Ah nature. The fresh air! The beauty! The bugs. That’s just one of the things Stuart is worried about when his teacher announces they are going on a field trip in the wild! Read all about it in:
September 28th
Dear Diary, This morning, Mr. Grizzly announced we’re taking a field trip. I thought we’d study stars at the Planetarium or dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum. But we’re going to study plants and animals…IN THE WILD! Everyone was excited. Everyone except ME! I’ve read enough books to know nature is FULL of poisonous plants, creepy crawlies, and ferocious beasts! P.S. Isn’t our class wild enough? In this second book in the series, readers are reunited with anxious Stuart, this time when his class takes a field trip IN THE WILD! Stuart is not thrilled at the prospect of “poisonous plants, creepy crawlies, and ferocious beasts!” But he gives it a try and, despite some mishaps and with the help of his friends, Stuart returns home with a new appreciation for nature (or at least s’mores). This book is as adorable as the first. Becky Sharnhorst’s epistolary-style text works perfectly to capture Stuart’s anxiety and gradual acceptance of at least some parts of his field trip experience. As Sharnhorst sprinkles humor in Stuart’s journal entries, Julia Patton creates humorous and expressive characters and wild-life situations. Readers will be laughing out loud with Stuart and his friends in THIS FIELD TRIP STINKS! Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon. Did you read and like this book? 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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If you ever want to clear your head or gain some perspective, a walk in the woods can do wonders. This heartfelt story starts with a conversation between grandfather and grandson as they take a walk in the forest together:
Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn’t want to talk about it, but he agrees to go for a walk in the woods with his grandfather, if he can stay under his quilt. On their walk, Grandpa talks about all the things we can’t see that lie “beneath”—the ground, the water, even inside people. This book is beautiful! What starts out a conversation about nature and what lies beneath things like the forest floor, turns into an introspective look at the feelings two people might have in common. It’s full of nature, mystery, heartbreak, love, mutual understanding, and expressive, adorable illustrations. This sweet, heartfelt picture book has definitely earned a spot on my bookshelf!
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon. Did you read and like this book? 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! Let’s celebrate these beautiful birds by reading about an owl with a dream:
This book is adorable! It’s about an owl who dreams of being a knight, and when knights begin disappearing from the castle (hmm…), he’s accepted to Knight School! Despite his shortcomings, he graduates with honor, is assigned to the Knight Night Watch, and faces his biggest challenge yet. This book is about dreaming big, working hard, being brave and clever, and making friends. Full of subtle puns, delightful surprises, and engaging and expressive art, I dare you not to fall in love with KNIGHT OWL!
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon. Did you read and like this book? 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! Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is known for celebrations that include eating rich foods, wearing masks, attending festivals and balls, and parades! Here is a picture book that celebrates all kinds of parades:
This fun book celebrates all things parade! It depicts several well-known American parades and concludes with a cute joke (note the asterisk) and back matter with interesting history and facts. Andrea Denish’s rollicking rhyme combined with Guilherme Franco’s bright, detailed illustrations makes this book a great read aloud that will engage young readers and have them begging to read it over and over again.
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon. Did you read and like this book? 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! Are you a hugger? Then today’s holiday might be perfect for you! But some people are decidedly NOT huggers. And that’s perfectly okay! Share hugs with those who love them, and learn a thing or two from today’s picture book recommendation about a non-hugger in:
This book is so cute and relatable and will resonate with many children (and adults). What a clever way to cover the topic of consent! The illustrations are bright, colorful, and engaging; the text is kid-friendly and fun; and, although this book relates an important message, it does it in an approachable, not too-message-y way. A must read!
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon. Did you read and like this book? 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! Today’s holiday is for honoring Muslim women who wear the hijab. Today’s picture book recommendation is told from the point of view of a child who celebrates the ways her family members wear their hijabs in public, as well as the ways they express themselves in private in:
In this rhyming picture book, a young girl observes the way six females in her family wear their hijabs in public, as well as the ways they express themselves in private without hijabs. Hena Khan’s lyrical text (and supporting back matter), combined with Aaliya Jaleel’as expressive illustrations, result in a great read-aloud which has potential to be both a mirror to Muslim children and a window to non-Muslim children who may unfamiliar with the custom of wearing the hijab. A great addition to your bookshelf!
