Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Worst Book in the Whole Entire World is a quirky picture book written for kids and was produced, written and illustrated by author Joey Acker. Part of the Entire World Books Series, in it we meet a charming (if grumpy) little character called Nameless, who takes us through the many amusing reasons why we shouldn’t read a book about him. Designed with wry humor, pathos, simplicity and the occasional naughty word in mind, the whole aim of this minimalistic picture book is to deliver humor to its young readers, which it does in abundance. For early grade readers, the visual jokes and short lines provide a great basis to learn timing and humor when reading too.

I loved this weird little book, and I know many a young child who would giggle at it from cover to cover and read it over and over again. With so many books out there trying for educational content and deeper moral meanings, author Joey Acker presents a genuinely fun book that kids will definitely become immediately engrossed in. The lines are clean and simple with drawings to match, and the humor is certain to attract adults and encourage them to read with their kids too, which is always a plus. I especially enjoyed the ending, which rounds up the pathos nicely and brings a slightly brighter tone to the doom and gloom of earlier on. Overall, The Worst Book in the Whole Entire World certainly has a place on the bookshelf of any child who needs a good laugh now and then.

Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

Alycat and Bugsy excitedly began Tournament Tuesday with a race downstairs. Alycat almost tripped on her brother’s lucky golf ball he had left on the steps. Bugsy believed this special ball, with a star on it, brings him luck while playing golf. When Mom, Dad, and the children were in the car, ready to go to the golf course, Bugsy realized he had forgotten this ball. His mother reminded him it is hard work and practice that improves a golf game. But at his insistence, Alycat went back into the house and got the ball for him. They soon joined their friends on the course and played eighteen holes of golf. Bugsy played well, but there was a surprise for him at the end of the game. Author Alysson Foti Bourque has written an engaging children's book in Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday.

The story is entertaining while imparting an important message to children. Hard work and practice are necessary to attain one’s goals, not lucky items. Also demonstrated is the support among family members, as well as camaraderie among friends. The illustrations by Chiara Civati are delightfully detailed. The pictures will capture the imaginations of young children. This book provides an opportunity for parents to discuss the benefits of practice in every area of a child’s life – from schoolwork, sports, or playing a musical instrument. Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday, written by Alysson Foti Bourque, teaches an important life lesson to young readers. It is one book of a series that children will love!

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Tooth Fairy's Tummy Ache is a children’s picture book written by Lori Orlinsky and illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre. Losing the first tooth is both an exciting and strange part of growing up. But what if you accidentally swallow that first tooth? How do you leave it under your pillow for the Tooth Fairy? Will she even visit the house if there’s no tiny white tooth awaiting her? The little girl in this story was biting on a sweet, crisp apple when she felt a crack and realized her tooth had come loose. What a shock when she realized that she swallowed it along with that bite of the apple! What should she do? The plan she comes up with seems to work -- at first, that is -- but the little trick she plays on the Tooth Fairy causes all manner of difficulties.

The Tooth Fairy's Tummy Ache is a humorous look at what is probably a relatively common occurrence. The child’s pragmatic approach to the problem seems like it worked until it doesn’t. Orlinsky’s story eloquently illustrates why it’s always better to be upfront about problems, even things like swallowing a lost tooth. The Tooth Fairy’s solution is one that works brilliantly on so many levels. This is one of those kids’ books that is funny and filled with the silly goodness kids love, while at the same time it teaches them the importance of being honest and asking adults for help when they have a problem. Vanessa Alexandre’s bright and colorful illustrations work so well with the text. I especially liked the drawing of the Tooth Fairy sitting on her giant toothbrush as she ponders the strange tooth she receives and the images of her Workshop and fairy friends. The Tooth Fairy's Tummy Ache is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite

Pekin Dewlap has had an obsession with spirits and the unknown for as long as she can remember. This might be because she could actually see ghosts. As she grew older this gift began to wane, but she wants to contact and help spirits still. In high school now, Pekin starts up a ghost hunting business and finally gets her first client. Elonia inherited 12 Elmwood but has had difficulty in fixing it up and selling it. For decades the house had been left unattended and abandoned due to a spirit that drives everyone away. Elonia enlists young Pekin to rid the house of the ghost, so she can sell the place. Pekin gets her two best friends Scout and Amber to help her out with her first job. The supernatural activity takes place immediately after the teens set foot in the abandoned house. The trio soon finds out that the house was the scene of a crime that took place nearly a hundred years earlier. Young Miranda Talbert was fourteen when she went missing and was never found again. After a few weekends of them visiting and cleaning up the old house, none other than Miranda Talbert herself appears. Will Pekin and her friends be able to help young Miranda cross over? Or will her murderer succeed in silencing them once and for all?

