The Last Leaf review

 

A sweet, autumnal story about a nervous little puppy named Parker who learns what happens at the end of autumn and that change isn’t always scary.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Parker the puppy notices that the trees are quickly loosing their leaves one-by-one.  He asks several different animals what it means if they all fall off but gets too many different answers. If the very last leaf falls, Parker fears that something terrible will happen which is making him feel anxious.  He meets a friendly bear who helps with his worries and shows him what really happens when the last leaf does eventually fall.

 

Autumn is fast approaching and this story is just in time for the changing of our season.  Parker searches for answers about what will happen when the last leaf falls? Unfortunately, he cannot find any reassuring answers from the neighborhood dogs or forest animals which leads to having a bit of anxiety.  The worries and fears Parker experiences are normal and makes a wonderful discussion topic for little ones who also face these feelings.  It is nice that the book has Parker sharing his thoughts with Bear. To alleviate his worries, Bear helps him through it by spending his time showing him what will happen instead of just telling him.  In the end, Parker learns that change wasn't as scary as he thought and it can be a pleasant experience instead.  Especially rolling in the crunchy leaves with a new friend.  The illustrations are large, cute and in vibrant Autumn colors.  The text reads easily for reading aloud.  This is a great book for the classroom or for a cozy fall story at bedtime.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: The Last Leaf

Author: Ali Pye

Pub. date: August 2026, Flamingo Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

 

Claude: A wordless Picture Book review

 

Inspired by a beautiful Claude Monet painting, a little artist decides to create her own masterpiece, but her puppy has other ideas. (goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

A young artist, who is inspired by the painter Claude Monet, decides she wants to paint her own masterpiece.  But her charming little dog Claude has other ideas and tries everything to take her attention away from her artwork.

 

This picture book is one that I will definitely remember because it has two things that I love.  First, it is based off of my favorite inspiring painter who is Claude Monet.  Secondly, it is a wordless picture book that tells a sweet and cute story by its simple but beautifully done illustrations.  This delightful book is easy to follow as the little girl visualizes what her painting will turn out to be but her dog adds a bit of mayhem instead.  It is a very short read but the black and white illustrations with pops of primary colors are very expressive and cute.  I could feel Claude's disappointment when he couldn't go for a walk by the way his head hung. I also noticed how hard the little girl was thinking and focusing wanting her painting to be a certain way.  But as the story shows us, sometimes things don't always go as planned but can turn out wonderful anyway.  I feel this would make a great addition for learning about impressionism where young kids could make their own artwork after reading this charming book.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-7.~  

 

Title: Claude

Author: Phyllis Harris

Pub. date: May 2026, Familius

Genre: wordless picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

Peanut, Butter & Crackers - Puppy Problems review

 

A new puppy disrupts life for a dog and cat.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

When a puppy arrives at the home of Butter and Crackers, the cat and dog duo must learn how to adjust to the family's new addition.  While the new puppy learns about life in a forever family, Butter and Crackers find it hard to accept this disruptive change to their seemingly normal household. 

 

Young early readers will find this junior graphic novel easy to read with its bright colors, simple sentence structure and a storyboard layout that is easy to follow along.  Butter and Crackers have humorous personalities that dog and cat owners can relate to.  Their hilarious interactions show how dogs and cats have very different brains and lives. But bothered by Peanut's neediness, messes and intrusion, Butter "accidentally" leaves the gate open and Peanut disappears.  When Peanut goes missing at night, Butter and Crackers realize that he is truly family and set out to bring him home.  This is the beginning story in the series and is perfect for readers who want to and are ready to read on their own.  I feel this will be a cute series kids will enjoy following and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 6-8.~

 

Title: Peanut, Butter & Crackers Puppy Problems

Author: Paige Braddock

Pub. date: September 2020,   Viking Books for Young Readers

Genre: jr graphic novel

Paperback, 92 pgs. 

 

 

Owl By Myself review

 

From the New York Times-bestselling illustrator of Sleepy Sheepy and The Good Egg comes an irresistible new character who insists on doing everything owl by himself today.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

When Owl wakes up one morning, he decides he wants do everything by himself! He starts by cleaning his room (almost perfect), then gets dressed in his favorite pants, (even though they are a little wrinkled) and ties his shoes only to get himself tied up instead.  As his day goes along, he tries his best to do everything by himself but finds there are still a few things he may still need a little help with. 

 

In this short and simple book, the main focus of child independence is depicted in a cute and funny way.  As Owl attempts his many tasks during the day, readers share in his successes even as things go awry at times.  He might not be good at everything but his self-confidence is infectious. Kids will pick up on the repeated refrain "Owl By Myself" and will enjoy saying it out loud during reading.   The text is simple and the charming illustrations have humor that will give a few giggles. Throughout the story, Owl learns that there are many things he is capable of doing by himself but in the end he still needs others for some.  This makes for a nice bedtime story and the next day can be declared it will be an owl by myself day! I think this is a "just right book" for ages 2-5.~  

 

Title:  Owl By Myself

Author: Pete Oswald

Pub. date: August 2026, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

  

A Not So Perfect Start review

 

Welcome to The Caring Classroom! A new series that gives kids the building blocks they need to be a kind and caring person in the classroom and beyond.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Thea wants everything to be perfect during her first week of school! Nothing can go wrong as she is filled with excitement, hope and worries.  But when a mishap during art time occurs, Thea shares an idea bringing the caring classroom together.

 

The first week of school can become frustrating for a child who is a perfectionist such as Thea.  This is a gentle, encouraging read-aloud that would work well for classroom story time or a parent of a child with the expectations of making everything perfect the first few days of a new school year.  The book sends a positive message that making mistakes is okay and shows that you don't have to be perfect at everything.  When things happen beyond your control it can turn into something wonderful when you stop and adjust your thinking.  The illustrations are fun, bold and the characters have cute expressions as they go through their school days of ups and downs.  The text flows nicely for reading aloud and the story may relieve some anxiety and jitters kids are facing.  In the beginning, Thea makes a list of all the things she needs to make her first day perfect.  In the end, her list changes to a helpful tips for a perfectly imperfect you list teaching us some valuable points. This is the first book in "The Caring Classroom" series and I could see many more in the future about Thea and her classmates. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title: A Not So Perfect Start

Author: Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

Pub. date: June 2026, Knopf Books for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 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) 

 

 

 

  

 One of my favorites of the back-to-school books!

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeti is Not Ready for School review

First day of school jitters? Yeti knows all about that! She's not ready for her first day of school either in this colorful picture book that is a gentle reminder that's it OK to be scared to start something new.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

Yeti has everything ready for her first day of school. She has been practicing her stomping, mastering her growl and even filed her fangs. But her tummy still has the fire-breathing moths fluttering around.  Tomorrow is the big day but can Yeti think of a good excuse to stay home instead?

 

It is that time already for the new school year to begin and many kids are feeling butterflies in their stomach. This is a fun back to school story for those first day jitters to let kids know that it is okay to feel nervous.  Kids will relate to Yeti's worries when they see how she feels about her upcoming first day meeting new classmates or doing something embarrassing in front of others.  The illustrations are bold and bright and the text can be easily read to one child or to a large group.  It may open up conversation to help kids ease into a new school year knowing that others share the same feelings when starting something new.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: Yeti is Not Ready for School

Author: Leigh Ann Carter

Pub. date: July 2025, Random House for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

 

 

Crouton review

 

Join Crouton, a lovable shelter cat, as she searches for her perfect person—because not everyone would be the right fit.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Crouton is a shelter cat who is looking for just the right person to take home. Not everyone will be perfect but she knows when she finds that special one!  Just as she starts to give up hope, an adorable little girl walks in and Crouton decides she better get her attention so nobody else will adopt her before she can!

 

This is a sweet and really cute story told from a shelter cat's point-of-view about waiting and finding that one special person to share your life with. It is a reversal on how we adopt pets from shelters and would be a wonderful conversation starter if you are thinking about a pet adoption.  As cute as animals can be, it comes with a lot of responsibility and hearing it from Crouton shows us just that.  We also feel the happiness and love that can be shared between a pet and human. The text is simple but the illustrations on each page are in eye pleasing black, white and pink tones and the characters are expressive and cute.  The book is based on the authors own experience of adopting a shelter cat and I am glad she shared her personal story so others can think about the process for themselves.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: Crouton

Author: Kristine A. Lombardi

Pub. date: January 2026, Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

 

Lydia Loves Bugs review

 

Discover the wonderful world of insects as Lydia collects bugs for show-and-tell in this picture book perfect for little entomologists (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Lydia is a lover of bugs! She loves big bugs and little bugs, bouncy bugs and even stinky ones.  She is lucky because her mom is an Entomologist, a person who studies bugs for a living.  Together they collect various insects for a special show-and-tell day at school and Lydia cannot wait to share with her classmates what they find.  

