Delta Oblivion by Elizabeth J.M. Walker

Today's read comes from one of my favorite batch of books from Orca Publishers. They have an entire row of various reads, which are directed toward high school (teen) readers, who may be a bit slow on the reading end or simply don't have the attention spans for longer reads. The ones I've read so far often head in the mystery, thriller, or difficult situations in life direction...all of which have been grabbing, quick reads. But I think this is the first one I've picked up from them, which dives into science fiction. The cover immediately reminded of certain animes and mangas, which if done right, might be quite interesting.

So, let's open this one up and see what it holds.

DELTA OBLIVION

by Elizabeth J.M. Walker

Orca Publishing

YA Science Fiction

144 pages

COMING APRIL 14th!!!

Sixteen-year-old Tallie and her best friend Diego have always shared the same dream: to become mechbot pilots and compete in the Mech Battles, a hugely popular sport that promises fame and fortune to successful pilots.

On the day that copilots are assigned, Tallie is devastated when she doesn’t get paired with Diego. Instead, she has to partner with Zaina Chandra, a troubled pilot who got kicked off her last team. But to drive a mechbot, pilots have to connect their minds, which means sharing your deepest thoughts and secrets. Tallie was ready to share her secrets with Diego, but Zaina? She's a complete stranger. With her dreams and pride riding on the partnership, Tallie will have to find a way to open up and convince Zaina to do the same.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading-level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

GOODREADS   /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

A future world of mecha-tech and giant bots hits teen dreams and hard work to form an engaging, short read.

Tallie has been preparing for years to become a pilot of a mechbot and join in the professional Mech Battles despite her parents' uncertainty. She has no choice but to succeed, not only to keep them from dictating her future but also to prove to herself that she is capable of something impressive. Being autistic has often left her feeling inadequate. When the day comes to find her future partner and connect with them on a complete mental level to smoothly control the bots, she hopes it will be her best friend but knows that's unlikely due to his relationship with his girlfriend, another very close friend of hers. What Tallie could have never suspected is that she'll be partnered with an expelled student from another school. While a great pilot, this other girl has some major issues, and no matter how determined Tallie is to make it work, she realizes this might be an impossible task...and the end of all her dreams.

The author builds an exciting world of high-tech bots and quick-paced action scenes, while still weaving in the drama and worries surrounding high school relationships. There's determination and there's heart. Both balance nicely, never letting one side take over the other to create an engaging read with enough depth to make the situation matter and connect with the reader. Tallie's fears are understandable, but so are those of the girl, who she needs to work with. There's just the right amount of tension to completely understand Tallie's frustration and root for her the entire way through, especially since she does have a heart of gold. There is romance on the best-friend side, but this remains completely detached from Tallie to add a hint without influencing the plot. It creates an engaging read with depth to make readers care.

These pages keep less excited readers in mind and offer action and scifi battle goodness to keep the pages turning. The world building is just enough to make the scenes sit but never grows long or wordy. While there is character depth, this is also kept as concise and potent as possible, making sure the pacing of the tale doesn't slow down. The end wraps things up quick and clean, since the entire tale doesn't stretch with sophisticated weaves and subplots. This makes it great for anyone not wanting to give hours and hours to a story, but still wants to dive into something interesting and enjoy the tale.

And here she is...

Elizabeth J.M. Walker has always enjoyed reading, writing and being creative. She was the author of a long-running zine of short stories and participated in community dance theater productions for many years. She writes books for young readers and teens, including Slip Jig Summer and Delta Oblivion. She lives with her husband in Windsor, Ontario with their collection of animals.

Best of California State Parks by Moon Travel Guides

Today's read was a surprise, which suddenly arrived in my mailbox. I'm thinking it was probably sent to me by mistake from a publishing house, since it definitely doesn't fit the usual kidlit direction of Bookworm for Kids. While I was about to lay it aside and let the publisher know that it isn't for me, I stopped before tossing it into my donation pile. Why? Thinking back, I realized that I would have grabbed something like this up in my tween/teen years before a family vacation. I loved to know where we might go and make recommendations to my parents on what we might visit. I realize that teens, today, will simply search the internet (I do, too), but there's something special about picking up a travel guide in book form and taking a peek.

