What's Coming in August?

Holy crow! Is it really August already? While much of the year, so far, has been passing by with a calm pace, July was raced by in super-sonic gear. Looking at  August's reading stack, I see a few more graphic novels than usual and several adventure/action reads. It's a pretty even balance of middle grade, young adult, and chapter books with about a dozen or so picture books tossed in between to make sure I have enough time to hit those longer reads. There are several books, which appear to be light-hearted and some nonfiction, too. I see a few paranormal ones tosssed in as well. 

Here's a quick glance at some of the reads on my schedule. I try to stick to the mentioned dates, but sometimes, the reads get reshuffled a bit due to time constraints, unexpected publishing shifts, or simply because I might decide the read isn't quite what I was looking for. After all, I really don't read these until the evening before posting. 

So, let's see what this month will hold!

DANGEROUS INFLUENCE

I'm starting off the month with a more serious theme and a YA read! I'm hoping to hit those more often over the next months. Anyway, this is a short read at 128 pages and hits the problem of influencers, who have use their children in their postings. I'm curious to see how its handled and what the author has to say about this issue, especially since I haven't seen it addressed very often. Join me on the 4th to see how it goes.

Young Adult Contemporary

WHY ARE HORSES

I'm always up to a nonfiction read, so I want to take a look at this one. After last month's heavier stream of books surrounding dogs, I'm happy to take a look at a different animal. Horses are well-loved by many middle graders, and I'm curious what this book has to offer on information. Join me on the 5th to see how much horse goodness these pages hold.

Middle Grade Nonfiction

AIKO AND THE PLANET OF DOGS

This read comes from a very established artist, who resides in Geneva, and is being translated from French into English for the first time. I do have a soft-spot for international literature, so of course, I wanted to take a look at this one. Plus, a planet of dogs does sound interesting! I'm curious to see what this character is up and will be taking a look at it on the 6th.

Picture Book

THE MANY ASSASSINATIONS OF SAMIR, THE SELLER OF DREAMS

This read is giving me Tales of 1001 Nights vibes, and I had to give it a go, especially since it has won an award or two. This isn't a new release but hit the shelves a few years ago. I missed it then and am looking forward to catching up. I'm hoping for tons of cultural goodness, action, adventure, danger, and more. Join me on the 10th to take a, hopefully, amazing journey.

Middle Grade Fantasy

THE SUPERHERO'S RETURN

This is another read, which hit the shelves several years ago, and I'm just getting to it now. It's the first in a series and heads in the superhero direction (obviously). I believe it will take a darker twist, though, as it deals with a teen's disappointment after doing his best to save the world...or those are the vibes I'm getting? I just took a quick breeze over the blurb, so I could be wrong. I'll definitely know more and share it with you on the 12th.

Young Adult Superhero Fiction

MARTY MOOSE AND THE GREAT STAMPEDE

Silly reads are a must, and I'm hoping that this book will fit that bill. The mouse on the cover looks adorable with it's uniform, and I'm betting it experiences quite the adventures as a postal delivery mouse. I'm hoping for tons of giggles, adventure, and a little heart. Join me on the 14th to see what this little guy is up to.

Children's Animal Fiction   /  Graphic Novel

HORIZON FAULT

This last March, I reviewed the first book in this series, Transition Age. Imagine how surprised I was to discover that the 2nd in the series is just about to hit the shelves, too! Since I enjoyed the first one, I'm ready to see how the adventure continues. I hope it keeps up the pace, holds new surprises, and keeps those pages turning smoothly all the way through. I'll be taking a look at this one on the 19th.

Young Adult Science Fiction

THE CURSE OF THE SILVAN OAKS

I've been in the mood for a 'good' fantasy novel for middle graders, and this one might be exactly that. It does head a bit more in the mystery, adventure, and paranormal direction, but that's close enough for me. I love the cover and already can't wait to join these characters as they do their best to discover the truth. I just hope it's as good as I think it might be. Join me on the 21st to find out.

