Am Reading - Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Lost Christmas!

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Lost Christmas!

by Alastair Heim and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz

What they say: The Grinch is BACK and ready to prove to the residents of Who- ville that he's changed. This heartwarming sequel is written and illustrated in the style of Dr. Seuss's beloved holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Grinch had been patiently waiting all year,

To celebrate Christmas and bring the Whos cheer,

And to show every Who he was DIFFERENT now.                         

“I’ve changed!” thought the Grinch,                                           

“And I’ll prove it! But HOW ?” 

A year has passed since the Grinch stole Christmas from Who- ville. Now eager to prove to the Whos that his heart has grown to LOVE the holiday, the Grinch devises a plan to win Who -ville's Christmas Crown by making the largest, most spectacular Christmas tree the Whos have ever seen! 

But when things don't go as planned, the Grinch's heart turns ice cold, and he threatens to leave Who- ville for good...until one small, special Who reminds him that Christmas is NOT about winning.

Grow your heart three sizes MORE with this sequel to the timeless picture book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Featuring a foil-enhanced jacket and full-color illustrations rendered in the iconic style of the original, this new story makes a splendid gift and a must-have addition to the libraries of Grinch fans of all ages!

More info

Whatcha Reading Wednesday - The Most Boring Book Ever

The Most Boring Book Ever

by Brandon Sanderson

What they say: In this humorous epic adventure, a boy is, on the one hand, having an ordinary day. He does his math homework and his chores and takes a nap...all while a surprising adventure unfolds around him involving pirates, dragons, and other unexpected perils. 

With clever interplay between text and art and an expansive, imaginative arc, this modern classic is a landmark fantasy picture book.

More info

Coming Soon - The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac

Coming Oct 2023

I cannot wait for this!!

The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac: The official magical companion to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books  

by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Peter Goes,  Louise Lockhart, Weitong Mai,  Olia Muza,  Levi Pinfold, Pham Quang Phuc and Tomislav Tomić

What they say: The only official companion to the seven spellbinding novels about the Boy Who Lived, fully illustrated and superbly sorted – the perfect gift for Harry Potter fans of all ages! Whisk yourself away to Harry Potter’s wizarding world with this Whiz-bang of an illustrated companion. Discover magical places, study wandlore, encounter fantastic beasts, and find out about the witches and wizards who lived. From the Sorting Hat to the secrets of the Forbidden Forest, it’s all packed inside! This dazzling gift book brings together beloved characters, unforgettable moments, and iconic locations from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone all the way through to The Deathly Hallows . It’s the ultimate magical miscellany, filled with facts and fun about the wizarding world, beautifully catalogued and brilliantly explored. Joyfully illustrated throughout in full color by seven stunning artists and tingling with astonishing details to spot on every page, this is the ideal introduction to the Harry Potter stories for new readers and sure to surprise and fascinate lifelong fans. From incredible cross-sections to magical maps and ingenious lists, lose yourself exploring Hogwarts and beyond…

More info

Whatcha Reading Wednesday - There's a Dinosaur in Your Book

There's a Dinosaur in Your Book

by Tom Fletcher

What they say: Help Noisy Dinosaur learn to use her voice in this new interactive adventure from Tom Fletcher!

ROOOAAAARRRR!

What's that sound? It sounds like a little Dinosaur has stomped her way into your book. She's bored, and she's making a LOT of noise!

Can you help her find some friends? But make sure to keep everyone quiet or we might wake up... the BIG DINOSAUR!

This playful interactive story helps little ones to learn about inside and outside voices, as they teach Little Dinosaur when to be quiet... and when to be LOUD!

More info

Am Reading - To Boldly Go

To Boldly Go: 

How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil Rights

by Angela Dalton

What they say: As Lieutenant Uhura on the iconic prime-time television show Star Trek, Nichelle Nichols played the first Black female astronaut anyone had ever seen on screen. A smart, strong, independent Black woman aboard the starship Enterprise was revolutionary in the 1960s when only white men had traveled to outer space in real life and most Black characters on TV were servants.

Nichelle not only inspired a generation to pursue their dreams, but also opened the door for the real-life pioneering astronaut Sally Ride, Dr. Mae Jemison, and more.

This empowering tribute to the trailblazing pop culture icon reminds us of the importance of perseverance and the power of representation in storytelling. You just might be inspired to boldly go where no one like you has ever gone before!

More info

Book Spotlight - How to Eat a Book

How to Eat a Book

by Mrs. and Mr. MacLeod

What they say: “Sheila sat down to eat her first book and the strangest thing happened…The book ate HER.”

 

One by one, Sheila, Gerald, and Geraldine are eaten . . . by their books. This peculiar turn of events flings them far and wide. Sheila escapes the weight of the world entirely, while Gerald braves the wonder of seeing it up close. And Geraldine, well, Geraldine turns as terrifically terrible as she possibly can.

 

Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod craft a whimsical, modern celebration of books—with hints of Shel Silverstein and a splattering of Edward Gorey. Each page is fantastically illustrated with dipped pen-and-ink cutout art, photographed in a three-dimensional stage diorama, and digitally colored. The result is an irresistible world bursting with charm and character.

More info

Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party - Whatcha Reading Wednesday

Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party

by Kimberly Dean and James Dean

What they say: It’s a party, a party, a perfect pizza party!

That’s what Pete thinks as he piles the pie high with his favorite topping—pepperoni. But then his friends come over and add their own toppings to the pizza. Will Pete’s perfect pizza be ruined? There’s only one way to find out! 

In this picture book full of fun alliteration and tasty foods by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Kimberly and James Dean, Pete and the gang learn that the best kind of pizza is one you share with your friends.

More info

Whatcha Reading Wednesday - Pink Is Not a Color

Pink Is Not a Color

by Lindsay Ward

What they say: Pink loves her rosy world, from her pink toy dinosaur to her pet flamingo, Phil. But when she sees the Primaries and Secondaries getting ready for the Rainbow Extravaganza, she begins to wonder why she isn’t in the rainbow…and if that means she’s not really a color. Then she meets the Tints, and she’s even more confused. Luckily, a friend shows her the many ways she spreads joy—reminding Pink that she is truly one of a kind, rainbow or not.

Featuring the world of colors introduced in This Book Is Gray—and a few new color concepts—this is a tale about appreciating who you are and realizing that only you can decide what makes you happy.

Moe info

Spotlight - Before the World Wakes

Before the World Wakes

by Estelle Laure

What they say: A joyous celebration of the sights and sounds of daybreak and that special feeling a brother and sister have when they get to experience it together.

When everything is still gentle and quiet-ish and the stars say good morning at the same time they say good night, a brother and sister venture outside. They marvel at the dance of the snails and the birdsong that surrounds them. And then they join in, reveling in the early morning—and their time together before the rest of the world wakes.

With lyrical language and beautiful art, this book captures the magic of daybreak, the importance of small moments, and the special bond between siblings.

More info

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water - Spotlight

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson

What they say: The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson.

A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders. 

But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived. 

More info

The Year We Learned to Fly - Whatcha Reading Wednesday

The Year We Learned to Fly

by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López

What they say: Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López’s highly anticipated companion to their #1 New York Times bestseller The Day You Begin illuminates the power in each of us to face challenges with confidence.

On a dreary, stuck-inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their grandmother’s advice: “Use those beautiful and brilliant minds of yours. Lift your arms, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and believe in a thing. Somebody somewhere at some point was just as bored you are now.” And before they know it, their imaginations lift them up and out of their boredom. Then, on a day full of quarrels, it’s time for a trip outside their minds again, and they are able to leave their anger behind. This precious skill, their grandmother tells them, harkens back to the days long before they were born, when their ancestors showed the world the strength and resilience of their beautiful and brilliant minds. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael Lopez’s dazzling art celebrate the extraordinary ability to lift ourselves up and imagine a better world.

More info

Coming Soon - Oona and the Shark

Oona and the Shark - Oona the Mermaid #2

by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

What they say: The big sea's littlest mischief-maker, Oona, is back in another delightful tale from New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Raissa Figueroa.

Oona loves to share her inventions with her friends. They're big and bold and LOUD--just like her! But there's one underwater creature who doesn't seem to enjoy Oona's company, or her creations.

Stanley the shark! He doesn't care for her squeaky unicorn. And he's far too busy for the Sea Horse Carousel. And oh GOODNESS! Oona's latest hopping, chopping, and popping inventions just make him angry.

Oona may not know what Stanley likes, but she does know what he doesn't. And maybe that's a good place to start. Because mermaids never stop trying...not when there's a friend out there to make.

More info

Coming Soon - Playing with Lanterns

Playing with Lanterns

by Wang Yage, Chengliang Zhu and illustrated by Helen Wang

What they say: Zhao Di wishes the New Year would never end!

Zhao Di and her friends are excited to go out at night with their paper lanterns and celebrate Chinese New Year. Each holding a unique colorful lantern with a lit candle inside, they admire the breathtaking colors while doing their best to avoid the wind and the sneaky boys in the village. Every night, until the fifteenth day of New Year, Zhao Di and her friends take part in this fun tradition, experiencing the thrill of nighttime in their village. And then—it’s time to smash the lanterns!

In this cheerful book first published in China, readers are invited along with Zhao Di and her friends as they experience all the joy and excitement of this folk Chinese custom. Details about the paper lantern tradition are also included in an author’s note at the end of the book.

More info

Coming Soon - Medusa: The Girl Behind the Myth

Medusa: The Girl Behind the Myth

by Jessie Burton

What they say: A dazzling, feminist retelling of Greek myth from the internationally bestselling author of The Miniaturist, stunningly illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill.

Exiled to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. But when a charmed, beautiful boy called Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love, betrayal . and destiny itself.

Filled with glorious full-colour illustrations by award-winning Olivia Lomenech Gill, this astonishing retelling of Greek myth is perfect for readers of Circe and The Silence of the Girls. Illuminating the girl behind the legend, it brings alive Medusa for a new generation.

More info

Future Release - The Christmas Pig

The Christmas Pig

by J.K. Rowling & illustrated by Jim Field

What they say: A heartwarming, page-turning adventure about one child's love for his most treasured thing, and how far he will go to find it. A tale for the whole family to fall in love with, from one of the world’s greatest storytellers.

One boy and his toy are about to change everything...

Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve something terrible happens -- DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life... even toys. And Jack’s newest toy -- the Christmas Pig (DP’s replacement) -- has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost, and to save the best friend Jack has ever known...

More info 

New Release - There's a Unicorn in Your Book

There's a Unicorn in Your Book

by Tom Fletcher

What they say: Galloping glitter! A unicorn has landed in YOUR book! An engaging new adventure from the team that brought youThere's a Monster in Your Book and its companions.

Unicorns love to sing, but this unicorn isn't singing because a worry gremlin has crept in! Help unicorn up by using your finger wand and listening to its worries in this interactive book with an important social-emotional message about expressing your emotions. For more read-aloud fun in the Who's In Your Book series, look for these: There's a Dragon in Your Book, There's an Elf in Your Book, There's an Alien in Your Book, There's a Superhero in Your Book, and There's a Witch in Your Book!

Tom Fletcher is one of Britain's bestselling children's authors (in addition to being a rock star!), and his YouTube videos have been viewed tens of millions of times.

More info

Am Reading - Pax

Such a beautiful book.

Pax

by Sara Pennypacker

Illustrated by Jon Klassen

What they say: Pax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. Now the war front approaches, and when Peter’s father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa. Far worse than being forced to leave home is the fact that Pax can’t go. 

Peter listens to his stern father—as he usually does—and throws Pax’s favorite toy soldier into the woods. When the fox runs to retrieve it, Peter and his dad get back in the car and leave him there—alone. But before Peter makes it through even one night under his grandfather’s roof, regret and duty spur him to action; he packs for a trek to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night. 

This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their independent struggles to return to one another against all odds. Told from the alternating viewpoints of Peter and Pax.

More info over at GR!

Whatcha Reading Wednesday - Bedtime for Superheroes

Bedtime for Superheroes

by Katherine Locke

What they say: Superheroes meet bedtime in this fun, entertaining, and sleepy time picture book for young kids fighting the bedtime routine.

Being a superhero is hard work! Fighting evil, catching bad guys, saving the day, and it's messy too! After a long day of being a superhero, even the best superhero has to take a bath, wash their superhero clothes, and rest up for another day of saving the world. With punchy words, bouncing lines, and a whole lot of respect for the hard work superheroes do, this is a great bedtime read for all kinds of superhero kids.

More info

Picture Book - Wild Symphony

Wild Symphony

by Dan Brown

What they say: #1 New York Times bestselling author Dan Brown makes his picture book debut with this mindful, humorous musical, and uniquely entertaining book

Travel through the trees and across the seas with Maestro Mouse and his musical friends Young readers will meet a big blue whale and speedy cheetahs, tiny beetles and graceful swans. Each has a special secret to share.

Along the way, you might spot the surprises Maestro Mouse has left for you- a hiding buzzy bee, jumbled letters that spell out clues, and even a coded message to solve

Children and adults can enjoy this timeless picture book as a traditional read-along, or can choose to listen to original musical compositions as they read--one for each animal--with a free interactive smartphone app, which uses augmented reality to play the appropriate song for each page when a phone's camera is held over it.

More info over at Goodreads

Whatcha Reading Wednesday - All Welcome Here

All Welcome Here

by James Preller

What they say: With gorgeous multimedia paintings-and-collages by acclaimed artist Mary GrandPre, James Preller's All Welcome Here promises to be an evergreen gift picture book for children about to take the big leap into their first days of school.

The bus door swishes

Open, an invitation.

Someone is not sure . . .

The first day of school and all its excitement, challenges, and yes, anxieties, are celebrated here in connected haiku poems. A diverse cast of characters all start--and finish--their first days of school, and have experiences that all children will relate to.

Released 16th June

More info