Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Pea Soup Disaster: A Gregory Green Adventure Volume 1 by Elaine Kaye is a delightful story with an excellent message for young readers. Gregory Green opens his lunch box and he is excited to see a thermos full of his favorite pea soup. His classmate, Thomas, makes a face and says it looks like squashed green bugs. The laughing and the stares go on, but Gregory continues to eat. Everyone starts calling him a monster and they tell him that he is a green man from Mars, a wet booger, and resembles a giant, green bug. Gregory looks at his arm and it is really green. Gregory is so hurt that he wants to run away and hide. Sammy, his teddy bear, comes to his aid. Sammy tells Gregory that he has to stand up to the bullies. How do they sort it out?

The story handles the topic of bullying well and many children will find Gregory’s story real and relatable. The illustrations are eye-catching and they give clarity to the author’s concept and bring the characters and scenes to life. It is a good storybook for all children and will help them to cope with bullies in school and other places. Bullying is not fun and, with colorful illustration and interesting characters, the author handles the topic in a simple manner, giving a clear message about how the color of one’s skin is not important. It is a perfect book for children starting school or joining a new school midway as it will give them the confidence and courage to stand up to bullies in case they run into them.

Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

My Truly Most Favorite Fluffy Friend written by Pamela Tomlin and illustrated by Tamara Piper is a gentle, warm picture book story for young children. It tells the tale of five-year-old Emma who loves soft toys. First she has Bunny Blue who is good at sharing stories. Then one day she discovers Speedy Seal to play puzzles with. Soon almost every family outing results in the purchase of a new cuddly pal: Playful Puppy and Magic Monkey join the tribe and soon, according to Dad, the house starts to look like a zoo. Parents of small children everywhere will recognize this scenario.

I love Pamela Tomlin’s short comforting story as it describes a child’s love and need for comforting cuddly toy companions so well. Young children will identify easily with Emma’s love for her soft toy friends and the importance she attaches to each one – making each one a beloved favorite. The main character could be any child and I also thought this would be a good story for little ones who might be feeling afraid of a new situation. A repeating refrain in the story is: (cuddly character) sleeps with me when I go to bed, so I don’t get scared all by myself, S/he is my truly most favorite fluffy friend.” This makes the story ideal for sharing with children with fears about bedtime, sleeping in their own room or somewhere different. I love that Dad understands his daughter and, despite the overflow of cuddly toys, gives her Cuddly Kitty for her sixth birthday. “You can never have too many friends. It is okay if you have more than one favourite”.

A beautiful message here that there is always enough love to go around for everyone special. Tamara Piper’s illustrations are excellent and complement the story very well. My favourites are Emma with Banjo Bear and the final image of her tucked safely in bed surrounded by all her cuddly friends. A loving and empathetic tale of childhood that will resonate with families everywhere. Recommended for any young child’s home or preschool library.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Squeezor is Coming! is a children’s picture book written by Becky Benishek and illustrated by Matt Fiss. Life for the Squeezor was sad and lonely. No one dared go near the monster whose sharp fangs and claws seemed to scare everyone away, and no one ever wanted to be hugged by his wrap-around-you-twice arms. When he went into Ghastly Gigapolis to do his shopping, all the inhabitants would go into hiding. They’d watch, terror-stricken, from behind closed doors and peek out through the slats in cellar doors. Poor Squeezor. He was so lonely and just wanted a friend or two. He spent hours reading self-improvement books, but nothing seemed to work. Then he had a thought as he was looking at his grandmother’s portrait. Maybe it wasn’t about him after all? The next time he went into town, he went into his favorite shop, and something really amazing happened.

Becky Benishek’s The Squeezor is Coming! is suitably creepy and filled with gross and funny things that are guaranteed to make kids and their caregivers giggle with delight. It also sends a wonderful message to those kids, and there are an awful lot of them, who feel different or have trouble making friends. Far too many kids feel as unlovable as The Squeezor, and this story is for them. Benishek’s droll and humorous story will please everyone in the room and maybe especially those adults who are still kids at heart. Matt Fiss’s brilliantly grotesque illustrations make this book one to linger over and read again and again and again. Literally. It’s that good. Heck, if The Squeezor can make friends, why not that kid in the corner? The Squeezor is Coming! is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Tiffany Davis for Readers' Favorite

Suzy Has a Secret by S. Jackson with A. Raymond is a children's story about educating them on self awareness and inappropriate behavior. The story is simple and easy to read to children. It's important to allow children the opportunity to learn what should and should not be done to them by family members. Suzy did not like the game of tickling that Uncle Bob played with her when her parents weren't around. Suzy did not want to keep the secret from her parents, but Uncle Bob made her feel that she couldn't tell anyone about the way he touched her. Although the story is short, it has a powerful message because all children should know the importance of not allowing anyone, young or old, to touch their bodies.

