It's Monday! For the holidays and more!

     

        Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

         Well, we've had the biggest snowstorm in years, and filled with moisture. Now, it's melting fast and spring in here tomorrow! I'm sharing some varied books this time, some important for varied issues and some for the littles for Easter. I have been so busy that I'm still reading Eggers' The Eyes & The Impossible, and started The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin, about a young girl in occupied Poland in World War II.

I shared this sweet book last week for Poetry Friday. Go here if you'd like to read about it. It's a lovely book illustrating a Langston Hughes poem about spring. 

Thanks to Candlewick Press 
for this copy!

        It's the sequel to Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen, as Victorine, whom everyone believes is missing, is going incognito as Bella Mae Goodwin, living with her friend, Darleen Darling, already a big star. If young readers love mysteries, this is another fun one, full of older Hollywood names, believable daring heroines, and adventure that's just a bit scary. 

       Gorgeous full-color illustrations by the Pumphrey brothers help Antwan Eady tell this story of a grandfather and his grandson and their farm stand, the last one when all the others shown beside theirs say "out of business. The young boy tells the story of helping harvest, then gathering the pumpkins and peppers, plums and eggs, and placing them in the sweetgrass baskets woven by his Granny. Week after week they go, until one day, Papa (his grandpa) is too tired, and the boy must take over. It's poetic and poignant, with a long author's note by Eady telling of the discrimination years ago by the FDA toward black and native farmers, the confiscation of their lands they had made fertile, and more. He writes: "I've taken heartbreak and turned it into a story about a boy and his grandfather who now have the last stand at a farmer's market in a community that can't afford to lose it." There's more from him to know, and a book to read and love.

       It's wonderful to read another biography picture book that children will love and learn from, too. This is Aida Salazar's debut picture book. Jovita's wish is pictured below, wanting the 'freedom' her brothers had when wearing pants. She got her wish and went on to lead the fight for religious freedom long ago. The illustrations by Molly Mendoza (also her debut picture book) fill with celebration for Jovita's inspiring life, one of many women years ago who inspired others through their actions.

Thanks so much to Candlewick Press for these next four holiday books!

 

         Helen Yoon cleverly shows an argument between the rabbits and foxes on the cover. Is it an egg to be decorated or one to eat? Both groups take a stand; both believe the other side's idea is silly. Page by page, the argument continues until what seems to be a sleepy bear finds the perfect solution! As young readers watch the change, I wonder if they'll guess the compromise? It's a wonderfully fun book, a story, yes, of Easter! 

     In a cumulative tale, Ivan and Rachel Bass tell about little Puck, who seems to always be behind as Mamma and his sibling swim along to the lily pond. "Keep up, Duck!" quacks Mamma every time, but Puck manages to catch up in several creative ways! The illustrations are sunshine-filled, highlighting nature all around, people in swan boats, out riding bikes or skateboards, or walking dogs. It's a delightfully happy book!

        Jo Ham brings lots of laughs as she shares the mishaps of rabbit! "Oops!" It's one to "see" so you can predict, then see all those "Oops!" that happen. Brief text, funny pages, kids will love predicting!

          It's a board book! It's a lift-the-flap book, all for the youngest of children. It's brief, fun, and has a surprise at the end, with a small mirror. I imagine you can guess what if you answer the final question, "And where are you?" Here's a peek at one of the double spreads.

The flaps are made of soft felt.

Next! I have the new Ferris by Kate DiCamillo!