Happy Book Birthday, WillieBoy Eats the World by Steven Schirripa!

It's time to shoutout a book birthday! Actually, I'm a teeny-bit early with this one, since it releases on the 21st (three more days), but I'm always excited to celebrate. So, I'm shouting already again.

Today's read comes from an independent publisher in New York, which I hadn't heard about before but has existed since 1996. It's always fun to expand the horizons because there are tons of publishers out there. Back to the book... it centers around a man and his dog and food. I do love food and dogs, which makes this a 'let's take a peek' book for me. I believe it will explore other cultures and the huge range of food available. 

Let's open it up and see how it goes!

WILLIEBOY EATS THE WORLD

by Steve Schirripa

and Philip Lerman

Illustrated by Kirk Parrish

Akashic Books, Ltd

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

Sopranos star Steve Schirripa gets a delicious and delightful lesson about the wondrous world of food from his dog WillieBoy in this beautifully illustrated picture book

WILLIEBOY EATS THE WORLD  is a children’s book that answers the question every parent has what do you tell children who won’t try new things?

Actor and best-selling author Steve Schirripa yields center stage to his adorable real-life dachshund WillieBoy in this New York City–based fantasy. It was inspired by the viral videos the two have become famous for, with Steve and WillieBoy chowing down on everything from pizza to churros. In WillieBoy Eats the World, Steve admits that he only eats Italian food because it’s all that he knows—so WillieBoy teaches him the joy of trying Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Korean, and dozens of other delights. WillieBoy “Trust me, my pal, you’ll be glad that I sent ya / On this great big fabulous dining adventure.”

The book is cowritten by author and journalist Philip Lerman, and illustrated by veteran artist Kirk Parrish.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Food, food, and more food pack these pages as a man and his clever friend learn how exciting the culinary world truly is.

Steve loves to eat his favorite foods, which means all Italian foods. Pizza, pasta, and more fill Steve's table, and that's fine with his dog, WillieBoy. One day while walking through the park, they run across a large group of dogs playing together. Each dog comes from a different culture, and here, WillieBoy learns that there is more than just Italian food out there. With a mission to introduce Steve to a much wider range on the culinary front, WillieBoy takes him on a food exploration-extravaganza. 

Not only foodies are going to enjoy this book as the pages open up to a huge variety of delicious delights. It begins with a food most young readers can get behind, pepperoni pizza, and takes off from there. Actually, the book begins with the warm, snuggly relationship between Steve and WillieBoy, and invites readers immediately to find both sympathetic and fun. The relationship between man and dog is inspiring and already hooks. Then, the cute-dog-crowd hits, which is sure to win dog fans over before heading into food, food, and more food. The scenes stay lively the entire way through, going from restaurants to food markets to dream-like states of delicious dishes floating everywhere. The visual fun holds the excitement high and keeps listeners engaged during read-a-louds.

The text is written in rhyme, most of it flowing well to create a smooth tale. There's a sense of playfulness while the cultural aspects of food slide onto the page. Listeners are sure to recognize many dishes and, maybe, discover a few new ones. The level is fitting to the age group and keeps fun and humor high while building in the cultural goodness. 

 

Girl of Lore by Melanie Dale

Ghosts, spooks, and more are hitting today's read. Well, sort of, I think. This is the first in a brand new series for the young adult audience and will explore the paranormal end of things. I'm getting the impression it will embrace quite a bit of heart and high school drama as well. And it includes a graveyard and secrets. Sounds like a promising setting, right?

Let's open it up and see what chilling moments lie in store!

GIRL OF LORE

by Melanie Dale

Aladdin

Middle grade Paranormal

368 pages

ages 9 to 12

COMING APRIL 21st!!!

A girl who’s used to battling the monster of her own mind discovers there’s a sinister evil lurking in her small town in this atmospheric paranormal novel that’s perfect for fans of Tracy Wolff and Maggie Stiefvater.

Stories of dark magic and even darker creatures have always swirled about Mina Murray’s town of London, Georgia. Mina knows they aren’t true—and are likely perpetuated only to drive the quirky tourist-trap ghost tours of downtown—but that doesn’t stop her from collecting the stories and drawing them in her sketchbook. Something about the possibility of real monsters helps her deal with the monster in her own her OCD, which convinces her danger lurks everywhere.

But when a body is found drained of blood and a classmate goes missing, Mina is thrust into a tangled web of London secrets…that she seems to be at the center of.

GOODREADS   /   PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Town's secrets and myths swirl with dark undertones to create a read, which is packed with danger, drama, and more.

Mina suffers from severe OCD, her mind constantly shoving everything into category, sense, and place. She fights through each day in her mental, jumbled mess, and if that wasn't bad enough, the nights bring constant nightmares. She's found a way to gain, at least, a few minutes peace by hiding in the graveyard with her sketchbook and drawing the monsters in her mind. Or those from local myths and tales, which she know don't really exist but still finds fascinating. It's also gained her the 'creepy label at school, despite her fight to come across as normal-ish. When her dreams start showing up in reality and a dead body is found drained of all blood, she begins to realize that her nightmares and the myths might hold a truth more terrifying than anything she could have imagined.

