Children's book review - Doctoroo and the Case of the Picnic Pirates by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner

The animal friends are playing basketball at home in Australia when Louie Llama gets a call from America. Bernie Bear and Penny Pelican are planning a Fourth of July picnic with entertainment but the bear cub entertainers, the Potomac Pirates are sick and not able to do their tumbling act. They need the urgent help of Doctoroo. Why do the friends get frustrated with Terence Toad? What does Betty Bluebird think is wrong with the cubs? Moreover, will the picnic go ahead? Read Doctoroo and the Case of the Picnic Pirates by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner to find out the answers to these questions whilst having fun along the way.

I liked that this modern story deals with problems like not sleeping due to too much screen time and putting on weight because of unhealthy eating habits. It educates young children in a fun way using colorful and appealing pictures to help tell the tale.  Children also learn about animals' habits and behavior including hibernating in the winter months. 

Words and sentences are repeated throughout the book which small children will enjoy as they will be able to join in with the story when adults read the book to them. There is a lot of humor especially when the animals eat out and enjoy food like sardine sausage sandwiches. Things like this open up more discussions and learning opportunities between adults and toddlers. 

I disliked the 'Food Pyramid Rap' it does rhyme which children will enjoy but it is difficult to read as it doesn't flow very well. It is not the best introduction to poems and rhymes for children which is disappointing as this is an educational book! 

I rate Doctoroo and the Case of the Picnic Pirates 4 out of 5 stars. I have reduced my rating by one star as I found a grammar error and the rap needs more work so that it is easier to read. This is one of a series of books that Dr. Rachel B. Wellner has written to help educate young children to develop healthy habits and to be aware of health issues. I recommend this book to young children, parents, and teachers who will be delighted by the beautiful illustrations and will enjoy learning from the story.

I want to thank Dr. Rachel B. Wellner for a copy of Doctoroo and the Case of the Picnic Pirates in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Children's Book review - Elizabeth Munk's Forest Edge Adventure by Faye McFarland

Elizabeth Munk is the youngest of four chipmunk siblings. She is excited when her mother says she can go on her first trip to Forest Edge with her brothers to gather food for the pantry. The brothers do not want to take Elizabeth with them as they say she is too young and will not listen to them, but their Mum insists they need all the help they can get to prepare for the winter. Elizabeth does not understand that she should be looking for food. She collects decorative items she likes the look of. She is delighted with her efforts and all the pretty items she has found. What happens when Elizabeth arrives home without any food? Why does the family laugh at her finds? How does Elizabeth's stash turn out to be a valuable contribution? Read Elizabeth Munk's Forest Edge Adventure by Faye McFarland, illustrated by  Wesley Lowe, to learn the answers to these questions.

This sweet tale of the forest life of a family of chipmunks preparing for winter has beautiful descriptions. I particularly enjoyed seeing the forest through the eyes of Elizabeth as she sees it for the first time, which helps to picture Elizabeth's character. The delightful artwork works well with the writing to build a magical world of forest creatures.

Faye McFarland has done a fantastic job by using the story to explain to young children that everyone is different, as shown in the way Elizabeth's brothers get stuck into looking for supplies in the forest. In contrast, Elizabeth is taken by the beauty around her and wants to return some of that beauty to brighten the family home. McFarland shows with her words and Wesley Lowe's illustrations that Elizabeth is just as valuable to the family despite her different outlook. She provides beautiful items to decorate the home and make it a much prettier place to live in over the winter. 

It was a great idea of Faye McFarland to include a page giving details of the type of chipmunks Elizabeth Munk and her family were based on. I had never heard of Least Chipmunks and appreciated this addition, which I learned much from. There is also a glossary at the end of the book explaining some of the words used in the story; this is also well presented with illustrations.

Elizabeth Munk's Forest Edge Adventure is a beautifully written and well-presented book that I recommend to young children up to eight. Parents, and children up to six, will enjoy reading this book together and learning about forest life for the chipmunk family. Children aged six to eight will love to read this book by themselves. The illustrations and simple language work well together, and I loved that this is also an informative book. Children will learn while they enjoy the story; the illustrations are just as much a part of the story as the words.

I want to give Elizabeth Munk's Forest Edge Adventure by Faye McFarland 5 out of 5 stars. There was nothing I disliked about it. The editing and proofreading were perfect, and the story was entrancing. This is a well-written and beautifully illustrated book.  

Children's book review - Doctoroo! and the case of the Hacking Hippo by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner

 

Hilda Hippo, the famous opera singer, has invited Dr. Marsha Roo and her friends to a concert at the Sydney Opera House. They are enjoying the performance when Hilda Hippo starts to cough. Luckily with Doctoroo in the audience, she has quick medical advice. Hilda has been feeling poorly for some time. She has days when she feels well and days when she is really sick. Why does Hilda's mud bath make Terence Toad feel hungry? Which of the animals falls asleep before the performance starts? Moreover, what is making Hilda Hippo ill, and will Dr. Marsha Roo be able to cure her? Read Doctoroo & the Case of the Hacking Hippo by Dr. Rachel Wellner to discover the answers to these questions and many more.

Doctoroo! & the Case of the Hacking Hippo is filled with exciting things for young children to learn about. From how long it took to build the Sydney Opera House to how mold can make you ill. Some of the book is written in rhyme which is a lovely way to introduce young children to poetry. I particularly loved the illustrations, which are bright and fun and will help children follow the story. The animals are all wearing clothes but still look like wild animals would look; this introduces another area of learning, and children will enjoy talking about the characters. Some of the pictures will make small children laugh, especially one of the nasty germs having a party.

I liked everything about Doctoroo! & the Case of the Hacking Hippo. The story is easy to follow but very educational and will be a fun way for young children to learn. The book was well-edited, with no errors in spelling or grammar. 

I recommend Doctoroo! & the Case of the Hacking Hippo by Dr. Rachel Wellner to parents and teachers of young children. This is a book that grown-ups will enjoy reading to younger children, and school-age children up to eight years will enjoy reading by themselves. There are lots of opportunities within the book to enhance learning. 

I rate Doctoroo! & the Case of the Hacking Hippo by Dr. Rachel Wellner a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. It is a delightful and engaging book that children will learn from while having fun. The illustrations are fantastic and enhance the reading experience!

I want to thank Rachel Wellner for a copy Doctoroo and the case of the Hacking Hippo in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Children's book review - Unicorns Know Magic by Charles Adkins

 

Two children see a family of unicorns moving in next door and make friends with them. The unicorns all have unique tricks which they show the children. One day the friends head off on a fantastic adventure, and the children ride on the unicorns and visit famous places. What do they eat in Paris? What do they do in London? Moreover, what happens when the unicorns go to school? Read Unicorns Know Magic by Charles Adkins to discover the answers to these questions.

Unicorns Know Magic is written entirely in rhyme, but this does not always work. For example, on page ten, "We were hungry and stopped at a French restaurant, we've never had something as good as a croissant." Also, I did not enjoy the fact that on one page Charles Adkins writes that the unicorns had apples and carrots for lunch, and on the next page, he says unicorns only eat vegetables! 

The colorful illustrations are beautiful and very appealing. The landmarks are recognizable and add another level of learning for small children. Unicorns Know Magic by Charles Adkins will be a lovely way to introduce young children to poetry; once the grammatical errors are corrected. This book needs to be proofread and edited.

I recommend this book to children aged up to eight years of age. Younger children will love having the poem read to them while they enjoy the illustrations. Older children will enjoy reading it to themselves. Children will find Unicorns Know Magic a fun and interesting adventure and enjoy the rhyme.

