M.M. Hudson's Blog

 

Summary:

Deep in the woods in an old white cabin, three friends make their pumpkin soup the same way every day. The Cat slices up the pumpkin, the Squirrel stirs in the water, and the Duck tips in just enough salt. But one day the Duck wants to stir instead, and then there is a horrible squabble, and he leaves the cabin in a huff. It isn't long before the Cat and the Squirrel start to worry about him and begin a search for their friend.

My review:

Pumpkin soup, the best three animal friends ever tasted because they made it the same way every night. Each friend has a job to do to make the soup, and it is status quo, until it wasn't and duck wants to do something different. Uh, oh!

I loved this book because it showed how we all have different talents and our specific talent helps to create something special. However, it also shows how sometimes, we want to grow out of what we have been expected to do and learn to do something different. This will always upset what is, including friendships. Still, it is a learning process for all involved and patience is often the key. Maybe things will seem chaotic, and feelings might be hurt as in the case of this book. But in the end, it will be alright.

The illustrations were bold and beautifully illustrated in autumn colors and added so much to the story itself.

Don't believe me? This book received an award from the library association for its illustrations.

I give this book 5 pumpkins.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collection. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Amazon

Summary:

Bat just wants to make friends, but everyone is scared of him!

When other animals see Bat’s shadow at their window, they’re terrified and think he’s a monster. How can Bat show them that he just wants to share some cake?

My review:

Have you ever been gossiped about of things that were not true about you? This poor little bat gets the reputation of being a monster. What is a little bat to do when he has no friends? Well, bake of course and hope for the best. 

This story clearly illustrates how with a little effort, you can get to know someone else that is not like you, but you can still be friends with. It also shows how gossiping can lead to misunderstanding. Even the littlest of children can get the simple concepts of this book.

I loved the story line juxtaposed with the larger-than-life illustrations with all the autumn colors you would expect for the season.

I give this book 4 pumpkins.

Disclosure: I purchased this book for my own collection. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.

~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Amazon

My review:

As a survivor of the zombie apocalypse, this is a must-read guidebook, that is assuming you have BRAINS to do so. It includes zombie verbiage spoken through a green machine attached to the guide itself. Note: Unfortunately, for me, the machine was ravaged by some zombie and did not work. This is no doubt because I purchased it from a local thrift. That is okay though but necessary for future use.

Each number corresponds to zombie speak and there is a handy "B" for brains just in case you need to get out of a situation.

Anyway, the book illustrates some places you may find yourself, like a zombie coffee shop as an example, and in need of zombie language to continue to survive. Pronunciation is key and fortunately, translation is also available in the book. There is not much story line but then this is a guidebook! Afterall, who has time to worry about that anyway when a zombie may be breathing down your neck or eyeing your brains.

I did find this humorous and it gets 3 pumpkins from me.

BRAINS!!!!!  ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Steve Mockus on Amazon

 

My review:

I was looking for board books for babies and came across this cute book. It is from a series of books, but this is my first read.

The book starts out with toddlers and babies dressed in their Halloween costumes, hopping on a train. The "cars" of the train are each kid's own bed. 

The train takes off along the track coming across fantastical Halloween creatures and familiar ones as well. Candy and pumpkins are seen all along the route. Nothing in the book is scary sans a friendly ghost or two. The kids certainly get a sweet tooth on this ride but by the end, everyone is ready to say "goodnight."

This book is an adorable book to read just before bedtime. I loved the large pictures with colorful autumn colors. Throughout the book, there are purposeful holes that play hide and seek but also tangible places to put little fingers through.

This book is appropriate for up to age 4. 

I give this book 5 pumpkins.

Disclosure: I purchased for my own collection. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Find the author:

Amazon

Summary:

Halloween is the Bad Seed’s favorite holiday of the year. But what’s a seed to do when he can’t find a show-stopping costume for the big night? Postpone trick-or-treating for everyone, of course!

My review:

Well, if it is possible for a seed to be in a foul mood, the seed in this book is. Afterall, when you cannot find the perfect Halloween costume, what is a seed to do?

The reader follows along as "seed's" foul mood begins to affect others but soon he finds out that Halloween is about having fun, even if you don't have that perfect costume. New friends, old friends, and traditions can be found in this adorable picture book.

Halloween is one of my most fun times of the year so I can relate to "Seed" in wanting to have all the fun. I loved everything about this book and is getting 5 pumpkins from me.

Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Find the author:

Amazon

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Summary:

Halloween, and you know what that means! Candy! Costumes! More candy! What would happen if a kid ate a million hundred pounds of chocolate in one night? One thing’s for sure—when the kids from Ella Mentry School go trick-or-treating, it will be a Halloween to remember. 

My review:

If you know me at all, you know that I like Halloween a lot! The irony of that is, I never had a lot of candy though, not even on Halloween. So, it is with greatness to see a book where kids are loving both...maybe they are loving too much. This book is for emerging readers, and few photos were included but enough to make this reader giggle.

This author humored me. He wrote in first person dialog about the greatest night ever but more importantly, candy, candy, and more CANDY! The author's characters speak like many kids would. For example, one of the children says, "Pigment of imagination." I love that and kids would too. This book allows kids to not only enjoy a fun holiday but to see themselves.

The fun twist in the book comes in the form of the title itself, a little hint but not at all what the reader might think as they read. I loved it when it did come up and it certainly made me giggle even more.

If the writing and silliness of this book is not enough, then the author adds to the back of the books, games and jokes. Fun!

