Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

This Book Wants to Make You Laugh, written by Justine Avery and illustrated by Daria Yudina, is a children's picture book for ages 2-8 that is determined to put a smile on your face and a giggle in your day, and it succeeds quite well. The text is sparse but inviting, creating anticipation and following through with a well-earned payoff in the jokes. The illustrations are cute and funny, and relative to the text. This little book would be great for a bedtime story or just a fun, quick read during the day. There are a couple of unexpectedly touching and insightful phrases showing that Avery puts her young audience before the act of simply blurting out a story children might like.

At first, I wasn't sure where the book was going, and it does take a few pages to catch the rhythm of Avery's writing and pair it with the pictures. But then, ah ha! You get the jokes and the pictures, and it does put a smile on your face. In today's world, what child, or adult for that matter, couldn't use a smile or laugh? Children will love this book because of the silliness and surprises that lie after turning the pages. Parents will like it because it's just plain fun; something to stir the imagination and tickle the funny bone. It's clear by Avery's writing that she has a heart for children and knows they love surprises. It's also clear that Yudina's whimsical, charming illustrations are the icing on the cupcakes. This Book Wants to Make You Laugh by Justine Avery is the perfect blend of kindness and humor--just right for little ones.

Reviewed by Joshua Soule for Readers' Favorite

One Sheep, Two Sheep, Three Sheep Dance by Christina Young is a delightful children’s picture book. Follow twelve silly sheep as they go throughout their day filled with dance, play, eating, and bedtime. One Sheep, Two Sheep, Three Sheep Dance is written in a steady, almost lyrical rhythm that makes it fun for children to read along with. The rhyme pattern is repetitive and fun, which is perfect for young children, and the repetitious counting fosters an environment of learning and number recognition. Comparable to the works of Dr. Seuss, this story will make your child laugh as they learn.

I found Young’s book to be incredibly appropriate for children, it is both fun and educational. The silly little sheep prance and play in a manner that is guaranteed to get some smiles from young readers. The illustrations, done by Ana Popovic, were colorful and vivid, a sure way to capture the attention of child readers. Each sheep comes with a smile and a colorful number to encourage number recognition and counting. The fluffy little friends even eat a healthy snack of vegetables before continuing on with their day. Author Christina Young has a bright and exciting book to share with young children and toddlers. I look forward to what else this author creates in the future. As a parent, I am very pleased with One Sheep, Two Sheep, Three Sheep Dance, and will recommend it to anyone with small children.

Reviewed by Jacob R LaMar for Readers' Favorite

The Wonders of Summer by Kealy Connor Lonning is a tender and heartfelt story about a father and his daughter. The book takes us through many things the two enjoy doing in the summer such as smelling the roses, racing each other or catching fireflies. The text is written poetically and is formatted into quatrains to provide a regular rhythm. Probably the biggest and best surprise of the book is after the story is finished where the author dedicates the book to her daughter and husband. The author provides a picture of the two together so the reader can see the striking resemblance between them and the illustrated father and daughter from the book. It’s clear this book meant a great deal to the writer and that extra bit of feeling shows through in her writing.

The Wonders of Summer is a delightfully written story with a family-oriented message. It does a fine job implying that the activities are not what makes summer so special; it is the people we do those activities with. From a technical standpoint, the text does a nice job of staying away from forced or overly repetitive rhymes as well as staying consistent in its meter. The illustrations provided by Lora Look are vivid and endearing; they add a great deal of childhood fun to the book and capture the fun essence of summer. The Wonders of Summer by Kealy Connor Lonning is an ideal story to share with your children and a great tool for strengthening the bond between a father and his daughter. I believe in the power of this book which is why it will soon be sitting on my children’s bookshelf so I can share it with my three daughters.

Reviewed by Joshua Soule for Readers' Favorite

“Cami’s room was full of treasures: rocks, shells, feathers, toys… Cami loved them all.” Cami Kangaroo Has Too Much Stuff! Cami is a relatable little kangaroo with an interesting problem - she has too much stuff. The story begins with Cami excited to go to her friend Savannah’s party later that day, but Cami can’t find the stuffed puppy she borrowed from Savannah. In the midst of all the “treasures” in Cami’s room, she seems to find more distractions than anything else. Cleaning her room proves to be a bit much for Cami and she learns a valuable lesson about keeping tidy when her mom and dad come to help.

