What's Going on in New Findville? by Štěpánka Sekaninová

While reading tales is fun and learning all about the world around can be very interesting, the joy of solving puzzles and studying images can't be forgotten. Today's read should offer quiet a bit of searching and finding excitement. This read hits the shelves in about a week and presents a bustling town. It is on the shorter side with only 18 pages, but I'm hoping the searching goodness makes this a read to enjoy for more than a few minutes.

Let's open it up and see what these buildings and streets hold!

WHAT'S GOING ON IN NEW FINDVILLE?

Search and Explore

by Štěpánka Sekaninová

and Gabriela Hloz

Albatros Media

Children's Puzzles

18 pages

ages  6 to 9

COMING JUNE 23rd!!!

Every town is filled with stories—can you spot them all?

Take a walk through the lively streets, coy shops, anD bustling parks of a vibrant town in this beautifully illustrated, large-format picture book. What's Going On in New Findville? invites young readers to slow down, look closely, and discover the hidden stories behind every window, corner, and character.

Whether you child loves solving mysteries, spotting details, or inventing their own stories, this is  a delightful journey through the magic of everyday life. 

GOODREADS

 

MY TIDBITS

New Findville is a very busy and lively town, and readers are sure to discover all sorts of things as they search each area to discover hidden objects.

This begins with a lovely and bustling illustration of the entire town of New Findville, so that readers first get to the entire thing as a whole. Certain aspects such as the town square are pointed out with a small flag. The next page spread holds a bunch of various individuals to be found in the town such as garbage collectors, police, and the like. These each have a very short paragraph describing them, and readers are tasked with locating them in the following town sections. After that, each two-page spread presents a section of the town. There's a short description about the importance and such of the area of the town. At the bottom of the page, more searching fun activities are explained. These can include counting objects and the like. So, there is a lot to do in these pages.

The illustrations are extremely detailed, colorful, and bring the town town to life. While searching for the various objects and people is already grabbing, there are plenty of other situations and details built in to catch the attention. Some draw smiles thanks to the humor, while others demonstrate what various jobs do or what activities can be found. This broadens the awareness on what happens in a town, while packing enjoyment. The text is interesting and concise, offering information but never growing boring. The described activities are easy to understand. The text is fitting for those readers, who are very sure of their words, so an adult might need to help the younger end of the intended reading age group out a little. 

I enjoyed searching for the various objects and fulfilling the different tasks. Plus, it's enjoyable to discover the life in the town...and wish to be able to join in and walk the streets, too. Oh, and there's also a last task on the very back of the book to search for a baseball and a mole throughout the book. The only thing which might bother some search fans is that there isn't a solutions page anywhere. Otherwise, this is a fun book with tons to discover and find.

Growing Up Ladybug by Štěpánka Sekaninová

Spring is hitting full-swing as sights shift forward to Summer. I still have a few things to plant in the garden, but most seeds have already found their place. The grass...well, let's just say that my mower better not play tricks on me anytime soon. The cows are happy, though. And fat.

Anyway, today's read fits the season. This book is the forth and final in a series for those beginning readers out there who are sure of their words. Each book covers a different insect and introduces all sorts of facts about them. I haven't read any of the other books in the series and am jumping in with this final addition. But then, ladybugs have always been a favorite insect of mine.

So, let's open this one up and see if we'll buzz around with these adorable bugs!

GROWING UP LADYBUG

Little Heroes Book 4

by Štěpánka Sekaninová

Illustrated by Linh Dao

Albatros Media

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 6 to 9

Peek into the bold and beautiful world of Anna the ladybug—where tiny legs, spotted wings, and big adventures await!

Anna may be small, but her life is anything but quiet. From the moment she hatches, she’s on the move—growing, changing, and learning how to survive in a world full of surprises. Whether she’s escaping hungry predators or hunting down her favorite snack (aphids!), Anna shows that even the tiniest beetles can be fierce, clever, and full of heart.

Whether your child is a budding entomologist or just loves a good garden adventure, Growing Up Ladybug is a delightful and educational journey they’ll want to read again and again.

The Little Heroes series highlights the essential, yet often overlooked, roles that insects and small animals—from pollinators to natural pest controllers—play in our ecosystem. Through a fun and gentle lens, young readers learn about the small but mighty heroes that keep our natural world in balance.

• Fascinating Ladybug Facts – Learn how ladybugs grow, hunt, and protect themselves in the wild.
• STEM Learning Through Storytelling – Perfect for classrooms, homeschoolers, and curious kids who love bugs, beetles, and backyard science.
• Complete Life Cycle Coverage – Follows Anna from egg to adult, highlighting her role in nature and the importance of biodiversity.
• Vivid Illustrations and Engaging Narrative – Brings the garden to life with colorful artwork and a story that sparks curiosity.
• Part of the Trusted Little Heroes Series – A favorite among families and educators, this series celebrates the courage and wonder of nature’s smallest creatures.

For more than 75 years, Albatros Media has been crafting original and innovative children's books that are both playful and educational, fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in young minds. We deliver the highest quality children’s books from novelty, picture, pop-up, and how-to books, to nonfiction, and fairy tales.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Excitement, care, and the enjoyment of life buzz on every page as all sorts of ladybug facts unfold.

