2024 Reading Wrap-Up!

 

2024 is coming to a close. And what a reading year it has been! Before I take a peek at how many books hit Bookworm for Kids this year (and get into a few, little number things), I'm going to say that this year was very hard to keep up with...and so worth the stress. 

I've discovered many wonderful reads and met many amazing people along the way. The writing community isn't just a supportive and caring realm on the writer's level, but the publicists, marketers, and publishers are as enthusiastic and kind as the authors. From independent authors to the Big 5, I'm always amazed at how honest and kind almost everyone in this business is...at least, that I've run into. 

Then, there are the readers, who take the time to pop in and read my babblings. Yep, YOU! I can't even begin to express how touched I am that you take a few seconds from your day to actually read my thoughts and whatnots. I'm, honestly, astounded time and again at how much the readership constantly grows...especially with this tiny, little blog. Which also means I'm hoping to further my horizons soon. But that's still in the works with nothing concrete quite yet. Anyway, thank YOU and I am more than honored that you're all there.

Before I babble anymore (because wrap-up posts tend to be a bit on the longer side), let's hit those numbers. 

I divide my reads into five categories: picture books, chapter books, middle grade reads, young adult novels, and graphic novels. Every year, picture books out number the rest, and I'm assuming that isn't any different this year. Why? Honestly, I love picture books, but there's a practical reason, too. I can read those much faster than a 300+ page novel, and posting a review a day would be impossible if it weren't for all those picture books sliding in.

Picture Books: 121

Chapter Books: 37

Middle Grade: 78

Young Adult: 41

Graphic Novel: 31

That makes for a grand total of 308 reads.

See, I was a bit lazy this year and missed a few days.

I'm going to skip genre statistics this year. Instead, I'll just say that I've seen a slight shift away from fantasy in middle grade to contemporary, humor, and historical. All ages and genres (except for young adult) have become more 'social' driven. I wish there were more reads, which were written for the purpose of having fun and letting the imagination take flight. I've seen more fart/barf/burp humor hitting my inbox for next year's reads...not sure what I think of that. Otherwise, science fiction is low as usual, but there seemed to be more historical based fiction in various genres. But those are just my thoughts.

And that brings us to the best part of today's post....my Favorites of 2024.  

I choose my top three favorites of each age group (Picture Book, Middle Grade and Young Adult) Chapter Books and Graphic Novels are too difficult...such huge variety...that I'm going to stick with the main three this year. These are only chosen from the books which hit Bookworm for Kids and might surprise. (I tend to be a bit independent in my thoughts...and my kids reflect that too). 

But I also had a tough time choosing my absolute favorites with especially one of these groups this year. It could just be my reading mood. While there were plenty of 'good' reads, I wasn't really dazzled as much as I hoped to be for that age group.

But here we go!

PICTURE  BOOKS

The easy-to-read-along repetition mix with a super cute mouse, adorable

forest animals, and every growing, silly chaos make this one irresistible.

With a journey through the animal kingdom, these

pages introduce young readers to how and why various animals sleep they way they do while

heading through an enjoyable rhyme to ease young sleepy-heads into bedtime dreams.

 There's something special about amazing illustrations in the picture book realm, 

and this read inspires on that note and more. It's a book to get lost in, and not 

only for the younger readers. Even the message will hit different age levels in 

different ways, and invites all in.

MIDDLE  GRADE

This read is for rich, fantasy fans as it follows a child into an alternate, maze-based world.

 There is danger, tension, lots of imagination, and even a hint of Greek mythology. 

High-action with spy thrills make this one a fast-paced read...and a little cultural 

goodness is mixed inside, too.

Nonfiction mixes with mysterious and odd bits from history, science, and more.

YOUNG  ADULT

Teen homelessness, abuse, drug addiction, and more meets a touch of magic

for a read, which gets to the heart.

Historical fantasy mixes with romance and royal intrigue in an

action-paced read, which weaves in so much more.

Heading into an often overlooked historical moment, this brings in high-tension,

intrigue, and heist excitement.

And that wraps up this year! Pop-up tomorrow to see what 2025 will hold.

Heidi: A Graphic Novel adapted by Mariah Marsden

When I caught whispers of today's read, I had to get my hands on a copy. Heidi is a classic, especially in the German speaking realm. My husband not only grew up with the story, but my kids watched the anime version year after year while we lived in Germany. It's one of those feel-good stories with a wonderful character and wholesome joy to embrace like a warm hug. Will this graphic novel version live up to my very high expectations? Let's find out!

HEIDI

A Graphic Novel

adapted by Mariah Marsden

Illustrated by Ofride

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Historical Fiction  /   Graphic Novel

160 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

MARCH 11, 2025!!!

Discover the heartwarming magic of Johanna Spyri’s beloved tale in this gorgeous graphic novel adaptation. From the author of the critically acclaimed Anne of Green A Graphic Novel comes another thoughtfully retold children’s classic.

