Geo Librarian

TEN-WORD TINY TALES OF LOVE written by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by 21 Artist Friends Candlewick Press, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-5362-4129-7 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 8-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK From former UK Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho comes an extraordinary collection of tales—each one illustrated by a different artist, and each just ten words long. Is it possible to tell a tale of love using just ten words? The answer is an enthusiastic yes. And when those words are joined by illustrations from twenty top creators, the results can be stunning. In this unique compendium designed to spark the imagination, Joseph Coelho brings us cherished moments between siblings, worlds where nature blooms and heals, touching tales of beloved pets, and more. Each ten-word tale has been paired with one of the finest illustrators working today, among them Jon Klassen, Jarvis...

  ALMOST UNDERWEAR:     How a Piece of Cloth Traveled from Kitty Hawk to the Moon and Mars written & illustrated by Jonathan Roth Christy Ottaviano Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-316-52554-1 Source: purchased Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK One day in 1903 the Wright brothers entered a department store in Ohio to buy a bolt of fabric. The plain muslin cloth was most often used to make underwear. As it happens, the Wright brothers were about to wrap the simple cloth around the ribs of a mechanical ‘wing’ and dramatically change the world. Sixty-six years later, in 1969, Neil Armstrong took a big leap onto the moon. With him was a swatch of the exact fabric the bicycle mechanics had purchased in 1903. Fifty-two years after that, in 2021, a remote-controlled car-sized explorer landed on Mars. Attached to the underside of a cable was a tiny piece of very old cloth—cloth t...

  GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SPECTACULAR SPECTACLES: The Glasses That Saved America written by Selene Castrovilla, illustrated by Jenn Harney Calkins Creek, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-6626-8043-4 Source: purchased Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Did you know that George Washington had a secret? He wore glasses! While initially embarrassed by his reliance on this reading aid, Washington’s spectacles proved themselves to be nothing short of spectacular in this charming, funny–and little-known–story from American history. The Revolutionary War was over, but Washington’s officers had not received their wages from the Continental Congress in years. Afraid they would never get their money, the officers planned to storm Congress and demand it right away. Luckily, George Washington found out about the plot just in time. He delivered a passionate speech to his men, but they were unaffected. It was on...

  WASH DAY WITH MAMA written & illustrated by Monica Mikai Crown Books for Young Readers, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-593-81064-4 Source: publisher through Blue Slip Media for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover and summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK This stunning picture book takes a joyful look into the loving and long process of a hair wash day and the beautiful bond between a daughter and mother. Perfect for Mother’s Day or all year round! I love Sundays, because Sundays are wash days. And wash days are just for us. Filled with heartwarming illustrations, Wash Day with Mama centers on a little girl cherishing each step of their hair washing routine while Mama imparts her wisdom and stresses the importance of self-care, loving yourself, and being proud of who you are. The process of washing and taking care of Black hair takes time and effort, but this poignant story shows how it is an act of self-love and nurtures a ...

  LONDON CALLING City Spies #6 by James Ponti Aladdin, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-6659-3250-9 Source: publisher for review Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, book summary, author photo, and interview provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK In this sixth installment in the New York Times bestselling series from Edgar Award winner James Ponti, the young group of spies stage a rescue in Rome in another international adventure perfect for fans of Spy School and Charlie Thorne. Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome. Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place in Westminster, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6. With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills ...

VOLCANOES written by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock Orchard Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-338-87467-9 Source: purchased Ages 6-10 Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The team behind the acclaimed book Caves returns with an enticing exploration of one of the most explosive wonders on the planet -- Volcanoes! A rumble. A tremble. A grumble. Growing, growling, getting hot. When will it... POP?! Using evocative storytelling, Nell Cross Beckerman leads children on an adventure through the radioactive wonders that are volcanoes. From deep down on the ocean floor to extraterrestrial volcanoes, Beckerman guides readers with dramatic, poetic language. Nonfiction text on every page allows for deeper understanding of the topic. Illustrator Kalen Chock's stunning illustrations have been praised as "atmospheric" and "striking," and readers will be delighted as each new page...

  MANY THINGS AT ONCE written by Veera Hiranandani & Nadia Alam Random House Studio, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-593-64390-7 Source: Nicole Banholzer PR/Publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK In this poignant picture book about family and belonging, the child of a Jewish mother and a South Asian father hears stories about her family history. Sometimes she doesn't feel Jewish enough or South Asian enough, but comes to realize you can feel--and be--many things at once. Based on the author's own family history, here is a moving story about a young girl from two different backgrounds. The girl’s mother tells her stories about her mother, a Jewish seamstress in Brooklyn, New York. She lived in a tiny two-bedroom apartment and sewed wedding dresses shimmering in satin and lace. Her father tells stories of his mother, the girl’s other grandmother, who liked to cook bubbl...

  THE MONSTER AND THE MAZE Monkey King and the World of Myths #1 written and illustrated by Maple Lam G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-593-52463-3 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Percy Jackson meets Dragonball in the first book of this adorable, funny, and action-packed graphic novel series! Follow along as the legendary Monkey King tries to save the world from a mysterious new threat—and smashes his way through the world of ancient Greek mythology in the process! A long-forgotten evil has reemerged, determined to transform everyone—humans, beasts, and gods alike—into monsters. And there’s only one being who can stop it, or at least that’s what he thinks. Sun Wukong, aka the Monkey King, is said to be the mightiest of all beasts, and he’s made a deal with the gods. They will grant him his greatest wish and make him a god too. All he has to do is battle ...

