Happy Book Birthday, Into Starry Outer Space: A Solar System Pop-Up by Joel Stern!

It's time to shout-out another book birthday! Yay!

I'm going to stick to the theme of stars for a couple of days (yesterday, being the first). Oh, and did you know that the Earth is currently enjoying a '2nd moon'? Yep, until the end of November, an asteroid has joined the moon in circling are planet.

Anyway, today's read is a pop-up book for the younger end of the reading audience, which should inspire about the wonders of space. I, personally, love pop-up books. So, I'm looking forward to it.

INTO STARRY OUTER SPACE

by Joel stern

Illustrated by Vivian Mineker

Little Simon

14 pages

ages 3 to 5

The creator of In a Spooky Haunted House and In the Holly Jolly North Pole returns with a thrilling pop-up board book that ventures into the vast, starry outer space!

Perfect for little astronauts in the making, this board book takes young readers into space for incredible sights and exciting fun facts! A sturdy page-turner, Into Starry Outer Space is an innovative, nonfiction pop-up story with galactic treats for all ages.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Every page brings out the planets to teach a few facts and demonstrate how amazing our solar system is.

This books is sold for readers ages 3 to 5, but I'm going to shove up the recommendation just a teeny-tiny bit to 4 through 7. These pages are very enjoyable to flip through even for those who won't understand the text and facts. It heads from Mercury to Uranus and Neptune, leaving out Pluto (for arguable reasons, I guess). Not only the planet pops-out on the page, but a few other aspects as well to create a multi-leveled, 3-D scene. While the main text flows in rhyme with only a few light explanations as it introduces the youngest readers to the entire idea of planets and space, there are a couple lines on the pop-outs, which give more specific facts for slightly older readers. Some of these are lesser known, which makes it interesting even for adult readers.

The illustrations are bright and bold, and thanks to the joyful, main character floating right along, keep a very positive atmosphere the entire way through. It shows the fun space offers as well as a touch of imagination, since the entire thing is presented as a trip through the solar system. It makes a lovely read-aloud for smaller groups and works great for individual space fans, as well.

And here they are...

Joel Stern is the bestselling author of many books of paper crafts, including My First Origami Kit, My First Origami Fairy Tales Kit, and Washington Pops!. He conducts paper craft workshops for kids of all ages in camps, schools, community centers, and libraries, and his folded and pop-up paper creations have been exhibited throughout the world.

Vivian Mineker is a Taiwanese American illustrator whose work derives from a love of nature and animals, as well as an appreciation of the world around her. She creates visuals that she hopes connect with her audience and evoke the profound feelings and emotions that we all experience as humans. She has illustrated a number of children’s books, including The Road Not Taken, The Secret Life of Trees, What a Ship Sees, and Love Is in the Air. Visit her at VivianMineker.com.

A Constellation of Minor Bears by Jen Ferguson

 Time to dive deep into the emotional world! Today's read steers into teenage life, dealing with grief, stepping into new stages of life, and a touch of first love. At least, that's what I'm getting after reading the blurb. The cover is giving me camping vibes (obviously), and I assume there's deep meaning in the title, which hints at the story. Part of me secretly hopes there are bears involved, but I'm pretty sure it's referring to star constellations. 

Anyway, let's dive in and see what this one is about.

A CONSTELLATION OF MINOR BEARS

by Jen Ferguson

Heartdrum

YA Contemporary

352 pages

Award-winning author Jen Ferguson has written a powerful story about teens grappling with balancing resentment with enduring friendship—and how to move forward with a life that’s not what they’d imagined.

Before that awful Saturday, Molly used to be inseparable from her brother, Hank, and his best friend, Tray. The indoor climbing accident that left Hank with a traumatic brain injury filled Molly with anger.

While she knows the accident wasn’t Tray’s fault, she will never forgive him for being there and failing to stop the damage. But she can’t forgive herself for not being there either.

Determined to go on the trio’s post-graduation hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, even without Hank, Molly packs her bag. But when her parents put Tray in charge of looking out for her, she is stuck backpacking with the person who incites her easy anger.

Despite all her planning, the trail she’ll walk has a few more twists and turns ahead. . . .

Discover the evocative storytelling and emotion from the author of The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, which was the winner of the Governor General's Award, a Stonewall Award honor book, and a Morris Award finalist, as well as Those Pink Mountain Nights, a Kirkus Best Book of the Year!

GOODREADS    /     B&N    /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Emotions slice and stab in a tale not only about forgiving others but learning to find ones' own place in the mess called life.

Molly was excited about the graduation trip, but after the accident, which left her brother injured and pushed him behind schedule, she's bordering on bitter. He could have come along but refused, since he hasn't graduated yet. So, she's stuck with their best friend Tray, who she can't help but blame for letting her brother get injured in the first place. To make things worse, her parents expect Tray to watch out for her—insulting and irritating. Somehow, she'll have to force herself to make it through the trip without letting her anger explode. But there is more coming her way than she thought.

The writing in these pages flows extremely well. The characters come across with tons of personality and a raw naturalness, which makes it easy to read and sink into. There are tons of emotions at play, and this slides in nicely with the age group. Some are understandable, while others are over-the-top. All have things they are bottling up, and each believes they can handle everything themselves, despite knowing that they truly can't. The back-and-forths carry snark edged with hints of naked truth, which hits with a personal note for readers to connect with.

An entire kettle full of problems and baggage stew in these pages, and many of the themes fit well with the audience. The first pages head right into this turmoil as Molly prepares for her graduation and trip, and that with a begrudging attitude carrying bite. Her anger is clear, and it hits everyone around her. The reader, however, remains in the dark concerning most of the reason until later in the novel...which does build tension and hold curiosity but isn't quite my thing. This brewing negativity clings to Molly like a second skin, and while she forces herself to be pleasant and deal with things, it makes her hard to like, at times. The other characters harbor their own issues to add to a thick weave of subplots and keep the tale intriguing. It mishes together to create a rich, emotional read, which hits upon more than a few social issues and personal battles on the path to finding balance.

And here she is...

Jen Ferguson is Michif/Métis and white, an activist, an intersectional feminist, an auntie, and an accomplice armed with a PhD in English and creative writing. Visit her online at jenfergusonwrites.com.

Mysterious World by Laura Knowles

Today's read comes from another one of my preferred publishers. Lonely Planet concentrates on nonfiction, and I'm a huge nonfiction fan...as are my kids. Even my youngest, who isn't exactly a book fan, snatched this book from my fingers when it arrived (literally) because the second she saw it, she knew it was nonfiction mystery. She loves unexplained or odd things which exist in reality. So, I'm going to pry it away from her and take a peek at it myself...but I'm already pretty sure it's good because she would have said otherwise already.

 

MYSTERIOUS WORLD

by Laura Knowles

Lonely Planet Kids

Middle Grade Nonfiction

192 pages

ages 9 to 12

Uncover our planet's most sensational secrets with this mind-boggling atlas of mysteries that's packed with more than 100 strange and unexplained enigmas.

What happened to the Bermuda Triangle? Where have Bigfoot, the Yeti, and the Yowie been sighted? Why does the legend of Area 51 fascinate us? Bursting with stories about ghostly hauntings, bizarre disappearances, and curious cryptids, this awesome guide to the unusual is the ultimate fact-packed mystery book for readers all over the world.

Inside Mysterious World: 

• More than 100 famous and obscure mysteries from across the planet
• Provides a global view of all that is unexplained with continent-based chapters that take an in-depth look at each thrilling tale
• Fascinating fun facts for kids to impress their friends and family with, plus historic photographs, maps, illustrations, and bespoke original art throughout
• Contents include: North America - Roswell, USA; The Oak Island Mystery, Canada; Pacal the Great, Mexico. South America - El Dorado, Colombia; Nazca Lines, Peru; The Devil's Lagoon, Chile. Europe - The Missing Lighthouse Keepers, UK; The Crooked Forest, Poland; The Tatzelwurm, Central Europe. Africa - The Curse of Tutankhamun, Egypt; Kongamato, Zambia; The Dogon and Sirius, Mali. Asia - The Mongolian Death Worm, Mongolia; The Sky Caves, Nepal; Naga Fireballs, Thailand. Oceania - The Yowie, Australia; The Kaikōura Lights, New Zealand; The Giant Heads of Rapa Nui
• Written by Laura Knowles, author of It Starts with a Seed, which won the 2017 Margaret Mallett Award for Children's Nonfiction

PUBLISHER   /    B&N    /     BULK BOOKSTORE

MY TIDBITS

Reality makes the best fiction, and these legends, monsters, mysteries, ghosts and more take a look at some of the oddest and unexplained things of our world.

Broken down into the continents and larger areas of Earth, this book slides through a variety of mysterious, odd, and sometimes, creepy things found all over the globe. A table of contents on the first pages makes referencing certain ones simple. Each chapter begins with a short introduction, which draws readers in with an atmospheric description and hints at the mysterious and strange things that area holds. Then, a detailed 'key' lists the specific topics found in the chapter along with the page on which it can be found. A rough map correlates with the the key to give readers an idea where the strange things originated or are located. 

Everything from Ogopogo to bioluminescent bays to the Darvaza Gas Crater and even aliens get a quick moment in the spotlight. The pages hold real life photos or helpful illustrations to bring the information to life, and these are fun to flip through just to get a glance at the variety. The information surrounding all these topics appears as short paragraphs over each two-page spread. These each hold a question or title to highlight different theories, facts, or possibilities. They are quick, short, and interesting, never tip-toeing into boredom or long babbles. While some of the information might already be known, many tidbits will raise eyebrows. Plus, the explanations often make readers think about the logic and connections between various aspects. There are several sections with highlighted mysteries, which have been solved as well. I found this to be a nice touch, since it reminds readers that there are answers...and these are waiting to be discovered. To round everything off, there's a glossary and an index at the end. 

Middle graders (and even older readers) eager to learn more about the stranger side of our world are sure to enjoy this collection. It's interesting, surprising, and holds a large variety.

Children of the Ancient Heroes: Dreams and Nightmares by Russell J. Fellows

 With whispers of a haunted house and creepy poems, this book grabbed my attention. Plus, I'm a fan of the publisher, since their books haven't failed to disappoint me yet. Taking a fantasy twist, which I think, has two siblings entering the world of stories, this sounds like an entertaining read and should be packed with imagination. There is the promises of magic and monsters, and I'm curious to see how adventurous this read becomes.

It released just a few days ago (on the 8th), so it's new to the shelves, too.

CHILDREN OF THE ANCIENT HEROES: DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES

A Lighted Lands Journey

by Russell J. Fellows

Monarch Educational Services, LLC

Middle Grade Fantasy

193 pages

ages 8 to 12

Thirteen-year-old Tirza Nesbit longs for magic. Her nine-year-old brother, Eli, longs for stability and a place that feels like home. When they read a strange book full of old stories and creepy poems, they are ripped from our world and thrown into another - one full of magic, monsters, and old family secrets.

Is it a world of their dreams... or their worst nightmares?

GOODREADS    /    B&N    /    AMAZON    /     BOOKSHOP

MY TIDBITS

Dragons, magic, monsters, and the battle against evil whirl together to create a rich, fantasy world and fast-paced adventure.

Tirza understands her younger brother, Eli, like no other. While taking him to the usual park to escape the bullies, she urges him to visit a nearby, abandoned house, but when the get there, their parents are already waiting with the news that they're purchasing it. Eli's anything but happy, but luckily, the house holds books and stories, which Tirza can read to him to calm him down. Until the stories pull her in, and she wakes up in a strange world, where magic, monsters, and evil threaten to take over everything.

With whispers of The Chronicles of Narnia, this adventure takes the two siblings into a fantasy world, where they not only discover amazing secrets about their parents but battle monster inside and out. The imagination soars with dragons, goblins, evil queens, and so much more, making it a read for true fantasy fans. While the story takes a little time to set the stage, it grounds Tirza, Eli, and the parents (a little) before heading into the magic and danger, but after that, the high-paced pacing doesn't let up much until the end. Tirza and Eli meet all sorts of creatures, encounter deadly dangers, and have to deal with more than a few difficult situations. While some moments speed by a bit too quick, it also keeps boredom at bay. The surprises keep them on their toes, and the reader at the edge of their seat. 

While the imagination, world building, and excitement keep the read engaging, there's also enough character depth to add heart. The siblings learn quite a bit about themselves, and their own relationship. Both have a few inner-demons to battle. Then, there's a wonderful sense of family, and while the parents aren't wrapped up too much in the read directly, they are never forgotten and are at the center of Tirza and Eli's own adventures. There are also several wholesome messages to be uncovered as the siblings meet various characters and deal with the dark evil. 

