Over and Under the Waves review

 

Explore the wonders and beauties of the ocean's kelp forests in this latest addition to the acclaimed Over and Under series.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A family paddle their kayaks over the waves to explore the ocean as we learn about another one of our most diverse ecosystems.  This beautifully written story takes you along on the journey as they glide silently, discovering the ocean above and the hidden forest below them.  Over the waves they paddle through the wind, view pelicans soaring, hear the sea lions bark and watch an otter mom and her pup cuddle.  But under the waves, there are just as many diverse things.  It is a hidden home with sea kelp, various fish, squid, sea anemones and whales.  

 

I always love how each Over and Under series books express a feeling of calmness during reading.  The illustrations are peaceful and the text is gentle, flows easily and is always informative.  I found myself wanting to paddle along in the ocean or go exploring on the beach throughout.  Included at the end is a wonderful author's note about her kayaking trip in Monterey Bay and that experience led her to writing this book. There are also details about the animals you will find over and under the waves that just might open up more questions from little ones.  Sharing books like these with our children help teach about the importance and preservation of these amazing ecosystems for not only themselves but future generations as well.   I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4 and up.~ 

 

Title: Over and Under the Waves

Author: Kate Messner

Pub. date: September 2022, Chronicle Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 56 pgs.
 

A Pigeon in Paris review

 

When mother pigeon arrives in Paris she knows it's the perfect place to call home--for a while. She makes her nest and lays her eggs and, when her babies hatch, nurtures them until they're strong enough to take flight. But as little Petite watches her brother and sister take off, she determines she is too scared and simply will not fly.(goodreads summary)

 

 

I saw this lovely book cover and knew it was going to be a story I would like.  It is a sweet and gentle read for little ones offering encouragement for those fearful times.   Little Petite and her siblings, Bisou and Cherie, are adorable characters to fall in love with.  Petite is so scared to take her first flight that she tells herself  she will never fly and will never leave her nest.  Although, she needs to learn to fly on her own if she wants to fill her hungry tummy.  With the help and encouragement of her family, she finally leaps off and flies on her own.  Seeing Petite go from "I can't and I won't" to finally spreading her wings and soar shows bravery and if you try, you just might surprise yourself.  Even after she panics and falls, she gets herself back up again with determination, facing her fear. The soft colors of the illustrations add to the story giving the pages a beautiful Parisian feel.  This will be a great story for those who struggle with fears and know they can overcome them.  I hope there are more Petite stories to come. She makes a wonderful character kids can relate to! I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title:  A Pigeon in Paris - Petite Takes Flight

Author: Paige Howard, illustrated by Joanie Stone

Pub. date: April 2023 Sleeping Bear Press

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

It Began with Lemonade review

 

This imaginative, colorful tale of making (and selling!) lemonade from life's lemons is not too sour and not too sweet.(goodreads summary)
 

 

 

 

 

Summer is finally here and I am looking forward to a tall, cold glass of lemonade!  In this fun summertime story, a little girl wants to make and sell lemonade. After experimenting to find the perfect recipe, she heads out to the streets to sell her yummy drink.  But when she gets outside, there is no space for her because there are other kids who have the same idea.  Deciding to take her stand away from the city, the cart ends up rolling away and lands by the rivers edge.  Just when she feels discouraged and wants to give up, unusual and very thirsty customers start arriving. It turns her sour day into a good day which leads her to a bigger and better lemonade dream for the future. 

The whimsical illustrations are filled with imagination and humor.  The kids will giggle when they look closely and see all the funny details on each page. The little girls can do attitude and perseverance is a great message for kids. It would be a wonderful book to read for the start of summer. It may spark kids to design and build their own lemonade stand and try selling or fundraising for a good cause themselves. I always make a point of stopping  when I see a stand in my neighborhood. I know how excited kids will be when their work hard pays off and they sell a cup.  I think this is a "just right book" 5-7.~

Title: It Began with Lemonade

Author: Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Lian Cho

Pub. date: May 2021, Dial Books for Young Readers

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish review

In this strikingly illustrated debut with a quirky, surreal sensibility, the tale of an Arctic expedition invites readers to discover an elusive creature.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Is the giant Arctic jellyfish real or just a myth.  Dr. Morley is determined to set out with her crew on an Arctic expedition to find the answer.  Once there they find narwhals, beluga and orca whales, a polar bear and frozen landscapes; but no sign of the elusive giant creature.  Should they continue on exploring or consider it a failed adventure and return home?

