Tiki Time: It's My Turn Blog Tour: Guest Post and Prize Pack Giveaway

Exciting news has arrived about the beloved children's book, Tiki Time: It's My Turn by Creator JJ. A captivating short video/audio read-along version is now available on YouTube. To celebrate, the author is giving away a signed copy of the book and a $200 Amazon gift card! Please enjoy a guest post from the author and then enter to win the awesome prize pack.

Making Independent Reading Time More Appealing for Kids

Independent reading time can be a challenge for many kids or even just an activity they are not particularly too fond of. Some kids may be struggling with reading comprehension or phonemic awareness, or they could even struggle with sitting still and staying focused for a period to read a book. After getting the child the support they need to be able to read independently, it is important to try and make independent reading time a fun and appealing time for kids. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the ways to do that.

Independent reading should be a time for kids to have their own creative space as they dive into a book that has piqued their interest. They should be generally excited about it and ready to give their full attention to that book. Some of the ways you can make it more appealing for the child are to first think about the environment that is for their independent reading time. I recommend creating a fun little reading space that is comfortable and cozy. Think about adding some pillows to that room or space. You could decorate that space with posters or artwork of some of their recent books they read to remind them of why they love reading. Some kids like to read independently in the dark, so consider providing them with a flashlight for some fun nighttime reading.

After the child has their established reading space, provide the child with some different genres of books to try out. This could be fantasy, adventure, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and so many more different kinds of genres suitable for kids. This will allow the child to develop a sense for what genres they really enjoy and will encourage them to read independently more. Lastly, introduce the child to new book formats. This could be a graphic novel, an audiobook, or even a video read-along version of the book. By introducing new formats, you can provide a multi-sensory experience for the young reader, making reading time even more enjoyable!

In my book, Tiki Time: It’s My Turn, I introduce young readers to a magical world and adventure in a picture book that also has a graphic novel-style layout. In addition to the unique reading experience in this book, I created a video read-along version to accompany the book. Kids get to follow along at an easy reading pace while improving vocabulary and experiencing a multi-sensory experience. This is the type of book that can make reading a very fun experience for the child and encourage independent reading time by wanting to explore other books in similar or different genres.

Animals Are Great Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Books and songs often work neatly together to boost early language development. Animals Are Great is a lovely picture book featuring lyrics of an original song written and performed by the Tika Tika Time team. Learn more about it and enter to win a copy!

My Review:

Created by musicians and educators, Animals Are Great is a colorful and cheerful read for babies and toddlers, teaching about animal sounds through rhyming words and playful tunes.

With the combination of vivid illustrations and lyrical repetitions, the book introduces early readers to a cute mix of wild and farm animals which appear in different types of natural environment, make distinctive sounds and engage in various amusing activities. A QR code inside the book can be scanned to unlock exclusive music videos, which greatly enhance the joy of reading and learning.

While encouraging curious little ones to explore nature and enjoy the adventure, the story makes them aware that animals come in different sizes and looks. It emphasizes that ALL of them are important parts of our beautiful world and deserve our love and care.

Music, by design, makes an integral part of the reading experience of this interactive book. Multiple versions of music videos are provided to simutaneously stimulate young children's senses of sight and sound, inviting them to sing, dance, imitate, imagine and go wild. They may also learn to communicate through sign language, or be inspired to create their own silly songs with a musical instrument.

Fun to read aloud and sing along, Animals Are Great makes a most entertaining beginner book that fosters a love for animals, for music, and for reading.

About the Book:

Ages: 3-12 | 26 Pages
Publisher: Tika Tika Time (2025) | ISBN: 979-8349311215

Animals are great! In this whimsical book written by the team at Tika Tika Time, children will see a variety of animals. Tika Tika Time is a children’s multimedia entertainment brand filled with fun and silliness. Kids sing along and engage with lively videos featuring original music. The playful animations and whimsical characters spark joy and creativity. Each video encourages movement, laughter, and learning through music. Companion books bring the songs to life with colorful illustrations. Interactive elements keep children engaged and excited to participate. Designed to entertain and educate, tika tika time makes learning feel like play. With catchy tunes and cheerful energy, it’s a magical adventure for kids everywhere!

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

I Don't Think So! Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Wondering what could be done to help an extremely shy child venture outside her comfort zone? Get inspired by Kelli Joyner's debut children's book I Don't Think So! Enter to win a signed hardcover copy and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!

My Review:

Written with humor and positivity, I Don't Think So! addresses young children's fear for the unknown through a delightfully engaging story about courage, confidence, compassion, and companionship.

Perfectly happy with the way things are-her family, her home, and her neighborhood, kindergartner Mia dislikes trying new things, such as a foreign food, an unfamiliar animal and...the first day of school. "I don't think so." therefore becomes her habitual response to any request to try something new. Her classmate Cody, by contrast, jumps on every opportunity to explore new things and invites Mia to join his adventures. Will Cody succeed in changing Mia's mind each and every time she declines his friendly gesture?

Adopting the first-person perspective of Mia, the narrative connects young readers closely with the protagonist through her thoughts, feelings and observations. Its simple sentences reflect the conversational style of a kindergartner while making the story easy to follow. As Mia shares her experience at school and her unique friendship with Cody, readers get to know her personality, what brings her joy and what scares her or makes her ill at ease. Mia's journey shows the excitement of experimenting with new things and how fears can be conquered with courage, patience and imagination. Cody's kindness and creativity, on the other hand, inspire youngsters to support their introvert friends, who could really use some encouragement to overcome the obstacles posed by their shyness.

The book takes care to represent an ethnically diverse cast through colorful and playful illustrations. The animated looks of the characters make them more adorable and communicative, while the whimsical pictures help young readers visualize how Cody uses vivid imagination to incorporate what Mia loves into a seemingly scary challenge.

Short and sweet, I Don't Think So! signals a successful start in the Doodlebees series, which teaches about practical social-emotional skills in kid-friendly language and promotes empathy, constructive friendship, and creative problem-solving.

About the Book:

Ages: 3-8 | 34 Pages
Publisher: BookBaby (2025) | ISBN: 979-8218567026

Mia is a precocious kindergartner with two loving parents. She lives in a wonderful and colorful city, surrounded by curious characters. Mia seems to have it all. Unfortunately, try as she might, little Mia is terribly shy and it can be a real hindrance for any child to find the confidence they need to tackle new, scary challenges, like school! Luckily for Mia, she has her best friend Cody, and inspiring teacher, Ms. Doodlebee to help bring her out of her shell, and show her that the world is a wonderful, inspiring place, brimming with adventure, and fun!

Purchase links: Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Are you a fan of Charlie Wags, the adorable puppy who can visit any place in the world with a simple wag of his tail? Charlie is back with another trip to Europe! Join his tour of the City of Lights in The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris by sister-author duo Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay. Enter to win a personalized copy, a $50 Amazon gift card and more!

My Review:

As the latest addition to the travel-themed rhyming picture book series, The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris provides an enchanting and informative introduction to the capital of France, featuring the best places to visit and the best foods to try there.

Follow Charlie's paw prints and get the most noteworthy views in Paris as he makes eye contact with Mona Lisa at the Louvre, marvels at the grandeur of Notre Dame, enjoys a bird's eye view of the city on top of the Arc de Triomphe, and takes a boat ride on the Seine. With sweet memories about the City of Lights, Charlie returns home for a restful night, dreaming about his next destination.

From mouth-watering Parisian pastries to awe-inspiring nighttime view of the Eiffel Tower, young readers get acquainted with some of Paris' must-see attractions and must-do activities in the company of cute Charlie. Together, they explore and experience various elements of French culture, including art, architecture, cuisine, language, and more. 

Consistent with the first two books in the series, this one starts with an illustrated tourist map providing an overview of what to expect in the main text and concludes with "Paws and Learn: Landmarks Unleashed!", its signature section packed with extra details and fun facts for each landmark spotlighted during Charlie's tour. In addition, the book teaches about how to pronounce the French words that appear in the names of those cultural icons.

The exceptional artwork by Sanna Sjöström continues to charm Charlie fans while complementing the book's lyrical narrative with playful yet truthful representation of the internationally acclaimed tourist spots in Paris, suggesting different ways to discover the captivating beauty of the city.

Immersive and instructive, The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris is bound to top the summer reading lists of many curious children with a keen interest in traveling around the globe and trying something new.

About the Book:

Ages: 3-7 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Kendam Press (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9900050-3-7

Charlie Wags is a seemingly ordinary pup. He asks for belly rubs, plays fetch, and uses his “I’m innocent” look when he is in fact guilty.

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 Paris, France!

Embark on a panoramic tour of Paris led by ever-curious pup, Charlie Wags! From the elegant art in the Louvre to the sparkling Eiffel Tower, Charlie explores the City of Lights before returning home for bedtime.

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

Purchase link: Amazon