Rory and Roxy Reviews

 

Rory and Roxy are sisters and best friends. They are eight and six years old. They love to read books with their family. They have big vocabularies and even bigger hearts. They would love to see a world where no one was bullied. With the help of the SFTS family, they are proud to present you with their reviews of books found in the Stand For The Silent store.

 

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW:  Where I Belong | by Linda Kranz

Growing up on a farm, we were always a little afraid of snakes, but the snakes in Where I Belong by Linda Kranz are beautiful and kind. This book has a good message and makes us want to get out our paints to create some of our own vibrant artwork too.

In Where I Belong, we meet a family of snakes who spend the day together.  The grandfather snake asks what their favorite part of the day was and each member of the family answers with different parts like sliding through the cool green meadow during the hottest part of the day or stopping to smell the flowers.  All except for Maximillian, one of the younger snakes.  Maximilian feels like he did not get enough attention from the other snakes, gets angry and decides to leave.  But he soon comes back because he realizes all he really needs is a friend and with his family is where he belongs.

The illustrations in the book are so pretty!  The snakes each have their own unique designs and patterns in vivid colors.  The backgrounds of each page are beautiful color photos of the different landscapes the snakes describe.  We also noticed that Maximillian appears on almost every page, but you have to look really closely.  No wonder Maximillian felt left out, he is almost never fully included on the page until the end!  But we had fun re-reading the book and trying to spot him on the pages.

Overall, we liked this book! We all need to feel love, acceptance, and to feel like you belong.  We hope you read this book and try to help someone else feel loved and accepted too!

To purchase Where I Belong in the SFTS Online Store, click here.

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: Wonderfully Perfectly Unusual!  |  By Sharon Thayer with Connor Thayer Illustrated by Reuben McHugh and Andrew Smith

Roxy: Hey Rory, how do mermaids talk to their friends?…. Their shell phones!
Rory: Haha. That’s good, but I thought they usually just wave!
Roxy: That’s funny! Hey, don’t you think it would be so amazing to actually talk to a
mermaid?
Rory: Well, the author of the book from our latest book review said her story was
inspired by a mermaid!
Roxy: Oh yeah, let’s share all the details about Wonderfully Perfectly Unusual! with
everyone now!.

Wonderfully Perfectly Unusual! is the story of a hammerhead shark pup named Connor. Connor is different from all of the other sharks. He prefers to eat plants over meat and instead of racing through the water, he likes to swim slowly near the bottom and look for cool shells and pretty coral. All the other sharks constantly tell Connor he’s weird. But his mother says he is, “wonderfully, perfectly, unusual!” At first it hurts Connor’s feelings to be called weird, but he decides his mother is right and whenever someone calls him weird, Connor just replies with, “Thank you,” and keeps on doing his thing. Then, Connor meets a weird girl shark and they are wonderfully, perfectly, happy to do their unusual things together.

We enjoyed this book! We liked how Connor was happy being himself, but we were really glad when he found another weird shark to be friends with who accepted him for who he was. Sometimes we are kinda weird too, but we have friends and family who love us no matter what! It feels good to know we can always be ourselves. We liked that this book celebrated being true to yourself. Plus it is a good reminder that if you feel different and alone, there is someone out there who accepts you and thinks you are wonderfully, perfectly, unusual.

The illustrations in this book were so pretty and we really liked that you could find the mermaid on some pages watching the story take place. We also thought it was cool there were shark facts in the back of the book. We absolutely loved the author’s backstory telling all about her mermaid inspiration for the story. If we were mermaids we would totally be friends with Connor the shark too! We encourage everyone to read this unusually inspired story and celebrate their weird and true selves.

To purchase Wonderfully Perfectly Unusual! in the SFTS Online Store, click here.

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: HAPPY JACK, SAD JACK  |  By Mark Bello

Last week, we had a sleepover at our Nana and Papa’s house. We had so much fun! Rory loved going outside to play catch with Papa and Roxy loved playing hide-and-go-seek! We also enjoyed snuggling up to read a new book called Happy Jack, Sad Jack. The author is Mark Bello and he is a grandpa, just like our Papa. Mr. Bello dedicated Happy Jack, Sad Jack to his nine grandchildren.

Happy Jack, Sad Jack, is the story about a happy boy named Jack. Jack starts kindergarten and everything is going great, until he meets a bully at recess. After days of dealing with the bully, Happy Jack, becomes Sad Jack. Jack’s parents notice something is wrong and meet with the school principal. Jack tells his parents and the principal the bully has been picking on him because of the color of his skin. The bully refuses to apologize to Jack and is suspended from school. The school hosts an assembly to teach everyone that even if someone is different in color, shape, size, or any other way, everyone is a valuable member of the human race. Jack feels happy again, but Mr. Bello reminds us that happiness for everyone hasn’t happened yet, and it is up to each of us to make sure everyone gets a happy ending by making sure everyone knows bullying is wrong.

We both liked the pictures in the book and loved that the words rhymed. The rhyming words helped us understand what was going to happen next, especially with some of the bigger words. We really loved the ending of this book. Mr. Bello says it is up to all of us to help end bullying and he is right! We all have to stand for the silent and keep working to make sure everyone knows bullying is wrong. We think this book will encourage everyone who reads it to help do their part to end bullying!

Happy Jack, Sad Jack is Rory and Roxy Approved!

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: ONE BIG BULLY  |  By Tracy Blom, illustrated by Sangnguyen

Rory and Roxy love a good joke and a good book, so Rory and Roxy each wanted to start out today’s review with a joke.

Roxy: “How do farmers count their cows?… With a cowculator.”
Rory: “What do you call a sleeping bull?… A bulldozer!”
Our next book review has a bull for a main character and is called, One Big Bully, by Tracy Blom, illustrated by Sangnguyen.

In One Big Bully, Bully the Bull, is a big bully! He is mean to other bulls and even a calf, taunting and calling them all names. Whenever Bully bullies others, his horns grow bigger. Bully’s horns grow so big that when a rockslide happens he can’t fit in the cave where the other animals take shelter. The others show Bully kindness despite how he treated them. As they try to help him, Bully regrets being mean. Bully apologizes and his horns start to shrink until he can fit into the shelter of the cave. Apologizing and being kind to the other bulls makes Bully feel good and he soon learns that he has another power. When Bully is kind, it makes the bulls’ favorite grasses grow.

We enjoyed reading this book together. We liked the rhyme throughout the book. It was really great when reading aloud and helped us to guess what was going to happen next. We also really loved the illustrations; they were beautiful! The pictures reminded us of a cartoon movie. The little calf was so cute and brave, he was definitely our favorite character. We loved that the little calf was the first animal to forgive and try to help Bully. We believe even the littlest ones can make a difference! We also like that Bully learned kindness is like a superpower. In the book, kindness helped change Bully’s behavior, saved his life, made Bully and others feel good inside, and helped him help others. Sometimes we wish we had special powers too, but we know we can always use kindness as our superpower!

Love,
Rory and Roxy

To purchase ONE BIG BULLY in the SFTS Online Store, click here.

 

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: KIND ROCKS ISLAND  | By Debbie Lemke

Roxy loves collecting rocks. She has 102. Big rocks, little rocks, shiny rocks, interesting shaped rocks, perfectly smooth rocks, and even fossilized rocks. When we got the chance to read and review Kind Rocks Island by Debbie Lemke, we were excited! 

This book is about all different types of rocks who live on Kind Rocks Island. The rocks are all nice to each other and are very happy on the island until Diamond comes ashore. Diamond is mean to everyone! She calls the other rocks names, makes fun of how the other rocks look, and teases them. At first the rocks don’t know what to do about Diamond. They get angry and want to throw sand and slime on her, call her a big bully, or throw her off the island. But that was not the Kind Rocks Island way. They were all kind rocks, so instead they all decided to treat Diamond with kindness. They would only use kind and respectful words with Diamond. With all the rocks being nice to her, Diamond started to feel bright inside and out and she couldn’t be mean back. Eventually, Diamond became a kind rock too.

We really liked Kind Rocks Island. The different types of rock characters were cute and we had fun comparing them to Roxy’s rock collection. We talked a lot about how we would have dealt with Diamond. At first we wanted her to be kicked off the island, but as we talked about it more we realized sometimes we can all be a little mean, even to people we love. But our Mom, Dad, Nana, Papa and all our family make us feel loved and supported and that makes us want to be nice back to them so they feel the same way. The rocks of Kind Rock Island made a good choice to help change Diamond with love. We also enjoyed finding Rocky in every scene before we turned the page. He’s hiding in every picture, but you have to really look hard for him sometimes.

Roxy says: “I think lots of kids will like this book. It reminds us that you should treat people how you want to be treated. If you are mean, it will make people want to be mean back. But if you are nice, it will make people feel good inside and want to be nice too.”

Rory says: “I really like this book. I had fun finding Rocky on each page. This book ROCKS!”

❤️ R and R

To purchase KIND ROCKS ISLAND in the SFTS Online Store, click here.

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: LITTLE TIGER—RESPECT  | By Steve Doherty and Olivia Dybik

We read with our Papa the book, LITTLE TIGER — RESPECT, written by Steve Doherty and Olivia Dybik. The book is a short and fun book to read about some young Tigers learning Taekwondo from their instructor Mr. Steve.

We liked the lesson presented in the book about being respectful to one another. Papa said, “respect is like having manners and feelings about others so that you show and express kindness with your words and actions”.

The book also introduces kids to the principles of listening, patience, and wisdom. Oftentimes people have their feelings hurt if you don’t know how to show respect. Papa says it is important to show respect for all life. We live on a farm with animals around us always and we respect the lives and gifts that these animals give us each day!

We think after reading this book that the lessons inside the book are valuable for kids to learn so they can spread kindness and other values that come with RESPECT. We will be reviewing the rest of the Little Tiger Books to help kids find ways to handle meanness and be confident as they succeed in life!

❤️ R and R

To purchase LITTLE TIGER—RESPECT in the SFTS Online Store, click here.

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: Defeating The Giant Written by Lisa Joy Stevens and Illustrated | By Malik Hassan Raza

This book is about Martin, a boy that goes to his first day at a new school. He is excited but nervous about meeting his new classmates and teacher. Even with his mom’s encouragement and a special breakfast Martin’s first day is a struggle until he meets Miley. Miley eats lunch with him and tells him to watch out for some of the mean kids that have been saying things about how Martin looks.

Martin finds out they don’t like how he wears his hair and decides he wants to have his hair cut by his mom. His mom says he cannot cut his hair and Martin begins to not want to go to school because he thinks he will be teased. He gets a milk carton thrown at him on the school bus. His teacher finds out about the incident and involves the principal, the mean kids’ parents and Martin’s parents.

Martin’s dad at supper after the meeting says, “Kids can be cruel sometimes. I don’t think they realize the pain they cause when they bully someone.”

The school authorities took steps to stop the bullying by the mean kids and Martin finds out a secret about his heritage from an unexpected person. He also finds courage in dealing with bullies from his friends and family.

We liked this story book because it had a very happy ending. Papa told us that we can never let people make fun of us because of how we look and that as kids we need to always be comfortable in talking to trusted adults when other people try to hurt us. He also told us that we have to love ourselves as we were made. Papa says it is very important that we try to also help others who have been treated badly by mean people!

To purchase Defeating The Giant  in the SFTS Online Store, click here

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: A Tribute To Tulipia: Sometimes you have to stand up for what is right | By Chiara Talluto

We read this book with Papa and it took us a couple of days to get through it, ask questions and discuss it with Papa and each other. The book also has some beautiful photographs of nature and when we were done we were amazed to think that possibly plants have feelings.

This book is about a Tulip named Tulipia that lives in a forest called the Jade Oasis. Tulipia was very very beautiful and because of that a lot of the plants in the forest were jealous and treated her badly. Tulipia grew tough, digging her roots in and remembering her parents wisdom that goodness would one day come even if she had to endure meanness.

A rabbit becomes friends with Tulipia and they become allies in trying to protect the Jade Oasis from many threats. The many vines, shrubs and flowers that made up the Jade Oasis grew to respect Tulipia for her wisdom and courage.

There is also a love story in this book between two flowers that will make your heart happy. We also learned that standing up for what is right and doing the right thing is not always easy. We both loved this book about not only life in the forest but about life for all living things and how we should all try to respect and love one another.

This is a super book to read with your parents or grandparents and snuggle!

To purchase A Tribute To Tulipia in the SFTS Online Store, click here

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: Sheriff Joe: From Bullies N’ Stuff to My Badge & Cuffs | Written by Sherriff Joe Powell and illustrated by Julie Powell

We read this very amazing book with our Papa. The book is about a young boy named Joe who overcame some childhood physical problems to become one of our country’s most famous Sheriffs. These same physical issues made him the target of a lot of hurtful bullying during his early school years. Joe did not let this wrongful behavior by his classmates destroy his dream or goals.

Joe was tough and absorbed the bad behavior of kids that included name calling and stealing his lunch money. He used his determination to succeed and to overcome his mistreatment. It made us very sad to know that kids were cruel and hateful to Joe because of things he could not help.

Joe stuck to his plan of becoming a police officer like his dad and succeeded in becoming a leader in his choice of work. He became a police chief and eventually a sheriff which our Papa says is the highest-ranking lawman in any county.

Rory says, “The cover of the book makes you want to see how Joe went from being a little boy with physical problems to a big strong sheriff in Texas!”

Roxy says, “I liked Sheriff Joe’s story of overcoming all his problems as a boy because I know that if kids believe in their goals, they can be whatever they dream of.”

To purchase Sheriff Joe in the SFTS Online Store, click here

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: THE BULLIED UNICORN | WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY WILL SLEZAK

Pokey was a horse that was born different. He had a funny looking head and when he went to horse school the other horses made fun of how he looked and were mean to him. He was very unhappy and did not want to go to school because of how they teased him. He told his mom and she said she would help him by talking to the principal at the school. A sagebrush tumbleweed showed up in the corral and told him he must stay strong and over time the winds of time would reveal the truth about how great Pokey would be. A couple of years later as Pokey grew up he became the world’s first Unicorn and was beautiful and famous. Pokey stayed strong and grew up to be a model for others to stay strong when others are rude or mean to you because you are different.

We liked this book.

To purchase The Bullied Unicorn in the SFTS Online Store, click here

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: WE’RE ALL DIFFERENT BUT WE’RE ALL KITTY CATS: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL | WRITTEN BY PETER J. GOODMAN AND ILLUSTRATED BY NICOLÁS MILANO

This is a fun book about the different types of kitty cats that go to Meowville School on the first day of classes. All the kitty cats have Miss Bobsie as their teacher. All the kitty cats have to introduce themselves and tell two interesting things about themselves. One cat named Carlos introduces himself and tells the class he has no fur. Everyone laughs and Carlos has his feelings hurt and cries. Two of Carlos’ classmates, Flo and Marla, feel horrible that Carlos was embarrassed and try to make him feel better. Then a mean kitty cat named Vinny picks on Carlos and says he is not a cat because he has no fur.

Carlos goes home and tells his mom. She says he is handsome and special. Carlos goes back to school the next day and worries about Vinny. The teacher has them do a learning lesson and Carlos amazes all the kids and his teachers with a surprise demonstration. To find out what Carlos does you need to read this book!

Roxy, “I liked this book because it shows that bullying is never right and it hurts people.”

Rory, “This book has great artwork and colors and has a happy ending. It reminds everyone that being mean to other people because they are different is wrong.”.

To purchase We’re All Different But We’re All Kitty Cats in the SFTS Online Store, click here

 

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: THIS IS A. BLOB  |  BY L. A. KEFALOS, ILLUSTRATED BY YURLY FIALKO

This book after we read it through with our Papa left us a little bit confused. We thought it ended abruptly and were left trying to figure it out. After we talked about the book we think we have figured out what the author intended for us to understand…. with Papa’s help.

Meanness has no shape nor does anger or hate. They are just shapeless feelings or emotions. Bullying is a form of hate. It is shapeless like a blob. It is cruel and hurts kids and damages the way they feel about themselves. Shapeless anger that scares kids into fear is always wrong. Bullies try to make people feel the misery that they hide behind while being mean.

Roxy liked the art choices and the way the blob was drawn. It was scary but still, you could look at it and see that there was more to the blob than just being scary.

Rory liked the cover of the book because it made you want to open the book and explore its meaning.

To purchase This is A. Blob  in the SFTS Online Store, click here

 

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: BENTLY THE BULLY | BY HOLLY MAZZOCHI 

Bently was a big strong scary kid that was a bully to everyone on the playground. He would push kids down, punch them in the eye or hurt them. All the other kids would run away or hide whenever Bently showed up. One day a small boy named Harvey went up to Bently to talk to him about being nice and apologizing to the kids he had been mean to. Bently pushed him down and made his pants dirty. Harvey got back up and told Bently he needed a friend and that caused Bently to reconsider his bullying and he ended up changing and becoming everyone’s friend.

• We liked this book because it showed us bullying is mean and rude. We liked Harvey who helped show Bently how to be a friend.
• We loved the Bible verses in the book.

To purchase Bently The Bully  in the SFTS Online Store, click here

TODAY RORY AND ROXY REVIEW: THE MARBLEHEADS | BY BRIAN CHARLES DOUGLAS

Skater Marblehead was angry about kids being treated badly by other kids.  He was so angry he started thinking about hurting other kids.  He told his mom he was so mad about the other kids (Marbleheads) making him look like a fool.  His mom said “No!”  She told him he needed to be nice and focus on kindness.  He went to school mad anyway and planned his attack to get even.  He messaged his plans on the internet and the school kids found out and told the teacher.  His mom’s words came back to him to be nice and the kids at school said, “don’t use anger or it will ruin your life”.  He changed his plan and used love and kindness and it made him strong.

We like the way the book ended because love won out over meanness, and nobody got hurt!

To purchase The Marbleheads in the SFTS Online Store, click here