Children's Book Review - Zog's Big Question: An Interplanentary Tale of Wonder, Belief, and Big Questions by Adam Rice, illustrated by Mac Rice

Zog's Big Question: An Interplanetary Tale of Wonder, Belief, and Big Questions by Adam Rice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun, sweet sci-fi tale that simplifies a complicated concept.

Zog’s Big Question by Adam Rice and colorfully illustrated by Mac Rice delves into the quandary of faith versus science and helps young readers come away with a more comfortable understanding of this complex concept. Zog is a young Questling on the planet Luminos, where the inhabitants are cute, blue, water-drop-shaped creatures with triangular arms and legs and two expressive antennae. They also base their lives and culture on scientifically-proven facts and eat the bounty of the Knowing Fruit Tree. While they may sound comical, they exude a calm and friendly persona that children will find fun and completely non-threatening. Zog has heard that the inhabitants of the planet Terra accept some big ideas without scientific proof, and, finding this totally perplexing, decides to investigate the curious rumor in person. So, he leaves his home in a “borrowed” spacecraft and travels to Terra to see the truth for himself.

While the story was not what I expected, I enjoyed it nonetheless, finding clarity in the simple explanation of how and why faith and science can be complementary. However, I do think a more specific book description, or blurb, regarding the focus on faith is needed as the one provided is so broad, it is a little misleading. I appreciated that while the central characters on Terra, Sam and Max, come from a Catholic-like church, the story emphasizes all religious traditions and not just those of a Christian viewpoint. I liked that the children took Zog to a secular institution for answers, too.

Zog is engaging, and children will easily relate to his curious nature. The illustrations are rendered in calming blues on Luminos, with one drawing very reminiscent of a setting from the movie Avatar, and, once Zog is on Terra (Earth), greens are emphasized, too. At over 40 pages, it is more of a chapter than a picture book, and would be suitable for reading aloud at home, in Sunday school, or in religion classes. I would definitely like to see Zog return in future stories to tackle other adventures.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.


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Children's Book Review: Elvia and the Gift of Passion (Tales by Moons-light, #3) by Ruthy Ballard

Elvia and the Gift of Passion by Ruthy Ballard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Perfect for reading aloud and sharing with the entire family.

Elvia and the Gift of Passion is the third book in the imaginative and fun middle-grade fantasy series, Tales by Moons-light, by author Ruthy Ballard. With its dramatic yet engaging ten-year-old main character and adventuresome and whimsical storyline, this may be a perfect book to read aloud and share with the entire family. Elvia is fed up with her boring life and hovering parents and longs for some excitement. But when she uncovers a long-held family secret, she gets more than she bargained for and the adventure of a lifetime when she suddenly finds herself 64,000 light-years from Earth.

The main character is Elvia Elizabeth Hill, a fun, typically self-absorbed, and oh-so-relatable pre-teen who is convinced she’s grown up in the wrong family. (And hasn’t everyone at some time during their childhood wondered if they had been switched at birth?) It seems to be a universal experience during adolescence to feel you don’t quite fit in with your crowd, are majorly different from your siblings, or are totally mismatched with the ideals of your parents. I loved Elvia’s total buy-in with the DNA results and her complete lack of questioning because it supported her suspicions.

Elvia interacts with a variety of colorful and well-developed secondary characters, many with interesting quirks, backstories, motives, or agendas; it’s such a robust story! I loved Lacie’s part-time career as a “color appellation artist,” her inventive color names, and how she used this “trivial” strength to improve her performance as an "uppy."

The different settings introduced as the fantasy unfolds are creative and well-developed. Real Earth locations or part of the world of Urth, the descriptions are vivid and put me right next to the characters in the middle of all the action. There was an immediate and satisfying sense of place. In addition, the book includes delightfully eye-catching illustrations.

The author’s easy-to-read writing style and perfectly sized chapters, along with its fast pace and engaging characters, make ELVIA AND THE GIFT OF PASSION a story that’s sure to please middle-grade readers, including those of a reluctant nature, and the family as a whole.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.


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Children's Book Review: Flight Test 101 (Mischief, #6) by Amanda M. Thrasher

Flight Test 101 by Amanda M. Thrasher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A modern “Our Gang” series, with fairies!

Flight Test 101 is the sixth book in author Amanda M. Thrasher’s Mischief children’s fantasy series, which reminds me of the classic "Our Gang" television show, updated and featuring fairy friends. With its relatable young characters and dilemmas, this chapter book is engaging and entertaining and may keep the interest of the most reluctant readers. The book can be read as a standalone, so readers new to the series will have no trouble jumping right into the fairlings’ current adventure.

As the fairy friends approach their first flight test, confident Jack, the fairling who has been living for this day, is accidentally injured and now won’t heal in time to participate. The delay will put him behind all his friends for freedom in flight, so as a group, the others loyally decide to wait and test when he’s rescheduled. Unfortunately, with the delay comes a twenty-five-point penalty on each late participant’s score, points that some of the fairlings will desperately need to pass.

