February 26 – 18th Anniversary of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault Opening

About the Holiday

In 2008, after more than 20 years of discussion and planning, The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway, opened its doors to deposits of seeds from around the world. The vault’s mission is one that encompasses both history and the future as the facility safeguards both heirloom and modern varieties of seeds for future planting in the event that farmland, plants, and seeds are lost due to natural and/or human-created events. Each year, the seed vault typically accepts deposits during a few days in February (around its anniversary date), June, and October. Today’s book brings the story of this important global resource to children.

Thank you to Charlesbridge and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sending me this book for review!

Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Written by Megan Clendenan | Illustrated by Brittany Cicchese

Imagine a vast vault carved into the heart of an arctic mountain where priceless treasure is kept safe from dangers like fire, floods, storms, war, and climate change. Sounds like a movie plot, doesn’t it? But there is such a vault—the Svalbard Global Seed Vault that protects perhaps the world’s most valuable resource: seeds.

Before Megan Clendenan and Brittany Cicchese take children on a tour of the Svalbard Seed Vault, they plant a wide range of knowledge about seeds themselves. Kids learn world-wide traditions for saving local crop seeds, in both fortress-like seed banks and “simple community spaces with jars of seeds on shelves,” that each variety of seed has a “unique genetic code” that determines everything about it, and why some seeds may face extinction.

Then it’s off to Norway to see where a group of engineers, scientists, and architects designed the vault that was to be built “in the middle of a frozen mountain.” Step by step, kids join the crew to see equipment arrive, hear the blast that facilitated the digging and carving of the tunnel, and even meet a hungry arctic fox they befriended.

Readers learn about security at the vault, witness the care with which farmers, gardeners, and collectors from around the world contribute seeds to the vault’s shelves, and discover that in the vault’s “first five years, 80,000 unique crop varieties arrived . . . !” They also see how crucial the seed vault is through the story of the first withdrawal of seeds from the bank that helped a war-torn country recover their crops. Today, “inside the vault, a walk down the aisles becomes a walk through the world” with “more than 580 million seeds. / For you, for me / for everybody. / Just in case.”

Back matter extends the discussion of some issues presented in the text, including the difficulty of keeping seeds safe, the vault itself, the need to continually update crop seeds to reflect evolutionary changes, and an author’s note.

With the allure and story-building of an adventure about hidden treasure, Megan Clendenan draws readers into the frozen, underground world of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, where the survival of crucial food crops is protected. Her clear and lyrical text (“steel doors open and beckon into the belly of a mountain,” “walls of ice shine like stars.”) keeps readers riveted to the historical and current facts about farming, seed harvesting, and this global facility that may be unknown to many. Easy-to-understand sidebars illuminate particular aspects of Clendenan’s subject, including, information on local seed banks around the world, varietal differences and the threat of extinction of some seeds, vault design and construction, seed storage conditions, and the first seed withdrawal.

Brittany Cicchese’s lovely illustrations take children to the arctic north to view the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, with it’s ethereal sculptural entrance, and its shelves lined with boxes of seeds before transporting them to various farms, gardens, markets, and seed repositories around the world. Cicchese’s detailed and realistic depictions clearly connect readers to those who grow and sell food, the design and construction of the vault from the meeting room to the mountain tunnel, the scientists and families who provide the seeds, and the plants that grow to feed us all.

An absorbing look at one of the world’s most important resources that also offers a sense of hope in its example of global collaboration, Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a must for school, classroom, and public libraries as well as for children who love gardening, farming, science, and food.

Ages 5 – 8

Charlesbridge, 2025 | ISBN 978-1623544805

Megan Clendenan studied sociology, English, and environmental planning and has worked for nonprofit organizations focused on environmental law, women’s empowerment, mental health, and urban food security. As a children’s book author, she loves writing nonfiction that explores the connections between history, society, and the environment. She is the author of Design Like Nature: Biomimicry for a Healthy Planet, Fresh Air, Clean Water: Our Right to a Healthy Environment, and Cities: How Humans Live Together. She lives near Vancouver, British Columbia, with her family and two fuzzy orange cats. This is her first picture book. You can visit her at meganclendenan.com.

