Geo Librarian

THE RED BICYCLE: The Extraordinary Story of One Ordinary Bicycle written by Jude Isabella, illustrated by Simone Shin Kids Can Press, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-77-138-023-2 Picture book nonfiction Source: eARC from NetGalley All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK In this unique nonfiction picture book, the main character is a bicycle that starts its life like so many bicycles in North America, being owned and ridden by a young boy. The boy, Leo, treasures his bicycle so much he gives it a name -- Big Red. But eventually Leo outgrows Big Red, and this is where the bicycle's story takes a turn from the everyday, because Leo decides to donate it to an organization that ships bicycles to Africa. Big Red is sent to Burkina Faso, in West Africa, where it finds a home with Alisetta, who uses it to gain quicker access to her family's sorghum field and to the market. Then, over time, it finds its way to a young woman named Haridata, who has a new purpose for ...

CONFESSIONS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND a Memoir by Jacques Papier as told to Michelle Cuevas Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015 ISBN: 978-0-525-42755-1 Middle Grade Fantasy/Spec Fiction Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The whimsical "autobiography" of an imaginary friend who doesn't know he's imaginary—perfect for fans of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and Toy Story Jacques Papier has the sneaking suspicion that everyone except his sister Fleur hates him. Teachers ignore him when his hand is raised in class, he is never chosen for sports teams, and his parents often need to be reminded to set a place for him at the dinner table. But he is shocked when he finally learns the truth: He is Fleur's imaginary friend! When he convinces Fleur to set him free, he begins a surprising, touching, and always funny quest to find himself—to figure out who Jacques Papier truly is, and where he be...

DOTTIE DOLPHIN PLAYS HIDE-AND-SEEK by Maurice Pledger Silver Dolphin, 2014 ISBN: 978-1-62686-344-6 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK When Dottie Dolphin dives deep into the ocean to play hide-and-seek with her siblings, she discovers a wonderful world of ocean animals. Join Dottie and her new friends beneath the waves in this interactive story with flaps to lift and colorful, detailed underwater scenes by best-selling nature illustrator Maurice Pledger. REVIEW Dottie Dolphin is a beautiful book with fun flaps to uncover throughout the book.  The story follows Dottie Dolphin as she searches for her siblings throughout the ocean.  The illustrations are gorgeous with all sorts of bright colorful sea creatures lighting up the pages.   The writing is also really good which is impressive for a board book.  This is a board book that any young reader can appreciate, not only for it's beauty but for the in...

CHILD SOLDIER When Boys and Girls Are Used in War written by Jessica Dee Humphreys & Michel Chikwanine illustrated by Claudia Davila Kids Can Press, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-77138-126-0 Source: eARC from NetGalley/purchased copy All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Michel is like many other five-year-olds: he has a loving family and spends his days going to school and playing soccer. But in 1993, the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Michel and his family live, is a country in tumult. One afternoon Michel and his friends are kidnapped by rebel militants and forced to become child soldiers. REVIEW Michel's story packs quite a punch.  With the assistance of another writer and a talented illustrator, Michel shares his heart-wrenching story with young readers.  He tells of being kidnapped at the age of five and being forced to help a rebel militia fight against both the national government and local villagers. He speaks of being forced to shoot...

For the publication of Lisa Papademetriou’s upcoming novel A TALE OF HIGHLY UNUSUAL MAGIC I have been invited to participate in a conversation about the book that’s meant the most to me, posting a question between October 6th and November 6th and offering a prize for one participant.   ABOUT THE BOOK Bestseller and author of the popular middle grade series Confectionately Yours Lisa Papademetriou is back with a magical, page-turning adventure for readers of all ages—a touching tale about destiny and the invisible threads that link us all, ultimately, to one another. Kai and Leila are both finally having an adventure. For Leila, that means a globe-crossing journey to visit family in Pakistan for the summer; for Kai, it means being stuck with her crazy great-aunt in Texas while her mom looks for a job. In each of their bedrooms, they discover a copy of a blank, old book called The Exquisite Corpse. Kai writes three words on the first page—and suddenly, they magically appear i...

