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.
Scare School Diaries: Welcome to Scare School (Scare School Diaries #1) by Jarrett Lerner
This illustrated early chapter book is the journal of a young ghost named Bash who is anxious about starting school. He can fly but being invisible and passing through walls are skills he has not yet mastered. What if he can’t pass his C.A.T. (Creature Aptitude Test) at the end of his first two weeks? Bash is also worried about having a roommate since he hasn’t spent a lot of time with creatures his own age.
Things start to look up for Bash when he is paired with Itsy, a spider, as his roommate. While Itsy excels at her creature skills, she is a good friend lending her eight legs to help Bash train. They also bond over their love of comics collaborating on creating their own. Over the two weeks, Bash works hard experiencing highs and lows ultimately realizing that his friendship with Itsy as well as other classmates has the power to help him face his fears.
I love that author-illustrator Lerner decided to use a journal format because kids get to see Bash’s vulnerability in his own words and illustrations. Starting a new school, making friends, comparing yourself to a sibling, and demonstrating mastery in skills are all normal worries kids have. Bash helps them see how they can persevere with the help of friends. The series is also accessible for developing readers of all ages at only 138 pages with a large font and artwork on almost every page. Can’t wait to introduce Bash to kids at my school! Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing an ARC. Scare School Diaries: Welcome to Scare School celebrates its book birthday on July 16, 2024. Stay tuned for Book 2, Forest Frights, publishing in November 2025.
Somewhere in Between by Laan Cham
After a young girl, Pink, arrives in the Land of Sunshine, she is greeted by a creature named Fireball, who shows her all its beauties-sun, beaches, and swimming. When Pink sees an icy island across the water, she is intrigued. Fireball angrily dismisses the land is full of trolls. Pink’s curiosity is too strong so she ventures to what is called the Land of Snow meeting Snowball and is introduced to snowmen, ice-skating, and sledding. The problem is Fireball and Snowball want her to choose her favorite and Pink likes them both. How will she get her new friends to see both sides?
Dealing with conflict is not easy for kids and debut author-illustrator Cham’s spirited characters and engaging plot will support them in learning how to problem solve with compromise. I like how Cham has Pink model collaboration by working with her rock friend and other animals from both lands. On a personal note, I can’t deny that I had a flashback to Heat Miser and Snow Miser in The Year Without a Santa Claus! Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media and Random House for sharing a copy. Somewhere in Between celebrates its book birthday on July 16, 2024.
The Quacken by Justin Colon Illustrated by Pablo Pino
On the first page spread, there is a bulletin board full of missing items and multiple Do Not Feed the Duck signs. Hector who is vacationing at Cucumonga Campground with his family doesn’t believe the legend that a dangerous creature lurks in the lake. Even after many kids warn him about the ducks, Hector can’t resist feeding them. Within seconds, The Quacken is released. Can Hector and the rest of the campers survive?
Colon’s humorous and intriguing narrative and Pino’s dynamic and detailed artwork perfectly complement each other; Both begin calm; however, once Hector throws his last crumb in the lake, the mood changes and suspense grows. Kids will be mesmerized by The Quacken who wreaks havoc on the campground following Hector. Like any good horror movie, at times, the plot quiets and then builds. Readers think Hector may be safe, but no one can escape The Quacken! Don’t worry! Hector emerges as the victor albeit shaken. What I love most is the hilarious ending especially the page spread showing all the missing items recovered. Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. The Quacken celebrates its book birthday on July 16, 2024.
Sour Apple by Linda Liu
When a green apple is left on the ground at the end of the harvest season, he is hurt to the core. Speaking directly to the reader, he wonders why he was not chosen with a series of questions. When a worm takes residence, the apple decides his fate is sealed. Soon other insects join in; however, their goal is bury him rather than eat him. Accepting his destiny, he closes his eyes. On the next page spread, the artwork shows the cycle of seasons and a small plant growing. eventually becoming a magnificent tree.
Kids (and adults) can easily relate to apple who falls prey to self-doubt when he is left behind. While Liu’s rhyming text beautifully tells his life story, her artwork makes the apple come alive especially in the way she changes his eyes to show his feelings. As a teacher, I believe Sour Apple is a perfect read aloud for the beginning of the school year to remind kids to be patient and hopeful. Thanks to Macmillan Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. Sour Apple recently published on July 9, 2024.
Left Hand, Right Hand by Dori Elys Illustrated by Ekaterina Trukhan
Looking for an interactive way to teach left vs. right? Learning begins immediately on the cover for kids can see and touch a purple carpet texture with their left hand and a pink hair texture with their right hand. Once the board book is open, children have ample room to place their both left and right hand on the corresponding pages as they feel a variety of textures. I love that Elys’ concise text not only rhymes but also reinforces the feel exposing kids to rich vocabulary such as bumpy, rough, crinkle, and squash. Kids will also be drawn to Trukhan’s adorable dog and bear who act as the guides throughout the book. Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. Left Hand, Right Hand published on June 25, 2024.
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.
Cloud Puppy by Kelly Leigh Miller
Cloud Puppy and her best friend Berry Rose are beyond excited to attend their first comic convention especially since Kit Starlight, their favorite author, will be there in person. A rift between the friends arises when they both want to dress up as Pretty Princess Warrior Dragonetta. Since neither Cloud Puppy or Berry Rose will budge, they each go to convention alone and as a result, feel miserable. With the help of the author herself, Cloud Puppy and Berry Rose learn there can be more than Dragonetta!
At my school, kids devour graphic novels and author-illustrator Miller’s new series is not only a graphic novel but also features characters who read and create their own comics. Kids can easily relate to the conflict between Cloud Puppy and Berry Rose since compromise can be difficult. I appreciate that Miller allows the two friends to realize their argument was silly after meeting with the author. Readers also get to meet friends Mossquatch and Jack who collaborate with Cloud Puppy and Berry Rose in creating a comic story. I also love how Miller includes extras such as “Cloud Puppy’s Guide to Cosplay” and “How to Make Your Own Comic” to support readers interested in those topics. Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sharing a copy. Cloud Puppy published on May 28, 2024. Game On, the next book in the series, publishes in March 2025.
Bella and I thank you for visiting Beagles and Books!
#IMWAYR is dedicated to dear Etta, my original book beagle. Blessed that Etta is part of my story.
Beagles & Books 
Welcome to Scare School looks delightful! Somewhere in Between seems like an important book to share with students as a way to help them deal with friendship conflicts.
The rest of your books look good too, especially The Quacken!
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The Quacken and Sour apple caught my eye – they look like such fun titles! Thank you so much for sharing – along with the adorable photos of your beagle. Soooo cute!
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The Quacken really caught my eye–love that cover!
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