Posts

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid's Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love all of these books! There are a few to this series and I have read a few so far. If you are even thinking about getting your child a puppy/dog/pet you should definitely read this book with your child! These books teach you so much about the needs of the dog, the responsibilities with having a dog, and everything in between. Which of course you can use as a lesson with any animal you get. In this book you follow CJ and Lora on their quest to learn everything they can about dogs. What they need (food, water, training, vet visits, grooming, personal space, exercise, patience, etc.). They also learned about different breeds (small, medium, big, some that need more space to run, some that are small and need more attention, etc. etc. etc.). After learning as much as they can they go to their parents to ask for a dog and tell them everything they have learned and what they must do to have a dog. The parents believe they are ready and you get to meet Porter, who is a Mastiff and Midge, who is a Greater Swiss Mountain dog. Both different and both have different needs. If you read some of the other books in this set you will get to see them more and learn all about them, other dogs, and all their needs. This is a wonderful set for kids. They will learn all kinds of things! Adults could even learn from this book! I did and I’ve had dogs throughout my whole life!!

View all my reviews

@jaimie0459

The Hidden Present (Invisible Magic Wand Book 8) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Hidden Present (Invisible Magic Wand)The Hidden Present by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caspian is back and it is again his unbirthday, the day when his Grandpa leaves a special box under his bed with his present in it, but unlike all the years before, there is no box under his bed.

Has he got the wrong day, or has his Grandpa forgotten this year? Caspian is determined to find out, so he goes downstairs and this is where he finds an Inquisitive Indicator on the kitchen table.

Where will this Inquisitive Indicator point and will it lead to his Grandpa and another adventure? This is a fun story with a bit of a mystery and plenty of adventure as another exciting unbirthday comes to pass.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

View all my reviews

The Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

The Missing Red EnvelopesThe Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Weine and Lorie are about to celebrate the lunar new year with their family, it is a big celebration where families come together to enjoy food, parades and gifts together and one of the main aspects for children are lucky red envelopes.

This year, Weine is in charge of collecting the envelopes and their safekeeping in her bag, however, when they go to get a drink before the evening feast, Weine realises that she hasn’t got them, so she and Lorie have to retrace their steps to find out where they are.

Will the two sisters be able to figure out where the envelopes were left and will they still be there? This is a lovely snapshot into the traditions and celebrations of Asian-Americans in New York City and a cozy mystery all at the same time in this wonderful story.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

View all my reviews

Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book) by MJ Murray – Review by Heather Bass

Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series, #2)Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate by M.J. Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read a few books from this author with my son and they are always so good. This is the second book of the youth Sleuths chapter books. I would read the first book before you read this one so you get the back story of the characters. My son and I were so excited to read this one we stayed up and read it in one night. You can’t help but fall in love with these characters. I can’t wait to read the book in this awesome series.

Dylan and his little sister Emily don’t go anywhere without thinking they could find a new mystery. They also have to bring their best partner Theodore which is the dog. They are so excited to practice some baseball together but when they get there all the bases are gone. Will they be able to find out who stolen the bases or will it be a mystery they can’t solve?
Review @heatherbass
View all my reviews

Mermaid Tails by Suzanna Lynn

🪸 .•°*°•.🐚 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🐚 .•°*°•.🪸
Mermaid Tails by Suzanna Lynn
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Kids, Fantasy
Page Count – 47
Cover Designer – Suzanna Smith, Lil Pumpkins Publishing
Have you ever dreamed of seeing a mermaid? Do you wonder what they might look like, or where they might sleep? Dive into Mermaid Tails and see how these magical creatures might live. This fun, educational, story is overflowing with sea creature fun facts and features charming illustrations of mermaids from all over the world. This is the book your young mermaid enthusiast has been looking for!

~ AMAZON ~

 

 

 

 

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Mermaid Tails by Suzanna Lynn

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Mermaid Tails by Suzanna Lynn

 

Author Suzanna Lynn is a happily married, full-time mother of three beautiful, energetic children, and lives in a small town nestled in the deep rolling hills of Missouri.

 

Growing up in the Ozarks, Suzanna spent her childhood wandering the fields and woods surrounding her home. While most children avoided the dark corners of the woods, she sought them out; imagining them to be filled with fairies, dragons and all number of creatures.

 

Having not lost her childhood imagination, Suzanna has written numerous poems, songs and short stories that won various awards in high school and college. Her dream was to, one day, be an author.

 

In 2014 she decided to stop wishing she could publish a book and made the dream a reality when she released The Bed Wife.

