Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Dylan's Birthday Present: Little Polyglot Adventures, Vol. 1 is a children’s concept storybook written by Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos and illustrated by Eszter Miklos. When Dylan opened the box sitting in front of his bedroom door, he found a card that said he could pick out any gift he wanted for his birthday. As he rushed into the kitchen, he knew exactly what he wanted for his birthday present -- a pet! His mom looked a bit apprehensive, and she wondered aloud just what kind of pet he wanted -- a dog? A turtle? A dinosaur? Dylan laughed at the idea of having a dinosaur for a pet; then he explained that he wanted a chicken, and he had a pretty good reason for his choice. He wanted to teach his chicken all the languages they speak in their home. Dylan’s family spoke Portuguese, Ukrainian, and English. His best friend, Emma, wondered if she could teach Kiki, Dylan’s new chicken, to speak in Zulu as well. Dylan’s new pet and young readers are exposed to six new words/phrases in different languages, and the author provides a link and a scannable QR code to hear how they are pronounced.

Dylan's Birthday Present will delight young readers, many of whom are already living in a multicultural world and have picked up their own words/phrases here and there. I particularly appreciated the fact the three languages highlighted here will not be as familiar to the vast majority of readers. The plot even highlights how Dylan’s ability to understand Portuguese is instrumental in him finding his lost chicken. This is a grand selection for storytime and offers caregivers ample opportunities to turn their young audiences into polyglot adventurers. It’s a great way to start kids sharing what languages they know and teaching each other words and phrases. Eszter Miklos’s illustrations are bright and colorful, and they work perfectly with the story. I especially liked her drawings of Kiki the polyglot chicken. Dylan's Birthday Present by Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

La Petite Josette En Provence: Going To Les Baux-de-Provence (Voyage aux Baux-de-Provence) is a bilingual story book for children written by Ashley Davidson-Fisher and illustrated by Martinique Louise Fisher. Josette and her sister, Anne-Laure, were so eager for their day trip to Les Baux-de-Provence to begin. When Anne-Laure went to wake up her little sister, she was surprised to see that Josette was already dressed and waiting. Josette helped her dad put their bags and picnic supplies in the car while Anne-Laure and their mom made a picnic lunch for them. Finally, it was time to leave. On the way there, they passed through vineyards and rolling green hills. Then they saw the village and the castle ruins perched high atop a hill. Anne-Laure and Josette couldn’t wait to get out of the car and explore.

La Petite Josette En Provence: Going To Les Baux-de-Provence is a charming and informative tale that follows Josette and her family as they explore the historic ruins at Les Baux-de-Provence. While it’s been some time since I studied French, I loved revisiting the language through this book and enjoyed exploring the ruins along with the girls and their parents. Davidson-Fisher interposes French and English phrases in such a way that those who are new to the language will be able to understand what’s being said while appreciating learning the French words and phrases. She also gives the reader a marvelous peek into French history.

Martinique Louise Fisher’s watercolors are most impressive. I’d love to see each of these marvelous images framed and hanging in a child’s room. If you don’t know French, this is a great introduction to the language, and if you’ve been away from the language for a while, you’ll soon feel right at home with it. La Petite Josette En Provence: Going To Les Baux-de-Provence (Voyage aux Baux-de-Provence) is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The fifth story in the Captain No Beard series, The Treasure of Snake Island by Carole P. Roman is as exciting as the previous ones and this book opens with the crew watching sunrise. Each of them has their own perspective about how beautiful the sunrise is. Polly Parrot is the only one who thinks that red sky in the morning signals a storm brewing because she has read it in a book. Captain No Beard thinks The Flying Dragon is strong enough to weather any storm. By lunchtime there is rain and the ship rocks to and fro. The crew members want to know about books and the topic of snakes reminds Captain No Beard that they are close to Snake Island, with treasure there. Will they be able to find it? If so, what is the treasure?

The author’s way of speaking about the importance of reading and books is refreshing and unique. It will make young readers curious about books and will encourage them to read. The illustrations, as in the previous stories, are colorful and lively and they make the story more vibrant. It is definitely a classroom and library read aloud as it speaks about books and the knowledge and information one can gain by reading books. The story will help parents develop an interest in reading to their children, just like Polly Parrot does with the rest of the crew on The Flying Dragon.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Magic of Friendship Snow by Andi Cann is about friendship – one of the best things in life! Jojo was a lonely child. She had no friends and every time she looked around she felt sad. Mama Duck had her ducklings, White Kitty had dragonflies, and when she looked out of the window she saw the birds on the trees snuggling with each other. She wanted a friend but did not know how to get one. Jojo decided to try and, at first, she went to the kite but the kite smiled and flew away. Then she went to White Kitty and White Kitty looked at her and ran away. She went to the tree, mountain, moon, and many others but none of them accepted her friendship. Finally one day she met Puddles and they became good friends. Will Jojo be confident now to make new friends once Puddles leaves?

