Summer Pop Up! by Aurore Petit

Who's ready for summer fun? Today's read embraces the approaching, hot months of the year...and that with the youngest readers out there in mind. See the words 'Pops Up' on the title? I'm very sure that means flaps and fun. These are things I always enjoy in books for younger readers (and secretly wish they had them in ones for much older readers, too).

So, let's see what this book holds!

SUMMER POPS UP!

by Aurore Petit

Phaidon Press

Board Book

12 pages

ages 2 to 4

COMING MAY 20th!!!

Winner, 2025 Best Baby Book Prize from the French Ministry of Culture
From family trips to ocean dips, experience summer’s everyday magic in this sturdy, neon pop-up book. With playful illustrations, engaging text, and pop-up surprises that toddlers (and parents) will love!

Designed especially for little hands, this bright, bold pop-up book brims with the joy of summer in every turn of the page. Perfectly portable and shaped for toddlers’ hands, this sturdy board book features six playful pop-up scenes that leap from the pages with high-contrast neon images – the yellow of sunshine and the pink of summer sunsets.

Celebrate the magic of summertime, from a busy bee zipping between blossoms to a bumpy ride in the family van, from spreading sunscreen on our faces to enjoying bare feet on a beach, and from diving into sunset seas to counting the stars at night. This book brings all our most-loved summer moments to life in a way that’s both familiar and fresh, clever and surprising. Every page bursting with the warm wonders of the season.

With Aurore Petit’s vibrant, playful illustrations, simple, engaging text, and pop-up surprises that toddlers (and parents!) will love, this book is a sensory celebration of summer’s everyday magic.

This is the first title in Aurore Petit’s seasonal pop-up series, publishing alongside Autumn Pops Up! and to be followed soon by winter and spring-themed books.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Summer beams with vibrant, contrasting colors and surprises on every page.

This little board book runs through an array of things people can correlate with summer. Be it bees or sunscreen, every page presents something most young readers can recognize. And it's pointed. For example, the mention of bare feet on a beach very much centers on those bare feet and pops them up big and bold. Each flip of the page reveals an illustration, which literally stands out thanks to cleverly placed folds, cuts, and mounting. These are created from carton, making them fairly durable under normal usage. Not only are they recognizable and enjoyable to see raise from the page, but there's also a little humor involved...very slight and just right. The text carries only a few words to make each moment clear and keep it very appropriate for the intended age group as a read-aloud. 

This book is as bright as the hot sun and lets the colors reflect that. Neon pink, bright yellow, jet black, and pure white make each page vibrant and somewhat feel like staring at the world under a very bright sun. By the last scene, the nighttime, it condenses into a calm, enjoyable sunset to wrap everything off nicely. 

It's a fun, little read to spread summer joy.

Happy Book Birthday, Northwoods Lullaby by Mary Casanova!

I'm shouting out another book birthday, today, and screaming as loud as I can. Got to celebrate, right? This one has been on my radar for....oh my...over half a year? I've seen its cover peeking at me, asking me to pick it up, and begging to be read, but I had to wait until it hit the shelves. Oh, the pain of being a book reviewer! (Was that dramatic enough?)

Anyway, today's read comes out of the press at the University of Minnesota, and the books I've seen from there have always touched a chord with my love for nature. This book shouldn't be any different. Plus, I've had this one on my pile for a reason...it should be amazing. 

Let's open it up and see if it's been worth the wait.

NORTHWOODS LULLABY

by Mary Casanova

Illustrated by Jordan Sundberg

University of Minnesota Press

Board Book

32 pages

ages 0 to 8

A springtime stroll transforms into a heartwarming bedtime lullaby

It’s time to sing a lullaby, and all through the northwoods, different wild animals join in. Come along as a child and their grown-up enjoy an evening hike. Loons drift by on the serene lake, a baby on papa’s back. On the banks nearby, swans hatch, and deer graze in the grass. Look, and you’ll find bear cubs climbing trees with mama, foxes and hares, and wolf pups playing in their den. Celebrating new life as spring unfurls, Northwoods Lullaby blossoms from a melody Mary Casanova began to hum while rocking her newborn grandbaby to sleep, a lullaby that can now be shared with generations to come.

