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

Everyone is different to some degree. Your uniqueness might stem from a physical trait, talent, hobby, skill, life choices, etc. For Milo Crenshaw, nobody could yawn bigger than him.

Have you ever found yourself yawning just because someone near you did? I have, and the people occupying space near Milo couldn’t help but succumb to the need to stretch their faces and deliver one large yawn, too. Some individuals who witnessed Milo’s superpower didn’t just yawn once and go about their day. No, many people yawned and fell asleep like the principal and soccer players.

You’ve heard the infamous line, “With great power comes great responsibility.” In the case of the two bullies, Milo used his superpower, aka his infectious yawns, to put the brother/bullies asleep. Nice move! His yawns also had a surprising effect on a zoo animal. (Identity withheld on purpose. Read the story to learn more.)

Milo became famous for his superpower. Parents called him, asking if he would use his power to get their kids to sleep at night.

If Milo’s power was present in the real world, he could’ve made a fortune working his sleepy time magic on all the world’s children!

Adult insomniacs would definitely utilize his power to get some much-needed zzzz’s.

I had mixed feelings regarding the illustrations. The zoo animal was cute. Bullies catching some zzz’s was funny. I didn’t care for the long and large round faces of the non-yawning people. Kids will likely find them humorous. On a separate note, I didn’t understand why Milo’s yawns didn’t affect every parent in the group yawn image (17). I would’ve also moved the text fully onto the purple background for easy visibility. Maybe even bump up font size on every page. (I am mentioning these suggestions because I had to enlarge the text on the PDF.)

Milo and the Big Yawn was a cute, funny, quick read that will induce yawns. The perfect time to read this book is at naptime or bedtime.

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 4-9 years.

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

Ingramspark.com

Meet the Author

A former copywriter at top New York City advertising agencies, Milt Lowe has won over 60 major awards -including Gold and Silver Lions at the TV Cannes Film Festival – and has written humor pieces for The New York Daily News and Advertising Age. Milt has written four children’s books so far.

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Amazon Author Page Link

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Tagged as animals, book, book review, children's book, classmates, comedy, hero, humor, humorous, kids, parents, picture book, police officers, review, siblings, sisters, superpower, teachers, unique character, unique talent, yawn

September 16, 2024 · 7:00 am

The Ghastly Mr Denton and the Handsome Miss Jane by D.L Richards (Book Spotlight)

The town of Dolton, surely voted the country’s most mundane. The townsfolk herded about their days, lives cemented in tradition and a rigid social hierarchy – in which the top tier could be defined in a word: ostentatious. Their importance did not permit the acknowledgement of plebeians, who they generally agreed were more animal than civilised. Until the arrival of Mr Denton, that is. His barbaric display at the Dolton Women’s Club ignites Miss Jane’s long-dormant rebellious spirit – while utterly humiliating the avaricious widow Ms Greer.

Will his questionable behaviour lead to an uprising – or leave Dolton devastated.

Click HERE to read the review on Kam’s Place! (Date shared: 9/11/23)

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Her eyes settled on a newspaper left on a nearby side table. The headline had been the talk of the town.

‘Such an audacious plan,’ Miss Jane baited.

Raising an eyebrow, he paused his treatment.

‘Pardon, Miss?’

‘The two thieves caught with close to ten thousand pounds from the Dolton Bank,’ Miss Jane nodded at the newspaper.

‘Audacious?’ Mr Adams grinned. ‘In my opinion, a remarkably overcomplicated heist for so little a prize.’

‘A rather dubious response. Have you experience in theft, Mr Adams? You believe one can casually rob a bank by walking in and out?’

‘Does this look like the face of a felon?’ he teased with a smile. ‘I’m afraid my life rather dull for such adventures. Though I believe it would make for an exhilarating career.’

‘Career? I fail to see how felony could be classed as an occupation or considered exhilarating, Mr Adams. Though were it your chosen career, I have no doubt it would be rather fleeting.’

‘You offend me, Miss Jane. The most straightforward ideas are often the best. And do not tell me you have never been tempted to pocket an item secretly while perusing a store or market.’

‘Perhaps as a child, Mr Adams. As an adult and a law-abiding citizen, I am perfectly able to obtain items through legal means. Might I add, I believe one finds greater happiness from the satisfaction of exercising self-control than succumbing to temptation.’

‘Must one not first taste temptation in order to induce self-control?’

‘A fool’s reply.’

‘Then a fool stands before you.’

Check out my review on Reedsy.

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Meet the Author

When not deftly dodging venomous spiders or outwitting the cunning drop bear, D.L. Richards can be found escaping reality through short story crafting. Residing in the mythical land of Australia, where kangaroos casually hop down the streets, D.L draws endless inspiration from the whimsical world that surrounds him. His debut novelette, The Ghastly Mr Denton and the Handsome Miss Jane, was published in 2023.

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Tagged as excerpt, fiction, historical, murder mystery, mystery, novelette, review, romance, shocking twists, short read, spotlight

September 13, 2024 · 7:00 am

The Grumpy Growly Tree (Stories With Heart Book 3) by Debi K Fraser (Book Review)

The animals in the forest are scared of the Grumpy, Growly Tree. The other trees are growing as far away as be. But is there more to Grumpy than what they see?

Join the forest animals in their daily adventures and follow along as they learn that sometimes things are not always as they seem. In a story that reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can sometimes make the biggest difference.

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

The Grumpy Growly Tree, the third book in the “Stories with Heart” series, is a heartfelt story about the power of love, kindness, and acceptance.

Grumpy was a sad and lonely tree whose face reflected these feelings. Other trees and many animals reacted unfavorably when they saw Grumpy’s droopy facial features. His forest companions either kept their distance from him or fled in fright. Grumpy’s fellow trees and nine animal visitors never stopped to ask if he was okay. Why did he look so sad? Thankfully, one adorable forest animal didn’t dash away in fright. Instead, this sweet animal stopped and talked to Grumpy, and in doing so, they discovered Grumpy was not grumpy at all; the tree was sad and lonely, and they only wanted someone to love them. (I kept the animal’s name a secret on purpose.)

In real life, people are judged for looking, acting, or speaking differently from what their peers consider “normal.” Often, it is for the color of their skin. Sometimes, we look at someone’s facial expression and decide to keep a safe distance from them. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of such judgments, you’ll empathize with the sad tree in this story.

The Grumpy Growly Tree beautifully demonstrates the power of kindness. It proves that one act, big or small, can profoundly affect a person’s life. It can lift spirits, give hope, and give a person a reason to smile. The cute animal in the story caused all three effects on the initially grouchy-looking tree. I must say, the artist made the cutest sad tree ever! I loved his big nose and expressive eyes. The illustrated “a light of love so bright” page and all the glowing drawings after that made my face light up, much like the tree.

I adored the children’s book’s positive underlying messages: We all deserve love and should treat others how we want to be treated: with kindness and acceptance!

I recommend this wonderful story to children 3- 7 years.

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

Meet the Author

Debi K Fraser is the author of the Stories With Heart series of children’s picture books.

Her love of stories and the characters that inhabit them has been with her since she was old enough to hold a book. As a child she could often be found with a pile of cucumber sandwiches and any number of books containing dragons, witches and magical adventures. Her passion for creating her own naturally followed.

Although Debi is from New Zealand, she currently lives in Quebec, Canada with her two sons and her two dogs. She loves being out in nature and can often be found walking her dogs through the forest, where for her, magic and inspiration live. Stories dance their way into Debi’s imagination morning, noon and night.

But mostly in the forest.

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Tagged as acceptance, animals, be kind, children's book, emotions, feelings, happiness, inclusion, kindness, love, picture book, review, sadness, tree

September 9, 2024 · 7:00 am

Felicity’s First Flight by Megan Moneypenny (Book Review)

Felicity the butterfly didn’t have the easiest start in life. But when she discovers an egg, she takes on the challenge of giving it the best chance to thrive. Along the journey, Felicity learns to care for herself too, finding strength in getting fit, meditating, eating well, and spending time with friends. Through vibrant illustrations and a heartwarming story, Felicity’s First Flight shows that no matter where we come from, we all have the power to grow and the potential to soar.

Join Felicity as she takes her first flight and discover the magic of believing in yourself!

New Release –> Amazon Purchase Link

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

Our environment impacts how we grow physically, mentally, and academically. Depending on a child’s home life, they might struggle to concentrate on school work, not get adequate nutrition, or feel alone, scared, or hopeless.

Felicity’s start in life was not easy. Instead of being nestled on a leaf with her sibling, the egg slipped through the metaphoric crack, and the future butterfly was left alone on a mound of rocks. Despite these challenges, Felicity’s resilience shone through. While Felicity’s sibling and many other caterpillars have the fortune to be hatched around luscious food, Felicity does not. Her physical appearance reflected her abysmal surroundings. She was weaker and smaller than a typical caterpillar should be.

Felicity’s weakened state and malnourished body continue to affect her growth. Many people struggle to change their living situation and ask for help in real life. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to ask for help. I was proud to see Felicity acknowledge she could not go on alone anymore and find the courage to seek the help she needed.

