Autism: My Invisible Backpack Awareness Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Being an autistic child isn't easy. Raising one can be even harder. Join Adrián and his family on their journey to emotional well-being in Autism: My Invisible Backpack, the fifth and latest book in the Finding My Voice series by Dalisse Sequeiros and Luis Barros. Enter to win a paperback copy or the complete series!

My Review:

Inspired by the authors' real-life experiences with parenting autistic kids, Autism: My Invisible Backpack is an informative and inventive book about emotional regulation, self-understanding, self-acceptance, and strategies to support neurodivergent children in their emotional growth.

With his backpack packed with snacks, water and his favorite book, Adrián goes on a mountain hike in the company of his younger brother and his parents. The uphill path poses challenges both to his body and his mind. Mom tells him about the invisible backpack everyone carries to hold their thoughts and feelings. That explains the unbearable weight that bothers him from the inside! And the pressure to "act normal" by masking his true self makes him so exhausted! Luckily, Mom and Dad are always there to help him unpack and unmask until he finds a safe space. The downhill path feels a lot easier as Adrián's invisible backpack gets lighter.

Told from Adrián's first person perspective, the story explains how a neurodivergent brain works differently from a neurotypical one, such as carrying emotions that don't belong to them and taking figurative expressions literally. Abstract concepts are made more accessible and interesting in this book through a large number of vivid visuals and metaphors. Children on the spectrum may find Adrián and his experience easy to relate to, while other young readers can understand their autistic peers on a deeper level and learn to empathize with them. Providing reassurance that nothing is wrong about being different, the narrative encourages everyone to embrace themselves as who they are and shine in their own way.

The book includes not only an exciting adventure for kids, but also useful tips for parents, who tend to play a pivotal role in their children's growth journey. Written from a parent's standpoint and with concrete examples, the authors enthusiastically share what has worked to help their autistic boys cope with emotional overload, sort out their own feelings, set healthy boundaries, and relax in a mask-free zone. They strongly suggest therapy as a safe, healing place for the entire family and remind parents to take care of their own emotional health in order to remain the backbone of support for their children.

Also noteworthy are the book's colorful, playful and expressive illustrations, which help readers visualize what's going on in Adrián's brain, what's filling up his invisible backpack and what his safe space looks like.

Filled with love and positivity, Autism: My Invisible Backpack raises awareness about the unique challenges autistic children and their parents have to tackle on a daily basis. It's a powerful read that equips neurodivergent youngsters with practical tools for emotional management. Meanwhile, it doubles as a helpful guide for parents, educators, and all those who care to join the support team for children on the spectrum.

About the Book:

Ages: 6-12 | 87 Pages
Publisher: Loving Pieces Books (2025) | ISBN: 978-8409767816

Autism: My Invisible Backpack is a heartwarming story that follows two autistic brothers, Adrián and Guillermo, on a mountain hike. Along the way, children discover that everyone carries an invisible backpack filled with feelings and thoughts, sometimes light, sometimes too heavy to carry alone.

Through this powerful metaphor, kids explore four common challenges —masking, hyper-empathy, literal thinking, and emotional overload —while also learning that therapy can be a safe place to unpack and rest.

With simple language, hand-drawn illustrations, and practical tools, this book helps children and families:

✔️ Recognize emotional overload and name feelings
✔️ Create mask-free zones to feel safe and authentic
✔️ See therapy as a trusted space to share openly
✔️ Celebrate moments of being truly seen and valued

A supportive resource for families, educators, and therapists, this story brings comfort, connection, and real strategies to make the autism journey feel lighter.

Purchase link: Amazon

Halloween and Holiday Treats from HLTH Code Complete Meal

Has your busy lifestyle made it challenging to cook healthy meals for your family? HLTH Code Complete Meal is here to help - with essential nutrients the body needs and without the hassle of planning, preparing and cooking. Learn more about what HLTH Code has to offer and enjoy two delicious recipes just in time for Halloween.

Formulated by a leading metabolic scientist, each HLTH Code meal replacement shake is complete with an optimized, science-backed blend of 27 grams of high-quality protein, healthy fats, apple cider vinegar, probiotics, prebiotic fiber, digestive enzymes, and vitamins and minerals with no added sugar, no soy, no GMOs, no gluten and nothing artificial. Available in a variety of tasty flavors, it offers the most balanced nutrition available to support energy, healthy weight management, blood sugar stability, brain health, gut health, and even hair, skin and nail health.

I was given the opportunity to sample HLTH Code Complete Meal in Creamy Vanilla and Chocolate Macadamia. Each bag comes with a scoop for easy and accurate measurement. Just mix two level scoops with 8 oz water, shake vigorously in a bottle or blend lightly in a blender, and a nutritiously complete meal is ready. It's so convenient and surprisingly filling. Both flavors are delicious, but I like Chocolate Macadamia slightly better as it combines two of my favorite flavors. You can of course get creative and add in berries, greens, or spices to achieve a more personalized blend.

