HEATHER PIERCE STIGALL
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BOOK REVIEW: HAPPY NATIONAL PEEPS DAY!

4/5/2026

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​Whether or not you’re a fan of Peeps, let’s celebrate this day by reading about some sweet, or maybe not-so-sweet, bunnies in:
Picture
​TITLE: ATTACK BUNNIES
AUTHOR: Laura Gehl
ILLUSTRATOR: Julia Patton
PUBLISHER: Beaming Books
OPENING LINES:
Carrot Cake and Pufftail looked like ordinary, cute little bunnies…
But they were NOT ordinary bunnies!
They were whiskered warriors, trained to protect, to defend, and – when needed – to attack.
 
With these forest enforcers nearby, nobody dared mess with ay of the woodland creatures.
Until Renard Fox moved in.
This clever and sweet picture book puts a twist on the “big, bad” fox and innocent woodland creature tropes. Are Carrot Cake and Pufftail cute? Sure. Is Renard up to no good? Maybe. But, in this story, the bunnies use their smarts to help their prey friends from potential predator harm. Then, just when you think the mean fox has met his end, the story takes another turn that will have readers saying, “Aw!”  Lively and expressive illustrations by Julia Patton accompany Laura Gehl’s fun and heartwarming text. This adorable story of misunderstanding, kindness, helping others, inclusivity, and friendship will have young readers both chuckling and cheering for heroes Carrot Cake, Pufftail, and even for antagonist Renard. Fun read all around!
 
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REVIEW: HAPPY NATIONAL WEED APPRECIATION DAY!

3/28/2026

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​The “weed” I’d like to highlight today is the tumbleweed. This picture book has few words, but tells a big story:
​TITLE: TUMBLE
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
PUBLISHER: Orchard Books/2023
OPENING LINES:
 Wind blows…
Tumble g o e s.
Fence stops.
Tumble hops.
Cactus waves.
Tumble stays
            and stays…
                        and stays.
Picture
This picture book is a perfect example of the marriage of words and art. TUMBLE, told in only 34 words of rhyming text, is about a tumble weed that goes where the wind blows, makes some friends, “plants” temporary roots and stays for a while, and then moves on again. Children will enjoy the lovely cadence of the rhyming scheme as they pour over the lush illustrations of desert life, great for reading aloud to a group or to one on your lap. Back matter provides some “fun facts about tumble weeds” as well as a call to action for readers to spot the plants and animals sprinkled throughout the book. Kids will be begging for this one to be read again and again!
 
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BOOK REVIEW: IT’S INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP MONTH!

3/2/2026

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​…and I’ve got an adorable picture book to recommend commemorating this holiday.
Picture

​TITLE: LOVE FINDS A WAY
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Vern Kousky
PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press/2025
OPENING LINES:
Oscar always worried that one day love would find him.
He could feel it out there, somewhere in the forest,
waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.
There had to be some way to keep love away.
Oscar tried one thing
after another
until at last, he knew the answer…
He would get a ferocious guard dog.
A bird named Oscar is determined to keep love away. He tries everything he can think of, but some squirrels are determined to share their affection with him. That’s when he comes up with a brilliant plan – get a ferocious guard dog named Brutus. Oscar’s plan works, but does he really want to keep love away after all? This book is cute and clever, filled with adorably illustrated woodland creatures, gentle humor, and lots of heart.
 
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BOOK REVIEW: HAPPY NATIONAL PANCAKE WEEK!

2/16/2026

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​If you love pancakes and picture books, then this is the perfect book for you:
​TITLE: PLENTY OF PANCAKES
AUTHOR: Carrie Finison
ILLUSTRATOR: Brianne Farley
PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
OPENING LINES:
Early one morning, as spring breezes blow,
Topsy hauls bags through fast-melting snow.
She quickly unpacks, and then studies her plan--
A “Welcome Spring!” feast for her good friend LouAnn.
Picture
Topsy is planning a “Welcome Spring!” feast for her hibernating bear friend, LouAnn, who readers might remember from the prequel to this book, Dozens of Donuts. But, like LouAnn, Topsy runs into a bit of trouble. Each time she makes a stack of five pancakes “hot from the pan” the disappear! Who keeps eating them? Eagle eyes will spot who the thieves are before Topsy uncovers the mystery, but that doesn’t make the ending any less delicious. Brianne Farley’s cheerful illustration and Carrie Finison’s rollicking rhyme, complete with pancake-laden end papers, adorable woodland creatures, and themes of friendship, cooperation, and community, make Plenty of Pancakes a perfect read-aloud and the perfect addition to your bookshelf.
 
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BOOK REVIEW: IT’S INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP MONTH!

2/3/2026

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​…and I’ve got an adorable picture book to recommend commemorating this holiday.
Picture
​TITLE: LOVE FINDS A WAY
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Vern Kousky
PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press/2025
OPENING LINES:
Oscar always worried that one day love would find him.
He could feel it out there, somewhere in the forest,
waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.
There had to be some way to keep love away.
Oscar tried one thing
after another
until at last, he knew the answer…
He would get a ferocious guard dog.
A bird named Oscar is determined to keep love away. He tries everything he can think of, but some squirrels are determined to share their affection with him. That’s when he comes up with a brilliant plan – get a ferocious guard dog named Brutus. Oscar’s plan works, but does he really want to keep love away after all? This book is cute and clever, filled with adorably illustrated woodland creatures, gentle humor, and lots of heart.
 
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BOOK REVIEW: HAPPY NATIONAL RUBBER DUCKY DAY!

1/13/2026

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​What a fun holiday. I’m sure you’re not surprised to read that I have the perfect picture book recommendation to recommend for today:
​TITLE: JUST DUCKY: A FRIENDSHIP TAKES FLIGHT
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Berrie Torgan-Randall
PUBLISHER: Cardinal Rule Press
OPENING LINES:
“Good morning, Campers,” says Counselor Carla. “It’s swimming day! I hope everybody remembered to bring their—”
“QUACK! That’s how to say HI in duck. This is Bill. He’s a really good swimmer. Ducks have feathers and wings AND can fly,” says Ducky.
“Thank you, Margaret. As I was saying—”
“CALL ME DUCKY. I know everything about ducks.”
Picture
Margaret (aka Ducky) knows all about ducks, so she shares duck facts with everyone she meets. That includes Marvin who is not so wild about hearing Ducky go on and on and on. In time, Ducky and Marvin both learn something new and find enough common ground to become friends. This book is so relatable! How often does a child become so excited about one topic that it becomes an obsession to the point that it annoys others? This story shows how “Ducky” both teaches and learns something in a day at camp and, as a result, gains a friend. Adorable illustrations and characters, plus themes of understanding, friendship, and acceptance make this book a winner!
 
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BOOK REVIEW: HAPPY HOUSEPLANT APPRECIATION DAY

1/10/2026

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​You know I have a perfect picture book to recommend for this holiday.
Picture

​TITLE: BEST BUDS

AUTHOR: Becky Scharnhorst

ILLUSTRATOR: Jiarui Jiang

PUBLISHER: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2025

​OPENING LINES:
On his first day in a new town, Spencer made a friend. It was easy! He didn’t know what his mom was so worried about.
Spencer and his new friend chatted the whole way home. Spencer did the talking. Fred did the listening.
After moving to a new home, Spencer makes a friend. And then another. And another. But, to Spencer’s family and neighbors, these new friends are a bit unusual. They’re all plants. That doesn’t bother Spencer one bit. After all, he and his new friends understand each other perfectly. Jiarui Jiang’s choice of color palette is well-suited to depict the full array of Spencer’s foliage friends and perfectly pairs with Becky Scharnhorst’s charming text that is full of heart and light humor. Fans of friendship stories (or plants!) are sure to love BEST BUDS!
 