The story starts out with delicious, dark tones and lets the reader dive right into chills before pulling back just enough to bring Mina and her circumstances across with sympathy. From paranormal fears to high school drama, the tale slides back-and-forth to weave both together to keep spooks, heart, and drama flowing. It's the OCD aspect, however, which the author brings across with potency. Mina doesn't just carry the label with a few hints of the challenge, but it grips her every move and thought. The chaos in her head constantly holds a battle, which not only lays an interesting background for everything else but also raises awareness of what OCD can really mean.

While the reader dives into Mina's mind, the entire atmosphere hangs a bit on the young side. There's enough depth to keep most characters interesting, and the author has packed in a lot on the plot and subplot end, bringing in the paranormal danger, Mina's OCD, family issues, school drama, and much more. Something is always happening and shifting, to keep Mina's world anything but boring. At the same time, less can be more, and the large amount of directions means that some points get lost in the crowd and don't receive the power they could wield. 

Fans of vampire, graveyards, friendship drama, dark secrets, and more will want to take a peek at this tale, and it will be interesting to see where Mina might go next.

And here she is...

Before embracing her love of monsters and sneaking into Mina’s fictional world, Melanie Dale published a bunch of nonfiction books, shambled around as a zombie on TV, and survived cancer. She’s written episodes for the anthology horror television series Creepshow and over a decade of essays for Coffee + Crumbs. While she has won no awards for literature, she won a Halloween costume contest one time and still feels pretty stoked about it. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching yoga or battling her own brain. She lives in the Atlanta area. 

Uh, Oh Spaghetti-Oh! by Susie O'Leary

Ready for a little humor and fun? At least, I hope that describes today's read. The title mixed with the wondrous little girl on the cover promise all of this. Add that this is a music book...meaning that there is a song, which can be played right along with it...and it should be more than just a little entertaining.

But let's open it up and find out!

UH, OH SPAGHETTI-OH!

by Susie O'Leary

Illustrated by Amna Zaki

Happy Singing Kids

Picture Book

26 pages

ages 3 to 6

"Uh oh spaghetti-oh!" is a bubbly tale that spins life's little hiccups into hilarious, sing-songy moments.

When zany mishaps, tumbling tumbles, or cheeky ant nibbles come your way, what's the perfect chant to chase the blues away - "Uh oh spaghetti-oh!" Join the silly spree, where a sprinkle of fun can fix any Whoopsie-doo!

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Mistakes and mishaps are a part of life, and this book takes a silly and enjoyable twist to release the tension that comes with it.

This little girl is a ball of energy and enjoys almost everything she does, but not everything runs smoothly. Little mishaps happen, and instead of growing upset, she sings a silly song. This leads to a book, which listeners can join in on themselves, since it is connected with a song. This is available through the included QR code in the book (or through the website if you want to take a peek first).

The verses are short and describe an every day life situation, which suddenly takes a small turn in an awkward or not-so-great direction. Then, the refrain dives in, and here's where listeners can quickly join in with the funny words.

The book is brightly illustrated with familiar situations and a bubbly girl with a perky attitude. Some situations will make readers cringe and others will make them giggle. Each one is brought across clearly and shows the little girl, while not super happy about each incident, taking it with relaxed style. The text rhymes and flows smoothly, since it's also the lyrics of the song. Still, the book works nicely as a read-aloud. Of course, it also works very well when the song is played with it and lets listeners sing along.

There's a lovely message about taking things in stride and not turning every little incident into a huge problem or depressing moment. So, there's quite a bit of goodness in the pages.

You can find out more as well as other titles and songs at :  happysingingkids.com

Five Days at the Hotel Adams by Hailey Alcaraz

I'm a bit late...really late...with today's read. Let's just say that I had a change of plans last night as to things to do to day...real life things...and didn't get this up before heading out this morning. But there's no way I could skip today's read because I've been looking forward to picking it up for more than a few weeks. 

It is part of the American Stories for Gutsy Girls series, which I haven't read before but understand that it's a series of wholesome reads and highlights girls, who stretch beyond what usual life requires. So I'm expecting this to be a tale which inspires. I'm also expecting historical goodness and mystery.

Ready to see what these pages hold? I know I am!

FIVE DAYS AT THE HOTEL ADAMS

by Hailey Alcaraz

Tommy Nelson

Middle Grade Historical Mystery

272 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING MAY 26th!!!

From Hispanic author Hailey Alcaraz, this historical tale of arson, sleuthing, and finding friendship in unlikely places is based on the real Hotel Adams fire of 1910. It's up to two Latina girls to turn their knack for being overlooked and underestimated into their greatest strength as they unravel a complex web of suspects, clues, and motives.

Ruth and Luisa live very different lives within the dusty desert town of Phoenix. Ruth is the only child of a political official. She spends her days stuffed into scratchy dresses and smiling prettily in the ballrooms of the Hotel Adams. Luisa is a young housekeeper. She looks at the Persian rug and thinks, I also know what it feels like to be walked over, barely noticed, and covered in other people's dirt. The girls stumble into a partnership when they overhear a plan to set fire to the hotel, a political hot spot for the growing western town. As they race to figure out who is behind the plot--and how to stop them--they must not only overcome what other people expect from them but what they've grown to expect from themselves.

Part of the Own Voices historical series American Stories for Gutsy Girls Five Days at the Hotel Adams ...

Transports children into the past with a compelling story full of secrets, subterfuge, and sisterhood;

Encourages tweens to look for friends in unexpected places;

Is perfect for fans of Pam Muñoz Ryan and Erin Entrada Kelly;

Includes black-and-white illustrations.

Enjoy this fast-paced adventure story in which two girls race against the clock to stop a crime as they learn that good always comes from trying your best--even if the outcome is the last thing you expected.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Set in 1910, this book takes a look at two very different girls and throws them into an exciting adventure.

Luisa is a very young housekeeper for the Hotel Adams and has a tendency to get side-tracked from her work...and this often gets her into trouble with the head maid. There's a lot going on at the hotel, especially with several big ordeals and very wealthy and prominent people involved. Ruth is about Luisa's age, and she's the daughter of one of the wealthy men staying at the hotel. Unlike many of the others from the upper class, Ruth finds it more important to see people for who they are rather than what they are. When she literally runs into Luisa, she finds her interesting right away. So, when Ruth accidentally overhears two unseen men whispering about setting the hotel on fire and knows no one will believe her, she decides right away who she wants to turn to for help, Luisa. Luckily, Luisa is all about mysteries and determined to stop the possible disaster.

This is a read wrapped with wholesome goodness. It begins with Luisa and her work as a maid, and she comes across sympathetic from the get-go. She's clever, has a good heart, but also tends to cause a little bit of clumsy trouble, which makes her very easy to connect with and root for. Ruth carries a tad bit more of astuteness thanks to her family's wealth, and yet, she's just as fun to meet. It's this forming friendship between two completely different girls, which gives this book its heart and inspiration.

While friendship is key, history and mystery roll right in as well. The setting is well done with natural descriptions to let readers sink right into the time frame. The novel has a steady pace, allowing the scenes and characters to unfold with grace. It brings readers into the scenes and life of that time smoothly. The mystery aspects add tension and urgency, which builds as the chapters progress. The clues are well laid, keeping readers guessing, and it's not clear how the two are going to work things out. 

It's an enjoyable read for mystery fans, who enjoy a wonderful tale of friendship along the way.

Wake Up!! by Benjamin Leavitt

With Spring comes early morning days and so much to do. Today's read should slide into this thought process nicely. I'm assuming there will be tons of humor and plenty of moments to draw giggles and smiles. But let's just open it up and find out!

WAKE UP!!

by Benjamin Leavitt

Illustrated by Ethan Roffler

Fair Oak Books

 Picture Book

44 pages

ages 3 to 8

COMING APRIL 20th!!!

This is no time to sleep! Too much fun to be had!

There’s a hippo in the bath, a gorilla doing math…joy and absurdity abound as an exuberant little girl awakens her dad with all the reasons why she can’t possibly stay asleep. A rhyming read-aloud that will help everyone (maybe!) catch a few more zzzzzzs.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

With energy in hyper-drive, these pages race through a little girl's imagination and leave in smile unexplored.

The stars are still out, but this little girl can't sleep anymore. Not knowing what else to do, she wakes her father up. He tries to explain that she should let him sleep unless there's an emergency...and according to the little girl, there is. But this emergency isn't what anyone might guess, and it rattles on into an avalanche of fantastical fun.

This is an adorable book, which is sure to draw giggles and more. The little girl's energy is catchy, and while listeners will sympathize with the father, they'll most likely, connect with the little girl as well. As she starts to explain the problem, surprise after surprise unfolds, and each described situation is more ridiculous than the last. Add that this is written in fairly smooth flowing rhyme, and it creates a fun read-aloud, which will have listeners wondering what will come next.

The text is fitting to the age group and brings across each moment with, usually, a line or two. It's just enough to introduce the situation before letting the illustrations take over. Each scene thrives off of the illustrations as the sheer ridiculousness comes across with clarity and chaos. Young listeners can flip through these on their own and enjoy the lively scenes.

It's a chaotic silliness, which lightens the mood and might even have listeners wanting to come up with their own ridiculous moments.

The League of Dangerous Young Ladies by J.A. Morgenstein

The second I saw today's read, I knew I had to read it. The mix of the historical setting with monsters with mystery sounds like it could be right down my alley. Plus, the blurb compares it to Buffy, the Vampire Slayer meets Enola Holmes. That would be amazing if true. Honestly, I hate such comparisons because while they perk my interest, it's super, super, super rare that the comparisons, actually, are spot on. Like almost never. Still, I do hope that this read holds everything promised and will have my fingers itching to pick up book two...whenever it comes out. If there will be a book two. Hmmm...I think there will (?)

Anyway, off we go!

THE LEAGUE OF DANGEROUS YOUNG LADIES

by J.A. Morgenstein

Stonefruit Studio

YA Historical Fantasy / Mystery

368 pages

COMING JUNE 2nd!!!

Enola Holmes meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this thrilling YA fantasy adventure from debut author J. A. Morgenstein, perfect for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Philip Pullman.

It's 1909 and Rose Moriarty—teenage daughter of Sherlock Holmes' greatest enemy—has made a name for herself fighting monsters and solving crimes. But that was before Rose met the one mystery she couldn't the disappearance of her headmistress. Now, her school has shut down, her classmates have scattered, and Rose is on her own.

