What's Coming in June?

June? Are we really that far into the year already? So much has been going on, it's hard to keep track of time...at least, that's how it's been at our little spot of the world. Are you also surprised that we're about halfway through the year?

This month, I have a vast array of reads. It starts with a couple focused on the World Cup, but then slides into mystery, nonfiction, some romance...oh, and I'm seeing several books featuring dogs. So, a dog month! There are darker tones to wrap up the last days before July hits. While May leaned toward chapter books and middle grade reads, June seems to slide a little older toward middle grade and young adult. Quite a few of both, actually. Of course, there are plenty of picture books and chapter books, since I need lighter reads between the heavier, longer ones to help keep my schedule of a review a day, but this month definitely leans toward the older reading end. Here's a short glance at what I've got and when I'm hoping to get to some of them.

LIONEL MESSI'S WORLD CUP TRIUMPH

With the World Cup taking place here in the U.S., it'd be wrong not to jump in with, at least, a little celebration. While I'm not a sports girl, it's still fun to dive into these reads and learn something new. I'm hoping this one packs as much excitement as it does information. I'll be visiting this and a few other soccer reads on the 2nd and 3rd of the month.

Middle Grade Sports

CHANEL & MILO

This is the first in a new series for the younger readers out there and centers around two dogs' adventures. I'm hoping it carries tons of heart and situations to enjoy. I'm thinking it will slide more in the wholesome direction, but we'll find out on the 4th.

Picture Book

TUCK AND TINA: DINOSAUR THEIF

I'm pretty sure I've read one from this series before. Mostly sure (I'm too lazy, at the moment, to go back and check). I'm expecting adventure and humor with all sorts of ridiculousness surrounding these two mice. Maybe a little mystery, too, because that's always nice. I believe...again, not sure...that it's a graphic novel, but it might not be. I guess I'll uncover all of these mysteries when I visit this one on the 18th.

Beginning Reader

DOG DAYS

As said above, I have several books featuring dogs this month, and this is one of them. Between the title and the cover, I'm expecting some quirky adventures with a golden pair of friends, who are up to all sorts of mischief. I'm hoping it's silliness pure and brings more than a few laughs with just a touch of heart. We'll find out more on the 10th.

Picture Book

THEY MADE US BLOOD AND FURY

This read is the first in a brand new series and heads into a fantasy direction and circles around a world of clans...or a dying clan. There's magic involved, ulterior motives, secrets, and the struggle to release a secret weapon which isn't what those who want to be saved believe it is. I'm hoping for quite the adventure since this one has been receiving a little bit of hype. Find out if it's one to get lost in or not with me on the 13th.

Young Adult Fantasy

A DANGEROUS GAME

Anyone remember The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell? This read slides in that direction and takes a retelling into the world of a teen. It promises tension pure and extreme danger, obviously. But what I especially like about this one is that it's part of Orca's list of low-reading level books aimed at those teens, who usually don't like to read. So, it's short, easy, and should pack all the tension of a full-fledged novel. Join me on the 17th to dive into this deadly game.

Young Adult Thriller

THE CHIME SEEKERS

It appears that this series hit the shelves a few years ago, and I missed it. But better late than never! I'm curious to see where this adventure goes but it should include fairies, other realms, adventure, and more. Maybe, some of you have already read it? If so, let me know how it is! I'll be opening it up and diving in on the 22nd.

Middle Grade Fantasy

ONCE THEY SEE YOU

This is a collection of 13 short stories for middle grade readers and each one should send spooky tingles up the spine. I find the title already creepy, and the cover with the odd characters in the pupil promises all sorts of imaginative moments. Honestly, I'm hoping this is the type of book for campouts, slumber parties, or evening thrills. After all, who doesn't love a good spook tale? We'll see if this book brings the right goosebumps or not on the 24th.

Middle Grade Horror

WHO KNOWS THE WAY TO MR GRIMLY'S CLASSROOM?

While I, at first, thought this was a read about the first day of school, it appears to be something much more adventurous. There should be surprises, spooks, odd moments, and more. Find out if this one is as fun as I hope it is on the 26th.

Picture Book

THROUGH THE BLACK GATE

This fantasy read for middle graders takes the characters on a trip to the land of the dead. I'm not sure if it will be tense or carry lighter tones...or maybe, a lovely mix between the two. It is a graphic novel, so I'm excited to see the visuals and really dive into this one. I'll find out more and it share it with you on the 29th.

Middle Grade Fantasy  /  Graphic Novel

Too many books and so little time. This is a phrase, which describes my reading world nicely, and also my book pile. Every month, there are more books waiting to be reviewed than there are days in the schedule. Since changes always happen in the publishing and reviewing world, I will be sliding in some unexpected reads at some point. That's where my joker read comes in. This is the book on the top of my pile, which I'm almost positive I'll get to. I just don't know when.

FIRESNAKE

I'm playing a little game of risk with this read, since it's the final book in the The Last Cuentista series, and I've haven't read the other three books before it. But it sounds so interesting! And I don't have time to hit the other three first, so I'm going to hope it's not too hard to sink into the characters (good books can pull that off, anyway). It also allows me to see how exciting everything ends and whether it carries heart. I also have reason to believe that this one might slide a bit about the usual, young adult level and maybe be more adult-ish. But we shall see. I just don't know when.

Young Adult Science Fiction

The Prince and the Monster by Alisa Tikhova

Today's read is the first in a series and aims at younger readers. I adore the cover image, since it opens up to all sorts of possibilities. There's also the promise of lovely illustrations, which I'm always a fan of. The only way to see if it's worth a read or not is to open it up and find out. So, let's do that!

THE PRINCE AND THE MONSTER

by Alisa Tikhova

Children's Fantasy

32 pages

ages 5 to 9

A gentle children’s fairy tale for ages 5–9 about courage, empathy, and the power of kindness.
While exploring the forest, a young Prince discovers something unexpected — a Monster living alone in an old castle.
Not angry.
Not cruel.
But tired and lonely.

The Prince and the Monster is a beautifully illustrated picture book that helps children understand forgiveness, friendship, and the courage to stay when things feel uncertain.

As the Prince listens to the Monster’s story, he learns that the creature was once a king who made a painful mistake — and has lived with the consequences ever since.
Instead of running away, the Prince makes a brave choice.
He stays.

This story gently teaches:
• empathy and compassion
• courage to face the unknown
• forgiveness and second chances
• the importance of loyalty and friendship

Perfect for:
• bedtime reading
• thoughtful conversations about kindness
• children who enjoy meaningful fairy tales
• parents looking for emotional learning stories

A tender fairy tale about friendship, redemption, and the quiet strength of choosing kindness.
Book 2 in the Prince Universe series — stories that help children grow through kindness, courage, and empathy.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Perfect for story time, this read glides through a fantasy kingdom with wholesome goodness and messages about forgiveness, friendship and more.

The tale centers around a small prince, who has a very gentle attitude toward life and curiosity to explore the world around him. When he runs into a monster, he takes the time to learn that there's a huge tale behind it. The little prince might be able to help the monster figure things out, too.

An inviting, fantasy world unfolds in these pages with a prince to sympathize with and like. There's a very positive atmosphere right away, which is displayed beautifully in the illustrations. The story has a calm feel to it but holds enough excitement to make it interesting. The problems the monster has are no problem to understand, and the Prince's reactions and decisions carry goodness and heart. It's a wholesome read, which brings across the fantasy aspect in a way to invite to dreams.

The illustrations, as said, are nicely done. They present each scene with detail to bring the world to life, make emotions clear, raise curiosity, and accompany the tale smoothly. The text fits the age group and stays concise to balance well with the images and uses short phrases for emphasis. 

It's a lovely read aloud with wonderful messages and also introduces a fantasy world fitting to the age group.

And here she is...

Alisa Tikhova is a Ukrainian children’s author based in the Netherlands. She writes gentle, emotionally rich fairy tales that help children understand feelings, develop emotional resilience, and grow with empathy.

Her debut picture book, The Prince and the Shadow, is a children’s story about loneliness, emotional safety, and inner strength for ages 4–7.

Alisa is the creator of the Prince Universe series — a growing collection of meaningful bedtime stories about courage, kindness, and learning to live peacefully with one’s inner world.

https://prince.alisatikhova.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alisa.tikhova/  @alisa.tikhova

The No-Brainer Brain Explainer by Crab Museum

We're heading into the nonfiction realm with today's read and taking a peek at brains. No, zombies are not invited (for some reason, that was one of the first things I thought about). I found the cover very unique, and I can't remember ever picking up a book specifically about brains before. According to the blurb, this one should expand past humans and take a peek at the animal kingdom. I'm hoping that this will bring all sorts of fun facts with it, since there are so many possibilities on this front. 

Let's see where these brains lead us!

THE NO-BRAINER BRAIN EXPLAINER

by The Crab Museum

Illustrated by Bruno Valasse

Wide Eyed Editions

Children's Nonfiction

64 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING JUNE 9th!!!

Welcome to the Crab Museum's guide to the incredible living machine that is the brain!

Through unbelievable facts and hilarious jokes, The No-Brainer Brain Explainer explores the smallest, biggest, toughest, foldiest, brainiest brains in the animal kingdom.

Take a tour through the imagination of dung beetles, marvel at cockroach brains that are spread all throughout their body, and meet octopuses with their nine brains. Discover the brains behind massive insect colonies, flocking birds and intelligent fungal networks, and of course, the smartest brain of all, according to itself: yours! You'll also uncover:

• What brains are made of and why they're important
• Where to find your second brain
• How brains help us time travel
• The fruitfly brain, the most well-studied brain ever
• The evolution of brains
• What makes a brain 'intelligent'
• The limits of brains, like confusion, phobias and mental wellbeing
• Much, much more...

Accompanied throughout by quirky illustrations, this book asks BIG questions about consciousness, types of intelligence, language, co-operation and other brainy topics, perfect for any young scientist, animal lover or just plain brainiac.

Need your brain explained? This is a no-brainer!

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

With a cast to delight, these pages run through all sorts of aspects surrounding brains and take a look at the vast possibilities brains have to offer.

This book is about brains. Obviously. I'll admit that the first pages had me raising my eyebrows, but after I sunk into the humor and things got rolling, I was completely immersed. The humor is quirky with tons of spunk...to the point that it almost feels chaotic, but it adds zest, and it works. While the illustrations are bright, energetic, and full of commotion, the information delivered is interesting, descriptive, and well done. All of it together hooks in a way, which makes it fun to discover what's next.

Starting off with some brain basics which explain neurons, the cerebral cortex, chemicals, and the like, the pages shift into the various attributes different creatures have thanks to their brains. From the electric eel to octopus dreams to elephant memories, these pages slide through all sorts of capabilities various creatures have and how their brains pull this off. The illustrations, while packing tons of nonsense and humor, also support the explanations in a way which makes them understandable. 

While the humor flies in the illustrations as the characters taunt each other and make silly comments, this dialogue easily stays separate from the main text. The main text sticks to strict paragraph form and usual font to immediately make it stick out from the rest of the page. I was surprised at how small this font is in comparison to everything else, but it works. The information is brought across with interesting personality, keeping a light atmosphere while making the explanations clear and understandable. Plus, there is something for almost everyone to learn....it's the first time I've heard anything about the special attributes of a woodpecker's brain. 

This is for readers who enjoy chaotic, silly fun while learning interesting facts. There's a lot of information packed into these pages and much of it includes lesser known things. This book is sold for ages 6 to 9, but I see this as going over many of their heads and would strongly recommend this one for the older, middle grade audience.

And here they are...

Crab Museum, Margate, UK, is run by Ned, Bertie, and Chase, but more importantly, it is Europe's first and only museum dedicated to the humble decapod. Crabs are a sideways-scuttling guide not just to the history of life on Earth, but also its future—from capitalism to climate change, there's nothing that can't be understood through the lens of these fascinating crustaceans. With inventive exhibits that combine humor, science, and philosophy, the award-winning Crab Museum pursues the noble claws of seeking to understand the natural world, and through it, ourselves.

Bruno Valasse has been designing, drawing, and making books, covers, posters, and illustrations for over 10 years, working with clients such as Tundra, Storey, the Mexican Film Academy, Penguin Random House, Santillana, Ediciones Castillo / Macmillan, Harper Collins and the Centro Cultural de España MX. He recently graduated from the Children’s Books Illustration MA at the Cambridge School of Arts, ARU. Bruno's first book, Shine, was released in 2024.

Finnik the Furious by Josh Ulrich

It's time for some adventure and fun, don't you think? Today's read should head in that direction with a caveman twist. Or at least, that's the vibe I'm getting. This book is all about a young monster hunter, who is stuck at home babysitting. Always. Telling by the cover, this won't be a boring babysitting experience, either.

Time to open it up and see what the monsters are up to and how this little guy is going to survive.

FINNIK THE FURIOUS

An Original Graphic Novel

by Josh Ulrich

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy  /  Graphic Novel

176 pages

ages 9 to 12

COMING JUNE 2nd!!!

A ten-year-old caveman and his baby sister take on monsters, mayhem, and unexpected responsibility in this laugh-out-loud graphic novel for kids!

What’s tougher than slaying monsters? Keeping your baby sister alive to tell the tale. 

Ten-year-old Finnik dreams of becoming a legendary monster hunter like his parents. But when he’s told to stay behind and watch his baby sister, Finnik finds a clever loophole: why not do both? 

With baby sister Tina strapped to his back, Finnik sets off on a prehistoric quest full of hungry beasts, epic battles, and unexpected dangers. The plan goes well . . . until a monster snatches Tina away! Finnik must discover the truth about what it really means to be legendary, and that heroes protect the people they love, no matter what. 

A laugh-out-loud adventure comic full of prehistoric peril, sibling chaos, and unexpected heroism, for fans of Barb the Last Berzerker, Cat Ninja, and Lucy & Andy Neanderthal.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

One mistake turns into an epic adventure with little chance to breathe the entire way through.

Finnik is ten, definitely old enough to join his parents as they hunt monsters. But instead of joining them, they claim he isn't ready yet and stick him on eternal baby-sitting duty. When Finnik notices a small monster stealing their food and his parents are distracted with other things, he decides to stop that beast on his own. After all, it isn't big. Of course, he takes his baby sister with him because he doesn't need another lecture about leaving her alone. And he almost gets the beast...until a giant Crusher swoops in. Now, it's a race for survival.

This is a very adventurous read which keeps the tension going as soon as the huge Crusher monster sweeps in. First though, the author sets the stage with a Finnik, whose frustration is very easy to understand. Plus, his love for his sister is obvious, even if he grumbles the entire time. It makes him very easy to root for and hope that both make it through to the end. After all, his baby sister is adorable, too. The parents are also very loving, although they make mistakes, but the fevering desire to keep their kids safe also has the reader on the edge of their seat, hoping the parents make it in time. So, there's a lot of warmth and goodness flowing beneath the exciting action. And there is plenty of action as Finnik manages to get into one sticky situation after the other.

The graphics slide in an earthier color tone foundation to give a nice, caveman aura. Still, the monsters and details pops with color to keep everything far from dreary. The images give the action and danger an extra boost, making it hard to put this read down until the very end. The text stays concise to give exactly what's needed to make each scene clear and add personality. It fits the age group nicely and creates an easy read, which even reluctant readers are sure to enjoy. 

This is action pure with a lovely amount of family care to cushion the danger and add a wholesome touch. The ending leaves a bit sudden with the last scene, but this also promises tons more action to come. And Finnik is a character, which is sure to face crazy situations in the future as well.

And here he is...

Josh Ulrich has been creating comics from Jacksonville, Florida since 2007. His passion for storytelling began in high school and developed into a love for making graphic novels in college. Josh's publishing credits include his graphic novel series Jackie Rose and Newman which have both been published by NAVER Webtoon. His work is usually geared towards adventure and horror, driven by funny and lovable characters. Apart from comics, Josh loves fishing, kayaking, horror movies, and painting miniature, fantasy, army men, women, and monsters. 

