Tag Archives: magic

How the Platypus Became by Jonny Parry (Book Spotlight)

A playful, beautifully illustrated picture book imagining how the world’s most extraordinary animal – the platypus- came to be.

Long ago, when the world was new, a cat, a fish, a duck and a frog each wished for the gifts the others had. Instead of letting jealousy get the better of them, they came together and set off to the Spark of Life, the place where every living thing began.

What they found changed everything. From its shining bill to its webbed feet, a brand-new animal emerged – one that was a little bit of everyone, and entirely itself.

How the Platypus Became is a fantastical picture book for children aged 4-8 about curiosity, friendship and finding your place in the world. Perfect for families, classrooms and anyone who has ever wondered how the platypus might have come to be.

For anyone who loves animal stories, imaginative adventures, or the magic of being yourself.

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Meet the Author

Jonny Parry is a children’s author who writes joyful stories about transformation, individuality and embracing who you are. He wrote his first book, How the Platypus Became, at the age of ten for his little sister. Now, decades later, he’s reimagined the story for curious young readers everywhere.

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Leslie’s Magic Rainboots by Laurie Perreault (Book Review)

Leslie never expected a pair of rainboots to change her life. But when she slips them on during a stormy morning, the world begins to shimmer with possibility. Raindrops whisper secrets, puddles ripple with memory, and every step leads her into a hidden realm where kindness mends forgotten places, and wild spaces, where nature still hums with memory waiting for someone to listen.

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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.

 

Leslie loved rainy days, and she loved the bright blue polka-dotted rain boots that her grandma gifted her. They had been passed down from mother to daughter over several generations. Even though the boots were very old, they looked brand new. How is this possible? Well, these weren’t your ordinary rain boots. They were magical!

Leslie loved jumping in puddles, but today, the puddle sparkled and transported her into a world where a frog greeted Leslie and called her the new “Guardian of the Magic Rainboots.” The talking frog informed Leslie that the boots can take her to faraway places, but the magic can only be activated with kindness and a pure heart. What a sweet idea! I love that the story promotes kindness. Leslie asked to visit the Land of the Talking Animals first. Ask young listeners where they would visit first if their footwear were magical?

The Land of the Talking Animals faces a real-life problem: the river has stopped flowing. No water leads to more issues, like a lack of clean drinking water and habitat loss. The story shows how kindness and teamwork can solve problems, inspiring children to think about helping others in their own communities and around the world.

What was causing the flow of water to cease? How did the child fix the problem? You’ll have to read the story to find out, and I highly recommend you do. Leslie’s Magic Rainboots takes readers on a magical journey where adventures await, and kindness reigns supreme. The illustrations were adorable, and the story’s plot was sweet. I did notice the author wrote the footwear with and without a space, but that inconsistency didn’t diminish the story’s overall uplifting theme: be kind and help others.

Kids and adults will love the magical and heartwarming story. It promotes kindness, kind hearts, helping others, and having fun in the rain. I recommend jumping in puddles and reading this story, just not at the same time. My recommended reading age is 3-9 years.

(Special note: Rain boots was written as presented in the story’s title and in the script.)

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

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Meet the Author 

Rooted in New England, first time writer/author with a lifelong love of the natural world.

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Melody and the Magic Music Box by Tim Tivis (Book Spotlight)

A heartwarming adventure that teaches kids to believe in themselves-no matter how small their voice may be.

When young Melody discovers a magical music box that only plays when someone smiles, she never expects it to lead her into a kingdom full of sadness. The princess has lost her smile-and with it, the music, laughter, and joy of the land. Melody knows she must help, but she’s just an ordinary girl… or is she?

To restore happiness to the kingdom, Melody enters the king’s grand singing contest. She doesn’t have the loudest voice-but she has something far more powerful: kindness, courage, and a heart full of hope.

Perfect for children ages 3 and up, this beautifully written story will:

  • Inspire confidence and resilience
  • Encourage kindness and empathy
  • Show that bravery comes from trying, not from being perfect
  • Help children discover the power of their unique gifts

Whether shared at bedtime, in the classroom, or during quiet reading time, Melody and the Magic Music Box reminds every child that their voice matters-and the world needs their smile.

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Meet the Author

Tim Tivis is an educator, speaker, author, and musician with 41+ years of experience. He has trained thousands in both business and university settings and now creates musical themed children’s stories inspired by his four grandchildren to help kids build confidence and choose what’s right.

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Holly and the Magic Bunny by Kateryna Dronova (Book Spotlight)

Snowflakes, friendship, and a dash of wonder—because sometimes getting lost is how we find our way.

When Holly is whisked away to a magical winter forest by a talking bunny, she faces more than snow and enchantment — she discovers what truly matters. No longer allowed to rely on comfort and privilege, Holly must learn the value of kindness, courage, and honest hard work if she hopes to find her way home.

Through trials, laughter, and unexpected friendships, Holly realizes that being helpful doesn’t mean losing herself — it means discovering strength she didn’t know she had. A heartwarming tale perfect for readers seeking adventure, magic, and the reminder that even the coldest winter can lead to newfound warmth.

❄️ Bundle up and join Holly on her magical winter adventure—where courage shines brighter than the stars! Grab your copy today and let the magic begin!

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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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Joey Meets the Tooth Fairy by Tannia Ortiz-Lopes (Book Review)

Hi! My name is Joey. I am eight years old and have a secret: I’m a late-toothed. (shhh). One day, my secret was revealed, and all my friends made fun of me. I was hurt! When I got home, I was upset and complained to Mom. So that night, while tucking me in bed, my dad told me the story of the Tooth Fairy. I was fascinated and wished I could travel to the castle to meet her. Do you want to know if I visited the Tooth Fairy?

To learn more about Joey and the Tooth Fairy, visit his website.

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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.

 

Kids love it when they get a visit from the Tooth Fairy because it typically means the magical person will leave money in place of their lost tooth. That’s why, when a child’s baby tooth starts to wiggle, they push and pull on it, ready for it to pop out. Even though every child’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, not every child will lose them at the same time. This is the case of eight-year-old Joey. Unlike his friends, Joey had not lost a single tooth yet. Instead of his friends reassuring him that he’ll probably lose one soon, they laughed at him. This situation provides a valuable opportunity for your young listeners to discuss appropriate responses to teasing and how mocking laughter can hurt as much as harsh words.

Are your kids at an age where they are questioning how the Tooth Fairy has time to gather up all the teeth every night? Joey Meets the Tooth Fairy takes readers on a magical journey through the fairy’s enchanting castle, where each floor is more wondrous than the last. We meet the Tooth Fairy, whose legs don’t work, so they built a Praconama (Pra-con-ama) flying-hovering wheelchair to help them get around. At first glance, I thought the Tooth Fairy was sitting on an oversized toilet with pointy legs. After a good chuckle, I appreciated the creativity in the chair design. I also admired the artist’s beautiful color choices for the fairy’s hair and all the detail they put in every scene. Above all else, I applaud the creative team for developing a character that looks like many viewers. So many kids are brown, black and/or spend their days in a wheelchair, so I was thrilled to see them represented.

The author’s imagination amazed me as well. The story answered common questions kids have about the magical visitor: how do they find the teeth, how do they grab the tooth without waking the child, how do they reach the numerous homes each night, and a couple of other questions the book raises. Their storytelling will mesmerize young listeners. Kids will love the surprises found in the castle. One floor might even activate their sweet tooth, while another floor hosts a character with a unique and very cool ability.

Joey Meets the Tooth Fairy is a captivating storybook that takes readers inside the magical world of the Tooth Fairy. It is intended for children ages 5-8.

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

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Meet the Dynamic Duo

Joey Paco:  I am an adventurous and curious eight-year-old boy. I can speak English, German, and Spanish. That makes me trilingual. I enjoy riding my bike, doing sports, reading, and playing with my friends. Mom says I am very persistent.

I keep a journal about my unusual adventures and family traveling. I think of me like a explorer. All famous explorers kept a journal about their adventures and discoveries.  

The idea for my first book,  “Joey trifft die Zahnfee.”  came from my journal, “Joey Paco’s Travels.”

 

Mom:  I was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico. I am a trilingual, multi-genre author, public speaker, freelance book reviewer, songwriter, bag designer, and hobby photographer. I speak Spanish, English, and German. To know more about my creative world, visit my Christian site: https://timewithtannia.com/

“Joey” is the main character of my first picture book: “Joey trifft die Zahnfee” (“Joey Meets the Tooth Fairy.”). I created Joey Paco’s Travels to allow Joey to promote his book. Likewise, he will share information about our “Book Reading Tours” and other adventures. After the publication of his book, he is starting to feel like a bestseller author. He refers to his site as “The Digital Journal of Young Author, Joey Paco.” (wink)

Psst: Please don’t tell him, he’s just a fictional character. Like Pinocchio, he thinks of himself as a real boy.  


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