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.

Hometown by Shaun Tan

When I saw this cover, I was intrigued. Today's read is a science fiction book for the upper middle grade audience, and telling by the artwork, it's going to take a different direction. This is a graphic novel, and from what I'm gathering by reading the blurb, it's about a girl, who enjoys a wonderful life, but then, someone falls from the sky and claims she doesn't belong. I'm wondering which direction this will take and have a feeling it will slide in a very artistic one. 

So, let's lean back and see if this is one to be enjoyed or not.

HOMETOWN

by Shaun Tan

Levine Querido

Upper Middle Grade Science Fiction

Graphic Novel

74 pages

ages 10 to 14

COMING SEPTEMBER 15th!!!

A girl grows up happily with her adoptive parents, a big sister and a little sister, and friends galore in a vibrant, close-knit community she adores. That’s never been in question . . . until a creature from outer space falls from the sky and claims (correctly) that she looks more like him than any of the beings she knows and loves. He urges her to go back with him. She doesn’t belong here. Can he be . . . right? Shaun Tan’s masterpiece is a uniquely powerful, funny, and insightful exploration of identity, and what it means to be “home.”

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER 

MY TIDBITS

This book comes out of the hands of Shaun Tan and lets his art style mix with fantasy to hit a meaningful note.

A girl lives with her complete family and is surrounded by friends, neighbors, and more. All treasure her, and she adores them. One day, a strange creature falls from the sky. At first, neither she nor the others around her know what to do with it, but as it sheds its layers, she begins to see it in a new light...almost friendly. When his last layer drops, he claims that she is just like him and doesn't belong in this place. The similarities are also impossible to overlook. At one point, he insists that she accompany him back home. But how can a person return to home when they already have the best one possible?

First off, the artwork is amazing and makes this a book to pick up just to sink into the rich fantasy world. It is original and carries a hint of what reminds me of yokai and such, but these creatures carry a distinct direction all of their own. There are plenty of details as well, making each scene worth a longer gaze. The illustrations carry much of this read and work in tension, humor, and warmth even when the text is steering, in that moment, in a slightly different way. I'd almost throw this book into the category of art rather than a graphic novel thanks to the visual delights and balance with the tale. The plot isn't hurried and steers away from action. Rather, the depth sinks in as the question of home, family, and belonging lays itself out for deep digestion.

Fantasy and imagination soar in these pages and lead the reader into an amazing world. Even the stranger from the sky, while very familiar, comes across with a bit of awkwardness and oddity thanks to the reader being able to see him a bit through the girl's eyes. The read leaves plenty of food for thought and ends with a lovely sense of hope and possibility. While unique, it also carries a constant feel of warmth, and the author does a masterful job at embracing the odd creatures in the secure term of 'home'.