Totally True Tales form World War II by Stuart Gibbs

I've been following this series for awhile and was happy to see another addition to this exciting, spy world. This time, however, it should slide in the nonfiction direction...isn't that a twist? I guess we're stepping back from Ben Ripley's adventures and are taking a look with him at amazing tales from World War II and those spies. I'm looking forward to take a peek because reality is so much more interesting than fiction. That might sound silly, but when you start looking at some of the crazy stories, which happen in real life, you'll quickly understand how true this is.

So, let's open it up and see what history holds!

TOTALLY TRUE TALES FROM WORLD WAR II

Spy School Secret Files

by Stuart Gibbs

Simon & Schuster

Middle Grade Nonfiction

128 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING NOVEMBER 10th!!!

Ben Ripley—the middle school superspy in Stuart Gibbs’s New York Times bestselling Spy School series—shares true stories of World War II operations, some never before disclosed, in this engaging nonfiction middle grade book packed with maps, diagrams, and mission briefings!

Benjamin Ripley, young spy-in-training at the Central Intelligence Agency, has always been impressed by super-cool, incredibly capable spies from movies. But there have been plenty of real spies throughout history that no one has heard of because they operated in secrecy on classified missions. But now, some of those amazing stories are declassified…

Join Ben as he shares the true stories behind World War II’s courageous spies, their inventive commanders, and the incredible things they did, like commando raids, code-breaking, double-crosses, disinformation, and inventing shark repellant and exploding pancake batter (really). There are amazing stories about famous spies like Julia Child, John Ford, and Sterling Hayden, plus countless others who risked their lives and took great risks to keep the world safe from evil.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

The world of spies open up to offer several surprises and awakens realization at how vast this term reaches.

This book is written from Ben Ripley's perspective...as if he sitting down with the reader and letting them know the history. So, the wonderful main character of the series is not forgotten. This first glance into spy history (because it's mentioned in these pages that there might be more to come) concentrates on WWII, since the realm of spies rapidly increased in important during this time. The first short chapters, however, do highlight the history of spies, dating back all the way to 2000 BC. After that, it's WWII and a treasure box of various individuals, organizations and more tumble forth.

Anyone who enjoys history, spies, and grabbing incidents is going to enjoy this one. It begins with 'Wild Bill', an individual who I'd never heard about but carried quite a bit of importance in driving the spy force forward during WWII. This isn't a mix of short, spy stories from real life, but instead, digs into the history behind many individuals, how they got involved, their strengths, their main assets to the spy realm, and a little bit about what they did afterwards. It's written in a grabbing way, and each one earns respect along the way. It stretches from code breaking to map research to international networks to undercover spies. Many times, the individuals are surprising. All along  the format of the text switches to notes, newspaper articles, and the like to keep everything visually attractive and enjoyable. Each individual is also illustrated, which is a nice touch.

It's a lot of information and heavy for something to pick up and read in one go. But it's interesting and holds many unexpected tidbits. I would recommend it more for the upper end of the middle grade audience and even some tweens might enjoy diving in, since there is quite a bit of historical goodness. It's an interesting change-up to the series and will delight true spy fans.

And here he is...

Stuart Gibbs is the author of five New York Times bestselling series: Spy School, FunJungle, Moon Base Alpha, Charlie Thorne, and Once Upon a Tim—as well as the new nonfiction series Spy School Secret Files. He has written screenplays, worked on a whole bunch of animated films, developed TV shows, been a newspaper columnist, and researched capybaras. Stuart lives with his family in Los Angeles. You can learn more about what he’s up to at StuartGibbs.com

Jesus Listens Bedtime Prayers by Sarah Young

JESUS LISTENS BEDTIME PRAYERS

by Sarah Young

Illustrated by Jennifer Amelie

Tommy Nelson

Board Book Religious

18 pages

ages 0 to 4

COMING JANUARY 12th!!!

Bring calm, connection, and the comforting presence of Jesus to bedtime with these simple prayers for toddlers and preschoolers. Jesus Listens® Bedtime Prayers by Sarah Young helps little ones talk to God in their own words, reminding them that He loves to hear from them and that they can trust Him with their feelings, worries, and joys.

With simple, reassuring prayers, this special bedtime book for the youngest children gently guides boys and girls to talk to God about their day and trust that He is near as they fall asleep.