I think Pamela McCord did an amazing job with The Haunting of Elmwood Manor: A Pekin Dewlap Mystery. Being interested in the paranormal, I found Pekin and her hobby very relatable. She’s a well-written character who is easily likable, along with her best friend Scout. It took me a while to warm up to Amber’s character but midway through the book I found myself liking her as well. It’s a unique plot that is unlike many supernatural books I have read before. The storyline is easy to follow and grasps readers' attention whether they are a middle schooler or an adult. Miranda’s backstory was really chilling and fascinating to read about. The book definitely had a Nancy Drew and Supernatural feel to it. I also liked the ending which was something that I didn’t expect but found myself loving. I’d definitely like to read more about these modern-day ghostbusters in the future.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Guinevere: The Legend is the concluding entry in the Guinevere trilogy by Cheryl Carpinello, a compelling Arthurian tale with strong characters and a story that explores the themes of friendship and loyalty against the backdrop of a society rocked by a crisis. The little children have been kidnapped, and Cedwyn is with them. Guinevere has made a vow to rescue Cedwyn and she leaves home without telling her father, an act that fills her with guilt. But she doesn’t know her bravery might put Cedwyn in harm’s way. She is just fifteen. And eleven-year-old Cedwyn trusts her absolutely, considering her as his queen. He is certain that she’s coming for him and the children. Can she save them from the renegades who hold the children captive? Traveling across the dark waters to the land beyond, Gaul, is perilous. In spite of the grim tales she’s heard from the old wizard Merlyn, will she continue?

This is a beautifully written story with fascinating characters, set in medieval England, and featuring characters of legend like King Arthur and Merlyn. In this novel, the author deftly develops a tale of adventure that revolves around Guinevere as a young girl and her loyalty to those she loves. The reader encounters her at the very start of the story, poised and on the go, determined to save her friend. Cedwyn is a richly developed young character as well and I enjoyed the way the author develops his friendship and devotion to the protagonist. The writing is filled with strong imagery, including elements of the setting like the rugged landscapes. The author’s unique ability to unveil the strong emotions of the characters and to keep the story realistic is a great addition to the strengths of the novel. The medieval era is reflected in the unique style of conversation and in the beliefs of the characters. Guinevere: The Legend is a gripping tale that keeps the reader turning the pages until the very last one.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Remember to give your princess a rose on St George's Day. What is the reason? St George and the Dragon: The Legend of St. George and the Dragon, written by Mark Watson and illustrated by Richard Caine, is the story of St George, the bravest and finest in the land. He is returning home from crusading with a shield and a lance at hand. As George reaches closer to the shore, he sees that the harbor is no more and the town is ravaged and torn. He sees his castle on the mountain top, bathed in a ray of light. A frightful sound comes from the pit beside the castle and a dragon rises from the gorge. He sees George and asks him if he is all alone. George says that he has no army and he will either fight and win or fight and die. The dragon flicks George off the bridge where they are standing but George is pulled in by his castle's soldiers. George makes a plan to defeat the dragon while recovering slowly. Will he succeed in his mission?

The story is informative and tells young readers about the valor and courage of George who slays the dragon. The illustrations are vibrant and vivid and they bring the story alive for readers and help them understand the reason for giving roses to their princesses on St George's Day and why St George's Day is celebrated all over. The narration is simple and is easy for children to read and learn about the legendary tale of St George and the dragon. It is a good book to help children understand the importance of St George's Day and tutors and educators can use it in classrooms and school libraries for read aloud and story telling sessions. It is a good book to gift to youngsters as the story will teach children about St George and his bravery.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Mariko and the Magic Mirror by Kristi Shimada is a child’s fairytale story. Mariko’s mother is dying and, as her legacy, she gave Mariko a magic mirror. Saddened by her mother’s death, Mariko looks into the mirror and she sees a white owl. The owl transports her to a magical place where anything is possible, a place that only she can visit when she wants to remember her mother. Why don’t you join Mariko on her visit to this beautiful, unknown place, one where spirit animals and spirit guides reside in perfect harmony?

