Blackberry Book Tours Review

Ali And The Ganderwat by Roxie Fiste

June 17th - 20th 2025

39 page picture book for 4 - 10 year olds

What is a puffball to do when bouncing gets in the way?

Ali longs to be with his best friends, Mika and Scout—but there's one big problem: he can’t stop bouncing. Literally. No matter what he tries, the bouncing never ends, and it’s turning everyday life into a disaster zone. Even his dad’s attempts to help only make things worse.

Just when hope seems out of reach, Ali’s dad calls in an unexpected ally: a ganderwat. Strange, mysterious, and a little terrifying, the ganderwat might be Ali’s last chance to get his feet back on the ground. But trusting this creature means confronting Ali’s biggest fears—and learning that sometimes, the key to control lies in letting go.

Full of heart, humour, and just the right touch of magic, Ali and the Guderwat is a charming a story  about perseverance and never giving up. Learning to ask for help and overcoming fears.  It is filled with humour whist teaching numerous valuable lessons.  It is perfect for 4 - 10 year olds with beautiful illustrations.

The Best Bunny: Written by Shenandoah Chefalo and Illustrated by Alena Tkach

August 12th - 15th 2025

28 page picture book for 4 - 8 year olds

Lil Shen is alone. On the day of her grandma’s funeral, she wonders if anyone even notices she is there. But then she opens the package left for her and finds something wonderful inside—Bunny Best, a stuffed rabbit that can talk!

This is a lovely and heart warming story that helps children understand grief, loss and that you can get through it using the power of imagination.  The approach is simple and straightforward but one that even young children will be able to relate to.  The message of: its ok to not be ok and that doing your best is enough, is very powerful.  The simple story telling and beautiful illustrations means the whole story feels safe and supportive.  It illustrates courage, comfort and offers hope,

I would highly recommend this book to share with young children when they need to deal with loss and grief.

Ballerina Garden: The Art of Blooming: A Celebration of Dance

By Once Upon A Dance

Age 12+, 35 pages.

What do ballerinas and blossoms have in common?
Grace, resilience, and the power to inspire.

This absolutely stunning book is one dancers, gardeners and art lovers will come back too again and again.  It took me ages to read the 35 pages as so much time was spent on reading the beautiful analogies between dancing and flowers plus exploring the incredible images.

If your child loves dancing then this book will take them to new heights with useful insights and heartfelt reflections.  The various themes through the book flows and will ensnare the reader.

As a bonus it includes a free downloadable worksheet for dancers to reflect, set goals, and celebrate their progress.

Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale From The Belly of The Beast by Once Upon a Dance

Blackberry Book Tours November 11-17

Picture Book, 30 pages.

Once Upon a Dance donates all proceeds to charities: supporting the arts, animals, environment, and people

Bunny leaps from the wolf’s belly with only one memory: she loves to dance. But something, or someone, is still missing.

Once Upon a Dance offers movement, breath, joy, connection, and imagination through stories and this is no exception. This interactive dance book highlights subtle, positive messages/ life lessons and strong role models for the 8-12 age range.  The tip, techniques and insights for aspiring dancers.  

As ever the setting out and visual impact is beautiful.  I would highly recommend this book.