When Dark Worlds Rise by Zena Shapter

 Today's read is the last in the World of Palude series, one that I've actually read from the very beginning. So far, this has been a very rich world and packed with imagination. It's walked a line between high-tech and fantastic monsters to give it an unique atmosphere as well. I've been looking forward to see how everything finally comes together. So, off we go!

WHEN DARK WORLDS RISE

World of Palude Series

by Zena Shapter

MidnightSun Publishing

YA Fantasy  /   Science Fiction

400 pages

ages 16+

Always be alert. Be ready. In a fractured world overrun by giant water-ants and deadly trees, where vicious tree cats prowl the night for prey and people kill for technology, it’s hard enough to live, let alone love. Sala is torn between protecting her friends, or risking everything to save another.
But when a stranger seeks them out, and a justifiable temptation calls to her, the stakes rise higher than Sala could possibly imagine. What she craves can only lead to her downfall, along with everyone and everything around her. No amount of sacrifice will stop the poison of lies and betrayals now set to bring the explosive world of Palude to its limits. Trust is overrated. Courage is only the beginning. The greatest enemy always hides within.

NewSouth Books

MY TIDBITS

Danger lurks everywhere, and it's not only a extremely deadly, eager monsters that these characters need to beware of.

Sala and her friends have found a fairly safe haven and have managed to rummage a few pieces of valuable tech together, something which is rare. Unfortunately, Kai hasn't returned from his mission to speak with the elders of a nearby large settlement. And while he isn't too much later than he claimed he'd be, Sala refuses to wait to see if he's okay. As soon as the drone is repaired, she wants to head off on her own to fetch him, but her friends spoil her plans and end up accompanying her. As they make their journey, they notice that everything is off. People are gone, bridges purposefully blocked, and an odd silence settles in the air. When Sala finds giant ants preparing to attack the settlement, she speeds forward and not only reunites Kai but finds the town unprepared to protect itself. Worse yet, the leaders don't seemed overly concerned about the looming destruction. Soon, Sala and her friends step into an entirely new level of betrayal, intrigue, and danger...and this one threatens to destroy everything.

These friends have come a long way since the first book, but there is still quite a bit to be settled. This final installment pulls everything together in with tension, high-stakes, and grace. While the already very deadly creatures promise constant harm, Sala and her friends find themselves up against a more difficult enemy. Secrets are exposed and evil intentions come to light. Every moment grabs as she's forced to decide what she is really ready to sacrifice. Then, there is betrayal, and the waters of who to trust grow murky, too. So, nothing is clear, keeping the reader wondering the entire way through.

This last book rounds off the series in a thrilling and satisfying way, and leaves a bit of food for thought as well.

And here she is...

Zena Shapter is a multi-award-winning author, youth writing competition judge, and high school English tutor whose students told her exactly what they wanted to read – escapist stories that resonate with their fears about being unheard, misinformation, the world they’ll inherit, the constant threat of war... and Australian property prices! So she rolled all that into the thrilling carnivorous tree swamp World of Palude! When not writing, Zena loves movies, frogs, chocolate, potatoes and living with her family among Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches. Her website at zenashapter.com lists more of her incredible award-winning fiction.

No-Love Potion by Christina Shawn

Witches and cauldrons...isn't that Halloweeny? When I saw this one, I was immediately drawn to that sure-of-herself, small witch and the pink hearted steam with 'No' underlined. She definitely isn't giving me romantic love vibes...not in a picture book. So, I'm super curious to see what this little witch is up to. 

Let's look inside and find out!

NO-LOVE POTION

by Christina Shawn

Illustrated by Merry Miller-Gass

The Little Press

Picture Book

36 pages

ages 4 to 8

A funny and heartfelt witch picture book about friendship, feelings, and the unexpected magic of love.

Bettina is not into Valentines. Or hearts. Or any of that ooey-gooey love-stuff.
She’s into serious magic.

With her cauldron bubbling and her ingredients lined up—bat wings, beard hair, and just the right amount of gloom—Bettina is brewing her most powerful spell yet: a No-Love Potion.

But when Ingredient #9 unexpectedly hops into her heart, everything changes. Suddenly, her potion doesn’t look—or feel—like what she planned. Could a little love be the most magical ingredient of all?

