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WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY : Looking for Clouds & The Windy Day by Al Roker, Cairn Greenberg, & John Semper

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  LOOKING FOR CLOUDS Weather Hunters series & TV show by Al Roker based on the screenplay by Cairn Greenberg & John Semper illustrations from TV show Simon Spotlight, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-3471-1221-0 Source : publisher for review (thanks!) Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Lily Hunter investigates animals’ strange behavior at the park in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read by Al Roker based on his animated TV show, Weather Hunters, on PBS KIDS! Whatever the weather, we’re in it together!™ The Hunters are going on a picnic in the park where they find a puppy! But when the puppy and other animals in the park start acting strangely, the family wonders what could be going on. Lily is on the case. Could the weather be a reason for the animals’ odd behavior? REVIEW The Weather Hunters go on a picnic while discovering how animals know when bad weather is coming. A dog sneaks into Lily's pi...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : Stories Are the Heart of the World by Laurel Goodluck & Nicole Neidhardt

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STORIES ARE THE HEART OF THE WORLD words by Laurel Goodluck, illustrations by Nicole Neidhardt Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 9781665948944 Source : Publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Award-winning Indigenous author Laurel Goodluck weaves an intertribal celebration of traditions and stories that help Indigenous children—and all children—understand who they are as they enter and discover the world in this tender picture book. When we begin our lives, stories help us understand who we are. Drawing on tribal Nations’ traditions including Mandan-Hidatsa and Navajo/Diné, this lyrical picture book carries us through the milestones of a beloved child’s life, from birth and their first laugh to entering young adulthood and understanding their place in the community and the world. Each ceremony that marks a special moment comes with a ...

MIDDLE GRADE REALISTIC FICTION : Rowan + Gemma by Sally J. Pla

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ROWAN + GEMMA written by Sally J. Pla Quill Tree Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-06339588-6 Source : Blue Slip Media for review Ages 10-14 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by Blue Slip Media and the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK In this new middle grade novel by Schneider Award-winning author Sally J. Pla, two neurodivergent tweens, one of whom is nonverbal, forge a friendship against the backdrop of their feuding families. Rowan Monahan has lived in the town of Friendship Prairie forever. He knows everyone, and they know him. Some folks judge him, too, for being a slow learner. But Rowan knows in his heart that he's capable of more than people think. Gemma Caplan is new in town. Back in the city, people understood she used her assistive device (AAC) to speak. But here in tiny Friendship Prairie, she's afraid she won't fit in. When Rowan and Gemma meet, they form an instant, magic bond. But just as the two are growing close, their mothers star...

PICTURE BOOK FICTION REVIEW : Sabrina Sue--The Epic Adventure by Priscilla Burris

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  SABRINA SUE The Epic Adventure written & illustrated by Priscilla Burris Simon Spotlight, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-347-10328-7 Source : publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Sabrina Sue—the spunky chicken with a thirst for adventure—makes her picture book debut in this hilarious story about the world’s bravest bird trying to convince her cautious farm friends to join her on her next trip. Sabrina Sue and her fearless pal Froggy have journeyed to the mountains, the sea, the city, and even to space. Even though each adventure has been a rousing success, her farm friends always try to convince her to stay home! They can’t imagine why anyone would want to leave the cozy farm. What if the nervous animals could see for themselves that there’s nothing to fear? Sabrina Sue extends an invite, but will her farm friends decide to take a chance or play it safe? REV...

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION REVIEW : Keepers of the Forests (Sentinels #1) by Kate O'Hearn (Available Nov. 10, 2026)

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  KEEPERS OF THE FOREST Sentinels #1 by Kate O'Hearn, illustrated by Johanna Tarkela Henry Holt & Co. BYR, 2026 ISBN: 9781250419514 Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Rum is the runt of his litter and an outcast in the Sky Clan, but he sees and understands things the other squirrels don’t—for Rum is a sentinel. Born to each squirrel clan when a catastrophe is looming, sentinels are powerful seers that must go to the Dark Forest to meet a mysterious squirrel that can decipher their message. When Rum befriends the Lowland Clan’s runaway sentinel, Nearly, the two band together to reach the Dark Forest to meet the ancient squirrel, Arundale. But the message Arundale deciphers is dire: A fire is coming to the mountains that will destroy everything in its path. Only the sentinels can save the forest creatures. But one of their kind, the final sentinel, is missing. So Rum, Nearly,...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS : 4 books about unusual pets!

