Early Book Review: Mysterious, Marvelous Octopus by Paige Towler

Mysterious, Marvelous Octopus by Paige Towler is currently scheduled for release on March 19 2024. This book introduces young readers to the fascinating world of octopuses big and small, ink-squirting and shape-shifting, all around the planet. With their super smarts and awe-inspiring abilities, octopuses have captivated human imaginations. This book is a celebration of all things weird and wonderful about these beloved creatures—with their eight arms, nine brains, and one-of-a-kind personalities. Inside, find lyrical poetry paired with informational sidebars—perfect for a charming bedtime read or for pouring over for in-depth octopus info. Gorgeous photos of real octopuses give kids an up-close-and-personal glimpse of the sensational cephalopods—from the utterly adorable Dumbo octopus to the stunning blue-ringed octopus—and their incredible habitats and body parts.

Mysterious, Marvelous Octopus offers readers a nice balance. The images are visually stunning and capture the attention. The basic text is nice and is formatted nicely on the page, giving the book a nice flow and keeping readers engaged. The text boxes with more detailed information are great for older readers and those interested in learning more about octopi. (I know technically it is octopuses, but I am stubbornly clinging to octopi because I like the flow of it better.)  I think this book will appeal to many, as an entertaining, interesting, and informative read.

Early Book Review: The Upside-Down Book of Sloths by Elizabeth Shreeve, Illustrated by Isabella Grott

The Upside-Down Book of Sloths, written by Elizabeth Shreeve and illustrated by Isabella Grott, is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2023. Many find sloths cute, while some find them just plain bizarre. This book shares the less-well-known evolutionary history of sloths and how they became the beloved—and unique—creatures of today. The author pairs and compares the six extant modern species, like the pygmy sloth, the brown-throated sloth, and the ai, with their prehistoric counterparts, such as Thalassocnus, the tough seafaring sloth; Paramylodon, which had armor-like skin and walked on the sides of its feet; and Megatherium, which could weigh up to 8,000 pounds. She even reveals how modern sloths have adapted to hang upside down, how they learned to swim, and even how they poop!

The Upside-Down Book of Sloths is an entertaining, cute, and informative book for readers of all ages that want to know more about sloths. I thought the art work was extremely well done. The sloths looked very real, many images looking like photographs. The skill and work that went into the art is impressive, and frankly makes to book worth flipping through for the art alone. However, that is not to say that the text is not well done or important, it is both. I found the information to be well written and organized. The text is more aimed at the upper elementary and older readers- especially for those loving the sloth or doing a research project on them. However, the artwork and text combined make this a great book to share with he younger readers as well. As someone that loves reading about the less expected animals, including sloths, I still learned a great deal about these creatures and their history. Best of all, the author includes a time line and recommendations for further reading at the end of the book. This is a great addition to public, school, and personal library collections. 

Early Book Review: A Flower is a Friend by Frieda Wishinsky, Karen Patkau

A Flower is a Friend, written by Frieda Wishinsky and illustrated by Karen Patkau, is a children's picturebook currently scheduled for release on May 2 2023.  In the garden ecosystem, a flower means many things to each bird, insect, and creature. What does a flower do? They may not seem active to human eyes, but for the creatures of the garden they dust a bumblebee, shade a frog, feed a hummingbird, and serve as the center of a buzzing, humming, thrumming community.

A Flower is a Friend is a very engaging and informative picturebook. The text is pretty simple and asks readers questions about flowers and how creatures interact with them. I think it does a good job of getting the youngest readers to think about how connected nature is, and to get them to ask questions about it. I really enjoyed the artwork, which I found to be the star of this book. There is a close-up view of each mouse, frog, and butterfly with a flower, and each picture is detailed and very well done. There is a good amount of back matter with more information about the partnerships within the garden, especially for a book targeting such a young age group- which I greatly appreciated. 

