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. 

It's Winter review

 

Flurries flutter, soft and light. It’s winter, and our world is bright!(bookjacket)

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a wonderful story that shows us all the ways we can enjoy snow and the various events that come with the winter season. Bundle up in mittens and puffy suits, go sledding on hills of snow, build the roundest snowman ever or have a snowball fight. These are only a few things we can look forward to in the winter months.  There are also many celebrations during this time as well.  For example, the book illustrates pages on Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day. The text is rhyming and the bold, colorful illustrations definitely will have you feeling winter.  There are so many fun things to do during this time of year and reading this story with a hot cocoa will give you many ideas.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~ 

Title: It's Winter

Author: Renee Kurilla

Pub. date: October 2024, Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40n pgs. 

 

 

 

 

The Heart of Winter review

 

A heartwarming winter story that reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

A snowstorm moves in and a sudden gust of wind separates Chip the robin from the rest of his family.  When he begins to look for them, he meets Lula the red fox, who offers her warm home to escape from the weather.  Lula lives alone and is happy to have the company and the two enjoy spending the afternoon together.   They watch snowflakes fall, build a snow fox and snow bird and played outside until sundown.  But when Chip's family finds him and he flies back home, Lula misses her new friend.

 

By the front cover, this looked like a story about winter and I didn't realize it was for the Christmas season until I read it today.  It is a cute book about kindness and friendship which is always perfect for the holidays. Chip and Lula are sweet characters among the bluish/black and white illustrations with pops of red which gives a chilly winter day feel.  Lula is lonely after Chip leaves but a knock on her door reveals a family surprise waiting behind it for her. It is a quick read about opening your doors with kindness to others in need and making new friends. It also conveys the message of how your friends are your family too.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title:  The Heart of Winter

Author: Alessandro Montagnana

Pub. date: August 2025, NubeOcho

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 36 pgs. 

 

 

 

 

A Field Guide to Winter review

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This kid friendly Field Guide to Winter shows us the wonder of the outdoors and all that it has to offer during the cold, snowy months.  By using your senses, scientific explanations of nature, writing poems and stories, making crafts or animal hibernation, this book has everything needed for a fun way to learn about our winter season.  It suggests how kids can help birds with food and water, star gaze in the clear night skies or even start a nature journal to log observations of animal tracks and findings.  Geared towards the lower elementary kids, it would work for a science unit in the classroom or a family day out together exploring if you are looking for something fun to do on a weekend.   The illustrations are in pretty winter colors and the snowy pages add to the feeling of being outdoors.  The book cover is eye-pleasing as well.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-8.~

Title:  A Field Guide to Winter

Author: Gabby Dawnay, illustrated by Dorien Brouwers

Pub date: October 2025, Thames & Hudson

Genre: non fiction

Hardcover, 64 pgs. 

  

 Other books in series to check out:

          

 

 

 

 

Candle Island review

 

A moving portrait of loss and the restorative power of art.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the accidental death of her father, twelve year old Lucretia Sanderson and her mother, relocate to Candle Island, Maine to rebuild and deal with their grief.  Her mom, a famous artist in Vermont, is also trying to avoid the nonstop hounding of journalists looking for interviews. Hoping to start a new life there, Lucretia finds it difficult to fit in with the local islanders and the touristy summer kids. When they move into their home, she learns the history behind the house belonging to the family of a girl named Murdock.  From the beginning, she has not been able to make friends with her and learns her story slowly as to why.  But as the summer goes on, there are many secrets among the island including one that Lucretia and her mom keep close to themselves. 

