The Elephant in the Ivy by Alexander Greengaard

Today's read hit the shelves last October, but I just got my hands on a copy not to long ago. I found the title intriguing...doesn't really give any idea what it's about, does it? Unless I'm missing something. I'm pretty sure it waves from Britain and seems to have done fairly well. According to the blurb, it is a bit like a spy read but not really. I'm not sure what that means, but I'm expecting all sorts of surprises, some tension, maybe a little action, and definitely clever clues.

So, let's see where this one goes.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE IVY

by Alexander Greengaard

Prima Open Digital Press

YA / NA Fiction

191 pages

The Elephant in the Ivy is a whimsical and irreverent spy novel—of sorts—in the beautiful and mysterious New England college underground.

Alison Ashe is a junior at Bauer College. A scholarship kid, a theatre major, strapped for cash and even more strapped for time; she’s easily annoyed and something about her privileged peers really wigs her out. But unlike most of her peers, Alison has an outlet where starting on third base doesn’t do anyone any favors. Ancient and secret, Bauer is home to a spy game of sorts. A game where all that matters is that your wits are sharp and you’re willing to take big risks. And, of course, who you trust.

Written with support from Pima Open Digital Press, an open educational resource initiative at Pima Community College.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

College life is already difficult on so many levels but add a spy version of Capture the Flag to the possible scholarship mix, and the stress hits an entirely new level.

Alison is a junior at Bauer College and is able to get by financially thanks to scholarships, but everything is tight. Especially time. Plus, she isn't even sure what her end game on the major end should be. To, at least, make life a bit easier on the financial front, she's joined an odd game at the college, which packs tons of secrecy for all involved and might end with a scholarship if she wins. It's a spy game, where secrecy is key and missions can easily end with complete elimination from the game. There are more than a few teams in play, too. Wrap the game, finances, college life, and everything together, and Alison has more than a little to deal with.

I enjoy the unique twist of the spy game, since it definitely raises the stakes and tension...and that without leaving the more serious issues of getting through college, friends, trust, and the like. Alison's problems come across with familiarity even for those, who haven't hit college, since some issues slide into more universal problems such as knowing who to trust and learning to juggle life. There's friendship and heart. While some moments feel slower, the spy game adds a level of suspense without really entering the realm of mystery or danger. 

I picked this up as a YA read, which it isn't really, since Alison is already a junior in college. The pacing and characters, however, feel a bit younger...as if they were teens. And while set in a college environment, the themes are still very appropriate for the YA audience. So, I can recommend this to YA readers, who enjoy tales set on college campuses. It's also a quick read thanks to the lower page number and flows very smoothly. 

 

Amelia Sparkle and the Big Bad Wolf by Dana Ubba

Sometimes, a reader needs sparkle, fairies, and fun, and today's read should fit this category nicely.  It's for beginning readers, who are sure of their words but not ready for full-fledged middle grade novels, yet. I'm hoping for lots of smiles, cute situations, magical moments, and fantasy.

Let's sit down and see if these pages accomplish all of that.

AMELIA SPARKLE AND THE BIG BAD WOLF

by Dana Ubba

The Untamed Page

Beginning Readers / Children Fiction

83 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING APRIL 14th!!!

Amelia Sparkle is a fairy godmother-in-training. Perfect in every way… except for one tiny problem. Her spells never quite work right! But when a big bad wolf starts prowling around, Amelia’s instincts kick in. She wasn’t trained to be a hero—but what if she was meant to be one?
With a sprinkle of magic and plenty of heart, join Amelia on her quest to stop the wolf and find the hero within!

Perfect for read-alouds and fans of early reader chapter books. Amelia Sparkle and the Big Bad Wolf is a family-friendly fairy tale with an unlikely hero. This first in series book features magical mishaps with a misunderstood wolf in a light-heartened adventure that will make you laugh out loud. A terrific fit for fairy-tale and hero lovers alike.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

A few mishaps, tons of determination, and a big heart make this a read to smile with and enjoy.

Amelia Sparkle is a fairy godmother-in-training, but her spells don't usually work out quite the way she hopes they will. While practicing a spell, she hears a wolf's growl outside and realizes that none of the town's heroes are currently available. That leaves only her to deal with the wolf before it gobbles up the entire town....but she's a fairy godmother-in-training, not a hero. So, she does her best to get a hero costume together and take on the wolf. But he's not very easy to track down, and the entire ordeal might not be what she expects, either.

This is an adorable beginning chapter book for readers, who are getting a good handle on their word skills. The font is very large as is the spacing, making sure there aren't an overwhelming amount of text on each page. Add pink swirls and many illustrations, and it keeps the small blocks of text from feeling overwhelming. Still, the vocabulary does a nice job at practicing the skills and introducing some new words. The illustrations are bright and fun, and help keep the tale bubbly and light. 

