Early Book Review: Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith, Gilles Roussel

Bea Wolf, written by Zach Weinersmith and illustrated by Gilles Roussel, is a  modern middle-grade graphic novel retelling of Beowulf currently scheduled for release on February 21 2023. The story features a gang of troublemaking kids who must defend their tree house from a fun-hating adult who can instantly turn children into grown-ups. Somewhere in a generic suburb stands Treeheart, a kid-forged sanctuary where generations of tireless tykes have spent their youths making merry, spilling soda, and staving off the shadow of adulthood. One day, these brave warriors find their fun cut short by their nefarious neighbor Grindle, who can no longer tolerate the sounds of mirth seeping into his joyless adult life. As the guardian of gloom lays siege to Treeheart, scores of kids suddenly find themselves transformed into pimply teenagers and sullen adults! The survivors of the onslaught cry out for a savior—a warrior whose will is unbreakable and whose appetite for mischief is unbounded. They call for Bea Wolf.

Bea Wolf is a well written and highly entertaining graphic novel, that does a great interpretation of the Beowulf tale for children, and adults alike. I think the choses about what to keep, and how to keep the story all ages, were thoughtfully made and resulted in a poetic and engaging story. I also really enjoyed the art style, and thought it was not only very well done but perfect for the story and characters. The shading and detail work were phenomenal. As a reformed english major, one that focus on works in middle and old english, this retelling entertained me and almost made we want to go back and reread the copies of Beowulf that I have in my collection. Almost. I absolutely love that at the end of the book the author takes the time to include information on the story and how it came to be so well known today, and a bit about old english as well. I love when authors include these bits of context and information. 

Bea Wolf is a highly entertaining and accessible take on the Beowulf story, and I think it will be enjoyed by readers from a wide variety of ages and interests. 

Book Review: The Late, Great Endlings: Stories of the Last Survivors by Deborah Kerbel, Aimée van Drimmelen

The Late, Great Endlings: Stories of the Last Survivors by Deborah Kerbel and Aimée van Drimmelen pays homage to some of the more well-known endlings of the past century with rhyming stanzas that accompany watercolor illustrations and factual descriptions of each animal, along with the circumstances that led to their species' extinction. Together, these portraits of animals, like the passenger pigeon, the Pinta Island tortoise and the Tasmanian tiger, are a poignant symbol of a world irreversibly altered by human development, habitat loss and climate change. Readers are invited to reflect on the interconnectedness of all life forms on our planet with an additional look at animals that are at risk of becoming extinct in our lifetime. Concluding on a hopeful note, the final page offers suggestions for what kids can do to change the course of this mass species extinction crisis.

The Late, Great Endlings is a sad but interesting read about the last days of several endlings (the last member of a species). I liked learning the information shared, and I think the artwork does a good job of capturing the lives of the featured creatures. I also like that the book ended on a reasonably hopeful note. While reminding readers that we could very well see more species go extinct in our lifetimes, there are ways to mitigate our individual impacts and help make positive changes in the world around us to help slow or stop that decline. To be perfectly honest, the only part of this book I could have done without was the poetry. It seemed a little trite and unnecessary for the most part, and did little to add to the feel and purpose of the read. 

Book Review: The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories by Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, Alina Pete

The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories by Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, and Alina Pete is a graphic novel and the fifth volume of the “Cautionary Fables and Fairytales” anthology series. I have not seen the previous volumes, but I will be on the lookout for them.  Loup Garrou, trickster rabbits, and spirits with names that can’t be spoken — the plains and forests of North America are alive with characters like these, all waiting to meet you in this collection of folklore from tribes spanning the continent retold in comics.

The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories is a lovely collection of stories. I thought the artwork was a great pairing with the stories and did a wonderful job of telling the stories. I had heard or read a few legends that touched on the same ideas, but I had never seen these exact tales before, which always makes me happy. I thought that there was much respect and honor tied into the stories, which is not always the case in folklore or legend collections. I thought the variety of tales, and the skill they were told with were fantastic. My only complaint is that I wanted more, which I can partially solve by finding the other volumes of this series. 