Early Book Review: Nobody Likes Frogs: A Book of Toadally Fun Facts by Barbara Davis-Pyles, Liz Wong

Nobody Likes Frogs: A Book of Toadally Fun Facts, written by Barbara Davis-Pyles and illustrated by Liz Wong, is currently scheduled for release on April 25 2023. Why would you pick up a book about frogs? Nobody likes them! At least according to Persnickety Q. Turtle. In this humorous narrative nonfiction picture book the text cleverly puts the reader in the role of the “expert” to educate a persnickety turtle about the amazing amphibian known as the frog. With the reader's help, Persnickety Q. Turtle learns intriguing frog facts, such as they can breathe through their skin while underwater and their eyes help them swallow. Pick up this book and help Persnickety find out all the reasons frogs are such incredible creatures.

Nobody Likes Frogs is a fun and informative picturebook that uses a cranky turtle to help dispel some myths (real and imagined) about frogs and share some great information about them. I thought the facts were well chosen and shared, and I thought the art work did a great job of capturing and keeping the readers attention and helping to expand on the points made on the page. I think this delivers on what the book promises ad will be an enjoyable, engaging, and educational book for young readers. 

Early Book Review: Hidden Creature Features by Jane Park

Hidden Creature Features by Jane Park is a nonfiction picturebook currently scheduled for release on March 7 2023.  Some animal features are easy to see—long tails, large wings, patterned fur, or sharp beaks. But look closer—you might be surprised by what you find!  A penguin’s sharp beak hides a textured tongue that helps it grip fish. A red-eyed tree frog has a golden eyelid that covers its eyes so it can see predators while it sleeps. A platypus fends off predators with a venomous spur. Rhyming text and eye-catching photos offer an up-close look at lots of fascinating hidden creature features!

Hidden Creature Features features some fantastic close up images of animals along with facts that detail hidden adaptations that they have to help them survive. I liked the variety of creatures shown, and the different adaptations that were shared. I knew some of the information, but the book still taught me a few things. For instance, I never knew that the pacu fish's teeth looked like that, and while I knew about the platypus's poisonous spur I did not know that it was only active during mating season. I love that the book includes a glossary and recommendations for further reading. I think this book would be a great addition to personal collections for those with children that love to learn about animals. I also think that this would be a valuable addition to public, school, ad classroom libraries. 

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. 

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. 

Audiobook Review: How Do Ants Survive a Flood?: A Book about Bugs by Chason McKay, Narrated by Jesús E. Martínez

How Do Ants Survive a Flood?: A Book about Bugs by Chason McKay, narrated by Jesús E. Martínez, is a children's nonfiction book. Have you ever wondered what makes bugs so special? The latest addition to the How Do series dives into all of the unique things spiders, worms, ladybugs, and many other insects can do. 

How Do Ants Survive a Flood? probably works better as a read along to go with the print edition, or as a print edition on its own. I liked the information in the book, and thought that the chosen facts and phrasing were very well done. However, as an adult listening to this book in the car I have to admit that the attempts to do the effect of chorused voices asking the different subject headers did not work for me, and I found some of the voices annoying. I understood the intent, to entertain and engage children, but you do not always need to be goofy to hold their attention. I also found the pauses to be problematic unless you have a print copy in hand and can use that time to study the pictures. I feel like this is a through back to the read along books with records that we had in my kindergarten days. I think used in that capacity this book and audiobook would be great, but as a stand alone audiobook I was less than thrilled. 

Early Book Review: Rock? Plant? Animal?: How Nature Keeps Us Guessing by Etta Kaner, Brittany Lane

 Rock? Plant? Animal?: How Nature Keeps Us Guessing is a children's nonfiction book written by Etta Kaner and illustrated by Brittany Lane. It is currently scheduled for release on September 13 2022. This book is an interactive guessing game featuring nature’s most unusual adaptations and characteristics. Can you tell the difference between a rock, a plant, and an animal? While it might sound simple, the vast diversity of life on earth can throw us some serious curveballs! Sometimes, what looks like a plant is actually an animal. Other times, what looks like an animal is actually a plant! Even things that look like living creatures can turn out to be unique rocks. Each spread features a realistic illustration of either a puzzling critter, a perplexing plant, or a special stone. Every picture is accompanied by a simple prompt: rock, plant, or animal? The answer is revealed by turning the page to discover a beautifully detailed scene and a brief description of the “species.” Even for the most esteemed naturalists, the answers are hard to believe! Rock? Plant? Animal? lets its readers be detectives, encouraging curiosity and embracing surprise.

