IWSG and Happy Book Birthday, Forsynthia: Rise of the Cupcakes by Rachel Dinunzio!

It's time for March's IWSG! This amazing group of writers started with Alex J. Cavanaugh and has flourished and blossomed to an inspiring group. It involves so much more than just this monthly hop, too. Special thanks goes to this month's co-hosts: Kristina Kelly, Miffie Seideman, Jean Davis, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

This snuck up on me...again. I seem to have issues keeping track of my days as they flutter on by. Today, I'm sticking to the month's question because it is an interesting one, which I'm not sure a person can even answer yet, since the future holds tons more in this direction.

Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?

I have not and, at this time, won't. I'm sure it has it's uses in this area for extra hints and brain-idea-launchers, but I'll admit that I don't know enough about it to really use it yet. I mean, I'm still struggling with our dinosaur internet out here, which has an impressive .85 mg download and .2 mg upload speed. The struggles of living very rural and in a valley without clear sky view.

As a reviewer, I've already been receiving picture books created with AI assistance, and they're pretty easy to spot. So far, anyway. The writing misses that extra spark, which only a writer can bring. It's hard to explain, but AI generated feels...um...flat-ish? Follows a 'good' format but is just that. Generic. That unexpected human touch isn't there, although I can't really put that into words, either. Let's just say that it's not hard to notice it when you read several hundred books a year. As for the illustrative end...well, don't even get me started. Yeah, I have a huge opinion on computer generated illustrations for picture books just because those authors, who use them, often believe just slapping a picture down is all kids need...which might be true to a certain extent but...ugh! I just want to scream "It's a picture book, for crying out loud! Effort, people. Effort."

Anyway, what are your views on the AI end and writing?

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It's time for another book birthday! Today's heads in the graphic novel direction and is the first in a new series aimed at chapter book readers. It appears to head into a fantastical, science fiction direction with tons of humor and a dash of cuteness. 

FORSYNTHIA:

RISE OF THE CUPCAKES

by Rachel Dinunzio

Paw Prints

Chapter Book Fantasy  /  Graphic Novel

144 pages

ages 7 to 9

In Rise of the Cupcakes , the first installment in a brand new funny and fun-loving early reader graphic novel series, author-illustrator Rachel DiNunzio introduces us to Forsynthia, a young dragon, and her family, and puts them in all sorts of adventures that blend science, fantasy, mystery, and fun. Forsynthia and her little sister Daisy bake their Mom (a scientist for the Secret Magical Bureau) cupcakes for her birthday. But they all get more than they bargained for when a cupcake merges with the magical artifact Mom has been studying and a villainous mega-cupcake forms, multiplies, and then attempts to take over their town of New Harmony! Will Forsynthia and family capture Megacupcake, save mayor Loren, put stop to the chaos, and save the day? 

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /    KOBO

MY TIDBITS

Secret science meets magic and dragons in a sweet and quirky explosion of cupcakes and world domination.

Forsynthia enjoys the new home with her mom and sister, especially when her mom's lab from the Secret Magical Bureau is finally delivered. Now, she can watch her mom (and sometimes help out a tiny-little bit) as she researches top-secret magical artifacts. But when one of the latest magical devices accidentally meets the birthday cupcakes met for Forsynthia's little sister, evil cupcakes try to take over the entire town!

Readers who love humor and adventure with a spark of imagination are going to enjoy this one. It packs tons of quirky twists and shoots off into non-serious fun, and that while trying to save the world. Forsynthia is a sweet, young dragon, who gets along with her younger sister and mother very well. There aren't any negatives whatsoever in this direction, which offers a snuggly, family warmth the entire way through. But then, with evil cupcakes on a rampage, unexpected heroes like Forsynthia need this solid basis because they have enough to do with trying to save the town.

The illustrations are bright and bold, and remain on the simpler end, while still delivering the emotions, tension, humor, and a touch of cuteness. They fit well to the age group with imaginative characters and positive color tones. The text is bold and placed on the background to meld with each scene. It pushes reading skills more than I expected but is playful enough not to scare off more reluctant readers. It's cute, adventurous, definitely quirky, and promises tons of adventure to come.

