Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: AWARENESS TOUR: Animals are Great by Latifa Kimberly Reeves, Mark Larson, and Lisa Hart

Today's the day!

The Children's Book Review is stopping by with their latest AWARENESS TOUR starring an adorable book who's title truly says it all! If you're an animal lover, you're in for a treat, and readers of all ages will have a blast with this one and the interactive opportunities it provides. Ladies and gents, let's take a peek between the epages and then a gander at a special GUEST POST from this writing trio!

Animals are Great

Written by Latifa Kimberly Reeves, Mark Larson, and Lisa Hart

Ages: 3-12 | 26 Pages

Publisher: Tika Tika Time (2025)

ISBN: 979-8349311215

About the book...

Animals are great! In this whimsical book written by the team at Tika Tika Time, children will see a variety of animals. Tika Tika Time is a children’s multimedia entertainment brand filled with fun and silliness. Kids sing along and engage with lively videos featuring original music. The playful animations and whimsical characters spark joy and creativity. Each video encourages movement, laughter, and learning through music. Companion books bring the songs to life with colorful illustrations.

Interactive elements keep children engaged and excited to participate. Designed to entertain and educate, tika tika time makes learning feel like play. With catchy tunes and cheerful energy, it’s a magical adventure for kids everywhere!

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GUEST POST

10 Ways to Make Reading Time More Engaging for Toddlers

“Animals Are Great” is a vibrant, interactive children’s book designed to engage little ones in the joy of making animal sounds and moving their bodies. You can find the book here: https://a.co/d/j3TOOpC. The idea was born from my years as a preschool music teacher—children absolutely love pretending to be animals, exploring different sounds, and expressing themselves through movement. I wanted to create a playful experience that encourages children to use their voices fully while inviting them into imaginative, active fun. Our goal was to design a book that promotes both early literacy and creative, physical exploration.

One of the best parts of this project has been discovering simple, joyful ways to help families and teachers make reading time more engaging for toddlers.

Here are 10 ways to make reading more interactive and fun, inspired by the approach we take in Animals Are Great and our multimedia project Tika Tika Time:

Use expressive voices for characters and sounds—be playful and animated!

Incorporate movement: invite your child to move like the animals or act out parts of the story.

Sing the words: turn parts of the book into little songs or rhymes.

Ask questions while reading: “What sound does this animal make?” or “Can you hop like a bunny?”

Pause to let toddlers join in with sounds, motions, or repeating phrases.

Add musical instruments like shakers or drums for extra fun. Watch a related video—our companion YouTube video lets kids see the actions and sing along: https://youtu.be/CHJvYjb999M?feature=shared.

Use props such as: plush toys, hats, or scarves that match the story.

Encourage repeated readings! Toddlers love predictability and will join in more each time.

Create a reading routine that combines books, music, and movement for an all-senses experience.

What makes “Animals Are Great” unique is that it’s part of our larger creative venture, Tika Tika Time—Tikatikatime.com—which I co-founded with Mark Larson and Lisa Hart. Together, we blend music, storytelling, and visual art to create joyful, engaging content for young audiences. In addition to the book, we offer a companion video where I—Miss Latifa—demonstrate fun movements and animal sounds. We also added a QR code in the book so families can easily find our interactive YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@tikatikatime?si=p4I8-w90O518lfB9.

Music and movement are essential for early childhood development—boosting motor skills, language, memory, creativity, and social-emotional growth. Our goal was also to create music that parents would enjoy—real instruments, warm vocals, and genuine songwriting because, when adults and children share these moments together, the experience becomes even more meaningful.

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A little about us:

I, Latifa Reeves, am a soulful singer and preschool music teacher, and co-frontwoman of the acclaimed Mama Said Band. Mark Larson is a talented musician, composer, and producer. Lisa Hart is a singer, healer, and actress with a gift for inspiring young hearts. Together, we created the whimsical world of Tika Tika Time and the land of Precious Nation to inspire creativity in children.

We also have a lovable mascot—Ear Worm the plush toy—and other sing-along books like “I Love That Train” and “No More Sugar,” available on our site: Tikatikatime.com.

At the heart of our work is a simple mission: to inspire joy, creativity, and a lifelong love of music, movement, and reading in children.

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ABOUT THE CREATORS

Latifa Reeves is a soulful artist whose spiritual essence infuses every aspect of her work. As a powerful singer and dedicated teacher, she has inspired countless children through the joy of music. Co-front woman of the acclaimed Mama Said Band, Latifa’s captivating voice and passion for performance have left audiences enchanted.

Mark Larson is a talented musician, composer, producer, and guitar teacher whose diverse creative journey has taken him into the world of children’s multimedia. Known for his ability to blend music with storytelling, Mark was approached by renowned artist Latifa Reeves to co-write and co-produce a children’s album.

Lisa Hart is a multi-talented healer, singer, songwriter, and actress, now stepping into the world of children’s media with a heart full of creativity and love. Inspired by her partner, Latifa Reeves, and her beloved Mark Larson, Lisa’s work is a reflection of the deeply collaborative and co-creative process she shares with those close to her.

For more information, visit tikatikatime.com

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Enter for a chance to win a copy of Animals Are Great!

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for sharing a bit of themselves with the guest post. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Expound Publicity. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Thursday, June 12, 2025

The Children’s Book Review

Tour Kick-Off for Animals Are Great

Friday, June 13, 2025

Froggy Read Teach

Book Review of Animals Are Great

Monday, June 16, 2025

Crafty Moms Share

Book Review of Animals Are Great

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

One More Exclamation