Happy Book Birthday, The Lake Trip by Katie Risor!

It's been awhile since I've shouted out a book birthday. How horrible! Well, it's time to correct this problem and give a HUGE shout-out to today's new read. This read is the second in a series, and I did read the first one last year (see review HERE). It's a graphic novel meant for beginning readers out there, who are mostly sure of their words but need more practice. I remember the first book as hitting, at first, a little different thanks to the unique characters, but it was very warming and fun. So, I'm hoping for more of that in this read. And lake trips are perfect for this time of year!

Pack that bag, grab some sunscreen, and don't forget snacks because we're heading into a promising adventure!

THE LAKE TRIP

Welcome to the Forest #2

by Katie Risor

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Children's Fantasy

Graphic Novel

80 pages

ages 6 to 9

The quirky, lovable creatures of the Forest return in this heartwarming and beautifully illustrated graphic novel, perfect for beginning readers, English-language learners, and fans of cozy comics. Includes a fun nonfiction fact sheet about lakes.

Mossman, Wallace, Grumpkin, and Shadow are off on a lakeside adventure!

From packing for their day trip to learning how to float and discovering a magical way to cool off, every moment is filled with gentle humor, friendship, and simple discoveries that celebrate the wonder of nature. 

Perfect for emerging readers and fans of Studio Ghibli's whimsical worlds, this early reader graphic novel Fun nonfiction facts about lakes and their natural wonders 

Dyslexia-friendly font for accessible reading 

Simple dialogue and sight words for beginning readers and ESL learners

Gorgeous hand-painted illustrations in a distinctive, cozy style

Adorably quirky characters that will delight fans of Pocket Peaches, Brambly Hedge, Calico Critters, and Labubu collectors

With gentle storytelling and endearing forest friends, Katie Risor's Welcome to the Forest series is a heartfelt invitation to slow down and savor the small wonders of the world.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Summer adventure meets budding friendship in a fun read with tons of heart.

The three friends, Mossman, Wallace, and Grumpkin, are heading on a trip because Wallace has a new friend and wants to visit her. First, they need to cross the river, and then, it's time to find the meeting place and wait. Not everything goes smoothly, and everyone isn't sure what to expect. When the new friend shows up, she's not what the friends expected, and they aren't sure they can warm up to her the way Wallace has.

This adventure is just right for those readers, who know their words but could use a little more practice. The characters are so easy to like and carry quite a bit of uniqueness to make them memorable. Their friendship is golden, and even the grumpiest of them is, actually, very kind. The trio heads out on their first trip, which is entertaining, especially with some slight mistakes. But these friends work together to work everything out. Even the meeting with the new friend adds humor and keeps a tiny tad bit of tension to make the adventure grabbing. It wraps up with tons of wholesome moments and proves that friendship reaches past many boundaries. In other words, its very well balanced and great for the intended age group.

The text is short enough not to grow frustrating but still works those word skills. Thanks to the plot, it runs smoothly and is sure to keep readers' interest. The illustrations are bright, bold, and let the scenes come to life. The right atmosphere hits with each moment to keep everything lively. These are also helpful to readers to make sure they know what is happening in the text.

I can't wait to see what this group of friends is up to next.

And here she is...

Katie Risor is a professional illustrator and author who loves all things weird, interesting, and whimsical. In her personal work, she's all about weird creatures, hidden themes, and childhood adventures. She gets a lot of inspiration from nature, animals, and history. When she's not painting or writing, you can find Katie gardening, cooking, eating fancy cheese, going on walks, making specialized playlists, or looking for cool new restaurants to try. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas but recently moved to Syracuse, New York with her partner and three cats. 

The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery

Today's read is the first in a series, which hit the shelves for the first time in 2021. Somehow, I missed it completely, at that time. Luckily, it's getting a re-release this next month, and I'm not letting slip through my cracks this time around. 

I'm expecting a rich, fantasy world with tons of adventure. I believe it steps into the realm of the fae, and I'm getting a bit of Labyrinth vibes (think 1986 movie with David Bowie) from the plot. But just a bit. 

Grab iron and remember not to eat anything while on this journey because the fae can be a tricky folk in many tales.

THE CHIME SEEKERS

by Ross Montgomery

Candlewick Press

Middle Grade Fantasy

368 pages

ages 9 to 12

COMING JULY 7th!!!

From the #1 New York Times best-selling and critically acclaimed author of I Am Rebel comes a middle-grade fantasy adventure about siblings, courage, and the magic that hides in the cracks.

Step into a world of fairy tricks and hidden danger . . .

When an evil fairy steals Yanni’s baby sister and swaps her for a changeling, Yanni is swept into a dangerous race against time to get her back. After all, fairies delight in tricks, and rescuing her won’t be easy. With the help of his cousin, Amy, and the reluctant changeling, Yanni must travel to goblin palaces and battle-swept oceans, discovering ancient treasures and secrets along the way.

Yanni will need every drop of courage and even a few tricks of his own if he’s to outwit the fairy and save his sister . . .