This is a beautiful story of overcoming self-limiting beliefs, believing in yourself, and the magic of friendship snow, and it is heartwarming to see how Jojo tries to make friends. The watercolor sketches are wonderful and they make the story and the emotions attached to it tangible to young readers. It is a good book for children who are shy and have difficulty making friends. It is a lovely story for bedtime storytelling and read aloud sessions in classrooms and school libraries because it teaches children the value of friendship in an adorable and easy way. The Christmas season backdrop and the snow together make the story whimsical and dreamy.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Janina Rossiter's 1, 2, 3, Who's Cleaning the Sea? A Counting Picture Book About Protecting Our Planet is an adorable book that will make young readers aware of the wonderful living beings that exist on our planet and who play an important role in cleaning and protecting the planet. The ocean is full of dirt and plastic, and it is important to clean it. The seahorse finds a cotton bud floating and the mermaid collects two cups a day from near her rock in the ocean bay. It does not take long for the tripod fish to collect three cans, and the turtle brings four plastic straws she has collected. The sea creatures know that they have to work together to keep their home clean.

This beautiful book not only teaches young readers about the importance of doing their bit to keep the planet clean but also teaches them counting in a fun way. The author's illustrations give clarity to her concept and ideas, and this is definitely a fun way to make children aware of the importance of cleaning, protecting, and preserving the planet. Be it the seahorse, or the turtle, or the tripod fish, or the jelly fish, and the other creatures who call the sea their home, they all help in cleaning up the sea and making it a better place in which to live. The author also introduces young readers to the creatures that live in the ocean in an entertaining and interesting way. This book is definitely a must-have and a must-read for youngsters and it will help create awareness about the need to keep the ocean clean.

Reviewed by Sarah Scheele for Readers' Favorite

Don’t Drink the Pink by B.C.R. Fegan is a children’s book about the magic of a girl’s relationship with her grandfather, beautifully illustrated by Lenny Wen. The girl, Madeline, narrates the story of how her Grandfather Gilderberry creates little potions in his workshop. She drinks a potion on every one of her birthdays for fourteen years. Each potion is a different color and causes something magical to happen to her for that birthday. Her grandfather always admonishes her not to choose the pink one. “Just don't drink the pink." But when her grandfather dies, pink is the only color potion left. What will happen when she drinks it?

This is a high-quality book. The combination of detail in the storytelling and illustrations in Don’t Drink the Pink is really exceptional and the concepts are presented in a sophisticated way. The colored drinks are cued to an activity—such as becoming invisible or super-strength—and I felt there was intuitive suitability in the specific power each color gave to Madeline. And I was delighted by the honesty of B.C.R. Fegan’s writing that used the seemingly fantastical idea that a grandfather could give you special powers on your birthday to echo a child’s feelings accurately. Relationships with older relatives are unique in a child’s life and can be truly magical. Throughout the book, her grandfather is a touchstone for helping Madeline ground herself as she ages year by year and the potions she receives are in harmony with her personal development. The conclusion helps prepare children for the natural concept of a loved one’s passing as well, rounding out a great book I was delighted to read.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Mr. Hoopeyloops and His Amazing Glass by Andi Cann is the story of Mr. Hoopeyloops, a special man who lives in an old, odd house with an old, odd barn. The town he lives is an ordinary town where all the buildings have the same structure and pattern. He drives an old, odd red pickup truck. Smoke curls out of his barn’s big fireplace and there are sounds of strange and compelling music drifting from the barn. The people of the town are accustomed to Mr. Hoopeyloops's odd behavior. One day he sends an invitation to everyone in the town: ‘Please come and see the wonders and magic that delight me.' The townspeople are excited and what they see inside the barn amazes them and changes their opinion about Mr. Hoopeyloops.

The story conveys a beautiful message, that of seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. I like the contrasting images of a neat and organized town with that of Mr. Hoopeyloops. The illustrations are delightful and they give a good pace and movement to the story. Mr. Hoopeyloops’s secretive behavior makes his character mysterious and readers will be curious to know what he is doing with the sand and small steel pipes. There is an element of whimsy too in the story, which makes it a magical experience for young readers. Stories like this are good for children to help them understand the message clearly and change their perceptions on how to look at life, people, and appreciate the special talents people around them possess. It is a perfect story for read aloud sessions in classrooms and school libraries because of its magic, the secret, and the lovely message.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The ABC Animal Picnic by Janina Rossiter is an educational tool to introduce children not only to the alphabet, but it also helps in enhancing their vocabulary. The animal picnic also helps children understand that an alphabet can have different sounds and the story will fascinate them with the creativity and imagination of the author. Every page is fun to read and children will love repeating the words, the alliteration, and the sounds. The author’s imagination is on full display when readers flip through the pages and discover a lot of new things while learning the alphabet.