Middle Grade Mystery

BOOGY & TEE AND TWINKLE & HEW

I'm going to be hitting this one with a very open mind since I'm not really sure what it will be about. I saw the illustrations, though, and wanted to give it a go. Illustrations are important in a picture book, after all. I'm pretty sure it will rotate around this four friends and, hopefully, bring smiles and goodness. I'll be discovering this one on the 25th.

Picture Book

ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD

Time travel seems to be a larger theme again, this year, and this read ticks that box. I believe there will be a little heart and a heavish theme in the beginning, but I'm not sure what happens from there. It should follow a bit of self-discovery and mystery and adventure and family and... Well, we'll find out at the very end of the month on the 31st.

Middle Grade Time Travel

Every month, I have more books to read that time, but I also have changes in my schedule as books fail to arrive, change publishing dates, aren't what I had hoped, and the like. That's when I can sneak in reads from the top of my pile, which I've been hoping to get to sooner. The next book on my pile is...

RETURN TO SLEEPY HALLOW

Everyone should know The Legend of Sleepy Hallow by Washington Irving...one of my all time favorites. I've seen various movie versions and remakes and inspirations as well as read it a couple of times in various versions and, sometimes, very original spin-offs. This read fits in the last category. I'm not sure what it will hold or even if it will be a grabbing tale, but I'm ready to find out. When will I be sharing this one? I have no clue. Oh, and it's not really 'kidlit' but simply falls into the classic category. But this is an upper middle school/high school lister, so it should fit, right? 

Classic Graphic Novel

Tricksters, Takers, and Team Players by Alisha Gabriel

Today's reaad heads into the nonfiiction realm and takes a look at animals and how they hunt. I'm betting there will be some surprising facts, and I'm very curious to see how the 'team players' works. It's also a theme I haven't run across before, which is another plus.

So, get ready because we're about to dive into the animal world and see how they get their food.

TRICKSTERS, TAKERS, AND TEAM PLAYERS

Teaming Up For the Hunt

by Alisha Gabriel

Illustrated by Viven Sarkany

Tielmour Press

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 6 

COMING SEPTEMBER 15!!!

Why would a coyote hunt with a badger? Why do birds follow cows? Why would a monkey share the forest with deer below?

Some animals hunt alone, some stay with their packs, but some team up with animals from another species.

From coyotes and badgers working side by side, to chital deer following langur monkeys for fallen fruit, to hornbills calling mongooses to hunt together, this nonfiction picture book shows how animals survive by forming powerful partnerships. TRICKSTERS, TAKERS, AND TEAM PLAYERS will let young readers explore the wild world of animal teamwork.

Kids will learn about:

- Mutualism: when both animals benefit.
- Commensalism: when one benefits and the other is not harmed.
- Parasitism: when one benefits and the other is hurt.

...and so much more!

With clear,real-world examples paired with vibrant illustrations, TRICKSTERS, TAKERS, AND TEAM PLAYERS makes learning about symbiotic relationships simple, engaging, and fun.

Perfect for curious kids who love animals, nature, and surprising facts about the wild.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

These pages keep attention on how animals work together, either purposefully or not, to get their food...and many of these 'hunting' facts hold surprises.

This book is all about how animals work together to get their food. It's divided into three categories (mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism), and presents several lesser known relationships, which surprise and build a respect for animals, in general. It begins with a quick introduction before explaining how, for example, coyotes and badgers work together to get what they need to survive. Each relationship and how it works is clearly laid out while the illustrations let the scenes come to visual life. At the end of the read, there are a handful of more detailed explanations, a question to think about and answer, as well as a list of further sources. 

