Phil's Big Day: A Groundhog Story. Written and illustrated by Liza Woodruff. Margaret Ferguson Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2024. $25.99 ages 4 and up

 

"What if I start to shake? 
What if my voice is too soft?
What if I stumble?
What if I trip? 
What if I fall? 
What if I start to shed? 
What if I throw up? 

It's not often I get ahead of myself in posting books about upcoming special days. Being able to tell you about this book you might want to have for February is quite a leap! However, here we are with a story about Phil, who is a groundhog dealing with anxiety as his family's big day puts him in the spotlight. They are so proud of him, and the role he will play on February 2nd. 

Phil has many concerns. He knows nothing about the weather, and would rather not take his turn at all. Maybe making pancakes will bring calm. It appears to be going well; or is it? His concentration is weak, his stomach is tied in knots, his mind is racing. Even his hands are shaking. His sister Marla scares him badly when she comes into the kitchen. She is not able to sleep, consumed by thoughts of Phil's big day. 

In comforting words, she does her best to reassure her brother. Phil's wild thoughts leave him wondering what he will do if he forgets what he is supposed to be doing. Marla has a poem to help him remember it all. 

"See you shadow 
at your feet, 
back to bed to 
get more sleep. 

If your shadow can't 
be seen, early spring 
will turn things green." 

Attempting a promising delivery of his news does not work at all. Marla quietly disappears. Too soon, it's showtime. Being outside doesn't improve his spirit, but Marla does! 

Captivating details show the groundhog family in their comfy underground home, and the emotional toll that worrying about his task has on Phil. A recipe for Phil's Pancakes is included., as well as an explanation for the Groundhog Day tradition.  

There you have it! In lots of time for purchase prior to Groundhog Day 2025.  

Wildlife of the Arctic for Kids, text and photographs by Wayne Lynch. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2024. $19.95 ages 9 and up

"Grizzly bears are built to dig. The hump you see
above a grizzly's shoulders are the strong muscles
the bear uses to power the long claws on its front 
legs. A grizzly's claws can be as long as a ballpoint
pen, much longer than those of the polar bear. A 
hungry grizzly bear may spend many hours digging 
up the tasty roots of tundra plants."

Many kids want to learn about the animals they love. In this book that describes animals found in the Arctic, Wayne Lynch proves that there is so much more to that northern landscape than cold temperatures, barren vistas and a scarcity of wildlife. We know that climate change is affecting the world; maybe no part more than the poles. In this book, as he has done many times before, Dr. Lynch invites middle grade readers to join him as he explores the northern landscape and Arctic habitats: tundra, sea ice, coastal cliffs, and wetlands. 

The book then focuses on bears, hoofed animals, wild dogs, weasels, small mammals, marine mammals and birds before a discussion of the melting Arctic. Here he includes information concerning the disappearing sea ice, thawing permafrost, invading species, and midwinter thaws. Each is explained in conversational and accessible text that clearly describes the difficulties for the wildlife living there. 

Every animal is described in easy-to-digest paragraphs that offer pertinent facts about predators and prey, hunting, family life, seasons, food, movement, protection from the elements, and much more. The author's remarkably clear photographs give life to the animals few of us will ever see. Sidebars offer insights and further learning. A FAST FACTS box for each includes size, habitat, diet and a surprising but true entry. 

"SURPRISING BUT TRUE: 

If cornered, the tiny, yet feisty lemming will rise
on its hind legs and attempt to bite a hungry 
Arctic fox, or even a curious photographer." 

Personal stories from the author add authenticity and interest for readers who will find much to enjoy here. A biography of the author and an index complete the book.                                                                                      

My Grammie's House, written by Lana Button and illustrated by Skye Ali. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"There's a kitchen floor for skating, 
a shaggy rug for shuffling
and a TV room with its 
very own sunbeam. 

Grammie's exercise show in on channel 23. 
Grab two soup cans and drag a 
kitchen chair right to 
that sunny spot." 