I like the way the author makes learning the alphabet and new words fun and interactive. What makes it unique is the manner in which the author has introduced the alphabet to readers, which is not what one gets to see usually. It is a perfect book for parents if they have small kids at home who are going to start school, because it makes learning easy, fun, and interesting. It is a good book for teachers and educators to introduce the alphabet and new words to children in classrooms, and parents and grandparents can read it out to their children and grandchildren at bedtime.

It is a great book with some colorful and excellent illustrations that are eye-catching. Informative and educational books like this are always good for child readers as it helps them not only learn new things, but will also make them more creative and imaginative. It is definitely a must-have in every school and children's libraries, and in homes.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Riley the Brave is a children’s picture book written by Jess Sinarski and illustrated by Zachary Kline. Riley’s a pretty happy-go-lucky bear cub who enjoys having fun with his friends. He races on his scooter with his buddy, Travis; indulges his artistic side by painting with Ernie; and shares his love of honey with Sophie. Sometimes, however, he doesn’t feel so happy-go-lucky. Riley gets caught up in memories from his past, things that he holds secret and can’t share; he feels angry and confused and all mixed up at those times. When he was younger, he had to be like a porcupine so big bears couldn’t hurt him; hoarding food so he wouldn’t go hungry; acting angry and aggressive to discourage others from coming near, and, worst of all, sometimes he could only survive by hiding deep within a turtle-hard shell. Riley is brave, though, and he’s learning it’s cool to be a cub. He’s beginning to see that he can talk to his safe big-critters about the things that scare him. He knows what safe critters do and don’t do. Riley doesn’t have to hide any more.

Jess Sinarski’s picture book for children, Riley the Brave, comes with an afterword for grownups that discusses brain functioning and the long-lasting effects of trauma on young children, even when they are in safe, loving and stable environments. The author discusses ways in which kids will act out or don porcupine quills, and she demonstrates how to “embrace that porcupine,” even if it’s just hooking pinkies or sharing a smile. She shows how a caregiver’s non-reactive approach can help kids regain access to their upstairs brain. Sinarski recommends reading Riley’s story using different voices for each character and taking a traumatized child slowly through Riley’s process of becoming brave. Some kids can only go through a few pages at a time.

Riley the Brave addresses issues of importance to everyone, especially those kids who don’t have traumatic pasts, but may have friends who do. Sinarski’s book teaches kids to have empathy for kids like Riley, and her lesson on what Safe Critters do and don’t do is also crucially important for all kids to understand. While the book addresses serious subjects, Zachary Kline’s upbeat, humorous and colorful illustrations make the book work so very well, especially in providing contrasts between Riley’s difficult past and his present. That image of Riley curled up in the turtle’s shell will resonate with many kids, I’m afraid, but knowing others have felt the same way goes such a long way towards healing. Riley the Brave is a remarkable book that gets trauma and the pain kids feel, and helps caregivers become partners and safe critters. It’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

The Fabulous Life of Minnie the Sassy Chick: Minnie's Sassy Birthday (Volume 2) by Cindy L. Shirley is a captivating read that features Minnie, a beautiful, stylish and sassy hen. She lives with Carly and Riley who constantly fuss over her. The two sisters have made it their mission to provide Minnie with everything and include her in all they do. They create moments with her and consider her to be their best friend. From dancing to rock music to playing beauty shop, Carly and Riley have the best time with Minnie, who seems to be enthusiastic and happy around the two girls. On top of what the girls do with their unusual friend, they organize a birthday party for her which becomes the culmination of all their excitement and enthralling, fun-filled activities.

The Fabulous Life of Minnie the Sassy Chick: Minnie's Sassy Birthday (Volume 2) by Cindy L. Shirley is a story coupled with fun and humor. The activities the girls engage in with Minnie will leave any reader laughing. Best of all is the love that the three friends share. Carly and Riley go out of their way to make Minnie a part of them and organize the best birthday ever. Their fun-loving and enthusiastic personalities are also a great addition to the story and will definitely resonate with many readers. The idea of using a hen for the main character was a great idea which added a comical and interesting twist to the story. This was also enhanced by Cleoward Sy’s illustrations. I definitely recommend Cindy L. Shirley’s book to young readers who love a fun and captivating tale.