Month: March 2019

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

Happy first Tuesday of March! My stack of new releases today go three feet high. Take a look and let me know what you think. As always, if I’ve had the chance to read one of these books and loved it, I marked it with a ♥ (I loved a lot of books this week!). Please note that all descriptions come from the publisher.

Sponsored by Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles by Thomas Lennon, from Amulet Books

Discover a world of law-breaking leprechauns and sly faeries in this new must-read fantasy series perfect for fans of The Land of Stories and Artemis Fowl! From writer and actor Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!, Night at the Museum), Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles follows fourteen-year-old Ronan Boyle, the lowliest recruit to the Garda Special Unit of Tir Na Nog, a secret organization that handles the misdeeds of numerous magical creatures. Despite his small size and numerous allergies, Ronan is determined to prove himself—even if it means confronting fiery leprechauns, sinister harpies and a whole world of monsters.

Board Books

The Human Body (Playtabs) by Stephanie Babin, illustrated by Ilaria Falorsi

Big, sturdy tabs to push and pull make for great learning fun in this brand-new nonfiction series. Preschool children learn how special their bodies are in this innovative format, featuring three pull-tabs on each spread. Pull a tab to see how to take care of your body or what our five senses are, and push a tab to take a close look at an X-ray of a skeleton!

Baby Animals (Playtabs) by Stephanie Babin, illustrated by Thierry Bedouet

Big, sturdy tabs to push and pull make for great learning fun in this brand-new nonfiction series. Baby Animals introduces a unique approach to telling preschool children about baby animals, featuring three pull tabs on each spread. Pull a tab to see a chick hatch from an egg or tadpoles become young frogs, push a tab to see a baby emperor penguin keep warm between his daddy’s feet or a lion cub learn to hunt.

Picture Books

♥The Bear, the Piano, the Dog, and the Fiddle by David Litchfield

Fiddle-playing Hector and his dog, Hugo, are best friends. Hugo is Hector’s biggest fan, and when Hector decides to retire, Hugo secretly learns to play the fiddle himself. Soon, a famous piano-playing bear invites him to join his all-animal band and travel the world to perform in front of huge crowds—an opportunity that Hector had always dreamed of for himself. Will Hector be able to overcome his jealousy and learn to be happy for his friend?

Arr, Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Joy Ang

In this swashbuckling tale, Mustache Baby and Beard Baby work hard to recover stolen treasure and convince baby buccaneers Captain Kid and Short John Silver to go legit. But when the scallywags refuse to play nice, Billy and Javier see red and go rogue, turning into bad guy pirates themselves. High spirits, plenty of pirate talk, and a mild message about not letting emotions get the best of you make for a rollicking read-aloud full of side-splitting, silly fun.

♥Spend It! by Cinders McLeod

Sonny gets three whole carrots a week for his allowance and wants to buy everything with it! But he soon discovers his money won’t go that far, and his mom tells him he needs to make some choices. That doesn’t sound like much fun to Sonny, especially when he learns that the bouncy castle he’s been eyeing goes for ONE HUNDRED carrots. Ridiculous! But eventually, after a little math and a little more thinking, he has a blast discovering what’s really important to him and worth spending his carrots on.

♥ Olive and Pekoe in Four Short Walks by Jacky Davis & Gisella Potter

Olive and Pekoe are best friends. Olive is an older dog who likes to take her time; Pekoe is a bouncy puppy with a nose for exploration. Together they make the perfect team. Pekoe fetches sticks for Olive, and Olive protects Pekoe from bigger, meaner dogs. They go on walks, encounter a chipmunk, and get caught in a rainstorm, among other adventures. Their escapades may be small but are nevertheless filled with excitement and love.

♥ Let’s Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone by Aurora Cacciapuoti

An accessible introduction to the rich language and culture of Japan, this tote-able Japanese language collection makes an artful addition to any library, as well as an ideal travel primer and companion for aspiring Japanese speakers. Pairing words and characters with whimsical illustrations, each section features examples of word pronunciation, the three main Japanese writing systems (kanji, hiragana, and katakana), and common Japanese elements.