Book Review: Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench by Lydia Lukidis, Juan Calle

Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench was written by Lydia Lukidis and illustrated by Juan Calle. Deep, deep down, at the very bottom of the ocean, lies a secret world. Through lyrical narration, this spare-text STEM picture book takes readers on a journey to a place very few humans have ever been—the Mariana Trench. The imagined voyage debunks scary myths about this mysterious place with surprising and beautiful truths about life at Earth's deepest point. Deep, Deep Down shows a vibrant world far below, and teaches readers how interconnected our lives are to every place on the planet.

Deep, Deep Down is a beautifully illustrated book that captures the mysterious creatures and habitat deep in the ocean. The artwork is realistic, but still carries a touch of cartoonish edging. The words are few, but have a nice cadence and flow well. I also liked the boxes of detailed information of the creatures featured in the book, as well as the markers as to the depth and pictured creatures on just about every page. These pieces of information are great for the interested and curious, and might spark more interest in younger readers, while they do not distract those that are just interested in the artwork and narration. In the same vein, I like the additional information and glossary that are included at the end of the book. I think the only thing that was missing was a list of resources for further investigation of the subject matter. I think because of this the book will stand up well to multiple readings and a wider range of age groups. 

Book Review: Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari by Karen B. Winnick

Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari is a nonfiction picturebook written and illustrated  by Karen B. Winnick. It is an African safari presented through poems and full-color paintings. Readers begin at sunrise, climbing into a jeep for a bumpy ride to view the wondrous animals as they would on a real safari. All the poems are based on real observations of what animals do in the wild, related in an accessible way. There’s even a sighting, finally, of the elusive leopard, before returning to safari camp under a starry night. At the back of the book, further information is related about each animal.  A fun, informational, educational adventure to read and reread.

Can You Spot the Leopard? is a lovely and engaging read. I thought the artwork was very well done, and a perfect pairing to the text. The text had a nice flow and does a good job of capturing the animal life it focused on, and the terrain. I liked the speed and excitement changes, which keeps the readers engaged and interested. I think the animals covered were all the expected creatures, favorites and familiar to the target readers. I did really enjoy te information at the end of the book about all of the animals that make an appearance in the story. The only thing I might have liked added was some suggestions for further reading or perhaps zoo websites where young readers (with their adults of course) could learn more about a favorite animal and maybe see them in action or in photographs. 

Book Review: Diary of the Cat Named Carrot by Erin Merryn

Diary of the Cat Named Carrot by Erin Merryn is a nonfiction book for all ages. Bailey was certainly no ordinary cat—an orange tabby who gained fans around the world when his humanlike antics went viral. Sadly, when 14-year-old Bailey died, his family grieved their loss. They’d never find a cat quite like him—or would they? Then along came Carrot, an orange tabby kitten born as a stray, who appeared just as Erin Merryn and her young girls Abby, Hannah, and baby Claire were mending their broken hearts. Written in the voice of Carrot, follow her remarkable journey from shelter cat to top Instagram celebrity feline. Much like Bailey did, she loves spending time with her human family: making mischief with her girl gang; going joyriding in a pint-sized pink Barbie Jeep; doing arts-and-crafts projects; modeling a pink tutu and flowery headband; enjoying a spa day complete with fluffy robe and cucumber eye treatments; celebrating Christmas, Easter, and every holiday in between.

Diary of the Cat Named Carrot is a lovely story about welcoming a new kitten into a family that is missing their late cat. I thought that it was neat to have the story from Carrot's perspective, and the pictures did a great job of documenting the family's journey together and how much Carrot (and the kids) grew. It is a quick, mostly happy read, formatted to be blog like- so it matches what fans of Carrot would already be used to. The pictures are fun, and while some of the text got to be a little to long for me, this book still works well and would be a nice read for any cat fan. It might also be a good book choice to start a discussion about getting a cat with children.  

