Love From Snoopy by Charles M. Schulz

Time for a little more love, and today's read heads exactly in that direction. With the ever-beloved Snoopy heading into the spotlight, love should beam from every page. I'm not exactly what direction this will go but have no doubt it will be cute.

LOVE FROM SNOOPY

Peanuts

Charles M. Schulz

Illustrated by Scott Jeralds

Simon Spotlight

Board Book

32 pages

ages 2 to 6

Say I heart you with the world’s most loveable dog—the one-and-only Snoopy—in this uplifting and heartwarming picture book perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day of the year!

You are cooler than cool. I love you more than the grandest adventure…

Snoopy is a beagle with a heart of gold. Even when he’s soaring through the sky or having fun with other escapades, he has so much love for the rest of the Peanuts gang. Show your loved ones how much they’re adored with help from Charlie Brown’s best friend!

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON     /      B&N

MY TIDBITS

Snoopy fans are in for lots of love and good feelings with this read.

This is a board book for the younger readers out there and brings across the warming message of love. Snoopy is front and center on each page, accompanied by a short phrase about love. These are very general and directed toward the reader, giving off wholesome vibes the entire way through. 

The illustrations are simple but set Snoopy in slightly different scenes, which fit to each phrase. The few words on each page make this a quick read, which is no problem for even young listeners to understand. It's sweet and brings across the goodness of being loved on each and every page. 

The Generous Giraffe by Michelle Eshkeri

 Today's read comes from a four book series, which takes a look at various 'habits' with the goal of fostering them in younger readers. Now, you might know that I'm rather particular when it comes to books like this, but the cover grabbed my attention...as did a quick peek at the illustrations and such inside. Just a quick glimpse, mind you, to see if I might be interested or not to read the rest. 

Now, I'm going to sit down, open it up, and see if that peek turns into a good read.

THE GENEROUS GIRAFFE

Habit Heroes

by Michelle Eshkeri

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 2 to 6

This funny, charming story is the perfect way to introduce young children to the concept of being generous. Gina loves to think about how he can make others’ lives better. She’s always keen to showcase her generosity as needed, showing children just how good it is to be generous with time and possessions.

The Habit Heroes series of picture books provide a gentle means of discussing good habits and reinforcing positive behavior using charming stories of everyday situations to which children will relate. Supports personal, social and emotional development areas of curriculum for pre-school through to kindergarten. Suitable for children aged 2-6.

Each animal character depicts one area of behavior and manners to help your child understand how they can live life with more positive interactions with their peers.

The entire Habit Heroes Book Series is:

• Great for developing constructive habits for children 2-6 years old.
• Ideally written for the world view of those in preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten.
• Full of delicate illustrations which complement the story.
• Easy reading for bedtime. Not too long for parents or the kids!

Other Books in Set#1, include: The Helpful Hippo, The Courteous Kitten, The Honest Owl

AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

This adorable giraffe is hard not to like and her attitude inspires.

Gina is super excited. The entire class is headed to the beach. She's packed everything she needs and soon joins them on the bus. Upon arrival, one of her friends has forgotten some things, but Gina is there to help. And that's just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting day.

Everything about this read radiates wholesome enjoyment. Gina is an adorable giraffe, whose kindness, cheerfulness, and friendliness comes across clearly and, yet, not over the top. She's just naturally a lovely giraffe, and those around her are just as enjoyable and fun. The message about sharing is clear, but it's woven into the tale so that it comes across with the general roll of the plot and doesn't stick-out with preachiness. The good-vibes beam from every page to make this a read to snuggle up with.

The first page starts with an introduction to Gina, which works very well and made me smile with a short list of her favorite things and such. Original and cute. From there, the story takes off...and it's the illustrations, which really carry this read. They invite in and bring across the atmosphere and scenes with energy. Readers, who aren't sure of their words, can flip through these and enjoy the tale on their own. The text is written so that beginner readers, who are pretty sure of their words, can even attempt visiting the tale themselves. The writing flows well enough and fits the age group.

It's an enjoyable read and worth picking up for classrooms as well as individuals. 

Head over to https://www.habit-heroes.net/ to learn more about the rest of the series!

