I'm Going to Eat a Polar Bear by Karl Newson

With Christmas comes snow and winter dreams. Many of you will probably see a white Christmas; we're expecting 72 degrees and sunshine. My sleds are just waiting for a few flakes, but we're going to have to keep waiting. That's where today's read comes in. It heads into a realm of cold a visits a penguin's mission to eat a polar bear...which I'm betting won't happen. Instead, I'm expecting a little tension mixed with tons of silliness.

Grab those hats and gloves, and let's head to the land of ice for cold thoughts!

I'M GOING TO EAT A POLAR BEAR

by Karl Newson

Illustrated by Nicola Kinnear

Happy Yak

Picture Book

34 pages

ages 3 to 6

"I’m hungry! Fish are boring! I want something new. Something soft… and fluffy!"

Meet a little penguin who is super hungry but totally bored of eating fish. An older penguin recalls hearing of a fluffy creature called a ‘bolar pear’, so the little penguin sets off on an adventurous mission to find and eat this ‘mystery’ creature.

On arrival at the North Pole, the penguin can’t see a polar bear anywhere and eventually turns back home, hungry as ever. Little does penguin know that an equally hungry polar bear is following right behind...

This story will have readers gleefully shouting ‘it’s behind you!’ as this hilarious story unfolds. The reader can follow oblivious penguin on every step of its journey as it narrowly escapes being gobbled up by the polar bear.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Silliness reigns in this adorable book, which takes a penguin on a very long, long, long journey.

This little penguin is hungry. Not just fish hungry but polar bear hungry. The other penguins aren't sure what to think but point the way, reminding the little penguin that it's a long, long, long way, but this penguin is nothing if not determined. It journeys south, stopping along the way to see if the various animals are polar bears and where it needs to go. After all, the little penguin has never seen one...just heard about them. When the little penguin finally reaches the south pole, the story takes the most unexpected twist.

I'm so glad I picked this one up because it is just right to bring smiles. The penguin is cute and funny, and yet, so easy to root for even with its ridiculous quest. Readers/listeners follow it along its travels and can try to guess where the penguin is by the landscape and animals it meets along the way. But this book isn't really about geography or animal biology. Instead, it keeps silliness rolling along with a touch of chaos and over-the-top determination. The ending is well played by the author and rounds everything off in a lovely way, which will have readers/listeners saying 'again'.

The text is just long enough to bring the situations and dialogue across clearly, and it plays along between the illustrations to flow right with the rest of the tale. It makes a lovely read-aloud and works for those readers, who are sure of their words, to attack on their own. Even listeners can 'read' through it on their own, since they'll want to go through the illustrations again to discover details they might have missed. Plus, it will be fun to follow the penguin through its journey again.

It's a fun read and sure to be enjoyed by groups and in individual settings.

And here they are...

Karl Newson is a best-selling, multi-award-winning children's book author. Author of the award winning picture book I Am a Tiger, the best-selling I Really Really Need a Wee and The Same But Different Too, plus many more! His stories have been translated in 29 languages around the world. Karl grew up in Norwich, England, and was inspired to write his first story when his children were small… he’s been writing stories ever since. He now lives in London, UK, in a wonky old house full of pot plants and books.

Nicola Kinnear is an illustrator, storyteller, designer, and maker from Kent, UK. Nicola loves illustrating books for children and gravitates towards the magical and whimsical in her work, and is greatly inspired by nature and folklore.

The Ghost's Gambit by Stephanie Cotta

I'm excited to dive into today's review, since it's the last in one of the very rare series that I follow completely. So far, it's been a tightly woven tale with tons of action and character depth, too. I'm expecting that won't change in this lastest tale. 

So, off we go to this magical world and see where everything is headed!

THE GHOST'S GAMBIT

The Iron Kingdom Series, Book 3

by Stephanie Cotta

Monarch Educational Services, LLC

YA Fantasy

430 pages

After the raid on his garrison, the Enforcer is on the hunt-and he won't stop until the Wraiths hang from the gallows. Rowan, Tahira, and Akaran are caught in the Enforcer's merciless pursuit and forced to flee across the wilderness in their struggle to stay one step ahead of this cutthroat soldier.