Celebrate You! by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by A.N. Kang

This charming new picture book celebrates all the small but important milestones on the way to growing up, from the first wobbly baby steps to the time when they’re ready to leave the nest. With irresistible illustrations and an inspiring message, Celebrate You! will cheer and encourage readers of any age.

Wild Baby by Cori Doerrfeld

As her baby goes on a mad dash through the jungle, it’s up to mama to make sure the curious little orangutan doesn’t get into too much trouble—like dancing on a bear, bouncing on an elephant, or even pulling on a leopard’s tail. But when you have a wild baby, life is full of surprises! With a simple, playful rhyme, this adorable and humorous story illustrates the oftentimes chaotic but always loving bond between parent and child.

Chicks Rule by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, illustrated by Renee Kurilla

All in step with wing in wing . . . Chicks can conquer anything! Nerdy Chick has been waiting all day for the Rocket Club meeting. But when she gets there, she finds a disturbing sign tacked to the door: “NO CHICKS ALLOWED!!!” Puzzled, then baffled, then just plain mad, Nerdy Chick sets out to change the rules. Along the way, she meets other chicks who are just like her: passionate and determined. From Soccer Chick to Science Chick and Wordy Chick to Yoga Chick, these chicks aren’t willing to take “NO” for an answer. They rally together, march to the barn at the center of town, and—when they hear “NO” once again—chart their own path forward (or, rather, up, up, and away!).

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman

Tiny T. Rex has a HUGE problem. His friend Pointy needs cheering up and only a hug will do. But with his short stature and teeny T. Rex arms, is a hug impossible? Not if Tiny has anything to say about it! Join this plucky little dinosaur in his very first adventure—a warm and funny tale that proves the best hugs come from the biggest hearts. Introducing an unforgettable character on the picture book scene, Tiny T. Rex will stomp into the hearts of readers in this winning new series.

♥ Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egneus

Lubna’s best friend is a pebble. Pebble always listens to her stories. Pebble always smiles when she feels scared. But when a lost little boy arrives in the World of Tents, Lubna realizes that he needs Pebble even more than she does. This emotionally stirring and stunningly illustrated picture book explores one girl’s powerful act of friendship in the midst of an unknown situation.

Not Your Nest! by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi

Bird is just about to put the finishing touches on her new home when she suddenly finds that her nest is already full–of someone else. So she reluctantly builds another nest. But Fox finds this new nest quite comfy, and Brush Hog loves the view from Bird’s next attempt. Soon the Acacia tree is bursting with happily nested animals of all shapes and stripes–everyone except bird! But when Bird finally finds a way to evict her unwelcome guests, the animals realize their mistake and build a nest that’s big enough for all of them. Well, almost…

♥ The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier

In the second book of this lauded series, Fox and Chick are off on three new adventures involving a boat ride, a mysterious box, and an early morning trip to see the sunrise. Despite the antics ensuing from their opposite personalities, the contradictory duo always manages to find a happy center. This early chapter book in comic-book form is perfect for emerging readers, while the sweet and funny characters and captivating art hold appeal for picturebook audiences as well.

♥ Circle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

This book is about Circle. This book is also about Circle’s friends, Triangle and Square. Also it is about a rule that Circle makes, and how she has to rescue Triangle when he breaks that rule. With their usual pitch-perfect pacing and subtle, sharp wit, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen come full circle in the third and final chapter of their clever shapes trilogy.

♥ Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz

Every day, Momofuku Ando would retire to his lab–a little shed in his backyard. For years, he’d dreamed about making a new kind of ramen noodle soup that was quick, convenient, and tasty for the hungry people he’d seen in line for a bowl on the black market following World War II. Peace follows from a full stomach, he believed. Day after day, Ando experimented. Night after night, he failed. But Ando kept experimenting. With persistence, creativity, and a little inspiration, Ando succeeded. This is the true story behind one of the world’s most popular foods.

