(Timberline Lodge/Mt. Hood/Oregon, Sept. 6, 2004; photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

• If you’re an adult, and feel like it’s, I don’t know, weird or something? to purchase picture books for yourself? Please consider this permission to start a huge collection right now. Begin with this one, beautifully written and illustrated by Jeanne Walker Harvey (author) and Khoa Le (artist). “The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M. Pei” (Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster; scheduled for release May 27, 2025; ages 4 and up; $19.99) is a work of art, in and of itself. Ieoh Ming (I.M.) Pei, a gifted and extraordinary Chinese American architect, was enlisted by the President of France for oh? Just a small little gig. Remodel the Louvre, take care of the Mona Lisa, and talk later? Maybe keep it a secret so no one has a fit? This book… so good. If you have kids in your life, maybe purchase a copy for them, too. Great idea. (Resources in the back of the book, too.)
• “Cousins in the Time of Magic,” written by the talented Emma Otheguy, arrived awhile back and was misplaced. By me. I’m the one who misplaced it, yeah. But it is never too late for a review around here. (Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster, 2025, ages 8 and up, 228 pages, $17.99.) I really love this one, and it is the truth: History can come alive with the right book. Cousins Siggy, Camila and Jorge travel back to 1862 — just in time for the Battle of Puebla, and the reason for Cinco de Mayo.
• “Mermaids are the Worst!” is the latest title in this delight of a series by Alex Willan (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, all ages, $19.99). The color scheme is kinda the best, all shades of blue, purple and sandy brown. The mermaids feel like they’re 3D and right here with me, so that’s fun. Did you know that mermaids are fast swimmers? Of course they are. Great singers? Again, yes! and friends with the narwhals? Hmm. That’s cool. Fun read as we head into summer.
• A new novel by Alison McGhee addresses the fall-out for a child whose mom had a scary ex-boyfriend. Ten-year-old Daisy is rebuilding, after this ugly time, and she is not “Weird Sad and Silent,” but some people act like she is. She meets a friend who begins to help her with the bullying, and the past trauma. (Rocky Pond Books/Penguin Random House; scheduled for publication May 6, 2025; ages 8 and older; 188 pages; $17.99.) McGhee does a careful, thoughtful job with this heavy topic. Good pick for anyone who has been through it, is going through it, or knows someone who is. And that’s all of us, sadly. I appreciate this title so much.
• When you say, “Ain’t It Funny” when it’s not. We all know that one. Maya is 11, and her dad just bailed on their home life to pursue his stand-up comedy career. Her mom and grandma are there for her, but far too busy, along with Maya, running the family’s Russian deli in New Jersey. And the sixth-grade talent show is coming up. There’s a lot going on at the surface, and underneath, too, with this novel, for ages 8 and up. Margaret Gurevich’s writing brings to mind Judy Blume and her “New York kid” books that I loved so much growing up. “Ain’t It Funny” is in turn sweet, bittersweet, funny, sad and pensive. Perfect book for the kids who aren’t too sure what’s happening next. Yummy recipes from Babushka are included for Sour Cream Cake, Cheese and Garlic Spread and Syrniki (Cheese Pancakes). (Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House, 2024, grades 3 and older, 234 pages, $17.99.)

The pick of the week is… I.M. Pei and the beautiful Louvre for the win.

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

Besos y abrazos, WM

(“Neskowin/Proposal Rock on Ocean Side”; photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Good afternoon from the Willamette Valley, where it is a glorious Monday. I need to turn off the news and read instead. Highly recommend this technique for de-stressing, for kids and grown-ups alike. And here are this week’s reviews:

• “Hap-Pea Easter,” kids! Keith Baker’s new picture book is here just in time for the spring holiday. (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, 2025, all ages, $9.99.) (Quietly asking, are we going to be able to afford eggs this year, those of us who don’t raise our own chickens? Just substitute chocolate eggs, it will be OK.) These holiday peas are sure cheerful little guys. They popped by for Halloween and Valentine’s Day, it’s nice to see them for Easter, too. Get ready for “gentle showers, blooming flowers, longer sunny daylight hours.” This one is a treat.

• The kids are ready to crack their second case in “The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist,” James Ponti’s latest. Add it to your list: it’s due to be released in early September. (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster; kids ages 8 and up; $18.99.)

• And whoooooosh… here comes “Let’s Fly! Barrington Irving’s Record-Breaking Flight Around the World,” by the one and only Mr. Irving himself. Brave, cool, inspiring story. (Chana Stiefel co-wrote the picture book, and Shamar Knight Justice provided the great illustrations; Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House; 2025; all ages; $18.99.) Kids who like to fidget with hands-on projects will love this book, and it may even inspire them to do great stuff when they grow up. How great? How about becoming a pilot, at age 23 (this was in 2007) and flying solo around the world? Irving broke records as the youngest person to do this, and the first Black man to undertake the feat, too. Pretty cool.

