5-Star Editorial Review—The Secret Sauce

Review by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers’ Favorite

The Secret Sauce (A Story of Apples, Robots, and a Grateful Heart) is a heartwarming children’s picture book written by Fay A. Klingler with illustrations by Sakharam Umrikar. The story centers on Rena Whittaker, an eleven-year-old girl who steps up to help her neighbor, Eithan, after he hurts his leg picking apples. When Rena finds Eithan on the ground, groaning in pain, she jumps into action, leaving the artwork she was doing with her best friend, Harper, and her robot dog, Echo. She calls her mother to come and assist. Everybody comes to help finish picking the apples, calling Eithan's daughter, and making Eithan comfortable. Eithan is overwhelmed by all the love and care he receives, and he decides to share his gratitude. He teaches Rena and Harper how to bake an apple chocolate cake, and with his new robot Bikkle, they compose a song together.

The Secret Sauce is the second book in the Rena Whittaker book series, and it focuses on gratitude, teamwork, faith, and technology. The sweet moments between Eithan, Rena, Harper, and Bikkle show the importance of learning from elders, working together, and having fun. Apart from the different generations exchanging knowledge on technology and family, the story also has a faith-based message about being thankful. Fay A. Klingler has added fun interactive elements like song lyrics and a recipe for baking apple chocolate cake. The artwork brings the characters and their personalities to life. The fusion of different cultures and ethnicities in the story will help children embrace others with love. The ending was emotional and a great reminder to be there for one another. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend adding it to your children’s reading list because it is entertaining, lesson-packed, and will remind them to be helpful and thankful.

Reviews—Finding Rena’s Voice

“Eleven-year-old Rena is afraid to sing. She’s surrounded by people who encourage her. However, her fear is real and gets the best of her. A friendly, elderly Jamaican neighbor (Eithan) helps Rena overcome her fear by helping her understand that just praying for help isn’t enough. She also needs to take action and do something. Sweet book emphasizing the importance of family, friends, and courage to try. It made me think of my fears related to singing that go back to when I was Rena’s age. Eithan’s sage advice helps Rena: ‘I do my part to help Heavenly Father perform His miracles for me.’”—Catherine Schulthies, Copper Mountain Middle School Librarian

“This is a must-read children’s book! Don’t we all need to overcome fear to become our best selves? Fay masterfully weaves together the essential pieces of the emotional regulation puzzle in this delightful story, filled with vibrant descriptions that bring each page to life. For example, the unwanted emotion of fear becomes more understandable when likened to squishing a spider—a simple, relatable comparison.

“Simple examples of awareness of our feelings, identifying and reappraising our thoughts, modulating responses, and practicing mindfulness are accurately touched on as components for meaningful change. Ultimately, the story reminds readers that often our emotional responses can be a choice and that the power of prayer is not just in the prayer itself. It is the connection rooted in belief of doing it with God that provides us with peace and hope that gives us the transformative courage to try so each of us can realize our divine potential!” —Kristine Jeppesen, Occupational Therapist, MOTR/L

“Finding Rena’s Voice is a wonderful story of an eleven-year-old ‘girl child’ who is afraid to sing. With encouragement from her mother, her adorable robot dog, her next-door neighbor Eithan, her singing friend, Harper, and help from prayers to her Heavenly Father, Rena finds the courage to sing loud and clear!

 “Having been in the child education business for most of my career, I have found that positive feedback and encouragement are powerful tools in finding success like Rena did in Finding Rena’s Voice.

 “The illustrations in this book are magnificent! This is a story about conquering fear and Rena’s success at doing just that!”—Thurl Jacobson, retired president, Oxford Learning Source

5-Star Review—I Am Strong! I Am Smart!

Review by blogger Connie Porter Saunders

Link to her blog, “Older & Smarter?” below

This is a touching story of the special bond between a young girl and her grandmother. Eye-catching illustrations and a heartwarming story make it a perfect choice for young people, but it certainly isn't just for children! Reading this sweet story as a family provides a perfect opportunity to discuss important issues. We're reminded that bullying is never acceptable, aging is inevitable, and family love is everything. More importantly, we are God's children, and He loves each of us!

