Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Wondering if Tiki and his friends will be able to find King Lauia in time to save TikiTown? The wait is finally over. The sequel in the Tiki Time series is here. Check out Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki and enter to win a signed copy, along with a $100 Amazon gift card and a National Geographic Light-Up Terrarium for Kids!

My Review:

Packed with action and adventure, Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki tells an electrifying time travel tale teaching about courage, confidence, determination, friendship, team work and what it takes to be a real hero.

Equipped with superpowers and unique talents, Team Tiki continues their daunting mission in book two. Following the tracks of evil King Lauia, Tiki and his crew travel back to prehistoric times. From ferocious dinosaurs to ancient math puzzle, one challenge after another awaits them before they can get inside the cunning villain's lair. Will they manage to retrieve the sacred Toku mask from King Lauia and rescue their townspeople before time runs out?

With the combination of captivating graphics, dynamic characters and thrilling plot twists, the story draws young readers deep inside a fascinating world of magic and fantasy, in which Tiki and his friends must overcome their weaknesses, utilize their special powers, and think creatively in order to complete the seemingly impossible mission. The growths of the characters as they gain more confidence and recollect themselves in the face of danger inspire youngsters to never give up easily and to explore ways to unlock their potential. Every challenge coming in their way presents an opportunity to demonstrate the power of friendship, team work and resilience.

The distinctive group of characters and their unusual journey are brought to life by cartoonish illustrations marked by bold colors, rich expressions and animated motion. The pictures help immerse young readers in the story and empathize with the heroes in training.

Gripping and invigorating, Tiki Time: T-Rex Tiki makes a fabulous addition to the series as well as to the summer reading list of any adventure-loving child.

About the Book:

Ages: 6-8 | 58 Pages
Publisher: Tiki Toons Publishing, LLC (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-9941608-2-4

In this sequel of the Tiki Time series, Tiki, a boy with magical powers, is joined by a precocious group of friends who travel back to prehistoric times in their search for the evil time traveling sorcerer, King Lauia. King Lauia has escaped from present-day TikiTown with the sacred Toku mask, leaving its citizens in a frozen state.

Tiki and his friends set out on this perilous quest. Tiki must find King Lauia, take back the mask, and travel back to present-day to unfreeze TikiTown and its people — all while avoiding getting eaten by a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex! Time is ticking! If Tiki doesn't succeed, TikiTown will remain frozen forever!

Tiki and the audience continue to learn valuable lessons in this adventure about self-confidence, friendship, proper behavior, and the true meaning of character and integrity.

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

Tall as the Sun Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

It's release day for Tall as the Sun, the latest picture book from children's author and poet Stephanie Henson! Let's celebrate with a fantastic giveaway, giving you the chance to win a basket filled with bookish prizes!

My Review:

Rich in color and content, Tall as the Sun presents an enchanting and blissful bedtime story that captures sweet father-daughter memories blended in a beach day spectacle.

A little girl sits on top of Daddy's shoulders and embarks on an adventure at the beach. From dancing dolphins to running kids, everything seems somewhat different from high above. Feeling taller and taller, she imagines herself flying like an airplane, twirling like a parasail and soaring with seagulls. After a day full of joy and excitement, she falls fast asleep, dreaming of growing as tall as the sun.

Through the observations of a little girl perched up high on her father's shoulders, the book charms young readers with a variety of fun activities that can make a beach day memorable, such as flying kites, building sandcastles, discovering sea creatures, or simply taking a stroll like the father-daughter duo in the story. Parents who read together with their children may get inspiration for how to plan their next beachside outing.

While the unique over-the-shoulder angle gives the little girl a fresh view of the world around her, the very presence of her dad makes all the difference for her experience. Her eye-opening ride is only made possible by the security and support Daddy provides. The precious bond between the father and the daughter can be seen and felt through the sunny smiles on their faces. Lively and expressive, the book's artwork not only beautifully represents the boisterous beach scenes as described in the narrative, but also enriches them with imaginative details, showcasing various ways to enjoy a beach day.

Lyrically written and artfully illustrated, Tall as the Sun makes a delightful read on and around Father's Day, in celebration of the indispensable role a father plays in his daughter's life.

About the Book:

Ages: 0–12 | 30 Pages
Publisher: Watchful Wizard Publishing (2026) | ISBN: 978-1-969819-01-8

Tall as the Sun is a heartfelt story that takes readers on a lyrical journey through the eyes of a child as they discover the magic of perspective during a day at the beach with Dad. As our little hero rises higher and higher on Dad's shoulders, the world transforms into a playground of endless possibilities. From soaring with seagulls to reaching the top of sandcastles, each page brings a new adventure.

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

Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Are you ready to crack cases and solve mysteries with a team of young detectives? Join Mo and his friends in their thrilling adventure in Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil, the first book in a new series by award-winning author Michael J. Bowler. Enter to win a signed hardcover copy and an Amazon gift card, or one of the other eleven prizes!