Plant Attack: The Fascinating Ways Flora Defends Itself by Erin Silver

I'm trying to hit more reads this year...and if that means more exciting nonfiction, my life will be amazing! I'm a fan of fun books, which hold facts, surprises and more. This one is all about plants and their clever ways to ward off all sorts of dangers. Telling by the cover, it's going to hold a variety...and that in such a short read? So, this one heads toward the younger audience level...which sounds perfect to me.

Put on those gloves because this read promises to hold, at least, a little danger if I'm not wrong.

PLANT ATTACK@

The Fascinating Ways Flora Defends Itself

by Erin Silver

Illustrated by Julie McLaughlin

Orca Book Publishers

Picture Book Nonfiction

32 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING..

MARCH 11th!!!

Just like people and animals, plants need to defend themselves.

They can't scream or run away from danger, but many have developed surprisingly cool and courageous ways to keep themselves safe from pesky bugs, hungry animals and even large-clawed crabs. Plants can stab, poison, drown and even suffocate their predators. Discover the corpse flower, which smells like a combination of rotting wounds, garlic, cheese and sour sweat. Then there is the touch-me-not balsam that explodes, flinging anything that touches it through the air. Plant Attack! The Fascinating Ways Flora Defend Themselves explores 15 different plants and the unique, and sometimes bizarre, ways they defend themselves from predators, including us.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Vibrant illustrations accompany a row of various plants, who do their best to protect themselves in, sometimes, very surprising ways.

This books is well set for readers from around the 2nd to 5th grade and presents plant after plant like a mini-parade. A very colorful one, too. Each two-page spread presents a plant, whose name is given at the top along with it's fighting 'superpower'. After a quick introduction to the problem plants face (insects and more), one plant after the other hits the spotlight. This includes everything from the notorious Venus Flytrap to lesser known powers like that of the orchid. A short summary of a paragraph or two gives quick details and insights into the plant. Then, the plant is given one or two paragraphs to speak for itself—which was a fun way to connect with the reader. Lastly, there are a couple number facts surrounding growth and such offered in a small bubble. 

While there are some numbers involved, this book concentrates more on the attributes plants have and use to defend themselves or help their further production. Most won't be a surprise to plant-knowers, but others are lesser known. Each is interesting, and more importantly, brough across in an easy-to-read manner, which works nicely for the intended age group.

It's bright, bold, and awakens awareness for plants, their struggles, and their interesting defenses.

And here they are...

Erin Silver has been writing professionally for nearly 20 years. Her work has appeared in everything from The Washington Post and The Globe and Mail to Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping, among many other North American magazines, newspapers and blogs. She has a postgraduate journalism degree from Ryerson University and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from King’s College. She's a member of CANSCAIP, SCBWI, IBBY, The Writers Union of Canada, and Authors Booking Service. She lives in Toronto.

Julie McLaughlin is an award-winning illustrator whose work includes commissions for editorial, advertising and publishing clients from around the world. Her previous books have been nominated for several awards, and she won the 2015 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction for Why We Live Where We Live. She is the illustrator of What Animals Want in the Orca Think series and Pride Puppy! Julie grew up on the Prairies and now resides on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Flight by Sandy Whiting

 

FLIGHT 

by Sandy Whiting

Monarch Educational Services LLC

YA Contemporary

Novel in Verse

334 pages

Fifteen-year-old Cassie's World is turned upside-down with the death of her father. Unable to cope, Cassie's mom finds solace in pills. Her brother, Jeremy, becomes lost in Virtual Reality, and her sister, Courtney, spends all her time with her friends, leaving Cassie seemingly unattended and unloved.

At the same time, Cassie's class begins an in-depth unit on butterflies, Cassie's mom unexpectedly takes a trip, leaving her family in the hands of their widowed neighbor. Cassie can either continue to see the worst in her unfortunate surroundings or embrace her new-found knowledge that butterflies aren't the only creatures capable of metamorphosis.

13+, parental substance abuse, rehabilitation, death of a parent.

 

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON   /   B&N

MY TIDBITS

With beauty and heart, this is an heart-touching exploration into discovering a way to heal from grief.

Cassie's wholesome world ended with the illness and death of her father. Her siblings have pulled into their own bubbles as they deal with the loss, and her mother has turned to substance abuse. Cassie's been doing her best to continue and has found moments in life, which offer a bit of freedom. When one of her classes pulls into a theme surrounding butterflies, Cassie's thoughts begin to take a turn. Then, her mother heads off, Cassie and her siblings in the care of a neighbor. And that is when her healing truly begins.

This is written in beautiful verse form and steers through tough themes with care, emotion, and elegance. The writing is quite simple in the word choice, side-stepping flowery language that could distract from the main flow. Instead, Cassie's thoughts come across open and pure as she exposes her worries, hopes, and pain. It's easy to follow as she steers through daily life, school, friends, family, and more. The chapters are kept very short, often only consisting of a page or two as the story settles in. It creates a quicker read and allows for pauses as emotions settle in.

There's a lovely symbolism play between the butterfly and Cassie's situation. This is almost impossible to miss, and still slides in wonderfully with symbolism. It fits the entire, poetic and emotional flow very well. Plus, the little dabs of information were interesting, too.

This is a read with emotion and depth, which hits honestly, easily, and makes a read to enjoy and think about.

Alphabot Adventures: A Robot ABC Book by Lauren Briere

Ready for some simple fun? I know I am. It's been a long time since I took a peek at an ABC book, and this smiling robot on the cover told me it was time to open one again. I have no idea how it's going to flow or exactly what this robot is going to do to bring across these letters, but I'm more than willing to find out. Plus, I hear whispers that this illustrator is quite talented.

So, grab those oars and let's paddle along with this friendly guy!

ALPHABOT ADVENTURES

A Robot ABC Book

by Lauren Briere

Blue Star Press

Picture Book

56 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING MARCH 11th!!!

Join robots on a whimsical adventure from A to Z in this picture book full of funny, alliterative phrases and lush, richly textured watercolor illustrations that will spark early readers' imaginations!

Do robots dream of strumming uplifting tunes on ukuleles under the moonlight? Or perhaps they wonder at the world while wandering woodlands? You bet they do!

Join a crew of whimsical robot friends as they float and fly through the alphabet on their magical adventures. Featuring alliterative sentences like “H Bot is happiest when hiking” and “M Bot makes magical music in the moonlight,” this alphabet book uses humor and wordplay to bring each letter to life.

Talented illustrator Lauren Briére imagined this cast of robots with creative designs to match each letter theme, like Archer bots with amazingly abysmal aim and Quirky quarterback bots dressed for the field. Her richly detailed ink and watercolor scenes amidst lush landscapes and clouds will capture the imaginations of both kids and adults. This sweet, silly book makes a wonderful read-aloud to foster a love of language and literacy.

GOODREADS    /    BLUE STAR PRESS

MY TIDBITS

Fun, imaginative illustrations meet robotic style in a way that invites for gazing again and again and again.

There is so much wrapped into these pages that I had to read it through, right away, a second time. And yet, it's a simple read, which seems very straight forward. What do I mean by that? Well first off, the illustrations are a robot and imagination fan's treat. They are rich with detail and color, and vibrantly bring across emotions with a playful and sincere touch. Just like the cover, the scenes incorporate nature, daily life, or the world around us, making it easy to connect with each moment. While one can flip through these quickly, there's also enough depth to want to enjoy each one. I would have placed a few on my son's bedroom walls when he was young (he loved robots and such) if I could have. 

Then, there's the word flow. Each page is dedicated to a letter. A whimsical sentence is created with several words, which start with this letter. For example, grows, gorgeous, and garden form the sentence for G Bot. The sentences are kept very short, making them quick-paced for reluctant readers and simple for those who want to pick them up a little on their own. Most of the vocabulary is easy, while some words push for word growth.

The letters aren't presented bold at the top of the page, but rather are worked into the illustration to add a little hunting fun. So, there is quite a bit to enjoy.

And here she is...

Lauren Briére grew up in Wrentham, MA, and got her BFA in illustration from MassArt in Boston. She works in Austin, TX, now and runs multiple projects from home. Her professional artist's resume consists of work ranging from children’۪s book illustrations, designer rain umbrellas “Over Our Heads,” animated music videos (two of which were made for the awesomely sweet band The Weepies), and quirky painting series made for her own amusement.