Orion Fire Storm Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Star Life Keepers: Dragon and Dinosaur Chronicles

Written by Rick Williams Sr. and Brady Williams
Illustrated by Prayan Animation Studio
Ages: 10–14 | 388 Pages
Publisher: Legacy KidLit Press (2024) | ISBN-13: 9798987420010

Publisher's Book Summary: With dragons and elves as allies, three cousins must save two worlds before time runs out. Join cousins Jason, Amanda, and Elisa as their desperate wish to undo family tragedy launches them into the war-torn, mythical realm of Belacamber. Guided by the legendary Star Life Keepers—an extraordinary alliance of elves, shapeshifting dragons, and prehistoric predators—the trio faces relentless foes, including terrifying flying T. rexes and vicious ptero-raptors, while battling to protect their own family back home. A thrilling middle-grade epic blending fantasy with time travel, dinosaurs, and dragon-filled skies.

Available on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble.

Orion Fire Storm

Written by Rick Williams Sr. with Caleb Williams
Illustrated by Prayan Animation Studio
Ages: 10+ | 417 Pages
Publisher: Legacy KidLit Press (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-9874200-7-2

Publisher's Book Summary: During this time of renewed interest in space travel, Orion Fire Storm follows Jason, Amanda, and Elisa—modern-day teens who travel among the stars and into the past—as they join forces with elves and shapeshifting dragons to save their nations. Continuing the adventures that began in Star Life Keepers, they face even deadlier trials in a medieval world of gryphon-riding wolf guards, roaming dire wolves, and flying raptors. Messengers from Orion's Belt equip the cousins with magical gems to unlock the power beyond the universe. Features original illustrations, detailed maps, and an Encyclopedia of Creatures.

Available on Amazon.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rick Williams Sr. is a former biotech executive who writes the Dragon & Dinosaur Chronicles series with his grandchildren and other Story Apprentices. Inspired by a visit to Chapel Hill's Morehead Planetarium—where Apollo astronauts trained—the series features a Star Globe that transports young cousins into a parallel universe where they heroically use astronomy magic to save their nations.

His debut, Star Life Keepers, became a top Amazon children's eBook in Space Exploration and Time Travel. The adventure continues in Orion Fire Storm and the upcoming Young Dragonriders. Companion short fiction—including the Orion Dragons' Holiday Tale and Dragons & Betrayals—explores story origins and expanding worlds in the series.

Through the Creative Writing Lab at thestorymakinghub.com—featuring the Story Writing workbook—Rick provides roadmaps and free materials to equip a growing community of young creators who want to share their own voices.

To learn more, visit the author's website, Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and X. 


ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Prayan Animation Studio is a creative animation studio with an expert team of creators, artists, and designers specializing in custom artwork, mapmaking, and videos.

To learn more, visit www.prayananimation.com.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life is What It's Called: What will children like most about this series?

Rick Williams Sr.: Young readers have loved the combination of adventure and discovery…and the power of family and close friends.

They feel like they’ve been star-traveling to a world of medieval archers & knights and dragons & dinosaurs. Since readers follow the story from three points of view—Jason, his sister Amanda, and their older cousin Elisa—they get to experience the heroic arcs and coming-of-age challenges from the perspectives of different middle school students.

I collaborated with my grandsons to create the Dragon & Dinosaur Chronicles. With their imagination unlocked, they created dragons, crossbreed dinosaurs, and humanized hybrids that appeal to mid-grade readers. I also drew on lessons from my American military history books to add more realism to the Tolkien-like battles between good and evil. Student Advisors have noted that our books are an “amazing read” with “enchanting storylines” and “striking characters and gorgeous art.”

But underneath all of that, there’s something deeper: young readers feel like they are part of family-oriented stories that can give them hope and new possibilities.

Life is What It's Called - What will children learn from this series?

Rick Williams Sr.: The series is built around the idea that stories can inspire learning. Children are exposed to:

• Astronomy and the stars; other scientific concepts
• Geography
• History and ancient civilizations
• Fantasy adventures with a heart
• Collaboration between multiple diverse cultures: humans, elves, and shapeshifting dragons

But just as important are the life lessons:

• Courage in the face of uncertainty
• The importance of family and trusted friends
•  Learning to make decisions when there isn’t a clear answer
• Overcoming adversity, e.g., Jason deals with having hidden hearing aids in a medieval world
• Self-reliance, problem-solving, and resilience

Early readers have commented that reading our books has been fun.

Life is What It's Called - What was the best part about writing this series?

Rick Williams Sr.: I developed Dragon & Dinosaur Chronicles with my family. Two of my grandsons were integral to the story concepts and character development. Two other grandchildren shared their ideas and served as early readers. The parents served as “champions” who supported our storymaking adventures.

The best part of creating a new sci-fi/fantasy series has been working hands-on with my grandchildren and student advisors to exchange imagineering thoughts as we create engaging stories. We develop ideas together and transform them into new worlds and plots—and then we watch the characters come to life in ways we didn’t fully expect.

