Geo Librarian

  FLOOF written & illustrated by Heidi McKinnon     Algonquin Young Readers, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-5235-2586-7 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK The text says one thing and the illustrations say quite another in this darling picture book where the cutest, floofiest cat has a very busy, very mischievous day! Floof is floofy. Floof has many hobbies. Floof has very important work to do and Floof also has a lot of friends. Floof is about to have a very busy day…   An irresistible new picture book for cat-lovers, cute-lovers, and anyone who has ever been a little bit mischievous!  REVIEW If you are looking for a fun, cute book about a cat, this one fits the bill. Floof is indeed very floofy; almost fill up the two-page spread floofy. Floof quickly proves to be a very typical sort of cat. Floof reads (naps), gardens (naps), and plays a (damaged) guitar.

  READY TO SOAR written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld Dial Books for Young Readers, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-593-69672-9 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary are provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK From the New York Times bestselling author of The Rabbit Listened , a story of learning to stay true to yourself, rather than what others want you to be. Riley made a paper airplane and couldn’t wait to let it soar. But just before the plane could take off—SQUAWK. An eagle swoops in and insists Riley’s plane could never fly. It’s much too small. So Riley makes it bigger! But just as this bigger paper airplane is ready to go, a parrot squawks that the plane is way too boring to fly. So Riley makes it fancier! Bird after bird offers advice, and Riley tries making the airplane faster longer, taller, and slimmer. When the plane crashes to the ground after all these changes, Riley finally meets a more supportive frie

  HOME written & illustrated by Isabelle Simler, translated by Vineet Lal Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5620-3 Source: publisher for review (THANKS!) Ages 6 and up Picture book informational poetry All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A spectacular tour through the dwellings of twenty-seven different animals, from a hermit crab’s secondhand shell to a beaver’s lakeside dam to a comet moth’s silk cocoon. Acclaimed creator Isabelle Simler presents a poetic journey through amazing animal homes across the world. In Europe, alpine marmots stay safe in underground refuges. In southeast Asia, Sumatran orangutans doze off in treetop bedrooms. In Mexico and the southwestern US, elf owls nest in holes in saguaro cacti. On every continent but Antarctica, honeybees mold wax into palaces for their queens. No matter where you travel, some creature is making an extraordinary pla

  A FEW BEAUTIFUL MINUTES: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse written by Kate Allen Fox, illustrated by Khoa Le Little, Brown and Company, 2023 ISBN: 978-0-316-41692-4 Source: ARC from Little, Brown & Company Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A lyrical, exquisitely illustrated tribute to the solar eclipse. What happens during a solar eclipse? The sun vanishes. Light becomes dark. Day animals sleep, and night animals wake. The moon takes over the sky. People stop what they’re doing and together, they look up. The whole world changes for a few beautiful minutes. Celebrating the magic of this favorite wonder of the universe, A Few Beautiful Minutes encourages young readers to (safely) discover each stage of a solar eclipse—and to experience how this incredible phenomenon can connect us to one another. REVIEW This lovely combination of poetry, gorgeous art, and information presents young

  COYOTE LOST AND FOUND by Dan Gemeinhart Henry Holt & Co, 2024 ISBN:978-1250292773 Source: eARC from Netgalley Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK It's been almost a year since Coyote and her dad left the road behind and settled down in a small Oregon town. . . time spent grieving the loss of her mom and sisters and trying to fit in at school. But just as life is becoming a new version of normal, Coyote discovers a box containing her mom’s ashes. And she thinks she might finally be ready to say goodbye. So Coyote and her dad gear up for an epic cross-country road trip to scatter the ashes at her mom’s chosen resting place. The only problem? Coyote has no idea where that resting place is―and the secret’s hidden in a book that Coyote mistakenly sold last year, somewhere in the country. Now, it’s up to Coyote to track down the treasured book . . . without her dad ever finding

