THE ALPHABET'S ALPHABET Blog Tour

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE ALPHABET'S ALPHABET by Chris Harris and Dan Santat Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: THE ALPHABET'S ALPHABET

Author: Chris Harris and Dan Santat (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: September 29, 2020

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 48

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B and N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

For fans of P is for Pterodactyl comes this groundbreaking spin on the ABC's from an acclaimed, bestselling author and artist pairing!

Here's a totally twisted take on the alphabet that invites readers to look at it in a whole new way: An A is an H that just won't stand up right, a B is a D with its belt on too tight, and a Z is an L in a tug-of-war fight! Twenty-six letters, unique from each other -- and yet, every letter looks just like one another! Kind of like...one big family.

From two bestselling masters of wordplay and visual high jinks comes a mind-bending riddle of delightful doppelgängers and surprising disguises that reveal we're more alike than we may think. You'll never look at the alphabet the same way again!

My Thoughts: A really unique way of looking at the alphabet that will make readers smile, laugh, and want to read it again. Who knew that the alphabet could be so fun? Or that it was one big family? The message about how everyone's connected to each other is both sweet and timely. The art work is fantastic with bright colors and funny moments. This picture book is perfect for someone just learning the alphabet or someone who's learned their letters already; it's simply pure fun!

Library Recommendation: A must have for your school and public library!

About Chris:

Chris Harris is the New York Times bestselling author of I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups, illustrated by Lane Smith. He has been an executive producer for comedies including How I Met Your Mother, and a writer for The Late Show with David Letterman. His pieces have appeared in the New Yorker, Esquire, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and on NPR. He lives in Los Angeles.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

About Dan:

Dan Santat is a #1 New York Times Best Selling Author author/illustrator of over one hundred titles which include “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend” which won the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal in 2015. Other titles include, Are We There Yet? and After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)  He is also the creator of the Disney animated hit, The Replacements. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and various pets.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a Finished Copy of THE ALPHABET'S ALPHABET, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour:

9/21/2020	Little Red Reads	Spotlight
9/22/2020	Two Chicks on Books	Spotlight
9/23/2020	YA Book Nerd	Review
9/24/2020	Word Spelunking	Review
9/25/2020	Jazzy Book Reviews	Review

Review: Phantom Wheel

Six of the top teen hackers can't believe they're being recruited for the CIA - and an all expenses paid college tuition. All they have to do is compete for the prize. It sounds too good to be true - and that's because it is. Only one of them figures it out and walks away from the test.

The others take the test and wait patiently for weeks hoping they made the cut.

They don't see that they've been used.

When Owen figures it out - he reaches out to the others. Because they need to make the wrong they did right. Even it means losing everything. Together, they come up with a plan that might just save the world.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, it was hard to put down. I loved the action and the danger; it kept me quickly turning the pages. I had to see what happened next. I loved that the six of them worked together and became fast friends. I loved the nicknames, the romances, and how they all made each other better. I really liked learning more about hacking too - I wish I had that skill set. 

Cover Thoughts:
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A great thriller with diverse characters and lots of twists and turns.

Review: Dream Big Dreams and Reach Higher

Dream Big Dreams: Photographs from Barack Obama's time as President of the United States

Reach Higher: Photographs of Michelle Obama's time as First Lady

Both books were inspiring to read. The photographs were amazing. You could see the joy on people's faces on meeting these two amazing people as they spread kindness and love both at home and at work. They helped change the world. The evidence is right before your eyes in these two books. 

Library Recommendation: Grab these two books for your school and public libraries. 

Picture Book Review: Goodbye Book

A goldfish lost his companion fish and shares his grief.  

Todd Parr does it again. He shares all about different kinds of grief - and how there's not just one way to grieve. It's sweet and touching and just a little bit sad. A great way to introduce death to kids. 

Picture Book Review: Brother and Sister Books

What is means to have a sister - or a brother. Most of the time, it's great. Sometimes it's not.

I loved these books. They're fun to read side by side because you can see the similar page spreads and the different ones too. The message is great. As always, the colors and illustrations are vibrant and unique. There's a love letter at the end from Todd that is heartwarming.

I simply love his books; they're perfect for school and public libraries.

Review: Little Leaders

Mini biographies of 40 African American Women who broke boundaries and achieved greatness.

There's a mix of women everyone's heard of and some lesser known (but no less important) women.

My Thoughts: I adored this book - for the variety of women and the knowledge it shared. But mostly I loved it for the art work. Vashti Harrison art work is stunning. I can't wait to see what she does next and I'm so happy more Little Leader books are in the works.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries!

Upcoming Review: Magic Misfits

Carter is a magician with morals he didn't inherit from his uncle. After a particularly heinous act, Carter realizes he's better off on his one. He runs away for a chance for a better life.

Off the train, he spots a carnival in town. But Carter's disappointed with the tricks until he meets an intriguing man. His magic is different; he's different.

Carter shows up at his magic shop. He discovers how much he likes Mr. Vernon and meets his daughter and her friends. Instantly Carter wishes to befriend the bunch. They all have their magic specialties.

Once they learn of an evil plot by the end of the carnival, they vow to take him down. Can they use magic to trick another magician?

My Thoughts: I had a hard time getting into this book (mostly  because the narrator would talk to the reader, thus pulling me out of the story). But once Carter met Mr. Vernon and showed up at the magic shop, I was hooked. I love how Mr. Vernon and Carter talked about magic and how Mr. Vernon tried to convince the boy that there really was magic in the world (just maybe not the way, he thought it would be.) I like how Carter learn that magic isn't always used as his uncle uses it. My heart ached for him - for the way he grew up and for his beliefs. But now that he's met Mr. Vernon and found friends, I think his outlook on the world will change. I loved the theme of friendship and family. I really liked the climax and the ending of this book. I'm eagerly waiting the next book in the series.

I really liked the magic tricks displayed in the book.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: ARC from BEA
Release Date: November 21st 2017 

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your Elementary School Libraries and your Public School Libraries! And maybe also a book on magic tricks. I have a feeling you might get asked about those after handing this book off to readers.

Picture Book Review: What the Dinosaurs Did at School

When no one is looking, the dinosaurs get into massive trouble at school.

Another fun dinosaur book (sequel to What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night). I loved the photographs, they told the story. I loved how the dinosaurs created havoc wherever they went - like the library, the gym, the art room, and the cafeteria! Hilarious. Perfect for reading again and again while pouring over the pictures!

Tween Tuesday Review: VIP Battle of the Bands

 * Book 2 in the VIP series *

Mac is still living her dream and touring with her favorite band. Perfect Storm is on the rise and loving their time. They're recording some new music, including a song about Mac.

That is until a new up and coming band steals the song and records it first. Now the boys of Perfect Storm are angry and want revenge.

Because both bands are with the same studio, they're sent out on tour together. Of course this starts an all out war between the two bands. And it looks like perfect storm is going down from their behavior and all their most private secrets share with the public. Someone is clearly sabotaging them. Can Mac figure it out before the band breaks up?

My Thoughts: I loved the sequel. I loved getting to know the guys more. I loved the comics. Again the art was cool and Mac became more confidence on page. I felt bad for the guys as their world came apart and their secrets were shared. I can't imagine the pressure these guys must be under and how awful it would be to have your secrets spilled out into the world. No one made great choices here. I liked the vlogger angle and how the played out. A fantastically fun sequel and I can't wait to read more about Mac and her friends and the guys.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Sent for Review
Release Date: Out Today
Library Recommendation:  Highly recommended for tween collections, this one will fly off the shelves.

Kids Book Review: Puppy Pool Party

 What do puppies do at a pool party?

This super cute book is my new favorite. I love it. And it's perfect for sharing with kids. Already looking forward to sharing it during story times.

Pick this one up for your library! But don't forget to read it before it hits the shelves.

Review: There's No Place Like Home

*****spoilers from the previous 5 books****

Kaitlin's just starting over in Hollywood with a new TV show - Small Fries. It has the potential to become HUGE. With Sky has her co-star again, things are looking better than ever.

Until her Mom starts overbooking her. With Broadway under her belt and another hit TV series, Kaitlin has her pick of movies her the show production's hiatus. She has the choice between working with Spielberg and Eastwood. Her mom wants her to choose both and she won't take no for an answer. Her mom also wants her promoting her TV show, leaving no time for dates with her boyfriend or time with her friends.

Kaitlin doesn't want to disappoint her mother, but neither does she want to burn out. After huge fights with her mother and her friends, Kaitlin realizes she needs to make some serious choices about her future.

My Thoughts: I'm so sad to say goodbye to Kaitlin and her Hollywood life. I love Kaitlyn because while she's the "IT Girl," she longs to be normal. She values loyalty, friendship, and honesty. The book is broken into three parts: the present, an alternate universe, and the present again. The alternate universe answers the questions Kaitlyn has been asking throughout the series - what would happen if she could live a normal life away from all the pressures. Would she be different? What would she do? A different approach to ending the series, but it really works as Kaitlin's been struggling with this issue ever since going incognito to high school during the first book. I do love how the series ended. It's an addicting fun series.

Cover Thoughts: I love it - it works so well with both the theme and with the covers of the previous titles in the series.

Source: My Library

GoodReads

Review: My Little Phony (with some spoilers)

Massie and Claire are at war after Massie required the Pretty Committee to ditch their crushes and upgrade. Claire refused to give up Cam. Instead, she found a couple ninth grade girls to replace Massie and her ridiculous demands.

She's never felt more free or more like herself since her family moved to town. She's so tired of not being her true self, yet whenever she sees Massie and the other girls, she finds herself a little wistful for the old days. She's not sure she wants to go to war with Massie but after Massie starts the war, there's no way she's backing down.

Massie can't believe Claire and her new friends. She almost has too much going on her world to worry about Claire, like lip kissing an older boy and family drama. Still, she can't let Claire off for ditching the group. When she's done with Claire, there won't be any more friendship with ninth graders or anyone else.

Will the two girls ever declare a truce or will they fight til someone backs down?


My Thoughts: I really like this series.

The Covers: Love them

The Title: Awesome titles throughout the series.

Fact for Gossip Points: The next book The Tale of Two Pretties is the last book in the series - it comes out in February of next year.

Up Next: I'm super excited to read Monster High - It looks Ah-mazing!