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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Gertie, the Darling Duck of WWII
Shari Swanson, author
Renee Graef, illustrator
Sleeping Bear Press
https://sleepingbearpress.com
9781534111714, $18.99, HC, 32pp
https://www.amazon.com/Gertie-Darling-Duck-Shari-Swanson/dp/1534111719
Synopsis: In 1945, the attention of the United States, along with the rest of the world, was focused on World War II. After
more than five years of fighting, a downcast and war-weary people were looking for signs of hope of a better future.
One April morning, a duck searching for a nesting spot lands on a tall post sticking out of the Milwaukee River. Situated
near a busy drawbridge and the noisy city of Milwaukee, this was an unlikely, precarious spot for a soon-to-be-mama duck
to build her nest. But that is exactly where Gertie (named by a local reporter) decides to make her home and lay her
eggs.
Once local newspapers report the story, crowds begin visiting the bridge to watch Gertie and speculate how she will safely
hatch her babies. Soon, news outlets around the world are carrying the hopeful tale of the plucky duck, raising spirits, and
giving readers a shared sense of community.
Critique: A lovely and fun picture book based upon an actual historical event. Of special note is the section 'More to the
Story' with actual historical photographs and commentary. "Gertie, the Darling Duck of WWII" by author/storyteller Shari
Swanson and artist/illustrator Renee Graef is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and
community library collections for young readers ages 6-9. For personal reading lists is should also be noted that "Gertie the
Darling Duck of WWII" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.04).
Editorial Note #1: Shari Swanson (https://shariswanson.com) earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults
from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is an appellate lawyer, with many published cases, and a former middle school
language arts teacher. Her books are Honey, the Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln (HarperCollins 2020) and Gertie, the Darling
Duck of WWII (SleepingBearPress 2023).
Editorial Note #2: Renee Graef (https://www.reneegraef.com) has illustrated more than 80 books for children, including
books for HarperCollins' My First Little House series. She splits her time between Wisconsin and California.
Wally Wants to Cuddle
Annette Rivlin-Gutman, author
Melissa Bailey, illustrator
Independently Published
9781088053539, $19.95, HC, 32pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wally-Wants-Cuddle-Annette-Rivlin-Gutman/dp/108805353X
Synopsis: A new picture book by the team of author/storyteller Annette Rivlin-Gutman and artist/illustrator Melissa Bailey
is "Wally Wants to Cuddle". A fun and original story in which Wally learns that there are many ways to connect with his
friends and that separation from his Mama is only temporary.
Critique: Original, entertaining, and with a critically important message for children ages 2-6, "Wally Wants to Cuddle" is a
delightful picture book that provides a gentle approach to help very young children cope with separation anxieties about
leaving their mothers and other family members when first going to daycare, school, or a play date. While also available for
personal reading lists in a paperback edition (9798848263046, $12.95), "Wally Wants to Cuddle" is an especially and
unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, and community library Life Lessons picture book
collections.
Editorial Note #1: Annette Rivlin-Gutman is an award-winning author, trauma-informed yoga teacher. Annette drew upon
her professional and personal experiences to write her children's books, "Mommy Has to Stay in Bed" and "Just Breathe".
Annette is also a former special educator and seasoned video producer with a background in children's programming,
including work with PBS, Mister Rogers, and "Sesame Street".
Editorial Note #2: Melissa Bailey (https://mbaileyart.com) is an impressively talented children's book illustrator, author,
freelance artist and self-publishing mentor.
Link and the Shooting Stars
Susana Balan, author
Claudio Cano, author
Christian Zambruno, illustrator
International Psychoanalytic Books
www.ipbooks.net
9781956864410, $24.95, PB, 168pp
https://www.amazon.com/Link-Shooting-Stars-Susana-Balan/dp/1956864415
Synopsis: "Link and the Shooting Stars" explores the universal search for one's identity in a lively, original way through the
experiences of Link, a young horse gifted in empathy but grappling with contradictory and confusing messages about life
from those who love him.
The story interweaves Link's vibrant inner world of curiosity, confusion, and even despair with the many adventures and
challenges he overcomes during his quest to find where the shooting stars land-a quest that is, at its core, a search for Home,
for the place where he can feel at peace with his own self.
Critique: Co-authored by Susana Balan and Caludio Cano, and featuring charming illustrations by Christian Zambruno,
"Link and the Shooting Stars" is recommended for children of all ages. Younger children will benefit from reading the book
with their parents or primary caregivers, while older children will enjoy reading it on their own or with an adult. Reading the
book together will help them to understand and be able to talk with each other about difficult family dynamics and the
misinterpretations that often lead to strife between parent and child and to challenging, "acting out" behaviors. Highly
recommended for personal, professional, community, and school library collections, adults working in education, mental
health, child development, and related fields will find "Link and the Shooting Stars" quite useful in their work with young
people, whether they are in private practice or in an educational and other institutional setting.
Editorial Note #1: Susana Balan (https://susanabalan.com/en/biografia) is an Argentine psychotherapist with clients
throughout the Americas. She holds a degree in psychology from the National University of Buenos Aires and was trained in
clinical psychology, social psychology, and psychoanalysis with Enrique Pichon-Riviere, a founder of Argentine
psychoanalysis. She continued her training in Brazil at the Sociedade de Psicanalise Iracy Doyle in Rio de Janeiro. Susana is
widely recognized in Argentina and Brazil for her clinical work and publications, which include five books focused on
female identity, couple s relationships, and the nature of love. Since 1998, she has have lived and worked in the New York
area.
Editorial Note #2: Claudia Cano (https://claudiacano.com/home.html) is, a Mexican corporate training and communication
specialist currently based in the Netherlands, and is currently preparing a full-length book for psychologists, teachers and
other professionals dealing with children and adults who, although often quite successful in school or work, feel deeply
misunderstood in their search for an identity of their own.
Editorial Note #3: Christian Zambruno (https://www.behance.net/billy_zambruno) is a professional illustrator specialized in
character design. A graphic designer, Christian graduated from the Buenos Aires University and works on packaging, brand
identity and product design.
The Health Shelf
Nurse Florence, Why and How Do We Sneeze?
Michael Dow, author
Janel Halton, illustrator
Dow Creative Enterprises
https://dowcreativeenterprises.com
https://nurseflorence.org
9781387529742, $29.99, HC, 58pp
https://www.amazon.com/Nurse-Florence-Why-How-Sneeze/dp/1387529749
Synopsis: Sometimes it seems only a nurse can bring technical information down to an understanding that an ordinary
person can grasp.
Illustrated throughout with drawings by Janel Halton, "Nurse Florence, Why and How Do We Sneeze?" by Michael Dow is
the newest edition to 'The Nurse Florence' book series provides high quality medical information that even a very young
child can grasp.
By introducing young kids to correct terminology and science concepts at an early age, we can help increase our children's
health literacy level as well as help to prepare them for courses and jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math.
Critique: We need more scientists so the intent behind the publication of "Nurse Florence, Why and How Do We Sneeze?"
is the hope that many children ages 1-6 will enjoy this book series and consider a job involving science. Fun, informative,
and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library
Health/Medicine collections, "Nurse Florence, Why and How Do We Sneeze?" is also readily available for personal reading
lists in a paperback edition (9781387529759, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Michael Dow is the Founder and Manager of Dow Creative Enterprises, LLC. His books have garnered the
Silver Nautilus Book award in 2020 (Nurse Florence, Help I'm Bleeding) and an Award-Winning Finalist in the Religion
category for the 2021 International Book Awards (A Prayer to Our Father in the Heavens: Possibly the Greatest Jewish
Prayer of All.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
5-Minute Baby Animal Stories
National Geographic Kids
c/o National Geographic Press
101 West 104th Street, Suite 8, New York, NY 10025
www.nationalgeographic.com
9781426374791, $14.99, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-5-Minute-Animal-Stories/dp/1426374798
Synopsis: From inspiring tales of baby manatee and baby wombat rescues to irresistible stories of how panda cubs, penguin
chicks, and more babies grow up, "5-Minute Baby Animal Stories" is an informative and entertaining nonfiction 5-minute
storybook that will engage and enchant animal lovers of all ages. Illustrated with colorful photographs, these twelve true
stories are heartwarming tales, each of which can be read in about five minutes.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout with full color photography, each story is the ideal length to be read aloud in five
minutes, making it perfect for bedtime, story time, or anytime. While also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99), "5-Minute Baby Animal Stories" is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community
library Pets/Wildlife collections for children ages 6-8.
Editorial Note: National Geographic Kids (https://kids.nationalgeographic.com) inspires young adventurers to explore the
world through award-winning magazines, books, website, apps, games, toys, television series, and events, and it is the only
kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core.
Animal Pals That Prove That Love Is Real
Editorial Staff
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
300 Park Avenue South, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781922754165, $14.95, HC, 96pp
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Pals-That-Prove-Love/dp/1922754161
Synopsis: When all seems lost and we're certain that love is dead, the animal kingdom teaches us to hope again.
