Charlotte and Penelope and the Neighborhood Stage by Teresa Argenbright

Wooo! Today's read has quite the title...I just realized that while typing it out to set up this post. Anyway, I'm super excited to dive into it because it looks like it will hold tons of energy and fun. Yep, I'm going off of the cover and expecting a quirky adventure with characters, who pack quite a bit of personality. And if this inspires kids to start a band of their own in their backyards, I'm going to be smiling the entire way through. Nothing like heading out doors and using the imagination!

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

CHARLOTTE & PENELOPE AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD STAGE

by Teresa Argenbright

Illustrated by Dan McGeehan

Brown Book Kids

Picture Book

32 pages

COMING APRIL 8th!!!

Sisters Charlotte and Penelope return with new rhymes and extra fun times!
Charlotte and Penelope wake up one day too sick to go out and play. To bring some fun to their recovery, their trusty pals, the menagerie, decide to put on a show! Follow these furry, feathered, and floating friends as they build the stage, rehearse their acts, and bring star-level entertainment to their neighborhood. Where else will you see a dolphin bandleader, a chorus line of rabbits, and the loudest geese ever?

Accompanied by Dan McGeehan's vivid, energetic illustrations, Charlotte and Penelope and the Neighborhood Stage will entertain new and returning readers alike with its clever rhymes and lovable fanfare!

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Sniffles, aches and pains fade as fun and excitement keep emotions positive and high.

Charlotte and Penelope are usually ready to play the moment the sun rises, but not when they wake up sick in bed. Luckily, they have a ton of friends, who are determined to make them feel better soon. While Charlotte and Penelope help to create flyers, their friends are giving their all to present a talent show, which leaves all other talent shows behind.

As the cover suggests, this book is packed with excitement, energy, and good vibes. Listeners will easily identify with Charlotte and Penelope's situation. After all, no one enjoys being sick in bed. So, when the animal friends start planning, the kindness and care is obvious. This, however, is not a read about gentle warmth, but rather, lets fantasy fly. The animals carry character and stretch with imagination to include sea life and more. Each one brings attitude and humor as well as plenty of antics to create giggles and smiles. Plus, the array of instruments adds some musical knowledge growth, too.

The illustrations are as bright and colorful as the characters and emphasize the lively atmosphere. These can be visited by readers on their own because there is quite a bit going on. The text is written in rhyme, which sometimes flows smoother than others, but it does make a nice read-a-loud. The vocabulary also sneaks in a few more difficult words to encourage word growth without ever feeling overwhelming.

It's a cute read, especially for anyone stuck in bed and needing a little imagination and tons of smiles.

Happy Book Birthday, The Not-So-Sleepy Little Panda by David Walker!

It's happy book birthday time! This one released two days ago and looks like such an adorable read. I'm going to assume that it's a bedtime read (pretty obvious, right?) and expect a calming story with a hint of gentle silliness and lots of snuggling love. Why? The cover. The purple panda in a bamboo forest seems very inviting, and the look of curiosity and wonder on his face as he stares at the fireflies is adorable. 

So, are we ready to see if it's a lovely, sleepy time read?

 

THE NOT-SO-SLEEPY LITTLE PANDA

by David Walker

Atheneum Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

A charmingly cozy rhyming picture book about a sweet little panda who has trouble falling asleep.

The moon is too far,
the stars are too high.
Little Panda is scared
by the dark of the sky.
But a marvelous bug,
with a magical light,
is just what she needs
to sleep through the night.

It’s time for bed, but Little Panda wants to stay awake! Her bed is too lumpy, lullabies don’t work, and the dark is a little scary. But with the help of her parents and some twinkling friends, Little Panda might face her fears after all. Maybe, just maybe, she’ll even fall asleep!

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON   /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

Not-so-sleepy turns into magical moments as the parents of a little panda do their best to guide her to sleep.

Written in rhyme, this is an enjoyable read from beginning to end. The little, purple panda is adorable. Her inability to feel sleepy is a problem readers can sympathize with. After all, some nights are just like that, especially when there are so many wonderful things around...like the jungle. While the parents' frustration is shown in the illustrations, everything remains in a loving, caring tone. The patience, love, and understanding radiate with wholesome goodness.

The text is large to create an easy read-aloud. The verses hold four, short lines, and stick to a vocabulary very fitting to the age group. The illustrations are done in watercolor and start out with lighter tones, which increasingly grow darker with each turn of the page. This fits wonderfully to the story and even lures listeners in with increasingly dimming scenes. 

It's a lovely story and perfect for a bedtime read.

And here he is...

David Walker is a bestselling artist and has happily drawn and painted all his life. As the illustrator of more than fifty books, he’s beginning to write them as well, including The Not-So-Brave Little Lion and The Not-So-Sleepy Little Panda. Dave’s days are spent in his Apex, North Carolina, studio in the company of two big snoring dogs, surrounded by paper, pencils, paints, and coffee cups. To learn more, please visit him on Instagram @DavidWalkerStudios.

Sam Squirrel by Suzanne Selfors

With last week's snow slowly melting away...and leaving tons of mud behind, this seemed like a great book to pick up. Yep, the cover fit to my snuggle-in-front-of-the-fireplace mood. Plus, there's something magical about the scene, which might be due to the magical plot. This one swings around Mother Nature and her granddaughter. It's also the first in an adventure for beginning readers, who are sure of their words. 

And that's all I know, right now. So, it's time to open it up and take a peek.

(Note: I'm adding this read to my possible favorites of 2025 list.)

SAM SQUIRREL

Willow's Woods

by Suzanne Selfors

Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

Aladdin

Chapter Book

95 pages

ages 6 to 9

The great-granddaughter of Mother Nature teams up with a squirrel to start the spring season in this first book in the charmingly whimsical chapter book series from bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Selfors.

Willow has agreed to house-sit while her grandmother, Mother Nature, is on vacation. Willow thinks it’s going to be as easy as watering a fern and feeding a cat, but when she arrives, she realizes her grandmother has left a long to-do list of difficult tasks like dusting the wings of a sleeping bat family, repairing the broken windows of a rabbit’s greenhouse, and ending winter.

Ending winter? In her eagerness to take a vacation, Mother Nature forgot to catch the unruly North Wind for its long nap. So, even though it’s the first day of spring, the entire land is covered in ice and snow. If the snow doesn’t melt, allowing the spring grass to grow, the critters of the Quiet Woods will surely go hungry.

With the help of Sam Squirrel and an elk prince named Errol, will Willow be able to catch the unruly North Wind to preserve the natural balance her grandmother entrusted her with?

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

Adventure drives every moment forward, while weaving a snowy world full of delightful characters and many surprises.

Sam loves to make lists, which isn't a very squirrely thing to do (according to his father), but Sam just isn't into gathering and scurrying like the rest of his family. He does enjoy meeting Mother Nature every Spring, but this year, she doesn't arrive. The animals in the forest are running out of food, and so many other things can't happen until Spring arrives. Since Same is so good at lists, he's chosen to head out with the elk prince to try to find Mother Nature and save the forest.

Every page of this book grabs as Sam finds himself on a journey and mission far bigger than a little squirrel like him usually experiences. He starts out as a simple, young squirrel, who doesn't quite fit in with the rest of his family. They still love him...so this one is not about bullying (yay!). Instead, this is a magical adventure, which packs imagination, wonderful characters, tense moments, and hope. Although it's meant for those readers, who still need to practice their skills a little before heading into thicker novels, it's still a tale which draws in and leads the reader on a fantastic journey. 

The author weaves in just enough description to add a playful touch to the world, gives the characters personality, and slides in mystery and tension, which fits nicely to the intended age group. There is danger and a sense of urgency, and yet, it stays fine for even more sensitive readers. 

The word choice and sentence length is great for those readers, who know their words but still could use more time before moving on. The illustrations add fun and atmosphere, and let the characters come to life. Plus, there are some messages about being proud of your own, unique abilities as well as persistence and determination.

It's a fun read, and I'm looking forward to what adventures are still to come.

And here they are...

Suzanne Selfors is a bestselling author who lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest where rain falls like music and slugs frolic beneath ferns. She has a husband who works as a pilot, two grown-up kids, a rescue cat who was found living in a hole in a wall, and a nutty corgi named Fiona.

Ramona Kaulitzki has always spent her days doing something creative, from sewing to photography, but her biggest passion has always been drawing and storytelling. She is the illustrator of many picture books, including Bravo, Little Bird! by Annie Silvestro, The Christmas Owl by Gideon Sterer and Ellen Kalish, and the #1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. Born and raised in a small city in Germany, Ramona enjoys riding horses. Her love for animals, and for nature, is a major inspiration for her work. Her illustrations are created digitally, but she also enjoys drawing and painting with traditional media. Visit her at RamonaKaulitzkiArt.com.

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo

It's time to read something, which I know will be enjoyable. After all, this author tends to write with a bit of poetic feel and playful tone, which is simply fun to read. And I've really enjoyed several of her works already.

So, let's see how this latest tale goes!

FERRIS

by Kate DiCamillo

Candlewick Press

Middle Grade Fiction

256 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

APRIL 1st!!!

It’s the summer before fifth grade, and for Ferris Wilkey, it is a summer of sheer pandemonium: Her little sister, Pinky, has vowed to become an outlaw. Uncle Ted has left Aunt Shirley and, to Ferris’s mother’s chagrin, is holed up in the Wilkey basement to paint a history of the world. And Charisse, Ferris’s grandmother, has started seeing a ghost at the threshold of her room, which seems like an alarming omen given that she is also feeling unwell. But the ghost is not there to usher Charisse to the Great Beyond. Rather, she has other plans—wild, impractical, illuminating plans. 

How can Ferris satisfy a specter with Pinky terrorizing the town, Uncle Ted sending Ferris to spy on her aunt, and her father battling an invasion of raccoons? As Charisse likes to say, “Every good story is a love story,” and Kate DiCamillo has written one for the ages: emotionally resonant and healing, showing the two-time Newbery Medalist at her most playful, universal, and profound.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With tons of quirky family drama and a ghost in the mix, this read holds more than a couple surprises.

Ferris wants to enjoy her summer before fifth grade begins, but quite a few monumental things are happening... and many things aren't quite as normal as people might think. Her little sister is determined to become an outlaw and, unfortunately, is spunky enough to really give it a go if she has the chance. Ferris' grandmother now sees ghosts, which even becomes more unsettling when the older woman is discovered to have a heart problem. Ferris' uncle has decided to use her to spy on her aunt as their marriage has gotten more than a little rocky. And her father...well, he has his own issues. Add a horrendous haircut, and the summer is quite the ride.

This is set a bit back in history (the 1980s?), although this is never directly stated. This gives Ferris tons of romping room, and she needs it for everything going on. As always, this author writes with a playful tone, carefully picking words, which add liveliness to the descriptions and a slightly quirky atmosphere. Yet, the problems Ferris faces are real...although a bit over-the-top thanks to the dramatic family members. Her energy mixes with her good intentions as she steers the, at times, ridiculous situations, while keeping her love for her family golden. It's this constant flow of odd occurrences, which push the story forward and create much of the plot.

The characters pack personality. The grandmother is a treat with her wise sayings and unusual attitude toward life and the world. The aunt puts a smile on the face, while the uncle comes across a bit as a lost professor to make a lovely mix. The younger sister definitely packs her own direction, but this one takes a slightly darkish turn, and I wondered that there weren't more consequences. Her character contrasts with the wholesome goodness of the rest of the family, which will hit some readers better than others.

It is fun to read through each moment and enjoy the chaotic atmosphere, and the paranormal twist gives extra spice. I'm not sure this one will resonate as well with reluctant readers, since the clever wording and older phrases doesn't always create the easiest read. Still, it is one to put a smile on the face and enjoy family silliness the entire way through.

And here she is...

Kate DiCamillo is the author of Because of Winn-Dixie (a Newbery Honor book), The Tiger Rising (a National Book Award finalist), and The Tale of Despereaux (a Newbery Medal Winner). She recently completed a series of early chapter books about a pig named Mercy Watson. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was the winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award. Kate lives and writes in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but she spent much of her childhood in Florida. 

Your Throne Vol 2 by Sam

I'm hitting another graphic novel today...call it a roll. These slide in great with the busier weekend. I read the first book in this series (review here) and enjoyed it quite a bit, since it takes an interesting twist on the character side of things.

Anyway, let's take a look!

YOUR THRONE #2

by Sam

Webtoon Unscrolled

YA Fantasy   /   Graphic Novel

296 pages

COMING...

APRIL 1st!!!

For fans of The Remarried Empress and Villains Are Destined to Die, this stunning fantasy comic by debut author SAM features a powerful noblewoman who has to rewrite her entire revenge plan when she wakes up in the body of her sworn rival.

For fans of The Remarried Empress and Villains Are Destined to Die, this stunning fantasy comic by debut author SAM features a powerful noblewoman who has to rewrite her entire revenge plan when she wakes up in the body of her sworn rival.

Your Throne Volume 2 collects episodes 13 to 23 of the stunning fantasy WEBTOON comic by SAM, a story of power, magic, and betrayal with over 830 million reads worldwide.

Two noblewomen, Lady Medea Solon and Lady Psyche Callista, who were competing for the throne of the Vasilios Empire, struggle to survive in a dangerous world of magic and betrayal when their souls are reversed.

Trapped in each other’s bodies and in unfamiliar territory, Medea and Psyche will both have to play a dangerous game to survive.

Medea, who attended the birthday banquet in Psyche’s body, is in danger after falling into the machinations of Crown Prince Eros. As Medea is fighting for her life, she and Psyche both realize who their common enemy is.

This volume includes the exclusive bonus story “Living in the Basement.”

GOODREADS 

MY TIDBITS

Get ready for royal tension, intrigue and action because this novel is packed with all three.

