Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

This cute little dog started barking because he wanted someone to take him outside. So he goes to each family member, barking to let them know he wanted to go outside. But each person he went to didn’t have time to take him out. So what did this cutie dog do? He disrupted what each one was doing to get their attention. But that still didn’t work because they only yelled for someone else to take the dog out. Wow, what is a cute little dog to do when no one will listen to him and all he wants is to go outside? Written by Lynne Dempsey, Take the Dog Out! will entertain your children as you read it to them over and over.

This book is so charming. There are not many words to the book, but it doesn’t need words because the pictures are so amazing that they tell the story. Mandy Newham-Cobb does a fantastic job of illustrating each page with the most adorable and vivid illustrations, making it clear what is happening in this story. And at the end of the story, the author challenges children to read the story again and lists several different things for them to watch for and count in the illustrations on each page. I love this idea because it lets the child interact more with the story.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Tyler the Fish Saves Lake Erie by Meaghan Fisher is a story with a concept for small kids that will raise awareness about the hazards of pollution. Tyler is just another playful bass who lives in Lake Eerie. Like any other young fish, he love to play and explore the lake. One day while playing the game Fish Tag, he and his friend Jimmy find themselves in new waters. They realize that there is something wrong with the water as it is brown. They have to find out the cause and come up with a plan to save the lake and the creatures living in it. Will Tyler and Jimmy be able to save it before the entire lake is poisoned?

The book comes up with a beautiful message of protecting the environment. It is a beautiful story that tells children about the efforts and hard work by Tyler, Jimmy, and the seagulls to save the lake from being poisoned. It is a theme that is relevant in today's times. I would recommend teachers, educators, and parents to use this story in classrooms and libraries for read-aloud sessions because it teaches kids the importance of keeping the environment clean for a safe existence.

The illustrations are beautifully executed, giving life and movement to the story and the characters. I would recommend this story to all kids because of the theme and its importance. It a good way to make children aware of pollution and to work together to give ourselves a clean and healthy environment.

Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

Meet Stevie the Hopposaurus. Stevie was left on the doorstep of a house where Monostics lived. The sisters gladly accepted Stevie as their own, and treated Stevie with love and care. Stevie was happy. Stevie went to school and tried to make new friends. The other students, however, didn't want anything to do with Stevie; Stevie looked different from them, acted different from them, and was just unusual. The other students began to pick on Stevie and made him feel unwelcome. Stevie was not happy at school, until one day something fantastic happened.

Stevie the Hopposaurus by Nathan Minier is a delightful children's book introducing young readers to the concepts of love, friendship, bullying, and acceptance. Author Nathan Minier grasps the attention of young readers with brightly colored and fun illustrations, unique characters, and relatable messages within the story line. The main character is a very different kind of dinosaur from the rest of the characters. He is picked on for being different. Many young people and adults can relate to Stevie's experiences, feelings, and general situation as most go through a similar experience at one point or another in their own lives.

Nathan Minier has created a very special and most useful tool or resource for helping kids understand that it is okay to be different, but not okay to be a bully. Parents, teachers, and other adults can read this book to young children to help them understand, cope, or help with the anxieties bullying and being different present. Stevie the Hopposaurus is a wonderful book that I recommend for all to read and enjoy.

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever moved to a new place and felt all alone because you had no friends? That’s what this beautiful book is about. This young girl was not only new with no friends, she couldn’t speak the language of those in her new hometown. This girl finds comfort in the beautiful garden at her new home, the mysterious wind becoming her first imaginary friend. As she spends time in the garden, the trees begin to talk to her, and these three trees became her friends as well. This leads to a beautiful imaginary world to this young one, helping her cope with the loneliness she faces.

This is a lovely book for young girls, and especially young girls who face loneliness because of being in a new place. They are sure to find peace and encouragement in the special values taught in The Trees Have Hearts. Mrs. D does a wonderful job of reaching out to kids in a unique way in this book. The beautiful trees give warmth and peace as they spread their blooms throughout the garden and into the hearts of those who read this book. The cover is beautiful and appealing, and the illustrations and colors throughout the book are adorable, heartwarming, and peaceful. Any young girl would want to snatch this book from the shelves to have as their own. I encourage parents of young girls to purchase this one for your child’s library. And even if you haven’t found yourself moving lately, this book can still have a positive impact on your child’s self confidence.

Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus lived alone with their dog Blazer. They took him for long walks through the forest where they would enjoy the view of the brightly decorated Christmas trees. Both Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus did not know who decorated those trees so elegantly, but Santa had heard a story that magical elves were doing it. Mrs. Claus did not believe that story, but she sure did want a tree for her home. Santa surprised her with a Christmas tree one morning and they enjoyed decorating it and looking at it while they made their preparations for Christmas. With them being so busy, the tree wasn't being properly cared for, and a horrible accident occurred. To their delight, Santa and Mrs. Claus encountered a wonderful and welcoming surprise soon after.

The Christmas Tree Elf by Valentine D'Arcy Sheldon is a delightful and cheerful holiday fable, accompanied by skillful and colorful illustrations sure to keep a young reader or listener's attention. The story plot is very endearing and charming, along with its characters. Children love Christmas, and enjoy learning about Christmas and its history. This is a fun and exciting fable for children to learn how the first Christmas tree came to be at Santa's home. Like the old classics - Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer or The Night Before Christmas - The Christmas Tree Elf is sure to become one of those classics to be read during the holiday season or to be put on display, adding Christmas cheer to the bookshelves.

Reviewed by Tania Staley for Readers' Favorite

The Little Firefly, by Sheri Fink, is an adorable tale about a young firefly who longs to shine. He watches the older fireflies glow and dance and play exciting games of Fire Tag. As he watches, he dreams of the day he will be able to join them. But what if he never shines like the other fireflies? One of his friends tells him that fireflies that don’t learn to shine get sent to live with the June bugs. But his parents wouldn’t send him away, would they? As all of his friends begin to glow, the Little Firefly wonders if he will ever have his night to shine.