Friends by Geraldo Valério

When a girl and a frog go to the beach to fish, they are frustrated to find that the fish aren’t biting. Instead, they stare into the water and make faces at their reflections. Then, something spectacular happens. The reflections take on lives of their own, transforming into a mermaid with her own pet frog. Surprise gives way to delight as they invite the girl and the frog to enter a stunning underwater world. The new friends swim and play amongst colorful sea creatures until they discover a pair of glowing pearls and turn them into matching necklaces.

♥ The Biggest Puddle in the World by Mark Lee and Nathalie Dion

When Sarah and her younger brother Charlie go to stay with their grandparents, it rains for days. At first, they have fun exploring inside the big, old house, but eventually they want to explore outside, too. “Where does the rain come from?” Sarah asks her grandfather, Big T. He promises to show her once it stops raining. When the storm passes, Sarah, Big T., Charlie and Keeper the dog go exploring. They jump in puddles, draw a puddle map and finally find the biggest puddle in the world!

♥ When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniam, illustrated by Qin Leng

When Maya’s grandma makes a surprise visit from thousands of miles away, Maya is delighted. But her excitement doesn’t last long. When Grandma picks her up from school, she wears fancy clothes and talks too loudly. Grandma’s morning prayer bells wake Maya up, and she cooks with ingredients Maya doesn’t usually eat. Plus, Maya thinks cupcakes taste better than Grandma’s homemade sweets. Maya and Grandma try to compromise, and on a special trip to the island Grandma even wears an “all-American” baseball cap. But when Maya rushes off to find the carousel, she loses sight of her mother, father and grandmother. She is alone in a sea of people … until she spots something bobbing above the crowd, and right away she knows how to find her way.

♥ Moon Wishes by Guy and Patricia Storms, illustrated by Milan Paclovic

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be the moon? “I wish I were the moon,” says the speaker in this timeless bedtime story, “so that I could shine on you.” The moon shines to guide a journey home, glistens beautifully on icy snow, and wishes peace and safety for travelers, friends and troubled hearts.

Chapter Books

The Elixir Fixers: Sasha and Puck and the Potion of Luck by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Anneliese Mak

When local chocolate maker Ms. Kozlow comes to the Juicy Gizzard potion shop asking for luck, Sasha needs to find out why. Does Ms. Kozlow need luck because she has a matchmaking appointment with Granny Yenta this afternoon? Can Sasha and her new friend Puck make it Ms. Kozlow’s lucky day?

Middle Grade Books

The Restless Girls by Jessie Burton

For the twelve daughters of King Alberto, Queen Laurelia’s death is a disaster beyond losing a mother. The king decides his daughters must be kept safe at all costs, and for the girls, those costs include their lessons, their possessions, and most importantly, their freedom. But the sisters, especially the eldest, Princess Frida, will not bend to this fate. She still has one possession her father cannot take: the power of her imagination. And so, with little but wits and ingenuity to rely on, Frida and her sisters begin their fight to be allowed to live on their own terms.

♥ The Bridge Home by Padma Vankatraman

Life is harsh in Chennai’s teeming streets, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, eleven-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter–and friendship–on an abandoned bridge. With two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, the group forms a family of sorts. And while making a living scavenging the city’s trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to laugh about and take pride in too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves and no longer dependent on untrustworthy adults.

♥ The Hunt for the Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras

In this Scottish medieval adventure, after attempting a daring rescue of her war-band family, Drest learns that Lord Faintree’s traitorous uncle has claimed the castle for his own and convinced the knights that the lord has been slain . . . by her hand. Now with a hefty price on her head, Drest must find a way to escape treacherous knights, all the while proving to her father, the “Mad Wolf of the North,” and her irrepressible band of brothers that she is destined for more than a life of running and hiding. Even if that takes redefining what it means to be a warrior.

