Tag Archives: life lessons

April 20, 2026 · 7:00 am

Jungle Kali by Amie White (Book Review)

Leopard Kali’s first swimming lesson is a disaster! Lost in the jungles of the Congo, with Momma nowhere in sight, Kali has to find her way back home before sundown.

Fortunately, she is not alone in her quest, thanks to a vibrant cast of jungle denizens, each with quirks of their own.

Towering elephants and elusive bongos are charming to talk to, but will Kali find Momma in time?

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

 

Kali, the adorable leopard cub, has one thing on their mind: learning how to swim. However, after they get separated from their mom by the jungle leaves, Kali’s attention shifts to finding her mother. As the leopard searches the jungle looking for Momma Leopard, they meet the most amazing animals. Kali, along with the young readers, discover interesting information about five new and/or familiar jungle animals. For instance, Kali meets a bongo whose stripes help them “vanish” into the leaves and shadows, and an okapi who explains how they can eat in the rain. Readers also learn why the other animals don’t see many forest elephants here anymore. Kali meets two more animals, not mentioned above. Read the story to discover every fascinating animal Kali met!

Kali and her mother do reunite, and the cub shares the animals’ outstanding qualities, comparing themselves to her jungle companions. In this conversation, kids learn a few valuable lessons. One, do not compare yourself to others. Two: don’t strive to be like anyone else. Third, don’t rush growing up. Savor each moment. All sound advice!

Jungle Kali is a beautifully designed children’s book. Kids will be drawn to the cover and the amazing artwork inside. They’ll love meeting the animals and discovering a fact they can share with others. Parents and educators will love that, in addition to the stunning illustrations, the story has a beautiful message in its conclusion. BTW: my favorite artistic scene was the moments shared as the sun set. What a stunning view during a sweet mom-and-cub talk. 

Get your copy today. The artwork is beautiful with only minor design mistakes, and the story will keep butts in seats! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️1/2
(rounded to 5 on Amazon and Goodreads)

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Meet the Author

Amie White doesn’t just think magic exists—she knows it does. And believes the most powerful kind always comes from within. When she’s not writing, Amie often finds herself enjoying a cosy café and people-watching on the busy streets of London. She loves crafting brave heroines through her writing, teaching readers that sometimes the greatest adventures begin with inner knowing.

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February 23, 2026 · 7:00 am

The Cheeky Capybara by Kateryna Dronova (Book Review)

Have you ever seen or wondered about a capybara—the world’s largest, furriest rodent?

Meet Tito, a cheeky capybara with chubby cheeks and webbed toes. With his shiny fur and bold personality, Tito thinks he is king of the swamp. However, when a giant green crocodile slides into the swamp, it tests Tito’s confident personality. Beto, the wise heron, warns Tito to be careful. Even so, Tito doesn’t listen. Tito quickly learns that sometimes, listening is the best choice of all.
This engaging story, with expressive dialogue and playful humor, makes a delightful bedtime companion. The Cheeky Capybara, with lessons about friendship and humility, makes an excellent addition to a classroom library.

If your little one enjoys The Selfish Crocodile or Giraffes Can’t Dance, they’ll adore The Cheeky Capybara.

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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.

 

Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and live near rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes, as shared in the animal’s bio after the story’s conclusion. In The Cheeky Capybara, we meet one overconfident rodent who, after a close encounter with a crocodile, learned a valuable lesson: “Caution is wiser than too much confidence.”

Tito, the capybara, radiated confidence and appointed himself the king of the swamp. He pushed other animals around and loved looking adoringly at his reflection in the water. Beto, the heron, warned him that his behavior was dangerous, but the arrogant rodent didn’t heed the warning. That arrogance was tested when a crocodile visited their watering hole. All the other animals reacted smartly when the reptile appeared; they quickly exited. Tito’s sense of superiority led him to act recklessly, which, in turn, almost cost him his life.

Tito and the crocodile had comical interactions that were beautifully conveyed in the colorful illustrations. Young readers will laugh seeing the rodent on top of the reptile’s back. Kids will also be quick to understand and voice that the capybara was making bad choices throughout the story.

The Cheeky Capybara teaches lessons in humility, caution, and making smart choices. As kids watch Tito push the other animals around, his behavior might prompt them to share similar experiences they’ve endured.

This picture book offers suspense, humor, and lessons on proper behavior, including opportunities to discuss bullying, safety, and the importance of cautious decision-making with children. Though babies and toddlers will enjoy the colorful illustrations, such as the monkeys with very long, thin arms and legs, children aged 3-9 will comprehend the story’s purpose and its valuable lesson: “Caution is wiser than too much confidence.” Share this story with your family and/or students. Let Tito’s story inspire kids to make good choices!

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

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Meet the Author

Kateryna Dronova is a children’s writer who loves turning imagination into playful and heartfelt stories. Growing up surrounded by rich traditions and storytelling, she draws inspiration for her tales that nurture curiosity, courage, and kindness in young readers.

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October 6, 2025 · 7:00 am

Monsters Don’t Say Meep: Even the tiniest roar can make the biggest difference by Bridgetta Tomarchio (Book Review)

It was supposed to be a magical night…
until a few mischievous kittens turned it into chaos.
Can the tiniest voice save the day?

At Monster Scare Prep School, every monster is practicing their scariest roar. But when Meep tries, all that comes out is a squeaky little “meep.” The others laugh—until real trouble strikes, and Meep may be the only one who can save the day.

Will he find his roar—or discover that being himself is more than enough?

Funny, playful, and full of heart, Monsters Don’t Say Meep is a laugh-out-loud monster adventure about courage, individuality, and the magic of being yourself—reminding us that sometimes the smallest voice makes the biggest impact.

Perfect for bedtime, classrooms, and storytime, this book will have kids (and adults) cheering for their own true voices.

