Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

In "Johnny Big-Ears Meets His New Neighbor Suzy", we meet Suzy and Tatis Dancer. Suzy was afraid to meet Johnny because the kids at her last school called her ChunkySaurus. They hurt her feelings. At school Johnny greeted Suzy and introduced himself. He explained that the kids at school nicknamed him Johnny Big-Ears and teased him. He no longer let the name bother him because, “I like who I am. I am happy being me.” Johnny invited Suzy to join the Feel-Good Friends club. On the playground two girls made fun of and teased Suzy about her weight. When Johnny saw what was happening he reproached the girls for their behavior. The girls felt sorry for what they had done and asked Suzy to forgive them and to be their friend.

"Johnny Big-Ears" may be one of the most important books a parent can share with their children. Bullying has long been a tragic problem that children face and it often carries over into adulthood. If we can stop or prevent bullying in schools we can possibly prevent it in adults. This is the second 'Johnny Big-Ears' book. I must commend John Paul Padilla for broaching this problem in such an effective manner. The illustrations in this book are delightful. I was particularly impressed with the way Suzy’s look changed. When she felt good about herself, she stood up straight and looked slimmer; when she felt bad she looked heavier and shorter. That shows how our self-image makes a difference in how we carry ourselves and our in our very appearance. However, the positive lessons in this book do not stop there: we see Johnny embrace who he is, we see him take action to stop the bullying, and we see Molly Toobad and Jenny Meanface asking for forgiveness and Suzy giving it. I saved the butterfly analog for the last because it was my favorite part of this book. Suzy likes butterflies and her mother calls her a butterfly. To me this had very special meaning. Butterflies start out as a caterpillar, they enter a cocoon, and when they emerge they are beautiful butterflies. As humans we too are changing and what we are today is not what we may be tomorrow. The author has provided discussion questions at the end of this book. The 'Johnny Big-Ears' books should be in all elementary classrooms. I also recommend this book as a gift for your favorite child. I would like to end this review with a quote from the author: “By teaching children the importance of self-love and tolerance for others, teasing and bullying can often be prevented. If each young child is taught not only to love himself unconditionally but to respect others as they are, he or she will feel more secure and confident in his or her own skin, and less likely to think of teasing or bullying others. If a child is happy, he or she will do better in school and have a greater chance of growing up to be a successful adult.”

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

“Peaches, Peaches” is an adorable story about a Dog named Gaston, a Parrot named Gregorie and a peach tree. Gaston was a very happy dog the day his master brought Gregorie home from the zoo in Paris. The green and red parrot had gotten sick at the zoo and needed a new home and someone that would care for him and love him. Gaston loved Gregorie from the start because he now had a new friend. Gregorie the parrot grew to love peaches, and there were always plenty of them because Mr. Marceau had fruit trees in his yard and one of them was a peach tree. Gregorie loved to ride on Gaston’s back through the fruit tree garden, and would always start yelling “Peaches, Peaches” as they neared the tree and could smell the sweet and wonderful fruit. But then the season was over for peaches, and there were no more. But that didn’t stop Gregorie from yelling “Peaches, Peaches” because that was what he wanted. So one day Gaston took Gregorie out on a ride, and rode much farther than before, and they finally found a tree with a few peaches on it. But Gregorie forgot about being careful, and something happened on their trip that both dog and parrot would never forget.

This wonderful book by Scott Ferrell will have your child laughing and wanting you to read it over and over. They will truly love the touching relationship between this special parrot and his doggie friend. The story is pretty short and simple, and is just right for the preschool age child. Though the illustrations are simple, I really like them. To me there is something about them that gives the story a warm and fuzzy feeling. And you will love the simplicity of the illustrations because they take much less space that the heavily illustrated books. I encourage you to grab a copy of this adorable book for your child’s library. This will truly be one of their favorites.

Reviewed by Lori M for Readers' Favorite

"Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Super Hero With Autism" is a book written by Gregory G. Allen and illustrated by Dennis Culver. When we open the book, we meet a young man who tells us that he has a superhero inside his head that he calls Chicken Boy. Chicken Boy comes out whenever the boy eats chicken fingers, ketchup and french fries. The boy explains that he has autism, which is a fancy word for him living inside his own brain. Isn’t that a great definition that other kids would be able to understand? When he turns into Chicken Boy, he yells, “Bahcaaaaaah!” which he realizes sometimes disturbs people around him. He explains that he sometimes can’t handle loud noises either and has to run away from them. The boy continues to explain ways in which having autism makes him different and how it is hard for him to make new friends and talk and play with others. He encourages kids who might meet someone like him not to be scared, but to just take time to get to know him.