This latest Mischief adventure features all the fairling friends from the previous books and is full of giggles, slimy moss bomb fights, and fabulous treats baked by their resident spider friend, Broderick. Each small fairy is a distinct personality, some outgoing, some reserved, all with their particular likes and attitudes, including Pearle in her special chariot. They face a big decision and their fears when Jack, the best flier, is suddenly sidelined, feeling the need to choose to hang back with him rather than progress as scheduled without him. There are realistic discussions as a group about their feelings and how the alternative could impact everyone, especially Boris and Lilly, the two fairlings already struggling to achieve the needed scores to pass. Their gamble makes for an exciting and suspense-filled story.

I recommend FLIGHT TEST 101 for chapter-book-ready elementary age readers and older.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

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Children's Book Review: Maggie the Cat Loves Pip's Thanksgiving Surprise by Julia Russo, illustated by Grace Metzger-Forrest

Maggie the Cat Loves Pip's Thanksgiving Surprise by Julia Russo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A heartwarming, nostalgic, and cozy Thanksgiving tale for children.

Maggie the Cat Loves Pip’s Thanksgiving Surprise is a warm and cozy children’s chapter book and the second in author Julia Russo’s series featuring Maggie the Cat. This latest tale is centered around Thanksgiving and the wonderful memories Maggie’s owner, Wilhelmina Olive Blessing, is making at her grandfather’s apple farm during the week leading up to the holiday. While her days are made special with fun fall activities that she’s not previously experienced, such as flying a kite, it is the simple moments spent with her loving grandpa that will linger with her for the rest of her life. Readers will easily relate to her story with similar times in their own lives.

However, this visit to this grandpa has some twists! Grandpa has a tiny pet goat named Pip who lives with him in the farmhouse, and next door, on an adjoining piece of property, a new park is being built for the county’s children. The former owner, Farmer Ted, has put small goats there to eat the unwanted vegetation that needs to be cleared before opening the park to visitors. The smallest of the goats, Barney, has taken a shine to Pip and Grandpa’s home and keeps finding his way to the farmhouse’s back door. The situation leads to the surprise in the book’s title.

The narrative is good for children who are ready for chapter books, and the more unusual or advanced words in the text are explained as they appear in the story. The author includes a helpful vocabulary list compiling these words at the end of the book.

I recommend MAGGIE THE CAT LOVES PIP’S THANKSGIVING SURPRISE to elementary school readers of chapter books, especially those who enjoy stories featuring animals.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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Book Review: The Sky King (Skyriders, #2) by Polly Holyoke

The Sky King by Polly Holyoke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Exciting aerial action, magnificent winged horses, and a relatable young heroine!

The Sky King is the second book in the middle-grade fantasy adventure series, Skyriders, by author Polly Holyoke, and it is a wonderful follow-up to the debut novel. With exciting aerial action, magnificent winged horses, and a relatable young heroine, this new adventure had me glued to its pages and completely invested in the outcome.

Young Kiesandra “Kie” Torsun and her skysteed partner, N’Rah, have returned to their duties in the mail service after Prekalt’s victory over the Foul Ones. Still, rumors of rogue chimerae attacking isolated villages and fellow couriers prove all too true. As the Nexara, the physical link between humans and skysteeds, Kie is conflicted over her desire to safeguard her people and the danger to the skysteeds, whose involvement would be necessary to defeat the evil beasts. After a misstep in her relationship with N’Rah, she realizes she must convince humans and skysteeds alike that they must work together as equal partners for success. I could feel the love and respect between Kie and N’Rah throughout the story, and her relationship with the quirky N’Poda involved all my emotions.

The action sequences of the skyriders and skysteeds battling the chimerae and vultiren were exciting with edge-of-your-seat suspense. I also enjoyed Kie’s growing awareness of the magic available to her and look forward to this aspect expanding in future books.

The author’s writing style is engaging, and the storyline is suitable for a wide age range of readers, although younger children may be bothered by the monsters and off-page losses of skyriders and skysteeds in battle. This series would make a great read-aloud for the family, classroom, or after-school programming. While this is the second book in the series, new readers can easily pick up on the overall story.

I recommend THE SKY KING to middle-grade and older readers of fantasy and adventure stories.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Frowns and Gowns (Mischief, #5) by Amanda M. Thrasher

 

FROWNS AND GOWNS

The Mischief Series, Book 5

By AMANDA M. THRASHER

Children’s Chapter Book / Fantasy / Fairies

Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

Page Count: 236

Publication Date: September 12, 2023

Embark on a Magical Adventure with Lilly, Boris, and Jack!

Get ready to join Lilly, Boris, and Jack on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement, laughter, and a touch of mayhem. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of mishaps as these three fairies plan a magnificent magical ball, only to encounter an unforeseen disaster! Experience the magic of friendship with Lilly, the quick-witted and resourceful fairy, Boris, the mischievous fairy with a heart of gold, and Jack, the troublemaker with a curious, adventurous spirit on their latest adventure.

Throughout, Lilly, Boris, and Jack teach the true meaning of friendship and teamwork. Together with their friends, they'll overcome challenges, learn valuable lessons, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don't miss out on this enchanting tale!

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Award-winning author Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England and moved to Texas, where she lives with her family. She writes YA, general fiction, middle grade, early reader chapter, and picture books. She is the founder and CEO of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press.

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