Not only nature and animal fans are sure to enjoy this one as it highlights lesser-known, animal relationships and does so in an interesting way. The illustrations stick to modest colors, which lets the animals and their behaviors take control of the scenes. Listeners/readers gain a good idea of how the described relationship works. The text, while presenting everything clearly, also stays concise, keeping this read solidily in the intended age group range. It creates an interesting read-aloud and works for those readers, who are sure of their words, to pick up on their own. It works nicely for classroom settings, especially when combined with a theme surrounding animal symbiosis, for homeschoolers, and also as a read for animal fans. 

It's well done, interesting, and teaches more about the animal realm as well.

Poppy Makes Pockets by Jemima Parker and Karen Erasmus

I seem to have hit a few reads this month, which inspire creativity. Today's read stays in that theme. This time, we're going to take a look at a girl who makes pockets. I've always enjoyed sewing, so this was a 'must read' for me. But I am curious to see what this character does with pockets and why she makes them. There's only one way to find out. So, let's open this one up and find out what she's up to!

POPPY MAKES POCKETS

by Jemima Parker & 

Karen Erasmus

EK Books

Picture Book

34 pages

ages 4 to 8

Poppy finds a crafty solution for carrying her treasures in this uplifting story about creativity, upcycling, community spirit – and the joy of pockets!

Poppy picks up the most amazing things when she’s out exploring, from glossy feathers to rattling seed pods to shiny buttons. But she’s missing something very important: pockets to carry her findings!

After an unsuccessful wardrobe search, Poppy’s creativity is sparked. With some crafty textile upcycling, she makes her own pocket-covered outfit. It’s such a success that she opens a stand in her street offering pocket-making for all. But what happens when Poppy runs out of fabric, and people still want pockets? Can Poppy and her neighbourhood friends come together to find a solution?

Girls’ clothing almost never has practical pockets, which affects how girls play, move, and navigate life. Poppy Makes Pockets celebrates of the joy of pockets, and highlights that girls need them too. It also explores themes of upcycling worn-out clothing, inspiring young readers to think about sustainable and creative solutions to problems. Full of positivity and joy, this delightful story will entertain little readers everywhere, especially those who love collecting treasures. 

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON   /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

This one hits a problem that me and my daughters have always complained about—the lack of pockets or big enough ones on clothes. And it shows how a young girl solves this issue.

Poppy finds little treasures whenever she's outside, but most of her clothes don't have pockets to keep them in until she arrives home. Grabbing leftover fabric pieces, thread, a needle, and other sewing accessories, she creates simple pockets on one of her dresses. They work great! Then, she notices that others around her seem to be having the same problem she did. So, she opens up a pocket stand and begins her own little adventure.

This is a book to inspire and motivate readers to get creative and tackle problems with a little ingenuity. Poppy is a cheerful girl and easy to like. Her problem is also one, which many readers will understand. Her sewing skills might seem complicated to some, but the author has added directions at the end of the book to help readers create their own pockets if desired. The tale also lets the sense of helping others and friendships within the community shine. The diversity is also not forgotten as various customers come to Poppy's stand. So, it's a positive read with quite a bit of goodness wrapped into the pages.

The text brings across the tale clearly and smoothly. While it creates a lovely read-aloud, it's also fitting for those readers, who are mostly sure of their words, to pick up and discover on their own. The illustrations are created in watercolor and let the scenes come across with familiarity while holding a sense of gentleness. And the directions for the craft at the end round everything off nicely.

And here they are...

Jemima Parker is a writer and sewer with a degree in Visual Arts (textiles). She is passionate about nurturing creativity in children. She is a Canberra-based creative working across disciplines, and is also a Visual Arts and Law graduate. Jemima spends her days as a communications professional. She is passionate about writing and illustrating for children. She loves dogs, telling stories and coffee – all the coffee.  Jemima has more picture books coming soon with Scholastic Australia and EK Books.

Karen Erasmus is an illustrator based on the south coast near Melbourne, Australia. She is a qualified teacher who enjoys teaching illustration and design to TAFE students. When she’s not drawing and designing, you’ll find her sewing or out cycling on the Peninsula. 

