Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers, written by Frances Backhouse. Orca, 2025. $24.95 ages 10 and up

 

"Playing is important work for growing bison. 
Running and frolicking build their muscles to 
make them stronger and faster. Chasing and 
dodging each other are skills they need in order
to avoid ending up in a predator's belly. And 
butting heads with buddies is valuable training
for male calves, who will someday compete 
with each other as adults. A calf's other 
important work is eating. Before winter comes, 
it needs to grow as big as possible and build up 
its energy reserves."

As you can tell from the above quote, the conversational tone of the text is very appealing. It makes the learning meaningful, while also feeling like storytelling. Bison once roamed North America in numbers thought to be never-ending; by the early 20th century, their numbers had dwindled dramatically and they were almost facing extinction. Today, in areas that are protected, their numbers are growing. They are tremendously important to the ecosystem, benefitting other animals and also the land. 

The author was first introduced to bison when her family moved east from Montreal, and she saw them in Banff National Park. Her stories and impressive knowledge are engaging from the very first page. I very much enjoyed reading about her many encounters with bison in the wild and with the people who care for the herds. The details shared will leave readers savier about their history, their body differences, the roles they play in creating room for animals and plants to flourish, and their nose-cleaning antics. The book also celebrates the teachings and traditions of Indigenous Peoples

As is expected from books in the Orca Wild series, the text is organized with care, and the book is filled with clear, captioned photos, maps, charts, comparisons, and fascinating facts that give hope for the future of the bison herds. There are numerous places where these largest land animals can now be seen in Canada and the United States. In fact, my family and I are looking forward to making a visit to the Bison Park in Minnedosa MB this summer while they are here. We know not to get too close! 

https://youtu.be/epQAgJflDxA?si=kHWluSXN9wALJI79

The Peddlar of Puddles, written by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Clarion Books, Harper. 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"With a twist and a turn
and a push and a pull, the Peddler had
made countless ducks delighted ... 

hundreds of frogs euphoric ... 

and children ... 

well, he'd stopped counting how many 
children he'd created puddles for."

Kids will be very happy to meet the Peddler of Puddles, and they will be hoping to meet him on their own some day. He's a slow roller, but he gets the job done and makes many creatures very happy. Who doesn't love a good puddle? 

His puddle maker is an invention to make children smile, in hopes of being able to design one for themselves. Watching the fruits of his labor provide just what many creatures need for fun, frolic, and even to quench their thirst is quite the enjoyable endeavor. When children join in the fun, they stomp, splash, and float a boat. 

The Peddler does it all out of the goodness of his heart, never asking for payment. He does, however, appreciate a fresh carrot, a bowl of soup, a firefly lantern, or a smile. He is always on the move, appreciating his old friends and the new ones he meets. His travels are wide, and eventually lead him to the biggest puddle he has ever seen. He is astounded. 

"Wow," he said. 

"I know," replied a voice coming from below. 

It was a small girl. 

A small girl covered in sand."

Thinking to create a rinsing puddle, the Peddler is surprised to find that the water just disappears when it touches the sand. The girl invites him to try dipping his toes in the ocean. What joy they experience together! When it is time for the girl to go home, the Peddler realizes he has no home to go to. Still, he has a job to do. How will he get his cart out of the sand and on the road again?  

Turns out his many friends have been missing him, and want to help. Home they go to a huge hole they have all helped to dig. The Peddler gets right to the task at hand! What he does with his cart will fill hearts with wonder and joy. 

The storytelling is heartfelt and makes for a most enjoyable readaloud. It is filled with kindness and the wonder of community. Tom Lichtenheld does a fine job using pencil, watercolor, and colored pencils to create a fetching setting for the Peddler, his business and his many friends. The details demand attention and offer excellent reasons to stop and talk about what listeners are seeing as the story moves along. 
                                                                                    

We Leap Together, written and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Alfred A. Knopf, Perguin Random House. 2025. $26.99 ages 3 and up

 

"We hear a familiar song. 

We twist and twirl. 

We blow bubbles that float up, up, up." 

As readers note a humpback whale and her baby swimming side by side on the verso side of the first spread, they look over to the recto to watch a small boy, holding a red balloon, and his mother travel city streets. A page turn shows the calf look up through the water's surface at a bird flying high; the child spies a soaring airplane. 

The journeys they take are shown on facing pages throughout, while simple lines of text let readers know they are occupied with the same pursuits. All stay together side by side, and their play is similar. When the whales do a deep dive, the humans descend downstairs into the subway. Each turn shows how similar both families truly are. No matter what happens, mama always provides comfort and safety. As mother and son board a sightseeing boat in the harbor, astute readers will realize what is about to happen. 

"We watch, 

we listen, and then ...

WE LEAP!"

What a lovely premise for this book! The mixed-media artwork will delight readers with the parallel urban and ocean scenes. There is such serenity in the warm, emotional images. Back matter includes a two-page spread that explains how whales and humans have some interesting similarities.                                                                                

A Stronger Home, written by Katrina Chen and Elaine Su and illustrated by Delphie Cote-Lacroix. Orca, 2025. $21.95 ages 5 and up

"The new house is far away. It is small and 
white and hours from town. 
"Is this our house now?" I ask Mommy. 
"For a while," she says. 
Mommy looks tired. 

"Can we walk down to the water?" I ask."

A close look at the opening page, shows noise coming from outside the room where the mother and her son are huddling together. The boy has his hands over his ears; the mother looks with worry at the bedroom door. The storm is not outside. It is inside the house. 

As the two sit together, the mother explains what a typhoon is like; how it can be big or small, but often enormous and it scared her when she was younger. The two hold each other close, waiting for the storm to stop. In the morning, with furniture upended and chaos evident, they leave. They take nothing. It's time for a stronger house, she tells her son. 

Far away, they find a small, quiet spot that provides safety and comfort. They visit the beach and the water. Listening to a shell reminds them that their heartbeats are where you find home. Their stay is short, before moving on to an even stronger house where they can see breaching whales and the sunshine is warm and bright. 

Another move follows, and then another. With each move, they hope the new house is strong enough. Every house is different from the last, and every one seems stronger. When fear and panic arise, they find comfort in each other. They are always together, and the days get easier. Memories fade for what came before, until one day it's time to go back home. The storm has passed. 

With help from family and friends, their return is filled with promise for a better, happier life. 

"I am not afraid of the thunder. 
I am not afraid of the dark. 
I know our home is strong. 
And I know the two of us together 
are stronger than any storm." 

