What's the Actually Factually Difference? by Jane Wilsher

Today's read heads into one of my favorite directions—nonfiction! This is the section of the library that my kids always headed to  (and still head to) first. So, I was smiling when I got my hands on today's read. 

This book was released the beginning of February and holds a collection of many facts and tidbits. It appears that it's one to be picked up every now and then, and not necessarily read all in one go (although I'm sure there will be such readers, too). I'm hoping there will be some interesting facts and a little bit of fun.

Oh, and it's MMGM day (Marvelous Middle Grade Monday), so if you love middle grade reads, head on over HERE to discover more suggestions from other readers. 

Ready to see if there's something new to learn in these pages? 

WHAT'S THE ACTUALLY FACTULLY DIFFERENCE?

by Jane Wilsher

Illustrated by Liz Kay

words & pictures

Middle Grade Nonfiction

112 pages

ages 8 to 11

What's the actually factually difference? One question. Over 200 particularly pernickety answers. Wow friends and family with the answers and more in this detailed encyclopedia, ideal for picking up over and over again.  

What's the difference between a country and a continent? What's the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?And what about a wormhole and a black hole? Well, there are seven continents and nearly 200 countries. You’d need to run faster from a gator than a croc, but a croc has sharper teeth and a flatter snout. And as for the trickiness of black holes and wormholes, you'll have to read inside to find the answer to that one. . .  

What's the Actually Factually Difference? is an upbeat, fact-packed encyclopedia exploring the difference between over a hundred pairs. With sections on space, the body, the world, food, technology, transport, animals, and more, What's the Actually Factually Difference? is an accessible introduction to all kinds of popular subjects for children, extending learning by drilling down into the ‘actually factually’ detail of what’s what.

For every pair, the same taxing question, "What’s the difference between?", is asked and answered. Each time, both words are defined, including any similarities and differences. Additional pull-outs and facts are also included for every pair. Authored by Jane Wilsher with detailed and amusing artwork from Liz Kay, every fact is brought to life with humor and wit in this expansive title.

What's the Actually Factually Difference? opens up a world of facts and quizzing with family and friends. This fresh and fun encyclopedia brings non-fiction to life in an exciting new way, making it the perfect next adventure for curious young minds. 

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

Facts and information hit with with dizzying fun for those who love to know more about tons of different things.

Some things appear to be very similar, so much so that it's hard to know exactly what the differences are, such as  meteors, meteorites, and meteoroids. This book takes a look at all sorts of things, which often can be mixed up or misunderstood. 

The read starts with a quick introduction to various ways the book can be 'used' in more ways than just a read. There are a couple hints for various ways to work it into games and more. The book is divided into thirteen chapters, which include everything from things found in space to plants to historical tidbits and more. There's a very thorough index at the end to help keep everything organized and easy to locate. In each of these chapters, many pairs of terms are presented with quick explanations and very short, extra facts in little bubbles. There's a chaotic atmosphere to the format, which keeps the enjoyment and excitement high. Yet, it's no trouble to sort through the information. The facts are clear, interesting, and include more known things as well as lesser known ones. Some are more difficult concepts, while others are fairly 'easy'. In other words, it makes sure to touch upon a wide variety of interests to give a little something for everyone.

The illustrations are bright, bold, and bring across aspects of the facts in clear fashion, while keeping the atmosphere light. It's clear that the author and illustrator wanted to steer away from dry and boring, and they accomplish this nicely.

And here they are...

Jane Wilsher is an author and editor from the UK, and the founder of bop Publishing. Jane is the author of What Do Scientists Do All Day? (Wide Eyed, Editions, 2020), An Encyclopedia of Unbelievable Facts (Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2021) and 21 Things to Do With a Tree (Ivy Kids, 2023).

Liz Kay is a freelance illustrator based in Yorkshire. When not busy doodling, Liz is usually found hiking and biking around the Yorkshire countryside and playing tennis for my local club. She’s worked on a variety of commissions across illustrated maps, hand lettering and calligraphy, greetings cards, infographics, children’s books, newspapers and magazines, and animation.

What is Love About, Minimoni? by Rocio Bonilla

Today's read comes from a well-loved children's book author in Spain. It's the third highlighting this main character and has already been translated into several languages...which I'm assuming means that it's going to be good. I mean, if it's done that well, it must be good, right? I do enjoy finding lovely kidlit from around the world, so I just had to pick it up when I saw it. Plus, the cover caught my attention. Who doesn't enjoy a dragon in the story?