• Author and illustrator Katie Mazeika is another brave and cool one. She writes about her childhood experiences after losing one of her eyes to cancer in “Maybe Just Ask Me!” Great title, and pretty intense story about what she went through. A lot of time, energy and thoughtfulness went into making this colorful, sweet, joyful book. (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster; scheduled for release April 22, 2025; ages 4 and up; $19.99.) My motto has always been, Talk to me, not about me. (A friend was once hashing through a problem with me, about another friend. Stopped and said, “I should be talking to them, not about them,” and that sentiment has stuck with me.) This is Mazeika’s philosophy, too. Good starting point for kids, and adults, about how to have some of those difficult conversations, which perhaps do not need to be so difficult.

• “Goat is the G.O.A.T” is a sweet and funny new picture book from Bea Birdson, illustrated by Kelly Murphy. (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Young Readers, 2025, all ages, $18.99.) Goat hears that his name stands for Greatest of All Time… which means, maybe they’ll have a parade for him, or toss confetti his way, that would be awesome awesomeness. But what is he the greatest at? There has to be something. There will be something.

My pick of the week is… “Let’s Fly!” cuz there is nothing like the freedom of the skies.

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

(“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

(Mt. Hood camping trip, 2006; photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Hello, cats and kittens, what’s shaking? Would you like to know what I’m reading today? Of course you would. OK, I’ll tell you. None of these books are on the shelves yet, but here is a sneak peek:

• “Fierce Aunties!” is a fiercely great new picture book by Laurel Goodluck, with illustrations by Steph Littlebird (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; release date is April 15, 2025; all ages; $19.99). Goodluck’s intertribal background is Mandan and Hidatsa, from the North Dakota prairies; and Tsimshian, from an Alaskan rainforest. This book is a beautiful love letter to her mother and aunties, including Dody, Phyllis and Karen, as well as elders Aunt Alice and Aunt Lucy. They were born, respectively in in 1899 and 1901 and preferred to speak the family’s tribal language, Hidatsa. They were the family’s last generation to be fluent in the language. Steph Littlebird dedicated her illustrations (which are fantastic) to a long list of amazing family members, including her Grandma Mickey, aunties Sylvia, Julie, Carol, and everyone else who is “in my heart always.” This is a special, meaningful book about the power of love and strong females.

• Hello, hello, “Brave Buzzy Bee,” and welcome. Angela Li did the sweet-as-honey illustrations; Rima Fakih Slaiby and Theresa Alhayek wrote the rhyming picture book, which is pretty fun and bounces along. (Flamingo Books/Penguin Random House; on the shelves Feb. 25, 2025; ages 4-8; $18.99.) Buzzy Bee and his best friend Bumble are ready for the race, but a little apprehensive, too. His dad comes along with encouraging words: “Buzzy was excited for the race ahead but also nervous, so his daddy said, ‘Please be patient, little bee. Bee-lieve, and try your best bravely! Many things won’t go your way, but you can try again each day.‘”

• “Astronaut Hayley’s Brave Adventure” is the story of Ms. Hayley Arceneaux, who wrote her autobiographical story of 1) being a survivor of pediatric cancer and 2) becoming the youngest American to orbit Earth and oh, man. What an inspiring story! (Convergent Books; scheduled for release Feb. 18, 2025; all ages; $13.99.) Be sure to read the bios in the back about Arceneaux and illustrator Lucie Bee. She is a picture book illustrator residing in Yorkshire, Northern England. She works digitally, mostly, but “occasionally returns to her much-loved black tin of watercolors and box of colored pencils.” I love that. The art is bold and lifts the reader right up into space, with our characters.

• Time for one more, Eliza Kinkz’s “!Mistaco!” which is a very goofy and fun picture book — in Spanglish, my specialty — about making mistakes… and fixing them… and learning from them. What do you do when you have a rotten day at school, then all you want to do is hide in the car, but hello/goodbye bees, noooooo bees, go away, and… Then you end up having to help make the tortillas. Yeah. It’s a lot. The art, the story, the Spanglish, the great family and Izzy, a very funny and striking young hero — this gem has it all. (I love that it’s scheduled for publication on April Fools’ Day this year, thank you, Kokila/Penguin Random House for having a great sense of humor. Ages 4-8, $18.99, buy 2 or 4 copies, keep one and give the rest away as gifts. That’s what I say about all of these titles, come to think of it. Wonderful crop of books.)

