Reviewed by Donna Gielow McFarland for Readers' Favorite

The Sofa Sloths by Miriam Kay tells the story of Sydney and Stanley, two silly sloths who slouch on a sofa, staring at screens. One day something changes and they start by switching spots on the sofa. That leads to sweeping and scrubbing and eventually heading outside where there are lots of stimulating things to do. Sydney and Stanley get so excited, busy swimming and skating and enjoying the seasons, that they rarely want to succumb to surfing the set.

The Sofa Sloths is a shining example of how to deliver a positive message to kids. I suspect that the author had some particular silly sloths in mind when she wrote it, but many parents will enthusiastically embrace the moral of this story. It is not simple to teach in a picture book without sounding preachy, but The Silly Sloths takes on the task with ease. The illustrations are bright and colorful and so sensational that they make this silly story sparkle. It is hard to imagine The Sofa Sloths without them.

The skillful writing is concise without a single word wasted, which is all the more surprising because of the stunning amount of alliteration. I hope Miriam Kay and Jenny Dang create many more books like The Sofa Sloths to delight the ages 4-8 crowd. They show life lessons and values in such an enjoyable way that kids will embrace the message by such silly characters. I enthusiastically recommend this spectacular story!

Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite

The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High by Elizabeth Eckford, Eurydice Stanley, and Grace Stanley is a non-fiction memoir of what happened in the early days of desegregation and, specifically, when a young girl became the first black student to enter an all-white school for the first time at the Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. In this book, we hear a firsthand account of this experience from Elizabeth Eckford, the young black girl who was part of the now-historic Little Rock Nine. She recounts the fear, the intimidation, the bullying, and threats of violence that she and the other students underwent throughout that period. The book also showcases a lot of photographs and illustrations of those times which show that the hate and violence against African Americans was and is so real and virulent. The book also includes short anecdotes, information, and other relevant resources related to the topic of racism and what it means in today’s world.

The Worst First Day is one of the finest books I have read and is a must-read for young adults and adults alike. It is even more important and relevant in today’s era where the younger generation may not have a complete sense of what it was like in the days of legal segregation and pre-Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. Some of the experiences that are recounted in this book are eye-opening and sorely needed at a time when racism is still alive and truly well in America as in many other parts of the world. The writing and flow of this book are very well organized and the pictures truly bring the story and the era to life. Books like this not only teach a part of history but also provide a better path for the future through awareness. I highly recommend this book for every young student and for readers everywhere!

Reviewed by Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M Bergen is a stunning fantasy novel about a twelve-year-old boy named Thomas. When Thomas was really young, his father told him that magic was real right before he left him. Thomas lived his life as an ordinary boy, until one day he asked about magic at a bookstore and was given the Book of Sorrows. Thomas soon learns that he has magical powers and is flown half way around the world to learn how to use them. He also learns that much is at stake, and that he has to protect a magical crystal from a man named Arius. Will Thomas rise to the challenge?

I really enjoyed reading Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M Bergen. The book was very descriptive and incredibly well written. The plot was intriguing and well thought through. I liked that the author had a new take on magic. There were funny parts throughout the story that made me giggle. The book has many plot twists that will leave the reader wondering which characters they can trust. The book will hook readers from the first page, and will keep them wondering what happens next throughout the story. The story had many extremely exciting scenes that will captivate the audience. The characters were very likeable and realistic. They were also very inspiring because they make the right choices. This book will entertain readers of all ages. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

The Legend of Ghost Dog Island (Nikki Landry Swamp Legends) is an adventure for children by Rita Monette. Ten-year-old Nikki is sad because her father, a fisherman, has to move their houseboat to another town along the bayou where the crabbing is better. She meets Patti and Spike from the new school and hears the scary tale of a swamp creature that steals dogs’ spirits. Nikki finds an old bottle containing a cryptic poem and a key, and notices lights coming from Ghost Dog Island. She and her friends explore the island and Nikki finds an old journal that the key opens. When her dog Snooper disappears, Nikki believes the swamp monster has snatched him and goes to the island to search, but meets the ghost living there.

