Picture Book Review: From My Head to My Toes

 

A picture book about listening to your body and being kind to your body. 

This book is beautifully illustrated with diverse characters. This book talks about consent because your body belongs to you. I love how it shares that idea that you are enough - just the way you are. There is also a note to adult readers and a page on talking to kids about their bodies and boundaries. 

Library Recommendation: A very important book - a must have book for your school and public libraries. 

* ARC sent for review

** This book is out on Tuesday.

BookTok: Nana in the Country

I adore Lauren Catillo - she's one of my favorite illustrators and authors.

I was so happy when this book was announced! I loved the first book.

And the illustrations are magical! 

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do! I adore Lauren Castillo! Check this one out! #illustrations #booktok #picturebook #midlit #countylife #country #charming ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Review: Yours from the Tower

 

Tirah, Polly, and Sophia finished boarding school and have gone back home. Sophia's lucky that her wealthier Aunt will sponsor her for a season. Sophia's hoping to marry wealthy so that will give her sisters more opportunities. Tirah is stuck being a companion to her cranky grandmother. She hates living in the small town where there is no one else her age to talk with. She longs for adventure but is denied at every turn. Polly lives at home and works in an orphanage. She meets brothers who tug at her heartstrings. 

The three friends write letters back and forth sharing the details of their lives. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved how the friends wrote to each other and passed the letters between them. There's a lot of romance, family drama, and talk of the future. I do love epistolary novels.  I loved the letters and telegrams. There was talk of balls, learning, qualities in a wife, and if you should marry for money or love. I enjoyed how the girls were not thrilled with their education when it came to thinking about the future. They wanted more classes on how to talk to men.  I had to keep reading to discover how everything was going to end.  

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fun friendship story that's perfect for fans of Regency Romance. 

Booklist: Sherlock Holmes

 

On Monday, I reviewed The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall, so I decided to create a list of other Sherlock Holmes books - both YA and Middle Grade. 

Here are the other books on the list:

Enola Holmes: The Case of Missing Marquess

The Great Shelby Holmes 

Lock & Mori

Secret Letters

A Study in Charlotte 

Death Cloud 

Are you a Sherlock Holmes fan?

Picture Book Wednesday: Easter Books (2)

Easter picture books and board books new to the library:

Board Books:

This is a cute board book that ties into the picture book series. There are some crossover characters that pop up in this interactive book. 

Easter is over, but what happens next? Lots of egg possibilities in this book as readers explore where the bunny might live. 

An early book about Easter for babies with bright colors.

A cute book with bunny - take a look inside his home. There's lots to look at and discuss here.

Adorable photos of dogs in Easter decor with lots of Easter excitement. 

A count down to an Easter celebration with textured eggs. There are lots animals in this book. 

Picture Book:

The Easter Bunny needs to get more eggs, he asks the Ostrich for help. The Ostrich agrees to step in, but the little girl is way to clever for him. Will he spoil the day?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books to Movies

 This week's topic is books I would love to see turn into movies.

Paging Hallmark - these stories would make Great movies:

And these books, I would love to see made into a TV series:

Do you agree with my choices?

Review: The Improbably Tales of Baskerville Hall

 

* First in a new series * 

Arthur Conan Doyle used his quick wits to save a baby, but in doing so, he also saved himself. Because of his quick actions, he's been gifted an opportunity to go to boarding school. He's excited to go to Baskerville Hall and to keep learning. He's hoping that soon, he will be able to make his family more comfortable. 

He soon meets three friends who help him settle into the school. Although, he does make an enemy. This enemy seems determine to make trouble for Arthur. When a secret society calls upon them, Arthur will have to make choices that will change everything.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - lots of action and danger. There are secrets to uncover and truths to sort out. Everything is not what it seems - which makes for quick page turning. I liked the Baskerville Hall - from the studies, the students, and the grounds. I loved the different friends and their quirks. I'm eager to see where this series is going. But I do hope there's a little more about Arthur's family life. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great book for your school and public library collections. Highly recommended. 

Picture Book Review: Books About Food

Some picture books about food, gardens, and farming

This picture book shares poetry about farming. It's a combination of poetry and story with rich illustrations. 

I like how it says if you like X (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or mushrooms on pizza) and then proceeds to share how those crops become available. I also love how it talks about lots of different ways to farm and then sums everything up with an afterward showcasing all the methods showcased in the book. 

Three siblings join their uncle in his garden. The garden is in the city. They worked hard to plant the garden and then taking care of it. 

I love how each sibling was allowed to pick their own vegetables to grow. I enjoyed watching the veggies grow and how excited everyone was. Of course, there was a celebration at the end of the summer with all the food. There's a recipe at the end of the book.

A young girl's mother doesn't like the winters where they live; her mother grew up in Taiwan. When they go for a visit, the two spend a lot of time outdoors. But when they go back home, everything goes back to normal. It makes the girl sad, so she tries to share nature with her mother again.

This is a wonderful story about being outside and learning about nature. It inspires me to get out more; I could use a little more sunshine. The illustrations are charming. There's a glossary at the end of items in nature talked about as well as garden plants.

When winter fades away, one day Amanda brings a box of chalk outdoors. She begins to draw on the sidewalk. Others soon join in. Pretty soon they have a glorious picture filled with color. Four days later it rains. While they don't have any more chalk, they still have their imagination. And they create something else.

A book about community coming together after surviving hard times. I love how everyone drew with the chalk and worked together. It might not be a real garden, but it shares the same sentiment. 

Winter TBR Check -in

Earlier this week, I shared my TBR list for Spring, so I'm taking a look at what I read from my last list.

So far, I've read seven books.

But I have a few on my list that are checked out from the library and hopefully I will be reading them soon. 

 

Review: The Summer Book Club

 

One summer changes the lives of three women:

Paris grew up without the skills to cope with emotional stress. Her anger lead to the break-up of her marriage and the loss of a career. After years of therapy, she's living in her hometown. She owns a farm stand. Life is good - but she's thrown a curveball when her ex-husband comes back to town.

Laurel, Paris's best friend, has moved on from the hurt of her divorce. But it's still wreaking havoc in her daughters' lives. Her oldest daughter is under the impression that all men let you down. She is so angry with her father. After a teacher brings this to her attention, Laurel is determined to find a male role model for her daughter.

Cassie's family decide it's time for her to finally leave the nest. She drives from Maine to the other side of the country where she finally views her inheritance. There she meets Paris and Laurel.  They form a tight friendship. She finds a job and an apartment. 

Together, they inspire and push each other to make chances. It will be a summer they will never forget.

My Thoughts: It took me a little bit to get into this book and then I was hooked. I didn't want to put the book down. I enjoyed each of their stories - their faults and the accomplishments. It wasn't hard to root for any of them. My heart broke for Laurel's daughters and their moments with their father. I loved how Cassie fit in right away and how she found her place outside of her family. There was so much supportive friendship moments in this book - even the moments of tough love. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming - although it isn't a moment from the book

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your public library's collection. 

BookTok: Manslaughter Park

* Book 3 in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series * 

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian The perfect mystery book for #JaneAusten fans! #fannyprice #art #booktok #mystery #yabook ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Picture Book Wednesday: Easter Books

Here are some Easter picture books and board books:

Picture Books:

Each year Reverend White always calls out someone stylish on Easter. Elijah's determined that this year, his name will be called out. But every store he goes too doesn't have what he's looking for. Then his someone shared a story about the past - where folks used to create their own clothes for Easter. And that's what Elijah does - his suit is both stylish and a patchwork of memories.

There's an author's note that talks about the history of dressing up for Easter Sunday in the Black community. Be sure to read it; it's important to know this history. 

Someone follows this bunny around all day trying to capture the easter bunny in disguise. He is adamant that he's just a regular bunny. 

A funny picture book - is he or isn't he? 

Fiona sees posters for an Easter Egg Hunt around the zoo and longs to have her own egg hunt. She and her friend get busy making eggs. As they're hiding them, Swan needs someone to watch over her eggs while she gathers more bedding. Fiona and Rico agree but as they're fussing over the eggs, one rolls away. Now there is a real hunt around the zoo for Swan's missing egg.

I like how they combine babies and the egg hunt; it's clever. And the ending is sweet. 

Bear is hanging out with his friends when a bird notices her eggs are missing. One by one, the group of friends find the eggs. And then.... they hatch. The only thing better than found eggs is found friends! 

A sweet story about friendship - old and new! 

Board Books:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is hiding in this Easter basket. There are lots of chances to find him.

A morning of fun with Easter traditions - egg painting, egg hunting, and a picnic. I love the push/pull and slider elements to this book. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR

 This week's topic is about our Spring TBR list - so for me that's books coming out in April, May, and June. 

 

Kids:

 

Middle Grade:

 

 

Teen:

 

Graphic Novels:

Adult:

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

  

 

 

Any of these on your list too?