So, while this one isn't really for the teen audience, I've decided to take a peek at it for those readers, who might enjoy hiking, exploring sites, and diving into vacation possibilities this way.

BEST OF CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS    

Top 50 Parks in the Golden State

by Jenna Blough and Kayla Anderson

Moon Travel

Travel Guides

560 pages

From rocky coastal coves and sandy beaches to verdant forests and quiet desert camps, experience the natural wonders of the Golden State with Moon Best of California State Parks! 

Inside you’ll Coverage of 50 California state parks and historic sites, organized by region Strategic lists and Choose from lists of the best parks for hiking, wildlife, history, families, scenic drives, and more or make your way down the list of the top ten adventures throughout the state The best outdoor recreation and unique  Wander among towering redwoods, relax on a sandy SoCal beach, or set up camp in the Mojave Desert. Paddleboard the sparkling blue waters of Lake Tahoe, immerse yourself in California’s past at a state historic park, or hike coastal bluffs with stunning views of the Pacific Regional state parks road trips that strategically combine nearby parks in Northern, Central, and Southern California Detailed hike descriptions marked with distance, duration, effort level, and trailheads Expert advice from California locals Jenna Blough and Kayla Anderson on when to go, where to stay, and how to avoid crowds Know before you  Find essential background on climate, terrain, wildlife, history, and safety precautions, plus practical information on park fees, passes, and reservations Gorgeous, full-color photos and maps throughout, plus a detachable fold-out poster map 

Whether you’re trekking to striking vistas, cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway, or camping under the stars, find your park adventure with Moon Best of California State Parks.

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

This travel guide offers a nice overview of places to see, things to do, and moments to experience while visiting California...for outdoor fans.

I was already won over when I opened this one up to the Table of Contents and saw that it immediately lists the best and most important sites and such before diving into the general, travel guide schematic. It starts with the top 10 experiences ....all in a nature direction, and does this by giving a colorful photo of each one with a quick phrase and the page to turn to to learn more. So, a person can see the possible highlights in one quick glance. Then, there are a few pages covering important information such as seasons, how to avoid crowds, and the like. After that is 'Best of the Best', lists of the best hiking, beaches, unique experiences, and more. So, anyone looking for main activities doesn't have to flip through hundreds of pages first to get a general idea of where to go or what to do. After that, the usual, travel guide breakdown according to areas (northern, southern, etc) takes control with a list of parks in each one.

This book is all about heading out into nature. Each park gets a general map, which is very helpful, the top sites or activities, things to do or look for, tips, food, hints, and more. There's even information surrounding campgrounds, highlighted trails and the like. Photos give a good impression of what to expect as well. All of this is formatted in a quick and easy-to-find way, keeping the information clear and understandable. Current prices are given for various sites and activities, so anyone heading to these places will have an idea of what to expect. It's a nice and organized overview, which gives a broad range of information for outdoor enthusiasts. 

It's a nice and useful guide to have at hand when heading out to explore California State Parks and is sure to even inspire when it comes to deciding where to go or what to do.

About Moon Travel  

Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
 
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Sloths and their Moths by Katie Lee Reinert

Should there be more children's books, which take a look at sloths? I know several kids who would scream 'yes' to that question. And moths? I'm betting that one would get a little quieter answer. And how do the two work together? Honestly, I have no idea. Today's read should take care of that question and will dive into the world of sloths, ecosystems, and more. I'm really curious to see where this one goes and am looking forward to learning more about sloths and moths or whatever.

So, let's open this cover up and see what the sloth inside is up to.

SLOTHS AND THE MOTHS

by Katie Lee Reinert

Illustrated by Gabi Moraes

Tielmour Press

Picture Book

36 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING MARCH 30th!!!

A sloth’s fur is full of life. Many small creatures live there, and each one plays an important part in the sloth’s world. Told in cumulative format, SLOTHS AND THEIR MOTHS zooms in to take a closer look at each part of the unique relationship between sloths, the moths that live on them, and so much more! Kids will discover each layer of this unique ecosystem, step by step, in a fun and educational way!

Each page adds new details as kids learn about bugs, moths, algae, and how they all work together with the sloth. The repeat-and-build style supports early reading skills, memory, and language growth.

At the end of the book, kids can play a seek-and-find game to search for hidden animals and tiny creatures. This helps build focus, attention, and curiosity.

Great for:

• Kids ages 4–8
• Classrooms and science units
• Early readers
• Nature and animal fans
• Seek-and-find lovers
• Parents and teachers who want simple STEM learning

What families love:

• Simple words for young readers
• Real science in a gentle, friendly way
• Bright art that keeps kids excited
• A story rhythm that supports read-aloud time
• Teaches how animals and tiny creatures live together

SLOTH AND THEIR MOTH brings a tiny rainforest world to life—right inside a sloth’s fur.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Sloth and animal fans will see the world a little bit differently and learn there's more to life then meets the eye.

In a jungle, there's a sloth. The sloth sits in a tree. From there, each page builds and adds more. Each colorful illustration portrays the adorable sloth in its habitat and carries a short, single phrase with a detail, which adds to the scene. As the story continues, the details are repeated and constantly receive another short line. This goes on and on until an entire row of things is exposed. This also means that listeners can join in, and after a few read-throughs of the book, will be able to repeat the lines right along with the reader. But this is just the beginning of the fun these pages hold

This book takes a look at an entire ecosystem, which begins with the sloth and the tree. I think this is the first time I've seen a picture book, which heads into the fur of an animal and takes an ever-smaller look at what there is to discover. A sloth isn't a lone animal but carries an entire array of life with it. While this idea is sure to have some listeners cringing, at first, with an 'ew', it catches the attention and opens them up to how much life really has to offer. 

On each page, along with the fun text, there's a box with exact details, which describes the new level of life being mentioned. The adult or older reader can use this to explain the connections and more to the listeners. The information is simple enough to bring across easily and interesting enough to raise curiosity. Listeners are sure to take a few details with them and tell others the fun facts they learned.

To round all of this goodness off, there are a few pages in the back of the book with more facts and descriptions. There is also a list of several other creatures hidden in the illustrations, so readers can go back and explore the scenes to find each one. In other words, there are many things to enjoy about this read.

And here she is...

Katie Lee Reinert is a picture book author who loves writing books about the magic of imagination that will inspire kids and make them laugh. She lives outside of Portland, Oregon with her family where she loves exploring new hiking trails in the summer and trying to stay dry in the winter.

Come What May by Ms Debi Gliori

Today's read hit the shelves a couple weeks ago, and I've been very eager to, finally, have a chance to read my copy. I find the cover super adorable, and I'm betting that this is the type of book to snuggle up with and enjoy with a favorite young listener. I'm hoping for parental love and a sense of security and love. 

Let's see if this book is one for those quiet hours or not.

COME WHAT MAY

by Debi Gliori

Bloomsbury Children's Books

Picture Book

30 pages

ages 4 to 8

**A touching and timeless follow-up to the much-loved No Matter What**

Come What May follows Debi Gliori's much-loved foxes, Large and Small, as they head out on a picnic in the countryside to wind down after a rather trying afternoon attempting some baking. As their walk takes them across flower-strewn meadows, through cool woods and eventually up onto a gentle hill from which they can see their cosy home below, they reflect on all the moods a single day can hold. And as a squall of rain briefly threatens their picnic, they eventually decide that moods may change like the weather, but their love for each other will always remain constant.

A warm-hearted, uplifting story, told with genuine affection and flourishes of humour, perfect to read at bedtime – or any time!

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON     /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Get ready to snuggle into a chair with your young listener/reader because this book is all about love and care.

A little fox is having a bad day...one of those days when everything seems to be going wrong. Large fox realizes this and offers a few words of comfort, and that gets little fox thinking. Will the larger fox really always love the little fox? That's when the little fox's imagination shifts into high-gear and tests how enduring the larger fox's love truly is.

