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Queen of the Mountain by TAK Erzinger (Book Review)

What if you lost someone very important to you and didn’t have anyone around you who understood your feelings?

One summer, a sad woman arrives in a tiny village. A little girl in the village recognizes her sadness.

In this gentle and loving story, a carefree farm girl strikes up an unusual friendship with an interesting foreigner.

Soon they both realize they have a lot in common, even though they have very different lives.

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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.

 

Grief can impact us emotionally, physically, and mentally. It can put a strain on our bodies as well as relationships. Just as grief affects us differently, how we handle the loss differs as well. Some people might isolate themselves as they work to process their loss, while others seek professional guidance. Some people might seek solace through family and friends. Others might need to get away or visit a place that makes them feel connected to the individual(s) they are missing. Recently, the Countess of Kent’s husband, Prince Albert, passed away, so she traveled to a small village to feel closer to her beloved. The countess spends her days staring at the beautiful and picturesque landscape. Sometimes, a local child (Vicky) would observe the older woman resting on the hillside; other times, Vicky would watch the Countess of Kent paint for hours.

Vicky and the countess shared more than the love of the gorgeous scenery surrounding the village. Like the countess, Vicky lost someone close to her: her mother. One day, Vicky left a bouquet for the sad lady at the inn. The darling girl’s thoughtful gesture will touch readers, especially when we learn the flowers came from her mother’s garden and how they reminded the countess of the roses in her locket, a gift from her late husband.

Grief can tear people apart, but it can also draw people together. Sometimes, a bond can form between the unlikeliest people, as with the farm girl and the older woman. As the story progresses, it takes an unexpected turn; the countess shocks Vicky with a surprise revelation, leading to hurt feelings. However, readers won’t have to wait long for apologies to be accepted and bonds reform. It was a beautiful and touching ending.

If you or someone you know is grieving, I strongly recommend sharing this touching story with them. It might serve as a comforting companion in their journey of healing. And, above all else, let them know they are not alone in their grief.

There were some clarity or design issues in the artwork, but I did like the paint-like quality of the work.

My suggested reading age is 2-8 years.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 1/2
(rounded to 4 stars on Amazon and Goodreads)

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Meet the Author

TAK Erzinger is an award-winning poet. Her collection At the Foot of the Mountain (Floricanto Press 2021) won the University of Indianapolis Etching Press, Whirling Prize 2021 for best nature poetry book. Erzinger is an American/Swiss poet and artist with a Colombian background.

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Zoe Home for the Holidays: A Merry Christmas Tale (Zoe the Pull-Leash Dog) by J. E. Brewer (Book Review)

Dashing Through the Snow in a One-Pup Crazy Way.

This is the second zany outing for Zoe the Pull-Leash Dog. Zoe is a whirlwind of a pup who helps people around town in unexpected ways during her daily walks with Edna. In Zoe Home for the Holidays, the duo turns winter into a wonderland and puts a whole new spin on dog walking. Edna lets Zoe take her for a wild ride to lend a helping paw to snow shovelers, skiers, skaters, ice sculptors, tree decorators, and even Santa himself, as only Zoe can. This is Book 2 of the Zoe the Pull-Leash Dog series.

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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 first met Zoe in the hilarious and unforgettable story Zoe the Pull-Leash Dog. The adorable canine was zooming across the pages and dragging their owner behind them, most of the time with their human counterpart (Edna) in mid-air. In Zoe Home for the Holidays, we witness another exhilarating walk where Edna’s feet barely touch the ground. 

Zoe’s case of the zoomies led Edna on a wild ride, but she was used to the 0 to 60 outdoor fun. Even the whole town knows what to expect when Zoe takes off. You’d think a fast-moving pooch would spell disaster, but their speed and quick movements prove quite helpful for the townspeople this holiday season. Zoe and Edna helped clear off the snowy sidewalks, assisted the children to the top of the ski hill, coordinated ice skaters, and created a stunning ice sculpture. As they flew past the enormous tree in the village’s center, they did a holiday job many people dread: untangle a mountain of blinking lights. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Zoe also had time and energy to help jolly St. Nick and his reindeer! 

