Prompt Me Kids Book Review

Author: Robin Woods

Illustrator: Robin Woods

Publisher: Epic Books Publishing

Released: August 29, 2023

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 978-1941077474

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating:  5 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon

This book will have your kiddos writing way past your bedtime!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author and agreed to give an honest review.

Review:

Book Summary: 

One of 10 books in The Prompt Me Series that encourages and guides writers on their journey into the creative writing realm.

Opinion:

I’ve reviewed several of Robin Woods’ Prompt Me Books and they’re all amazing. Not to be redundant but Robin’s latest installment to the series, Prompt Me Kids Workbook, is as equally engaging as the rest.

Right from the beginning, Woods offers advice on how to develop and hone writing skills. These are her three major steps to becoming a better writer: 1. Write often. 2. Read often. 3. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Each of these steps develops literacy skills as well as self-confidence.

There are so many features included in the book that are intentionally targeted to bolster a kid’s vocabulary and imagination. She also incorporates a writing sample to help kids get started on their new literary adventure.

Some sections include: 

List It

Structure It

First Person Story Starters

You’re An Animal

Poetry That

Grammar Reference

She arranged the book into sections chock full of resources perfect for an aspiring or experienced writer. A writing skill is introduced with an example then the writer is given the opportunity to practice.

It would make a great supplement to any English or Creative Writing classroom. There are different techniques for brainstorming, various lists to bolster creativity, and word searches. 

Although it is geared for older students, with the right modifications, elementary school educators could apply many of the exercises. (FYI: Robin Woods is a high school and university English and literature instructor, so she knows how to construct a rigorous writing module.)

As a creative writer and a former classroom teacher, I highly recommend this book for any classroom and aspiring author.

I give it 5 Lemon Drops!

About The Author:

Robin Woods is a former high school and university instructor with two and a half decades of experience teaching English, literature, and writing.

She earned a BA in English and an MA in education. In addition to teaching, Robin Woods has published six highly-rated novels and has multiple projects in the works.

When Ms. Woods isn’t teaching or writing, she is chasing her two kids around and spending time with her ever-patient husband.

For news and free writing resources you can visit her official site at: 

http://robinwoodsfiction.com 

And like her on Facebook at: 

http://www.facebook.com/robinwoodsfiction

Stewbot and the Stolen Tooth Fairy Wings

Author: Stewart Sutters

Illustrator: Stewart Sutters

Publisher: Robot Books

Released: November 1, 2023

Format: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle 

ISBN: 978-1739540739

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating:  4 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon

Stewbot and the Stolen Tooth Fairy Wings is the perfect blend of humor, adventure, and wild imagination! Children and parents will enjoy it.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Reedsy and agreed to give an honest review.

Review:

Book Summary:

Stewbot, a robot made entirely of wood, is truly remarkable. He is a hero who travels through time, helping the tooth fairy reclaim her stolen wings from the impostor Tooth Doggy.

Opinion:

Stewbot and the Stolen Tooth Fairy Wings is a charming tale about a little boy named Eddie. Every week, Eddie pays a visit to his grandparents. Once Mum leaves, Eddie quickly makes his way to the shed with Pops, who regales him with marvelous tales about Stewbot.

Eddie has some thrilling news this week - his tooth fell out when he woke up and he's hoping the tooth fairy will come tonight. Pops is bursting with inspiration to recount the incredible story of Stewbot and the Tooth Fairy, and how they foiled Tooth Doggy's sneaky plan.

The close bond between Eddie and Pops was something I truly valued. Eddie is at that magical age where parents and grandparents are seen as wondrous people who are incapable of making mistakes.

The cute rhyming scheme of Stewbot and the Stolen Tooth Fairy Wings Introduces young readers to the playful rhythm of words when written in a specific way. In a classroom setting, teachers can highlight rhyming words and compile a list of related words with the same sound. At home, parents can also do something similar. Rather than writing it out, they can simply say the words and pay attention to the way they sound.

Stewbot and the Stolen Tooth Fairy Wings also presents a STEM opportunity for parents and educators. Pops creates Stewbot using a combination of wood and shiny metal parts. Following a read aloud, children can unleash their creativity and make their very own Stewbot using shoeboxes or anything else that inspires them.

Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the chance to find Stewbot hidden on every page. This boosts children's capacity to concentrate and visually survey an entire book page.

Sutters’ vivid illustrations add the perfect blend of humor and adventure to his imaginative story.

