Tag Archives: humor

Meet the real Madison!

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

I don’t always read the dedication page, but I’m glad I didn’t skip over it today. It had a real-life photo of Madison, and the corgi is adorable!

I acknowledge that I am unfamiliar with all the dog breeds, but I am acquainted with corgis. They appear to be jolly dogs. In Madison: The Tale of a Corgi with no Tail, the pup starts all smiles until they realize they have no tail.

Madison goes on a mission to ask other animals why they have a tail. Each animal Madison meets is a teaching moment. For the wee ones, it helps teaches animal names. Maybe you could incorporate animal sounds too. For the slighter older listener, it teaches the function of different tails. For example, kids will learn about an opossum using its tail to hang from a branch and protect its young while they nap.

Madison heads home down because they do not have a tail. They think they are unlucky; however, Whiskers the cat tells them how lucky they are not to have one. The illustrations of poor Whiskers with his mouth stretched wide in an AHHHH moment will make your child laugh.

Madison might not have a tail, but that’s okay. Dogs are loads of fun, with or without a tale!

While my daughter loved all the photos, she cracked up at the last image. She said, “Look at the dog’s big butt.” Her laughter brought a smile to my face.

Madison: The Tale of a Corgi with no Tail held my daughter’s attention from beginning to end, and if you are a parent, you know that’s a sign of a well-crafted book. I encourage others to share this book with their youngsters. Also, show them pictures of the dearly departed Queen’s famous corgi companions.

Review submitted to Reedsy on 9/13/22

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

Meet the Author

I have loved reading and writing all my life, second only to art, especially illustrations. My co-author Susan Permuy was the real Madison’s mom and together we have brought her to life in order to share a valuable life lesson. My main focus is mindfulness and well being for children.

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as animals, cat, children's book, comedy, corgi, dogs, elementary school, humor, pets, picture book, queen, review, young readers

September 19, 2022 · 7:00 am

HELLO! MY NAME IS… BOOK by Wendy Mendoza (Book Review)

Book is ALIVE! Book is humorous and fun. It introduces itself in lively descriptions as Book takes you on many explorations like outer space and inside a cave. Book encourages you to read, and reminds readers the importance of books. “OUCH! Ripping hurts!”

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

The cover for HELLO! MY NAME IS… BOOK by Wendy Mendoza will light up a child’s face. They’ll giggle and point to the eyeballs in place of the letter O in the word book. They’ll also love the humungous smile.

Wendy Mendoza states in summary, “Book is ALIVE! Book is humorous and fun. It introduces itself in lively descriptions as Book takes you on many explorations like outer space and inside a cave. Book encourages you to read, and reminds readers the importance of books.”

Books come in different sizes and take us on grand adventures. When you are an infant, many books are filled with different textures and scents. Some are even waterproof for bath time fun. As you grow, books help teach the listener their colors, shapes, and letters. They fill our minds with knowledge and bright, bold images. Each year as we mature, our reading material changes. Soon, plots take form. This is where many grand adventures occur in real and make-believe locations. We meet the most extraordinary characters that have stuck with us for many years.

Oh, and then there are joke books, a favorite in our house. We also love weird facts and how-to books. Of course, search engines are beneficial when you want to learn how to fix or build something right now and not later.

So many genres…so little time!

HELLO! MY NAME IS… BOOK also points out where books can be read and the reading platforms: print and digital. I’m reading this book’s digital copy, but I prefer print editions. I think print is more engaging, but that’s my humble opinion. I like to hold a book in my hands, smell the new book scent, and flip back and forth through it. I also love bookmarks. BTW: I collect them.

The author notes that you should never put a booger in a book. I agree; keep the boogers in your nose or a tissue. PLEASE!

Books can last a very long time with proper care, so please be nice to them. Oh, and listen to Book and read a lot!

Review submitted on 8/18/22.

#KamsPlace

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

About the Author

Having worked with children, a passion to teach, inspire, and bring laughter has developed in my writing. Stories written to them and for them! A child’s development is important and education through reading a book is one of the many ways to achieve that. I also enjoy baseball, Let’s Go Red Sox!