Children have a right to be happy and understand what should not be happening when Mommy and Daddy aren't around. The portion of the story designed for Parents and Educators was a good read because it reaffirmed that children have the right to know that their private areas are off limits, and that when playing no one should ever touch those areas. When dealing with children, it's important to ensure they understand at an early age that they can talk to their parents about anything and not be scared. Abusers use manipulation when abusing children to keep them from telling their parents, that's why parents need to have a strong bond with their children to make them feel comfortable. One thing I learned is that you should not ask a lot of questions if you suspect abuse, but rather ask simple questions for the best and most reliable answers.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

A Song for Birdie: A Child's Journey with Autism is a social issues story book for children written and illustrated by Cindy Shirley. Birdie Williams was in the second grade now, and her teacher, Mrs. Andrews, wanted to speak with her parents. Birdie wasn’t really interested in what Mrs. Andrews was talking about, but she took the note her teacher gave her and handed it to her mom when she picked her up from school. Birdie’s mom knew her daughter was upset; she watched as Birdie lowered her head, covered her ears with her hands and began to hum and to tap her foot. She and her husband discussed their daughter’s situation in school that night and attended the conference with Mrs. Andrews several days later. Birdie found lots of things to look at as the adults were speaking. She made a tally of the number of square tiles on the floor and had fun visualizing animal shapes and patterns. This was so much more interesting than what the grownups had to say. Mrs. Andrews suggested putting Birdie in the school’s special ed program, and her parents agreed. By the time Birdie got home, she had no interest at all in ever going back to school again, but then something wonderful happened.

Cindy Shirley’s social issues story book for children, A Song for Birdie: A Child's Journey with Autism, is a moving and insightful look at how a child on the autism spectrum sees her world. As I read this story, I also considered counting squares and visualizing fantastical creatures to be far more interesting than listening to the adults discussing her inability to pay attention and preference for doodling. Seeing Birdie’s instant rapport with the little bird that perches on the window the next morning is mesmerizing and magical. I loved seeing how that connection with another being seems to provide a link for Birdie with the world. Her bird and the new teacher, Miss Amy, go so far to help Birdie explore her skills and abilities and to interact with others. A Song for Birdie is a marvelous tool for parents, caregivers and educators of children on the spectrum. It’s also a useful way for children who have autistic peers to gain insights into their behavior, gifts and needs. A Song for Birdie: A Child's Journey with Autism is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Meet Harry the mouse who lives in the English countryside in Harry the Happy Mouse: Book 2: Summer by N.G.K. Harry lives under a bridge with his wife and today he is feeling happy and is thinking of good things. Every summer evening after eating, he strolls along the stream to see who he can meet. The favorite part of the evening is meeting other animals and having long talks with them. One evening he finds a frog stuck on a log. Harry rescues the frog and he advises the frog to help someone so that it can make him feel grand. As the story progresses, readers find the good deed moving along through many characters who help someone and feel happy. “When you help someone else, it makes you feel grand! So when someone needs help, just give them a hand.”

The story has a lovely message for young readers and I like the rhyming couplets which give good movement and fluidity to the tale. The illustrations are wonderful and they bring all the characters and scenes to life. The chain of helping others and being happy has been created well by the author and it is a good story to encourage children to be kind and helpful to others. Stories like this have a beneficial impact on young readers. This uplifting story can be used for read aloud and interactive sessions in classrooms and also makes a charming read for bedtime story-telling, as it will not only teach children to do good things for others, but will also put a smile on their faces.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Alabama Oh: Artist, Dandelion Dreamer, and Independent Girl by Andi Cann,‎ with illustrations by Micaela Stefano, follows the story of a young girl, vivid with life and enchanted by flowers and color, and her struggle in a bland, colorless town. Alabama Oh - her name, Alabama, meaning "plant gatherer" - lives in a neighborhood where a drab taupe reigns supreme. From houses to roads to clothing, everything lacked color. Alabama loved color and flowers in particular, which she sketches and paints within the sanctuary of her treehouse. As she grows and becomes more independent and outspoken, Alabama finds that not everyone appreciates a world of chroma and hues as much as she does.

