Tag Archives: nature

November 7, 2025 · 7:00 am

Aloe Vera’s Special Gift by Jeanette Gil (Book Review)

Discover the Healing Power of Being YOU! 🌿

A heartwarming picture book about self-worth, kindness, and the hidden magic of aloe vera.

When Aloe Vera looks around the garden, she sees brilliant blossoms and dazzling petals—while she feels plain and prickly in comparison. No one seems to notice her… until a summer day brings sunburns, scrapes, and rashes—and Aloe steps in to help.

As Aloe uses her soothing gel to heal her garden friends, she begins to understand something powerful: what makes her different also makes her extraordinary.

“Aloe Vera’s Special Gift” is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that gently weaves together themes of self-acceptance, emotional resilience, and the real-life benefits of aloe vera plants. Perfect for ages 3–8, this uplifting story helps young readers recognize their own unique value—and reminds us all that true beauty isn’t always what we see on the surface.

Kids will learn:

  • Everyone has unique gifts that matter
  • Kindness and empathy make us strong
  • Nature is full of healing wonders
  • Being different is something to celebrate

Whether read at bedtime, in a classroom, or during a SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) circle, this book is a gentle reminder to bloom exactly as you are—and to see the beauty in every leaf, petal, and person.

Ideal for:

  • Children ages 3–8
  • Nature lovers and little gardeners
  • SEL and mindfulness programs
  • Classrooms, therapy sessions, and home libraries
  • Fans of “The Invisible String” and “What If Everybody Did That?”

🌸 Plant the seeds of self-love and healing—add “Aloe Vera’s Special Gift” to your bookshelf today!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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

 

Aloe Vera is a thick, prickly plant that, from the outside, may look ordinary, but on the inside, it possesses extraordinary healing powers. Sunburns. Itchy skin. Chapped areas. Aloe can soothe skin issues caused by the changing seasons. Aloe learns this amazing fact after wishing she were more like the pretty and pleasantly fragrant neighboring flowers.

Aloe Vera wished she had bright pets like Rose and smelled as lovely as Lavender. Perhaps then the birds and insects would visit her, and she wouldn’t feel so lonely. No longer feel unseen. As the story progresses, Aloe and the viewing audience learn that true beauty comes from within through kindness and compassion.

Aloe didn’t always feel beautiful or special, but they soon discover just how special they are thanks to a rabbit with a not-so-lucky foot. Bunny wasn’t the only animal in need of Aloe’s amazing, cool, soothing gel. Read the story to discover who else stops by for Aloe’s help. See what happens to the garden flowers when the seasons change. Watch a lonely plant find its smile as it embarks on a transformative journey, coming to understand what is more important in life: not how you look, but who you are on the inside.

Aloe Vera’s Special Gift is an uplifting picture book that encourages kids to embrace who they are, focus on their inner beauty, and spread kindness with its heartwarming storyline and vibrant illustrations. Share this touching story with your family or students and let them see the marvelous, real-life benefits of aloe vera plants. Amazon’s recommended reading age is 3-8. This is an excellent age bracket for story comprehension and discussions. Even though babies and toddlers won’t understand the dialogue, they’ll love looking at all the flowers, insects, and animals, making this a story kids will enjoy for years.

Order your copy today and share the beauty of aloe vera!

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Jeanette Gil is a passionate Cuban American storyteller with a deep love for nature and the power of healing. As a devoted advocate for kindness, self-care, and personal growth, Jeanette enjoys writing stories that inspire young minds to embrace compassion and empathy. Jeanette brings a unique perspective to children’s literature, creating stories that resonate with both children and parents alike.

Most importantly, Jeanette is a proud grandmother to two amazing babies, who inspire her every day. Her garden in Miami, where a particular aloe plant hosts a sunbathing lizard each afternoon, sparked the inspiration for this debut book. When not writing, she enjoys tending to her plants, reading, spending time at the beach, relaxing in the sun, and engaging in family and community activities.

Aloe Vera’s Special Gift is Jeanette’s first children’s book, reflecting her commitment to nurturing young hearts with messages of love, care, and healing. She finds endless inspiration in the simple beauty of life and the joy of connecting with loved ones.

Amazon Author Page Link
Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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April 14, 2025 · 7:00 am

Happy Bumble Bee by Ngoc K. Schmidt (Book Review)

Have you ever wondered what a day of a bumble bee is like?

He wakes up from his nice long sleep, he takes a shower (maybe?), and he flies out of his cozy nest to look for flowers.

On the way, he also meets many friends. If it rains, he will find shelter so his little wings can stay dry.

He works hard all day as a pollinator, bringing lives and happiness to all the plants, crops, animals and people.

This is a happy and colorful book about a round little bumble bee and his joyful, hardworking day that will bring a smile on your face.

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

Are you curious about how a bee spends their day? If so, Ngoc K. Schmidt has crafted a beautifully illustrated storybook that entertains and educates. It provides kids with an inside look into the daily life of bumble bees, making it a valuable and informative addition to any young reader’s library.

