Review: Compare Bear's Double Dare by Kim Linette

I've already had a few other books from this publisher and series up the last months and am finishing them off with probably my most favorite in the series. Now, I'm not usually a big fan of message books, but especially this one had me smiling.

COMPARE BEAR'S DOUBLE DARE

EQ Explorers

by Kim Linette

Illustrated by James Loram

Kuala Cove

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

Compare Bear is unique - he does not do anything bears usually do, like climb trees, run, roar, or go fishing, all because he thinks he can't do these things as well as other animals! Each time he compares himself to another creature, something strange happens...
Danny helps Compare overcome these unexpected surprises and discover that daring to be yourself is an important key to living a big, happy life!

Did you know studies show that emotional intelligence (EQ) is an important key to living a happy, successful life? And unlike IG, EQ can be learned! Each EQ Explorers book teaches important EQ principles and other powerful life lessons - one adventure at a time. 100% of profits from EQ Explorers books helps nurture and empower underserved children. We provide direct donations to charitable initiatives and give books to orphanages, remote libraries, care centers, and more. 

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

The moment this little boy put his foot on a rock and announced he was 'Daring Danny', a smile was guaranteed.

Daring Danny is trying something new; he's going for a hike. He never expected to run into a bear hiding in the bushes. This bear isn't exactly dangerous because it refuses to do anything bears would usually like to do...and it's not because this bear didn't like to do bear things, either. Compare Bear has a problem; he always finds other animals, which can do what he likes to do better than him. And this leads to a very silly and unexpected problem as Danny tries to help him.

This is a funny tale, which will have listeners laughing out loud, while feeling a little bit sorry for Compare Bear. While Danny comes across very self-assured (maybe a bit too much), Bear is simply adorable in all of his huge, furriness and uncertainty. When the first 'mishap' happens, it's more than humorous. With the humor, though, listeners begin to understand how silly it is to always compare yourself to others. 

At the end of the book, there are questions and leads to help open up discussions and explore the meaning behind this book, which makes it great for group settings.

Review: Jojo Giraffe's Big Laugh by Kim Linette

 

JOJO GIRAFFE'S BIG LAUGH

EQ Explorers

by Kim Linette

Illustrated by James Loram

Kapalua Cove

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

Kali is hiding in a tree, crying because the other kids make fun of her for being too short. Jojo listens to her story, then asks her to climb aboard her long giraffe neck to see the bigger picture. Together they ride through the African landscape, meeting several animals. Through this journey, Jojo demonstrates to Kali that others' opinions do not always reflect the truth, and that seeing the real truth can often help you find your laugh...

Jojo helps Kali gain a new, bigger perspective, and shows her that not taking things personally is an important key to living a big, happy life!

Did you know studies show that emotional intelligence (EQ) is an important key to living a happy, successful life? And unlike IG, EQ can be learned!

Each EQ Explorers book teaches important EQ principles and other powerful life lessons - one adventure at a time.

100% of profits from EQ Explorers books helps nurture and empower underserved children.

We provide direct donations to charitable initiatives and give books to orphanages, remote libraries, care centers, and more.

GOODREADS / AMAZON 

BOOK BLINK

                                        * colorful illustrations with humor built in

                                        * works well as a read-aloud to groups and individuals

                                        * encouraging message and follows with story nicely

                                        * questions and such at end to help with discussions

MY TIDBITS

The two characters staring with smiles at each other on the cover already had me smiling, and that's exactly the line this tale follows all the way through.

Kali hides in a tree and is crying because the other kids are teasing her about being too short. Jojo the giraffe decides it's time to show Kali how to handle the situation and takes her along for a ride to meet her friends. Jojo stops and asks the other animals what they think of her, and each one has something to criticize, but Jojo laughs each suggestion off...and soon Kali learns a secret which has her laughing, too

This is a book with a message, one that kids need to hear...and adults... because it's something that everyone deals with (or maybe, even dishes out themselves). I enjoyed the fresh twist on how to handle such criticism. But the best part about this book, is it delivers the message through an awesome means—laughter.  Not laughing at people, but seeing how silly some 'criticism' really is.