I want to give Unicorns Know Magic by Charles Adkins 3 out of 5 stars. I have reduced the score by one star as there are a lot of proofreading errors, and the poem does not always flow or rhyme very well. I have taken off another star because of the mixed information, which would confuse small children. When you are writing for children, the book has to be perfect!

I want to thank Charles Adkins for a copy of Unicorns Know Magic in exchange for my honest and impartial review. 

You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Children's Book Review - Doctor Roo and the Case of the Red Hot Hawaiians by Rachel B. Wellner

Marsha Roo is a kangaroo with magical powers in her pouch, which turn her into a Doctoroo. One day Marsha is in Australia playing on the beach with her friends Kirby Koala, Terence Toad, and Louie Llama when she gets a text message asking her for help at the Big Dance Festival in Hawaii. Luckily Doctoroo is a good pilot, and after a long journey, they arrive safely at the festival grounds. Everywhere Doctoroo looks, she sees groups of animal dancers practicing for the event. Why do Doctoroo and her friends climb a volcano? What is a RED-HOT Hawaiian? Moreover, why has Gertie Goose texted Dr. Marsha Roo to come to Hawaii? Read Doctoroo & the Case of the Red Hot Hawaiians by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner to discover the answers to these questions and many more.

I like the way this is a very modern children's story. Doctoroo has a mobile phone and receives text messages on it, and during the story, the animal friends take selfies of themselves. Doctoroo and the Case of the Red Hot Hawaiians is a beautiful book filled with exciting pictures, and young children will learn a lot about volcanoes, rainforests, allergies, plants, and more while reading this fun and educational book. A sweet rhyme also teaches children about applying sunblock in the sun. This is a great way to introduce youngsters to the joy of poetry.

I recommend that Doctoroo and the Case of the Red Hot Hawaiians by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner is read to young children who will love the colorful pictures and enjoy the story. Older children up to eight years old will enjoy reading this story to themselves. There is lots of educational material that will help children learn in a fun way. I loved when the animal friends questioned a banana spider. Example from page sixteen 'He replies, "I don't bite young pigs. I don't bite old pigs. I don't bite any pigs. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some web design to take care of."' This made me laugh, and parents and teachers will also have fun reading the story.

I disliked nothing about Doctoroo and the Case of the Red Hot Hawaiians . It is a delightful book that teaches young children in a fun and friendly way. The book had no grammar or spelling errors and was well-edited. 

I rate Doctoroo and the Case of the Red Hot Hawaiians by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner 5 out of 5 stars. The book will delight young children, teachers, and parents. It is engaging, and children will learn from it while having fun. The pictures are wonderful and enrich the reading experience!

I want to thank Rachel B. Wellner for a copy of Doctor Roo and the Case of the Red hot Hawaiians in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Children's Book Review - The White Harlequin by Daphne Tzamali-Yakinthou

 

At midnight every night, a small door in the grandfather's clock opens, and magical creatures reveal themselves. They put on a show for one another. Tonight the noise awakens Sugarcandy, the white harlequin. Sugarcandy's house is filled with amazing things; he has a rainbow pudding cooking, his seats are made of Turkish delight, and the dining table is a giant red mushroom. Usually, the clock would strike midnight, and the magic would begin and continue until dawn.

Tonight Sugarcandy's best friend, Spot the donkeytaur, calls to tell Sugarcandy that the storm maidens and wind midwives have arrived. They are here to weave deep magic, which has never happened in the land of charms and reflections. The friends are excited to witness a spectacle they have never seen before. Suddenly everyone is horrified to see that a cyclone is draining all the light from the stars, and the world becomes the darkest it has ever been. What are the peculiar snowmen guarding? Who or what is the night sybil, and why do the two friends go to see it? What is the lullaby of strange things? Read The White Harlequin by Daphne Tzamali-Yakin to get the answers to these questions.

I found it confusing how Sugarcandy, the white harlequin, was referred to by several different names, either Sugarcandy, harlequin, or white harlequin. I feel Daphne Tzamali-Yakin should have used a name consistently throughout the book, but this was my only criticism of The White Harlequin.

