Go on a wild adventure with Gugulu, the sloth bear, as he takes on a journey deep inside the western ghats of India.
Gugulu’s parents won’t allow him to go to school alone. But he can’t wait to explore the forest on his own. So one day, he runs ahead of his parents. And before he knows it, he ends up in a river filled with danger – first a roaring leopard, then a gang of gaurs, but soon he shrinks in fear. Will naughty Gugulu be able to reunite with his parents?
Gugulu, The Little Bear Dares, is a quirky, funny, beautifully illustrated story about new experiences and courageously facing challenges when encountered.
Gugulu, The Little Bear Dares is a story about a little sloth bear who decides on the way to school that he does not want to stay with his parents. He is able to flee and encounters a variety of other species. He also has quite an adventure-but no spoilers here!
Sloth Bear
The author, Srividhya Lakshmanan, introduces readers to a wide range of different species endemic to the Western Ghats, popularly known as India’s Sahyadri Mountain region. At the end of the story, Lakshmanan identifies 16 of the animals, noting if they are endangered and/or indigenous to the region. A maze is also included at the end of the story to assist children in guiding Gugulu to school.
The illustrator, Akansha Krishnan, employs original interpretational illustrations of the various animals, which will assist young children in connecting with the story.
The recommended reading age is 4 – 8-year-olds. However, I believe that reading the story to younger children would be enjoyable for them, too. Older readers may also be interested in learning more about the varied wildlife of the Western Ghats.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Book Title: Bunster, An Easter Story by Christine Hwang Panzer Category: Children’s Fictions (ages 0-3), 16 pages Genre: Children’s Picture Book Publisher: Mascot Release date: April 5, 2022
Content Rating: G -Suitable for everyone.
Book Description:
Join Bunster as he finds friends in unlikely places as a celebration of Easter!
Bunster, an Easter Story is a sweet children’s board book written and illustrated by Christine Hwang Panzer about a bunny and his duckling buddies during Easter season, emphasizing the importance of friendship.
The narrative is ideal for young children because it is neither too long nor too short, and it will hold their attention. In addition, the illustrations are sweet and appealing, showing off this first-time author’s fondness for rabbits.
I feel the plot development is more about friendship than Easter. However, I enjoyed this because our family doesn’t put a lot of importance on Easter egg hunts, so it was a perfect fit for us.
The book is well-made and can easily endure the tiny one’s “grabby” fingers. No torn pages!! The colors are relaxing and mellow, and the drawings are sweet and whimsical.
For toddlers, the vocabulary may be too advanced. Nonetheless, it can serve as an introduction to more challenging words for them, as well as a fun way for older children to appreciate the story, too.
The story uses a cursive typeface, which may be difficult for new and young readers to understand. It mixes in with the book’s beauty, but it could be a big drawback.
The book is marketed to 0–3-year-olds, and they will be delighted and amused by the tale and illustrations. Bunster, An Easter Story would make a great present for the smaller children in your life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Meet the Author:
Christine is an artist that dabbles in storytelling and enjoys working in different mediums including marker, ink, watercolors and colored pencil. She enjoys drawing fantasy creatures, anthropomorphic animals, and kids. She lives with her husband, Ian and sweet black kitty, Kida in the Bay Area, California and likes to take walks, go out driving, and play video games and board games with her friends.
I Don’t Want to Eat Bugs is a cute book about a little girl, named Lisbon, who is so hungry she doesn’t want to wait for dinner.
Lisbon goes on a fun adventure looking for food when she encounters several animals that offer to share their yummy food, except yuck, it is not yummy! The animals offer a wide variety of different foods they like, from bugs to dog food, but, of course, Lisbon isn’t interested!
The story is an effective way for children to learn about animals’ food and an appreciation for their own food. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and they are creative enough to capture a child’s imagination. The characters are charming and fit the story perfectly, too. I love her little stuffed frog!
One very subtle lesson is the importance of sharing, even if it is bugs!!
I Don’t Want to Eat Bugs is a great book to read to young children who are not yet able to read and also for those who have learned or are learning to read.
This entertaining book is currently free on Amazon. (Not an affiliate.) As always, be sure to check the price before purchasing, in case there are changes in pricing.
Publisher’s Summary
Bugs are for the birds!
Lisbon is hungry and it’s hard to wait for dinner. When her animal friends try to help her find something tasty to eat, the real the problems begin! Join Lisbon on her funny misadventures.
Each beautiful illustration is designed to inspire the imaginations of children. An activity page at the end of the book allows for more fun as they search for special items in the illustrations.