These pages are all about ladybugs and allow readers to enter this small insect's world with a hum of fun. Every page presents happy ladybugs as they go through their daily lives. The book covers everything from types of ladybugs (and there are over 5000 known species) to habits to life cycles and more. The entire time, a bubbly atmosphere keeps everything from growing boring and presents ladybugs with a very positive attitude. By the end, readers are sure to know much more than before...and even adults will pick up an interesting tidbit or two.

The illustrations are cheerful and add a mix of human characteristics to the bugs but not so much so that the facts get mutated. This opens up the door to younger readers with a sense of playfulness. At the same time, the information and explanations are given a visual foundation. For example, the various stages of a ladybug's development are shown in a way that can be used to identify them in real life. 

The text is suited to the readers, who are sure of their words, but stays short and keeps a light atmosphere. There is a general paragraph at the top of each two-page spread, which introduces the overall theme. Then, the more exact information is broken down into smaller sections throughout the page, only with a few, short sentences each time. These are also kept light and playful, allowing readers to join the ladybugs as they explain each aspect. So, the information never weighs down. 

It's a cheerful way to introduce readers to the world of ladybugs.

And here they are...

Štěpánka Sekaninová used to work as a TV reporter and in the production of children’s programs. Now she is a writer and a editor-in-chief, living in the Czech Republic.

Linh Dao was born in Hanoi and currently resides in the Czech Republic, where she studied Illustration and Animation. In 2016 she was a prize-winner in the Young Creative category at the ADC Creative Awards. She lives mainly on potato chips and green tea. 

Diary of a Bee by Štěpánka Sekaninová

 I had to pick up today's read, when it ran across my desk, since it hits a hobby found in my family. Bees! My brother and husband have both had hives over the years. For some reason, these were easier to keep in Nebraska than the Ozarks in Missouri...well, I know the reasons, but it's still fascinating.

Anyway, this book follows the life of a little bee named Matilda. While it should be a read a very cute character, it also should show the life-cycle of bees, their various activities, and simply raise awareness for everything surrounding bees. I'm hoping it holds a nice balance between information and fun. 

Grab that honey pot because we might want to take a taste after reading this one!

DIARY OF A BEE

Little Heroes

by Štěpánka Sekaninová

Illustrated by Linh Dao

Albatros Media

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

APRIL 25th!!!

Follow the delightful daily adventures of Matilda the bee in this fully illustrated diary that reveals the vital role bees play in nature and their life cycle.

Step into the buzzing world of bees with Diary of a Bee, a fully illustrated non-fiction book that takes young readers on an engaging journey through the life cycle of Matilda, a hardworking bee, and her friend Thomas. Presented in a diary format, this captivating narrative combines story with fascinating facts, exploring how bees live, their daily activities, and the various roles they play within the hive. From gathering nectar to tending to the queen, kids will discover the fascinating jobs that bees undertake throughout their lives, all illustrated with lively pictures that bring the story to life.

Perfect for curious minds aged 6-9, this book not only entertains but also educates about the crucial importance of bees in our ecosystem. By blending captivating storytelling with rich illustrations and informative details, it inspires a love for nature and fosters an understanding of environmental awareness.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

It's a treat to accompany this adorable bee through her life and see how amazing the workings inside a hive truly are.

The reader meets Matilda right after she's born. She's energetic, sweet, and expresses enthusiasm as she grows into each new task with time. The text flows like a mini-diary with the day of life given at the top before a short text lets Matilda explain what she's up to. The personal connection draws in, especially as she includes her lovely relationship with the other bees and her mother, the Queen. All the while, the inner-workings of the bee hive come to light and offer interesting insights, too.

The text is a little longer than in some picture books for this age group, but it is very well done and doesn't bore. Matilda holds tons of personality and makes each moment grabbing. The information is easy to understand, is interesting, and offers new information...probably even for adult readers. It isn't dry but molds right into Matilda's day. The illustrations are bright and bold, adding understanding to the information, while presenting a very friendly, sympathetic beehive. The bees do carry human-like aspects, which make them that much easier to connect to.

This book does complete the life-cycle of a bee from birth to death and closes off with new life the next Spring. These moments are handle very carefully and immediately soften with the joy of the continual circle. 

It's a lovely book with tons of goodness on the bee facts, too.

And here they are...

Štěpánka Sekaninová spent her childhood near Kolín, in the Polabí lowlands region. Although she is a Bohemian at heart, fate carried her to the heart of Moravia. She is a graduate in Czech and History from the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University. While still a student, she started work at Czech Television in Brno, where as a reporter she travelled about the South Moravia region and got to know every part of it. She later switched from reporting to the production of light entertainment and children’s programmes for the Brno studio.
Štěpánka loves books and has always longed to write, so when her life’s journey presented her with the opportunity to work as a literary editor for Albatros Media, she accepted it with alacrity.
And so she writes, surrounded by beautiful books, realizing a dream she’s had since childhood . . .

Linh Dao was born in Hanoi, where she has spent a considerable part of her life. Having adjusted to the temperate climate of the Czech Republic, she took up art, graduating in Illustration in Brno and then in Animation in Zlín. Her graduation film won several awards at international festivals. In 2016 she was a prize-winner in the Young Creative category at the ADC Creative Awards. For a while she tried the corporate life, and with the experience she gathered decided to work for herself. Now she again works as an illustrator and animator. She lives mainly on potato chips and green tea.