July 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.

Penny & Pip by Candace Fleming Illustrated by Eric Rohmann

When Penny visits the natural history museum on a class trip, she is the only one who spies a baby dinosaur hatching at the base of an exhibit. When their eyes locked, the dinosaur wags its tail, climbs out, and follows Penny throughout the museum. They met up again at lunch where Penny shares her cheese crackers. The noises the animal makes give Penny the idea for the dinosaur’s name. Having formed a bond quickly, Penny needs to think fast. How will she get Pip home?

Rohmann’s cover art of Penny and Pip prancing with full smiles immediately draws you in. His warm, expressive illustrations complement Fleming’s sweet and enchanting narrative. As an adult, I know this story is fantasy, but Fleming’s clever plot suspended reality making me believe the story could actually happen. After reading it, I have a feeling kids might feel the same way. Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. Penny & Pip released on June 13, 2023.

Squirlish: The Girl in the Tree by Ellen Potter Illustrated by Sara Cristofori

In this new illustrated early chapter book series, readers meet 8 year old Cordelia who was raised by squirrels in Central Park. Only Viola Berry, the park’s groundskeeper, knows Cordelia lives in a tree and she makes sure Cordelia has clothes and food. On Nut Day, Cordelia helps collect and bury acorns for the winter. After another squirrel steals the nuts she hid, Cordelia chases him to another part of the park. Her leaping, climbing, and balancing skills are noticed by a woman who is a coach at a gymnastics academy. This encounter gives Cordelia the opportunity to visit the school leaving Central Park for the first time to interact with kids her age. Will Cordelia soar or sink?

At only 103 pages with short chapters and Cristofori’s lively black and white illustrations, The Girl in the Tree is a great series for children transitioning to middle grade. Young readers will especially be drawn to Cordelia’s unusual upbringing and her spunky spirit which is evident in both the artwork and the text. Having visited Central Park in the past, my only ask would be a map at the beginning of the story to support kids’ understanding the different areas of the park. Looking forward to more adventures with Cordelia! Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. The Girl in the Tree published on June 13, 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.

The McNifficents by Amy Makechnie

The McNiffs are an unconventional family given that a miniature schnauzer named Lord Tennyson serves as the nanny for their rambunctious six children whose ages span from 18 months to 13 years old. Lord Tennyson never doubted his abilities until Mrs. Snoot insulted him suggesting the children need a real nanny. Wounded by her comment, Lord Tennyson is determined to teach the siblings manners before the end of summer. Easier said than done.

With two siblings bickering for the majority of the story, newly adopted pets such as bunnies, a snake, and chickens, and rescuing two of the younger McNiffs from danger, Lord Tennyson is having a “ruff” time managing the pack; however, he maintains a paw-sitive attitude. What I loved most about the story was amid the utter commotion, there were tender moments when the children rallied to support not only each other but also Lord Tennyson. A few tears were shed at the end when Lord Tennyson realizes he must celebrate the small progress the siblings had made as well as never again doubt his place as cherished member of the McNiff family. Thank to the author for sharing a copy in a Twitter giveaway. The McNifficents published on June 20, 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.

Historical Fiction, It's Monday! What Are You Reading?, Middle Grade Literature, Picture Books

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 7/10/23

July 10, 2023 lauramossa

Greenlight by Breanna Carzoo

Poor Greenlight is having an identity crisis. She used to think highly of herself, but the fact that cars leave when she shines her light is causing insecurity. She can’t find solace in either Redlight or Yellowlight for cars stop or at least slow down. Greenlight begins to question her worth to society which leads her to close her eyes and cease shining. Will Greenlight realize her value? Ready…set…yes!

Like Carzoo’s fire hydrant Lou (who has a cameo in the story), kids and adults will fall in love with googly eyed Greenlight. The author-illustrator has such a gift for creating charming characters that teach us to believe in ourselves. I love how Carzoo chose to have Greenlight solve her dilemma with positive self-talk. She takes her time allowing her to recognize her strengths and shines when she is ready. The concise text complements the colorful cut paper collage artwork. I am amazed how Carzoo can show Greenlight’s range of emotions with various eye and mouth shapes. Eagerly awaiting The Squish, a third picture book featuring a sweet sandcastle. Thanks to the author for sharing an eARC. Greenlight will celebrate its book birthday next week on July 17, 2023.

The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally Pla

Autistic 13 year old Maudie can’t wait to spend summer with her dad at their mountain cabin in Molinas, California. But wildfires thwart their usual plans forcing them to relocate to her dad’s childhood beach town of Conwy near the Mexican border. Narrated in both prose and verse by Maudie, readers quickly learn that she is harboring a secret from her dad about life in Houston with her mom and her stepfather. Living at the campgrounds run by her dad’s high school buddy, Maudie flourishes in spite of all the change. She learns to surf and makes friends building confidence in herself. As Maudie recalled past events, my heart hurt for her but my heart began to heal as she came into her own living with her supportive dad. When her mom and stepfather come to bring her back to Texas, can Maudie show her new found strength to stand up for herself?

Pla perfectly captures Maudie’s kindness, conflicts, and courage. I love that she chose to include poems which allows readers to truly get to know Maudie’s feelings and thoughts. I also appreciate that Pla doesn’t shy away from tackling tough issues yet writes in a way that is accessible for middle grade readers. Another bonus is short chapters which make the text easier to read. While Maudie learned so much over the summer, I believe two important life lessons are to let out sadness rather than swallowing it and only you get to decide your version of you. Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy. The Fire, the Water and Maudie McGinn celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on July 11, 2023.

Rivka’s Presents by Laurie Wallmark Illustrated by Adelina Lirius

Told from the point of view of Rivka, this historical fiction picture book gives kids a perspective of what life was like for immigrant children during the flu pandemic of 1918. Rivka is eager for her first day of school, but with her father sick, her mother has to work; therefore, Rivka must watch her little sister Miriam. Although Rivka can’t attend school, that doesn’t mean she can’t learn. Full of initiative and resourcefulness and with Miriam in tow, Rivka offers to clean for the grocer in exchange for reading and writing lessons. Then she makes deliveries for the tailor and in turn, he teaches Rivka math. When her mother sends her to clean for her neighbor, Rivka learns American history helping Mrs. Langholtz study for her citizenship test.

While Rivka’s father does recuperate, Wallmark’s lyrical text and Lirius’ gorgeous artwork show the passage of time for him to fully heal. I love that the title not only refers to the physical presents Rivka receives from her “teachers” but also the intangible gifts of her father’s recovery and her return to school. Back matter includes an author’s note about life on the Lower East Side in New York City in 1918 and a glossary defining English and Yiddish words. Rivka’s Presents is a story full of heart and history. Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy. Rivka’s Presents celebrates its book birthday tomorrow on July 11, 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.

Simon and the Better Bone by Cory R. Tabor

A happy, brown dog named Simon, finds a bone near a pond. His eyes move quickly to the water where he sees a dog with a better bone. Simon has manners so he first asks to trade. When he receives no response, it is clear the other dog does not share this trait. Determined, Simon suggests a staring contest in which the other dog was able to match every move. No matter what Simon does, the other dog copies perfectly. Angered, Simon lets out a growl and leaps into the pond. As a result, he and the other dog coincidentally both lose their bones. Fortunately, Simon spies a better better bone in the dirt. What will Simon do now? The most selfless act possible.

I adore this sweet retelling of Aesop’s fable, The Dog and His Reflection. While the moral in the original is it is very foolish to be greedy, author-illustrator Tabor redeems the dog by having him drop the bone in the pond to share. The new moral-a friend is more valuable than a bone. With soft, warm illustrations, I love that Tabor chose to present the story vertically to emphasize the dog’s reflection in the pond.

Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!

Board Books, Early Readers, Graphic Novel, It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 7/3/23

July 3, 2023 lauramossa

Kitty-Cam (Ready to Ready Pre-Level 1) by Margie Palatini Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

When a cat has a camera attached to its head, emergent readers get to see the world from the kitty’s point of view. Kitty attempts to tackle a fish bowl, succeeds in scoring treats, and enjoys a romp with yarn. A mouse interrupts its play. When the rodent escapes in its hole In the wall, Kitty waits but sleep overcomes the feline.

Shark-Cam (Ready to Ready Pre-Level 1) by Margie Palatini Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Shark happily swims with a camera on its head, but all ocean animals see is teeth. When the animals quickly leave, Shark is sad. Fortunately, Shark meets a polite octopus who accepts the offer to dance. Shark continues on its journey crossing paths first with a whale and then a fisherman. Don’t worry. No living thing was harmed in this story but kids will laugh as Shark chills on the fisherman’s boat as he frantically swims away.

Lively illustrations full of action and and an accessible text with mostly decodable words make both Kitty-Cam and Shark Cam perfect stories for kids just learning to read. Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. Kitty-Cam and Shark-Cam recently published on June 27, 2023. More books in the series will release in August 2023.

O is for Ossicone: A Surprising Animal Alphabet by Hannah Eliot Illustrated by Sarah Papworth

This is an animal alphabet board book that breaks the mold. The words chose for each letter are not the norm; as a result, they will support building content knowledge about animals. For instance, B is for baleen educating young children on a particular type of whale, R is for retina, S is for scutes, and Z is for zygote. When readers (young and old) lift the flap, they learn more about the meaning of the word. I must admit I didn’t know what an ossicone was until I read this board book (In case you are uninformed like me, ossicone is the hornlike parts of a giraffe’s head). My only ask is I wish pronunciations were included for particular vocabulary to support decoding for me as an adult. Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. O is for Ossicone recently published on June 27, 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.

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Styx and Scones: The Sticky Wand (Ready to Read Graphics 2) by Jay Cooper

A cat, Styx and a dog, Scones live with two witches. When the witches leave, the animals are told what they can’t touch. But they didn’t mention the stick on the fireplace mantle. Once Scones picks it up and utters KA-ZING, magic happens. Styx becomes a bat, skunk, snake, squirrel and giraffe. Styx wants a turn with the stick and Scones is unwillingly to share leadimg to not only unintended magic but also the stick breaking in two. Uh oh! What will happen when the witches come home? Can Styx and Scones work together to solve their problem?

Styx and Scones is a great introduction to graphic novels for early readers. Before the story, children and their parents learn the fundamentals having elements such as speech bubbles, panels defined and directions on how to read them. The story is easily accessible with a mix of panels from full page to five. Cooper’s engaging characters, fun plot, and expressive illustrations also support kids as they become independent readers. So excited that more adventures are to come. Book 2: Styx and Scones in the Cracked Crystal publishes in August 2023. Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. Styx and Stones recently published on June 27, 2023.

Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!