Oliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My daughter has a new love for reading and this brought up a great conversation about how every family is different. This book as usual with this author, was done so well, the illustrations were bright and eye catching. WIll be getting this book to add to our library shelve here at home.
Ballet School Rumours by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a fun, paranormal adventure Lauren goes on to figure out who started the rumour about the ghosts. An entertaining romp for the young readers that will entertain them with an easy to read story and enjoyable characters. Laurent’s best friends are ghosts. Can she save them in time? It’s a quick read with positive tone. I enjoyed it and I’m sure my granddaughters will also. I’d recommend it.
Ballet School Rumours by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ballet School Rumours is a fun paranormal fantasy tale and the third book in the series. It is aimed at young readers and early teens 8 – 13-year-olds. Eleanors passion comes from her own experiences with ballet and shines through in her words. Lauren, Grace and Rodney are back at Amberwood and on their next mysterious adventure. It is an engaging story with heart-warming characters.
It is a sweet tale of ghosts and friendships. A gossip column, sinister whispers and a ghost hunt could quickly derail it all. It could turn friends into enemies and broken dreams.
If you love ballet and ghostly adventures you will enjoy this.
Reviewed by @jennadb
.•°*°•. BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE .•°*°•.
My school life was spent in a girls’ boarding-school specialising in classical ballet and on leaving I danced professionally, touring Europe, for 4 years. After that I ran my own ballet school in Athens, Greece and simultaneously volunteered as a veterinary nurse, as my love of animals is the driving force in my life. I returned to England with my horse and my cat, and now live on a smallholding in Shropshire with various farm animals and a constant stream of pets.
I started writing while in Greece and completed a Creative Writing Course with the Writers’ Bureau. The same year, I won an annual competition in the Writing Magazine for an adult Fairy Story.
On my return to England, I wrote two children’s books, but my new life, caring for Highland Cattle, sheep, hens and pets, coupled with extensive global travel, meant that writing for publication took a back seat. I continued my love of writing with a daily journal and amusing travel blogs of each trip.
I am now writing full time and working on two series: TALLY AND THE ANGEL and THE AMBERWOOD HALL BALLET SCHOOL.
My first published novel, THE GRACEFUL GHOST, part of the Amberwood Hall Series, draws on my own experiences in ballet-boarding-school and my early teenage life and is a story that has lived with me for many years. It was shortlisted for the UK Selfies Award 2021.
Jake the Growling Dog Goes to Doggy Daycare by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This new “Jake” story takes us to this dog’s next adventure to a doggy daycare. Before he is to go to this doggy daycare, this new, foreign place already has given him some anxiety about its new experiences. But with some great support and a boost of positivity, this helps him make it through this new adventure. New experiences can all impact us with an uncertainty of what may come but the great best experiences come with understanding and help along the way!
The author does such a fantastic job, not only in telling of Jake’s new experience, but also in includes a vast amount of resources and guides for children to follow to understand the values expressed in Jake’s story. Children tend to go through many transitions in their young lives that bring about fear and worry. A story, such as this one, helps them navigate to their feelings as well as equipping their caregivers with adequate tools to help them through their journey. Very enjoyable read for all!
Jake the Growling Dog by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As the author introduces us to Jake, the growling dog, we learn of his fun, adventurous nature exploring the Pacific Northwest forest and his continuous growling. Although for most, growling may sound intimidating and withdrawn from dogs, it is a tendency of Jake’s to growl in all the things that he does, such as sleeping, playing, being scratched, etc. When being asked why he growls for everything, a simple response from Jake is that he is as happy as can be. Not all actions and/or sounds can be negative but instead of the upside of happiness connotation instead.
This children’s book teaches so many vital lessons, such as thankfulness and kindness, that show and demonstrate its value. Shannon shares such insightful activities and resources in addition to the story, to help parents and educators, how important it is teaching, reminding, and following through these actions. In the world these children are going up in, these reminders from children’s books express these ways in actions that do carry on into adulthood and we should continue this past time.
Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail: A Children’s Picture Book about Sharing, Disability Awareness, Kindness, and Overcoming Fears by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This very cute and valuable kids book was not only such an enjoyable read but it is such a great and essential lesson for kids as well as good reminders for grown ups. This wonderful tale takes us to know a bit more about Jake, the growling dog, and how his curiosity ends up on a journey of what he finds in the nearby forest. Along the way, this journey takes Jake from his curious findings leading to some worrisome thinking and into a path of new discoveries and friends.
Being an educator and a parent, this is such a great tool for guiding such a thorough lesson for kids to relate and being able to apply it to their own lives. For the value of kindness, overcoming fear and worries, and sharing are such essential values for kids to learn at such a young age and carry with them into adulthood. Even as adults and caregivers, these are such vital lessons for us to be reminded of as our young ones are learning these concepts as well as we model these behaviors in our everyday lives. Children are very good observers and if they see these actions in their everyday lives, it will become a part of them as well.