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  FRANKENKITTY written by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Mini Grey Tiger Tales, 2026 ISBN: 9781664300972 Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Meet Frankenkitty—a stitched-together kitten with a haunted castle for a home and a reputation that seems to terrify everyone…even his own inventor! Only Olive, the inventor’s brave young daughter, sees the sweet side of this misunderstood kitty. But when terrible things start to happen at the castle—like mice invading the kitchen, frogs appearing in the bathtub, and Brussels sprouts showing up on the dinner menu—poor Frankenkitty gets the blame and is banished from the castle into the snow. Will Olive be able to rescue the poor kitten before it's too late? This spooky-but-fun story is perfect for kids who love their monsters cute and their bedtime stories dramatic! REVIEW An inventor creates a creature he names FrankenKitty. But wh...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW & AUTHOR INTERVIEW : Bitsy Bat, Snow Star by Kaz Windness

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  BITSY BAT, SNOW STAR Bitsy Bat #3 written & illustrated by Kaz Windness Beach Lane Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-6366-4 Source : publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, summary & interview provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK When Bitsy wakes up to see her first-ever snowfall, she’s excited to try out wintry activities with her friends at school. But sledding turns out to be harder than she thought, and making snow angels and snowmen leaves her feeling cold and wet. Bitsy tries to pretend she’s having fun…until a friendly snowball fight pushes her over the edge. She retreats inside the school, worried her friends won’t like her anymore once they find out she doesn’t love the snow like they do. But a surprise is waiting for her—Enzo Owl and Mo are inside too! They don’t like snow either and would rather read in the cozy nook. Bitsy comes up with an indoor activity for a snowy day—making paper snowflakes—that just mi...

WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY : A Quilt of Stars by Dr. Karen Nyberg, Ann McCallum Staats, and Alida Massari

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A QUILT OF STARS : Astronaut Karen Nyberg Stitches a Dream written by Dr. Karen Nyberg & Ann McCallum Staats illustrated by Alida Massari Familius LLC, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-89396-001-3 Source: Author (Ann McCallum Staats) for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Stitch together a dream with astronaut Karen Nyberg as she shares her quilt with the world, the stars, and beyond. What would you do with an impossible dream? Dr. Karen Nyberg yearned to reach the stars, and when they were finally within grasp, she wanted to share the extraordinary sight with the world. Seeing that the Earth from a distance was like a quilted masterpiece of people and places, she put her skills with needle and thread to use―in space! When Nyberg lived on the International Space Station, she and NASA invited crafters from around the world to join a project to stitch together a global community quilt. Thousands of people ...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : A Book for Everyone by Hayley Rocco and John Rocco

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A BOOK FOR EVERYONE All the Books #2 written by Hayley Rocco, illustrated by John Rocco Alvina Ling Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-31658842-3 Source : School Library Journal/purchased copy Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK There’s a perfect story for every reader! Piper Waterstone, everyone’s favorite chipmunk from All the Books, returns in a charming and whimsical tale from award-winning creators Hayley Rocco and John Rocco. It’s time for the yearly reading challenge! Piper Waterstone can’t wait to read all the books on this year’s reading list. She’s going to go on so many adventures and is positive she’ll win! But her best friend, Gregory, would rather play pretend pirates than read a book. Can Piper help find a book perfect for Gregory and win the reading challenge? Join Piper on her enchanting reading adventures as she learns not every book is for every reader, but there is a reader ...

CHAPTER BOOK FICTION : Shermy and Shake, the Not-So-Unhappy-Campers by Kirby Larson (Available Nov 17, 2026)

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  SHERMY AND SHAKE, THE NOT-SO-UNHAPPY-CAMPERS Shermy and Shake #4 written by Kirby Larson, illustrated by Shinji Fujioka Candlewick Press, 2026 ISBN: 978-1536239027 SOURCE : publisher/School Library Journal  Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Unlikely best pals Shermy and Shake go on a fun road trip, meet a brand-new baby, and spend the weekend at a real sleepaway camp in a season full of adventure and steadfast friendship. Awesome-possum! Shermy takes his time and thinks things through, while his best friend, Shake, likes to jump in with both feet. But like peanut butter and sweet pickles, the two boys go together perfectly. Whether it’s crafting leprechaun traps, going to Camp Hootie Hoot with the Owl Scouts, or tackling the school talent show (Shake wants to perform, but Shermy would prefer to cheer from the audience), they bring out the best in each other—even whe...