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

Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles Blog Tour: Review and Prize Packs Giveaway

Summer break has begun. Are you looking for some age appropriate activities to keep your kids entertained in learning mode without being glued to a screen? How about word games like riddles and puzzles? Check out Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles, first in the Dynamic Duos series by prolific author and passionate puzzle expert Helene Hovanec. Enter to win a physical copy along with one of the Puzzle Pooch prize packs!

My Review:

Created specifically for elementary students, Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles is an enjoyable and educational activity book that helps young learners discover the fun of wordplay and develop practical problem-solving skills.

Just as its title suggests, the book consists of two parts: one for riddles and the other for puzzles. The Puzzle Pooch, a cute big-eyed dachshund in glasses, explains the rules for each type of word game, shares puzzle-solving tips, and reveals the answers toward the end.

The Word Fun Riddles resembles a hybrid of Spot the Difference (between words) and funny brain teasers. The player needs to be patient and observant in order to detect the differences with accuracy. The hilarious and often unexpected answers to the riddles serve as a reward that not only makes one laugh out loud but also inspires one to think outside the box.

By comparison, the Crisscross Puzzles, a seemingly easier version of crosswords, demand more brain power and skills to solve. Luckily, all puzzles in this book are designed to be challenging at a manageable level. Each puzzle involves a list of words organized by a common theme, such as colors, countries, rhyming words, or things associated with a particular season. This feature helps young readers review and expand their vocabulary by category while the puzzle-solving process trains them to be logical thinkers, who can identify patterns, tackle a complex task through small, sequential steps, and lock in a definitive answer through trial and error. They will likely gain proficiency in the game and confidence in their problem-solving capability at the same time.

Moreover, the presence of the Puzzle Pooch makes the book more interactive and accessible for the little ones, enticing them to jump in on the fun adventure.

Engaging as well as amusing, Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles makes a brilliant boredom buster that helps stop the summer slide by giving youngsters the opportunity to laugh and learn.

About the Book:

Ages: 6-12 | 78 Pages
Publisher: aka Associates (2025) | ISBN: 979-8989035755

Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles is a two books-in-one treasure trove of learning and laughter, created by an Ivy League-educated former teacher. In the first book, kids will delight in solving hilarious riddles—some guaranteed to make them giggle, others sure to earn a groan. The second book challenges them to place each word into a crisscross diagram, sharpening their minds and bringing words to life.

The real magic lies in solving these puzzles with pencil and paper. This hands-on approach boosts learning by engaging fine motor skills, improving focus, and minimizing distractions from digital devices. Writing on paper reinforces memory, builds cognitive connections, and nurtures problem-solving skills in a purposeful way. Unlike apps, which can sometimes lead to passive engagement or overstimulation, physical puzzles encourage deep, meaningful learning. Most importantly, kids will feel an incredible sense of accomplishment with each puzzle they solve—a reward that lasts far beyond the page!

Purchase link: Amazon

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sea Star Blog Tour: Review and Prize Packs Giveaway (10 Winners)

What would you do if you spot a starfish on the beach? Would you make an effort to put it back into the ocean? Join Max and Myrtle in their new adventure in Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sea Star by award-winning author and publisher Kathleen Welton. Enter to win a signed copy and one of ten themed prize packs!

My review:

Inspired by Loren Eiseley’s “The Starfish Story”, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sea Star presents a cheerful and heartwarming sequel to The Magic Sea Turtle. Narrated in rhymes, this beautifully illustrated story showcases the joy and excitement of performing an act of kindness through teamwork.

Seeing a group of sea stars stranded on land and stuck in the kelp, Max and Myrtle embark on an unprecedented rescue mission, enlisting the help of their ocean friends both flying up in the sky and swimming in the sea. Everyone is mobilized to offer their support, from transferring every single sea star back to safety to sending cheers to all the contributors. No one takes a break until the mission is fully accomplished.

Featuring all adorable and compassionate sea creatures from The Magic Sea Turtle, this book once again manifests the magical power of friendship, collaboration and kindness, encouraging young readers to work as a team to achieve a common goal, such as offering help to those in need. By confirming that everyone can make a difference in small ways, it prompts all nature lovers to take action and play a positive part in promoting ocean conservation.

Besides its captivating narrative and uplifting messages, the book also shines in its amazing artwork, which charms all readers with intense colors, cute characters, and stunning scenery. The evocative, action-packed images correspond nicely to the main theme by amplifying the beauty of synergy as well as the enjoyment of being helpful.

Delightful and meaningful, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sea Star constitutes a valuable addition to the book collection of budding changemakers and environmental enthusiasts.

About the Book:

Ages: 3-12 | 30 Pages
Publisher: Bookfox Press (2025) | ISBN: 979-8899000027

This magical tale follows Max and Myrtle as they save the sea stars after they wash up on the shore after a big storm. An inspiring story that celebrates the power of friendship, teamwork, and the joy of helping others.

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

My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Love is a strong emotion that goes beyond precise measurement or definition. How do you help your little one understand this common yet complex feeling? How about comparing love to something more perceptible, as award-winning author and illustrator Laura Smetana does in her new book My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky? Enter to win a signed copy as well as a themed prize pack filled with fun art supplies!

My Review:

Beautifully written and illustrated, My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky is an imaginative and soothing picture book that makes the connection between affection and astronomy.

Under a starry night sky sits a mother, who gently snuggles with her child while describing her love as a full moon, a meteor shower, the Milky Way and even the entire universe. She assures her child that her love is dependable and always within orbit no matter how far apart they might get.

Through an array of creative metaphors, the book cleverly translates the abstract concept of love into concrete celestial objects or phenomena that symbolize the intensity and infinity of love. Meanwhile, it uses high contrast images to charm young readers with the radiant beauty and serenity of the night sky and acquaint them with constellations, planets, galaxies and more.

The Glossary section includes a search-and-find game that encourages the little ones to revisit the story and reinforce their knowledge by matching the pictures to the words. It also teaches about different phases of the moon and all the planets in the solar system.

Enchanting and educative, My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky makes a perfect bedtime read for young children, sparking their interest in observing the night sky while filling their hearts with love and happiness.

About the Book:

Ages: 0+ | 34 Pages
Publisher: Flying Cardinal Press (2025) | ISBN: 978-1737140993

With vivid watercolor collages, My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky, is the stunning companion to the award-winning book, My Love for You Is Like a Garden, named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2023.

Say “I love you” at bedtime or anytime with this lyrical story that celebrates love with bold, colorful illustrations of stars, planets, and galaxies. As they look up at the stars, a child’s mother explains that her love is like the night sky. It glows with pride like the full moon, is as radiant as a meteor shower, and as vast as our solar system.

Readers of all ages will be inspired to step outside to marvel at the wonders of the night sky together—and maybe even spot a shooting star. Children will delight in learning the names of the planets in our solar system, the phases of the moon, and more in the glossary. A beautiful book to share with anyone you love!

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