Thursday, March 31, 2022

Bookstagram (1): Weather Girl

 


I've been playing around with Bookstagram posts and mood board for the books. I thought I'd share them on the blog too.

Weather Girl: 

A romance between two co-workers who set out to change their toxic work environment which includes:
Fake Dating
Matchmaking
Single Father
Heroine with depression
Meteorologist 
Sports Reporter 

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Picture Book Wednesday: Spring Books (1)

 


Spring is just around the corner here!



A love letter to the Earth for all the wonderous things it gives us. 

As always, the photographs are stunning. There is so much to see in this book - so much to take in - seasons, flowers, bugs - all aspects of nature. I'm so sad this photographer died; she was one of my favorites. The author's note includes tips to help the Earth and save the environment. 

Miguel is hosting a party at the community garden and he's bringing sunflowers. He searches through the garden until he finds he sunflowers.

There was a lot I liked about this book - great illustrations and lots of vocabulary. However, it didn't jive for me. If Miguel is bringing sunflowers, I wished the book talked more about flowers than different fruits and vegetables. Or maybe Miguel could have brought a fruit or vegetable. I did love the ending and how everyone (and the fruits and vegetables) came together.

* book sent for review

A house is empty and lonely and longs for another family.

While this one isn't strictly a Spring book - it reminded me of new beginnings. It does go through seasons of change, changes in people, and changes in emotions. I love that it's from the perspective of the house and how the house wishes for new memories while holding on to the old ones.

* Book sent for review 

A family of robin grows over the course of a year.

This black and white illustrated book shows the growth of a family from eggs to flying away from the nest. It covers eating habits, danger, and flying. It's a lovely book for springtime reading. And the author's note is great 

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Blog Tour: No Boundaries

Welcome to the No Boundaries Blog Tour!

In No Boundaries, twenty-five inspiring women from around the world -- many of whom are National Geographic Explorers -- share their adventures, failures, successes, sage advice and lessons learned, straight from the field.  This week, get to know five of the amazing women featured in No Boundaries and be inspired by their work and the challenges they overcame to forge new paths in science and exploration!


Meet Dr. Aubrey Roberts

Dr. Aubrey Roberts is a paleontologist and currently works at the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath. Aubrey's research focus is on Mesozoic marine reptiles and the evolutionary history, palaeobiogeography and palaeobiology. She is a member of the 'Spitsbergen Mesozoic Research Group' based in Oslo, Norway. To see Aubrey at work, check out this installment of #BestJobEver.




What’s in a Name?
When Aubrey and a fellow student were excavating their plesiosaur skeleton, they had a song by pop star Britney Spears running through their heads, so they nicknamed the specimen “Britney.” Important new fossils get assigned specimen numbers, such as Britney’s: PMO 224.248. These numbers get put on the fossil and in the museum’s database, so any- one can look up where, when, and by whom the specimens were found. But fun field names are essential, too. They’re much easier for paleontologists to remember when they’re out working in the field. Of course, now Britney’s species has the official, scientific name of Ophthalmothule cryostea.

Aubrey’s Reading Recommendation:

 

Raptor Red by Robert Bakker. It’s a novel that follows the life of a Utahraptor (a predatory dinosaur the size of a grizzly bear)—from its birth until its death. “It was an amazing, brilliant book,” Aubrey says. “It really swept me away into the Cretaceous period and allowed me to imagine what it must have been like to be a dinosaur.” 


Buy | Add on Goodreads

Meet 25 female explorers and scientists in these inspirational and poignant stories of exploration, courage, and girl power.

Along the way, they share lessons learned and words of wisdom sure to inspire the next generation of scientists, adventurers, and world-changers.

Track a volcanologist as she braves the elements atop an active volcano. Travel alongside a mountaineer as she battles stereotypes―and frostbite―to conquer the famed Seven Summits. Join a conservationist on her passionate fight to save lions. Dig with a paleontologist to uncover massive dinosaur fossils, bit by breathtaking bit. These heartfelt stories give readers an insider’s look at the amazing work female explorers at National Geographic―and beyond―are doing in the field to solve some of the world’s toughest problems.

Rather than detailing the lives of well-known women, this anthology celebrates lesser-known changemakers and outstanding women of diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and fields of study who are just beginning to make a name for themselves. Each profile is based on first-person interviews and comes paired with useful tips and relatable advice for budding explorers and scientists. Stunning photography and fascinating general interest information about the animals, places, and practices add drama and context.

No Boundaries sends a positive message to every girl who has ever dreamed or dared to go a little further. And although these explorers’ endeavors are quite adventurous, the lessons they share can inspire all girls, as well as boys, whatever their goals, skills, and interests.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram

CLARE FIESELER is a National Geographic explorer, photojournalist, and conservation biologist. She has conducted field research on coral reefs and island ecology across the Caribbean and wider Atlantic Ocean. She also studies urban wildlife in her home city of Washington, D.C. As a journalist, Fieseler has traveled the globe, reporting on emerging environmental problems for the Washington Post, NPR, and National Geographic, among other outlets. She was awarded the 2019 Mass Media Fellowship from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Fieseler is most proud of the time she rappelled down a rock cliff with a broken foot to photograph the world’s most endangered fern. 

