Storybook Sunday... SEVEN: A MOST REMARKABLE PIGEON by Sandra Nickel, Illustrated by Aimée Sicuro - REVIEW!

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday appears every now and then!

Today's featured title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY this Tuesday via Candlewick Press and arrived on my radar thanks to Blue Slip Media.  It's the perfect selection for Pigeon Appreciation Day this June (learn more about that celebration here, WildCare and BirdTipper.com), and stars a remarkable pigeon that learns the best thing to be is truly yourself.  So, if you're ready, let's set our sights on the skies as we wing between the epages of today's book of choice...

Seven: A Most Remarkable Pigeon

by

Sandra Nickel

Illustrated by

Aimée Sicuro

Candlewick Press

RELEASE DATE:  May 6, 2025

Seven was an only pigeon hatched by two loving parents.  He was already unique from the word go because normally they are born in twos, but his parents saw him, and themselves, as lucky and named him after the furthest distance his kind had ever flown to return home.  Seven enjoyed the life of a pigeon, seeing the sights, feeling the breeze, sampling the air, AND smelling the smells.  Oh yes, he loved nothing more than to be led by his nose, and revealed in adding fragrant petals to his nest, or snagging rice on the hidden streets in town.  All the while, his parents were trying to get him to understand the ways of being a pigeon...stay with the flock, build with twigs and straw, and find home visually with the mental map in his head.  He wanted to make them proud, so he tried his best to be the best pigeon that ever flew and follow the status quo...until one day, his particular skill set is exactly what the flock ordered.

I loved the illustrations in this one.  It brings the town, and countryside to life, while making us a temporary part of this pigeon family as we learn their ways, and become a part of the flock.  Watching Seven grow from hatch-ling to his own pigeon was heartwarming, and seeing him be appreciated for being himself was inspiring.  We all want to be a part of something, but we also want to be accepted for who we truly are, and the best way for that to happen is by being ourselves.  Seven shows readers that in a really big way, and when all is said and done, he teaches his flock a thing or two as well!

A great pick for readers of all ages, and a wonderful reminder that it takes all kinds/types to make this world go round.

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About the author...

Sandra Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books and has two new books coming out in Spring 2025: Seven, A Most Remarkable Pigeon, an uplifting tale that celebrates differences, and Making Light Bloom, Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Lamps, where Sandra continues her mission to celebrate extraordinary individuals who have been nearly forgotten by history.

Sandra holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults and has presented workshops throughout Europe and the United States. She is honored to be the winner of a Christopher Award, the winner of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree, and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended author. To learn more about Sandra, and to download free curriculum materials and activity sheets, visit sandranickel.com.

INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK TWITTER

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About the illustrator...

Aimée Sicuro is the illustrator of many books for kids. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Parents magazine, and many other publications. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children. To learn more, visit aimeesicuro.com.

INSTAGRAM

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, illustrator, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Get ready for National Reading Month with Twirl Books!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. 

 Today, we're closing out the month of February by welcoming in the next! That's right! March is National Reading Month. In this month people, especially children, read a lot more in celebration and reading is one of the best habits to develop; it strengthens the mental muscles, helps to improve comprehension and analytical abilities, and increases imagination and boosts memory. In that vein, we've got a roundup of Board Book titles AVAILABLE NOW via Twirl Books that are ready to encourage young ones to development good reading habits from the word GO! With the range of subjects covered and their sturdy hands-on design, there's a little something for everyone...

My Hand is the Sun

by Christina Naumann-Villemin

Illustrated by Geraldine Cosneau

9782408056025

A great way to get the creative juices flowing and encourage the imagination to run wild, this tiny tome shows readers just how many things a simple drawing of a hand can become!  I love the added textures in the images.  The tactile aspect brings it THAT much more to life.  Can YOU think of anything your hand outline can become besides a sun?  I wonder if you'll guess any of those ideas presented within!

