Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Little Story
July 10, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I loved the illustrations and the characterizations of the little witches. I think that I can see some parallels to some people that I know. The story develops around something that the witches have to do together and provides glimpses into the fun and silliness that being together can provide. I enjoyed the book.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars ADORABLE READ
July 20, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A jolly good book to teach the young and old the importance of working together. It is a gloriously fun read that will delight any child. While entertaining the adult who is reading it too. Full of marvelously drawn illustrations and fun, quirky little verses.
I loved this book.

Sara123

5.0 out of 5 starsFun all around
July 9, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

"The Magical Leaping Lizard Potion" by Marsha Casper Cook is adorable and engaging.
A fun read that also promotes the values of friendship and the power of friendly encouragement and support.
Lovely illustrations enhance and make the reading experience even more enjoyable.

Candy O'Donnell

5.0 out of 5 starsVery Cute!
October 10, 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I totally loved this little book and Marsha truly established what the little witch intended. This book is recommended for all those little children that love Halloween and what a Magical Potion is about. Keep writing these adorable children's books, Marsha!!!

Samfreene

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet Isbella: You will love her!
September 28, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition

Isabella Pimpinella has just one wish in life. She wants to be a full-fledged witch with the rights and privileges afforded to one. Mainly, to be able to fly. Anyone who has ever been a witch would know that. But, she has one problem. In order to become a witch and she needs all of the other junior witches to help her create the Magical Leaping Lizard Potion. This potion has been handed down through the ages century after century. This is the truest test of bravery for every witch. Without creating this potion she could not get her flying powers as a witch.

Isabella had one great asset, her dog Milly Van Dilly. Dogs are faithful, they are loyal and they never disappoint you. Just ask Isabella. The problem was that she could not create this potion by herself. She needed the other junior witches and they were nowhere in sight. Midnight was the deadline and it was approaching. If she did not create this magic potion she would be doomed to many more years of Witches School until she got it right. Poor Isabella. What would she do if they did not show up?

Never fear, witches always stick together and would never fail each other. They are a closely-knit group of true blue friends. Just before midnight they all arrived and except for one. Each junior witch was unique in her own style, some were so identical they shared a style and you could hardly tell them apart. But, just like humans, even a witch has fears and sometimes it takes a good friend to coax and encourage that witch to have faith in trust in herself and her friends.

Author Marsha Casper takes us on this midnight journey along with Isabella, Milly Van Dilly, all of the junior witches and one special one named Twyla as they create the funniest, yuckiest but I won’t tell you if it worked potion you ever don’t want to drink, except if you are a witch.

Does Isabella become a full-fledged witch? What happens at the end will bring a smile to your face and teach everyone the true meaning of friendship-witches style.

The illustrations are lifelike; the story is heartwarming, humorous and will make you laugh. Once again Marsha Casper has written a great children’s book. This book gets Five More Lizards for the next group of junior witches to use when they create their Magical Leaping Lizard Potion.

J.D. Holiday

5.0 out of 5 starsThis is a GREAT read for young teens!
July 25, 2012
Format: Paperback
The Magical Leaping Lizard Potion by Marsha Casper Cook

Isabella Pimpinella, her puppy, Milly Van Dilly and her young witch friends are eager to develop into grown up witches. On the one night of the year when this can be done they have the greatest sleepover ever. They fool around with potions and rhythms in order to get it all right by midnight!
The Magical Leaping Lizard Potion is hilariously entertaining when it comes to doing what young witches must do. This is a GREAT read for young teens!

Vickie Russo

5.0 out of 5 starsA magical story
August 1, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
A wonderful little story for young readers. Adorable and magical. This story will keep a young readers attention from beginning to end, and the pictures are so cute.

AmazonLady

3.0 out of 5 starsEngaging and fun
May 11, 2010
Format: Paperback
I just love Isabella Pimpinella and hope to read more of her adventures! This book will appeal especially to girls in the 4-8 year range. As pretty as Barbie and as clever as Sabrina, Isabella will soon be able to fly and be a full-fledged witch.

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun story with a fine message about eating correctly
March 31, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Author Marsha Casper Cook is also a screenwriter and radio show personality on Blog Talk Radio discussing writing, publishing and advocating October Breast Cancer Awareness as well as other worthy causes. She is the founder of Michigan Avenue Media. Her novels include romance, adventure, inspirational books, fiction, non-fiction and children’s stories. Having read many of her books, this reader is always impressed at the quality of Marsha’s writing, no matter the subject matter. This fine little book succeeds as an instructional health lesson as well as an entertaining children’s story.

In this children’s book (one very much intended as a booster for parents and grandparents also in its message!), Marsha, assisted by the fine illustrations of Mikey Brooks, we meet Addison Apple as he faces his mother who has prepared healthy oatmeal for his breakfast (Addison hates oatmeal, preferring cookies and candy) and while mother takes a telephone call Addison feeds the oatmeal to his dog Sammy, taking credit for finishing his oatmeal and fooling his mom. He stuffs his mouth with cookies (breaking the cookie jar) while his mom waits in the car to drive him to school. Not fooled his mother confronts Addison and, wisely, the lesson begins: Addison can eat whatever he picks out! He stuffs himself with sweets - gets sick. Addison wakes up the next morning to a breakfast of oatmeal – and he likes it! His mother’s wise response has changed his way of eating.

