In the Witch's House by Amy Houts

Halloween is only 15 days away! I just brought my Halloween deco boxes out of the basement and will have to get that going, or this holiday will just run right by me. We don't really get trick-or-treaters where we live (when you live in your own valley with the next neighbor 1/2 mile down a dirt, very bumpy road, that just doesn't happen). And since I only have my last daughter in the house, and she's finishing up her Senior year of high school...well, Halloween just isn't the same as it once was. But I try to remember to keep it fun, at least. 

What are you guys up to on that day? Do you decorate a lot, just a little, or not at all?

Plus, we live in the heart of the Bible Belt, which dampens the general excitement for the holiday, anyway.

Oh! And I'm suppose to tell you about today's read! Well, today's read looks absolutely adorable as a girl is forced to enter a witch's house. I have a feeling this one could be really well done if it takes the direction I'm hoping it will. But let's just dive in and see what it holds, shall we?

IN THE WITCH'S HOUSE

by Amy Houts

Illustrated by Berna Datema

Monarch Educational Services, LLC
Picture Book

pages 42

ages 5 to 8

Something strange is happening in the witch's house...
When a curious child steps inside, cobwebs swish, bones clatter, and mysterious sights await. Not everything is as it seems. With lyrical language, gentle suspense, and a cozy twist ending, This read-aloud favorite offers just the right mix of spooky and sweet. Perfect for autumn storytimes, family bedtime reading, or classroom fun,
In the Witch's House invites young readers into a not-so-scary tale where imagination takes center stage. Ideal for ages 5+, clean content, and full of magical charm without fear or fright.

GOODREADS     /      AMAZON     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Get ready for an adorable read with tons of spooky vibes and surprises, too.

A Dad announces that he's taking his daughter to the new neighbor's house, but she's not sure she wants to go. After all, it does look a bit spooky, and she is a little shy. When they get there, things are even darker and stranger than she expected. The front door creaks open with nobody answering, cobwebs hang in the corners, a snake dangles from the ceiling, and so many other things definitely hint that this is a dangerous witch's house. And then, Dad disappears. The little girl doesn't know what to do and soon races everywhere to find him. But before she can, she runs across the witch.

The author has done a marvelous play between spooky, over-active imaginations, and fun. The little girl's hesitation will, at first, have many readers wondering why she's so careful, but then, the tension starts to build, especially when she finds all sorts of things which scream witch and odd. It's impossible not to believe that the little girl was right in her first assumptions...and wonder why in the world the Dad isn't as hesitant, and then, he disappears! And yet, the book never crosses into scary. The illustrations bring everything across with enough lightness in the imagery and colors to make sure it doesn't grow dark. And when the witch appears...well, let's just say that any tension readers had will begin to switch gears. It's a lovely balance to make a fun read, which will keep readers in the pages and have them smiling by the end.

This is written in rhyme and flows well. The text is kept fairly short, making sure the tale rolls right along, but there's enough to build the atmosphere and girl's thoughts to draw in. This makes it a lovely read-aloud from group and smaller sittings. Add the detailed illustrations, which will have readers revisiting the scenes, and it's a wonderful, Halloween read from beginning to end.

And here they are...

When Amy Houts taught preschool at Head Start, dramatic play was a favorite of her students. She was inspired to write this book after one of their Halloween celebrations. Amy is the author of 100+ books for children for both faith-based and general market publishers. Amy’s faith-based books include bath books, Noah’s Ark and The Creation (Sunbeam/Bushel & Peck Books), God’s Earth is Something to Fight For (Sunbeam/ Bushel & Peck Books), and God’s Protection Covers Me (Beaming Books). Amy’s educational books include 60 retold tales for the series, Compass Children’s Classics. Her 10 nonfiction science early readers were published by Highlights. To find out more, visit her website: www.amyhouts.com.

Berna Datema is a Dutch children’s book author and illustrator. Born in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, she studied to become an art teacher in Amsterdam and went on to attend the Vogue Academy of Fashion Design. She worked as fashion designer for children’s clothes, specialized in prints and repeat pattern design. Berna’s first children’s book series, which featured a family of meerkats, were illustrated in watercolor and ink and published by C. de Vries-Brouwers in Antwerp. Along with writing and illustrating,
Berna designed digital materials for scrapbooking, working for international websites and shops. Berna took part in several inspiring courses by platforms Domestika, Lilla Rogers, and Skillshare, such as Editorial Illustrating and Illustrating for Children’s Books. Berna is member of childrensillustrators.com and SCBWI. Visit her website: https://www.bernadatema.com

Raven Saga, Vol. 1 by Chihiro Howe

Today's read dives into the fairy tale direction, and I'm, actually, really looking forward to it. It seems like an eternity, since I last had my hands on some sort of fairy tale retelling, and I'm hoping that this one does a nice job with bringing tons of original aspects, while hitting enough familiarity to make a reader smile. It doesn't hit the shelves until January, so I'm hitting this one early.