Santiago and Great Bear by Lisa Johnston Hancock

I'm a bit late, today, but I didn't want the day to end without sharing another read. This one is very fitting for the evening hours, so maybe, this later posting is ideal.

Out here on the farm, it's even possible to see the Milky Way during certain times of the year. We do enjoy star-gazing, every now and then, and each time, it's amazing. Today's read heads right into the wonder of stars and should include friendship and a little imagination. I'm curious to see how to is. So let's open up that cover and find out!

SANTIAGO AND GREAT BEAR

A Friendship Written in the Stars

by Lisa Johnston Hancock

Free Spirit Publishing

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING JUNE 30th!!!

Under the shifting phases of the moon, Santiago and Great Bear become friends.

In the city, Santiago was used to crowds of people and glowing lights. But when his family moves to the quiet countryside, with its vast, starry sky, he feels small and alone. Santiago makes a wish on the only constellation he knows. To his amazement, Great Bear falls from the sky to keep him company. But when the new moon arrives, Santiago must help his new friend return to the stars. Though saying goodbye is hard, Santiago discovers that every ending makes room for a new beginning—and maybe even a new friend close to home.

Blending lyrical storytelling with astronomy and themes of hope, friendship, and confidence Santiago and Great Bear sparks children’s creativity and offers comfort and inspiration to children navigating big changes. With additional information on constellations and phases of the moon at the back, the book engages children’s curiosity about the moon and stars and also fits well with STEM units focused on the night sky.

Santiago and Great Bear:

Tells a sweet and inspiring story of a boy who befriends Ursa Major
Portrays accurate constellations and moon phases
Offers comfort and hope to children moving to new places
Explores themes of friendship, kindness, and responsibility

Poetic, tender, and filled with wonder, Santiago and Great Bear invites children to look up at the night sky—and to being open to new opportunities in every change.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

A gentle story melds with the wonder of star-gazing and the night sky to create a magical read.

Santiago is lonely. His family has moved to a new town, far away from his friends, and he still hasn't met new ones. One night, he heads outside and see the stars above. Recognizing the only constellation he knows, he makes the wish to find a friend on the Great Bear stars. A few nights go by, and as the moon goes through its phases, Santiago sees less and less stars, but then, a wonder occurs.

This is a calming, gentle tale, which lures in with longing, a touch of magic, and star knowledge, too. The sadness at moving away from friends and not knowing any one new is something that many readers can easily identify with or, at least, understand. As Santiago gazes sadly at the stars, it's hard not to feel for him. When the magic hits, it carries a whimsical touch and switch the mood completely. The end rounds off with a message surrounding friendship to leave a wholesome atmosphere. Then, there are several pages, which dive into constellation facts, moon phases, and more. So, it's a well rounded read which invites readers to star gaze and pay closer attention to the changing, night sky.

The entire tale flows with lyrical grace but keeps the text short and lets the illustrations carry much of the tale too. The illustrations are lovely and draw in with each scene. Some carry longing, some smiles and giggles, and others open up the wonder of the night sky. It makes a nice read-aloud for group and individual settings. It also works nicely as a bedtime read or even as a step into a theme surrounding constellations and moon phases. 

Channeling Marilyn by Mima Tipper

When I got my hands on today's read, I smiled. It's a paranormal tale which circles around a girl, who has Marilyn Monroe's spirit move into her. I'm not sure what exactly that means or what direction this will take, but according to the blurb, the situation will lean towards humor and heart. I'm wondering how deep this possession will go and have a feeling it could wreck all sorts of havoc in high school life. Honestly, there are many personalities from history, which could make the high school eve more interesting than it already is. My imagination is switching into hyper-drive just thinking about the possibilities.

I'm going to keep my imagination from wandering...Genghis Khan... as said, keep my thoughts centered on Marilyn Monroe and head into these pages.

CHANNELING MARILYN

by Mima Tipper

She Writes Press

YA Paranormal Romance

303 pages

COMING JUNE 2nd!!!

Seventeen-year-old Lexa Donovan’s timid, plus-size life goes sideways when the spirit of Marilyn Monroe takes up residence in her body in this laugh-out-loud funny paranormal YA tale perfect for fans of Lisa Schroeder and Ashley Poston.

High school senior Lexa Donovan longs to be more than a bit player in her own drab life—and when she’s chosen to be part of her school’s spring production of Bus Stop, she thinks her wish has come true. But her thrill turns to panic when she’s tapped to play the leading role, sexy showgirl Cherie. One thing tall, plus-size Lexa knows for sure is that she is the exact opposite of the most famous Cherie sex-goddess Marilyn Monroe.

Lexa wants out before she makes a fool of herself in front of everyone. But then something entirely unexpected The spirit of Marilyn Monroe appears—ready and willing to be Lexa’s personal acting coach—and talks her out of quitting. 

Soon, Lexa’s life becomes a screwball comedy, with her bouncing between Marilyn’s acting “help,” her crush on her gorgeous co-star Brian, and her unexpected attraction to the mysterious Jeremy Leith. Comedy shifts to drama, though, as Lexa’s fear of humiliation—fueled by Brian’s jealous girlfriend—morphs into full-on stage fright. A fright that grows dangerously intense when Marilyn starts having decidedly un-spiritish feelings that have nothing to do with Lexa or the play.

Before the curtain rises on opening night, Lexa and Marilyn will have to learn to trust their own hearts and act on what each truly needs to move on—in life and in death. 

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

High school drama hits a new level with a sweet, humorous delight in a way which leaves one word on the lips, 'creamy'.

Lexa did something she never, ever should have done and is hating herself for being so stupidly spontaneous, but she never could have guessed that tossing her name into a jar would end up with her playing the main role in the upcoming school's play. Worse yet, the script gained fame thanks to Marilyn Monroe's historic performance, and Lexa is nothing like her. Absolutely nothing. To stop disaster before it strikes, she goes to the teacher to drop out of the play, but this escape is thwarted when Marilyn Monroe appears inside Lexa's head. Whether she's a spirit or Lexa loosing her mind is still to be determined, but either way, it's not only dealing with the constant chatter inside her head, which begins to make Lexa's life difficult. Whenever Marilyn takes over, Lexa does the most unexpected things. Add that the guy Lexa has had a crush on forever has the leading male role, a unavoidable kiss scene, and a very jealous girlfriend, and this play is headed to become more than just a simple disaster.

This is a read, which leaves a smile on the face, warmth in the heart, and a head full of possibilities. And while this is a romance, there is so much more driving the plot than just starry-eyed moments and stomach tingles. Lexa is a girl, who like almost everyone, isn't sure of where she's headed, what she wants, or even who she is and would like to be. But she has tons of heart and is as sweet as sweet can be. We meet her as a person, who isn't really uncomfortable in her own skin and has a wonderful support group in a loving father and best friend. She isn't bullied or an outcast (which is a nice change) and while she has dreams, she's already settled herself with a future that doesn't include these and is fine with that. Being shoved into the lead role in the play thrusts hidden uncertainties and self-imaging problems to the forefront, and her fears and feelings are understandable. In other words, she very easy to connect with and doesn't really make 'stupid' decisions. So, having Marylin enter her head adds zesty spice to throw everything off balance and creates fun humor without a dash of negativity. The romance also remains on a very innocent scale and simply adds to the growing chaos in the right ways.

I'm not a Marylin Monroe guru, so I can't really say too much about this aspect of the read. The author brings her across with kindness, uncertainty, more wisdom than is first obvious, and a bit of naive and unintentional chaos. For a while, I wondered if it would slide into a little mystery surrounding her death, but it stayed in Lexa's realm. There's an inspiring message about doing something a little unexpected now and then, and trusting yourself to go beyond your own borders. In other words, it's a fun, innocent read with silly predicaments, dreams, and enough heart to make it feel like a warm embrace.

And here she is...

Mima Tipper is half Greek and half American, and her writing reflects her heritage—a little bit old-country, a little bit rock and roll; one foot wandering through the dreamy realm of myths and faerie tales, the other running on the solid ground of fast-paced, contemporary story. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and has published YA fiction in Hunger Mountain and Sucker Literary magazine. When not working on her own writing, she is committed to promoting literacy and to supporting the writing community. Mima lives in Vermont.