This short little book is easy to read and would be a good one for a teacher to read to a classroom in order to help kids understand what autism is. The illustrations are fabulous! Full of bold colors, they are larger than life, just as illustrations of a superhero should be. It is hard for kids to understand sometimes why some people are different and this book gives them some answers.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

It is nap time but Penelope doesn’t want to go to bed yet. She dons her purple pirate hat, white shirt and pants, wraps her purple sash around her waist and allows her imagination to take her on an adventure. Along with her are her friends, Daphne dolphin, Teddy turtle and Oliver octopus. Today’s adventure will be a treasure hunt. On the way to the island the friends play in the water, jumping, splashing and having fun. On the island the gang searches for the treasure. They search Fountain Falls, Treasure Forest, Batty Caves, Fire Mountain, and Funny Bones Bay. The crew takes time to make a large sand castle and splash in the water. After finding the treasure the crew head back to the ship for their journey home. The adventure leaves Penelope tired and yawning maybe it is time for a nap.

I love children to use their imaginations. In their mind they can go anywhere, do anything, even become a pirate and find a treasure. "Penelope the Purple Pirate" by Melissa Northway is a fun book for children. Both parents and teachers will love the story as much as their children. There are questions at the end of the book that will help children with retention and comprehension. The illustrations by Paul Johnson are eye catching with their bright colors and whimsical characters. Northway has included fascinating information about dolphins, sea turtles and octopus. This book is appropriate for pre-school, kindergarten and possibly first grade classes. I very much enjoyed this book and intend to share it with my grandchildren.

Reviewed by Anastacia Hawkins for Readers' Favorite

Hayley Rose’s "Fifo: When I Grow Up" is a charming story about a bear, Fifo, who is six years old and a bit scared about his first day at school. To calm his fears his mother makes him his favorite breakfast and then engages him in a discussion about what he wants to be when he grows up. Fifo thinks he would like to be a doctor, a fireman, a pilot, or a policeman. Maybe he could be a teacher, or even the president! Fifo knows that whatever he chooses to be, he will do his best to be and his mother will be proud. His mother replies: “You have got a good mind. You have got a good heart. You are going to school, and that’s a good start.”

"Fifo" is written in rhyme with a mixture of perfect rhymes and half rhymes (said/then, law/car). I am not crazy about the half rhymes, but that is just me. Others may not be bothered by it at all. Fifo and his mother have a sweet connection and the message of “School is where we start our life journeys” is a good one. Children will delight in the bright and whimsical illustrations, and in Fifo’s playful pooch who makes a fun side-kick for Fifo’s imaginings. Fifo’s choices of what he wants to be when he grows up are fairly predictable, but will most likely resonate with little boys. A great book to get the conversation started with your own little ones: “When you grow up, what do you want to be?”

Reviewed by Lisa Miller for Readers' Favorite

'The Colors of Myself' by Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot is written in poetry prose form of illustrations of a four-year-old child in which his illustrations are painted to represent the thoughts in his mind. The words relate to the child's feelings during the time he is painting; for example, "the shimmering yellow rays of the sun and I am happy and warm". As with poetry, this book is well written and graphically illustrated to let the mind create a variance of feelings towards the paintings of many colors. As for the illustrations of the paintings in the story, the child has used the colors to demonstrate feelings of self and the environment.

I think this is a cute book of imagination and feelings. I enjoyed reading the analogy of the many colors in relation to the illustrator's feelings. As I read the prose poetry I would replace the child's feelings with my own feelings, for example, when I think of the different colors of nature. I imagined the colors of black and white, with the color of black representing fear as well as extinction and of course dark and death. Also, the color white can mean a peaceful death. I like the words that the author chose to relate to the feelings of the child. Such words have been used for the color green which represent the planting of garden seeds, the giant oak trees and the gentle spring breeze, which relate to the child's feelings of excitement and joy.

