Reviewed by Amy Louise Hill for Readers' Favorite

Ronnie's Pool by Lindsay Ann Fink is a fun book for children. The story is about a young rabbit named Ronnie who wishes to have a pool in his backyard to play in. Ronnie asks his dad if he can have one, and his dad says he can and hands Ronnie a shovel. Ronnie is confused, but his dad soon clears things up. He tells Ronnie that for him to have a pool, he must dig one. This book shows how if you truly want something, you must put in the hard work first. Not everything you want will be simply given to you. Ronnie puts time and effort into digging his pool. With the help of some friends, will he finally get his wish?

Author Lindsay Ann Fink has designed a perfect book that demonstrates how hard work is needed when it comes to building something you desperately want. It will make a good book for educating young children about the importance of this as they need to understand that not everything will be given to them simply because they asked for it. The images used in Ronnie's Pool are realistic, with the added illustrations of Ronnie and the other characters, which I found to be unique and clever as I haven't seen many like this before. I think it works perfectly. I adored this story and the message behind it, and I hope to read more of Lindsay Ann Fink's work in the future. Good luck and keep writing!

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

The Ace Compeers: The Secrets of Skin Colour, written by Rita Bhandari and illustrated by Indra Audipriatna, is a mid-grade children's book that takes a scientific approach to explaining the genetic differences in skin color with the aim to advance anti-racism. The book begins with a group of kids around a board to learn about differences in physical characteristics. The usual differences are pointed out with regard to eyes, hair, skin color, etc. The book then transitions into a breakdown of the role genetics play, moving into part two with an overview of topics such as the evolution of melanin as a response to elemental and environmental factors, and concludes with discussion prompts at the end.

As a parent of a child of color, I picked up The Ace Compeers out of curiosity. In my family, science is practically a religion and so the prospect of a scientific anti-racism angle in a book sounded pretty darn good. Overall, the writing style is straightforward and clean, albeit a bit loquacious, and the information presented is easily absorbed if the adult reading along is patient. I would definitely recommend an independent read first, particularly as some of the references may not be familiar. An example of this is when a character named Ang requests the food 'roti' a couple of times; only one of the twelve children I read this to knew what it was. The real star of Rita Bhandari's book is the phenomenal illustrations by Indra Audipriatna, a powerhouse of talent that breathes life into the book and elevates it through a mixed palette of vibrant colors and wonderfully unique imagery. It was the artwork that resonated most with the children and, combined with the storyline, made for a nice piece of educational kid-lit. Recommended.

Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

“Yes, you can!” This simple statement sums up the idea behind Making a Difference: An Inspirational Book About Kids Changing the World! from the Young Change Makers series by Stacy C. Bauer. The book emphasizes that no matter how young you are, you can make a difference in society and our world. Twelve young people are highlighted, showing how vital young people can be. The range of subjects that these twelve represent is astounding. Some children deal with the environment, conservation, and saving the planet, while other areas include social issues, music, and being differently abled. Each story is inspiring and will help young people understand that they have power and need to use it. Several chapters include websites assisting young people to become involved. Read this book with your children and ask how they want to assist. They may even have new ideas and want to start their own program. Help your children become world changers.

Too often, children and young people are told they are too young to understand or do anything about the situation and instead they are advised to let the adults handle it. Unfortunately, adults have become disillusioned and no longer have time to recycle or care if elephants are dying. They are too busy making a living. It has become more critical than ever that young people involve themselves in changing the world. Many young people desire to help and have ideas, but they do not have the knowledge. Enter Stacy C. Bauer and her book, Making a Difference, which gives twelve inspiring examples of world changers. It also shows how to become active in making a difference. Giving this book to your children and discussing its contents might be just the thing to encourage your children to change the world.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

I Will Always Be Proud of You, written by Michael Wong and illustrated by Zina Jugai, is one of the most beautiful picture books for children that I have ever seen. Its beauty lies not just in the lovely rhyming poetry, nor in the incredibly colorful drawings, but also in its poignant message: whatever our children decide on as a career in their futures, we parents will love and support their decisions and always be proud of them. It’s so easy to envision a parent and child cuddling together while enjoying I Will Always Be Proud of You. While the parent reflects on whether the beloved child will become a musician or a cook, an environmentalist or a nurse, an astronomer or scientist, the child will be in awe of the stunning illustrations where wide-eyed, smiling children, together with their adorable pets, explore the wonders of the ocean or fly to Mars.

