Tag Archives: puppy

Bob and Fluffy’s First Adventure: A Story of Kindness and Friendship by Hong Lee (Book Review)

Join Bob on an unexpected journey in Bob and Fluffy’s First Adventure. One morning, his usual walk takes a heartwarming turn when he discovers a lost, shivering puppy in the bushes. Bob hears the puppy’s soft whimpering and decides not just to help but to embark on a quest to find the little one’s home.

Through their search:

  • Bob and the puppy visit various homes, hoping to find the puppy’s family each time.
  • They encounter friendly faces and not-so-perfect matches, but each stop brings them closer together.
  • When they realize the puppy’s family is nowhere to be found, Bob makes a heartfelt decision that changes both of their lives forever.

This simple yet moving story teaches the value of kindness, perseverance, and the joy of finding new friends in unexpected places.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

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

 

Bob and Fluffy’s First Adventure: A Story of Kindness and Friendship is a touching story of a boy with a big heart who helps a lost puppy find their furever home.

Bob walked the same checkered path through his neighborhood. He loved smelling the colorful wildflowers. As he rounded the bend, passing the big oak tree, he heard a soft whimper from the tall, leafy bushes. There lay a cold and hungry puppy. I’m not a dog breed expert, so I have no idea what kind was pictured. But I can safely say the white puppy was very cute with his white mustache! 

Big-hearted Bob knew he couldn’t leave the frightened and starving puppy alone, so he offered to take the pup home for warmth and food. Then, they would go in search of his family. Bob knocked on several doors, hoping the lost pup recognized someone as their family. As a proud cat owner, I laughed at the old lady with nine cats! One glance at each kitty, and you’ll know exactly how they feel about the dog encroaching on their turf. I particularly liked the crossed-eye cat playing with the red, round ball; they were in their own little world.  

The page of 11 doors was a creative touch. The line-up lets readers picture the small child and pup knocking on each one, growing sad with each door closing. I also liked the door designs. It’s a perfect stopping point for a teacher to ask students what their door looks like. They can even draw theirs for a lovely classroom wall display. 

Though Bob and Fluffy’s First Adventure: A Story of Kindness and Friendship concludes with a happily ever after, the duo’s quest is filled with different emotions. We watch as two optimistic beings slowly lose hope before reaching the all-smiles final scenes.

Bob and Fluffy’s First Adventure: A Story of Kindness and Friendship teaches the value of kindness, perseverance, and the joy of finding new friends in unexpected places. Share this story with your family and class. 

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 3-8 years. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Hong Lee’s passion for writing children’s books began when she started reading to her son. She is captivated by children’s picture books’ whimsical and imaginative nature. Beyond writing, Hong enjoys watching movies and spending quality time with her family. Her debut book, “Bob and Fluffy’s First Adventure: A Tale of Kindness and Friendship,” reflects her dedication to storytelling and her commitment to fostering strong morals in young readers. Hong currently resides in Oklahoma with her husband and son.

 

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

The Sunny Day Squad: The Quest for the Caringstone by Michael Panzner (Book Review)

Making the world a brighter place
 
Join The Sunny Day Squad – Ollie the monkey, Poppy the puppy, Daisy the rabbit, and Ted the horse – on a heroic journey from Gaggle Grove to find the fabled Caringstone, a magical gem that can make the saddest child smile. Using their unique talents, the four friends work together to overcome obstacles, solve problems, and spread joy. This heartwarming tale celebrates the power of friendship, bravery, and perseverance – a perfect story for bedtime…or anytime!
 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Under the sun of Gaggle Grove lives four close friends known as The Sunny Day Squad. Ollie the monkey, Poppy the puppy, Daisy the rabbit, and Ted the horse each possess a trait that will aid them in their adventure: assisting Captain Bravebutter in locating a remarkable gem that can make even the saddest child smile. The gem is better known as the Caringstone. 

During their important mission, Ollie the monkey swings branch to branch, leading the group through the forest. Music got a llama up and moving thanks to Daisy the rabbit’s musical talents. Poppy the puppy’s sweet disposition and Ollie’s monkeying around charmed three beavers into helping them cross a stream. 