Lady Psyche is beginning to realize who the villain truly is and is in more danger than she realized. Since she's actually Lady Medea inside (body switch), she might be able to ward off, at least, direct physical attacks, but Psyche's weak body makes it almost impossible. Luckily, Lady Medea (who is Psyche inside) is also realizing the real culprit. Both are just at the beginning of discovering the various evil plans and weaves surrounding them, and both are discovering secrets about themselves. Still, they are in terrible danger and will have to discover much more if they want to survive.

This is a wonderfully illustrated read with action and emotion coming across in every scene. The characters hold quite a bit of depth, which makes it easy to sink into each one. This isn't a light story but lets the danger seep into every situation like a dark, looming shadow. The villains are scheming and will do anything to achieve their hidden goals. Psyche and Medea, on the other hand, are still unaware, which makes them huge targets. It creates tension on every page, drives the tale forward, and holds action scenes which grab. There are also darker sides to some personalities, which adds triggers surrounding abuse and more.

Like the first book in this series, the tale constantly flips between current time and flashbacks. This was very confusing, especially in the first half of the read, and I found myself rereading several section. Everything flowed much better in the second half, which made it easy to sink into the story...and not put it down until the last page. Some of the flashbacks are noted as to the time, but others simply happen without notice. This is, sometimes, also noticeable by a change in the color tones, but not always. So, like book one, this still doesn't work for me.

Otherwise, this is a very grabbing read. The plot levels are intriguing and the characters carry the heart and problems to make the read one to get lost in and enjoy. If only it flowed a little bit better on the timeline end. Still, I'm looking forward to seeing where the next chapters head because I'm rooting for both ladies to figure things out and put those villains in their place.

The Trouble With Children (According to Cat) by Katie Weaver

Good morning! It's Saturday, and after being stuck in the house (thanks to the snow) for around a week, we're off to have fun. What better way to match this excitement than with a fun book? Today's read is a partner book to the same titled book but concerning a dog. I didn't read that one, and it's not necessary, since they don't hang directly together (picture book wonderfulness).

I'm expecting tons of smiles and snorts, so let's take a look!

THE TROUBLE WITH CHILDREN

(According to Cat)

by Katie Weaver

Illustrated by Caner Soylu

A Little Offbeat Publishing, LLC

40 pages

ages 3 to 8

The family cat has a LOT to get off her chest. Because, well, living with children can be...challenging.

Between attempted-bathing incidents and the children stealing her yarn, this feline has had ENOUGH !!!

Will Cat find that there are sweet moments to be cherished amidst the chaos?

A heartwarming and hilarious story celebrating the bond between our furry friends and their humans that's sure to leave you with the "warm and fuzzies" (and a new appreciation for your four-legged family member).

From award-winning team of Katie Weaver and Caner Soylu who created The Trouble with Children (According to Dog), Uh-OH! My Dragon's Hungry, and Uh-OH! My Dragon's Smelly, this is the perfect gift for any cat lover (and ideal for children ages 3-8).

GOODREADS   /   AMAZON  

MY TIDBITS

Chaos, attitude, snark, and even warm snuggles make this an energetic read with more than a little to giggle at.

The family cat needs to rant. After all, nothing is as it should be...or even always safe...in the house. The two kids living there are to blame. Talk about constant problems! These kids are always doing something, which makes the cat's life unbearable. It's almost enough to make a feline go crazy...or is it?

This book is told from the cat's point of view and starts with power on the very first page. Nothing out of the ordinary really happens—just the usual arguing siblings, playing dress-up with the cat and such—but from the cat's point of view, it is hilarious and hits an sympathetic note to drive the humor home. All of it rounds off in a wholesome, bedtime-snuggle-worthy way to highlight the wonderful relationship between little humans and their cats.

To match the energy of this read, the text plays right along with the illustrations...and yet, stays easy to easy, making this a lovely read-aloud. The vocabulary and text length fit even the younger end of the intended audience level well. Those who enjoy to gaze at illustrations will enjoy this one, too. These hold details, keep the action high, and bring across the fun clearly. It's one for those, who want to visit the book on their own but aren't word-savvy yet.

It's a fun read, which guarantees smiles and more, and will even have the adult readers smiling ear to ear.

Morgana and Oz Vol 2 by Miyuli

Today's read is one I've been looking forward to picking up. The first one (yes, I read it! here) was simply fun without tons of weight, and I'm hoping that this second book carries that on. So, I'm just going to stop babbling and open it up!

MORGANA AND OZ #2

by Miyuli

Webtoon Unscrolled

YA Fantasy   /   Graphic Novel

320 pages

COMING...

MARCH 25th!!!

This stunning series by debut author Miyuli, perfect for fans of both fantasy and romance, explores what happens when a struggling witch meets an angsty vampire—either love or war.