The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

What comes to mind when you think about Chimera? A terrifying three-headed monster from Greek mythology? Meet the non-typical Chimera from The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree, a debut novel by Corlis C Fraga. Enter to win a signed copy and exclusive book swag!

My Review:

As the opening book of The Chronicles of Noe series, The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree crafts a captivating and empowering fantasy about family, friendship, growth, self discovery and self acceptance.

Enee is a 13-year-old Chimera who dares to break the rules in hopes of changing the fate for her family. Day after day, she keeps practicing climbing the forbidden Grail Tree in secrecy and aims to obtain a magic Grail Stone for her hard-working Mama. Unfortunately, she fells off one day and breaks her arm for the first time in her life. Does she have a better plan to reach her goal? Is it possible for her to become the first Chimera in a long while who can wield magic?

Written with light humor and rich imagination, the tale leads the readers inside a fantastical world of mythical creatures like Chimeras, Alchems, Foblins and Everlass. It brilliantly weaves together elements of fantasy and reality to make the characters and the community they live in more relatable to modern readers. For instance, the youngsters go to school while the adults have to work to support the family. They rent apartments and shop for groceries at a store.

The author does a wonderful job of creating strong characters with a charming arc. Enee's self-discovery journey inspires teenage readers to stay true to themselves, dare to be different, take responsibility for the consequences of their mistakes, and pursue their dreams with courage, confidence and perseverance. The story also shows how true friendship forms between individuals with considerable differences, while shedding light on cultivating a sense of belonging.

Beautifully written, The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree makes a worthy read for fantasy lovers of all ages. I can't wait to learn about Enee's next adventure in book two.

About the Book:

Ages: 12-15 | 296 Pages
Publisher: Fraga Books LLC (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9926692-0-6

Thirteen-year-old Enelope Noe is a Chimera of legend. It makes no difference that she doesn’t resemble the three-headed monster most people expect. Enee is a Chimera—a Chimera on a mission to steal a priceless Grail Stone for a chance at a better life for her family. But as Enee approaches her goal, she gains a power unheard of among Chimeras. Or is it? Suddenly, the world is not what Enee has been led to believe. A history of forgotten horrors unravels the truth behind this newfound gift, casting doubt on everything Enee has been told about who she is. But if Enee accepts these abilities for her family’s sake, can she bear the cost of uncovering a destiny far greater than anyone thought possible?

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Santa's 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Can you imagine Santa making gift deliveries around the globe in something other than his sleigh as we know it? Hop on Santa's 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh for an exciting adventure. Enter to win a copy of this new book by author and musician J. Brandon Boron, along with a number of themed goodies in time for the holidays!

My Review:

With musical rhymes and festive vibes, Santa's 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh tells an enchanting and energizing Christmas tale showcasing the joy of gift-giving, working as a team, and spreading holiday cheer in creative ways.

On Christmas Eve, Santa finds three reindeer hit by the flu and one suffering from vision loss. With half of the team down, it seems impossible to get the sleigh going as usual. How about driving Santa's old 18-wheeler instead? With help from the elves and Mrs. Claus, the chrome-and-steel sleigh is fully packed and ready to rock and roll!

Short and sweet, the story takes young readers on a unique fun ride alongside Santa, who is determined to deliver the toys to all the children on his nice list on time, no matter what. As they applaud Santa's smart move, children are inspired to come up with creative solutions to unexpected problems, enlist help from family and friends, and stay committed to their mission despite difficulties and challenges. The book is complete with discussion questions, a sample letter to Santa, and a QR code to unlock an original song that presents the book in a cheerful, catchy tune. It's a bit hard to stop "Go, Santa, go beep beep!" from playing in loop in my head right now.

With sparkling night views and jubilant characters painted in festive colors, the book's illustrations immerse readers in the celebratory atmosphere as they follow Santa's magic truck to see iconic buildings and animals in different countries, with the amusingly gleeful reindeer band playing in North Pole. The vivid images also help kids visualize the excitement of accomplishing a demanding task through teamwork and positive thinking.

Entertaining and invigorating, Santa's 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh makes a delightful Christmas gift that motivates young children to do good in order to get on Santa's nice list and to explore exotic places around the world.

About the Book:

Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891383333

With the reindeer sick and Christmas on the line, how on Earth will Santa get all of those toys to those good girls and boys?

Don’t worry—With 18 wheels, a little help from his friends, and a lot of milk and cookies, Santa has a plan!

Climb aboard and join Saint Nick and his pals as they make the most important delivery of the year!

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