  THE NOISY PUDDLE: A Vernal Pool Through the Seasons written by Linda Booth Sweeney, illustrated by Miki Sato Owlkids Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-77147-531-0 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A lyrical dip into the noisy, magical world of a vernal pool. In this vibrant and poetic informational picture book, two curious siblings observe the hidden world of a vernal a special kind of puddle habitat that pops up in the spring, dries up by summer, reappears in the fall, and freezes over in the winter—only to come back again in the spring. Young naturalists and future water stewards will be encouraged to listen, watch, and wait to witness the seasonal changes of the ever-changing puddle and its inhabitants. As readers follow along with the rhythmic text, they will be fascinated to discover many familiar and not-so-familiar creatures that make up the surprising web of inte

FINDING GRATEFUL by Dianne White, illustrated by Faith Pray Chronicle Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-7972-1123-7 Source: publisher for review Ages 3-6 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK  A heartfelt picture book that celebrates embracing the moment and finding gratitude right here, right now. What does grateful look like? How does it feel? How do you find it? Even in the face of a challenge, you don’t need a You just need to pay attention to the little things—a smile, a hug, the smell of newly cut grass—that add up to a sense of presence and hope.   With evocative, lyrical prose, this warmly illustrated children's book is a reminder to pause, reflect, and take in the glimmers of positivity and connection that can be found amid even the most difficult circumstances. Both a timely meditation on finding gratitude in everyday moments and a timeless ode to the simple joy of truly being present, Find

  BLACK GIRL YOU ARE ATLAS written by Renee Watson, fine art by Ekua Holmes Kokila, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-593-46170-9 Source: publisher for review Ages 14 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A thoughtful celebration of Black girlhood by award-winning author and poet Renée Watson. In this semi-autobiographical collection of poems, Renée Watson writes about her experience growing up as a young Black girl at the intersections of race, class, and gender. Using a variety of poetic forms, from haiku to free verse, Watson shares recollections of her childhood in Portland, tender odes to the Black women in her life, and urgent calls for Black girls to step into their power. Black Girl You Are Atlas encourages young readers to embrace their future with a strong sense of sisterhood and celebration. With full-color art by celebrated fine artist Ekua Holmes throughout, this collection offers guidance a

  THE GREAT PUPTECTIVE The Great Puptective #1 written and illustrated by Alina Tysoe Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024 ISBN: 9781665938242  Source: eARC & ARC from the publisher (THANKS!) Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, author art, & summary provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK A set-in-his-ways housecat has his routine upended by an enthusiastic new puppy with a nose for solving mysteries in this first adorable book in a graphic novel chapter book series perfect for fans of InvestiGators and Narwhal and Jelly. Truffles the cat is the only pet in the house and reigns in peace and quiet, only exerting himself to find the best place to take a nice, long nap—preferably in a spot of warm sunshine. Then Poppy the puppy bursts onto the scene. Poppy is loud, enthusiastic, excitable, and—worst of all—a puptective! She’s got an eye for crime and a nose to solve all mysteries that come her way…even though she’s not completely sure wha

  WHERE DO OCEAN CREATURES SLEEP AT NIGHT? written by Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmons illustrated by Ruth E. Harper Charlesbridge, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-62354-297-9 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 Ocean animals sleep, just like you! This informative, rhyming picture book dives deep to look at where and how ocean animals sleep in the sea. Many ocean animals are active during the day, but where and how do they sleep at night? From sharks to dolphins and sea turtles to octopuses, plus parrotfish and whales and more, discover what these ocean creatures do when it’s time to go to sleep and the day is through. Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? is newest addition to a three-book series, which includes Where Do Creatures Sleep at Night? and Where Do Big Creatures Sleep at Night? ABOUT THE AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATOR Steven  J. Simmon s has

  THE STORYTELLER written by Lindsay Bonilla, illustrated by Noar Lee Naggan Nancy Paulsen Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-593-10958-8 Source: publisher/Blue Slip Media Ages 6 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover and summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com & Blue Slip Media. ABOUT THE BOOK Featuring an evocative text and luminous paintings, this stunning book celebrates the power of stories—how they connect us, inspire us, and keep memories alive. Griffin’s grandmother spins the most marvelous stories, from breathtaking fairy tales to fascinating family lore. These stories fuel his imagination and fill their days with magic. So when he sees her once-bright spark begin to fade, Griffin is scared to think of the future. Fortunately, though, he has her stories to guide him—and to remind him that he is braver than he could ever imagine. ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Lindsay Bonilla is a professional storyteller and author whose previous picture books in

