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WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: The Noisy Puddle by Linda Booth Sweeney & Miki Sato

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  THE NOISY PUDDLE: A Vernal Pool Through the Seasons written by Linda Booth Sweeney, illustrated by Miki Sato Owlkids Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-77147-531-0 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A lyrical dip into the noisy, magical world of a vernal pool. In this vibrant and poetic informational picture book, two curious siblings observe the hidden world of a vernal a special kind of puddle habitat that pops up in the spring, dries up by summer, reappears in the fall, and freezes over in the winter—only to come back again in the spring. Young naturalists and future water stewards will be encouraged to listen, watch, and wait to witness the seasonal changes of the ever-changing puddle and its inhabitants. As readers follow along with the rhythmic text, they will be fascinated to discover many familiar and not-so-familiar creatures that make up the surprising web of inte

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Finding Grateful by Dianne White & Faith Pray

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FINDING GRATEFUL by Dianne White, illustrated by Faith Pray Chronicle Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-7972-1123-7 Source: publisher for review Ages 3-6 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK  A heartfelt picture book that celebrates embracing the moment and finding gratitude right here, right now. What does grateful look like? How does it feel? How do you find it? Even in the face of a challenge, you don’t need a You just need to pay attention to the little things—a smile, a hug, the smell of newly cut grass—that add up to a sense of presence and hope.   With evocative, lyrical prose, this warmly illustrated children's book is a reminder to pause, reflect, and take in the glimmers of positivity and connection that can be found amid even the most difficult circumstances. Both a timely meditation on finding gratitude in everyday moments and a timeless ode to the simple joy of truly being present, Find

YA POETRY: Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renee Watson & with fine art by Ekua Holmes

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  BLACK GIRL YOU ARE ATLAS written by Renee Watson, fine art by Ekua Holmes Kokila, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-593-46170-9 Source: publisher for review Ages 14 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A thoughtful celebration of Black girlhood by award-winning author and poet Renée Watson. In this semi-autobiographical collection of poems, Renée Watson writes about her experience growing up as a young Black girl at the intersections of race, class, and gender. Using a variety of poetic forms, from haiku to free verse, Watson shares recollections of her childhood in Portland, tender odes to the Black women in her life, and urgent calls for Black girls to step into their power. Black Girl You Are Atlas encourages young readers to embrace their future with a strong sense of sisterhood and celebration. With full-color art by celebrated fine artist Ekua Holmes throughout, this collection offers guidance a

GRAPHIC NOVEL: The Great Puptective by Alina Tysoe WITH AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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  THE GREAT PUPTECTIVE The Great Puptective #1 written and illustrated by Alina Tysoe Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024 ISBN: 9781665938242  Source: eARC & ARC from the publisher (THANKS!) Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, author art, & summary provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK A set-in-his-ways housecat has his routine upended by an enthusiastic new puppy with a nose for solving mysteries in this first adorable book in a graphic novel chapter book series perfect for fans of InvestiGators and Narwhal and Jelly. Truffles the cat is the only pet in the house and reigns in peace and quiet, only exerting himself to find the best place to take a nice, long nap—preferably in a spot of warm sunshine. Then Poppy the puppy bursts onto the scene. Poppy is loud, enthusiastic, excitable, and—worst of all—a puptective! She’s got an eye for crime and a nose to solve all mysteries that come her way…even though she’s not completely sure wha

WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? by Steven J. Simmons & Clifford R. Simmons & Ruth E. Harper

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  WHERE DO OCEAN CREATURES SLEEP AT NIGHT? written by Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmons illustrated by Ruth E. Harper Charlesbridge, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-62354-297-9 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Ocean animals sleep, just like you! This informative, rhyming picture book dives deep to look at where and how ocean animals sleep in the sea. Many ocean animals are active during the day, but where and how do they sleep at night? From sharks to dolphins and sea turtles to octopuses, plus parrotfish and whales and more, discover what these ocean creatures do when it’s time to go to sleep and the day is through. Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? is newest addition to a three-book series, which includes Where Do Creatures Sleep at Night? and Where Do Big Creatures Sleep at Night? ABOUT THE AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATOR Steven  J. Simmon s has

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: The Storyteller by Lindsay Bonilla & Noar Lee Naggan

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  THE STORYTELLER written by Lindsay Bonilla, illustrated by Noar Lee Naggan Nancy Paulsen Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-0-593-10958-8 Source: publisher/Blue Slip Media Ages 6 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover and summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com & Blue Slip Media. ABOUT THE BOOK Featuring an evocative text and luminous paintings, this stunning book celebrates the power of stories—how they connect us, inspire us, and keep memories alive. Griffin’s grandmother spins the most marvelous stories, from breathtaking fairy tales to fascinating family lore. These stories fuel his imagination and fill their days with magic. So when he sees her once-bright spark begin to fade, Griffin is scared to think of the future. Fortunately, though, he has her stories to guide him—and to remind him that he is braver than he could ever imagine. ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Lindsay Bonilla is a professional storyteller and author whose previous picture books in

EARLY READER: The Cozy Home by Ame Dyckman & Mark Teague

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   THE COZY HOME Bat, Cat & Rat #1 written by Ame Dyckman & illustrated by Mark Teague Beach Lane Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-6659-3042-0 Source: purchased Ages 6-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Join Bat, Cat, and Rat on their three-and-a-half sweet and silly roommate adventures in this hilarious picture book, the first of a series, from New York Times bestsellers Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague. What happens when three friends—a bat, a cat, and a rat—move in together? In “Sharing,” Bat, Cat, and Rat find a cozy home to share. But will choosing rooms put their sharing skills to the test? In “Joking,” Rat sets off a series of pranks and shenanigans with his rubber spider that have the trio screaming in surprise and laughing in delight. In “Reading,” Cat catches Bat and Rat reading over her shoulder—or so she thinks, until it turns out they haven’t learned to read yet. Can Cat teach her f