August 7 – National Dog Month

About the Holiday

Established in 2020 by Milk-Bone and the J.M. Smucker Company, National Dog Month celebrates those special companions that give us so much love and enjoyment every day and encourages dog owners to show their pets extra attention during the leisurely days of August. Dogs love being with their humans, so why not give your pet a special treat or take them for a longer than usual walk? If you’re contemplating adding a pet to your family, this month may be a good time to make the move and visit your local shelter to adopt a new family member!

Thanks to Margaret K. McElderry Books for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Milton Makes a Move (Noodle and Jonathan)

Written by Jonathan Graziano | Illustrated by Dan Tavis

Milton enjoyed his home with it’s big yard and lots of other dogs to play with. These other dogs all dreamed of finding a permanent home of their own, and while “Milton liked most adventures”—as any pug would—he thought having a family was “too good to be true.” But one day he learned that he was moving in with a new family. The idea made him nervous. His mind swirled with so many “what ifs.”

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Dan Tavis. Text copyright © 2026 by Jonathan Graziano. Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Still, he was soon on a plane and despite his worries, he was determined to be brave. He was met at his destination by a man named Jonathan, who seemed excited—as well as a bit nervous—to meet him. “Milton offered his head up for pats,” and Jonathan obliged, smiling. Milton felt better. As Milton explored his new home, he found many comforting and familiar things—like his favorite snacks and a welcoming bed. He also saw lots of pictures of Jonathan’s last pug, Noodle, having amazing adventures. When a sudden thunderstorm frightened Milton, Jonathan was right there with his comforting lap to snooze on.

The next day while making friends in his new backyard, Milton noticed that Jonathan seemed nervous about one particular black-and-white striped friend. He “boofed” at it until it ran off and then comforted Jonathan just as Jonathan had done for him the day before. Jonathan praised him as “the Very Best Boy,” and Milton felt proud. The longer Milton was with Jonathan, the braver he became. He and Jonathan had fun at home as well as many outdoor adventures, always taking care of each other and learning to be brave together no matter what.

Whether you and your kids are already fans or followers of Jonathan Graziano and his love for pugs (Noodle and the No Bones Day and Noodle Conquers Comfy Mountain) or are new to their sweet relationships, you will delight in Milton Makes a Move. Kids will cheer on the endearing pug Milton as he overcomes his worries about leaving the rescue home he knows for a forever home with Jonathan. Children who feel similarly anxious about change and trying new things or are sensitive to sensory issues will relate to Graziano’s straightforward and emotionally resonant storytelling.

A welcome theme in this story embraces the idea that the adventure of life is a collaboration between friends who truly care about each other, accepting their fears and worries and bolstering them when needed. Both Milton and Jonathan demonstrate that the courage to be brave is found within each person, giving young readers support and understanding as they face new challenges. Children will appreciate Graziano’s honest and uplifting ending that also reassures them that they are not alone in their feelings.

Dan Tavis combines whimsical and realistic imagery in his energetic and emotionally expressive pages that show Milton and Jonathan’s growing friendship and reliance on each other. Children will love pointing out all of Milton’s new friends and “boof, boofing” along with him as he finds his voice and happiness with Jonathan.

A sweet, uplifting, and confidence-building story, Milton Makes a Move will cheer young readers and is highly recommended for all library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026 | ISBN 979-8347108947

About the Author

Jonathan Graziano is a Rochester native who currently resides in New York City. His eternal muse, Noodle, continues to inspire him each and every day. It is Jonathan’s hope that through this story he can continue Noodle’s legacy of spreading joy and kindness and encourage others to adopt and/or rescue a senior pet next time they’re looking to add a new member to their family. You can find Jonathan on TikTok and Instagram at @JonGraz.

About the Illustrator

Dan Tavis is illustrator living in New Hampshire. He has been doodling ever since his first math class in elementary school! He is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Noodle and the No Bones Day, Common Critters,and Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion, among other projects. Learn more at DanTavis.com.

National Dog Month Activity

Find a Friend Matching Puzzle

Dogs and their humans often have personalities or even their appearance in common. Can you match up these sweet pups with their new best friend in this Find a Friend Matching Puzzle?

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

You can purchase Milton Makes a Move from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

June 4 – National Hug Your Cat Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

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

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

Kitty Caterpillar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ages 3 – 6

Balzar + Bray, 2026 | ISBN 978-1250469038

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

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

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

National Hug Your Cat Day Activity

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

Match the Kittens Puzzle

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

You can purchase Kitty Caterpillar from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

May 1 – National Pet Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today we’re celebrating our best friends! Who are they? Our pets, of course! Small (or large) and fury (or feathered, scaled, or finned), our pets give us unconditional love and loads of happiness. Just watching them navigate their day is entertaining and educational. National Pet Month was established to honor these in-home pals and remind pet owners to ensure their pets have everything they need to live a long and healthy life. This month take extra time to have fun with your pet—maybe just not too much, as today’s book reveals!

Thanks to Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for sending me this book for review!

Arthur’s Cat

By Johan Leynaud | Translated by Sarah Ardizzone

The first thing to know is that “Arthur adores his cat!” If he could, he’d cuddle him all the time, but Zeffo’s not so into it. The second thing is that Arthur has plans for Zeffo—BIG, fun plans that any super-hero-loving boy would like to do with his favorite sidekick; also high-jumping plans and reading plans; even gourmet plans. But Zeffo? He’s really not into it. So when Arthur picks Zeffo up and gives him tight hug? “Owwwww!” There’s a scratch and tears and big feelings—on both sides.

“Zeffo waits for the days to pass and the night skies to twinkle so the sadness can shrink, and Arthur’s heart can heal. So his hand can open without trying to hold tight.” Slowly, trust and confidence are rebuilt, and joy and play return as Arthur learns to respect Zeffo’s boundaries. Then Arthur and Zeffo are able to “love each other freely.”

Like a favorite treat mix, Johan Leynaud’s gentle storytelling in Arthur’s Cat entices, excites, and satisfies. Leynaud’s breezy delivery belies his deep insight into the finesse and understanding it can take to forge a relationship between young children and their pets, friends, or siblings and shows that respecting others’ boundaries can actually bring the closeness one seeks. Arthur is endearing with his cat-ears haircut and boundless love for Zeffo. Leynaud’s witty and elegant illustrations of towering furnishings and messes as well as Zeffo’s facial expressions will bring plenty of laughs. The final illustrations of Arthur and Zeffo finally enjoying a sweet goodnight cuddle are heartwarming.

Sarah Ardizzone’s graceful and melodic translation conveys all of the humor and heart that makes Johan Leynaud’s story so meaningful.

Tender, lovely, and profound, Arthur’s Cat is a true delight, one that will be a much-asked-for favorite on home bookshelves and is a must for all library collections.

Ages 3 – 7

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-0802856586

About the Author

Johan Leynaud is a French artist, illustrator, and author who studied at the Beaux-Arts de Marseille and spends most of his time drawing. He hopes Arthur’s Cat, his English-language debut, will help children respect animals as living beings who sometimes need their space. One day Johan watched his niece play with her cat―and Arthur’s Cat began to grow in his mind. Follow Johan on Instagram.

About the Translator

Sarah Ardizzone has translated over fifty books from the French, including Thread by Thread, Sweet Dreamers, and Letters from Bear (all Eerdmans). Her translations have been named to best-of-the-year lists by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and the Bank Street College of Education. Sarah lives in Brixton, England, with her family and a fluffy black cat named Hector. Follow her on Instagram.

National Pet Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-wooden-bead-cat-craft

A Little Ball of Kitten

This sweet little kitten is easy to make and can keep you company on your desk, shelf, or anywhere! Since every kitten is different, you can make yours look just the way you want. Here’s how I made mine:

Supplies

Wooden ball with a flat bottom, available in craft stores and in different sizes
Craft paint in any color kitten you’d like (I used red and yellow and mixed it to make a mottled orange)
Craft paint in pink or white for the inner ear
Scrap of fleece for the ears. Fleece is easily shaped to the rounded ball and when painted is stiff enough to stand up on its own.
Thin, colored wire in several colors for the tail (string or twine, wrapped wire, fleece, stiff paper, and other materials could also be used)
Paint brush
Permanent marker for making the face
Hot glue gun or strong glue