Life is What It's Called - How does this series stand apart from others on the market?

Rick Williams Sr.: I’ve read and studied more than 100 mid-grade science fiction and fantasy books during this storymaking adventure—but ours appear to be different in a few key ways:

• The Dragon & Dinosaur Chronicles “ecosystem” includes sci-fi/fantasy novels, short stories, and workbooks that feature a family of star travelers who receive special gifts via the Orion Constellation.
• We’ve integrated stories from the past (medieval European, American, biblical, and ancient Chinese history) + natural STEM integration (e.g., astronomy, paleontology, and biology) + custom-made illustrations and maps.
• Our family’s storymaking philosophy focuses on providing engaging books for kids to enjoy while inspiring and preparing them to develop stories.
•  “Read Our Stories… Create Your Own”
• Storymaking with Rick Williams will include blogs, a YouTube Channel, and the new Creative Writing Lab.

Life is What It's Called - What do you want your readers to know about you?

Rick Williams Sr.: Our family’s storymaking process has caused me to reflect more on my 50 years as an entrepreneur in cutting-edge scientific and medical fields. It is now even clearer that deep reading and training in creative writing as a child/young adult helped me to become a more effective innovator and business executive as an adult.

Being a lifelong learner has better equipped me to capitalize on fast-changing technological advances and to build relevant new skills.

Life is What It's Called - What role do you think families play in childhood learning?

Rick Williams Sr.: When raising my kids, I incorporated creative stories in our family playtime. While working on a nonfiction project 20 years ago, I was fortunate to be able to spend time with the Jim Henson’s family and learned how his grandmother taught him to read classic books and be involved with her artwork. He used that training to create The Muppets, Sesame Street, family movies, etc. I followed those same principles to establish a kidlit library and arts & crafts room in my house to collaborate with my 7 grandkids. For storymaking, I also taught them fun things like archery and sword fighting with a wooden replica broadsword from medieval Europe.

Jim Henson’s grandmother showed us that some of the best ideas, stories, and conversations happen when parents, grandparents, and kids explore life together.

Life is What It's Called - What writing project are you working on next?

Rick Williams Sr.: To foster childhood reading, I’m continuing the series with Young Dragon Riders (Book 3), which expands the Dragon & Dinosaur Chronicles world and introduces new challenges and characters.


GIVEAWAY

Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win an out-of-this-world prize pack! Three winners will each receive signed hardcover copies of Star Life Keepers, Orion Fire Storm, and Story Writing: A Workbook of Creative Writing Prompts for Kids 8–12. One grand prize winner will receive all of the above plus an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids—perfect for diving into even more adventures.

This post is sponsored by Legacy KidLit Press. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny

Written by Evelina Ruimy
Illustrated by Siski Kalla
Ages 4–8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-89138-745-4

Publisher's Book Summary: Meet a bright and curious bunny who loves to learn, read, and play with friends. But when one pup gets in the way, this little bunny discovers something important about kindness, courage, and staying true to who you are. This charming, rhyme-filled story takes young readers on a heartwarming journey about friendship, confidence, and what it really means to be “cool.” Through playful rhythm and an uplifting message, children will learn that kindness and being yourself are the greatest strengths of all. Perfect for storytime at home or in the classroom, this delightful tale encourages children to build empathy, celebrate differences, and believe in themselves.

“Wonderful for young readers, parents, and even educators who want to encourage empathy and positive behavior in everyday situations.” — Reader's Favorite

Available for purchase on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Evelina Ruimy lives in the leafy Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, with her husband and their two daughters, Scarlett and Ellie Rose. An avid puzzle-solver, cross-stitcher, and lifelong writer, Evelina finds her greatest joy in motherhood, nurturing her girls into kind, curious, and confident young women.

Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny was inspired by moments from her own life—small truths and gentle lessons she hopes will guide not only her daughters, but children everywhere, toward lives filled with happiness, empathy, and mindfulness.

To learn more, visit hopstales.com, Instagram, TikTok.


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - Why do you think the overall message of Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny is important for children?

Evelina Ruimy - Because words can stay with us far longer than we expect—especially for children. A single comment can shift how they see themselves, and they don’t always have the tools yet to process that. Honestly…it can be hard to process even as adults. What I wanted to offer is both emotional comfort and something practical—a way to understand that unkind words often reflect the person saying them, not the person receiving them.

And I wanted Hop’s growth to feel real—not loud or performative, but steady. So when he finally says, ‘No, not today. And school is great,’ it comes from self- acceptance, not defiance.

And what matters most to me is that he stays kind. He doesn’t try to “win.” He recognizes Ruff’s hurt… and responds with empathy. That felt like the truest form of strength.

Life Is What It's Called - What is the best line in Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny and why?

Evelina Ruimy - I think the line that stays with me (and my children) most is when Hop says, “No, not today. And school is great.”

It’s simple, almost understated—but that’s exactly why it matters.

