Geo Librarian

  MULAN : BEFORE THE SWORD An Original Tale by Grace Lin Disney Press, 2020 ISBN: 9781368020336 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own.   ABOUT THE BOOK   Family is important to Hua Mulan-even if her parents don't understand why she would rather ride her horse, Black Wind, than weave, or how her notorious clumsiness can be so different from the graceful demeanor of her younger sister, Xiu. But despite their differences, Mulan has a deep love for her family, especially Xiu. So when her sister is bitten by a poisonous spider, Mulan does everything she can to help, including seeking out a renowned healer. However, it quickly becomes apparent that there is more to both the mysterious spider bite and the healer than meets the eye. On a quest with the Jade Rabbit of legend, Mulan visits extraordinary places, meets Immortals, and faces incredible obstacles while searching for an antidote for her sister. And the danger only rises when Mula...

SOME DAYS written and illustrated by Maria Wernicke translated by Lawrence Schimel Amazaon Crossing Kids, 2020 ISBN: 9781542022514 Source: Blue Slip Media Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK From an Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nominee comes a touching story of family, security, and loss. A young girl tells her mother about a passageway in their yard. Down this passageway, it is not cold, there is no danger, and nothing bad can ever happen—and the person she longs for is with her again. The only problem is that, on some days, the passageway is not there. But maybe, together, mother and daughter can find a way to carry that feeling with them always. First published in Argentina, this lovely picture book will tug on the heartstrings of anyone who knows what it means to miss a loved one.   ★“A gentle model for living while missing a loved one.” — Kirkus Reviews   (starred review) “This brief, wistful exchange between a mother and her chil...

I LOVE MY FANGS! by Kelly Leigh Miller Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-5344-5210-7 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own.   ABOUT THE BOOK   Is a vampire still a vampire if his fang is all wobbly? Find out in this funny and endearing spin on the classic first lost tooth story. Young Dracula loves his fangs. They are pointy. They are sharp! They are a cherished family trait. So one day, when a fang wiggles…and jiggles…and falls loose, Dracula doesn’t know what to do. He tries pushing it back in. Then taping it. Then sticking it. Because a vampire can’t have only one fang!…Right?   REVIEW   While there are plenty of losing a tooth stories available, there aren't any quite like this one. Not only is the main character a vampire, but he doesn't actually want to lose a tooth.  In fact, Young Dracula is really proud of his fangs.  He brushes and flosses his teeth to such a de...

  MANANALAND by Pam Munoz Ryan Scholastic Press, 2020 ISBN: 9781338157864 Source: public library Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own.   ABOUT THE BOOK   Maximiliano Córdoba loves stories, especially the legend Buelo tells him about a mythical gatekeeper who can guide brave travelers on a journey into tomorrow. If Max could see tomorrow, he would know if he'd make Santa Maria's celebrated fútbol team and whether he'd ever meet his mother, who disappeared when he was a baby. He longs to know more about her, but Papá won't talk. So when Max uncovers a buried family secret--involving an underground network of guardians who lead people fleeing a neighboring country to safety--he decides to seek answers on his own. With a treasured compass, a mysterious stone rubbing, and Buelo's legend as his only guides, he sets out on a perilous quest to discover if he is true of heart and what the future holds.   REVIEW   Max loves fútbol almost as much ...

THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM The Ascendence Series #4 by Jennifer A. Nielsen Scholastic Press, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-338-55108-2 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own.   ABOUT THE BOOK   In a peaceful Carthya, Jaron leads as the Ascendant King with Imogen beside him -- but the peace he fought so long for is not destined to last. On a routine sea voyage, Jaron's ship is brutally attacked, and he is taken hostage. The mysterious captors and their leader, Jane Strick, accuse Jaron of unthinkable acts. They are also in possession of some shocking items -- including the crown and sword that belonged to Jaron's older brother, Darius. The items unearth a past Jaron thought he had put behind him. Though it seems impossible, Jaron must consider: Could Darius be alive? And what does Strick want from Jaron? Against his will, Jaron will be pulled back into a fight for the throne -- and a battle to save his kingdom. REVIEW   The Captive Kingdom demonstrat...

