Tag Archives: adventure

May 29, 2023 · 7:00 am

Charlie the City Chicken Visits a Farm by Helen McKeon (Book Review)

In this heart-warming story, Charlie sets out on a journey to a nearby farm and learns a valuable lesson about making friends. Despite his initial struggles to connect with the farm animals, Charlie discovers the joy of finding common ground and breaking down barriers through play.

Perfect for children ages 0 to 8, this charming tale will capture young readers’ imaginations and inspire them to be patient and open-minded when making new friends. Whether reading to your child or letting older kids read it themselves, “Charlie the City Chicken Visits a Farm” is a must-read for anyone looking for a fun and educational children’s book.

Looking for an engaging children’s book that teaches the value of friendship and inclusivity through play? Look no further than “Charlie the City Chicken Visits a Farm”!

Get your copy today and share in the fun!

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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.

 

Making friends can be tricky for all ages. Children get into cliques, and new members of a class, team, club, or school frequently shy away from introducing themselves, fearing rejection. Like in Charlie the City Chicken Visits a Farm, there will be times when rejection happens, but this rhyming story teaches children to persevere. One day, with patience, they will find a friend. 

Charlie the chicken called the city his home. His home was loud with tall buildings, the polar opposite of the life he longed to live. One day, Charlie decided to walk to a nearby farm. Children will love the illustration of a hat-wearing chicken kicking up his foot while a couple of mice dine close by on a plate of pancakes topped with blueberries. The other drawings were also brilliantly drawn with bold color choices. 

When Charlie finally arrived at the farm, he met many animals, but also a challenge. Every animal he meets ignores him, including a hen. Charlie felt like he was doing something wrong. Children who’ve experienced the new friendship woes might wonder if they are “doing something wrong” too. They might want to “give up” like Charlie almost did. 

Charlie the City Chicken Visits a Farm teaches children that making friends takes patience. Also, friends come in all sizes, colors, and shapes! 

Amazon lists Charlie the City Chicken Visits a Farm by Helen McKeon for listeners birth to six years. This age bracket is perfect for multiple reasons. Babies will love the colors! Toddlers can use this story to learn farm animal names and their corresponding sounds. Three and four-year-olds will adore listening to the chicken’s adventure. Finally, the simple, rhyming text is perfect for new readers (five and six-year-olds). 

I recommend you share this story with your child and class. Teach them to treat others with kindness.  

 

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

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Meet the Author

Helen McKeon is a self-published children’s book author and illustrator who dabbles in romance and alternative history on the side.

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May 25, 2023 · 7:00 am

Mishaps of Marvelouz Witch: Marvelouz Grows a Garden (The Mishaps of Marvelouz Witch Book 2) by Karen Fronterhouse (Book Review)


Marvelouz sees her sister’s beautiful garden and she immediately wants one of her own. Without any sort of research, she tries to create what her sister has and is surprised when it is not as easy as she thought it would be. Who is Cody at the local feed and seed? And where did that familiar-looking mushroom come from? Another lesson to be learned as a young witch hones her magic skills in the middle 1800s in Ricochet Forest.

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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.

 

I didn’t read book one in The Mishaps of Marvelouz Witch series, but book two takes us on a wild journey as the young witch attempts to grow a beautiful garden like her older witch sister, Sparkleful. 

As the story begins, we catch up with Marvelouz, who was gifted a private dwelling for her thirteenth birthday. The customary “coming-out” gift allows a young witch to practice magic safely and privately. This present was perfect for Marvelouz since her spells tended to backfire. Her lack of magical control came into play as the story progressed. 

Marvelouz idolized her older sister, Sparkleful. Marvelouz wanted to do everything Sparkleful did for no other reason than to prove she could. When Marvelouz flew to her sister’s garden, her eyes became saucers. Before the witch stood the grandest garden she’d ever seen, and Marvelouz knew she had to create one herself. 

Marvelouz made several mistakes during the adventure. She should’ve taken her time and had patience with the process. She should’ve asked for assistance. Marvelouz wasn’t technically alone in the gardening fiasco. The witch had Pounce by her side. Ponce was a black cat and Marvelouz’s “pairing.” People who read paranormal/supernatural stories might recognize the word “familiar.” “Pairing” and “familiar” are (basically) the same thing. 

Pounce was a magical cat. He communicates with humans using puff messages. When Pounce has something to say, he sends the thought up in little clouds of smoke, and the picture forms to show it. The artistry of his thoughts was spectacular. Every illustration was well-crafted. 

Marvelouz and Pounce gardening skills need tweaking. While they managed to grow crops and flowers, her garden didn’t resemble the ones we’d see in our yards. Her garden became animated and not in a sweet, fairy tale way. Her plants were angry. They had eyes and fangs. Marvelouz’s spell backfired in epic proportions. She needed help and relied on a talking crow to forward her SOS to Sparkelful. 

