Ode to a Pug: NOT the VET! Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Is your little one reluctant to go to the doctor's office because of the shots she may has to take there? Then she can understand perfectly Phoebe's fear for the vet. Yes, our beloved pug Phoebe is back! Let's see how her new adventure goes in Ode to a Pug: NOT the VET!, the third installment in the award-winning series by bestselling author Jill Rosen. Enter to win a hardcover copy or a complete signed set of the series, along with exclusive pug plushies!

My Review:

With witty rhymes, charming characters, and playful pictures, Ode to a Pug: NOT the VET! crafts a funny, lyrical and delightful tale about facing one's fear with courage and support from loved ones.

Phoebe's got a sore eye with goop. When her human offers to take her on a ride, her hunch tells her to hide...between the pillows, under the table, or deep in the laundry basket. Unfortunately, THAT cunning cat is determined not to let Phoebe have her way. Shouldn't a cat be sleeping during the day? She's left with no choice but to face her biggest fear. To her surprise, however, the VET doesn't exactly look like the monsters in her memory, and the shot is over before she knows it. A vet visit isn't so scary after all.

Told from Phoebe's point of view, the story lets us in on her fear and anxiety about vet visits and needles, with humor and compassion. Along with the comically cute pug, readers realize that past experience can be misleading while what we fear may not be as scary as we assume. It takes courage to make the bold move, but it's worth a shot and may be beneficial in the long run. The nudge from the cat and the loving company of her human friend both contribute to Phoebe's success in overcoming her fear. So don't hesitate to reach out for help and support during your own fear-fighting journey.

The book wouldn't be complete without the adorably expressive and entertaining drawings, which well complement the rhyming narrative with fascinating details in support of the story's key messages. From the cat's mischievous lick on Phoebe's eye to the concerned look on her human's face, young readers can clearly feel the love and care Phoebe receives from her family. The triumphant grin Phoebe wears after her vet visit is encouraging and reassuring to those who share her worries about doctors and shots.

Hearty and hilarious, Ode to a Pug: NOT the VET! is a pure joy to read for pet lovers of all ages. Phoebe is one pug that knows how to leave her fans longing for more of her amusing antics!

About the Book:

Ages: 4-6 | 21 Pages
Publisher: Pug House Books (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-0695069-0-0

Do you ever get the feeling that something terrible is about to happen? Where the panic takes over, your eyes widen and you just need to zoom? Well, today is that day for our beloved pug Phoebe as she faces her biggest fear yet – THE VET!

Laugh along to another silly, heartfelt and sweetly illustrated story from the author of the award-winning “Ode to a Pug”.

Pugs aren’t really scared of much (except vacuums, tinfoil, bells, any loud noise…), but there is one place that causes our comical canine to cower – the DREADED VET’S OFFICE!

Join on an epic journey of courage for a little pug with a big heart and a belly full of gas. An amusing rhyming story ideal for children ages 2-8 and dog lovers of all ages.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

Adventures with Allie and Friends: Chef Cherie's Cafe Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway (10 Winners)

Do you love food? Do you enjoy helping people? Then you don't want to miss Adventures with Allie and Friends: Chef Cherie's Cafe, first in the new picture book series by Melanie Moore. Enter to win one of 10 copies!

My Review:

With cheerful characters and mouthwatering food choices, Adventures with Allie and Friends: Chef Cherie's Cafe provides an interactive reading experience by inviting little ones to be part of the story.

Allie's friend Chef Cherie is opening a new cafe, but she's having trouble deciding which food items belong to the breakfast menu and which belong to the lunch menu. Allie comes to her rescue. Join Allie and help finalize the menus with the correct choices. Check to see if the menus Allie helps create match yours.

Simple and sweet, the story teaches about food items and sorting them into separate categories by asking questions with two options. While there seems to be a definite answer for each question, young readers are given the liberty to create their own menus with different food choices. More importantly, they are encouraged to offer help to those who need it, and take every opportunity to spread kindness.

Through vibrant colors and smiling faces, the book's illustrations showcase the joy of being helpful, motivating young children to follow Allie's example. The addition of Allie's puppy is a nice touch.

Enjoyable and engaging, Adventures with Allie and Friends: Chef Cherie's Cafe is perfect for young food-lovers and budding adventure-seekers.

About the Book:

Ages: 3-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891385351

Meet Allie! She loves helping her friends any way she can. She is always on the lookout for new ways to make a difference.

In this first book about her adventures, Allie helps Chef Cherie with her restaurant.

Will you come along with Allie and Chef Cherie?

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 1 – The Pangolins Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

What could happen to a city cat that gets stranded in the wilderness? Follow cute cat Casper's unusual journey in The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 1 – The Pangolins, written by award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Ussi. Enter to win a copy of book one or a complete set of the first four books in the series!

My Review:

As the first installment of the illustrated chapter book series The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa, The Pangolins gets us acquainted and even to fall in love with the title character through a fantastic, fun-filled tale about kindness, friendship, courage and conservation.

After helping two abandoned kittens find their new home, Casper falls asleep in a stranger's car, which leaves her alone in the middle of the big bush of Africa. What should she do to stay safe? How can she find her way back home? Maybe her new scaly friend Junior Pangolin can help. But first, she must help him rescue his family from the evil poachers!

Written in simple but descriptive and humorous language, the narrative keeps young readers engaged from beginning to end. Along with Casper, they make encounters with various wild animals in Africa, such as the endangered pangolins, the bat-eared fox and the grey go-away bird, learning about their favorite food and special skills.

Both Casper and Junior Pangolin are lovable characters. Casper is curious, courageous, creative, always ready to help others and armed with strong problem-solving skills. Junior Pangolin is friendly, funny, trustworthy, and willing to share. The duo's rescue mission not only demonstrates the power of teamwork, but also raises awareness about the problem of poaching, urging us to take action to help protect African wildlife from illegal hunting.

All the adorable animals that appear in the story are animated by full-color illustrations, which show what they look like, their personalities, and key scenes as described in the narrative. The book concludes with additional fun facts about the wild animals featured in the story and a sneak peak at the next book in the series.

Easy to follow and fun to read, The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 1 – The Pangolins is sure to delight young animal fiction lovers. It makes an excellent pick for readers who are making the transition from picture books to chapter books.

About the Book:

Ages: 6-10 | 56 Pages
Publisher: Little Boola Books (2024) | ISBN: 978-1-923356-01-6

Book 1 in The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa introduces Casper, a curious, city-smart cat who suddenly finds herself lost in the wild African bush, far from everything she’s ever known.

Terrified of the bugs, the dark, and the strange sounds all around her, Casper is sure the wilderness is no place for a little cat like her until she meets a shy, scale-covered creature called a pangolin. As she learns to see the world through new eyes, Casper discovers the power of trust, the meaning of courage, and why protecting vulnerable creatures like pangolins matters more than she ever imagined.

Perfect for readers ages 5–10, The Pangolins is a beautifully illustrated chapter book filled with:

• A fun, heartwarming animal adventure 
• Gentle themes of friendship, bravery, and conservation 
• Fascinating facts about pangolins woven into the story

Written by award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Ussi and illustrated by Lekshmi Bose, this 5,000-word debut in the Casper series brings the magic of African wildlife to life while inspiring young readers to be curious, compassionate, and kind.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

Christmas at the Cabin in Theaters November 14! Win an Amazon Gift Card!

Does your family have somewhere special to celebrate Christmas? Christmas at the Cabin, the season's must-see family Christmas movie, opens in theaters this Friday. Buy tickets today to watch the movie on the big screen starting November 14! Plus, enter to win an Amazon gift card below!

Synopsis:

Michelle and Josh are ready for a cozy Christmas at their cabin. They invite Michelle's sister Poppy to join. Simple, right?

Not quite. On the way, their car skids into a snowbank. When they finally reach the cabin, the door is wide open. Then, in true holiday chaos, they accidentally bear-spray Josh’s old college buddy, Guy — who showed up uninvited.

Michelle, who loves a good plan, struggles with Guy’s wild energy. He drives her crazy... but somehow boosts Poppy’s confidence with his charm and antics.

When a blizzard hits, tensions skyrocket. After one too many of Guy’s offhand jokes about God, Michelle snaps. She storms out into the storm — and quickly gets lost.

Enter Luke, a rugged stranger who rescues her. With his quiet wisdom, he helps Michelle realize how much her need for control is costing her.

Back at the cabin, Michelle opens up to Josh and Poppy. Old wounds heal. New laughter fills the air. As the snow clears, they leave the cabin with a stronger bond — and a Christmas they'll never forget.

My Review:

Combining breathtaking scenery, original music and beloved holiday classics, Christmas at the Cabin is an amusing and heartwarming movie perfect for the Christmas season.

Centering around characters with distinctive personalities, the movie explores themes of love, family, friendship, faith and forgiveness. It shows the importance of resolving misunderstandings through candid communication while encouraging everyone to be kind, patient, and grateful.

Festive and comedic, Christmas at the Cabin delivers pure holiday magic. It's a hearty holiday treat that the whole family can enjoy.