BookTok: Sister of the Bride

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian 5 things sbout this cute romance book! Also it might make you long for some good Italian food! #romancebook #booktok #sisters #friendstolovers #boston #5things #romancelandia ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Picture Book Wednesday: Family Books

Here are some picture books about family:

Grandpa and Jake are headed to a special place. Jake asks so many questions about where they are going. Of course, they are headed to the library! The most magical place of all! But the library is closing soon; that's when Jake discovers you can borrow books. 

A fantastic book for book loving librarians! I love the illustrations; there's so much to pour over. And I love how Grandpa wants to share a special moment with his grandson. Just a very sweet heartwarming book. 

When Papa leaves to find a better place to live, Mai is sad. She misses her father. But soon she and Mama leave to find Papa. It's scary, but Mai is brave. 

This story is based on the author's own life. She and her mother were brave as they traveled from Vietnam to Singapore to America. The illustrator's family also had a journey. Both were hard but they were brave. It's impressive that their lives helped created this sad, but sweet book about being reunited with family. 

 Beto doesn't want to wear the tradition Mexican Wedding shirt. In fact he refuses. He has all kinds of excuses, but his mother counters every argument. 

This book starts out funny and then a little sad and then finally sweet. The ending is great! 

All Grandmas are different, but they are all awesome!

This book is a love letter to grandmas everywhere and it made me miss my grandmother something fierce! 

* Book sent for review 

Rafa and Papa love to measure things - they like to know. But how does one measure love?

A sweetly told story about measuring love, with fun illustrations, and a great message. 

A little boy draws all kinds of hearts and his family members share what they remind them of.

This is a funny story about drawing, family, and how everyone is different. I too draw hearts different; so this book spoke to me. I loved all the ways his drawn hearts were like a family member's heart! 

Spending the day with the grandparents is always fun. 

This book shares all the fun to be had with charming illustrations.

Julia is spending the summer at her grandmother's house. Everything is a little different here - but in a good way. Grandma knows just what to do with Julia's feeling sad. She knows how to keep her occupied with new things until her parents arrive to pick her up.

This is a sweet story about family with a twist. I loved the moments between Julia and her grandma. They were so sweet. Time together is magical!

Top Ten Tuesday: Nature Covers

 This week's topic is all about cover art - and being in nature. I do enjoy a good cover that shows off the landscape. Here are some covers that caught my eye that I can't wait to read.

Any of these also on your reading list?

Picture Book: Fairy Tale Day

Today is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day.

Here are a few new to the library fairy tales

A Taste of Honey is an Indian folk tale about a girl named Kamala who makes honey. Business is slow. She asks the King for help. He gives her a plot of land for crops, but the lot isn't ready for planting. She uses her wits to create a better scenario for herself and her family. 

A Filipino folk tale about a woman who eats ALL the leftovers from children. Especially the yucky things. Then she sees them at a birthday party - there's not a crumb leftover. She wants to eat ALL the things, so she does. But then things happen and the children have to eat everything on their own plate.

* On a personal note, I could have used Dona Esmerelda. I hated cooked vegetables; they were the plaque of my existence. 

Princess Charming isn't sure what her "thing" is. She can't seem to figure out what she's good at, but she's going to keep trying. 

The ending of the picture book is funny and very clever. 

Cinderelliot loves baking. The prince needs a new baker at the palace. But his stepsiblings want to take his items to the prince. Who is going to win the spot?

This is a great Cinderella story with dessert and a sweet ending! 

Picture Book Review: Adventure Begins at Your Library

 

Just a couple picture books that are perfect for summer reading.

A little girl travels to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel trail. You see all kinds of nature and geological formations. 

This is a beautiful picture book with a big ending.

A boy and his family spend the day climbing a volcano. Several haiku poems appear on each page describing the journey, the nature, and his feelings. 

Describes a long hike perfectly - the awe at the top, the quick moment down, and the long strenuous hike up to the top.  I like the haikus - it's a different way to read and it's a fresh way to talk about poetry. 

