Monthly Archives: May 2024

The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Burnie Explores the Neighborhood by Andrea McLean (Book Review)

Join Chloe and Burnie in this heartwarming story of unexpected twists and loyalty. Chloe, visiting her friend Burnie, experiences an ordinary day that takes a sudden turn when a plumber arrives to fix a broken pipe. As the plumber forgets to close the door behind him, Burnie seizes the opportunity for an adventure outside, tempting Chloe to break the rules.

The story unfolds with Burnie venturing deep into the woods while Chloe, true to her sense of responsibility, raises the alarm. As their journey unfolds, readers will share the tension, worry, and eventual relief as Burnie navigates the woods and reunites with his worried owner, Ava.

The Adventures of Burnie and Chloe, Burnie Explores the Neighborhood, is a charming tale that celebrates the bonds of friendship and the importance of following rules. Will Burnie’s escapade teach him a valuable lesson about the importance of staying close to home, or will it strengthen the bond between him and Chloe? Find out in this enchanting story that captures the essence of true friendship.

Preorder: Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Animals are naturally curious, and their curiosity often leads them into hot water. While Burnie and Chloe were having another doggie playdate, a plumber arrived to fix a broken pipe in the kitchen. The dogs didn’t mind the repairman being there. In fact, they settled in to take a nap while he worked. It wasn’t until they heard the front door that their eyes sprung open. The workman stepped outside to grab a tool, leaving the front door wide open and unattended. 

If you have pets in your home, you can understand the need to keep all exit doors securely shut so your companion(s) don’t leave the safety of their home and get lost. Whether you have paws or hands and feet, becoming lost is scary. It’s common for people and animals to panic, not sure which way to turn. Burnie was lucky; he sniffed the proper path out of the woods, leading him one step closer to home. Understandably, Ava (his owner) was worried about her wandering pooch. While she was relieved to find him, she was not thrilled he broke the rules and told him he should never leave the house again without permission or an adult. That is sound advice to all children. 

Some pets, like Chloe, know better than to venture outside without their human. They might even try to talk their furry friends out of breaking the house rules, like Chloe tried to do in this cute children’s story. However, some animals are too drawn to the outdoors to listen to reason. While this is a story about two dogs, kids face similar situations. Should I obey the rules, break them, cave to peer pressure, or tell an adult about someone who made the wrong choice?

Everything worked out for Burnie, but his fate could’ve been worse. This story opens the door for parents and teachers to discuss the importance of following rules, asking for permission, and (of course) not traveling alone. 

With its bold, large text, The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Burnie Explores the Neighborhood  is a perfect choice for independent readers.

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 3-7. 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

Preorder: Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Andrea C. McLean is a champion of personal discovery. She is passionate about kindling diverse connections and watching the resultant magic unfold. When she’s not spinning captivating narratives, Andrea coaches individuals to uncover their superpowers and navigate life’s twists with resilience.

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The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Burnie Makes a New Friend by Andrea McLean (Book Review)

In this heartwarming tale of “The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Makes a New Friend,” meet Burnie, an easygoing and happy dog accustomed to ruling his owners’ house with no other canines in sight. Enter Chloe, a bundle of energy and a speedy eater who disrupts Burnie’s peaceful existence during a family gathering.

As Burnie grapples with the presence of this spirited newcomer, a twist of fate leads to an unexpected friendship. When Burnie suffers a leg injury, Chloe becomes more than just a playful companion—she transforms into a source of inspiration and encouragement. Through patience and persistence, Chloe teaches Burnie a valuable lesson about overcoming challenges and embracing differences.

Follow Burnie’s journey of self-discovery as he learns that true friendship knows no boundaries. In a heartwarming revelation, Burnie realizes that friends can be different from you yet still be your greatest allies. “The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Makes a New Friend” is a touching story about acceptance, resilience, and the unbreakable bond that forms when two unlikely companions become the best of friends.

Preorder: Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

“The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Makes a New Friend is a touching story about acceptance, resilience, and the unbreakable bond that forms when two unlikely companions become the best of friends.”

Burnie was an easygoing, happy dog who never had to share his space with another animal. While that pleased him, the solitude meant he never learned social skills; he never had to share food, owner’s attention, or toys. When Ava’s brother brought his canine companion, Chloe, over for a visit, Burnie learned that when it comes to dinnertime, one must eat fast if they don’t want another pup to help themselves to seconds. In other words, guard your food bowl!  

Chloe and Burnie’s first interaction together did not make them instant friends. Actually, Burnie avoided Chloe after the I can’t believe you ate all my food incident. Their second visit started rocky weeks later, but their relationship eventually blossomed into a beautiful friendship. All because Chloe encouraged Burnie to climb up the stairs– to conquer his fears that manifested after a tumble off the sofa. Through her kind actions, Burnie realized he had misjudged Chloe and looked forward to their next doggie playdate. 

The story states, “Burnie learned a big lesson. You can have friends who are different from you.” While this is true, the takeaway I got from the story was sometimes people (or animals, in this case) may not make the best first impression. They might not realize their words or actions have upset you. Besides teaching kids that friends come in all shapes and sizes, the story also teaches readers the importance of giving a person (or animal) a second chance. Be forgiving. 

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 3-8. Children younger than three might not understand the story’s underlying message, but they will love adorable dogs—even the four additional animals in Burnie’s thought bubble. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

Preorder: Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Andrea C. McLean is a champion of personal discovery. She is passionate about kindling diverse connections and watching the resultant magic unfold. When she’s not spinning captivating narratives, Andrea coaches individuals to uncover their superpowers and navigate life’s twists with resilience.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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We’ll See: Book 1, The Emotional Literacy and Mindful Fables by Jessa Hooley (Book Review)

Is it good? Is it bad? We’ll see… In the heart of Honeybrook Meadows, Papa Pip and his grandbunnies find themselves swinging between delight and disaster. Through constantly changing circumstances, Papa Pip demonstrates an open-minded resilience with his gentle yet mysterious phrase — “We’ll see.”

Throughout this fable, each new happening brings a consequential surprise for Papa Pip and his grandbunnies, and even the gravest of situations seem to unfold in unpredictable ways. “We’ll See” is a heartfelt tale of hope, adventure, and unexpected twists, teaching young readers the invaluable lesson of withholding conclusions about the “goodness” or “badness” of any given circumstance.

Mindfulness & Emotional Literacy Concepts Explored:
Radical acceptance, being present, non-reactivity, and non-judgement.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

As I read this charming children’s book, I thought of the famous proverbial phrase: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. This phrase encourages optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of hardships or misfortune. This story promotes these two qualities as well. 

Seeing the bright spot in life can be challenging when times get tough. Papa Pip had the “wait and see” attitude when life threw his family curveballs. His grandbunnies had the opposite reaction and attitude; they overreacted in every situation. It is a typical response for kids and maybe even for adults. 

Whether the sweet food source was scarce or a tree came crashing down, Papa Pip kept his cool and said two key words, “We’ll see.” These two words taught his grandbunnies and readers to have patience, keep a cool head, and look for the positives in a negative situation. This is easier said than done. Even Papa Pip shed tears when the rushing water filled the meadow, threatening their home. But, I suspect his tears were a combination of losing their burrow and watching his family’s fear over the devastating turn of events. 

You can’t turn on the news without a reporter remarking about fires, floods, tornadoes, or other natural disasters. They are claiming our homes, causing families to start their lives over and leaving devastation behind. Unfortunately, it’s an emotional experience that many readers can relate to. 

Each time one of the baby bunnies were consumed with worry, things worked out in their favor. Will life imitate fiction every time? Maybe not always, but why let doom and gloom cloud your mind—look for the silver lining instead. Or, as the author writes, “It’s not always helpful to see our situations as good or bad, because you can never know for certain what will happen because of them.” This ties back to Papa Pip’s “We’ll see” mentality. 

I recommend sharing this book with children four years and older. I also recommend checking out “Let’s Talk About It!” There are four discussion points/questions that center on what they read.  

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Jessa works as a trauma-sensitive mindfulness meditation teacher and Integrative Trauma Practitioner. She believes that healing our communities begins by teaching our children stories that connect them to their emotions, bodies, and lived experience through a lens of imagination, nature,& discovery.

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