Today's read... The Only Way to Make Bread by Cristina Quintero

One of my favorite things about living in Germany was the bread. Weekend mornings, we'd get up early to walk the two blocks to our local bakery, where there were dozens of fresh breads to choose from. The smell hit the moment we rounded the corner. Stepping into the store was heavenly. Luckily, relatives and neighbors were more than happy to share baking tips, and I can now recreate some of our favorites from that time. So, this book was a 'must read' for me. Now, I just hope it doesn't disappoint.

THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE BREAD

by Cristina Quintero

Illustrated by Sarah Gonzales

Tundra Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING OCTOBER 3rd!!!

A delicious exploration of all kinds of breads, from sourdough to bannock to bao, that will tickle your taste buds and warm your heart.

What's the only way to make bread?

You might use white flour in your bread, or whole wheat flour or corn flour.

You might use water or milk, maybe an egg or two.

You'll use a handful of this, a dash of that, a bit of this and a splash of that.

Some dough will rise, some dough will bubble. Sometimes it will be sticky, sometimes it will be shaggy.

What's the only way to make bread?

Your way!

This tasty celebration of all kinds of bread will tempt bread lovers big and small. No matter what kind of bread YOU like to make, this book is for you!

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MY TIDBITS

Bread in all of its wonderous shapes, flavors, and ways comes together in pure celebration.

This book is all about bread and allows the various ways to create it to flow together in a constant wave of action. From one page to the next, the stages of creating bread from bowls to ingredients to baking are explored. At the end of the book, there is a little information about the history and origin of the  different types of bread mentioned in these pages. There are also two recipes to form two very different breads, which listeners can try themselves (with a little help from an adult, of course).

So much energy and action surrounds what seems to be a simple process, It shows how exciting bread can be. Starting from the first page, many people are involved, each creating their own recipe. The diversity is put on full display, while keeping a very positive, party-like atmosphere. While the text goes through the different steps of making bread on a very basic level, the illustrations swirl around the togetherness it can involve. It's busy, lively, and centers more on the people enjoying the process than the details involved in baking. The entire thing rounds off with a celebration, which has the mouth-watering. And the ending recipes slide in at the right time, since listeners are going to want to try baking their own bread after reading this.

It's a lovely read for groups as well as for individuals.

And here they are...

CRISTINA QUINTERO is a first-generation Colombian-Canadian of both Afro-Colombian and Indigenous-Colombian descent. As a child of immigrants, she understands the importance of stories that go beyond trauma and struggle and instead highlight the everyday joy that is created within immigrant communities. She grew up in a neighborhood where one mama filled in for another, so while it was not always easy, her childhood was always delicious. Thus was born her lifelong love of food and ideas about community-building through food.

Filipino-Canadian illustrator SARAH GONZALES was born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Canada. Sarah has been drawing ever since she can remember and has never stopped; she eventually went to the Alberta College of Art and Design, where she focused on illustration and design. Sarah lives in Montreal.

Happy Book Birthday, Whispering Pines: Extinction by Heidi Lang and Kati Bartkowski!

It's time to celebrate another book birthday (yippeee!). Today's read is the 4th in a series, and I'm back to my old habit of not reading any other books in the series first. So, I'm definitely hitting this tale late into the plot. I'm hoping that I can still sink into the story (I love series, which still allow the reader to do that) and enjoy the fun because this should be a very action packed read with zombies, aliens, monsters and more.

EXTINCTION

Whispering Pines, #4

by Heidi Lang &

Kati Bartkowski

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Middle Grade Science Fiction

368 pages

ages 9 to 12

In this spine-tingling final book in the Whispering Pines middle grade series that’s Stranger Things meets The X-Files , Caden searches for a way to destroy the creatures from the Other Place for good while Rae tries to free her father from the sinister Green On!.

After more than a year of searching, Rae finally has a lead on her missing father: he’s being kept prisoner by the shady alternative energy company, Green On!. Now all she has to do is rescue him—even though that means battling her way through the alien-infested Watchful Woods to reach him. But her father isn’t the only secret they have locked up, and if Rae wants to free him, she’ll first have to make a deal with someone who has betrayed her in the past.

With the Other Place gone and all the aliens sealed within the Watchful Woods, Caden believes his family’s worries are over at last—until he discovers that the magical seal keeping the creatures contained is near collapse. If they manage to escape the woods, there will be no stopping them from ravaging the town and the world beyond. Caden only has one choice: he must find a way to destroy the creatures once and for all. Even if it means destroying everything in the woods.

Including his friends.

With the fate of Whispering Pines hanging by a thread, it’s a desperate race against the clock as Rae and Caden fight to save the people they love—and the strange, wonderful town they call home.

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MY TIDBITS

Tension and action mix with enough emotion to drive this tale forward from beginning to end.

Usually, I start with a quick overview of the story...or at least, enough to get readers going. This time, I'm just going to skip out since there is really that much going on. Plus, I didn't hit this series until this fourth book, which means that the other three books have already built up tons of background and world-building. While I did miss some information and had to just accept some things at face value because I hadn't read three books, it was actually fairly easy to jump into the story and get a grip on the characters. Still, I would recommend reading this series in order, since each book builds on the last.