 

That first novella gave birth to two more books, completing the series, and stirred the embers of her five-book series called The Untold Stories. She has since published stand alone novels, and has published several children’s books.

 

When she’s not busy writing, illustrating, or spending time with her family, Suzanna loves to travel, go horseback riding, and growing flowers. She also has been known to volunteer with her children’s school, the Ladies Auxiliary, and even her local zoo!

~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ BOOKBUB~GOODREADS~NEWSLETTER~

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

 

The Hidden Present (Invisible Magic Wand) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Hannah Porter

The Hidden Present (Invisible Magic Wand)The Hidden Present by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I swear Lois Wickstrom is like my new favorite, go to author when me and my little ones are looking for a new and exciting book to read. Her imagination knows no bounds. It is truly always a pleasure to read her work and this story was no different. Just like her other characters, it’s fun to see the adventures Caspian gets into on his unbirthday. This year he was sad when he didn’t find the box in the usual spot but what he did find was way better. I’m not gonna lie, I super duper wish that the Inquisitive indicator was real 😂 I definitely need one. I can’t wait to pick up more amazing work from this author.

View all my reviews

The Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu – Review by Natalia Gonzales Castrejon

The Missing Red EnvelopesThe Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! And I love how it showed how different types of cultures enjoy the Lunar New Year! This is a super good story for little kids to learn how other people celebrate holidays!

View all my reviews

Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Natalia Gonzales Castrejon

Code DogCode Dog by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It is a chapter book so I do recommend for an older elementary student. But it is still a great read! I’m on the road for work a lot and I read this book in between pickups and it really kept me entertained.

View all my reviews

Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Julie Johnson

Code DogCode Dog by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a super fun chapter book about Timmy, Beth, and Arthur, three friends who are on the hunt for a 200 year old time capsule. They have a super cool dog named Cody that knows Morse Code. Together the band of friends are on a quest to crack the codes and decipher the map that they’ve been given.

This is a great book to either read aloud as a family or to have on your shelf for your reader(s)! There is a sci-fi component to this story for added enjoyment! A must have for your personal or school library!

View all my reviews

The Glow in Loretta’s Garden (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Emily H

The Glow in Loretta's Garden (Loretta's Insects)The Glow in Loretta’s Garden by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While Loretta is digging in the dirt she finds glowing larvae which she has the idea of putting in her ant farm to see what happens to them. After watching them she finds there are more than a few mysteries to these bugs.

I thought this was delightful. Loreta is a girl with a curious mind and having her see the larvae evolve into flying glowing insects was not only informative but beautifully illustrated. Another great story in the Loretta’s Insects series.

View all my reviews

The Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu – Review by Shannen Kern

The Missing Red EnvelopesThe Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had read another book by this author last year, and it was such a hit with my family that I didn’t hesitate to pick this one up. I love the beautiful cover and illustrations inside as I feel they added a bit more emotion to the story, especially for my kids. We all learned more about Lunar New Year and the traditions in their culture. It sparked wonderful conversations with my 8- and 12-year-old which is always exciting! This would be wonderful to share with the young ones in your life, but I genuinely enjoyed the educational side of it. I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for us because they’re quickly becoming a favorite in our household!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

View all my reviews

The Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu – Review by Trista Martin

The Missing Red EnvelopesThe Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute, educational book about Lunar New Year traditions. Both the story and illustrations were great. While geared towards children, even as an adult I enjoyed this story and learned things I didn’t know before.

View all my reviews

The Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

The Missing Red EnvelopesThe Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Missing Red Envelopes is a children’s chapter book designed for kids between the ages of seven to twelve years of age. It tells the story of young Asian American sisters Weina and Lorie who live in New York City. The sisters set out to take part in the Lunar New Year celebrations but end up trying to solve a mystery. A special part of the celebrations involves collecting red envelopes that contain either chocolate coins or money. Younger sister Weina asks if she can be the keeper of the red envelopes and promises to keep them safe. She is upset when she discovers the envelopes are missing and she must retrace their steps throughout the day to see if she can solve the mystery of where the envelopes went. This book gives a fun and informative description of Asian American culture and traditions that takes place during the Lunar New Year. From the foods they eat, the parade, Chinese Dragons, the fireworks, the importance of family, and that wearing red means luck. The illustrations add an extra element to the story which help to bring the story to life. This book offers children the opportunity to learn about another culture while also learning about problem solving and critical thinking.

