I'm Busy by Michael Ian Black, Illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

I was super excited to get my hands on today's read. It just so happens to come from an illustrator I enjoy. I've also read a couple books in the series and found them cute and fun. So, kudos to the author, too. 

When I saw this cover, I had to smile and show it to my one or two of my children. Both of them are in huge study stress due to first college midterms and/or the boards. I'm expecting a ton of giggles and am ready to see what has this little girl sooooo stressed. 

I'M BUSY

by Michael Ian Black

Illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING FEBRUARY 24th!!!

In this fifth book in the series from New York Times bestselling author Michael Ian Black and celebrated illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi, a flamingo, a girl, and a potato tackle what it’s like to feel super-busy-all-the-time.

So much to do and so little time! How can a girl get everything done?

Especially when Potato and Flamingo are asking her to hula hoop or play superheroes, when she has more important things to do, like piano practice, Spanish lessons, solving mysteries, and getting into the right college. Okay, that might be too much…

Can friends can help her find some balance and understand that no matter how busy you get, you should always find time for your friends?

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

A little girl's to-do list out grows her in this silly read which hits home for more than just young readers.

There is so much to do, especially with the first day of school only two weeks away. This little girl is determined to stay on top of things and use her time in the most productive way possible. After all, in only 12 years, she needs to fill out college applications. Her calendar is chucked full, but her friends insist that they want to spend some time with her, too. Playing in the mud is an important past time.  But not everything fits in!

This book immediately puts a smile on the face (whether that of a child or an adult), hitting home with all age groups. The disaster on the cover is exactly the tone that these pages hold...and it also hints at the fun. With friends like Flamingo and Potato...so fun to watch these two..., enjoyment is guaranteed. The humor snuggles up tightly to the more serious issue of over-packing a schedule and forgetting down-time. It's a great balance between messaging and entertainment and brings the point across clearly but with smiles and giggles, too.

The illustrations and text work hand-in-hand to create a seamless read. The text is light and brings across personality and plot with direct statements. The illustrations do the same on the visual side, while remaining bright and bold. Both offer dabs of clever humor, back-and-forth, making sure to cooperate the entire way through. This creates a fun read-aloud even for more reluctant listeners and also works for beginning readers to pick up on their own.

And here they are...

Michael Ian Black is a writer, comedian, and actor who has appeared on Another Period, The Jim Gaffigan Show, and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. He created and starred in many television series, has written screenplays, and regularly tours the country as a stand-up comedian. Michael is the bestselling author of the book My Custom Van, the memoir You’re Not Doing It Right, and the children’s books Chicken Cheeks, The Purple Kangaroo, A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea, I’m Bored, Naked!, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop!, and I’m Sorry. Michael lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s writing or art has appeared in over twenty books for young people. She is the award-winning author and illustrator of Where Are My Books?, I Want to Read ALL the Books, and Sam & Eva with Simon & Schuster. Her illustrations appear in books by Judy Blume, Michael Ian Black, and Linda Sue Park, among others. Debbie lives with her husband in Toronto, Canada. For more info, see DebbieOhi.com.

My Hero Academia Character Encyclopedia by DK

The topic of today's read should be very, very familiar to many middle grade readers...and YAers and older, too, but this one is intended for that middle grade bunch. I was excited to get my hands on a copy and doubt I'll be disappointed. Now, I'm not into My Hero Academia but my kids know all about it (although it wasn't really their favorite by any means). I do, however, know many fans of this anime. I say anime because this book appears to concentrate on that version rather than the manga one, but maybe, I'm wrong. 

Anyway, let's just open it up and see how it brings these characters across.

(Note: Young readers around me were SO excited to see this one in my hands! )

MY HERO ACADEMIA

Character Encyclopedia

by DK

DK Children

Middle Grade Fantasy

160 pages

ages 8 to 12

Meet more than 100 characters from My Hero Academia in this official companion to the hit anime TV series.

How tall is Izuku Midoriya? Who is Katsuki Bakugo’s old rival? What kind of personality does Ochaco Uraraka have?

Find out the answers to these questions and more, including essential facts and stats about characters from their Quirks, hero names, personalities, birthdates, friendships, rivalries, abilities, and much more.