Brittany Cicchese enjoys capturing emotion above all else, from expressive portraits to moody illustrations. She is the illustrator of The Kitten Story: A Mostly True Tale and No More Señora Mimí. When Brittany isn’t sketching or writing, you can find her working at the library, reading a good fantasy or sci-fi book, or hiking around the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Brittany lives in Denver, Colorado. Visit her at brittanycicchese.com.

Anniversary of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault Opening Activity

Just in Case Activity Kit

Educators and families will enjoy using the comprehensive Just in Case Activity Kit from Charlesbridge, Megan Clendenan, and Brittany Cicchese! It includes Connection Activities for English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science; Discussion Questions; Tips to help children harvest seeds from their own fruit and vegetable plants; a garden planner; and a list of further resources. You can find the Just in Case Activity Kit on Megan Clendenan’s website and from Charlesbridge.

You can purchase Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

March 11 – It’s Gardening, Nature, and Ecology Books Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Established in the early 2000s by the Children’s Book Council, this month-long holiday encourages people to read books about gardening, nature, and ecology to foster a deeper connection with the environment and appreciation for our planet, encouraging more people to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives.

I’d like to thank G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for sharing a digital copy of Hello, I’m an Axolotl with me for review.

Hello, I’m an Axolotl

Written by Haley Rocco | Illustrated by John Rocco

Swimming into the popular Meet the Wild Things series that introduces kids to unusual and endangered animals is Hello, I’m an Axolotl and its spirited narrator who wastes no time in telling readers “I am A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!” And it’s not kidding!

First off, it’s named after a super hero-sounding Aztec god and then we learn that even though axolotl’s are related to salamanders, they’re a bit like an underwater Peter Pan because they “never really grow up,” which actually gives axolotls another superpower: the ability to breathe in two ways.

And if that doesn’t convince you that these little cuties are special, the fact that their skin sparkles like glitter certainly will! The book’s host then reveals how that’s possible. Pretty neat, huh? Still not convinced that the axolotl is one of the most fascinating animals on the planet? How about if you knew they can regrow “lost limbs, tails, even parts of [their] hearts and brains?!” This comes in handy, especially if one of their 1,000 siblings has mistaken them for a snack. Scientists are even studying how they do it with hopes of applying what they learn to humans one day.

But everything isn’t rosy for axolotls. While “there about a million axolotls all over the world living in tanks and aquariums,” there are fewer than 500 living in the wild—and these are only found in one “lake and some canals outside Mexico City.” You’ll be able to see why when you compare an illustration of Lake Xochimilco from the 1500s to one from current times.

There is hope, however, as conservationists are reintroducing “an ancient Aztec farming method” that provides conditions axolotls need to survive. World-wide notoriety that shines a light on the plight of these A-M-A-Z-I-N-G creatures helps too.

Back matter expands on the facts presented in the text, including short paragraphs on the Aztec people, the origins of all axolotls in captivity today, the science behind their sparkly skin, why axolotls are endangered, and much more.

Haley Rocco’s superpower is introducing incredible animals in a witty, personal voice that immediately endears them to kids. In Hello, I’m an Axalotl, her charming first-person narration rivets readers to the fascinating facts about axolotls, providing plenty of eye-opening and “awww”-inspiring moments as well as heartfelt concern about the future of these one-of-a-kind creatures and how they can help.

John Rocco’s stunning mixed media illustrations put kids eye-to-eye with the feisty and adorable axolotl narrator as it takes kids on a tour of its home, a lab where scientists are studying the regenerative abilities of axolotls, and to ancient and modern Lake Xochimilco. Readers of all ages will be intrigued by the image of the Aztec farming method making a comeback to protect axolotls. There’s even an “actual size” depiction of an axolotl that will captivate kids.

Unforgettable learning at its best, Hello, I’m an Axolotl is a must addition for school and public library collections and would make a perfect choice for families with children who love animals and care about the environment.

Ages 3 – 7

G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2025 | ISBN 978-0593618219

**Discover all the books in the “Meet the Wild Things” series!**

Hello, I’m a Sloth

Say hello to a sloth! Did you know sloths only poop once a week and can fall up to 100 feet without getting hurt? They also have hundreds of bugs living on them, including a species of moth that only lives on sloths! And they move so slowly that algae grows on their fur, which can actually help sloths camouflage!

Hello, I’m a Pangolin

Say hello to a pangolin! Did you know pangolins are the only mammals with scales? And did you know pangolins have a super-sticky tongue as long as their entire body (the better to eat 20,000 bugs a day with!)?