When young Heidi is sent to live with her grandfather in a small shepherd’s hut in the Swiss Alps, everyone expects him to turn her away. He has a bad mean, growly, and harsh as the cold mountain winds. But Heidi is quick to take on any challenge, whether it’s keeping an eye on the rebellious goats, learning to read, or melting Grandfather’s icy heart.
 
Heidi’s adventures take her up and down her beloved mountain, from picnics in the high alpine meadows all the way to the distant streets of Frankfurt and a city life she could never have imagined. But when homesickness strikes, Heidi must weigh old friendships with new ones and find her place in an expanding world.
 
Given new life as a graphic novel in artist Ofride’s warm, folk art–inspired style, Heidi celebrates the joy of storytelling, the wonders of nature, and the healing power of kindness.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Originally written by Johanna Spyri in 1880, this is a timeless tale surrounding the simple joys of life, friendship, kindness, and the wonders love and care can bring.

Heidi's parents died when she was very young. Her aunt, no able longer to care for her, takes her to an alm high in the Swiss Alps, where her grandfather lives alone and secluded from the nearby town. Despite the townspeople's concerns, Heidi thrives in the mountains as she helps her grandfather with the goats and daily life. Her attitude is always kind, bubbly, and cheerful...and naive. When she's slightly tricked into traveling to Frankfurt to become a playmate for a sick girl, Heidi's paradise is left far behind. Despite the homesickness, she tries her best to come to terms with the situation, but plans on returning back to her grandfather as quickly as possible.

This classic story is one that my husband and children have grown-up with, know, and love. So, I'm jumping into it with the knowledge of the original story as well as years of watching the anime on repeat. This graphic novel version carries much of the same atmosphere as the anime. The illustrations, however, hold a lighter, pastel color pallet, which fits very nicely with the scenes and brings the beauty of the mountains across very nicely. It also fits well to Heidi's sweet personality and cheerful view of the world. It was enjoyable to gaze at these and also catch the cultural and historical details built in. The characters are brought across with care and emotions in all the right ways.

The story flows quickly, but then, this is a graphic novel. It flows very smoothly and lets the tale unfold with the goodness and emotions needed to let it touch the heart and work its goodness. I was surprised that an important part of the original story is dropped from this novel at the end and disappointed since this adds a last wave of feel-good vibes. It would have only needed a couple more pages, so I'm unsure why this choice was made. Those who don't know the story won't miss anything, though.

As if the story itself wasn't pleasant enough to read, the author has also included quite a bit of knowledge and information at the end. Explanations surrounding Swiss culture, history, and more round everything off and make this a read, which would slide nicely into a classroom theme or homeschooling chapter.

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Today's read is the first in The Powerless Trilogy and was released in 2023. The second book came out this last July, while the last is expected to hit the shelves in April 2025. While I'm late to the game, I was still excited to get my hands on a copy of the first book. Yep, I managed to resist diving into this series somewhere in the middle and am starting at the beginning.

I find the cover nicely done with the spots of purple flowers, and it doesn't give off clear vibes of where this tale is going to go. Plus, the sword and title seem to clash, which tells me there will be some interesting twists.

I've seen that this series was praised as an up-coming wonder, and this first installment appears to have gotten good reviews. I'm not peeking at anything surrounding the second book, yet, and will see how this first one goes first.

Anyway, if you have some extra reading hours this coming week, this one might be worth picking up.

POWERLESS

The Powerless Trilogy

by Lauren Roberts

Simon & Schuster

YA Fantasy

523 pages

She is the very thing he’s spent his whole life hunting.
He is the very thing she’s spent her whole life pretending to be.

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya—the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites.

The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that—ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished in order to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime—making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity.

Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be overly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can in order to stay alive and out of trouble. Easier said than done.

When Paeydn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilyas princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites’ powers—the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is—completely Ordinary.

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MY TIDBITS

With nods toward Hunger Games and more, this tale weaves in dark strings of Elites and power while threading in a dangerous romance and secrets galore.

Paedyn has lived the last years in the slums, surviving with her best friend through thievery, despite her richer origins. As the daughter of a talented healer, who was executed by the king, she's not only in hiding but harbors more than a little enmity toward the crown. Still, to survive, she must remain hidden. Her lack of any special powers marks her as an Ordinary, and those are executed on sight. When she accidentally saves a royal from death, she's thrust into the lime-light and rewarded with the chance to partake in the Trials...a deadly game where those with powers go up against each other where only few survive. Without powers, she barely has a chance against any of the contestants. But then, without powers, she'll end up dead, anyway.