Rita Monette’s Nikki Landry Swamp Legends is a terrific series for pre-teens who love adventure and mystery stories. The Legend of Ghost Dog Island is sure to delight readers with its heroine, Nikki Landry. She is a tomboy who dislikes wearing dresses, likes climbing trees, and sometimes lets her curiosity lead her into danger. If you like reading The Bobbsey Twins stories, then you will like the Nikki Landry Swamp Legends. This story is entertaining, lively, and is written from Rita Monette’s fond memories of the bayou while growing up in southwest Louisiana. She has included a glossary of Cajun French words, Author Notes on The Cajun People of Louisiana, and nicely drawn sketches. The book is fun to read and is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Girl in the Blue Tie-Dye Shirt: A Mud Street Misfits Adventure is a paranormal adventure novel for preteens written by Brian O'Dell and Beth Lauderdale. What should have been an awesome after-school listening experience suddenly turned into something strange and frightening for Liam. Connor’s newest vinyl acquisition, a mint condition Allman Brothers album -- and not just any album, Eat a Peach -- was the epitome of Southern rock and definitely a treat to listen to. But as Liam relaxed on the living room floor of Connor’s home with the album jacket in his hands, something totally unexpected happened. He found himself in a strange, smoke-filled and funky-smelling bedroom, and he saw a girl in a blue tie-dye shirt kneeling there and crying. It was a huge relief when he found himself once again in Connor’s living room, but any interest in listening to the record had vanished after seeing that girl. Did that vision or whatever it was have anything to do with the biking mishap that left him with stitches on his temple and a raging headache? Liam had no idea, but soon he realized that he had to solve the mystery behind her continued appearances. Fortunately, his friends were ready and willing to help him do just that.

Brian O'Dell and Beth Lauderdale’s paranormal adventure novel for preteens, The Girl in the Blue Tie-Dye Shirt: A Mud Street Misfits Adventure, is a grand action and adventure lark that will delight anyone who still remembers being young as well as the authors’ targeted audience. Liam and his friends are a marvelous group of kids who complement each other so very well, and watching as they brainstorm and work together to find a solution is great fun. I loved the fact that the authors included both of Liam’s parents and their families as well as having one child with two moms. While the Mud Street Misfits will remind folks of young detectives of the past, such as the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew, the diverse backgrounds of the Misfits is a welcome touch that ensures that all kids feel included. The authors also address bullying and its harmful effects in this compelling and enjoyable story. The Girl in the Blue Tie-Dye Shirt: A Mud Street Misfits Adventure is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite

The Blue Witch (Witches of Orkney, Book One) by Alane Adams is a stunning fantasy story about a young witch named Abigail. Her first year at Tarkana Witch Academy is not going her way. A girl named Endera and her friends have been making Abigail’s life miserable, and she still hasn't gotten her powers, making her wonder if she's a glitch-witch. However, when a dangerous encounter with a sneevil forces her to use magic to save herself, she realizes that her witchfire is blue, not green as everyone else's is. Together with her friends, she tries to figure out why, but when she accidentally sends three fellow students to the Netherworld, she has to save them, or she will be kicked out of the coven.

I really, really enjoyed reading The Blue Witch (Witches of Orkney, Book One) by Alane Adams. The story is very gripping and draws readers in with its entertaining plot, loveable characters, and intriguing setting. The story is very exciting, filled with action and suspense. The book is entirely entertaining and is sure to make the reader want to keep reading. Abigail is a great protagonist and is someone readers will root for. The characters are all well written and complex, with hidden motives that are revealed as the story progresses. The setting is magical (literally and metaphorically), and is very well described. I was hooked by the first page and didn't want to put the book down until I reached the end. The occasional pictures are well drawn and are a nice touch. I would most definitely recommend this book.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Princess Mermaid and the Missing Sea Shells is a fairy tale for children written by Michael J. DiPinto and illustrated by Bobbie Marsh. There once was a beautiful mermaid princess who loved to spread seashells over the beaches at night for visitors to find the next day. Her name was Princess Nicole. She was busily adding shells to a beach one foggy summer night when a horde of unruly Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish quietly floated alongside her. They were pirates, and their captain, Captain J. Lee Fish, snatched the bag of shells that she carried and ordered his crew to take her hostage. No one knew what had happened to the princess until seagulls found her empty shell bag on the sandy shore along with a ransom note -- Princess Nicole would only be released upon payment of all the kingdom’s sand dollars. The mermaids instantly sprang into action. They were determined to both get their princess back and keep their sand dollars. Would they be able to thwart the will of Captain J. Lee Fish and free Princess Nicole?

On his dedication page, DiPinto recounts how he would make up stories for his son and daughter, who not only wanted him to read a book at bedtime, but also demanded a story that he made up. Reading The Princess Mermaid and the Missing Sea Shells provides ample evidence of their wisdom in insisting on having their father utilize his storytelling skills. His plot is exciting and filled with twists and turns, and illustrator Bobbie Marsh’s brilliant and colorful artwork offers a mesmerizing look into that other world under the sea. The minute I saw the grumpy and mean looks on the faces of those man o’ war pirates, I knew I was in for a treat, but each page seemed to offer even more than its predecessor.