An author's note explains the reason for sharing this story of domestic violence; a part of her own life.  In it, she encourages those impacted by violence to reach out for the support that is there for them.                                                                                      

Magic in a Drop of Water: How Ruth Patrick Taught the World about Water Pollution. Written by Julie Winterbottom and illustrated by Susan Reagan. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $26.99 ages 6 and up

 

"She thought about all the plants and animals that live in 
streams. Not just the diatoms, but the whole community 
of sponges and spiders, water lilies and worms, everything 
from the tiniest protozoa to the biggest fish. She realized 
that if she really wanted to understand pollution, she had 
to listen to all of them. Not just one voice, but the whole 
chorus of water dwellers. 

No one had ever studied everything in a river before. It
would be a huge job. 

Ruth jumped in feet first."

Readers are told immediately that Ruth Patrick loved pond scum when she five years old. She and her sister were encouraged by their father to find anything of interest while they were out walking in the woods. Ruth was a collector at heart, and had no trouble filling her basket. 

Looking at the pond scum she had collected under her father's microscope, she was amazed to see gem-like shapes and other delicate and wondrous things. She would later learn that they were diatoms and their work was necessary to life on Earth. As a young child, Ruth wondered what else she might find in water. Although her mother had little patience for her daughter's love of hauling buckets of 'who knew what' home, her father encouraged her at every turn. 

Girls, at that time, were not expected to study science. Ruth and her father had other ideas. Her interests led her to study biology at college and grad school, with a focus on diatoms. Tens of thousands of them, with very different survival skills. Learning that they had stories, Ruth was on her way to many remarkable  discoveries, including wondering if diatoms could help solve the problem of water pollution. 

Because of people like Ruth who asked pertinent questions and found answers wherever she could, the world knows far more that it once did. With the help of other interested scientific helpers, and by collecting as many samples as they possibly could, Ruth finally found her answers in the water they so carefully studied. 

"Where there are many different kinds of animals, the water is healthy. 
Where there are few - or none - it is polluted."

Her work lives on today as biodiversity, and it is used to measure pollution in many ecosystems. For sixty years, the young girl who loved pond scum worked tirelessly to educate others as she still sought to educate herself. 

Back matter includes More About Ruth Patrick, a timeline, and a selected bibliography for those readers who want to learn more themselves ... just like Ruth. 

A Pocket Full of Rocks, written by Kristin Mahoney and illustrated by E. B. Goodale. Knopf, Penguin Random Hoouse. 2025. $25.99 ages 4 and up

"But then spring comes and you need
to make room for something new. 

You put the rocks in a jar, and next
thing you know, you have ... 

A pocket full of petals."

A young child explores nature through the four seasons, while also satisfying an affinity for collecting special items. In winter, he loves to look for rocks that fit neatly in his pocket and offer oppportunity for use in special circumstances. As winter turns to spring, he puts those rocks in a jar to allow room in his pocket for a new collection. This time it's petals. They have value because of their fragrance and their quiet softness. 

As the petals are moved to the rock jar and spring turns to summer vacation, the new collection is the many shells found on the beach. They offer up sound and familiarity. The advent of fall moves the shells to the top of the heap in the jar, and leave room in the pocket for the many acorns found on the leaf-strewn ground. It takes careful thought to find ways to make acorns valuable during the autumn months. 

Too soon, snow falls. The acorns find a home in the jar, leaving a chance for the child to take a clear look at the collected layers and imagine new ways to show their value as family gifts. The rocks are given back to nature as sleds for fairies, and the ones remaining return to a now-empty pocket ... safe, solid and satisfying.   

The cumulative nature of the story will appeal to young readers: the collecting, the skepticism of the family, the movement from season to season, the imagination at every turn, the placing of one pocket full atop the last, and then using each to make something new. What a lovely celebration, accompanied by mixed-media artwork showing the child's full attention to the natural world and its treasures. 
                                                                                   

Our Plastic Problem: A Call for Global Solutions. Written by Megan Durnford. Orca, 2025. $21.95 ages 9 and up

"Did you know that you wear plastic? If you have 
a bathing suit, a raincoat, rain boots, a windbreaker, 
jogging pants or any other clothing made from 
synthetic fibers, you are wearing materials made 
from plastic."

Life in homes, and for families, took a turn in the 1950s when plastic hit the spotlight as 'the miracle material' that was sure to make things better and easier. It could hold liquids, it was relatively easy to produce, and it could take many different forms, depending on how it was to be used. Since that time, plastic has become so much a part of our daily lives that it is difficult to fathom. It has many practical uses; it has also caused endless concerns for the planet because much of it is discarded. The Tupperware that people bought in the 50s and 60s will never go away. Plastic does not rot or degrade; it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. What was thrown out 70 years ago still has a place on land or in the oceans. While it is used in many remarkable ways today, it is causing immense problems for marine life, the environment, and for humans as well. 

In her book, Megan Durnford offers a personal look at how the evolution of plastics made life better in many ways when it was first introduced. In an information box called Plastic Planet, she talks about the proliferation of plastic products that impact our lives. 

"Plastic is all around you. Have you ever tried counting all the different types of plastic things you use every day? Some are obvious, like a plastic cup. But you use hundreds of things made with plastic that are not so obvious. Did you know that the following things are made with plastic? Paper bills, pencils, balloons, glitter, contact lenses, jogging pants, electrical cords, nonstick pans, packing peanuts, pantyhose, ribbon, wallpaper, Scotch tape, stickers, Velcro, yoga mats, umbrellas, and toothbrushes." 

In following chapters, she discusses Plastic Forever which is quite astounding given its lasting effects around the world on water, clothing, nature's creatures, air quality, and the human body. In Global Problems Need Global Solutions, readers learn that we all have a part to play in finding ways to stem the impact of plastic waste. In the final chapter, Beyond Plastic, the author offers logical solutions for replacing some of the plastics we use so freely. Interesting initiatives are described and provide opportunity for further thought. On the final page, a What Can You Do? looks at a wide variety of ways readers can begin to make effective changes in their own lives. 

A list of resources, a glossary, and an index are appended. 

This addition to the Orca Footprints series follows a familiar format for providing middle grade students with accessible writing, relevant facts, and excellent captioned photographs, information boxes, and encouragement to look closely at the world around them. 

The Bear Out There, written and illustrated by Jess Hannigan. Quill Tree Books, Harper. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"If you want to know, too, I can tell you, 
but be prepared. You may be chilled to 
the bone. 

Are you ready? 

Come closer. 
You must promise not to scream. 

I know for a fact that there is a BEAR out there."

A knock brings a tiny girl with a big mouth and a very loud voice to answer the door. She is apologetic when speaking to readers; she was expecting someone else. She wonders if the readers are avoiding something scary. They are invited in, and she prepares to tell them what is 'out there'. She knows they will be terrified when they learn the truth. 

There is a BEAR out there; she is sure of it! She reminds them of the no screaming rule. She explains that the bear is watching the house (and the illustration proves that to be true). When asked if she has seen the bear, she is quick to point out that she KNOWS it is there. She even explains the three signs that let a person know a bear is near. 

She continues on, sharing her knowledge and feelings about what is happening. She even draws a picture of said bear.  As outside noises ramp up, she does her best now to reassure anyone worried about the bear. A loud noise finally has her checking outside where she sees no bear. Or is it there? Yes, it is! Time for her to hit the road, and for readers to take care of themselves! 

As the bear explains that he has returned to his home, he warns that inviting oneself into his home is bad manners and happens too often. In fact, he will gladly welcome any visitor who asks first.  

I did love Jess Hannigan's Spider in the Well (Quill Tree, 2024), and will now happily add this sophomore title to my favorites shelf as well. The storytelling engages readers at every turn, and the tension created for them only ups their enjoyment. The twist at the end offers a chance to chuckle at the poor bear's indignity. Kids will love it, and I can't wait to see what Ms. Hannigan does next! 

So much fun on every page!                                                                                   

Space for Everyone, written by Seina Wedlick and illustrated by Camilla Sucre. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"They work and chat until the cousins arrive, 

then their aunts arrive, 

and Papa, and ... 

... soon the house is full. And their table 
for four is a table for more."

Tables can be very different, depending on the family using them. In Zainab's house there is need for a large one; her family always has 'space for everyone'. It doesn't take long for readers to discover how that happens. 

Papa cooks morning breakfast that entices his family to make their way to the table. Mama heats  water for tea or cocoa. Before they settle in to eat, visitors knock at the door and invite themselves in. Luckily, the table is stretched to its limit; more chairs are added. As soon as they finish eating, the children are off to school. 

After school, Zainab and her mother visit at the table, having tea and sharing news. Once everyone is home, the children settle in for homework and crafts. Then cousins, aunts, and Papa add to the number the table can accommodate. All that changes on the weekend when the women gather to do hair and henna-dye their hands, and others show up for board games. It is so quiet when everyone is gone. 

All guests look stunning as they arrive for the goodbye party. They just keep coming and coming. Always, there is space for them. The day before the move, their small family (5) sits at the table to share memories. Zainab worries that they won't have friends at the new house. Once there, days are quiet but warm and welcoming. Storm sounds can be frightening, but the table is there to anchor the family. Then, warm tea and sunshine through the window after the storm has passed. Before they know it, the house is filled with aunts, uncles, cousins and Grandmama, along with their friends ... and then their many new neighbors! The table welcomes everyone.  

Gorgeous, colorful digital artwork is as warm and welcoming as the story itself. The rituals we share at the tables in our homes often hold our best memories. What is your best memory from your table?  

Here Is A Book, written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper. Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Over here is the artist's studio overflowing 
with papers, pencils, watercolors, brushes, 
sketches, drafts, a wastebasket, a light, a 
desk, a chair, music, tea, days, nights, art,
and wonder."

There has never been an Elisha Cooper book I did not love! He is just brilliant at creating books to savor for all that he includes in his stories and illustrations. He does that same thing again in this one, as he pays homage to picture books in a way that takes readers from the flicker of an idea in the artist's head to a book in their hands. 

He sets the mood immediately with an introductory image of a solitary house beneath a mostly cloudy night sky. A turn of the page shows that same house on a double page spread that shows it in early morning light, and its setting on a wide expanse at the edge of water. Someone is looking out over the water, sketchbook in hand. The title page brings readers closer to the artist's hands, the sketchbook, and the sky full of clouds being sketched. 

As the artist sits and looks, a variety of images emerge as ideas. The garden offers produce to be taken in to the house. A close look at the kitchen where food is prepared, the artist' studio where materials needed provide a chance to work and rest and work again. Once the work is done, she pedals her bike to a seaside town where she leaves her art at her publisher's office. 

Her work is done, and the next part of the process is handled from layout to printing. A truck transports the finished copies through rural wonder to the streets of an urban center where the books are delivered to a school for its library and the children who use it. Finally, one student takes the book home to be share with family, and independently for days to come. 

A facing page to the final spread shows the child reading said book, while surrounded by reminders of other favorites from past encounters. In the end, a sketchbook in that child's hands shows promise for the making of a new book. Don't pass up checking under the dustjacket to see what is there. 

"Here is a book. Look. It is made with care, 
warmth, color, rhythm, teamwork, time, 
beauty, adventure, grit, inspiration, curiosity, 
action, structure, humor, wonder, and love."

TheTrue Story of Vanillla: How Edmond Albius Made History, written by Ann Richards and illustrated by Arden Taylor. Orca Books, 2025. $24.95 ages 10 and up

"Edmond grew up in the company of lawyers,
politicians, plantation owners and other 
scientists and naturalists who visited the 
plantation. In a few years, these same men 
would ask Edmond for his help, and this 
would take Edmond and Ferreol on an 

amazing journey."

It is truly amazing to learn the story of Edmond Albius, a houseboy on a sugar plantation in 1841 when he was only 12. There was a time when vanilla orchid plants could only be pollinated by bees in Mexico. The discovery that those plants could be pollinated by hand led to the development of an important industry for the French colony named Reunion to become a major producer of vanilla. Edmond's method continues to be used today. 

The fact that he was an uneducated slave had many not believing that he had made the discovery; others tried to take credit for it. Once freed, Edmond's life did not become easier. He struggled away from the plantation to earn enough moneyto live, spent time in prison and died too soon. His friend Ferreol worked tirelessly to get recognition and payment for Edmond. His efforts were for nothing. Edmond was 35 before he finally was credited with his discovery. What an accomplishment that  changed the vanilla industry forever.  

Ann Richards tells his story with honor and plenty of historical information, bringing the reality of slavery and its costs to many. Included are 'In the Pod ' text boxes filled with facts about vanilla, its uses and growth. There is much to learn. I am always surprised to learn the stories of people who have made remarkable discoveries without really getting the recognition they deserve. Edmond's story is worth reading. 

Back matter includes a timeline, glossary, resources list, and index.

https://bbc.com/travel/article/20240118-the-little-known-truth-about-vanilla

The Trouble with Heroes, written by Kate Messner. Bloomsbury Children's Books, Raincoast. 2025. $23.99 ages 10 and up

 

"Mom made excuses even when I was little.
The Towers took something he couldn’t get back.
No matter how fast he ran into flames.
No matter how hard he tried to forget.
Memories like that stick to your skin,
crawl deep inside you,
and curl up in corners
that still somehow smolder, all
metal and ash."  

Finn Connelly has gotten himself in some big trouble letting his anger get the better of him, and kicking over the headstone of an important local, Edna Grace Thomas. Ms. Thomas was a dedicated climber of the 46 Adirondack Peaks, and encouraged thousands of others to discover the beauty and peace found in nature while climbing them. Instead of pressing charges against the seventh grader, Ms.Thomas' daughter seeks reparation through Finn agreeing to scale all 46 High Peaks before Labor Day. He will take the Thomas dog, Seymour, with him as often as is possible. 

Finn also has unfinished work from school in English and Phys. Ed. to complelte during the summer. Whed two years ago. Finn is about to fail seventh grade and has never made headlines . . . until now. Caught on camera vandalizing a cemetery, he’s in big trouble for knocking down some dead old lady’s headstone. Turns out that grave belongs to a legendary local mountain climber, and her daughter makes Finn an unusual offer: she’ll drop all the charges if he agrees to climb all forty-six Adirondack High Peaks in a single summer. And there’s just one more thing–he has to bring along the dead woman’s dog. In a wild three months of misadventures, mountain mud, and unexpected mentors, Finn begins to find his way on the trails. At the top of each peak, he can see for miles and slowly begins to understand more about himself and his dad. But the mountains don’t care about any of that, and as the clock ticks down to September, they have more surprises in store. Finn’s final summit challenge may be more than even a hero can face. ile not enamored of the task, Finn agrees and is accompanied on his climbs by experienced volunteers who agree to help him face the summits. There is a lot for Finn to deal with, including his father's death and need to be a hero. In poetic verse, Kate Messner handles topics of grief, mental health, PTSD, friendship, identity, and growing up. She also includes founds letters, recipes, text messages between mother and son, school progress reports, and photographs taken of the many climbs.

Finn is a well-realized character whose growth and capability impress readers, as he moves forward despite difficulties and observed flaws to find out what he needs to know about himself.  Eventually, despite reservations and many complaints, Finn finds what he needs in nature and with kind support. There are many discoveries to be made and his story, though heartbreaking at times, is going to win some major awards. It's that good! 

The Burning Season, written by Caroline Starr Rose. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.50 ages 10 and up

 

"My fear rekindles, burns again. 
My palms are slick with sweat.

That terrible day four years ago, 
before the fire crew came, 
before the helicopter saved us, 
the skies alight with red-orange haze
as flames leaped tree to tree - 
crown fire in the canopy."

It is Opal's 12th birthday, and time for her to start training with Gran to uphold a fourth generation career as a wilderness lookout. Opal, her mom and her grandma live in a lookout tower in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. Their daily task is to keep watch, check in and spot fires. Opal loves the life and the work they do; she also yearns to attend school and live with with her best friends in Cielito, a town nearby. 

Her father's death in a fire, the fire that came far too close to their home four years before, and the intense fire that burned much of her beloved forest have left Opal with an overpowering fear of the flames that can so quickly consume entire forests and leave destruction in their path. Her life and learning are brought to the fore when her mother is stranded in town by a washed-out trail, and her grandmother is lost in the forest while looking for her granddaughter. 

Seeing the beginning of a fire, and having no one else to count on, Opal embarks on a quest to save and protect her grandmother, while also doing her best to stem the fire that no one else can stop. What courage that takes for a young, uncertain girl. While informing readers about climate change and managing wildfire threats, Ms. Rose also pens gripping, emotional poetry to tell Opal's story. The pace is intense, the story compelling, and Opal's work to take all she has learned and use it in a terrifying situation makes this a book that many middle graders will find this survival story hard to put down. 

An author's note describes the research, the history of fire management, and the need to listen to the land to effect the changes needed to make things better. 

"Gran says 
before hard times and drought, 
before they were scattered to reservations, 
Native people burned dead growth, 
tended forest gardens, 
used ash to fertilize their crops
and fire to corner game. 

They knew to listen to the land, 
understood its burning seasons, 
respected the life-giving force, 
nature's gift of fire."

AND THEN BOOM! Written by Lisa Fipps. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 10 and up

 

Reading this book took me straight back to reading Starfish, my first encounter with Lisa Fipps' remarkable storytelling. It's hard to find the right words to tell you about it. So, as I did then, I 
will include a few of the passages that made me gasp. I started reading, and could not put it down. 

 https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7130079189010543417/9068845498303028036

Joseph Oak's life is filled with sudden and inexplicable change. He immediately introduces the people in his life who make it bearable, for the most part. 

"I do have one thing in common
with superheroes. 
I have an origin story. 
So does Grandma, who's from England, 
Mom, who gets The Itch, 
my best friends, Hakeem and Nick, 
Uncle Frankie, who's not really my uncle, 
and my sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Swan. 
Each of us has an origin story, 
the story of how we became who we are."

Meeting them, but for Mom, will fill your heart. What a phenomenal community they provide for each other. Joe's life with Grandmum is happy, if not easy.  Grandmum cleans houses and offices, owns the home she lived in with Grandpa, and manages to feed the two with food stamps. All that changes when Joe's often-absent mother is arrested, and Grandmum uses the house to pay her bail. When Mom jumps bail and leaves without warning, they lose the house and end up living in their old car, which has seen its best days. 

"We all have at least 
one day,

One day, 
I'm gonna be the world's best chef
at my very own restaurant, and 
the food's gonna be so good
that when Michelin reviews it, 
it'll create a fourth star just for me, 
Hakeem says. 

One day, 
I'm going to find a cure for depression, 
Nick says. 

One day, 
I'm going back to my beloved old England.
Everybody longs for home, 
Grandmum says. 

One day is 
a hope, 
a wish, 
a dream that gets you through 
ordinary days, 
hard days, 
the worst days. 

One day, 
I'll never be filled with 
the ache of hunger again."

With help from the generous, creative and kind Uncle Frankie, they are able to find an old mobile home to rent. Life is turned upside down when Grandmum dies, Mom returns, and then soon leaves. Joe is now fully on his own, and not wanting anyone to know. His best friends are always there for him, but don't know the depth of his poverty or the true nature of the life he is living. 

Being able to find the perfect words to tell this story in verse with emotion, humor and hope is Ms. Fipps' superpower. I will forever remember every character, every scene, every bit of courage displayed by Joe as he navigates unsteady ground at every turn. Using his journals and the lessons he has learned from his superheroes gives him a way to keep his head above water. AND THEN BOOM ... a tornado! 

"It's amazing 
how long you can live 
without anyone realizing 
how you live"

Keep Our World Green: Why Humans Need Gardens, Parks and Public Green Spaces. Written by Frieda Wishinsky and illustrated by Sara Theuekauf. Orca, 2025. $29.95 ages 10 and up

"Wetlands also provide us with fish, shellfish,
blueberries, cranberries, and wild rice. Some 
wetlands supply plants for medicines. Animals
and reptiles live in wetlands. Birds feed, nest
and rest there. Wetlands improve our natural 
water quality. But swamps and wetlands are 
disappearing as more and more land gets 
developed." 

Frieda Wishinsky's voice is very personal as she introduces her audience to her early life in New York and her love for the green spaces she found there. Once she was living in Toronto, she found a book about Frederick Law Olmstead, the designer of Central Park. Her admiration for Olmstead led to writing a picture book biography: The Man Who Made Parks (Tundra, 2009). Much has changed since that time, and the world has lost far too many green spaces. 

This exceptional book in the Orca Timeline series helps readers understand that green spaces are needed for food growth, good health and happiness. They can, and do, bring people together. Alongside the first chapter heading Green Space Matters, Sara Theuerkauf places a montage of green spaces that include The Fertile Crescent, the Irish Potato Famine, The White House Victory Garden and the three sisters which have been relevant from 1300 until today. 

The chapter is filled with engaging artwork, information boxes, a map, captioned and clear photos, and fact-filled paragraphs meant to inform. There are also green stories shared in journal-like entries, and quotes contained in green boxes. Each chapter following: (Gardens of Long Ago, Green Space for Everyone, Green Space Inspires Art, Music and Literature, Green Space in Danger, Great Green Ideas, and Green Space Builds Community), has the same design and is filled with practical text sure to find favor with interested readers.  

The value of green spaces cannot be undersold. They offer protection, help in the development of medicines, act as places for celebration, and share beauty hard to beat. Artists, writers, and musicians find inspiration for their work. The dangers to their well-being are numerous and have lasting repercussions for the land and the creatures who make their homes there. There are ways to make meaningful changes. Ms. Wishinsky has ideas to share with her audience.  

A glossary, resource list, acknowledgements, and an index are appended. 

What do you do to celebrate the green spaces in your community, neighborhood, or backyard? 

More or Less, words by Alison Hughes and pictures by Oge Mora. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2025. $24,99 ages 3 and up

 

"Plenty. 

More. 

And more."

Looking in on this young boy's family and home, readers are shown they have plenty. Heading up to his bedroom, images show there is even more up there. Opening the closet produces more and then more. It's hard for him to contend with so much. Looking at it all seriously, he begins to think in terms of less. What can he give away? 

He fills his wagon with what he considers unnecessary. His sister puts up a fight; he is determined to give stuff away. He does so as he travels the road past the seniors' center, which is looking for donations. His friends follow in his footsteps, bringing items they no longer need. Through these and other connections he makes with community members, he is soon organizing a collection drive to help others do what he is doing. That kindness expands along the way with recycling efforts as well. 

More and more is collected, sorted, and used for new purposes. A full spread shows community members working together to create bird houses and feeders, and then placing them in their park. His family have supported him at every turn. They gather to celebrate the work done to make their community a welcome and meaningful place. 

Only 9 words are used to create a wonderful narrative, accompanied by Ms. Mora's signature collages. Detail-filled spreads highlight the boy's crusade to turn more into less, and then into something truly wonderful for a new friend. The book opens and closes with plenty. This accentuates that having far more than is needed is not the full meaning of the word. Plenty at the end means family and their abundant love for one another. Bravo!

Black Diamond Kings, written by Charles R. Smith Jr. and illustrated by Adrian Brandon. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages

"THUNDER AND LIGHTNING 
Josh Gibson 

Here comes Big Josh
big Josh 
up to bat, 
here comes big Josh 
with the thunder in his bat. 

Here comes the heat
speeding fast 
fast 
fast, 
here it comes
there it goes
with a thunderous 
CRASH. 

There it goes
there it goes
OUT 
of the stadium, 
a bolt of lightning from the bat of big Josh Gibson!"

It's mid-season for MLB and the 2025 season. It seems an appropriate time to tell you about this new book by the prolific Charles R. Smith Jr. If you love sports, or have kids and students who do, you will know his name. His many books are favorites of those who want to know more about the world of sports. He has written over 30, and many of them reflect his keen interest in people, sports stars, and Black History. 

Mr. Smith begins with Satchel Paige in a poem that showcases his brilliance as a pitcher, and the skill that lured countless fans to the ball park to watch his wizardry. Each turn of the page presents another stellar competitor and offers a clear look at the ability they carried onto the field game after game. I could go on to share their stories and their accomplishments. The pages are filled with very clear descriptions of each player selected, and each is worthy of full attention. The poetic styles vary and explore the sights and sounds of baseball. 

The author pays tribute to 12 baseball stars who spent all or most of their careers in the Negro Leagues (1920s to 1962); readers will learn their stories, first in poetry and then in a series of 'player notes'. Those notes are filled with further information about each one, and includes years played, handedness, and positions played. A few also held management spots. A question-and-answer section following provides honest answers concerning the evolution of the league and some of the hurdles Negro players faced. 

Illustrations, sketched by hand and digitally painted, offer readers a chance to see each player on the field as they must have appeared to those in attendance at their games. Long limbs, constant movement, chiseled features make them come alive. They were great players and their careers merit being added to Major League statistics. There are currently 37 Negro Leagues players in the Baseball Hall of Fame ... a well-deserved honor.                                                                                        

Freya and the Snake, written by Fredrik Sonck and illustrated by Jenny Lucander. Translated by B.J. Woodstein. Kids Can Press, 2025. $23.99 ages 5 and up

 

"He lifts the oar. And he kills Snakey. 
I see the whole thing from the porch. 
Snakey slithers around on the ground
for a moment. And then goes completely 
still."

The family is at the lake when Freya's brother spots a 'worm'. Freya is quick to correct him, letting him know the worm is really a snake. Mom and Dad come over in a hurry. They do not want a snake anywhere near their little one. The snake disappears. Freya suggests calling it Snakey. 