Mariko and the Magic Mirror by Kristi Shimada is a fabulous story and credit must be given to Eko Setiawan for the amazing illustrations. This is an easy book to follow, very well written and in simple language. There are some fabulous characters and an exciting story, one that teaches so much. This story will teach children about dying and death, that it isn’t something to be feared. It teaches them about accepting what happens and that there is always hope for another life. The illustrations really help bring this beautiful story to life, brilliantly colored, yet exuding peace and calm. It’s an original story, a great way of dealing with death in a light and magical way while keeping it real. Even without the illustrations, the descriptive writing transports you to this wonderful afterlife, crossing the Rainbow River on the Rainbow Bridge. Beautifully written and illustrated, this story will wrench a whole range of emotions out of you, regardless of your age.

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

Most people have heard of the Disney Corporation, but not everyone knows the story behind it. Meet the Disney Brothers by Aaron H. Goldberg tells the story of the men behind the animation studio: Walt Disney and his older brother Roy. The book begins when the two are children growing up on a farm, and finishes with Walt’s death in 1966 and Roy's in 1971 and tells of all the events in between, like the first time Walt was paid to draw something, his job as a news butcher on a railroad, his role in World War I, the first cartoons Walt made, the loss of Oswald the lucky rabbit, the making of Snow White, and the opening of Disneyland.

I really enjoyed reading Meet the Disney Brothers. I learned a lot from reading it and found it very educational. The book is well written in chronological order of the events the Disney brothers faced. I loved that the book included fun facts about Disneyland and Walt Disney World, which are all very interesting. The book is very informative and well researched. It also includes pictures on some pages, which are all very cute and well-drawn and the chapter titles in the iconic Disneyland font adds a nice touch. Walt Disney’s story is a very inspiring one about never giving up, and I'm really glad that the author chose to tell it. This is an absolute must-read for all Disney fans, and I would definitely recommend it.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus by Don Kennedy is a charming and delightful collection of various moments he has experienced volunteering as Santa Claus. After a friend got sick and he filled in as Santa Claus for a Christmas party, Kennedy found an unexpected passion that would stay with him through the next several years. Kennedy has gathered together several memorable moments from kids that are funny and heartwarming while at times being heartbreaking and eye-opening, taken from his time volunteering for organizations such as fire shelters, hospitals, military bases, and women’s shelters.

On the surface, the book is a simple read that shares quick moments with kids that have made an impact on Don Kennedy when he was Santa, but this also serves as a great eye-opener and reminder about the Christmas spirit and hope that is inspired through these children. Each moment that Kennedy shares is a great example of the role Santa plays in the lives of children. Several moments included are funny while others are touching and will tug at the heart. The humor is delightful in an innocent way such as trying to pay their way off the naughty list, siblings telling on each other, or a boy calling his sister a pain. Kennedy perfectly captures how blunt and innocent kids are through the wonderful and special way they see the world around them.

The structure is organized based on the different locations that Kennedy has volunteered at. Each chapter explores various needs the children have from humorous concerns about the naughty list to more heartwarming needs such as wanting their soldier dad to come home. These heartful moments are deeply emotional with kids showing their wit and their heart which include charming moments such as asking Santa to dance with their mom because she’s been sad, wanting to visit a man in the hospital who doesn’t get visitors, and wanting to send a letter to heaven. Kennedy also shares a few personal stories during his time as Santa such as being pulled over by a cop, being puked on, getting diet advice, and the touching moments he’s been part of.

Kennedy’s stories are perfect for the holiday season and though it focuses primarily on the Christmas season, Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa Claus is perfect for any time of year. Each moment spent with the children provides hope and the need to have something special to believe in to get through tough times like deployment, illness, and other difficult situations. The humorous and heartwarming moments will make you smile and warm your heart.

Reviewed by Rebecca S Winner for Readers' Favorite

Fascinating Facts for the Whole Family: Trivia about Human Body and Cute Animals by Nayden Kostov is a non-fiction trivia book for all ages. This book begins with some interesting facts about some of our favorite animals that happen to all be mammals: cats, dogs, pandas, horses, and pigs. The rest of the book tells interesting facts about the human body. That portion is divided into numerous sections, mostly concentrating on different organs: the brain, blood and blood vessels, heart, skin, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, bones, muscles, lungs, stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, and kidneys. The illustrations are hand-drawn by the author's son. At the end of the book is a list of sources used by the author.

Fascinating Facts for the Whole Family by Nayden Kostov is a great book for people of all ages. I like the way the facts are organized with numbers beside them. I was impressed with the picture of the tiger. I was so amazed by some of the facts that I had to check them out to prove it to myself. The human body was well covered with the topics on the list. I liked that the topics were arranged in a sensible order, with the senses together, heart by blood vessels, stomach by intestines, etc. This book has some pretty involved wording, so not for small children who look for bright colored pictures. I loved that the book stated that the heart begins beating in an unborn baby at 20 days.