Spotlight: The Grateful Green Dinosaur by Larissa Pemberton

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Percy the green dinosaur explores practicing gratitude with the help of his friend Custard the unicorn, to turn his bad day around by turning his negative thoughts into positive ones.

As a society, we often tend to focus on the negative. Teaching children to practice gratitude and shift their mindset toward the positive can lay the foundation for a happier, more fulfilling life.

Excerpt

Percy the green dinosaur is having a sad day. He is letting the outside world determine his mood, and he is attracting one bad circumstance after another.

In the morning, he wakes up, gets out of bed, and stubs his toe. “Ouch!” This makes him frustrated. He thinks, what a bad way to start the day. Because he is dwelling on his day starting badly, his day continues to go badly. “Uh-oh.”

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About the Author

Larissa is a devoted mother to three young boys. Her path of self-discovery, shaped by the challenges and joys of motherhood—led her to discovering and embracing the life changing practice of gratitude. By incorporating it into her daily routine, she experienced a profound shift in her mental health and overall happiness. Now, Larissa is passionate in sharing this practice with her sons and other children, believing that learning gratitude at a young age can set the foundation for a life guided by joy and emotional resilience.

Connect:

Website: https://thegratefulgreendinosaur.com/ 

Instagram: @thegratefulgreendinosaur

Spotlight: The Adventures of Pablo the Pangolin by Carole Couture

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The Adventures of Pablo the Pangolin is the first installment in an exciting six-part series that follows Pablo, a curious pangolin, on a suspense-filled journey through the Asian jungle.

Perfect for young readers ages 4–8, The Adventures of Pablo the Pangolin introduces a loveable and unlikely hero who unites with animals of different species to overcome danger. This heartwarming tale promotes themes of cooperation, empathy, and adventure—all wrapped in a fun, animal-filled story that encourages kids to explore the wonders of nature and kindness.

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About the Author

Carole Couture, a former financial advisor turned children's author, draws inspiration from her love of storytelling and her deep connection with her son, Jean-Philippe who has Down's Syndrome. Originally from Montreal and now living in upstate New York, Couture hopes her books will help spark meaningful conversations between children and parents about friendship and inclusion.

Connect:

Website: https://carolecoutureauthor.com

BookBuzz: https://bookbuzz.net/interview-with-author-carole-couture-about-her-book-the-adventures-of-pablo-the-pangolin/

Spotlight: Grandma's Bucket of Mercy by Robin Carole

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Date Published: May 28, 2025

Publisher: ‎MindStir Media

You are never too old or too young to learn life's lessons.

Multiple award-winning author Robin Carole shares another heartwarming and true story, Grandma's Bucket of Mercy. This story of family, love, and forgiveness will resonate with all ages. Discover the definition of mercy through a life lesson that shows how a simple act of kindness can have the greatest impact on a person's life.

A generation has passed since Carole's grandmother and mother survived the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression of the 1930s in her story, Firewood and Christmas Potatoes. Now ten-year-old Carole will spend a brief summer vacation with her grandmother during the 1960s. Carole's grandmother sends her on an adventure that involves the neighbor who lives in the apartment directly behind her.

Young Carole does not immediately understand the importance of this unusual assignment and how it will reshape an old man's life. Four years later, Carole finally grasps the meaning and magnitude of mercy when a family member of the old man shares how these anonymous deeds changed the old man's life before his passing.

Carole's grandmother knew the value of teaching this epochal lesson of mercy-a lesson that transformed her old neighbor and enlightened her young granddaughter.

Grandma's Bucket of Mercy is a beautifully illustrated story for every child and for the childlike spirit in every adult.

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About the Author

Robin Carole is a multiple award-winning author and lifelong storyteller dedicated to preserving the legacy of the strong women in her family. A native Californian who grew up in the scenic wine country, Robin spent over 40 years in Deaf Education as a Certified Sign Language Interpreter, working with students from kindergarten through adult education.

Now retired and living in Spokane, Washington, Robin draws from real-life experiences and the stories passed down from her grandmother, mother, and aunts to write books that speak to the hearts of readers young and old. Her passion for storytelling began as a child, sitting at the feet of her family matriarchs, listening to tales of resilience, faith, and enduring love.

Her latest book, Grandma’s Bucket of Mercy, is a heartfelt tribute to the power of quiet acts of compassion—and a reminder that even children can change the world through kindness. Through her writing, Robin invites readers to revisit a time when life was simple, values were taught through action, and lessons of mercy could last a lifetime.

“My education, my work, my goals, and accomplishments are here for only a moment, but my family is a lifetime.” —Robin Carole

Connect:

Website: https://robincarole.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robincarole58/ 

Spotlight: Katy in Central Park by Ella English

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Book 2 in the Kitty in the City Series

Children's Book

A chapter book for ages 5–7

Date Published: 06-18-2025

Publisher: Crimson Dragon Publishing

Broadway’s favorite singing cat is back on the scene—and this time, she’s headed to Central Park! In Katy in Central Park, Katy is ready for a quiet day with her owner Lilian… until their picnic basket is suddenly snatched.

With her best cat buddy Weasel at her side, Katy dashes through the park’s winding paths, determined to solve the mystery. But is everything really what it seems?

This charming chapter book, written and illustrated by Ella English, is full of fun, friendship, and feline flair—plus an important lesson about thinking twice before making snap decisions.

