“Whitaker Ponds, Portland, Ore.” Photo by Rawley, use with permission only, please.

Hey, I was thinking about ways to get kids reading. Then I decided I needed to clean house and never got back to it. Then I made a cup of tea, gulped it down and didn’t get back to it. Then I worked on the leaves in the yard (there are a lot) and… you get the idea. I’ll do practically anything to avoid writing, avoid thinking, avoid doing something I don’t know how to do. Kids and their grown-ups are just not reading as much as they used to.

It’s a challenge, ya? Ya. How to encourage others to read is a huge challenge. So here I am, listening to old Elton John songs from the ’70s and thinking about music, reading and writing. If you have kids, your own, someone else’s children, students, whoever, model for them. Put on some music and pick up a book, instead of staring, eyes glazed over, at your television, your laptop (that’s me, right now), a tablet, or that little computer you call a phone. Don’t put on YouTube, just please skip the reels and the videos, and read a book. Turn off the news and read to the old folks, read to the young folks, buy books and more books for the babies and toddlers, spread those titles around like they’re sprinkles on ice cream.

I think what I’m actually trying to avoid here is the bigger world, or as we called it in school: Current Events.

Let’s have a great fall and winter, in spite of it all. These are not the easiest times in the world, anywhere on Earth. “Oh, he’s my brother/let us live in peace…” — “Border Song,” Elton John

So peace, love, and Bobby Sherman, and Elton, of course, xo WM

All of the books included in this post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Thank you for reading and see you next time!

1. Baby Ballena, hello friend! This new picture book swims up courtesy of author Ben Gundersheimer (Mr. G) and illustrator/illustrado por Marcos Almada Rivero. (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2025, $18.99.) To be a baby gray whale (my favorite of all the whales), born as big as a boat and drinking more than 50 gallons of mama’s milk daily. But the many dangers Juana, our hero, faces traveling north and south and north again with her pod. So many hazards. They go between Mexico and Alaska, dealing with fishing nets, vessels, orcas and other threats. This is a beautiful, educational read-aloud for all ages, really, with text in Spanish and English. The illustrations are precious, and so are my grays. Safe travels, family.

2. You don’t need words to show you love someone is the theme of “My Dog Smudge,” a sweet new picture book from author/illustrator Sujean Rim, and dedicated “to the real-life Smudge.” Aw. (Caitlin Dlouhy Books, 2025, ages 4-8, $18.99.) There are flaps! Flap books are excellent. And a page of chickens for me. Chickens are excellent, too! Fun way to practice “speaking like the animals” with the kids. Enjoy.

3. “Cocodrilos Por Todos Lados/Crocodiles Everywhere” is another great Spanish-English picture book for young readers. Estelí Meza did a beautiful job with the art and words for this one. (Rocky Pond Books/Penguin Random House, 2025, $18.99.) A young girl’s best friend moves away, and we know that sometimes imaginary friends find their way to kids who are struggling. But crocodiles? “The crocodiles arrived so quietly, I didn’t even notice at first.” And that, dear readers, is what we call a “perfect sentence.” Crocodiles as imaginary friends, and the art is perfect, too. Great title for helping kids with grief and problem-solving.

4. Are you a fan of visiting the doctor, the clinic or the hospital? How about your kids? It is not, to be honest, one of my favorite things. But you gotta do what you gotta do, eh? “What Medicine Can Do” is a great how-to picture book from author Gabrielle Balkan and illustrator Alberto Lot. (RISE x Penguin Workshop, 2025, all ages, $19.99.) It explains “symptoms,” “diagnoses,” “vital signs,” “medicine” and all kinds of other terms. Handy book, with kid-friendly descriptions.

5. And now… a great little new board book version of an Eric Carle classic: “The Very Lonely Firefly/La luciérnaga muy solitaria.” “As the sun set a little firefly was born. It stretched its wings and flew off into the darkening sky.” Lovely, happy story and in Spanish and English, both. Perfecto. (Penguin Random House, 2025, ages newborn and up, $11.99.)

(“Whitaker Ponds, close-up of a tree,” fall 2006; photo by Steve Rawley, use with permission only)

I’ve been collecting some cool new kids’ books for autumn. Let’s review a few, shall we?