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as adventure, bookstore, children's book, genres, home, humor, library, picture book, review, school

September 14, 2022 · 7:00 am

The Squirbles and the Messy Room: Another Squirble® Story! by Kate Teves (Book Review)

Could this messy squirble bedroom get any messier? If Percy and Pip aren’t careful, it just might! In this heartwarming Squirble® story, Percy and Pip return to make things right in their very messy room. But when their pet fish and pet cat suggest a shortcut, things might just get a lot… worse. Will the brothers have the strength and the focus to make things right?

This playful book is told in breezy rhyme that will delight early readers. The cheeky humor of this squirble family will make little children, big children, and parents laugh together. And what child doesn’t love listening to their parents’ friendly giggles? This is the kind of book that parents and kids both love.

Written and illustrated by Kate Teves from her studio in South Florida, this book radiates with life and color.

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

My first impression, the cover will make your child smile at the unique way Percy (character on top bunk) is picking up his stinky sock. Yup, I can only surmise it’s stinky because a sock on the floor in any room is more than likely a stinker.

Before the story begins, Kate Teves (writer and illustrator) introduces the cast of characters. What a fun-looking crew! My family liked Pip’s goggles and Elaine, the airplane flying fish, the most; however, all the characters were spectacularly drawn.

The opening segment of The Squirbles and the Messy Room is very relatable to children and adults. Percy and Pip’s parents enter their room, shout about how messy the room is, and demand they clean it up. Yup, that happens every minute of every day in some home, somewhere. As with real life, the fictional parents repeatedly asked them to clean up before they blew up at them.

Percy and Pip had to tidy up the toys, straighten posters, pick up the clothing, and toss the trash. They had help, though. The cat in a maid outfit carrying a feather duster made me laugh. It’ll make your children laugh too!

Things were progressing smoothly in the clean-up process until a flying fish (Elaine) and a cat (Bessie) made contact with a ceiling fan. Yes, you read that right. Wacky scenario, but I loved it, and your kid(s) will love it too. The cleaning adventure is 100% AFV material! (That’s America’s Funniest Home Videos.)

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 2-7, grade level of preschool -2. Kids close to 2 might not understand words like inspection, toiled, and squalor. However, they will love the comical illustrations.

One final thing, after the cast of characters, there’s an opportunity to scan “robot puke” to discover more Squirble® books + activities! I encourage you to check it out!

Review submitted to Reedsy on 8/29/22.

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

About the Author

I am a writer and illustrator in South Florida. In 2017, I had an idea for a children’s book, but I did not know how to draw. I started teaching myself the basics, and soon I was just as much in love with illustrating as I was with writing!

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as cat, children, children's activities, children's book, chores, clean-up time, fish, fun, games and toys, humor, messy rooms, picture book, review, young readers

September 1, 2022 · 7:00 am

Hoo’s Driving the Bus by Nikki Estridge (Book Review)

The day of the biggest baseball game of the season is here, but Gigi the giraffe and her teammates might not make it – their team’s bus has no driver! Can Gigi come up with a plan to save the day?

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

What a fun cover! Each animal had its own personality/expression, which I found delightful. The inside contents were just as spectacular. We loved Gigi Giraffe. Their morning routine resembles many city children who have an early game to attend and make a mad dash to catch the bus. However, I’m sure when your child reaches the bus, their driver is there. Thank goodness for that!

In Hoo’s Driving the Bus by Nikki Estridge, the bus driver had an emergency. Animals/ball players were frantic. If they don’t find a driver soon, they’ll be late for the game. This means they would forfeit the biggest game of the season. EEK!

Gigi Giraffe asks for a volunteer. Each teammate declined to drive in a way fitting for their animalistic nature. For example, the cat was “purr-fectly petrified” to drive. The dog stated they were “barking up the wrong tree,” asking him to take the wheel.

Gigi Giraffe was left with no choice but to drive the bus. Oh, my goodness, Gigi Giraffe’s driving was terrible, which means kids will most assuredly laugh during the driving parts. The animal faces will amuse your child; they did mine. We liked Howard Horse and the frightened pig the most.

Gigi Giraffe’s parking skills were no better than their driving skills, which caused my youngster to laugh (again). Hoo’s Driving the Bus had my daughter smiling for almost the entire book. They asked if I could buy it. I think I shall! (Note: We were given a reviewer file)

The illustrations by Syama Mithun elevated the already humorous story.

Whether your child is a listener or an active reader, I encourage you to share Hoo’s Driving the Bus by Nikki Estridge. I plan on recommending this book to all my parenting groups for children two years and up.

