BOOK ONE REVIEWED BY Jessica Rainstein, Online Book Club
I highly recommend “The Virtuepops: How to Value Virtue Amid COVID-19, Stress, and Suffering” by, Frances Angelina. Our families and schools have all been affected by these during and after the pandemic, in one way or another, and reading this uplifting book is a great way to bring goodness and light back into your family or classroom. This is a wonderful character education development book that focuses on fundamental learning, exercise, and 8 very important virtues.
As you turn to the first page there is an introduction of each of the 8 special virtue pop characters, the educational aspects they provide, fun facts, and what virtue each represents.
The next section focuses on the rules of respect and how to teach and practice the 8 virtues with children. This information is very enlightening and I love how they can be practiced in any type of environment and during any situation. For example, saying the word “virtue time” can symbolize a transition time between one activity and another but can also be used when a child makes a bad choice and needs to think about what they could have done that follows the 8 virtues. Therefore, a negative situation can turn into a self-reflective and positive experience!
In the third section, an interactive story begins, featuring a sweet family consisting of the narrator 6-year-old Michael, Mama/Grandma, Uncle Steveo, and his little brother Walker. It starts with a snow day when a special channel is discovered and suddenly the family is transported into the world of Virtueland where many emotional learning adventures await. Throughout this endearing story, there are parent/teacher notes and several exciting poems, songs, and games introduced to keep the plot moving along, creating a fun and delightfully surprising learning experience focused on the 8 virtues.
Once this book is through you will have transformed into a Virtuepop family or classroom, lovingly navigating through daily life while sharing the new virtues you live by with all those you come across.
Review Rating: 5 Stars Reviewed By Foluso Falaye for Readers’ Favorite
The Virtuepops by Frances Angelina contains stories and lessons that enlighten both children and adults about living a virtuous life and consciously examining one's behavior and emotions. When a human family—including Uncle Steveo, Michael, and Walker—searches for a cartoon movie to watch, finding one that doesn't contain bad language and despicable violence proves to be quite a difficult task. Fortunately, they find one that is not only free of these undesirable elements but also teaches important life values. Consequently, they are transported through a rainbow tunnel to Virtueland, where they meet captivating characters, like Virtuepops, Father and Mother Virtue, and Spirit Bird. As the earthly family and Virtueland family discuss and practice the virtues, they must challenge the bad emotions and characters that threaten their peace.
Readers will learn about sharing, honesty, love, humility, respect, patience, and more important virtues in Frances Angelina's book. Inspiring, lively, and therapeutic, The Virtuepops immerses readers in a fantastical environment that fills the mind with lovely colors, shapes, and sounds. A good example is a creature that has "a triangle-shaped head, which popped forth from his luscious fruit tree decorated with triangle-shaped blueberries."
The book contains poems, songs, and words that are fun and relaxing to read aloud—they can be read personally or to a group of family members, friends, or classmates. Books that teach self-awareness and kindness, like
The Virtuepops, should become a major part of educational curricula as they will help in shaping youngsters into conscious, considerate, and loving humans. Teachers, parents, and anyone who cares about children should read this unique book by Frances Angelina if they desire that the children in their care live a virtuous, healthy, happy life.
Review Rating: 4 Stars Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills
for Readers’ Favorite
“Unfortunately, our society fails to provide children with the kinds of experiences that nurture and build the moral self and imagination.” This profound and disturbingly true statement forms the theme of The Virtuepops: How to Value Virtue Amid COV19, Stress, and Suffering by Frances Angelina. Perhaps, more importantly, what society lacks is quality family time and this deficiency goes hand-in-hand with nurturing, morality and imagination. Take a moment to study some ideas to help your own and your family’s confidence, morality, virtue, general good, and well-being. Then enjoy a family-centered story about how one family copes with the mounting stress of the outside world, including the impact of Covid19. The story is high fantasy, but the importance of family couldn’t be presented more soundly.
