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

Armando and the Amazing Animal Race Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Would you like to take a virtual multi-country expedition to observe wild animals in their natural habitats? Join 12-year-old Armando and 75-year-old Granny D on a wildlife photography race around the globe in Armando and the Amazing Animal Race. Enter to win a copy signed by author Diana Schaffer, along with a themed prize bundle and a $50 Amazon gift card!

My Review:

Building on the author's incredibly profound international travel experience and extensive research, Armando and the Amazing Animal Race presents a fast-paced, exhilarating and eye-opening adventure that passionately promotes the protection of wildlife and the natural environment their survival depends on. It's also a heartwarming story delving into the value of family, friendship and teamwork.

Armando's most unforgettable summer starts with his solo trip to his grandma's house in London, where he uncovers his mother's journal documenting her journey during the first Amazing Animal Race eight years ago. Determined to follow in Mom's footsteps, Armando teams up with Granny D to join the second race, which requires contestants to take photos of seven endangered animals in seven countries within seventy days. Besides unpredictable perils and challenges posed by Nature, the duo has to guard against their malicious or hostile competitors. What truth lies behind Mom's disappearance? What secret is Dad trying to keep? What is the generous but suspicious sponsor of the race really up to? There are so many questions that Armando needs answers for.

Weaving together mystery, suspense, action and adventure, the story takes readers on a wild ride around the world, introducing them to various endangered species, vastly different natural landscapes across multiple continents, as well as indigenous people and culture. Though being a work of fiction, the book is loaded with valuable real-life knowledge regarding global travel, wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and sustainable development. It speaks to environmentally conscious and responsible readers, inspiring them to stand up for environmental justice.

Part of the story's charm lies in its well-developed characters, primarily Armando and Granny D. While Armando grows significantly in his courage, confidence and compassion during the expedition, his dashing, energetic, and humorous grandma instructs him to stay positive, be kind, and always try to look for the good in people and things. The depiction of their intergenerational relationship is delicate and dynamic.

With middle graders as the target audience, the book is neatly organized into short chapters with titles that accurately and succinctly summarize the main idea. The smooth and engaging storytelling style further enhances its accessibility. Pictures are also provided to help young readers visualize objects and documents that are important to the understanding of the story. The book concludes with interesting questions that facilitate discussions both at home and in a classroom setting. The author also takes the time to share her writing process and the messages she intends to deliver through Armando's adventure.

Creatively crafted and informatively illustrated, Armando and the Amazing Animal Race is a fascinating book that any adventure enthusiast, avid environmentalist, or wildlife lover doesn't want to miss.

About the Book:

Ages: 8-12 | 350 Pages
Publisher: Sea Otter Press (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-0690795-1-0

Two unlikely teammates on a grueling continent-hopping race. Their mission: to photograph 7 endangered animals in just 70 days… and solve a baffling family mystery.

When twelve-year-old Armando stumbles on his mother’s old race journal and convinces his wacky grandmother to join the Amazing Animal Race—the same race his mother disappeared on eight years earlier—his summer explodes into a wild global adventure. Armed with night vision goggles, bear spray, and support from his tech-savvy friend Jinny, Armando faces a charging polar bear, poachers’ bullets, and ruthless rivals as he races across the icy Arctic to the steamy Amazon rainforest. What starts as a race to help endangered animals and the environment spirals into a treacherous quest to unravel a mystery that will change Armando’s family—and his life—forever.

Packed with thrilling action, laugh-out-loud moments, and unforgettable characters, Armando and the Amazing Animal Race takes readers on a whirlwind journey of self-discovery across the globe. This heart-warming tale of family, mystery, and wildlife conservation will inspire adventurers, both young and old, to see the world and themselves in a whole new light.

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

I am NOT Sophie! Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Does your little one enjoy pretending to be someone or something else? Have you ever joined her little game? Follow Sophie's week-long adventure in I am NOT Sophie! and enter to win a copy of this fun-filled board book!

