Puggle Snuggles by Mo O'Hara

The title and cover caught my attention on today's read. And the platypus. How often does one see a picture book featuring a platypus? And the chick with the trumpet is worth a second glance, too. I'm not sure if this is a lively read or a good bedtime read, but either way, I'm more than a little curious to see what these animals are up to. I bet it has a lot of snuggling involved, which is always a good thing.

So, let's pop this one open and see what this adorable platypus is up to!

PUBBLE SNUGGLES

by Mo O'Hara

Illustrated by Loretta Schauer

Happy Yak

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

A hilarious and sweet picture book starring a baby platypus—known as a puggle—and other mischievous baby animals.

The moon rose and all the animals curled up to go to sleep. But then, Platypus’s puggle just wanted to… PARTY IN THE NIGHTTIME!

During the day, an array of baby animals love to play. Giraffe’s calf made everyone laugh, Hen’s chicks did magic tricks and Sheep’s lamb got herself in a jam, but puggle just wants to snuggle… until darkness falls. 

Discover what puggle and the other baby animals who can’t keep still at night get up to in this funny bedtime story with a twist. Written by Mo O’Hara, the New York Times-bestselling author, and brought to life with adorable illustrations by award-winning Loretta Schuer. Packed with animals in funny scenarios and witty, rhyming word play, this is an entertaining bedtime read for children who just can’t keep still at night! 

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     QUATRO GROUP

MY TIDBITS

Snuggles, snuggles, and more snuggles fill these pages...until they don't and something entirely different takes over.

During the day, many animals are up to all sorts of things. From magic to knitting to silly antics and more, these animals are anything but boring. Little Puggle, however, doesn't take notice of any of it as the sleepy platypus curls up with its mom to sleep...while she does her best to keep the antics from bothering her child. Then, the sun goes down and the entire situation gets flipped onto its head.

These pages guarantee giggles and smiles as the animals are up to all sorts of things. There's never a boring moment and each page holds more surprises as the animals head into the most unexpected activities, at times. The illustrations do a lovely job at letting each animal do its thing, while incorporating the scenes with a slight, humorous flow into the repeated moment of Puggle wanting to snuggle. The first half of the book invites to warmth and...well, snuggling. Then, the book switches gears with tons of energy, and readers will get swept up in the change. It's hard not to laugh and grin as nighttime takes over and the energy doubles. All of this creates a lovely bedtime read.

The text is done in rhyme, which flows well for the most part. The repeated phrase adds a nice touch for listeners to snuggle into and it offers a satisfying way to round things off. There's also a bit of information about animal's habits as they are split between day and night activity. This aspect could be pointed out to reinforce animal knowledge after the read is done for those who want to take this twist. But it makes fun read-aloud with tons of smiles for groups settings or more individual ones as well and is sure to leave listeners wishing they could join in on some of the fun.

And here they are...

Mo O’Hara, originally from America, moved to London because she wanted to live abroad but spoke no foreign languages. After a brief and unsuccessful stint as a serving wench at the Tower of London, Mo found work as an actress and comedy performer. It was when she toured the UK as a storyteller that she started writing for kids. Now, Mo lives in South London with her husband, her two kids and her two (slightly bitey) cats. She has toured all across the USA and the UK and has also visited schools and festivals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Loretta Schauer has illustrated a number of picture books and fiction titles for younger children, including the recent 'Fairytales for the Fearless' series written by Gareth P. Jones (Rabunzel, CinderGorilla and Snowy White) and the popular 'Luma and the Dragon' series by Leah Mohammed. She has always loved drawing and is never happier than when she’s making something. Loretta lives in York, England.

The Many Assassinations of Samir the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Naveri

When I saw this title and cover, I immediately thought of the famous One Thousand and One Nights. Like yesterday's read, this one isn't a new release but came out a few years ago in 2023. As you can see on the cover image, it was a Newberry Award Nominee. But honestly, I picked it up because it carries that ancient flair and promise of desert adventures. So, let's dive in and see where this caravan leads.

