Are you an avid reader looking for your next "fix"? Can't bear to be without some form of reading material in your spare time? Welcome to my world! Whether you are seeking a new book to "feed your need", or you are an author seeking an unbiased point of view on your own recent masterpiece, this is the place to be. With life as with books, you never know where the next step might take you...
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...
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!
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!
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!
We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with BOARD book 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... but today's a little different. Today, we're checking out a NEW ADDITION to a character series that already has a fan following, but in a format that's friendly to even the youngest of readers. Time to get your Kitty-Corn on as we check out today's board book of choice...
With inventive rhymes, and gloriously colorful pictures, Kitty-Corn and friends once again take readers into the world to explore 'things that go' in a new way! By book's end, you'll be looking at things in your every day in a whole new way, sparking creativity, imagination, and a whole lot of fun. Wee ones will have fun following along visually, while those starting to get a handle on their words will have fun with the rhymes and tongue twisters. Even those with a firm grasp on the language will discover things to add a twinkle to their eye and a pep to their steps we see Kitty-Corn racing around on a... well, I'm not sure what you'd call it, but it begs for a unique name that I bet will spill right off your tongue 😉.
A great addition to the series for the growing fandom, and a wonderful addition to your Kitty-Corn collection!
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About the author and illustrator...
LeUyen Pham and Shannon Hale are the team behind the bestselling picture books Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn and Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn, the bestselling graphic novels Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever, and, with Dean Hale, the early chapter book series the Princess in Black. They’ve made a bunch of other books, too. They are both moms of kids who love parties, wives to husbands who give them homemade cards, honor award winners (Caldecott and Newbery), caretakers of cats, and believers in unicorns. Pham lives in Los Angeles, Hale lives in Utah, and although they also have friends close to home, their best friend hearts are always entwined.
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Special thanks to Mary at Abrams for the chance to bring this title to you as well as 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. This title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY this Tuesday via Abrams Appleseed, so mark your calendar or preorder your copy today!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with BOARD book 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... but today's a little different. Today, we've got two BOARD books that feature stars from the jurassic period, and will be ROARing into bookstores near you a little later this month. Ready? Set? Here we go!
In classic Board Book style, the thick pages are perfect for little ones to really get in on the dino-riffic fun, while the cute shaped edges will draw their curiosity. Once the cover is opened, the fun continues with clever little rhymes that not only move the story onward, but also impart a little knowledge along the way, making these two titles able to dino stomp into readers formative years with ease. The familiar dinosaurs 🦕 chosen allow visual recognition, while piling on the fun as the opportunity to ROAR, CRUNCH, and MUNCH present themselves for that interactive layer of bookish goodness. Top it all off with colorful images to dazzle and delight, and I'd say this is a great start to a promising prehistoric library!
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About the author...
J. D. Forester lives on a farm in Connecticut with her cat, Dino.
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About the illustrator...
Sarah Rebar is an illustrator based in Los Angeles who has worked on several books, including four for Michelle Obama’s Netflix show, Waffles + Mochi! She earned her BFA in illustration and design from Syracuse University and currently works as an Art Director for Noggin, Nickelodeon’s educational platform for kids. For nine years, she worked as an in-house artist for Sesame Street, working on projects for TV, publishing, and digital media.
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Special thanks to Jaleesa at Penguin Young Readers for the set for review. (THANKS!) This title is available now via Grosset & Dunlap in an awesome little gift set, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
Have you already made your card, bought your present, planned your day with dear old Dad? If not, you still have some time, but I've got a little suggestion to help you out too! It may be a little deja vu-ish, but trust me, it's worth the trip down memory lane. It's a NEW BOOK that released a month or two ago via Random House Books for Young Readers, and it features none other than our furry friend ELMO! Elmo shares his 'Daddy Day' in a special adventure perfect for wee ones and beyond. Let's take a closer look...
Let me age myself a bit. Picture it. Childhood. It's weekend TV time and Sesame Street is on. Woo hoo! Doesn't LOVE a good dose of SESAME STREET, am I right? I can hear the opening song now...*hums*...anywho, the cast of loveable fel...I mean, furry friends was smaller then, and I don't remember mother's and father's factoring into the bunch. Nowadays, the cast is varied, vast, and ever changing, from what I gather, and there's more characters to know, more families to explore, and more ways to identify with the goings on with this famous neighborhood. Yes, my friends, it's a whole new world and with it, so many new opportunities to celebrate! Like today's title...
