Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

We’re all different. We have different ways to laugh, to smile, to cry, to speak, but that’s part of what makes us all so uniquely special. Jake is a fun-loving dog, caramel-colored with “a chocolate stripe down his face” (I love that description). He loves to run and play and do all the things an active young dog loves to do. The only thing is that Jake growls. It doesn’t mean he’s an angry, mean dog. He growls because he’s happy and excited. He didn’t realize that his growling scared everyone away. When he realized the problem, all he wanted to do was to fix it: “Why doesn’t anyone understand me?/ Why can’t they see I’m not actually mean?” It would appear that everyone was jumping to the conclusion that when a dog growled he was being mean and scary, when in fact Jake was full of love and kindness and fun.

Samantha Shannon’s picture book story, Jake the Growling Dog: A Children’s Book about the Power of Kindness, Celebrating Diversity and Friendship, is a fun book to read and it’s full of suggestions to help young readers think about how they judge others. Written in rhyming verse and accompanied by exciting and colorful illustrations, the plot develops as Jake introduces himself and how much fun he’s having until it’s pointed out that his growling is scaring everyone away. Jake then has to analyze the situation and find a way to make others accept him as he is, just like he accepts everyone else in spite of their differences. At the end of the book is an interactive section that outlines how young people can be loving and kind, just like Jake. There’s even an exercise called, Jake’s Loving-Kindness Activity. A fun read for the whole family and a great way to look at the world and others with loving-kindness – every day.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Tode the Turtle did not have fun playing baseball. He was slow and had never batted. Harriet and Eddie were the two team captains and they both could hit well and catch behind the plate. Tode was always the last player to be chosen though he wanted to be included. He was always an easy out and Tode wished things were different. It was a spring day and everyone was watching the V-formation of geese in the sky. Tode could not see anything no matter how hard he tried. Krissy was worried that Tode could not see the geese making a V-formation as they glided in the sky and her father suggested maybe Tode needed to wear glasses to correct his eyesight. Being an eye doctor he suggested Krissy bringTode to meet him the next day.

Sight to See: Seeing is Believing by Dr. Qooz is an informative and delightful story that will help readers realize the importance of good vision. Having good vision is important when it comes to good performance. Irena Urosevic makes the concept and the author's words clear with her wonderful illustrations that also make the story and the characters real and relatable. The story is a good way to make parents, as well as children, understand that 'Seeing is Believing' and to get eyesight checked if they feel their children are unable to see properly. It is a good story for storytelling sessions at home and in classrooms to teach children about their eyesight and it is also a story about friendship and kindness. Krissy's act of kindness and friendship is tangible to readers and shows readers how it changed Tode's life for the better.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Are you ever worried about a new situation? Going to a new school? Or a new daycare? Jake was worried about going to doggy daycare. His owners were going away and he was going to be left at a doggy daycare for a couple of days. He’d never been there before. He was worried the people and the other dogs at the doggy daycare wouldn’t like him, or, worse, they’d be scared every time he growled. You see, Jake’s a happy, fun-loving dog who growls about everything. It doesn’t mean he is angry or vicious; he just gets excited and growls. His friend, Neet, a black squirrel, helps ease Jake’s worries. It’s always good to have a friend who cares.

Samantha Shannon’s picture book story, Jake the Growling Dog Goes to Doggy Daycare: A Children’s Book about Trying New Things, Friendship, Comfort, and Kindness, is another adventure in the Jake the Growling Dog series. Told in rhyming verse and accompanied by colorful and fascinating illustrations, the plot develops as Jake struggles between excitement and fear of going to a new place, the doggy daycare. Enter his friend, Neet, and the fears ease, but the conflicting feelings are still there. The conflict continues until Jake is settled in at the doggy daycare and one problem after another is resolved as Jake makes new friends. The story is well told and will certainly help young readers confront their own fears of new people and new situations and places. At the end of the book, the author provides some interactive Jake-inspired exercises to further help young readers deal with their fears. A wonderful story told with compassion and care and it is fun to read.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity is a children’s social issues picture book written and illustrated by Masami S.C. Brown Bear and Oofie had just been playing with their friend, Herman. Oofie mentioned how much she liked Herman’s freckles, which made Brown Bear pause and think a bit. Were the marks on Herman’s face freckles? As Oofie began talking, Brown Bear seemed to lose focus and get involved in her own thoughts. Suddenly she left the room and came back a little later looking just a bit different. Oofie wondered what happened to Brown Bear; then she started laughing. Silly Brown Bear, she looks fine just the way she is. Brown Bear is unique and special. So are Herman and Oofie. Each of them has their own identity, made up of how they think, behave and look.

Masami S.C.’s children’s social issues picture book, Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity, has the two iconic friends discussing an issue many kids grapple with in social settings, especially in school and playgrounds. While it may seem cool to look or act like other kids, especially very popular ones, it’s really best of all to just be yourself as Brown Bear discovers when her attempt to make freckles goes awry. The author’s characters are both wise and funny, and her illustrations, which are brightly colored and upbeat, will make this a very popular selection with young readers and for story time sessions. I also appreciated how Masami highlights the featured words used in the story and includes a glossary of them at the end of the book. Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity is most highly recommended.

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.