Mishaps of Marvelouz Witch: Marvelouz Grows a Garden had humor, suspense, and action. Karen Fronterhouse created unique characters and a storyline that will fascinate elementary students. 

While the story had many great attributes, one being Julez the fanged blue mushroom, it also contained numerous editing mistakes. Despite the hiccups, I recommend the story to young readers who enjoy magic-infused reads. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

I’ve always loved magic. I have spent my life working in accounting and being a single mom. The house, yard, job and all that goes with it. I love camping, fishing, gardening, dollhouses, Christmas and Halloween decorations. I laugh every day at my little dogs. They are my joy. Now that life is slowing down I’m taking the time to pursue my passion for writing fantasy fiction. I hope you all enjoy it and may you smile at least once.

A special thank you to Joe Camp, a master storyteller, for all his expert guidance, advice, and most of all his patience. It meant everything to me. Many thanks to my sister, who is also my best friend, for all the support and punctuation corrections and for reading the story over and over until it was complete. I’d be lost without you. Also thanks to my many Mountain friends who were so supportive and positive along the way.

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May 1, 2023 · 7:00 am

ROSA AND MEE: An AI Adventure Story by Ben Goldstein (Book Review)

Ten-year old Rosa lives in a shelter and attends a failing school in New York City. At school, Rosa is bullied and robbed. Things are going badly for Rosa until she is contacted by “MEE,” a newly created artificial intelligence, who inhabits her school’s computer system. Mee teaches Rosa to defend herself and helps her save her family from falling through the cracks of the welfare system. An inner-city Cinderella story.


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Visit the Author’s Website For More Information!

 

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

 

Rosa and Mee written by Ben Goldstein, captures all the drama one might experience in school and much more. The author dives into family drama and issues with the law and even incorporates artificial intelligence into the storyline. 

As the story begins, eleven-year-old Rosa, her mother, brother, and other tenants in the building are rushing to safety. Their home was engulfed in flames. With nowhere to go, Rosa and her family had to turn to a shelter for help. Living in a shelter for any reason is a last straw solution for many families. But when life knocks you down, it’s their salvation. 

While Luishana searched for employment and new housing, Rosa spent her days at P.S. 101. Rosa’s school consisted of shy students and bullies. Like almost every other school in the U.S. and abroad, the bullies love to make shy kids’ lives miserable. The class bully Shantel did just that and participated in illegal acts. These unlawful acts put many lives in danger. Every character was connected in this story down to Mee, the artificial intelligence. 

Rosa was shocked when she initially met Mee. She had never met a computer that could communicate of their free will. Her reaction was realistic. Doubt what she was seeing and spoke to the teacher about the development. 

Mee proved to be very useful. It helped Rosa academically, aided her family out of a sticky jam, and also helped save her and Luis from thugs with deadly intentions. Mee was extraordinary, but so was Rosa. 

The more Rosa interacted with Mee, the more confidence she gained: in school and on the streets. Through Mee’s guidance, Rosa was able to learn martial arts. Rosa’s new skills were tested, and she prevailed victorious.

When the school was robbed, and a student went missing, Rosa and Mee worked together to save the day. When some people think of artificial intelligence, they imagine robots taking over the world. Mee proves that they are there to help those in need. Only criminals should fear them. Mee had eyes everywhere and could call upon his minions at any time. Okay, that last one will make more sense as the cliffhanger plays out. 

Rosa’s family did have a VERY happy ever after. They no longer have to fear falling through the cracks of the welfare system. Luis, the main target of the bully’s taunts, went from victim to hero. And the villains of the story received the appropriate punishment. Justice was served! 

Will Mee be Rosa’s sidekick forever, or is it the end of the dynamic duo? You’ll have to purchase the book to find out, and I hope you will. It had action, suspense, drones, drama galore, and plausible scenes. With the rapid advancements in A.I. and their remarkable learning capabilities, I’m confident we will one day communicate with a similar version of Mee.

There was one minor inconsistency: chapter one states Rosa is eleven, while the book summary says, “Ten-year old Rosa lives in a shelter and attends a failing school in New York City.” That should be a quick and easy fix. 

This book is perfect for teens and young adults. 

 

Review submitted  to Reedsy 2/25/23.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

Visit the Author’s Website For More Information!

 

 

Meet the Author

Ben Goldstein has written, produced, and directed, books, songs, films, and audio and video productions for such companies as Sesame Street, Jim Henson, Holt Rhinehart, Nelvana, CBS, and Scholastic. He has written for licensed characters, Clifford the Dog, Snuggle the Bear, and Rainbow Brite.