This stunning series by debut author Miyuli, perfect for fans of both fantasy and romance, explores what happens when a struggling witch meets an angsty vampire—either love or war.

Morgana Winterberry belongs to a long line of witches, while Oz belongs to the rival vampire clan. After a chance encounter…and maybe a few stray spells…these two need to find a way to work together, or risk all-out war between coven and clan.

Morgana is still trying to pick up the pieces after the explosive breakdown of peace negotiations between her family of witches and the Red Vampire clan.

With the vampires poisoned because of a curse put on the blood served by Morgana’s family, and Oz stuck as a cat thanks to a spell gone wrong, Morgana has a lot to fix. She’s determined to put things right, which leads her to a powerful witch doctor, and right into the vampires’ lair.

There are a number of dangerous secrets to untangle, because something strange is going on with Morgana’s powers, and someone in her family has been using dark magic.

Meanwhile, no one on either side is happy about a witch and a vampire getting closer…except maybe Morgana and Oz.

This volume collects episodes 20 – 39 of the hit fantasy WEBTOON series.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

The tension begins to mount as secrets slowly come to light.

Morgana is determined to correct her mistake of turning Oz into a cat but isn't sure how to go about it, since her magic is anything but dependable. Luckily, she's taken in by a witch...or maybe, luckily. While he does offer help, it also opens the door to a darker truth. Morgana's big heart has her wanting to do anything to help those around her, even her enemies. But the sacrifice to do that isn't exactly small.

The darker side of the tale begins to weave in as Morgana slowly digs into the truth behind the vampire's curse. This adds an edge which promises dangerous moments to come, and yet, there's still enough fun to buffer with much needed humor. As the story progresses, this also dims down a little. Instead, the intricate weave of secrets pokes its head to prove that this series isn't going to be as simple as it first appeared. 

While Morgana is beginning to learn more about her magic, she's still a long way off from self-assuredness, which gives plenty to root for. Plus, her heart of gold makes her a character to get behind the entire way through. The other characters have their own personalities, problems, and intentions adding a little more depth. Of course, there is tons of friendship...forming ones which add to the tension and fun. Family is golden and adds spice thanks to the slightly, over-the-top personalities. There's also a hint of reverse harem vibes, but it doesn't appear this will go completely in that direction and will probably settle out to a nice romance. But that has a deliciously long way to go. Morgana has enough on her plate, for now.

The illustrations are well done and the colors match the atmosphere to bring across the emotions nicely. The text is well-placed and easy to read. The actions scenes draw in, but did have me smiling with the sound expressions. It all slides together nicely to create a fun read, and I can't wait to see where this is going next.

 

Daddy Day!

I had a few 'dad' books on my pile, and thanks to the snowy weather, which makes staying in the house necessary, I decided to simply shove them together into one fat 'Daddy Day' post. 

The first appears to be a read to snuggle up with. This one was originally published in German and is now being translated to English. 

The second should head in a sillier direction and explore a father, who plays in a band? And has a show? Honestly, I'm not sure, but it looks entertaining. 

Both of these first two are picture books and will be hitting the shelves beginning April...plenty of time to pick up before Father's Day if that's desired.

The third read actually slides into the adult realm...somewhat. It's part of a graphic novel series which centers around an imaginative man, who gets himself into all sorts of strange situations (I think). While the rest of the series handles adult situations (I'm lead to believe that they aren't mature in content rather the predicaments themselves are adult world things), this one takes him back to his middle grade years and shows how his father shaped his very unique views. That involves the chase for UFOs and aliens (and I'm pretty sure they don't really exist in this plot, which should create tons of silliness and weirdness). It seems that this one will work for MG/YA audiences, while the series, in general, should delight dads...and this book, too, obviously.

So, sit down and get ready because it's time for some Daddy goodness!

THE BEST DADDY OF ALL

by Peter Horn

translated by Johanna McCalmont

Illustrated by Jessica Meserve

NorthSouth Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

APRIL 8th!!!

Sebastian the tortoise knows which daddy is the best of all (his own!) in this heartwarming picture book about all the amazing things a dad can do.

Little tortoise Sebastian is having the perfect day with his dad when he wonders, what are some things a dad can do? His dad playfully asks him to guess which daddy chirps to his chicks (Daddy Bird), which daddy teaches his kits how to hop and run (Daddy Rabbit), and which daddy shows his pups how to sleep upside down (Daddy Bat)! But Sebastian knows which daddy is the best . . . his own!

The perfect picture book to cuddle up with, this loving ode to fathers has a soothing call and response that encourages children to guess along with Sebastian which daddy animal is being described.

GOODREADS     /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Every page radiates love and care in a read that demonstrates all dads do while exploring the animal kingdom.