Book Review: Superheroes of Nature: Incredible Skills to Survive and Thrive by Georges Feterman

Superheroes of Nature: Incredible Skills to Survive and Thrive by Georges Feterman is a children's nonfiction book with full color photos and interesting text celebrating biodiversity and nature. From the Borneo ant to the flying dragon, find out all about these amazing animals and the extraordinary abilities that make them the superheroes of our planet. For example a hammerhead shark can see 180 degrees, the webbed gecko can glide across the desert sand, and the springbok is super fast! For each animal readers will discover their superpower, super stats, and super facts about them and some additional information about how they used their super skills in the wild. 

Superheroes of Nature is another visually appealing book from the Animal Powers series, like Superpowers of Nature: Wild Wonders of the World, which I also recently read and reviewed. The chosen photographs are attention grabbing and does a delightful job of illustrating the features and actions described in the text of the book. I though the book was well organized and balanced, delivering interesting and informative text in accessible lengths along with the bight photographs. I think this book, and the series to be honest, will be a hit with readers interested in animals and science. It would be a valuable addition to school and classroom libraries as well as the public library and personal collections. 

Early Book Review: The Greatest in the World! by Ben Clanton

The Greatest in the World! by Ben Clanton is the first installment of a new and hilariously silly graphic novel chapter book series that is currently scheduled for release on November 8 2022. Rot is a mutant potato who wakes up feeling great, maybe even…the greatest in the world! But that only makes Rot’s brother Snot the grumpiest in the world. The only solution? An epic contest to prove who is the greatest once and for all, judged by the only impartial party they can find—their small fry little sister Tot. But as the stakes get higher through the muddy potato sack race, sacred hot potato roll, and a hilarious laughing contest, their rivalry spirals out of control. Suddenly Rot’s not feeling so spudtacular anymore. Will this tater trio ever be able to determine who the greatest in the world really is?

The Greatest in the World! is a well drawn and written graphic novel for some of the youngest readers, and that will hold appeal to older readers and their adults as well. I thought the relationship between the three wacky potatoes was fairly accurate based on my own childhood (not as a potato) and from what I see in my own kids (also not root vegetables). I thought the illustrations were charming, and will capture the attention and interest of readers. I think the lesson woven in the story about sibling connections and behavior is subtle enough that kids will relate to it, and just maybe see themselves in some of the less stellar moments of behavior in the book and make some adjustments, or at least be more aware of how it makes the other person feel. I also loved the random potato facts and drawing tutorial included at the end of the book. This is an all around fun book for young readers. 

The Greatest in the World! is a fun and engaging graphic novel that I think many young readers will enjoy. 

Early Book Review: Fiona, Love at the Zoo by Richard Cowdrey

Fiona, Love at the Zoo by Richard Cowdrey is a picturebook scheduled for release on November 15 2022. Join your favorite hippo, Fiona, the adorable internet sensation from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, as she visits her zoo friends and celebrates how love makes the world more beautiful. Learn with Fiona as she discovers how different animals show their affection and love.

Fiona, Love at the Zoo does a great job of making the animal illustrations fun, cute, and welcoming to all age groups, but still looking realistic rather than completely cartoonish. It is a hard balance to reach, but I think Cowdrey does a good job here. The text is very accessible, and the rhymes are sweet and fun without being cloying. I loved getting a glimpses of so many of the Cincinnati Zoo's residents, and so many different behaviors we consider affection in their family units. I think this is well done, and I will admit to going back for a second look at the illustrations- they are just well done and adorable. 

Book Review: Illumibugs: Explore the World of Mini Beasts with your Magic 3 Color Lens by Barbara Taylor

Illumibugs: Explore the World of Mini Beasts with your Magic 3 Color Lens by Barbara Taylor is an interactive book that takes readers on a journey through the undergrowth with a magic three-color lens (included with the print edition) to discover over 180 minibeasts from every continent, under the sea, and even from prehistoric times. With your lens in hand, discover mini beast habitats, and learn more about the impressive insects and other creepy crawlies that scuttle and wriggle around the world. Your green lens reveals a habitat, spanning 7 continents, under the sea, and prehistoric times. Learn about the particular environments and challenges that minibeasts face here. Your red lens brings to life insects including beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, and wasps. Your blue lens uncovers the other invertebrate creepy crawlies from different mini beast families including worms, snails, and spiders. Fact pages fill in the details and guide you through a world bursting with life and color. Innovative illustrations from award-winning design duo Carnovsky make this a natural history like no other, with hundreds of places, plants, and creatures to discover on three layers of detailed artwork.