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

About the Author

Nikki Estridge is an American actress, writer, director and producer. She played collegiate softball for the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers and graduated with high honors.

As an advocate for autism awareness and a person of multi-ethnic background, diversity, inclusion and equality are of the utmost importance to Nikki. She is very committed to her work with various charities and support networks.

Nikki is a sixteen-time IMDb-qualifying festival award winner most notably for her comedy short, ‘Don’t Make It Awkward,’ which she wrote, directed, produced, cast and starred in. Nikki is best known for her roles on Queen Sugar, Law and Order: SVU, and House of Cards. She is also the author of soon-to-be-published children’s book ‘Hoo’s Driving The Bus?’.

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Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as animals, baseball, baseball game, bus, children's book, driving, humor, picture book, review, sports, young readers

August 15, 2022 · 7:00 am

Biño and the Triggerfish: The Adventures of a Yorkie by Kate Wessels (Book Review)

Meet Biño, a Yorkie with a big personality.
He loves to travel the world seeking for new adventures.
Biño easily makes friends – but his bold and boastful ways can often get him in trouble.
One rainy day, his owners announce they are heading to a remote, tropical island, that Biño can’t wait to discover.
As it happens, Biño soon learns that a dark shadow hangs over the island paradise, which has the native animals in unrest. A certain fish seems to haunt the waters.
Will Biño be able to bring back peace to the island?

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

What a lovely, colorful map of The Island!

Like Biño, I went from living in frigid temperatures to bright, sunny weather 24-7, and it was a remarkable transition. Like the Yorkie, my body was not made for cold weather.

The new city brought many opportunities to make new doggie friends, which he did daily. Lucky pooch! His owner explained to a neighbor that Biño’s name meant “little bear.” Curious, I searched the meaning of my pet’s name, and it came back as “a simpleton; a dunce.” Ouch! In truth, my furry friend is intelligent.

Like most canines, Biño loves to play chase even at the most inopportune time. If you have canine friends, you can relate to a dog’s sudden need to run after something. This adventurous streak is a quality that most owners love, including Biño’s. They adored his eagerness to learn and discover new things. They took Biño (almost) everywhere, including on a plane ride. I loved the photo of him looking out the window. Cute! Oh, and the drawing of the pooch running with the knickers in his mouth made me laugh out loud. No shoe, sock, or pair of undies is safe from a dog’s mouth.

The island was a wonderland, full of new sights, sounds, smells, animals, and places to explore. The family was invited to swim with reef sharks but chose snorkeling along the reef instead. Even though they were skittish to swim with the reef sharks, I liked that the author incorporated ways sharks are helpful into the storyline. People tend to focus on reports of shark bites and forget their contributions to the underwater world. That’s why I love shark week on the Discovery channel. They speak of the dangers and beauty of the apex predators.

Joe, a storybook character, discusses coral reefs, palm trees, sea levels, and triggerfish. No image was provided in the initial mention of a triggerfish, so I did a quick internet on it. I learned there are 40 species of triggerfish. The fish looked flat in the various photos, which was quite unexpected. Later in the story, the author did have an illustration for the fish. It looked like one of the images I discovered online. Great job capturing its likeness, Anastasia Naryadko. Oh, and to Kate Wessels, the dog and fish (Pablo) conversation was delightful and informative! The chats with Titan Triggerfish were on the suspenseful side. I found each encounter entertaining in different ways.

The island holds many gems, but it possesses dangers too. Watch out for falling coconuts and the not-so-friendly triggerfish!

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 8 – 12 years. Some words will be unfamiliar to young readers. In fact, I had never heard of décolleté or the sport Boules. From a style and editing perspective, I would add a space between all paragraphs and different characters’ talking points to make things easier to read.

With all that said, Kate Wessels wrote an exciting book demonstrating what we know about our canine companions: they love to eat human food, are very curious, and manage to find themselves in sticky situations. I can’t wait to read about Biño’s next adventure at the North Pole!

Review submitted to Reedsy on 8/13/22.

#KamsPlace

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

Meet the Author

As an avid reader and traveller, Kate has always loved a good story. With a focus on environmental topics, her books potray a fun and captivating story, while highlighting the challenges of modern times. She lives in Italy with her adorable Yorkie, Biño.