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

Lily and Nana is about a little girl named Lily and her Nana and the things they like about each other. Lily and Nana like to spend time with each other even though they don't always do the same things. For example, when they are gardening together, Lily likes to plant the garden, and Nana likes to water the garden after it's planted. They just enjoy being around each other and doing things together.

This is a cute little book, and it especially teaches the young reader the fun and enjoyment of spending time with his/her grandparents. The book is simple and easy to read with only one sentence on each page. The illustrations are a great addition to the story, showing the young reader what the words are saying. The only problem I have with the illustrations is with the faces of Lily and Nana. Lily doesn't always look like a girl in the pictures, and on both Lily and Nana, the faces seem mad or angry sometimes. That's just my opinion, but it seems like the characters could be smiling more to go with the happiness of the story. I do feel like this book would be a great addition to any school, public or personal child's library.

Reviewed by Kristie Ingerto for Readers' Favorite

The Lonely Sunflower written by nine-year-old Julia Minigh and illustrated by Kasey Short has an eye-catching cover and will delight young readers. The sunflower is beautiful, but she is sad and lonely as she has no friends. The sunflower attempts to make friends with a bee and butterfly; however they are too busy and cannot stay with the sunflower to be her friend. The sunflower is so sad she begins to weep and her tears are falling to the ground. Suddenly, the sunflower looks through her tears down to the ground and sees that something has come from her tears! Flowers have grown around her and the sunflower is lonely no more!

This is a cute story illustrating Psalm 126:5, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy," in both words and illustrations. The illustrations, on the cover and also on each page, are beautiful and fit the words on the pages perfectly. The story is simple and straight to the point. A young reader will be able to learn the meaning of the verse and also be able to relate to the story as children (and adults as well) feel lonely from time to time. This would be an excellent addition to any child's library as it illustrates a Biblical truth for young children in a way that will be easily grasped. Also, it could be used as a counseling tool for children who have recently moved or are having trouble making friends. This book is beautiful and I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Readers' Favorite

"My Princess Boy" is based on a true story. We are introduced to a boy who likes pink, tiaras, and girl's clothes. He enjoys climbing trees while wearing his tiara and shopping, especially when he's looking at girl's clothing. Sometimes other people laugh at him and his mother, but the Princess Boy's family accepts him and loves him just the way he is.

Not all children are alike. There are girls that love to play with Barbie dolls and others that prefer Pee Wee Football. There are boys that love rough and tumble sports and boys that enjoy playing dress up.

We are all unique and yet we attempt to force our children to conform to certain stereotypes. In the past we expected boys to be rough, strong and never cry. They were taught from a young age to be the bread winner in the family, to take care of those around them and to always be tough. We expected girls to like frilly dresses, baking and sewing. Their role in life would be to stay home, clean, cook and care for their man and their children.

Over the last decade we have seen a change in our culture, where education is as important to women as it is to men. Often the father is the one that stays at home and raises the children while the mother assumes the role of bread winner.

We have come a long way in allowing our children the freedom to be who they are meant to be. But have we come far enough? Is it all superficial? How would you react if your son dressed up like a princess with a wand and tiara? Most, if they are being honest, would be troubled. So perhaps we have not evolved as far as we think, or should.

"My Princess Boy" is beautifully illustrated by Suzanne DeSimone. The faces of the characters are blank, perhaps so that each reader can see themselves in the art. Author Cheryl Kilodavis has written an inspirational tool that celebrates our individuality and will help open communication between children and their parents. "My Princess Boy" is a wonderful, must have book that helps parents appreciate their child's uniqueness, assisting them in understanding and supporting their children.

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

Lori Moore begins her book by introducing readers to Grady. Grady has a new toy fire truck with siren, lights, and a horn. Grady likes to play pretend and slides down his imaginary fire pole. This is a flip me book. The other story is Grady the Cat story. Grady lived in a cage in a store. He was very sad and lonely until one day a nice couple adopted him. He not only had a new mommy and daddy but two new sisters. Grady likes to drink his water from the faucet. Grady's new family loves him, and he loves them.

Grady the Gray Cat Gets a Toy Fire Truck/Grady the Gray Cat Gets Adopted by Lori A. Moore is a delightful book for children. Currently, one of my grandsons is fascinated by fire trucks. He quickly latched on to my copy of this book. The illustrations are well done. The plot is cute and enticing to children. You can also download the audio book for this story. Children will want to hear this story over and over.