The Starlit Path

Book Review: Danny Sabe Leer / Danny Can Read

Danny discovers the magic of reading, but Lily feels left behind—until she finds her own spark. A sweet, colorful story about teamwork, confidence, and shining together.

The Starlit Path

April 1, 2026

2–3 minutes

Book Reviews, the children’s book review

Promotional image for a virtual book tour featuring the bilingual children's book 'Danny Sabe Leer / Danny Can Read' by Diana Paola Navarro Gómez, hosted by The Children's Book Review. The cover illustration shows a friendly dinosaur reading a book, accompanied by text promoting the theme 'Different Strengths. Stronger Together.'

This post is sponsored by Diana Paola Navarro Gómez. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

MY REVIEW

Danny Can Read starts out like any fun day—two dinosaur siblings, Danny and Lily, doing everything together. Singing. Dancing. Picnics. Easy, right?

Then something changes.

Danny figures out how letters fit together. Then words. Then—just like that—he can read. And he doesn’t want to stop. Suddenly, Lily is on the outside looking in. Danny disappears into story after story, while Lily is left with a quiet, uncomfortable feeling she can’t ignore. She knows her letters… so why can’t she read too? The story takes a turn here—one that feels real for young readers. Frustration creeps in. Distance grows. But just when it seems like their bond might crack, Lily discovers something surprising: she has a talent of her own. And it might be exactly what Danny needs.

The bilingual format (English and Spanish side by side) adds an extra layer of magic, making it both fun and educational. The illustrations are bright, full of personality, and easy to connect with. I found this to be a lively, meaningful read about confidence, differences, and how the best teams are built—not born.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Danny sabe leer / Danny can read

Written by Diana Paola Navarro Gómez

Illustrated by Carmen Blanco

Ages: 4–8 | 38 Pages

Publisher: Mr Momo (2025) | ISBN: 979-138-752-3121

Publisher’s Book Summary: Danny Can Read is a bilingual (English–Spanish) picture book that celebrates the magic of reading and the power of learning at your own pace. Dinosaur siblings Danny and Lily discover that their talents shine in different ways — and that they shine the most when they work together. Through a warm, engaging story designed for read-alouds, children explore big feelings like frustration and comparison, practice empathy, and build confidence as they see that differences aren’t obstacles — they’re strengths. Perfect for ages 4–8, ideal for bilingual families and for readers learning English or Spanish.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bjZKWb

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A woman with wavy hair wearing a dark button-up shirt and blue jeans, standing next to a grey sofa in a modern living room with bookshelves in the background.

Diana Paola Navarro Gómez is a Colombian children’s book author and mother of twins, who inspire the heart of her stories. She writes bilingual picture books grounded in real moments from family life — everyday situations transformed into relatable narratives for young readers. Her debut title blends early literacy with social-emotional learning, encouraging confidence, empathy, and patience as children navigate frustration and grow at their own pace.

Learn more at dianapaolanavarro.com

Instagram: @dpnavarro and @dannylilybooks

GIVEAWAY

A colorful children's puzzle featuring dinosaur illustrations with a book titled 'Danny Sabe Leer' beside it, placed on a marble surface.

Enter for a chance to win one of three signed paperback copies of Danny sabe leer / Danny can read! One grand prize winner will also receive a 36-piece puzzle inspired by the book along with their signed copy. Giveaway ends April 20, 2026 at 11:30 PM Mountain Time.