When Bao isn't able to have a doll that she really wants, she takes matters into her own hands. It doesn't go well as she must return the doll. Bao alWhen Bao isn't able to have a doll that she really wants, she takes matters into her own hands. It doesn't go well as she must return the doll. Bao already feels distant from her Mom who grew up in Taiwan with nothing. Will Bao's antics bring them closer together or create even more distance between them? If your looking for a picture book about stealing or one to replace the late 1980s Arnie and the Stolen Markers, this will work....more
Juno and his Mom adjust to their new home in this story that tugs at the heart. At first Juno does not like the new home nor does he like the mourningJuno and his Mom adjust to their new home in this story that tugs at the heart. At first Juno does not like the new home nor does he like the mourning (morning) doves and their sad cooing sound. (view spoiler)[When he discovers their destroyed nest, he has a change of heart. As he helps the birds rebuild their home, he sees the good in himself, others and his new home. (hide spoiler)] If you're looking for a mentor text about homelessness or empathy, give this a try....more
A cautionary tale about what happens when a group of geese and ducks ((view spoiler)[led by the geese (hide spoiler)]) separate themselves from the otA cautionary tale about what happens when a group of geese and ducks ((view spoiler)[led by the geese (hide spoiler)]) separate themselves from the other farm animals. Things go from bad to worse to worse. Will the farm animals reconcile (view spoiler)[or will the cattle, pigs, sheep, etc. let the foxes take care of the geese and ducks once and for all (hide spoiler)]?...more
Ameena is the new girl at school who spends most of her time alone. Then Sundus arrives, could she be the friend Ameena is looking for? (view spoiler)Ameena is the new girl at school who spends most of her time alone. Then Sundus arrives, could she be the friend Ameena is looking for? (view spoiler)[After a few missteps, the two girls bond over their Muslim faith. (hide spoiler)]...more
3.5 stars. Two twelve-year olds, one from present day (2023) and one from the past (1987) help each other deal with bullies at schools. Present day Ma3.5 stars. Two twelve-year olds, one from present day (2023) and one from the past (1987) help each other deal with bullies at schools. Present day Mason deals with Steele, a classmate and former baseball teammate and 1987 Talia deals with Ed, a classmate who makes fun of her for being Jewish and draws swastikas and her older brother Jake who says she should hide her Judaism. If you like time travel stories like Lisa Graff's Rewind, the waking up in the future story 12 to 22: POV You Wake Up in the Future! or stories about overcoming bullying and/or antisemitism (i.e. Gordon Korman's Linked), you'll enjoy this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review. ...more
Paddle-to-the-Sea for the 21st century. Like the 1942 Caldecott Honor Paddle-to-the-Sea, this story shows how the Great Lakes are all related to each Paddle-to-the-Sea for the 21st century. Like the 1942 Caldecott Honor Paddle-to-the-Sea, this story shows how the Great Lakes are all related to each other. The last illustrations in the two stories are also quite similar, Paddle shows a young man in a canoe and this one shows two kids and a dog in a kayak. ...more
Even though this wasn't on my Caldecott radar for 2025, it is a more than a worthy winner (IMO). I read it several times. The illustrations really do Even though this wasn't on my Caldecott radar for 2025, it is a more than a worthy winner (IMO). I read it several times. The illustrations really do tell the story of the many ways Chooch tries to help his various family members. It is also a story about the relationship his older sister (who everyone calls Sissy) has with him. If you're looking for a story with just the right amount of feels or one to create empathy in your children or students, try this Caldecott winner. ...more
There's lots of creativity in this story about friends Makeda and Glory who makes all sorts of things for the class hamster, Subway as they attempt toThere's lots of creativity in this story about friends Makeda and Glory who makes all sorts of things for the class hamster, Subway as they attempt to find what makes him happy. If you're looking for a mentor text or read aloud that promotes imagination and problem solving, give this a try....more
Was this classic story about a nutcracker that comes to life and a young girl (view spoiler)[who saves the nutcracker when he comes to life by throwinWas this classic story about a nutcracker that comes to life and a young girl (view spoiler)[who saves the nutcracker when he comes to life by throwing her slipper a the mouse king (hide spoiler)] the one that started, "Was it a dream or was it real?" question?...more
A demon and a fairy princess save the day to rescue those who have turned to stone because of poisonous lava. Young fantasy or graphic novel fans willA demon and a fairy princess save the day to rescue those who have turned to stone because of poisonous lava. Young fantasy or graphic novel fans will enjoy this start of what appears to be a new series....more
What happens when Clay finds a dog he names Elphinore? At first timid, the two bond as Elphinore learns how fun life with a boy can be. As they play iWhat happens when Clay finds a dog he names Elphinore? At first timid, the two bond as Elphinore learns how fun life with a boy can be. As they play in the woods, Clay meets a new boy Amos (view spoiler)[the owl headed. Even though their friendship is forbidden by Amos's kind, Amos chooses to disobey (hide spoiler)]. Amos knows some of Elphinore's secrets like who she belongs to and where she is from. Not only a story about Clay, Elphinore and Amos, this is a story about Clay's own family. An unnamed disease (that may remind some of the early 2020s COVID pandemic) has forced everyone to stay home. Clay's mother has lost her job and his older sister DiRossi is a sullen and moody teenager upset with the world. When she finds out about Clay and Amos's friendship, will she become a friend or a foe? Take the magic of Midsummer's Eve from Astrid Lindgren's The Children of Noisy Village and put it in a coming of age story like Holly Black's Doll Bones. Put it in a 2020s realistic fiction setting. Add a boy and his dog's adventures animal story, the science fiction of a few creatures from an other world within our own world (i.e. A World Below) and a few illustrations to get the perfect book to gift to a book loving, avid reading pre-tween or tween in your life. This is one that they may treasure in the years to come....more
3.5 stars, Bonnie enters the magical world of the Faire shortly after learning the family bee farm is on the brink of financial ruin. The Faire offers3.5 stars, Bonnie enters the magical world of the Faire shortly after learning the family bee farm is on the brink of financial ruin. The Faire offers a solution but can she trust Abeo the manager of the Faire and Jack a cute young cowboy she meets? They keep begging her to stay and help the Faire while on furlough. She says she can't but they say she can. Which is it? (view spoiler)[While Bonnie learns that she can do anything she sets her mind to, it turns out that Abeo and Jack can be trusted and that the Faire does keep its word to set Bonnie free. (hide spoiler)] Tweens who enjoy stories (i.e. Circus Mirandus, The Magician's Elephant) with worlds full of magic and mayhem will enjoy this. Thank you to for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this title for review. ...more
If you're looking for a graphic novel to fit with a camping related reading theme, this will work. A boy and his dad go camping (view spoiler)[and oveIf you're looking for a graphic novel to fit with a camping related reading theme, this will work. A boy and his dad go camping (view spoiler)[and overcome their various mishaps (hide spoiler)]. Even though it's not a graphic novel, a book with a similar theme and story is 2024's Campingland....more
An introduction to fake news for the young. (view spoiler)[IMO, the book may create more confusion than clarification. (hide spoiler)]An introduction to fake news for the young. (view spoiler)[IMO, the book may create more confusion than clarification. (hide spoiler)]...more
2025 winner; the Honor books were Fox versus Fox and Towed by Toad. This is a delightful early chapter book about three good friends; bat2025 winner; the Honor books were Fox versus Fox and Towed by Toad. This is a delightful early chapter book about three good friends; bat, cat and rat (view spoiler)[and their staycation (hide spoiler)]. To add to the fun, view the YouTube of the author reading it. ...more
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