It’s not loud or defiant. It doesn’t come from anger. It comes from a quiet place of self- acceptance.

And for me, that’s the real shift in the story—when Hop doesn’t just react, but actually returns to himself.

That kind of confidence is gentle, but very strong. And that’s what I hope children feel in that moment.

Life Is What It's Called - How does this book stand apart from others on the market?

Evelina Ruimy - I think what makes this story different is that it doesn’t just focus on being kind to others—it really begins with being kind to yourself.

A lot of books talk about kindness as behavior, but this story looks at where it actually comes from.

It shows that when a child feels secure in who they are, kindness becomes something natural, not something they have to perform.

And I also wanted the emotional arc to feel very real—quiet, relatable, and not overly dramatized.

It’s not about fixing everything instantly. It’s about understanding, guidance, and slowly finding your way back to yourself.

Life Is What It's Called - How do you see this book being used in homes, schools, and community events? 

Evelina Ruimy - I really see this book as a starting point for conversation.

In homes, it can open the door for parents and children to talk about feelings that aren’t always easy to name—like hurt, insecurity, or moments when something didn’t feel right. And in a very gentle way, it also supports emotional wellbeing—helping children understand what they’re feeling, and reassuring them that those feelings are okay. In schools, it can help teachers guide discussions around emotional awareness, confidence, and how to respond to unkindness in a thoughtful way.

And in community settings, it creates a shared language—something simple and gentle that both children and adults can relate to.

My hope is that it makes those conversations feel more natural… and a little less intimidating.

Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write this story?

Evelina Ruimy - This story came to me during an emotional time. It was during the Palisades fires last year, when we had to leave our home and just hope for the best.

I was going to bed one night—and the words just started forming in my head. I’ve been writing since a young age, so I recognize that feeling when something arrives fully formed… I just have to be quick enough to catch it.

I was definitely in a heightened emotional state. But more than that, I think something in me felt especially protective of my children in that time. I think we can all agree that as parents, we always want to protect our kids—not just from physical harm, but also from emotional hurt.

And when it comes to unkind words— they can really stay with you. I know they’ve stayed with me.

So in that very instinctive, protective space, this story almost insisted on being written.

Life Is What It's Called - What do you want readers to know about you as an author?

Evelina Ruimy - I think I would want them to know that everything I write comes from a very real, emotional place. I don’t approach stories as lessons to teach—but as feelings to understand and translate into something gentle and accessible. I’ve been writing for a long time, and for me, it’s always been a very instinctive process. The words come when something feels important enough to be said. And with this book especially, it came from a very personal place—as a mother, wanting to give my children something that could support them in moments that aren’t always easy. So what readers are holding is not just a story—it’s something I genuinely felt needed to exist. 

GIVEAWAY

Readers who join us on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win a hardcover copy of Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny by Evelina Ruimy.

This post is sponsored by Evelina Ruimy. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

Between the Shelves Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Piper Monroe and Dorian McConkie never saw eye to eye in college—she thought he was cold and insufferable, he was just painfully shy, and she was just painfully convinced he hated her. Years later, Piper owns a thriving bookstore, and Dorian walks back into her life for a book signing—only for her to discover he’s the secret identity behind her all-time favorite author.

When the instructor drops out for a sold-out writing class in Piper’s bookstore, Dorian agrees to step in for one month. But between old grudges, new tensions, and entirely too much banter, Piper realizes something terrifying: she might actually like him.

Piper has a secret Dorian can never, ever discover. She isn’t only a bookseller—she’s also the woman behind the pen name of his number one rival on the charts.

If Dorian ever finds out, it won’t just ruin their tentative truce—it might just ruin everything.

A swoony, slow-burn romantic comedy packed with sharp banter, undeniable chemistry, and a love story that was never supposed to happen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kasey Stockton is an Amazon bestselling author, Whitney Award finalist, and winner of the Swoony Award Book of the Year. She publishes both contemporary and historical novels, and all of her titles fall under clean romance. She loves reading, chocolate, and period dramas, but nothing tops exploring new places with her very own prince charming and their three children.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Like - What will readers like most about Between the Shelves? 

Kasey Stockton - The romance, hopefully! 

 

Life Is What It's Like - What is your favorite line in Between the Shelves? 

Kasey Stockton - Oh my gosh, what are his calves like? And also: if you want contentment in your career, do it for the love and the rest will level itself out.

Life Is What It's Like - Which author are you most like in Between the Shelves? 

Kasey Stockton - Someday, maybe! I absolutely love to read them.

Life Is What It's Like - Would you ever write a thriller? 

Kasey Stockton - I'm a solid mix of the two. I'm always careful never to fully write myself into a character because then the critical reviews can't hurt as much.

Life Is What It's Like - If this book was a food what would it be and why? (cheesy like pizza, sweet like chocolate, etc.) 

Kasey Stockton - In-N-Out. Quick and delicious.

Life Is What It's Like - What other releases are you planning for this year? 

