 |
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / Children's
Bookwatch |
Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD
John F. Taylor, Ph.D.
Free Spirit Publishing
c/o Teacher Created Materials
https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com
9798885549622, $17.99, PB, 136pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Guide-Kids-ADHD/dp/B0FWHMRJCJ
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-survival-guide-for-kids-with-adhd-john-f-taylor/1137747288
Synopsis: "The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD" child psychologist John F. Taylor is specifically designed to help children ages 8-12 with ADHD understand just what ADHD is.
It also gives them tools to manage ADHD at home, at school, with friends, and more.
Peppered with real-life scenarios that kids can relate to, it answers questions like: What is ADHD? How does my brain work? How can I succeed in school, get along better at home, and make great friends? This newly updated and expanded third edition of "The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD" includes updated research and all-new content on important topics like screen time and sensory processing challenges.
"The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD":
Shows kids how their ADHD brains work, in kid-friendly terms
Encourages readers to take ownership over their ADHD management to succeed in school, at home, with friends, and beyond
Includes practical strategies, real-life scenarios, and fun illustrations
Helps ADHD children cope with overstimulation, distraction, insomnia, and other common symptoms
Discusses doctors, medications, and other ADHD treatment in simple language
A part of The Survival Guides for Kids" series from Free Spirit Publishing, "The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD" gives kids the tools they need to not only survive, but thrive. With plenty of realistic examples and illustrations, they are accessible, encouraging, kid-friendly, and even life-changing.
Critique: Thoroughly 'kid friendly' in style, organization, and presentation, this new third edition of "The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD" by John F. Taylor is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to family, middle school, family counseling center, school district, and community library collections, as well as college/university Parenting/ADHD Counseling/Child Psychology curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD" from Free Spirit Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.97).
Editorial Note: Dr. John F. Taylor is a nationally recognized expert on ADHD and a pioneering voice in the field of child psychology. With decades of experience as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Taylor has dedicated his career to understanding and supporting children with ADHD and their families. Early in his professional journey, he collaborated with one of the first psychiatrists in the United States who prescribed medication for hyperactive children, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to advancing ADHD treatment and education.
The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy
Daphne Matthews, author
Phoebe Matthews, illustrator
Mission Point Press
https://www.missionpointpress.com
9781968761752, $22.95, HC, 30pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Garden-Growing-Cerebral-Palsy/dp/1968761756
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-friendship-garden-daphne-matthews/1150197990
Synopsis: Every flower blooms differently. Every child does too.
In a magical garden where flowers can walk, talk, dance, and play, one little sunflower grows differently from the others. She needs extra care from kind gardeners, encouragement from loyal friends, and the courage to keep growing at her own pace as she learns to navigate the world in her own unique way.
Inspired by author Daphne Matthews' experience growing up with cerebral palsy and lovingly illustrated by her sister, Phoebe, "The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy" from Mission Point Press is an original picture book story that uses the gentle metaphor of a sunflower's journey to help children understand disability with kindness, empathy, and compassion.
As the sunflower grows, she discovers something far more important than growing taller or moving faster. She learns that every flower has unique strengths, every challenge can be met with support, and everyone deserves the chance to belong. Through friendship, perseverance, and acceptance, she begins to bloom with confidence and purpose.
Critique: Ideal for families, classrooms, libraries, therapists, and caregivers, "The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy" by author/storyteller Daphne Matthews and artist/illustrator Phoebe Matthews encourages meaningful conversations about inclusion, celebrating differences, and helping every child feel seen, valued, and accepted. With its underlying message that every child deserves the chance to bloom in their own special way, "The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Friendship/Self-Esteem and Physical Disabilities themed picture book collections for children ages 3-8. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy" is also available in paperback (9781968761769, $16.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.95).
Editorial Note: Twin sisters Daphne and Phoebe Matthews grew up in Ann Arbor after being born nearly conjoined at U-M's Mott Children's Hospital. Daphne, who has cerebral palsy, works as a preschool educator and shares her experiences with honesty and warmth. Phoebe, a graphic design graduate, illustrates their debut children's book. Together, they use their story to foster empathy, inclusion, and understanding.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
The Written Adventure of Nella Lace
Laura Leeson, author
Harvey Walls, illustrator
Independently Published
www.lauraleesonbooks.com
9798295406782, $24.99, HC, 54pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Written-Adventure-Nella-Lace/dp/B0G2TSHSNB
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-written-adventure-of-nella-lace-laura-leeson/1148772518
Synopsis: Dear Readers,
My name is Nella Lace, and I live in the magical land of Glenndondia. Things used to be full of laughter and sparkle here, but now a terrible curse has come over our land keeping us from our friends and family! One day, my teacher, Miss Goldenflower, gave me something amazing... special seals that can send letters anywhere in the kingdom. So I started writing! Each letter made me feel a little braver, a little happier, and a lot more connected. Maybe you've felt lonely too. If so, I hope my story reminds you our words can still bring us together.
A kind letter, a silly drawing, or just a "hello" can make someone's heart sparkle again. So open my book, dear friend, and let's write a little magic together.
With love and glitter, Nella Lace
Critique: With a theme about the value of writing notes and letters for making friends and polishing personal communication skills that is as original as it is clever, "The Written Adventure of Nella Lace" by author/storyteller Laura Leeson and artist/illustrator Harvey Walls is an extraordinary, unique, and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community library Social Skills and Creative Writing/Composition instructional reference collections for children ages 5-8. Supplementary content at the end includes templates that show young people how to write letters for a variety of different occasions. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Written Adventure of Nella Lace" is also readily available in paperback (9798273522510, $14.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note #1: Laura Leeson (https://www.lauraleesonsbooks.com) is a lifelong learner and educator who grew up on wild stories and big adventures. You can follow her on Facebook and BookBub.
Editorial Note #2: Harvey Walls (https://harveywalls.artstation.com) is a popular children's book illustrator and graphic designer.
The Holiday Shelf
The First Fruits Festival of Kwanzaa: A Zulu Celebration
Steven Christopher Thedford, author
Khosi Pholosa, illustrator
New World Press
https://www.newworldpress.org
9798869167835, $17.99, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/First-Fruits-Festival-Kwanzaa-Celebration/dp/B0DR65F9XZ
Synopsis: The African American holiday of Kwanzaa is a first fruits festival, inspired by the Zulu celebration Umkhosi Wokweshwama, also known asUmkhosi Woselwa.
"The First Fruits Festival of Kwanzaa: A Zulu Celebration" is a children's picture book by author/storyteller Steven Christopher Thedford and artist/illustrator Khosi Pholosa is about a boy named Shaka. He wants to attend the Umkhosi Wokweshwama to sing the ngoma for his ancestors. However, he does not know if he is strong enough to make the trip from America to South Africa because he suffers from sickle cell anemia.
As Shaka navigates the festival and his ailment, readers will be introduced to the Zulu culture and experience the Umkohsi Wokweshwama.
Critique: Original, charming, deftly crafted, and a fun read from start to finish, "The First Fruits Festival of Kwanzaa: A Zulu Celebration" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended and unique pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Holiday and Kwanzaa collections for children ages 6-10. Enhanced for young readers with the inclusion of a two page Glossary, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The First Fruits Festival of Kwanzaa: A Zulu Celebration" from New World Press is also readily available in paperback (9798303101722, $12.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note #1: There is an online listing of books by Steven Christopher Thedford available at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3212383.Steven_C_Thedford
Editorial Note #2: Khosi Pholosa (https://www.twine.net/Pholosa) is a driven animator with experience in creating 2D animation for broadcast television, web video, and short film, using Toon Boom Harmony, Photoshop, and Adobe After Effects. He enjoys bringing stories to life through character and visual design, and is passionate about delivering high-quality frame-by-frame animation and illustration across freelance projects for books, media, and education.
The Social Issues Shelf
Some Body, Every Body!
Roz MacLean
Bloomsbury Children's Books
www.bloomsbury.com
9781547618880, $14.99, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Some-Body-Every-Roz-MacLean/dp/1547618884
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/some-body-every-body-roz-maclean/1148909762
Synopsis: From award-winning author and illustrator Roz MacLean comes a vibrant celebration of body diversity and positivity, and a kid-friendly entry point for teaching young readers that while everyone's bodies may be different, each one is special.
Some bodies swim. Some bodies play.
Some bodies dance around all day!
I love my body. Do you love yours too?
I love that my body lets me be here with you!
We all have a body, and they come in all sizes and shapes, with distinct sensory, mobility, and medical needs. Every kind of body exists and moves through the world in its own special, amazing way!
Critique: "Some Body, Every Body!" by author/illustrator Roz MacLean launches an affirming and celebratory series for young readers that celebrates every body! This young, rhyming, accessible picture book story comes with sturdy cardstock pages in a paper-over-board hardcover original format. An original and fun read from start to finish, "Some Body, Every Body!" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-6. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Some Body, Every Body!" from Bloomsbury Children's Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.49, B&N).
Editorial Note: Roz MacLean (https://rozmaclean.com) is an award-winning Canadian illustrator and children's writer. She especially loves making art about themes that are important to her, like exploring emotions and diverse ways of being in the world. She is passionate about education, inclusion, and the arts.
The Health Shelf
Katie Koala's Biggest Fight: A Little Koala's Fight Against a Big Illness
Audrey Leishman, author
Katie Jerabek, illustrator
Dr. Nadeem Inayet, foreword
Begin Again Books
9798999970909, $21.99, HC, 30pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Katie-Koalas-Biggest-Fight-Against/dp/B0H3D7QRDN
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/katie-koalas-biggest-fight-audrey-leishman/1150287271
Synopsis: Katie Koala can't wait for camp, until a tiny scratch turns into something much bigger.
When Katie starts feeling sick, Mama Koala rushes her to the doctor. There, Katie learns she has sepsis, a sneaky illness that spreads fast but can be stopped with quick action and care.
Told with warmth, bravery, and just the right amount of bounce, "Katie Koala's Biggest Fight: A Little Koala's Fight Against a Big Illness" helps young children ages 4-8 to understand their bodies, speak up when something feels wrong, and know that being strong sometimes means asking for help.
Critique: "Katie Koala's Biggest Fight: A Little Koala's Fight Against a Big Illness" by author/storyteller Audrey Leishman and artist/illustrator Katie Jerabek is a gentle, empowering, and thoroughly 'kid friendly' picture book story about health, hope, and healing that is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Health & Medicine themed picture book collections for young children. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Katie Koala's Biggest Fight: A Little Koala's Fight Against a Big Illness" from Begin Again Books is also readily available in paperback (9798999970916, $15.99). Of special note is the one page foreword by Dr. Nadeem Inayet.
Editorial Note: Audrey Leishman is a sepsis survivor, devoted mother, and passionate advocate for health education and early detection. After nearly losing her life in 2015, she and her husband, Marc, founded the Begin Again Foundation. The foundation provides emergency financial assistance to families affected by sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Audrey Lives in Virginia Beach with Marc, a professional golfer, and their three children: Harvey, Ollie, and Eva. Katie Koala's Biggest Fight is her debut children's book, written to inspire courage and awareness in young readers and their families.
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
So You Want To Be...
Linda Soules, author
Linda Colwell (Publisher)
https://lindasoules.com
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0GX5RW5HZ/allbooks
Synopsis: The illustrated titles comprising the 'So You Want To Be...' series includes:
Book 16: "So You Want To Be A Professional Athlete"
(9781972766200, $19.99 PB, $2.99 Kindle, 38pp)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Professional-Athlete-Competition/dp/1972766201
Talent gets you noticed. But talent alone has never made anyone a professional athlete.
"So You Want To Be A Professional Athlete: A Kids' Guide to Sports, Training, Competition, and the Dedicated Athletes Who Push Their Bodies and Minds to Be the Best" is an illustrated nonfiction guide takes young readers ages 10 to 14 inside the real world of elite sports -- not the highlight reels and trophy ceremonies, but the thousands of hours of training, discipline, and sacrifice that happen long before the arena lights come on. From pre-season conditioning and sports science to in-season competition and recovery, this book shows kids what professional athletes actually do every single day to perform at the absolute edge of human capability.
You will discover how athletes build their bodies through periodized training programs, nutrition science, biomechanics, and carefully planned sleep and recovery. You will learn how they develop the mental toughness and psychological resilience to handle pressure, failure, and the relentless scrutiny that comes with competing at the highest level. And you will see why mindset and discipline matter just as much as speed, strength, or natural ability - because at the professional level, the margin between winning and losing is smaller than most people can imagine.
This is also a book about what a sports career really costs and what it gives back. It covers the full arc of an athletic life -- its intensity, its brevity, and how the best athletes build confidence and prepare for what comes after the final game. It explores the team behind every athlete: the coaches, trainers, nutritionists, and sports psychologists who work in careful coordination so that one person, in one moment, can do something extraordinary.
Packed with vivid illustrations and real stories of what elite training looks like from the inside, this guide treats young athletes as equals. It does not talk down. It does not oversimplify. It brings kids all the way into a world most children only see from the stands -- and gives them honest, specific answers about whether this demanding path might be their calling.
Whether your young reader dreams of competing in baseball, soccer, basketball, swimming, or any sport that demands everything they have, this book was written for the boy or girl who is never just playing. The one who is always competing, always measuring, always reaching for something just beyond their current best.
Somewhere right now, in a gym or on a field or in a pool, the next great athlete is doing the work that no one sees yet. "So You Want To Be A Professional Athlete" is for the kid who wants to know exactly what that work looks like!
Book 17: "So You Want To Be A Police Officer"
(9781972766170, $19.99 PB, $2.99 Kindle, 38pp)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/So-You-Want-Police-Officer/dp/1972766171
Somewhere right now, a police officer is answering a call -- and the only things standing between chaos and safety are their training, judgment, and willingness to show up. "So You Want To Be A Police Officer" brings young readers ages 10 to 14 face to face with one of the most complex careers anyone can choose, and it does not flinch from the truth about what the work really looks like.
Most kids grow up seeing police officers in movies or on the news. This book goes far deeper. It follows the journey from the first grueling weeks of academy training through the daily activity of patrol, criminal investigation, and community policing. Young readers will learn how officers study law and psychology, how they practice de-escalation to resolve tense situations without force, and how they develop the investigative skills needed to collect evidence and build a case. They will understand why writing a traffic ticket requires the same attention to detail as responding to a major emergency -- because in law enforcement, every action matters.
But this is also a book about people. Police officers are part of a larger team working alongside detectives, dispatchers, and community liaisons, and this book shows how that coordination protects neighborhoods and builds trust. It explains the physical fitness standards, the emotional demands of long shifts, and the quiet discipline of staying calm when everything around you is breaking apart. It does not pretend the job is glamorous. It shows what the job costs, what it gives back, and why the officers who do it say nothing compares to helping someone on the worst day of their life.
Every page is brought to life with vivid, detailed illustrations that make the content accessible and fun to explore. The writing is clear, honest, and packed with the kind of specific detail that makes young readers feel like they are being trusted with real information -- because they are.
"So You Want To Be A Police Officer" is nonfiction that respects its audience.
Whether your child dreams of a career in public safety or simply wants to understand the people who serve their community every day, this book delivers stories of courage, compassion, and purpose that stay with you. For young readers ready to look past the uniform and discover what it truly means to protect and serve.
Book 18: "So You Want To Be A Chef"
(9781972766187, $19.99 PB, $2.99 Kindle, 38pp)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/So-You-Want-Be-Chef/dp/197276618X
What does it really take to become a chef -- not the television fantasy, but the actual, extraordinary, exhausting, creative truth?
"So You Want To Be A Chef" answers that question honestly for young readers ages 10 to 14. This illustrated nonfiction book pulls back the curtain on one of the most demanding careers in the world and reveals every layer: the science, the sweat, the artistry, and the deep human generosity of feeding people well.
