Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Benjamin Birdie's First Flight is a children's picture book written by Michael Dotsikas and illustrated by Morgan Spicer. Benjamin Birdie lives high in a tree with his mother. He's been watching all the birds soaring and flying in the sky around him, and he wants to start flying as well. His mother tells him that he's not ready yet, but he will soon be. When she goes off to find food for him, however, Benjamin decides to try out his wings. At first, he's doing pretty well. He flaps harder and harder and then he's flying. At least for a while, then Benjamin falls all the way down to the ground far below. He has no idea how to get back to his nest until he sees a friendly elephant who thinks he can help. When the elephant gets Benjamin as high as he can reach, the next friendly animal steps up to the task of returning the young bird to his nest.

Michael Dotsikas' children's animal picture book, Benjamin Birdie's First Flight, is a playful and entertaining book that teaches as it entertains. The author's story is set in rhyme that's natural and never forced or singsong, and the vocabulary selection is geared toward beginning readers. Morgan Spicer's illustrations are marvelous! Each panel is brightly colored and carefully inked, and the animals' faces are expressive and lively. Benjamin's rescue story also introduces a wide variety of animals. The Meet the Tree Dwellers section and Glossary are excellent resources for both young readers and adults who are sharing the book with younger children. Benjamin Birdie's First Flight is a most impressive children's book, and it's most highly recommended.

Reviewed By Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever met someone that looked totally different from the way you thought a person should look? Was there something unique about them that made them very different from you or others you know? Freddy, a half shark, half octopus, found that his classmates at his new school thought this way. It made him feel very sad and not like himself very much. But when they all found out that he had special talents for swimming to go along with his different looks, they began to change their way of thinking. They cheered him on all the way to the championship swim meet against the barracudas, where Freddy receives the MVP award. Freddy is then no longer sad about his differences, but thanks Jesus in a prayer for making him different and blessing him with new friends at his new school.

Fast Freddy by Lee Ann Mancini is a delightful pictorial and early reader book, introducing young readers to the concepts of acceptance, differences, uniqueness, bullying, and friendship. Children are often drawn to animals and sea creatures, and by using sea creatures as the characters the author has made the story more relatable and comfortable for its audience. Too many times, at a young age, children don't get taught about the importance of accepting others for who they are and not what they look like on the outside. Name calling and laughing at someone who is different is morally wrong and unacceptable. The author brings that life lesson to the fore within the story plot when Freddy is laughed at for looking different. But when his classmates realize the individual talent Freddy has, they begin to like him and realize they were wrong.

Lee Ann Mancini includes within the text a few indications that this book is meant for a Christian reading audience. Those who don't share that belief may not enjoy certain parts, but can still enjoy the overall story. With its very vibrant and eye-catching pictures and important life lesson within the text, Fast Freddy is a book for readers of all ages to enjoy.

Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

What A Bragger by Lee Ann Mancini is an adorable story about Melissa who loves to brag. She brags about anything and everything. Melissa has more sand toys than anyone who is playing with her, her ham sandwich is the biggest, she can swim the fastest and climb the highest, and she has the best of everything when compared to all her friends. Her friend Corey finds her crying one day. Melissa had broken her sand shovel and Corey is surprised to learn about Melissa's broken home. Corey says a small prayer to God, thanking Him for all that she has. Corey feels bad for Melissa and has a plan. She decides to ask all the Sea Kids to chip in treasure coins to buy a nice gift for Melissa for her birthday.

It's a beautiful story of love and friendship and the incident also opens Melissa's eyes to true love and friendship and helps her understand the meaning of friendship and the value of friends. The story has a lovely message for young readers. The illustrations are bright and colorful and they complement the story very well. The pictures also breathe life into the characters and give pace and movement to the scenes. The storybook is perfect for read aloud sessions in classrooms and libraries. It can also be used as a bedtime storybook for kids. The message conveyed is touching and heartfelt. It teaches kids to believe in God and be grateful for those people around them who love them and take care of them.