Happy Book Birthday, This Wolf Was Different by Katie Silvensky

 It's time to celebrate another book birthday! I don't think I've had one of those for a few weeks now...horrible, right? I do love to party and this book looks like it might be worth the extra effort. If the artwork is anything like the cover (and I have reason to believe it is), then this will be a visual treat. Plus, I have a soft-spot for wolves.

So, let's just get this party started and take a look.

THIS WOLF WAS DIFFERENT

by Katie Silvensky

Illustrated by Hannah Salyer

Beach Lane Books

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

Inspired by natural history, this captivating picture book imagines how humans and wolves first came together, exploring individuality and how true friendship means embracing differences.

Long ago, a wolf pup was born in a forest. This pup was a wolf, and so were her brothers and sisters. But this wolf was different. She liked staying close to the den instead of hunting and chasing her tail instead of chasing other animals. She wished she were more like her siblings—more like a real wolf.

Then she meets a new kind of creature, no more like the other wolves than she is. As a new friendship blossoms, the wolf discovers that it’s okay to be different and, better yet, it’s a gift to be something new.

This gorgeously illustrated book includes extensive backmatter with scientific information about how wolves and humans first connected.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /    B&N    /     BOOKSHOP

MY TIDBITS

With the atmosphere of an ancient myth, this is a gorgeously illustrated read to lean back with and enjoy.

Long, long ago, a litter of wolf pups was born. They tumbled, played, and chased everything around, but one pup didn't quite fit in. It wonders why it's different, although it seems to get a bit more like its siblings as it gets older. Then one day, it accidentally lags behind the rest of the pack and is left alone. While lost, it finally finds a place where it belongs.

I'm going to start with the illustrations because these are a treat in and of themselves. They carry so much atmosphere and remind a bit of ancient, indigenous tales with a slightly mystic twist, yet bring across the story wonderfully. The pups and scenes invite to flip through and revisit these time and again.

The text is also well done, offering exactly what is needed and no more. It flows right along with the images to create a dreamy atmosphere, while drawing in with all the needed emotions. The pup is easy to sympathize with, and yet, never takes a victim role, but rather is on a search of itself. It's well-paced and makes a lovely read-aloud.

As extra goodness to the tale, the end of the book carries information and historical details surrounding the history of wolves and dogs. This section is meant for the older/adult reader and offers a basis to teach the younger reader. This also would work well with a fitting historical or biological theme in groups, schools, or for homeschoolers...or even interested individuals. But with or without this information, it's still so nicely done and well worth taking a peek at.

And here they are...

Katie Slivensky is a professional science educator and enthusiast with science degrees from the University of Michigan and Stony Brook University. She is the critically acclaimed author of two middle grade novels, The Countdown Conspiracy and The Seismic Seven, and the picture book This Wolf Was Different, illustrated by Hannah Salyer. Katie lives just outside Boston with her family, including her cat, Darwin. Visit her at KatieSlivensky.com.

Hannah Salyer received her BFA in illustration and communication design, with a minor in environmental studies, from Pratt Institute. She resides in Brooklyn, New York, where she writes and illustrates picture books, including her own Packs: Strength in Numbers and Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art, as well as This Wolf Was Different by Katie Slivensky. She also teaches art classes for young kids and illustration classes for undergrad students at Parsons School of Design. Visit her at HannahSalyer.com.

Today's read... How We Became Intergalactic Heroes by Chris van Halle

It's time to launch into space! I had to smile as a picked up today's read due to a recent idea from my husband. A week or two ago, he ran across  something on the internet, which reminded him of a science fiction show he and his brother enjoyed as kids—Raumpatrouille (German/French collaboration in 1966). I'm adding a short video below for those who are curious. So, I'm hitting this read after some online research and shopping for gifts hitting this theme, since, I've been told, this is going to be someone's birthday present. 

So, my mind is all set for space adventure, and I do hope this will be a fun one!

HOW WE BECAME INTERGALACTIC HEROES

by Chris van Halle

Middle Grade Science Fiction

175 pages

ages 8 to 12

All his life, twelve-year-old Ben Grishop has been practically nonexistent. Hardly anyone knows who he is, he’s not good at anything no matter how hard he tries, and he blends into all chairs and benches. But when he and his friends Joe and Dana are abducted by aliens one fateful summer night, they have the chance to become famous for saving the universe. That is, if they can survive a planet full of giant, man-eating, French-speaking crabs, a pair of tuxedoed, gibberish-spouting men with handlebar mustaches, and the mysterious “immensely powerful, evil force from The Realm Beyond.”

