Book Reviews

I will use your book in my classroom

I am a preschool teacher currently and have been teaching for 26 years. I will use your book in my classroom as a great social and emotional learning experience on friendship, sharing, kindness, being shy, how to overcome shyness, and a fun way to explore and use nature respectfully. The content of your story drew me in, as did the bright colorful illustrations. It had a great flow with a wonderful ending. I will be searching for other children’s books you have authored. Keep up the good work.

—Cherylin Ortga School Teacher

A sweet realistic fiction book with a touch of fantasy

The Dandelion Horn is a sweet realistic fiction book with a touch of fantasy. I love that the main character is shy and finds a way to respond to meanness with kindness. I love that because of her kindness, Sophia ends up with lots of friends.

—Kelly Corbett Landberg School Teacher

What a great way to show that bringing something to share can develop interest among peers and excitement

I really enjoyed the story! These ‘flowers’ have always been a favorite for children. They’re the first things in spring that the kids pick and bless their teacher with at school.

What kids don’t love blowing those seeds around?! The wish story was heartfelt. There are many children who can identify with not feeling they have friends. I loved the twist of the horn from the stem. What a great way to show that bringing something to share can develop interest among peers and excitement.

—Tonya Zinter School Teacher

The book was written well and is a topic that children can relate to

I really enjoyed reading your story. I have been a Pre-Kindergarten teacher for 21 years, and I think your story would hold their attention. Overall, I think the book was written well and is a topic that children can relate to. Well done.

—Marlana Scott School Teacher

Several kids said they wanted to try to make their own dandelion horns

Eighteen out of my twenty-two 3rd-grade students gave The Dandelion Horn a 10 – on a scale of 1 to 5! My other three students still thought it was good for a picture book. Several kids said they wanted to try to make their own dandelion horns, and all of them understood the message that kindness and sharing something you love with others is the best way to make friends. I am very likely to buy a copy of The Dandelion Horn by Tony V. Lewis for my classroom and recommend it to other teachers and parents.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share it with my class. I hope to see more of your books

—Laura Saucerman School Teacher

I would recommend this book to any classroom teacher

The book, The Dandelion Horn, reminds us that everyone needs a friend and that we should be kind to those around us. Sophia made a clever discovery as she and her mom each picked a dandelion. Not only could you make a wish by blowing its fluff off, but the stem became a horn as well.

As she shared this discovery, new friends flocked around her making her feel welcome at her new school. This is a great lesson for children to learn as they see new students come into their class or neighborhood to reach out and befriend them and forgive those who offend.

The illustrations are bright and colorful, enlightening the reader’s imagination to follow right along with the story.
I would recommend this book to any classroom teacher who wants to encourage kind behavior towards others. Well done!

—Kimberly WatersChildrens Book Author

What an awesome story, told in a very simple,  easy to understand way!

What an awesome story, told in a very simple,  easy to understand way! I am a retired teacher. I would have used this book with the grades I taught of 3-5 to share the importance of inclusion of all students. It also shares the lesson in forgiveness of those who have not been kind! I would have definitely used this book at the beginning of the school year when new students have joined the school family.

I would use this as an opener to a discussion at the beginning of the school year. Knowing that new students may feel shy and uncertain about making new friends, it could help students as a group brainstorm ideas on how to include them (new and/or shy students alike).

It also will share the idea with those who are shy to find something they are passionate about and share that with others who may never have experienced it, such as Sophia did with her discovery of the dandelion horn! Her wish came true through her excitement to share with others!

The illustrations are so bright and colorful!  Wonderfully done! I applaud the author and the caring way he has shared the lessons in this story!

—Debbie DeffinbaughRetired Teacher

A fun story that could inspire kids to make friends

Cute story with positive messages about how to make friends (4Stars/5Star Cover)

Sophia doesn’t have many friends at school, and her only wish is to have more. Through sharing and connecting, her wish comes true.

Blowing the dandelion horn could also be a nice tie-in with breath and relaxation.

Perhaps an oversimplification that she was the most popular girl in school, but this is a fun story that could inspire kids to make friends and connect with others.

Bright illustrations and an engaging and easy read.

—Terrel Lefferts Author/Publisher