Elmo and Louie are celebrating Daddy's Day together. With baking, gardening, reading, and playing, they enjoy a day that's just about THEM, and doing things they love together. I love the fact that it doesn't just focus on things considered "manly" because, really, if you enjoy doing it...you do you. Some dads/kids like sports, others like role-playing games. Some prefer building things, while others like a walk around their town. The story shares what Elmo and his Dad like, as well as a few others as they run across them in their activities, and invites you along with them for a day of fun. By story's end, these two have had such a grand day together, they're tuckered out...and just in time for their father son campout, where they say their "love you's" before heading off to dreamland.
It's a sweet tale for wee ones, father's, and those soon-to-be, with characters you know and love throughout the generations. The board book format allows kiddos to do the page turning and flap lifting without too much fear of it being a one and done read with the book intact...and the gloriously colorful illustrations bring all that Sesame Street magic we know and love.
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Special thanks to Sarah at Random House Children's Books 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.
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
Have you already made your card, bought your present, planned your day for your Mom? If not, you still have some time, but I've got a little suggestion to help you out too! It's a NEW BOOK that released just last month via Random House Books for Young Readers, and it features none other than our furry friend ELMO! Elmo shares his 'Mommy Day' in a special adventure perfect for wee ones and beyond. Let's take a closer look...
This charming board book is perfect for the upcoming Mother's Day holiday, but can be enjoyed the whole year through! Elmo plays a fun game of hide-and-seek with his mom, and readers get to play along, looking under flaps for Elmo, at first, and then the special surprise he's hidden for her. It's sweet, and simple, with wonderfully bright illustrations, giving little ones fun time with their red, furry friend, and more reading time with dear old Mom. You can't help but smile when you see Elmo trying his hardest to hide. You can't help but giggle as Mom gets closer, and closer to finding him. You can't ignore the expression of love on Mom's face when she discovers Elmo's present to her. It's a book I can see being cherished by new parents as well as the little ones they share it with, but also being passed on down the line for the next generation of readers to enjoy as well.
A great addition to any home library, but also a great gift for those with young kiddos at home, or from a child to their mom!
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Special thanks to Sarah at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy 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.
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
Looking for something SPOOKY to add to your October MUST READ list? Here's a few titles to enchant, entertain, and spook-ify everyone in your reading group from the tall to the small! These are all titles I had the pleasure of indulging in recently, so take a look, and see what catches your fancy!
A great book series in picture book and board book versions, tips one falls into the latter and let's readers of all ages get in on the SPOOKY season fun! With a call to interact on each page, it's more than storytime; is an experience.
Okay, so it's definitely on the lighter side of the Halloween hubbub, but it DOES feature monsters, even if they are from Sesame Street! This all audience friendly board book gives us a new spin on the classic singalong song of yesterday, but plenty of smiles and silliness along the way.
I was actually surprised by this one! On the surface, it'll definitely bring some laughter and spooky fun for the kiddos. Between the illustrations, and the plucky turn of events by book's end, the old chicken that crossed the road never looked so enticing. Below the surface from an adult perspective, I was actually a little shocked by the beginning of the tale showing just how our lead chicken became a "geist"... and the persumed continuance of the story circle on the final pages. Again though, surface... kid friendly and funny!
Remember Gustavo? Our little friendly ghost? Well Leila is from the same "series" and her richly illustrated tale brings the spooky-esque fun readers want this time of year, but with timeless lessons for all ages. Perfect is fine and dandy, but perfectly you is the best thing of all!
Read THE WITCH HAVEN? If not, you've some catching up to do. Personal opinion, you need to read the first book in this series before diving into this one. It helps to know the back story, the connections, and all the feels you're stepping into with one... and trust me, there are feels! It was great catching up with the girls again, but oh my heart! I was torn this way and that by both fellas trying to decipher who was being genuine, honest, and there for our girl! Sometimes you have to do things by yourself, but a burden shared is a worry halved, and when a helping hand honestly exists, there is no harm in opening up and letting them in.
Though I loved all the books in this group, I think this one was one of my favorite! The first book was fantastic, and this second in the planned trilogy was amazing! All the feels, all the new experiences, all the unknowns, all the new souls, and the trouble that's followed them into what was suppose to be their HEA... oh my goodness, I couldn't get enough!
(happy tears!)
Special thanks to the publishers listed above for the copies for review and the chance to bring these titles to you! (THANKS!) For more information on any title listed, the authors, or the publishers, feel free to click on through the links above. Be on the lookout for each at your favorite online retailer or local brick and mortar store to add some extra SPOOKINESS to your October reading!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Well, it’s that special time of year when everyone feels the warmth of the holiday spirit enveloping them and merriment is just a regular part of your scheduled day. Okay, so maybe I overstated that a little bit, but it IS said to be the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR and a strong case can be made for that bigger than average feeling (three sizes bigger, in fact!) if we take a closer look at books featured today!
It’s a duo of Children’s Fiction titles from Penguin Random House that’s a perfect fit for the holiday season. For the big to the small, the young and young at heart, readers of all ages will delight in rediscovering a classic in a new way as well the board book addition to the family featuring a character long overdue some time in the spotlight. Ladies and gents, Who’s, Grinch's, and puppers alike, gather round as we share the joy of the reading season with today’s TWO books of choice...
What’s this? Confusion as to why I’m shedding some light on a title that’s been around the block more than a few times? Well, let me set your mind at ease. I’ve not lost my marbles, or been conked on the head by some random Whoville instrument falling from the sky. THIS EDITION IS IN FULL COLOR!
That’s right! The story you know and love is all there with its Grinchiest moments of stealth and sneekery, as well as it moments of glory as Christmas still arrives despite all the store bought wonders being gone...BUT NOW, every scribble, every doodle, every who-whatzit or who-dingle is in full color so your imagination can continue to go wild as you and yours immerse yourself in this favorite holiday classic. It’s a great way to continue the holiday tradition while adding something memorable to your holiday reading stash. Can we say, instant gift giving idea?!
This is the story of the Grinch’s little unwitting cohort and long time companion….Max! You know...the cute little doggo that dons the reindeer antler in order pull the seriously overweight sleigh in a misguided attempt at stealing Christmas? Yep, that’s the pup! Max is here to tell us that while yes, the Grinch wasn’t always a happy fellow to be around, ever since that magical day, he’s been a delight! They play together, eat together, and just plain have fun together in more ways than ever before. It’s a delightful treat that pays homage to the original story, while letting readers back into Mt. Crumpit territory with characters we all know and love. You might find your own heart growing a size or two in delight!
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Special thanks to Sarah at Random House Children’s Books for the copies for review! For more information on these titles, feel free to click through the links provided above. BOTH are available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today or share the love for the holidays!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
The race is on to the 2016 finish line and I don't know about you, but I've still got books I want to read and share...but today's post is a smidge different. You see, once upon a time there was a blogger (no idea who THAT could be) who had a hard time saying "no" to review requests (and quite possibly still does, but really WHO IS THIS PERSON?!) and while her intentions were great, sometimes the calendar wasn't so kind (i.e. she's still trying to figure out that darn create-more-reading-and-blogging-time formula!). What does all that mean? Here and there, surprise titles arrived on her doorstep, said title were read, and then...disappeared into TBR2 (aka to-be-reviewed mountain). Their time is NOW....or at least a good portion of their time is now.
That's right. Today, we're setting our sights on clearing out a portion of those titles that were patiently waiting their day in the sun and if you make it to post's end (which I've not doubt you will), not only will the identity of the blogger in the "fairy tale" mentioned above be abundantly clear (*wink*), but you'll score a CHANCE TO WIN A FAB CANDLEWICK TITLE you're gonna want to dive into STAT. So, if you think you're up to the challenge, LET'S DO THIS! Readying the spotlight and here...we...go...