THE MANY ASSASSINATIONS OF SAMIR

THE SELLER OF DREAMS

by Daniel Naveri

Levine Querdo

Middle Grade Fantasy

228 pages

ages 8 to 12

A new all-ages adventure tale from Printz Medal Winner, Daniel Nayeri

This is the tale of an exciting journey along the Silk Road with a young Monk and his newfound guardian, Samir, a larger than life character and the so-called “Seller of Dreams”. The man is a scammer; his biggest skill being the ability to talk his way into getting what he wants. While that talking did save Monkey’s life, it has left a lot of people furious with Samir— furious enough to hire assassins. Monkey decides to try and save Samir from the attempts on his life—as a way to pay off his debt! If he can save Samir six times, he’ll be a free man...but will they all survive that long?

For fans of The Little Prince and Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER     /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Scams, survival, desert heat, and danger dance across every page in this exciting adventure.

Monkey...well, that isn't his true name, since he's an orphan twice or thrice over, but it's the latest one he carries (and dislikes) as the servant of Samir, a scam artist who travels the desert. Although Samir saved Monkey's life by purchasing him from a pair of monks who were determined to execute him for what they considered a crime, Monkey knows he can't truly stay with the thief and is constantly hoping to find a way to pay off his debt. Doing it through money or treasures won't work, but when there are plots to kill Samir, Monkey hopes that saving the man's life will be valuable enough. Unfortunately, assassin attempts aren't something easily survived for either him or Samir.

This is a grabbing tale which transports the reader back into history and brings them to the hot desert sands. Right away, the reader is caught up in action as Monkey runs to escape guards and monks, who are determined to kill him with their swords. The author doesn't hold back but lets the danger and impossibility of escape seep from the pages so that it's clear that Monkey doesn't really have a chance. This raw danger sets the tone as the author doesn't sugar-coat the threats or dampen them. So, there's a violent edge. Still, the author keeps the read appropriate for the middle grade audience, at the same time. Fans of danger and adventure will appreciate that. There's also a constant demand for clever thought as Monkey needs to weave around the talented scamming of Samir and the plots of the assassins. So, there's never a boring moment. 

The world opens up and lets the reader sink into the hot sun, dusty caravans, and rough lifestyles, and it does this without wordy dumps or boring passages. The culture comes to life as this also introduces some insight into the habits of these people at that time. It works nicely for classroom and homeschoolers, too, especially thanks to a thorough and free teacher's guide available on the publisher's website. The text fits well to the middle grade audience and would work even for tweens thanks to the subject matter.

For homeschoolers and teachers:

The publisher offers a full, ready-to-use teaching guide with reading comprehension questions, discussion ideas, and more. 

Teaching Guide

And here he is...

Daniel Nayeri is a Newbery Honoree and the author of EVERYTHING SAD IS UNTRUE (A TRUE STORY), THE MANY ASSASSINATIONS OF SAMIR, THE SELLER OF DREAMS, and THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND. He was born in Iran and spent a couple of years in a refugee camp in Italy before moving to Oklahoma at age eight. He is the publisher of Odd Dot Books at Macmillan and the founder of Renard Press, a boutique publisher of classic literature.

 

The Superhero's Return by Lucas Flint

I'm taking a turn into the realm of superheros today and looking at the first book to a series, which released about eight years ago. Why? Well, I saw it come up on one of my feeds and thought it'd been a bit since I hit this direction. Plus, it's young adult and casts a guy as the main character. Plus, the darkish vibes the title and cover are giving are intriguing.  After a little research, I discovered that Lucas Flint isn't unknown in the superhero literature realm and has produced many series. This series appears to be the offshoot of another nine book series titled The Superhero's Son, which (if I understood this correctly) features the same main character but a little younger. Now, Bolt (the MC) is eighteen and taking on...well, whatever evil attacks, I guess.

I'm hoping this one doesn't lean toward New Adult and stays nicely based in the Young Adult area as it is advertised. That I'm hoping for action probably isn't a secret. Maybe a little heart? Let's find out!

THE SUPERHERO'S RETURN

Lightning Bolt, Book 1

by Lucas Flint

Secret Identity Books

YA Superhero Fiction

228 pages

GOODREADS   /   AMAZON 

The Superhero's Son returns in a brand new adventure!

Eighteen-year-old Kevin Jason (Bolt) wants respect. Despite saving the world more times then he can count, older superheroes still treat him like a kid. Not helping matters is his own impulsive nature, which gets him into trouble as often as it helps him save lives.

Respect from his fellow superheroes becomes the last thing on his mind, however, when an infamous serial killer makes him his next target. This serial killer specializes in killing superhumans and he won't give up until Bolt is dead.

Now Bolt must find and stop this serial killer before he strikes again, a seemingly impossible task when Bolt doesn't even know who he is. But if Bolt can't stop the serial killer, being treated like a kid by his fellow superheroes will be the least of his problems.

MY TIDBITS

Villain's never seem to leave any time for superheroes to catch a breath of fresh air, and this hero's life isn't any different.

Bolt has saved the world so many times and proven that he can more than hold his own when it comes to fending off villains. Now, he's finally eighteen...an adult...and yet, the other superheroes refuse to give him any respect. Instead, he's placed under the tight supervision of a superhero couple and isn't allowed to make any decisions on his own. But Bolt has never been one to always do what he's told. After he ignores orders to save the life of a colleague, he discovers that he's, actually, the next target of a villain, who is killing superheroes thanks to a power-blocking gas. While Bolt is told he has to remain indoors until the threat is taken care of, he comes across information which links the villain to his father's inventions. While his father died over a year before, it turns out that he has harbored more secrets than anyone realized, and these secrets aren't only killing superheroes, they might be the end of Bolt, too.

This series shoots off from another series titled The Superhero's Son. While it isn't necessary to have read that series first, through Bolt's thoughts it's clear that there are adventures and background information missing. While a little irritating, the lack of that information doesn't hurt this read, either. The author fills in the holes when needed, but since this is a complete adventure with a villain Bolt doesn't know, it's no problem to dive right into the world and get lost in it.

Bolt is eighteen and frustrated that he isn't being treated like the other, older superheroes. His thoughts, emotions, and logic come across in a way teens will sympathize with and understand. He has a girlfriend to add a touch of romance, but this story stays with both feet in the adventure and mystery surrounding the dangerous threat Bolt is facing. He does feel a bit whiny at times and has some obvious issues with authority, but it's also these flaws which make him easier to root for.

The action hits often and keeps the pages turning. Add the mystery behind the villain's origins and Bolt's father's past...and there is a lot going on. Teen superhero fans are sure to enjoy this one quite a bit.

To learn more about Lucas Flint and his superhero series, head over to...

https://www.lucasflint.com/

Atlas of Planet Earth: For Kids by Oldřich Růžička

I'm heading back into the nonfiction realm today with a book, which unfolds into maps. That sounds like possible fun to me! It's only twelve pages long, so I'm not sure how all of this works. I also wonder what type of information it will hold because that's not really clear either. Well, something to do with Earth, obviously.

Anyway, let's dive in and take a look!

ATLAS OF PLANET EARTH

 FOR KIDS

by Oldřich Růžička

Illustrated by Tomáš Tůma

Albatros Media

Children's Nonfiction

12 pages

ages 6 to 8

Get ready to travel the world—no passport required!

From towering mountains to the deepest oceans, Atlas of Planet Earth for Kids takes young readers on a thrilling journey across our incredible planet. With six giant fold-out maps, stunning illustrations, and fascinating facts, this interactive atlas brings geography, science, and sustainability to life in a way kids will love.

Whether your child dreams of exploring rainforests, climbing volcanoes, or protecting the planet, Atlas of Planet Earth for Kids is the perfect guide to the wonders of our world.

• Explore Our Planet – Discover Earth’s natural wonders, amazing animals, diverse cultures, and the environmental challenges we face today.
• Interactive Format – Includes six oversized fold-out maps packed with colorful illustrations, fun facts, and hands-on learning opportunities.
• Fun Meets Education – A playful introduction to geography, ecosystems, climate, and conservation that sparks curiosity and inspires action.
• Perfect for Classrooms and Home Learning – Ideal for STEM learning, geography units, and kids who love maps, nature, and discovery.

For more than 75 years, Albatros Media has been crafting original and innovative children's books that are both playful and educational, fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in young minds. We deliver the highest quality children’s books from novelty, picture, pop-up, and how-to books to nonfiction and fairy tales.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With pages, which fold out into maps, this books offers a wide range of facts surrounding Earth and its solar system.