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Look!  What is That?

by Tristan Mory

9782408056018

I admit, this book got the best of me the first time I read it!  You're following a little baby as animals try to understand what he is exactly, but with each turn of the page, another critter is introduced.  Once you reach the end, baby's person scoops them up for a hug, and while it was sweet, I was perplexed.  Why?  Because...there are these little cut outs on each page where the animals would seemingly be imagined to be...and you DON'T have to imagine them!  Seriously, take a pull on the little bumps and lumps that appear in each indent along the way for a BIG furry surprise!

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Animals at Home

by Xavier Deneux

9791027613274

A chance to explore the homes of our furry and feathered friends with striking black, white, and a shock of color imagery, and a simple yet eye catching popup effect throughout...I can't imagine a little one that wouldn't jump at the chance to read this one!

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Bedtime Kisses

by Elisabeth de Lambilly

Illustrated by Melisande Luthringer

9791027613167

A charming way to say goodnight that colorfully illustrates just how those in the animal world bid the day adieu too!  It's sweet, and tender, while reminding little ones that while they close their eyes and drift off to Dreamland, they are still very much loved, and very much taken care of here in the real world.

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Special thanks to Twirl Books and the Blue Slip Media team for the copies for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on these titles, or their growing catalog, feel free to click through the links provided above.  The titles featured are newly available this month, so they should be readily available at your favorite online or brick and mortar retailer today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree by Freddy Wexler, Illustrated by Fanny Berthiaume - REVIEW!

Hello friends!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general".  It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered.  This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today, we're getting our holiday on with a spirit filled palm tree that's reaching for his dreams.  Hey, the only one that can hold you back is yourself, and he brings this to life in evergreen-living color.  Ladies and gents, don your jolliest apparel and set your sights on today's title in the spotlight...

Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree

by

Freddy Wexler

Illustrated by

Fanny Berthiaume

9780593567944

Random House Books for Young Readers 

About the book...

The tiki torch is lit, the hula dancers are ready, the stage is set. It's...Christmastime in Hawaii!

Everett Green is a singing, dancing palm tree waiting for his big break. He dreams of being a star, yet has no idea how to make it happen--until he sees the Rockefeller Tree on TV. Determined to become the most famous Christmas tree ever, Everett is ready to hightail it out of Hawaii and make his big debut in the Big Apple.

But it's not all clear skies for Everett when a New York snowstorm grounds his flight.

Stuck in the airport with hundreds of disgruntled travelers, Everett must dig deep for holiday spirit if he wants to become a real Christmas tree!

From grammy-nominated songwriter Freddy Wexler comes a modern Christmas classic: the story of a would-be Christmas tree who comes to see that Christmas is not what or where you are, but who you're with.

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Everett dreamed of his name in lights, and practiced his routine until it sparkled like so many glorious lights...until one day, his dream took on a new meaning.  It wasn't his name in lights, but seeing himself in lights, and all dolled up just like the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.  He would be THE Christmas tree that everyone could see, love, and admire.  The only thing was...he had to get to NYC!  What?  You thought I'd bring up that fact that he's a PALM tree, or made of plastic?  Pfft!  Those are easy obstacles to overcome when you're talking about geography!  He packed his bags and prepped to take his show on the road, but he had no way to secure a ticket (back to that whole plastic thing) and the weather was playing anything but nice, putting more than a monkey wrench in his plans, as well as those of the other passengers trying to traverse the skies to their holiday destinations.  He feared he wouldn't reach his dreams...at least until a little girl with an open mind and a powerful imagination recognized him for who he truly was, unlocking a truly brilliant idea for Everett Green to become not only what he dreamed of (in a fashion), but truly make the Christmases of those around him as well.

A wonderful story that brings to life the magic of the season, while reminding us that we can be anything we wish to be.  There is no time or place that is perfect for a dream to come true, but any situation, any circumstance can be what we make of it, and if we never give up, never stop trying, that desired happily-ever-after remains in reach.  A great addition to your holiday reading list, and a fun read for all ages.

About the author...

Freddy Wexler is a Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum award-winning hit songwriter and film producer with an expansive film, TV, and animation slate. As a songwriter, Wexler has contributed to ten Billboard #1s; his songs have been recorded by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, BlackPink, Selena Gomez, John Legend, Pink, Diana Ross, Shakira, and many others. He lives in Los Angeles. To learn more, visit freddywexler.com.