It's easy to let our differences divide us, but that hasn't stopped the animal pals in as displayed in the pages of "Animal Pals
That Prove That Love Is Real" whose love for each other is pure and include a golden retriever and a cheetah, a badger and a
fox, and a pair of guinea pigs sharing snacks. These friendships, between species and families across the animal kingdom,
are impressively captured in this collection of over eighty photos featuring pure and adorable moments of animals playing,
cuddling, and exploring the world together.
Whenever you might be in doubt, "Animal Pals That Prove That Love Is Real" is photo collection is that will remind you
that love is real (and that pandas are cute!).
Critique: A pleasure to browse through one full color, inspiringly captioned, full color image-on-a-page, "Animal Pals That
Prove That Love Is Real" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal, family, daycare center,
preschool, elementary school, and community library collection that will have immense appeal (and value) for readers ages
3 to 103.
Elephants Remember
Jennifer O'Connell
Tilbury House Publishing
www.tilburyhouse.com
9780884489283, $19.95
https://www.amazon.com/Elephants-Remember-Story-Jennifer-OConnell/dp/0884489280
Elephants Remember is a true story written for picture book readers interested in stories of animal intelligence and their
connections with humans. The animals that move to Lawrence Anthony's South African reserve are traumatized and angry.
Lawrence adapts new methods of reaching them, understanding their pain, and healing them, as well as introducing the idea
of animal emotions to those who reject such a notion. His life, experiences, and efforts to save these elephants help
audiences of all ages understand his life mission and its ultimate impact on the elephants and the world. Colorful
illustrations enhance a story which reads with the drama and passion of fiction backed with real-world facts about Lawrence
and his efforts, making Elephants Remember a powerful attraction for picture book audiences interested in animal rescue
efforts.
The Multicultural Shelf
Kai's Tea Eggs
Karina Zhou, author/illustrator
Arsenal Pulp Press
www.arsenalpulp.com
9781551529097, $19.95, HC, 40pp
https://www.amazon.com/Kais-Tea-Eggs-Karina-Zhou/dp/1551529092
Synopsis: Multicultural Day is coming up at school, and Kai is nervous about sharing her family's Chinese food with her
classmates. Kai's mother is excited about making special dishes, but Kai doesn't like feeling different from everyone
else.
Upset, she runs off on her own and meets Ming the dragon, who takes her on a magical journey to explore different parts of
Chinese culture -- especially all the different kinds of delicious food! With Ming's help, Kai learns about her family roots
and how to celebrate all that makes her unique.
Critique: "Kai's Tea Eggs" by Karina Zhou is a wonderfully charming picture book story for children who, like Kai, have
felt the frustration of trying to fit in before finally learning to appreciate who they are. With colorful illustrations in full
support of an original and 'kid friendly' storyline, "Kai's Tea Eggs" is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center,
preschool, elementary school, and community library Life Lesson picture book collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Kai's Tea Eggs" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Karina Zhou (https://library.torontomu.ca/asianheritage/authors/karina-zhou) is a Chinese Canadian writer
and artist who is currently studying animation at California College of the Arts in San Francisco. She enjoys creating
adventurous, meaningful stories for both children and adults
Vivienne in Paris
Maria Castellucci Moore, author
Emanuela Mannello, illustrator
http://mariacastelluccimooreauthor.com
Mascot Kids!
c/o Mascot Books
620 Herndon Parkway, #320, Herndon, VA 20170
www.mascotbooks.com
9781637551431, $19.95 Hardcover
https://www.amazon.com/Vivienne-Paris-Maria-Castellucci-Moore/dp/1637551436
The picture book story Vivienne in Paris follows the daily life of a young Parisian girl who experiences the delights of the
famous city, bringing young readers along for a vicarious journey.
Emanuela Mannello illustrates Maria Castellucci Moore's story with an eye to translating Vivienne's observations in a way
that all young readers can enjoy, whether or not they have any prior knowledge of or interest in Paris.
Vivienne's first-person story introduces a surprise: she has undertaken a journey through her familiar city home and
discovered new aspects of it that she wants to share with her young audience.
One of these surprises lies in how Vivienne not only observes those around her, but interacts with them. An early example is
the time she takes to visit with her grand-pere as he sits on a park bench reading his newspaper. His query to her invites
readers to also partake of an emotional self-assessment and trip down memory lane: "Vivienne," my grandfather asked, "do
you remember a time when you felt most alive, full of spirit, zestful, and sparkling with enthusiasm?"
Papy invites her to "...ride through Paris, go to your usual favorite places, but this time, take notice of what your heart and
body tell you."
As this idea takes root and is reflected in especially rich experiences that connect emotions with environment, read-aloud
adults receive the perfect opportunity to interact with the young to invite readers to consider their own connections to the
world in different ways.
As Vivienne encounters shopkeepers and assembles gifts to bring back from her discoveries, readers also receive lessons in
sharing, generosity, and living in the moment in more mindful ways.
The result is more than a travelogue about Paris. It explores a young girl's place in the world and how she can interact with
and share it. Vivienne in Paris represents the perfect opening lines to an approach to life that adults will want to discuss and
reinforce with kids ages 4-8.
The Holiday Shelf
The Hot Cross Bunny
Carys Bexington, author
Mark Chambers, illustrator
Happy Yak
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780711283022, $18.99, HC, 32pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cross-Bunny-Carys-Bexington/dp/0711283028
Synopsis: Who needs cute bunnies when you have hot-cross Steve and a dragon baby who poops chocolate... but can they
save Easter?
Steve is a rather-hot-cross bunny, who along with his more positive pal, Nugget, a cute chick, has failed to make any
chocolate eggs for the Easter egg hunt. What is he going to do?
Egged on by Nugget he decides to make an egg his own way. Not only is Steve's attempt egg-normous but it hatches a
dragon! Chaos and drama unfold as the baby dragon rampages though town, gobbling up Easter eggs as it goes with
unegg-spected results!
Critique: A fun and rhyming text by author/storyteller Carys Bexington and charmingly illustrated by Mark Chambers deftly
combine to make "The Hot Cross Bunny" a wonderfully fun Easter story with a twist! While highly recommended for
family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-6,
it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Hot Cross Bunny" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Editorial Note #1: Carys Bexington was born and raised near the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, UK, and spent her childhood
climbing every single tree in the fields around her family's farm house, filling jotter after jotter with illustrated stories of her
adventures. Her drawing skills have not improved, however, she hopes that her rhyming tales capture the love she has for a
good old fashioned quest, and her soft spot for characters who don't necessarily always make the best choices. Her debut
picture book is 'The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland', Macmillan Children's Books.
(https://thebrightagency.com/us/childrens-illustration/artists/carys-bexington)
Editorial Note #2: Mark Chambers (http://www.markachambers.com) is an author and illustrator of children's picture books
and young fiction. He studied Illustration at University and since graduating has been represented by the London and New
York Illustration agency, Bright Group International. In 2017 Mark was shortlisted for the AOI World Illustration Awards
and in 2013, The Roald Dahl Funny Prize. In the same year he went on to win the Sheffield Children's Picture Book Award
and was also highly commended in the young fiction category. Some of Marks' clients include Hodder Children's,
Bloomsbury, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, Amazon, and Marks & Spencer.
The Board Book Shelf
We Are Earthlings
Rachel Qiuqi
Little Simon
c/o Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 4th floor, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781665922401, $8.99, Board Book, 34pp
https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-Earthlings-Rachel-Qiuqi/dp/1665922400
Synopsis: We are Earthlings!
We laugh. We play. We love.
We may not all look alike,
or breathe alike,
or sleep alike.
But we all live here, on Earth.
From the smallest ant to the largest whale, from a newborn baby to a grandparent, we are all Earthlings. And since we all
live on Earth, we must take care of it, too. But how? We can help it grow. We can keep it clean. We can give it love.
Critique: A thoroughly charming, fun, die cut, and oval shaped board book for children ages 1-5, "We Are Earthlings" by
storyteller and illustrator Rachel Qiuqi features a positive and environmentally supportive message making it a welcome
and recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library board book for
very young children.
Editorial Note: Rachel Qiuqi (https://qiuqi.art) is an illustrator and designer based in Canada. After six years studying in
animation, she chose to focus on illustration for children. With over ten years' experience in drawing, Rachel loves telling
unique stories through her work.
The Picturebook Shelf
Coney - A Trip to Luna Park
Jeffrey Lindberg
https://jeffreylindberg.com
Unity Temple Restoration Foundation
https://www.utrf.org
9780578908786, $19.99, HC, 48pp
https://www.amazon.com/Coney-Trip-Luna-Jeffrey-Lindberg/dp/0578908786
Synopsis: It is 1904, and a new amusement park is being built in Coney Island. Unfortunately, the construction is happening
right on the dunes that Selena, a scrappy little rabbit, calls home! From her trolley car one day, Millie spots Selena, and the
two become fast friends. Together, they discover and confront the men and the machines that are doing something
extraordinary - building a modern, even futuristic, theme park - while also doing something destructive to the land and its
inhabitants. Their mission to save Selena's home becomes quite an adventure!
