Mighty Ripples

A Treasury of Children's Stories about the Gifts of Honesty, Empathy, Trust, Hope, and Perseverance

Children - Christian
54 Pages
Reviewed on 04/27/2025
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Author Biography

Mighty Ripples is the third book in the “Nana’s Heartwarming Tales” series, following “Tiny Whispers” and “Little Echoes.” Together, these three books offer fifteen tried-and-true virtues based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, crafting a quilt of love to guide children in developing social-emotional skills. Through thoughtful dialogue, reflections, and positive actions, young readers are encouraged to grow in gentle whispers, soft echoes, and endless ripples.
Each book highlights a set of five core virtues. In “Tiny Whispers,” patience, kindness, contentment, thoughtfulness, and thankfulness are time-honored virtues. “Little Echoes” centers around being friendly, caring, self-disciplined, forgiving, and good. “Mighty Ripples” focuses on truthfulness, protection, trust, hope, and perseverance. Four lovable children, one visually impaired, help each other navigate childhood learning experiences. Each story is complemented by definitions and reflective questions that prompt children to consider their choices and encourage positive decision-making.

Vicki Johnpeer is the author and illustrator of Nana’s Heartwarming Tales. Her writing inspiration came from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, along with her teaching and camping memories. Vicki taught special education through the years, and each summer, her family took vacations near Mono Hot Springs, California. As her family hiked, fished, and swam, Vicki sketched and wrote stories while sitting on granite ledges along the San Joaquin River and the remote High Sierra lakes. Vicki and her husband raise puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. They love camping in their home-built, teardrop camper or cozy 1984 Vanagon. She would love to hear from you. Please email Vicki at [email protected].

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Nana's Heartwarming Tales: Mighty Ripples by Vicki Johnpeer is a children’s anthology narrated by Cory, a lively hummingbird who lives in an apple orchard and recounts the adventures of four friends, Cara, Buddy, Jed, and Aimee, nicknamed “The Pals.” The stories each have positive moral traits, like truthfulness, protection, trust, and hope through everyday actions. In Worth More Than Gold, the Pals learn the importance of honesty while panning for gold, earning their parents' trust and a meaningful reward. A Friend for Aimee has Jed comforting Aimee, who has low vision, by helping her bond with a bird named Fee-Bee, teaching the value of protection. Baby Spiders involves the Pals gaining Aimee's trust as they rescue her from a spider's web. In The Silver Box, the Pals’ apple-picking adventure leads to rediscovering a long-lost family treasure.

Vicki Johnpeer’s Mighty Ripples is a win for children and caregivers alike, with its wholesome storytelling and delightful hand-drawn sketches, which are also illustrated by Johnpeer. Hummingbird reporter Cory is fun to follow. I like that we are given a reliable, trustworthy narrator to convey what The Pals are up to. Johnpeer’s writing is fluid and easy to read, and the moral undertones are worked in organically so they never feel heavy-handed. My daughter particularly adored Ready, Set, Jump, and it was the first time she had heard of doing cannonballs into the water. As a parent, the standout for me is how Aimee is portrayed with sensitivity. She is resilient, capable, always included, and, coincidentally, the mightiest ripple. Overall, this installment of Nana's Tales is an absolute joy. Very highly recommended.

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