June 12 – It’s Great Outdoors Month

About the Holiday

Kids of all ages benefit from being outdoors whether they’re playing, helping out with home projects, gardening, or traveling. Simple pleasures and even time to be “bored” spark the imagination and creativity and can help kids learn patience and self-sufficiency. To celebrate Great Outdoors Month, plan an outing with your kids. It may turn into an adventure you never expected!

Thanks to Two Lions and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy of Turkey’s Sandtastic Beach Day with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Turkey’s Sandtastic Beach Day (Turkey Trouble)

Written by Wendi Silvano | Illustrated by Lee Harper

It’s the Summer Children’s Festival on the boardwalk, and Farmer Jake has brought Turkey and all his friends to meet the kids. They’re all happy to be there, except . . . Turkey really wants to be on the beach to feel the soft sand and play in the waves, and he’s determined to sneak down there “‘Just for a few minutes.'” He even knows how he’ll do it—by disguising himself as a crab. When Turkey asks for help, Pig immediately pipes up, “‘I’m shore I can figure something out.”

One life preserver, two beachballs, and two shovel “claws” later, Turkey makes his way to the sand. Pig stands by as a lookout for Farmer Jake and reminds Turkey to walk sideways. Turkey is just settling into his crab-costume-turned-beach-chair and dipping his feet in the water when the lifeguard discovers the ruse and rushes to roust Turkey back to the boardwalk’s petting zoo.

Undeterred, Turkey devises a way to disguise himself as a shell, and although he makes it back to the sand for a little ‘”sea-esta,'” he soon finds himself on the boardwalk again. He’s pretty impressed by the surfers, and with Cow’s encouragement decides to infiltrate a group of surfers with a clever get-up using beach trunks and a seaweed wig for that mop-top look. He paddles out, stands up, and is riding the crest of a monster wave until . . . he isn’t.

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Image copyright Lee Harper, 2023, text copyright Wendi Silvano, 2023. Courtesy of Two Lions.

Turkey’s about to give up on his dream of enjoying the beach when Horse comes up with another way Turkey can disguise himself and do a little snorkeling—easily accomplished with the fin from the surfboard and a set of false teeth. And it works, for awhile, until a swimmer shouts “‘SHARK!'” and “everyone bolted from the water, including Turkey.”

Farmer Jake is not happy and scoops Turkey into a fishing net, telling him “. . . you’re fin-ished! Get back to the petting zoo.” Farmer Jake keeps careful tabs on his animals now . . . until he falls asleep, and the animals see their chance to join the sandcastle-building contest. Rooster works the crane, Horse carries an array of buckets, shovels, and sifters, Cow and Pig dig even more sand, and Turkey and Sheep pack and mold.

When Farmer Jake wakes up, he can’t find his animals behind the mounds of sand. But when “Turkey Town” is declared the winner of the contest, he’s as proud as can be. And the prize? They all cheer when the judge announces they’ve won “‘. . . a free stay at a house on your own private beach!'” And they know just how to celebrate. They invite everyone at the festival to come along too. “It was the most sandtastic beach day ever!”

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Image copyright Lee Harper, 2023, text copyright Wendi Silvano, 2023. Courtesy of Two Lions.

What could be better that spending the summer with Turkey and his friends? Wendi Silvano’s beloved poultry pal is sure to delight fans with another adventure full of clever hijinks and lots of laughs on every page. Silvano’s nimble dialogue is not only stuffed with puns that will keep kids giggling and groaning but highlights the camaraderie among the animals and their quick-thinking creativity. Of course, friendship is the theme of all the books in the Turkey Trouble series, and here—in addition to readers—Farmer Jake, the animals, and all the visitors to the Summer Children’s Festival are the beneficiaries of Turkey’s generosity.

Spending time with Lee Harper’s farmyard friends is always a treat, and the seaside setting has inspired some of the goofiest disguises yet as well as that show-stopping winning sand castle that proves this is one talented group of animals. Harper is a master at depicting good-natured mayhem and laugh-inducing facial expressions all backed by the beautiful ocean and scenic boardwalk. Kids will spy lots of humorous shenanigans on the boardwalk and even a nod to the book’s placement in the series on the license plate for Farmer Jake’s wagon.

Whether your kids are fans of Farmer Jake, Turkey, and the crew or just discovering tight-knit group of friends, you’ll want to add Turkey’s Sandtastic Beach Day to your home bookshelves for sunny, laugh-out-loud story times all year round. The book is also a must addition to school and public library collections.

Ages 3 – 7

Two Lions, 2023 | ISBN 978-1662508356

About the Author

Wendi Silvano was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has lived in Oregon, Colorado, and Peru. The author of the Turkey Trouble series, she has a BA in early childhood education and taught preschool and elementary school for eleven years. She is the mother of five children and the owner of an assortment of odd pets that are not nearly as clever as Turkey. She now writes from her home in Colorado, where she enjoys hiking, reading, and playing the piano. Visit her online at http://www.wendisilvano.com.

About the Illustrator

Lee Harper is the author-illustrator of the books Coyote, The Emperor’s Cool Clothes, and Snow! Snow! Snow! In addition to the Turkey Trouble series, Lee is also the illustrator of Looking for the Easy Life by Walter Dean Myers and the Woolbur books by Leslie Helakoski. Lee has four children, a German shepherd, two barn cats, two pigs, eleven chickens, and four sheep…but still no turkeys. Yet. He lives with his wife in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Visit him online at http://www.leeharperart.com.

National Great Outdoors Month Activity

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Personalized Painted Pail

A trip to the beach or park isn’t complete without a pail to collect shells, seaweed, sea glass, pebbles, sticks, nuts, or other things in. But why should all the cool stuff be on the inside? With this craft you can decorate your pail to show your unique personality!

Supplies

Plastic or metal pail
Craft paint in various colors
Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating, for multi-surface use
Paint brush

Directions

Paint designs on the pail
When paint is dry spray with acrylic coating to set paint
Let dry

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Picture Book Review

May 23 – It’s National Family Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

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, and just hanging out together. Today’s book highlights that exciting time when a family grows by welcoming a new baby—with a look through a new sibling’s eyes.

Thanks to WaterBrook and Kathleen Long Bostrom for sharing a copy of Since the Baby Came with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Since the Baby Came: A Sibling’s Learning-to-Love Story in 16 Poems

Written by Kathleen Long Bostrom | Illustrated by Janet Samuel

In this insightful, honest, funny, and heartwarming story, a little girl learns that she’s going to be a big sister during a breakfast of blueberry pancakes. To her left is her mama, who surprises her with the announcement, “‘We are having a baby!'” To her right is her daddy with the gift of a “Best Big Sister” T-shirt in hand. She seems dubious as she lets the syrup flow over her stack and onto the table because, she thinks, “Nobody asked me.”

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Image copyright Janet Samuel, 2023, text copyright Kathleen Long Bostrom, 2023. Courtesy of WaterBrook.

In “Mama Is Having a Baby” the girl tries to navigate all the changes that are happening—from her mother’s lap growing smaller to all of her toys being pushed aside for the baby’s crib and necessities to how long it’s taking for the baby to come. She asks God to tell her what happened and to help her to wait. At last her baby brother does arrive, and in “He’s Here! He’s Here!” the little girl expresses her excitement at all the things they can now do together and is sure “We’ll be best friends, the two of us, / and never ever fight or fuss. / He’ll love me more than anyone! / To have him home will be such fun!”

But the reality is different than she imagined, and her emotions begin to ride a rollercoaster from attention-seeking in “Look at Me!” to feelings of neglect and frustration in “When Will This Baby Go Away?” to the horrors of diaper changes in “Diaper Volcano” to dismay about his “bad habits” in “Suppertime.” But then she prays to God. In “Dear God” she says, “Hi, dear God! Remember me? / I need a friend today. / When my thoughts are tangled up, / it helps a lot to pray.” She goes on to explain her mixed feelings about how her life has changed, her brother’s crying, her decreased room space, and how busy her mama is. But she also talks about how she likes to snuggle and sing a lullaby to the baby: “Something happens then dear God. / My heart fills to the brim! / It makes me feel so very glad / to sing my song to him.” She realizes that “with our little baby here, / I’ll never be alone!”

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Image copyright Janet Samuel, 2023, text copyright Kathleen Long Bostrom, 2023. Courtesy of WaterBrook.

With her change of heart, she looks on her brother with new eyes and heart as he sleeps, wondering what he dreams about; is excited when he smiles at her; and discovers in “Maybe” that his “wiggles and giggles” are as “cute as can be” and that “he is amazing.” Now, she decides that her brother can stay with them and that maybe she’d even be open to having “another new brother—perhaps two or three!”

As Christmas comes, the baby has learned to sit up, and the little girl is showing him the story of the baby Jesus, who “was a baby too. / Just like me and just like you.” Splashing in the bathtub together, all of the little girl’s reservations are gone and she can unequivocally state all the reasons why she loves her baby brother. Soon her brother is standing, and in “Me Too!” he reaches out to touch his sister’s finger, sharing a special bond and ability to communicate. The story ends with “Surprise (Part 2)” in which the girl learns that an earlier wish will be fulfilled while her now toddler brother appears dubious.

An explanation of the fifteen types of poetry used in the book follows the story.

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Image copyright Janet Samuel, 2023, text copyright Kathleen Long Bostrom, 2023. Courtesy of WaterBrook.

With an empathetic and witty child’s-eye (and -heart) view of the upheaval, worries, acceptance, and joys of welcoming a new baby into the family, Kathleen Long Bostrom creates a tender story for parents to share with their child or children while waiting for the baby to come and through the stages and changes that come next. Bostrom’s use of realistic, child-centric language and dialogue makes the situations and feelings expressed in each poem immediately recognizable for kids and adults alike, allowing them to easily discuss these events and emotions together. Bostrom’s use of fifteen different types of poetry introduces young readers to the engaging variety and playfulness of this literary form.

Janet Samuel’s vibrant and animated illustrations clearly show the changing family dynamics as the household prepares for the baby and welcomes him home. Images of home, meals, a crowd of family and friends gathered around the baby, a diaper change, and even the idyllic view the little girl has of what life will be like when her baby brother comes home are lovingly and humorously portrayed while depicting real emotions and a touch of familiar chaos. Over the course of the poems, these scenes segue into a calmer routine as the baby begins to sleep, smile, and play; the house becomes orderly once again, and the little girl discovers she loves her brother.

In Since the Baby Came, the trajectory of Kathleen Long Bostrom’s poems and Janet Samuel’s illustrations work beautifully in tandem to create a moving portrait of a family growing in size and love. The book is one that families can dip into during each stage, from pregnancy to homecoming and through a baby’s first year of development, to help new siblings understand the many changes that come, to navigate their feelings, and to welcome their brother or sister into their heart. Since the Baby Came would make a much-appreciated gift and is highly recommended for home, church and school library, and public library collections.

Ages 3 – 7

WaterBrook, 2023 | ISBN 978-0593577684

About the Author

Kathleen Long Bostrom is an award-winning author of over fifty books for children. Her books are published in over twenty languages. She is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) who now writes full time. As a middle child, Kathy was both the new baby and the older sister who later became a mother of three herself. She knows whereof she rhymes! Visit her at kathleenlongbostrom.com.

About the Illustrator

Janet Samuel is an illustrator who lives in a small town in Wales with her daughter, Alice, and scruffy terrier, Tilly. Janet has illustrated books for many publishers, including Macmillan, Usbourne, Little Tiger Press, Scholastic, and Lion Hudson. She is happiest with a pencil or paintbrush in hand. You can connect with Janet on Instagram.

National Family Month Activity

Since the Baby Came Parents Resource Guide

You can download this helpful resource guide from Kathleen Long Bostrom’s website. It gives parents age-appropriate tips on preparing a child for a new sibling as well as fun and colorful worksheets adults can share with their child to involve them in choosing a name for the baby; drawing a portrait and album pictures of the family, including the new baby; a “Wheel of Emotions” that provides kids with the vocabulary to describe their feelings; questions adults can ask their older child to begin a discussion; and a fun puzzle.

Videos to Share

You’ll also find two videos of a mom and little girl enjoying two of the poems from the book.

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Picture Book Review

May 14 – Mother’s Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

We always love our moms, but on the second Sunday of May we celebrate that special relationship and thank them for everything they do for us all year long. On May 9, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation establishing Mother’s Day as “a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” First envisioned to honor all mothers instead of primarily your own, the day has become a more personal holiday in which families celebrate in their own unique and meaningful way. As today’s book shows, the nature of motherhood is surprisingly the same for human moms as for those in nature!

Supermoms!: Animal Heroes

Written by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper | Illustrated by Jamie Harper

Did you know that the animal kingdom is full of supermoms? It’s true! They may not wear capes, but some do fly through the air and others can go paw to wheel with a speeding train. “With powerful instincts and extraordinary skills, these moms do whatever it takes to protect and raise their young.” With so many different animal species, each having their own talents and behaviors, there are lots of ways these moms take care of their little ones. While some creatures raise their families in close quarters, groundhog moms build vast burrows with special rooms, “including a bathroom and a nursery lined with soft grasses for her pups.” Readers also discover how a red-knobbed hornbill mom uses a rather unusual substance to help seal up her home, and how a strawberry poison frog deals with extreme sibling rivalry in an extremely clever way.

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Image copyright Jamie Harper, 2023, text copyright Heather Lang and Jamie Harper, 2023. Courtesy of Candlewick.

We all know moms make sacrifices for their children, but kids will be amazed at how penguins, polar bears, and bearded capuchin monkeys go the extra mile to make sure their babies are well-fed and happy. Animals don’t have minivans or SUVs or even city buses to help them transport their young, but that doesn’t stop some supermoms from taking their little ones here and there. For example, “an American Alligator’s might mouth makes the perfect super stroller. Mom scoops up her hatchlings and shuttles them safely to the water.” Little brown bat and wolf spider moms know just how to carry their kids in ways that are novel and exciting too.

Of course, keeping their children safe is one of a mom’s most important jobs, and readers will see how nature’s “supermoms stop at nothing to protect their young.” Whether they live under the sea, on the savannah, or at the beach, these mothers are always alert for predators use anything they’ve got—their mouths, tentacles, hooves, bums, and even their acting ability—to make sure that their precious kids are okay.

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Image copyright Jamie Harper, 2023, text copyright Heather Lang and Jamie Harper, 2023. Courtesy of Candlewick.

As all kids know, besides making a home, feeding, transporting, and providing protection, moms are great teachers. It’s the same for animals. Some baby animals need to learn how to swim, how to gather food without hurting themselves, where to find food, how to use tools, and even how to make a comfy home of their own. And who shows them how to do all of these things and more? Their moms, of course! “With powerful instincts and extraordinary skills, these moms give their youngsters everything they need to go out into the world and thrive.” Sounds familiar, right?!

Back matter includes an illustrated guide to the eighteen animals represented in the book complete with their “super ability,” information on where they live and what they eat, and a “Guess What?” fun fact about each creature. A list of online resources, books, and films where kids can learn more about some of the animals is also included.

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Image copyright Jamie Harper, 2023, text copyright Heather Lang and Jamie Harper, 2023. Courtesy of Candlewick.

Heather Lang and Jamie Harper’s Supermoms! Animal Heroes is immediately relatable with its home-run hit of superheroes, humor, eye-widening facts, and, of course, a mom’s love. Harper and Lang use a combination of easy-to-understand, straightforward text and lots of funny, rib-tickling speech bubbles that offer the kind of comical commentary on their surroundings and circumstances that will keep kids laughing, learning, and wanting to read the book again and again. The mix of well-known and more unusual species orients kids to those animals they’ve already heard about and may have seen for themselves at the zoo or aquarium and those they’d like to learn more about.

Jamie Harper’s textured, collage-style illustrations take kids underground, to the ocean, high into trees, across frozen tundras, and through dusty, grassy plains to demonstrate how moms with one to thousands of youngsters make sure they are nurtured and protected no matter what it takes. Her cartoon animals are realistically portrayed and their spunk, facial expressions, and actions are engagingly kid-inspired.

If your kids love nonfiction, learning about nature and animals, or simply a book that will get them laughing while they discover fascinating facts, Supermoms! Animal Heroes would be an often-asked-for addition to home bookshelves. The book’s content and extensive additional resources, both in the backmatter and on Heather Lang’s website, make Supermoms! a must for classroom, school, and public library collections.

Ages 3 – 7

Candlewick, 2023 | ISBN 978-1536217971

About Heather Lang

Heather Lang is the author of The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest and Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark, among other books. She lives in Massachusetts.

About Jamie Harper

Jamie Harper is the author-illustrator of four books about the feisty flamingo teacher Miss Mingo as well as the Baby Bundt board books and the picture books Miles to Go and Miles to the Finish. She lives outside Boston.

Mother’s Day Activity

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Supermom! Mother’s Day Card

Kids know their mom’s super, and with this printable Supermom! card found on Heather Lang’s website, children can tell their mom just why they think she’s so special on Mother’s Day—or any day!

Mother’s Day Card

More Supermoms! Fun

Kids and adults will find even more worksheets, activities, and games as well as videos of animals in their natural habitats caring for their young and the links to six movies about animals found around the world on YouTube and other streaming services on Heather Lang’s website.

You can find Supermoms!: Animal Heroes at these booksellers

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Picture Book Review

May 4 – It’s Children’s Book Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Children’s Book Week, a celebration of reading and connection, was founded in 1919 and is the longest-running literacy initiative in the United States. The 2023 slogan is “Read Books. Spark Change.” According to Every Child a Reader, the program’s sponsor, “this year’s theme speaks to the power that books and stories have to inspire positive change. Books can spark change within an individual reader, a family, a classroom, or a whole community.” The holiday attracts participation from authors, illustrators, publishers, librarians, teachers, and booksellers in schools, libraries, bookstores, and communities across the country. To learn more about the holiday and download bookmarks and posters, activities in English and Spanish, the Find Your Spark challenge, draw-along pages provided by favorite children’s book artists, and much more, visit Every Child a Reader. You can even sign up to continue to get fantastic ideas for connecting with books and reading all year around!

The Hole Story

By Kelly Canby

One day while walking along, Charlie found a hole on the path. He was so excited to have “a hole of his very own” that he picked it up immediately and “popped it in his pocket.” But wait! As he continued on his way, Charlie discovered that all of his candy and money had slipped out of his pocket and scattered along the path, “so he put the hole in his backpack” with even more disastrous results.

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Charlie was determined to get rid of the hole, so he went into town to find it a new owner. There were plenty of shops to try: “Bread Pitt” the bakery, “World Wide Web” which sold arachnids and reptiles, “Sew Much Better” the dress maker, and others. Charlie was sure his problem would soon be solved. But even though he went into every shop and talked to each shopkeeper, none of them wanted the hole.

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Charlie went on his way, but even though he met several people who he thought the hole would be perfect for, they didn’t need it either. Charlie finally decided that “this hole is no good at all,” so he went back where he had found it and dropped it on the path again—where someone had been waiting for it all along!

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Kelly Canby’s delightful tale is a clever combination of wordplay and visual humor along with a sly wink to readers’ experience that puts them one step ahead of Charlie and infuses the story with suspense and laugh-out-loud moments. The ending enriches the off-beat humor and despite clues along the way comes as a charming surprise. Canby’s broad spectrum of fitting and unsuitable homes for the hole Charlie finds is a perfect jumping off point to get kids thinking about other places that would be good or bad choices. Canby’s enchanting illustrations are fresh and expressive, making the most of perspective and comical touches that will keep kids giggling from beginning to end.

Inventive and witty, The Hole Story is a whole lot of fun and will become a quick favorite for repeat readings (especially when done with a dramatic flair). The book would make a terrific gift and is highly recommended for home, classroom, school, and public library collections.

Ages 4 – 7

Star Bright Books, 2023 | ISBN 978-1595729392 (Hardcover) | ISBN 978-1595729408 (Paperback)

About Kelly Canby

KELLY CANBY is an internationally published author and illustrator of over a dozen books for children. Her picture books have received numerous honors and have been translated into many languages around the world. Kelly is a member of the judging panel for the annual Shaun Tan Illustration Awards and regional advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Australia West. She lives in Perth, Australia.

**You can find The Hole Story at these booksellers**

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To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop

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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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

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

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

Picture Book Review

March 28 – Something on a Stick Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Can you celebrate a whole day of Something on a Stick? Of course! From French Toast on a stick for breakfast to fruit, veggie, and meat skewers, for lunch and dinner to popsicles for dessert, there are so many ways to enjoy meals on a stick. While we don’t know when this particular holiday was established, cooking and eating food from a stick has been around for a long, long time. In Germany, a stick with a burnt tip, indicating its use in cooking meat over a fire, was discovered in an archeological site dating from 300,000 years ago, the Lower Paleolithic era. And if you think I forgot a favorite ooey-gooey sweet treat that’s roasted on a stick, I didn’t—that’s what today’s book is all about!

Make More S’mores

Written by Cathy Ballou Mealey | Illustrated by Ariel Landy

Over a crackling campfire, Roscoe toasts a marshmallow on a nice, sharp stick. When that “fluffy puff” is perfectly soft and gooey, Roscoe grabs two graham crackers from the stack, adds a “creamy chocolate square,” and slides on the marshmallow. He’s just about to take a bite when… “‘Is that for me?’ asks Grizzly Bear.” With a smile, Roscoe shrugs and wishes Grizzly “‘Bon appétit!'”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-make-more-smores-Grizzly-Bea

Image copyright Ariel Landy, 2023, text copyright Cathy Ballou Mealey, 2023. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

Grizzly gobbles it down and is ready for more. Roscoe is happy to oblige and takes two more marshmallows out of the bag, two squares of chocolate and four graham crackers. But who is clambering down the branch of the tree overhead? Two bear cubs—two hungry bear cubs who sweetly ask, “‘Those smell yummy!’ ‘Will you share?’ / Roscoe looks at Grizzly Bear.” Now it’s Grizzly’s turn to shrug obligingly; he can wait. He and Roscoe give up their s’mores to the two cubs, and Roscoe gets to work to make four more.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-make-more-smores-bear-cubs-munch

Image copyright Ariel Landy, 2023, text copyright Cathy Ballou Mealey, 2023. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

But Roscoe gets distracted and before you know it the stick bent, the stick broke, and the marshmallows all went poof! in the fire. The cubs climbed up the tree to find a better, stronger stick, and while doing so who else do they find but Mama! She likes the look of this party so much she asks to join in—and even offers to help. “Grizzly groans, ‘Another guest?’ / But Roscoe does not seem distressed.” With extra paws, the roasting and toasting, stacking and smooshing go quickly, and soon there’s a plate piled high with s’mores for everyone. Full and happy, Roscoe tucks himself into his hollow stump as Grizzly Bear and Mama Bear and her cubs head home, but not before leaving their host a sweet “Thank You” note.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-make-more-smores-bear-cubs-yummy

Image copyright Ariel Landy, 2023, text copyright Cathy Ballou Mealey, 2023. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

A triple-decker s’more invites kids in to Cathy Ballou Mealey’s sweet and adorable friendship story. The story’s warm-hearted central theme of sharing makes its appearance in the very first pages as a roaring fire glows and the marshmallow on Roscoe’s stick turns soft and golden. When Grizzly Bear shows up and asks if he can have the s’more Roscoe’s just made, Roscoe doesn’t hesitate or prevaricate, but hands the plate to Grizzly with a smile. From here, Roscoe’s planned night alone turns into a party with new friends as another bear family appears. All of the characters model the kind of manners that make a get together successful and build friendships. Both Roscoe and Grizzly are welcoming, generous, patient, and polite (even if Grizzly does grumble a bit), and the cubs and their mother offer to help out as the group grows larger and more work needs to be done. They even leave a thank you note for a sleeping Roscoe.

Throughout her story, Mealey’s smooth-flowing rhymes weave the joyful atmosphere of the party together with the excitement, sounds, smells, and taste of s’mores, creating a fast-paced romp full of dynamic phrasing that kids will want to hear again and again and that adult will love as a read aloud.

Ariel Landy’s large, engaging illustrations put readers right in Roscoe’s campsite along with the rest of the guests and are loaded with charm as characters greet each other with kindness and hospitality. She brings out all the humor and fun of making s’mores as the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate flies into the air when Grizzly plunks himself down on the log where they were neatly stacked; the marshmallows fall into the fire; and a plateful of the ooey-gooey treats are finally ready for all to enjoy. The bears’ and Roscoe’s facial expressions will make readers smile, and a visual subplot involving three curious squirrels that plays out in the background is delightfully resolved under the clear moon-and-star-lit sky.

If you’re looking for a book that’s fun for bedtime reading, summer vacations, classroom reading time, library story times, or anytime your kids get the taste for a heartwarming story, then Make More S’mores is a must addition to your home, school, and public library collection.

Ages 5 – 8

Sleeping Bear Press, 2023 | ISBN 978-1534111769

About the Author

Cathy writes picture books filled with heart and humor for readers of all ages, inlcuding Make More S’mores, Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle (Kids Can Press, 2021), and When a Tree Grows (Union Square/Sterling Books, 2019). A former college instructor and administrator, Cathy holds a B.A. in Psychobiology and Classical Studies from Wellesley College and an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She blogs about bookish things on her website.

About the Illustrator

As soon as Ariel Landy learned how to draw a sky beyond a blue scribbled line, she knew she wanted to be an illustrator. Ariel aims to create illustrations that are imaginative, whimsical, and original. She lives in New York City. You can connect with Ariel on Instagram and Twitter.

Something on a Stick Day Activities

Make More S’mores Activity Kit

How do you like your s’mores? You can build your own perfect s’more with these two drawing and coloring pages from Sleeping Bear Press.

Make More S’mores Activity Kit

Roaring Campfire Craft

Kids and their friends and family can enjoy the cozy fun of a campfire in their own family room with this craft that’s easy to make from recycled materials. While the supplies might make the campfire artificial, kids will love it if the marshmallows are the real thing!

Supplies

Three or four paper or cardboard tubes
Cylindrical bread crumbs or oatmeal container (or tall can without sharp edges)
Tissue paper in red, orange, and yellow
Brown craft paint
Brown marker
Brown crayon (optional)
Brown construction paper or white paper colored brown
Strong glue or hot glue gun
Chopstick, stick, pencil or other such item (one for each person)
Marshmallows

DIRECTIONS

To Make the Logs

Cover the ends of the tubes with circles of brown construction paper or white paper and glue into place
Paint the tubes and the ends if needed, let dry (or cover the tubes with brown or white paper colored brown)
Paint the sides of the cylindrical container with the brown paint, let dry (or cover the container with brown paper or white paper colored brown)
With the marker draw tree rings on the ends of the tubes. Decorate the sides with wavy lines, adding a few knot holes and swirls.

To Make the Fire

Cut 9 squares from the tissue paper (3 in each color, about 8 to 6-inch square)
Layer the colors and gather them together at one tip. Fold over and hold them together with a rubber band.

To Assemble the Campfire

Stack the tube logs
Put the tissue paper fire in the middle of the logs

To “Roast” Marshmallows

Stick marshmallows on chopsticks, sticks, or pencils for “roasting” and eating!

You can keep your logs and fire in the cylindrical log until the next time!

**You can find Make More S’mores at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

January 27 – It’s Celebration of Life Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday was established by Food for Health International to encourage people to take a holistic approach to taking care of themselves, not only their physical health but their emotional health as well. Celebrating all that life has to offer while taking time to enjoy family and friends and be mindful of others through mutual respect, inclusion, empathy, and gratitude goes a long way towards greater happiness and health. Sharing today’s book with your kids is a wonderful way to celebrate this month-long holiday all year around.

A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human

Written by Matt Forrest Esenwine | Illustrated by André Ceolin

“Welcome to Humanity! You’re really going to enjoy it.” With this expansive greeting, Matt Forrest Esenwine invites kids in to learn what they need to know “… to get the most out of [their] human experience….” First up is family—that group of people who spend so much time with you and “care about you the most.” But what does a family do? “Families love each other, disappoint each other, support each other, and get angry with each other, over and over—sometimes all in the same day. Weird, right?” But you can be sure that the “…whole ‘caring about you’ part never stops.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-a-beginners-guide-to-being-human-sidewalk

Image copyright André Ceolin, 2022, text copyright Matt Forrest Esenwine, 2022. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

So what do you do with all of that caring that comes your way? You can share it! How? Well, by being kind. Sure, we hear that word all the time, but what does “being kind” really look like? Esenwine and André Ceolin give some easy-to-emulate examples that don’t take any money or super strength or extra time. In fact, everybody carries one of the easiest—maybe even the most meaningful—way to show kindness right on their face: their smile.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-a-beginners-guide-to-being-human-school-bus

Image copyright André Ceolin, 2022, text copyright Matt Forrest Esenwine, 2022. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

Once kids have kindness down, Esenwine moves on to empathy and urges kids to imagine why others may act the way they do, to think about what else may be going on with someone at home, in school, or elsewhere. Using empathy leads to compassion. What does compassion mean and how does it work? Esenwine and Ceolin show readers a few examples as well as reminding them that “we humans are quite good at ending up in the same situations again and again. Whatever another person is feeling, chances are, you’ll feel the same way at some point too” with a gallery of portraits of kids depicting emotions we all experience from time to time—and, often, every day.

One way of thinking about and reacting to situations that “has produced excellent results for over two thousand years,” Esenwine reveals, is the Golden Rule. He then shows kids how to apply this thoughtful idea to a range of situations to create better communication and understanding than getting angry or pushy or impatient.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-a-beginners-guide-to-being-human-school-locker

Image copyright André Ceolin, 2022, text copyright Matt Forrest Esenwine, 2022. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

Esenwine acknowledges that there will be bad days among the good, but these too can be handled with honesty, apologies, and forgiveness. Yes, “being human can sometimes be messy,” but that’s where family and friends can help. And, of course, they’re there to celebrate the good times too. So what does all of this kindness and compassion and empathy come down to? The thing that connects us all: Love. “So, welcome to Humanity!” Esenwine emphasizes, “We hope you enjoy your humanness. And we love that you’re here.”

Sprinkled throughout the text are brief “Pro Tips” that in one sentence expand on an idea and give kids confidence in understanding and/or applying the values in their own life.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-a-beginners-guide-to-being-human-love

Image copyright André Ceolin, 2022, text copyright Matt Forrest Esenwine, 2022. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

Matt Forrest Esenwine has created a book about treating others according to the Golden Rule that goes to the heart not only of how to do that but, so importantly, when and why. Sometimes the need for kindness and empathy can be apparent, as when a child or adult is sad, alone, or has a disappointment or obvious mishap. But what about when someone’s behavior seems to be a personal slight, disrespectful, or just going against the rules?

That’s were Esenwine’s gentle, straightforward, and honest storytelling invites readers to stop and really consider every person and situation individually, to dig deep into one’s own memory and experiences for better understanding and supportive responses. He also addresses the importance of apologizing and forgiveness. And he does all of this with humor and examples that will resonate with kids. Moreover, these elements provide a spark for further conversations among children and adults about specific incidents in a child’s life, possible reasons behind them, and how the child can respond in a kind, empathetic, and compassionate way.

From the first spread, which shows a sidewalk busy with people all thinking their own thoughts (some of whom reappear elsewhere), André Ceolin engages readers in looking closely and thinking about how the people may be feeling, what they are doing, and why they might be behaving in a certain way. He depicts the characters in detailed places and situations familiar to kids that will spark recognition and lead to meaningful discussions and understanding. Ceolin’s images on each page, as well as a portrait gallery of universal emotions, provide excellent social emotional learning tools for adults to share with children when talking about recognizing and reading others’ feelings through facial expressions. Bookending the text, Ceolin emphasizes the support and enduring love of family and good friends.

A well-conceived, heartfelt, and impactful book you’ll want to share again and again, A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human reminds readers that we’re all in this—school, work, sports, clubs: life—together and is a timely must-have addition to home, school, classroom, and public library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Beaming Books, 2022 | ISBN 978-1506481739

About the Author

Matt Forrest Esenwine is an author and poet from Warner, New Hampshire. His debut picture book, Flashlight Night (Boyds Mills Press, 2017), was selected by the New York Public Library as one of the Best Picture Books for Kids of 2017. His poetry can be found in numerous anthologies, including The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry (National Geographic Children’s Books, 2015), I Am Someone Else (Charlesbridge, 2019), and Highlights for Children. You can visit him at mattforrest.com and connect with him on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube.

About the Illustrator

André Ceolin studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He has illustrated over twenty books for children. André lives in Brazil with his family. You can visit him at andreceolin.com and on Instagram.

Celebration of Life Month Activity

Kindness Cards

Here are some cheery cards that are sure to make the recipient’s day happier! Give them to a friend, a family member, your teacher, or your bus driver to show them that you care and that they mean a lot to you!

Random Acts of Kindness Cards Sheet 1 | Sheet 2 | Sheet 3

**You can find A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

About the Holiday

Turkey’s Sandtastic Beach Day (Turkey Trouble)

Written by Wendi Silvano | Illustrated by Lee Harper

National Great Outdoors Month Activity

Personalized Painted Pail

You can find Turkey’s Sandtastic Beach Day at these booksellers

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About the Holiday

Since the Baby Came: A Sibling’s Learning-to-Love Story in 16 Poems

Written by Kathleen Long Bostrom | Illustrated by Janet Samuel

National Family Month Activity

Since the Baby Came Parents Resource Guide

Videos to Share

You can find Since the Baby Came at these booksellers

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About the Holiday

Supermoms!: Animal Heroes

Written by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper | Illustrated by Jamie Harper

Mother’s Day Activity

Supermom! Mother’s Day Card

More Supermoms! Fun

You can find Supermoms!: Animal Heroes at these booksellers

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About the Holiday

The Hole Story

By Kelly Canby

You can find The Hole Story at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

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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

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About the Holiday

Make More S’mores

Written by Cathy Ballou Mealey | Illustrated by Ariel Landy

Something on a Stick Day Activities

Make More S’mores Activity Kit

Roaring Campfire Craft

DIRECTIONS

You can find Make More S’mores at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Share this:

About the Holiday

A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human

Written by Matt Forrest Esenwine | Illustrated by André Ceolin

Celebration of Life Month Activity

Kindness Cards

You can find A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Share this:

**You can find Since the Baby Came at these booksellers**

**You can find The Hole Story at these booksellers**

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

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

**You can find Make More S’mores at these booksellers**

**You can find A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human at these booksellers**