The Arguers, written and illustrated by Corinna Luyken. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"When they began to argue 
            with the flowers,
some said they had gone too far. 

But most agreed 
it was a great talent
to be able to argue with a fence
or a doorknob,
or the wind."

I am always intrigued by Corinna Luyken and her storytelling. In this fairy tale that features a royal family and those who serve them, she shows how constant bickering can create endless fodder for those involved. The first argument rages over a comb and a brush, clearly shown on front and back endpapers, and which would be best for untangling the abundant king's beard. It flows from his chin across the width of the throne room, bow-tied at many points to keep it from being totally unruly. 

The arguments move on to the letters to be used to bedeck the new throne belonging to the princess: cursive or plain, large or small. I'm sure there were other considerations. Next, which spoons should be used to serve noodles to the the queen's dogs? The constant arguing leads to a time when no one can  remember when the arguing started or why. They all know they are very good at it. 

"They could argue forward
and backward, 
right side up, 
and upside down. 
They argued in fog
and sun
and sleet 
and snow."

When a proclamation goes out to find the best arguer, they all work tirelessly to improve their skills. Finally, the contest is ready to begin ... the gathering is huge and heated. It is so noisy, they can not hear the announcement to begin. It is a classic case of no beginning; will there be an end? A lightning bolt changes everything! The arguers make a discovery no one could have ever thought possible. Will they go back to their old ways?  

This is a delightful story to read aloud. Funny, and thoughtful. The art, done in watercolor, ink, pencil, and gouache, is filled with expression and detailed images of imposing and enormous hairstyles that attract attention at every turn. The kingdom setting is perfect, and the constant arguing will elicit constant giggles.

What makes you want to argue? 
                                                                                       

Pocket Bear, written by Katherine Applegate. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $24.99 ages 8 and up

"Pocket and Berwon chatted for hours. 
They talked about bear things. 
Why they had such stubby tails. Why
bears hibernated all winter. Why they 
were obsessed with honey. 
They talked about toy things. 
The indignities they'd endured. The 
stuffy attics. The stench of mothballs. 
They talked about getting-old things. 
Loose joints. Frayed stitching. The 
inevitable, dismaying loss of precious 
fur. 
They even talked about war things."

Zephyrina, the cat narrator of this marvelous new book by fan favorite Katherine Applegate, is quite impressed with her growing record for discovering discarded toys and handing them over to Elizaveta and Dasha, refugees from the war in Ukraine, at The Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured. Zephyrina's own story is one of finding and adopting these humans. 

Any plush toy goes to Pocket Bear, who determines the toy's need for human ministrations. Then, Elizaveta and Dasha do their best to clean them up, hoping that they can find their owner or a new home. Zephyrina's latest find is a very old stuffed bear, covered in spaghetti sauce and pasta, and in need of tender, loving care. Named Berwon and accepted into their fold, he is processed for discovery or adoption. It takes no time for he and Pocket to become fast friends. They are kindred spirits; the history of each is an integral part of the storytelling. Pocket was a mascot bear in WWI, tucked into a soldier's uniform to bring comfort during fighting. Berwon could conceivably be the first teddy bear ever made in Germany and shipped to the United States in 1903.  

After mother and daughter have gone to bed, the toys come to life under Pocket's leadership. They play and enjoy life until dawn, then return to their spot in the apartment window. Both an antique dealer and a museum curator show an interest in Berwon. This sets the stage for some despicable hijinks and a courageous rescue. When all is said and done, the fate of both bears is left to kind-hearted, thoughtful Dasha to make a heartfelt and difficult decision. 

"“Our job,” Pocket said, “our only job, is to wait with hope.
Always with hope. And while we wait, to care for each other.”"

Crumble, written by Meredith McClaren and illustrated by Andrea Bell. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2025, $16.99 ages 8 and up

 

"We could try another recipe? 

I really don't think that's a good idea.
It'll probably turn out terrible. 

I don't get WHY, though. 
I mean, I get that you don't feel great
at the start, but baking usually makes 
you feel at least a little better towards
the end of it. 
Shouldn't that count for something? 

I don't know."

Yesterday's post was about family, food, and magic. Today's, while totally different in all other ways, has similar themes. Emily, her mom and her aunt Gina run a family bakery. Their special kind of magic is baking emotions into the desserts they create. If you need confidence, just let them know. They will whip up some millionaire shortbread. Cannoli for contentment; iced donuts for excitement; steamed cheesecake for relief are just some of the treats created to help their customers. 

Emily and her best friend Dae are ready to get started at baking some Millionaire Shortbread Cookies under Aunt Gina's watchful eye. After supper, Emily and her aunt make a call to Emily's mother who is away teaching about their style of baking. Aunt Gina is the caregiver (and a great one she is) while Mom is away. Mom gets home for a monthly family dinner, and life goes on. 

Emily continues learning under her aunt's tutelage, and shares her baking with classmates. A car accident that claims the life of Aunt Gina, and the heartache it brings, proves that baking bad feelings into desserts is not a good thing. The 'crumble' she makes tastes awful but her friends cannot get enough of it. She accidentally makes her classmates sick. Mom's return is fraught with worry as she tries to deal with her own grief, and the demands of the bakery which has never been her forte. 

"Mom is busy trying to understand how the bakery works, 
and she always wants to talk, but then she starts crying
and I just end up making her feel worse rather than better."

It takes time and a great deal of patience for mother and daughter to adjust to this new life without Aunt Gina, and to accept the changes that have turned their world upside down. The writing is clear and heartfelt. Andrea Bell's illustrations offer a careful look at the characters, at the changing emotions, and the roller coaster that is grief. Wordless panels allow readers time to consider each character's feelings and reactions. 

Back matter provides resources for anyone experiencing what Emily is feeling. The spiral notebook-like pages included for a number of the bakery's recipes will have readers wanting to try their hand. Both author and illustrator add a favorite recipe of their own, and a personal note about each.  

My Abuela is a Bruja, written by Mayra Cuevas and illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"My abuela is a dancing bruja.
She twirls her arms wide open 
into the blue cloudless sky. 
She makes music with her 
chancletas, falling into the 
tun-tun-tan of a salsa, and 
then the tin-tin-tun of a 
bachata."

Not having any fluency in the Spanish language, I read the back matter first; it includes an author's note, a glossary of Abuela's Spanish words, and two of Ms. Cuevas' abuela's recipes. One is for sofrito and the other for her flan. 