The official My Hero Academia encyclopedia with 100+ detailed character entries:

• Meet more than 100 characters from the anime – each character's page features their Quirks, unique outfit details, fun facts, quotes and dynamic stills of key storyline moments
• Officially licensed by Crunchyroll
• The perfect gift for fans of My Hero Academia, superheroes, shonen manga and anime

Packed with lesser-known details about students, teachers, Pro Heroes, and villains, and brimming with detailed annotations of character illustrations, every fan will learn something new about the best-loved characters in this must-have guide. And don’t miss the final season of the My Hero Academia anime, streaming now on Crunchyroll!

GOODREADS     /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

My Hero Academia fans are in for a treat as they flip through the characters and catch tiny details on each one.

This is a collection of 147 characters from the popular series, My Hero Academia. It's broken down into five categories, which are easily flipped through thanks to the Contents pages in the beginning: Class 1-A, Heroes in Training, Pro Heroes, Teachers, and, last but not least, the villains. The Class 1-As are the stars of this show as they each receive a two-page spread with their dynamic pose on the left and their every-day personality on the right. A small box gives a quick run-down of their important facts (birthday, height, etc), while other tidbits surrounding their quirks, personalities, activities, outfits, and more are placed in small and larger paragraphs/sections throughout the two pages. The other categories are only given one page each, also hold the dynamic pose and similar (but not as much) information. It's easy to read, kept concise, and little 'did you know' bubbles hold a couple surprises, too.

Fans will recognize their favorite characters right away and be able to explore the large amount of side-characters, which they may or may not remember. The text is easy-to-read and delivers the information clearly and in an interesting way...never wordy. It brings the characters to life and lets the personality of each one shine. The illustrations are bright, and the chosen poses are very well done. Interestingly, however, the every-day poses tended to carry a slightly lower quality illustrative style...my anime fan daughter noticed it right away. This book does snuggle up to the anime and includes a scene from the show for each character.

I have no doubt that it's a delight for fans of the series and even for those who aren't full-fledged fans, it's fun to pick up and discover each hero, villain, and more. 

Little Monsters by Maire Roche

I've had today's read sitting on my pile for...well even before Halloween, and I've been picking it up...laying it down...picking it up...setting it down. Since it doesn't hit the shelves until August, I've been trying to shove it back again and again. But now, the shoving stops because I am very curious to take a peek and can't wait any longer.

This is a retelling of Little Women and takes a paranormal twist with dark secrets. I'm not a huge fan of the original tale (go ahead and gasp if needed) but am hoping that this one draws in. It's not so much the plots but rather the slow, long-winded writing style which loses my attention on many classics. Yep, I've grown impatient in my older age, although I still respect the writing art and applaud those readers, who adore these tales. They just aren't my thing, but then, there's probably a reason I'm drawn to kidlit, in general.

I'm betting this tale takes a fun twist to erase any of that slower pacing and am hoping for more than a few surprises. So, let's settle down into that soft chair and see what these pages hold.

LITTLE MONSTERS

by Maire Roche

Aladdin

Middle Grade Fantasy

288 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING AUGUST 8th!!!

In this modern supernatural middle grade retelling of the beloved classic Little Women, the March sisters have a monstrous secret Meg will do anything to protect—especially with another beast lurking in the woods threatening to expose them.

Meg March and her three sisters are monsters. No, really. Meg has teeth that are a little too sharp. Jo gets furry under the full moon. Beth goes night flying on wings that are impossible to hide under her sweaters. And Amy? Well, don’t let her near a body of water or she’ll start sprouting her mermaid’s tail.

Meg is sure their foster mom, Marmee, wouldn’t like any of this if she knew. And Jo’s best friend Laurie, the nice boy next door, would run screaming. To make matters worse, Meg’s small town outside of Salem is on edge. A vicious beast has been spotted in the forest, and Farmer Bhaer believes it’s responsible for his missing chickens. Meg is sure to be blamed if anyone realizes she’s a monster in disguise. And the closer it gets to Halloween, the surer the town is that something evil is hiding in the forest.

Meg doesn’t always remember what she gets up to at night, and sometimes, she wakes alone in a mossy part of the forest and has to find her way back. With John Brooke determined to find out just what Meg is hiding and locals working to uncover the monsters in their midst, Meg must find the culprit herself—or risk losing the little home she’s found with her sisters.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With a sense of eerie and a full-load of monsterly fun, this novel draws in with tons of imagination and heart.

