Book Review of Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak
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The Children’s Book Review
Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak
Written by Sally Lou Loveman
Illustrated by Srimalie Bassani
Ages: 4-6 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids! (2026) | ISBN: 9798891384958
What to Expect: Confidence, Self-Esteem, New Experiences, Stage Fright, Finding Your Voice, Following Your Dreams.
Written by an expert in public speaking and entertainment, this debut picture book encourages readers to follow their passions just like Livy Lou does.
Livy Lou Lovely used to be timid and meek… she used to be too afraid to speak in front of other people. That all changed, however, when her mother invited her to sit in the audience of a TV show. Watching one of the presenters on the set, Livy Lou realized that was a job she would really love to do—if only she could find her voice!
She imagined what it would be like to be older, making her TV debut, and, to her amazement, grown-up Livy Lou knew exactly what to say and do. She looked inside herself, listened to her inner voice, and found her fear of public speaking vanishing. These days, Livy Lou isn’t timid anymore—she’s learned how to find her voice!
As a gentle, reserved character who struggles to speak up, Livy Lou is sure to feel familiar and empathetic to many young readers. For readers who share her fears of public speaking, Livy Lou’s growth into a heroine who follows her heart and blossoms into a confident speaker offers inspiration and hope. The artwork features bold, saturated colors, expressive characters, and lively compositions that capture the excitement of Livy’s imagined future and her transformation into a confident and passionate speaker.
Thoughtful and empowering, Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak is a reassuring read for any reader who struggles to speak up, offering a gentle reminder that confidence can grow from the quietest voices.
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About the Author
Sally Lou Loveman is a first-time children’s picture book author with her new book, Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak, based on her own story of finding her inner voice and the confidence to speak up at a young age.
As the former audience producer for The Oprah Winfrey Show and founder of lovespeaks, Sally Lou has entertained over half a million people from The Oprah Show stage as well as her lovespeaks platform. Today, Sally Lou coaches clients to speak without fear by connecting them to their power through exploring their story.
Sally Lou knows all too well what it feels like to be young and scared to speak. She hopes her message will inspire young readers to listen to their inner voice so they can speak up and pursue their passion.
Sally Lou is also the author of SPEAK: Love Your Story, Your Audience Is Waiting, a teaching memoir that offers speaker tips to adult readers. Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak sparks a love for speaking at a young age because everyone deserves to speak without fear.
Like Livy Lou, your best hype person is You!
About the Illustrator
Srimalie Bassani (She/Her) is an illustrator from Mantua, Italy, who’s been drawing since she could hold a pencil. After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts and earning a Master’s in editorial illustration, she began bringing stories to life with her colorful, playful style—a mix of digital and traditional techniques, always full of charm and detail.
She’s worked with top publishers like HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan, Giunti, Oxford University Press, and Sourcebooks, and her illustrations have earned recognition from AI Annual, Logos, and the Lucca Junior Prize. In 2016, she won a Moonbeam Award for Green Cat Lost His Voice.
In 2023, her work appeared on screens at Milan’s Malpensa and Linate airports, and in 2025, How Do You Become a Mad Scientist? was named one of the Best Children’s Books of the Year by the Bank Street College of Education.
Srimalie loves stories, cats, ceramics, and tea—and brings that same warmth and curiosity into every project she illustrates.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Livy Lou Lovely Loves to Speak. Learn more about getting a book review …
