The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise review

 

When you're a quilt instead of a sheet, being a ghost is hard! But it does mean you can float around in cold weather.(goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

 

The Little Ghost Quilt loves being outside in the winter.  When he flies around, his quilt makes him feel warm and cozy and the falling snowflakes make his quilt patches look like he has polka dots.  Unfortunately, his ghost friends cannot join him because their thin sheets make them to cold in the frigid air.  But when little ghost quilt decides to take a flight into town, he notices the townspeople decorating and having cheery celebrations. Oh, how he wishes he could show his friends these spectacular sites.  Seeing the townspeople so joyful during their yuletide festivities gives the little ghost an idea to bring something special to share with his friends too.  

 

This is a wonderful follow up to the first book, The Little Ghost who was a Quilt, which I enjoyed as much as this one.  It is the perfect story to cozy up to at the end of a busy day.  The text flows nicely for reading aloud and the black and white pencil illustrations have a little bit of holiday colors added making it so charming.  It has the warmth of friendship, thinking of others and coming up with a special way to include them in some holiday cheer.  To kick off the magic of the upcoming season, this is a sweet book for a cold winter day.  I think "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: The Little Ghost Quilts Winter Surprise 

Author: Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron EggenSchwiler

Pub. date: August 2025, Tundra Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

The Giving Snowman review

 

On a snowy night, Snowman lends a helping hand to Bird, Rabbit, Farmer, and Traveler when they are in need.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

In a cold and snowy forest, a snowman offers his belongings to others who are in need. But when the kind snowman melts in the warm sun, those he has helped come to his aid in return.

  

There are a lot of books about showing kindness and this beautiful story is one to add to the shelves.  It is a heart warming tale that conveys a simple but important message of empathy, spreading kindness, giving to others and having gratitude. The illustrations give a cold, snowy winter vibe with the soft blue/gray hues on each page. When the snowman offers his belongings to the others in need, there is a gentleness of his heart you can feel as well.  It is a good story that will help kids learn about being generous to others and helping when they can without expecting anything in return.  As the old adage says, "it is in giving, that we receive" and this is the perfect book to help kids understand this important meaning.   This would be a wonderful bedtime story to cuddle up with on a cold winter night. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: The Giving Snowman

Author: Julia Zheng, illustrated by Graziella Miligi

Pub. date: October 2021

Genre: picture book

Soft cover, 27 pgs. 

 

Snoop review

 

The story of a boy who's stuck at home with two broken legs... and who starts using cameras and a drone to spy on his classmates, neighbors, and a possible criminal who's come to town.(goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

 

After an unfortunate accident on the ski slopes leave 12 year old Carter home bound with two broken legs, he decides to fill up his boredom by watching his local police departments live feed security camera links. At first, he views neighborhood citizens and his classmates around town to see what they are up to.  But when he starts seeing things that look a bit unusual and possible endangered animals roaming the streets at night, he has a hard time convincing people to believe him.  But worse yet his obsessive innocent snooping, or so he thought, leads him into trouble with his classmates and the police, isolating him more than being wheelchair bound at home in the first place.

 

This new middle grade book is short and fast-paced for the reader who is looking for something quick to read.  There are a lot of events going on all at once but will keep kids engaged to find out what happens in the end.  If Carter was not constantly glued to his phone, he would have been able to see his little brother barrel down the ski hill right into him.  While recovering, he needs to attend zoom school which he finds difficult and being home all day is boring.  Once he gets hooked on the police live cams, he becomes even more addicted spying on his school crush Lacey and the popular kids group around town. This also leads him into some sleuthing of a possible crime but everything snowballs.  It definitely shows how technology can lead into too much distraction and has a cause and effect element. It is told mainly from Carter's point-of-view and has themes of privacy, friendships, family, feeling isolated from others, middle school drama and illegal animal smuggling.  Some things do seem a little overstretched in reality but kids may still find it entertaining.  As the story unfolds, Carter redeems himself by uncovering an illegal operation but also admits that his snooping/spying turned obsession got out of hand and that you have to be aware of where to draw the line.  The author always includes good character development in his stories and are good choices for middle grade readers.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 11-12.~

 

Title: Snoop

Author: Gordon Korman

Pub. date:  July 2025,  Scholastic Press

Genre: middle grade 

Hardcover, 195 pgs.

 

 

The Wombats go Wild for Words review

 

A trio of wandering wombats with a passion for words inspire an enthusiastic duckling to transform her town from dull to dazzling.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Evergreen Forest was a very nice and very ordinary place to live.  Although, being a very nice place to live, the forest seemed rather quite dull.  But nobody seemed to mind or complain about it because they really didn't say many words at all.  That was until a trio of wordy wombats arrived ready to show the ordinary inhabitants how extraordinary it could be.  

 

This is a cute and fun book about the power of words and how new ones can fit into our everyday lives.   Why use plain simple words when you can use grand and unique word choices instead.  The wombats teach a little curious duckling how ordinary things can become more exciting when changing the word choices.   For example; hot and thirsty can become sweltering and parched or very hungry and super hungry can turn into famished and ravenous.  The illustrations are colorful, expressive and shows how much fun using new words can be. In the end, little ducking becomes an honorary word wombat and makes his own "duck-tionary" to share the meanings of his new found vocabulary words.   This is a delightful book that will help kids learn more about descriptive words and aid in the writing process. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-7

 

Title: The Wombats go Wild for Words

Author: Beth Ferry, illustrated by Lori Nichols

Pub. date: June 2025, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pine Cone's Secret - A Life Cycle Poem review

 

Did you know a pine tree starts as a cone, turns into a gift, and can become a blanket?(goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

We have the opportunity to learn many amazing things from nature and here is the perfect book to add to your home or classroom library.  It is a mix between poetic text and a science lesson all in one.  It follows the journey of a pine tree through each stage of its life; starting from a falling pine cone and growing into a towering giant. The tree can also be many helpful things to the forest animals and people that live near it.   The beautiful illustrations are gentle and peaceful while taking you through the different seasons.  If you look closely at the forest scenes, kids will find little animals hidden in various spots. I also liked that it tells a story of a growing family, caretakers of the forest and how animals need trees for their survival.  Added at the end pages are wonderful extras such as; parts of a pine tree, where pines are found, tree trivia and a pine cone craft project.  It is an extra fun science lesson part that taught me things I didn't know.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-8.~

 

Title: The Pine Cone's Secret

Author: Hannah Barnaby, illustrated by Cedric Abt

Pub. date:  September 2025,  Sourcebooks Explore

Genre: picture book, nature

Hardcover, 40 pgs 

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.