Rock? Plant? Animal? is a fun read with eye catching images that are well worth a look all on their own. I think young readers will engage with the text and interactive nature of the book while becoming a little more aware that nature does some very interesting things. The book could help the young readers, and the adults or older children that might be sharing the book with them, think a bit about how nature can surprise us and how things are not always what they seem. The book is fun and bright, and I think it will do a good job of capturing and keeping the attention of readers. I even saw a couple things that were new to me!

Early Book Review: Elephants on the Move: A Day with an Asian Elephant Family by Lela Nargi

Elephants on the Move: A Day with an Asian Elephant Family by Lela Nargi is a nonfiction picturebook created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute. It is currently scheduled for release on August 1 2022.

Rumble and mumble. Trumpet and stomp! Meet Kamala, Rani, Bozie, Swarna, and Spike! These busy Asian Elephants have formed a family at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Discover a day in the life of this elephant herd, how keepers interact with them, and how this work helps wild elephants thousands of miles away. 

Elephants on the Move is an engaging and informative read for lower elementary age students. I thought the pictures and information chosen balance nicely, keeping reader focused on the book and interested in the text. I like that readers get a good look at the daily life of these elephants in the zoo, and a greater appreciation for both the animals and the work that goes into running a zoo and caring for all the animals, and keeping them happy and health. The information was well chosen and accessible to readers, although it might be a little tough going for some younger or less advanced readers. I think this book would be a great addition to school and classroom libraries as well as public libraries and personal collections. 

Book Review: The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell by Laura Alary, Ellen Rooney

The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell is a nonfiction picturebook written by Laura Alary and illustrated by Ellen Rooney. Maria longed to travel beyond her small island of Nantucket. But she wasn't sure how. Her father taught her to look to the stars for guidance. If you knew how to read them, he said, the stars could tell you where you were, and where you needed to go. They spent hours scanning the night sky together through a telescope on the roof. Maria learned how to use astronomers' tools to measure and track time by the stars. But what could she do with her skills? Then, one day, she heard that a prize was being offered to the first person to find a new comet. Could this be the opportunity she was waiting for?

The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything is an engaging biographical picturebook of a little known nineteenth-century woman scientist and women's rights advocate. Maria Mitchell would go on to become the first professional female astronomer in the United States, first female member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and one of the first female college professors. I think this book balances accessible storytelling, lovely artwork, and encouragement for young readers to keep observing the world and follow their passions. I like that the story itself included some of the obstacles that Mitchell had to deal with and followed up with more information on her activism and encouragement for all readers to explore their interests, work hard, and follow their dreams even if it goes against cultural norms.

I think The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything would be a great addition to public, school, classroom, and personal libraries. 

Early Book Review: Amazing Plants of the World by Stepanka Sekaninova

Amazing Plants of the World by Stepanka Sekaninova is currently scheduled for release on April 19 2022. This book tells readers all about forty one unusual plants that can literally take your breath away, or even eat you! Welcome to this botanical garden, where human feet have not trodden for many years. Actually, one has-or rather a pair of them have. They belong to a passionate botanist who spends all his time in the company of flowers. He does not seem interested in people, as he feels himself to be a plant rather than a member of the species homo sapiens. He may seem strange-or even scary, like anything unknown-but rest assured that he is completely harmless just like his plants are that is unless you’re a fly or a beetle, which his carnivorous plants love to eat. No worries, those meat lovers might possibly snatch at your snack if you have a ham sandwich or a sausage in your bag, but that’s all. Though some of the plants from this forgotten botanical garden look predatory at first sight, even spooky, they are still just plants that can never catch you. 

