Tag Archives: Childrens Book

Book Review: Marvin the Very Tall Bear Kindle Edition by T.A. Unwin

This charming tale revolves around Marvin, a Bear who yearns to be less towering so he can enjoy the simple pleasures of fitting through doorways, joining family meals, and playing on park slides like other bears. One fateful night, his wish unexpectedly materializes, leading Marvin on a journey that echoes the cautionary adage, ‘be careful what you wish for because you might just get it…’

The story’s message resonates deeply, offering children a gentle reminder that it’s perfectly alright to be different. Through Marvin’s adventure, it beautifully underscores the importance of embracing one’s uniqueness and recognizing the inherent value in being oneself. While I wished for more vibrant and prominent illustrations, the narrative itself shines as a delightful addition to any bedtime routine.

In essence, ‘Marvin’s Wish’ serves as a heartwarming testament to self-acceptance and the magic of being true to oneself, making it an excellent choice for children’s literature collections.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 16 pages
Published October 19th 2015

You can download it for FREE via Kindle on Amazon.

About the Author
T.A. Unwin is a writer and artist from London, now living on the Hampshire coast in England. Her childhood revolved around animals; looking after pets and writing stories about them. A passion for the natural world led to a Zoology degree followed by a Masters in Animal Welfare. Writing then took a back seat as the young adventurer set off to gain experience of working with different animals around the world. She trailed after the macaque monkeys in Gibraltar, as well as their monkey cousins in India, studied birds in Scotland, researched vultures in Namibia and spent ten weeks monitoring marine mammals from a boat in the Mozambique Channel. Currently she works part-time in a zoo and has finally returned to her favourite hobby – writing stories about animals. She has two noisy budgies who do their best to put a stop to this.

Book Review: The Missing Rainbow (Lil Bub and Friends Presents Book 1) Kindle Edition by C. Hagerman

These past few days, during my break time at my day job, I’ve been reading these little short stories intended for a younger audience, which I find therapeutic because they’re just so full of positivity—talks about friendships, rainbows, butterflies, and whatnot. I thought they would keep me from stressing about this pandemic, politics, job-related incidents, and more. Some were cute, and some were nice. Others, I’m thinking of reading to my little nephews and nieces the next time I visit them. Anyway, enough of my rambling.

The first installment in the ‘Lil Bub and Friends Presents’ series, ‘The Missing Rainbow’ by C. Hagerman, revolves around the endearing friendship among a whale, a frog, and a bunny, whose joy in watching rainbows takes an unexpected turn when one disappears from the sky.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for several reasons. Firstly, the illustrations are both colorful and adorable, capturing the attention of young readers effortlessly. While the text is simple, it occasionally veers towards repetition, which may appeal to some children but might feel slightly redundant for others. Nevertheless, the story remains highly engaging throughout.

One of the book’s standout qualities is its subtle yet valuable lesson on conflict resolution, skillfully woven into the narrative. By witnessing the characters navigate the challenge of the missing rainbow, children are imparted with important insights into cooperation, problem-solving, and the significance of friendship.

At just 19 pages, ‘The Missing Rainbow’ is perfectly suited for young readers eager to explore colors and language. Its accessibility also makes it an excellent resource for children learning English as a second language, providing both linguistic exposure and a delightful storytelling experience.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

You can download it for free on Amazon.