June 1 – National Great Outdoors Month

About the Holiday

Warm weather + the kids home from school = the perfect recipe for getting outside to play, garden, hike, swim, explore and even bring the outside in! Nature’s bounty provides so many opportunities for trying something new, and that’s what National Great Outdoors Month is all about! Today’s book supplies plenty of ideas from contemplation to crafts to cooking not only for summer but to make you look forward to all the seasons of the year!

Thank you to Greystone Kids for sending me a copy of this book for review!

The Nature of Play: A Handbook of Nature-Based Activities for All Seasons

Written by Delfina Aguilar and Clare Aitken | Illustrated by Sabrina Arnault

If you have a nature-loving family excited for the summer season to begin or you’d simply like to learn how to engage more with everything the outdoors has to offer, The Nature of Play provides an exciting guide to discovery all year round. Each chapter opens with four easy activities—Eat, Do, Look, and Read—to jumpstart the particular season. While prompting participation, these short paragraphs also contain eye-opening facts. For instance, do you know where the word “pumpkin” was first named in English?

Text copyright © 2026 by Delfina Aguilar and Clare Aitken. Illustration copyright © 2026 by Sabrina Arnault. Courtesy of Greystone Kids.

These kinds of fascinating asides as well as in-depth explorations of the topics presented elevate The Nature of Play from a simple activity book to a resource you’ll find yourself returning to again and again. As part of each activity’s description, Delfina Aguilar and Clare Aitken define its historical and global significance in their “From the Archives” paragraphs, while in “Dear Grown-Ups” they reveal their long-term benefits. For example, the seemingly casual pastime of stone skipping “exists across cultures and throughout eons—[and is] probably one of the oldest games on Earth.” And it’s benefits? Stone skipping is almost a full day of school on its own, incorporating motor skills, tenacity, physics, and more!

Delfina Aguilar and Clare Aitken make sure that kids and adults get plenty of fresh air with more outdoor activities matched to the season, including making small rafts to float on rivers or ponds, building an outdoor den, and navigating like old-time explorers. Aguilar and Aitken don’t forget about indoor time, either. They’ve included lots of games that are perfect for car, plane, or train travel as well as games for rainy or snowy days. Spy and sleuth fans will love learning how to outwit the opposition with an ingenious secret code.

Crafters, budding scientists, and plant aficionados can create and learn to their heart’s content with the abundance of ideas here, such as making petal paper, pinhole cameras, terrariums, ice ornaments, and so many more useful and whimsical objects. Each section also includes scrumptious recipes that take advantage of seasonal ingredients. Other captivating elements are interviews with John Collins (aka the Paper Airplane Guy), natural navigator Tristan Gooley, theoretical astrophysicist Dr. Anna Lisa Varri, and spy Anna Gram as well as poems by Billy Collins, Carl Sandburg, William Carlos Williams, and Robert Louis Stevenson that open each chapter.

Sabrina Arnault’s charming ink-and-watercolor illustrations, rendered in warm earth tones, set a mellow, laid-back air to each page, echoing the simple pleasures of the text. Each chapter opens with a stunning full-spread scene that welcomes the new season, Pencil sketches clearly demonstrate step-by-step instructions for making the crafts.

A gorgeous book created with much thought and love, The Nature of Play: A Handbook of Nature-Based Activities for All Seasons is a companionable resource the whole family will use. The book makes a joyful gift and is a must for all library collections and home bookshelves.

Ages 6 and up

Greystone Kids, 2026 | ISBN 978-1778403088

Delfina Aguilar is the founder of Fanny & Alexander, a brand devoted to analogue toys and books that invite children—and the adults who love them—to play more thoughtfully, encouraging imagination, curiosity, and screen-free wonder. She is the co-author of The Nature of Play, Hiccup Makes a Leap, and The Acorn Who Hung On.

Clare Aitken is an author of books for children. She is passionate about nature, community and food and has co-written several books including The Nature of Play.

National Great Outdoors Month Activity

Whose Shoes? Maze

There are all sorts of ways to enjoy the great outdoors! These kids all want to do their favorite activity. Can you help match them to the shoes they’ll need in this printable Whose Shoes? Maze?

You can purchase The Nature of Play: A Handbook of Nature-Based Activities for All Seasons from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 29 – National Bike Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Established in 1956 and sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month celebrates all the fun and benefits of cycling. Communities around the country celebrate with special events, tours, and safety lessons. The month also hosts Bike to School and Bike to Work days to encourage people to leave their cars at home, get fresh air and exercise, and have fun at the same time. Although the month of May is winding down, biking is always a fantastic way to enjoy family time! For more information visit the League of American Bicyclists.

Yellow, Red, Green—Go!

Written by Ellen Mayer | Illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu

Mommy and her child are off on a bike ride to visit Grandma! On the way, Mommy points out the traffic lights they pass—and sometimes need to stop for. Mommy explains what each color means and the pattern the colors make. “‘Yellow means we have to slow down,’ says Mommy.” When the light changes, her little one is excited to explain “‘Red means stop.'” But in a minute, the eager tyke urges her on: “‘Green, Mommy! Go!'”

Illustration copyright © 2024 by Ying-Hwa Hu. Text copyright © 2024 by Ellen Mayer. Courtesy of Star Bright Books.

As they continue on, the pair continues to repeat the pattern, making a playful game of it. They pass a toy store and go inside, where they find more patterns in the toys and displays. It’s one more fun thing to tell Grandma! Back on their bike, they soon roll into Grandma’s neighborhood. Here the little one finds a pattern on the facade of her apartment block and points out, “‘Window, light, door. Window, light, door. Window, light . . . .'” Wait! there’s a surprise! “‘Window, light . . . Grandma!'”

The story includes a Note for Parents and Caregivers from Dr. Ashli-Ann Douglas, a Research Associate II at WestEd, whose
research focuses on improving mathematics teaching and learning to support children’s development of strong math skills and
positive math beliefs.

In her Note, Dr. Douglas discusses the benefits of talking to young children about recognizing patterns—one of the important building blocks to understanding many parts of math that children will encounter as they move through school. Dr. Douglas then invites adults to engage their children in pattern scavenger hunts within the story’s text as well as at home and away while encouraging them to find patterns in sounds, routines, and other areas of daily life.

Endearing parent-child interactions are at the heart of award-winning author Ellen Mayer’s Small Talk Books® that model rich conversations between a young child and an adult and enhance fun learning opportunities naturally present in many daily activities. In Yellow, Red, Green—GO! the child’s excitement to show an understanding of patterns is infectious, and youngest readers will eagerly want to join in around their own home and community. Readers will notice the strong back-and-forth patter between Mommy and child as they get on the bike and react to what they see on the way to Grandma’s—a stimulating dynamic that creates a fertile environment for language development and is a sweet way to build bonds.

Ying-Hwa Hu’s adorable illustrations glow with the child’s giggly enthusiasm for finding patterns and the close relationship between Mommy and her little one. Hu populates the community with other child-adult pairs and favorite objects and scenes that readers can talk about. She also includes plenty of opportunities to point out other patterns and to name colors, animals, toys, and other city features. As Mommy and the child interact, Hu demonstrates ways in which adults can engage their children through body language. Fans of other books in this series will be excited to see familiar objects and characters throughout the pages.

A delightful addition to the Small Talks Books® series, Yellow, Red, Green—GO! is a must for every library, daycare, or preschool board book collection and is highly recommended for any young child’s home bookshelf.

Yellow, Red, Green—GO! is also available in a Spanish/English edition

Ages 2 – 5

Star Bright Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1595729798 | Bilingual Edition ISBN 978-1595729804

Ellen Mayer is an award-winning children’s author who has worked as an education researcher and early literacy home visitor. Her other math story books published by Star Bright Books include Banana for Two, Clean Up, Up, Up!, and Leaves to My Knees. She lives with her husband in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Visit her at ellenmayerbooks.com.

Ying-Hwa Hu is an award-winning illustrator. Her work has been exhibited at the Bologna Book Fair and The Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. Ying-Hwa has illustrated over 30 books, many of which she collaborated on with her husband Cornelius Van Wright, also an illustrator and author. They live in New York City. Visit her at yinghwahu.com.

National Bike Month Activity

Yellow, Red, Green–Go! Activities

You can find lots of Yellow, Red, Green—GO! activities, including a pattern coloring page; a song sheet with lyrics for “The Wheels on the Bike,” a take off on “The Wheels on the Bus;” an original song that explores patterns, sung by Anna Adler; a Teaching Guide by California Early Math Project; and more to download on the Star Bright Books website.

You can also find the above activities and a fun craft on Ellen Mayer’s website.

You can purchase Yellow, Red, Green—GO! from these booksellers

English: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

You can order ¡Amarillo, rojo, verde… pasen! / Yellow, Red, Green—GO! from these booksellers

Spanish/English: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 27 – Get Ready for Father’s Day during National Family Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Celebrate National Family Month and get ready for Father’s Day with today’s endearing book that will quickly become a family favorite! Observed during the five weeks between Mothers Day and Fathers Day, National Family Month was established by KidsPeace, a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children and families since 1882. Leading into the school vacation season, the holiday encourages families to spend more time working, playing, talking, reading, and just hanging out together.

Helping Daddy

Written by Angel Dike | Illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Daddy and his little one are having a busy day! First up is laundry, all freshly washed and dried and neatly folded in tall piles in the basket. Daddy’s just folding one more shirt . . . . Baby wants to do laundry too. Then the cat joins in. Wait! What does Daddy see? All of his laundry is tossed about. So now what? “Daddy is cleaning.” Next, “Daddy is cooking.” His tiny helper says, “Me too!” and in no time is surrounded by spilled macaroni while the cat is dusted in flour. What’s a dad to do? “Daddy is cleaning.”

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Ebony Glenn. Text copyright © 2026 by Angel Dike. Courtesy of Nosy Crow.

After eating—and cleaning—it’s time to head outside. Daddy digs gently in the garden while his youngster gives the plants a good watering. Then comes . . . a cleaning. No busy day is complete without a bubble bath, and a good . . . laugh. As the day comes to an end, it’s time to share a story and a sweet, sleepy, “Night, night, Daddy.”

Angel Dike’s debut picture book is a charmer with breezy, minimalistic storytelling that brims with all the unstated particulars of daily chores that individual readers will amusedly supply from their own family experiences. Her perfect pacing of the repeated phrasing “Daddy is . . . / “Me too!” / “Daddy is cleaning” will bring eager giggles from little ones and appreciative chuckles from adults. Dike’s segue to bath time provides a clever and heartwarming twist to this pattern, and as story time leads to sleep, adults will again knowingly acknowledge this nighttime routine with a swelling heart.

Ebony Glenn’s endearing father-child dynamic will have you smiling all the way through this sweet picture book. Her impish toddler just wants to be like Dad, with varying degrees of success but always with fervent enthusiasm. Dad is a star! Bemused, alert, patient, playful, and always caring. Adults will empathize as his eyes droop while his little one’s remain wide open. But there’s one more hug waiting when his baby finally drifts off. Glenn’s lovely soft-hued pages are smartly composed to give youngest readers plenty of homey details to point out and name while leaving room for talking about their own homes. The family’s cat is an adorable companion that kids will love.

Helping Daddy is a loving and humorous read-aloud little ones will want to hear again and again. The book makes a perfect gift for Father’s Day and any gift-giving occasion. It is highly recommended for all libraries and home bookshelves.

Ages 2 – 5

Nosy Crow, 2026 | ISBN 979-8887772714

Angel Dike is a lifelong reader and writer. Helping Daddy is her first published picture book. She lives with her husband and two young sons in Hertfordshire, England. Visit her at angeldike.com.

Ebony Glenn has illustrated several popular picture books, including the best-selling Speak Up! written by Miranda Paul. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. You can visit her at ebanyglenn.com.

Father’s Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-building-blocks-craft

I Love Dad Building Blocks

This craft will stack up to be a favorite with kids! With wooden blocks and a little chalkboard paint, it’s easy for kids to make these unique building blocks that show dad just how they feel about him. They’re also great for gifts, decorating, party favors, or when you just have a little time to play!

Supplies

Wooden blocks in various sizes, available from craft stores
Chalkboard paint in various colors
Paint brush
Chalk in various colors

Directions

Paint the wooden blocks with the chalkboard paint, let dry
Write words or draw pictures on the blocks
Have fun!

You can purchase Helping Daddy from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 26 – Better Sleep Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

The Better Sleep Council—the sponsor of today’s holiday—was established in 1978 to educate people about the important relationship between sleep, good health, and quality of life. The goal of Better Sleep Month is to promote the benefits of good and healthy sleep, draw attention to the effects of sleep problems, and help people prevent and manage sleep disorders. Helping young children develop beneficial bedtime routines can improve their daytime functioning and positively impact their growth, health, and happiness. Get ready to celebrate the moon—and sweet dreams—all summer long and beyond with today’s luminous book!

June Moon

Written by Lynn Becker | Illustrated by Nate Carvalho

As a playful moon rises into the sunset-painted sky, a young child imagines being transported to the seaside where he builds a sandcastle under the “Beach Moon / Bucket Moon / Twirling on a dune moon.” He becomes a shovel-brandishing pirate plying the ocean as a whale breaches, backlit by the glowing moon.

Illustration copyright © 2024 by Nate Caravalho. Text copyright © 2024 by Lynn Becker. Courtesy of Familius.

But “bath and bedtime” await, and the sea spray becomes a bubble bath that leads to a frothy “peppermint typhoon moon.” At last the child is growing tired and with a twinkling tune and precious teddy bear, he drifts off to the “Kiss-me moon, / Cuddle moon, / Weave a dream cocoon moon.” Then with one more sleepy look, the child says goodnight to that “Magic as a June moon.”

In her dreamy board book, Lynn Becker combines the giddy fun of bedtime with the sweet comfort of daily routines and cuddling goodnights. Her jaunty verses tumble joyfully from scene to scene carried on her delightful use of rhyme and consonance. Little ones will enjoy calling out the word “moon” at the end of the lines and are sure to ask for this endearing book often.

Nate Carvalho’s adorable kawaii-style moon will enchant little ones as it rises and sets over the child’s bedtime preparations, sparking imaginative play on the way to dreamland. Carvalho incorporates clever imagery that blends reality and fantasy, as when the view out the child’s window of peaked tile roofs segues on the next page to sand dunes. Children will also like pointing out the pillow in the pirate’s boat and how the moon’s “peppermint typhoon” mirrors the child’s pajamas. As the moon settles over the rooftops once more, young sleepyheads will likewise be ready to settle into their comfy beds.

Lovely and soothing, June Moon will become a quick favorite for bedtime reading. The book makes a perfect gift for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers as well as for baby showers; grandparents or other caregivers; and any library, daycare, or preschool collection.

Ages Baby and up

Familius, 2024 | ISBN 978-1641709996

Lynn Becker grew up in New York, spent many years in the Southern California desert, and now lives in Colorado. She’s a children’s book reviewer and the author of Monsters in the Briny, illustrated by Scott Brundage and Ghost Town in the Mountains, illustrated by Roland Garrigue. Visit her at lynnbeckerbooks.com.

Better Sleep Month Activity

Sleepytime Puzzle

All of these sleepy animals want to go to bed! In these puzzle pages, kids can settle each animal into the empty spots so they can get a good night’s sleep with their friends. Then color them!

Sleepytime Puzzle – Easy | Sleepytime Puzzle – Medium | Sleepytime Puzzle – Hard

Moon Coloring Page | Sun Coloring Page | Earth Coloring Page

You can purchase June Moon from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 20 – Get Caught Reading Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Reading is great all the time, but this month we celebrate actually being seen with a book in hand laughing at a funny line, shivering over a suspenseful scene or maybe even tearing up over an unexpected plot twist. Throughout the month, authors, illustrators, actors and actresses, athletes, business people, teachers, and students all upload pictures of themselves reading to encourage others to discover the joys of this fun and important pastime. To learn more about the holiday and find resources to download or order, visit the Get Caught Reading website.

The Underwearwolf

Written by Gideon Sterer | Illustrated by Charles Santoso

What do you give a kid who collects underwear? Underwear, of course! But not just any pair of underwear, I mean, this boy’s already got skull underwear, stars underwear, shark underwear, and even train underwear. So, if you want your gift to stand out, this underwear has to be something special! And that’s just what Uncle Larry gave his nephew: one pair of “different,” “strange,” and made-of-some-unusual-material underwear. There was just one caveat: “Do not under any circumstances or for any reason wear these underwear during the full moon.”

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Charles Santoso. Text copyright © 2026 by Gideon Sterer. Courtesy of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

So our young connoisseur took a look at the moon, deemed it not too full, and slipped on his new acquisition. Too late to go back now! Those underwear had taken control of his whole body. His “eyes turned yellow,” his “hands became claws, and he “was hairier than a hundred hamsters!” It was undeniable. He “had become the Underwearwolf.”

Lured by the moon, he escaped his room and rampaged through town. Along the way he had inklings about what he could do, but they all presented the same problem: he would have been left “BUTT NAKED” in the most compromising places. Soon he heard the pack calling him, and he ran until they all came together on the top of a mountain to howl, “AWOOOOOOO!” at the full moon. As dawn began to break, our hairy protagonist knew it was time to head home before he was missed. In the safety of his own room, he could finally remove those transformational undies that he determined to never wear again, until . . . .

Gideon Sterer’s madcap monster romp will have kids howling from the extraordinary gift’s unwrapping to the story’s butt-naked wrap up. In between, The Underwearwolf is loaded with fast-paced uproarious mischief that invites plenty of “Awoooooos” and makes this book a perfect choice for rollicking read-alouds as well as playful bedtime story times.

Charles Santoso translates Gideon Sterer’s hilarious flip on the “clothing as gifts gaffe” with gusto as he presents a boy bored with the usual favorite toys but over the moon with a gifted pair of underwear. In his exuberant illustrations, Santoso delivers a hairy, bug-eyed imp caught in uncontrollable goofiness that readers will envy while laughing themselves silly.

Ages 4 – 8

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-1665955584

Gideon Sterer is the New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Owl, I Will Read to You, From Ed’s to Ned’s, Not Your Nest!, The Night Knights, and The Midnight Fair, among others. Gideon grew up in upstate New York, where his parents owned a little zoo in which he would run around after hours and let the animals out. He now lives in the Hudson Valley and invites you to visit him online at GideonSterer.com.

Charles Santoso loves drawing little things in his little journal. He gathers inspiration from his childhood memories and curiosities he discovers in his everyday travels. He has illustrated several picture books, including The Snurtch, I Don’t Like Koala, Finding Muchness, and Ida, Always. Charles also works as a visual development artist, creating illustrations for feature film projects. He lives and works in Singapore. You can visit him at CharlesSantoso.com.

Get Caught Reading Month Activity

The Underwearwolf Activity Kit

Get howling with this wolfishly wonderful The Underwearwolf Activity Kit from Simon & Schuster that lets kids set their wild imaginations free! The kit includes a coloring page, a page to list the nighttime adventures of readers-turned-underwearwolf, and finger puppets to act out their hijinks.

You can purchase The Underwearwolf from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 19 – National Plant Something Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

As Spring really takes hold and gets ready to pass the seasonal baton to summer, today’s holiday encourages people to get into the garden or grab a pot and plant whatever makes you happy, whether that’s veggies, herbs, berries, flowers, or maybe even just a small cactus for your windowsill. Taking care of and watching plants grow and produce food or flowers is a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family!

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog: The Terrifying Turnip Takeover! (Volume 2)

Written by Lydia Lukidis | Illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

When Lord Turnip, the leader of planet Jupi-TURD lands his gigantic, very purple, turnip-shaped spaceship on the Island of Zoo York’s Critter Park and tells the citizens of Critter Creek that he plans on taking over the world, Groucho, a “grumpy, lazy, and sarcastic” groundhog has just one thing to say: “I don’t care!” He has a full day of eating pancakes and reading comics planned and there’s nothing his self-proclaimed bestie, half-pig, half-unicorn Blork, can do to change his mind.

Illustration copyright © 2026. by Tara J. Hannon. Text copyright © 2026 by Lydia Lukidis. Courtesy of Andrews McMeel Publishing.

When the “WAYOOOOO WAYEEEE,” of the landing turnip interrupts Groucho’s TV watching, though, he heads out to complain. They learn that Lord Turnip has arrived in Critter Creek bent on using his Slime-a-tron 3000 to slime everything in town, turning it all into poop fertilizer to mix with the soil and create an enormous turnip farm to feed the citizens of Jupi-TURD, which has dried up after 50 years of no rain. Not only are the denizens of Critter Creek going to lose their homes, Lord Turnip is going to use his Heinous Hypnotizer to turn them all into zombie farmers.

Groucho isn’t a natural superhero, though. Instead, as Lord Turnip begins putting his plan into action, Groucho, with a worried Blork in tow, returns home to get back to more important things—namely, pancakes and his fave TV show, “Pancakes with Pam.” When Lord Turnip slimes Groucho’s house, however, Groucho and Blork speed to adjoining Carrot County and Commander Hare E. Bun Bun’s evil lair to enlist help.

After the Commander’s Carrot of Chaos fails to destroy the turnip spacecraft and a fierce “Uh-huh! Nuh-uh! Uh-huh! Nuh-uh!” battle of (nit) wits over whether the Commander or Lord Turnip coined the evil laugh “MWAHAHAHA,” Lord Turnip hypnotizes the Commander so he speaks only in rhyme and turns his sidekick Ding Dong into a monkey. Things are looking pretty hopeless in Critter Creek! Can Groucho find a way to give Lord Turnip a taste of his own medicine? Can the Commander and Ding Dong help Critter Creek return to its pre-slimed glory? Turn-ip at your favorite bookstore to find out!

Versatile author Lydia Lukidis channels her talent for humor in Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog: The Terrifying Turnip Takeover, the second book in her new graphic novel series. Leading off with profiles of the main characters that will have kids giggling from the get-go, this dastardly plot unfurls with goofiness, plenty of clever wordplay, a touch of potty humor, and lots of MWAHAHAHAs for readers to join in on. At the story’s heart, are themes of friendship and cooperation as cantankerous Groucho and cheerful-yet-comically-clueless Blork work together to defeat Lord Turnip, even teaming up with their one-time nemesis Commander Hare E. Bun Bun. Lukidis’s fast-paced storytelling is full of action and adventure that kids will have on repeat.

Tara J. Hannon’s vivid, action-packed illustrations maximize all the silliness in this other-worldly story, from Groucho’s grumpy side to Blork’s endearing innocence to all the slimy destruction of Lord Turnip’s visit to Critter Creek. Each panel advances the story with funny imagery, exaggerated facial expressions, signs, sound effects, and other details tucked away to delight readers.

Ages 6 – 8

Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2026 | ISBN 979-8881605612

If you haven’t read the first book in this hilarious series, check out Groucho the Grouchy Hedgehog and catch up on all the fun!

When Groucho and Blork learn that the evil Commander Hare E. Bun Bun has stolen all of the pancakes of Critter Creek, along with the secret recipe, Groucho and Blork dash to save the day and become an unlikely pair of crime fighters!

About the Author

Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 50+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024) and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, and Cybils Award nominee. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program. Lydia is represented by literary agent Miranda Paul from the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. For more information, please visit lydialukidis.com.

About the Illustrator

Tara J. Hannon lives in a house on a hill near the Chesapeake Bay. She writes and illustrates from her home studio, alongside her husband, two daughters, and one overly excited dog. When not creating, she can be found enjoying the bay with her family, jogging at a slow and friendly pace, or drinking coffee. Visit her at tarajhannon.com.

Plant Something Day Activity

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog Activity Guide

Kids will love spending time in Critter Creek with the incomparable Groucho, Blork, Hare E. Bun Bun and the rest of the gang with this Activity Guide full of character cards, puzzles, coloring pages, drawing pages, discussion questions, and more that are perfect for teachers, families, and all Groucho fans! You’ll find the Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog Activity Guide on Lydia Lukidis’s website!

You can purchase Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog: The Terrifying Turnip Takeover! from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 18 – International Museum Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

International Museum Day, created by the International Council of Museums, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World.” This theme highlights the potential of museums to act as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides, fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion and peace within and between communities worldwide. To learn more about their initiatives, visit the ICOM website. Celebrate International Museum Day by visiting a museum near you!

Thanks to Atheneum Press and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me this book for review!

The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey | Illustrated by Khoa Le

When the president of France asked Ieoh Ming (“I. M.”) Pei, a famous architect, to redesign the Louvre—”the largest museum in the world and home to the Mona Lisa”—he approached the assignment like a secret agent, aware that the local people would not appreciate a foreigner changing this museum that had such a storied past.

But all that history had caught up with the Louvre, and it desperately needed modernizing. The entrance was ungainly, with a long walk to the art galleries. I. M. envisioned an entrance that was not a door, but led from the courtyard. “Like a magic portal leading to a world of hidden marvels,” this new entry would branch into pathways to the Louvre’s three wings.

This new structure had to be just right—grand, but not blocking the view of the museum. When creating a new design, I. M. thought in Chinese and visualized possibilities by moving his hands in front of him “as if sketching in the air.” He studied the geometric features of the palace of Versailles and recalled the gardens he played in as a child at his ancestral home in Suzhou, China. Then the answer materialized! He imagined a large glass pyramid, a serene, sunlit space welcoming all visitors.”

I. M. was excited to reveal his idea, but the citizens were in an uproar and denigrated his idea. I. M. had faced personal and professional challenges before and relied on the strength he’d developed throughout his life. To “gain the trust of the people of Paris,” he sat for interviews, calmly expressing his vision for the Louvre. The mayor of Paris even proposed a life-size mock-up to help the people understand the design. Slowly, criticism waned and building began.

As the pyramid rose, so did issues that needed answers. Each was overcome, and one even led to surprising discoveries that were opened for visitors to explore. At last the pyramid was completed. On opening day, I. M. Pei’s appearance in the courtyard inspired applause from the visitors in line. He acknowledged their recognition with a nod and a wide smile. Today, the pyramid has “blossomed into a cherished symbol of France.”

Back matter includes a discussion of an architect’s job, a brief biography of I. M. Pei, STEM connections describing how construction problems were solved, selected sources and online videos.

The story behind the addition of the glass pyramid to the Louvre has it all—history, a brilliant creator, a world-renowned art collection, innovation, controversy, and success. In her tribute to I. M. Pei and the Louvre, Jeanne Walker Harvey embraces its entirety in her elegant prose that is as transparent and beautiful as the pyramid itself. Throughout her pages, Harvey weaves her tapestry with glorious threads from the Louvre’s intriguing past; I. M. Pei’s dedication to his art, mindful philosophy, and unique method of conjuring his iconic designs; the fervor of French feeling; problem solving; and collaboration. The result is a masterpiece of nonfiction in which each reader can find depth and meaningful lessons on staying true to ones own vision.

Khoa Le’s compelling and intricate illustrations introduce children to I. M. Pei and transport them to visit the Louvre inside and out, gaze at the gardens of Versailles, and view China’s Lion Grove Garden on their way to witness I. M. Pei visualize and complete the Louvre’s glass pyramid entrance. Children also see other buildings designed by Pei, obtain an understanding of how Pei’s thoughtful manner can be adopted in many situations, and how collaboration sets the stage for success.

Ages 4 – 8+

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2025 | ISBN 978-1665953337

About the Author

Jeanne Walker Harvey studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, and The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei. Jeanne lives in Northern California. Visit her online at JeanneHarvey.com.

About the Illustrator

Khoa Le is an illustrator from Vietnam, who graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts. She has dedicated most of her professional life to working in publishing, illustrating numerous books that have been published in Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Currently, she works and lives with her cats. Visit her at khoaleartwork.com.

Museum Lovers Day Activity

Museum Visit Activity Pages

Interact with any trip to a museum with this activity sheet that gets you thinking, feeling, and remembering the favorite parts of your trip!

My Trip to the Museum Activity Pages

Open Dyslexic Font My Trip to the Museum Activity Pages

You can purchase The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

About the Holiday

The Nature of Play: A Handbook of Nature-Based Activities for All Seasons

Written by Delfina Aguilar and Clare Aitken | Illustrated by Sabrina Arnault

National Great Outdoors Month Activity

Whose Shoes? Maze

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Yellow, Red, Green—Go!

Written by Ellen Mayer | Illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu

Yellow, Red, Green—GO! is also available in a Spanish/English edition

National Bike Month Activity

Yellow, Red, Green–Go! Activities

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About the Holiday

Helping Daddy

Written by Angel Dike | Illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Father’s Day Activity

I Love Dad Building Blocks

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June Moon

Written by Lynn Becker | Illustrated by Nate Carvalho

Better Sleep Month Activity

Sleepytime Puzzle

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The Underwearwolf

Written by Gideon Sterer | Illustrated by Charles Santoso

Get Caught Reading Month Activity

The Underwearwolf Activity Kit

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About the Holiday

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog: The Terrifying Turnip Takeover! (Volume 2)

Written by Lydia Lukidis | Illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

Plant Something Day Activity

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog Activity Guide

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About the Holiday

The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I. M. Pei

Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey | Illustrated by Khoa Le

Museum Lovers Day Activity

Museum Visit Activity Pages

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