 

There is still time before school starts to get outside and explore nature.  If you know a child that loves bugs, this will be the perfect book for them.  The text is simple and short but the illustrations are large, bold and colorful making this a great read aloud to a large or small group.  There are so many different insects throughout the story that kids will either recognize a few or learn about a new one. All the bugs shown in the story are real and the author has added a wonderful back page description to help understand them more. After reading about Lydia's love and seeing her enthusiasm, it may spark interest in having their own bug hunt at a nature area or their own backyard. Collecting and observing bugs is a fun activity that will keep kids occupied for hours.  Another part of learning is to make sure they release them back to nature when they are done.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: Lydia Loves Bugs

Author: Heidi E.Y. Stemple & Yuliya Pankratova

Pub. date: May 2026, Familius

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

Sunday Fun Day review

 

Make every Sunday a fun day with an amazing activity for every weekend of the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

No matter the season or the weather, this fabulous activity book will have something for the whole family.  Filled with 52 creative and fun things to do, there is an activity to choose from for each weekend of the year.  It has a wide variety of ideas on crafting, cooking, gardening or easy games which can all be done either indoors or outdoors.  Most activities are nature based and connected to the four seasons of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  

 

Starting with Spring you could make a collage from leaves, twigs, flowers or shells or put on a noisy nature concert using rocks, empty bottles or sticks.  In Summer you can inspect insects, paint a pet rock or make leaf boats that float.  Autumn has many ideas such as fairy homes, outdoor obstacle courses and a pine cone bird feeder. Winter suggests stamping fruity wrapping paper, making a wildlife tree or a pretty colored tree sweater.  Several recipes are included for cooking in the kitchen and making some yummy meals.  There is carrot cake, cheesy pasta or soothing soup.  These are just a sample of all the wonderful things your family can do over the year.  Best of all, it brings everyone together and enjoying the beauty of nature and each other.  The activities seem simple and at the end of the book there is a tools and materials needed list to help.  This is a wonderful concept with so many fun ideas to try!  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3 and up.~

 

Title:  Sunday Fun Day

Author:  Katherine Halligan illustrated by Jesus Verona

Pub. date:  October 2021, Nosy Crow

Genre: non fiction picture book

Hardcover, 104 pgs.

  

Little Ghost's Summerween review

 

Little Ghost loves parties, but he’s only ever had the Halloween kind! After attending his first ever birthday party, Little Ghost decides to throw one of his own.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Little Ghost has only had one Halloween party.  When he receives an invitation to a friends outdoor camp birthday party, he tries his best to be brave.  On his way home, he thinks what it would be like having his own birthday party.  His friend Anya tells him that the party should celebrate him and what he likes just like Elias did.  Little Ghost decides to make his own birthday party unique to him but struggles with ideas that fit.  Unfortunately, all the things he likes are for Halloween and just doesn't seem right for a summertime party.  

 

We are right in the middle of summer and this is a really cute story for our hot weather months.  It has a really nice and simple message about finding out who you are as an individual and sharing it with others.  Little Ghost and Anya have a special friendship based on encouragement and thinking outside of the box.  The illustrations are colorful, cute and full of expression.  It has many funny moments but also reminds us the importance of celebrating who we truly are as individuals.  I think anyone would love to go to Little Ghosts Halloween themed summer party knowing how much effort he put into it to make it spooktacular! If you liked the authors first book "Little Ghost Makes a Friend" then you will surely enjoy this addition for a wonderful summertime read.  Kids may even come up with their own fun themed summer party after reading this sweet story.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~ 

 

Title:  Little Ghost's Summerween

Author: Maggie Edkins Willis

Pub. date: April 2026, Beach Lane Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.