(“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 reviewed today were sent to me free to review. 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