Tag Archives: funny

December 12, 2025 · 7:00 am

Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast by Once Upon a Dance (Book Review)

Bunny leaps from the wolf’s belly with only one memory—she loves to dance. But something, or someone, is STILL MISSING!

Bellyrina delivers Once Upon a Dance’s signature blend of heartwarming stories and playful humor wrapped in the mission of inspiring joyful movement.

Dance-Along Fun with Once Upon a Dance features
• Interactive movement prompts
• Sweet, silly, and uplifting
• Screen-free fun that encourages connection
• Movement motivation photos
• Lessons in empathy that extend to all creatures
• Positive characters that celebrate strong girls

Perfect for ages 4–8, Bellyrina features adorable animals, fairy magic, gentle drama, and plenty of sparkle. Whether shared in classrooms, studios, or at home, this Dancing Ever After series debut invites children to dance their own happily ever after.

From the creators of over 40 dance books comes a fresh twist on a classic tale, great for
• Bedtime stories to get the wiggles out
• Dance classes and creative movement activities
• Family reading time with built-in physical play
• Gifts for little dancers, animal lovers, and active kids

Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast Movement & Learning Benefits
Physical Skills Development
• Full-body movements: stretching, jumping, bunny hops, twirls, spins
• Coordination patterns: arm sweeps, windmill arms, lasso movements
• Balance & control: tiptoeing, reaching, controlled falls
• Partner activities: hand-holding twirls, cooperative movement

Social-Emotional Learning Through Story
• Core themes: courage, resilience, kindness, friendship, and identity
• Emotional intelligence: recognizing and expressing joy, suspicion, and wonder
• Mindfulness concepts: breath awareness and finding stillness
• Character development: persistence, teamwork, and appreciation

Creative Expression & Social Skills
• Imaginative movement: gulping, sneezing, shivering for story context
• Free dance exploration and personal expression
• Interactive play that builds confidence

Transform reading time into active fun with giggles and wiggles for everyone!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

It’s time to get up and get movin’ with Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast by Once Upon a Dance! Follow the dancer’s movements demonstrated in the purple ovals. Challenge yourself with the “trickier” moves, such as “wolf creep.” Try your hand at matching the moves to the story. (Bonus feature) However, before you do all that, let’s take a look at the story and discover what or who is causing such a commotion.

Wolves in fairy tales tend to bite off more than they can chew, and the beast in this energetic and exciting story is no different. Luckily, Peter and his friends are there to wrangle and see him safely to the zoo, but this is not the last we’ve seen of the big bad wolf. Why? Because a pink bunny with selective amnesia says the wolf swallowed not just them but someone else, too, and that mystery animal is still trapped in the wolf’s belly. Let the rescue mission begin!

How does the friend group, along with the rabbit, plan to retrieve the imprisoned animal? Ah, that adorable plan will remain a secret. To find out the answer, you must get the book. I highly recommend you do. Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast features page after page of cuteness from the silly artwork to the amusing text.

The heart on the bunny’s belly was a sweet touch. The rescued animal looked adorable in their tutu. Milo’s (the cat’s) facial expression and sarcastic tone when meeting the bunny for the first time were quite humorous. The dance party scene will tickle some ribs. Plus, let’s not forget that every page encourages readers to get up and move with visual prompts.

There is so much to love about this book, from its amusing storyline to its interactive movement prompts. I encourage you to share it with your family or students, as it not only entertains but also promotes physical activity.

Amazon recommends a reading age of 4-8 years.

 

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

 

 

 

Meet the Team! 

Discover a delightful way to introduce children to the world of dance. Once Upon a Dance combines whimsical stories with movement, breath, and connection to spark imagination and foster self-expression.

Their catalog (36 books across six series) offers positive role models, whimsy, humor, and diverse characters. Alongside movement and dance, books feature themes of empathy, friendship, the value of practice, self-acceptance, sibling relationships, anger management, and working toward goals.

Ballerina Konora is living her dreams as a full-fledged ballet Company Artist. Teacher Terrel arrived in Seattle after a Peace Corps stint teaching English and dance. Complementing decades of teaching dance, she worked in early childhood education and for non-profits supporting kids. Terrel was recognized by her local City Council for “embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community” for her work with young dancers. She also serves on Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Board of Directors.

