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“Hello, I’m a Quokka” and other great new titles

October 31st, 2024

halloween

(“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

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