Geo Librarian

  LOST ON DOLL ISLAND written by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-6659-7513-1 Source: publisher for review (thanks!) Ages 9-12 Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Diego feels trapped. He’s confined in an arm cast, stuck with his tía and tío in Mexico City, and smothered with the sickening fear that he’s the one who really caused his parents’ divorce. But most of all, he’s trapped in his own secret. Because ever since he got to Mexico City, he’s started having strange dreams of a doll calling his name. Then Diego learns of La Isla de Muñecas, an island full of legendary magic that can make children’s wishes come true. If Diego can harness the power there, maybe he could fix everything that has gone wrong in his life. Maybe he doesn’t have to move to Mexico City, his parents don’t have to separate, and he could even reunite with one of his...

MILES LEWIS, PET SITTER written by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Wayne Spencer Penguin Workshop, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-593-75273-9 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK From the award-winning author of the Jada Jones chapter books comes an illustrated spin-off series perfect for STEM fans! When Miles and his classmates welcome a few frogs as class pets, it's a reminder that what he really wants more than anything is a dog to call his own. But his parents don't think he's ready, and his attempts to show them that he truly can care for critters all end in disaster. Can Miles pull it together and prove that he's responsible enough for a pet once and for all? REVIEW Miles Lewis wants a dog really badly. After participating with his class in the arrival of some class pets, he's inspired to prove to his parents that he's ready ...

NAT THE CAT HAS A HAT written & illustrated by Jarrett Lerner Simon Spotlight, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-6659-5712-0 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-7 Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Nat the Cat gets a little jealous in this fourth book in the hilarious, fourth wall–breaking Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about a grumpy cat, a curious rat, and an exasperated narrator from powerhouse creator Jarrett Lerner! Nat the Cat has a hat. Pat the Rat has a nicer hat. Nat the Cat wants a hat like that. Will the two friends have a spat? REVIEW Nat the Cat's jealousy gets the better of him when Pat the Rat seems to get nicer hats. The author/illustrator provides the additional hats Nat desires until the author mentions how silly he is being and he demands that they have no hats at all. When Nat notices that Pat the Rat feels really sad about having no hat, the author/illustrator/narrato...

  THE AMAZING GENERATION Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World written by Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price, illustrated by Cynthia Yuan Cheng Rocky Pond Books, 2025 ISBN: 979-8-217-11190-9 Source: purchased Ages 10-14 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller The Anxious Generation, this new book for kids and tweens is a comprehensive guide for living a happy and exciting life that isn’t hijacked by a smartphone. Jonathan Haidt’s blockbuster book, The Anxious Generation, has sparked a global conversation about the effects of smartphones and social media on young people’s development, and has inspired millions of parents, teachers, and leaders to take action. Now, Haidt and Catherine Price, author of the bestselling How to Break Up with Your Phone, have teamed up to create a new book that speaks directly to kids. Their goal? To em...

  THE SECRET LIFE OF A SEA TURTLE written by Maddalena Bearzi, illustrated by Alex Boersma Roaring Brook Press, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-250-90167-5 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 Follow the captivating yet perilous life of one sea turtle in this dazzling nonfiction tale by the co-founder of the Ocean Conservation Society, perfect for fans of Jason Chin's ISLAND. On a beach at the Ría Lagartos nature reserve in Mexico, a sea turtle is born. Newly hatched into a big world, she breaks out of an egg buried in the sand. Now, her journey begins. To reach the ocean she must avoid predatory opossums, crabs, and raccoons -- many of her siblings will not make it. But our sea turtle does, and when she finally dives beneath the blue sea, she’ll travel for thousands of miles on a beautiful and pulse-pounding adventure. Brilliant, informative, and compelling, The Secret Life o...

  JUST IN CASE : Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault written by Megan Clendenan, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese Charlesbridge, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-62354-480-5 Ages 6-10 Source: Blue Slip Media All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Psst . . . Guess what? 800 miles from the North Pole, buried deep in a mountain, the Svalbard Seed Vault holds priceless treasure. Seeds! Perfect for 5-8-year-old future conservationists, this is a fascinating glimpse into a unique conservation collection, highlighting the importance of natural resources and protecting planet Earth. On the Arctic island of Spitsbergen in Norway, polar bears roam and there are no gardens, forests, or fields. But buried deep underground, the Svalbard Seed Bank protects more than 580 million seeds with plenty of room for more. How and why was the vault built? What's it like inside? How does the vault protect the seeds? Lear...

  MS. PENNYPICKLE'S PUZZLE QUEST written by Chris Grabenstein Random House, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-593-70798-2 Source: purchased Ages 9-12 Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK From the New York Times bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello series comes a race across the country full of rousing riddles and laugh-out-loud humor as two brothers try to solve the million-dollar puzzle of an eccentric genius! Benjamin and Ethan Broderick don't fit together. Twelve-year-old Ben loves retro arcade games and puzzles, while his older brother would rather play sports and hang out with his friends. The only thing they have in common is how much they resent being forced to go on a summer road trip. But at the quirky diner where the brothers make their very first stop, they discover a clue leading to a giant puzzle race with a million-dollar prize! Along with five other families, the Brodericks are thrus...

  A WAFFLE LOT OF LOVE written & illustrated by Ben Clanton Tundra Books, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-77488-453-9 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 In this hilarious 10th book, Narwhal's PALentine's Day celebrations for Jelly go a little overboard! Includes bonus fun facts! Dive into three new stories with best buds Narwhal and Jelly! It's PALentine's Day and Jelly gives Narwhal a whaley nice card — but now Narwhal has no idea what to give him! One card isn't nearly enough, and soon Narwhal is flooding Jelly with gifts galore: waffles, a book about Jelly, more waffles, a song about Jelly . . . MORE waffles! Jelly is grateful, but would prefer the present of Narwhal's presence more than all of Narwhal's over-the-top displays of friendship. Can Narwhal realize what true friendship means before they go off the deep end trying to please their pal?...

  FORESTS written by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock Orchard Books, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-5461-3097-0 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 The team behind the acclaimed Caves returns with an enchanting exploration of one of Earth's most familiar ecosystems—forests! So much to see, to smell, to hear, to taste, to feel. So much to find… in the forest. Using evocative storytelling, Nell Cross Beckerman leads readers on an exciting adventure through the magic of forests! From kelp forests on the ocean floor to the wonders of the Amazon, Beckerman guides readers through these tree-filled ecosystems using 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." Readers will be delighted as...

THE HUMBLE PIE written by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald Harper, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-06-346973-0 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 The Humble Pie likes to give others the spotlight. Aw, shucks!—they deserve it! But when he’s paired with his best friend, Jake the Cake, for a school project, he soon realizes that staying in the shadows isn’t always as sweet as pie. Readers of all ages will laugh along as their new pie pal discovers that letting your voice be heard always takes the cake! Jory John and Pete Oswald serve up another heaping plate of laughs and lessons with this empowering, witty, and charming addition to their #1 New York Times bestselling series! REVIEW Humble Pie doesn't mind letting others take the lead and get the credit. After all, who pays attention to pie when cake is available. However, when Jake the Cake doesn't provide the help Pie...

  THE 13TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS written & illustrated by Adam Rex Neal Porter Books, Holiday Publishing Inc, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-8234-5653-6 Source: purchased Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com ABOUT THE BOOK A partridge in a pear tree? Ten lords a-leaping? Now who would want such gifts? And more importantly—why would they be given? Adam Rex investigates in this hilariously heart-warming tale based on one of the best-loved Christmas carols. Our hero is having a lonesome Christmas away from his true love. So when she sends him a gift, of course he loves it—even if a partridge in a pear tree wasn’t exactly on his Wishlist. Twelve days later, his home is crowded with more birds, milkmaids, pipers, and other guests than he can possibly make sense of. Why would his true love think he’d like this?! His search for answers transforms the disaster into a source of joy for the whole town—complete with a parade...

  IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR CHRISTMAS! written by Maisha Oso, illustrated by Tom Knight Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-6659-8014-2 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 How to Catch Santa Claus meets The Night Before series in this present-wrapping, mistletoe-hanging picture book anticipating Christmas in the laugh-out-loud, rhyming It’s Almost time For… series. It’s almost time for Christmas, and excitement is running high! It might not be here yet, but there’s so much to do before the merry day arrives… From decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments to wrapping presents, baking cookies, and caroling, there are endless ways to celebrate! But not everyone can read the signs of the highly anticipated holiday on the way… It’s Almost Time for…Christmas! is a perfect blend of festive fun and read-aloud magic that will have young reade...