I needed, first of all, to know the meaning of bruja. The word describes 'a woman who relies on the power of her intuition and honors the gifts of Mother Nature'. That helped tremendously with my understanding of this beautiful book. The child narrator is full of pride for her grandmother. Abuela is magical in every way, leaving her granddaughter eager to learn her secrets. 

Abuela lives high on a hillside in Puerto Rico, overlooking the ocean. The two love everything about the nature that surrounds them. The child wants to be just like her 'island bruja'. They love to share time in the garden where the child learns much under the watchful eye of her 'garden bruja'. Abuela also loves to dance and to cook. A table laden with homegrown ingredients offers everything the two need to make the sofrito that will be added to many foods. 

With full bellies, they take time to rest and read in the hammock before making a flan, 'her real kitchen charm'. The flan is a special way to end their day. As she is tucked in, she tells Abuela she dreams of someday having her magic. Abuela assures her granddaughter that she already has her own magic, rooted in family and the land that is her heritage. 

"My abuela is a bruja. 
There is magic in everything she does." 

This is a splendid book in every way. The admiration shown for Abuela and the life she lives is evident on every page, both in words and in art. Spanish words are shared throughout the telling, and every spread is filled with warmth and brilliant color. Both offer an invitation to stop and stay a while as they spend their days in each other's company. The inclusion of two photos of the author's abuela adds to the charm. 
                                                                                    

Blue Stars: The Vice Principal Problem: Mission 1, written by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith and illustrated by Molly Murakami. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $17.99 ages 9 and up

 

"This poster makes me feel at home.

This poster makes me feel closer to my mom. 
Your mom is right here.

There's plenty of room on your wall.
Mine is full. 

Exactly. 
You have tons of pictures up and 
this is all I have. 

Then it'll fit right there."

It is not an auspicious reunion for cousins Riley and Maya. To start their year in sixth grade they are sent to live with their activist grandmother in Urbanopolis. They have some issues to resolve as they share a room. Riley is outgoing and eager to be friends with her cousin; they have not seen each other since they were much younger. Maya is more interested in being alone to pay careful attention to her inventions.

As they start school, their grandmother reminds them to 'be the stars you are'. They each find other students who share their interests as they do their best to fit in, They also take note of Vice Principal Balderdash who has promised to be a good friend while speaking at the opening assembly. However, he is always watching the students and looking for reasons to send them to detention. There are security cameras wherever they gather. 

It takes no time to realize the vice principal is intent on defunding activities important to the students. The girls decide they will run for class president on a platform of protest against such cuts. It does not sit well with Vice Principal Balderdash. Realizing that they will make little progress working alone, they decide to team up with another student to make the difference they want to make. They need to save the school from the vice principal's shameful manipulation. 

The action is quick-paced, the characters are realistic and formidable, the expressive illustrations are telling and a strong complement to this story of young people getting involved in what is happening at their school.  I haven't heard any news about the next book in the series; it will be widely anticipated by fans of this one. 

Uprooted: A memoir about what happens when your family moves back, written and illustrated by Ruth Chan. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $19.99 ages 9 and up

 

"Okayyyy, so .... Do I 
introduce myself to people? 

Or do I just 
smoothly insert myself
into a group? 

I wonder what my 
friends in Toronto 
are doing ... 

Back to looking cool ...
Looking like I just don't care.
Yup. So cool."

Ruth's dad has a new job which means the family is moving from Toronto, where she has lived all of her 13 years, to Hong Kong which is her mother's hometown. Ruth couldn't be more upset. She won't know anyone, not even her mom's family. 

Once they arrive, her father is often away on business while her mother is busy with her family and friends. Ruth is left to face many new experiences on her own. She is lonely for the company of her best friends in Toronto; is finding her way through a busy urban environment and a brand-new school; meeting her mother's family and trying to meet their expectations; and missing the bedtime talks she had so often with her father. 

In those talks, her father tells her the story of his worrisome birth while his parents were fleeing war in their home country. His story of survival doesn't have the impact it might have if she weren't going through so many of her own worries. Ultimately, it helps her understand the need for patience, bravery and perseverance as she navigates unfamiliar territory. When she is finally able to explain how she is feeling to her parents (in a very angry tirade), she begins to find some peace with her new life in Hong Kong.   

Middle graders with a love for graphic novels will find much to admire here. The artwork will hold attention as the story is told, the characters are engaging, and the memoir has much to teach about a young girl dealing with change and the uneasiness she is feeling. Ms. Chan uses a mix of English, Cantonese and Chinese to show how difficult it is for Ruth to feel comfortable with her extended family.  

An author's note explains the parallels between her life and her father's as both have to deal with change and difficult times. 

Who Needs the Dark?: The Many Ways Living Things Depend on Darkness. Written by Laura Alary and illustrated by Risa Hugo. Owlbooks, 2025. $22.95 ages 4 and up

 

"The dark is for dreaming. 

While you dream, your brain 
is hard at work, crackling with 
ideas bright as sparks. 

And sometimes, freed from 
all its daytime thoughts, your 
mind picks away at a problem
and untangles it. 

And you are not the only one ... " 

Darkness can be scary; there is no doubt. Still, it is many other things to humans and animals if you just stop to think about it. Laura Alary provides different scenarios that encourage her readers to consider how dark affects the world in interesting ways. How do you feel about the dark? 

She begins with a human baby as it develops in the womb's darkness, and moves on to share that sunflowers, baby birds, turtles, crocodiles and snakes all do the same. Their dark is for growing. She then encourages thought about how the dark helps with healing while sleeping. Dreaming offers a space for solving problems, and for sparking ideas that may not be evident while awake. 

Offering thoughts for careful consideration, and then allowing that children are not the only ones who have an awareness of darkness and its benefits, Ms. Alary leaves room for discussion and extensions of the ideas shared. The artwork is expressive and fascinating. It is colorful and detailed, encouraging readers to pay careful attention to what is included as these comparions are drawn. 

In the end, those who share this book are encouraged to think about the wonder that is darkness. 

"There are some things - 
wonderful things - 
you see best in the dark. 

Fireflies. 
The moon. 
The stars. 

The dark is for wonder ... "

Now, how do you feel about the dark? 

One Can, written by Lana Button and Eric Walters and illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant. Groundwood Books, 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"When I put my can in that last spot,
we all cheer! And my teacher puts a 
special snowflake right on top, to show
that we did it. One hundred cans!"

The young narrator of this tale of community is excited to be helping out with the food drive at his school. He shows his mom that he is going to take a can of his favorite Zoodelicious in hopes that whoever gets it will like it as much as he does. The plan is to bring one hundred cans of food to cover every square on the classroom carpet. 