As new leaders of an underground rebellion, Rowan and Tahira fight to keep the resistance alive. Yet the cost of staying hidden grows heavier as the Enforcer and his soldiers terrorize Arjun. The body count rises, and the guilt sharpens with each brutal execution. But when the Enforcer threatens the very home they've sworn to protect, Rowan and Tahira must confront a painful truth-they may not have the power to stop him.

Meanwhile, Akaran and Marah stake their lives on a dangerous mission to undermine the Enforcer's iron grip on their homeland. In their quest, they stumble upon a dark secret that could change everything, but only if they escape the enemy's snare alive.

As tensions among the Wraiths mount, and with the weight of an oppressed kingdom on their shoulders, Rowan, Tahira, and Akaran will have to decide what they're willing to sacrifice for their people-and for each other.

The Ghost's Gambit is a gripping, pulse-pounding tale of rebellion, loyalty, and the high cost of defying a brutal empire.

AMAZON    /    GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

The Wraiths are back, and nothing is going to stop them from holding to what they know is right.

This is the third installment in the series, and it packs a punch. While the plot has been mounting from one book to the next, this one not only steps up but seems to make the growth even richer. The very first page already dives straight into tension, action, and emotions pure as the Enforcer wraps up a bloody attack and lets his callous attitude hit with full force. The Wraiths slide right in with the atmosphere that always accompanies their constant struggle: a bit of win but not without a toll.  And this sets the stage wonderfully for the rest of the read.

The author has woven a very intricate world with tons of depth. While the Enforcer is easy to dislike and cruel, the reader gets a little insight, this time, into some of his reasoning...which simply makes the story that much better. We have Tahira shining more and more as she continues to refine her skills but manages to keep the same touching qualities which make her so enjoyable to root for. Her relationship with Rowan also isn't forgotten to add a touch of romance without overpowering the main theme as their connection deepens. But then, the battle against the Enforcer is never to be taken lightly, which keeps everyone on their toes. The side characters have also earned their places in the spotlight and continue to round off the group with grit, heart, and necessary edge. 

The pacing, as in the other books, remains high the entire way through as the Enforcer's actions grow more and more deadly and threatening. There are moments to cheer and painful ones to cut the heart. All along the world never looses richness and keeps the reader in the pages. It's definitely a series fantasy fans will want to take a peek at.

Maggie's Magic T-Shirt by Teri Farrari!

oday's read looked adorable and promises a little magic and kid goodness. I believe it is one that also helps out beginning readers, too.

So, let's just take a look and find out more!

MAGGIE'S MAGIC T-SHIFT

The Magic Begins

by Teri Farrari

34 pages

ages 4 to 8

Maggie has no idea that her new flowery pink t-shirt is a Magic T-Shirt. But when she starts dropping and dribbling things all over it, the Magic T-Shirt begins to play tricks. Join Maggie and her friends to discover what happens when the Magic T-Shirt starts to grow and grow and grow……How big will the T-Shirt grow? What will Maggie do when her Magic T-Shirt grows as big as a tent? Follow Maggie as she discovers just how magical and mischievous her t-shirt can be. Maggie’s Magic T-Shirt, The Magic Begins, is the first in a series of enchanting story books about a little girl called Maggie and her Magic T-Shirt.

Created by early years educationalist, Teri Farrari, The Magic Begins is the perfect book for pre-school and kindergarten age children, who enjoy funny, magical stories. The captivating color illustrations, plus a lively arrangement of text, enables children to have fun learning new words and repeating words as the story is read out to them. Maggie's Magic T-Shirt, The Magic Begins, nurtures an enthusiasm for books in young children and helps facilitate early reading development.

Teri Farrari is an acknowledged authority on the development of early learning skills. She has featured regularly on television, radio and in other national and international media, including Parents Magazine.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

With a very relatable situation, this tale adds a touch of magic to create an easy-to-enjoy adventure.

Maggie loves pink. When her grandmother gives her a T-shirt with pink flowers, she's super excited and swears never to take it off again. Maggie wears it everywhere and every day. Unfortunately, Maggie isn't a clean girl and the shirt grows increasingly dirty. To make matters more interesting, the T-shirt happens to be a little magical and grows every time something is spilled on it. 

This is a simple, yet oh-so fun adventure. Maggie is a normal, cheerful girl, and her love for her favorite t-shirt is more than understandable. Readers will have no trouble sympathizing with her as they remember their own favorite items. They'll also understand the problem as the shirt grows messier and messier and wonder why it isn't getting a wash. Still, this book doesn't roll into bad hygiene or disgusting. Rather, things flip-flop as the shirt begins to grow and grow. It begs the question of what will happen next, since Maggie doesn't want to remove the shirt, either. So, it packs a little tension in all the right ways to keep those pages turning. The ending is well-rounded with a bit of unpredictability and fun before sliding in the last bit of message.

Everything about this book embraces a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The illustrations head in the direction of younger drawings to slide in the same familiar atmosphere that Maggie's love for the t-shirt does. Yet, the illustrations are well done and bring across each scene nicely. The text is just right for beginning readers and packs enough excitement to keep them in the story, since it isn't clear what will happen next. The words aren't over-whelming and, still, practice reading skills. At the end of the book, there's a quick question-answer section for reading comprehension. This also makes a lovely read-aloud, and it wouldn't surprise me if this one got the word 'again'.

And here she is...

I’m passionate about creating early learning materials and books that make a difference in children’s lives.
My innovating early learning schools, initially set up for my own daughter, have been featured on national, international television and radio stations, such as BBC News, Sky Television and Channel 9 (Australia), and in many publications like The Sunday Time, The Observer, Daily Mail and Parents Magazine. I’ve dedicated my career to helping children learn in ways that excite and inspire them, and I’m excited to share my knowledge of early learning with you and your family.
As a developmental psychologist, natural health practitioner and author, I’ve spent years understanding how the enrichment of early learning can significantly nurture children’s confidence, creativity, and resilience – some of the vital attributes that children need to achieve a happy and successful life in our rapidly changing and uncertain world. 
Learning should be fun, inspirational, and meaningful.  Let me help you to help your child become inspired and engaged with a wealth of joyous learning experiences.

Find more!

You can find more about her works, worksheets, and such... https://terifarrari.com/collections/all

Where's Santa? by the Editors of Chartwell Books

It's time for a little Christmas fun! Today's read is a search-and-find book. I loved these as a kid as did my own children. I have no idea how hard these will be. Hopefully, not super easy, since a little challenge is nice, too. I curious to see how the different scenes inspire Christmas dreams of Santa.

So, let's keep this short and get those searching-eyes ready!

WHERE'S SANTA?

Find Santa Claus as He Travels the World

by the Editors of Chartwell Books

Picture Book   /   Holiday   /   Activity

32 pages

ages 4 and up

Where in the world is Santa Claus? Peruse the vibrant Christmas-themed scenes from across the globe to find holiday-inspired items and even Santa Claus himself!

Bring the spirit of Christmas to life with Where’s Santa? Filled with fun and festive scenes featuring Santa Claus, elves, presents, and more, explore Christmas around the world with this delightful activity book where every page is a jolly new adventure. 

Look for Santa and Christmas-inspired items from each country, including:

• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• Brazil
• England
• Germany
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Africa
• And more!

A fun and interactive way to celebrate the holiday, enjoy the magic of the season as you look through each puzzle and find facts about how Christmas is recognized across the world. A fantastic stocking stuffer, gift, or winter-break activity, Where’s Santa? offers countless hours of fun.

Let the search for holiday magic begin!

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

It's time to go around the world on Christmas and see the various ways each country celebrates with their form of Santa.

Twelve countries are presented in this book, each getting a two-page spread with a fun search-and-find. The illustrations are somewhat similar, in that they each show a town area with tons of people doing various activities for Christmas. This includes everything from ice skating to a Christmas Market to beach parties and more. Each one is chaotic, vibrant, and packed full of tiny details. On one side of the page, a sidebar displays a 'Santa' and twelve other items the reader should find. Some are easy to spot, while others take a bit of searching and patience. The answers are presented in very small illustrations at the end of the book. To add a little extra, knowledge goodness, a information bubble in one corner of the illustration explains a cultural tidbit about that country's celebration or traditions.

This is a fun book for the holidays. Not only are the searches nicely done with a nice spread of difficulty in each one, but they bring cultural insights as well. At the beginning of the book, each 'Santa' is quickly presented from each country. In the search, readers discover traditional scenes from each country thanks to the housing, clothing, and more. Since readers need to carefully search for things, they discover these tidbits along the way, too. 

While I was, at first, a bit disappointed that there are only thirteen items to search on each page, it actually works quite well. Some are well hidden, which might frustrate some searchers. But the amount also is enough to make it interesting without growing each scene into a huge, major task. So, it's enough to make it interesting and engaging without overpowering. Plus, it allows readers time to sink into the other details and learn about each country. It's fun, educational, and makes a nice addition for stockings or little gifts to bring along. 

Christmas Is Coming To Town! by Rachel Piercey

I'm a bit late with today's read, and it would have been better to have snuck in sometime around the end of November...but so many books and so little time! Today's read is more of an Advent's calendar than a regular book, but I'm wondering if it could be used as a fun Christmas book, too. Why? Because it appears to be a fold out book with 24 windows and doors to open to discover what's inside. I'm hoping that little readers can just open these themselves and have fun with it. But we'll see. Oh, I also saw on Goodreads that this is available in Norwegian, too.

So, let's see how this one works, shall we?

CHRISTMAS IS COMING TO TOWN!

Brown Bear Wood

by Rachel Piercey

Illustrated by Freya Hartas

Magic Cat Publishing

Picture Book Holiday

16 pages

ages 3 to 8

Count down to Christmas with Bear and his woodland friends in this spectacular advent calendar book—with surprises hidden under 24 doors, holiday activities to enjoy as a family, and a magical accordion-style fold-out to display

In Christmas is Coming to Town!, children will enjoy the merriment of getting ready for Christmas with Bear and his friends. The calendar includes 24 flaps to open, each one revealing a delightful illustration and verse about the animals of Brown Bear Wood preparing for the big day.

On the back of the stunningly illustrated fold-out calendar there are tips for more holiday fun, including: tell a Christmas story with Papa Bear; write a letter to Santa with Professor Owl; bake carrot oat bars for Rudolph with Mama Fox; build a snow deer with the Deer Family; decorate a gingerbread burrow with Bunny; pick the perfect tree with Bear; and make gift wrap with the Squirrel Family. Christmas is truly magical in Brown Bear Wood!

Brown Bear Wood series:
If You Go Down to the Woods Today
Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball
It’s Busy Down in the Woods Today
Wisdom of the Woods
Brown Bear Wood: A Search-and-Find Coloring Book: Over 100 Things to Find
Bear’s Picnic Puzzle: A Magical Woodland (100 Piece Puzzle)
Christmas is Coming to Town!
The Great Easter Egg Hunt
I Love You Always

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Get ready to get big because this book pulls out into a long line with tons to discover on every page.

First I have to reveal that I didn't see this one in physical copy form, which I'm sure would have been lovely. Still, it was enjoyable and is definitely going on my list of future reads for the little ones in my life. This 'book' stretches out into an entire, long display of Christmas in a town. Each page is packed with busy and cheerful illustrations. Many are sure to make readers smile, and there's always something new to discover thanks to the enjoyable chaos. There are doors on each page, each marked with a number from 1-24. This makes it perfect for the Advent countdown. But this can also be read simply as a fun way to open doors and discover what's inside. 

The surprises are brief, cute, and carry tons of Christmas joy. It's fun to meet all of the characters and see what they are up to. Plus, readers can enjoy this one themselves, since much of the delights are of the visual nature. 

It's a warming, fun way to rank up the pre-Christmas excitement.

And here she is...

FREYA HARTAS is a UK based artist specialising in children's books, and the illustrator of the internationally bestselling Slow Down and Brown Bear Wood series. She graduated from Falmouth University with a first-class honours in BA Illustration in 2014. Freya loves to conjure up humorous characters, animals and monsters, creating the most fantastical worlds for them to inhabit and get lost in.