Teen Summer Reading Program (3): Adventure Begins @ Your Library

The past two weeks, I've focused on crafts. Today I'm shifting and focusing on food programs.

This was the first part of summer reading that fell into place for me. 

It's perfect because it works well with the theme: S'mores Variations.

We do a take and make food program called Foodie Fun (if you're new to the blog, find out more about that program here.)

We have seven weeks this year. While I haven't narrowed it down yet, here are some ideas that I'm choosing from:

Cookie S'mores

Another Cookie S'mores

Cookie and Kiss S'mores

Snack Mix or Puppy Chow

Pretzel S'more Bites

Rice Krispie Twist

Sugar Cone S'mores

S'mores Nacho

Picture Book Review: Do You Know Them

 

While this book shares an important piece of Black history, it's important to acknowledge these stories year round and not just in February. 

Lottie lost track of her family. They had been sold before the end of the war. Now she's desperate to find them. She works all the odd jobs she can to save money for an advertisement in the newspaper. She's hoping that someone will know where they are.

This is a heartbreaking story with lovely illustrations, but it's so powerful and important to read. Lottie is an inspiration in a dark time. She's determined and she gives others hope. There's nothing more powerful that hope. This is an important book to share with readers. 

* This book was sent for review

This is a must have picture book for your library's collection.

Review: Muffin But the Truth

 

* Book 16 in the Bakeshop Mystery series * 

Juliet and her team are catering a company retreat. Even before they arrives, Jules wishes she hadn't taken the job. They're looking for glamorous camping food. When the executive arrives, she's not pleased. But the menu is set and there's not much that can be done to change it. 

The first dinner at Torte is tense; the executive has made it very clear that this trip isn't a retreat but a working weekend. Tensions run high among the co-workers. Jules is not looking forward to the rest of the weekend.

Things get worse as the weekend continues. Accidents happen, but the first night seems to work. But the next morning, Jules discovers a body in the river. At first glance, it looks like the executive, but it is not her. Could it be a case of mistaken identity? 

My Thoughts: I really love this series - for the characters, the baked good, and the mystery. I had this one all wrong - I like how mysteries still surprise me. I liked how the setting was set in town, but also not.  The people at the company were all terrible, which made for an entertaining read. And this cozy sets everything up for the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your public library.

Picture Book Wednesday: Black Experience

Again, these books are great for Black History Month and also all year round. 

One family work together to serve the last stand at the farmer's market. All the other stands have closed. But one day, Papa is too tired to make it. The first week, the boy makes a mess of things. But the second week, he starts to problem solve. The community comes together to support the stand and the family.

This is a sweet story about community, farms, and trying to make it. The author's note is touching and eye opening. 

A grandmother and her granddaughter share love that shines bright and that love crosses the universe. 

I love how the pair go through seasons together. While this book doesn't have many words, it pacts a powerful punch in terms of the message. Family love is always there and strong. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous.  

*This book was sent for review 

After work, Roy DeCarava would travel the streets of Harlem looking for beauty. When he would it, he would snap a picture. 

There is a great message here about beauty catching someone's eye, the truth catching someone's eye and a moment captured forever. Roy DeCarava captured these moments and became a famous photographer with photos from everyday life. This book inspires me both to look at the world a little differently and also to research his photographs. 

Couple walking, Park Avenue, 1960 (Credit: Estate of Roy DeCarava. Courtesy David Zwirner)

I Can Read Book:

Parker is having a hard day, which comes with BIG feelings. She needs some time to herself to calm her feelings. 

I love how Parker and her mom come up with ideas to make her feel better. There's an end note that talks about feelings and how to help yourself clam down.

**This book was sent for review 

After a trip to a museum where they talk about Martin Luther King Jr., the class talks about their big deals. 

This is an inspiring read. The kids had lovely dreams; we need to find a way to make those dreams come true. 

*** This book was sent for review