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April 27, 2023 · 7:00 am

Raptor Rescue: A Curious James Crossing the Street Adventure Book by Jaybie D. (Book Review)

Amidst the bustle of a chaotic street, the Raptor quivered, his heart skipped a beat. He tried to cross, but oh, what a disaster! His fear too great, he couldn’t move faster.

Then, along came James, with a look in his eye, he saw a new friend and didn’t think twice. He knew what to do and led him out of harm’s way, then taught him to cross safely that day.

This inspiring tale of friendship and care will encourage young readers, with a message so rare. Join James and the Raptor, on a journey so sweet, and learn that helping others, can’t be beat.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 


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

 

Does your child love dinosaurs? Do they play superheroes or watch superhero shows? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you’ll want to read Raptor Rescue. This story teaches critical street safety tips with the help of a raptor and a superhero boy. 

Raptor Rescue begins with James spotting a raptor attempting to cross the street. The raptor didn’t mean to cause a ruckus, but his appearance did cause chaos. Cars veered to miss him. People shouted for it to move out of the way. James, witnessing the mayhem, sprung into action. Not all superheroes wear capes, but James did. 

As James speaks to the raptor, readers discover the dinosaur didn’t mean to cause trouble. He only wanted to cross the street. James teaches the raptor how to go from one side to the other safely. Through his instructions, your child will notice familiar traffic signs and signs. Stop and go light. Do not cross, and safe to cross lights. They also learn that a yellow light warns that red will soon be shown, so we must be patient and not roam.

I loved the introduction to the crosswalk images and the various buttons you might encounter at the corners of an intersection. We take these things for granted, but they are essential to teaching as much as the colors of the traffic lights. 

Raptor Rescue gives readers important advice. “Drivers may not see us, or yield the right of way, so we must be cautious, and cross the road with care each day.” James also explains what to do if you are halfway across the street and the light turns yellow. Every point of the book gives valuable advice and should be introduced to our children at a young age and reinforced repeatedly. 

Amazon has the book intended for 5-10 years olds. I suggest going younger: 3-year-olds. Again, the sooner we start teaching our children street safety, the better! 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

It is a privilege to write and illustrate children’s picture books, encouraging them to explore their imagination! It fills my soul.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

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April 12, 2023 · 7:00 am

The Daring Brothers: An Epic Adventure by Dr. Charan Surisetty (Book Review)


The Daring Brothers: An Epic Adventure is a heart-pumping tale of two brothers, Jack and Alex, who leave their mundane lives behind to pursue their dreams of adventure and fame. As they set out to conquer a treacherous mountain and uncover its long-lost treasures, the brothers face countless obstacles and challenges that test their courage and strength. Along the way, they meet talking animals and encounter breathtaking wonders that push them to their limits. With every step, the brothers prove that they are made of sterner stuff and are unafraid to take risks to achieve their goals. This epic adventure will capture the imagination of young readers and inspire them to chase their dreams with unbridled determination.

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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.

 

The Daring Brothers: An Epic Adventure is an exciting tale of courage and determination, perfect for young adventure seekers!

Jack and Alex long for adventure, fame, and fortune. Every day, they look up at the peak, towering over the village, and dream about climbing it. One day, they decided to make their dream a reality. They gathered up supplies and set off.

They knew their journey would pose challenges but were ready to face whatever came their way. They climbed steep cliffs and icy slopes. They battled harsh winds and frigid temps. With each step, they grew stronger. They persevered. 

Jack and Alex reached a point, a plateau that took their breath away. As they traveled on, the wonders didn’t cease. They met animals that shared stories and spoke of dangers ahead. Still, they were determined to fulfill their quest. 

When they met the guardian, their strength was truly tested. I was highly impressed with all the drawings in the story, but the guardian image was spectacular. It has movement and flow. You could see every crease in the creature’s skin. Its eyes were so real you almost expected them to glow in the dark. I applaud the artist’s skill. I also applaud Dr. Charan Surisetty for creating an adventure story that young readers will be captivated by. 

Children will cheer the boys on as they set off on their journey. They’ll be fascinated by the large animals they come across. And, of course, they’ll be on the edge of their seats when Jack and Alex face off with the unnatural beast. Parents will love every moment of the story and the message at its conclusion: “Adventure awaits those who see it, and courage follows those who embrace it.” 

Beasts come in all forms. The Daring Brothers: An Epic Adventure inspires children to find the courage to overcome obstacles, defeat their beasts. Remember, you are mightier than you think!

I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading of six to twelve years. 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Charan Surisetty: children’s book author capturing the bond between siblings. Inspired by my boys, my characters embark on fun adventures and learn life lessons. Join us on this journey of discovery and imagination! Check out my books on Amazon.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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