As they walk to school, he can feel that can of food in his backpack. His blue mittens, though small, are perfect for making snowballs as they go. Students are also contributing new mittens to a mitten tree for needy families. He admires a pair of red ones. In class, the children start putting their cans on the squares until there is one spot left. His is the last one placed. A snowflake on the lid marks their success. 

He and a friend watch from the window as the food and mittens are loaded for delivery. At home, he is impatiently waiting for his mom to replace the can he has given. When she gets home, she has two surprises - a can of Zoodelicious with a snowflake on top and a pair of red mittens! His mom explains that, for now, they are getting some help from others. When they have more, they will take their turn giving. The very next day, his turn comes with a note to the person who needs his blue mittens!  

The Bakery Dragon, written and illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"You can wait out the storm
in my bakery. 

Villagers didn't usually like dragons
(on account of all the theft).

But this one seemed different."

Ember is very impressed with the huge pile of gold that Blaze has managed to accumulate. Ember really wants his own horde to protect; to that end, he asks Blaze how he got so much gold. Blaze is happy to mentor the young dragon. His show of intimidation toward a couple fleeing from him is all Ember needs to give his all to aiming a hot flame at a mother and her daughter. Unafraid, the girl loves the wee dragon, but is warned not to feed it or it will not go away. 

When the rest of the dragons return with their daily spoils, Ember hangs back. It is then he notices a golden glow from the village. It turns out to be a streetlamp. It takes no time for him to be enticed by another such shining light. This time it is a window. Tired, he curla up in its glow and falls sound asleep. Drenched by a sudden storm, he is offered shelter by the young woman who owns the village bakery.

It is unusual for a dragon to be helped by a villager. Even stranger, she asks for Ember's help in preparing her breads. Ember proves very capable when forming the loaves and he even provideds the flame to light the oven. Has he discovered a new kind of gold? Will he be able to repay her for her kindness? 

Young listeners will fall in love with Ember. Ms. Kurtz fills her spreads with a glowing warmth that permeates every scene - from the cave filled with dragons' gold to the warmth of the bakery and its many fine baked goods. Even the sunrise is a beautiful sight! Don't miss the change that happens on the endpapers, or the image found under the dust cover. 

Be on the lookout for The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake, due in early October.                                                                                     

Natterjack Toad Makes a Mighty Crunch, written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Kathryn Durst. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"If Natterjack Toad
makes a mighty crunch, 
the weasel's going to hear.
And he'll be between 
those teeth. 

So he puts his cookie back
and he's off, 

quickety-whip."

Young listeners will very much enjoy Natterjack Toad's dilemma, the repetitive text, and the anticipation for the next critter he will have to deal with before having and enjoying a tasty snack. Kathryn Durst's colorful, detailed digital artwork adds to the fun. 

Natterjack is on the hunt for a cool and comfortable place to relax, where he can feast on a packet of Chocolate-Chunk Crunchy-Munch Cookies. The hammock is hung and swinging comfortably when he decides to open the packet and taste the deliciousness. He's found the perfect quiet hiding place ... or has he? About to take his first bite, he spies a heron who is sure to hear him. He quickly moves on. Perhaps the meadow can provide the solitude the pond could not. 

Snuggled into the warmth where grass is tall, he is once again ready to partake of his picnic. As he is about to take a big bite, he spies a weasel right next to him. No chance is he going to let that weasel hear his first munch. Off he heads to the forest and the protection of many, many trees. He knows this is the perfect place, opens his mouth to take a big bite and locks eyes with both a mole and a vole. He does his best to send them away. They have a warning about a huge forest hog! 

Natterjack has had it. Not believing them about a forest hog, he will enjoy his picnic. What a sound it makes! It does, indeed, attract an immense and starving forest hog. She is much more interested in consuming the mole, the vole and the frog! Leaving the cookies to entice that hog, the three make their escape. Back home, Natterjack is extremely unhappy with the state of his being without his favorite cookies. Luckily, his new friends have an acceptable solution. 

Attentive listeners will have to keep their eyes on the action provided by a firefly, a dragonfly, and a beret-wearing worm. It's a lively book for reading aloud, and may just get requests for hearing it all over again. 
                                                                             

Dream, written by Barbara O'Connor. Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $24.99 ages 9 and up

"The next couple of days felt like a million years. 
I could hardly eat. I could hardly sleep. I stayed in 
my room all day and listened to the radio, with 
guilt jabbing at me like a hot poker. 
Everybody kept asking me what was the matter.
Why was I moping? Why was I so quiet? Why 
wasn't I eating macaroni and cheese, my favorite 
food?" 

While my granddaughters were here in July, Sicily and I had a book club. One of the books we read together was Wish by Barbara O'Connor. When Dream was delivered to my front door last week, I wished again that they were still here visiting. We would have both loved to share this companion book that offers new characters, while also revisiting those from the first book. Filled with the love and warmth of Wish, it introduces equally admirable community members for a summer filled with friends and dreams.

At the heart of the story is Idalee Lovett, an aspiring songwriter who dreams of making a name for herself. Her heritage is country music. Her mother, Lovey, sings popular song covers with the Junkyard Dogs; the men in her family had been songwriters; and Idalee sang her own song for a talent show in third grade. She wants to be her mother's songwriter. 

Colby, North Carolina is a close-knit community. Idalee is in school with Charlie and Howard, the main characters from Wish, and knows Charlie's dog Wishbone. The summer break affords a chance to spend time together, and to meet those who have taken up residence in Idalee's home to help pay expenses and allow her mother to hit the road with her band. Friendships blossom with a unique group of characters who provide support for a young girl wanting to follow her dream by writing a song for entry in a radio show contest. 

Although she has been writing songs for a very long time, Idalee lacks confidence in her chances to win. Her young friends cheer her on, and help in a bid to find a purported treasure left by her grandfather. If they can find the money, Idalee can use it to buy the blue guitar she believes will help her write her best song. Mistakes are made, filling Idalee with guilt. She confesses to her mother and then must wait impatiently for the contest results. Will her 'DREAM' come true ... what will she do if it does? 

I love this book, and middle grade readers will love it, too. 

Sarang Saves the School, written by Korena Di Roma Howley and illustrated by Joowon Oh. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"The school needed just a few more students, 
Appa had said, though the building was so 
big. It could likely fit everyone in the village - 
moms and dads, aunties and uncles, grandmas and ... 

Sarang stopped short. 

Then she took off. She pedaled faster and faster, 
an idea picking up speed as quickly as her 
bicycle."

