Tag Archives: feelings

February 10, 2025 · 7:00 am

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.

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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.

 

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)

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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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November 25, 2024 · 7:00 am

Sunny’s First Day by Dr. Julissa Artiles (Book Review)

Come along with Sunny, an endearing young giraffe, on her first day of school in this heart-warming tale of bravery and friendship. Sunny is excited and anxious about her first day of school. Struggling with anxiety and self-confidence, she finds herself unsure of what to expect. With the help of mama giraffe and a good friend, Bailey the elephant, Sunny faces her fears and learns to overcome her challenges while also making new friends. This beautifully illustrated book gently addresses themes of anxiety, self-confidence and resilience. Through Sunny’s journey, children learn the importance of developing meaningful connections, kindness, support, and the power of facing their fears with a little help from friends. Perfect for young readers navigating their own struggles with new experiences, this story is a celebration of courage and the joy of new beginnings. Discover how Sunny manages to turn her first day of school into an experience of growth and friendship.

 

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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.

 

“Come along with Sunny, an endearing young giraffe, on her first day of school in this heart-warming tale of bravery and friendship.”

Several occasions might cause a child to be anxious, worried, or scared: first day at a new school, taking a test, public speaking, or speaking to new people, to name just a few. When you’re feeling any or all of these unpleasant feelings, it’s common for your body to react much like Sunny’s did. Sunny, a very cutely illustrated giraffe, has a very common reaction to the first day of school: their belly feels jumpy, and their hooves sweat. While we don’t have hooves, our human body has areas that might break out in a sweat. Mama Giraffe did not dismiss her calf’s fears; she reassured them that what they were experiencing was normal. Mama Giraffe also mentioned that when we feel anxious, our hearts can feel like they are running a race. Mama had a special breathing technique to quieten nervous bellies and pounding hearts. “Just breathe in slowly, like when you’re smelling the daisies out in the garden. Then, breathe out through your mouth, like when you’re blowing out the candles on your birthday cake.” This breathing technique comes in handy when Sunny has to stand up to a classroom bully. 

Bullies are present in every school, and often, the less-than-friendly classmate(s) target kids on their very first day or week of school. A bully can make it difficult for children to participate in class and interact with others on the playground. The negative attention can make a kid dread school days and can affect a kid’s mental and physical health. Sunny had the misfortune of being on a bully’s radar on their first day of school. Basher the bull’s name-calling and mocking of Sunny’s spots caused the giraffe to run out of the room in tears. 

Basher felt zero guilt or remorse when Sunny cried. He didn’t learn his lesson after spending time in the “calm corner,” either. However, Basher’s attitude drastically changed when Sunny stood up for herself, and he was the one no one wanted to play with on the playground. 

Sunny’s First Day shows the profound effect negative words can have on a person. The illustrated storybook shows the proper way to handle a bully. Sunny did not stoop to Basher’s level and call him names. Instead, she took the advice of Bailey (the elephant) and stood up to Basher; she informed him what he was doing and showed him that she would not let him stop her from having fun with the other animals. Before she stood hoof to hoof with the bull, she first needed to quiet her nerves and racing heart using her mom’s breathing technique. (Breathing techniques and positive affirmations are visited after the story’s conclusion.) 

While not every bully may change like Basher, Sunny’s inspiring handling of the situation and her ability to calm her nerves are valuable lessons for children. I strongly recommend sharing this book with your elementary students to help create a more peaceful and healthy environment for them to grow and learn. 

I loved the storyline and animal illustrations very much, but I couldn’t overlook the editing errors. I would recommend another editing pass. 

Amazon’s suggested reading age is 5-9 years. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Born and raised in Miami, FL, I am a licensed clinical psychologist, wife, and mother of two wonderful children. I love spending quality time with family and friends and reading bedtime stories to my kids. Writing a children’s book was a dream come true and I’ve loved using my creativity and psychological insights to help children face new experiences with courage and confidence.

