Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

The Sleeping King is a remarkable book about climate change, written by Laurel Colless. Hidden away in Gum Tree Rest Home in Australia since his parents’ murders years earlier, eleven-year-old Peter Blue is woken from his sleep by a tall stranger, Tollen, who has a very long beard and an important message. Earth is dying. Pollution levels are at an all-time high, causing floods, superstorms and wildfires and, what’s more, the Dark Ones have discovered Peter’s location. Peter must move quickly to locate the book called The Wayfinder which will guide him, not only in stopping the Anthrog forces (which feed on the stench of human greed), but also ensuring that the destructive cycle causing these disasters comes to a screeching halt.

Laurel Colless has presented one of the most well-written and exciting books I have read in a very long time, which not only entices children to read about important issues which affect the future of life and the future of our planet. Embedded in such tragedy at a young age, the main character of the story – Peter Blue – has talents which instill hope and warmth and love for this planet that is so deep. Having been raised in Australia and surviving one of the worst firestorms in Australian history, I remember all too well growing up in the bush. For me, reading The Sleeping King was like watching a Cinemax film with subtitles – every single detail was written so well that the images played out perfectly in my mind. At one stage, I thought it might be on a story line par with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – but only the wardrobe was the star of the scene, leading to more amazing secrets of Peter’s past. The rescue of the baby wallaby was both heart-wrenching and inspiring, causing me to both laugh and cry in so many places.

With our planet being abused and climate change being held as fake by some of the biggest players in the crime scene, I feel it is absolutely imperative that The Sleeping King be read by all people, young and old, as the harsh facts are being swept under the carpet far too often. I enjoyed The Sleeping King immensely and feel it should be stocked in libraries at home, school, hospital, social offices and more. This is a message which is too important to ignore. I applaud Laurel Colless for her brilliant tale and look forward to reading further titles by this talented author in the future.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Fribbet the Frog has a problem. He is not okay and he is scared. In Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles: A Captain No Beard Story: Volume 8 by Carole P. Roman, Fribbet tells Captain No Beard that monsters, snakes, or loud noises don't scare him, but things are changing in his home and that is worrying him. The crew encourages him to talk so that he can get over it. He tells them there were all these eggs on his lily pad, on the leaves, and in the water. Now the eggs have hatched and his house is full of things that look like fish and they all eventually lost their tails. Captain No Beard and the other crew members tell Fribbet that his family is growing larger and he has brothers and sisters.

It is a story of friendship and introduces smaller children to the life cycle of the frog. There are lessons about family too when Captain No Beard explains to Fribbet about family and how Cayla and he are brother and sister, and how having her as a sister is worth it. Children learn about family and the changes that can happen in a family with the passage of time. The illustrations are, as always, bright, lively, and they make the story vivid and the characters come to life. As with the other stories in the series, this is good for bedtime storytelling and can be used for interactive sessions in classrooms. When science and story are woven together, children will find learning new things fascinating, just like in this story. A new character is introduced into the story. Who is it? I find him cute and adorable. Let us know if you like him!

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle is the incredible story of shelter adoption, written by Lisa DePriest and illustrated by Ignacio G. Abandoned and tied to a shelter door, Teddy growls out of fear when strangers approach him. Having been abused and neglected by previous owners, Teddy is unable to trust people. Some medical attention and grooming are required to improve his health, but potential families show more interest in the other prettier dogs. Teddy remains at the shelter for a number of months, continually overlooked. When Lisa – a member of the shelter staff – takes Teddy home for the weekend, she is surprised to see how well Teddy gets along with her other animals, but Lisa’s husband resists adopting another furry family member... until Teddy’s lovable personality rubs off in just the right way.

I was so excited by Teddy’s story that I read it more than once before posting this review. Having worked as a Vet Tech for the RSPCA, I was able to connect with the words on each page, and truly felt the sadness Lisa DePriest expressed – so much so that it reduced me to tears. It is always shocking to see how emotionally and physically abused animals often are when they are brought to the shelter by the inspectors – and we are all too aware that these are the lucky ones which are actually rescued from their situation before it is too late. Teddy had sustained injuries which left him unwilling to trust new people, but the love, patience and dedication of Lisa, as well as the non-judgmental welcome Teddy received by the other animals in Lisa’s home quickly taught Teddy that not all people are monsters. Happy endings in animal abuse cases are always the endings I look forward to and I am so happy that Teddy got his well-deserved happy ending. I absolutely loved reading Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle and wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of all ages, especially those who have an interest in being parents, guardians or foster parents of animals in need.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Charley's Cat Family is a chapter book for children, grades K-3, written by Jeff Magnuson and illustrated by Bettina Brasko. Charley loves cats. He grew up with Max, a shelter cat his parents had adopted when he was small. Now that he was working and living on his own, Charley wasn’t sure it would be fair to adopt a cat when he was gone all the time, but he still enjoyed going to the local shelter and playing with the kittens and cats who were waiting for their forever homes. Then one day, he decided he was going to adopt a cat. He had recently moved to a house with a yard, and there was a lot of space for just one person. Charley found a shelter and spent hours trying to select his new best friend. Finally, he made his decision, and he told the shelter staff he’d be back the next day after he had bought supplies for his new pet. Stella was going to be perfect. The staff had some surprising news for him when he got back the next day, however; Stella had a best friend, and they were hoping the two friends would not be separated. Could Charley find room for one more kitty?