I absolutely loved this debut story written and illustrated by Chloe Savage!  With determination and teamwork, Dr. Morely and her crew travel through the frozen Arctic as we experience their days on the research vessel through wonderful illustrations.  Throughout the book, there are pages with cutaways of the ship where we get to observe the crew going about their daily life.  Kids will enjoy hearing about the expedition and love looking at all the details. The jellyfish seems to be following along, staying just close enough to keep an eye on the crew but still hiding out of site. There is a bit of humor when you really pay notice to the different scenes. After all the hope and hard work of trying to find the giant and coming up with nothing, Dr. Morley is ready to leave for home. But not without a possible surprise at the end.  This was a fun read and afterwards I decided to look up if there was such a thing as the giant Arctic jellyfish. I learn so many new things everyday.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7. 

Title: The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish

Author: Chloe Savage

Pub. date: June 2023, Candlewick Press

Genre: picture book, science

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Home Away from Home review

From Newbery Honor Winner Cynthia Lord, a brilliant story about how to find home when everything around us is changing.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eleven year old Mia is going through too many changes all at once.  Her parents are divorced and her dad has a new wife and baby.  Besides that, her mom and boyfriend Scott want to move to a new home and she has a difficult time when they need to get the house ready to sell.  To help with all the mixed feelings, Mia will be staying with her Grandma in Stone Harbor, Maine for a month.  Grandma calls it "a home away from home" and Mia is looking forward to spending alone time with her.  But when she arrives, a new neighbor boy named Cayman seems to have made himself quite comfortable there. Mia now feels jealous and competitive for her attention.  Her Grandma encourages her to make friends with him and the two go in search of the eagle's nest down by the lake.  While there, an unexpected large white bird is seen fighting with the eagles.  Never having seen a bird like this, Mia decides to post a picture of it online for information about what type of bird it could be.  It is a rare bird sighting and she stirs up unwanted attention from several outsiders that she really didn't intend to. This ends up putting the bird in danger and her friendship with Cayman falling apart.

Here is a wonderful story from one of my many favorite middle grade authors, Cynthia Lord.   It is heart felt and makes a great summer vacation read.  It is fast paced and short enough to keep kids attention throughout. Readers will find themselves connecting with Mia's feelings easily about change, making mistakes and understanding she needs to find a way to fix them.   Knowing that her actions caused unwanted consequences is a great learning opportunity for kids of this age.  Mia's friendship with Cayman is tested numerous times and we also find out that his mom is battling substance abuse.  The care and concern her grandmother expresses for Cayman and his mom shows what being a good neighbor means.  There is plenty of information about birds throughout the story which is perfect for the bird enthusiast.  Kids may pay more attention to the bird songs in their area from Mia's knowledge she shares.  I found myself visualizing the small Maine town of Stone Harbor and the locals that lived there.  What a beautiful "home away from home" place to be.  This is a gentle story about accepting change, normal feelings kids feel, following rules, learning from our mistakes and correcting them, empathy and being part of a community.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 9-11.

 

Title:  Home away from Home

Author:  Cynthia Lord

Pub. date: April 2023, Scholastic Press

Genre: middle grade

Hardcover, 224 pgs.

Mermaid Moon review

 

In this magical picture book perfect for all young mermaid lovers, two best friends--one who lives on land, the other in the water--share an exciting adventure on the night of the Mermaid the one time each year mermaids can leave the sea.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

This is a tale about an unlikely friendship between a human girl named Molly and a mermaid girl named Merrin.  Once a year, there is a special night known as the Mermaid Moon Festival where all the sea creatures can swim through the air and explore the human world.  Merrin will finally be able to see Molly's house on land and the harbor town she lives in.  But there is one word of caution from her mother.  She must return back home before the moon's reflection disappears from the sea.

I wish this beautiful story was around when my daughter was at the age of her mermaid enchantment.  She absolutely loved the idea of magical mermaids and this is the perfect book for any young girl who is captured by the same feelings.  It makes a great bedtime read as the illustrations are peaceful and in calming hues of greens and blues.  Molly's seaside hometown has such a charm and the girls expression of wonderment as they move around the village exploring was so sweet.  They end up having a bit of excitement towards the end that needs problem solving in order for Merrin to return to the sea in time.  But with true friendship on your side, things will always work out.  This is a wonderful fantasy picture book about friendships, magic and mermaids that will be a nice addition to any mermaid lovers bookshelf.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title:  The Mermaid Moon

Author: Briony May Smith

Pub. date: October 2022, Anne Swartz Books

Genre: picture book, fantasy

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

The Nature Journal - A Backyard Adventure review

 

A charming and nature-filled picture book about a young boy who connects with his busy dad over their love of nature.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Tim and his dad share the love of nature and exploring in their own backyard.  On a day when Tim's dad is busy with work and chores, he goes to the attic and discovers his father's old journals and some pictures.  Reading after reading all the things he has found, Tim gently drifts off to sleep and dreams of his own adventures. After he wakes up, he does not want to forget them so he draws everything out so he can share it with his dad.

What better way to connect with each other than though nature. This is a charming and sweet book about togetherness, imagination, and the love of exploring all the things nature has to offer.  Whether in the backyard or out on an adventure elsewhere, nature is an important thing we can share with children.  They learn so much by just observing and exploring but it is up to us adults to pass on that love.  Tim and his dad have a special bond that is heartwarming through their own love of nature.  It has bold pictures and simple text.   This would be a wonderful book to read on Father's Day and then take in a nature activity and journal together.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  The Nature Journal-A Backyard Adventure

Author:  Savannah Allen

Pub. date:  May 2023, Viking Books for Young Readers

genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

 

Astrid the Astronaut - The Astronomically Grand Plan review

 

In this first book of a brand new-chapter book series, a young girl is determined to be the first astronaut with hearing aids in space!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third grader Astrid can't wait for the after school program to begin!  Shooting Stars is a super cool Space Club and she is excited to attend with her best friend Hallie.  Astrid also dreams of being an Astronaut one day and will not let her hearing aids stop her from having that dream. There is also a space camp the two friends can attend at the end!  All these things are part of Astrid's astronomically grand plan she has taped above her desk at home.  But her grand plans fall apart when Hallie wants to join Art Club instead of the Shooting Stars.  At her first club meeting, Astrid is not sure how she will be able to stick to her plan without Hallie by her side.  

 

This is a wonderful new chapter book series for the second and third grade reader.  It flows easily and will keep kids interest to the end.  The chapters are short and includes illustrations throughout adding good imagery to the story.  Astrid is devastated when Hallie chooses Art Club over the Space Club.  She doesn't understand why she wants to switch and this makes Astrid feel alone.  When it comes to this age group, this is a realistic scenario about friendships and the story does well handling changes among friends.  It also has problem solving skills, finding and making new friends, teamwork, accepting that others have different interests and not letting anything stand in the way of your dreams.   Astrid's determination through the many ups and downs of third grade to still reach her plan shows resilience.  There are many character developments for her and messages throughout.  This would be a great series for the summer reading list and for kids who have an interest in space.   I am looking forward to reading the other books soon.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 7-8.~

Title:  Astrid the Astronaut

Author: Rie Neal, illustrated by Talitha Shipman

Pub. date: July 2022, Aladdin Books

Genre: middle grade

Hardcover, 97 pgs.

Apple Pie Picnic review

Meet Rosa and her familia in this bilingual celebration of her favorite tree.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosa lives in the country where her family grows an apple tree. There are many things that make the tree grow strong all year.  In the spring, flowers emerge which turn into apple blossoms pollinated by the bees.  After months of waiting, the apples are ready for picking.  Rosa's family makes pies with the freshly picked apples for a very special picnic under the shady apple tree.  

This is a nice story about the growing season of an apple tree from spring until it is ready for a long winters nap.  Mixed within the text are simple Spanish words, for example;  the sun is el sol or Rosa's dog Churro is el perro.  We learn about Rosa's country life and her love for the tree being more than for just growing apples.  The celebration picnic with family includes pie making, empanadas and sharing it under the wonderful shade of the apple tree.  The tree gives Rosa and her family many things they are grateful for.   At the end of the book there are extra details about the apple tree, English to Spanish words and a yummy recipe for homemade applesauce to make as a family.  Would be a wonderful book to read in the late summer as we are waiting for the apple season to arrive.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title: Apple Pie Picnic

Author: Alicia Duran

Pub. date: March 2023, Red Comet Press

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

Make More S'mores review

 

Roscoe has his campfire going and is toasting the most perfect marshmalllow. He slides it onto a graham cracker, adds a chocolate square, and sandwiches it with another graham--the most perfect s'more--when Grizzly Bear shows up.(goodreads summary

 

 

 

 

 

Whenever I think of summer, the first thing I look forward to are the evening campfires and making s'mores.  Whether camping or in the backyard, this is the perfect story that will help kick off those fun summer days ahead.   

 

Roscoe the Raccoon welcomes the many guests to his s'mores making party while Grizzly Bear learns how to wait patiently and share.  The two together make a wonderful pair on politeness and patience. All the characters are cute and it has a sweet message about sharing with others.   The text is rhythmic and the illustrations are large and vibrant making it easy to read aloud.  It is a joyful story that combines sharing and friendship with just one of the many things you can enjoy about the upcoming months. A wonderful book to read for camp or just hanging out together as a family making summertime memories.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  Make More S'mores

Author: Cathy Ballou Mealey, illustrated by Ariel Landy

Pub. date: March 2023, Sleeping Bear Press

Genre:  picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Library Fish Learns to Read review

 

Library Fish returns in this charming picture book about the unusually literary fish learning to do what everyone around her loves—read!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Library Fish wants to read!  Every night, when Mr. Hughes closes up the library, she jumps out of her bowl in search of books and teaches herself how to read.  Starting with the alphabet,  blending sounds together, eventually Library Fish makes words and learns that words will make a story.  A story she can't wait to read to a special friend.  

This is the second book in the Library Fish adventures and was just as wonderful as the introductory first one.  This story will teach the reading process from recognizing alphabet letters, letters making sounds, blending the sounds to form words and then how words make a story.  The illustrations are so cute showing Library Fish's interest and determination in reading on her own.  I did feel the text was a little too much at times on some pages making it lengthy if reading to a group. All-in-all though, it is a delightful and encouraging story about the love of books, the library and teaching yourself to read and overcoming the struggle by sticking with it.  Would make a great summer reading book to read to the beginning reader.  In the end, she looks forward to sharing her accomplishment with her special library friend.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-6.~

 

Title:  The Library Fish learns to Read

Author:  Alyssa Satin Capucilli,, illustrated by Gladys Jose

Pub. date: February 2023, Paula Wiseman Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

What's Inside a Flower review

 

From the creator of the New York Times bestseller Women in Science, comes a nonfiction picture book series ready to grow young scientists by nurturing their curiosity about the natural world(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

April showers bring May flowers!  Here is a great nonfiction science book that teaches about the plant life cycle and flowers.   

Kids will learn the steps it takes for a seed to flourish into a beautiful flower. The text is simple to understand without being overwhelming.  It also has very detailed illustrations about seeds, soil, the role of decomposers, water/minerals, sun and pollinators.  All the many important things needed that make a flower bloom.  The artwork is captivating and in beautiful, earthy hues with so much information to view on every page.  Whether it is read in a large group, small group or one-on-one, there are numerous things to learn and discuss from beginning to end.  It makes a wonderful accompaniment for a plant unit or even planting your own flower or vegetable seeds to watch them grow.  Kids would be excited to document their findings.   It encourages them to think about science, nature and the importance of flowers to our planet.  This is the first book in a new series from this author and I am really looking forward to reading many more from her.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-9.~

Title:  What's Inside a Flower

Author:  Rachel Ignotofsky

Pub. date: February 2021, Crown Books for Young Readers 

Genre: nonfiction

Hardcover, 48 pgs.