Reviewed by Kathy Golden for Readers' Favorite

Greeny by Nielle P. Marques is a unique and entertaining story inviting children to experience what life is like for Greeny, a former caterpillar, now tucked away in his cocoon. The story has a warm and personal feel to it because Greeny has so many friends who care about him and watch over him while he’s in the cocoon. His ability to communicate with his friends from inside his enclosure allows readers to feel like they, too, are right there inside with him. They experience the personal ways that Greeny's friends bring him comfort and companionship and even protection when most needed. I found this aspect of the story to be a wonderful tool for teaching children how they can help their friends through situations in life; when just being there for someone is the very best expression of love and caring.

I especially liked the coloring book or hand-painted appearance of each drawing. The scenes feel as if each one has just been freshly painted or colored, and I could easily see children, each with their box of crayons or paints, happily filling in each page. The story ended in such a way that I feel as if Greeny is about to embark on a life that will lead to great adventures captured in future books. Thank you, Nielle P. Marques, for Greeny’s wonderful story that teaches children not only about the transformation of the butterfly but also about how friendship can be a powerful cocoon when it needs to be.

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

Brave Mermaids: Shell of Magic is a children's picture book written by Maria Mandel Dunsche and illustrated by Wathmi De Zoysa. The book invites young readers to the Magical Kingdom of Atlantica, where two beautiful mermaid sisters named Livi and Lexa reside. The sisters share an unbreakable bond and have a passion for adventure. One day, Lexa learns about the Shell of Magic, a legendary object that can grant wishes. Although Livi is skeptical, the sisters embark on a quest to find the shell. They seek guidance from Aria, a wise sea unicorn, who informs them that the shell is located in the deepest part of the ocean, guarded by a wise octopus. Despite the challenges they may face, Livi and Lexa are determined to find the Shell of Magic and begin their adventure.

Brave Mermaids: Shell of Magic is a lovely story about friendship, courage, and adventure. The author, Maria Mandel Dunsche, uses a cheerful tone to narrate a well-crafted tale that will delight children and introduce them to fun and adventurous characters. The story contains hilarious sea puns and utilizes a conversational tone that makes it engaging. The book inspires children to persevere despite challenges, like Livi and Lexi navigating seaweed forests and whirlpools on their journey to find the shell. The most heartwarming lesson in the book is compassion and care for others. The mermaids could have been selfish and wished for something for themselves, but instead, they decided to help all the other creatures in the ocean. Additionally, the beautiful illustrations complement the story and the stunning visuals will brighten your day. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend adding it to your children's reading collection.

Reviewed by Cloie Belle Daffon for Readers' Favorite

The Seeking Tree by Jodi Dee starts with a breathtaking illustration of a forest filled with beautifully painted trees and distinctively drawn animals. A young sapling was slowly growing among the trees and was excited to learn about the world. It wished to get to know every creature it saw; however, every human passing by was too busy to pay even the slightest attention to it. As the years passed and the world evolved, humans only focused on their creations and seemed to have forgotten the beauty and importance of the nature around them. As the young sapling grew into a tall tree, it continued to wonder when the day would come when the humans would notice it. Will humans ever learn to appreciate sublime nature? Learn the importance of connecting with nature in The Seeking Tree.

The Seeking Tree was both fascinating and eye-opening to read. It is appropriate for children and parents to read since it perfectly explains the value of appreciating and protecting nature, which is currently one of the world's ongoing concerns. The images, co-illustrated by Kaya Oldaker, perfectly depicted the beauty of nature and helped communicate the sapling's needs throughout the story. The skillfully done artwork held my attention and brought the story to life. Reading this book was an entirely new and life-changing experience. It is often tough to persuade people to stop and appreciate nature, but this book reminded me of the beauty of nature that we have often overlooked. This gentle and heartwarming tale imparted an essential and profound message I will never forget. Reading this has been a balm to my soul, and I can't wait for more work done by this talented author and illustrator.

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite

Uh-Oh! My Dragon's Hungry is a children's picture book written by Katie Weaver and illustrated by Caner Soylu. The story follows a young girl and her pet dragon, who has a habit of spitting fire whenever he gets hungry, causing chaos and making her duck for safety. On this particular day, the girl has to prepare lunch for her dragon as her mother is away. However, she struggles to decide what to feed him. Her imagination runs wild as she considers options like pizza, chocolate sauce, pancake towers, and tacos filled with frosting and candy. Eventually, she realizes that her dragon needs healthy foods like vegetables and a good steak. Will the dragon enjoy the food she serves him?

