"The Gentle Pen" - Did you leave a Review?
- plowmanpublishing
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
Why Your Review Matters: A Heartfelt Message to Those Who Love Children’s Books
There’s something truly magical about a child with a book.
Their legs might dangle off the edge of a couch, their fingers sticky from a snack, but their minds? Their minds are racing through enchanted forests, galloping across wide-open fields, or sailing off on grand adventures.
As a children’s book author and illustrator, I live for those moments.
But here’s something I’ve learned: creating the story is only half the journey. The rest belongs to you.
Why Your Review Makes All the Difference
In the world of children's books, thousands of titles come and go every day. Bookstores are full. Online shelves are packed. And nestled among the crowd are stories handcrafted by authors and illustrators who care deeply—not about sales or fame—but about your children.
Your review does more than share an opinion. It’s a lifeline to those of us quietly creating stories late at night, painting characters who feel real to us, and writing pages filled with hope, laughter, and lessons we wish for every child.
A simple review can:
Help other parents, grandparents, and teachers discover stories they might otherwise miss
Push our books up in visibility, where more readers can find them
Encourage publishers, librarians, and bookstores to support diverse and heartfelt titles
Remind us that our work made a difference in one home, one classroom, one bedtime routine
And let’s be honest, sometimes that one note of encouragement is exactly what keeps an author going.
📚 What Can You Say? Keep It Simple
You don’t have to be a professional reviewer. Just a few words from the heart will do:
“My son laughed out loud and made me reread it three times.”“This story helped my daughter feel confident in her differences.”“I’m a teacher, and this book opened up the best discussion all year.”
That’s it. That’s all it takes to make waves.
🎨 These Books Are Made With Heart
When you pick up a book like Barrel Racer Hazel, Netti Spaghetti and Noni Macaroni, Tommy and the Broken Window, or I’m Not Like You, you're not supporting a faceless brand. You're supporting someone who painted every page by hand. Someone who carefully crafted characters to reflect real kids with real feelings, so that they could see themselves in a story.
Authors like me aren’t celebrities. We’re people who deeply care about children—yours, mine, the classroom full of them across town. We want to give them books that teach, heal, inspire, and make them laugh until milk comes out of their nose.
Stay Connected & Spread the Word
If you’ve read one of my books and it sparked joy or meaning for a child you love, I ask one small thing:
Please leave a review.
It doesn’t have to be long or fancy—just honest. And if you’d like to stay in the loop for new releases, classroom activities, sneak peeks behind the illustrations, or just a friendly hello, I invite you to:
Visit my website: www.livmclean.com
✅ Subscribe to my blog - leave your e-mail at the website for monthly updates, freebies, and early announcements. ✅ Follow along on Facebook and share your favourite book moments with me!
💛 A Final Thank You
From the bottom of my paint-splattered heart, thank you. For choosing to read to a child. For supporting stories that matter. And for helping indie authors like me continue to write the kind of books that kids come back to again and again.
Together, we can lift up the stories that lift up our children.
With love and deepest gratitude,
Gently,
Liv McLean, Author & Illustrator of Stories That Spark Curiosity and Compassion
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