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. 

 

Navigating Early review

At the end of World War II, Jack Baker, a landlocked Kansas boy, is suddenly uprooted after his mother’s death and placed in a boy’s boarding school in Maine. There, Jack encounters Early Auden, the strangest of boys, who reads the number pi as a story and collects clippings about the sightings of a great black bear in the nearby mountains. Newcomer Jack feels lost yet can’t help being drawn to Early, who won’t believe what everyone accepts to be the truth about the Great Appalachian Bear, Timber Rattlesnakes, and the legendary school hero known as The Fish, who never returned from the war. They embark on a quest on the Appalachian Trail in search of the great black bear. But what they are searching for is sometimes different from what they find. (goodreads summary)

After the passing of his mother, thirteen year old Jack Baker relocates to Morton Hill Academy in Cape Felty, Maine. His father decides to move him closer to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he is stationed in the Navy. Jack finds himself trying to adjust to a new life ahead at the boarding school while trying to come to terms with his mother's sudden death. Soon after his arrival, he notices an unusual boy named Early Auden.  Jack learns things about Early that he finds intriguing such as; he sometimes shows up for class and then disappears, has his own workshop in the school's custodial room and clearly has a knack for numbers. To Early, the number pi is an adventurous story that he sees in shapes, color and texture. He can perform amazing calculations in his head and calms himself by sorting jellybeans by number and color when he becomes upset.  Early's Pi stories are very real to him and he feels a need to help save him after a professor announces that the number eventually comes to an end. When the boys find themselves alone at school during fall break, they decide to take a trip down the Kennebec River in search of the mythical Great Appalachian Bear and help Pi return from the dangers of being lost.  Along the way, they meet several characters who have a strange similarity to Early's Pi stories that help create an adventuresome journey for the two themselves. Most importantly though on their quest, the boys learn that sometimes what you end up finding is not necessarily what you've set out looking for.

This story was filled with adventure, imagination and so beautifully written that it definitely pulls in the reader. Even though Early's story of Pi is fictional, it is so believable that it is a story within a story itself.  There is depth to the characters and tale that makes this not just a typical adventure story either. It is more of a read between the lines story and its reader will find true friendship, self discovery, meaning of hope and character development. I imagined Early, that despite his differences, a character truly exceptional and gifted telling that magical tale from what he sees in his mind from a set of numbers. I envisioned Jack feeling lost and unsure of his place in a complicated world searching for answers to his own questions.  It had a detailed 1945 setting including the woodlands of Maine that had me traveling easily through that era. The journey turns to many dangers along the way when they encounter a band of thieves, the thought of what is behind the giant bear prints, and making it back to the academy alive just to name a few. They also meet other characters that offer help and hope and continue on their epic journey to save Pi, even though Jack questions what is reality or insanity as their adventure seems to run parallel to Early's Pi story. It eventually sorts out and explains many things for each boy in more ways than one. Jack and his father both had good character development. I always like books where not only children are shown to grow, but adults do as well. It had some drawn out parts but just as many thrilling and exciting ones to keep you page turning. There are also great new vocabulary words and descriptive word choices that kids will find. This is a book for thinkers and good choice for either boys or girls. At the end of the book, the author also discusses the concept of Early's character and the number pi in her author's note. I usually read a book during summer vacation to my kids. I know this will be a great pick and look forward to sharing this one with them in the upcoming months. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 10-13.~

Title: Navigating Early
Author: Clare Vanderpool
Pub. Date: January 2013, Delacorte Press
Genre: adventure, middle grade
Hardover, 306 pgs.

The Last Day of Kindergarten review

A little girl is sad that kindergarten is coming to an end. She wishes it were the first day again, when everything was exciting and new and there was such a fun year ahead. But then she realizes that graduating is exciting, too and maybe first grade won't be so bad after all! (jacket description)

 

The end of another school year is fast approaching... There are so many books about the start of school, how about a book about the end of school?  This is one of my favorite books from a few years ago that will get kids ready for summer.

A little girl reflects back on her first year in kindergarten and all the wonderful things that made it so fun and special.  Leaving a favorite teacher and friends behind can give children mixed emotions and this story helps by remembering good times and preparing for the transition to the next grade. It would spark wonderful discussion on what they themselves would be looking forward to when starting a new grade.  This would be a fun last day of school read before that final goodbye. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-6 and perfect for kindergarten classrooms.~

Title: The Last Day of Kindergarten
Author: Nancy Loewen
Genre: Picture Book
Pub. Date: February 2011, Marshall Cavendish Children
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Kindergarten Graduation review

 

The perfect Little Golden Book to celebrate finishing kindergarten!(goodreads summary)
 

 

 

 

 

 

It is the final days of kindergarten and the class is getting ready for the big graduation celebration!  Each student reflects on their favorite thing about kindergarten by making a drawing for a special keepsake booklet.  

 

This is the perfect story to wrap up the last days of the kindergarten school year.  Reflecting back on all that they learned, along with some fun times throughout the year, will help kids get ready to take the next step into first grade.  Making a memory book to look back on is an extra special thing too for parents and children to share with each other.  It is a joyful book celebrating all the experiences of a great year and getting ready for what comes next.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-6.~

 

Title:  Kindergarten Graduation

Author: Jennifer Liberts, illustrated by Courtney Dawson

Pub. date: March 2024, Golden Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 24 pgs.

 

The House with the Little Red Door review

 

If you knocked on the house with the little red door three times you would find...(book jacket)

 

 

 

 

 

If you knocked on the house with the little red door you would meet Olivia.  Olivia is a young girl who feels lonely and that something is missing at her home.  Inside the big oak tree in the yard, there is a mouse, who wishes he had someone to talk to.  When it begins to snow, the two come together and discover the beauty of the outdoors.  But when mouse's tree falls from the snowstorm, can Olivia help find a new home for him? 

 

This is such a sweet and heartwarming story about finding friendship.  The beautiful cover was the first thing that caught my eye and once inside, you will find the perfect book to read on a snowy day or at bedtime. The illustrations are in cozy winter hues and kids will enjoy the detailed illustrations. Throughout the pages there are lift-the-flaps which adds many extra interesting finds to discover.  The story is about kindness and filling the empty feelings we sometimes have by finding companionship.  It is a simple story but with a tender message.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: The House with the Little Red Door

Author: Grace Easton

Pub. date: September 2025, Thames & Hudson

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

 

 

 

As the World Goes By review

 

When Buttons the dog sees a beautiful blue butterfly, he is sure everyone will want to see it, too.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buttons the dog casually spots a beautiful blue butterfly and thinks everyone will want to see it too.  But when he follows it through the hustle and bustle of town, nobody pays any attention to it as it floats on by.  Buttons is determined to find a way to get people to see what he sees.

 

We definitely need a book like this to remind us of the beauty nature has to offer and how it can calm us from the busy world.   Constantly rushing here and there, this book will bring you back to slowing down and taking time to enjoy the little things in life.  It is a sweet, simple story with a cute dog character, as cute as a button if I may say, that is impactful and meaningful and would be wonderful to share as a family. The illustrations are in subtle hues and it could also be a peaceful bedtime read to help wind down from a busy day.   Nature can center us when we need a break and this gentle story will inspire you to stop and smell the roses, if only for a moment. Within our hectic lives there is beauty waiting to help ground us.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-8.  

 

Title: As the World Goes By

Author: Jonny Lambert

Pub. date: June 2025, Tiger Tales

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

 

Pizzasaurus review

 

 Pizzasaurus cares about one thing and one thing PIZZA!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone has heard of the mighty T-Rex or the giant horned Triceratops.  But did you know they are not the only superstars of the dinosaur world?

In this cute and hilarious book, we meet Pizzasaurus, a dinosaur who has a love and a huge appetite for Pizza.  He sings about pizza, he dreams about pizza and he only eats pizza!  The text flows nicely for reading out loud to a group and the dinosaurs add to the humor of the story with their word bubbles. The bold illustrations have many details and will have kids finding new things at the turn of each page. There is so much humor it will have the younger kids laughing out loud.  Just as the dinosaurs get used to having Pizzasaurus as part of the group, there is another surprise that adds a bit of sparkle to the end.  This would be a fun book to read for a pizza party and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 Title:  Pizzasaurus

Author: Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Kyle Beckett

Pub. date: March 3, 2026 Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Genre: picture books

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

 

Tractors in Space review

 

Come along on a side-splittingly funny adventure and meet the tractors with a big secret ... they're going to space!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Toby has dreamed of going up into space to see the moon!  He decides to make his wish come true by blasting off as high as he can and his amazing journey begins. While up in space, he meets several other tractors.  They show him around the universe and eventually he happily finds the moon.  When he realizes though that he doesn't have enough fuel to get back home, the other tractors pull together to help him return safely to the farm.

