Welcome to a fun page filled with read alouds, book awards, and magazine features!
Book Trailers & Read Alouds
Storytime with Summer
The talented Summer McKenna captures the essence of The Gingerbread Twins in this beautiful read-aloud with creative soundscapes. The heartwarming story comes alive the moment you press play!
Storytime with Summer
The talented Summer McKenna is back again with another fabulous soundscape of No Wet Feet for Quincy. Her creativity makes you root for Quincy from start to finish!
Storytime with Summer
The talented Summer McKenna is back once more with another fabulous soundscape of Get Out Your Paper. Her beautiful soundscapes transform you right to a classroom setting!
Storytime with Fergie & Friends
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, reads The Gingerbread Twins, filled with holiday cheer on her Storytime with Fergie and Friends YouTube channel.
Story Time with Cazzy
Story Time with Cazzy shares how Get Out Your Paper is a wonderful back to school read aloud to boost student’s confidence and celebrate their strengths.
Book Awards & Media
The Gingerbread Twins
Awards and magazine features for The Gingerbread Twins.
Kirkus Reviews Magazine
“Readers will love how all the twists and turns of this story keep them on their toes. The bright, warm illustrations by Scebold bring depth and movement that take the tale to the next level, integrating with the text through speech bubbles inspired by graphic novels…This story is an engaging addition to the genre of runaway gingerbread fairy tales that has been popular for almost 150 years…A fun and enjoyable gingerbread tale with striking illustrations.”
Reader's Favorite Silver Medalist
The Gingerbread Twins was awarded a Silver Medal in the Children K-3rd category. This is an amazing honor to be recognized in this category.
Reader's Favorite 5-Star Review
“…is a hilarious yet educative picture storybook for everyone. It will appeal to children the most because of the attractive illustrations and life lessons essential for their growth. This story talks about believing in ourselves and casting out self-doubt.”
Reader's Choice Book Award
The Gingerbread Twins was honored as a Finalist as the Best Children’s Book 3-7 category in Autumn 2022.
The da Vinci Eye Finalist
The da Vinci Eye award is given to books with superior cover artwork. The Gingerbread Twins was honored to be a Finalist for this award in 2023.
Story Monsters Royal Dragonfly
The Gingerbread Twins was proud to be given an Honorable Mention in four categories:
Best Cover Design, Best Illustration & Photography, Best New Author: Fiction, & Best Picture Book 6 & Older
No Wet Feet for Quincy
Awards and magazine features for No Wet Feet for Quincy.
Kirkus Review
“Hayes’ picture book shows readers that it’s okay to have unique sensory needs. The entire story is appealingly written in rhyming couplets with first-person narration from Quincy himself. A fine work with a caring message and appealing illustrations.”
Reader's Favorite 5-Star Review
“No Wet Feet for Quincy highlights an unusual attribute that Quincy overcomes to emerge stronger. Quincy’s character is lovable and inspiring. He knows that he differs from other ducks, yet he comes out with a new creative solution every morning to achieve his goal. Renee Hayes teaches about mutual support and how to resist bullies, leading little readers toward discovering their stronger and better selves. The humorous rhymes with repetitions are like a song and will help children remember Quincy’s adventures for a long time.”
Get Out Your Paper
Awards and magazine features for Get Out Your Paper.
Publisher's Weekly Editor's Pick
“…Packs profound lessons and demonstrates the transformations students experience in their intellectual capacity and self-esteem when they step outside their comfort zones. Fun, inspiring story about a young student finding his voice during a writing assignment.”
Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review
“Renee Hayes’ story is well written…children sometimes doubt themselves when they pick up a pen. Fear of expressing himself, is something Garrett experienced. But with gentle encouragement and no pressure, children may not only surprise their teacher but also themselves with tales waiting to be written…Get Out Your Paper tackles the nervousness some people feel, especially when they know that after they have written what they need to say, somebody else will read and judge it. I highly recommend Get Out Your Paper to be read by all children aged four and over.” — Rosie Malezer, Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Review
Additional Features
Various media featuring Renee Hayes.
