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Scribbaloo and the Color Cruncher by Ben P. Fisher (Book Review)

He’s sure that mistakes are always bad. Can he learn to take a deep breath and turn an oops into a ta-da?

Scribbaloo wants to do everything perfectly. So even though it’s amazing that everything he draws with his magic comes to life, the little creature is always worried about messing up. And he’s certain everyone will be angry when his frustration makes a monster that’s gobbling up all the colors and turning the world gray.

Joined by his upbeat best friend, Scribbaloo sets off on a daring journey to find the Golden Crayon to restore the rainbow. But every time they go around a corner, there’s a new mistake about to ruin their trip.

Will Scribbaloo give up, or keep trying until he figures out a way to win?

Scribbaloo and the Color Cruncher is a wonder-filled picture book for kids ages three to eight. If you or your child like beautiful illustrations, using your imagination, and building self-esteem, then you’ll love Ben P. Fisher’s delightful adventure.

Buy Scribbaloo and the Color Cruncher to paint the world wonderful today!

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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.

 

Everyone, regardless of age, will make mistakes; they are inevitable and come in all sizes. For kids, coloring outside the lines would equal a minor mistake. Shattering a window would equal a bigger mistake. While some mistakes might feel like the world is ending, they all amount to the same thing – a learning experience. Scribbaloo, a magical creature from Color Island, learns this valuable lesson in Scribbaloo and the Color Cruncher.

Scribbaloo possesses a magnificent, magical ability; whatever they draw comes to life! That sounds amazing unless you are like Scribbaloo, an individual who gets easily frustrated when you make an error. Scribbaloo blew his stack when their design didn’t turn out precisely how they envisioned. His star-shaped friend Glittergleam tried calming him down and encouraged them to try again, but Scribbaloo was too angry to listen. He started angry drawing, and those dark, scribbly lines merged to create The Color Cruncher! This transformation was a powerful metaphor for how unchecked anger can lead to unintended consequences.

The Color Cruncher was weirdly adorable. It resembled a ball of steel wool or a large ball of dryer lint with arms, legs, googly eyes, and black felt for angry-looking eyebrows. While it was cute, its sinister mission was not. It planned to devour all colors, and there was only one way to stop it: Scribbaloo needed to fetch the Golden Crayon up on Crayon Peak. The quest required Scribbaloo to draw, but his drawings kept hitting a snag. He knew no good came from losing his temper, so he took a moment to collect himself and tried again. What a good example for kids to model!

I loved the story’s cute rhymes, particularly the word paired with “unlucky.” The illustrated page accompanying the surprise word, which I will keep vague for the sake of the surprise, was stupendous. I also liked how the artist brought the writer’s words to life. The Paintbrush Forest was simple but very creative. And when Scribbaloo started to cry, my heart went out to the little red creature.

I recommend Scribbaloo and the Color Cruncher for households and classes with children ages three to eight. It is a wonderfully written and illustrated story that entertains and delivers a powerful message: It’s okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are how we learn. So, the next time you mess up, take a calming breath and try again.


Special note: Scan the QR code in the end pages or visit the author’s site (BenPFisher.com) to download a FREE activity book!

 

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

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Meet the Author

Husband. Father. Cheese enthusiast.

While he enjoys all things cheese, Ben’s true joy comes from the blessing of his family. His two passionate and playful children remind him how tough it is to be in the “rough draft” stage of becoming an adult. His love for creativity and being a positive influence on others led him to a career in teaching and school leadership. Inspired by a need for stories that teach resilience and the value of learning from mistakes, Ben began writing children’s books. Through his stories, he hopes to encourage kids and adults to remember that love and acceptance don’t require perfection.

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The Living Christmas Tree by Kristin Sponaugle (Book Review)

THE LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE by Kristin Sponaugle

2021 Family Choice Award Winner

 

During the day, the Miller family’s Christmas tree stands tall in their living room, sparkling with lights and ornaments. Little does the family know that their Christmas tree is anything but ordinary. Each evening, the magic of Christmas brings their tree to life—much to the delight of Hannah and William Miller. Follow along as Hannah and William experience the magic of Christmas in a whole new way.
 
 
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 I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 
Christmas is a magical time of year. The days, and especially the night before it, are filled with excitement for young children. They dream about Santa leaving them toys, gobbling up the cookies, and drinking the milk. Kristin Sponaugle made the holiday even more magical by bringing ornaments to life in The Living Christmas Tree. As you know from the success of the Toy Story franchise, kids love when their favorite items become “real” and interactive. 


Every child, young in body or heart, will adore the beautiful ornaments illustrated by Agus Prajogo. We loved every single one! They were cute, fun to watch at play, and brought a smile to our faces. 


My youngest doesn’t believe in Santa anymore, but we agreed you don’t have to believe in Christmas magic to enjoy The Living Christmas Tree


Imagination has no age limit. We sat and discussed what ornaments on our tree we’d like to see come to life. Since my youngest wants superhero ornaments on the tree this year, she picked those to become active at night. 🙂


Great story. 


Beautiful illustrations. 


A marvelous addition to any home, school, or library. 

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:
Author Kristin Sponaugle

 
Kristin Sponaugle was born in Butler, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Duquesne University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in health sciences and her master’s degree in physician assistant studies. Kristin had always dreamed of becoming an author, and made that dream a reality with her two published children’s books, The Princess Puppy and The Living Christmas Tree. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cross-stitching, and playing with her Maltese dog, Rosie. Kristin lives with her husband, daughter, and Rosie, and resides wherever the Air Force sends them.
 
 
Connect with the Author: website ~ facebook instagram
 
 

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The Last Imperator by M L Tishner (Book Review)

 

How much will she sacrifice for peace?

After six months of campaigning, Rei and the other Volocio have barely convinced half the star cluster to vote for the Federation.

Activist groups from all sides are calling for a war Rei is destined to declare, but she won’t do it. While she wants to kill the Dominion Sovereign – Anekris Praymer – she wants to destroy him herself. She can channel lightning – she is the god queen – she doesn’t need more than that and the whole star cluster doesn’t need to go to war for it.

But tensions are rising beyond both their control and when both Rei and Anekris are trapped together after an attack – they strike up an uneasy alliance.

As time progresses, Rei finds herself wondering – will they remain enemies or will they join together and finally unite the Federation and Dominion?

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Niklaryn

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


WOW, what a marvelous read! 

The Last Imperator by M. L. Tisher had continuous action sequences, betrayal, family drama, love, magic, and surprise developments. It’s the type of story you’ll want to pull an all-nighter to read so that you can finish it in one sitting. I would’ve done just that, but I had to teach the following morning, so I reluctantly put the book aside to catch some zzz’s. However, come bright, and early the next day, I hurried back to The Last Imperator. 

M. L. Tisher did a spectacular job developing a solid storyline. I loved every dramatic moment—sibling against sibling. Even though this story took place in space and with individuals who possessed unique talents/powers, M. L. Tisher gave them qualities we would see here on Earth: anxiety and panic attacks. The Last Imperator didn’t shy away from mental illness; you’ll read multiple mentions of it. As a person who suffers from several mental issues, I appreciated how M. L. Tisher presented it in The Last Imperator.

 

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

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Read the first four chapters for FREE!

 

 

Mari, a native Hoosier, currently lives in southern Germany where she entertains people with her adventures as an American expat in the Land of Beer and Pretzels on her blog adventuresoflamari.com as well as the adventures of her pugs, Abner and Roxy. When she’s not writing, Mari cooks, snowboards, dances to the beat of her own drum, reads late into the night, and binge watches Netflix with her husband. The God Queen is her debut novel.

 

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