Frances Angelina’s book The Virtuepops is a compendium of sound advice and encouragement. It is complete with text directed at adults (parents and guardians) and interactive exercises, as well as a novel about one family who struggles to identify their unique virtues. It’s a combination of two worlds: the real world where Grandma, Uncle Steveo, Michael, and Walker live, a truly human family, and the fantasy world of Virtueland, which the human family stumbles upon while trying to navigate the television channels to find something family-friendly.
The plot involves all manner of complex characters, both good and evil, developing their virtues or lack thereof. The descriptive narrative is detailed and engaging and certainly sets the stage for the action that ensues. The characters are well developed with pleasing dialogue to move the story forward. The underlying lesson throughout is positive energy and nurturing our virtues.
BOOK TWO Review by Jessica Rainstein, Online Book Club
I enjoyed and highly recommend the book by Frances Angelina, “The Virtuepops Book Two: Virtuepops Adventures in Virtueland, Their Story Continues.” According to the author, “During times of grief and anxiety, we can truly count on the victorious virtues for they will help us overcome negative emotions and to cope with the negative side effects of life stressors.” These words are the perfect precursor to this unique book. The first section begins with an illustrative review of Book 1’s main characters and their special attributes of social and emotional health. Although all of the characters are fun and have special meaning, the most treasured will be Spirit Bird as he protects from temptation and teaches how to soar above it and make good choices, which is a wonderful example for children in this generation.
Section two starts with Michael continuing as the narrator just as in the first book. There is a lovely recap of Book 1, the sweet family that was introduced as well as where the story left off. The author does this in such a creative way. The family gathers together on beach chairs to watch a cartoon movie showing some of the best moments during their previous visits to each Learning Park. The film highlights their past learning experiences and how they practiced their virtues, all featured on a huge Virtueland movie screen! After the show, Father Virtue announces he has one last special game for all of them whereby at the end, each character must discover the true meaning of POP. Individually they must choose their new Learning Park for the family to explore which is both full of virtues but also important elementary school content and skills including world history, languages, and cultures. However, there is a surprise at these special parks which will be a lovely treat for everyone. The introduction of the Paradise Animals!
The author's writing is wonderfully descriptive and I felt as if I was exploring as a fifth member of the family in Virtueland. For example, Persevering Philip chooses the Teaching Park of Perseverance, Jobs, and Transportation for his graduation gift. In this park, the family all get to choose their own vehicle and I pictured myself riding alongside them in a pink corvette amongst the clouds.
Previous characters also make appearances throughout and join the family in some of their new learning experiences. This is done in such an entertaining and imaginative way that children will see them as old friends. I was delighted to see that just as in book one, there are poems, activities, and songs that go with each of the learning park adventures. The descriptive A-Z alphabet and coloring pages for each of the Paradise Animals are a great addition. A child's favorite will be Joyful Jaguar with his happy demeanor and beautiful wings.
The following is a true and heartfelt quote from the dearest character, Grandma/Mama. “We are all born with the nice nature of good virtue. We must work hard to keep it.” These beloved words have found a home in my heart as they encompass the entire meaning and purpose of the Virtuepop series. After COVID 19 so many individuals, especially children, have lost their way and this book not only reminds but teaches them how they can choose a virtuous path now and throughout their lives, despite the circumstances that may surround them. This excellent social-emotional tool is for parents, caregivers, and teachers of preschool through elementary that are looking for the perfect instrument to instill virtues into their learning program. If you choose to add this to your repertoire get ready to learn, live and share the POP!
Reviewed by: Vincent Dublado, Reader’s Favorite, Review Rating: 5 Stars
Frances Angelina brings back The Virtuepops in their second book, The Virtuepops BOOK TWO, Virtuepops Adventures in Virtueland, Their Story Continues. The Virtuepops and the Paradise Animals continue their adventure where the first book left off. Once again, the young and young at heart among us are treated to a fun read of Virtuepops adventures divided into six acts. Note that the Virtuepops' brightly colored illustrations that relate to this continuing story, and the first book, are presented in Book Three.