This version of I Don’t Want to Eat Bugs has been designed specifically for eBook with a fixed layout and larger text for easy reading. While this is a great read-aloud book for parents, teachers, and other adults to share with children, we have chosen fonts that are similar to the way children form letters for easy recognition as they begin to read on their own. The print book is also available in 8.5” x 11” format.
Author’s Note:
I Don’t Want to Eat Bugs was written for my daughter, who was two when I wrote this story and didn’t like salad, but now she’s four and a half and loves it—if I give her plenty of salad dressing! (But don’t worry—this isn’t a book about eating salad.) Of course birds, cats, and dogs have a very different idea of what’s good to eat, but through this fun adventure, Lisbon learns there is also food meant just for her—and it’s good, especially compared with all the offerings from her animal friends.
My daughter and I privately call this book the “Ice Cream Story” (she LOVES ice cream so there had to be ice cream involved), and now whenever something funny happens, she says, “We should write a new ice cream story about that.”
And we have! I Don’t Want to Eat Bugs is the first book in a series called Lisbon’s Misadventures. Book 2, I Don’t Want to Have Hot Toes, is now available!
Join Us for This Tour from February 1 to February 14!
Book Details:
Book Title: Olive and the Valentine’s Spell by Helen Millman Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages Genre: Children’s Picture Book Publisher: Mascot Release date: February 1, 2022 Content Rating: Rated G. Suitable for everyone
*** 2022 Family Choice Award Winner ***
Book Description:
Olive is a sweet elementary school boy who is afraid to go to school on Valentine’s Day. . .because he thinks he’ll have to get married! Olive’s mom joins in his fight to defeat the “princess of love,” but along the way he learns an even bigger lesson, discovering the true meaning of love.
Olive and the Valentine’s Spell is an inspiring children’s book for all ages that shines a humorous light on Valentine’s Day and overcoming your fears.
Oh my, Olive and the Valentine’s Spell is such an adorable story, and the illustrations are just delightful.
Helen Millman has written a sweet, sweet story about Olive, a young boy who hears about Valentine’s Day at school and is terrified of having to marry. The poor little boy’s imagination then leads him on a roller coaster of emotions, the most prominent of which is fear.
I appreciated how the little boy in the book was able to freely open up to his mother about his anxieties and how she calmed him. She then gently helps him realize he has nothing to be afraid of.
Because there were a few new vocabulary words introduced to my almost two-year-old granddaughter in the story, it was a little above her comprehension level at times. On the other hand, she loved the story and Vanessa Alexandre’s enchanting artwork. She even requested that I re-read it several times!
The book is intended for children aged 3–7 years old. Older children and adults may enjoy the narrative and perhaps remember their own feelings regarding Valentine’s Day. I’m sure it will make everyone, young and old, smile.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Meet the Author:
Children’s author Helen Millman is a loving wife and mom. Her three young boys continually inspire her with their wild adventures and vivid imaginations. They even helped inspire her to write her new book, Olive and the Valentine’s Spell!
While living in Vero Beach, FL, she spends her time writing, reading, singing, and growing through her life’s experiences. She knows the importance of “seeing the bright side of life” and encourages her readers to “choose love, even when it seems impossible”. A friendly, optimist Helen has always loved to read to her own children and remembers how much her imaginative voices really helped bring the stories to life. She invites her readers to gather with a beloved book, for it truly is one of the best places to snuggle, giggle, imagine, and make unforgettable memories – together.
Book Title: Cindi’s Chocolate Valentine by Beverley Reichman Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 36 pages Genre: Children’s Book Publisher: Book Baby Release date: January, 2022 Tour dates: February 1 to February 14, 2022 Content Rating: Rated G. Suitable for everyone
Book Description:
Cindi isn’t sure about this holiday called Valentine’s Day, but after her people pair dress her up like a flamingo and take her for a walk in front of her friends, and her handsome new neighbor dog, Chip, she doesn’t like it at all! She and her BFF, Pitty Pat, have been watching Chip ever since he moved next door. She wants to meet him, but not like this! Have you ever changed your mind about something? In this outrageously funny story, meet some of Cindi’s fur-friends and find out if she changes her mind about Valentine’s Day.
Cindi’s Chocolate Valentine is an especially SPECIAL book because it features 17 pets that were chosen as winners in the Cindi Features a New Friend contest last summer. As you can imagine, their ‘people families’ are beyond excited about their pets being part of the story. They had over 750 pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, hedgehogs, and even a chicken, goat, donkey and monkey enter the contest!
18% of the Cindi series book sale proceeds is donated to animal rescue and shelter organizations.
Cindi’s Chocolate Valentine was a hit with my almost 2-year-old granddaughter and me. She was particularly taken with it because she had been learning about Valentine’s Day and ” helping” decorate the house.
The story centers around Cindi, a dog, and her friend Pitty Pat, a cat. They are quite outraged when they are dressed up for Valentine’s Day, especially since they might run into Chip, Cindi’s new neighbor. Oh, the embarrassment!
Beverley Reichman did an excellent job of mixing a variety of animals into the story. The part I really appreciated was the illustrator’s depiction of the different dogs. Dogs of all kinds, shapes and sizes were there, including those in doggie wheelchairs and one with two distinctly different colored eyes. What a lovely method to illustrate and introduce physical differences and impairments to children.
Cindi’s Chocolate Valentine is a pleasant, sweet story with appealing, innovative pictures that will be pleasing to both children and adults.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Meet the Author:
Beverley Reichman is a devoted mom, retired elementary school teacher and author. She co-authored her first book, Justice and Honor for My Sister: The Story of Margie Grey in 2018 and published her first children’s book, Kevin Can, in 2019. The second book in her Kevin series, Kevin is a Smart Cookie, and the first book in her popular Cindi the Teenie Chiweenie series were published in 2020. Her delightful and beautifully illustrated Cindi book series include: Cindi’s Chocolate Valentine, Cindi and Sparkles Howl-oween Ghoulfriends and Cindi’s Christmas Kitten Surprise, which earned a 5-Star Readers’ Favorite review.
Beverley teaches, tutors, and mentors children and shares with them her passion for learning, literature, living in faith, and experiencing life to its fullest. Beverley currently resides outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
Discover the importance of accepting others and making new friends! Enlightening and playful, The Three Little Monsters and the Cranky King tells the story of a lonely monster king watches over his land of monsters from a castle high atop a bumpy hill. The little monsters in his kingdom are warned to stay away from him because their parents think he looks too scary. But when three little monsters stray too far from home, they unexpectedly find themselves face-to-face with the king. What they find is a very lonely king, who is really not mean at all.
With lovely and endearing illustrations, this is a book adults will love reading over and over again with their kids as readers learn about making unexpected friends. The Three Little Monsters and the Cranky King is the perfect children’s picture book to read for soccer season, monster month or every day of the year!
The Three Little Monsters and the Cranky King’ heartwarming lesson of friendship will stay with the reader for a lifetime. Book Extras! Audiobook link available! Cute rhyming songs/chants!
You won’t want to miss inspiring your precious little one with this brilliant monster fairy tale! Perfect for ages: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and up
Christmas time is here! Rediscover the true meaning of this holiday using this story based on biblical values such as love and giving.
Join Noah and his father in this fun and heartwarming story of love and compassion. It’s Christmas morning and Noah is playing with his new toys and notices a little boy through the window who is very sad. He then is inspired to do something very special for that little boy. Come along as Noah spreads the joy of Christmas.
This book will:
Captivate your child and teach your kids that Christmas is about a lot more than gifts and toys.
Help them be reminded that Jesus is the reason for the season
Encourage acts of kindness and joy this holiday season
With Jesus I Give is a touching story of Noah, who decides to give his favorite Christmas present to his neighbor’s son. Because they had just moved, the small neighbor boy did not receive a Christmas present.
Noah’s father explained to him how Jesus is God’s greatest gift to us and how His birth exemplifies the true meaning of Christmas. Noah, without realizing it, was a living example of Christ’s admonition to love our neighbors.
The narrative was enjoyable for both my granddaughter and me. There were a few unusual word choices and pairings, but overall, the concept and message delivered were pleasant and nice, neither overwhelming nor too weighty for young children.
The graphics are colorful, vivid and lifelike, which contribute to the story’s attractiveness. Just by looking at the drawing of the unhappy little fellow, you could really empathize and understand he was upset.
The book is intended for youngsters aged 3 to 8. I believe it would also be appealing to younger children. For example, after the first reading, my granddaughter, who isn’t two yet, asked me to “read it again” multiple times and hasn’t grown weary of hearing it.
I received an advance review copy of With Jesus I Give for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“ONE blessing, TWO, THREE blessings, FOUR—Let me keep counting and go seek some more!”
Children are experts at finding delight everywhere they look, even when life gets a little dark. Kitty Counts Her Blessings celebrates that gift—and shares a lesson in counting besides.
As the story begins, Kitty has no trouble counting her blessings, from the sun on her nose to the zing of the bees. But when rain threatens to spoil her fun, finding blessings isn’t so easy. Then she remembers learning hide-and-seek, and suddenly joys are around every corner—and before long, so is her boy, ready to play and count along with her.
This cheerful, rhyming book invites children and the grownups who love them to seek the blessings in their own world.
How many blessings can your little one count today?
Kitty begins her day by waking up and going about her daily routine. She decides to count her blessings today, while she ponders how many blessings she will receive. As the day progresses, Kitty is alternatively excited and dismayed by events as circumstances foil some of her plans.
Kitty Counts Her Blesses by Kat E. Erikson fittingly shows how certain things that seem one way may actually be another as Kitty learns to count her blessings. The story has valuable lessons for children, particularly those who view everything in either black or white. In addition, while Kitty is counting her blessings, children will learn how to count.
The sweet illustrations by Roksolana Panchyshyn will thrill young children. The kitten is loveable and cute. Kitty’s owner is nice, engaging and appealing, and the other animals in the story are charming.
Kitty Counts Her Blessings is aimed at children ages three to seven, but I believe it will also appeal to children of a younger age as well.
I received an advance review copy of Kitty Counts Her Blessings for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Join Us for This Tour: December 7th to December 17th
Book Details:
Book Title: Gingersnap Snatcher by Vicky Weber Category: Children’s Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 32 pages Genre: Children’s Publisher: Trunk Up Books Release date: December 2021 Formats Available for Review: print-softback USA, e-book (PDF) Tour dates: December 7 to December 17 Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.
Book Description:
Abuela made cookies to eat after school. The gingersnap kind, just the thought made us drool! We rushed home excited. We opened the door…The cookies were missing – just CRUMBS on the floor! Can you help the kids crack the case of the GINGERSNAP SNATCHER?
Vicky Weber’s Gingersnap Snatcher was such a fun book for me to read. It was amusing to watch my granddaughter as I read it to her. The cat napping in the tree and the dog snoozing on the couch made her grin and giggle. And it was delightful to watch her excitement when she learned who had taken the cookies!
Gingersnap Snatcher will appeal to youngsters. The pace, rhythm and rhyming characteristics of the tale pique their imagination. The twist near the end, where the children discover the culprit, is perfect as it’s someone no one would suspect!
The illustrator, Svitlana Liuta, has drawn adorable pictures that faithfully follow the narrative. The colors are bright, the three siblings and the animals are endearing, and the adults are not overexaggerated, vapid, vacuous or two-dimensional, as is the case in many preschoolers’ stories.
My granddaughter enjoyed it so much that as soon as I finished reading it the first time, she insisted that I read it again.
At the end of the story, the author has included a fun sing-along. She’s also included a code for getting the gingersnaps recipe. I’m now looking for the best egg substitutes to utilize when making gingersnaps with my granddaughter (who is allergic to eggs). Kid’s books that are interactive or include things like recipes, such as the Gingersnap Snatcher, are among my favorites. I enjoy making and creating things almost as much as my granddaughter. However, she is a LOT more enthusiastic about it than I am.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review
Author Interview
When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?
I’ve always wanted to be an author but never thought it was a possibility. I just assumed it would always be a dream. One day, my husband asked me: “If you could do anything, what would it be?” I told him that I wanted to write picture books. His response? “Let’s figure out how to make it happen.” And that’s exactly what we did. I truly couldn’t have done it without his support.
How long did your first book take from when you started writing to release?
I had my ideas written out for a long time before I started learning the publishing industry. From the time I started researching, editing, and producing my first book, about a year had passed. Now, I have seven children’s picture books, two chapter books under a pen name, and several more books releasing before the end of the year.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned going through the self-publishing process?
When I first started out, I had no idea how much of my time would be spent marketing. Lucky for me…I love that part of being self-published! That isn’t the case for many of the authors I work with. In fact, there are a handful of common mistakes that new authors make at the beginning of their career: doing steps out of order (i.e., not getting the book edited before illustrations), assuming they’ll learn as they go, waiting to market until after the book is released, not having a strategy for release, trying to cut corners, and not researching the industry. I’ve seen it happen all the time which is why I try to help people through coaching, courses, and other resources. Knowledge is power!
Are you an illustrator?
Noooo. Nope. I couldn’t draw a decent stick person if my life depended on it. I’m just an author who has the pleasure of working with some highly talented professionals.
What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
I love to go for walks and spend time with my family. I also love to read and help others learn the publishing industry. That’s why I started an author coaching business!
Meet the Author:
Vicky Weber is a musician and an elementary educator with a love for children’s literature. As a Puerto Rican author of Taíno descent, she strives to create picture books that are fun, engaging, and educational. All her current titles are based on her background in music education or her heritage. While she has taught a variety of grade levels, primary level education is where her passion lies. It has long been a dream of hers to teach children through the magic of books and she hopes you love reading her works as much as she loved writing them.
Love, Singlehood, Relationship, Marriage..........Gists&Facts✔✔✔. Love is such a powerful force yet so beautiful. This site is here so we can discuss matters of the heart and how to deal with them.
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