Title: The Seropia Crystal

Riley is twelve years old and her summer is not going as planned. Her family has gone to live at her grandmother's house for the entire summer so her father can de-stress. Her grandmother died when Riley was just a baby and the house has remained empty for all of those years. The furniture is all covered with sheets when they arrive and everything else is covered with dust. Riley's little brother finds a mouse he wants to keep as a pet, while Riley finds a mysterious wooden box hidden under the armoire in her room. In the box is a beautiful crystal necklace and a notebook filled with her grandmother's handwriting. This find will occupy her time for most of her visit.

Riley is a photographer and enjoys taking shots around the country property. Woods surround the home and in those woods live a group of animals who aren't quite what they seem. Riley has been chosen to help them in a way she could never have imagined. With the help of the crystal necklace she will make a discovery that will alter the course of things for those around her.

T.W. Olzinski has written a captivating tale for readers aged nine and up. Here is a story with mystery and excitement, fantasy and real life situations, positive morals and role models, and simple enjoyment. Riley is a very likable character that many young girls will relate to. "The Seropia Crystal" promises a sweet summer vacation read whether it is devoured during summer school break or during the course of the year.

Title: Light the Fire - Fiery Food with a Light New Attitude!

Now this is one hot little number of a cookbook. Wow! How can you omit salt, cut down on fat, yet increase taste in your meals? Spice it up! From soup to nuts - African Peanut Soup to Sherried Pine Nut Yogurt, here you can find recipes for appetizers all the way to lip smacking desserts!

Linda Matthie-Jacobs has created light fare dishes that pack a punch, sizzle and snap, and just plain leave you satisfied. You can tame the fire a bit, if need be, but you will certainly not be at a loss for something different to stir up at chow time.

I love the tidbits and trivia that are sprinkled throughout the book. I never would have thought of roasting watermelon seeds or that capsaicin (the chemical found in hot peppers) has been used medicinally for centuries. While you are stirring up a four course meal you can flip the pages and learn something new. Keep the water jug and a loaf of bread handy to put out the fire, and dig in!

Title: Willis the Warthog

Willis is a confident warthog living in the African country of Botswana who tries to instill the same confidence in his sister, Greta. They are often called ugly by other animals that live around them, but Willis keeps his tail up high and tells Greta to ''always believe in yourself.''

Willis and Greta find themselves in a dangerous situation where Willis must protect his sister by risking his own life. Willis ultimately loses his tail, which makes him question his pride, but Greta reminds him gratefully that he in fact saved her life, and that he once told her she must always believe in herself.

Throughout the adventure, we meet Willis' animal friends and foes, and gain a real sense of what the Botswanian surroundings are like. There is even more information in the back of the book for young readers interested in knowing more about warthogs and other African facts.

Patsy Smith Roberts has told the story not only with words, but also with her candid wildlife photography capturing the characters beautifully. Also engaging are the little warthog sketches by Willis M. Everett III that add a lively touch to the book. Overall, this is a very timeless, warm story that will delight many young readers for years to come.

Title: Leven Thumps and the Whispered Secret

Leven Thumps returns! Obert Skye’s second book, “Leven Thumps and the Whispered Secret,” is a much-anticipated sequel to “Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo.” In the first book readers learn about the existence of Foo and meet Leven, Winter, Clover and Geth among other delightful characters. In this second book, readers are able to explore Foo itself and hope that it will still be there at the end of the book.

Sabine, the darkest and most selfish being in Foo seems to have been splattered in Reality in the previous book, but his evil reach has a presence in Foo, one that Leven and his companions will have to deal with. From the very beginning of this book to the very last page, chaos is all around them as they try to restore Geth as the rightful king. Winter encounters grave dangers on her own as Leven must cross the dreaded Swollen Forest. At every turn there is an obstacle to overcome as Foo is still in turmoil from Sabine’s reign of terror. Fate dislikes a plan and leads things in various directions while the four travelers hope for the best. Will Leven learn to trust in fate? He doesn’t have much choice!

Foo is a fantastic place to visit and readers will experience things they’ve never imagined through the glowing eyes of Leven. Obert Skye has a true talent for creating the mystical and drawing readers in to his world. His seemingly laid-back style captivates and then the fast paced plot holds attention until the last page is turned. Foo exists to remind us to hope, imagine and dream; the Leven Thumps books seem to be reminding us how to do these things. 

Title: Dreamtime

Dreamtime is a term for the magical period of the creation of the worldàit grasps the meaning of mystery and mystical wonder. The title "Dreamtime" captures the essence of Robert Steiner's short story collection and gives the correct suggestion that this too is a thing of mystery and mystical wonder.

This collection offers stories of great variety, from an odd summer job of being a decoy for muggings to the consequences of space travel. All of the stories contain some sort of oddity, lending them all an air of the "Twilight Zone." Each is a short, satisfying episode of fiction that will be sure to please its readers.

Robert Steiner is a storyteller with a gift for description. He grabs the reader's attention from the first word and offers tidbits of uniqueness to carry you through to the end of each tale. "Dreamtime" is an interesting and enjoyable read that touches on the paranormal but also demonstrates the very human qualities of its characters.

Title: Cosmos' Mom and Dad are Moving Apart

When parents get divorced the children will often feel that they are to blame, in addition to being scared, angry, and sad. Help for the youngest children can be found in “Cosmos’ Mom and Dad Are Moving Apart,” by Annie Thiel, Ph.D. Geared for children ages 3-6, this book addresses every concern a young child might have.

Cosmos’ parents don’t get along anymore and are always arguing and sad. Cosmos is sad too. When his parents tell him that they are getting divorced he goes through the natural emotions and asks the important question, “Was it something I did?” Reassured that it wasn’t, Cosmos begins to tell his friends at school, who also react in a natural way. Through the process, Cosmos learns some things about his parents, his friends and himself. Keeping his room clean in both homes is still going to be a parental concern, and spending time with both of his parents is still going to create a loving environment.

Dr. Annie Thiel knows how to address these issues, and so many more. Having over 30 years of experience as a child psychologist gives her the best possible role requirements to play as an author of this and other titles that will be of high family value. The story is simply written to directly answer the concerns of children in this age group. Straight forward and to the point, but friendly and engaging, children will relate to every word. The illustrations are bright and colorful and full of life, lending to an atmosphere of interest and potential personal growth for readers. I look forward to Dr. Thiel’s other titles, which involve a new baby brother, moving, and a parent having to go to the hospital. It’s about time that the youngest children’s needs are addressed in such a loving and caring way. I highly recommend this title to family therapists, divorcing parents, and teachers everywhere.