I loved page four which had a barrage of introductions to all the fantastic magical creatures entering the room and descriptions of their unique attributes. Just as all the madness and mayhem began to confuse my brain Daphne Tzamali-Yakin writes, 'But let's not get ahead of ourselves! Everything will be revealed in its own good time.' This phrase was perfectly crafted and calmed everything down, ready for the next chapter. I also really enjoyed the unique colorful pictures in The White Harlequin, which reminded me of stained glass windows.

I want to rate The White Harlequin by Daphne Tzamali-Yakin 5 out of 5 stars. It conjures up a kaleidoscope of magic, color, and excitement. Adults and children would equally enjoy this beautiful fantasy story. Older children would enjoy reading it to themselves, and parents would enjoy reading it to younger children. All would love the wonderfully colorful illustrations. The story is beautifully written and kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. There were a few spelling and grammar errors, but they did not spoil the flow of the story enough to reduce the score.

I want to thank Daphne Tzamali-Yakinthou for a free copy of The White Harlequin in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can also see my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Children's Book Review - Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Marshmallows and Hotdogs by Dr. Rachel B Wellner

It is morning in Australia, and Dr. Marsha and her animal friends are busy getting ready for the day ahead when the postman arrives with a letter from Washington, D.C. Dr. Marsha is excited to see that it is from her cousin Milton Marsupial who is the Mayor of Washington. However, Milton is writing to her with a problem: all the hotdogs and marshmallows have disappeared and are needed in a week for the fourth of July celebrations. Dr. Marsha and her friends fly to Washington immediately to see if they can help. Read Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Marshmallows and Hotdogs by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner and travel the world with Dr. Marsha learning about health and nutrition. 

I enjoyed the way Dr. Marsha answered her phone. 'Do you have an ache? Do you have an ouch? The number to dial is 1-MD-POUCH,' young children enjoy learning through rhyme. Sadly there are other rhymes dotted throughout the book, and not all of them rhyme very well, which made me cringe. The artwork is delightful; although the characters are humanized with some clothing, they are still recognizable animals. I liked that the hotdogs and marshmallows had been disguised by making them look like a log cabin, although it would have been better to have made this more of a mystery for children to try and work out for themselves. 

I dislike a lot about Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Marshmallows and Hotdogs by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner. The story is difficult to follow as it chops and changes direction all the time. For example, Dr. Marsha answers the phone, immediately says hello to the postman who has just arrived with a letter, and then moves on to talking about what is for lunch! The dig at vegetarians was unnecessary. People choose to be vegetarian for various reasons, and there is no reason for this diet to be unhealthy. Terence the toad is also spelled Terrance and Tereance; the author needs to ensure it is spelled the same throughout the book.

Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Marshmallows and Hotdogs by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner should have been a great way to teach young children about sensible diet choices, but sadly it fell short of the mark. Dr. Rachel B. Wellner did not accomplish this because the story needs to be clearer. It was easy to get lost, and I needed to read parts of the book a few times to understand what was being taught. This was disappointing, considering the book is aimed at young children! Also, this book needs to be proofread, as there are mistakes.

I would not recommend this book to anyone in its present form. The idea for this book was brilliant, but the execution needs more work. There are spelling errors throughout. 

I am rating Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Marshmallows and Hotdogs by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner 1 out of 5 stars due to this being a confusing book that jumps all over the place, the lack of proofreading, the name Terence being spelled three different ways and the fact there is much information, but it is not presented in a way that children will enjoy learning from. I am giving one star for the fantastic illustrations and the rhyme Dr. Marsha uses when answering the phone!

