reviews

Texas summers don’t tiptoe in—they show up early, stay late, and bring every bit of the heat. By the time spring rolls around, Austin‑area families are already gearing up for long days outside, weekend lake trips, camp drop‑offs, and every splash pad, pool, and river spot Central Texas has to offer.

To make summer easier (and a lot more fun), we’ve curated the 2026 Kids’ Summer Essentials, Gear & Travel Guide. This guide highlights kid‑friendly products that help families stay cool, safe, organized, and adventure‑ready—whether you’re traveling, heading to camp, splashing at the pool, or spending lazy afternoons on the lake.

Glori, Miracle Dog by Jan Crossen tells the touching story of a blind pug who was abandoned in the wilderness and left to survive on her own. Inspired by a real-life dog, this story gently introduces young readers to themes of hardship, hope, and compassion in a way that feels safe and uplifting.

The tone of the book is warm and reassuring, even as it touches on difficult moments. Children will follow Glori’s journey from loneliness to love, meeting the kind people who help change her life from a caring rescuer to a compassionate veterinarian and supportive community. The storytelling emphasizes that even in tough situations, kindness can make a powerful difference.

Calling all book-loving families, storytime superstars, and parents of tiny page‑turners!

Does your kid devour books like snacks, or melt into your lap the moment you say, “Once upon a time…”?

We’re swimming in amazing children’s book submissions — a wonderful problem to have — but there are simply too many for us to review on our own. And saying “no” to authors who pour their hearts into these stories? It hurts our book‑loving souls.

So… we had an idea. A fun one. A community-powered, story-celebrating, book‑sharing idea - and a chance for you and your littles to receive free children’s books in exchange for writing honest reviews.

Book reviews are essential for authors—especially indie authors who rely on visibility, word of mouth, and authentic reader feedback. As a community of readers, parents, and book lovers, we love supporting fellow writers and helping great books find their audience.

We also believe deeply in fostering a love of reading in children and making books accessible to families in our community. This program supports authors while also putting more stories into the hands of young readers.

This Read & Share Book Review Program connects children’s book authors with real readers and provides honest reviews that are shared on the Live Grow Play Austin blog, newsletter, and Facebook page, with many reviewers also choosing to post their honest review on Amazon.

School’s in full swing, the kids’ extracurriculars are in overdrive, the house still needs to function like a well-oiled machine (or at least not completely fall apart), and, oh yeah—there’s work, errands, and the endless to-do list that never seems to shrink. Sound familiar?

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, let’s talk about something you really deserve: a little self-care. Whether you’re dropping hints to your significant other or treating yourself (because, let’s be real, you’ve earned it), these handpicked self-care products are here to help you relax, recharge, and reclaim some much-needed “me time.” Because taking care of you isn’t selfish—it’s
essential.

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