Stories are lovingly crafted, and royalties are donated to charity partners. A few highlighted honors:

• Family Choice Award

• Mom’s Choice Gold Award Recipient

• PenCraft Award: First Place

• Firebird Book Award: First Place

• Royal Dragonfly Book Award: First Place

• Pinnacle Book Achievement Award – Best Book Juvenile Fiction

• Outstanding Creator Awards: Best Children’s Book, Top 10 Author of 2022 & 2023

• Kirkus Reviews Starred Review

@Once_UponADance (Instagram)
DanceStories.com 
Amazon Author Page Link
Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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July 31, 2025 · 7:00 am

What Would You Do? by CK Willie (Book Review)

This beautifully illustrated book with easy-to-read whimsical rhyme reaches out to children, or anyone of any age, to show them how to make their dreams come true. Whether they want to be an astronaut, a dragon tamer, build robots or ride in a hot air balloon, anything is possible if you believe in you!

No matter who you are or where you live, everyone has the same thing in common…dreams, dreams that may seem impossible. “What Would You Do?” shows that they are possible as long as you’re willing to believe in yourself. Our fears hold us back but one thing is true, our happiness lies just outside our comfort zone. So keep dreaming, believe in you and make those dreams come true!

So many things
in the world to try.
If you’re afraid
they may pass you by.
The pages of this book
will show you the way
to overcome your fears
so start reading today!

 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

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

 

Neophobia (fear of new things) can limit us from embracing new experiences and adventures. Yet, when we conquer our fears, the world becomes our playground. In this captivating children’s picture book, beautifully brought to life with vibrant illustrations, readers are prompted to ponder, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” Imagine the possibilities. Where would you venture? What would you accomplish?

The children in this adventurous tale, spoken in rhyme, demonstrate incredible bravery as they climb the highest mountain and travel across the blue seas. They explore outer space, become robotic, and go toe-to-toe with a massive multi-colored dragon. We watch as a stylishly dressed Luchadores (Spanish for wrestler) gets the upper hand against their crocodile opponent. Great wrestling attire, especially the máscaras (Spanish for masks)! So pretty! Superhero kiddos make an appearance, too, while another child couldn’t resist monkeying around. I laughed at the kitten peeking out the shuttle door as a block of cheese and a kid astronaut floated close to the moon. The feline’s expression screamed, no amount of cheese in this galaxy will get me to step a paw outside this shuttle.

There’s so much more to explore in What Would You Do?, transforming the impossible into possible. Kids will love and laugh at the silly illustrations, such as the lion who loves to sing or the zebra who’s not thrilled to give out rides. They’ll cheer for the brave knight who rode to face the dragon in a wheelchair instead of a mighty stead. Readers will say, aw, as the boy reads his new pet dragon a bedtime story. No matter where the journey takes these kids, the writer’s mission is to encourage kids to believe in themselves and not allow fear to hold them back. So, take the author’s advice and repeat these four powerful words, “I believe in me,” and then go out and slay dragons!

While Amazon’s target audience for this book is 3-8-year-olds, the charming illustrations and diverse characters will captivate readers of all ages.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

CK Willie lives in sunny Arizona and originally wanted to be a writer, though not necessarily a poet. However, her writing naturally rhymed, leading her to embrace poetry. She found delight in expressing feelings of doubt, insecurity and self-belief in playful and relatable ways for children. As a mother of four, a grandmother of nine and a great grandmother of two, she feels the greatest gift we can give children is confidence, believing in who they are and what they can do. The world is waiting for them! When she’s not writing, she is on the court playing pickleball and is learning to play Mahjongg.

Amazon Author Page Link

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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July 28, 2025 · 7:00 am

The Tooth-o-saurus by Nat Gibson (Book Review)

Brush every day to keep the dinosaurs away!

Noah loves to snack — but uh-oh, so do the silly dinosaurs hiding in his teeth! They’re chomping on every crumb they can find, and there’s only one team that can stop them: the Dinosaur Catchers.

Join Noah on a wild, laugh-out-loud trip to the dentist, where he’ll need courage, curiosity, and a little imagination to send those dinos packing. With X-rays, water jets, floss lassos, and dino-sized bravery, Noah discovers that visiting the dentist isn’t scary — it’s actually DINO-MITE!

Little readers will see Noah experience:

  • X-rays
  • Teeth counting
  • Polishing
  • Flossing
  • Water spraying
  • Suction
  • Fluoride

 

They’ll also learn which foods the dinosaurs like and don’t like, and the importance of brushing, flossing, and visiting the Dinosaur Catchers to keep the dinosaurs away.

Will Noah’s teeth be dino-free by the end of the visit? (Hint: Yes, they will!)

