If Kamala Can... You Can Too! by Carole Boston Weatherford #review #childrensbooks #empowerment

About the book:

If Kamala can, so can I! From the newly-announced Young People's Poet Laureate comes a powerful and inspiring picture book that shares how each milestone and moment in Kamala Harris's life represents something that lies within young readers' reach, too—building community, asking for answers, learning from elders, standing up for what's right, pride, friendship, strength, and most of all—knowing that nothing is out of the reach of their future!

My review:

Kamala Harris is a personal hero of mine, so I was truly excited to read this children's book. The book is meant to inspire children to reach for what may seem unreachable and it does do that. For each thing Kamala has overcome on one page, a child is seen on the next page attempting to reach that goal. The book speaks boldly about her and what kids can do.

However, I would have liked to have seen more about Kamala herself. The book dedicates two pages in the back of her overall successes which is great but to have seen them throughout would have been awesome. The illustrations are bold like the person herself.

Still, I give the book 4 stars and encourage maybe an updated version.

Disclosure: This book was given to me from the publicist. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Amazon

Aliens in Underpants Save the World by Claire Freed man and Ben Cort #review #aliens #childrensbooks #series

About the book:

The beloved aliens from Aliens Love Panta Claus are back—and this time they are on a mission to save the world!

My review:

I have to begin by saying this is a series that I had never read before, so I was unfamiliar with any characters from previous books.

I thought the premise of aliens in underpants was funny to begin with but the way they saved Earth is ludicrous. The audacity of those aliens!

I loved the larger-than-life illustrations and the colorful beings both alien and human. Kids would no doubt laugh as I did look at them.

The book is all written in simple rhyme and I could see kids wanting this book read repeatedly.

Overall though the book was okay to me and not fantastic so that is why I am giving it 3 stars.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The views here are 100% my own opinions and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the authors:

Amazon

Max and the Mighty Hurricane by Chrissy Hobbs and Ben Jackson #review #childrensbooks #weather #courage

 

About the book:

A hurricane is barreling toward Max’s coastal home. Max is scared. What will happen to his family and friends and home as this monster storm roars in?

My review:

This well written book follows along with Max who lives near the ocean front but experiences at times weather that effects his family life. This book written in 3rd person illustrates how children process little and big things that are important to them. In Max's case it is a hurricane and what will happen to his things.

The adults are seen as helping through the children in the book by giving them suggestions but also allowing them to be their own heroes. The kids themselves talk with each other and have their own peer support.

Overall, the book is meant to help children navigate changes in their lives and to process those things they are unsure of. Excellent concept!

The books illustrations must be mentioned because they are bold and colorful. The characters facial expressions lend a hand to the overall feel of the book.

5 stars

Disclosure: I received a copy from the marketing team. The views expressed here are 100% my own opinions and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors

Where to find the author

 Amazon

Indie Publishers

The Curiosity Chronicles by Chris Ferrie, Byrne Laginesstra, Wade Fairclough #PickYourOwnAdventure #Science #EarlyReaders #reviews

 About the Book:

In this exciting and interactive adventure, readers will determine how their story unfolds, testing hypotheses by choosing the actions they will take. Proving their science knowledge will move them forward, while wrong choices will lead them to dead ends where they learn about more about each scientific concept before turning back to test a new hypothesis. In this engaging and interactive format, readers will learn the theory and even practice the applications of concepts like density, relative motion, acceleration, optics, kinetic and potential energy, and more.

My Review:

There is so much to like about this book. First of all, the book itself is a pick your adventure book. At the bottom of certain pages, the reader can choose how they wish to advance the storyline. Some picks can lead the reader to a dead end. Other choices can lead the reader on a grand forward movement. However, pick the wrong one and boom, end of story! So much fun and good frustration at the same time. For the record, I chose both in order to facilitate a full review.

The actual read is all about science! The "kids" in the book work together to defeat a horrible corporation that has stolen a time machine. Again, more fun! The kids meet Sir Isaac Newton and help him navigate through the world of the 21st century. Little spoiler, he is not so nice as the reader or the "kids" think.

I seriously loved this book for all the reasons above and the adventure part of it is a throwback for me. The story was informative but not boring which was a good thing considering the science elements within. I read this book twice and that is saying something right there. I know kids will love this one!

5 stars for a great book!

Disclosure:I received a copy of this book from the marketing group to review. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the authors:

Amazon

Sourcebooks

 

Yearbooks & Yo-Yos: Crushing the '80s by Steven Manchester #novel #nostalgia #bookseries

Synopsis:

It’s the summer of 1986, a season of transition from childhood into young adulthood. The three brothers—Wally, Herbie, and Cockroach—are back at it and crazier than ever. While innocence gives way to higher expectations and responsibility, the boys discover that there’s no reason growing up can’t be insanely fun.

My Review:

Once again, I find myself in awe of this author. In the 3rd book of his now first trilogy, I would swear he plucked my brain to write all about the 1980s specifically this time, 1986.I did come to realize that the author graduated from high school at the same time I did.

The book begins in the present time (2025) and takes us back to that fateful year and trips us through a summer of new beginnings, growth, understanding, music, language, and yes, some heartbreak. This book watched the three brothers grow and learn about life through the eyes of friends who supported them, parents who loved them, and just pure grit.

I read along laughing and crying at many of the scenarios the family encountered. I found myself engrossed in it all. I remembered so many similar things I did like skating at the roller rink, summer love, and rocking out while waiting for college to begin. Although one of my grandparents passed away later, (spoiler alert) I related completely with the chapter, "Goodbye". In fact, a tiny healing took place that I am sure the author probably would have not expected by this reader or any other.

Overall, a fantastic and a must read. I do suggest reading the first two books to get a feel of the characters.

5 stars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.

~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Reading Challenges and this year #YuleTideSpirit

Dear Friends, Book besties, and Clients,

I don't know about you, but this year just kind of got away from me. I honestly do not know where it has gone. Usually by now, I have either hit my reading goals or nearly close. Yet here it is December and I seem to be behind. Wild!

It has been quite some time since I did a reading challenge or read a thon. So, Yuletide is upon us, and I am jumping in! If you want to join, click on the link in my sidebar and have fun.

Peace of the season.

Michelle

Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper #review #picturebooks #Halloween #Autumn #CountdowntoHalloween2025

 

Summary:

Deep in the woods in an old white cabin, three friends make their pumpkin soup the same way every day. The Cat slices up the pumpkin, the Squirrel stirs in the water, and the Duck tips in just enough salt. But one day the Duck wants to stir instead, and then there is a horrible squabble, and he leaves the cabin in a huff. It isn't long before the Cat and the Squirrel start to worry about him and begin a search for their friend.

My review:

Pumpkin soup, the best three animal friends ever tasted because they made it the same way every night. Each friend has a job to do to make the soup, and it is status quo, until it wasn't and duck wants to do something different. Uh, oh!

I loved this book because it showed how we all have different talents and our specific talent helps to create something special. However, it also shows how sometimes, we want to grow out of what we have been expected to do and learn to do something different. This will always upset what is, including friendships. Still, it is a learning process for all involved and patience is often the key. Maybe things will seem chaotic, and feelings might be hurt as in the case of this book. But in the end, it will be alright.

The illustrations were bold and beautifully illustrated in autumn colors and added so much to the story itself.

Don't believe me? This book received an award from the library association for its illustrations.

I give this book 5 pumpkins.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collection. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Amazon