Stories kids love, themes parents love
Funny Bug Adventure Series will keep kids laughing
A busy butterfly goes to school for the first time meets a variety of unusual friends. An ant accidentally gets hijacked to the city inside a human's backpack. An impatient beetle, wants to play an instrument, but is too lazy to practice. A friendly bee that doesn't know about stinging, can't understand why the farm animals don't want to be friends. A horsefy wants to be the sheriff in an old-west town.
Laugh out loud
Hilarious insect heroes share their adventures and learn a few life-skills along the way.
Encourage Discussion
Each story includes after-story ideas to encourage discussion and help develop reading
comprehension skills in a light-hearted, comical way.
Back Pack Books make ideal bedtime or anytime stories
Heartwarming characters and bright artwork that will surprise and delight. These books will make a great addition to any child's library.
NEW! The Red Sweater
When a little boy doesn't get the birthday present he wished for, he learns a valuable lesson about charity and generosity.
Mom orders a red sweater online and when it arrives it's not exactly what they expected. When Mom suggests they donate it to the local charity shop, the idea is met with some resistance. After all, the sweater was "special" and what if someone who isn't so nice gets it?
KIDS! Whenever you feel sad or blue, just reach into your memory where the Happies live! Everyone has Happies. It might be a flower, or a bird, or it might be a sandcastle that you built on a beach. Maybe it’s a gold sticker you received for doing something special. Happies are always there when you need them.
Ten Little Happies teaches little ones to focus on happy thoughts to help relieve anxiety or fear and is a great bedtime soother.
5 STARS for Ten Little Happies Readers' Favorite
Reviewed by Kristine Zimmerman for Readers’ Favorite
Ten Little Happies by Janice Garden Macdonald is a children's picture book that will make you feel good. The subtitle is "self-soothing with good memories" and that is exactly what is shared. The text flows beautifully and begins with a young child sharing that they are feeling down and blue. Instead of wallowing in those feelings, they take charge by recalling their "happies." Happies are memories, both old and new. They might include other people or animals, or they might be about celebrating an important achievement. The best part about happies is the more you remember them, the bigger they grow. Happies can be remembered all day long! A few discussion questions are included at the end to help kids understand the concept.
Ten Little Happies is an outstanding choice for preschoolers as they learn to navigate their emotions. Janice Garden Macdonald has simplified a complex topic and gives kids a self-empowering way of managing their emotions. The illustrations are perfect! A diverse group of children is represented, and they are so appealing. You can't help but smile as you see the joy reflected in their faces as they engage in enjoyable activities. As a retired children's librarian, I know how difficult it is to get the rhymes just right. Janice Garden Macdonald makes her story flow effortlessly. It is a delight to read out loud. Ten Little Happies succeeds on every level. It is a fantastic read-aloud and presents a worthwhile concept that will benefit all young readers. I highly recommend Ten Little Happies.
Dog's Best Friend!
When a scruffy dog is followed home by a tiny Christmas tree, he nurtures and loves it, only to discover that it can’t stay with him forever.
I Heard Christmas Whisper is a sweet reminder that while December 26 might feel sad, next year Christmas will return.
Kids love the adorable pup who feels blue when Christmas is over but cheers up when he learns how to hold the season in his heart all year long.
Beautifully illustrated, this Christmas tale is sure to become a favorite.
5 STARS for I HEARD CHRISTMAS WHISPER
Reviewed by Amy Louise Hill for Readers' Favorite
I Heard Christmas Whisper by Janice Garden Macdonald is a holiday-themed picture book for young children. Does your child love Christmas? Then this book will become their new favorite. A little dog can feel Christmas in the air and soon realizes that a Christmas tree is following him. The dog decides to take care of it and hopes it will stay around forever. But unfortunately, the dog learns that the tree has to go away, at least until next year. This makes him feel sad, but he knows that Christmas will always be with him, in his heart, and he can look forward to seeing the tree again next Christmas. If you're anxiously waiting for Christmas to arrive, then pick up a copy of this book to start the festivities early.
I Heard Christmas Whisper warmed my heart from the moment I began reading. I love Christmas time and can't wait for the holiday to begin. Children are going to love this adorable book as it will fill them with Christmas spirit and, at the same time, reassure them that even when it's over, Christmas will remain in their hearts. The author has kept the writing simple, which will allow children to follow along easily, and to soak up all the goodness the story has to offer. The illustrations are professional and colorful and aid in giving off a Christmassy feel. I enjoyed every word written by Janice Garden Macdonald and I hope she delights readers with more of her wonderful stories soon.
Paperback https://mybook.to/eDZtR6
Do Flies Tell Lies? (Funny Bugs)
Welcome to the town of Horsefly in the old west, named after our hero’s ma and pa.
Fly wants to be sheriff, but he
must prove himself first. The chance comes when Bandit Bird holds up the bank and takes off into the desert with all the gold.
Can fly achieve his dream of being the sheriff of Horsefly? Can Fly make friends with the horses even though they are afraid of being bitten?
A laugh-out-loud tale, with funny illustrations, told in gentle rhyme.
Do Butterflies Sleep? (Funny Bugs)
a first day of school adventure
Along with a variety of forest friends, a busy butterfly glides through a morning routine, the first day of school and bedtime with a cheerful attitude.
But the real fun is at school. Our hero meets a shy rabbit, a bullying bird, plays basketball with a bear and tic tac toe with a with a mouse.
