How to Catch a Turkey review

 

A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play. Can YOU help catch it?(goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A turkey is on the loose! He is expected to go onstage any minute for the school play but he gets stage fright and takes off running.   Will everyone catch him in time for the big Thanksgiving performance?

 

 If you are looking for a fun and fast-paced read for the Thanksgiving season, this story will add giggles to the festivity.  The rhyming text flows easily and the whimsical illustrations are in bold colors.  When the turkey gets stage fright and decides to bolt, the chaos trying to catch him throughout the school will have kids either cheering for his escape or his capture.  In the end, the turkey ends up right up on stage where he was suppose to be and finds that it can be quite enjoyable after all. A fun read to add to the Thanksgiving Holiday.  I think this is a "just right book for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: How to Catch A Turkey

Author:  Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton

Pub. date: September 2018, Sourcebooks Wonderland

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

 

 

A Fall Day for Bear review

 

 Can gruff and grumpy Bear cheer up his usually upbeat friend Mouse?(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Bear is suppose to meet Mouse at his home for a picnic.  Little Mouse is always on time and bright-eyed when they plan fun things to do.  But when Mouse is a no show, Bear becomes concerned and begins to worry.  He sets off to look for him and finds Mouse sitting on a stump looking rather dreary. Mouse explains he feels sad with all the changes that come with Autumn.  Will Bear find a way to help cheer up his usually happy friend?

 

This a heartwarming story about friendship, the changing seasons and comforting others who have the blues. Mouse feels sad because he doesn't like the falling leaves, the birds heading south and the flowers drying up. He is struggling with everything going away. Kids who have difficulty with change will relate to how Mouse is feeling. By trying to cheer Mouse up though, Bear does find his sadness rubbing off on him making him grumpy and sad as well. Together they work out their sad feelings in a supportive way that only good friends can do.  The watercolor illustrations are warm and gentle giving the feeling of blowing winds and crunchy leaves.  It is a wonderful story to spark discussion about change, the feelings of others and ways they can help someone when they are feeling down for whatever reason.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title:  A Fall Day for Bear

Author: Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton 

Pub date: September 2025, Candlewick Press

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.  

Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

I hope you find some great books to read for the spooky season this weekend!!

 

(I have one on my TBR list I can't wait to finish.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs review

 

A grumpy little ghost makes a new friend in this wryly funny, spooky-but-cute picture book with striking illustrations reminiscent of Brian Selznick.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

A shy ghost is happy with his solitary life in the attic of an old house.  It is quiet, dark and the best place to do his swooping whenever he likes.  But when a curious little girl comes up into his space, it makes him grumpy and he tries to scare her off.  When she doesn't easily scare, he comes up with a plan he knows will surely keep her away.  

 

This is a nice story about getting out of your comfort zone and facing your shyness.  It has short and easy text making it a quick and simple read. The illustrations are hand-drawn in charcoal pencil gray and white with just hints of a muted color here and there.  They set the perfect tone for a dark attic full of mysterious items with a ghost lurking about.  The attic ghost only wanted to be left alone but discovers having a new friend wasn't as bad as it seemed.  It might stir up some good conversation about feelings, being shy and making new friends and how the ghost liked to be alone which is just fine too. This sweet story could be used anytime of the year and not just for the Halloween season.  I think this is a "just right" book for ages 4-7.~

 

Title: The Grumpy Ghost

Author: Mamiko Shiotani

Pub. date: August 2025, Floris Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 36 pgs. 

 

 

Little Boo review

 

When the antics of their little sibling start to get to Big Boo, they decide to trade for a friend's younger sibling, Little Howl. (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

At first having a little sibling was a lot of fun.  Little Boo was a sweet and adorable baby and his brother Big Boo were the best of friends.  But things changed when Little Boo began to move around and float.  He seemed to get into everything which annoyed Big Boo making his life unbearable.  One afternoon they go to the library together and Big Boo notices his friend Howl's well behaved little brother.  When Howl offers to trade each others sibling, Big Boo jumps on board immediately! At first it is a great idea but soon Big Boo realizes maybe Little Boo wasn't so bad after all.