When diving into this tale, the nods to familiar tropes in this genre are clear, but there's an original twist to the world, characters, intentions, and more, which give it a life of its own...and soon have the reader caught up in this plot and realm. The author digs deep into the two main characters, and the switching POV between the two becomes a well-placed dance. Both struggle in their own ways, both are dangerous, both carry tons of baggage, and both are easy to root for. The scenes are rich and make it easy to sink into the slum's streets and the various Trial settings. And the emotions of each of the two characters are built out with tons of depth, making both very understandable as the story progresses. Even the plot holds a few surprising twists and grabs with its wealth of intrigue and secrets, while the characters fight to stay true to themselves and to extreme expectations of those around them. There's hesitation, fear, uncertainty, determination, a desire to do what's right, and the pain of not always knowing who to trust or which path to take. In other words, the story packs tons of goodness with gothic flair, romance, and danger, too.

It was easy to get lost in this novel and look forward to what both characters decided or did next...because the situations were difficult for both. Still, I did find myself skimming through increasingly larger sections, especially in the exchanges between characters. These added lovely character depth, but as an action girl, seemed repetitious. I'm sure romance fans will adore every moment. And there is romance as it teeters between insta-lust, enemies to lovers (maybe?), and a love-triangle-thing (which missed a third POV). While getting lost in the rich world, the reasoning behind the Trials and hate of Originals as well as the rest of the world never filtered in. But I'm assuming this will come with the next book in the series, since there's obviously so much more to come.

It's definitely worth grabbing up and sinking into for those fans, who enjoy this genre and adore strong heroines who do need help, at times, and discover that secrets and intrigue grow deeper and messier with each step they take.

The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa

Can't finish off the year without a little romance and graphic novel goodness. Luckily, today's read combines both into one (what a time-saving niceness!) This is the first in a brand new, graphic novel series for young adult readers and slides into the romcom category with promises of situation humor and tons of swoon-worthy moments. Let's find out already if it fulfills all that it promises!

 

THE KISS BET

Vol. 1

by Ingrid Ochoa

WEBTOON Unscrolled

YA Romance  /   Graphic Novel

288 pages

COMING...

FEBRUARY 25th!!!

In this adorable coming-of-age comic for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Faith Erin Hicks and Rainbow Rowell’s Pumpkinheads, Sara Lin has decided now is the time: she’s going to make her first kiss, something special and magical, happen.

In this adorable coming-of-age comic for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Faith Erin Hicks and Rainbow Rowell’s Pumpkinheads, Sara Lin has decided now is the time: she’s going to make her first kiss, something special and magical, happen.

It’s senior year and Sara Lin just turned eighteen. She’s got great friends, a cool dad (or so he thinks), and a whole lot ahead of her. The last thing she needs is to worry about having her first kiss.

But that’s all about to change because her good pal Patrick just challenged her to a bet that will either lead to love, heartbreak, or embarrassment…or maybe all three.

Sara Lin understands that her first kiss is a rite of passage, one that she takes very seriously, even if everyone around her doesn’t. She wants it to be special–true love’s kiss–and wants to fall for someone she really cares about, not just get it over with.

Along the way, as Sarah explores her relationship options with three different boys...she discovers that life isn't a fairytale and romance is inherently complex. It's messy and complicated, but boy, it sure can be fun.

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MY TIDBITS

Cute moments meet angst and hesitation as a teen tries to deal with peer pressure surrounding a first kiss.

It's Sara Lin's birthday, and she's now eighteen. While that ranks her as a full-fledged adult, her friends tease her that she's still a child, considering she hasn't even experienced her first kiss. So, she takes on a bet that she can convince a guy at the subway to kiss her...and it bombs terribly. Brushing off the embarrassment as best she can, Sara Lin heads to school and discovers that a new, cute boy has joined the class. This is a guy, which has her truly dreaming of a first kiss. The dreaming, however, doesn't help her already sinking grades, which land her in after-school tutoring hours. But when she opens the door, Mr. Subway is sitting there as her tutor. The only way Sara Lin thinks she can save herself from ultra embarrassment is to disguise her appearance, but this might not be the best plan, especially when things start running amok in several areas at once.

This is the first volume in a brand new graphic novel series, which takes a girl on her first ride through crushes and kisses. Sara Lin is a ball of positive energy (with a touch of anxiety), who is satisfied in her own skin until her friends start pressuring her. She wants to keep everyone happy but doesn't know how to deal with her own awkwardness and embarrassment. Add quirky characters, a little jealousy, and unexpected situations at all the wrong (or right) times, and it's a read with lots of good feelings, smiles, and laughs.

The author brings across the emotions with a lovely sense of naivety and lets those most touching and awkward situations come across loud and clear. It makes Sara Lin very easy to empathize with and root for as she steers through each moment with lacking finesse. The pacing is slower because of this, which means there isn't a congested or heavy plot. Rather, it's a simple, fun read to dive into and get lost in each sweet moment. 