Jeff Magnuson’s chapter book for children, Charley's Cat Family, is a heartwarming tale that follows the pet adoption process and details the crazy and unpredictable things that can happen while everyone settles down into their new living situations. Magnuson’s story covers all the basics, such as separate food and water bowls and the inevitable scrapes and squabbles that are likely to occur with new adoptees. I loved watching as Charley realizes he also needs to change his own expectations as he learns to live with his new family. Bettina Brasko’s illustrations are wonderful, especially her portrayals of Stella and Steve, and Charley’s old pal, Max. Each panel is brightly colored and fits the story perfectly. The vocabulary is geared for new readers, but it’s also a grand selection for story time, particularly when a family is considering adopting a new pet. Charley's Cat Family is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite

The Bridge in the Fog by Marc Remus is Book 3 in the Magora series, but works excellently as a stand alone. An amazing gate painting made by Holly's late grandfather, Nikolas, was in fact a portal to the magical world of Magora. When staring into Ms Findley's crystal ball, Holly bears witness to her death, but that is not all it has to reveal. It shows a haunting image of her grandfather imprisoned, something that should be impossible if he were indeed dead. There is a chance this apparition could be her grandfather's double, but one way or another she needs to know. If that alone wasn't enough, rumours have been circulating about Cuspidor having a daughter, and Holly has a sinking feeling she knows just who that daughter could be. Little did she know this quest would unleash something beyond even her imagination.
  
The chapters are a perfect length for the target audience, each written with a style and flair that kept me turning the pages. At first I was concerned about picking up the third book in a series, but Marc Remus does a brilliant job of filling in any necessary information to create a self contained story. This is a really well written book with a good balance of characters, development, and plot. It contains the correct mix of descriptive setting and dialogue to engage the reader and ensure they are quickly drawn into and invested in the plot. It is filled with imagination and creativity and the creatures within the book are charming and imaginative. I'd be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn't be swept up in the magic and fantasy of this book, and the world created. I'm certainly considering heading back to book one to see how this adventure began.
 

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Is God My Imaginary Friend? is an educational Christian storybook for children written by C.C. Strachan and illustrated by Chernelle Walkes. Strachan presents a dialogue between a father and his children about God, and the importance of speaking to Him and making Him a part of their lives. The little boy wonders why he should try to speak with Jesus as he’s not there, not like his teddy bear or his other toys. In answer, the father uses a look at our five senses to explain how to approach one’s faith in God. He discusses how we use the sense of touch to feel things and the ability to smell to smell both good things and bad ones, like stinky socks. The sense of taste comes into play when one enjoys a bowl of ice cream. When you make a loud noise, your ears hear it, not your toes or your sense of smell. Then there are things that we cannot see, yet know are real -- like air, which we breathe to live and which birds fly through -- and music which cannot be seen but we know is real. Children can thus begin to understand the presence of God as one of those things which one knows is real, even if it can’t be detected by the five senses.

C.C. Strachan’s educational Christian storybook for children, Is God My Imaginary Friend?, is an excellent tool for parents to work with their children when the inevitable questions about God, faith and prayers arise. The author sets out clear definitions of things we can and can’t sense, and she demonstrates how even those things we can’t sense are still real. The illustrations provided by Chernelle Walkes, who is the author’s niece, are marvelous! Her drawings are brightly colored and perfectly fit the message of the panels. My favorite illustration would have to be the bees and beehives, but each one of them is inspiring, particularly with regard to the artist’s use of perception and depth. Parents get asked lots of questions, and some are just about impossible to answer; however, Strachan’s storybook does an admirable job of explaining faith and God in a story filled with whimsy, humor and devotion. Is God My Imaginary Friend? is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Uh-Oh Baby! is a children’s picture book written by Rhonda Whitaker and illustrated by Penny Weber. Each page in this book, designed for babies and toddlers and their parents, shows what is a familiar scene for new parents. There’s the delightful game of peek-a-boo which never seems to grow old for a young child. Sometimes, things spill or get knocked over and end up accidentally on the floor. Mealtime can be a gloriously messy affair especially with foods like spaghetti. Little ones often get the biggest charge out of playing with their food as well as eating it. Bath time is also frequently a time when everyone gets a bit wet, whether in the bathtub or out. Everyone loves to splash in a warm sudsy bath. Finally, at day’s end, there are those tell-tale signs that baby is getting tired, from rubbing their eyes to stretching their mouths wide in a great big yawn. All of these are Uh-Oh moments that become treasured memories.

Rhonda Whitaker’s children’s picture book, Uh-Oh Baby!, celebrates the arrival of a new baby and the Uh-Oh moments that are part of everyday life with young ones. Each moment is captured with good humor and an appreciation of the joy that parenting can bring. Penny Weber’s illustrations are masterful. Each panel is colored in a range of pastel shades that work perfectly with the theme of this book. I especially appreciated the diversity of Weber’s charming images, which will ensure that everyone feels that they are part of the story. Uh-Oh Baby! is a grand selection for a bedtime story, and it’s recommended for parents and caregivers with very young children and toddlers.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Grammy Do... is a children's picture book written by Sandy Richards and illustrated by Lori Hohmann. Both the author and the artist are grandmothers, and Hohmann uses their grandchildren as the models for the panels in this book. What is a Grammy? Richards' story gives the answer by answering a number of questions about what a Grammy does. There are any number of things she delights in, from taking her grandchildren by the hand at street crossings to pushing an enthusiastic child on a swing. Hohmann's illustrations bring each of these simple, yet endearing, acts of love to life. Her ink and wash sketches are gorgeous and each one merits a frame for hanging in a child's bedroom. Her faces are beautifully rendered and show a wide variety of expressions, from the impish grin of delight on a little girl jumping in a puddle to the transported face of a young thespian rapt in a performance.

Sandy Richards dedicated her children's picture book Grammy Do... to three grandmothers who made a big difference in her life, and her book passes on that loving tribute perfectly. Richards' and Hohmann's work meshes seamlessly as they illustrate the instinctive and loving relationship that is universally shared by grandmothers and grandchildren. There is a spirit of simple joy that emanates from this work that is quite infectious. This is a grand story time read for grandparents and parents to share with their children, as well as being an excellent primer for new readers. I'm thinking, however, that any prospective grandmother would also be thrilled to receive this book, along with the news of a grandchild on the way. Grammy Do... is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Delilah Dillard is a happy little red-headed girl with freckles. She lives with her grandparents in a small town and walks to school every day with her best friend and body guard, Diesel, a rowdy red-headed rooster, tagging along. There were two mean bullies at school, brothers Richard and Jimmy. They were always calling Delilah mean names. She wished they would stop. When a new girl moves to town and joins her class, Delilah instantly makes friends and decides to take action against the bullies. You see, this new girl is also a red-head, but she also wears glasses and braces. You can well imagine the mean names the boys call her. A chance encounter at a favorite pond teaches the boys a lesson; at least the girls hope it does. With Diesel along, they know that they are safe.

Cindy L. Shirley’s colorful picture book story, Diesel the Body Guard: No Bullies Allowed!, is a wonderful teaching story about friends, differences, getting along and dealing with bullies. Children and adults alike need to have this lesson reinforced many times as this world is constantly presenting us with so many differences. We all have to learn to accept each other for what’s inside, not what people look like. And name calling is just plain mean! Cleoward Sy’s wonderful illustrations help carry this story along as two girls with red hair and their trusty partner, a rooster, develop a friendship and a bond as they learn to not only combat bullies, but also to show forgiveness when apologies are offered. A wonderful story with many good and valuable lessons.

Reviewed by Jane Finch for Readers' Favorite

Six B’s Hitchin’ Post, written by Julie Barker and illustrated by Carolyn Altman, tells the story of a jack rabbit aptly named Hitchin Post who loves the Six B’s ranch where he lives. Unfortunately, the ranch suffers a drought which means the cattle have to be moved to fresh pastures, and Hitchin’ Post begins to wonder if everything in the idyllic life he leads might change once the cattle leave. It is clear that all the ranch hands love their life on the ranch, and they all agree that all the riches in the world would not make them happier than they are living at Six B’s.

This delightful story is told in rhyme, which initially came as an unexpected but pleasant surprise. Old jack rabbit Hitchin Post is adorable in his wild west attire and his laid-back attitude. The illustrations are lovely and depict the rhymes well with great characterisations. Apart from the engaging story there is a moral hidden in this work, which is about being grateful for what life has provided you with and making the most of every day. It will be an ideal story to read to a child at bedtime where a parent/child could discuss Hitchin’ Post’s life and what makes it so special, and then perhaps look at the child’s life for comparison. The jack rabbit is a really lovable character that will appeal to any young reader, and together with the flowing rhymes make this a lovely storybook that every child will love.