Tag Archives: pre-k

The Tardy Tooth Fairy by Shauna Farris (Book Review)

“There were three things that all of the other fairies knew about Luna Bloom. She always wore purple, she never met a creature she didn’t like, and she was easily distracted. Therefore, she was always late.”

 

Luna Bloom may not be the most punctual tooth fairy, but she sure is dedicated! After studying diligently at the Tooth Fairy Academy, Luna is finally ready to put her training to the test. Will her wandering mind get the best of her? Follow along as she does her best to gather everyone’s lost teeth in one night.

If the tooth fairy has ever skipped past your house, The Tardy Tooth Fairy is for you. This book offers readers the answer to what tooth fairies really do and the relief of knowing that the tooth fairy probably hasn’t forgotten you-they’re just late! Watching Luna attempt to break her untimely habits will teach us to be more understanding and remind us that it’s all right to take a moment to breathe.

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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.

 

“If you’ve ever woken to find a forgotten tooth, you might need to seek the help of a sleuth. But listen close, for the reason may be that it is just the fault of a tardy tooth fairy.”


Luna Bloom was well-known to her peers for three reasons. One, she always wore purple. And who can blame her—the color is fabulous! Two, she never met a creature she didn’t like. Even a black mamba or piranha? Not me! Lastly, she was easily distracted; therefore, she was always late. Many kids and parents will relate to number three, especially in the morning on school days.

Luna Bloom had a valid reason for her tardiness; she was distracted by the world’s wonders, and those curiosities caused her to ponder questions. For instance: “How do ladybugs get their spots?” This question made me stop and do a little internet investigating. I encourage you to look it up since the answer was not disclosed in the story or the end credits. 

Luna Bloom knew her lack of punctuality would not fly when she became a tooth fairy. She wanted to make her family proud and vowed to work on her tardy behavior. The day before her first assignment, Luna was bubbling with mixed emotions. She was excited and nervous, typical reactions for the first day of a job, new school, or class. Luna knew all would go well tomorrow because Marigold, the most talented tooth fairy in the land, would be by her side. She never imagined Marigold would call in sick, but that exactly what happened. Without Marigold to keep Luna on track and away from distractions, the newly crowned tooth fairy couldn’t resist all the tempting sights and smells or the cat who wanted pets. As a cat owner, I couldn’t resist scratching the fairy-sized kitty, either! 

Luna’s first night as a tooth fairy didn’t go as planned; mistakes were made. At this point in the story, readers hear comforting words from Luna’s mentor and teacher, Marigold. Kids also learn what “flower breath” is. (You and your youngster will discover what that is when you read the story!)

The author and number 1 tooth fairy gave Luna Bloom a wonderful pep talk, words to live by: Mistakes will happen; when they do, it’s important to say, “I’m sorry.” Learn from them and don’t be scared or nervous to ask for help! 

The Tardy Tooth Fairy is a delightful picture book that reminds readers it’s okay to make mistakes. Learn from them. Apologize. And don’t be afraid to ask for help!

I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading age of 4-8 years. 

 

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

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Meet the Author

I’m an elementary school counselor/mom/avid reader/amateur baker and feel passionately about the healing power of books. It’s always been a dream to publish, so The Tardy Tooth Fairy is close to my heart! I hope to continue sharing my love of storytelling through creating future books.

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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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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.

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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.

 

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: ❤❤

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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.

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Eat A Rainbow, Ellie: Colorful Snack Time for A Healthy Little Chick (Ellie The Chick Book 3) by Avery Smart (Book Review)

Meet Ellie, a spirited little chick with a big appetite for adventure and a secret for being strong and healthy.

In the quest for strength and health, Ellie and her mom create a vibrant rainbow meal together. As they cook up white pasta with broccoli, a purple cabbage salad, buttered corn, and roasted tomatoes and carrots, they sing their own cheerful Rainbow Food song.

This delightful tale not only introduces kids to the joy of healthy eating but also encourages them to embrace a colorful variety of foods for a strong and happy life, Ellie and her mom share the secret of a nutritious and tasty adventure.

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

 

If you have a child or care for young children for a living, you know that children will not always be receptive to eating their fruits and vegetables. They cry, lock their lips, or spit the food out as soon as it touches their tongue. Eat A Rainbow, Ellie shows that colorful food (rainbow food) made Ellie’s body strong and fit, and it can do the same for you! 

As Ellie demonstrated karate moves, the design team separated six food items under their corresponding colors. For example, under yellow, they had a block of cheese, corn, and four more food items. Under the purple header, the writer added eggplant, grapes, plus four more edible images. I loved how the illustrator matched Ellie’s karate sash and headband to the color on the page. 

I adored how the writer and designer made the color words stand out from the rest of the text. I also liked the mixture of familiar food items and some unrecognizable ones. However, the shading of some foods didn’t fully portray the color they represented. The pear looked more white than yellow. The spaghetti and meatballs image didn’t scream “white foods.” I would’ve sliced the pineapple open like the watermelon picture so kids could see the yellow interior, not the orange outer covering. In doing so, it would’ve made more sense for “yellow.” 

Extension activities: Have your family or class design a colorful plate using images from cooking-inspired magazines or by hand-drawing food items. Ask young readers if they can name foods that fall under the six colors represented in the story: red, yellow, orange, green, purple, and white. Make sure to check out the rainbow food song! Practice singing the lovely rainbow food tune! 

I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading age: kids six years and under. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Avery Smart, a vibrant author who resides in the heart of the lively family chaos with her three energetic kids. Nestled in the midst of parenting, she channels her passion for nurturing well-mannered children into delightful tales.

It is within this dynamic environment that she draws inspiration, transforming her deep-seated passion for fostering well-mannered children into captivating tales.

Avery’s writing becomes a heartfelt expression of her commitment to instilling values in the younger generation. Her three lively kids not only serve as a source of inspiration but also as eager test subjects for the lessons embedded in her stories.

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Jungle Jim’s Coloring Book for Toddlers by Pixie Publishing House (Book Review)

ntroducing our “Alphabetical Animals” coloring book for kids, featuring Jungle Jim and his animal friends! This educational and fun-filled coloring book is designed to help children learn the alphabet and develop their writing skills while they explore the wild world of jungle animals. With each page dedicated to a different letter of the alphabet and a corresponding animal, children will have the opportunity to practice writing both uppercase and lowercase letters while they color in their new jungle friends. The book is filled with delightful illustrations of the animals in their natural habitats, providing an engaging and interactive way for children to learn about the animal kingdom. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this coloring book is a perfect addition to any child’s learning journey.
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

This activity book has a lot going for it. 

1.) It teaches children both upper and lower case letters. 

2.) It spells out animal names using dotted letters so children can trace each one. 

3.) Plenty of dotted lines to allow children to practice their writing skills. 

4.) The images are large, with many white open areas.  

5.) The animal names are perfect sight words for beginning readers. 

6.) The book blends new words with familiar words, usable for several ages. Example: Money (recognizable) – uakari (possibly not identifiable) 

Most workbooks only reach one age bracket. Jungle Jim’s Coloring does not. Toddlers will love coloring the images. Preschoolers can color, trace, and use the book to learn and write the alphabet. Kindergartners can do every a preschooler can, but also practice reading and recognizing the words in print. 

I recommend buying this book for your home or childcare setting. 


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

 
 
 
Click HERE to be redirected to Pixie Publishing House’s website. 
 
 
 
 

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