We absolutely adore every book we get by this author, and this one was no different! I loved the beautiful illustrations as they added so much more to the story. Rhyming always gets my kiddos into the groove and makes them pay attention, so we enjoyed the rhythmic adventure with Stega. Pooping is a knee-slapping topic in our house and makes everyone giggle their heads off. I would highly recommend having this in your home for your young ones or even in your classroom as a fun, lighthearted book to liven up the school days.
Wow different take in some ways to another famous candy maker. Lois Wickstrom shows that even a master thief that loves candy can always outwit Mr. Bonbon to get her favorite candy. Annabelle loves candy and uses her frilly dresses and socks to steal little pieces until one day a trap ends in her favor. A fun read watching Mr. Bonbon try to outwit her and the old ladies along for the show of what she will do next.
Such a fun and silly little read. Lois Wickstrom has become my husband and I’s favorite children’s book author. Her books are always beautifully illustrated and have a great little story. This one was more on the silly side considering the “don’t do that” situation that made me and the hubs giggle. I always read him the books first before reading them to our boys. But this one was a big hit with all. Giggles all around with conversation around not eating too many different things. As we know it can give you a tummy ache.
Unicorn Don’t Do That is a children’s book told in rhymes about a half unicorn named Stega that gets invited to her friend Benny’s housewarming party. She is worried that she does not have a gift for him, so she fills a bowl full of berries. Stega gets hungry on the way to the party and eats the berries. Now she is feeling bad, but matters get worse when she gets close to Benny’s house and gets a tummy ache. A whimsical story full of bright, colorful illustrations that will certainly make both adults and children alike giggle out loud. The overall moral of the story is about friendship and acceptance.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2024-05-01 10:26:112024-05-16 06:34:59Unicorn, Don’t Do That! by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
Stega is a half unicorn, she lives with her Mum and Dad and she has been invited to a housewarming party by her friend Ben, so on the way she decides to get him a present, so she gets a coconut and fills it with berries, but unfortunately, she is hungry, so she eats them all on the way to Benny’s.
When she arrives with the empty coconut bowl, she unfortunately feels her tummy rumbling and she cannot hold it! What will she do now and what will Benny think of her when she turns up without a present?
This is a funny tale with an unusual storyline which will give anyone who reads it a smile, no matter how old they are.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Roxsanne Lesieurhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRoxsanne Lesieur2024-05-01 05:54:432024-05-16 06:33:33Unicorn, Don’t Do That!: It’s okay if a Unicorn poops on your doorstep by Lois Wickstrom, Ada Konewki – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.
The second book I have gotten for my kids by Lois Wickstrom and I LOVE it! Always the cutest stories and the illustrations on them are beautiful! My oldest (5yrs) loves unicorns so I had to get this one for her and it ended up being such a big hit with both of my girls. It is such an easy read and perfect for kids. This is definitely a silly book that will get your kiddos giggling.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Debshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDebs2024-05-01 05:40:462024-05-16 06:33:11Unicorn, Don’t Do That! by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Deborah Joseph
At the age of nine years old, TINA EDWARDS finds her mother MARY JANE EDWARDS smoking a cigarette, sitting across from her beloved dead father JONATHAN EDWARDS. Tina adored her father, embracing the time he spent with her building fairy villages under the pecan trees in their backyard. Her mother disappears after selling her family home in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains and leaves Tina with her father’s sister, her wheelchair-bound AUNT LIDDY EDWARDS. Tina leaves for college, majors in Art History, and specializes in creating dollhouse-sized replicas of historic rooms in homage to her beloved father. All the while, Tina believes her mother has something to do with her father’s death.
Tina establishes her niche business in the world of miniatures with her best friend NISSA, Tina’s own Jiminy Cricket. When Mary Jane shows up with family secrets after 22 years of absence and dying of lung cancer. Tina reluctantly allows her mother to move in during her treatments and Mary Jane brings along BELLA, her caregiver and companion.
Tina believes she has betrayed the memory of her father and avoids Mary Jane when handsome businessman/restaurateur Mr. JAKE MARTIN hires Tina to replicate the original rooms of his family’s mansion turned B&B. Tina discovers more than the businessman cares to know about his family. Having been fueled by tales from the past, he believes he must accept his lineage, but chooses to ignore it. When Nissa discovers family unknown to Jake and his mother, they find out the stories from the past were unfounded and become reunited with that side of the family, proving that miscommunications passed down through families create unwarranted, painful separations, echoing Tina’s life story.
Because Tina gradually learns the truth about her father’s death, she must let go of all her childhood beliefs and perceptions. Johnathan had a heart attack while informing Mary Jane that he was filling for divorce, moving to DC, and planning on taking Tina with him. Mary Jane was not going to allow Jonathan to take Tina away from Aunt Liddy and threatened to tell the world his secret- that he is the one ultimately responsible for putting Liddy in her wheelchair as well as the death of Tina’s birth father. Tina reels from the news that Jonathan was not her father but her Uncle and Mary Jane, the mother she grew up despising, is not her mother but her aunt who actually sacrificed everything to keep Tina with her rightful birth mother, Liddy. Tina forfeits all her childhood beliefs, the ones she has based every one of her adult choices on, to become as strong as the women who raised her when she realizes the decisions made by her mother, father, and aunt throughout her childhood were all made, and held in secrecy, in the name of love and protection.
Kyle Ann, the author of WHITE PICKET FENCES and NOT SO LITTLE THINGS, writes contemporary women’s fiction that sinks its teeth into families’ miscommunications, misperceptions, and the chaos they cause, even in the name of love. She’s also the creator of Journaling for Fiction Writers and Embrace Your Muse Creative Writing Workshops. She enjoys traveling to visit her 4 children and 7 grandchildren and currently resides in southwest Florida with her husband and Bichon-poo Mia.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/not-so-little-things-jacket.jpeg600480itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2024-05-01 00:04:422024-05-08 08:26:19Not So Little Things Audio Book by Kyle Ann Robertson
Marshmallow Rabbit by Lois Wickstrom is an illustrated children’s story aimed at children ages 4 to 8years. This story gave me some “Tar Baby/Br’er Rabbit” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory/Willy Wonka” vibes, which I liked. The illustrations are cute, colourful, interesting, and engaging, and helped to bring everything to life. Annabelle has been stealing candy from Mr. Bonbon’s candy factory. Every time there is a factory tour, Annabelle is there taking whatever she sets her mind on, becoming bolder with each visit. Mr. Bonbon is determined to teach her a lesson, and so creates a giant, sticky, marshmallow rabbit that he hopes Annabelle will not be able to resist. What happens when Annabelle grabs the sticky rabbit to take home with her? Well, you can probably guess- but no spoilers from me- so you’ll just have to read the story to find out what happens here. I really wanted to ‘enjoy’ this story- and would have liked to have read it to my grandchildren- BUT, I hated the way the story ended and really feel that the ‘message’ in this book is wrong, and would be misconstrued. I feel like Annabelle got away with very bad behaviour— rewarded even— and that’s not a message I want any child to learn. Stealing is NOT ok, and shouldn’t be rewarded. Especially since this is not a ‘one-off’ occurrence, or out of necessity (due to homelessness/starving etc), or even that Annabelle learned her lesson and turned over a ‘new leaf’— nope— instead, this was just an entitled child thinking they could do whatever they liked, and get away with it, and the got rewarded on top of it all—- plus thinking she ‘got-one-over’ on Mr. Bonbon, too. Well, that’s how I say it anyway. But maybe you might view it differently… Happy Reading…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2024-04-30 23:35:522024-05-16 06:29:02Marshmallow Rabbit by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Hayes
This was a nice illustrated book about a tough subject. I like how Loris was able to share with his new foster family his feelings. The tale was tough but ended in a happily ever after for all the characters!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Brandy Vaughnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBrandy Vaughn2024-04-30 22:52:162024-05-16 06:28:42Loris Opens Up His Heart (Courage Tales Series) by Dagmara Sitek – Review by Brandy Vaughn
Very cute rhyming structure. Sure to get the kids listening and following along. The bright colorful illustrations are going to be a wonderful hit to children of all ages. Great theme about peanut butter sandwiches.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kelli Harperhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKelli Harper2024-04-30 21:51:412024-05-16 06:28:22Meal Time at the Zoo: PB&J Café by James Williamson – Review by Kelli Harper
I love the illustrations and the rhyming, I am just not sure about the content. Kids all think poop is funny but to me it’s not. Love that the main character is mixed race, love that there is a bully but the other kids stand up to the bully and include Stega anyway. Very colorful and I am sure kids will love it.
Marshmallow Rabbit by Lois Wickstrom is a fun and imaginative story with colorful illustrations that bring the story to life. This is one of my favorites from this author and I know my great nieces and great nephew enjoy this story as well….full of fun.
Mr. Bonbon, the local candy maker, is trying to prevent Annabelle from stealing any more candy from his factory tours…and comes up with a plan. Mr. Bonbon is trying to teach Annabelle from lesson of not to steal and take things. His plan comes to light….but does it work….or will Annabelle continue her ways…
This is a very fun read….for the young and the young at heart.
Unicorn, Don’t Do That is a cute and colourful fantasy friendship story told in rhyme. As with most of Lios Wickstrom’s stories, there is a moral about friendship and acceptance. Stega is a unicorn/stegosaurus hybrid who has been invited to her friend’s party. Unfortunately, she isn’t very crafty, so she decides to bring along a bowl full of food from the forest. The food smells so good and tastes even better, which leads to an empty bowl and unfortunate consequences at an inopportune time! How embarrassing! I think 4-8 year olds would love this story – what kid doesn’t love a poop story?! I found that some of the sentences were awkward to read as they were made to rhyme, but overall it was an easy read.
Oscar and Emmy’s family have started to volunteer at their local animal shelter where they read to the residents there who are waiting to be adopted.
One day, they bring some tiny kittens’ home with them, and Oscar and Emmy immediately lend a hand by helping them to settle into home life and treat these temporary residents like family, or at least until they are adopted by another family.
This is a lovely book about how to start looking at fostering young kittens, what goes into looking after them and the responsibilities involved, and it is done in an easy-to-understand way which everyone can learn from.
I really enjoyed this book. I am always looking for new storybooks for my grandchildren, this one hit all the must haves for a good childrens book. The illustrations are beautiful and the story moved right along. Liked the interesting facts about animals eating habits! Will be passing this book around to parents and grandparents that are looking for a good wholesome read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Karole Pettyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKarole Petty2024-04-30 13:28:502024-05-14 15:07:03Loris Opens Up His Heart (Courage Tales Series) by Dagmara Sitek – Review by Karole Petty
I really enjoyed this book. I am always looking for new storybooks for my grandchildren, this one hit all the must haves for a good childrens book. The illustrations are beautiful and the story moved right along. Liked the interesting facts about animals eating habits! Will be passing this book around to parents and grandparents that are looking for a good wholesome read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Karole Pettyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKarole Petty2024-04-30 12:46:592024-05-14 15:06:58Meal Time at the Zoo: PB&J Café by James Williamson – Review by Karole Petty
This is a very emotional read! This is a book that I would STRONGLY recommend reading with your youngster, at least the first time they read it. It’s a story that really needs to be told but is highly emotional as previously mentioned.
Loris is in foster care and this books focuses on the emotions that he goes through with each move he has to make. It takes a lot of courage to be Loris but there are so many of them out there! It’s important to have conversations with kids reading this story to explore their emotions and feelings after hearing Loris’s plight.
The illustrations in this story are very colorful and really add to the story more. To see Loris’s transformation is pretty cool.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2024-04-29 21:22:582024-05-14 15:12:15Loris Opens Up His Heart (Courage Tales Series) by Dagmara Sitek – Review by Julie Johnson
This book right here was short and sweet. It was a great laugh but also a good lesson learned. My daughter loved it. This author has yet to disappoint on a book. Great book to read to your kid at bedtime.
Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens by Terri Sabol is part of the Oscar and Emmy Series. This was the first book I have ever read in this series. It is so cute and educational. We follow Charlie and Abby twin siblings who love their cats Oscar and Emmy. The family decides to foster baby kittens. The story is so cute and heartwarming. It also helps explains to kids in an easy-to-understand way the responsibilities that go into fostering an animal. While also showing how rewarding it can be. This is a great read for young children. Especially to help them understand the concept of fostering. The illustrations were also really cute. This is a 5 out of 5 stars for me!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Victoria McQuigghttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngVictoria McQuigg2024-04-29 21:12:352024-05-14 15:11:56Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens by Terri Sabol-Review by Victoria McQuigg
This is a really cute children’s book that follows a monkey maître d’ as they serve different types of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the animals in the zoo. It’s a rhyming book so it is very catchy and sing-songy. The illustrations are amazing and go along so well with the words on the page. The colors are nice and bright and will catch the eye of any kiddo. It’s funny and will have kids laughing at how the different animals like their PB&J’s and it may even have them saying “EWWW!” a few times too. This is a great children’s book to add to your rotation.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Megan Kimleyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMegan Kimley2024-04-29 20:02:142024-05-14 15:11:49Meal Time at the Zoo: PB&J Café by James Williamson – Review by Megan Conley
I have loved all of the books in this series, but this one may just be my favorite! I read it with my 8-year-old and 12-year-old kiddos who also loved it. I feel like the author does an amazing job explaining the process of fostering animals and not just including only the fun parts. We always love the illustrations and these beautiful pictures fit in well with the rest of the series. It promotes reducing the crowds in animal shelters and explains how much fostering benefits everyone involved! I highly recommend picking up this lighthearted but incredibly educational book on fostering kitties. It would be a wonderful fit for your home or your classroom!
This book is a fantastic and fun children’s story, and is one that is entertaining from start to finish. It is a completely engaging story that really caught my kids attention right from the word go. They loved the idea of getting stuck to a giant sweet and really found it funny that this happened to the character. This author really knows how to write brilliant children’s books. They are a firm favourite in our house and with each book we just love her even more. This book has been added to the collection of ones we will read multiple times (and already have) and I am sure it will be joined by many from this author.
Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens Is part of the Oscar and Emmy series. It is designed for children between the ages of 5 and 10 years of age. Twins Charlie and Abby have discussed with their mom the opportunity of fostering animals while they volunteer at an animal shelter. When they get the chance to foster three kittens, they learn both the joys and responsibilities of fostering animals. The children learn about responsibility, compassion, and nurturing not just a kitten, but this could be applied to all pets. As with all the books in this series, the author does an amazing job of teaching children about the responsibilities of pet ownership. The bright colorful illustrations really help to bring the story to life.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2024-04-29 10:37:292024-05-14 15:01:22Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
I really liked the artwork in this book. Poor Mr. Bonbon, trying to figure out how to get Annabelle from stealing candy. I have to say Annabelle gets what she deserves with the marshmallow bunny, although in the end she tricks Mr. Bonbon. I like that he doesn’t get angry with her in the end, just kind of resigned to the fact that he will have to figure out how to stop her in the future.
“…Whether you’re as big as a bear or small as a shrew there’s surely a sandwich made just right for you…“
Mealtime At the Zoo: PB & J Café is a really cute and fun, children’s illustrated story by James Williamson. My grandson and I had lots of fun following James the monkey as he delivered lunch to all the animals at the zoo. The specialty of the day- PB & J sandwiches all made to order- served just the way the animals liked- some even with ‘special’ ingredients added to suit the individual animals. The story is accompanied by lots of lovely, bright, colourful, interesting, and captivating illustrations — which brought the whole story to life. It is a charming little adventure – told in a rhyming verse that adds a fun tempo, as well as an extra element of interest to the whole story. We look forward to reading more of Mr. Williamson’s stories again, soon. Happy Reading…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2024-04-28 23:49:162024-05-14 15:05:56Mealtime at the Zoo: PB&J Café by James Williamson – Review by Angela Hayes
Cute and informative book! Charlie and Abby volunteered at the shelter, reading to cats. After their first day, they talked to mom about fostering cats, after explaining to the twins what it would entail they agreed to do it. The kids took care of 4 day old kittens with the help of their Cats Oscar and Emmy for the next 12 weeks feeding them, teaching them how to use the litter box, etc…. At 12 weeks, they started interviewing families and got to choose which families take them home. It would be a perfect book to read to kiddos and explain how fostering works out. It’s definitely a great book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Andrea Salazarhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAndrea Salazar2024-04-28 17:08:152024-05-14 14:57:39Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol – Review by Andrea Lopez Salazar
This is a great book for kids and the responsibility of caring for foster pets. A family takes on three young kittens that must be bottle fed and need a lot of care. Oscar and Emmy, who were rescued themselves, nurture the young kittens and help them develop as they grow.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Terri Jo McAllisterhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTerri Jo McAllister2024-04-28 17:04:212024-05-14 14:57:30Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol – Review by Terri Jo McAllister
Marshmallow Rabbit by Lois Wickstrom. This is such a good children’s read and this author is my absolute favorite children’s author. Her books are always fun, imaginative and always teach a lesson. This is aimed at Kindergarten thru 3rd grade. It’s the story of Annabelle who loves candy especially chocolate and she has learned that if she tours the chocolate factory every time she can she can sneak chocolate. Free candy, you can’t beat that except for Mr. Bonbon is onto Annabelle and is determined to catch her and teach her a lesson. Mr. Bonbon decides to create a huge chocolate marshmallow rabbit to try to lure her into trying to take it. Will she take the bait? This is such a cute story that would make a great read for the children in your life. It would also make a great gift for families or teachers for their class!
This was a fun read with great characters. I believe this author has found her calling. Imagination in full force every time. Love how very book will draw you in to the adventure that waits. Highly recommend this author and books for a classroom or personal library. Great for all ages.
This was a fun read with great characters. I believe this author has found her calling. Imagination in full force every time. Love how very book will draw you in to the adventure that waits. Highly recommend this author and books for a classroom or personal library. Great for all ages.
5 Stars Loris Opens Up His Heart (Courage Tales Series) by Dagmara Sitek
Loris Opens Up His Heart is part of the Courage Tales Series. This is a heartwarming children’s book about courage and compassion. It’s about the heartache of feeling not wanted and being shuffled from foster home to foster home. My brother and sister in law are foster parents and they’ve had several children who came into their home broken. A little love and showing compassion goes a long way. My son and I loved reading this book and we definitely had strong emotions for Loris and all he’s been through. I highly recommend reading this book. This is a newer author to us but they’ve definitely gotten new fans with us.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dawn Daughenbaughhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDawn Daughenbaugh2024-04-28 15:53:282024-05-14 14:56:53Loris Opens Up His Heart (Courage Tales Series) by Dagmara Sitek – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh
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