(“Oh, brrr”; photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

We’re in the fake-out season in Oregon. One day, it’s in the 70s, I’m out gardening all morning and in my flip-flops running errands in the afternoon. The next day, they’re talking tornado warnings (this is new to the Pacific Northwest and we’re all confused) and predicting hail “the size of tennis balls.” On the news, they showed a photo illustration of… balls. Golf balls, tennis balls, softballs, and a grapefruit? It rained a bit and was windy, but we were OK. We sometimes get snow in April or May.

I brought home a dozen new chicks a couple of weeks ago. They’re living in a galvanized tub in the garage under a heat lamp until they’re a bit bigger and the weather is nicer. So wish us luck. Four blonde Turkens, four black Turkens and four black pullets, all good-natured, and supposed to be good layers. I. Like. Chickens. Also picture books. And sunshine, but I’ll take the rain when it comes.

• “Beam of Light: The Story of the First White House Menorah” is here in time for Jewish American Heritage Month, which begins annually on May 1st. Elisa Boxer (“Hidden Hope,” “The Voice That Won the Vote”) is the author; Sofia Moore, a Ukrainian American artist and illustrator, provided the art. (Rocky Pond Books/Penguin Random House, 2024, 32 pages, ages 4 and up, $18.99.) Great biography about how the White House Menorah came to be. It’s quite a story, going back to President Truman’s era and continuing until 2022, when it was finally presented to the American people by President Joe Biden, and given a permanent home.

• Another good read for Jewish American Heritage Month is “Shabbat Shalom: Let’s Rest and Reset,” by Suzy Ultman. This sweet board book is just the right size for small hands, and introduces the concepts of weekly Shabbat to the young ones. (Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2025, babies and preschoolers, $9.99.) “We start with dinner. There are candles, and braided bread called challah, and smiles. There’s time for togetherness with family and friends and pets and neighbors and community.” Lovely book.

• Staying with this theme, a big welcome to the picture book “One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story,” by author Ruth Spiro, with illustrations by Victoria Tentler-Krylov. (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House, 2024, 40 pages, all ages, $18.99.) Tikkun Olam means “repair the world,” and this wonderful story, a “how-to,” really, with its vibrant art and positive tone, gives us hope. We can do good work, daily. So let’s do that. Peace and love.

• “Under Anna’s Umbrella” is a poignant picture book about grief, written by Amanda Driscoll, with soft, welcoming illustrations by Luisa Uribe. (Rocky Pond Books/Penguin Random House; scheduled for release April 22, 2025; 32 pages; ages 4 and up; $18.99.) Driscoll grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and still lives in the area. Uribe resides in Bogotá, Colombia. It’s cool that these two artists from different parts of the world found each other and made this extraordinary book, which introduces us to young Anna. Since her father’s rainy funeral, when she hid under her umbrella, she chooses to never go anywhere without it. Then one day, there’s a shift. This book, I think, will help kids. I’m glad for that.

• We have another insightful picture book about grief with “The Hole,” written by author Lindsay Bonilla (I’ve reviewed her work before here) and illustrator Brizida Magro, whose artistic style is joyful and wide-open, which is an interesting approach to a serious topic. (Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House, 2025, ages 4 and up, $18.99.) A boy has lost his little brother, and it’s left such a hole in his world. This one brought tears to my eyes, and it’s so well-done.

My picks of the week are… “Under Anna’s Umbrella” and “The Hole.” It’s important to talk with kids about grief, and it’s hard, sometimes, to know just how to do that. My tips are: Keep it simple. Keep it age appropriate. Don’t forget the sweet along with the bitter. More sweet than bitter is needed in this life, and we all forget that sometimes. Speaking as someone who was age 7 when she lost her favorite uncle, age 9 when she lost her father, and early 30s when she lost her cousin, her favorite uncle’s son… I have always loved hearing stories about them. Not the “wow, we really partied!” kind of stories, but the ones about the sweetness in them. The annual trip my dad made to drop off a bushel of apples for one of the elders in the family. The hamburger shack where my uncle worked. How much my cousin loved pie.

Take the sweet along with the bitter. I send you all love.

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

(West coast/best coast, Haystack Rock, Oregon coast, 7/28/2005; photo by Rawley, use with permission only, please)

Toying with the idea of planting a couple of dwarf fruit trees to keep inside the house. I have two, no, three, perfect spots. Hmm. Will mull this over.

Reviewing this week — young adult books and one chapter book:

• “A World Worth Saving” is the latest novel from author Kyle Lukoff (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages middle grade and up, 337 pages, $18.99). This is a beautiful, intense and gripping story about a young person, A, who is having to deal with transphobia in an extremely intimidating way (in the world, and also at home, from parents who do not understand and are lacking in compassion). I love the quote from Julian K. Jarboe that leads into the book: “God blessed me by making me transsexual for the same reason he made wheat but not bread and fruit but not wine: because he wants humanity to share in the act of creation.” Amen.

• “Storm Singer” is next up. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; skedded for April 15, 2025, release; ages 8 and up; 358 pages; $18.99.) Trigger warning: our hero’s parents are killed in the first chapter of the book. I didn’t like Bambi, or The Lion King, or even Finding Nemo, and here’s why: because parents always have to die in kids’ movies and books? Are we just in the way or something? Don’t be yanking on my heartstrings, right out of the gate, writers. OK, this is a fantasy/thriller about a young person, 12-year-old Nargis, who has the gift of song. She is known, in her world, as a Spirit Singer, and Nargis’s songs can (sometimes, but not all the time) do some pretty astounding stuff. Good job by author Sarwat Chadda.

