April 17 – National Humor Month

About the Holiday

During April we celebrate one of the most fantastic things about life—humor! Established in 1976 by comedian and author Larry Wilde, National Humor Month promotes all things funny to raise awareness of the benefits of laughter and joy. Whether you’re laughing at a funny joke, your favorite comedian, a comic strip, a silly mistake, or even yourself, a chuckle is good for you! Today, take time to relax and enjoy the small absurdities in life with a few hearty “Ha ha ha’s!” along the way. Today’s book is a perfect place for you and your kids to start!

A big thanks to TOON Books/Astra Publishing for sending me a copy of this book for review!

The Selfish Sister

Written by David Sedaris | Illustrated by Bob Staake

Stop! Before you even open the cover of this book, lock up your valuables, your knick-knacks, your pets! Batten the hatches for the tsunami about to be unleashed. While the girl you’ll meet may look little, she has a BIG appetite for . . . well . . . for everything. Just ask her brother. This girl’s favorite word is “mine, mine, mine” as in hers, hers, hers, NEVER yours, yours, yours. Ready? (If you think there has to be something she won’t want, you’re not ready.) Okay, let’s go.

This “selfish sister” mines the air, the world, the town, her home. Just watch her work: “‘That’s my watch, my witch, my cork / That’s my croc, my tuning fork.'” Just listen to her woebegone brother: “She took my bed, my towel, my chair / my stuffed giraffe, my threadbare hare.”

When she’s on a spree, stand back and hold your breath (or she will no doubt take that too). “Don’t try to ride her bright green trike. / It’s hers alone, the unkind tyke. / It sits un-used, ignored, forsaken / not pedaled yet, no long rides taken.” I know what you’re thinking: surely someone ought to stop her. But when her father said “‘Enough!'” . . . she held fast, and called his bluff.” So as you see, there’s nothing that this girl won’t claim. But cling to this: possession may be nine-tenths of the law, but it isn’t everything—as you will see!

David Sedaris has whipped up a tornado of a tyrant, sweeping readers into his puckish whirlwind of nimble and inventive rhymes that build into a farcical delight that will have kids and adults guffawing even as they absorb Sedaris’s messages about sharing, family, jealousy, and the idea that unkind behavior has consequences. The surprise ending gives kids and adults the impetus to talk about caring relationships.

Bob Staake lends his singular creative vision to The Selfish Sister in an inspired match up with Sedaris’s madcap storytelling. The sister’s greed and pretensions are right there for everyone to see in her green skin and golden crown as she points and picks whatever she wants, whenever she wants it. Staake’s ingenious perspectives, comical facial expressions, clever details, and visual puns will keep readers laughing. The final pages deliver a satisfying comeuppance.

A rollicking read aloud that pairs two comedic geniuses, The Selfish Sister will enjoy enthusiastic circulation at home and for library collections.

Ages 7 – 10

Toon Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1662665769

David Sedaris is the author of Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice, as well as collections of personal essays, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Sedaris’ pieces appear regularly in The New Yorker and have twice been included in “The Best American Essays.” There are over ten million copies of his books in print and they have been translated into 25 languages. Visit him at davidsedarisbooks.com.

Bob Staake has authored/illustrated over 75 children’s books, which have been translated into over 12 languages around the world. One of the nation’s most prolific illustrators, Bob Staake’s clients have included The New Yorker, TIME, McDonald’s, Vanity Fair, Amtrak, Young & Rubicam, American Express, Sony, United Airlines, Nickelodeon, and countless others. Visit him at bobstaake.com.

National Humor Month Activity

Silly Balloons

You can have lots of silly fun with balloons! Try some of these ideas—they’re sure to make you laugh!

GOOFY FACES

Blow up a balloon and draw a funny face on it. Rub the balloon on your shirt or a blanket and stick it to the wall, your shirt, or even your mom or dad!

CRAZY HAIR

Rub a blown-up balloon on your shirt or a blanket (fleece works well) then hold it near your hair and watch it go a little crazy!

BEND WATER

This bit of balloon magic will amaze you! Rub a blown-up balloon on a blanket (fleece works well). Turn on a faucet to a thin stream of water. Hold the balloon near the stream of water and watch it bend toward the balloon.

VOLLEYBALLOON

This is a fun game for two or more people played like volleyball—but with balloons! All you need is a balloon and a line on the floor. Players form teams and bat the balloon back and forth over the line, keeping it in the air.as long as possible. A team wins a point when the opposing team can’t return the balloon.

You can purchase The Selfish Sister from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | B&N Signed Edition | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

April 10 – National Siblings Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today we honor the special bond that brothers and sisters share! Whether you’re celebrating with your own siblings or creating a special day for your children to show their appreciation for each other, today is for remembering and making memories to be cherished. Today, take time to reach out to your own siblings and enjoy togetherness at home!

My Sister, Goose

Written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli | Illustrated by Hyewon Yum

When it comes to dressing, Miranda knows her little sister Goose (real name, Graciela Rose) is a free spirit. But a bathing suit at school? Chunky heels at the playground? A tutu in the snow? Goose’s flashy first choices often leave Miranda astonished. But she loves her little sister, and her little sister really, really loooves her clothes. What’s a big sister to do?

Miranda knows! She gently makes suggestions: something to cover the suit? Goose tries on different looks until one is just right and they run off hand-in-hand to the school bus. A different pair of shoes, perhaps? “But I love them . . .” Goose says, doing a little tap dance, but she admits she can climb and “run fast” in her fancy sneakers. Another great choice! Miranda tells her.

All this dressing up points to something else Miranda loves about her sister: her “really big imagination.” Like when they play “Bubble Queen” in the bathtub, complete with frothy crowns for both of them. And when Goose crawls, gallops, and dances in her zebra costume even though bedtime gets delayed and delayed and . . . . Still, Miranda imagines that “Goose had wonderful dreams about zebras that night.”

Sometimes, Goose’s outfits are so perfectly amazing the first time that Miranda asks for fashion advice. She knows, of course, that whatever Goose chooses will be extraordinary—just like her little sister!

There’s so much to love about Alyssa Satin Capucilli’s My Sister, Goose. No sibling rivalry, no tears. Just mutual love, support, and appreciation. Even though Goose’s first inclinations sometimes leave her big sister flabbergasted, Miranda patiently guides her to find her own more practical outfits. Miranda also applauds Goose’s sense of adventure and imagination. While practicality is often appropriate, one of Capucilli’s greatest gifts in this book is Miranda’s openness to embracing her sister’s quirkiness and joining in her free-wheeling, creative, self-expression. Through the sisters’ dialogue, Capucilli models positive language that encourages instead of discouraging individuality among siblings. Capucilli’s first-person storytelling also emphasizes Miranda’s admiration for her little sister.

Hyewon Yum’s charming colored pencil illustrations accentuate the loving relationship between Miranda and Goose with plenty of shared smiles, hand-holding, and hugs at home and away. Miranda’s initial reactions to Goose’s outfits are realistic and humorous, making her patience and thoughtful help all the more authentic. Kids will eagerly anticipate each of Goose’s outfits, which are all adorable and as colorful as she is.

Full of humor and heart, My Sister, Goose is a joyful portrayal of sisterly love that both adults and kids will adore sharing again and again. The book would make a perfect addition to any library collection.

Ages 4 – 8

Hippo Park, 2026 | ISBN 978-1662640995

Alyssa Satin Capucilli is the award-winning creator and author of the Katy Duck series and the bestselling Biscuit series, which has sold over twenty-four million copies. A dancer as well as a writer, she lives with her family in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Visit her at alyssasatincapucilli.com.

Hyewon Yum is an author and illustrator of many picture books, including Grandpa Across the Ocean and The Twins’ Blanket. Her book Saturday Is Swimming Day was named as a Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor and Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten! received the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator award. She also illustrated Ode to a Bad Day, Not Perfect, Luli and the Language of Tea, and many more. She was born and grew up in Seoul, Korea. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family. Visit her at hyewon-yum.squarespace.com.

Meet Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Spend a moment with author Alyssa Satin Capucilli as she talks about the inspiration behind My Sister, Goose!

National Siblings Day Activity

Dress-Up Craft

With this easy craft you can make a fun sheath dress for playing dress-up. It’s also a great party activity! All you need is a plastic or paper party table cloth, Sharpies, and your imagination!

Supplies

1 plastic party tablecloth (1 cloth will most likely make 4 dresses) or a pillow case
Sharpies or other permanent markers
Ribbon, scarf, crepe paper garland, or other material for a belt
Scissor
Newspaper, old sheeting, or other material to protect the crafting surface

Directions

Fold the table cloth in half. The folded edge will become the dress’s shoulder. Cut a rectangle through both layers the appropriate size for your child
In the middle of the folded edge cut a V-shaped or rounded opening for the child’s head. Begin with a small opening and enlarge it as needed
Lay the dress on newspaper or other material to protect the crafting surface
Draw and color shapes, lines, figures, or other designs on the dress
Add a belt, ribbon, or scarf to complete the look!

You can purchase My Sister Goose from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

March 13 – World Sleep Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Are you feeling a little sleep deprived after the time change? Me too! Today, I’m celebrating World Sleep Day as part of Sleep Awareness Week, which was established in 1998. This year’s theme is “Sleep Better, Live Better.” Studies show that most people do not get the sleep they need to stay healthy and function as well as they could. This might be due to work hours, insomnia, or other sleep disturbances.

Many children also do not get enough sleep for a variety of reasons. To raise awareness of this common problem and encourage people to think about their sleep patterns and habits, the National Sleep Foundation established National Sleep Awareness Week in 1998. Coinciding with the Daylight Saving Time change, this year Sleep Awareness Week runs from March 8 to March 14. For more information on Sleep Awareness Week and children’s sleep issues in particular, visit the National Sleep Foundation website.

Thanks to Flamingo Books for sharing a digital copy of this book with me for review.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sheepy: A Sleepy Sheepy Story

Written by Lucy Ruth Cummins | Illustrated by Pete Oswald

The beloved Sleepy Sheepy’s bedtime antics aren’t just for the big kids anymore! Now that adorable lamb with the heavy lids but boundless energy can send little loves to bed with a giggle or two too! The stars are twinkling, but Little Sheepy is still boing, boing, boinging on the pogo stick in the driveway when Ma and Pa say it’s time for bed. Boing, boing, boing Little Sheepy bounces upstairs and into bed with a smile. So easy!

As soon as the coast is clear, though, this wide-awake sheep is pogo-ing through the living room, disrupting Ma and Pa’s TV watching and sending popcorn flying. They send their little one back to bed. Ah! At last; all tucked in and snoozing. So adorable! But what’s this? Instead of dreaming “some sheepy dreams” and “rest[ing] in moony beams,” that little sheep is reading? Under the covers? With a flashlight? And in the next moment Ma and Pa get another fright. Then more popcorn goes flying, and Pa’s soon wearing the bowl as a hat.

They let their wild and wooly lamb stay up a bit, but with the first “. . . great big yawn” and “. . . favorite pjs on,” it’s back to bed. As Ma and Pa pull up a cozy blanket, they lovingly say good night—again—”Twinkle, twinkle, sleepy sheep. / Now it’s time to go to sleep. // Time to close your sheepy eyes. / Little sheep goes beddy-bye.” So sweet! But the moment Pa and Ma are out of the room . . . . What’s that shadow crossing the floor? This time, though, Pa and Ma are ready with the perfect, twinkly solution to send their little one to dreamland. Whew!

Lucy Ruth Cummins’ rib-tickling Sleepy Sheepy board book story—which can be read or sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star—will set the youngest dreamers laughing as rambunctious little Sheepy bounces from bed as soon as the light goes out and the rhyme is cleverly cut off. Each time Ma and Pa return their little one to bed (twinsies in tow), kids will wait with giddy anticipation for Sheepy’s next move and how beleaguered Pa and Ma will react. Cummins’ sweet ending is snuggly and sure to settle any little one into snoozy slumber.

Pete Oswald infuses his sleepy time pages with lots of humor and heart that will endear Little Sheepy to the youngest readers. We’re all familiar with droopy eyelids that refuse to close and energy that never seems to wane, but the tiny smile—both knowing and adorable—says it all. Kids will giggle at the expertly executed pogo-stick jumping, undercover subterfuge, flying popcorn, and the twinsies strapped to Ma and Pa. They’ll also adore the ending that shows just how much Ma and Pa love their little one. Fans of Cummins’ and Oswald’s other Sleepy Sheepy books will enjoy spotting references to those books throughout the pages, and Pa’s final “Shhhh” will have both adults and kids laughing.

Ages Baby – 3

Flamingo Books, 2026 | ISBN 979-8217041008

About the Author

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author and illustrator who made her critically acclaimed author-illustrator debut in 2016 with her picture book A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals. She is also the illustrator of This Is Not a Valentine, Truman, The Love Letter, and Little Freddie Two Pants. When she’s not writing or illustrating books, Lucy is an executive art director of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. She grew up in Cortland, New York, and she now lives with her little family in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at lucyruthcummins.squarespace.com.

About the Illustrator

Pete Oswald is a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator and an Annie Award-nominated animation production designer best known for the Angry Birds Movie film franchise and Oscar-nominated ParaNorman, in addition to multiple animated studio films. He is also a children’s book author and illustrator and a painter. Pete is the illustrator the New York Times bestselling Food Group series written by Jory John, and Cranky written by Phuc Tran. Pete lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and three sons. Visit him at peteoswald.com.

World Sleep Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-sleep-buddy-craft

Fleecy Blanket or Pet Bed

Fleecy blankets feel so cozy and warm! With this craft kids can make a blanket for themselves or for a favorite stuffed animal. They can also make a comfy bed for a pet! Children from ages 5 or 6 and up will enjoy helping to tie the tabs. For younger children, using fabric glue to attach the two pieces of fleece or cutting just one piece of fleece allows them to join in the craft fun.

Supplies

2 pieces of fleece, solid, patterned, or a mix of both
Scissors
Measuring tape
Fluff or pillow (optional for pet bed)
Fabric glue (optional)

Directions

Lay out one piece of fleece and measure a size that will make a comfortable blanket for the stuffed animal or is large enough for your pet to lie on
Add 3 inches to that measurement on each side for the tie tabs
Cut the fleece
Lay out the second piece of fleece and cut it to the same size as the first piece
With both pieces of fleece together cut three-inch long by ½ – ¾ – inch wide tabs all along each side. (If using fabric glue omit this step.)
At the corners, four tabs will be cut off on each side

To Make a Blanket

Tie the top and bottom tabs together on all sides

To Make a Pet Bed

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-cat-bed-craft

Tie the tabs together on three sides
Add the fluff or pillow insert
Tie the tabs on the final side

You can purchase Twinkle, Twinkle, Sleepy Sheepy from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

March 9 – National Reading Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

The month of March is dedicated to reading! National Reading Month was designed to encourage children and adults to read every day and celebrates the joys and benefits that reading together can bring. When you spend time reading with your child, you’re helping them develop the language and literacy skills that will promote future success in school and beyond. Even if your child isn’t talking yet, they’re listening and learning about their language as you read to them. Older kids also love being read to—or reading to you! Setting aside time to read together builds strong bonds that can last a lifetime. The month is typically marked with special events in schools, libraries, bookstores, and communities that bring authors, illustrators, and educators together with kids.

You’ll find book lists and recommendations, monthly reading theme ideas, tips for reading and for guest readers, and places to find free books and resources on the National Education Association website.

Disco Dave

Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer | Illustrated by Yana Kozak

Dave the walrus loved everything about disco, from the beat of the music to the hip clothes, sparkly décor, and the groovy dances. “Especially the dances!” He thought The Bump, The Funky Chicken, and The Robot were “‘far out!’” But Dave was not a natural dancer. In fact, when he hit the dance floor his moves were more of a natural disaster. Dave decided to take dance lessons.

He was doing pretty well until his flipper tripped him up. Still, when Dave received an invitation to a birthday dance, he was excited to bust the moves he’d learned in class. But things didn’t quite go as planned. Dave’s friends tried to let him down gently: “‘Maybe you groove to different dance moves,’ said KC.” But Dave adored Disco with all his heart, and when he saw an announcement for a Disco dance contest, he was ready to boogie down. But once again, his flippers failed him, and he had to admit Disco wasn’t for him.

“Dave boxed up his bell bottoms and platform shoes and made his way to the donation center. On his way there, though, he passed by Disco Heaven and saw that it was closed! His friend Donna told him that the disc jockey had quit. How would Dave and his friends groove to the beats without the club? Then Dave had an idea! He might not have all right the moves yet, but he did have Disco in his soul. He got behind the soundboard and started experimenting. It turned out Dave had just the right stuff to keep the music alive so he and his friends could keep on truckin’ to their own funky beats.

The story is followed by a detailed discussion by Silvi Guerra PsyD on the nature of learning new skills and how children can find joy in the process while developing perseverance, confidence, and resilience that will benefit them throughout their life. Using the example of dance, Guerra also gives parents and other caregivers tips on how they can make any learning journey fun and meaningful.

Jody Jensen Shaffer channels the Disco era in her story that envelops kids in a caring community of friends as Dave tries again and again to master the dances he loves so much. As Dave comes to accept that he has two left flippers—for now—Shaffer offers new perspectives on practice, perseverance, keeping an upbeat outlook, and being open to alternate opportunities to shine. Her storytelling is peppered with puns, 1970s’ slang, and you’ll want to check out the names of Dave’s friends for some back-in-the-(Disco) day references.

Yana Kozak lets kids in on all the glitter and groove of Disco, from mirrored Disco balls and multi-hued floors to rad fashions and hair styles to all those iconic dances. Children will also appreciate Dave’s enthusiasm for Disco and empathize with his mishaps. Dave’s ability to turn disappointment into triumph is clearly demonstrated and inspiring.

Ages 4 – 8

Magination Press—American Psychological Association, 2026 | ISBN 978-1433848582

Jody Jensen Shaffer is an award-winning poet and the author of more than seventy books of fiction and nonfiction for children. Jody’s poetry and fiction have been published in magazines like Highlights, Ladybug, and Clubhouse Jr. She lives in Liberty, Missouri. Visit her at jodyjensenshaffer.com.

Yana Kozak is a Ukrainian children’s book illustrator living in France. She loves to create funny, emotional characters who are exploring the world. Follow her on Instagram.

National Reading Month Activity

Reading Fun Bookmarks to Color

Mark where you’ve stopped reading or your favorite page with these bookmarks you can color and make your own!

Just One More Page Bookmark | Happy Reading Bookmark

You can purchase Disco Dave from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

February 16 – National Bake for Family Fun Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Whether the weather is cold or whether the weather is warm, the weather is always perfect for the cozy goodness of baking sweet treats or savory dishes with family and friends! Baking cookies—or the perennial favorite mac ‘n’ cheese—together is a fun way to teach cooking skills and a little math while also having meaningful one-on-one time with your kids. Of course, one of the best parts about baking together is eating the delicious meals or treats afterward!

The Day the Mac ‘n’ Cheese Ran Out (The Terrible Trio #2)

Written by Swapna Haddow | Illustrated by Minky Stapelton

When we last left our intrepid superheroes, they had found jobs at the Superheroes Café and finally embraced their slightly embarrassing but unexpectedly useful superpowers. Zeb the zebra discovered that his power to blend in with a crosswalk was applicable in at least one other place, Barry the lemur wrote enticing menu signs, and Margarine the penguin was whipping up mac ‘n’ cheese everywhere and from everything like a caped tornado. They were on top of the world! They were heroes!

But that was then and this is today, when Zeb came to work only to find a huge crowd outside the Superheroes Café and the doors locked. When Zeb got inside, he was met with a terrible, confusing scene: Marge was crying a waterfall and revealed “ILOSTMYPOWERICANTMAKEMACNCHEESEANYMORE!” Barry supplied the translation. This was BAAAD news! How bad? After causing a very hungry lion to stub his toe, Zeb saved his own skin by promising him an endless supply of mac ‘n’ cheese for his cub’s birthday party. If Marge can’t make mac ‘n’ cheese, they’ll all be eaten.

Thus begins the madcap search for an antidote to restore Marge’s power. She tries cooking her own mac ‘n’ cheese from scratch, tasting different cheeses down at the farmers market, and joining a meditation circle at the Mountain Goat Meditation Center, but nothing works. Zeb even gives him an apology card and hypnotizes him, but these things don’t satisfy the lion either, and now he’s so hangry that he ties a garlic-marinated Zeb to a grilling rack and heads for the barbecue. It’s at this very moment (well, soonish, anyway, after some mind-bending, dream memories; the revelation of Margarine’s sister’s name, and a heartfelt declaration of friendship) that the answer to Marge’s lost power becomes clear. But will Marge’s power stir to life? Will Zeb be cooked? Will Barry see the writing on the wall? There’s only one way to find out!

Swapna Haddow’s second book in her Terrible Trio graphic novel series charms with feel-good silliness that will have kids cackling at the clueless goofiness that makes these best friends so endearing. Zeb’s clever use of his power, which starts the plot rolling, is ingenious. Gentle pokes at a few current trends will also bring giggles. Haddow’s quick-witted dialogue keeps independent readers riveted to the story and also making this series a rollicking read aloud for younger children.

Minky Stapleton’s hilarious illustrations of Marge, Zeb, Barry, and the lion who needs his mac ‘n’ cheese NOW! show off Haddow’s characters at their bewildered, bothered, and bewitched best. The fun she has with each of the characters as they swing from shell-shocked to weeping to drifting into zany asides radiates from the page, making this story a laugh-out-loud gem. The lion’s super-roar power, depicted in all-caps, is especially funny as he fluctuates between the hangries and affability with no moderation in tone.

This smart, comedic The Terrible Trio series, powered by #1: The (Not So) Superheroes, #2: The Day the Mac ‘n’ Cheese Ran Out, and the upcoming #3: The Mystery of the Lost Cape, will excite any young reader or graphic novel fan. With plenty of repeat readability, the books make an exciting gift and will enjoy super-standing on library and home bookshelves.

Ages 7 – 10

Scholastic, 2026 | ISBN 978-1546183020

Swapna Haddow grew up in the UK and wrote her first book at age eight. She wishes she’d kept it, but it seemed like a good idea at the time to trade it for two stickers and a couple of marbles! Her first published book was the hilarious junior novel Dave Pigeon, which grew into a laugh-out-loud, award-winning series. She has since written many funny, colourful, and much-loved picture books as well as further junior fiction series. Swapna loves to write stories filled with boisterous animals causing mayhem, with friendship and humour consistently at the heart of her work. Swapna now lives in Dunedin, New Zealand, with her husband, son, and their dog. Her first homegrown tall tale with Scholastic New Zealand is But Then… the almost true story of an overdue book. Visit her at swapnahaddow.com.

Minky Stapleton is a multi-faceted illustrator with a range of styles, all with a dash of humour. An award-winning Art Director and Creative Director originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Minky gave up advertising to follow her first love, illustration. She now resides in Auckland, New Zealand, where she balances illustration projects with running classes for kids on how to design scary monsters. Minky has illustrated many titles for Scholastic, from hilarious picture books to historical fiction and high-energy, heavily illustrated junior fiction. Visit her at minkystapleton.com.

You can find my review of The (Not So) Superheroes: The Terrible Trio #1 here.

Bake for Family Fun Month Activity

Make Marge’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese

What’s your superpower? Making Marge’s mac ‘n’ cheese! With this recipe found on Swapna Haddow’s website, you’ll be taming your child’s roaring hangries in no time! You’ll also find lots of The Terrible Trio drawing, coloring, and activity pages too!

You can purchase The Day the Mac ‘n’ Cheese Ran Out (The Terrible Trio #2) from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

January 28 – National Blueberry Pancake Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Are your favorite pancakes loaded with luscious blueberries? Then you’ve landed on the right holiday! Today’s celebration gives you the perfect reason to indulge, so find those blueberries tucked in the freezer or run to the store and whip up a batch of these palate-pleasing pancakes for breakfast or dinner!

Thank you to Carrie Finison and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Plenty of Pancakes

Written by Carrie Finison | Illustrated by Brianne Farley

Topsy the opossum is planning a surprise “Welcome Spring” big pancake breakfast to welcome back her bear friend LouAnn from her winter hibernation. She’s already invited all of their friends and now it’s time to start cooking. What’s on the menu? “They’ll have berries with syrup, and cider to share, and plenty of pancakes, enough for a bear!”

Topsy measures and pours and fries up five perfect pancakes. Whistling a tune, she walks away for a moment then hears a “clunk!” Turning around, she sees the plate is empty. She attributes the loss to hungry squirrels, and whips up another batch. Soon, she has “five perfect pancakes, hot from the pan. / Tender and crispy, and all for—”

But in the time it would take to say “LouAnn,” this stack disappears too. Then another and another! At last, Tospy’s relieved to find all of her other guests arriving and ready to help. With so many bakers and a groundhog to guard them, the group gets to work. “Topsy counts pancakes: five, ten, fifteen, twenty. / Twenty’s a lot . . . but she’s not sure it’s PLENTY.” And so . . . they make more.

Just then LouAnn emerges from her cabin with a surprise. She has two new babies to introduce, “. . . but Topsy’s suspicious. / She looks at the cubs and sees there are traces / of pancake all over their sweet fuzzy faces.” Topsy doesn’t let on, though, and just makes a toast “to babies and spring” as the friends all share pancakes aplenty!

Carrie Finison’s recipe for a delectable story time contains all the ingredients kids clamor for—humor, drama, endearing characters, and the chance to be in on a secret right from the start. Finison’s rollicking sentences bounce and bound through the story with perfect rhythm and rhyme, and children will eagerly chime in on the funny repeat and clipped-off phrasing “. . . and all for—.” Plenty of Pancakes is a joy to read aloud, fun for kids who like to count, and a book that both children and adults will choose again and again.

Brianne Farley invites readers to this forest feast with her bright, delightful gouache and pencil illustrations that are loaded with personality and clever details (LouAnn’s alarm clock displays only pictographs for spring, summer, fall, and winter). Farley whips up excitement with action-packed pages where whisks spin, pancakes fly, the serving plate clunks, thunks, and crashes, and everyone pitches in to make this “welcome back” breakfast a blast. Kids will especially like spying the two little cubs that escape Topsy’s notice hiding here and there just within reach to gobble up stacks of treats.

Exuberant, warmhearted, and inviting readers’ giggly participation, Plenty of Pancakes makes a perfect gift and will be an immediate favorite in any home, school, or library collection.

Ages 4 – 8

G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-0593700174

Carrie Finison writes poetry, stories, and books for kids, including the picture books Dozens of Doughnuts; Pigs Dig a Road; Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It); Lulu & Zoey: A Sister Story; and Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School! She lives outside Boston with her husband, their son, their daughter, and two cats who allow her to work in their attic office. Visit her at carriefinison.com.

Brianne Farley is the author of Worm Makes a Sandwich, Secret Tree Fort and Ike’s Incredible Ink. She also illustrated Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison, the Charlotte the Scientist books by Camille Andros, and No Buddy Like a Book by Allan Wolf. Brianne studied creative writing and art at Macalester College, then received her MFA in illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Michigan. You can visit Brianne at BrianneFarley.com and follow her @BrianneHFarley.

You’ll also enjoy Dozens of Doughnuts, the first book in this series, which also stars LouAnn and her friends! Read my review here!

National Blueberry Pancakes Day Activity

Plenty of Pancakes Activity Pages

Kids will flip for these fun coloring and word search activities inspired by Plenty of Pancakes. You can download them from Carrie Finison’s website, here!

You can purchase Plenty of Pancakes from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

January 5 – National Skating Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

National Skating Month is sponsored by U.S. Figure Skating and as a week-long celebration in March 2002 following the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Now co-sponsored by Learn to Skate U.S.A. and celebrated during the entire month of January, the holiday gives ice-skating rinks, clubs, and programs an opportunity to invite new families to the ice by offering free lessons and skating demonstrations. If figure skating isn’t your thing, you might like to take your skills to the hockey rink or just to a local pond for some free-style skating. However you choose to enjoy the ice, skating is fun and for everyone! To learn more about ice-skating programs in your area, visit usfigureskating.org and learntoskateusa.

The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story

Written by Jocelyn Watkinson | Illustrated by Marcus Cutler

Three pigs were just finishing their hockey scrimmage when a wolf sprang from behind some bushes, fangs sharp and claws at the ready to satisfy his hunger since they looked so delicious. But as they quickly took off their skates and packed up their gear, they said, “‘I’m soorry there, Wolf, you are soorely mistaken—'” To which the wolf replied, “‘Oh no! But I’m not! You’re Canadian bacon!'” The pigs jumped on their snowmobile and hurried home to their snow fort in town.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-three-canadian-pigs-fight-back

Image copyright Marcus Cutler, 2022, text copyright Jocelyn Watkinson, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

It didn’t take long for the wolf to catch up with them, and from outside their door, he shouted, “‘Little pigs! Little pigs! Let me come in!'” But they just replied, “‘Not by the pads on our shinny-shin-shins!'” The wolf threatened to blow the fort down, but this was no flimsy home built of sticks or straw. In fact, they told him, “‘there’s not one single flaw!'” The wolf wasn’t going to give up easily and he collected Moose and Bear to help him break in.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-three-canadian-pigs-snow-fort

Image copyright Marcus Cutler, 2022, text copyright Jocelyn Watkinson, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

When the three pigs had just enough of the wolf’s team’s attack, they came out and challenged them to “‘settle this fight the Canadian way'” with “‘a hockey game showdown.'” With a Canada goose as a ref, they took to the ice, attracting a crowd of spectators. The wolf and his team thought they’d win with ease, but the pigs “deked and they cut: / the pigs couldn’t be caught,” and when they scored, the wolf took to underhanded measures to stop them.

But the pigs were too quick and too nimble, and they ran up the score. When the ref blew her whistle ending the game, the pigs celebrated saving their home, but the wolf “… full of frustration and hunger and spite, / … threw down his gloves and dove in for a bite.” It looked like the pigs were goners for sure, but Bear and Moose called him out on his poor sportsmanship. Wolf dropped the three pigs, feeling ashamed but still hungry.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-three-canadian-pigs-wolf

Image copyright Marcus Cutler, 2022, text copyright Jocelyn Watkinson, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

Dragging his stick and hanging his head, the wolf trudged off the ice, but one pig called out to him, inviting him to join them in a feast back at the fort. When the wolf saw their spread of poutine, tourtière, beaver tails, butter tarts, and so many other mouthwatering delicacies, he apologized: “‘Pigs, I’m so sorry that I was a brute.'” / “‘There’s nothing for you to be soorry a-boot.'” a pig graciously told him. The pigs, Wolf, Bear, and Moose all made amends and piled up their plates. Then they settled in to watch a game on TV. And as “they put up their feet,” the wolf had to agree that “‘being friends with Canadian bacon is sweet!'”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-three-canadian-pigs-hockey-game

Image copyright Marcus Cutler, 2022, text copyright Jocelyn Watkinson, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

Full of clever rhymes, puns, valuable lessons, and dialogue that winks at Canadian pronunciations, Jocelyn Watkinson’s story flows as smoothly as a hockey puck on ice. Her regional take on the traditional Three Little Pigs story is fast-paced and suspenseful while touching on themes of sportsmanship, remorse and forgiveness, and friendship all framed with high-energy hockey action and plenty of humor. Especially welcome is Watkinson’s depiction of Bear and Moose confronting Wolf when he reneges on his agreement to let the pigs go if they win the game. Standing up to a friend or for what’s right can be hard, but Watkinson shows readers that having the courage of your convictions is honorable, honest, and can often turn a negative situation into a positive experience.

Marcus Cutler scores with his funny, emotion-packed illustrations that will have kids laughing and cheering for the pigs from page to page. Winter sports fans will love all the hockey action and will want to linger over the pigs’ hard-won trophy, on which Cutler had fun hamming it up with the names of some of hockey’s greats, The spread of favorite Canadian foods is sure to inspire game-night treat feasts. Cutler also highlights the important role of Bear and Moose, who ultimately appeal to Wolf’s better nature.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-three-canadian-pigs-snow-mobile

In a humorous and foreshadowing scene, Bear halfheartedly scratches at the pigs’ snow fort with one paw while holding a steaming mug in the other as Wolf exhorts his friends to “ram and claw and maul” their way inside. When Bear and Moose finally challenge Wolf to live up to his deal, their disapproval is clearly visible to readers. Wolf’s resulting feelings, as well as their cause, are also evident, giving kids and adults openings for meaningful discussions on behavior.

Whether your kids wait all year for hockey season, are fans of fractured fairy tales, or simply love a great story, The Three Canadian Pigs is a funny and impactful read aloud that’s sure to become a story time favorite all year long and a book you’ll be glad you added to your home, classroom, school, or public library.

Ages 4 – 7

Sleeping Bear Press, 2022 ISBN 978-1534111608

Jocelyn Watkinson is a children’s picture book author and ex-pat Canadian living in California, with her husband, son, and golden retriever. Visit her at jocelynwatkinson.com.

Marcus Cutler is the author/illustrator of I Do Not Eat Children and the illustrator of You Might Be Special!, The Three Canadian Pigs, and Travel Guide for Monsters Part Deux: A Canadian Adventure, among others. Visit him marcuscutler.com.

National Skating Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-three-canadian-pigs-maze

The Three Canadian Pigs Activity Kit

The game’s on with the two puzzles and two coloring pages inspired by today’s book! Just download and print them from the Sleeping Bear Press site here:

The Three Canadian Pigs Activity Kit

**You can purchase The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story from these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

About the Holiday

The Selfish Sister

Written by David Sedaris | Illustrated by Bob Staake

National Humor Month Activity

Silly Balloons

GOOFY FACES

CRAZY HAIR

BEND WATER

VOLLEYBALLOON

Share this:

About the Holiday

My Sister, Goose

Written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli | Illustrated by Hyewon Yum

Meet Alyssa Satin Capucilli

National Siblings Day Activity

Dress-Up Craft

Supplies

Share this:

About the Holiday

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sheepy: A Sleepy Sheepy Story

Written by Lucy Ruth Cummins | Illustrated by Pete Oswald

World Sleep Day Activity

Fleecy Blanket or Pet Bed

Share this:

About the Holiday

Disco Dave

Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer | Illustrated by Yana Kozak

National Reading Month Activity

Reading Fun Bookmarks to Color

Share this:

About the Holiday

The Day the Mac ‘n’ Cheese Ran Out (The Terrible Trio #2)

Written by Swapna Haddow | Illustrated by Minky Stapelton

Bake for Family Fun Month Activity

Make Marge’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Share this:

About the Holiday

Plenty of Pancakes

Written by Carrie Finison | Illustrated by Brianne Farley

National Blueberry Pancakes Day Activity

Plenty of Pancakes Activity Pages

Share this:

About the Holiday

The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story

Written by Jocelyn Watkinson | Illustrated by Marcus Cutler

National Skating Month Activity

The Three Canadian Pigs Activity Kit

You can purchase The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story from these booksellers

Share this:

**You can purchase The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story from these booksellers**