View all my reviews@tarab

Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jenni Bishop

Code DogCode Dog by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Code Dog is a fun children’s Sci Fi adventure story where three friends decide to find a hidden secret. This 170-page adventure story is geared toward older children in elementary and middle school 8 – 12 years old.
Journey along with Timmy, Beth, and Arthur as they follow the clues to find a 200-year-old time capsule that is missing, and the time is running out. The three friends are on the case, but they aren’t the only ones.
This twisty tale has frozen maps, money on the line, science projects that are incomplete, songs are not written, and a dog who understands Morse code and surprising discoveries are made along the way.
Lois’s writing style is simple to follow and inviting, there are many good thing to learn along the way. Code dog is another unique and charming tale.

Reviewed by @jennadb

View all my reviews

The Hidden Present (Invisible Magic Wand) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Julie Johnson

The Hidden Present (Invisible Magic Wand)The Hidden Present by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s Caspian’s Unbirthday again and he’s looking for the box that Grandpa leaves him each year under his bed. There’s only one problem…the box isn’t there. He walks into the kitchen and finds a compass, otherwise known as an Inquisitive Indicator. It points to a note that leads Caspian on an adventure.

This series is a great one to add to your personal library! The illustrations are very vivid and make the story more interesting to young readers. I love the closeness that Caspian has with his grandfather and their special traditions together!

View all my reviews

Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, March 2024

Code DogCode Dog by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Louis Wickstrom writes a great short chapter book again! Code Dog is a is tailored for young readers, featuring short, engaging chapters perfect for keeping young minds captivated. The story follows three adventurous children and their Morse code-tapping dog as they embark on a thrilling quest to uncover a centuries-old time capsule. This book offers a family-friendly tale that entertains and educates. It would be a good book for classroom library for grades 3 and up.

View all my reviews

The Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu – Review by Tanya Wall, March 2024

The Missing Red EnvelopesThe Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In “The Missing Red Envelopes” by Yobe Qiu, with illustrations by Kris Fulk, young readers aged 7 to 12 are treated to a delightful journey through Lunar New Year festivities alongside the endearing duo, Lori and Weina. This engaging children’s chapter book not only entertains with its light-hearted mystery but also serves as a valuable introduction to cultural diversity and traditions. Perfect for beginner readers like my 6 year old niece, it offers a manageable yet enriching reading experience that sparks curiosity and fosters a deeper appreciation for different customs. Through the sisters’ adventure, readers embark on a delightful exploration of Chinese and Asian culture, making it a captivating addition to any young reader’s library.

View all my reviews

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Candice Estes

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid's Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a great way to introduce young children to the idea that owning and caring for a pet is a big responsibility, and that care should be taken in deciding to get a pet. This book is part of a series of books about Porter and Midge, who are dogs, and their humans Lora and CJ, but it can also be read as a stand-alone without any issues. This is a great book for helping young kids understand why deciding to get a pet shouldn’t be made on a whim, and why what kind of pet you choose is also important. The story is written in rhyming lines, which makes it fun for younger kids. The illustrations are fun to look at as well as bright and colorful. The back of the book also has some pet safety tips for use by young kids around animals. Overall, I would definitely recommend this for any family that has young kids and is considering adding a pet, especially a dog, to their family.

View all my reviews

Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shelly Kittell

Code DogCode Dog by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fun story! Three children and morse code tapping dog. They are out to solve the mystery of finding the time capsule. I loved the whole premise of the story. The characters are fun and exciting. The story does a great job of grabbing the child’s attention. I found myself even engaged. It’s a fun family story to read together also. I have enjoyed seeing the author branch out into these chapter books. They are fun, family friendly and so entertaining.

View all my reviews

The Glow in Loretta’s Garden (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Megan Conley

The Glow in Loretta's Garden (Loretta's Insects)The Glow in Loretta’s Garden by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wickstrom deserves countless accolades for bringing STEM to kiddos at such a young age in such a fun and easily understandable way. The Glow in Loretta’s Garden teaches young readers about the lifecycle of fireflies (or lightning bugs where I’m from ;)). The way Wickstrom is able to provide readers with a science lesson through storytelling is phenomenal. She’s able to weave her lessons throughout the story of Loretta and teach not only the academic side of it, but also an emotional component too. And the illustrations are bright and captivating and go along perfectly with the story. This is definitely another book you’ll want to add to your ever-growing Wickstrom collection.

Reviewed by @meggs1717
View all my reviews

Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jennifer Crain

Code DogCode Dog by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Overall, “Code Dog” by Lois Wickstrom is a thrilling and engaging children’s mystery book that will keep young readers entertained from beginning to end. The story follows three adventurous kids as they embark on a mission to find a missing time capsule, using their problem-solving skills to decipher clues and crack codes along the way.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with them and become invested in their quest. The fast-paced plot keeps the reader guessing as the kids race against time to uncover the hidden secrets of their town.

