Category Archives: Contemporary fiction

Fall 2022 Releases from Clavis Publishing

Find these and other upcoming releases from Clavis Publishing at www.clavis-publishing.com/coming-soon

Eek! My Ink! by Raven Howell

Eek! My Ink! by Raven Howell is a colorful, imaginative rhyming story that celebrates the brilliant view of our colorful world.

A variety of colorful emotions swirl throughout this beautifully illustrated story that captures the kindness of self-love and an appreciation of the colorful, diverse world around us. This youngster travels through the pages of golden yellow, emerald flashes, violet swirls, and black stripes discovering that each and every color brings a perfect shade of song it sings.

Anke Rappen’s stunning artwork accompanies Howell’s rhyming text, bringing the story to life and encouraging the reader to turn page after page to see what color, emotion, and aspects of nature emerge.

One of the loveliest stories I’ve read this year. Highly recommended!

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

I received a paperback copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Nomophobia by JD Wise

Want a fun and zany way to encourage your kids to put away their cell phones? Pick up a copy of Nomophobia by JD Wise.

One day on Earth, children turn into ogres from spending too much time on their phones. Chaos ensues and they wonder what happened and how they can go back to normal.

The author took a serious subject and turned it into an exaggerated, silly rhyming story that will get them laughing… and thinking. I enjoy stories that tackle important subjects in ways that aren’t preachy, so this totally fits the bill.

Wise also illustrated the book with colorful illustrations to complement the story. I liked that the human figures were more on the abstract side, while the ogre characters are the house details were more defined.

If you like silly, rhyming stories, Nomophobia is a great choice.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

I received a free digital copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Nimbus, the Rain Cloud by Sandra Barnes

An adorable rhyming story about acceptance and working together can be found in Nimbus, the Rain Cloud by Sandra Barnes.

Nimbus wants to play with the cumulus clouds, but they shoo him away because the children won’t play in the rain. After the children sing, “Rain, Rain, Go Away,” Nimbus is sure the cumulus clouds are right. But once Nimbus disappears, there is no more rain, which causes all kinds of other problems.

Licensed clinical and forensic psychologist Sandra Barnes channeled her passion for multiculturalism and helping young people into a sweet story about the importance of appreciating our uniqueness, accepting others, and the joy of working together. This book teaches an important lesson in a nice way. The story is followed by a note to parents, discussion questions, and ways for readers to apply the story to their lives.

Courtney Smith created the artwork for Nimbus, the Rain Cloud. From the deep greens of the grass to the brown rabbit sipping from blue puddles to the white, blue, and black of the sky as the clouds cool the earth, each illustration brought this story to life for me.

If you like cute stories with meaningful messages, Nimbus, the Rain Cloud is an excellent choice.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

I purchased a free copy from Amazon during a special promotion. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Louie Finds A Friend by Vivian Zabel

Louie is back with another story in Louie Finds A Friend by Vivian Zabel.

Louie enjoys riding waves, but it is lonely without any friends. He plays with his cousins, but they don’t like riding waves. So, when Mr. and Mrs. Goose’s grandson, Gus, comes to live on their lake, Louie hopes Gus will like him even if he is different.

Zabel wrote the Louie the Duck stories for her grandchildren. Now, in published form, this sweet series shares the adventures of young Louie and his life on the lake. In Louie Finds A Friend, Gus comes to live with his grandparents and Louie is asked to be his friend. Louie is unsure if they will get along, especially because he likes to ride waves, unlike his cousins. What unfolds is a sweet story of friendship.

Jeanne Conway provides the artwork for Louie Finds A Friend and the other books in the Louie the Duck series. Colorful and filled with tons of detail, these illustrations are the perfect complement to Zabel’s story. From rolling waves to sandy shores to yellow and orange skies as the sun sets on the cove, young readers will be enchanted and turn page after page.

A charming story of making new friends awaits your young reader in Louie Finds A Friend.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ 4RV Children’s Corner (September 21, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1950074048
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1950074044
  • Purchase at http://www.4rvpublishing.com/vivian-zabel.html

I purchased a hardcover copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.