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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.

 

Halloween is quickly approaching, and as kids decide which costume to wear this year, the students at the Monster Scare Prep School are practicing their scariest roars for The Monsters’ Ball’s biggest roar contest. Every monster that took the stage gave their mightiest roar, but when it was Meep’s turn, all he could manage was to squeak out a “meep.” The two-horned, green monster’s failed attempt was met with laughter from its classmates, causing their shoulders to slump in embarrassment or humiliation. Many readers will empathize with Meep’s situation and reaction.

Meep faced laughter on more than one occasion over their weak roar. Each time, the mockery instantly dampened his spirits, but he vowed to find his roar in time for the ball. This determination and perseverance in the face of adversity is a powerful message that will inspire and motivate young readers. But the million-dollar question is, did Meep find their roar? Did they win the contest? Those questions will be answered when you read the book, and I hope you decide to share it with your family or students!

Monsters Don’t Say Meep had a wonderful collection of colorful monsters. There were monsters with two eyes or one huge eye. Monsters with horns, spikes, or even both. There were monsters with bright, white teeth, as well as several that were toothless. There were a few surprise party crashers and a DJ duck spinning the turntable. Yes, you read that right…Monsters Don’t Say Meep had a duck for a DJ!

Monsters Don’t Say Meep did have a few design issues and one noticeable editing mistake; overall, though, it was a delightful story that discourages laughing at someone’s mistake while encouraging young listeners to keep trying. The creature’s laughter did hurt Meep’s feelings, but it didn’t deter them from their goal. This is a powerful lesson in empathy and understanding, and we should all follow Meep’s example: keep striving to reach your goal(s)!

Monsters Don’t Say Meep teaches kids that it’s okay to be look or sound different, to embrace what makes you unique. This story had many endearing qualities. The scene featuring the monsters “polishing their fangs” and “fluffing their fur” was quite humorous. While the bat’s wings and nose were a bit off the mark, the animal was still adorable. I bet young viewers will giggle over Meep’s headpiece and his expulsion of air.

I recommend sharing the book with kids aged 3-8 years. Use this story as a lead-in to an art activity: designing a monster or a jack o’lantern. Make it a part of your classroom party! At school or at home, Monsters Don’t Say Meep teaches important lessons to young listeners while entertaining them with its cute, colorful, Halloween-themed illustrations.

Help your kids find their voice by reading Monsters Don’t Say Meep!

 

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

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Meet the Author

Bridgetta Tomarchio is an author, ghostwriter, and PR powerhouse who has helped countless entrepreneurs and creatives bring their stories to life. Founder of Plot Twist Ink, she coaches writers from concept to bestseller, drawing on 20+ years of experience in media, publishing, and publicity. Her career spans actress, host, producer, and publicist for celebrities and high-profile clients, giving her an unmatched eye for storytelling that captivates both readers and the media. Bridgetta’s own writing blends raw honesty, empowerment, and heart—whether she’s crafting memoir, children’s adventures, or bold fiction. Her greatest inspiration is her 5-year-old son, Lucian, who fuels her imagination and serves as her enthusiastic “guinea pig” for children’s stories. With every project, Bridgetta weaves purpose, passion, and authenticity—helping others find their voice and transform their stories into legacies.

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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.

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(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.

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March 24, 2025 · 7:00 am

Bobby the Bear and the Great Race by Ryan O’Connor (Book Review)

“We all want to win, but we must never cheat.” In a world growing ever more competitive, people sometimes will do anything to win, even if it means sacrificing a friendship. In the third book in the Bobby the Bear series, Bobby the Bear and the Great Race explores the important themes of sportsmanship and integrity. Bobby and his forest friends decide to hold a community-wide race to find out who is the fastest animal in the forest, and the event turns dramatic. Tanya the Tiger learns in a showdown with Rachel Rabbit that winning is not always the most important thing. The results of the race will prove that playing fairly and honestly is the way to preserve trust in a friendship.
 
 
 
 
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 

It’s human nature to want to win. We strive to be the best and bask in the euphoric high of being crowned champion. While many people train or follow the rules, there are those whose need to prevail victorious can lead them to cheat. The third book in the Bobby the Bear series, Bobby the Bear and the Great Race, focuses on one animal who veered off the path and took a shortcut to victory and how their friends reacted when they discovered the truth. The picture book explores sportsmanship, integrity, and doing what’s right. Three qualities that shape how we handle ourselves in various situations.

Bobby the Bear and his friends are enjoying a sunny day in the forest when the topic comes up about who their group’s fastest animal is. Not every animal claimed to be the fastest, but only Tanya the Tiger was laughed at for proclaiming she was the quickest. The snickering could affect someone’s mood or actions; in Tanya’s case, the laughter caused them to make a wrong decision in the race. The smiling tiger took a shortcut to ensure they crossed the finish line first, needing to win so badly after the animals laughed at her.

Ready. Set. Go. Bobby the Bear and the Great Race is a remarkable story for blossoming independent readers. Through easy-to-read text, young kids learn that everyone would like to win, but no one can win every time. The lovely book informs kids that cheating is wrong and can affect friendships; the deceitful act might end a friendship permanently. Though losing can be hard, it can and will happen to us all. It’s important to be a good sport and try again next time.

Tanya the Tiger’s initial actions were wrong, but, in the end, she made the right decision and apologized for cheating. Tanya’s tale teaches kids to play fair, be a good sport, and try their best. It also shows the effects laughing at someone can have. Remember, be kind and supportive of one another!

I strongly recommend adding Bobby the Bear and the Great Race to your library. It teaches invaluable lessons for kids three and up. It’s also a visual delight for babies and toddlers, making it a must-have for any young reader’s collection.

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

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.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

 

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