Dad has a plan to capture the snake, per instructions provided in a book he has read. He will put it in a bucket and carry it away, never to return. The children watch as Dad carves a snake hook. Snakey is too smart for Dad and avoids his many attempts at capture. Dad doesn't give up. Oar in hand and Snakey in sight, Dad climbs over the rocks in yet another attempt to trap the elusive snake. Instead, he uses the oar to put an end to Snakey. 

Freya is frantic as she has watched the whole thing. There's blood everywhere; Snakey is no more. Furious with her dad, she will not listen to any excuses. A funeral is arranged without the snake murderer being there. Dad comes back with ice cream. Freya is not buying that. She will NOT talk to her dad. Her sister Julia tries to convince her that Snakey might have hurt them. She even has a story to tell. 

No one can understand why Freya is so upset. She and her dad go for a row on the lake, allowing him to apologize and suggest that next time he will try harder to capture the dreaded snake, not kill it. Freya is allowed to have her say as well. 

"We row farther out. All we can hear is the 
creak of the oars. And the mosquitoes. 
My dad loves me. 
I love him. 
I love a snake-murderer."

Artwork that expresses all the 'feels' on spreads that consist of line drawings, watercolor, and digital collage ensures that everyone's point of view is aired. Death can be jarring and hard to accept, while forgiveness can take time and understanding. The right decision is not always an easy one. Honest and empathetic, it is a book that invites discussion. 

Drawn Onward, written by Daniel Nayeri and illustrated by Matt Rockefeller. Harper, 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"All alone ... 

he was not so brave. 

He didn't need to be 
that deep in the woods. 

   TATARRATAT"

Living together in their mountain home, a father and son grieve the death of their wife and mother. Their sadness is palpable. As they struggle to find their way forward, anger builds and the son runs away one early morning. It is easy at the beginning to be on his own; the further away he gets, the more his fear grows. 

Intermittent words and sounds allow Matt Rockefeller to fill the pages with an astounding fantasy world. Taking a sword and shield with him, the child makes his way on a journey where danger lurks in every corner. He wants an answer to his big question. He is determined to move forward despite the many obstacles he faces: giant spiders, a water serpent, gnomes mining mushrooms, slippery surfaces, a hot desert, and finally a tower where he discovers the statue of a woman covered in an evil-looking vine.

His magic sword puts quick work to the vine. His tear-filled eyes plead for the answer to his question: Mom, were you glad you were mom? Each corner of that spread reflects times when the two were together, enjoying life and shared experiences. Now he has his answer, he can begin the journey home. The words repeat in a story that reads in reverse as he makes his way. His heart is full. His path is clear as he provides care and help for those creatures earlier met. The need to be brave is no longer paramount. He is not alone; he and his father will find their way.

Impossible to read only once, this is a book to be shared again and again. There are many discoveries to be made! 

                                                                                                 

His Fairytale Life: A Book About Hans Christian Andersen. Written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 6 and up

 

"... who finally, in his teens, 
sat with the three - and four -
and five - year - olds in class, 
learning all he could; 

a boy, thin and awkward, 
towering over the little ones,
knees up to his nose
as he crouched over his small desk; "

It should never be a surprise that Jane Yolen finds a new and inspirational way to tell a story. In this picture book biography about Hans Christian Andersen, she honors his storytelling in one long sentence that begins with readers learning his mother could not read. Her memory for the fairy tales she had heard throughout her life provided her son with constant entertainment, and a chance to imagine.

While his mother regaled him with exciting tales, his shoemaker father built solid wooden objects to further his interest in storytelling, and his grandfather danced naked in Denmark's forests. Hans dreamed of being a writer before he knew the alphabet; he had never attended school. In his teens, he joined a nursery class to help him learn all that he could learn. What an education it was! 

He shared his poetry with people on the streets; and wrote stories that he gave away because no one wanted to buy them. As a man, he longed to be a digter (a Dutch word for poet) and to find someone to love. Friends loved his writing, as did many others. 

"a man whose stories 
were on every tongue
in every tongue,  
in places he had never traveled, 
read by people he never met ... "

He was never loved by someone special. He lived in loneliness until his death. Today, he is honored in statues around the world for his body of work. What a legacy he left - certainly an influence for fine writers today, including Ms. Yolen whose own work is much-loved and honored. Such beauty in the words chosen to tell this story. 

Watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink images are the perfect finishing touch. Ms. Boynton-Hughes infuses her work with detailed images from many of the fairy tales so beloved by readers. Hans Christian Andersen's authentic life is placed alongside what his imagination conjured for his storytelling. Beautiful! 
                                                                                     

The Blue Canoe, written by Sheryl McFarlane and illustrated by Laura Aylesworth. 2024. Familius, Raincoast. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"Mama mallard hurries 
her ducklings into the 
water and away. 

I think you will like 
fuzzy ducklings, 
coming-soon baby. 

It's quiet except for our 
paddles. A bald eagle 
floats on an updraft and
the tall trees reach for 
the sky."

Dad waves from a small cabin on the lake, as mother, child and a teddy bear make their way onto the dock. They are ready to head out for their daily paddle. The child speaks to her teddy as if it is the coming-soon baby her mom is expecting. As they paddle, they take pleasure in the wonders of the natural world that surrounds them. 

As they go, the child wonders if the new baby will canoe with them. Mom explains that Dad will care for the baby while the two continue their paddling. In the quiet of the morning, the child is able to share her 'what ifs' ... the concerns she has for how the baby will change life as they now know it. Mom hears her questions and offers positive responses. Yes, she will be tired; it will not change that she loves their canoe trips together. 

Reassured, the child takes up her paddle and enjoys the sights and sounds of the lake as they go. There is so much to see. A worry is expressed; what if the baby is like Dad and doesn't like to canoe. So many thoughts as a child awaits new life. Mom lets her know that no matter the differences they face, there will always be the blue canoe, their paddles on the lake, and a chance to be together. 

Tranquility is felt at every turn of the page in Ms. Aylesworth's calm natural surroundings. That peacefulness encourages the child to express her thoughts and questions as they paddle.                                                                                          

When the Air Sang, written by Laura Bontje and illustrated by Sarah Whang. Annick Press, 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"But Grandma shook her head. 
"Their bodies aren't ready yet. 
First, they must climb to safety."

Annie groaned. More waiting. 

Maybe she should just forget 
about the cicadas' songs.
There were plenty of other
creatures to observe." 

The front endpapers show that we are about to meet a naturalist. Journal pages, sketches, art materials and a mini-magnifier are spread out on a patch of grass. A turn of the page lets readers know that it all belongs to Annie. The title page shows a close-up look at a cicada. 

