End of the Year Wrap-Up!

 

It's time to say goodbye to 2025! It's been a year packed with tales old and new....well, mostly new. This is the only time during the entire year, which I take a moment to look back and see what stories hit Bookworm for Kids, but before I head into some stats, I have one important thing to do...

This little, simple blog receives more and more views every year, and it never ceases to amaze me how all of you take the time to stop by and peek at my ramblings. I can only hope that a book on here has somehow touched the lives of a young reader you know (or maybe, even you) and led to great adventures and food for thought.

STATISTICS

Just for fun (and I might have an odd sense of fun), I like to jot down some quick numbers for the year and give a brief overview of what types of books have been on Bookworm for Kids.

As usual, Picture Books ruled with over 130 reads.

Chapter Books held their own at around 35.

Middle Grade wasn't too far behind the picture books with around 95 titles.

Young Adult books didn't fall back due to my heavier, real-life schedule (they just take longer to read!) and hit around 30 reads.

Graphic Novels also landed with about 35 titles this year.

I've said this before, and I'll have to say it again... Science Fiction was a bit stronger this past year with more titles available than I've seen...hmmmm...well, since I started this blog around 15 years ago(?) Grief and the loss of a loved one also hung heavier in the theme list, which became so heavy that I simply began to turn these down on sight. Also, Fantasy seemed to fade a bit back, which was a first. Mystery also seemed to have an uptick as well as a little more horror. But that could just be me, since I definitely don't sit in the main flow of new releases and try to steer more into a broader direction. 

*****

Every year, I now hit my Favorites of the Year list.... but this year, I'm not sure what to do, since there are several categories, which I didn't really have a lot of reads, which stuck out compared to the others. Maybe, it was my reading mood...or maybe, the tales were of such a good quality that they evened each other out. So, instead of fumbling a list together, I'm just going to say it was a great reading year and leave it at that. If you'd like to see which books were read this year, feel free to head on over to my sidebar and check the various books by age. My favorites are in large print...but you'll soon see that not every age category has many of these.

In any case, I hope you found 2025 as exciting and interesting as I did, and I wish you a wonderful slide into 2026!

Sweet & Salty by King Arthur Baking Company

Today's read is a bit much, I'll admit. After all of those Christmas treats...and still, those Christmas treats, since there was no way to eat all of them on the holiday...making more treats and snacks might seem a bit much. But hear me out.

Next week, it's New Year. Yep, there will be more treats, although probably a different kind. That's where this cookbook will, hopefully, have a chance to shine. Sweet and salty is oh-so-yummy and great for parties, right? Now, I have no idea if the recipes in these pages will fit for the celebration, but there's only one way to find out.

So, here we go!

SWEET & SALTY!

Cookbook for Young Bakers

by King Arthur Baking Company

Simon & Schuster

Children's Cookbook

280 pages

ages 6 to 10

From the most trusted American baking resource comes a collection of over eighty sweet, salty, and very, very tasty recipes that will have bakers of all ages rolling up their sleeves and breaking out their rolling pins!

Who doesn’t want to learn how to bake a Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie? Or snack on some Pizza Party Buns? Or learn how to make five different frostings to top off your favorite cupcakes? Well, this book has recipes for all different tastes and three different skill levels, plus an introduction to terms and techniques that will get you ready to bring the fun into the kitchen. Sweet & Salty is here to share the joy of baking with everyone and bring fun to the kitchen for the whole family!

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Get those stoves and ovens ready because this book holds a mountain of tasty ideas, which are sure to delight.

This book holds quite a few recipes...many more than I first expected. Most run in the flour direction, but there are other treats included as well. From crackers to brownies to breads and more, there's something for everyone. The first half of the book hits all those sweet treats, while the second slides into the saltier and savory direction. The difficulty of the recipes is also diverse, including everything from marshmallow treats to cupcakes to kneaded breads. But what really makes this book shine are the explanations of the how-tos and whys, which are sprinkled between the recipes. Bakers learn things such as what the 'ribbon stage' is, how to cut a layered cake, tricks to make biscuits rise higher, and much more. The index at the end makes it easy to find whatever recipe is desired, too.

While this one is recommend for ages 6 to 10, I'd slide that upper range all the way up. While the photos and illustrations might lean in a kid direction, the actual knowledge and recipes in these pages are great for even much older bakers, especially beginners. The recipes cover a very large range even on the cultural side. Mochi, nana, tortillas, pretzels... well, it's a smorgasbord. And the hints, tricks, and explanations offer insights, which aren't always common knowledge. This huge array of recipes also means that the intended age audience (6-10) will need to do many of these recipes with supervision, especially at first. The recipes are marked with difficulty levels next to each title to help out on that end.

