Tag Archives: funny illustrations

Gator Gray Gets Away by Heidi Brooks (Book Review)

Join Gator Gray on a whimsical adventure in
Gator Gray Gets Away!

 

This delightful tale follows the mischievous Gator Gray, who loves to crawl and explore, much to the amusement (and occasional exasperation) of his family. With a knack for getting into all sorts of playful trouble—from sneaking under beds to nibbling on bugs—Gray’s antics keep everyone on their toes!

As his family searches for solutions, Gator Gray’s journey takes a surprising turn. Will he ever trade in his crawling for walking? With heartwarming moments and plenty of giggles, this charming story captures the essence of childhood curiosity and the joy of growing up.

Perfect for children aged 3 to 9, Gator Gray Gets Away celebrates the playful spirit of little ones while reminding readers that every step of growth is worth cheering for. With whimsical rhymes and engaging illustrations, this book is sure to become a bedtime favorite for families everywhere!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

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

 

In the first several months, parents and babies will share many firsts: first smile, first laugh, the first time they roll over, plus many more. Around the 5th month mark, some babies start rocking, and soon after, they begin exploring their environment on all fours. They go from moving at a snail’s pace to zooming around the house, touching everything at eye level, and putting anything in their path into their mouth. They are constantly on the go, and parents reach a new level of tiredness. 

Gator Gray, a lively baby, was always on the move. He could be found under the table, under the bed, or in one location and then mysteriously gone the next. The dad’s exasperated call to his other two sons, “Go and find some glue,” had me chuckling. The text and accompanying illustrations of Gator Gray with his finger up his nose and his toes in his mouth were equally amusing. Parents, if you thought only your child behaved this way, rest assured you are not alone. Gator Gray’s adventures are a mirror image of every energetic child!

When the day came when Gator Gray pushed himself upright, I knew the parents’ days of rest were not quite upon them. Yes, it’s a monumental day when our child takes their first step. However, a child on their feet is quicker and more apt to get into mischief, which spells the end of relaxing while the child is awake. Like the parents in this humous children’s book, we quickly learn the importance of baby-proofing every door cause if a child reaches a doorknob, they will escape. 

I adored reading Gator Gray Gets Away. It read like any day from my children’s first couple of years. I highly recommend sharing this with your children, especially if a new baby is coming. There were a few grammar errors, but the laughs this adorable picture book brought me far outweighed any shortcomings. It’s a must-read for parents! 

Sit back, relax, and read Gator Gray Gets Away. Read fast, though, because if your youngster is like Gator Gary, they won’t sit still long! 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Heidi Brooks is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose delightful experiences with her grandchildren fuel her passion for writing. With a lifelong love for children’s literature, Heidi is particularly inspired by the whimsical worlds of Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, and Roald Dahl.

Her keen sense of humor allows her to find joy in the everyday antics of her grandchildren, often turning their adventures into tales featuring brave heroes and heroines.

When she’s not writing, Heidi cherishes spending quality time with her family, embarking on countless adventures that spark laughter and inspire her next story. Through her writing, she hopes to capture the magic of childhood and share it with young readers everywhere.

Amazon Author Page Link
Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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Finding Figgins by Shayna Leib (Book Review)

Figgins is a lonely stuffed animal who feels forgotten by his human friend, Julian. Figgins has a rich, secret life unbeknownst to Julian in which he is a professor, a painter and scuba diver. But when Figgins goes missing, Julian has to venture beyond his comfort zone into an unusual magical world. By retracing Figgins’ steps Julian finds out just who Figgins really is, with a little help from Mrs. Zebrasky’s cats who know all that goes on in their neighborhood.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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

 

Unless a child is looking for a book featuring a movie or cartoon character, they’ll scan the covers and select a book that captures their eyes. That means designers must create a cover with bold text, written uniquely, and bright colors. Adding a bit of silliness to the design helps, too. The cover for Finding Figgins checks all three boxes. The hedge-shaped lettering was fun, creative, and definitely unique. The kitties were adorable and funny, especially the scuba diver. It took me a minute to notice the gingerbread cookie holding tight to a leaf. How quickly will others spot the cookie? 

The spectacular illustrations did not stop with the cover; every page spotlighted astounding artistry. Kids will get a kick out of the mouse squeezing hot sauce on a taco, the orange-striped cat chillin’ on the beach under a huge umbrella, and the flying penguins. Those are a small fraction of images that’ll delight readers. There are MANY more! 

As you can see, I was impressed with the artwork; the storyline DID NOT disappoint either. When Julian was a baby, he was gifted a stuffed bear named Figgins. For many years, they were inseparable— best friends. But, much like real children, Julian grew up, and his interests shifted. Figgins decided not to wait for Julian to find time for him, so the bear went out to make his own fun. When the child discovered Figgins had been gone far longer than usual, he went to look for him. Julian saw wondrous things on his adventure: orchards full of colorful crayons, enormous mice, flowers that towered over the boy, talking jack-o-lanterns, and a sugary house that Hansel and Gretel would love to sink their teeth into, etc. Through each stop, Julian learned interesting facts about his friend, Figgins. The revelations prompted Julian to reevaluate his priorities and to make time for his friend. 

Finding Figgins is an adventurous tale centering around a bond formed between a child and their best friend, a stuffed bear. It teaches children to appreciate their friends and make time for them. It was a delightful, adventurous read featuring a unique storyline and outstanding artwork. 

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 3-10 years.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Shayna Leib is a multi-media artist who has worked in glass, metal, and ceramic for 30 years. Her work has traveled the globe from the Middle East to Europe and America, and is found in numerous museums, public venues, and worldwide private collections. Having taught glassblowing, sculpture, and drawing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Cal Poly University, she is returning to her 2-dimensional roots with her first book, Finding Figgins which celebrates her affection for the magical, colorful and feline.

Amazon Author Page Link
Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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