Words

Words by Katherine Davis-Gibbon

Reviewed by Diana Coyle

In “Words” by Katherine Davis-Gibbon, readers are taken on a magical journey of discovering how words can have such an emotional impact on our lives. Words can teach us something new, convey a message, or even allow us to share emotions or thoughts with others. Each word we pick to speak is just as uniquely different as each of us is. Amazingly, the same word used could have different meanings for the person saying them and receiving them. Will you now stop and pay closer attention to the words that surround you every day? You’ll be happily surprised at what you just might discover.  Purchase Here.

I truly enjoyed this children’s book and felt it was in a class all its own. The theory of presenting to a child that words are just as fun and different as you are was such a refreshing concept to read as a theme for a children’s picture book. As an adult, it made me stop to think about how we each use words every day to communicate many different emotions. We can tell a story with words or even express an emotion. The words we choose have different levels of intensity depending on how we use them. Never did I read any book that came off with such an impactful message as Katherine Davis-Gibbon has written.

Another thing I want to mention is how cleverly Ms. Davis-Gibbon incorporated certain words, sometimes obviously, while other times cryptically, to her readers. Readers of all ages will stop and take their time looking at the illustrations to see what the next word might be in the picture and how that word chosen tells a different story from the others used.

The illustrations provided by Anne Berry were not only fun to look at, but the depth of each picture created pulls readers in to see what story that page is ready to present to its readers. The colors are vibrant and easily draw the readers deeper into their reading experience. There is plenty for the readers to visually take in as they turn the pages, looking at these full-paged illustrations. Anne Berry is a professional illustrator who has created art for children’s books, magazines, curricula, greeting cards, and more for over ten years.

Katherine Davis-Gibbon is not only an award-winning children’s book author; but also a yoga teacher, a meditation practitioner, and the founder of the children’s book company Riverlet Press.

Overall, “Words” by Katherine Davis-Gibbon is one book that can be enjoyed by readers young and old. The storyline is just as refreshingly unique as each chosen word character that was drawn into this enjoyable children’s picture book. This children’s book comes highly recommended!

 

Let's Do Everything and Nothing

Let’s Do Everything and Nothing by Julia Kuo

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

I picked up a copy of Let’s Do Everything and Nothing, not really knowing what to expect. It’s short, quiet, and doesn’t try to impress you with a big story or flashy words. But wow—it got to me. There’s something about the way it captures love and presence that made me pause.  Purchase Here.

The book follows two people—possibly a mom and daughter, maybe not. It doesn’t spell it out, and honestly, it doesn’t need to. What matters is how they move through the world together. They do big things like climbing mountains and swimming in oceans, but also small things like lying on the floor and watching shadows stretch. And somehow, the small stuff felt bigger.

What is meant by the statement, “Let’s do everything and nothing”? Even though it might seem like you are not doing much, as long as you are with someone you love, you are enjoying the time together, and that is what truly matters. This is the main theme throughout the book.

The illustrations are colorful and match each page. There are little cultural touches—shrimp chips, Chinese calligraphy—that made it feel personal. It’s the kind of book you want to read slowly, maybe even out loud, just to let it sink in.

After I finished it, I sat there for a minute and thought about the people I’ve shared quiet moments with. It made me feel a little nostalgic, but in a good way. This book is recommended for children 3-6 years old. However, this isn’t just a children’s book—it’s a reminder of how special it is to be with someone we simply love.

Thank You, Mama

Thank You, Mama by Linda Meeker

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

So, I was glad I grabbed “Thank You, Mom” on a whim. It is the kind of book that feels like a hug — plain, true, and soft around the edges. Step into the shoes of a mom with nothing but love, and you will be inspired to think about how you truly appreciate all the small things a woman does, as Linda Meeker encapsulates motherhood in such a loving and heartfelt light.  Purchase Here.

It is a story that may not have much flash or over-the-top drama, but that’s partly why it works. From a child’s point of view, we see that regular parts of life, such as packing lunches, providing words of encouragement, and simply being present through the hard moments, are grand gestures. I thought of my mom then, that yearning note in the back of my mind brings me so many memories of her, and I saw there what I see about my mama — the gentle strength with which a child is offered all along.

The pictures have a gentle and loving feel to them, which pairs perfectly with the story itself. And it reads like a bedtime story to your child, or a great gift book for any mother who needs a reminder that what she is doing makes all the difference.

But what struck me, and what I adore most about the book, is how universal it sounds. This book is for moms and people with moms who are like your mother; it is all about them. It is a wonderful read for those of you celebrating motherhood in a serene, mindful way.

I Love You Daddy

I Love You, Daddy by Jillian Harker

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Jillian Harker’s I Love You, Daddy is a soft and beautifully illustrated story that showcases the special bond between father and child. Together with Kristina Stephenson’s amazing artwork, the book takes us on quite a journey with Little Bear and Daddy Bear—one that children and adults will enjoy.  Purchase Here.