Sheri Fink’s book, The Little Firefly, is a heartwarming tale that will teach children that they will all grow up and have their chance to shine in their own unique time. It is also a story that shows that even if you are different or slower to develop than others, those who love you will support and care for you no matter what. I highly recommend adding this book to any child’s library and think it would be an excellent tale to share in elementary classrooms. The story is engaging and fun to read, and the illustrations created by Mary Erickson Washam are absolutely beautiful. It is a simply stunning and aesthetically pleasing book to read. I can’t wait to read more from the Whimsical World of Sheri Fink Collection, and to share this tale with my own niece and nephew.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Holly Horse and The Great Quest by Jennifer Loveless is a delightful book about Holly the horse, her adventures, and her meeting Gary the goat with whom she becomes very friendly.

This is one of the best children's books I have read because it is so simple. It is educational as well with a delightful concept behind the story. The book introduces young readers to the world of animals, how they like to make friends with other animals, and how they also lead adventurous lives. Gary the goat is another likable character.

The story is complemented beautifully through pictures. The illustrations are absolutely stunning in their texture and style. That makes the book even more attractive for a young reader. The illustrations have also created an identity for the animals and their surroundings. Both Holly and Gary are illustrated so well that they remain in your mind. The mountains, the animals and the delectable grass are all fascinating for a little child.

It's a story book which every school library should keep because it really develops children's comprehension skills. It also makes them curious to read more about animals and perhaps try out coloring pictures. A stimulating, fun read for any young child.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Golden Wood (The King of the Trees, 3) by William D. Burt is the third book of the series. King Rolin and Queen Marlin are forced into exile. With their companions, they set out to discover the secrets of the fabled golden forests from the griffins. They must also ask for help from the Wood Folk, an ancient race.

The book, like the previous two books, is filled with adventure, mystery, and fantasy. The whimsy element always attracts readers because it provides a surreal and ethereal feel to the story and its descriptions. The author has created a new world for children filled with tree-men, owl-faced griffins, and has made Lucambra an enchanted area. Adventure and fantasy stories go well together and always attract readers. The creativity of the author is reflected in the characters, the places, and the descriptions.

The story has a Christian theme and message for readers. Books with a message and a moral are always good for young readers because they always manage to make an impact. It is not only a book for children because adults can enjoy this adventure/fantasy tale as well. The rhymes, the simple song at the end, and the black and white sketches add to the charm of the book.

Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite

“James Saves the Moon”, written by Wendy Nystrom, is a delightful children’s picture book that combines a child’s imagination with Icelandic mythology. The illustrations by Jim Weidman, in a blue tone with colorful characters, lend a mythological feel to the story of a young boy (James), who sees the moon over one of the high mountains and decides that if he climbs to the top of the mountain he can reach out and touch the moon. Slipping quietly out of his bedroom window, he sets out on his journey. On his way up the mountain he stumbles over some rocks and disturbs one of Iceland’s mythological figures (Syvok), who joins him on his journey. They suddenly realize that unless they move faster, the moon will leave before they make it to the top of the mountain. In order that they can move faster, Syvok summons a dragon (Matthias), who allows them to ride on his back. They discover that the moon is stuck on the mountain and they will have to help get it unstuck. The three work as a team to set the moon free and while doing so, James truly does touch the moon.

The color of the illustrations by Jim Weidman and the very well-written story by Wendy Nystrom make “James Saves the Moon” a rare treasure for a children’s picture book. Its simplicity combined with the kind of story that stirs the imagination of a child make it something that will stick in the mind of the reader for a lifetime. This book gives a little bit of a taste of the colorful and flavorful history of Iceland and its traditions. It is highly recommended for its ability to help stir a child’s imagination. A wonderfully simple and delightful tale.

Reviewed by K T Bowes for Readers' Favorite

In The Fairies of Turtle Creek, Jill K. Sayre has cleverly painted Claire Collins as a little girl on the threshold of something new. She is in the hiatus between girl and womanhood, in that last summer before high school and at her most impressionable. Life experience has taught her that emotions are dangerous and should be avoided at all cost. In Claire's life, science and logic have replaced fanciful imaginings. With her older brother away serving his country, Claire sees emotion leaking out of her frantic parents and she chooses to immerse herself in her sketching and time spent with her good friend Lacey. Until the arrival of her Grandma from England. There are many unknown factors surrounding the old lady's visit - how long will she stay? Why is she coming? Will Claire be expected to interact with her? With the old lady's arrival comes the dawning of something new for Claire, opening her up to a different way of thinking about her world and herself, especially the completely non-scientific notion that fairies may actually exist. There are mirrors between Claire's life and her Grandma's, which are both intriguing and enchanting. But her Grandma has come home for two very specific reasons and Claire will be forced to struggle with both, until she learns how to deal with the depths of her own heart.

I adored the character of Claire. She is both plausible and yet quirky, childlike, and scientific. Jill K. Sayre has cleverly given us an inside view of a child’s dilemma and resolution. Immediately we are ‘part’ of the action rather than casual voyeurs. This novel is delightful, flawlessly executed and beautifully presented. The chapter breaks with their detailed embellishments and poetry are a joy to look at, even before the quality of the story is experienced. The descriptions of the natural world are detailed and interesting, betraying how much thought has gone into this novel, and the characters are both endearing and charming. This novel has a wide range of appeal, able to be enjoyed by an advanced primary reader, right through to older teenagers (who may not admit to reading it, but would thoroughly lose themselves in it) to adults, looking for something less cynical to get stuck into.