Tag Archives: picture book

October 25, 2024 · 7:00 am

There’s a Dinosaur in My Ear: An Ear Tube Surgery Book for Kids by Nat Gibson (Book Review)


There’s a dinosaur splashing around in Olivia’s ears.
And the only way to get it out is with special drains called Ear Tubes.

Young children and toddlers about to get ear tubes or grommets will gently learn what to expect through the fun imagination of a little girl – with the focus on catching a dinosaur, rather than surgery.

When Olivia learns her earaches are caused by a dinosaur splashing around in her ear, her imagination runs wild. Join her on an adventure as she prepares to meet the Dinosaur Catchers, who will give her ear tubes and capture that silly little dinosaur.

With just the right mix of information and humor, colorful illustrations, and a unique, kid-friendly concept, this fantasy story is designed to help parents guide their little ones through ear tube surgery and recovery in a playful, imaginative way.

For a touch of magic, have a small dinosaur ready for your child after surgery.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ear pain is no laughing matter for anyone, but more so for kids. In There’s a Dinosaur in My Ear, Nat Gibson found a creative and silly way to explain what is causing the little girl’s ear pain and what to expect before, during, and after surgery. 

Like many kids around the world, Olivia suffers from chronic ear pain. The doctor informs her she has A LOT of water in her ear. She questioned how water got in her ear. This is where the silliness begins. The doctor blames it on a little dinosaur, an EAR-O-SAURUS, who readers will see splashing around in an inflatable pool. Very cute drawing! Luckily for Olivia, the doctor will enlist the help of the Dinosaur Catchers, who will put tiny tubes in the child’s ears to drain the water and capture the dinosaur, so her ears will be pain-free. 

As Olivia slept, her world transformed into a wild, imaginative scene. Instead of a stuffy backdrop, Olivia is wadding through waters and peeking through bushes with wild animals nearby. Young readers will follow Olivia’s journey from admissions (getting a nature-inspired bracelet) to the comedic picture of her bending the “weigh station.” Dinosaurs in the ear add extra pounds! After vitals and a cute costume change, Olivia and the readers meet the Dinosaur Catchers. 

Anyone’s anxiety level will rise when they face surgery or a hospital stay, especially if it’s your first time. Like with Nat Gibson’s There’s a Stegosaurus in My Tonsils, the author takes the guesswork out of the procedure. Using simple text and highlighting keywords, the writer helps kids understand that they are in good hands with the Dino team (the doctors and nurses). And when Olivia woke up, the Ear-o-sarus was by her side, ready to have fun – outside Olivia’s ear, of course! 

While this story simplified the procedure and medical issue, it didn’t cover questions (I believe) readers will have. What do the tubes look like? How big are they? Can the tubes fall out? What the author presented was creative, funny, entertaining, and informative. I highly recommend sharing this book with your child before their procedure! 

Amazon has the story marked for children between 2-6 years of age.

That is an excellent age bracket! 


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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Nat Gibson lives in California with her husband and two children, both of whom had surgery before turning 4 years old. Her books are designed to help parents engage their child’s imagination as they go through new or difficult experiences.

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October 14, 2024 · 7:00 am

World’s Coolest Grandpa by Lamar Golden (Book Review)

A fun and enjoyable book celebrating the life of Masao Sawada, a grandpa enjoying a typical day in Japan. Watch as Masao goes through his day and interacts with lots of people everywhere he goes.

This book is for parents and small children aged 2 and older who enjoy reading together during the day or at night before bed.

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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.

 

Masao Sawada is 78 years old and is busting at the seams with energy. 

Masao wakes up early every morning and strolls to the convenience store, where he purchases his morning cup of coffee. 

Masao loves playing sudoku, driving around Tokyo City (Japan) in his yellow convertible, and talking to his granddaughter Liana on the telephone. It was adorable that the two chit-chatted for an hour as Liana ate her breakfast. I hope their interaction prompts more kids to take time out of their busy days to check in with their grandparents. 

World’s Coolest Grandpa walks readers through a day with Masao. It’s a typical day for many people: grocery shopping, talking with friends, playing golf, and dining at a favorite restaurant. I don’t know how many young readers from the States have eaten an eel before like Masao. Young readers will likely have an opinion on whether they would or would not eat one. 

World’s Coolest Grandpa did have positive attributes. It showed young readers that grandparents can live full and active lives. The short story allowed readers to step into a culture that might be foreign to them. 

World’s Coolest Grandpa did stumble in the presentation, though. Instead of having the duplicate images on two pages with new text under each, I would’ve combined the text under one picture. There were also issues with formatting and text placement. In general, this book could benefit from some fine-tuning. 