Illumibugs will capture the attention and interest of many young readers, and those that might be sharing the read with them. This is a book that I very much suggest reading in print rather than digital, because of the effects intended to be created with the three color lenses that are included with the book.  The digital copy does come with a QR code that allows readers to simulate the effects of the color lens, but I think the hands on version might be more fun for more tactile focused readers, while the digital version would be great for those that prefer digital devices or need to use adaptive technology. That being said, I thought the creativity and page layouts were very well done. I also thought that the information shared for each region and the creepy crawlies that live there were well chosen and well written. The information about each continent and the habitats was also well done. I like that a the chosen creatures showed some drastic differences between habitats while also showing how some creatures are different variations on the same species all around the world, and under the water. While not a comprehensive book about insects, arachnids, and other things considered bugs, this book could easily capture and keep the attention of young readers and spark interest and curiosity for further research. I think it will also hold up to repeated reads and studies with the colored lenses and without, just to see what things they might see that were previously missed. 

Book Review: Superpowers of Nature: Wild Wonders of the World by Georges Feterman

Superpowers of Nature: Wild Wonders of the World by Georges Feterman is a children's nonfiction book. With full color photographs and detailed text, this book is a celebrates biodiversity and nature. From the platypus to the peregrine falcon, find out all about these amazing animals and the extraordinary abilities that make them the superheroes of our planet. For example: an octopus's brain is distributed all over its body, the tropical frog causes potential predators to wretch violently, and the plumed basilisk can run for its life on water! For each animal discover their superpower, super stats and super facts about them, as well as information about how they used their super skills in the wild. 

Superpowers of Nature captured my attention at first because of the photography. The images are stunning, showing some very close up pictures and others of the subject in motion, all demonstrating whatever super power described in the text. I liked the way the book was organized, and thought that the information shared was written in an accessible and engaging fashion, well paired with the images and smaller text boxes. I think this book would be a great addition to school and public libraries, as well as for classroom or personal libraries. I think many readers will love this book, and the entire related series, since the amounts of visual and textual information is so well balanced. My only complaint is that I would have liked some backmatter included, like a glossary, index, or resources for further reading. 

Book Review: Mind Games: 10 Fun Optical Illusions and Perception Projects by Scientific American Editors

Mind Games: 10 Fun Optical Illusions and Perception Projects by Scientific American Editors is a children's nonfiction book. What concepts are behind the creation of cartoons and the ability to seemingly make a dot on a page disappear? Readers will learn the answers through the ten hands-on activities featured in this intriguing title. Each optical illusion is broken down using step-by-step instructions paired with helpful illustrations. Accessible text reveals the important scientific ideas behind each activity, such as the principles of human vision, perception, and light.

Mind Games is a well organized and accessible book that would be a good classroom, homeschooling, and public library addition.  I thought the book is well formatted, with well written text that explains the concept and related experiment well. I thought the extended information to help formulate a science fair project or further experimentation was a nice touch. The tools and items needed for the experiments were all things most likely already in the home, which makes the experiments so much more doable, and repeatable as desired. I also liked that an explanation of the scientific method was included, for those that might think they know what it is but need a bit more detail to be able to apply or explain it themselves. I also liked that a glossary and resources for further research were included as well. 

