Kid Reviews:

Midas book review by Haley Chagoll 4th grade - Miss Reitano R.C. Buckley Elementary School Lansing, New York

This story is about a Golden Retriever puppy named Midas. One morning Midas wakes up and a little red airplane comes swishing down from the sky. The little red airplane is crying because he is lost. He can’t find the airport. He asks Midas for help and Midas says yes. Along the way they ask for help from a cat named Mrs. B, a tree named Tom–Tom and a very old bird named Henry. With the help of Henry they get back to the airport.

The important lesson in the story is to never give up.

Uncle Ted, who really owns a Golden Retriever named Midas, lives near Los Angeles, California. He told me on the telephone that he wrote this book for his nephew and Godson, Andrew.

The book has a lot of colorful pictures and big print for easy reading. The reading level is for second graders. But a child who cannot read can look at the pictures and know what the story is about. Older kids will enjoy the book, too.

Midas has a fun web site at www.midaskids.com. There are lots of things to do and buy. You can buy the book there. You can join the kids club. And you can get t-shirts and baseball caps and lots of other cool things.

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Dear Uncle Ted,

I really liked reading Midas and the Little Red Airplane . I liked it so much, I loaned my copy to my school librarian. She read it to all the first and second graders and sent me a thank you card for sharing with her. She said the first and second graders really loved it!

My favorite part in the book is also my favorite picture. It's when Midas and the Little Red Airplane zoom out of the clouds. I read the book to my grandma, and she loved it. My grandpa came over with his Midas hat and I tried to steal it, but he wouldn't budge. Everything in your book is very cute. I also visited the Midas website. I hope you sell many books and create a bunch more!

Sincerely, Love
Heather L.,
Las Vegas, Nevada

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Dear Uncle Ted:

My opinion of Midas and the Little Red Airplane is a great book for all ages. It has wonderful pictures. The story has a great message. My favorite part is when Midas talks to Henry (the bird), Tom-Tom (the tree) and Mrs. B. (the cat). Cameron, my 7 year old brother like the picture. Keely, my 8 month old sister like Tom-Tom the tree. This is a great book.

Mallory W.,
Naperville, Illinois

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Parent Reviews:

Dear Uncle Ted,

I wanted to thank you very much for the book my son David received in the mail. It made him very happy. He is in 4th grade and took it to school with him the next day. David and another student got the permission to read the book to a Kindergarten Class. I myself read the book too, and found it wonderful and just today David read it to his one-year old cousin. Thank you again, for all the joy you have brought, not just to David, but also to all the children he is sharing the book with.

Sincerely, Claudia H.,
Holley, New York.

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Teacher Reviews:

Dear Uncle Ted:

I must begin by complimenting you on a very cute story. I found it extremely interesting, the repetition of encouragement by Midas was one of my favorite points. Children at the young age of which this book is directed learn through repetition and are also fascinated with it because it allows them to succeed in correct anticipation. It goes without saying that the subject matter of try, try again cannot be over enforced, nor kindness or the importance of helping a friend in need. Midas makes a great subject. The artwork is adorable, good job Eddy Young! All the characters, the Little Red Airplane, Mrs. B., Tom-Tom, and Henry make you want to cuddle them. I have been a preschool teacher for 13 years and am sure this book will be used in our classroom many times over. May I wish you success and tell you that we are waiting anxiously for Midas' new adventure.

Thank you,
Kathy K.,
Henderson, Nevada

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Media & Professional Reviews:

"A charming story! The lesson of believing in one's self that is the heart of the tale is impressively told. Children will pick up the
meaning and be entertained along the way. The illustrations are a great complement to each page - enhancing the enjoyment of
the read." - Writer's Digest

As seen on BellaOnline:

Midas and the Little Red Airplane is a sweet story with a great point. The author, Uncle Ted wrote this story for his young nephew Andrew as a Christmas present. It was a project that seems to have turned into something much bigger than Uncle Ted originally intended.

As the Early Childhood Site Host for Bella Online and a Founder for Moms Help Moms, a national mother's support group, I'm often asked to review many different books. Sometimes, they are boring to the core or I find that they are not well written for their targeted audience age group. However, with Midas and the Little Red Airplane , I've found it to be a joy to read and my young children have already just about worn it out.

The book is a hardcover book that is bright and colorful. The illustrations are so well done. I have overheard my four year old sitting with his one year old brother pointing out all the different pictures. Sometimes in children's books you find that the pictures are small and can be difficult for small children to make out well. Not with this book. In one opening picture there are bandanas hanging in the closet on hangers. My son was able to point them out and tell his little brother "look there is Midas' clothes and there are his hangers." You see Midas wears his bandanas around his neck, so those are his clothes. The illustrations are fabulous all the way through the book.

