fiction

THE LAST DAY JULIAN WAS MY BEST FRIEND

Two Lions/Amazon, June 4, 2024

Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

ISBN-10: 1662516169

ISBN-13: 978-1662516160

A touching story of true friendship and the power of forgiveness.

Best friends and neighbors Anthony and Julian are having the summer of their lives. Making pancakes, riding bikes to the beach, playing in the sand and surf…They have everything they need for an epic summer vacation. But Anthony is worried. He has a secret―a secret about Julian’s missing marble. And he knows that once Julian finds out about it, he’ll be mad. He may not even want to be Anthony’s best friend anymore. So Anthony is determined to have the best last day as Julian’s best friend…until he can’t hold in his secret any longer. But maybe Julian has a surprise of his own to share with Anthony.

Review on Vivian Kirkfield’s Perfect Picture Book Friday

Review on Publisher’s Weekly

Review on Kirkus: “A touching exploration of the complicated dynamics of friendship.“

Review on Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books:  “In the end, Julian’s response shows readers that honesty and forgiveness are crucial components of true friendship at any stage of life.”

Recently on Goodreads: “A story of friendship and forgiveness, The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend is such a great example of what it means to value others and have show compassion. We all make mistakes and do things we regret but true friends see our value and love us beyond those mistakes.” -Sara R.

“As a teacher of young children, I’m always looking for books like this to share at storytimes. Social situations can be tricky for young kids to manage, and books that touch on topics like friendship, forgiveness, and the importance of being honest are great conversation-starters.

In this story, we have two boys who are best friends. They have wonderful summer days together, riding bikes, making pancakes, and playing at the beach. But one of them is worried that something he has done will end the friendship.

Jody Jensen Shaffer tells this story in a way that children will relate to. And the illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff are beautiful. Together, they bring readers into this perfect summer day in a way that shows what is at stake if this friendship is lost. The story’s resolution is kid-friendly and has lots of heart.” -Sheri D.

“This book is SO cute for kids and filled with important lessons! The artwork is sensational and captured my eyes and heart immediately. And the story centered around what being a best friend means, making mistakes, apologizing, with emphasis on the power of forgiveness! The best part is that I loved it, my niece loved it long enough to sit still the whole time and pay close attention to details of the illustrations *and* the story, and even my mom and grandma listened and agreed, saying how cute and great this book was! Overall, I rate this book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 (5/5) Stars!🤩” -Tee Hee Tara

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fiction

PORCUPINE HAD A FUZZY SWEATER

Magination Press, September 17, 2024

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Illustrated by Angela Edmonds

ISBN: 978-1-4338-4357-0

Porcupine’s favorite sweater is missing! It was fuzzy, and red, and made with love by his Grandma. Porcupine doesn’t want to hurt her feelings by admitting he lost it. Maybe he can make a new one? Or borrow someone else’s? Or maybe he’ll have no choice but to leave home. What’s a porcupine to do?

A cute story that empathizes with anyone who’s ever made a mistake and been afraid to admit the truth. Readers will delight in helping Porcupine decide what needs to be done.

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fiction

TOO MUCH TOUCH

Picture Window Books/Capstone, August 1, 2023

Illustrated by Gal Weizman

ISBN-10: 1484684400

ISBN-13: 978-1484684405

Taylor is back from summer camp, and he’s excited to see all his friends and family. So excited, in fact, that he forgets to keep his hands to himself. One by one, his friends become upset with him, and he cannot figure out why. Will Taylor come to realize that he’s invading their personal space?

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fiction, picture books

THE WORRY WARTHOG

Picture Window Books/Capstone, August 1, 2023

Illustrated by Gal Weizman

ISBN-10: 1484684303

ISBN-13: 978-1484684306

Winona tends to worry about all the things that could go wrong, and it’s turning her into a worry warthog! From monsters under the bed to failing math tests, worries keep swirling around in her head. Can Winona learn some ways to keep her anxiety under control?

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fiction

SOMETIMES I AM HOT LAVA

Beaming Books, April 2, 2024

Illustrated by Amelie Videlo

ISBN: 1506493459

Sometimes when I get mad . . . Bubble . . . Boil . . . Erupt!

Most of the time, Buddy is a regular kid. He has ups and downs. But when things don’t go his way, he can feel the magma bubble and boil inside of him until he erupts like a volcano. Fortunately, he knows a few ways to return to feeling as calm and cool as igneous rock.

Sometimes I Am Hot Lava shows kids like Buddy how to manage feelings of anger and frustration through mindful breathing techniques. Backmatter teaches readers about anger and helps us identify what we’re feeling, why we’re feeling it, and what we can do about it.

FREE printable coloring page and “I’m a Little Angry” song

How to Make a Volcano:

1. Outdoors or on a protected surface, place a plastic cup with a wide base (graduation-type cups work well)
2. Fill it 2/3 full with water
3. Add 3-4 Tbs of baking soda
4. Add 1 tsp of dish soap
5. (Optional) add a drop or two of food coloring or 1/2 oz to 2 oz of washable paint
6. Stir
7. Add up to 1 cup of white vinegar
8. Watch your volcano erupt!

Order SOMETIMES I AM HOT LAVA here!

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fiction

PUP IS LOST

Highlights Press, March 15, 2022

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1644726823

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1644726822

Fox can’t find his black-and-white puppy–where could Pup be? In this Level P Highlights Puzzle Reader, kids can join in the search and then find hidden letters throughout the book. The simple text has lots of picture support that will keep readers turning the pages. With a bonus matching activity to reinforce vocabulary, kids will love playing along in this forest adventure.

Highlights Puzzle Readers offer an innovative approach to learning that integrates puzzles and stories to develop motivated, confident readers. These Level P books are perfect for kids just beginning to read simple sentences.

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fiction

WAKE UP, BEAR!

Highlights Press, March 15, 2022

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1644726866

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1644726860

Bear looks for Duck, his friend who visits each spring, but is Bear up too soon? In this Level P Highlights Puzzle Reader, kids can join in the search and then find hidden letters throughout the book. The simple text has lots of picture support that will keep readers turning the pages. With a bonus matching activity to reinforce vocabulary, kids will love playing along in this forest adventure.

Highlights Puzzle Readers offer an innovative approach to learning that integrates puzzles and stories to develop motivated, confident readers. These Level P books are perfect for kids just beginning to read simple sentences.

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early reader, fiction, pre-reader

A HOUSE FOR MOUSE

Illustrated by Clair Rossiter
Highlights Press, April 13, 2021
ISBN: 1644723417

Mouse is looking for a new house, but everything Bear and Squirrel suggest isn’t quite right. In this Level P Highlights Puzzle Reader, readers can join in the search for a house for Mouse and then find hidden letters throughout the book. The simple text has lots of picture support that will keep readers turning the pages, while the puzzle encourages re-reading. With a bonus matching activity to reinforce vocabulary, kids will love playing along in this forest adventure.

Download Bear and Friends bookmarks here!

Read my August 2021 interview in the Courier Tribune!

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early reader, fiction, pre-reader

FOX WANTS A PET

Illustrated by Clair Rossiter
Highlights Press, September 21, 2021
ISBN: 164472460X

Fox is looking for a pet, but everything Bear, Mouse, and Squirrel suggest isn’t quite right. In this Level P Highlights Puzzle Reader, kids can join in the search and then find hidden letters throughout the book. The simple text has lots of picture support that will keep readers turning the pages. With a bonus matching activity to reinforce vocabulary, kids will love playing along in this forest adventure.

Download Bear and Friends bookmarks here!

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early reader, fiction, pre-reader

A SCARF FOR SQUIRREL

Illustrated by Clair Rossiter
Highlights Press, September 21, 2021
ISBN: 164472457X

Bear and Mouse lost the scarf they want to give their friend, Squirrel. In this Level P Highlights Puzzle Reader, readers can join in the search for the scarf and then find hidden letters throughout the book. The simple text has lots of picture support that will keep readers turning the pages. With a bonus matching activity to reinforce vocabulary, kids will love playing along in this forest adventure.

Download Bear and Friends bookmarks here!

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early reader, fiction, picture books, pre-reader