Tag Archives: under the sea

What Would You Do? by CK Willie (Book Review)

This beautifully illustrated book with easy-to-read whimsical rhyme reaches out to children, or anyone of any age, to show them how to make their dreams come true. Whether they want to be an astronaut, a dragon tamer, build robots or ride in a hot air balloon, anything is possible if you believe in you!

No matter who you are or where you live, everyone has the same thing in common…dreams, dreams that may seem impossible. “What Would You Do?” shows that they are possible as long as you’re willing to believe in yourself. Our fears hold us back but one thing is true, our happiness lies just outside our comfort zone. So keep dreaming, believe in you and make those dreams come true!

So many things
in the world to try.
If you’re afraid
they may pass you by.
The pages of this book
will show you the way
to overcome your fears
so start reading 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.

 

Neophobia (fear of new things) can limit us from embracing new experiences and adventures. Yet, when we conquer our fears, the world becomes our playground. In this captivating children’s picture book, beautifully brought to life with vibrant illustrations, readers are prompted to ponder, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” Imagine the possibilities. Where would you venture? What would you accomplish?

The children in this adventurous tale, spoken in rhyme, demonstrate incredible bravery as they climb the highest mountain and travel across the blue seas. They explore outer space, become robotic, and go toe-to-toe with a massive multi-colored dragon. We watch as a stylishly dressed Luchadores (Spanish for wrestler) gets the upper hand against their crocodile opponent. Great wrestling attire, especially the máscaras (Spanish for masks)! So pretty! Superhero kiddos make an appearance, too, while another child couldn’t resist monkeying around. I laughed at the kitten peeking out the shuttle door as a block of cheese and a kid astronaut floated close to the moon. The feline’s expression screamed, no amount of cheese in this galaxy will get me to step a paw outside this shuttle.

There’s so much more to explore in What Would You Do?, transforming the impossible into possible. Kids will love and laugh at the silly illustrations, such as the lion who loves to sing or the zebra who’s not thrilled to give out rides. They’ll cheer for the brave knight who rode to face the dragon in a wheelchair instead of a mighty stead. Readers will say, aw, as the boy reads his new pet dragon a bedtime story. No matter where the journey takes these kids, the writer’s mission is to encourage kids to believe in themselves and not allow fear to hold them back. So, take the author’s advice and repeat these four powerful words, “I believe in me,” and then go out and slay dragons!

While Amazon’s target audience for this book is 3-8-year-olds, the charming illustrations and diverse characters will captivate readers of all ages.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

CK Willie lives in sunny Arizona and originally wanted to be a writer, though not necessarily a poet. However, her writing naturally rhymed, leading her to embrace poetry. She found delight in expressing feelings of doubt, insecurity and self-belief in playful and relatable ways for children. As a mother of four, a grandmother of nine and a great grandmother of two, she feels the greatest gift we can give children is confidence, believing in who they are and what they can do. The world is waiting for them! When she’s not writing, she is on the court playing pickleball and is learning to play Mahjongg.

Amazon Author Page Link

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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Never Kiss a Crocodile Never Slap a Skunk: A field guide to ominous animals by Rocky Leplin (Book Review)

Don’t be afraid of a book! Just the animals in this one! Never Kiss a Crocodile, Never Slap a Skunk is a stimulating way to introduce young people to some of the perils of the natural world—and why they command respect. With full color photos, and a fun fact about each one, Crocodile is a series of humorous rhymed verse poems about 24 animals:

  • RISKY REPTILES — rattlesnakes, pythons, crocodiles
  • FEARSOME FISH AND FRIENDS — sawfish, stingrays, electric eels, piranhas, man-eating clams, Portuguese man o’ wars, stonefish, and great white sharks
  • BAD NEWS BIRD — vultures
  • AGONIZING ARACHNIDS — tarantulas, black widow spiders and scorpions
  • IRRITATING INSECTS — killer bees, driver ants
  • MUTINOUS MAMMALS — porcupines, rhinos, grizzly bears, tigers, vampire bats, and skunks

Never Kiss a Crocodile is the sixth book of rhymed verse poetry, most of them about mythical and imaginary creatures, by Rocky Leplin. But it’s the first that is non-fiction, though with Leplin’s signature semi-eccentric edge.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Never Kiss a Crocodile, Never Slap a Skunk is a thrilling guide that uses photography, catchy titles, fun facts, and “humorous rhymed verse poetry” to educate and entertain readers about 24 animals in the following categories: “Risky Reptiles,” “Fearsome Fish and Friends,” “Bad News Bird,” “Agonizing Arachnids,” “Irritating Insects,” and “Mutinous Mammals.” The exhilarating adventure begins with the notorious rattlesnake who, fun fact, the writer states won’t attack unless you try and pick one up. Let’s all agree not to test that theory! Two more reptilians make up the first category before readers move on to the second category, which is also the largest: “Fearsome Fish and Friends.”