Readers will find themselves giggling over the high-flying owner. The illustrations show her as a human toboggan, resting on the backend of a dog-shaped ice sculpture, passing over treetops, riding on the back of Santa’s sled, and much more. Edna’s final line, “Santa says Hi,” was a perfect ender. It demonstrated how she loved and accepted the craziness the walks bring. Every day was an adventure with her furry friend! 

Zoe Home for the Holidays is a wonderful book to share with your family this and every holiday season. Kids will love it, and so will their parents too! Based on the previous book in the series, the recommended reading age is 3-7 years. 

 

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

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Meet the Author

I grew up in a hardworking lobstering town on the coast of southern Maine. As a Physics major at the University of Maine, I won the state creative fiction competition. Today I live on Boston’s north shore with my wife, a pre-school teacher. We have two sons and a little white dog.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

 

 

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How to Grow a Marshmallow Tree (Amelia & Paco) by Stefanie Gamarra (Book Review)

Join Amelia and her best friend, Paco the polar bear, on a tooth-aching adventure in a world where cotton candy clouds and ice cream slides are just the beginning. When they are almost running out of their favorite treat, marshmallows, Amelia’s wild imagination leads the friends to an idea: a marshmallow tree!

But can you really grow a tree from a marshmallow?

With a dash of school knowledge, a sprinkle of sugar, and some really bad dentist jokes, Amelia and Paco are determined to find out.

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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.

 

Amelia and Paco, the polar bear, have the most delicious dreams about cotton candy clouds and ice cream slides. Their sweet tooth is not just present during sleepytime; they also crave sweet treats during waking hours. One day, while enjoying a sugary snack, they noticed a big problem: only one marshmallow remained in the bag. What to do?

Amelia shares with Paco what she learned in school about apple trees. A tree full of apples will grow if you plant an apple seed. With that thought in mind, Amelia has the bright idea to grow a marshmallow tree by planting the last marshmallow from the bag. I like how she thinks, and I’m sure many children will like it, too! 

Paco was skeptical, with good reason. Who has ever heard of growing a marshmallow tree? Was it even possible? Instead of squashing his best friend’s dream, Paco supported his best friend’s unconventional idea. As Maya’s marshmallow refused to sprout life, she brainstormed the problem. Was it thirsty? Hungry? Amelia’s ingenuity, patience, determination, love, and attention paid off. Marshmallows grew in huge numbers! 

Many theories and invention ideas were deemed impossible, weird, or crazy yet proved useful or lucrative, such as Silly Putty (inventor wildly disputed) and The Pet Rock by Gary Dahl. Yes, we all know that you can’t technically grow a marshmallow tree by burying a marshmallow in the ground, but that’s not the point of the story. The picture book teaches children to follow their dreams. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. With hard work and determination, you might make the impossible…probable. 

I highly recommend reading this story as you snack on a bag of marshmallows. If you feel silly, plant the last one in honor of Amelia and the author. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

I’m a full-time project manager, part-time marshmallow tree cultivator and have officially added ‘children’s book author’ to my list of LinkedIn titles. While originally from Germany, I now call the US home and peppered my debut children’s book with a unique blend of transatlantic charm and humor.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

 

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The Unique Little Bear by Debi K Fraser (Book Review)

Seeing the joy in being completely unique.

“Why is their growl so loud, and scary and strong?

But mine is so quiet – is my growl wrong?”

 

Little Bear is beginning to notice that he is different from the other bears, and he has decided to ask mummy bear why.

Using engaging rhyme and endearing illustrations, The Unique Little Bear takes the reader on a gentle discovery and celebration of the uniqueness of every individual, and encourages us all to do the same.

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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.

 

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the meaning of unique is “being the only one of its kind; very special or unusual.” Merriam-Webster lists unique as “being without a like or equal.” Whether it’s your fashion choices, personality, hairstyle, special skill, body shape, birthmark, or so on, we all possess something that makes us stand out from everyone else. Makes us … unique.