Olivia Loves Owl
by
David McPhail
9781419721274
Abrams Appleseed
In this charming board book perfect for the tiniest of hands, we get to know Olivia and Owl. They may be different in many ways, but they complement each other perfectly. Where one sees things far away, the other notices those things nearer. Where one flies through the air as she leaps into a pile of freshly raked leaves (so much fun!), the other can fly high in the sky. Where one is tired, the other is wide awake...until...*YAWN*...finally bedtime rolls around and both say good night. It's a sweet story to help little ones wind down from the day filled with equally sweet illustrations for all to enjoy.
As the title states, this is a step into reading title that features....a pig in a wig. Yes, I blinked a few times at that two, but hey...who am I to judge? If the piggy wants to wear a wig, go for it! She does look rather dashing in it. Anyway, in this installment of the series, Pig and friends set out to have a picnic with all the best munchies, and outdoor fun you could mustard...I mean, muster. They're having a marvelous time until...Mother Nature decides to go all wet an gray. What's Pig and her friends to do? Get creative...and remind us that just because things don't go exactly as planned, it doesn't mean the new option can't be as good if not better, as long as we have good friends. With simple but vibrant illustrations, this will have kiddos hungering for the next release....
by
Sanrio
9781419718250 / 9781419721120
Abrams Appleseed
With unquestionably adorable illustrations (because really, who doesn't love Hello Kitty?!), these two storybooks allow for a gentler introduction to the classic fairy tales of old. How so? Well, outside of the familiar characters and beautiful color palette utilized, the folks at Sanrio decided to put less of a dark spin on the stories themselves. So, instead of the sea with being utterly evil, scary, and interfering in the young mermaid's quest for true love, she's still magical, and the consequence of losing her voice forever is still there, but all the other dreary-ever-after potential disappeared like so much krill before a whale shark. The same is done with LR, but despite the changes, they still retain their charm.
I Don't Want to Be Big
by
Dev Petty
Illustrated by Mike Boldt
9781101939208
Doubleday Books for Young Readers
This is the story of a little frog who doesn't want to eat his dinner. Why? Because...he doesn't want to grow up...literally, as in get any bigger than his tiny little self is at the moment. The way he sees it, he's got all he needs in his height range now and anything outside of it, well he has BIG friends and family so THEY can get it for him. What's a Dad to do? He tries reasoning with him, but to no avail (though much humor is there for readers to enjoy)...until a few BIG friends decide to show him how wondrous it is to be BIG, making our little frog rethink his "little life plan". It's a fun and funny story with illustrations that drag you right into the mud puddles, that will not only entertain but give little ones that extra boost of confidence as they continue on their own journey through childhood.
Ada Twist, Scientist
by
Andrea Beaty
Illustrated by David Roberts
9781419721373
Abrams Books for Young Readers
Diversity in books is all the rage these days, and this one takes the cake times two! Here, we have little Ada Twist (inspired by the accomplishments of Marie Curie and Ada Lovelace), a wonderful girl who wants nothing more than to know all about the world in every which way and is not afraid to ask the questions that her curiosity sparks! I, for one, understand her desire because as a child (and still today), my curiosity was never quenched with the answer "because" or "that's the way it is". I wanted to KNOW. So, hat's off to the author and illustrator for bringing this little girl wonder to life. May her exploits reach kiddos far and wide to remind them that the only silly question is the one not asked because the only way to learn more is to ask.
I grew up reading the original Berenstain Bears adventures, but the Living Lights extension of the series provides faith based options for parents and children that are just as heart filled, moral based, and wonderful for today's generation. In this collection, we get the chance to...
...check out just what roles many of the grown bears fill in Bear Country and how important each one really is
...learn that lending a helping paw (or hand) when able is not just something to do, but a privilege
...remember to not judge another by their "cover" as some of the best souls are in the simplest of life's stations
...see how gossip hurts everyone involved whether the teller, the listener, or the subject
...think twice about being a brag-gert because humility in the soul is the only way to go.
A great addition to the kiddos reading library with lessons to take forth into their everyday lives.
