Lois Wickstrom has easily become one of my favorite children’s authors. She writes stories with such imagination and the illustrations simply add to the story. The illustrations are always so detailed and wonderful. In this story, children are introduced to the Loch Ness Monster. This is a great story that filled with wonderful characters and an underwater adventure. I loved this story and the characters of Linda and Craig. This story would make a great read aloud for younger children. I definitely recommend it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Christinehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngChristine2023-12-26 09:17:052024-01-13 13:47:34Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Christine Baranek
Dive into the whimsical world of “Nessie and the Living Stone” by Lois Wickstrom, a chapter book that’s not just for the kiddos—it’s a fantastic read for everyone. Whether you’re reading it aloud to little ones or enjoying it on your own, this underwater adventure has it all: magic stones, the Loch Ness monster, and life lessons cleverly woven into the tale.
While there might not be a ton of illustrations, the ones you do find are absolutely fabulous. The cover itself is a work of art, and the beautiful illustrations scattered throughout add an extra layer of charm to the story.
Lois Wickstrom brings a fresh twist to her storytelling in this book, maintaining her trademark messages while adding a sprinkle of magic and wonder. It’s a different flavor from her other works, but one that’s equally delightful.
With monsters, magic stones, and valuable lessons, “Nessie and the Living Stone” offers a relaxed and enjoyable read for kids of any age. Take a trip down memory lane as you follow the children on their unexpected journey, and let the charm of Loch Ness seep into your reading experience. It’s a delightful, fun-filled adventure that’s sure to leave you with a smile.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tanya Wallhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTanya Wall2023-12-24 15:34:562024-01-13 14:02:47Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Tanya Wall, December 2023
This may be one of my favorites from Lois Wickstrom. I really loved the magic and imagination that went into this story. Craig and Linda are on the search for Nessie, and Craig has a lot of learning to do, I was afraid his greed was going to win out in regards to Nessie, her home, the treasure and all the living beings in the loch. It is a great lesson for kids to learn, as Filian McDuff says, “It’s what we give, not what we take, the makes us heroes or monsters”. The pictures were beautiful and painted wonderful images of the whole story in my mind.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Carrie Reedhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCarrie Reed2023-12-24 12:31:312024-01-13 13:41:59Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Carrie Reed
Nessie and the Living Stone is Book 1 of the Nessie’s Grotto series, and this is a wonderful story and I highly recommend. Coming into full circle with decisions and choices that need to be made, magic, imagination and creativity.
What happens when you believe you found a “magic stone”? Craig and his sister Linda are on one adventure when Craig finds a special stone, possibly magical. Craig is hopeful that he may be able to catch Nessie, but when a choice needs to be made in between the adventure that Craig and Linda have, will Craig make the right choice…
This is a wonderful story to be enjoyed by anyone. I loved the message behind the book and I always enjoy Lois Wickstrom’s stories. My favorite passage from the book (and this will stay with me for a long time)…”It’s what we give, not what we take, that makes us heroes or monsters”.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lorralei Hoernerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLorralei Hoerner2023-12-23 18:59:262024-01-04 12:56:19Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Lorralei Hoerner
Nessie and the Living Stone is the first book in the Nessie’s Grotto series by Lois Wickstrom & Jean Lorrah. This is a captivating chapter storybook for children 7 – 12 years-old. It is a wonderful fantasy with magic, adventure, action, drama, emotion, secrets, discovery, suspense, challenges, choices, high stakes, and more. The story is woven around Loch Ness, Nessie (the Loch Ness Monster), a glowing blue stone, and Craig and Linda’s adventure. What they discover will change their lives forever. A wonderful start to the series. Looking forward to more… The series is made up of (so far): -Nessie and the Living Stone (Book #1) -Nessie and the Living Gold (Book #2) -Nessie and the Celtic Maze (Book #3) Happy Reading…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2023-12-23 00:19:152024-01-02 12:15:48Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto Book #1) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Angela Hayes
Craig and his little sister Linda are from Birmingham but they are on holiday with their family at Loch Ness. They are both pretty determined to find Nessie and they are able to do that once a stone washes up on the shore. There is an adventure awaiting them when they finally get the chance to meet the infamous Nessie and it’s one that no one will believe.
This is a bit longer of a book than most of them written by this author. The chapters are fairly short and there are less than 10 of them so a budding reader could do well with this one. All ages will enjoy the story and the illustrations are also very well done in this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2023-12-22 21:40:092024-01-04 12:59:28Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Julie Johnson
Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom is a delightful children’s book (it did surprise me it was a chapter book and not picture book) that takes young readers on an exciting adventure at Loch Ness. The story revolves around Craig and his little sister Linda as they go on holiday with the hopes of capturing the legendary Loch Ness Monster, Nessie. However, their plans are complicated by Linda’s mischievous nature, which consistently ruins their chances of success.