 

Here is a cute story to add to the Halloween season shelves about older and younger sibling relationships. It has a humorous take on being careful for what you wish for.  The text is simple but the illustrations add extra with text bubbles throughout. There are many different details to look for on each page that are funny such as; a cinnamon ghost crunch cereal box, witch's hat lamp, reading books the bat in the hat or the very hungry werewolf that will have kids giggling.  The illustrations are in muted Halloween colors and expressively captures the frustration Big Boo is feeling.  In the end, we learn that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: Little Boo

Author: Maddie Frost

Pub. date: July 2025, Clarion Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

Little Boo review

The leaves fall, the wind blows, and one little pumpkin seed tries and tries to be scary. But he doesn’t scare anyone . . . not the snowflakes in winter, not the bees in spring, not even the watering can! The wind tells him to be patient—he’ll be scary soon enough. But waiting is hard. Will the little seed ever be really, truly be scary?(goodreads summary)


A tiny little seed is determined to scare everyone around him. But when he says "boo" nobody seems to be scared. The wind tells him it is not quite his time yet and that he needs to have patience. After a long winters sleep, he awakens in the spring ready to get back to scaring but learns that having patience may just be a good thing after all.  

This is a cute and charming story that would be a fun read-aloud for your fall season celebrating.   The text flows nicely and the illustrations are bold and colorful. It also touches briefly through its pictures the life cycle of a seed, to a plant and then into a pumpkin that little ones will easily understand. It would also make a wonderful classroom discussion and project book trying to grow a plant from a pumpkin seed themselves. With a heart-warming ending, the little seed will show kids that waiting to grow up can be hard but with a little patience you may just grow into something spectacular. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title: Little Boo
Author: Stephen Wunderli
Pub. Date: August 2014, Henry Holt and Co.
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Little Witch's To-Do List review

 

 Little Witch is very busy from morning to night—good thing she has a to-do list!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

This is a cute and whimsical story about a little witch who has a very busy day!  Her to-do list is just the thing she needs to help her accomplish all the tasks that need to get done by the end of the day.  Just to name a few on her list; she fluffs her cobweb bed,  practices magic wand skills, trains her stubborn owl and does yoga with her black cat.  The short rhyming text is delightful as a read aloud and the colorful illustrations are in pretty Halloween hues.  In the end, she conjures sweet dream magic and gets a special bedtime moment.  Kids will enjoy this fun take on all things witchy. This would also be a wonderful Halloween bedtime story to help wind down from a busy day!  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title:  Little Witch's To-Do List

Author: Helen Kemp Zax, illustrated by Kiersten Eve Eagan

Pub. date: July 2025, Harry N. Abrams

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

 

Witch Cat review

 

With illustrations by the award-winning Laura Hughes, this charming, delightfully rhyming story about finding where you belong is perfect for Halloween!(goodreads summary)

 

 

  

Pippin has always wondered if there was more to life than being a witch's cat.  Could he be a pirate's cat?  Maybe he could try being a pet cat?  But when Pippin decides to set off to find answers to his questions, he learns that something is missing and just doesn't feel quite right. 

 

Get ready for Halloween with this fun and delightful story about a cat looking for something different to do with his life other than being a witch's cat.  It is a sweet and simple story about finding where you belong.  The rhyming text flows nicely and the bold illustrations makes this a great read aloud. Kids will have fun seeing the various adventures Pippin goes on while trying to determine which life suits him best.  There is plenty of humor to make the little ones giggle as well.  Nothing seems right for Pippin until he sees something that reminds him of home. It is then that he realizes where he truly is meant to be.  This is the perfect story for the Halloween season and will be a favorite for all.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title:  Witch's Cat

Author: Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Laura Hughes

Pub. date:  July 2025, Bloomsbury

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

Owl Diaries - Trip to the Pumpkin Farm review

 

 Eva and her friends are taking a field trip to the farm!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eva and her class are taking a school field trip to the pumpkin farm. They spend three days learning and helping out around the farm to prepare for the Falling Leaves Day Party. But when the giant Thank-you Pumpkin goes missing, Eva and her friends become farm detectives to help solve the mystery before the parties can begin.  

 

If your child likes the Owl Diary Series, here is a fun early chapter book to add to the fall reading list.  The story has colorful illustrations with fairly easy to read text perfect for the newly independent reader.  Eva and her friends showed teamwork, perseverance, kindness, sharing and a sense of community.  So many good things kids will learn but in a subtle way.  It is a fun story with a bit of adventure and mystery with a happy outcome.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 6-7.~

Title:  Owl Diaries - Trip to the Pumpkin Farm

Author: Rebecca Elliot

Pub. date:  July 2019, Scholastic

Genre: early chapter book

Paperback, 80 pgs.

 

 

 

Hopefully the Scarecrow review

A poignant picture book about a scarecrow who befriends the young girl who reads to him day after day until one day he's left wondering where she is.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Today is the first day of Fall and here is a beautifully illustrated story of friendship to start off the season.  Hopefully looks forward to the little girl reading stories to him while he watches over the garden. Year-after-year through her favorite books, she takes him on various journeys and adventures. One Spring, someone new places him in the garden and he waits patiently for his little girl to come read to him. He does not give up hope as time goes by and she hasn't returned with an armful of new stories.  When she finally returns,  instead of reading to him, she takes Hopefully from the garden to a new and unusual place.  A place that they both know he will love!  This book is perfect for an Autumn season read aloud. After reading this charming book, kids could make their own scarecrow and read stories to it too.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-6.~

 

Title:  Hopefully the Scarecrow

Author:  Michelle Houts, illustrated by Sara Palacios

Pub. date: August 2023, Flamingo Books

Genre: picture book, fall season

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

Shy Robin and the First Day of School review

 

A little hippo finds that looking out for a new friend can turn shyness into bravery in Jaime Kim’s sweetly illustrated story about the first day of school.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

At home Robin Hippo is full of energy and confidence.  Going to different places though she is extremely shy and feels like hiding.  To help with the worries about the first day of school, Robin's mom gives her a purple headband to help her feel brave.  In her new classroom, she meets Marco Otter who is also having a tough time with his shyness.  Together the two overcome their own fears in order to help each other problem solve and also learn that others can have the same things in common. 

Here is a sweet and gentle story that may help kids break out of their shell on those first few days back to school.  Whether they are a first time or returning student, everyone feels shy about a new classroom, new teacher and making friends.  The text is easy to read aloud and the illustrations are in bold colors with wonderful expression of feelings.  Together Robin and Marco find friendship helping each other through a tough day by turning their shyness into bravery.  This story would make for a good discussion about feelings and how others feel.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title:  Shy Robin and the First Day of School

Author: Jaime Kim

Pub. date: June 2023, Candlewick Press

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

How to Get Your Teacher Ready review

Written in tongue-in-cheek instructional style, a class of adorable students gives tips and tricks for getting a teacher ready for the first day of school, and all the events and milestones that will follow. (goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

  

This cute and simple how-to book is a great way to help kids get off on the right foot when starting out a new school year.   The children are the experts in this story by giving their teacher wonderful advice that starts with the transition of the first few days. It then prepares the class for several other special events to expect throughout the upcoming year such as; picture day, holiday concerts, the 100th day of school celebration and many other amazing things the class will encounter.  The text is simple with large and colorful illustrations making this a nice circle time read aloud for the younger grades.  This is a fun role reversal book showing how students are getting their teacher ready for a new school year instead of the teacher getting her students ready.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  How to Get your Teacher Ready

Author:  Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

Pub. date:  July 2017, Alfred A. Knopf 

Genre: picture book

Hardcover,  32 pgs.