Tag Archives: friendships

August 25, 2025 · 7:00 am

Dingo Toad Joins the Rangers by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

A heartwarming adventure about friendship, inclusion, and finding your tribe.

Dingo and Penny do everything together—from games and homework to dreaming about exploring the great outdoors. So, when it’s time to join a local scouting group, they can’t wait to sign up… until they discover there’s no Girl Scouts troop in town.

Disappointed but determined, Dingo embarks on a mission to help his best friend chase her dream. What he discovers changes everything: a group called the Rangers—where boys and girls are welcome, diversity is celebrated, and adventures are just beginning.

 

In this gentle, empowering story, readers will follow Dingo and Penny as they:

  • Discover the power of friendship and loyalty
  • Learn how inclusive communities can open new doors
  • Join a diverse group of kids on their first big adventure

 

Dingo & Toad Join the Rangers is a fun, inclusive picture book for children ages 5–9 that encourages kids to embrace teamwork, outdoor exploration, and making space for everyone. It’s perfect for classrooms, families, and young readers who love scouting, camping, and stories with heart.

✨ Great for fans of:

  • The Berenstain Bears
  • Arthur
  • Scouts Honor

A perfect gift for budding adventurers and best friends everywhere.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Dingo Toad Joins the Rangers is an outstanding illustrated children’s book whose visual appeal perfectly complements the superb and relatable storyline.

 

Dingo and Penny, the alien best friends, are bursting with color and relatability! Despite their alienistic features, which set them apart from Earthlings (excluding cons and Halloween), their everyday activities are remarkably similar to ours. They love playing video games together, exploring, going on adventures, and just having fun. Their planet also has a Boy Scouts troop; unfortunately, they do not have a Girl Scouts one.

Scout organizations are a great way to learn new skills and make new friends, which is why they both wanted to join one. When one is not available, as in Penny’s case, the news can be very disappointing. This is why every community should have an all-inclusive scout group, like the Rangers, designed by the creative co-authors Lamar and Liana Golden.

As the besties meet their fellow troop members, the illustrator’s skills and imagination continue to shine. Tom McGrath’s alien creations were so adorable. I loved the purple bird with large eyes who wore tiny spectacles and the alien whose green eyestalks poked through their hat. Every creature, whether above ground or underwater, amazed me, and so did the vibrant scenery. Great color choices!

Dingo Toad Joins the Rangers is a spectacular book, from its storyline about the importance of inclusiveness, friendship, enjoying the outdoors, and learning new life skills to the bold, stunning illustrations. It’s the perfect gift idea for sci-fi fans, best friends, and those interested in or involved with scouting organizations.

Share Dingo Toad Joins the Rangers at your next troop meeting, with your students, and family. It’s a fun read for all ages, but the author’s target audience is children ages 5 to 9.

 

Be sure to check out Dingo Toad Helps a Friend and stay tuned for more details for the upcoming release, Dingo Toad Opens a Wormhole!

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Dynamic Duo! 

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
 

Reedsy Author Link

 

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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.

 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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 20, 2025 · 7:00 am

The Princess Has Cancer: A glimpse into the journey of a support group by Mary Wilson Galasso (Book Spotlight)

Four children, each facing the unimaginable challenge of cancer, find strength and solace in a support group. What begins as quiet companionship soon blossoms into a lasting friendship that carries them through years of treatment, hope and healing. Along their journey, they encounter a kind-hearted princess whose compassion leaves a lasting mark on their lives. As they enter remission, their bond remains unbreakable-and the story of their courage begins to inspire other children walking the same difficult path.

Amazon Purchase Link

Reedsy’s Review Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Mary Wilson Galasso is a retired Nurse Practitioner, in addition to being a wife, mother of three boys, and a grandmother. She comes from a large family and has a deep passion for understanding people. She believes reading is one of the greatest skills a person can be proud to have and to share.
 

 

 

 

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April 3, 2025 · 7:00 am

Bobby the Bear and His Big Surprise by Ryan O’Connor (Book Review)

Join Bobby the Bear in the forest for the surprise of a lifetime and a lesson in the importance of true friendship. With captivating art and a carefully crafted message, Bobby’s story is sure to delight children of all ages. Through his many stories, Bobby teaches his forest friends life lessons through kindness, respect, and positivity 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.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

It’s Bobby the Bear’s birthday, and he is excited to spend the day at the lake with his friends: Owen (the owl) and his owlets, Mr. and Mrs. Butterfly, Rachel (the rabbit), Tanya (the tiger), Brian (the beaver), plus an additional one (pictured in group shot but not visited by Bobby). On his way to the lake, Bobby stopped at his friends’ homes, but they were all gone. Bobby was confused about where everyone was and wondered if they had already left for the lake.

The bear arrived at the lake and noticed no one was there either. He waited for his friends to arrive, but they never appeared. Did they forget his birthday? I’ve taken my children to birthday parties where they were the only attendees. It’s heartbreaking to watch a birthday kid run to the window when they hear a vehicle and see confusion and sadness sweep across their face when the car passes by their home. Bobby’s situation might resonate with some kids. It might make others rethink passing on invites, so their classmates never experience confusion and sadness, as Bobby did on his special day.

Bobby’s story ends with a surprise happy ending, which all parents want for their children on birthdays. It’s a heartwarming moment that will surely bring a smile to kids’ faces. The joyful conclusion reinforces the power of friendship while reminding kids that even in the face of disappointment, there’s always the potential for a happy ending.

Bobby the Bear and His Big Surprise is a wonderful children’s book with big, bold illustrations. I loved Tanya the Tiger’s “out to lunch” sign. The paw prints were a cute touch. The cake was decorated so lovely that one would almost hate cutting into it. Not me, I love cake! The group shot of the partygoers perfectly ended the story. 

There were three items I would change, though. First, I would’ve included every animal’s name and home. The author didn’t name the orange and white animal in the group photo, and Bobby didn’t stop by their house either. Second, since most people read left to right, I would’ve swapped placements for the text on the grey background and words in the speech bubble. Lastly, I was surprised Bobby didn’t talk to the turtle at the lake. Ask if the tutle would like to celebrate his birthday with him. That would’ve made for a sweet, touching moment.

Even without those small additions mentioned above, Bobby the Bear and His Big Surprise was a lovely read with adorable illustrations. It’s a storybook that parents can use to teach kids animal names and even their colors. With its simple word choices, Bobby the Bear and His Big Surprise would make an excellent book for early readers. This book would make a great birthday gift, too!

The book’s info states, “Teachers will appreciate the available free activities and exercises that satisfy basic common core curriculum requirements in math, science, and English language arts.” I couldn’t access those from my reviewer’s copy, but I encourage parents and teachers to take full advantage of the free resource materials! 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤1/2
(I will round up to 4 on Amazon and Goodreads.)

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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.

Amazon Author Page Link

 

 

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March 7, 2025 · 7:00 am

Laggie and Grillo: An Unlikely Friendship by Phyllis Schwartz (Book Review)

Yoshi wants a pet so badly she befriends some backyard critters who aren’t likely to get along and brings them into her circle of family and
friends for fun and frolic.

She aces a school writing assignment in the process by telling the tale in a poem that uses words from all over the world.

LAGGIE AND GRILLO: AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP not only helps children think about the responsibilities of keeping a pet, but also about the importance of helping opposites get along. It’s a multicultural friendship story so full of rhyming fun you’ll want to be a part of it!

 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Yoshi has been assigned to write a poem revolving around something that is bothering them. Their teacher wants them to use a few words from different cultures. Since Yoshi’s dad is Japanese and her mom is Jewish, the little girl understands Japanese and Yiddish and plans to work both languages into the verses. She also plans to incorporate Spanish words, which she learned living in San Diego, a city close to Mexico.

As Yoshi held her pencil to the paper, she knew exactly what she would write about— how her parents wouldn’t let her have a pet. The first stanza starts with Yoshi sharing her mom’s frustration over being asked about getting a pet. Based on the parents’ reaction, I sense it was not the first time the mother heard the request. She warned Yoshi to stop bugging her about it, or Yoshi wouldn’t be playing with her friends today. Yoshi didn’t understand why she couldn’t play with a cute un perrito (Spanish for dog) instead of her Japanese doll (Ningyo). Upset by her mom’s response, Yoshi kicked a garden elf (gnome) over and moped around the yard. It was during her moping session that a quick lizard zipped by. She thought if I couldn’t have a dog, she would adopt the lizard as her pet.

Laggie, the little garden lizard, was a low-maintenance pet; it nibbled on insects in Yoshi’s yard. However, there was one insect that Yoshi preferred that Laggie didn’t dine on: the cute cricket or Grillo in Spanish. That night, she took it inside her house to ensure the Lagartigo (Spanish for a small lizard) didn’t make Grillo their next un bocadillo (Spanish for a snack). The illustration showing wide-eyed and frazzled Yoshi surrounded by numerous “chirp” words was hilarious. Many people lose sleep to similar unwanted outdoor guests every spring and summer, so many of us can most definitely feel her pain!

Yoshi could’ve taken Grillo outside and let nature take its course, but instead, she built her two new friends their very own homes. How sweet, and I love the drawings! These two unlikeliest of friends made beautiful music together…literally because she instructed them to create a “Best Friend” song. Funny and cute!

Did Yoshi’s poem change her mom’s mind about having an indoor pet? Did it earn a perfect score? To find out, be sure to read the book’s conclusion. And don’t miss the final pages, where you’ll find a glossary of all the Spanish, Yiddish, and Japanese words used in the story, their definitions, and their punctuation. Plus, the author has included the Inari Sushi Recipe, a simple and delicious dish that young kids can help an adult make for lunch or dinner!

Laggie and Grillo: An Unlikely Friendship is more than just a delightful picture book. It’s a valuable educational tool that introduces children to several Spanish, Yiddish, and Japanese words. As Yoshi crafts her poem, readers are not only entertained but also enriched with new words and their meanings.

My suggested reading age is 4 years and up.

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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.

Website Link

FB/Insta: phyllischwartz_author

LinkedIn Link

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

 

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