The illustrations fit the atmosphere very nicely and offer a sense of pastels and cuteness, while dipping in clashing shades to add bite when required. The frame number stays more relaxed, allowing readers to soak up each scene. There are several small jumps in time with several flashbacks tossed in, which came unannounced (except for twice(?)), and this added enough confusion that I had to go back and check to see if I caught things right. 

Fans of super-sweet romcoms with school drama and a touch of triangular relationships with hesitation, uncertainty, and even a sprinkle of enemies to lovers are sure to enjoy this one quite a bit. 

Secret Factopia! by Paige Towler

With all of the activities during the holidays, sitting down for a longer read can be challenging. That's where a book like today's read can slide in with style. These pages should pack tons of short facts without diving into deep detail. Maybe it will be chaotic? Maybe a little random? I have no idea, so let's take a look. 

SECRET FACTOPIA!

Follow the Trail of 400 Hidden Facts

by Paige Towler

Illustrated by Andy Smith

Britannica Books

Children's Nonfiction

208 pages

ages 8 to 12

Follow an ingenious trail of 400 facts about everything from secret recipes and escape artists to hidden treasure and invisibility cloaks.

You’ll meet an underwear-stealing cat, find out about sharks that glow, uncover a toilet in disguise, and learn about the biggest ever game of hide-and-seek. And the facts aren’t the only secrets in this book, for hidden among the illustrations are ten mice just waiting to be found!

Lavishly illustrated with witty illustrations that combine artwork and photography, and verified by the experts at Encyclopaedia Britannica, Secret FACTopia! sheds light on some of the world’s most amazing “hidden” facts, which kids will be desperate to share with their friends and family.

Index included.

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MY TIDBITS

 Lots of interesting, quirky, or odd facts come across in super short bursts, one right after the other to create tons of fun.

These pages hold many facts (400 according to the title). None take a very deep dive but rather bring across the information clearly and concisely in only a few words. A wide variety of themes are taken into the spotlight to offer something for almost everyone. While some of the facts might already be known, others broaden the knowledge horizon. It's a rich hodge-podge of information and brings along a touch of chaos while holding a small string of organization. Each fact holds something, which is loosely related to the next. 

The facts are mostly typed inside small boxes, which are connected by a dashed line. By reading the facts according to the path, which zigzags across the page in a variety of directions, readers can follow the general train of subjects and thoughts. Every now and then, a path forks off the main one and indicates an alternative page, where the facts follow a different (but related) theme than the main path. This opens up to some flipping fun. 

The illustrations are bright and bold, adding a nice touch as they play along with the facts. There are even ten mice hidden in the illustrations to add a little extra activity. 

All in all, it's a great book for anyone wanting to bounce entertaining facts between their siblings or friends, and it works nice to build up a knowledge of facts that can be spit out suddenly to amaze others. There were a few 'facts', which definitely hit the theory end...one or two which aren't even considered to be true anymore by knowers. But that doesn't ruin the fun or even make almost all of these worth learning and discovering.

Fact lovers will enjoy picking this one up.

Maple's Theory of Fun by Kate McMillan and Ruthie Prillaman

There's a few 'in between' days before we head from Christmas into the New Year, and I have a few fun reads lined up. The first is giving me Diary of a Wimpy Kid vibes but with a science twist? I think? It is pretty long at 320 pages, though, so I'm curious what is in these pages and have a feeling it will pack more than a smile or two.

MAPLE'S THEORY OF FUN

by Kate McMillan &

Ruthie Prillaman

Aladdin

Middle Grade Humor / Contemporary

320 pages

ages 8 to 12

Perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Emmie & Friends, this first book in a diary-style illustrated middle grade series follows an anxious, science-minded sixth grader determined to become fun and win back her friend.

Sixth grade has been pretty disaster-free for aspiring astronaut Maple McNutt—which is impressive, given the number of worries and possible catastrophes that run through her head every day. (So far, Earth hasn’t been devoured by a black hole and a cockroach hasn’t crawled out of her toothpaste mid-squeeze. Phew!) But then her best friend of seven-point-two years, Sunny Gwon, accuses her of being unfun and starts hanging around with a new group of friends.

In order to win Sunny back, Maple decides to undergo a serious scientific transformation to become fun by 1. Doing extensive research, 2. Applying research to self, and and 3. Repeating until fun. It’s risky and groundbreaking research, but Maple has no choice if she wants to save her friendship.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    B&N

 

MY TIDBITS

Middle school drama slams into science, friendship and anxiety in a way which hits home and brings more than a few laughs along the way.

Maple can't wait to meet one of her idols, an astronaut, and is just waiting for her best friend, Sunny, to show up and stand in line with her. Not only is he late but brings someone with him, which derails her entire plans and, worse, marks her as 'unfun'. After that, Sonny seems to be avoiding her, but luckily, a new girl might just be the science partner Maple's been missing...even if she's a little odd. If Maple can keep things together, she might even win the science competition but life has never been easy for Maple and things have a tendency to run out of control.

