October 11 – Myths and Legends Day

About the Holiday

Myths and legends have been part of human history since the beginning of time. Created to explain natural phenomena, to entertain, or to inspire, myths have been passed down from every culture and now reside in our collective consciousness. Today’s holiday celebrates these stories and their long history. To take part, read about your favorite mythical creatures and legends or discover new ones. Today’s book is a great place to start!

Thank you to Twirl Books and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me this book for review!

The Ultimate Book of Mythical Creatures

Written by Aurore Meyer | Illustrated by Gabrielle Berger

Don’t be surprised if upon opening this beautiful, oversized book you hear the galloping hooves of unicorns or the bewitching song of sirens who can lure sailors to destruction. You may even spy a mermaid in love! How is this possible? It’s easy! You’ve just entered the “Enchanting and Mysterious” world of mythical creatures, who have mesmerized people going back to ancient times. On this first page, a lovely 17-inch-long pop-up transports you to a forest of the Middle Ages, where a blessing of unicorns carries a fair maiden through the trees while Pegasus hides among them.

Ready to turn the page? Look out! It’s the Kraken! Bursting from the roiling sea with a ship in two tentacles, but six more to grab you, this beast from Scandinavian folklore already has you in his yellow-eyed sights! You’re now surrounded by “Monsters of the Deep,” including the Jörmungandr, “a monstrous sea serpent from Norse mythology . . . so big that it encircles Earth and bites its own tail!” Help him do this with the pull of a tab! Here, you’ll also meet a leviathan, Nessie, and several other water monsters.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Gabrielle Berger. Text copyright © 2026 by Aurore Meyer. Published by Twirl Books copyright © 2026.

Next up are “Frightful and Fearsome” creatures. You’ll get to know the Gorgons, the vampirish chupacabra, and “the mischievous tokoloshe, who “likes to destroy homework” (a fun upgrade from the old “the dog ate my homework!”), among others. In “Winged Beings,” keep your eyes to the skies to watch for the immortal phoenix; Minokawa, a “gargantuan dragon-bird from Philippine mythology;” Beelzebub, a demonic fly you’ll never stop with a swatter!; and many more.

All mythical creatures aren’t frightening, though. Meet this collection of “Forest Creatures”: The dryads invite you to dance with them using a wheel that spins around the trunk of a pop-up tree, and if you’re quiet two shy koropokkuru may come out from hiding to say hi! Don’t get too comfy, though! You’re about to meet seven “Extraordinary Dragons” with fearful powers from Greek, Chinese, European, Scandinavian, and Native American legends.

Think mythical creatures can’t get any bigger than dragons? Then you’ve never met the “Gigantic Beasts” who star in legends from around the world. Beware the ogres, who have “incredible strength,” “foul breath” and . . . love to eat “children, well-seasoned and roasted!” You’ll help hatch Pangu from a cosmic egg before meeting a few more oversized baddies. Need a respite? Turn to “Powerful Protectors,” where a spiked Behemoth pops up to greet you! You’ll learn more about seven “mighty guardians of their realms” through interactive elements, including a wheel, a booklet, a flap, and a tab that lets you help Barong, from Balinese mythology, dance!

“Curious Chimeras” closes out this incredible compendium of mythological beings with stories of creatures who are “a mix of different animals—or even part human and part beast!” These powerful creatures are represented throughout global cultures and even influence today’s popular novels.

Accompanied by more than 50 dynamic pop-ups, pull-tabs, flaps, booklets, and more interactive elements, Aurore Meyer’s scintillating descriptions of each mythological creature and the legends behind them will thrill young readers—and adults as well! Meyer’s prose is graceful, evocative, and conversational, inviting children not only to learn about each being but to imagine their power, cleverness, global significance, and to appreciate their influence on our culture still today.

Gabrielle Berger’s abundance of intricate illustrations is nothing short of astounding. Each page immerses readers in animated scenes of mythological beings in their natural habitats, interacting with humans, popping out of hiding, flying, breathing fire, wrecking havoc in numerous ways, and even eating the moon. Each interactive element brings a new and surprising twist or further enlightenment to accompany Aurore Meyer’s text. The six extraordinarily large pop ups are showstoppers—the Kraken rises a menacing ten inches above the spread, each tentacle a separate threatening hook, and the impundulu flies from the page with an astonishing 13-inch wing span.

If you are looking for a gift or a book to add to your own home library, The Ultimate Book of Mythical Creatures checks all the boxes for mythology and animal lovers, history buffs, art lovers, readers of classics and fantasy literature, and anyone who wants to know more about the world’s rich cultural influences. The book would also be a dynamic addition to any classroom or public library collection.

Ages 5+

Twirl Books, 2026 | ISBN 979-1027614561

About the Author

Aurore Meyer is a writer of games, documentaries, and workbooks for children and adults. She works near Bordeaux, France.

About the Illustrator

Gabrielle Berger launched her illustration career in 2018. She lives in Paris, France. Follow her on Instagram.

You can purchase The Ultimate Book of Mythical Creatures from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

July 31 – Shark Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

To the sorrow of many, Shark Week is coming to a fin-ish, but it’s never too late to indulge your love of these awesome marine animals! These denizens of the deep, and especially the Great White, are endlessly fascinating. Their toothy power, instantly recognizable fin, and the lore which has grown up around them, make them fearsome and awesome subjects for study and stories any time of the year. Today’s book—the first in an exciting new series—will satisfy all shark and adventure fans!

Thanks to Scholastic for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Max Beast: Sharknado Warning

By Maddy Mara

As Max manned the boat while his parents explored the wreckage of a superyacht that recently sank, he suddenly found himself fighting for survival against a massive shark that charged their boat, sending Max into the churning sea. Just before he went under, though, Max caught a glimpse of an unusual marking on the shark’s belly. Where had he seen that image before? There was no time to think about that, however, as the massive beast was about to attack. Max braced himself. But instead of rushing at him, the shark began thrashing, and Max could see that the strange marking was an infinity symbol.

It began pulsing red then ripped itself from the shark’s chest. The silver pendant floated in the water for a moment, and Max realized he’d seen this charm around the neck of a teenager, Hector, who’d barged in front of him and his parents in the dive shop where they’d gotten their snorkeling equipment. Suddenly, it “flew through the water toward Max like a magnet to metal” and “sank into Max’s skin.” Then things really started to happen. As the shark began losing its fearsome features and sprouting arms, legs, and a shock of hair Max recognized as Hector’s, Max was undergoing the opposite transition. In a moment, he was longer, stronger, had hundreds of teeth, sharper vision, and a fin and tail.

This transformation changes everything, and even thought Max and Hector don’t like or trust each other, they’re linked—not only because they’re both trying to locate the superyacht (Hector to loot it, and Max to stop him and find his parents) but because they can read each other’s thoughts. This ability comes in handy as they battle Hector’s cohorts and their spearguns, a giant squid, a dive cage, and other explosive underwater menaces as well as time, itself. Will Max achieve his aims and become a boy again, or will Hector win out? It’s time to dive in and see for yourself!

With nonstop action amid a dangerous setting and mysterious circumstances, Maddy Mara’s Max Beast: Sharknado Warning introduces readers to an appealing young hero who embraces his new persona and uses his intelligence and wits, while staying true to his principles as he overcomes adversity and solves a mystery. Fast-paced plotting, compelling characters, high stakes, and gripping dialogue sprinkled with humor as well as exhilarating black-and-white illustrations by Khadijah Khatib make this a book that will thrill all readers. They will eagerly look forward to Max’s next adventure in Max Beast: Tiger Terror.

Ages 7 – 10

Scholastic, 2026 | ISBN 979-8225002770

About the Authors

Maddy Mara is the pen name of Australian creative duo Hilary Rogers and Meredith Badger. Hilary is a writer and former publisher; Meredith is a writer and teaches English as a second language. Together they have written or created many bestselling series for kids, including Dragon Girls, Dragon Games, and Forever Fairies. Dragon Girls has over 1.5 million copies in print and is available in multiple countries and languages. They live on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people in Melbourne, Australia. Their website is maddymara.com.

Shark Week Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-shark-jar-craft

Shark Organizer Jar Craft

Are some of your favorite things scattered here and there? Would you like to be able to get a good clamp on them? Then here’s a craft you can really sink your teeth into! This shark organizer jar is easy and fun to make and a fin-tastic way to keep your stuff tidy!

Supplies

Wide-mouth plastic jar, like a peanut-butter jar
Gray craft paint
White craft paint
Black craft paint
Paint brush

Directions

Find a point in the middle of the jar on opposite sides of the jar
Mid-way between these points on the other sides of the jar, find a point about 1 1/2 inches above the first points
From the first point draw an angled line up to the higher point and down again to the lower point to make the shark’s upper jaw
Repeat Direction Number 3 to make the shark’s lower jaw
With the gray paint fill in the jar below these lines to make the shark’s head
Along the jawline, paint jagged teeth with the white paint
Add black dots for eyes on either side of the shark’s head
Let dry

You can purchase Max Beast: Sharknado Warning from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

November 14 – Human-Animal Relationship Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Animals and humans coexist on Earth in so many amazing ways. Our pets are beloved family members, we interact and care for the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and other backyard animals that we see every day, and we are mindful of and should be caretakers of the wild animals that inhabit the plains, mountains, and seas of our planet. Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week was established by the Animals & Society Institute, which “helps improve and expand knowledge about human-animal relationships in order to create safer and more compassionate communities for all.” Over this week people are encouraged to think about companion animals, assistance animals, animals in shelters, and the safety and well-being of the animals in our care. To celebrate, spend more time with your pet and consider donating to your local animal shelter or wildlife organization. To read more about their work and their future, visit the Animals & Society Institute’s website.

Thank you to Rise x Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House for sharing a copy of this book for review! All opinions are my own.

A Sound in the Night

By María Coco

A dog snoozes in his favorite chair, his tennis ball passing the time nearby. An ear perks up, and then an eye opens to see his human stuffing a backpack. He rushes to the door, his tale thumps while he holds his tennis ball in his teeth. Soon they’re on the road passing cotton candy trees, the wind riffling the dog’s ears. His companion smiles as she drives.

When they reach the campsite, they play fetch, swim, fly a kite, and finally set up their tent. In the light of a small campfire, they enjoy s’mores and watch a shooting star. Then it’s time for a book and bed. Sometime during the night, the two are awakened by a “CRACK.” And another, closer. And another, LOUDER.

The human hides in the sleeping bag. The dog perches on top. The cracking continues while outside a long shadow appears. Soon, curiosity takes over, and the pair peek through the tent flap. Courageously, they walk out into the darkness and take a few steps toward the shadowy shape. In the cone of light from the flashlight they discover . . . a cat.

The cat happily accepts their pats and licks then joins them for breakfast and hiking the next day. The cat and the dog are sad to part as the human breaks down the tent and ties the bundle atop the car. Back on the road again, the little car passes by the cotton candy trees, the wind riffling the dog’s ears. But is that an extra tail we see through the window? Clever clues in the next few pages build excitement for the sweet and happy new family member reveal.

María Coco’s nearly wordless story is as delightful as it is inviting. Coco’s simple line drawings, shapes, and whimsical touches on clean white or midnight-blue pages allow children’s imaginations free roam to lend details from their own experiences to this suspenseful friendship-building campout. Sweet, companionable smiles and even the shared terror between this pair show their devotion to each other as well as their willingness to include a surprise newcomer. Coco’s distinctive limited-color risograph-printed illustrations enchant with neon pink, yellow, and orange highlights and a touch of purple waiting to be discovered.

A charming choice for quiet reading or to invite imaginative participation, A Sound in the Night would make a perfect gift for any book or pet lover and is a must for library collections.

Ages 2 – 6+

Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2025 | ISBN 978-0593890608

María Coco is a children’s book author and illustrator from the north of Mexico. Although she graduated with a degree in graphic design and worked as a web designer for many years in Mexico City, New York, Santiago de Chile, and elsewhere, in 2017 she followed her heart and moved to England to focus on what she loves the most. In 2019 she graduated with distinction from the MA program in children’s book illustration at Cambridge School of Art. María likes using limited colors for her bold characters and compositions and enjoys the handmade textures and unexpected results of traditional techniques such as screen-printing. Her stories are perfectly paced page-turners. Her main sources of inspiration come from nature, music, and cycling around the world. When she’s not in her studio, she may be hiding in the forest in the company of her husband, daughter, and rescue dog. Visit her at maria-coco.com.

Human-Animal Relationship Week Activity

Find a Friend Matching Puzzle

Each of these humans and animals have a friend or friends. Can you pick up on the clues to match the pairs?

Find a Friend Matching Puzzle with Border | Find a Friend Matching Puzzle with No Border

You can purchase A Sound in the Night from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

September 15 – Agatha Christie’s Birthday

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

On this date in 1890, Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, Devon England. She began writing detective fiction while working as a nurse during World War 1 and published her first novel—The Mysterious Affair at Styles—in 1920. This novel introduced the world to the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, who went on to be featured in 25 novels and many short stories. Miss Jane Marple—an insightful spinster whose world view was limited to her own small town—appeared in 1930 in Murder at the Vicarage.

Agatha Christie also wrote plays, and her works have been adapted for the big screen as well as for multiple series on television and through streaming. Agatha Christie has delighted and influenced multiple generations of readers and continues to do so. Her books have sold more than 100 million copies and have been translated into 100 languages. She died on January 12, 1976 in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. To commemorate her life, read (or reread) one of her novels or watch a movie or show based on one of Hercule Poirot’s or Miss Marple’s intriguing cases. It’s also a perfect time to introduce your kids to Agatha with today’s book!

Thank you to Twirl Books and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy of this book for review.

The Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville

Written by Paul Martin | Illustrated by Camille Roy

Do your kids love mysteries? Do they have “little gray cells” that can discern fact from well-disguised fiction, an eye for the telltale clue, and a natural desire to help those in distress? If so, they’ll want to join Agatha as her sidekick in solving the eight cases that make up the clever and challenging collection of mysteries in The Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville.

As Case 1: The Snatched Suitcase opens, Agatha has just departed the train at the Kittyville station “with a big dream: to become a detective.” No sooner has she stepped onto the platform when she notices Dr. Erica Poodle, a famous scientist, who’s been knocked to ground. Dr. Poodle tells Agatha that her suitcase containing the plans for her latest invention has been taken.

As Dr. Poodle reveals more about her suitcase, readers join Agatha as she investigates all the action at the train station and in the train still idling on the tracks. There’s so much for a detective to consider. There are the passengers lounging inside the train cars, those waiting outside on the platform, and even more coming and going inside the station. And then there are the painters on the roof and the workers in the station’s offices, cafe, ticket booth, and newsstand.

With her trusty binoculars, Agatha spies Dr. Poodle’s suitcase and a clue nearby. She asks her sidekick readers if they see them too. The clue whittles the number of suspects down to four. After interrogating them, Agatha turns over their statements, as well as the statement by the witness, to readers to think about. Agatha then provides three of her own insights into the case to help kids crack the case. If they need a bit more help, the solution to the case can be found in the back of the book.

The other seven mysteries that Agatha and readers investigate follow the same format: an introduction, three clues that help kids shrink the suspect pool to four, one witness statement, and finally three prompts to set kids in the right direction. These other cases take Agatha and kids to Dr. Erika Poodle’s lab, a newly inherited mansion, a museum of natural history, the Savings Bank, the Kittyville Elementary School carnival, a circus, and Agatha’s own house.

This well-conceived interactive book not only provides plenty of fun but is an excellent way to engage children in critical reading and thinking, help them develop keen observation skills, and assist in sharpening their reasoning abilities.

Paul Martin presents each case in compelling high-stakes vignettes that will pique reader’s investigative interest and get their brains whirring as they scan the crime scenes. His straightforward and easy-to-understand descriptions and prompts allow all levels of detectives to solve the cases on their own or with a bit of assistance from an adult or older sibling.

Camille Roy fills her dynamic gatefold pages with an astonishing array of details that add humor and intrigue to every case. The panoramic images boast red herrings, humor, and tons of atmospheric elements that fully flesh out each environment. These enticing details also offer opportunities for extension fun, including creating homemade “I Spy” games, counting and sorting, drawing, and making up stories about the people, families, and groups populating each scene.

The Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville is an ingenious book that will excite young sleuths and puzzle fans alike and would be a much-appreciated gift or addition to any home bookshelf or library collection. Add case-inspired snacks and each mystery would make for an entertaining family fun night too!

Ages 5 and up

Twirl Books, 2025 | ISBN 979-1036381447

About the Author

A long-time editor of a children’s magazine, Paul Martin now writes novels, puzzle books, and graphic novels for children. He lives in Lille, France.

About the Illustrator

Camille Roy is an illustrator who lives in Paris, France.

Agatha Christie’s Birthday Activity

Elements of a Mystery Word Search Puzzle

Follow the clues to solve this mystery-related word search puzzle!

Elements of a Mystery Word Search Puzzle | Word Search Puzzle Answers

You can purchase The Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville from these booksellers:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 22 – It’s Mystery Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Do you and your kids love mysteries? Then the month of May is for you! That’s to be expected as May is all about mysteries! Established by Booklist, which is part of the American Library Association, Mystery Month highlights all things mysterious and offers webinars, articles, awards, recommendations, and more! Mysteries, with their unusual situations, puzzling clues, usual suspects, and plenty of unexplained phenomena, are great for getting kids—even reluctant readers—to fall in love with books. With so many classic and new mysteries to investigate, this month’s celebration may just last all summer! And if you like your mysteries fun and educational, you’ll love today’s book!

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt

Written by Jamie Michalak | Illustrated by Kelly Murphy

Dakota Crumb—a tiny mouse with an enormous talent for treasure hunting—receives a letter from her cousin Julien imploring her to help him find a rare book about lost treasures that has been hidden somewhere in Paris. Julien has left her one picture clue as to where it might be, and Dakota loses no time in rushing out the door to follow the trail.

She discovers the image on the door of the quaint Le Mystère Café et Librairie. Inside, all is quiet, but another clue is waiting for her. She finds and grabs the item hinted at, only to discover another clue that leads her upstairs “past spying eyes.” Once on the second floor—the Children’s Room—Dakota scans the room for the object she needs and spies it in a most dangerous place! Can she possibly collect it? With courage and pluck, she nabs it from the “sleeping monster” and hurries away.

The hunt is still on! Dakota hasn’t found the rare book yet, so she follows the newest clue, which takes her to yet another and then on a wild climb up a long rope. At the top she finds “a most mysterious place!” Lights shine from inside this tiny shop, but it’s flanked by two large stone-cat bookends. Will Dakota find the treasure book at last? Or is it a trap?”

With trepidation Dakota opens the door. “‘Surprise!'” It’s a party for Dakota! And who’s at the door to greet her? Her cousin Julien, holding her present—the “rare and priceless” treasure book she’s been seeking! Dancing and tasty treats await. “And the mice celebrate until Paris twinkles like birthday candles.”

The fun doesn’t end after the story as Dakota invites readers to a treasure hunt of their own, presenting more than 30 items for them to look for on the pages throughout the book. In addition, Kelly Murphy’s wonderfully atmospheric illustrations are so jam-packed full of whimsical elements that enterprising adults or older siblings could easily make up multiple treasure hunts for kids to enjoy.

Whether your kids are already fans of Dakota Crumb or are meeting her for the first time, Jamie Michalak’s newest treasure hunting adventure is a delightful seek-and-find caper full of mystery, intrigue, and gentle suspense. Michalak’s charming storytelling and rhyming clues will have children feeling like sleuths themselves as they hunt along with Dakota for each new item. When Dakota discovers that her cousin planned the whole quest as a special birthday gift and surprise, kids will love being included in this ingenious expression of family love.

Kelly Murphy’s lovely illustrations are infused with the ambiance of Paris as Dakota finds her way to Le Mystère Café et Librairie, where her adventure takes place. Each nook and cranny of this enchanting establishment are filled with clever details that will enthrall kids. From the warmth and delicious pastries of the café to the captivating staircase to the enticing Children’s Room with its resident canine “monster,” and the final party room overlooking Paris, Murphy’s incredible eye for detail and feel for character and mood envelopes readers in this cozy bookshop.

An immersive romp, Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop will thrill mystery fans and I-spy puzzle lovers, alike and will be asked for again and again. The book makes a fantastic gift and is highly recommended for home bookshelves and all library collections.

Click here for my review of Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter and Interview with Jamie Michalak! You’ll also find a Dakota Crumb Activity Kit!

Ages 3 – 8

Candlewick, 2025 | ISBN 978-1536223309

Jamie Michalak is the author of Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter, illustrated by Kelly Murphy; the Frank and Bean books, illustrated by Bob Kolar; the Joe and Sparky series, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz; and many other acclaimed titles for young readers. She lives in Rhode Island. Visit her at jamiemichalakbooks.com.

Kelly Murphy is the award-winning author-illustrator of The Boll Weevil Ball and illustrator of Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter by Jamie Michalak; Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters and Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters, both by Jane Yolen; and many other picture books and chapter books. She lives in Rhode Island. You can visit her at kelmurphy.com.

Mystery Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-what's-missing-game

The Case of the Missing Object Game

This fun game combines memory building with just the right amount of suspense and spookiness when played at night or in a room that can become totally black when the lights are turned off. If you play in the daytime, just have the players leave the room while you take away objects.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-what's-missing-game

Rules

Gather a number of small objects (the number will depend on the ages of the players. For younger players, gather 5 – 7 objects. For older players try 12 or more)
Lay the objects out on a table or the floor
Tell the players to look at the objects for a certain amount of time. The time will depend on the ages of the players—a longer time for younger children, shorter for older kids (or to make the game more exciting)
When the time is up, turn out the lights or send players out of the room.
Remove 1 to 3 objects. To make the game more difficult rearrange the remaining objects
Turn the lights back on.
Let children guess which objects have been removed.
Repeat until all the objects are gone
For an alternate game, instead of removing objects, add one or two

You can purchase Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

April 9 – National Unicorn Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

There may be no more beloved magical creature than the unicorn. Unicorns have been part of legend since ancient times, undergoing changes from an image of fierceness and power to a representation of strength and true love to today’s more glittery superstar. To celebrate today, learn more about the history of these mystical animals and check out the latest addition to the wildly popular unicorn-tastic Unicorn Diaries series!

Thank you to Scholastic for sharing a copy of The Secret of the Lost Gold with me.

The Secret of the Lost Gold (Unicorn Diaries #11)

By Rebecca Elliott

As the latest story in the Unicorn Diaries begin, Rainbow Tinseltail (Bo, for short) reveals that dark clouds and lightening foretell a storm, and over night winds, rain, and unipod-shaking thunder do sweep through Sparklegrove Forest, where the unicorns, gnomes, and other magical creatures live. In the morning, everyone wakes to find “a very big mess all across the forest.” It’s then that Mr. Rumptwinkle, the unicorn’s teacher at the Sparklegrove School for Unicorns (S.S.U.), cancels class for the day, instead sending his students out into the forest to see who needs help.

They find that no one—from the fairies to the gnomes to the mermaids, dragons, and trolls—has escaped the storm unscathed. “But the great news was that no one was hurt.” The unicorns bring some friends home for hot tea and buttermoon biscuits as they all talk about how they can help rebuild. Edna Gnome remembers an “old Rebuild and Repair spell” from “long ago” that could restore the entire forest at once, but she needs “special ancient gold nuggets” to make it work.

The next day, the unicorns head out for Queen Juniper’s castle to learn where to get the ancient gold only to discover that the castle has been damaged too. From Princess Greta, the unicorns learn that the gold has always been stored in a cave in the Dark Woods and is protected by a griffin named Edgar and from their werewolf friend Barry, they discover where the cave is: in the most dangerous part of the Dark Woods.

Undaunted (well, maybe a little) and brave, the unicorns continue their quest. Along the way they use their individual powers to outsmart a giant, calm upset night sprites, and cheer up “grumpy talking trees.” When they got to the cave, the unicorns were even able to befriend the griffin and retrieve the gold they needed.

Back at Queen Juniper’s castle, Edna makes the magic rainbow-colored dust and, as Bo writes, “Everyone worked together to rebuild our forest.” Queen Juniper held a royal ball with “scrumptious food, lots of desserts, and golden glitter fireworks” to celebrate. She even honored Edgar with a “majestic golden necklace as a special thank-you for protecting the forest’s gold.” And the unicorns? They earned their Treasure Hunt patches and made a new friend in Edgar!

It’s easy to see why Rebecca Elliot’s Unicorn Diaries is so beloved by early and newly independent readers. Each book in the series is warm and welcoming, beginning with its first chapter, which introduces new readers to the unicorns and world of Sparklegrove Forest with an illustrated map; a fun-facts description of the book’s new featured magical being (the griffin, in this book); surprising details about unicorns (for instance, that their horn is perfect for carrying cotton candy and can be used as a flashlight and that a swish of their tail enacts their secret power); and information about their school.

The Secret of the Lost Gold, the 11th book in the series, is a perfect addition to Elliot’s unicorn lore. Full of imagination; friendship; high-stakes, yet solvable challenges; magic; and humor, the story will captivate readers with its positivity, gentle suspense, and underlying message that they have the power to be brave and to take action to give back to their communities. The diary format of the book allows Elliot to combine larger-size, easy-to-read text with colorful illustrations that provide a natural, confidence-building bridge from picture books to text-only chapter books.

Whether your child is a fan of the Unicorn Diaries series or just discovering this magical world of reading, The Secret of the Lost Gold is a book you’ll want to add to your child’s home bookshelves. For classrooms, school, and public libraries, this latest trip to Sparklegrove Forest is a must.

Ages 5 – 7

Scholastic, 2025 | ISBN 978-1546127161

About the Author/Illustrator

Rebecca Elliott has illustrated many children’s books, including Kiss, Kiss Good Night. She wrote and illustrated the New York Times bestselling Owl Diaries series, the Unicorn Diaries series, Just Because, and Zoo Girl, which was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal. She lives with her family in the countryside of Suffolk, England.

National Unicorn Day Activity

Unicorn Coloring Pages

Kids’ll have fun grabbing some crayons and glitter and making magical moments with these Unicorn Coloring pages!

Happy Unicorn Coloring Page | Unicorn Leaping Over Rainbow | Unicorn Reading a Book

You can purchase The Secret of the Lost Gold from these booksellers

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

Picture Book Review

December 15 – It’s Gift-Giving Season

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

If you’re looking for a gift for an older child or tween who’s curious about history, loves a good mystery, and is into puzzles, cyphers, and seemingly impossible feats, then you’ll want to put today’s book at the top of your shopping list. Books that encourage a child’s natural interests, stretches their knowledge, and sends them off to discover more about the world will always be gifts they appreciate.

I’d like to thank Little Gestalten for sending me a copy of Legendary Escapes for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Legendary Escapes

Written by Soledad Romero Mariño | Illustrated by Julio Antonio Blasco

There may be nothing as as thrilling as a daring escape from a dangerous situation or as mind-boggling as a seemingly impossible breakout from a high-security location. “How did they do that?” we ask, and usually we’re left scratching our heads as a few details trickle out and then the information dries up. But that’s not what happens when you get your hands on Legendary Escapes! Here, children (and, I dare say, a good number of adults) will learn each escapee’s backstory, discover the conditions of the prison, territory, or situation left behind, become privy to the planning stages of the escape, and then follow along, step-by-step, as the escapee fools their captors.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-legendary-escapes-strelzyk-family

Image copyright Julio Antonio Blasco, 2022, text copyright Soledad Romero Mariño, 2022.

In nine information-packed chapters, Soledad Romero introduces readers not only to these ingenious masterminds but to history, geography, and culture from 1750s Venice to Mexico in 2015. Her compelling narrative style draws readers in with straightforward, easily understood descriptions that allow them to immerse themselves in every aspect of the case at hand. Fascinating tidbits sprinkled throughout each chapter will amaze and may spark further research, while the titles of movies made about some of these events will have families grabbing the remote.

Among these astounding true stories, readers learn how one escapist “vanished” from prison by recreating the key to his cell from memory after seeing it in his jailer’s hand; how three prisoners fashioned papier-mâché heads to fool the guards at bed checks; how a man slipped through the meal-tray slot in his prison door to gain his freedom; how a slave fled the South for the free North with the help of the postal system; and how a charming rogue and conman, jailed for having a banned book, finally broke out of a notorious prison after a first attempt was thwarted. And that’s just to get you started!

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-legendary-escapes-operation-star

Image copyright Julio Antonio Blasco, 2022, text copyright Soledad Romero Mariño, 2022.

Each color-coded chapter of this book, ingeniously designed by Julio Antonio Blasco, reads like above-the-fold newspaper articles published in The Los Angeles Examiner, the Daily Mirror, El País, Die Welt, and Korea Joongang Daily, among others, all complete with attention-grabbing headlines, sidebars, and eye-catching images that tell stories of their own. Stylized illustrations replicate over-the-wall scrambles, dangerous escape routes, WANTED posters, and insider views of some of the world’s toughest prisons. Readers will pore over each page, wanting to discover each fact, parse the clues, and find out what happened to each escapee.

Legendary Escapes is a book that will excite any history, journalism, mystery, or crime buff and offers a thrilling way to engage students in discovering the wider stories around these escapes. The book would make an excellent gift and is a must for any reader who loves to delve into the details of captivating true stories and compelling biographies. Legendary Escapes is a book that every school and public library should hold in its collection.

Ages 10 – 13

Little Gestalten, 2022 | ISBN 978-3967047301

About the Author

Soledad Romero began her career as a creative director in advertising. In parallel, she founded her own publishing house where she collaborated with artists from all over the world. She now dedicates herself exclusively to the creation of children’s books as an author and editor. You can connect with her on Instagram.

About the Illustrator

Julio Antonio Blasco has worked as an illustrator and graphic designer for 15 years. He uses drawing, painting, collage, and other techniques in order to bring his books, and the characters within them, to life. You can view a portfolio of his work on his website.

**You can find Legendary Escapes at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

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You can find Legendary Escapes at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Share this:

**You can find Legendary Escapes at these booksellers**