As happens in numerous small villages around the world, people are leaving for many different reasons. Sarang lives in a fishing village in South Korea, where there is great concern that the village will soon lose its school because of a dwindling number of students. 

Desks are empty and students are few. On the one hand, that offers some benefits. Questions can be asked and answered, the cafeteria line is short, and food choice is awesome. Still, Sarang is hearing, on the playground and at home, that their school may have to close. People are forced to move to the city to find jobs to support their families. 

Her parents explain that too many people are leaving. They only need a few more students, but there are none left. They will not be able to stay if there is no school for Sarang. In talking with her grandmother, Sarang learns that she will not move with them. Sarang does not want to leave Halmeoni behind. She even wonders if not going to school is an option; her grandmother explains that she cannot read or write because she had to stay home and care for her siblings. 

Sarang tries to imagine what life will be like away from all she has ever known. While riding her bike to visit the places she loves, she suddenly has an idea she wants to share. Her plan for the school soon spreads from one family to another. Keeping it a secret to the very end, she finally explains something very important to her grandmother. It's a brilliant solution to the problem of too few students. Now, the school can remain open, thanks to Sarang's grand idea. 

An author's note recalls an article in the New York Times in 2019 that discussed South Korean grandmothers attending school, something they had missed in their youth. This inspired her story. 

Sammy and Sunny's First Day of School, written by Nina LaCour and illustrated by Elizabeth Lilly. Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"But soon, they were in their cozy classrooms, 
and their teachers were saying hello. 

Some parts of their days were the same ... 

... and other parts were different."

I'm sorry that I am late to the party telling you about this book that concerns the first day of school for a young girl and her pup. It's pretty exciting for the two of them: Sammy is starting kindergarten on the same day that Sunny begins a dog-training class. Sammy dresses in the outfit she has chosen for this special day, while Sunny gets a brand-new collar. Breakfast done, Mom walks them to their respective classrooms and leaves them in the care of their teachers. Both are a touch reluctant. 

The following spread shows Sammy adjusting to her new space, while wondering how Sunny is doing in his. He is also nervous, as shown with his yowling. The day gets underway with comparison images showing that both are doing much the same thing. Welcomes are shared and attendance taken. As the day progresses, both find activities that make them happy and offer comfort. 

Readers will love watching the side-by-side illustrations of the two as their actions are compared in entertaining images. A full page spread of Sammy and her involvement in all aspects of a day at school is followed by a similar spread that shows Sunny learning to stay ... and stay. Finally, it's time for Mama's arrival at the end of the day. After snacks at home, Sammy regales mom and pup with news about her day. Sunny does the same. Asking about the second day and how it might be, Sammy imagines a very different scenario that will have readers giggling and wishing for some of the same.  

Watercolor art is filled with happy times, humor, friends, and settling into a new daily routine. Readers will recognize it as being much the same as it is for them. 

Big Kids, written by K. L. Going and illustrated by Reggie Brown. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Teacher says, "Everyone come to the gym 
to find your buddy." My stomach does a 
somersault. 

Everywhere I look, there are big kids. 

         Big kids walking. 

               Big kids waiting. 

                       Big kids watching."  

Lead-up images to the title page offer a real sense of what the first day of school can feel like: a group of little kids leaves their bus and heads toward the school. The child in front looks uneasy. Turn the page and he comes face-to-face with a big kid. I mean a REALLY BIG KID who, while friendly, towers over him. It's a scary beginning to that first day.

Watching them and hearing the noise big kids make is terrifying. They are so loud, so gregarious, so quick to move. The double-page spread that shows a gym filled with too many big kids calling out to each other, while the very small boy stands among them is a perfect way to make the enormity of his feelings known.  In the crush that happens as the big kids look to meet their new buddy, he hopes he will remain unnoticed. It is not to be. 

"One by one, 
all the little kids 
find a big kid. 

Not me. 

                 Oh no! 

One of the big kids is looking 
               right     at    me."

Despite the fear he is feeling, the little kid waves back. His new buddy takes him to his classroom, finds a place for his backpack, and even walks him to the cafeteria at lunch time. They go to the library to check out books. At the end of the day, the two meet on the basketball court for a final goodbye before boarding the bus for the trip home. Life is good! 

Digital artwork offers magnified proportions to provide a real sense of the perspective of the small child faced with everything new and frightening at the start of a school year. As the day ends, both buddies are a normal size and quite comfortable with their new friendship.  Having a buddy with a big heart is a terrific way to ease this new kid into the unknown. 

Polecat Has a Superpower, written by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Bob Shea. Putnam, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"It's true that polecats are smaller 
than our striped cousins. 
But we can do things they can't. 

Like what?

Like climb really fast. 
Watch this. 

See? You blinked, and -ba -da - bing! - 
I'm way up here."

I have shared other books in this series. Kids love them for the information they provide, and for the very appealing artwork and humor. The fact that the critter speaks directly to them is a bonus. The introduction is clear; they are meeting a spotted skunk, aka Polecat who has a DOOZY of a superpower. 

Before letting readers in on that secret, Polecat is quick to describe itself. It lives in the woods in hidden places where it feels safe. If they can't find the perfect spot, they can dig their own. They forage for food at night, and are always on the lookout for predators. The mention of predators worries a nearby Porcupine, who needs to be reassured that he is in no danger. 

Polecat goes on to explain to Porcupine the differences between himself and the skunk, its cousin. Polecats are fast climbers, have unique spot patterns which provide camouflage, and are omnivores. They like food of all kinds. Although these are interesting attributes, they are not a superpower. Porcupine is convinced he knows what it is, and he blurts it out. The polecat can 'spray stinky stuff' to protect itself. Polecat is disappointed that Porcupine has spilled the beans. But that is not the real superpower. 

It's what is done before the squirty thing - it makes itself look scarier by springing into a handstand! The final scene will have readers chuckling, just before they turn their attention to the TRUE or FALSE quiz that ends the book. 

No More Chairs, written by Dan Gill and illustrated by Susan Gal. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2025. $24.99 ages

"Steve's mother answered the door. She said 
nothing at first, just looked at us carefully. 
I wondered if there was something on my 
jacket or if my shirt was untucked. Finally, 
she spoke. 

"You can come in to the party, Daniel, but
your friend cannot, because there are no 
more chairs.""

This is a book I would love to share as a middle years readaloud on the first day of every school year. It is a perfect way to set the tone for the coming year. Creating an empathetic and caring community right from the start should be a goal in every classroom. Only then do our kids recognize the importance of each voice in discussions; they learn that those voices have a place for offering thoughts and opinions that matter. If, in the beginning, they are shy to speak up, they will see that it is a safe place for having a say when they are ready. I think I would first read it without showing Susan Gal's remarkable digital artwork, and let the students ponder the events of the story. Read it once, then read it again showing the images. 