Kali is a wonderful character and full of innocence and heart. Jojo, the giraffe, is wise and will have listeners wishing that they could ride around on her back too. It's fun to discover Africa and the animals with them. At the end of the book, there's a question section to help open up discussions and thoughts.

 

Review: Wally Whale's Mighty Tail by Kim Linette

 Happy Saturday! And I say that with tons of heart and excitement because today, I even have a book which centers around happiness. I don't think it's stretching things to claim that events in the world has made many people doubt happiness in recent months and days. But should it? When I read these pages, this appeared to be the perfect tale to share!

WALLY WHALE'S MIGHTY TAIL

EQ Explorers, Little Adventures for a Big, Happy Life

by Kim Linette

Illustrated by James Loram

Kapalua Cove

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

Koa has heard that the secret to being mighty is written on Wally's tail, and he wants to know what that word is. But when whale and boy meet, Koa discovers the word is smudged! Determined to find out Wally's secret to happiness, Koa follows the whale through waves and reefs, trying to guess. And the answer is surprising...
Wally helps Koa learn that the secret to being happy lies within; it's an important key to being mighty and to living a big, happy life!

Did you know studies show that emotional intelligence (EQ) is an important key to living a happy, successful life? And unlike IG, EQ can be learned! Each EQ Explorers book teaches important EQ principles and other powerful life lessons - one adventure at a time.
100% of profits from EQ Explorers books helps nurture and empower underserved children. We provide direct donations to charitable initiatives and give books to orphanages, remote libraries, care centers, and more.

GOODREADS / AMAZON / EQ EXLORERS

BOOK BLINK

                                                     * Uplifting message

                                                     * Bright, colorful illustrations

                                                     * Story key, messages flows along with it

                                                     * Questions for discussion at end

                                                     * Whale facts at end

                                                     * fun 'search' hid in each illustration

MY TIDBITS  

I'm always wary about books with a mission to give 'life messages' to kids, but this one won me over.

Koa is a boy, who will be the leader of his tribe one day, and it's his job to see what's written on the great whale's tail. After all, it's a message which hold the key to an important strength and power. Wally, the whale, is more than happy to help but since the last word on his tail is smudged, agrees to assist Koa in figuring out what that last word is. 

This tail...or rather, tale...made me smile. Firstly, there's the wonderful ease of adding diverse characters by having Koa as the future leader of a tribe. Second, these are characters to love. Koa is really determined to be the best leader he can be and hits the task with determination and enthusiasm. The Wally is horribly wise, a little playful, and carries the love and care of a favorite grandfather... (and interestingly enough, this book mentions a grandfather in the 'thanks' at the end). So, the entire thing already radiates goodness and wholesomeness.

While there is a very distinct purpose and message in these pages, the story does not let itself become a slave to that. Koa is on a journey, and his discoveries or thoughts are entertaining the entire way through. Young listeners will connect with him and love some of his guesses. 

The end of the book holds more treasures. There are a few questions to open up a discussion about the meaning of true happiness, but there's also an entire section about 'little known' facts over whales. Also...and I wish this was pointed out at the beginning of the story...there's a bee hidden in every illustration. So, to say that this one is a book, which grabs kids' interest is an understatement. And the message is one extremely important and necessary, especially today.

And here she is...

Kim Linette is the mother of six wonderful children and an entrepreneur at heart. 

She founded Kapalua Cove Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering underserved children. She is the author of  EQ Explorers, a children's book series designed to inspire children to live big, happy, emotionally healthy lives. ​

Raised in Southern California, Kim Linette now splits her time between Alpine, Utah and Lahaina, Maui.

And the best part!

One hundred percent of profits from the EQ Explorers children's book series (yes, all our profits) help underserved children through the non-profit Kapalua Cove Foundation. The foundation provides direct donations to charitable initiatives and donates books to orphanages, remote libraries, care centers, and more. 

