HEATHER PIERCE STIGALL
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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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BOOK REVIEW: IT’S GET OUTDOORS WEEK!

11/12/2025

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​The days might be getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the outdoors to walk, play, and maybe even draw some pictures with sidewalk chalk like the main character in this book:
Picture
​
​TITLE: SIDEWALK CHALK
AUTHOR: Jen Fier Jasinski
ILLUSTRATOR: Lea Marie Ravotti
PUBLISHER: Gnome Road Press, 2025
OPENING LINES:
Plink. Plunk.
Clatter. Clunk.
Scritch, scribble, scrawl.
This darling story about children creating art on their neighborhood streets perfectly captures  the creativity and imagination of childhood play. Lyrical text and vibrant illustrations make this an engaging read aloud for a group or one-on-one. Highly recommend!
 
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BOOK REVIEW: HAPPY HUG A BEAR DAY!

11/7/2025

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Today’s holiday deserves TWO book recommendations, don’t you think? I love both of these companion books about a bear named Harold. First up:
TITLE: HAROLD LOVES HIS WOOLLY HAT

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Vern Kousky

PUBLISHER: Random House Studio, 2018

​OPENING LINES:
Harold loves to wear his woolly hat.
Even in the summertime.
He wears it when he goes to school.
He wears it when he goes to sleep.
Harold event wears his woolly hat when he takes his monthly bath.
When Harold wears his woolly hat, he knows he is a special bear--
Different from all the other bears.
Picture
​Harold LOVES his hat. When he wears it, he knows he’s a special bear. So, when a crow swoops down and steals it, he’s understandably angry. He offers one trade after another, he begs and pleads, but the crow keeps all that Harold offers and doesn’t return his hat. I loved this book from beginning to end, from the adorably illustrated Harold on the cover inviting me inside, to the under-the-dust-jacket surprise illustration, to the sweet storyline that urged me to turn page after page, to the heartfelt resolution. This one gave me all the feels!
 
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Next, we have:
Picture
​

​TITLE: HAROLD HATES TO HIBERNATE

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Vern Kousky

PUBLISHER: Random House Studio, 2024

OPENING LINES:
 
Harold loves the bright fall days.
He loves borrowing a bit of honey from the bees
and eating all the apples in the apple trees.
But what Harold truly loves the most I the time he spends with his friends the crows.
Harold wishes these days would last forever.
I’m with Harold. I don’t like it when the days get shorter and shorter “until it’s dark before playtime has even begun.” This sweet follow-up to Harold Loves His Woolly Hat has all the things I loved in the first book: adorable illustrations, an under-the-dust-jacket surprise illustration (check out that grumpy expression!), sweet lines of text and story themes (a bedtime story with a dab of kindness and hint of hibernation), and a heartfelt ending. Love it!
 
 
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One of the best ways to support authors and illustrators is to post reviews for their books. Support an author/illustrator today by leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon!
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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