Taking a broad look at various scientific areas, this book hits upon all sorts of facts. It begins with the beginning of the universe, centering on the Big Bang theory with a very, very quick overview of plate tectonics. Then, it goes to the solar system, offering quick descriptions about each planet as well as asteroids, nebulas, and the like. After this, we hit the Earth's surface, atmosphere, waves, water, air flows, types of landscapes, life on Earth, people, a super brief overview of cultures, an entire page on Climate Change, another on protecting the Earth, and a final map of all oceans and continents. All of this is divided in a way which folds out to form six maps. 

The maps are what gives this book spice. It's entertaining to gaze at each one and fun to pick out the various facts. To say this is interactive, though, is a stretch. The illustrations are colorful and fit nicely to each box of information, but it's still a fairly dry presentation of all sorts of facts. It's also not really a book to learn much from, since everything only receives a quick sentence or two. Even more difficult themes such as plate tectonics, cultures, and more are only very lightly touched upon. It more like an appetizer of information to simply catch a glimpse of first interest. Each small theme is contained in its own little box to keep a sense of organization, and it also helps to devour each aspect, one after the other. 

This is a fun addition to a classroom or library and is great for a quick glimpse at many aspects surrounding Earth.

And here they are...

Oldřich Růžička studied at Faculty of Education and worked as teacher for a few years. Before he decided to found his own publishing house, he worked many years as a chief-editor and publisher of a big Czech publishing house. Later his publishing house became a part of Albatros Media. He is highly successful author of children’s literature whose books have been translated into many languages.

Tomáš Tůma is a graduate of the Faculty of Education at Masaryk University in Brno, where he studied English and Art Education. He is a versatile professional, working as a freelance illustrator, photographer, and programmer. Tomáš is also the author of educational adventure books for children and a passionate advocate for modern technologies. In his free time, he enjoys walking in the woods, finding inspiration in nature for his creative endeavors.

Smoke in the Grove by Courtney Lee

Today's read is one in a series of six books, which center on middle graders who need a little more time practicing their skills. This is a mystery series and appears to involve various characters and situations. There doesn't appear to be any special order, so I'm going to take a dive in this last addition to the row without any worries. This is a shorter read at only around 65 pages, so it should be a quick one to pick up.

I'm expecting tension, clues, a touch of middle school drama, and, maybe, even some creepiness. Let's see if it fits all of these categories or not!

SMOKE IN THE GROVE

Cape Cave

by Courtney Lee

Illustrated by Jennifer Liu

Stone Arch Books

Middle Grade Mystery

64 pages

pages 8 to 12

People who live in Cape Cave know there is more to their cozy coastal town than meets the eye. A nearby magical cave is full of secrets, and sometimes those secrets spill out. When a dragon escapes the cave, it's up to Eve and Sage to save the day. Can the friends send the dragon back where it belongs?

As the adventure unfolds, striving readers practice decoding words featuring long vowels formed by CVCe and CCVCe spellings, as well as inflectional verb endings -ed and -ing. Every Spark Decodables book serves older readers who need practice with foundational literacy skills, combining multiple aspects of the Science of Reading to support small group instruction, independent reading, and reading practice at home.

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With a touch of fantasy, these pages take readers on a short, dragon adventure.

Everyone in Cape Cave knows that their cute little town isn't as calm as it appears. Especially a nearby cave holds plenty of dangerous secrets. When Eve and Sage see smoke coming from the cave, they know they have to make sure everything is okay. Upon arrival, they discover a dragon roasting marshmallows on a fire. The dragon needs to go back into the cave before his interest turns to the town and he burns it down to ashes. But the dragon isn't interested in going back into his cave. He wants more sweet things to eat.

This is a quick, easy-to-read tale with a touch of dragon fun and light tension. The story flows smoothly and quickly, even gliding into a nice ending with a last little twist. It's hard to guess what will happen to keep the tension rolling, while a bit of silliness sneaks in too to keep things from growing overly dark or creepy. It's an enjoyable tale to pick up and simply enjoy.

The main focus of this book is to help struggling readers work on their skills. At the beginning of the book, there is a list of chapters and some terms, which could cause difficulties for readers in each one. Then, it slides into a Table of Contents. Each chapter is kept at around 8 pages, but the very light text and plentiful illustrations make sure it never grows overwhelming. The end of the read holds questions for review, a writing exercise, and more. 

While this is for middle graders, it also works for lower age groups all the way down to beginning readers and doesn't grow too tense even for this younger audience.