August 25 – Be Kind to Humankind Week

About the Holiday

In 1988 Lorraine Jara of Toms River, New Jersey, realized there are so many ways to show kindness to others and bring hope to the world that one celebrated day just wasn’t enough. Instead, Lorraine created Be Kind to Humankind Week that runs for the last week of August and presents different themes for each day. It’s up to the individual to decide how they can make a difference to one person or many! Lorraine’s themes can spark lots of unique ideas for demonstrating kindness and making others—and yourself—happier not only this week but every day! Touch a Heart Tuesday encourages people to spread kindness and acceptance one heart at a time. Today’s book humorously shows kids the joys of being kind to our fellow beings—after all, we’re only human!

Be Kind to Humankind Week Themes

Sacrifice Our Wants for Others’ Needs Sunday
Motorist Consideration Monday
Touch a Heart Tuesday
Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday
Thoughtful Thursday
Forgive Your Foe Friday
Speak Nice Words Saturday

Thanks to Margaret K. McElderry Books for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Spooky Scouts

By Kimberly Shrack

As kids join the story, Luna, a wolf pup, leads them in the Spooky Scouts Pledge, which goes, in part: “We are the Spooky Scouts! Monsters, true and kind, prepared for big adventures with our strong, creative minds.” Readers then meet the rest of Troop 13—Frances, Cal, Hattie, and George—and see some of the fun badges Luna has earned, including potion making, spectral photography, creepy cooking, and undead pet care. But it’s the annual camping trip in the “Darkenscary National Forest” that she loves the most.

Luna has a great feeling about this year’s trip until she finds out the “really bad” news that it’s the night of the full moon. It’s bad because “Luna has a secret.” On full-moon nights Luna turns into a “beast so icky it would give even the bravest Spooky Scout a wicked case of the heebie-jeebies.” Luna’s afraid that when the others find out what a “weirdo” she is, she’ll be banned from camping forever. Panic sets in, and Luna scrambles to find a solution.

Her first remedy, Moon Screen, gets washed off when her canoe overturns, and the hat she quickly fashions is blown away just as she’s enjoying her favorite camping treat: s’mores. Under the beaming moon, Luna begins to transform. In a moment, instead of the wolf they know, the scouts see . . . “a . . . HUMAN!” She explains the embarrassment that’s kept her from mentioning it before then leans into the Spooky Scouts pledge to be brave. “‘So,'” she says, “‘I’m done hiding . . . because there’s nothing braver than being honest about who you are.'”

The other scouts take Luna’s pronouncement to heart and begin revealing the secrets they’ve been hiding. Luna and the other scouts celebrate the fact that they’re “all weirdos” and when together can always be themselves.

If you’re scouting for a picture book with lovable characters, a clever surprise twist, and a rewarding message about acceptance and the courage to be yourself, you’ll find it in Kimberly Shrack’s original friendship story. From her Spooky Scouts Pledge (which kids will want to adopt as their own) to her funny illustrations peppered with puns and humorous mishaps to her graphic-novelesque elements, Shrack thrills and chills in all the right ways to make Spooky Scouts a book kids will take to heart and want to read again and again.

Ages 4 – 8

Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026 | ISBN 979-8347101184

About the Author

Kimberly Shrack is an author and illustrator based in the Pacific Northwest. Like Luna, she is a s’mores enthusiast. Unlike Luna, she has not yet earned her badge for Dragon Fire Safety. Spooky Scouts is her debut picture book. Visit her at kimberlyshrack.com.

Be Kind to Humankind Week Activity

Kindness Cards

Here are some cheery cards to share! Give them to a friend, family member, teacher, your bus driver, or anyone to show them that you care and that they mean a lot to you!

Kindness Cards Sheet 1 | Sheet 2

You can purchase Spooky Scouts from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

July 30 – National Climb a Mountain Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

On National Climb a Mountain Day, we celebrate all those who reach for a summit both literally and metaphorically. Mountains, just by their sheer size and mystery, invite people who love a challenge to climb as high as they dare, either on a well-worn trail or by finding their own footing and handholds on the way up. This same resolve can be applied to more down-to-earth matters that someone would like to overcome as well. Just as with climbing a real mountain, progress through life’s obstacles, desired accomplishments, and mysteries can be achieved with one-step-at-a-time determination and courage—even if it is a bit scary as you’ll see in today’s book.

Ghost Town in the Mountains

Written by Lynn Becker | Illustrated by Roland Garrigue

In her spirited take-off on the perennial favorite sing-along She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain, Lynn Becker entices two children and their dog into the mountains up a long and winding road to a haunted ghost town, all the while warning them with a “turn back now! keep away!” or other challenge at every turn. Of course it’s impossible for the trio not to take a wee gander down the “tumbledown and tumbleweed-y” main street. It’s unthinkable they won’t be lured down the lurid alley to the cabin, “boarded up and creaky” where “hordes of “mice play hide-and-seek-y.” And it’s just as preposterous to think these intrepid trespassers won’t ascend the “shaky staircase” to the “. . . cluttered, stuffy, musty / spider-web-y, sneezy, dusty” attic.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Roland Garrigue. Text copyright © 2026 by Lynn Becker. Published by Sleeping Bear Press, 2026.

What happens once these curious kids are at the tippy-top of this spooky dwelling? Well, they were warned! Let’s just say I know you would never touch what’s off limits or open what falls out of it. You would never release an ancient, bewitched relic that gives you the heebie-jeebies as it comes to life. You would never high-tail it out of there and seek the comforts of a nice, soft bed. Would you?

Back Matter includes a discussion of ghost towns, the history behind the folk song “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” and the music and lyrics to “Ghost Town in the Mountains.”

Lynn Becker beguiles kids to follow a gutsy gal and her wary friend as they eschew all warnings on their way to an unexpected discovery with her spine-tingling verses that beg to be sung. Becker turns the jaunty cadence of her source tune into an opportunity to enthrall, with spunky admonitions, evocative vocabulary, and delightfully nimble rhymes—especially creating read- or sing-along fun with “-y” endings. With each page spread, short, onomatopoeic interjections between lines accumulate into a growing rambunctious refrain that kids will enthusiastically join in on throughout any read aloud. Becker’s dreamy ending ensures that kids tired to the bone will settle in for a good night’s slumber.

Roland Garrigue’s spooky ghost town, tucked away among magical(?) mountains, bathed in eerie hues of blue and purple, and haunted by spirits invite as much reader participation as Becker’s storytelling. Kids will love spying glowing eyes peeping from hidey holes, discovering hidden creatures, and keeping track of the ghosts, rats, and growing collection the children’s dog picks up along the way. The surprise reveal may have readers debating whether they’d be brave or skittish, bounding home with their guides on this spectral adventure.

At once chilling and charming, Ghost Town in the Mountains is sure to be a supernaturally favorite pick for any story time and is a must for all library and home collections for Halloween and all year around.

Ages 4 – 8

Sleeping Bear Press, 2026 | ISBN 978-1534113428

About the Author

Lynn Becker has worked in animation for film and TV. When she’s not writing picture books or book reviews, she’s out hiking near her home in Longmont, Colorado. Visit her at lynnbeckerbooks.com.

About the Illustrator

Roland Garrigue is from Paris, France and is a prolific illustrator of children’s books. He loves to travel and explore foreign cities, and he hopes his stories can transport his readers to equally exciting places. Follow him on Instagram.

National Climb a Mountain Day Activity

Ghost Town in the Mountains Coloring Page

What kind of ghost do you encounter on your mountain ghost town visit? Draw and color the ghost and where you find it (or it finds you!) with this Ghost Town in the Mountains Activity from author Lynn Becker’s website. You can find a Karaoke Sing-Along and the Book’s Trailer there too!

You can purchase Ghost Town in the Mountains from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 4 – Children’s Book Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Founded in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the United States and takes place over two separate weeks each year. This year that means from May 4 – 10 and November 9 – 15. The 2026 theme is Books: Get Curious, and the official poster and other resources were created by award-winning author and illustrator Grace Lin. The holiday attracts participation from authors, illustrators, publishers, librarians, teachers, and booksellers in schools, libraries, bookstores, and communities across the country. To learn more about the holiday, find activity ideas, and download bookmarks, posters, multilingual coloring pages, and more, visit Every Child a Reader. You can even sign up to continue to get fantastic ideas for connecting with books and reading all year around!

Thanks to Beach Lane Books for sending me this book for review!

Little Ghost’s Summerween

By Maggie Edkins Willis

One day, Little Ghost received a birthday party invitation in the mail—his first ever. The idea of a birthday party made him feel nervous. Even after haunting his old house for a hundred years, he’d only “had the Halloween kind.” He asked his friend Anya what they would do and if there would be “bats and black cats and candy corn and pumpkins.” She told him that Elias’s party was going to be “an outdoorsy camp party” with the things he liked. She made it sound fun and encouraged him to go. Little Ghost decided he would.

While Little Ghost liked the indoor festivities, the outdoorsy part posed some problems. Still, the party made Little Ghost want his own birthday party. Since ghosts don’t have birthdays, Little Ghost just picked a summer day and made an invitation list. Then came the hard part—planning his perfect party. He thought and thought: sleepover? karaoke? superhero? None of his ideas felt right. Pretty soon the day arrived and he hadn’t done any party prep at all. His mom said they could still have fun doing anything he’d like.

Tentatively, he asked if they could have a mini-Halloween with just him, her, and Anya. To his delight, she said Yes! While he “had pictured a big bash with balloons, music, and festive friends,” baking and decorating a scary cake and cupcakes with Anya made “him feel special.” When the treats were ready, Little Ghost’s mom suggested eating the birthday cake in the yard. Anya flashed her a big smile as they headed out the door. Outside, Little Ghost found all his friends—in costume!—plus lots of bats, black cats, candy corn, and pumpkins. He couldn’t thank Anya and his “spooktacular” friends more for the “sparkliest, splashiest, Summerween ever!“

In her adorable and heartwarming sequel to Little Ghost Makes a Friend, Maggie Edkins Willis cleverly embraces the increasingly popular Summerween while celebrating individuality and friendship. The supportive relationship between Little Ghost and Anya is a treasure. Children who are more hesitant to try unfamiliar things will feel seen as Little Ghost shares his doubts and fears, and all readers will appreciate Anya’s honest answers and encouragement as well as the understanding shown by Little Ghost’s mom. Maggie Edkins Willis’s perfect pacing creates a touching and joyful ending that will surprise readers as much as it does Little Ghost and give them the feeling they’ve joined the party too.

Expressive, endearing, and heartening, Little Ghost’s Summerween will be a quick favorite for all home and library collections and would make a much-loved gift.

Ages 4 – 8

Beach Lane Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1665985147

About the Author

Maggie Edkins Willis grew up in Missouri and Maine. She now writes and illustrates books for children from her home studio in the Hudson Valley, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her debut picture book, Little Ghost Makes a Friend, is a bestseller. She is also the creator of the picture books Little Ghost’s Summerween, Dinky the Tinysaur, and Thunderland, and the middle grade graphic novel Smaller Sister. You can visit her online at MaggieMadeThis.com.

Children’s Book Week Activity

Books: Get Curious Coloring Pages

This year’s coloring pages based on Grace Lin’s Children’s Book Week poster makes a perfect way for kids to be creative while writing down their To Be Read list! Visit Every Child a Reader to find more activities!

Books: Get Curious Arch | Books: Get Curious Column

You can purchase Little Ghost’s Summerween from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

September 25 – National Open the Magic Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Created in 2021 by Courtney Hinshaw, a book lover, former teacher, and founder of Ramona Recommends, National Open The Magic Day honors the magic of reading aloud—especially reading picture books. As a child, Courtney faced struggles with dyslexia and auditory processing disorder, and while reading didn’t come easily, picture books gave her much joy and comfort. By establishing this holiday, her goal is to help more children feel confident with books, especially those who find reading hard.

Picture books aren’t just for the youngest readers, either! With their mix of story and illustrations, this creative masterpieces can open new worlds and a world of reading for children of any age—and even adults! To celebrate today, share picture books you loved as a child and your kids’s faves too! To learn more about the holiday and Courtney Hinshaw’s work with reading and literacy, visit Ramona Recommends and check out her blog post for National Open the Magic Day.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for gifting me a copy of this book for review!

Zombie and Brain Are Friends

Written by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic | Illustrated by Laan Cham

Zeb’s “family raised brains. Grain-fed, free-range brains.” In fact, anyone who bought their brains at the farmers market would tell you they were “the best brains in the entire county.” One Saturday, while Zeb worked among the crop, a baby brain snapped off its stem and bounced right into his hands. Zeb was smitten by how pink and squishy and adorable it was. Zeb decided to call him Brian and promised he’d take care of him. Brian snuggled close and “buzzed with delight.”

Zeb’s parents were much less enthusiastic and reminded Zeb: “‘Brains are food, NOT pets.'” Over the next few days Zeb and Brian did everything they could to change his parents’ minds. Finally they relented. Zeb was a fabulous caretaker, providing Brian with the best brain food, the most puzzling exercises, and always ensuring he never suffered brain freeze on chilly nights.

When Zeb woke one night to find Brian gone then spied him on the kitchen table and heard his dad say he was “going to make him a midnight snack,” Zeb was terrified. He snuck into the kitchen, grabbed Brian, and ran as fast as he could to a faraway field where brains roamed wild. After a tearful farewell, Zeb returned home, but it just felt empty. When his parents asked where Brian was and Zeb told them, he learned that his dad had been making a snack for Brian, not out of Brian.

The family scoured the neighborhood, but Brian was nowhere to be found. Then one morning as Zeb did his chores, he felt Brian at his heel. He had found his way home himself! Now their home—and their hearts—were full once more.

With its inspired take on E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, surprising friendship, and sweet tug on the heart, Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s Zombie and Brain Are Friends is a picture book for the whole family to read together. Loaded with delicious puns, wordplay, laugh-out-loud moments (as when Zeb tries a favorite pet owner’s ploy to entice Brian home), and even a couple of tear-jerking scenes, this heartwarming story is one kids and adults will want to share again and again.

Whether they’re shepherding their flock of brains on a hillside, selling their wares at a farmers market, or adjusting to a new pet in the house, Laan Cham’s delightful zombie family is relatable and loving. Pink, squishy Brian is a dear, and watching his and Zeb’s friendship blossom over fish dinners, puzzles, and outdoor play will squeeze your heart. Cham paints Zeb’s selfless act to save Brian with a broad brush of suspense and emotion, making the ending all the sweeter.

Full of heart, soul, and brains, Zombie and Brain Are Friends will appeal to all readers. It would be a well-loved addition to any home bookshelf and is a must for all library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1547613625

About the Author

Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic is the author of The End of Something Wonderful; Hello, Star; The League of Picky Eaters; What is Hope; and Hummingbird Season. She writes books in the San Francisco Bay Area surrounded by a few kids, a few cats, and one husband. Visit her at stephanielucianovic.com and on Instagram @grubreport.

About the Illustrator

Laan Cham is a wandering dreamer with a BIG imagination who enjoys all things cute, random, and a little bit strange. (Because the best things in life are kind of out there.) She aims to spread joy through her stories and illustrations by encapsulating all the things she loves. Laan’s picture books include Somewhere in Between and Mao Mao’s Perfectly Imperfect Day. Visit her at laancham.com and on Instagram @laan.cham.

National Open the Magic Day Activity

Reading is Magic! Puzzle

Reading every day makes life magical! Print this Reading is Magic! puzzle to help these kids find a book they’ll love!

You can purchase Zombie and Brain Are Friends from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (discounted books and support for your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

September 10 – Get Ready for Halloween

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

With summer weather beginning to cool and fall on the horizon, kids’ thoughts naturally turn to the thrills and chills of Halloween! Whether your kids like spine-chillers, ghost stories, or stories that make them giggle, Halloween-themed books are a rib-tickling way to enjoy the season. Digging into today’s book is a perfect way to unearth your Halloween spirit!

The Zombees

Written by Justin Colón | Illustrated by Kaly Quarles

A witch-y trick-or-treater passing by the graveyard gate is startled by a “creepy buzzing sound” as “fuzzy legs” emerge from tombs “spewing funky, fetid fumes.” As these undead zombees rise into the sky and toward the town, the freaked-out trick-or-treater worries: “Are they hunting for a snack?/Do they like the taste of veins?/Have they come to EAT YOUR BRAINS?!”

She runs for safety into the library, where the librarian frantically phones for help. In their beekeeper’s suits and armed with smokers, the rescuers arrive . . .. But wait! Hacking through the noxious fog, the zombees declare “‘We mean no harm—we come in peace.'” In fact, since no one ever rings their bell on Halloween, the bees have come to town to deliver a very special treat.

After enjoying the festivities, it’s time for the bees to buzz back home. There, as they wipe away makeup with “Boo Gone” and take off their costumes, they relive all the fun they had. And though their “ghoulish work is done” for this year, they’re already planning for next Halloween!

Kids will be buzzing to hear Justin Colón’s bee-riff-ic mashup of zombie lore and the scary delights of Halloween again and again. Colón’s free-flowing rhymes are perfect for dramatic, spooky-voiced read alouds during the Halloween season and beyond.

Kaly Quarles concocts an atmospheric brew of foggy graveyards, ghostly creepers, and moldering zombees that will give kids giddy shivers. The clever costumes her trick-or-treaters wear as they fan out across town may inspire readers’ Halloween looks. Kids will also want to keep their eyes out for the visual puns, allusions to bees and honey, and the humorous shenanigans of the witch’s cat.

Shivery Halloween fun is in the bag with The Zombees, an inventive romp that will find plenty of life in any library collection.

Ages 4 – 8

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025 | ISBN 978-1665922500

About the Author

Justin Colón is a professional actor and children’s book author. His previous picture books include The Quacken (illustrated by Pablo Pino) and Impossible Possums (illustrated by James Rey Sanchez). A lover of Halloween and zombie movies, Justin is also a backyard beekeeper. Though his bees sometimes frighten the neighbors, they’ve never tried to eat their brains—something Justin takes great pride in. He lives in New York, but you can visit him at JustinColonBooks.com.

About the Illustrator

Kaly Quarles studied interior design and worked in architecture before landing in illustration. Her love for historic shopfronts, Victoriana, and vintage ephemera runs deep. When Kaly isn’t drawing with a cat in her lap, she’s hunting for obscure antiques, watching or reading historical fiction, or hosting one-woman pastry-eating contests. Visit her on kalyquarles.com.

Get Ready for Halloween Activity

The Zombees Activity Pages

Kids will have lots of Halloween fun with The Zombees and seven spooktacular activity sheets—including coloring pages and puzzles—from Justin Colón and Kaly Quarles. Educators also will have a blast sharing this book with the fantastic Educator Guide that includes ELA, Math, Science, and Art Extension Activities! They’re all found on Justin Colón’s website!

The Zombees Activity Pages | The Zombees Educator Guide

You can purchase Zombees from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

August 8 – International Cat Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

If you share your home with a cat, then you know how these furry friends can change your life. Whether you love them for their playful antics, for their companionship, or even for their independent spirit, your life just wouldn’t be the same without their daily presence. Since August of 2020, the organization International Cat Care has been the custodian of today’s holiday. Their mission is to ensure that all cats receives the love, care, and respect they deserve. This year’s theme is “Cat Friendly Every Day,” which urges all cat lovers, from veterinary professionals to cat moms, dads, and kids to be aware of their own feline’s needs as well as those in shelters or on the street. Today is the perfect time to celebrate your cat or kitten with some extra attention and care. If you’re considering adopting a cat, now would be a great time to contact your local animal shelter or rescue group to give a cat a forever home. To learn more and to sign up for helpful advice and tips or to donate to this worthy cause, visit International Cat Care.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sharing a copy of this book with me!

Witch Cat

Written by Lucy Rowland | Illustrated by Laura Hughes

Pippin, a black cat with “brilliant green” eyes, had always been happy being the Witch’s purr-fect companion, but after her latest annual town-wide Halloween street party, he felt a bit of wanderlust: “He so loved his witch but he had a small itch . . . / ‘There’s a whole wide world I could see! / Just think of the places, and so many faces—/ Oh! Which kind of cat could I be?'”

That night Pippin began his journey aboard a pirate ship, invited aboard by the captain who needed help with stowaway mice. But Pippin soon learned he was more of a landlubber than a sailor, so the pirates dropped him off just outside a castle by the sea. A passing knight offered a ride in his wagon, but fighting a fiery dragon was too scary.

Continuing his search, Pippin met up with a little girl who wanted a pet she could dress up, a tightrope walker, a cowboy, and a small-plane pilot. Months went by, “but try as he might, / nothing ever felt right.” Then one day “Pippin saw an old broom in the street.” He began thinking of how much he missed the Witch, but wondered what she would say if he returned. It had been so long that he wasn’t sure of the way back home. Pippin wandered the streets, getting soaked by a pouring rain. When he spied a jack-o-lantern in front of a door, he crawled in to escape the weather and fell asleep, wishing to be with his Witch once more.

Meanwhile, the Witch was again hosting her party, and while she welcomed her guests with good cheer, it just wasn’t the same without Pippin. The townspeople brought lots of treats, and one even brought a pumpkin “with a huge smiley grin on its bright orange chin and . . . eyes of such brilliant green?!” Just then Pippin jumped out and into his Witch’s arms. She gave him a sweet, tight hug, and Pippin knew he was right where he belonged.

Lucy Rowland’s jaunty rhyming story is a perfect read aloud carried along on gentle suspense, Pippin’s humorous interactions with other could-be companions, and a heartwarming reunion. Rowland’s setting of Halloween, with costumed guests, for the Witch’s annual party provides a clever backdrop to Pippin’s desire to “try on” different personas.

Laura Hughes’s acrylic ink illustrations are loaded with the kinds of details that kids love. As the Witch and Pippin fly over the town on a broom, welcoming residents smile and wave; the pirate ship teems with endearing mice that beg counting, not capturing; dressed-up Pippin will bring giggles, and the Witch’s magical home is all the more cozy for having Pippin back. Readers may even find some inspiration for their own Halloween costumes among the party-goers.

For cat lovers, wistful dreamers, and happy homebodies, Witch Cat offers plenty to love. While the Halloween holiday is a natural tie-in, the story will resonate throughout the year and is sure to be asked for often. With spot-on rhymes, a bouncy rhythm, and a combination of exposition and dialogue, the story invites dramatic reading. It’s a fantastic choice for classroom and library story times and is highly recommended for home, school, and public library collections.

Ages 3 – 7

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1547616718

About the Author

Lucy Rowland is a star of the picture book world, and her charming, energetic and irresistible rhyming stories are firm favourites with children everywhere. Her books include This Tree Is Just for Me! (Bloomsbury), Little Red Reading Hood (Macmillan) and The Knight Who Said “No!” (Nosy Crow). Visit her at lucyrowland.com.

About the Illustrator

Laura Hughes is an award-winning and best-selling children’s illustrator. She has created artwork for over 20 picture books including The Forgettery by Rachel Ip and Hop Little Bunnies by Martha Mumford. In 2018, Laura won the Oscar’s Book Prize with author John Dougherty for the book, There’s a Pig Up My Nose. Visit her at laurahughes-illustrator.co.uk.

International Cat Day Activity

Wandering Kitty Maze

This silly kitty needs help getting home. Can you help him find his way in this Wandering Kitty Maze?

You can purchase Witch Cat from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (discounted books and support for your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

October 11 – It’s National Book Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

This month-long holiday was established to get families excited about reading. As the weather turns cooler and activities turn indoors, reading together is a wonderful way to spend time having fun and making memories. Small children love being read to—and so do older kids! Sharing board books, picture books, and chapter books with younger kids is always fun, cozy, and cuddly. Taking the journey of a novel together with preteens and teens can provide inspiring, emotional, funny, and bonding moments that last a lifetime.

BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle

Written by Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis | Illustrated by Nico Ecenarro

Moving into a creaky house behind creaky gates, two “witchy mismatched sisters” found they must share a tiny room and one broom. On the way to the shops to buy décor for their room, both Matilda and Malin want to steer the broom, setting up a “bitter mid-air battle.” Finally arriving at “Dead, Goth, and Beyond,” Matilda chose anything pink, with glitter and rainbows while Malin gravitated to black, skulls, and “dead debris.” For pets, Matilda picked songbirds, and Malin was happy with the crow enticed to tag along on the way home.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-broommates-shopping

Image copyright Nico Ecenarro, 2024; text copyright Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis, 2024. Courtesy of The Little Press.

Back in their room, the sisters bickered about how to decorate, zapping their magic wands to add more and more of their favorite stuff until “finally things got out of hand, / they couldn’t see the floor. / They had to fix the problem, and agree on ONE décor!” With one wave of her magic wand, Matilda turned their room into a pink palace full of unicorns, rainbows, and sparkle. Even Malin sported a big pink bow in her hair.

Not to be outdone, Malin grabbed her wand and the broom and flew around the room turning everything pink to eerie black, green, and gray, decorated with skulls, spiderwebs, and bones. Back and forth the wand battle waged until with a final “KABOOM,” the room lay in tatters, all furnishings had vanished, and their broom was shattered.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-broommates-glitter-and-gloom

Image copyright Nico Ecenarro, 2024; text copyright Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis, 2024. Courtesy of The Little Press.

Matilda and Malin realized they would have to compromise, even if “just a little.” They divided the room down the middle and learned to “blend their styles” equally. They’ve even solved their transportation and single room issues. “…Now they ride a tandem bike and gladly share a room. / They even run a potion stand, called Glitterade & Gloom.”

Following the story, kids can learn how to draw Matilda and Malin through Nico Ecenarro’s step-by-step illustrations.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-broommates-roses

Image copyright Nico Ecenarro, 2024; text copyright Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis, 2024. Courtesy of The Little Press.

Combining ingredients of charm, humor, and family bonds, Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis have brewed up a perfect antidote to sibling squabbles in their fast-paced story that emphasizes ways to compromise while staying true to yourself. As Matilda and Malin come to a solution, kids see that resolving differences doesn’t have to mean “either/or” but that different personalities can happily coexist side-by-side. Seamless rhyming and rhythm make BroomMates a joy to read aloud, and adults will find a cauldron-full of delights to keep them engaged as well.

Nico Ecenarro’s enchanting illustrations will captivate readers with their vibrant colors, expressive sisters, and sprinklings of popular culture. Kids will love pointing out the differences between Matilda and Malin on each page while noticing how even their pets take sides until the final Kaboom when Matilda’s songbirds come to the aid of the distressed crow with hugs and uplifting help. Both kids and adults will cackle at the visual puns.

A magical take on sibling rivalry that works just as well with spats between friends, BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle may be especially applicable at Halloween, but the book will cast its magic spell on kids at any time of year. BroomMates will be a popular pick for home story times and will enjoy consistent circulation for public and school libraries.

Ages 4 – 8

The Little Press, 2024 | ISBN 978-1956378276

About the Authors

Lynne Marie is an award-winning, multi-published author of several picture books including Moldilocks and the Three Scares, with more forthcoming. She’s the Director of RateYourStory.org and ThePictureBookMechanic.com, an Editor/Columnist at writeforkids.org, and a co-host at #SeasonsOfKidlit. She splits her time between New York and Florida. When she’s not writing slightly spooky stories, she’s celebrating holidays — spooky, silly and sweet over at seasonsofkidlit.com.

Brenda Reeves Sturgis is an award-winning, multi-published author of three picture books including Still a Family, a book that was named a top 100 picture book by the NY Public Library. She has three picture books forthcoming. When Brenda is not busy writing (rhyme makes her heart sing) she enjoys spending time with her family in Maine. You can visit her at brendareevessturgis.com.

About the Illustrator

Nico Ecenarro is an illustrator from Rhode Island. He enjoys drawing stories of adventurous kids being their curious selves, from the quiet or odd moments to the world-saving kind. Nico craves drawing; creating stories and developing characters fuels him. He often illustrates in a limited color palette focusing on the design and gesture of his characters. BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle, is Nico’s picture book debut. You can learn more about Nico at www.nicoecenarro.com.

National Book Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-sparkle-test-tubes-II

Magical Potion Test Tubes

It’s the witching hour—the time for making magic potions! These sparkle test tubes give kids a fun way to brew up their own concoctions that can also serve as relaxing mindfulness tools for those hectic days.

Supplies

Plastic test tubes with tight-fitting screw cap, available at craft or science supply stores
Glitter glue
Hot water
Fine glitter
Chunky glitter
Small glass beads (optional)
Neon food coloring (optional)
Test tube stand (optional)
Whisk
Mixing bowl
Teaspoon

Directions

Fill a test tube 1/3 full of hot water and pour the water into the mixing bowl
Add 1 – 2 teaspoons of glitter glue (the more glitter glue that is added the thicker the liquid will be and the more the objects will be suspended in the liquid. To allow the objects to flow more freely when the test tube is shaken, add less glue
Whisk the water and glitter glue together
Add chunky glitter, glass beads, or try other small objects
Pour into test tube
Add more water to within a ½ – 1 inch of the top to allow for shaking
Experiment with amount of glitter glue, glitter, and colors

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-broommates-cover

You can purchase BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle at these booksellers

Amazon | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

About the Holiday

Spooky Scouts

By Kimberly Shrack

Be Kind to Humankind Week Activity

Kindness Cards

Share this:

About the Holiday

Ghost Town in the Mountains

Written by Lynn Becker | Illustrated by Roland Garrigue

National Climb a Mountain Day Activity

Ghost Town in the Mountains Coloring Page

Share this:

About the Holiday

Little Ghost’s Summerween

By Maggie Edkins Willis

Children’s Book Week Activity

Books: Get Curious Coloring Pages

Share this:

About the Holiday

Zombie and Brain Are Friends

Written by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic | Illustrated by Laan Cham

National Open the Magic Day Activity

Reading is Magic! Puzzle

Share this:

About the Holiday

The Zombees

Written by Justin Colón | Illustrated by Kaly Quarles

Get Ready for Halloween Activity

The Zombees Activity Pages

Share this:

About the Holiday

Witch Cat

Written by Lucy Rowland | Illustrated by Laura Hughes

International Cat Day Activity

Wandering Kitty Maze

Share this:

About the Holiday

BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle

Written by Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis | Illustrated by Nico Ecenarro

National Book Month Activity

Magical Potion Test Tubes

Share this: