Embark on a musical adventure with a kind-hearted young prodigy in Cora's Magic Melodies. Written by Sally Kashner, this wholesome picture book follows the story of Cora, a young girl who gets her grandma's old guitar back from her hippie days as a gift. Grandma also gives Cora a songbook to learn the chords and melodies. Every day after school, Cora visits her grandma's house to practice her guitar until her fingers begin to hurt. Slowly, she masters the chords and starts playing at the town bakery to brighten Mr. Wheaton's day. She also plays at the local clinic, where the patients and Nurse Emily thank her for helping them relax. She makes Mr. Winston, the night watchman, feel special by playing him a song. Now, Cora is ready to put on a show at the town square for everyone.

Cora's Magic Melodies is an uplifting tale that shows how even small acts of kindness can raise people's spirits and transform the world around us. Through an enchanting narrative, author Sally Kashner encourages young readers to embrace their unique gifts and share them with others to make a difference in the world. I loved the fact that Grandma's guitar had stickers and peace signs, signifying her as a hippie in her younger days. Children with a passion for music will definitely relate to Cora. She is a talented, aspiring musician young readers will find inspiring. The narrative also highlights universal themes of empathy and kindness, which will resonate with all readers. Remesh Ram is a master illustrator and shows a wonderful ability to capture the essence of the characters' personalities through his artwork. It's a fantastic picture book for children.

Cora's Magic Melodies by Sally Kashner is a perfect picture book for little ones between the ages of 4 and 8 years old. It tells the story of young Cora and her newly discovered musical talent. After finding her grandmother’s old guitar and songbook, Cora's interest in music is piqued. Through hard work and a ton of practice, Cora decides to test her skills. This new adventure with music shows Cora that there is more to her guitar playing than just a couple of notes. Together with a feathered friend, Cora uses her musical gift to uplift her community and bring everyone together.

Cora's Magic Melodies is such a heart-warming story that youngsters will enjoy. It spreads the message of kindness to oneself and others, in addition to touching on themes of determination and empathy. The plot was well thought out, and the story followed a moderate pace, which makes the reader eager to find out what happens next. The accompanying illustrations by Remesh Ram are beautifully drawn with colors that capture the reader’s attention while also accurately depicting the scene unfolding on the page. The little Bluebird, which followed Cora as she set out on her mission, was my favorite character! Along with this, Sally Kashner included a list of “brilliant” facts about Bluebirds. There’s also a little surprise for young readers at the end of the story, along with an interesting activity that asks some important questions. In essence, this is an uplifting and impactful story for kids and not just another picture book.