On the very day Rose receives word that an old friend is dying, the shadowy Count Christoph and his ward Clara show up at her door. Rose has already figured out why they're here (to hire her) and what's in their bag (an ancient orb with incredible powers), but questions Can Rose convince these strangers to help save her friend's life? What are the grotesque, bug-shaped stalkers that plague their every step? And how can Rose pursue this adventure while avoiding a certain boy from her childhood? The only thing certain is that Rose is no longer alone, because danger forges strange alliances . . .

. . . and Professor Moriarty wasn't the only famous villain to have a daughter.

Unexpected friendships, supernatural mystery, high-stakes heists, and budding romance billow together in this thrilling fantasy adventure, which introduces a motley crew of daredevil heroines who hunt monsters . . . in all their forms.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Echoes of Sherlock Holmes meets monsters, adventure, and fantasy from other tales and myths, mixing with a group of unexpected friends in an entertaining and suspenseful way.

Count Christoph has gotten his hands on the sphere, an object said to grant god-like powers, but it's very unclear how it works. Luckily, his assistant, Clara, knows where to go and leads him to Rose, the daughter of Professor Moriarty. Her cleverness is unparalleled, but she has her own issues as she's in a race to save a former teacher, an amazing genius in the science realm who suffers from an incurable disease. While Rose agrees to help the Count for a favor only he can give, solving the sphere is just the beginning of that task, since dangerous bug-men are determined to have the sphere for themselves and will do anything to get it. But Rose isn't alone, and her friends are nothing to scoff at. But then, the Count and Clara hold more than a few small secrets, too.

This is a fun read with tons of spunk, character quirks, scenes to keep the reader on the edge of their seats, surprises, and even humor. It's historical setting places it around the late 1800's/early 1900's-ish. At least, there is the mention of very rare cars, while carriages still seem to be popular. It flies all over the world as the clues lead the odd group from one unexpected situation to the next. It's impossible to guess what is really going to happen on the mystery end, but then, this entire world is unpredictable. After all, you have the ancestors of Holmes and Moriarty involved, nods toward vampires, Frankenstein, and echoes reminding of The Umbrella Academy. It's fast-paced, brings action, and keeps secrets flowing with every page.

While imagination abounds, the characters bring quite a bit of personality to spice things up even more. Each one shines in their own way, making the group a broad mix in so many respects. This leads to fun interactions and adds unexpected moments as well as ones to smile. But it's not all fun and games as each one also carries a mighty amount of luggage from their past. Some characters have worked through their issues already, while others like Rose have more than a little inner-conflict to still sort out. There are also friendship struggles and trust hurdles between the newly forming friends, which melds between the other moments to add heart and give the reader a second to take a breath before dashing into the next impossible situation. 

It's a quick-paced read with plenty of energy and spirit...and it will be a treat to see where another adventure might lead this league of individuals next. 

Jibberjack, Fibberjack by Stefanie Gamarra

It's time for a little fun, don't you think? Today's read should offer just that as well as a little mystery goodness. Aimed at the picture book audience, I'm hoping that this tale is as fun as its title suggests. Let's just open it up and find out, shall we?

JIBBERJACK, FIBBERJACK

by Stefanie Gamarra

Illustrated by Marta Pilosio

Marshmallow Tree Press

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING APRIL 28th!!!

When a mysterious creature starts scaring the chatty town of Rumorridge, everyone believes the worst. Everyone, except Frida. With her detective hat, trusty notebook, and a nose for nonsense, Frida starts asking questions no one else will.
Things quickly get serious when strange footprints appear and the town’s prized pigs go missing. Questionable monster traps and the mayor's new rules only add to everyone's nervousness.
But when smelly clues mix with stinky lies, Frida uncovers what's really going on.

"Jibberjack, Fibberjack" is a sharp, funny mystery for kids ages 4–8 who ask “why?” a lot and for adults who secretly wish more people did.

Ideal for classroom read-alouds and library storytime, the bonus pages encourage discussion and include steps to become a "truth detective."

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

A mystery with surprises mixes with food-for-thought to form a fun read.

There's a monster in town! Nobody has seen it, but everyone knows the trouble it's been causing. Even the mayor promises to do his best to help out and encourages everyone to buy monster traps to keep the monster at bay. Frida, however, smells something strange. Little things aren't making sense, but then, adults never want to answer her questions. When two pigs go missing, it's time for her to grab up her detective gear and get to the bottom of things.

Little detectives are going to enjoy this book quite a bit. Frida is a quiet girl but clever. It'd be fun to stand at her side and figure out what is really happening. Her observations and thoughts hold a tiny dab of sarcasm, which will ring true with listeners, and her doubt is only understandable. The clues are so laid out that listeners/readers can begin to guess what is behind the monster, but not enough so to make the solution obvious. While the mystery adds a touch of mystery, the tale is well suited to the age group with cute missing pigs, a little hide-and-go-seek moments, and a situation, which keeps a little tension without ever going into danger. So, it's suitable even for sensitive listeners/readers.

The illustrations are bright and bring each moment across clearly. There are even little clues hidden, at times, in the scenes, which aren't pointed out by the text. The text flows very naturally and smoothly, letting the situation build as hints are exposed. At the end of the book, there is a list of questions which can be used for discussion or reading comprehension and a section with detective hints and tips. It makes a lovely read-aloud and keeps listeners invested the entire way through.

Search for a Mysterious Mushroom by Amy Seto Forrester

Today's read caught my attention for a few reasons. First, it's nonfiction and science directed; one of my favorite types of reads! Second, it's in a choose-your-own-story format, and I don't think I've ever seen a nonfiction like that. So, I'm definitely curious to see how this works. Lastly, I, personally, enjoy mushroom hunting. 

When I moved to Germany many, many years ago, my husband showed me an edible mushroom in the surrounding forests: Braunkappe (well, that's the German term. English is Bay Bolete). A few years later, we moved to northern Germany and had a neighbor, who was a mushroom enthusiast and taught us about several more types. Then, we moved to southern Germany, noticed there were tons of mushrooms in the forests and took some classes to discover even more edible varieties. And now, back in the U.S., we've learned from neighbors about several types which grow on our own property. We have morels, giant puffballs, chicken of the woods, three types of chanterelles (my favorites), and boletes. Probably more, but those are the ones we're sure of. After all, never-ever-ever eat a mushroom unless you are 150% sure that you identified it correctly.

That said, I think it's obvious why I'm ready to dive into this one and see what it holds.

SEARCH FOR A MYSTERIOUS MUSHROOM

Pick Your Path

by Amy Seto Forrester &

Andy Chou Muster

Chronicle Books

Children's Nonfiction

100 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING MAY 5th!!!

A new and exciting addition to the Science Explorers series, offering a fresh pick-your-path STEM adventure for emerging readers!

Get ready to join an expedition to remote tropical forests in search of a mysterious mushroom called Amparoina spinosissima. This rare, spiny wonder is not easy to find, but you can help! Choose a location and all the tools and equipment you’ll need for your search. Be careful—not every path leads where you expect, but you’ll see and learn amazing things whichever you pick.

Emerging readers will be enticed by the colorful comic–paneled images and action-packed text as they choose the path their expedition will follow and visit new habitats across the globe.

A GROWING The first book in the series, Search for a Giant Squid, was named a Best Book of the Year by the New York Public Library, a Good Housekeeping Kids’ Book Award winner, and more. In its starred review, Booklist hailed it as “immensely engaging” and said, “This reader packs an informational punch.”

SPARKS INTEREST IN This introduction to the work of a mycologist—a scientist who studies fungi—lets readers dip their toes into the career of this specialized research scientist as well as the other team members it takes to lead a successful expedition.

ENTERTAINS WHILE IT EDUCATES:  Each possible path leads to a different outcome, so readers learn new facts about scientific expeditions and ecosystems as they explore rainforests in search of an elusive tiny fungi.

COMIC BOOK The bright, graphic-paneled imagery will entice kids drawn to comic books, while also making the abundance of information accessible even for the most reluctant reader.

INCLUSIVE Research shows children need to "see it to be it." The images in the book showcase a broader range of inclusivity than many STEM titles allowing all relaxers to envision  themselves undertaking a career science.

Perfect readers with an interest in STEM, forests, and fungi! Excellent resource for teachers, librarians, and homeschool educators to explore science, travel, and career topics Fans of other pick-your-path type books, National Geographic kids' books, and the Magic Tree House and Who Would Win book series. Birthday, holiday, or summer break gift for boys and girls who love adventure books and stories about the mysteries of the natural world

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Fun adventure meets biology goodness in a book, which keeps readers in the pages and teaches all sorts of facts they haven't seen before.

This book begins with a cast of characters, five different types of scientists/assistants who can or will accompany the reader on their journey. This already starts the knowledge goodness as the area of specialty of each one is presented with a very short explanation. The first pages of the 'story' give all sorts of general fungi facts. From spores to body types to substrate and more, readers get a general understanding of fungi. This is delivered in concise sentences, which are easy-to-read and broken down into boxes with illustrations to keep everything very clear and understandable. While the reading part is on the simpler side, the information is very fitting for the age group, offers even Latin terms, and leaves the reader with a good, fungi foundation. Then, the adventure begins.

The reader is told to find a certain mushroom and given the basic, known information about this rare species. They are to choose their assistant after considering their attributes and go on a story from there. Each page leads to a new choice or happening, which guides the reader on a short quest (just like the Choose your own adventures). These lead the reader to discover little known animals, creatures, fungi, plants, and more. They also lead to tense situations as red warnings appear to showcase danger and a flip to a new page to discover what happens. These moments are tense with volcanos, collapsing bridges, and more. But instead of doom and gloom, the results bring readers back with surprising or failed results...and tell the reader to go back to a certain page and start again. Each tale is fun, each tale packs surprises, and more importantly, each tale brings more biology goodness.

This book does a fantastic job at introducing readers to animals, habitats, fungi, and more while never feeling like a science book. Instead, it's an exciting expedition with every turn of the page. And most of the facts aren't ones readers have run across before...even adults won't recognize most of the presented fungi, animals, and plants. At the end of the book, there is a glossary of terms and list of each animal, fungi, and plant mentioned in the book. 

It's a very enjoyable way to discover the world of rare fungi and so much more.

Unbreakable by Minoru Tonai and Jolene Gutierrez

Today's read caught my attention due to the cover and the theme. I picked up a kidlit book about the Japanese camps years ago and found it very interesting...although that one was for middle graders (see the book and review  HERE) It's not an easy topic, not only due to obvious issues, but I'm not sure that this one will work for the picture book audience. So, I'm curious to see what these pages hold.

UNBREAKABLE

A Japanese American Family in an American

Incarceration Camp

by Minoru Tonai &

Jolene Gutierrez

Illustrated by Chris Sasaki

Harry N. Abrams

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

A powerful, emotional, and ultimately uplifting picture book about the real-life experience of a Japanese American boy incarcerated with his family during World War II

Lying in bed at night, Min thinks about things he’s
his family’s home and business, Puppy, and most of all, Papa.
Min clutches his stone, hoping to see his father again.

Strength comes in the form of the small, smooth stone Min’s father gives him before being led away by FBI agents. In his absence, Min and his family do their best to keep their produce business afloat and earn enough support to get Min’s father released. But after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, they’re forced into an incarceration camp in Colorado.

Imprisoned on the dusty plains and facing both the pain of displacement and the injustice of being incarcerated by his own country, Min must learn to adapt and to find beauty—and strength—where most wouldn’t.

Cowritten by Jolene Gutiérrez, author of Too Much! and Mamiachi & Me, and Minoru (Min) Tonai, an advocate for Japanese American rights, Unbreakable is ultimately an uplifting picture book based on Tonai’s harrowing real-life experiences. Illustrated by acclaimed illustrator Chris Sasaki, this picture book includes extensive back matter such as information on the American incarceration camps and the campaign to release Tonai’s father, a timeline, a bibliography, author and illustrator notes, and questions for further discussion perfect for caregivers and educators to further engage young readers.

GOODREADS     /    AMAZON    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With potent, yet, gentle illustrations, these pages connect with the reader to bring the unfairness and difficult situation across clearly.

Min loves to collect stones and has found a very nice one on his way home from school, but when he sees an unknown car parked in front of his parents' house, he drops it and hurries to learn what is happening. His father is being accused of being a Japanese spy, and that on the morning after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Despite lack of evidence, his father is taken away by the police. Neighbors write letters to support the father, but nothing happens. Then, the entire family is told to pack up and move with authorities to a camp and leave everything behind.

First, I really enjoyed the artwork. Each page does a nice job at bringing each scene across in a sympathetic way, which keeps everything centered on Min and his family life as a child. The color hues stay in the browns to fit the atmosphere and give a historic feel the entire way through. The text flows with each scene, sometimes heavier than others, and keeps boredom away while bringing across everything in an understandable and sympathetic manner. At the end of the book, there are several paragraphs about the 'real' Min, changes made to his story, questions for discussion, and more information surrounding the camps and situation. All of this is thought for the adult reader to use in discussions or to share with the listeners.

This book is done with quite a bit of thought and takes great care in making sure the situation is clearly brought across while staying focused on Min and seeing everything through his eyes. It doesn't suddenly twist into 'adultness' but is written for children. And this deserves big kudos on the front. On the other side, I'm not sure it will connect correctly with the younger end of the age group. The situation, war, fears, time period, and so much more involved in this occurrence go beyond this age group, and while they will understand the unfair treatment, the depth behind it will be missing for most. The older end of the age group, who have heard of WWII and, maybe, Pearl Harbor, will be able to digest these pages, especially when combined with the history of that time. So, I would recommend this book more for elementary school readers (ages 6 - 9) and believe it does a great job at bringing the theme across for this age group.

And here they are...

Cowriter Jolene Gutiérrez is an award-winning teacher-librarian who has worked with neurodivergent learners since 1995. Her grandparents lived just down the road from Amache Incarceration Camp, and she first learned of it from her family, not in school. Gutiérrez now shares the history of Amache with her students, and it was her honor to partner with Minoru Tonai to tell his family’s story. Gutiérrez lives in Denver, Colorado, and is the author of many books for young readers, including Too Much!, The Ofrenda That We Built, and Mamiachi & Me. 

Cowriter Minoru (Min) Tonai (1929–2023) was a Japanese American rights activist. He and his family were incarcerated at Amache from 1942 to 1945, and since their release, Tonai worked to preserve and tell stories about what his family—and so many others—endured during WWII. As the son of a teacher, one of Tonai’s passions was sharing his memories of Amache with students, including students from the ABC School District, the Katari program, UCLA, and Granada High School in Colorado. He was the grand marshal of the Nisei Week 50th anniversary parade, founder and president of the Amache Historical Society, and board president of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. In 2015, Japanese Emperor Akihito presented Tonai with the Order of the Rising Sun medal, Gold Rays with Rosette, for “promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.” Tonai’s three children—Susan, John, and Teresa—continue to tell his story. 

Chris Sasaki is an Emmy and Annie Award–winning animation artist. Along with their work on major motion pictures such as Monsters University, Inside Out, and Onward, they have illustrated several books for young readers, including Home Is a Window, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, and Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist, winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Picture Book and the Dilys Evans Founder’s Award from the Society of Illustrators. Sasaki is based in Los Angeles, where they live with their dog, Ghost.

My Art Book of Peace by Shana Gozansky

Today's read hits the shelves in about a week and is aimed at the very young readers out there, ages 2 to 4. One glance at the cover, and it's clear these pages will hit the theme 'Peace'. And how? Well, this is where it gets really interesting. The author uses famous works from the artworld to highlight aspects of peace. Will this combination really be for this age group? Let's take a look and find out!

MY ART BOOK OF PEACE

by Shana Gozansky

Phaidon Press

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 2 to 4

COMING APRIL 15th!!!

A tender, lyrical celebration of peace in all its forms, this keepsake children’s book introduces the concept of peace in a new and accessible way: through art

Pairing 35 famous artworks with charming, read-aloud text, My Art Book of Peace illustrates the complex idea of peace through familiar scenarios, such as finding peace in the company of friends and making peace through kind gestures. The book’s heartwarming words and colorful design invite children to connect their everyday experiences to those they see in the artworks – allowing them to truly engage with the book’s theme, while building an appreciation of art.

My Art Book of Peace features a diverse array of vibrant paintings, drawings, and sculptures by famous artists ranging from Hilma af Klint and Franz Marc to Joy Labinjo and Noah Davis. With each expertly curated image accompanied by the work’s title and artist’s name, this book is sure to become the foundation of a child’s art book collection.

Featuring sturdy pages and an eye-catching, stylish cover with holographic foil, t his luxurious-feeling board book is a beautiful gift for babies, toddlers, and young children, as well as new and expecting parents. It is a stunning addition to Phaidon’s bestselling My Art Books series of beautiful board books, which explore big feelings through famous artworks and were selected as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2023.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

A wide variety of artwork combines with simple prose to highlight the meanings of peace.

These pages combine two directions into one message: peace. The book begins with a simple text, each page only holding a few short words to keep it simple and fitting for the youngest age group. The words mention various forms of peace and a broad array of ways in which it is demonstrated and shown: friendship, hugs, calm moments, and the like. To bring more emphasis to each word and let the atmosphere sink in, the photograph of a work of art is placed directly above the word. These include everything from sculptures to paintings and more. Each comes from a famous artist, and the works range from well-known to lesser known ones. At the very bottom of the page, the name of the work and artist's name is given. At the end of the book, each piece of art is picture again with a little information.

This book invites young listeners to explore and works especially well when combined with interactions of the older individual, the person reading it aloud to them, since they can express the thoughts and feelings they see in the artwork. No doubt, some images will connect better with readers than others, but then, art is always a very individual experience. These pages to a lovely job at bringing readers into the realm of artwork and lets them gently explore what they see with a nudge of direction through the text and theme. 

And here she is...

Shana Gozansky wears a lot of hats. She writes books for kids and their grownups, directs plays for everyone, and coaches parents. She is the author of Phaidon’s My Art Books series, How to Be a Witch (with Gabrielle Balkan), and has more books on the horizon. She holds an MFA in Directing from the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs and is a graduate of Bard College. She lives in Massachusetts with her spouse, tween, and a dog named Miss Piggy. Visit www.shanagozansky.com to find out more.

Penelope Positano Sees It All by Katie Cotugno

Today's read suddenly popped up in my mailbox, and luckily, I just happened to have a day suddenly open up for a review. This is part of a series of books about Penelope Positano, a little girl with a big heart...and as far as I can tell, it's the first in a new series. Aimed at beginning readers, I'm hoping to see a little fun, situations readers can connect with, and some animal cuteness...tons of animal cuteness.

Let's see if this one hold all of that or something else!

PENELOPE POSITANO

SEES IT ALL

by Katie Cotugno

Illustrated by Amy Jindra Hodgson

Amulet Books

Children's Fiction

80 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING APRIL 14th!!!

From bestselling author Katie Cotugno and illustrator Amy Jindra Hodgson comes a charming new chapter-book series about a plucky seven-year-old who can see things other people miss, perfect for fans of Ivy & Bean

For two hours every day, seven-year-old Penelope Positano wears an eye patch. Her eye muscles don’t quite match, and wearing the patch on her strong eye helps her less-strong eye catch up. And whenever she wears her eye patch, Penelope notices things that other people overlook.

The Positanos are getting a dog, and it’s Penelope’s job to find the perfect pup for her family. Her mom thinks they should pick the most obedient dog, and her dad wants the dog that likes his music the best, but Penelope’s not sure. Her best friend Gus said she would know which dog was meant to be hers, but the more Penelope looks, the more she worries that her dog isn’t out there.

It’s only with the encouragement of her grandma—and the help of her trusty eye patch—that Penelope realizes the perfect dog might be closer than she thinks.

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

The search for a pet brings unexpected difficulties, which this little girl is sure to overcome with style.

Penelope's parents inform her that she's allowed to have a pet dog, and she's to choose one from the shelter. Not sure how she'll ever know which dog is perfect, she asks her best friend, who already has a perfect pup. He tells her that she'll know when she meets the dog meant for her...which isn't extremely helpful. Each trip to the shelter is proving to be unsuccessful, too, as her mother wants a dog to meet everything on some checklist, and her father wants the dog to enjoy his music. Only grandma seems to be truly willing to let Penelope decide, and even then, it's not simple.

Penelope has tons of personality, and yet, is hesitant enough to make her very approachable and sympathetic. Her family offers  a wholesome foundation, and while she doesn't always agree with each member, the family goodness and care flows. Especially the grandma offers quirky fun with her independent attitude and will have readers wishing they could meet her, too. The author keeps the dog-finding realistic as Penelope doesn't find the right one immediately, and there's a big twist at the end on that end (when she finally finds her dog). The author also weaves in a little tolerance for others as Penelope wears an eye-patch a few hours each day to help strengthen her one eye. This weaves lightly into the plot but doesn't overtake it, either.