Jampacked with action, humor, and heart, How We Became Intergalactic Superheroes will have middle-schoolers and the young at heart alike hopping the closest spaceship to their own next cosmic adventure.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON   

MY TIDBITS

Saving the universe becomes an adventure with unique aliens, unexpected situations, and heroes, who aren't quite sure what they're doing.

Ben is hanging out with his best friend Joe, trying to enjoy one of the last nights before school starts, but it's turning into the most boring night ever. When the third friend, Dana, stops by, all of that changes as aliens march into the house shortly behind her and escort the trio to see the leader of the universe. After all, the three friends are the only ones who can save the universe from the evil force of The Realm Beyond...at least, that's what the strange aliens claim. But things run sideways and what was supposed to be a super simple push of a button turns into a fight for survival and more.

These pages shoot into the realm of galactic imagination and never-ending, ridiculous situations, which pack danger, too. While the first pages had me a bit confused and wondering, it soon slid right into nonstop action. The three heroes carry quite the subtle, silly wit, while still passing as pretty ordinary...at least, enough so for readers to connect with them and want to dive right into the adventure themselves. While the threats are dangerous, they carry tons of quirks to ensure snorts and eyebrow raises. And we learn that aliens speak French and Italian, too. But none are to be underestimated and often carry more of a threat than might first appear. 

It's a fast-paced adventure, which will keep even more reluctant readers in the pages. It's plot and dialogue driven, meaning little time for deep thoughts and heavy descriptions. There's just enough world building to sink into and let imagination fly. While this is very humor and action driven (and that is a treat), there is a message about learning to realize ones own capabilities. There's also goodness surrounding friendship and working together. 

Space fans, and especially those who enjoy a fun read, will find themselves wanting to join in and save the universe, too.

 

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And here's the clip that someone pieced together for all who are curious about German/French television's thoughts on space adventure during the 1960s.

Today's read... Mind Over Monsters by Betsy Uhrig

Who wants to go on a monster hunt? I'm always on the look-out for a light-hearted, fun read, which pulls into an exciting adventure...and I'm really hoping I found that in this book. Oh, and I love the lacrosse rackets on the cover because I could totally see that as a great monster-hunting tool. Hmm...maybe that would scare away the possums, which have been relentlessly attacking my chicken coop this year (Can you believe we've already caught six of them?) Only one chicken lost, so far, though. So, I'm winning the battle this round.

Anyway, let's head into today's read and see if it's a winner!

MIND OVER MONSTERS

by Betsy Uhrig

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Middle Grade Paranormal

302 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

JULY 16th!!!

Gordon Korman meets Scooby-Doo when anxiety-prone middle schoolers try a mindfulness app that has them face their fears all-too-literally in this spooky and humorous middle grade adventure.

FACE YOUR FEARS! That’s what the meditation app with the cheesy name De-stress-o-rama is telling Lena to do. She’s one of seven always-worried middle schoolers trying out this new app to see if it can help students handle stress. But something is going wrong—very, very wrong.

The group’s fears are becoming all too real, first lurking and dangling, then chasing them around and threatening to swallow them whole. From a stubborn inky blob that is fear of the dark, to the queasy giant in sweaty underpants that is fear of public speaking, monsters are invading Cranberry Bog Middle School! Can Lena’s group of worriers figure out how to conquer their fears before the whole school is swarmed?

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Monsterly tension hits humor and heart in an exciting adventure with characters to love.

Lena is in the seventh grade and a born ball of stress. When she's called to the school's office, she's sure the world's about to end. Instead, she's asked to skip Homeroom every morning and take part in testing an app meant to reduce stress. At first, everything is great, and she's actually enjoying the calming sessions. But when nightmares begin, and she discovers a blob of goo on her pillow the next morning, the calm part is over. The students' fears are turning into monsters, and those are more dangerous than a semester test could ever be.

This book is sold as a Scooby-Doo meets anxiety prone kids, and the comparison isn't bad. Lena's a kind person, who isn't quite comfortable in her own skin but does her best to deal with everything even with a constant hum of anxiety. The author lets us sink into her situation (family, friends, and school), while slowing edging into the growing threat. The meditation-app had me smiling, especially as it sets off the main plot (clever and time fitting!). It also allows the other characters to gain a foothold with their, obviously, distinct personalities and quirks before the monsters begin to trickle in. And these monsters are imagination pure with a dangerous touch to keep the tension high. While there is heart and threats galore, it's the constant, gentle humor, which makes it fun.

