Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Did you know that there is something very magical and enchanted about an oak tree? It’s perhaps one of the oldest living trees in the forest and there are lots of stories that circulate about this tree. The one in the secret garden is over 500 years old. It stands very tall and regal, watching over its territory. The fairies like to take their tea by the old Oak Tree and they live in its branches, but the children catching butterflies merely run past it with hardly a second glance. This makes the old Oak Tree very sad. But, when Lily the Lamb is in trouble, the fairies turn to the old Oak Tree for help in finding her. And when the old Oak Tree is honored in such a way, it beams with pride.

The Enchanted Oak Tree, a picture book written by Sarah, Duchess of York, reads like a fairy tale, a fantasy that will capture the hearts of young and old alike. Beautifully illustrated, the plot develops around the old Oak Tree and the drama involving Lily the Lamb. The author uses simple language to tell the story, suitable for an early reader. Drama is accentuated by the use of onomatopoeia (noise words) like howl and baa, which are drawn out and made more elaborate with decorative fonts. The story is a delight to read and, although simple enough, it develops and becomes, like all good fairy tales, a lesson. As the young children in the story, the butterfly catchers, learn to respect their elders and to respect the environment around them, so too must young readers. This is a story full of charm and imagination.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

What’s the Worst that Could Happen? is a work of children’s fiction in the form of a picture book, which was penned by author Yewande Daniel-Ayoade with illustrations by artist Renate Logina. Aimed at children aged four to eight, this delightful book can be read accompanied or alone, in the case of older children, and is focused on concepts such as anxiety and the fear of rejection. The setting features central character Kayla, whose grandma uses the title phrase ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ when Kayla is due to start at a new school. As Kayla’s imagination veers towards disaster, so begins a lesson in learning about the fears we create for ourselves.

Social anxiety is a growing issue in young people in our modern society, and so this delightful, amusing but also poignant work from author Yewande Daniel-Ayoade couldn’t come at a better time. The introduction of Kayla as a highly approachable and likable young person is very well balanced to show how overactive her imagination and fears are in comparison to reality. I actually found a lot of her worst-case scenarios really amusing to imagine, and the gorgeous illustrative work from artist Renate Logina really makes those moments pop as the storyline progresses. The organization works well and the story builds in an accessible way for all ages of reader within the range, culminating in a very important message about overcoming fear, which is very heartwarming to read. Overall, What’s the Worst that Could Happen? is a highly recommended story for any child who suffers from such fears and worries.

Reviewed by Jacob R LaMar for Readers' Favorite

The Wonders of Summer by Kealy Connor Lonning is a tender and heartfelt story about a father and his daughter. The book takes us through many things the two enjoy doing in the summer such as smelling the roses, racing each other or catching fireflies. The text is written poetically and is formatted into quatrains to provide a regular rhythm. Probably the biggest and best surprise of the book is after the story is finished where the author dedicates the book to her daughter and husband. The author provides a picture of the two together so the reader can see the striking resemblance between them and the illustrated father and daughter from the book. It’s clear this book meant a great deal to the writer and that extra bit of feeling shows through in her writing.

The Wonders of Summer is a delightfully written story with a family-oriented message. It does a fine job implying that the activities are not what makes summer so special; it is the people we do those activities with. From a technical standpoint, the text does a nice job of staying away from forced or overly repetitive rhymes as well as staying consistent in its meter. The illustrations provided by Lora Look are vivid and endearing; they add a great deal of childhood fun to the book and capture the fun essence of summer. The Wonders of Summer by Kealy Connor Lonning is an ideal story to share with your children and a great tool for strengthening the bond between a father and his daughter. I believe in the power of this book which is why it will soon be sitting on my children’s bookshelf so I can share it with my three daughters.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Eye of Zeus by Alane Adams is the first book in the Legends of Olympus series. Phoebe Katz has spent her whole life in the foster system and has moved from place to place with only her social worker Carl looking out for her. Between a bully making her life miserable and strange incidents that always seem to come her way, she’s facing possible expulsion from her new school and a move to a new foster home. One startling discovery later and suddenly she’s fighting for her life in Olympus. Worse than that, she’s having to go up against the god of war, Ares, who has taken Carl, and she must confront several dangerous trials in a place where even the Fates are against her. Along with her two closest friends, she sets off for Olympus to save her social worker while also working to prove the prophecy wrong.