Little Bear wants to feel grown up. With Daddy Bear close by, he tackles climbing trees, hunting for honey, and preparing their den for the winter. Each task takes Little Bear closer to his goal. All in all, it is not easy – he encounters some stumbles along the way. Through it all, Daddy Bear offers steady encouragement, gently guiding Little Bear without taking away the joy of discovery.  The story is easy for young readers to follow, making it a wonderful addition to a bedtime ritual or quiet reading time. The book shows how children’s confidence blooms when love and reassurance are freely given.

Stephenson’s illustrations are a delight—soft, warm colors and expressive characters create a cozy world. Every page pulls you deeper into the bears’ journey, with sweet little details that make kids giggle or smile.

The story emphasizes how a parent’s presence builds courage and security.  It teaches kids that it’s okay to need help, even when they want to be grown up.  This story is great to show how important it is for a father and child to bond.

This book is ideal for:
– Young children ages 2–6
– Dads who want to build deeper connections with their kids through storytelling
– Families looking for a read for bedtime or Father’s Day

I Love You, Daddy isn’t just your usual picture book—it’s a celebration of emotional warmth and the trust that builds through patient parenting. Its charm lies in its simplicity and its heartfelt message: love lets us grow, but it’s also what holds us when we need comfort.

Whether you’re a dad reading this to your little one or someone cherishing memories of a supportive parent, the story will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a smile.

I Love You Grandma

I Love You Grandma

Reviewed Nancy Eaton

I Love You, Grandma is a children’s book that shares the special bond between a grandmother and her grandchild. The book emphasizes love, family, and cherished memories.  Purchase Here.

Grandmas are the best! Why?

Rain or shine, Grandma is always there to hug and play with you. If you make a mistake, Grandma understands and will tell you never mind. If you are scared, she will tell you everyone cries at one time or another. You can do so many things with your Grandma. How many times have you told stories to each other? The important thing is Grandma will always make time for you. Best of all, Grandma always makes you feel safe. Because of all these nice things, you are convinced that there will never be anyone as special as your Grandma.

I Love You Grandma is an adorable picture book. The photos are fun to observe, very colorful and bring the story to life. This book would make a great gift for any grandmother because she could read it to her grandchild. You can tell by looking at the photos how much Grandma and Grandchild love each other. This book is appropriate for ages Baby though 5 years.

Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home by Jody A. Dean and Illustrated by Susie Lee Jin

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Roxie is filled with excitement because today is her special day. Her foster mom reminded her that she will be going to her Forever Home. Although Roxie has never met her new mom and feels a bit anxious, her foster mom, Dawn, reassured her. Dawn has met Roxie’s new family members and has seen their house, which is perfect.  Purchase Here.

Roxie wondered what her new mom and house would be like. She was excited to have a sister to play with. When she saw her new mom come to the door, she felt happy.

Now came the difficult part. Roxie felt sad because she knew she had to say goodbye to her foster mom and dad. Her mom told her not to be unhappy, as she could visit them whenever she wanted. This reassured Roxie and made her feel very happy.

This is Roxie’s first ride in a car, and she even has a special doggie seat. Excitement grew as they drove up the driveway to meet her new sister and see her forever home. Her new sister’s name is Mina. They became great friends as they ran and played together, eventually getting so tired that they fell asleep side by side. They shared dinner and even learned to share the same bed.
As Roxie fell asleep, she realized that it didn’t matter what her new mom looked like, what the new house was like, or what color her new sister was. She knew she was loved by her new family, and that was all that truly mattered.

This book includes pages with information about the real Roxie the Doxie. Also included is a guide to adoption for parents and therapists. The illustrations are charming and colorful, perfectly capturing the essence of the author’s message on each page. Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home is a joy for both parents and children, offering a wonderful reading experience for anyone involved in the adoption process. It delivers a powerful message that resonates deeply. Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home is recommended for ages 4-9. This book is perfect for reading aloud to your children and makes an exceptional gift.

I Love You Mommy

I Love You, Mommy by Jillian Harker

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Little Bear wanted to try some new experiences but soon realized he was not able to do these things without some help and lessons from his mother.  Purchase Here.

Little Bear thought it would be a simple task to go swimming and catch a fish. He ran to the river and jumped onto a rock. It’s a good thing that Mommy was right behind him. Little Bear jumped onto a rock and tried to reach out to catch a fish. Well, that didn’t go as planned. Little Bear heard a splash and realized he was in the water. His first thought was “this doesn’t feel so good”.

Mommy tried to give him some encouragement. She told Little Bear it was a “good try”. She gave him some lessons on how to swim and catch a fish. She told him to try again. This time, his experience was much better, and he thought “this feels good”. He also told his Mommy that he loved her.

Little Bear’s Mommy gave him many other valuable lessons on picking fruits, climbing trees and how to be gentle when playing with other cubs.

With each lesson, Little Bear told his Mommy he loved her.

