Tag Archives: grade-school

January 9, 2026 · 7:00 am

Lou Lou’s Pet Dragon Goes to School by Brenden Bott (Book Review)

In Lou Lou’s Pet Dragon Goes to School, we meet Lou Lou—an unusual girl with a most unusual pet. On her first day at a new school, Lou Lou tries to convince her classmates and teacher that her favourite pet is a real dragon—a difficult task indeed. Filled with humour and surprises, it’s a story children will want to read again and again.

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

 

You’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the cover was so dang cute that I knew the story inside would be just as adorable. And guess what? I was right!

It’s Lou Lou’s first day at a new school, and the little girl enters the classroom to find her teacher, Ms. Quigleybottom, holding a black-and-white cat. All the kids loved watching Penelope the cat reach for the toy fish on a string. I can understand why; the illustration was very cute. Plus, cats are pretty awesome. Lou Lou mentioned Ms. Quigleybottom talked at length about how great her cat was, and that is no surprise; pet owners love talking about their pets. Me included!

When the teacher asked the kids to share what pet they had, we had a variety of common and (possibly) not-so-common responses, but none were so unthinkable as Lou Lou’s. She proudly announced she had a pet dragon. Dragons are make-believe, right?! The class laughed at her absurd response, but Lou Lou would be the one getting the last laugh. Bring your pet to school day turned into chaos, and I loved every moment of it. The artwork was stupendous! You can practically hear the class erupt in a flurry of screams and the pounding of shoes as they took off running. Even Penelope was zooming away with a panicked look on their face. I found the dragon’s outfit adorable, and I loved the confused look on its face, obviously wondering what’s up with these people. And the ending to the hilarious scene was perfection. Lou Lou asks her pet dragon if she should bring another pet tomorrow. The small glimpse of it made me smile. I can sense a similar reaction happening if she follows through on her idea. (No spoilers. Read the story!)

Lou Lou’s Pet Dragon Goes to School is perfect for kids ages 3 to 9. It has humor…lots of humor. The illustrations were the best I’ve seen in a long time, definitely in the top five overall. Kids will be begging you to read it and then immediately asking you to read it again. It’s really that good and deserves more than five stars!

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

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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.

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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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October 27, 2025 · 7:00 am

Polly, Stubby & Al by Donahue B. Silvis (Book Review)

BEN and SARA DONOVAN live in a small community called Wolfe Lake with their two daughters, six year old MEGAN and eight year old KATIE. They have two pets, Polly a multi-colored talking parrot and Stubby a tan colored, bowlegged bulldog. Ben owns a small landscaping business. Sara is a housewife and animal lover. One day Sara, Megan, Katie and Stubby are walking in the woods. They see an injured black crow lying on the ground. Sara picks up the crow, takes him home and nurse’s him back to health. When healed and turned loose the crow does not return to the wild. He chooses to remain with the family. They name him Al and he becomes one of their pets.

The family had become used to Polly’s chatter but a week later they’re amazed when Al speaks. Their everyday life, as they know it, is about to take an abrupt and hilarious change. From that day forward nothing is the same, in the Donovan household, as Al becomes a funny and mischievous character.

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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.

 

Polly, Stubby & Al will make you laugh, make you cry, and might prompt your children to ask for a pet crow and not just any ordinary crow, one with a split tongue. Why this particular kind of crow, you may ask. We quickly learn that a crow’s split tongue enables them to speak. This ability generated many humorous scenes with Al, the talking crow, as the main star. Al wasn’t the only chatterbox in the Donovan household; Polly, the parrot, also entertained the family with their words. The real, unexpected jaw-dropping moment was when the parrot altered their voice to sound like Mama Sara and AL. They used this talent to prank the crow and Stubby, the bowlegged bulldog. Too funny.

Many families have dogs as pets. Some homes might even have a parrot, but a crow isn’t your typical idea of a family pet. So, how did Al, the crow, find his way into their family? It was a chance encounter. Sara saw the bird injured and nursed it back to health. She intended for him to live out in the wild; however, Al had other plans, and the family soon discovered he was indeed a very special bird. Al enjoyed joining Megan and Katie at the lake as the young sisters fished. He came when Mama Sara called his name. The crow’s word choices and his mischievous antics were very entertaining to watch.

Al’s naughtiness will have you laughing. If the text doesn’t make you giggle, some of the colorful illustrations will. As I said in the introduction, this story will make you laugh, but it’ll also make some cry. The storm scene was very moving. I cried when Al cried out for “Mama.” I figured he would be saved, but the journey to their reunion and then the reunion itself had me reaching for tissues again and again. Maybe they will for you, as well. Even though I adored every funny and sad scene, there were unfortunately several editing mistakes. That said, I recommend another editing pass.

Though the story needed more TLC, it is still a remarkable chapter book. I recommend sharing with your children, ages 5-10.

 

Author’s note: “Polly, Stubby & Al is a true story. It’s about my grandparents and their two young daughters, who are my mother and aunt. It took place in the 1920s.”

 

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

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Meet the Author

I’m an alumnus of the renowned Pasadena Playhouse Drama School; then, I graduated from Florida Atlantic University. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, I worked in movies as an actor and screenwriter. I’ve also written seven novels, eight screenplays, and one illustrated children’s book.

