Following their 2024 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague take three friends on another adventure.
How do Bat, Cat, and Rat cool off? In the first chapter, after Bat and Rat use all the ice, the trio pack, walk, and board a bus to get to the beach. In the second chapter, Bat shares his snacks with seagulls much to his dismay. Thank goodness for Cat’s intervention. In the second and a half chapter (4 pages long) Rat is distraught because he can’t find his kite. In the third chapter, Bat comforts Rat by offering himself as a flying machine.
The Bat, Cat & Rat series warms my reading specialist heart. With concise text, high frequency words, and repetition, Dyckman makes the story accessible for young kids to read independently without sacrificing character development or plot. I love the subtle humor which is a great discussion starter and how Bat, Cat, and Rat support each other as friends. Dyckman’s short text allows Teague’s energetic and expressive artwork to fill up the page supporting readers in their understanding.
“People love dogs. You can never go wrong adding a dog to the story.”-Jim Butcher Beagles & Books is dedicated to Etta & Bella, my original book beagles. Blessed they are part of my story.
Beagles and Books is thrilled to share reviews of picture books celebrating their book birthdays today!
So-Hee and Lowy by Anna Kang Illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Being an only child with fur and feather allergies makes So-Hee feel lonesome. Then at the pet store, she meets Lowy, a python she can hug and love. Weyant’s humorous artwork shows that while her neighbors, their pets and even the pigeons don’t share their instant enthusiasm, Soo-Hee and Lowy have formed an unbreakable bond playing doctor, sunbathing, riding the merry-go-round, and biking.
When Lowy disappears from her tank, a distraught So-Hee searches everywhere for her best friend. Turns out Lowy wasn’t far away- just in another apartment in the building enjoying the warmth of a larger heating lamp. Finding Lowy also brought Soo-Hee the good fortune of meeting new friends expanding her social circle.
Kang’s sweet narrative and Weyant’s expressive illustrations make Soo-Hee and Lowy slither right into your heart. I love how this husband-wife team continually finds new ways to teach kids about friendship. What is most touching is how Soo-Hee’s friendship with Lowy gives her the confidence to be herself cultivating more connections with others.
Thanks to Olivia Haase of MB Communications for sharing a copy.
Maybe Just Ask Me! by Katie Mazeika
Carefully choosing her head scarf and eye patch, Mazie felt prepared for her first day at school. That all changed when she saw the looks on the other kids’ faces and overheard what they were saying to each other. Did her hair get burned off by a fire breather in the circus? Does she wear an eye patch because her family was attacked by pirates on a cruise.
Her parents told her she must be patient; however after lunch, Mazie knew she what she had to do. Bravely, she confronted her class saying if they wonder about her story, “maybe just ask me.” Once Mazie shared the truth, her classmates learned to ask rather than assume.
Inspired by her own childhood experience as a result of cancer, Mazeika’s picture book debut as both author and illustrator teaches us all how to kindly ask questions when curious. I love that Mazeika’s narrative portrayed her classmates as humorously misinformed rather than malicious. Back matter includes the story behind Mazie’s story and tips for how to politely ask questions.
Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for Media for sharing a copy.
Here is A Book by Elisha Cooper
How you ever wondered how a book is made? Author-illustrator Cooper chronicles the steps from the creation of art to holding the actual book in your hands.
Inspiration is key with an artist sketching ideas on paper outside and then continuing to create in a studio. The art makes its way to a publisher with a team of people collaborating on editing and designing. Once ready, a printer receives the layouts turning them to books. Those books are loaded into trucks that travel all over until a box is delivered to a school library where books are unpacked and placed on a shelf. A student chooses the book, takes it home, and reads for pleasure igniting her own imagination for a story.
With poetic language, the narrative begs to be read aloud. I love how Cooper includes places like the artist’s kitchen which feeds her and her family which warms her as part of her creative process. Full page spread illustrations provide the big picture and smaller spot art gives a glimpse into tiny details that support the book being made such as the artist’s cat being a source of comfort and companionship. Here is a Book is a perfect text to help kids better understand the entire publishing process-stories come alive with ideas, people, machines, materials, vehicles, and love.
Happy Book Birthday to Survive This Safari by Natalie D. Richards published by Penguin Random House! Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sharing a copy of in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When 12 year old Lucy is invited to participate in the Wildlands Safari Escape Challenge, she is both nervous and excited. If she does well, she has another opportunity to be part of the Wildlands Ambassadors, a group of student animal experts. Lucy’s first try out still haunts her because she had a panic attack on the observation platform. With the encouragement of her older sister Alex, a Wildlands intern, Lucy puts on a brave face joining Jemma, Harrison, and Trey as their teammate.
As the team competes against the Ambassadors, the kids must collaborate solving puzzles to gain points. Just as the team finds their groove, odd things begin happening which worries Lucy especially when she suspects a baby elephant is in danger. Her love of animals supersedes her anxiety and the team works together to not only solve riddles but also save the animals.
This middle grade novel blends lots of genres-realistic fiction, adventure, and mystery while teaching kids facts about animals in both the text and footnotes. Richards does a great job of developing Lucy’s relationship with Jemma to show how anxiety can manifest differently depending on the person. I also love that Richards invites readers to solve the puzzles along with the characters. With an intriguing plot, animal trivia, and codes to crack, Survive This Safari will keep kids engaged and entertained.
Beagles and Books is excited to be part of the blog tour for Hedgehogs Don’t Wear Underwear by Marissa Valdez which recently published on April 1, 2024. Special thanks to Macmillan Children’s Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Carrying a briefcase labeled My Secret, a hedgehog named Jacques is ready to reveal what no one has seen…his undies!
So how did this happen-an underwearing hedgehog? Well, the universe sent him a pair via balloon down his burrow. And while Jacques loves his underwear, he is very concerned with how the other hedgehogs will react. Will they call him names, send him into exile, throw garbage or laugh at him? And while all those outcomes are awful, Jacques can no longer live a lie.
The truth is wearing his underwear makes Jacques feels on point, sharp, and spike-tacular. There is only one thing left to do-unveil his undies! At a party, Jacques confesses to his prickly peers explaining “Without them, I don’t feel like…moi.” His honesty spurs a chain reaction with fellow hedgehogs admitting love for their own favorite frocks-cowboy boots, feather boas, or bell bottom jeans. Jacques empowers all to embrace their true self.
I’m hedging my bets that kids will love Jacques adorably drawn with geometric shapes. I love how author/illustrator Valdez chose to have Jacques share his secret to readers first. His confession shows his struggle with being honest with not only his friends but also himself. Valdez’s sprinkling of French words playfully exposes to the language. Be sure to pay attention to the endpapers which reveal Jacques’ journey to self-acceptance and are just hilarious.
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