Alabama Oh by Andi Cann is a fun story in which both little ones and parents alike will find enjoyment. The story settles firmly within the popular children's book theme of individuality, with an emphasis on the arts. The characters are ethnically diverse and the narrative and writing will make for easy reading with the young reader. Where Alabama Oh really excels is in its fantastic illustrations, which are exceptional, with Alabama in particular being beautifully represented. In a book that extols the importance of art, color, and individuality, it makes sense that the artwork featured within its own pages is unique, vibrant, and engaging. I'd recommend Alabama Oh to parents and teachers interested in a book where the titular character has real spunk, shining through in a bleak town devoid of color.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Tummy Rumble Quake by Heather L. Beal is an educational and informative story that tells children how to handle issues in a calm and composed manner when there is an earthquake. In the story, Ms Mandy goes to the bookcase and shakes it. She tells Lily that she is making sure the bookcase is securely attached to the wall before The Great ShakeOut. Niko wants to know what a Great ShakeOut is. Dylan says everyone practices for earthquakes and his brother’s class had done it last year. Ms Mandy explains to Niko and Lily what an earthquake is, and how and why it happens. She also tells them the three things they should do when there is an earthquake. So children, are you ready to learn about earthquakes?

I like the way in which the author explains earthquakes and what needs to be done to stay safe during an earthquake in a simple manner that can be understood by young readers. Children will know what has to be done to remain safe during an earthquake after reading this book. The illustrations are lively and they make the concept very clear to young readers. The questions and activities at the end of the story make it an excellent book for interactive sessions in classrooms and school libraries. Parents and grandparents can also read it out to their kids and grandkids at home and help them understand about earthquakes and what to do during one. The author makes science and learning interesting through this story, and what a good way to help children learn about earthquakes!

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

What does a tornado look like? How does it sound? What causes a tornado? What should you do if you're in the midst of a tornado? Elephant Wind (Mom's Choice Award Winner) by Heather L Beal is an illustrated children's book that has all of the answers. Lily, Niko and their childcare class had an opportunity to experience their first science fair. They were having so much fun, until a tornado warning sounded. As their teacher, Ms. Mandy, escorted the children downstairs to the tornado shelter, they began to get curious about the tornado. There were so many questions that the children asked about the various aspects of the tornado. In this book, young readers will learn about the world of tornadoes. This book is educational and will help to enhance your child’s learning.

This book was truly engaging and entertaining as Ms. Mandy and the children begin to deeply explore the phenomenon of tornadoes. What was great was how Ms. Mandy described the shape and sound of a tornado. The clever part was to give the children a more vivid image of a tornado by comparing it to an elephant’s trunk reaching downward from the sky. I saw this as a wonderful illustration. Ms. Mandy further provided the children with safety tips when experiencing a tornado. This is an excellent book for any child to read alone or to share with others. No one can be totally prepared, but this book answers so many questions that your child will ask about the wonders of tornadoes. Enjoy!

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

My Little Heart, Ruthie is an inspirational book of heartache and anxiety, written in limerick and rhyme by Toni Jannotta and illustrated by Jennifer Mones. A heart (known as Ruthie) feels despondent, as she holds within her a very poor image of herself after being taunted when showcasing her talents. She feels so small that she retreats to the innermost, darkest part of her soul and hides. The day comes when Ruthie is ready to break, and she suddenly hears the voice of the wind (known as Clyde) which lifts and inspires her, showing Ruthie her true self, and that she is worth more to the world than she ever could have possibly imagined. The warmth and beauty unleashed is truly breathtaking.

Presented alongside some of the most mesmerizing illustrations I have ever seen, My Little Heart, Ruthie is a book that will take you to a place you have never before travelled. Finding a soul which is at the lowest of all lows is heart-breaking, and you can almost feel Ruthie crumbling as you read her sorrow-filled words. The strength, which is freely given by the wind, is done so unselfishly, lovingly and fully, with the aim of pulling Ruthie back from the brink. Toni Jannotta’s cleverly written, emotional tale shows the highs and lows of an anxious mind and heart, as it reacts to the barbed words of the heartless who mercilessly laugh at Ruthie’s musical gift. Jennifer Mones’ imagery, which accompanies each part of the tale, carries just as much feeling as the words themselves, making for a perfect partnership. I was truly moved by what I read, and recommend My Little Heart, Ruthie to teens and adults who enjoy the beauty of linguistics in poetry, when crafted into a beautiful and emotional journey of a damaged soul.