Alane Adams delivers a sensational twist on Greek mythology with an adventure full of heart, action-packed moments fit for the legends, an emotional journey, and the strength of friendship. Adams cleverly builds to the origins reveal by weaving in mythological elements through various incidents and strange sights that seem to follow Phoebe wherever she goes. Adams blends these elements into ordinary situations that are then twisted into these bizarre visions that set Phoebe up for an adventure in Olympus. Her two friends Damian and Angie are by her side through every trial faced and every creature fought with each moment pushing her to understand who she is. Her friends aid her through their skills and mythology knowledge, which are used to help her navigate this world of myths and legends while also helping her become smarter and stronger. Adams breathes new life into Greek mythology with classic beings and gods. The Eye of Zeus is the perfect adventure that will give children a passion for mythology, a love of adventure, and introduces them to fun twists on classic myths.

Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

Follow Max, Joe, Jemima, and Charlie as they travel back to 1483 London in The Shadow of the Two Princes by Wendy Leighton-Porter. Jemima hears strange voices in the night, pleading for her to help save them from their evil Uncle Richard. At first, Jemima thinks that they are talking about her uncle and it frightens her. Why would Uncle Richard want to kill her and Joe? Then, the voices tell her that they are trapped in a tower and their uncle plans on killing them. Were the voices just an awful dream? Max didn't hear the mysterious voices. Maybe it was just a dreadful dream. But Jemima is certain that the young boys she'd talked to were more than a scary dream, like Joe says. She is certain it was a plea for help sent through the reaches of time, calling them on a mission that could change the course of history. It takes her a while to convince Charlie and Joe that she really did hear voices, until something exciting happens that changes their minds. Join the young time travelers on another exciting adventure as they search for two princes that disappeared over five hundred years ago. Can they, with the help of a kindly doctor, his servant, and an unlikely new friend change the course of history? Or will they perish in the effort to protect and save the two young princes? Will Jemima and Joe find their missing parents before they die in the past? The eighth book in The Shadows From The Past series, The Shadow of the Two Princes is a must-read!

I loved reading The Shadow of the Two Princes by Wendy Leighton-Porter. Like the other adventures featuring Jemima, Max, Joe and Charlie, this book was filled with adventure, rich in history, and packed with excitement. I could hardly put the book down! I love how the author introduces history in a way that is so subtle children won't even realize that they are learning. I was thrilled to see that in this book they went to London close to the time of the War of Roses. I had struggled to understand what the War of The Roses was about when learning it in school. For some reason, it just didn't "click." So when the author explained it so simply, I wanted to hug her! She strips away all the political mumbo-jumbo and gives the reader the bare facts and then builds on them in a way that helps the reader learn while going on a historical adventure.

In the back of the book, the author clearly states what is fact and what she made up for her story, including the history behind her factual characters, so that there is no confusion for the reader. As a parent, when my children read I want them to know whether the stories are real or made-up. As a child, I would get frustrated with a historical fiction book that would twist history for the sake of the book, and then not tell the reader what was real and what was "poetic license." Wendy Leighton-Porter writes beautifully and creates exciting story worlds without altering history. I cannot recommend The Shadows From The Past Series enough! The author has written the books in a way that also makes them an excellent teaching resource. I would recommend this book for children ages 7-12. It is a chapter book with beautiful historical pictures as reference.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Incredible Adventures of Absolutely Normal is a work of fiction for children in the adventure genre and was penned by author Amanda Rotach Lamkin. Despite what the title suggests, this quirky and intelligent book follows the exploits of lead character Albert, who begins the story very much in the shadow of his brave and charismatic cousin Samuel. But when Albert is delivered to another world entirely, he has to discover what he’s really made of beyond his seeming normality. What results is a charming and empowering story about the makings of a hero and the voyage of self-discovery for young people when life puts them to the test.

