It's Not Easy Being a Ghost review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Misty the Ghost doesn't want to be a cute ghost.  She wants to be spooky like the ones in her stories.  But when she tries to be someone else, she still is not happy.  When Misty gets an invitation to a Halloween party, she decides to go as herself and gets a surprise from all her friends.  

This is another story about self-acceptance and as Misty learns from her friends, she is special just the way she is.  She tries different ways to be spooky like becoming a mummy, a witch or a werewolf but nothing feels comfortable.  When she arrives at the party though, her friends help her realize that her unique qualities are what make her special. The characters are cute and the illustrations are in bright bold Halloween colors. It is short enough for a quick read aloud and will put kids in the Halloween mood.   I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7~

 

Title: It's Not easy Being a Ghost

Author:  Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Steph Laberis

Pub. date: August 2024, Random House for Young Readers

Genre: Halloween, picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

Little Ghost Makes a Friend review

 

A shy ghost learns the secret to making friends is being his spooky, sparkly self in this charming debut picture book that’s perfect for fans of Stumpkin .(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

It is almost Halloween and here is a fun story to get everyone into the spirit.  A little ghost wants to meet the people of his neighborhood but is too shy.  When a little girl moves in next door, he wants to make friends but is afraid to speak to her.  So he decides a Halloween party is the best way he can get to know her and invites her over to his creaky old house.  As he prepares for the party,  he realizes that finding the best costume to impress her with is harder than he thought.

 

This is a cute friendship story perfect for the autumn season.  With determination, little ghost overcomes his fear to invite his new neighbor to his house for a party.  When she accepts, he eagerly gets ready but can't decide which costume he should wear.  It was cute when he ended up wearing a little bit of everything.  He has normal worries about things such as; will she like his costume, will she have fun or maybe not even show up?  He finds that he is not alone in his shyness when Anya tells him she gets scared to meet new friends too.  It turns out to be a wonderful party and Anya even introduces him to more friends when they go trick or treating.  In the end he learns that you can make friends by just being yourself.  The illustrations are in eye pleasing soft Halloween colors and the text is simple.  It is a sweet story about overcoming shyness and to add to the Halloween shelves.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title:  Little Ghost Makes a Friend

Author: Maggie Edkins Willis

Pub. date: July 2024, Simon & Schuster

Genre: Halloween, picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Boo the Library Ghost review

 

Boo the ghost spends his days haunting the local library and scaring everyone away. But little Poppy thinks she may know why Boo is acting so scary, and she knows just how to fix it!(goodreads summary)

 

 

Here is a cute story about a ghost who haunts a library and loves to scare all the children away!  Except a girl named Poppy who loves reading so much that she refuses to leave.  Boo tries harder to scare her away by pushing over chairs and knocking over books.  But Poppy is not intimidated and realizes that Boo might not know how to read.  At first, Boo resists when Poppy wants to teach him but soon realizes how much fun a new friend and reading can be.  The rhythmic text flows nicely for reading aloud to a large or small group.  Illustrations are colorful and watching Boo go from naughty to sweet and helpful in the end makes him more likable.  It is a fun story for the Halloween season or anytime of the year showing the love of reading and libraries.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  Boo the Library Ghost

Author: Becky Paige

Pub. date: July 2024, Silver Dolphin Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lighthouse and the Little Boat review

 

A sweet, tender, and touching tale about a wise lighthouse guiding a young boat through the turbulent waters of life. (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

The warm glow of the Lighthouse watches over the harbor keeping everything safe and secure.  When a new little boat named Brightness arrives, Lighthouse tells her to stay close and she will keep her safe.  But Brightness becomes curious of the horizon and the vast open sea.  Little by little she drifts away from Lighthouse's protective light until one windy morning Lighthouse could see not her.  As the seasons change, Lighthouse keeps watch for Brightness to return. But when a harrowing storm hits she knows she must stay steady and strong with hopes that Brightness will find her way back to the harbor.

 

This is such a sweet story perfect for reading to the young ones.  The text is gentle, calming and flows easily for reading aloud.  It could be a great story for going back to school or cuddling at bedtime.  The beautiful illustrations in sea shore colors had me feeling the activity of the ocean and harbor.  Parents will connect to the story as little boat wants to go exploring but lighthouse worries about her venturing to far away. We want to protect our children but yet we know we have to let go when they feel the need for some independence.  There is a wonderful message about letting go but also finding the way back home again.  I think this is a "just right book"  for ages 3-6.~

 

Title:  Lighthouse and the Little Boat

Author: Katie Frawley

Pub date: May 2024, Quill Tree Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

 

How to Make a Picture Book review

 

Make your own picture book with this hilarious, activity-filled guide (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Here is a wonderful step-by-step guide book to help with the creative writing process for younger grades.  It offers great tips along with activities for kids on writing and illustrating their own story or picture book.  