Amazing Plants of the World is a fun and creatively illustrated book about some particularly plants. I think this book will catch and hold the attention of readers. The text is informative, but also a great deal of fun. I think the use of humor, high energy, and just plan fun text and illustrations work together very well to capture and hold the attention of young readers. There was a great deal of interesting information, and the quality of the artwork was absolutely wonderful. I think event he youngest readers will enjoy looking through this book for the artwork alone.  I like that there is an index included in the book. The only think I would have liked to see that was missing, would be some actual photographs of the plants. No matter how fabulous those illustrations are, I would still like to see the real thing- perhaps in the endpages with resources to learn more about the plants covered. 

Book Review: Hidden Animal Colors by Jane Park

Hidden Animal Colors by Jane Park is nonfiction picturebook. Why should the bright and flashy animals get all of the attention? If you look closely at some seemingly ordinary animals, you may find a colorful surprise. A lizard is brown. A hippo is gray. But wait! The lizard has a blue tongue to scare predators, and the hippo has pink "sweat" that protects it from the sun! Brilliant photos accompany author Jane Park's rhyming nonfiction text in this playful exploration of animals' hidden colors.

Hidden Animal Colors is a great book for reading alone or together. The page design with photographs of animals and text placement worked very well to capture and keep the attention of readers of all ages. I loved the idea of showing young readers that even the most ordinary creatures could be hiding some interesting features, and that even the less exciting feature do have a purpose that can help animals survive and thrive in the wild. This is a great book for all readers, even if they just want to look at some great pictures and enjoy the book on that level alone. 

Book Review: Who Lives near a Glacier? Alaska Animals in the Wild by Susi Gregg Fowler, Jim Fowler

Who Lives near a Glacier? Alaska Animals in the Wild is a children's book written by Susi Gregg Fowler and illustrated by Jim Fowler. Whether towering high above the water's surface, or spreading out as a massive ice field in an open plain, glaciers slowly shape the environments and ecosystems that they move through. And while the size, scale, and temperatures may seem extreme, there is a vibrant community of wildlife living in and around these massive flows of ice. Through poems paired with information about each animal, Who Lives near a Glacier? celebrates the creatures that thrive alongside the shifting landscape. From enormous whales swimming alongside ice walls rising out of the ocean, to the tiniest of ice worms that make their homes inside glaciers, readers will learn about a variety of local wildlife.

Who Lives near a Glacier? is a combination of rhyming poetry, nature paintings, and factoids. The illustrations are done like paintings, and pair nicely with the poetry and chosen facts. I thought they were well done, but I think I might have preferred actually photographs to the artwork when possible.  This is not to say they were not quality, but comes down to my personal preference. I was impressed with the wildlife chosen for inclusion, especially that plants were included.  Too often the less flashy plants and animals are ignored in favor of better known, cuter, or dramatic creatures. Here we get a look at a variety of far more expected and common animals. I like that the information of glacier formation is included as well. 

Who Lives near a Glacier? is a book that will appeal to interested readers, and could be useful in discussions about nature, climate, and Alaska with young readers.  

Early Book Review: Soaring in Style: How Amelia Earhart Became a Fashion Icon by Jennifer Lane Wilson, Lissy Marlin

Soaring in Style: How Amelia Earhart Became a Fashion Icon, written by Jennifer Lane Wilson and illustrated by Lissy Marlin, is currently scheduled for release on February 1 2022. Long before Amelia Earhart became a superstar, she was a girl who longed to touch the stars. But the dresses women had to wear at the time made those dreams seem almost impossible. Amelia didn’t let that stop her. As a young aviator breaking records and expectations, she learned to fly her plane with flair. Later, she dared to create a trendsetting fashion line for active women like herself. Soaring in Style tells the groundbreaking story of how Amelia Earhart defied expectations in the air and on the ground to become America’s first celebrity fashion designer.

Soaring in Style is a well written, and beautifully illustrated, nonfiction book. I think the narrative style make for an engaging and accessible read. I was glad to see this book, and learn something new. Like most, I had heard plenty about Earhart's dedication to flying. I had not heard about her clothing designs, although her desire for clothes that are both functional and fashionable seems to be something many of us still seem to dealing with. I thought the text and illustrations matched well, and I loved the personality that seemed clear to me in all of the images of Earhart. I greatly enjoyed the read, and learned a few new things. 