1. First, an oldie but goodie: “The Witches,” by my man Roald Dahl, with art by the incomparable Quentin Blake. A keeper of a chapter book, and perfect for the season. (Originally published 1983, set in Norway and England.)
2. “The Snowman Code,” by Simon Stephenson, with art by Reggie Brown. This book has nothing to do with fall, or the winter, even. It’s more of a spring/summer book, so I’m putting it in the “all seasons” category. I’m in love with this chapter book for young readers. It’s about an ambitious little girl, Blessing, age 10 1/2, whose mother suffers from severe seasonal depression. Is winter ever going to lift? Can the snowmen help, or will they hinder? Love, too, that it’s set in London. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; scheduled for release Dec. 16, 2025; ages 8 and up; $17.99.)
3. Helloooooo, “Narwhal Vs. Kindergarten,” we are ready. Vanessa Roeder wrote and illustrated this sweet and perfect picture book about Hugo, a big and tall guy who is trying so hard to fit in. (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2025, ages 2 and up, $18.99.) Read Roeder’s other books, too: “The King Penguin,” “The Box Turtle” and “The Stack.”
4. And a fun one, the latest in the Oona series… “Oona Bramblegoop’s Sideways Magic: When Fairies Go Too Far,” written by Kate Korsh, with illustrations by Marta Altés. (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2025, ages 6 and up, 138 pages, $17.99.) Get ready for more light-hearted times with Oona and her friends.
5. Diana López has written the third title in her popular Los Monstruos series: “Ava and the Owl-Witch” (Kokila/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages 8 and up, 242 pages, $17.99). Tres Leches is a South Texas town with a history of terrifying monsters. But Minerva, aka La Lechuza, is there, too, and she’s a shape-shifter. Her daughter, Ava, is struggling with her own battles, but is willing to step in to help. Great Mexican folklore, magic and drama. (López has a great list of books to her credit, and many are available in both Spanish and English.)

All of the books included in this post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Thank you for reading and see you next time!

WM

(“Whitaker Ponds/Portland, Ore.”/ Photo by Rawley/ use with permission only, please) You know, all of a sudden it’s fall, and the long, hot summer is over. It wasn’t the best summer here. It wasn’t the worst. But I miss those long, hot summers from when I was a kid. Fall books make it all better.

• “America Gives Thanks” is a new picture book from author Bob McKinnon, with lovely illustrations from artist Thai My Phuong. (Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House, 2025, all ages, $19.99.) This book made me smile because it starts out: “Have you ever wondered why people complain so much?” I just did complain, but dang it, it was a long, hot, pretty miserable summer here in the Willamette Valley on the West Coast of America. I don’t wanna talk about it, I’m over it. Back to the book… Mr. Downs is taking his class to Washington, D.C. on an East Coast school field trip, and some of the kids are not excited. Statues? Paintings? Politicians fighting? So let’s see how this goes. Great story, beautiful autumn colors, and the students? They actually learn a lot along the way. And so do we.
• “Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People,” by Monica Brown, with illustrations by Julie Paschkis (Henry Holt and Company, 2011, all ages, $17.99). I love this picture book, and I love poetry. Very fond of Neruda. It’s always fun to find a new way to introduce this form of writing to children young and old. “Once there was a little boy named Neftalí, who loved wild things wildly and quiet things quietly,” our story begins. He lived in Chile, and when he hit his teens, changed his name to Pablo Neruda and began publishing his poems. (His full given name was Ricardo Eliecer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto, and he was born in Parral, Chile, in 1904.) Awesome biography, glad I came across it. Highly recommend. Great list of resources in the back of the book, for further reading.
• “The Sacred Stone Camp” is another picture book for all ages that I think you’ll enjoy. Rae Rose wrote this profile of indigenous activist and historian LaDonna BraveBull Allard, her family and the Standing Rock Lakota Nation. Aly McKnight illustrated with colorful and detailed drawings that bring the story to life. (Dial Books for Young Readers; scheduled for release Oct. 7, 2025; $18.99.)

My pick of the week is: “The Sacred Stone Camp.”

All of the books included in this post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Thank you for reading and see you next time!

