Kirkus Reviews calls Maddie – A Little Ghost with a Secret “playful and fun … yet gentle and encouraging,” praising its “cheerful Halloween charm” and “touching emotion,” and describing it as “a charming and uplifting ghost tale that celebrates kindness, family, and finding one’s unique strength.”
Read the full review on Kirkus.com
What Kirkus Reviews is saying about Asher’s Christmas Wish:
“Asher’s Christmas Wish is a sweet holiday tale that emphasizes love and acceptance all year round.”
“Mrs. Claus’ narration is heartfelt and engaging, and the story carries a hopeful message that everyone is deserving of love.”
“The illustrations by Texas artist William ‘Bubba’ Flint are cheerful and colorful, done in a charming vintage style. The result is a quiet, comforting story brimming with puppy love.”
Read the full review on Kirkus.com
Asher's Christmas Wish appeared in Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2025 issue.
"Maddie: A Little Ghost with a Secret is a heartwarming children's story by Cindy J. Vanous. This delightful picture book follows the adventures of a friendly little ghost in Terlingua, Texas. In their former mining town, Maddie is a young ghost with a special love for fun and games. After Maddie and her friends are done playing games, all the ghosts of the town gather together for a talent show, where everyone showcases their unique skills. Maddie's mom can make monarch butterflies appear out of nowhere, while her dad can make the stars twinkle brighter. Maddie always thought she was the only one who lacked any special talent, until she discovered her love for baking. Maddie loves to bake and share the fruits of her labor with her loved ones.
Maddie: A Little Ghost with a Secret is a fun-filled paranormal story that encourages young readers to embrace their own unique strengths. Author Cindy J. Vanous tells a captivating tale full of heart, humor, and charm. Although it's primarily written for kids, even older readers will have fun reading this book. Vanous crafts a concise yet engaging narrative that hooks you in from the very first page. I'm very impressed by the author's ability to create such an engrossing story in a short picture book. The characters are amusing, especially the protagonist Maddie, whom children will love to follow. Illustrator Steven Stewart's artwork is another reason to read this book. The illustrations are striking and breathe life into the characters and the setting. So grab a copy and be entertained by this wonderful picture book."
- Pikasho Deka for Reader's Favorite
"Asher's Christmas Wish by Cindy J. Vanous is a children's picture book that follows the adventures of an adorable puppy. Although it's a Christmas tale, the story begins in summer, narrated by Mrs. Claus. Deep in the woods, Mrs. Claus' husband, Santa, was playing reindeer games and preparing for the season ahead when he stumbled upon the cute white puppy named Asher. All Asher wants is an adventure and a loving home. Santa takes Asher to his home at the North Pole, where the elves, Magnolia and Ruby, give him a warm welcome. However, as much fun as Asher has in the North Pole, he still wants his own loving family. Winter comes, and Santa is reading Christmas wishes. Is someone with a penchant for adventure wishing for a puppy to love and cherish?
Author Cindy J. Vanous masterfully captures the spirit of Christmas in this captivating tale that is guaranteed to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. The message of belonging is beautifully woven into a delightful narrative that entertains you with each page. Children are going to love this book. I loved the characters. Asher and Santa are obviously the scene-stealers, but even the elves, Mrs. Claus, and the little girl Karen Sue leave their mark on the reader. Asher is a fun-loving puppy who young readers will want as their pet. William "Bubba" Flint's illustrations are lively and truly bring the ambiance of the Christmas season to the pages. Asher's Christmas Wish is a fantastic adventure that children shouldn't miss out on."
- Pikasho Deka for Reader's Favorite
"Readers of all ages will be captivated by the high-spirited and endearing Asher... A heartwarming story that celebrates the joy of being with loved ones during the holidays and the miracles that occur during this special time of year."
- Melinda Facal for Reader's Favorite
Author's Note:
I am so honored to be recognized in Readers’ Favorite, one of the most respected independent review platforms for children’s books. Their reviewers are known for spotlighting stories that make an emotional impact— Asher’s tale of love, family, and holiday magic stood out.
Amazon Customer
An adorable story about the family’s dog Asher and his Christmas Eve adventure! The illustrations represent a vintage spirit of Christmas, which adults will appreciate! And the book is a nice size with a high-quality hard cover! It’s a fabulous gift for young; as well as mature book enthusiast.
Barnes & Noble Reader
I absolutely LOVED this book! It has been a long time since a good Christmas story has come out and this one was a nice and refreshing break from the re-hash of the same old stories over and over again. First time author Cindy J. Vanous delivered an entertaining original story about a young child and her dog at Christmastime. She captured visions of my own Christmases growing up, and also shared a delightful tale of an adventurous dog who gets himself in a little predicament by not staying home when he should have. Not to give the story away, but there is a lesson or two involved as well as ultimately a happy ending, so this story is appropriate for the entire family.
Enter Cindy’s Secret Story Vault and see the magic before anyone else.
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