Inside, kids will explore what happens in a professional kitchen long before the first guest sits down. You will follow the journey from curious young cook to trained chef -- learning how culinary techniques are built across years of practice, how food science explains why ingredients behave the way they do, and how the chemistry of heat, fermentation, and flavor transforms cooking from guesswork into craft. Every chapter is grounded in real detail, from the physics of a perfect sear to the patience behind a slow-reduced stock.
But "So You Want To Be A Chef" goes beyond recipes and techniques. It explores the full range of the culinary world (fine dining, street food, baking, private cheffing, food research) and what each path demands and offers. You will learn about kitchen leadership: how a head chef coordinates a brigade of sous chefs, line cooks, pastry chefs, and porters with the speed and precision of a surgical team, making a hundred small decisions every hour while the dining room stays perfectly calm.
You will also discover what young people can do right now to find out if this calling fits. The activities, habits, and ways of thinking that separate someone who loves to eat from someone who is ready to devote a life to cooking. The physical endurance the profession requires and how chefs sustain their creativity over a long career. The sacrifices and the rewards -- told without sugar-coating, because kids who are serious about this dream deserve a complete and honest answer.
"So You Want To Be A Chef" is nonfiction that refuses to talk down to its audience. It treats young chefs and future chefs with the same respect a mentor would -- bringing them all the way inside the profession and trusting them to handle the truth. "So You Want To Be A Chef" is for the kid who tastes everything twice, who watches the kitchen instead of the dining room, and who already suspects that the best meal they will ever eat is one they have not made yet.
Book 19: "So You Want To Be An Explorer"
(9781972766194, $19.99 PB, $2.99 Kindle, 38pp)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Explorer-Exploration-Adventure/dp/1972766198
Somewhere beyond the edge of every map, there are places no human has ever seen -- and the next great explorer to find them might be a kid reading this book right now.
"So You Want To Be An Explorer: A Kids' Guide to Exploration, Adventure, World Geography, and the Daring Travelers Who Discover New Places and Cultures" is the ultimate guide for young adventurers ages 10 to 14 who feel the pull of the unknown. This isn't a fairy tale about treasure maps and pirate ships. It's an honest, illustrated look at what real explorers actually do - the years of scientific training, the physical preparation, the survival skills, and the mental toughness required to venture into environments that were never designed for human beings. From deep ocean trenches to polar ice fields, from uncharted jungles to the edges of our own solar system, this book takes kids inside the full range of modern exploration and the extraordinary careers it offers.
What does an explorer's daily life actually look like? How do expedition teams (scientists, navigators, survival specialists, and local guides) prepare for months of fieldwork in extreme and remote places? How do explorers document their discoveries so that what they find becomes part of the permanent human record? And what does it feel like to stand somewhere no person has ever stood, or to understand something no one has ever understood before? These are the questions young readers are really asking, and this book gives them real, specific answers.
Inside, kids will discover how explorers master geography, navigation, and survival science before a single expedition departs. They will learn about the physical and psychological demands of operating in extreme environments and how explorers prepare both body and mind to meet them. They'll meet remarkable figures from the history of exploration whose daring adventures expanded the boundaries of what humanity knows about its own planet. And they'll find out what young people can start doing right now to discover whether exploration might be their own calling.
"So You Want To Be An Explorer" is a book that treats kids as equals. It doesn't simplify the hard parts or skip over what the work truly costs. It brings young readers all the way inside the world of exploration - the fun of discovery, the weight of responsibility, and the deep rewards of contributing something new to human knowledge. Every page is illustrated with care, making the science, the geography, and the adventures come alive in ways that stick.
"So You Want To Be An Explorer" is for the kid who reads every map to its edges and immediately wonders what lies beyond. For the young reader who wants more than a dream -- who wants to know exactly how to make it real. There are still questions no one has answered and places no one has reached. The next explorer to change what we know about this world is growing up right now!
Book 20: "So You Want To Be A Shark Researcher"
(9781972766163, $19.99 PB, $2.99 Kindle, 38pp)
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/So-You-Want-Shark-Researcher/dp/1972766163
Most people see a shark fin and swim the other way. You grab your underwater camera, your data tag, and your research question -- and swim toward it.
"So You Want To Be A Shark Researcher" is the ultimate guide for young readers ages 10 to 14 who want to know what it truly takes to study the ocean's most misunderstood apex predators. This is not the made-for-TV version of shark science. This is the real thing -- patient, precise, and conducted entirely on the animal's terms. If your idea of fun is learning how a great white navigates an entire ocean basin, this book was written for you.
Inside these richly illustrated pages, you will discover fun facts about shark biology that most adults do not know -- how sharks have been perfecting their existence for four hundred and fifty million years, how tiger sharks hunt across geographic ranges that span thousands of miles, and why almost everything the world believes about these animals is wrong. From hammerheads to whale sharks, every word and every illustration guides you deeper into the real science behind each species. "So You Want To Be A Shark Researcher" is not a coloring book or a collection of mazes and activities -- it is something far more valuable. It is an honest look at one of the most important careers in the ocean.
But "So You Want To Be A Shark Researcher" goes beyond facts and species profiles. It walks you through the physical demands of open-water research, the scientific rigor required to gather population data, and the urgent conservation crisis facing shark populations on a national and global scale. Sharks are disappearing faster than scientists can study them, and the researchers fighting to reverse that decline need sharp minds, steady nerves, and genuine passion. You will follow the full arc of the work -- tagging expeditions, behavioral studies, laboratory data analysis, and the passionate scientific advocacy that shark conservation demands.
What makes this the ultimate shark career book for kids is what it refuses to do. It does not talk down to young readers. It does not simplify the science into something unrecognizable. It brings you all the way inside the field and treats you as someone capable of understanding all of it - the geographic scope of migration research, the word-by-word precision of scientific reporting, and the real activities researchers perform every single day in the water. Among the many guides to marine life written for young people, this one stands apart because it tells the truth.
For the kid who watches a fin cut the surface and feels not fear but a specific hunger to know more. The ocean's oldest predator has survived five mass extinctions. Now it needs something it has never needed before -- someone to speak for it.
Critique: Exceptionally informative, deftly crafted, nicely illustrated, thoroughly 'kid friendly' in organization and presentation, each individual title in the "So You Want To Be A..." series by Linda Soules is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Jobs/Careers collections for children ages 8-14. It should also be noted for personal reading lists that each title in this outstanding series from publisher Linda Colwell is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Linda Soules is the author of the 'So You Want To Be A...' series, a growing collection of career-exploration books for readers ages 8-14. Drawing on twenty-five years in law and finance, she brings precision, clarity, and a deep respect for young readers to every book she writes -- never talking down to kids, and always aiming to spark genuine curiosity about the extraordinary range of paths their lives could take. Linda lives in Seattle with her husband and family. You are invited to visit www.lindasoules.com for more information about the series.
The Science Shelf
Encyclopedia of Fungi
Jules Howard, author
Namasri Niumim, illustrator
Wide Eyed Editions
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9781836008804, $22.99, HC, 192pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Fungi-Jules-Howard/dp/1836008805
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/encyclopedia-of-fungi-jules-howard/1148854436
Synopsis: A fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. These organisms are classified in the biological kingdom Fungi.
Beneath the leaves, on tree trunks and even in your own garden, fungi are quietly working their wonders. From glowing toadstools and fluffy puffballs to delicious truffles and rainbow-bright slime molds, the "Encyclopedia of Fungi" introduces young readers to over 300 fungi from around the world, exploring the fascinating hidden kingdom right under our feet.
Organised into clear sections, with handy tips, a glossary and an index to help with exploring, the "Encyclopedia of Fungi" is specifically and effectively designed for dipping in and out - whether on a family walk in the woods, curled up at storytime, or as a go-to guide for budding young naturalists.
Children will love spotting their favourites, learning about each species and discovering which mushrooms form fairy rings, which help trees talk to each other and which ones are just too weird to believe! Both a joyful reference and a beautiful keepsake, the "Encyclopedia of Fungi" invites children (plus their teachers and parents) to celebrate the small but mighty organisms that make our world so extraordinary.
Critique: With succinct and informatively descriptive commentaries by Jules Howard each of which is directly linked to museum quality full color images by artist/illustrator Namasri Niumim, the "Encyclopedia of Fungi" is especially and unreservedly recommended as a high-priority pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Forest, Fungi, and Mushroom reference collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students that this hardcover edition of the "Encyclopedia of Fungi" from Wide Eyed Editions is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.99).
Editorial Note #1: Jules Howard is an author, zoology correspondent, and science presenter. As well as writing regularly for The Guardian and BBC Wildlife Magazine, Jules appears regularly on TV and radio, including BBC Breakfast. He has written numerous books for both adults and children on the natural world.
Editorial Note #2: Namasri Niumim was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, and graduated from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, in the School of Architecture and Design. She discovered the joy of gouache painting in 2016 and has worked with gouache ever since.
Explore the Far Side of the Moon
Jenny Jacoby, author
Lea Woo, illustrator
Sheila Kanani, introduction
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500653814, $19.95, HC, 64pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Explore-Side-Moon-Jenny-Jacoby/dp/050065381X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/explore-the-far-side-of-the-moon-jenny-jacoby/1148430940
Synopsis: "Explore the Far Side of the Moon" takes young readers on an imaginary space mission as they become the first astronauts to explore the far side of the Moon.
On this picture book adventure into deep space, young readers become the first astronauts to set foot on the far side of the Moon, where the light is low, temperatures are extreme, and the land is pitted with craters that are so deep they have never been exposed to sunlight. What lies within may reveal incredible secrets about our universe, and provide a stepping stone to Mars and beyond...
With dreamy illustrations and a surrealist flair, "Explore the Far Side of the Moon" by author/storyteller Jenny Jacoby and artist/illustrator Lea Woo transports young readers into the moon boots of an astronaut, appointed to pioneer the very first crewed mission to the far side of the Moon.
Of special note is planetary scientist Dr. Sheila Kanani introducing young readers to their fellow crew members, providing guidance on what to pack, what to wear, and how to prepare a space rocket for liftoff (not to mention an equally important explanation of how to go to the bathroom in zero gravity). From there, readers will discover how to enter lunar orbit and dock at the brand-new lunar space station where they'll be placed. Mission specialists will then venture solo to land the spacecraft on the lunar surface and embark on their exploration of the Lunar South Pole.
Published in anticipation of NASA's launch of Artemis III, which will take the first woman and first person of color to the Moon, "Explore the Far Side of the Moon" feeds off the excitement of a new era of lunar missions.
Critique: Impressively informative, thoroughly 'kid friendly' in organization and presentation, "Explore the Far Side of the Month" is an ideal introduction to the role, mission, and training of astronauts for exploring space in general, and the moon in particular. This hardcover edition of "Explore the Far Side of the Month" from Thames & Hudson is an ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Space Exploration themed picture books for young readers ages 7-12.
Editorial Note #1: Jenny Jacoby (https://jennyjacoby.com) is a writer and editor from London, with a passion for making information fun. She specializes in writing on STEM topics for children, and is the author of Bigger Than This: The Ultimate Science Card Game.
Editorial Note #2: Lea Woo (Instagram @leawoo_illustration) is an illustrator based in Shanghai with a degree from the Edinburgh College of Art. Her clients include Burberry, Chanel, and The New Yorker, among others.
Editorial Note #3: Dr. Sheila Kanani MBE (Instagram @saturnsheila) is a British planetary scientist, teacher, author, and STEM ambassador. She is the education, outreach, and diversity officer at the Royal Astronomical Society and was awarded an MBE for services to astronomy and diversity in physics.
The Professor Heart Adventures: Series 1 - Heading Inside The Human Body
Liz Walder, author
Louise Rowley, illustrator
Pegasus Publishers
https://pegasuspublishers.com
9781787889569, 10.99 British Pounds, PB, 72pp
Pegasus Publishers
https://pegasuspublishers.com/book/the-professor-heart-adventures_-series-1-_-heading-inside-the-human-body
Synopsis: Jane's Grandpa (Professor Heart) is a retired science teacher. Jane and Zach pop over to see her Grandpa most afternoons after school. They absolutely love their visits as Jane's Grandpa is no ordinary Grandpa, he is also an inventor. An inventor of crazy, amazing contraptions, which the children just love. On this particular occasion, the Professor is very excited and cannot wait to show off his new creations to Jane and Zach.
With great trepidation, Jane and Zach agree to try out his inventions and discover a whole new world of adventures... except this is not outside... but inside the body of Professor Heart!
In "Heading Inside The Human body", the children have a very eventful and slightly gross trip around Professor Heart's head, including an encounter with his nose, his ears, his eyes and his mouth.
Critique: Original, exceptional, thoroughly 'kid friendly' in presentation and launching author Liz Walder and illustrator Louise Rowley's science series The Professor Heart Adventures, this paperback edition of "Heading Inside The Human Body" from Pegasus Publishing is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Science & The Human Body collections for young readers.
Editorial Note #1: Liz Walder has always been fascinated by nature and the human body; especially how things work. This love of all thing's science, even the gross bits, inspired the creation of 'The Professor Heart Adventures'. Making science accessible is a passion of hers and is why she has also authored a series of books 'Medical conditions...in plain English', aimed at patients.
Editorial Note #2: Louise Rowley is an experienced illustrator and graduate of Fine Art from the Glasgow School of Art. She combines her love for character development with both traditional and digital methods of image making. Louise works on a variety of creative briefs, from individual images and characters to more elaborate texts and stories requiring illustrative content; Sally Suitcase, Professor Heart, Alfred Crumb are just a few of the firework of characters up her sleeve! In 2014, Louise published her debut children's book 'What Time is it Julie Fitzgerald?', aimed at children aged 3-5.
The American History Shelf
America's Founding Myths
Christy Mihaly
Barefoot Books
www.barefootbooks.com
9798888599082, $19.99, HC, 40pp, Ages 8-18
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Founding-Myths-REALLY-Happened/dp/B0FP8CTKB6
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/americas-founding-mythsand-what-really-happened-christy-mihaly/1148962557
America's Founding Myths... And What Really Happened! presents a host of facts about American history, from how Columbus discovered America to the nation's declaration of independence, its war with the British, and myths such as that of the shot heard around the world. This oversized presentation for advanced elementary-level readers, which packs in action-packed, inviting illustrations by Marta Sevilla, lends to library display with eye-catching cover art. Sidebars of information, and highlighted facts and contrasts, add excitement and interest to the book's history. From the true events that comprised the Boston Tea Party to bigger-picture critical thinking about how to discern truth from lies or embellishments and how to better understand historical events, this picture book holds both educational and entertainment value.
The Cookbook Shelf
Look and Cook Fresh: A First Book of Recipes in Pictures
Valorie Fisher
Astra Young Readers
c/o Astra Publishing House
https://astrapublishinghouse.com
9781662621390, $19.99, HC, 56pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Look-Cook-Fresh-Recipes-Pictures/dp/1662621396
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/look-and-cook-fresh-valorie-fisher/1149137083
Synopsis: Designed for children who can't yet read, "Look and Cook Fresh: A First Book of Recipes in Pictures" by Valerie Fisher is an ideal and thoroughly 'kid friendly' introduction to cooking for children ages 4 to 8.
Following the same easy-to-read visual layout of Valerie's 'kids cookbook series, "Look and Cook Snacks" (a New York Times Holiday Gift Guide selection) and "Look and Cook Breakfast" (A Good Housekeeping Best Book), "Look and Cook Fresh: A First Book of Recipes in Pictures" from Astra Young Readers features delicious and wholesome dishes using fresh fruit and vegetables as the main ingredients.
The key features in "Look and Cook Fresh: A First Book of Recipes in Pictures" include:
Step-by-step visual instructions: Let kids who can't yet read and visual learners guide their own cooking journey.
