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The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Megan Conley

The Round BoxThe Round Box by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a cute story about using your imagination and I think kids would like it. I also like the idea that Wickstrom is weaving in on how to deal with missing people when we can’t be near them (I always love how she is working in multiple levels of lessons in her books). I feel that the illustrations are a little lackluster with this series. I normally gush over the artwork, but it’s different even from the cover of the book. I love Wickstrom’s work and recommend these books for a good bedtime read with your littles.
Reviewed by @meggs1717

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The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Kelli Harper

The Round BoxThe Round Box by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the Grandma’s Closet series, Lois Wickstrom does a great job, yet again, in drawing you into a wonderful story of make-believe. Everything I have read by this author has been very well written and entertaining. Can’t wait to see what is next.

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The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Ayla Phipps

The Round BoxThe Round Box by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fascination in everyday life. Lois Wickstrom’s greatest talent is bringing wonder to an everyday thing, such as bouncing a ball but seeing it in a new way. I loved this book and so did my seven-year-old because it showed him that everything in the world can be fascinating. All you must do is look at it in a new way.

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Carrie’s Flight (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Christine Baranek

Carrie's Flight (Grandma's Closet)Carrie’s Flight by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Carrie’s Flight
By: Lois Wickstrom

I feel like everytime I read a Lois Wickstrom book, I say that it is one of my favorites. And it’s true – every book I read is well written for children with wonderful pictures. This book is another wonderful story. This book gently tackles the idea of losing a loved one. It looks at how a fantastic bond between two people can transcend both life and death. I think this book would be great for children who are dealing with the loss of a loved one and would also be a good book to begin a conversation about loss. This book has a little more of a specific audience than other books by Lois Wickstrom, but I do feel that this book is so well written for those purposes and I definitely recommend it.

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The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jenni Bishop

The Round BoxThe Round Box by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Round Box is the second fun children’s book in the Grandma’s Closet series. Grandma has some exciting and unusual things in her boxes in her closet. I remember sneaking into the cupboard when young to play dress up with the things in my Nan’s closet and this book brings back those memories.
Lois writes stories that stir the imagination in young and old. When reading to my grandsons I love the way their little minds work as they add their own spin on things.
Carrie opens another box in her grandma’s closet and discovered a wonderous had that helped her feel not so sad that she was missing her grandma.
Grab a copy and read to loved ones as they will enjoy the adventure along with Carrie.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tanya Wall, January 2024

The Round BoxThe Round Box by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lois Wickstrom proves her storytelling abilities once more with “The Round Box.” This captivating tale embarks readers on a vivid adventure that truly springs to life with every page turned. A standout feature is the clever use of fonts, enhancing the storytelling experience. Beyond being a delightful read-aloud, it serves as a vocabulary builder, skillfully weaving words into a tapestry of imagination. “The Round Box” is a testament to the boundless possibilities of one’s mind. Grandmother’s Fascinator hat becomes the whimsical guide, steering readers towards the joyous realms of fun within our own world. A great addition to a book collection!

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The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shelly Kittell

The Round BoxThe Round Box by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fun book! This is part of the Grandma’s Closet series. Carrie is looking for something fun to do and can’t find anyone to do it with. She remembers the boxes that Grandma left. It’s amazing what a round box marked with Fascinator can do for your imagination. I find the way that the author highlights the action words to point out the movements. Carrie is having fun just looking for fun. The way the author also points out the adjectives like different and unusual shows that using your imagination is okay. Being creative is a good thing. This is a wonderful book and my family always looks forward to new ones from this author. Reading and fun go together so well.