Pairing Casanova’s signature lyrical writing with collage illustrations by Jordan Sundberg of Tin Cup Design, this bedtime story invites readers of all ages to explore the world of nature and discover the unexpected along the way. It’s time to sing a lullaby, a pine bough swaying lullaby, a lady’s slipper lullaby . . . a lullaby for you.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

The wonder of nature mixes with calmness and lovely scenes to invite into the world of dreams. 

From the very first page, this book sinks into nature's calming atmosphere and showcases an adult and child as they wander through the hills and forests. They spy bears, lakes, and more, always watching the life and world around them. As they progress on their journey, each moment is accompanied by a section of a lyrical lullaby to make this a lovely, bedtime read.

The illustrations are created in watercolor with a tissue paper like overlapping to give everything a gentle feel. Yet, each scene is brought across clearly and simply to fit the age group. Especially animal fans will enjoy the various, forest creatures as they make their appearance, one by one. The text flows right along. It swirls around various details of the life found in the forest, while sticking to wording which is very fitting to the intended age group. The phrases are short and flow smoothly to create a nice read-aloud. Plus, there's a sense of parent-child warmth to snuggle up with and offer security. 

Fans of nature, animals, and simply those, who enjoy discovering the world around them, are sure to enjoy this lovely, bedtime read.

And here they are...

Mary Casanova is author of dozens of books for young readers, including Hush Hush, Forest and Wake Up, Island, both also published by the University of Minnesota Press. She and her husband live in a tiny cabin near Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota.

Jordan Sundberg is an artist and illustrator based in Duluth, Minnesota, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and two bunnies. She is coauthor and illustrator of Fables of the North Shore.

Happy Book Birthday, The Terrifying Turnip Takeover by Lydia Lukidis!

Yippee! It's time to shoutout another book birthday. Today's read is the second in a humorful series of graphic novels for beginning readers, who are very sure of their words but not quite ready for larger, middle grade novels. I read the first one in the series last summer (see review HERE) and found it entertaining. The characters were quirky and fun. So, I'm hoping that this second book holds more of that. Let's open it up and find out!

THE TERRIFYING TURNIP TAKEOVER

Groucho, The Grouchy Groundhog

by Lydia Lukidis

Illustrated by Tara J Hannon

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Children's Humor  /  Graphic Novel

80 pages

ages 6 to 8

For fans of Grumpy Unicorn, Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog is back with his half-pig, half-uncorn (and all smiles) sidekick, Blork! ​ And while Groucho would much rather be eating pancakes or napping, Critter Creek might need him to save the day…again.

Groucho is a Grouchy Groundhog (NOT a mole, moles are different. See page 78 in Book 1 for more). When a terrifying turnip appears in the sky, it’s up to Groucho and Blork to see what Lord Turnip from Planet Jupi-TURD is up to.

Lord Turnip and his legion of zombie farmers have been prowling the universe, looking for the perfect place to plant their tasty turnips. But their Poo Poo Glue Slime is killing all the plants in Critter Creek! Can Groucho figure out how to stop them?

This original graphic novel sequel brings back all of your Critter Creek favorites!

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Turnip eating aliens and poo-forming-goo are only the beginning to this silly and surprise-filled adventure.

Groucho wants to take a shower, eat pancakes, and sleep, but his friend Blork isn't about to let him do any of that. Groucho's not even allowed to shower in peace thanks to an emergency. An alien named Lord Turnip has appeared with a spaceship and wants to turn entire Critter Creek into turnip fields with his Poo Poo Glue Slime, which oozes everything into turnip fertilizer. Groucho simply wants to eat his pancakes, but when Lord Turnip attacks Groucho's house and the pancakes are threatened, it's time to take care of the matter.

Quirky adventure rolls from every page as these unique characters try to save their home. Groucho hits with his grumpy and rude-ish style adding an edge to the, otherwise, ridiculous circumstances. And the evil villain from book one returns with a different twist, letting the latest villain swamp everyone with the new threat. There's a sense of urgency to make sure the adventure doesn't fall short. It creates a quick-paced read, where anything can happen and a happy ending isn't guaranteed...and not only because Groucho is never happy. Still, the characters provide many reasons to smile as they fumble and bumble through everything in a way which draws in.

The graphics are well done and lead the tale along smoothly, while also letting humor gain hold. The text fits readers, who are very sure of their words but not quite ready for larger reads. Heavy messaging stays far away in these pages, but friendship is golden, and it's shown that individuals can change for the better. The author does refer back to book one a few times, and even uses it to round off this read. So, it is better to take this series in order...although it isn't difficult to sink right in with book two, either. Those who enjoy odd fun and silliness are sure to enjoy Groucho and his friends. 

And here they are...

Tara J. Hannon lives in a house on a hill near the Chesapeake Bay. She writes and illustrates from her home studio, alongside her husband, two daughters, and one overly excited dog. When not creating, she can be found enjoying the bay with her family, jogging at a slow and friendly pace, or drinking coffee.

Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 50+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024) and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, and Cybils Award nominee. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program. Lydia is represented by literary agent Miranda Paul from the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. For more information, please visit www.lydialukidis.com.

The Atlas of Shipwrecks by Jo Arnold

I'm always on the lookout for original and exciting nonfiction in the kidlit realm, and today's read appears to be a treat. This book is all about shipwrecks. I, honestly, don't think I can even recall seeing a book on this topic floating around, not even at the libraries as a kid. But just seeing this read already has my head spinning in a whirlwind of possibilities. Is it historical only? Is it about treasure hunting, too? Does it show where wrecks happened or tell of myth and lore as well? I could see this one being amazing...or flopping into mediocre. 

Either way, grab that wetsuit and oxygen tank because we're going to see what lies under the surface of the sea.

THE ATLAS OF SHIPWRECKS

by Jo Arnold

Illustrated by Philip Harris

Wide Eyed Editions

Middle Grade Nonfiction

80 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING MAY 5th!!!

Why do ships sink? What happens to them when they do? And how are their wrecks located?

Join (the fictional) Dr Profundo and chart a course across the world’s oceans, seas, and lakes, revealing the mystery surrounding more than 50 of the three million wrecks that lie under Earth’s waters.

A comprehensive and engaging insight into the underwater world of shipwrecks, told in compelling narrative non-fiction style by a well trusted voice in children's books. Each spread has full bleed illustration and is annotated by the fictional explorer in charming narrative non-fiction style. Some spreads are dedicated to single wrecks and others taking in two/three/four (or more, for examples like the fleet of Kubla Khan, The Spanish Armada, Chuuk lagoon and the Tangalooma wrecks, where many wrecks are concentrated in a small area). See examples of ships in their heyday as well as in their underwater resting place, close-up detail of specific artefacts or points of interest, and information split into digestible chunks, rather than heavy slabs of text, with a combination of prose, ‘In numbers’ lists and ‘Did you know?’ bubbles.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With a deep dive into the realm of shipwrecks, these pages masterfully swirl through facts to grow knowledge, create awe, and inspire.

I'm going to start with the illustrations because this aspect defines this read as much as the text. These are wonderfully done, bringing a swirl of adventure and excitement to the historical goodness. Plus, they stick to blue hues, which gives a constant atmosphere of water and the ocean. The artistic side balances with photographs, sketches, and other real images to create an inviting look into each ship's story. And these stories are interesting.

There are fifty shipwrecks presented in this book. Most gain an entire two-page spread, which is filled with images and various types of text. Some ships are presented through an array of boxed themes, each highlighting an interesting tidbit from that ship's history. Other ships receive a mini-graphic novel type of history, which makes the adventure that ship faced come across with tension and excitement. Then, there are ships, which are laid out across the entire page spread with tags pointing to the various aspects of the it, which made it original. The information never comes across as boring and makes each ship original.

There's a timeline at the end of the book so readers can visualize the timeframe each ship met its demise. Plus, readers learn throughout the read more about the difficulties presented when working with these wrecks. It is a read to pick up time and again, and lets readers discover a little more each time.

And here she is...

Jo Arnold is a writer based on the Isles of Scilly in the UK. She has 42k followers on her Instagram page, @thelittleliterarysociety. She has a degree in English from Queen Mary, University of London. She is a Secondary School English teacher and book reviewer.

The Orion Sessions: Best Friends by Cheryl Daveiga

With the end of the week finally here, it's time for some music and fun. Today's read might meet this requirement. It's the first in a new series for middle grade readers and comes with a song to listen to, too...I think. I noticed it's only 105 pages, which is always a nice change-up for those readers, who don't always want to dive into a huge novel. I'm expecting some school drama, and maybe, the beginnings of a music band?

Let's open it up and find out!

BEST FRIENDS

The Orion Sessions, Book One

by Cheryl Daveiga

Waterhole Productions LLC

Middle Grade Contemporary

105 pages

ages 10 to 13

At thirteen, Orion Casey has stopped singing—and it’s not because she stopped loving it. After the girls everyone follows start talking about her instead of to her, she’s done performing for anyone.

Then the mysterious messages start. Anonymous. Encouraging. A little too perfectly timed.

Someone’s been watching her—really paying attention—and part of Orion can’t help hoping it’s the one person she wishes would notice her back. The texts spark a confidence she didn’t know she had—enough to discover songwriting and find her way back to music.

But as friendships shift and secrets surface, Orion begins to wonder: when your sense of self keeps changing based on who’s watching, how do you figure out who you really are?

Perfect for readers ages 10–13, Best Friends launches The Orion Sessions, a contemporary middle-grade series that blends music, friendship, and self-discovery. Written in a fast-paced style and paired with original songs readers can listen to, this coming-of-age story explores the pressures of middle school—where belonging, betrayal, and social media can shape how you see yourself.

The novel was shared with 7th graders at Dodd Middle School in Connecticut before publication, where Orion’s story resonated strongly with students.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Wholesome middle grade drama meets music and forming friendships to create an enjoyable read.

13-year-old Orion doesn't feel comfortable with herself, anymore, and ends up in awkward situations more than she'd like. It doesn't help that not all the kids at school are kind, and worse yet, she can't even grab the attention of her crush for more than a nano-second...if that.  Then, the weird messages start coming in on her phone from someone called J. They are supportive and nice but tend to know quite a bit about her life...which is creepy. But things might just be about to take some unexpected twists.

Fans of middle school drama and music are sure to enjoy diving into this one. It's a quick-paced read, which gives just enough description to set the scenes and lets the plot and characters move everything forward. There isn't time for boredom as events keep rolling with every turn of the page. Add that it's a shorter read, and even reluctant readers won't be scared away. While this is for the middle grade audience, I'd recommend it for the lower/middle end and those readers who just want to enjoy a quick, smooth tale with heart. The author doesn't spend much time sinking deep into moments, which keeps the tale moving along but also doesn't give the depth slightly older readers might enjoy.

The characters come across naturally, and the situations connect well with real life. There's tons of goodness surrounding friendship and being yourself, which adds inspiration, too. The inclusion of songs to listen to add an extra bonus and are just as enjoyable as the tale itself. It's a lovely start to a series, which promises lots more to come.

And here she is...

Cheryl DaVeiga once set aside her songwriting dreams for a career in accounting—eventually becoming a partner at a national firm before finding her way back to music. Today she’s an ASCAP award-winning songwriter and the author of seven acclaimed picture books. Her new middle-grade trilogy, The Orion Sessions, blends music and storytelling in the journey of a girl who loses her voice and fights to get it back. Because some stories can only be written by someone who’s lived them.