Kasey Stockton - Two Regencies, both in multi-author series, The Ex-Best Thing, which is a romcom for my Belacourts series, and a secret project I'm not allowed to talk about yet.

BOOK REVIEW

Between the Shelves is a cute rom-com book about a bookstore owner/author and an author she knew in college. The characters drive the store forward. The romance is predictable, but lovable and an easy read. Romance lovers will enjoy this quick story and comfortable story. The author also drops some perks within the story from writing tips to a literary discussion. This is a fun, relaxing read. To learn more, click here.

Please note that I received a free ebook to read, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links.

If You'll Have Me Book Review

 ABOUT THE BOOK

Anna Atwood returns to Breckenridge, where she spent one blissful summer as a young woman. This time, though, she comes to the quaint town as a penniless spinster with a single hope: to build a life free from the constraints her father’s death put on her and free from the persistent suitor Mr. Green, whose plans for marriage are Anna’s worst nightmare.

 When she runs into David Tate, the boy she knew from that memorable summer, she finds he has grown into a confident and striking man. As they rekindle their friendship, David offers her warmth and protection in the moment she needs it most—when Mr. Green appears in town and threatens to destroy Anna’s carefully laid plans.

David Tate remembers Anna as the spirited woman who once brought light into his dark childhood. Now a man of means, he has a promising future, if he can withstand the powerful Lord Murphy—a man whose menacing hold on the town he owns is surpassed only by his relentless hold on David’s life. When David meets Anna again, he realizes he has a chance to save her from Mr. Green’s schemes, even if it means putting himself in danger of Lord Murphy’s wrath and revealing his own deepest secrets.

In a moment of desperation, David and Anna agree to a proposal of convenience to provide the safety they both need. But as their attraction ignites, the looming dangers from Lord Murphy and Mr. Green threaten to destroy their budding happiness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Esther Hatch grew up on a cherry orchard in rural Utah. After high school, she alternated living in Russia to teach children English and attending Brigham Young University in order to get a degree in archaeology. She began writing when one of her favorite authors invited her to join a critique group. The only catch was she had to be a writer. Not one to be left out of an opportunity to socialize and try something new; she started on her first novel that week. Visit her at estherhatch.com.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What makes If You'll Have Me stand out from other romance books on the market?

Esther Hatch - One of my favorite things about the book is that my heroine is a few years older than the hero. I don’t see that very often in Historical Romance.

Life Is What It's Called - If this book was a food, what would it be and why? (cheesy like pizza, sweet like a cheesecake, etc)

Esther Hatch - It would be a full meal with fun bright appetizers, a hearty main course, and a surprising flambé dessert.

Life Is What It's Called - What is your favorite line from If You'll Have Me and why?

Esther Hatch - Oh this is a hard one. Maybe, “Anna has returned.”

Life Is What It's Called - What will readers like most about this book?

Esther Hatch - I hope they will love Anna and David the most. I also think the very early proposal, early proposal, and slightly too early proposal make it really fun.

Life Is What It's Called - Will there be additional books that branch off of this one?

Esther Hatch - I have plans for two more and I’m so excited about them!

Life Is What It's Called - What do you want readers to know about you?

Esther Hatch - I absolutely love the community I’ve found since becoming an author. Readers and authors are such amazing people! Thanks for making my career the best of careers.

BOOK REVIEW

Anna returns to Breckenridge as a penniless spinster trying to escape the persistent Mr. Green. When Mr. Green threatens her happiness; a childhood friend offers his protection in a marriage of convenience. 

The scenes in this book are memorable and detailed from the very beginning. The intrigue and the build-up happen gradually allowing time for the reader to get to know the characters. The author does a good job at describing the scenes and actions of the characters. The characters are engaging and full of depth. The rich storytelling comes alive on the pages making this novel hard to put down. The romance builds as the plot unfolds. Overall, this novel is well-written and something romance readers will enjoy. To learn more and to add it to your bookshelf, click here.

I received a free copy to review, however, this is my honest opinion.

Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom
Written by Claudia Mills
Ages: 9+ | 272 Pages
Publisher: Holiday House (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-0-8234-6050-2

Publisher’s Book Summary: “Difficult” student Callie joins a philosophy club seeking the wisdom she needs to keep her beloved but equally difficult dog in this hilarious, heartfelt middle-grade novel for underdogs and dog-lovers alike!

Once Callie (Calliope Callisto Clark) starts saying something, it’s hard for her to stop. The opinion gets bigger and bigger, her voice gets louder and louder—and she gets in more and more trouble. She’s in trouble with her teacher, who likes order and not Callie. She’s in bigger trouble with her Grampy, who blames Callie and her dog (a.k.a. Best Ever Friend) Archie for his ever-rising blood pressure. Then there’s the biggest trouble of all… just one more strike, and Callie could lose her beloved Archie forever.

When she turns to Greek philosophy for answers on how to solve her problems, she only gets more questions: What is justice? What is fairness? And as her problems get bigger, so do her questions: Is it Callie’s fault when Grampy has a stroke?