Critique: With admirable historical accuracy backgrounding an inherently fascinating and entertaining picture book format,
"Coney - A Trip to Luna Park" by Jeffrey Lindberg takes young readers ages 3-8 on a ride through the old Coney Island.
They will enjoy following Selena and Millie as they explore the sights and thrills of Luna Park. Then there is the encounter
the "mean" men with the bulldozers. Can Millie and Selena preserve the land and still reach for the stars? Original, fun, and
beautifully illustrated throughout, "Coney - A Trip to Luna Park" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition
to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
Editorial Note: Jeffrey Lindberg (https://jeffreylindberg.com) is a professional illustrator and author who wanted to write
and illustrate a book about Coney Island that was historically accurate, while still being a fictional story. Jeffrey did a lot of
research for his book, finding historical facts and details of the park, as well as archival photographs, on which he based his
story's paintings. In addition to his creative work, Jeffrey is an adjunct professor at Kean University, New Jersey, and has
been teaching for 20 years.
Something About a Bear
Jackie Morris
https://www.jackiemorris.co.uk
Otter-Barry Books
https://www.otterbarrybooks.com/books
c/o Trafalgar Square Publishing
c/o Independent Publishers Group
www.ipgbook.com
9781913074289, $29.95, HC, 40pp
https://www.amazon.com/Something-About-Bear-Jackie-Morris/dp/1913074285
Synopsis: With the publication of "Something About a Bear", artist/illustrator Jackie Morris showcases eight majestic wild
bears, brought to life in breathtaking, museum quality, watercolor paintings.
Brown Bear, Black Bear, Polar Bear, Sloth Bear, Spectacled Bear, Sun Bear, Moon Bear. All are gloriously depicted, with
lyrical descriptions of their lives in the wild. But of all the bears in the wild, wide world, which is the best bear of all? Your
teddy bear, of course!
Critique: A Kate Greenaway medalist, Jackie Morris is the acclaimed illustrator of the i"The Lost Words", and with
"Something About a Bear" has now created a spectacular gallery of bears to instill a love of wild places and a respect for all
creatures. This large oversized hardcover (10.5 x 0.4 x 14.5 inches, 1.46 pounds) of "Something About a Bear" is a unique,
extraordinary, and unreservedly recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library Wildlife
Picture Book collections.
Editorial Note: Jackie Morris (https://www.jackiemorris.co.uk) is a fine arts specialist whose website offers a full
introduction to her life and work. She can also be followed on Twitter @jackiemorrisart, Facebook /JackieMorrisPaints, and
Instagram @jackiemorrisartist
The Umbrella
Beth Ferry, author
Tom Lichenheld, illustrator
Clarion Books
c/o Houghton Mifflin Company
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
9780358447726, $19.99, HC, 48pp
https://www.amazon.com/Umbrella-Beth-Ferry/dp/0358447720
Synopsis: In a dreary town where it always rains, a little girl and her dog discover an unexpected way to spread the light.
Told with surprise and humor, "The Umbrella" is a story of generosity, perseverance, and the way that happiness can be
contagious -- all it takes is one person and a bright idea.
Critique: Charmingly illustrated by Tom Lichenheld, "The Umbrella" by author/storyteller Beth Ferry is a picture book story
that will have a special appeal to young readers with an interest in friendship themes. An ideal choice bedtime and story
time reading, "The Umbrella" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary
school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-8.
Editorial Note #1: Beth Ferry (BethFerry.com) is the author of several picture books, including Stick and Stone. She can
also be followed on Twitter: @bethferry1
Editorial Note #2: Tom Lichetenheld (www.tomlichtenheld.com) makes books for children and people who used to be
children. His New York Times bestsellers include I Wish You More and Duck! Rabbit!, created with Amy Krouse
Rosenthal, Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, created with Sherri Duskey Rinker, and Stick and Stone, created with
Beth Ferry.
The Best Worst Day Ever
Mark Batterson & Summer Batterson Bailey, authors
Benedetta Capriotti, illustrator
Multnomah
https://waterbrookmultnomah.com
c/o Random House Children's Books
www.randomhouse.com/kids
9780525653899, $12.99, HC, 40pp
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Worst-Day-Ever-Picture/dp/0525653899
Synopsis: Bert's day starts with stubbing his toe on a toy. Ouch! His favorite shirt is in the wash, so he has to wear his
second favorite. Ugh. Then his dog chews up his sneakers. And to make this Saturday even worse, Bert has to go to work
with his dad all day. Bert is sure this is the WORST DAY EVER!
Then it starts raining as he and his dad take a quick walk. But his dad shows him that, while he can't control what happens to
him, Bert can control how he responds. Every day is a gift, and a bad day doesn't have to end that way. Whether rain or
shine, his dad assures him, Bert can always WIN THE DAY!
Critique: "The Best Worst Day Ever" is a charmingly entertaining collaboration between bestselling author Mark Batterson
and his daughter, Summer Batterson Dailey. Enhanced with the lively illustrations by Benedetta Capriotti, "The Best Worst
Day Ever" brings home for young readers the truth that they can take charge of their big emotions. While highly
recommended, especially for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book
collections for children ages 3-7, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Best Worst Day Ever" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note #1: Mark Batterson (https://www.markbatterson.com) is the author of numerous books for adults, including
Whisper, Chase the Lion, and Win the Day, as well as several books for children, including God Speaks in Whispers and
The Blessing of You. He is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. One church in seven
locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. Mark holds a
doctor of ministry degree from Regent University.
Editorial Note #2: Summer Batterson Dailey has a master's degree in social work from the University of Kentucky and
works as a licensed social worker in Washington, D.C. She previously collaborated with her dad on the children's books
God Speaks in Whispers and The Blessing of You.
Editorial Note #3: Benedetta Capriotti (https://www.behance.net/CapriottiB8dec/projects) also illustrated the Battersons'
God Speaks in Whispers and The Blessing of You. She attended a school of fashion and technical drawing before joining
the illustration class at the International School of Comics in Rome.
Traveling Tootsie
Karen and Kathy Honaker
Mascot Kids
c/o Mascot Books
620 Herndon Parkway, #320, Herndon, VA 20170
www.mascotbooks.com
www.travelingtootsie.com
9781645435884, $18.95 Hardcover/$6.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Tootsie-Karen-Honaker/dp/1645435881
Traveling Tootsie is a picture book about young Katie and Steven, who have to stay home when their parents travel for
work.
Why do they always have to stay home? Why can't they join their parents on a journey? The siblings decide to embark on
their own travels, right in their own bedroom, when a talking teddy bear proposes an exciting alternative.
Traveling Tootsie offers many unexpected, fun moments as the kids send teddy Tootsie on an exciting journey filled with
wonders.
This is the perfect book to choose for read-aloud for kids whose parents travel, and is also a fine opportunity for instilling in
children the wonders of travel and encountering the unexpected.
Powered by Chiara Civati's engaging illustrations, the colorful and quirky journey through history and other lands represents
the fun and adventure of travel while capturing the wonders of Washington, D.C.
Libraries and read-aloud parents seeking picture books pairing whimsical fun with travel insights will find Traveling
Tootsie lively, delightful, and just the ticket for instilling a sense of wanderlust and discovery in young children.
Sterling and Nugget the Dragon
Judd B. Shaw, author
Marrieta Gal, illustrator
https://sterlingtheknight.com
Morgan James Kids
c/o Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781636980270, $18.95, HC, 32pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Nugget-Dragon-Judd-Shaw/dp/1636980279
Synopsis: In a land far away, many fear a dragon named Nugget -- including Sterling, a brave young boy, who dreams of
becoming a knight. Sterling sets out to slay the dragon, until his quest presents him with a choice: fight or help. In choosing
kindness and compassion, Sterling becomes a true knight.
Critique: "Sterling and Nugget the Dragon" by the team of author/storyteller Judd B. Shaw and artist/illustrator Marrieta Gal
is a fun picture book with an underlying message of fostering growth in a child's social and emotional development.
Sterling's story will encourage the knight in shining armor within any child! Highly recommended for family, daycare
center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-6, "Sterling and
Nugget the Dragon" is also available for personal reading lists in a paperback edition (9781631959356, $9.95) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note #1: Judd B. Shaw (https://sterlingtheknight.com) loves to bring out his inner knight in shining armor. He
does that through his work as an attorney representing injury victims and by creative writing. Judd is Founder of Judd Shaw
Injury Law and speaks nationally on the subject of client service. Judd shares his passion for helping others with his
imaginary character, Sterling the Knight.
Editorial Note: Marrieta Gal (Marija Stojisavljevic) has been an art enthusiast from an early age. She has over twenty years
of professional experience in illustrating and designing children's magazines and books. As a passionate advocate for the
world of art and illustration, Marrieta has illustrated numerous picture books and magazines for domestic and foreign
publishers, including Leslie Guzman's Lupita plush doll and bilingual English and Spanish storybook set and Barbara
Leary's novel The Climbing Tree. She earned a bachelor's degree in book design and an MA in illustration at Faculty of
Applied Arts in her hometown, Belgrade, Serbia, where she currently resides.
