Alli the Alligator Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway

Being visibly different from the others at school can pose a serious challenge to a young child eager to fit in and make friends. Follow a fun-loving alligator's adventure at a human's school in Alli the Alligator, debut children's book by award-winning author Cindy Miller. Enter to win a hardcover copy!

My Review:

Revolving around an adorable alligator with a big heart, Alli the Alligator tells an imaginative and uplifting tale about faith, family, friendship, belonging, kindness, forgiveness, bravery and acceptance of differences.

Alli is the youngest in the happy Gator family. She becomes so charmed by children playing outside her home that she makes up her mind to go to school. But being the first and only alligator at Swamp Elementary turns out to be tough. Instead of having fun and new friends, she gets isolated, ridiculed and bullied. Will she give up and quit?

Through lovable characters and colorful pictures, the story gently promotes Christian values, encouraging children to be kind, open-minded, and aware of their special purpose in life. Alli sets a positive example of recovering from hurt feelings, forgiving those who have been unkind, and earning respect and recognition through bravery and kindness. Her experience inspires young readers to embrace their uniqueness as a strength and stay true to their kind heart no matter how others behave.

The book's playful artwork portrays Alli and her family as agreeable, considerate and caring creatures that children can feel close to. As for the human characters, the illustrator takes care to include children of different skin colors, genders, and ethnic origins. Full of color, action, expression and vitality, the pictures make it easy to get fully immersed in the thought-provoking story.

Written with love and compassion, Alli the Alligator is an accessible and meaningful read that imparts important life lessons relevant to everyone.

About the Book:

Ages: 4–7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: BookLogix (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1-6653-1069-7

What happens when being different makes you feel like you don't belong? Alli Gator loves swimming and playing along the banks of the Rumbly River with her family. When she discovers children nearby, she dreams of going to school just like they do. But being the only alligator in a classroom full of children isn't easy. On her first day at Swamp Elementary, the other students stare, whisper, and laugh. Just when Alli begins to lose confidence, an unexpected moment reveals her bravery and kindness—and shows everyone that differences can be a gift.

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

Ode to a Pug: I'm a BIG Dog! Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Have you missed our beloved gassy pug Phoebe? She's back for a new adventure in Ode to a Pug: I'm a BIG Dog!, the fourth book in the rhyming picture book series by award-winning author-illustrator duo Jill Rosen and Steph Rohr. Explore the BIG dog park with Phoebe and win a fantastic prize pack complete with author-signed books, pug plushies and stickers!

My Review:

Full of hilarious mishaps captured in comical pictures and playful rhymes, Ode to a Pug: I'm a BIG Dog! breaks down the process of figuring out where one belongs while celebrating courage, confidence, community and unconditional love.

Phoebe loves Park Day, when she can enjoy outdoor play with her friends in the park exclusive to small dogs. After seeing all the fun the BIG dogs are having on the other side of the fence however, Phoebe feels the urge to try something new. Nothing can stop her from venturing into the BIG dog park. Will she impress the big guys and have a good time there? Regardless, she steals the spotlight when being spoiled by her human Mom.

Taking a funny, curious and adventurous pug's perspective, the story showcases both the excitement and risk of making a bold move. It applauds Phoebe's courage to step out of her comfort zone and take on big challenges. Meanwhile, it suggests that growing up takes time and patience. Staying where you belong gives you joy, confidence and a sense of security. Being loved and seen matters more than being big in size.

The book's humorous narrative is perfectly complemented by its amusing, expressive illustrations, which bring out the cuteness and quirkiness of a comedic pug. The colorful, lively pictures also help familiarize young readers with dogs in different sizes and of different breeds.

Witty and cozy, Ode to a Pug: I'm a BIG Dog! is a charming addition to the adorable series. It speaks to dog lovers of all ages and young children who can hardly wait to experience the thrill of all those BIG kids' rides.

About the Book:

Ages: 4–6 | 36 Pages
Publisher: Pug House Books Inc. (2026) | ISBN: 978-1-0695069-6-2

Anyone who has stared down a “You must be this tall to enter” sign will cheer on Phoebe’s latest quest to rule the BIG dog park the way only a pug can. Giggle along as a couple of compact canines stubbornly take on the BIG dogs in another hilarious, heart-warming adventure from the author of the award-winning Ode to a Pug books. Will our favorite gassy pug learn that the grass isn’t always greener? Or will her pug-powered determination pay off? A laugh-out-loud, adorably illustrated, rhyming tale of pup perseverance, perfect for children ages 2–8 and dog lovers of all ages.

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

Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny Virtual Tour: Review & Giveaway

Children are often taught about kindness without any clue about how to respond to an unkind comment that may leave a lasting scar on their heart. Mother and author Evelina Ruimy addresses this important issue in her new book Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny. Learn more about the sweet story and enter to win a hardcover copy!

My Review:

Thoughtfully written and delightfully illustrated, Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny is a heartwarming rhyming picture book with gentle messages about kindness, empathy, friendship, confidence and self-love.

Hop is a happy bunny who loves to learn at school in the company of his friends. But he stops doing what he loves after being told by a tough-looking pup named Ruff that he is not cool for liking school. Noticing the change in his behavior and mood, Hop's mom asks him why and suggests how to hop over hurtful words and return to his normal self.

Through adorable animal characters and relatable school scenarios, the story demonstrates the power of kindness while promoting self-love as the starting point for being kind to others. It makes young children aware that a random rude remark could cast a shadow on one's life whereas kind words and acts can light up one's day. Happiness lies in staying true to oneself and not being defined by someone else's opinion. Words are a reflection of the person who speaks, not the one being spoken to. Hop's experience exemplifies how to say NO to unkindness in a firm and polite way and how to exert a positive influence on others by spreading kindness. It also encourages young readers to follow their heart and pursue what they love.

