Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved the spirit of this book. It definitely promotes listening to a young child’s ideas and dreams. A young child is pure of heart and enjoys things we grown ups tend to take for granted. Amaleigha’s idea was marvelous and helped the whole community. This book made me look at the possibilities of just one person’s ideas and making them happen.
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I saw a lot of my own daughter in this book. She is like Amaleigha, who likes to explore the seasons. Part of this exploration is going outside without shoes on. She is encouraged by her grandmother who understands Amaleigha. With the assistance of her brother, she builds a park where people can explore barefoot. This book is inspirational because it teaches children the power in believing yourself and illustrates how they should always be working towards achieving their dreams.
Super Enemies by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mira and Carl are a sister and brother duo that are the main characters in this story. The two usually like to pick opposite sides f every activity. When they read comics, Carl wants to be the hero. Mira, however, likes the villains more. So one day when they go to the beach, they decide to play these roles. Carl builds elaborate sandcastles as each time his sister finds different ways to try to destroy his efforts. At the end of the day they discover something new. I didn’t really see it coming ahead of time. I think children working in any type of group could benefit from reading this book.
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
At five years old she’s different than most of the children her age. She likes to be outside in nature. Then she comes up with a big plan, the big idea. So she tells her family and they agree with her it’s a good idea. They start building a park. When community sees what she’s doing they pitch in to help. Then she gets recognized by the mayor. I recommend this children’s book.
Dwarves’ Dilemma, The by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In the kingdom of Aleta, the Queen uses a mirror to help her know if he is treating her subjects fairly. When the mirror reveals a situation where the Queen is not the fairest, Snow White come to help. Will the Queen give up the title of the fairest, or make a decision that favors one party over the other? As always Loos Wickstrom has woven some true science facts into the folktale elements of this short children’s book. The illustrations add a colorful background to the story that will aid the reader to have a better visualization of the story.
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Very cute story. It’s obvious Amaleigha has a love for the outdoors. It was wonderful to see what she did with that love. My 4 year old granddaughter loved having me read this book to her. Definitely recommend this book.
Pardon Me, Please by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Albert is a turkey who lives at a farm. There is a family shopping at the farm and they begin to examine him. Albert uses his physical features to display his emotions as he listens to the family discuss his fate. Albert really likes the talk about the President of the U.S. pardoning his turkey. This is a cute little story that uses personification to possibly introduce a new tradition into the Thanksgiving celebration of American families.
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Amaleigha is full of wonderful and colourful drawings that really brighten the story. It is a book aged for kids 4 – 7 who will be delighted as they go on this adventure with Amaleigha.
Amaleigha is one clever girl and has a passion that she wants to share it with others. There is a message here and it is not just for kids. Adults could use it too.
I read this story to my grandbabies, 5 and 3 ½ and they enjoyed it so much I had to reread it to them several times. It is a great idea for birthday or Christmas presents for your kids or grandbabies.
Jan has proven it is never too late to share your passion.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Dream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a great fantasy read for older children. The author does an amazing job of making fantasy feel like it could be reality. This is a heartwarming story of a young girl and her adventures as she navigates her life however things aren’t that straight forward.
Gwendolyn is a dreamshifter. That means at night she shifts into whatever she dreams about. Normally this isn’t a problem she always wakes up the next morning back in her human form. However, this one night she gets startled awake by the fire alarm in her home and gets stuck as an elk. Now she has to figure out a way to get herself back into a human all the while making sure she keeps safe and away from hunters. Can she stay safe in the form she is stuck in? Will she be able to change back or will she be trapped as an elk forever?
Dwarves’ Dilemma, The by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another really cute children’s book from this wonderful author. I loved how each of her books tackles something different for children and creates talking points for children to discuss different issues. In this books the dwarves have a dilemma and have to think about how to deal with things fairly. This is great for children especially as they often don’t understand this kind of problem.
Again the story was well written and beautifully illustrated.