Fantasy fans are sure to enjoy this rich world and get lost in the exciting adventure.

And here he is...

Master of illusions, Captain of industry, a leader of leaders. Russell J. Fellows is none of these. He is a storyteller, however. Russell believes that stories weave magic into everyday life, especially the magic of faith, hope, love, and family in its myriad forms. Deep in the heart of Oklahoma, Russell lives with his beautiful wife and two amazing children. When he's not dreaming of new stories to tell, he loves spending time outdoors with his family, playing Everdell or many other family games. Visit his website and share your stories. He would love to hear from you.

Pigs Dig A Road by Carrie Finison

 Today's book already had me smiling before I got my hands on it. Because of the title? A little. Because of the cover art? It is busy, isn't it? This time, it was because of my husband. (*wave to him if he reads this*) Here's the short story...(not super interesting, but I remember the moment)

I'd been receiving lots of news on spooky books. Scary reads. Serious dramas. Nonfiction thoughts. Yep, everything in a more grounded or darker direction thanks to the approaching Fall months. Then, I got an email. My husband happened to be standing nearby, and I called over to him..."Hey, I have a fun sounding read... Pigs Dig A Road." He turned and looked more than a bit skeptical...not convinced. Which made me realize how ridiculous it sounded...and that put a huge smile on my face.

In other words, I picked this one up knowing it was going to swim or drown completely. Let's find out which way it goes!

PIGS DIG A ROAD

by Carrie Finison

Illustrated by Brian Biggs

G.P Putman's Sons 

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 3 to 7

A rhyming picture book featuring pig construction workers that's perfect for fans of Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site.

In her workshop, late one night, Rosie plans by hardhat light a brand-new road from here to there to reach the Hamshire County fair.

Construction crew chief Rosie and her team are building a new road to the Hamshire County Fair. It’s time to put on hard hats and boots, grab their hammers and stakes, and, of course, bring out the big trucks: bulldozers, excavators, pavers, rollers, and more!

Unfortunately, work with Rosie’s crew doesn’t always go as planned, and Curly, Pinky, and Stinky end up making one huge mess. Rosie is there to save the day, but she can’t do such a big job all by herself. The county fair is starting soon, and there’s only one way to get the road done on time . . . teamwork!

GOODREADS   /    B&N   /  AMAZON  /  LITTLE SHOP OF STORIES

MY TIDBITS

Construction pigs? You bet! This crew not only delights with antics, energy, humor, and heart but slides in a bit more knowledge on how roads are created.

The fair is coming, and Rosie realizes that there will have to be a road to make sure the visitors can get there. Bright and early, she sits down and drafts the plans. After printing, she wakes her crew, and they are off to get the project done. From marking to measuring, from digging to road grating, every step needs to be completed, one after the other. But mistakes, a bee, and other unexpected issues might put a wrench in their plans.

While young construction, tractor, and building fans are obviously going to enjoy this one, other readers will also get caught up in the fun. These pigs are on a mission, and they know what they are doing. Well, at least, Rosie does. The text flows along with enjoyable rhyme and keeps the plot clear and moving, while the illustrations add havoc, lightness, and play. This is a busy crew, whose determination inspires and will have readers wanting to jump in and build the road, too. There's never a boring moment, and the tale packs more than a couple surprises, guaranteeing that it isn't a mundane read.

Humor mixes well into the hard work, and the illustrations do a lovely job at adding the right details to make every scene sit. It's smile-worthy just to gaze at them to see what's happening, since there is quite a bit going on.

But my favorite aspect of this read is the construction information. It goes through the general flow of steps in creating a road. From planning to painting, the various steps and machinery demonstrate how much work and time (and care) goes into a road. Don't expect details, though, because that's not what this one is about (and wouldn't fit the age group, either). It sticks to basis knowledge, and that works wonderfully.  All along, the energy and humor hold strong to create a fun read, which will have listeners smiling and giggling, too.

And here she is...

Carrie Finison writes children’s books with humor and heart, including Dozens of Doughnuts; Lulu & Zoey: A Sister Story; Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School; and Don’t Hug Doug, which was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book in 2022. Her newest book is Pigs Dig a Road, a humorous story about road construction and teamwork. She lives in the Boston area. Visit her online at www.carriefinison.com , or follow her on social media @CarrieFinison.