At book's end Marsha offers a brief but memorable note to children – about foods that are good and the wisdom of eating correctly. It all works – and entertains.
Grady Harp, March 19

Terrific Book for Kids
March 29, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Snack Attack by Marsha Casper Cook is a terrific little book for kids that stresses the importance of healthy eating. When Addison is having breakfast with his mom, he is just barely choking down his oatmeal. Magically his dog Sammy eats all of the oatmeal while Addison's mom answers the phone and is distracted. Then it's time to go to school, and while Addison's mom waits in the car, Addison, in sneaking all of the cookies from the cookie jar, accidentally breaks the jar. He then decides to wait to tell his Mom. After school when the truth is revealed, and Addison declares that he wants to decide what to eat for himself,his mom lets him. After a while of eating candy, chips, and everything unhealthy, a stomach ache ensues for Addison, forcing him to change his ways. Cute illustrations, a basic yet potent message about healthy eating and simple writing make this a perfect book for kids Highly recommend..

5.0 out of 5 stars Look To The Inside To See Who You Are
October 16, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Cliffy Chippy lives in Chippyville with his Mom and Dad and three brothers and three sisters. They were all chocolate chip cookies. He also lived with his regular dog Rockwell. He had a secret that made him very sad. He didn't play with the kids at school he waited and played at home with Rockwell. One day his teacher asked him to read a page during class. He couldn't do it. His classmates giggled at that. His teacher sent the children outside so she could talk with Cliffy who was crying. He told her his secret. "I wish I was a Brownie.". Did she laugh at him? Did she tell him stop, that was wrong? You get to listen/ read and find out her answer she gave Cliffy with a smile.
This is a cute book about fitting in. Even though you might look like a group of people you might not feel like you belong. This book gives a rather simple and truthful explanation to this problem. This book is also a wonderful conversation starter..

5.0 out of 5 stars DELIGHTFUL WAY TO LEARN YOU ARE OKAY JUST AS YOU ARE.
July 20, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A delightful story about a cookie that wishes to be a brownie. Though it uses cookies as metaphors it is really about learning that you can be happy being who you are. There is no need to try to become someone (or in this case something else) you are good enough as you are.
Masha Casper Cook has a knack for helping the young and old learn they are okay as they are. The only thing needed is to recognize it.
Kudos for Ms. Cook, Although meant for a young audience, it even helped me learn an important lesson.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting Children's Book
August 24, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The illustrations on the cover and in the book are adorable. Kids can relate to wanting to be something other than they are, and then the
joy of finding out they are wonderful as they are. It also is helpful to promote talking about bullying and feelings about wanting to "fit in".
The end of the book is happy and hopeful. I really enjoyed it.

Judy K. Snider

5.0 out of 5 starsA Gem of a Children’s Story
August 15, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition

Author Marsha Casper Cook skillfully writes about a young boy chocolate chip cookie, Cliffy Chippy, who lives in the town of Chippyville. He is so painfully shy and self-conscious, that he cannot even read aloud in class for fear of ridicule from his insensitive classmates. He retreats into his own little world, shunning everyone. Cliffy believes that if he were a brownie on the outside, he would automatically be a happier cookie-person on the inside.
I am not going to give the ending away, but suffice it to say, parents and teachers should use this uplifting story as a powerful tool that underscores the universal truth; no matter what others may think of you, you are special and unique in your own way.
This book will capture young readers’ hearts, everywhere.
The superb three-dimensional illustrations make this book about Cliffy and his lovable dog Rockwell even more of a treat.

(The author provided me with a complimentary copy of this book, in exchange for a review.)

Joanna Lee Doster

5.0 out of 5 starsGreat for Self-esteem
November 29, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition

I don't know how many times I hear my students wish they were someone else, or looked different. This story is just like their's. Chippy is a chocolate chip cookie who wishes he was a brownie. In his mind if he was a brownie the other chippies wouldn't laugh at him and he wouldn't feel so alone. His teacher Mrs. Chipster invites him over to her house and presents him with a costume to try on. It is a brownie costume. As he looks at himself in the mirror he discovers it is what is inside and not on the outside that matters.
What a wonderful story.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Sandra K. Stiles

4.0 out of 5 stars A noble message about being happy with who you are
October 26, 2015
Format: Paperback

A noble message about being happy with who you are. The main character is a young boy that is represented as a chocolate chip cookie. Cliffy Chippy is an extremely shy boy who wishes he were a brownie. With the help of his teacher, Mrs. Chipster, Cliffy realizes that changing how he looks on the outside doesn’t change who he is on the inside. The illustrations and facial expressions make the characters easy to like. My second graders can easily read this book and it works well for young readers to practice identifying story elements.

Yvonne.