Little ones will learn about new experiences and diversity from this heartwarming tale, with charming illustrations, told in gentle rhyme.
READER'S FAVORITE 5 STAR REVIEW for "DO BUTTERFLIES SLEEP?"
5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review!
Reviewed by David Korson for Readers’ Favorite
Do Butterflies Sleep? by Janice Garden Macdonald is a charming picture book that pre-readers and emerging readers will fall in love with. The storyline details an eventful day in the life of an active butterfly from morning to night, and the tale ends by answering the question, "Do butterflies sleep?" Butterfly’s morning is occupied with activities children can relate to, such as eating breakfast, washing up, and getting on a bus that will take the fluttering insect to school. The afternoon’s events include reading, playtime, and interaction with a diverse group of friendly animals, while the nighttime appropriately leads to bedtime.
Attractive and captivating artwork brings this story to life, featuring a variety of glossy-eyed forest animals taking part in everyday activities. It’s hard for me to imagine that the adorable image of a jolly, floppy-eared bunny wearing glasses won’t bring a smile to the face of any child or adult. The poetic text can be effortlessly read aloud, and each rhyming stanza features short sentences with manageable words for beginning readers. Many important themes are highlighted in the story, like attending school, socializing with others that may be different, maintaining healthy routines, and taking on challenging tasks with bravery, optimism, and confidence. Rounding out Janice Garden Macdonald’s uplifting book are a few interesting fun facts and interactive questions to engage curious kids in a thoughtful and lively discussion. For a rewarding story with enchanting illustrations, Do Butterflies Sleep? is a delightful story that you and your children will want to read over and over again.
Do Ants Have Uncles? (Funny Bugs)
a stranger-danger adventure
When our hero, Ant, accidentally gets hijacked to the city in a human’s backpack, returning home becomes top priority.
With the help of city and forest animals, Ant uses willpower and inner strength to travel back to the colony.
Little ones will learn about determination, self-reliance and playing safely outside.
A heartwarming rhyming tale, with charming illustrations.
Readers' Favorite 5 Star Award for "Do Ants Have Uncles?"
Review #1: Review by Amy Raines
5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review!
Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers’ Favorite
Do Ants Have Uncles? by Janice Garden Macdonald introduces a little ant that explores a traveler’s pack and takes a nap. Although he enjoyed the old man’s singing, the little ant found himself a long way from home. He realized that he was lost and began looking for ways to get back home without getting stepped on or traveling even further away. Meeting new characters along the way, and trying out faster modes of transportation, the little ant’s journey shows how amusing and exciting the world can be. Will the little ant ever find his way home and is anyone from his colony looking for him? Will he ever see his family again, or is he lost for good?
Janice Garden Macdonald has crafted this children’s story with all the elements that will hold the attention of young children. Each of the characters is unique and serves to make the plot easy for children to understand while keeping them entertained. The illustrations give children beautiful pictures that keep pace with the story, allowing them to enjoy following along while being read to, and will encourage them to read the words themselves. Do Ants Have Uncles? could easily become any child’s favorite story no matter what time of day it is. I love the way Macdonald wove the importance of family and friends into this adventurous story. I also loved how the story encourages children not to wander off out of curiosity, teaching them to seek the guidance of an adult that knows their way back home.
MUSIC LESSONS AREN'T JUST FOR PEOPLE!
Do Beetles Sing? (Funny Bugs)
a music adventure
Beetle wants to play an instrument but doesn’t want to practice. Guitar, violin, drums, which shall it be?
After unsuccessfully trying out several different instruments, the stubborn little Beetle is finally convinced by his friends to go to music school.
Little ones will learn about perseverance and patience.
Do Bees Say Please? (Funny Bugs)
a friendship adventure
All the animals on the farm are afraid of Bee. But with some good advice from a wise goose, the lonely little Bee soon makes friends.
But the real excitement happens when a stubborn baby goat won’t come down from the barn roof. Bee gets a sweet idea and saves the day.
Available in paperback or Kindle editions on Amazon
Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review for "Do Bees Say Please?"
Reviewed by Afifa Raisa for Readers' Favorite
Do Bees Say Please? by Janice Garden Macdonald is an illustrated rhyming book for 2-6-year-old children. The story is narrated by a friendly bumble bee living on a country farm. The bee is desperate to make friends, but for an unknown reason, all the farm animals are scared of it. The sad bee eventually meets a goose who encourages it not to give up. On the goose's advice, the bee starts anew and successfully makes progress. The interesting part begins when a newborn baby goat from the farm climbs up onto the barn roof and refuses to get down. When the other animals, including its mother, fail to convince it to come down, the bee takes the matter into its own hands. The story ends with a wonderful lesson on politeness.
Janice Garden Macdonald's Do Bees Say Please? A Politeness Adventure is an eye-catching book with an appropriate amount of text on each page. I love the way the lines rhyme; it makes reading aloud with children a more enjoyable activity. Another great aspect of the book is that some of the pages come with additional fun and relevant information. Besides this, Macdonald has portrayed the bee in a way that makes it a relatable character to many kids. Children often feel frustrated about being unable to reach their goals; the bee getting up to try again after being motivated by the goose and eventually achieving success can encourage them not to give up. I feel that the best thing about the story is the clarity of the messages it aims to deliver; it undoubtedly makes this book a suitable pick for the intended audience.
Can't Wait to Read This!
The Red Sweater NEW!
I Heard Christmas Whisper, Fall 2023