The way Hop's mom communicates with Hop and guides him through the emotional challenge has great implications for parents and caregivers, who should take care to detect early signs of unusual changes in a child's behavior, find out the underlying cause, validate their feelings, and provide timely advice to help them get back on track.

Using soft hues and natural settings, the book's watercolor paintings charm young readers with cute little animals and cheerful scenes of friends learning and playing together. Through vivid facial expressions and body language, the illustrations well capture the characters' emotional changes, along with the joy of learning and being kind.

Engaging and uplifting, Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny makes an excellent choice for your next parent-child reading session. It enhances social-emotional learning through example and empathy.

About the Book:

Ages 4–8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-89138-745-4

Meet a bright and curious bunny who loves to learn, read, and play with friends. But when one pup gets in the way, this little bunny discovers something important about kindness, courage, and staying true to who you are. This charming, rhyme-filled story takes young readers on a heartwarming journey about friendship, confidence, and what it really means to be “cool.” Through playful rhythm and an uplifting message, children will learn that kindness and being yourself are the greatest strengths of all. Perfect for storytime at home or in the classroom, this delightful tale encourages children to build empathy, celebrate differences, and believe in themselves.

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

Dragon & Dinosaur Chronicles Series Virtual Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Have you ever wished that you could travel back in time to prevent bad things from happening to loved ones? Join Jason, Elisa and Amanda in their breathtaking space adventure in the Dragon & Dinosaur Chronicles series by author and entrepreneur Rick Williams Sr. in collaboration with his grandchildren. Enter to win signed copies of books in the series and an e-reader for kids!

My Review:

Inspired by the author's professional background and personal experience, Dragon & Dinosaur Chronicles crafts an epic series of exhilarating and enchanting time-travel tales exploring themes of family, friendship, self-discovery, diversity, positivity, courage, resilience and responsibility.

In Book One, Star Life Keepers, middle-school cousins Jason, Elisa and Amanda attempt to travel back in time to save their fathers but end up in a medieval country in the parallel universe of Belacamber, where they have to team up with elves and shapeshifting dragons to fight against invading dinosaurs.

The trio's epic journey continues in Book Two, Orion Fire Storm. While grappling with their new identities as Star Life Keepers, the teens must figure out ways to tackle greater challenges from more powerful enemies. Will they manage to master the power of astronomy magic, strengthen their alliance, and defeat the dark forces before time runs out?

Fast-paced and action-packed, this middle-grade series fascinates readers, young and old alike, with high stakes adventures in a complex world composed of magical creatures. Seamlessly weaving together elements of fantasy and science fiction, it spans a wide range of topics that intrigue young learners, including but not limited to astronomy, paleontology, biotech, computer science, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, history and politics. Real-world knowledge and controversies are cleverly introduced through an engaging work of fiction. The stories are not only fun to read but may also fuel young readers' passion for science and technology, encouraging them to explore and discover.

With a myriad of characters involved in the worldbuilding and plot development, the series maintains its focus on the three cousins, showing their growths in leadership, problem-solving skills and emotional regulation. Their fantastical adventure manifests the power of love, family, friendship, and teamwork, as well as the importance of integrity, loyalty and tenacity. Jason's unique situation is likely to resonate with kids with disabilities or dealing with loss while most readers can easily relate to Amanda's struggle with fear and anxiety. In addition, the trio's interaction with various kinds of creatures is particularly relevant to those living in a culturally diverse nation.

Besides bringing dragons and dinosaurs together in the same fantasy, the series sets itself apart by incorporating inputs from young storytellers, who know better about what their peers enjoy reading. Written with youngsters in mind, the books include detailed pictures and maps to help readers visualize the characters and scenes. Each book also comes with extensive back matter that helps keep track of the characters, understand the plots and ponder over the life lessons. More importantly, by sharing his creative process, the author avidly encourages young readers to write their own stories and enjoy storymaking as a family activity.

Highly imaginative and informative, Dragon & Dinosaur Chronicles is a STEM-infused series sure to capture the hearts of fantasy, adventure and science fiction lovers, sparking their interest in astronomy, life sciences and more.

About the Books:

Star Life Keepers

Ages: 10–14 | 388 Pages
Publisher: Legacy KidLit Press (2024) | ISBN-13: 9798987420010

With dragons and elves as allies, three cousins must save two worlds before time runs out. Join cousins Jason, Amanda, and Elisa as their desperate wish to undo family tragedy launches them into the war-torn, mythical realm of Belacamber. Guided by the legendary Star Life Keepers—an extraordinary alliance of elves, shapeshifting dragons, and prehistoric predators—the trio faces relentless foes, including terrifying flying T. rexes and vicious ptero-raptors, while battling to protect their own family back home. A thrilling middle-grade epic blending fantasy with time travel, dinosaurs, and dragon-filled skies.

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

Orion Fire Storm

Ages: 10+ | 417 Pages
Publisher: Legacy KidLit Press (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-9874200-7-2

During this time of renewed interest in space travel, Orion Fire Storm follows Jason, Amanda, and Elisa—modern-day teens who travel among the stars and into the past—as they join forces with elves and shapeshifting dragons to save their nations. Continuing the adventures that began in Star Life Keepers, they face even deadlier trials in a medieval world of gryphon-riding wolf guards, roaming dire wolves, and flying raptors. Messengers from Orion's Belt equip the cousins with magical gems to unlock the power beyond the universe. Features original illustrations, detailed maps, and an Encyclopedia of Creatures.

Purchase link: Amazon