The four sisters are hoping to remain in their latest foster home together and not be pushed off to a new one again, or worse, split apart. They know that it's not easy for a family to keep all four of them, so they do their best to 'help out'. It doesn't help that each of them is a monster, one different from the other. Of course, they have to keep this a secret at any cost. With Halloween approaching, the eldest of the four, Meg, is determined to help her siblings dress up in costumes. She even has taken on a job next door collecting chicken eggs to raise the funds. But nothing is easy. Not only is the boy next door suspicious that she's carrying a secret, but a strange beast is haunting the woods...and if Meg doesn't figure out who or what this beast is, all secrets might be exposed. And that would be catastrophic.

From the very first page, it's clear that this is an enjoyable read. Meg and her sisters are a wonderful group with very different personalities. Their interactions carry all the push-and-pull sisters have with ups and downs. Meg does her best to hold everything together, which is already difficult in their situation, but she battles with constantly extending teeth and nails whenever she gets upset. Which happens a lot since she's only thirteen. The creepy factor dances along in the background without ever growing too scary. Instead, the dangerous balance Meg and her siblings have to hold add as much to the tension as any monster might. 

It's hard to put this book down, since there's always something happen whether it be action, tension, a touch of humor, or relationship struggles...all hitting the middle grade range nicely. The girls react understandably, and their worries are easy to sympathize with. The world around them is also well built and adds a fun twist, since this is placed in Salem...so it's clear that there's more going on than even the four sisters realize. This adds to the mystery in a way, which has the reader automatically guessing at what is really behind the beast in the woods. 

There is a tiny bit of first crushes with the boy next door involved, but this stays well fit for the age group, too. It definitely adds an interesting twist and ups the tension, since his presence holds dangers, too. So there's a lot going on....a lot to enjoy the entire way through.

And here she is...

Máire Roche is a former elementary and pre-k teacher who now writes stories full of magic, mystery, and wonder. When she isn’t teaching or imagining fictional worlds, Máire enjoys running, teaching martial arts, and baking too many cookies. She lives in the midwest with her spouse and their very disagreeable cat, Lulu.

The Polar Bear From Nowhere by Shelby Willis

With possible snow hitting some areas again the next days, I thought it'd be a perfect time to slip in a tale about a polar bear. I have a feeling that this bear isn't hanging out in the snow as much as he's up to a little mischief. I'm hoping there's some giggle-worthy moments in these pages and this polar bear will be one to adore.

I'm grabbing a fuzzy blanket, snuggling in, and opening this book to see what it holds.

THE POLAR BEAR FROM NOWHERE

by Shelby Willis

Wild Skies Press

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

COMING MARCH 5th!!!

The Polar Bear from Nowhere is a heartwarming children’s story about curiosity, adventure, and the love that awaits us at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. When a mischievous Polar Bear travels through dreamland, he finds himself in a place full of surprises—and a few sticky situations—that will leave young readers giggling with delight.

When Grandma and Grandpa discover the great big mess he’s made, Polar Bear learns that even when we make mistakes, family love and forgiveness shine the brightest of all. With a snack and scarf for the journey, Polar Bear returns to “Nowhere,” which, through a fun and imaginative twist, reunites the wayward toy with his slumbering little girl.

Whimsical and full of charm, The Polar Bear from Nowhere is a bedtime classic in the making— featuring unconditional love and the wonder of a beloved toy’s dreamy adventure.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Fantasy swirls full spin as a polar bear enters nowhere and visits Grandma and Grandpa's house.

A polar bear travels through nowhere, a dreamland with tons of fantasy, and he's off to find Grandma and Grandpa's house. But when he gets there, they are not to be found. So, he enjoys all sorts of things in their house...until he gets tired and falls asleep. When Grandma and Grandpa arrive, they discover a huge mess and their beloved snoring polar bear, and react in an amazing way.