 

This is a heartfelt story for upper middle grade readers about grief, self-discovery, friendships and trying to navigate this big world as a gifted twelve year old.  The beautiful writing gave me a lot of visualization for the various characters, island life and the beauty of the New England Coast.  Lucretia is very mature for her age and at times I felt she should have been older than twelve.  But I did understand why her character was written in this way after learning she is a prodigy.  It was hard for her to fit in with the Islanders and the summer kids definitely did not make it any easier with their bullying.  The spoiled and wealthy summer kids cause much havoc for Lucretia and the Islanders but eventually had to take accountability for their actions.  The group of three were quite mean and I was glad how they had to answer for it in the story line.  The book is not only about Lucretia's grief and rebuilding. There are secrets about a hidden room, a found poetry writing, a mysterious boy with a magical singing voice, an orphaned osprey chick rescue and the role art plays in our healing.  There is a wonderful sense of family between adults and kids while also showing empathy for others and animals.  The state of Maine is the perfect setting for the appreciation and the beauty of art and nature which plays a strong role in the story as well.  Although it is not a fast-paced read, it does depict a slow island life I'd long for.  There are good character developments among the many throughout.  It is a wonderful book for summer reading but could also work for anytime of the year with the many twists and themes.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 11-13.~

 

Title: Candle Island

Author: Lauren Wolk

Pub. date: April 2025, Dutton Books for Young Readers

Genre: middle grade realistic fiction

Hardcover, 352 pgs. 

David Atherton's Christmas Cookbook for Kids review

 

Grab your aprons and get into the holiday spirit with Great British Baking Show winner and star chef David Atherton.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a festive cookbook for the family that will give everyone some holiday fun in the kitchen!  It features a yummy variety of sweets, party foods, cakes and cookies. The ingredient lists are relatively simple to a little more complex if you want to make some show stoppers. The recipes are easy-to-follow and among them you will find tips and tricks throughout.   There are detailed illustrations (not photos) that go along with the recipes as well.  A few examples you can try are reindeer bark, sweet and spicy popcorn, snowy owl cupcakes or coconut snowballs.  There is even a section on making gift boxes to give your homemade treats to someone special.  The holidays are a wonderful time to make memories with the family and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-12.~

 

Title:  David Atherton's Christmas Cookbook for Kids

Author: David Atherton, illustrated by Katie Cottle

Pub. date: September 2024, Candlewick Press

Genre: nonfiction

Hardcover, 72 pgs.

 

 

The Old Sleigh review

 

On a cold winter’s night of deep snow, an old sleigh delivers needful things(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

What a beautiful and heartwarming book to share during the winter months and holiday season! The old sleigh hauls loads of wood to help give warmth and light to the townspeople during the cold winter months.  Over time, the small rural town grows into an expanding small city. The boy and his father are growing as well, learning to adjust to still meet the needs of their neighbors.  The old sleigh eventually breaks down but they rebuild it bigger and stronger to keep their deliveries going. It is simple on words but yet it is big on hard work ethic, a sense of community and giving to others. As you turn each page, the charming and colorful illustrations tell most of the story.  You can feel the cold winter chill but yet the warmth with a strong message of persistence, dependability and the joy from giving and receiving throughout.  It is a gentle and quiet story you can cuddle up to in the evening or before bedtime.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title: The Old Sleigh

Author: Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey

Pub. date: November 2025, Norton Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

The Humble Pie review

 

The Humble Pie likes to give others the spotlight. Aw, shucks!—they deserve it!(goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humble pie always stays low key, goes with the flow and will happily stand in someone else's shadow if need be.  But when he gets paired up with his best friend Jake the cake for a school project, things become overwhelming when Jake doesn't pull his weight.  Feeling frustrated by his lack of participation, the humble pie decides to speak up for himself once and for all.

 

For fans of the Food Group series, here is another fun addition with a wonderful message about standing up for yourself.  When Jake lets humble pie do all the work, he realizes how unfair it is doing the project all by himself but having to share the credit.  Humble pie works up the nerve to say something to Jake worrying it may make him mad at him. It is heartwarming when Jake realizes his mistake and apologizes to his friend. This story gives the message that being humble is a good thing, but it is also good to speak up and not let others walk all over you because of this trait either. Another message that I took away is the importance of being there for one another when they need you too.  All in all, it has cute, fun and colorful illustrations with very meaningful text.  I think this is a "just right book" for older kids ages 5-7.~

 

Title: The Humble Pie

Author:  Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald

Pub. date: November 2025, Harper Collins

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

 

 

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.