Tag Archives: picture book

The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe: Burnie Takes the Plunge by Andrea McLean (Book Spotlight)

Embark on a heartwarming journey of courage and friendship in “The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Takes the Plunge.” When Ava’s family moves to a new house with a sparkling swimming pool, excitement fills the air. But Burnie, skeptical of the water’s vast expanse, refuses to join the fun. Despite Ava and Chloe’s encouraging words, Burnie remains steadfast in his fear.

As days pass and temperatures rise, Burnie becomes more curious. With gentle coaxing from Ava, he tentatively enters the pool, only to retreat just as quickly. But as the heat intensifies, Burnie’s adventurous spirit awakens, leading to an unexpected discovery: he can swim! Filled with joy and newfound confidence, Burnie surprises everyone, especially Chloe, during a playful pool party. Through laughter and splashes, Burnie learns that trying new things can lead to unexpected joys and friendships.

“The Adventures of Burnie & Chloe, Burnie Takes the Plunge” is a charming story of overcoming fears, embracing new experiences, and the enduring bond between friends, both furry and human. Join Burnie and Chloe on their journey of discovery and dive into a world of fun and friendship.

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Take a peek inside…

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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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Nortis Learns A Lesson by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

In Nortis Learns A Lesson, Nortis and his friends are always up for a good laugh, but their latest prank with the school lunch goes too far when it leaves everyone feeling sick. What starts as a harmless joke quickly spirals into a serious situation, and the group finds themselves facing the unexpected consequences of their actions.

As Nortis watches his classmates suffer, he begins to realize that some jokes aren’t funny when people get hurt. Guided by their teachers, parents, and a bit of their own conscience, Nortis and his friends learn about taking responsibility, making amends, and understanding the impact of their choices.

This engaging story teaches young readers about accountability, the importance of thinking before acting, and how mistakes can be turned into valuable lessons. Nortis Learns A Lesson is a heartfelt journey of growth, friendship, and learning to make things right.

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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.

 

Nortis, Porjan, and Jun were best friends and loved playing pranks on their teachers and classmates. One day, their prank went horribly wrong. When they poured salt into the soup, vinegar into the milk, and ketchup into the juice, they thought their mischievous acts would create many laughs. They were very wrong. No one was laughing; they were all mad and confused and wanted answers. So did the principal. 

April’s Fools centers around practically jokes or tricks. People expect a day to be filled with harmless fun. Harmless being the keyword here. The principal was correct when he said whoever tampered with the cafeteria items wasted a lot of food and money. They disrespected the school, staff, and classmates. 

The three friends felt immense guilt for what they did. They honestly meant no harm. We all mess up in life, but how we handle our mistakes shows our true character. Do you hide from the truth or fess up to your mistakes and make amends? Guilt ate at Nortis, Porjan, and Jun. They knew they’d get in trouble for the harm they caused, but owning up to the prank was the right move. 

The principal deeply appreciated the trio’s apology because he knew they were sincerely sorry for the harm they caused. He respected their honesty and their willingness to right their wrong. 

Nortis, Porjan, and Jun learned powerful lessons that day. For one, they realized that there were safer ways to make someone laugh or smile. They also learned the importance of telling the truth. In doing so, they DID NOT lose the principal’s trust in them. Finally, they understood the need to make amends and fix your mistakes. 

Nortis Learns a Lesson is a wonderful book that teaches kids the importance of doing what’s right and being respectful toward others and their property! It also highlights the importance of facing your mistakes. I recommend sharing this story with your child, preferably two years and up.

 

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

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Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

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Dingo Toad Helps a Friend by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

Join Dingo Toad on an inspiring adventure in Dingo Toad Helps a Friend. In this heartwarming tale, Dingo Toad discovers the true meaning of friendship and bravery when his friend Penny faces bullies. With a big heart and a courageous spirit, Dingo Toad stands up to the bullies and teaches us all valuable lessons about kindness, resilience, and standing up for what’s right.

Perfect for young readers, this beautifully illustrated book not only entertains but also provides important life lessons on dealing with bullies and being a good friend. Share this wonderful story with your children and help them understand that everyone has the power to make a difference.

Dingo Toad Helps a Friend is a must-read for any child who has ever faced a bully or wanted to help someone in need. Let Dingo Toad inspire your little ones to be brave and compassionate in the face of adversity.


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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Dingo Toad lived in the southern swamp region of planet Venesha. This uniquely illustrative character’s fashion sense resembled what Earthlings wear daily: t-shirt, shorts, and open-toed shoes. Dingo was also sporting a white mohawk. Nice hairdo!

While the alien’s style was something you’d see here on our planet, Dingo had features that definitely screamed Alien! For one, Dingo had large yellow spots covering their teal skin. They also had a toad-shaped face with two oversized eyes and mouth, two holes for nostrils, a purple tongue, three large toes on each foot, and four fingers on each hand.

While Dingo Toad looked different than you or me, they enjoyed many of the same things as us. Dingo looked very adorable playing in the bubble bath. I found it cute that Dingo was listening to his mom read him Nortis Goes Swimming—another book by Lamar and Liana Golden. Dingo shared one important similarity with humans: their planet, like ours, had bullies. When Dingo saw his friend, Penny, being bullied by Sangu and Piman, he did not hurry away. Dingo didn’t throw punches, either. He, very sternly, demanded they apologize for being “meanies,” which they did immediately.

Unfortunately, kids will encounter bullies during their school years. Maybe they will be the target, or perhaps they’ll witness someone else being harassed. No matter the situation, kids should follow Dingo’s example —use your words, not your fists. Not every bully apologizes as quickly as they did in this story. That is where the extended lesson on how to deal with bullies should be addressed with your child or class. Ask kids what they would do if their friend is being bullied, and the “meanies” don’t stop when asked.

Dingo Toad Helps a Friend is a wonderful sci-fi children’s book that shows the importance of standing up to bullies and the power of our words. I loved every colorful and imaginative illustration. The wild and wacky zoo animals were my favorite! Even though I won’t be placing flies in my ice cream or other foods any time soon, I even thought the bug-infused desserts were cute, too.

Check out this and every book featured on the planet, Venesha!

Amazon’s recommended reading age is baby-12 years.


Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

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Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

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Rika Saves A Cat by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

A story of two sisters from Planet Venesha playing hide and seek in the woods when they hear a strange sound and go to investigate.
They look and find a cat who appears to be all alone and wait for its mother to return.

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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.

 

Rika and her little sister, Jari, live in the northern forest region of the largest planet of the universe: Venesha. Its appearance is vastly different from ours from a distance, but it does possess qualities found in our world: oceans, swamps, rivers, mountains, deserts, and plains. The two children (Jari and Rika) look slightly different from Earthlings, but each play as typical children do. They climb trees, play hide-and-seek, and are curious about the world around them. 

While playing outside with Jari, Rika heard a strange sound, went to investigate, and discovered a scared baby kitten inside a hollowed-out log. Children will love the adorable uni-kitty (orange kitten with yellow horn). They’ll probably yell they want a unicorn-kitty too. I know I wouldn’t mind adopting one! 

Rika and Jari could’ve left the animal to fend for itself, but they didn’t. Instead, they nestled together on the forest floor, waiting patiently for the sweet furbaby’s mother to return. Their patience and kind hearts paid off; momma cat and her baby were reunited, and momma cat was just as cute as her baby! 

Rika Saves a Cat by Lamar and Liana Golden is a sweet, quick read that children will want to read often. The main story is less than 30 pages, with simple text and adorable illustrations. As a family of Star Wars fans, I liked Rika’s Princess Leia hairstyle and her pointy ears (Artist: Veronica Guarino.) 

Amazon’s recommended reading age is baby-10 years. The color palette will capture a baby’s eye; kids of all ages will adore the pictures, while the text will appeal to older children. This short story is perfect for children who are practicing reading alone. 

I encourage you to check out Rika Saves a Cat and the author’s other works. Their stories are wildly creative, with out-of-this-world designs and engaging storylines. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

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Nortis Goes Swimming by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

Everybody needs a new friend – even in other worlds!

Dive into the enchanting world of “Nortis Goes Swimming,” where science fiction meets fantasy in this delightful children’s story book about making friends!

Join Nortis, a young explorer from the distant planet Venessa, as he embarks on a thrilling school field trip to a sparkling swimming pool.

In this captivating tale, young readers aged 2-6 will be transported to the far reaches of outer space, where lovable creatures much like our world on earth are faced with making new friends. As Nortis and his friends splash and play, they’ll discover the true meaning of friendship and cooperation, making this sci-fi adventure a heartwarming journey for both children and parents alike.

With charming illustrations and a whimsical storyline, Parents will love sharing this imaginative tale with their little ones, using Nortis’ adventures to teach valuable lessons about inclusivity and the importance of making new friends.

So pack your bags and join Nortis on this unforgettable school field trip to the stars!

With “Nortis Goes Swimming,” the magic of friendship shines brighter than ever before.

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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.

 

Far, far away in outer space lies the largest planet of the universe – Venesha. This alien planet has rivers, oceans, mountains, swamps, and forests like Earth; however, the inhabitants are not Earth-like in appearance, and they possess special powers too. 

Up in the high glacier region of Venesha lived Nortis. He was orange, with three large eyes, four fingers, and pointy ears. His day began like a typical child’s day: eat, dress, brush teeth, and head off to school. His day differed from ours via the mode of transportation and how the students looked. Kids will love the vast collection of aliens at the bus stop and on the flying yellow bus. Classmates varied in shape and coloring. One eye, Eight eyes. Each alien was unique and beautifully drawn!

Today was an exciting day for Nortis and his friends. Instead of the bus dropping them off at school, it was flying them to the local swimming pool for a field trip. Field trip days are usually the highlight of a school year, so if your child has been on one, they will probably voice which one was their favorite. 

While everyone was frolicking in the water, Nortis saw a classmate sitting alone. He did the right thing and asked Jun, who resembled a blue, one-eyed rabbit, to play with him. Nortis’s kindness brightened Jun’s face for the rest of their day. 

Nortis Goes Swimming teaches children to be kind to one another, be accepting, and be open to new friendships. Remember, one small act of kindness might seem insignificant to you, but it could be life-changing to the recipient! 

I adored the artwork by Patrick Girouard. I also loved the message and the overall creativeness of Nortis Goes Swimming by co-authors Lamar Golden and Liana Golden. I wish there were some elaboration on Nortis’s “magical powers.” 

Nortis Goes Swimming is a short read, perfect for children with short attention spans. It is also a prime choice for kids learning to read independently. I recommend this book for children 2 to 10 years of age. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

Social Media Handles

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

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