Welcome to Books By Mandy

"Mandy and KeNiahya's book Ronny the Raccoon is a perfect children's story for characters, illustrations, and a theme of compassion toward animals. It shows little ones that no matter how cute a wild animal might be, his place is in the woods by a nice little creek on the other

side of the mountain. I am saving this copy for my future great-grandchildren. And the recipe for the corn casserole is such a benefit!

I am also an AP Literature and Language teacher who is always looking for quick sentence patterns that can be expanded and used for connotation practice. Children's books are perfect

for this. Mandy's syntax (for example, "On a mountain in the woods along a curvy road,

Ronny...") is ideal for demonstrating the use of phrases and punctuation.

I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see the others in the series."

Connye Fortner 

AP Literature and Language Teacher

Amazon Reviews:

" Great little story that keeps kids on the edge of their seat, waiting to see what's next! "

" This book was read at my local toddler story time hour. Such a sweet book about the most mischievous raccoon! Recommend for the perfect book to be read at grandparents house because that is the setting of the book! Loved it! "

" This book is so cute and fun! My little one loved it! She kept laughing and wondering what that silly raccoon would do next. "

" Ronny the Raccoon is such a cute little story! Kids love it and get excited every time we read it - at what will happen next!
The sneaky adventures of a curious raccoon who makes himself at home in the family’s attic. Ronny’s mischief is exposed when he bites into the house’s electrical wires, leading to his unexpected discovery.

Mandy Hicks does a wonderful job capturing the playful spirit of a raccoon. The story is entertaining and has suspense and excitement on what Ronny will do next and what Grandpa Clayton and Murphy will do.
The illustrations make it fun and lively and almost to the point thinking a raccoon in the attic might be cute- unless you have had one there before. 😁
It is a great little story! Highly recommend it for anyone with preschooler's and young readers. "

Amazon Reviews:

"Love this book! The illustrations are beautiful, the story is adorable, and the recipe at the end is yummy!"

" A sweet story that I look forward to sharing with the little ones in my family. "

" What a pleasure to share with my grands! They love my pancakes too, especially when I use the butterfly shaper. The recipe was fun to make with them too. I cannot say enough good things about this precious book! "

" This sweet tale follows Izzy Lu as she embarks on a heartwarming pancake-making adventure, an experience that many children will find familiar and endearing. Whether it's a cozy morning with grandma or a special time with mom, the story resonates with the gentle bonds that are nurtured in the kitchen.

The narrative is beautifully crafted with a poetic cadence that makes it a pleasure to read aloud. Each line flows seamlessly into the next, creating a soothing rhythm that will engage young listeners and make reading time a cherished ritual.

Adding to the book’s charm are the illustrations, by Allison Cebuhar, which are as sweet as the story itself. The visuals bring the characters to life, making it easy for children to immerse themselves in Izzy Lu's world. The soft, inviting images complement the narrative perfectly, helping young readers to visualize and connect with the story on a deeper level.

Izzy Lu's Pancakes is more than just a story about making breakfast; it’s a celebration of love, family, and the simple joys of being together. It’s a must-have for any child’s bookshelf, promising to become a beloved favorite for many bedtime readings to come. "

" This book is so relatable for young children. I love how it shows to wait for the sun before breakfast can be made. As a mother of once young children I can remember them waking up early and not understanding they needed to wait for pancakes till the sun came up. The grandma ( Mamie) just asked that she wait while everyone was sleeping. As soon as it was time they got up and got the reward which was pancakes and sprinkles can't forget those but not before thanking God for their food. Such a sweet book that I will enjoy reading to my own grandchildren while making them pancakes. "

" This is a wonderful book for any parent, grandparent, teacher, or anyone who has children in their lives. Written and illustrated by Izzy Lu’s grandparents. You won’t be sorry if you choose it! My own grandkids love it! "

" I love this delightful story about a loving grandmother making pancakes with her Littles. The colorful cover and illustrations are so inviting! "

" This will make a wonderful addition to my classroom library! I look forward to sharing this book with my students soon. "