February 17 – Random Acts of Kindness Day

About the Holiday

It’s Random Acts of Kindness Day! Coming mid-way through Random Acts of Kindness Week, today’s holiday offers the perfect time to begin or reconfirm your commitment to doing nice things for those around you. Simple gestures of kindness—like sharing a smile, giving a compliment, or helping out when you see someone struggling—make anyone feel better and create a bond that brings a community closer. To keep the good feelings flowing throughout the year, look for opportunities to help out and share books that encourage kindness, such as today’s book!

Thank you to Orchard Books/Scholastic for sharing a copy of Hop Helps Out with me!

Hop Helps Out

By Marc Brown, Tolon Brown and Peter Hirsch

One morning as Hop and Benny are out exploring their town of Fair Village, they come across a troll named Helga, who’s crying because she’s too afraid to venture out into the world on her own. Hop immediately takes her by the hand and invites her to come adventuring with him and Benny. Hop and Benny are eager to show their new friend Helga some of their favorite places.

First, they visit a meadow, lush with clover, daisies, lupines, daffodils, and wildflowers in a rainbow of colors. Then Benny wants to show Helga the small mobile home he lives in. His yard, strewn with toys and games and sporting a garden, delights Helga, and when they go inside she is treated to a mug of hot chocolate and a story. Next, they take Helga to their friend Hoot’s farm. ‘”She’s as cute as a kitten in a mitten,'” Hoot declares. “‘You can help me milk the cows, Helga,'” Hoot says. Afterward, they’re all treated to homemade ice cream, dress up play, and a ride in Hoot’s talking car, Jinx.

Jinx takes the merry group to see another friend, Filipa. Filipa is just filling the swimming pool underneath her treehouse when they arrive. Helga can’t believe her eyes. There are so many fun things to do here; even a swing! Even though Benny warns Helga not to swing too high, she falls off. But when Hop hurries over, Helga giggles and reveals that trolls “‘can bounce.'” In Filipa’s art studio, Helga gets to try out being creative—with herself as the canvas. Not to worry, though! Filipa fills her pool with bubbles for an impromptu (and colorful) bubble bath. “‘I like bubbles,’ cheered Helga.” “‘Who doesn’t?'” Hop agrees.

Next on the tour is Hop’s Lily Pad Diner, where Hop’s sister, Penny, plays the piano while the others dance. All this activity and excitement is making Helga tired and ready to go home. When they arrive, Helga treats her new friends to a Moon Snack of sassafras twigs and fungus chips. No one wants this fun day to end. Especially Helga, who is happy to be part of the group and to have discovered so much. “‘The world is filled with so many good things.'” she exclaims.

The story is followed by a detailed map of Fair Village with many homes, restaurants, farms, parks, and other landmarks for kids to explore. In an afterword, Marc Brown explains how the world of Hop—a new animated series streaming on MAX—started out as a doodle of a frog with one leg shorter than the other then joined by a host of other characters. Brown, with the help of his son Tolon (a producer on the Arthur series) and Peter Hirsch (the head writer for Arthur), expanded on this inclusive universe for a younger audience.

Brown shares, “It was important to me that Hop’s world introduced characters that were reflective of our communities and friends and inclusive of children who had been underrepresented in the media. In Fair Village, disabilities never define who you are or what you can achieve. Our goal is to create a safe, inviting world that challenges kids to appreciate others who are not like them and to act with understanding and kindness.”

Enthusiasm, kindness, and acceptance radiate from the pages, as Hop and Benny take charge of showing Helga around Fair Village—a name that reflects both the beauty of the town as well as how its residents treat each other—and introducing her to things she’s never seen before. Young readers will find pleasure in sharing so many of these favorites too, such as hot chocolate, bubble baths, ice cream, and playing dress up, with this crew of fast friends. Gentle humor is sprinkled throughout, and the simply stated, heartfelt ending invites readers to look around at their own family, friends, home, and community and find the “many good things” there.

Marc Brown’s illustrations are infused with color and offer children a multitude of familiar things to see and identify. The full-bleed spreads immerse readers in the community of Fair Village and the individual homes of the characters. Detail-oriented children will love lingering over the map to find each of the character’s homes as well as fun additions, such as the crooked house, the haunted castle, and the appropriately shaped Pie Shop, Pizza Palace, and Pet Hospital. As this book and the series are inclusive of children underrepresented in media, Brown depicts Hop’s anisomelia (having one leg shorter than the other) in his two different shoes—one of which has an extra, yellow layer to its sole. Helga is coded as having agoraphobia.

A tie-in to the new MAX series HOP, Hop Helps Out introduces children to some of the characters and the vast Fair Village community in a joyful and empathetic way. The story can stand alone as well, encouraging discussions about meeting new people, being open to new experiences, visiting unfamiliar places, and showing kindness to others.

Ages 4 – 8

Orchard Books/Scholastic, 2025 | ISBN 978-1339035680

About the Creators

Marc Brown is the beloved creator of the bestselling Arthur Adventure book series and creative producer of PBS’s Peabody and Emmy award-winning television series Arthur, now the longest-running children’s animated show in history. He also has illustrated many other books for children, including the New York Times bestseller Wild About Books, as well as The Little Shop of Monsters and Mary McScary, both written by R.L. Stine. For more information, visit marcbrownstudios.com.