This is written in diary form with days and very distinct times. There are 'letters' and text exchanges also added in to liven things up and help with the story flow. The amount of text is heavier than I expected but still light enough to slide nicely into the higher side of the chapter book category or low middle grade. Illustrations are heavily sprinkled in, which add to the story and add a little humor too. 

The problems surrounding friendships, changing interests, and acceptance create the main messages as Maple steers her way through sixth grade. Her anxiety level is always high and steers her reactions and decisions. To say she's high-strung is almost an understatement. But she's easy to root for and identify with problems, which will ring familiar to the age group. The parents add a supportive foundation with enough quirky attributes to mix with the humor, and the older sister adds relationship difficulties in very unexpected ways. So, there's always something going on. The science adds inspiration, information, and humor to show how interesting it can be. 

It's an entertaining tale and mixes heart and humor nicely. The plot pacing did have me skimming at times as Maple loves her drama, and I was more than a little surprised that she wasn't more upset in the beginning when she missed her big opportunity, but it's a fun read and sure to delight fans of Ellie McDoodle and such.

And here they are...

Kate McMillan grew up in Houston, Texas, illustrating and writing stories in the world’s tiniest font. She studied architecture at Yale and boatbuilding in Norway before making her way to Los Angeles to start a career as a concept artist in animation. She has worked for studios including DreamWorks and Disney TV, where she gets to make up worlds every day. In her free time, she enjoys building furniture, scouring the sidewalks of LA for scraps to build said furniture, and drawing wobbly buildings that look like they might fall down.

Ruthie Prillaman is a writer and musician from Potomac, Maryland. After a childhood full of reading books and playing in extremely niche rock bands, Ruthie studied English at Yale and received her MFA in screenwriting from University of Southern California. Since completing her studies, her creative career has spanned theater, documentary, classical music, opera, and film. She currently lives in Los Angeles where she writes for television. Outside of work, she enjoys sewing new clothes, writing music with her brother, and cooking Hungarian goulash in her traditional goulash pot.

Christmas by Annette Whipple

Only a few more days before Christmas! While the usual countdown rush is trying to blast by, I've done something a little different this year and have forced this last week to be...   ready for it?

Calmer.

The last years, the holiday has swept right on by with me feeling dazzled and dizzy on Christmas Day, and missing a little joy of the season. I'm determined to change that. Now, things aren't perfectly calm (what is that even?), but no renovations (although January will hit that end like a mighty storm). Very little running around for last minute shopping, and when I do, I'm going to be forcing joyful wonder into my head. No super cleaning or last minute tasks. (Okay, some things are unavoidable and everyone does spend the holidays at my house, so a certain amount needs to happen. But calmly. Ever so calmly). I'm going to put on more Christmas music. I'm going to gaze at our manger scene. I have a huge list of Christmas-y drinks I want to try (no not all adult ones...Facebook has been inspiring me with so many this year). 

And writing. I really would like to get a short story for a podcast out the door (but it isn't Christmas-y. Dark actually. Very dark.) 

Anyway, today's read is calling to me with seeming simplicity. So, let's take a peek and see if it's as filled with holiday spirit as I hope it is. (Plus, this author tends to put out wonderful reads.)

CHRISTMAS

Celebrations & Festivals

by Annette Whipple

Illustrated by Emma Randall

words & pictures

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 5 to 7

Discover the true meaning of Christmas and learn how children all around the world celebrate the festive period. Charlie and his sisters Emily and Lou are inviting you to celebrate with them! Join in as they light their advent wreath, play with their nativity set, make Christmas cookies and treats, attend a Christmas Eve service, and open presents and stockings on Christmas morning. 

Along the way, you’ll learn all about this bright and merry celebration, The significance of advent, the importance of the Christmas story, the fun to be had decorating the Christmas tree, the delicious food eaten and gifts exchanged on Christmas Day, and more! … The joy and excitement of this Christian observance are brought to even more life Instructions to make your own Christmas tree ornaments, a recipe to make delicious pretzel sticks, a guide to build your own nativity scene.

In this immersive exploration of Christmas, kids join a practicing family as they celebrate the true meaning of advent. Seen through the eyes of young children celebrating themselves, this is a simple and exciting way to introduce little ones to this special period.

In the Celebrations & Festivals series, you are invited into a family's celebrations as you explore the magic and excitement of religious and cultural festivals around the world.

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MY TIDBITS

Christmas time is here with its wonderful multitude of activities, which many American households traditionally will recognize, often know and even love.

