Review: Sour Apple

Everyone on the tree gets picked except for one green apple. And this apple wonders why? But they never expected what would happen next...

This book has a great message about how getting picked over isn't always a bad thing. Of course, it doesn't feel nice and it hurts are feelings. But there could be good things waiting to happen. The illustrations are cute; I love apple's expressions. 

* This book will be a hit with those who love the Bad Seed books.

** This book was sent for review 

 

Picture Book Reviews: Fall Books

A few books about fall:

The joys of playing football - an afternoon game with family. 

A day of raking leaves. A father challenges his daughter to rake leaves up to her knees. Can she do it? A fun fall book about leaves and quality family time. 

When the weather turns cold, it's time for sweaters. But it's not easy putting sweaters on OR off. An almost wordless picture book will be fun for sharing. 

Biscuit and friends are having so much fun at an apple orchard. It's an adorable book filled with fall staples and lots of friends.

Picture Book Review: First Apple Pie

Amelia Bedelia is famous for her apple pies - this is the story of her first pie, which saves the day.

I love these new adventures of Amelia Bedelia as a kid. It's lovely to see her with the same personality traits for a different generation. Plus, this is a fun fall book about leaves, apples, and pie. 

Library Recommendation: A great fall book for your collection - and a lovely series for your picture book collection.

Halloween Picture Books (3)

 

A few more fun Halloween Picture Books:

The animals find a pumpkin and they're not sure what to make of it. While this one isn't strictly a Halloween book, it does have a fun party and it's super cute.

A Cinderella story about pumpkins and vegetables. Squasherella isn't scary...until she gains some confidence. A fun twist on the classic tale. 

What you see is what you get! The wheels on the bus song in Halloween form with cute illustrations. Delightful.

No one wants to live in this house - and it makes the house sad and lonely. She's just a little bit creeky, squeaky, and dusty. She tries so hard not to be haunted. But then a wind blows through and she becomes herself. And she Likes it! She really is haunted and she's looking for a family who doesn't mind. A great book about being yourself and finding your family/friends who love you.

* this book was sent for review. 

Board Books: (14) Farms

We just bought a bunch of new board books for our library.

I'll be talking about a few favorites over the next couple weeks

Today I'm talking about farm and fall books:

Farm:

Lots of zooming around the area for this little orange truck. This is a thicker lift the flap book but also small in dimensions. So many animals to see in this charming book. 

This is a super cute book but maybe not the best for libraries with felt pieces and lift the flaps. I love how much there is to see and the bright colors. This would make a great gift.

This is a large touch and feel board book that talks about animals found on the farm. 

A very sweet story.

Another larger board book - with big lift the flaps. 

Lots of farm and animal knowledge in this one. 

Thicker flaps on this Disney book about saying good night to animals on the farm. Another sweet animal story.

Textures and lots of vocabulary this is touch and feel farm book. The questions are great and can spark up lots of conversation.

Lots of pictures - this one talks about farm chores. And it goes through the seasons. Love the illustrations and the flaps here.

Fall:

A great start to learning about apple (even I learned things.) 

Love the bright illustrations and the facts. 

A short but sweet celebration of fall and fall activities. This is a touch and feel book with various textures. Love the illustrations in this one. 

Picture Book Review: Little Elliot Fall Friends

Little Elliot and Mouse think the city is too busy! They want to escape to the country, so they take a bus. And find a perfect place for some fall fun! Of course they meet some new friends along the way.

My Thoughts: I love this book series and this book was super cute. I loved the country setting and the game of hide and seek. I love how Mouse and Little Elliot found each other again. The ending was so sweet with the new friends and the stars! Plus the illustrations were amazing. Another winner to this series.

Library Recommendation: Grab this series for both school and public libraries.

Top Ten Tuesday

This week's topic is Top Ten Books On My Fall 2013 TBR List - not including the books I'm currently reading or have out from the library or have ARCs from BEA. Fall for me means September thru November , which is when all these books come out. I'll do an adult spin-off later in the week. There are so many great books coming out, it's hard to pick just 10.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

                                       Fiery Heart

Daylighters

Naturals

Palace of Spies

Allegiant

Russian Roulette

Pawn

Exile

Frozen

Altantis Rising

What's on your list?

Top 10 Tuesday

Top Ten Books On Your Fall TBR List - Meme created by The Broke and Bookish

Wow, this is going to be a hard list to create. I'm going from Sept 1 - Dec for my dates. Here they are in no particular order and with the knowledge that some ARCs I've previously read might have been on the list, except that I read the ARC. Also I'm only listing the YA titles even though there's several adult and tween books that I'm dying to read.

1. Wish You were Eyre

2. Hidden

3. Stealing Parker

4. Torn Wing

5. Venom

6. Bitter Blood

7. Lies that Bind

8. Princess of the Silver Woods

9. Dear Teen Me

10. Crimson Frost

Review: Just Your Average Princess

Jamie's cousin is coming to stay for the fall. Jamie remembers having a great time with her when they were really young. When Milan steps out of the truck in her thousand dollar shoes and into something gross, Jamie realizes her cousin might have changed.

She's willing to give her cousin the benefit of doubt. When Milan starts comments on Jamie's hair, clothes, and lack of fun, Jamie begins to have second thoughts.

Milan starts flirting with Danny, the boy Jamie's been crushing over for two years. Then Milan decides to run for Pumpkin Princess. Jamie's been dreaming of wearing that tiara for years. Suddenly it's war and both Jamie and Milan are campaigning.

Who will come out the reigning champion?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I loved the fall theme: the pumpkin patch, the caramel apples, and the whole farm. It made me envision the perfect fall day. I really liked Jamie and Sara. I do wish there had been more moments with Danny. He didn't seem to have a big part. Besides his hotness factor, there wasn't really much we learned about him. Overall I loved it - lighthearted and charming. The perfect fall book.

Cover Thoughts: I really liked the uniqueness of this cover - but it doesn't really match the book. It's not the dress she wears. Nor are their pumpkins. Still, it's cute.

Source: my Library