Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Believe it or not, Christmas trees have feelings, too. Calvin grew up on a Christmas tree farm. He was supposed to be a Christmas tree like all the other trees around him, only he didn’t really grow fast enough. When Christmas came and all the other trees were chosen, Calvin was sad about being left behind. He so desperately wanted to be a Christmas tree and he didn’t appreciate the taunting and teasing he received from the other Christmas trees. Finally, on Christmas Eve, the owner and his wife brought Calvin to the Christmas tree store along with the last of the Christmas trees. He stood up as tall and as proud as he could, but no one chose him. A storm blew up and knocked him over, so the owner drove off, leaving Calvin all alone, half-buried in snow. That is, until a little boy had his father stop the car to take a look at poor Calvin. As the boy pleaded his case to his father, he firmly declared, “No Christmas tree should be alone on Christmas.” But that wasn’t the end of Calvin’s story; the events of Christmas Eve would make him a legend.

Stephen G. Bowling’s picture book story, Calvin the Christmas Tree: The Greatest Christmas Tree of All, is a charming story for young readers that emphasizes some of the key elements of the meaning of Christmas, most particularly that no one, not even a Christmas tree, should be alone. The story is told in simple language so a young reader can follow along and perhaps even read the story themselves. The colorful illustrations help carry the story forward. The author emphasizes the littlest tree’s (Calvin’s) determination to be a Christmas tree and how he never really did give up hope, even when he was half buried and deserted in a snowstorm. Calvin’s story is a journey of determination and trying to do your best in spite of all the odds stacked up against you. I found this story touching and heartwarming and I would certainly want to share it with younger members of the family every Christmas. Beautifully told and the illustrations are classic – this book is a keepsake.

Reviewed by Lois J Wickstrom for Readers' Favorite

Imagine a little cotton plant that saves the day because he is different. First the animals and the other plants are curious about strange sounds in the cotton field. Then they discover a little cotton plant that snores when he sleeps. They tease him. They make fun of him. Meanwhile, little Cotton can’t remember snoring and doesn’t understand all the fuss. Then some crows arrive with the news about boll weevils coming to steal their softness. The information about boll weevils and their history of destroying crops in the United States is the most interesting part of the book. The boll weevils’ response to a snoring cotton plant ties it all up. Monica Sanchez’s illustrations are cute and well-defined. Johnny Strader’s Cotton: The Little Plant That Snored is a chapter book that kids who are used to picture books will readily find accessible.

The little main character who is different, and whose difference saves the day, is a common theme in picture books. The differences are in how they are different, and what the main character will do to save everybody. Usually, the different character has to do something active. In Cotton: The Little Plant That Snored by Johnny Strader, the snoring cotton plant isn’t able to control his snoring. But he saves the day anyway. This is actually fun to think about. Can a person be a hero just by being himself or herself? This story answers Yes! Monica Sanchez’s illustrations make clear all the problems – the bullying and the boll weevils. Strader adds the history of fighting boll weevils to round out the story.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Classic Greek and Roman literature is full of stories, myths, and legends about gods and heroes. Each story is exciting on its own, but there is usually a message being shared. And the story is depicted in classic art: painted vases and murals. The story of Bellerophon and the winged horse, Pegasus, is one of the Greek legends that follows a young hero as he defeats armies and vicious creatures. But sometimes power can be a heady thing, making a hero feel he (or she) is more powerful than anyone else. That was the case with Bellerophon. When he realized the extent of his power, he started to believe he was equal to the gods.

Dr. Simon Spence’s picture book story, Bellerophon: Book 8 – Early Myths, takes a classic Greek legend and creates a compelling story for young readers, complete with fascinating illustrations to help carry the story along. The language is simple, suited to early readers, and the plot develops with great excitement, which will definitely capture a young reader’s attention. The author brings the characters to life with vivid, cleverly crafted character descriptions. Dialogue is used effectively to make the scenes active and interesting. The font used for the text suggests an ancient script. The author uses the age-old art of storytelling well. At the end of the book, the author includes some illustrations of classic Greek pottery decorated with images of Bellerophon and Pegasus. The author also includes some historic detail behind the story such as notes about how this is one of the oldest and lesser-known stories and how classic literature incorporated stories of Bellerophon. A fascinating way to interest young readers in classic legends, literature, and art.

Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers' Favorite

Tales from Bombast's Bookshelf by Steve Michael Reedy is a collection of stories for children and dare I say for adults as well? For those who have lost their way in life and are looking to rediscover their path, this title comes highly recommended. There are six stories in all, some shorter and some longer, all of which can be read at bedtimes, storytimes, teachable moments—actually any time of day or night would suffice. I say this because the messages provided in each story are common sense that is really needed in society. I appreciated the way the author expands our viewpoints and helps us understand that the way we see life, our perceptions of how life “should be,” are sometimes downright silly. This book allowed me to laugh at myself and appreciate another’s point of view. And all from a children’s book?

The poetry reminds me of Dr. Seuss's style of writing, but the gentle messages are much more. We learn about leadership, of giving, of caring for others, of sharing, and many other important facets that help strengthen the world in which we live. The targeted audience (young children), of course, needs to learn these things as guidance for growing up. However, the stories provide important reminders for everyone living today on planet Earth. Here. Today. Ages zero to 119 can benefit from the wit and wisdom, the humor and honor portrayed in each tale. It is uncommon to read a book such as Tales from Bombast's Bookshelf by Steve Michael Reedy. But if you take the time to read and ponder for yourself, you may find your mind and spirit turning child-like again. Books like these are why I love reading!

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Reece's Timeless Tales by N. Reece Ho-Sheffield is a collection of thirteen stories that will take children on a fantastical adventure filled with magic, whimsy, and enchantment. Out of the thirteen stories, eleven are original stories and two are adapted ones. Every story is different from each other but they will keep young readers glued to the page till the very end.

Saved by a Poem takes readers to ancient China where they see Prince Cao Zhi being saved from death by a poem he had written to overturn the death sentence passed on him by his brother, Emperor Cao Pi. A Chick Called Dee is about Dee, the brainy chick who wanted to live her life as a hen, understand love, and be loved instead of being eaten as a fried chicken drumstick or a chicken sandwich. Meet Itsy, Bitsy, and Ritsy, the three fish in Sea Reef Talent-Time, a story about their dream to earn recognition in their reef. Red Swans tackles the topic of poaching and how two beautiful swans and three cygnets were helped by Cymbeline, a little girl, from being captured.

All the stories are short and crisp, and the colorful illustrations will make them appealing to young readers. Every story has an interesting message, concept, and idea which makes it the perfect book for parents to use for bedtime tales and for tutors to use in classrooms for storytelling and read-aloud sessions. The glossary at the end of each chapter is a good way to help children learn new words in a fun way and enhance their vocabulary. This book is definitely a must-read and a must-have in personal collections in homes and in school and public libraries to take young readers on a journey of enchantment, laughter, and entertainment with its original and unique stories.

Reviewed by Jacob R LaMar for Readers' Favorite

Dream Big is a children’s picture book written by Kat Kronenberg and illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin. This is a tale about a group of animals living in the African savannah such as a caterpillar, a tadpole and a flamingo and the different things they wish for their life. While looking at the stars in the sky, each one wishes for the thing they truly desire; one wants to fly, one to dance and one to be beautiful. Amongst all this heartfelt wishing, there is a cranky baboon who rains on each animal’s parade simply because he can, though his attitude slowly changes as he sees each animal's dream start to come true. Gradually, the baboon realizes his one true wish and begins a transformation from the inside. The only question remaining is can he accept himself and believe that he too deserves a happy ending?

The narrative in Dream Big is a well-thought-out and empowering story about accepting yourself to achieve the seemingly impossible dreams you hold dear. It encourages young readers to believe in themselves and suggests that anything is possible if you want it enough. I enjoyed the powerful foundation of the story and relished the Lion King-like setting. Dehennin does a fantastic job of capturing the author's words in vivid full-page illustrations. The dialogue in this book is mostly well-written. Altogether, Dream Big is a wonderful example of what an author and illustrator can achieve when they are both invested in the strengthening of young minds and spirits.

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite

The Little Dragon by Sheri Fink is a charming story that held me captivated from beginning to end. There are no concessions made where language is concerned – words like whimsical, expressive, sensation, stomach, barge, and taught cannot be read phonetically. It is a picture book that really is for an adult to read while the child or children look at the beautiful illustrations on every page. That said, the dragon’s tale is told in a way that flows. It reminded me of the very best freestyle poetry, where there is no attempt at rhyme, but rhythm is everything and that includes readability. If your children like stories being read to them, The Little Dragon by Sheri Fink is a must-have. It will entertain and teach and be enjoyed, probably by more than one generation.

No adult who reads the little dragon’s story need fear their young audience will realize subtle messages are being dripped – poured – into their minds unless the adult chooses to read the summing-up at the end aloud, but they are there, and they are a powerful influence for good. The little dragon lives alone in a cave and spends his days dancing in a meadow he regards as his own. Overlooked one day, he feels embarrassed, and then so angry, being a dragon, he burns a beautiful tree with his flames. The “intruder” is another dragon, and he finds out living an isolated life is not as much fun as sharing it with friends. I recommend The Little Dragon by Sheri Fink to parents, grandparents, and carers worldwide.

