Bejette's Balloon: The Magic Of Smiles Book Review

 

Author: Claudia Colonna

Illustrator: ED Hose

Publisher: Independently Published

Released: May 1, 2025

Format: Paperback, Kindle

Price: $12.95, $2.99

Genre: Children’s Picture Books

Age Range: Author recommends 5-7 years.

ISBN:979-8281981521

Page Count: 46 pages

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating: 3 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon.

Kindness is like holding a balloon, it lifts you up!

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

Favorite quote from the book:

“They are all talking about this mysterious girl with a balloon who brought a smile to their day.”

Review:

Book Summary: 

A clear balloon floating by grabs the attention of Bajette, who is looking for her lost cat, Rocco. With the balloon string in hand, she spreads kindness throughout her town, creating positivity and forming friendships. With each new encounter, the balloon changes color, marking the goodwill Bajette shares with her community, while she continues searching for Rocco.

Opinion:

Bajette’s Balloon follows the gracious actions of Bajette as she offers help to others without expecting anything in return. Bajette is a wonderful role model of empathy for children. Her thoughtful acts teach children the value of friendship and the power of kindness.

Although I appreciated the selfless message of the story, I feel Bajette’s actions are overshadowed by Rocco’s harrowing experience of nearly dying in a house fire. I can’t help thinking, shouldn’t the balloon have taken Bajette to Rocco before he went into the burning building if it was meant to help?

I’m also curious about the balloon’s color shift. Were the colors chosen randomly, or did they each signify something? I try not to be overly critical, but as a storyteller, I think it’s important to explore all options, so the main point of the story gets through to young readers.

The lively illustrations by Ed Hose brighten the story and make it fun. 

I give it 3 Lemon Drops!

About The Author:

Bajette’s Balloon was created by Claudia, who was inspired by her parents’ unwavering spirit of generosity. Even in tough times, they found excitement in giving to others, a value Claudia cherishes and carries forward through this story. Claudia is excited to further teach kids about empathy and the importance of kindness and friendships.

About the Illustrator:

As a child, Ed Hose was allowed to draw on the walls. Coloring outside the lines was an understatement and thinking outside the box was so celebrated, she is pretty sure she grew up without a box altogether.

Freckles' Best Ribbit Book Review

 

Author: Lori Rotter 

Illustrator: Vaughan Duck

Publisher: LFR Creative, LLC

Released: June 3, 2024

Format: Kindle, Paperback

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

ISBN:  979-8988752929

Page Count: 36

Price: Paperback $9.99, Kindle $1.99 

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating: 5 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon

Filled with vivid characters and a touching message, Lori Rotter and Vaughan Duck have delivered yet another winning story!

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

Review:

Book Summary: 

Freckles the frog is downhearted and feeling bad about himself. He can’t ribbit like the other frogs at the pond and will not tryout for the Spring Chorus.

Instead of improving things, his friends’ assistance backfires, causing his ribbits to turn into ribb-achoos, ribb-hiccups, and ribb-squeaks!

After much perseverance, Doc Mookie finds a solution and Freckles lets out an enormous CROAK!

Despite Doc Mookie’s cure, Freckles realizes his croak is still different from the other frogs’. After his initial hesitation, he discovers his unique style and overcomes self-doubt with the support of his friends, and croaks his heart out.

Opinion:

Freckles’ Best Ribbit is narrated in the third person. With a forest setting, the story introduces a lovable cast of woodland animals that come in a range of colors. In this group, there’s Freckles the green frog, Georgie the pink rabbit, Cece the blue raccoon, Doc Mookie the turquoise owl, and Calvin the brown bear.

The story highlights the challenges of Freckles Frog as he navigates through a personal issue that leaves him feeling quite different from other frogs. He can’t ribbit.

The story’s lively rhymes and clever onomatopoeia will hook young listeners until the very end. Young readers are given the opportunity to actively participate in the read-aloud by the author’s use of repetitive text.

The eye is drawn to brightly colored text in different sizes that adds to the humor in the story. Freckles’ large exclamations seem to leap off the page.

The humorous misadventures of Freckles’ friends as they try to help him find the right way to ribbit will make children (and grown-ups) laugh out loud. They will relate to his struggle of feeling different and attempting to fit in.

