A Super Cute Picture Book for Kids

Emeraldacious
By Victoria Kann

This is one of the most enchanting and mesmerizing picture books I ever read for kids 5 to 8, and I literally hundreds of books every year. It has a great message and only an artist could illustrate such a wonderful book.

The story begins when a brother and sister decide to take s troll in the park together. But when they get there, Pinkalicious trips and falls because there were stones all over the place. Then as they turn the corner into the park, they find that it is littered with stuff: typewriters, sinks, cans, jugs, clocks, markers, baby bottles, milk cartons, hangers, irons, and much more! It was like their favorite park was turned into a dump. What happened to the beautiful park where they strolled all the time? Where did all the flowers go? Can they transform the park into a beautiful place again where they can stroll?

Pinkalicious and Peter get on a mission and they’re able to clean up, one small mess at a time, transforming the park into the most beautiful Emeralicious Garden. Just by waving a wand? Hmmm…..now that is magic if you ask me!

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth

Book Review for Jewel Kats as Part of WOI Tour for May/June, 2013

 

DitzAbled Princess: A Comical Diary
By: Jewel Kats
Illustrated by: Katarina Andriopoulos

This is a unique picture book for kids with some very important messages. It is presented in a comical manner, using diary like entries. Each page explodes with wonderful messages for the younger and older kid.

The book is a reality-series comic-strip about Kats’ life. Kats is 33 years old lady and is considered a Princess in many more ways than one. Despite the fact she is disabled, she has never allowed it to stop her from living her life to the fullest. She is loved by her family, doctor, editor and husband. Kats has many weaknesses, who doesn’t? One of her weaknesses is her pet dogs. She smothers them with affection and she spoils them completely. They can do anything they want and she loves them anyways.

There are a lot of important messages in this book. One of the key messages in the book is that our disabilities should not define us or restrict our lives. Instead, a disability can enhance our lives and make it much more meaningful, if only we shift our attention from the disability to who we truly are: wonderful and unique. What a GREAT message for kids! Her second theme is that we should not judge others by their looks. We are all much more than our looks. So, we should celebrate who we truly are with each other. Despite her disability, Kats is stylish, attractive, and always on the lookout for new makeup and beauty items to enhance her looks. This is another GREAT message for kids and especially teens.

The book is a wonderful read. It is wonderfully illustrated and really funny. Yet, each page has a much deeper message, one that will transform each reader’s life, if only she allows it. I loved the book from beginning to end. I am really proud to have a Canadian author who has this much depth as a writer. I will be printing this book off and taking it with me to my discussion group with young teens and tweens. I know they will be encouraged by the messages in Kats’ book.

Thank you Jewel Kats for such a wonderful book! Keep writing those wonderful books! You are truly a gifted writer!

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth
Author and Editor

Book Review for Dr. Aaron Chokan

The Adventures of Lai-Lai & Chub- Chub
Dr. Aaron Chokan
Illustrated by: Amy Rottinger
Published by: Halo Publishing, 2013

This is a GREAT picture book. It is super cute and it will appeal to kids of all ages.

What child wouldn’t want to get a puppy? Most would. And the excitement builds for the little Lai-Lai as she tries to find a name for the little puppy. She goes into the greater outdoors and she tries to brainstorm names, but none of them appeal to her after many, many tries. Finally, she sees a little bunny and it is so cute and chubby. Lai-Lai is beaming with excitement because the little bunny helped her to come up with her new puppy’s name: Chub-Chub!

Every child will be able to relate to this story and will be beaming at the seams for the little girl. I plan to read the book to a group of library kids in the months to come.

The illustrator also does a splendid job illustrating the book. The illustrations are vivid and very wholesome. Kids will be transported into the world of little Lai-Lai. And they will fall in love with little Chub-Chub too once they see the little puppy!

Thank you Dr. Chokan for such a GREAT book!

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth
Reviewer, Author, Editor, and Freelance Writer

A Wonderful Picture Book About Changing the World for Kids

Change the World before Bedtime
Mark Kimball Moulton
Josh Chalmers
Karen Hood
Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2012

This is picture book is a wonderful inspirational story with a great message for kids. We can each make a difference in the world one small action at a time by doing one simple thing to improve things for people around us.

This book is uniquely written in rhyme. Children will learn how to eat right, clean up the earth by recycling and conserving, and by helping the sick and the less fortunate. But what’s more, if we band together with a common goal, we can even get bigger results.

We can all be superheroes before bedtime. All it takes is for all of us to develop an open attitude and compassion. What a great message for kids. The illustrations are stunning as well, and the prose is written in simple and engaging rhyme.

The book is geared for grades Pre-Kindergarten to 2nd grade. Teaching such an important message to kids is so vital to bringing up wholesome kids of all ages. Thank you Mark, Josh, and Karen for such a wonderful kid’s book.

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth
Author and Editor

Spotlight for Jewel Kats

About the Book:

A reality-series comic strip based on Award-winning Author Jewel Kats’ life. Jewel at 33 is a Princess in her own right. She’s a fun-loving, demanding Diva who loves to shop as much she loves to write. Jewel is the apple of everyone’s eye–be it her doting family, her doctor for her never-ending bowel issues, her pushy book editor and especially her frugal husband’s soft spot. So, what’s Jewel ‘s weakness? Her pet dogs: Snowie and Dolly. Particularly, naughty Snowie who is known to pee wherever he fancies–including Dolly’s face!

For Jewel, her physical disability doesn’t dampen her spirits. Rather, it enhances them. She gets to use an unusual fashion accessory (Imagine: A hot pink elbow crutch.) She gets out of doing housework. She gets carried up-and-down stairs like a Princess a la command. Jewel may be horribly messy, terrible with numbers and a workaholic, but nobody can imagine life without her. Not that she would let them, anyway! She has a big mouth, remember?

The book is a quick, fun read.

Written by Jewel Kats

Illustrations by Katarina Andriopoulos

Publisher: Marvelous Spirit Press

ISBN-10: 1615991832

ISBN: 978-1615991839

Genre: Graphic Novel

About the Author:

Once a teen runaway, Jewel Kats is now a self-made Diva. She’s authored seven books! Think: ­Loving ­Healing Press (USA.) Think: Marvelous Spirit Press (USA.) Think: Kube Publishing (UK.) For six years, she penned a syndicated teen advice column for Scripps Howard News Service (USA) and TorStar Syndication Service (Canada). She’s won $20,000 in scholarships from Global Television Network and women’s book publisher, Harlequin Enterprises. Jewel also interned in the TV studio of ­Entertainment Tonight Canada. Her books have been featured in Ability Magazine twice. She recently made a guest appearance on Accessibility in Action. Jewel appeared in a documentary series by the Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada) in September of 2012.

About the Illustrator:

Katarina Andriopoulos has made art her life’s passion. Her beginnings started with a crayon in her hand, and resulted in a Graphic Design diploma from Durham College. Along the way, she’s been ­honored with various awards, including: “Most Vision” by the Durham College’s design faculty and had her portfolio featured at the Design Exchange (DX) in Toronto. She also interned as a Graphic Designer and Illustrator at Intellectual Design studio in Toronto, Canada after which she went to work as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator. Her past clients include: The Shopping Channel, Botanico Creative Decor and various specialized boutiques. She’s always ready to conquer new creative challenges, and hopes to take the art industry by storm!

Follow Jewel Kats at
Website http://ditzabledprincess.com
Blog http://www.jewelkats.com
Webcomic http://tapastic.com/series/316
Twitter @DitzAbled
Facebook http://facebook.com/jewel.kats
FB Fan Page http://facebook.com/pages/DitzAbled-Princess/264218927032246
Publisher http://marvelousspirit.com

A GREAT Picture Book for Kids with a GREAT Message!

Always Daddy’s Princess
Karen Kingsbury
Illustrated by: Vareria DoCompo
Zonderkidz, 2013

This is a GREAT picture book which celebrates the theme of fathers and daughters.

The timeless journey of father and daughter is captured in this wonderfully engaging story of a girl’s growth from childhood to adulthood. The prose is playful, emotive and rhythmical. The story is enriched by the whisper of God’s scripture on each illustrated page. It is a book that will help fathers and daughters bond like never before. Through all the trials of growing up, Daddy is always there by her side to help, soothe, and support, every step of the way. What a great book with a GREAT message.

There are any picture books for kids on the importance of mothers to a child’s upbringing. But there are very few books about the role of fathers. This book will fill that void in the literature.

The illustrations are very bold and beautiful, illustrating first hand the wonderful bond and love that exists between father and daughter.

Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth
Author and Editor

A Wonderful Picture Book for Kids

Princesses Love to Share
Timothy Knapman
Illustrated by: Jimothy Oliver
QEB Publishing, 2012

This is a wonderful picture book about the importance of sharing.

Many children love to keep their toys to themselves. But such a child usually doesn’t have a lot of friends who like them and hang out with them. The same thing happens to Polly, the Princess, in this story. She has a lot of toys. But she wants to play with them herself and not share them with anyone. But then she got lonely and sad. So, she invited her friend, Cloe, to her house. Her friend did come over, but Polly learned a lot of important lessons as a result of Cloe’s visit. After that, Polly knew that it was better to share her toys than to be alone and sad.

What a great message for kids. Most kids will be able to relate to Polly’s plight, and kids will also be able to learn all the important lessons in this book.

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth
Author and Editor