This tale doesn't have a heavy plot, but rather, takes Amelia on a little adventure where she meets many animals, has a few obstacles she needs to overcome, learns more about helping others, and discovers that sometimes life takes us on paths we didn't expect. So, there's goodness in the tale as well as quite a few smile-worthy moments.

It's an adorable and well-paced read.

And here she is...

Da

Dana Ubba is a proud mother of two little adventurers who inspire her every single 

day. In the quiet moments between school drop-offs, work, and bedtime

snuggles, she creates whimsical middle grade fantasy stories filled with wonder,
laughter, and just a touch of mischief. She is the creator and author of the beloved 

Amelia Sparkle Adventures series.
The idea for her books was born from a simple wish: to craft a bedtime story her 

daughter would be excited to hear—and one she would love reading just as much. 

What began as a small spark of imagination quickly grew into an early reader 

chapter series starring an unlikely hero who tiptoes, dashes, and occasionally tumbles 

headfirst into magical misadventures.

The Book of Candles by Laurel Snyder

Today's read is one which I meant to hit last year, but it slipped into the cracks of my pile and just recently hit daylight again. So, I'm going to take a look at it, anyway, and see is as inspiration since Hanukkah is sure to come again this year...probably faster than I notice.

THE BOOK OF CANDLES

Eight Poems for Hanukkah

by Laurel Snyder

Illustrated by Leanne Hatch

Clarion Books

Picture Book   /   Religious

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

From Sydney Taylor Award winner and National Jewish Book Award honoree Laurel Snyder comes a warm, reverential, surprising, and fresh story of one very special Hanukkah.

In a dark, dark room,

one thin candle

wakes, bursts to life

Thus begins the first night of Hanukkah in one child’s home. But what does the light from the candle mean? What are the words everyone is singing? What will each of these eight nights hold? Family and friends, takeout dinners and flat tires, traditions new and old—it’s all part of this year’s timeless, timely holiday celebration.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With a hint of calmness and an atmosphere of reflection, these pages take readers through each day of Hanukkah. 

This is a gentle but informative book, which guides young readers through each day of Hanukkah. Every night, a candle is lit, there's a small poem, and the atmosphere between family members comes to life. It's a warming way to bring young readers through the season and encourages the togetherness the holiday holds. Each night is a little different, and one night, the candle is even lit a bit late due to a busy day. So, there's a sense of reality to the entire thing as well.

The illustrations hold the violet/blue tones, which give the entire thing a nice, end-of-the-day touch. The scenes come across with familiarity, while letting readers connect with the family. The short poem on each day flows nicely. There's also a box of extra information surrounding each day for adult readers to incorporate, if they desire, or for slightly older readers to explore or their own. 

It's a nice book to greet the Hanukkah season and can accompany young readers through each day.

And here they are...

Laurel Snyder is the author of many picture books and novels for children, including National Book Award nominee Orphan Island, the Geisel Award winner Charlie & Mouse, the Sydney Taylor Award winner The Longest Night, and the National Jewish Book Award honoree The Witch of Woodland. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, she lives in Atlanta with her family. She can be found online at laurelsnyder.com.

Leanne Hatch is the author and illustrator of The Brand-new, Never-used, Perfect Crayons; Rosie and the Pre-loved Dress; and Unraveled. She’s also the artist of My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith. With a background in both fine arts and fashion design, she divides her time between writing and illustrating for children, creating patterns for textiles, and designing accessories. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. You can visit her online at leannehatch.com.

 

America Celebrates by Aubre Andrus

Today's read hits the shelves in about a week or so and celebrates the 250 year anniversary of the United States. This one claims to hold some of the most incredible and influential things of the last two and a half centuries, and I'm curious which ones will be mentioned.

So, let's open it up and see what goodness these pages hold.

AMERICA CELEBRATES

The Most Incredible and Influential People,

Places, and Events of the Last 250 Years

by Aubre Andrus

becker&mayer! kids

Middle Grade Nonfiction

178 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING MARCH 31st!!!

Celebrate 250 years of important people, places, and events in American history.

In honor of America’s 250th birthday, America Celebrates takes young readers on an exciting journey through a timeline of influential figures, notable landmarks, and special events dating back to 1776. Packed with colorful visuals and facts, this engaging and informative book covers one person, place, or event per year, introducing young readers to both famous and lesser-known, though still equally impactful, historical moments. America Celebrates offers children a fun and accessible way to learn about a diverse range of significant moments, locations, and individuals in American history, including:

• Teenage Sybil Ludington warns her community that the British are coming in 1777
• The Supreme Court rules the tomato a vegetable in 1893
• Eleanor Roosevelt hosts an all-female press conference in 1933
• Simone Biles makes history in the 2024 Olympics

With hundreds, even thousands, of possibilities, America Celebrates also discusses the challenge of only choosing one person, place, or event to represent per year. The book provides a list of questions discussed when selecting choices, encouraging young readers to reflect on the important contributions of each option. Further, the text encourages its young audience to engage with American history, inviting them to add their own people, places, and events to the list.

