October 10 – World Space Week

About the Holiday

First declared by the United Nations in 1999, World Space Week has grown to be the largest public space-related event in the world. The week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. This year’s theme is “Living in Space” and “explores humanity’s journey toward making space a habitat, emphasizing the innovative technologies, challenges, and collaborative efforts that make this vision a reality.” Looking to celebrate this initiative with more than 15,000 events in more than 90 countries, the week sponsors space education and outreach events held by space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetaria, museums, and astronomy clubs around the world. To learn more about the week, visit worldspaceweek.org.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy of this book for review.

Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites

Written by Sandra Neil Wallace | Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

As a child growing up in Vermont, Ursula Marvin was captivated by the adventures winter brought. She was especially awed by the snowy mountains illuminated by “the frosty moonlight.” Her father was Vermont’s official entomologist, but Ursula had no intention of following in his footsteps or becoming any kind of scientist. She had her sights set on being an explorer. That was until she examined a rock under the microscope in college and decided to become a geologist. Her professor, however, denied her new major “because she was a woman.”

Ursula took her talents to another university and earned a geology degree. She was an expert in recognizing rare minerals in Earth rocks and was tapped to be one of the first geologists to study rocks brought back from the moon. What she found was a world of color, minerals that proved “its surface was once a bubbling ocean of melted rock.” Ursula also studied meteorites, finding “minerals no one knew existed beyond Earth.” Her work revolutionized scientists’ views of the solar system.

But Ursula still yearned to explore, in particular she wanted to be the first woman to find meteorites in Antarctica—the coldest place on Earth. She loaded up a bag with frigid-cold-weather gear and joined an expedition. When Ursula and her male teammates landed, they set up camp. They had to work fast because winter was on its way, threatening to bury any meteorites under ice and snow for another year.

Ursula wondered if she’d be able to recognize meteorites under these conditions, but she needn’t have worried. On her first day, a rock caught her eye. Examining it, she discovered distinctive traits—she’d discovered her first meteorite! Ursula was in her element, thriving in the harsh weather and “collecting meteorites more than four billion years old.”

But not every day was a success. Ursula struggled to climb a mountain-like nunatak in her too-big boots, she mistook an ordinary Earth rock for a meteorite, and on the worst day, with one snowmobile broken, the team went exploring without her. Ursula vowed never to be left behind again.

With only one week left in the expedition, Ursula rode across the ice to “unexplored places where the meteorites were bigger and rarer.” She wanted to be the one to find the last meteorite of the trip, to be the one to discover a meteorite from the moon. But a fall dashed those dreams as she was airlifted to the hospital, leaving her teammates to collect the final meteorite.

Back at home, Ursula was excited to examine this small meteorite, which looked so different from the others. She recognized the world of color from her earlier studies. “Ursula’s teammates had discovered the first lunar meteorite on Earth without her.” Instead of feeling disappointed, she was “jubilant.” She went on to become a preeminent expert on this moon meteorite and others and to inspire women to become scientists, many exploring Antarctica, where they found more moon meteorites and even some from Mars more than four billion years old. Ursula’s influence can still be seen today in her work as well as in the Marvin Asteroid and Moon’s Marvin Crater named for her.

Extensive back matter following the story includes an Author’s Note about the astonishing life and influence of Ursula Marvin; quotations from Ursula’s Antarctica journals; facts about Antarctica; dated milestones of Ursula’s life, education, and work; resources; and two photographs.

Sandra Neil Wallace’s exhilarating biography of Ursula Marvin transports readers to the snow and ice of Antarctica, where they get to ride along with this extraordinary woman as she fulfills childhood goals while changing the face of science and forging new opportunities for women. Wallace’s storytelling is fast-paced and evocative and infused with emotion, suspense, and scintillating details that will captivate readers no matter what their interests.

Nancy Carpenter’s beautiful mixed media illustrations allow children to see early influences and experiences that spurred Ursula Marvin to pursue geology and the study of meteorites in particular. Her images of Antarctica bring chills and thrills as Ursula sets up her tent, speeds over icy fields in the swirling snow on her snowmobile, and flops on the ground to inspect rocks up close. Carpenter also depicts Ursula’s victories and disappointments, giving children a well-rounded view of this remarkable woman. Rock hounds will be wowed by Carpenter’s drawings of moon rocks and meteorites.

With much to impart not only on the life of Ursula Marvin but on believing in yourself, overcoming disappointments, and chasing your goals with gusto, Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites is a top pick for home, school, and public library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1534493339

Sandra Neil Wallace writes about people who break barriers and change the world. She is the author of several award-winning books for children, including Love Is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement, illustrated by Bryan Collier; Marjory Saves the Everglades: The Story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon; and Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery, illustrated by Bryan Collier, which received the Orbis Pictus Book Award and was an ALA Notable Book. A former ESPN reporter and the first woman to host an NHL broadcast, she is the recipient of the Outstanding Women of New Hampshire Award and creates change as cofounder of The Daily Good, a nonprofit bringing twenty thousand free, culturally diverse foods to college students each year through its Global Foods Pantries. Visit Sandra at sandraneilwallace.com.

Nancy Carpenter is the acclaimed illustrator of Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Hunt, Queen Victoria’s Bathing Machine, Fannie in the Kitchen, and Loud Emily, among other books. Her works have garnered many honors, including two Christopher Awards and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at nancycarpenter.website.

World Space Week Activity

Out-of-this-World Tic-Tac-Toe Game

If you’re kids are fascinated by the moon, moon rocks, and meteors, they’ll enjoy making this tic-tac-toe game from simple materials you have at home!

Supplies

Printable Moon Tic-Tac-Toe Game Board
2 cardboard egg cartons
Heavy stock paper or regular printer paper
Crayons
Black or gray fine-tip marker

Directions

To Make the Rockets

Cut the tall center cones from the egg carton
Trim the bottoms of each form so they stand steadily, leaving the arched corners intact
Pencil in a circular window on one side near the top of the cone
Color the rocket body any colors you like, going around the window and stopping where the arched corners begin
With the marker color the arched corners of the form to make legs
On the cardboard between the legs, color flames for blast off

To Make the Capsule

Cut the egg cups from an egg carton
Color the sides silver, leaving the curved section uncolored. (If your egg cup has no pre-pressed curve on the sides of the cup, draw one on each side.)
Color the curved section yellow to make windows
With the marker, dot “rivets” across the capsule

Print the Moon Game Board and play!

You can purchase Rock Star: How Ursula Marvin Mapped Moon Rocks and Meteorites from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

August 22 – First Day of Autumn

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, fall has arrived! If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, welcome to spring! Today, the hours of daytime and nighttime will be equal, ushering in a changing of the seasons. For some that means cooler weather, shorter days, and preparation in nature for the long winter, which leads to our seeing the brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges in the leaves of certain trees. Watching the leaves fall, swirl in the breeze, and pile up in backyards can only mean that a favorite autumn activity is just a leap away!

The Wishing Leaf

Written by Kallie George | Illustrated by Paola Zakimi

From his window, little Bear could see the very last leaf in the forest clinging to the old maple tree. He wanted to be sure to watch the leaf fall because he wanted to make a wish. When his mama told him it was time to go to sleep, Bear protested, and Mama relented with a kindly sigh.

Bear joined his friends, who were standing or sitting under the maple tree, gazing up. Some had brought snacks, Porcupine had binoculars, and Raccoon had brought a camera. “The leaf was bright and golden like a star.” Bear sat on a blanket with Hedgehog and Chipmunk and started to wait. He passed the time thinking about what he should wish for.

Soon, the air turned cold and while the leaf fluttered in the breeze, it still did not fall. Some shivering animals went home. When the sky darkened, more animals packed up and left. Snowflakes even began to fall and stick. Little by little the rest of the animals went home, even Chipmunk and Hedgehog, who wondered what she would have wished for if only she’d been able to see the leaf fall.

Only Bear was left, and he was growing sleepy too. He thought he might hear Mama calling him. “Bear yawned—a big, little bear yawn.” And just then “the leaf twisted . . . and tumbled, falling down, down, down, like a shooting star.” Bear “knew just what to wish for,” and his heart swelled as he imagined his wish coming true throughout the forest. When he turned to go home, Mama was there with a lantern and a snuggly hug. Back in his room, Bear was tucked into bed and drifted off to sleep.

Kallie George is a master at writing endearing children’s stories that remain always within your heart. Her characters are always adorable, caring, and imbued with childhood wonder. In The Wishing Leaf, George amplifies the feelings of giving that define fall and early winter with her story of a young bear whose first thoughts are for his friends. Readers will be charmed by little Bear’s wishEquating the golden leaf to a shooting star is a touching reminder that the magical can be found wherever you look. George’s sweet phrasing and charming dialog create a cozy read aloud that adults and children will want to share time and time again.

Paola Zakimi’s darling characters inhabit a lovely countryside, in which white smoke drifts from the chimneys of snug cottages, the hills and flowing river speak to the peaceful community, and the large, old maple tree stands waiting as patiently for its final leaf to fall as does little Bear sitting on his window seat, gazing out. Zakimi’s soft pencil and watercolor illustrations are adorably expressive, and her renderings of the warm relationship between Mama and little Bear as well as images of community members will inspire plenty of “Awwws.”

A perfect book for snuggly story times that also would make a much-loved gift, The Wishing Leaf is a must for home and library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025 | ISBN 978-1419772467

About the Author

Kallie George is an author, editor, and creative writing teacher living in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has written acclaimed books for children, including The Lost Gift; Secrets I Know; Duck, Duck, Dinosaur, and The Melancholic Mermaid, as well as The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series and The Heartwood Hotel series. She has also taught writing workshops for children and adults across Canada, as well as in South Korea, and she currently teaches at Emily Carr University. Visit her at kalliegeorge.com.

About the Illustrator

Paola Zakimi spent her childhood in cold Patagonia, Argentina. She studied arts and graphic design in Buenos Aires before moving to Villa Giardino, Cordoba, where she resides today. She is the illustrator of Estelle Laure’s Before the World Wakes, Meg Fleming’s Here Comes Ocean, Jacqueline Veissid’s Ruby’s Sword, as well as Newbery Medalist Cynthia Voigt’s Teddy & Co., among other picture books. Visit her at paolazakimi.com.

First Day of Autumn Activity

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Falling for Fall Matching Puzzle

These kids are having fun in the leaves. Can you find the matching leaves in this printable Falling for Fall Puzzle?

You can purchase The Wishing Leaf from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 30 – National Water a Flower Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

National Water a Flower Day reminds us of the vast diversity of plants and flowers in the world and even in our own backyards, gardens, and communities. The holiday encourages us to show how much we appreciate plants for their sumptuous colors, their fragrant blossoms, their delicious fruits and seeds, and for the unique ways they survive under sometimes challenging conditions. To this end, as the name of the holiday nudges, we should take special time today to make sure all of our plants—both indoor and outdoor—are watered and cared for.

Superpowered Plants: Meet the Smartest, Strongest, Sneakiest Plants

Written by Soledad Romero Mariño | Illustrated by Sonia Pulido

From the beginning of time (perhaps even before) plants have been growing, spreading, and evolving to survive and thrive. To do this, they’ve had to become smart, resilient, and even sneaky—ingenious. Plants and their blooms can last only a day or hundreds of years, quietly coexisting with generations of a family. Among the plants on Earth are some of nature’s craftiest mimics, chemists, thieves, and predators.

In Superpowered Plants, author Soledad Romero Mariño introduces readers to 22 astonishing plants from across the globe, including the African baobab, sacred lotus, spotted spider orchid, titan arum, and whistling thorn as well as more common varieties like dandelions and sunflowers. She identifies 17 superpowers that plants rely on to feed themselves, multiply, cope with extreme conditions, regenerate after fire or other challenges, and protect themselves. Some of these are super speed, super intelligence, super teamwork, super resilience, and super flower.

Working in tandem with illustrator Sonia Pulido, Mariño provides a short description of each plant before outlining its superpowers in clear, easily-digested tidbits presented in color-coded sections, further marked by a recognizable icon. Other information on the left-hand page includes the plant’s scientific name, class, order, and family as well as its size, color, lifespan, habitat, reproduction method, enemies, and special features, along with a fascinating trivia fact.

To the right—in stunning tarot card-inspired illustrations that would easily be at home in any fine art museum—Pulido captures each plant in full-page, glorious, realistic splendor while stylishly displaying its flower, seed, and fruit and bordering it with representations of its habitat, superpowers, and unique features.

So what are a couple of examples of these astounding plants? Well, take the Whistling Thorn, which is native to the East African savanna. This plant really has the will (and the way) to survive! Not only are its branches covered in prickly spikes, but it teams up with a particular species of ant, offering colonies a home in exchange for aggressive attacks on any herbivore that dares take a nibble. And if that isn’t enough, the whistling thorn has “developed the superspecial skill of communication.” Where many whistling thorns grow in proximity, if one tree is attacked it releases a scent into the air, “alerting other trees in the area to the threat.” These trees “immediately secrete a toxic substance into their leaves, which can be harmful to touch and eat, therefore putting off the predator and keeping the community of trees safe.”

There’s also the Sandbox, native to tropical regions such as the Amazon rain forest, who’s playful name belies its nickname—the dynamite tree. Determined to spread its seeds far and wide, the sandbox produces fruit that, when ripe, explodes with such force “that it can cause injury to anyone standing in its way.” The seeds are propelled at “speeds of 230 feet per second and can cover distances of up to 150 feet.” It’s also best not to attempt to climb the sandbox, as its trunk is covered in “supersharp spikes.”

“Fascinating” hardly begins to describe all the discovery inside Superpowered Plants: Meet the Smartest, Strongest, and Sneakiest Plants. This well-conceived compendium will enthrall readers of all ages and spur a deeper appreciation for the earth’s vegetation—both the unusual and the common, which might just be more cunning than we imagine. Superpowered Plants is a must for all library collections and is highly recommended for home bookshelves, especially for nature lovers.

Ages 7 – 12+ (adults will be equally captivated)

Phaidon Press, 2025 | ISBN 978-1838669515

About the Author

Soledad Romero Mariño is an experienced children’s non-fiction author who specializes in ‘best of’ round-up style books. Her works include Superpowered Animals: Meet The World’s Strongest, Smartest, and Swiftest Creatures (also published by Phaidon), Awesome Accidents: 19 Discoveries that Changed the World, and Famous Robberies: The World’s Most Spectacular Heists.

About the Illustrator

Sonia Pulido’s illustrations have appeared in publications globally, including The New Yorker and The New York Times. In 2020 Pulido won the Spanish National Illustration Award and she is the illustrator of Phaidon’s bestselling What a Shell Can Tell.

National Water a Flower Day Activity

Plant a Flower Garden Game

With this fun game you and your family and friends can grow gardens inside! Roll the dice to see whose garden will fully blossom first!

Supplies

Printable Flower Garden Plot Game Board
Printable Flower Garden Playing Cards
Printable Flower Garden Playing Die
Black or brown crayon (optional)
Card stock or heavy paper for printing (optional)
Tape
Scissors

Directions

Object: The object of the game is for each player to fill their garden or garden rows with flowers. Depending on the ages of the players, the game can be adjusted to fill all of the rows, some or all rows, or just one.

Print one Game Board for each player
Print one or more sets of Flower Playing Cards for each player, depending on how (for sturdier playing items, print on card stock)
Cut the flowers into their individual playing cards
Print one Flower Playing Die and assemble it (for a sturdier die, print on card stock)
Color the “dirt” on the Garden Plot with the crayon (optional)
Choose a player to go first
The player rolls the die and then “plants” the flower rolled in a row on the game board
Play moves to the person on the right
Players continue rolling the die and “planting” flowers until each of the number of determined rows have been filled with flowers or one row has been filled with all six flowers.
The first person to “grow” all of their flowers wins!

You can purchase Superpowered Plants: Meet the Smartest, Strongest, Sneakiest Plants from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

June 20 – Summer Solstice

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today at exactly 4:51 p.m. Eastern time the earth and sun align in just the right way to create the longest day of the year and usher in the official astronomical start of summer. Whether summer to you and your family means spending time outdoors, a special vacation, camping, swimming, or more time to read, read, read, enjoy the longer days, the warm weather, and all the fun and adventure that summer can bring!

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sending me a copy of Summer Is Here for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Summer is Here

Written by Renée Watson | Illustrated by Bea Jackson

On a perfect summer day, “tickling” rays of sun awaken a child from sleep, calling “Rise and shine.” The narrator wonders what joy summer will bring that day. In the kitchen, the child finds “a feast of fresh fruit” for breakfast, and later it’s time to dive into the pool in her backyard with friends.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-summer-is-here-pool

Summer has so much more in store as the day goes on. “Summer brings me a dance,” the protagonist says. A performance between “two jump ropes” that “leap and move and tap, tap, tap on the pavement.” And, of course, there is food—lush garden fruits and vegetables, family cookouts with sizzling burgers and hot dogs, and dessert from an ice-cream truck that serenades with tinkling music as everyone chooses their favorite sweet treat.

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Summer brings other games—the cooling splash of water balloons and iridescent soap bubbles that float away with a soft breath, reflecting the colors of the twilight sky. As night falls, the child marvels over more magic summer offers: glittering stars and “her moon, a bright night-light watching over me.” If only this perfect summer could last forever.

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Renée Watson’s glorious paean to a personified summer celebrates all of the best activities and feelings that the long, warm days and outdoor freedom of the season bring. The bounties of friendship, family, and fresh food that Watson highlights on each page will fill readers’ hearts with joy and evoke memories for both adults and kids of summers gone by they’ll want to share.

Bea Jackson’s gorgeous illustrations burst with light, happiness, and the exuberance of childhood. In her stunning, two-page spreads, Jackson perfectly captures not only summer’s activities but the thrill they elicit in facial expressions that give each character their own personality—a touch that will resonate with every reader. Every reader can feel the warm hugs, the cool splash of the pool and water balloons; hear the sizzle of burgers on the grill; and experience the child’s wistfulness at the end of the day. No detail has been overlooked, and every page is a showstopper to linger over.

Summer Is Here is a must for every public and school library and will be a favorite on home bookshelves to read during the summer or to recall the season’s joys during the rest of the year.

Ages 3 – 6

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1547605866

About the Author

Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Her novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books include the Ryan Hart series, Some Places More Than Others, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, and Love Is a Revolution as well as acclaimed picture books Summer Is Here, Maya’s Song, The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, written with Nikole Hannah-Jones, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen, and Harlem’s Little Blackbird, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Renée splits her time between Portland, Oregon and New York City. Visit her at reneewatson.net.

About the Illustrator

Bea Jackson is the award-winning artist of beloved picture books such as Hair Like Mine by Latashia M. Perryand the New York Times bestseller Parker Looks Up by Parker and Jessica Curry. She lives in Detroit, Michigan. Visit her at beagifted.com.

Summer Solstice Activity

How Many Scoops? Ice Cream Stacking Game

How many flavors do you like on your ice cream cone? If you say “All of them!” then this game’s for you!

Supplies

Printable Ice Cream Cone
Printable Ice Cream Scoop Playing Pieces
Printable Playing Die
Heavy paper for printing (optional)
Tape
Crayons

Directions

This game can be played with as many scoops as you like. Younger kids may only want to gather three or four scoops before a winner is declared. Older kids may want to earn six or even more scoops before they’re done.

Print out one ice cream cone and one set of scoop playing pieces for each player. The number of playing pieces you need will depend on how many scoops players determine it will take to win.
Cut out the ice cream cone.
Cut out and color the ice cream scoop playing pieces in your favorite flavors (or make up your own flavors!).
Color the scoops on the die. The scoops on the die must correspond to the colors on the playing pieces. If more than six scoops are needed to win, print and color two die with 12 different colors/flavors. Kids can roll both dice at once or one at a time until all the flavors are gathered.
Tape the playing die together.
Choose a player to go first. That player rolls the die and places the color scoop shown on their cone.
Play continues to the left.
If a player rolls a color/flavor they already have, they lose the turn and play continues with the next player.
Play continues until one person has collected the number of scoop playing pieces decided on to win.

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**You can purchase Summer is Here at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Bookshop (support your local independent bookstore)

July 29 – It’s National Ice Cream Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Ice cream has a long and elite history, dating back to Ancient Greece when a rudimentary version of the confection was made of snow, honey, and fruit. It wasn’t until the 16^th century, when Catherine de’ Medici introduced the treat again, that a true ice cream was created. One hundred years later, Charles I of England used his royal clout to proclaim ice cream the prerogative of the crown. He paid to keep the recipe secret and forbid the common people from eating it. He and future royals must have known a thing or two about proprietary information, as the first recipes for ice cream were not recorded until the 18^th century.

This favorite dessert received its true recognition in 1984 when President Ronald Reagan established July as National Ice Cream Month. Today, indulge in your favorite flavor or sundae!

The Sweetest Scoop: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Revolution

Written by Lisa Robinson | Illustrated by Stacy Innerst

When you think of ice cream, does your mind immediately go to vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry? Or maybe you think a little fancier, like mint chocolate chip or fudge swirl. But there’s a whole other menu to choose from: “What about Wavy Gravy, Truffle Kerfuffle, or Chubby Hubby? What’s the scoop on those wacky flavors?” If you’re sweet on ice-cream, you’ll want to keep reading to find out!