Contact:
Julie Koester
Dragon Horse Publishing
239-325-5088
For Immediate Release:
Heartwarming children’s chapter book by Paulette LeBlanc, illustrated by Dmitry Morozov, earns recognition for its gentle storytelling, emotional depth, and watercolor illustrations.
Naples, Florida – June 8, 2026 – Dragon Horse Publishing is proud to announce that Toofer & The Giblet, written by Paulette LeBlanc and illustrated by Dmitry Morozov, has received a 5-star review and IR Approved distinction from IndieReader.
The review recognizes Toofer & The Giblet as a heartwarming chapter book with pictures that brings big childhood feelings into small, accessible stories. Set inside the Humbletree in Nimblewood Forest, the book follows two unlikely best friends, Toofer and The Giblet, as they navigate mouse-sized adventures with very real emotions.
Toofer is quiet, thoughtful, and wise. He likes order, books, and the comfort of his tidy mousehole. The Giblet is curious, energetic, and often led by his imagination before he has fully thought things through. Together, the two characters form a tender friendship that offers young readers a safe way to explore feelings such as jealousy, embarrassment, greed, sadness, fear, and uncertainty.
The IndieReader review praised the book for its subtle approach to emotional learning, noting that the stories do not talk down to children or overexplain what they should feel. Instead, Toofer and The Giblet gives children room to recognize emotions through character, consequence, friendships, and gentle humor.
That restraint is part of what makes the book stand out.
Children’s literature has a difficult job. It has to be simple without being thin. Meaningful without becoming heavy. Imaginative without losing the child reader along the way. Toofer and The Giblet finds that balance through short, character-driven stories that feel warm, playful, and emotionally honest.
“Toofer and The Giblet may be tiny mice, but the feelings they face are anything but small,” said Paulette LeBlanc, author of Toofer and The Giblet. “Children know what it feels like to be unsure, embarrassed, left out, curious, excited, or afraid. I wanted these stories to give those feelings a place to land, without making the lesson feel bigger than the adventure.”
Dmitry Morozov’s hand-painted watercolor illustrations bring the world of Nimblewood Forest to life with detail, softness, and charm. The artwork supports the emotional tone of the stories while giving young readers visual moments to pause, notice, and connect. The review also noted the illustrations’ muted tones and gentle watercolor style, making the book especially welcoming for children who may be sensitive to overly bright or visually busy imagery.
For parents, teachers, librarians, and caregivers, TOOFER & THE GIBLET offers more than a story to read aloud. It opens the door for conversation. The book’s episodic structure makes it easy to read in small pieces, while the characters’ experiences create natural opportunities to talk about friendship, choices, feelings, mistakes, and repair.
The inclusion of a map of Nimblewood Forest also invites children to engage with the world beyond the page. Young readers can imagine where Toofer and The Giblet live, where their adventures take them, and how the world around them connects.
“At Dragon Horse Publishing, we believe children’s books should respect the child reader,” said Julie Koester, Co-Founder of Dragon Horse Publishing. “TOOFER & THE GIBLET does that beautifully. It is tender, thoughtful, and full of wonder, but it also gives children something useful. It helps them see that feelings can be confusing, friendships can be complicated, and small moments can teach us something important.”
The IndieReader recognition marks an exciting moment for Dragon Horse Publishing and the growing world of Toofer & The Giblet. With its blend of gentle storytelling, emotional insight, and illustrated charm, the book is well positioned for families, classrooms, libraries, and young readers who enjoy character-led stories with heart.
TOOFER & THE GIBLET is available as an eBook through Amazon.
About TOOFER & THE GIBLET
Inside the Humbletree, two mice live in a tiny mousehole with a very big world around them. Toofer is wise, quiet, and thoughtful. The Giblet is curious, bold, and sometimes quick to assume. Together, they face adventures, mistakes, emotions, and questions that help young readers explore friendship, empathy, and the everyday challenges of growing up.
About Dragon Horse Publishing
Dragon Horse Publishing is dedicated to creating and supporting stories that inspire imagination, curiosity, emotional connection, and meaningful reading experiences. Through thoughtfully developed books and creative storytelling, Dragon Horse Publishing brings distinctive voices and memorable characters to readers of all ages.