The pick of the week is… all of them. It’s a great collection. Big high-five to “Fierce Aunties” and “Mistaco,” love you lots.

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

(Wacky Dog, the Best in the West; photo by Rawley/use with permission only)

Welcome, welcome to the book review of the month, now that February is almost over. Ha. I need to write more reviews, y’all. Wintertime has been… uninspiring. But the book selection is good! I’ve been reading a lot. Happy hours. So here we go.

• “True Gretch: Lessons for Anyone Who Wants to Make a Difference” (Co-written with Lisa Dickey, Simon & Schuster, 2024-2025, 176 pages, $18.99). This is the Young Readers’ Edition of Gretchen Whitmer’s memoir, “True Gretch: What I’ve Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything In Between.” Whitmer (D, Governor of Michigan) is a progressive politician and outspoken supporter of healthcare, women’s rights, and infrastructure legislation. I’ve seen several interviews with her. She’s brave, went through some rough stuff and is OK, and I like her.
• Mother-daughter team Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor co-wrote a lovely memoir awhile back, “Traveling with Pomegranates” (Viking Penguin, 2009, 282 pages, $16). If you’re like me, and God knows I am, you’re stuck at home and not traveling at the moment. This book takes you on an amazing (and free) journey to tour sacred sites in Greece and France, circa 1998-2000, with our soul-searching tour guides, Sue and Ann. I’m loving this book, and looking forward to re-reading two of Sue’s novels, “The Secret Life of Bees” and “The Mermaid Chair.” They were both exquisite.
• “Simply Jamie: Fast & Simple Food” is another knock-it-out-of-the-park cookbook by my hero, Jamie Oliver (Flatiron Books, 2025, 285 beautiful pages, $39.99). Pick it up and try out some new recipes that live up to the title. They all look good, but especially these: No-Cook Pasta Sauces, all of them; Chicken Noodle Broth; Roasted Veg with Camembert Fondue; and… Hero Chocolate Cake. Oh, hello.

My pick of the week is… “True Gretch.” I appreciate how forthright she is and I thank her for looking out for our country.

Disclaimer: All of the books included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Have a great week, y’all, and see you next time!

WM

(Cascade Head, Oregon Coast, 2007; photo by Steve Rawley, use with permission only, please)

Holla. What are you up to, friends? Leave a note if you feel so inclined, or send an email. Here are a few new titles that came my way. I just started reading them, in my own inimitable style: all at once. Highly recommend them, even though I’m technically in the middle of them all. OK! 

• “Build a Girlfriend,” by Elba Luz (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, ages teens and up, 362 pages, $19.99) is first on the stack. Luz is a gem — this is the first YA romantic comedy for the author — and she tackles all the challenges: bisexuality, cultural issues, mental health stuff. Our hero, Amelia Hernandez, is single. Again. And revenge-dating her ex. She feels that she is cursed for love (blame her family), but jumps back in the fray, anyway.
• “First Love Language,” by Stefany Valentine (Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages teen and up; 300 pages). This book also tackles some of the challenges that can come along with being a teenage female. Catie Carlson, who is Taiwanese-American, loves her adopted family (they’re white), but also hopes to make connections with her bio family.
• “Everwhen the Doomsday Vault” (great title!) is the first book in a new series by Thomas Wheeler (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; scheduled for release Jan. 28, 2025; grades 3-7; 293 pages; $18.99). You know how it goes when you accidentally kind of create a black hole in your room? And next thing you know you’re traveling from 1878 to 2022? It’s weird. But that’s time travel. This is a fun one, inspired (just a little) by Douglas Adams’s “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” series. We are introduced to the Everwhen School, where we will meet  Millie da Vinci, and Dean Marconi, who may have some famous family members. Wheeler is also a screenwriter (“Puss in Boots,” “The Lego Ninjago Movie”) and it looks like “Everwhen” is headed to the big screen, too.
• “City Spies: London Calling,” the latest in the series by James Ponti, is another good read (Aladdin Books/Simon & Schuster; on sale Feb. 4, 2025, grades 3-7, 394 pages, $18.99). The spies are on the go again, from Istanbul, to Rome to the U.K. I love this series because… good writing, characters and plots, but also just because it’s fun to learn about geography while you’re in the middle of a good story. (In addition to City Spies, Ponti is the writer of the Sherlock Society, Framed! and the Dead City series.

My pick of the week is “First Love Language.” It’s a sweet and salty read, a little quirky, and handles a difficult topic in a thoughtful manner. Looking forward to reading more from Valentine, and the other writers featured this week. Disclaimer: The titles included in today’s post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. See you next time!

WM

(“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