The illustrations burst with color, details, and designs to create a world, which can only exist in dreams. It's a bit chaotic and full, which makes each page great for gazing while discovering various things. The grandparents' house is much calmer and carries a hint of familiarity as the polar bear does all sorts of things. The text keeps it clear what is happening but, every now and then, plays with the font to add some extra flair. The story slides along smoothly to create a nice read-aloud and keeps the playful touch even when the polar bear, obviously, has been mischievous. The tale did dive in a bit too quickly...it took a moment to realize what was happening and what the 'nowhere' was...and the resolution to the problem at the end (when the Polar Bear learns his lesson) only happened in words, which had a lesser impact than if the change in the house had visually occurred. But it's still an enjoyable tale and listeners will understand what is happening.

It's a cute story with a warming message and offers tons of reasons to smile the entire way through.

The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson

I've been looking forward to today's read. Not only was it nominated for the Goodreads Choice awards last year, but the cover is amazingly pink! Add that I'm always ready for a grabbing thriller, and this one seems like a winner to me. While it is sold as a YA read...and I'm hitting it with that attitude...it takes place in college with a freshman. So, I'm going to be seeing if this hits the category okay or not.

So, let's dive in!

(Note: This one plays right on the YA border, not only due to the setting, but the themes are heavy as are the situations and problems the MC faces and has happening around her. It doesn't hold anything too over-board, but I'd definitely recommend it more for the mature end of the YA audience and slide it up to NA as well)

THE SCAMMER

by Tiffany D. Jackson

Quill Tree Books

YA Thriller

368 pages

A ripped-from-the-headlines thriller, following a freshman girl whose college life is turned upside down when her roommate’s ex-convict brother moves into their dorm and starts controlling their every move.

Out from under her overprotective parents, Jordyn is ready to kill it in prelaw at a prestigious, historically Black university in Washington DC. When her new roommate’s brother is released from prison, the last thing Jordyn expects is to come home and find the ex-convict on their dorm room sofa. But Devonte needs a place to stay while he gets back on his feet—and how could she say no to one of her new best friends?

Devonte is older, as charming as he is intelligent, pushing every student he meets to make better choices about their young lives. But Jordyn senses something sinister beneath his friendly advice and growing group of followers. When one of Jordyn’s roommates goes missing, she must enlist the help of the university’s lone white student to uncover the mystery—or become trapped at the center of a web of lies more tangled than she can imagine.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Tension mounts with every page as a dark web comes to light and danger sharpens.

Jordyn is nervous but feeling free as she heads to Washington DC to dive into her prelaw dreams. She's glad to put some space between her parents, has secretly turned down her Yale entrance for a Black university in DC, and is determined...despite inner uncertainty...to make her way forward. While the first shocks of meeting dorm friends, experiencing fraternity guys, and college expectations hit, a new challenge shows up in the form of her roommates brother, who needs to crash in their room since he has no place to go after being released from prison. Mix in an ideology she's suddenly determined to hold and the grip of a forming cult-like group, which drags her in deeper and deeper, and the hope of independence warps into a battle with something far more sinister.

Just some quick notes here: this is sold as a young adult read but definitely slides along that upper border with the theme, characters' problems, and other aspects. Also, this author embraces societal issues and other themes while weaving the thriller and crime aspects...so it packs more than the usual thriller. The themes in this novel are very timely and revolve around members of the Black community scheming and abusing others within the community. 

This is a thrilling novel, which keeps the pacing high, the surprises edgy, and the reader at the edge of their seat. From the moment Jordyn hits those college doors, her life shoots into new territory and throws her off-balance. Understandably. She begins with a rebellious attitude (lying to her parents in a huge way) and a bit of underlying depression because of it, and this mix creates a wonderful foundation for the rest of the plot as she's drawn into a dangerous and deadly situation. Her struggles hit with rawness, and its easy to fear for her and wonder if she'll make it through. The characters carry secrets, some more obvious while others remain in the grays, which adds thickness and depth to the moments. On the same hand, the quick-pacing gives a small sense of frustration as some believability is sacrificed in the details and gullible decisions seem off. The cult-like influence hits a bit quickly, and it's not always clear why Jordyn (or others) just accept or don't work against the obvious growing problem (even outsiders see and ignore). The ending holds surprises and leaves openings for food for thought...but this read does that anyway...as well as a few loose ends, which might leave some readers wondering. But all in all, it's a grabbing read, which weaves in more than danger, thrilling moments, and dark secrets at every turn.