Geo Librarian

  KEEPING THE CITY GOING by Brian Floca Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-5344-9377-3 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Brian Floca gives a thank you to the essential workers who keep their cities going during COVID-19 quarantine. We are here at home now, watching the world through our windows. Outside we see the city we know, but not as we’ve seen it before. The once hustling and bustling streets are empty. Well, almost empty. Around the city there are still people, some, out and about. These are the people keeping us safe. Keeping us healthy. Keeping our mail and our food delivered. Keeping our grocery stores stocked. Keeping the whole city going.   REVIEW   With his stunningly detailed illustrations and straightforward poem, Brian Floca honors the workers who kept the country running during the various COVID-19 lock downs.  The book points out the way New York City changed during ...

  SPACE ENCYCLOPEDIA: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond, 2nd Edition written & illustrated by David A. Aguilar National Geographic, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-4263-3856-4 Source: Media Masters Publicity Ages 9 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The updated and expanded edition of the hit Space Encyclopedia presents the most up-to-date findings on space exploration and research and breathtaking views of the universe, as captured by the latest and greatest technology, including the recent first ever image of a black hole. This complete reference contains everything kids need to know about our sun and planets including the new dwarf planets, the formation of the universe, space travel, the possibility of life beyond Earth, and more. Authored by David A. Aguilar, an internationally recognized astronomer and former Director of Science Information and Public Outreach at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, it is an authoritative and beaut...

RESCUE by Jennifer A. Nielsen Scholastic Press, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-338-62099-3 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Six hundred and fifty-seven days ago, Meg Kenyon's father left their home in France to fight for the Allies in World War II, and that was the last time Meg saw him. Recently, she heard he was being held prisoner by the Nazis, a terrible sentence from which Meg fears he'll never return. All she has left of him are the codes he placed in a jar for her to decipher, an affectionate game the two of them shared. But the codes are running low, and soon there'll be nothing left of Papa for Meg to hold on to at all. Suddenly, an impossible chance to save her father falls into Meg's lap. After following a trail of blood in the snow, Meggie finds an injured British spy hiding in her grandmother's barn. Captain Stewart tells her that a family of German refugees must be guided across Nazi-occupied France to ...

  BENEATH THE WAVES :  Celebrating the Ocean Through Pictures, Poems, and Stories by Stephanie Warren Drimmer National Geographic Kids, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-4263-3916-5 Source: Media Masters Publicity Ages 9 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own.   ABOUT THE BOOK   Open this charming read-aloud book and you'll find amazing animal profiles, whimsical poetry, stunning photography, plus fascinating information about the wondrous creatures that call the ocean home. Starting with the seashore and journeying through the ocean's zones, readers will discover mangrove forests, coral reefs, and the deepest ocean depths. On this journey they will discover some of the extraordinary animals that live on shore and under the sea. Along the way, readers will enjoy poems, stories, fun facts, photo galleries, and more. Highlights include a foreword from explorer and renowned photojournalist Brian Skerry; an interview with National Geographic Explorer and marine conserv...

  THE MAGICAL YET words by Angela DiTerlizzi, art by Lorena Alvarez Disney-Hyperion, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-368-02562-1 Source : purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK This Yet finds a way, even when you don't, And, Yet knows you will, when you think you won't.   Each of us, from the day we're born, is accompanied by a special companion--the Yet. Can't tie your shoes? Yet! Can't ride a bike? Yet! Can't play the bassoon? Don't worry, Yet is there to help you out. Told in tight rhyme reminiscent of the great Dr. Seuss himself, this rollicking, inspirational picture book is perfect for every kid who is frustrated by what they can't do . . . YET.   REVIEW   A young girl crashes riding her bike.  As she walks her damaged bike home in frustration, the narrator tells her about The Magical Yet.  Depicted as a bright magical creature, The Magical Yet has helped the girl in the past as she learned to speak and crawl and walk....

CURIOUS ABOUT INSECTS written by Cathryn Sill, illustrated by John Sill Peachtree Publishing, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-68263-211-6 Source: publisher for review Ages 3-6 All opinions expressed are solely my own.   ABOUT THE BOOK   Perfect for the littlest bug buffs, this board book offers a first glimpse into the natural world of insects. From the esteemed author and illustrator team of Cathryn and John Sill, it is sure to delight the earliest learners and their parents. Award-winning educator and author Cathryn Sill introduces very young children to basic facts about insects with the help of beautifully detailed and realistic illustrations from noted wildlife illustrator John Sill. Simple and clear descriptions of how insects look, where they live, what they eat, and how they move around make this third title in the Discovering Nature series a dependable and informative beginning resource for learning about insects and the wonders of the natural world.   REVIEW   ...

