November 11 – National Young Readers Week

About the Holiday

Established in 1989 by Pizza Hut and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, National Young Readers Week centers on raising awareness of the importance of reading. One inspiring statistic about the impact of reading is that children learn between 4,000 and 12,000 words each year just by reading—no matter which kinds of books are their favorites! When families get involved in fostering a love of reading at home, kids grow up with an excitement to learn and an activity they can do anywhere and that will follow them throughout their life.

There are many fantastic ways to help your kids develop an affinity for reading, including taking regular trips to your library, allowing kids to pick out their own books, setting aside special times during the day to read together, and setting up a library in your own home to show how important books are to you. You can also follow your favorite authors and illustrators on social media to connect with special activities to download, tutorials, updates on new books, and lots more.

The Bunny Ballet

Written by Nora Ericson | Illustrated by Elly MacKay

As music swells and lights dim, a rabbit invites a sister and her younger brother through a hidden chink in the trees to a watch a bunny ballet, where “Gossamer and / featherlight, / graceful hares / glide left, slide right.” They leap and whirl, plie, jeté, . . . “arabesque, then frisk away.” They weave together then move apart. In the spotlight appears “a sight you’ll not forget: / a perfect bunny pirouette.”

At intermission the audience queues for a Radish Razzle or a Carrot Cordial. So many delicious treats! Soon, the lights begin to flicker, and the show resumes. “Proud bucks swing in barrel turns” then prima ballerinas on tiptoe dance, balanced weightless on upraised paws. One seems to slip, and gasps ring out—the sister grasps her brother’s hand—but then she’s caught in a graceful dip.

This trick may seem to end the show, yet the grand finale is coming up. With the clash of cymbals, the dancers appear from all corners of the stage. They thump and jump and promenade, “spinning in a bunny haze.” All too soon the curtains close, and the sister and brother twirl towards home, dreaming of practicing what they’ve seen tomorrow. But now they can only bid farewell to the Bunny Ballet.

Nora Ericson’s musical lyricism sweeps readers away and into a dream world of ballet with her beautiful language and phrasing that holds readers spellbound with all the sights and sounds of a dance performance. Ericson’s imaginative intermission snacks will delight kids before the pages return to the ballet and the enthralling graceful whirl of its finale. As the moon rises and twilight paints the sky, Ericson’s hypnotic farewell to the evening’s wonders will send children off to sleep with much to dream of.

Ellie MacKay’s glorious illustrations—created by painting, cutting, layering, and photographing the various elements—blend vintage warmth and charm with fresh highlights and detail. Her lush woodland offers a stunning backdrop to these talented bunnies as they jeté, arabesque, and pirouette across the stage. The relationship between the sister and brother is sweetly loving, and as they head home with the rising moon, readers will drift into slumber, carried on MacKay’s soft, tranquil hues.

Ages 4 – 8

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025 | ISBN 978-1419776144

About the Author

Nora Ericson studied painting at Yale University and writing for children at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from central New York, she now lives in Portland, Oregon, with two kids, two dogs, and two cats. Besides reading and writing, she loves cooking, tromping in the woods, and whittling spoons while daydreaming of her future miniature donkey farm. She’s also the author of Too Early, Dill & Bizzy: An Odd Duck and a Strange Bird, and Dill & Bizzy: Opposite Day.

About the Illustrator

Elly MacKay is an internationally recognized paper artist and children’s book creator. She is the illustrator of the picture book Too Early and The Enchanted Symphony, written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, as well as the author-illustrator of Red Sky at Night, If You Hold a Seed, and Butterfly Park, among others. The distinctive three-dimensional quality in her works is made by setting up layers of painted paper in a miniature theater. She lights the scene and photographs it to create her unique illustrations. MacKay lives in Owen Sound, Ontario, with her family.

You can purchase The Bunny Ballet from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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)

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-go-fishing-game-1

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)

Picture Book Review

May 2 – Baby Day + National Pet Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holidays

For today’s book, I’m celebrating two holidays—Baby Day and National Pet Month! Baby Day was established to showcase the importance of a child’s first three years of life and the special bond babies share with their parents, siblings, and the other people in their life. National Pet Month encourages pet owners to ensure that their pets have everything they need to live a long and healthy life. Whether a baby, a pet, or both have found a place in your heart, celebrate today by spending extra time with them and showing them how they make your life and family better.

Thanks to Jamie Michalak for sharing a copy of Hazel the Handful with me!

Hazel the Handful

Written by Jamie Michalak | Illustrated by Matt Myers

Right on the title page a seemingly tiny dog calls “Yoo-hooooo! Up here!” from a second story window, inviting readers to come inside and see her true stature. In the living room Hazel, tail thumping, and dwarfed by the sofa, the throw pillow, and even the chewed-on TV remote, proudly says, “In my home, I look big, no?” This pint-sized pup with a BIG personality is eager to show off her home. She points out her favorite toys, her stroller “ride,” and Bea, her “girl!!!”.

Hazel and Bea like to dance together, and when Bea’s mom declares her daughter “a handful” after crashing into an end table, sending the lamp and mug flying, Hazel adopts this cool moniker herself. Yes, “together, me and Bea are sensational,” she says. Next, Hazel outlines a “sensational day with Bea”—from outdoor adventures like going on a business trip (behind the fire hydrant) to scaring off the big dogs, to showing passersby that she is NOT a cutie patootie but a “Very Important Business Dog.” The rest of the day is spent napping . . . and doing fun things with Bea . . . and napping. Hazel loves Bea and can’t wait for each new day.

That was sensational day before “the baby moved in, with its “loud noises . . . and stinkity stink stinks.” Now there are no games, no stroller rides, and no “cutie patootie” compliments (those go to the baby), and sometimes Hazel even wonders if Bea still loves her. On a particularly non-sensational day, when Hazel inadvertently crashes into the end table, sending things airborne, and gets a scolding from Mom—”‘Oh, Hazel! You are a handful'”—she hides under her blanket in the one room no one checks. Miserable, Hazel falls asleep, but wakes to hear Bea shouting her name and crying.

Hazel runs to Bea, getting a tight hug. For the first time, Hazel recognizes how like a puppy the baby is and appreciates the pets he gives and the crumbs he leaves for Hazel to snack on later. Hazel’s thinking “maybe the baby isn’t so bad” after all.

Jamie Michalak has packed her story of a spirited doggie wrestling with sibling rivalry, with humor, heart, and lots of laughs. Kids will instantly fall in love with teeny-tiny Hazel as she confidently introduces herself, suffers the incredulity of feeling second-best when the baby comes, and happily learns that she’s still loved by Bea. Hazel’s eventual embrace of the baby is comically true to her personality while showing a new perspective and generosity.

Matt Myers’ adorable and exuberant watercolor and ink illustrations capture all the sweetness and self-assurance of tiny Hazel’s larger-than-life personality. As Hazel takes readers on a tour of her home, kids will quickly catch onto the event that will soon change her life and be charmed by Hazel’s love for Bea and all that goes into their special bond. The two spreads showing before- and after-baby photos of Hazel are particularly humorous, as is her ice-skating-worthy slide into the table that sets up her realization that there’s room for both the new baby and her in this loving family.

A funny and endearing read aloud kids will want to share again and again, Hazel the Handful will enjoy continuous rotation at school and public libraries and be a quick favorite on home bookshelves.

Ages 4 – 8

Candlewick, 2025 | ISBN 978-1536231199

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

Matt Myers is the illustrator of the Infamous Ratsos chapter book series by Kara LaReau, Lily Leads the Way by Margi Preus, and E-I-E-I-O: How Old MacDonald Got His Farm (with a Little Help from a Hen) by Judy Sierra, as well as many other books for young readers. Matt Myers lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Visit Matt at myerspaints.com.

Baby Day + National Pet Month Activity

Peppy Puppies Match Up Puzzle

These puppies want to find a friend. Can you match the ones that go together in this printable puzzle? There may be more than one right answer! How many matches can you find?

Peppy Puppies Match Up Puzzle

You can purchase Hazel the Handful from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

March 4 – It’s National Reading Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

National Reading Month was designed to encourage children and adults to read every day and celebrates the joys and benefits that reading together can bring. Reading with your child can be fun and frivolous, but it can also offer ways for children to share their feelings about serious or poignant topics and begin discussions that can lead to understanding or healing. As the month progresses, look for books to share for all the aspects of your life.

I’d like to thank Kokila Books/Penguin Random House for sharing a digital copy of Our Lake with me to review.

Our Lake

By Angie Kang

A young boy follows his older brother up a “long and steep” hill to the tip of a boulder overlooking a glistening lake, where their father, now gone, used to take them swimming. He mimics his brother, who has taken on the mantel of responsibility, in their old traditions—taking off his shirt, stretching. But while his brother approaches the lip of the rock, he hangs back, watching him “press his arms tight to his head and slip neatly into the lake.” The water ripples, and then his brother shoots upward, “triumphant.”

His brother calls for him to jump, but his nerves overtake him and he closes his eyes. “On the insides of my eyelids,” he says, “I see Father.” He recalls their routine, the way his father soared before splashing down, and the sound of his laugh as he beckoned his sons to follow.

“When I open my eyes, he joy is still there, humming in my limbs,” the boy says. He hears his brother call to him again and shakes off his fear. As he nears the water, he sees his father meet him, arms outstretched. His brother cheers as he splashes in. They embrace, both feeling the presence of the father they miss.

Angie Kang’s lyrical storytelling soars on the openhearted voice of her young narrator and the caring guidance of his big brother. The boys’ uplifting memories of their father and their joyful embrace of returning to one of their favorite places are moving and comforting, and ultimately inspire reassurance that the spirit of loved ones lives on within the heart.

Kang’s gloriously rich gouache, crayon, and colored pencil illustrations illuminate the close relationship between the brothers and, individually, with their father, as exemplified by a red hat the older brother is wearing as the story begins. Later, readers learn—in a symbolic image—that this hat belonged to the boys’ father. Each boy’s facial expressions and stances also carry the story forward. Kang’s saturated paintings also offer metaphorical undertones that resonate with the truth of life’s sometimes difficult climbs as well as the wonders of shaking off fear and diving into it headfirst.

A beautiful and poignant story to help any child affected by grief or loss to find peace and joy again, Our Lake is highly recommended for families and is a must for school and public library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Kokila/Penguin Random House, 2025 | ISBN 978-0593698235

About the Author/Illustrator

Angie Kang is a Chinese American writer and illustrator living in LA. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Narrative, The Believer, and elsewhere, and has been generously supported by MacDowell and other organizations. Angie graduated from the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program with a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BA in Literary Arts from Brown University. She enjoys painting places she remembers and places she would like to go. Learn more about Angie’s writing and art at AngieKang.net and @anqiekanq on Instagram.

You can purchase Our Lake at these booksellers

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

Picture Book Review

February 24 – It’s Bake for Family Fun Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

This time of year is perfect for gathering with family and friends and spending those cold, indoor days making sweet treats and savory dishes! Baking together is a great way to teach valuable cooking skills and a little math. Talking with kids while baking is fun too! Tell old family stories, talk about favorite recipes, and share funny or memorable culinary experiences. Of course, the best part of baking together is eating the delicious meals or treats afterward!

10 Gulub Jamuns: Counting with an Indian Sweet Treat

Written by Sandhya Acharya | Illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre

Idu and his little brother Adu were excited to help their mom get ready for their friends Dia and Mia and their parents who would be coming later that evening for dinner. The delicious aroma of spices Mamma’s cooking already perfumed the house. At last it was time for Mamma to make the dessert: gulab jamuns! Idu and Adu tried to imagine what gulab jamuns were. “‘They are little round sweets that look like doughnuts,'” their mother explained. “‘They are soaked in sugary syrup so when you bite into one, they melt in your mouth.'” Idu and Adu thought they sounded yummy.

After the treats were finished, Idu counted them in the bowl. “‘1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. 10 gulab jamuns!'” Adu echoed his big brother: “’10 gulab jamuns!'” Mamma sent the boys off to play, but the bowl of sweets was too enticing. Adu climbed onto the table and ate one. Then he stuffed his cheeks with two more.

Idu thought his brother was funny until Mamma caught them. She asked Idu to tell her how many gulab jamuns she had made and then count how many were left. “‘1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 7 gulab jamuns,'” he answered. “‘Swa gua amoons,’ Adu repeated” through his full mouth. When Mamma asked what had happened to the other three, Idu told her. Then she wanted to know how it had happened.

Idu obliged, exactly imitating Adu’s actions. Adu then turned and gave Mamma a big sweet-treat smile. Mamma laughed, then grabbed one gulab jamun for herself and handed one each to her sons. That left just one more for . . . Daddy, who was just coming home from work. But what would they serve their special guests for dessert now? Idu and Adu enthusiastically offered to help their mother make more. Later, after dinner, Idu and Adu helped pass out the gulab jamuns, but there were two left over. Why? Idu’s and Adu’s bellies were already full of their new favorite dessert!

A recipe for gulab jamuns follows the story.

Sandhya Acharya’s humorous counting story is the recipe for an entertaining read aloud the whole family will enjoy. Adu and Idu’s sibling shenanigans will have young readers giggling, and the naturally occurring opportunities for kids to count the gulab jamuns offer a fun way for them to engage with math. The exercise can even be extended at home or in classrooms as children add or subtract treats or other foods from their own plates. A multilayered story, 10 Gulab Jamuns also contains gentle lessons in honesty, taking responsibility, and making amends for one’s behavior,

Vanessa Alexandre’s vivid and expressive illustrations bring out all the comical fun as Adu and Idu sneak the sweet treats, get caught, and ultimately help their mother make more. Children will especially like images of the brothers’ playful mischief-making, the bright kitchen and table laden with delicious Indian foods, and the cheerful depictions of a traditional Indian home and clothing.

A heartwarming, dialogue-rich story you can count on to become a favorite, 10 Gulab Jamuns would be a delightful addition to home, classroom, and library collections.

Ages 2 – 7

Sandhya Acharya, 2022 | ISBN 979-8985609516

About the Author

Sandhya Acharya grew up in Mumbai, India and now lives in the Bay Area. She is a mother to two young boys from whom she often draws inspiration for her writing. She worked in corporate finance and is a dance enthusiast as well. She hopes her readers have as much fun as she did with this story.

Bake for Family Fun Month Activity

Let’s Bake Together Coloring Page

It’s fun for friends or siblings to create new recipes or just cook up some favorite treats! Have fun with this sweet coloring page!

You can purchase 10 Gulab Jamuns at these booksellers

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

Picture Book Review

January 9 – National Word Nerd Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Do you love nothing more than finding new words and using them in conversation or in your own writing? Does completing a crossword or word search puzzle make for the perfect day? Is a pun your favorite type of joke? Then you’re a word nerd! Today’s holiday highlights the importance of language and the fun of learning and expressing yourself precisely with new or uncommon words. To celebrate, why not gather friends or family and play a word-based game like Scrabble, Tapple 10, Charades, or—my favorite—Boggle!

Calvin Gets the Last Word

Written by Margo Sorenson | Illustrated by Mike Deas

The moment Calvin wakes up, he grabs his dictionary and heads to the kitchen for breakfast. While Calvin may be well-rested, his dictionary tells readers that it is tired. “Why? Because Calvin loves words—I mean REALLY loves words,” the dictionary says. Calvin won’t rest until he’s found the perfect “word for everything—especially his rascally brother.” At breakfast, Calvin takes a big gulp of milk. It’s just the moment his brother’s been waiting for to tell his super funny joke. You can imagine what happens—and why the dictionary’s page containing the word revenge is soaked.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-calvin-gets-the-last-word-cover

Image copyright Mike Deas, 2020, text copyright Margo Sorenson, 2020. Courtesy of Tilbury House Publishers.

But is revenge the right word for Calvin’s brother? Not quite. On the school bus as the kids are tossing a backpack, talking, laughing, and hanging over the seats, Calvin’s dictionary describes it as mayhem, but that word doesn’t completely describe his brother either. As Calvin struggles in geography class and passes notes during library story time, his dictionary helps describe the mood, but the words it chooses don’t really apply to his brother. On the way home, though, Calvin does discover a good word for himself when he stands up to a bully and helps a kindergartener.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-calvin-gets-the-last-word-breakfast

Image copyright Mike Deas, 2020, text copyright Margo Sorenson, 2020. Courtesy of Tilbury House Publishers.

At Little League practice, the dictionary reveals that Calvin “loves to crush the ball during batting practice, sending it over the fence. That’s why the page that reads pulverize has grass stains on it.” Could pulverize be the right word for his brother? While Calvin thinks it could be fun, it’s not exactly right.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-calvin-gets-the-last-word-bus-milk

Image copyright Mike Deas, 2020, text copyright Margo Sorenson, 2020. Courtesy of Tilbury House Publishers.

That night dinner turns into a repeat of breakfast—only in broccoli green. When Calvin goes to bed, he sits for a while, thinking. Then he grabs his exhausted dictionary and a glass of water and sneaks into his brother’s room. The dictionary thinks it knows what’s going to happen and riffles through its pages to find the right word, unconcerned whether it stays dry or not. And suddenly it opens to the perfect word! But wait, that word doesn’t fit now because the brothers are laughing. The dictionary tries flipping to another page and a better word, but Calvin has it beat as he turns the pages and discovers the exact right word to describe his brother. What are all of these words? Come flip through Calvin Gets the Last Word yourself to find out!

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-calvin-gets-the-last-word-bus-stop

Image copyright Mike Deas, 2020, text copyright Margo Sorenson, 2020. Courtesy of Tilbury House Publishers.

In her funny and unique mashup of sibling rivalry and vocabulary, Margo Sorenson offers kids an engaging story of the singular type of love brothers share uncovered little by little through word-building. Calvin’s dictionary makes a sincere and charming guide through high-interest words that lend panache and nuance to events throughout Calvin’s day even if they don’t quite describe his brother. Astute kids may notice that the words the dictionary chooses for Calvin’s brother proves his loyalty to his favorite reader. Calvin’s spewed milk, whispered secrets, and home run batting add up to a real kid that readers will love. The words that the dictionary finds are fun to learn and say and will spark an enthusiasm in readers to do their own flipping through the dictionary and thesaurus. Sorenson’s endearing ending rings true with a word kids are sure to embrace.

Mike Deas’ glasses-wearing and sweat suit-clad Calvin, whose dictionary is always at the ready to define his experiences, is a character readers will respond to. Images of the sprayed milk and broccoli, rockin’ school bus, library story rug, and baseball field are full of familiar details and plenty of action. As Calvin prepares to play his trick on his brother Deas gives kids a cutaway view of the house from above, letting them tiptoe through the maze of rooms with Calvin. The final scenes of the brothers checking out the dictionary together in the light of a bedside lamp is sibling devotion at its best.

A delightful family story that can stir a love of language, Calvin Gets the Last Word would be a favorite addition to home libraries. The book is highly recommended for school and classroom bookshelves to enhance language arts, writing, grammar, and vocabulary lessons and for public library collections as well.

Ages 6 – 8

Tilbury House Publishers, 2020 | ISBN 978-0884488224

Discover more about Margo Sorenson and her books on her website.

To learn more about Mike Deas, his books, and his art, visit his website.

National Word Nerd Day Activity

“Big Words” Word Search

Knowing and using a wide range of words allows you to express yourself in exact—and often—fun ways. Find the 26 “big” words—one for each letter of the alphabet—in this printable word search puzzle.

“Big Words” Word Search Puzzle | “Big Words” Puzzle Solution!

You can purchase Calvin Get’s the Last Word from these booksellers

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

Picture Book Review

October 11 – It’s National Book Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

This month-long holiday was established to get families excited about reading. As the weather turns cooler and activities turn indoors, reading together is a wonderful way to spend time having fun and making memories. Small children love being read to—and so do older kids! Sharing board books, picture books, and chapter books with younger kids is always fun, cozy, and cuddly. Taking the journey of a novel together with preteens and teens can provide inspiring, emotional, funny, and bonding moments that last a lifetime.

BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle

Written by Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis | Illustrated by Nico Ecenarro

Moving into a creaky house behind creaky gates, two “witchy mismatched sisters” found they must share a tiny room and one broom. On the way to the shops to buy décor for their room, both Matilda and Malin want to steer the broom, setting up a “bitter mid-air battle.” Finally arriving at “Dead, Goth, and Beyond,” Matilda chose anything pink, with glitter and rainbows while Malin gravitated to black, skulls, and “dead debris.” For pets, Matilda picked songbirds, and Malin was happy with the crow enticed to tag along on the way home.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-broommates-shopping

Image copyright Nico Ecenarro, 2024; text copyright Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis, 2024. Courtesy of The Little Press.

Back in their room, the sisters bickered about how to decorate, zapping their magic wands to add more and more of their favorite stuff until “finally things got out of hand, / they couldn’t see the floor. / They had to fix the problem, and agree on ONE décor!” With one wave of her magic wand, Matilda turned their room into a pink palace full of unicorns, rainbows, and sparkle. Even Malin sported a big pink bow in her hair.

Not to be outdone, Malin grabbed her wand and the broom and flew around the room turning everything pink to eerie black, green, and gray, decorated with skulls, spiderwebs, and bones. Back and forth the wand battle waged until with a final “KABOOM,” the room lay in tatters, all furnishings had vanished, and their broom was shattered.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-broommates-glitter-and-gloom

Image copyright Nico Ecenarro, 2024; text copyright Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis, 2024. Courtesy of The Little Press.

Matilda and Malin realized they would have to compromise, even if “just a little.” They divided the room down the middle and learned to “blend their styles” equally. They’ve even solved their transportation and single room issues. “…Now they ride a tandem bike and gladly share a room. / They even run a potion stand, called Glitterade & Gloom.”

Following the story, kids can learn how to draw Matilda and Malin through Nico Ecenarro’s step-by-step illustrations.

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Image copyright Nico Ecenarro, 2024; text copyright Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis, 2024. Courtesy of The Little Press.

Combining ingredients of charm, humor, and family bonds, Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis have brewed up a perfect antidote to sibling squabbles in their fast-paced story that emphasizes ways to compromise while staying true to yourself. As Matilda and Malin come to a solution, kids see that resolving differences doesn’t have to mean “either/or” but that different personalities can happily coexist side-by-side. Seamless rhyming and rhythm make BroomMates a joy to read aloud, and adults will find a cauldron-full of delights to keep them engaged as well.

Nico Ecenarro’s enchanting illustrations will captivate readers with their vibrant colors, expressive sisters, and sprinklings of popular culture. Kids will love pointing out the differences between Matilda and Malin on each page while noticing how even their pets take sides until the final Kaboom when Matilda’s songbirds come to the aid of the distressed crow with hugs and uplifting help. Both kids and adults will cackle at the visual puns.

A magical take on sibling rivalry that works just as well with spats between friends, BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle may be especially applicable at Halloween, but the book will cast its magic spell on kids at any time of year. BroomMates will be a popular pick for home story times and will enjoy consistent circulation for public and school libraries.

Ages 4 – 8

The Little Press, 2024 | ISBN 978-1956378276

About the Authors

Lynne Marie is an award-winning, multi-published author of several picture books including Moldilocks and the Three Scares, with more forthcoming. She’s the Director of RateYourStory.org and ThePictureBookMechanic.com, an Editor/Columnist at writeforkids.org, and a co-host at #SeasonsOfKidlit. She splits her time between New York and Florida. When she’s not writing slightly spooky stories, she’s celebrating holidays — spooky, silly and sweet over at seasonsofkidlit.com.

Brenda Reeves Sturgis is an award-winning, multi-published author of three picture books including Still a Family, a book that was named a top 100 picture book by the NY Public Library. She has three picture books forthcoming. When Brenda is not busy writing (rhyme makes her heart sing) she enjoys spending time with her family in Maine. You can visit her at brendareevessturgis.com.

About the Illustrator

Nico Ecenarro is an illustrator from Rhode Island. He enjoys drawing stories of adventurous kids being their curious selves, from the quiet or odd moments to the world-saving kind. Nico craves drawing; creating stories and developing characters fuels him. He often illustrates in a limited color palette focusing on the design and gesture of his characters. BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle, is Nico’s picture book debut. You can learn more about Nico at www.nicoecenarro.com.

National Book Month Activity

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

Magical Potion Test Tubes

It’s the witching hour—the time for making magic potions! These sparkle test tubes give kids a fun way to brew up their own concoctions that can also serve as relaxing mindfulness tools for those hectic days.

Supplies

Plastic test tubes with tight-fitting screw cap, available at craft or science supply stores
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

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-broommates-cover

You can purchase BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle at these booksellers

Amazon | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

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About the Holiday

BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle

Written by Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis | Illustrated by Nico Ecenarro

National Book Month Activity

Magical Potion Test Tubes

Share this: