Reviewed by Ashley Tetzlaff for Readers' Favorite

Robert Frost had Mountain Interval, Shakespeare had The Sonnets, Emily Dickinson had her Collection, and Joie Schmidt has her Dreams of the Heart, Volume One. Many of the poems tout similar vocabulary and style as the old masters, as seen in this excerpt, “You are the purple hues/In my sunsets, the warm and heavy/Sighs, that make knees/Shiver; that pushes two weary/Footfalls past noon/That conjures courage/To make love once again swoon….” Although some of the poems are more modern (referencing pavement and cellphones), many of the verses are ethereal and focus on the well-known subjects of love gained and love lost, as well as God, angels, friends, and nature.

When I picked up Joie Schmidt’s Dreams of the Heart, Vol. 1, I wasn’t expecting much. As an admirer of the masters, and someone who has knocked about with poetry writing myself, I knew creating quality poetry is much harder than most people imagine. And I have read my fair amount of whiny prose claiming to be poetry. Needless to say, I was surprised and enamored by the feeling, style, and class brought to bear by Ms. Schmidt. I couldn’t stand to lay the book down. I even read some of it aloud and treasured not only the bliss in my heart but also upon my lips. I could see a girl in Jane Austen’s world poring over such a volume. In my mind, many of the poems contained in Dreams of the Heart, Vol. 1, are worthy to sit beside those of Frost and Dickinson. I sincerely hope Joie’s talent is recognized for what it is: fit for the ages.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Music, poetry and life – can there be one without the other? Love and faith are universal elements of humanity, even if humans have different forms of love and faith, different beliefs. One thing that unites us all is music and poetry. It defines us, consoles us, refreshes us, and it makes us understand what even the greatest politicians or orators of our times cannot do. “They say life is hard, be able to bend like a feather/ But don’t you worry – the divine flute! Holds the strings of the Universe together.” Music and poetry are the heartbeat and breathing essence of life.

Raminder Bajwa’s collection of poems, The Flute Player, strives to bring the complex world of the twenty-first century into context. The book is divided into four sections: Of Love, Observations, Wishes, and Attitude. Each section contains short, concise poems that reflect the power of music and poetry in life. Coupled with colorful photographs, the poems evoke emotions using metaphors, particularly musical metaphors, of significant depth. The poet strives to present an understanding that all in life is equal and not one of us is better or more important than the other. We are all linked together, regardless of our beliefs and our politics; we are linked together through poetry and music.

“It takes a small musician to understand the Big One’s musical notes./ It takes love, not hate! To bring joy, take it for free,/ Don’t search for the flute player! He’s within you and me.”

This is a powerful and insightful collection of poems, one that needs to be studied over and over again.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

What the River Knows: Conversations with the Natural World is a collection of poems written by Andrea Freeman. Freeman is a naturalist and an educator, as well as a poet, harpist and artist, whose company, Awakening Wonder Edventures (AWE), teaches nature appreciation in the field. Her poems celebrate nature in all its wealth and variety, and she often intertwines her reflections on her own life and mortality with the natural processes she witnesses on her outings. Her opening poem, The Swan, is rich in visual imagery and contrasts of the swan's form, shape and movements in the water’s reflection as the poet exhorts her audience to find their own purpose within those images.

In Murmuration of Starlings, the poet employs gerunds, repetition and simile to bring alive the flowing motion of starlings as they swoop and swirl at dusk: "They glided in as speckled gusts of wind,/joining, parting,/joining again,/then swirled together, en masse, across the sky,/moving as both a particle and a wave;/like light,/they wove the air/into a tapestry of wings;/like light.” The reader can't help but visualize the endless motions conveyed in this richly nuanced and compelling piece. The poet also adds to the complexity of this poem through her use of physics and cosmological concepts as seen above in the "particle and wave" reference and later on: "Coiling and uncoiling,/a nebula sung into being out of interstellar beaks and wings,/now a galaxy of starlings.../As I watched them, formed out of stardust myself.”

Each of the poems in What the River Knows invites the reader to another natural feast for the senses. There are walks along sandy tropical beaches, adorned with shells and sea hearts, conversations with aged trees, and a poem celebrating the poet's unspoken communion with a fox sharing a perfect meadow for an early evening's rest. Freeman's poems seem to slow down the busy hustle and pace of the modern world and invite a few moments of quiet retrospection and renewal, a rejoining and re-dedication of self within the natural world. And, along the way, there are wonders and delights to be explored. What the River Knows: Conversations with the Natural World is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Art of Bwaling According to the Pink Dog: 5 Simple Steps to Release Life’s Messy Stress is described as a lighthearted, inspirational gift book, filled with wit, canine wisdom, and a simple, practical approach to releasing stress. Sharon Mounu Riddell and the Pink Dog have created a fun and uplifting book that gives excellent tips to readers on how to go about releasing stress. The book definitely helps to ease the path and teaches us to slow down, take a breath, let go, and practice acceptance. The author and the Pink Dog give simple advice that enables us to embrace the beauty of earthly experience. The transformational tools of ‘is-ness’ and ‘bwaling’ are helpful when it comes to finding ease and clarity during challenging times. So what are you guys waiting for? Jump, Leap, Dive, Start, Practice...

The concept is endearing and thought-provoking. I like the way the author explains how she teaches by doing her ‘being’, how moment by moment she walks her talk, she breathes, she watches, she accepts, and lets go instantly. The art of bwaling was taught to the author with the help of her canine friends and their unconditional love and devotion. The book is amazing and the author’s poetry makes the practice easier. The pictures are adorable and they help readers connect well with the author’s words and look at life with an entirely new perspective. I loved the book, the concept, the messages in it, and the author’s way of handling a relevant topic in a different, refreshing, and unique way. I would say the book is definitely a must-read for everyone as the author, along with her Pink Dog, teaches us how to de-stress our lives without stressing too much.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

No one needs to love poetry to appreciate this wonderful collection of poems. Between The Lines There Lies a Story of Me by Sabaine features well-written, rhythmic, and beautiful poems that will resonate with a wide range of readers, poems that cover a variety of themes. This collection can be read as the poet’s appreciation of reality, her way of listening to the throb of life within her, an outpouring of her pain. Through these poems, the author reveals her wounds with startling honesty and the reader can see a path towards healing and hope. What is most astonishing is that the persona captures sentiments that are akin to any human being. At times the writing comes out like a song, a dirge, but sometimes it flows like an enticing symphony, drawing readers into the alluring darkness of the persona’s soul.

In “Where Is the Fat on My Body?”, the poet captures the sentiment of despair in poignant terms: “Tomorrow is a broken / lie waiting to be glued. / Today is a sad promise / waiting to break. / The future is just a mirror / reflecting my imagination.” There is a pervading sense of despair that runs through the lines of many poems, and at times the reader feels like listening to the dismal cries of a weaned child, but there is a powerful current of humanity running through the poems as well. Between The Lines There Lies a Story is fraught with symbolism. A perfect example is the use of “darkness” to symbolise suffering, inner aridity, and the conflict raging within the persona. Sabaine combines the masterful use of vivid descriptions with a powerful narrative style to create verses with universal themes of love, abuse, rejection, fear, and hope. The poems are incredibly humane and the writing is utterly appealing.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Sid the Sasquatch by Wendy Elliott is a beautiful, inspiring, and poetic story about friendship, love, and acceptance, a story that every child in this generation should read. Growing up, Sid was taught by his mother to stay away from humans, so no wonder that his kind only goes out at night when humans are asleep. But the little Sasquatch with a broad smile and an exuberant nature is destined to meet humans and this happens in a very curious way. He is walking fast one day when:
“He falls to the ground, hitting hard with a smack,
Then looks up to see a young boy staring back.”

Ollie couldn’t help but offer his hand to help Sid up, and thus the friendship that “begins with a swing” mirrors the beautiful world of children; easy to connect, ready to share, and enthusiastic about meeting new friends. It is only the beginning of an enjoyable adventure.

Wendy Elliott’s book is wonderful and it paints a beautiful world for kids. I read this book with my five-year-old son, and he now talks about Sid and Ollie as if they lived next door. He was amazed by the pictures. Now he’s learned that it is rewarding to include the stranger, to reach out to others in friendship, and to share one’s joy. The illustrations are very appealing, and the poetry rings through the ears like soothing music. At a time when there is a lot of racism, prejudices against other races, and exclusion of minorities, our kids need to rediscover the beauty of friendship and service, and Sid the Sasquatch is one of the great tools they’d need. An inspiring story about friendship and acceptance.

Reviewed by Barbara Fanson for Readers' Favorite

Like many of us, Buddy the teddy bear has dreams of belonging to a loving family and traveling to faraway lands. From the lonely top shelf of a toy store, to the inside of a box, to the inside of an airplane, finally the box opens and Buddy can see light again. Buddy the Soldier Bear has seen and done quite a bit; he’s flown in helicopters, parachuted from planes, gone on long trips, and seen some things he’d rather not see. Travel along as Buddy becomes part of a loving military family and shares in their experiences. And watch as Buddy’s dreams come true. Author Marie Joy takes on an adventure with a bear that accompanies a soldier on duty in another country.

The Stencil font on the front cover was an excellent choice for a book about a soldier bear. The illustrations by Brandon Pollard are very well done and clearly demonstrate the scene and set the mood for the book. Their rich, dramatic tones place us in the adventure. Buddy the Soldier Bear is an easy-to-read book, which many families can relate to. Parents and children will enjoy reading about the exciting trip of Buddy and his military friends. Author Marie Joy has written a wonderful, imaginative story about a bear that has dreams and achieves them. Buddy the Soldier Bear is a feel-good story with a happy ending. If you were traveling, which toy would you take and what would it see?

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 Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Tale of Tito's Tail by Wendy Butler is the cute little story of Tito, the Italian mafioso mouse. He lives in a small community in Genoa, Italy. Their family is well known in the community and Tito shares his shoe box with his best friend and cousin, Ricardo. They have a band, Boom Rockers, which is famous in their community. As the story progresses, readers see Tito growing up and becoming mature, and taking up the job assigned to him by Uncle Guido. He trains to lead his village and provide for his fellow mice family. He handles his responsibilities well with the support of his friends, and also meets a lot of new people. The story conveys a good message where readers understand that every incident in life teaches something and can be converted to a good learning experience, depending on how one looks at it.

The message is uplifting and through Tito's story children will learn to look at the ups and downs in life with a different perspective. All the characters in the story are delightful and the colorful illustrations help to convey the concept nicely to readers. The pictures are eye-catching and will definitely appeal to children. The author's fluidity in writing and detailed narration not only gives the tale good pace and movement, but also makes the scenes come alive. The story starts with Tito and his easy going life and builds up slowly to where Tito becomes a responsible adult and handles his job with maturity and responsibility. A delightful story with a good message.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

In The Crew Goes Coconuts! A Captain No Beard Story: Volume 6 by Carole P. Roman, readers are taken to a desert island where the ship has dropped its anchor. It is a hot day and the crew is thirsty. They cannot find a pond or a river on the island. They put the blame on Matie the goat, who has had the last juice. They are all angry and Mongo, Polly, and Linus say that they dislike Matie because she talks funny and she smells. Fribbet does not want to take sides. He wants to please everyone. Captain No Beard decides to make the crew say something nice and something not so nice about each of them. They all go to the island because Matie says she has a solution to the drought. What does she do to help the crew to quench their thirst?

This story, like the rest of the books, has a good message for young readers. The illustrations are lively and delightful and readers will love seeing their favorite characters in another setting. Matie the goat is a new character in this story. Do you like her? I like her and the manner in which she helps the crew quench their thirst. The entire series is good for one's personal collection because of the messages it conveys through the stories and the lovable characters that are introduced to young readers. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series to find out what surprises Captain No Beard and his crew have for readers.