Do Not Disturb by Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock

 Today's read heads back into the nonfiction realm with a more modern direction for a problem, which seems to haunt many people in many age groups. But this read is tackling the universe; it's aimed at the middle grade readers out there. The problem? Cell phone usage.  Now, I'm always very careful when hitting 'message' books, since preachiness is always irritating and has to be done just right. Will this read accomplish that task with grace? 

Well, let's find out!

DO NOT DISTURB

How to Say No to Your Phone

by Brad Marshall &

Lindsay Hassock

Illustrated by Lauriane Bohemeir

Harry N. Abrams

Middle Grade Nonfiction

96 pages

ages 8 to 12

From psychologists Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock, Do Not Disturb is an empowering and practical guide to help teens and kids build a healthier relationships with their phones

In Do Not Disturb, Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock share cutting-edge insights on how young people can unplug from their phones. Readers will discover the effects that their phone has on their brain and body. They’ll find out how to create a relationship with their phone on their terms. They’ll even establish simple, healthy screen time habits that stick. This is a must-have resource that

Ten practical steps to help teens and children unplug from their phones A toolkit at the end of each step, providing accessible, practical techniques Advice from trusted psychologists who have spent two decades working with young people Full-color illustrations by Lauriane Bohémier Additional resources at the back of the book Practical, insightful, and never preachy, this book will help readers stop doomscrolling and start unplugging!

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With tips and hints as well as many well-laid explanations, these pages take a look at the impact constant cellphone usage can have on a teen's life.

With many small and cute illustrations dancing along with the text, this book hits a serious note while keeping a light atmosphere. Each chapter is only a few pages long and addresses an issue surrounding cellphone usage. These include everything from sleep quality to mood changes to online friendships and more. The text gets right to the point and takes on a conversational tone to give it a more natural flow. With well-crafted arguments and explanations, the problems behind heavy phone usage are explained with facts and examples. But the author doesn't forget to point out that cellphones also have their benefits when not abused.

Anyone who wants to explore the problems with cellphone usage and gain insights on how they can curb the time spent on the phone will find an enjoyable resource in these pages. The tips are easy to implement and make sense. Plus, many of the arguments don't hang in the negative direction, but rather point out how life could be even better. This keeps everything more on the positive side, and while still preachy, doesn't weigh down. I was missing author information and such, since this is missing from the book, and there isn't any other hint as to where the author gets the information from. As a nonfiction read, which offers help and advice, this would be essential, I would think. 

In any case, this is an enjoyable read which fulfills its purpose nicely and keeps the intended audience in mind the entire way through.

Halloween by Nancy Dickmann

Today's read is made for the Halloween season and even has the perfect title. It's part of a Celebrations & Festivals series, which makes me hope that it will hold all sorts of goodness. Maybe, there is even something to learn along the way.

Let's open it up and find out!

HALLOWEEN

Celebrations & Festivals

by Nancy Dickmann

Illustrated by Laura Borio

words & pictures

Picture Book

ages 5 to 7

Experience the Fun and Meaning of Halloween and How It’s Celebrated Across the Globe

It’s fall, and Luna is gearing up for a spook-tacular Halloween with her family and friends. Join them to discover more about how and why we celebrate this exciting holiday!

Get into the Halloween spirit with Celebrations & Halloween , a beautifully illustrated, narrative non-fiction picture book made for kids. This engaging and informative book takes young readers on a colorful journey through the history and significance of Halloween and other related festivals that share similar themes, all told with a gentle, kid-friendly voice.

Meet Luna, her little brother Oliver, their parents, their dog Rafferty, and their black cat, Midnight! Together, they get ready for a fun-filled Halloween by visiting a pumpkin patch, navigating a corn maze, and making spooky decorations for their home. Luna also has fun with her friends; carving jack-o’-lanterns, baking sweet treats, throwing a Halloween party with festive games, making costumes, going trunk-or-treating, and, of course, trick-or-treating on Halloween night!

Halloween doesn’t have to be too scary—this book helps kids who might be afraid understand and enjoy the traditions and symbols of Halloween so they can join in the fun too!

Follow relatable characters and their parents as they celebrate Halloween, spreading joy and fun throughout the community.

Discover the origins of Halloween and how it’s become the holiday we know today.

Create your own decorations and party pieces, like a pumpkin piñata and spooky cobwebs.

Try out a tasty recipe for banana ghost pops.

Enjoy 16 extra pages of non-fiction content, including quizzes and activities that bring the learning to life, encouraging kids to engage, create, and understand the cultural significance of Halloween and related festivals around the world.

Perfect for families, educators, and young readers, this book celebrates diversity, inclusion, and all the fun of Halloween.

Discover more with other titles in the amazing Celebrations & Festivals series!

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Halloween comes to life beginning with the preparations and heading all the way through the spooky holiday's celebrations.

Luna loves Fall and lets the reader accompany her as she and her family prepare for Halloween fun. From a pumpkin patch visit to select the perfect pumpkins to cutting out glow-in-the-dark bones, there's tons to do in preparation of the day. There are plenty of friends to help as the various traditions take them Truck-or-Treating, creating self-made haunted houses for parties, and more. At the end of the book, several pages explain the history behind Halloween, offer decoration ideas, and even provide recipes for a few treats, too.

Luna comes across as a friendly girl and speaks to the reader as she explains the various activities her family and friends do as they get ready for Halloween. All sorts of familiar tasks and traditions keep every page busy and give readers inspiration for their own preparations. Many of the activities will be familiar and some even bring a smile to the face (close your eyes and reach into a bowl of cold, slippery spaghetti). There's a bit more text than is found in many picture books, but it flows very naturally and makes each moment shine. This makes it a lovely read-aloud or a book to snuggle up with in smaller reading sessions. The illustrations offer many details and keep the enjoyable atmosphere clear the entire way through. 

The last pages offered more information than I expected they would. These are more fitting for the adult readers (due to the text), but offer great tidbits and activity suggestions, which can be easily be done. While the history behind Halloween is interesting, the DIY ideas are easy and use many easy to obtain items. There's even a Q&A at the end for anyone wanting to make sure readers understood the material.

It's a lovely book to bring in the Halloween season.

And here they are...

Nancy Dickmann grew up in the USA, where she played baseball, ate hot dogs, and read encyclopedias for fun. She has now lived in England long enough to think that cold and rain are normal, but still has yet to try Morris dancing. Before becoming an author, she worked as an editor and publisher of children’s books. Now, with Pushkin the Three-Legged Wonder Cat as her trusty assistant (in charge of lap-sitting), she writes books on a wide range of topics, including animals, space, history, health, and explorers. The highlight of her career so far has been getting to interview a real astronaut to find out how they use the toilet in space!

Laura Borio was born in Turin, Italy, in 1986. The moment her parents put colored pencils in her hands, she decided to try them on the kitchen walls. And she hasn’t stopped drawing since. In 2008, Laura attended a comic book illustration course that changed her life, opened her mind, and propelled her down the career path of a children’s book illustrator.

The Tale of the Vanishing Circus by Kayla Cottingham

 We're only a few days away from Halloween. So of course, it's time for another fitting read. This is the third book in a series directed toward Tween readers, those between 10 and 14 years of age. I'm getting Goosebump Vibes but with a darker direction. I picked it up simply because circuses make great setting for all sorts of tales, and I haven't seen one in awhile. 

Anyway, let's open this one up and see how scary it is!

Also, it's Monday, which means it's time for the weekly MMGM list. Middle grade literature fans and knowers get together to give their recommendations for the weeks or other thoughts on the middle grade realm. So, if you're looking for reads for this age group, head on over HERE and see what's what on that front!

THE TALE OF THE VANISHING CIRCUS

Are You Afraid of the Dark? #3

by Kayla Cottingham

Amulet Books

Tween Horror

240 pages

ages 10 to 14

COMING...

NOVEMBER 25th!!!

The third spine-chilling book set in the world of Nickelodeon’s hit TV show Are You Afraid of the Dark? written by NYT-bestelling author Kayla Cottingham! Thirteen-year-old Riley Beasley is focused on her future—especially her goal of leaving the small town of Lake Glory to attend an Ivy League school. It’s a lot of pressure, and her mom’s reminders to live in the moment only make her feel more misunderstood. Even Riley’s best friend, paranormal-obsessed Genna, just doesn’t get it.
 
On the night of the Blood Moon, Genna convinces Riley to sneak out and investigate some strange lights that beckon from the woods. There the two friends discover a mysterious circus and its teenage ringleader, Starr.
 
At first, both girls are drawn to the magic of the big top. But soon, they can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t quite right. Where did all these circus kids come from? Why aren't there any adults around? Like anyone, Starr certainly has her secrets . . . but can she be trusted?
 
As the girls become more entrenched in Starr’s hypnotic world, their friendship faces the ultimate test. Will they be best friends forever? Or will the sinister truth tear them apart?

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

A magical circus lets possibilities open up and dreams soar, but the truth hidden in the shadows adds a creepy twist.

Riley is determined to win enough scholarships to attend her favorite college, but her best friend, Genna, doesn't always seem to understand why Riley has to constantly study. Instead, Genna loves all things paranormal and wishes Riley would give her just a little bit of her time. When strange lights appear in the forest, Riley finally agrees to sneak out of the house and meets Genna by an old tree, so they can investigate it. When they find a circus and a friendly boy, who leads them from one fun booth to another, they can't believe their luck. But slowly things are getting strange.

The circus comes to life in these pages with tons of excitement and fun. The girls, especially Riley, find themselves drawn in by the playful atmosphere. Everything is free...and that alone will have readers dreaming they could join in on the fun. And there is quite a bit to enjoy. While this is a spooky tale, it doesn't start that way, nor does it get creepy quick. Instead, the author carefully leads the reader into the world of fun and only dribbles in a dab of eeriness, little by little. The oddities increase, and the spook-factor tiptoes in gently. Instead of creepiness pure, readers watch as Riley's and Genna's personalities change, and this is probably the bigger part of the plot twist. The circus feeds on this in all the right ways as the danger grows and tension builds.

When I first saw this book, it reminded me of the Goosebumps series, and I'm going to stick with that comparison after finishing it. This isn't an over-the-top-book-of-scares but lets the oddness sink in with twists and turns, keeping the true danger in the shadows until the end nears. Even then, it stays in middle grade bounds. Much of the read spends time on the friendship between Riley and Genna, and their own, personal self-discoveries. I'd recommend it as a solid middle grade read, since older readers will,  most likely, want more depth and darker twists. But those who love a light, creepy read with a few thrills and chills are going to enjoy this one quite a bit.

And here she is...

Kayla Cottingham is a YA author and librarian. Her first book, My Dearest Darkest, was a New York Times and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller. Originally from Salt Lake City, Cottingham lives in Boston where she loves to go hiking in the woods, play RPGs, and snuggle on the couch with her ridiculously large black cat, Squid.

The Clean-Up Monster by Eleni Tassopoulos Wehner

Today's read swings back into the monsterly direction....well, sort of.  When I saw the title, I had to add it to my Halloween line-up, simply because it says 'monster'. I have no doubt, however, that this one doesn't use this word in the same sense as is usually worked into Halloween. Rather, I bet it will be used in a fun direction. I wove the term 'monster' into life myself, when my kids were younger,  to add humor to some situations. For example, brussel sprouts were called 'monster heads'. Believe it or not, my kids loved to eat them, then. Go figure. So, I'm wondering if the author does this same sort of twist.

But let's take a peek and find out, shall we?

THE CLEAN-UP MONSTER

(Roscoe & Ivy)

by Eleni Tassopoulos Wehner

Illustrated by Danamarie Hosler

Barefoot Books

Board Book

20 pages

ages 2 to 4

COMING NOVEMBER 4th!!!

Come along with Roscoe & Ivy as they face a big mess. 

It’s time for Roscoe and Ivy to clean up! But when they look at the task in front of them, there is just NO WAY they can do it. The toys are jumbled and the dough is mixed up. They don’t even know where to start! Roscoe and Ivy must work as a team to tidy the room, even when they discover their clean up methods are different. If they do a good job, they might just catch a glimpse of the Clean-Up Monster… 
 

• Roscoe & Ivy series focuses on the daily life of a neurodivergent family 
• Created by neurodivergent author and illustrator drawing from their own lived experiences 
• Endnotes offer gentle guidance on tackling big tasks 

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Cleaning up can seem overwhelming, but these pages give thoughts on how to make it work.

Roscoe and Ivy have had fun playing all afternoon, but now, it's time to clean-up. The task seems impossible with everything mixed together, and different colors of clays scattered here and there, too. With step one getting the cars into their box completed, the clay is next, but while one just shoves the clay back into the colored containers without thought, the other can't stand not having it match the colors on the lids. Both characters have their sticking points as the clean-up continues. Will the clean-up monster ever get a chance to do it's duty, too?

This is a short, easy read, which tackles a very familiar situation. While this book concentrates on neurodivergent characters and their special focus points, any child will know the problem of trying to tackle such a huge task. Step-by-step, the two get through but not without a few rubbing points along the way. It gives readers hints on how they can approach such tasks themselves and how to handle each other's concerns.

The illustrations are simple and bring across each scene with the focus, where it needs to be. The characters come across with kindness, even when things don't run smoothly, and the illustrations bring this across well. The way to approach things is also visually clear to help out those, who still aren't ready to read on their own. The text, however, is short and concise, which is great for the younger audience level. I did pick up a DRC and found that several words were scattered in hard to read areas and am assuming that this is something that will be worked out by the time the release date hits. Also, the cleaning monster hits rather quick (shorter than I thought considering the title), but does its duty well and adds a hint of fun.

At the very end, there are two pages of short hints to help massive clean-up jobs seem more do-able, and these are easy to use as well as helpful.

And here they are...

Eleni Tassopoulos Wehner discovered that typical caregiving strategies did not work for her neurodivergent family. With some creativity, patience and adjusted expectations, she developed methods that any child or caregiver can use. Eleni lives in St. Louis, MO with her husband, Greg, and their kids, Chrysanthi, James, and Andreas. She loves bunnies, thrift stores, and glitter gel pens.

Danamarie Hosler is an autistic illustrator, fiber artist, and muralist based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Her work is based around the idea that art should be accessible to all people, in all forms, and she considers her work to be equal parts art, education, and advocacy. In those rare moments when she’s not making art, you can find her perfecting her macarons and croissants, or bird watching.

Journey into the Past by Andrei Goanță

Today's read is part of a series, and it was the cover, which first grabbed my attention. It reminds me more of the invitation to a fantasy packed movie...and that's not a bad thing. Plus the owl looks like it will be quite the character, don't you think? This plot should play with libraries and time travel, which sounds like a possibly amazing mix to me. I do hope it keeps the pages turning and holds more than a little imagination.

So, let's find out if this read is as fun as it looks!

JOURNEY INTO THE PAST

The Library of Lost Dreams

by Andrei Goanță

Middle Grade Fantasy

78 pages

ages 8 to 18

Hey, you! Yes, you. The one looking at this screen. Back for another adventure?
I knew you had courage. But I might have lied before. This story is about broccoli. And maybe, just maybe, a little bit about magic.

Just when Dahlia thought the Library of Lost Dreams was safe, a new enemy emerges, one that makes old shadows look like fluffy kittens. The Memory Thief, does not just steal dreams. He erases memories, draining the world of its color and laughter until only an empty silence remains.

When a magical experiment backfires, Dahlia is hurled hundreds of years into the past. Stranded in a time not her own, her only way home is to confront this rising shadow before he becomes the monster of her future. To defeat him, she must dive into a forgotten history of ambition, betrayal, and heartbreaking regret. As she pieces together the puzzle of a fallen Keeper, she will discover that even the brightest guardians of magic can be twisted into nightmares.

Are you ready to travel through time, solve a puzzle of ancient sorrows, and learn the one secret name that could save everything from being erased forever?

(P.S. The Keeper's apprentice is joining the quest. She has more energy than a candy factory explosion. I am still not sure if that is a good thing.)

GOODREADS      /      AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Fantasy and imagination sparkle on every page with an exciting adventure to grab until the end.

Dahlia finds herself, suddenly, in the past. A familiar face is there, but this owl of the past hasn't met her, yet. Luckily, time travel and magic aren't anything new to the library, and the current guardian knows fairly quickly, who she is. Knowing that she might be able to solve one of their problems, he asks her to heal dreams, but it turns out that the problem isn't that simple. Instead, a memory thief is wrecking havoc, and she's the only one that can stop it. 

This is an exciting tale from beginning to end, which keeps the pacing high the entire way through. It is created in a slightly larger text, making it easy to read, and the amount of words on each page also don't weigh down. Add the shorter length of the entire book, and it works great for anyone, who simply wants to dive into a quick tale. The imagination holds a playful touch, which invites to dreams and creates an enjoyable world. This works nicely to counter-balance the monster and less joyful themes she runs up against, giving the tale its fun tone. It fits well to the age group, and I'd recommend it even for slightly younger readers. The action stays in control, leaving less room for depth, and this fits nicely to that age group. 

The illustrations make this read a real treat. Each page is decorated in the corners with golden weaves, while bright, colorful illustrations mark almost every page. These draw in and bring the world to life. It's fun to stop and simply gaze at each one. 

This is a fun tale with tons of room to explore more, and I'm looking forward to seeing where Dahlia and her adventures will take her next.

And here he is...

Andrei Goanta is a children's author who discovered his passion for writing and illustrating books, inspired by his family and the magical moments of everyday life. He uses a unique blend of classic storytelling and digital artistry to bring his enchanting worlds to life, feeling his creative voice evolve with each new book.

His main focus is the "Library of Lost Dreams" series. The adventure is now richer than ever, beginning with the Special Expanded Edition of Book 1, "The Library of Lost Dreams," and continuing with the newly released Special Expanded Edition of Book 2, "Journey into the Past." The classic edition of Book 3, "Journey into the Future," is also available.

With the new edition of Book 2 now complete, his attention has turned to giving Book 3, "Journey into the Future," the same magical upgrade. Next, he will begin crafting the final and most thrilling volume of the saga: Book 4, "Parallel World."

Want to keep up with his upcoming releases and get sneak peeks of his new storytelling adventures? Be sure to follow him on his author journey!