Review: Adelaide on Broadway by Zoe Twitt and Nicola Senior (Illustrator)

About the Book

Join Adelaide and her friends as they navigate nerves and the super duper jittery jitters while performing a play. Adelaide on Broadway features anytime warm-up exercises (like humming, singing and telling funny jokes) designed to help children get calm and centered before performing or speaking in front of others.

Review

Not only were the illustrations cute and engaging but what a great message with helping kids deal with the jitters but most importantly being supportive of each other. I loved how Adelaide’s friends shared their own jitters to let her know she wasn’t alone but that everything will be fine. Everyone experiences a little freight when you have to get in front of people but the most important thing is to just put yourself out there and everything will be fine.

If you get the chance, I don’t think it's a series but there’s a collection of books involving this character and the cosmic rescue squad that would be great to add to the tbr if you have a young girl. Adelaide and her friends are positive and will empower them by connecting experiences.

Ages: 3-7

Pages: 34

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

Review: Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! by Marlene M. Bell and Grace Sandford (Illustrator)

About the Book

Nattie’s mouth was a little crooked. Her legs were a bit shorter than usual, and one horn was too straight, like a unicorn’s horn. But Mia thought Nattie was perfect.

In a read-aloud picture book for children who love animals, award-winning writer and sheep breeder Marlene M. Bell presents Nattie the lamb’s true story.

MIA AND NATTIE is a heartwarming book that teaches readers about problem-solving, teamwork, and love.

On a visit to her grandma’s farm, eight-year-old Mia discovers a newborn, orphaned lamb outside in the cold and takes her to the laundry room, naming her Nattie. As she tries to nurse the lamb back to health, Mia discovers that Nattie is different from the other lambs and struggles to fit in with them like Mia does with other kids her age. When her grandmother says she will sell Nattie to a neighbor, Mia must come up with a plan to keep her friend around—one that will show the family just how special Nattie truly is.

Review

Beautifully illustrated, complemented with a wonderful story that gives such a wonderful message. Nattie, who wasn’t fully developed, would not be able to thrive in normal circumstances. With her obstacles, she would have a hard time fitting in with the other lambs. What I loved was how Mia saw something special, despite her physical abnormalities and was determined to help Nattie fit in somehow and show that she was just as good as anyone else. What a touching moment seeing the hardwork and dedication Mia gained, the love and compassion she showed Nattie to help her find her purpose and giving Nattie a chance to be like everyone else.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

Review: Adelaide and the Cosmic Rescue Squad by Zoe Twitt

About the Book

It’s Halloween, and Adelaide and her friends are going trick-or-treating. As it gets dark, Adelaide’s stomach begins to hurt and her heart starts beating faster. Suddenly, a tiny witchlet named Zara appears in a golden bubble with some good advice for Adelaide and her friends: She tells them to imagine themselves inside a glittering golden bubble. She shows them how to spread the golden light all around, to help others who are also scared of the dark.

Review

Beautifully illustrated, complemented with a sweet tale that will make your Halloween fun. Loved how Adelaide and the Cosmic Rescue Squad came together to do something wonderful. It had such a sweet takeaway. When you work together, great things can happen.

Ages 3-7

Pages: 32

Buy on Amazon | Audible | Bookshop.org

Review: Frankie's Fishy Feelings by Quincy Kadin

About the Book

Frankie’s Fishy Feelings follows Frankie, a young shark nervous about his first day of “kindersharken”. Frankie is enrolled in therapy and learns coping mechanisms such as counting his fingers: Thumb, index, middle, ring, little.

The book is filled with quirky illustrations by Adhemas Batista, a self-taught Designer/Creative Director & Digital Artist. At the end of the story, there is a section titled Frankie’s Anxiety Toolbox. There are a number of tools and coping mechanisms kids can use when they start to feel anxious. Quincy is excited to share her story and teach other kids like her that it’s alright to ask for help when they need it.

Review

Inspired by her own experience that she had with anxiety, Frankie's Fishy Feelings is a book that helps kids who go through anxiety and how to manage the things you want to do.

A beautifully illustrated book that introduces us to a young shark named Frankie. As nervousness overwhelms her anticipating her first day of “kindersharken”, she finds herself going through the motions trying to suppress her state of being.. As she makes a new friend, meets her teacher and goes on with her day, those anxious feelings come back. Unsure of what to do, her mother enrolls her in therapy and she is given tools to help manage her stress anxiety to resume the activities in her life to enjoy.

Overall, I thought the book has a nice message that will encourage and help those who are going through something similar. It’s refreshing to see this young author using her personal experience to help younger kids not feel alone. Taking this subject and creating this book makes it relatable to their level. It also leaves a great takeaway for the kids in similar situations to know that it’s ok to ask for help when they need it.

Pages: 32

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

Review: The World's Longest Sock by Juliann Law

About the Book

Experience the world’s fiercest knitting competition in this lively book about community, cooperation, and two knitters who are determined to create the world’s longest sock.

In Chile, Nana Nina starts knitting a sock and forgets to stop, and soon it's won the world record for "Longest Sock”! When Chuck, a lonely lumberman in New Zealand who also happens to be knitting a very long sock, sees Nina’s news on the TV, he is determined to beat her world record. And he does! Thus begins a battle of the knittest to see who can hold onto the world record—for good. The world takes sides: Team Nina or Team Chuck. But will all the pressure cause them to unravel? This yarn about a competition out of control will charm the socks off readers of all ages and knitting abilities.

Review

What a wonderful book about two people who wouldn't give up but realizing they won more from what they gained in their life than their competition. Their fun journey was exciting and the anticipation to see what the outcome would be keeps you wanting to read more. .A great takeaway is realizing what’s important in life but most importantly having the support of family and friends can inspire you to make anything possible.

Overall, the warm, beautiful illustrations that complement this good read that will leave you feeling good. This book was a fun way to introduce knitting to kids.

Pages: 32

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

Audiobook Review: The House on Sunrise Lagoon: Marina in the Middle by Nicole Melleby

About the Book

Return to Sunrise Lagoon in this warmhearted sequel, which finds anxious middle child Marina making waves on her journey to trusting herself.

If you want to get to know Marina Ali-O'Connor, you need to know three things:

One, despite her name, Marina is secretly afraid of the water.

Two, she wanted to be one of the Oldest Siblings, but is stuck smack dab in the middle.

Three, she's pretty certain she's the Extra Ali-O'Connor kid—the forgotten one.

When Boom, a budding filmmaker exactly Marina's age, moves in across the lagoon, she decides that Marina's quest to become someone's favorite Ali-O'Connor would make a perfect documentary. But when each plan goes a little bit wrong, Marina begins to wonder if she'll ever feel like she belongs, or if she'll always be lost in the middle.

Review

I’ve really enjoyed the series. The narrator does such a great job with the inflection of the different characters. It’s been easy to follow along to distinguish each character from their unique characteristics and personalities.

This is the second book in the series. We get to know the middle child, Marina. For those kids in the middle, they can truly relate to her insecurities and finding herself within a big family.You know that feeling of being forgotten, wishing you were different to stand out more. That quest to find a sense of belonging and to be someone’s favorite. What’s interesting is that we find out something about Marina that’s surprising considering where they are. Some really wonderful lessons and wisdom she gains through her journey.

Overall, another wonderful book in the series.

Buy on Amazon | Audoble | Bookshop.org