Fall - A Seasons Story review

 

Fall is here, and so is a new friend! Monarch is making her way south before winter arrives, and she needs a safe place to rest.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Monarch is on her way to fly south to meet up with her butterfly friends. Unfortunately, she is tired and needs to stop for a quick nap before continuing onward. The animals of the forest come together to her aid to make her as comfortable as possible so she can rest and move on with her long journey. 

 

This is the perfect book to celebrate the arrival of the first day of Autumn!  It is a heartwarming story that celebrates kindness, friendship and the changing of the fall season.  The emphasis on helping others is so sweet and thoughtful. The forest animals each contribute their own special skill that helps Monarch rest peacefully.  Mouse brings her favorite food, duck makes a comfy bed from moss and cattails, chickadee trills a soothing lullaby and racoon tells bedtime stories.  The lyrical text is short, soothing and flows easily making this a wonderful bedtime read.  The beautiful pictures are in soft autumn colors and done by my favorite illustrator, Renata Liwska. The characters are so adorable and lifelike, you can't help but fall in love with any one of them.  With the arrival of the cool days and evenings soon, this would be the perfect book for cuddling together with the little ones. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 2-6.~ 

 

Title: Fall - A Seasons Story

Author: Kelsey E. Gross, illustrated by Renata Liwska

Pub. date: August 2026, Beach Lane Books 

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

Grandpere's Ghost Swamp review

 

Basil Theriot has spent her entire life in New Orleans—in her family’s famed Cajun restaurant in the French Quarter, really—but she’s never been out to the bayou where her grandfather grew up. She’s also never seen a ghost.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 Sixth grader Basil Theriot and her family are mourning the death of her Grandpere Claude.  "G'pere" operated Theriot's Restaurant in the French Quarter but he mainly enjoyed mingling with tourists to tell his stories from down by the bayou. He was always the life of every party and will be missed greatly by many.  But on the day of his funeral, Basil is visited by the ghost of her Grandpere. He has a special message for her that leads to self discovery by sending her on a quest to learn more about her Cajun roots and the bayou.

 

This is a wonderful middle grade novel about family, friendship and the environmental impact Louisiana is experiencing.  Basil's mom and dad became owners of Theriot's Restaurant after her grandfathers passing. Currently, they are experiencing hard times because they are not able to replicate the famous mirlitons recipe G'pere was famous for.  Her parents are also expecting the restaurant will be handed down to Basil someday but are unaware that she secretly is not interested. She feels her entire life that she has missed out on holidays or Mardi Gras celebrations because of the restaurant. Being self-employed has made her parents to busy to have any real family time together.  During her social studies class, they are about to begin a Career Day Project. Her best friend Tommy already knows he wants to be a ghost hunter but Basil has no interest in being a restaurateur. While struggling with her ideas, G'pere's ghost guides her on a path to explore her Cajun roots by venturing through the swamp and disappearing wetlands where she learns about the losses caused by the hurricanes and the human impacts on the environment. Her friendship also takes a twist and Basil learns about honesty by keeping secrets from Tommy about seeing G'pere's ghost and from her parents by using Tommy as a front for her explorations. 

 

The front cover caught my eye immediately and I could picture everything perfectly in my mind by the descriptions of the coast and swamps, shrimping boat or the air boat tour with the surrounding wildlife.  I could also smell the wonderful scents of the French Quarter restaurant cooking of Cajun and Creole-Italian meals.  I learned so much about the devastating and long term impacts of the past hurricanes that continually affects the communities and coastal region that I never realized. I hope readers will take away the same thoughts and feelings that I found.  With the help of G'pere's ghost, Basil did connect with an unexpected career choice but how is she going to tell her parents what she truly feels?  There are many character developments with Basil and her friend Tommy and ends with a positive outcome for all.  The author included a wonderful informational end-note about the Louisiana land-loss crisis as well.  I really found this story to be a favorite and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 9-12.~

 

Title: Grandpere's Ghost Swamp

Author: Rachel M. Marsh

Pub. date: March 2026, Greenwillow Books

Genre: middle grade, realistic fiction

Hardcover, 240 pgs. 

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.