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BOOK REVIEW: IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS

12/26/2025

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​December 26th is the first day of the 12 days of Christmas. Some people celebrate with a partridge in a pear tree, but how does Santa celebrat? He must be tired after staying up all night delivering  gifts to everyone else. Does he do anything special? Mac Barnett and Syndey Smith answer that question in:
​TITLE: SANTA’S FIRST CHRISTMAS
AUTHOR: Mac Barnett
ILLUSTRATOR: Sydney Smith
PUBLISHER: Viking, 2024
OPENING LINES:
In the old days, Santa didn’t have Christmas.
All year he made toys at the North Pole, which he loaded up in his sleigh each Christmas Eve, then flew all over the world to place under trees.
When he got home, he slept.
And when he woke up Christmas morning, he went back to work.
That’s it.
Picture
In “the old days” the only thing Santa did that was special on Christmas was to sleep in an extra half hour? Poor Santa! That changes when a polar bear and some elves treat Santa to his very first Christmas, complete with a tree, lights, decorations, presents, and a feast. Much better! This adorably told picture book is full of adorable illustrations to match. I’ll be pulling this one out every Christmas from now on.
 
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BOOK REVIEW: NATIONAL DAY OF GIVING

12/3/2025

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​Today’s recommendation is all about giving – giving shelter to those in need:
Picture
​TITLE: JUST ENOUGH ROOM FOR CHRISTMAS
AUTHOR: Robin Currie
ILLUSTRATOR: Estelle Corke
PUBLISHER: Good Books, 2025
OPENING LINES:
Old Hannah, the milk cow, lived in a small Bethlehem barn, with just enough room for one.
One night a cold blew. Old Hanah heard a knock. A traveler called:
“Old Hannah, Old Hannah, let my horse in, please!
Your barn is so warm and out here, he will freeze.”
It was a small barn for Old Hannah, but just enough room for two.
This cumulative story tells the tale of a milk cow who receives several visitors on a cold night long ago. No matter how many visitors knock at her door, she and her guests make room for one more, even a newborn infant. Young readers will enjoy the repeated refrain, building tension, unique point of view, and darling illustrations in this Christmas story with themes of kindness and generosity.
 
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BOOK REVIEW: HAPPY WORLD HELLO DAY!

11/21/2025

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​Hola! Bonjour! Hello! Words are not the only way you can say hello. This book celebrates many ways people around the world greet each other.
​
TITLE: THE WAY WE SAY HELLO
AUTHOR: Andrea Denish
ILLUSTRATOR: Bluebean
PUBLISHER: Starry Forest/2023
OPENING LINES:
A special day. A special place.
How will you greet a special face?
A wink? A pat? A tap-tap tug?
A wave? A shake? A big bear hug?
How will YOU say HELLO?
Picture
This story begins with a family of three who ponder how they will say hello to the new baby about to be born. But this is no ordinary about-to-be-a-big-sibling-themed book. Turn the page and the reader embarks on a trip around the world to learn how people say hello, from tipping your hat and saying “good day” in England to saying “buenos dias” or “Buenos noches” in Guatapé to signing in ASL to making a sign. Andrea Denish’s rhyming text and Bluebean’s bright, cheerful illustrations depicting a diverse cast of characters will keep readers turning the pages until they reach a sweet and celebratory conclusion. And, just when you think the story has ended, readers will find supplemental back matter that explores more about saying hello, plus a surprise illustration under the dust jacket (one of my favorite features in a picture book). Adorable book!
 
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    About Heather

    Heather is a busy wife and mom of five rambunctious children and one lovable pup They all provide lots of distractions, but oodles of inspiration.  Sometimes the pictures and ideas in her head turn into her own children's stories, but she always makes time to read other people's books. Sometimes she reviews them here.

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  • Books
    • GILBERT & THE GHOST
    • PAISLEY'S BIG BIRTHDAY
    • PAISLEY'S BIG FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
  • About
    • Meet Heather
    • Press Kit
  • Appearances
    • Author Visits
    • Events & News
  • Resources
    • For Writers
    • For Educators & Readers
  • Ramblings & Reviews
  • Contact