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The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet Series Book #2) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Hayes

The Round BoxThe Round Box by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

 

The Round Box is the second book in the Grandma’s Closet’ series by Lois Wickstrom. It is an interesting, illustrated children’s storybook- with a bit of adventure, a touch of drama, a little whimsy, and plenty of imagination.
Grandma has some interesting things stored in the closet. What does Carrie find this time? Carrie opens the FASCINATOR box- and finds a special hat that looks like a boat. What happens makes for a cute read.
As with the first book in the series- I loved the cover illustration, but was disappointed to find that the interior illustrations are not of the same type/style. The inner illustrations, although quite whimsical in a naïve style- weren’t quite as ‘interesting’ or appealing to me- and I don’t feel that they draw or hold your attention like the cover picture does. The cover picture made me want to find out what happens and captured my imagination- but the inside pictures were a bit lacking- in my opinion. Still a cute story though…
Grandma’s Closet series consists of (so far):
-Carries Flight (Book #1)
-The Round Box (Book #2)
-Magic Wanda (Book #3)
-Treasure Hunt (Book #4)
Happy reading!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom

🌼 .•°*°•.🌼 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🌼 .•°*°•.🌼
The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom
#ontour #ItsyBitsyBookBits #ItsyBitsyBookBitsTours #ItsyBitsyBookBitsPromotions #BookSpotlightShowcase #TheRoundBox #GrandmasCloset #LoisWickstrom #Kids #childrensbooks #magic #kidlit #picturebook
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Kids, Family
Page Count – 26
Cover Designer – Ada Konewki

Goodreads – The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom

Bookbub – The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom


The Round Box in Grandma’s Closet is labeled FASCINATOR. Carrie looks inside.
She sees a boat. The boat is a hat. Carrie puts it on. Suddenly her world rocks, as if she’s on a boat at sea. Then things start moving in slow motion. The world sparkles. Carrie sees things in a way she never saw before.
What will Carrie do with this new fascination?

~ AMAZON ~

 

Click here to view the Book Trailer for The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of The Round Box (Grandma’s Closet) by Lois Wickstrom

Lois Wickstrom lives in a world where imaginary playmates are real. She doesn’t remember being born, so she finds unbirthdays are more exciting than the official once-a-year date on the calendar. She’s taken so many science classes that she believes science is the solution to almost every problem, including the dilemmas in fairy tales.

Jean Lorrah is a New York Times Best Selling author. She is also a retired English teacher, and an award winning artist. She has written Star Trek books with Jacqueline Lichtenberg, and books in worlds of her own creation. Together with Lois, she is co-author of Coal for Christmas which won the Gold Remi at Worldfest.

Author Interview with Lois Wickstrom

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

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

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Tonya Merritt

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story brings in the imagination but teaches the children morals and values as well. If you have read Lois Wickstrom before you probably have read her small picture books, this story is a chapter book and peaks towards a bit older of a child. Wickstrom always writes the best books that captivate and teach. Definitely recommend Nessie and the Living Stone.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Heather Bass

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read a few books from this and she always takes me on a journey. This book is the start to a new series called Nessie Grotto. I read this to my son and we enjoyed reading as a family read. You will fall in love with the characters right from the beginning. I can’t wait to see what the next book will be about.

Craig’s goal for the holiday is to catch The Loch Ness monster. He gets so close but his little sister keeps getting in the way. Craig then finds this blue stone that leads him into a new world. He figures out that Nessie has kids and that she is in danger. Will Craig be able to save Nessie or will it be too late?

Review by @heatherbass
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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Angela Plate, January 2024

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a bit different from the other books that I have read by this author. I would age it at probably a second or third grade level as it is a chapter book. I read this with my son who also enjoys this author. This story stayed interesting while still utilizing the underlying lessons this author is so famous for. This book is a well written fantasy world with great characters.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Shannen Kern

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My kiddos and I absolutely love this author, and I never hesitate to pick their books up! This was a wonderful chapter book about Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. One of our characters, Craig, is determined to catch Nessie while his little mischievous sister Linda is throwing his plans off at each turn. Will Craig eventually get his wish, or will he find something that changes his mind? I feel like this author did a great job of captivating readers! This is the first chapter book I’ve picked up by them, but we still enjoyed it just as much as their picture books. Both of my kids, ages 8 and 12, really liked reading this as they love all animals. It sparked a nice conversation between us about nature and wildlife. I highly recommend sharing this with the younger ones in your life!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Candice Estes

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a cute book for elementary age kids. The art work is beautiful, and the story is definitely creative. Craig and Linda are on vacation with their parents to Loch Ness. While their parents are focused on work and business, Craig and Linda are focused on finding Nessie. The children believe that they see her following an earthquake, and they want to find her again. The magic woven throughout the story by Wickstrom, as only she can do, makes this a read that is great for children, but is also fun for the adults reading along with them.

