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Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend by Terri Sabol – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-ReturnOscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I definitely enjoyed reading this story, despite it being a children’s book and only a few pages long, I learned a lot on the subject of trap-and-neuter. The story was effective and gave information in such a way that the reader is able to both follow the story and learn. The situation was explained well in simple terms that even children can understand and follow. The illustrations were cute and helped the reader understand what was going on throughout the story. Though it’s clear this story is part of a series of educational books on the subject of cats, it can be read as a standalone.

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Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Jo Wright

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

As I was reading this book, I kept counting the starfish out loud and really enthusiastically like I was reading it to my little one because I can absolutely see myself reading this to my kids! My boys would absolutely love this book with all of the beautiful colors and wonderful rhymes! I especially loved the last couple of pages with facts and the find the object. I learned a few new facts and I love that my kids will, too!

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@jowright

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend by Terri Sabol – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-ReturnOscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a cute book about Shadow- a black cat that shows up at Oscar and Emmy’s house. They begin to feed her and find she has some hungry kittens too! Mom explains that the TNR (trap, neuter, release) progam will be best for Shadow and her kittens. So they trap them, take them to the vet and then release once the vet says it is okay. Great illustrations and explanations are kid friendly.

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Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscarand Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol – Review by Tonya Merritt

Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A story about pet loss and saying goodbye to a furry friend. Ages 5-11 and kindergarten through grade 5.Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A story about pet loss and saying goodbye to a furry friend. Ages 5-11 and kindergarten through grade 5. by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m definitely crying. Judge me all you want. I just met Shadow in the book before and wasn’t ready to let go myself. I did enjoy this story that is teaching children about euthanasia and how it’s humane. My favorite part is the family not leaving Shadow even though Shadow wasn’t as much of a pet as Oscar and Emmy.

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Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol

😺 .•°*°•. 😸 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 😺 .•°*°•. 😸
Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol
Genre – Kids
Page Count – 43
Cover Designer – Roksana Barwinska

“Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend” is a heartwarming children’s book that explores the bond between a family and their stray cat, Shadow.

As Shadow’s health deteriorates, the family must make a difficult decision about euthanasia.

This beautifully illustrated book teaches empathy and the importance of treating animals with love and dignity. It emphasizes the power of compassion and the bravery it takes to say goodbye to a beloved animal.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol

Terri Sabol is an accomplished children’s book author, renowned for her heartwarming and entertaining stories featuring the real-life adventures of her two beloved rescue kittens, Oscar and Emmy. Born and raised in Texas, Terri developed a love of writing and storytelling at a young age, and always dreamed of one day becoming an author. Thinking that was out of reach, she focused on her other dream… teaching.

After graduating from college with a Masters degree in education, Terri worked as an early childhood teacher, and it was during this time that her passion for picture books truly blossomed. She was inspired by the joy and wonder that children experienced when reading and listening to stories, and it was this love for inspiring young minds that led her to create her own series of children’s books.

Terri’s debut book, “Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued”, was published in 2016, and told the heartwarming story of how she came to adopt her two kittens from the animal shelter where she volunteered. The book was an instant hit with children and parents alike, and it quickly became clear that there was a demand for more stories featuring Oscar and Emmy and to help educate children on the importance being involved in pet care.

Over the years, Terri has continued to write new books in the series, each one capturing the unique personalities and quirks of her two adventurous cats. Her books not only entertain children, but also promote the values of compassion and kindness towards animals, as well as the importance of rescue and adoption.

In addition to her Oscar and Emmy series, Terri has also written several other books showing off her writing skills, including “Green With Envy” and “Kneading a Winning Idea”.

When she’s not writing, Terri can be found spending time with her two rescue kitties, Oscar and Emmy. She also loves travelling and exploring new places and visiting old favorites, all the while taking inspiration for her next book. Through her stories, Terri hopes to inspire children to explore the world around them, to embrace their imaginations, to never give up on their goals, and to always be kind and compassionate towards others, especially animals.

Author Interview with Terri Sabol

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

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Crystal Brehant

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Clearly, this book is “meant” for elementary and middle school aged kids. I however, a full grown woman, thoroughly enjoyed this book. The magic and adventure included in this story is captivating. There are also relateable life experiences too that kids may relate to. My 6yo is at a 4th/5th grade level and I believe we will be adding this to his homeschool reading list! I think he will enjoy it. I hope there are more.

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Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend by Terri Sabol – Review by Crystal Brehant

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-ReturnOscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an adorable and informative story. This is a great story about a stray cat who shows up on Oscar and Emmy’s door step. The kids feed the cat and soon, more show up. As the story contiues on, their mom tells them about TNR. At the end of thte book, there is a very informative, detailed page all about TNR. I read this with my 6yo son and he enjoyed the story and learning about strays.

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Melissa Saxton

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Russel. We meet him as he’s struggling through school, failing exams, his best friend is now his constant bully. He’s been bumped to the basement for his room because his grandpa moved in. His father has a drinking problem. He feels resentful, he feels like he’s failing at everything.
Everyday he is supposed to bring grandpa to the park. Russell finds it silly grandpa wanted to ride the carousel every single day, but he’s about to learn just how special the carousel is!
Grandpa takes him on a journey to another land where Russel can be bold and brave. When they return from their first adventure grandpa has a stroke, leaving Russel to complete adventures
This book is a great read for school age kids with fantasty and real life components such as bullying, struggling at school, etc. So many great messages and I enjoyed the outcomes of the characters

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Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Crystal Brehant

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

This is a very cute book that can help kids learn how to count from one to ten. The illustrations are cute and well done. I love the fun educational tidbits at the end. There is also a cute song that can be downloaded included. Great book to get a child’s attention and to keep it while reading.

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Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Alison Risher

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

This book is a heartbreakingly beautiful story. Parts of it are ripped from today’s headlines. The author gives a nod to various conspiracy theories. The main characters, two siblings along with their cousin, must use a science experiment to help a relative. The ending is happy-ish, with an important lesson about the way life works out sometimes.

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Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Julie Johnson

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

4.5 stars

This is a bit longer than the typical Lois Wickstrom book and is geared more towards ages 7 and up.

In this story, Xenia is living with her mom and brother. Xenia’s mom is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. Her American father died while serving in Iraq before he was able to marry Xenia’s mom. Both Xenia and her brother are legal US citizens.

Having fear for being deported, Xenia’s mom rarely allows the kids to play outside. They also are expected to make great grades but not so good that it would bring unwanted attention to them. When a science fair project arises with a pretty cool reward, Xenia has to be careful with how she presents her project. Before she can turn it in however, her mom is arrested and sent back to Mexico. Xenia and her brother are living with a local lady from a church group and have to try to find a way to spend as much time as they can with their mom.

This book focuses on a great many issues that arise in our country today. This book is sad, yet encouraging. It is written in a way that could explain some of these issues to a youngster, while incorporating some aspects of fantasy to keep it on a lighter note. I also picked up on a few new spanish terms throughout this book.

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Ayla Eddy

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was an amazing adventure story! Reading to the littles before bedtime and they absolutely loved it. So much so that we ended up reading the whole story in one night. The time travel off a carousel ride was a great way to transport the magic. The way Russel struggles with school and home had both my children ready to jump into the book to defend him. Grandpa was an adorable old man. I would highly recommend this book to other middle grade readers. My littles and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. A new bedtime staple in this home!

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Kimberly Filer

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful adventure story for young adults. The main character Russell is relatable and you can’t help but feel everything he’s going through. His father drinks to much, his grades are slipping, he’s responsible for watching his aging grandfather while his mother goes to work. He’s lost his bedroom when his grandfather moved in with the family and now is stuck in the basement where its damp and dreary. Every day Russell must take his grandfather for a ride on the carousel, something which Russell feels is so babyish until that one day when something magical happens. The stories his grandfather used to tell have come to life in this heartwarming tale.

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Paula R Sayers

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This historical time traveling book will be loved by kids!! I am an older adult and enjoyed it immensely. Russell is not happy when his grandfather moves in with his family and things begin to change. Add to that a bully and an abusive drunk father and Russell begins failing at school. But, one day his grandfather shares something magical with him and things begin to change. Such an inspirational book!!

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Tina Vega

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Some of the best books are adventure books especially if they are geared toward a tween who can read and go on adventures they otherwise wouldn’t have. This book is perfectly written for that age group and can compete with some of my kids’ favorites that also involved magic and adventure. In this story, we see a young boy who doesn’t have a great home life but encounters a magical carousel that changes everything. Wonderfully written, really engaging for tweens, and an adventure for anybody. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Trish Ann

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a good book for kids! I would recommend this to my students to read. I found the plot enjoyable and themes relatable for the age group. I picked the book because the cover gave me a nostalgic feel of one of my favorite books as a kid. The allure of magic. The carousel and the grandpa were really good parts of the story for me.

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Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Jennifer Reimer

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

This was a super cute and incredible kid’s story. the story was written nicely, and it all rhymed which really makes for a fun read. the illustrations are super colorful and go very well with the story line. It was perfectly done and kept my kids entertained and interactive and engaged thou the whole story.

