Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

The Jar Puppies

by Thomas James

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781478758075

Synopsis*:

There are Miracles around us every day. Some we see, and the most of us don’t ever notice. Then there are other miracles that should remain silent. There are dangers around that some may use the miracles for financial gain. To exploit these miracles and perhaps even hurt a child in the process. They must be protected at all cost from those that may harm what is pure and innocent. There is nothing more remarkable than a miracle in a child’s arms as the two of them combined should be admired and adored, and never taken advantage of. Then there is nature. Something that is beautiful and precious. When combined with a miracle you have heaven. How and why should man be allowed to destroy what was meant to be something special on earth. Those that will fight to protect its secret from harm, even at the cost of a life, should be thought of highly. Then when nature steps in with a fury to protect its own. Even man cannot stand in its way, and must retreat. There are miracles in this world that must be recognized as beautiful as life itself, respected for what they are, and should be left to be. We should never even think of damaging something so precious, and perhaps lose it forever. Look around. What miracles do you see? Would you ever think of doing something to it so that you may never see it again? This Book is filled with love, joy, excitement, humor, and sadness. It is for those that are pure and innocent, and know the difference between right and wrong. For those that really care about precious gifts from above.

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Publisher’s Summary

An old glass maker, tired and looking for new inspiration, is led to a special beach where the sand has properties he has never seen before. He takes some of the sand home, and makes a series of jars, which have a gift that is so precious it can be shared only with a few loving and trustworthy children. But the pure joy given to the children is threatened as others watch, thinking only of how the gift can be turned to profit. The children learn priceless lessons about friendship, loyalty, and the importance of protecting what is precious and unique. The Jar Puppies and Miracle Beach is a unique and beautiful story that you and your children will treasure.

Featured Review

The Jar Puppies made a splash at the 2016 CIPA EVVY Awards for good reason, and it definitely qualifies as one of our most beloved and most overlooked children’s books of the last couple of years! Here, Thomas James takes a story he first received as a dream and later told to his loved ones and translates it into written form. And not just that–he had it beautifully illustrated! This is a sweet narrative rich in potential as both a teaching tool for younger children and as a source of entertainment. One of our favorite elements of this book is that children are given very real agency–that is, they’re given active roles in shaping how events play out, and they take those roles very seriously. Not many children’s books take that sort of approach! We highly recommend you check out this book … and yes, Review it on Amazon or Goodreads! It is criminally under-recognized for its excellence.