   THE COZY HOME Bat, Cat & Rat #1 written by Ame Dyckman & illustrated by Mark Teague Beach Lane Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-6659-3042-0 Source: purchased Ages 6-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Join Bat, Cat, and Rat on their three-and-a-half sweet and silly roommate adventures in this hilarious picture book, the first of a series, from New York Times bestsellers Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague. What happens when three friends—a bat, a cat, and a rat—move in together? In “Sharing,” Bat, Cat, and Rat find a cozy home to share. But will choosing rooms put their sharing skills to the test? In “Joking,” Rat sets off a series of pranks and shenanigans with his rubber spider that have the trio screaming in surprise and laughing in delight. In “Reading,” Cat catches Bat and Rat reading over her shoulder—or so she thinks, until it turns out they haven’t learned to read yet. Can Cat teach her f

NELL PLANTS A TREE by Anne Wynter & Daniel Miyares Balzer + Bray, 2023 ISBN: 978-0-06-286577-9 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK This gorgeous picture book shows how one little girl’s careful tending of a pecan tree creates the living center of a loving, intergenerational Black family. For Earth Day and every day! Perfect for fans of Matt de la Peña and Oge Mora. Before her grandchildren climbed the towering tree, explored its secret nests,                       raced to its sturdy trunk,                                   read in its cool shade,                       or made pies with its pecans... Nell buried a seed. And just as Nell’s tree grows and thrives with her love and care, so do generations of her close-knit family. Inspired by the pecan trees of the creators' own childhoods, Anne Wynter’s lyrical picture book, brought to life with breathtaking illus

WILD PLACES: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough written by Hayley Rocco, illustrated by John Rocco G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-593-61809-7 Source: Penguin Random House for Review (Thanks!) Ages 6 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK An inspiring and accessible picture book biography of the beloved naturalist, broadcaster, and documentarian David Attenborough—stunningly illustrated by a Caldecott Honoree. As a boy, David loved exploring the wild places near his home in England, collecting fossils, rocks, and newts. When he grew older, he got a job in television, where he had an idea for a new kind of He would travel to wild places all over the world to film animals in their natural habitats. Over the span of seven decades, David's innovative documentaries have been treasured by millions of people. But as time went on, he noticed the wild places he loved were shrin

  ISABEL IN BLOOM by Mae Respicio Wendy Lamb Books, 2024 ISBN: 9780593302729  Source: Netgalley ARC Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A Filipina-American girl discovers a connection between her two homes through a culinary garden in this middle grade novel that celebrates nourishment and growth—both in our lives and in nature. Twelve-year-old Isabel is the new kid in her San Francisco middle school. It’s the first time in many years that she’ll be living with her mother again. Mama's job in the US allowed Isabel and her grandparents to live more comfortably in the Philippines, but now Isabel doesn't really know her own mother anymore. Making new friends in a new city, a new country, is hard, but joining the gardening and cooking club at school means Isabel will begin to find her way, and maybe she too, will begin to bloom. In this beautifully rendered novel-in-verse, Mae Respi

UNSTUCK by Barbara Dee Aladdin, 2024 ISBN: 9781534489882 Source: eARC from publisher for review Ages 10-14 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, author photo, & book summary provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK From critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee comes a middle grade novel about a girl whose struggles with writer’s block set off unexpected twists and turns, both on and off the page. Lyla is thrilled when her seventh-grade English language arts class begins a daily creative writing project. For the past year, she’s been writing a brilliant fantasy novel in her head, and here’s her chance to get it on paper! The plot to Lyla’s novel is super complicated, with battle scenes and witches and a mysterious one-toed-beast, but at its core, it’s about an overlooked girl who has to rescue her beautiful, highly accomplished older sister. But writing a fantasy novel turns out to be harder than simply imagining one, and pretty soon Lyla finds herself stuck, experie