I think the little girl who narrates this warm-hearted story has a future in real estate, if she so chooses. The tour she offers a couple looking at the house her Grammie once lived in is filled with the many pleasures she enjoyed whenever she visited. 

She rides up on her bicycle the moment they arrive, and surprises them with a warm welcome. Starting with their entry through a springy front door, she is quick to take them to the kitchen where she shares all the memories it elicits of the happy times she and her Grammie spent together. As they listen, they learn a great deal about Grammie herself. 

Grammie drank cranberry juice, favored Bran Flakes as her cereal of choice, and fed a neighborhood cat named Jethro. The front yard offers a climbing tree for thinking, and the back yard has the best swings ever. There's a dining room for taking a cookie break, and a hole in the yard where water gathers when it rains. It's a perfect place for catching pollywogs! 

"There you have it!
The best house ever." 

Personal, memory-laden, and full of enthusiasm, this is a book that will be read again and again. It offers up opportunities for stopping to talk about what makes a house a home. The images created by Skye Ali complement the text perfectly. I love how she shows Grammie's possessions in pink outline through every part of the chatty tour.  

The Night Market, written by Seina Wedlick and illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu. Random House Studio. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"Keep moving - there is a lot more to see. 
Fresh primroses that bloom only at night ...

... a pet jellyfish that glows in the dark, 
a nightingale singing to a crowd. Fa la la la la." 

Oh, the beauty to be found in a Nigerian night market is quite memorable. Under a full moon, a child and her parents leave their home and quickly find themselves at the entrance to a most amazing sight. The town is alive with light and noise, as crowded stalls entice visitors to note their treasures, wares and things old and new. 

Given a bag of gold coins and told to move fast if the entire market is to be seen, the child is inundated by the sounds, smells, sights, touches and tastes that are everywhere she looks. 

"The night market smells like a thousand dishes. 
Try of a bite of freshly baked mooncake, 
a slice of minced pie that makes your mouth water,
and a scoop of roasted nuts still warm in your hand."

Dancing, drumming, playing games, and making magic are all part of her experience and the wonder of her visit. As the night market begins to slow down, the child hurries ever more quickly to ensure no sights are missed, no stalls left unvisited, and her coins spent. As the sun rises and the town seeks peace in sleep, she is left with one gold coin that will provide entrance when the night market returns. 

Beautifully written, this is a story that draws readers in with the rhythm of its words and the description of all aspects of the market itself. There is music and laughter at every turn, and countless delights to enjoy during the adventure. Digital illustrations capture the golden light from the moon, the music and movement that bring the townspeople out to celebrate, and clear images of the Nigerian people and the market setting that is telling in and of itself. The child is always evident as she independently explores every corner of this most amazing venue. 

Closing notes from both author and illustrator speak of visits to night markets they have been lucky enough to see.                                                                                   

The Letter, written by Irene Verdu and illustrated by Veronica Aranda. Tranlated by Luisana Duarte Armendariz. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2024. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"He was excited. He 
hurried to offer his help, 
and he carefully brought 
the youngling down. 

"Cluck, cluck!" The hen was so 
distracted by her chick's stunt that 
she took her baby by the wing and 
they both walked away without even
thanking Mr. Cat.

Mr. Cat felt very disappointed."

When was the last time you received a letter in the mail? It doesn't happen often, does it? It is a thing of the past, I fear. 

A letter carrier doesn't realize he has lost a letter while delivering mail during a rainstorm. That letter lands in a puddle that erases the address. There is no way now of knowing who sent it, or who was meant to receive it. The wind blows it open and reads the I love you message inside. 

Lifting the letter high allows for it to forge its own destiny. It glides down the chimney and onto Mr. Cat's head. Being a sourpuss has ensured that Mr. Cat has no visitors, friends, or uplifting mail. He likes being lonely, rather than disappointed. His reaction to the letter's arrival is a surprise. It makes him happy, and sets him on course for finding the sender. 