The Brilliant Idea Machine by Malcolm Beddows

 I was going to hit this read a few days ago but got delayed due to time constraints on the reading end of life. But there's no way I'm going to let this one pass on by. Isn't the cover adorable? I adore the idea of a girl, inventions, and more. I'm hoping for humor, heart, and creative inspiration. So, lots of good vibes and fun.

Let's see if this book is as enjoyable as it appears!

THE BRILLIANT IDEA MACHINE

by Malcolm Beddows

House Publishing

Middle Grade Science Fiction

182 pages

ages 8 to 12

Thanks to her grandfather and his latest invention, 11-year-old Parker Fisher is about to discover a world of endless possibilities. The Brilliant Idea Machine brings forgotten ideas back to life...perfect for an inventor who wants to make the world a better place. And perfect for a girl with the craziest idea ever that can change the life of every kid.

Not everyone wants what’s best though. Parker, her friends, and her grandfather must all work together to keep the town’s mayor from making bad ideas a reality. And they have to do it while saving an important bird from going extinct.

Join Parker and her friends as they work together to change the world!

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Creative fun explodes and weaves with family goodness, town hopes, and a feathered friend.

Parker's grandfather is an amazing inventor, although not everyone might see him that way. While some of his inventions work, others get lost in thought. So, he creates a forgotten idea machine to grab those lost but terrific ideas. At the same time, Parker is having to deal with her family's move and a new school. After all, her interest in things such as science can make her the odd-girl-out, sometimes. Luckily, her grandfather's machine works and her lost idea, Booger Spread, and after creating the tasty (although gross sounding) treat, she becomes more than popular. This also leads to her grandfather's machine being recognized, which should be a great thing. Except, the mayor's wonderful ideas aren't so wonderful after all. Now, Parker, her grandfather, and her new found friends will have to figure out how to stop the mayor before things turn really bad.

This is one of those fun reads, which opens up the realm of imagination and takes readers on an adventure that they wish they could join themselves.  Parker is a character to get behind and root for the entire way through. There's always something happening and surprises pop up the entire way through. Humor, quirky moments, heart, and even tension create a grabbing atmosphere. It's a read, which keeps the pages turning.

Starting with the wonderful realm of inventions, the first pages already inspire readers to embrace their creativeness. Then, there's the problem of moves and finding new friends, especially when a person like Parker tends to steer a little away from 'normal' hobbies. I appreciate that this aspect never really fell into bullying, but rather, carried the hope and enjoyment as new friends were made. There's also family goodness and support, which offer a warm foundation. Then, there's adventure and imagination and team work...and the list goes on. 

Especially the younger end of the middle grade audience will enjoy this one. The writing works well for this level and sticks to simpler sentences and vocabulary. There's just enough character depth to make each one interesting, while the action and dialogue drive it forward, which also matches this age group nicely. The chapters are kept short and enjoyable illustrations break-up the text. Even the length works great for those readers, who have left the chapter book range and aren't quite ready for heavier themes or 300+ pages tomes. 

Readers who enjoy some imagination, adventure, and friend fun while keeping things light are sure to enjoy this one.

You can learn more about the author at: https://www.parkerfisher.com/

Happy Birthday, Ticket to Mars by Kieran Fanning!

Whose up for some more science fiction goodness? Today's read heads to Mars and should hold a dystopian touch. While it's sold as 'children' fiction, I'm getting Tween vibes from the blurb.  I'm expecting adventure and mystery, since this is about a 13-year-old chasing a thief and finding out more about himself. Or something like that. I try not to dive in too deep before reading these to keep my expectations pretty wide open. At 200 pages, it's not overly long, so I'm hoping that's a plus. Otherwise...

Let's open it up and see what the stars hold!

TICKET TO MARS

by Kieran Fanning

Our Street Books

Tween Science Fiction

200 pages

If a thief stole your dreams, would you travel to Mars to get them back?