World’s Coolest Grandpa was a cute read that children would enjoy listening to. Many will remark on Masao’s cool yellow car, and I don’t blame them. It would catch my eye if I saw it zooming down the road. 

Amazon has the children’s book listed for 3-18. I would narrow that field down to 3-9. 

With or without the tweaking, I recommend sharing this book with your child or class. 

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

 

 

 

Meet the Author

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.

 

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October 11, 2024 · 7:00 am

Space Elves Enjoy Politics by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

 

A must have book for parents, children and especially for teachers in the classroom setting! This book allows children to think independently about what they want and determine what is most important to them. What parents and teachers alike will love about this book is that it is interactive, allows children to think critically at a level they can understand, as well as participate in the story to determine the outcome.

The most amazing part of this book is that it teaches children at a basic level about cooperation, sharing, and solving problems that benefit all while they are still young enough to care. Our future leaders deserve a fun and interactive way to dive into the world of politics with topics that are appropriate for their age. I think you will be surprised with how your child responds and more importantly it sparks the conversations within each school and household on how to integrate problem solving and debate in a fun and safe manner for future generations.

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

 

Understanding how our government operates can be confusing for young kids. Heck, even some adults are confused about the extent of their “powers.” Space Elves Enjoy Politics takes readers to the far reaches of outer space to teach us how the Senate works on alien planets. While some aspects of their government differ from our planet, we share a common goal: to help their planet and its inhabitants.

The Space Federation of Elves consists of 2,000 planets and 200 senators, each responsible for ten planets. That vastly differs from the United States, where each state has only two senators. I wish our planet followed the elvish planets’ lead: each senator can ONLY serve six years. This rule ensures we have new people and ideas – not the same people holding positions for decades like those on our planet. 

Like ours (U.S.A.), the alien government is divided into political parties. America has several parties, whereas the alien nation has only 3: Repubies (Republicans), Demis (Democrats), and Indies (Independents.) Leaders of these parties each take to the Senate floor asking their co-leaders to vote for their side. They are offering a delicious treat to those who do. D- Senator Rumples vows to throw a BIG ice cream party if you vote for the Demis. R-Senator Dumples proclaims they’ll have a cake party if they win the vote. And I-Senator Mumples is sweetening the pot by offering a cake, ice cream, and cookies party! Decisions…decisions…

Depending on their chosen party, readers will be instructed to move to a specific page. Choose Demis – advance to page 9. Vote Repubies – flip to page 10. If you want all three dessert options, side with the Indies and turn to page 11. Each page asks readers another question, centering on the sweet treat party they chose to attend.

As Senators settle in on Capitol Hill, the Vice President (head of Congress) calls business to order. Fiction resembles reality as the writer notes that the session takes a long time because the parties cannot unite on an issue. Every day, in the real world, we watch as our representative spar verbally, getting little to nothing done on important issues. Without unification, our nation will be forever divided. The writer states that Demis and Repubies argue like babies and can’t play nice together. Spend five minutes with the bickering sides, and you’ll see the truth of the author’s claim. 

I applaud the writers’ final message: kids are the future leaders of the planet, so speak up because your opinions do matter!

I liked the premise behind Space Elves Enjoy Politics: teaching kids about the Senate, its role, and the importance of teamwork. I disagree with Amazon’s recommended reading age: baby-16 years. I would suggest this book to 5–10-year-olds. Also, if the buyer’s/reader’s intent was to educate themselves or others about the United States Senate, you won’t learn 100% accurate info with this kid’s book. I would’ve preferred the author used the same rules you’d see here in America but with an alien twist. Also, I would have moved the “count the number of treats” game to the after credits and not placed them directly in the story. 

This book is a work of fiction, so take the Senate’s info with a grain of salt. I recommend researching America’s Congress with your class and family. List the ways the space elves Congress resembles or differs from the U.S.A. For older kids, you can also get their feelings on current events. Again, reinforce the author’s message to let your voice be heard! 

 

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

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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October 7, 2024 · 7:00 am

Space Elves Defend Their Planet by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

Prepare for an out-of-this-world adventure.

In this captivating sci-fi tale, perfect for kids aged 6-9 who love space books, readers will be transported to the far reaches of the cosmos, where brave space elves face an epic battle for freedom and survival.

As fiction books go, “Space Elves Defend Their Planet” by Lamar and Liana Golden is sure to capture the imagination and hearts of young readers with its thrilling storyline and unforgettable characters.

Join Lord Ruffles and his fellow elves of Planet Rain as they stand united against the formidable Lord Droxy of Planet Doom.