Book Review: Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn is a graphic novel adaptation by Scott Peterson, Meredith Laxton, and Russ Bedgett of what is often considered Mary Downing Hahn's spookiest and most popular tale. Two siblings must save their stepsister from the clutches of a vengeful ghost. When their mom remarries, Molly and her brother, Michael, try to make friends with their new stepsister, Heather. But Heather only wants to make trouble for them. She lies and tattles and misbehaves, and somehow they always get the blame. They know she’s trying to drive a wedge between her father and their mother so she can have her father all to herself—and it seems to be working. Then, Heather starts playing in the graveyard behind their new house. She claims she can talk to a ghost named Helen, and her behavior gets even stranger. Michael doesn't believe in ghosts and thinks their new little sister is just looking for more attention. But Molly isn't so certain, especially when Heather threatens that Helen is going to come for them and make them sorry. It seems as though things can’t get any worse—but they do. When Helen comes.

Wait Till Helen Comes is a graphic novel with some great art, and a faithful retelling of a classic children's horror story. I have never been a big horror fan, but Hahn was one exception even when I was in the target audience, because of the amount of real feelings ands character development that she packed into each story. I could easily put myself in Molly's shoes the first time I read this story, and even now as a parent I could still see pieces of myself in the story. The scary moments are well done, with a nice build up and culmination of action. I also love the way the conclusion includes a wrap up for family dynamics and some look at how things played out in the aftermath. The story is compelling and complete with a satisfying conclusion. 

Wait Till Helen Comes is a great adaptation of the novel, with a great balance of creepy and character development.

Early Book Review: Buzzkill: A Wild Wander Through the Weird and Threatened World of Bugs by Brenna Maloney

Buzzkill: A Wild Wander Through the Weird and Threatened World of Bugs, written by Brenna Maloney and illustrated by Dave Mottram, is currently scheduled for release on October 11 2022.  The praying mantis is the only animal on Earth with one ear, and it’s in the middle of its chest. Aphids are born pregnant. Moths can’t fly during an earthquake. If you didn’t know these things, you soon will. Packed full of jaw-dropping facts, Buzzkill presents the big picture on bugs. You might think ew, gross. Insects are icky. Or scary. Or dangerous. They can be. But there’s so much more you need to know. Insects play a critical role on our planet, from sustenance to pollination to medicines and more. Brenna Maloney tackles both the wacky and weird, as well as threats to insects and their habitats, their possible extinction, and ways that everyday people, like you, can prevent their decline.

Buzzkill is very well written. The author has a conversational tone, with some sardonic humor through out the book, to keep readers engaged and interested. I do think that this book would be best suited for the middle school and older crowd, but younger readers that are interested in the topic will likely enjoy the read as well. I have read up a bit on creepy crawlies, and I have to admit that even though some of the facts in the book were things I knew, I still learned a great deal of information, and more importantly was able to put what I already knew and what I just learned into a larger context for a bigger picture. I loved the occasional illustrations in the book, and I thought they were charming and fun. I only wish that some of the more unusual insects had illustrations as well rather than suggestions to go Google them on my own. Some readers will not have a phone or computer handy to do that while they are reading for a variety of reasons. That being said, I greatly enjoyed the read and think a number of children, teens, and yes adults will find an education and entertainment from this read.  

Buzzkill is an entertaining and informative read that will teach every reader a little something about insects.

Early Book Review: Operation Pangolin: Saving the World's Only Scaled Mammal by Suzi Eszterhas

Operation Pangolin: Saving the World's Only Scaled Mammal by Suzi Eszterhas is currently scheduled for release on October 4 2022. Prized for their hard scales, pangolins are one of the most poached animals on the planet. They are also highly endangered. Yet scientists know very little about them. Pangolin rescuers and researchers such as Thai Nguyen have the difficult task of saving pangolins, changing local laws to prevent poaching, educating local communities, and learning more about these mysterious creatures. Join author and photographer Suzi Eszterhas in this exploration of the jungles of Vietnam where Thai works with the Save Vietnam's Wildlife organization to save endangered pangolins.