These pages held so much more than I expected. While many Christmas reads for this age group visit a couple of traditions, which most of us recognize, this book went into several more, which many of us do but just aren't always mentioned in Christmas reads. From the Advent wreath to manger scene to tree search, baking, going to the Christmas service, seeing if Santa eats his cookies, and even puzzling, the holiday runs from beginning to end with its swirl of excitement, surprises, and family warmth. The entire reason for the season holds the foundation and doesn't shy away from the activities surrounding this aspect either (manger scene, church, Christmas devotion, etc). It's a very well-rounded visit to the Christmas traditions and embraces the wealth of emotions and experiences the season offers.

The illustrations are bright, cheerful, and pack tons of energy as every moment holds its own fun and excitement. There are calmer moments, which radiate the more peaceful joy as well and lots of family goodness. The text creates a lovely read-aloud and is right for the audience level. It does hold several lines per page, making it one for more sure readers to pick up on their own and enjoy. 

The last pages don't slow down, offering several craft and baking ideas. These are well-laid out and also fit the age group nicely (with a little assistance from someone older). There's also a quick glimpse at the story surrounding Jesus' birth. Then, to round all of this off (as if the rest weren't enough), there's a glimpse through various traditions around the world and a few questions for young readers to revisit what was read. So, lots and lots is placed into this read...much like the holiday itself.

You can learn more about Annette and her books here!

December's Library Read: A Carpenter's Gift by David Rubel

It's been awhile since I pulled out a library read. That was my new change to this year's line-up, and I'll admit that I could have done better. So, I'll be putting an improved 'Library Read' post schedule on my New Year's resolutions list for 2025.

I ran across this one on Libby (the small town library does it's best, but inter-library borrowing definitely makes things much, much better) and thought it looked so lovely that I decided to give it a go. It's a fictive tale surrounding the Rockefeller Center Tree will, hopefully, have a tiny bit of history included and should awaken awareness for the Habitat for Humanity.

On a side note, I discovered the Habitat for Humanity just these last few months thanks to an attempt to save money on a house renovation for one of my sons. From what I've seen and experienced, it's a lovely organization.

Anyway, let's dive in and see how this story flows!

THE CARPENTER'S GIFT

A Christmas Tale About the Rockefeller Center Tree

by David Rubel

Illustrated by LaMarche

Random House

Picture Book

48 pages

This modern classic Christmas story teaches children the spirit of the season by bringing together two great New York City the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the neighbor-helping-neighbor program of Habitat for Humanity.
                                                                                           
Opening in Depression-era New York City, The Carpenter's Gift tells the story of eight-year-old Henry and his father selling Christmas trees. They give a Christmas tree to construction workers building Rockefeller Center and celebrate together. Through the kindness of the construction workers and neighbors, Henry gets his wish for a nice, warm home to replace his family's drafty shack. He plants a pinecone from that first Rockefeller Center Tree. As an old man, Henry repays the gift by donating the enormous tree that has grown from that pinecone to become a Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. After bringing joy to thousands as the Rockefeller Center tree, its wood will be used to build a home for another family in need.

Written by children's nonfiction author David Rubel in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Gorgeous illustrations crafted by Jim LaMarche.

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AND AT A LIBRARY NEAR YOU!

MY TIDBITS

These pages breathe the wonder of Christmas classics with the heart of giving and a touch of historic flair.

This tale was written with the Habitat for Humanity in mind and brings across the ideas of sharing and giving to others, especially in times of need. It is very loosely based on the history behind the Rockefeller Tree and includes small facts, here and there, to give the tale a founded base. It begins with a pull at the heart-strings as a young boy, Henry, joins his father in an attempt to sell Christmas trees to earn money for their struggling family. The economic problems of the period are kept clear, but friendly, positive attitudes follow right along to keep a lovely hum. The messaging slides in as Henry's family receives a huge, unexpected helping hand and stretches all the way to the Rockefeller Tree thanks to his planted pinecone. It's realistic, yet magical.

The illustrations are beautiful and each scene not only brings the time period across vividly but also captures the atmosphere with every page. The text is on the longer side, making this a great read-aloud. Readers who are very sure of their words can tackle it on their own. The historic tidbits demonstrate known and lesser known aspects (such as the helicopters) and add a special touch. The last pages of the book reveal the true story behind the Rockefeller Tree. I was surprised that the author took such a different twist for the story and am not sure why, since there are huge differences. But the 'real' story is a nice addition, especially for historical purposes. 

There are books which can be read every Christmas season, and this is one of them. While it will impact those who know about the Rockefeller Tree differently than those who don't, it doesn't change the magic of the story. These pages hold traditional Christmas goodness, which warms the heart and reminds about the importance of giving.

Snow by Meera Trehan

Today's read doesn't come out for about another month or so, but the title and cover settled into the realm of Christmas dreams for me and my family. Mostly because our chances of seeing a flake are basically zilch until mid- or late January (or longer). My youngest sighs when she sees or hears anything about snow and reminds me that she wouldn't mind snowboarding week after week if she could. 

With these longings, I'm picking this one up and also hoping that it carries the whisper of fairy tale vibes, since it seems that might be involved as well.