Hello, I’m a Quokka

Say hello to a quokka. Most of them live on a tiny island off of Western Australia. Like their relatives kangaroos and wallabies, they hop to get around and carry their babies in pouches. People say they are the happiest animal in the world. That’s because they’re very friendly, and their faces look like they are built for smiling—perfect for taking selfies with!

Hello, I’m a Toucan — Coming June 24!

Did you know a toucan’s bill is four times the size of its head? But you might be surprised by how lightweight and strong it is. And did you know that toucans use their bills to keep cool when it’s hot outside, by increasing blood flow from the rest of their body to maintain the perfect temperature? You can’t get much cooler than that.

About the Author

Hayley Rocco is the author of Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough, How to Send a Hug, and the Meet the Wild Things series, all in collaboration with her husband, John Rocco. Before dedicating herself to writing for children full-time, Hayley worked as a publicist at several major publishers. Visit Hayley at hayleyrocco.com and follow her on Instagram @hayleyroccobooks.

About the Illustrator

John Rocco is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Blackout, the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, and How We Got to the Moon, which received a Sibert Honor and was longlisted for the National Book Award. John and Hayley live in Rhode Island in an old house tucked in the woods near the sea. Visit John at roccoart.com and follow him on Instagram @roccoart.

Hayley and John are also ambassadors for the nonprofit Wild Tomorrow and cofounders of Children’s Book Creators for Conservation.

You can purchase Hello, I’m an Axolotl at these booksellers

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

Picture Book Review

March 14 – Celebrating the Book Birthday of Just a Worm

Posted by Kath Carroll

Just a Worm

By Marie Boyd

Worm is inching along on a beautiful summer day singing a happy little ditty: “La la la la… Slop, slip, wiggle. / I’m taking a little twirl. / Dop, dip, squiggle. / I’m off to see the world.” And so he was! But on his way he passed two kids who just didn’t see worm the way he saw himself and made him wonder…. Worm bolstered his self-confidence, telling himself that there were a lot of things he could do.

Just then he wiggled up to a row of brilliant purple flowers, where caterpillars, a chrysalis, and a butterfly were hanging out. Just out of curiosity, worm asked one of the caterpillars what she could do, and—Wow!—when he learned about making a chrysalis and metamorphosis, and becoming a butterfly, he was impressed. And maybe a bit intimidated.

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Butterfly also seemed to have multiple talents as did Spider and Dragonfly, who informed worm that he’d never be able to fly because he was “‘just a worm.'” Worm seemed resigned to his fate when he came upon ladybug and asked what she could do. Ladybug said, “‘I protect plants by eating insects, like aphids.'” This reminded worm that he did have a talent. “‘I eat dead animals and plants and keep the garden clean,'” he said with growing confidence.

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By the time worm meets bee, he’s ready to advocate for his own contribution to the garden. Then when snail crawls by and tells worm about the slime that protects him, worm realizes he’s found a friend he can relate to because worm makes slime too! Snail thinks that’s pretty cool, and worm agrees! In fact, worm understands that he can do a lot of things and that many of them benefit the garden. He even lists them all for snail, and as he looks around at the beautiful flowers and luscious berries, he takes some credit for growing “all of this” and proudly states “I’m a WORM!”

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Marie Boyd’s clever story combines salient information about a variety of insects with worm’s confidence-boosting journey from feeling inferior to the other garden dwellers to realizing his own role and importance in the plants’ growth and vibrancy. From page to page, readers can sense worm’s developing appreciation for his talents, and when he shakes off his misgivings and gives ladybug a small list of his accomplishments, kids will be right there to cheer him on. Readers may be surprised to discover just how much worms do contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem even as they come to understand that there is no such thing as “just a worm” in nature. Worm’s personal growth will also resonate with children, who are trying out new things and beginning to find their place in the world.

Boyd’s beautiful and original illustrations, created with intricate paper quilling are wonderfully detailed, textured, and expressive of the uniqueness and interconnectivity of nature. She also weaves in metaphorical clouds, which at worm’s lowest point, turn grey and black as they build overhead. But with his newfound confidence, they dissipate to be replaced with white, fluffy clouds that also blow away to reveal a clear, blue sky.