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, young readers can take a deep dive into the fascinating facts of American history in America Celebrates.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

250 years of United States' history rolls through these pages, carrying a broad range of directions with all sorts of information surprises.

After a short introduction, a map of the United States, and a quick list of a few interesting people and facts to get the history curiosity going, this book dives into a chronological line-up of people, events, and unexpected facts to give a glimpse at the huge variety U.S. history has to offer. The chapters are divided by years and take a look at all sorts of facts from the time frame. The range of items hit upon is vast, including everything from the Boston Tea Party to Taylor Swift's Era's Tour. The moments are briefly introduced and explained, sticking to a light atmosphere which highlights important aspects while keeping things interesting. Many of the historical aspects are familiar, but more than a few are also lesser-known and sure to surprise. Each of these is explained in a short paragraph or two and the themes head in all sorts of directions, including music, politics, inventions, foods, and so much more. To add a little more fun, quick tidbits are scattered in little, yellow rectangles throughout the pages, and these give a strange fact in just a sentence. At the end of the book, there's a glossary to help define more difficult terms and an index for locating names, places, and events quickly.

Reading this book feels like visiting a huge, varied buffet of United State's historical facts. There's something for everyone and it's hard to guess what might be next. Especially in the first section, many events and people hit upon well-known things, but as the book continues, more lesser-known facts come into play. This keeps things interesting and broadens the horizons in so many ways. As the last, most modern years hit, the variety is very spread-out and includes things, which will especially interest the age group. The information is presented in a relaxed, enjoyable manner, making it an easy read. Of course, this isn't a book to be read in one sitting, but rather, works well to be visited again and again. There are colorful photos and illustrations packed in as well. 

Fans of facts and interesting tidbits as well as young history enjoyers are sure to enjoy this one.  

Who's Hiding? Under the Sea by Janet Lawler

Today's read is for the youngest readers out there and includes flaps to lift up and see what's inside. I adore flap books, so that already sparks my curiosity. I'm also curious to see what this book holds, since it heads into the nonfiction direction. Readers will take a peek at various sea creatures...and maybe, more? I'm ready to find out!

WHO'S HIDING? UNDER THE SEA

Lift-And-See

by Janet Lawler

Illustrated by James Weston Lewis

Phaidon

Board Book

12 pages

ages 2 and up

COMING APRIL 1st!!!

Guess who’s hiding under the sea in this lushly illustrated, rhyming read-aloud guessing game, then lift the sturdy cardboard flaps to meet the ocean ’s most amazing creatures - both familiar and wonderfully weird!

There are six sea creatures hiding in the book: can you guess who’s hiding under the surface?

This playful lift-the-flap book takes toddlers on an underwater adventure, introducing them to the wonderfully weird creatures of the ocean – and shows how their unique features are what make them amazing. On each spread, a hidden sea creature is described with a lively read-aloud rhyme, while peek-through details give extra clues to the animal’s identity. Little hands can lift a satisfying, sturdy flap to reveal who’s hiding under the sea.

For example:
Who carries mama’s eggs in his belly? (Lift the flap - it’s the seahorse!)
Who’s covered in slime so they don’t feel stings? (Peek under - it’s the clownfish!)

The answer is revealed under the flap through a stunning, vibrant illustration of the creature, snug in its environment. Each reveal is paired with a fun fact, encouraging toddlers to learn more about these fascinating animals.

The exciting guessing-game format, gorgeous illustrations inspired by lino-printing, and bouncy rhyming text that’s perfect for reading aloud, makes learning about marine animals innovative and memorable. Featuring an array of ocean creatures, from familiar favourite the blue whale to the wonderfully wacky pufferfish, this book is perfect for mini oceanographers and those who are just dipping their toe in the topic.

Whether you’re heading to the beach, visiting the aquarium, or diving into ocean themes at school, this is a joyful celebration of sea life - and of all the unusual features that make each creature unique.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

This is a fun dive into the ocean to discover a few interesting creatures, which live there.

Sturdy and ready for little hands to explore, this board book takes readers into the ocean and introduces them to six different inhabitants. Each one possess an amazing attribute, allowing these pages to introduce young readers to the interesting life found under the water's surface. The left side of each page spread holds a few lines of a little rhyming quiz, in which the 'fish' introduce themselves in a cute guessing-game using their special talent as a clue. Then on the other side of the page, there's a big flap in the form of seaweed and such, which opens up to reveal the creature as well as another short line of information about them. 

This is a colorful book which lets each scene come across with vibrant life. The flaps are sturdy, ensuring more than a few read-throughs of fun. The creatures and the sea world invite with enough details to offer readers time to gaze at each one. The text flows very well and fits the age group nicely. While the youngest listeners won't always grasp everything, various facts will catch their attention and stick...and the older end of the intended age group won't feel 'babied' since the information still slides enough into their direction as well. 

It's a cute and fun way to introduce the youngest readers to a few fun facts about sea life.