The recipes are clearly written out with each step carefully worded. The ingredients tend to steer toward items in the household, but due to the huge range of directions, also include items which will need to be purchased. Only a few of these are more difficult, though. A photo of each treat stands with the recipe, which I truly appreciate. If you're looking for dietary information, however, there isn't a single sign of that...allergies, calories, or anything on that end. 

This is one of the better cookbooks I've run across for the kids, since it can easily stay with them as they slide into adulthood and allows them to grow as bakers without having to search for another fitting book. 

King Arthur Baking Company is the premier baking authority in the English language. Through its website, newsletter, podcast, schools, stores, YouTube channel, Instagram, Facebook, and catalogues, the company reaches more than 8 million people—bakers of all levels—every year. A certified B Corp, 1% for the Planet member, and 100% employee-owned, King Arthur has sold premium flours and other baking necessities since 1790. King Arthur is headquartered in Norwich, Vermont, and online at KingArthurBaking.com.

The School for Thieves by Peter Burns

I love covers which hint at the tale, and the one on today's read does just that. I haven't read the blurb closely (just skimmed) but already have ideas swirling in my head. There's the airship at the top, which reminds of the Hindenburg...so historic aspects or steampunk? The skyline of an older London also has me thinking 'historical aspects'. Then, we have the town in the mountains, so that....hmmm...hints at travel? Maybe, that's the secret school? Lastly, the keyhole on the bottom is inviting to be unlocked. Now, add that there is a school for thieves, and this promises to pack all sorts of fun.

Let's see if all of this adds up to describe a lovely read or not!

(Note: I'm going to slide this one onto my possible favorites of the year list.)

THE SCHOOL FOR THIEVES

by Peter Burns

Aladdin

Middle Grade Fantasy

352 pages

ages 8 to 12

A young pickpocket gets recruited into an elite group of thieves in this “page-turning, edge-of-the-seat” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) upper middle grade boarding school adventure full of heists, danger, and secret plots perfect for fans of Spy School and Keeper of the Lost Cities.

Tom Morgan’s life on the streets of London consists of shining shoes, picking pockets, and keeping his group of street kids out of the hands of snatchers. When he fails at the last and their home is raided, Tom is the only one not carted off to the workhouse. He’s determined to rescue his friends, but breaking into the workhouse is a nearly impossible task, let alone breaking back out.

Tom is at a loss until he’s approached by a mysterious figure claiming to be an accomplished thief and Tom’s ticket to the best training in the clandestine arts in the an elite international boarding school that would teach him all the skills necessary to help his friends. Without any better ideas—and his curiosity piqued—Tom accepts the invitation.

Whisked away to the snowy Alps, Tom enters a thrilling world of intrigue and heists. But the deeper he gets into the Shadow League, the harder it becomes to leave. Tom has to learn fast and uncover the nefarious secrets within the league to have any chance of saving himself, his friends—and maybe even the world.

GOODREADS   /     AMAZON     /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With the very first page, a world of adventure opens up to a rich world with danger and heart.

Tom Morgan has spent most of his thirteen years of life on the streets as a pick-pocket, helping to keep the little community of forgotten kids alive and safe from the workhouses. The scars on his body prove how horrible those are. But not all of the kids realize how terrible these houses are, especially when they continue to promises beds and food. When a raid of the kids' hiding place leaves everyone but Tom captured and placed in one of these horrid places, he's determined to free them...no matter what. While he desperately tries to think of a plan, he runs across a gentleman who can change everything. The man knows everything about him and seems to have been watching him for years. He even knew the one friend, who had taught Tom so many tricks to survive. Tom can have everything...riches and the chance to free every child in that workhouse...but to do so, he's going to have to do the impossible and become one of the best thieves in a school where every student comes from a household of generations of thieves. And he only has a few months to do it.

This is one of the strongest books on the world-building end for middle graders that I've come across this year. The setting immediately threw me back into a London similar to Oliver Twist's. The problems hook right away, and with Tom's personality, create a world and characters to enjoy. The pacing is steady the entire way through, keeping a smooth balance between depth, description, intrigue, and action. I was, actually, surprised that this is one book and not the beginning of a series, since the school itself doesn't even hit until about halfway through. But the author packs it all in, and that without feeling overly rushed. There are definite nods of the usual school set-up, which seems to haunt middle grade novels since Harry Potter appeared, and a cup competition, too, between the schools (instead of houses within the school). But it carries the needed tension and excitement to keep those pages turning. I'd recommend this one to the upper end of the middle grader range and even up into tweens and lower YA.

Fans of exciting adventures with dark undertones similar to Oliver Twist or Six of Crows are sure to enjoy this. 

I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A BOOK 2 COMING!!!!!!! SO, I'M GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THAT!

And here he is...