We first say hello to the insect as they show us their home, a hive hanging firmly from a tree branch. Next, we are amazed to discover a bee takes a shower every day. Who knew?! The illustration featuring the bee washing up was extremely adorable. I loved the addition of a rubber duckie. Kids will, too, since many have a similar toy in their tub. I also liked their water source. Nice use of nature!

As the insect goes about their day, it says hi to new friends. These two pages mark a great spot to stop and ask your toddler to name what they see. Sunny weather. Thunderstorms. The busy bee’s day is not over until he finds nectar to make honey, and the moon lights the sky. Bees are not the only pollinators featured in the book. In Happy Bumble Bee, the humble bee mentioned a beautiful winged co-worker who helps them bring life and smiles. (Read the book to discover the answer.)

I loved every colorful page, especially the scene featuring the tired bee napping on a flower. Kids will be excited to see the bee has a snuggle toy. They’ll probably announce what toy or other item they can’t sleep without. As a cat owner, I smiled at the black and white cat, closely watching the snoozing bee. It reminded me of my indoor cats, who love watching and jumping at anything that rests or flies near the windows. Kids will have fun helping the bee hunt for flowers. They’ll laugh as the bee’s powerful sneeze causes a small caterpillar to fly off the purple flower and soar across the page. It was adorable!

Happy Bumble Bee is ideal for babies to five-year-olds. The large, bright drawings will capture the attention of babies and toddlers. Parents can use this book as an educational tool to teach toddlers their colors and practice counting by adding up the flowers and bees. Three- to five-year-olds will also love the images but understand the text more—mainly everything on the “Benefits of Bumble Bee” page. The limited words per page make this a great story to start kids on the independent reading journey.

My love for the story is overflowing, but one item kept nagging at me… Where are the periods? We see commas, exclamation points, quotation marks, and ellipses, but not one period is used at the end of a sentence. I don’t know if this was an oversight or a design choice. However, this minor issue does not detract from the book’s overall readability.

Rain or shine. Bumble bees are hard at work, from the sun’s first light to the moon alerting them it’s night-night time. I recommend reading Happy Bumble Bee and teaching children that we should be thankful for every buzzing bee!

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2 
(4.5 stars, rounded to 5) 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Ngoc K. Schmidt is a self-taught illustrator/author who has great love for animals and nature. Her style of art is always considered to be digital color pencil and full of joys and colors. Besides drawing, she is also a polymerclay artist.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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February 27, 2025 · 7:00 am

Where is Love? by Annie Caboose (Book Review)

While walking in the garden one day, Annie, a curious little ant from Hillsville, meets a single poppy flower called Love. They become instant friends, sharing stories, laughing and talking for hours on end. Then one autumn day Annie goes to visit Love, but Love is not there. Remembering the rhyme that Love told her, she sets off on an adventure to find Love.

Love is with you every day.
Love is never far away.
Go search, go find and then you’ll see
All the places Love can be.

But don’t forget to look within
For often, that’s where Love begins.

May Annie’s story inspire anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved being, to look and perhaps still find them within their lives and within themselves.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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

 

We witness death on TV shows and movies, but you’re never really prepared for the emotions accompanying it until you’re in the thick of it. Everyone handles the loss of a friend or loved one differently, kids especially. Where is Love? is a touching book reminding us that the ones we miss are never truly gone; they will always remain in our hearts and memories. A lovely message that can bring a great deal of comfort.

Annie is just one of many ants that call Hillsville, a mound of dirt behind Fanny’s Flower Farm, home. James Dakay, the illustrator, did a lovely job creating the underground world. The ants wore human attire as they engaged in activities we’ve all seen or done, such as groups of ants playing basketball and hopscotch while another hung wet clothes up on a clothesline. The illustrations are vibrant and detailed, with each ant having its own unique features and expressions. Though the Queen ant looks lovely in her royal cape and crown, Annie was quite the fashionista in her bright yellow straw cap and matching shirt.

Annie didn’t spend all her days or nights inside the mound; on weekends, she went aboveground to explore and enjoy the summer breeze. During one excursion, Annie met a poppy named Love. Love was a beautiful orange-petaled flower with soft features nestled in the flower’s seed pod. Love and Annie became quick friends. They laughed together, played games, and told tall tales. Love shared a sweet little rhyme with her new friend:

Love is with you every day.

Love is never far away.

Go search, go find and then you’ll see

All the places Love can be.

 

Each time Annie went to meet up with her fragrant friend, she noticed Poppy was losing her beautiful orange petals. It was heartbreaking to watch her wither away. Sadly, young kids and adults will face a similar situation with a friend, family member, or beloved pet. It’s an emotional time, especially when their physical body is no longer here. Annie realized the significance of Poppy’s rhyme. It’s a comforting reminder that our loved ones will remain in our hearts and live on through our memories, and that love is always present, even when we can’t see it.

