In My Shop: Valentines

It's a month away from Valentine's Day.

I have some Valentine Cards (and gifts) in my shop...

Cards:

Pink and Gold:

Fashion:

Retro Card:

Gift Ideas:

Shower Steamers:

Arrow Earrings:

Cameo Earrings

Shoe Necklace

Series Spotlight: She Persisted

She Persisted

I've read several of these books. I just finished:

And it was super good. Of course, I've heard of Maria Tallchief, but besides being awesome at dancing, I didn't know much. And I know a lot more. I know when she fell in love with ballet, how she went to New York City by herself, and how her sister was also a talented dance. I learned how she valued her Osage heritage, how she was the first American ballet dancer on many world stages, and that ballets were written just for her. 

Talk about inspiring! 

Every time I read a She Persisted book, I feel inspired by these women and their stories. I love their big dreams, their determination, and of course their persistence. These books are perfectly wonderful, perfectly feminist, and perfectly fun to read while learning about amazing women.

I'm so happy that more are being published. I have a few to catch up on. But I have so enjoyed the ones that I've read.

Library Recommendation: Must have books for your school and public libraries

Picture Book Wednesday: Aaron Slater Illustrator

Aaron loves listening to stories, but he struggles with reading. It takes him a long time to get comfortable with reading - years. He also has a hard time writing. But he can tell an amazing story. He can't write his story - but he can draw it.

My Thoughts: I love the Aaron uses his art to help tell a story. And while reading and writing is hard for him, he keeps working at them both. I loved how his teacher saw his art for the assignment and praised him. A wonderful book that shows us how people learn differently and not at the same pace as others. A great book to showcase empathy and to discuss how learning happens differently for everyone. Another great addition to this charming series.

Art inside: Really great. I loved how the story came alive on the page

Source: My Library

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

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Recent Books

 This week's topic is most recent additions. Since I'm a HUGE library user- here are some recent books I've checked out of the library. 

Always desserts

Who wouldn't want this?

This looks like a super cute middle grade mystery!

That cover!

Also this cover!

Always yes to donuts!

I love this series!

This looks super cute!

Karen is really fun to read about!

Love YA Christmas books!

Middle Grade Review: Batch Made in Heaven

 

Mina can't wait for the school's mentorship program to start -especially once she lands her dream internship at the local bakery. She can't wait to show off her baking skills and help create recipes. But before she arrives, she exchanges words with the baker's son.

Ben made it clear he does not want her at his family store. They don't need her help. And he might do everything in his power to get her to quit, Mina can't believe it. She's even more upset when she realizes the owner doesn't know anything about the program. He didn't choose her, his assistant did. 

They need help on social media - not baking. But Mina catches a strange vibe from the store. She's not sure, what's happening behind closed doors, but she's hoping to make a difference.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked how Mina and Ben found their footing and began to understand each other. I loved the baking moments - those were mouthwatering and made me want to get into the kitchen to bake. I also loved the friendship moments - and honest conversations. There were a lot of honest conversations that needed to be had. And they were really well done. I liked the mention of pressure, especially on younger folk. It sparked the connection between allowed to be a kid and forced to grow up quickly. Another fantastic read from Suzanne Nelson

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

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

Kids Summer Reading (1)

It's another year of uncertainty - will we have in person programs? Will we do a hybrid program?  The crafts are easier to plan because you need the same pieces. 

These program ideas come from Pinterest.

My account

The library's account (which has way more)

The following crafts are for the littles:

Fish

Star Fish

Shells

Sea Horses

Turtle

Ocean

Jelly Fish

Octopus

Our Library's New Program

 Last year, we did a year of Book Bingo.

This year, we're challenging our readers all year long. But it's not a reading challenge.

Check out the video here.

January's Challenge is all about crafts.

First, I want to update my knitting skills

I can make scarves and blankets, but I like to create something a *little* harder.

Second, I've seen some awesome looking resin jewelry and other items

Like these bookmarks I found on Esty:

Aren't they amazing?

I think it would be fun to try. I know working with Resin is a challenge, but I did purchase a few molds.

You're more than welcome to join us! It doesn't matter where you live in the world.

Goals for 2022

I generally make goals every year.

Sometimes life changes and I don't get to them. Or I forget about them. Or I'm still working on them at the end of the year.

This year, I want to:

Take Horseback Riding Lessons

Work with Resin

Paint more - especially with watercolors

Do better with my Etsy Shop

Hike in new places every month

Keep Learning Welsh

Create Bookstagram photos

Read 285 books (across ages and genres)

This is a great start; we'll see how the year goes.

2021: That's a Wrap

I had some goals for the year. Some I completed and some I didn't...

Here are some accomplishments/events that happened this year:

Personal:

Hiked in New Hampshire to see waterfalls

Hiked in Acadia National Park (again)

Spent a week vacation in Florida going to Universal, Disney, seeing family, and eating so much great food!

Rediscovered my love for puzzles 

Discovered watercolor painting

Went to one bookish event: Debbi Michiko Florence

Held monthly tea parties (for the first six months of the year)

Attended a family wedding

Attended a family reunion in Nantucket

My Etsy store did well enough for another year. 

Sadly: Saying goodbye to my pup.

Professional:

Still reviewing books for SLJ and Fresh Fiction

Attended training for my library to become a Family Place Library

Cybils Awards Round 1 Judge for Graphic Novels

Hosted so many videos on social media

Started a TikTok account - BookTok for the library

Reading/Writing/Blogging:

 Read many many wonderful books: 

315 books of various age groups

630 picture books and board books

Blogged 343 times 

Worked a lot of my WIP - which still needs work, but it's SO MUCH BETTER. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Saturday at the Food Pantry

 

Molly and her mother are going shopping at the food pantry because everyone needs help sometimes. Molly spies a friend from school, but her friend isn't happy to see her. Caitlin doesn't want anyone to know she and her grandmother need help. Soon Molly's drawing pictures for people standing in line and Caitlin helps. It brightens the mood for people until they can shop for food.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - it tugs at the heartstrings. Molly's super sweet. She asks thoughtful questions about the rules at the food bank.  I loved the line that everyone needs help sometimes because it's so true. This is a smart thoughtful book that's sure to spark lots of conversation and empathy.  There's a note at the back of the book for adults and caregivers. 

* I don't want to say maybe we can normalize going to the food pantry (Because no one should have to go to bed hungry.) But maybe we can take the negative connotations away from it. Especially in these times, everyone needs help in some form.

** Our local food pantry has a Facebook page and a list of the most need items that week. I bet yours does too. 

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries.

Top Ten Tuesday: 2022 Books

 This week's topic is books I can't wait to read from 2022!

Teen:

Adult:

Are you looking forward to any of these books?

Cybils Short Lists: Graphic Novels

 The Short Lists were announced over the weekend. I worked on the graphic novel lists:

YA Books:

Elementary and Middle Grade Books:

You can read blurbs for these books here.

If you want to find out more about the other short lists, check out the Cybils Awards Blog.

These books move on to the second and final round where another panel of judges will read and select the final winners.

Winners will be announced February 14th.

As usual, it's going to be hard to select just one winner. I can't wait to see which books are chosen.

Happy New Year

Here's hoping 2022 is a return to spending time together again, to going on adventures, and to making new memories.