Written by Mallida Chopra and illustrated by Brenna Vaughan, Just Breathe (out this August from Running Press) is a nonfiction book intended to help teenagers (and their parents and teachers) improve their mental health. I have reviewed several books for children on topics such as yoga and meditation (e.g., Yoga Frog and I Am Peace), and I…
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed and Illustrated by Stasia Burrington
I’ve already read Roda Ahmed‘s first children’s picture book Mae Among the Stars (2018, Harper) to my little guy twice. Illustrated beautifully by Stasia Burrington, this book is about the power of believing in one’s dreams. My children’s literature students have to create a text set around a particular content area next semester, and this book will…
They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki
Thank you for all the love on the blog recently! I am so pleased when my reviews are seen by a lot of people. That was my intent from the beginning: To share contemporary children’s literature with teachers (preservice and inservice) and parents. And boy do I have a great children’s picture book to share…
Maximillian Villainous by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow
I love when review copies arrive on my door! I was excited to read Margeret Chiu Greanias‘s debut children’s picture book Maximillian Villainous (out August 28 from Running Press). I absolutely LOVE reviewing debut authors!! Illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow, this book is about standing up for what you think is right. Kids will enjoy the absolutely ridiculousness…
Little Plane Learns to Write by Steven Savage
Steven Savage, author of Supertruck, has created another vehicle we can cheer for: Little Plane. Published in June 2017 from Roaring Brook Press, Little Plane Learns to Write is a wonderful book that will teach even the youngest of readers about the persistence needed when learning to write – or anything else for that matter. I’m not the…
Rosetown by Cynthia Rylant
I read three books on Memorial Day. And boy was this day of reading absolutely spectacular. It finished up just like old times. With me and a book and a flashlight in bed. Just amazing! One of these was Cynthia Rylant‘s Rosetown, out earlier this month from Beach Lane Books, and the focus text of today’s review. {The…
What I’m Reading Update #1
So sometimes right after I’ve come off a big reading period, I have a few books I’d like to share with readers. So I decided to create a post called What I’m Reading, where I can share my thoughts on books I’ve read or am just starting to read with you. In this installment, I comment on…
First Star by Will Hillenbrand
I thought I would get the Memorial Day weekend started off right with a book that has camping and stargazing – everything but the hot dogs really! My whole family very much enjoyed Will Hillenbrand‘s First Star, which was published just this month from Holiday House. This book should DEFINITELY be on your summer reading list! Bear…
How to Trick the Tooth Fairy Written by Erin Danielle Russell and Illustrated by Jennifer Hansen Rolli
I attended the Kutztown University Children’s Literature Conference a few weeks ago, and I had the opportunity to hear Jennifer Hansen Rolli discuss author visits. She was so excited because her latest illustrated book How to Trick the Tooth Fairy (2018, Alladin), which is written by Erin Danielle Ruseell, was coming out in a few weeks! And…
Islandborn Written by Junot Diaz and Illustrated by Leo Espinosa
So Isalndborn (2018, Dial Books for Young Readers) has been on my to-read list for a while now, and I’m excited to share this title with you today. Author Junot Diaz and illustrator Leo Espinosa join forces to create a masterfully colorful story about a girl who realizes that our past is always within us. This children’s picture…
What If by Samantha Berger and Illustrated by Mike Curato
One of my favorite things about Mother’s Day yesterday was creating painted handprint fish with my little guy. I can’t wait until he is a little bit older and we can do even more art projects together. The crayons and paint are ready! If you need a book to inspire you or the little ones…
Forever or a Day by Sarah Jacoby
I am so very pleased to share Sarah Jacoby‘s new children’s picture book Forever or a Day (which came out in March from Chronicle) with you today. It is one of my new favorite books and one that I will definitely be sharing with my children’s literature students this fall! This is a book that stays in…
Daddies Do by Lezlie Evans and Illustrated by Elisa Ferro
I read Daddies Do (out today from Sterling) to my little guy for the second time on Sunday! Told in verse by author Lezlie Evans, this children’s picture book tells the grand things daddies do through a series of animal daddies and their children. A sweet book, Daddies Do will be a perfect Father’s Day read! The book’s precious message…
An Atlas of Imaginary Places by Written by Mia Cassany and Illustrated by Ana de Lima
Written by Mia Cassany and illustrated by Ana de Lima, An Atlas of Imaginary Places (out in English from Prestel just this year) is a great book for those imaginative kids in your life. Anyone who has created a whole world in his or her head will enjoy this book. All the musings of a creative child’s…
American Mom by Meredith Hale
Last Mother’s Day was my first. I had a little tiny baby boy who had come home from the hospital at the end of April. It was a great day, but this Mother’s Day will be especially special because I will have had a year to reflect on all of the memories of the past…
Albie Newton Illustrated by Josh Funk and Illustrated by Ester Garay
We have all experienced the new kid. Sometimes we are the new kid (like me in the sixth grade), and sometimes we are the kids in the class when the new kid comes. Out May 1 from Sterling, Albie Newton is a great new children’s picture book that addresses the new kid. Written by Josh Funk…
Colorama by Cruschiform
Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely love COLORS. I am addicted to them. Our wedding was blooming with vibrant pinks, oranges, and greens. So I was really excited when I received by review copy of Colorama, a beautiful book (one that middle grades and young adult readers who are into colors will really enjoy) by French…
But the Bear Came Back by Tammi Saucer and Illustrated by Dan Taylor
A charming children’s picture book by duo writer Tammi Saucer and illustrator Dan Taylor, But the Bear Came Back (published April 2017 by Sterling) will be a popular book in your house or classroom. What appears to be a humorous book about a bear who keeps telling a visiting bear to go away becomes something much more…
Snail Mail Written by Samantha Berger and Illustrated by Julia Patton
If anyone is a fan of snail mail, it is me. In fact, I just purchased a book on lettering so I can add pretty lettering to the snail mail that I will send out tomorrow! Author Samantha Berger has teamed up with illustrator Julia Patton to create Snail Mail, which comes out May 1 from Running Press….
Counting over the Weekend
Today I am pleased to share two books about counting with you: 10, 9, 8 … Owls Up Late! and 5 Little Rubber Duckies. 10, 9, 8 … Owls Up Late! is a fun read-aloud for those who love owls and counting. Told in a rhyming song similar to Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, this children’s picture book written…