These pages are filled with warmth, security, and love. The larger fox's care for the little fox is inspiring, and this feeling radiates from every page. While the good vibes flow, the author works in quite a bit of humor, too. The little fox has a huge imagination and asks the larger fox if the love still qualifies if he/she changed into a tiger. Or a stinging insect? The list goes on and on. The illustrations follow suit wonderfully and let each mutation come across with playful fantasy, vibrant colors, and a touch of silliness to keep smiles huge. The text rhymes smoothly and works in a little repetition to give listeners a phrase to recognize, and maybe, repeat themselves. 

It's a lovely read with tons of goodness and is sure to become one of those reads, which receives an 'again'. 

And here she is...

Debi Gliori is the award-winning writer and illustrator of over eighty picture books and novels for children of all ages, including the bestselling modern classic No Matter What (Bloomsbury) and the Mr Bear series (Orchard). Her picture book about depression, Night Shift (Templar), was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. She is also author of the Little Owl series of books, illustrated by Alison Brown, for Bloomsbury. Debi lives near Edinburgh and has twice been writer-in-residence in the Shetland Isles. Her favourite colour is blue or, more precisely, four different shades of blue: cerulean blue, cobalt blue, Mediterranean turquoise blue and warm ultramarine blue. She has sold over 600,000 books in the UK alone.

Soccer Kicks by Emiliano Migliardo

Sports, humor, and a graphic novel, too? That sounds like a perfect mix to me, so I was very eager to grab up today's read and take a quick peek. It should hold 60 comic strip jokes, and all of them will rotate around soccer. I have no idea if these will be clever, weird, slap-stick, or...well, I have no clue.

Let's open it up and see what kind of humor these pages hold!

SOCCER KICKS

by Emiliano Migliardo

Happy Yak

Children's Humor

64 pages

ages 7 to 10

COMING APRIL 7th!!!

Soccer Kicks is a hilarious collection of comic-strip soccer jokes, filled with over 60 laugh-out-loud silly scenarios! 

Emiliano Migliardo’s outrageously funny full-color comics are perfect for avid soccer fans and reluctant readers, as the jokes are mostly wordless. This awesome compilation of one-page comics is a winning combination of silly yet clever gags and pranks, filled with the joy—and frustration—of soccer!  

Full of soccer japes about mischievous tactics, doing whatever it takes to get the ball in the back of the net, and even the perils of being nutmegged, this is the perfect gift for any young soccer fan. These short, sporty jokes will be the talk of the playground… or soccer field! 

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Smirks, giggles, and laughter are guaranteed thanks to the varied humor offered in these jokes.

This one is not only for soccer fans, since the humor is very understandable even for those, who don't know much about the sport. Each page holds a short comic strip, which forms a humorous, short situation. Every single one connects with soccer, although it can simply be a situations, which includes a soccer ball of sorts, or swirl around playing the game. Most of the jokes are purely visual, but then, that's all that's needed to make most of these sit. There are various characters, various situations, and various types of humor. Some are slap-stick, some are clever twists, some are mischievous, and others pack sudden surprises. 

The illustrations are bright and bring across the moments clearly with the familiarity needed to make the humor hit. The characters stay in the animal kingdom, which adds a nice detachment and keeps the humor high. The jokes fit very well to the intended audience level and even older readers are sure to giggle if they get their hands on a copy. Younger readers can enjoy many of the jokes as well, although some might be a bit over their heads and a couple take on a slightly dark twist...not directly obvious, but a little logical thought makes it clear that something unpleasant really happens. 

It's a very well done book with tons to enjoy. The visual layout gives it a relaxing and fun atmosphere, while the jokes are sure to gain more than a giggle or two.

And here he is...

Emiliano Migliardo is a cartoon illustrator, a career that he knew he would want to pursue ever since his childhood days of watching cartoons. His favourite shows were The Pink Panther, The Three Stooges and The Simpsons. Emiliano feels that his style generally reflects his personality; his work tends to be neat, well defined, fun, and colorful. He works and lives in Buenos Aires with his wife, his son and his dog Lenny, a Chihuahua.