Ready to dive into the fantasy realm and see what this book holds?

RAVEN SAGA, VOL. 1

by Chihiro Howe

WEBTOON Unscrolled

YA Adventure /   

Graphic Novel

304 pages

COMING...

JANUARY 6th!!!

Perfect for fans of fairy tales and Studio Ghibli, this gorgeous fantasy graphic novel adapted from the hit WEBTOON comic tells the story of a girl on an epic quest to rescue her grandmother in a world populated by fairy tale characters.

Wen lives in a land of fairy tales and has never seen the world outside of her home. The house where she and her grandmother, Clarimonde, reside is protected and secluded by a magical barrier. Wen dreams of exploring the world and seeing the ocean one day, yet her grandmother insists that she stay inside their little bubble where the seasons never change.

When a peculiar boy with a band of ravens begins capturing magic users across the kingdom, she must uncover the secrets held within the woods before the world is robbed of its happily ever after.

One day, a mysterious prince passes out just outside the barrier and Wen crosses over to help him. In the confusion outside the protective circle, the boy and his flock of ravens descend and abduct Wen’s grandmother. Wen decides to travel with her newfound friend, Prince Corliss, and his trusty sidekick Theo the swallow, on a quest to save Clarimonde.

On her journey, Wen discovers that the outside world isn’t as magical as she once thought, and danger lurks around every corner. But with the help of her friends, she will do her best to unravel the mystery of the boy with the ravens, and more importantly, the mystery of her own past.

This volume collects episodes 1 to 17 of the enchanting WEBTOON comic Raven Saga.

GOODREADS      /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With the atmosphere of pure, simple fun, these pages hint at familiar tales while weaving a completely new story of its own.

Wen has lived with her grandmother as long as she can remember on the small piece of land in a clearing in the forest. She enjoys her life and gets along with the animals very well, and Grandma makes sure to bring her gifts and lots of books when venturing into town. There's only one thing Wen isn't totally happy with; their land is spelled and protected, meaning she's not allowed to step beyond the rock border. Although she dreams of one day seeing the world beyond, she also knows her grandmother only has her best interests at heart. When an odd light zooms in from the outside, it beckons to Wen in a way she can't ignore, and before she knows it, she's beyond the border and into the forest. Here, she discovers an injured prince with a flower insignia on his ring. While her grandmother is very upset, the old woman reveals that she's been waiting for a prophesied flower to appear, and this might be exactly it. Just as her grandmother is about to reveal the truth about Wen's past, a boy with crows attacks and steals the grandmother away. But before she completely disappears, she's able to tell Wen to find a certain individual and makes the prince promise to protect Wen until this task is complete. But that's going to be easier said than done.

Wen is everything a fairy tale heroine should be: innocent, friendly, and very kind. Her isolation has left her with a naive purity, which makes her enjoyable to follow and root for, especially since she's not completely stupid. She might have a lot to learn, but she's quick to realize mistakes and knows when to stand her ground. It will be fun to see what happens to her in this series, since there is quite a bit of room for character growth. With the prince, who is facing an odd curse, and other characters, such as the Pied Piper and Jack, the one who defeated the giant at the top of the bean stalk, there are all sorts of surprises. Not everyone is kind, and many characters are even gray. 

The graphics carry a hint of light, bubbliness. Still, the needed tension and emotions come across clearly to keep the tale from growing too sweet or simple. The text slides right along to keep everything flowing. It's a nice balance between the two and keeps boredom away. While there are moments of tension and hints of darker elements, this story holds gentle humor and innocence close to ensure a light fun the entire way through. And this fits very well to the characters and plot.

I'm really looking foward to seeing where this one goes next because Wen has quite the adventure before her.

Happy Book Birthday, Leaf Town Forever by Kathleen Rooney and Beth Rooney!

 

It's happy book birthday time! Today's read is perfect for the Fall weather and the leaves falling from the trees. We've had a very odd season, and while leaves have finally begun to fall...somewhat...it doesn't look like Autumn here, yet. Honestly, I have to mow the grass this week again, and I'm always done with that mid-September. But those leaves can't hang on the trees forever, and the cooler temperatures have to be arriving at some point. So, I'm going to hope that this read guides me into colored leaf dreaming and see what it holds.

LEAF TOWN FOREVER

by Kathleen Rooney and

Beth Rooney

Illustrated by Betsy Bowen

University of Minnesota Press

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

Leaf Town suddenly springs up. One day the clearing outside the school is empty, and the next it’s a bustling town complete with a hotel, shop, and mayor. Children gather and find treasures everywhere: feathers, acorns, lost rings, an old medal, and plenty of leaves and pine needles. They even uncover a silver skeleton key in the muddy banks of a nearby creek and proclaim it the heart of Leaf Town. As the town grows, it attracts the attention of the kids up the street, and a colossal fight threatens to destroy everything that was built. But the heart of Leaf Town is saved, and the kids rally to rebuild their city together, expanding to welcome the neighboring kids as well as all sorts of birds and animals. They hang a sign, Leaf Town Forever, and pass the key to the next generation of children who will look after their beloved town.

Based on a true story, Leaf Town Forever is the gentle tale of a town created by children with vivid imaginations. The timeless and universal saga, written in haiku, reminds both kids and adults that some dreams are worth protecting. Unfurling over the cycle of seasons, this is the story of an enchanting place full of tenacity and hope, creativity and fun—a connection to the natural world within reach for us all if we unite to make and maintain it.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Playful hours outside let imagination take flight in this inspiring read about a town of leaves.

This is the story of a bunch of kids, who decided to use all the leaves on the ground to form a town. They do this by clearing off smaller circles and piling the leaves along the edges to create 'buildings' or spaces. The kids claim their space and make stores, libraries, or anything else a town would hold. They even head out to collect things to decorate their spaces. The town grows and the kids are having a great time until the leaves are blown away. But this isn't the end of the game by any means.

Everything about these pages celebrates Autumn and children playing outside together. The hues in the illustrations lean toward the browns and oranges to keep the atmosphere in the right season the entire way through. The reader follows the kids as they form their buildings and hunt for decoration, and it inspires kids to head outside and try this on their own. Even when the leaves blow away, there isn't much time spent on the disappointment. Rather, the kids go with the flow. It reminds of neighborhood kids meeting after school or on weekend...or even of recess outside. It works well as an idea for a project as well.

The tale flows nicely and draws in as the text fits well to the intended age group. This makes for a smooth read-aloud for group settings or for cozier sessions at home. 

And here they are...

Kathleen Rooney is a founding editor of Rose Metal Press, a nonprofit publisher of literary work in hybrid genres, and a founding member of Poems While You Wait. She is author of five novels, including Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk and Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey, as well as the poetry collection Where Are the Snows. She lives in Chicago and teaches at DePaul University.

Beth Rooney is a visual journalist based in Oak Park, Illinois. A writer and photographer, she is drawn to stories that explore our place in the world and show how individual circumstances reflect larger truths. 

Betsy Bowen is author and illustrator of many children's books, including Pocket of Prairie and The Lost Forest, both published by the University of Minnesota Press. She lives in Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Happy Book Birthday, Coach by Jason Reynolds!

It's time to celebrate another book birthday! Today's read is the fifth in a series, and I've read a couple of the other books before, but not the entire series. These can be read well as individual reads, since each book centers around a different character. However, there are mentions of other events, so they do hang together enough to read as a series as well. If I remember right. Truthfully, it's been a bit about six years since I read one

COACH

About Time...

Track #5

by Jason Reynolds

Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Middle Grade Sports Fiction

256 pages

In this companion to Jason Reynolds’s award-winning and New York Times bestselling Track series, meet Coach as a boy striving to come into his own as a track star while facing upheaval at home.

Before Coach was the man who gave caring yet firm-handed guidance to Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny on the Defenders track team, he was little Otie Brody, who was obsessed with Mr. 9.99 (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Like Mr. 9.99—and his own dad—Otie is a sprinter. Sprint free or die is practically his motto.

Then his dad, who is always away on business trips, comes home with a pair of Jordans. JORDANS. Fine as fine can be. Otie puts them on and feels like he can leap to the moon…maybe even leap like Mr. 9.99 when he won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump. But one morning he wakes up to find his brand-new secret weapon kicks are missing—right off his feet! And Otie just might have a fuzzy memory of his dad easing them off as Otie was sleeping, but that can’t be right, can it?

Unless all the reasons for his dad’s “gone’s” are very different from what he’s been told… Because now, not only are the Jordans missing, but so is his father.

GOODREADS     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Otie's having a hard time. Not only is his father rarely at home thanks to his job, but one of the kids at school has just made fun of Otie during the lunch talent show and had the entire school laughing at him and his hair. Since Otie's father never seems to have enough time to take him to the barber shop, he decides to tackle the job himself and ends up bald. But that works, since he's on the track team and can claim he's trying to improve his running time by being more aerodynamic. After all, he's a great runner and has dreams of making the Junior Olympic team. When his father returns from the latest business trip with a pair of Air Jordon's in hand, Otie's over the moon. Unfortunately, his mother's fears that they might be stolen are dampening his fun with the amazing shoes. Plus, other oddities are beginning to make Otie wonder if his father got them through questionable means...or maybe, even his job isn't all that it seems. Add the pressures of track and school, and Otie's got a lot to maneuver.

Like the other books in the series, the author hits Otie and his life with natural finesse. Every moment comes across smoothly and lets the reader feel as if they're stepping right into the character's world. The problems Otie faces come across with familiarity and draw sympathy, and his reactions are very understandable...even when he makes mistakes. His family is supportive and loving, but they aren't perfect. Even his school life and friendships are packed with ups and downs. Some themes are a bit more difficult and are brought across with the rawness needed to make the sit. So, it's a well-rounded read with a lot to offer.

It's no problem to sink right into the scenes and enjoy following Otie, family, and friends. It was nice to see the series now shifting to the Coach of the team, and the backstory gives his character quite a bit more understanding and depth. It did take a minute to realize that, unlike the other books, this one jumps back to the late 1980's to visit the Coach in his early teenage years. A quick mention of this would have been helpful in the beginning. But that said, it's an enjoyable read which hits home and provokes thought. Plus, the sport aspect always adds a nice twist.

And here he is...

Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant, a Newbery Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, a two-time National Book Award finalist, a 2024 MacArthur Fellow, a Kirkus Award winner, a UK Carnegie Medal winner, a two-time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, an Odyssey Award Winner and two-time honoree, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors, a Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Margaret A. Edwards Award. He was also the 2020–2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. His many books include All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely); When I Was the Greatest; The Boy in the Black Suit; Stamped; As Brave as You; For Every One; the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, Lu, and Coach); Look Both Ways; Stuntboy, in the Meantime; Stuntboy, In-Between Time; Miles Morales Suspended; Ain’t Burned All the Bright (recipient of the Caldecott Honor) and My Name Is Jason. Mine Too. (both cowritten with Jason Griffin); Twenty-Four Seconds from Now...; and Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Honor. His debut picture book, There Was a Party for Langston, won a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. He lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

Why Are Dogs by Brittany Long Olsen

Any dog fans out there? We love our pup, and I'm sure many of you cuddle yours often, too. But today's read isn't only about how much dog lovers adore their pets. It's not about the cute illustrations, either. This book covers the history of dogs. I'm assuming it will take a look at the various breeds and how they became what they are today, but maybe, I'm wrong.

Let's open this one up and enjoy learning more about our favorite dogs!

WHY ARE DOGS

An Illustrated History of the Wonderful World of Dogs

by Brittany Long Olsen

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Nonfiction

128 pages

ages 9 to 11

COMING...

OCTOBER 28th!!!

Ever wonder why Bulldogs have such wrinkly faces, or why Dachshunds are so long? Discover the history of 55 different dog breeds in this doggone good nonfiction book for kids, complete with comic panels and illustrations!

Why do Corgis have such stubby legs? Why do Huskies have such thick fur? Why do Pomeranians have such loud barks for their tiny size?

For hundreds of years, humans have been breeding dogs and tailoring them to fit our specifications for everything, from hunting to keeping our laps warm. In this illustrated nonfiction book that combines comic panels, illustrations, diagrams, and text, readers will learn about the stories behind 55 of the most popular dog breeds around the world and why they look and act the way they do.

Some of the breeds and their histories covered in this book

Golden Retriever Labrador Standard Poodle German Shepherd Dachshund Beagle French Bulldog And more! With author Brittany Long Olsen's gorgeous and paws-itively adorable art, this guidebook has all the greatest facts and stories behind your favorite furry friends!

GOODREADS   /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Dogs are discussed, explained, and celebrated in this interesting book, which explores the various breeds and more.

After beginning with a little general history on dogs and their importance to people through time, it's time to take a closer peek at 55 various dog breeds. The name of the breed is placed at the top of the page with an immediate question, which people often ask about the breed (for example, "Why do Boston Terriers have white necks?") This question isn't answered directly, but rather, acts as an attention grabber. Then, the origin of the breed is mentioned, shown on a small, global map, and a brief history of the breed is given. The pages, from there, are broken into various boxes with illustrations and information, which hit all sorts of know and less known facts about the breed. It's presented in a format, which reminds a bit of a graphic novel without really taking on that direction completely. 

Dog fans are sure to discover all sorts of interesting tidbits about their favorite breeds. While some basic facts about the breed's origin, standard behaviors, or special anatomic abilities won't surprise, other tidbits offer  unexpected insights. For example, we learn the origins of Scooby Doo or how a Chihuahua became a commercial star. There's also a section at the end of the breed, which points out related breeds similar to it. All of this information comes across in an interesting way, and while never humorous, still carries a light atmosphere to keep the book entertaining.  The illustrations help facts to remain understandable, while also hinting at a bit of playfulness to help the facts from growing too heavy. 

It's an enjoyable book for anyone, who enjoys learning more about dogs.