Counting Creatures and Their Features by Dee Leone

Today's read is a Little Golden Book!!!! I remember loving these books as a kid, and I'm so happy that their number keeps growing. Thanks to the huge amount of kidlit being released every month, Golden Books have drifted a bit out of my focus. So, I'm glad I can change that today. 

This read just sounds like fun. I'm expecting counting, fantasy silliness, and all sorts of ridiculousness. In other words, it should be more than just a little enjoyable. So, let's see if learning to count is fun with this bunch!

COUNTING CREATURES AND THEIR FEATURES

by Dee Leone

Illustrated by Kelly Kennedy

Golden Books

Picture Book

24 pages

ages 2 to 5

COMING JULY 14th!!!

Count your way through a world of quirky, silly creatures, from goblins to witches, in this original Little Golden Book filled with rhythmic, read-aloud fun!

Get ready to meet little goblins with knobby knees, growling monsters with spiky hair, fire-breathing dragons with shiny scales, and so much more! With rhyming text, adorable illustrations packed with items to find and count, plus a surprising ending, this is truly a book that makes storytime fun for the kids being read to and the adults doing the reading!

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Counting and numbers come across with quirky, creature style and lure in listeners to practice their skills on every page.

All sorts of creatures are ready to appear and show off their own, silly ways. Be it mummies surrounded by flies, weird monsters with shoelaces knotted in crazy ways, or skeletons and their constant clinking-clinking-clinking, there's never a boring moment. Each scene carries a tad bit of spooky beginnings, but the creatures are so quirky that it fades into giggles quickly. Add the surprise monster at the end...the biggest and scariest of all...and it's a read which is sure to get the word 'again'.

While this is a counting book, numbers are nowhere to be found. Instead, listeners are asked to count odd things like patches, toes, newts, and more. There are three objects to be discovered and counted on each page. This counting task is smoothly glided in with the sillier lines, which introduce each creature and their special quirks. The rhyming is very well done to create a seamless read. This also allows the fun and humor to take control and draw listeners/readers in.

Of course, this is a perfect book for the Halloween season, but it also slides in for counting fun all year around. Especially monster fans are going to enjoy the parade of characters and their antics. It's a lovely way to practice those counting skills and promises tons of smiles along the way.

And here she is...

Dee Leone has written several reproducible books for the educational market, covering themes such as science, language arts, and holidays. In addition, many of her stories, poems, plays, and activity puzzles have appeared in children’s magazines. Dee taught at the elementary level in several states and was also a gifted program aide. She is married and has two daughters. The author enjoys writing fiction, non-fiction, and silly verse. Her interests include amateur photography, traveling, and scrapbooking. Her cooking expertise, however, only extends about as far as that of her zany little bee characters, Bizz and Buzz.

Happy Book Birthday, Everything You Need to Know About Life You Can Learn From a Dog by Bruce Littlefield!

It's book birthday time, and today's book is getting an extra big party thanks to some extreme generosity.. I received an entire, birthday package!!!! 

Thank you so much!!! It put a huge smile on everyone in my household's faces. 

My husband ran around with the dog mask and even took photos of himself.

Pumpkin, our wonderful dog, loved the little birthday treat, too. She's a bit silly....

and ridiculously spoiled. I have a feeling she's going to sleep all day long, today. We had a severe flooding this last weekend and spent all of yesterday moving debris, chasing run-away cows, and getting up necessary fence line as fast as possible. So, she had a good ole time running everywhere. Pumpkin ended her day with a swim with my daughter in a side branch of the creek (water was pretty calm there). As said, she's spoiled.

I've been looking forward to reading this one the second I saw the title. Not only is it a super long title, but I'm very curious what we can learn from dogs. Before I say anything else, let's open up and take a look!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW 

ABOUT LIFE YOU CAN LEARN FROM A DOG

by Bruce Littlefield

Illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

Nancy Paulsen Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

Want to learn how to live your best doggone life? Ask a dog!

In case you haven’t noticed, dogs have life figured out. They wake up each day looking to make the best of every moment. They understand what’s important. They get over things quickly. They love a good walk. And they certainly know how to relax! Whether young or old, we can all learn a few tricks from dogs. So, sit, put your paws up, and delight in the wisdom of dogs!

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Dog awesomeness hits full force and inspires in surprising ways.

The title says it all. While all sorts of dogs meet these pages and delight furry-friend fans, there are also interesting insights which will have readers rethinking some aspects of life. In a good way, of course. Each trait is first mentioned in two, purple words (like 'Be patient'). Then, a few lines of text explain how dogs live out these traits naturally. Each one comes across in a relaxed way to keep it interesting and never preachy. While the explanations don't directly mention that each attribute is important to the readers/listeners too, the message is clear and understandable. 

The text is ideal for the intended age group and works great as a read-aloud for groups and individuals, or can be picked up by those readers, who are sure of their words. While the text explains how dogs fulfill each trait, the illustrations really make everything shine. Various dogs are displayed doing the mentioned tricks or behaviors and always in the cutest ways. It makes every page lively, adds a bit of humor, and draws listeners in to consider the wisdom. It's interesting to see how dogs, actually, meet every criteria just by being a dog. It adds a nice ah-ha effect and also deepens the appreciate for dogs. 