  ASH'S CABIN written and illustrated by Jen Wang First Second, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-250-75406-6 Source: purchased Ages 14 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Ash has always felt alone. Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life. The only person who ever seemed to get Ash was their Grandpa Edwin. Before he died, he used to talk about building a secret cabin, deep in the California wilderness. Did he ever build it? What if it’s still there, waiting for him to come back…or for Ash to find it? To Ash, that maybe-mythical cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life. But making the wilds your home isn’t easy. And as much as Ash wants ...

  TO SEE AN OWL written & illustrated by Matthew Cordell Random House Studio, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-593-64989-3 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 An endearing story about a girl’s efforts to spot an owl from the Caldecott Medal winning creator of Wolf in the Snow. This gorgeous picture book that encourages patience and perseverance will resonate with readers of all ages who have longed to see one of these elusive creatures in the natural world. When will I find you? Where could you be? What will it take? To see an owl. Silent and wide-eyed, owls are hidden creatures of the night. Janie has always dreamed of finding one. She searches everywhere for signs of an owl – on the open prairie for short-eared owls, on the beach for snowy owls, and for great horned owls in the woods near her home. But months go by, and she sees no owls. She wonders, what will it take to ...

  SATURDAY MORNING AT THE 'SHOP written by Keenan Jones, illustrated by Ken Daley Beach Lane Books, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-6659-4080-1 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Spend Saturday morning at the barbershop in this upbeat picture book celebration of the spaces and places that bring communities together. It’s Saturday morning. We hop in the car. Mom’s heading to work, and I’m geeked to go spend the day at the ’shop! The barbershop is a sound booth, an art gallery, a playground, a classroom, and so much more. It’s a place for artistry and comradery and, most importantly, community. Come spend the day feeling all the style and wisdom and joy at the ’shop! REVIEW Having never been to one, this joy-filled look into the workings of a black barbershop opened my eyes. The young boy at the heart of the story doesn't just get his hair cut, oh, no, he has an ...

SCRAM Society of Creatures Real and Magical written and illustrated by Rory Lucey First Second, 2024 ISBN:   9781250851956 Source: purchased eBook Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Rockhurst is your average suburban town. It has everything you'd happy families, fun shops…and magical creatures! In the hopes of learning more about the local cryptids, three friends, Jenny, Emiko, and Brian, start the Society of Creatures Real and Magical―S.C.R.A.M.! Their first order of business? To meet a troll! As they venture into the unknown, our heroes learn valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and the importance of keeping a fish head in an old boot. REVIEW One of the funniest books I've read in quite a while, S.C.R.A.M. finds Jenny, Emiko, and Brian on the hunt to find a real life troll. Using the information found in an old book in the library, the three friends start followin...

LILY'S DREAM A Fairy Friendship written and illustrated by Bea Jackson Aladdin, 2025 ISBN: 9781665941174 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A flightless fairy befriends a human girl and discovers her magic in this enchanting picture book from the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Parker Looks Up. Lily is a young fairy determined to learn to fly just like the others who soar on shimmering, jeweled-colored wings, but she’s worried her own colorless wings will never lift her off the ground. Then she meets a young girl named Willow who helps her not only discover her special magic, but the truly magical gift of friendship. REVIEW Young fairy fans are bound to be thrilled with this adorable tale of a young fairy learning to fly. Jackson's gorgeous illustrations make this story of friendship and persistence stand out. The cover alone is likely ...

CALL ME IGGY written by Jorge Aguirre, art by Rafael Rosado, color by John Novak First Second, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-250-20415-8 Source: purchased Ages 14 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Ignacio "Iggy" Garcia is an Ohio-born Colombian American teen living his best life. After bumping into Marisol (and her coffee) at school, Iggy's world is spun around. But Marisol as too much going on to be bothered with the likes of Iggy. She has school, work, family, and the uphill battle of getting her legal papers. As Iggy stresses over how to get Marisol to like him, his grandfather comes to the rescue. The thing is, not only is his abuelito dead, but he also gives terrible love advice. The worst. And so, with his ghost abuelito's meddling, Iggy's life begins to unravel as he sets off on a journey of self-discovery. Call me Iggy tells the story of Iggy searching for his place ...

  WINTER LIGHT written & illustrated by Aaron Becker Candlewick Studio, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-5362-3646-0 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. REVIEW In a poetic ode to the importance of light during wintertime, Becker uses cut outs with jewellike backgrounds to to highlight the soft light that can offer comfort during a season that seems so dark and cold (depending on where you live). The book needs to be read with available natural sunlight to be fully appreciated. This is a book that adults especially can appreciate the beauty of and would be fun to discuss one on one with a child. It's especially fascinating the way the colors blend, lightening and darkening as the pages get turned. A book full of wonder and comfort perfect for sharing during a season where natural light can be greatly missed. COLD written by Tim McCanna, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki Simon & Schuster Boo...