Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Oakwoods Series by Kathy J. Perry, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Oakwoods Series

Pip O’Possum (Work Then Play)
Sally Skunkskin (Grumbles to Grateful)
Benjamin Bat (Humility)
Nuts (Sharing is Caring)
Jeremy Jay (Resilience)
Author: Kathy J. Perry
Publisher: Chickadee Words
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Genre: Early Reader Chapter Books (ages 5-8)

These warm stories invite readers into a woodland world that feels very classic and fun. Kids will like meeting the animals in the Oakwoods series. As they read about the animals’ adventures, friendships, and foibles, they’ll also discover timeless lessons that feel authentic to the characters and the Oakwoods world—and also applicable to our daily lives.

Teachers and parents of young readers transitioning from picture books will appreciate the easy-to-read font, a glossary, “What If?” discussion questions about the story & application to real life, and a “Did You Know?” section with surprising facts about the real animal. (i.e. blue jays aren’t really blue!)

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | KathyJPerry.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author of the Oakwoods Series 

Of the many jobs I’ve held in the past, including thirty-five years of designing and constructing stained glass windows part-time, teaching was one of the most enjoyable for me because investing in kids is so important. To this end, I continue to encourage good character with clean, moral stories kids and teens love to read. Good books make such an impact.

Writing is hard work, but there’s nothing like a good story to run off with your imagination. When things are flowing, it’s like a vacation. Sometimes the best ideas come in the middle of the night.

When not writing, you’ll find me painting with watercolor, doing school visits, writing a blog, interviewing other writers, designing websites, working as an administrative assistant part-time, and renovating houses.

Is this retirement? Apparently so! I’m loving every minute of it with my husband of 43 years.

Connect with Kathy J. Perry by visiting kathyjperry.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

My Thoughts on The Oakwoods Series

This is an author that my kids have enjoyed several books by.  When I saw she was coming out with this new series we knew we had to read them all!  So, when I got the chance to review them it was a no brainer!  Of course we wanted to! 

This series is super sweet.  You get to meet some less than desirables.  The animals that most people don’t like are the stars of this show.  We’ve got a skunk and a bat just to name a few.  Fun story, my mom actually has always wanted to have a pet skunk because her grandma did.  I am not of the same persuasion.  

When I was at our local homeschool conference this past spring I had the chance to chat with the author about this series.  It was just coming out them and we discussed how we had read all of her others and couldn’t wait to read this one!  Let me tell you a bit about each of the books and what we loved. 

The artwork in these is amazing!  I loved it.  It was engaging for children but also timeless and reminded me of some other animal book series I’ve read.  

Pip O’Possum

Pip is the first book.  And if you can’t tell from the title he is a possum.  We’re not fans of possums here on our farm.  They tend to kill chickens and are a bit of a nuisance for us.  But that didn’t stop us from loving Pip.

He’s such a great example of the life lesson that we have to do our work before we play or we will reap the consequences.  Whether that is we don’t have clean clothes or we don’t have food, it’s very important to do our chores before we play.  

I think this is something that every child struggles with.  Who wants to do the responsible stuff first?  We all, even as adults, want to do what we want to do, what feels good.  But we have to remember that work comes first or nobody will be having fun later. 

Sally Skunkskin

Oh my.  A skunk.  They stink.  Well, Sally might not smell like perfume but her stink is coming from a different source these days.  Her stink is from all her grumbling.  She’s always grumbling, never grateful.  Nothing is good enough.  There is always something to complain about.  

Sally’s tongue is worse than her smell!

It’s not kind.  It’s not polite.  Really, it’s not much of anything but mean. 

If you’re like me and sometimes have some kids who might need an attitude adjustment this book is a wonderful one for someone who can’t ever think of something nice or kind to say.  They won’t want to be like the skunk who always grumbles.  Thankfully Sally learns a lesson in being kind and grateful. 

Benjamin Bat

Okay, I think bats are retty cool.  They are a great part of the ecosystem on our farm and I’m AOK with having bat boxes and inviting htem in.  

Benjamin Bat has a problem though.  He’s a boastful bat.  He’s all swollen up with his own pride.  Surely he is the most important animal around?!  

He has to learn a lesson in humility as he becomes the hunted instead of the hunter when he’s showing off for his friends.  Again, another super cute book with a wonderful message that you’re not going to want to miss out on reading. 

Nuts

 Can you guess what animal this would be?  If you guessed squirrel you would be correct.  In nuts the squirrels have to learn that sharing is caring.  They’re preparing for winter and hiding nuts everywhere.  And then stealing them from someone else.  It’s not nice to take someone else’s nut stash.  

Will Boon be able to give them a lesson in caring about others?  Can they store up enough nuts for all of them to share?

Yet another super sweet novel for beginning readers.  They do mention they’re for ages 5-8 but I think everyone will love this series.  Whether it’s being read aloud to your 3 year old or quickly devoured by a 10 year old.  This series is for the whole family. 

Jeremy Jay

Jeremy Jay is the last book in this new series!  Jeremy has a deformed foot.  He doesn’t feel that he can live a worthwhile life.  He’s  a bit sad and depressed and definitely down about himself.  

Jeremy has to learn resilience.  He has to overcome his issue and rise out of it.  And when he meets someone else with a disability will he be able to be a teacher on how to rise and overcome?  This book is about resilience.  Coming out bigger and better in your attitude when you can’t change something. 

I have two older brothers (twins) who have cerebral palsy and this novel was a great teaching point to my kids on people with disabilities and differences.  Of course, they know their uncles and their differences but I don’t know that they ever thought of how they must feel or might have felt when they were growing up. 

Recap

I hope you get the chance to read this whole series!  It’s sweet and teaches some great leassons. If you do get the chance to read this series make sure you check out all the other wonderful books by this author.  They will not dissapoint. 

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Tour Giveaway for the Oakwoods Series

(1) winner will receive a 5-book signed softcover bundle of the Oakwoods Series, bookmarks, and a $50 Amazon digital gift card!

Find the full tour schedule linked below.

The giveaway begins at midnight June 24, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2025.

Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.

Open to the US only.

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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