This post is sponsored by Shenandoah Chefalo. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
MY REVIEW
Lil Shen’s day starts with polished black shoes, a funeral, and a mysterious package she’s told not to open. By nightfall, she’s unwrapped it—and her whole world changes.
The Best Bunny is part heartfelt friendship story, part mysterious adventure, and all heart. Shenandoah Chefalo draws you in with the ordinary—rainy days, whispered memories of Grandma, the quiet ache of missing someone—and then drops in Bunny Best, a talking bunny with advice, appetite, and just enough sass to keep Lil Shen on her toes.
Bunny Best isn’t magic exactly… or is he? He eats cupcakes, offers wisdom, and reminds Lil Shen of her “Imagine-A-Shen”—a knack for seeing what other people miss. That’s where the fun kicks in. Is it imagination? Is it real? Chefalo keeps you guessing while building a story about doing your best, even when you feel like you can’t.
The pacing is tight, the dialogue feels real, and the mix of sadness and lighthearted banter works perfectly for readers who like their heartfelt stories with a dash of mystery. By the end, you’re rooting for Lil Shen—not just to get through her grief, but to keep seeing the world in her own extraordinary way.
For middle-grade readers who enjoy stories like Because of Winn-Dixie but wish they had a touch more quirk and curiosity, The Best Bunny is a sweet, surprising read that might just make you look twice at the next stuffed animal you meet.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for the chance to win one of ten hardcover copies of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best. And for one extra-lucky grand prize winner, there’s a signed copy of the book, a snuggly Bunny Best plush, and an Amazon Gift Card.
Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/the-best-bunny-adventures-of-lil-shen-and-her-inspirational-sidekick-bunny-best-awareness-tour/
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Best Bunny: The Adventures of Lil Shen
Written by Shenandoah Chefalo
Illustrated by Alena Tkach
Ages: 4-6 | 28 Pages
Publisher: Self-Published (2025) | ISBN: 979-8990059412
Publisher’s Book Summary: When Lil Shen loses her beloved grandmother, her world suddenly feels unfamiliar, quiet, and full of sadness. On a day filled with gray skies and heavy hearts, she receives a mysterious gift—an ordinary-looking stuffed bunny with extraordinary comfort to offer. Bunny Best, a soft companion stitched with love, becomes her guide through grief, helping Lil Shen remember, imagine, and feel all the feelings she thought she had to hide.
Tenderly told and beautifully illustrated, The Best Bunny is a story of loss, resilience, and healing. Through imagination and the memory of love, Lil Shen discovers that she doesn’t have to be “okay” to move forward. She has to do her best.
Inspired by author Shenandoah Chefalo’s lived experience in the foster care system and her work in trauma-informed care, this heartfelt picture book is an essential resource for families, educators, and professionals helping children navigate grief, big emotions, and life’s most complex changes.
PURCHASE LINK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shenandoah Chefalo is a sought-after speaker, award-winning author, and expert trauma-informed specialist with more than 20 years of leadership consulting experience. As the Founder and Lead Strategist of Chefalo Consulting, she helps governmental, public, and private organizations integrate trauma-informed practices to create more effective and equitable systems.
Plagued and embarrassed by her name and shaped by a nomadic childhood filled with instability and loss, Shenandoah developed a tough skin early on. Her lived experiences—including foster care, poverty, and homelessness—taught her to navigate adversity, build resilience, and understand people deeply. These qualities later fueled her passion to transform broken systems.
After nearly two decades as a Law Office Administrator, Shenandoah became disturbed by the revolving door of people entering the criminal justice system. She pursued certification through Coach U and became a life coach—an experience that gave her new insight into her own trauma and the systemic failures she had endured.
Research into the U.S. foster care system revealed staggering statistics: over 400,000 children in care daily, 61% aging out without housing, 50% incarcerated within two years, and 80% of death row inmates having spent time in care. These revelations compelled her to share her story publicly and advocate for reform.
Her memoir, Garbage Bag Suitcase, confronts the hard truths of foster care while charting a personal journey of healing. Shenandoah is also the author of several best-selling e-books, including Setting Your Vision and Defining Your Goals, which help trauma-informed leaders implement change, build mental wellness, and strengthen communities.
Her newest book, The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best (releasing July 22, 2025), marks her debut in children’s literature. Inspired by her own childhood, the story models emotional resilience, compassion, and hope for young readers navigating their own challenges.
Shenandoah holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science from Michigan State University. She is a Core Essentials Graduate of Coach U, a Certified Law of Attraction Advanced Practitioner, a member of the National Speakers Association, and an active volunteer both nationally and internationally. She is also known for her expertise in social media marketing and is currently working on her next book, Hiking for Stillness.
For more information, visit chefaloconsulting.com/books.
https://www.instagram.com/shenandoahchefalo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shenandoahchefalo
TOUR SCHEDULE
| Tuesday, July 22, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Thursday, July 24, 2025Froggy Read TeachBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Friday, July 25, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewAuthor Interview with Shenandoah Chefalo |
| Monday, July 28, 2025Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Tuesday, July 29, 2025icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Thursday, June 31, 2025All Done MonkeyBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Friday, August 1, 2025Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Monday, August 4, 2025Deliciously SavvyGuest Post about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Tuesday, August 5, 2025Q&As with Deborah KalbAuthor Interview with Shenandoah Chefalo |
| Thursday, August 7, 2025Lisa’s ReadingBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Friday, August 8, 2025The Children’s Book Review5 Special Books for Children About Losing a Grandparent |
| Monday, August 11, 2025Country Mamas With KidsBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Tuesday, August 12, 2025@avainbooklandInstagram Post about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Thursday, August 14, 2025The Starlit PathBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Friday, August 15, 2025@bored_military_wifeInstagram Post about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Monday, August 18, 2025One More ExclamationBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Tuesday, August 19, 2025@nissa_the.bookwormBook Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Thursday, August 21, 2025Confessions of a Book AddictBook Spotlight on The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best |
| Friday, August 22, 2025Me Two BooksAuthor Interview with Shenandoah Chefalo |
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