This second volume mostly focuses on the narrative, but it does have some useful uncolored illustrations to supplement reading activities. One of the most exciting parts is that you will discover why Wally Whale is Father Virtue’s King pet of Virtueland. The Virtuepops is a feel-good book that brilliantly combines storytelling with fun activities such as writing and coloring. It comes at an appropriate time when many parents are navigating the challenge of uncertainties brought by the recent pandemic. As we enter the threshold of the New Normal, adults are thrown into additional roles and one, in particular, is serving as a teacher to their kids as part of today’s quality time with family.
Frances Angelina takes advantage of this scenario in helping you and your kids find clarity on fundamental values that emphasize what is truly important in our lives. Yes, it is also important to challenge the sensitivities of children. However, in these turbulent times, children are already getting too many such challenges, so clarity in values is what they need as a guiding light to keep them on the right path. This is what makes the book an interesting and entertaining read both for children and parents.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite: Review 4 stars
‘Frances Angelina has released book two of The Virtuepops. Showing distinctly high moral standards in everything they do, the Virtuepops, magically virtuous creatures from Virtueland, set out on another adventure that will once again pit the powers of good against evil. With names like Loving Lucy and Sharing Peter, readers can expect each character to excel at their special virtue, one that they willingly share with others. With conflict and resolutions steeped in moral values, the story unfolds as the Virtuepops family relaxes together and ponders a family graduation celebration. The initial debate is deciding whether or not giving a gift is necessary. The plot unravels as the characters learn the importance of giving and the true value of gifts such as love and family and caring for one another.
From one virtue lesson to another, the characters enter a world of adventure, fantasy, and valuable life lessons. Book Two: The Virtuepops by Frances Angelina leads readers through adventures in a fantasy world called Virtueland, as they learn important lessons about faith, charity, patience, justice, love, perseverance, respect, and humility. To avoid confusion, the author provides a detailed list of the characters and what virtue they embody at the beginning. The plot is interspersed with life lessons.
Each new story is introduced with a distinct chapter title which provides insight into the virtue lessons to be learned. There are fun poems that are interactive as well as songs, both of which readers will be inspired to recite and sing along as they learn the values of each new virtue. There are also games, providing yet another interactive exercise in this learning curve. The Virtuepops series is a valuable tool in teaching young readers important life skills.’
5 STAR Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
The Virtuepops and the Paradise Animals: Colored Illustrations Handbook by Frances Angelina is an enchanting addition to her Virtue series. It is designed to spark creativity and nurture virtues through the art of coloring. As the third book in the series, it stands out with its vibrant, full-color illustrations that bring the characters and settings of Virtueland to life. This book excels at stimulating the imagination. The colorful depictions of Virtueland and its inhabitants provide a perfect backdrop for storytelling, making it an ideal companion for both reading and teaching moments. Coloring is recognized for its therapeutic benefits, including stress reduction and improved mental clarity. This book harnesses these advantages, making it a valuable tool for fostering peace and creativity in young minds. The process of coloring can boost self esteem as children take pride in their artistic creations, further enhancing the book's educational value.
The Virtuepops and the Paradise Animals: Colored Illustrations Handbook is a tool for teaching and sharing the virtues wrapped in “radiant ribbons of love.” Each page is thoughtfully crafted to entertain and educate. The illustrations of the Virtuepops, Paradise Animals, and thematic ABC pages are beautifully drawn and imbued with meanings that encourage children to explore values such as kindness, bravery, and honesty. Frances Angelina’s passion for her work is evident in every detail of the handbook, from the intricate designs to the heartfelt messages intertwined with each illustration. This handbook is not just a tool for coloring but a means of sharing love and teaching important life lessons through the engaging medium of art.