Little bear noticed he didn’t look exactly like the other bears. His fur was golden-red instead of brown. His growl didn’t reach the same depths and volume as other bears. Even his paws weren’t as mighty as theirs. Being “different” bothered the small animal, much like it does for many of us. We want to fit in, sometimes meaning we try to act or look like others. 

Every day, humans are mocked, teased, shunned, or made feel less than because of something deemed strange. That causes negative feelings about ourselves, squashes our self-esteem, and can cause people to isolate themselves from gatherings or friendships. This adorable children’s book helps children understand that we all have characteristics or skills that set us apart from one another. We should never be embarrassed, sad, or ashamed about what’s different about ourselves but, instead, love and embrace what makes us special. 

Mummy bear said it best when she tried to comfort her son with the fact we are all different from our eyes to our ears, from our fur to our feet. Substitute hair for feet, and that applies to humans. 

I loved everything about this book. The illustrations were spectacular. I was thrilled to see the animals were shaded in unorthodox colors, making each one unique and staying on target with the general theme of the story. And promoting positive body image and self-love is always a plus in my book! 

Share The Unique Little Bear with your children and teach them to love themselves from head to toe, inside and out. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

My love of stories and the characters that inhabit them has been with me forever. As a child I could often be found with a plate of cucumber sandwiches and a pile of books about dragons, witches and magical adventures. Stories are brewing in my head constantly. 

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Happy Holidays

 

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A Wallop of Worries by Alyssa Hurley (Book Review)

Take a deep breath

and remember to say:

“All will be well,

and I am okay.”

It’s no secret that children experience anxiety and stress, just like grown-ups do. The only difference is that adults know what they’re feeling, and they often have the self-care techniques to cope. It’s time to give kids the same tools – and that’s precisely what Alyssa Caparaso Hurley provides in A Wallop of Worries.

This book teaches children a slew of techniques, from sensory mindfulness to positive thinking to words of affirmation, to help them through tough times. All the self-care tips and uplifting mantras come in easy-to-remember rhymes, so kids will have no trouble repeating them when they feel overwhelmed. In the end, young readers will realize they can work with their minds to let go of the wallop of worries they feel – and get back to being their happy, de-stressed selves once again.

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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.

 

Fear. Anxiety. Worry. Stress. Sadness. These emotions are not limited to adults; children face them as well, and they, like grown-ups, might have difficulty coping with them. 

Alyssa Hurley has created a magnificent story that offers children helpful phrases and tips that can turn negative feelings into positive ones. When a kid is consumed with worry over everything that needs to be done, the writer encourages them to say, “It will get better, do one thing at a time. I can’t get to the top, without having to climb.” 

Meeting new people and going to new places can also be overwhelming to some people. Again, the author advises on what can get you through this nerve-racking time. Whether you need a mental pep talk or an activity suggestion to redirect your thoughts, you’ll find it here in this beautifully illustrated and written storybook. Even though A Wallop of Worries’ target audience is young kids, I foresee many adults benefiting from its contents. The mental pick-me-ups and the reminders to enjoy the little things in life can pertain to readers of all ages. 

Life can be hectic and can affect us mentally. We are all bogged down with work: day job, school, or both. Then, we all experience positive and negative feelings surrounding the day’s events. If you need help dealing with your feelings, this book is for you! If you notice your child is overwhelmed but has trouble expressing their emotions, share this book with them. This calming, reassuring, resourceful children’s book would be perfect for any home, school, or therapist’s office. 

Self-care is important. I recommend sharing A Wallop of Worries with your child(ren). Practice the uplighting rhymes. Focus on your positive attributes. What makes you proud! Do something fun, like enjoying a cup of hot cocoa and a good book. This good book! 

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

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Meet the Author

Alyssa Caparaso Hurley has been walloped by worries for as long as she can remember. Apprehensions aside, she’s intrepidly travelled the world. She happily lives with her family in Connecticut and is always looking forward to the next adventure.

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