In the story of Midas and the Little Red Airplane , Midas wakes up to find a lost and very upset little airplane. Midas wants to help the airplane find his way home to the airport but he doesn't know the way. They work together and encounter many difficulties trying to find the way to the airport. They stick together and Midas offers constant encouragement.

The point of the story becomes very clear once the little airplane is safely back home again at the airport. Midas says, "Remember, if you really, really want something, just keep trying, and never give up." While kids may not fully realize what the "point" is, they do pick up the message. My son has heard this book many times now and I've heard him use Midas' encouraging words with his little brother.

The book is dedicated to Uncle Ted's nephew Andrew. Uncle Ted says to Andrew "Always do your best and never give up!" What a great point to start teaching our children at such a young age. I know that often parents say this to their kids, but kids have a way of picking up messages through the books that are read to them. We can say it, but we can also reinforce that message with this wonderful little book, Midas and the Little Red Airplane.

If you would like to learn more about purchasing this book for your child I recommend that you visit www.midaskids.com. Have a look around the web site too.

Cheryl Lewis is BellaOnline's EARLY CHILDHOOD Host

This message is from Rochelle Lesser, School Psychologist and Private Clinician:

Dear fellow Golden lovers,

We have been waiting for several months to tell you about a very special site. And, boy has it been tough to keep this secret under wraps. But, now Midas is making his formal debut!

MidasKids.com is a new site that has been created to make a difference in the life of a child. Led by Uncle Ted and Midas, they will be introducing basic life strategies in a way that is exciting and fun. The organization, Midas Entertainment, Inc., created to develop a line of books and other projects that kids can enjoy, will be supporting disadvantaged and ill children through donations to children's hospitals and by establishing "Midas Volunteers" - a volunteer reading network donating their time to read to children in hospitals, libraries & schools. And, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their books will go to supporting the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) and the Red Wagon Society (provides patient care, conducts research, trains pediatricians & improves health of children at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles).

Based on his real life Golden Retriever named, of course, Midas (shown here in all of his Golden beauty), Uncle Ted originally wrote a story as a Christmas present for his Nephew and Godson, Andrew. At the time, as Andrew loved airplanes and loved playing with Midas, Uncle Ted wrote a story about Midas and the Little Red Airplane.

After much encouragement and the help of Eddie Young, a professional illustrator, Uncle Ted's book was published and brought to life. In the book, Midas and the Little Red Airplane , the character Midas is a fun loving, playful pup who is always searching for a good adventure. Although his experiences put him into situations were he gets a little scared, Midas puts his fears aside and gives it his all. A caring and loyal friend, Midas is willing to assist his friends when they need help. And what he lacks in skill is made up in sheer determination.

At the MidasKids.com site, there is so much fun to be had. First, you need to join the Midas Kid's Club. Sign up now to become an official member of the Midas Kid's Club! Members are sent a Midas Kid's Club membership certificate by e-mail, have the first chance to try out new Midas games, receive the Midas Kid's Club Newsletter by e-mail, and have the chance to participate in contests, drawings and prizes only for Midas Kids members. Right now, there is a Weekly Free Book Drawing for an autographed copy of Midas and the Little Red Airplane, signed by both Uncle Ted and Eddie Young! Kids that are members of the club are automatically entered into the weekly drawing - every week as long as this contest is running!

And, there is also the Midas On Vacation Contest! Kids need to take the book Midas and the Little Red Airplane on their next vacation. Then, mom or dad will need to take a picture of you holding the Midas book in front of your vacation backdrop (like a ride at Disneyworld or the Grand Canyon, for example). Finally, you will need to send the photo to Midas along with your name, home address and the location of your vacation picture. Uncle Ted will be posting some of the best entries, with the winner to receive a Midas Cap, a Midas Kid's Club T-shirt and a $500 United States Savings Bond!

At the MidasKids.com site there are games to play and pictures to color and so much more. Don't miss out on downloading the Free Midas and the Little Red AirplaneScreen Saver. It is great. We already have ours up and running and boy is it fun!

And, don't miss out on sending lots and lots of MidasKids Free E-cards. There are fun choices to send for birthdays, for congratulations, and for illness. There is even a card just to cheer up a friend or to invite some friends to a party. I've already tried these cool cards and some have special java effects which really are special. Kids will just love 'em!