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About the illustrator...

Fanny Berthiaume is a French Canadian visual artist who has been working in the entertainment industry for close to fifteen years. From miniature set builder to visual effects artist, she has worked on a variety of exciting projects. She offers services in visual development and illustration to animation studios, publishers, and other creative businesses. She lives in Montreal.

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, illustrator, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Storybook Sunday... SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN by Laan Cham - REVIEW!

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday appears every now and then!

Today's featured title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY this Tuesday via Random House Books for Young Readers and features a story about friendship, and walking that middle ground between opposing views, yet still finding a common place to call "home".  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

Somewhere In Between

by

Laan Cham

9780593651568

Random House Books for Young Readers

Release Date:  07/16/24

Pink is a sweet little girl who has inadvertently traveled from far and away, landing in the Land of Sunshine.  There she meets Fireball, and discovers all the wonders and joys to be had in this shimmery bright, and light land.  As she explores, she catches sight of an area across the water she hasn't yet seen.  Fireball warns her away from the scariness to be found over there, but, as with most children, those things she was to be wary of simply made her more curious, so she sets out to see what's what for herself.  Imagine her surprise when she finds a wintry wonderland called the Land of Snow, and it's welcoming committee of one that goes by the name of Snowball.  Things don't seem as scary as she was told they would be, in fact, they're fun, just in a different way, but what starts as a fun day sharing experiences with newly made friends, turns into a virtual tug of war over that new friend that Pink wants nothing to do with...so she comes up with a solution to meet them both halfway, showing  them how much fun can be had if we give things (and others!) a chance, and how beautiful our differences can really be. 

This is a fun tale from start to finish with brilliantly colored illustrations that really get things across.  We get to experience the fun of both lands, and then the middle ground discovered, while catching all parties in the act as they bicker, misunderstand, and eventually come to the realization of how much they were really missing out on.  Young readers can easily follow the pictures to get that first taste of conflict resolution that'll hopefully help them keep their cool in real life, while older readers will appreciate just how similar these two at odds really are with a chuckle and a smile.  A great addition to a classroom or family library for story time again and again.

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About the author...

Laan Cham is a first-generation Singaporean-British-American illustrator from New Jersey who currently lives in Vancouver. Somewhere in Between is her author-illustrator debut, and she is the illustrator of the forthcoming chapter book series Camp Scream. To learn more, and to download a free coloring sheet, visit laancham.com.

INSTAGRAM  |    TWITTER/X

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, illustrator, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

STORYBOOK SUNDAY prepares for Earth Day 2024!

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday appears every now and then!

Next month, Earth Day is upon us, and while every day is TECHNICALLY a day worthy to celebrate the planet we live on, April 22nd, 2024 is THE day this year.  Are you ready?  Do you have your party planned, your clean-up organized...your reading sorted?  😉  Well then, I can definitely help you out on that last part.  The two storybooks we're featuring today make PERFECT additions to your festivities, while spreading the word about sustainable gardening, utilizing resources, the circle of life from seed to table, and a gentle reminder of how small, or big, our place in this world truly is. Ready to discover more?  Ladies and gents, take a gander at today's featured titles...

Miss MacDonald Has a Farm

by

Kalee Gwarjanski

Illustrated by

Elizabet Vuković

Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Release Date:  03/12/24

This was a great take on the classic of old. It gives us a female farmer, planting vegetables of all shapes and sizes, caring for them from seed to table, and back again. It's filled with clever rhymes to keep the story rolling, and encourage readers to not only learn a thing or two about the life cycle of these sustainable farming options, but sing along too! I loved the variety of vegetables she grew and harvested, the bright illustrations throughout, the fact page at book's end, and a recipe to try with your new vege knowhow. It's a great story for any time, and a fun way to celebrate Earth Day as we remember why it's so important to take care of our home. 