Thirteen-year-old Veon Windbourne dreams of escaping the flooded ruins of Newer York for the gleaming city of Harmonia on planet Mars. When he discovers a hidden fortune, hope finally feels within reach - until it is stolen. Desperate for justice, Veon follows the trail of the thief to the red planet, but Mars isn’t the paradise he imagined, and if Veon wants to reclaim his future, he’ll have to fight for it. A thrilling tale of courage, survival, and the fight for justice in a world where only the rich can escape.

    GOODREADS   /  PUBLISHER

 

MY TIDBITS

Tension rises as every page discloses a little more about the dangerous lies behind living on Mars and Veon's difficult past.

Veon and his mother were just about to reach their dream of leaving the dismal and heavily class-orientated life on Earth for a more ideal one on Mars. But shortly before they could go, their chance was stolen away. Veon knows exactly who's responsible and is determined to seek revenge, especially since his mother now suffers from mental issues and has been admitted to a very questionable hospital to get 'help'. The first step takes him to Mars, and it's probably the easiest. When he gets there, he knows he might have trouble finding the culprit and dishing out revenge, but Veon is not prepared for what really exists on Mars. Instead of a societal paradise, everything is dictated and controlled. Every move he makes is monitored and recorded to ensure that each person is doing their job to benefit society...and that means adding or subtracting points. Even letting the water run a little too long in the shower can demote an individual's status and rights. After earning a few, first credits, Veon heads to the market area, but an explosion in the market leads to a brief meeting with a rebel, opening him up to an entirely new problem. Soon, Veon finds himself swept up in a possible rebellion that he isn't even sure he wants to be a part of, especially since he still only intends to pursue his original gaol, but that might not only be harder than he thought, he might not survive long enough to complete it.

This is a quick-paced read with more going on than the first glance at 200-pages would suggest. Even the world building doesn't suffer from this shorter, scifi length, but rather, is well done and holds depth. The author switches between backflashes and Veon's adventure on Mars every other chapter. At first, I thought this might hurt the flow, but the two directions work nicely, side-by-side. Veon's adventure on Mars builds with a steady pace, starting with the last dangers of the Mars' travel and allowing the new world and the first hints of its darker side to sink in. It builds tension without a hint of boredom. The flashbacks are just as grabbing and bring the difficult life Veon faced on Earth as well as his personality to life. This also allows a bit of familiarity to come across so that the reader can better connect with Veon. Despite the very different world and circumstances, he's a fairly normal 13-year-old. There are many secrets and layers, which slowly unfold as the tale progresses, and this opens up to action and danger. 

The writing works very well for the 10 to 14 age group, although older readers are sure to enjoy the tight weave and tension, too. The vocabulary and such place this at a comfortable reading level, making it accessible for those, whose reading skills are by no means low but might not feel as comfortable in longer, in-depth YA reads. But even solid readers will have no problem sinking in as this is well done. Science Fiction fans who enjoy quick-paced reads, action, and secret agendas, are sure to enjoy this one. 

And here he is...

Kieran Fanning is a children’s author and primary school teacher in County Meath, Ireland. His first publications were a series of four Middle Grade books called CODECRACKERS which were published by Mentor Books in Dublin. The series was also published in America and the Czech Republic. More recently, he published THE BLACK LOTUS with Chicken House in the UK, but also in Germany and America. It was shortlisted for the Leeds Book Awards, The Brilliant Book Award and The Bangkok Book Awards. IRISH FAIRY TALES, MYTHS AND LEGENDS, was published by Scholastic. This was followed by a self published Middle Grade adventure called THE ARRIVAL. HAUNTED IRELAND, is a book of ghost stories from every county in Ireland and was published by Gill in 2024. A sequel called ENCHANTED IRELAND will be published in October 2025. TICKET TO MARS will be published by Collective Ink in 2026. For further information on the author or his books, please see my website www.kieranfanning.com.