This delightful book, whether shared by parents and children or used by those teaching young children in a classroom, offers so much opportunity for important communication with youngsters, e.g. what would you like to become in the future? Why does that career appeal to you? At the end of the book, Michael Wong has included a couple of pages to send children back into the book to see if they can pick out the 22 dogs used in the illustrations or spot some famous people like Beethoven or Bessie Coleman. Who is Bessie Coleman by the way? She was the first African American and Native American woman to get her pilot’s license in 1921. Did you know that? I didn’t! So even adults can learn, along with their children, when reading this book.

Ah…if only I still had some young children or grandchildren with whom to share I Will Always be Proud of You, but since I don’t, I’m thrilled to recommend it to others who do. Final word? Don’t be surprised to see your youngster picking this book up again and again and dreaming of becoming the next Greta Thunberg or Billie Eilish.

Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

Children are a bundle of potential. As parents, it is crucial to help your children develop their potential to the maximum. Junia Wonders has authored Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Be? In this book, Junia shares many possibilities of careers for children to investigate. I love that Junia avoided the old stereotypes that girls could become nurses while boys could become doctors. The career field is wide open for girls and boys to become whatever they want to be. There is no gender stereotyping here. This book is wonderfully rhymed and encouraging. As a parent, read this book with your child and discuss various occupations available. Help your child explore any field they find interesting. Don’t try to force them into a mold you have designed for them.

In Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Be?, Junia Wonders encourages children. She knows that children play make-believe, trying out different roles. This book is designed to open a fantastic world of possibilities for children. The words of Junia are enhanced by the artistic ability of Chiara Nasi. One of the statements Junia makes that I absolutely love talks about the measure of life is not just the successes, but also how you handle failures. She does not deceive children into thinking that life is fair and rainbows are constantly in the sky. She shares that hard times will come, but one must never give up. Junia should be applauded for her brilliant presentation of the future for children. I highly recommend this book and its message for children. Help your child keep their dreams alive!

Reviewed by Amy Louise Hill for Readers' Favorite

Let's Learn About Chemistry by Stephanie Ryan is an educational book for children and it's not just about chemistry, it has fun games too! The book starts with a young boy who addresses the reader by saying hello and inviting them to play along with the game he and his friends are playing, called "Which of these is not like the other" This is the way author Stephanie Ryan gets the reader's attention, by getting them used to the main teaching technique of playing the game so that they learn more easily when it comes to the educational part. This book is interactive, meaning both the reader and the child have a role to play. This book will surely be popular with any youngster so grab a copy of Let's Learn About Chemistry, and let the fun begin!

Stephanie Ryan has designed a perfect educational book for young children who are learning about chemistry. This book has everything you could wish for in terms of keeping your little one entertained whilst learning in the process. I love how the book includes introductions of the characters Stephanie has created; it allows the young reader to feel involved in the book, making it more appealing to them. The illustrations by Christine Cagara are adorable and fun. I highly recommend Let's Learn About Chemistry to any child, even if they aren't currently learning about the subject, because either way, they will certainly enjoy the book. I hope Stephanie Ryan comes up with more excellent books like this one, and I wish her all the best in her goal of educating young children.

Reviewed by Kristine Zimmerman for Readers' Favorite

Kindergarten Kapers: The Sabrina Series, written by Sabrina Runyon, is an autobiographical story. The author’s note details that she grew up poor in West Virginia and had to move five times before second grade. Sabrina is excited to start Kindergarten and on her first day makes a best friend. She spends a good portion of her first Kindergarten year at Logan Grade School but then in April must move to a new school and start over. There is no best friend at this school, but there are a lot of books which she loves. Sabrina also includes a bit about her home life, the birth of her sister, and sharing their home with extended family. She succeeds in Kindergarten and is promoted to the first grade.

Sabrina Runyon has shared a slice of her young life in an engaging kid-friendly story. Her life might be an eye-opener for some children but might be very recognizable to other children. Children’s books need to expand horizons but also reflect children’s lives and it is not often that we read a matter-of-fact story about growing up in poverty. Sabrina is a very spunky and self-assured little girl, which is reflected in the charming black and white illustrations by Ashley Teets. Kindergarten Kapers: The Sabrina Series will be one to recommend for readers who like Katie Woo and the Junie B. Jones books. Kindergarten Kapers: The Sabrina Series excels at sharing with kids that even though we may come from different circumstances, we have much in common.