Told in Callie’s endearing, energetic voice, Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom is sure to speak to any student who’s ever been called “disruptive.” Acclaimed children’s book author and retired philosophy professor Claudia Mills delivers a heartfelt middle-grade novel for misunderstood readers who feel like they’re living their own Greek tragedies.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claudia Mills has written over sixty books for children, including The Lost Language, an NCTE Notable Verse Novel, a Charlotte Huck Recommended Book, A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year, and A Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book. Her most recent book, The Last Apple Tree, received a starred review in Kirkus Reviews. She is a recipient of the Kerlan Award for her contribution to children’s literature. She was a professor of philosophy for more than two decades at the University of Colorado. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Visit her at claudiamillsauthor.com, Facebook, Bsky Social, and Instagram.


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write this novel?

Claudia Mills - For much of my adult life, I have pursued two different careers simultaneously. I was a professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado, and I was the author of many books for young readers. As the years went by, my two careers began to become woven together. I sometimes used children’s literature to illustrate concepts in my philosophy classes; I often had my child characters ponder ethical dilemmas. But I yearned to write a book where my main character would actually encounter some of the great works of the history of philosophy that I have loved for long and try to apply their advice to her own life. This was my inspiration for Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom. But then I had the challenge of making difficult, daunting philosophical texts written over two millennia ago accessible and engaging for young readers. First, I had to give my protagonist an urgent motivation for a new interest in philosophy. I made her an emotionally intense sixth grader being raised by her grandparents, who are threatening to rehome her energetic dog who is causing them as many problems as she is (e.g., a broken wrist for Granny, who trips over Archie while hurrying to the phone for yet another call home from Callie’s teacher). If she’s going to keep Archie, Callis feels she has to be perfect and needs the wisdom of the ages to help her with this impossible goal.

Then, I had to find a way for her to access these texts, which are admittedly hard going even for many college students. Solution: she enlists the sympathetic and philosophically minded school librarian to create a philosophy club where he can give the members needed guidance. I also worked on choosing philosophical questions I thought would be interesting to young readers and would connect with Callie’s struggle to keep Archie. For example (from Plato’s Republic): If you had a ring that would make you invisible, would you do some wrong things you wouldn’t do now? The planning for this book was a complicated jigsaw puzzle with many moving pieces!

Life Is What It's Called - How is this book different from the other books you've written and how is it similar?

Claudia Mills - As I just noted, although I’ve had characters face ethical dilemmas before (e.g., in my middle-grade novel Write This Down, I have aspiring seventh-grade author Autumn wrestle with whether she should publish a story that reveals something painful about her family), this is the first time I’ve had a character actually learn directly from great thinkers of the past like Socrates and Epictetus. I also usually write in third person, but this time Callie’s distinctive, candid, lively voice just came pouring out of me, eager to tell me all about herself! But in all my books, I try to create some scenes that will make readers burst out laughing, and some that will have them blinking back tears.

Life Is What It's Called - What's your favorite line from the book and why?

Claudia Mills - What a fun question! There are a lot of lines I love because they sound so much like Callie and reveal so much of her personality, like this one, early in the book, after she first hears the threat to send Archie back to the Humane Society (it’s a very long line, because Callie is a talker, for sure!): “Even if something happens that is worthy of the world’s biggest and longest meltdown, something that would justify a meltdown entry in the Guinness Book of World Records, it turns out that after you get completely melted, puddle-on-the-floor-melted, little by little the puddle starts to dry up and Melted You starts to turn back into Regular You.” But I’m going to choose the line that for me sums up what the book is fundamentally about. At the end of the book, librarian Mr. Davenport asks the kids in the philosophy club if they’d be open to a new member; they are shocked when they find out who this would be. But then Callie says, “I think . . . I think wisdom sort of belong to everybody?” As the author of Callie’s story, I think wisdom DOES belong to everybody. I wrote the book to share a few bits of the world’s store of wisdom with young readers everywhere.

Life Is What It's Called - How do you think readers will relate to the characters in this book?

Claudia Mills - The three main child characters – Callie, her best friend Peggy, and her nemesis Philip – are very different from one another so readers have a choice of which one they identify with most. Callie has intense, volatile emotions of joy and despair. Peggy is calm and matter-of-fact, taking life as it comes. Philip works so hard to meet high parental expectations that his seeming perfection irks other kids and makes him feel like a misfit at school. This offers a range of possibilities for reader identification.

Readers who have beloved pets – or anything they love deeply – are likely to relate to Callie’s terror of losing her dog if she has one more strike against her. Later in the book, she faces the unthinkable possibility of losing her elderly grandfather to a stroke. The fear of losing what we love, whether large or small, is something many readers, in their own way, will share.

Life Is What It's Called - Why is the messaging in this book important to middle grade readers?