Dream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have never heard of a dream shifter before. I really loved the idea of it and how the author put it into a book that not only I loved, but I think my ten year old will as well. Gwendolyn is a 12-year dream-shifter. She shifts into the animals that she dreams about. Fun right?! Well each night she prepares for the dreams and normally enjoys them. There is one catch to being a dream shifter though. If you wake up normally on your own you shift back to human. BUT if you get woken up suddenly (like from a fire alarm) you stay shifted! Crazy right?! Lets just say that her parents were shocked the first time it happened. Unfortunately, she learns that if you don’t shift back within a few months you get stuck in the form that you last shifted to!! So, she’s leaping around as an Elk and having fun, when she’s bolted awake from the fire alarm. They forgot to turn off the space heater that they used to make smores indoors. Not only is Gwendolyn stuck as an elk now, but their home burned down. To top off her already horrible night, she learns that it’s almost elk season! Which means she has to find a place to hide! Where do you hide an elk?? She’s stuck as an elk with no knowledge on how to turn back and now she must keep away from hunters! Thankfully she can speak English and she still thinks mostly like a girl. But how do you explain this to people? And who would believe her?! Getting the help from a magician that she’s a little scared of is her last resort, but she must. He gives her access to his magical library which she finds out that her grandmother’s written books are part of! Maybe she can find some answers finally!! He does end up having a book that might help, but for some reason she can’t get near it. Oh odd!! Will Gwendolyn spend the rest of her life as an Elk? Will she get hunted and killed during the season?! Hiding out at the magician’s house, putting on magic shows for kids to pay for room and board is just the start to this fun and interesting book!! I got sucked in and I hope my daughter will as well. I’m excided to share it with her. If you have never heard of a dream-shifter (like me) you are in for a treat!!
Reviewed by @jaimie0459
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a cute children’s story. I loved everything about this book. The illustrations were amazing and went along with the story so well. I loved that the main character loves the backyard and getting out in it. This is an exceptional story to get kids out of the house and into the outdoors. There are some great lessons learned including where to go online for assistance getting a park in your area as well as tips on how to build one. I highly recommend this story for all children, all classrooms, and all libraries.
Amaleigha and the Big Idea by Janice Pratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a great book! My first thought is that it teaches to go for your dreams. She had an idea and ran with it. Barefoot parks, how fun is that. It’s kind of like stopping to smell the roses. A neat idea. I loved the story. What a fun character. It has wonderful illustrations. A really great storytime book for the kids.
.•°*°•. BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE .•°*°•.
Amaleigh is just five but she has big ideas. Spending a lot of time in her backyard forest she decides that she just has to find a way to share all the things she loves with the rest of the world. Find out how Amaleigh, along with the help of family and friends, ends up making a big difference in her community!
Sometimes when you dream, it takes a while for it to become a reality. I have wanted to write books since I was a little girl and fell in love with my home town library. I read books at school, at home, in bed and even in the bathtub. I just couldn’t get enough of far away places, brave heroes and heroines and the experience of getting lost in a new and amazing adventure in each book. Through the years, I became the owner of a preschool, a public librarian, a school librarian and a children’s yoga teacher but no mater what I did I shared stories with children. Finally, at age 62, I have published my first book but I know it won’t be my last. Check out Amaleigha and her big idea!
Dwarves’ Dilemma, The by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The queen always tried to be fair. Citizens would come to her when problems would arise. She would resolve the issues. One day both citizens didn’t seem like they were wrong. It happened for the first time. Then the queen found out she wasn’t fair and was the one at fault. She admitted her wrongs and made it right.
Pardon Me, Please by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Almost everyone eats turkey on Thanksgiving but Albert the turkey hopes that he is not one of the turkey’s that get eaten. When a family picks him out to buy, he tries to communicate with the family and not be their dinner. As the family tries to figure out what they plan to do with Albert he tries to find a way to get them to understand his wishes. This is an interesting way to introduce some dialogue to children about animal welfare and the different things that people eat. It does not push any agenda, but I would find it hard to explain how the turkey that this family is buying turns into dinner to young readers. That may be going a little deep bit there are children who will ask these kinds of questions. It was nice to see how the story involves the whole family making the decision.
Dream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve read a few Lois Wickstrom books with my youngest child and we always love them. Dream Shifter was the first full length novel I’ve read by this author vs the usual younger children stories with illustrations. Dream Shifter was just as imaginative and enjoyable as the books I’ve read before it though! I enjoyed the creative storyline and the characters were fantastic. I actually read this book myself but I feel that my 8 year old would have loved it. I really look forward to reading more from such a creative author.
Pardon Me, Please by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pardon Me, Please was a great book to read with my daughter (6 yr) as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. She enjoyed the book and has had me read it more than once to her since. It’s so important as a parent (or at least this parent) to have a well written story that doesn’t take forever to read at bedtime. Pardon Me was fun and to the point with creative tricks to try to get that pardon.
Pardon Me, Please by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A good short quick kid book. Perfect with Thanksgiving around the corner. Pardon the turkey and take the turkey to turkey park. Taking it to the turkey park because the family isn’t going to eat it. I love this author. Looking forward to reading more books from this author.
Pardon Me, Please by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pardon me, Please was a cute Thanksgiving book. The illustrations are colorful and cute. I read the book to my 7 year old. He enjoyed it and was happy with the decision the family made. After we read the book, my son wanted to look up if the story was true. I had never heard of the president pardoning turkeys, but it seems it’s been going on for decades. It was a creative way to teach young kids about history and traditions. We read up on the start of the tradition. We both learned something new. Cute book for younger elementary school aged kiddos.
Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy
Lucas the Spy Cat by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this cute story. I read this to my almost 5-year-old who is cat obsessed and she loved it. She enjoyed looking at all the beautifully done illustrations and finding the different animals along with Lucas in the pictures. She also thought the activities at the back of the book were cool too.
I think the concept of the story is really cute. When a family pet or neighbourhood pet leaves for the night everyone is always curious about what they do and the idea of putting a camera on them is super cute to find out exactly what they do at night!
This was not my first book by this author, and I have enjoyed her work in the past and knew I wouldn’t be let down by reading another of her books, and I was right.
As a teacher, I will be recommending this book to all of my friends to read to their little ones both in school and at home, and overall highly recommend it.
Dream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fantasy adventure for middle schoolers
A unique fantasy adventure that has shifters, magic, drama and suspense. 12 year old Gwendolyn faces many issues when her Dream Shifting abilities get interrupted and she is stuck as an elk. What is she going to do?
Delivered in a way that is easy to follow, the author weaves a story that is relatable as it is fantastical. There is something for everyone in this book. Highly recommend.
Pardon Me, Please by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is so timely for thanks giving. Albert is a Turkey at a Turkey farm and a family comes to purchase Turkey for Thanks giving. Albert knows from the television that the president has just pardoned a Turkey and wishes that this family pardons him too. He tries to be kind and flaunts his feathers. Then the family come together to vote for a very important consensus , to pardon the turkey or not. This is a very timely book, and I really enjoyed it. The illustrations are bright, vivid and colorful and the message is nicely passed. Hope there are more such books which promote animal love.
Dream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A great book for middle school readers. Gwendolyn is a dream-shifter, she transforms into any animal when she is asleep but turns back into her human form as long as she isn’t startled awake. One night a fire at Gwendolyn’s home startled her and she finds herself stuck being an elk.
The book is well written and I liked it. It has suspense, action, the shape shifting by the main character, and so muck more. I’m looking forward to hearing what my son thinks of the book. I’m sure I would have enjoyed this book when I was in middle school.
Lucas the Spy Cat by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really good book. The illustrations are very bright and vivid. My grandson loved Lucas. He asked so many questions wondering what Lucas did at night time when he was outside. All the different animals Lucas met made the story intriguing to a 3 year old. He was able to follow along. He loved that the girls used a spy camera like superheroes.
Lucas the Spy Cat by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My son says 50 out of 5 stars, it was that good! He really enjoyed the reading but also the interactions at the end. He wants more. It’s an easy read that strikes the imagination.
Dwarves’ Dilemma, The by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cute story with a little twist. Surprise, surprise, the fairest in the land is not actually the fairest. My 5yo son enjoyed this book. He was sad when he found out why the Queen was not the fairest. A nice lesson when we see both the dwarves eyes sparkling. Sometimes in an argument, both people can be right. Another fabulous children’s book by Lois Wickstrom.
Dream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a fun read for middle elementary school agers. I’d say to anyone who is ready to read a chapter book, this one is perfect. It has everything a reader is looking for. Fantasy, magic, journalism, and the most important is the adventure. Gwendolyn is a Dream Shifter so she shifts in her dreams but wakes up as a girl. That is until she is woken in the middle of the night to the fire alarm. Her life changes drastically and now she needs to turn things around. Elk season is here and, well she is an elk. How will she change? Can she change back to the girl she is? No Spoilers. This author has become one of my favorite writers for children’s books. All of her books are fascinating and easy to follow. Her stories never drag on, she keeps the reader reading. Her characters are always fun to read about. They are also easy to relate to. I am looking forward to the next story.
Review@cinful
Dream-Shifter by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Gwendolyn is a middle school aged girl who is a dream shifter. Basically that means that she shifts into what she is dreaming about. A house fire awakes Gwendolyn up abruptly which causes her to wake up in her dream shift, an elk. Not knowing how to shift back into a girl, she tries to maneuver life as an elk during hunting season at that. Feeling like she is constantly in danger, her parents convince her to stay at a magician’s house while he tries to find a cure for her.
Meanwhile her life as a girl is slowly falling apart. No one believes that she is a talking elk. Everyone thinks that it is some elaborate prank being played on them.
This was a nice book for older children, I would say ages 9 to 12 mostly. Gwendolyn had to learn to live her life while difficult situations kept happening to her. She had to overtake some obstacles in her life to go back to normal. All with a fantasy and magical aspect to it making it more engaging for the children.
Lucas the Spy Cat: A Children’s Mystery Adventure with Creativity & Imagination Boosting Activities by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cute little story about a family cat and his adventures at night. I like when children’s books have life lessons in them. My 4 year old granddaughter thought this book was funny and she enjoyed trying to find all the animals at the end. I really liked the extra stuff after the story that I can do with her another time.