My Review:

Centering around a little girl named Sophie, I am NOT Sophie! is a cheerful and charming book that exhibits the joy of pretend play, the magic of imagination, and the importance of unconditional love.

One Sunday morning finds little Sophie declaring her new identity as a tiger. And she acts like one too. Each morning afterwards, she surprises Mommy by turning into a different animal and acting accordingly all day long. Toward the end of the week, Sophie decides to resume being her normal self, whom Mommy loves from head to toe.

Using repeated words and predictable patterns, the story is easy to follow and pleasant to read aloud. While being entertained by Sophie's hilarious mimicking activities, the little ones are introduced to various wild animals and the verbs that are commonly used to describe their moves and sounds.

Full of vitality and creativity, Sophie is a loveable and relatable character that motivates young readers to start their own imaginative play. Her cuteness is vividly captured in the book's colorful and action-packed illustrations. Sophie's mom, on the other hand, exemplifies a supportive and loving parent who patiently plays along and lets the child make her own discovery. The best part of the story is how it ends with a touching exchange of affection between mother and daughter.

Amusing and accessible, I am NOT Sophie! is the perfect book for curious and active early readers who love animals and free play.

About the Book

Ages: 0-3 | 14 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids! (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891383838

Sophie is a little girl with a BIG imagination! Every day, she wakes up and decides to be a different animal. On Sunday, she pounces and roars through the house like a tiger. On Monday, she stomps and trumpets like a mighty elephant. Throughout the week, she is a slithering snake, a bouncy monkey, and even a scary alligator! By the end of the week, Sophie discovers that being herself is the best adventure of all.

Filled with playful illustrations and a heartwarming message about self-acceptance, I am NOT Sophie! encourages young readers to embrace their own unique magic—because sometimes, being YOU is the most wonderful thing of all!

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

Ode to a Pug: That Cat! Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Cat and dogs don't get along. Is this a truth or a myth? Judge for yourself by reading Ode to a Pug: That Cat!, sequel to the award-winning picture book Ode to a Pug by Jill Rosen. Enter to win a signed hardcover copy, along with an exclusive pug plush and sticker!

My Review:

With delightful rhymes and playful pictures, Ode to a Pug: That Cat! crafts an entertaining and heart-melting story about friendship, acceptance of differences and adaptation to change.

Soon after a cat is brought home by her human, Phoebe the pug starts to notice how different this newcomer is, from where she answers the call of nature to what she likes to play. It's hard to tell if the cat is more of a companion or a competition, but obviously she is no less mischievous than a pug. Phoebe finally gets her peace and space back when the cat is taken away. But why is she missing those meows so much?

Narrated by Phoebe and addressed to the cat, this book in fact features an ode to a cat by a pug. Through the pug's observation, readers get to learn about how the dog and the cat differ in their behavior and personalities, and how they interact with each other in funny but adorable ways. The growing bonds between the two strongly suggest the possibility of true friendship between individuals with substantial differences. Being different can be fun and exciting.

While the earnest tone of the pug adds to the humor of the narrative, the lively, cartoonish drawings that accompany the poem make the characters all the more lovely, charming and amusing. Their vivid facial expressions and body language can keep the readers laughing from beginning to end.

Lyrically written and expressively illustrated, Ode to a Pug: That Cat! makes a fabulous addition to the series and a magnetic read for pet lovers of all ages.

About the Book:

Ages: 3-6 | 22 Pages
Publisher: Pug House Books (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-0692261-1-2

From the author of the award-winning Ode to a Pug comes Ode to a Pug: THAT CAT! – the first in a series of amusing, adorably illustrated stories starring the gassy little pug that started it all.

Hilarious pug Phoebe is back, but she is not alone. See what happens when an unexpected new member enters the household.

Follow the silly antics as our number one velcro dog wrestles with sharing the spotlight. Of course, with its classic curly tail and squishy face, only a pug can pull off being both naughty and irresistible.

Double the chaos. Double the fun. Another laugh-out-loud, read-aloud story perfect for children ages 2-8 and dog (and cat!) lovers of all ages.

Purchase link: Amazon