His example will teach them that self-acceptance and self-confidence are nurtured by persistence and true friendship.

Another element in the story I appreciated was how Freckles used his newfound confidence to help others find theirs. He literaly models the adage, “Pay it forward.”

Brimming with humor, color, and relatable characters, Vaughan Duck’s illustrations are sure to be adored by young readers. The combination of Freckles’ exasperated expressions and Calvin’s sleepy face after being startled by Freckles’ loud croak were especially amusing.

I give it  5 Lemon Drops!

Classroom Connection:

Freckles’ Best Ribbit would enhance various lessons, including a literacy focus on the main character, problem/solution, rhyme, onomatopoeia, and themes of friendship, and self-esteem.

Age Range: The author recommends 3-5 years.

Targeted Vocabulary:

Onomatopoeia, tryouts, puckered, worry, complained, allergies, swooped, absurd, mend, stammered, gulped

Resources:

About The Author:

Lori Rotter is an award-winning toy designer and debut picture book author.

Her large extended family keeps her laughing and inspires her story and toy ideas. Like in her toys, Lori enjoys sparking the imagination and adding small details for kids to discover.

Lori lives in New York with her husband, lots of fish, and two silly French bulldogs.

About the Illustrator:

Vaughan loves drawing pictures that make kids giggle. He lives downunder in Australia where it’s always sunny.

You can visit Vaughan at vaughanduck.com.

Pistachio the Owl Book Review

Author: Kristi Shimada

Illustrator: Eko Setiawan

Publisher: Dreampath Publishing

Released: April 1, 2023

Format: Paperback, Kindle

ISBN:  979-8986775456

Reviewer: Ellwyn Autumn

Rating:  3 Lemon Drops

Available on Amazon

Three adorable owlets learn the importance of listening and trust!

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

Review:

Book Summary: 

Pistachio, along with his siblings Macadamia and Cashew, resides in Echo Valley with their parents. A valuable lesson about following directions and honesty is learned by the three siblings when Pistachio gets into trouble away from home.

Opinion:

Pistachio the Owl is a delightful tale about three cute owls who love playing games and exploring their woodland home. They are too young to fly, so they walk to get around.

One morning, the three of them went for a stroll along the beach. Pistachio spotted Laraby flying high above in the sky. Pistachio, eager to learn to fly from Laraby, stumbled on a rock and plunged into the ocean.

Laraby was fortunate enough to witness the young owl’s struggle and rescue him from drowning. After Pistachio recovers, the three siblings go back home and confess the truth to their parents regarding the earlier events.

The young owls are praised by their parents for being honest.

Kristi Shimada’s story is adorable and teaches valuable life lessons such as the importance of listening to your parents and being honest to establish trust in a relationship.

Pistachio the Owl’s cute rhyming scheme familiarizes young readers with the rhythmic nature of words when written in a particular manner. Teachers can emphasize rhyming words in a classroom and create a list of words that sound alike. Similarly, parents can do something alike at home. Instead of writing it down, they can just speak the words and listen to how they sound.

Additionally, I appreciated the Burrowing Owl facts and the various features at the end of the book, such as the coloring page and the maze.

Bright colors and a touch of charm fill Setiawan’s illustrations, bringing warmth to your heart.

I give it 3 Lemon Drops!

 

Classroom Connection:

Pistachio the Owl would work well with a classroom theme on owls and families. Teachers can also incorporate the book with a lesson on rhyming.

Age Range: While the author suggests 5-7 years, it is also appropriate for read-alouds in preschool and pre-k settings.

Targeted Vocabulary:

Nestled, reminded, owlets, burrowing, explore, flailing, swooped, frown, comforted, adventure, dangerous, trust, honest

Resources:

Pinterest

About The Author:

Photo courtesy of Kristi Shimada via Facebook

Kristi Shimada is an award-winning children's book author. She wrote and illustrated her first unpublished book, The Little Shoe Shop, when she was eight. As a child, she loved the story of Cinderella because she saw the inner beauty, kindness, and strength in Cinderella, and she loved books with happily-ever-after endings.

About the Illustrator:

Eko Setiawan graduated from Maland State University with a degree in Graphic Design. He is an illustrator, book cover designer, and graphic artist. Check out his portfolio on Instagram: kyoze1987.

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