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November 22, 2024 · 7:00 am

I Did Not Know That by Suzanne Johnson (Book Review)

Sofia loves to explore the forest with its welcoming animals and beautiful wildflowers and trees. Join her as she meets friends and learns some unexpected lessons along the way.

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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 Did Not Know That explores feelings or social interactions children will experience at some point but may not understand how to handle them. Or, they’ve mishandled situations and need guidance on better handling them. For instance, in the first chapter, Sofia comes face to face with a deer on a walking trail. She very frankly tells the deer they are in her way. Like all the other animals in the story, the deer speaks to her. This wild animal kept a cool head and said, “You don’t always have to remove things that are in your way. Did you know that sometimes you can walk around them?” Sofia claimed she didn’t know that. Young kids might not know that either. They might ask a person to move in a not-so-pleasant tone. 

As Sofia continues her journey, she meets more animals who give her sound advice and food for thought. Sofia and readers will learn why bullfrogs croak so loudly. They will learn from a bushy-tail squirrel that it’s okay to cry. Accidents will happen; don’t lose your temper when they do. Losing your temper hurts another person’s feelings and solves nothing. It typically escalates a bad situation. Instead, choose forgiveness. It has a better effect than angry words and actions.  

Sofia returns to the forest over the years, meeting new friends and learning valuable life lessons. One day, a small brown horse notices Sofia doesn’t look happy kicking her soccer ball around. They asked her what’s wrong. Sofia is mad at herself for missing a ball, causing her team to lose the game. Society puts too much pressure on people, especially kids, to win. Peyton, the horse, tells Sofia she is good enough just the way she is. Parents, coaches, and educators should always encourage kids to enjoy life and not make themselves miserable, striving for perfection. Remind them it’s not important if you win or lose but how you play the game!

Sofia meets one more animal before we flash forward a few years to see Sofia return to the forest as an adult. Her first meet-up was with a big, black spider. I bet kids will have strong views on whether they’d stop to speak to the arachnid. For me, the answer is a hard NO. But I’m glad Sofia was braver than me because she had an insightful talk with Caroline about feeling jealous of her best friend. You’ll have to grab the book to hear Caroline’s helpful advice and Sofia’s wise words for the two bickering crows. 

Life moves too quickly and so does this book. I wish it had another nine chapters. Why? Because I see children welcoming, absorbing, and then using the advice from the animals and arachnid more readily than if an adult sat them down and said what they should have done after the fact. 

After Sofia meets one more forest animal (name withheld on purpose), kids learn to draw Ethan, the squirrel, by following 10 simple moves. The end credits also feature multiple discussion questions. A few ask readers to recall what they read or flip back and look for an object. 

I Did Not Know That guides children through simple dialogue on handling many emotions/feelings. The sketches were cute too, even the (gulp) spider. The only thing this book needed was names for all the animals. Sofia asked a few, but not all. Why? Besides that one small detail, this story was fantastic and worth four stars. 

I recommend sharing this quick read with preschoolers and elementary school children. Let’s raise children to be kind, treat others with respect, love themselves, be happy with who they are, and realize that it’s okay not to be okay.

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:  ❤❤❤❤1/2

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

 

Suzanne Searcy Johnson is an author and poet who loves connecting with others and with nature. She hopes that Sofia motivates young readers to discover the outdoors with curiosity.

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September 13, 2024 · 7:00 am

The Grumpy Growly Tree (Stories With Heart Book 3) by Debi K Fraser (Book Review)

The animals in the forest are scared of the Grumpy, Growly Tree. The other trees are growing as far away as be. But is there more to Grumpy than what they see?

Join the forest animals in their daily adventures and follow along as they learn that sometimes things are not always as they seem. In a story that reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can sometimes make the biggest difference.

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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 Grumpy Growly Tree, the third book in the “Stories with Heart” series, is a heartfelt story about the power of love, kindness, and acceptance. 