Art imitates real life when Felicity met and asked a beetle for assistance. It’s an excellent reminder to be cautious with strangers—not everyone you meet will have good intentions. On the other hand, some people might have good intentions but make matters worse, as in the dragonfly case. I loved the dragonfly’s eyes. They most definitely gave him a “wonky” vibe.

As hard as life was for Felicity, she never let it defeat her. She found the strength and determination to push forward. She began taking better care of herself and also took responsibility for another egg. She gave her new baby everything she didn’t have as a newborn: food, love, protection, and, most importantly, a home.

Felicity is a butterfly, but her journey inspires us all. Her journey proves that with courage and determination, we can all achieve greatness and thrive even in the harshest of times. I recommend every parent read this inspirational story to their children, three years and older. As a side project, have your child or class use the information in the story to illustrate the life cycle of a butterfly.

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

New Release: Amazon Purchase Link

Meet the Author

Megan Moneypenny is a children’s author, educator, and mental health counselor originally from Sugar Land, Texas. She brings a unique perspective to her storytelling, emphasizing resilience and personal growth. Megan is dedicated to inspiring young readers to believe in themselves and their dreams.

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Tagged as butterlies, caterpillar, children's book, chrysalis, cocoon, elementary school, insect, life cycle, picture book, preschool, review, young readers

August 30, 2024 · 7:00 am

Gilly the Golf Ball: Gilly’s Big Dream by JiB Bruebaker (Book Review)

Delightful and wholesome, these short stories are infused with playfulness that will brighten the day of any reader.

Gilly’s tales offer a charming introduction to golf for children, providing valuable life lessons both on the golf course and beyond.

In Gilly’s Big Dream, Sam helps Gilly overcome his fear of the hole. Then, Gilly prepares for a tournament.

When you say “Gilly,” remember this trick, It’s the “G” in “Golf,” strong and quick. Every time you play or cheer, You’ll say “Gilly” loud and clear!

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

A tiny Golf Ball named Gilly lived in the sunny town of Fairway Fields. Gilly differed from the average ball used on a course. This Golf Ball had bright blue eyes, gloves on its hands, shoes on its feet, a cute hat bearing its name, and a big smile. Gilly wasn’t the only uniquely designed character. Sam, Gilly’s canine companion, was super adorable! I tip my golf hat to the artist who did a stellar job creating golf puppy. I adored his big, beautiful brown eyes.

When Sam slept beside his best friend’s bed, he dreamed about chasing golf carts and digging holes in the fairway. (Funny and sweet image!) Meanwhile, Gilly dreamt about becoming “The Best Golf Ball in the World!” All readers will be pulling for the cute Golf Ball, but golfing fans might be envious of Gilly and Sam’s room. It was a golfer’s paradise: golf balls on the bedspread, pictures of lush green courses hung on the wall, green painted walls, green rug, green desk, green curtains, and (of course) personalized golf bag with clubs. I loved Sam’s doggie bed!

Gilly and Sam had golf on the brain 24-7. When one has a dream, one must follow in the footsteps of Gilly and practice, practice, and practice some more. Like in this story, you might fail many times before succeeding. There’s no better feeling when you do accomplish your goal! Gilly faced his fears and, in time, overcame them. He deserved the cheers from his friends and fellow competitors! While Gilly’s success was inspiring, I was glad the writer mentioned him cheering his competitors’ good shots and learning from their techniques. Good sportsmanship never goes out of style!

Gilly the Golf Ball; Gilly’s Big Dream had outstanding illustrations. I liked the attention to detail in every Golf Ball. Not a single dimple was left out! Nice touch adding the golfer’s name to each of their hats! There was one major factor of this adorable story I didn’t quite grasp: Gilly was hitting a ball, but the images show him going into the holes and climbing out of them. The line: “Gilly soared through the air, landed on the green, and rolled… rolled… rolled… right into the hole!” also supported this claim and added to my confusion. Even though that puzzled me, I did enjoy the story and positive message behind Gilly’s journey: with courage, friendship, and a dream, anything is possible. Oh, and don’t forget it’s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game, so remember to be a good sportsman.

Gilly’s actions and journey will inspire young readers to be brave, be nice, and always follow their dreams.

(The story capitalized Golf Ball, so I followed the writer’s example.)

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

Meet the Author

As an avid golf enthusiast, I immerse myself in the artistry of the game, from mastering techniques to unraveling it’s mysteries with data. My passion for golf is not just about playing; it’s a canvas for creativity. I revel in composing whimsical golf parody songs. Golf has become my schtick.