Peter Hirsch is the co-creator and head writer of the MAX series, HOP. Before then he was the head writer of the PBS series Arthur for over 20 years. He has won 7 Emmys and a Peabody award, and lives in New York City with his wife, playwright Cusi Cram, and their two overweight cats.

Tolon Brown is an Emmy award-wining producer of culturally significant shows such as Arthur on PBS, and co-creator of the animated series HOP on MAX. Long ago he discovered a fondness for complaining about “good coffee” and people who can’t change a flat tire, which inspired him to split his time between Brooklyn and Baldwin County, Alabama in order to pursue both. Somehow he managed to raise two amazing daughters, yet remains open to the possibility that was purely accidental.

You can purchase Hop Helps Out at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

February 14 – Read to Your Child Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday is one one of the best days of the year for kids and adults who love to read together. Reading to children has many benefits from helping with language development to instilling in children a love of books and learning to building bonds that last a lifetime. Today, as it happens, is also Valentine’s Day, and there’s no better way to say “I Love You” than by spending time together with a grrrreat book like today’s! For neat ideas on how to make the most of Read to Your Child Day, visit Days of the Year.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sharing a copy of Little Lion Girl with me!

Review by Dorothy Levine

Little Lion Girl

Written by Olivia Hope | Illustrated by Fiona Woodcock

It’s time to line up for a copy of Little Lion Girl, a vibrant tale of mother and daughter taking on the roaring city.

When Leonie spots the orange lights of the train coming to take her to the big city, she knows it’s time for an adventure. On the ride she notices unique characters around her and decides she too will meet the city with extravagance. With the help of a few accessories, Leonie cleverly transforms herself into a lion. When “the city roared like a jungle,” Leonie “roared back at the city. / She shook her mane and swished her tail. / She was lion girl.”

Lion girl spends the day stalking through bustling colorful streets, “through legs like trees between squawks, grunts, and shrieks” finding lions inside and out of a museum as she goes. In a cafe families sit in their “prides;” in the park she declares she is the king of the city.

All is going lion-tastically when a butterfly—a real wild thing—causes her to wander a bit further from her mother. Without her mama lion, the city jungle starts to feel bigger, and lion girl curls up in fear. Just as she starts to lose her roar, her mother calls to her, and they reunite with a hug and a purr.

Olivia Hope’s upbeat tale will excite wild children and their animal-loving hearts. From barking engines to city bustle grunts and shrieks, Hope’s story is jam-packed with animal-based vocabulary to set the scene. As Leonie and her mother explore the city, the reader’s confidence will grow along with lion girl as she explores the feelings that come with each step of her journey. A sweet story that inspires children to venture out with bravery, while also offering a gentle reminder that staying close to the pack is important too. Little Lion Girl shows kids that it’s okay to feel scared sometimes and to receive comfort from adults.

Fiona Woodcock’s illustrations light up the city in soft primary color hues. Leonie’s cat ears and scarf-tail form an exciting shadow of a real lion as she prowls through the streets. Woodcock illustrates a wonderfully diverse range of characters, including two train passengers dressed to resemble a zebra and giraffe—one of whom is spotted again later at the park. Leonie’s detailed facial expressions reflect her awe, excitement, fear and ultimately comfort when she snuggles up against her mom.

Little Lion Girl would make a lovely addition to home and library collections. It’s the perfect read-aloud to take with you on a train ride or to read while gearing up for an adventure!

Ages 3 – 6

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1547616688

About the Author

Olivia Hope is an Irish writer with a special love for fiction about wild children. Before becoming an author, she was a teacher, creative arts facilitator and even an international athlete. She currently lives in the wilds of Southwest Ireland with her family.

About the Illustrator

Fiona Woodcock is an illustrator and picture book author. She studied Graphic Communication at Glasgow School of Art and for many years worked in animation. Her debut book Hiding Heidi was nominated for the 2017 Kate Greenaway award. Look was the winner of the AOI World Illustration Awards 2019, and A Dot In The Snow by Corrinne Averiss was selected as one of ‘The Times Children’s Books of the Year 2016’ and nominated for the Kate Greenaway Award 2018. Fiona lives in London.

Read to Your Child Day Activity

Image courtesy of Hello Wonderful

Paper Tube Lion

Kids can make and display this cute Paper Tube Lion from Hello Wonderful to remind themselves that they are as brave and confident as a lion.

You can purchase Little Lion Girl at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

February 11 – National Inventors’ Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday was established in 1983 and is celebrated on February 11 to honor the birthday of Thomas Edison. The day recognizes the spirit of inventors who look at life a little differently, let their imagination fly, and create a new . . . something! While we often think of inventions that change the world on a day like today, simple ideas implemented at home also make a big impact—or just lead to lots of fun. If you and/or your kids enjoy being creative, today’s the day to tinker around with your ideas.

Thanks to Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers for sharing a digital copy of The Quiet One with me!

The Quiet One

By Yiting Lee

In her noisy classroom, Milly was the quiet one. She wasn’t exactly sure why she didn’t join in with her talkative classmates or why she especially dreaded Show and Tell, which was coming up on Friday. She most liked hanging out in her “secret place”—a shed filled with all sorts of things people didn’t need anymore or had forgotten. Milly was happy in her own company and liked to entertain herself by transforming other people’s old junk into amazing inventions like a running wheel for the shed’s mice and a working train from unused roller skates.

Then Milly found a broken cleaning robot. Getting out her toolbox, two caster wheels, and other supplies, Milly went to work. When she was finished and rebooted the robot, she was astonished to discover that it could talk—”Hi, I’m Arnold,” it said. Milly told Arnold her name. All afternoon Milly and Arnold worked to turn Milly’s secret place into a playground. Then as Milly explained what she wanted to build next, she “realized it was the first time she ever really enjoyed talking.”

Milly was still nervous about Show and Tell, but Arnold told her he would go with her and she could talk about him. On Friday, under the gaze of her classmates who seemed to loom above her, Milly froze. Arnold came to the rescue. He introduced himself and began: “Milly made me out of . . . of . . .”. He stopped, not knowing what came next. But Milly found her voice and finished the story, becoming more passionate about her subject as she went along. In fact, “she was so caught up in the moment that she forgot all about her fear.” Her classmates thought Milly was amazing, and Milly, later playing with her new friends on the playground she and Arnold had built, “was happy that she had been heard.”

Yiting Lee’s story offers reassurance to quiet, introspective children as well as to those who feel anxious when talking in or to a group. Through Milly’s experience, such children may feel encouraged to talk about a special skill, experience, or talent or to share the “stage” with a supportive friend who can help them overcome their fear. Lee also reminds readers that—as a favorite teacher of mine liked to say—”still waters run deep”, and that beneath a quiet exterior often bubbles unique perspectives, creativity, and loyal friendship.

Lee’s charming, cartoon illustrations contrast how Milly shrinks in her raucous classroom with how she comes alive in the junk shed—for her, a lab full of exploration, inspiration, and energy. Readers will enjoy stopping to look over all the images of Milly’s inventions and be inspired to create a few themselves.

A fast-paced, multilayered and inspiring story to spark confidence, foster understanding, and build connections among kids of all talents, The Quiet One offers a valuable resource for classrooms and school libraries and is a heartening choice for home and library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers, 2025 | ISBN 978-0802856418

About the Author/illustrator

Yiting Lee was once the quiet one in class, much like Milly. She followed her love of art to earn her MA in children’s book illustration at the University of Cambridge. Originally from Taiwan, Yiting currently lives in Surrey, England, where she has illustrated books like What’s the Rush? (Princeton Architectural) and Little Dinosaurs, Big Feelings (Magic Cat). Follow her on Instagram @yitinglee_art and visit her website at yitinglee.com.

National Inventors’ Day Activity

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Inventor’s Box

For young inventors or tinkerers, having bits and pieces of this and that as well as some tools to work with all stored in one place encourages creative thinking. Filling the drawers of a tool case, a tool box, or a tackle box with items like springs, brads, wheels, hinges, plastic piping, pieces of wood, glue, tape, and simple tools can spark a child’s imagination. Take your child along to the craft or hardware store and choose items together!

You can purchase The Quiet One at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

January 15 – It’s International Creativity Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Are you an artist, a writer, a decorator, a chef? How about a floral arranger, a woodworker, a fashion designer, or a gardener? Inside almost every heart lies a desire to create. Whether you use your ingenuity in your job or as an escape from the routine, this month celebrates all that is innovative. Sometimes this comes not in something you can see or touch but in a new thought or novel way of solving a problem—as seen in today’s book!

Thanks to Carolrhoda Books and Barb Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy of Bear’s Big Idea with me! All opinions on the book are my own.

Bear’s Big Idea

Written by Sandra Nickel | Illustrated by Il Sung Na

Fish and Bear were best friends. They did everything together, and usually—well, always—Fish was the one with the ideas. “Every morning, Fish would wake up, put on her glasses, and just like that, she would know the perfect thing to do.” Every day of the week, Fish found something—a rope, a sled, an umbrella, and a blanket—and dreamed up an innovative way to have fun with it.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bear's-big-idea-Monday

Image copyright Il Sung Na, 2024, text copyright Sandra Nickel, 2024. Courtesy of Carolrhoda Books.

But Fish didn’t want Bear to feel left out, so on Thursday she said that the next day they could do Bear’s idea, “‘Of course, said Bear. ‘My brand-new big idea.'” But Bear was worried. She “didn’t have an idea, not even an old and small idea.” Bear tried to sleep that night, but she was afraid that not having an idea meant she wasn’t a good friend. Would Fish take her bowl and leave? Anxiety muddled Bear’s brain, and all she could think of were now-old ideas.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bear's-big-idea-Wednesday

Image copyright Il Sung Na, 2024, text copyright Sandra Nickel, 2024. Courtesy of Carolrhoda Books.

The next morning it was the same. Bear looked everywhere for a brand-new big idea but found nothing. She kept checking in with Fish, asking if she was still there. “‘Always and forever,’ said Fish” with added reassurance. At last, Bear confessed that she couldn’t see an idea anywhere. “‘Don’t worry,’ Fish said. ‘Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it’s not there.'”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bear's-big-idea-no-idea

Image copyright Il Sung Na, 2024, text copyright Sandra Nickel, 2024. Courtesy of Carolrhoda Books.

So Bear thought some more, she listened, and she felt the wind whipping up. Suddenly, the air was filled with all of the old things from the past week. As Bear watched the things flying by, she saw it! Her brand-new big idea! She quickly gathered the items together and grabbed Fish’s bowl then rode the sled down to the beach, where she turned those individual items into an ingenious brand-new big idea that even impressed Fish! As pleased as Bear was with her idea, though, she was even happier to discover that good friends were “always and forever there.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bear's-big-idea-sleepless-night

Image copyright Il Sung Na, 2024, text copyright Sandra Nickel, 2024. Courtesy of Carolrhoda Books.

The second book in Sandra Nickel’s Bear and Fish series is a charming story that gently addresses children’s common fears about performance and pressure as well as the nature of friendship itself. Throughout the story, Nickel presents Bear’s conundrum realistically as she first alludes to having a big idea and then worries through the night and part of the next day that she will let down and maybe even lose her bestie because she has no idea at all.

Nickel—through Fish’s encouraging comments and confidence in Bear’s abilities—is always right there, though, with reassurance that children will find comforting in their own life. Nickel’s excellent pacing as well as her metaphorical dark and fog that stymies Bear until her approaching idea clears it away adds depth to the story and shows kids that things such as ideas, learning, self-confidence, and growth come to each person in their own time.

Children will be happy to see Il Sung Na’s fast friends back again in a new adventure. Il Sung’s soft-hued illustrations place Bear and Fish in a whimsically surreal mashup of vegetation from Bear’s forest and Fish’s underwater worlds. Bespectacled, ever-faithful Fish regales Bear with reassuring philosophy from her bowl, but also enjoys a madcap experience of her own thanks to Bear’s big idea. Through Il Sung’s clear depictions of Bear’s emotions, children can empathize with and cheer on Bear while gaining their own sense of self-confidence.

An uplifting, reassuring, and confidence boosting story, Bear’s Big Idea is sure to prompt requests for multiple readings and can spark discussions about feelings of fear, external and internal pressure, true friendship, and using one’s imagination. Bear’s Big Idea would make a valuable addition to home, library, and classroom collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Carolrhoda Books, 2024 | ISBN 979-8765610176

About the Author

Sandra Nickel is a writer of nonfiction picture books for children. Her work includes The Stuff Between Stars, Nacho’s Nachos, and Breaking Through the Clouds. She is the winner of a Christopher Award and holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. When at home in Switzerland, Sandra loves ambling and rambling and eating carrot muffins just as much as Bear and Fish do.

About the Illustrator

Il Sung Na was born in Seoul, South Korea. In 2001, he moved to London to pursue a BFA in Illustration and Animation at Kingston University, where he discovered a passion for children’s books. He completed his MFA Illustration Practice at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) in 2015. Il Sung has illustrated several books including Wild Peace, My Tree, and ZZZZ: A Book of Sleep. Currently based in Kansas City, Il Sung teaches illustration courses at KCAI (Kansas City Art Institute) and works on new books.

International Creativity Month Activity

Expressive Bear

You can talk about different emotions and feelings or make up your own stories with this Expressive Bear Craft! Use the templates and/or make your own expressive eyes, eyebrows, and nose and mouths. You can also play a game in which the first person to collect all the parts of the bear’s face is the winner.

Supplies

Printable Bear Head Template
Printable Eyes and Noses Template
Printable Eyebrows and Ears Template
Light brown felt or fleece (or color of your choice), 8 ½ x 11 inch piece
Dark brown felt or fleece(or color of your choice), 8 ½ x 11 inch piece
White felt or fleece, 8 ½ x 11 inch piece
Black felt or fleece, for pupils
Scissors
Glue
1 playing die (optional)

Directions

Print templates
Cut bear head from light felt or fleece
Cut eyes from white felt or fleece
Cut nose and inner ears from dark brown felt or fleece
Cut pupils from black felt or fleece
Glue pupils onto white eyes

Alternatively: Color and play with the paper set

For a Fun Story Time

Give the bear different faces and make up stories of why he looks that way!

To Play a Game

Supplies

1 plastic playing die. Or print this playing die template and draw one of the six facial features on each side.
Pencil, pen, or markers (if using printed die template)
Cut out, fold, and tape the die together

Directions

Roll the die and follow the instructions below to collect parts of the bear’s face.
The first player to create a full face is the winner.

Die dots correspond to:
1—one eyebrow
2—second eyebrow
3—one eye
4—second eye
5—nose
6—inner ears

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-bear's-big-idea-cover

You can purchase Bear’s Big Idea from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

November 13 – World Kindness Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

World Kindness Day began with a conference in 1997 in which organizations from across the globe met in Japan for the purpose of uplifting and recognizing kindness on a global scale. From this meeting they created a “Declaration of Kindness” and, later, a nonprofit called the World Kindness Movement was formed to support and honor community-scale kindness initiatives. Kindness on any scale, on any day, is important to celebrate. To recognize today’s holiday, we follow a story that shows how just a touch of kindness from another person and a will to persist can help one child reach for the stars and, just maybe, end up touching the clouds.

Thank you to Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, for sharing a copy of Touch the Sky with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Review by Dorothy Levine

Touch the Sky

Written by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic | Illustrated by Chris Park

When Vern visits the playground, he yearns to be able to swing like the other children do, “to be one of the kids who swooped until their toes touched the sky.” The only problem is Vern does not (yet) know how to pump. And as much as he tries, yanking his body this way and that, ordering his legs with a scream, nothing seems to work. While Vern tries, other children on nearby swings laugh and swoop by him.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-touch-the-sky-Vern-attempts-pumping

Image copyright Chris Park, 2024, text copyright Staphanie V.W. Lucianovic. Courtesy of Carolrhoda Books.

Vern is just about ready to give up, when Gretchen comes along. Even though Gretchen and Vern have never played together, Gretchen confidently snags the swing next to Vern and asks, “Do you want to learn how?”

Through many attempts of running, pushing, swooping and trying again, Gretchen coaches and encourages Vern. When her verbal instructions land Vern in the wood chips a few too many times, she switches strategies, standing next to his swing and doing the motions with her own body upright.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-touch-the-sky-Gretchen-meets-Vern

Image copyright Chris Park, 2024, text copyright Staphanie V.W. Lucianovic. Courtesy of Carolrhoda Books.

Just as Vern starts to make progress, Gretchen must leave. Vern is left with a tough choice: to keep trying on his own or give up. When he decides to continue, the motions Gretchen taught tiptoe down the page along with Vern “Run / Hop / Lean / Stretch / Sweep / Pull / Tuck / Swing” until finally, wonderfully “He [takes] flight with the birds.”

The story then ends with this reminder of the cyclical nature of kindness: After a moment of basking in the meditative motion of pumping, Vern notices another kid in Gretchen’s swing watching him enviously. He repeats what Gretchen said when he felt stuck: “‘It feels hard until you get it, and then it’s not…Do you want to learn how?’”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-touch-the-sky-Gretchen-teaching

Image copyright Chris Park, 2024, text copyright Staphanie V.W. Lucianovic. Courtesy of Carolrhoda Books.

Touch the Sky brings to light a hurdle (learning to swing) that is common for many young folks but not often discussed in day-to-day life or in a picture book. While some new skills come with lessons (swimming, learning to ride a bike, reading) learning to swing is a challenge that children are often left to master on their own. Lucianovic creatively and accurately captures the process of learning to pump; her verbal instructions are catchy, succinct, and clear to follow. The composition of the words on the page mirrors the learning to pump process—sometimes twisting around like chains of a swing and other times flying colorfully across whole spreads. The story is centered in realistic dialogue, with age-appropriate humorous moments for readers (like when Gretchen’s mother admonishes her for petting a cat with cheese). The story is both literal and lyrical. Sweeping imagery of swinging for the first time adds a thrilling aspect to the tale.

Park’s illustrations add to the magical feeling of first coasting through a new skill. The illustrations are largely in crayon which gives the images a textured, child-like feel, adding a sense of wonder to the scenes. The pages of instructions include zoomed-in panels for readers to watch each step separately. These panels begin jumbled but then sort out into organized squares as Gretchen’s steps to pumping become clearer to Vern. Park’s use of rainbows and tiny stars when Vern’s situation metaphorically and literally begins to look up immerses readers in the journey he takes to “touch the sky.”

A heartfelt tale of perseverance and kindness that can be appreciated by all who have struggled and received support from unlikely places, Touch the Sky invites readers to keep trying and to offer helping hands to others when they can. The book would be an excellent addition to home, public, and school libraries.

Ages 5 – 9

Carolrhoda Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1728460451

About the Author

Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic writes books in the San Francisco Bay Area surrounded by a few kids, a few cats, and one husband. Her work includes The End of Something Wonderful, Hello Star, and The League of Picky Eaters. Visit her at stephanielucianovic.com.

About the Illustrator

Chris Park has been a professional illustrator for over twelve years. Some of his previous clients include TBS, Team Coco, Rolling Stone, American Greetings Co., Cloudco Entertainment, Pro Publica, Sleeping Bear Press, Usborne Publishing and Lightspeed Magazine. He co-authored and illustrated his the picture books Little Sock and Little Sock Makes a Friend with his wife Kia. Chris lives in Minnesota with his wife and two sons. Visit him at chrispark.com.

World Kindness Day and World Kindness Week Activities

Courtesy of the School of Kindness.

Kindness Bingo

Invite your child or class to spend World Kindness Day, World Kindness Week, or any day playing Kindness Bingo from the School of Kindness at 52 Lives with this game that includes 30 bingo cards, each containing 16 acts of kindness. Visit the School of Kindness website to learn more about their teaching resources.

Also available for free download is the World Kindness Day Pack, which also includes activities that connect to Anti-bullying week, which this year coincides nicely with kindness week.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-touch-the-sky-cover

You can purchase Touch the Sky from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

October 28 – It’s Dyslexia Awareness Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Dyslexia Awareness Month was first held in the UK in 2002 as a small movement of events organized through schools and businesses. In the ensuing years, it has grown to be recognized internationally, with programs, learning events, and public campaigns to bring messages and updates on improved inclusion and accessibility to communities around the world.

Developed in 1877 by German physician Adolph Kussmaul as “word-blindness,” the condition was first identified by German physician Oswald Berkhan in 1881 while studying the case of a young boy with severe issues in learning to read and write despite his high intellectual abilities. The condition was officially named “dyslexia” by ophthalmologist Rudolph Berlin in 1887.

Today, dyslexia affects from 5% to 10% of the world’s population. The theme for Dyslexia Awareness Month 2024 is “Until Everyone Can Read, and puts the focus on the latest research and resources for those with dyslexia and other learning differences as well as special activities for students, families, and communities.

Brilliant Bea: A Story for Kids with Dyslexia and Learning Differences

Written by Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich | Illustrated by Fiona Lee

Bea had a big imagination. Her mom said she had “a way with words,” her dad said she was a “real word slinger,” and her brother thought she was “the greatest storyteller on Earth.” But reading and writing were “extra hard” for Bea. As she would describe it “words jump around the page and my eyes try to shoot laser beams to catch them.” Her parents told her it was dyslexia. Another thing Bea knew was that because she couldn’t finish her school work on time, she was stuck in the classroom at recess time—”stucker than stuck. Stuck in Stucksville, population: 1.”

Image copyright Fiona Lee, 2021; text copyright Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich, 2021. Courtesy of Magination Press.

Reading out loud made Bea want to melt into the floor, and when trying to write, she couldn’t get down the words she was thinking. One day her teacher, Ms. Bloom asked if she could read what she had written so far. “I woent let dullying bring me doun,” Ms. Bloom read then asked what “dullying” was. “Bullying,” Bea corrected her. Ms. Bloom smiled and kindly said, “I think you’ve figured it out with your brilliant brain, Beatrice. Bullying is dull.” Bea knew “brilliant” meant “super smart,” and, Ms. Bloom added, “it means bright and radiant.” Walking home that afternoon, Bea’s imagination and self-esteem soared.

Image copyright Fiona Lee, 2021; text copyright Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich, 2021. Courtesy of Magination Press.

The next day, Ms. Bloom gave Bea a tape recorder. At recess Bea told one of her stories into the recorder. Her words flowed and attracted Rudy, who asked what she was doing. Normally, Bea “would shrivel up and just wish him away,” but today she played her story for him. Rudy offered to draw pictures for her story, and that afternoon, he helped her become “unstuck.”

Image copyright Fiona Lee, 2021; text copyright Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich, 2021. Courtesy of Magination Press.

In the coming days and weeks, Bea attracted more friends. Sometimes they sat under the trees at recess to listen as she told her stories and sometimes they played on the playground. Now she wasn’t afraid of learning differently, and she and her best friend even created a comic book that Ms. Bloom copied and gave to all her classmates. And when Bea grew older? She became an author and even returned to Ms. Bloom’s classroom to read her book.

A superb and detailed Reader’s Note by Ellen B. Braatan, PhD, executive director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, follows the story. In it Dr. Braatan outlines the insights into dyslexia that Brilliant Bea highlights, ways in which adults can engage children in conversations about dyslexia, what dyslexia is, and the symptoms of dyslexia, as well as methods of evaluation and treatment, including remediation and accommodation.

Image copyright Fiona Lee, 2021; text copyright Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich, 2021. Courtesy of Magination Press.

This engaging story about one girl’s experience with dyslexia is charming and insightful. Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich highlight the difficulties children with dyslexia face with reading and expressing their thoughts in conventional ways as well as the impact their learning difference has on making friends and having the same advantages as their peers during a school day.

Through Bea’s talent for storytelling, Rudolph and Vukadinovich emphasize how dyslexic children (and adults) can excel in a wide range of disciplines, from writing to science to art to music to any field of endeavor because they see things differently. Bea’s teacher, Ms. Bloom, demonstrates how early recognition of dyslexia and other learning differences coupled with understanding, remediation, and accommodation can make school and any environment inclusive and successful for all.

Fiona Lee’s bright and uplifting illustrations use a variety of perspectives to help readers see how those with dyslexia see the world differently. Bea’s imagination and storytelling talent are reflected in the soft sketches that soar from her mind or off her notebook. Her frustration is clear, but so is her resilience and determination to succeed. When her teacher gives her the tape recorder, readers can see how life-changing such a simple and thoughtful act can be.

Young readers will embrace Bea and this story of a sweet, creative, and giving child who also happens to be dyslexic. The story and the back matter provide parents, educators, and other adults a helpful and meaningful way to allow dyslexic children to see themselves in a book as well as to explain this learning difference to classmates, friends, and others.

Brilliant Bea: A Story for Kids with Dyslexia and Learning Differences is a must addition to public and school libraries, pediatricians’ offices, and teachers’ programs. The book is highly recommended for home bookshelves as well.

Ages 4 – 8+

Magination Press, 2021 | ISBN 978-1433837418

About the Authors

Shaina Rudolph is an author of books for children, including All My Stripes and Brilliant Bea. Shaina is also a member of The Society of Children’s Authors and Illustrators. Additionally, she has been an educator for 15 years. Visit Shaina at shainarudolph.com.

Mary Vukadinovich has been working with students with language based learning differences and diverse learning need for the last 17 years. As a reading specialist in Los Angeles, Mary values her opportunities to teach students with unique learning profiles, including dyslexia. Above all, she enjoys watching a child’s confidence grow while learning to love to read. When Mary isn’t teaching or writing, she is reading and telling stories to her own two children.

About the Illustrator

Fiona Lee is inspired by color, strong-willed kids, and the unintentional humor of animals. Working both traditionally and digitally, she captures detail, texture, and life’s small moments. Trained as a Science Illustrator, her clients include Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, UC Santa Cruz, and more. She lives in Vermont in a tiny house in the middle of a big hayfield.

National Dyslexia Awareness Month Activity

Watch these Informative Videos

Watch See Dyslexia Differently for a child-focused animated short that gives an overview of how dyslexia affects reading, writing, learning, and everyday activities as well as what strengths kids with dyslexia have, and highlights famous artists, inventors, singers, writers, scientists and more used the way they think differently to change the world.
Listen to a group of young people describe their dyslexia in this video from Learning Ally.
Hear Reading Horizons Dyslexia Specialist, Shantell Berrett describe various ways that dyslexics see words on a page and some remediation and accommodation aids.

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You can purchase Brilliant Bea: A Story for Kids with Dyslexia and Learning Differences at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

April 21 – World Creativity and Innovation Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

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About the Holiday

World Creativity and Innovation Day has been observed by citizens and organizations in over 50 countries since 2002. In 2018, the United Nations (U.N.) formally established the holiday to promote the importance of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development, both at the individual and group levels. This day also highlights the importance of applying creativity and innovation to problem-solving for today’s pressing issues, including scientific, economic, social, and sustainable development. Kids seem to do this inherently as they go about exploring and interacting with all the new things they see, hear, and do every day Books like today’s featured title can spur children to put their own unique talents to work to change an improve the world for all. To learn more about World Creativity and Innovation Day, visit the UN website.

Thanks to Betsy Ellor and Yeehoo Press for sharing a digital copy of My Dog Is NOT a Scientist with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

My Dog is NOT a Scientist

Written by Betsy Ellor | Illustrated by Louisa Vera

Yara knows she’s the best scientist in town, but how can she prove it when she always loses the school science fair to her neighbor Eddie, who taunts her about being older and smarter and not having a dog like Renzo to mess up his experiments. This year, though, Yara is determined to win. She already has her question to explore: “What makes paper airplanes fly?” and lots of planes to experiment with. But within minutes Renzo has chased down and torn them all apart. “RENZO!!” Yara yells. “Real scientists don’t chase their experiments,” says Eddie.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-my-dog-is-not-a-scientist-lemon-experiment

Image copyright Luisa Vera, 2023, text copyright Betsy Ellor, 2023. Courtesy of Yeehoo Press.

Next, Yara chooses to use her scientific observational skills to see if she can illuminate a lightbulb with a lemon. But again Renzo causes a catastrophe and Eddie is right there to see it and make a comment. Undaunted, however, Yara decides to test her hypothesis about “what makes grass grow fast.” She marks off sections of her backyard that are sunny, shady, dry, and wet and gets to work. Renzo feels the call of nature, too – only in a . . . umm . . . different way than Yara. And, yep, Eddie sees it too.

With one week to go to the science fair, Yara comes up with a hypothesis about insects and does a little problem-solving by erecting a Renzo-free tent to carry out her experiment. Maybe Renzo can’t read or maybe he just has to know, but that dogged dog digs deep and finds a way to upset another experiment.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-my-dog-is-not-a-scientist-renzo-eats-lemon

Image copyright Luisa Vera, 2023, text copyright Betsy Ellor, 2023. Courtesy of Yeehoo Press.

Now the science fair is tomorrow, and while Eddie has a neat and tidy, perfect-looking project to present, “all Yara has to show is Renzo’s damage.” How can she report what she’s learned like a real scientist when she hasn’t learned anything? Yara thinks. With tears in her eyes she’s ready to concede to Renzo that “Eddie’s right…. You’re NOT a scientist . . . and neither am I.” But then Yara looks at her experiments in a different way—from Renzo’s point of view. Renzo, she realized, asked questions, made observations, and “even formed a hypothesis and tested it.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-my-dog-is-not-a-scientist-night-before-science-fair

Image copyright Luisa Vera, 2023, text copyright Betsy Ellor, 2023. Courtesy of Yeehoo Press.

Her new perspective gave Yara another idea for her science project. The next day at the science fair, Renzo was Yara’s star exhibit. “Is My Dog a Scientist?” her display asked. Yara tells the judges how Renzo followed his curiosity, how he asked questions, observed, made a hypothesis, and then tested it—just like a scientist. “‘My project proves my dog really IS a scientist,’” she said. The judges agreed and presented Yara with the first-place ribbon. Even though Eddie whined, Yara knew she and Renzo were the best scientists in town—and now everyone else knew it too.

Back matter includes a step-by-step description of the scientific method, some question starters to get young scientists thinking about their own hypotheses, seven questions to spark experimentation, and an invitation for readers to email Yara and Renzo about their experiments. More ideas for experimentation as well as a curriculum guide are also available on Betsy Ellor’s website.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-my-dog-is-not-a-scientist-science-fair

Image copyright Luisa Vera, 2023, text copyright Betsy Ellor, 2023. Courtesy of Yeehoo Press.

In her clever and creative story, Betsy Ellor perfectly melds the scientific method with sure-to-produce-guffaws humor that will make this book a favorite with kids who are already hard-core scientists as well as those who just like tinkering to explore life’s mysteries. Yara’s determination to win the science fair provides Ellor with a compelling frame to drop examples of real science-based questions and vocabulary into realistic dialog and suspenseful storytelling. The competition between Yara and Eddie also increases the stakes and will have readers rooting for Yara through every mishap. Yara’s inspired thinking on the night before the science fair encourages kids to never give up and prompts them to look at problems with new perspectives and fresh ideas.

Luisa Vera gives kids so much to see and think about in her dynamic illustrations that readers will love exploring for the science, humor, and plentiful details that define the scientific method while demonstrating Yara’s and Eddie’s different approaches to research. But with Yara’s first exasperated “RENZO!!” all eyes will be on this mischievous mutt who just can’t help it if he has a heart for science and a penchant for mischief. Renzo’s various antics will have kids laughing out loud through each of Yara’s experiments and even to the science fair, where even Eddie’s entry attracts the “Renzo” effect.

Funny, effervescent, and loaded with real science, My Dog Is NOT a Scientist is sure to be a catalyst to spark kids’ interest in and understanding of the scientific method as well as the idea that scientific observation and experimentation is a creative process and one that can be unique to each person. The book would enhance any science curriculum for teachers or homeschoolers and is highly recommended for home, classroom, school, and public library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Yeehoo Press, 2023 | ISBN 978-1953458469

**Discover the real-life inspiration behind My Dog is NOT a Scientist!**

About the Author

Betsy Ellor lives in a home filled with kid shenanigans, canine chaos and creative projects run wild. Her picture book debut, My Dog is NOT a Scientist launches in 2023 from Yeehoo Press. Her 2021 anthology Heroic Care: 35 Writers & Artists Show What It Means To Care reached the top 30 on Amazon, and her family musical Sara Crewe has been performed across the US.

Midwest-born, Betsy started as a playwright, earning a degree in Creative Writing from Ball State University before shifting her focus to novels and picture books. Betsy works as an interior designer. This explains her uniquely visual voice and her passion for stories that keep creative thinking at the heart of scientific exploration. Betsy lives near the beach in Massachusetts with her son and dog (aka the bringers of chaos). She spends way too much time on the computer but frequently escapes for hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and beach time. Visit Betsy on her website.

About the Illustrator

Luisa Vera was born in Elda, Alicante. After Luisa finished her fine-arts career in Valencia, she went to New York, where she attended the School of Visual Arts. Since 1990, she has dedicated herself professionally to illustration. She is the author/illustrator of Let’s Go to the Museum, a Modern Art Museum Maze and has illustrated Casas del mundo, Salta que salta, among other Spanish-language titles for children. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Dallas Morning News, the Wall Street Journal, the International Herald Tribune, and The Vanguard, and her characters have worn their best clothes on book covers, posters, catalogs, children’s stories, and exhibitions. Luisa lives in Barcelona, Spain. You can follow Luisa Vera on Instagram.

Meet Yara and Renzo in this sneak peek of the book!

World Creativity and Innovation Day Activity

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Kids love inventing and experimenting, and these sparkle test tubes give children a fun way to be creative while making a cool way to relax and on those hectic days.

Supplies

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

Directions

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

More Science!

Are your kids excited to discover more about the world – and even the cookies they like – through experiments like Yara and Renzo? Then they’ll love the 13 fun and eye-opening experiments on Betsy Ellor’s website. You’ll find them here!

A My Dog is NOT a Scientist Curriculum Guide for teachers, homeschoolers, librarians, and group leaders is also available for download on Betsy Ellor’s website here!

**You can find My Dog Is NOT a Scientist at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop

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Brilliant Bea: A Story for Kids with Dyslexia and Learning Differences

Written by Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich | Illustrated by Fiona Lee

National Dyslexia Awareness Month Activity

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About the Holiday

My Dog is NOT a Scientist

Written by Betsy Ellor | Illustrated by Louisa Vera

Discover the real-life inspiration behind My Dog is NOT a Scientist!

World Creativity and Innovation Day Activity

More Science!

You can find My Dog Is NOT a Scientist at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Share this:

**Discover the real-life inspiration behind My Dog is NOT a Scientist!**

**You can find My Dog Is NOT a Scientist at these booksellers**