Published by Greenwillow Books Summary: A family of turtles sets off for a walk one spring morning. “Turtle walk. Nice and slow. Here we go. Are we there yet? No.” This refrain is repeated as they continue to travel through a landscape that turns into summer, fall, and then a snowy winter. On each page […]
Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
Published by Jimmy Patterson Books (Little, Brown) Summary: Round One: Cassius Clay’s friend Lucky and the rest of Cassius’s friends and family are awaiting the results of the 1958 Golden Gloves championship. 16-year-old Cassius is in Chicago, 300 miles from his home in Louisville, KY. The phone rings, and the story shifts to Cassius’s voice, […]
Review: Ten Sleepy Sheep
Ten Sleepy Sheep is an adorable board book set on a farm in the Australian bush. Gently counting animals who are ready for bed down from ten sheep to one snuggly, sleepy joey, this new book from Renée Treml is as sweet as they come. Each spread features a group of gorgeous, very sleepy animals […]
Letters from Bear by Gauthier David, illustrated by Marie Caudry
Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Summary: Bear is sad that his friend Bird has migrated south for the winter. He plans to write her a letter each day, but by day two, he’s decided to travel to be with her. Each letter describes a different adventure, with an illustration to go with it. […]
Review: We Love You, Magoo
Dogs are practically human, aren’t they? Magoo seems to think so. Magoo is a dog, and he’s a crazy, loveable hound. Unfortunately for Magoo, much as he’d like to do the things his humans do (like eating eggs for breakfast), there always seems to be a canine alternative. No chewing the toys for Magoo. He […]
The Whale Child by Keith Egawa and Chenoa Egawa
THE WHALE CHILD by Keith Egawa and Chenda Egawa North Atlantic Books Middle Grade Environmental An inspiring middle-grade chapter book that introduces young readers to the environmental challenges facing the planet through the eyes of Coast Salish characters and authors. “You have family on land as you do in the sea. . . […]
Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby, illustrated by Anoosha Syed
Published by Henry Holt and Co. Summary: A monster who lives under a boy’s bed loves the boy. When he hears the boy’s mother tell him there’s no such thing as monsters, he decides to reveal himself. After Mom leaves, he comes out and introduces himself. He sees that the boy is about to scream, […]
How (Not) To Annoy Dad
This hilarious, laugh out loud story by Australian comedian Dave Hughes and his wife Holly Ife is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day. Like many of us, Father’s Day is a chance to show Dad how much we love and appreciate everything he does for us. The story focusses on a Koala Dad […]
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade
Published by Roaring Brook Press Summary: The Ojibwe narrator has been taught by her Nokomis (grandmother) that water is sacred, “the first medicine”. A prophecy tells of a black snake that will destroy the land, poisoning the water and killing plants and animals. Now it seems as though that prophecy has come true, and the […]
Ninja Kid 6
It is October, which means Halloween is coming and the Fair is in town. This year Nelson and Kenny will be tall enough to go on all the new, scary rides after many years of stretching and growing. But after testing their Grandma’s invention without permission, they are abruptly too small to go on any of […]
Review: The Strangeworlds Travel Agency
Have you ever dreamt of travelling to another world? I certainly have, but 12-year-old Flick really hasn’t. She’s a no-nonsense kid who doesn’t need bedtime stories and knows magic isn’t real. But when Flick discovers a strange travel agency while exploring her new town, everything changes. Flick discovers she can see magical tears in the […]
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Isn’t it a delight when one of your favorite movies gets recreated as a storybook and that too a gorgeous one? It’s been a joy reading this picture book adaptation of the film “E.T.” directed Steven Spielberg with my 8-year-old. And if you think it from his perspective – alien, spaceship, adventure, and sci-fi, what’s […]
Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz
Published by Dial Books Summary: Jamila wants to spend the summer playing basketball, but her mother plans to sign her up for science camp. A chance encounter with a slightly odd girl named Shirley at a yard sale changes the course of her vacation. Shirley and her mother come to visit the next day, and […]
Nat Enough by Maria Scriven
Published by Graphix Summary: Natalie is pretty nervous for the first day of middle school, and grateful to have her best friend Lily by her side. Lily moved over the summer and has been somewhat uncommunicative, but Natalie is sure everything will be fine once they’re back in school together. But on the first day, […]
Robobaby by David Wiesner
Published by Clarion Books Summary: It’s a big day for the Robot family when their new baby arrives, boxed up and ready for assembly. Big sister Cathode (Cathy) is all ready to help out, but the adults are sure they can do it themselves. One after another they fail: Dad, Mom, Uncle Manifold, and even […]