The Missing Piece of Charlie O’Reilly by Rebecca K.S. Ansari

Charlie O’Reilly is an only child. Which is why it makes everyone uncomfortable when he talks about his brother. Liam. His eight-year-old kid brother, who, up until a year ago, slept in the bunk above Charlie, took pride in being as annoying as possible, and was the only person who could make Charlie laugh until it hurt. Then came the morning when the bunk, and Liam, disappeared forever. No one even remembers him—not Charlie’s mother, who has been lost in her own troubles; and not Charlie’s father, who is gone frequently on business trips. The only person who believes Charlie is his best friend, Ana—even if she has no memory of Liam, she is as determined as Charlie is to figure out what happened to him.

The Secret of Zoone by Lee Edward Fodi

When a bright blue winged tiger appears on his aunt’s sofa, Ozzie can tell he’s in for an adventure. He’s thrilled to follow Tug—a skyger—through a secret door in the basement and into Zoone, the bustling Grand Central Station of the universe, where a thousand doors act as portals to strange and wonderful worlds. But some doors also hide dangers—and when the portal back to Earth explodes behind him, Ozzie gets more adventure than he bargained for. In a station full of wizards, creepy-crawlies, and the occasional cursed princess, Ozzie has to find a way to repair his door… and possibly save the multiverse in the process.

♥ One Speck of Truth by Caela Carter

Alma has everything she needs, except answers to her questions. Her mother won’t tell her why her beloved stepfather, Adam, is suddenly gone this summer. Or about life in Portugal, where her parents met. Not even about her father, who Alma cannot find, no matter how many graveyards she searches with her best friend, Julia. Then Alma’s mother shocks her by moving them both to Lisbon so Alma can fall in love with the vibrant city where her father grew up. There she discovers she has more family than she could have imagined.

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

When Sal Vidon meets Gabi Real for the first time, it isn’t under the best of circumstances. Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician, but for this sleight of hand, he relied on a talent no one would guess . . . except maybe Gabi, whose sharp eyes never miss a trick. When Gabi learns that he’s capable of conjuring things much bigger than a chicken–including his dead mother–and she takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There’s only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk.

Far Away by Lisa Graff

CJ’s Aunt Nic is a psychic medium who tours the country speaking to spirits from Far Away, passing on messages from the dearly departed. And CJ knows firsthand how comforting those messages can be — Aunt Nic’s Gift is the only way CJ can talk to her mom, who died just hours after she was born. So when CJ learns that she won’t be able to speak to her mother anymore, even with Aunt Nic’s help, she’s determined to find a work-around. She sets off on road trip with her new friend Jax to locate the one object that she believes will tether her mother’s spirit back to Earth . . . but what she finds along the way challenges every truth she’s ever known. Ultimately, CJ has to sort out the reality from the lies.

Wings of Olympus by Kallie George

High on the slopes of mighty Mount Olympus, among the sun-splashed meadows and sparkling waters, glide the winged horses of the ancient gods. Here up high is normally no place for a lost, parentless girl like Pippa. But once every hundred years, the gods and goddesses descend to the mortal realm to choose jockeys for their winged horse race—and Pippa is one of the lucky children chosen to ride. With her undersized, impetuous winged steed, Zephyr, by her side, Pippa has to confront the greatest challenge of her life: achieving victory in a race across the sky.

Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid by Marcus Emerson

Even though Ben Braver saved Kepler Academy from total destruction last year, he knows he still doesn’t fit in at his secret middle school for kids with special abilities. Ben’s been hiding his lack of super skills, but it’s getting harder as his classmates’ powers are getting stronger. Will Ben be able to power up before his enemies at school take him down? And will he risk everything to become the ultimate superhero?

Stand on the Sky by Erin Bow

It goes against all tradition for Aisulu to train an eagle, for among the Kazakh nomads, only men can fly them. But everything changes when Aisulu discovers that her brother, Serik, has been concealing a bad limp that risks not just his future as the family’s leader, but his life too. When her parents leave to seek a cure for Serik in a distant hospital, Aisulu finds herself living with her intimidating uncle and strange auntie—and secretly caring for an orphaned baby eagle.

