Tag Archives: review

August 16, 2024 · 7:00 am

Children’s Book Author Showcase – Milt Lowe (Spotlighting 4 books!)

Hippos are famous for fighting and biting. But Kuno the hippo is unique. He refuses to fight even though he always gets teased.

“The Hippo Who Hated To Fight” is the sweet, fun, inspiring story of a hippo brave enough to be himself. Kuno leaves his family and friends to search for the love, kindness, and acceptance he is missing.

Colorful and creatively illustrated and written for kids ages 4-9, it teaches them fun facts about hippos and elephants and that it’s cool to be different-you just need to find your herd.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

Click HERE to read my review on Amazon!

Click HERE to read my review on Reedsy!

Buy now at Amazon.com!

 

 

Fartasaurus is a young T-Rex dinosaur who has to leave his loving family for one year— according to dinosaur tribal law—because of his constant, embarrassing farting. (He even farted out the candles on his birthday cake!) 

Sent to live in a deep, dark forest,  the fun-loving farting dinosaur meets a wild and wacky group of other dinosaur misfits that bond over their uniqueness and discovers the value of friendship.

Amazon Purchase Link

Click HERE to read my review on Amazon!

Click HERE to read my review on this site (8/9/24)!

 

 

 

Ants are usually a little boring. They’re hard workers but do the same thing all the time and follow the Queen’s rules. But not My ANT MARY.

My ANT Mary is the story of a fiercely independent ant who marches to her own drummer. When the Queen Ant demands that Mary conform and act like every other ant, Mary realizes she needs to leave to find where she truly belongs. She sets out on an amazing world adventure and discovers she’s happiest in a surprising place.

Colorful and creatively illustrated and written for kids ages 4-9, it teaches the value of independence and finding your own path to happiness.

Ingramspark.com

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

In Milo and the Big Yawn, Milo Crenshaw is a mischievous boy with the annoying ability to make everyone yawn.

In other words, Milo is a bit of a brat.

He loves tormenting his sisters, teachers, classmates, police officers, and everyone else he sees. That is, until one day when Milo discovers the joy of being a hero instead. He learns that using his talent to deal with bullies and scary lions and helping kids and parents is a lot more fun and rewarding. Impossible to read without yawning in appreciation of the story, this humorous book makes the perfect bedtime reading.

Ingramspark.com

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

A former copywriter at top New York City advertising agencies, Milt Lowe has won over 60 major awards -including Gold and Silver Lions at the TV Cannes Film Festival – and has written humor pieces for The New York Daily News and Advertising Age. Milt has written four children’s books so far.

Website Link

Amazon Author Page Link

 

 

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August 9, 2024 · 7:00 am

Fartasaurus by Milt Lowe (Book Review)

Fartasaurus is a young T-Rex dinosaur who has to leave his loving family for one year— according to dinosaur tribal law—because of his constant, embarrassing farting. (He even farted out the candles on his birthday cake!) 

Sent to live in a deep, dark forest,  the fun-loving farting dinosaur meets a wild and wacky group of other dinosaur misfits that bond over their uniqueness and discovers the value of friendship.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Farting is a normal part of our digestion system. It reduces belly pain from bloating. It can help alert patients and doctors of possible underlying health conditions. Whether you toot soft or loud or squeak out a silent but deadly fat, most of us agree that letting one rip usually leads to laughter. Well, unless you are a dinosaur that lived 200 million years ago. Dinos back then had a strong reaction to Fartasaurus breaking wind all the time, and it was not laughing out loud.

When you have a birthday cake, you normally blow out the candles with air coming from your mouth. Fartasaurus chose to blow them out with his rear end. Yes, readers, he broke wind and the gust of air extinguished his two birthday candles. I found this disgustingly funny! Kids will too! Unfortunately, the tribal leaders didn’t find Fartasaurus’s gassy booty funny in the slightest bit. As punishment for being an “embarrassment,” he was banished to the Forest of the Unwanted for one year. Poor T-Rex! Poor parents! All smiles will vanish when you see the three T-Rex faces’ sad looks. Heartbreaking!

As Fartasuiarus enters the Forest of the Unwanted, he’s met by other “misfits.” Their names coincide with their embarrassing acts. Without spilling the beans about every uniquely named prehistoric animal, I will disclose ONE—a small taste of the hilarity that awaits you.


“And once a day, Roarasaurus let out a roar that caused giant rocks to fall down a huge mountain and frighten all the dinosaurs, many of them running into one another and looking even sillier.”


As you read the above passage, I hope you envisioned two dinosaurs colliding as a triceratops roars close by, as that is the illustration that accompanies it.

They say that time flies when you are having fun. I think Fartarsaurus would agree. Once he befriended another dino in the forest, time zoomed by, and before he knew it, he was walking out of the Forest of the Unwanted. (Name withheld to avoid spoilers.)

 

Do you think farts are funny?

Do you like dinosaurs?

If you answered yes, then you’ll love Fartasaurus. I sure did!

The story idea was different and very funny. I enjoyed most of the illustrations, but I noticed some images looked off. For example, the brown dinosaur on the “best friends forever” page looked strange. The eyes seemed off. Also, the triceratops drawings needed to be more consistent. On the roaring panel, he had points on the edges of their frill, but they wre absent on the exit the forest page.

All in all, this was a very nice, short read. Perfect for dino fans and, of course, those who think farts are hilarious.

Amazon’s recommended age is 4-9 hours.

 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

A former copywriter at top New York City advertising agencies, Milt Lowe has won over 60 major awards -including Gold and Silver Lions at the TV Cannes Film Festival – and has written humor pieces for The New York Daily News and Advertising Age. Milt has written four children’s books so far.

Website Link

Amazon Author Page Link

 

 

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July 19, 2024 · 7:00 am

The Dad Who Had to Read a Bedtime Story by G.M. Reyes (Book Review)

A Rhyming Book About a Dad Who Had to Read a Bedtime Story

Dad just wants to play video games, or go to the gym, or just unwind. But there’s something in the way of his relaxing evening. His kids want him to read a bedtime story.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

In a child’s eyes, their parents are superheroes—super strong, never tire, and have all the time in the world. They don’t understand that their parents need time to recharge their battery after working all day, or maybe they need or have to do something that doesn’t include small tag-a-longs. The two darlings in this sweet children’s book had one teeny tiny request: Dad, please read us a bedtime story. Dad tried to politely turn down their request, saying he was in a hurry, but they were persistent, which is 100% relatable to many adults reading this book to their kids. 

Despite his initial reluctance, the dad in this story caved and agreed to read only one story. Nestled in bed with his two kiddos, the dad did what many parents do once they noticed the book’s length—he skipped a few pages. When your child is a baby or toddler, you can absolutely get away with summarizing the story. However, as your child grows up, they become more observant and will call you on the sneakiness. The fictional kids demanded their dad read the story again, properly this time.

Their father did a smashing job the second time around. He used different voices and even rapped some lines. I adored the drawing of him wearing a witch’s hat and nose, fairy wings, and a princess crown. But the real showstopper was the image of him with his hat flipped backward, shades on, bling around his neck while rapping into the microphone. I would laugh until my sides hurt if I witnessed my spouse recreating this scene. 

The Dad Who Had to Read a Bedtime Story would make a great book to read at nap time or bedtime. It would also make a great Father’s Day gift. 

I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading age: baby to 8 years. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

A dad of two who wants to write stories that his kids will want to read and enjoy.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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July 10, 2024 · 7:00 am

A Sweet Surprise by Brittany Smith (Book Review)

Do you like sugar as much as Sam does?

Follow Sam as he discovers many sweet treats and surprises throughout his day. A giraffe in purple pyjamas, chocolate crocodiles and some gummy snakes are only the start.

Is there ever a thing as too much sugar?

Join Sam throughout his day and see. 


Amazon Purchase Link
InHouse Bookstore
Etsy

 

 

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

 

Kids love candy! They would eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if allowed. Sam, the shining star of this children’s book, has yet to meet a sugar-based treat he didn’t like. He wishes he could eat gumdrops, lollipops, cotton candy, ice cream, candy canes, candy apples, and more every day, whenever he wanted! Not a bad wish! If it weren’t for the potential for cavities, I would follow Sam’s lead and eat chocolate for breakfast, jelly beans for lunch, and gummy snakes for dinner, too. 

Sam does not have an off switch when it comes to sugary delights. The images show Sam hiding candy when a craving hits: under the couch, behind the bed, up the stairs, and even in his hair. Only a kid would eat candy covered in hair. The illustrator also shows empty, colorful wrappers scattered all over the floor. While Sam’s tastebuds were all for eating more candy, his stomach rejected the idea. Sam suffered the painful effects of overindulging in sweet treats—the dreaded bellyache. He also experienced a sugar crash. Parents and many young readers will empathize with Sam’s belly woes. His story paints a beautiful picture of why less is more. 

The author and their design team did a fantastic job constructing A Sweet Surprise. Families will love the playful and creative way the text is displayed. My two favorite pages are the upside-down words and the page where words are arranged to mimic a staircase. The brightly colored illustrations will activate everyone’s sweet tooth, even those who prefer savory over sweet! And the unicycle-riding giraffe wearing purple pajamas will tickle your funny bone! 

I recommend this wonderful and vibrant storybook to children ages two years and up. I also suggest a trip to the candy store, playing Candy Land, or both!

Join Sam as he shares his love for all things sugary! Don’t forget to bring your favorite sweet treat along the way! 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link
InHouse Bookstore
Etsy

 

 

 

Meet the Author

 

If you think Sam has a sweet tooth you should meet Brittany. After experiencing the side effects of having too much sugar far too often. She decided this book would be a great way to help show people that candy is not always as fun as it seems.

Growing up on the East Coast of Canada. She has spent many years at summer camp discovering the best the tuck shop had to offer. Some might think she survives off apple juice and her hidden stashes of candy. Which only makes sense that she is a Pastry Chef in Sydney.

Kangaroo Cove Publishing

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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June 25, 2024 · 7:00 am

A Visit to the Doggie Doctor (The Everyday Adventures of Papa & Paws Book 11) by Papa Paws (Book Review)

Today, Molly Paws and her sisters are visiting the vet for a checkup. They explore the office while waiting for their appointment. The doctor checks their ears, eyes, mouth, and heart. Will they be rewarded with a treat for being well-behaved patients?

Children’s picture book about a sweet little doggie named Molly Paws and her family.

  • Created by a dog dad, every story is based on a real-life event.
  • Toddlers and preschoolers ages 0-5(ish) will enjoy the cute illustrations of the dogs.
  • Moms, dads, and grandparents will love reading the heartwarming stories.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Molly and her siblings are getting a checkup at the Poochieville Vet Clinic today. The four dogs have mixed feelings about the trip. Why are they there if they aren’t sick? Will they get a shot? Canines, like children, experience nervousness and fear over doctor’s appointments. Many pet owners will relate to dogs who put on the brakes when they try to enter the building. Even mild-mannered felines will hiss and lash out because they don’t see the vet as a fun zone. 

As the dogs wait for their turn with Doctor Barkly (cute name, by the way), they learn the importance of regular checkups. Yes, they might get a shot, but it’s quick and only hurts a teeny bit. Plus, vets usually give a treat for being so brave! Kids might remark that they get a sticker or lollipop after they receive a shot. 

Children don’t have tails, paws, or fur, but there are some similarities between their doctor appointments and the animals’ vet visit. We both get weighed, have a light shine in our eyes, and get our ears checked out. A doctor always listens to our heart to make sure it sounds healthy and strong. Yes, there will be a time for vaccines, but not at every visit. (Read the story to find out who got a pass on getting a shot!)

Papa Paws’ stories are always entertaining with adorable illustrations. Macy looked cute in their cone of shame. Zozo was darling in her pink bow! Oh, and I loved how the author used the sweet pooches to sneak in math lessons. The price of the doggie treats was extremely high; however, I believe the dollar amount included all the examinations. At least, I hope it did! 

I give this book 5 paws up and recommend it to children 3-6 years! 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Nicholas J. Nawroth is Papa Paws. He is a dog lover and artist. At age 9, he created his first comic book featuring his dog, Woody, and has been drawing ever since. He has never lost touch with his childlike wonder and love of dogs, which he shares in his stories. In his free time, he enjoys snuggling up on the couch with the family to watch movies.

Amazon Author Page Link

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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