(“Windsor Castle Moat Garden,” photo by Steve Rawley, use with permission only, please)

That’s an old pic that Steve took for me when he and our daughter were in England. It popped up and I now gift it to you. I’m mad for orange roses, by the way, ever since I was a kid. My favorite variety is Tropicana, of course, but I am also fond of Sterling Silver. Which is not orange, but is still a pretty, pretty rose. It’s gonna be a long winter, y’all. I’ll prune my wild roses and Napoleon roses next month. Oh, hi! Are you looking for book reviews? Here’s what’s on the nightstand this week… Picture books! Super nice ones. Flowers and hearts for Valentine’s Day.

• “Lily’s Dream: A Fairy Friendship (Fairies Welcome),” by Bea (Brittany) Jackson, is my pick of the week. (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, 2025, ages 4-8, $18.99.) The glittery cover and dreamy art will capture the attention of the kids. It’s awfully pretty, and will hopefully inspire them to create some art of their own. The author lives in Detroit, Michigan, and this is the first book in a series she has planned. “Lily was a dreamer. She dreamed of soaring with the birds and the butterflies high above the treetops. More than anything, she wanted to fly.”
• “Bitsy Bat, Team Star” is another new picture book about hope and flying. The Bitsy Bat series is written and illustrated by Kaz Windness. (A Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster, on sale 2/4/2025, ages 4-8, $19.99.) Enzo Owl is a new student at school, and is non-speaking. Some of the students don’t know what to make of this. Winnie to the rescue. “‘Why doesn’t Enzo speak?’ asked Winnie. ‘Enzo uses a tablet and sign language to communicate,’ said Mr. Nibbles. ‘That’s a cool way to talk, Enzo,’ said Mo. ‘Thanks,’ signed Enzo.” Bitsy is a great character, and the kids like her. I love Windness’s art, it’s ebullient, colorful and full of life. Great introduction to talking to kids about kids who have extra needs.
• And now for three new Valentine’s Day books… Keith Baker’s “Hap-Pea Valentine’s Day,” is a lot of fun. This is the first in a series of holiday books (including Easter and Halloween) scheduled for release this year. All kinds of hearts = all kinds of love. (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, 2024, ages 4-8, $9.99.)
• Bigfoot!! You know we like that fella out in my part of the country (the wilds of Oregon). Sarah Glenn Marsh, writer, and Ishaa Lobo, illustrator, present “Bigfoot’s Big Heart.” (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2024, ages 3 and up, $18.99.) In this peek into Sasquatch’s life, he’s a homebody, mostly. Humans fear him and he stays away. But he enjoys his knitting, while he’s wearing his cozy robe and fluffy slippers. He’s misunderstood, yes, but his friends — including Nessie in Scotland, Mothman in the Appalachian Mountains, Chupacabra in Puerto Rico — know him and love him. When he loses the Valentines he’s sending them, who will help? Delightful book.
• Awwww, Nicola Killen is back with “The Little Puppy (My Little Animal Friend)” (A Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster, 2024, ages 4 and up, $17.99). When Grandma and her new pup, Milo, come to visit, Ollie is ex-cit-ed!! But you know puppies. Things sometimes get a little hectic. Killen’s art is beautiful.

Disclaimer: The titles included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time!

WM

(“Mt. Hood/Trillium Lake,” photo by Rawley, yeah I’m ready for spring and summer; use with permission only, please)

• “Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card — and Helped Change History,” is a fantastic new picture book/biography by Pat Zietlow Miller (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2025, all ages, $18.99). Jerry Jordan provided the illustrations, which are outstanding, thank you. The late, great John Lewis was a badass, gifted, astounding politician, forward-thinker and reader. In 1956, when he was a kid, he wanted to check out library books, but the library people wouldn’t let him. “But that didn’t stop John. John sent a letter to the library asking them to lend books to everyone. He waited and waited. But the library never wrote back.” That small — yet huge, unfair and yes, illegal situation — changed the man’s life and impacted the work he did, starting then, and for the rest of his years. I have so much love in my heart for Lewis. This book moves mountains, by telling his story. Thank you to everyone who brought this fine picture book into existence.
• “Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop” is a cool new picture book written by Keenan Jones, with illustrations by Ken Daley (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, 2025, all ages, $18.99). “Every picture tells a story/don’t it?” to quote the song, and yes, this is a great story, with great pictures, about a longstanding African-American tradition for the guys, as told through the eyes of a young man who spends his day there.
• Book three of the week is: “Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me,” a sweet, funny and inspiring picture book about two brothers. And yes, thank you!! they are brothers, even though they look nothing alike and people say things. Author Jennifer Bradbury did a lovely job with this book, which is illustrated by Pearl AuYeung. (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book/Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster; on sale Feb. 11, 2025; ages 4 and up; $19.99).