  FUSSY FLAMINGO words by Shelly Vaughan James, pictures by Matthew Rivera Sourcebooks, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-7282-0970-8 Source: Sourcebooks Early Read program (books for review) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own.   ABOUT THE BOOK   Lola, a young flamingo, knows that eating shrimp will make her feathers pink, but when her parents look away she tries different foods and turns a series of wild colors.   REVIEW  Lola's parents encourage her to eat shrimp so her feathers will turn pink.  But Lola doesn't want to eat shrimp and decides to try some other foods instead.  The results of eating avocado, pepino melons, and dragon fruits are a variety of colors that are not pink.  This does not please her parents, but Lola claims that shrimp are "soggy", "muddy", and "yucky".  But it turns out she's never tried shrimp.  Eventually her parents convince her to give shrimp a try and the results are exactly what you would expect.  T...

  CARNIVAL CATASTROPHE The Problim Children #2 by Natalie Lloyd, interior illustrations by Julia Sarda  HarperCollins, 2019 ISBN: 978-0-06-242824-0 Source: public library Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The Problims try to win the Corn Dog Carnival and rescue their missing mama in the second book in The Problim Children series. All siblings are capable of magic if they stick together. But trusting each other isn’t easy for the Problim siblings when neighbors like Desdemona and Carly-Rue O’Pinion are working double-time to turn the town against them. From catapulting cattle to runaway corndogs to spiders on the pageant stage, the Problim brothers and sisters are blamed for every catastrophe at this year’s carnival. And to top it all off, Mama Problim is missing! Can the seven siblings come together in time to save the carnival and rescue their mom from a villain even more dastardly than Desdemona? Or will they discover too late what i...

  THE CLOCKWORK CROW by Catherine Fisher Walker Books, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-5362-1491-8 Source: ARC from publisher/finished copy purchased Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own.   ABOUT THE BOOK   Orphan Seren Rhys is on her way to a new life at the remote country mansion of Plas-y Fran when she is given a package by a stranger late at night in an empty train station. The package contains a crotchety, mechanical talking crow, which Seren reluctantly brings to her new home. But when she gets there, the happy Christmas she had hoped for turns out to be an illusion--the young son of the house, Tomos, has been missing for almost a year, rumored to have been taken by the fairies. With the Crow's reluctant help and a little winter magic, Seren sets off on a perilous journey to bring Tomos home.   REVIEW   As Seren waits for her train to arrive, she's surprised to notice a thin, scared-looking man holding a paper-wrapped package.  When the man le...

  GNU AND SHREW by Danny Schnitzlein, illustrated by Anca Sandu Peachtree Publishers, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-68263-146-1 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Opposites attract--but can they work together? When Gnu says that there's a cave filled with diamonds across the river, Shrew is intrigued. But Gnu seems to be all talk, fantasizing about riches yet dismissing all of Shrew's suggestions. As Gnu dreams his days away, tossing out one big idea after another, Shrew spends his nights trying to make those dreams a reality. Can Gnu's big ideas and Shrew's hard work make something remarkable happen? In this entertaining spin on "The Ant and the Grasshopper" that values the roles of both dreamers and doers, author Danny Schnitzlein's deadpan storytelling is perfectly complemented by illustrator Anca Sandu's humorous artwork.   REVIEW   Gnu wants to cross the river and retrieve the diamonds he kno...

THAT MONSTER ON THE BLOCK by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Luke Flowers two lions, 2020 ISBN: 978-1542005333 Source: Blue Slip Media for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Monster is excited to see what kind of creature will move into Vampire’s old house on the block. He even starts practicing his welcome growl for the new neighbor. But when the moving truck pulls up, it’s not a greedy goblin, an ogre, or a dastardly dragon that steps out. Instead, it’s something even more terrifying than Monster could have imagined! Monster quickly rallies the other neighbors to unite against the new guy on the block. But what if the new neighbor isn’t exactly as bad as Monster thinks? Join Monster as he confronts his fears in this charming and lighthearted look at what it means to accept others who are different from us.   ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR Sue Ganz-Schmitt was born on the Fourth of July and grew up in Sherman Oaks, California. She now...

  SUPER ROOSTER SAVES THE DAY by Maureen Wright, illustrated by Rob McClurkan two lions, 2020 ISBN: 978-542007788 Source: Blue Slip Media Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own.   ABOUT THE BOOK   Ralph the rooster has big dreams of becoming a superhero. But the other farm animals aren’t so sure—except for Rosie the pig, that is. She’s Ralph’s best friend, and she believes in him. As Ralph and Rosie hang around the farm, there are just no opportunities to be a superhero and save the day...until the farmer turns on the radio, and the “Chicken Dance” song starts playing. POW-WOW! Suddenly it seems that Ralph may have some super powers after all...or does he? Join Ralph and Rosie as they prove that believing in yourself and being a good friend is what makes a true superhero. ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR   Maureen Wright is the author of a number of popular picture books, including  Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep!, Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze! , a...