• “All the Noise at Once” is a great new debut novel from DeAndra Davis, who knocks it completely out of the park with this release (sorry, baseball reference re: book with a football theme). (Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster; scheduled for release April 15, 2025; ages 14 and up; 377 pages; $19.99.) Davis skillfully and deftly tackles the intersectional issues of being black in America, being a black male in America, autism, police controversy, and more. Just a fantastic read. This one is my pick of the week.

• “Miles Lewis: Pet Sitter,” a fun chapter book for the younger “big” kids, is the fifth so far in the series. Kelly Starling Lyons is the author; Wayne Spencer created the illustrations. Miles is hoping for a pet, but his parents are not so keen on the idea. Excellent way to coach kids about the responsibilities of being a pet owner. (Penguin Workshop; scheduled for release April 15, 2025; 85 pages; ages 4 and up; $6.99.)

• “The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts” is a great Young Readers edition of this inspiring and well-written biography about some extremely talented women who might not be (are definitely not) getting their props in the American history books. The grown-up edition is well worth reading, too. (Written by Loren Grush, with Rebecca Stefoff, 2025, ages middle grade and older, 310 pages, $17.99.)

• Love this title. “Press 1 for 1nvasion” isn’t due to be released until October, 2025, but I want to get it on everyone’s radar. In J.A. Dauber’s novel, aimed at middle grade readers, we’re introduced to young Matt, who has been wronged. By his parents, of course, who won’t allow him to have a phone yet. So when he happens to find one… well, what would you do? He wasn’t counting on the alien invasion, though. Sympathetic hero and some good tricks and twists.(Aladdin/Simon & Schuster.)

• Last title this week is “Benny on the Case,” by Wesley King (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster; scheduled for release April 15, 2025; ages 8 and up; 278 pages; $17.99.) Benny is a kid who lives in Newfoundland, in a retirement community with the old folks, along with his mama, who runs the place. He has a new friend, Salma; he’s an earnest kid and trying to do the right thing; and he’s trying to fit into a mainstream classroom for the first time (he has Mosaic Down Syndrome). Right away, I love this character, and I love what King has done with his story. Plus, you get to learn about some stuff that’s maybe new to you — what it’s like living with old folks, some slang/local colloquialisms, oh yeah, and it’s a crime novel/mystery, too. Just a great read, and different in its tone and story.

Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Enjoy, bon appetit, and see you next time!

WM

(“Cascade Head, Oregon Coast, West Coast/Best Coast”; photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Hello, friends and readers, what’s shaking? I’m reviewing as many books as I can in one fell swoops — all of the spring titles are popping up in my mailbox. In interest of fairness, each book gets a one-sentence review. Here we go…

• “Little Bunny, Spring is Here!” is a new, bright, sweet and timely board book from author/illustrator Deborah Marcero. (G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages newborn-4, $8.99)
• “Roald Dahl’s How to Have an Eggstraordinary Easter,” illustrated by Quentin Blake (Grosset & Dunlap/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages 4-8, $9.99). This one… so fun. “Huzzah! Hooray! It’s almost Easter Day! Time for Muggle-Wump the monkey to bring the Easter eggs!”
• “When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings” is a lovely new story (with beautiful art by Lisa Fields) from Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins. (Flamingo Books/Penguin Random House; scheduled for release April 8, 2025; ages 4 and up; $18.99.) (Their previous book, which was also a good read, was “When I Talk to God, I Talk About You.”)
• Ooooooh, this one is cool, too, and again, fantastic art and a thoughtful story. “Miss Prim Goes Wild,” by Katy Rose, with art by Thai My Phuong (WaterBrook/Penguin Random House; due to be released March 25, 2025; all ages; $13.99).
• “Our Lake,” written and illustrated by the gifted Angie Kang, is an insightful and kind-hearted glimpse into how two young boys deal with the loss of their father. (Kokila/Penguin Random House, 2025, all ages, $19.99.)
• “Where Are You, Brontë?” is the late and great Tomie dePaola’s final completed manuscript, a love letter to his friend and companion, a beloved Airedale Terrier; Barbara McClintock’s illustrations are perfection, I know that dePaola would have been pleased. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; due to be released May 6, 2025; all ages; $19.99.)
• Reverend, U.S. Senator and author Raphael G. Warnock and illustrator TeMika Grooms have brought us a treasure with the new picture book, “We’re in This Together: Leo’s Lunch Box.” Loaves and fishes, y’all. Loaves and fishes forever. A note to readers states: “One in five children in America is food insecure and uncertain where they will get their next meal. This continues not because of a poverty of resources but of moral courage and imagination. We can fix this and we will when we come to recognize that we are all in this together.” That, I love. And today? With what we’re going through in the United States? Those words mean more than ever. That’s more than one sentence, I know. (Philomel/Penguin Random House; scheduled for release April 22, 2025; ages 4 and up; $19.99.)

The pick of the week is… Roald Dahl because I love that guy. Did you know (you probably already know) he wrote a title for almost every letter of the alphabet? I may have mentioned that before. A is for… can’t remember what A is for, ha. B is for “The BFG,” C is for (of course) “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” D is for (my fave) “Danny the Champion of the World,” F is for “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and so and and so forth.

Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Enjoy, bon appetit, and see you next time!

WM