I found Cami Kangaroo Has Too Much Stuff! to be very relatable for children, entertaining, and incredibly well-designed. Tidiness and good cleaning habits are excellent lessons for young children to learn. Not only does author Stacy C. Bauer teach an important skill to her readers, but she also does it in a fun-filled way with a silly kangaroo that is sure to keep children entertained over and over again. I also found the vocabulary in the story to be very appropriate for the age range, and encourage growth in children readers. The illustrations, done by Rebecca Sinclair, were vivid and colorful, making me smile on more than one occasion. As an adult reader, I truly enjoyed the book and look forward to sharing it with my own children. Cami Kangaroo Has Too Much Stuff! is a delightful story that will bring joy and learning to your little one time and time again.

Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

Our Wounded Little Chickadee: Emma and Friends Kind Rescue is written by Pamela Tomlin and illustrated by Tamara Piper. A young girl, Emma, and her fluffy friends are playing hide and seek in the living room when they hear a loud thump at the window. Looking out, they see, to their horror, a small bird lying on the porch. The bird has flown into the glass pane and now is not moving, although it is still breathing. What can Emma and her friends do to help the bird? Will the little bird eventually wake up? Emma and her friends try to do something quiet as time passes, but it's hard to concentrate because they are all so worried about the little bird.

What an adorable story for young readers and listeners! This is the perfect read-aloud story for parents, teachers, and caregivers to use in engaging youngsters in animal care issues, as well as giving them practical advice on what to do in the event of a bird flying into a window. Emma and her friends embark on a step by step process of the best way to help the little bird who remains unconscious. I thought the advice given in the story was excellent with details on what to do and how to do it. The themes of kindness and compassion are expanded, teaching young readers that helping others is the right thing to do and brings its own rewards.

The illustrations here are just wonderful, with rich intense colors and a lovely depth to the scenes. I simply loved the detail of each scene and the way the artist's images add so much to the author's words as the story unfolds. The expressions on the characters' faces are just so cute, from surprise to anxiety to joy as a happy ending ensues. I am an animal lover and have done more than a few bird rescues. I loved the sensible tips in the story on how to handle the situation expertly and quietly and the author gives a note to young readers at the end, adding to this advice. I think this story could open up lots of opportunities for discussions in the classroom and at home. Recommended!

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Cami loved sweets. Cami was busy thinking about treats sitting in her room while her mother was putting Baby Wyatt down for a nap. Cami opened the fridge and scooped out a little of the ice cream but her mother found out. The very next day when her mommy took Wyatt upstairs for a nap, Cami hopped into the pantry, searching for more goodies. Mommy again caught her eating sprinkles in the playroom, but she never gave up. Cami licked the frosting off the cupcakes which were hidden on top of the refrigerator and did not stop at that. What happens at the dentist and what does Cami see when she gets home to tell her dad about the dentist appointment?

Cami Kangaroo Has Too Many Sweets by Stacey C. Bauer is a delightful story with valuable messages of being honest and having self-control and respect. Cami's character who loves sweets and cannot resist temptation is tangible, real, and relatable to young readers. Rebecca Sinclair breathes life into the story with her wonderful illustrations. It is a good story to help children understand healthy eating habits and maintaining good oral hygiene. I like the way the author has woven several good concepts into one plot. It is a good book for parents and tutors to teach children about having good eating habits, following rules, and being honest in a fun and entertaining way. If there are children in the house with a sweet tooth, they will find Cami's story interesting.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Angry Dragon by Michael Gordon is a children’s picture book. George has an unusual pet – a dragon called Joe. Joe is an angry dragon who throws temper tantrums when things go wrong. One day, while playing with their toys, George broke one of Joe’s favorite toys. Joe loses his temper and George tries to help him understand that he shouldn’t get angry. Throughout the day, George continues helping Joe to overcome his anger and see that patience is good, greed is bad. Joe soon comes to understand that and peace reigns in the household.

The Angry Dragon by Michael Gordon is a great book for kids. The first thing that struck me was the color; it stands out with lots of bright and cheerful colors in the excellent illustrations that go along with the story. The second was the fact that it is written in rhyme and in nice-sized, easy to read print benefiting both children and the adults reading with them. The story is a simple one but carries a powerful message about how to behave and how not to behave. It teaches that anger doesn’t solve anything and that there is always another way to deal with situations, especially where the temper arises as a result of not getting what they want. I thought this was well written and to the point, although I thought that George perhaps acted a bit more grown-up than his age suggested. Overall, a good story, great for younger children to start learning right from wrong.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Yara's Tawari Tree is a children’s educational picture book written by Yossi Lapid and illustrated by Joanna Pasek. Yara lived in a tropical jungle with her mom. The two of them occupied a small house on stilts by a river. They lived in harmony with the jungle, using only what they needed to survive. But one day as Yara went out to look for mushrooms and edible fruits and plants, a friendly parrot alerted her to the crisis confronting a very special sapling. Yara followed the parrot and discovered the tiny Tawari tree on the border of a section of jungle that was being clear cut. She could see the bulldozers still working, and the smoke billowing from where the workers were burning the remains as it spread throughout the jungle. The tree had realized that it was only a matter of time until it would be cut down as well. Yara gently began to dig around the sapling’s trunk, taking care not to harm its roots as she carefully removed it. She hurried to her house and asked her mom for help in keeping the young tree alive. They did find the perfect spot for the Tawari tree, and as she carefully replanted it and watched it grow, Yara began to realize she had also found a best friend.

Yara's Tawari Tree is a visual feast for the eyes and spirit as kids and their caregivers learn about the close interrelationships of animals, plants and people in the jungle. Lapid’s compelling story highlights the tragic reality that daily incursions of clear-cutting in the jungle are often responsible for the destruction of potent and irreplaceable plant-based medicines, like the bark from Yara’s Tawari tree. I had high expectations for this book as I am a big fan of Lapid’s storytelling and Pasek’s marvelous art as seen in Lapid’s Snowman Paul series, but these two talented creatives have managed to delight and surprise me anyway, surpassing any such expectations. Lapid’s story is enchanting, and it is the perfect opening for discussions on the environment and the things that kids can do right now to be part of the solution. Pasek’s watercolors are glorious! Each jungle scene works so very well, and I found myself eagerly absorbing every detail, use of color and wash, and trick of light. Each panel is a work of art suitable for framing and hanging in a child’s room. Yara and her world come to life so vividly in this book, it makes it difficult to finally turn over the last page. Yara's Tawari Tree is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Cassie Pup Takes the Cake?? is a children’s picture book written by Sheri Poe-Pape and illustrated by Dasguptarts. Cassie Pup couldn’t wait to get started in her new position as Baker Bindi’s doggie helper. When she first entered Bindi’s Bakery, which was to be her new home, she was enthralled by all the delicious smells and delighted with her first meeting with Baker Bindi. Cassie was determined to be the best baker around and was awed when she saw the kitchen where she would bake her special muffins. She could feel the warmth of the oven, and loved looking at the chocolate fountain, and how the colorful frostings glowed and sparkled. Cassie got her own baker’s hat and apron and was soon ready to bake. Then she met Cordelia Cat, who was also a world-renowned baker of muffins. They would both be baking their muffins together, but suddenly they each decided that their muffins would have to be the best. Pretty soon, their competition got entirely out of hand.

Sheri Poe-Pape’s children’s picture book, Cassie Pup Takes the Cake??, addresses the rivalry and competitive spirit that can sometimes occur when a new pet is introduced into an established family setting. Cassie’s need to prove herself comes into conflict with Cordelia’s insecurity about having a rival, and Bindi Baker’s beautiful and gleaming kitchen is quickly covered in batter. While the two are bound to become fast friends and, I suspect, even help each other create even more elaborate muffins, watching their crazed competition is entertaining indeed. Dasguptarts’ illustrations are masterful. His bakery shelves are loaded with goodies that are guaranteed to have everyone wishing they could visit Bindi’s Bakery in person, and Cassie and Cordelia’s antics are eloquently displayed for all to admire. And, along the way, the two friends learn about sportsmanship, losing well and getting along. This book is an excellent story time selection as well as a challenging primer for young readers. Cassie Pup Takes the Cake?? is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers' Favorite

Sonya Dor: Child Extraordinaire & Dreamer Galore by Saul Stoogenke is an illustrated book for young children that touches on the familiar theme of what-do-I want-to-be-when-I-grow-up. It is filled with colorful expressions and fictional themes of a limitless imagination. In dreams or meshed in reality, anything goes. First of all, you can tell from the very beginning of the book that Saul loves children. In his dedication to his kids, you see the heart of a father who has gone through emotional turmoil and struggles due to the loss of a child. However, he doesn’t wallow in the loss, but simply extends his love to that lost member.

The story has a strong positive message, always needed in this day and age, that is intertwined with copious amounts of humor. It takes the theme of life choices and extends so far beyond what children typically might think of, given the limited list in today’s world. Yes, it includes being President, but we also see a Pet Mind Reader or Garbage Truck racer. How fun! It opens up a world of more than your typical possibilities, perhaps even spurring children on to think of careers that have not yet been invented. The artwork is clearly professional, capturing the nuances and expressions that come with children, all wrapped up in marvelous color. Sonya Dor: Child Extraordinaire & Dreamer Galore by Saul Stoogenke is a story that can be enjoyed by old and young alike, perhaps even inspiring adults to strive for something new. Highly recommended.