Peter Burns is the author of ten critically acclaimed nonfiction sports books and has been nominated for numerous awards—twice for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year. The truth, however, is that he’s always wanted to write children’s books, so The School for Thieves is a dream come true. Peter studied English at the University of St Andrews before gaining a master’s in publishing at Napier University. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife, four kids, and a slightly nervous cocker spaniel. He isn’t a thief, a spy, an assassin, or a politico. Or is he? Visit him at PeterBurnsAuthor.com.

Speed Reader by Matthew Cody

As we enter the last week of 2025, I think a little fun and amazingness would be just the right thing to add to our final books for the year. Granted, this one doesn't really release until March 2026, but I still like putting books onto your radars. Pre-joy is half the fun, right? Well, if this book is worth that. Anyway, it's the first in a new graphic novel series for middle grade readers and hits upon...

Ready for this?

Superheroes! I mean, is there anything more compatible with graphic novels than superheroes? So traditional. I do hope that this one is a lot of fun. However, I'm also a little bit hesitant due to the title because I definitely am on the lookout, right now, for books which center on the joy of reading and not complete messaging front-and-center. Speed Reader has me crossing my fingers hard that it stays in the exciting adventure direction and not a pure call for kids to read.

So, let's keep those fingers crossed, open this one up, and take a look.

SPEED READER, VOLUME 1

by Matthew Cody

Illustrated by Zack Giallongo

Andrews McMeel

Middle Grade Superhero   /   Graphic Novel

160 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING MARCH 3rd!!!

When Zander Fast discovers an old book that gives him the power of super speed, he finds himself the last in a long line of heroes. But is the world ready for a hero right now? The Flash meets The Bad Guys in this all-new, action-packed graphic novel series from the award-winning creator of the Cat Ninja books!

Zander Fast is always last—last to complete an assignment, last to finish reading, and last to the bus. Even worse, his Great Uncle Merv is constantly embarrassing him with his cheesy catchphrases and tall-tale stories. But when Zander receives a mysterious book in the mail, all of that changes. Suddenly, Zander has the speed (and popularity) he’s always wanted––and Uncle Merv’s stories no longer seem so far-fetched.

Between navigating the perils of middle school and balancing his newfound powers with his studies, Zander, his best friend Tanya May, and his trusty dog Spike must protect their hometown as it transforms into a wacky world of ex-heroes and villains. Will a mind-controlling villain have his way with the people of Cape City? Or will a new generation of heroes emerge to defeat him?

PUBLISHER    /    GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

What happened to all the superheroes and villains? This is the world Zander lives in, but it might take a fun flip in a direction he never expected.

Zander isn't exactly the star of anything. He's not great at sports, isn't great at school, and isn't popular... or even well-liked. When his uncle comes to class and tells of his adventures as the mechanic to a past superhero, the uncle's awkwardness makes Zander's already skim standing at school take a complete nose-dive. When he arrives home after school, he discovers a package on the doorstep with a book about speed reading, which is weirdly on-point since his teacher has informed him that the only way he'll pass his English class is to join the reading competition and pound away at a ton of books. But the book isn't what deserves attention; the gem inside is about to turn his entire life on its head.

This read melds the feel of traditional, superhero stories with a modern, middle grader's world. Zander is anything but special and wins the sympathy of readers quickly, especially since he's just trying to get by and isn't mean or even overly depressing. He even makes a new friend before the adventure kicks off. The idea that superheroes and villains were once commonplace in the town adds a smooth connection between the familiar, daily life and the fantasy. Plus, seeing an ex-villain at a cafe, enjoying coffee while wearing his flamboyant style (which hints at his earlier life) adds just the right touch to set the atmosphere. The beginning lets the reader sink into Zander's world without growing boring, and then, shoots off into adventure and excitement as he gains his powers and, suddenly, faces an entire slew of villains, who were waiting in the shadows. It's well-paced with everything needed to create a fun read.

The illustrations bring across the scenes with the needed emotions and give a slight reminder of past, superhero comics with occasional sound effects. The expressions on the characters add the last zest. The text is balanced with the images and flows well.

It's a fun beginning to what promises to be a quick-paced series for superhero fans.

And here he is...

Matthew Cody is the author of several popular books, including the award-winning Supers of Noble’s Green trilogy: Powerless, Super, and Villainous. He is also the author of Will in Scarlet and The Dead Gentleman, as well as the graphic novels Zatanna and the House of Secrets from DC Comics and The Bright Family from Epic/Andrews McMeel. He lives in Manhattan, New York, with his wife and son.

 

Blast From The Past! by Sabrina Moyle

 Today's read is the latest in a series of adventures surrounding a unicorn, a robot, and a flying squirrel in space. I have not read the other books in this series, yet, and am diving in with this 5th addition. It's for beginning readers and is delivered in graphic novel form. Telling by the cover, it's going to be a bright and bold graphic novel, too. I'm expecting tons of fun and quirky moments, since this one appears to be anything but serious. 

