Wiggly Woggly Lady Book Review

Author: Debi K Fraser

Illustrator: Stephen Stone

Publisher: Debi K Fraser

Released: May 14, 2023

Format: Kindle, Hard Cover, Paperback

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

ISBN: 978-1738978403

Page Count: 30

Price: $12.99 (paperback) $3.99 (kindle) $13.70 (hard cover)

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating:   5 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon

This book will have your kiddos wiggling and giggling as they wobble along with the characters!

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

Review:

Book Summary: 

The Wiggly Woggly Lady enjoys wiggling and woggling all day long, wherever she goes. Unfortunately, her shyness leaves her feeling lonely and searching for friends to wiggle and woggle alongside her.

One day she takes charge of her self doubt and embarks on a quest to connect with like-minded people. Despite a few letdowns and oversights, she learns her tribe has been there all along.

Opinion:

I knew from the first line I was going to love this book!

The story of The Wiggly Woggly Lady is narrated in the third person. The narrative follows the ups and downs of an introvert seeking out friends who share her interests.

The writing is skillfully done, using short, impactful stanzas to keep the story moving at a nice pace. It will grab children’s attention and keep them interested until the end.

The story’s playful rhyme and upbeat rhythm will have youngsters wiggling, giggling, and joyfully engaged. The repetitive text is easily memorized, allowing children to quickly participate in the read aloud and enhancing the overall enjoyment. As a result, a lifelong passion for reading will be nurtured.

Children will delight in the Wiggly Woggly Lady’s woggly hair and outrageous outfit. They will understand her shyness and self-doubt with talking to people and fear of rejection. They will learn through her experiences that overcoming these fears opens them up to friendship.

Stephen Stone’s illustrations work in perfect harmony with the witty text. The pastel-colored images are as quirky as the Wiggly Woggly Lady, drawn with flowing lines and rounded shapes.

I give it 5 Lemon Drops!

Classroom Connection:

The Wiggly Woggly Lady would enhance various lessons, including a literacy focus on the main character, rhyming, and themes of friendship and self-esteem. 

Age Range: The author recommends 3-7 years.

Targeted Vocabulary:

Wiggly, woggly, problem, shy, strange, failed, knitted, heaved, sigh, surprise

Resources:

About The Author:

Debi is the author of the Stories With Heart Series of children's books. Her love of stories and the characters that inhabit them has been with her since she was old enough to hold a book.

As a child she could often be found with a pile of cucumber sandwiches and any number of books containing dragons, witches and magical adventures. Her passion for creating her own naturally followed.

Although Debi is from New Zealand, she currently lives in Quebec, Canada with her two sons and her two dogs.

She loves being out in nature and can often be found walking her dogs through various nature trails or in the forest, where for her, magic and inspiration live. 

Stories dance their way into Debi's imagination morning, noon and night. But mostly in the forest.

About the Illustrator:

Steve was born in the North East of England where they are known affectionately as San-dancers. He now lives and work in Derbyshire with his soulmate Claire.

His creative career began after he completed a degree in Fashion Design, working as a designer for children’s and corporate wear companies. After a short while he took another direction and became a university lecturer for 12 years, teaching fashion design and visual communication to post and undergraduate students. 

During this time he completed a Masters in Visual Communication, specializing in Narrative Illustration.

With Love, From Mom: The Journey of Dreams Book Review

 

Authors: Gel See 

Illustrator: Gail Rae Javier

Publisher: Ma Gelyn Theresa A. See 

Released: June 12, 2024

Format: Paperback

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

ISBN: 978-6210614275

Page Count: 27

Price: $11.99 for paperback

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating:  4 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon

A mother and daughter share a whimsical journey of fancy and love in the land of dreams.

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

Review:

Book Summary:

This story is a poetic and heartfelt expression of a mother’s love for her daughter. The duo, led by the mother’s love, ventures into a cosmic dreamland where imagination and love know no bounds.

Opinion:

With Love, From Mom: The Journey of Dreams will enchant readers with its melodic stanzas and whimsical illustrations.

The story opens with the mother and daughter wrapped in the warm embrace of sleep. Cushions of puffy pastels surround them; stars and planets float above them. It’s a scene that will captivate and touch the hearts of parents.

Throughout the story, the mother and daughter go on amazing adventures, from floating in a giant bowl to flying on a rocket and searching for a lavender-colored elephant on a safari.

Young readers will find delight in the magical scenes of the daughter and her stuffed rabbit on the back of a whale, and the mother and daughter walking through a glowing garden.

The mother’s abundant affection for her daughter is undeniable. In each dreamscape, the mother shares words of encouragement, wisdom, and infinite love. The daughter is given the freedom to explore the dreamland, comforted because her mother is always right there with her.

Young children will connect with how the daughter’s confidence blossoms with her mother’s support. Mothers will understand the bittersweet significance of the little milestones that contribute to a child’s independence.

The rhymes create a joyful atmosphere; the pattern is relatively consistent until page twelve. In one paragraph, there is a line that doesn’t rhyme with the three preceding verses. It is a bit jarring to the ears and briefly disturbs the smooth rhythm of the lyrics.

Javier’s illustrations are simply designed and delightful. Each adorable picture contains a dreamlike quality that is soothing and easy to appreciate. Parents and children will enjoy snuggling up together with this book at the end of the day. It’s a story that’s meant to be told before bed.

With Love, From Mom: The Journey of Dreams would also make a lovely gift for an expectant mother’s baby shower, a little girl’s birthday, or as part of a special mother-daughter day.