This is an exciting and packed read, which doesn't talk down to the age group nor try to soften the blow for them. These characters have tons to deal with (aliens, sinister organizations, secrets and more) and each of these problems scream real danger and extremely high stakes. There is blood and gore, not super graphic but enough to make fans sink right in. This book doesn't shy away just because the audience is middle grade, but rather, it dives right in and pays only enough attention not to press the borders too far. Sensitive readers should be aware of how tense this read gets, where fans of action and thrillers will thoroughly enjoy the read.

That said, every scene races by and leaves only short space for catching a breath. But it's not too fast, either. Then, there's the monsters and aliens, and other things which seem to tease at the border of a horror novel. I see why this is a popular series and imagine fans will enjoy this latest edition quite a bit.

 And here they are...

Heidi Lang managed to stumble upon the two best jobs in the world: writing for kids and walking dogs. If she’s not out on the trails surrounded by wagging tails and puppy kisses, she’s probably hunched over her laptop working on her next book. She lives in northern California with her husband and two adventure-loving dogs, and she is the coauthor of the Mystic Cooking Chronicles and Whispering Pines series, and author of Out of Range. Find her on Twitter @HidLang or visit the website she shares with her writing partner at HeidiandKatiBooks.com.

Kati Bartkowski was originally drawn to illustration before she got swept up in the world of words. Nowadays she’s a fan of creating fantastical creatures and feisty heroines in both mediums. If she’s not reading, writing, or drawing, she’s probably chasing after her high energy little girl. She lives in northern California and is the coauthor of the Mystic Cooking Chronicles and Whispering Pines series. Find her on Twitter @KTBartkowski or visit the website she shares with her writing partner at HeidiandKatiBooks.com.

Today's read... My Cat Does Ballet by Robert Heidbreder

Today's read had me with the title and cover. A cat performing ballet...that just has to be a winner, right? I'm not sure whether to expect lots of humor or heart. Or maybe, a bit of both? Either way, I'm sure this one is going to be a fun and adorable read.

MY CAT DOES BALLET

by Robert Heidbreder

Illustrated by Matt Schu

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

OCTOBER 17th!!!

A boy shares his love of ballet with his cat in this adorable picture book that leaps and glides through ballet terms, famous dancers, and the special bond between a young dancer and his pet.

Some cats pounce, snooze, or climb up the curtains. But one boy has a pet cat that does ballet, jumping after flies in perfect grands jetés and gliding across floors with smooth glissades. Perhaps they can teach you and your cat to do ballet too! This joyful and hilariously illustrated story is a charming pas de deux for felines and their friends.

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MY TIDBITS

Young readers will try to teach their own pets graceful ballet steps after diving into this book.

At school, the kids constantly talk about their cats and all the things they do. A boy, of course, can't stay out of the mix, especially when his cat can perform grand jetes and more. It's hard to be sure if anyone believes everything he says, though. So he decides to invite everyone with their cats to visit him at home and see if they can be taught ballet as well.

This is such a light-hearted, fun read. Pet owners will have no problem understanding all the antics cats (and a dog) can come up with. As each kid tells the latest actions of their favorite feline, the illustrations let the moment come to life...and that will put a smile on younger listeners' faces. The boy just pops in sporadically with the sophisticated dance moves his cat performs. This will come across a bit as braggy and almost seem as if the boy says it just to join in on the conversation and catch attention. But this book has even more in store.

It's a little silly and humorous, but there are gentle messages and facts at play. At the end of the book, the reader will discover that each kid's name is derived from a famous ballet dancer. There's a short summary of the accomplishments of each one. Then, the various steps and moves mentioned in the book are quickly described, so young listeners can try to do these moves themselves. More or less. It's definitely a nice way to slide in a little information without hinting at anything during the story itself.

These are all cats to adore, and many readers will wish they could have such a talented friend themselves.

And here they are...

Robert Heidbreder was born in Quincy, Illinois, and later moved to Vancouver, BC, where he became an award-winning primary school teacher. Living in Vancouver, he discovered his love of ballet. He attends as many performances as he and his wife can. Their two cats sadly have to stay at home. My Cat Does Ballet is his twenty-first picture book. Visit him at RobertHeidbreder.com.

Matt Schu is the illustrator of Cut!: How Lotte Reiniger and a Pair of Scissors Revolutionized Animation by C.E. Winters and My Cat Does Ballet by Robert Heidbreder. Due to growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he draws a lot of trees, houses, and cloudy skies. He lives with his cat in Portland, Oregon, and she can do an impressive tour en l’air. Visit him at Matt-Schu.com.

Today's read... Fried Rice and Marinara by Mike Yam

Today's read caught my attention thanks to our own family's mish-mash of food. After living abroad for 20+ years, our kitchen isn't exactly set in one direction. Spaghetti-tacos, mac 'n cheese pizza, and Mexican-peanut-sauced Schnitzel aren't dishes to ignore despite the strange-sounding combinations. So why not fried rice with marinara? Let's see if it's worth the read or not.