Uh-Oh! My Dragon's Hungry is an enjoyable and educational story that is bound to put a smile on your children's faces. Author Katie Weaver has combined imaginative and hilarious scenes to keep young readers engaged while also teaching the importance of eating healthy foods. The story explains how healthy foods nourish the body and taste good. As children can be picky eaters, they require guidance on what to eat. This tale introduces two relatable characters whom they can learn from. Aside from the wonderful message, the book also has colorful illustrations that complement the story, making it visually appealing to read. The vibrant colors and funny images are perfect for capturing children's attention. Overall, I highly recommend reading this book with your children to teach them about healthy foods and how to handle a hungry dragon.

Reviewed by Golder Hazelton for Readers' Favorite

A World of New Beginnings, written by Melissa Garin, is a small book with a big message for young people: change is scary and not always easy, but adventure waits on the journey and life is infinitely more interesting and fun when adventure is included. Emma and Eliott are happy mouse children in their little meadow town, living with their loving parents and their furry friend Laika. All is bliss in their world until the fateful day when Emma and Elliot’s parents announce that the family will be moving overseas. The challenges that the family faces as they prepare for their life-changing adventure are universal, with applications far beyond the situation at hand. New people, new foods, new playground companions and games, a new language, and a new culture await them. But with love and persistence, every obstacle is overcome and the family learns to appreciate change and the excitement it can bring.

Melissa Garin has crafted a timeless and immensely appealing contemporary fable, the cover of which is adorned with richly deserved seals from the Pencraft Awards and Children’s Book International (with many more sure to follow). Ale Tadeo’s artful and animated illustrations strike just the right note to support the upbeat tone of the text. The narrative is written in a friendly, accessible rhyming style, easy for children to follow, and ideal for adults and children to read aloud together. A World of New Beginnings offers a rosy point of view without sacrificing the real-world struggles children face in dealing with change; as such, it is a rare and essential resource that should be required reading for any child trying to embrace new surroundings and situations.

Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite

Mahalo Bear Says Thank You! by Bo Bergmann is about Mahalo Bear, a character who is half bear and half pineapple. He is certainly the world's most optimistic and grateful bear whose favorite thing to do right after waking up is to say thank you for everything. After tripping on the stairs and getting a blue bump on his head, Mahalo Bear said, "Thank you." Mahalo Bear continued to say thank you after each mishap, even when his clothes were stained, to the dismay of his friend, Doubtful Duck. But once in school, he used all the stains on his clothes as the sample colors for his show and tell rainbow project. Impressed by what he had done, the teacher rewarded Mahalo Bear with a balloon for his presentation. Mahalo Bear later explained to Doubtful Duck, that according to his parents, it is always better to have an attitude of gratitude and look for the good things in life, because you will eventually find them. They hugged each other before parting ways, without realizing that the stains and dirt on his clothes had smeared his friend's pretty new dress. But instead of getting upset, Doubtful Duck just said, "Thank you!" as she laughed her way home.

Mahalo Bear Says Thank You! is a charming children's book that features an adorable pacifist bear who chooses to be mindful and have a positive attitude. Bo Bergmann uses cartoon-like, colorful illustrations and a fun Hawaiian theme that will especially appeal to young readers. Children can also easily identify with the main character's occasional clumsiness that young readers themselves can sometimes experience. But what matters most is how Mahalo Bear talks about the advice that his parents give him and shows us how he starts his day with gratitude and positivity even when obstacles arise. Responding sensibly rather than acting impulsively can help you see things for what they are. Since having a grateful attitude prevents disagreements and encourages communication, Mahalo Bear acts in a way that fosters faith and the belief that everything will work out for the best. It is a tactic that he proves to be more advantageous for everyone, and even healthier and less stressful. A recommended read-along book for emergent and independent readers, plus adults who should occasionally be reminded that it's always better to say thank you and strive to live a life with an attitude of gratitude.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Don't Bring Rupert To The Beach by Christer Hägglund is a short illustrated children’s story. Rupert is a polar bear who lives in the north where it’s cold. One day, he went fishing but fell asleep and when he awoke, he was somewhere completely different. It’s a warm, tropical island, a wondrous place the likes of which Rupert has never seen before. There, he meets Dot, the jaguar, and they become friends. Dot shows Rupert around the island but Rupert misses the cold and the snow, while Dot loves the warm and the sand. The two friends explore each other’s worlds and have a great adventure, becoming firm friends for life.

Don't Bring Rupert To The Beach by Christer Hägglund is a wonderful kid’s story with great illustrations that help bring the story to life. It’s a simple story but with an underlying message – we aren’t all the same and we don’t all feel comfortable when we are not in the right surroundings. With just the right amount of action and a neat plot, this book is great for younger kids to read at home and at school and could be used to help children understand why some animals live in different places and why they can’t live elsewhere. It’s an easy read, written in simple language, and engaging enough to hold attention, even when you have kids with a short attention span. Cute story, I loved it. It is ideal for all young kids, and they’ll want you to read this one to them over and over again.

Reviewed by Christine Nguyen for Readers' Favorite

No Place for a Lizard by Megan Deliberto is a children’s book about a bearded dragon named Anthony trying to find a new home because he is so lonely living all alone in a cage in the reptile house at the zoo. He visits other animals to see whether he can live with them, ranging from lions to giraffes, monkeys, and elephants, but there were problems in each of their enclosures. Anthony finds himself in the home of Bruno, the huge polar bear. Bruno is confused at first as to what Anthony is as he looked nothing like a dragon, but he discovers that a bearded dragon is a type of lizard. When Anthony explains that he needs warmth and sun to survive, Bruno quickly realizes that he is also lonely, so he finds a creative way for them to live together.

No Place for a Lizard shows that despite all the factors that seem to prevent them from being roommates, they find their friendship can bridge those differences. Megan Deliberto writes a charming, heartwarming book about friendship between two completely different species. Anthony and Bruno are sure to captivate you and the little one you are reading to in no time. The illustrations by Tiemoko Sylla that accompany the dialogue are engaging and colorful. Readers will learn more about polar bears and bearded dragons so the book is educational. This is an engaging story to entertain and inform while spending time with young readers to immerse them in the world of learning and reading.

Reviewed by Jennie More for Readers' Favorite

The Arctic Quest by Minda Gomez is the story of a young family living in Minnesota, including the eldest, Rico, eight years old; Diego, five; and the youngest, Araceli, two. They are traveling to Mexico to spend Christmas with their grandparents, Tito and Tita. Their neighbor Don Toño is a brilliant inventor who gives the three siblings a pair of virtual reality sunglasses. When wearing the glasses, they look and feel like they’re in the Arctic Circle close to the North Pole, surrounded by snow, where they transform into different animals. As they travel to Mexico and play in the Arctic with their sunglasses, they learn important lessons about playing fairly, looking after their little sister, and working as a team. The Arctic Quest is also an excellent resource for learning conversational Spanish words and phrases, including greetings and common social references.

The Arctic Quest by Minda Gomez is a creative, deeply thoughtful, and educational story for children, celebrating the Spanish language and Mexican traditions while teaching valuable lessons and the wisdom of being part of a family. I loved the use of Spanish words and phrases throughout the book and the helpful glossary. The educational aspect of the book is fun and engaging, and Gomez achieved this by maintaining the reader’s attention with an imaginative and meaningful plot. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because it has many benefits for children. Not only do they learn Spanish, but they learn about teamwork and their role in the family. Gomez has created a heartwarming and resourceful book that celebrates Mexican traditions, the Spanish language, and the unique bond between family members.

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

Mama Wren was happy that her eggs had finally hatched to produce three lovely Wren chicks. Soon two of her chicks start singing, but Wren Three could only manage a funny squeak and it made her sad. One morning, Wren Three heard beautiful music coming from a window. She flew to the window and found a Piccolo playing his music. Wren Three and Piccolo soon became friends. Wren Three could then have fun, flying around with Piccolo on her back as he played his music. All the fun ended when something terrible happened to Piccolo while flying on Wren Three’s back. What happened to Piccolo and would Wren Three ever learn to sing? Find out more in Catherine Ann Russell’s Picco and Wren Three.

Catherine Ann Russell’s Picco and Wren Three will appeal to lovers of children's adventure books. Catherine’s integration of the storyline with the colorful images by Janell E Robisch was amazing. It’s almost as if the images tell the story by themselves. The deep shades of color only make them even more enthralling. I loved the way that the author brings warmth to the words and images. The author’s choice of words will enrich your child’s vocabulary and improve their English. Catherine delivers the moral of the story in simple yet engrossing ways. From Wren Three’s determination to sing, kids can learn to persevere, be ambitious, disciplined, and perhaps most important of all, be patient. They will also learn to be sincere friends.