And here he is...

Bruce Littlefield is the bestselling author of 20 books, including The Bedtime Book for Dogs and Use What You've Got) with Barbara Corcoran). Hailed as a 'lifestyle authority' by the New York Times and a 'modern day Erma Bombeck' by NPR, he has appeared on Good Morning America, The View, and The Today Show. He's been blessed with wonderful dogs who've brought him joy and taught him how to live in the present, love unconditionally, and give each da his all.

Learn more at www.BruceLittlefield.com

Imperfectly Perfect Posey by Lizzie Brooks

I was immediately won over by the cover on today's read...and the title. While I know many people enjoy yoga, I've always been too stiff to pull many of the poses. Actually, I've been quite athletic much of my life, but touching my toes has always been a struggle. It's my legs, for some reason. I'm convinced there's some weird proportion thing or something (I'm gripping for straws, I know). When I saw that this main character wobbles with her yoga, she seems after my own heart. Plus, I love the bugs and flowers around her...and the cat. So cute!

So, let's open this one up and see if it's as fun as I hope it will be...even for those readers who aren't super fond of yoga for practical reasons.

IMPERFECTLY PERFECT POSEY

A Wobbly Yoga Story

by Lizzie Brooks

Illustrated by Enni Heikura

Spinning Wheel Stories

Picture Book

32 pages ages 4 to 8

COMING JULY 14th!!!

Posey is great at art, climbing trees, and dancing, so she assumes she'll be perfect at yoga poses too–her name is Pose-y, after all!

But to her dismay, Posey can’t do the poses like the other kids. Frustrated, she quits. She continues her other activities, but yoga won’t leave her mind.

One brave day, she returns and does all the poses perfectly. Just kidding! She still struggles—but this time, despite imperfection, she finds fun, connection, and joy, proving that success exists outside of perfection. We're all imperfectly perfect!

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Imperfection hits a come-back in a flexible, yoga way.

Posey is one of those girls that can make gold from everything she touches. With yoga, though, she meets her match...and it's driving her insane. Deciding the best way to avoid failure is to give up, she heads back home to continue those activities she's great at. But for some reason, she seems to have lost her touch and finds her mind wandering. Plus, she begins to wonder if perfection really isn't the point.

This book weaves yoga inspiration cleverly into an enjoyable story with a character to root for. Posey might be seemingly good at everything, but her kind and positive nature makes her a character to enjoy, anyway. When she messes up at yoga, it's easy to understand her frustration as the kids around her pull off every move...and the illustrations and text make it clear that she really is failing. Each mistake glides in with light humor to keep things positive. I especially enjoyed that one of Posey's friends joins her in other activities and isn't perfect at any of them, but glides in with almost a sidenote. By the end, the message is loud and clear.

Various yoga poses are shown to the reader, opening the door for them to try some, too. When Posey fails in the first part of the book (and that with humor), the correct forms and steps are placed in lighter colors off to the side...like little butterflies in the background. They are distinct enough for the reader to see but meld right into the illustration so as not to distract from Posey's problem. When the other kids successfully perform the poses, these are partnered with bright illustrations to bring them to life. For example, when a child does the tree pose, a vibrant tree is presented around them.  The entire thing inspires young readers to try yoga in a fun, positive way.

And here she is...

Lizzie is a mom, yoga teacher, freelance editor, and writer represented by Emily Keyes of Keyes Agency. Her work appears in Spinning Toward the Sun, Door = Jar Literary, Beyond Words Literary, Tyger Tyger, Yoga International, and more. Through her freelance business, she delights in advising picture book authors on craft and industry. She’s a member of SCBWI and Courage to Create and lives in the mountains with her family who, despite her constant puns, still love her. 

Scavenger Hunt by Mary Jane McKittrick

Today, I'm diving into the first book in a new series. It centers around a cat and dog pair, and their adventures in the lively Shady Pines' Story Town. I thought the pair was adorable and looks like they will be up to all sorts of fun...and maybe some trouble, too? If I understood everything correctly, this series also concentrates on presenting life lessons as well as improving reading skills. In other words, it is for beginning readers, who are sure of their words but need more practice before diving with both feet into the middle grade realm.

I'm going to settle back and see what this cute pair is up to.

SCAVENGER HUNT

Shady Pines Story Town

Boomer and Halley

by Mary Jane McKittrick

Illustrated by Bob Ostrom

Tuxedo Cat Productions

Early Reader

55 pages

ages 6 to 9

What do you do with a couple of bored kids on a rainy day? You find a way to let them learn through play! In this National Award Winning book, Boomer and Halley’s Scavenger Hunt: Discover Rewards by Working with Others, an energetic Australian Shepherd dog, Boomerang, and a silver streak of a cat, Halley's Comet are moping around. Their "parents" Harold and Edna Sanders, stage a scavenger hunt throughout their home on Dogwood Drive across from Copy Cat Lane.

As sibling rivals often do, Boomer and Halley approach the task as a race against one another, each trying to find the hidden toys and treats first. They soon discover that some items are hidden too high for Boomer or they're too heavy for Halley. Maybe they should work together?

The book includes four life lessons: Teamwork, Manners, Sportsmanship and Cleaning Up embedded in the story and highlighted on the page with a PAW print. A bookmark and prompting questions allow 'stop and talk' moments to discuss.

Come join in the fun as Boomer and Halley take us on a wonderful and wacky adventure!

GOODREADS      /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Daily life meets some unexpected situations as this cat and dog hit one adventure after the other.

Halley's Comet, the cat, and Boomerang, the dog, are 'siblings' and live with a kind couple. Thanks to the weather, they are also a little bored. When they discover that their 'parents' have put together a scavenger hunt, it should be a lot of fun. But their desire to outshine each other might cause some difficulties.

This is a wholesome read with two adorable main characters. Halley and Boomer get along well but that doesn't mean they always are perfect. The situations remind of ones they experience every day, and while those with siblings will easily understand the issues, these slide into friendship relationships as well. The family warmth is ever-present even when things don't roll along as they should. This also means humor is never far away to keep a light atmosphere...but then, this is a very lively pair.

The text fits nicely to those readers who are very sure of their words but aren't quite ready to slide up into longer reads. The illustrations bring the  moments to life and let the humor and emotions flow. The messaging in this series is evident the entire way through as the lessons are clearly marked and paw prints help highlight each one. There are also questions included on the side of the story, which ask readers to think about different behaviors and actions...such as asking when the pair shows sportsmanship. This makes it a very directed read on that front as well.

This is a lovely, gentle series with tons of wholesome goodness for those wanting to dive into reads, which focus on these types of lessons. It works great for homeschoolers, single settings, and even for small group reading sessions.

And here she is...

Before becoming an author, Mary Jane  had a successful career in television entertainment (working for a TV production company; Co-Host of PM Magazine) and broadcast news, serving as an anchor, reporter, and producer at three, network affiliate television stations. She also worked in corporate communications and consulting. A native of Los Angeles, Mary Jane’s stories were inspired in part, during time living on a horse property in North Carolina.

More about Shady Pines...

The human and animals characters of all ages and backgrounds who live in Shady Pines use gentle humor to deal with the many challenges facing young kids these days. Our neighbors in this tight knit community demonstrate problem solving by working together with conversation, not confrontation.

Come on in and stay a spell. We think you'll be glad you did!

https://shadypinesstorytown.com/ 

A Dance of Birds by Angela Blair

 It's time for some art and poetry goodness! Today's read hits poetry and, hopefully, beautiful illustrations. July's weather often invites to leaning back and letting the day sink in, and I'm thinking that today's read might just be perfect for that. Plus, introducing young readers to poetry and art is always a plus. 

I'm ready to enjoy, so let's open this book up and do just that!

A DANCE OF BIRDS

Poetry and Paper Collage

by Angela Blair

Illustrated by Sherri Kay Linnenmeyer

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 2 to 8

COMING JULY 20th!!!

A Dance of Birds: Poetry and Paper Collage is a unique artistic picture book exploring the wide world of birds with a childlike fascination for our feathered friends. Bird sounds, patterns, behaviors, and formations are highlighted in a lyrical, visually engaging way with handcrafted original artwork, bringing the wonder and magic of birds to life. Enchanting children and parents alike, A Dance of Birds is a new, timeless classic.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE

MY TIDBITS

A burst of colorful, feathered friends awaits to shine on every page.

This is an ode to birds, and it does so with poetic style and illustrative grace. One by one, a bird takes the spotlight and is showcased in a natural setting. Just a few words or even a few short phrases of rhyme make each one come across with a sense of pride and beauty.

The illustrations are lovely and use a bit of texture here and there to give a special touch to each setting. The birds are recognizable and presented bright and bold. A variety of birds are presented, including everything from exotic parrots to more familiar seen roosters. The text flows along the side in a white strip to make this easy to use as a read-aloud. While carrying a smooth, rhyming flow, the tact changes a bit from page to page, steering a little away from a sing-songy direction while maintaining the lyrical atmosphere. I found this made it easier to catch the attention on each page.

At the end of the book, there's a list of the name of the birds, so that each one can be revisited. There's also a coloring page, where young readers can color their own feather friend. It awakens awareness of the huge variety of birds, while also keeping a sense of respect, awe, and emphasis on the beauty each one holds.

And here they are...

Angela Blair, also a novelist, is a world traveler and lifelong student of the human experience. With a degree in creative writing, she has spent years exploring cultures across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America, and the South Pacific. Her travels have deepened her appreciation for the threads that connect people across the globe and continue to inspire themes of beauty, joy, and interconnectedness in her writing. 

Sherri Kay Linnemeyer brings decades of artistic experience to the project. With a background in sculpture, printmaking, acrylic painting, watercolor, and collage, she is especially drawn to subjects found in the natural world, including birds, wildlife, flowers, and landscapes. Her richly textured paper collages capture both the personality and elegance of each bird featured in the book.