Two Most Excellent, Wonderful, Lovely, Fun Picture Books!

I am so surprised and impressed that I'm getting a post out. LOL I ended a job, went to Canada, and then started a new job. And now I am so happy to present these two incredible books.

Where the Wee Ones Go: A Bedtime Wish for Endangered Animals by Karen Jameson, Illustrated by Zosienka

From the publisher, Chronicle Books: available April 2022

Wee readers will connect with wee endangered-animals in this mesmerizing bedtime book by Karen Jameson (Woodland Dreams, Farm Lullaby), promoting environmental awareness and encouraging the very sweetest of dreams!

When stars are out and the moon's above,

where do the wee ones go, my love?

Where do the wee ones go?

Where do endangered animals go to sleep? Immerse yourself in the lush beauty of this bedtime picture book and find out. From the Pacific Ocean to China's mountains, the Australian outback, and beyond, each baby animal has a warm, safe place to fall asleep.

With a variety of baby endangered animals and their mamas gracing each gorgeous spread, readers will be transfixed by richly-illustrated scenes that span the globe and capture each creature's unique habitat. Snuggle close like a sweet panda, curl up like a cozy koala, and drift off like a drowsy elephant, letting the sweeping environments and soothing bedtime rituals of this gentle animal lullaby lull even the most restless little dreamers into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Lovely to read, just lovely.

I was fortunate enough to read this at a book signing this past weekend. The last page gave me goosebumps. 

It’s so lyrical: beautiful and soothing text and illustrations. And I even learned something! It really is a treasure, this book, a wonderful addition to all bookshelves.

 

Monsters in the Briny by Lynn Becker, Illustrations by Scott Brundage

From the publisher Sleeping Bear Press: available April 2022:

What do you do with a grumpy kraken, a sickly sea serpent, and a tearful gigantic tortoise? You sing them a tune, of course! Following the sea shanty rhyme of "What Do You Do With . . . ," a ship's crew of sailors has to contend with a coterie of mythical sea creatures, all demanding comfort and attention. As each creature threatens to swamp the ship, the quick-thinking crew knows just what to do to save the day, from serving pancakes to mopping a sweaty forehead to sharing an umbrella to keep the rain away. But what happens when the sailors have had enough? Back matter includes information about the sea creatures featured, music and lyrics, along with a brief history of sea shanties

This book is so much fun to read! And sing! The words and illustrations are expressive and colorful, lifting the story to the next level. With this book, you can read to your child, sing to your child, and encourage participation, too. I don’t think it’ll take that much cajoling for anyone to sing along.

If you’re able to catch Lynn Becker reading it at a bookstore, like I was, you’ll be engaged, enjoy the musical accompaniment and be ready to sing the song yourself. I believe there is an awesome book trailer out there, as well as a video with book loving folks singing the story.

Another excellent addition to all bookshelves. Trust me.

 

PB + MG Book Blurbs!

We're finally close to 2021. 2020 has been quite a year and it'll be good to start a new one. Sometimes it's hard to get into the new year, but I don't think I'll have that issue this time. It's been hard to be creative sometimes, whether writing or reading. I definitely want to do more reading, but the motivation is often missing. With books like these two below though, they definitely motivate me to read more. I hope they will for you as well. Happy Everything and see you in the New Year!

Woodland Dreams by Karen Jameson & Marc Boutavant

From the publisher: Chronicle Books

Wander into the woods for a lyrical celebration of forest animals settling in for the night.  As nature walk turns to moonlight stroll, each and every creature finds its own way home. Pairing poetic verse and a gorgeous, painterly art style, WOODLAND DREAMS promises a sweet and cozy goodnight.

You will fall in love with this book. The words are magic in your mouth; delicious to speak and a treat to hear. The illustrations are gorgeous; warm and inviting, comforting and familiar. I look at this book and just smile. I guess I’m describing more of how it makes me feel. It’s a joy to read and gaze at all the details. A perfect gift for anyone. Beautifully produced.

Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata, Marianna Raskin (Illustrations)

From the publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Being a quadruplet can make it hard to stand out from the crowd. Becca’s three brothers all have something that makes them...them. Jake has his music and dancing, Jammer plays hockey, and K.C. thinks they’re all living in a simulation and doesn’t see the point of doing much of anything. Becca is the only one with nothing to make her special.

But when she finds a tiny, sick piglet on the side of the road, Becca knows this is it. This is her thing. She names the piglet Saucy and between her own pleading and Saucy’s sweet, pink face, Becca convinces her family to take her in. Soon, Saucy is as big a part of the family as anyone else—and getting bigger. With each pound Saucy gains, the more capable she becomes of destroying the house and landing Becca in trouble.

Some tough decisions need to be made about Becca’s pet, and her search for solutions brings to light exactly where Saucy came from. Turns out, there are a lot more scared piglets out there, and saving them may take Becca and her brothers finally doing something together.

This is quite a story. Unique with quadruplets and each one is fascinating with their own interests and quirks. They are separate but come together to help each other out. It’s touching when they sleep on the kitchen floor with Saucy. The whole family is realistic, including Grandma.

There was a part where I stopped reading because I knew what they had to do. And I didn’t want them to because I didn’t want to see it. I’m trying not to give anything away, so this is cryptic, I know. And I grew up on the prairies, I’ve seen pigs and cows and horses. But I never had one or raised one. And never had to see what these kids in the story saw. All the pigs I knew belonged to one family and lived in a nice barn.

I enjoy reading Cynthia Kadohata’s books, the writing is always wonderful.