Or maybe there isn't really a dragon in the story? After reading the blurb and skimming online to create this post, I'm not sure the dragon is truly there. More metaphorically. Perhaps. Not sure. Will see.

So, it's time to open it up and see what's inside!

WHAT IS LOVE ABOUT, MINIMONI?

by Rocio Bonilla

Algar Editorial

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

Minimoni loves to walk with her dog Max, they understand each other very well. On the other hand, it is sometimes more difficult for older people to understand, like when they talk about love... They say that it is capable of moving mountains, but that, at the same time, it is found in small things, or that it makes us fly. But if love cannot be seen, touched or painted, how can they know what it is?

GOODREADS   /   BROMERA

MY TIDBITS

Small, big, invisible, or cuddly...the hunt for the definition of love isn't as easy as it seems.

Minimoni loves her dog and spaghetti. So simple. She doesn't get what adults are always claiming love means, though. When they talk about love, things get confusing. It's strong enough to move mountains yet delicate...light as air but grows like a plant. It makes no sense, but Minimoni has decided she's going to get to the bottom of the mystery. No matter what.

Minimoni is a carefree character with spunk, curiosity, and energy. With her dog constantly at her side, it's hard not to like her. As she explores the mystery of love, it's no problem to understand her confusion...and her reasoning puts a smile on the face. She's logical, and that gives the entire thing a good dose of humor and heart. It radiates from every page in the most enjoyable way. 

The illustrations are playful and bring across each moment with emotion. Even when Minimoni has serious considerations, she's imaginative, and this comes across wonderfully as little hints of silliness always are sprinkled in. 

It's a feel good book to snuggle up with and enjoy all the way through.

You can learn more about Rocio Bonilla and her amazing books HERE!

Viral Hit Vol. 1 by Taejun Pak

 I'm on the edge of screaming 'Happy Book Birthday' this one, since it comes out the beginning of April, but I'm going to hold it back. Still, I'm very excited to have the chance to take a quick peek at it before it hits the shelves.

This read seems to go in the direction of bullying, internet, and more, and I'm hoping it takes an interesting and original twist. Action would be nice but with thought. So, let's see if it's a whammy or not.

VIRAL HIT VOL. 1

by Taejun Pak

Illustrated by Kim Junghyun

Webtoon Unscrolled

YA Action   /   Graphic Novel

288 pages

ages 12 and up

COMING...

APRIL 1st!!!

Scrawny high school student Hobin Yu is probably the last guy you’d expect to star in a video channel that revolves around fighting. Tormented by bullies and working a part-time job to pay for his mother’s medical expenses, Hobin Yu is truly at the bottom of his school’s hierarchy. After he accidentally uploads a video of a fight with his classmate and goes viral, Hobin starts to think there may be another solution to his bullying and money problems.

After following some advice from a mysterious creator, Hobin is soon knocking out guys stronger than him and raking in more money than he ever dreamed. But the pressure starts to build, and one day Hobin might meet his match.

This graphic novel collects episodes 1–8 of the sensational WEBTOON comic Viral Hit.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Fight scenes mix with deeper themes of bullying and collecting social media views to create a read with more heart than first appears.

Hobin Yu is skinny, unimportant, and simply trying to figure out how to hold everything together while his mother is being treated for cancer. That includes paying the bills, and his part-time job doesn't really quite make ends meet. The severe bullying at school doesn't help matters, either. When he agrees to help one of the bullies record a video for the guy's new channel, he ends up in a physical fight with him...which accidentally gets uploaded and immediately achieves tons of views. Not even near to being a fighter, Hobin still finds himself with the possibility of earning the money he needs...if he can figure out how not to get completely destroyed in the process.

There are some obvious triggers in these pages (bullying, fairly violent fight scenes), and the first of these hits with a strong impact to make the tale grab right away. Hobin Yu is easy to sympathize with, while everyone around him comes across as simply terrible. It's a rough school and the bullying is harsh. The tale takes about 25% of the book to get going as readers sink into his situation. Hobin Yu's actions are easy to understand as he tries to use things for his advantage, while not completely losing his moral compass. 

