Tag Archives: family

Mama Sheep and the Mysterious Cup by Carlie Guerrier (Book Spotlight)

Mama Sheep and the Mysterious Cup is a delightful kids mystery adventure that will captivate toddlers and early readers alike. This toddler mystery story follows Mama Sheep, a clever and caring farm animal, who loves to keep everything tidy. One morning, she discovers a mysterious cup of water on her counter, sparking a humorous investigation that will keep young minds guessing.

This early reader picture book is a cute animal picture book filled with colorful illustrations, playful characters, and a heartwarming twist. As Mama Sheep asks her little lambs, Daddy Sheep, and even the neighbors about the mysterious cup, the adventure unfolds into a true family fun mystery. Every page of this Mama Sheep mystery offers gentle humor and engaging surprises, making it the perfect farm animal tale for your little ones.

Join Mama Sheep on her quest to solve the mystery, and let your child laugh, learn, and explore this charming adventure from start to finish!

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Check out my Reedsy review!!

 

 

Meet the Author

Since her teenage years, Carlie Guerrier has had a deep passion for writing, finding both joy and comfort in storytelling. When she’s not bringing stories to life, she loves cooking delicious meals for her family and enjoying quality time together.

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The Adventures of MOOMOO: MooMoo’s Adventure to Remember by Joe Komara (Book Review)

 

Join MooMoo, the lovable HippoCatamus, as she embarks on a heartwarming adventure to remember who she is. After an accident leaves her memory a bit fuzzy, MooMoo sets off to find her family, meeting a cast of colorful characters along the way. From a lost monkey to a graceful gazelle, MooMoo wonders if she might be like them—until a sweet reunion with her parents reveals she’s perfectly unique. MooMoo’s Adventure to Remember celebrates self-discovery, kindness, and embracing what makes each of us special and unique.

Perfect for all readers young and old who adore animals and heartwarming adventures.

 

The Inspiration For MooMoo comes from my beloved kitty cat, Rue McCatahan, AKA MooMoo. Rescued from the Humane Society, Rue captured our hearts with her heavy-footed walk, floofy tail, and endearing clumsiness—earning her the nickname of “Hippocatamus.” MooMoo’s caring spirit is inspired by my niece Kennedy, whose heartfelt dedication to helping other children is a beautiful example of human generosity that will hopefully inspire your kiddo too!

Grab your copy and fall in love with MooMoo today!

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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.

 

Have you ever looked at your reflection and wondered, Who am I? Where do I belong? MooMoo has. MooMoo, a uniquely designed character, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Part cat, part hippo, and all purple except for its eyes, MooMoo’s features and coloring are not what we call ‘normal.’ As MooMoo tries to remember who they are and where their home is, she meets two animals whose coloring and/or shape are not typical of their species. First, MooMoo meets a sad pink monkey who’s lost and can’t find their family. MooMoo puts aside their personal quest and redirects their attention to help Miko, the young monkey, find their family. They next meet a multi-colored gazelle named Zala, whose body featured sharp lines that reminded me of geometrical art. Beautiful!

MooMoo doesn’t know her place in this brightly shaded world. Is she a monkey? A gazelle? A hippo? And, if she is a hippo, why does she have a cat face? MooMoo is understandably confused, not to mention still lost at this point in the story.

MooMoo, in her journey of self-discovery, was kind to the monkey, and their kindness inspired another animal to be kind to them. (The mysterious animal’s identity will be revealed after reading this sweet story.) It should be no surprise that MooMoo finds her parents and discovers who they are. MooMoo, the darling hippocatamus, began their journey unsure about their identity, but in the end, they could look at their reflection feeling proud of their unique self. This story does what we adults should do—inspire kids to embrace their uniqueness!

I loved the writer’s and artist’s imagination when it came to the storyline and character design. Both were out-of-the-box thinking and made for an excellent children’s book! There were a few words that might stump three-year-olds, the starting recommended reading age, according to Amazon. Overall, kids will be enchanted by the mysterious creature and be eager to read future adventures starring the hippocatamus or other colorful, blended animals.

As a fellow enthusiast of children’s literature, I agree with Amazon’s target audience: 3-9 years. This book is a perfect fit for young readers, offering a delightful and imaginative journey of self-discovery.

