Tag Archives: friendship

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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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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NORTH: A Magical Friendship Story by J.R. Buchta (Book Spotlight)

With a swirl of snowflakes, a shimmer of starlight, and a dazzling dance of color, the North Wind, the North Star, and the Northern Lights unite their magical powers to create something truly delightful—a host of vibrant, whimsical new friends!

At first, chaos whirls through the arctic skies and nothing goes quite right. But these Three Old Friends don’t give up. Through teamwork and a little northern magic, they finally pull off a heartwarming success.

Join the celebration as an unforgettable gathering of playful arctic animals and cheerful newcomers come together.

Can you guess who the merry, toy-making friends might be?

Here’s a hint: they are full of holiday cheer and love spreading joy!


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Meet the Author

JR Buchta was born and raised in Philadelphia PA. As a youngster, he expressed an interest in music and spent most of his early life in the performing arts as a singer-songwriter. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he entered the business world and made a career in marketing.


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Luminous Ties by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Spotlight)

 

When Ellie Winters discovers Zyx, an alien stranded on Earth after a crash, her world changes forever. Known as a “nerd” and an outcast at her high school, Ellie has never felt like she belonged—until Zyx shows her she’s capable of far more than she imagines.

As they forge an unbreakable friendship, Zyx teaches Ellie to embrace her inner strength, blending advanced alien technology with a magic-like energy that unlocks her potential. But their growing bond is threatened when Zyx’s ship is discovered, drawing the attention of relentless government agents.

Now, Ellie must outwit forces far greater than herself to protect Zyx and the future he represents. In a climactic journey of courage and sacrifice, Ellie will discover that the brightest lights come from within—and the ties we form with others are what truly make us strong.

Luminous Ties is a thrilling and emotional YA sci-fi novel about resilience, friendship, and finding your voice, perfect for fans of Skyward by Brandon Sanderson and Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray.

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 Partial Sample of the…

Prologue

The vast night sky unfolded like an endless tapestry, its stars flickering with quiet majesty. To some, it was a symbol of wonder, a reminder of infinite possibilities. To others, it was an ocean of darkness, filled with unseen dangers and uncharted paths. For one traveler, it was both—a place of beauty and peril that demanded precision with every step, every choice.

The traveler’s ship moved gracefully through the asteroid belt, its sleek frame gleaming with an ethereal light. Advanced technology hummed softly within, guiding it through the labyrinth of celestial debris. But even the most advanced navigation systems could falter. A rogue asteroid, spinning unpredictably, veered suddenly into the ship’s trajectory. Alarms screamed to life, red lights flashing in a chaotic rhythm as the traveler scrambled to react.

A momentary miscalculation. A fatal turn.

The ship jolted violently, spinning out of control. Instruments sparked, systems failed, and the vast blue-and-green orb of a nearby planet loomed closer. The traveler gripped the controls, attempting to stabilize the descent, but gravity had taken over. The ship became a streak of fire against the sky, hurtling toward the planet with unstoppable force.

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Meet the Talented Team!

Lamar and Liana Golden are a dynamic father-daughter duo on a mission to captivate hearts, inspire minds, and leave a lasting legacy through the power of storytelling. With a shared passion for imagination and creativity, they weave tales that transport readers of all ages—from whimsical children’s stories that ignite wonder to gripping YA adventures and thought-provoking novels that linger in the soul.
 
For the Goldens, storytelling is more than a craft—it’s a family tradition. Lamar brings years of life experience, wisdom, and a knack for spinning unforgettable narratives, while Liana infuses their works with youthful energy, fresh perspectives, and a deep connection to the dreams and struggles of today’s readers. Together, they create a symphony of stories that resonate across generations.
 
Beyond their writing, Lamar and Liana share a zest for life’s simple joys. They’re adventurers at heart, often found savoring delicious food, laughing over spirited games, and seeking thrills at theme parks. These moments of connection fuel their creativity, reminding them of the importance of building a legacy of love, imagination, and goodness in the world.
 
Their dream is simple yet profound: to inspire readers everywhere, one story at a time, and to leave behind a world just a little brighter for having shared their journey. Join Lamar and Liana Golden as they open the door to extraordinary worlds and unforgettable adventures—you won’t want to miss a single tale.
 
You can contact us at lamar.golden1@gmail.com or via X (Formerly Twitter) @LNLGolden
 

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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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