A multilayered story that delivers two important life lessons in a unique and charming way, Just a Worm will become a quick favorite for home, school, and public library story times. The book would be especially fun to pair with home gardening or planting activities for classrooms, libraries, and extracurricular organizations.

Ages 4 – 8

Greenwillow Books, 2023 | ISBN 978-0063212565

About Marie Boyd

Marie Boyd is a law professor, author, illustrator, and self-taught quilling artist. Her author and illustrator debut, Just a Worm (Greenwillow Books 2023), follows worm through the garden as he learns about his neighbors and how he helps keep the garden healthy. Originally from Salt Lake City, Marie lives in Columbia, South Carolina with her husband and two young children. You can find her at marieboyd.com and on Instagram.

Just a Worm Book Birthday Activity

Make a Quilled Snail

Author/illustrator Marie Boyd built worm’s gorgeous garden world with quilled paper, and now you can make worm’s friend snail for yourself with this tutorial on her website!

Quilled Snail Craft

**You can find Just a Worm at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

November 8 – Young Readers Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Falling each year on the first Tuesday in November, Young Readers Day highlights all of the benefits that babies, kids, tweens, and teenagers reap by reading and being read to. The holiday celebrates parents, teachers, and other caregivers who make sure that children are connected with books that capture their minds and hearts and lead to a lifetime love of reading. People are also encouraged to stop by their local bookstore and let their kids pick out a new book to enjoy. Today is also National STEM/STEAM Day, which aims to get kids exploring the fields of science technology, engineering, art, and math – subjects that are the backbone of discovery and the type of innovation needed to design a better future for us all. Today’s book incorporates both of these holidays!

Count on Us! Climate Activists from One to a Billion

Written by Gabi Snyder | Illustrated by Sarah Walsh

In her book aimed at inspiring children to discover what they can do to help protect and care for the environment, Gabi Snyder invites them to count the ways they can help and travel through the alphabet, beginning with “1 Action. One small person taking one small step towards Big changes.” But that one action and one person don’t need to stand alone. Snyder shows kids how a single expression of caring for the environment can influence a growing number of people to engage with conservation in diverse ways.

Counting from one to ten, Snyder demonstrates how small groups of people of varying generations can start to come together to “grow a movement” and come up with “inspiring ideas” while also introducing “5 Environmentalists” who are working around the world “to protect nature from being harmed by human’s waste and pollution” and “8 Healthy Habitats” from mountains to jungles to the ocean, and more.

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Image copyright Sarah Walsh, 2022, text copyright Gabi Snyder, 2022. Courtesy of Barefoot Books.

After the number 10 is reached, Snyder begins counting by tens, and readers see how quickly the environmental movement can grow. Now “20 Kids for conservation” are planting gardens, picking up litter, riding bikes, and rescuing animals harmed by pollution, while 30 light bulbs have been replaced by energy-saving LED bulbs. And remember those 20 kids? They’re now part of “40 Mighty Marchers” carrying the banners made at number 2.

The “5 environmentalists” and “8 habitats” have spawned dozens of places and species that are being protected as well as products that can be recycled or repurposed and ways science can help. From 100, the number of those involved explodes exponentially to 1,000… 10,000…100,000… all the way to one billion with all those people doing what they can, described from T through Z, to make the world a cleaner, safer, and healthier place for all.

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Image copyright Sarah Walsh, 2022, text copyright Gabi Snyder, 2022. Courtesy of Barefoot Books.

Four pages of back matter discuss in more depth the definition of Activism and why it’s so important for people to come together to voice their opinions on climate change and protecting our planet. Snyder provides two examples of young activists who are making a difference in different ways that are most meaningful to them. She then invites readers to do some thinking about what issues they care most about.

Snyder also provides short bios of the five environmentalists she introduced earlier in the story. At number 9 Snyder mentions “Inspiring Ideas,” and here she goes into more depth on each one that is pictured on the page. She finishes up by giving kids and adults a week’s worth of thoughtful ideas on how they can make an impact in their own home and community.

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Image copyright Sarah Walsh, 2022, text copyright Gabi Snyder, 2022. Courtesy of Barefoot Books.

