The Coast is Clear by Karen Brough

Today's read should be a little more unique than the usual picture book. This one is in poem form...which isn't really that unique...but it's in mirror poem form. What is that? (Honestly, I had to look this up, too.) Ai told me that it's a poem, which reads the same forward and backward, but creates two meanings as the second half reverses the first. Or another definition states that it's two poems, which are inverses of each other, line-to-line. I've looked at some examples, but it seems to go just beyond this simple explanation, at times. I'll admit, I'm not a poem guru. So, if you could explain it better in the comments below, I'd appreciate it.

Anyway, today's read is a mirror poem, and I'm hoping it's cute and calming. At least, those are the vibes the cover is giving me. Plus, doesn't that fox look a little sly with its side glance?

Let's see how this tale works! 

THE COAST IS CLEAR

A Mirror Poem

by Karen Brough

Illustrated by Matthew Valenti

Heart Hope Publishing

Picture Book

43 pages

ages 3 to 9

The Coast is Clear - A Mirror Poem (A story that unfolds forward, then reverses back through the same events)

All is well.

This enchanting bedtime picture book transforms ordinary nighttime sounds into an extraordinary calming story designed to help little ones wind down after a busy day.

Two Ways to

As a traditional book from start to finish OR In the mirror poem format which reads from front to back, and then back again.
The scrape of a sliding door. The bark of a dog. The chime of a clock. The soft call of a plover.

Each sound weaves into a gentle tale that unfolds forwards, then backwards, like a mirror poem carried on the night air. Watch as the story builds up through sounds, then gently rewinds back to peaceful silence.

Benefits for your

Helps children wind down with a unique reverse storytelling structure

Creates a sense of peace through thoughtfully paced lyric

Develops listening skills and sound recognition

Teaches mindfulness through focused listening

Introduces Australian wildlife in a gentle way

Experience the story through sound with the included soundscape
FREE STORY SOUNDSCAPE - Children can listen to the actual sounds that inspired this story, creating a unique multi-sensory storytelling experience.

Perfect for car trips, classrooms, quiet time, or as a special bedtime experience.

Based on a true story with hidden hearts throughout Matthew Valenti's beautiful illustrations.

Perfect for ages 3-8 who love unique story structures, need help transitioning to quiet time, or enjoy sound-based storytelling. Makes for the ideal Christmas gift book for children!

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

With a sense of calm, this is an ideal read to pick up before bedtime, naptime, or even during those quieter moments.

These pages highlight the evening adventure of a fox as it explores the area and lands near a house. The beginning and the end match to round everything off, while the tale progresses and then reverses in a related (yet opposite) way...as a mirror poem does. It creates a deep atmosphere with calmness and security. The fox's path begins with caution, while at the same time, a dog and man in the house make their moves. This invites curiosity and a bit of caution to pull listeners in. The meeting in the middle adds a lovely climax and marks a gentle and subtly potent turning point. And the ending...well, it's like a comforting sigh. So, there is tons of atmosphere in these pages, which makes it perfect for calmer moments.

The illustrations carry much of the read and offer inviting scenes, which let the fox's actions come across with fitting emotions. These can be visited on their own and enjoyed. The text stays light with only up-to a few short phrases at a time...and not on every page. These are short and direct such as 'The snore growls' or 'The lights click off', but that's all which is needed to make each moment sit. This also makes it ideal for younger listening audiences and brings across clear familiarity. 

It's an enjoyable read from beginning to end and one to be read again and again.

K-Jane by Lydia Kang

I've been looking forward to today's read because it appears to be a sweet, young adult drama with humor and heart. And that sounds perfect for a read to snuggle up with while the weather does its thing outside. I found the blurb on this one interesting as it seems to take a new twist on the entire K-scene. 

So, let's see if this one is as enjoyable as I hope it will be.

K-JANE

by Lydia Kang

Quill Tree Books

YA Contemporary

336 pages

From acclaimed author Lydia Kang comes a funny, moving YA novel following a third-generation Korean American teen who goes to extreme and hilarious lengths to connect more with her Korean heritage, perfect for fans of Maurene Goo and Rachel Lynn Solomon.

