Book Review of Adventures of Tchotchke
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The Children’s Book Review
Adventures of Tchotchke
Written by Dennis Stuempfle
Illustrated by Nina Mkhoiani
Ages: 2-7 | 134 Pages
Publisher: Amazon Direct Publishing (2023) | ISBN-13: 9798859946815
What to Expect: Families, pets, responsibility, inclusion, and helping others.
In this three-book compilation, a sweet and plucky rabbit guides readers through lessons about responsibility, care, and togetherness.
Tchotchke is a lovely bunny, and he is delighted to be adopted by a loving family at Easter. However, when the fun of having a pet wears off, the children in the family no longer want to do the work of playing and taking care of Tchotchke. Feeling sad and unloved, he hops out of the open door one day and leaves. But what is a rabbit to do all alone in the world? Tchotchke tries to learn how to be a duck and live in the park. He’s not very good at swimming, though! Luckily, his family has learned their lesson—they arrive just in time to save him.
Then, back with his family and feeling loved again, Tchotchke’s bond with his family will be tested to the max when he gets injured on a camping trip. Through everything, Tchotchke and his family learn an important lesson—we have a responsibility to those who love us.
Young readers are sure to relate to Alex and Karla’s excitement to have a pet—and are sure to share in their shame and worry when their neglect leads to Tchotchke being lost. There is also humor woven throughout the story, in the patient and weary grumbles of their mom as she tries to keep everyone happy and responsible. Vivid digital illustrations bring the children and their pet to life, capturing the story’s messages about togetherness and empathy through facial expressions and actions.
Adventures of Tchotchke is great for shared family reading—especially if some readers are agitating for a pet of their own.
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About the Author
Dennis Stuempfle is a retired businessman who was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, and lived most of his life in Southern NJ. He’s an Air Force veteran living along the southern coast of North Carolina. He has a Master’s degree from Fox School of Business at Temple University and a BS in Management from Rutgers University. Prior to retiring, he was the owner of a career planning and recruiting firm. He has been a substitute teacher and a volunteer in schools in NJ and NC, partly because he loved how young the children made him feel and partly because he liked being a part of the madhouses commonly known as “elementary and middle school.”
As a grandfather, he has four beautiful grandchildren who drive him just as crazy as his students used to do. While these are Stuempfle’s first children’s books, he previously published a dystopian novel entitled “Acts of Sedition” under the pseudonym Dennis Stephan. This novel is also available on Amazon.com.
For more information, visit tchotchkeseries.com.
About the Illustrator
Nina Mkhoiani is the illustrator of the Tchotchke series of children’s books. Since 2015, she has enchanted readers with her captivating illustrations, bringing stories, like this Tchotchke Series, to life with her unique style. Her artistry has graced the covers and pages of numerous beloved children’s books. Nina’s passion and dedication shine through in every stroke, as she captivates imaginations and leaves lasting impressions. She believes that art has the power to inspire and educate, and she is committed to creating works that inspire the imaginations of young minds and nurture a lifelong love of storytelling.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Adventures of Tchotchke. Learn more about getting a book review …
