Hometown by Shaun Tan

When I saw this cover, I was intrigued. Today's read is a science fiction book for the upper middle grade audience, and telling by the artwork, it's going to take a different direction. This is a graphic novel, and from what I'm gathering by reading the blurb, it's about a girl, who enjoys a wonderful life, but then, someone falls from the sky and claims she doesn't belong. I'm wondering which direction this will take and have a feeling it will slide in a very artistic one. 

So, let's lean back and see if this is one to be enjoyed or not.

HOMETOWN

by Shaun Tan

Levine Querido

Upper Middle Grade Science Fiction

Graphic Novel

74 pages

ages 10 to 14

COMING SEPTEMBER 15th!!!

A girl grows up happily with her adoptive parents, a big sister and a little sister, and friends galore in a vibrant, close-knit community she adores. That’s never been in question . . . until a creature from outer space falls from the sky and claims (correctly) that she looks more like him than any of the beings she knows and loves. He urges her to go back with him. She doesn’t belong here. Can he be . . . right? Shaun Tan’s masterpiece is a uniquely powerful, funny, and insightful exploration of identity, and what it means to be “home.”

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER 

MY TIDBITS

This book comes out of the hands of Shaun Tan and lets his art style mix with fantasy to hit a meaningful note.

A girl lives with her complete family and is surrounded by friends, neighbors, and more. All treasure her, and she adores them. One day, a strange creature falls from the sky. At first, neither she nor the others around her know what to do with it, but as it sheds its layers, she begins to see it in a new light...almost friendly. When his last layer drops, he claims that she is just like him and doesn't belong in this place. The similarities are also impossible to overlook. At one point, he insists that she accompany him back home. But how can a person return to home when they already have the best one possible?

First off, the artwork is amazing and makes this a book to pick up just to sink into the rich fantasy world. It is original and carries a hint of what reminds me of yokai and such, but these creatures carry a distinct direction all of their own. There are plenty of details as well, making each scene worth a longer gaze. The illustrations carry much of this read and work in tension, humor, and warmth even when the text is steering, in that moment, in a slightly different way. I'd almost throw this book into the category of art rather than a graphic novel thanks to the visual delights and balance with the tale. The plot isn't hurried and steers away from action. Rather, the depth sinks in as the question of home, family, and belonging lays itself out for deep digestion.

Fantasy and imagination soar in these pages and lead the reader into an amazing world. Even the stranger from the sky, while very familiar, comes across with a bit of awkwardness and oddity thanks to the reader being able to see him a bit through the girl's eyes. The read leaves plenty of food for thought and ends with a lovely sense of hope and possibility. While unique, it also carries a constant feel of warmth, and the author does a masterful job at embracing the odd creatures in the secure term of 'home'.

Worm on the Job by Maureen Fergus

I saw today's read and knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I am ready to see how this worm tackles his job and what excitement awaits for him. After all, police and security work can be more than just a little interesting. Considering this one also comes from an author, who has more than a few titles in her pocket, I'm expecting a fun read.

So, let's see what this worm has planned!

WORM ON THE JOB

by Maureen Fergus

Illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

Kids Can Press

Picture Book

36 pages

ages 4 to 8

Size isn’t everything. Especially when it comes to Worm!

Worm loves being a librarian, but he’s ready for a new job. He considers many options - lifeguard, deep-sea fisherman, window washer - but none of them quite fits his, um, skill set. Until this: A security guard is needed to stop a thief from stealing the Invention Convention’s exhibits. It sounds like the perfect job for him! Unfortunately, the hiring manager doesn’t agree. Worm is too small! Also, he’s a worm. Can Worm convince the manager he’s got what it takes? And can he really capture a dastardly thief?

Meet everyone’s new favorite hero. This worm’s willing to stretch his limits to get the job done!

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Everything is possible for this worm, and he's going to prove that he is capable of much more than some people believe.

Worm has been a librarian for a very long time and has read every book in the shelves. Deciding it's time for a new phase in life, he searches the help wanted ads and begins to apply for various jobs. The ones he directly qualifies aren't exactly his thing, but when he sees the need for a security guard, he knows that it's just for him. Now, he just has to convince the human manager that he, a small worm, is the right choice to keep a thief at bay. But that's just the first step to success. Even if he gets the job, he still needs to take on the thief, and that's a tall order for a very small worm.

This is an adorable adventure, which packs humor, action, and a dose of self-confidence, too. This worm isn't more than a worm...well, mostly not...but it knows its capabilities well. Combine it's willingness to go that extra, extra mile with a bit of clever adaptability, and there's little this worm can't achieve. The first pages mix in a little bittersweet humor as worm first has to figure out what job it wants to have, and readers will understand how hard it is for worm to land its first 'dream' job as a security guard and fever for it. Fun hits with the thief with just enough tension to hold the attention of even reluctant listeners. And all of it wraps off with a nice twist at the end. So, it's a well paced read which keeps the pages turning the whole way through.