Jane Choi is a typical Nebraskan teen—a corn-fed lover of Husker football. But lately, she feels like she’s missing something. Her non-Korean classmates—that’s everyone—are immersed in K-pop, K-dramas, K-beauty . . . basically, K-everything. But for Jane, kimchi? Not a fan. Bibimbap? What is that? Her mom even named her after the very not-Korean Jane Eyre.

Everyone seems to know more about Korean culture than Jane. And she isn’t sure whether she’s more annoyed at them, or herself.

With a baby brother on the way, Jane is determined to save her new sibling from enduring the same humiliation. a totally foolproof plan to become the K-Jane of her dreams. What better way than to start a private social media account about all things Korean so her closest cousins can learn from her?

But Korean heritage and identity are more complicated than taste-testing multiple varieties of kimchi in front of a camera. And when online virality crashes into real life, Jane’s plans might just go K-boom in her face.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Life as a teen is anything but easy, and this tale embraces that in an adorable way.

Jane Choi's family immigrated from Korea...several generations ago. To say that they'd long stirred into the pot called American culture would be an understatement. This has never even been worth a second's thought to Jane  before, who dances a bit to her own tune with two best friends at her side. Her parents are super busy in their careers but caring and lovable, all the same. When her mother becomes pregnant, Jane takes it with normal, life flow until she gets lab partnered with the hot guy at school, a 1st (sort of 2nd) generation immigrant. He's not only trilingual but has a family which still has roots in their origins. All of this would be fine, but he expects her to know all things Korean. And she doesn't have a clue, but she's not about to ruin the first signs of communication with someone like him. This pushes her to realize that everyone who meets her and knows her Korean name seems to think she's an expert on Korea, and it bugs her. So, she decides to become that which she hasn't been, and not only for the guy but for her unborn brother, who will suffer the same 'fate' if she doesn't become the Korean guru he can turn to in the future. But she only has three months to flip herself around. Add that she can't stand kimchi or K-dramas, and life is going to get rough on so many levels.

This tale takes the ridiculousness of teen life, ideas, and problems, and lets the drama soar. Jane's life is good, and she has no problem being who she is thanks to two great friends at her side, which is a refreshing beginning without baggage. So when one encounter with a seemingly-unreachable-but-school-heart-throb-guy suddenly has her questioning everything about herself, it's over-the-top and it fits. Now, while most teens might slide into a short phase and give up, this tale deliciously embraces the extreme of Jane's determination and lets her speed full-throttle into a clearly approaching crash. But her determination, love for family (although oddly expressed, at times), and lack of sense make her all that much fun to root for. Meaningly good but bad decisions come at every turn to add humor and cringe, while sliding in familiarity and food for thought. It's never overly heavy but impossible to miss. And her growth in all of this chaos makes it fun.

There is the romance, and this ignites the entire situation with the usual insta-attraction, which plagues YA novels...and might hit the truth closer than many like to admit. And while this flies wonderfully into extremes, at least, on Jane's end, the romance is sweet. It flows along the side as all of the other chaos sets in, letting the friendship difficulties often take forefront, too. Even with the romance, there's twists, which draw dislike but take surprising turns to show that all is not what it seems, since everyone has their own problems to work through. 

All in all, this is an enjoyable read to sit back and easily enjoy.

And here she is...

Lydia Kang is an associate professor of internal medicine and an award-winning and bestselling author of adult fiction, young adult fiction, and science nonfiction, including Opium and Absinthe, Star Wars: Cataclysm, The November Girl, and Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything. 

It's Almost Time For...Easter! by Maisha Oso

I'm bouncing into another Easter read today...although my husband just bought red garland with hearts this weekend, wanting me to decorate my tractor for Valentine's Day. A neighbor has decided to start decorating her side-by-side for each holidays, and when I said it was cute, my husband decided I needed to make my tractor sparkle and shine, too. I'll have to add a photo when I get it done with it. And who knows? Maybe, this idea of decorating our farm vehicles will spread and become a thing soon. 

Anyway, we're looking at dying eggs and having all sorts of Easter fun in these pages. So, let's open it up and see what surprises are inside.

IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR... EASTER!

by Maisha Oso

Illustrated by Tom Knight

Margaret K. McElderry 

Picture Book  /  Holiday

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING JANUARY 20th!!!

