Posts

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lilly is a young girls who has a best friend called Hun Bun, it is her childhood toy and has been everywhere and done everything with Lilly and Hun Bun helps her when she gets worried and the heebie jeebies start, but one day she is in such a rush to go to school that she forgets Hun Bun.

She realises that she can’t go home and get him, but she worries that she won’t be able to get rid of her heebie jeebies and the feelings that make her heart pound and her pals sweat, but tries her best on the bus ride to keep calm, but when she is in the classroom she asks to leave because she doesn’t feel well and so she goes to see the school nurse who it turns out has a lot to teach her.

Will Lilly be able to learn how to control her heebie jeebies without Hun Bun, or will they win? This is a book all about learning to control your own heebie jeebies, or worries without your favourite security item and is done in a very charming and informative way which is easy to learn for all ages.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

View all my reviews

Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Manda Kelly

/0 Comments/in /by

Xenia Navarro and the Magic AntsXenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lois and Darling did an amazing job with this story. I don’t think I’ve ever read a children’s book that dealt with politics and did it so wonderfully. It was magical, it was cultural. It was amazing. I have become a fan of Lois’ books. I read them to my 3 yr old nephew. I didn’t read him this one, as it was a bit longer than he would sit still for. I would definitely suggest this for ages 7 and up.

Review By: Manda Kelly

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Anantha Rusum

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a pretty neat book for coping with anxiety and worries, not only for children but for adults as well. The author has come up with such a clever and simple story that we cannot help being in awe with it. Lily forgets her best pal, Hun Bun, her stuffed bunny, at home. Hun bun has always been with her and helps her get through any anxiety or stress. On the day Hun Bun is not there, Lily gets anxious. Her heart beats faster and her belly does flip flops. She goes to the school nurse who teaches her breathing exercises. She also teaches Lily to ask herself the reason for her anxiety.

It is a meaningful book with colorful illustrations. We all will gain something reading this book.

View all my reviews

Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Santana Hicks

/0 Comments/in /by

Xenia Navarro and the Magic AntsXenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Xenia is used to playing alone in her yard. With her mother being an illegal immigrant, she was taught to not cause trouble and to stay out of the spotlight. One day, while exploring her yard, she comes across a weird group of ants. She follows them to the garbage and watches them try to steal food. Next thing she knows a mouse appears and tries to steal the food. Xenia felt bad for the ants and tried scaring the mouse enough to drop the food. Something unexpected happened instead. The mouse turned into hundreds of ants. Xenia then decides to study them more. She has a science project she needs to do and she thinks she just found her topic.

The next day, her world is turned upside down. ICE took her mother and Xenia and her brother are left to pick up the pieces at home. She is scared that her mother will be deported and they will never see each other again. She tries to stay optimistic by focusing on the magic ants, while all hoping to be reunited with her mother.

This book was unexpected. I have read Lois Wickstrom’s stories before but this one was very different from her normal style. The book delved into some serious topics about immigrants and how they are treated. There was also a lot of Mexican culture and language mixed in with a hint of magic. The book is definitely geared towards older children but the authors did a great job at explaining the difficult topics.I was rooting for the family to be reunited. I also like that this topic was written but I could not fully enjoy the story to be honest. It felt rushed. I feel like there should have been more to the story.

View all my reviews

Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Jenni Bishop

/0 Comments/in /by

Xenia Navarro and the Magic AntsXenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lois writes children’s books with a wide range of topics and cleverly creates tales that are easily imagined with the beautiful pictures shown. In this story she has thrown in some science fiction elements that makes the story just a little bit more exciting.
Xenia and the Magic Ants is a bit of a sad story and is a controversial political story addressing deportation. It is confusing for adults let alone children and Lois does a good job of explaining this in terms that a child would understand.
Xenia Navarro has never been so scared when her Mexican mother gets arrested and is about to be deported but hopes they will all be together again soon.
Read along with Xenia to find out what happens to her family.

Reviewed by @jennadb

View all my reviews

Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Megan Conley

/0 Comments/in /by

Xenia Navarro and the Magic AntsXenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An absolutely fascinating read for children and adults alike! This is a chapter book for those of you who are used to Wickstrom’s picture books, but don’t despair…her wit and storytelling is just as present here. I will say that Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants does have political undertones and Wickstrom and Darling handle them wonderfully so that children can understand right from wrong. I really enjoyed this read and was emotionally invested in Xenia’s journey and the twists and turns it takes. There is magic, politics (wonderfully done), Mexican culture, and so much more weaved throughout this story.