SNOW

by Meera Trehan

Walker Books US

Middle Grade Fantasy

320 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

JANUARY 14th!!!

In this beautiful and haunting fantasy, an imprisoned princess needs the help of a girl from the modern world to undo a wish gone wrong and save her snowy kingdom.

Every day, a lonely princess digs through the snow in search of a way to undo the terrible wish she made—one that has left her with an empty kingdom and a heart full of guilt. But one day, a mysterious girl named Ela tumbles through the kingdom’s protective mist barrier. The princess is determined to bring Ela to her father, the harsh king, as proof that her wish can be undone, even if it means keeping Ela against her will. Meanwhile, Ela, who has grown up a regular kid in what she thought was a regular Indian American family, is shocked to discover she’s stumbled upon the very snow princess whose picture graces the cover of the locked book that Ela’s mom won’t let her read.

In this elegant fantasy, author Meera Trehan conjures a story of loneliness, family secrets, science, and remarkable snow as two girls from different worlds come together to set things right—and maybe even become friends.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Snow hits with new meaning as two worlds collide, bringing beauty, fantasy, and greed.

For years, a young princess digs and digs in the snow. From morning to night, she searches for the one object that could give her and her father hope and relieve her never-ending guilt. Just when she finally catches a glimpse at what she's been searching for, a girl stumbles through the mist barrier, which separates their lonely kingdom from the world beyond. and hope disappears. Or maybe not. The girl comes from the land beyond, and while neither the Princess or her father have ever seen it, strangers had once brought many wonders from there. While the princess isn't sure about the girl, she soon realizes that this might be the salvation her and her father have yearned for. But miracles are some of the most difficult and slippery paths to tread, especially when their foundation isn't what it appears to be.

This reads as a fairy tale and has whispers, every now and then, reminding of The Snow Queen. But it isn't a retelling and takes a very unique direction surrounding themes such as the greed for power, guilt, friendship, and courage. 

It begins with the magic of a snowy world and holds a sense of tragedy from the get go. The Princess is in a desperate place, and while it's not clear exactly what the problem is, the wrongness of the situation is obvious. The Princess' reaction to Ela, the girl entering through the mist, was a bit odd and confusing, but as the story goes on, it makes sense. But then, the entire plot is laid out so that various aspects remain unclear, at first. The adventure of the two girls unfolds as they journey to the castle and learn more about each other, while flashbacks reveal missing pieces bit by bit. Since I'm more on the hesitant side when it comes to flashbacks, this obviously wasn't my favorite story-telling style, but these flow well, aren't confusing, and add a sense of mystery and purpose as the story progresses.

The tale is told interchangeably from the two girls' perspectives, and through the flashbacks, the reader gains a better understanding of each one at the necessary moment. While the main story concentrates on the girls' forming relationship and journey, the backstory carries the meat of the plot. The kingdom has quite the complex history and richness, and this is what actually drives the tale. There's a story in itself surrounding each girl's parents and their political weavings...enough to probably create another 300+ page novel if fleshed out. The backstory hangs thickly woven around Ela's parents, and while not hitting the mother/daughter (and even father) relationship as much as I'd hope, it does a nice job in showing the tragedy behind the Princess' struggles and creates a lot of sympathy for her feelings of guilt. This makes the ending hit with that much more surprise and potency.

Summed up, it's a rich tale, which brings across a lovely realm of fantasy with the touch of magic. It's not all sunshine and demonstrates how blurred the lines between duty, love, right and wrong can become. There are action moments, but it leans heavier toward emotional/relationship tug-a-wars (all middle grade appropriate) and 'intrigue from the past' (I'm just going to call it that, although it's not really plotted, evil intrigue...more misguided decisions and consequences). Several things were left unclear (the magic, for example), but the ending opens the door to a further adventure, which has the potential to hold quite a bit more on many fronts...and it could go in many directions.

Snow Is... by Laura Gehl

We're snow-dreaming, and today's read reflects these white, crystal wishes. This book is written by an author, who has more than a few books under her name, and promises to be an inviting read. It's written in poetic form, which should be wonderful on the atmosphere side of things. So, I'm looking forward to this one.

Grab those coats and mittens and get ready to dream of a white world!

SNOW IS...

by Laura Gehl

Illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

From award-winning author Laura Gehl, a sparkling, lyrical picture book about the magic of an early snow.

It’s dawn and there is snow all around. The wonder of winter’s first snowfall brings the magic of changing seasons and sees a family sharing the perfect snow day with coziness and togetherness from dawn to dusk.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

These pages are like a child's ode to snow and open up many different wonders the white world creates.

Written in poetic form, this book follows a child's day in the snow. It begins from inside the house as the child gazes to the white world outside. From here, it's outside and into the world. All sorts of snow activities are explored, each one familiar to most readers. There's a sense of wonder, of fun and humor, and even family and a respect for natures throughout the read.