WM

(“Whitaker Ponds,” photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

• “Aggie and the Ghost,” written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe, introduces us to the story of Aggie, who is brand-new at living on her own. She’s thrilled about it — until she realizes that her new place is haunted, and the ghost wants to hang out with her everywhere she goes. The art, oh, yes, the art, is gorgeous and unique, in soft watercolors with gouache, and colored pencil. This comment has nothing to do with the story, but the illustrations on the endpapers (at the front and back of book) would make awesome tattoos. So if you’re of age, and interested in some new designs, check it out. (Beach Lane Books, A Paula Wiseman Title/Simon & Schuster; scheduled for release Aug. 19, 2025; ages 4 and up; $19.99.)
• Oh, helloooooo, “Zombees”! Justin Colón, writer, and Kaly Quarles, illustrator, have brought us a fun, goofy, rhyming picture book that will “chill spines while mainly tickling funny bones.” That’s a great description to reassure the parents who may be concerned about introducing “zombies,” (not the same as zombees) to their preschool/early grade kids. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, ages 4 and up, $19.99.) Kinda love this one.
• “Creepy Sheepy” is a fine, funny picture book from Lucy Ruth Cummins (author) and Pete Oswald (illustrator). I like the size of this book, it’s not as large as some of the bigger picture books, and just the right size for littles to practice turning the pages themselves. “A few fearsome pirates, a Dracula or two, a handful of zombies, and a Frankenstein crew…” Good rhymes, and sweet, cartoony drawings. (Flamingo Books/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages 3 and up, $14.99.)
• “This Year, a Witch!” is from Portland, Oregon!! illustrator and author Zoey Abbott. Super creative book about a little witch, the best-laid plans, and what to do when changes happen. Check out Abbott’s other titles: “Banana,” “Clementine and the Lion,” “Pig and Horse and the Something Scary” and other books. (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book/Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2025, ages 4 and up, $19.99.)
• “Ha Ha Halloween” is a new, colorful and happy flap book/interactive boardbook for the babies and toddlers ages 1 and up. (Grosset & Dunlap/Penguin Young Readers, 2025, all ages, $10.99.) This one is my pick of the week because… It’s also a joke book. Ha! “What is a ghost’s favorite treat? Everything! It’s all boo-licious!” Hahahaha. Enjoy. Bon appetit, babies.

Yes, we are celebrating Halloween early, for no good reason other than the best reason: A big stack of holiday books arrived in the past few weeks, and I’m here to share the recommendations. All of the books included in this post were sent to me free for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Thank you, have a happy, haunted, early Halloween, and see you next time!

WM

(“Beach, Carlsbad, California; photo by Rawley/please use with permission only)

“Ablaze: The Story of America’s First Female Smokejumper,” written by Jessica Lawson, with art by Sarah Gonzales, is an inspiring biography about Deanne Shulman, America’s first female smokejumper. (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages 4 and older, $18.99.) Gonzales created the art for this picture book using watercolor paints, gouache, colored pencils, and pastels, and edited it digitally. For more information, check the National Fire Protection Association website.

“Menudo Sunday: A Spanglish Counting Book” is a great, new picture book for young readers. María Dolores Águila wrote the funny, bouncy story, which has happy and colorful illustrations by Erika Meza. (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House; scheduled for release Aug. 5, 2025; ages 3 and up; 40 pages; $18.99.) I especially liked the author’s note in the back, describing her childhood and her family’s love of menudo, which is made of tripe and hominy. “Making menudo is a labor-intensive process,” she writes, “Families often work together to cook menudo, passing down recipes and stories.”

“Are You a Friend of Dorothy? The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped,” words by Kyle Lukoff, art by Levi Hastings (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, all ages, $19.99). A resounding “yes” and “heck yes” for this long-overdue title that will help readers understand the history of homophobia, legal issues, and the fight for equal rights for LGBTQ citizens. This is the coolest book, and is my pick of the week.

• “Papa’s Coming Home,” by Chasten Buttigieg is just the sweetest, happiest book. We meet Jojo and Rosie, who are waiting for their Papa to come home. With their help of their Daddy, who has been taking care of the family while Papa has been away on his trip. I love the 1950s-1960s style illustrations by Dan Taylor, they’re perfect. (Philomel/Penguin Random House, 2025, all ages, $19.99.) Chasten and his husband, Pete, live in Michigan with their two kids and their rescue puppy.

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

WM

(“Local Hero,” photo by Nancy Ellen Row Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Good afternoon, cats and kittens! Are you ready for some book reviews? First up:

• Poor Joan. She’s stuck in the cone of shame, the darling. “Joan in the Cone” (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2025, ages 3-7, $18.99) is a sweet, playful, rhyming picture book from Billy Sharff, author, and Hala Tahboub, illustrator. It’s scheduled for release July 15, 2025, and is super cute, friends. The art is great. Puppy! It will be OK! Our hero Joan is a star.

• “It Simply Can’t Be Bedtime” is a new picture book from Pamela Paul, writer, and Steven Salerno, illustrator. The team did an excellent job with the story and art of a little girl, her favorite stuffie, Lady Pigsworth, and her drive to avoid bed and get her stuff done! (G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Random House, 2025, all ages, $18.99.) Just a cool book, and the art brings the story to life.

