Review: Meditation Is an Open Sky: Mindfulness for Kids by Whitney Stewart and Sally Rippin

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So many kids go through so many emotions and have a hard time decompressing. For those of you who are open to meditation, this is a great introduction and lesson in meditation for kids that help them manage their emotions, stress and deal with obstacles that come their way. This is such an insightful book that explains different techniques to use in different situations whether emotionally or physically. The back of the book has a nice Q&A about meditation and what to do when you feel certain emotions. The illustrations were wonderful and complement the different states of emotions that will connect the reader to lesson. The author does a great job with articulating a peaceful, calming experience in the book that can be a useful tool in helping kids learn a tangible way to cope with life's challenges.

Review: Stevie Tenderheart My Favorite Place to Be... by Steve William Laible

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Who doesn't love a fun bedtime story? My Favorite Place to Be is a fun, engaging story that centers around a kid whose favorite place to be is in his bed. We follow along on this adventure that takes him everywhere in his bed. The book features colorful illustrations along with an engaging story that is easy to follow along. My only issue is with the rhyming pattern at times. I know that it meant to make things fun and light but at times it seems the rhythm was a little off. Overall, that doesn't take away from the story the book sets out to showcase. This surely shows how fun going to bed can be. 

Review: I'll Never Let You Go by Marianne Richmond

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This book is so adorable! How many kids grow up attached to a blankie or a stuffed animal? The story follows Edward from his birth being introduced to Blankie. They are completely inseparable. His journey is told through a cute story about the relationship they have. When it's time for Edward to go to school, he learns a great lesson about having to let go. For so many small kids who grow attached, they have to let go to grow as person. This may be hard for some kids because their attachments are their best friends. The author introduces a beautiful lesson no matter where you are the love you have will never change despite being apart.

Even though this book is for kids, the message in the book will grab the heart of anyone. This is such a great lesson for kids in this age to help them make that transition from letting go to make room in their heart for the possibilities of making new friends. That “Blankie” or stuffed animal is their everything but sometimes we have to venture beyond our comfort zones to explore new adventures and meet new people to grow. 

Review: Callaloo: The Legend of The Golden Coqui

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If you haven’t heard of the series, Callaloo, it’s definitely a name that you will want to get familiar with. Beyond the fact that it features gorgeous illustrations and promotes positive diversity, there is definitely something magical about this series that I feel will excite and engage your young reader.

Callaloo: The Legend of The Golden Coqui, the second book in the series, takes the young reader on a fun adventure in search behind the legend of this golden coqui. We are introduced to Winston and Mariscol, who come across a frog that captured their interest. Upon further inquiry, the legend behind the frog was that his beautiful voice was once adorned until an evil spell was casted upon him banishing him forever to the rainforest. With there being only one person who could break the spell, they both take the readers on a journey from New York to Puerto Rico, uncovering clues that try to help them to find answers to free the golden coqui. 

I really enjoyed this book and see great things for the series. In the context of stories that have introduced elements of the Spanish culture, this has such a great appeal like Dora. Geared towards the age range of 3-7, not only does it give them a fun story to follow but it introduces them another language by incorporating Spanish within the story allowing the reader to learn different words and phrases. Don’t worry, as an accompaniment, there is a glossary that you can follow along in the back as you read the book to help you learn their meanings. The characters are lovable and the beautiful pictures are engaging and will catch their interest. If you are looking for a book that will spark their imagination as well as learn at the same time, I’d recommend reading this book. 

Review: The Memory Chair by Susan White

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About the Book

Thirteen-year-old Betony has always hated going to her cranky great-grandmother’s house. It’s old, stuffy and boring, and the woodstove in the kitchen is always burning too hot.

One day Betony sits on her Gram’s favorite chair. She is suddenly transported into the past and experiences her gram’s life as if it were in her own memory.

At first Betony is excited and curious, and even learns to cook and quilt. But she soon realizes she is uncovering a terrible, shameful family secret.

Review

Who doesn’t have stories that are rooted with special memories of Grandma? The Memory Chair by Susan White was one of those stories that your love of the book grew more as the book continued.  A quick but fulfilling read left such a warm spot in the heart because it brought back so many memories that I’ve shared with my own grandma. Not only was it a nice story but a refreshing one for the young reader to learn and appreciate how precious life is with your family and the memories that bind them for generations. 

Betony was such an enjoyable character to read. I know many kids her age may look at visiting their great-grandparents as a chore rather than something fun but the author I thought created a nice plot to bridge that concept. After one day sleeping in her Gram’s chair, she starts getting memories of her life as if it were her own. Watching that curiosity be the catalyst for their blossoming relationship from grudging to visit to want to spend time and learn about her life made a very special read. 

The beautiful friendship that develops and the appreciation for the special time spent I think will inspire young people to want to learn about their family’s past. Betony learns so much about life, tolerance and the meaning of how precious time is. Despite this being for a young reader, I think anyone can read and appreciate the beauty of the story.  It has such a great message that I would recommend getting a copy. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Review: Nalah Goes to Mad Mouse City by Anne Sawyer-Aitch

Book Summary

The adventures of Nalah continue! One day Nalah finds herself bored and lonesome because all of her imaginary friends have gone away on vacation. But wait – not all. Mad Tooth, the little mouse who lives in her sock drawer, is still busy munching away on her knee-highs. When she finds out why Nalah is sad, she offers to take her down through the sock drawer into a mouse metropolis. The result is a tale of wild dancing, cousins and mice, taffy and a sock monster.

Review

What child hasn’t had an imaginary friend? What a fun story about a young girl named Nalah. As a result of her friends leaving on a trip and her parents not wanting her around to help while planning a party, she decided she would create a cave where no one would find her. You never know who can be around. Feeling like someone was watching her, Mad Tooth Mouth, invites her to go to Mad House City where your young reader will experience a fun filled adventure that will make them has just as much fun. 

Upon first glance of the book, I was a bit uncertain about whether or not I was going to like it. The book doesn’t grasp you initially, mainly because we are used to a certain type of design when reading a children’s book. Once I finished reading, it was that uniqueness that played a role along with the fun story that made it such a great experience. The color s are vibrant and the way the design of the characters and pictures leap off the page that enable and engaging experience. Overall I thought the book was a fun read and would recommend.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Series: The Adventures of Nalah (Book 2)
Paperback: 44 pages
Publisher: Magic Lantern Press