I highly recommend this book for children 4-7 years of age!

I give it 4 Lemon Drops!

Classroom Connection:

Stewbot and the Stolen Tooth Fairy Wings would work well with a classroom theme on families or a Grandparent’s Day celebration. Teachers can also incorporate the book with a lesson on rhyming and to inspire creativity for a STEM activity.

Age Range: The author recommends 3-5 years.

Targeted Vocabulary:

Time-traveling, naughty, gangster, nibble, phenomenal, slobbering, terrible, imposter, mission, delighted, showdown, defeat, berserk, decay

Resources:

      Pinterest

Pinterest

About The Author & Illustrator:

Stewart Sutters is an author/illustrator from the UK. He wanted to write and illustrate a series of children’s stories that celebrates the special relationship between a child and grandparents, igniting fun, laughter, imagination, and infusing a little silliness into each story.

You can find out more about Stewart Sutters at stewbot.co.uk

What's The Hurry, Helma? Book Review

 

Author: Verena Zannantoni

Illustrator: Hank van der Gugten

Publisher: Marvelous Minds Press

Released: November 20, 2023

Format: Hardcover, Paperback

ISBN: 979-8-9891604-1-9

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating:  3 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon.

A great story about the value of learning to follow directions, taking your time, and understanding that everyone’s actions have consequences.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Reedsy and agreed to give an honest review.

Review:

Book Summary:

Helma is bursting with excitement to start her rescue missions and prove she's the best.

Regrettably, Helma encounters difficulty in following her instructor Bernie's directions and narrowly avoids disaster multiple times.

In the end, Helma understands the significance of taking time and listening to experienced individuals.

Opinion:

What’s the Hurry, Helma? Choppy Rescue Missions in Italy is a story that will resonate with many young children.

Like most youngsters, Helma, the main character, possesses a spontaneous nature and a strong desire to assist.

Additionally, she aims to prove her capability in accomplishing tasks similar to a more seasoned rescue helicopter.

As the story moves along, Helma’s intense focus on the rescue missions causes her to completely disregard the direct instructions from her teacher. This is something that many kids are notorious for.

Helma teaches children important lessons like patience, obedience, attentiveness, self-restraint, and understanding consequences.

A perfect cause-and-effect scenario occurs during a mission to save Bella the Cat.

Bernie asks for more time to buckle Bella in, but Helma ignores his call. In consequence, Bella the Cat drops.

Fortunately, she doesn’t get hurt after landing in a bed of croissants.

This is the perfect opportunity for parents and teachers to talk about the consequences of our actions. 

What was the reason for Bella's fall? Helma's lack of attentiveness to Bernie led to this. Bella's accident happened because Helma didn't listen. The effect was Bella falling into a bed of croissants.

I enjoyed van der Gugten’s colorful illustrations. They added a lot of pep and humor to the story.

With that said, there are two aspects that could make the story better. Adding a section on the history of Bernese Mountain Dogs would benefit the readers' understanding of this lovable breed.

A few verses were overly wordy and could benefit from revision.

I give it 3 1/2 Lemon Drops!

Classroom Connection:

A classroom theme on transportation or Italy would benefit from incorporating What’s the Hurry, Helma? Choppy Rescue Missions in Italy, while also teaching lessons on impulse control, cause-and-effect, the value of taking your time, and following directions.

Age Range: The author recommends 3-5 years.

Targeted Vocabulary:

safety, wreck, inspection, croissant, cheeky, pounces, hovering, ignore

Resources:

Teachers Pay Teachers

Bernese Mountain Dag

COMPARE/CONTRAST 2 SIMILAR LOOKING DOGS: ST. BERNARD & BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG (teacherspayteachers.com)

Bernese Mountain Dog Informational Passage by The Applied Language Arts Cache (teacherspayteachers.com)

Italy

Italy Unit Study {Free Sample} by Simple Living Creative Learning (teacherspayteachers.com)

FREE - Italy Map Outline by The Harstad Collection | TPT (teacherspayteachers.com)

FREE - Italy - 4 Posters by The Harstad Collection | TPT (teacherspayteachers.com)

About The Author:

Growing up surrounded by the tall mountains of northern Italy, Verena fell in love with reading at an early age.

The young bookworm wiggled her way through so many stories at her local library that one year she even set a record for borrowing the most books.

Though she's lived, worked, and studied in Germany, Australia and the US, her enduring love for storytelling and her birthplace has remained unwavering.