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon. Did you read and like this book? 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! When my grandfather was alive and still living in his house, he had a daily lunchtime routine: He would sit outside of his backyard workshop, drink a glass of milk, and eat a sliced apple with peanuts (always in-the-shell) that he kept in a coffee can. His yard was full of creatures like mice and birds and squirrels. Lots of squirrels. Squirrels who loved peanuts, maybe as much as my grandfather. As you can imagine, my grandfather and the squirrels became close friends. Close enough that he hand-fed at least one of them. To extend my, and my grandfather’s, appreciation for squirrels, today I recommend a picture book about a man, a hat, a cat, and squirrels:
This sweet story is about a man, a cat named Hat, and a yard full of peanut-loving squirrels. The man loves Hat, but doesn’t let him out, for fear he will leave or chase the squirrels…or worse. But, one day, the man isn’t there to love Hat or feed the squirrels. Then someone new comes along, and Hat gets the chance to go out. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens next, but I promise you will be treated to a heartfelt conclusion. Eve Coy’s charming watercolor and pencil illustrations are perfectly suited for Troy Wilson’s simple, yet heartwarming text. You won’t want to miss this lovely, emotional story about trust and friendship.
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon. Did you read and like this book? 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! The third Monday in January is apparently the saddest day of the year. Are you blue? I know just the book to cheer you up:
In the first of this graphic early reader series, we meet Bella and her family. Bella sometimes struggles with anxiety. Her dad and grandmother help with her everyday worrie, but when Bella meets a therapy dog she names Blue, they all quickly discover that the two are a perfect match. When Bella gets the blues, Blue chases them all away! This book is perfect for emergent readers who love the graphic-novel format, kids who are worriers (or know people who are), and dog lovers. I love the charming illustrations in mostly black, white, and shades of gray, but with the signature color of blue featured throughout. The characters and storylines are relatable and fun. As a dog owner, a mom of a worrier, and daughter of someone who loves to shop, I can relate to Bella’s family, and I’m sure many other readers will too. Brava to debut author-illustrator, Berrie Torgan-Randall for this adorable book. I can’t wait to read more!
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon. Did you read and like this book? 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! Did you know the third Sunday in January is World Snow Day? That sounds like the perfect reason to read all about a group of animals who celebrate more than a week of snow:
This picture book follows a group of woodland creatures who celebrate as snow falls, each wondering, “How high will it go?” Kristen Schroeder’s lyrical and layered text includes an introduction to the days of the week, animals from small to large, circular storytelling structure, and repetition. She expertly weaves a story whose arc rises gently and then descends to a conclusion that will have readers begging to read the book again and again. Sarah Jacoby’s darling, watercolor illustrations capture the magic of snowfall and the joyful expressions of the animal characters as they frolic in the snow. I have a soft spot for bunnies, illustrated end papers, and surprise “undies” covers under the dust jacket, and this book ticks all those boxes, and then some. A perfect read aloud for a group or for a cozy lap-read by the fire, SO MUCH SNOW is a must for your bookshelf!
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon. Did you read and like this book? 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! It’s the end of the year. Or is it the beginning of the new one? Do you mourn for the end of things or look forward the beginnings? This book is a little bit about beginnings and middles, but most definitely about ends:
Get ready to blow your kid’s mind! John Bray takes a creative look at how readers can view ends and beginnings (and even middles) with a new perspective. Sad about something ending? Maybe you can get excited about beginning something else. Bored in the middle? End it by beginning something new. Not happy with what you began? The end! The text encourages readers to think differently but is also spirited and fun. Josh Cleland’s vibrant, engaging illustrations are engaging and add another layer of humor to the book. This book has school and summer break, cats and dinosaurs, forts and books, and a clever approach to viewing beginnings and ends. A great addition to your bookshelf!
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About HeatherHeather 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. Archives
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