Óg go Deo: Forever Young Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

It's sad and painful to face the passing of a beloved pet. Where do pets go when their bodies stop functioning? Discover their secret in Óg go Deo: Forever Young by Chainy Blue and enter to win one of seven paperback copies!

My Review:

Dedicated to everyone who loved their pet and keeps them in their hearts, Óg go Deo: Forever Young crafts a touching and soothing tale that helps children cope with pet loss and grief by turning their fear and sorrow into hope and strength.

Twelve happy years have passed since the adoption of Miew-Miew, a once stray, severely wounded mackerel tabby. The time has finally come to bid farewell to her loving family. The children feel devastated by the loss of their furry friend until their mother tells them about Óg go Deo, the magical world of Forever Young, where animal spirits live on in joy, peace and safety. The spirit world is also where pets and their humans get renuited someday.

Pet loss is a harsh but inevitable reality that pet owners have to deal with. The story addresses this challenging topic with subtlety and sensitivity. The intense and genuine feelings expressed by the characters are sure to resonate with all pet owners, young and old alike. I'm especially impressed with the colorful, beautiful and whimsical world of eternity that the author has painted using vivid descriptions as well as vibrant pictures. This book not only helps provide comfort and closure to a grieving child but also encourages everyone to love and care for animals, and to cherish the many cheerful memories about them that may last forever.

Imaginative and relatable, Óg go Deo: Forever Young is a hearty read for pet owners and animal lovers.

About the Book:

Ages: 8-18 | 28 Pages
Publisher: Independently Published (2024) | ISBN: 979-8342247122

When a beloved pet passes away, the ache feels deeper than words can express – for both children and adults alike. In this gentle and compassionate story, readers will discover the beautiful truth about where our animal companions go when their physical bodies grow too tired to continue their earthly journey. With wisdom and tenderness, this book offers comfort to grieving hearts, helping readers understand that while our pets’ bodies may leave us, their spirits never truly fade away. Perfect for families navigating difficult conversations around pet loss, this story provides hope and healing, transforming tears of sadness into memories of joy.

A touching exploration of love, loss, and the eternal bonds we share with our animal friends.

Purchase Link: Amazon

Sharing is Caring, Dragon Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Sometimes sharing what you love with friends is easier said than done. Your favorite book character may show you how. Bianca Schulze and Samara Hardy have teamed up again to bring us Sharing is Caring, Dragon, the latest installment in the author-illustrator duo's bestselling Dragon series. Enter to win a signed copy along with other Dragon themed goodies!

My Review:

As a highly anticipated new addition to the beloved picture book series, Sharing is Caring, Dragon presents an interactive and entertaining tale which gently teaches about manners and emotional intelligence pertaining to patience, sharing and taking turns.

Join Dragon on a delightful trip to the library, where she watches her borrowed books slide down the return chute and searches for her favorite read on the bookshelf. But wait! It's already been checked out by Sir Fiero. Eager to read it first, Dragon snatches the book away. Sir Fiero snatches it back. The two ends up in a tug-of-war, sending the book flying right into the sight of the princess, who starts reading aloud with all her friends gathering around her. Is reading made more fun this way?

This new Dragon book continues to charm young readers with its playful characters, relatable scenarios and stunning artwork. Dragon, along with her friends, invites whoever reads the story to be a part of it through engaging questions and action prompts. The little ones are encouraged to observe, think, guess, feel and imagine as they learn about the joy of sharing, the value of friendship, and the importance of mutual respect. They also learn to wait for their turn patiently, to ask for permission politely, to keep their promise, and to show that they care.

The elegant and expressive pictures complement the interactive text perfectly with tasteful details. It's easy to identify the subtle changes in their emotions through the characters' faces and body language. It's extra fun to spot cute characters not expressly mentioned in the text, such as the three little mice and the cat. The inclusion of Bianca's other books like Catitude, Don't Wake the Dragon, and Tell the Truth, Dragon, is a pleasant bonus for the author's longtime fan like my son.

Written with humor and illustrated with finesse, Sharing is Caring, Dragon helps fuel children's love for reading while teaching essential social skills and imparting important values.