THE MUTTCRACKER written by Anna Kemp, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-6659-8103-3 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 Festive fun from the team that brought you beloved bestseller Dogs Don't Do Ballet! My dog is not like other dogs. My dog is a ballerina who dreams of being the Sugar Plum Fairy. So when Miss Polly announces the parts in our Christmas show, The Nutcracker, will my dog’s dream come true? Or will we both just be… bonbons? REVIEW The little girl who narrates the book describes her dog, Biff's love of ballet. At ballet class, the instructor announces that they will be performing The Nutcracker and Biff wants to be the Sugar Plum Fairy. When Biff and his girl are assigned to do the Dance of the Bonbons, Biff is thoroughly disappointed. At first he refuses to participate in rehe...

THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER written & illustrated by Jan Brett G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-593-53391-8 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK A new Christmas classic from Jan Brett with an adventurous boy and an adorable pug in a Christmas sweater who saves the day! When Yaya reveals the highly adorned Christmas sweater she has knit for pet pug, Ari, her grandson thinks it’s just perfect. It’s covered in bells, candy canes, ornaments and more—how fun! Ari, however, disagrees. Convinced a hike in the December air will change her mind, they set off, the boy in his new snowshoes and the dog in her new sweater. It isn’t long before snow begins to fall, cloaking the world around them in white. Suddenly, the boy realizes that Ari’s sweater has disappeared along the way, and what’s more, the snow has covered their footsteps and every landmark. How will they find their way back? Ari bark...

  INTERRUPTING CHICKEN SAVES THE NUTCRACKER written & illustrated by David Ezra Stein Candlewick Press, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-5362-0779-8 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 At her first ballet ever, can an excitable little Chicken resist helping the story along? Fans will cheer as their favorite interrupter puts her spin on a beloved holiday classic. “Hi, Clara! Like my tutu?” “Ahem,” said the narrator. “Chicken!” said Papa. “You can’t go onstage!” It’s winter vacation for the little red chicken and, with promises of best behavior, she’s on her way to see The Nutcracker with Papa. She can’t wait! In fact, she’s so excited that Papa is worried she might get a little carried away . . . Take your seats and get ready to giggle as a certain irrepressible audience member dances onstage at key moments, determined to save the nutcracker from that bully Fritz and the swo...

  HAVE YOURSELF A CHEESY LITTLE CHRISTMAS written by Jory John, illustrated Pete Oswald Harper, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-06-343786-9 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 From the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of the Food Group series comes a Christmas picture book featuring the ever-popular character the Big Cheese. Perfect for holiday promotions, this book includes a tear sheet of twelve holiday cards and festive foil on the cover. Every December, the Big Cheese hosts a gigantic jamboree with flashy decorations, sparkling outfits, extravagant gifts, ear-bursting music, and jaw-dropping entertainment. It's the #1 party in town and it can't be beat! But this holiday season, mere hours before the festivities, disaster strikes! With no backup plan in place, the Big Cheese must call in a big favor to help save the big day. But will Christmas still be Christmas i...

  CANDY CORN CHRISTMAS written & illustrated by Jonathan Fenske Little Simon, 2025 ISBN: 9781-6659-7366-3 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 The most underrated Halloween candies are determined to celebrate Christmas in this wildly sweet holiday mash-up with a dash of humor, a pinch of holiday cheer, and a sugar rush of Christmas magic. The candy corn exclaimed with glee, “What is this magic land we see?” “It’s Christmas,” squeaked a sugarplum. “Well, watch out, Christmas. Here we come!” Candy corn is used to being left on the shelf long after Halloween ends, but this year, they’ve had enough of being limited to one holiday. It’s time to join the ranks of Christmas sweet treats for a new festive adventure. But there’s one problem… All the Christmas candies agree candy corn is nota Christmas treat! Can holiday joy really be shared with e...

  DASHER AND THE POLAR BEAR written & illustrated by Matt Tavares Candlewick Press, 2025 ISBN: 978-1-5362-3631-6 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 In this all-new Christmas tale, Dasher the reindeer discovers that the only thing better than making Christmas magic is making a new friend to share it with. One bright night just before Christmas, Dasher the reindeer is out admiring the stunning colors of the northern lights when she meets George, a sweet polar bear. Astounded to see that Dasher can fly, George confides that he has dreamed of soaring through the sky himself. Dasher would like nothing more than to bestow some Christmas magic on her new friend, but their flying lesson turns out to be a disappointing failure. Even Dasher, an intrepid reindeer in the habit of giving—not giving up—begins to wonder if anyone can make George’s dream take flight. In th...