The age recommendation for I Love You, Mommy is Baby-4 years. This is a wonderful book and shows the bond a mother has with her child. It also emphasizes how important encouragement can be in teaching children new skills. This is an excellent book for a mother and child to spend time reading together. The illustrations are beautifully done, and the colors are vibrant.

This is an awesome gift for many occasions including showers, births, Mother’s Day, and birthdays.

Odd Dog Out

Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

What does it mean to be different?

Odd Dog Out is a story about a dog that is different and does not fit in. No matter what, this dog just stands out from all the other dogs.  Purchase Here.

Tired of trying to fit in, Odd Dog decides it is time to leave and go to another town. After walking through many seasons and climbing mountains, she walks till she can walk no more. Did she finally find the place she was looking for? She found Doggywood. Much to her amazement, she found hundreds of other dogs just like her.   They also rode a bike and played guitars. Oh no! She spotted one dog behaving differently. Odd Dog told her new friend that she feels for her.   Odd Dog was really surprised when her new friend said “You’ve got it wrong. I really feel like I belong”. She explained that she loves to stand out in a crowd and told Odd Dog that she should stand tall and be proud.

Odd Dog now realized that her new friend was right. She is now convinced that nothing is wrong with being different and just being “me”.

Odd Dog began her journey home with a new attitude. All of her friends were do happy to see her return. They were cheering and clapping.   They told her how much she was missed and that being different is really great. Odd Dog now noticed other dogs behaving differently. Everyone has a right to be a star!

I love to review children’s books. These books all have a message, and the one emphasized here is BE WHO YOU ARE!   Everyone, even if they are different, has something special to offer and there is nothing wrong about standing out in a crowd!

Odd Dog Out is recommended for ages 4-8 and is a wonderful picture book for parents to read to their children. This book is written and beautifully illustrated by Rob Biddulph.  The illustrations are colorful and attention grabbing!

 


Tommy Rocket and the Goober Patrol

Tommy Rocket and the Goober Patrol by Thomas Kuhn

Reviewed by Teri Takle

Nate lives a reasonably everyday life for a 10-year-old boy. Along with his parents, little brother, big sister, and grandmother, life survives with little excitement. The school exists, but Nate’s standard is to get by doing as little work as possible and to tolerate his admiring little brother.   Nothing exciting has ever happened to Nate until he met Tommy Rocket.  Purchase Here.

Tommy Rocket is your typical 10-year-old boy, except he only has one human friend. Life with a wheelchair can be confining, but Tommy has adjusted well by creating his social group with A.I. robots that he invented with his father’s help. Normal? For his one human friend, Nate Turner, this relationship can be challenging as Tommy really does not understand what it takes to be a friend.   Tommy doesn’t usually use the telephone to call Nate. How would you react to a robotic helicopter tapping at your window with a coded message? Yes, you have to use a decoder ring to decrypt the message. Have you ever been treated as an obedient robot?  That is how Nate feels when he plays with Tommy.

Learning how to relate to others is not Tommy’s strong point, but his robots are fascinating. Tommy’s basement is his playroom which isn’t your typical playroom.  Functioning robots are everywhere.  Each one has their own purpose which Tommy created.  These are Tommy’s true friends, his Goober Patrol.  Also, his creations are extraordinary.  Sentient, meaning they can think for themselves, best describes them.  Due to a special chip Tommy’s dad created, called a Prometheus Chip, each robot has some degree of freewill.    Now you can begin to see what intrigues Nate with this unusual friendship. Tommy Rocket and the Goober Patrol is a wonderfully engaging adventure for boys aged 8-12. I strongly feel that most children would thoroughly enjoy this book either to read by themselves or as read out loud to them.  The adventures are fun, and yes, even dangerous.   As for characterization, the reader knows Nate and Tommy well.   You can easily visualize each boy as well as the various robots. The illustrations are perfectly matched and enhance the story line. Moral character and doing the right thing is woven within the storyline.

This often-overlooked development is expertly exhibited as problematic for the characters which is realistic. The illustrations perfectly match the text. These are needed to show that Nate is black and Tommy is white. Nate comes from a blue-collar family and Tommy from white. Tommy’s family is well-educated, Nate’s is not. Through all these differences the friendship grows through Nate’s compassion, patience and morality. My only complaint was the reference to Marlin Perkins who passed away in 1986.

Do kids today have any idea who this renowned zoologist is?    I would suggest to the author to rewrite that section and either use Steve Irwin, who is still well-known although deceased, or the Kratt Brothers.    The challenges of Tommy Rocket and the Goober Patrol are vocabulary and the length of the novel. Vocabulary might be difficult for the younger readers, but the story is so engaging that readers are likely to want to know any unfamiliar word. The book length can be overwhelming to some readers, but this author expertly engages the reader with this captivating tale on the first page. Tommy Rocket and the Goober Patrol is difficult to separate yourself from the book from the beginning. Warning: This book is addictive. I adored this novel, and even though I am far from being a 10-year-old boy, I have purchased and am currently reading the author’s other book.

First Place: Science Fiction/First Place: Children/Second Place: Humor/Satire