BRAIN CANDY :  Seriously Sweet Facts to Satisfy Your Curiosity National Geographic Kids, 2019 ISBN: 978-1-4263-3437-5 Source: Media Masters Publicity Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Unwrap 500 fascinating knowledge nuggets about all kinds of topics to boost your brainpower in this yummy little fact book. Let's start with a million. A million days ago, the first Olympics took place in ancient Greece. If you live a million hours, you'll be 114 years old. And how many ants equal the weight of one average human? That's right, a million. Open the candy cover and take a deep and delicious dive into numbers, fun facts, and cool trivia on all kinds of topics. It's a novel approach to feeding kids tantalizing tidbits about the world, and is sure to be an addictive addition to the bookshelves of Weird But True! and Just Joking fans.   REVIEW   Brain Candy is a nonfiction children's book full of facts.  The book is perfect for shari...

  ELLA'S NIGHT LIGHTS by Lucy Fleming Candlewick Press, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-5362-1269-3 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Nestled in a little nook in an old oak tree is a tiny girl named Ella. Ella loves light, but must be sure to avoid the sun because of her delicate wings. Flittering about at night, she collects light from everything that glows and glimmers in the darkness, always making sure to share the light she gathers with those who need it most. Until one day, when her animal friends decide it’s their turn to give back—with a creative plan that just may make Ella’s dream of seeing the sun come true. New York Times best-selling illustrator Lucy Fleming’s author-illustrator debut is a sweet story about the power of giving to others and celebrating our friends, as well as a reminder that we all have a light within us that is worthy of being shared.   REVIEW   Adorable in both story and illustration...

  CHAMPION OF THE TITAN GAMES Dragonwatch #4 by Brandon Mull Shadow Mountain, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-62972-788-2 Source: publisher for review Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK As the war with the dragons intensifies, all eyes are turning to Titan Valley for help. A dragon sanctuary unlike any of the others, this one is home to enslaved dragons ruled by the powerful Giant Queen, one of the five monarchs of the magical world. In addition, it houses the arena for the Titan Games, a series of gladiator-style battles presided over by none other than Humbuggle, the demon who stole Seth’s memories! Seth is seeking for his memories. Kendra is seeking for Seth. And everyone is seeking to stop the dragons from taking over the world—everyone but Ronodin, the dark unicorn, who has his own devious agenda. In the monstrous battle between giants and dragons, who wins? In the race to retrieve a magical talisman that could help win the war, can Kendra trust Set...

KIDS VS. PLASTIC: Ditch the Straw and Find the Pollution Solution to  Bottles, Bags, and Other Single-Use Plastics by Julie Beer National Geographic Kids, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-4263-3910-3 Source: Media Masters Publicity Ages 9-14 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK It's in your toothbrush ... your clothes ... your earbuds. Chances are, you're touching it right now. We're talking about plastic! Plastic is absolutely everywhere and in practically everything we touch, from pens to water bottles to sports equipment. And a lot of it is used once and then thrown away. Unfortunately, it takes a REALLY long time for plastic to break down and it can be harmful to our environment, especially wildlife. But why and when did we start using it in so much stuff? And how do we stop? Discover shocking stats and surprising facts; inspirational interviews with National Geographic explorers and leading researchers who are working tirelessly to protect the planet; tons of simpl...

JULIUS AND MACY A Very Brave Night by Annelouise Mahoney two lions, 2021 ISBN: 978-1542007160 Source: Blue Slip Media Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A woodland tale about bravery and friendship. Julius and Macy like to play heroes. Julius pretends he’s the defender of the forest, while Macy has a quieter strength. When their snack disappears one night, they decide to track down the only one who could have taken it—the Night Goblin. They both have to be brave in their own ways, and they ultimately discover that the real thief isn’t anything like they imagined. “Watercolor illustrations further the text’s magical qualities by adding important details, such as the solitary nature of Sherwin’s home. Softly glowing with campfire and starlight, this tale is an inviting bedtime story and a gentle ode to kindness.”   ― Booklist ABOUT THE AUTHOR Annelouise Mahoney has worked in animation for DreamWorks, DIC Animation, Sony, and Saban Entertainment. She has...