A little turtle enjoys spending time with his dad and wonders what dads, in general, can do. So, his father takes him on a walk through the area and introduces the little turtle to all of the different things dads can do, while placing the explanations in simple riddle form to create a fun game, where the little turtle tries to guess which type of animal does those things. 

This is a warming read, perfect for a snuggle-time between a child and father. The little turtle, of course, is adorable in the illustrations, making him very easy to like, and the care is obvious in each scene. There's just enough humor built in to draw some smiles without going over-board. No matter what animal the pair encounters, the love between the parent and children is obvious, making this a wholesome read through and through.

The text is a tiny bit drawn out, at times, not much but enough to maybe create problems for impatient, young listeners. It's still never over a short paragraph or so, though, and very appropriate for most listeners. The vocabulary adds a few more difficult words, which is great for word-building, and it flows well enough. The illustrations are detailed, inviting, and can be visited easily on their own for those, who may not be able to read but want to enjoy the story themselves. The scenes and animals are very inviting.

Not only is this read about caring moments between a child and a father, but the riddles add a touch of interactive fun. These aren't always easy to guess (the illustrations do help, though). Through the riddles, readers learn a few animal facts and several of these are lesser known. It adds to the fun and helps to make this more than a simple read-aloud. It's a lovely read in many ways.

And here they are...

Peter Horn was born in Krems in Lower Austria. He studied history and teaching English as a second language at the University of Vienna and has worked as a teacher since 1987. He has authored more than thirty books for children and young people and has also published articles about film and literature.

Jessica Meserve was born in the US and grew up in the UK. She studied illustration at Edinburgh College of Art and Cambridge School of Art and worked in publishing as a children’s book designer before pursuing a career as a children’s author and illustrator. In 2020 she was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal for What Clara Saw. She finds inspiration and happiness from the great outdoors, her two dogs, and her family. She lives with her family in England.

********

DADDY LIVE IN CONCERT

by Tyler Hilton

Illustrated by Eugenia Nobati

Familius

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING APRIL 5th!!!

A rhyming picture book from singer-songwriter Tyler Hilton, with a musical bedtime routine to bring the house down!

Who’s ready to sing?
Who’s ready to play?
Then help me in welcoming DADDY on stage!

Daddy is going to bring the house down with a private concert in the living room. Bring all your stuffed friends to the living room and enjoy the show! From actor and musician Tyler Hilton comes a sweet window into the mind of a child, Daddy’s #1 fan, as her father serenades her with all her favorite nursery rhymes and bedtime songs. With hilarious illustrations by Eugenia Nobati, Live in Concert is a rockin’ good time until bedtime.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Bedtime is super fun when you have a dad like this one.

It's almost bedtime, but then, a ticket appears slid under the bedroom door. The child can't believe her luck—she's going to a concert. There's a reserved seat, she needs to bring tons of her stuffed animals with her, and she has to appear in her pajamas. When she gets to the room, where the concert is taking place, she discovers Mom and her baby sibling already waiting for the show to begin. And what a show it will be, since it features the most amazing dad in the world.

A little imagination and silliness can go a long way, and these pages prove it. The girl's excitement for the concert radiates from the page, and it's inspiring how much effort her parents put into the fun. The preparations are simple but will have readers wanting to join right in...and be ready because they very well might insist on experiencing something similar themselves. But it's exactly this parent-child activity, which inspires in all the right ways. This gains an almost immediate interactive aspect, too, since the songs the dad sings are familiar to many young readers: Wheels on the Bus, Old McDonald, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

These pages make an easy read-aloud with a short, four-lined poem, which flows well. The illustrations are fun but carry a dimmer tone to match a darker, concert type of atmosphere...which slides right into a bedtime one, too.

This is a fun, simple enough read, which opens the door to some activities along the way.

Badge Quest: A Cheesy Brei-ginning by Guy Kopsombut

Good morning, everyone! I'm switching my schedule around a bit and shoving a book a little earlier, while the one I had planned, Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao (2nd book in the Iron Widow series) is not going to make an appearance here. While the series started out as YA, this second book was packed with triggers and content (plot wise as well as other aspects), which definitely shoves it into the NA/Adult category. So, while it was an exciting read and I recommend it to these older audiences, I won't be putting it on here.

Instead, we're going to take a peek at a fun, new series! At least, I'm pretty sure it will be fun. It is for chapter book readers and is a graphic novel, which promises humor, adventure, and fantasy. And stickers. Yep, this book should have stickers in the back to collect right along with the characters.

I'm ready for some smiles, so let's dive in.

A CHEESY BREI-GINNING!

Badge Quest, Book 1

by Guy Kopsombut

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Chapter Book / Graphic Novel

80 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING...