Claudia Mills - The philosopher who features most prominently in the book (and is pictured on the cover) is the great Stoic Epictetus (my own personal favorite!). Epictetus’s central claim is that some things are up to us (our own choices and actions) and other things, everything else, really, is NOT up to us (in particular, OTHER people’s choices and actions). The only thing we need to worry about – the only thing we can do anything about – is the former. The sooner we can learn this crucial life lesson, the better! So this book would help young readers – or readers of any age – who feel burdened by worry about situations that are completely outside of their control (i.e., most of us). I wish I had learned this lesson when I was Callie’s age and need to remind myself of it even now just about every single day!

Life Is What It's Called - What can you tell us about your journey to becoming an author?

Claudia Mills - I wrote my first book, titled MY BOOK, when I was six years old. The entire book consisted of “Nachur Pictures” – rainbow, flower, tree – with one-word labels. But at the end I included advertisements for future books: a “BIG BOOK – 100 PAGES” of “MY LIFE” and a “THICK BOOK – 100 PAGES” – of “POWATREE” (my spelling for POETRY). So, from an early age, I knew what path I wanted my life to take. I continued writing throughout my K-12 school years, including an entire shoebox full of poems scribbled on scraps of paper, church bulletins, and crumpled Kleenex, and a typed-up book (the promised BIG BOOK of 100 pages) about the triumphs and travails of my 8th grade year, a book which was the sensation of the junior high school, with a waiting list for classmates to have a turn to read it.

During my college years I did little creative writing, immersing myself in my philosophy courses instead and then heading off to graduate school in philosophy. But halfway through a Ph.D. program at Princeton (conveniently situated just 50 miles from NYC), I saw an ad in a Sunday New York Times classified section for a position as an editorial secretary at Four Winds Press, a division of Scholastic. On a whim, I applied for it, interviewed for it, was offered the position, and accepted it, bailing on the graduate degree that I did end up finishing over a decade later. My job at Scholastic renewed my love for writing. Each morning, I sat on the bus for my 90-minute commute to the city, busily writing picture books, all of which were rejected with form letters. Yearning for a fly-on-the-wall view that would give me more insight into how my stories were being received, I hit upon the devious scheme of submitting one of my manuscripts to Scholastic under a pseudonym. It, too, was rejected – and I was the one who had to type the rejection letter! Ditto for my second surreptitious submission. But on my third try, the editor I worked for saw some promise in the manuscript and asked me to read it and write up my critique. On my IBM Selectric typewriter I typed a report that was remarkably even-handed: when I put on my editorial hat, I did see many flaws in the book I hadn’t seen before and noted these candidly – as well as the book’s many virtues, of course! The editor ended up writing a letter to the author – me! – which was typed by her secretary – me! – and included the report written by her editorial reader – me! She said she’d be interested in seeing a revised manuscript if I made the suggested changes. Which I did, and she ultimately ended up publishing the book, which had now grown from a picture book into a full-length middle-grade novel. (Fortunately, my timid confession of the author’s actual identity had just made her laugh!)

Many subsequent rejections followed in the decades since then, and many more published books, too. I had started out writing middle-grade novels starring girls who were an awful lot like me. (I have to say Callie is an awful lot like me, too!). But then I married and became the mother of two boys, so I started to write about boy characters who were not at all like me. I branched out from middle-grade to easy readers (my ten-title Gus and Grandpa series) and then to chapter books (such as my recent Franklin School Friends and After-School Superstars series). With The Lost Language (2011), I wrote my first verse novel. So I think, and hope, I’m still continuing to grow as a writer.

Thanks so much for hosting me and giving me the chance to introduce readers to Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom.


GIVEAWAY

Enter for the chance to win one of 10 signed hardcover copies of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom. One grand-prize winner will receive two additional signed books by Claudia Mills, plus an unforgettable one-hour Zoom visit with the author!

Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom: Book Giveaway 

This post is sponsored by Claudia Mills. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 6 The Ostriches Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa, Book 6: The Ostriches
Written by Jennifer Ussi
Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose
Ages: 6-10 | 82 Pages
Publisher: Little Boola Books (2026) | ISBN: 978-1923356269

Publisher’s Book Summary: What happens when the fastest birds on Earth would rather hide than face the truth—and a tiny lost cat refuses to look away?

In The Ostriches, Casper’s journey east leads her into the wide-open savannah, where danger is approaching fast…and no one wants to admit it. The ostriches have perfected the art of avoidance—heads down, problems ignored—but when real threats close in, Casper must help them discover that bravery isn’t about speed or strength, but about choosing to see what matters.

Packed with laugh-out-loud moments, sharp dialogue, and heartfelt wisdom, this story tackles big ideas—fear, denial, courage, and responsibility—in a way that feels playful, empowering, and deeply relatable for young readers. As always, Casper’s kindness, quick thinking, and gentle leadership prove that even the smallest voice can inspire change.

Beautifully illustrated and seamlessly blending adventure, humour, and wildlife education, The Ostriches is a standout chapter in the series—perfect for readers aged 6–10, classroom discussions, and families who love stories with both heart and substance.

A fast-paced, funny, and meaningful read that sparks conversations long after the last page.

Ideal for reviewers who love spotlighting children’s books with depth, charm, and purpose.

Available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Ussi is an award-winning filmmaker and children’s author whose work has screened at international festivals and cinemas worldwide. With a background spanning feature films, television, commercials, and education, she brings a cinematic eye and a storyteller’s heart to everything she creates.

The idea for The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa didn’t arrive at a desk—it emerged on the road. Over two years, Jennifer and her husband explored the wilds of Africa in an ancient campervan, camping in wildlife reserves, and sharing their days with elephants, birdsong, dust, stars, and stories. Armed with her camera and an insatiable desire to observe and imagine, Jennifer absorbed the landscapes and rhythms of life close to nature—experiences that now pulse through every page of the Casper series.

Her work blends adventure with authenticity, using storytelling to spark curiosity, build empathy, and invite young readers to see the natural world—and their place within it—just a little differently.

Discover more from the author at their website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok. 


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write this series?

Jennifer Ussi - My hubby and I were travelling around Africa in our little old campervan and I happened to be sitting at a waterhole in Botswana, when I heard about a cat that had gotten lost in America, and walked about 300 miles to get home. I wondered how? Did she ask for directions from other cats or dogs or birds? And then I realised that would make such a lovely story – a cat that brings her city smarts to the bush, and the animals she meets gives her their bush smarts, and together, through team work and cooperation, they all achieve their goals.

Life Is What It's Called - What makes this book stand apart from other books on the market?

Jennifer Ussi - From the reviews, I would say it’s a lot to do with the fact that you learn so much about all these animals, but in a fun adventure. We’re learning at the same time that Casper the cat is learning, so we’re reading it from her point of view, which is funny sometimes, because she’s as lost as we would be in the bush. So if anything, I’d say it’s a fun and funny way to learn so much about so many wonderful animals.

Life Is What It's Called - What do you hope readers will learn from this book?

Jennifer Ussi - I hope that readers learn something unique in each of the books. In this one, Book 6: The Ostriches, firstly, of course, it’s learning about ostriches, and a cheetah that wants to eat them, and a tortoise that helps them strategize. Oh and a dung beetle who’s desperate to win a dung ball rolling contest. (And very venomous red headed centipedes and a 3 toothed (tusked) warthog!) But more than that, I wrote this story to try and show that you shouldn’t believe the labels people give you. Just be you, and ignore what people call you. I hope that this message will get through to even just one reader!

Life Is What It's Called - What is your favorite sentence that you wrote for this book and why?

Jennifer Ussi - Felicity plopped herself down next to Casper during one of their foraging stops, not saying a word, or even looking at her friend, the lost house cat. Casper smiled in the warmth of her silent companionship. She didn’t say anything either. They both seemed to understand that words were not needed in this quiet time of a friendship bonded by a little bit of trauma and a lot of trust.

I really like this paragraph because sometimes friendships are just about being there for each other, no words are necessary.

Life Is What It's Called - How long have you been writing children's books?

Jennifer Ussi - I started this series a bit over a year ago, and it’s my first children’s book series, but I did write a few scripts for (short) films – one of which won many Best Film Award at Children’s Film Festivals around the world.

Life Is What It's Called - What do you want readers to know about you?

Jennifer Ussi - That’s a hard one, there’s not much to know about me except that I I love animals, and I just truly want everyone to love them as much as I do, and maybe one day we can wipe out hunting and eradicate the problem of homeless pets worldwide. That’s really my passion, and I absolutely love sharing it through Casper, who I also absolutely love! When I’m not writing one of her adventures, I really miss her, and can’t wait to get her back.

Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on next?

Jennifer Ussi - Casper is still not home, so I’m working on the Africa series. She still has a lot to learn about so many animals in Africa, which means I still have a lot to learn. And that’s only Africa. I don’t know anything about South American jungle animals.. neither does she, so I wonder….


GIVEAWAY

Enter for the chance to win one of ten paperback copies of The Ostriches by Jennifer Ussi. One grand prize winner will receive paperback copies of the first six books in The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa series!

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa, Book 6: The Ostriches: Book Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Jennifer Ussi. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

How to Draw Cute Mochi Animals Review

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Kawaii, chibi, now mochi! How to Draw Cute Mochi Animals teaches readers to transform simple mochi shapes into adorable animals with just a few strokes of a pencil or marker. This beginner-friendly guide features over 500 step-by-step illustrations to create more than 100 super cute animals—from lovable beasties like hippos, pandas, armadillos,and tigers to charming critters like koalas, sloths, puppies, kittens, and baby bears. The book kicks off with a quick tutorial on the mochi drawing technique, then guides young artists through a menagerie of creatures to master. Each animal includes a final coloring step to up the cuteness factor. Printed on quality paper with a durable sewn binding and decorative spot varnish on the cover, this book is perfect for creative expression without screen time.