• “Mustafa’s Mithai” will probably make you hungry, hungry, hungry for sweets, so be ready! Sana Rafi wrote this delectable story, and Nabi H. Ali provided the detailed, bright and happy drawings. (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2025, all ages, $18.99.) There is probably no one who loves mithai (sweet treats) more than Mustafa. But Baba’s birthday is over, it’s not Eid, his Nani and Nanu already visited, and he can’t come up with more reasons for yummy surprises. Can his friends help? Great way for readers to learn about South Asia culture and traditions.

• “Ruby René Gets Her Way” is the sequel to the delightful “Ruby René Had So Much to Say,” by author Ashley Iman, with illustrations by Gladys Jose. (Kokila/Penguin Young Readers, 2025, ages 4 and up, $18.99.) She’s the funniest and cutest kid, little Ruby René. When we last saw her, she was learning new ways to not… blurt. Let’s just say it. And I’ll admit it, I blurt/interrupt/talk over people, um, occasionally? So this book hit home for me, ouch. But we, all of us, need to be allowed to express ourselves, am I right? Yes. Ruby learns a little more about sharing and working with others in this thoughtful and educational picture book.

• “Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship” and “Amina Banana and the Formula for Winning” are titles one and two, respectively, in a cool new chapter book series, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel. Author Shifa Saltagi Safadi did a great job with our third-grade hero, who has recently moved from Syria to Indiana. Little bit of culture shock. Good stories, and a thoughtful way of introducing kids to the topic of immigration, STEM, missing old friends, meeting new friends, and fresh starts. (Penguin Young Readers, 2025, ages 6 and up, $6.99.)

• “Threat of the Spider,” is the second title in “The Web of the Spider” series, by writer Michael P. Spradlin. (Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster, 2025, ages 8 and up, 159 pages, $7.99.) The books, set in Germany, while Nazism is on the rise at the beginning of World War II, introduces us to Ansel. His father, a journalist who opposes the regime, is kidnapped and Ansel and his friends unite to find him. A timeline and glossary in the back of the book will be helpful to readers.

• “This Book Might Be About Zinnia” is an intriguing new novel from author Brittney Morris. Zinnia Davis, an adoptee, is trying to write a thoughtful essay for college entry, and is gifted a book about a girl with a heart-shaped birthmark on her forehead, separated from her mother at birth, and that is exactly like Zinnia. The author deftly handles the weaving of the chapters, back and forth between perspectives, and time (modern day and 2006), to give readers a complex and emotional story. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, ages 12 and up, 340 pages, $19.99.)

The pick of the week is… “It Simply Can’t Be Bedtime,” because it’s a sweet and funny picture book about love, family, and the challenges of sleep, sleep, beautiful sleep. Really adore this one.

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

WM

(“fresh up”/photo by Rawley, use with permission only, please)

Graphic novels are still on the radar and going strong, and that is a great thing. The art and stories and pretty cool, and they’re engaging. The series can grab big money as collector items, too. “Cassi and the House of Memories,” from artist/writer Dean Stuart, is a deep, thoughtful book about Cassi and her relationship with her Grandpa Charlie, who is struggling with his memory. Hard topic, great handling of it. I appreciate this book, which is Stuart’s debut graphic novel. (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages 8 and up, $14.99.)

(“Gleneden Beach, Oregon coast”; photo by Rawley/use with permission only, please)

• “This Moment is Special: A Día de Muertos Story,” a new children’s picture book written and illustrated by John Parra, is a great way to introduce kids and others to a special holiday that means so much to so many. The book is in both Spanish and English, and the illustrations are bright and playful. (Beach Lane Books/A Paula Wiseman Title; scheduled for release July 15, 2025; all ages; $19.99.)
• “Living Bridges: The Hidden World of India’s Woven Trees,” poses the question: How would you get around in your village, in the mountains, if there was no ease of transport? Especially during monsoon season? In the state of Meghalaya (northeastern India) the community comes together, and has for centuries now, to use rubber ficus trees to make Jingkieng Jri, aka Living Root Bridges. Author Sandhya Acharya and illustrator Avani Dwivedi have done a thoughtful job with this picture book of introducing readers to the twisting, braiding and tying, along with the science and care, that goes into building these magnificent structures. (A Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, ages 4 and up, $19.99.)
• “Always Be My Bibi,” a new young adult romance, introduces us to Bibi Hossain, who is not spending the summer working at her family’s fried chicken joint, after all. Instead, she’s traveling from Paterson, New Jersey, to Bangladesh for her big sister Halima’s surprise! wedding at the bridegroom’s family’s tea estate. This trip could get interesting! (Salaam Reads, ages 7th grade and up, 356 pages, $19.99.)
• Christine Virnig’s (“A Bite Above the Rest”) new scary-fun mystery (for middle grade readers and up) is scheduled for release Aug. 25. “Phantom Academy” tells the tale of one young Finn, who gets knocked in the head with a stray coconut, doesn’t survive, and lands at the academy for the recently deceased. Kinda dark and twisty, but still fun. The kids will love it; the grown-ups may have some questions, as grown-ups often do. (Aladdin, ages 8 and up, $18.99/hardcover, $8.99/paperback.)
• G.F. Miller’s new romantic read for young readers is “What If You Fall for Me First?” (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, 2025, 368 pages, $8.99.) Sofia is not “sooo nice,” okay? And is on a mission to show Mark Chen, her crush, that she’s complex. She enlists cool guy Holden to help her, but how is this going to go, folks? Read and see. It’s been fun finding some good summer reads, by the way. Here’s another one…
• The final title in the Restorationists trilogy, “Beyond the Far Horizon,” is scheduled for release Sept. 9. (Written by Carolyn Leiloglou, with illustrations by Vivienne To, WaterBrook/Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, middle grades and up.) Join Ravi, Georgia and Vincent as they fight with the Distortionists, and learn about art and adventure along the way. Books where kids are the heroes are the best.
• One more picture book… “Kittybunkport,” by Scott Rothman, with illustrations by Zachariah OHora (Viking/Penguin Random House, 2025, ages 3 and up, $18.99). Chowder and Crackers, two sweet and shy kitty cats, living large, catching lobster, enjoying their lobster rolls, and suddenly tasked with fixing the “super-haunted” lighthouse. For the record? They’re not both in agreement on this. The illustrations are pretty great, and the story is funny and dramatic.

The pick of the week is… “Living Bridges,” because I was geeking out on the science-y stuff and resources in the back of the book.

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

WM

I’m ready to say goodbye to winter/spring/rando everything and move into summer. How about you? Here is an amazing and intriguing collection of new releases for you. Enjoy!

• Just started “Growing Home” this morning and it is a delight of a book. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025, written by Beth Ferry, art by The Fan Brothers, ages 6 and up, 261 pages, $17.99.) Introducing the Tuppers, with Ivy the houseplant, Arthur the recuperating spider, Ollie (a violet), goldfish Toasty and the big oak tree in the front yard. I predict that the kids will like this magical novel, that reads like a grown-up book, very much.

• Almost finished reading “Schooled,” a new middle-grade title from Jamie Sumner (“Roll with It”). (Yes, my former students and I did love the other “Schooled,” Gordon Korman’s middle-grade novel, when it came out. Highly recommend.) Sumner’s book is a healing, not sweetness and light, incredibly compassionate story of a boy, Lenny, and four other kids who are all going through it for different reasons. They’ve landed (with their professor parents) at the university where their folks are teaching, and form a new cohort, in a new setting. Scheduled for release end of August; add it to your list. OK, I’d better type faster — my cat is trying to find a way to walk on the table, but no luck. So many wonderful spring titles! I’m into these stacks and stacks of books but he is not. (Atheneum Books, ages 10 and up, 224 pages, $17.99.)

• “Shorter Christian Prayer” is the newest prayer book I’ve added to my collection, and I love it very much. Morning and evening prayers, and the layout is approachable. Really enjoying this one.
• Latest title in the “Meet the Wild Things” series from Hayley and John Rocco will be on the shelves end of June. “Hello, I’m a Toucan” is as bright and colorful as the featured birds. Facts and links included, and a perfect pick for the nature lovers in your life. (Penguin Young Readers, all ages, $16.99.) Look for the Roccos’ other titles, too, including “Hello, I’m a Quokka” and “Hello, I’m an Axolotl.”

• “Ray: How Light Works” is a new, non-fiction title, part of the “Science Pals” book series, from science writer Emily Kate Moon. I love the design of this book, with some pages you can turn sideways and into posters, lots of facts and figures, and an engaging, easy to understand style. (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House, 2025, all ages, $18.99.)

My picks of the week are: “Schooled” and “Schooled.” Double schooled. All of the titles in today’s post were sent to me for review purposes. Disclaimer here. Bon appetit! And see you next time

WM

(Photo by Rawley with permission of the author; use with permission only, please)

Good morning, friends and enemies! Kidding. We’ve been having some technical difficulties lately, please buckle your seatbelt and hang on for the ride. No enemies in the house, go somewhere else, please, if you wanna fight. Have fun reading the reviews (mostly kid and young adult books), leave a comment if you’d like, and please follow me on:

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Bon appetit and have a lovely day.

WM