So, let's just open it up and see where this read takes us!

BLAST FROM THE PAST!

The Comic Adventures of Astrid and Stella, #5

by Sabrina Moyle

Illustrated by Eunice Moyle

Abrams Fanfare

Children's Science Fiction

Graphic Novel

112 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING JANUARY 6th!!!

Best friends Astrid and Stella are back for another out-of-this-world adventure in Blast from the Past!, the fifth story in the graphic novel series from bestselling creators Hello!Lucky

Fire up the turbo pumps, best friends Astrid and Stella are off on another high-flying adventure!

Alert! Alert! The Friend Ship’s been hacked! A pack of evil pugs have infected Bobo with a computer virus and taken Astrid and Stella hostage! Unable to rescue his friends alone, Bobo builds a sidekick—Zobo, a friendly new robot with a talent for smashing things. The two will have to work together to free Astrid and Stella from Pugnacious D and his hungry hounds.

Their daring rescue mission goes awry when the team discovers that the pugs have united with Evil Screenius and Kittywonkus—villains from the crew's past bent on destruction. This terrible trio is bad to the bone, but—with the help of an old friend—Astrid and Stella just might be able to defeat them and escape the doghouse.

With a focus on social-emotional learning and hilarious storytelling from the bestselling Hello!Lucky team, the fifth book in The Cosmic Adventures of Astrid & Stella series is perfect for emerging readers and graphic novel fans.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Everything is possible when these two are flying through the cosmos.

Astrid and Stella are a bit at odds; one find positivity in everything and the other wants to sleep, but their disagreement doesn't hold on for long as Bobo, the robot, suddenly goes crazy. They want to take it to be fixed, but then, things go really wrong. Soon, the two find themselves facing the evil pugs and all sorts of issues.

This is a fast-paced, constantly changing read with lots of energy and excitement. It's impossible to predict what the two friends will be up against next...and it could be anything. While, at times, it seems to bounce around a bit too much, that ends up being half the fun and matches the personalities wonderfully. The adventures offer just enough tension to keep those pages turning, and there's never a boring moment. Add the strong friendship, even when things don't run smoothly, and it's a read full of goodness and quirky fun.

The graphics are bright and bold and packed full of color to match the mood of each scene. The personalities of the characters shine through and make it fun to follow the adventures. The text is very fitting for beginning readers, who are pretty sure of their words but just need a bit more practice. 

This is a fun read with tons of humor and silliness, and a friendship to root for.

This Book Is Mine! by Ron Keres

Did everyone survive yesterday? I hope all of you had a wonderful day and time to celebrate the joyous occasion. While we had the normal, energetic family get-together (it's never quiet), we also didn't ignore the reason for Christmas. Every year, we read the birth found in Luke on Christmas Eve, but this year, we had a special twist on that end on Christmas Day as my daughter re-read the Bible verse, but this time, in a Hawaiian Pidgin translation. So, we learned a bit of cultural goodness along the way, too.

Today's read seemed like a refreshing splash of humor and fun to wake me up from my overly-stuffed-with-sweets slumber. This book is part of a collection of reads surrounding the frog on the cover...number 6 or 7 or something like that (?)...but it's the first time I've run across it. The title and cover caught my attention, since it looks exactly like something my kids would have enjoyed when they were 3 or 4 years old. 

Let's open it up and see if it's as silly as I hope it is!

THIS BOOK IS MINE!

Finn the Frog Collection

by Ron Keres

Illustrated by Arthur Lin

Flypaper Press

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 3 to 7

COMING JANUARY 23rd!!!

From the creators of the bestselling hit This Book Is On Fire! comes a hilarious sibling showdown about learning to share… even when you really, really don’t want to!

Finn the Frog is used to being the star of the show—just him, the reader, and a story that usually goes exactly how he wants it to. But when his sassy little sister Fifi hops in for a visit, she’s not just stealing the spotlight… she’s hijacking the whole story! From pizza topping debates to TV remote battles, things quickly spiral into froggy chaos.

Will Finn ever get his book back? Or will the reader have to step in and settle the score?

This Book Is Mine! is a funny picture book for 6 year olds and a favorite for bedtime stories, classroom read-alouds, and sibling storytime. With bright illustrations and lots of playful bickering, this laugh-out-loud adventure delivers a gentle social-emotional lesson about sharing, forgiveness, and getting along.

Great for boys and girls who love family humor, silly surprises, and interactive stories, this frogtastic tale makes a perfect gift for kids ages 3–8 and grades K–3.