With high-stakes battles, daring escapes, and heartwarming moments of camaraderie, this captivating sci-fi adventure is guaranteed to keep young readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

As the elves of Planet Rain learn valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the power of hope, readers will be swept away on a journey through the cosmos unlike any other. Whether they’re seasoned space enthusiasts or new to the genre, kids aged 6-9 will delight in the excitement and wonder of this enthralling tale.

“Space Elves Defend Their Planet” is a must-read for any young adventurer seeking an epic sci-fi experience.

So grab your space helmet and join the adventure 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.

 

War has affected many generations. Innocent people did not ask to be a part of the conflict, but many face its cruelty, the destruction it brings, the lives lost because of it, and the mental or physical harm it leaves behind. Space Elves Defend Their Planet‘s message is this: “War is never an answer to solve problems. People can disagree and argue but fighting only makes things worse. Spend time working together to find solutions that can benefit all life on the planet because war will destroy everything.”

Lord Droxy, the elf leader on Planet Doom, wanted to expand his reign, setting his sights on Planet Rain. The power-hungry elf gave Lord Ruffles 6 days to surrender and become part of Planet Doom, or else there would be war. This ultimatum is not unheard of and is the root of many wars, past and present. Lord Ruffles, the elf ruler of Planet Rain, knew that if he couldn’t reason with the tyrant, his planet would have to fight for their freedom. Lord Droxy reacted in true dictator form – it’s either his way or prepare to face his wrath. 

Lord Ruffles knew this was a battle his planet couldn’t face alone; they needed reinforcements and help from neighboring planets. I loved the inclusion of the Space Federation. It gave me Star Trek vibes! 

The Space Federation’s council acted in the same manner NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Its fundamental goal is to safeguard the members’ (countries’) freedom and security by political and military means. The council, like the space one in the sci-fi story, votes on whether or not to offer aid to those not a part of the organization. Did the Space Federation provide military assistance to Lord Ruffles and Planet? Read the story and find out! 

Though Space Elves Defend Their Planet is a purely fictional read, there are elements that people in the real world face daily. Homes lost, lives lost, relocating to a safer country, and things we cherish are buried under rumble or turned to ash. I agree with the author’s plea: “Let’s all work together to find a peaceful solution and end all wars.”

The wonderfully written and illustrative sci-fi book accurately demonstrates war’s ripple effect on the world, so let’s encourage children to use their words instead of fists or other weaponry. 

I recommend Space Elves Defend Their Planet to children ages 5-10.

 

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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October 4, 2024 · 7:00 am

Jack’s Noisy Day: A Raucous Romp Through The Alphabet by Sarah Tinney (Book Review)

Jack’s Noisy Day is an engaging and interactive children’s book that takes readers on a lively journey through the alphabet. Follow Jack as he embarks on a noisy adventure, making uproarious sounds for every letter from A to Z. From “Ahem!” to “Zap,” each page is filled with fun and excitement, captivating young readers and encouraging interactive learning.

Key Features:

  • Vibrant illustrations that bring the alphabet to life
  • Engaging storyline that encourages active participation
  • Interactive sound effects for each letter of the alphabet
  • Perfect for children ages 0-7 years old
  • Ideal for story time sessions, classrooms, and bedtime reads

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Jack is like many other kids—he loves to make noise! Awake or asleep, this little boy makes sure you know where he is and what he is doing at all times. The author has readers follow Jack on his noisy adventure, learning their ABCs along the way. For starters, if he doesn’t have your attention, he is quick with the “Ahem,” which has the “A” standing out in bright red shading.

Each page centers on ONE noisy moment. Kids will laugh at the child frightening someone, causing them to say, “Eek!” Kids can be quite the pranksters! Readers and young listeners will find the “Fart” and the white gas cloud quite humorous! Superhero fans will adore Jack’s super costume choice.

Jack found joy in pretending to be animals and various human characters. He was so cute trying to be ferocious in his lion costume. I loved his purple beret on the artist’s page; however, “Ooh aah!” didn’t fit the scenario as well as the other pages, such as “Pew pew” in the outer space scene. 

The author beautifully points out how exciting and tiring a day can be for a child. If your child is anything like Jack, you’ll be smiling and nodding in agreement that even in sleep, they like to be noisy: “Zzzzz!”

Jack’s Noisy Day uses familiar words and actions to teach children the alphabet. I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading age, baby to 7 years. Babies will love all the wonderful colors. Toddlers can increase their vocabulary by saying what they see happening or naming objects on a page. Preschoolers can use this book to learn their letters. This would make a great first-level reading book for independent readers (kindergarteners and first graders). 

With something for multiple ages, this is a book your child will love for many years.

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

I am a pharmacist working in rural Australia. I love music, crochet, nature, cats and being creative. I recently gave birth to my son Jack and was inspired to create a story sharing his playfulness and cheekiness with the world.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

 

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