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Showing posts with the label picture books

PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR INTERVIEW & BOOK REVIEW : I am a Spicy Nugget by Loryn Brantz

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  I AM A SPICY NUGGET written and illustrated by Loryn Brantz Viking, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-217-04214-2 Source : publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher. Thanks to the publisher for arranging the interview! Thanks to Loryn Brantz for taking the time to answer my questions! ABOUT THE BOOK From the New York Times bestselling creator of Feminist Baby and Poems of Parenting comes the hilariously relatable story about a girl whose big emotions turn her into a spicy nugget! Angry? Overwhelmed? Confused that a simple request for a pet penguin has been unreasonably denied? Then you might be at risk of becoming . . . A SUPER HOT SIZZLING EXTRA SPICY NUGGET! Follow one such nugget as she releases fiery fury on all who dare approach (stuffed animals, beware!). But big emotions and even bigger personalities are no match for a little patience and a lot of love—the best remedies for soothing even your spicies...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : Hairy and Scary! by Jan Thomas

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  HAIRY AND SCARY! written and illustrated Jan Thomas Beach Lane Books, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-3471-0012-5 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 3-5 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK The rhyming dust bunnies are back, and this time they’ll face off against a hairy and scary foe! Ed, Ned, Ted, and Bob rhyme all the time. Well, actually, Bob doesn’t rhyme. But that doesn’t stop the friends from having their fun! When a fan blows the bunnies into a sticky situation, Bob declares there must be something hairy and scary around! The other dust bunnies aren’t all that concerned. They do need to find a way to get down though… Will a hairy and scary spider named Larry be another problem, or perhaps the solution? Jan Thomas’s Rhyming Dust Bunnies Books are sure to be a hit with little ones ready to get their rhyme on. REVIEW Ed, Ned, Ted, and Bob return in this third volume about the rhyming dust...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story by Michael L. Benner & Alison Hawkins

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MAC & CHEESE : The Origin Story written by Michael L. Benner, illustrated by Alison Hawkins Orchard Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-5461-4076-4 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 Bad Seed meets The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors in a pasta-tively hilarious story about the most enduring friendship of all Mac & Cheese! Mac was a friendly Noodle and rubbed elbows with everyone. But he didn't have the one thing he wanted A friend. Meanwhile, not too far away in Quesoland, Cheese was king. And while he could be a real crowd-pleaser, he didn't have the one thing he wanted : a friend. Join Mac and Cheese in their search for true friendship, told through Michael Benner's hilarious, heartwarming text, and Alison Hawkins' endearing, delightful visuals! Perfect for the youngest readers, this funny and sweet read-aloud will ensure a goud-a time! REVIEW The...

WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY : Sharks in Kansas by Melissa Stewart & Becca Stadlander

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  SHARKS IN KANSAS The Ancient Sea in the Middle of America written by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander Random House Studio, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-593-90471-8 Source: Blue Slip Media Book cover, author photo, and book information provided through Blue Slip Media. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Sharks in Kansas? Yes, it's true! Take a fascinating journey back 85 million years to a time when Kansas was submerged under a vast ocean teeming with incredible prehistoric sharks. Sharks in Kansas? Seems impossible, right? After all, Kansas is smack dab in the middle of the United States—more than 1,000 miles from the closest ocean. But the world hasn’t always looked the way it does today. Once upon a time, 85 million years ago, the middle of America was submerged in water--and incredible creatures roamed the sea. On a typical afternoon, a small herd of Claosaurus munches on plants along the shoreline. Above them, a Pteranodon glides across the sky in s...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : Take it Apart by Katey Howes

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  TAKE IT APART written by Katey Howes, art by E.V. Carolrhoda Books, 2026 ISBN: 979-8-7656-4856-8 Source: publisher through Blue Slip Media All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, illustrations & summary provided by the publisher through Blue Slip Media. ABOUT THE BOOK This rhyming picture book joyfully celebrates the many benefits of breaking big things down into smaller pieces. From gathering spare parts for fixing things to learning math and spelling to recycling and composting, taking things apart can be a surprisingly great strategy! Energetic rhyming verse and playful illustrations will inspire readers to see taking things apart in a whole new light! ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Katey Howes was an award-winning children’s author and poet whose books celebrated curiosity, creativity, STEAM learning, and social-emotional growth. Her acclaimed works include Be a Maker, Rissy No Kissies—named a Kirkus Best Children’s Book, a Rise: A Feminist Book Project...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : Monsters are the Worst! by Alex Willan

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MONSTERS ARE THE WORST! ...Are the Worst #7 written & illustrated by Alex Willan Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-8859-9 Source: publisher for review (Thank!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Gilbert accidentally brings home a slobbery, bite-sized monster in the hilarious latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends. When plucky Gilbert the Goblin and his pal Chicken go camping together, they run into creatures that go bump in the night! The friends immediately flee the woods and head home—after all, everyone knows that monsters are absolutely, undeniably, unequivocally the worst! But when a shocking stowaway appears in Gilbert’s knapsack, looking awfully cute and extra snuggly, Gilbert is…smitten! Sure, monsters can bite and drool and make a big mess, but they can ...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS : Tiny T. Rex Tries Soccer/Max Explains Everything: Soccer Expert

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TINY T-REX TRIES SOCCER written by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck Chronicle Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-7972-3385-7 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 Tiny T. Rex is ready to try lots of new things. First up is his favorite sport—soccer! He has his shin protectors, socks, cleats, special headband, and jersey (even though it's a little too big). He is ready! But it turns out that soccer is very tricky. With the help of his teammates and lots of practice, Tiny learns to juggle, dribble, pass, shoot, and . . . score! REVIEW This new book in the Tiny T. Rex series finds Tiny playing soccer. He has all his gear and is ready to play. But he discovers that watching and playing are not the same thing. He struggles with dribbling, juggling, and shooting. Tiny's sad that his brother and sister play better than him. His siblings remind him that if he practic...

WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY : The Long Hike by Meghan McCarthy

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THE LONG HIKE The True Story of the First Appalachian Thru-Hike written & illustrated by Meghan McCarthy Beach Lane Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-4994-1 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 Award-winning nonfiction creator Meghan McCarthy tells the story of Earl Shaffer, the first person to thru-hike all 2,000-plus miles of the Appalachian Trail in one hiking season in this empowering picture book. While serving in World War II, Earl Shaffer lost his best friend in combat. After the war ended, he returned home and set off on a hiking adventure to walk off his troubles and find solace in the beauty and “power of nature,” as he put it in his diary. Earl didn’t use a tent, preferring to sleep under the stars. He survived the cold, harsh rain, mud, blisters, steep mountaintops, and a plethora of bugs. But among the challenges, Earl also discovered wildlife, beautifu...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : 102 by Matthew Cordell

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102 written & illustrated by Matthew Cordell Little, Brown and Company, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-316-58095-3 Source; eARC from publisher & purchased final copy Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK From Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell comes a cozy, magical nighttime adventure, in which a child discovers the mysterious, miniature world beyond his bedroom walls. Sent home from school earlier in the day with a fever, George awakens in the middle of the night to discover a cricket beckoning him on an adventure and soon finds himself shrunken down in size. He follows the insect guide through a crack in his bedroom wall, through the moonlit yard, and into the home of a family of mice at the base of an oak tree. There, in a tiny, cozy kitchen, George discovers the meaning of his quest: he must help the Mama mouse complete her special 102-bean soup for her sick young son. Delightfully sweet...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW & AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR INTERVIEW : Tajin and the Twelve Thunders by Magaly Morales

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TAJIN AND THE TWELVE THUNDERS A Pre-Columbian Myth written and illustrated by Magaly Morales Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-4197-6885-9 Source : publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. Thanks to the publisher for arranging the interview & providing the cover image & summary. ABOUT THE BOOK A mischievous boy tricks the 12 thunder gods in order to create the first hurricanes in Magaly Morales’s debut author-illustrated picture book, a retelling of a Mexican folktale Tajín is a fun-loving child full of energy and mischief. When his antics prove too rough for even the monkeys of the forest, he’s sent to the pyramid of Los Nichos. There live the Twelve Thunders, who, with their sweeping capes, thunderous boots, and flashing swords, make the weather. For a time, the boy is on his best behavior while in their service . . . but all too soon, he yearns to join the Thunders in the sky. Based on a popular Mexican myth, Tajín and the Twelve Thunders...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS : The Pool is Cool & Deep Blue

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  THE POOL IS COOL written by Dwayne Reed, illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice Little, Brown and Company, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-316-46206-8 Source : F & G for review from publisher Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK This bounce-to-the-beat picture book by America’s favorite rapping teacher follows a young son who helps his father overcome his fear of swimming. Bloop. Dribble. Drip. Drizzle. Splish. Spray. Splash! I’m here with my dad in this cool swimming class! But I can tell something’s wrong and that this isn’t him, Cuz my dad makes every excuse not to swim. I wish I could convince him THE POOL IS COOL! With rhyming text and vibrant illustrations that capture the essence of summer, this tender story about a father and son will encourage confident and reluctant swimmers alike to overcome their fears one stroke at a time. REVIEW A young boy wants his dad to join him in the pool...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS : Serafina Makes Waves & A Fish Like Me

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SERAFINA MAKES WAVES words by Matthew Burgess, pictures by Robin Rosenthal Dial Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-593-69963-8 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 This purr-fectly adorable picture book introduces an irresistibly over-the-top new kitty character who’s ready to make a big splash! Meet Serafina! If there’s one thing you should know about Serafina, it’s that she absolutely, positively HATES water. Running faucets, rain, or the sea? No thank you. So even though she looks fantastic in goggles, Serafina is NOT happy to be forced into a swim class by the powers that be. NOTHING can convince her to get into that disgusting pit of seething water. Nothing, that is, except maybe a very beloved old friend who needs a hand. From acclaimed creators Matthew Burgess and Robin Rosenthal comes an unforgettable picture book that shows how trying new things can ...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW w/ Author & Illustrator INTERVIEWS : Unicorns in Uniforms by Beth Ferry & A.N. Kang

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UNICORNS IN UNIFORMS written by Beth Ferry, illustrated A.N. Kang Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-7542-1 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, summary, and interviews provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK No job is too big or too small for magical uniformed unicorns in this adorable and empowering picture book from New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry! We’re Unicorns in Uniforms! We know just what to do. We’re hoofed and horned and well-informed And ready to help you! Come join these caring unicorns as they work, play, and save the day—because when you’re a unicorn, U can do anything if you work together! ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Beth Ferry is the author of numerous picture books for children including Roar for Reading, Prunella, and the New York Times bestseller Stick and Stone. She is an avid reader who believes that any day spent with a book is a perfect day. Be...