(https://www.domestika.org/en/m_stojisavljevic)
How to Eat a Book
Mr. & Mrs. Macleod
Union Square Kids
www.unionsquareandco.com
9781454945444, $17.99
https://www.amazon.com/How-Eat-Book-Mrs-MacLeod/dp/1454945443
How to Eat a Book is a whimsical picture book story of three Grunion family members. Each is strange. Each harbors an
unusual habit. As child Sheila sits down to eat her first book, the oddest thing happens. As the entire family becomes
consumed by literature, young readers will enjoy a whimsical lesson in family oddities and impossible circumstances which
reach out to involve kids and read-aloud adults in an adventure that grows into other worlds. The unexpected evolution of
the story will please those of all ages looking for something delightfully surprising and easily digestible.
9 Kilometers
Claudio Aguilera and Gabriela Lyon
Wm. B. Eerdmans
www.eerdmans.com
9780802856005, $18.99
https://www.amazon.com/9-Kilometers-Claudio-Aguilera/dp/0802856004
9 Kilometers is the perfect story of choice for picture book fiction readers who would receive an education in metric miles.
Here, a young boy leaves home for school, which is nine kilometers through the mountains and rain forests of Chile. The
boy uses the journey to observe the wonders around him and think. Chile's environment comes to life for readers, as does
the notion of a daily journey which offers many opportunities for reflection. Lawrence Schimel translates the story, which is
based on Claudio Aguilera's experiences and features lovely color illustrations by Gabriela Lyon, who brings this
environment to life.
Penguin Random House
www.penguin.com/kids
Four new picture books from Penguin/Random House offer diverse and interesting topics that will attract a range of
elementary-level libraries and readers.
https://www.amazon.com/This-Book-Not-Present-Greenfield/dp/059346236X
Max Greenfield's This Book is Not a Present (9780593462362, $18.99) receives fun drawings by Mike Lowery as it
explores a gift book that is being disparaged by the narrator. A gift is 'anything other than a book.' Or, is it? The discourse
on reading and books is lively and fun.
https://www.amazon.com/My-Town-Pueblo-Nicholas-Solis/dp/0593109910
My Town/Mi Pueblo by Nicholas Solis (9780593109915, $17.99) enjoys inviting color by illustrator Luisa Uribe as it
presents a bilingual exploration of a child's home town. Town activities, connections between residents, and holidays that
lead the entire town to celebrate, result in a fine display of connections and observations.
https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Dinging-Doorbells-Tameka-Fryer/dp/1984815172
Tameka Fryer Brown's Twelve Dinging Doorbells: An Ever-Holiday Carol (9781984815170, $17.99) includes illustrations
by Ebony Glenn as it presents a family reunion that involves the entire household in preparations and joy. Parents looking
for vivid read-alouds that reinforce Black family connections and interactions will find this modern take on the 'twelve'
holiday theme attractive for year-round enjoyment: "At the third dinging doorbell/this holiday I see/three posh sibs,/two
selfie queens/ and a sweet potato pie just for me."
https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Big-Kids-Club-Sibling/dp/0593350731
Welcome to the Big Kids Club by Chelsea Clinton (9780593350737, $18.99) features pictures by Tania De Regil as it
instructs siblings on understanding their younger charges, from what to do with babies to understanding their physical
changes and differences, such as why a baby isn't born with teeth.
All are fine picks for discriminating elementary-grade libraries and home picture book collections alike.
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
Libraries and adults reading books to kids who look for evocative and lasting stories will find these five new arrivals from
Simon & Schuster to be just the ticket for leisure reads that engage and attract.
https://www.amazon.com/Find-Your-Brave-Coco-Story/dp/1534499113
Apryl Sottt's Find Your Brave (9781534499119, $18.99) is a Coco and Bear tale for ages 4-8 that provides a companion to
their prior best-selling Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light! Here, Coco and Bear are called upon to perform their
special dance at a summer festival. But, Coco has lost her courage. How do you find it again? A fine message creates a
lovely story about approaching life positively while tapping inner resources and friends.
https://www.amazon.com/Noni-Pony-Alison-Lester/dp/1534453555
Alison Lester's Noni the Pony Counts to a Million (9781665922289, $17.99) is a simple story about best friends Noni the
pony, Dave the Dog, and Coco the Cat, who embark on a rhyming adventure that goes far beyond the usual one-to-ten
counting story. As dozens, hundreds, thousands, and bigger examples of numbers enter the scene, a fun tale evolves that
parents will find delightfully whimsical.
https://www.amazon.com/Library-Fish-Learns-Read-Books/dp/1534477071
Alyssa Satin Capucilli's The Library Fish Learns to Read (9781534477070, $18.99) is illustrated by Gladys Jose and will
reach ages 4-8 with another Library Fish adventure. As she observes the happiness of young readers who visit the library,
Library Fish decides to learn to read, too. As she learns the alphabet, puts together words, and practices her newfound skills
in the library, young readers will find her sense of wonder and achievement inviting, while read-aloud parents will relish the
underlying lessons on perseverance and goal-setting.
https://www.amazon.com/Giants-Farm-QUIX/dp/153448857X
Jane Yolen's The Giants' Farm (9781534488588, $17.99) enjoys fine and fun drawings by Tommie dePaola as it presents an
addition to the 'Quix Fast Fun Reads' series for chapter book readers ages 5-8. Five very different giants are featured, along
with their desire to live together on a farm. They know little about living rurally, however, and have much to learn about
each other, as well. Black and white drawings throughout enhance the fun tale of discoveries.
https://www.amazon.com/Every-Life-Marla-Frazee/dp/1665912480
Marla Frazee's In Every Life (9781665912488, $18.99) is a simple picture book about hope, blessings, achievement, and
mixed emotions, including sadness and the comfort that responds to it. The promise and mystery of life and daily routines
come to life in an evocative tale that is a fine study in positivity and understanding, particularly well suited for adult
read-aloud and discussion with the very young.
All five picture books are inviting stories that promise to engage young readers.
Candlewick Press
www.candlewickpress.com
Candlewick Press is a premium and award winning publisher of children's books. Here are three of their newest and
best:
https://www.amazon.com/Together-You-Patricia-Toht/dp/1536223514
Patricia Toht's Together With You (9781536223514, $17.99) tells of a young boy and his grandmother who share changing
seasonal delights together. While seasonal change is one topic in the story, the heart of the tale lies in the relationship
between a child and his grandparent, and the different ways they share joy by exploring their worlds together. Fine
illustrations by Jarvis capture the thread of happiness that runs through this relationship survey.
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Blue-Taming-Big-Kid-Bike/dp/1536215678
Dashka Slater's Wild Blue (9781536215670, $18.99) receives colorful embellishment by Laura Hughes as it tells of Kayla
and her "pink pony" (a little bike with training wheels). She loves her bike, but it's time for her to get a bigger bike with just
two wheels. As her previous bike-riding skills seem to fall by the wayside, Kayla wonders if she'll ever get used to the
"wild" new blue bike, much less grow to love it. This fine story of growth and new experiences proves involving and
inspirational.
https://www.amazon.com/One-Tiny-Treefrog-Countdown-Survival/dp/1536219487
Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy's One Tiny Treefrog: A Countdown to Survival (9781536219487, $18.99) offers a lovely
blend of counting book and exploration of the Costa Rican rainforest frog as it counts down the cycle of a frog from tadpole
to adulthood. Lovely color drawings accompany a countdown which is fun and educational on several different levels.
All are solid picks for picture book readers and libraries catering to them.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
Fields Apart
J.N. Kelly
Rowe Publishing
https://rowepub.com
9781644460184, $14.95
https://www.amazon.com/Fields-Apart-J-N-Kelly/dp/1644460181
Middle grade readers looking for stories about baseball that blend elements of history and women's issues into the mix will
find Fields Apart a fine study in sports and social concerns. It brings to life the milieu of Millie Bauer, whose family has just
received notice that her brother is missing in the war.
In 1941, enlisting in the Army seemed to be a good move in many ways. But for Millie's family, already suffering from the
loss of their father in an accident, it's another challenge that could add to the increasing losses the family has experienced
over the years.
Millie is an avid baseball fan whose own pursuit of the sport gives her a respite from the trials of the world around her. Will
it be enough to give her strength, with her brother's status so uncertain?
J.N. Kelly takes baseball interests to a different level in Fields Apart, injecting the themes of a girl interested in sports with
the vivid social and political currents of the 1940s.
From Millie's challenges in entering a male-dominated sport at a time when girls did not play baseball to threats to the
distraction that was able to move her mind away from her brother George and his fate, middle grade readers receive a vivid
portrait of the 1940s as seen through Millie's perceptions of the changing times.
Kelly's injection of just the right degree of social and political inspection as it influences a young girl's life and coming of
age makes for an especially vivid coverage of the issues and challenges of this era.
Libraries and young readers seeking a memorable story rooted in baseball, war, and a girl's coming of age in different ways
will find Fields Apart an exciting contrast between times then and now, as well as an inspiring portrait of courage that plays
out on many different levels and fields of realization.
Kep Westguard Rebel Spy
Eileen Schnabel
www.eileenschnabel.com
Wonder Jumps Press
9781733868129, $7.99 Paper/$3.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/KEP-WESTGUARD-REBEL-Eileen-Schnabel-ebook/dp/B0BSNZPVKJ
Kep Westguard Rebel Spy is a historical time-travel piece that follows thirteen-year-old Kep Westguard's unexpected
involvement in the Battle of Saratoga.
He arrives in 1777 just days before the battle takes place, infiltrates the British camp, and discovers that his grandfather is
part of a scheme to assure that the battle win goes to the British.
Prior readers of Kep Wesguard's time-travel history encounters in 1775 (One If By Land, Two If By Submarine) will find
the same attention to bringing American history to life is present here, as Kep comes to realize his involvement in a mystery
will prove the pivot point of a battle to preserve American democracy ... if he can escape being discovered and hung for
spying.
Eileen Schnabel utilizes a vivid storyteller's eye to flavor her story with adventure and action, bringing history to life and
adding a delightful specter of a timeline gone awry as Kep tries his best and considers the impact of failure:
"He'd entered Burgoyne's tent planning to confirm nothing had changed, confident he had been right to come alone,
confident that history was on track and Fox had done nothing to change the time-stream. Instead, as he left the tent, he was
sure something big had changed. But he was clueless what that something was. Or the best way to figure that key
information out. It was like a test question and Kep had gotten a fat, red checkmark: wrong answer."
At stake is his future and American liberty itself.
Readers will absorb historical facts about this key battle and its times without even realizing their education, because the
key components of the action lie in the unfolding choices all characters make that will determine the state and future of
America. This adds an educational component to the tale that is effortlessly inviting as kids move through the story of a boy
on a mission and an outcome gone awry. From mission notes and mysteries to clashes between loyalists and rebels, history
comes to life as Kep struggles to keep his future world intact.
Adults seeking time-travel stories that lure the young leisure reader, yet educate them with real historical facts flavored with
intrigue and action, will find Kep Westguard Rebel Spy strong in characterization, plot, and facts.
Kep Westguard's choices and impact will bring not only the Battle of Saratoga to life, but give rise to classroom and book
club discussions about the relevance of American history to modern life.
The LGBT Fiction Shelf
The Wicked Bargain
Cabe Cole Novao
Random House Children's Books
https://www.rhcbooks.com
9780593378014, $18.99, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Bargain-Gabe-Cole-Novoa/dp/0593378016
Synopsis: On Mar Leon de la Rosa's sixteenth birthday, el Diablo comes calling. Mar is a transmasculine nonbinary teen
pirate hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice. But their magic isn't enough to reverse a wicked bargain made by
their father, and now el Diablo has come to collect his payment: the soul of Mar's father and the entire crew of their
ship.
When Mar is miraculously rescued by the sole remaining pirate crew in the Caribbean, el Diablo returns to give them a
choice: give up their soul to save their father by the harvest moon, or never see him again. The task is impossible -- Mar
refuses to make a bargain, and there's no way their magic is a match for el Diablo. Then Mar finds the most unlikely allies:
Bas, an infuriatingly arrogant and handsome pirate -- and the captain's son; and Dami, a gender-fluid demonio whose
motives are never quite clear.
For the first time in their life, Mar may have the courage to use their magic. It could be their only redemption -- or it could
mean certain death!
Critique: Of special appeal to teenage and young adult fans of Sword & Sorcery action/adventure fantasy novels and
LGBTQ Fiction, "The Wicked Bargain" is a deftly scripted, clever, original, and fully entertaining read from first page to
last. While highly recommended for highschool and community library YA Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted
for personal reading lists that "The Wicked Bargain" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Gabe Cole Novoa (https://www.gabecolenovoa.com) is a Latinx transmasculine author with an MFA in
Writing for Children who writes speculative fiction featuring marginalized characters grappling with identity. Gabe is also
the author of the Beyond the Red trilogy, written under a former pseudonym. He also runs a popular writing-focused
YouTube channel, bookishpixie, and is active on Twitter. @thegabecole
The Middle Grade Fiction Shelf
Berani
Michelle Kadarusman
Pajama Press
www.pajamapress.ca
9781772782608, $18.95
https://www.amazon.com/Berani-Michelle-Kadarusman/dp/1772782602
Berani will reach advanced elementary to middle grade readers with the story of Malia, who has experienced a privileged
life in Indonesia until her father dies and her Canadian mother proposes moving back to Canada. Invested in her home and
already involved in the fight to preserve Indonesia's rainforests, Malia resists the uprooting.
Ari, in contrast, works hard for his privileges, and while he is luckier than his village peers, he is worried about his uncle's
pet orangutan, who lives in a small cage far from her rainforest home. Two lives and seemingly disparate experiences
coalesce as the kids explore their word, values, and revised options in a moving story that will especially appeal to
elementary-level libraries looking for stories set in other countries that explore environmental issues.
Benji and Iggie: The Magic of Friendship
Ben Kohler, author
Sandy Rummel, illustrator
Beaver's Pond Press
www.BeaversPondPress.com
9781643437200, $17.99, HC, 104pp
https://www.amazon.com/Benji-Iggie-Friendship-Ben-Kohler/dp/1643437208
Synopsis: While walking with his grandpa, Benji comes across a little eagle. They become friends. Together they do magic
and take readers along with Benji's finger puppet friends on adventures. They put out a fire, dream of hot dogs, solve
mysteries, play games with friends who eat cupcakes without using their hands, fly everywhere, get the foot fairy to bring a
funny gift to grandpa, meet the ticklebug, rescue Iggie from being sick and even help Santa solve a big problem, and much
more in these fifteen short stories.
Critique: Original, entertaining, and with a positive message embedded in each story, this edition of "Benji and Iggie: The
Magic of Friendship" by author/storyteller Ben Kohler and artist/illustrator Sandy Rummel is very highly recommended for
family, elementary school, and community library short story anthology collections for young readers ages 6-8.
Editorial Note: Ben Kohler went on his own adventure when he started writing and then reading on Facetime one hundred
Iggie stories to grandson Benji during the difficult two years of the Covid pandemic.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/19344370.Ben_Kohler/questions)
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
A Country Of Their Own
Hope Bolinger
https://www.hopebolinger.com
End Game Press
https://www.endgamepress.com
9781637970430, $18.99, PB, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/A-Country-Of-Their-Own/dp/1637970439
Synopsis: Priscilla is an old soul. Carter can't wait to leave Florida -- a haven for the elderly. Together they're forced to do
community service at a retirement home. But all the residents look like teenagers. Are they meant to bring together the
lovable residents Scarlett and Paul (who are actually 80 years old) or is it too late for them to find love?
Critique: An original, entertaining, and deftly crafted novel that will have a very special appeal to teenage and young adult
readers with an interest in Ageism and Generational Gaps, Romance for Every Generation, Reflecting on the Past and
Looking forward to the Future, The Death of a Friend; Reconciliation and Forgiveness; Generational Curses and Trauma,
"A Country Of Their Own" by Hope Linger is especially and unreservedly recommended for highschool and community
library YA Romance Fiction collections for ages 16 and up.
Editorial Note: Hope Bolinger (www.hopebolinger.com) is a Managing & Acquisitions Editor at End Game Press. While
she is also the author of 14 traditionally published books, more than 1200 of her works have been featured in various
publications from Crosswalk.com to HOOKED.
The Young Adult Fiction Shelf
The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy
M.J. Evans
Dancing Horse Press
www.dancinghorsepress.com
9781737361862, $12.95
https://www.amazon.com/Stallion-His-Peculiar-Boy/dp/1737361868
Young readers won't expect The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy to be more than a horse story, but its setting during World
War II (and the lesser-known fact that the Nazis relied on a horse breeding program to supply them with the mounts they
used to carry out their European campaigns) lends it the value of a historical novel and the allure of a story that leisure
reading horse fans will relish.
The tale centers on the life of Witez, a Polish horse stolen by the Nazis and brought to Czechoslovakia for their breeding
program. A local non-communicative, autistic village boy, twelve-year-old Teodor, is assigned to be the horse's groom. And
then the magic begins. M.J. Evans portrays not just an unusual piece of World War II history, but probes the sentiments
about autism and mental conditions during an era where little was understood about either.
Evans carefully portrays the sentiments and perceptions of the autistic boy who becomes tasked with an extraordinary job:
"Teodor watched the tiny world go by, a world into which he had been born but had experienced very little. He neither
desired, nor was given the opportunity, to interact with it." Much as Teodor finds himself unexpectedly responsible for and
fostering a large animal's re-entry into a different world, so he himself is carried, by this relationship, into new territory in a
world which is transforming and reinventing itself around him.
