Tag Archives: picture book

May 8, 2026 · 7:00 am

Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery by Phyllis Schwartz (Book Review)

Fifth grade poet Yoshi and her two curious critters, Laggie and Grillo are back!

Something mysterious washes up on their hometown beach in the beautiful surf town of Encinitas, California.

“Mommy and Laggie and Grillo and me,
trying to find our beloved sea glass by the sea.

Blue and green and turquoise and gold—
it’s a mystery tale that’s never been told.”

There are lots of twists and turns as they try to answer the question: Is it sea glass or a real gem?

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


Yoshi and her two critter companions are back; this time, they are putting their detective hats on to solve a mystery of who the sea glass belongs to. Pirate? Explorer? Sailor in love or thief? Wager a guess and then read the story to discover who the owner of the heart-shaped sea glass is. 


Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery is a cute detective story, with many positive qualities. The story demonstrates the power of teamwork and determination. It also shows that help comes in all forms and from the unlikeliest characters, as was the case with the lizard and the cricket. In addition, the story incorporates interesting facts about the beach town of Encinitas, California, the story’s setting. Read the story to discover who wrote a VERY popular song about the wonderful waves at Swami’s Beach. Read the story to discover how to say, “small lizard” and “cricket” in Spanish and what Yoshi’s cat’s name, Ketzeleh, means in Yiddish. The book also features pages dedicated to the five jewels mentioned in the story and the Sea Glass Cookie recipe. If that wasn’t all, the author included a tune sung to an old sea shanty “Sailing, Sailing.” If you are like me and don’t know the old tune, I would advise looking it up so your family or class can sing “Laggie and Grillo’s Detective Victory Song” to the right beat.

Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery is a book worth reading time and time again. It’s interactive, educational, and visually very cute. Just wait until you see pirate Grillo! ADORABLE!! 

I recommend this book for readers ages 4-8! I also recommend reading the author’s other creations. Oh, I 100% recommend baking up a batch of the Sea Glass Cookies! Yuuuuummmmm! 


Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️1/2

(It will be rounded to 5 on Amazon and Goodreads.)

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Meet the Author

Phyllis Schwartz is a married mother of two, who, after a highly successful career in the TV news business, finally has the time to indulge in and focus on her “civilian” writing. Even as a kid, she kept a diary and wrote little stories and poems, a creative release that continued well into adulthood. She wrote news by day and poetry by night. And despite battling three different types of cancer over more than three decades, she is still filled with energy, joy, and optimism, and she looks forward to writing much more poetry and children’s books in the future. Her writing often centers on what she observes daily: including her friends, husband, and two children, as well as her garden and her beautiful beach town residence in dreamy Encinitas, all providing continued inspiration for her verse.

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FB/Insta: phyllischwartz_author

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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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Goodreads Link

 

 

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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April 17, 2026 · 7:00 am

Tail Tale Too by Christine Kessides (Book Spotlight)

Winner of 2025 Creative Child Book of the Year Award and Literary Titan Gold Award

Short Listed for 2026 Little Peeps Award (Chanticleer International Book Awards)

 

Wally is back, and this time he’s tackling life’s challenges with even more creativity and curiosity. From chores at home to camping in the great outdoors, Wally turns to the magical Tailor for tails to solve his problems. But with each new tail comes an unexpected lesson-and a reminder from his clever snake friend, Snoo, that some things are better done the human way.

Full of heart and humor, Tail Tale Too is a delightful sequel about embracing mistakes, helping others, and learning that true strength comes from being yourself.

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Meet the Author

Christine Kessides first imagined the tail stories when she was a student, but didn’t think to publish until her first grandson arrived—who, coincidentally, looks like Wally. Christine has also published “Magda, Standing”, an award-winning Young Adult historical novel.

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April 13, 2026 · 7:00 am

The Land of Nod by Jimmy Vee (Book Review)

A rhyming bedtime book that keeps bad dreams at bay.

In the hushed Land of Nod, where moonbeams peek and shadows creep, lives a secret group of sleepy helpers known as Nodlings.

Each night the Nodlings wake, stretch their wings, and fly from their hidden land into children’s rooms everywhere.

Their mission is simple. Chase away bad dreams and make sweet dreams come true.

But there are rules the Nodlings must follow. They must stay out of sight. They must stay quiet. And most of all, they must be back in their beds before sunrise.

Have you seen a Nodling?

Visit the author’s site for purchasing information.