Full of humor, heart, and hocus-pocus, No-Love Potion is a whimsical picture book about discovering friendship and letting others in—even when you’re certain you don’t need them.

Perfect for fans of A Spoonful of Frogs and A Witchling’s Wish this enchanting children’s book is:
A playful Valentine’s Day picture book for kids who love magic
A charming Halloween story about witches and friendship
A timeless read-aloud for any season

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With nods towards Valentine's Day, this read visits the potion making skills of a spunky witch and twists the magic of forming friendships on its head.

Bettina is a witch. A real, potion-creating witch. One thing she really can't stand is lovey-dovey moments. So, she decides to create a no-love potion to keep these icky feelings far away. For everyone. Luckily, she's very good at what she does and has all the right ingredients. One after the other, she tosses them into her boiling cauldron, but then, a slimy addition with a sticky tongue causes issues.

This is a cute, enjoyable tale, which adds quite a bit of silliness and sweetness into the darker magic of potions creations. Actually, it's almost only adorable and fun, but the illustrations hold dim tones with enough shadows to let the black cauldron and its boiling brew come across with an eerie edge. Still, this cute witch is anything but creepy. As she tosses in her ingredients, the rhymes create read-aloud fun, while the scenes show each object with a touch of humor. When the frog gets involved, smiles and giggles are sure to come as it gives its best to stay alive. It's exactly that type of frog which is sure to win over a few listeners' hearts. 

The message surrounding kindness and forming connections is loud and clear, and gives this read all sorts of warmth and goodness. It's fun to watch the witch go through the process of being sure of what she believes to be true, discovering something unexpected, and then, fighting with the possibility that she was wrong. All of this, of course, is slid under the lovely silliness and cute characters.

While the entire read brings a smile to the face, there was a small aspect that had me wondering—what about the grumpy warthog? Somehow, I feel sorry for him. But that's all I'm going to say, since this one is worth picking up and listeners should discover the rest themselves.

Happy Book Birthday, The Magic Bedtime Train Ride by Becky Watson!

It's time to shout out another book birthday. Today's read doesn't hit the shelves until the 6th, but celebrating early gives more time to party, right?

I thought the cover on this book radiates calm imagination to inspire dreams. Mix that with a magic train ride, and I can see the book holding tons of potential. This also happens to be a sound book with a button on many scenes with fitting sounds. Honestly, I only received a digital copy without sounds—so sad. But that also means that I can't review that aspect. I considered skipping a review because of that but really want to give it a try, since magical trains can bring so much.

So, I'm crossing my fingers that this book doesn't rely heavily on the sound aspect and holds a lovely tale and illustrations even without the extra, audio fun.

THE MAGIC BEDTIME TRAIN RIDE

A Sleepy Soundbook

by Becky Watson

Illustrated by Lauren Degraaf

Frances Lincoln Children Books

Picture Book

24 pages

ages 4 to 8

Bring a moment of calm to the end of a busy day with this Sleepy Soundbook – combining sound, storytelling and a little dreamy magic.

Here come our passengers, tickets at the ready: Lullaby the leopard, Rockabye the rabbit, Starlight the sloth . . . everyone is here, for a trip on the Dreamland Express. And readers can join the journey – press the star on each page to bring the sounds of the story to life!

The train winds through a forest; past a gently flowing river; through and under a waterfall; around a park full of birdsong; to the seaside; up into the mountains; under a sky full of stars; into a station, where crickets are chirping; and then into a cosy mountain cabin, where the fire crackles and a soothing song sends the little friends to sleep.  

This sound book features:

• 10 touch-activated, ten-second sound clips, each one a blend of calming noises from nature and soft, sleepy instrumental music.
• Rhythmic, tactile sounds including crickets chirping and the gentle crackle of a fire – offering ASMR appeal and creating an immersive experience that should help children feel cocooned and calm.
• A charming story with adorable animal characters, told in words that are simple and soothing: to be read slowly and softly.
• Hand-painted artwork from rising star Lauren Degraaf, rich with details of the train’s starlit journey – with a shimmery cover. 

The result is a gentle sensory wind-down . . . A story to charm and inspire, illustrations to get lost in and sounds to send little ones drifting off on their own trip to Dreamland!

MANUFACTURER’S NOTE: 
Please pull the white tab out of the back of the book before use. Sound buttons require a firm push in exact location to work, which may be hard for young children. 