Reviewed by @meggs1717

View all my reviews

Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Tausha Treadway

/0 Comments/in /by

Ten Little Starfish: A Counting BookTen Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann. This was such a fun book for ages 1-5. Its a great book for learning to count but also just a fun book to read. Its about little starfish that glow all different colors along the ocean beach and you can have your kids pick out the different colors and count how many there are.There are numerous ways throughout the book that you can put your counting skills to use and soon your little one will be a counting champ. Such a great book with pretty, vivid pictures and such a good learning opportunity. I highly recommend this book fo the little one in your life. Also would make a great gift!

View all my reviews

Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Katie Matthews

/0 Comments/in /by

Ten Little Starfish: A Counting BookTen Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such an adorable book. I read it with my 3-year-old and he loved it. He loves numbers so I knew this book would be a winner. The illustrations were so colourful and engaging he loved looking at them and finding things within the picture. The writing is beautiful, so easy to read and engaging for my little boy because of the rhyming words.
This book was definitely a 5-star winner in this house and one I would highly recommend to young children who are starting out on their counting and learning numbers journey!

@katiem
View all my reviews

Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3Qtq3Av
#ontour #ItsyBitsyBookBits #ItsyBitsyBookBitsTours #ItsyBitsyBookBitsPromotions #BookSpotlightShowcase #XeniaNavarroandtheMagicAnts #LoisWickstrom #MilagrosDarling #Kids #Family #Middlegrade #Hispanic #fantasy #immigration
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 158
Cover Designer – Dreaming Big Publications

Xenia and the Magic Ants could have been ripped from this week’s headlines. American sixth grader, Xenia Navarro lives with her Mexican mother, an undocumented resident, and her older brother Lucas in Pennsylvania. Her American father was killed while on duty in Iraq before marrying Xenia’s mother. Now their mother has been arrested and is about to be deported. Family drama becomes American politics, mixed with science fiction elements.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading for Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling

Lois is a former science teacher. She has written a series of science-based folktales.  In each modernized tale, the protagonist achieves a better ending because of learning scientific principles. Lois likes to garden, ride her bike with her husband, cook, and she votes in every election.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ BOOKBUB ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ GOODREADS ~ YOUTUBE ~ NEWSLETTER ~

~ WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAM~ FACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK ~

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Angela Renee Diaz

/0 Comments/in /by

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really related to this book. My stepmother had my brother when I was 17. And everyone always assumed he was my baby when he wasn’t. Claire really steps up in this book when her mom can’t handle it. She ends up being her brothers primary caregiver.

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Christina Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful story about anxiety that offers kids tools to handle anxiety immediately. I think more adults should read this, too

View all my reviews

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by M Policicchio

/0 Comments/in /by

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wonderful tale of strength and resilience! Claire has the power and strength of giants.

Claire’s life was turned upside down when her mother announced she was pregnant after a one-night stand. As Claire’s mother’s depression increased during the pregnancy and deepened after Harry was born, Claire took an ever increasing parental role for Harry and her mother.

As Claire’s senior year of high school begins, things are only getting worse. Add a new guy that eyes for Claire despite her efforts to turn those eyes to her best friend. Claire’s uncle is threatening to take Harry. Claire has to make some hard decisions about what she wants for her life and the future.

Unorthodox solutions to Claire’s problems present themselves. Claire decides that these choices are the only way to save her family which means that Harry isn’t going anywhere. As Claire is two steps from following through on her unorthodox solutions, another way presents itself. Although this new way is hard for Claire to swallow, she determines it is the better option.

Claire found the inner strength to protect the family she wanted, even if it meant that she went to extreme measures to get it. I don’t want to reveal too much but the way Claire was able to repair the relationship with her mom was beautiful. Sure, it will still require work to get back to the way it was but any steps forward are good.

Worth the read. Take the time to get to know Claire and Harry.

View all my reviews

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Jo Wright

/0 Comments/in /by

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nyman had me hooked from the very first chapter! I flew through this book trying to figure out what was going to happen with this adorable little guy, Harry. Taking on the challenge of not only trying to raise a child, but also become her own mother’s guardian while also trying to make it through the final year of school to make sure that her brother is safe and loved is the most pure form of love. I was shocked when I finally got to learn a little more about Harry’s father: it was such a surprising twist!

View all my reviews

@jowright

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Katie Kearney

/0 Comments/in /by

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story took me by surprise a bit. This story will truly have you on a wide spectrum of emotions while the main character Claire deals with some heavy stuff. But Claire is an amazing main character and I instantly felt the connection she brought to the storyline. This is my first time reading this author and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. This author knows how to get you so draw into a story that the real world disappears. I felt every emotion written into this story so easily. It’s well written with great characters. Five stars all the way and highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Jessie Hopkins

/0 Comments/in /by

As annoying as it can be to be mistaken for his Mom and to have to give up the summer before her senior year, Claire loves Harry and will protect their bond at all costs. Her mom is just not acting like she should and hasn’t ever since she had Harry. But it could be mostly because her brother Pat, is evil.
Hoping that the new guy in school, Chad and her best friend, Mads, don’t make her pick between them Claire is really trying to find her way and help her family. She has enough going on and really needs good supportive friends.

This book is definitely a “hold your attention, page turner” as you become invested in Claire’s story. You can’t help but become one of her cheerleaders through all the things being thrown her direction.

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Betsy Melano

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great story for young children to learn how to redirect their fears or nervousness. Lily usually has Hun Bun, her stuffed rabbit friend she’s had all her life. When she forgets Hun Bun at home one day, she is scared and wants to go home. But the lovely nurse at school teaches Lilly a breathing technique to change what your mind is thinking.
It’s a very nice book and gives suggestions for keeping yourself from getting that nervous tummy ache when things don’t go as planned.
I think it would be helpful for kids of any age but especially kids in elementary to read.

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I was a little girl, I had a blankie that I took around with me. So did my youngest son. Lilly has a bunny. These are soothing items that have special powers to help us when we are anxious or scared. Lilly accidently forgets her bunny and when she gets to school she is full of anxiety. The school nurse helps her to learn some techniques she can use when she feels anxious. The story explains where the anxious feelings come from. This would be a great book to get if your child is anxious and needs to understand where those feelings come from.

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Crystal Brehant

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great story with great life lessons. I read this with my 6 year old son and we both enjoyed the story. He really seemed to learn about how to tame worries. He learned that sometimes being nervous and excited can feel like the same thing. The illustrations were also great!

View all my reviews

Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Elisha Johnson

/0 Comments/in /by

Ten Little Starfish: A Counting BookTen Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann- 5 out of 5 stars

So cute! This adorable book is full of colorful images that attract little ones to the pages. I love how this book is both educational and fun. As a parent I appreciate the sing-song rhythms because my children absorb information easier when the books are not boring. This book is anything but. I highly recommend this book for even the littlest of readers.

Review by @elishajohnson

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Elisha Johnson

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lilly tames her worries by Carole Heaney- 5 out of 5 stars

I loved this book! My own daughter has anxiety and sometimes it can be really hard for her to calm down. Lilly learns to cope with her anxiety throughout this book and I found it to be informative. I love how easy the book is to read and how educational it was. I definitely recommend reading this book.

Reviewed by @elishajohnson

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Star’s
Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney

Lilly Tames Her Worries is a children’s book that children of any age can enjoy. This is a wonderfully written story that teaches children how to handle different situations that may cause anxieties and how to deal with them. The illustrations are colorful and bring the story to life. We are learning how to manage our emotions and this book was a big help. My five year old son has a blankey he takes with him everywhere. The thing is raggedy and I have to sneak to wash it. He says but mom I can’t go to sleep without it. So he related to Lilly and he kept saying as I was reading that it would be ok lilly. He was being encouraging to her and I think he took away more than he realizes. Follow along with Lilly as she learns how to deal with the “heebie- jeebies”. I highly recommend reading this book and we look forward to reading more from this Author.,

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Christine Baranek

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lilly Tames Her Worries
By: Carole Heaney

This is such a sweet story. It would be perfect for a little one who is facing anxiety regarding anything. In this story Lilly forgets her stuffed rabbit, however, I could see this for a child who is suffering from separation anxiety, or who is beginning school for the first time. I like how this book takes the time to explain the physical symptoms that accompany anxiety and show how Lilly learns to face her anxiety.
As an educator, I am always looking for books that focus on social emotional skills, this book is an amazing one that I will be adding to my repertoire. I am frequently recommending to parents books that might help with something their student is struggling with. I definitely recommend this book to all parents!