Available on Amazon, Mixed Media Resources, Bookshop.org and Barnes and Noble.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Christopher Hart is the world's leading author of art instruction books. Based in Westport, CT, he has written over 100 books translated into 20 languages, selling more than 8 million copies worldwide. His highly illustrated books offer clearly written, step-by-step instructions on a wide variety of learn-how-to-draw subjects, including animals, cartoons, and manga and anime, making them perfect for beginners and younger readers. His Master Guide to Drawing Anime series has sold over 900,000 copies, and his Drawing Shape by Shape series has sold over 300,000 copies. His latest book, How to Draw Cute Mochi Animals, brings the trending world of mochi squishies to aspiring young artists everywhere.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - Why do you think drawing books are important for young artists?

Christopher Hart - It may be counterintuitive, but in my experience, younger artists are more interested in "getting it right" than adult artists. You see, adults often want a creative experience, but younger artists are fans of whatever subject they want to draw, whether it's anime or cartoons, for example. And they look at it as almost a magic trick! They love to learn the secret so they can do it.

Life Is What It's Called - What do you think kids will like most about the How to Draw Cute Mochi Animals book?

Christopher Hart - The characters are tremendously cute. Everything about them is crying out for a hug, and to be able to draw something that conveys that much personality gives you the feeling that you can really do it. Also, the characters are drawn in the popular manga genre, but it's also something different and new that they can discover.

Life Is What It's Called - What other drawing books have you created?

Christopher Hart - "The Master Guide to Drawing Anime," and "Drawing Cute Animals Shape by Shape," to name a few. I've had over 100 drawing books published.

Life Is What It's Called - What's your favorite mochi animal?

Christopher Hart - Dogs and cats. I love to draw them in poses with human expressions.

Life Is What It's Called - What can you tell us about yourself?

Christopher Hart - I've got a dog named Spencer who is very cute, but under the impression that he runs the household. Unfortunately, he's right!

BOOK REVIEW

How to Draw Cute Mochi Animals shares step-by-step instructions on how to draw cute mochi animals. This kid-friendly drawing book provides easy to follow instructions and examples that help children gain confidence and master a new drawing technique. The subjects are easy for beginning artists to draw and follow along. My daughter tried out this book and loved following along with the steps and drawing the animals. She daughter found it easy to do, relaxing and fun. Learning to draw can help stimulate creativity, improve pencil control for writing, provide stress relief and more. It also helps that learning to draw (especially with this cute book) is a screen free activity. This book also has many different options of animals to draw. This book would be a great addition for your home library.

Please note this post is in cooperation with the author. I received a free copy of this book, however all opinions are my own.

Mr. Eastwood's Match Book Review

About the Book

Lady Emily has no idea how to play her part.

Lyness Eastwood has always been content to be second.

When Lyness Eastwood's elder brother, Lord Hartwell, begins a sensible courtship with the charming Lady Emily Sterling, Lyness’s quiet contentment shatters. Ever since their brief meeting in London, Lady Emily’s smile has haunted him. How can a man with a stutter and no title compete with a lord? He must settle for watching her from the shadows.

Lady Emily is determined to solidify her family’s place in Society. Lord Hartwell is a perfect match: respectable, stable, and acceptable. Yet every time she speaks with the quiet, insightful Lyness, she feels a spark and a genuine connection that Lord Hartwell cannot ignite.

As the season progresses, the pressure mounts for Emily to accept the sensible match. But Lyness can no longer stand idly by and lose the woman who makes him want to be braver. A devastating public scandal will throw their lives into chaos, forcing them to choose between stability and the courage to claim a true, imperfect love.

About the Author

Sally Britton is an author of elegant and charming historical romance. With a passion for bringing Regency-era settings to life, she crafts stories with kind characters, sparkling wit, and heartfelt emotion. Her novels weave love and connection seamlessly with period authenticity, drawing readers into worlds where every glance and word carries meaning.

Sally’s stories are as enchanting as they are tender, driven by engaging dialogue and the deeply emotional journeys of her characters. When she’s not writing, Sally enjoys exploring museums, reading voraciously, and spending time with her family. She believes in the timeless power of love and is dedicated to sharing stories that resonate with the heart.

Review

Mr. Eastwood's Match tells the story of Lyness Eastwood and Lady Emily. Lyness is captivated by Lady Emily from their very first meeting. When Lyness's elder brother begins to court Lady Emily, Lyness despairs. Lyness doesn't feel like as a man with a stutter and without a title can compete against a Lord. A devasting scandal adds more chaos into the story.

This story started off slow, but as the plot thickens the story turns into a fast-paced page turner. The dynamic characters evolve as they learn from their mistakes and react to the plot. The overall messaging in this story is universal - accepting your imperfections and not letting them stop you, everyone deserves joy and love and learning to be brave. I really enjoyed this story. I can't wait to read the next one. Learn more about Mr. Eastwood's Match here.

Please note this post is in cooperation with the author. This post contains affiliate links.