 

This is a cute book for kids who have an interest in either tractors or space and putting the two together makes for a fun story.  The illustrations are in bright, bold colors and the characters are full of smiles.  The text flows easily which is perfect for a quick read aloud. There are great descriptive words that will help kids learn some new vocabulary such as; wispy, twirly, whirly galaxy, whizzed through space or the shimmering moon.  It is great on imagination and includes problem solving when they have to get Toby back home with a creative way that will make kids giggle in the end.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: Tractors in Space

Author: Ross Mackay, illustrated by Alex Willmore

Pub date: January 2026, Dorling Kindersley

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

 

 

Book Blogger Hop - March 6

Book Blogger Hop

Thanks must go out to Billy at The Coffee Addicted Writer for hosting this weekly book blogger hop. It is a fun and great way to meet other bloggers and share our thoughts. 

This week's question is:

"If you had to, would you pass your book collection on to someone special? If not, what would you prefer your family or friends do with your books after you’re gone?"      

                                                          (submitted by Billy @ Coffee-Addicted Writer)

My Answer:  

Wow! What a deep thought -

I don't think my family would want any of my book shelf reads since they have their own genres that they like to read.  Maybe my daughter would want some of my favorites that she knows are special to me but I would hope they donate things to our local libraries.  But I plan on being around for a while yet, so it would be a good question to throw out to them and think about. 

 

I am looking forward to reading what others have said and maybe I will clean up the book shelves this weekend too!  Have a great hop weekend everyone!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Blogger Hop - February 27

 

Book Blogger Hop

Thanks must go out to Billy at The Coffee Addicted Writer for hosting this weekly book blogger hop. It is a fun and great way to meet other bloggers and share our thoughts. 

This week's question is:

"When you spot giveaways, do you enter just for fun—even if you’re unsure you’ll read the book—or only when you truly want the title?"    

                                               (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

 

My Answer:  

 

Love today's question from Elizabeth! 

 

I usually enter giveaways if the book sounds interesting or if I have seen good reviews on it.  In the past years, I have entered many, many giveaways but only won 2 books from goodreads.  I guess I am not a lucky enough person!! 

 

 

I am looking forward to reading what others have said and will catch a few new blogs along the way. Have a great hop weekend everyone!!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Blogger Hop - February 20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks must go out to Billy at The Coffee Addicted Writer for hosting this weekly book blogger hop. It is a fun and great way to meet other bloggers and share our thoughts. 

This week's question is:

“ When writing reviews, do you align your text to the left, center, right, or justify it? ”

My Answer:  I am still writing my reviews aligned to the left. I guess I am old school and like to stick with what I know.

 

 

I am looking forward to reading what others have said and will catch a few new profiles along the way. Have a great hop weekend everyone!! 

 

Book Blogger Hop

The Trouble with Giraffes review

 

A girl and her pet giraffe are friends despite their difference in size(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Having a giraffe for a pet can be tricky at times. Giraffes have different food choices and the height difference makes walking together difficult.  But the girl loves spending time together even though she feels the two are more different than alike.  But a big part of being friends that are different; is that they always find a way to meet in the middle.  One day at the clubhouse, while trying to shield the giraffe from the rain, an accident lands the girl in a cast. When she is feeling better and ready to rejoin pet club, her friends give her a welcome back party.  But after finding it a problem to climb up to the clubhouse, the friends find a solution to make it welcoming for everyone again.

 

Here is a sweet book that gives warmth and has a positive message about friendship. It is a wonderful concept of "having to meet in the middle" and showing kids how to work out problems to include others in things that they may not be able to participate in due to certain limitations.  The text flows nicely and the illustrations are cute in eye pleasing colors.  Friendship is abundant and the gentle message on inclusion makes for a good conversation after reading in a large or small group setting.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: The Trouble with Giraffes

Author: Lisa Mantchev, illsutrated by Taeeun Yoo

Pub. date: September 2025, Simon & Schuster for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.