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I think this is a wonderful story for any child to read I read it with my niece who’s 8 years old and not adopted but she still learned the lesson being presented with the story. And I think it’s absolutely wonderful for those who are adopting to have something to show them that what they feel is totally fine. It’s short sweet and to the point and a very easy read for children. I highly recommend it for the age group intended and for adopted and non adopted children. Four big stars and highly recommended!
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~☆ PREORDER ☆~~~☆Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
SUCH a cute book. Loved the illustrations throughout the book and the message. Both my 10yr old son & 18 month grandson enjoyed the book and wanted me to reread! A true “feel good” story for the littles and would be a perfect gift for an adoptive family!
In the story, Oliver demonstrates that everyone, adopted or biologically birthed to the family, often reflect on what it might be like to belong to another family.
Best quote of the book is located in the opening paragraph: “he is related to his dad & mom by love & law”. Magnificent way to sum up the term adoption
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a good children’s story. The plot of the story is engaging. I could see reading this to a young child through 2 grade. The characters are engaging and tell a story about feelings. You see Oliver is adopted and he starts to question where he would be if he stayed with his birth parents. Oliver has been sent to his room by his dad, His punishment made Oliver start thinking about his birth parents and what he could be doing. I really enjoyed this book. It was a great way to talk about adoption and how it has made Oliver feel. I highly recommend this book.
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such an amazing book. It is educational for kids, learning about adoption but also learning about how to work through their overwhelming emotions. It is also a heartwarming story. It shows how they are not alone in their feelings and situations. I love reading children’s stories so I can recommend them to my family and friends who have kids, this will definitely be one of them.
By @heather26
Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jake the dog and his squirrel friend notice some different tracks during their latest romp through the trails. The two soon let their imagination get away with them and that leads to them fearing the unknown. When Jake’s friends come to visit, they help him figure out just what could have made the different tracks and face his fears.
This is a sweet and cute story. It helps to show that something different or something new is not something to be afraid off. The story moves at a nice pace and the characters are relatable and likeable. I like the way that is shows children that those with disabilities or those that are different in any way are nothing to be afraid off and they are the same as everyone else. It is safe to be their friends and have fun with them. Also, nice to see the dog who is different being proud and not hiding the difference. This is a nice book that helps to assure children about all these things.
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book primarily focuses on issues faced when a child is adopted. The child always tends to think that if he/she were with their real parents things “could” have been better.
Oliver lives with his adoptive parents, and one day, after getting scolded by his dad on a silly mistake, he goes into his room and sulks if things would have been better if he was with his real parents. Would they have scolded him? Or would they have loved him better.
But then he comes downstairs with his parents baking cookies and being very loving to him. They are very understanding and tell him that the emotions he is going through are normal and they have to work out a solution with love.
This is a book which will sensitize children on the topic of adoption. It is tackled in a subtle and gentle way. I quite liked the book.
Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really adore the concept of this book! It is about two friends that go on a picnic together. It is there that the science behind ice cubes is explored with these two little characters!
I loved this book! I thought it was really fun how there were tidbits of information sown together in the middle of a story! After I had read it once, I read it to my daughter. She didn’t understand the terms completely, but she enjoyed the story a lot. She has had endless questions for me about water and ice since then! It gave her a new understanding of the world all while decorated with pictures and a fun story!
I plan on homeschooling my little ones. This will be a book that I use in my teachings when we get to the grade level it is apporiate for!
Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really like this author’s ideas and her effort to teach science to children through a series of enchanting magical stories. Two cute girls, Maia and Fig go on a picnic together and encounter a mermaid, Trezzie. Maia can interact with Trezzie but Fig cannot.Maia decides to make a necklace for Trezzie, which is where the science part comes in. The two girls blow holes into the ice cubes they brought for lemonade through a straw and make a necklace. When Fig sees a necklace hanging in the air, she begins to chase it and almost gets drowned. Trezzie and the necklace save her and then Fig begins to believe.
It’s a real cute story with lot of wonderful illustrations. I have started liking this author’s books a lot.
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such a cute story. I wasn’t adopted but I never knew my birth mother and have wondered many times what she would be like. On the other hand, I wouldn’t change the woman who raised me for any other. I think all children adopted or not wonder from time to time what it’s like on the “other side” and this book sums it up so well.
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oliver is adopted and mad at his parents. He dreams about all of the things he could be doing if he were with his biological parents. After a conversation with his parents, he realizes he is exactly where he belongs.
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an amazing book that helps explain about adoption. The author does a wonderful job of writing about this subject. The characters are good and the subject matter is handled really well. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to explain to their child that they are adopted. The book has a very creative and unique style and the characters are very natural.