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Speck:  An Itty-Bitty Epic

by

Margaux Maganck

9780593301975

Knopf Books for Young Readers

Release Date:  03/19/24

This curious tale tells of a speck, hence the title, as it makes its way through this great big world. Think about a drop of water in comparison to the ocean... and then think smaller. The thing is that a tiny little speck can spark life in many shapes and sizes; it just has to find where it belongs. The same can be said about all living things, great, small, and in-between. We're all big in some spaces, and incredibly small in others, but once we find our place, we can grow and become all we aim to be. It doesn't have to be alone, the journey, nor the settling, but it does have to be gone through... and in the end, the rewards are always worth the effort. 

With striking illustrations throughout, you'll feel the magic and wonder as if you were the speck yourself, while being reminded that we're all specks, in a sense, making our way through the world one day, one decision at a time. The Earth Day aspect kicks in with the celebration of life in all its stages, and how everything is meant to work together in harmony, helping the world go round. 

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Special thanks to the Blue Slip Media and the Penguin Random House for the copies for review...(THANKS!)... and the chance to shine a light on ways to celebrate Earth Day with all of you! For more information on these titles, authors, illustrators, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. One is available now, and the other is coming soon, so mark your calendar or stop by your local brick and mortar today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Storybook Sunday... THE STORYTELLER by Lindsay Bonilla, Illustrated by Noar Lee Naggan - REVIEW!

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday appears every now and then!

Today's featured title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY next month and brings us a tale of beauty, and love much deeper than you might at first perceive. So, if you're ready to be reminded of the true power of stories and those that tell them, sit back, relax, and keep reading as we introduce today's book of choice...

The Storyteller

by

Lindsay Bonilla

Illustrated by

Noar Lee Naggan

9780593109588

Nancy Paulsen Books | Penguin Random House 

RELEASE DATE: March 5th, 2024

About the book...

Griffin’s grandmother spins the most marvelous stories, from breathtaking fairy tales to fascinating family lore. These stories fuel his imagination and fill their days with magic. So when he sees her once-bright spark begin to fade, Griffin is scared to think of the future. Fortunately, though, he has her stories to guide him—and to remind him that he is braver than he could ever imagine.

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This gorgeously told story tells of a grandson's love for his grandmother, the Storyteller, and the wonderful ways that those we cherish stay with us always. 

I gotta admit, this book arrived at an appropriate time in my life with my family's recent loss, but it also packed quite the punch for the very same reasons. The images that bring us through page after page relay in brilliant colors the life lessons we share through tall tales, make believe, and imagination... even when we're not looking for them. The words used portray the tender memories we're making even when we are unaware and the power they will hold when one day we become the Storyteller ourselves. I loved seeing this pair celebrating their time together as much as I loved scouring the scenes for images hidden in the background, bidding their time until needed for this lesson, or to illustrate a memory that held more than fairytales. 

From cover to cover, this is a beautiful book in both imagery and tale that would make a wonderful addition to any family library. 

About the author...

Lindsay Bonilla is a professional storyteller and author whose previous picture books include Parents’ Choice Award winner Polar Bear Island, I Love You with All of My Hearts, and The Note Who Faced the Music. She lives with her husband, two wild and creative kids, and her dog, Blitzen, in North Canton, Ohio. Learn more at lindsaybonilla.com.

@lindsaybonilla.author | @Author & Storyteller Lindsay Bonilla | @LindsayBonilla

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About the illustrator...

Noar Lee Naggan (noarleenaggan.com) also illustrated Lilah Tov Good Night (by Ben Gundersheimer). Originally from Israel, with a background in animation and graphic design, he is now a full-time illustrator in Edinburgh, Scotland.

@noarleenaggan

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the authorsm, illustrator, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Celebrate National Make a Friend Day with... THE PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM by Alex London - REVIEW!

Today is National Make a Friend Day, and while it might be a lesser celebrated holiday, there is no denying that a good friend can make a world of difference in our lives... even if you happen to be a princess.  Ladies and gents, if you're a fan of fairytales, or fairytale redos, this is one story your don't want to miss! Allow me to introduce, today's book of choice...

The Princess Protection Program

By 

Alex London

9780063303874

Greenwillow Books

About the book...