Most adults and some kids have seen or at least heard of a sawfish before; however, they might not know the fish are ovoviviparous. The writer didn’t add a punctuation key for the tongue-twisted word or define it, which was an overlooked key element! The author provided numerous facts about the remaining eight creatures under the sea. For example, I discovered piranhas can bark. I also learned the length of a blue-ringed octopus’s arms and how long a Portuguese man o’ war tentacle can be! Oh, readers will find out which fish can roll their eyes! And, thanks to a brilliantly crafted poem, which underwater doesn’t mind eating hair, and which one looks like coral but is definitely not coral.

The book discusses ONE “Bad New Bird” before entering the world of arachnids and insects. Visually, these were my least favorite sections. I liked the facts, though! The poems were okay; they were less engaging and entertaining than the reptiles’. But that is just my opinion; read each section and vote for your favorite!

Finally, book lovers are treated to “Mutinous Animals,” featuring porcupines, rhinos, grizzly bears, tigers, vampire bats, and skunks. Did you know experts theorize that even skunks hate their defensive odor? What about this one: bats can jump? More tantalizing tidbits are ready to discover along the pages of Never Kiss a Crocodile, Never Slap a Skunk. I recommend reading it even if poetry isn’t your favorite literary genre. The fun factoids are worth the read!

There were a few editing mistakes, and I didn’t see the point of the marble image and its grizzly-themed poem. It was unnecessary and hindered the flow of the story. Overall, Never Kiss a Crocodile, Never Slap a Skunk is a wonderful resource book that I suggest sharing with your family or class. I also recommend checking out Rocky Leplin’s other books of rhymed verse!

Amazon’s suggested reading age is 10-16 years. Younger audiences would also enjoy the photos, fun facts, and (maybe) some or all the poems.

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Rocky Leplin graduated from the UCLA Film School, and has a Master’s in Music. He is the author of nine books, 500 songs, and two musicals. Two of his MG short stories have won awards, and his zany “manual” A Psycho’s Guide to Animal Companionship, was a Finalist in the 2023 Indie Book Awards.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

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Venus Underwater: Songs from Mermaidia by Julia Hengst (Book Review)

VenusUnderwater-Interior-Ingram-EBOOK-ISBN- 9781736137512.indd

Genre: Children/ Songs/ Poetry/ Puns

 

The first book of a new series that will empower your child discover their inner flow, Venus Underwater: Songs from Mermaidia introduces the magical underwater world of Mermaidia. This humorous and whimsical collection of poems and songs reveals how baby mermaids are made, what mermaid families are like, and how mermaids study magic at School of the Fish to become Sea Witches (not Sand Witches). Created by family therapist Julia Hengst the Venus Underwater series helps nurture the whole child, promoting self-esteem, confidence and social/emotional/mental health whilst helping with anxiety in a fun, playful way.

Kindle Purchase Link

Print Purchase Link

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from R&R Book Tours.
I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Little kids love mermaids and want to believe they are real. Venus Underwater: Songs from Mermaidia by Julia Hengst feeds into their imagination by explaining the mystery of the merpeople. 

Many elements of Venus Underwater: Songs from Mermaidia were sweet. Examples: How Baby Mermaids Are Made, family portrait (Families of Mermaidia), and A Mermaid’s Lullaby. 

While Julia Hengst’s story is centered around fictional and mythical beings, the overall message/points are not fictional. 

Spread kindness. 

Families take all forms! 

Like families, friendships come in all forms. Accept those different than you. 

Live a life of peace and harmony. 

Children are not born to hate. As adults, we need to foster their love and acceptance of others. 

Read Venus Underwater: Songs from Mermaidia. Encourage your child to spread kindness like the merpeople in this magical tale. 

Special note: We love to sing in our house. While we loved the songs in the story, we didn’t know the tune/beat of them. Maybe add this feature in future stories if songs are present. Thanks! 

 

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

Kindle Purchase Link

Print Purchase Link

 

About the Author

J+Round

Julia Hengst is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an avid surfer, traveler and word nerd who resides in Maui. Passionate about psychology, spirituality and media literacy, she holds an undergraduate degree in Media Studies from UC Berkeley, a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology, and an imaginary degree from the University of Puns. 

Julia Hengst | Facebook | Instagram

 

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