The post-war milieu which emerges is one in which Teodor and Witez both find an extraordinary place as they are rescued,
sent to America, and become part of a bigger picture than either could have dreamed. The reflections on this relationship are
very nicely presented and specific: "No one knew how hard the boy struggled to control his emotions with all the changes
and upheaval he was facing. His very survival depended upon order and routine... of which little was to be found. He lost
himself, or perhaps it would be better to say that he saved himself, in caring for Witez."
The result is a powerful evolution that moves from Nazi-occupied Europe to America; from captive breeding programs to
the show horse circuit; and from the confined, repressed world that Teodor is familiar with to a winning relationship that
changes horse and boy alike. The exquisite blend of historical fact and intricate details about autism are wound into a novel
replete with much attraction, making for a highly recommended pick that libraries should profile for any young reader
interested in horses and the remarkable impact they can make in therapeutic situations.
Topanga Canyon: Fire Season
Barbara Bryan
https://bbryanwrites.com
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9781639887286, $18.99
https://www.amazon.com/Topanga-Canyon-Season-Barbara-Bryan/dp/1639887288
Teen Matt has a lot on his plate in Topanga Canyon: Fire Season. His mother is an alcoholic, he's been sent from Chicago to
his grandfather's ranch in California, and his urban roots preclude any familiarity with horses or ranching life. What he
wants is to get back to his familiar world, where he knows its struggles and has developed strategies to handle them. What
he gets is not just an unfamiliar environment, but new challenges that come from the men and horses he is ill-equipped to
handle.
Nearly fifteen, Matt finds himself facing too many adult situations in which he is forced to determine the intentions of
unscrupulous characters, consider how to help his grandfather save his ranch from repossession by the bank, and how to
handle a nefarious character that is capable of wrecking a revenge that destroys everything his grandfather has worked for.
All these issues and more permeate a story that is filled with new connections and possibilities as Matt learns new
techniques for handling horses, men, and life.
Young adult readers who choose Topanga Canyon: Fire Season for its exciting-sounding promise of fiery results won't be
disappointed. Barbara Bryan builds the boy's character with a series of intriguing dilemmas that add to the action and
adventure embedded in this horse-centric tale. While adults, too, will find Matt's learning process revealing, it's the young
adult reader already interested in horses and coming-of-age plots that will best appreciate the vivid scenes and dilemmas
Matt faces as he grows into his boots and confronts too many adult conundrums.
Libraries seeking crossover titles capable of reaching from young adult to adult audiences will find Topanga Canyon: Fire
Season a rich blend of insights that lend to thought-provoking reading, book club discussion, and leisure enjoyment
alike.
Your Dream For Me
Alison Schaffir
Level Elevate
https://www.levelbestbooks.us/level-elevate.html
9781685122140, $16.95, PB, 244pp
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Dream-Me-Alison-Schaffir/dp/1685122140
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Scarlett, unlike her theatrically gifted parents, is not one to spend time near a spotlight.
Scarlett dreams of becoming a renowned fashion designer, where she can flex her creative talents away from a crowd. So it's
no surprise when she sneaks into her school's costume shop to explore the racks. Unexpected, however, is coming
face-to-face with Nathaniel Wilder, a talented theater student who piques a new interest.
With fashion still as her main priority, Scarlett vows to learn how to make a 50s-inspired dress for her best friend, Macie.
After all, she needs a strong portfolio of work to help her get into her dream school, the Fashion Institute of Technology.
The one problem? She has no idea how to operate a sewing machine. Thanks to Nathaniel's encouragement, Scarlett decides
to shadow the school's drama teacher to practice her skills, hoping to fuse her passion for fashion with theater...and be closer
to him for the spring play.
Scarlett's designs are unfolding, but a distressing event involving Macie shakes everyone in Scarlett's world-causing their
friendship to falter and Nathaniel to unexpectedly pull away. With building stressors threatening the rest of the year,
including a rival who wants to tarnish Scarlett's reputation, Scarlett must rely on her determined spirit and newfound sewing
skills to keep her fashion dreams -- and her most important relationships-from unraveling!
Critique: With a special appeal to teenage and young adult readers with an interest in theatre, fashion, coming of age stories
and novels involving issues common to adolescent girls and young women, "Your Dream For Me" by author Alison Schaffir
is a fun, original, memorable, and unreservedly recommended addition to highschool and community library YA Fiction
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Your Dream For Me" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Alison Schaffir (https://alisonschaffir.wixsite.com/alisonschaffirauthor) is a social media strategist and
young adult author living in New York City. She graduated from University of Richmond with a major in business
marketing and a minor in psychology.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Sherlock Bones and the Curse of the Pharaoh's Mask
Tim Collins, author
John Bigwood, illustrator
Buster Books
https://www.mombooks.com/buster
9781780557519, $9.99, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Bones-Curse-Pharaohs-Mask/dp/1780557515
Synopsis: With the publication of "Sherlock Bones and the Curse of the Pharaoh's Mask" by the team of author/storyteller
Tim Collins and artist/illustrator John Bigwood, Sherlock Bones, the world's greatest dog detective, and his trusty sidekick
Dr. Catson are back for yet another crime-solving adventure.
This time, the pair are visiting the tombs of the ancient feline kings in Egypt when they discover that a precious mask has
been stolen. They have to interview tourists from around the world (including a cowardly lion, a spoiled hippo and two
secretive pandas) to discover who is guilty. But the mystery is not as straightforward as it first seems.
It will take the pair on a thrilling adventure deep inside the Egyptian tombs and require all of Bones and Catson's skills to
solve the crime.
Critique: The second book in the Sherlock Bones fiction series, "Sherlock Bones and the Curse of the Pharaoh's Mask"
features puzzles (including search games, logical conundrums and shadow matches) that are deftly woven into the action, so
that young readers will feels immersed in the exciting detective plot. With a special appeal to young readers with an interest
in anthropomorphic interactive mysteries, "Sherlock Bones and the Curse of the Pharaoh's Mask" is highly recommended
for family, elementary school, and community library collections for children ages 7-9.
Editorial Note #1: Tim Collins (www.timcollinsbooks.com) is the author of over thirty books including Wimpy Vampire,
Cosmic Colin and Dorkius Maximus. His books have been translated into over thirty languages and he has won awards in
the UK and Germany, including the Manchester Fiction City award (2011 Winner) and the Lincolnshire Young People's
Book Award (2012 Winner).
Editorial Note #2: An illustrator and graphic designer based in London, John Bigwood
(https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/John-Bigwood/147643684) has worked across a range of books for children
and adults, including the best-selling Sherlock Bones series and How to Draw People for the Artistically Anxious.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Children of the Black Glass
Anthony Peckham
Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
c/o Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 4th floor, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com/kids
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9781665913133, $17.99, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Children-Black-Glass-Anthony-Peckham/dp/1665913134
Synopsis: In an unkind alternate past, somewhere between the Stone Age and a Metal Age, Tell and his sister Wren live in a
small mountain village that makes its living off black glass mines and runs on brutal laws. When their father is blinded in a
mining accident, the law dictates he has thirty days to regain his sight and be capable of working at the same level as before
or be put to death.
Faced with this dire future, Tell and Wren make the forbidden treacherous journey to the legendary city of Halfway, halfway
down the mountain, to trade their father's haul of the valuable black glass for the medicine to cure him. The city, ruled by
five powerful female sorcerers, at first dazzles the siblings. But beneath Halfway's glittery surface seethes ambition,
violence, prejudice, blackmail, and impending chaos.
Without knowing it, Tell and Wren have walked straight into a sorcerers' coup. Over the next twelve days they must
scramble first to save themselves, then their new friends, as allegiances shift and prejudices crack open to show who has
true power.
Critique: Original, entertaining, "Children of the Black Glass" is all the more impressive when considering that is the debut
of author Anthony Peckham as a novelist. With great appeal for young readers with an interest in action/adventure fantasy,
"Children of the Black Glass" is especially and unreservedly recommended for elementary, middle school, and community
library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections for ages 8-14. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Children of the
Black Glass" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book
(Blackstone Audio, 9781797158624, $39.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Anthony Peckham is a South African-born screenwriter, surfer, and farmer who now lives on an island in the
Pacific. Decades ago, while exploring a remote, high-altitude landscape with his children, he came upon a mountain made
of black glass which inspired this novel. His other work includes Clint Eastwood's Invictus and Guy Ritchie's Sherlock
Holmes. He is a Writers Guild of America Award winner and an NAACP Image Award nominee.
(https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Anthony-Peckham/187108933)
Armadas in the Mist
Christian Klaver
CamCat Books
www.camcatpublishing.com
9780744305159, $19.99, HC, 332pp
https://www.amazon.com/Armadas-Mist-Empire-House-Thorns/dp/0744305152
Synopsis: Captain Justice Kasric knows how complicated family can be. The escalating Human-Faerie war has scattered and
wounded her siblings and transformed her parents beyond recognition. After narrowly escaping yet another dangerous clash,
fifteen-year-old Justice has had enough. She's determined to defeat the Black Shuck, the mysterious leader controlling the
Faerie invasion of London, but if Justice hopes to stand a chance at victory, she'll have to do the impossible: reunite her
family and lead them against the looming Faerie Armada.