While the fight scenes will grab fans, there's more to these pages. Hobin Yu has a lot to learn and struggles to find balance in the entire situation. He also doesn't feel good in his own skin and, I'm assuming, this will offer character growth throughout the next volumes. There's a little, tiny hint at romance and new forming friendships. But everything has a long way to go. 

The illustrations are well-styled for the theme and let the fight scenes come across with punch. The text is well written and flows naturally. Some of the scene changes jolt and take a second to figure out where the next moment comes from, but the story, interestingly, grows on the reader as it goes on, and these problems don't bother as much as they could. I'm hoping that the rest of the series will bring more depth to the characters surrounding Hobin Yu, but this is only the beginning. And it is a solid beginning.

Hap-Pea Easter by Keith Baker

Since Easter is slowly creeping up on us...I really need to get my decorations up...this read seems to be a perfect fit. It's part of a group of books, which center on the 'pea' theme, and I read the Hap-Pea Valentine's Day book earlier this year. (see review here) It was cute, enough so that I'm looking forward to see what these pages will hold. I'm sure it will be fun and lead into holiday preparations.

So, let's roll right in.

HAP-PEA EASTER

by Keith Baker

Beach Lane Books

Picture Book Holiday

24 pages

ages 4 to 8

Keith Baker’s New York Times bestselling peas have some Easter fun in this picture book filled with eggs, chicks, candies, bunnies, and more!

Hap-pea Easter! Hap-pea Spring! What surprises will it bring?

From sprouting flowers and gentle showers to eggs decorated every which way, there’s plenty of excitement to be had on Easter with the peas! And there might even be an appearance from everyone’s favorite bunny…

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

Busy, cute, and plenty of things to search for make this a read to enjoy from beginning to end. 

I have read another book in this batch of pea tales (and found it cute), but the peas shine in all the right ways in this one. It's a book about Easter and highlights the energy and bright pastels, which are often associated with Spring and the holiday. This isn't a religious read but highlights the season and usual activities surrounding Easter, especially in the egg direction.

 The illustrations are big and cheerful, making it nice for read-a-louds...to an extent. The peas are small and add so much life and bustle to the scenes. Thanks to their size, readers will have to look closer to discover everything they do as they prepare for the big day. Of course, these also hold humor along with the fun. The text is very simple and delivers just enough to bring across the atmosphere and let the pages flow together. The joy and excitement is obvious and contagious...it simply puts a smile on the face. 

Easter activities make this a solid read for the holidays, but the constant pea activity will, most likely, have young readers gazing at the pictures long after the day has passed. There's also an extra bonus of searching for Easter eggs. Although not directly mentioned in the book, little eggs are hidden in the later illustrations to create searching fun.

And here he is...

Keith Baker has written and illustrated many acclaimed picture books for young children, including the New York Times bestselling LMNO Peas, 1-2-3 Peas, Little Green Peas, Hap-pea All Year, LMNO Pea-quel, My Octopus Arms, and No Two Alike. He lives in Washington state.

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy: Spidermania by Doug Savage

 Ready for something original? Well, today's read should fulfill that desire...if you are. This is the 5th book in a series, and I haven't read any of the other books in this series yet (as always). I'll admit that this one caught my eye simply because it made me look twice and think 'huh?'. Since the series has gone on this long, I assume there's more than just weirdness behind it...and even then, sometimes weirdness is exactly what's needed.

Anyway, I don't know what surprises this book will hold, so let's just take a look.

SPIDERMANIA

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy Vol. 5

by Doug Savage

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy   /  Graphic Novel

144 pages

ages 7 to 11

COMING...

APRIL 15th!!!

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy are back for a cliff-hanger adventure when a spider begins taking control of all of the forest animals in the fifth book from the outrageous, hilarious, beloved series.

It’s a new day in the forest, and the creatures there are beginning to act strange. They’re getting glowing purple eyes, sneezing out web, and seem set on biting other animals and spreading it to everyone in the woods! When their nemesis Cyborgupine is bit, Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy set out to solve the mystery and find a way to save the forest once again—before their own brainwashed friends can stop them!

This is the next adventure in the Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy graphic novel series, and it’s perfect for children ages 8-12.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

These are not your usual characters, but they pack tons of inspiring friendship and are easy to root for until the end.