Graphic Novels

Lupin Leaps In by Georgia Dunn

Lupin Leaps In is a brand-new comic collection for middle grade readers!  This just in: Three adorable house cats are reporting the most hilarious breaking news! Based on author/illustrator Georgia Dunn’s real-life pets, Elvis, Lupin, and Puck strap on neckties and pick up microphones to provide the most up-to-date relevant news stories (at least according to them).

Poetry

♥ Climbing Shadows by Shannon Bramer, illustrated by Cindy Derby

The poems in Climbing Shadows were inspired by a class of kindergarten children whom poet and playwright Shannon Bramer came to know over the course of a school year. She set out to write a poem for each child, sharing her love of poetry with them, and made an anthology of the poems for Valentine’s Day. This original collection reflects the children’s joys and sorrows, worries and fears, moods and sense of humor.

The Day The Universe Exploded My Head by Allan Wolf, illustrated by Anna Raff

Ever wonder what the sun has to say about being the closest star to Earth? Or what Pluto has gotten up to since being demoted to a dwarf planet? Or where rocket ships go when they retire? Listen closely, because maybe, just maybe, your head will explode, too. With poetry that is equal parts accurate and entertaining — and illustrations that are positively out of this world — this book will enthrall amateur stargazers and budding astrophysicists as it reveals many of the wonders our universe holds. Space travelers in search of more information will find notes about the poems, a glossary, and a list of resources at the end.

No More Poems! by Rhett Miller, illustrated by Dan Santat

these poems bring a fresh new twist to the classic dilemmas of childhood as well as a perceptive eye to the foibles of modern family life. Full of clever wordplay and bright visual gags–and toilet humor to spare–these twenty-three rhyming poems make for an ideal read-aloud experience. Taking on the subjects of a bullying baseball coach and annoying little brothers with equally sly humor, renowned lyricist Rhett Miller’s clever verses will have the whole family cackling.

Nonfiction

♥ Superpower Dogs by Danny Wilcox Frazier

Every single day, dogs around the world use their amazing abilities to help save lives. In over fifty dynamic photos and a fun, fact-filled text, meet some of the incredible canines who save lives, fight crime, and help people heal. Superpower Dogs is a fun and inspiring read for animal lovers of all ages, celebrating the remarkable work of heroic dogs.

♥ Rocket to the Moon by Don Brown

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” when the Apollo 11 landed on the moon. But it wasn’t just one man who got us to the moon. Rocket to the Moon!explores the people and technology that made the moon landing possible. Instead of examining one person’s life, it focuses on the moon landing itself, showing the events leading up to it and how it changed the world.

♥ 100 Years of Children’s Book Week Posters, Text by Leonard S. Marcus

Featuring work from early luminaries such as N. C. Wyeth and Marcia Brown to more contemporary illustrators like David Wiesner, Mary GrandPré, Christian Robinson, and Jillian Tamaki, this beautiful collection showcases the conceptual and iconic images that have defined children’s books for generations of young readers.

♥ Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History by Keith O’Brien

In the years between World War I and World War II, airplane racing was one of the most popular sports in America. Thousands of fans flocked to multiday events, and the pilots who competed in these races were hailed as heroes. Well, the male pilots were hailed. Women who flew planes were often ridiculed by the press, and initially they weren’t invited to race. Yet a group of women were determined to take to the sky—no matter what. With guts and grit, they overcame incredible odds both on the ground and in the air to pursue their dreams of flying and racing planes.

Forest by Kate Moss Gamblin, illustrated by Karen Patkau

Through gentle questions, the text asks young readers to consider what they see and experience in the forest through the seasons ― animal tracks, tiny creatures in the soil, birds soaring in the sky above, towering trees, shade and dappled sunlight ― drawing local connections alongside those of a global sensibility. Stunningly beautiful illustrations show a child and grownup exploring the forest, appreciating its beauty, learning its secrets and enjoying moments of wonder, all first steps toward developing a lifelong awareness of our interconnectedness to the Earth and our impact on the environment.

Whew! That was a huge list of new releases!

I would love to know what you are reading this week! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next time!
Karina

Izzy scored our book nook this morning!

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