Directions

Paint the wooden ball and let dry
Paint the scrap of fleece to match the wooden ball, let dry
Cut out small triangular shapes for the ears. Round the bottom of the ears slightly so they fit the shape of the ball
If making a tail from several colors of thin wire, twist them together, leaving one end untwisted
With the glue gun or strong glue attach the ears to the top of the head
With the glue gun attach the tail to the back of the wooden ball in the center near the base
With the marker, draw eyes, nose, and mouth for the face and semicircles near the bottom for the paws

You can purchase Arthur’s Cat from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

November 10 – Get Ready for Christmas

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

The Christmas season is a time of joy and sharing with friends and family, and if your family includes a pet or pets, you know that they too, of course, are included in the festivities. Special Christmas treats, gifts of new toys, extra hugs, and even silly hats or fancy outfits are all ways we show how much our pets mean to us. Another fun way to celebrate the holidays with your best furry buddy is to include them in story time! Today’s book is a purr-fect choice for laptime with kitties and kiddies. Pups will enjoy it too!

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sending me a copy of this book for review! All opinions on the book are my own.

Cat’s Christmas

By Alison Murray

Cat likes many things. He likes feeling snug. He likes his favorite chair. He likes feeling snug in his favorite chair with his favorite person. But Cat has a special feeling for Christmas, and it is—to say the least—not positive. Is there anything Cat does like about the holiday? Well, “he hates the fancy decorations,” the sticky, sugary food, and even the presents. And visitors of a dachshund variety really makes his fur stand on end.

Cat tries to tell his people why he’s so displeased, but his method of communication is just not appreciated. And when the Christmas tree comes crashing down, he’s ordered out. Out Cat goes into the snow. Up on a high branch, “Cat yowls and howls and meow-wow-wows into the quiet night.”

The cloudy night seems to hear his cries, and briefly the clouds part. “Cat LOVES to see the moon and stars in the clear night sky, and he marvels at the beauty of the world.” But Cat’s wonder is short-lived as rain begins to fall, dripping “from his whiskers into his eyes” and . . . making his “fur stick to his skin” and . . . the branch “slippery under his paws.” Cat is ready to go home.

He passes by all the leftover Christmas trappings and jumps into his favorite chair with his favorite person, who is so happy to see him. She wraps him in a towel and cuddles him then gives him his very own present—which turns out to be—despite the silly bowtie—just perfect.

Hilarious and heartfelt, Alison Murray’s Cat’s Christmas is a gift to all feline lovers. Through her fast-paced storytelling and expressive illustrations, Murray perfectly captures the inquisitive and opinionated personality of cats as well as their singular style of making themselves seen and heard. Turning the page from all the clatter of Christmas and Cat’s yowling to his glimpse of the beautiful night sky is wondrously stirring as Murray fills the darkness with colorful orbs of shimmering light. As the sudden rainfall sends Cat back inside, readers will be wrapped in the cozy, homey feeling that Christmas brings.

Sure to be opened again and again, Cat’s Christmas is a sweet, funny, and cozy holiday delight for all cat and pet lovers.

Ages Baby – 5

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1547617593

Alison Murray is a Glasgow based author and illustrator. She studied Textile Design at Glasgow School of Art, and Design for Interactive Media at Middlesex University, London. Her first book Apple Pie ABC was shortlisted for the Scottish Children’s Book Award and in the United States won the 2012 Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book award for outstanding writing in a picture book. Her books have been shortlisted and longlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize, the Scottish Children’s Book Awards, and the UK Literary Association Award.

You can purchase Cat’s Christmas from these booksellers

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

Picture Book Review

September 30 – National Pet Tricks Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

National Pet Tricks Day was established in 2020 by professional dog trainer Joe Nutkins of Ardleigh, Essex, in the UK. Nutkins loves connecting with dogs and other animals by spending time with them teaching them tricks. Nutkins has enjoyed success and and even a bit of celebrity—appearing on Britain’s Got Talent in 2029 and 2023—with her expertly trained pets, including dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, and even ducks and chickens. To celebrate today, why not begin spending some encouraging and fun one-on-one time each day to teach your pet a special art. And, of course, don’t forget the treats!

Thank you to Flamingo Books for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Henry Is an Artist

By Justin Worsley

Many dogs know tricks, but Henry has a calling. “Henry is an artist.” Each day when he goes for a walk, Henry admires the street art he passes, “but sculpture is his real passion.” Henry is no stranger to the creative impulse, every day producing a new, unique sculpture of his own. Even though Henry “is proud of his work,” it is not universally embraced. In fact, its public impact is fleeting and usually trashed.

One day, however, in a moment of distraction, Henry’s creation is left behind. Left behind, but not disregarded. “Someone has fallen in love with his artwork.” The tiny bug flies off to “tell all their friends.” The news travels fast, and soon “Henry’s sculpture is a sensation!”

Henry’s sculpture is so valued, in fact, that the bugs carefully transport it to a place of honor. Henry is invited to view its new home: “the grand lobby of the Bug Hotel!” He’s hailed as a celebrity, and returns home a very happy pup, indeed.

Funny, thought-provoking, and an ode to all the unsung creatives among us, Justin Worsley’s story makes readers laugh while encouraging them to find inspiration in the most unlikely places.

Worsley’s delightfully smart and inventive illustrations endear Henry to kids as he walks through the park admiring the public sculptures and trying to install his own. Henry’s facial expressions as he interacts with his owner, the reactions of other dogs, and the appreciative reception of an observant toddler and bug community all add depth to the story.

Henry Is an Artist would be a fun and often-requested addition to home, classroom, and public libraries. Its short sentences make it a perfect choice for new and beginning readers to read or grow with on their own.

Ages 4 – 8

Flamingo Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-0593695043

About the Author/Illustrator

Justin Worsley is an illustrator, author, and toy designer. After nearly thirty years of designing toys, he decided it was time for a change and followed his long-held dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator and graduated from Cambridge School of Art in 2023. When he’s not working, he’s usually riding his bike or walking his dog, Percy.

National Pet Tricks Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-paw-print-magnet-smaller

Paw Print Magnet

Your pet’s paw print makes a cute magnet for your fridge or locker to give you a paw…I mean hand… holding those important messages and pictures. Here’s how to do this easy craft with your dog or cat.

Supplies

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/4 cup water
Cookie cutter (optional)
Bowl
Wax paper
Strong multi-surface glue or hot glue gun
Strong magnet, available at craft stores
Paint (optional)

Directions

Mix the flour and salt in the bowl
Slowly add the water and mix the dough, kneading it until it is smooth and soft. Add more water if necessary.
Roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick
Place the dough on the wax paper
Carefully press your pet’s paw into the dough.
Place the cookie cutter over the print and cut out
Bake the paw print at 250 degrees for 1 to 2 hours depending on thickness of dough
If desired, paint the print, the background, or both
Attach the magnet with the glue
Display your magnet

You can purchase Henry Is an Artist from these booksellers

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

Picture Book Review

August 26 – National Dog Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

In 2004 Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate Colleen Paige established National Dog Day to remind people – especially those who may be looking for a new pet – of all the dogs in shelters that need forever homes. The day also celebrates dogs of all breeds and honors the work of these faithful friends, whether they are family pets or specially trained as service dogs, police dogs, or search-and-rescue dogs. If you’re thinking of adding a new family member of the furry kind, or if you’d just like to make a difference to animals in shelter care, call or visit your local humane society, other shelter, or rescue organization.

Hello Dog / Hello Human (Flip Book): Two Stories in One!

Written by Sara Levine | Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

With their curly hair or sleek coats, sweet faces, and eager natures, dogs are natural kid magnets. But that doesn’t mean they’re always ready to be pet or played with. In Hello Dog / Hello Human, Sara Levine cleverly teaches children and adults how to recognize the traits of a receptive dog and how exactly to approach and engage with a dog you haven’t met yet.

It’s easy enough to ask a dog’s human for permission to pet their dog, but getting the dog’s permission can be a bit trickier. Behind the Hello Dog cover, Levine shows kids how to read a dog’s body language, an important skill as “dogs speak with their bodies.” Once a child has determined that the dog isn’t too busy, too shy, or too distracted, Levine goes on to reveal the human behaviors dogs consider rude and the ones they find to be polite. If a person gets a signal that their initial overtures are accepted, only then should they put out their hand to pet that furry coat.

But turn-about is fair play, and by just flipping the book over, that’s what readers find! Open the Hello Human cover, and dogs get a primer on meeting kids (with a dollop of humor, readers may also interpret these tips as courteous ways for meeting new people as well). So how does today’s discerning dog go about choosing the right human to make friends with? Well, they can read the body language. Turns out, people say a lot with their gestures and expressions too. They also use words, and it benefits both dog and human if they’re on the same page with some simple terms, especially “Sit.” While some canines may find it incredible, people tend to prefer a quiet, stationary, even non-slobbery greeting. Levine expands on these and other steps and shows what kind of welcome leads to that scratch behind the ears that, for any pup, is so rewarding.

Working perfectly in synch, author and veterinarian Sara Levine and illustrator Suzanne Kaufman have created a clever book that children and adults will find helpful whether they’re adopting a new dog or learning how to interact with dogs they meet at friends’ homes or while out in the park or neighborhood.

Levine’s straightforward and easy-to-understand steps are punctuated by Kaufman’s humorous depictions of expressive dogs of various breeds engaging in natural, madcap doggy behavior. These energetic pups appear in both stories along with a sweet child and an adorable, well-mannered pooch who’s ready to make a friend. A comical subplot involving a squirrel chase also ties the two sections together.

Educational and entertaining, Hello Dog / Hello Human is an exciting, multi-interest nonfiction story for home bookshelves that kids will want to hear often and even chime in on. The text is especially welcoming to new and emerging readers. Librarians will love displaying the book and recommending it to a wide range of patrons.

Ages 4 – 8

Roaring Brook Press, 2025 | ISBN 978-1250797025

About the Author

Sara Levine is an award-winning picture book author, veterinarian, and science educator. Her books which include Bone by Bone, Tooth by Tooth, Flower Talk, Sensitive, and The Animals Would Not Sleep! have received the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize, Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, Beehive Book Award, Cook Prize, and the Mathical Book Prize. She loves doing school and library programs. Visit her at saralevinebooks.com.

About the Illustrator

Suzanne Kaufman is the illustrator of Samanthasaurus Rex, written by B. B. Mandell; Naughty Claudine Christmas, written by Patrick Jennings; 100 Bugs!, written by Kate Narita; and the author and illustrator of I Love Monkey and It’s Confiscated. She lives in Seattle with her family. Visit her at suzannekaufman.com.

National Dog Day Activity

Find a Friend Matching Puzzle

Dogs and their humans often have personalities or even their appearance in common. Can you match up these sweet pups with their new best friend in this Find a Friend Matching Puzzle?

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

You can purchase Hello Dog / Hello Human from these booksellers

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

Picture Book Review

August 18 – Serendipity Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

The word “serendipitous” was first coined in 1754 by Horace Walpole in a letter to a friend as he described a Persian fairy tale known in English as The Three Princes of Serendip. In the story three young men, having been banished from the kingdom of Serendip (commonly known as Sri Lanka) to prove their worth, travel the world continuously enjoying surprising good luck—or serendipity—along the way. In 2001 author Madeleine Kay founded Serendipity Day to encourage people “to live your life . . . with the belief that at any moment, something wonderful is about to happen.” Let today’s holiday inspire you to pay closer attention to those moments of serendipitous magic that occur each day. They’re all around us as long as we recognize and embrace them!

The Strangest Fish

Written by Katherine Arden | Illustrated by Zahra Marwan

Daisy lives in a colorful house on the edge of a lake with water like “blue glass.” She loves the month of October for its golden trees, pumpkins, cider, and, especially, the county fair. After riding the teacups and munching popcorn, Daisy “fished for prizes from the go-fish booth.” She came away with her own, real, strange fish. Despite the fish’s extra fins, leaf-like scales, and big head, Daisy loved him and vowed to take care of him. At home she placed him in the nicest bowl and named him October.

In the morning, October had outgrown his bowl, so Daisy gave him a bigger one. The same thing happened the next morning, and the next, even though Daisy had transferred him to the bathtub. October looked like a pile of leaves. Daisy’s brother proclaimed him “so weird.” Daisy, though, thought “October was the best fish,” and when “she petted his scales, she was sure his blue eye winked at her.”

The next morning Daisy knew she had to move October again. But where? He “blinked his lake-blue eyes,” and she knew. She rolled October to the lake in her wagon then worried and worried about him all night. In the morning she ran to the lake but saw only a small ripple. Then a snout and a head broke the surface of the water, and Daisy was gazing into the lake-blue eyes of a water dragon. She cried “‘I knew you weren’t a fish!’” and happily climbed on his back for a magical trip around the lake.

Katherine Arden’s The Strangest Fish radiates charm and the type of serendipity children make happen every day with their open hearts. Daisy is a dear, and in one masterful scene that is both touching and candid, Arden reveals the depths of Daisy’s kindness: While carrying her unusual new pet from the car to the house, Daisy feels a pang of jealousy for the cute and more conventional stuffed koala bear her sister has won, but, not wanting to hurt the fish’s feelings, she keeps it to herself. “Friends didn’t hurt friends’ feelings,” she knows. Instead, Daisy tells her fish that she will give him “the nicest bowl.” Arden extends such perception to each family member, as well, through lyrical descriptions and dialog peppered with honest sibling and parental banter and Daisy’s loving reassurances to October that make her story a read aloud with poignancy for all ages.

Fanciful and shimmering with breathtaking color, Zahra Marwan’s watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations invite readers to enjoy a nostalgic autumn fair before welcoming them into Daisy’s close-knit family life. The siblings’ love for each other shows up in heart-patterned clothing and the way Daisy and her sister and brother huddle under one blanket as they worry about October together. Marwan’s singular fish is part punk aesthetic, part balloon, and completely adorable, stealing readers’ hearts from their first glimpse of him. The details Marwan sprinkles throughout her pages are both evocative and quirky, and she even adds a bit of foreshadowing (but I won’t tell you where). October’s final incarnation will delight kids and adults alike.

Enchanting, unforgettable, and with an ending that fulfills all of a child’s heartfelt wishes, The Strangest Fish is a story that kids will want to hear again and again and is a must addition to home, classroom, and all library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Astra Young Readers, 2024 | ISBN 978-1662620782

About the Author

Katherine Arden is the NYT-bestselling author of the Winternight Trilogy and the middle-grade series Small Spaces. She won the 2020 Vermont Golden Dome Book Award and was a finalist for the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Series. She graduated from Middlebury College in 2011, where she obtained her degree in Russian and French.

About the Illustrator

Zahra Marwan is a children’s book author-illustrator and the 2022 recipient of the Dilys Evans Founder’s Award. Her first picture book, Where Butterflies Fill the Sky, was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2022 and a NYT Best Illustrated Children’s Book. Originally from Kuwait, Zahra now lives in New Mexico.

Serendipity Day Activity

Go Fishing Game

Kids can engage in their own serendipitous adventure with this Go Fishing Game! With a paper plate pond, some printable fish, and a few other supplies, kids will be catching a whole lot of fun in no time!

Supplies

Printable Colorful Fish Template
Printable Black and White Fish Template
Printable Go Fishing! Playing Die (optional)
A large straw, wooden dowel, or pencil for a fishing pole
String
Two 1-inch round magnets for fishing pole
Paper clips
Scissors
Crayons (optional)
Glue (optional)

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Directions

Color the paper plate blue
Print the Go Fishing! Game Playing Die (optional)

To Make the Fish

Print the fish templates or have kids draw and color their own fish and cut out
Tape a paper clip to the back of the fish or slip a paperclip on the nose of the fish
If using back-to-back templates, cut fish out, put a paper clip between the sides and glue or tape the two sides together

To Make the Fishing Pole

Tie a length of string to the straw, pencil, or dowel
Sandwich the other end of the string between the two circular magnets
Lay the fish on the plate
Go fishing!

Optional Game: Kids can roll the die to determine which fish to catch.

You can purchase The Strangest Fish from these booksellers

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

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