Picture Book Review: Nature Books

Just a few new to me picture books about Nature:

I ordered this one for a music and movement storytime. It came in too late to use it, but it would have been perfect. Lots of playful moments in this book as the family enjoys the rainstorm in various ways. 

This nonfiction picture book highlights different animals and how they help their environment and how nature needs these animals. 

* Book sent for review, Book publication date is September 1

What do you do on the longest day of the year? There are so many possibilities: a picnic, gardening, gathering together, and spreading kindness. Love the message in this book and illustrations are delightful. 

What happens after a forest fire? The forest survives and, in most ways, thrives. There is an author's note at the end of the book that talks about fire facts, shares resources, and more. 

There's a storm coming and a mouse is scared of losing her house that rests close to the ocean. I LOVED the illustrations in this book. A lovely book to pour over. 

A family is headed on a road trip to grandma's house. The road is long and the car is cramped. Will they ever arrive? While this isn't strictly about nature - one of kids is looking for wide open spaces and freedom. The illustrations are lovely. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Libraries I want to visit

 This week's topic is all about bookish bucket list items. Recently I talked about author's houses I have visited and author's houses I would like to visit. So today I'm sharing libraries I would like to visit.

Whenever I travel, I try to hit up the local library, so I have seen a lot of libraries.

But here are a few I would love to visit:

Oxford Library:

Radcliff Camera (also Oxford)

Haskell Free Library and Opera House 

This is on the VT/Canada border which is really cool

Scoville Public Library: 

In CT - the first public library in the US - 1803

However, Franklin Public Library in MA was established in 1790 and claims it's the oldest public library in the country after a donation of books from Ben Franklin 

Kansas City Library - just look at those books for the parking garage

JP Morgan Library

To be honest, most places I vacation, I stop in at the library. 

Do you have a library to recommend?

Middle Grade Monday: Art Attack

* Book 3 in the Sherlock Society series * 

Ever since their last case got media attention, people have been asking The Sherlock Society for help with their cases. They set up a website and start going through the proposals. The case they decide to take comes with a giant prize tag - if successful.

They're to unmask the vigilante graffiti artist Funky Monkey in hopes that the artist will paint a mural for a local business. The group decides that they will bring the proposal to the artist and Funky Monkey can decide from there.

Of course, there is a deadline, and other teams might be working on the same goal. Can the Sherlock Society figure out this newest mystery?

My Thoughts: I love this series and this book was an excellent addition to the series. I'm glad the FBI guys were back - but I would have liked more with them. They are so funny. The spirit week was kind of funny. I loved learning about graffiti and artists. I really love Alex and Zoe's grandfather. He's a gem. The banter between him and Lina about technology is adorable and funny. It does make me miss my grandfather. The nod to TOAST was great - readers of the Framed trilogy will get a kick out of that. All the twists and turns made me want to keep reading and not put the book down. Looking forward to many more books in this series!

Cover Thoughts: I love how the flashlights highlight the art

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: The Sherlock Society series is a must have series for your school and public library! 

Publication Date: September 8

What's On My Hold List

 

It's been so long since I've done one of these posts that I actually forgot all about it.

I'm a VERY HEAVY library user. And I place a lot of books on hold. There is a limit at our system - it's 50 items on hold. I have hit that a few times.

Currently, I have 18 books on hold, which is probably a little below average.

I want to try this out 

Huge Swiftie, so of course I love reading books about her

This YA romance looks super cute!

Love Aleandra Bracken's YA books, excited about her adult romantasy

I love reading picture book biographies - I always learn something

Have you read any of these? Do they look interesting to you?

Picture Book Review: Spooky Scouts

 

Luna LOVES being a Spooky Scout - especially the camping trip. But this camping trip, there's a full moon. Something happens to Luna during a full moon - something secret. Could this secret ruin the trip?

This was a funny book where Luna desperately tries to keep her secret. I love how Luna loves s'mores. The secret is a clever twist, and it contains a great message that being yourself is very brave. While this book is NOT a Halloween book per se, it's perfect for the Halloween season.

* Book sent for review

** This book publishes on Tuesday

Review: All You had to do was Stay

 

Two broken hearts. Four years apart. One chance to choose again.

Hannah has built her dream career, planning other people's happy ever afters - with no hope of her own. Not since that day four years ago; the one she never talks about.

Jude is getting on a plane for the first time in four years. He's not happy about it, but at least he'll be back in Sydney before too long - safe from the things he'd prefer to forget.

But when Hannah's twin and Jude's brother make a shock announcement, and appoint a certain wedding planner, the summer stretching ahead of them suddenly looks a whole lot different...

As they're thrown back together, is it possible that first love could get a second chance? - summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really loved this second chance romance book. I loved how the brother tried to throw Hannah and Jude in each other's paths. The brothers were super cute. I really loved their scenes. I loved the wedding planning. I hated Marc - but his character did add tension to the story. I enjoyed seeing the past relationship between Hannah and Jude unfold - how they got together and why they broke up. 

Source: Netgalley

Library Recommendation: A great second chance romance for your adult collection. 

Review: A Matter of Murder

 

* Book 2 in the Lizzie and Darcy Mysteries * 

Jane and Mr. Bingley are married and living in their newly inherited estate. Unfortunately, the estate is cursed. The townspeople aren't interested in socializing with the newly married couple.

Lizzie and her family have arrived from London for the summer. Most of the family believes it's simply a vacation, but Lizzie has been forced to visit due to threatening letters. Is the curse real or is someone trying to scare Lizzie?

My Thoughts: I have loved this series and I'm sad that it's over. I loved seeing characters from previous books. I loved seeing Darcy's sister again. I loved the small town and the estate gossip. The mystery of the dead body was entertaining and had several twists. There were many moments I didn't see coming. A fantastic series if you're a Jane Austen fan! 

Cover Thoughts: Cute with so much detail
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fantastic duology for your school and public library collection