Poignant and positive, but also laced with heartache, reality, and struggle, this is a book that children who feel like a bit of an underdog are sure to treasure and get inspired by every time they pick it up. The intended reading age of 7 to 12-year-olds will find that they can escape into this highly accessible book independently, or indeed discuss and explore the novel with friends and family. The chapter book formatting is gorgeous and well spread out to make this feel like a classic adventure novel, and there are varied modern themes and different personality types for Albert (and us readers) to discover, empathize with and fall for time and again. Overall, The Incredible Adventures of Absolutely Normal presents a lavishly descriptive and inspiring story from talented storyteller Amanda Rotach Lamkin, and it’s a tale not to be missed.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Paradise Man According to Thomas Merton is a short work of religious discussion aimed at readers of all ages and was penned by author Linhxuan Vu. Taking the original concept of the biblical Garden of Eden, and the suffering of humanity since its leaving the garden, Vu re-explains the garden as a metaphor in modern life for the paradise we all seek inside ourselves. Written in part as a self-help guide through discovering one’s own faith in the Christian God, this work explains Thomas Merton’s philosophy of achieving paradise whilst living, but cutting away earthly ego-driven desires and opening ourselves to the goodness of God.

Written for readers in all walks of life, whether they are devout in their daily practices or not, author Linhxuan Vu approaches God from both a philosophical and devout lens, using the real-world realistic principles of Thomas Merton as a guide. The work is well organized with quotations to support the arguments of Merton and the explanations given by Vu, strengthening the concept with every passing chapter. The tone is both instructional and inspirational, attempting to evoke a sense that paradise is indeed a real feeling which can be achieved by living humans, through the toil of creating an ‘attitude of the heart’ and accepting God’s love into their lives. Overall, The Paradise Man According to Thomas Merton presents an intelligent meshing of modern and traditional takes on Christian devotion and belief, and would certainly be a useful read to anyone seeking comfort and the need to fill the emptiness in their lives.

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 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 Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In The Good Samaritan by Ellen Boyd, Toby Garrison is still suffering from disturbing nightmares since losing both his parents. As his future seems to be looking brighter with the arrival of his Uncle Jake, who promises to take care of him, Jake is sent on a Special Forces mission to rescue his friend. While Jake is away trying to free his friend from the clutches of a notorious war criminal, Dominic Havosi, Toby is sent to live with his mother's sister, Aunt Amy, her husband and their 13-year-old son Asher. Toby discovers that his aunt harbors a deep hatred for him. As family secrets are revealed, Toby believes he is to blame for his parents' deaths. To make Toby's life even more unbearable, he discovers Jake has been reported missing. Toby sets out to find his uncle in Central America, with the help of his computer genius cousin, Asher. However, their mission doesn't go to plan and Toby finds himself in mortal danger.

This coming of age action-adventure story is explosive from the outset. The characters jump out of the pages. I loved Toby; he has been betrayed by everyone, either intentionally or unintentionally, but he remained loyal, brave, and strong-willed. The relationship between Toby and his cousin Asher was amazing. You just wanted them both to find a safe place to call home with someone they could rely on. Uncle Jake and Tucker were formidable characters too. Although they were soldiers, they had a softer side to them which made my heart melt. There are some really funny moments throughout which were a welcome relief from the heart-stopping suspense. I thought the twists and turns in the plot were executed brilliantly and caught me off guard many times. The ending was a complete tear-jerker for me; the final line about the ice-cream spoke volumes. I look forward with anticipation to the next book in this series because I really need to know what happens next.