Every fairy tale ends with its characters living happily ever after, right? A valiant prince quests long and hard to reach the castle where the sleeping princess lies. And with a kiss, he awakens her.

But what if the princess does not think a kiss from a stranger is a very pleasant way to wake up? Yuck!

When Rosamund flees her prince, a Door of Opportunity opens, and she steps through it to the Home Educational Academy (the HEA for short). Rosamund has found the Princess Protection Program, where fugitive fairy-tale princesses escape unwanted affections, untimely ends, and all the other perils of their stories.

But the longer Rosamund lives in the real world, the more questions she has. Does anyone ever graduate from the HEA? Why doesn’t anyone seem to remember the former students? Is the kindly fairy headmistress all she appears to be? Is anyone? And the most important question of all: Can Rosamund change her story?

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Once upon a time, there lived a girl who wanted to escape the story she was a prisoner of... even if she didn't quite know it.

This tale doesn't deal with just ONE fairytale princess, but several, though Rosamund (or formerly Sleeping Beauty) is the new addition to the group. It puts a new spin on the classic we all know... how would you feel about being awoken by a kiss 💋 from a total stranger that's promising to love and cherish you forever, despite not knowing you, and is pretty much racing to the altar? 😳 Hmm... all notions of romance aside, it sounds like just the right moment for a Door of Opportunity to open, leading you to somewhere else, anywhere else where you might explore what your own chosen future holds! Curious? Oh, you don't even know the half of it...

That's the thing about this story! It explores things you may not have considered when it comes to fairytale tales, and happily-ever-afters, and gives us a fun, if at times dangerous, adventure to see just what happens when we take control of our own stories...a great lesson for the princesses, but also readers. There's no singular way that our stories have to unfold; making it our own is the beauty of choice, love, and life. It's empowering in its messages, giving us strong female characters (and a few male characters too!) that have to think, consider, and puzzle through things that may be bigger than they ever thought possible, but with the help of their new addition, they stand a chance of avoiding the onceupona's at the gate and owning their stories once and for all. 

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About the author...

Alex London is the acclaimed author of more than thirty books for children and teens. His middle grade novels include The Princess Protection Program, Search & Rescue, Dog Tags, and two titles in the 39 Clues series. For young adults, he’s the author of the cyberpunk duology Proxy and the epic fantasy series Black Wings Beating, which were both named to numerous best-of-the-year lists. He has been a journalist and human-rights researcher reporting from conflict zones and refugee camps, a young adult librarian with the New York Public Library, and a snorkel salesman. He lives with his husband, daughter, and hound dog in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to Greenwillow Books for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, so mark your calendar or preorder your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

STORYBOOK SUNDAY... takes a walk on the wild side!

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday appears every now and then!

Today's roundup of titles takes a walk on the wild side with THREE selections out now (or coming soon!) that all feature animals. So if you're ready for lions and tigers and... wait, wrong animals. 😳  *ahem* If you're ready for dogs 🐕, and cats 🐈, and... whales 🐋 (oh my!), then KEEP READING because today's trio was made for you (and me!)...

Don't Trust Cats

LIFE LESSONS FROM CHIP THE DOG

By

Dev Petty

Illustrated by Mike Boldt

9780593706787

Doubleday Books for Young Readers

Release Date: JANUARY 2024

This darling book is the second installment in the LIFE LESSONS series featuring our canine pal, Chip. He's a lean, not mean, puppy dog full of knowledge, and while he has a lot of wisdom to spare, his biggest emphasis is to not trust feline counterparts. Sounds like a single focus story then, right? It's actually not because while imparting that strong sentiment, Chip also tells of all the wonderful things to be friends with, try out, play with, etcetera...to the point that he might actually kinda sorta forget his own words of wisdom in the process and... you can see where this is going 😳.

Suffice it to say that I'm a big fan of CHIP, and his exuberant life choices, for better or worse! A great pick for the wee ones and those simply young at heart with artwork that never fails to dazzle, conveying humor, joy, and even second thoughts with ease. 