While the main plot circles around the anxiety-ridden group of monster fighters as they literally face their fears head-on (got to love this bunch!), there are a couple sub-plots to add heart. Lena's best friend is changing, and while she tries to bare with her friend's new interests and priorities, the rift between them grows. There's also a lovely, family dynamic, especially on the sibling end as Lena's personality sits seemingly on the opposite end of her older brother's. Mix in the new forming friendships, and it's a rich adventure from beginning to end. And tons of fun, too.

And here she is...

Betsy Uhrig is the author of The Polter-Ghost Problem, Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini, Welcome to Dweeb Club, and Mind Over Monsters. She was born and raised in Greater Boston, where she lives with her family and way more books than you are picturing. She graduated from Smith College with a degree in English and has worked in publishing ever since. She writes books for children instead of doing things that aren’t as fun. Visit her at BetsyUhrig.com.

Today's read... The Quiet Forest by Charlotte Offsay

 Can I start by saying that forests are anything but quiet? Well, in Winter they are but, otherwise? No. Not at all. We lived nestled up to one...which I love...but it is so loud. Forests are calming, though, but maybe not in today's read. When I saw the cover on this book and read the blurb, I had a feeling it was going to go off in an interesting direction. Plus, I'm ready for some green, outdoor vibes. So, let's take a peek!

Note: This one is going onto my possible favorites of the year list, which is really unexpected, but I can't deny how much I enjoyed this one.

THE QUIET FOREST

by Charlotte Offsay

Illustrated by Abi Cushman

Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING MARCH 12th!!!

When a small action creates a snowball effect that disrupts the peace of the animals, the forest and a bear cub restore order once more in this delightfully funny picture book.

A mischievous mouse wanders alone in a quiet, nothing-to-do forest. Until one small mishap snowballs into a chain of outrageous events, causing the whole forest full of animals to have a very loud day indeed. Can they find a way to bring calm and quiet back to their home?

GOODREADS     /      PAULA WISEMAN BOOKS

MY TIDBITS

This is a read that grabs listeners' attentions, has them giggling, and even will have some joining to 'read' along. 

A mouse wanders through the forest and finds something, which inspires to a bit of mischief. What starts out as a rude but isolated incident, takes an unexpected turn...which leads to something even worse. A hilarious chain reaction soon has the entire area of the forest in an uproar until a sudden gesture changes everything.

The little mouse with its backpack seems harmless and cute, at first, so when it suddenly does something slightly mean, it flips the entire atmosphere on its head and rolls right into a delightful, mounting chaos. The animals' surprise and reactions come across wonderfully in the illustrations and guarantee giggles as they helplessly find everything going crazy around them. The illustrator has built in some traits and objects from the 'human' world, making each moment that much more familiar and sillier. Even flipping through the illustrations without the text will bring smiles.

While the illustrative side adds the right humorous twist, the text cleverly plays its own game. It presents the tale to make sure its clear what's happening but creates a light-hearted repetition, which builds with each scene. It invites readers to join in, especially since this is one of those books, which will be getting that ever-loved word 'again'.

Making sure goodness settles in, a heart-warming solution opens the door to friendship with an unexpectedly simple gesture. It brings calming forgiveness and care as it makes sure to settle things back down...but not without leaving off with a last, fun twist. 

I do see this one becoming a favorite for some listeners.

And here they are...

Charlotte Offsay is the author of several children’s books including A Grandma’s Magic, Challah Day!, and The Big Beach Cleanup. When she is having a particularly loud day, she can always count on her two small bear cubs and husband to bring calm and quiet back to their home in Los Angeles, California. Learn more at CharlotteOffsay.com. 

Abi Cushman is the author-illustrator of Soaked!, Animals Go Vroom!, and Wombats Are Pretty Weird. Abi is also the illustrator of The Quiet Forest by Charlotte Offsay. She lives deep in the wooded suburbs of Connecticut with her husband and two mischievous kids, who make her home very loud indeed. Visit her at AbiCushman.com.