With her mother and brother at the helm of the enemy fleet, and the prophesied Seven Virtues slipping out of reach, Justice
more than has her work cut out for her. Even if she can save England, the cost may be higher than she's willing to pay.
Critique: A fun read for teenage and young adult fans of action/adventure fantasy, "Armadas in the Mist" by Christian
Klaver is solid entertainment from first page to last. Original, compelling, and available for personal reading lists in a
paperback edition (9780744305166, $16.99) and a digital book format ($4.99), "Armadas in the Mist" is a very highly
recommended pick for middle school, highschool, and community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections for young
readers ages 13-18.
Editorial Note: Christian Klaver (http://christianklaver.com) has been writing for over twenty years and is the author of The
Supernatural Case Files of Sherlock Holmes, Shadows Over London and the Nightwalker Series, among many other fantasy
and sci-fi projects, often with a Noir bent.
Clash of Fate and Fury
Rachel Menard
Flux
c/o North Star Editions, Inc.
2297 Waters Drive, Mendota Heights, MN 55125
www.fluxnow.com
9781635830828, $14.99, PB, 416pp
https://www.amazon.com/Clash-Fate-Fury-Labors-Gen/dp/1635830826
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Gen may have rescued her beloved father from prison, but she hasn't saved him yet. If she
fails her end of a bargain with the Olympian Empresses, they will send him right back to his cell.
To keep the Empresses happy, Gen must bring them the legendary golden apples of Hesperides and the monstrous Cerberus.
But both are rumored to be in the neighboring Elysium Empire, which has a long history of war with Olympia.
Making matters worse, Gen's former enemy and newly designated heir to the isle of Arcadia Castor invites herself on the
journey, hoping a golden apple could end Arcadia's reliance on Illumium for storm vials. And Castor's twin brother, Gen's
StormMaker boyfriend Pollux, has been pulling away from Gen due to troubles stemming from her mind magic.
With Castor's pirate-thief girlfriend and Pollux's servant companion in tow, the unlikely team embarks on its voyage. But
war is only an insult away in Elysium, and more than the Emperor has their eyes on Gen's mission. The quest has caught the
attention of one of Elysium's Oracles, and trouble is sure to brew with Prophecy on the rise.
Critique: With a strong appeal to epic fantasy and mythology fans, "Clash of Fate and Fury" by Rachel Menard is a fun and
riveting read with more unexpected plot twists and turns than a Disneyland roller-coaster. Drawing upon Greco-Roman
legends, "Clash of Fate and Fury" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and Middle School,
Highschool, and Community library young adult fantasy collections for readers ages 14-18. It should be noted that "Clash of
Fate and Fury" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Rachel Menard (www.RachelMenard.com) is an author of strange and fantastical stories for teens that
feature unapologetic young women. Her work has been featured in Writer's Digest and on Cast of Wonders, and her short
story, "Blame it on the Bees," was chosen as a "Best of 2019" by Diabolical Plots. Her novels also include Game of Strength
and Storm, a Junior Library Guild Selection.
Chantz
Tim Rayborn
https://timrayborn.com
Thousand Acres Press
9781956450606, $7.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW2QB2YH
One minute, everything is ordinary and fine. A rock concert featuring the Mystic Wedding Weasels engrosses
twelve-year-old witch Jilly Pleeth and her friend Lluck in a fun event. The next minute, reality changes in another fantasy
addition to a series that returns Lluck and fellow characters to a new magical adventure.
Jilly notes that everything changes, for an instant, and band singer Chantz may have something to do with it. Her enchanting
voice is a spell that draws Jilly beyond fandom and into a scenario that awakens her sense of danger. She knows something
is wrong -- but even the savvy friends around her don't seem to sense anything awry: "Something from that fantastical world
she'd just been dragged through seemed to have hitched a ride back and was keeping a keen and unwelcome eye on
her."
Singer Chantz becomes the focal point in a new fantasy encounter which continues to test Jilly, Lluck, Qwyrk, and others
who have been profiled in previous books in the series. While newcomers can easily delve into this world via smooth
reflections and introductions that refer to past events while focusing on evolving dilemmas, prior fans will find especially
inviting the ways in which these disparate lives dovetail to face new challenges and growth processes.
Tim Rayborn adds humor into the discoveries. This will delight readers used to the staid approaches of fantasy quests and
adventures. All magic leaves a trail. As a team of magic-wielding, savvy kids uncover clues about their latest adversary and
consider the forces that can breach enchanted barriers, pre-teens, teens, and many an adult reader receive a vivid adventure
notable for its ongoing character development and connections both to past books and growth processes that test these
young peoples' evolving powers and perceptions.
Chantz, Jilly, and Lluck aren't the only characters receiving feature and focus here. A host of others (including Moirin, who
faces a stolen life, illusions, and a lost brother) bring their own special concerns into the fold to share center stage with the
kids. Libraries seeking fantasy stories that either expand their series origins or stand nicely on their own will find Chantz a
compelling adventure that embraces magical realism as well as fantasy. It neatly juxtaposes real-world concerns (such as
rock concerts) with the concurrent presence of magical forces underlying them for a rich read in fantasy and social ideals
alike.
Eudora Space Kid: Do the Robot!
David Horn
Independently Published
www.eudoraspacekid.com
9781736677452, $2.99 Kindle/$4.99 Paper
https://www.amazon.com/Do-Robot-Eudora-Space-Kid/dp/1736677454
The third book in the Eudora Space Kid chapter book series provides young readers with another space-based adventure. Do
the Robot! presents the dilemma faced by third-grader Eudora, a technology and math kid whiz who has been adopted by
aliens and lives in space on a ship. She aspires to become the spacecraft's chief engineer someday, though her proclivity for
disaster and trouble thwart her ambitions.
When she inadvertently breaks Lootenant Commander Walter (the AstroFleet's only robot officer on board, and her friend),
Eudora is charged with fixing her mistake ... or tricking the entire space ship into thinking Walter is actually okay and is not
broken. Eudora excels in making "big plans" that often go awry, with hilarious results.
Chapter book readers absorbing her latest conundrum's odd twists and turns will be entertained by her dilemmas and the
peppering of black-and-white drawings that accompanies them. David Horn adopts a chatty tone as Eudora explains and
explores her life: "Engineering is just using math and science to make cool machines and things. Like the ship's engines.
And to make cool things, I also needed to learn about computer coding. So I taught myself that stuff too. You can't believe
the fun you can have when you can do all these things. Like the time . . . oh, I'll tell you about that tomorrow."
This lends further attraction as readers absorb an action- and technology-packed space adventure that tests Eudora's abilities
in different ways. Libraries either seeing popularity with the prior Eudora books or new to her space-faring conundrums will
find Book 3, Eudora Space Kid: Do the Robot!, a fine blend of humor, problem-solving approaches, and action and
adventure.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
The Snowcat Prince
Dina Norlund
Oni Press
https://onipress.com
9781637151983 $14.99 pbk / $10.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Snowcat-Prince-Dina-Norlund/dp/1637151985
Synopsis: To break the curse on the kingdom, Syv, the youngest snowcat prince sets out on a dangerous quest to find the
long-lost magical crown of his ancestor and learn the true meaning of courage and responsibility.
Syv is a snowcat and the youngest in a family of princes. When his father dies, Syv and his brothers are all in line for the
throne. Eager to become kings themselves and wary of how well-liked Syv has become by the citizens, Syv's brothers send
him on a dangerous quest to find the long-lost magical crown that once belonged to their royal ancestor, the Eldking.
Legend says that the snowcat who finds the crown will break the curse on their land and bring great honor to the family. But
failure could mark Syv with three black stripes, and he'd be banished forever.
Along his journey, Syv will face dangerous beasts, dark powers, and the ever-lurking sand foxes - sworn enemies to the
snowcats. But when Syv discovers the truth about the legend of the Eldking and his magical crown, he'll have to learn the
new meaning of honor and find another way to break the curse.
From Norwegian author Dina Norlund comes The Snowcat Prince, a beautifully illustrated tale of bravery and honor.
Critique: Although The Snowcat Prince is accessible to young readers in grades 3-6, graphic novel connoisseurs of all ages
will enjoy this beautifully illustrated, full-color fairytale saga of Syv, a young snowcat prince who embarks on a quest to
retrieve the lost crown of his ancestor. During his journey, Syv learns of a terrible curse that threatens to consume humans
and magical creatures alike. The red-haired girl Kit invites herself along; together, Syv and Kit travel to the homeland of the
snowcats' sworn enemies, the sandfoxes. Hidden dangerous abound and not everything is as it seems in this adventure about
friendship, bravery, and learning to think critically for oneself! Highly recommended, especially as a gift for young adults or
a contribution to school and public library graphic novel collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that The
Snowcat Prince is also available in a Kindle edition ($10.99).
