Middle Grade Review: Rumor has it

First in a new series

Annie and Leela's parents are engaged. They both move to a new house and start a new school. Leela's grandparents owned the house and they had a reputation. Everyone at school is interested in the new family. 

Annie and Leela have different views on how to handle this new family. Annie's happy to be in town, but Leela misses New York City. She misses her friends. She misses her old life. Maybe if she helps blow up this family, she can go back to the way things have been.

Are they lucky?

My Thoughts: This is the start of a new series - about a blended family. The two sisters are going into tenth grade, however this book reads like a middle grade. It's actually hard to place in the library because of this. I think it will get lost in YA, but middle grade readers will quite enjoy it, which is why I'm highlighting this today. 

This is a really quick read about a blended family - two girls trying to become sisters and maybe even friends. There's a lot of drama here, which is perfect for middle grade readers. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute: And the art inside is adorable.

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A charming start to a new series all about family and drama. Highly recommended for school and public library collections. 

Board Books: Concepts

 

Just a few new to me board books features concepts:

This is a such a FUN book - it contains:

9 spreads where the reader must search for different objects

Each spread is primarily one color until the last page which is a rainbow of colors.

While there is a bit of a story here, but best part of this book is all the vocabulary surrounding the job of a firefighter.

This is such a great book - first because it's about a car wash and secondly because it's about mixing colors of soap. It also showcases the sequence of events that happens during the car wash. Plus there's an author's note to talk about STEAM moments. 

Ten trucks have a big day ahead of them - they all have jobs to do. I love how colorful this book is and how squishy the trucks are. They are fun to feel. Perfect for those truck loving readers. 

Each spread has many many words - ranging from at home to construction site to fire alarm. Each page has a tab that hints at the theme for the page. There are lift the flaps to open on each page making this read even more fun. This one *might* not be best for libraries because of the lift the flaps.

* Book sent for review

Picture Book Review: Love, Panda

 

Panda's been left in the baby's room - and Panda is NOT pleased. Panda sends letters to Benny - his person. Panda wants Benny to rescue him. But as time goes on, things get better.

This picture book is an epistolary picture book - which is cool. Panda begins to change their views. It's sweet watching the baby grow up a little. And the ending is really cute. A fantastic book about family and siblings - through the eyes of their shared stuff animal. 

* Book sent for review 

Book Review: Princess in Black Trick-or-Treat Trouble

 

*book 12 in the series *

Many people are dressed like the Princess in Black and Princess Magnolia is proud. They're sharing that the costumes make them feel braver. But on Halloween it's tricky to know who is under the costumes. Could Princess Magnolia be trick-or-treating with a monster?

This was such a fun Halloween read. I love how the friends came together and celebrated Halloween. The costumes were fun. I loved how the roles swapped with Princess Magnolia and the Princess in Black. Trick or treating with friends is fantastic. I loved the ending. 

Christmas Book Review: Christmas Cookie Bookshop

 

First in a new series 

Noemi's had a rough go of it the past couple of years. Her mom gave her the bookstore and moved into an assisted living facility. Her best friend's husband died unexpectedly. She stopped making Christmas cookies - her favorite thing as punishment. 

Now she realizes she has until the end of the year to save the bookshop and maybe herself. People don't seem to be coming around to the side of town the bookshop is on. But the community there is strong. She's determined to find a way. 

When an adventure shop opens next door, Noemi isn't sure what to think, Shay dresses in outrageous outfits. He promises his clients an adventure. Noemi is annoyed at the insinuation that his adventures are better than book adventures. Shay seems to appear wherever she is. She's so irritated with him. Could there be something more between them? Could Noemi have a happy Christmas this year?

My Thoughts: Books and baking are my favorite - which is why I read this book. I loved the baking moments. I loved the bookstore moments. I loved the shop owners. They were quirky. They were funny. They stuck their nose in each other's business, but they also had each other's back. I loved Noemi's relationship with Daniel. This enemies to lovers was a charming story set in England. The banter between Shay and Noemi was adorable. I loved their relationship. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Netgalley

Library Recommendation: A fantastic holiday romance for your public library collection. Hand this to all your readers who love Hallmark movie watchers. 

Picture Book Review: What's On Your Mind?

If your mind is busy, Todd Parr has some ideas for you to help calm it down.

I love Todd Parr books. I love how this one focuses on Mental Health. It's important to talk about mental health early and I love his suggestions. There's a section about how one might be feeling and to share your thoughts with someone. The illustrations are classic Todd Parr - bright and colorful. A fantastic book to start talking about mental health for kids. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Perfect Day

 This week's topic is Perfect Day - it varies between a day alone and a day with people. But I'm going to pick the day alone to share. 

When I work on a Saturday, I get Friday off. Usually, my husband is at work.

This is a typical day:
Walk the dogs early
Go to the gym
Eat breakfast

Bake cookies
Check social media

Blog for a bit with a mug of tea

Generally, I do a few chores (laundry/dishes)

Chat with family

Write some more blogs or do some planning of blogs

If the day is nice, read on the porch with the dogs

Eat lunch while watching an episode of TV 

Lunch is a sandwich, chips, and cookies I baked earlier in the day

Spend some time in the afternoon crafting

Read on the porch with the dogs until my husband gets home

Head out on a dinner (Family Pizza) and ice cream date (Mel's Downtown Creamery)

Hang with the dogs and watch something on TV 

Read a little before bed

Bedtime is early because of the early morning dog walks

What makes up your perfect day?