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This Little Kitty in the Garden

By 

Karen Obuhanych

9780593435175

Knopf Books for Young Readers

Release Date: JANUARY 2024

This book was a much an adorable feline frenzy celebration of cuteness as it was a beginning gardening guide for wee readers! It shows the kittens at play as they go about their day while they also accomplish seeding, weeding, watering, and more with their two human counterparts lending a hand with a paw simply won't do. I loved the gentle instructions used because I think it'll spark an interest in how our gardens grow, and even lead to conversations about the importance of continuing that circle of life. I adored the curious little kitties, and their helpful little ways that not only got the job done, but added (if possible!) to their innate cuteness. 

A great pick for feline fans of all ages, and a wonderful way to introduce the next generation to the concepts of food sustainability!

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Soren's Seventh Song

By 

Dave Eggers

Illustrated by

Mark Hoffmann

9781951836733

Cameron's Kids

Release Date: FEBRUARY 6TH, 2024

This one was a big surprise to me, and not just because of leading fellow is rather big himself! It's a storybook, but it has a lot more story, and a lot more reading than your average pick, so I'd definitely suggest this one as a read along with a more experienced reader, or solo for a kiddo in the same boat to avoid any frustrations. That being said, I really liked this whale of a tale! It emphasized whether what it was imparting was fact or fiction, had great big full size illustrations, made a ginormous point of saying BE YOURSELF no matter what the world may say, and still reminded us of how far a great friendship can really take us. I really felt for this little, well... big guy, and totally respected what he was trying to do! Following the same old same old because it's the status quo... where's the appeal, especially when following your dreams is TOTALLY an option!

A great story to read and share with those you love that might need a little boost to keep reaching for the stars 🌟, as well as a fun animal story that'll have wee ones excited about imaging each new song!

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to the publishers for the copies for review. (THANKS!) For more information on these titles, the authors, illustrators, or publishers, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

STORYBOOK SUNDAY: Fraser the Forest Ranger by Matthew Schufman - REVIEW!

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday appears every now and then!

Today's featured title is a NEW Picture Book COMING SOON to a bookstore shelf and virtual retailer near you from Random House Studio and Matthew Schufman!  It's a story that explores the beauty of nature, the peace in solitude, and the need for friendship.  Curious?  Well then, let's get between the pages of today's title on deck...

Fraser the Forest Ranger

by

Matthew Schufman

9780593648278 

Random House Studio

Release Date: 11/14/23

As soon as I saw the cover, I knew I wanted to see more.  It's a simple picture, but it conveys so much without any words!  At first glance, I knew we were peering at Fraser, and he was obviously in his element perched high above the forest in his Ranger Station, but I needed to know more!  What would the story give us beyond the time with nature and eye catching illustrations?  As it turns out, it presents a whole lot more than first glances give away!

We get to meet Fraser and see him well at home, but we also get to meet him at a time that a conundrum has presented itself, for he has realized that while he enjoys nature, and the animals that live in that which surrounds, he's a bit lonely, so he sets off to find a friend.  He travels near and far, yet in each space he ends up, something doesn't feel quite right.  It's sort of a Goldilocks affect...you know, the too-hot-too-cold bit?  The people and places he travels to end up being too loud, too self-involved, too different than what he's used to, or comfortable with, and in lieu of being thrown off balance completely, he makes his way back home through the forest and that which surrounds.  Simple and straightforward, and yet one wrong turn may actually have helped him discover just what he was looking for.

I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I will say it is a happy ending for our friend Fraser; in fact, I'd say it's a PERFECT match!  I loved meeting this little guy, reading about his love of the forest, eating pancakes for dinner, and seeing him get the chance to make a friend that really gets him.  It's a wonderful story that will remind readers that solo time is wonderful, as is indulging in our interests, but those connections we build with others, that circle of people we keep close, feed another part of our hearts to help us feel whole.

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About the author...