This mom to two helicopter-obsessed boys has now put pen to paper and written her first children’s book: What’s the Hurry, Helma? Choppy Rescue Adventures in Italy.

Fueled by nostalgia and as a way to revisit Verena’s childhood upbringing, the book takes place in South Tyrol.

This Italian region is known for its stunning natural beauty, and the mountains and lakes provide the perfect backdrop for Helma’s first day as a rescue helicopter.

Her whirlwind adventures are depicted in an entertaining way, whilst also teaching kids the value of slowing down and listening to others.

 

About the Illustrator:

At the moment Henk is a musical creative teacher at an MBO. But for as long as he can remember, he’s been drawing.

His first drawing memories is, that in kindergarten he made a drawing in his workbook.

 

But because he couldn't stop, he filled his entire book in one morning. When he was done, he proudly walked to the teacher to show her his drawings.

But instead of them being his one compliment, he got hit on the head. He wasn't supposed to make so many drawings.

 

He’s actually still that little boy who just wants to draw.

 

In addition to his work as a teacher, he has been working as an independent illustrator since October 2018.

Henk Van Der Gugten

website

2023 Lemon Drop Book Awards

 At the end of the year, I go through the books I've reviewed and give certificates to my favorites.

Congratulations to this year's winners! 

Superhero Cowgirl Princess Book Review

 

Author: Janine Parker

Illustrator: Juliet Parker

Publisher: Marvelous Minds Press

Released: October 9, 2023

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 979-8-9890508-0-2

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating:  3 1/2 Lemon Drops

Available for purchase here.

Review:

A child brimming with enthusiasm and creativity supported by a mother who happily encourages ger to explore every facet of her personality.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Reedsy and agreed to give an honest review.

Book Summary:

As Halloween approaches, Juliet, a little girl with limitless aspirations to be anything and everything, embraces the power of her vivid imagination.

Right now, is the perfect time for her to delve into new experiences and uncover more about herself.

Under the intentional questions posed by her mother, Juliet explores the multi-faceted roles she’d like to take on. This ultimately leads to a one-of-a-kind Halloween costume of self-expression and playfulness.

Opinion:

Superhero Cowgirl Princess is a fantastic story for any child looking to express themselves in a safe environment.

In step with the thrust of redesigning gender roles, Juliet exemplifies how girls can embrace masculine roles while still maintaining their feminine identity.

I liked how Juliet's mother encouraged her with open-ended 'wh' questions.

Children can expand their vocabulary, confidence, and critical thinking skills by answering these types of questions. They also learn social norms for productive conversations with others.

Juliet's mom embodies the ideal parent who guides their child towards self-awareness without being intrusive.

She enthusiastically supports Juliet’s colorful wardrobe choices that evolves into an energetic blend of childhood ingenuity and dramatic play.   

The story was enjoyable, and it sends a positive message that resonates with girls and children everywhere. That being said, the story would benefit from another edit.

Two inconsistencies exist with the names of the characters. First, the mother is referred to as Mom and Mommy. I believe the author should use only one of these labels.

Second, the main character’s name is Juliet, but we don’t learn her name until halfway through the story. Introducing Juliet’s name on page three of the story would better serve the reader. The author could simply switch sweetheart with Juliet.   

Juliet Parker’s watercolor illustrations capture the warm palette of autumn that complement the fall themed story nicely. Children will enjoy the different scenarios the main character envisions for herself.

I would have liked to give the story four stars but refrained because of the changes I feel it needs.

I give it 3 1/2 Lemon Drops!

Classroom Connection: 

Superhero Cowgirl Princess is a perfect example for a lesson on self-image and the unique creativity we all possess as well as a Halloween Read Aloud.

Age Range: Pre-K to 3rd Grade

Targeted Vocabulary: 

spiraled, crooked, sparkly, dashing, fluttering, heroic, adventure, galloping, tiara, imagining, imagination

Resources: 

Click the picture to access the links.

About The Author:

For over 20 years, Janine has provided individual and family therapy services by creating a therapeutic atmosphere of warmth, respect, and acceptance. Her approach is to support the dignity of each person while encouraging openness, emotional awareness, and healthy problem-solving.

About the Illustrator:

When Juliet was little, she was notorious for playing dress up and throwing around wild ideas. As a young woman, she still likes to think she plays dress-up, only now she’s dressing up as herself. Specifically, she gets to wake up every day and dress up as the “myself’ that her mom helped her become.