Order your copy of This Book Is Mine! today and dive into a wildly fun adventure about siblings, second chances, and finding joy in making space for others!

Other Books in the Finn the Frog
This Book Is Perfect!
This Book Is On Fire!
This Book Is A Mistake!
This Book Stinks!
This Book Is Viral!
This Book Needs Color!

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Sibling bicker and silliness mount with every page to create chaos to smile with the entire way through.

Finn the Frog is getting ready for his sister's first visit to this book, which he now calls his own. He has everything shiny clean and is super excited when she knocks at the door. But his sister is a force to be reckoned with and, immediately, takes control of everything. Finn does his best to stop her, which breaks out into one little argument after the other.

It's a cute read, which draws the reader in, especially since Finn and his sister speak directly to the reader several times. In this tale, the book is the frog's home...something which works quite nicely and packs imagination. When Finn's sister comes in, the clash with the calmness hits hard and immediately draws smiles. It's clear that the sister is going to cause all sorts of stress, and that Finn is going to have troubles dealing with it. The back-and-forth between the two isn't only silly but reminds of the usual sibling situations, which can arise, especially when they hold very different temperments. Still, there's a sense of 'love' which can't be missed. It also shows that despite the huge clash, they'd never think of really parting from the other. So, there's a nice bit of sibling goodness right along with the humor.

The artwork is well done and brings each scene across well. It's enjoyable to flip through the pages and follow the story just through this visual tale. As for the text, it's not light but fits well to slightly older audiences (5 and up). It works nicely as a read-aloud. As for a read-alone, readers will need a fairly good grip of their words. Plus, the dialogue between the characters is shown through colors in the font. When the sister speaks, the words hold a pink direction, while Finn's are black. It took me a second to realize what was going on when I first read it. Also, the frogs refer to the reader as 'kid', which will work with some listeners better than others. 

It's a fun tale, which is sure to put a smile on the right listeners' faces. 

You can find coloring sheets HERE!

 

Secrets from the North Pole by Saskia Gwinn

Just a few more hours until Christmas Day! While Christ's birth stays front and center for us, especially since the kids have gotten older, I still enjoy the playfulness from Santa and the North Pole. Today's read should be for those beginning readers out there and, if I understood correctly, reveals several 'secrets' from Santa's workshop. I'm curious as to what these mysteries are and am looking forward to seeing how jolly this book gets.

So, let's snuggle down and enjoy a little fun! 

SECRETS FROM THE NORTH POLE

Discover the Magic of Christmas

by Saskia Gwinn

Illustrated by Daria Danilova

Frances Lincoln Children Books

Early Reader

64 pages

ages 6 to 8

A charmingly illustrated volume about the magic of Christmas and the inner workings of the North Pole. Featuring a beautiful gold-foil-embossed cover and ribbon marker, this is a book for families to treasure in the run up to the festive season.

Christmas has been shrouded in secrecy for years . . . but what really goes on at the North Pole in the run up to the big day?

Every year without fail, Santa Claus packs up his sleigh and soars across the night sky pulled by his reindeer to deliver presents to children all over the world.

But spreading Christmas magic is no small task and lots must happen to make sure everything is ready for the most special time of the year.

Join Santa’s Head Elf, Ivy Everjingle, as she reveals secrets from the North Pole. From how Santa’s suit is designed and the magic of reindeer flight, to the many different jobs of the Christmas elves and the magic of believing.

This is the ultimate festive compendium to capture the magic of Christmas. Perfect for families to enjoy together in the run up to the big day and spark joy at the most magical time of the year.

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Historical goodness mixes with a little Christmas fantasy and fun to create a hectic and enjoyable, Holiday read.

After the narrator, an elf, explains how secretive things have to be on the North Pole and introducing the reader to the elf pact, a treasure chest of facts and fun is unleashed. Starting with the history of Santa...and there are many surprises in these facts...the pages continue into Santa details with clothes and more, tons of reindeer tidbits and silliness, and elf antics pure. There are maps of the North Pole, schematics of the workshop, and tons more to discover.

While this is recommend for ages 6 to 8, I'd even slide it a bit higher, too. It's not an early reader, since it is word packed and a bit high for that age group on the reading level, but it makes for a fun book to explore all sorts of things together as a read-aloud. Middle graders will be able to pick this one up and explore it on their own.

There's tons of facts in small paragraphs all over each two-page spread, and to keep things very lively, these are placed all around and over bright and active illustrations. There are lots of details to enhance the information and exciting moments to accompany the fantasy side. It makes for a lot to explore, while keeping the magic of Christmas and the North Pole alive, too.  And the facts will be just as interesting for adults as they are for the young readers.

And here they are...