These books are my three picks of the week and I hope they win many, many, many awards. They deserve it, and all the love. All would be great additions to any library collection. Shout-out of the week to Perri Klass, by the way, for this excellent review of one of my lifelong favorite books, the American classic “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” by Betty Smith. Disclaimer: The titles included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time! WM

“Light in Corvallis,” photo (from Aug. 2022) by Nancy Ellen Row, use pic with permission only, please.

I will tell you a little about each book and then move along, because today is dreary and misty and I’d rather be reading than writing. But this is an interesting batch, so here we go…

• “The Bookshop on the Corner,” by Jenny Colgan (author of “Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop” and others) (William Morrow-HarperCollins, 2016, 370 pages). Such fun, this one.
• Having a little love affair with “Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs,” by Caroline Knapp (who also wrote “Alice K.’s Guide to Life” and “Drinking: A Love Story) (Dial Press, 1998, 249 pages). After losing both of her parents, and giving up alcohol after two decades of drinking, Knapp was looking for some meaning in life. She found… Woof! I think many of us can relate. Poignant and straight-ahead read.
• “The Davenports: More Than This” is the second title in this regal, elegant and saucy series from author Krystal Marquis (Dial Books/Penguin Random House, 2024, 379 pages). Love it, love the characters, and love the descriptions and plots of Marquis’s novels.
• “One Long River of Song: Notes on Wonder,” is a book of essays, each different, each its own animal, by the late, great Brian Doyle. This is a Little Free Library find and I’m happy to add it to my collection. Looking forward to starting it. (Little, Brown and Company/Hachette, 2017, pages.)
• “The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha,” (published a long time ago, contains so many books, so many pages). My copy dates back to college, when I took one of my fave English classes ever, “Bible as Literature,” with one of Portland State University’s most esteemed scholars, Professor Deanne Westbrook. My heart forever. I’m reading through Psalms at the moment. It always helps. For those of us who are into the Bible, I mean.

The pick of the week is… the Bible. Just because it includes stories that are both uplifting and terrifying, lol. Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. All for now, see you next time!

WM

(“These Two”; photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Up first this week: Books for the holidays and yes, I know I’m early, or late, depending on your schedule. Order or shop for them now and thank me later. Belated (in my humble opinion) is always better. Then it’s a gift and a surprise. xoxoxo WM

• • “Santa Mouse Finds a Furry Friend,” is a new story from “Santa Mouse” author Michael Brown, who dreamed up the original story when he found a piece of fabric decorated with a small Christmas mouse. I loved this book when I was a kid, and a whole new generation is now being introduced to our friend. Sweet and charming illustrations are by Robert McPhillips (Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, 2024, $18.99). “One Christmas Eve, as they set out in boots and suits so neatly dressed, this little friend asked Santa  Claus which gift did Santa think was best. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘we need good foor, warm clothes to wear, a place to live. But sometimes it is friendship that can be the finest gift to give.'”
  • And just for fun and happiness, here are two little board books: “Light,” by Ruth Forman, with illustrations by Katura Gaines and “What’s Mine is Yours,” by Hannah Eliot, with illustrations by Sally Walker (both from Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, 2024, $8.99 apiece.) In “Light,” a child takes a journey, his eyes laughing bright, seeing all… just like you. In “What’s Mine is Yours,” a mother and child spend peaceful time sharing everything — pancakes, smiles and wonders. Quiet and delightful.
  • Well, hello, again, Airi Sano, Prankmaster General, how’ve you been, kid? “International Menace” is the latest novel in the series by Zoe Tokushige, with illustrations by Jennifer Naalchigar (Philomel/Penguin Random House, 2024, grade 3 and older, $14.99). Airi and family leave Hawaii for the summer to visit her grandparents and cousins in Japan. I’m sure it will be a typical boring vacation, lol. I love Airi, her hijinks, spirit and big heart, and I also love the roadmaps, clues, keys and illustrations sprinkled throughout the books. They make it really fun and engaging for readers.

The pick of the week is… “Light,” for the perfect illustrations and the uplifting story.

Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time!

WM

(“Fall Scarecrow,” photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

• • The team of Rocco and Rocco (Haley and John Rocco) bring us a new series, and it’s pretty cool. “Meet the Wild Things: Hello, I’m a QUOKKA,” “Hello, I’m a SLOTH” and “Hello, I’m a PANGOLIN” are picture books filled with stories, facts and references about endangered species (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2024, all ages, $16.99 each book). “Hi! Hey! G’day, mate! I’m a quokka. If you haven’t heard that before, it sounds like KWAH-kuh when you say it out loud. Can you say it?” and just like that, the little guys win my heart. (They’re related to kangaroos and wallabies, but are tinier, so that’s awesome.) The drawings are vivid and help readers get to know the animals. These titles are my pick of the week, highly recommended, and would be nice ones to donate to classrooms and libraries.
  • “Little Ghost Makes a Friend” is a new picture book (ages 3 and up) written and illustrated by Maggie Edkins Willis (A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024, $18.99). It’s Halloween today, by the way, so happy trick or treating, kids. Hope you have fun. Little Ghost and his mama are in charge of haunting the house where they live. A little girl moves in next door, and Little Ghost makes it his mission to become friends. The book’s art is so pretty — reminds me of Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham’s books. And “The Sugar Mouse Cake,” a book I’ve adored my entire life. (As long as we’re on the subject of sweetness… The author dedicated this one to her grandma, and how sweet is that? “For my grandma, Margie Edkins. Thank you for reading me all those books.” That’s all I need, honestly, to make today beautiful. That, and it’s Halloween.

• • And now for a book that introduces Indian cultures and traditions to young readers: “Sari Sisters,” by Anitha Rao-Robinson and Anoosha Syed, author and illustrator, respectively. (Viking, 2024, ages 3-7 and older, 32 pages, $18.99.) Meet sisters Ruhi and Kayra, who are at different stages in their lives but are still best buddies. When Ruhi finds out that Kayra is learning to wear a sari, she wants one, too, and decides to throw a dance party so everyone can celebrate together. Things don’t always go as planned. Thoughtful, lovely book about being creative and flexible while growing up and experiencing changes.

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Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time!

WM

(“Boo!” photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

• • I love the cover on this one, and the story. Many, many cool details. “Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine,” written by Seth Fishman, with illustrations by Mark Fearing, is a fast and funny new picture book. (Penguin Workshop, 2024, ages 5 and up, $18.99.) “This morning started like any other day. EXCEPT THAT… BRANDON INVENTED A TIME MACHINE.” Now. To go back in time and meet Alexander Hamilton? Or go back a little while, maybe to yesterday, and fix that homework? Asking for a friend. 
  • Our hero in “Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All” has a goal. It’s a small goal, but it’s an excellent goal: find the matches for all the mis-matched, unloved socks she finds at her parents’ New York City laundromat. Harriet the Spy has met her match. Magnolia is daffy and sweet, brave and funny. With her new friend, Iris, they set off to explore the city and figure some things out. Author/artist Chanel Miller did a fine job with this one. (Philomel, 2024, ages 10 and up, 145 pages, $17.99.)

• • Tis the season… “All By My Elf,” is a new board book for the holidays, just for the babies. Author Jeffrey Burton and illustrator Nanette Regan have done a nice job with this one, and I love the bedazzled cover. (Little Simon, 2024, 18 pages, babies and toddlers, $9.99.)

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The pick of the week is… “Magnolia Wu,” because you know I love my friend Harriet and this is just a great novel. And the fun illustrations add to the book. (That’s the link to the author’s website, check it out.)

Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time!

WM

(Photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please) Just received a new crate (aka cardboard box) full of baby books and oh, yes. As you probably already guessed, they are cute. The cutest ones yet, really. But first: “The Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club” is here:

• • “Elvis is Missing” is yes, a pretty great title, but when you, dear reader, learn that Elvis is the family dog, gone missing… Well, get him back here! We love dogs! Bruce Hale (author who brought us the Chet Gecko series) and Luke Séguin-Magee (artist) are in charge of this series, “The Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club,” and they’re doing a fine job, keep it up. “Grunthar’s Revenge” is the next title, and it’s more adventures for Tina and Mateo, our heroes. (Penguin Workshop, 2024, ages 6 and up, 156 pages, $7.99 each book.)

• • Um. Were you that there’s a series called The Weenie Books? There is. The latest addition to the series is “Relish the Season” (a pretty hilarious little board book) and enough, I say, enough with the funny-clever titles, people. OK, I’m kidding. I love wacky titles, thus the name of my blog. Had I known I was going to be writing on this website 20 years later, I might have chosen a different name, though? Mebbe. Katie Vernon, who is the author, is a crack-up, and wishes us all “Seasoned Greetings.” The kids will get a big kick out of this one (Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, 2024, ages baby and up, $7.99).

• • Ever since “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,” we’ve all had a soft spot for heavy-duty and friendly construction equipment. #truth “Hush, Little Dozer,” by Rebecca Colby, with illustrations by Katya Longhi, is a beautiful bedtime board book. Keep a sharp eye out for the woodland creatures who work at the construction site. (Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, 2024, ages baby and up, $7.99.)

• • Just in time! “Jump in the Leaf Pile” is a new board book from Kelly Green, with illustrations by Kasia Nowowiejska. This is a sweet, happy book. “Run through the leaf pile, crackle crackle zap!” (Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, 2024, ages baby and up, $8.99.)

• • And another one for “just in time”: “No Thanks, Said Turkey,” in honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. “First to spot Turkey was a very hoppy hare. She hopped over and asked him right then and there: ‘Turkey, dear Turkey! Won’t you join us today?’ ‘No thanks!’ said Turkey and went on his way.” Smart boy, Turkey. Story by Jeffrey Burton, with art by Florence Weiser. (Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, 2024, ages baby and up, $6.99.)

The pick of the week is… it’s gotta be “Relish the Season,” so comical.

Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time! WM

(“Pink Heather”/ photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

• • “Villains Academy” is book one in a cool new series by Ryan Hammond, who wrote, illustrated and designed this novel for young readers. We’re introduced to Master Mardybum, a “notorious villain back in the day,” who now runs the academy; Bram, our werewolf hero; Mona, an elf-witch; “Bryan the Lion” and other interesting characters. Fun read and perfect for grades 3 and up. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023, 240 pages, $18.99.)
  • Here’s a sweet, comical illustrated novel for ages 2nd grade and up: “Oona Bramblegoop’s Sideways Magic: A Boy in the Fairy World,” written by Kate Korsh, with illustrations by Marta Altés (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2024, pages, $18.99). This series began with the “Newbie Fairy” title, and is reminiscent of our old buddy, Captain Underpants, as well as the Rainbow Magic fairy series and the older Fairy series, too, by Andrew Lang. Ah, the little sweeties.
  • “Theodora Hendrix and the Curious Case of the Cursed Beetle” is the latest in a recent series by author Jordan Kopy. Chris Jevons did the illustrations, which (digression, sorry) remind me a bit of my new favorite show (which is actually an older cartoon), “Gravity Falls.” It only aired for two seasons (unfair! It needed several more, it’s a lot of fun), so you may have missed it. Check it out for the fun heroes, twins Dipper and Mabel, the excellent secondary characters, and the sheer wildness and wackiness of a great cartoon. Theodora, too, is a strong character, and I’m glad the little chick got her own series, because she deserves it. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; 2024; released earlier in Great Britain by Walker Books, 2021; ages 3rd grade and up; 283 pages, $18.99.)
  • “Bear in a Bathrobe,” is a sweet new picture book from author and illustrator Maddie Frost. You know that feeling you get, when you’re ready to stay home all winter in your snuggly-buggly bathrobe, with nothing else on but your underpants, but your friends come up with a great idea (well, great to them, anyway?) such as… let’s all go ice skating! (This is always their best idea, actually.) It’ll be incredible! You probably won’t fall, c’mon now! Etc. Yes. This is what happens when Bear decides to take a gamble. (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2024, ages 3 and up, $18.99.)

The pick of the week is… “Bear in a Bathrobe,” because the art is pretty dang adorable.

Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time! WM

(“Summer, Please Come Back,” photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

• “I Want to Read All the Books” is a great title for this special and fun new picture book. (Written/illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024, ages 4 and up, $18.99.) “It all started with a raindrop. ‘I wonder where rain comes from,’ asked Hana.” And our story begins. If you read all the books, Hana speculates, maybe you’ll be able to answer all the questions, yes? The illustrations are sweet, with lots of details and (of course) pictures of our star: Books. What direction do you go, though, when your good habit veers into obsession?
• “Beach Hair,” written by Ashley Woodfolk, with wonderful illustrations by Niña Mata. Hair — all different kinds of hair — is important, dang it, and we needed this book in a big way so we can remember why. It’s unique! It’s what helps make us individuals, and also? Lots of people have cool heads of hair. (Also, shout-out to the bald heads, you rock, too.) (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024, all ages, $18.99.) A little girl and her parents wake up with wild bedhead and decide to make the best of it with a trip to the beach. Excellent story and nice to see a family, a realistic, blended, modern day family, just hanging out and playing. Woo-hoo!
• “Birthday Soup,” by writer Grace Seo Chang and illustrator Jaime Kim is my pick of the week because… you’ll see why in a minute. (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2024, ages 3 and up, $18.99). Oh, this book will make you happy and give you all the feels while learning about family, open-mindedness, Korean culture and foods. It’s Maia’s birthday, and her mom is fixing her a big pot of miyeok guk, the same soup that Korean mamas eat for strength and nutrients after their babies are born. Maia loves this soup… but will her friends? Sweet, funny, lively and yummy just like the dishes — and yes, the soup — which are served at the party. This one warmed my heart, I’m telling you. PS — two recipes are included, yay! One from Grace’s mom, and one from world-famous chef David Chang (Grace’s husband, and Gus and Hugo’s dad)… just fyi.
• “Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown,” by author Xochitl Dixon, with illustrations by Sara Palacios, is a cool new picture book that introduces us to a young boy who is exploring his favorite color, brown, which is the color of his skin, too. Love this one. “I look up. I look down. I’m searching to see something wonderfully, marvelously brown… just like me!” (WaterBrook/Penguin Random House, 2024, all ages, $13.99.)
• Last review for today: “PictureFace Lizzy” is a new picture book about trendy-cool-gotta have them toys. Written by Josh Gad, with funny and sweet illustrations by Marta Kissi (G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Random House, 2024, ages 3 and up, $19.99). Eve has, eh, a pretty good life, but she doesn’t have a brand-new, awesome, all of her friends have one (so why doesn’t she?) “PictureFace Lizzy.” She also doesn’t have a Superhero Lizzy, or an Itty-Bitty Lizzy, or any of the accessories. No fair, Mom and Dad! Great for talking points, this one, and finding some creative ways to ride out the trends.

Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time!

WM

(Photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Hello, dears, and welcome back! What are you reading this week? There’s so much out there. Let’s explore.

• “Camp Twisted Pine” is a cool new young adult novel, written by the talented and irrepressible Ciera Burch. I’ve been a fan of Burch’s since “Finch House,” (WM review is posted here) and this latest title is another hit. The writing is real, natural and engaging. “Camp Twisted Pine” ties together family conflict, friendship and its challenges, a summer camp in the Pine Barrens, and the Jersey Devil. Wait, what…?!? Naomi (not Nomi, thank you) is big sister to twin brothers Aman and Omar, and they don’t know that their parents are thinking of divorce. Naomi does, though, and is worried. Lots of interesting secondary characters. Nothing in this book is an afterthought or included just for the heck of it. It’s a great read, highly recommend (Margaret K. McElderry Books/ Simon & Schuster, ages 8 and up, 259 pages, $17.99).
• “Being Home,” by Traci Sorell (author) and Michaela Goade (illustrator) is my pick of the week. It’s moving day for a smart and creative young Cherokee girl, and that means many things: leaving the only city she’s ever called home, being with family and starting a new, big, unknown life. (Kokila/Penguin Random House, 2024, all ages, $18.99.) I appreciate the author’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail with this story. This picture book’s art is gorgeous, with movement and joy.
• Oliver Jeffer’s “Where to Hide a Star” is a new story about friendship, loss, hide and seek, and Martians. This is the latest in Jeffer’s series, which started with the picture book “Lost and Found.” (Philomel/Penguin Random House, 2024, all ages, $22.99.)
• “The Royal in You” is a vivid, stirring new book about an age-old topic: Jesus, God’s love, and the pearly gates. Beautiful art and a fine story. (WaterBrook/Multnomah; scheduled for release Oct. 22, 2024; by Jordan Raynor, with art by Jonathan D. Voss; all ages; 48 pages; $12.99.)

Disclaimer: All of the books reviewed today were sent to me free to review. Disclaimer here. See you next time!

WM