GOODREADS      /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Quick note: I received a digital copy to review, which doesn't include the sounds. So, this review covers the illustrations and story alone.

With playful fantasy, this is a gentle tale which leads to wonderful dreams.

It's time to board the Dreamland Express, and three friends are ready with their tickets to join the ride. Inside, everything is lively and comfortable, and soon, each one finds their favorite spots. With mugs of hot chocolate in hand, they watch through the windows to see amazing sights, each full of beautiful fantasy.

I'm going to start with the illustrations because those alone make this read a treat. Each scene lets listeners sink into a world of sheer delight. From gorgeous waterfalls to sparkling beaches with treasures every view through the train window will have listeners wishing they could visit each place. But even the train itself is like a child's paradise with delicious treats, warm friendliness, and comforts to satisfy every need. It's impossible not to want to jump on board with these passengers and enjoy the journey right along with them.

The text works well as a read-aloud and introduces each moment, while asking inviting questions and hinting at the included sounds. It introduces just enough before letting listeners get lost in the images and enjoying the rest of the tale in that way.

It creates a lovely, bedtime read which invites to dreams and happy thoughts. 

And here she is...

Lauren Degraaf is a children’s book illustrator based in Ontario, Canada; she studied Fine Art at Fanshawe College. Lauren takes inspiration from the nature that surrounds her home, using light and shadow to capture different atmospheres and achieve a hazy, dreamlike look in her work. The Magic Bedtime Train Ride is her second book, after A Roll of the Dice: Enchanted Forest (Abrams). Visit her at her website www.laurendegraafillo.com/ 

Frankenstein: A Graphic Novel by Mary Shelley

One of the most classic monster tales centers around Mary Shelley's Frankenstein...so fitting for a spooky season, don't you think? I covered the original with my daughter a couple years ago during our homeschooling theme 'Monsters in Literature' (such a fun theme with tons of possibilities, btw). So I was more than a little curious to see how these authors adapted the tale into a middle grade graphic novel. The cover with the cat already makes it clear that there are some interesting twists taken.

Ready to see how this one goes and if it does a decent job at bringing classics to kids?

FRANKENSTEIN

A Graphic Novel

by Mary Shelley

Adapted by Lorenzo Coltellacci & Michele Botton

Illustrated by Federica de Cotis

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Classic   /   Graphic Novel

176 pages

COMING OCTOBER 20th!!!

A young scientist challenges the rules of reality when he crafts life from flesh and bone! This full-color, kawaii graphic-novel adaptation reimagines Mary Shelley's classic for middle-grade readers.

Victor Frankenstein pushes the boundaries of science to create life from scratch—only for things to spiral out of control when his creation proves too much to bear. Now, haunted by his mistakes, Victor must make peace with, or destroy, what he made before it comes after everyone he loves.

This classic comes to life in a brand-new graphic-novel format with full-color, kawaii-inspired art.

• A faithful retelling adapted for middle-grade readers
• Full-color art in a cute, cat-like kawaii style
• An accessible entry point to a literary classic
• Great for classrooms and reluctant readers

Discover the story for the first time—or rediscover it with a fresh twist!

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With care, heart, and humor, this retelling of the original story comes across in a grabbing way which will have readers understanding some of the moral questions behind Mary Shelley's original novel.

This version begins by taking Mary Shelley's opening letters from Captain Robert Walton and, instead, uses these to ground this book with the captain and his crew at sea as they get stuck in the ice. The reader gets to know the captain and the crew a bit, and receives the first glance of the monster from the distance. This creates a wonderful beginning to let the reader ease into the world and gives them a bit of distance to Victor Frankenstein's tale, which the authors than use as needed buffer to bring across some major messages of the original novel. Plus, the captain and his crew add enjoyable personality and a touch of humor. When Victor is brought on board and tells his tale, the crew's eagerness to hear it is palpable...and there's more humor built in with subtle hints of Victor's self-serving personality, which also speed along the heart of the read. 

To keep everything interesting and concise for this age group, only the major highlights of Victor's tale are shown. These make the sufferings of the monster clear and garner pure sympathy. The monster is shown with a hideous appearance, but he soon will win over readers with that longing gaze the illustrations bring across so well. Every mishap stays very age appropriate and doesn't leave room for doubt at who is responsible for the ridicule the monster endures. This, of course, leaves other important food-for-thought found in the original tale forgotten and forcibly clears away any fog of doubt at the complete innocence of the monster. Still, it works nicely and delivers the main gist across fine with the age group kept in mind. 