Reviewed by Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, but have you ever wondered how the shoes felt about the ordeal? In Cinderella’s Other Shoe, author Philippa Rae tells the classic story from the perspective of Cinderella’s less famous shoe: the shoe that stays on her foot as she runs away from the ball. The running shoe, named Stomp, explains how she is an unlucky shoe who constantly steps in things, and is often sweated in. Then, on the night of the ball, she and her sister Buckle are turned into glass slippers by the fairy godmother, and they go to the ball with Cinderella. But when they have to flee before the clock strikes midnight, Buckle flies off Cinderella’s foot, and Stomp worries she’ll never see her sister again. And as a single shoe, her fate is surely the garbage can. What will Stomp do?

An intriguing new take on a classic tale, Cinderella’s Other Shoe by Philippa Rae is a really enjoyable read. The story is very well written and provides insight into things that shoes would notice but people might not. Readers will love the character of Stomp, and anyone who has had an unlucky time will be able to relate. The plot is exciting and expertly works modern things such as skateboards and trucks into the original tale, which adds a touch of humor. The pages of the book are visually appealing, with a touch of pink and purple, and some colored type, a factor that is sure to engage younger readers. The pictures in the book are well-drawn and colorful. There are both funny and exciting scenes and an excellent balance between the two. I loved the references to other fairy tales. I would definitely recommend this book.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Meet the Websprites is a collection of children's fables written by Emma Mallett and Ryan Grimbly, and illustrated by Ryan Grimbly. The Websprites are tiny, grape-sized beings somewhat similar to fairy folk, who live in Weebtown, located at the base of the Great Crystal Tree. The Websprites are industrious and kind. They are environmentally conscious and live in harmony with nature. Each adult Websprite has a Crystal Buddy living in the strange circular antenna found on the tops of their heads. Crystal Buddies grow on the Great Crystal Tree. Once they are ready to leave the tree, they drop and are cared for while they wait for their special Websprite friend to appear. They develop a close and symbiotic relationship with their Websprites, which is highly prized by both the Websprite and the Crystal Buddy. Boogs are not as nice as Websprites. They generally don't like to work or cooperate with others; many are bullies or are devious and tricky. Each Boog was once a Websprite, but slowly they changed on the inside and their exteriors, which became slovenly and smelly, reflected that inner regression. Boogs hate the Websprites and envy what they own, especially the Crystal Buddies.

Emma Mallett and Ryan Grimbly's collection of fables for children, Meet the Websprites, is endlessly inventive and entertaining. Through the stories contained in this book, the reader gets to see the Websprites at work and at play, and they are also introduced to the Boogs, who have terrible grammar skills on top of everything else. We witness a bossy Websprite turning into a Boog and leave the collection of fables with the hope that one particular Boog may be able to turn back into a Websprite again. I enjoyed reading the fables, especially the ones found in Chapter 3: The Faces in the Woods, which follows the exploits of Wanda and Weaver, two adventurous young Websprites, and Chapter 7: The Minnow Pond, which is a glorious lesson on nature and the lifeforms to be found in a small pond. Ryan Grimbly's masterful illustrations are deceptively simple and disarmingly profound all at once, and the lessons to be learned within the pages of this delightful collection are never preachy or didactic. Meet the Websprites is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Meet Weepy, the kindest, friendliest, and happiest dragon in the world in Weepy the Dragon by J.J. Hebert. Weepy the Dragon was different from other dragons and was not scary, angry, and mean like the rest of them. The only dragony thing about Weepy was his appearance and, just like the other dragons, Weepy had massive teeth, a long rough body, and a snout that breathed fire. The other dragons often made fun of him and called him a coward. Weepy always cried because he badly wanted to be more like a dragon. Weepy's father tried teaching him how to be scary and angry but Weepy could only cry because his father scared him. Weepy knew the only way to make his father proud of him was to become more like a dragon; angry, scary, and mean. Would Weepy succeed in becoming like the other dragons?

This story is all about being yourself, kindness, and self acceptance, and Weepy's story will encourage and motivate young readers to accept themselves for who they are and be themselves instead of trying to copy others and become like them. The illustrations by Ed Jones give clarity to the concept and make it tangible for young readers. The images also breathe life into the characters and the scenes, making the book appealing to children. It is a good story for tutors and parents to use for storytelling sessions in classrooms and in homes because of the concept and positive message conveyed through the tale of Weepy the Dragon.