Children's Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: The Story of You by Gerald Schaefer

The Story of You by Gerald Schaefer

In The Story of You, a brightly illustrated book for thoughtful children, author Gerald Schaefer finds straightforward yet colorful ways to help overcome many of life’s negative moments.

Schaefer opens his story with a welcome to our world of flowers, hummingbirds, and other natural phenomena, which help to build the notion of the connectedness of all life. He states that trees and flowers, for example, “appreciate” being looked at; our gaze perks them up in various ways, and makes us feel good, too. Inside each of us is another self, an “invisible you,” Schaefer reveals; though it can’t be […]

SPR2021-12-07T03:49:22+02:00November 17th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

Review: What’s Wrong With a Pet Dinosaur? by Tony Philips

What's Wrong With a Pet Dinosaur? by Tony Philips

A whimsical, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud collection of poetry and drawings, What’s Wrong With a Pet Dinosaur? by Tony Philips is a carefree but carefully crafted bundle of fun. Bouncing between surreal slices of fiction and narrative poems about more relatable experiences, the poet takes readers through a wild maze of imagination and the wonders of growing up.

The titular poem is a short and silly one, encapsulating the wry, tongue-in-cheek humor that many of these quippy poems lean into. “What Comes After Z” is longer, and written with more humor, along with some sage wisdom from the mouth of babes. […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-24T11:02:15+02:00October 11th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Book Reviews, Poetry Book Reviews|

Twilight Tales by Atticus Ryder

Twilight Tales by Atticus Ryder A delightful collection of stories that push past the boundaries of imagination, Twilight Tales by Atticus Ryder is aptly described in its subtitle as “Magic meets Science.” There is no end to the creativity on display in these charming, and occasionally challenging stories, with important underlying themes that can be critical in the formative years – loyalty, friendship, self-esteem, confidence, and honesty, among many others.

Young readers will be entranced by memory thieves and dragon saviors, professional pranksters and talking toads with wisdom to share. Between the space pirates, Zogs, and hungry lizards, this collection is unpredictable, to say the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-02T07:22:34+02:00July 2nd, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Children's Book Reviews, Middle Grade Fiction Book Reviews|

Levi Journey: An Unlikely Therapy Dog by Julie Iribarren, Illustrated by Martin Peers

Levi Journey: An Unlikely Therapy Dog by Julie Iribarren, Illustrated by Martin Peers Author Julie Iribarren depicts a wonderful story about friendship, overcoming hardship, and seeking a home in Levi Journey: An Unlikely Therapy Dog.

This colorful, multifaceted story details Levi’s journey from the streets to his exciting move to the United States on board a cargo plane, as well as the various steps of being adopted by the perfect family, and eventually finding a new calling as a therapy dog. With bright and energetic digital illustrations by Martin Peers, this inspiring story comes alive on the page, and contains plenty of lessons for both children and adults.

The story may be especially […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-06-23T09:30:11+02:00June 23rd, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

Review: Mommy, Daddy Please Teach Me! by Michael A. Brown

Mommy, Daddy Please Teach Me! by Michael A. Brown

A colorful, inspiring, and heartwarming children’s book, Mommy, Daddy Please Teach Me! by Michael A. Brown is a treasure trove of wisdom for young children. Exquisitely illustrated by Zoe Ranucci, this vivid storybook touches on some of the countless opportunities for learning that parents can share as their children grow.

From their very first lessons in life to more abstract ideas of self-esteem and joy, parents provide critical support for a child’s view of the world. Whether teaching a child how to cook, explaining the value and importance of money, or encouraging them to seek out professions that excite them, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-20T02:23:43+02:00June 20th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

FoxHide by John C. Hill

FoxHide by John C. Hill FoxHide: From HillCountry Farm by John C. Hill is a sugar-rush of a novel told through the eyes of an energetic young fox as he grows up wild and free, and learns about life – both the good and the bad.

Exploring the nuances of brotherly affection, risky adventure, hard lessons, and the pain of disappointment, this allegorical story is well-penned and strong in its messaging for young readers. There are long passages of lovely descriptions, and exciting bursts of action, coupled with the constant charm of Pawz, Boomboom, and Strike – characters it is decidedly hard not to love.[…]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-04-16T06:23:48+02:00April 16th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

Review: Beezie the Baby Bumble Bee by Dr. David Florence, Illustrated by Jesse Maloney

Beezie the Baby Bumble Bee by Dr. David Florence

Dr. David Florence pens a whimsical and colorful tale for children in Beezie the Baby Bumble Bee, a tender and message-rich tale.

Being a little bee who gets tired on long flights makes it hard to get a full belly of pollen every day. Young Beezie takes an eye-opening adventure, aided by a number of other helpful creatures – and a human honey man – in an effort to get ahead and find some pollen. The wisdom of owls and the generosity of eagles help save the day for this adorable little character.

The subtly beautiful (and occasionally silly) […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-04-06T08:11:01+02:00February 25th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

Review: Shadowshine by Johnny Armstrong

Shadowshine by Johnny Armstrong

A timely and fearless tale of courage in the face of insurmountable odds, Shadowshine: An Animal Adventure by Johnny Armstrong is a brilliant piece of creative fiction.

When Zak the “poet possum” realizes that his home and those he cares for are being threatened, he embarks on an epic journey into the unknown to rally support and find a way to protect the forest. Somehow, he must unite the Forest Folk to push back the dangerous humans and their allies, but there are secret suspicions and old enemies who stand in his way.

An incredibly intelligent and philosophical protagonist, Zak […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-10-30T03:42:03+02:00October 29th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Children's Book Reviews, Middle Grade Fiction Book Reviews|