Picture Book Wednesday: Family Books

A few books about family:

Lily and her mother are moving to Taiwan. Lily isn't happy there. It's not her home. She's so unhappy there. Could she find happiness in another country so far from her own home?

This is an emotional story about a girl coming to term with her new home.

Jin loves his grandmother's cooking. He wants to help cook dinner for their Lunar New Year. When Jin offers to help, his aunties laugh. But his grandmother insists he help her. 

The message of cooking comes for your heart is perfect. A lovely blend of family, cooking, and love, 

Girl Dads are great at so many things - he's serious and tough but also knows about tea parties and dancing. He wears so many hats to support his daughter.

A touching story about Girl Dads and their daughters. 

Grandparents are coming to stay! The kids are excited, but something is very different. Oma is acting strange. 

This is a good introduction to talking about Alzheimer's disease with children. In finding all the items that go missing, the family shares stories. Things might not be the same, but they find joy in the memories and in the present. This is based on one family's experience and contains an author note about the disease and tips for kids. 

Top Ten Tuesday: April Showers

 This week's topic is April Showers. I didn't have books with rain on the cover, so how about some lakes/ocean. These are all books on my upcoming TBR list! 

Any of these books on your list too?

Review: Hummingbird Season

 

Archie's life is rapidly changing - and he's having a hard time with it. Covid has hit and the world shuts down. Everyone thinks it's only going to be for a few weeks. Archie hates online school. He needs help and there's no one to help him. 

His brother is not interested in hanging out. Because of Archie's medical condition, he can't go outside. His brother's allowed to go outside and play with friends. Archie feels lonely and frustrated. He shrinks into himself, barely talking.

The bright spots of his days are when he sees Ruby, the hummingbird that visits his birdfeeder. Nature takes over - bringing a wildfire close to their house. Archie wonders if he will ever see Ruby again or if he will find his voice again.

My Thoughts: This one is a young middle grade novel in verse. I just wanted to wrap Archie up in a hug. He felt so lonely, so isolate, and had such a hard time staying inside. Lots of knowledge about hummingbirds in this one - which made me want to do some research of my own. I love how things turned out.

Cover Thoughts:Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A great novel in verse about Covid, emotions, and family. 

Also about Covid:

Picture Book Review: From My Head to My Toes

 

A picture book about listening to your body and being kind to your body. 

This book is beautifully illustrated with diverse characters. This book talks about consent because your body belongs to you. I love how it shares that idea that you are enough - just the way you are. There is also a note to adult readers and a page on talking to kids about their bodies and boundaries. 

Library Recommendation: A very important book - a must have book for your school and public libraries. 

* ARC sent for review

** This book is out on Tuesday.

BookTok: Nana in the Country

I adore Lauren Catillo - she's one of my favorite illustrators and authors.

I was so happy when this book was announced! I loved the first book.

And the illustrations are magical! 

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do! I adore Lauren Castillo! Check this one out! #illustrations #booktok #picturebook #midlit #countylife #country #charming ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Review: Yours from the Tower

 

Tirah, Polly, and Sophia finished boarding school and have gone back home. Sophia's lucky that her wealthier Aunt will sponsor her for a season. Sophia's hoping to marry wealthy so that will give her sisters more opportunities. Tirah is stuck being a companion to her cranky grandmother. She hates living in the small town where there is no one else her age to talk with. She longs for adventure but is denied at every turn. Polly lives at home and works in an orphanage. She meets brothers who tug at her heartstrings. 

The three friends write letters back and forth sharing the details of their lives. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved how the friends wrote to each other and passed the letters between them. There's a lot of romance, family drama, and talk of the future. I do love epistolary novels.  I loved the letters and telegrams. There was talk of balls, learning, qualities in a wife, and if you should marry for money or love. I enjoyed how the girls were not thrilled with their education when it came to thinking about the future. They wanted more classes on how to talk to men.  I had to keep reading to discover how everything was going to end.  

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fun friendship story that's perfect for fans of Regency Romance. 

Booklist: Sherlock Holmes

 

On Monday, I reviewed The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall, so I decided to create a list of other Sherlock Holmes books - both YA and Middle Grade. 

Here are the other books on the list:

Enola Holmes: The Case of Missing Marquess

The Great Shelby Holmes 

Lock & Mori

Secret Letters

A Study in Charlotte 

Death Cloud 

Are you a Sherlock Holmes fan?