MATTHEW SCHUFMAN is a graphic designer and a K–4 art teacher who works creatively with hundreds of students every week. He’s also a musician who writes and performs original music in the band Graveyard Club. They have been featured in the New York Times, on Netflix, and HBO. Matthew enjoys camping and taking long hikes through the forest. He lives with his wife, Lauren, and their corgi, Archie, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

INSTAGRAM

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to Random House Studio for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY November 14th, 2023, so mark your calendar or pre order today!  Keep an eye out for more celebrations featuring this title throughout the blogosphere and social media!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... The Night Raven (The Moonwind Mysteries) by Johan Rundberg - REVIEW!

We have just closed out the spooky reading season, and while the atmosphere of today's book certainly fit that mold, might I remind you that A Christmas Carol IS in fact a ghost story? 👻  Anywho..

Today's blog tour guest is a newly published title via Amazon Crossing Kids and is the first book of a planned two book series perfect for older Middle Grade readers and beyond. It's got mystery, murder, and a tinge of magic, though that last part is all due to our little leading lady. Readers, please join me between the pages of...

The Night Raven

(The Moonwind Mysteries, Book 1)

by

Johan Rundberg 

Translated by

A.A. Prime

About the book...

Mika is not your average twelve-year-old―and she’s about to prove it.

It’s 1880, and in the frigid city of Stockholm, death lurks around every corner. Twelve-year-old Mika knows that everyone in her orphanage will struggle to survive this winter. But at least the notorious serial killer the Night Raven is finally off the streets…or is he?

Mika is shocked when a newborn baby is left at the orphanage in the middle of the night, by a boy with a cryptic message. Who is he? And who is this “Dark Angel” he speaks of? When a detective shows up, Mika senses something even more sinister is going on.

Drawn in by Mika’s unique ability to notice small details―a skill Mika has always used to survive―the gruff Detective Hoff unwittingly recruits her to help him with his investigation into a gruesome murder. Mika knows she should stay far, far away, and yet…with such little hope for her future, could this be an opportunity? Maybe, just maybe, this is Mika’s chance to be someone who matters.

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I'm not big on stories that are pure Mysteries. There's something about them that I generally find too easy to see through, or, in other cases, it's too caught up in the whodunit without anything else to focus on. However, this one offered other elements that I couldn't say no to.

Mika was such a character, so much bigger than her young years and stature portrayed. There wasn't a person that could make her stand down, a story she couldn't spin into gold, and a detail that could escape her keen eye. The reason for her honed skill was heartbreaking, but the assistance it provided to solve a dangerous murder mystery was astounding. She saw things others overlooked, listened where most ignored, and put the pieces of broken lies together to uncover the truth behind it all. If given the proper chance, I could easily see her in the role of detective, though the actual rules of which she'd find rather confining, but alas, she has her own mystery regarding herself yet to solve, and that may prove to be the hardest one of all.

By book's end, we discover the man behind the mystery, while exposing the cracks in a system that so carefully tried to cover them to no true avail, but we also grow to understand the power that lies in being underestimated. It may not feel like it at the time of realization, but it gives us an edge, or at the very least it did to Mika, and watching her unravel the murder mysteries that grown men couldn't even get close to... well, it definitely gave us a big moment of girl power triumph worth celebrating. I can't wait to see what happens next!

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About the author...

Johan Rundberg is an award-winning author of children's books who lives in Stockholm. He has written picture books, early readers, and middle grade, including Kärlekspizzan, Knockad Romeo, and the series Häxknuten. In 2021, he was awarded Sweden's most prestigious literary prize, the August Prize, in the children's and YA category for Nattkorpen, the original edition of The Night Raven, which was first written in Swedish. Nattkorpen was also the winner of a Swedish Crimetime Award in the children's and YA category. There are now four books in this series published in Sweden.

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About the translator...

A. A. Prime (Annie Prime) is an award-winning translator of Swedish literature. She was born in London and traveled the world studying a number of languages before settling in the English coastal town of Hastings. She now works full-time as a translator, specializing in the weird, witty, and wonderful world of children's and young adult fiction. She holds an MA in translation from University College London and has published more than twenty books in the UK and US. In her free time, she can be found belly dancing, folk singing, horse riding, and sea swimming.

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to Amazon Crossing Kids for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. Keep an eye out for more celebrations featuring this title throughout the blogosphere and social media!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!