 

 

 

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

 

In the Land of Nod, you will find everyone and everything catching some zzz’s, and most are wearing adorable nightcaps. As the clock passes midnight, the Nodlings wake up, still sleepy but on a mission to bring sweet dreams to the kids in the village. The magical Nodlings had an important task to do every night, and they did it in style. Their caps and onesies were adorable, and the Nodling wearing the blue onesie with white polka-dots made me smile the most. He didn’t speak because that was against the Land of Nod rules. It was all the late-night snacks he had in his hand or falling out of his satchel. Even his artwork featured food.

The Land of Nod was a peaceful, magical land where Nodlings entered our world through a magical portal. (Read the story to discover what linked their world to ours.) The fairy-like characters with very large ears had to follow 5 rules. They were essential to protect their world, themselves. (Read the story to see the list.) There was an amusing illustration of them having to quickly hide from a child who was up past their bedtime. Again, it was the polka-dotted Nodling who stole the show!

The Nodling used special means to keep the children asleep while they chased away their bad dreams and thoughts. They used funny means to tell Nodlings where to land, and the jester-looking Nodling was quite the cut-up in one scene. I loved his facial artwork on the sleeping child and wondered if it will disappear at the dawn of a new day. Oh, and the polka-dot pajama-wearing Nodling…well, he made me chuckle again thanks to the comical illustration of him in a hairy situation.

The Nodlings’ mission is to chase away the bad dreams and replace them with good thoughts, ensuring a peace’s night’s sleep. They succeeded in their mission, but did they do it in time before sunrise? Read the story and see if they broke this rule or not.

I recommend The Land of Nod to all kids 3 years and older. It is a fun, amusing rhyming story, perfect for bedtime.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ 1/2

(4.5 rounded to 5 stars)

Visit the author’s site for purchasing information.

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Jimmy was a creative kid who was always building, tinkering, and rigging up something around the house. These days, his kids say he just makes stuff up for a living—they’re right. As the owner of a creative marketing agency, Jimmy really does “make stuff up all day” for businesses and entrepreneurs.

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April 7, 2026 · 7:00 am

Bennie’s Filter by W.B. Dale (Book Review)

OUT TODAY!

What if the thing that makes you different is the very thing that helps you discover who truly sees you?

When nine-year-old Bennie wakes up one morning with vitiligo, his world turns upside down as he goes from the most popular kid in school to feeling like an outcast overnight. But as Bennie learns to embrace his new reflection, he discovers the power of self-acceptance and the beauty of finding friends who love him for who he truly is.

Based on a true story, Bennie’s Filter is a heartfelt journey of resilience, belonging, and unapologetic self-acceptance.

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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.

 

Based on a true story, Bennie’s Filter focuses on the struggles a child faces when his classmates discover Bennie’s brown skin has a white spot, a non-contagious condition called vitiligo.

Bennie was an outgoing child, the most popular kid in school, and friends with everyone. He loves school and begins and ends his day with a smile; however, that is all about to change when an itchy spot on his chin began to lose its pigmentation. Bennie’s mind is overflowing with questions, each one highlighting the worry and confusion he’s feeling. The most heartbreaking question he asked himself was “Will Mom and Dad still love me?”

Bennie’s condition is no laughing matter, but many kids at school are quick to mock him for it. Bennie’s Filter illustrated perfectly how cruel some people can be, how words can profoundly affect another person, and how an act of kindness can wash away tears and feelings of insecurity.

Bennie’s neighbor, Mrs. Ruby, helped the darling boy to understand that he was not alone with this condition. She also gave him great advice, using a coffee filter to symbolize keeping only worthwhile things in your life. Only allowing people in your life who value you for who you are. (I encourage you to read the story for more details on the clever analogy.)

We will all meet people who will find fault with us and not hesitate to share their opinion. Read Bennie’s Filter to your child(ren) and give them the power to accept themselves and the strength to filter out any negative voices.

Bennie’s struggle is real, and his emotional journey will touch the hearts of many. It will (hopefully) change how some kids treat others and promote a more loving classroom and community. My recommended reading age for Bennie’s Filter is 3-9 years. Let this touching, beautifully illustrated storybook show kids the importance of acceptance and loving yourself at an early age.

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

W.B. Dale is a storyteller whose journey began at age nine, when he was diagnosed with vitiligo. Encouraged by his stepmother to see his condition as a “filter” rather than a limitation, and empowered by his parents’ belief in him, Dale embraced a positive outlook that helped him build confidence.

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