Link + Hud: Heroes by a Hair
Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey
https://thepumphreybrothers.com
Norton Young Readers
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
https://wwnorton.com/nrtyng
9781324016090, $16.95, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Link-Hud-Heroes-Jarrett-Pumphrey/dp/1324016094
Synopsis: Lincoln and Hudson Dupre are brothers with what grown-ups call "active imaginations". Link and Hud hunt for
yetis in the Himalayas and battle orcs on epic quests. Unfortunately, their imaginary adventures wreak havoc in their real
world. Dr. and Mrs. Dupre have tried every babysitter in the neighborhood and are at their wits' end.
Enter Ms. Joyce. Strict and old-fashioned, she proves to be a formidable adversary. The boys don't like her or her rules and
decide she's got to go. Through a series of escalating events (told as high-action comic panel sequences) the two brothers
conspire to undermine Ms. Joyce and get her fired. When they go so big that even Ms. Joyce can't fix it, suddenly she's out.
Finally, success! Or is it?
Critique: With warm and authentic humor, in their graphic novel for young readers ages 9-12, co-authors and illustrators
Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey have blended prose and graphic novel-style black/white illustrations to craft a unique and
subversive new series full of brotherly mischief and mayhem. There latest story about Lincoln and Hudson Dupre, "Link +
Hud: Heroes by a Hair" is a highly recommended addition for family, elementary school, middle school, and community
library graphic novel collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Link + Hud: Heroes by a Hair" is also
available in a paperback edition (9781324053040, $18.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.10).
Editorial Note: Jarrett Pumphrey is an author/illustrator and the former cofounder and CEO of a tech startup. He lives in
Austin, Texas. Jerome Pumphrey is an author/illustrator and a graphic designer at the Walt Disney Company. He lives in
Clearwater, Florida. They have a website at https://thepumphreybrothers.com
Loonicorns
Ced, Waltch and Gorobei
Magnetic Press, LLC
www.magnetic-press.com
9781951719517, $24.99
https://www.amazon.com/Loonicorns-Cedric-Asna/dp/1951719514
Graphic novel libraries interested in appealing full-color stories for young people will find Loonicorns just the ticket for a
wild ride through the mythical creatures that inhabit this fantasy world. The adventure holds many unexpected twists,
high-octane action, and realizations about beauty and ugliness as a little girl from the real world encounters Looniland and
its strange inhabitants, with its social divisions between the Pretties, who have it easy, and the Uglies, who do all the work.
There are also lessons suitable for classroom and peer discussion, couched in the magnetic attraction of a vivid story and the
exploration of a very different world.
The Audiobook Shelf
The Adventures of Little Stubby
Sukey Molloy
sukeymolloy.com
PlayMove&Sing Inc.
$9.99 CD or digital download
Ideal for children ages 2-5 and their families, The Adventures of Little Stubby combines storytelling, music, and sound
effects into an idyllic experience. The delightful music enhances Sukey Molloy's original tales about a young miniature
donkey with a strong will. Little Stubby must contend with moving to a new home, a doctor visit, searching for his friend
Willow, learning how to swim, hearing a strange sound, and going on an important errand. The Adventures of Little Stubby
is a choice pick for storytime, rainy-day fun, and children's library collections, highly recommended. The tracks are Stubby
Moves to His New Home, Stubby Hides from the Doctor, Stubby Searches for Willow, Stubby Learns to Swim, Stubby
Hears a Sound, and Stubby Has an Important Job. 41 min.
The Music CD Shelf
Songs For You and Me
Allegra Levy
www.allegralevy.com
Little Moon Records
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTZZ28CT
Award-winning jazz singer and songwriter Allegra Levy presents Songs For You and Me, an original album for children and
families. The upbeat songs with playful lyrics dip into a variety of styles, including jazz and swing to folk. Songs For You
and Me is a delight for both personal and public library children's music collections, highly recommended. The tracks are
Hello Song, Noodles!, It's So Hard To Be You, Los Animales, Clap Your Hands, In the Tub, Hip Hip Hooray!, I Got a Boo-
Boo, Toodaloo Kangaroo!, The Way of the World, Imagination, Stella for Star, and A Quiet Song. 34 min.
The Psychology Shelf
Grateful to be Grace
Maggy Williams
Loving Healing Press
5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
www.lovinghealing.com
9781615997114, $29.95, HC, 32pp
https://www.amazon.com/Grateful-Grace-Developing-Practice-Positive/dp/1615997113
Synopsis: Grace is a little girl who complains about "having to" clean her room, wash her hands and do her chores. She
doesn't realize that, by learning to think differently, she can change her perspective from negative to positive.
"Grateful to be Grace: Developing A Practice of Positive Thinking" is an illustrated story by author/artist Maggy Williams
in which Grace discovers that her attitude has the power to determine her thoughts and emotions. Can Grace go from feeling
burdened to being grateful?
Critique: Original, fun, thoroughly 'kid friendly', and charmingly illustrated, "Grateful to be Grace: Developing A Practice of
Positive Thinking" with its important 'Life Lesson' message is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center,
preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-8. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Grateful to be Grace" is also available in a paperback edition (9781615997107, $16.95) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $4.95).
Editorial Note: Maggy Williams (www.MaggyWilliamsAuthor.com) started writing at five years old and hasn't stopped
since. She loves creating stories for young readers because they have the best imaginations and because she never wants to
grow up. When she's not writing, she enjoys acting and comedy improv, which is basically just make-believe for
grown-ups.
The Folktale/Fairytale Shelf
Yasuko and the Dream Eater
A. Kidd
www.akiddwrites.com
Quiet Storm Publishing, LLC
9781733899246, Hardcover $19.99/Paperback $12.99/eBook $3.99
Marcia Misawa illustrates A. Kidd's picture book story, which is inspired by a Japanese legend about a dream eater.
Misawa's delicate art brings to life Yasuko, her grandmother, and the hungry dream eater that has its eyes on her most
precious dreams. Yasuko taps the dream eater for help in consuming her nightmares.
There's only one problem: the dream eater doesn't discriminate about which dreams it will consume. In Yasuko and the
Dream Eater, the creature is not satisfied by consuming just what Yasuko wants it to eat. When its appetite remains
unsatisfied, it threatens to continue consuming everything she likes to dream about, too. But the tale is more than one of a
young girl who finds a way to combat bad dreams and preserve good ones.
The contrast between Yasuko's life visiting her grandmother in Japan and her home in America, her discovery that
"different" is not necessarily bad, and her redefinitions of bad and good as a whole provide underlying themes that will
appeal to adults seeking picture book stories that reinforce multicultural experiences and the process of adopting new life
perspectives and skills.
From origami to the different loving rituals a Japanese grandmother has for her granddaughter, Yasuko and the Dream Eater
explores problem-solving at its best, in which a young girl must identify the real problem and the best way to resolve it to
preserve all her dreams.
Another powerful note to this story: Marcia Misawa makes her dream eater interesting, not frightening. This attention to
detail allows access by the very young and parents who seek to educate kids, not scare them.
Libraries and adults looking for multicultural stories that explore being part of two different cultures will find that Yasuko
and the Dream Eater gives rise to many discussion points and insights.
The Christian Shelf
The Really Radical Book for Kids
Champ Thornton
New Growth Press
1301 Carolina Street, #L101, Greensboro, NC 27401
www.newgrowthpress.com
9781645070818, $20.99, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Really-Radical-Book-Champ-Thornton/dp/1645070816
Synopsis: "The Really Radical Book for Kids: More Truth. More Fun" by Champ Thornton is comprised of short chapters
on a variety of topics will grab the interest of young Christian readers of all ages! Kids will learn about ancient kings,
legendary battles, and fierce snakes and dragons. They will discover unusual food to make, secret codes to break, fun crafts
to try, and strange planes to fly. They will also uncover exciting ways to read the Bible, factual reasons to believe, stunning
truths about God, and incredible examples of "radical" men and women who have gone before them and trusted Jesus in
challenging times.
Critique: "The Really Radical Book for Kids" is packed from cover to cover with fun, captivating, and age-appropriate
content to help kids ages 5-11 learn more about how to read God's powerful Word. With its rich biblical content of church
history, apologetics, and more, "The Really Radical Book for Kids" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended addition
to family, Sunday School, and community library Christian Studies collections.
Editorial Note: Champ Thornton (http://www.champthornton.com) is an acquisitions editor at Crossway. He is the author of
numbers of books for kids and families, including The Serpent Slayer and the Scroll of Riddles, and Why Do We Say Thank
You? Learning to Be Grateful.
The Art Shelf
Cultured Donuts
Chloe Tyler
Flowerpot Press
www.flowerpotpress.com
9781486718719, $19.95
https://www.amazon.com/Cultured-Donuts-Take-Bite-History/dp/148671871X
Cultured Donuts: Take a Bite Out of Art History explores the art styles of various master artists via an unusual display of
donuts created to celebrate their techniques. Each donut example is paired with details about the artist and their style,
bringing delicious insights to young readers who need a draw beyond artwork itself. Picture book readers receive a full-page
donut representation, a smaller example of the artist's work, and a biographical sketch that identifies the artist's significant
creations and contributions. What better way to present young readers with a connection to art than via one of their most
beloved and familiar foods?
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
www.midwestbookreview.com
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