About the Book:

Ages: 3-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Clever Publishing (2024) | ISBN: 978-1956560497

Dragon is on her way to the library to return her borrowed books and check out her favorite book. But when she gets to the bookshelf, she realizes the book she wants isn’t there! Sir Fiero has checked it out and is starting to read it when Dragon grabs it from his hands. Will Dragon learn to be patient and wait her turn to read the book?

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

Between Borders in Theaters 1/26-28! Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Starring Elizabeth Tabish from The Chosen and Elizabeth Mitchell from Lost, Between Borders opens in theaters January 26-28. Buy tickets today to see the movie on the big screen and enter to win an Amazon gift card below!

Synopsis:

In a crumbling Soviet Union, the Petrosyan family are outcasts—wherever they go. Armenian heritage marks them for discrimination both at home in Azerbaijan and in Russia. Based on a riveting true story of faith and hope set amidst great oppression … in the shadow of exile, hope became their home.

My Review:

Featuring an all-star and diverse cast, Between Borders is a heartwarming, thought-provoking film about family, faith, freedom, kindness and inclusion. The true story of the Petrosyan family gets recounted through an asylum court hearing intertwined with emotionally charged flashbacks of the couple. The viewers can't help but empathizing with the family for what they had to go through before coming to the US, while wondering what the stern-looking judge's decision would be. Meanwhile, the government attorney played by Elizabeth Mitchell makes a convincing case against the Petrosyans. There's no clear cut answer as to which side should prevail.

Reminiscent of many immigrants' experience in their home countries, the story prompts one to think about the price they are willing to pay for political, religious and social freedom, and why freedom matters so much to one's well-being. It's hard not to be touched by the kindness and generosity of the church community as exemplified in the film. The impact of Violetta's conversion to Christianity on her attitude toward life is also noteworthy.

In sum, Between Borders is a well-made movie that inspires, empowers and enlightens.

The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Have you ever been to New York City, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations? Let Charlie take you on a magical tour of the Big Apple in The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City. Learn about this new release from sister-author duo Sofie Wells and Ali Barcla and enter to win a fantastic prize pack, including a personalized copy, book swags and a $100 Amazon gift card!

My Review:

As the first in the travel-themed picture book series, The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City offers a delightful and dynamic introduction to a good number of iconic landmarks in the City of New York.

Charlie is an adventurous pup, who loves to travel around the world using his secret magic trick. A simple wag of his tail teleports him to Central Park, where he kicks off his day trip in NYC. As he moves from one stop to the next, Charlie experiences different aspects of the city, from skyscrapers to street vendors, from ferry rides to Broadway shows, and from breathtaking scenery to colorful nightlife. The fun never ends.

With cute characters and vibrant as well as realistic illustrations, the book draws young readers in instantly. Following the paw prints of their furry tour guide, they get a close-up view of world-famous tourist attractions, along with art, food and various cultural activities the city is known for. But that's not all the book has to offer. A plethora of fun facts await them in the "Paws and Learn: Landmarks Unleashed!" section. The vivid, humorous descriptions make the facts easy to digest and memorize. While they quench the inquisitive minds' thirst for knowledge, the questions that follow help spark conversations that little ones would be eager to participate in.

Informative and engaging, The Tales of Charlie Wags is a fun-filled, fantastical read for aspiring world travelers and adventure-lovers. It not only highlights the wonders of travel but also inspires us to explore and experience different cultures around the globe.

About the Book:

Ages: 3-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Kendam Press (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9900050-0-6

Charlie Wags is a seemingly ordinary pup. He sits on demand, is appropriately needy, and only sometimes begs for treats.

But Charlie has an extraordinary secret. He loves to travel the world and has a special trick to do so: his wagging tail can whisk him away to far-off places.

This time, he’s off to the Big Apple!

Embark on a panoramic tour of New York City led by ever-curious pup Charlie Wags! From the serenity of Central Park to the dazzling lights of Times Square, Charlie explores the city that never sleeps before returning home for bedtime.

Wherever you may be, The World Is Just a Wag Away.™

Purchase link: Amazon