The text flows very well and is fitting as a read-aloud for the intended age group. Readers, who are fairly sure of their words, can also hit this one on their own without too many issues. It does a lovely job at combining fun situations in the words with an enjoyable atmosphere thanks to the style. Anyone who enjoys spending time in the snow will smile, at least, a couple times. 

The illustrations allow each scene to bring across the activities and lovely landscape. The family scenes offer warmth and a little, silly situation humor to keep the tone light and fun. 

It's a atmospheric read which invites to playing in the snow outdoors and enjoying the moments with family...or simply getting lost in fun in the snow.

And here they are...

Laura Gehl is the author of One Big Pair of Underwear, Cat Has a Plan, Goat Wants to Eat, Pig Makes Art, Dog Can Hide, Cat Sees Snow, Frog Can Hop, Snow Is…, You’re the Sprinkles on My Ice Cream, and You’re the Pumpkin in My Pie. She lives with her husband and their four kids in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Visit her online at LauraGehl.com

Sonia Sánchez’s picture book, Here I Am, written by Patti Kim, received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, who called her illustrations “beautiful, evocative” and raved, “Sánchez has captured a kaleidoscope of emotion and powerful sensations in a way children will grasp completely.” Her illustrations have been nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award in the category of Best Painter. Sonia lives with her husband and a cat in Barcelona, Spain.

A World Full of Christmas Crafts by Helen Mortimer

What's Christmas without crafts? Not only are the decorations to be made...it's so much fun when not all are purchased at the store. Not to mention the baking and treats. I've just finished up my 10th Weihnachtsstollen for the year and have about 6-8 more to go. Cookies are already in production as are chocolates and nibble treats. Even my daughter is currently putting together her Gingerbread house. I hear-tell that the other three kids are busy with their own projects, which I'm sure I'll learn more about come Christmas.

But even year-long-prove crafters need inspiration or long for some new ideas. This book might just be the one to pick up. I did notice that it would have worked for the 24 days of Advent, too, but I'm going to use this as an inspiration for ideas before the holidays.

Grab that glue and a pair of scissors because I have a feeling there will be more than a few ideas to grab the attention.

A WORLD FULL OF CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

24 ways to celebrate the festive season

by Helen Mortimer

Illustrated by Joy Laforme

Frances Lincoln Children Books

Children's Nonfiction  /  Craft

68 pages 

ages 5 to 9

Craft around the world this Christmas and find out how children from different cultures celebrate the festive season.

Christmas is celebrated in so many different ways around the world. This sparkling, illustrated treasury of 24 festive activities and recipes inspired by different countries keeps kids busy in the count down to Christmas, by encouraging them to create their own treats, decorations, and more!

Children and adults alike will delight in the wide range of activities to choose from. Whether it’s baking or making, there's something for everyone.
 
Paper woven hearts originating from Denmark

Mini lanterns from the Philippines

Paper pine trees from Japan

Gingerbread reindeer cookies from the US

Maracas to shake from Trinidad and Tobago.

Each craft features a little description about the tradition or celebration it’s inspired by, how it may have started, and the country it originated from. With simple step-by-step illustrated instructions, each activity is easy to follow for children and adults to do alone or together. It also includes stunning double-page illustrations that capture the widespread joy and magic of Christmas. Learn how Christmas is celebrated across the world and get excited for this time of the year!

Crafts/recipes from Denmark, Australia, Syria, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Peru, Philippines, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Finland, South Korea, Ukraine, United States, Poland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Japan, Italy, France and Ethiopia. 

GOODREADS   /   AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

With 24 craft and baking ideas from around the world, this book not only inspires young readers to create their own wonders but teaches a little about how the various cultures celebrate the season or practice their own holidays.

When I pick up a craft book, I always hope it will hold enough projects, which don't require odd items, to be able to dive in right away with the kids. And this book does just that. The projects work very well for preschoolers and kindergarteners, while also holding a few 'tougher' projects for the slightly older age group. Of course, all require a little supervision but most don't need hovering, either. The items needed to create the various projects are, for the most part, usual ones. If not in the house, they are definitely no problem to pick up. Some are super inexpensive, while others might take a little more expense but none should break the pocketbook (even in today's economy).

The illustrations follow a more childlike direction, are colorful, and help guide young creators through each process. The directions are easy to follow and suitable for readers, who know their words pretty well, to attempt to do on their own. 

Each project and craft finds its origins and inspirations in a different country. There's a little information about each one to help broaden the knowledge of other cultures, but this doesn't bog down with too much information, either. In other words, there's a nice balance, which keeps the creative process at the forefront.

It's a lovely mix of ideas, ranging from simple baking to cakes to easy paper weaving to simple lanterns and more. There's enough variety to give something for almost everyone and some ideas do offer slightly new directions.

It's a great idea book for the age group.