Book Review of Cone and Skate
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The Children’s Book Review
Cone and Skate
Written by Amy Nicolai
Illustrated by Christina Michalos
Ages: 3-7 | 28 Pages
Publisher: Self-Published (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-218-85132-3
What to Expect: Courage and personal growth, embracing change, overcoming fear, new experiences, friendship and connection, adventure, onomatopoeia.
A cautious construction cone embarks on an unexpected adventure when a speedy skateboard sweeps her away on a wild ride to the seashore.
Cone is perfectly content with her quiet, stationary life—until Skate zooms into the picture and whisks her into an exhilarating journey she never asked for. As the unlikely duo speeds past dancing kites and bubbly parks, Cone’s anxiety mounts with each new twist and turn. Her stomach does somersaults as she wonders if this wild ride will ever end, but when they finally crash-land on the sandy shore, Cone discovers something unexpected: the breathtaking beauty of a place she’s never experienced before. Young readers are reminded that sometimes the best adventures are the ones we didn’t plan, as Cone and Skate take in the magic that happens when we step beyond our comfort zones.
Author Amy Nicolai delivers a clearly written story with a meaningful moral as dialogue propels the narrative forward with natural energy. Sound words strategically emphasize the high stakes of Cone’s wild journey as the text itself becomes part of the storytelling experience with moments like the word “CRASH” dominating a double-page spread in bold block letters. The layout of the words doesn’t just describe the action, it often mimics it, helping young readers feel every bump and tumble alongside Cone.
Christina Michalos’s illustrations appear to blend watercolor with digital media effects, with enough texture throughout to add genuine warmth and depth to each scene. She makes the journey from Cone’s familiar world to the wonder of the seashore feel exhilarating, tangible, and inviting.
A delightful celebration of friendship, courage, and the transformative power of new experiences, parents and educators looking for an engaging way to talk about stepping outside of comfort zones while validating natural fears will find Cone and Skate to be a fun addition to their libraries.
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About the Author
Amy Nicolai is an award-winning, Miami-based children’s book author who writes stories that celebrate children as the heroes of their own lives. A former elementary school educator and writing tutor, she believes adults can learn a great deal by listening to children’s unique perspectives. Amy is a member of SCBWI and the Florida Writers Association. Cone & Skate is her debut published picture book.
For more information, visit www.amynicolai.com.
About the Illustrator
Christina Michalos is an award-winning children’s book illustrator who specialises in the enchanting world of watercolour and mixed media. Her fascination with picture books began when she was only six years old, and grew stronger as the years went by. Always involved with books in some way, Christina has been illustrating children’s books for over a decade and has published her own short stories and poetry anthologies too. Born in Harrogate, UK, she now lives and works in Athens, Greece.
For more information, visit https://reedsy.com/christina-michalos.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Cone & Skate. Learn more about getting a book review …
