Loralee Evans

Ephraim’s Garden is a story for older children about working hard, being kind, and reaping the rewards at the end. It also deals with peer pressure and sticking to your task in spite of what others say. It’s a solemn story with gentle and natural lessons. I was pulled in and found it difficult to put down!

The prose is lovely despite a couple tiny plot holes and an abrupt ending. The full color illustrations are also lovely. This book would make a sweet afternoon read-aloud while cuddled with the kids on the couch.… (més)

Taigh is a flying squirrel and an artist. He's friends with Felicity and Cairn (of the author's Felicity books). When the fairies from the nearby forest need help, and Felicity and Cairn aren't available, Taigh steps up, willing to do whatever he can to help. And so, his adventure starts.

Taigh's engaging adventure requires him to think, use some ingenuity, and find his determination and courage. It includes some puzzles and danger, and moves at a good pace. I enjoyed the educational tidbits tucked into the story - they enhanced it without overwhelming the tale and provided a great chance to learn a few new things. The story includes some lovely illustrations, and the written descriptions are a delight, especially of human things from Taigh's viewpoint. The story also includes some fun references to things we humans might be familiar with: games, movies, and the like.

The Author's Note about Spanish in the story is a welcome addition for a non-Spanish speaker, informative, and a nice encouragement to learn the language. While the story takes place after at least the third Felicity book, a reader can easily enjoy it on its own; there's enough detail given about previous events to give context.

This is a fun, gentle adventure which kids can enjoy while they also learn a little about flying squirrels, some Spanish, and some life lessons about making amends, bravery, acting unselfishly, and being kind. This book is a wonderful, entertaining read!… (més)

Friends Julie, Jax, and Ani are off on another adventure into the past, this time by chasing after Ani's new cat Mister Honeypants. (What a fun name!)

This chapter book picks up a few months after the previous one in the series and, as that one did, takes readers on a wonderful, educational adventure. Mister Honeypants' antics are a lot of fun and the book provides a few quick lessons about some historical figures who fought against slavery and the slave trade. There are also good lessons about not holding grudges - especially from a long time ago - and forgiving, and about how people who are on "the other side" of events can feel differently about those events.

Overall, I really liked this story. As the others in the series do, it meshes some history teachings with some good life lessons, all wrapped up in a fun, enjoyable time-travel adventure.… (més)

A new neighbor is moving in, and Julie hopes they have kids her age. Little does she know when she crosses the street that she'll soon be drawn into an incredible adventure with her new friends Jax and Ani.

This delightful chapter book takes readers on a great and educational adventure. With raccoon craziness, a house that's rumored to be haunted, and rabbit holes that are more than they at first appear, there's plenty to keep a reader hooked, eager to see what happens next. Along the way, the three kids - and the reader too - learn a little bit of history of the state of Maryland, U.S.

The story meshes the fantastic with some history in an easy, enjoyable read. It's well written and very suitable for its elementary to middle-grade audience. It's a fun read for adults, too.… (més)