Picture Book Review: Norman and the Smell of Adventure

 

Norman desires an adventure, but his best friend is a tree and does not wish to leave. Norman sets off on his own. He's not sure what an adventure entails or how to go about having one. 

This has a great message about friendship and what to do when friends aren't interested in the same things. You can still be friends without having to do everything the same. I adore Ryan T. Higgins and all his books. 

Picture Book Review: Bruce Saves the Planet

Yesterday was Earth Day, here's a fun book:

When Bruce wants some peace and quiet, he heads to the stream to fish. But something's different. Bruce lands in the thick of things.

My Thoughts: I adore the Bruce books - he's so grumpy yet so loveable. I love how he saves the day without meaning too. The geese and the mice push him into things - like this. He's a good sport about it all. This book shows the process of how things change, even if it does happen much faster in the book than in real life. 

There is an author's note in the back about how readers can help the environment, and it shares some endangered animals.  

Picture Book Wednesday: We Don't Lose Our Classmate

 

* Book 3 in the Penelope Rex series *

Penelope is scared of the goldfish. She's not looking forward to her turn at taking Walter home for the weekend. But maybe it will turn out ok...

I like how Penelope faces her fears and conquers them. She's determined to make it work - even after the scary moment of losing Walter. This series is funny, charming, and so good. I can't wait for more Penelope books

Picture Book Review: Hey Bruce!

 

Poor Bruce is napping but the mice want him to be in their book. What's a grumpy bear to do? Poor Bruce! 

This is a funny interactive story that will delight readers of all ages. 

Library Recommendation: This is a must have picture book for your collection!  Bruce is a favorite of mine. I can't wait to read this in storytime. 

Picture Book Review: We Will Rock Our Classmates

Penelope (a T-rex) can't wait for her talent show. She's going to show her class that she can rock! But standing up in front of everyone can be scary!

This is the second book starring Penelope Rex. And it's just as adorable as the first book. I love the artwork. It's ok to be shy and scared. I love the message about being brave and letting your friends help you. I also loved the message that everyone has a talent and that can be anything you want to be. I hope there are more Penelope Rex books coming. Another great funny book from Ryan T. Higgins.

PS. Ponies! That was funny.

Library Recommendation: This is a must have book for you school and public library!

Blog Tour: Bruce's Big Storm

About the Book
Title: BRUCE’S BIG STORM
Author: Ryan T. Higgins
Pub. Date: September 3, 2019
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 48
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B and N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Bruce's home is already a full house.

But when a big storm brings all his woodland neighbors knocking, he'll have to open his door to a crowd of animals in need of shelter-whether he likes it or not.

Readers will love this next installment of the uproarious, award-winning Mother Bruce series.

I'm really excited to read this book. I've loved the previous Bruce books. They're sweet, funny, and charming. I love the mice and their mischeivious ways. I love that Bruce is a little bit grumpy, but secretly has a big heart. He's a big hit in my library too! I'm looking forward to see what kind of animals will seek shelter with Bruce and the mice.  And how will they spend their time together? 

I reviewed Mother Bruce and Bruce's Big Move and Santa Bruce

About Ryan: 

Ryan T. Higgins is a New York Times Bestselling author/illustrator residing in Southern Maine. He lives with his two dogs, two cats, one gecko, one tortoise, one son, one daughter, and one wife. As a child, he lived on a diet of cartoons, cheese sandwiches, and climbing trees. At the age of four he decided to become a cartoonist and he’s been making his own cartoons ever since.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Follow the Tour:

10/28/2019- YA Book Nerd- Review

10/29/2019- Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers- Review
10/30/2019- Nerdophiles- Review
10/31/2019- Wishful Endings- Review

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of BRUCE’S BIG STORM, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BEA Recap in Photos

Last week was Book Expo America - or in other words, bookmania.

On Wednesday after arriving in New York, I attended two events.

Novl Tea at Little Brown.

And the SLJ Librarians' Dinner, which I don't have any pictures from, but it was lots of fun with CT Librarian friends and amazing authors. Also they signed books, meaning I didn't have to wait in line for them the next day.

Thursday and Friday were both packed full of authors, books, and bookish people. The pictures are not in any real order.

Ryan T. Higgins signing Bruce's Big Move. I love this picture book series. Santa Bruce comes out later this fall.

Jen Calonita signing Misfits, the spin-off series of Fairy Tale Reform School

Tony DiTerlizzi signing posters of The Broken Ornament, which comes out later this fall.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka signing Hey, Kiddo - his graphic novel memoir which is sad, but really really good. Also David Levithan, his editor, is there too.

The Queen with her corgis - just hanging out in the Scholastic Booth - promoting Spy Kids.

Shannon and Dean Hale signing Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare

Jordan Matter signing his Born to Dance book, I love these pictures. He confessed that the real book is even better because they had to change some things around.

Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulous signing I am Neil Armstrong.

Eoin Colfer signing Artemis Fowl (soon to be a movie)

Martina McBride signing a picture for her upcoming cookbook.

Jan Brett signing her newest book Snowy Nap. They handed out bags to match the cover of the book. So cute!

Mark Crilley drawing me a picture in his new drawing book

Brigid Kemmerer signing her upcoming book a Curse So Dark and Lonely

Spy School series stand.

Hanging out with Brad Meltzer again.

Also I met my #otspsecretsister that I'm gifting this time around!
Check us out on her Instagram page.

So there you have it, three days of fun in pictures.

Stay tuned for more about the books.

Picture Book Review: Bruce's Big Move

Bruce isn't crazy about the mice who have taken over his home and never left. With the four geese following their crazy plans, life gets stressful. So he packs up the geese and moves

.Bruce is grumpy about all the chaos in the house, but he's also really sweet too. The mice are certainly a handful and get into all kinds of trouble. The story's both funny and sweet. And the illustrations are charming. This is the third Bruce book and all are charming.

Grab this one for your school and public libraries!

Picture Book Review: Mother Bruce

Grumpy Bruce likes to be left alone. He loves eating eggs. He finds recipes on the internet and creates them. But one day, the eggs hatch instead. Bruce becomes mother to four goslings. He is not pleased. But what's a beat to do?

My Thoughts: I'm a little late to the party on this one. I read about the sequel on Twitter and it sounded good, so I ordered both for my library. And I'm so happy I did. This one is funny and sarcastic - this book was a delight. I adored it. Bruce has great intentions but things don't work out as planned. He tries to make the best of it, but he's not always happy about it. The pictures were charming. An entertaining read that sure to please. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Final  Thoughts: Highly Recommended for all public libraries.