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Porter And Midge: Paws and Playtime: A Kid’s Guide to a Happy Dog (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Giselle Nevada and Jennie Chen – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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

Porter and Midge are two dogs who have loving owners, CJ and Lora and in this book, their humans are learning all about play and enrichment so that they can make Porter and Midge’s lives fun filled and joyful, but how will they be able to do it?

This book goes through all of the different ways that CJ and Lora can play safely and happily with their furry friends, from hunting for treats, walks which are full of new sights, smells and friends all the way to doggy sports and being tactile.

This is a must read for all families who are either thinking of owning a dog, or already have one so that they can teach children how to play safely and join in the excitement which Porter and Midge experience in their own journeys to perfect playtimes.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nessie and the Living Stone is Book One in the Nessie’s Grotto Series. It is a children’s chapter storybook with beautiful illustrations that really bring the story to life. The story centers around the character of a ten-year-old boy named Craig and his little sister Linda who are on holidays at Loch Ness. Craig wants to find Nessie and capture her. He gets his chance when he discovers a glowing blue stone that seems to have magical powers that allow him and his sister to breathe underwater. Nessie takes Craig and Linda to her secret grotto where they discover a mermaid, gold coins, pirates, and magical flowers. When Nessie’s Grotto is at risk of being invaded by humans, and Nessie is at risk of being captured, Craig must make an important decision. Through his adventure Craig learns valuable lessons about love, the importance of family, friendship, loyalty, and selflessness. My favorite line from the book sums it up best, “It’s what we give, not what we take, that makes us heroes or monsters.” An engaging read that will captivate readers of all ages. Looking forward to reading book two in this series!

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Katie Matthews

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another wonderful read from this author. This is the first time that I have read one of her longer children’s books and it was great. A lovely introduction to chapter books for children. The story was fun and easy to follow with so many opportunities to encourage children’s imaginations. The illustrations that accompanied the story were well drawn and thought out – they added an extra depth to the book by bringing some of the story to life. Craig and Linda had a great sibling relationship and I enjoyed following their story as they tried to uncover the mystery of the Loch Ness monster and try to find her. Beneath the story are some important messages for the children and this author always does, I love how she weaves these into her stories.
This was a great read and one that I would highly recommend for children.

@katiem
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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another fantastic story children’s story from this author, I always enjoy reading her stories. She writes in a way that makes learning fun and interactive for kids along with fun life lessons. I enjoyed this short chapter book that kids of all ages will be able to read and like. I am always a fan of anything with Nessie, so this was definitely a book I enjoyed, Craig is trying to hunt down Nessie, but his little sister Linda keeps interrupting and getting in the way. I loved the idea of kids trying to hunt down the Loch Ness monster and the adventures they could have. The author weaves together magic, sea creatures, pirates, and great family lessons that are easy for kids to follow and enjoy. As a chapter book it has less illustrations than her other books, but the ones they have are beautiful. This is a story kids of all ages will enjoy!

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Ashley Sugar

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a creative and magical read. My girls and I really enjoyed this book and the illustrations were great as well. Author is easily becoming one of me and my kids favorite! We read it the last few nights before bed time! Super fun read and fit for any age! Because I too enjoyed this!

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Brandy Vaughn

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a cute chapter story about the Loch Ness monster. I like the magic Wickstrom brings to Nessie and through a child’s eye. The illustrations were colorful and appealing to see how they matched the story. For a children’s story, I’m not sure the conflict between the parents at the beginning is appropriate for a very young audience. It feels like the book has some scenes that would be for an older child audience. Other than that, I like the plot and the different viewpoint about the Loch Ness Monster.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew a book about the Loch Ness monster would be a fantasy, but I didn’t think the book would feel so magical. Nessie and the Living Stone is a good beginner chapter book, which I also was not expecting. I have read a lot by one of the authors, and typically they are short picture books. I like that this book was a bit longer, with chapters, but still had the wonderful illustrations. I read it with my 8 year old son, and he struggled with all the talking. I ended up taking over the book, so I could read it outloud with different inflections of my voice. That helped him understand what was talking and what was narration. Once we got over that hurdle, we loved the book. My older 2 even sat and listened some nights.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Ayla Phipps

