Blog-o-versary

 

Today's a special day.

Thanks for sticking around all these years! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Goals

 This week's topic is reading goals STILL to complete before the end of the year.

Here are my goals for the year:

1. According to my Goodreads Challenge (which I failed last year) - I'm hoping to read 250 books - between Children's, Middle Grade, YA, Adult, and graphic novels.

Currently I'm at 179, so I have a few more books to read. Fingers Crossed!

2. I'd like to also read 500 picture books, board books, and I Can Read Books

Currently, I'm at 456, but I have a bunch at home, I need to read. This should be easily accomplished. 

3. I'd like to blog 325 posts and not all reviews...

Currently at 263 for the year, so that's do-able too. I try to blog about once a day or at least 6 times a week. AND I have a big anniversary too. 

I could make more book lists and other posts. I will have to think about that.

4. More Bookstagram posts (at least once per month)

So far, so good! 

5. More TikTok BookTok posts (at least once per month)

So far, so good! 

I'm not doing too bad! But I need to get reading...

Graphic Novel Review: Four Eyes

Sixth grade isn't easy - especially if you have to wear glasses. To make matters worse, Rex hasn't grown. His best friend wants to branch out and have other friends - but those other friends are bullying Rex. 

Things aren't easy at home either. His parents are divorced and his father has a new life. His father doesn't seem interested in Rex. He does pay child support, but he's annoyed that Rex needs glasses. And even further annoyed when they break at school. 

Rex is learning to stand up for himself against his friend, against bullies, and against his father. 

My Thoughts: This graphic novel has ALL the drama: bullies, friendship issues, family dynamics, and finding yourself. It's not easy being different. Rex takes the high road many times, but my heart felt for him. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library.

 

Board Books: New to the Library

Sometimes I try to create themes with my lists, this isn't one of those times. These are just fun new additions to the library.

Rob the penguin isn't happy that he's not colorful. He tries all the colors before realizing that he's great just the way that he is. A wonderful message for everyone. Great for vocabulary building with animals and colors. Plus, it's a touch a feel book, with different textures. 

* this makes a great baby shower gift! 

 

Sharing your love of sports with these board books. These rhyming board books are mini biographies but also teach lessons about working hard and being determined. 

You are one but you're also part of a team. You're better together. A cute counting book with lovely illustrations and lots of hair styles, which you can also count.

Family time from morning until night - lots of diverse families and lots of activities. Of course, I love the moment they read all together. There's a mirror at the end of the book to share that the reader's family is also amazing! So much love and so many great messages in this one! 

* this makes a great baby shower gift! 

A sweet book between a parent and a child and unconditional love. This book has charming illustrations with flaps and sliders. 

Lots of fun on the farm with different textures and questions to answer. It's not a story book, but there's a lot to discuss here - especially with the bright illustrations and pictures. 

The firefighters roll through the town - performing their jobs. A fun adaptation with lots of noise. This one is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Perfect for storytimes. 

If you're need to feeling calm, read this book over a cup of hot chocolate. The warmth of the colors only adds to the aesthetic of the book. A great book to start talking about emotions, breathing, and mental health.

Another mental health book - feel your feelings and slow down. Examine them. Acknowledge them. And let them go! There's a note for parents/caretakers at the end of the book. 

BookTok: Taylor Swift Sports Recommendations

I've been a giant Swiftie since Tim McGraw. 

And I'm a sports person - more basketball than football, but I do love a good sports romance.

So here are a couple recommendations: 

@yabooknerdlibrarian #stitch with @ESPN Taylor is in her Sports Era - if youre craving more content, try these great YA Sporty Romances! #sportsera #sportromance #sportromancebooks #yabooks #yabooktok #booktok #taylorswift #swifties #taylorandtravis #swifttok ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

5 Things: Room to Dream

I'm such a fan of this series. I fell a little bit behind, but I'm catching up! There's so much to love about Mia and her saga, but these 5 things are my favorite!

If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend it. 

 

BookTok: Anne of Green Gables

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Anne of Green Gables - modern adaptation! A great read. One of the few movies I like better than the original books. Read this! #anne #anneofgreengables #greengables #booktok #graphicnovel ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Picture Book Wednesday Hispanic Heritage Books

A couple books sent for review for Hispanic Heritage Month

Every Saturday Carina visits her Tia Mimi. Together they cook empanadas. But this week, Tia Mimi is helping out at the food center. She leaves a note for Carina to get all the ingredients and they will make empanadas together. 

Careful - this book just might make you hungry! It's all about community, family, food, and helping others. 

Martina likes quiet and her aunts are anything but quiet. She wishes to escape them - and finds herself in another world. There she finds a friend - just like her.

The author's note shares that this book is based on a Caribbean folktale "La Cucaracha Martina." Everyone needs a break sometimes and everyone needs someone to laugh at their stories too. Martina finds the best of both worlds.