How to Catch the Easter Bunny meets The Night Before series in this bunny-hopping picture book anticipating Easter in the laugh-out-loud, rhyming It’s Almost Time For… series.

It’s almost time for Easter, and excitement is running high! It might not be here yet, but there’s so much to do before the joyful day arrives…

From decorating and dyeing eggs in pastel hues, flaunting the most fabulous and fancy outfit, and diving into a basket filled with bunny-delivered goodies, there are endless ways to celebrate! But not everyone can read the signs of the highly anticipated holiday on the way…

It’s Almost Time for…Easter! is a perfect blend of festive fun and read-aloud magic that will have young readers laughing and identifying the misunderstanding at play before the characters catch on. This picture book makes a delightful gift for kids aged four to eight!

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

There's tons to do when Easter comes around, and these pages bring each moment across with excitement.

Bright and colorful, these pages radiate Spring and Easter joy along with a touch of fun chaos. A young girl with a huge smile on her face bustles through each activity, which is often connected to Easter celebrations. This is not a religious book but stays purely set in egg dying, getting dressed in pretty clothes, and meeting family for a celebration. It also doesn't slide heavily into the Easter bunny but settles into the preparations and physical celebrations often surrounding the day. Every moment includes family and neighborly goodness to give a sense of togetherness and community as well.

The illustrations hold tons of energy and details to give listeners/readers quite a bit to take in and enjoy. Many scenes hold familiar attributes, making it easy to connect with each moment. The text flows right along with a four-lined rhyme, which adds a playful touch while giving a brief explanation of each activity. This makes it a nice read-aloud. Plus, the word choice is ideal for first readers, who are pretty sure of their words.

While everything centers around Easter fun, the illustrations add one creature to include a touch of humor. This hits with an extra, silly nod near the end to ensure a giggle or smile. It's a cute read, which keeps a light, fun attitude the entire way through.

And here they are...

Maisha Oso is the author of picture books Buster the Bully, My Hair Is a Book, Before the Ships, and the It’s Almost Time For… series, as well as the Venus Washington chapter book series. She writes stories to empower, entertain, and encourage emotional intelligence in young children. A former strategy and analytics professional from New York City, Maisha is currently working in her most challenging role to date: a stay-at-home mom of three tiny humans. Visit her at MaishaOso.com.

After an enjoyable stint as a graphic designer, Tom Knight is now proud to be using his imagination as a full-time career. Drawing on a long and abiding love of imagery from children’s literature, Tom has worked for a diverse range of publishers, including Little Tiger Press, Templar, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, and Macmillan. He has also turned his hand to authoring his own titles and is the author and illustrator for the Good Knight, Bad Knight chapter book series and picture book Jimmy Finnigan’s Wild Wood Band. He does all this from a poorly temperature-controlled studio in the garden, where he is constantly distracted by the greedy birds that hang out by the feeder outside his window.

A Pirates' Pact by Sarah Branson

We're heading into the science fiction realm today with a lean toward pirates and adventure. But not with futuristic flair. I think. I'm not sure how all of this works, but I'm curious to find out. Plus, the duo on the cover appear to be excited to head out into adventure...and I do enjoy adventure.

Let's open it up and see what it holds!

A PIRATES' PACT

A Kik & Mac Adventure

by Sarah Branson

Sooner Started Press

Middle Grade Adventure

166 pages

ages 8 to 12

Two brothers, a hidden secret, and an adventure of a lifetime.

On the pirate island of Bosch, almost eleven-year-old twins Kik and Mac are facing a storm of changes. With a father from Edo and a Bosch mother, the brothers navigate the challenges of identity, friendship, and family in their own unique ways.

Mac, daring and mischievous, finds himself in a whirlwind of trouble as he strives to impress new friends. Meanwhile, Kik, quiet and observant, grapples with his heritage and a heartfelt secret he's not ready to share.

When a ball thrown in anger fractures a family heirloom, a hidden piece of a pirate treasure map emerges, setting them on a quest that will shake up their relationship and reshape their understanding of family.