 

By showing kids how to start with story ideas, then character development and setting, Elys the worm helps with sentence starters to form a plot.  An activity is added after each one so readers can put what they learned into practice.  When their story is finished, there are details on how to put it into a picture book format, illustration blocks and how even color affects the feelings and thinking of a reader.  There is so much useful information to learn and the illustrations are bold and bright.  It is an engaging activity guide but entertaining to read as well.  Perfect for the start of the new school year. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 6-9.~

Title: How to Make a Picture Book

Author: Elys Dolan

Pub. date: November 2022, Walker Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 48 pgs.

Faker review

 

The story of a family of liars... and the son who wants to break the family tradition.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trey is used to moving around and being the new kid in school.  While attending boarding schools, he knows how to make friends with the rich kids.  Once they are hooked,  it is then his dads turn to lure in the parents for one of his investment scams.  Trey's dad is a con artist and good at his profession.  But once the investment scheme is completed and the money is all set, Trey and his family pull a Houdini.  A Houdini is when it is time to take the money and run, immediately leaving everything behind to disappear for a while.  But Trey starts questioning what he has been taught to do after settling in Boxelder, Tennessee and starting a public school for the first time.  His dad offers a new investment on a fake start up electric car company, the biggest scam by far.  Trey longs to lead a normal life but does not know how to tell his dad he is tired of lying and running.  

In this new middle grade novel, readers will find themselves pulled into Trey's story.  It is filled with internal conflicts and life lessons as Trey tries to navigate his 12 year old self while being his con man dad's partner in crime. When his social studies teacher does a unit on debating ethical issues, he begins to take a different look at the family business.  On top of this, his teacher's daughter takes an environmental stance to save a local pond polluted with sludge.  Things begin to become personal when Trey joins the cause and he begins to care for the friends that he is making at his new school.  He also questions his dad's swindling lifestyle and sees things differently after his 10 year old sister becomes a little to enthusiastic about ripping people off.  She is quite a feisty character but does not have the maturity to fully understand what is going on.  Trey has a lot of character development and readers will connect with him as he questions right from wrong and longing for a normal life.  His dad promises it will stop after the big one but will it ever?  The book touches on many themes such as; morals, values, friends and family relationships, trust, lying, guilt and even environmental issues.  The book is a quick read and has some twists and turns. The ending wrapped up a little fast but had a positive outcome.   If kids are looking for a book to start the school year off with this would be a great read.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 10-12.~

 

Title:  Faker

Author: Gordon Korman

Pub. date: July 2024, Scholastic Press

Genre: middle grade, realistic fiction

Hardcover, 224 pgs.

The Dictionary Story review

The much-anticipated new picture book from the best-selling, award-winning creators of A Child of Books.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dictionary was full of words but felt that she didn't have a story to tell like other books could.  So she decided to make her own and let her words come to life.  Her pages soon became a hungry alligator chasing after a donut.  While donut was escaping, it rolled through a napping ghost and waking him up.  The story grows more and more chaotic as donut rolls along the pages to find a moon, a queen and a terrible tornado.  Dictionary's story unfolds into a very messy situation and begins to worry that nothing makes sense and she needs to make it right again.  But how will she turn everything back to normal order?  Then, she remembers her friend alphabet.

 

This is a clever and creative book that would be a fun read aloud.  It is also a wonderful way to teach kids about the dictionary and its purpose.  The illustrations are simple but unique as chaos erupts throughout the pages making for some funny moments to look at.  Be sure to read the scrolling definitions along the bottom of the pages as well.  I didn't realize it at first but after a second look, there is silly humor that makes you giggle.  The end pages also give a quick overview as to how the dictionary came to be.   Kids will have fun singing the alphabet song to help put everything back in its place. This book was definitely fascinating and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-8.~

 

Title: The Dictionary Story

Author: Oliver Jeffers, Sam Winston

Pub. date:  August 2024, Candlewick Press

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 56 pgs.

Wild Wave review

 

Another WILD adventure from Rodman Philbrick, author of Wildfire and Wild River. Wild Wave is the adventure of two kids trapped in the aftermath of a tsunami.(goodreads summary)I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle Schoolers Nick Chase and Jess Hardy are spending a Saturday morning at an animal rescue sanctuary called the Friends of the Wild. Jess is a volunteer and Chase is gathering information for a school podcast assignment for one of his classes.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, an earthquake hits and everyone is frantic.  When they look over the bay area, the water is gone and boats are overturned on their sides. Only mud is left where the sea should be.  Nick and Jess's instinct tells them to run as a tsunami hits destroying everything in its path.  As the two kids run for high ground, they depend on each other for survival by working together and putting their courage to the test. 

 

This was a heart pounding and exciting middle grade novel. The story begins immediately by plunging readers into Nick and Jess's fight to stay alive.  As the rushing floodwaters push them deep into the forest, they begin to wonder how they will make it to safety or if they will ever see their families again.  They eventually find Mr. and Mrs. Bumper, the high school soccer coach and the science teacher at their middle school stranded in the forest.  Knowing they need to help save them as well, they decide to continue to trek out on their own, readily prepared by the Bumpers to face the dangerous elements ahead.  Remaining level headed and working together was a key part of the story for their survival. The numerous cliffhangers throughout makes you want to keep turning the pages. The chapters are fast-paced and short which would work well for reluctant readers.  We learn a lot about Nick and Jess as characters and their families.  They show their vulnerabilities and fear like any person would in a challenging situation such as this. But they also demonstrated maturity, strength, problem solving, courage and hope in finding their families alive.  Readers will relate to the pair and cheer for a positive outcome.   A great adventure story to end the summer with or pick up at the upcoming school book fair.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 10-12.~

Title:  Wild Wave

Author: Rodman Philbrick

Pub. date: August 2024 Scholastic Press

Genre: middle grade fiction, adventure

Hardcover 192 pgs.

 

 

 

 

Dog Days of School review

 

Charlie thinks his dog, Norman, has got it good: he gets to spend his days lounging on the couch or playing fetch, and he never has to do any homework. But when Charlie makes a wish to be a dog instead of a boy, things get a little topsy-turvy!  (goodreads summary)

This is one of my favorite back-to-school reads and I bet many of our children could relate to this funny story about Charlie. He does not like going to school and is tired of practicing his letters and drawing pictures. Most of all he seems anxious on Sunday nights and has trouble falling asleep. That night, he makes a wish that he could be like his dog Norman, whose life seems pretty grand at the moment. He wakes up the next morning and finds that he has switched bodies with Norman the dog! This funny story shows kids that the grass may not always be greener on the other side. Illustrations are large and bold making it a visually great read-aloud for the younger ones. They will giggle seeing Charlie doing the things his dog really does during the day while Norman goes to school supposedly like a real boy.  Well, I guess be careful what you wish for!  I have enjoyed many books by this author and again this one definitely will be added to my list. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title: Dog Days of School
Author: Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Brian Biggs
Pub. Date:  June 2014, Disney-Hyperion
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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maxine Gets a Job review

 

The exceptionally adorable global sensation Maxine the Fluffy Corgi teaches your littlest reader the importance of figuring out what they love to do and doing it with their whole hearts!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

If you are familiar with the famous fluffy Instagram dog Maxine, you will appreciate this cute and funny book.  She knows that many talented dogs have jobs and she wants one too.  After trying to be a lifeguard, a chicken guard dog and a truffle dog like her friends, nothing seemed to fit her.  After thinking hard about what she loves best, Maxine finally realizes what her perfect job could be.  

This is a cute book with fun illustrations that will have kids giggling.  When Maxine tries her best to be like her friends, she doesn't give up when she realizes that their jobs are not for her.  Bright bold colors and easy text help make this a good read aloud.  Not everyone is made for the same things but if you try you will find what fits you.  It offers a good message to not give up and just be yourself.  To find out more about the real Maxine, her Instagram account is listed at the end of the book.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: Maxine Gets a Job

Author: Alexandra Garyn, Bryan Reisberg

Pub. date: May 2024, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs

 

Piper Chen Sings review

 

An empowering story about a girl who turns her performance jitters into confidence when faced with singing a solo at her school concert.(goodreads summary) 

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Piper loves to sing!  She sings to the birds, frogs in the nearby pond and her stuffed animals who make a wonderful audience.  She excitedly jumps at the chance when her music teacher asks her to sing a solo for the Spring concert.  But after thinking about performing alone, she finds the butterflies she feels inside are taking over and giving her second thoughts.

 

This is a wonderful story to share with kids who may feel just like Piper during any situation giving them the butterflies in the stomach feeling.  When she shares her worries with her grandmother, she lovingly explains to Piper her own experiences with the butterflies and how they meant something exciting was to come.  She tells her to embrace the feeling and welcome them as a part of her during the moment instead of shying away.  Her music teacher was also encouraging and not pushy, letting Piper be the one to decide if she wanted to do a solo or sing with her class.  This book is gentle and heartwarming letting kids know that having these big feelings are normal and how to understand and channel them so they are not consumed by them.  The lovely illustrations are calming and it has a sweet ending. I was also a kid who had butterflies a lot growing up and didn't know how to conquer the feeling.  I would have loved a book like this to help me through those awful feelings I experienced many times.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: Piper Chen Sings

Author: Phillipa Soo, illustrated by Maris Pasquale Doran

Pub. date: April 2024, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.