Childrens book review - Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids by Jemima and Arvind Paul

This book is about a family of Christians Mommy, Daddy, Emma, Bella, and their baby sister. It is an anthology of Christian stories based on Emma's dreams. When she is asleep, Emma has vivid dreams about heaven and hell. All the dreams have Bella by her side. When Emma tells her Mommy and Daddy about the dreams and Jesus, God, and Satan, the family sits down to share Emma's stories and discuss what Emma has dreamed and what the dreams might mean. What do God and Jesus look like? How do the people in heaven keep busy? Do the people in heaven eat and sleep? How is hell different? To find out the answers to these questions, read Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids by Jemima Paul and Arvind Paul.

Jemima Paul and Arvind Paul, who do their best to bring their three daughters up with Christian values, wrote Snatched Up to Heaven for Kid when Emma, their eldest daughter, began having vivid dreams about heaven and hell. They wanted to share this in a book for young children to help them understand heaven and hell. The authors have put much effort into making the stories entertaining and, at the same time, educational. Children from Christian families will love learning about God, Jesus, angels, Satan, and what everyone gets up to in heaven and hell. 

I enjoyed the painted pictures in the book. They are friendly and bright and would undoubtedly appeal to younger children. I liked the writing style, which was warm and friendly and would greatly appeal to young children who will relate to the characters and Emma, Bella, and their family. The addition of where to find the Bible quotes used will be helpful for Christian parents. 

I disliked nothing about Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids. I recommend this book to younger children who enjoy books with Christian stories featuring children their age who can read by themselves. It would also be an excellent book for Christian parents to read to their younger children, who will also enjoy the colorful pictures throughout the book.

I want to rate Snatched Up to heaven for Kids by Jemima Paul and Arvind Paul 5 out of 5 stars. It was perfectly edited and proofread. I found no errors in grammar. This is a delightful book that entertains while also educating young children about the Christian religion.

I want to thank Jemima and Arvind Paul for a copy of Snatched Up to heaven for Kids in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Children's book review - Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula by R. F. Kristi

 

Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula by R.F. Kristi begins one Sunday morning. Inca, the Siberian cat, and head of the detective agency, has gathered with her friends to admire a magnificent Siberian tiger painting. It has been purchased by Solo, the owner of the mansion, and the tiny cottage where Inca, her animal family, and their human mom, Missy, live. Later that day, Inca's ears prick up when she hears Missy telling Solo that she has been chosen to judge a prestigious patisserie competition in South Korea. Missy is an award-winning cheese maker. Moreover, the organizers will arrange a special event to introduce Missy's new cheese creation. All the animals have passports and are very excited to hear they will be going too. Solo and his dog Terrance are also joining them on the trip. When the family and friends arrive at Incheon airport, they are met by Mr Ye-Jun, their tour guide. Missy is pleased to hear that he will also be their translator. Mr Ye-Jun is a sad man, and when Inca and her detectives hear it is because he cannot see his sister in North Korea, they devise a plan to reunite the siblings. Who is Enzo, and why do Missy and her pets hate him? What does Missy find is missing when they arrive at the airport? Furthermore, do the cat detectives succeed in their mission?
 

Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula is the eighth book in the Cat Detectives series. However it is unnecessary to have read the rest of the books. R.F Kristi has spent some time researching the different types of animals and has put much work into making the story entertaining and, at the same time, educational. Children will love learning about the types of animals, Korean culture, and the divisions between North and South Korea. I was pleased to see a family tree at the beginning of the book, which details which cats belong to Missy. There is also a page with pictures of all Inca and Company detective agency members with some background information.

My one dislike was the use of baby words. For example, on page thirty-one, "Terrance had transformed from a mild-mannered gentlemanly doggy to a fierce snarling Terrance."

I recommend this book to younger children who enjoy mystery stories featuring animals and can read by themselves. It would also be an excellent book for parents to read to their younger children.

There were a couple of grammar errors but not enough to stop me from rating Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula by R.F. Kristi 5 out of 5 stars. This is a delightful book that entertains while also educating young children. I look forward to reading this series to my granddaughter when she is old enough to enjoy it!

 

Thank you to R. F. Kristi for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.