FREE Children’s Picture Book Reviews

For 5 years (2013-2017), Gittle Publishing hosted a book competition exclusively for self-published children’s picture books. Now, Aviva offers free book reviews.

Read this entire FAQ and the article I reference within it before asking me to review your book. Email questions to AvivaGittle@gmail.com. Leaving comments here about your particular book will delay a response. Sometimes for years.

The basics

Your book must be no more than 1500 words (excluding back & front matter), you must be 18+ years old, and your book must be for sale on Amazon. However, unpublished manuscripts are acceptable if you just want feedback prior to publishing. (A good idea.)

What’s the catch?

The catch is that only 10-15% of books receive a review. To learn why (and to meet my requirements), read this article: 6 Reasons Your Kid’s Book Won’t Get a Review.

Why so few reviews?

I will only post reviews for books that I can honestly give at least 4 stars. I won’t hurt a fellow author’s sales by posting a bad review.

Are you a professional reviewer?

No. I’m a self-published author of (to date) 20 children’s picture books. I have read hundreds of self-published children’s picture books as the host of The Gittle List children’s picture book contest.

Can I send more than one book?

No. Please pick your best book or the one for which you really need more reviews. However, if I do leave a review for your first book, you can ask me to review a second book.

Will you review my child’s self-published book?

No. Children should not be expected to handle criticism as adults. There are adult authors who can’t handle criticism like adults.

Are we review swapping?

No. I think review swapping is a bad idea. If you don’t like my book, you either have to lie and post a good review or be put in the uncomfortable position of having to tell me you didn’t like my book. Offering free reviews without asking the author to review one of my books allows me to be honest.

My book has 4+ stars on Amazon and I get great feedback all the time. Doesn’t that mean you’ll probably review my book?

It definitely does not. I have read many books with 4+ ratings that were not 4+ star books to me.

What’s in it for you?

Posting reviews for you gives Gittle Publishing content for its various social media sites. This is called “cross-marketing.” I ask you to SHARE posts. This gives us both exposure. It’s a win-win.
It’s a way for me to give back to a community that has been very generous to me. Especially when I first started out in 2013 knowing absolutely nothing about self-publishing.

Okay, How Do I Get This Review?

Read this FAQ page.
Email a digital copy of your book.*
Put “Request for book review” in the subject.
Let me know that you have read this FAQ page in its entirety and read the article 6 Reasons Your Kid’s Book Won’t Get a Review.

*The PDF proof for the print version, an ePub file, a link to download the book for free from Amazon (you have to give me at least a day’s warning of the promotion), or gift the book to me through Amazon.

How will I know if you read my book?

After two weeks, if you don’t see a review, ask me. If you want to hear honest feedback, let me know. Otherwise I’ll just confirm that I read the book, but did not leave a review.

Anything else?

Yes. Please share this post on Facebook. LinkedIn, and Threads. (I no longer use Twitter or X or whatever it’s called now.)

Questions? Email Aviva at AvivaGittle@gmail.com.

Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s books in English and Spanish. Her books, including Kitten & Butterfly, Bagel Boy, and Moon Jump, are available on Amazon.

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