Picture Book Wednesday: Plenty of Pancakes

Spring is arriving and Topsy knows that her bear friend LouAnn will be waking up soon. LouAnn will be hungry! Topsy's making pancakes. But every time she turns around, someone's eaten all the pancakes. Will there be enough for LouAnn?

A sweet story about friendship and sharing. I loved the twist! Don't miss this story!

Picture Book Wednesday: Happy Earth Day

Just a few nature books for Earth Day!

It isn't always easy to tell when Spring is here to stay. There are lots of tricky moments when it feels like the weather has changed, but it changes back. This is a great example of those hard to tell moments.

Folks working in the community garden shares knowledge on how to grow plants. There's a lot of plants shared in this book. I love how this book ends in a community feast. The illustrations are colorful and cheerful. The characters are diverse.  There's an end page that shares more about the plants talked about in this book. 

Grace's teacher gave her the book The Secret Garden not knowing it would change her world. Grace became interested in gardening. She became an activist, but she never forgot about gardening. Years later, in Detroit, she started a garden in vacant lots. She created something magical with the help of the community and several youth volunteers. 

How are you celebrating Earth Day?

Picture Book Review: A Terrible Place for a Nest

Juno and his mom have to move. They find a next on a gate. Juno knows that it's no place for a bird's nest.

I really liked this book; the bird and the boy are both trying to find themselves. Juno is having a hard time at school. He accidentally scares the birds. The nest falls and Juno lets his sadness free. I love how they research the birds to try to help them. This is a sweet story about emotions, learning, and finding your place. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Spring Books (1)

 

Spring is just around the corner here!

A love letter to the Earth for all the wonderous things it gives us. 

As always, the photographs are stunning. There is so much to see in this book - so much to take in - seasons, flowers, bugs - all aspects of nature. I'm so sad this photographer died; she was one of my favorites. The author's note includes tips to help the Earth and save the environment. 

Miguel is hosting a party at the community garden and he's bringing sunflowers. He searches through the garden until he finds he sunflowers.

There was a lot I liked about this book - great illustrations and lots of vocabulary. However, it didn't jive for me. If Miguel is bringing sunflowers, I wished the book talked more about flowers than different fruits and vegetables. Or maybe Miguel could have brought a fruit or vegetable. I did love the ending and how everyone (and the fruits and vegetables) came together.

* book sent for review

A house is empty and lonely and longs for another family.

While this one isn't strictly a Spring book - it reminded me of new beginnings. It does go through seasons of change, changes in people, and changes in emotions. I love that it's from the perspective of the house and how the house wishes for new memories while holding on to the old ones.

* Book sent for review 

A family of robin grows over the course of a year.

This black and white illustrated book shows the growth of a family from eggs to flying away from the nest. It covers eating habits, danger, and flying. It's a lovely book for springtime reading. And the author's note is great