View all my reviews

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Ashley Westerman

/0 Comments/in /by

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book; a lot more than I thought I would. I really struggled with putting it down for adult responsibilities. This touched on so many emotions and you could feel them coming through the pages. I can’t wait to check out what else this author has to offer us. The writing is excellent, and you feel as you are there watching it all happen. I highly recommend it.

View all my reviews

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Devon Pulliam

/0 Comments/in /by

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book took me by surprise in the best way. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I am not disappointed.

Claire is going into her Senior year of high school, but is struggling because her home life is not ideal. Her mom gave birth a few months ago and has been struggling since before giving birth. It got worse after birth. Claire stepped up and has been the adult in the house.

Her plans for college though are falling out of reach when she finds out her mom has spent her college fund on her baby brother’s daycare. Little does Claire know the twists that are about to unfold when her mom is suddenly put in the hospital for some treatment.

Claire meets a fellow Senior, Chad, just as school is starting back and he becomes her lifeline. ALong with her longtime friend Madison. He gives Claire a proposition that will help her and her mom out but will she take it?

I read this book in a day. I just could not put it down. I could see this as a movie. I’m sure we all know someone that basically has lived a similar story to this.

View all my reviews

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Manda Kelly

/0 Comments/in /by

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Claire. Her strength and loyalty throughout everything is nothing if not awe inspiring this story was so well told. I felt what Claire was feeling and going through. The author captured the raw emotions enough to help the reader truly feel what Claire was feeling. I cannot recommend this book enough! I absolutely can’t wait to read more from this author.

Review by Manda Kelly

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I chose this book in mind of my kids going back to school this week. Children often have emotions that affect their bodies and many times they don’t know how to manage any of it. This book helps kids understand why it is happening and it offers a couple of solutions to help navigate those feelings. In this book the main character Lilly forgets her favorite stuffed rabbit at home. She uses this stuffed rabbit as a support stuffy. When she gets those pesky heebie-jeebies she would normally rub her rabbit’s ear, but because she forgot it at home she can’t. Once at school she sees the nurse who helps her with a breathing exercise that calms her down. A new friend at recess also shows her another way to help with belly butterflies. Throughout the book Lilly learns many things about her emotions and how they make her body feel. I would defiantly recommend this book to kids! My youngest daughter is eight, but I would say reading this to younger kids would be great as well. They younger they learn about their emotions and how they can affect your body the better. The illustrations are also wonderful! You can see the heebi-jeebies floating around her throughout the book. I can’t wait to read more from this author with my kids!

View all my reviews

@jaimie0459

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Katie Matthews

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a cute read and one that would definitely be a great addition to any child’s library both at home and school. The story was easy to follow and was beautifully illustrated. With some many children unfortunately displaying signs of anxiety this would be a great story to read with them about how to cope with their feelings especially as it is explained so well through the character of Lilly and how she deals with things that come up in her life. There are some lovely, simple activities for children to try.
A lovely read and I highly recommend it.

@katiem
View all my reviews

Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Daryian Lucas

/0 Comments/in /by

Ten Little Starfish: A Counting BookTen Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5/5 Stars
This is such a cute, fun read! The illustrations are perfect for keeping the attention of younger readers. It’s very catchy with the way it’s written as well. Definitely recommend it be added to your reading rotation for your kid(s)!

View all my reviews

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Trista Martin

/0 Comments/in /by

Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this YA book. Claire goes from excelling in high school with big plans for her future to stepping up and being the primary caregiver for her baby brother while her mom continues to seek deeper into depression. She is strong and values her family, and she keeps them together no matter who and what she has to step up to. The pacing and character development were excellent throughout the book; my only complaint was that I felt like it just ended with out any closure. I do look forward to reading more by this talented author.

View all my reviews

Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Carrie Reed

/0 Comments/in /by

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful book! I love that this touches on anxiety, especially in children. There is nothing to be ashamed of in having anxiety, but learning of ways to help yourself fight through it and cope is amazing. I love the square breathing technique and think I will actually try it out myself whenever I start feeling anxious. It is nice to see that Lilly uses her newly learned techniques while outside of her house to handle her heebie jeebies, but can still hang onto Hun Bun as her lifeline at home. The artwork in this book is so cute, Lilly’s sad face made me want to cry too.

View all my reviews