Annie is an explorer, always on the lookout for something in nature of interest to her. Her backyard is alive with critters to capture her attention. While outside with her great-grandmother, Annie notices a lot of holes in the ground. Her grandparent explains they are made by cicadas; those cicadas have been waiting for seventeen years to come out and sing together. 

Annie wants to follow her ants, but she wants more to wait to hear the cicada's song. It will take a lot of waiting. On walks with family, Annie notices changes in the ground. One night her grandmother gets her up to take her ourside to watch that ground 'come to life' with the emergence of hundreds of cicadas. 

"Would cicadas whine like mosquitoes? 
                           Buzz like bees? 
                                      Or maybe call out their names like katydids?"

The family continues to follow the lives of these remarkable insects as they burst forth from their husk and sprout wings, and finally begin singing. Not everyone loves their song; Annie is captivated by its magic. When the singing stops, Annie sees the empty shells and lifeless insects scattered around her. Her family reminds her that they will be back, just as they have come back for her great-grandmother, her grandmother, and her mother. It will take another seventeen years. 

Basic facts about the life cycle of the periodical cicada are presented in easy-going text. Ms. Whang's winning illustrations show the generations in flashback images as each shares their cicada memories from  childhood. The wonders of nature are evident on every spread, and the warmth of the family experiences remind readers that some things are worth the wait. Helpful back matter invites readers to learn more about cicadas, and offers a timeline of the insect's life. 

https://youtu.be/cprkGk_KW0o?si=r7gvavDTggbdK4vH

Sloth & Squirrel On Vacation, written by Cathy Ballou Mealey and illustrated by Kelly Collier. Kids Can Press, 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"Finally, they arrived at Paradise Park. Squirrel 
jumped for joy when he saw all the activities. 
They decided to start at the beach. 

While Sloth lounged on his floatie, 
Squirrel splashed in the surf, 
built a sandcastle, and skipped stones." 

A pickle pop stand can be busier than one might think. As Squirrel and Sloth deal with a constant demand for their product, Squirrel dreams of adventure and Sloth would give anything for a long nap. There is no time for themselves, until Sloth suggests a vacation. Checking out a travel magazine together, it seems their ideas about the perfect vacation are in conflict. That's not much of a surprise to those who know them. 

Paradise Park offers everything they are looking for; the decision is made. Sloth needs little - a sleep mask and a floatie. Squirrel, on the other hand, has an incredibly long list of needs to be packed. His suitcase overflows. Once there, Squirrel is enticed by endless ways to spend his time. Sloth is happy to be in the water on his floatie, until it meets its demise. 

Squirrel is keen to replace it. On his way to do so, he is completely distracted by one activity after another. Finally tired, he flops onto the beach and realizes he has not spent any time with his friend. Where can Sloth be? After his long nap, Sloth is ready for some fun with Squirrel and heads off to find him. Squirrel is not to be found anywhere, although stories of his adventures abound. 

Risking life and limb, Sloth takes to the skies to see if he can spot his friend. That he does - and soon lands right beside him on the beach. The resulting attempt to find something special to share comes with its own set of problems. Lucky that Squirrel has the solution! 

Kelly Collier's digital illustrations add humor and heart to this story that proves differences can make friendship stronger. 

Great Apes: Protecting Our Animal Cousins, by Christopher Gudgeon. Orca, 2025. $24.95 ages 10 and up

 

"In the rainforests of the Congo basin live 
the smallest of the great apes, the remarkable 
bonobos. Gentle, fun-loving, and very social, 
they are described by some people as the happy 
hippies of the animal kingdom. Bonobos are 
primarily arboreal. That means they spend 
most of their lives in trees. Their long arms
and flexible shoulders make it easy for them 
to swing through the forest canopy, where 
these herbivores can find a rich supply of 
their favorite foods, such as fruits, leaves, 
and other vegetation."

This 15th book in the Orca Wild series is sure to attract attention from those kids who have a special place in their hearts for these wild and winning animals, who are in need of our protection. The author begins with an introduction to Molly, a female bonobo, at a private zoo in the British Columbia mountains. He had not heard of bonobos; it was an unwelcome surprise for him to see just how unhappy Molly was. Molly was the impetus for him to go home and find out as much as he could about the great apes: bonobos, chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas. He knew even then that he would grow up to write about them. This resulting book keeps that promise he made to himself.

As our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, they are intelligent, communicative, and employ social structures very different from other creatures in the wild. The design of the book is easy to navigate with captioned stock photos, information boxes that offer relevant and impressive asides to the main text, and clear descriptions, chapter by chapter, of each of member of the great ape family. 

Each is described in clear and accessible language. A list of FAST FACTS is included early in each chapter, close-up images are telling and even humorous as their lives are laid open for young readers to learn about their similarities and differences, and important scholars and advocates are introduced. Each species is described as endangered or critically endangered. Their numbers have dropped dramatically because of poaching, climate change, and loss of habitat. Luckily, concerned people are doing what they can to help with conservation and creating game preserves that can offer protection. 

The final chapter expresses hope for making the future better for all species, and offers ways for everyone to get involved in making a difference by learning more and taking action in any way possible. Back matter is very helpful.

Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers's Rights. Edited by Ashley Hope Perez and illustrated by Debbie Fong. Holiday House, Penguin Random House. 2025. $26.99 ages 14 and up

 

"60% of the 1000 book challenges were 
submitted by just 11 people. One man 
alone was responsible for 92 challenges. 

These 11 people seem to have made 
submitting copy-cat book challenges 
their full-time hobby. Their opinions 
are having an outsize ripple effect 
across the nation. 

WE NEED TO MAKE THE VOICES
SUPPORTING DIVERSE BOOKS 
AND OPPOSING BOOK BANS 
EVEN LOUDER."

This is a valuable and impressive resource for young adults wanting to explore book bans, why they are happening, and how challenges can be effective in having them reversed. The entries are edited by Ashley Hope Perez who knows a lot about the subject as her book Out of Darkness is often banned in the United States. In this carefully curated collection, award-winning authors and illustrators have contributed personal thoughts on the subject. They are written as essays, poems, graphic art, and story. They have an impact for readers. 

The introduction provides alarming statistics concerning bans at both state and school levels. Documents from 2021 to 2023 show 'a total of 5,894 book bans across 41 states and 247 public school districts. These book bans restricted access to the work of 2,598 authors, illustrators, and translators.' That number is on the rise. This book was created to say NO to the book banning that is impacting young people across America. 