Ted the horse’s ingenuity made climbing a cliff a breeze. 

Ted’s words rang true that day: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Captain Bravebutter also spoke the truth when he said they found the Caringstone because they showed bravery, clearness, teamwork, and determination. 

As the four friends reflected on the day, they acknowledged they only succeeded because they were there for each other. Plus, they made the most of their talents. I agree. When people cooperate, listen to one another, and work as a team, they’ll be stronger for it. These are great lessons to teach young children. 

I recommend sharing The Sunny Day Squad: The Quest for the Caringstone with children 3-8 years. The story teaches valuable lessons, and the illustrations are adorable as well. While every image had its charm, I particularly loved the smiling flowers and Ted, the glasses-wearing horse. So, very, very cute!

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author

Michael Panzner is a long-time freelance writer who’s always been a child at heart. Inspired by the countless stories he’s shared with his children and grandchildren, Michael crafts tales designed to entertain, spark the imagination, and instill values like kindness, courage, empathy and perseverance. Having lived and worked in various locales, including the U.S. Northeast, North Carolina, and London, England, Michael now resides in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Catherine, and their loyal dog, Geoffrey.

For more about me, please visit michaelpanzner.com.

Amazon Author Page Link
Instagram Link
Facebook Link
X Link

 

 

Polly Mooney is a freelance illustrator based in the UK, with a BA (Hons) and MA in Illustration and Animation. Creating mostly digital art on her iPad, she enjoys bringing adorable characters, especially cute animals, to life.
 
Online, she shares her artistic journey through her YouTube channel, “Pollygone Illustration,” and extends her creativity to real-world products she designs, illustrates, and sells on her website.
 
 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

My Cat Thinks He’s a Puppy by Patricia Allieri (Book Review)

A warm and beautifully illustrated picture book that will have your child in fits of giggles

My cat thinks he’s a puppy,
How strange is that!
He does cute puppy things,
But he’s a big tabby cat!

Cats are known for being independent, particular and maybe a little bit snooty.

But this cat isn’t like other cats. In fact, he’s much more like a puppy.

Puppy-Cat loves to go for a walk, dig about in the dirt and even loves to splash about in water!

In fact, if it wasn’t for this one little thing, you might not be able to tell he was a cat at all…

Inspired by playful cats everywhere, this book is a perfect addition to any cat lover’s bookshelf and will become a fast favorite for children and adults alike.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

What a coincidence, I have a cat who thinks he’s a puppy too! I swear mine barks. Since I have an unusual cat, I was thrilled to read My Cat Thinks He’s a Puppy by Patricia Allieri. 

The cat in the story loves to play hide-and-seek, but he always peaks. Wow, you think you could trust a cat not to sneak a peek. My cat loves to chase a ball like the kitty in the story. I wonder if that cat returns them -mine doesn’t. 

The kitty in the story does something my cat would never do—get in a pool of water voluntarily. It would be so much fun to see my cat dive in a pool, swim laps, or (even take it one step farther) go surfing or paddle-boarding with me. I’ve witnessed videos of cats doing just that, but mine seem to suffer from aquaphobia (fear of water).

Cats love to explore, but what they love more is naps. I’ve adopted several cats, and (depending on the time of day) you’ll find them napping in different locations. However, when the humans converge on the couch at night, someone will have a furry friend on their lap. And that means you’re there until they wake up. Cats make the rule, don’t you know!

My Cat Thinks He’s a Puppy by Patricia Allieri is very short in length, making it perfect for Amazon’s recommended audience of 3 to 7-year-olds. Your child or class will be eager to share all the fun things their cat does. Maybe you’ll get some children to run off to teach their cat how to act like a dog. I would start with “stay” first. All my cats mastered that one on the first try. 

Novel Varius did a fantastic job on the illustrations. They are worthy of 5 stars! The whole book deserves 5 stars! 

Review submitted to Reedsy on 9/15/22.