Gabi Snyder’s eye-opening book gives kids an idea of how important individual as well as group actions are in the movement to protect the earth from climate change while empowering them with specific examples of good ideas for combating the dangers our planet faces. Sharing Count On Us! with kids offers teachers, homeschoolers, clubs, and other organizations many opportunities for discussion, research, and the type of activism required to make a difference.

Sarah Walsh’s striking illustrations will capture children’s attention with depictions of friendship, cooperation, and the kind of growing enthusiasm that fuels real change. As the pages become more and more crowded with activists, readers will understand that not only are increasing numbers of people needed, but also more ideas and more helping hands. Adults can use Walsh’s images as jumping off points to get children talking about and/or drawing the various habitats, native plants and animals, and threats to the environment in their area and even devising solutions or inventions to help.

Count on Us! Climate Activism from One to a Billion would be a welcome addition to home, school, and public libraries to inspire and energize environmental involvement and change.

Ages 4 – 9

Barefoot Books, 2022 | ISBN 978-1646866243

Discover more about Gabi Snyder, her books, and where to on her website.

To learn more about Sarah Walsh, her books, and her art on her website.

Young Reader’s Day Activity

We Love to Read! Maze

Help the kids pick up books and find their way through the library in this printable maze.

We Love to Read! Maze Puzzle | We Love to Read! Maze Solution

**You can find Count on Us! Climate Activists from One to a Billion at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support you local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

September 30 – It’s National Mushroom Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Whether you say “Yes, please!” to mushrooms on pizza, in salads, and in soups, stews, and other dishes or just like to stop and admire them in your yard or on a walk, National Mushroom Month is for you! The holiday was first created by the U.S. Mushroom Council as part of the Mushroom Promotion, Research & Consumer Information Act of 1990 that was instituted to raise awareness and an appreciation for mushrooms, both non-edible and nutritious edible varieties. President George H.W. Bush signed the Act into law on November 28, 1990, and the holiday was first celebrated in 1993. Celebrate your love of mushrooms today and all through the year with your favorite mushroom dish—and today’s book!

Mushroom Rain

Written by Laura K. Zimmermann | Illustrated by Jamie Green

You know how it is with mushrooms—they appear suddenly on the path you take every day, on trees, in the middle of lawns, and each with their own shape and color. Mushrooms are surprising, beautiful, and mysterious. In her evocative, lyrical text, Laura K. Zimmermann takes readers into the forests, meadows, and even up into sky to learn about these plants that can oftentimes seem otherworldly.

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Image copyright Jamie Green, 2022, text copyright Laura K. Zimmermann, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

Under a starlit sky, Zimmermann gives children a peek into a darkened woods where “delicate umbrellas open, red octopus arms rise from the ground, cupped nests with eggs appear,” and another cluster of mushrooms glow “a spooky green.” These fungi don’t just look unusual, they are “bizarre blooms with strange scents,” and Zimmermann describes them—”some like bubble gum, coconut, maple syrup…”— so readers can imagine the aromas that mix in the night air. Can you smell them?

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Image copyright Jamie Green, 2022, text copyright Laura K. Zimmermann, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

You’ve seen mushrooms with notches and nibbles, scratches and scars, and even meandering trails on their stems and tops. “Many are tattered and torn by hungry visitors chomping, scraping, gnawing, and burrowing” into the soft flesh. And while some are consumed where they grow, others are taken away by a variety of mushroom hunters—”harvested and stored” for another day.

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Image copyright Jamie Green, 2022, text copyright Laura K. Zimmermann, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

Then, just as suddenly as they appeared, mushrooms disappear. But are they gone completely? Zimmermann leads children underground to explore the vast network of roots beneath a forest floor. She floats them on breezes that send spores far and wide. And she sweeps them into the sky to soar with other spores into the clouds, where they’ll discover that an astonishing phenomenon occurs to begin mushrooms growing once again.

Following the text, extensive illustrated back matter reveals more about mushrooms: where they live, who eats them, how spores grow into mushrooms, how they help seed rainclouds, and how they are different from plants. Zimmermann also defines each part of a mushroom, describes the biggest mushroom-producing fungus and the largest living organism in the world, and shows kids how to use a mushroom to make a spore print.

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Image copyright Jamie Green, 2022, text copyright Laura K. Zimmermann, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

While Laura K. Zimmermann is taking children on a verbal sensory tour through the darkened world where mushrooms thrive, Jamie Green provides a feast for the eyes with her glorious illustrations of these odd colorful fungi jutting from the ground, posing, and jockeying for position. Some stand close together, as endearing as a parent and child, or like a large family at a photo shoot while others reach upwards like roaring campfires. Turn the page and readers find themselves in the midst of a glowing alien landscape staring up into the dark night sky along mushrooms frilled and gilled while also aware of the small creatures on the forest floor having dinner or a snack. Green then takes kids underground and into the air, to show how spores find ingenious ways to grow and break the soil once again.

Arresting in both its beauty and enlightening facts that will excite readers’ curiosity, Mushroom Rain is a glowing invitation into the mysterious world of mushrooms and will spur readers to learn more about these delights of nature. The book, along with its extensive back matter and the materials found on Laura K. Zimmermann’s website (link below), would make a superb addition to any lessons on nature, the environment, and ecosystems for schools and homeschoolers, and is a must for school and public library collections.

Ages 5 – 8

Sleeping Bear Press, 2022 | ISBN 978-1534111509

Discover more about Laura K. Zimmermann, her book, and her other writing for children on her website. You’ll also find lots of mushroom-related activities, crafts, posters, puzzles, and more to enjoy with Mushroom Rain. There’s also a Teacher’s Guide for educators.

To learn more about Jamie Green, her books, and her art, visit her website.

**You can find Mushroom Rain at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

August 2 – Celebrating the Book Birthday of Maya and the Beast

Posted by Kath Carroll

Thanks to Harry N. Abrams for sharing a copy of Maya and the Beast with me for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Maya and the Beast

Written by Maya Gabeira | Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

“Once upon a time, in a fishing village called Nazaré, there lived a Beast” begins this compelling fictionalized version of world-record-breaking surfer Maya Gabeira’s life. The Beast is not an animal or a dragon, but a wave that roars upward as tall as a seven-story building and larger than a blue whale. When the Beast crashed upon the shore, it rattle windows and vibrated through the ground.

In Nazaré there lived a shy young girl with asthma that often kept her indoors and made her feel “fragile and scared.” Despite her asthma, Maya relished the strength she felt when doing sports—dancing, gymnastics, and especially swimming. She had grown up hearing stories about the Beast and warnings to stay away from it and the other big waves that rolled ashore.

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Image copyright Ramona Kaulitzki, 2022, text copyright Maya Gabeira, 2022. Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams.

But one day, Maya decided to go see the waves for herself. Standing atop a cliff, she watched in awe. The Beast “was the most beautiful thing Maya had ever seen. The other thing she saw was boys surfing—”gliding across the waves, tiny creatures against the blue.” Maya instantly fell in love with the speed and power of surfing.

She ran home and told her dad, “‘I’ve discovered my dream—it’s surfing!'” The next morning Maya found a surfboard waiting for her. She took it down to the town beach, where the waves were smaller but boys were still surfing. She asked one boy if he would teach her to surf, but he only told her that ‘”surfing is too dangerous for girls.'”

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Image copyright Ramona Kaulitzki, 2022, text copyright Maya Gabeira, 2022. Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams.

The next day, once again watching the Beast from the clifftop, Maya found a conch shell. When she put it to her ear, she heard words of encouragement that spurred her on. She returned to the town beach with her surfboard the next day and every day afterward. She practiced swimming underwater, where she discovered that, because of her asthma she already familiar with the feeling of breathlessness she experienced under a wave.

She began practicing popups and balance on her board in the sand. “Each time she fell, she got up again.” When she felt ready, she took her board into the ocean and practiced on the small waves, ignoring the laughter of the boys. As she became more confident, she grew to love the sport even more. “She felt resilient. She felt powerful. She felt happy.” The boys could only look on in disbelief.

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Image copyright Ramona Kaulitzki, 2022, text copyright Maya Gabeira, 2022. Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams.

One day she returned to the cliff and found the conch shell. This time when she put it to her ear, she heard words of pride in her accomplishments and an affirmation of her bravery. As she listened to the waves, she knew she would become a champion surfer and “prove that a girl could ride the biggest wave in the world. And one day… she did.”

In her extensive Author’s Note, Maya Gabeira relates how she came to love surfing and her rise in the sport. She includes her successes and also her setbacks and shows readers that engaging in any endeavor takes persistence, self-confidence, and the freedom to find one’s true self.

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Image copyright Ramona Kaulitzki, 2022, text copyright Maya Gabeira, 2022. Courtesy of Harry N. Abrams.

Inspired by her own life experiences, legendary surfer Maya Gabeira, encourages children—girls in particular—to find their passion and embrace the dedication and hard work required to achieve their goals. Her story highlights independence, self-reliance, and self-confidence. The words relayed by the conch shell can be seen as that small interior voice of truth we all have and that, when listened to, can spur us to pursue our real aspirations.

Through Ramona Kaulitzki’s stunning illustrations, readers can almost hear the roar of the Beast and feel the salt spray on their skin. Beautiful blue and green waves trimmed in foamy white curl on the page form offshore, framing and dwarfing Maya and the boy surfers. Two-page spreads give readers an idea of the enormity of these waves and the strength and bravery required to ride them. Kaulitzki depicts Maya’s enthusiasm with her chosen sport, showing readers her determination to conquer it despite sometimes falling and having to practice amid the naysaying boys. As Maya’s confidence grows, her smiles and strength are evident, culminating in the awe-inspiring final spread of Maya riding the Beast.

A unique story about a contemporary role model, Maya and the Beast will inspire all children to listen to their own inner voice as they find their passion and reach for their goals. The book also encourages adults to support their children’s choices and provides an opportunity for discussions about what those are. Maya and the Beast would be an excellent addition to home bookshelves and is highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Ages 4 – 8

Harry N. Abrams, 2022 | ISBN 978-1419760006

You can learn more about Maya Gabeira, view pictures and heart-pounding videos of her surfing skills, and more on her website.

Discover more about Ramona Kaulitzki, her books, and her art on her website.

Maya and the Beast Book Birthday Activities

The Beast Video

Watch Maya Gabeira in her Guinness World Record winning ride.

Surfboard Coloring Page

Get out to the beach with this coloring page that lets you design your own surfboard too!

Surfboard Coloring Page

**You can find Maya and the Beast at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

July 2 – World Firefly Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

World Firefly Day was instituted by Fireflyers International Network to raise awareness of these summer-night beauties and the dangers to their survival, including habitat destruction, pesticides, light pollution, and over-collection. More and more, as fields and marshlands are paved over for building and waterways open up to recreation, the fireflies that call these places home are disappearing. This year’s theme is “Let’s stay together in the challenging world” and encourages everyone to learn how to “live in harmony” with fireflies. To learn more about fireflies, how you can make your garden or lawn firefly friendly, and more, visit Firefly Conservation & Research.

Light the Sky, Firefly!

Written by Sheri Mabry Bestor | Illustrated by Jonny Lambert

When fireflies begin dotting the summer night sky with light, it may seem like they’ve magically appeared out of nowhere. But as Sheri Mabry Bestor eloquently reveals, these beautiful insects have been lurking and luminescing for a long time. How long? Well, would you believe a full year? As summer rains dampen the earth, a firefly lays her eggs (up to 500!) under brush or fallen leaves. “Under the leaves, the eggs lay still. For the baby fireflies inside the shells, it is time to grow. And begin to glow.”

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Image copyright Jonny Lambert, 2022, text copyright Sheri Mabry Bestor, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

The larvae hatch after a month, and then they begin to eat, eat, eat. Slugs and snails are on the menu and, as a paragraph of scientific information about the firefly’s nighttime dining discloses, “instead of fighting their prey, the larvae bite and then inject the prey with a liquid that keeps it from moving to get away.” All through the rest of summer and fall, the baby fireflies grow. During the winter, the larvae undergo many transformations, growing and outgrowing a series of casings.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-light-the-sky-firefly-launch

Image copyright Jonny Lambert, 2022, text copyright Sheri Mabry Bestor, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

It isn’t until late spring when the larvae are ready to become an adult. When they are ready, they emerge from their mud nest. Then, while the sun is high, they stay low to the ground. But “when the sun begins to set, they begin to climb higher. And when the sky turns black, fireflies launch!” Then “the sky is filled with flashing fireflies. They twinkle like faraway stars.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-light-the-sky-firefly-blink-blink

Image copyright Jonny Lambert, 2022, text copyright Sheri Mabry Bestor, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

Still, the darkness of night doesn’t protect them from predators, so fireflies always have to be on the alert. If they are caught, fireflies have a bitter surprise for the hungry critter. And what about those “blink, blinks” that we all marvel at? Those signals aren’t random. As Sheri Mabry Bestor explains, “Fireflies blink with specific rhythms called ‘flash patterns,’ and each species has its own. This helps them communicate with each other.” Not only does that luminescent chemical help fireflies, Bestor describes ways in which scientists and doctors are studying it in hopes of helping people.