His walk in the neighborhood has him meeting neighbors, and wondering who sent it. Thinking that each might be, he offers his assistance with their errands and help with their problems. His kindnesses are not much appreciated; not one offers thanks. It is a great disappointment to him. Off he goes home where, to his surprise, he finds his neighbors on the doorstep. They have all arrived with apologies, and gifts of thanks for his thoughtfulness. It's time to take it inside his house to enjoy each other's company. 

The letter? That sneaky wind makes a return visit, picks it up, and lifts it into the sky once more. Where might it go this time? 

Beanie the Bansheenie, written by Eoin Colfer and illustrated by Steve McCarthy. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $23.99 ages 5 and up

 

"And day by day, Beanie grew to love Rose more
and more, which was not how bansheenies usually
felt about their humans. Normally, being a 
bansheenie was just a job, and Beanie was not 
supposed to care about Rose herself.  

But she did care. She cared a lot."

I am not of Irish heritage. I did know a little about banshees; I did not understand their job was to let a human know when they were going to die. There is much to know about the bansheenie itself. They grow in pods on the underside of a fairy bridge. Once transparent, they will form an attachment with the first person they see, and will know when that human will die. Prior to that date, the bansheenie will howl a banshee howl giving them time to say their goodbyes. 

Before bonding with Rose for the first time, Beanie was the victim of an unfortunate circumstance; she was knocked loose from the bridge and fell into a water-filled ditch. Stuck there for weeks while she grew to hatching size, she met the 'teeny-tiny atom fish' who lived in the water. They taught her much,  gave her a happy name, and loved her, in keeping with their own personalities. 

When Beanie finally got a good look at Rose, she realized she did not know when Rose would die. It was her only purpose on earth. She decided to learn more about Rose, and learn she did by watching and listening to Rose and her family.  Knowing that Rose would not see her until it was her turn to die, Beanie could watch closely and enjoy the days. She grew to love Rose.  

When disaster threatens Rose and her family, Beanie does her best to save them. How will she help when Rose cannot see her, or hear her banshee howl? 

Dramatic and original, this is a story that could frighten readers with its talk about banshees. It does not. The marvelous storytelling that we have come to expect from Mr. Colfer is on clear display here. Digital artwork by Steve McCarthy is awash with color and action, and uses expressive visual details to bring characters and their story to life. 
                                                                                   

Whale Song: The True Story of the Musician Who Talked to Orcas, written and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"Marlen and Robin held their breath and sat very still. 
Haida and Chimo surfaced and swam over. 
When Paul played some more notes, the orcas began 
bobbing and moving to the sounds. 
The whales were definitely responding to the music!"

A bit of a surprise begins this inspiring story that involves "two whales, two boys and two Pauls". Paul Horn is a flute player and has two sons, Marlen and Robin. The family moved to Vancouver Island in the early 1970s, and lived close to Sealand. Visits there were many as the boys loved the aquatic animals that were housed there. Haida and Chimo, Sealand's Orcas, were their favorites. They weren't so keen on the fact that these amazing mammals lived in a fairly small pool, instead of the nearby ocean. 

At the same time that they made the move to the island, scientists were using the two orcas to learn more about them. These apex predators had not been studied. On one of their frequent visits, the Horn family met Dr. Paul Spong who was playing classical music, knowing that Haida and Chimo liked it, and that they 'sang in their own way'. 

Their father didn't like the huge whales as much as his sons did. Still, they convinced him to play his flute near the pool. The whales loved the music! On one of their daily visits, Mr. Horn played a note that Haida matched. What a breakthrough it was! Joyful days were spent in song. 

Paul Horn's new music tour meant he spent no time at Sealand for weeks. He was sorely missed. A return to Sealand revealed that Chimo had recently died from an incurable disease, and Haida was mourning the loss. Would Paul's flute playing make a difference again? Apparently not ... until the boys suggested trying happy notes. It worked. 

Soon after that, they saw no sign of Haida in the pool. Only Paul's music soon had Haida leaping in the air close to them. Learning how badly orcas needed the freedom to be with other orcas was a most important lesson to learn.   

Back matter includes further learning about Paul Horn, Orcas, and Dr. Spong and the OrcaLab.