The illustrations are well done and give Worm plenty of personality while also producing giggles. The text flows well and works nicely as a read-aloud for the age group. There is a message about pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone and reaching for goals which may even seem unsurmountable. So, there's some goodness in these pages as well. Either way, this is a worm which I hope we'll see again. 

And here they are...

Maureen Fergus has written dozens of books for kids of all ages. She has three kids and at various times has been the pet mom of dogs, hedgehogs, fish, rats (!) and bunnies. She graduated with science and business degrees, taught college and worked in the aerospace, biopharmaceutical and financial services industries before finally discovering her love of writing, six weeks after her first baby was born.

Maureen’s books have been translated into many languages, optioned for television, adapted for stage and shortlisted for such prestigious awards as the Sunshine State Young Readers Award, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award. Her novels include The Fractured Kingdom romantasy trilogy and Ortega, which won the McNally Book for Young People award. Mad About Meatloaf, the first book in her graphic novel series starring Weenie the wiener dog, won the Joan Betty Stuchner – Oy Vey! – Funniest Children’s Book Award. Maureen’s picture books include the critically acclaimed Buddy and Earl series, The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold, The Reptile Club and The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten, a Blue Spruce winner.

Paul G. Hammond is an award-winning illustrator working from his house in the woods of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

What's Going on in New Findville? by Štěpánka Sekaninová

While reading tales is fun and learning all about the world around can be very interesting, the joy of solving puzzles and studying images can't be forgotten. Today's read should offer quiet a bit of searching and finding excitement. This read hits the shelves in about a week and presents a bustling town. It is on the shorter side with only 18 pages, but I'm hoping the searching goodness makes this a read to enjoy for more than a few minutes.

Let's open it up and see what these buildings and streets hold!

WHAT'S GOING ON IN NEW FINDVILLE?

Search and Explore

by Štěpánka Sekaninová

and Gabriela Hloz

Albatros Media

Children's Puzzles

18 pages

ages  6 to 9

COMING JUNE 23rd!!!

Every town is filled with stories—can you spot them all?

Take a walk through the lively streets, coy shops, anD bustling parks of a vibrant town in this beautifully illustrated, large-format picture book. What's Going On in New Findville? invites young readers to slow down, look closely, and discover the hidden stories behind every window, corner, and character.

Whether you child loves solving mysteries, spotting details, or inventing their own stories, this is  a delightful journey through the magic of everyday life. 

GOODREADS

 

MY TIDBITS

New Findville is a very busy and lively town, and readers are sure to discover all sorts of things as they search each area to discover hidden objects.

This begins with a lovely and bustling illustration of the entire town of New Findville, so that readers first get to the entire thing as a whole. Certain aspects such as the town square are pointed out with a small flag. The next page spread holds a bunch of various individuals to be found in the town such as garbage collectors, police, and the like. These each have a very short paragraph describing them, and readers are tasked with locating them in the following town sections. After that, each two-page spread presents a section of the town. There's a short description about the importance and such of the area of the town. At the bottom of the page, more searching fun activities are explained. These can include counting objects and the like. So, there is a lot to do in these pages.

The illustrations are extremely detailed, colorful, and bring the town town to life. While searching for the various objects and people is already grabbing, there are plenty of other situations and details built in to catch the attention. Some draw smiles thanks to the humor, while others demonstrate what various jobs do or what activities can be found. This broadens the awareness on what happens in a town, while packing enjoyment. The text is interesting and concise, offering information but never growing boring. The described activities are easy to understand. The text is fitting for those readers, who are very sure of their words, so an adult might need to help the younger end of the intended reading age group out a little. 

I enjoyed searching for the various objects and fulfilling the different tasks. Plus, it's enjoyable to discover the life in the town...and wish to be able to join in and walk the streets, too. Oh, and there's also a last task on the very back of the book to search for a baseball and a mole throughout the book. The only thing which might bother some search fans is that there isn't a solutions page anywhere. Otherwise, this is a fun book with tons to discover and find.

Sleepover Sneak Attack by Kiara Valdez

Today's read comes from a cartoon series, I enjoyed watching over my siblings' shoulders. The Powerpuff Girls were always a little silly, and their adventures added superhero goodness but with an odd twist on cute. Seeing them again made me smile, and I'm curious to see how these new adventures flow. Well, I assume they are new, but maybe not? Anyway, this book is for beginning readers and should help them work those word skills.

Let's open it up and see what this trio is up to this time!

SLEEPOVER SNEAK ATTACK

Adventures of the Powerpuff Girls

by Kiara Valdez

Illustrated by Patricio Oliver

Picture Window Books

Beginning Reader

32 pages

Ages 5 to 7

COMING AUGUST 1st!!!

Grab your favorite stuffie, because the Powerpuff Girls are having a sleepover! But trouble soon arrives when naughty Princess Morbucks uses a machine to sneak into each superhero’s dream. Can the girls snap out of the nightmare and bring back the slumber party fun? Find out in this high-energy early chapter book adventure featuring super sisters Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup!

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

The beloved Powerpuff Girls are back and ready to take on any villain or save the world...as long as they're done before bedtime.

For anyone who enjoyed the Powerpuff Girls as a kid, this is a nostalgic blast to the past. The girls are introduced quickly in the beginning and head into a short adventure as they put on a sleepover for the girls in their class. Of course, the ever-troublesome Princess is invited, which guarantees things will get out of control.

This is a short tale for those readers out there, who know their words but are in need of some practice. The font is large as is the spacing and the word amount on each page isn't overwhelming. There are illustrations throughout, which break things up and help readers along with the tale. There's also a glossary at the end to showcase the more difficult words, and there are a few questions for reading comprehension. So, this can be used with the purpose of working on reading abilities. 

The tale itself holds all of the wonderful things which make the Powerpuff Girls as spunky, adorable, and heroic as ever. The sleepover setting offers a familiar setting, which is easy to sink into. The entire thing is very age appropriate and offers the fun of a superhero adventure...Powerpuff Girl style. My only hesitation lies in the plot as it makes much more sense for someone who already knows the Powerpuff Girls. Anyone who is diving into this world for the first time might find a couple moments confusing. Otherwise, it's a fun read with tons of power, and I'll be keeping an eye on this series since there are so many possibilities for adventures to come.

This Book is Boring! by Ron Keres

Today's read comes from an entire row of picture books surrounding this frog. I haven't...as far as I remember...picked one up before. Since it is so popular, I thought I'd take a peek and see what this upcoming addition is all about. I'm expecting a bit of interaction with the reader and tons of humor.

Let's see how it goes!

THIS BOOK IS BORING!

by Ron Keres

Illustrated by Arthur Lin

Flypaper Press

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING JULY 7th!!!

From the creators of the beloved bestseller This Book Is Perfect! comes a laugh-out-loud story about fighting boredom with creativity…

Finn the Frog is ready for some serious FUN—sports, dancing, riddles, games—you name it! But no matter what he tries, the kid reading his book just isn’t interested. When the kid dares to call his book BORING, Finn knows it’s time to pull out his most creative idea yet.

Will his wild, unconventional idea finally win the day?

Here's why parents LOVE This Book Is Boring!
-Super interactive and full of belly laughs
-Great for both boys and girls
-Perfect for bedtime stories, classroom read-alouds, and long car rides
-Gentle social emotional lesson: Helps kids not to say, "I'm bored!"

Order your copy of This Book Is Boring! today and join Finn the Frog on a ribbit-ing adventure that shows even the dullest days can end in laughter!

Other books in the Finn the Frog Collection:
This Book Is Perfect!
This Book Is On Fire!
This Book Is A Mistake!
This Book Stinks!
This Book Is Viral!
This Book Is Mine!
This Book Is A Gift
This Book Needs Color!

General Information:
Parents and teachers recommend this book for 3 year old, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old and 8 year old boys and girls. So in short, kids between the ages of 3-8 yrs old. It is therefore recommended for kids in preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade and second grade.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Boredom is a word this frog refuses to accept...even if it causes tons of nonsense along the way.

This is a very interactive book, meaning that the frog speaks directly to the reader as if they were right there. The frog also requests the reader to do things with it, so it gets listeners/readers involved and makes sure they don't feel disconnected. While it is possible to pull a message about boredom from these pages and how, usually, it's more a state of mind and an individual can not be bored if they give some effort, this book is mostly about humor and fun. 

The illustrations are bright and leave the white page background behind the frog with only enough extras to make the various situations come to life (like a stack of board games). This helps to keep listeners focused on the frog and his interaction with the reader. The text is simple and consists of the frog speaking to the reader...or spitting its thoughts. It creates a lovely read-aloud and works for those readers who know their words to pick up on their own.

It is funny and will draw even reluctant listeners in. Plus, it gives the adult reader a chance to let their reading skills shine as they add emphasis to the frog's statements as desired and can coax the listener to join in. So, it is very interactive on that front. The only thing which bothered me a bit was that the frog is always assuming listeners' reactions. For example, they should catch a baseball he throws, but he claims they don't or that he requests they dance with him and claims they didn't. There are enough listeners who will grow frustrated, since they will pretend to catch the ball and will be more than happy to dance right along. 

Otherwise, this is a fun read and I understand why young readers enjoy this character so much.