Operation Pangolin: Saving the World's Only Scaled Mammal is a well written and researched book to introduce young readers to pangolins and the threats they face. I first heard about pangolins about five years ago and have been taken by their cuteness. Someone called them (I wish I remember who) "the most endangered animal you've never heard of". and I think that holds true today for most people. I do think awareness has risen- google pangolin memes and you will be thrilled- but even having read about this adorable creatures previously I learned a great deal about them and their habitats in this book. I was goad to see how hard some people are working to preserve these creatures, and hope that this book inspires more people to help however they can, even if it is just sharing the fact that these amazing animals exist and promoting World Pangolin Day (which is is February). 

Operation Pangolin: Saving the World's Only Scaled Mammal  is a great read for those that have never heard of the pangolin and those that want to know more about them. 

Early Book Review: Secrets of the Lost City: A Scientific Adventure in the Honduran Rain Forest by Sandra Markle

Secrets of the Lost City: A Scientific Adventure in the Honduran Rain Forest by Sandra Markle is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on September 6 2022. Join a scientific expedition to a remote area of the Honduran rainforest, suspected to be the ruins of the Lost City of the Monkey God. The team of scientists had only ten days to hike into the dense jungle, likely unvisited by humans in the past 500 years, and locate the archaeological site. In addition to searching for and finding incredible artifacts, scientists also uncovered an amazing, diverse ecosystem flourishing due to the lack of human influences. They recorded hundreds of different kinds of animals, including some new species as well as animals listed as endangered or previously believed to be extinct. Award-winning author Sandra Markle incorporates interviews and information from key scientists who took part in this ten-day expedition, showing how their discoveries led to new protections for this incredible place.

Secrets of the Lost City is a fascinating read about scientist looking to solve several mysteries together. Not only were they looking to find archeological proof of the Lost City, but they combined talents and resources to study the state of the environment and the living things in the area. I love that the book gives hints at how much planning and hard work goes into just getting the permission of governments and important organizations just to get into some areas of the world, and then there are the challenges of the location and safety and health challenges that might come with the search for more knowledge and understanding.  I enjoyed getting to see the pictures of the discoveries that were made, both archeological and biological, and thought that the text and photographs were combined well to keep and hold the attention of readers without overwhelming them. I was glad to see the glossary, sources cited, and suggestions for further reading. I hope the book and that list will inspire many readers to further explore the subject, and perhaps become scientists themselves in the future. 

Secrets of the Lost City is yet another wonderful scientific nonfiction book for children.

Book Review: World of Weird: A Creepy Compendium of True Stories by Tom Adams, Celsius Pictor

World of Weird: A Creepy Compendium of True Stories written by Tom Adams and illustrated by Celsius Pictor, It is a compellation of unusual and somewhat creepy artifacts and stories from the past framed as a 21st century a scientist uncovering their Victorian ancestor’s notebook in a box. The ancestor is Dr. McCreebor; an eminent explorer, philosopher, and collector of the very strange and truly creepy. Dr. McCreebor's book is filled with the dark and disturbing stories he has collected on his travels around the world. Discover the fascinating stories behind a series of objects, people, and places in every chapter. McCreebor writes from a Victorian perspective – and his descendant isn't afraid to write notes in the margins, bringing the science into the 21st century. Uncover Artificalia (man-made objects), Naturalia (natural creatures and beings), Spiritualis (the spirit world), ScelereSupplicium (crime and punishment), Scientifica (scientific tools), Magicae (magical objects), and Morteum (skulls, bodies, and more). Steampunk illustrator Celsius Pictor intricately illustrates McCreebor’s sketches, maps, records, and photographs. From shrunken heads to witches’ charms, saints’ blood to graverobbers’ remains, hangman’s salve to trepanning tools, this book is a peek into our grisly and macabre past.

World of Weird is a book that will appeal to readers of all ages that enjoy learning about some of the darker and stranger ideas in history. I did not find any of the stories or artifacts described to be terribly unknown or gruesome, as these are the types of historic nonfiction that I tend to gravitate toward, but some of the information might be new to other readers. I thought the urging of respect for the dead not taking chances in messing with ghosts or other people's beliefs to be very respectful and responsibly handled. I also thought that the text and illustrations were well suited to the subject matter and accessible to a wide range of readers. I found text and art are well paired to keep the readers attention, and are done in nice small subtopics so that no one looses interest of focus and can read the book in small doses if that is what works best for them. I liked that a glossary was included as well.  I think this book will see regular check outs in school and public libraries and be a favorite read for many. 

Early Book Review: Wow! Underneath the Earth's Crust. Trip to the Core of Our Planet by Mack Van Gageldonk

Wow! Underneath the Earth's Crust. Trip to the Core of Our Planet by Mack Van Gageldonk is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on August 9 2022. From space, the earth looks like a beautiful, colored ball. You immediately see the white clouds, blue oceans, and green, gray, and brown pieces of land. But on the inside, the earth looks very different. Are you also curious about what’s underneath your feet? Is it hot inside the earth? And do animals live there? Travel along to the center of the earth and discover everything about stone caves, geysers, volcanoes, and other magical phenomena under the earth’s crust.

Wow! Underneath the Earth's Crust. Trip to the Core of Our Planet is the second book in the Wow! series of nonfiction books for elementary school age readers. I have to admit, that while the text is accessible and interesting, it was the illustrations and photographs that really captured (and kept) my attention.  The text is very well written, it is understandable and interesting for readers of all ages. I think even children would enjoy this as a read aloud, read together, or independent read depending on their skill levels. The information shared is worded in a way that most will be engaged and understand, while being further entranced by the images in the book. I highly recommend this book for personal collections, as well as school and public libraries. 

Early Book Review: Five Hiding Ostriches by Barbara Barbieri McGrath

Five Hiding Ostriches by Barbara Barbieri McGrath is currently scheduled for release on August 9 2022. Count five fast ostriches as they flee—and hide—from a lurking lion in this playful, rhyming twist on an early concepts counting book! Five ostriches run, stomp, and hide from a sneaky lion. But a surprise ending reveals that the lion is only trying to play hide-and-seek! The back of the book includes five fun facts about ostriches and an idea for a game that will inspire your little readers to get moving, too.

Five Hiding Ostriches is a fun and charmingly illustrated picturebook. I love the playfulness of it, and that information about ostriches is included in the book as well. I think the book does a good job of supporting the teaching of counting skills, entertaining readers, and encouraging further activities. This is a well rounded and engaging book that will stand up to repeat readings. 

Early Book Review: The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale: Restoring an Island Ecosystem by Nancy Castaldo

The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale: Restoring an Island Ecosystem by Nancy Castaldo is currently scheduled for release on August 6 2022. Journey to the isolated islands of Isle Royale National Park where the longest predator/prey study in the world is being conducted along with a controversial genetic rescue to save not only the wolves and moose, but the entire island ecosystem. For over sixty years, in what has been known as the longest study of predator and prey in the world, scientists have studied the wolves and moose of Isle Royale and the island’s ecology to observe and investigate wildlife populations. But due to illness and underlying factors, the population of wolves on the island has dropped while the number of moose has increased, putting the Isle Royale ecosystem in jeopardy. Now, for the first time ever, scientists are intervening. If they can successfully relocate twenty to thirty wolves from the mainland to Isle Royale, scientists can potentially restore the balance among wolves, moose, and trees of the island's ecosystem. Now the living laboratory experiment begins.

The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale is a nonfiction book that can be understood and enjoyed by middle grade readers and older., including those of us that have been out of school for longer than we might want to disclose. I thought the text was well written and accessible, and the combination of photographs, sketches, and info boxes help keep the readers focused and interested without overwhelming them. I thought the research was fascinating and I thought the information on the researchers and the next steps were interesting. This isn't a project that is over, it is a work in progress, and effort in motion, and something interested readers can follow in the years to come to see what worked, what did not, and how the ecosystem in fairing, This makes me more excited and invested in the read,  more so that when I read about completed research studies in far off places with vague commentary about what might come next. I love that the endpages include not only the expected glossary and index, but also a bibliography and sources for further information. This always makes me a happy reader, more so when it comes to nonfiction for children.