Grumpy was a sad and lonely tree whose face reflected these feelings. Other trees and many animals reacted unfavorably when they saw Grumpy’s droopy facial features. His forest companions either kept their distance from him or fled in fright. Grumpy’s fellow trees and nine animal visitors never stopped to ask if he was okay. Why did he look so sad? Thankfully, one adorable forest animal didn’t dash away in fright. Instead, this sweet animal stopped and talked to Grumpy, and in doing so, they discovered Grumpy was not grumpy at all; the tree was sad and lonely, and they only wanted someone to love them. (I kept the animal’s name a secret on purpose.) 

In real life, people are judged for looking, acting, or speaking differently from what their peers consider “normal.” Often, it is for the color of their skin. Sometimes, we look at someone’s facial expression and decide to keep a safe distance from them. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of such judgments, you’ll empathize with the sad tree in this story.

The Grumpy Growly Tree beautifully demonstrates the power of kindness. It proves that one act, big or small, can profoundly affect a person’s life. It can lift spirits, give hope, and give a person a reason to smile. The cute animal in the story caused all three effects on the initially grouchy-looking tree. I must say, the artist made the cutest sad tree ever! I loved his big nose and expressive eyes. The illustrated “a light of love so bright” page and all the glowing drawings after that made my face light up, much like the tree.

I adored the children’s book’s positive underlying messages: We all deserve love and should treat others how we want to be treated: with kindness and acceptance!

I recommend this wonderful story to children 3- 7 years.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author 

Debi K Fraser is the author of the Stories With Heart series of children’s picture books.

Her love of stories and the characters that inhabit them has been with her since she was old enough to hold a book. As a child she could often be found with a pile of cucumber sandwiches and any number of books containing dragons, witches and magical adventures. Her passion for creating her own naturally followed.

Although Debi is from New Zealand, she currently lives in Quebec, Canada with her two sons and her two dogs. She loves being out in nature and can often be found walking her dogs through the forest, where for her, magic and inspiration live. Stories dance their way into Debi’s imagination morning, noon and night.

But mostly in the forest.

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April 12, 2024 · 7:00 am

Monster Problems A to Z by Stacie Green (Book Spotlight)

Journey through the alphabet with mythical creatures as they confront real-life challenges. From anxious aliens to zoned-out zombies, this vibrant hand – illustrated book combines fantasy and empathy with clever vocabulary to create a world where monsters are a lot like us. Delight in this story from the author of “Monsters Need Breaks Too!” and continue the fun with these relatable whimsical mythical creatures!

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PREVIEW

 

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Meet the Author

Hi. I’m Stacie Green, Illustrator and artist. My love of art started around the time I learned how to hold a crayon. Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, I would spend countless hours outdoors with paper and crayons in hand. One of my earliest memories is sitting outside next to a tree stump watching my grandparents’ brown and black farm dog, asleep stretched out in the sun. As I began to draw him, I noticed how the light played on each color of his fur differently. I was fascinated by all the little details around me, especially in nature. The repeating patterns in leaves, the spots on the back of a crawdad in the creek, and the tiny seeds of a dandelion were all beautiful and interesting to me.

I seek to capture those little details in my artwork, whether it is hand drawing, paintings, or graphic designs. There is often a story or memory behind my work. Many of my characters and creatures are from stories I’ve written and developed. As you take in my work, I hope you will find the beauty in the details and come to appreciate lines, patterns, color, and texture as much as I do.

My background is in Studio Art and Fibers. I hold a Masters in Art Education and taught in public, private, and international schools for over 10 years. My family includes my engineer hubby and three quirky kids. In my free time, you will find me studying more about surface pattern design, reading, drawing with my favorite oil pastels, traveling, and hanging out with my friends. I love Boho style, flowy clothing, and lots of jewelry. When we meet, I will probably remind you of your favorite quirky art teacher!

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