Early Book Review: Where Did We Come From?: A Simple Exploration of the Universe, Evolution, and Physics by Chris Ferrie

Where Did We Come From?: A Simple Exploration of the Universe, Evolution, and Physics by Chris Ferrie is a nonfiction picturebook currently scheduled for release on January 4 2022. Discover how our universe came to be; first the quark then the particle, first atom then the molecule, first the sun then the solar system, first the earth then the life, first the love then the child. Little scientists will learn all about how the universe evolved in this unique science book for kids from the creator of the Baby University series, Chris Ferrie. The "first/then" pattern provides a deceptively simple introduction to the beginning of life, evolution, scientific inquiry, and more! It's the perfect love letter for science-loving families.

Where Did We Come From? is a perfect picturebook for science focused family. The language pattern is simple enough for the youngest listeners, but I think some of the vocabulary will need to be explain (there is a glossary in the back) for many young readers or listeners to get some understanding.I like that the artwork used bold lines and colors, making this a good book to read together, either one on one or in a group settling.  I think this is a fun gift book for scientist parents, and those looking to start science and physics discussions with young children, at home or in school, but it is not likely to be a requested reread.  

Early Book Review: Geckos Don't Blink by Kelly Tills

Geckos Don't Blink by Kelly Tills is currently scheduled for release on November 2 2021. In this light-hearted book, learn how geckos sneeze and sleep without ever closing their eyes. See all the groovy colors geckos can see at night with their powerful eyes. Enjoy hearing your child shout out the answers to silly questions like "Can a gecko wink when it tells a good joke?" This call and response format is a time-tested method for keeping kids engaged and interacting, instead of just chewing on the pages.

Geckos Don't Blink is a cute and entertaining nonfiction picturebook. While I knew most of the information provided, I do think it will be new to the target audience. I found the phrasing of chosen information, and the delightful illustrations, work together well to capture and hold the attention of the youngest readers. I also like the framing of the book, and series as a whole, that everyone and everything has something weird and wonderful about them. 

Early Book Review: Bat's Moonlight Feast by Gordon McMillan, Carly Allen-Fletcher

Bat's Moonlight Feast is a nonfiction picturebook written by Gordon McMillan and illustrated by Carly Allen-Fletcher. It is currently scheduled for release on November 1 2021. The tube-lipped nectar bat is the pollinator of a pale, bell-shaped flower found in the Ecuadorian cloud forests. First discovered in 2005, the bat is the only known pollinator of a pale, bell shaped flower called Centropogon nigricans . Due to the length of the bloom, no other animal can reach the nectar which rests at the flower’s base. This is the story of one such bat and her nocturnal search for this rare flower whose nectar sustains her.

Bat's Moonlight Feast is an absolutely beautiful book. I thought the artwork was extremely well done and did a great job of showing the details of the subject matter. The backgrounds were just as beautiful as the work done on the bats and flowers. I looked through the images several times simply to enjoy them. I also thought the text was well done, and easy to understand without being dumbed down. I liked the additional text that gave more information on the newly discovered bat and what we have learned about it. I think young readers will love this book, and animal and nature enthusiasts of all ages will as well. 

Early Book Review: Cows Have No Top Teeth by Kelly Tills

Cows Have No Top Teeth by Kelly Tills is currently scheduled for release on November 2 2021. In this light-hearted book, learn just how much cows like to chew, even without top teeth. They graze all day, then rest, and chew some more. Enjoy hearing your child shout out the answers to silly questions like "Does a cow drink through a straw?" This call and response format is a time-tested method for keeping kids engaged and interacting, instead of just chewing on the pages.

Cows Have No Top Teeth is a fun and informative nonfiction picture book. The illustrations are cute, and catch the eye to hold the attention of the youngest readers. I thought the facts chosen and the phrasing were accessible and interesting.  To be perfectly honest, I had no idea that cows have no top teeth, although I did know most of the other information. I liked that the whole concept of this series, that every one and everything has something different about them, and that difference is wonderful.