Category: children

Author: Paris Morris
Publisher: New Year Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9760095-4-2
Pages: 24
Price: $12.95

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Paris is three years old, and her mother is expecting twins. Being an inquisitive little girl, she wonders what it will be like once her baby siblings arrive. But Paris is determined to be the best big sister ever.

Over the course of a couple of months, we see the family adjusting to Mommy carrying the twins. Daddy and Paris sometimes have to go out alone while she rests. Paris handles this well, enjoying the time she has with her father.

The first child has no idea how life will change once a new baby shows up, so kids will relate to Paris and all her questions. Colorful and fun illustrations bring this cute and very real dilemma to life, as Paris figures out how she’ll need to adjust to the twins’ birth.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Tami Su
Illustrator: Jan Dolby
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-160844-713-8
Pages: 28
Price: $16.99

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Every day at school, Mallory teases and bullies Vicky. She won’t let anyone talk to or play with Vicky, which makes her very lonely. But complaining to the teacher only gets them both sent to the principal’s office and detention.

But as Mallory and Vicky enter the detention room, they’re suddenly transported to a land called Phobiatopia. Here everyone has a fear, and no one is allowed to make fun of it. Offenders are sent to the Golden Rule Room, and Mallory won’t let her bullying rest until she finds herself there, facing her punishment alone.

Anyone who has ever been bullied will relate to Vicky’s dilemma, and cheer as Mallory is taught a lesson that her behavior simply won’t be tolerated. In a fun and non-preachy way, kids learn that bullying is not okay, and there are consequences to their actions.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author & Illustrator: Susan Meredith
Publisher: Rocking Chair Publications
Genre: Children / Fairy Tale
ISBN: 978-0984286614
Pages: 38
Price: $7.99

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When Ella’s mother dies, she wishes for her dad to remarry, so she can have a mother’s influence in her life. She doesn’t consider the fact her stepmother might have daughters of her own. These two greedy girls take over Ella’s room, forcing her to sleep by the hearth, and she often ends up sooty. Before long, she’s known as CinderElla.

When the Prince holds a ball, the stepsisters can’t wait to meet him. Being married to a Prince would ensure that their needs for lots of clothes and jewels would be satisfied. CinderElla just longs to be her mother’s daughter for the evening, and her wish is granted by the stars. But all good things come to an end, and she rushes from the ball, leaving one shoe behind.

Gram’s Fairy Tales are a kinder, gentler retelling of the original stories. Although the stepmother in this new version isn’t mean, it’s hard to see much good in these materialistic stepsisters. But in light of their behavior, CinderElla’s goodness shines through, capturing the heart of her Prince.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: David D. Bernstein
Illustrator: Sally Taylor
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4327-5175-3
Pages: 28
Price: $13.95

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Jack’s mom has passed away, and he misses her terribly. So he starts to weave a magic rope from the wildflowers she loved so much. Then he climbs the rope that leads him to the afterlife, where he sees his mom has become a golden dragon.

Jack’s mother reassures him that she still loves him, and shows him around her world. Then she lets him know he can come back any time he chooses, and she’ll be there for him. When he returns to earth, he notices a missing flower, and knows she has kept it as a reminder of his visit.

Although we can’t really be with those who have left us, it’s comforting for kids to be able to at least visit in their imaginations. Jack’s magical journey lets them know they can still be close even though they’re so far away. Bright and cheerful illustrations, rather than the dark and dreary colors of death, show us the light and hope this sweet story shares.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author & Illustrator: Susan Meredith
Publisher: Rocking Chair Publications
Genre: Children / Fairy Tale
ISBN: 978-0984286607
Pages: 32
Price: $7.99

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Little Red Riding Hood is taking a shortcut through the woods to see her grandma. But along the way, she sees a wolf running from a hunter. When she gets to grandma’s house, the scared wolf is hiding inside, so she tries to protect him. The wolf is grateful Little Red Riding Hood has saved his life, and later he has the opportunity to save hers.

Far from the big bad wolf of the original story, this is a kind and very much misunderstood wolf. He only wants to be left in peace, and he doesn’t know why he’s being hunted just because he’s a wolf.

This new Little Red Riding Hood shows kids that all animals deserve respect and consideration. It’s never a good idea to judge anyone based on stereotypes, and sometimes the most unlikely creatures can be good friends.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author & Illustrator: Kathy Archibald Anderson
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4520-8888-4
Pages: 36
Price: $16.99

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Max the caterpillar was born with his legs backwards. Even though he needed to walk with a walker, he still liked to play with his family and friends. Max loved everyone, and they all loved him.

But one day Max crawled into his cocoon never to be seen again as a caterpillar. Instead, he emerged a beautiful butterfly.

Max the Happy Caterpillar was written in memory of a boy who was born with severe physical disabilities. He lived to be six years old, and he brought so much joy to his family during his short time with them. Losing a loved one is difficult, and this simple book is a gentle reminder that life is precious. No matter how different we are or what we’re struggling with, we all need love.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Susan Meredith
Publisher: Rocking Chair Publications
Genre: Children / Fairy Tale
ISBN: 978-0984286621
Pages: 42
Price: $7.99

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When a beautiful human princess fell in love with a gnome prince, they were a very uneven couple. She was tall and he was short, so they decided to move far away from other people to avoid all the stares. And their son, Rumpelstiltskin, was good looking, like his mother, but only a little over three feet tall. So the boy grew up alone with his parents. But Rumpelstiltskin had inherited their talents for spinning straw into gold, and they all lived comfortably together.

But finally, Rumpelstiltskin grew lonely, and wanted to marry. His journey took him to another realm where a miller had decided to give his daughter in marriage to the highest bidder. Being already smitten with the girl, Clarissa, he offered a bag of gold for her hand. But he had competition from the king, who had heard Clarissa could spin straw into gold. Rumpelstiltskin knew he would have to come to her rescue.

Unlike in the original tale, the king has no evil intentions towards Clarissa if she doesn’t fulfill her purpose. He’s simply a greedy man who wants to accumulate a lot of wealth and a pretty bride. In this sweet romance, the good guy gets the girl, and everyone lives happily ever after.

Once again, Susan Meredith has turned a classic fairy tale into a cute story that kids today can relate to, with no scary stuff to give them nightmares. Instead, they’ll learn a subtle message that making big demands of people won’t get you as far as simply being kind. And they will be much better off marrying someone who will love them for who they are, and not just what they can do.

Reviewer: Alice Berger