Wickstrom’s writing style is clear and engaging, making the story easy to follow for young readers. The inclusion of puzzles and codes adds an interactive element to the book, inviting readers to participate in solving the mystery alongside the main characters.

View all my reviews

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Carrie Reed

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid's Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent book to teach children all the responsibilities that come with owning a dog. I forgot myself, how much really goes into owning a dog, so there are some good points to think about and learn about taught in this book. I really like that the author has the children researching everything on their own, giving them a feel of the responsibility they will have to take on when it comes to owning a dog. The note to the parents at the end helps with offering tips and extra knowledge for adults to share with children.

View all my reviews

Mermaid Tails by Suzanna Lynn – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

Mermaid TailsMermaid Tails by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a really cute children’s book. It asks questions about different aspects of mermaids were real like: what would they look like?; would they have different types of tails?; or if they would come in many sizes? Etc. The illustrations are cute and colorful, too. This is also a decent size children’s book. The best part about this book, however, is that on each page after a question is posed the author provides a fun fact about a mermaid (or legend of a mermaid) or another type of fact about the sea. I think this makes the learning process fun to read about different aspects but in a mythical creature that children love. I would recommend this book to other parents and children who love to learn about ocean life.

View all my reviews

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid's Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars
Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada.

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities is a kids guide to welcoming a new dog. My son and I are huge fans of these authors and this one may be our favorite yet. I love how it teaches children how important it is to care for our animals and all the Responsibilities that go along with it. This is the perfect book for teaching children in a fun way how to care for animals. The colorful illustrations help bring the story to life. We highly recommend reading this book and look forward to reading more from this Author.

View all my reviews

Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Kids, SciFi
Page Count – 242
Cover Designer – 100covers

Bookbub – Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom


Their teacher was searching for the Time Capsule and broke her hip. Now, she’s in the nursing home, awaiting surgery. Timmy agrees to take care of their teacher’s dog until she’s well. It’s up to Timmy, Beth and Arthur to solve the clues and find the Time Capsule. They also have a science project to complete and they are writing songs for their band.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for The Glow in Loretta’s Garden (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of The Glow in Loretta’s Garden (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom

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 ~ INSTAGRAMFACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK ~

Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate (A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book) by MJ Murray – Review by Laura Jones

https://www.amazon.com/review/R7TYMRM1YTR6Q/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6358789464

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2699363528

The Hidden Present (Invisible Magic Wand) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Cindy Mayberry

The Hidden Present (Invisible Magic Wand)The Hidden Present by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another Home Run! This is another adventure between Grandpa, Caspian, ànd his unbirthday. Caspian is so excited to see what he will find next. As usual his grandfather had planned another adventure. Follow the clues, Caspian! This author has amazing talent in writing children’s books. Kids everywhere need this book/series in their library. All of these authors’ books are open for conversation. Which in turn has parents and children talking. I love this series and the adventures set about.
Review@cinful

View all my reviews

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada – Review by Samantha Cleaver

Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid's Guide to Welcoming a New Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)Porter and Midge: Paws and Responsibilities: A Kid’s Guide to Welcoming a New Dog by Giselle Nevada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love this series! My son has had rough experiences with dogs in the past but has recently asked for his own “small dog”. We read these series for education and he loves them as much as I do!

View all my reviews

The Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu – Review by Gillian Fawell

The Missing Red EnvelopesThe Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is beautifully written and introduces young children to the cultural celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year. The different aspects and traditions are incorporated in a way that explains their significance and detail to the reader without sounding like a documentary!
The family at the centre combine the traditions with their modern lives which makes it even more relatable. A great resource for any library, classroom or family bookshelf!

Reviewed by @sparkinside

View all my reviews

The Missing Red Envelopes by Yobe Qiu – Review by Rita White

This is a great book for kids ages 7 to 12. I had my 12 year old granddaughter read this to me, and just hearing her read this book about the different culture was great. She really enjoyed the book also. The illustrations were phenomenal, and the writing was great.
In this book, we learn about the Lunar New Year and two Asian American sisters going throughout this special day. It’s tradition to visit family and friends and receive red envelopes containing money and chocolates. The red envelopes are misplaced, so they retrace their steps to find them. Great story, and I absolutely love that the big sister doesn’t get mad and is very patient with the little sister. It’s such a cute little book.