Everything is normal in the forest, and the deer is healing after its injuries from the earlier book (?), but then, Cyborgupine appears, and it's not acting like it's usual self. Not only is it sneezing spider webs, but it keeps repeating an odd phrase about spiders. Then, the animals see it—a spider bite. Before they can analyze the disease or problem, Cyborgupine bites one of the friends...and they start sneezing webs and repeating the same phrase. Soon, the disease is spreading, and it's clear that the spiders are controlling everything. Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy are determined to save the day but may not be able to escape the danger.

I did not read the other books in the series before this, but it wasn't too difficult to sink into the tale and characters. I would recommend starting at the beginning, however, since there are aspects of this tale which build on each other. That said, this is a quirky adventure all the way through. The characters hold original twists, which edge in the direction of science and experiments, but then, the entire problem arises from the same type of direction. Yep, this gives it an odd, STEM lean, which offers some science inspiration along the way. It weaves in here and there, and if nothing else, lets readers realize how door-opening science can be. In a quirky way, of course.

The plot is pretty straight forward as Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy try their best to get to the root of the problem and save the forest. Tension and action roll from every page right along with a slight humor to keep things fun. These work well with the illustrations, which appear simple but still bring across the emotions and scenes nicely. The text fluctuates from very easy and short to a solid middle grade read. Let's just say that one of the characters really heads into explanations every now and then to up the text amount and vocabulary skills. Otherwise, it's an easy read. 

There's a lovely sense of friendship and working to solve problems. The end seems harsh, at first, but slides its way into an end fitting for the age group.

It's a fun read with heart and goodness underneath adventure, action, and unique characters to root for.

And here he is...

Doug Savage is the creator of the popular comic Savage Chickens, which he has been drawing and posting online every weekday since 2005. Born in rural Ontario and raised by a pack of wild piano teachers, Doug lives in Vancouver with his partner, Janet, and their two cats, Watson and Crumble.

Half-Truths by Carol Baldwin

 We're going to take a step back into history with today's read. Scheduled to hit the shelves around the beginning of April (next month), this book heads back into the 1950's and peeks at the social imbalance between blacks and whites. According to the blurb, it will build in tension and mystery as well to up the stakes. I'm hoping it will be a grabbing read and want to be swept away into the time period.

Will it accomplish that? Well, let's find out!

HALF-TRUTHS

by Carol Baldwin

Monarch Educational Service

YA Historical

300 pages

COMING...

APRIL 2nd!!!

It is 1950, and 15-year-old Kate Dinsmore wants to become a journalist. But, her tobacco-farming father can’t afford to send her to college. She devises a plan to move from rural North Carolina to her wealthy grandparents’ home in Charlotte in hopes of gaining their financial support. Now she has a new set of problems. How can she please her society-conscious grandmother and conform to her new classmates’ lifestyles?

She meets Lillian, her grandmother’s teenage maid, and in spite of their racial differences, they form a tentative friendship. While exploring her grandmother’s attic, Kate unearths a secret that rocks her world and Lillian’s too. The shocking discovery reveals half-truths that threaten the girls’ friendship. What will Kate do when she must choose between Lillian and her new society friends?

Through a mentorship with a newspaper editor, Kate realizes that journalism requires honesty. But, the risks of truth-telling make Kate question herself. If she reveals what she has learned, what price will she pay?

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

The dangers of standing up for the truth hits with heart and tension in a tale, which takes the reader back to the 1950's with a character to root for.

Kate dreams of going to college to become a journalist...something her parents, who run a tobacco farm, aren't completely convinced is the right path. When the KKK comes into their small town and starts to stoke anger and fear, she's more convinced than ever that she needs to report what she sees. So, she moves to live with her wealthy grandparents in the city, who her father, for some unknown reason, avoids. Once there, her grandmother begins to mold her into society and she attends school. It's difficult, but Kate is willing to pay the cost since it means that her grandparents might help pay for her further education. That is until she discovers a tea cup in the attic, and long-buried secrets about her grandmother's past begin to come to light. 

The author does a wonderful job at transporting the reader back in time, settling into the life and streets of the 1950s. The scenes are rich without being overly descriptive, and the worries and concerns of the characters are understandable, even when they aren't always right. Thankfully, Kate has a curious personality with a good moral compass. Her determination and bravery make her easy to root for, while her hesitations and desire not to upset those, whom she holds dear, make her easy to sympathize with. She's a little spunky and has some interesting quirks to give her personality and let her shine but without going overboard. It's a nice balance, which fits to the time and situations with natural flow.