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the new titles recently released by Lonely Planet Kids (an imprint from Lonely Planet, the world’s leading travel publisher), from October 15 to 31, 2015. Lonely Planet Kid s aims to enhance learning, interaction and appreciation for the planet’s rich diversity of people, places and cultures. Immersive, engaging and educational, the new Lonely Planet Kids books continue to explore the world and inspire a whole new generation of travelers as only Lonely Planet can.  About The Travel Book   Title: Lonely Planet Kids - The Travel Book: A journey through every country in the world | Publication Date: September, 2015 | Publisher: Lonely Planet Kids | Pages: 212 | Recommended Ages: 8+ Description: Where can you climb a giant tower of sticky buns? What is a bokikokiko ? Discover the answer to these questions and hundreds more with Lonely Planet Kids The Travel Book: A Journey through Every...

THE CARETAKER'S GUIDE TO FABLEHAVEN by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman Shadow Mountain, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-62972-091-3 Source: Netgalley & purchased copy All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Caretakers of magical preserves need to visually identify dozens of mythical and magical creatures. This book will open your eyes to a secret world most humans know nothing about. Study these pages and learn about the many magical artifacts, potions, and weapons that could potentially save your life. Furthermore, a smart caretaker will need to know how to recognize (and stay away from) the more nefarious creatures found in this book. Most importantly, The Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven will give you the inside scoop about other magical preserves around the world, including the most magical and powerful creatures known to ever exist—dragons! Scattered throughout the book are tidbits of wisdom and counsel from previous caretakers. For exam...

THE SECRET LIVES OF ANIMALS 1,001 Tidbits, Oddities & Amazing Facts about North America's Coolest Animals Falcon Guides, 2015 Source: author for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The Secret Lives of Animals is the perfect mix of field guide know-how and armchair entertainment. In addition to the standard field guide notes and range maps, the meat of the book will offer up spark moments in nature something fascinating or memorable that catches your attention and sets you on a path of lifelong learning. The Secret Lives of Animals will feature more than 100 North American animals and over 1,000 tidbits in a fun, colorful, illustrated format." REVIEW As far as animal encyclopedia's go this one has a tremendous amount of information available for readers.  I learned a great deal about all sorts of different animals from North America. Each animal or group of animals is briefly described followed by a list of interesting facts ...

ANNA, BANANA, AND THE FRIENDSHIP SPLIT by Anica Mrose Rissi, illustrated by Meg Park Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-4814-1605-4 Middle Grade Contemporary Ages 6-9 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A charming new illustrated chapter-book series about a girl named Anna who navigates the joys and challenges of third-grade best-friendship, with her beloved wiener dog, Banana, by her side. Anna has two favorite things: her best friend, Sadie, and her dog, Banana. She can't wait to celebrate her birthday with both of them. But Anna's birthday party turns into a birthday disaster when Sadie starts a terrible fight that Anna never saw coming. Anna doesn't know why her best friend is suddenly acting like her worst enemy, but she knows she'd do anything to fix it. She and Banana just need to come up with a plan. Only, what if Sadie doesn't want their friendship to be f...

THE 50 STATES by Sol Linero & Gabrielle Balkan Wide Eyed Editions, 2015 ISBN: 9781847807113 WELCOME TO THE EQUALITY STATE Wondrous Wyoming is home to some amazing landscapes: here you can enjoy both the piping hot springs of Yellowstone National Park and the chilly, snowcapped Rocky Mountains. While the western side of the state impresses with its huge mountain peaks, the scenery in the east, with its rolling prairies, is gentler. As well as its thrilling landscapes, Wyoming is well known for its incredible history of exploration and adventure. For it is here that daredevils like Buffalo Bill and outlaws like the Sundance Kid, as well as many fearless bucking-bronco riders, honed their skills. But for all its history of Wild West escapades, the Equality State has long lived up to its “Equal Rights” motto: in 1869 it became the first state where women could vote, and in 1924 it elected the first female state governor in the country. INSPIRING PEOPLE FROM WYOMI...

POET: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate Peachtree Publishing, 2015 ISBN: 9781561458257 Source: publisher through NetGalley All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK In the nineteenth century, North Carolina slave George Moses Horton taught himself to read and earned money to purchase his time though not his freedom. Horton became the first African American to be published in the South, protesting slavery in the form of verse. REVIEW Don Tate has created a beautiful book here about a fascinating person.  These kinds of stories are the kind of stories that I love to share with people because they are about people who didn't let their limiting circumstances limit them in following their dreams.  George Moses Horton longed to be able to read from the time he was a young child.  Thanks to his persistence and his observation skills he eventually taught himself to read (no small accomplishment in and of itself). ...

FIREFLY HOLLOW by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Christopher Denise Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-4424-2336-7 Middle Grade Fantasy Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Firefly. Cricket. Vole. Peter. Can four creatures from four very different Nations help one another find their ways in the world that can feel oh-so-big? Delve into this lush, unforgettable tale in the tradition of Charlotte’s Web and The Rats of NIMH, from the author of the New York Times bestselling Someday. Firefly doesn’t merely want to fly, she wants to touch the moon. Cricket doesn’t merely want to sing about baseball, he wants to catch. When these two little creatures with big dreams wander out of Firefly Hollow, refusing to listen to their elders, they find themselves face-to-face with the one creature they were always told to stay away from…a giant. But Peter is a Miniature Giant. They’ve always been told that a Miniature G...

ROAR! by Julie Bayless Running Press Kids, 2015 ISBN: 978-0-7624-5750-2 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A moonlit tale of friendship and play. It is nighttime in the savanna, which means that it is time to play for one rambunctious lion cub! The cub tries to make new friends with the hippos and the giraffes, but roaring at them only chases them away. The young lion is about to give up, but when a rabbit accidentally mistakes the cub's tail for a carrot, the lion realizes she might have met her match, in all the right ways. REVIEW A young lion cub sets out to find a playmate when her family prefers to sleep.  First, she tries the hippos but they run away when she roars as do the giraffes.  But when she inadvertently meets up with a rabbit who is as loud as she is they run off to play together.  Bayless presents a cute story here that preschoolers are bound to have a really fun time with, especi...

DROWNED CITY Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans written & illustrated by Don Brown Middle Grade Graphic Nonfiction Ages 9-12 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina's monstrous winds and surging water overwhelmed the protective levees around low-lying New Orleans, Louisiana. Eighty percent of the city flooded, in some places under twenty feet of water. Property damages across the Gulf Coast topped $100 billion. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-three people lost their lives. The riveting tale of this historic storm and the drowning of an American city is one of selflessness, heroism, and courage—and also of incompetence, racism, and criminality.         Don Brown’s kinetic art and as-it-happens narrative capture both the tragedy and triumph of one of the worst natural disasters in American history. A portion of the proceeds from this book has been donate...

LITTLE ROBOT by Ben Hatke First Second, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-62672-080-0 Ages 6-12 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK When a little girl finds an adorable robot in the woods, she presses a button and accidentally activates him for the first time. Now, she finally has a friend. But the big, bad robots are coming to collect the little guy for nefarious purposes, and it's all up to a five-year-old armed only with a wrench and a fierce loyalty to her mechanical friend to save the day! #1 New York Times Bestselling author Ben Hatke brings his signature sweetness to a simple, moving story about friendship and overcoming fears that will appeal to readers of all ages. REVIEW Hatke has created another winner here with his adorable little robot and the little girl that befriends him.  The little girl likes to hang out in the junkyard close to her mobile home.  With her special mechanical talents, she tries to help her friend, bu...

SISTER SOLUTION by Trudi Trueit Aladdin, 2015 ISBN: 9781481432405 Middle Grade Contemporary Ages 9-12 ABOUT THE BOOK What's worse than your little sister being smarter than you? Her being more popular, too. But sibling rivalry might just become sibling camaraderie when cliques get out of control in this fresh and fun M!X novel. Sammi Tremayne's life isn't perfect, but she's got it on an even keel. She isn't ultra-popular, but she isn't at the bottom of the middle school social ladder, either. However, when it's decided that her brilliant little sister, Jorgianna, should skip not one, but two grades and join Sammi in eighth grade, Sammi's world is turned upside down. For someone who has always felt in the shadow of her little sister, this is Sammi's ultimate nightmare. To make matters even worse, Jorgianna is taken in by the most popular clique in school almost the minute she arrives, a clique that Sammi has been trying desperately ...