5.0 out of 5 stars FIVE GOLDEN CHOCOLATE CHIPS
September 28, 2015
Format: Paperback
I Wish I Was A Brownie

Chocolate Chip cookies are really quite delicious but Cliffy Chippy Cliffy is not happy about being made of chocolate chips. Living with his parents, three brothers and three sisters Chiffy was the youngest. But, Chiffy really loves his dog, Rockwell who is cute, friendly and really his very best friend. But, Chiffy was really unhappy and did not smile. He never socialized during school or even after school. He lamented and pondered how it would be if he could change himself into a Brownie! Kids often feel isolated and alone and sometimes they keep these feelings to themselves and parents do not always realize that they are going through some type of inner turmoil.

When Chippy was in school and his teacher called in him to read he thought for a moment, looked around and just froze. When kids get nervous or feel threatened or afraid that can happen. The other children were not very nice when they laughed. But, his teacher Mrs. Chipster was really on target, tapped her ruler and was not happy with what the class did and sent the class outside for recess so that she could talk to Chippy.

Mrs. Chipster was a great teacher and her warm smile she hoped with allow Chippy to open up. When he told her he wanted to be a brownie instead of being angry she answered by saying: I know exactly how you feel. She explains why she understands and invited Chippy to come to her house after school and talk about his feelings. Imagine a teacher who really understands and cares so much for her students! She even had a bowl of ice cream for him and something special for Rockwell. When treats were done she led them both to the attic and she hauled out a large crate from behind a pile of books. Author Marsha Cook takes us inside the home of this teacher, allows us to understand why Chippy is so sad and helps all children learn why it is important to be who you are and gain self-esteem.

Inside the box that the teacher was looking for was a costume. Asking Chiffy to change into one of them and placing a mirror in the center of the room imagine his surprise when he saw himself as what he thought he wanted to be A BROWNIE! What he says will surprise children and readers when he realizes that just because he looks like a brownie and might want to be a brownie he just might learn a special lesson. Looking long and hard at himself dressed like a brownie in the mirror what do you think he learned and what do you think he really saw? Did he see himself as who he really is or did he see himself as a Brownie? But, he had one final question that needed to be addressed: What should he do when the other chipper’s laugh at him? The teacher’s answer is really great and if you want to learn what it is you are going to have to read this delightfully written, beautifully illustrated story for yourself.

Will Chippy remain a chocolate chip cookie filled with delicious chips or will he decide that he really wants to be a Brownie? If you really want to know if this can happen just look in the mirror, smile and decide just who is smiling back at you! This book might be for early childhood readers and children even in grades one and two but adults can learn some great lessons from Chippy and his teacher about how to deal with children that have poor self-esteem or get bullied or teased in school. Lessons in character education and letters can be written to Chippy about a time that they wanted to be something or someone else. A great five chocolate chip story!

Samfreene

4.0 out of 5 stars A Collection of Short Children's Poems by Marsha Casper Cook is a great little collection of poems to get kids started in.
August 3, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The Busy Bus: A Collection of Short Children's Poems by Marsha Casper Cook is a great little collection of poems to get kids started in their love of poetry and rhyme. Whimsical, with great illustrations, these short poems are easy to remember for kids and help convey important lessons as well. An amazing range of poems is contained in this collection, thirty-two in all, so there is plenty to choose from and even revisit for another read at a later time. From Messy Bessy to pigs to smelly socks, the subjects will appeal to children and keep them entertained for more than just a few minutes. Highly recommend for an endearing and timeless way to introduce fun poetry to young children.

5.0 out of 5 stars CHILDREN'S POETRY TO DELIGHT THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART
July 20, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Wonderful illustrations adorn the pages of cutest children's poetry that I've read in a long time. Ms. Cook has written a delightful book of children's poetry to make every young one giggle and smile, and for those that are young at heart they will take a road down memory lane to the days of their youth and a.a. Milne.
Thank you Ms. Cook I shall treasure this along with When We Were Six.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars CHARMINGLY WRITTEN
July 20, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Another great children's story from Marsha Casper Cook. It brought back wonderful memories of books I read as a child. Those books spured my quest for adventure, love of life, and the ability to be generous with others.
I'd put No Clues No Shoes up there with the Pippi Longstocking books that filled my heart in my younger days. A great story for the young to build dreams upon, and as the saying goes, 'life happens when you are making your plans.)
Simply a marvelous story to read, especially in this day of the all to often chase for an adrenaline rush, No Shoes No Clues, is sure to charm, calm and bring a love of reading to the young.

Format: Paperback
No Clues. No Shoes by Marsha Casper Cooks

Addison likes reading and writing. Emelina likes being active and outside with her dog, Stanley. After the find themselves in the same detective school their career together begins by trying to find a classmate's shoe with few clues to go on. It does not stop these two budding detectives who slowly become friends Emelina and Stanley get Addison through a difficult time. Marsha Casper Cook has a knack when it comes to writing for children. With her use of well rounded characters and humor she has written a wonderful tale of learning to be friends and understanding others.