A guide to kitchen basics: Learn skills like mixing and measuring, and proper handling of safe-to-use kitchen equipment.
Family-friendly recipes: Delicious, easy, and nutritious dishes for the entire family to enjoy making and eating together!
Critique: Beautifully illustrated with color photography throughout, "Look and Cook Fresh: A First Book of Recipes in Pictures" is the perfect introduction to the joy of cooking through pictures. In addition to step-by-step photographic 'how to' instructions for a series of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, culinary delights that kids will appreciated, Valerie Fisher has included 'how to' advice with "Look and Cook Fresh: A First Book of Recipes in Pictures" is informatively enhanced with Using This Book; In the Kitchen; Getting Started; and Measuring, Mixing, and More. Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library cookbook themed picture book collections for children ages 4-8, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Look and Cook Fresh: A First Book of Recipes in Pictures" from Astra Young Readers is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Valorie Fisher (https://www.valoriefisher.com) is the author of numerous books for kids, which have earned multiple starred reviews and have been named best books of the year by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Parenting. There is an online listing of her books on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/269228.Valorie_Fisher
The Board Book Shelf
Nose Kisses
Katy Hedley, author
Paola Comma, illustrator
Flowerpot Press
www.FlowerpotPress.com
9781486730179, $8.99, Board Book, 20pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Nose-Kisses-Cuddle-Up-Read/dp/1486730175
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nose-kisses-katy-hedley/1149544249
Synopsis: "Nose Kisses" is a tender board book story by author/storyteller Katy Hedley and artist/illustrator Paola Comma about love, friendship, and the little moments that mean the most. In this heartwarming story, a young boy and his beloved teddy bear spend the day side by side. They play games, make crafts, roll in the grass, and, of course, share lots of snuggly nose kisses. With each question Bear asks, the boy shows just how big and lasting his love truly is.
Critique: Original, charming, gentle, and with an underlying family values message, "Nose Kisses" is a fun read from start to finish. "Nose Kisses" is an unreservedly recommended and truly welcome pick for family, daycare center, preschool, and community library board book collections for children ages 6 months to 4 years.
Editorial Note #1: Katy Hedley loves bedtime stories and creating cozy little moments for parents and children to enjoy. Her charming stories bring to life all the moments we cherish with those we love.
Editorial Note #2: Paola Camma lives in Italy. She studied in Milan and received a degree in architecture and interior design. She has loved illustrated books since childhood and learned from Paolo Domeniconi and Simone Rea as she embarked on a journey to become a full-time illustrator.
Animal Adventures: Day in the Snow
Fiona Craig
Collective Book Studio
https://thecollectivebook.studio
9781685555122, $12.95 Board Book, $4.99 Kindle, 24pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Adventures-Snow-Fiona-Craig/dp/1685555128
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/animal-adventures-fiona-craig/1149526115
Synopsis: From the first frosty moments of morning to the quiet close of night, "Animal Adventures: Day in the Snow" invites little readers to explore how animals live, move, rest, and play through a snowy winter day. This sturdy board book introduces babies and toddlers to cold-weather animals in their natural habitats while supporting early learning, seasonal awareness, and curiosity about the natural world.
"Animal Adventures: Day in the Snow" features:
Full-color wildlife photos introduce young children to animals in snowy habitats.
A simple rhyming text and sturdy board pages are designed for little hands.
An introduction to seasonal change, animal behavior, daily rhythms, and time-of-day concepts.
Snowy settings make this a natural choice for winter storytime, holiday gifting, and cold-weather displays.
"Animal Adventures: Day in the Snow" is a winter animal board book full of real photography, gentle rhyme, and early nature discovery -- perfect for babies, toddlers, classrooms, libraries, and nature-loving families.
Critique: While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99) this board book edition of "Animal Adventures: Day in the Snow" from The Collective Book Studio, by storyteller and illustrator Fiona Craig is a fun and highly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, and community library Board Book collections for children ages 6 month to 4 years.
Editorial Note: Raised in the wild beauty of New Zealand's Eyre Mountains, Fiona Craig has a deep reverence for nature -- its quiet wisdom in rhythms, the land, and all its creatures. She lives with her spirited daughter, a mischievous cat, and a lush jungle of houseplants and is the author/illustrator for "Animal Adventures: Day in the Bay).
Where Do They Sleep?
Adam Thompson, author
Erica Harrison, illustrator
Messy Press
https://messy-press.com
9781067098537, $10.99, Board Book, 24pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Where-They-Sleep-Adam-Thompson/dp/1067098534
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-do-they-sleep-adam-thompson/1148947181
Synopsis: When it's time to snuggle into our beds, a young child may sometimes wonder -- Where does everyone else go to sleep?
In "Where Do They Sleep", as the clock strikes bedtime around the world, children will meet several different and cute creatures, discovering where they like to go to sleep. Children will learn that flamingos sleep on one leg in lakes? That mice love huddling in little nests like birds? That cats like to sleep in lots of different places? -- and so much more!
With bright colors and charming illustrations, this fun board book of sleepy nature facts is designed to read with babies and toddlers, as part of their own bedtime routine.
Critique: Original, charming, and fun, "Where Do They Sleep" by author/storyteller Adam Thompson and artist/illustrator Erica Harrison is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, and community library animal themed board book collections for children ages 6 month to 3 years.
Editorial Note #1: Adam Thompson is an award-winning creative director and writer from London. After studying archaeology, he worked in advertising agencies and for the BBC. Adam now lives and writes in Auckland.
Editorial Note #2: Erica Harrison is an illustrator and co-creator of the award-winning Detective Stanley series. She's designed and illustrated best-selling children's books, graphic novels and activity books and lives in New Zealand.
The Picturebook Shelf
Hummer & The Boy
Vienne Rea, author
Xiao, illustrator
Vienne Rea Writes
https://viennereawrites.com
9781971120119, $34.95, HC, 54pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hummer-Boy-Vienne-Rea/dp/1971120111
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hummer-the-boy-vienne-rea/1150759252
Synopsis: When a young boy named Emmett encounters a solitary migratory Canada goose along the lakeshore near his home, he feels an immediate connection to the unusual bird. Naming him Hummer, Emmett returns to the lake again and again, and over the years, a remarkable friendship takes root. As seasons pass and Hummer faithfully returns, the goose becomes a steady presence through childhood, adolescence, and the many changes that accompany growing up.
Amid moments of wonder, joy, disappointment, uncertainty, and hope, Emmett learns what it means to care deeply for another living being. Guided by the wisdom of his mother, he gradually discovers lessons about compassion, devotion, forgiveness, and the enduring nature of Love.
Tenderly told in words and pictures by author/storyteller Vienne Rea and artist/illustrator Xiao, "Hummer & The Boy" is a moving read-aloud experience for children and the adults who share stories with them. While young readers will be drawn to the remarkable friendship between a boy and a goose, older readers will recognize a deeper story about attachment, goodbye, remembrance, and the ways love continues long after someone-or something-we cherish is no longer beside us.
Written for both children and adults, "Hummer & The Boy" reveals new layers of meaning as readers grow in their understanding and return to its pages. It invites conversations about friendship, loyalty, growing up, change, loss, healing, and hope, while allowing each reader to discover the story in their own way and in their own time.
Whether discovered in childhood, shared aloud at bedtime, revisited years later, or given as a gift to welcome a new baby or comfort a grieving friend, "Hummer & The Boy" is a truly timeless story is destined to be shared, cherished, and passed from one generation to the next.
Critique: Original, exceptional, inspirational, and a fascinating read from start to finish, "Hummer & The Boy", with its underlying life affirming messages, is an extraordinary, deftly crafted, memorable, and unreservedly recommended addition to family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Friendship & Life Values themed picture book collections for children ages 7-12.
Editorial Note #1: Vienne Rea (https://viennereawrites.com) is an artist, author, and lifelong observer of what lies within. For more than four decades, she has expressed herself through art and storytelling, whether through a lens, on canvas, in metal, or on paper. Fascinated by the ways experiences (even seemingly ordinary ones) can shape our lives, she finds endless inspiration in them. Creating a collection of stories and writings that invite reflection and encourage compassion has become one of her deepest joys.
Editorial Note #2: Yao Xiao (https://www.yao.nyc) is a cartoonist and illustrator living in New York. Her debut graphic novel, Everything Is Beautiful, And I'm Not Afraid was published by Andrews McMeel in 2020 and has received praise by Publishers Weekly and Ms. Magazine. Her debut children's book How To Solve A Problem, written by Ashima Shiraishi and published by Penguin Random House received a starred review on Kirkus. She has been publishing Baopu, a serialized comic on Autostraddle since 2014 and has been featured on Buzzfeed and The Washington Post as guest cartoonist. Her work has been nominated for the Ignatz Award and recognized by the Society of Illustrators.
Hometown
Shaun Tan
TvS Media Group
https://tvsmediagroup.com
9781646146987, $24.99, HC, 136pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hometown-Shaun-Tan/dp/1646146980
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hometown-shaun-tan/1149187684
Synopsis: "Hometown" by author/artist Shaun Tan is the inherently fascinating picture book story about a girl who grows up happily with her adoptive parents, a big sister and a little sister, and friends galore in a vibrant, close-knit community she adores... until a creature from outer space falls from the sky and claims (correctly) that she looks more like him than any of the beings she knows and loves.
He urges her to go back with him. She doesn't belong here. Can he be... right?
Shaun Tan's storytelling masterpiece is a uniquely powerful, funny, and insightful exploration of identity, and what it means to be home.
Critique: Original, exceptional, and a brilliant combination of author/illustrator Shaun Tan's deftly crafted visual images and creatively imaginative storylines, "Hometown" is an extraordinarily memorable and engaging read from start to finish. This adoption themed hardcover edition of "Hometown" from the TvS Media Group is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, middle school, and community library science fiction collections for children ages 10-14.
Editorial Note: Shaun Tan (https://www.shauntan.net) is an artist, writer, and filmmaker from Perth, Western Australia. He is the recipient of an Academy Award, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in Sweden, and the Kate Greenaway Medal in the United Kingdom. He lives in Melbourne with his wife, two children, and various species of plants and animals.
The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy
Daphne Matthews, author
Phoebe Matthews, illustrator
Mission Point Press
https://www.missionpointpress.com
9781968761752, $22.95, HC, 30pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Garden-Growing-Cerebral-Palsy/dp/1968761756
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-friendship-garden-daphne-matthews/1150197990
Synopsis: Every flower blooms differently and so does every child.
In a magical garden where flowers can walk, talk, dance, and play, one little sunflower grows differently from the others. She needs extra care from kind gardeners, encouragement from loyal friends, and the courage to keep growing at her own pace as she learns to navigate the world in her own unique way.
Inspired by author Daphne Matthews' personal life experiences growing up with cerebral palsy and lovingly illustrated by her twin sister, Phoebe, "The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy" uses the gentle metaphor of a sunflower's journey to help children understand disability with kindness, empathy, and compassion.
As the sunflower grows, she discovers something far more important than growing taller or moving faster. She learns that every flower has unique strengths, every challenge can be met with support, and everyone deserves the chance to belong. Through friendship, perseverance, and acceptance, she begins to bloom with confidence and purpose.
Ideal for families, classrooms, libraries, therapists, and caregivers, "The Friendship Garden" encourages meaningful conversations about inclusion, celebrating differences, and helping every child feel seen, valued, and accepted.
Because every child deserves the chance to bloom in their own special way.
Critique: Original, charming, inspiring, and an unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Friendship/Self-Esteem and Disabilities themed picture book collections for children ages 3-8, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of author/storyteller Daphne and artist/illustrator Phoebe Matthews' new picture book, "The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy", from Mission Point Press is also quite readily available in paperback (9781968761769, $16.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.95).
Editorial Note: Twin sisters Daphne and Phoebe Matthews grew up in Ann Arbor after being born nearly conjoined at U-M's Mott Children's Hospital. Daphne, who has cerebral palsy, works as a preschool educator and shares her experiences with honesty and warmth. Phoebe, a graphic design graduate, illustrates their debut children's book. Together, they use their story to foster empathy, inclusion, and understanding.
Lexie and Little Ant
Nancy Bentley, author
Anna-Maria Crum, illustrator
https://www.nancybentley.com
Snapfinger Press
9780975865613, $23.00, HC, 36pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lexie-Little-Ant-Nancy-Bentley/dp/0975865617
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lexie-and-little-ant-nancy-bentley/1149956946
Synopsis: It's Discovery Day! Young children will fully enjoy coming along with a young girl named Lexie and a very little ant and discover just what happens when the two of them encounter each ofther in the meadow at the Westwood Nature Center.
Critique: With the publication of "Lexie and Little Ant, author/storyteller Nancy Bentley and artist/illustrator Anna-Maria Crum have created a charming and original story with the supporting message about how important it is to take care of the world we live in and to treat all life (no matter how small) with friendly curiosity and appreciation. This hardcover edition of "Lexie and Little Ant" from Snapfinger Press is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Nature & Ecology themed picture book collections for children ages 4-8. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Lexie and Little Ant" is also readily available in paperback (9780975865620, $12.00).
Editorial Note #1: Nancy Bentley (https://www.nancybentley.com) began her writing career with a series of magazine articles for Colorado Fever, published by the Colorado Historical Institute for Children. She then authored a series of board books for young children with Price/Stern/Sloan, a picture book with Doubleday, and co-wrote a series of nonfiction books about writing for young children with Donna Guthrie for Millbrook Press. This was followed by a book about how to write reports without plagiarizing with Enslow Publishers. She has earned certificates from the University of Denver and Stanford University Publishing Institutes, followed by internships with Holiday House, a children's book publisher in New York, for a couple of wonderful summers. Afterwards, she decided that writing was her dream job.
Editorial Note #2: Anna-Maria Crum (https://annamariacrum.com) wrote and illustrated her first story when she was seven years old. It had a beginning, a middle, and an end -- she appreciated the necessity of plot even then. A story had to make sense, it had to have adventure, and it had to have pictures. She could always tell when an interior illustration was distorted to use for the cover. She lived for the illustrations back then and used to draw on top of her school reports -- images that went with what a wrote about. She thought she was doing ground-breaking work by combining the two but her teachers didn't appreciate her efforts.
My Dad Can
Stephen Lightbown, author
Claire Sahara Lemp, illustrator
Francis Lincoln Children's Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9781836008842, $18.99, HC, 40pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/My-Dad-Can-Stephen-Lightbown/dp/1836008848
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-dad-can-stephen-lightbown/1148176901
Synopsis: Iris's dad is the best. He blows up her floaties when she wants to go swimming. He covers her eyes when they watch scary movies. Best of all, she loves that she can climb into his lap for warm cuddles. Her dad is amazing. But sometimes they meet people who can't see what she sees, and today seems to be one of those days.
"My Dad Can" is a truly heartwarming picture book about a young girl who learns that her dad's wheelchair doesn't define what he can or can't do.
With beautifully hand made illustrations by artist Claire Sahara Lemp and an entertaining text from poet and disability rights advocate Stephen Lightbown, "My Dad Can" is perfect for sparking meaningful conversations that celebrate inclusion.
Critique: Original, clever, and inspiring, and thoroughly 'kid friendly' in presentation, "My Dad Can" reassures very young children that a parent's wheelchair doesn't change who they are -- and that even in a wheelchair there is so much that the Can Do! While an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library disabilities themed picture books for children ages 3-5 years, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "My Dad Can" from Frances Lincoln Children's Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note #1: Stephen Lightbown is a Bristol-based poet and picture book writer. Paralysed from below the waist following an accident when he was sixteen, Stephen uses his writing to give a voice to his disability. He is the author of two poetry collections for adults and one for children. His children's collection, And I Climbed, And I Climbed, published in September 2023 by Troika Books, was picked as a Book Trust book of the month; a Read for Empathy 2025 collection; a National Poetry Day 2024 selected title; and was shortlisted for the CLiPPA Poetry Award 2024, and the UKLA Book Awards 2025.
Editorial Note #2: Claire Sahara Lemp is an illustrator based in Duluth, Minnesota, who studied a Masters of Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art in Cambridge, England. Much of her life has been spent deep in observation of the world around her, noticing the details of relationship, emotion, humour, place. In her work, she seeks to express these observations through colour and traditional media.
The Cheese Tax
Ron Lenert, author/illustrator
Roberta Lenert, author
Lawley Enterprises LLC
9798892662215, $24.99, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Cheese-Tax-Ron-Lenert/dp/B0GVGL22XL
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cheese-tax-ron-lenert/1149545312
Synopsis: When you reach for the cheese, look around for the pup. You can't snack alone, it is time to pay up!
When you have a dog, you know the drill-before you can enjoy cheese, you must share some with your best friend. Follow a loveable pup's unstoppable quest for cheesy treats and discover the one tax you will actually love to pay. Get ready -- 'The Cheese Tax' is about to become the most popular phrase in your kitchen!
Critique: Original, delightful, lively, and a fun read from start to finish, "The Cheese Tax" by author/storyteller Ron and Roberta Lenert is an especially and unreservedly pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library dog themed picture book collections for children ages 3-7. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Cheese Tax" from Lawley Enterprises is also readily available in paperback (979-8892662239, $17.99), and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note #1: Also highly recommended for children ages 2-7 is "The Cheese Tax: ABC & Activity Coloring Book" (Gigglefish, 9798996828708, $11.99, 101pp).
Editorial Note #2: Ron and Roberta Lenert are a husband-and-wife author team dedicated to creating engaging, family-friendly books that bring children and caregivers together through the joy of reading.
The Little House that Needed a Witch
Sophie Pluim, author/illustrator
Polly Lawson, translator
Floris Books
9781782509837, $18.99, HC, 40pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Little-House-that-Needed-Witch/dp/1782509836
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-little-house-that-needed-a-witch-sophie-pluim/1149564726
Synopsis: Deep in the forest sat a little house. The old witch who'd lived there had gone for good. The little house felt empty and alone.
As the seasons changed grass grew tall around it and mushrooms began to sprout from its roof. The little house decided it needed a new witch. So, creaking and squeaking, it stood up! And went in search of a witch in need of a house!
An enchanting story celebrating change, tenacity and being open to new beginnings, from the illustrator of The Runaway Pancake.
Critique: An original, deftly crafted, fantasy picture book that is exceptionally well written and illustrated by the gifted storyteller and artist Sophie Pluim (and ably translated into English by Polly Lawson), "The Little House That Needed A Witch" is a thoroughly charming original fairy tale about a determined house (with legs!) and its search for a gentle witch who will love it, "The Little House That Needed A Witch" is a picture book celebration of 'change, tenacity and being open to new beginnings' and is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library fantasy themed picture book collections for children aged 4-7.
Editorial Note #1: Sophie Pluim (https://sophiepluim.com) is an acclaimed children's author and illustrator based in The Netherlands. She graduated from Utrecht School of the Arts and has illustrated picture books and novels for children, including The Runaway Pancake. The Little House That Needed a Witch is the first picture book she has written and illustrated.
Editorial Note #2: There is an online listing of books translated by Polly Lawson at Floris Books: https://www.florisbooks.co.uk/author/Polly-Lawson
I Am a Leaf
Angelo Mozzillo, author
Marianna Balducci, illustrator
Red Comet Press
9781636552026, $19.99, HC, 36pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Leaf-Angelo-Mozzillo/dp/1636552021
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-am-a-leaf-angelo-mozzillo/1149412232
Synopsis: Day after day, like a leaf in the wind, our emotions change. Sometimes we feel light and free, other times we feel weighed down. One day we feel brave, the next we feel scared and small. Some days we feel strong and confident, while on others we need to take a break.
"I Am A Leaf" by author/storyteller Angelo Mozzillo and artist/illustrator Marianna Balducci is a beautifully crafted and poetic children's picture book takes young readers on a journey through the ever-changing landscape of emotions. "I Am A Leaf" uses rhyming verse to talk about feelings, showing that it's OK to change and grow, just like a leaf.
Critique: This hardcover edition of "I Am A Leaf" from Red Comet Press is a singularly poetic and eloquently visual masterpiece of storytelling and ideal for introducing young readers to emotions through nature-inspired storytelling. While a highly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children aged 4-7, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "I Am A Leaf" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.09).
Editorial Note #1: Angelo Mozillo is an acclaimed Italian author of books for children and young readers, including the humorous Detective Linus series. I Am a Leaf won the prestigious Italian Andersen Prize as Best Picture Book in 2021 and was also named Best Children's Book overall. His books have been translated into several languages; this is his first published in English. Born in Naples, he now lives and works in Milan. Marianna Balducci is a celebrated Italian illustrator known for her innovative blend of illustration, photography, and digital techniques. She received the Andersen Prize for her work on I Am a Leaf. Balducci collaborates with major publishers and cultural institutions and is also an educator.
Editorial Note #2: Marianna Balducci, (www.mariannabalducci.it) a fashion graduate, is an author and illustrator of books for children and young adults. She often combines drawing and photography to guide her readers' gaze in unexpected directions. Her photo-illustrated picture books have earned her several awards, including the Nati per Leggere Prize (2018) and the Andersen Prize (2021). Alongside her illustration work, she taught a communication seminar for ten years at the Fashion Department in Rimini (Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna). She collaborates with illustration academies such as Mimaster (Milan), The Sign Academy (Florence), and NID (Perugia). She leads workshops and training sessions and brings her books to life in events for both children and adults.
The Path
Pamela Paul, author
Qin Leng, illustrator
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
c/o Penguin Group
www.penguin.com
9780593532195, $19.99, HC, 40pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Path-Pamela-Paul/dp/0593532198
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-path-pamela-paul/1148854104
Synopsis: It's a busy evening at the local park and all sorts of people are taking advantage of the precious natural space. Whether biking or rollerblading, birding or dog walking, there should be room enough for everyone... so why does it seem like someone else is always in the way?
Suddenly, a murmuration of starlings erupts from the treetops -- one giant winged cloud swirls and spins across the sky, forcing everyone to stop and look up. And after this small, spectacular moment, the park's visitors begin to interact with a new appreciation for what nature and community add to their lives.
Critique: With charming watercolor illustrations by Qin Leng are filled with personality, movement, and life, in "The Path" -- a very special picture book by author/storyteller Pamela Paul reminds young readers of all ages how each of us has a lot to offer others -- especially when we widen our perspectives. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick 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 "The Path" from G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note #1: Pamela Paul (https://www.pamelapaul.com) is a writer at large for The Wall Street Journal. She was previously an Opinion columnist at the New York Times and the editor of The New York Times Book Review. She is the author of eight adult books and It Simply Can't Be Bedtime and Rectangle Time for children. Prior to joining The New York Times, she was a contributor to Time and The Economist, and her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Vogue.
Editorial Note #2: Qin Leng (https://qinillustrations.com) has illustrated numerous picture books, magazines and book covers with publishers from around the world. Her recent picture books include the Canadian bestseller Skinnamarink, One Elephant Went Out to Play and Peanut Butter and Jelly written by Sharon, Lois and Bram; and Trefle (Clover) by Nadine Robert, which won the 2022 Governor General's Literary Award for Young Persons Literature - Illustrated Books. She is also the illustrator of A Family Is a Family Is a Family written by Sara O'Leary and Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin, which was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award and received the APALA Award for best picture book.
Little Bee and the Bloom
Carly Kremer, author
Katie Hunt, illustrator
Tiny Torch Books
c/o Collective Book Studio
https://thecollectivebook.studio
9781685550783, $17.95, HC, 40pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Bee-Bloom-Carly-Kremer/dp/1685550789
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-bee-and-the-bloom-carly-kremer/1148560843
Synopsis: When Little Bee meets a new flower friend, she begins a joyful journey -- learning how pollen travels from flower to flower and how bees help plants, fruits, and the foods we eat grow.
Blending playful storytelling with simple science, "Little Bee and the Bloom" introduces young readers to pollination in a warm, age-appropriate way.
Written by Carly Kremer, founder of Beekeeper's Naturals, and illustrated with whimsical artwork by Katie Hunt, this STEM nature picture book invites children to see bees as magical, helpful, and vital to the world around us.
"Little Bee and the Bloom" features:
A Friendly Introduction to Pollination: Shows how bees help flowers, fruits, plants, and food systems thrive.
STEM Learning for Early Readers: A natural fit for preschool, PreK, kindergarten, and early elementary science units.
Environmental Awareness for Kids: Helps children understand why bees matter and how families can support pollinators.
Educational Extras: Includes key bee terms and simple tips for helping bees and pollinators.
"Little Bee and the Bloom" is a charming picture book about bees, pollination, friendship, and caring for nature - perfect for curious kids, Earth Day reading, STEM classrooms, and nature-loving families.
Critique: Fun and informative from start to finish, "Little Bee and the Bloom" by author/storyteller Carly Kremer and artist/illustrator Katie Hunt is a thoroughly 'kid friendly', colorful, and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Nature themed picture book collections for children ages 6 months to 5 years. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Little Bee and the Bloom" from Tiny Torch Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note #1: Carly Kremer is a mother, beekeeper, and the founder of Beekeeper's Naturals, a health company reinventing medicine with clean, bee-powered remedies. She's a passionate activist for pollinator protection and hopes this book will help kids see bees as the magical, vital creatures they are. When she's not building products or working with hives, you can find her adventuring with her husband, daughter, and their dog, Minnie.
Editorial Note #2: Katie Hunt is an illustrator specializing in children's books, blending traditional and digital media. Her favorite tools include watercolor, colored pencil, and gouache. Inspired by everyday life, nature, and her children, she brings a touch of whimsy and warmth to every piece. Katie lives in Upstate New York with her husband, three kids, a dog, three cats, and a bearded dragon named Rupert.
Fritz: A Mushroom Story
Kelsey Garrity-Riley
Tundra Books
https://tundrabooks.com
9780735264335, $18.99, HC, 48pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fritz-Mushroom-Story-Kelsey-Garrity-Riley/dp/0735264333
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fritz-kelsey-garrity-riley/1148477189
Synopsis: Meet Fritz the Mushroom. He likes rose hip ice cream on warm days and cream of chestnut soup on cold ones. Sometimes, Fritz likes to play with lots of friends. Sometimes, he likes playing with his extroverted best friend Pip (who likes blackberry bramble ice cream on hot days and spicy nettle stew on cold ones). But most often, Fritz likes to spend time all by himself. Time to be quiet. Time to do lots of things or nothing at all.
One morning, Fritz decides to have a very Pip-like day, to see what it's like being Pip. The day starts with an exciting morning of berryball, followed by a swim in the puddle pond -- and then blowing bubbles in the violet patch!
But as the day goes on, Fritz starts getting more and more frazzled -- it's quite exhausting work being so social when you're an introvert! How can Fritz get the quiet time he needs when there's so much going on?
Critique: "Fritz: A Mushroom Story" by author/illustrator Kelsey Garrity-Rile is an impressively original and inherently fun read from start to finish. An especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, and elementary school Friendship and Emotions/Feeling themed picture book collections for children ages 3-7, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Fritz: A Mushroom Story" from Tundra Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Kelsey Garrity-Riley (https://kgriley.com) is an illustrator living and working in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Germany and Belgium and has a degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has illustrated several books, including My Little Brave Girl, Other-Wordly, Born to Ride: A Story About Bicycle Face and You Are a Beautiful Beginning, as well as her debut as an author, Frankie's Favorite Food.
My America Blooms
Nazanin Agange Ford, author
Fateme Mokhles, illustrator
Beaming Books
www.beamingbooks.com
9798889833437, $19.99 HC, $14.99 Kindle, 40pp, Ages 4-8
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/America-Blooms-Nazanin-Agange-Ford/dp/B0G6V6PYF2
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-america-blooms-nazanin-agange-ford/1148951610
My America Blooms receives inviting, colorful illustrations by Fateme Mokhles, accompanying a picture book story that follows a young girl and her family as they flee Iran for the promise of America. Inspired by Nazanin Agange Ford's own family experiences of immigrating when she was a child, this story follows a girl's creation of a garden that reflects her new life in America. Vivid descriptions of the immigration process embrace experiences at the airport, where "We drag our luggage to ladies who rake through everything. They keep things we did not want to leave behind." Also included are notes of positivity about the unknown yet to come: "Still, we weave to our gate. Chadors flying, smiles wilting, courage rising skyward." Elementary-level libraries seeking to add picture book accounts of immigrant experiences for the very young or insights about Iranian culture to their collections will find My America Blooms uplifting.
The Bilingual Shelf
SnowPal Soccer
Lisa Maria Burgess
Catalyst Press
https://www.catalystpress.org
9781960803412, $19.95, HC, Pages Unumbered
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/SnowPal-Soccer-Lisa-Maria-Burgess/dp/1960803417
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snowpal-soccer-lisa-maria-burgess/1147055606
Synopsis: After the snowstorm and after the children build snowmen comes a whimsical and unexpected event. In the light of moon and stars, the snowpals come to life to play an epic game of soccer!
Critique: "SnowPal Soccer" by author/illustrator Lisa Maria Burgess is an original picture book story of joy and the delight of play for children. It is also a bilingual (English/French) primer in sportsmanship in English and French. "SnowPal Soccer" is impressively illustrated with stitch and seam as it harkens back to an era before the uniformity of computer generated illustrations that are so common in children's picture books today. While a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Bilingual Picture Book collections for children ages 3-8, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "SnowPal Soccer" from Catalyst Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.71).
Editorial Note: Lisa Maria Burgess (www.lisamariaburgess.com) hand-stitches textile art to illustrate her bilingual books for children. While her first language is English, she speaks Spanish and French with fluency, and enjoys learning the basics of any language she has the pleasure of meeting. She holds a doctorate in English from the University of Pennsylvania.
The Elementary Fiction Shelf
The Duchess Would Not Approve!
Phil Gold
Independently Published
9798999951236, $13.99, PB, 28pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Duchess-Would-Not-Approve/dp/B0HDP1NSQ8
Synopsis: The Duchess would NOT approve! -- At least, that's what Mr. Gherkin thinks.
Peterkin and May-Rose have been exploring under beds, taking apart suits of armor, building forts out of books, and generally turning Rosehill Manor upside down. And every time, the impeccably proper Mr. Gherkin knows exactly what the Duchess would say.
Or does he?
"The Duchess Would Not Approve!" is a warm and wonderfully silly story about curiosity, imagination, and discovering that sometimes a little mess is exactly what a home needs.
Critique: Original, exceptional, and a fun read from start to finish, "The Duchess Would Not Approve!" by the team of storyteller and illustrator Phil Gold by is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library collections for young readers ages 7-10.
Editorial Note: Phil Gold (https://therealphilgold.com) is a writer of children's books, business guides, travel essays, observations on music, technology and culture. His writing explores a wide range of subjects united by curiosity and a love of telling stories.
Maud and the Very Eventful Week
Lisa Anchin
Candlewick Press
www.candlewick.com
9781536239300, $14.99, HC, 64pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Maud-Very-Eventful-Adventures-Vampire/dp/1536239305
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maud-and-the-very-eventful-week-lisa-anchin/1148625155
Synopsis: Who would have known on Monday that the week ahead would be such a busy one?
It all starts when Maud the little vampire finds a teapot that is obviously haunted (and very hungry). EEEK!
The days continue with Maud's attempt to sell spiders (and juice) from a sidewalk stand; a mega-toothy discovery; a ghost family taking over the dollhouse; and a visit to Agnes the witch, who brews up a dynamite soup.
Then comes Maud's yard sale, which is a lot of work but a great success, rounding out a very full week. But wait, could that be a teapot coming around again, on Sunday?
In this slightly gothic tour through the days of the week, the delight is in the details as illustrations portray Maud and her family and friends among the familiar objects and activities of childhood, with just enough of a quirky twist to please the young vampire lovers among us.
Critique: An original and fun paranormal fantasy for young readers, "Maud and the Very Eventful Week" by storyteller and illustrator Lisa Anchin is an original, deftly crafted, and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community library Fantasy Fiction collections for children ages 5-8. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Maud and the Very Eventful Week" from Candlewick Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Lisa Anchin (https://www.lisaanchin.com) is an illustrator, author, and designer. She has long had a literary love of vampires and often ran around in a red cape and fangs as a child, not only on Halloween. She is the author-illustrator of the picture book The Little Green Girl, which won a Crystal Kite Award, and the illustrator of a number of other books for children. When not in her studio stringing words together and doodling, she loves meeting other kidlit folks and has long volunteered as the illustration coordinator for the Metro New York chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Lisa Anchin lives in Brooklyn with her family.
The Middle Grade Fiction Shelf
Out of the Shadows
Nancy Bentley
https://www.nancybentley.com
Snapfinger Press
9780975865606, $23.00, HC, 290pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Out-Shadows-Nancy-Bentley/dp/0975865609
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-shadows-nancy-bentley/1150239139
Synopsis: Family secrets swirl around twelve-year-old Lithuanian-American, Ona Backus, clouding her past and obscuring her future. She yearns to become a "real American" yet doesn't understand why her family is hiding information about a missing uncle who went to Lithuania after World War II and never returned.
When a mysterious stranger suddenly appears, she is whisked away to Pennsylvania to spend the summer with Lithuanian relatives.
Using her camera, her curiosity, and her determination, Ona stands up to a pair of baseball bullies, a fierce storm, and her family's mysterious past, ending the summer with a new understanding of Lithuanian traditions, mythology, the art of wood carving, secrets revealed, and an acceptance of herself.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a fascinating read from start to finish, "Out of the Shadows" by Nancy Bentley will be of special appeal for young readers with an interest in Lithuanian immigrant themed historical novels set in World War II era America. With it's author's impressively effective and narrative driven storytelling style, "Out of the Shadows" is an exceptionally unique and unreservedly recommended pick for middle school and community library fiction collections for young readers ages 10-14. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Out of the Shadows" is also readily available in paperback (9780975865637, $15.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Nancy Bentley (https://www.nancybentley.com) began with a series of magazine articles for Colorado Fever, published by the Colorado Historical Institute for Children. She then authored a series of board books for young children with Price/Stern/Sloan, a picture book with Doubleday, and co-wrote a series of nonfiction books about writing for young children with Donna Guthrie for Millbrook Press. This was followed by a book about how to write reports without plagiarizing with Enslow Publishers. She has also earned certificates from the University of Denver and Stanford University Publishing Institutes, followed by internships with Holiday House, a children's book publisher in New York, for a couple of wonderful summers. Afterwards, she decided that writing was her dream job.
The Band from Another World
Kevin Garone
www.kevingarone.com
Temor Press
9798991328470, $19.99 Hardcover/$12.99 Paperback/$4.99 eBook
Books2Read.com
https://books2read.com/thebandfromanotherworld
The Band from Another World gives middle grade readers another rollicking alien novel of extraterrestrial encounters as Marv, Jace, and other group members strive to locate aliens within their community.
Success is nearly certain when they trace an alien transmission to an abandoned house, but when they confront its makers they discover not aliens, but the lure of abandoned musical instruments.
The bait proves too much for the boys to ignore as visions of becoming famous musicians divert their alien-busting interests in a different direction that involves no aliens at all. Or, does it?
The instruments may not be as benign as they seem, especially when Marv and his friends seem able to not only play them instantly, but find their personalities and perspectives shifting as a result. Are aliens involved in this transformation? And, what about the unrelenting transmission which seems to be forcing them in unexpected directions?
Advanced elementary to middle grade readers holding a fascination for stories that embrace mystery, investigative problem-solving, and alien possibilities will find The Band from Another World a lively, unpredictable adventure. It explores the realm of evil band members and body-occupied humans whose foray into alien territory has placed them in an untenable position. Can the boys avoid a similar fate?
The mystery brings readers into some satisfyingly puzzling dilemmas as they struggle against not just aliens, but transformed humans. Descriptions are vivid and alluring as the confrontations and realizations evolve:
"The man's eyes turned black, and he launched into a shredding heavy metal guitar riff. His fingers flew across the strings in a blur, and as he played, the red glow in the air grew brighter. I watched him switch into a fast-paced series of chords, my jaw agape. I was nothing compared to this fiend."
Elementary-level libraries and readers who are either newcomers to Kevin Garone's alien-infused worlds or prior fans of his adventure stories will find The Band from Another World absorbing and hard to put down - especially as it turns in unexpected directions to keep readers guessing and thoroughly immersed in a very different form of alien invasion.
Penny Bucks Back: A Pony's Tale
Ellen Beeler
Wonder Horse Publishing
www.steadytransitions.com
9798218895990, $10.99
Author's Website
https://steadytransitions.com/book-reservation
Penny Bucks Back: A Pony's Tale will appeal to advanced elementary to early middle grade readers with a powerful story not just of horses, but of friendship and compassion.
Illustrated with lovely black and white line drawings by Alexandra Bono, Penny Bucks Back gives other horse stories for this age group a run for their money in incorporating elements of emotional connection and understanding that will prove delightfully unexpected. Penny's story unfolds in eight parts which charts her emotional connections, growth, and the elements of trust and stubbornness which dictate her actions in life.
An opening note to young readers explains this emphasis on mindfulness that Penny teaches those around her:
"Horse time isn't about time. It's not about minutes and hours. Horse time is about paying attention. Penny urges us to be curious and to never stop questioning. What do I see? What do I hear? How do I feel? What is above me? What is right in front of me asking for my attention?"
Penny's first-person observations and questions about the puzzling human actions in her life are accompanied by horse terminology sprinkled throughout which are featured in bold lettering for easy later definition, from 'rodeo' and 'bucking' to 'bridle' and 'grooming tools' (a glossary of these terms is provided for reader reference). Young readers thus receive an education about horse lingo as they pursue Penny's story.
Her interactions with other horses also provide a sense of horse psyche and habits that kids will enjoy and learn from:
"We hooked our necks over each other and began to nibble on those sweet spots on our bodies neither of us could reach. Our backs. Our necks. Our cheeks and the back of our ears. Our bellies. I gave a huff of relief. Aztec was okay!"
From relationships that develop between horses in and out of their changing herd and the adaptations this requires to insights about respect, asking permission, and reactions to life and its challenges, the story progresses in surprising directions that each educate kids about reactions to life:
"Some horses band together and run when we intuit danger. Some stay and fight. Kind of like me. Some cling to a friend who they think will keep them safe and run. Some, like Little Joe, go limp and stop caring. Humans call this fight, flight, freeze, or make nice."
The result may be horse-centric, but also holds many important lessons for adaptation and survival in human circles which kids will find easy to absorb while learning about Penny's world.
Librarians seeking a horse story that trots above and beyond the usual light focus on equines will find Penny Bucks Back: A Pony's Tale not just attractive to leisure readers, but worthy of high recommendation to reading circles discussing emotional turbulence, survival tactics, compassion and kindness, and mindful thinking in approaches to living.
The Young Adult Fiction Shelf
Violette
Henry Hoffman
www.henryhoffman.net
Independently Published
9798195745929, $12.99 Hardcover/$2.99 eBook
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Violette-Henry-Hoffman/dp/B0GZVV8W7G
Violette's coming-of-age young adult novella opens in 1953 as Violette Meadows enters her first year in college facing all kinds of possibilities, from romance to academic success. Violette has longed for a life devoid of drama and replete with independence and success, but what she discovers in the greater world outside of family and home is a portent of disaster. This begins with a terrible rumor and evolves into a storm of the very drama she's tried to avoid all her life.
The religious boarding school offers her not just a new life on her own, but new challenges within it that buffet her self-confidence as well as her reputation and trajectory.
Henry Hoffman crafts a short but powerful survey of a young woman's first experiences away from the family fold. He weaves in many subtle allegorical experiences, as in a rowing experience, which reflects the broader themes of the novella:
"Her confidence bolstered, she entered the main current with more enthusiasm than hesitation. Still, the rise in velocity of the flow below them was unmistakable. The river may have been sleeping, but there was no denying its power."
As her encounter with married man Grady Dunlap and the rumor which impacts her life and future grows, YA readers receive a series of enlightening insights into the rigors of adulthood which teach Violette and her readers new lessons about survival, choice, and consequences. The result is a thought-provoking exploration of growth, soldiers, life meaning, making amends, and first romances that will give YA audiences not only much food for thought about coming of age, but plenty of fodder for book club and reading group discussions.
Allow in Light
Amanda LaPera
https://amandalapera.com
Adamo Press
9781965660119, $32.00 Hardcover/$19.99 Paperback/$4.99 eBook
Author's Website
https://amandalapera.com/books/allow-in-light
While Allow in Light adds to the Desert of Dreams series, it also may be acquired as a standalone story. It follows the evolutionary process of once-privileged girl Nicole, whose father has once again left the family. His follies have led the family into financial ruin, and Nicole has absorbed the negative messages and influences of an irresponsible father who shames her for her achievements and a browbeaten mother who has sacrificed everything for the family. Her interest in science meets with his objection - he wants to direct her into finance and big money. And so Nicole responds with emotional detachment and rejecting friends, connections, and love, cognizant that her dreams will never be achieved.
Amanda LaPera presents teens with an invigorating, lively survey of how Nicole grows a thick skin that leads her to break hearts all around her while maintaining relationships that actually keep potential friends at arms length. She enters high school with new possibilities and a revised vision for her future, but Nicole has yet to absorb the lessons of maturity which emerge in the course of her life and decisions in this novel. As the secrets she keeps spills over into formerly shunned new girl Carolyn's decisions and experiences, issues arise around bullying, sexual abuse and trauma, mental illness, and struggling friendships.
These translate to Allow in Light's special recommendation to mature teens equipped to handle all these topics as Nicole's life changes.
Book clubs and reading groups will be the perfect setting to discuss the many issues that arise in the course of Nicole's young life, providing a safe space for lively discourses about sensitive, important issues teens need to think about.
Libraries interested in a story that embraces all these facets while presenting a realistic account of a teen's efforts to grow against all odds will appreciate the ultimate positivity which emerges from Nicole's encounters, past, and future potential: "Why keep rehashing something she was powerless to do anything about? She had a future to focus on." The plot is engaging, characters realistic and compelling, and Nicole's many considerations inject thought-provoking moments of realization that will encourage many a teen to address and overcome the desire to love and be loved in unhealthy ways.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Will's Decoder
Victor Hess
https://victorhess.com
Independently Published
9780999564097, $9.95 Paperback/$2.99 eBook, Ages 8-17
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H5D3X4FZ
Will's Decoder: Cracking the Spy Code is a children's thriller set in 1958 that opens with six kids who have a propensity for attracting big trouble.
Trouble takes the form of a challenge to the Wesley Club they've formed, bringing a new adventure to thirteen-year-old William Groves and his friends, who solve crimes become entangled in dubious adult situations as a result.
Victor Hess does an exceptionally good job of exploring problem-solving capabilities and challenges as the kids examine their world, their place in it, and the mysteries which stymie them. Chapters evolve a sense of collaborative effort as the kids work not just among themselves, but with adult authorities to crack a mystery:
"I want to remind you that what you are working on in this room is secret stuff. You can't tell anyone what you are doing or what you have seen. After today, you will have to forget about me and the Air Force being here. The sergeant looked around at each person. The kids looked at each other."
The result is exceptional in its intrigue, which ranges from secret codes and leaked plans to the Wesley Club's suspicions of and interactions with adult investigators. The result produces exceptionally well-done collaborative problem-solving notes between adults and kids (something most thrillers or spy stories don't contain) and will appeal to a wide age range, from YAs to adults. As the impact of their choices comes to rest on the shoulders of one of their own club members, readers receive thought-provoking moments of connection and consequence which enlivens the problem-solving approaches of all involved.
Librarians seeking a story that sizzles with action and surprises will find Will's Decoder: Cracking the Spy Code can be recommended to a wide age range, pairing the adult elements of confrontation and battle with the investigative savvy of children who work together for a greater goal.
Valedictorian: An Origin Story
Thomas Murlin
https://thomasmurlin.com
Emory House Publishing
9798994576618, $24.99, HC, 382pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Valedictorian-Origin-Story-Thomas-Murlin/dp/B0H2RHHZH9
Synopsis: High schooler Jack Shaw never asked for greatness. He never asked for his uncle's comic book collection. He never asked for the stories (or their rules) to bleed into his life and test him in ways he never imagined. No... he never asked for any of it.
But now -- it's asking everything of him.
Part psychological mystery, part coming-of-age novel, "Valedictorian: An Origin Story" by Thomas Murlin follows Jack Shaw, the perfect student with an extraordinary secret, as his carefully constructed high school life begins to unravel. Buried truths, fractured memories, and difficult choices challenge everything he believes about himself.
During a Harvard admissions interview, Jack's story unfolds through a series of flashbacks that reveal the forgotten moments, painful truths, and defining experiences that shaped his transformation. Drawing on the conventions and reader expectations of comic book origin stories, the novel explores identity, memory, morality, and the choices that shape who we become.
As the line between hero and villain slowly begins to blur, a timeless question emerges: Are villains born -- or are they made?
Critique: Original, exceptional, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "Valedictorian: An Origin Story" by Thomas Murlin is an extraordinarily entertaining read and one that will have an identifiable resonance with adolescent readers. While this hardcover edition of "Valedictorian: An Origin Story" from Emory House Publishing is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as middle school, highschool, and community library YA Fiction collections for ages 14-18, it should be noted it is also available in paperback (9798994576649, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Thomas Murlin (https://thomasmurlin.com) is the author of "Valedictorian: An Origin Story" which is the first book in a trilogy he began writing while teaching high school English in upstate New York. Currently he is a full-time teacher, golf coach, and is a graduate of Syracuse University.
Accidental Tribes
C.S. Pascoal
Prospera Books
9798995829805, $34.99, HC, 202pp
9798995829812, $19.99, PB, 202pp
9798995829829, $9.99, Kindle, 202pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Tribes-C-S-Pascoal-ebook/dp/B0HFXFBMWH
Synopsis: At an underfunded public school in Times Square, eight teens who are facing expulsion or worse are given one last chance: Experiment 359, a thirty-day test designed to prove they can change.
Hacked grades. AI-generated humiliation. Anonymous accounts. One disastrous week put them all in the same room. They aren't friends. Some are enemies. And none of them trusts the others. Then they uncover something no one expected them to find.
A student died on school grounds, and what really happened was never explained.
The deeper they dig, the stranger things get. Money is missing. Stories conflict. Adults dodge questions. And someone seems determined to keep the past buried.
To save themselves, eight outsiders who can barely look at one another will have to do the one thing nobody expects. -- Trust each other.
These eight teens are about to discover one thing no one warned them about: -- They aren't the only ones being tested!
Critique: Original, exceptional, and a riveting read from start to finish, "Accidental Tribes" by C.S. Pascoal is a deftly crafted, digital-age YA mystery about misfit outsiders, badly needed second chances, dark secrets, and the unexpected alliances you can find when everything is going wrong. As an author, C.S. Pascoal exhibits a genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that keeps young readers fully engaged from beginning to end. "Accidental Tribes" is an unreservedly recommended pick for middle school, highschool, and community library YA Fiction collections and for the personal reading lists of young suspense thriller fans ages 13 to 18.
Editorial Note: C.S. Pascoal is the pen name of Candice S. Pascoal. She is an award-winning Tech for Good innovator and best-selling author who leads social impact ventures from New York City, where she raises her son and serves on the board of the United Nations International School. She founded UnBoxMe, a global community of philosophers, researchers, innovators, and authors confronting the questions technology alone cannot answer. Her ventures also include Alfredus Creatives and Kickante, the crowdfunding platform that earned her the 2017 Cartier Women's Initiative Award. (https://www.unboxme.club/ourfounder)
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Strange is a Hazard Here
Jim Hughes
Precocity Press
www.precocitypress.com
9781972561065, $19.95 Paperback/$9.95 eBook
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Hazard-Here-Jim-Hughes/dp/1972561065
Strange is a Hazard Here is a YA fantasy that embraces a range of topics, from coming of age and mother/daughter relationships to the costs of parenting with a heavy hand on the control button.
Threats come from a self-taught sorceress mother who employs her art on her own daughter to not just guide, but limit her. Jocelyn's birthdays are nothing to look forward to, as death threatens her each odd-numbered year. Mother Iris believes the issue lies within Jocelyn herself, but the truth is much darker as the spirit and life is sucked away from Jocelyn. Jocelyn is about to turn thirteen - and this portends something different as she struggles to regain control not just of her future and life, but of her abilities and persona.
Jim Hughes crafts what sounds like a complicated fantasy, but builds an age-appropriate, compelling story that will reach into adult circles with vivid accounts of enchantment and power:
"I have done more on your behalf than any mother would," she asserted. "But you have shown no gratitude. I could perform magic on you to extract Glum, but that would tire me and compel you; it would not make you a collaborator."
From shapeshifting and spells to the intersection of science and magic, Hughes introduces topics, themes, and choices that compel readers to become absorbed not just in Jocelyn's dilemma, but mother Idris's impact on the greater world around her: "From the love seat, Idris, obviously responding to something Oldric had said, cried, "I adore magic!"
Angwyn and Elda turned in the direction of the couple and took a few steps toward them.
"That it is regarded with disdain by your colleagues is a grave error," said Idris to Oldric. "Natural science is knowledge of nature; magic is the control of it."
"Well said!" exclaimed Oldric. "If I turn base metals into gold, am I not employing both science and magic?"
"And" said Idris, "if I make use of my knowledge of common plants by turning them into remedies..."
"You are a magician!" affirmed Oldric.
"Also a scientist," added Idris, "as you."
These intriguing moments of definition and discovery weave a tale of emotional and physical control, and family entanglements, in a manner that will appeal to readers beyond the usual realm of fantasy. Strange is a Hazard Here is especially recommended for readers of all ages who enjoy stories of personal growth, the subtle mechanisms of control, and thought-provoking satire at its best.
Storm Caller
Nisha J. Tuli
Mayhem Books
c/o Entangled Publishing
https://entangledpublishing.com
9781682817513, $24.99, HC, 448pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Caller-Breaker-2/dp/1682817512
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/storm-caller-nisha-j-tuli/1150313214
Synopsis: Poet Graves has only ever wanted to be free. But no matter where she turns, she's held captive by a power she doesn't understand, a truth she no longer believes in, and a love she can't deny.
As Poet is drawn further into Rook's world, his secrets force her to question who she can trust. But when friends turn into enemies, enemies prove to be allies, and the place that was once a safe harbor is revealed as the eye of the storm, Poet's only choice is to fight for what she believes in.
When New Manhattan's darkest secrets refuse to stay hidden, the cause Poet and Rook fight for will be called into question. The answers are out there... and they could destroy everything.
Critique: The second volume in the young adult dystopian romance/fantasy trilogy that began with "Storm Breaker", novelist Nisha Tuli's "Storm Caller" continues the story of The Cruel Prince who rules in a glittering, storm-wrecked Manhattan where the elite dominate through legacy -- but also where one forbidden romance could tear it all apart. Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from start to finish, "Storm Caller" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for highschool and community library YA Fantasy Fiction collections for young readers ages 16-21. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated dystopian fantasy fans that this hardcover edition of "Storm Caller" from Mayhem Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: There is an online listing of books by Nisha J. Tuli at Book Series in Order: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/nisha-j-tuli
Lucena in the House of Madgrin
Goldeen Ogawa
https://www.goldeenogawa.com
Heliopause Productions
https://heliopause.pro
9781945781162, $45.73, HC, 322pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lucena-House-Madgrin-Occitan-Goldeen/dp/1945781165
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lucena-in-the-house-of-madgrin-goldeen-ogawa/1137162389
Synopsis: Lucena Clarian Ashmoor has never hatched a feathered serpent from an egg. She has never befriended a sombulus - a monster that looks like a giant spider, eats darkness, and likes reading books. She has never ridden a magic horse.
What she has done is spent all her life with relatives who would prefer she were elsewhere, and so sent her away to the nastiest school imaginable. There she has been bullied, and told so many times that she was dumb and fat and useless that she almost came to believe it. She has never been popular, and never done anything remotely heroic.
All this changes the night a vampire attacks her school and Lucena is tumbled into a world wider, darker, more magical and more mysterious than any she could have imagined. Here she will find the forgotten egg, meet the shade-eating spider, ride the black mare with coal-fire eyes, fight vampires, dance with fairies, and find-in time-that she might be a hero after all.
Critique: Original, imaginative, deftly crafted, and a fun read from start to finish for young readers with an interest in vampire themed fantasy fiction, "Lucena in the House of Madgrin" by storyteller and illustrator Goldeen Ogawa is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library action-adventure themed Fantasy Fiction collections for young readers ages 8-14. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Lucena in the House of Madgrin" from Heliopause Productions is also readily available in paperback (9781945781148, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Goldeen Ogawa (https://www.goldeenogawa.com) is an author-illustrator specializing in fantasy and science fiction, colored pencil, water color, subverting tropes and under-represented narrative voices. No bad endings.
Stahno the Space Explorer
Lan H. Reilly
Mission Point Press
https://www.missionpointpress.com
9781968761738, $24.95, HC, 34pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Stahno-Space-Explorer-Discover-Artmaking/dp/196876173X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stahno-the-space-explorer-lan-h-reilly/1150302739
Synopsis: Stahno is a curious young Caspian seal with a homemade rocket and an adventurous spirit. As he explores remarkable new planets, he discovers worlds missing the very ideas that bring art to life. With every stop, he meets unforgettable characters, solves creative challenges, and helps each world see things in a whole new way.
From bringing color to a gray world to helping flat walruses discover depth, every adventure is filled with humor, heart, and surprising discoveries that inspire children to think creatively and see the world through an artist's eyes.
Without ever feeling like a lesson, young readers will discover how artists use color, light, shape, and perspective to understand the world around them, making foundational art concepts both meaningful and memorable.
Critique: An original and ideal picture book by Lan H. Reilly author/illustrator Lan . Reilly for young artists, curious explorers, classrooms, and homeschooling families, "Stahno the Space Explorer: Discover The Magic of Artmaking " is a unique picture book story that young readers will fully enjoy with an inspired and inspiring creativity. While an unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Science Fiction and Artistic Creativity themed picture book collections for children ages 8-12, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Stahno the Space Explorer: Discover The Magic of Artmaking" from Mission Point Press is also readily available in paperback (9781968761745, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.95).
Editorial Note: After recently completing Abe the Caterpillar, Lan H. Reilly, a self-taught artist, was inspired to write her next book, Stahno the Space Explorer, hoping to cultivate a love for arts among her young audience. She was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and spent most of her childhood there. In 1975, she was evacuated with her family from the US Embassy and settled in Wisconsin. She later earned her Engineering degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The Biography Shelf
Judith Resnik: Unsung Astronaut
Marlene Targ Brill
Ohio University Press
www.ohioswallow.com
9780821426890, $32.95, HC, 117pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Judith-Resnik-Astronaut-Biographies-Readers/dp/0821426893
Synopsis: Judith Resnik didn't grow up dreaming of space, but when NASA opened its doors to women astronauts in the late 1970s, she stepped forward -- and soared. One of the first six women ever accepted into NASA's space shuttle astronaut-training program, Resnik brought her sharp mind, determination, and creativity to a field that had long been closed to women. Although she wasn't the first American woman in space, she became one of the most accomplished astronauts of her time.
Resnik's journey wasn't easy. She faced challenges at home and in school, but she never let obstacles stop her. A gifted student, she excelled in math, science, and music -- she even considered becoming a concert pianist before choosing a career in engineering. Her hard work paid off: She earned multiple degrees and helped design improvements for the space shuttle itself. She proved that astronauts aren't just pilots -- they are also problem solvers, inventors, and explorers.
In 1984, Resnik launched into space for the first time aboard the shuttle Discovery. Two years later, she joined the crew of Challenger. Tragically, that mission ended in disaster, cutting her life short. While the world focused on the loss of teacher Christa McAuliffe, who was a passenger on that flight, Resnik's story was often overlooked. Yet her contributions to science and space exploration live on through programs, schools, and scholarships that bear her name.
"Judith Resnik: Unsung Astronaut" by Marlne Targ Brill is an inspiring biography that brings Resnik's remarkable life to light. Young readers will discover how a girl from Ohio became a trailblazer in space and how her courage and brilliance continue to inspire new generations. Her story reminds us that even if you're not first, you can still make history -- and that reaching for the stars begins with believing in yourself.
Critique: A biography that well serves to memorialize the first American woman astronaut to lose her life in advancing space science and exploration, "Judith Resnik: Unsung Astronaut" by Marlene Targ Brill is thoroughly 'kid friendly' in tone, style, organization and presentation. Visually enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of numerous B/W illustrations and photos, a four page Timeline, a two page Glossary, a one page listing of Acknowledgments, six pages of Notes, and a four page Bibliography that includes Books for Older Readers, Newspaper & Magazine Articles, Websites, Videos, and Places to Visit. Also available in paperback (9780821426906, $15.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), this hardcover edition of "Judith Resnik: Unsung Astronaut" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Women's Biography & Science/Astronaut Biography collections.
Editorial Note: Marlene Targ Brill (www.marlenetargbrill.com) is an award-winning author of seventy-four books for all ages, including Jane Addams: The Most Dangerous Woman in America and Dolores Huerta Stands Strong: The Woman Who Demanded Justice from Ohio University Press. She especially seeks to write women into history and tell stories of the overlooked and under-sung.
The Mythology Shelf
Mythology Heroes
Fergus Braun
The Child's World, Inc.
www.childsworld.com
9798895343722, $393.48, HC, 12 Title Set
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Zeus-King-Gods-Mythology-Heroes/dp/1503879518
Book 1 -- "Zeus: King of the Gods" (9781503879515, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Greek god of the sky and king of the gods in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Greek mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Zeus, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hades-God-Underworld-Mythology-Heroes/dp/1503879453
Book 2 -- "Hades: God of the Underworld" (9781503879454, 32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Greek god of the underworld in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Greek mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Hades, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-God-Sun-Mythology-Heroes/dp/1503879526
Book 3 -- "Apollo: God of the Sun" (9781503879522, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Greek god of the Sun, archery, and prophecies in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Greek mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Apollo, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Athena-Goddess-Wisdom-Mythology-Heroes/dp/1503879429
Book 4 -- "Athena: Goddess of Wisdom" (9781503879423, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Greek goddess of wisdom and war in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Greek mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Athena, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Artemis-Goddess-Hunt-Mythology-Heroes/dp/1503879488
Book 5 -- "Artemis: Goddess of the Hunt" (9781503879485, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Greek goddess of hunting and the wilderness in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Greek mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Artemis, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Poseidon-God-Sea-Mythology-Heroes/dp/1503879437
Book 6 -- "Poseidon: God of the Sea" (9781503879430, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Greek god of the sea in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Greek mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Poseidon, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hercules-Hero-Strength-Mythology-Heroes/dp/150387947X
Book 7 -- "Hercules: Hero of Strength" (9781503879478, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Greek hero, who is known for completing 12 labors and gaining immortality, in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Greek mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Hercules, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Ra-Sun-Egypt-Mythology-Heroes/dp/1503879410
Book 8 -- "Ra: Sun God of Egypt" (9781503879416, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Egyptian god of the Sun in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Egyptian mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Ra, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Book 9 -- "Isis: Goddess of Healing" (9781503879492, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Egyptian goddess of healing in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Egyptian mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Isis, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Isis-Goddess-Healing-Mythology-Heroes/dp/1503879496
Book 10 -- "Thor: God of Thunder" (9781503879447, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Norse god of thunder in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Norse mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Thor, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Loki-Trickster-North-Mythology-Heroes/dp/150387950X
Book 11 -- "Loki: Trickster of the Gods" (9781503879508, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Norse god of tricks in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Norse mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Loki, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Freya-Goddess-Love-Mythology-Heroes/dp/1503879461
Book 12 -- "Freya: Goddess of Love and War" (9781503879461, $32.79 / $22.95, HC, 24pp) retells a classic myth about the Norse goddess of love and war in an easy and fun way. Features include a nonfiction opening spread introducing the topic of Norse mythology more generally, fun facts to give more information about Freya, and back matter features that summarize key points about the character and the story told.
Critique: Impressively illustrated, deftly crafted, a fun and informative read from start to finish, and featuring a reinforced binding to insure an extended shelf life, this twelve volume Mythology Heroes series from The Child's World is an ideal and unreservedly recommended acquisition selection for elementary school and community library Greek, Egyptian, and Norse Mythology collections and school curriculum studies lists for children ages 5-9. It should be noted that each individual title in this simply outstanding series is also available in a digital book format (Hosted Ebook, $52.79 / $36.95).
Editorial Note: Fergus Braun is an editorial assistant living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has a bachelor's degree in English, and when he is not working, he enjoys reading and playing ultimate frisbee.
The Native American Studies Shelf
Jenny's Concrete Powwow
Shawna Lee Corbould, author
Regina Alice Wilman, illustrator
Medicine Wheel Publishing
9781778540912, $18.88, HC, 32pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Jennys-Concrete-Powwow-Shawna-Corbould/dp/1778540910
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jennys-concrete-powwow-shawna-lee-corbould/1148937665
Synopsis: Jenny doesn't want to go to the Powwow because she would much rather be home in the city with her friends, but once she arrives at the reserve, she begins to feel a deep-rooted connection to nature, the Powwow, and the community.
The next day, Jenny realizes that while the city is busy and full of people, she does not feel that same connection. She spots a crow flying down the street and follows it to the park, where she is inspired to find that same spark of cultural connection she felt at the Powwow within herself.
Critique: "Jenny's Concrete Powwow" tells the story of a young Indigenous girl that attends her very first Powwow. It is a unique and beautifully illustrated picture book by Indigenous Canadian author/storyteller Shawna Lee Corbould and Indigenous Canadian artist/illustrator Regina Alice Wilman that deftly addresses the challenges of urban Indigenous experience, validates the feeling of cultural identity disconnect, and considers ways to regain that connection. Through the beauty, joy, and spirit of powwows, Jenny demonstrates how children can take action to reclaim their Indigenous identity and pride. This hardcover picture book edition of "Jenny's Concrete Powwow" from Medicine Wheel Publishing will prove an unreservedly popular pick for family, daycare center, preschool., elementary school, and community library Native American themed picture book collections.
Editorial Note #1: Shawna Lee Corbould is a proud Ojibwe woman and member of Matachewan First Nation (Ontario, Canada). She was inspired to write Jenny's Concrete Powwow by her own experiences of being raised in a city 2 hours away from her reservation. She has a Masters in Social Work and is a mom of 2, which takes up 99% of her life. She loves painting and making dreamcatchers. Shawna Lee has another book called Charlie the Matachewan Moose (Strong Nations, 2025).
Editorial Note #2: Regina Alice Wilman is a freelance Canadian-Indigenous artist of Plains Cree descent, born in Atikameg (Whitefish Lake Reserve), AB. She specializes in Indigenous art encompassing the histories, teachings, and stories of her culture. Regina has previously illustrated a book called I am Not a Costume (written by Maria DesJarlait, 2025).
The Gift of the Little People
William Dumas, author
Rhian Brynjolson, illustrator
HighWater Press
c/o Portage and Main Press
https://www.portageandmainpress.com/HighWater-Press
9781553799924, $22.95, HC, 48pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Little-People-Asiniskaw-Ithiniwak/dp/1553799925
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gift-of-the-little-people-william-dumas/1139633425
Synopsis: At the time of the spring thaw, the Rocky Cree fill their canoes with furs, eager to trade with the new visitors in mistiwasahak (Hudson Bay). But not all of the new visitors are welcome.
When the canoes return home to the shores of the misinipi river, the Rocky Cree begin to collapse one by one, drenched in sweat and slowly slipping into delirium. Kakakiw struggles to help the sick as more and more people pass into the spirit world. Exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually, he seeks guidance through prayer.
Hope finally comes with a visitor in the night: one of the Little People, small beings who are just like us. If Kakakiw can journey to their home, he will be given the medicine his people need. All he has to do is paddle through a cliff of solid bedrock to get there.
To save his people from certain death, Kakakiw must overcome doubt to follow the traditional teachings of the Asiniskaw Ithiniwak and trust in the gift of the Little People.
A Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Ithiniwak Story, "The Gift of the Little People" is an illustrated short story for all ages as celebrated Rocky Cree storyteller William Dumas shares a teaching about hope in the face of adversity.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout with the distinctive artistry of Rhian Brynjolson, "The Gift of the Little People" by author/storyteller William Dumas will prove to be an immediately welcome and enduringly popular pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Native American Folklore/Mythology collections for children ages 9-11. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Gift of the Little People" from HighWater Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.00).
Editorial Note #1: William Dumas, a Rocky Cree Knowledge Keeper and storyteller, was born in South Indian Lake, Manitoba. He has been an educator all his life and is passionate about Cree language and culture. William Dumas knows firsthand the power that storytelling has to teach Indigenous youth where they have come from and where they are going. He lives in Thompson, Manitoba.
Editorial Note #2: Rhian Brynjolson (https://www.rhianbrynjolson.com) is a visual artist who has worked with the River on the Run artist collective, making and performing art to raise awareness of environmental concerns affecting the Lake Winnipeg watershed and boreal forest. Her most recent work is an art-science collaboration with Global Water Futures. Her work is dedicated to social and environmental justice. Rhian lives in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba, within Treaty 3, and acknowledges the traditional territory of the Anishinabe.
First Fire: An Algonkian Story
Retold by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac
Illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden
Wisdom Tales Press
www.wisdomtalespress.com
9781957670225, $19.95, HC, 44pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/First-Fire-Algonkian-Joseph-Bruchac/dp/1957670223
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-fire-joseph-bruchac/1148634353
First Fire: An Algonkian Story receives gorgeous illustrations by David Kanietakeron Fadden as it presents a picture book First Nations origin story about how humans acquired fire thanks to a clever fox. This happens despite the obstacle of a monstrous mother and her three daughters, who are determined to keep fire trapped in a cave, inaccessible to mankind. Exceptionally gorgeous illustrations bring all characters (including animals) to life as a boy who frees a fox is rewarded with her knowledge. First Fire is one of the most visually vivid retellings of the Algonkian story in print. It is highly recommended not just for elementary-level libraries and collections strong in First Nations folklore, but for all ages, who will appreciate its bright illustrations and creative portrait of the power of good deeds.
The Music CD Shelf
Magnificent
Lachi
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $8.99 digital
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HBF681ZC
Award-winning recording artist, author, and advocate for disability culture Lachi presents her debut children's album Magnificent, available both digitally and as a limited edition CD with a liner note insert that also serves as a coloring book. Printable online versions of the insert, ideal for families and classrooms, come with both the digital and physical versions. More than seventy collaborators have contributed to this wonderful medley of original songs designed to teach listeners about disability, from the open-hearted track "Ask Me" to tracks like "I Like Me" that foster self-confidence. Magnificent is upbeat, catchy, educational, and highly recommended for family, school library, and public library children's music collections. The tracks are Magnificent; Ask Me; Fidget; Moves; Emoji of a Heart; Soy Diferente; Do I Count; Next Up; I Like Me; and Barriers for Breakfast.
The Islamic Studies Shelf
Let's Visit the Three Sacred Mosques
Sara Khan, author
Ali Lodge, illustrator
Kube Publishing Ltd
https://www.kubepublishing.com
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Visit-Three-Sacred-Mosques/dp/1835920268
Synopsis: The 'Let's Visit the Three Sacred Mosques' board book trilogy by author/storyteller Sara Khan and artist/illustrator Ali Lodge features the adventures of Huraira, the cat, on a delightful journey to three of the holiest mosques in Islam. This unique series is comprised of:
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Visit-Masjid-al-Haram-Sara/dp/183592025X
Let's Visit Masjid al-Haram (9781835920251, $12.95, 28pp)
Join Huraira, the cat, on a delightful journey to Masjid al-Haram. Learn about the Ka'bah and other important places within the mosque's compound, and find out where Huraira's favourite spot is. Written and illustrated in a playful yet educational style, this child's board book is perfect to explore and learn about the most sacred mosque on earth. It comes with two pop-up surprises and makes a perfect gift.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Visit-Masjid-Al-Nabawi-Sara/dp/1835920241
Let's Visit Masjid al-Nabawi (9781835920244, $12.95, 28pp)
Join Huraira, the cat, on a delightful journey to Masjid al-Nabawi. From its peaceful courtyard to the resting place of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), follow Huraira to experience the beauty of this serene site. Written and illustrated in a playful yet educational style, this book is perfect to explore and learn about the second holiest mosque on earth. This child friendly book book comes with two pop-up surprises and makes a perfect gift.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Visit-Masjid-Al-Aqsa/dp/1835920233
Let's Visit Masjid Al Aqsa (9781835920237, $12.95, 28pp)
Join Huraira, the cat, on a delightful journey to Masjid al-Aqsa. Discover the Dome of the Rock and step foot inside the Masjid al-Qibli to understand the true essence of this blessed area. Written and illustrated in a playful yet educational style, this very special board book is perfect for introducing, exploring and learning about the third holiest mosque on earth. It comes with two pop-up surprises and makes a perfect gift.
Critique: It should be noted that these three individual and unique Islamic Mosque themed board books from Kube Publishing Ltd are also available as a boxed set (9781835920268, $32.95). This unique and outstanding series is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Islamic and Middle Eastern History themed board book collections for children ages 3-7.
Editorial Note #1: Sara Khan was born in Stuttgart, Germany, before moving to the UK at the age of 12. Fluent in German, Arabic and Urdu, Sara is both a bestselling author and a qualified translator. She holds a first-class BA (hons) in Linguistics and Arabic, as well as a MA in Translation and Interpreting Studies both from the University of Manchester. As part of her degree, Sara lived in Amman, Jordan, with her husband Naveed, and studied Arabic at the University of Jordan. Living in Jordan enabled them to travel across the Middle East and experience numerous Muslim cultures, traditions, and historic sites in places such as Cairo, Damascus, Jerusalem, Madinah and Makkah. Her postgraduate research focused on Qur'an translation and adaptation for children.
Editorial Note #2: Ali Lodge has a MA in Illustration from the North Wales School of Art. She lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire, UK with her two children and beagle puppy Benji.
Books in Series
Busy Little Fingers series
Martine Perrin
Post Wave Children's Books
https://postwavepublishing.com
Post Wave Children's Books is a premier publisher of board books for very young children. One of their newest board book series is 'Busy Little Fingers' by author/illustrator Martine Perrin.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Little-Fingers-Martine-Perrin/dp/B0GHMBYBJB
Busy Little Fingers Play
9798895091548, $10.99, 20pp, Ages 3-5
Two hands, eight fingers, two thumbs -- each one color-coded and ready to play! On each page of "Busy Little Fingers Play", busy little fingers are invited to tickle, knock, climb, and crawl using fingers, thumbs, and palms. Children will use their fingers to crawl like a spider, swish across the page like windscreen wipers, find their way through a maze, and more. "Busy Little Fingers Play" is a gentle, interactive board book for babies, encouraging hand movement while introducing left and right, and the names of all the fingers.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Little-Fingers-Martine-Perrin/dp/B0GHMXQWHP
Busy Little Fingers Move
9798895091524, $10.99, 20pp, Ages 3-5
Two hands, eight fingers, two thumbs - each one color-coded and ready to move! On each page, busy little fingers are invited to touch, tap, walk, and play using fingers, thumbs, and palms. Thumbs up and thumbs down, point left and point right. "Busy Little Fingers Move" is a gentle, interactive board book for babies, encouraging hand movement while introducing left and right, and the names of all the fingers.
Critique: Both "Busy Little Fingers Play" and "Busy Little Fingers Move" are gentle introductions to hand movement and intuitive guides for children ages 3-6 specifically designed to strengthen coordination, support early neural development, and left and right awareness. Bold colors and clear lines naturally capture and a young child's attention as they encourage hand and finger actions such as grasping, pinching, and releasing. Both of these innovative titles from Post Wave Children's Books are unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, and community library Board Book collections.
Editorial Note: Post Wave Publishing UK is a newly formed independent publishing house, focusing on their children's imprint, Post Wave Children's Books. Their mission as publishers is to make every child around the globe a reader. Their belief is that being a reader brings children opportunities and opens up the world to them.
Big Questions Answered series
Beetle Books
https://www.mybeetlebooks.com
As a publisher, Beetle Books aims to bring non-fiction alive for young readers with brilliant imagery from some of the best and most talented artists and photographers they can find. Sometimes using a blend of narrative text alongside bite-size information, our high interest topics encourage reading for fun. Of special note is their new 'Big Questions Answered' series of science themed books for children ages 5-9. This outstanding series includes:
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/How-Will-Navigate-Stars-Navigation/dp/1835691587
How Will We Navigate to the Stars?: Discover the Science behind Navigation
Rosie Rowntree, author
Veronika Chaves Morales, illustrator
9781835691588, $14.99, HC, 40pp
Just how will we navigate to the stars? The science of navigating beyond Earth and to the stars is a challenge with incredible, future-changing possibilities. With the publication of "How Will We Navigate to the Stars?: Discover the Science behind Navigation" young readers will discover how pioneering scientists and engineers study navigation and learn about: The clever ways humans navigated unexplored places before technology; The science behind a spacecraft's journey from start to finish; How navigation teaches us about Earth's future place in the universe -- and so much more!
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Are-Octopuses-Another-World-Teuthology/dp/183569165X
Are Octopuses from Another World?: Discover the Science behind Teuthology
Rosie Rowntree, author
Valeria Abatzoglu, illustrator
9781835691656, $14.99, HC, 40pp
Are octopuses from another world? These animals and their incredible, unique features help reveal fascinating facts about the animal kingdom. In "Are Octopuses from Another World young readers will discover how teuthologists study octopuses and learn about: The incredible adaptations that let octopuses thrive in the world's harshest conditions; How octopuses can edit their own genes!; Why these tentacled animals need nine brains and three hearts; The incredible ways octopuses interact with the natural world around them . . . and so much more!
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Can-Butterfly-Cause-Hurricane-Questions/dp/1835691498
Can a Butterfly Cause a Hurricane?: Discover the Science Behind Chaos Theory
Olivia Watson, author
Daniel Limon, illustrator
9781835691496, $14.99, HC, 40pp
Can a butterfly cause a hurricane? Chaos theory is a mind-bending, but fascinating, idea with worldwide consequences. Now children can discover how scientists and mathematicians study this concept and learn about: How tiny things can lead to huge changes; The surprising ways chaos shapes everything from weather and outer space to our daily lives; Why predicting the future is harder than it seems... and so much more!
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Could-Rainforests-Save-Planet-Earth/dp/1835691609
Could Rainforests Save Planet Earth?: Discover the Science behind Tropical Biology
Olivia Watson, author
Valeria Abatzoglu, illustrator
9781835691601, $14.99, HC, 40pp
Could rainforests save planet Earth? These diverse ecosystems are home to many plants and animals, each with amazing abilities that could change Earth's future. Now young readers can discover how tropical biologists study rainforests and learn about: Trees that are able to clean the air and water; Fascinating plant species that hold powerful medicines; The surprising ways plants and animals work together to keep the natural world healthy... and so much more!
Critique: Beautifully bound with striking illustrations, 'The Big Questions Answered' series from Beetle Books is a unique and collectable series that will start a lifelong interest in science for kids ages 5-9. Each book includes a QR code link to The Big Question Answered website (https://www.thebigquestionsanswered.com) for comprehensive free teacher resources and fun kids' pack. This series is unreservedly recommended for elementary school and community library Science themed books for children ages 5-9.
Editorial Note: The additional books available in the "Big Questions Asked" series from Beetle Books includes:
Can Crabs And Crustaceans Survive And Where? (Carcinology)
Could An Earthquake Shake The Whole World? (Seismology)
Do Rocks Shape The Earth? (Petrology)
Could The Human Brain Power A Light Bulb (Neurobiology)
Do Fish Only Live Under Water? (Ichthyology)
Could Genes Allow Us To Live Forever? (Genetics)
Could Robots Rule The World? (Robotics)
Does Life Come From The Sun? (Heliophysics)
Suzie Housley's Bookshelf
The Lost Baseball: Adventures with Jack & Rex
Lauren Gallo, author
Naka Nayui, illustrator
Lauren Gallo Books
9798218753344, $10.99, PB, 33pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Baseball-Adventures-Jack-Rex/dp/B0GLHWRCPC
Synopsis: A day at the baseball field turns into an unexpected adventure when young Jack sends a ball sailing beyond the fence. With his dinosaur friend Rex beside him, Jack sets off to retrieve it, but what begins as a simple search soon leads the pair down a woodland path and into the company of some helpful new friends.
One by one, Owl, Frog, Squirrel, Bunny, and Bear join the search. Although no one seems to know where the missing baseball has gone, each encounter brings Jack and Rex closer to something even more valuable: the realization that an ordinary problem can become much easier - and a lot more fun - when friends are willing to help. The story ultimately circles back to baseball, only now Jack and Rex have an entire team of new companions ready to play.
Critique: Lauren Gallo's Adventures with Jack & Rex: The Lost Baseball captures the kind of childhood adventure that begins with a small problem and grows into something wonderfully unexpected. Jack and Rex are an instantly likable pair, and their search for a missing baseball gives young readers an easy-to-follow storyline while quietly introducing lessons about friendship, cooperation, kindness, and sharing.
The repetitive nature of the search works especially well for younger children. Each new animal brings another opportunity to wonder where the baseball might be, creating a rhythm that makes the story well suited for reading aloud. Rather than allowing Jack and Rex to become discouraged, Gallo keeps them moving forward, and their determination gives the story an upbeat sense of momentum.
Naka Nayui's colorful illustrations add much of the book's personality. Rex, in particular, is expressive and playful, while the woodland animals make each stage of the search feel like a new discovery. The visual transition from the baseball field into the woods and eventually back to the game complements the simple adventure nicely.
What I especially enjoyed is that the missing baseball ultimately becomes secondary to the friendships formed along the way. Bear's willingness to share his own baseball provides a gentle example of generosity without turning the story into an obvious lesson. Jack's grateful response reinforces the message naturally, and the growing group of friends heading back to play together gives the book a satisfying conclusion.
Inspired by the author's own love of story time with her son, Adventures with Jack & Rex: The Lost Baseball has the warmhearted quality of a story created to be shared between a child and the person reading beside them.
Young baseball fans will enjoy the sports theme, while dinosaur lovers will quickly embrace Rex. Most importantly, children are left with the simple reminder that sometimes losing something can lead to finding something even better -- a new friend.
Editorial Note: Recommended for ages 3-8.
Nile Noodles - Silly Space Books #6
Lily Tessie Lamb
Independently Published
9798355829131, $8.99 PB, $2.99 Kindle, 44pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHC22JWP
Synopsis: The adventure continues as twins Thrilly and Bee-Bup climb aboard the Redshine Rover for another imaginative journey - this time to Egypt and the famous Nile Delta. With their enthusiastic friend Kleo Khattra leading the way, the young explorers are introduced to the history, traditions, foods, and fascinating culture of one of the world's most recognizable destinations. Filled with colorful illustrations, humor, and a sense of discovery, Nile Noodles gives children an entertaining opportunity to explore another part of the world without ever leaving home.
Critique: One of the greatest gifts we can give a child is curiosity. In Nile Noodles, Lily Tessie Lamb takes that natural desire to discover something new and turns it into a lively adventure filled with culture, imagination, and fun.
Thrilly and Bee-Bup are off again aboard the Redshine Rover, and this time their travels take them to Egypt's Nile Delta. What I particularly enjoyed about Lamb's approach is that the educational elements never overwhelm the story. Young readers aren't simply handed a collection of facts about Egypt. Instead, they experience the destination alongside the characters, discovering its food, history, customs, and traditions as part of the adventure.
That makes a difference, especially when writing for children. Learning becomes much more memorable when youngsters are having too much fun to realize they are being taught something along the way.
The illustrations are another highlight of Nile Noodles. Bright, playful, and filled with details, they complement the story while giving young readers even more to explore. This is the type of book that invites children to linger over the pages, point out something they notice, ask questions, and perhaps become curious enough to want to learn more about Egypt afterward.
I have always appreciated children's books that do more than simply entertain. The best ones can open a door to a place, culture, or idea that a child may never have encountered before. Nile Noodles does exactly that. It offers parents, grandparents, and educators a natural starting point for conversations about geography, history, food, travel, and the many different ways people experience the world.
At only 44 pages, the book is also approachable for younger readers and well suited for reading together. It would make an enjoyable addition to a family bookshelf, classroom library, or collection of books designed to encourage children to look beyond their own backyard.
With Nile Noodles, Lily Tessie Lamb reminds young readers that the world is a very big place filled with interesting people, fascinating traditions, and plenty of adventures waiting to be discovered. Sometimes all it takes to begin the journey is opening a book.
Recommended for young readers, families, educators, and anyone hoping to nurture a child's curiosity about the world.
Suzie Housley, Senior Reviewer
https://housleysliteraryservices.com
The Story Monsters Ink
Shelf
Story Monsters LLC is dedicated to helping authors of all genres strive for excellence through our marketing and
publicity services, Dragonfly Book Awards contests, Story Monsters Approved! awards program, opportunities for
connecting with schools, and the award-winning Story Monsters Ink(R) magazine.
The Bow-Wow Ballet
Gabby Dawnay, author
Jennifer Mae Spooner, author and illustrator
Thames & Hudson
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500653661, $17.95
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
The adorable dogs of the Bow-Wow Ballet are ready to put on their show. Each one has a special trick and each one wants to show off his special talent. Will the show be a success? Rhyming text, adorable characters and lively artwork make this a fun, read-aloud for everyone. (Baby-4)
Miffy and the Impressionists
Dick Bruna
Thames & Hudson
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500654026, $16.95
Pam Morris
Reviewer
Whether you are a seasoned art lover or a novice, this book is a delightful foray into the impressionistic art world. Dick Bruna's art is simplistic and instantly recognizable and is the perfect way to introduce these artists to a child's world. Readers are invited to explore the paintings, looking for familiar objects and answer questions that make the art come alive for the children. (Baby-4)
Hi! I'm Cher. I Go Everywhere! A Mindfulness Book for Children and Their Grownups
Jane Enright, author
Monica Joy and Asha Butler, illustrators
TellWell Talent
https://www.tellwellpublishing.com
9781069604408, $17.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
With each activity in this interactive picture book, kids and adults learn about being mindful, loving, and creative, among other lessons. During a day at the beach, a working dog named Cher helps Jane, her owner, with practicing several mindfulness techniques. Artists Joy (developer and producer of the Netflix show CoComelon) and Butler contribute their talents to each of Cher's teachings. This amazing resource includes several useful activities in the back. (Ages baby-8)
Ivan the Greatful
Ivan Levi, author
Alona Miller, illustrator
Independently Published
https://www.ivanthegreatful.com
9798999022707, $17.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
Always being left behind and left out by the other kids turns Ivan into an angry little boy... so angry that he does awful things like stealing from others, scribbling all over his walls, and squashing the neighbor's plants. Can anything or anyone teach Ivan about gratitude and turn him into a sweet little guy again? An ideal story for teaching about emotions and ways to deal with them, with simple yet detailed illustrations and page design. (Ages 3-5)
Benji and Briana Become Booger Doctors
Cindy Lee Neighbors MD, author
Tim Crecelius, illustrator
Mascot Kids
https://mascotbooks.com
9798890341686, $19.95
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
For an imaginative take on sniffles and sneezes, join siblings Benji and Briana in Surgeryland, where Booger Doctor and friendly fairies help them deal with the common cold. In the magical land, the pair work together and learn about the slimy world of snot. Detailed, bright, and engaging illustrations combine with silly rhymes for a magical and entertaining story. (Ages 4-7)
Just Shine! How to Be a Better You
Sonia Sotomayor, author
Jacqueline Alcantara, illustrator
Philomel Books
https://www.penguin.com/philomel
9780593206294, $18.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor teaches kindness and how helping others see their own brilliance makes the world brighter. This picture book follows a young girl named Celina in Puerto Rico, who uses her big heart to help others around her. With a powerful message for kids and adults, this is a keeper in your child's collection. Also available as an audiobook in Spanish. (Ages 4-8)
The Cabbage Seed's Colossal Secret
Karen M. Greenwald, author
Alejandra Ruiz, illustrator
Tilbury House Publishers
https://www.tilburyhouse.com
9781668955154, $18.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
What do you do if you plant a cabbage seedling, nurture it, and watch it produce a 40-pound cabbage? If you're a little girl named Katie, you dream about feeding a soup kitchen and sharing your colossal cabbage with others. Based on a true story, little Katie went on to create Katie's Krops, an organization to help kids learn about gardening. A wonderful book about kindness and helping others, includes a page in the back with steps for starting a sharing garden. (Ages 4-8)
Ocean Superheroes
Gabrielle Raymond McGee, author
Anastasiya Halionka and Angelika Scudamore, illustrators
Tiny Torch Books
https://tinytorchbooks.com
9781685558642, $19.95
Pam Morris
Reviewer
This is the perfect book for a budding marine biologist, oceanographer, animal lover or ecologist. It's an exciting day for one special class when legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle helps them dive into the brilliant biodiversity of the ocean - revealing how marine animals work together to keep our planet healthy and inspiring simple actions to protect our blue planet. This story will make a great addition to any classroom or library. (Ages 4-8)
Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie
Matthew Cordell
Neal Porter Books
https://holidayhouse.com/neal-porter-books
9780823451555, $19.99
Pam Morris
Reviewer
Fans of David Bowie will love this book; it is a tribute to the genius of the musician, artist and actor. Each chapter contains Mr. Bowie's artistic style of that time. This book would resonate with young readers and is a must have for fans across many genres including pop, rock, and blues. (Ages 4-8)
Pumpkin on a Vine
David L. Harrison, author
Alice Feagan, illustrator
Holiday House
www.holidayhouse.com
9780823461059, $15.99
Pam Morris
Reviewer
As a director and former teacher, I am always looking for fun books to encourage children to read. This is one of these books. It is the perfect combination of repetitive text for very new readers and fun rhyming narrative to keep the higher leveled readers engaged. As an added bonus, the reader follows along as the science of growing a plant is woven through. It is a level G in the F&P Text Level Gradient System which typically translates to a first grade reading level. I highly recommend this book! (Ages 4-8)
Celebrate We Gullah Geechee
Yvette R. Murray, author
Tonya Engel, illustrator
Free Spirit Publishing
https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com
9798330905065, $19.99
Pam Morris
Reviewer
If only all history books could be written like this! Using the five senses, the author takes us on a cultural journey through the newly designated Gullah Geechee corridor in the southeastern United States. Spanning centuries of history, celebrations and people, this area is well travelled but possibly only recently recognized as an important cultural corridor. This will be a great addition to our school library. (Ages 4-8)
Nature Knows
Yvette Farmer, author
Chloe Jasmine Harris, illustrator
Thames & Hudson
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9781760765804, $16.95
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
When homelife gets to be too hectic, Dad decides it's time to go camping. The family has a chance to get rid of everyday stress and reconnect with the great outdoors and with each other. Bright, colorful illustrations and lyrical text tell a story of joy. The book is sprinkled with boxes titled "Nature Knows," facts about the benefits of spending time outside with nature. At the end of the book is a list titled "Find Something" listing items in scavenger-hunt style you might find when you venture outdoors. Enjoy! (Ages 4-8)
Family Found
Joanna McClintick, author
Keisha Morris, illustrator
Candlewick Press
www.candlewick.com
9781536231182, $18.99
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
A unique family continues a Thanksgiving tradition of having a large gathering to share food and stories. The family group consists of actual relatives and other people who have become like family members. They have been getting together for years, but no one can remember how the tradition started, but it doesn't matter because everyone loves the holiday and loves getting together for their annual dinner. It's a story of love and sharing that celebrates the idea of family. (Ages 4-8)
The Back of the Universe
Jessixa Bagley
Neal Porter Books
c/o Holiday House
https://holidayhouse.com/neal-porter-books
9780823456741, $18.99
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
Author Jessixa Bagley takes readers (young and old alike) through a journey through the universe. The book is meant to be used as a nighttime story, with the pictorial trip starting at the far corners of the universe and traveling back to home, where the reader drifts off to sleep. The vivid illustrations pair well with the sparse text to create the perfect bedtime story. (Ages 4-8)
Max and the Miracle Drum
Manu Delpech, author
Ha Trang Tran, illustrator
Independently Published
9781069643209, $22.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
In this picture book about music, magic, and an unlikely friendship, a musically-talented little boy receives a mysterious gift with a golden bow at his door... inside is a big and bold drum that he's always imagined. The music he makes with it is mesmerizing and magical, its sounds stretching across the miles and echoing across the oceans, luring a lion named King to his window. Join the boy and the lion on an enchanting adventure... perfect for kids who love animal stories. Complete with watercolor illustrations. (Ages 4-10)
The Wildflower Girls: Quest to Save Unicorn Magic
Ashley Wall, author
Lauren Foster, illustrator
Mamabear Books
https://www.mamabearbooks.com
9781960616371, $11.99
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
This is the first book in the new Wildflower Girls series. Each girl wears a special bracelet that is used to summon them for a special mission. In this book, the girls are taken to a special place, called Unitopia, where their mission is to save the unicorn's magic. The girls must work together using teamwork and bravery to figure out what is going on and how to fix it. (Ages 5-8)
More Than What Eyes Can See
Miso Kwak, author
Thais Mesquita, illustrator
Free Spirit Publishing
https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com
9798885547307, $12.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
Meet little Maya... she loves to write stories, and she's confident and creative. Maya is also blind, which means she can't see well with her eyes and is often left out when she's not able to do all the things sighted kids can do. But as Maya explains in this informative picture book (part of the Disability Books for Kids series), being blind often isn't easy, but it's an important part of what makes her who she is... she can imagine more than what eyes can see. In addition to reading Braille and painting, she also plays sports and uses her cane to navigate the world. Expressive artwork fills each page, and a note from the author and a page with questions and answers are included. (Ages 5-9)
Salma Speaks Up
Danny Ramadan, author
Anna Bron, illustrator
Annick Press
https://www.annickpress.com
9781773219950, $19.99
Pam Morris
Reviewer
Salma and Riya are best friends, supporting each other every step of the way. Riya is very shy but when she learns about an opportunity to get a seat on a writing workshop, she decides she wants to take a chance but won't do it without her friend, Salma. Salma is just as shy until she finds a reason to speak up, not only for herself but others as well. This story is one of pride, strength, taking a stand and finding your voice. (Ages 6-9)
A Bike Is Not Just a Bike: An Ode to Girls Who Dare to Ride
Brenna Jeanneret, author
Michelle Pereira, illustrator
Gloo Books
https://gloobooks.com
9781962351324, $19.95
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
Many kids and adults enjoy riding their bikes, as a means of transportation or recreation or exercise. Back in the 1880s, things were very different... males could ride a bike, but for females, it was considered unladylike and dangerous. Read about the fascinating road many women took to obtain the freedom to ride, be independent, and eventually move toward the right to vote, proving that women can pedal as far as anyone. Super interesting facts and an informative page about Annie Londonderry accompany the eye-catching artwork. (Ages 6-10)
Spot the Impostor Puzzles
Created by Highlights
Highlights Press
c/o Penguin Random House
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9781639624393, $14.99
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
Do you enjoy searching for things in pictures? This is a book of pictures with hidden objects. There is one impostor in each picture and a group of other things that don't belong with the other things in the picture. Some of the puzzles are easier than others, but all of them will provide hours of fun for hidden-object puzzle enthusiasts. (Ages 7+)
The Endless Game
J.D. Amato, author
Sophie Morse, illustrator
Simon & Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781665927154, $24.99
Christine Irvin
Reviewer
Fred is the new kid in his new hometown of Lakeside, Illinois. He has trouble making friends because his family moves around so much. When Fred goes around town to try to find someone to hang out with, he is recruited into a game of capture the flag, an unusual twist on an old game as this one has been going on each summer for decade. The game pits the Downhill kids against the Uphill kids. This coming-of-age book is a graphic novel. (Ages 8-12)
Escape Gravestone Caverns
Melissa Costa
https://melissacosta.com
Independently Published
B0FQ4THGXK, $13.99
Pam Morris
Reviewer
What struck me when reading this book is that it is written by an 11-year-old! It is a chapter book but the simple, engaging language draws the reader into this interesting adventure story. Meet Jenny, Miles, Sara, and Evan, four unlikely friends who go on a much long-awaited field trip to Gravestone Caverns. They face many twists and turns on this adventure and find that their friendship bonds can come out stronger than ever before. A great read! (Ages 9-13)
Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King
Katherine Rundell, author
Ashley Mackenzie, illustrator
Knopf
https://knopfdoubleday.com
9780593809907, $19.99
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
The second book in the Impossible Creature series immerses the reader into castles and dragons. Christopher Forrester has been dreaming of returning to the Archipelago, the secret islands with creatures of myth. But he'll have to root out a poison in the islands, including a daring rescue mission on the back of a sphinx. In the middle of it all is 12-year-old Anya, a revenge-driven princess from the island of Dousha. This action-packed fantasy sequel is filled with many illustrations and a map. (Ages 10+)
Find Me in the Time Before
Robin Payes
Woodhall Press
https://www.woodhallpress.com
9781954907324, $18.95
Deb Greenberg
Reviewer
Book IV in the compelling Edge of Yesterday series follows teen scientist Charley as she travels to 18th-century Enlightenment France, setting her sights on meeting science and math genius Emilie du Chatelet, all while attempting to evade a top-secret government program. To make matters even more complicated, Charley's best friend thinks she's nuts. Plenty of fascinating adventure in this informative, entertaining, and exciting book for young adults. (Ages 14+)
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
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design