The graphics carry a lighter, comic style than I expected, which works nicely to make sure this tale never grows dark in the slightest. Instead, everything is kept cushioned and light-hearted to make sure even sensitive readers feel at home. And it has enough tension to keep the pages turning, too.

It's a nice twist to the original tale, which never forgets the intended age group and delivers the main idea in a way they are sure to enjoy.

And here they are...

Lorenzo Coltellacci is the author of several graphic novels and picture books published in French and Italian, including a graphic novel biography about Escher. In 2019, he founded his own independent comic book label, Coltello Comics. He has a degree in Foreign Languages and International Cooperation and works in digital communication.

Michele Botton was born in Piove di Sacco (PD). He studied screenwriting for comics at the International School of Comics in Padua. For BeccoGiallo, he published the graphic novels Abe Sada, il fiore osceno and Bukowski.

Federica de Cotisis an illustrator based in Italy. She has worked on books like Treasure Island: A Graphic Novel.

The Windy Day by Al Roker

First off, I'm glad to announce that Bookworm for Kids is again listed on the Top 100 Children Book Blogs—yay!  Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you subscribe to blogs, news sites, and any website you want to keep up with.You can find the listing HERE.

When thing Autumn brings with it is wind. So, when I saw today's read, I needed to take a look. It swings around the weatherman Al Roker and promises some science goodness. This one is for the beginning readers out there, and I'm curious to see how all of this comes together. If nothing else, it's already inspiring me to go out and grab my kite.

So, let's take a peek!

THE WINDY DAY

Weather Hunters

Ready*To*Ready, Level 2

by Al Roker

Simon Spotlight

Beginning Reader

32 pages

ages 5 to 7

Lily Hunter figures out how to measure wind in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read by Al Roker based on his animated TV show, Weather Hunters, on PBS KIDS!

Whatever the weather, we’re in it together!™ Lily Hunter and her family have just moved to a new house that has a workshop full of weather gadgets. How do they work?, Lily wonders. Her father, a weather forecaster on the news, is having trouble delivering the weather report because of strong winds. Can Lily use the gadgets she found to save the day?

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Wind knowledge blows in with grace and fun in an enjoyable read which makes learning enjoyable.

Lily Hunter wonders how anyone can measure the speed of the wind, and her family's move to their earlier grandfather's house brings many surprises in that direction. Not only is there a spinning wind vane on the top of the house, but there are all sorts of clever contraptions in the rooms, which spin when the windows are opened. But the real surprises hide in the work shack.

The wind facts are delivered in an entertaining manner, and I was surprised how much I, actually, enjoyed following them. Lily has a perky personality with enough down-to-earth feel to make her seem like she'd be a great friend. Her interest in the contraptions is understandable and her curiosity contagious. I see readers wishing they could experience the spinning objects, too, and add a few to their own homes. Even the weather gadgets in the workshop come across in an interesting way to make learning about them flow naturally. 

The book is based on Al Roker's show, Weather Hunters, which works especially well for those who recognize him, but even those who don't won't have much trouble sinking in. I had not seen the show and was a bit confused when Lily and the rest constantly referred to him as 'Al', although he appeared to be their father. I'm still a bit uncertain on that end and am assuming that he is, indeed, the dad.

The text flows nicely, takes a few pages to settle into the adventure, and then, grabs the rest of the way through. The illustrations are bright and familiar to those who know the show.

This fits the age group nicely and works especially well for themes surrounding weather.

And here they are...

Al Roker is the popular weatherman and co-host of NBC’s TODAY. With fourteen Emmy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award, and over forty years on air, he’s one of America’s most trusted morning show anchors. As CEO of Al Roker Entertainment, he produces award-winning content for network, cable, digital, and streaming channels. Through his company WeatherHunters, Inc., Al created the PBS Kids animated STEM series Weather Hunters, which won the ALSC Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award. A bestselling author and media personality, Al has also given a TED Talk and written over a dozen books, from cookbooks to essay collections to children’s books. He lives in New York City with his wife, ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, with whom he shares three adult children and granddaughter, Sky. Visit him on X and Instagram @AlRoker or on Facebook.