Debbie Fong has provided a portrait of each of the sixteen artists prior to their contribution to the whole. A brief bio is also added. Readers will find the works both appealing and thought-provoking. Often moving and full of heart, they evoke compassion for their personal experiences. For those wanting to know more, they are numerous suggested resources for follow-up learning on a variety of weighty topics. A Teen-To-Do List to Fight Book Bans suggests ways for readers to get involved in having their opinions, considering this is something that so directly affects them. There is a lot at stake and these entries offers tools needed to have a say in their right to read what they choose. Ms. Perez also introduces teens who are making a difference in their own way to fight book banning where they live. 

The authors discuss how what happened when they were younger has impacted their writing today, and they encourage their readers to take up the fight for freedom to read. Ample resources offer extensive lists of banned books. 

"Knowledge is power. And that is what they fear. Regardless of your upbringing, of where you live, or how you're otherwise pigeonholed, you'll find the knowledge you need in books. "  Ellen Hopkins, 2025.

Wish In A Tree, written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"While my classmates work, I look down 
at my paper. It looks like a beluga whale 
in a sea of milk.

Shay sees my blank paper. "You are so lazy, 
Oliver. Why can't you be like the rest of us?"

Shay's words hurt, but not as much as the 
words I say to myself. Sometimes the things
I say to myself make me feel like I've been 
caught by a bolas spider."

One of my favorite middle grade novels in 2015 was Fish in a Tree.   Here is the link to that post: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7130079189010543417/230329664005859518

Readers first met Oliver in that book. In his debut as a picture book narrator, they will learn much more about him, his neurodiversity, and his true character. Oliver does not have an easy time at school. His brain is always in overdrive, and he finds it very hard to focus while his classmates are busy working.
While their  pencils push across the page, Oliver's pencil is a rocket making its sounds burst forth from his mouth. Shay does not appreciate his noise and tells him so. Oliver responds sadly, before suddenly changing course with his thinking. 

"Why are pencils yellow? 
And always No. 2?
Where are all the No. 1 pencils? 
And then I wonder if a pencil rocket
could reach the rings of Saturn." 

Shay also has something snide to say about Oliver's show-and-tell, while Albert responds positively about what he is sharing. Outside for a break, Oliver pays close attention to an ant hill; Jada wants to know what he's doing. Oliver has a clear explanation about why he loves ants. Shay, of course, has an opinion. Later when the class is writing, Oliver's attention remains on the ants and their colony. Shay, once again, makes Oliver feel bad. 

At recess, he just wants to hide. He makes a wish in the tree that offers protection. He just wants to be like everyone else. A quiet visit with Albert, a kind and thoughtful boy, offers a different perspective on what makes Oliver so special and why the world would be a very boring place if everyone were the same. 

"The tree is most beautiful when 
the leaves are not all the same." 

That advice helps turn the page for Oliver in accepting who he is and what he has to offer his friends. He lets Jada and Albert know they are part of his colony, where everyone matters. Just as I did when reading Fish in a Tree, I had tears in my eyes while learning more about Oliver and his loyal friends. 

Nancy Carpenter adds meaning to Oliver's worries with winning artwork created using watercolor, pencil, finger paint, crayon, chalk, paper collage, photo collage, and digial media. Varied perspectives show Oliver as he does his best to stay on track while dealing with an over-stimulated imagination. The scene in the tree is overwhelming while Albert's quiet compassion is uplifting and full of wonder. 

I love this book! 

Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen's First Great Story. Written by Heidi E. Y. Stemple and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2025. $22.99 ages 5 and up

"At the barre in ballet class, 
Janie's fondus didn't rise. 

Across the floor, her jetes didn't lift. 

At the end of class, all the dancers 
joined in the center of the room and 
danced together. 

Everyone. 
        Together."

In this book about author Jane Yolen, her daughter allows readers a chance to see the love of words that led to Ms. Yolen's first story. Always imagining stories in her head, Janie had a notebook for keeping track of her ideas, and the words she read that were unfamiliar to her. Janie gets the lead role in a new play being rehearsed at her school. When she reads the script, she is disappointed. It doesn't have the pizzazz she was hoping for. She feels the same about her ballet class. 

Janie decides to write her own version of the story. She offers the changed script to her very supportive teacher, who approves it and offers new roles to the play's actors. Janie is thrilled with the success they all enjoy. It is the beginning of a long and outstanding career as a children's book author which has garnered much praise and numerous awards. 

An author's note provides a quick look at the events that led to this first story. Archival photos are included to provide context, as are telling endpapers that show the spines of some of the books authored by Ms. Yolen. You are sure to find some of your favorite titles there. Janie was a writer through and through as a child, and remains so today as her extensive bibliography continues to grow. 

The final spread's inspiration is the Jane of today fondly remembering the Janie of earlier times.                                                                                        

https://youtu.be/iZbsmGgYgeE?si=HWtq3uhJAGRgcamX

Fireworks, words by Matthew Burgess and pictures by Catia Chien. Clarion Books, Harper. 2025. $24.99 ages 3 and up 3 and up

"And in the thirsty afternoon, 
we watch the knife slice 
the great green watermelon
into shining red wedges. 

Chins drip sweet drops 

plip
            plop 

plip"

Oh, those brilliant hot-pink endpapers promise much for the upcoming story! The title page introduces two still-sleepy children looking excitedly out their apartment window. First up is breakfast, prepared by their grandmother and eaten before they venture outside to the steamy heat of the day. By noon, they are so hot they make a refreshing run through the cool of an opened fire hydrant. Exactly the cure for their too-warm bodies. 

Their task for their grandmother has them heading toward a nearby bodega. First, a walk past the park's fountain and a quick stop to drop coins into the street musician's hat, before the sweet taste of cool watermelon and a chance to dance to a 'hot' salsa beat. As the sun sets, they return with their supplies and watch Grandma cook dinner. 

It's a very fine night that calls them up to their building's rooftop ...

"          up    

      up

up 

to the silver tar rooftop
still soft from the day's sun, 

      and we wait

                for the first

       POP!"

If you have not experienced the beauty and wonder of fireworks, be prepared. It happens that you don't have to be there to really feel the magic. Matthew Burgess creates pictures with his carefully-chosen, sensational text to put readers right in the midst of a day full of joy that ends in the most wonderful celebration. Right by his side, Catia Chien's mixed-media images place the children in the blaze of summer heat, the cooling-down of evening, and the spectacular show that fireworks present. Their day has ended; the memories live on. 

What a remarkable book! You need this one ...