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Patricia was born and raised at the Jersey shore. Her love of the beach and the ocean is undeniable. She moved to Texas in the 1990’s, worked as a elementary school teacher, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Patricia uses her background as a foundation for her children’s picture books.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Nope-Nope Emu by R.C. Chizhov (Book Review)

A funny and endearing tale about the power of persistence and never giving up.

An emu wins the emu-flap game every year. But when she loses her winning streak, she mopes around saying “Nope!” to every game. Follow her journey as she finds inspiration to say “Yes!”

and play emu-flap again.

Amazon Purchase Link

 


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

Anastasia Yezhela did a phenomenal job with the illustrations. My daughter loved the emus. She liked their different hairstyles and clothing choices. She remarked that their shoes matched their outfit. Good catch! What an observant kiddo, and well done to the artist! My daughter was excited to see the emus wearing a crown since she plays dress-up and wears a crown too. She recognized the unicorn float from our local department store. 

We laughed together as the puppy chased his tail. In my daughter’s words, “Puppies are so silly.” I agree. We never see our kitties chasing after their tail.  

My daughter covered her eyes when she saw the pages with the magenta spider. I don’t blame her. They were rather big. Even though she kept her eyes closed, I read her the pages because spiders play an essential part in our daily lives. BTW: I thought the spiders were cute because they were fake. 

Nope-Nope Emu by R.C. Chizhov teaches children a valuable lesson: don’t give up when something is challenging; keep trying!

Nope-Nope Emu combines easy and complex words, perfect for homes or classrooms with varied reading levels. If your child is a non-reader, no sweat, they will enjoy the story too. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

About R.C. Chizhov

ALX00719_315.png

R.C. Chizhov grew up in India, moved to New York in 2005 and spent fourteen years as an investment banker before pursuing her childhood dream of becoming an author. She now lives in Florida with her ever-supportive husband and ever- energetic son. She is a member of SCBWI.

Instagram: @rcchizhov
 
 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

When I’m an Astronaut: Dreaming is Believing: STEM (Inspirational Careers for Kids) by Samantha Pillay (Book Review)

What does it take to be an astronaut?

The simple images in this unique picture book allow children to ponder over the wonders of space while building their self-belief.

Career gender stereotypes and self-efficacy start to form in early childhood.

This book encourages children to Dream Big and Aim High.

Expand your child’s imagination with the companion Activity Book.

Find the references for the grown-up astronaut hidden within the images.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

When I’m an Astronaut: Dreaming is Believing: STEM (Inspirational Careers for Kids) by Samantha Pillay was a beautiful story about a child who intends to make her dream a reality. 

To become an astronaut takes a lot of physical training. Astronauts even work out in space to lessen the effects of gravity on their bones and muscles. BTW: If your child hasn’t watched astronauts working out in space, I encourage you to share videos with them! It’s impressive how they exercise and the length of time they work out too. 

Space travel is a team event. No job is too small! It was adorable how the little girl’s puppy was right there with her, from training to exploration. I was waiting for a page where Harry Aveira illustrated the puppy in a space suit. Sadly, it didn’t happen; however, they did illustrate many other cute poochy scenes: swimming in the pool, playing with a ball in space, and floating in a zero-gravity atmosphere.

Every Harry Aveira drawing was excellent, with or without the canine sidekick! 

When kids speak of their dreams, we should listen and encourage them to make their dreams come true. If a child says one day they will go to outer space, tell them you believe they will. 

Whether a person’s dream takes place on our planet or not, we should support their ambitions. 

Amazon didn’t list a recommended reading age, but I think toddlers will love looking at the images. Beginning readers will need assistance with words, such as physics, mathematics, and magnificent. More established readers should have no issue with the text. So, this book could entertain households with a variety of age groups. 

I will tell my fellow parents about When I’m an Astronaut: Dreaming is Believing: STEM (Inspirational Careers for Kids) by Samantha Pillay in hopes they will share this book with their youngsters. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

About the Author

Dr Samantha Pillay, surgeon, entrepreneur and author hopes to inspire the next generation of leaders with her Inspirational Careers for Kids picture book series. Starting school in a wheelchair, she understands the importance of self-belief to achieve one’s goals. Visit her website to learn more.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized