Forest Joy: Mindfulness in Nature Jill Neimark, Author Emily Fernihough, Illustrator Blue Jasper Editions, Fiction, Oct. 24, 2023 Suitable for ages: 4-8 Themes: Nature, Mindfulness, Stress Management, Happiness, Health and wellbeing Opening: “I am Joya! I live in the big city on the very top floor. From my balcony I can see the world.” Book Jacket Synopsis:  I Breathe Forest. Forest Breathes Back. When Joya and her city friends take a field trip to go forest bathing, she discovers there’s no water or soap needed. She breathes in forest and forest breathe back. She uses all her senses to ..read more

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! Mia Wenjen, Author Kai Gietzen. Illustrator Eifrig Publishing, Fiction, May 26, 2024 BOOK BIRTHDAY  Suitable for ages: Baby – 11 years Themes; Bedtime, Sports, Boxing Opening: “Welcome, fans! First to weigh in today is Boxer Baby, the undisputed champion of avoiding naps!” Publisher’s Synopsis: Mom is counting on Dad to get Boxer Baby down for her nap, but Boxer Baby is the G.O.A.T. of sleep avoidance. This hilarious face-off mimics a three-round boxing match, as Boxer Baby is no lightweight when it comes to staying awake. Dad has a few tricks up his sleeve, b ..read more

Who’s Writing This Story?! Robin Newman, Author Deborah Zemke, Illustrator Creston Books, May 7, 2024 Suitable for ages: 7-11 Themes: Animals, Author, Storytelling, Fractured Fairy Tale Opening:  “Once upon a time there were three little pigs. The first pig, who wasn’t very smart, quickly built her house out of straw.  ‘Wait one piggly-wiggly minute! Who’s writing this story?’ asked the first pig.” Publisher’s Synopsis: Who’s the real boss of a story? The writer or the characters who live to tell the tale? Or both together? Follow the three little pigs as they argue with the writer ..read more

Chasing Helicity; Force of Nature, Book 1 Ginger Zee, Author Disney-Hyperion, Fiction, 2018 Pages: 208 Suitable for ages: 8-12 Themes: Weather, Storms, Tornadoes, Meteorology, Storm chasers, Survival, Midwest, Family Relationships Publisher’s Synopsis: Helicity is well aware that her name is unusual – kind of like Helicity herself. The word Helicity means to spin, and for as long as she can remember, Helicity has been fascinated by the weather. The weather is Helicity’s escape from her own reality – may that be school, her father’s strict discipline, or her brother’s imminent departure for co ..read more

Wild Blue Dashka Slater, Author Laura Hughes, Illustrator Candlewick Press, Fiction, 2023 Suitable for ages:  3-7 Themes: New experiences, Bike, Imagination, Courage Opening:  “My pink pony and I ride the wide open spaces from sunrise to sunset until my daddy says, “Youv’e grown, Kayla. You’re too big for that itty-bitty bike.” Publisher’s Synopsis: In a charming take on a milestone moment, a young girl summons a cowpoke’s courage to tame her intimidating new bicycle. Kayla loves riding her pink pony, a three-wheeled bike, up and down the street, all day long.  But then Daddy a ..read more

True of False? – The Science of Perception, Misinformation, and Disinformation Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD Magination Press, Nonfiction, Aug. 6, 2024 Pages: 192 Suitable for ages 10 -18  Themes: Information behavior, Psychological aspects, Errors, Truthfulness, Falsehood, Critical thinking Publisher’s Synopsis:  Written for pre-teens and young teens in lively text accompanied by fun facts, True or False? The Science of Perception, Misinformation, and Disinformation explores what psychology tells us about development and persistence of false perceptions and beliefs and the dif ..read more

Earth Day, April 22, 2024 Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World Mia Wenjen, Author Robert Sae-Heng, Illustrator Barefoot Books, Nonfiction, 2023 Suitable for ages: 5-8 Themes: Agriculture, Sustainable farms, Food justice,  Feeding the world, Future Opening: “Can we feed the world without pollution? Sustainable farms are one solution. We can go back to old ways or try something new. Let’s take care of our Earth — for me and for you.” With the growing concerns about food insecurity and climate change, Mia Wenjen’s rhyming picture book will inspire lively discussions among ..read more

Hoops Matt Tavares, Author/Illustrator Candlewick Press, Graphic novel, 2023 Pages: 224 Lupine Award Winner Suitable for ages: 8-12 Themes: Girls, Basketball, Equality Perseverance, Community Book Jacket Synopsis: It’s 1976 and on Friday nights in Wilkins, Indiana, it seems like everyone in town shows up to cheer on the boys’ baskettball team. Cars fill the parking lot and fans pack the gymnasium for every home game. Most people don’t know it, but Wilkins actually has more than one basketball team. An what the newly formed girls’ team lacks in resources they more than make up with grit and ba ..read more

Cloud Babies: Sometimes All We Need to Do Is Look Up Eoin Colfer, Author Chris Judge, Illustrator Candlewick, Fiction, Apr. 11, 2023 Suitable for ages: 5-9 Themes:  Childhood Illness, Clouds, Imagination, Family Opening:  ” Erin’s very first word was cat. “Did you say ‘cat’ honey?” said Dad. “I don’t see a cat.”  But then Dad looked up and  he saw it, too — a cat! “Your very own cloud baby,” said Dad. Publisher’s Synopsis: Six-year-old Erin’s favorite game is spotting animals in the clouds with her mom and dad—everything from fluffy foxes and polar bears to little rabbits ..read more

Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story Jayme Sandberg, Author Kathleen Gadeken, Illustrator It’s All Stories LLC, Nonfiction, Jul. 14, 2023 Suitable for ages: 5-8 Themes: Solar eclipse, Astronomy, Friendship, Emotions Synopsis: Sun is seriously out of sorts about the upcoming total solar eclipse. Will Earthlings go blind watching it? What will they think when Sun’s dependable light suddenly vanishes in the middle of the day? How could Moon betray their stellar friendship? When totality finally arrives and Moon completely hides our brightest star from millions of Earthlings ..read more