I also liked the author’s letter and the QR code at the end for accessing educational resources. It’s always nice when authors provide meaningful

ways to extend the book.

I give it 4 Lemon Drops!

Classroom Connection:

With Love, From Mom: The Journey of Dreams is a versatile book, perfect for lessons on Family, Imagination, and Mother’s Day.

The story could accompany a journal entry on dreams—What did you dream about last night? What do you dream of becoming when you grow up?

Kids can use the easel to recreate a scene from the story. Blend colors together to produce the soft hues featured in the book.

Age Range: The author recommends 4-8 years.

Targeted Vocabulary:

Journey, guidebook, zoom, engage, imagination, adventure, hurdles, explore, snug, roam

Resources:

Families Theme on Pinterest

About The Author:

Gel See, a children’s author from Metro Manila, crafts stories inspired by her own journey as a mom. Her book, With Love, From Mom, explores the magic of dreams and the power of a mother's love.

Gel See

About the Illustrator:

The first people who believed in Gail’s potential were her grandparents. She used to draw cat figures of different shapes and sizes. The pen is her magic wand, and the paper, her flying carpet.

My creations have already gone places, helped spark change and put people into action. And I'm truly grateful for the opportunities that come my way.

My specialty is print. I am very much in love with paper and forever will be. But I have grown to love digital media as the years have passed.

Gail Rae Javier

Chilla Gorilla and Lanky Lemur Journey To The Heart Review

Authors: Kimberly Snyder & Jon Bier 

Illustrator: Donald Wu 

Publisher: 4U2B Books & Media

Released: May 28, 2024

Format: Hardcover, Kindle

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

ISBN: 978-0829455755

Page Count: 40

Price: $19.99

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating: 5 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon

A tailored affirmational story for children who struggle with intense emotions!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from 4U2B Books & Media and agreed to give an honest review.

Review:

Book Summary: 

The friendship between Chilla Gorilla and Lanky Lemur is characterized by their differing perspectives on the world. Lanky is a restless ball of nervous energy. Chilla embodies a laid-back and ultra zen lifestyle.

Throughout the story, Chilla wisely assists Lanky in dealing with his overwhelming emotions, which can sometimes lead to distressful outbursts. By displaying patience and compassion, Chilla teaches Lanky how to recognize and react to different emotions both big and small.

Chilla continues to teach Lanky the correlation between thoughts and feelings. To center the heart and mind, he recites a mantra and serves as a role model for recognizing and appropriately responding to emotions.

Opinion:

For children who struggle with controlling their intense emotions, Chilla Gorilla and Lanky Lemur Journey to the Heart offers a tailored affirmational story.

Chilla is introduced in the story, leisurely lounging in his hammock while the morning sun casts a glistening and cozy glow. Juxtapose this with Lanky, bright eyed and bushy tailed, as he scrambles onto the tranquil scene raring to go.

As the two friends spend the day together, it’s obvious that Lanky has low frustration tolerance and poor coping skills. Instead of using his words to calmly express his displeasure, he becomes overwhelmed and screams.

I appreciated how Chilla labeled each of Lanky’s emotions and how to regulate and respond to them. The size of your reaction should match the size of the problem.

“You feel frustrated, Lanky,” Chilla said.

“Slow down, focus on your heart, and take a deep breath. There’s always a way to solve a challenge. Let’s settle down and figure it out.”

Chilla and Lanky are wonderful role models for children. Through labeling each emotion, Chilla empowered Lanky to understand and communicate his feelings. It also enabled Lanky to be self-reliant and gave him power over his body.

By reciting his lyrical mantra and providing gentle encouragement, Chilla aids Lanky in staying mindful and in the moment. Important life skills for healthy and productive interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships we all must learn.

Lanky internalizing Chilla’s instructions in a proactive way shows children how to accept suggestions from others without feeling belittled or bossed around. Friends help friends.

Donald Wu’s vibrant illustrations offer just the right amount of warmth. He flawlessly captures the personalities of both characters.

Chilla’s calmness is evident in his steady gaze and self-assured smile, which he readily shares with Lanky. Lanky’s jumbled feelings leap from the page. The various emotions he’s experiencing are reflected in his cute, doe-like eyes.

HeartAlign Meditation is beautifully introduced through this story. I appreciated the information and the QR code about this program at the back of the book. A convenient resource for parents and teachers looking for a peaceful approach to their kids’ everyday lives. 

Chilla Gorilla and Lanky Lemur Journey to the Heart is a must-read aloud for any classroom teacher looking to develop self-regulation and emotional awareness in their students.

I give it 5 Lemon Drops!

Classroom Connection:

Chilla Gorilla and Lanky Lemur Journey To The Heart is perfect for lessons on friendship, emotional regulation, and a theme on Emotions/Feelings.

Age Range: Preschool through grade 1.

Targeted Vocabulary:

Observing, wise, lounging, scrambling, feelings, anxiously, nervous, doubtful, restless, frustrated, generous, peace, thankfulness

Resources:

About The Authors:

Kimberly Snyder: Kimberly Snyder’s holistic work as a New York Times best-selling author and Holistic wellness expert has led her current focus to the power of the heart and heart coherence: our ability to remain centered, create emotional intelligence and process big feelings from our hearts. Using her husband and sons as inspiration, she teaches young ones and families everywhere that they too can learn these simple tools and heart meditations to create more joy and peace in their lives!

Jon Bier: Jon Bier is a serial entrepreneur, strategist, angel investor, and Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Jack Taylor, a full-service public relations and communications agency. Jon is a bar-admitted non-practicing attorney. He lives in California and Hawaii with his wife Kimberly and their two boys.