Member Reviews

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Mika and the Gurgler is an adorable illustrated book for children about Mika who's got to face a spinning, spewing, sudsing monster that has trapped Mika’s stuffed frog friend!
This was such a fun book about a child's perspective of a washing machine and learning that things are not always as scary as they seem when you learn more about them.
This was really fun and relatable for little ones and would make a great story for children who fear the washing machine or their stuffed toys going in the wash.

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This book is beautiful for its message and its illustrations. Through this story I think it is very easy to learn about how to respect and value different opinions and how to build relationships based on love and mutual respect.
I think the story is very well told and conveys a very important message to its target audience.

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Thank you to the author, Kind World Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an adorable book with wonderful illustrations for the pre-reading set, with gentle and natural interactions between two sisters longing for real winter weather. There are various possibilities given in the short and simple stories to pick up on how to deal with differences of opinion, and how to show love and appreciation toward one another. Yes, it is perhaps a bit too innocent to be true - but why not use this as a starting point for (sibling) relationships?

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In a Nutshell: The fifth picture book in the 'Maddie and Mabel' series, and just as adorable as the earlier books. A great option for beginner readers.

Those who are familiar with this series know that Maddie and Mabel are sisters. While there are many things they enjoy doing together, their personalities are distinct. This makes stories featuring them a treat as we see their strong bond clearly, even during disagreements.

While many books featuring siblings show the elder one dominating the younger one, this series always depicts both the girls at an equal level, with Maddie and Mabel taking care of their individual choices while still listening to and supporting the other… for the most part anyway. It is the perfect depiction of a healthy sibling relationship. I love how the girls always have an open conversation about their thoughts and feelings.

This book is divided into five interlinked stories, with winter and snow being the connecting theme. The discussion between the two about their favourite kind of snow won my heart. Until I read it, I hadn’t even viewed snow with such a deep perspective.

The stories are written in easy vocabulary. There are not more than 3-4 lines of text per page, with many lines using repetition for emphasis. This makes the book a great option for little ones who are transitioning upwards from basic picture books, but aren't yet ready for full-length chapter books.

The graphics are simply adorable. The two sisters are as cute as always. As there is a lot of white space in the page, the little colourful graphics feel extra vibrant even though the palette is dominated by light-pastel shades.

All in all, this is a sweet story focussing on two sisters and their loving bond. There’s plenty of fun as well as some interesting opinion-based activities at the end.

I've been following this series ever since the first book came out. Except for Book Three (which never came on NetGalley, to my utter dismay), I've read every other book of the series. It's tough to pick a favourite because every single one has been a winner. Rarely do I get to say this about a series, especially a small press offering.

Much recommended! The books can be read as standalone, but I'd recommend all of them with equal gusto. They work for general reading as well as bedtime companions. The content will work great for ages 3 and above.

4.5 stars, always happy to round up for deserving small press books.

My thanks to Kind World Publishing for providing the DRC of “Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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It's a cute book. I liked the sisterly feeling. However, the book felt too big for younger readers. It shows the sister playing as sisters do, but not much else. There is not an arc for the characters. It's a kid slice-of-life kind of book, which is not exactly my favorite but is not really a problem.

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Maddie and Mabel ready for snow was a great read for a young audience, I read it with my 2 year olds as we had our first snow of the season! There are several times throughout our winter lessons that this book can be incorporated and I believe will quickly become a favorite in my classroom!

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This was a sweet and innocent read!

Simple and well written, this would be perfect for introducing a child to reading.

The interactions between the sisters show a natural bond between siblings -playing together, getting along well and having fun.

I would consider purchasing this for my future children.
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I look forward to reading more from her again soon!

Thanks to Kind World Publishing for the complimentary e-book copy of this book I received to review through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.

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My daughters love the Maddie and Mabel books. The sisters are so relatable and they remind me of my daughters. Their little adventures together are adorable and are so fun to read to my girls.

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"Is it snowing yet?" This is the question you hear a dozen times from your kid once temperature drops. Here's the book for exactly those moments. This picture book contains interlinked short stories about two sisters who love playing in the snow.
The stories are easy, almost too simple for my 6-year-old, nevertheless, she enjoyed them.

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‘Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow’ is an utterly charming story that captures the delightful bond between two sisters as they experience the joys of a snowy day. This book is a perfect winter read, filled with warmth, playfulness, and the magic of sibling love.

Plot: ★★★★★
The plot is simple yet heartwarming, following Maddie and Mabel as they prepare for and enjoy a day in the snow. The narrative beautifully captures the excitement and wonder that snow brings, as well as the little moments of cooperation, compromise, and care that define their relationship. The pacing is ideal for young readers, with each scene unfolding naturally and with a sense of joy.

Character: ★★★★★
Maddie and Mabel are wonderfully relatable characters, each with their own distinct personality that shines through in the story. Their interactions are authentic and endearing, reflecting the ups and downs of sibling relationships in a way that is both realistic and heartwarming. Readers will easily see themselves in the sisters, making their adventures even more engaging.

Illustrations: ★★★★★
The illustrations in ‘Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow’ are simply delightful. They perfectly complement the story, bringing the snowy scenes to life with vibrant colours and expressive characters. The artwork captures the warmth and affection between the sisters, as well as the beauty and fun of a snowy day, making the book visually appealing and inviting.

Engagement: ★★★★★
This book is highly engaging, drawing readers in with its charming story and lovable characters. The sisterly bond between Maddie and Mabel is the heart of the story, and their playful interactions keep the reader invested from beginning to end. The snowy setting adds an extra layer of excitement, making it a perfect read for wintertime.

Readability: ★★★★★
The language is clear, accessible, and well-suited for young readers. The story flows smoothly, with a rhythm that makes it easy and enjoyable to read aloud. The text is perfectly balanced with the illustrations, making it an excellent choice for early readers who will appreciate the supportive visuals.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★
‘Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow’ is a joyful and heartwarming read that is sure to become a favourite for children and parents alike. The combination of a sweet, relatable story, engaging characters, and beautiful illustrations makes it a thoroughly enjoyable experience from start to finish.


‘Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow’ by Kari Allen is a delightful celebration of sisterhood, winter fun, and the simple joys of childhood. It's a perfect read for snowy days or cozy nights by the fire, reminding us all of the magic that a little snow—and a lot of love—can bring.

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This children's book is full of good, positive sisterly vibes. It's set in the wintertime, so the illustrations are cosy and charming. The message is sweet and the reading experience is light and fun.

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Firstly, a big thanks to:
- the author, Kari Allen
- the illustrator, Tatjana Mai-Wyss
- the publisher, Kind World Publishing and Consulting
and NetGalley for the privilege of being able to read a digital copy of Madde and Mabel Ready for Snow. I will share my review on Amazon/Goodreads/Barnes & Noble upon release.

A very cute and sweet read about the relationship between two sisters, Maddie and Mabel, and how excited they are as they prepare to play in the snow, and then how they prepare to play in the snow, what they do in the snow, how they disagree during playtime and do a good job of making up and getting past their issues. The older sister is consistent in teaching the younger sister about her experiences, which is cute and resonates with me as an older sister. This book gave me nostalgia for when I was a kid and explaining things like snow to my younger siblings.

The illustrations are beautiful and well done, and the way they are separated in little scenes reminded me of "Dick and Jane" books for kids, and how they were broken up into short stories. I think kids will resonate with the topics of impatience, sibling rivalries/sibling fun, arguing with a subling and making up, and entertaining yourselves on a snow day. This is a cozy and charming read with beautiful pictures! And I really appreciate the message of making a kinder world.

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Cutest winters read. Perfect chapter book for a new reader. We have read this book twice as a bed time story. My girls throughly enjoyed the characters.

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As a girl who has an older sister, this was so cute!! It made me reminded me of childhood and playing with my sister, and especially the little bickering we always got into! This was so so fun to read even though I'm in my twenties now! The illustrations were also so cute and aesthetically pleasing!!!

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I really liked this book, it was packed with lovely illustrations that brought the book to life.

The characters of Maddie and Mabel are lovely and we loved reading about them in the stories in the book. The book was well written and easy for my daughter to follow. She loves winter and is already hoping that we get some snow this year!

It is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended!

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4.5 Stars
Aww… such a cuddly, cozy, cutesy book!

This is the fifth book in the Maddie and Mabel series and works as a standalone. I missed a couple of books (sad, I know) so I was delighted when my friend pointed out the latest was available on NetGalley.
Since the book releases in mid-Nov, it is winter-themed with snow as the central plot. Of course, the core of the book and the series is sisterhood and the warm relationship between Maddie and Mabel.
Each page has around 10-25 words in short and neat sentences. They tell the story in the simplest terms for kids to understand.
The illustrations are super adorable and align with the content on each page. The artwork is whimsical and cozy; be it the matching onesies, the plush bunny toys, or the bunny footwear around the house. The colors are pastels (softer) but still stand out against the white background.
The story is divided into neat little chapters where the sisters take up a different activity in each one. The book ends with three short discussions encouraging kiddos to discuss the types of snow and how they can connect to the story (characters).
To summarize, Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow is a delightful and lovely little book about winter, sisterly bonding, and being kind to each other.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kind World Publishing and Consulting, LLC, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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The book is very good for little siblings because it shows the importance of being able to do things together. The story is about snow adventures and how to manage which game to do first. Before the snow, snowing and after the snow. Together, the winter is cosy and warm. Thanks a lot to Netgalley for the opportunity I'd have read this magnificent story.

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Loving this boardbook series so much! I have been following the sisters since their first book!

I love how the sisters love doing everything together and help each other learn things everyday. In this book, they are having fun in the snow and are helping each other to get to their great ideas!

They are creative and have different ideas yet they are quite cooperative with each other.

Such a wonderful way to let kids know how we can support our siblings when we have differences!

The illustrations are amazing as always!

Perfect read!

Thank you, Kind World Publishing, for the ARC.

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It's such a cute children's book! I loved reading it with my little cousin (and she loved it as well).
The drawings are amazing and the story is amazing for children

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This is a heartwarming and delightful story about two sisters who share the joy of playing in the snow together. The illustrations are beautifully done, and the premise of the story is both touching and relatable. I particularly loved how, at the end, there are thoughtful questions for the child to consider, encouraging them to reflect on the story and the emotions it evokes. It truly warmed my heart and is a wonderful read for fostering meaningful discussions and connections.

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