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

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Meet the Author

Joe Komara learned young how fulfilling it is to help kids stay healthy & creative, His books are inspired by his niece Kennedy and his floofy-tailed, charmingly clumsy cat, Rue (aka MooMoo). Joe is an actor and a Board-Certified Positive Psychology-Based Life & Well-Being Coach. NBC-HWC, ACC

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Chloe Moves to a New City: The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe Series by Andrea McLean (Book Review)

When Burnie and Chloe hear a tiny voice in Chloe’s new house, they discover a little spider named Webster who’s lost and far from home! With big hearts and curious minds, Burnie and Chloe decide to help their new friend find a place to belong.

Their adventure takes them to the backyard, where they meet another friendly spider who just might have the perfect solution. Along the way, Burnie and Chloe learn what it means to help others, make new friends, and open their hearts to those in need.

Join Burnie and Chloe on this heartwarming journey of friendship, kindness, and finding a new home in unexpected places. Perfect for young readers, this story is sure to bring smiles, laughter, and a reminder that everyone can lend a helping hand.

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Burnie and Chloe are not just family; they are doggie best friends. They frequently get together at Burnie’s house for play dates. Whether they are taking a dip in the pool, exploring the outdoors, or partaking in an indoor adventure, the canine buddies always have each other’s back. They are so lucky to have each other. But things are about to change. Chloe’s owner/Ava’s brother swung by to inform the family that he got a new job and is moving to a new city. The news shocked Burnie, so he naturally had several questions. Even a human’s curiosity would cause us to question a friend or family member if they suddenly sprung news they were relocating.

A few weeks after the big move, Burnie and his family packed up and drove three hours to visit the brother and Chloe’s new home. Burnie and Chloe were super excited to see each other, and Chloe couldn’t wait to give Burnie the grand tour. Burnie was very curious about the space behind the stairwell. What he found would have me and many others running away, possibly screaming as we go. Why? Because Burnie found a spider! Okay, for a spider, it was rather cute when it smiled. Yes, you read that right. The itsy-bitsy spider smiles! Even though Webster (spider) looks friendly, I’m not sure if I would place it on my head (like Burnie did). I bet kids will have a strong opinion on this matter!

Like the other stories in The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe series, the doggie duo band together to fix a problem. In the case of Chloe Moves to a New City, their mission is to help find the lost spider (Webster) a new home, preferably outdoors. Did they succeed in their quest? I bet you know the answer to that. The final image featuring the friends posing with their tongues out is the perfect ending to the story.

Chloe Moves to a New City is a sweet story, capturing the strong bond between two canine friends. I liked the variety of body poses and facial expressions, which added depth and emotion to the characters. The backgrounds popped thanks to the vibrant wallpaper patterns and paint color choices. There were still some flat areas, but I applaud the artist’s attempt to spruce up certain rooms. The first staircase image, however, missed the mark. The left side of the staircase appears to be floating in the air towards the bottom. For the storyline, many of us can relate to a family member or friend moving away. This story may inspire children to share their experiences and feelings about a similar situation. I have one small request for the author; it may be time to give Ava’s brother a name. He’s been featured in more than one story, and I don’t recall the character being addressed by anything other than “Ava’s brother.”

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the latest story in The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe series—the heartwarming tale of friendship, coupled with the vibrant illustrations, made for a delightful read. I can’t wait to see what fun adventures await Burnie and Chloe in the next book!

Suggested reading age is 3-8 years.


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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Andrea C. McLean is a board-certified life, career, and executive coach. She is a global leadership coach and mentor focused on developing women leaders in corporate and university settings. Andrea has a spirit of encouragement and a passion for inspiring others on their journey toward achieving personal transformations. She can be reached at andrea@acmcoachinggroup.com and you can follow @andreacmclean on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more inspiration.
 

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Chloe Moves to a New City: The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe Series by Andrea McLean (Book Spotlight)

When Burnie and Chloe hear a tiny voice in Chloe’s new house, they discover a little spider named Webster who’s lost and far from home! With big hearts and curious minds, Burnie and Chloe decide to help their new friend find a place to belong.

Their adventure takes them to the backyard, where they meet another friendly spider who just might have the perfect solution. Along the way, Burnie and Chloe learn what it means to help others, make new friends, and open their hearts to those in need.

Join Burnie and Chloe on this heartwarming journey of friendship, kindness, and finding a new home in unexpected places. Perfect for young readers, this story is sure to bring smiles, laughter, and a reminder that everyone can lend a helping hand.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

SNEAK PEEK

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Reedsy’s Review Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Andrea C. McLean is a board-certified life, career, and executive coach. She is a global leadership coach and mentor focused on developing women leaders in corporate and university settings. Andrea has a spirit of encouragement and a passion for inspiring others on their journey toward achieving personal transformations. She can be reached at andrea@acmcoachinggroup.com and you can follow @andreacmclean on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more inspiration.
 

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Gentle Hugs by Lily Guzmán (Book Review)

Releasing April 5, 2025!

Alex treasures the time he spends with Nico, his loyal and curious dog, who is always by his side. Day by day, Alex confides in Nico about his mother’s health challenges, sharing his concerns and hopes. Despite her illness, Alex witnesses the unwavering depth of her love, a love that remains constant, though gentle. This story explores themes of resilience and the quiet strength of love.

Amazon Preorder Link

 

 

 

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

 

Starting at a young age, kids pick up on cues that a friend or loved one isn’t feeling well. They make the connection between a cough or sneeze, which means a person is sick. That doesn’t mean they fully understand why mommy or daddy can’t play with them. In their eyes, parents are superheroes; nothing can keep them down for long. However, what happens when one day becomes two, two becomes three, and so on? Will their young mind understand why their parent isn’t getting better? Will their mood change? Kids are observant; they listen and see more than we realize. They catch whispered conversations. They notice a person is going to the doctor, sometimes a lot. They take notice of changed behavior and appearances. They may not fully grasp the root cause, but they know something isn’t right. That’s why we must include kids in the conversations and reassure them that they can talk to us about their feelings, and we’ll answer all their questions to the best of your ability.

Lily Guzmán beautifully explained what was happening to Alex’s mom and allowed us to view her “not-so-good days” through his eyes. When mom had a fever, Alex compared her body to the sun. A simile that kids of many ages can comprehend. When his mom was too tired to read a bedtime story, Alex explained to his best friend and dog, Nico, that he knew his mommy still loved them because she checked on them while they slept.

Love. Whether mom’s skin felt like it was being stung by a hundred ants or her legs felt like big balloons, Alex knew his mother loved him. Even when Alex couldn’t receive big bear hugs, he reassured himself and his furry companion that Mommy still loved them. Sickness can come in short-term bursts or long-hard battles. Our job is to share with our kid(s) what we believe they can handle at their age and reassure them that, though it all, they are loved. This story is an excellent demonstration of both.

Gentle Hugs is a touching picture book showing how love can be expressed, not only with words but also with our actions. The book is filled with lovely illustrations that vividly depict Alex’s journey and his mother’s battle with an illness. The heart-warming storyline moved me. I teared up at Alex’s observations and how he never once doubted his mother’s love. I recommend sharing this story with your child, especially if someone close to them is battling a health issue. It’s a beautifully crafted storybook that’ll leave a lasting impression on every reader, young or old.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2
(rounded to 5 stars on Amazon and Goodreads)

Amazon Preorder Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Lily Guzmán is a physician specializing in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, currently based in Puerto Rico. Born and raised on the island, she spent a formative period in Miami, Florida, where she trained to become a Rheumatologist. Her passion for medicine stems from a deep desire to improve the lives of her patients, particularly those living with chronic pain.

Outside of her medical practice, she cherishes time with her family and her beloved dog, Nico. It was the comfort and companionship she found in Nico, along with the resilience of her patients facing chronic pain, that inspired her to write Gentle Hugs. The book serves as a heartfelt reminder that empathy and compassion, like any other qualities, need daily care to thrive.

Through her writing, she hopes to offer comfort and support to families facing similar challenges, particularly those affected by chronic illness. Gentle Hugs helps children understand the emotional complexities of having a loved one who struggles with health issues, while also reminding readers of all ages that love, empathy, and care can endure even on tough days. Lily hopes the book encourages a deeper sense of kindness and compassion in everyone who reads it.

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