🎉 Bonus alert!

At the end of the book, young readers can dive into a bundle of Did You Know? facts about Central Park.

Did you know Belvedere Castle is perched high above Turtle Pond and used to house a weather station? Or that Central Park Zoo is home to snow leopards, sea lions, and red pandas? There are over 280 species of birds in the park, and the entire park is 843 acres—that's about 640 football fields!

✨ Book launches June 18—International Picnic Day!

Celebrate by grabbing a blanket, heading to Central Park, and sharing a storytime picnic with Katy the singing cat!

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About the Author

Ella English is a British author and illustrator known for her children's books, particularly her Kitty in the City series and the Merblood Saga. She writes and illustrates imaginative stories, often with themes of dreams, adventure, and friendship. After moving from London, Ella English now lives in Baltimore, USA, with her two daughters.

Connect:

Website: http://www.ellaenglish.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076193558886

Twitter: @authorella1

Blog: www.ellaenglish.com/blog

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231359652-katy-in-central-park

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ellaenglishauthor/

Author Instagram: @ellaenglishauthor

Publisher Instagram: Instagram @Crimsondragonbooks 

TikTok: tiktok.com/@ellaenglish

Spotlight: The AI Incident by J. E. Thomas

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The Wild Robot meets Restart when Colorado's unluckiest foster kid battles a rogue AI robot at school!

Malcolm Montgomery is the new kid at Shirley Chisholm Charter Middle School. In no time at all, he's been slapped with the weird kid label. Is it because he's a foster kid who's been in nine homes? Or maybe because he burps when he gets nervous...which is often? Malcolm has a plan to finally get adopted by a forever family before it's too late. But then on Visiting Professionals' Day, his school invites Dr. Alphonse Hatch, founder of Artificial Integrity--one of the fastest-growing artificial intelligence companies in the state--to give a presentation. Dr. Hatch brings his robot, and events get set in motion that create...THE INCIDENT.

The AI Incident deals with issues like code bias, deep fakes, middle grade friendships, reasonable risk, what constitutes a family, and who "deserves" nice things.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Hardcover | Bookshop.org

About the Author

J.E. Thomas grew up near Colorado’s Front Range mountains. She spent her early summers stuffing grocery bags with books at the local library, reading feverishly, then repeating the process week after week. J.E. has bachelor’s degrees in Mass Communications and Political Science, as well as a master’s degree in Public Communications. Her first book, Control Freaks, was a People Magazine Summer Must-Read and a "Best of the Best" pick by the Black Caucus of the ALA.

Spotlight: Bolo the Brave by Jim Jones

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Kids Western Adventure

Date Published: 04-17-2025

Publisher: Speaking Volumes

You can learn a lot from a dog . . .

Meet Charlie Spears, a 10-year-old boy living on the High Plains of Texas in the late 1800s. Charlie lives with his Grandpa Will, who runs a chuckwagon, feeding all the adventurous folks traveling West in wagon trains. After losing his parents to illness, Charlie is often lonely and longs for a true friend. One day, by a stroke of luck and a big wag of a tail, Charlie meets a funny-looking dog named Bolo, who is also looking for a friend. Together, they embark on a journey where Charlie learns important life lessons.

In the first story: Bolo the Brave, Charlie discovers the meaning of courage and how to face challenges when a friend is in danger.

In the second story: True Friend, Charlie gains valuable insight—not to judge people by their limitations, but rather by their actions and character.

In the third story: Outcast, Charlie and his friends learn the importance of getting to know someone instead of passing judgment based on their appearance.

Together, Charlie and Bolo make new friends, confront dangers, and grow through valuable life lessons. As the story reminds us, you can learn a lot from a dog.

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About the Author

Jim Jones is a native Texan who lives in Rio Rancho, NM. In addition to being a Western novelist, he is also an award-winning Western singer/songwriter (International Western Music Association 2014 Male Performer of the Year; IWMA Song of the Year Award, 2019; Western Writers of America Spur Award, 2013, 2017 & 2021 for Western Song of the Year) who performs at festivals, coffeehouses and other venues throughout the West. Rustler's Moon, Jim's first novel, was a finalist in two categories for the 2009 New Mexico Book Awards, Best Historical Fiction and Best First Book. His novel, Colorado Moon, 2011, is the second in the Jared Delaney Series and it won the Western Music Association's 2011 Award for Outstanding Western Book. The third book in the series, Waning Moon, was published in 2013 and was also a New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards Finalist for Best Historical Fiction. The Big Empty, a spinoff series, was published in 2016 by Five Star Publishing and it, too, was a NM/AZ Book Awards Finalist in the Best Historical Fiction category. The second book in the spinoff series, The Lights of Cimarron, was published by Five Star in early 2019. The fourth book in the Jared Delaney Series, Halo Moon, was released in November, 2022 and won the 2023 AZ/NM Book Award for the Best in Adventure category. Jim creates gripping Old West characters about whom readers in the 21st century can care deeply. They struggle with tough economic times and corrupt government officials...wait, that's going on right now! Guess what, it was happening then, too. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Jim is a proud member of both the Western Writers of America and the Western Music Association. Although he writes about cattle rustling, Jim has never rustled cattle.

Connect:

Website: https://jimjoneswestern.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimjonesmusicandbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimjoneswestern/