Title: Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear

Author: Jay Miller

ISBN: 978-1-4327-0739-2

Genre: Children (Toddler age 3 to 6)

Pages: 34

Reviewed By: Brian KnightOfficial Premium Promotional Services Rating:  

From the time Bingo is a little cub, he wants to do two things….sing and fish. If he isn’t fishing with his grandpa, he is dancing and singing around the house. Now Bingo is a very happy bear, but he feels he is missing one thing that would put him on cloud nine. Bingo wants a banjo. He wants to play while he dances and sings.

One day, Bingo is fishing with his grandpa and he catches a tiny fish. This is no ordinary fish. It is a genie fish. A scared little genie fish that is so desperately tells Bingo that if he lets him go he will grant Bingo a wish. Bingo tells the tiny fish he wants a banjo so he can play and sing all day long. Knowing his wish would come true; Bingo gladly put the tiny fish back in the water.

The weeks pass. Years pass, and still Bingo has no banjo. Even though grandpa is now in heaven and Bingo is so much older, he still sings and dances, but he cannot remember what it was he wished for.

One day, while fishing and sending songs to his grandpa, Bingo catches a BIG fish—the genie fish. The fish recognizes Bingo and they start to talk. Bingo suddenly remembers his wish and wants to know why he did not get his banjo…

“Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear” is full of colorful pictures and songs that compliment the delightful writing of author, Jay Miller. The illustrations are sure to capture the reader’s full attention. Your child will have images dancing in his/her head; and together, you will dance and sing the songs. Entwined within all the fun and entertainment, is Jay’s wonderful message of thankfulness, patience, joy and family.

“Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear” will become a favorite on your child’s bookshelf for many years. As a grandpa, Miller understands the importance of reading to our children. Miller believes reading, singing and dancing is a fun way to teach important morals and values to young children.

I recommend “Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear” to toddlers who love to sing and dance. And for adults who want too teach their little ones morals while they play.

Title: Sal and Sally

Author: Jay Miller

ISBN: 978-1-935028-13-0

Genre: Children (Toddler age 3 to 6)

Pages: 23

Reviewed By: Brian Knight

Official Premium Promotional Services Rating: 

Sal and Sally are best friends that enjoy playing together and discovering new adventures. One day, the two happy-go-lucky sea bass stumble upon the most amazing pastime…they learn how to blow bubbles! In the ocean they blow big bubbles, little bubbles, and bubbles of many different colors. For hours, just the two of them laugh and swim around all the blown bubbles until Nellie, the octopus, swims over to join in.

Nellie sees how much fun Sal and Sally are having and really wants to join them. But Nellie has a big problem…she doesn’t know how to blow bubbles.

Sal and Sally gaily come to Nellie’s rescue and are happy to teach her. Nellie proves she is an excellent student when she exhales and blows a huge bubble. A bubble so enormous, it engulfs Sal and Sally inside.

Sal and Sally attempt to pop the bubble, but to no avail. And what’s worse—Nasty Nick, the Texas long nose shark, comes by and now they are in real danger. Afraid, Sal and Sally can only watch as he approaches.

Nasty Nick is looking for dinner and can now see his meal trapped inside this bubble. He attempts to pop the bubble with his long nose; but like Sal and Sally’s attempt, the bubble just won’t burst.

Sal and Sally are safe, but this leaves Nellie outside the bubble and looking scrumptious for Nick’s next meal. Will this be Nellie’s last frolic with her two new friends or will Nasty Nick have a change of heart and let Nelly go free?

Once again, Jay Miller composes a delightful tale.

In a joyful way of learning, Miller uses rich descriptions, delivering powerful messages of life values and morals—playing and working together in a way that shows even a nasty shark needs friends. In “Sal and Sally,” the colorful illustrations compliment the story and are sure to grab the little listeners’ attention. With joyful songs at the end of the story, everyone will surely be dancing about the room as they envision many bubbles bouncing and floating around them.

“Sal and Sally” is sure to be a favorite on any child’s bookcase. I recommend this book for those children who have lots of energy. Those who love to dance, sing and have fun. And adults who wish to spread positive life values and morals to those little ones they love.

Title: Opal, Herby, and Squeaky

Author: Jay Miller

ISBN: 978-1-4389-1808-2

Genre: Children (Toddler age 3 to 6)

Pages: 20

Reviewed By: Brian Knight

Official Premium Promotional Services Rating:   

 

Opal is a lovable black cat without a home.  Opal’s life changes one day when she crosses the path of a caring human.  She is brought to this human’s new home and meets her playmate, Herby, a good natured wiener dog. Quickly, Opal and Herby become the best of friends.

 

Now in this human’s house, Herby has a problem with Squeaky, a smart mouse.  Every night, Herby cannot seem to catch Squeaky who steals his food.

 

Opal loves to eat mice for a snack, so when she hears of Herby’s problem, she happily volunteers to catch the mouse. Herby is thrilled and accepts Opal’s help with one condition…she must promise not to hurt the mouse. Herby and Opal plan a way to catch Squeaky, but Opal makes no promises.

 

Squeaky overhears all the details of the trap. That night, she is careful not to get caught.  

 

Opal’s trap fails. She really wants to catch Squeaky so she heeds the advice of Herby and prays to the Lord for guidance. 

 

The Lord instructs Opal on how to catch Squeaky; however, she must give the mouse a chance to repent for stealing.  If Squeaky repents, Opal is to release the mouse unharmed.

 

“Opal, Herby, and Squeaky”, is the third book in the “All God’s Critters” series. On every page, Jay miller fills this delightful tale with eye catching illustrations and lovable characters that will come alive before any youngster’s eyes as the story unfolds. Drawn into this animal world, listeners of any age (young and old) will be hooked right from the start as they are shown the life lessons of powerful morals and values from Opal, Herby, and Squeaky. The listeners learn the importance of friendship, the power of forgiveness, and how the Lord will guide them through prayer.

 

This tale of a lovable cat, a friendly wiener dog, and a sneaky mouse is a fun story with many teachable moments. You will find yourself laughing along with the character’s dilemmas and satisfied knowing the child you love is learning life lessons.

 

I highly recommend this book for children and all those who are young at heart. A story no one will ever tire of hearing.

From the time that he was just a young cub, Bingo has always been musically inclined. In fact, the only thing that he wants to do more than sing and dance is have a banjo to play; that way, he’ll be free to strum on it all day long, making all kinds of music and singing all kinds of songs.  So imagine Bingo’s surprise when he goes fishing with his Grandpa one day and catches a little fish in their favorite fishing hole – who promptly promises to grant him any wish he desires as long as he agrees to let him go…so, what does Bingo wish for? A banjo, of course – but, after letting the fish go, the banjo is nowhere to be found, and, as the years go by, it never shows up.  True to form, though, Bingo and his Grandpa head back to their favorite fishing hole one day – and, much to his surprise, Bingo catches the same little fish that he did before. Only this time, the fish has gotten much bigger and would make quite a good meal for Bingo and his Grandpa – that is, until he gives Bingo a bit of news that just may change his mind…

Book 1 in the “All God’s Critters” series, Bingo The Banjo Picking Bear is an enjoyable treat for young readers. In it, author Jay Miller gives a genuine exuberance to Bingo that ultimately proves infectious as you find yourself bopping and singing along to his musical zeal. Also, the volume is amply and richly illustrated, which does much to bring Bingo to life, veritably dancing off the page. Bingo The Banjo Picking Bear will surely liven up many a bedtime readings, at the same time teaching youngsters all over the world that their most fervent wishes can indeed come true – as long as they’re made for the right reasons.

Gather Community Press

Reviewed By Rhonda Carver

Sal and Sally are two small fish just hanging out in the waters of the big blue sea. They soon grow bored, though, so, to amuse herself, Sally starts to blow bubbles. Fascinated by the practice, Sal begs Sally to teach him how to do the same, and the two of them then proceed to have a ball, blowing bubbles and swimming around in the sea.  Nellie The Octopus soon arrives, and, upon seeing the fun that Sal and Sally are having, she asks them to teach her how to blow bubbles, too. They happily oblige, and Nellie then proceeds to blow a gigantic bubble – so big, in fact, that it accidentally traps Sal and Sally inside. While they’re trying to figure out how to get out of the bubble, Nasty Nick, the Texas Long Nose Cowboy Shark, sidles up to the trio. Initially, he masks his malicious intentions, but once Sal and Sally catch on to the true purpose of his visit, they implore Nellie to join them in the bubble in order to save herself from getting eaten by him. She quickly does, and, despite his best efforts, Nasty Nick is unable to burst the bubble and get to his prey, so he slithers off. Safe once again, Sal, Sally, and Nellie then figure out a way to get out of the bubble – but, once they’re free, Nasty Nick makes a quick return to finish what he started…can the three friends find a way to avoid becoming a tasty snack for a sneaky, hungry shark?

Readers of all ages are sure to enjoy Sal And Sally. In it, author Jay Miller does a commendable job of highlighting the advantages of getting along and working together, outlining just how beneficial the principles of teamwork, sharing, and selflessness are when put into real practice. The collective strength that can be manifested through genuine bonding is a lesson that it’s never too late to learn.

Miller also places special emphasis on the importance of changing one’s ways in order to gain the trust of others. The power of redemption is a universal theme that never gets old, and, as he depicts in the decisions that Nasty Nick ultimately makes, Miller does an effective job of showing the reader just how advantageous it can be to seek to make amends for past wrongs. Kudos to Jay Miller for creating an engaging tale, both enlightening and entertaining and sure to become a permanent addition to personal libraries everywhere. Highly recommended.

AuthorHouse

Reviewed By Rhonda Carver

Opal is an adorable little kitten, but she’s homeless, and when a kindhearted

woman offers to adopt her one day, Opal is elated. Her new owner’s offer, though, is based on one condition: that Opal catch a little gray mouse running free in her house, to which Opal gladly agrees. Upon arriving at her new home, Opal becomes fast friends with Herby, her owner’s lovable little wiener dog, who soon lets her know exactly why the rouge mouse, Squeaky, is such a problem: every night after Herby goes to sleep, Squeaky sneaks out of his hole in the wall and steals all of the food out of Herby’s bowl. Herby then goes hungry all of the next day because he has no food to eat. After learning of Herby’s ongoing plight, Opal commits herself to putting a stop to Squeaky’s hijinks once and for all – but she soon finds that her task isn’t as easy as it sounds. However, rather than allow herself to grow frustrated, she asks God for His help in figuring out precisely how to catch Squeaky in the act – and

ultimately have the little critter for her own dinner. God then gives Opal the answer – but on one condition: that Opal give Squeaky the chance to repent once he’s been caught, and, if he does so, Opal must allow him to go free. Soon thereafter, Opal finally catches Squeaky, but she stays true to her promise to God and gives him the chance to repent – and, little does Squeaky know, his ultimate decision will prove much more consequential than he realizes…

Opal, Herby, And Squeaky is a delightful children’s tale by Christian Fiction author Jay Miller. In it, Miller skillfully spurs original thought in the minds of young readers, helping them realize that for every action there is a consequence – be it good or bad – and that each decision we make must be preceded by careful, deliberate forethought. By doing so, we can prevent ourselves from falling into the pratfalls that often accompany the folly of diving head-first into situations whose virtue is superficial at best. Miller also does a commendable job of displaying the transcendent power

of forgiveness, particularly the second chances with which it provides us all. As we

are all human, we are all prone to making mistakes, but the importance of patience and understanding in the face of common error is not often stressed enough – a point that Miller makes in compelling fashion.

Opal, Herby, And Squeaky is a welcome literary treat with a powerful,

inviting message. Highly recommended.