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

The world of fae and goblins takes a darker twist in this quick-paced adventure, where sibling love runs deeper than first appears.

Yanni is sick of his baby sister. Not only does she never seem to stop crying, but her birth meant the end to his cozy life with his mother and father in their town apartment. Now, they've purchased a house in the country, and it's immediately clear that this 'improvement' doesn't mean he finally gains a little more attention. When his parents leave him and some weird cousin of his left babysitting on Halloween, his life has hit a new time low. But things can get worse, and they do when a strange man appears in his sister's bedroom and steals her away to the realm of the fae. Luckily, his cousin is a little more informed than he is, and between the two of them, he's praying he'll find a way to get his sister back. The fae, however, are not creatures to be trifled with.

This read immediately had me thinking back to the movie Labyrinth with David Bowie, and there are several strong threads throughout the book, which dance along a similar line. So, I suspect that the author took quite a bit of inspiration from this original tale. That said, there are also enough unique twists to guide this book into its own direction. 

The author lets the reader sink into the world and gain a good handle on Yanni's situation before jumping into the fantasy realm. Yanni's beginning attitude toward his baby sister is understandable, but he's let the negative thoughts sink in so deep that it's obvious he needs a little realigning. Especially his attitude toward his cousin will have readers wondering. So, when he enters the land of the fae, it's easy to root for him as he's determined to save his sister no matter what. His cousin takes an assistant role, and while quirky in her own right, is someone to truly like. The other characters hold distinct personalities to make the imagination shine. While this is a world packed with imagination, it's not a happy one. It carries sinister secrets and danger, making it more suitable for ages 10 and up, and/or for those readers, who like a slightly darker twist.

As to the tale, it's quick paced and keeps the reader wondering what will happen next and how the two main characters will make it through. The world building isn't deep but holds just enough to bring the scenes to life. The dialogue adds a touch of humor but this is light so that the tension remains high the entire time. It's a grabbing read and will delight fantasy fans who don't like a gothic hint.

Who Is Singing? by Janet Halfmann

 Happy Sunday! I thought a great way to go into this day is by taking a look at God's feathered creations and their beautiful songs. At least, that's what I'm assuming today's read will hold. I'm curious to hear about all the various tweeting, chirping, and other sounds certain birds make. I have looked at works from this author before and, usually, find them to be a refreshing turn in the kidlit realm.

Let's open this one up and see what we discover about birds and their songs, shall we?

WHO IS SINGING?

by Janet Halfmann

Illustrated by Chrissy Chabot

Belle Isle Books

Picture Book

36 pages

ages 3 to 8

Have you ever heard a tune from the treetops and wondered: Who is singing?

Birds are singing and calling all around us, but every bird's song is different. Some even sound like familiar words, such as the cardinal's wheet, wheet, wheet, birdie, birdie, birdie! In this interactive read-aloud book, children (and adults) can learn to identify twelve common birds by sight as well as by sound. Next time you visit your local park, close your eyes and listen closely. Soon you'll be able to tell who is singing

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Nature lovers and bird fans receive a playful look at several species of birds and their distinct songs.

These pages highlight birds, birds, and more birds. Twelve different feathered friends are presented, each one getting its own time to shine. One by one, they sit and let out their song. On the next page, listeners discover the name and can repeat the song again. Each call is written in a way which will come across familiar enough for listeners to repeat, and many will, probably, have listeners smiling as they wonder if the sound really meets these tones. The author explains at the end of the book that people can hear or understand the calls a bit differently from individual to individual, and invites listeners to head outside, listen to the birds around them, and see if they can catch the variations themselves.

The author keeps the age group nicely in mind with both the illustrations and the text. The illustrations concentrate on each bird, make the bird identifiable, and hold any other details to a minimum. This focuses listeners' attentions on the bird and the call. The text is repetitive and holds a bit of rhyme to stay in the song atmosphere. The calls are short and easy to repeat...and fun. The quick identification of the bird  comes with just a smidgen of description to add a sense of meeting each one, which gives it the feel of a stage presentation and holds attention. It makes a nice read-aloud and works for themes surrounding birds. It also acts as a nice introduction to an outdoor activity.

And here she is...

Janet Halfmann

is a multi-award-winning children’s author who strives to make her books come alive for young readers and listeners. She writes about animals and nature, family and community, and little-known people of achievement. Janet has written almost fifty fiction and nonfiction books for children. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Janet grew up in Michigan and now lives in Wisconsin. She and her husband have four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grands. Find out more at https://www.janethalfmannauthor.com

Truck in the Muck by Sophia Gholz

Today's read just looked and sounded like it would be tons of fun. So, we're going to take a peek at it. I'm hoping for humor, heart, and a mess. Mud is always messy, right?

Get ready for a silly, dirty ride because this one promises to be just that.

TRUCK IN THE MUCK

by Sophia Gholz

Illustrated by Susan Batori

Sleeping Bear Press

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING JULY 15th!!!

Fans of Doreen Cronin and Mo Willems will love this hilarious picture book about a duck who gets his truck stuck in the mud—but winds up having a party when he changes his perspective.

Duck in his truck is making his way to a playdate with friends when a sudden rainstorm turns the trip into a sticky situation. But what luck! Duck's friends come to him and work to get the truck out of the muck. When that doesn't work, Duck changes his perspective and saves the playdate! Truck in the Muck reminds readers that sometimes the problem doesn't need a solution, just a change in the way you look at it.

Bouncy, rhyming text introduces readers to phonics and decodable skills.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Make lemons into lemonade or mud into summer fun with a crew which promises smiles and more.

Duck has an appointment and needs to get to his playdate on time, but the rain has made the ground so soft that his truck isn't going anywhere. Determined not to miss anything, he convinces his friends to come and help him get his truck out of the mud, but a truck is a big, heavy thing, and with the constant downpour not letting up, the mud isn't shrinking, either.

This is a book to bring smiles. What starts as an understandably frustrating experience, turns into a hope that, somehow, things will work out, and then, mutates again into something special. The duck's determination is inspiring and the help of his friends is golden. It's hard not to root for this group as they do their best to get that truck unstuck. When the duck, suddenly, turns everything on its head, the plot takes a new direction...which might inspire some listeners to have some messy fun of their own outside. The entire thing engages the reader/listener with emotional familiarity and draws in with humor and fun.

While there is a serious message surrounding working together and finding a way to make the best of things, this book thrives on humor and enjoyment. The text is delivered in rhyme. Not gently flowing or with steady tact, but rather, it holds a lovely, cut style which melds wonderfully with the tale. The phrases are short and pointed to create a read that listeners can giggle at and feel involved with. A light-hearted atmosphere flows with the messy adventure and opens up to the surprising fun. There's an extra twist at the end, too, which rounds off the food for thought while adding another dose of smiles and glee. It's great as a read-aloud for groups and single settings, and is sure to garner the word 'again'.

And here they are...

Sophia Gholz is an award-winning author whose books include Bug on the Rug, The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng, and more. When she isn’t exploring the great outdoors, you can find Sophia in a library, visiting schools or working on her next book.

Susan Batori’s books include Don’t Call Me Fuzzybutt and Letters from Space. She worked in advertising before switching to children’s book illustration. Susan lives in Budapest, Hungary.

Daxton Tanner and the Eleagons by A.R. Hoff

Today's read heads into the fantasy direction...and I adore the cover! This read hit the shelves back in, I think, 2022 and is getting a new look. I'm getting dragon vibes, so this might be one for dragon fans, too. I don't know too much about it, but it should circle around magic, an orphan, and a school. It's been a bit since I picked up a read with a school involved (a month or so?), and this one looks like it might be a fun ride. 

So, let's crack it open and see what's inside!

DAXTON TANNER AND THE ELEAGONS

by A.R. Hoff

Brewtion Press

Middle Grade Fantasy

264 pages

ages 9 to 12

What if the world you were supposed to save....didn’t know you exist?

Growing up in an orphanage run by two eccentric sisters is far from ordinary, especially for twelve-year-old Daxton, who is plagued by strange occurrences happening around him. Still, nothing can prepare him for the moment that he discovers a mysterious pendant he hatches small, creatures called Eleagons.

Daxton soon discovers that he isn’t of our world and belongs at Eldragor, a hidden land for people who can control elements. But danger lurks around every corner. Teachers and students alike harbor dark secrets about the heinous deeds needed to keep their society functioning, secrets they don’t want Daxton learning.
Students begin to go missing to return with no powers or memories. Daxton and his friends set out to uncover the culprit before one of them becomes the next victim. Can he save his friends and his Eleagons? Or is he, and Eldragor, doomed to fall?

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

With vibes remind a tiny bit of Harry Potter's world, this tale opens up to a rich realm of magic, friendship, and so much more.

Summed up, this read circles around a twelve-year-old boy, Daxton, who has been raised in an orphanage and led a colorful life thanks to strange events, which never seem to stop. The strangest, though, is when he finds a pendant that hatches Eleagons...very adorable creatures which remind of dragons. Daxton's powers soon make it clear that he is different than those around him. This leads him to being accepted to a school, where the students control various elements. Here, the adventure begins.

While the plot follows an usual scheme for this genre, it also develops an intriguing twist to the magic end. In the world Daxton lives, magic is considered science. The author makes sure to ground the rules of the world nicely, which allows this magic/science aspect to richly develop and leaves a little food for thought in that direction. I found this a nice foundation as the plot rolls along in an adventurous direction as Daxton needs to figure out his magic, work with his new friends, and go up against intrigue and secrets, which add excitement and tension. I also appreciate that this is only 260 or so pages...not overly chunky for a fantasy read.

Fantasy fans are sure to enjoy this one, and the Eleagons as well as the other creatures add a cute and fun mix. The pacing hesitates a bit, at times, but it's an enjoyable read with inviting imagination. I hope there will be a second book, since a few loose ends remained, and it'd Daxton still has a bit to do.