FRIED RICE & MARINARA

by Mike Yam

Illustrated by Laura Dong

Vooks

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

Birthday parties are so much fun: the friends, the family, the games, the gifts, and, of course, the food! But what type of food do you serve at a birthday party when your family is from two different cultures? Young Mikey Yam is having a hard time choosing between the Italian food of his mother’s side and the Chinese cuisine of his dad’s. So, he turns to his grannies, Bahboo and Nonna, for advice.

“Ravioli or Dumplings? Linguine or Lo Mein? All of these options were hurting his brain.”

Join Young Mikey as he decides which type of food to have for his birthday party, and the important life lesson he learns along the way.

A Vooks Original, Fried Rice & Marinara is a rhyming story about two cultures coming together to create something special. Written by Mike Yam and illustrated by Laura Dong.

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MY TIDBITS

Food from various cultures is exciting to try, but this books takes the fun a step further to see what happens when they mix together.

Mikey comes from a mixed heritage: Chinese and Italian. It's great until his birthday rolls around and he needs to choose what they're going to eat at his party. Both kitchens count as his favorites, and he has no idea how he's going to decided which one he wants to have on that day. 

The world is a mixing pot and that isn't any different on the food end. This read takes two well-known food directions and shows how they can be mixed together and enjoyed. It encourages young readers to explore various foods of other cultures, by showing how each one has delicious things. It also demonstrates the fun of having a mixed family. So there's a lot of food and cultural goodness involved.

The tale itself is written in rhyme, which flows pretty well. It makes a nice read-aloud for groups or in individual settings. The illustrations are bright, bold and fit to the story. These do carry a more generated atmosphere but bring across the story well. There are extras at the end of the book, which encourage young listeners/readers to present their own favorite foods and more. I do wish there was a recipe to go along with the tale, but that's just a personal note. 

It's a lovely read, which will have kids wanting to experiment and enjoy too.

And here he is...

MIKE YAM is a sportscaster and studio host for NFL Network and SiriusXM radio. He has worked at ESPN, NBA TV and Pac-12 Network. “Fried Rice and Marinara” marks his debut in children’s literature. Growing up with a Chinese immigrant father from Hong Kong and an Italian mother, Yam has always been fascinated by diverse cultures and perspectives. Yam is a passionate advocate for social issues and has authored op-eds on immigration and the Asian American community. Yam is a graduate of Fordham University and resides in Southern California.

Twitter: @Mike_Yam | Instagram: @Mike_Yam

Today's read... 10 Dogs by Emily Gravett

10 DOGS

by Emily Gravett

Union Square Kids

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 3 to 5

COMING SEPTEMBER 19th!!!

Award-winning, bestselling author and illustrator Emily Gravett delivers a hilarious tale of mishap and mayhem as ten dogs pursue a chain of sausage links in this early-learning picture book, perfect for anyone looking for books for 3-year-olds and up.  
 
From dachshund to dalmation, every dog wants a piece of the prize. Follow this high-stakes adventure as the scales tip from one dog with all the sausages and nine dogs with none to nine dogs with all the sausages and one dog with none. Will ten hungry dogs ever find a way to share ten tasty treats?  
 
Gravett’s playful art and clever plot twists create page-turning suspense, making this dog book perfect for repeat read-aloud fun.

This charming counting book is perfect for helping young readers learn about sharing as well as how to countn to ten. Emily Gravett’s adorable dog art makes 10 Dogs just as appealing to those looking for funny dog books as it is for anyone searching for kids books for ages 3—5.

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MY TIDBITS

Adorable dogs, sausages, and more than a little mayhem mix to make counting and quanities fun.

Ten dogs of all sorts of sizes and breeds have their eyes on ten sausage links on the table. When the first dog is daring enough to try to snap them, the others follow suit. Soon, havoc breaks loose in the silliest ways as the dogs play their strengths (or suffer) in their attempts to grab a sausage themselves.

The dogs in these illustrations are super cute and range in breeds and sizes, which works great for the humor and various situations. Each one is recognizable and carries personality. They bound and twist in the most mischievous ways, which will have young readers smiling and pointing things out from one page to the next. The calming end rounds off the chaos in a charming manner.

The text is written in short rhymed phrases, which works well for even slightly younger listeners. While counting skills are addressed, the words surrounding quantities (more, less, few, etc) seem to be the focus of this read. These come across alongside the humor and encourage for discussion to help listeners understand the meaning of each one. It's a whimsical way to bring across the themes and simply a cute read on all fronts.

And here she is...

Emily Gravett is the two-time winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal for Wolves and Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears. Her internationally award-winning picture books include Meerkat Mail, Tidy, and Old Hat. She has illustrated bestselling fiction, including Matt Haig’s Evie and the Animals and a recent full-color edition of Quidditch Through the Ages.