Saskia Gwinn has spent nearly 20 years carefully crafting beautiful books to inspire kids of all ages. She has worked as Head of Children’s Non-fiction for Bloomsbury Publishing, as Editorial Director for A&C Black and as Editor for educational publishers and magazines. She has written and published award-winning books for every age and on every topic from how time began to the silliest things in the world today. Saskia lives in Hertfordshire, uk, with her two boys who hope dinosaurs will one day revisit Earth but, in the meantime, tells them that everything on the planet has an equally exciting story to tell.

Daria Danilova is an illustrator, visual artist, and graphic designer. She divides her time between running her own stationery shop and illustrating for clients around the world. Daria loves creating warm scenes with muted color palettes, inspired by slow living and all things nostalgic.

 

Chinese Songs for Baby & Me by Christina Yang Berry

I've been excited to share today's read(s) for awhile, since it hits something close to my own heart: multilingualism. Not only is my only family is multilingual, but after spending many years abroad, I simply have a respect for individuals who speak several languages. So, when I was approached and asked to take a peek at this series for the youngest literature fans out there, I was more than curious. This series should teach Chinese through children songs and allow children (and adults) to hear the songs, which must be a nice way to strengthen those pronunciation and recognition skills. 

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

CHINESE SONGS FOR BABY & ME!

by Christina Yang Berry

Illustrated by Lukas Miao Zhang

Music by Felton Pilate

JoJo Learning

Board Books  /  Music   /   Linguistics

Ages 0+

• Introduces Mandarin Chinese through original songs with English text and press-to-play sound buttons 

• Each song is a short lyrical story drawn from a young child’s everyday life — mealtime, bath time, playtime, and more 

• Features pinyin (phonetic spelling) alongside Chinese characters to support correct pronunciation 

• Created for both Chinese-speaking and English-speaking families, including those with no prior Chinese experience

 • Based on proven early language learning methods, including Montessori, Total Physical Response (TPR), and Parentese 

• Promotes bonding, bilingual learning, and brain development through joyful, music-driven interaction 

• Designed to support developmental milestones — with images, activities, and lyrics that evolve alongside children’s visual, cognitive, and social growth from birth to age 2, while remaining engaging and age-appropriate for children up to 7 years old

AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

There is so much to enjoy with this series, and not just young children can benefit from it.

At the moment, there are two books in the series with more to come in 2026. The book holds children songs in Chinese with the pronunciations written above each phrase and the English translation below. This makes it easy for anyone learning the language to follow along and grasp each word as they go. The songs are simple and the words and phrases are often repeated to help them sit. A little button at the beginning of each song makes sure that these are played at the desired pace. The songs are easy to sing along with and quickly seep into the memory, too. The singer pronunciations the words clearly while maintaining a soothing voice, which fits the audience level nicely. There are simple illustrations on each page to help radiate the right emotions without growing complex and steering away from the song itself.

I found this book to be very well thought out and put together with much care. It's clear that the author has worked with multilingual children and knows what works and what doesn't. While the songs and books are sold for younger children to ease into the languages or, at least, be introduced to foreign languages, the book also works nicely for anyone first diving into Chinese. The songs help the words stick in the memory in a very enjoyable way. 

I can highly recommend this series for anyone wanting to ease their children into the Chinese language or even for those, who would like a different twist in beginning to learn the language themselves.

Find out more about this and other books:

https://www.jojolearning.com/collections/jojo-sing-learn-chinese

And here they are...

Christine Yang Barry is an entrepreneur, author, lyricist, and leader in early childhood bilingual education with 20+ years in global education and business. As a first-generation Chinese American, her career spans the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute for Pacific Asia at Texas A&M University, and General Electric, where she led multinational academic and industry initiatives. In 2018 she co-founded JoJo Learning to make research-driven language learning accessible, helping thousands of families across 12+ countries raise bilingual children from birth. Drawing on deep Chinese literary roots and real parent–child “first words,” Christine crafts authentic Mandarin lyrics that turn everyday moments into music—helping families take their first steps toward bilingualism. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and three multilingual children. Her JoJo Sing & Learn bilingual musical book series has won the 2025 IPPY Gold Medal for Best Interactive Children’s Book and the 2025 Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) Best Children’s Non-Fiction Book Award.

You can read an article by Christine, which shares her passion surrounding teaching children languages.  HERE

Lukas Miao Zhang is an internationally acclaimed animation director and visual artist working across media including oil painting, watercolor, illustration, and animation. His artwork and animated films have earned major honors, including the prestigious Magnolia Award in China and recognition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. His mixed-media oil paintings received the Outstanding Artist Award at the AATS Asia Art Expo, and his work has been exhibited in the UK, France, and Germany, and held in the collection of the China National Academy of Painting and Calligraphy. Recognized at the highest levels of his field, he moved to the United States in 2022 to continue his artistic practice. A father of two bilingual boys, Lukas draws on his deep artistic expertise and inspiration from his life in Beijing, New Jersey, and Marietta, Georgia, bringing museum-grade craft to the JoJo Sing & Learn musical books—with sophisticated expression, high-contrast compositions, and shared human emotion at the center—an innovative style that bridges developmental science and fine art.