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Finding Family in a Far-Away Land: An Adoption Story is a children’s book written and illustrated by Amanda Wall. Spending their childhood on the streets of India, two sisters (Priya and Ari) are adopted by a family that lives far away in a different land. The girls are shocked at first to see people who looked nothing like them, with fair skin, light-colored hair, and blue/green eyes. Although cautious, Priya and Ari board a plane with their new parents and new brother, ready to embrace the uncertainty and incredible new future ahead. Initially, they are cautious of the many differences in lifestyle, education, language, people, and animals in their new lives but soon are very excited to have become a big part of their adoptive, multicultural family, while retaining important customs of their own culture.

I very much enjoyed Amanda Wall’s delightful tale of the entwining of two completely different cultures. Having been raised in Indigenous Australia only to find myself emerged in Finland’s culture, foods, and new ways of doing things, the changes can be very hard to take in, yet so very rewarding. Reading of their initial anxiety towards new foods and new animals actually made me smile. When life suddenly springs you into something adventurous and so far from the home life you once knew, it is understandable to be cautious, yet also very exciting. Learning to become part of a family which you had never before known not only brings hope, but also a unique experience in learning new languages, new skills, and seeing a whole world that you never knew existed.

Finding Family in a Far-Away Land: An Adoption Story touches on every single aspect of my own cultural experiences and I applaud Amanda Wall’s writing and illustration skills which convey the message that new does not mean scary, and different does not mean evil. Embracing everything that life brings your way is the most wonderful outlook in every step you take. I suspect that adoption brings a whole new sense in the feeling of being loved while taking steps to achieve something amazing and wonderful each and every day. I wholeheartedly recommend Finding Family in a Far-Away Land to readers so that families can consider giving a new life and bright future to children who need it, regardless of where they live.

Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite

In Dream It and Do It by Holly Sharp, we are introduced to a large selection of fun careers and how one would go about making a hobby and a dream a reality. With a wide range of jobs, you will read about a person who has a career in that particular field. Some names are well known, as is their work, and then there are others that we don’t know but can appreciate what they do to make a difference and effect change in the world.

Holly Sharp has done a wonderful job with this book. You can tell that she had done her homework and research about these people and their careers and it shows. I liked how it didn’t just have the generic list of jobs like doctors, lawyers, and teachers. As important as those jobs are, not every kid wants to be those things, and books about careers always seemed to be lacking. Now this book has such a wide variety of careers that a child would like. I also like how each one had a person researched or interviewed about their job and how they got to be where they are now. I think that’s also very important and vital for a younger audience to know.

There were names of people I knew like Bill Nye, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and Mindy Kaling. It was interesting diving deeper into what exactly their jobs are. Then others were behind things that I knew and remembered. A perfect example being the Sherman brothers who wrote many Disney songs that I grew up learning. Dream It and Do It by Holly Sharp is a perfect book for young kids who want to find their place in this world and what they’d like to be when they are older. It’s a book I would recommend to friends.

Reviewed by Joanie Chevalier for Readers' Favorite

Why We Wear A Mask: How a squirrel family is helping to stop the spread of Covid-19 by Lieve Snellings is a delightful book for kids explaining why we should wear a mask during the Covid-19 pandemic. This story feels like it is just the right length, and Lieve Snellings tells it in a friendly tone so children understand that wearing a mask protects their family members who are vulnerable, like their grandparents or a parent with an underlying illness. Lieve Snellings is a talented nature photographer as well. I have had the pleasure of reading several other books by Lieve Snellings, including Margot the Groundhog and her North American Squirrel Family series, and Why We Wear a Mask does not disappoint. It has the beautiful nature photographs that Lieve Snellings is known for.

After reading Why We Wear A Mask, children will be more than happy to do so because the story is told in such an appealing and believable way. Plus, the little critters in her book are absolutely adorable! The most important message in the book is “We have to work together!” Why We Wear A Mask is lovingly written and showcases Lieve Snellings’ amazing talent as a nature photographer. I recommend this book by Lieve Snellings should be in every school and household.