It is the first day of school in Mr. Gill's middle years classroom; the students are seated and take note that there is an empty seat at the front. Wondering who it is for, they ask their question. Mr. Gill answers with a story from his past: 

Growing up in New York City, his best friend was Archie. One Saturday, the two were invited to a birthday party for their friend Steve. Dressed to the nines and laden with gifts, they excitedly made their way to Steve's apartment building ... a very posh place. The elevator operator took them quickly up to the seventh floor. When Steve's mother answered the door, she took a careful look. She invited Daniel in, then explained there were no more chairs. Archie would have to leave. Dan offered solutions; none were acceptable. Finally understanding the problem and fighting back tears, the boys left their presents and went to Dan's home where there was never a problem with the number of chairs available for friends. The two discussed how it felt to want to speak up, but not do it. Archie, as any good friend would do, made a promise to Dan. 

"Archie paused. "Well, next time you have trouble, 
I will speak up for you - because that's what friends 
are for.""

Mr. Gill's decision to always have an empty chair in his classroom lasted through 40 years of teaching, and is explained in a personal author's note following the story. The illustrative details that grace every page were created using pencil, ink, and watercolor and assembled digitally. Archival photos of the two best friends, and a dedication 'to the memory of Archie Shaw' add to the impact. 

The Academy and The Academy II: The Journey Continues, written by T. Z. Layton. Sourcebooks, Raincoast. 2025. $14.99 ages 9 and up

 

"Somehow just seeing each other made us laugh. 
Dayo wandered over next, and then freckle-faced 
Oliver. Garika, the Zimbabwean, looked a little lost
as well, so I waved him over. More and more players
hesitantly approached our table, some of whom were 
the only kids from their country or they didn't speak 
English or they just looked out of place for some 
reason. I realized that I, too, belonged to a tribe:
the group for people who didn't have one.

And that was right where I belonged."

This is the first book in a series of five published by British writer, T.Z. Layton. It was first written for his son who could not find books about a sport that he loved. It took me no time to read it as the pages are filled with action and will have high appeal for middle grade sports enthusiasts. 

Leo K. Doyle is cast as the main character. He is a star player in his Ohio hometown, and catches the attention of a visiting scout. Through the scout, Leo is invited to attend an exclusive soccer camp in England for the summer. 200 excellent soccer players are on the roster; only 11 will make the team. All invited players are doing their best to find a spot on that team.  

The book's focus is clearly on the game itself: plays, players, competition, skills, techniques, coaching and strategies. It is an action-packed look at the sport and offers many tense moments on the soccer pitch as the games are well described. Along the way, besides the challenges that come with the competition to be the best, Leo faces homesickness, bullying, and other issues inherent to adolescent boys. Leo knows that he is not as good as the best players, but he is prepared to do his best and work hard. After a month of intense training, he makes inroads with players and coaches for his skills on and off the pitch. These set him apart from some of the other players. 

Descriptions are convincingly written and make for a fast-paced adventure. When it's all said and done, Leo flies home to Ohio, arriving just as a surprise twist sets both Leo and readers on a slow wait for the sequel. 

"Here's the thing. Earning a spot on the Knights
was a big deal, but I quickly learned that it was 
only the first step. Nothing was guaranteed. 
Nothing was easy. In fact, trying to become a 
starter on the Knights squad and playing in 
the U14 Premier League was even harder than
making it through the London Dragons
Summer Academy. Now I was competing every 
day against players who were already on the 
team from the year before or who were the best 
players at their own summer academy camps."

Luckily for keen readers, books I and II have been released in paperback this year. Once the first is devoured in quick time, the next one is ready for purchase. After returning home, Leo finds himself invited to be on the roster of the U14 Lewisham Knights, a youth squad in the Premier League. It is the worst team in the league, and Leo has not made a starting position. 

If they don't find themselves in a winning position soon, the owner is threatening to give the team up. What will happen to Leo's dream of being a professional soccer player? There are other issues as well: grades, friendships with kids in a new country, an unreasonable coach and, once again, feeling homesick. 

Fans can expect to learn more about Leo and his work to help his team. As happened in the first, there is plenty of action on the pitch, and off. They will not be disappointed with this winning sequel. Following finishing the second book, they can look forward to reading The Academy III, IV and V. 

Extra Large, written and illustrated by Tyler Page. First Second, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $19.99 ages 10 and up

 

"No - he's always kinda 
shabby looking. His clothes
look old and are full of holes
and stains and stuff. 

Well, do you think that might
be why he's teasing others?

Huh?

To make himself feel better? 
Sometimes people ... 
they might act mean or tease
others because they aren't happy."

It's 1989 and Tyler Page is talking seventh grade, a time that is not easy for many. Changes in friendships are an issue, and so are his thoughts about his body. He is wearing an XL tee, buying jeans meant for husky boys as he prepares to return to school for the fall term. He's doing his best to think as positively as he can about the changes, while struggling with how he does not look like the other boys in the locker room. It is a time when adolescent bodies are often changing dramatically. Some are becoming more muscular; Tyler is not. Watching TV that honors strong body images which are tagged as ideal does not help how he sees himself. 

A number of issues are explored besides body image: new school rules, bullying, jokes between his male friends that are hurtful and lead to joining into hurt others, a friendship with a girl who is not entirely secure and confident. His father is working hard on his own health, wanting to lose weight and encouraging family members to do the same. While that is playing out on the book's pages, Tyler is taking a close look at how his body is changing. 

Tyler's feelings are evident. It takes time, but he works hard to find a place where he is comfortable with who he is and how he will move forward. Is thin the answer; or is healthy? What makes him feel best? This autobiographical look at one year in his life is nostalgic and thoughtful. So many tweens face some of the same difficulties that Mr. Page explores in a way that makes it all seem pretty normal. Hand this to your middle graders who like graphic novels, and who might appreciate others are dealing with similar issues. 

Camping in the Wild, written and illustrated by Nicholas Oldland. Kids Can Press, 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"Instead of finishing their jobs, the bear, the moose 
and the beaver spent a relaxing afternoon canoeing, 
swimming and basking in the sun. 

They were enjoying themselves so much that they 
failed to notice some dark clouds moving across 
the lake toward them."