There are several themes and messages in these pages, which lead to thought. While some aspects might seem straight-forward (and often are), the situations open up a degree of understanding for both sides. Not everything in life is black and white or easy, and these pages allow enough food for thought to reach into some of the grayer areas to let the message dig in and sit. It's inspiring, encouraging, and even teaches a bit of history along the way.

Fans of history and wonderful characters are going to enjoy this one quite a bit.

You can learn more about Carol Baldwin here.

Happy Book Birthday, We Leave No Trace! by Terry Pierce!

 

It's time to shout-out another book birthday!!! This year is amazing on that end...I do so love to celebrate.

Today's read comes from the Yosemite Conservancy, and I've reviewed a few books for them over the years. I have tons of fond memories of Parks and wildlife and more, and not only from my childhood. When we go on vacation, it involves tons of outdoor activities, hiking, and exploration. So, to have the chance to support anything in this direction is a treat for me.

Today's read is a board book for the youngest readers out there and is sure to celebrate nature. So, let's take a look!

WE LEAVE NO TRACE!

by Terry Pierce

Illustrated by Nadja Sarell

Yosemite Conservancy

Board Book

7 pages

ages 2 to 5

The great outdoors could use some human kindness—and even the youngest children can help! Little hikers, picnickers, and campers will see how they can pitch in for nature by using the Leave No Trace principles modeled here, such as loving trees gently, leaving natural items in their place, using quiet voices to reassure shy creatures, and putting trash where it belongs. The bouncy, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations in this sturdy board book show tiny kids they, too, can easily help protect any wild or natural place while having fun outside.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    BOOK ORG.

MY TIDBITS

This little board book is perfect for the youngest readers out there, who are going to be heading outdoors for camping, picnicking, hiking and more. It centers around the message that visiting nature also means respecting it. The Leave No Trace principle remains the main point of this read—the hope that by not disturbing nature more than necessary, others can enjoy it in the future as well.

The illustrations are full of details, which allow young readers not only to visualize various, natural scenes, but also give them something to discover when revisiting the book again. The depictions include lakes, forests, and more, while showing activities such as walking, picnicking and many others. The people enjoying these activities display a wide variety of individuals. And there are some cute animals included as well.

The text is only a couple of lines on each two-page spread. The first pages open with a rhyme, which then turns into a repeated phrase as the various ways to Leave No Trace are explored. These are simple suggestions, which are easy for even the younger readers to understand.

The fun of being out in nature and the joy of experiencing the outdoors is never forgotten, either. There's a calm and happiness on each page, showing how enjoyable it is to be outside. In other words, it's a lovely read.

And here they are...

Terry Pierce is the author of twenty-five children's books, including Eat Up, Bear!, Hello, Meadow!, Mama Loves You So, Mother Earth's Lullaby, and My Busy Green Garden. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and teaches for UCLA Extension Writers' Program. Terry is an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, and, of course, bear sightings near her home in Mammoth Lakes, California.

Nadja Sarell has a degree in illustration from the North Wales School of Art and Design as well as an MA in dance from Theatre Academy Helsinki. She is the illustrator behind Eat Up, Bear!, Hello, Meadow!, and The One and Only Wolfgang, written by Instagram sensation Steve Greig aka @wolfgang2242 and author Mary Rand Hess, and the Frankie Sparks, Third Grade Inventor series. She lives in Helsinki, Finland.

Seeker Society by Jana Tropper and Kyle Higgins

 I was in the mood for a little adventure, and today's read might just hold plenty of that. At least, that's what I'm getting from the cover. I think it gives steampunk vibes, but I'm not sure that's what this tale weaves around. According to the blurb, it's a type of academy read, but I'm also not sure it would fit into the same 'academy reads' category which was popular in the YA direction a couple years ago. Maybe, it will be more like a 

SEEKER SOCIETY

by Jana Tropper & Kyle Higgins

Illustrated by Zack Giallongo

& Whitney Cogar

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy   /   Graphic Novel

176 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

JUNE 3rd!!!

Shackleton’s School for Seekers is a haven for students as diverse as the magical gifts they possess. But as the new class of Seekers soon learn, the ability to hear voices from the past or sense an object’s history can lead to great knowledge...and even greater danger.

When Fern, Jordan, and Zack are selected for a mysterious class trip with Shackleton’s fearless Dr. Adichie, they’ve only just begun to explore the limits of their powers. It’s clear their teacher knows more than she’s letting on about the kids’ gifts—and the dangers they’ll be facing. But when an unexpected accident separates the trio from their instructor and leaves them stranded on an uncharted island, they’ll have to learn to rely on each other to survive the hostile environment and the Seekers’ equally hostile rivals, the Keepers.

This gorgeously illustrated graphic novel is now in print for the first time after its successful debut on the Epic! platform.

GOODREADS     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

The ability to connect with the past leads to adventure and danger pure.

The School for Seekers is packed with students, who harbor various gifts...many which lean to peering one way or another into history, gifts in language, and more. While these might, at first, seem calm, these talents are more powerful than they appear. When a group of Seeker students accidentally lands on an island, the adventure is about to begin, but they might not survive it thanks to the deadly creatures residing there.

The illustrations are rich and allow the fantasy world to open up and invite in. The scenes are vivid, and the creatures radiate danger. Each moment hits with emotional clarity and makes this group easy to root for from beginning to end.

The tale is complexly woven and allows the information to dribble between the action, keeping tension high with just enough background knowledge to make things understandable. It flips between present, past, and somewhere in between constantly. Each time, this is marked with a short time note in a rectangle at the top of the page. This helps keep the flashbacks clear. While the constant back and forth allows for information to be dropped at just the right time (avoiding info dumps), it does break the story flow and pulled out of the main plot quite often. It almost grew confusing a few times as the sudden change needed to be recognized and worked in with the main plot every time to understand what was happening. While not my favorite tactic, it keeps the story compact and quick paced.

There's a large amount of diversity on the character end to make sure many aspects are included. This builds nicely into the teamwork as each student needs to learn to handle their own powers while discovering how to work with the capabilities of those around them. That also slides nicely into the mystery and makes it exciting as each clue discovered depends on this vibrant mix.

It's an interesting beginning to a series and lays the foundation for many adventures to come. Fans of quick-paced adventure with super-powers and teamwork involved as well as inner struggles are going to enjoy this one.

And here she is...

Jana Tropper, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a writer, presenter, and speech-language pathologist at a public elementary school outside Chicago. When she's not writing, reading, or playing video games, she enjoys visiting schools and has presented as both an educator and author at several events including C2E2, LITapalooza, New York Comic Con, and San Diego Comic Con. She lives with her husband, Josh, and their own three rescue dogs: Ripley, Newt, and Sandy Lambert.

The Underwild: River of Spirits by Shana Targosz!

RIVER OF SPIRITS

The Underwild #1

by Shana Targosz

Aladdin

Middle Grade Fantasy

432 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

MARCH 25th!!!

For the first printing only! This hardcover features sprayed edges while the special edition supply lasts.

A stunning debut middle grade fantasy about a girl caught between the realms of the living and the dead who gets lost in the Underworld—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan.

Senka lives between the realm of the Living and the realm of the Dead. As ward to Charon, the Ferryer of the Underworld, Senka assists in ferrying recently departed souls across the river and into their afterlife. Although Charon has taught her many Rules about life in the Underworld, there is much he avoids telling her. Though she doesn’t understand why the Rules are so important, she listens—she must heed them in order to become an official Ferryer, just like Charon.

Then a Living girl, Poppy, enters the Underworld to plead for help in finding the ghost of her brother. Poppy’s grief tugs at Senka’s heart—but helping Poppy goes against the very Rules Senka is so desperate to follow. When Poppy is yanked away by the river’s current, Senka leaps to save her, and she and Poppy are swept downriver, far from everything Senka has ever known.

Lost in the Underwild, Senka and Poppy encounter malevolent spirits of lore and eccentric ghosts—and not all are willing to let souls slip through their grasp. Senka knows the Living can’t stay in the realm of the Dead for long, and if Poppy isn’t returned home soon, she will risk becoming lost to the Underworld forever. But as Senka travels deeper into the Underwild, she discovers there are secrets her guardian has kept from her, including the mystery surrounding her own existence. As Poppy and Senka dodge angry demigods, hungry wraiths, and terrifying dragon chimera, Senka gets closer to learning the truth of her own past. Soon, Senka won’t just need to save Poppy’s life—she’ll also need to save her own.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Mythology sets the stage for a journey between realms, while dealing with tougher themes such as belonging and handling grief.

This tale centers around the daughter of the mythological ferryman, Charon, as she's learning her father's trade but feels as if he's holding back when she could handle more. When a girl from the living world begs for help to find her recently deceased brother, Senka can't ignore her and wants to help. Unfortunately, doing so will go against the rules her father has spent so much time teaching her. As Senka does her best to help the little girl, she not only faces dangerous and deadly situations but realizes there is much more to her own past than Charon has ever told her. 

It was refreshing to visit the mythological world from the perspective of a slightly lesser-known character, Charon. But then, the author has made sure to include a few lesser seen individuals from this direction, which gives it a refreshing twist. The adventure runs quickly and smoothly, keeping the reader in the pages the entire way through. Tension, danger, secrets and more make sure to keep the twists coming and the read hard to put down. Senka and the girl have quite a bit to overcome, but then, they are also easy to root for, especially when both have good hearts.

While there is action and thrills, emotions and inner-struggles aren't left behind. The girl is dealing with the death of her brother, and Senka has her own mysteries to uncover, digest, and solve. While these themes stay appropriate for the middle grade age group, more sensitive readers might find some moments on the heavier side. It lays a lovely foundation for the upcoming series, and it will be interesting to see where these adventures go next.

Fantasy and mythology fans will find plenty to sink into and are sure to enjoy this read.

And here she is...

Shana Targosz writes about magical girls, budding friendships, ghosts who may or may not be friendly, and fiercely held hope. She is an Oregon Literary Fellow and the 2021 recipient of the Edna L. Holmes Fellowship in Young Readers Literature. River of Spirits is her debut novel. When not writing or reading through a stack of books, she spends her time playing Zelda with her son, designing solo journaling games, walking her domesticated monster disguised as a Labradoodle, and dreaming up different worlds. 

Maker Dresses by Violet Lemay

Today's read is for all of those young designers at heart. 

MAKER DRESSES

by Violet Lemay

Illustrated by Michael Sampson

Brown Book Kids

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

APRIL 8th!!!

Monday to Sunday, each day of the week is a new opportunity for fashion!

Mondays are for dresses, Tuesdays for sports-jerseys and costumes, sweatpants and shorts! Young readers will delight in the colorful, fun-filled illustrations and joyful rhymes of A Maker of Dresses as dressmaker Alexis leads them through a week of stitching, twirling, and big fashion dreams.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Designing fashion packs fun and tons of diversity in a new twist every day of the week.

This little girl loves to create clothes. While she starts with dresses on Monday and can come up with some lovely designs, that's just the beginning. Each day of the week brings a new direction...and some of these are more than just a little surprising.

This is an inspiring read for all those young readers out there, who love to create. While it starts with a fashion basic, the dress, as the week progresses, the huge variety gets exposed. Even things such as designing items for dogs comes into play. It's fun to follow the creativity, and the excitement is contagious. Young listeners will be dreaming of their own creative ideas...even if they aren't into sewing themselves. Not only is this young girl thrilled by every aspect of her hobby, but there's a few other characters, which are sure to delight. 

By no means is this a pure, serious read. Humor builds on every page as the imagination blossoms and blooms. The text flows with the exact same up-beat atmosphere, making it a lovely read aloud, while the illustrations bring the moments across with cheerful flair. It's here where most of the humor lies as well.

It's an enjoyable read not only for groups but works well for quieter moments of reading together, too.

 

From Challenge to Champion by Skyler Trepel

Today's read dives into the world of sports, which is awesome! There always seems to be a lack of sport directed books for the younger reading audience levels. This one is aimed at chapter book readers, which really made me smile. Now, let's see if it's as good as I hope it will be.

FROM CHALLENGE TO CHAMPION

23 Inspiring Sports Stories for New Readers

by Skyler Trepel

Illustrated by Lorenzo Fornaciari

Z Kids

Children's Nonfiction

144 pages

ages 6 to 9

COMING MARCH 25!!!