I recommend reading Annie Caboose’s moving story with your child, especially if they have lost someone recently or are facing circumstances that mirror Annie’s situation: watching someone slowly fade away. Where is Love? is technically a picture book aimed at young viewers, but Love’s sweet rhyme and the story’s overall theme can also resonate with adults.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Annie, a.k.a. the Caboose, is the youngest of nine children. Her loving mother read her lots of children’s stories, including some she wrote herself. Inspired by her mom, Annie wrote her first book, Where is Love? She resides on a lake in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, fascinated by the many birds that live there too.

Amazon Author Page Link

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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December 14, 2023 · 7:00 am

As Maya Grows in the Natural World by Patricia Ambinder (Book Spotlight)

As Maya Grows in the Natural World” celebrates the joyful play of a young child and her friends as they discover the wonderful sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and textures in the natural world. Catch a falling leaf that waved goodbye to its tree, wiggling fingers in the squishy and lumpy earth, and dancing to the music of branches that sway as the wind plays are just a few of the book’s experiences for nurturing a child’s love and care for the environment.

Fun prompts and cues encourage outdoor exploration, enhanced by the whimsical and stunning illustrations and poetic phrases. Timeless quotations about nature and its profound impact on children are a wellspring of wisdom for adults to reflect on and share with the reader. The red lotus flower seek and find encourages attention to detail and instills a sense of accomplishment that brings a smile.

Feel the presence of nature’s calm and engage a child’s imagination as a listener, reader, and thinker through the book’s enchanting words and colors.

For budding nature explorers, ages 2-6.

Amazon Purchase Link

LINK to My Review

 

 

SAMPLE PAGE

Amazon Purchase Link

LINK to My Review

 

 

Meet the Author

A writer of poetry and prose, Patricia Ambinder is a passionate social justice advocate with an avid curiosity to understand the complexities of the human experience. She appreciates the concise eloquence of quotations to nurture imagination and challenge thinking.

For decades, Patricia held leadership positions on boards and councils, offering guidance and enhancing communications to strengthen community engagement on issues such as early childhood education, food security and peace and justice. She is an Honorary Life Member of the Board of Directors of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Patricia and her husband cherish time with their four children and extended family. It was her adored granddaughter Maya’s fascination with leaves and delight in morning nature walks that inspired “As Maya Grows in the Natural World.” Patricia loves watching birds, hearing the rustle of sea grapes and simply being outdoors.

Amazon Author Page Link

 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

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November 30, 2023 · 7:00 am

Kaida Brightscales and the Rare Pollinators: Beehive Secrets 2 by Xanda Monteiro (Book Spotlight)

NEW EDITION! 

Step into a world filled with wonder and enchantment, where a young dragon’s unquenchable curiosity meets a promise that must be kept.

The meadow, once a vibrant haven of buzzing life, is now facing a new threat. Kaida and Bella return to their beloved meadow, only to discover a troubling silence—the bees have vanished. As they embark on a quest to uncover the mystery, they stumble upon distressing events. A farmer’s actions threaten their meadow’s delicate ecosystem; hedges, home to the Carder Bees, are being cut down, leaving our bee friends homeless and vulnerable.

Bella and Kaida have made a promise to help their buzzing friends and are set on a path fraught with challenges—trampled hives, pesticide exposure, and relentless destruction.

United by a common goal, can our colorful friends find a miraculous solution to save the bees?

Kaida Brightscales and the Rare Pollinators is the second book in the Beehive Secrets series for children aged 4-6. If you or your child like vivid and beautiful illustrations, fun ways to learn about nature, and making new friends, then you’ll love Xanda Monteiro’s tale of teamwork towards harmony.

Get your copy of Kaida Brightscales and the Rare Pollinators today, and join the quest to protect the meadow and make a difference in the world!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Xanda’s story is one of a lifelong explorer, born in Africa with a sense of adventure that took her far and wide. She spent countless hours getting her clothes ripped in tree branches and her knees scratched, but the magic of discovering new places made it all worth it. 

As she grew older, Xanda’s curiosity led her to chase eclipses and capture the perfect shot with her camera. Her passion for nature and fascination with bees inspired her to write a series of books for children about their struggles and possible solutions. 

When she’s not writing, Xanda can be found practising Qi Gong and meditation to deepen her understanding of the world and herself. She loves spending time with friends from all over the world and is always seeking out new experiences and adventures. 

Xanda’s African roots instilled in her a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world and the wonder that can be found in everyday moments. She believes that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and that we can do so without causing harm to other beings. 

If you’re looking for a guide to help you explore the wonders of the world, Xanda is the perfect companion. With her infectious enthusiasm and boundless curiosity, she will show you the beauty in even the most ordinary things. So come along and let’s discover the magic together – just watch out for those tree branches and knee scratches! 

Author Website
Amazon Author page
Twitter Link

 

 

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