This is just a great example of how the adopted child might feel and what questions maybe on their minds. It can be a difficult conversation to have for parents and I feel that this book maybe just an easier or creative way to try and have the talk. The author really has brought the characters to life as well with a very imaginative writing style. I would definitely read more from this author in future.
Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
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Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a truly lovely and heart-warming story. This is such a great way highlighting the feelings adoption can bring up. It shows that it is a normal situation and helps kids to understand it a little more. Even beyond that the story itself is just enjoyable. My daughter loved reading it and I found it to be engaging enough for me to enjoy it with her.
This author isn’t one I had read until recently but she is definitely becoming a favourite in our household.
The Know-It-All Pencil by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It’s Caspian’s “unbirthday” and today his grandfather has gifted him with a pencil. At first he’s confused and then he sees the paper. The pencil writes the word “apple” on the paper. He takes it to the breakfast table where grandfather says he’s going to have a star quality day. Caspian is on his way to school when he sees a walker out of place. He returns it to the rightful owner and is given something in exchange for his kind act. This goes on for awhile with various people until Caspian finally learns the meaning behind the star.
The illustrations are so bright and vibrant!!! I love that about a great children’s book. The story is very well done as well and brings up several talking points after the book has finished. I have enjoyed this book series so far!
Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oliver, A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
4 Stars
I think this is a great book to teach children how to deal with their feelings. It is hard for children to express how they feel maybe even harder for children who are adopted. It is normal fir them to imagine how their life may have been with their birth parents. The language is simple enough for young children to understand. The book normalizes the feelings that children who are adopted struggle with. I think this is a great read for children who are in this situation.
Review by @Anna Hirsch
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Oliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Poor Oliver got into trouble and was sent to his room by his adopted dad. While there he imagines what it would be like to live with his birth parents. He dreams about what they could be doing for a living. What cool things could he be doing with them? But once he is over the anger of being sent to his room, he realizes with the help of his parents that all children fantasize about living a different life.
Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is another cute kid’s book. The science featured in this book includes the forms of matter. As a teacher, I love books like these for my students. These are great for teaching younger kids science in a new way. This is not the first Science Mermaid book I have read, and I have loved each and every one of them so far!
Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was very cute. I love that it introduces younger kids to science. It allows them to see that there is science all around them in a fun way. I loved the colorful pictures. It makes it easier for younger kids to follow along with the story. I highly recommend this to anyone with younger kids.
Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have to say that these books are brilliant for teaching younger children science. I think that the author has done a wonderful job of creating a fun way to help kids learn. The characters are well written and the whole story breaks down science for kids and makes it fun. I would definitely get this if I had younger children.
Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
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Jake the Growling Dog by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a great way to teach kids about inclusion, by using a cute dog they can connect to, to understand that just because something is different doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of it. It also shows kids the effects it can have on someone when you treat them differently just because they are different than you or your normal friends group. My grade school aged girls loved the animals in this book, and related to the story, as they have both felt the way that Jake feels in this book.
Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Mermaid and ice cube Necklace is another book in the Mermaid Science series. It is a cute book for elementary school age children. The pictures all all very colorful. My son was thrown off by the names, as they are not common names, wondering who was who. I like the scientific explanations at the end. But I feel are a little more complex than the book… making it not as suitable for young ages. My 6 year old doesn’t understand what molecules are or comprehend density… but I do like how the book can be paired with an elementary lesson on solid/liquid/gas etc.
We tried the ice cube beads and it didn’t work, to my sons disappointment. Maybe his breath wasn’t hot enough. However it was a cute idea and I like how it explained the why/how behind it all. A little bit of learning and science while having fun and reading is always a win for me.
Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy
Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a truly fantastic series. Each book must daughter seems to enjoy even more than the last it is really is a pleasure to read them with her. They are engaging and imaginative and this book is everything we have come to expect. My daughter finds them so entertaining and makes it worth reading every time. I can’t wait to see what else is still to come.
Oliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oliver is a lizard-like creature who is sent to his room after being scolded by his adoptive parents. In his room, Oliver sulks and wishes he had a different life. He wonders how different things would be if he were with his “real parents”. Would they treat him differently? Would his “real parents” have scolded him? After Oliver has spent some time in his room his parents talk to him and explain to him that his feelings were normal and that all children feel like that at some point. After his parents share stories with him of their own childhood experiences with those same feelings Oliver decides to stay.
This book was written in simple language that was easy to understand and the illustrations really pull together the message being delivered. I feel that the use of language in reference to “real parents” is quite accurate in how an adopted child would feel, or any child for that matter, when feeling angry or upset after being scolded by their parents.
View all my reviews @TaraJohnson Barnes