Review: Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door

 

* Book 2 in the Hocus and Pocus series * 

Hocus and Pocus walk around the neighborhood with Jinx, handing out her potions. They discover a new friend - Bye-Bye. Bye-Bye is a dragon and has a little trouble with too much fire. Pocus is scared. Hocus is determined to save the day. 

My Thoughts: This is a cute story about trying to understand each other. The dogs and dragon do not speak the same language. But the dogs still want to help. Sometimes it's hard to be brave. I felt badly for Pocus. He had a hard time overcoming his fears; but I love that he learned what worked for him. The ending was funny! The illustrations are charming. I'm looking forward to book 3 next year. 

* Book sent for review

Picture Book Review: At the Window

A young child goes on daily walks with the family dog. They always pass by this one house. Often, they spy a woman in the window working. As time passes, they start waving at each other and making small talk. But one day the woman is no longer there and the house if for sale. The house looks lonely, but it sparks something in the young child.

I really enjoyed this book. First because of the friendship between neighbors. Second because of the shift in perspective. I loved the ending. 

Picture Book Review: Ruthie Rose's Big Idea

Ruthie wakes up with a BIG idea and she can't wait to share it. She talks to her school librarian, the art teacher, and her friends. 

My Thoughts: I love how fast this idea travels and the good news spreads. I love how everything turns out. What a powerful story. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your picture book collection

Picture Book Wednesday: Dear Bookstore

One day, a girl wanders into a bookstore. Immediately, she feels at home. She's cozy in the bookstore. The books make her feel. Everything is magical and it stays that way as she grows up.

This is a heartwarming read about a girl who grow up and is still comforted by books in her favorite bookstore. I have many fond memories of spending time in bookstores and libraries. 

* The way this character feels about the bookstore, is the way I feel about libraries.

Do you have a place that comforts you like this?

Review: My Antarctica

 

Today's the first day of winter and this is a great book to read to start off the season

A writer explores Antarctica and shows off lots of pictures, lists, and experiences.

This book has so much to offer between pictures and the funny tidbits of information about the land and the people there. There's a lot to pour over, but the information's broken up into nice chunks. I loved how the pictures were also illustrated. The end of the book features an author's note, more facts, and a Q & A. After reading this book, I can't help but want to travel there. Not for seven weeks like the author, but maybe a week. 

Would you travel to Antarctica?

Middle Grade Review: The Loss of the Burying Ground

 

n this twisting, page-turning read, shipwrecked teen girls from opposing sides of a long war must find common ground in order to survive.

When the Burying Ground goes down in neutral waters, it sends the delegations from two warring nations—and the peace treaty they were about to sign—to the bottom of the ocean. The only survivors are a pair of teen girls: Cora, daughter of a Duran newspaper man, and Vivienne, lady’s maid to an Ariminthian princess. Neither has known a time when war between their two countries did not rage, but now they must learn to trust each other if they are to find sustenance, avoid dangerous pirates, and have any hope of rescue from the remote island they washed up on. However, in the midst of a conflict steeped in fierce national identity, propaganda, disinformation, and radicalization, finding a common path forward seems nearly impossible, for both Cora and Vivienne and their respective countries. But when the teens’ politically charged rescue seems likely to extend the war, Cora and Vivienne realize they do have a shared purpose: peace. If only it isn’t too late. - summary from the publisher 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I like how the girls hated each other at first but then realized they had similar goals. I liked the way they started to work together even though they didn't trust each other. There were lots of twists and turns in this book. The ending sets it up for a sequel; I'm looking forward to reading more about these two girls.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A great book for your school and public library's collection.

Review: Fergus and Zeke and the Great Farm Field Trip

 

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* Book 6 in the Fergus and Zeke series *

The classroom is learning about farms and where food come from. They are going on a field trip to the farm and the class pets - Fergus and Zeke sneak into a backpack. They are so happy to be going to the farm too. 

But they have a hard time on the farm. They're too small to enjoy most moments. But they do end up having fun.

My Thoughts: I love this series. Fergus and Zeke are super cute. I love how they participate in activities on the sly. A funny charming book about having fun on your own terms.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your early readers for your school and public libraries.

BookTok: Just Like Mille

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian I love Lauren Castillo’s new picture book - perfect for anyone who needs helping coming out of their shell like I did and perfect for dog lovers! #booktok #kidlit #picturebooks #dogs #introvert @Candlewick Press ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Middle Grade Book: Louder Than Hunger

Of course, as soon as I heard about this book, I wanted to read it.

First because of the author: John Schu.

Second: Novel in Verse

Third: Anorexia from a male perspective

@yabooknerdlibrarian Louder than Hunger is a must read book - its about struggles. It made me cry 😭 but it was so so good! @Candlewick Press #booktok #poetry #poetrytok #novelsinverse ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

                                                           Happy National Poetry Month! 

Picture Book Review: Kindness

 

Books about kindness are always in style:

Maisy's rules for kindness include: sharing, giving, caring, helping, and playing with others.  

Bright colors, lots of vocabulary, and lots of ideas on how to be kind. This is a great way to talk about kindness and how littles can be kind. I love the ending question of this books.

We talk so often about being kind to others that we forget to be kind to ourselves.

This is a great book for sharing and talking about being kind to yourself. Accidents and mistakes happen. Things happen that are out of our control. How can we be kind to ourselves when things go wrong? The message about practicing, getting help, and thinking outside the box is great. I love the bit about what to do when we're angry. And I love even more the last page! The illustrations are bright and colorful and the book is filled with diverse characters.

So how are YOU kind to yourself today?

Review: Elena Rides

 

Elena is trying to ride her bike, but she keeps falling.

This I Can Read book has a wonderful message about trying your best, picking yourself up, and trying again. Things are hard in life and we fail. It's important that kids see failure and our reaction to it. This is a great book to share. 

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library collection. 

Graphic Novel Review: Hoops

Indiana 1975 is the start of a ladies' high school basketball team and the start of a state championship.  Judy has always wanted to play basketball but there was never a ladies' team before. She skips cheerleading practice to try-out. But with only 8 ladies interested, everyone makes the team.

At the first game, they find out there are no uniforms. They don't have a bus. They don't have much of anything. But what they do have is heart. The inequality bugs them. But until they have people watching their game, they're forced to deal with it.

So, they try to fill the seats, but it doesn't quite work. How can they move forward when everyone else is holding them back?

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel, I couldn't put it down. I loved the struggle these girls faced - both in basketball and in getting respect. I loved their struggles as a team and how they worked through them and showed up for each other. I loved the funny moments - like seeing the camper for the first time. A very inspiring read full of heart, determination, hard work, and friendship. This book is a great introduction to Title IX and equality. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My library

Library Recommendations: A must have graphic novel for your school or public library collection!

Picture Book Wednesday: The Lodge that Beaver Built

 

Beaver builds a lodge for his family - and it helps lots of other animals in the stream.

This is a great nature book - which showcases the circle of life. I love that the lodge helps so many other animals - even when the beavers have moved on. There are so many different animals to talk about. I love that they are all connected to each other. A smart book with lovely illustrations. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Namaste is a Greeting

 

Namaste means so many things.

This is a beautiful story with a great message and charming illustrations. Without many words, this book makes a great read-aloud. It's also perfect for the summer reading theme All Together Now.

A must have picture book for your library collection!

Picture Book Review: This is a School

It's almost back to school time in New England. I'm reading this in a Back to School storytime at the library next week and I'm really excited. 

First off, I was excited because it's a Mr. Schu book. If you don't know Mr. Schu, he's used to be a school librarian, then was Scholastic Ambassador for school librarians and book fairs. Now he writes books and travels to visit schools. One day I hope to meet him - he's wicked passionate about books. 

This is a School - is a celebration of everything that makes up a school from the teacher to the students to the library to the cafeteria and everyone who works at the school. I love the messages of community and togetherness. The illustrations are lovely and diverse. 

Library Recommendation: This is a must have book for your collection. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Phoebe Dupree is Coming to Tea

Abby wants her tea party to be perfect - but things do not go as planned. 

I love the message that perfection is overrated. The tea party is marvelous just the way it is. And the treats look amazing. The puppy is cute. And I love that second message that it's ok to be yourself - and that you friends will love you for who you are. 

Picture Book Review: Love in the Library

 

Tama works in the library in the internment camp. George visits her every day. In the middle of all the horror, they fall in love.

There's a lot packed into this picture book - despair and terrible times and racism - but there's also hope and love. I love how they fell for each other over talking about books in the library. The author's note is a must read for adults.

Picture Book Review: Ear Worm

A new addition to the library about music:

Little worm has a song stuck in his head and he can't figure out who put it there. He visits his friends and discover they have a different song in their head and a different dance. 

A fun book about singing and dancing with a message that everyone has his/her/their own beat. And the ending is funny. This will be a fun story time read - and of course with the dances.  

Picture Book Review: Love

 

This is not your normal picture book, but a gorgeous pop-up book. It's about families and Love. 

The illustrations are amazing, and you'll want to pour over them. And make them move, of course. This book makes a delightful gift.

* Book sent for review

Picture Book Wednesday: Moose's Book Bus

When Moose runs out of stories to tell after dinner, he heads to the library. Now all the animals want to listen to the story. As more and more animals want to listen, Moose realizes he has to do something. So he starts teaching animals how to read.

I love how after dinner became storytime for the animals. I love how everyone gathered together to listen to Moose - it does show the importance of reading aloud and how everyone (no matter their age) likes to listen to a story. Of course I loved the visit to the library and letting readers choose their own books. A powerful book about the love of stories and reading.

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