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Afraid of the Dark: Liana and the Shadow in the Closet by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

Liana and the Shadow in the Closet is a heartwarming and empowering story about facing fears and finding comfort in the dark. Liana is afraid of the shadowy figure she sees in her closet at night. But with the help of her older brother, Marco, she learns that the shadow isn’t a monster—it’s just her clothes! With a little imagination, a nightlight, and some comforting words, Liana discovers that the dark isn’t so scary, after all.

This delightful story teaches young readers how to face their fears, create a comforting bedtime routine, and use their imagination to turn scary thoughts into fun ones. Perfect for children aged 4-8, Liana and the Shadow in the Closet offers valuable lessons in overcoming nighttime anxieties, making it an ideal bedtime read.

Key Themes:

  • Facing fears of shadows and the dark
  • Creating a comforting bedtime routine
  • Using imagination to overcome fear
  • Sibling support and family bonding

This book is part of the Afraid of the Dark bedtime series, designed to help children feel safe, confident, and empowered to tackle their nighttime fears head-on.

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

Bedtime fears are a shared experience among children, a fact that we as parents and caregivers can all relate to. They often imagine something hiding in their closet or under their bed. The shadows outside can cast eerie shapes on their walls. The wind and tree limbs can create spooky scratching sounds against windowpanes, sending shivers down their spine and making their hearts race. However, remember that there’s always a reason behind these fears, and we can always find ways to ease a child’s anxiety and help them have a peaceful night’s sleep, as seen in Liana and the Shadow in the Closet from the Afraid of the Dark bedtime series.

Liana, a sweet little girl, adores her room, except when the lights go out at bedtime. Every night, she would see a dark shape in her closet—a scary monster. It would move and grow, and as it did, Liana’s heart would beat faster. But Liana wasn’t alone in facing her fears. She had a caring big brother, Marco, who didn’t dismiss her concerns but instead helped her confront them. He also guided her to find a solution to banish any future bedtime fears.

Read Liana and the Shadow in the Closet to any child who shares Liana’s one-time fears. Follow Marco’s example and help the anxious child understand what they are truly seeing in the shadows or (in many real-life scenarios) hearing outside. Apply Marco’s illuminating idea to ward off future fears. Make this story a part of your bedtime routine and help empower your kids to face their fears head-on, instead of hiding away under the covers and losing out on much-needed sleep.

A beautiful sibling bond shone bright in Liana and the Shadow in the Closet. Each illustrative page felt like a screenshot from a cartoon. That’s the highest praise to an illustrator.

Share this beautiful and heartwarming story with children aged 3 to 9 years.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Talented Team!

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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Zoe Home for the Holidays: A Merry Christmas Tale (Zoe the Pull-Leash Dog) by J. E. Brewer (Book Review)

Dashing Through the Snow in a One-Pup Crazy Way.

This is the second zany outing for Zoe the Pull-Leash Dog. Zoe is a whirlwind of a pup who helps people around town in unexpected ways during her daily walks with Edna. In Zoe Home for the Holidays, the duo turns winter into a wonderland and puts a whole new spin on dog walking. Edna lets Zoe take her for a wild ride to lend a helping paw to snow shovelers, skiers, skaters, ice sculptors, tree decorators, and even Santa himself, as only Zoe can. This is Book 2 of the Zoe the Pull-Leash Dog series.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 


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

 

I first met Zoe in the hilarious and unforgettable story Zoe the Pull-Leash Dog. The adorable canine was zooming across the pages and dragging their owner behind them, most of the time with their human counterpart (Edna) in mid-air. In Zoe Home for the Holidays, we witness another exhilarating walk where Edna’s feet barely touch the ground. 

Zoe’s case of the zoomies led Edna on a wild ride, but she was used to the 0 to 60 outdoor fun. Even the whole town knows what to expect when Zoe takes off. You’d think a fast-moving pooch would spell disaster, but their speed and quick movements prove quite helpful for the townspeople this holiday season. Zoe and Edna helped clear off the snowy sidewalks, assisted the children to the top of the ski hill, coordinated ice skaters, and created a stunning ice sculpture. As they flew past the enormous tree in the village’s center, they did a holiday job many people dread: untangle a mountain of blinking lights. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Zoe also had time and energy to help jolly St. Nick and his reindeer! 

Readers will find themselves giggling over the high-flying owner. The illustrations show her as a human toboggan, resting on the backend of a dog-shaped ice sculpture, passing over treetops, riding on the back of Santa’s sled, and much more. Edna’s final line, “Santa says Hi,” was a perfect ender. It demonstrated how she loved and accepted the craziness the walks bring. Every day was an adventure with her furry friend! 

Zoe Home for the Holidays is a wonderful book to share with your family this and every holiday season. Kids will love it, and so will their parents too! Based on the previous book in the series, the recommended reading age is 3-7 years. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

I grew up in a hardworking lobstering town on the coast of southern Maine. As a Physics major at the University of Maine, I won the state creative fiction competition. Today I live on Boston’s north shore with my wife, a pre-school teacher. We have two sons and a little white dog.

Reedsy Author Link
Website Link

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

 

 

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Our Lunar New Year by Yobe Qiu (Book Review)

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It’s almost Lunar New Year! Xiao Mi, Hang, Kwan, Malai and Charu all celebrate the New Year in their own special way. Read this book to learn how each one of the Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian children and their families honor Lunar New Year, from dragon dances in China to firecrackers in India!
 
 
Buy the Book
 Amazon
ByYQ ~ ​Barnes & Noble
 
 
 
 
 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book ToursI voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 
Our Lunar New Year by Yobe Qiu educates readers on how five countries (China, Korea, India, Vietnam, and Thailand) celebrate their new year. Under each header, it lists the proper name for their holiday. Example: Chinese Spring Festival is Chun Jie, and Thailand is Songkran. 

I absolutely love learning new facts. For instance, in Our Lunar New Year, I discovered “Firecrackers scare away naughty spirits.” The clothes worn during Seollal (Korean New Year) are called hanbok. Every country mentioned, except Thailand, spoke of something people eat, wear, possess, or even a color that is supposed to bring good luck to them in the new year. Fascinating, right?! There’s so much nifty information — facts that any child or adult should learn because it’s essential to be informed about other cultures. 


Maria Christina Lopez, Jennifer Prevatt, and Pui Yu Chan worked very well together to create illustrations that captured the reader’s eye and elevated the story. I loved the dragon, the scrumptious-looking food, the diverse characters, and all the beautiful colors. 


I highly recommend everyone read this book!
 

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

 
 
 
Meet the Author: 
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​Yobe is an educator, entrepreneur and mom who lives in NYC. As an educator, she focused on teaching families to embrace love, diversity and different cultures. Through the years working in the classrooms and closely with other educators, she noticed the lack of multi-cultural resources that represented children of color. That is when Yobe decided to create multicultural children stories that feature Asian children, families and cultures! Yobe loves spending time with her daughter, reading to children and taking long walks during the day!
 
Connect with the Author:
 Website Facebook ~ Instagram
 
 

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