 All of the illustrations are beautiful but this touched me deeply. I'm taken back to holding my grandmother''s hands, and reminded that this is currently representative of the relationship between my 12-year-old granddaughter and me! Oh, the joy that comes from being her grandmother!

 The relationship between Grandma May and Lu is especially poignant to me. This sweet book transported me back to days spent with my special Mamaw! Days of joy when we made biscuits in her farmhouse kitchen and sang together while washing dishes. The moments of pride I felt when I wore dresses she made from flowered feed sacks, and my overwhelming sadness when she didn't recover from her illness. I was only twelve when Mamaw passed away, but those memories have never faded!

 Author Fay A. Klingler shares an engaging tale of faith, trust, and the power of love and support between generations. I can't say enough good things about I Am Strong! I Am Smart!

 I received a complimentary copy of this book. There was no obligation for a review.

“The size of this little book belies the depth and sweep of its content. I received it as a much appreciated gift. Each page reaffirms the value of the reader and every other person as well. The concise, uplifting meditations also come with space for writing personal reflections. Irrespective of an individual's religion, the sage advice and upbeat ideas will leave the reader with hope and a positive path forward.”—Amazon review—Keith and Wendy

“Who of us does't struggle daily for the ‘peace that surpasseth all understanding.’ We need it to survive in these troubled times. The author has done an amazing job of providing enriching and uplifting scriptures in a daily, easy-to-read format to support hearing the true and very personal voice of God on a daily/hourly basis. His love and confidence in our ability to manage our journeys here on earth are profound, and this author and book helps us quickly and easily his voice and shut out the other voices that compete for dominating our days and emotions. Great for helping us choose to ACT not REACT to behaviors of others.
“THANK YOU, Fay! This is truly a treasure and a Godsend for those who loved the Latter-day Saint Self Reliance course on Emotional Resiliency. It's a companion to that great work to keep it alive, in the forefront and in action for better days and a happier life.”—Amazon review—Carolyn Allen

“These days especially, life can get us down. This little book offers a daily reminder of our own worth, the love that God has for us, how we can grow from and overcome trials, and even just a pick-me-up whenever you need it. Each topic is practical as well as affirming, and each page offers spiritual uplift and a space for notes for personal thoughts, experiences, etc. that the reader can add or not, as they see fit. It's great for kids and adults alike!”—Amazon review—knowlt

“Fay Klingler is not only well grounded in the gospel, but her stories, quotes, and wisdom offer hope and help to make our lives more deeply meaningful.”—Linda Eyre, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Teaching Your Children Values

“Fay has accurately captured the essence of our potential as women and has carefully and expertly guided us to discover that power within ourselves.”—Marcia Z. Ford, former National President of American Mothers, Inc.

“Inspiring and uplifting, this book offers warm encouragement, positive spiritual solutions, and fresh, enlightening insights into eternal truths.”—Carolyn Campbell, award-winning author

“Honestly, I was humbled as I finished this book, and grateful. Fay does a marvelous job in giving women patterns for life, a tapestry of threads for safety and power.”—Dr. J. Kent Griffiths, DSW, LCSW, LMFT

  “This book is worth the price and has some very good ideas. With any book of this nature you will find some things that are excellent, some OK and some that seem silly. Each idea's merit depends on what works for the individual and his or her family. I would recommend this to grandparents looking for ways to connect with their grandchildren and I advise them to choose the ideas that seem relevant and give them a try.”—Amazon review—Jonesy

“I just read the LDS Grandparents' Idea Book by Fay Klingler. The many experiences that grandparents have with their grandchilden are very worthwhile. The activities were fun to try and do; some will be tried over and over. As I read this book, I felt that grandparents love their grandchildren. It is a book that can be read again and again and still get a new thought from reading it.”—Amazon review—June Alldredge