Love can be.

 

Each time Annie went to meet up with her fragrant friend, she noticed Poppy was losing her beautiful orange petals. It was heartbreaking to watch her wither away. Sadly, young kids and adults will face a similar situation with a friend, family member, or beloved pet. It’s an emotional time, especially when their physical body is no longer here. Annie realized the significance of Poppy’s rhyme. It’s a comforting reminder that our loved ones will remain in our hearts and live on through our memories, and that love is always present, even when we can’t see it.

I recommend reading Annie Caboose’s moving story with your child, especially if they have lost someone recently or are facing circumstances that mirror Annie’s situation: watching someone slowly fade away. Where is Love? is technically a picture book aimed at young viewers, but Love’s sweet rhyme and the story’s overall theme can also resonate with adults.

 

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

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Meet the Author

Annie, a.k.a. the Caboose, is the youngest of nine children. Her loving mother read her lots of children’s stories, including some she wrote herself. Inspired by her mom, Annie wrote her first book, Where is Love? She resides on a lake in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, fascinated by the many birds that live there too.

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Chloe Moves to a New City: The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe Series by Andrea McLean (Book Spotlight)

When Burnie and Chloe hear a tiny voice in Chloe’s new house, they discover a little spider named Webster who’s lost and far from home! With big hearts and curious minds, Burnie and Chloe decide to help their new friend find a place to belong.

Their adventure takes them to the backyard, where they meet another friendly spider who just might have the perfect solution. Along the way, Burnie and Chloe learn what it means to help others, make new friends, and open their hearts to those in need.

Join Burnie and Chloe on this heartwarming journey of friendship, kindness, and finding a new home in unexpected places. Perfect for young readers, this story is sure to bring smiles, laughter, and a reminder that everyone can lend a helping hand.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

SNEAK PEEK

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Reedsy’s Review Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Andrea C. McLean is a board-certified life, career, and executive coach. She is a global leadership coach and mentor focused on developing women leaders in corporate and university settings. Andrea has a spirit of encouragement and a passion for inspiring others on their journey toward achieving personal transformations. She can be reached at andrea@acmcoachinggroup.com and you can follow @andreacmclean on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more inspiration.
 

Website Link

 

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