And while it is a fairy tale, the story is a marvelous introduction to marine biology for both children and the caregivers reading the story. The beach scenes had me wistfully wishing I were there on the beach, and the underwater scenes are brimming with all manner of fishes, sharks, whales and lush coral reefs. Each picture is worth framing and hanging on a child’s wall. I also loved the fact that the illustrations allowed me to consider what was going to happen on the next page -- this interactive feature will have kids getting even more involved in this compelling tale. The Princess Mermaid and the Missing Sea Shells is a maritime adventure everyone will get excited about -- it’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite

Little Miss History Travels to the North Pole by Barbara Ann Mojica is a story that features a young girl who opens by explaining why her parents gave her the nickname “Little Miss History”; she constantly asks questions about the past. Her travels to the North Pole show her driving a sled drawn by huskies and walking with ski sticks, all on brilliant white snow. Lines of longitude, lack of a time zone, the “land” being a floating sheet of ice in the Arctic ocean, summer and winter temperatures and sunlight times, wildlife as in birds, fish, and mammals, explorers, the countries that surround the pole, the indigenous people – it is all here, beautifully illustrated with pictures and maps, and written in a clear font. Can you resist finding out the truth about Santa Claus?

This is a book written for children, and its appeal is undeniable. I loved the chatty style that subtly hides the “educational” aspect, but Barbara Ann Mojica sets out to teach and she succeeds. I learned a lot I didn’t know, and any child would absorb the fascinating facts so clearly and entertainingly explained, and, of course, drawn in by the promise of finding out about Santa Claus. By the time they can read and understand this enchanting book, they know he’s make-believe, isn’t he? He has many other names dug from the mists of time by Little Miss History. Little Miss History Travels to the North Pole is the perfect Christmas gift, and sure to be welcomed by schools at any time.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

There is nothing that provides more unconditional love and support than a pet, especially if that pet is a dog. Charlie arrived in Vine Street one summer day, starving, lonely, abandoned and looking for love and attention. He found what he was looking for in a bunch of children who spent their summer days playing in the great outdoors. He latched onto two children, siblings Marie and Patrick, enjoying the treats they offered. He followed them home, but the children’s father was not too happy. He didn’t want Charlie. At least, not at first. But Charlie was one of these loving creatures that, over time, grows on even the most reluctant dog lover. Charlie avoided being caught by the dogcatcher and was eventually accepted by everyone in the family and the entire community. That is after he was given a bath!

Julia Black’s picture book story, Charlie and the Vine Street Gang: Meet Charlie, is a comforting look at simpler times when childhood meant playing outside and getting dirty, rather than being glued to technical devices for hours on end. The story speaks tenderly of the intense love and adoration a dog offers. The memories that led to this story are obviously dear to the author’s heart and this rings through the story with passion. Illustrator Ashley Teets has captured the beauty of this loving relationship and added a little color and humor to the story with her vibrant illustrations. The story begins and ends with a scrapbook of snapshots of the children and their beloved Charlie. This book is a real treasure for readers of all ages.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Adventures of Kenzie-Moo is an educational adventure storybook for children written by Tanya Savva and illustrated by Emma Stuart. Kenzie-Moo doesn’t see with her eyes because she is blind, but her world is richly informed by each of her other senses; her ears, nose, tongue, and body all give vibrant impressions of her surroundings, and her imagination fills her world so beautifully. Kenzie uses her whole body to experience the world. When Kenzie and her mother took a trip along the Australian Coast, they shared a number of exhilarating adventures on their travels from Sydney up to the Daintree Rainforest. What did Kenzie-Moo actually see? Nothing, of course, but she did have a grand time indeed, and she shares every sense, sound, feeling and bit of excitement with her readers. Follow as she takes a ride on a helicopter, swims with a dolphin and visits the Carlo Sandblow where her voice travels for miles and miles.

The Adventures of Kenzie-Moo offers readers a new perspective on differently-abled kids. As they experience Kenzie and her mom’s Australian adventures through Kenzie-Moo’s sensory awareness, they learn to experience more of their own surroundings than what their eyes inform them. Each experience she shares is a learning experience for the reader. Emma Stuart’s illustrations are brilliant. I love her bold use of pastel colors which create magnificent frames for Kenzie-Moo and her mom’s adventures. The beach scenes make you wish you were there experiencing that icy water, and the rainforest scenes are suitable for framing for a child’s bedroom. The Adventures of Kenzie-Moo can be used interactively during story hour as the children relax with their eyes closed and share Kenzie-Moo’s experiences using her words and their own imaginations. The Adventures of Kenzie-Moo is a marvelous introduction to the differently abled, and it’s most highly recommended.