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Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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

I read Lilly Tames Her Worries to my 7 year old. It was a little over his head but I think it would be great for my older kiddos. I love that the author found a fun, gentle way to address anxiety in children. As a parent of a kid with anxiety, I think it was great. The 3-3-3 grounding technique is a great one. I have always heard of it was name 5 things, but the concept is the same. My son didn’t know the term heebie jeebies, but once I explained it, he could relate. It would be a good book for teachers to read to their kids for lessons on social emotional learning.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Nicole Thompson

“I Am An Outer Space Alien” by Lois Wickstrom is a charming and imaginative story that encourages young readers to embrace the world beyond their comfort zones. With its vibrant illustrations, the book showcases the value of friendship, emphasizing that differences enrich our connections. In a society where children often feel pressured to conform, this story highlights the beauty of being unique.

The book’s vivid and captivating illustrations bring the narrative to life, appealing to children aged 4 to 8. “I Am An Outer Space Alien” not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons about acceptance and curiosity. It’s a delightful addition to any child’s reading list, sparking both adventure and understanding.

I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tori Mitton

<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54503196-i-am-an-outer-space-alien” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594692890l/54503196._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54503196-i-am-an-outer-space-alien”>I Am An Outer Space Alien</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/331633.Lois_Wickstrom”>Lois Wickstrom</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5779829205″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Shirley believes she is an out space alien. She doesn’t like anything human kids like. Then Eee-ahh lands in the ufo. Her and Shirley become friends and Eee-ahh says she’s not on the right planet. Shirley wants her to stay and play stack rocks everyday.<br />Another amazing cute story!!
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Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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

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Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return by Terri Sabol – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-ReturnOscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oscar and Emmy are two children with two pet cats who they love, but one day another cat appears outside their back door, at first they shoo it away, but it keeps coming back, so they are told by their mother to try feeding it and this is when the cat started interacting with theirs through the window.

When their mother calls the vet for advice, they are told about the Trap-Neuter-Return programme and they decide to help these cats by getting them into the programme.

This is a story which teaches a valuable lesson about caring for animals and how important this is, not just for pets, but for those without a home as well.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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

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

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I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Nina Maes

Great story. Lovely kids’ story, vivid imagination with fun characters. Fast read, great for a read out loud group book. I recommend for all ages, who just like a good story. This is a great author who seems to be able to reach children on their own level.I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien)I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great story. Lovely kids’ story, vivid imagination with fun characters. Fast read, great for a read out loud group book. I recommend for all ages, who just like a good story. This is a great author who seems to be able to reach children on their own level.

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

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.

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

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.

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Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend by Terri Sabol – Review by Anantha Rusum

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-ReturnOscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book covers a topic close to my heart. The story is primarily about the TNR program, which is very informative in handling stray and feral cats. It is a beautiful story about a family which has a lot of stray cats coming to their door step. It is about how they educate themselves about the TNR program and how it comes useful to them. With beautiful illustrations and lot of information, this book acts like a guide to any pet lover. I highly recommend this book.

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I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Santana Hicks

I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien)I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shirl is different from the other kids her age. This is the reason why she thinks she is not an Earthling but an alien instead. She wants to find out what planet she is actually from so she can have like minded friends.

When she radios an alien with an invitation, she is beyond excited when the alien accepts. The alien lands and Shirl notices first that the alien looks different from her so therefore cannot be from her home planet but this doesn’t stop her from befriending the alien.

This book was cute. Shirl seems like a quiet type who typically do not have many friends. She thinks she is too different from the others but when she realizes that her alien friend is different but they can still be friends, maybe she isn’t too different from Earthlings afterall.

I honestly wish this author was around when I was a child. All of their books are well written with many life lessons hidden in the excitement.

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I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Cindy Rushin

I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien)I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. I think it is a good book for those kids who feel they don’t quite fit in with other kids their age. The story flows well and I think many kids will enjoy it. I recommend this book to parents of young children as it might help them feel they are not alone in feeling like they are different.

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I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Kristan Anderson

I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien)I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom is about how Shirley doesn’t believe she is from this planet and how she is different from others. We normally love all books by this author but this one missed the mark with my little. Granted, it seems as though my daughter was too young (she’s three) but we love all their other books with a twist. The illustrations were nice and seemed to catch the attention of my girl. Overall, the story was okay, seemed to be about not fitting in or feeling like you don’t. I didn’t quitel get it though but maybe my imagination was off today. The story is quick and you can definitely “find” a lesson to it. But it wasn’t a favorite of mine. My girl was like what’s an alien? Haha it made for a fun discussion but she wasn’t a true fan of the book.

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