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November 18, 2024 · 7:00 am

The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Burnie Takes the Plunge by Andrea McLean (Book Spotlight)

Embark on a heartwarming journey of courage and friendship in “The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Takes the Plunge.” When Ava’s family moves to a new house with a sparkling swimming pool, excitement fills the air. But Burnie, skeptical of the water’s vast expanse, refuses to join the fun. Despite Ava and Chloe’s encouraging words, Burnie remains steadfast in his fear.

As days pass and temperatures rise, Burnie becomes more curious. With gentle coaxing from Ava, he tentatively enters the pool, only to retreat just as quickly. But as the heat intensifies, Burnie’s adventurous spirit awakens, leading to an unexpected discovery: he can swim! Filled with joy and newfound confidence, Burnie surprises everyone, especially Chloe, during a playful pool party. Through laughter and splashes, Burnie learns that trying new things can lead to unexpected joys and friendships.

“The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Takes the Plunge” is a charming story of overcoming fears, embracing new experiences, and the enduring bond between friends, both furry and human. Join Burnie and Chloe on their journey of discovery and dive into a world of fun and friendship.

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Take a peek inside…

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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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October 4, 2024 · 7:00 am

Jack’s Noisy Day: A Raucous Romp Through The Alphabet by Sarah Tinney (Book Review)

Jack’s Noisy Day is an engaging and interactive children’s book that takes readers on a lively journey through the alphabet. Follow Jack as he embarks on a noisy adventure, making uproarious sounds for every letter from A to Z. From “Ahem!” to “Zap,” each page is filled with fun and excitement, captivating young readers and encouraging interactive learning.

Key Features:

  • Vibrant illustrations that bring the alphabet to life
  • Engaging storyline that encourages active participation
  • Interactive sound effects for each letter of the alphabet
  • Perfect for children ages 0-7 years old
  • Ideal for story time sessions, classrooms, and bedtime reads

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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.

 

Jack is like many other kids—he loves to make noise! Awake or asleep, this little boy makes sure you know where he is and what he is doing at all times. The author has readers follow Jack on his noisy adventure, learning their ABCs along the way. For starters, if he doesn’t have your attention, he is quick with the “Ahem,” which has the “A” standing out in bright red shading.

Each page centers on ONE noisy moment. Kids will laugh at the child frightening someone, causing them to say, “Eek!” Kids can be quite the pranksters! Readers and young listeners will find the “Fart” and the white gas cloud quite humorous! Superhero fans will adore Jack’s super costume choice.

Jack found joy in pretending to be animals and various human characters. He was so cute trying to be ferocious in his lion costume. I loved his purple beret on the artist’s page; however, “Ooh aah!” didn’t fit the scenario as well as the other pages, such as “Pew pew” in the outer space scene. 

The author beautifully points out how exciting and tiring a day can be for a child. If your child is anything like Jack, you’ll be smiling and nodding in agreement that even in sleep, they like to be noisy: “Zzzzz!”

Jack’s Noisy Day uses familiar words and actions to teach children the alphabet. I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading age, baby to 7 years. Babies will love all the wonderful colors. Toddlers can increase their vocabulary by saying what they see happening or naming objects on a page. Preschoolers can use this book to learn their letters. This would make a great first-level reading book for independent readers (kindergarteners and first graders). 

With something for multiple ages, this is a book your child will love for many years.

 

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

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Meet the Author

I am a pharmacist working in rural Australia. I love music, crochet, nature, cats and being creative. I recently gave birth to my son Jack and was inspired to create a story sharing his playfulness and cheekiness with the world.

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February 12, 2023 · 7:00 am

Orientella by Elisabeth Vildstjärna (Book Review)

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

I’ve been captivated by magical carpets ever since I first watched Aladdin. While the magic rug, known as Carpet, in the blockbuster movie was fascinating, it does not hold a candle to Orientella. She’s the Rolls-Royce of carpets with her 24-carat gold threads, made from the finest worms Angelland. While she is masterfully constructed, her uniqueness comes from her ability to speak and express emotions. She cares for her owner/roommate/friend deeply, so when Madame Algarine Castel gets abducted, she doesn’t give up until they are reunited. 

As one would imagine, flying on top of a magic carpet comes with potential hazards, which the characters experience. But, being a magical carpet has its dangers as well. To perform at its best, the wondrous rug has to stay tightly woven. In addition, it has to avoid villains who want to own and control them. Speaking of villains, I love the last name choice, Tarantula. 

All the above came into play, but luckily Orientella wasn’t alone on her journey. She has acquired new friends: a talking church mouse (Walter), a sometimes cranky kitty (Frizzle), and a young neighbor (Emilia), plus additional help along the way. 

Orientella by Elisabeth Vildstjärna was a glorious, imaginative, magical read containing suspense, shocking disclosures, and the legendary Loch Ness Monster. It’s a story that could benefit from more images strewn throughout because readers will want to see Persley, the pirate ship, the castle, and more action and adventure shots. The cover illustration by Henry Johannes Matilainen, though, was spectacular. I adored Frizzle’s facial expression. He looked like a true scaredy-cat, whereas Walter, the mouse, appeared to enjoy the ride of a lifetime. 

I could see this story appealing to three-year-olds, possibly four if it had more images. As it stands, I would recommend the book to school-age children. 

Buy the book; you won’t regret it! 

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

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Meet the Author

Elisabeth Vildstjärna is an author from Sweden who writes fantasy for middle graders.

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