 

In ancient Hawaiian, “Kapalua” means “arms embracing the sea.” It’s a word that perfectly depicts our mission to embrace and help nurture children around the world, providing the tools and opportunities they need to live happy, healthy, emotionally connected lives.

https://www.eqexplorers.com/

Review: Lulu Llama and the Triangle of Drama by Kim Linette

Today's review comes from a series, which won the Moonbeam Best Series Award...and deserves it (in my opinion). The EQ Explorers series is designed "to educate and inspire" and bring across the "powerful principal of happiness and emotional awareness". And these do...but honestly, I just enjoyed the cute adventure and fun illustrations (I'm not only centered on 'depth' when it comes to kidlit).

Since I've been honored to receive several titles in this series, I'll be presenting them one by one over the next couple of months. This one...being about a llama...is my daughter's absolute favorite. 

LULU LLAMA AND THE TRIANGLE OF DRAMA

EQ Explorers

by Kim Linette

Illustrated by James Loram

Kapalua Cove, LLC

 Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

With a trio of high-drama llamas as friends, how will Andi have any fun?

Stuck doing chores on her family’s llama farm, Andi longs to have more fun. She tries to befriend a trio of llamas, but she quickly gets caught up in the triangle of drama caused by Bully Bart, Victim Viv, and Fixer Fred.

It’s only with the help of another, wiser llama—Lulu—that Andi begins to understand the drama-free truth.

This story centers around the powerful EQ principle: Choose to be Drama Free.
It's a lesson in emotional intelligence that is essential for every child.

Get to know the entire EQ Explorer's Series—including how we donate 100% of profits to help underserved kids around the world!

GOODREADS  / AMAZON / EQ EXPLORERS

MY TIDBITS

Llamas fans will love the different personalities and llama drama packed into these pages...and even find a bit of wisdom along the way.

Andi has been helping feed and take care of the llamas for many years and is a little sick and tired of cleaning up after them and all of the other worked involved. When she decides to have some fun and play with them, she discovers three llamas off to the side. But they aren't having fun; they're arguing. Soon, she's introduced to the 'drama llamas', a certain sort of llamas, which engage in drama all over the world. Although she wants to help them bring an end to their drama, she might find herself stuck up in their never ending triangle herself.

I'm usually skeptical about self-help books or ones which are on a mission to teach a lesson. This book, however, manages to balance the realm of fun and messages splendidly. Readers/listeners will like Andi from the first page and completely understand her frustration. Taking care of animals isn't always fun. As she ventures across the drama llamas, the humor rolls in and is sure to have listeners nodding but also smiling and giggling, too. These llamas pack tons of personality, quirks and are definitely anything but boring. 

The illustrations are very well done. Each llama's personality radiates from the page and even displays extra visual traits to make things fun. The emotions are portrayed clear on the expressions. Also, the illustrations clearly show the triangle between the three llamas (it never disappears), and this subtly reinforces the main message.

As to the main message...it's more than clear. The idea of how to avoid drama is very distinctly and bluntly restated at the end of the story. On the last page, there is also a list of several things a person can do to avoid the 'drama llama triangle'. So, it doesn't end only in this lane, though, the author also throws in a list of llama facts.

In other words, this is a lovely book for llama fans and a wonderful way to bring across the message about avoiding drama and how, maybe, to even assist others when they find themselves caught in the triangle.



And here they are...

The Author

Kim Linette is the mother of six wonderful children and an entrepreneur at heart. She founded Kapalua Cove Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering underserved children. She is the author of  EQ Explorers, a children's book series designed to inspire children to live big, happy, emotionally healthy lives. Raised in Southern California, Kim Linette now splits her time between Alpine, Utah and Lahaina, Maui.

The Illustrator

James Loram is an illustrator based in South West England. He attended Plymouth University where he received his BA (Hons) in Illustration. James specializes in children's book illustration, and his work has been feature in numerous galleries and publications throughout the world.