“In time, the females are ready to lay their eggs. Pitter-patter, drizzle-drip. Summer rain cools the earth. Bees buzz. Birds glide. A firefly finds a place under the leaves that blanket the ground.” The eggs hide, waiting until next summer when it’s their turn to shine.

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Image copyright Jonny Lambert, 2022, text copyright Sheri Mabry Bestor, 2022. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

Sheri Mabry Bestor’s lovely, poetic story of the lifecycle of fireflies is a beautiful read aloud for summer nights or for whenever you and your kids are missing the simple pleasures of summer. While the story plays out from page to page in flowing and sometimes vibrant text, scientific facts about these insects, their transformations, homes, anatomy, protection, and, of course, their bright and glowing communication skills are tucked in the corner waiting to be discovered and explored. Bestor’s rhythmical cadence also highlights the seasonal changes that accompany a fireflies’ growth and the cyclical wonder of nature.

Jonny Lambert’s stunning textured collage-style illustrations portray all the beauty of these unique insects and the landscape they inhabit. Mottled greens and yellows give depth to lush leaves, opaline snail shells catch the light above as the curious snail discovers the glowing eggs below, and delicate spring flowers camouflage the mud nests where the larvae are transforming into adults. The nighttime scenes are breathtaking with deep blue skies, a canvas for the pin pricks of light that create summer’s most spectacular show. Both realistic and dreamlike, these nighttime pages will have kids and adults scurrying outside to watch and be a part of it.

A gorgeous book to celebrate the exquisite charm of fireflies as well as to impart natural science facts, Light the Sky, Firefly is highly recommended for home, school, and public library bookshelves.

Ages 4 – 8

Sleeping Bear Press, 2022 | ISBN 978-1534111158

Discover more about Sheri Mabry Bestor and her books on her website.

You can connect with Jonny Lambert on Twitter.

World Firefly Day Activity

Firefly Flight Maze

This little firefly wants to join her friends in the forest. Can you help her through the maze to find them in this printable maze?

Firefly Flight Maze Puzzle | Firefly Flight Mage Solution

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-light-the-sky-firefly-cover

**You can find Light the Sky, Firefly! 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

Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Written by Megan Clendenan | Illustrated by Brittany Cicchese

Anniversary of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault Opening Activity

Just in Case Activity Kit

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About the Holiday

Hello, I’m an Axolotl

Written by Haley Rocco | Illustrated by John Rocco

Discover all the books in the “Meet the Wild Things” series!

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Just a Worm

By Marie Boyd

Just a Worm Book Birthday Activity

Make a Quilled Snail

You can find Just a Worm at these booksellers

To support your local bookstore, order from

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About the Holiday

Count on Us! Climate Activists from One to a Billion

Written by Gabi Snyder | Illustrated by Sarah Walsh

Young Reader’s Day Activity

We Love to Read! Maze

You can find Count on Us! Climate Activists from One to a Billion at these booksellers

To support you local independent bookstore, order from

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About the Holiday

Mushroom Rain

Written by Laura K. Zimmermann | Illustrated by Jamie Green

You can find Mushroom Rain at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

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Maya and the Beast

Written by Maya Gabeira | Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

Maya and the Beast Book Birthday Activities

The Beast Video

Surfboard Coloring Page

You can find Maya and the Beast at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

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About the Holiday

Light the Sky, Firefly!

Written by Sheri Mabry Bestor | Illustrated by Jonny Lambert

World Firefly Day Activity

Firefly Flight Maze

You can find Light the Sky, Firefly! at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Share this:

**Discover all the books in the “Meet the Wild Things” series!**

**You can find Just a Worm at these booksellers**

**You can find Count on Us! Climate Activists from One to a Billion at these booksellers**

**You can find Mushroom Rain at these booksellers**

**You can find Maya and the Beast at these booksellers**

**You can find Light the Sky, Firefly! at these booksellers**