Reviewed by Gail Kamer for Readers' Favorite

Three Sneezes in a Row—what could a picture book with that title be about? Cassie Kitzmiller has you guessing from the beginning. Ten sounds that you can hear coming from your body are shared with the reader through a counting poem and action verb after action verb and rhyme after rhyme. What part of your body cracks, creaks, rolls, dips, bumps, toots, blinks, and grumbles? The characters’ faces on each page are laughable in themselves. The surprise ending is the one that will set the reader off into more laughter and, of course, after reading Three Sneezes in a Row all the way through, it’s the one sound everyone has probably been waiting for. Wait until you see what the last sound leads to!

Oh, the joy of finding Cassie Kitzmiller’s book Three Sneezes in a Row! Sounds the body makes are highlighted in a cute counting poem that children of all ages will love. Even the adult children in us. What a fun way to teach children counting, action verbs, rhyming words, and body functions, all rolled up in one adorable package. The illustrator, Mark Nino Balita, provides a colorful background to this already action packed picture book. Mark has offered views of the body one doesn’t expect to see. If you want to share a laugh with your children, here’s the book. If you want a cute teaching resource for a variety of learner goals, Three Sneezes in a Row provides that too. I highly recommend this book for both parents and teachers.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Too Much Junk in My Trunk! The Adventures of Zealy and Whubba, Book 4 Series 1 by Roe De Pinto is an adorable and delightful story in which Whubba and Zealy decide to explore beyond the “Big Rock Island”. Zealy is curious by nature and is game for learning about new things and discovering new adventures. She wants to go there and swim and Whubba takes her there on his back. The water in the Big Rock Island is bluer and it is deeper. They come across dozens of fish with different colors floating together. They come across coral, crabs, oysters, lobsters, and clams scattered all around. They are excited to see the variety of food available and the author gives an important message to young readers through the story; that of trying out new foods all the time because there are different nutrients in different foods and that is good for growing stronger every day.

I like the way the author weaves an important message through the story of Whubba and Zealy. The book also speaks about not overeating because ‘too much junk in my trunk, makes my belly feel like funk!’ The illustrations are colorful and will connect young readers not only with the characters of Whubba, Zealy, and the sharks, but also with the concept. It is a good tale for bedtime and can be used for classroom storytelling and read aloud sessions as the topic is relevant and relatable. It is always important to introduce children to good stories that have important messages and this book does just that.

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Today I feel... EMOTION is from the Fifo children’s book series written by Hayley Rose and illustrated by Mark Sean Wilson. While playing on the swings at the park, Zack and Chloe wonder where their friend Fifo is. Little do they realize that he is all alone, experiencing a whole world of emotions. Fifo experiences fear, anger, boredom, excitement, sadness and more until his young friends arrive, giving him the best feeling of all – the feeling of being loved.

I very much enjoyed the setup and presentation of this literary children’s treat. Not only does Hayley Rose show the different types of emotion a child can feel, but Mark Sean Wilson’s illustrations allow the reader to see what each emotion may feel like through facial expressions. In doing so, the reader can acknowledge when a friend or family member is feeling a certain way, when they might need to talk, need to vent, need a hug, or simply need a friend. Today I feel... EMOTION is a marvellous concept which not only allows children to see the different emotions we all feel, but also allows them to examine how Fifo might be feeling and display curiosity and empathy as to why.

What I especially enjoyed was the alphabetical aspect, so that young readers who are also having problems with remembering the alphabet can see the pattern beginning to appear as each emotion is displayed. I recommend Today I feel... EMOTION to be read to (or by) young children aged 3-7 who are discovering their own feelings within themselves, while also interacting with others who display the body language that different emotions bring.

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

Bedtime for Buzzy is an adventure for children by T.J. Hackworth. Buzzy has had an exciting day playing with his toys. It’s now nighttime and his father says it is time for bed. Buzzy isn’t ready since there are a lot of activities to complete. He and Moon Man are busy building a moon base, Giant Dinosaur has not finished stomping through the Great Divide, and Captain Pirate needs to find the treasure. But he encounters resistance from Moon Man, who wants to rest and urges Buzzy to do the same. Buzzy plans to search further for the treasure, but Captain Pirate and the crew are tired and refuse to dig any further. They take a well-deserved sleep instead. Buzzy decides to join Giant Dinosaur, although he is beginning to feel a little sleepy himself. Will Giant Dinosaur want to rest like the others or play with him some more?

Bedtime for Buzzy is an adorable storybook for small children to read. They will probably agree with Buzzy because they also want to stay up late when it is time to go to bed. Buzzy’s reaction to his father’s bedtime command is natural too. It is a nicely written novella by T.J. Hackworth, containing about thirty pages. The novella’s cover and other illustrations are very nicely sketched by Sean Baptist and are vibrant in colour. Each one shows the adventure Buzzy takes with his cool assortment of toys, which children often do with active imaginations. Children will like Bedtime for Buzzy.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Amazing Snowman Duel: Snowman Paul Book Series, Volume 5 is a children's picture book written by Yossi Lapid and illustrated by Joanna Pasek. There's a new snowman in town, and he means trouble. Bill was pretty proud to show off his new friend, Snowman Nick, to Paul and his friends. Nick was much bigger than Paul and muscular as well, plus he had a stick. Bill cheerily announced that Nick was challenging Paul to a duel that night, while his giant snowman posed menacingly behind him. Surprisingly, Paul didn't seem all that worried about the challenge or that evening's battle. And when Bill taunted them about not backing out, Paul assured him that the bout would take place, but under Snowman Land rules, which did make Nick pause and think a bit. Everyone knew about the midnight bout; there was even a plane flying a banner to announce it. There in the snowy clearing, a boxing ring was all laid out, and Nick was there at midnight, looking ferocious, armed and ready -- but where was Snowman Paul and could he really survive this fight?

Yossi Lapid's children's picture book, The Amazing Snowman Duel: Snowman Paul Book Series, Volume 5, blends action and atmosphere as the tension mounts before Snowman Paul’s bout with Snowman Nick. Challenges are something all children run into at some point or other, either in the schoolyard or during playtime, and Lapid's Snowman Paul's response to Nick defuses the situation beautifully. The author and illustrator, Joanna Pasek, have created an exciting, action-packed story that works so very well. Pasek's watercolors are masterful. She imparts depth, atmosphere, and a sense of wonder in each winter-themed panel. You can feel the frosty air, sense the weak sun as it tries to warm the snowy hillsides, and watch as the day passes and the shadows lengthen into the nighttime setting for the duel. The facial expressions on her people, snowmen, and the animals who arrive for the duel are spot on. Prepare to spend some time with this book; the story addresses an issue that really matters to kids, and each picture is a delight to peruse and immersed yourself in. The Amazing Snowman Duel: Snowman Paul Book Series, Volume 5 is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Barbara Fanson for Readers' Favorite

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had a guardian angel to guide us and help us follow the rules? My Little Angel is a wonderful story of Angela who sits on your shoulder and goes wherever you go. Bold, bright colors in the artwork by illustrator KJ of Kalpart help demonstrate the interesting story. The background color on text pages coordinates with the artwork on the right-hand page. If you look closely at the drawings, you will see other books by author Sherrill S. Cannon. To add interactivity for your children, let them spot the books included in the illustrations.

Author Sherrill S. Cannon provides a whimsical, rhyming story of Angela, a guardian angel who gives hidden messages of using your manners and being helpful and kind. When you imagine a guardian angel with you wherever you go, you’re never alone. Author Sherrill S. Cannon has created an easy-to-read story with subtle messages. This wonderful gem of a story will be enjoyed by both children and adults reading to children—you can almost imagine a guardian angel sitting on your shoulder. Wonderful illustrations by KJ of Kalpart provide lots of bright colors to the book. Bold and beautiful pictures leap off the pages of My Little Angel. The tones and shadows effectively demonstrate the story. Sherrill S. Cannon has crafted a winning combination of easy-to-read story, fun images, and bold colors to create a charming book that will be read over and over again.

Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite

In a delightful entry into the children's book market, debut author Traci Dunham has offered The Oyster's Secret. A lovely tale that reminds children not to judge based on how someone or something looks on the outside, the story follows a little oyster. He's not fancy, he can't do tricks while swimming about, but he is doing something very special as he sits quietly on his oyster bed. As several sea creatures, including an angelfish, jellyfish, dolphin, hammerhead shark, crab and blowfish, swim by to question exactly what he is doing, the oyster reassures them, "Don't worry about me, I'm making something beautiful you'll see."

The Oyster's Secret is a beautifully illustrated work that imparts a sweet and important message for children: that you should not 'judge a book by its cover.' As all of the oyster's fancier friends show what they can do and talk to him about how they are more beautiful than him or can do many more things than him, we find that what oyster is doing on the inside of his shell is more spectacular and amazing than his friends could imagine. The story is written in a lovely rhyming verse that lends itself to a very enjoyable read. Author Traci Dunham has done a great job at presenting a beautiful looking book with a beautiful story as well. The Oyster's Secret will appeal to children from preschool through third grade as well as their caregivers. It's my pleasure to recommend this sweet book, and I certainly hope that Traci Dunham is hard at work on her next book.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Strike at Charles’ Farm: Grève à la Ferme de Charles is a bilingual educational picture book for children written by Dr. Nicole and illustrated by Mylene Villeneuve. The animals are not cooperating with Charles, and they have refused to do their normal chores. The hen won’t lay eggs, and the dog refuses to look after the sheep. Charles is not sure what to do, so he gathers all the discontented animals together and asks each one what they want. Some of the animals simply want more food, or easier tasks, while others, like the dog, want the impossible as quieter sheep were simply not to be had. Charles has a solution, but the animals aren’t at all enthusiastic about his proposal.

Dr. Nicole’s children’s bilingual picture book introduces a working farm to young readers complete with farm animals and the parts they play, and it does so in both French and English. The striking animals are marvelously portrayed by illustrator, Mylene Villeneuve. Each panel is bold and brightly colored, and those discontented expressions on the animals’ faces are hilarious. As I read the story, I was impressed by how much of my old French was returning to me, and how I was getting familiar once again with the contrasting word constructions used in each language. Dr. Nicole’s book teaches as it entertains, and the reader is immersed in both languages at the same time, letting the reader compare the languages and see where they are alike and where they differ.

Young readers are exposed to a fair amount of animal-related vocabulary, including animal sounds, and their comprehension can be enhanced through the use of the questions given at the end of the text. Strike at Charles’ Farm: Grève à la Ferme de Charles illustrates how learning a second language can be fun and even relatively simple, and it’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Little Bird Lost: A Rhyming Picture Story is a children's picture book written by Kate Larkinson with photography by Steve Larkinson. High up in the corner of a building is a nest with baby birds hungrily waiting for their parents to feed them. There should be four babies in that nest, but suddenly one seems to be missing. The other birds are all sitting right there in the front of the nest, but the fourth little one is nowhere to be seen. When their mother comes with food, she wonders about the number of babies she should be feeding and is sure someone's missing, but the three babies assure her that everyone's there. Dad's not falling for their tricks though, and he searches behind them to find the little one so he can get his share of the food.

Kate Larkinson and Steve Larkinson's children's picture book, Little Bird Lost: A Rhyming Picture Story, combines a marvelous photographic series of wildlife pictures with an entertaining and educational story in rhyme. Kate Larkinson's rhymed verse works perfectly with Steve's live-action photographs. You can almost hear those hungry birds cheeping madly as they impatiently wait for food and hold their mouths wide open. There's more than entertainment and fabulous photographs, however, as Kate also introduces numbers and counting, as well as directions into the story. Little Bird Lost provides parents and teachers with an excellent way to continue the lesson by having the new readers count the birds in the nest and point out directions from one panel to the next. Little Bird Lost: A Rhyming Picture Story is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Susana Pena for Readers' Favorite

Are You Eating My Lunch by Dr. Nicole is a cute and colorful children’s book about a little boy named Xavier who loses his lunch at the zoo. Due to this mishap, he walks around the zoo and approaches different animals to ask them if they have his lunch. They all send him on his way to a new destination. By doing this, he gets the opportunity to learn all of the unique foods that each animal eats. By the end of the book, the lunch mystery is solved and Xavier gets to enjoy his lunch. This children’s book is written both in English and French so it is very educational because it teaches kids two languages at once. The simple vocabulary and vibrant illustrations used in this book are very suitable for young readers.

I enjoyed reading Are You Eating My Lunch by Dr. Nicole, because it is a quick read that teaches kids what zoo animals eat and it also helps them learn two languages – English and French. This book is appropriate for young students learning to read since it uses very basic grammar. The book’s pages are filled with colorful images and this helps to keep readers interested in the story. I take my kids to visit the zoo often and they love seeing the different animals and learning about their lifestyles. We once even had the opportunity to feed the giraffes lettuce leaves and see them munch on tree leaves, as this book portrays. This children’s book also mentions what other zoo animals eat and my kids will have a better understanding of their special diets next time we visit the zoo.