Fans of the Life in the Wild series will be thrilled to see this 9th book about a bear, a moose and a beaver as they opt for a camping trip. They are keen; now seems the perfect time for them to give it a try. The weather is cooperating, the equipment is ready and available, and their spirits are high. While the trek is longer and a bit more arduous than anticipated, they make it to their destination. Tired, but keen, they take their lessons from a Learn to Camp book they have brought with them. 

Bear prepares the tent; Moose gathers the wood they will need for their fire and lights it. Not quite following the carefully given instructions, the two are soon ready for a needed rest. Beaver is busy with setting up for food preparation; he is also easily distracted by a bag of marshmallows and the smell of the fire. Rather than being fully prepared for their camping experience, the three spend the rest of their time at other pursuits. 

Unfortunately, they are not paying attention to the storm that suddenly has them running for cover. Untethered, the tent lands in a tree. Working together, they are able to set it up properly. A smoky smell is the result of not attending to their fire. Soon extinguished, it leavesg the three to get the snack they  feel they now deserve. The rain pours down, chasing them into the tent. With no food and hungry bellies, they must make a run for the food they left outside.  

"Unfortunately, a family of raccoons 
had gotten there first." 

Ye gods, what else could go wrong? The three start blaming each other, while the raccoons look on with some trepidation. The struggle ends when a rainbow appears magically following the storm. Only then do the three realize that they are missing the best part of their shared camping experience. Putting out the fire before retiring to their tent will have readers hooting! 

Always fun, and a welcome read for any early years classroom. 
                                                                                          

If You Want to Write a Story, written and illustrated by Jeff Mack. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2025. $25.99 ages

 

"Good stories have all kinds of feelings. 

Happy parts. 

Sad parts. 

Even homesick parts. 

That's why we care 
what happens from 
beginning to end." 

If you are a writer, or have tried to write a story, you will empathize with the tiny mouse who graces the title page of this appealing and informative book from the prolific Jeff Mack. Using second-person voice, he does all he can to encourage said mouse to put pen to paper. 

Sitting at a table, rejected beginnings surrounding it, the mouse looks in need of support and advice. First, says the narrator, an idea is needed. Finding one should prove easy. A stuffed rabbit becomes the idea to chase from place to place, never letting it escape. A hint of an idea is definitely needed before there is a chance to consider where the story will begin. 

There's really no way of knowing where it might lead, but it is worth being patient while waiting. Next is the plan, which can be explored going forward. Is there excitement? Is there a problem to solve? It's hard work, and can be very tiring. Giving in to fatigue is not the answer. Keep believing you are making progress, even when the going gets even tougher. The story belongs to the writer. 

There are many turns it might take. All will help as one problem after another is considered, and the story refined. Be strong, enjoy the surprises along the way. Be positive. When it comes to the ending, accept help. Finally, it's ready to be shared. 

Are you ready to write another? The steps for getting a story onto the page are clear, the illustrations are full of color and action, the ending provides encouragement to take what has been learned and begin again. It can be done! 

                                                                                             

My Street Remembers, written by Karen Krossing and illustrated by Cathie Jamieson. Groundwood, 2025. $21.99 ages 6 and up

"1600s

My street remembers
the hard-heeled boots
of the Europeans 
who arrived later, 

how they dreamed of routes
to faraway lands, 
traded and traveled, 
and brought wagon-loads 
of settlers in their wake."

The Better Paths series from Groundwood Books is meant to 'explore our relationship and reconciliation with the natural world'. This new addition looks at one city street in Toronto, and provides its history that begins over 14,000 years ago when mammoths and mastodons wandered its ice-covered land. Moving forward the author shows the changes it endures through thousands of years. 

Each change offers comment on the way this same street has progressed; from the caribou and bison that encouraged hunting by the First Peoples, who then settled the land, building homes and communities. Acrylic illustrations show clearly (without text) the advances made by these Indigenous peoples in terms of the use of the land and nature's benefits. The images invite careful consideration of development over time. 

"It remembers how their descendants 
stepped in harmony with this land
for thousands of years." 

The arrival of Europeans with their dreams of growing territories and shared use of the land brought big change. Their unfulfilled promises led to conflict and suffering and the growth of settlements on lands that once were home to First Nations. In 1851, the street is named Danforth Avenue and it becomes home for more and more people. Apologies for past transgressions are offered, while people who now live there have no knowledge of those who came before them. The street remembers. 

A final question to readers is presnted for consideration: What does your street remember? 

A timeline offers a brief history of the street. Both illustrator and author provide notes cocerning their work, and a list of sources and ideas for learning more is provided.  

Birdlore: The Iridescent Life of Florence Merriam Bailey. Written by Jess Keating and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth. Alfred A. Knnopf, Penguin Random House. 2025. $2025. $26.99 ages 4 and up

"Soon she began teaching classes in the renovated 
tavern that belonged to her grandfather. She taught 
her friends about chickadees and warblers, robins 
and ruffed grouse, hermit thrushes and kingfishers.  
Every new bird she met opened another door inside 
her heart."

If you read this blog regularly, you will already know how much I love reading picture book biographies. You will also know I am a huge fan of Jess Keating's work. So, put the two together and this is a book that ups my love for both. 

As a very young girl, Florence loved being out in nature; she especially loved the birds she found there. Her patience for waiting and watching was constant; her joy evident whenever that waiting led to a chance to observe the many birds that lived in the nearby woods. Throughout the seasons, she spent her days enjoying their company. 

At night, she and her mother would find a quiet spot to watch the stars while owls swooped through the moonlight. Nature was her home; birds occupied her thoughts and made her want to spend her life learning more. Following along with her brother, she learned to take notes and preserve the birds they found. Florence was much more interested in studying live birds and learning from them. 

"Florence discovered that her birds all 
had personalities of their very own. 

Some were loud. Some were shy. Some
were even silly! Her birds were a living 
rainbow of sights, sounds, and spirits, 
and Florence took careful notes on 
every detail."

Learning that women wore hats made from bird feathers, she was appalled. How could she bring about change? She decided to do her part to teach others all she knew about birds and the need for their protection. Florence caused quite a stir! Soon enough, she was organizing birdwatching groups. Armed with notebooks, pencils and opera glasses, she led these women into the natural surroundings she so loved and encouraged them to patiently wait and watch as she always had done. It paid off; soon, she was leading more and more people to help them learn about the birds she so loved. 

The only way to spread the word beyond her own community became evident; she would write a field guide that would let anyone interested know what she had learned over a lifetime of observation. This first field guide to American birds (Birds Through an Opera Glass) was published in 1889. 

The story is engaging, the artwork impressive and energetic, and the back matter, which includes an author's note that shares further information about Florence and her work, tips on becoming a birdwatcher, and a final captioned spread of Florence's favorite birds make this an excellent addition to any home, classroom, or public library. 

