Review: Together United - Written by Tami Charles and Illustrated by Bryan Collier - September 2025 There are some picture books that feel like they're giving you a warm hug while simultaneously lighting a fire in your soul, and Together United is absolutely one of them. This is the kind of book that makes you want to gather all the kids in your life, pull them close, and read it aloud with all the passion it deserves. The message is beautifully simple yet profound: by ourselves, it's hard to achieve amazing things or feel like we've made a real difference. But together, united? We can genuinely change the world. It's a lesson our tamariki need now more than ever, delivered with such warmth and conviction that it seeps right into your heart. What I love most about this book is how it balances celebrating individual strength with recognizing collective power. It doesn't diminish the importance of each child's unique voice; instead, it shows how those voices creat...

Review: Author Vs Illustrator - Donald Lemke and Illustrated by Bob Lentz - August 2024 "Author Vs Illustrator," written by Donald Lemke and illustrated by Bob Lentz, is an engaging and hilarious children's book that explores the dynamic and sometimes contentious relationship between an author and an illustrator. Aimed at readers aged 8-12, this book cleverly presents the creative process through a comic format, making it both accessible and entertaining. The story begins at the far reaches of Earth, atop a mountaintop, where a bustling city finds itself under attack by an unexpected menace—a cute little furball. This whimsical twist is far from the "ferocious beast" the author originally envisioned, leading to a comical clash between the author and illustrator. The narrative unfolds as a playful battle of wits and creativity, with each collaborator trying to impose their vision on the story. The author insists on a text-driven tale about a terrifying creature, ...