June 12 – National Pet Appreciation Week

About the Holiday

Pets give us so much love and joy that we often want to do something special for our furry friends in return. The first full week of June gives us the opportunity to show our pets how much we appreciate them! Why not spend a little extra time walking or cuddling with your pet? This week is a great time to pamper them with a few extra treat or a new toy. Another way to show how much our pets mean to us is to make sure they’re up-to-date on their annual check-ups and vaccinations. However you celebrate, you know your pet will appreciate it!

A Wickedly Evil Pet: A Branches Book (Super Villains in Training #2)

Written by Kailei Pew | Illustrated by Estrela Lourenço

Vicky von Evil loves going to school at SVT—Super Villains in Training—even though the work may be harder for her than for most of the students. You see, her “parents and little brother, Henry, aren’t wicked at all.” Still, they support her because her “extended family is full of baddies!” In fact, her Granny Dina-mite has come for a visit to give Vicky some tips on becoming evil.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Estrela Lourenço. Text copyright © 2026 by Kailei Pew. Courtesy of Scholastic.

One reason Vicky loves SVT is her teacher. Today, Miss Chiff announces that for the next week her students will be practicing on STV’s Crooked Course to learn new evil skills. On Friday each student will be graded on how well they show accuracy and speed in overcoming four obstacles. Those who finish within 30 minutes will be awarded a villain medal of chaos. Miss Chiff also says that they can bring a villain pet as a sidekick. Vicky wants to earn a medal, but without any special powers or a pet she knows it’s going to be tough.

Granny takes Vicky to Purely Evil Pet Rescue. Vicky meets all the different animals, but none of them feel right for her. That is until she sees the very last pet—a bunny. Vicky feels an immediate spark and can see in his adorable eyes that he has “villain potential.” She names him Captain von Evil and can’t wait to show her class. Instead of being awed, though, the students just laugh.

When it comes time to practice on the Crooked Course, Vicky expects to show Captain the ropes, but as soon as they begin, Captain is way ahead of her. He swings! He tunnels! He jumps! He even scurries through the mud pit while Vicky gets hopelessly stuck. Everyone loves Captain and gives Vicky no notice. She feels deflated. How is her “new pet already a better villain” than she is?

After more dismal results, Vicky is ready to take Captain back to the Pet Rescue. On the way there, however, she thinks about Granny’s advice to really watch what Captain is doing while they practice, and when her bike gets caught in a mud puddle and she sees Captain digging her out, she has a revelation. Now Vicky’s excited for Friday’s competition. But will her new strategy earn her a medal of chaos and prove that she is a true villain?

Kailei Pew’s second book in her Super Villains in Training early chapter book series offers young readers fast-paced and hilarious action as Vicky tries to live up to her family’s talent for evil despite having no special powers and parents and a brother who are kind, always upbeat, and sweet. Pew’s story is delightfully relatable for readers navigating early elementary school grades, and her themes of friendship, family support, trusting others, self-confidence, and cooperation are smoothly woven throughout her appealing storytelling.

From the SVT campus to the pet shop to the obstacle course, young readers will love accompanying Vicky through Estrela Lourenço’s expressive and detailed illustrations. Lourenço brings out all of the humor in Pew’s story while also eliciting empathy from readers as Vicky struggles to prove herself. Emerging and newly independent readers will appreciate the bold text and dialogue enclosed in speech bubbles that are clearly linked to the speaker. Lourenço’s vivid snapshots and full-page images add to the depth of the Super Villains in Training series.

With a well-developed and enticing story, appealing characters, humor, and a high-interest setting, A Wickedly Evil Pet (Super Villains in Training #2) is a must for any fan of the series. Children new to the series will want to catch up with the first book: The Fantastic Freeze Ray before Project Slime, book #3 comes along in November.

About Branches Books

Super Villains in Training is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Ages 5 – 7

Scholastic, 2026 | ISBN 978-1546162148

Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and children’s book author. She loves to write books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to. When she isn’t writing or reading, you can find her jogging through the Arizona desert, playing a mean game of Candy Land with her kids and husband, or baking anything with extra chocolate. Super Villains in Training is her first early chapter book series. Visit her and join the Wickedly Awesome Summer Reading Challenge at kaileipewbooks.com.

Estrela Lourenço is a full-time children’s book writer and illustrator with years of experience working in animation for shows like The Amazing World of Gumball for Cartoon Network and Wander Over Yonder for Disney. Estrela is originally from Portugal, but has been living in Ireland since 2009. Visit her at estrelalourenco.com.

National Pet Appreciation Day Activity

Super Villains in Training Activity Pages

Kids can join Vicky von Evil and her friends in their training at SVT with these Super Villains in Training Activity Pages from Scholastic!

You can purchase Super Villains in Training: A Wickedly Evil Pet from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

June 11 – National Making Life Beautiful Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday was established by Apriori Beauty in 2015 to recognize all those people who make life more fun, meaningful, and joyful—more beautiful—for someone else. This can be done in so many ways, from spending time talking with someone to let them know you care to sharing your talent for baking, art, music, gardening, home repair, or any skill with a friend, family member, or coworker. These acts of kindness bring joy to them and to you. Even just giving a smile to those you meet can brighten someone’s day. Making someone else feel good will make life more beautiful for you too! Today’s two books are delightful reminders that spending time with friends, making new friends, and enjoying shared experiences can make life feel new and exciting.

Thank you to Tundra Books for sending me these books for review!

The Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song

By Michael Slack

Part acorn, part long-eared puppy, and all around adorable, the three Funjeepup best friends—Dot, Button, and Dollop—love exploring their magical forest. On this sunlit morning, they settle on an inviting bolder to enjoy “big juicy berries,” only to attract an uninvited guest. As the bluebird swoops in, Dot runs and hides, afraid the bird wants to eat their snack, but Dollop reassures her that she just wants to sing.

Indeed, a “beautiful song” soon wafts on the breeze. The Funjeepups are so delighted that they’re inspired to create their own song. They hurry home for their instruments. Dot brings a drum, Button pulls a piano, and Dollop carries a flute—and more berries! Each of the friends plays their favorite kind of song, but this only creates noise. Dollop urges them to try again, saying that their first attempt was simply a “not-YET song.”

Their second try isn’t much better than the first, so bird decides to help. On Dot’s drum she taps out a pleasant beat with her feet. Dot catches on quickly. “I am playing the drum!” she proudly announces. Next, the bird lands on Button’s piano and pecks out individual keys. Button begins to understand and is soon plinking a tune. Dollop, who’s been playing the flute through his nose, gets a correction as well as a lesson on creating different notes.

Now, Dot, Button, and Dollop put their newfound talents together and play a beautiful song! Bird listens happily then flies away, leaving a gift behind. The Funjeepups are so grateful for the bird’s help that they leave a gift too. Bird sings her thanks then takes her gifts home to decorate her nest.

Michael Slack’s endearing forest friends are sweet companions on this musical adventure that turns into a day of musical discovery and confidence building. Slack’s Funjeepups are darling, and his lovely woodland setting will enchant little readers. Young children are sure to giggle knowingly as Dollop plays the flute through his nose, happy to be in on this visual joke until Bird sets him straight.

Slack’s minimal, simply stated text printed in bold type contains many building blocks for early word recognition and reading, such as repeated words, short sentences, and musical onomatopoeia that’s fun to say or play on an instrument. In addition to introducing young readers to the graphic novel format, his panels focus readers’ attention on each sentence and its accompanying illustrated facial expressions and emotions as well as incremental changes in the plot.

A charming book that both kids and adults will love to share over and over, The Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song is fresh and eye-catching in an easy-to-hold 6 1/4″ x 9 1/4″ size. It is sure to be a cherished addition to home and library collections. Pair with Funjeepups: A Star Wish to create a much-loved gift.

Ages 3 – 7

Tundra Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1774887004

Michael Slack is the author and illustrator of many books for young readers, including Kitties on Dinosaurs, Bunny Built, Shorty & Clem and Elecopter. His art and character design has been featured in books, television and games. He lives with his family in the Bay Area of California. Visit him at slackart.com.

You can purchase The Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song from these booksellers

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The Funjeepups: A Star Wish

By Michael Slack

The Funjeepups are camping out, sheltered in a fallen log, the darkness dispelled with an acorn lantern and a small fire to keep the chill at bay. Dot, Button, and Dollop are ready to stay out all night. They want to “. . . see stars. And make a wish.” But clouds blow in, obscuring the stars and ruining their plans to make wishes. But then stars seem to appear on the horizon. Dollop runs toward them and catches one in his hands. When he shows Dot his star, she imparts bad news: “That’s a bug.” Since it shines, Dollop is undeterred and tells her to “make a bug wish.” The firefly lands on Dot’s nose as she closes her eyes to wish.

The clouds don’t dim all of their enjoyment, though, and Dollop suggests a night hike. Taking their trusty lantern and new friend along, they head into the woods. Soon, they’re running back to camp after hearing “Hoo Hoo” and encountering a frog. All is forgotten as Dollop brings out marshmallows for gooey fun, and the campfire is perfect for shadow play. Following a game of Stick, Stone, Stack, Dot, Button and Dollop send the firefly home and drift off to sleep.

During the night, they’re awakened by a moonbeam, and Dot’s excited to see that her “bug wish came true.” The sky has cleared! They make their star wishes then drift back to sleep. In the morning, they’re proud to have spent the entire night outside. Dot hurries home to see if her bug wish came true.

Just as in Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song, Dot, Button, and Dollop embark on an adventure in the woods with curiosity and enthusiasm. When their planned activity becomes impossible, instead of moping the three friends take advantage of other forest delights and make a new friend in the process. Their clever pivot from stars to fireflies will enchant little readers. Michael Slack’s gentle woodland fright will bring giggles instead of gasps, and his playful games may inspire similar fun at home. Slack’s signature storytelling, encompassing short sentences, repeated words, and visual clues, encourages young children to become proficient and avid readers.

Funjeepups: A Star Wish sparkles with humor and friendship and is a heartwarming story to inspire nighttime adventures at home or outdoors. The book is sure to enjoy continual requests for cozy read aloud story times. Pair with Funjeepups: A Beautiful Song for a gift any young child will treasure.

Ages 3 – 7

Tundra Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1774887028

You can purchase The Funjeepups: A Star Wish from these booksellers

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June 5 – National Doughnut Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

National Doughnut Day was established in 1938 by Chicago’s Salvation Army to honor the women who served doughnuts and other home-cooked foods to soldiers on the front lines in France during World War I as well as to help the needy during the Great Depression. In 1917, 250 Salvation Army “Lassies” volunteered to provide morale boosters to the troops, such as small necessities and a break from the fighting. They also began making homemade food for the troops to remind them of home. One of these offerings was a doughnut cooked inside a helmet. Salvation Army Ensign Margaret Sheldon “wrote of one busy day: “Today I made 22 pies, 300 doughnuts, 700 cups of coffee.’”

A Bear, a Man, and a Doughnut Van

Written by Daniel Bernstrom | Illustrated by Brandon James Scott

It’s early morning—6:00, to be precise—and “a bear,” whose den overlooks a sleepy neighborhood, is waking up. In the sleepy neighborhood, “a man” yawns in his raspberry-hued bedroom, not quite ready to get up. A cup of coffee later, the man—now “a happy man” saunters out to his donut truck to inspect his wares, unaware of the bear also eyeing his wares. This bear is “a hungry bear,” and as luck (or unluck—all depending . . .) would have it, is also a donut lover. As the man is sneaking a blueberry-frosted from a box next to him, the bear is sneaking into the back of the van—and so the scene is set with “a happy man” and “a happy bear.”

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Branson James Scott. Text copyright © by Daniel Bernstrom. Courtesy of Hippo Park.

But not for long. As you might imagine, a hungry bear devouring doughnuts a mere few feet away might attract attention. And . . . you’d be right. The donut man takes a wary glance into the rearview mirror, and eye-popping panic ensues. The man screams! The bear screams! The van screams down the road—a runaway! The man drives; the bear hangs on. The bear drives; the man hangs on. They barrel toward a traffic jam then like a plane on the runway, they’re soaring into the air to who knows where. Will there still be any doughnuts to share?

Daniel Bernstrom’s and Brandon James Scott’s rip-roaring mashup of slapstick and buddy comedy will have kids laughing from their first glimpse of the bear, who they’ll eagerly follow as he gets closer and closer to the donut van to the story’s sweet finish. Young readers will adore being in on the coming surprise as the man peers into the mirror, and as chaos ensues, children will be torn between flipping the pages as fast as they can and pumping the breaks to catch all of the hilarity.

Just as for his other books in this series—A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree and A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish—Daniel Bernstrom, an English teacher, wrote A Bear, a Man, and a Donut Van with the aim of guiding fledging readers toward confident, independent reading. His use of minimal text provides new readers with the types of repeat vocabulary, short sentences, rhyming prompts, and high-energy propulsion that nurture success. Bernstrom’s sprightly storytelling also encourages imaginative thinking and an active connection between readers and Brandon James Scott’s expressive illustrations.

Kids are gleefully along for the rollicking ride in Brandon James Scott’s frosting-colored illustrations filled with sweet silliness, suspense, and surprise. Farcical facial expressions and shifting fortunes maximize the humor. Scott slyly puts young readers in league with the bear by revealing funny clues as to how he entered the van, the similarities between him and the man, and how he secures a happy ending for the man as well as his own forest friends.

Wild and wooly in the best possible ways, A Bear, a Man, and a Doughnut Van is laugh-out-loud entertainment with a side of early-reading confidence that both kids and adults will adore sharing again and again. The book is a must for any library and home collection.

Ages 4 – 8

Hippo Park, 2026 | ISBN 978-1662641206

Daniel Bernstrom is a teacher, a poet, and the author of seven picture books, including One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel. His book Big Papa and the Time Machine won the Minnesota Book Award and is the story of his grandfather leaving the south to find work and start a family amidst the challenges of 20th-century African American life. Daniel lives in Worthington, Minnesota with his family.

By day Brandon James Scott is a creative director working in animation and by night he illustrates picture books. For over a decade Brandon has worked on a range of hit animated entertainment including his own creation, the award-winning series, Justin Time. He loves to make art that brings adventure, levity, heart, and curiosity for the fantastic and whimsical world around us and in our dreams. A born and raised Canadian, he currently lives with his family in Toronto.

National Doughnut Day Activity

Delicious Doughnut Decor

Bake up some delicious decor with unused CDs or DVDs and this easy craft!

Supplies

Unused CDs or DVDs or cut circles from cardboard, foam board or poster board
Craft paint in tan, black, pink, yellow, white (or any colors you want for the doughnut and the icing)
Ribbon, any color and length you want
Fine-tip markers in bright colors
Glue
Glue dots (optional)
Paint brush

Directions

Paint a wavy edge around the CD or other material and let dry
Add “frosting” by painting from the wavy line inward to the clear center of the CD, leaving the clear circle unpainted. If using another material, draw and cut a center “hole” for your doughnut.
When the “frosting” is dry, draw sprinkles on it with the markers
With the ribbon make a loop hanger and attach it to the back of the CD with glue or glue dots
Hang your decoration

You can purchase A Bear, a Man, and a Doughnut Van from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

June 4 – National Hug Your Cat Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday has one goal in mind—to show your feline friend (or friends) how much you love them. If you share your home with a cat, then you know how their playful antics, companionship, and even their independent spirit can transform your home and your life for the better. Today show your kitty some extra love with a hug—or if they’re a bit skitten-ish—an extra brushing, more playtime, or a favorite treat. If you don’t have a cat, today is the perfect time to consider adopting one who’s looking for their forever home from your local animal shelter.

Thank you to Balzar + Bray for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Kitty Caterpillar

Written by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White | Illustrated by Brigette Barrager

Kitty Caterpillar was happy to be an indoor cat. She was, after all, “the queen of her kittydom” and could nap, play, and enjoy refreshments to her heart’s content. In the morning, it was her “job” to wake up Hazel. She took to it with gusto—even making biscuits! Kitty Caterpillar was Hazel’s constant companion through breakfast, piano practice and story time. “But “more than anything in the world, Kitty Caterpillar loved Hazel. And her hugs.”

illustration copyright © 2026 by Brigette Barrager. Text copyright © 2026 by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White. Courtesy of Balzar + Bray.

Whenever Hazel went out, Kitty Caterpillar wasn’t overly curious about what Hazel would be doing, instead “she settled into a catloaf” and took a nap. But one day, Kitty Caterpillar spied a butterfly through the window and was determined to follow it. She slipped her ten feet into a collection of Hazel’s shoes, and found her way out. Kitty Caterpillar was awed by the tickly grass, the alluring scents, and, especially, the bird bath. She “slink, slinked” over, but instead of catching a bird, she took a dunk and then found herself cowering from a sudden thunderstorm.

As the sun reemerged, however, Kitty Caterpillar spied it—the butterfly! She followed it up . . . up . . . up the trunk of a tree. It wasn’t just any tree, though! At the top she found Hazel having a tea party. Hazel was just as thrilled to see her best friend and wrapped her in a cozy hug, holding her while she dozed and dreamed of a beautiful metamorphosis.

Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White’s endearing story will melt any child’s heart as Kitty Caterpillar enjoys well-known perks of being a cat and revels in her outdoor adventure. Bondor-Stone and White’s storytelling purrs with humor, puns, and action, making their book an enchanting read aloud. Their dreamy ending is a sweet kid-pleaser.

Brigette Barrager’s vivacious Kitty Caterpillar, with her distinctive ten purple paws, two antennae whiskers, and cotton-candy tresses, is adorable. Kids will giggle at her mischievous antics as she goes about her day, and her reunion with Hazel is as cute as it gets. Barrager’s lovely water-soluble wax pastel and Photoshop illustrations sing with whimsy and the colors of summer, inviting young readers to join in the fun.

Playful, imaginative, and infused with the warmth of home, Kitty Caterpillar will become a quick family favorite that kids will want to hear again and again. This book will also enjoy high circulation in any library’s collection and makes a purr-fect gift for young cat lovers.

Ages 3 – 6

Balzar + Bray, 2026 | ISBN 978-1250469038

Annabeth Bondor-Stone is the co-author of several books for children of all ages, including Kitty Caterpillar, the Shivers! The Pirate series, Jaclyn Hyde, Time Tracers, and Quest for the Crystal Crown. She is an Emmy-nominated television writer and co-creator of the animated TV series Eva the Owlet. Other TV credits include Helpsters, Waffles and Mochi, and Goldie. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband/writing partner, Connor White, and their two children. Visit her at annabethandconnor.com.

Connor White is the co-author of several books for children of all ages, including Kitty Caterpillar, the Shivers! The Pirate series, Jaclyn Hyde, Time Tracers, and Quest for the Crystal Crown. He is an Emmy-nominated television writer and co-creator of the animated TV series Eva the Owlet. Other TV credits include Helpsters, Waffles and Mochi, and Goldie. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife/writing partner, Annabeth Bondor-Stone, and their two children. Visit him at annabethandconnor.com.

Brigette Barrager is an artist, designer, writer, and illustrator of over thirty books for children. She is the New York Times bestselling artist of Kitty Caterpillar by Annabeth Bondor Stone and Connor White, Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and Pocket Full of Colors by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville. Brigette resides in Los Angeles with her husband, twin daughters, and twin cats. You can visit her at brigetteb.com.

National Hug Your Cat Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-match-the-kittens-puzzle

Match the Kittens Puzzle

Little ones can have fun matching up the kitten pairs in this printable Match the Kittens Puzzle!

You can purchase Kitty Caterpillar from these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

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

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

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

Helping Daddy

Written by Angel Dike | Illustrated by Ebony Glenn

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ages 2 – 5

Nosy Crow, 2026 | ISBN 979-8887772714

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

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

Father’s Day Activity

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

I Love Dad Building Blocks

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

Supplies

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

Directions

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

You can purchase Helping Daddy from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 20 – Get Caught Reading Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

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

The Underwearwolf

Written by Gideon Sterer | Illustrated by Charles Santoso

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ages 4 – 8

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

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

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

Get Caught Reading Month Activity

The Underwearwolf Activity Kit

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

You can purchase The Underwearwolf from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 19 – National Plant Something Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

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

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

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

Written by Lydia Lukidis | Illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ages 6 – 8

Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2026 | ISBN 979-8881605612

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

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

About the Author

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

About the Illustrator

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

Plant Something Day Activity

Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog Activity Guide

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

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

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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Written by Lydia Lukidis | Illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

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