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram

GABBY SALAZAR is a National Geographic explorer, a nature and conservation photographer, and a social scientist. As a U.S. Fulbright Scholar in Photography and an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, she has worked on environmental photography projects across the globe, spending months at a time living in tropical rainforests and on tropical islands. Salazar has an MSc in Conservation Science from Imperial College London and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Florida’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Science, where she studies environmental marketing. She is committed to environmental education and uses photography to get kids outdoors and to connect them with nature. 
 


GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • One (1) winner will receive a hardcover of No Boundaries!
  • US/Can only
  • Ends 4/10 at 11:59pm ET
  • Check out the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!

Follow the tour:
March 28th - Teen Librarian Toolbox
March 29th - YA Book Nerd
March 30th - Always in the Middle
March 31st - Bookhounds
April 1st - Randomly Reading

Monday, March 28, 2022

On Your Radar: 52 (The Diva Says Cheesecake)


Title: The Diva Says Cheesecake
Book 15 in the Domestic Diva series
Author: Krista Davis
Publisher: Kensington
Publication Date: May 31, 2022


Why it should be on your radar:
*Favorite Characters
*Mouth Watering Food
* Cozy Mystery
* Cheesecake
* Dogs
*Neighbors and Community
* Small Town Charm
* Natasha drama
* Restaurant drama

I really enjoyed this chapter in the series. I always love catching up with these characters and seeing what's happening around town. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. Excited to see what's next for Sophie and the gang. 

** ARC from Netgalley

Library Recommendation: Another great addition to this charming series - perfect for readers of the series, foodie cozies, and Hallmark Mystery Movies.

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Board Books (16)


Just a few new super cute additions to the library

I love this series! There are fantastic cut-outs. This one is all about family and love. 

Elmo really wants to meet a unicorn - and his friend helps make that dream come true. Together they have the best day ever - lots of friendship and magic in this colorful book.

This sweet story has moveable parts (slides that would work for the library and a mirror in the back of the book). Another story about love with bright colors.

* This book was sent for review

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Winter TBR Check-in

 


Last week, we shared our Spring TBR list. 
Which means it's a good time to check in and see how many books I read from my winter list. 


Out of the 18 books, I've read 5.
I have another 5 checked out from the library that I'll read soon. 

Still planning to read the rest.

So - not great, but not terrible either. 
How did you do at reading your TBR list?

Friday, March 25, 2022

Book Lists: Farm Picture Books


 Spring time means a visit to the farm and baby animals and growing food. Here are a few books on farms I've read over the last year or so. 

A Trip to the Farm shares all about a visit and exploring the farm - from animals to people who work there to machines.

This is a sweet bedtime book where all the animals on the farm get tucked it. 

Cadi is a working dog - follow her through a day of work and rest with her family. Great pictures help share the story. 


I love these Abdo books - great pictures and not too much text. These are perfect for beginning readers. 

Stanley is a favorite among our readers - Stanley works the farm for a day. 


Another great book with photos and not too many words. 

This one has amazing illustrations and vocabulary. The story is a little weak, but the ending is sweet.

A fantastic board book about animals and jobs on the farm. I love these board books. Lots of knowledge in one little book. 

Check out more Board Books here.

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Women's History Month: Nonfiction Children's Books


Showcasing a few Children's Biographies new to the library collection. These are all inspiring reads. 

While these Who Is books are shorter than the Who Was books, it's still full of information. This one talks about Greta Thunberg's realization that the world is changing due to bad habits. And that the climate change needs to stop - now. 

Wangari Maathai was surprised and unhappy when she learned about how the trees were being cut down in Kenya. She started a campaign called the Green Belt Movement and planted trees, saved forests and parks, and started spreading the word.

Sue Bird is basketball legend. 

Stacey Abrams is an amazing woman - romance author, lawyer, and politician. She is fighting against rules that make it hard for people to vote in Georgia. I can't wait to see what she does next. 

And if you missed it, here are a few older favorites:
 

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Picture Book Wednesday: Women's History Month Books (4)

 


Another round of picture books perfect for sharing all year, but especially during Women's History Month

Asiya loves visiting her Nanu's house and looking at the katha chest. She loves seeing all the katha quilts and sharing their stories. These stories come from generations of women in the family.

I loved the family tales woven together from the fabric of the quilts. The quilts are amazing and colorful. The illustrations are lovely with bright colors. 

For homework, students are preparing a presentation about a trailblazing woman. One boy picks Betty White. 

I love that this book shows research, a fun librarian, and highlights from Betty White's career. And of course Betty herself appears. 

This new addition to the series features 16 girls and women who persisted in their fields. 

Another great chapter to these books. More fantastic illustrations. More famous women shared (some I recognized and some I didn't). 

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: 5 Star Reads

 This week I'm changing up the topic because I've been reading some great books lately and I wanted to share...


2nd book in a middle grade trilogy about the Peach family. More shenanigans in this book.

Heroine and hero meet under harsh winter conditions and share a bond after surviving.
Also a fake dating story. 

A modern graphic novel retelling of Anne of Green Gables.

A workplace romance that features a heroine with depression and a single father. 

Stacey is moving back to NYC! This graphic novel made me cry...

Exactly what I expected from book 2 in this series 

Jane Austen Persuasion retelling with Ice Dancing in a Figure Skating family - Olympic level sports.

Gilded Age romance - romance lessons - shy heroine grows into her own - Foodie.

Twins switch places for 12 days before the holidays when their own life blows up.

Reverse My Fair Lady set in modern day Manhattan and elite society