Happy Book Birthday, Missy Wants A Mammoth by Pam Vaughan!

Lately, I've had the desire for a little more humor in my shows and reads, and today's read should hold quite a bit of that. This one hits the market tomorrow (I'm celebrating a day early) and takes a look at a little girl's impossible wish. I wonder if she'll get her mammoth. Or maybe something else will happen? Let's find out! 

MISSY WANTS A MAMMOTH

Missy & Mason #1

by Pam Vaughan

Illustrated by Ariel Landy

Pixel & Ink

32 pages

ages 4 to 8 

First-grader Missy pushes the bounds of her imagination—and her older brother Mason’s patience—as she lays out her plan for a new pet. A must-have for fans of Charlie and Lola and Olivia or anyone crafting a case for why they need a new animal addition to the family.

At the Museum of Natural History, first-grader Missy has a genius gigantic she wants a wooly mammoth as her new pet. She’ll name him Malcolm. They’ll take bubble baths with strawberry-banana shampoo, and go on picnics, and she’ll swing from his tusks. They’ll be best friends.

Older brother, Mason, spots one mammoth-sized problem with her plans. . . .

But once Missy gets an idea in her head, nothing (not even the fact that mammoths have been extinct for ten thousand years) is going to stop her from getting her fuzzy new friend.

Missy and Mason are a winning new pair for the canon of sibling stories—when Missy dreams a little too big, Mason is always there to help pull her back, and when practical Mason plays it too safe, Missy helps push him to think bigger—and Missy Wants a Mammoth is sure to charm in a massive way.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

This is one of those reads, which is simple, and brings laughs and smiles in all the right ways.

Missy and her brother are off to the museum, and she makes her wish very clear; she wants a mammoth of her very own. As they go through the museum, she doesn't waste a single moment as she explains all the wonderful reasons why having a mammoth would be awesome. Her brother keeps trying to tell her that her wish is impossible, but Missy isn't about to listen to him. Never.

The first page starts out with the single phrase 'I want a mammoth', and this launches the tale perfectly. Missy is an adorable girl with extremely fluffy red hair to match her big personality. There's not a drop of irritation or ill-intent in her as she hops through the museum, centered on her wonderful dreams. Her brother tries to remain patient while attempting again and again to reel her back towards reality. The back and forth between them is natural and sure to bring smiles, especially since listeners will understand the older brother's growing irritation.

The museum visit plays in the illustrations as the text follows the dialogue between the two siblings. Both work very well together and form the entertaining humor. It fits the age group nicely. This works well as a read-aloud or even for more sure readers to grab up on their own. 

It's a cute read with tons of humor and is sure to gain that wonderful word 'again'.

Forest Joy: Mindfulness in Nature by Jill Neimark

 

FOREST JOY

Mindfulness in Nature

by Jill Neimark

Illustrated by Emily Fernihough

Blue Jasper Editions

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

I Breathe Forest. Forest Breathes Back.

For fans of the modern classic, The Hugging Tree, comes a companion picture book that takes children on a gentle, unforgettable journey of wonder, joy & peace in nature. It's a perfect time-out for today's stressed kids. Lyric moments and vivid watercolor illustrations show Joya and her city friends on a forest bathing field trip. No water or soap needed! Just feel and be one with nature.

For adults and children interested in mindfulness, the natural world, the great outdoors, forest bathing and forest schools. Forest Joy is ideal ages 4-8. Parents, libraries and schools interested in mindfulness, nature, forest bathing and forest schools. Parents wanting a simple way to help children self-soothe in nature. Fans of the bedtime classic, Goodnight Moon.  Pair this book with Nature Explorers, a STEAM-oriented nature activity guide for kids, packed with over 100 activities that offer hands-on learning outdoors, including mindfulness meditations.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

The joy of being outdoors and wonder of nature's variety comes across with playful excitement and a calming sense of gentleness.

In these pages, listeners can sink into the fun of being outdoors. After introducing a young girl in a city, listeners follow her on a trip with her class to the forest. There, along with the others, she experiences the various sounds, atmosphere, life, and activities a forest has to offer. 

Only a page or two is spent introducing the young girl, but it's exactly the right amount needed to have readers connect with her before she heads to the forest. From there, each scene brings across a sense of wonder and familiarity as the girl not only explores and plays with the other children, but the animals and vegetation are also brought across in a cheerful and more detailed light. With inviting watercolor illustrations, the forest opens up in a way, which will have listeners wishing they could go on a trip there, too. 

The text flows with poetic feel while bringing across the fitting emotions to lure listeners in, and the final page ends with a sense of peace and calm. It makes a lovely read-aloud and will also work well for a snuggled story time. 

Mere Mortal by A.J. Stevens

It's been a while since I've grabbed up a dystopian read...maybe because it feels like we're living in one? Anyway, this read dips a toe into the idea of immortality and, I'm betting, takes a deep dive into some interesting questions. Otherwise, I'm not sure what to expect with this one, but let's take a look!

 

MERE MORTAL

by A.J. Stevens

Splinter Press

YA Dystopian

292 pages

BEING HUNTED BY IMMORTALS IS BAD ENOUGH. BEING SIXTEEN MAKES IT WORSE.

The immortals have taken Mila’s sister.

Mila is determined to save her, despite the risks to the only life she's has ever known. She'll have to face her fears, her insecurities, and her stupid crush on the boy who friend-zoned before they overwhelm her.

Because if Mila can’t save her sister and the secrets she carries, the Immortals will take her tribe, her family, and everything it means to be human.

GOODREADS     /      AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Science has brought immortality to some, but the rest of humanity finds themselves in a constant fight for their lives.

Mila is a nomad in a world where immortals rule. She and her tribe move from place to place, doing everything to avoid detection and be killed. Her mother was taken some time before, leaving her father and sister as her only family...one she will protect with her life. When her sister is attacked and becomes ill, Mila's determined to take her to the medic, but it's a several day journey and more than a little dangerous. She can't expect any help from her father or other tribe members, as there's reason to believe that the immortals seem to have discovered their location. If the tribe doesn't relocate immediately, they will be dead. Refusing to give up on her sister, Mila heads out to take her on her own. But she doesn't realize the secrets she's about to uncover, and these threaten to overturn the entire world.

This is a quick-paced read with several unique twists. First, there are immortals, who have formed due to scientifical development (not the godly realm). This, however, didn't include all humans, leaving those who received the transformation at the mercy of people who can't be killed. Technology plays a large role in the immortals' lives, while the nomads and rest seem to be on the rustic end for the most part. The high-tech side offers interesting explanations, while also leaving some logical holes...but it's an intriguing direction, which leads to an interesting main thought: what happens when life looses the meaning of birth and death? 

The characters are sympathetic and easy to connect with. Mila's desires and hopes are understandable, but then, she's a realistic character on many fronts. The dialogue, emotions, and decisions fit well to the her age and propel the plot forward. The world building happens bit by bit as the story flows, which did create a little uncertainty as to what was happening in the first chapters, but it doesn't take long for everything to set in and grab. While the writing keeps every page interesting, more than a few moments came in a little rushed or easy, but it never is enough to pull away from the plot. It was an exciting read from start to finish, and is sure to delight action and scifi fans.

A Boy Who Made Music by Karen A. Wyle

It's nonfiction time! Today's read dives into the life of a talented and interesting composer: Joaquin Rodrigo. My musical background had me wanting to grab this one up right away and take a peek...but the other side of me is more careful. Biographies are a tough sell for picture book readers, especially when they center around lesser-known personalities. So, I hit these with huge interest on my end, but with a very critical eye.

Let's see how this one does!

A BOY WHO MADE MUSIC

The Extraordinary Life of Joaquin Rodrigo

by Karen A. Wyle

Illustrated by Tomasz Mikutel

Oblique Angles Press

56 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING AUGUST 4th!!!

Joaquin Rodrigo was a brilliant Spanish composer, writing music for piano, violin, chorus, and guitar. He was also, from the age of three, almost completely blind.

This picture book follows Joaquin from carefree early childhood through his life-altering illness, his discovery of classical music, and his successful career and family life. Joaquin's story can inspire children to dream beyond the apparent limitations suggested by circumstance.

The book's back matter includes multiple activities and enrichment materials.

GOODREADS    /      AMAZON    /      B&N

MY TIDBITS

Keeping the reader in mind, these pages bring across the wonder of music in the inspiring life of Joaquin Rodrigo.

Joaquin was a Spanish composer, who lost his sight at the age of three thanks to a disease. The biography launches from these first emotional months to show how his love for music developed and grew until he matured into the amazing composer he's known to have been today.

The book begins with an inviting beach moment, drawing readers into a playful atmosphere as three-year-old Joaquin and his family play along the water's edge. It's a simple, cheerful moment, and a nice way to launch the story. The author then gives young readers time to connect with Joaquin and his family, showing him as a normal kid and just like them. When he grows ill, the struggle touches in a more personal way. This feel of closeness holds about halfway through the book, allowing listeners/readers to connect with Joaquin and understand his interest in the sounds he hears around him, especially music. 

The second half of the book slides more into the biography atmosphere. The facts are kept very minimal, keeping the concentration mostly on highlights during his life. The author does take time to explain the use of brail in composing music and the difficulties it imposes when translating this into traditional musical scores. At the end of the read, readers are invited to try several activities concerning brail and even encouraged to compose a small song themselves. I do wish there was a link to, at least, one of Joaquin's most popular songs but also understand that this would involve quite a bit more effort on several fronts.

The text flows nicely and stay pretty concise to make sure not to weigh readers/listeners down. The illustrations keep the scenes lively and add a nice balance between supporting the given information and offering entertainment to readers. 

I see this as an especially lovely read for themes surrounding music in group as well as individual settings. It also would make a great addition to one concerning blindness or other challenges. 

And here she is...

Karen A. Wyle is an appellate attorney and photographer (and mother of two brilliantly creative children, now grown) as well as an author. Her published work includes four picture books, soon to be five; fourteen novels, soon to be fifteen; and one nonfiction resource covering multiple aspects of American law.

Westfallen by Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares

It's time for a little history, but with the excitement of an alternate world. Today's read comes from a bestselling author and heads back to WWII. Sort of. Instead of traveling back in time, these characters talk to someone through a radio and accidentally change something by doing so. I'm curious how the author handles this, since this does open some interesting 'what if 's. More importantly, I hope it's accessible to middle graders, since WWII isn't always embraced by this age group.

But let's take a look!

WESTFALLEN

by Ann Brashares and

Ben Brashares

Simon & Schuster

Middle Grade Time Travel   /   Historical

384 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 17th!!!

From #1 New York Times bestselling Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants author Ann Brashares and her brother Ben Brashares comes an action-packed middle grade alternate history thriller that asks what it would be like to wake up in present-day America if Germany had won World War II.

Henry, Frances, and Lukas are neighbors, and they used to be best friends. But in middle school, things can change fast—Frances has become an emo art-girl, Lukas has gone full sports bro, and Henry has gone sort of nowhere. But when a dead gerbil brings them together again, the three ex-friends make an impossible discovery: a radio buried in Henry’s backyard that allows them to talk to another group of kids in the same town…on the same street…in the same backyard…seventy-nine years in the past.

The kids in 1944 want to know all about the future: are there jetpacks? Laser guns? Teleportation? Most of all, they want to know about the outcome of the war their dads and brothers are fighting in. Henry and his friends are cautious—they’ve all seen movies about what happens when you disrupt the fabric of time—but figure there’s no harm in telling them a little bit, just enough so they can stop worrying so much. And, at first, everything seems fine. Nothing’s changed—well, nothing so big they can’t contain it, anyway.

Until Henry, Frances, and Lukas wake up on May 6, 2024, to an America ruled by Nazis. They changed history. And now it’s up to them to change it back.

GOODREADS   /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Tension runs high as reality changes overnight to leave three friends unsure if they can ever return to life as they knew it.

The gerbil is dead, which isn't a huge event in itself, but to 'honor' the class-pet, Henry decides to invite his once, two best friends to a mini-funeral. Surprisingly, the two show up. While they help him dig the grave, they hit an old, buried radio. Not only does it work, but they find themselves conversing with three kids from 1944, who are worried about the raging WWII. A type of friendship forms between the six kids, but they soon notice that even the smallest thing can change history in huge ways. Even something as simple as purchasing a candy bar sets off a string of events, which no one could have seen coming.

This read grabs so much more than I thought it would. Starting with the death of a gerbil, it draws in with bitter-sweet heart and immediately gains sympathy as Henry reaches out to two once best friends, which have drifted away on their own paths. The curious discovery of the radio doesn't set things off right away, but expertly lures in as the fantastical side has a chance to gain footing and the world of 1944 with Alice and her friends gets needed depth. And it does this while keeping the pacing pretty high the entire way through. Switching between Henry and Alice, the two-sides of the tale come to life and the tension becomes double as the intertwined tales run parallel to each other. It's easy to root for both and wonder how each group will make it through their very different yet dangerous situations.

WWII doesn't hit with tons of details and facts, but rather, gives just enough to make life during the period clear while working in some historical tidbits along the way. There are one or two small inconsistencies with the time period, but mostly, it does a lovely job at bringing 1944 across in a way readers can identify with and understand.  The author also does a good job at opening up to further thought. The Butterfly Effect comes across clearly and propels the plot forward in a thought-grabbing way. It opens up the door of what-ifs and does get those brain gears turning. There are some open questions surrounding some characters, and the affects of some changes in 1944 aren't completely wrapped up. But then, judging by the ending, there is going to be a book two, and I'm curious to see where that will lead.

This is an unique and fun twist to time travel, which offers quite a bit of tension while bringing in some historical goodness. 

And here they are...

Ann Brashares is a writer and mother of four living in New York City. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series as well as several other novels. Before becoming a writer, she was a student of philosophy, a receptionist, an editor, a ghostwriter, and, briefly, the copresident of a small media company. She grew up in Washington, DC, with her three brothers and a stunning number of weird pets. She helped her youngest brother, Ben, with his shoes (and the debilitating lumps in his socks) every morning before school until he learned to tie his own shoes…around eighth grade. 

Ben Brashares lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with his wife and three children. He’s the author of Being Edie Is Hard Today and The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection. He holds an MFA in creative writing and has worked at and written for several magazines, including Rolling Stone, Men’s Journal, and Entertainment Weekly. He spent much of his youth wading through heaps of clothes in his big sister’s room looking for the family’s escape-artist tarantula, Fredricka…to put on his sister’s head while she slept. As an adult, Ben gets no help whatsoever tying his shoes. But he still has weird pets. And he still gets lumps in his socks.