Awaken your child’s inner champion—and love of reading—with these motivational sports stories for kids ages 6–9.

Do you have a sports-obsessed kid eager to learn more about their favorite stars? Thrill them with From Challenge to Champion, a collection of stories about legendary athletes from soccer, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, and more. They’ll learn how these athletes overcame incredible challenges—whether injury, doubt, burnout, or difficult beginnings—and emerged victorious. From Simone Biles and Serena Williams to Lionel Messi and LeBron James, each athlete’s tale is a testament to hard work and perseverance that is sure to inspire and empower your child. Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom libraries, or as a gift to young readers, this book is sure to become a treasured early chapter book.

What’s inside?
12 uplifting sports heroes. Dive into the lives of LeBron James, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Simone Biles, Jessica Long, Megan Rapinoe, Jackie Robinson, Allyson Felix, Patrick Mahomes, Chloe Kim, Tom Brady, and Lionel Messi—top athletes from America’s most beloved sports.

Life lessons that go beyond sports. Valuable insights on resilience, growth mindset, and the importance of believing in oneself inspire young readers to go after their own dreams.

Additional athletes to know and love. 12 more short biographies of breakout stars like Caitlin Clark, Coco Gauff, and C. J. Stroud.

Easy-to-read format that’s a slam dunk for new readers. Short chapters, fun illustrations, and simple language keep kids engaged and motivated to read more.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

The tales of twelve sport heroes brings inspiration and shows that hard work and determination can pay off.

Twelve athletes are presented in these pages, some often mention and others will be new. Each one is a hero in their sport...and this covers a broad range of types. From soccer to gymnastics and more, these athletes come from every direction and offer diversity in other ways as well. This makes for a well-rounded list. At the end of the read, twelve more athletes are mentioned along with a shorter summary of their accomplishments.

Each athlete begins with a list of facts and statistics as to name, size, and such. This is a nice way to give readers a quick and enjoyable run-down of the individual before diving into the story surrounding their struggles and victories. This later part is written in third-person and brings across the information in a way, which keeps younger readers in mind. This flows well enough and brings across the material in an understandable way. The vocabulary, font size, and sentence length isn't necessarily for 'new' readers, but rather, fits those who have a good grip on their words and are dipping their toes into the lower end of more difficult middle grade reads already (I'd slide it to 8 to 10 more). The illustrations also add a nice touch to help make each athlete easier to connect with. 

It's a lovely book for sport fans, who are curious about life stories behind athletes.

 

It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz

Easter is still a few weeks away, but that also means there's plenty of time to build-up that pre-Easter joy. Today's read is a classic for the season, especially for all of those Peanut fans out there. I was curious to see the latest, board book format...and might secretly be a Snoopy supporter. 

So, let's dive in and see how these eggs roll!

IT'S THE EASTER BEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN

by Charles M. Schulz

Simon Spotlight

Board Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

The snow has melted, flowers are blooming, and the Easter Beagle is on his way! At least, according to the ever-trusting Linus Van Pelt. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, and the rest of the Peanuts gang are a little skeptical. 

"Good grief!" crabby Lucy says. "There's no Easter Beagle!" 

In the vein of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, this Easter classic, based on the television special, features the beloved characters created more than 50 years ago by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. Peppermint Patty is perennially aggravated with Marcie, Sally is still lovelorn yet litigious ("Never trust a man with a blanket," she fumes. "Get me my lawyer!"), and Charlie Brown is disappointed once again in his holiday hopes.

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON    /      WALMART

MY TIDBITS

This this the latest edition of a much loved tale, It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. This comes as a large-sized board book, with the usual, sturdy pages. The illustrations are bright and bold, and just as fans have always known Charles M. Schulz's beloved cartoon to be. During the first pages, each two-page spread shifts between the various characters and their pre-Easter preparations. These meet together for a few moments as the main theme gets going, and then, split again to let each characters' situation sit. Of course, Linus' belief in the Easter Beagle steers everything and leads to many fun interactions between the characters.

The text is rather heavy for the youngest readers and is more suited toward kindergarteners and above. Charlie Brow and Co's fans are going to get the most joy out of this one, since it lets the main characters from the series shine with their various personalities. It hits with the usual Peanuts atmosphere and leaves off with a nice surprise.

Peanut fans will enjoy picking this one up and visiting it especially around the Easter season.