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.

The Last Dragon House by Liv Mae Morris

I had one glance at the cover on today's read and wanted to see what was inside. Now, I'm not really sure what it's about. I totally cover-grabbed on this one, but I think it swing around a type of boarding house for dragons. Taddah! That's really all I know, so I guess I'm in for a surprise about everything else.

Let's go see what these dragons are up to!

THE LAST DRAGON HOUSE

by Liv Mae Morris

Amulet Books

Middle Grade Fantasy

336 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING MAY 12th!!!

A middle-grade debut about a magical boarding house for dragons and the unlikely siblings destined to save it

Siblings Olly and Jenny Atwood have never met a dragon—Olly doesn’t even think they’re real. But when the strange and brilliant Dr. Lady Abernathy offers Olly a job at her mysterious house, the Atwoods learn that these incredible beasts are very much alive—and they need help.

Dragons have been forced into hiding, and as caretakers of the Dragon House, Dr. Lady and Olly are the only protectors these magnificent creatures have left. But when evil forces conspire to poison Dr. Lady, Olly and his dragon friends find themselves locked in a race against time, political conspiracies…and one very large corgi. Can Olly recover the antidote before it’s too late? And can Jenny harness her stirring powers to keep Dr. Lady alive until then? Or could this be the end of the Dragon House—and dragons—as they know it?

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Dragons, dragons, and more dragons pack imagination while weaving in journeys of growth.

Olly is only thirteen and doesn't want to start working to help support his family, but with everyone in town struggling to even survive, he has no choice but to search for a job like others his age. What seems like a fated existence to waste away at a factory, flips upside down when he discovers a hidden employment notice and begins working for a secret home for dragons. It's wondrous and dangerous, and he's not allowed to let anyone know that the home even exists. While some dragons are nice, others might devour him, but none of that holds a candle to the danger he's about to face...and it's one that even the dragons can't protect themselves from.

Taking place in historical England, the first pages reminded a tiny bit of the beginnings of Oliver Twist, Willie Wonka, and Co. as they start in a place, where normal people can barely survive thanks to the closed industries. The twist into fantasy happens quickly and offers a buffet of intriguing dragons, each so different from the rest, stretching through all sorts of myths and possibilities. Dragon fans are sure to enjoy the effort the author takes to bring each one to life. While the interactions between Olly and the dragons offer tension, humor, and heart, the tale digs into deeper issues. The head of the home, a human, opens the door to Olly by also offering an education, which opens up his world and gives open display to the issues his family and others face in the town. There's also the societal issue surrounding the reason why the home even exists; humans hunted down dragons to near extinction. This mixes with another subplot surrounding Olly's sister and the disappearance of magic from humans to weave in plenty of food for thought. Plus, there's an entire message surrounding misunderstandings and 'truth under the surface' in connection to a boy, who first appears like a town bully. Oh, and there's plenty to learn from the dragons as their vibrant personalities and encounters carry quite a few pieces of wisdom as well. 

It's a wonderful world to get lost in and offers rich descriptions without slowing the pace. Olly has his hands full and never knows what to expect, and this keeps the tension relatively tight while the imagination and imagery brighten the pages. I'd even recommend this one to tweens or slightly older readers, since there is quite a bit of depth woven into the shadows and cracks. Oh, and dragon fans are most likely going to enjoy this one. 

And here she is...

Liv Mae Morris was a 2022 Lambda Literary Fellow and 2024 recipient of the Binc Foundation’s Susan Kamil Prize for Emerging Writers; equally importantly, she is the steward of two cats and one beautiful, chaotic husky/chihuahua/German shepherd mix. Originally from Kentucky, she now lives with her wife in Boston, where she works as an indie bookseller as well as a writer.

Breathe a Rainbow by Julie Koon

I've had this little board book on my reading pile just waiting to get a little closer to release day before picking it up. But it's so cute and happy looking! You can't see it on this cover image, but there's a cut-in opening following the top color of the rainbow, which opens up to a dabbed, feely surface that kids can run their finger over. And that's kind of the entire point of this book...if I understood things correctly. It's about breathing in and out and growing a little more calm to teach out to deal with 'big' feelings.

I'm hoping its horribly adorable and a little fun and hoping it's not preachy or to self-helpy. So, let's take a look at find out!

BREATHE A RAINBOW

An Interactive Board Book

by Julie Koon

Abrams Appleseed

Board Book

16 pages

ages 2 to4

COMING APRIL 28th!!!

Breathe in . . . and breathe out . . . with this unique, interactive board book that offers mindful breathing exercises and calming textures for children to trace with their fingers as they inhale and exhale

This unique, interactive board book combines textured calming strips and deep-breathing exercises to encourage mindfulness. With inspiring affirmations and a textured calming strip for kids to trace with their fingertips on each spread, this is a wonderful playroom or classroom tool to help lessen anxiety, anger, overstimulation, and many more big emotions little ones may not yet understand how to identify, describe, or regulate.

If you feel stuck in the mud, breathe in and out as you trace the outline of a bright flower’s petals. If you feel your worries whirl and swirl, breathe in and out as you trace textured ocean waves. Other shapes include a rainbow, a star, a butterfly’s wings, mountain tops, a swirling breeze, and a heart.

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Calm feelings flow in this cute book, which lets listeners/readers breathe with each turn of the page.

This is a medium-sized board book, which is sturdy and just right for small listeners and their busy hands. The left side of each page quickly sums up a feeling (like feeling like a thundercloud), and on the right side of the page, a fitting 'breathe the...' leads to a cheerful object that listeners/readers can trace their finger over and breathe with. Going up and out means breathe in, and moving down and in means to breathe out. Each time, the fingers trace over a slightly different textured surface. It's simple to understand, lets readers/listeners get involved, gives off warming vibes, and illustrates in a very practical way how breathing in and out makes a person feel.

The text is very fitting to the age group and easy to understand. The images are clear and carry a cheerful note; even gloomy moments don't grow overly heavy. Every scene should be familiar. The breathe-in and breathe-out exercise is also easy to follow, and it is entertaining to run the finger along the edges...oddly satisfying. So, it's a cute book which fulfills it's purpose nicely and makes a fun read.