Reviewed By Rich Follett for Readers' Favorite

Spring-Heel’d Jack, a shadowy, daemon-like figure with red eyes, metallic claws and breath like blue fire, terrorized Londoners and was immortalized in the penny dreadfuls of the Victorian era. In Spring-Heel’d Jack by E.J. Hagadorn and wickedly gifted Gorey-esque illustrator Sophie Lees, ol’ Spring-Heel is revivified in a sinister and seemingly gleeful incarnation as the dark hero of a cautionary tale for children. In a series of clever and macabre quatrains, Hagadorn relates the probable fate of a wide-eyed young Victorian lass who scorns her governess’s admonitions to tuck in for a good night’s sleep. Spring-Heel’d Jack is on the prowl, she is warned, and children who do not go to bed when they are told are just begging for him to pay a call. The text is equal parts charming and terrifying; accompanied by Lees' playful, gothic black and white illustrations, the overall effect is the stuff of the most delicious nightmares that ever compelled a child to behave.

In our politically correct, modern world where virtually every shred of content for children is sanitized, watered down or compromised by maudlin platitudes, it may well be time for an unvarnished, unabashedly evil ne'er-do-well like Spring-Heel’d Jack to make a re-entry into the collective consciousness of our children. If childhood education does not include a frame of reference for real dangers, the world becomes an even more dangerous place. There could hardly be a more delightful or eloquent way to encourage a healthy respect for villains than E.J. Hagadorn’s Spring-Heel’d Jack. Like the Victorian era from which this classic character has been so masterfully resurrected, Hagadorn and Lees’ work bespeaks an elegant but unforgiving code of rules for survival that modern children would do well to revisit.

Reviewed By Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite

Paris Hop!, written by Margie Blumberg and illustrated by Renée Andriani, is a story about Grandma taking her granddaughter to the Eiffel Tower on a visit to Paris. They are determined to see how the city looks with the sun shining over it, but they continue to get distracted by the other wonderful places and sights of “Paree,” such as museums and clothing stores. Will they be able to make it there before the sun sets? And if they don’t, how will their day trip to Paris end?

This was a cute little story that children and their parents (and grandparents) will thoroughly enjoy. While children will enjoy the entertaining rhyming quality of the book, they will also have fun learning common French phrases. Parents don’t need to worry about mispronouncing or not understanding these phrases because there is a very helpful glossary in the beginning of the book that clearly states the meaning and the pronunciation for each word and phrase. And the actual story is just so charming. I adore the idea of a grandmother and her granddaughter exploring Paris together. Children will get to experience the culture of Paris through the many stops this young girl and her grandmother make. Plus, the illustrations make it that much more delightful. The vibrant colors and adorable images will keep children engaged and wanting to read the book over and over again. Margie Blumberg definitely has a new fan, and I’m sure that Paris Hop! will be among my daughter’s favorites.

Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Little Jimmy Says, "Same Is Lame" by Jimmy Vee is an entertaining book for children. Jimmy is just five feet tall and unusually small for a man. He tells us how every individual is different from each other and each one has their own special ability which makes them unique. Jimmy can do a lot of things because he is short. He also likes the fact that he stands out in a crowd instead of getting lost in it. Many a time, Jimmy is the butt of jokes because of his size. This book conveys a beautiful message of learning to accept one's uniqueness and to use it in a positive manner.

The theme is very interesting and relevant and the author has touched on a topic happening in society. He has put it across beautifully so that kids can understand it well. The illustrations are lively and they convey the concept with a lot of clarity and crispness. It is a highly encouraging book that will boost the confidence of readers and motivate them to succeed, irrespective of their drawbacks.

The message: 'We are all special in our own unique way. We all have our talents to work and to play' is an awesome message for kids to rid them of their insecurities and convert their so-called negatives into positive points. I would recommend this book for all kids. It is a must-have in everyone's personal collection, as well as schools and libraries. Little Jimmy is indeed an inspiration to all of us!

Reviewed By Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite

Beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder and nothing illustrates that truth better than My Fingerpaint Masterpiece written by Sherrill S. Cannon and illustrated by Kalpart. When a child is interrupted from a fingerpainting of his dog while at school, it is the start of a chain of events that leads one to wonder exactly how people determine what art becomes a masterpiece. On the way home, the child’s painting is blown out of his hands and lands in an art shop. It is then accidentally entered into an art contest and after the judges turn it in every direction, they decide that it is the winning entry. Disgusted with the outcome and the way that everyone is attempting to discover the deep meaning of his painting, the child tries to get everyone’s attention, but no one will believe him.

Sherrill S. Cannon and Kalpart have created a delightful story that actually gets right to the heart of what I think about some of the “masterpieces” that I have seen. My Fingerpaint Masterpiece expresses a truth about abstract art that few would ever admit. Splash several different colors on a canvas and anyone who is an “official critic” with enough imagination to make it into something will determine that it is a masterpiece. The colorful interpretation of the story by the illustrator of this story far exceeds many of the “masterpieces” in the modern art world in my opinion. Funny, colorful and brilliant, My Fingerpaint Masterpiece will put a satisfied smile on your face as you consider how silly some people can be about art.

Reviewed By Brenda Ballard for Readers' Favorite

Children are naturally curious but sometimes the attention span doesn't match the subject. Aurelia Tan and Nicholas Liem (illustrator) have mastered it all in their wonderful book, JJ's Science Adventure: Magnets. Through a cartoon adventure, magnets and how they work are explained in the story. It's a fast paced story line that can be read to your children or enjoyed by them alone.

Educational material does not have to be tedious or boring! Magnets are one science project that typically keep the students' attention but add in a cartoon factor and you have yourself a winner. The length of this book is just right. It is not so short that it leaves you wanting more or too long to make you wish it were over (kids..you know what I mean). I would have loved to have had this book when I was homeschooling my daughter. Having used trains as an example of how magnets attract and repel is nothing short of brilliant. Author Aurelia Tan and illustrator Nicholas Liem do a fine job of captivating their audience. I found myself doing research on the two types of trains after I was finished with the book. Is there anything better than educational materials that draw more interest to the subject? This is a book that must be in every children's section of libraries, whether public or school. It is so much fun that it could even be used for cub scout or girl scout type meetings or functions. I give this wonderful book two thumbs, way up in the sky.

Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Clarence and the Traveling Circus is a children's storybook written by Melissa Northway and illustrated by Carolyn Le. Clarence is so clumsy that the kids in town call him Clumsy Clarence. He's useless at sports, but his clumsiness disappears when he's juggling. Clarence can juggle anything and even used to juggle his dog and cat until the cat hid up in a tree. When Clarence's dad tells him that the circus is coming to town and that they're having juggler try-outs, Clarence gets excited and dreams of being chosen. He's scared to appear at the audition, however, as he figures everyone will expect him to be clumsy, so he disguises himself with a caped costume and a mask. When it's his turn, Clarence is fabulous and definitely the best juggler in town.

Melissa Northway's Clarence and the Traveling Circus has such a positive and inspirational message. Clarence overcomes his fears and shines. He's able to rise above the dreaded name, Clumsy Clarence, and be a star. Carolyn Le's artwork beautifully complements the story. Each panel is intricate and painted in glowing colors. I found myself getting lost in the details of each picture. There's a great bonus in the back of the book for aspiring Clarences - a step-by-step guide to juggling! I've never gotten past juggling two balls at the same time and can't wait to try adding more using these instructions. There are also circus facts, exercises and learning challenges back there as well. Clarence and the Travelling Circus put a smile on my face as I read it, and I'm still smiling. It's very highly recommended.