March 2023 – Beagles & Books

Bella and I are excited to share our latest reads in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give it a #kidlit focus and encourage everyone who participates to visit at least 3 of the other #kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Welcome to Monsterville by Laura Shovan Illustrations by Michael Rotherberg

A collection of 16 poems, Welcome to Monsterville joins zany monsters illustrated by Michael Rothenberg with whimsical poetry by Laura Shovan. The first poem, “Invitation,” readers are welcomed to meet creatures who are friendly, thoughtful, shy, scary and very unique. For example, a monster who blows green bubbles, a monster with a bubblegum head, a monster with 14 eyes, and a monster with feathers and hissing snakes around their necks.

Amid the humor, the poems, “Green Cave,” “When I Cry,” and “Dream” hit on emotions. In the author’s note, Shovan shares the backstory behind her and Michael’s collaboration. With this knowledge, Welcome to Monsterville could serve as a mentor text inspiring students to draw their own monsters and to create an accompanying poem for a social emotional learning exercise. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with my #bookexcursion group. Welcome to Monsterville publishes soon on April 25, 2023.

The Rainbow Snail by Karin Akesson

A snail sees a colorful rainbow in the sky and wonders what it would feel like to be each color. As the snail ponders, what it visualizes is illustrated. For instance, violet is a spring flower, green is soft grass, and red is a ladybug. As each color is introduced, the black snail’s shell collects the color and by the end of the story, its shell mirrors the beautiful rainbow seen in the sky.

The Rainbow Snail not only teaches young children about colors, but also how colors can elicit an item and/or a feeling. Adults can engage kids in a discussion about what they visualize and how colors make them feel. I especially love the page spread when the snail’s shell is a rainbow because readers can see the gastropod’s excitement in its eyes and mouth. Thanks to Jenny Lu of Union Square Kids for sharing a copy. The Rainbow Snail released on February 21, 2023.

Bella’s Dog Pick of the Week

Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine character.

Fenway and the Loud Mouth Bird (Make Way for Fenway #3) by Victoria Coe Illustrated by
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

In this third adventure in the Make Way for Fenway chapter book series, Fenway is excited about a trip to visit Nana with his human Hattie. Why? Because Nana plays his favorite game, abracadabra, which always ends with a yummy treat! But not long after Fenway walks in the door, he smells trouble. Nana now has a bird named Merlin who not only talks but also stole his treat game. And to make matters worst, Hattie wants him to be friends with Merlin. That’s like being friends with a squirrel. Will Merlin make Fenway change his mind?

Written from Fenway’s perspective, Coe captures the Jack Russell’s voice perfectly. While Fenway is very frustrated with Merlin, he learns that befriending a bird who can talk can be valuable. As a reading specialist, I appreciate all the support for readers transitioning to chapter books such as length, short chapters, and Lew-Vriethoff’s adorable black and illustrations which show Fenway’s exuberant personality. Thanks to the publisher for sharing an eARC. Fenway and Loud Mouth Bird releases soon on April 4,, 2023.

Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!

“People love dogs. You can never go wrong adding a dog to the story.”
Jim Butcher
#IMWAYR is dedicated to dear Etta, my original book beagle. Blessed that Etta is part of my story.

Doe’s Dandelions by Laura Renauld Illustrated by Jennie Poh

Doe is excited to showcase her daffodils in the Spring Petal Parade, but she fears the dandelions threaten her precious flowers. After weeding every dandelion, she warns her forest friends. Instead of agreeing with Doe, each animal shares a benefit of dandelions. Porcupine consider dandelions nourishment, not a nuisance. Squirrel feels dandelions brighten, not bother her snowdrops. Bear believes dandelions are wishes, not weeds. Will Doe’s friend change her opinion?

The fourth book in Renauld’s Woodland Friends series, Doe’s Dandelions teaches young children a powerful lesson on perspective.. Doe doesn’t”t see any value in dandelions yet all her friends view the flower positively. I love that Renauld chose to have Doe listen to all her friends before coming to her own conclusion. Poh’s warm and expressive illustrations complement the text and message. An added bonus are steps for kids to plan their own petal parade

Thanks to the author and publisher for sharing a copy. Doe’s Dandelions celebrates its book birthday on March 7, 2023.

A Bucket of Questions by Tim Fite

Looking for a fun way to introduce questioning to young kids? Fite’s whimsical black and white artwork will immediately pull in kids. The questions are appealing such as Why do seals clap? and What is at the bottom of the ocean? Following the questions, silly not plausible answers are shared provoking smiles and giggles. Fife’s playful text speaks directly to readers keeping kids engaged and anxiously waiting for the next comical Q & A. While Fite’s main goal is entertaining readers, I love how he ends the book with the question “When is it time to stop asking a bucket of questions?” with the only true answer- never.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. A Bucket of Questions celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on March 7, 2023.

A Good Deed Can Grow by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman Illustrated by Holly Hatam

Bertman’s concise, lyrical text and Hatam’s vivid and lively illustrations teach how a small, kind action can make a big impact. What I love most is kids see examples of simple things they can do in their community such as plant flowers, help a neighbor, open a door, clean up a beach, help an animal or decorate a sidewalk. Throughout the story, a good deed is made visible by Hatam with yellow heart flower petals which appear on every page showing how the actions are connected.

Thanks to the author for sharing a copy. A Good Deed Can Grow published on February 7, 2023.

Bella’s Dog Pick of the Week

Wanting to spread the dog love, Beagles and Books has a weekly feature of highlighting a literary selection with a canine character.

Wonder Dogs by Linda Ashman Illustrated by Karen Obuhanych

While walking with its human, a little black and white dog sees its canine exhibiting strength, skill, and bravery. The pup contemplates-what wonders can I do? After some reflection, the dog realizes it has talents such as making its owner laugh, keeping her warm, comforting her during a storm, and most importantly, giving her unconditional love.

Ashman’s rhyming text coupled with Obuhanych’s bright illustrations Celebrates all canines for their contributions. The narrating pup reminds me of my Bella who doesn’t know any tricks or commands yet makes every day immensely better.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. Wonder Dogs recently released on February 28, 2023.

Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!