DRAGON WISHES
Midwest Book Review - March 2009 - "A tale of adjusting and looking to the future, 'Dragon Wishes' is a fine story of the coping of youth. To read the complete review, click here.
Notre Dame Magazine - Winter 2008-09 - "In this novel for readers ages 9-12, sisters Alex and Isa struggle to find their way in the world after their parents’ deaths" To read the complete review click here.
The Oklahoman - Brandy McDonnell - December 2008 - "A near-tragic accident prompted children’s author Stacy Nyikos to make 'Dragon Wishes,' her enthralling first chapter book." To read the complete review click here.
Lost in the Pages - November 2008 - "Nyikos has a powerful gift for storytelling that comes to life in Dragon Wishes.
She magically weaves together two stories to create one unified reading
experience: the present-time story of a girl and her little sister
coming to terms with their parents' tragic death, and an ancient story
handed down through the generations about a girl who calls on the power
of dragons to save her village. The transition between the two stories
is seamless." To read the complete review click here.
Book Muncher - October 2008 - "Dragon Wishes starts off well, and I’m glad to say it only
gets better from there. I was drawn immediately into Alex’s tale
because I wanted to know how she would deal with this major change in
her life and because she was such a compelling main character. Alex was
very well-developed and I enjoyed reading along with her journey." To read the complete review click here.
Armchair Interviews - September 2008 - "Dragon Wishes by Stacy Nyikos is a wonderful book that mixes
grief and hope to end with a realization that not only does life
continue, but that joy is possible...I found Dragon Wishes a delightful and moving book and would recommend it to anyone." To read the complete review click here.
DIZZY
In the Library Reviews (Highly Recommended - 8 Gargoyles!) - "Nyikos'
third book is a delight. Dizzy is adorable and children can't help
being captivated by him. His energy is definitely reminiscent of young
children. Kary Lee's gorgeous illustrations capture the beauty of
marine life and Dizzy's exuberance. My children love this book. With
its gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy life, Dizzy will bring a
smile to both young and old." To read the whole review click here.
Midwest Book Review (Enthusiastically Recommended - Children's Book Watch) April 2007 - An "amazing sea adventure brimming cover to cover with enthusiam and zest for life. To read the whole review click here.
Armchair Interviews - April 2007 - "The
incredibly wonderful illustrations by Kary Lee have as much
movement and color as Dizzy, the busy dolphin. The other aquatic
animals (otters and sea lions) are each worthy of their own book. I
suspect the children will love the adorable sea otters. Lee has
incorporated the words into the design and some go in circles while
others fly along with Dizzy. Nyikos' rhyming poetry is also so full of
energy that I didn't realize it was rhyming until my second read." To
read the whole review click here
The Reading Tub - April 2007 - "This
is another star(fish) for Stacy Nyikos. We enjoy reading the story and
learning more about marine life. She has a great talent for blending
facts and a life-lesson tale (patience) into a rhyming story that never
misses a beat." To read the whole review click here
Book Buds - May 2007 - "Dizzy is a cheerful addition to the pantheon of lovable sea creatures." To read the complete review click here
SHELBY
In the Library Reviews (Highly Recommended - 8 Gargoyles!) - "Children
will be drawn Shelby; her insecurity is one they understand. Sisneros'
illustrations capture the wonder and enchantment of the sea, adding
depth to Nyikos' gentle rhymes. A family favorite, Shelby is
remarkable." To read the whole review click here.
Midwest Book Review (Very Highly Recommended - Small Press Bookwatch) July 2006 - "The
lyrical text perfectly augmented with colored drawings provides young
readers with an engaging picturebook story of Shelby's encounter in a
mangrove swamp that provides her the chance to save some fish and begin
surprising new friendships. An ideal and fun picturebook story about
overcoming shyness and loneliness that many young readers will readily
identify with, Shelby is very highly recommended for family, school,
and library collections."
For the complete review: Midwest BR July 2006.pdf
Midwest Book Review (Highly Recommended- Reviewer's Bookwatch) May 2006
Shirley Roe gives Shelby a high recommendation in her
review. Here is a short exerpt: "Author, Stacy Nyikos of Tulsa,
Oklahoma, uses rhyme to bring the story of Shelby alive. Musical
cadence helps the children to remember the tale of the shy
little shark that overcomes her own fears to help other. Illustrator,
Shawn N. Sisneros, a graudate of the School of the Art
Institute of Chicao, depicts the story well. Illsutratios are
realistic, yet charming." For the complete review: http://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/may_06.htm#roe
Curled up with a Good Kid's Book (5-Star Review) May 2006
Author
Stacy A. Nyikos tells the story of Shelby in a light, whimsical rhyme,
accompanied by illustrator Shawn Sisnernos' delightful art. As in their
first book, Squirt, Shelby's tale will captivate young
readers, who will identify with the lemon shark as she overcomes her
shyness, conquers her fears, and saves her friends from an untimely
end." For the complete review: http://www.curledupkids.com/shelbyny.htm
Armchair Interviews (Recommendation: This book is for all children) May 2006
Told in rhyme, it [Shelby] has words (and names of exotic fish) that will
delight children as they hear how shy Shelby finds the needed courage
to help rescue her fish friends...The illustrations by Shawn Sisneros are bold lines and colors that will delight children. For the complete review:
http://www.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/categories/childrens/shelby.php
The Reading Tub (Recommendation: Buy this book) March 2006
"The
book is creative, colorful, and will have a great shelf-life. It will
readily transition from being a book you read to a book elementary
students use to read to themselves."
To read more: http://www.thereadingtub.com/shelby.html
All Books Review (Highly Recommended) March 2006
Author
Stacy Nyikos of Tulsa, Oklahoma uses rhyme to bring the story of Shelby
alive. Musical cadence helps the children to remember the tale of the
shy little shark that overcomes her own fears to help others.
Illustrator, Shawn N. Sisneros a graduate of the Art Institute of
Chicago, depicts the story well. Illustrations are realistic, yet
charming. Cover is colorful and enticing. The back of the book contains
a question and answer page that gives children some insight into the
world of sharks.
To read more: http://www.allbookreviews.com/Default.aspx?tabid=658
Bookloons May 2006
Reviewer,
Hilary Daninhirsch, praises Shawn Sisneros for his vivid watercolors
and the books for its educational qualities. To read more: http://www.bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.asp?bookid=6212
SQUIRT
Midwest Book Review August 2005.
The journal refers to "Squirt" as "imaginatively written" and "charmingly illustrated." To read the entire review click: http://www.stacyanyikos.com/Midwest Book Review Prt 2.pdf
Armchair Interviews September 2005
Sharon Blooms calls Squirt a "delightful children's story that
celebrates imagination..." To read the entire review, click: http://www.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/categories/childrens/squirt.php
Tulsa Kids October 2005
The parent reviewer said, "...your storytelling is wonderful, and Shawn
did a beautiful job on the art. I am looking forward to your next
book!" To read the complete article, click: http://www.stacyanyikos.com/TulsaKids Article.pdf