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beautiful, whimsical story for a chilly afternoon. Lois Wickstrom has a way of bringing every story she writes or in this case co-writes to life with so much wonder that you’re left smiling at the end every time.
While on summer vacation with their family Craig and his little sister Linda achieve a magical wish, to see Nessie. Their parents feel it is only lies when they say they saw her and that their hostess Mrs. Carmichael and a fisherman Filan McDuff are only egging them on. Only the stories of magical singing flowers make Linda feel that Mrs. Carmichael knows the truth. A rare earthquake, a bossy coast guard with a hunger to catch and stuff Nessie for a museum and nonbeliever parents add to Craig and Linda determined to catch Nessie themselves to prove that she’s real.
Will they succeed in catching her? Can they survive the deep magical dives into the Loch? How can they protect Nessie from harm? This book is a wonderful read of adventure, understanding, and life lessons of acceptance and learning the importance of letting go of things when the time is right. I look forward to more of Craig and Linda’s adventures. And it all began with one little, magical blue stone.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Tausha Treadway

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah. I love this author and try to always grab her children’s books. They make great gifts and my nephews love them. This is the story of Craig and his little sister Linda as they go on Holiday. They are determined they are going to find the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie. This is such a cute twist on the “Loch Ness Monster” tale. Linda is always getting into messes so of course she messes up some of Craig’s plans but in the end they all have a great time. On Craigs search he finds monsters and magic stones, now if Nessie will just show herself. Linda wants to follow Craig everywhere and she gets in his way. Such a fun story. The pictures are also wonderful in this book.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Emily H

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On their holiday Craig and Linda Plot are hoping to catch the infamous Loch Ness Monster. With only a couple days left, their time is running out. When Craig finds a glowing blue stone he never expects the adventure he and Linda are about to embark on an adventure they never saw coming.

Vibrantly beautiful images. I thought the spirit of trying to find Nessie was captured in the spirit of the story. I think young children who have heard the legend of Loch Ness will enjoy this book.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Alison Risher

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This delightful children’s book focuses on character development. The main character becomes aware of his greediness and selfishness. He takes steps to overcome these flaws. The story also deals with the Loch Ness Monster, and a theory concerning said creature. Readers will learn that good people look out for others.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Kerry Baker

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yet again, we have picked up a book by this author and been transported away to an imaginative, fun and creative world that the whole family engages with. We had recently been away to Scotland so this book not only allowed us to teach our kids about a well known myth, but it also allowed us to revisit the memories we had made.
The images captured the kids attention easily and we spent just as much time looking at them as we did reading the story. As usual, we have read the book multiple times because it was enjoyed all round and I am sure it will be read many more. This author will definitely remain a family favourite and we are all looking forward to the next book of hers we read.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Manda Kelly

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lois Wickstrom is amazing. She has this magical way to write a children’s book that makes you feel like you’re in the world. And Loch Ness Monster is just the best. Nessie is just one of my most favorite subjects. Its just so magical and welcoming. It’s a chapter book, but I feel like it’s okay for someone to read to younger kids as well. I own a plethora of Lois Wickstrom books, I absolutely love her books, and I will always recommend her to anyone who has young kids and children. She should be in every library.

Review By
Manda Kelly

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Charlene Pryke

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nessie and the Living Stone is another wonderful book by the talented Lois Wickstrom and the illustrations by Sara Strand are bright, colourful and a beautiful addition to this first chapter book that will keep any new reader turning the pages. Just like I did ❤️.

Lois has a way with words that captures your attention and imagination encouraging you to keep reading until you find out what will happen next. This novel will appeal to all ages.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Heather Goodman

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This author has never disappointed me. She writes such magical things that draw you in from the beginning. This is a great short story about doing the right thing even when it’s inconvenient or not as fun for you. It is great to read to your kids. My 8 year old loves all of the stories written by this author.

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Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Sarah King

Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie's Grotto)Nessie and the Living Stone by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another cute story from Wickstrom. Same as all the perivous I have read by her there is a lesson to be learned. She does it with a cute, easy to follow storyline , keeping your child interested. The illustrations also paint a picture of the story. I would recommend reading this book.

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