Perfect for preparing little dino-lovers for dental visits while making brushing and flossing fun!

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 Dinosaur Catchers are back, this time alleviating Noah of pesky dinosaurs stuck on or in between his teeth.

Fear of the dentist is common among both children and adults. The bright lights, the sound of the drill, the scraping noises, and the possibility of a cavity are enough to send nerves through the roof. It can be an overwhelming, stressful experience and can amp up anxiety levels even before you step into the office. To help ease the worries of young children, Nat Gibson has crafted a sensational story that walks kids through what to expect in a routine cleaning. Before Noah sits through a dental visit, kids watch him enjoying some of his favorite foods and discover that it’s not only sugary treats that the dinosaur mouth invaders enjoy; it’s every food or beverage. Adults and children will laugh at the illustration featuring a Tooth-a-saurus eating Noah’s mac ‘n’ cheese leftovers, while the Smile-a-don slurps up orange juice. Kids will continue to giggle as they spot the Smile-a-don lounging on a lettuce leaf hammock while two prehistoric friends use food as pillows. Kids will even find humor in the cutesy dino names! Although the dinosaurs sound and appear funny, they represent a real problem: the need to clean our teeth properly and attend regular dental check-ups.

As Noah steps into the world of the Dinosaur Catchers, his world is transformed into a more outdoorsy location. Instead of a building, he waits with his mom in a giant tent. The staff, who are actually the Dinosaur Catchers, wear park ranger uniforms instead of the typical scrubs or white coats, making the dental visit feel more like an adventure. Although the atmosphere may appear different, the process of Noah’s visit and your child’s visit should be similar. Everything, from X-rays to ridding your mouth of dinos (tartar) away, is explored. The humor continues as Noah reclines in the dental chair, and the Dino Catcher slurps up a dinosaur and shoots into the Dinosaur Trap. What about any stubborn dino that won’t leave Noah’s teeth? Kids will see how Dinosaur Catchers deal with them, too. However, the most comical illustration highlighted the most dreaded and often overlooked dental procedure: flossing. The dental hygienist has superb lassoing skills! During a routine cleaning, kids will be seen by a dentist or, in the case of The Tooth-o-saurus, The Chief. Their job today is to make sure no dino stragglers are left, especially the worst dinosaur of all, the Cavity-saurus Rex.

The Tooth-o-saurus answers a lot of questions regarding what to expect during a six-month dental cleaning using rib-tickling drawings. Its mission is to calm nerves and make taking care of your teeth fun! Read The Tooth-o-saurus before your child’s first dental visit. Show them there’s nothing to fear while reminding them to brush and floss every day to keep the dinosaurs away!

I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading age of 2-8 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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June 27, 2025 · 7:00 am

Darkwing Duck: F.O.W.L. Play Collection by Amanda Deibert (Comic Book Spotlight)

I loved watching this animated show, and I still find enjoyment reading Darkwing Duck’s comic adventures. #KidAtHeart

He is the terror that flaps in the night…

He is the ferocious fowl who plucks the evil eye from the face of foul play…

He is Darkwing Duck!

Alongside his trusty sidekick Lauchpad McQuack, Darkwing hyper-vigilantly defends St. Canard from the dastardly, devilish demons who would wage wanton war! By night, our caped defender lurks in the shadows, striking fear (and maybe confusion?) in the heart of the criminal underworld…but by day, no one suspects that Darkwing is also mild-mannered Drake Mallard, a well-meaning father to his adorable adopted daughter, Gosalyn! Can Darkwing successfully navigate his two separate lives, all while looking incredibly cool and impossibly handsome?

(Hint: Probably not, but…) You’ll have to read to find out!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Amanda Deibert is an award-winning television and comic book writer. Her comic book writing includes DC Super Hero Girls, DC’s The Doomed and the Damned, Teen Titans Go!, Batman & Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman ’77, Serena Williams collaboration: Serving Up Justice, and the New York Times #1 Best Selling anthology Love Is Love for DC Comics, Red Sonja for Dynamite and John Carpenter’s Tales For A HalloweeNight Vols. 2-7 for Storm King Comics and the graphic novel Work for a Million for Penguin Random House’s McClelland & Stewart,. She is currently writing for He-Man and The Masters of the Universe on Netflix. Other TV writing credits include work for CBS, SyFy, Hulu, Quibi and four years as the writer for former Vice President Al Gore’s annual climate broadcast, 24 Hours of Reality.

IG: @amandadeibertofficial

Amazon Author Page 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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