This is a must Halloween book for all the candy loving, Halloween joke loving, costume loving kid in all of us. 5 chocolate candy bars for sure.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Find the Author:

Website

 

About the book:
Fannie Lou Hamer was a key figure in the fight for civil rights in the United States. Before she became an important voice for equality and justice, she was a little girl who loved to learn and worked hard to help her family survive. Explore how she used her powerful voice to improve her community and encourage others to elect leaders that would treat them fairly.
My review:I have always known about suffragist throughout history. They were the vocal women who stood up to gain voting rights for women but they were white women. Fannie Lou Hamer was also a suffragist in her own right but of course, I had never heard of her until I read this book. Is that sad? Yes!What is even worse is she lived in my lifetime, and I still did not know who she was. However, now I know who she is and was. 
The summary says she was a key figure and boy was she! From the time she was young she was fighting to be seen. A child who contracted polio and one of 20 children, she had to use her voice to be heard. I was thrilled to read about how she at first was not noticed but kept giving speeches and showing up to rallies. She kept telling others that African American people deserved the right to vote because they also deserved to be treated as human beings. She believed it so much that she even went to jail for it and was brutally beaten but she kept fighting. She marched with key figures, like Martin Luther King, and bodily ran for office several times. Finally, being elected as a representative to the Democratic National Convention. She made herself known and because of her, black women today are able to vote and run for office without fear. Thank you to Fannie Lou for your fearlessness and standing up against racism.
5 stars.Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network
About the author:

Margeaux Weston is a neurodivergent author and editor. As a writer, she creates nonfiction stories for young readers, including two in the A DAY THAT CHANGED AMERICA SERIES: THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON and BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION (Capstone Press), and 20TH CENTURY AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY FOR KIDS (Rockridge Press).

She is currently the nonfiction editor at Hugo nominated FIYAH LIT magazine. As an editor, she has worked with several publishers, including each of the big 5, on books for a variety of audiences.

Margeaux currently lives in Louisiana with her husband and three boys.

Date Published: July 17, 2025

Ages: 3-9

Join Magic Macy on Her Magical Adventures!

Macy is just like any other 8-year-old girl living in Buckinghamshire… until the night after her birthday, when a mysterious rata-tat-tat on her bedroom window changes everything. Princess Amelia has come calling – and Macy has been chosen to save the endangered Woodlands People from a fearsome, grumpy Ogre.

To do so, Macy must lace up her Magic Trainers with rainbow laces, leave the safety of her room, and embark on a breathtaking journey across seas, continents, and landmarks like Big Ben, Red Square, the Eiffel Tower, and even Hawaii.

With help from woodland creatures and new magical friends, Macy discovers the power of courage, compassion, and uniqueness. Her glowing heart and desire to help those in need make her the only one who can stop the Ogre’s dark plan. Along the way, she learns that bravery isn’t about being the strongest—it’s about showing up for others, trying something new, and believing in yourself.

Mark Robertson is a family man who loves his sport, travelling and exploring the world and has a keen interest in history and creative writing. Mark has a strong imagination and is a great story teller. He has a penchant for imagining characters and their adventures, which he shared as a bedtime treat for his little ones. The Magic Macy series was first imagined at these bedtimes with his children. Magic Macy was one such character and he imagined Macy helping people and creatures who were in difficulty and she would venture around the world making good. The stories come to life with carefully crafted illustrations to inspire the imaginations of children and adults alike. We hope you will enjoy Magic Macy as much as Mark's children do at bedtimes.

 

Purchase Link

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Macy-Ogre-Adventure-Illustrated-ebook/dp/B0FHWH8NTF

 

Setting – California 1971
Publisher: ‎ Winged Publications
Publication date ‏: ‎ May 6, 2025
Print length : ‎ 350 pages

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An evocative story laced with mystery, Turning Toward Eden weaves nostalgia with grit, sorrow with humor, and despair with faith, offering hope to anyone who has sought to belong in a world that rarely plays fair.

Audiobook Coming Soon!
The audiobook edition of Turning Toward Eden is in production and on its way to Audible, iTunes, and beyond. Stay tuned for a richly narrated experience, perfect for readers who love stories on the go.

About Cate Touryan

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Cate Touryan writes fiction and creative nonfiction that reach for the story beyond the story and the beginning beyond “The End.” Her complex, realistic narratives often touch on themes of faith. While she avoids gratuitous violence and profanity, keeping any romance clean, she does not shy away from portraying the grit and beauty of real life, instead writing the truest story she can, infused with heart and humor. Her fiction will delight young adults and adults still young.

Cate invites you to journey with her into lives both real and imagined, wherein might lie glimpses of your own story beyond the story and an ending redeemed.

Author Links

Website https://catetouryan.com/

Purchase Link – Amazon 

About the book:

It’s the summer of 1984, a season of dodging lawn darts and chugging lemonade—or at least the discolored tap water Ma tried to disguise as lemonade.

Growing up is never easy, no matter what era you do it in. For generations, teenagers have suffered peer pressure, bullying, fear of rejection, and a sadistic obstacle course of one unexpected challenge after the next. Three brothers, Wally, Herbie, and Cockroach, learn that the past can be filled with questions—even shame and regret—while the future might be shrouded in worry and fear. But staying in the moment, now that’s where the sweet spot is.

My review:

Steven Manchester has done it again! This book is a follow up standalone to this author's book, Bread Bags and Bullies. This book follows along the three brothers as they navigate their way through the early '80s Having fun, the pangs of growing up, getting new jobs, and enjoying Summer is where it is at.

As a GenXer, growing up in the '80s this book spoke to my heart. I was able to immerse myself in the many aspects that the brothers had and likely would have hung out with them. Drinking lemonade from my homemade stand, and adventures until the lights came on at night was all the rage. I enjoyed the humor as well but feel the tug of a time gone by.

Thank you to the author, Steven Manchester, who knows just how to spin a tale of life itself from someone who remembers. The memory lane was remarkable. 5 stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review. The views expressed are 100% my own and may differ from your own opinions. ~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find the author:

Amazon

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