This bedtime prayer book...

prayers from Sarah Young's Jesus Listens for Kids, adapted for young children

Bible verses

dreamy art of animal parents and babies spending sweet moments together 

sturdy board pages perfect for daily use.

Add this essential board book to your family's routine to

Introduce children 0 to 4 to the habit of talking with God each day

guide children to share their hearts through simple prayers about everyday moments

develop gratitude and peace

ensure that children feel safe and loved each night.

Jesus Listens Bedtime Prayers is perfect for creating quiet moments of worship with your child. Whether given as a gift or added to your family's nightly routine, this beautiful board book will help little ones grow closer to God one bedtime prayer at a time.

GOODREADS      /       PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With a sense of calm and warmth, this collection of short prayers invites to wonderful dreams.

There are nine prayers in this book, each one centering around a different theme. From a general prayer of thanks to a prayer of help, these offer a variety of works for various circumstances. Each one carries a title to make the theme clear. The prayers are around 10-14 lines each, not too long or too short, and hold enough broadness to incorporate all sorts of thoughts the child might be having. All offer a sense of hope and give the atmosphere of a respectful and personal connection. Each prayer is accompanied by a supportive verse from the Bible.

This is a lovely collection to offer children a chance to choose which type of prayer they desire each evening. The prayers are worded with love and care, holding respect while offering a familiar atmosphere to let the children sink into them. The illustrations hold scenes with animals and nature, sticking to the calming feel which stretches throughout these pages. 

This is not only a lovely, small collection of prayers for bedtime hours but makes a nice present as well. This works best with the slightly older end of the intended age group and can stretch to even slightly older readers.

And here they are...

Sarah Young, author of the bestselling 365-day devotionals Jesus Calling® and Jesus Listens®, was committed to helping people connect with Jesus and the Bible. Her books have sold more than fifty million copies worldwide. Jesus Calling® has appeared on all major bestseller lists. Sarah’s writings include Jesus Calling®, Jesus Listens®, Jesus Always, Jesus Today®, Jesus Lives™, Dear Jesus, Jesus Calling® for Little Ones, Jesus Calling® Bible Storybook, Jesus Calling®: 365 Devotions for Kids, Jesus Listens®: 365 Prayers for Kids, and more, each encouraging readers in their journeys toward intimacy with Christ. Sarah believed praying for her readers was a privilege and God-given responsibility and did so daily even amidst her own health challenges.

Connect with Jesus Calling at:

Facebook.com/JesusCalling

Instagram.com/JesusCalling

Youtube.com/JesusCallingBook

Pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling

Tiktok.com/@jesuscalling

Jennifer Amelie is an illustrator based in Zurich, Switzerland, working primarily with mixed media on paper to craft emotionally rich, story-driven artwork. Her work is rooted in a deep curiosity about the emotional world of children and their vibrant imaginations. Through her illustrations, Jennifer seeks to create moments of connection, helping children feel seen and understood.

Themes such as mindfulness, interconnectedness, and care for the planet are central to her creative practice. She weaves these values into her visual storytelling, inviting reflection and empathy in young viewers. Outside the studio, Jennifer finds inspiration in nature and community. She enjoys spending her time doing activities that reflect her love of slow living and engaging thoughtfully with the world around her, such as nurturing her garden and collaborating with a local farming cooperative. And—true to her love for quiet wonder—she never misses a chance to pause and admire the moon.

The Mystery of Insch Brae House by Susan Fiddes

October is a great month for mysteries! Actually, every month is a great month for them, but this one also circles around a house and odd things occurring there. I'm pretty sure that this one will be in British English, and it takes place in Scotland...which adds a nice touch as well.

So grab those flashlights and blankets because we're going to dive into all sorts of secrets.

THE MYSTERY OF INSCH BRAE HOUSE

by Susan Fiddes

Tiger Loves Book

Middle Grade Mystery

101 pages

ages 8 to 12

Eight-year-old Muriel’s life has suddenly turned upside down. With her family in turmoil and her father missing, Muriel is whisked away to Insch Brae House (pronounced "Inch Bray") on the windswept coast of Scotland under the watchful eye of her less-than-friendly minder, Miss Floss.

At first, Moreland and Insch Brae seem to offer nothing but grey skies and dusty corners. But everything changes when Muriel meets a local boy who shares her suspicion that something about the town, and the run-down great house, just doesn’t make sense. Together, they discover that Insch Brae hides secrets in every shadow, and that even the icy Miss Floss may not be who she seems.

Perfect for fans of The Bletchley Riddle, Lemony Snicket, and The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Mystery of Insch Brae House is a captivating middle-grade mystery filled with creepy investigations, surprising twists, and puzzling secrets.

GOODREADS 

MY TIDBITS

With the atmosphere of past times and a hint of mystery, this is a quick read with a character to enjoy.

Muriel has no idea why she's been sent with a strange woman to a house in Scotland by her mother. Everyone has been saying that Mum needs a break, but Muriel isn't sure why. Her and her mum both miss her father, who is in India to help the people there after an earthquake, but everything else seems to be normal. While Muriel wonders what is going on, she also has to deal with a very grumpy Miss Floss, who only complains about Muriel. When they, finally, get to the house in Scotland, it's clear that Miss Floss wants Muriel to stay in the nursery or library and be as little seen as possible. But Muriel doesn't really enjoy be shut away, especially since someone or something seems to be in the house with them. At least, food appears in front of Muriel's bedroom door and things are knocked over without anyone around. It's a mystery Muriel has to solve.

This is an enjoyable, short tale which keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end...but not in the way I thought it would. While there is a little mystery, it's more about Muriel's search for the truth behind her trip with Miss Floss, which leads her to discover a bit about her mum's own time in the town as a child. There's a bit of tension and danger here and there to keep the tale grabbing, but this is by no means an action story or even spooky...although Miss Floss' unpleasant personality does leave Muriel, understandably, scared to run in to her.  Instead, the tale takes on almost an historical note as Muriel learns a little bit about the past and the people her mum once knew. Mix that with a few unexpected situations, and it's an interesting and enjoyable read.

The author keeps everything about this read short and directed. The chapters are often only two or so pages, if even that. There isn't a long, intricate plot, but rather, Muriel's tale is straightforward and fitting for the middle grade audience. 

Animals of the Chinese Zodiac by Teresa Robeson

As a child, I remember going to a Chinese restaurant with placemats holding the animals of the Chinese Zodiac and the small descriptions about people born under each one. I fall under rat, which I wasn't really happy about. What kid wants to be a rat? Today's read centers around the chinese Zodiac and should explain what it is to readers. So, cultural goodness marks these pages.

Let's open it up and see what each one is about.

ANIMALS OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC

An Illustrated Guide to the 12 Signs

by Teresa Robeson

Illustrated by Ping Zhu

Phaidon

Middle Grade Nonfiction

64 pages

ages 6 and up

COMING OCTOBER 15th!!!

The ultimate guide to the Chinese Zodiac, featuring fun facts, frame-worthy illustrations, and a choose your own adventure-style quiz to find your perfect zodiac match!

GOODREADS      /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With a bit of story and a dive into each of the Chinese Zodiac animals, these pages leave readers with a general idea of what each one stands for.

The book begins with a lively introduction into the Chinese Zodiac and gives general insight into how it works and what meaning it holds. Then, there's a short tale surround the Great Race and the Jade Emperor. This tale holds a special touch, since it's laid out like a mini graphic novel and spreads out wide thanks to a folding page on either side. Then, there's a list of the animals and the birth years as well as an explanation surrounding the elements, which can add extra twists. After that, each animal receives a large, two-page spread illustration with the Chinese name as well as the English. The next pages offer a quick insight into the personality people under the animal are said to possess as well as a few fun bits of information. 

The author keeps this book light and fun, making sure gentle humor accompanies the scenes. The information is short and sweet, and makes sure to add insights which fit nicely to the intended age group. The entire time, the author invites readers to learn about each animal and consider which one fits the reader's personality best...even if it doesn't match up with the birth year. In other words, every person is an individual and doesn't necessarily fall into a certain category.

The illustrations are bright and bold the entire way through. The animals carry a cartoon direction and are always active and cheerful. The text fits well to the age group and steers clear of growing heavy or long. It's just right to pick up, search for certain animals, grab a few facts, and set down to pick up again another time. 

And here they are...

Teresa Robeson is a Chinese-Canadian-American author of children's books, and an artist, with a focus on science, nature, and her cultural voice and heritage. Her work has won the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association Picture Book Award, a National Council of Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Recommendation, and an International Reading Association Nonfiction Picture Book Honor, plus other awards, lists, and starred reviews.

Ping Zhu is a Chinese-American artist based in Brooklyn, whose work is frequently seen in The New York Times. A graduate of ArtCenter College of Design, in 2013 she received the ADC Young Guns award. Her children’s book debut, The Strange Birds of Flannery O’Connor: A Life (2020), was selected by The New York Times as one of the Best Children’s Books of the year.

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star by Kaz Windness

Today's read is the third in the series, and it's the first one I've read. I find the little bat on the front so cute and love how it looks snuggled up in all that winter wear. It might also be the snowflakes and snow angles winning me over, though. I do love my snow. Either way, I'm ready to see what this sweet bat is up to and can't wait to join in on its little adventure.

So, off we go!

BITSY BAT, SNOW STAR

by Kaz Windness

Beach Lane Books

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING OCTOBER 27th!!!

Bitsy Bat experiences her first snow and discovers it’s okay for friends to not always like the same things in another charming follow-up to Bitsy Bat, School Star from Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor–winning author-illustrator Kaz Windness.

When Bitsy wakes up to see her first-ever snowfall, she’s excited to try out wintry activities with her friends at school. But sledding turns out to be harder than she thought, and making snow angels and snowmen leaves her feeling cold and wet. Bitsy tries to pretend she’s having fun…until a friendly snowball fight pushes her over the edge.

She retreats inside the school, worried her friends won’t like her anymore once they find out she doesn’t love the snow like they do. But a surprise is waiting for her—Enzo Owl and Mo are inside too! They don’t like snow either and would rather read in the cozy nook. Bitsy comes up with an indoor activity for a snowy day—making paper snowflakes—that just might give her the courage to be honest with her friends.

This third story in the Bitsy Bat series is told from an autistic perspective and celebrates how our differences make each of us shine brightly on our own and among friends.

GOODREADS      /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Bitsy's adorableness hooks readers in while the situations she faces carry a familiarity to touch the heart.

Bitsy wakes up to find snow outside...the first snow she's ever seen! Her friends are heading outdoors to play, but Bitsy's family is getting ready to hibernate instead. With a little help from her friends, Bitsy gains permission to play for this last day in the snow. She's bundled up and ready to join in on sledding, snowballs, and more. But things are harder than she expected, and she's losing layers of cosy warmth on the way. Finally, she's simply freezing and wants to go inside, but doing so might hurt her friends' feelings.

Bitsy's friendly and kind personality grabs right away and makes her easy to like from the very first page. Her family and friends are also enjoyable to meet and have only the best for her in mind. It's fun to watch her friends do their best to get her ready for the snow...the excitement radiates from the page. The snow scenes lure in with familiar fun, and it's hard not to want to join in. Many readers will also understand Bitsy's hesitation to admit that she doesn't want to play outside anymore as she's afraid it might disappoint her friends. The desire to keep friends happy is one that many readers can identify with. But this group of friends makes even these struggles solvable and creates a warm story through and through.

The text flows very smoothly to make a lovely read-aloud. It balances nicely with the illustrations to let the story come to life on both fronts. Each scene comes to life with plenty of details to have readers coming back to gaze at them on their own. There's a sense of warmth in each scene, which matches the wholesome atmosphere of the tale, too.

At the end of the book, there are a few pages with terms and explanations to help raise awareness for those with autism and make various aspects more understandable. This aspect is also done with care and comes across nicely.

And here she is...

Kaz Windness is the author-illustrator of picture books Swim, Jim!; Bitsy Bat, School Star; Bitsy Bat, Team Star; and Bitsy Bat, Snow Star. She created the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics book Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends, and its sequel, Worm and Butterfly Are Friends, Always; the Star Chapter Book Time Traveling Chickens series; and the Level 1 Ready-to-Reads Cat vs. Vac; Go! Go! Dino!; and Squid in Pants. Kaz is also the illustrator of Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea by Andrew Hacket and the author of When You Love a Book, illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee. Kaz lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, two children, and Boston terrier. Visit her at WindnessBooks.com.