                                                                                     

The Night Giant, written by Lorenzo Coltellacci and illustrated by Lorenzo Sangio. Kids Can Press, 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"There is also a determined detective who organizes
search parties every month. He looks for evidence 
of enormous footprints. 

But the Giant leaves no such footprints
because he's as light as a feather."

There are times when I don't know what to think about the book I am about to read. It often happens if it is written by an author unknown to me, or if I have heard nothing about it. As I took my first look at The Night Giant, I knew I liked the height of the book; kids will like that as well. It made me think about size and giants and what might be coming up next. 

The title page is the invitation needed to whet the appetite for more. A soft and cuddly giant gazes over the top of a three-story building in night's waning darkness. Turn to the first spread - the sun is setting, said giant is peering over rooftops directly at the reader. Apparently, the villagers know he is there, while knowing little more than that. Some say he uses the darkness of night to play tricks. 

He likes to build a tall tower from the benches he finds around town. Carelessly, he makes the tower too high, and it always crashes before he is done. The evidence is left for people to find in morning light. He swaps rooftops, and watches with interest as streetlights light up. As the sun rises in the east, he is quick to hide himself away again. It is his nightly ritual. People in the village are left to wonder where he hides during the day. What do you think? 

The surprise ending is an absolute delight!                                                                                      

Benjamin Grows a Garden, written by Melanie Florence and illustrated by Hawlii Pichette. Kids Can Press. 2025. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"Benjamin watched the tiny shoots poke out of 
the ground and slowly unfurl their leaves. The 
stalks grew higher and he could almost taste 
the buttery corn on the cob he'd eaten with his
cousins after last year's harvest."

As Benjamin welcomes the warmth of the spring sun, he listens for the birds and sings back to them. The feeders encourage birds to stop and stay. Spring also offers a time for he and his mother to plant their garden. It's a garden that will not only feed his family; its bounty will be offered to others in their community. Benjamin is excited to get started. 

Every seed they plant will grow into vegetables to be used for soup, stews, pies and salads. It's a very busy time. There is hard work ahead, but both are willing to do what is needed to grow a garden to be proud of. As they plant, his mother offers wise advice. Once the seeds are planted, they take the time to water, then watch and wait. 

First, they plant corn. When it grows to a few inches, Benjamin digs around the corn stalks to plant bean seeds. As the beans get started, he carefully sows squash seeds close by. As he plants them, Benjamin is reminded of how good each vegetable from last year's garden tasted when they were harvested. The plants need water and the sun for growth. 

""The beans use the corn to climb," he said. 
"And the squash leaves cover the ground to 
keep it cool and damp. They all help each 
other grow.""

They also tend tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries; all will be shared with others. Those vegetables will make many meals throughout fall and winter. Soon, spring will come again and it will be time to start over once again. 

Melanie Florence makes is clear to her readers that there are many rewards when a garden is planted, tended, and shared with others. I love that they learn the traditional way of planting the Three Sisters (corn, beans, squash) together for maximum benefit. As they talk together while they work, mother and son use Cree words, which are included in a pronunciation guide following the story. 

If you read Benjamin's Thunderstorm, you will recognize the bold colors and outdoor setting in the digital artwork of Hawlii Pichette. This book offers a warm look at the connection between Indigenous culture and nature, and the gift of providing for all. 

A Gift of Dust: How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet. Written by Martha Brockenbrough and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2025. $26.99 ages 8 and up

 

"Dust that paints the sky. 
Dust that soars across West Africa. 
Dust that rides the wind
over the Atlantic Ocean, where ... 

it sifts into the water, 
providing nutrients
that help the sea make the air we breathe."

It is truly amazing to learn what nature has to teach us about our planet and the things that happen here. I love that there is always something new to learn in the pages of picture books for children. I had briefly read about the dust that finds its way from the Sahara across the globe to the Amazon River. So, I was very interested to know more. 

Ms. Brockenbrough invites readers to consider the true beauty of nature and the connections it makes. She begins in our homes where dust can be seen in the rays of sunlight that make their way through our windows, and then explains that some dust has a very different story to tell. A green trout lives life in an African lake until it dies, the lake shrinks and the trout becomes a fossil along with the creatures it once consumed. A wind blows those fossils from their resting place as dust into the air, and all the way across the ocean where it feeds plankton, which is eaten by many ocean creatures. That dust eventually makes its way from a very dry desert to the lush humidity of the Amazon Rainforest. 

The rainfall there strips the land of the phosphorus needed for plant growth; the dust replenishes it. There is so much dust it can be seen from outer space. 

"Huge. 

The dust plume can weigh more than 
twenty-four million school buses, 
or one hundred and twenty million 
female hippos, or almost 262 billion 
basketballs." 

Wrap your head around that comparison! 

From the Amazon, it travels to the Caribbean, then the United States ... and even further. It's hard to believe, isn't it? Back matter includes further information about the dust, and sites for further study. Informative and accessible, the book makes an even bigger impression thanks to the beauty found in the magnificent artwork created by Juana Martinez-Neal using pastels, colored pencils, acrylics, gesso and fabric on hand-textured paper. Every spread demands careful attention to the story being told. The changing perspectives add depth for understanding and bring the words to glorious life.                                                                                    

Every Monday Mabel, written and illustrated by Jashar Awan. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2025. $26.99 ages 2 and up

 

"Every Monday, Mabel does 
the most boring thing
(according to Mira, at least).

Mabel steps into the kitchen. 
She pours herself a bowl of her
favorite breakfast - dry cereal.
"Good morning," says Mom."

Here's another book I want to read to anyone willing to listen. 

Mabel is a young child of routines. Her Monday morning habit is to get out of bed early, look outside her bedroom window, get dressed and prepare for another 'best day of the week'. Taking her bedroom chair with her, she walks smartly past her sister's room to do the most boring thing Mira can imagine. A stop in the kitchen for a bowl of cereal (no milk). She says a warm hello to her mom and continues her journey out the front door. Dad is not surprised to see that she is as busy as she is every Monday morning. 

Mira thinks what Mabel is doing is boring; Mom thinks it's cute; Dad thinks it is quite funny. Mabel would not be content if every Monday morning was not the same. 

"Mabel drags her chair over 
to the top of the driveway. 
The perfect spot to sit and wait." 

The wait may seem long, but Mabel is content to wait as long as it takes. First she hears a roaring noise, then a couple of honks, and she knows it is happening right now. A huge garbage truck pulls up at the end of the driveway to empty their household trash before it moves on to its next stop. Content that she has seen what she has come to see, Mabel heads back inside. The garbage truck moves on to the next street - and every other child who waits just as patiently as Mabel has waited for their best day of the week. 

Digital illustrations are filled with bold color, strong lines, delightful sound effects, and details sure to have young listeners begging for more. It is a most satisfying (and surprising) read.

What do you look forward to every week, one might ask. 
                                                                                

Coyote Lost and Found, written by Dan Gemeinhart. Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2024. $23.99 ages 10 and up

"And so I told him. The whole thing. Starting 
six years ago with a car accident and a hole in 
the universe. Then on through meeting Salvador 
last summer and a race for a memory box. And 
right up to finding some ashes and an out-of-
the-blue pandemic shutting down school. I 
did not tell him about the lost book. That 
little piece of info was still on a best-friends-
only level of secrecy, and even though Wally 
was moving quickly right up the ranks, he 
wasn't quite there yet. Who knew if he might
accidentally spill the beans and tell Rodeo."

Here is my blog post for the first book about Coyote and her father: 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7130079189010543417/5458111106618044929 

Coyote is a force to be reckoned with: an honest and supportive daughter, a grieving child, a loyal friend, a welcoming presence on the bus that provides a home for others, feisty, while vulnerable. She is an honorable and extremely memorable character who will live in the hearts of readers for a long time. 

After the remarkable journey of the first book, Coyote and her father have settled into a house in Oregon where they could get the counseling they both needed to help them deal with the death of her mother and two sisters. After five years of being on the road with her father, they felt it was time to put down some roots and get her back to school. Now, with COVID rearing its ugly head, the school has shut down and it gives the two an opportunity to return to the road. 

It is another journey to help them deal with the loss and grief they are both still feeling every day. So many of the scenes between father and daughter are filled with love, and a willingness to be there for each other no matter the circumstances. This trip has a purpose. Coyote has discovered a box with her mother's ashes, and a note that explains how a Mary Oliver poem will lead them to where she would like them to scatter her ashes. The book was left somewhere along the way a year ago and Coyote has an idea for where they might find it. She doesn't want her father to know she has left it behind them. 

As they did the first time, they are happy to have fellow travelers with them. Each of these friends plays a pivotal role in poignant scenes. Coyote provides Rodeo instructions for their travel, as she reels with guilt over the lost book and angst over ever finding it again. Her first-person narrative is perfect for the telling. 

Dan Gemeinhart has penned another compelling, funny, and needs-to-be-read middle grade novel that you don't want to miss! 

RECESS, written and illustrated by Lane Smith. Abrams Books for Young Readers. 2025. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"We should probably get back to learning. 
How about math?

If Jeri has 34 bananas and Jon takes 2
bananas and Jorge takes 3 bananas and 
the class iguana eats 4 bananas, how many 
people can yell "Bananas!"?

Let's find out ... "

Breakfast with friends yesterday was our celebration for not having to go back to school; we are all retired and loving it. The arrival of this book in the mail today made me wish I was back in the classroom, book in hand, as we welcomed the new year. 

The first days are long. Kids and teachers tire easily. They are in need of short 'recesses' to give them the distractions needed to stay at the day's work. While things that happen at school can be 'pretty fun', there is a need for a break. 

"That's why there's recess."

If you had to wait for the scheduled recess on those first days, you might have great difficulty. What if you could just take a few minutes to shake your hands, your legs, even your booty? A signal to STOP, and back to work. The day continues with math, which can be a lot of fun. Also, boring. Why not yell Bananas! really loud. Enough ... recess is over once again. You do know where this is going. If you live a school life with early years kids (or even older ones), you will have great fun sharing this book. I guarantee you will read it again and again. 

Lane Smith is a very astute writer. He knows what kids are looking for in their books, and he comes up aces time and again. You would think that this book is going to explain recess and the way it works, would you not? You would not be more wrong. Instead, it is a book that encourages laughter, movement, silliness, and a real sense for what books can do for community spirit and growth in a classroom early in the year. These are the kind of books we want to be sharing with our kids to help them see the joy that is found in reading, and what can happen when they learn to read for themselves. 

Each bleak spread is followed by a joyous exploration of movement and simple activity. Kids don't even have to leave their seats while following directions for taking a recess from their 'work'. The accompanying multi-media illustrations stun with their energy, use of color and textures, and expressive faces. Lane Smith knows those children who are quiet and uncomfortable with making their voices heard. When their teacher shares this book, they need not worry! 
                                                                                  

The Perfect Place, written by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Paola Escobar. G. P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"When Lucas came upon a towering gate made of gold,
he stepped across the threshold, into a glorious morning,
and found himself standing in the place
where the perfect people lived. 

He watched in awe as they drove their beautiful cars
and beamed their beautiful smiles
and spoke their beautiful words. 

Is there a perfect place? Many would love to think so; many work hard to find it. When Lucas receives a perfect score for his robot report, he is beyond happy. He is walking on air until his dad's work truck stalls at school pickup and Lucas has to help push it away. It is embarrassing for him. 

By the time they get home, after having it repaired, it's dark and the electricity has been shut off ... again. He finds his mother getting ready for work by candlelight, with no time to look at the robot report. His grandfather is on the fire escape playing music that makes him so sad he is in tears. His explanation for doing so doesn't make sense to his grandson. 

As he looks out, there is a lot going on in his neighborhood. In the bedroom he shares with his baby sister, Lucas takes stock of their imperfect room and has a final look at his robot report. In the night, Lucas is awakened by an unfamiliar light. It leads him to get up, get dressed, and climb down the fire escape. Following the light, he finds himself at a shining gate of gold. 

Through that gate he finds 'the place where the perfect people lived'. He quietly watches those people who have it all, and who are willing to listen to him read his report. Universally loved, a celebration is planned for Lucas. That is when things begin to change. Lucas watches as an inconsequential juice spill leads to the child who spilled it leaving in shame. The mayor makes a speech about the disruption the juice spill has caused for all. 

Once the cleaning crew does its work, all will be back to perfect once more. As the mayor calls for Lucas to come forward, the boy suddenly hears the sound of his grandfather's music, smells the food he so loves, and listens to the faint cry from a baby. What is he missing? 

Morning brings clarity, and an understanding that perhaps imperfect is what makes life perfect. 

There is such warmth and inspiration in the way Matt de la Pena tells his stories. I eagerly anticipate every new book. Paola Escobar's digital artwork contrasts Lucas' welcoming community and home with the exacting reality of the perfect place he visits. 

Dare I say it? PERFECT!