APRIL 8th!!!

Pillow the bear needs to earn badges to become a hero. Fae the shape-shifting fairy needs to earn petals to earn her flower wand. Together, this unlikely duo sets out on a journey in this first book of a new graphic novel series, Badge Quest, by Guy Kopsombut. Includes a sheet of stickers!

Pillow the bear wants to become a hero. In order to become one, he must collect Hero Badges. Pillow has collected a lot of badges, but one in particular eludes him . . . The Dragon Slaying Badge. So when Pillow learns about a dragon that has stolen all of his town's cheese, he figures it's finally his chance to earn his badge. But the dragon isn't guilty after all. In fact, she isn't even a dragon! She is a shape-shifting fairy named Fae, and thanks to Pillow's tip, must now clear her name, find out who took the cheese, and why.

Pokémon meets Boy and Girl Scouts meets hilarious cheese puns in this all-new first book in an original graphic novel series, Badge Quest! Pillow and Fae must find a way to get their badges and return the lost cheese. This adorable graphic novel also features a Dyslexia-friendly font. What's more, it also includes a sheet of stickers, so you can start collecting your own sticker badges!

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Adventure and super-cuteness make these characters fun to meet and a joy to accompany as they do their best to earn their qualifications and reach their goals.

Pillow is determined to become a hero, but this involves more than simply being heroic. A certified hero must earn badges to advance to the next heroic level. The reader meets him as he's already gotten a couple of badges but is having difficulty earning the Dragon Slaying badge. He's found a dragon, but as he's about to slay it, he finds he can't. But earning badges means all sorts of twists and turns, and Pillow's adventure is about to become more epic than he could have even hoped.

This is a lovely tale with exciting moments, characters to root for, all sorts of surprises, and tons of fun along the way. Nothing goes quite as planned, which makes it that much more entertaining. Pillow is determined, works with situations as they come, and ends up heading in directions he didn't expect. His new found friend, Fae, is a bundle of energy and quirkiness with a heart of gold. Her magic adds silly twists, which pop up out of nowhere...but then, she's also on a mission of her own. The two make a great pair.

The reading level fits the intended audience nicely, sticking mostly in a comfortable vocabulary range while sliding in some, probably, unfamiliar words here and there. The graphics take a more simple lean, pop with color, and match the atmosphere very well. It's a quick, easy read and very entertaining the entire way through. Plus, there are stickers at the end, which allow readers to collect their badges right along with the characters as well as receive simple 'quests' of their own.

And of course, there are wholesome messages surrounding friendship, acceptance, and not judging a situation without getting some background knowledge first. Oh, and perseverance because both Pillow and Fae need quite a bit of that.

It's the beginning to what promises to be an exciting series with so much more to come.

And here he is...

Guy Kopsombut is a self-taught Nashville-based artist and creator of the webcomic 4amShower. In 2017, Guy set out to help one person, any one person in the world, smile each day with his wholesome comics. Over the past three years, his comics have helped hundreds of thousands of people connect, get through hard times, and smile (a lot!).

Growing up in a Buddhist household, Guy was taught how to meditate, which he believes has given him an empathic perspective in life. He spends his free time self-reflecting, dreaming up more projects to help people smile, and eating yummy pastries. When he is not drawing cute animals, Guy is helping his parents at their Thai restaurant, The Smiling Elephant.

Moving Up & Moving On by Rennie Dyball and Piper Klemm

Oh my! I just realized that this post went up this morning without the review!!! I'm so sorry for anyone who stopped by and saw the white nothingness beyond the Goodreads link. Yep, I make mistakes. Tons of them...more than I wish I had to admit.

Anyway, for anyone taking a look at this now, the review is below!

I don't think horse books will ever run out of style for young readers, especially girls. So, it's fun to pick one up, every now and then, and see what the latest ones have to offer. Today's read is the third in the Show Strides series, which I'm assuming circles around show horses. Nope, I haven't read the first two in the series, but I'm also going to go out on a limb and assume that each book will work as a stand-alone, too. 

Maybe, I'm wrong, but that's why I'm going to take a peek and find out! So off we go!

MOVING UP & MOVING ON

Show Strides #3

by Rennie Dyball & Piper Klemm

Illustrated by Dolores Okecki

Andrews McMeel

Middle Grade Contemporary

160 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

MARCH 25th!!!

This is the third book in the popular Show Strides series. Tally and Mac continue to pursue their horse riding goals at Quince Oaks, gearing up for a big summer competition.

After a successful trip to Devon, the Field Ridge team returns home to Quince Oaks for the summer, where life at the barn is as busy as ever. A jumper rider named Jacob and his horse Carlo begin trailering in for lessons with trainer Ryan, and the girls learn that being a boy in the sport has its own unique challenges. Tally and Goose are improving with each show, and Mac struggles with body confidence as they head toward their big summer Pony Finals.