Felton Pilate, an Oscar- and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, multiinstrumentalist, and producer, is best known as co-lead of the iconic, platinumselling funk/R&B band Con Funk Shun. His groundbreaking production work contributed to MC Hammer’s multi-platinum releases, including Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ’Em and Too Legit to Quit, influencing the crossover pop-rap sound of the era and solidifying his legacy in both funk and hip-hop. Honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, Pilate is an active force in the music and film industries, including starring in the 2025 film Hammer Time: The Building of an Empire. He thoroughly enjoys producing music for the JoJo Sing & Learn musical books’ young audiences by transforming classic nursery rhymes into contemporary, playful, and whimsical tunes. Felton lives in Marietta.

Legendary Ninja of Feudal Japan by Benjamin Harper

Today, we're heading back into the realm on nonfiction with an upcoming book in the Legendary Warrior series. I haven't taken a peek at any of the other books, yet, but still wanted to give this one a go. It appears that each book centers around a different 'warrior' from history, so it shouldn't matter what order they are read in. I also find the graphic novel idea interesting and am curious to see how it weaves into this. Plus, what type of information will it hold? Because I've known more than a few middle graders, who have dreamed of learning some ninja skills.

The only way to answer all of these questions is to open this book up and take a peek!

LEGENDARY NINJA OF FEUDAL JAPAN

Legendary Warriors Graphics

by Benjamin Harper

Illustrated by Mary Ainza

Capstone Press

Middle Grade Nonfiction  /  Graphic Novel

48 pages

ages 9 to 11

COMING JANUARY 1st!!!

Silent. Deadly. Unseen. The ninja of ancient Japan were masters of stealth, espionage, and surprise attacks. Trained in the shadows, they specialized in unarmed combat, swordplay, and secrecy. These legendary warriors carried out secret missions for powerful warlords, striking fear into their enemies with their speed and skill. Through dynamic paneled art and gripping text, this action-packed graphic novel uncovers the truth behind the real ninja of feudal Japan. Perfect for history buffs and comic book fans alike.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

The year-long training of a ninja comes across with deserved respect as a boy follows his path and learns the necessary skills.

Ninjas aren't so much about impressive fighting skills as they are stealth, and these pages follow the training of a young boy all the way to his first mission. It takes on a bit of a story feel as the boy watches others train, speaks with his master, and does his best to learn each skill. The year-long work is brought across clearly, and these pages show how it begins with fundamentals such as strength, balance, and coordination before concentrating on stealth and, finally, weapons. It's clear that that the training takes years, and the illustrations demonstrate how important determination is as well.

While this often takes on a story atmosphere, it snuggles up to what the daily life of a ninja might have looked like. The various skills come to life, especially in the illustrations. Exact details aren't given, but rather, it concentrates on the general process. At the end of the book, it's explained that there is little to no historical information surrounding these warriors, and much of what we know comes from stories, which were passed down. There are a few more detailed pieces of knowledge at the end of the book as well as a quick glossary.

This is an entertaining and grabbing way for ninja fans to learn a bit more about these warriors.

The Chase by Jenny Bloomfield

Ready. Set. Go! 

Where? I have no idea, but today's read is giving definite hustle vibes. This one sounded adorable, so I couldn't pass it up. A girl tosses a ball, and chaos ensues. I'm hoping that this one packs tons of excitement, humor, and clever situations. 

Get those shoes ready because we're going to run with this one!

THE CHASE

by Jenny Bloomfield

Frances Lincoln Children's Books

Picture Book

34 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING FEBRUARY 3rd!!!

Are you ready?

Are you steady?

FETCH!

A girl on a beach throws a ball for one eager little dog. Suddenly one dog becomes two—three—TEN leaping, bounding doggies, hot on its trail! The chase is who will be the lucky pup to fetch the bright red prize?

The race leads them down the beach, through the city, into the museum; high up over the city balanced on an iron girder; through the park down the river, what’s that rumbling sound? Oh dear! But not even a thundering waterfall will stop these determined dogs from chasing down that ball…

An utter joy from beginning to end, this book combines the charm—and an adorable canine crew—of Hairy Maclary with the infectious rhythm and energy of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. 

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Quick-paced scenes make this an exciting read from beginning to end.

A girl is on the beach, playing with her dog. She tosses the ball, hoping it will chase after it, but what she doesn't expect is that some of the other dogs on the beach join the chase. These dogs are on a mission as the ball leads them through streets, hills, cities and more. With each scene change, the number of dogs multiplies until it's a chase like never seen before.

The surmise of this read is pretty straight forward, and that's what makes it so enjoyable. Readers/listeners will easily be able to guess what is coming from the cover, and the anticipation mounts as the little girl tosses the ball on the first pages. It's the fun of knowing everything will get out of control, which keeps readers in the pages. And the end...well, it holds the right note.

The text plays along with the illustrations and accompanies the moments, one after the other. It flows well and makes a nice read-aloud, although some phrases seemed a bit unnecessary, at times, since the illustrations say everything. The illustrations keep the emotions and fun high. The change of scenes with every flip of the page adds a little suspense, and of course, there are details here and there to delight listeners/readers. The artwork carries a more relaxed style without many definite lines, and this helps to create the needed, chaotic atmosphere, since a flurry of racing dogs wouldn't carry pristine exactness. There were moments, though, with darker color hues, which made the scenes a little harder to immediately take in. Still, they are well done and listeners will want to flip through and revisit each moment on their own.

It's a cute, easy story, which packs tons of fun.

And here she is...

Jenny Bloomfield lives in the north of England where she works from her studio at the bottom of the garden. Since September 2014 she has drawn something and posted it on instagram (@jennybloomfield) every single day. Despite drawing many many dogs she actually doesn’t own one—she has a cat!

I'm Going to Eat a Polar Bear by Karl Newson

With Christmas comes snow and winter dreams. Many of you will probably see a white Christmas; we're expecting 72 degrees and sunshine. My sleds are just waiting for a few flakes, but we're going to have to keep waiting. That's where today's read comes in. It heads into a realm of cold a visits a penguin's mission to eat a polar bear...which I'm betting won't happen. Instead, I'm expecting a little tension mixed with tons of silliness.

Grab those hats and gloves, and let's head to the land of ice for cold thoughts!

I'M GOING TO EAT A POLAR BEAR

by Karl Newson

Illustrated by Nicola Kinnear

Happy Yak

Picture Book

34 pages

ages 3 to 6

"I’m hungry! Fish are boring! I want something new. Something soft… and fluffy!"

Meet a little penguin who is super hungry but totally bored of eating fish. An older penguin recalls hearing of a fluffy creature called a ‘bolar pear’, so the little penguin sets off on an adventurous mission to find and eat this ‘mystery’ creature.

On arrival at the North Pole, the penguin can’t see a polar bear anywhere and eventually turns back home, hungry as ever. Little does penguin know that an equally hungry polar bear is following right behind...

This story will have readers gleefully shouting ‘it’s behind you!’ as this hilarious story unfolds. The reader can follow oblivious penguin on every step of its journey as it narrowly escapes being gobbled up by the polar bear.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Silliness reigns in this adorable book, which takes a penguin on a very long, long, long journey.

This little penguin is hungry. Not just fish hungry but polar bear hungry. The other penguins aren't sure what to think but point the way, reminding the little penguin that it's a long, long, long way, but this penguin is nothing if not determined. It journeys south, stopping along the way to see if the various animals are polar bears and where it needs to go. After all, the little penguin has never seen one...just heard about them. When the little penguin finally reaches the south pole, the story takes the most unexpected twist.

I'm so glad I picked this one up because it is just right to bring smiles. The penguin is cute and funny, and yet, so easy to root for even with its ridiculous quest. Readers/listeners follow it along its travels and can try to guess where the penguin is by the landscape and animals it meets along the way. But this book isn't really about geography or animal biology. Instead, it keeps silliness rolling along with a touch of chaos and over-the-top determination. The ending is well played by the author and rounds everything off in a lovely way, which will have readers/listeners saying 'again'.

The text is just long enough to bring the situations and dialogue across clearly, and it plays along between the illustrations to flow right with the rest of the tale. It makes a lovely read-aloud and works for those readers, who are sure of their words, to attack on their own. Even listeners can 'read' through it on their own, since they'll want to go through the illustrations again to discover details they might have missed. Plus, it will be fun to follow the penguin through its journey again.

It's a fun read and sure to be enjoyed by groups and in individual settings.

And here they are...

Karl Newson is a best-selling, multi-award-winning children's book author. Author of the award winning picture book I Am a Tiger, the best-selling I Really Really Need a Wee and The Same But Different Too, plus many more! His stories have been translated in 29 languages around the world. Karl grew up in Norwich, England, and was inspired to write his first story when his children were small… he’s been writing stories ever since. He now lives in London, UK, in a wonky old house full of pot plants and books.

Nicola Kinnear is an illustrator, storyteller, designer, and maker from Kent, UK. Nicola loves illustrating books for children and gravitates towards the magical and whimsical in her work, and is greatly inspired by nature and folklore.