The Giggler Treatment
by
Roddy Doyle
Drawings by Brian Ajhar
9780439162999
Arthur A. Levine Books
This title was a find in our library's second chance bookstore and boy was it a find! It's all about The Giggler Treatment which is well, okay, I can't really tell you without spoiling it, but the whole story revolves around this particular moment when Mr. Mack is going to get what's coming to him...but does he deserve it? Uh-oh. PANIC! PROBLEM! Solution? A very funny tale that will have kiddos searching high and low for the little scoundrels in charge of this particular treatment, and have parents thinking twice about scolding a child in any fashion. Just trust me...seek thee out a copy.
In this charming reading for Middle Grade to Tween readers, Mia, Maddie, and Lulu are just your average sisters, going to school, dancing with friends, and...traveling the country on a fantastic music tour? You bet! The girls are musically gifted, which is great...but the time away from their friends and normal lives has taken a toll. Add to that obstacle, the disappearance of a valued guitar from their next venue (a holy grail of sorts for musicians) and they've more troubles on their hands than they first imagined. Not to worry...with a helping hand from up above, and some resourcefulness on their parts, things will be sorted right in the end...and you can bet it will sound wondrous too. It tugs at the heart while bringing a smile to your face...a winning combination, if I do say so myself.
A Week of Mondays
by
Jessica Brody
9780374382704
Farrar Straus Giroux
Think Groundhog Day meets YA. Wait no that's not quite right because that's pretty much Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. OK think Before I Fall, but with a less permanent ending. Oh don't get me wrong things change, but of course after seven attempts at the same day one would hope that it would, just in Ells case, she discovers it's not just the results she's trying to alter but her self, or rather the one she presents to the world. How DOES one accomplish that? Simple...a change of heart.
Both the trys and the final results are totally worth the journey through the 400+ pages presented here. Seeing Ellison try on a different version of herself everyday just to try to make things stick was touching. I mean, there's not one of us out there that hasn't done it to some degree growing up... it's a part of life, finding yourself, and something that not everyone is lucky enough to actually do.
Next up on the list....
THE CONTEST!
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That's right!
You made it...and just look how your reading/wish lists have grown over the past few minutes. *smirk* You're welcome. Anywho, I'm about to add to your lists once again but this time, you're getting a chance to win the title in question. Sounds awesome, right? Oh, but it is!
Thanks to the FAB folks over at Candlewick Press (Hi, Raquel!), YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN your very own copy of THE EVIL LIBRARIAN by Michelle Knudsen!Not in on the awesomeness that is this title yet? No worries. Here's the book trailer to get you in the know...
Sounds like fun, right?
RIGHT! CLICK HERE for a quick peek between the pages...
Now, I'm about to embark on my own journey through the pages (review to come in the new year) in preparation for the release of book 2, Revenge of the Evil Librarian, due out Valentine's Day 2017 (something tells me he won't be giving out CANDY hearts to library patrons.... *gulp*), and thought you might want to come along with me. So, do you? *plugs ears to avoid squealing* Okay, okay, calm down just smidge because to win it you have to enter...and all the yelling and jumping may make it hard to click and/or type the needed info. Deal? Good. Now, here's the details...
The Prize:
(1) paperback edition of The Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen
The Rules:
Entries accepted now through January 4th, 2017.
Open to US residents only; no P.O. Boxes please.
Winner will be drawn and emailed with 48 hours to respond with mailing information to be sent over to the publisher for prize send out. If response is not received in given time frame, a new winner will be chosen. SFIR is not responsible for lost or undelivered prizes, though if you let me know, I'll gladly contact the sponsor to follow up!
How to Enter:
Fill out the Rafflecopter form below and BAM! You're in it to win it!
My thanks to all the publicists and marketing teams that work hard day in, day out to get the word out about all the great titles hitting the shelves, both virtual and tangible, every day of the year...and for the review copies! (THANKS!) Many thanks as well to the author's working their craft and sharing their creative works with readers like me. Please know, if someone hasn't told you already, you are FABULOUS and provide so much more than simply a beautiful addition to our growing shelves. You touch lives and hearts, send us on journeys to the stars and back, and provide an avenue for escape from the daily humdrum like no other...all from the comfort of our favorite reading spot. (THANK YOU!)
Until next time (because let's face it, this isn't my last post of the year!), remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
(happy tears!)