My Review:

Fast-paced and action-packed, Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil stands out as a hilarious and heartful middle grade fiction that explores the significance of friendship, courage and emotional intelligence, along with the impact of social media on self-esteem, body image and privacy.

Meet the Muppit Boy detective agency, composed of three middle school students Mo, Kash and Barn. Small in stature, Mo has a brain that works like a video recorder. Tall and slim, Kash is a sharp girl good at martial arts. Chubby and clumsy, Barn offers help in unexpected ways. A mysterious break-in at their school leads them into the dangerous discovery of an evil scheme of a mad scientist seeking power and wealth. Almost getting killed by a roaring chainsaw is just the beginning.

Told from Mo's perspective, the story treats curious minds to a delicious blend of humor, mystery, suspense and adventure. By following Mo's personal growth journey from an easy target of bullying and mockery to a superhero, readers get to experience first-hand his struggle with emotional control and unwanted internet fame, his search for self-worth, and his bittersweet feelings about his new identity. Mo's transformation may inspire them to stand up against bullies, stay calm in the face of danger, solve problems creatively, and learn to embrace their own special talents while adapting to major life changes.

The friendship of the quirky trio shines prominently throughout the story. It suggests what true friendship means and how trust, support and empathy serve as cornerstones of a solid relationship. Meanwhile, the touching bond between Mo and his Big Brother mentor Ari prompts us to see and understand family beyond biology.

Highly entertaining and engaging, Muppit Boy and the Allergies of Evil makes an exciting addition to the summer reading list of anyone who loves mystery, adventure, superhero or science fiction. Looking forward to more books in the series!

About the Book:

Ages: 9-12 | 264 Pages
Publisher: Michael Bowler (2026) | ISBN: 979-8993648606

AN INTERNET JOKE. AN EVIL GENIUS. A HERO IS BORN.

Gifted with a brain that works like a video recorder, twelve-year-old aspiring detective Elmo Fitzroy — famous on YouTube, thanks to his mother, as “Muppit Boy” because of really humiliating videos — becomes embroiled in a world-domination plot hatched by an evil scientist out to control humanity with deadly allergies.

Mo's life plan is simple: ditch his dweeby childhood alter ego and fly under the radar to survive middle school. It backfires big time when he helps his Big Brother mentor — a police detective — investigate an old woman in a clown mask who robs people of their hearing aids.

Little does he realize that chasing clues with friends Barney Kettlewick and Kashvi Jindal will lead to a battle with ugly shoes, pursuit by chainsaw-wielding maniacs, an embarrassingly public rescue by a California condor, a meeting with Homeland Security, and his ADHD soaring into overdrive.

The kid who's always been a joke must somehow become a hero to save his family, friends, and, well, the whole world.

Purchase link: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

Ripples Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Earth Day may be over, but caring for our beloved planet isn't. Ripples, new picture book from muralist Katie Yamasaki, reminds us of our reponsiblity for the environment and how care can be manifested through small, everyday actions. Enter to win a hardcover copy and a set of five other picture books from the author!

My Review:

Written in short, playful sentences accompanied by vibrant, scenic paintings, Ripples tells a calming, uplifting tale about living in harmony with nature, caring for loved ones and the environment, and the power of community spirit and collective action.

A cheerful, compassionate young girl goes on a river rafting trip with her aunt. As they paddle down the river, they pass groups of friends enjoying a picnic, tending wounds, or holding a birthday party on the banks. The trip isn't just for fun though. It's for a mission too challenging for two. Luckily, their friends show up to support their cleanup efforts. Many hands make light work!

Told from a child's perspective, the story keeps young readers engaged with evocative sensory descriptions and metaphors. For instance, "Wet earth smells like mud pies from Mother Earth's bakery." "As we curve around a bend, the singalong notes of 'Happy Birthday' float past, mixing with birdsong high above and our own voices, splashing in the river." Readers get to see, smell, hear and feel what the narrator is excited to share. The contrast between the beautiful view along the river and the trash floating around on open water alerts us to the urgency and severity of the issue, prompting us to take action and protect our environment.

Alongside the engaging narrative, the book's stunning artwork celebrates the serene beauty of nature, the peaceful coexistence of wildlife and human beings, and the togetherness of a close-knit community, in which everyone knows, helps and cares about one another. The inclusion of adorable wild animals in the pictures, especially babies in the care of their mothers, not only corresponds neatly to the themes of the story, but also charms young readers, deepens their love for nature and awakens their sense of responsibility for the world they live in.

Poetic and picturesque, Ripples makes the perfect pick for Earth Month and beyond. It's a book that activates your senses, warms your heart, and calls for your action.

About the Book:

Ages: 6–10 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Norton Young Readers (2026) | ISBN: 978-1324053941

A young girl and her Aunty set sail on their river raft, basking in each other's company and in the beauty of the world around them. Along the way, they pass friends and families caring for one another—sharing food, tending wounds, celebrating birthdays, and telling stories—who ultimately join them in cleaning litter and trash from the river. A moving picture book about compassion, community, and caring for our shared world.

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