Adelaide and the Cosmic Rescue Squad Review

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

It’s Halloween, and Adelaide and her friends are going trick- or-treating. As it gets dark, Adelaide’s stomach begins to hurt and her heart starts beating faster.

Suddenly, a tiny witchlet named Zara appears in a golden bubble with some good advice for Adelaide and her friends: She tells them to imagine themselves inside a glittering golden bubble. She shows them how to spread the golden light all around, to help others who are also scared of the dark.

BONUS*** The book contains a QR code linked to a FREE audiobook version of the story read by actor Marina Squerciati, a fun activity and a soothing meditation from Lynn Sparrow Christy.

Adelaide and the Cosmic Rescue Squad

Julie’s Review:

I love a kids story about facing fears with the help of friends and wanting to be kind to others. That’s a big important lesson little ones need to learn.

Adelaide and her friends are going Trick or Treating, and each one has a really fun and unique costume. The diversity in personality and characters is great here. Always good to have diverse characters in an uplifting story.

As they are going trick or treating, our main character gets a bit scared of the dark overall and a dark and scary house specifically. Here is where the magic spell brings a little light to the story, and the friends get together and help everyone who is in need of light that evening.

I loved that, the working together, the wanting to help, the bringing of light to cheer everyone up and to not make kids scared.

But, I do have a few notes. For one, where are the parents? No way kids like this would be out by themselves in the real world. Second, if you see a dark house on Halloween, do not go there! There’s reasons people don’t turn their lights on on Halloween and that is a sign to avoid their house, and I feel like this book encourages this unsafe practice.

But otherwise, a lovely story of caring for each other and overcoming fears with friends. The illustrations are lovely, and the bubbles of light are a happy sight.

The audio and guided meditation that come with the book are wonderful. I love a good audiobook and this one does a great job giving voice to the story and helping you get off to dreamland.

Adelaide and the Cosmic Rescue Squad

Price: $6.99

Price Disclaimer

Join Adelaide and her friends as they navigate nerves and the super duper jittery jitters while performing a play. Adelaide on Broadway features anytime warm-up exercises (like humming, singing and telling funny jokes) designed to help children get calm and centered before performing or speaking in front of others.

Adelaide on Broadway

Julie’s Review:

I liked the second book even more than the first! While there was no special witchy guest helping the friends along, the magic of friendship and support they felt in the first book carry them forward in their good deeds together.

Adelaide on Broadway shows kids who are nervous to do something that everyone gets scared and feels the jitters, even those who seem confident. But together these strong, brave girls help each other fight the jitters away and have fun doing it.

I love the little jokes they told each other, and there are even more in the book. Their activities of rolling around and warming up help show kids what they can do when they feel nervous and how to feel more confident by having fun.

Lots of great lessons here for all kids who need to do get up in front of people and do something that gives them butterflies.

The illustrations are so fun too, and I’m enjoying getting to know this diverse group of young ladies. The format of the text – sizes and direction makes this for a fun read as well. Don’t forget the audio and guided meditation that you can get with the QR code on the book.

Author Interview

What inspired the Adelaide book series?

I’ve been telling children stories for many years, mostly on long car rides, or out of general desperation to entertain. During the pandemic I noticed how many children were anxious and I wanted to do something to help. So I created the Adelaide series, which focuses on fun stories that teach children about anxiety, and how to keep themselves mentally healthy when under stress.

Is there a specific message that you’re trying to teach?

Mental health is an important part of overall health and I look forward to my books guiding children through managing different situations that might cause them anxiety. Once you are equipped with a toolbox of simple yet effective self-regulation tools, you can feel confident and prepared for anything.

Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going through a traditional publishing house?

I didn’t consider going through a traditional publishing house because I wanted to work with a particular illustrator. Nicola Senior is incredibly talented and I knew she would immediately see my vision for these characters and make it spectacular. I admire her little details, which is what I think makes a good picture book great. Also, we have a set of dolls coming out soon, and this was an aspect of the project that is very exciting to me. It’s not something I could have done had I worked with a traditional publisher.

Why is the series geared toward girls and not boys? I notice there are no boy characters included.

This series works through anxieties that both boys and girls experience, so boys can enjoy this series, too. I wanted to give the girls their own space to flourish, and to do a set of boys books separately. Who knows, they might converge in a series for older readers!

How many books are in the series?

There will be 4 books in the series.

 Do you plan to write more?

I do!

Will Adelaide and her friends always stay the same age, or do you plan to have them grow throughout the series?

Adelaide and her friends will remain the same age in this picture book series, and I plan to have them grow in the next series, which will be chapter books for older readers.

Will every book include an audio version with a meditation? Or are these special editions?

All picture books will include audio versions with a meditation specific to the anxiety that each title focuses on. For example, in Adelaide and the Cosmic Rescue Squad we work through bedtime anxieties and fear of the dark. The meditation teaches children to imagine a golden bubble around them, “shiny on the outside and all cozy on the inside,” where they can feel safe and secure. They can conjure this magic bubble anytime they need it. The visualization helps them to let go of the anxiety around bedtime and to understand that the light is within them, accessible anytime using the power of positive thought.

Who do you envision buying these books?

People who love beautiful children’s books, people who have children in need of extra support, and those who want to inspire confidence in children.

Which children’s authors inspire you?

I adore Julia Donaldson, The Everywhere Bear and Paper Dolls are two of the best children’s books. Donaldson has a knack for making rhyme work because she was originally a song writer. “Paper Dolls” makes me cry every time I read it, without fail. Sophie Blackall is another terrific writer. She unlocks humanity in a way that is simple and accessible to children and I admire her work very much.

Are there any other exciting plans for your business that you would like to share?

We will be debuting our doll collection later in the year! I am very excited to share these with you.

Do you have a favorite children’s book illustrator?

You’re asking all the hard questions! I suppose Quentin Blake (Mrs Armitage is a favorite), Sophie Blackall (If You Come to Earth will knock your socks off), Tony Ross (The Little Princess series is an all round triumph, super adorable story and elegant illustrations), Meg and Mog of course, is a staple and the illustrations are incredibly stylish. Dick Bruna and his iconic Miffy, too.

Is Adelaide based on a real child?

She is! My niece is Adelaide, although unlike Adelaide in the book, the real Adelaide is a swashbuckling teenager.

About the Author

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