Wickstrom’s writing style is engaging and accessible for young readers, with a good balance of action, mystery, and adventure. The author excels at creating a sense of wonder and excitement, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the magical world of Loch Ness. The descriptions of the grotto, the creatures, and the surrounding landscapes are vivid and imaginative, captivating the attention of young readers.
The characters, particularly Craig and Linda, are well-developed and relatable. Craig’s determination to capture Nessie and Linda’s impulsive behavior provide an interesting dynamic between the siblings. Their interactions and dialogue feel authentic and age-appropriate.
The book also subtly touches upon themes of conservation and the importance of protecting wildlife. Craig’s decision to potentially risk his life to save Nessie raises moral questions and encourages readers to think about the impact of their actions on nature.
One minor drawback is that the pacing of the story feels a little rushed at times. Some events and conflicts could have been given more space to fully develop, adding layers of complexity and depth to the plot. Additionally, some readers might prefer a more conclusive resolution to certain storylines.
Overall, Nessie and the Living Stone is an enjoyable adventure that will captivate young readers. With its engaging characters, exciting plot, and a touch of magic, the book offers an entertaining and educational experience. Lois Wickstrom has created a charming tale that children will love, leaving them with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the mysteries of Loch Ness.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Crainhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Crain2023-12-22 20:40:302024-01-04 12:58:36Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Jennifer Crain
A cute little story about a boy wanting to find the legendary Loch Ness and his little sister getting in the way. That is until a blue stone that glows leads them directly to Nessie’s secret place. It is here that Craig has to make a tough choice. Could he risk his life to save the Loch Ness monster?
This story made for a good bedtime read for my tiny humans. We all enjoyed it! We cannot wait for the next story as another bedtime read. I would recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ayla Eddyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAyla Eddy2023-12-22 20:39:462024-01-04 12:58:29Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Ayla Eddy
This is a chapter book, but don’t let that deter you from picking it up for your kiddos. It’s a fabulous read-along for littles or a great read for your older kids to read themselves. It’s filled with underwater adventure, finding magic stones, and the Loch Ness monster. As always, Wickstrom weaves important life lessons into her stories for kids to learn and adults to remember. While there aren’t as many illustrations in this book, the ones that are, are fabulously done. This is a great read. Reviewed by @meggs1717
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Megan Reahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMegan Rea2023-12-22 09:09:462024-01-04 12:52:10Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Megan Conley
I found this childrens story to be entertaining. I read it to my grandson at bedtime and we had some nice conversations over the adventures of the children and Nessie. The author always has some wonderful lessons to be learned in the story. This was a different story than we were used to reading from this author previously yet we enjoyed it very much. My grandson loved hearing about the Loch Ness Monster after the story and talking about Nessie. He has a big imagination and this author’s story always help kick his imagination into gear even more. I was not aware that there are two to this book. We’ll have to go back and read the other.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shelly Kittellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShelly Kittell2023-12-22 06:55:152024-01-02 12:14:03Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Shelly Kittell
Nessie and the Living Stone is full of magic and wonder. There is much in this book that is different to some of Lois’s other books but there is still the underlying messages and teaching. I really liked the way the cover of this book caught my attention as did the beautiful illustrations. With monsters, precious stones, interesting symbols and ideals for children to learn from this is a wonderful and fun read for children of any age. It was fun to sit and reminisce about my time sitting and looking out over Loch Ness to see if Nessie would show herself. Read along as the children in this story got much more than they bargained for when on the hunt for Nessie.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2023-12-22 05:41:102024-01-04 12:51:03Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah – Review by Jenni Bishop
Nessie and the Living Stone is a chapter book for 6 – 10 year olds.Craig’s family, including his bratty little sister Linda, are on holiday at Loch Ness.Craig finds a blue stone that lets him breathe under water.An old woman calls it a living stone. Thanks to the stone, Craig and Linda are able to enter the cave of Nessie, herself, where she guards her secret realm at the bottom of the loch.But the door to her magical chamber came loose in a recent earthquake. She needs the blue stone to hold her door in placeCraig will face Vikings and a treacherous mermaid before his final decision — is it worth risking his life to save the Loch Ness Monster?
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.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_9382.jpeg724700itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2023-12-22 00:01:172024-01-08 12:43:33Nessie and the Living Stone (Nessie’s Grotto) by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah
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