Join Tally, Mac, and the rest of their friends as they navigate the exciting world of equestrian competition!  Unique paths converge, forming heartwarming friendships among riders and their horses.  

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Horse goodness and life lessons about friendship and competition make this a read for equestrian fans to pick up and enjoy.

Tally's still sinking into the new direction the trainer is steering her and her horse in as he prepares them for the up-coming competitions. She has a lot to learn not only on the technical end, but the growing competitiveness and shifting relationships with those around her. This is especially true when a boy joins their trainer's schedule, which seems to put the entire equilibrium off-balance, at first.  Add the problems Mac is having with her own preparations, and Tally has quite a bit to deal with and learn.

This is the third book in the series, and while it works best when read as a series, it's still no problem to hit it as a stand-alone.

Horse fans are going to enjoy this read. While Tally, Mac, and friends are fairly at ease with their horses, they still have a lot to learn...and it's often in the details. The hard work involved with training for the competitions becomes evident and opens up the respect for the sport to readers. The authors also, obviously, knows their stuff as they hit upon exact aspects of the competition requirements (without adding weight to the story flow) and show how even the seemingly small things can make a huge difference. It teaches a bit about the sport and raises awareness at the determination, time and effort required.

The social aspects also play a huge role in these pages. Tally and Mac are both kind and fun characters. They have their highs and lows, and their reactions as well as emotions are very understandable. The topic of jealousy slides through the pages without growing overpowering. There's also a message surrounding how to deal with the frustration, when things aren't going as smoothly as planned. These, along with a couple other wholesome thoughts, add depth and make the characters easy to connect with and root for.

But for all things, this is a book about the love for horses and the special bond that a rider and their horse can share. It inspires, educates, and entertains the entire way through, while staying at a level for those chapter book readers, who are sure of their words, but prefer slightly lighter reads still.

 

Happy Book Birthday, Sweet Babe! by Robin Rosenthal!

It's time to shout-out another book birthday! Today's read simply had me curious. I'm not sure I'll like it or not...do you sometimes stand in front of a book and think 'maybe this is good? maybe it's not?'. Well, that was my feeling with this one. It centers around a Jewish grandmother and her baby, and claims to be inter-active. What does that mean? And how will it work? Well, let's find out!

Obviously, I must have liked it because, otherwise, this post wouldn't be here today. 

SWEET BABE!

A Jewish Grandma Kvells

by Robin Rosenthal

Tundra Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 2 to 5

An exuberant and interactive picture book for grandparents and their genius, sweet, precious, SO-CUTE-I-CAN'T-STAND-IT! grandbabies, and a celebration of Yiddish and Jewish joy. For fans of Goodnight Bubbala and Leslie Patricelli.

Look at this baby . . . what a genius! And such a shayne punim, too! From the top of baby's adorable head to the tips of their toes, there's nothing for a grandma not to adore in her little bubbeleh. Sweet Babe takes babies and their bubbies, not to mention grandparents of every stripe, on a delightful read-aloud journey that practically cries out for frequent cheek-squishing and keppie (head)-kissing in this irresistible celebration of the connection between grandparent and grandchild, and of Jewish joy through the generations.

Includes a Yiddish glossary at the back with transliterated vocabulary.

GOODREADS     /      AMAZON     /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

It's time for some baby fun as these pages invite young listeners to giggles and play.

These pages are packed with energy and inspire to those silly games, which the youngest of the listener group love. The grandmother covers the baby with a small blanket, and when it pulls it away, shouts There you are! (or something similar). It's very straight-forward and concentrates on this type of fun the entire way through. There are few words...just enough to propel the games forward and bring smiles to the face. This is the type of book, which won't only be read and studied thanks to the illustrations, but invites readers to lay it aside and do the games themselves. Young listeners will definitely squeal with glee if this happens.

The Jewish aspect slides in with several terms the grandmother uses. These come in naturally and light, letting the Yiddish language introduce itself without adding any weight to the fun. There is a glossary at the end with a list of the words and their definitions. It adds a nice, language touch.

This is simply an entertaining read, which will have young listeners wanting to join in on the fun themselves...which will guarantee smiles and laughter from both the child as well as the older reader.

And here she is...

ROBIN ROSENTHAL is an author, illustrator and art director. She has illustrated Two Dogs on A Trike and the Big Ideas for Little Philosophers and Big Ideas for Little Environmentalists series of board books. SWEET BABE! is her authorial debut. She grew up in Connecticut and now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her sweet, sweet family. You can see more of her work at robinrosenthal.com