Recently published:

Good Morning, Farm

by Anita Bijsterbosch

#GoodMorningFarm #NetGalley

This sweet title is sure to appeal to toddlers. Its brightly colored illustrations will keep young listeners attention. The text is simple with the repetition that toddlers love. Children will watch as the animals welcome the day with each entry leading to the next by showing a small bit of the next animal. as a clue. This book offers a fun way to acquaint little ones with farm critters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Now out:

Even More Fantastic Failures

True Stories of People Who Changed the World by Falling Down First

by Luke Reynolds

This is the second book that Luke Reynolds has written about “Fantastic Failures.” I gave the earlier title four stars observing
“This book, written by a seventh grade English teacher, is replete with the biographies of those who faced significant challenges in reaching their goals. Each entry starts with a fantasy description of how things went, before, more accurately, detailing the setbacks that were faced along the way. The author believes that it is important that young people focus, not on being perfect, but on risk taking and learning. He tells his own story of having been a poor student and then turning things around. The author offers comments to students suggesting coping mechanisms when they face challenges. This book is broad and expansive. It would be an excellent resource for students and school libraries.”
I stand by these earlier comments while noting that in the introduction to this title readers will learn about the author’s baseball experiences. The message remains the same. Some of those featured in this volume include Socrates, Emma Gonzales, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joan of Arc along with many more. There are also sections called “The Flop Times” that are about people including Michael Phelp, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others. Some of the entries in these sections are also about groups as for example the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team.
This title is an inspiring resource that is written in a very readable style. I highly recommend it for elementary school aged children. The message of the book is so encouraging and hopefully will be welcomed by its readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

How do we? Stop that Virus!

by words&pictures

#StopthatVirus #NetGalley

Even the youngest children listen to what the adults around them say. So, no doubt, they have been hearing the word virus. This title with its lively illustrations will be welcomed by families. It helps young children to understand how the body fights a virus and how a person gets better.

This title will offer reassurance to many children while a few might need to understand that these small figures that look somewhat like people are not really inside them. All will know that their bodies work to keep them safe and healthy

Many thanks to NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: November 10, 2020

Tales to intrigue: The Big Book of Espionage

by Otto Penzler

#TheBigBookofEspionage #NetGalley

No one does an anthology better than Otto Penzler of the Mysterious Bookshop. His anthologies are filled with stories; this one is no exception coming in at over 800 pages. This may make it the perfect gift for someone that you know this holiday season. They will be immersed in tales that will keep them going for a while.

The book starts with an essay on espionage in its glamorous fictional guise. It is pointed out that the lives of real spies may be a bit more dull. Then come the stories. They are by writers well and less well known and cover historical eras including The Great War, World War II, “Other Terrors, Other Battles,” and The Cold War. Some of the many authors included are W. Somerset Maugham, John Buchan, Edgar Wallace, Eric Ambler, Erle Stanley Gardner, Joseph Finder, Sara Paretsky and Ian Fleming, among others.

This is a great book for you or someone on your gift list. Highly recommended.

Pub date: November 17, 2020

Recently published:

Thoughts of Dog

by Matt Nelson

This most sweetly illustrated title tells about the daily life of a dog (who seems much like a toddler), his “fren,” who is a stuffed elephant and their human. There are some adventures at home as well as in the wider world. There are movie nights, trips to the beach, a special sharing of the elephant on a bad day and more. Readers will also be delighted to share holidays including July 4th and Halloween with this appealing dog friend.

Readers who are looking for a quick escape will enjoy spending time in the pretty good world of dog and his friends.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars

Now out:

What Can You Do With a Color?

by Gülşah Yemen, illustrations : Çağrı Odabaşı

#WhatCanYouDoWithaColor #NetGalley

This engagingly illustrated title provides a nice opportunity for the youngest children to learn about colors. They will learn about primary colors (red, yellow, blue), secondary colors (green, orange, purple) and colors that mix the two (turquoise, magenta, amber).

This book can be used as a picture book to teach colors. I think that it would also be great for the kids who read this book to have watercolors or finger paints so that they can experiment with creating colors of their own.

Encourage a little one that you know to become an artist! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars

Can you solve these? Sherlock Holmes Puzzles: Lateral Brain Teasers

100 Challenging Cross-Fitness Brain Exercises

by Pierre Berloquin

#SherlockHolmesPuzzlesLateralBrainTeasers #NetGalley

The author of this puzzle book has been specializing in Sherlock Holmes related challenges. This one with lateral thinking puzzles offers 100 chances for readers to test their wits.

The book begins with a discussion of what lateral thinking is and then come the puzzles. They were a bit different for me as there was not always one clear solution. So, that has to be accepted in order to enjoy what follows. Let your inner Watson out and see how you do!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.