10 years ago my life took a rather drastic change; I had the privilege of being a foster carer, followed by volunteering in a primary school and a small local library – all experiences that have immersed me in the joyful world of children’s literature. During this time, I’ve read, and had read to me, countless children’s books, each one offering its own blend of charming stories and colourful illustrations, and scores of meaningful moral lessons. My love for reading spans across many genres, and I find enjoyment in most stories as long as they’re well-written and engaging – if an adult can’t find enjoyment reading children’s fiction, then children probably won’t either. So when author Michael Panzner reached out and asked me to review his latest book, I was delighted to accept. He kindly sent me a copy of The Sunny Day Squad: The Quest for the Caringstone, and I was immediately drawn into its uplifting tale. It is a great story with a focus on friendship, empathy and everyday courage.
The Sunny Day Squad: The Quest for the Caringstone is a story aimed at young readers aged 3 to 8 years old and is written by Michael Panzner with illustrations by Polly Mooney. The story follows four animal friends: Ollie the monkey, Poppy the puppy, Daisy the rabbit and Ted the horse, together they form the Sunny Day Squad. This cheerful band of caring animal friends are devoted to spreading joy and kindness. Setting off from their home in the idyllic Gaggle Grove, this collective band of loveable animals are on a mission – their mission is to find the fabled Caringstone, a magical gem that is said to have the power to bring smiles to even the saddest of children. The characters each uses their distinct personality and unique talent to help them overcome challenges and solve problems they encounter along the way, all while staying on course to try and make the world a much happier place.
Overall, The Sunny Day Squad: The Quest for the Caringstone is a superb tale of friendship and kindness, I was charmed with this story from the opening pages. Packed with balanced adventure and heartwarming, tender moments it is excellent at keeping young page turners captivated while driving home its fantastic positive messages. With four fun animal characters, each charming persona brings their own uniqueness to the group, with teamwork and friendship being a big part of of the story. As the Sunny Day Squad progresses in their quest, it gently weaves in important themes such as perseverance, kindness, respect, team work and overcoming challenges, making it not only an entertaining story but also very educational. These underlying messages are presented in such a way that makes it very accessible to children, encouraging empathy and positive behaviour without feeling preachy.
While the story is fantastic, with some wonderful messaging, illustrator Polly Mooney has filled the pages with fun bright, vibrant and cheerful artwork. These wonderful illustrations complement the story beautifully. Each illustrated page provides visual cues that helps young page turners to stay engaged in the plot while at the same time helping to support literacy skills. Whether it is read as a bedtime story or used a classroom read-aloud, the colourful images add an extra layer of fun and enjoyment, helping to reinforce the positive messages that the story is trying to portray.
While the book is for the most part generally well-suited for young readers, it does occasionally feature a few longer and more complex words. These words might be a challenge for early readers, but this can be a positive thing rather than a problem, as it opens the door for discussion and vocabulary building. With adult guidance it is perfect for putting those phonics skills to the test while sharpening comprehension.
The Sunny Day Squad: The Quest for the Caringstone is a wonderful story, but it is so much than a simple story about four charming animal friends searching for a magical gem. It is a fantastic look at friendship, being kind, good manners and the joy that can be found in helping others. It’s a book that will not only entertain young readers but achieves its goal and leaves them with a smile on their face and a few gentle lessons to carry with them. This is a nice story that radiates warmth and positivity.
Rating: 4/5
RRP: £9.99 (Paperback)
For more information, visit michaelpanzner.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
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