Nora And The Lighthouse Review

Author: Robin Murphy

Illustrator: April Burril

Publisher: Independently Published

Released: September 22, 2025

Format: Paperback, Kindle

Price: $10.99, $0.99

Genre: Children’s Picture Books

Age Range: Author recommends 4-10 years

ISBN:979-8262988600

Page Count: 24 pages

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating: 3 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon

For links to the Giveaway click HERE!

Reach up high!

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

Review:

Book Summary:

Five-year-old Nora is thrilled for a sleepover at her Nana and Grandpa’s condo—but what she really dreams of is climbing to the top of the Concord Point Lighthouse. There’s just one problem: she needs to be 42 inches tall.

Determined and hopeful, Nora spends the day imagining she’s grown just enough. After a fun-filled evening and a good night’s sleep, she finally visits the lighthouse. Is Nora tall enough? Will the view from the top be everything she dreamed it would be?

This heartwarming story celebrates the excitement of milestones, the bond between grandparents and grandchildren, and the thrill of achieving something new.

Opinion:

Elements of the story I enjoyed:

It celebrates family and normalizes same-sex couples with warmth.

The authentic way Nora wants to be taller is shown in a way children can relate to.

The illustrations are colorful and match the text.

The vocabulary word docent, which is pertinent to the story, is introduced. This is a wonderful way for readers to expand their lexicon and learn how the target word is used in context.

Elements of the story that didn’t resonate with me:

The writing is overly verbose. It’s quite methodical, and the exposition is excessive. Readers would benefit from a more concise story.

The author suggests this story is suitable for ages 4-10. Ten-year-olds probably wouldn’t appreciate this story. Usually, children prefer reading stories about older or same-aged characters. I also doubt a fifth grader would care about a kindergartner’s desire to be taller.

I give it 3 Lemon Drops!

About The Author:

Robin Murphy, an Amazon best-selling author, writes across genres including paranormal mysteries, humorous romance, chick-lit, and nonfiction.

Based in Havre de Grace, Maryland, she also works as a self-employed virtual executive assistant and freelance writer. Her ability to blend imaginative fiction with practical, real-world topics showcases both her versatility and engaging narrative style.

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