A Pirates' Pact is a tale of friendship, self-discovery, and the enduring strength of family ties. Will Kik's and Mac's pact withstand the challenges ahead? Embark on this middle grade adventure where bonds are forged, secrets are unveiled, and treasures go beyond gold and jewels.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Brothers, who are twins but as different as can be, discover a call to adventure and find themselves in all sorts of situations.

Mac is in trouble again. Although he was just trying to retrieve a ball for a friend, his climb up the school building to get it didn't gain bonus points with the teacher. Instead, Mac heads home with a note, which his mom has to sign. His twin brother, definitely, doesn't have his back. When the two end up in a back-and-forth, which leaves a damaged family heirloom, they discover a map. And that's the beginning of more than a treasure hunting adventure.

This is a fun story, which packs heart, a bit of food for thought, and adventure. The first chapters let the reader sink into the family dynamics and the twin's personalities. There's a touch of action as Mac dare-devil's on the school walls, but it's the family relationships which take the stage during these pages. The action gets going a few chapters in. While there are all sorts of challenges the two face as they search for the treasure, this read also pays attention to the personal growth of the characters and their relationships to those around them. So, there's depth and not just action. The two brothers are easy to connect with and come across with natural flair as they butt heads, at times, and yet, stick together and support each other when needed.

The read works well for the younger and mid-range of the middle grade audience, and the length suits this direction nicely as well. The future setting confused me a little, though. The year is about 2300 and technology has been set to the side thanks to natural disasters, wars, and more. This is totally fine, but the scenes, dialogue, concerns, surroundings, world, and more fit perfectly to the 1960's to 1980's. I just expected a few differences (clothes, buildings, and such). But it did make for a nice map, which was a treat as much as the several sketches sprinkled throughout. 

It's an enjoyable tale for those who like wholesome adventures with quite a bit of family dynamic, and it appears that there will be more adventures to come.

Happy Chinese New Year, Little Red Panda by Amanda Wood

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

LITTLE RED PANDA

by Amanda Wood

Illustrated by Bec Winnel and

Vikki Chu

Harry N. Abrams

Board Book

16 pages

ages 1 to 5

Happy Lunar New Year, Little Red Panda shares the excitement of Lunar New Year and its traditions, featuring a delightful blend of watercolor illustrations and adorable photos of real red pandas

Join Little Red Panda as he learns about all the fun to be had on Lunar New Year with Nai Nai.

What could top hanging up a glowing lantern, receiving a special red packet, and enjoying a bowl of long noodles?

Listen! It’s dancing dragons stamping the ground. And look! There are fireworks lighting up the sky. It’s a Lunar New Year Little Red Panda and his grandmother will never forget.

Watercolor illustrations paired with sweet photos of a real red panda bring the story to life on each page.

Baby Animal Tales
Happy Easter, Little Bunny
Happy Halloween, Little Black Cat
Merry Christmas, Little Reindeer
Mommy Loves You, Little Sea Otter

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

With an adorable red panda, this little book gives young listeners a glimpse into the celebrations surrounding the Chinese New Year.

This is the latest in a series of books, which highlights cute animals as they celebrate a holiday in animal style. This one centers around a little red panda as it prepares and celebrates the Chinese New Year with the other animals around it. The setting stays outdoors in the nature, bringing a hint of that realistic side into play. At the same time, The animals partake in human traditions: for example, the red panda shares noodles with another animal. It's a gentle way to mix animal habitats with cultural goodness.

The illustrations are unique and add a warming touch. The little red panda is presented in a photo form, allowing readers to know exactly what the red panda looks like and how it moves. The other animals, however, are artistically created in watercolor with less details. The background, then, stays light and carries impressions of the habitat without heading into busy exactness. The combination is interesting, educational, and eye-catching. 

A flowing text accompanies each scene to make clear what is happening. This is kept short to fit nicely to the mid and upper end of the age group. It adds to the sense of warmth surrounding the fun of celebrating with others; presents the traditions in a simple, understandable way; and holds a sense of calm to make it a read for quieter moments as well.

And here she is...

Amanda Wood was the founding editor and publisher of Templar for more than 30 years. In her time there, she published and nurtured numerous Kate Greenaway Medal winners, and edited and wrote groundbreaking series such as the Ologies, which have sold more than 19 million copies worldwide. Today she writes and runs her own small press from her home in Surrey, England.