The text slides nicely in with those readers, who are sure of their words, and just want more practice with shorter reads. The vocabulary does promote a little word-building on the skills end. The chapters are kept short and the illustrations help show the scenes and add some fun.

It's an enjoyable read with a character to enjoy and opens up to many more adventures to come.

And here they are..

Katie Cotugno is the author of more than a dozen books for readers of all ages. She is also the co-author, with Candace Bushnell, of Rules for Being a Girl. Her books have been honored by the Junior Library Guild, the Bank Street Children’s Book Committee, and the Kentucky Association of School Librarians, among others, and translated into more than fifteen languages. Katie is a Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in The Iowa Review, the Mississippi Review, and Argestes, as well as many other literary magazines. She studied Writing, Literature and Publishing at Emerson College and received her MFA in fiction at Lesley University. She lives in Boston with her family.

Amy Jindra Hodgson is an illustrator from Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up, her parents read to her every night, and she fell in love with the art of storytelling and creativity. She knew at a young age that her imagination and love for the arts would lead her to the world of children's book illustration. Amy's creative inspiration is driven by her wonderful family, friends, and good sushi,

Happy Book Birthday, Just One Oak by Maria Gianferrari!

It's time to shoutout another book birthday! This one also fits wonderfully to this time of year as it heads out into nature, and in this case, takes a look at the life of a tree. At least, I'm assuming that these pages will explore all of the purposes or tasks that a single oak tree fulfills. I'm hoping for inviting illustrations and a hint of the joy of life. Oh, and cute creatures, too! 

Let's open this one up and see what it holds!

JUST ONE OAK

by Maria Gianferrari

Illustrated by Diana Sudyka

Beach Lane Books

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

Explore an oak tree, from its leafy crown to its roots underground, and learn all the amazing ways it supports the animals, plants, and habitat where it lives in this surprising and enlightening nonfiction picture book companion to the award-winning Fungi Grow.

An oak tree is so much more than meets the eye. From tiny fungi to mighty mammals, this amazing tree contains a whole world.

For insects and birds, the oak’s leaves, branches, and bark are a home. For bears and squirrels, the thousands of acorns the oak produces are a nutritious superfood. Owls, deer, foxes, and many more creatures are drawn to the rich and healthy environment an oak creates. Because of a single oak tree, its many neighbors flourish.

GOODREADS    /   PUBLISHER    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

The wonders of nature meet facts and animal recognition to form a well-balanced read.

These pages look at the life surrounding one oak tree with the broad variety of life surrounding it, its life-cycle, and more. Each two-page spread holds a scene created in watercolor, which showcases an oak tree, but more importantly, the creatures which are connected with it. From birds to worms to frogs and more, the massive variety is showcased in a lightly playful and, yet, identifiable way. For example, there are cicada nymphs nestled underground near the roots or a red fox stands patiently under the limbs, which provide shade. It's not only about season and the growth cycle (although both are covered to a certain extent) but goes beyond to show how busy and intertwined nature can be. 

The main text is written in flowing rhyme, which describes the portrayed scene and situation in a simple and enjoyable way. Combined with the lovely illustrations, this makes it an nice read-aloud for younger groups. In each illustrations, listeners/readers can discover various creatures, and the name for these is written in much smaller font. At the bottom, right corner of the spread is a short paragraph, which explains certain facts surrounding the scene with much more detail. This is thought for the older reader/adult and can be read directly to older listeners or used when explaining the information to younger ones. These information paragraphs go into everything from how many acorns an oak produces over its life to the formation of roots systems and more. This holds interesting tidbits and is sure to bring new information to even little tree experts.

But this isn't the end of the knowledge goodness as the last pages dive into more explanations (such as oak leaf shapes), how to sprout oak saplings, the tree's life cycle, and a list of other places to find more information. So, this can easily be used during an entire theme surrounding trees, nature, ecosystems, and the such.

It's a rich read, which not only works as an enjoyable, short read-aloud but can expand into so much more.

And here they are...

Maria Gianferrari is a picture book reader/writer, tea-drinker, dog-lover, and birdwatcher. Maria writes books that honor our bonds with creatures both domestic and wild and that celebrate the natural world around us, including Fungi Grow and Just One Oak, illustrated by Diana Sudyka; Ice Cycle: Poems about the Life of Ice, illustrated by Jieting Chen; Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness, illustrated by Pete Oswald; Bobcat Prowling, illustrated by Bagram Ibatouilline; and Be a Tree!, illustrated by Felicita Sala. She lives with her family in Massachusetts in a house encircled by trees. To learn more about Maria, visit her website: MariaGianferrari.com.

Diana Sudyka is a Chicago-based illustrator. Early on, she created screen-printed gig posters for musicians but currently her illustration work focuses on young adult, middle grade, and children’s books. She has illustrated several volumes of the award-winning book series The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart and Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley, as well as the picture books Would You Come Too? by Liz Garton Scanlon, Sometimes Rain by Meg Fleming, What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett, How to Find a Bird by Jennifer Ward, and Fungi Grow and Just One Oak by Maria Gianferrari. Visit her at DianaSudyka.com.