A New Year, A New Story!

OpenAI. (2025). AI-generated illustration reading in winter [Digital illustration]. DALL·E.

As the new year begins, libraries are full of quiet excitement and new possibilities. Shelves are ready with fresh stories, cozy corners invite curious readers, and every book is waiting to be opened for the first time this year.

Reading in the new year is like setting out on an adventure. One book can take you to a snowy mountain, another to outer space, and another to a place that feels a lot like home. Libraries make it easy to explore all of it. You do not have to know exactly what you are looking for. You just have to start and see where it leads.

The new year is a great time to try something new as a reader. You might choose a longer book, discover a new author, or pick a story about a topic you have never explored before. Libraries are safe places to experiment, wonder, and grow. Every visit is a chance to find a story that surprises you.

Libraries are also places where reading becomes a habit, not a chore. You can set a simple goal for the year, like reading a little each day or finishing one book each week. There is no rush and no pressure. Reading is not about speed. It is about enjoyment, imagination, and learning something new along the way.

As the year unfolds, the library is always there. On quiet days. On curious days. On days when you need a good laugh or a gentle story before bedtime. A new year brings new pages, and the library is the perfect place to begin turning them.

Find out what's new at your 

local library!

Book Review #121

Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas

Author: Gail Piernas-Davenport
Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN: 9780807509282

Genre: Fiction / Cultural Picture Book

Topic: New Year traditions, family, hope, and cultural heritage through the story of a girl learning about good luck foods for the new year.

Main Character: Shanté is a curious, thoughtful young girl who loves learning about her family and the traditions that matter to them. As New Year’s Day approaches, she wants to understand why her family eats black-eyed peas and what the tradition means.

Plot: As she watches the traditions unfold, Shanté becomes curious about why her family eats black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. Her questions lead to conversations with family members who explain the meaning behind the custom and the hope it represents for the year ahead.

Settings: The story is set primarily in Shanté’s home during the days surrounding New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? This book captures the feeling of standing on the edge of a new year with curiosity and hope. It introduces children to a meaningful cultural tradition while keeping the story warm, accessible, and relatable. Kids see themselves in Shanté’s excitement, questions, and desire for good things to come. However, be prepared for some children to dislike peas! 

Critical Analysis: Gail Piernas-Davenport weaves cultural learning into an engaging narrative rather than presenting it as a lesson. Shanté’s journey to understand why her family eats black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day unfolds naturally through conversation, family interaction, and anticipation. The style is warm, conversational, and joyful. The language is accessible for young readers while still rich enough to support read-aloud sessions and classroom discussion.

Marjorie Priceman’s illustrations are energetic and expressive, filled with motion, color, and emotion. The artwork reflects the excitement of New Year’s Eve and the warmth of family traditions, helping young readers feel the celebration rather than simply observe it.

Accuracy: The book accurately reflects the Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas for good luck in the new year. Cultural elements are presented respectfully and clearly. The story follows a clear, linear progression from curiosity to understanding. Shanté’s questions guide the narrative, making it easy for young readers to follow along while building anticipation for New Year’s Day.

Connections: This book works especially well for January story times and early-year classroom themes such as new beginnings and family traditions.

Possible activities include:
• sharing family New Year traditions
• creating a “hope for the new year” drawing
• exploring foods associated with celebrations
• discussing how different cultures welcome a new year

Happy New Year!

OpenAI. (2025). AI-generated illustration,  New Year [Image]. DALL·E.

Book Review #120

 Balloons Over Broadway: The Inspiring True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Author: Melissa Sweet

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

ISBN: 9780547199450

Genre:

Biography / Informational Non-Fiction

Topic:

The life and inventive work of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer who created the giant Macy’s parade balloons.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars!🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁 

Why 5 Roars?

It brings history to life with joy, color, and creativity. Kids not only learn about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but they also get to see how one person’s imagination and persistence can spark a beloved American tradition. The artwork is dynamic, detailed, and fun to explore.

Critical Analysis:

Melissa Sweet blends biography with art in a way that feels fresh and inviting. Her mixed-media illustrations, collages, watercolors, sketches, and newspaper clippings mirror Tony Sarg’s inventive spirit. 

Each page introduces a small step in Sarg’s journey, from his childhood curiosity about how things work to his later experiments with marionettes and float designs. 

Accuracy:

The book is well-researched and grounded in factual historical content about Tony Sarg, Macy’s, parade development, and early balloon engineering. Sweet includes archival materials and author notes that clarify sources and confirm the accuracy of events and design details.

Organization:

The story unfolds chronologically, following Sarg from curious child to accomplished puppeteer. The clean structure helps young readers understand how his ideas grew over time. Bonus endnotes and visual extras extend learning without overwhelming the main narrative.

Design:

The layout is lively and engaging. Sweet uses layered images, colorful typography, and interactive elements that draw the eye across the page. The artistic choices echo Sarg’s own playful style, making the book feel like a visual celebration.

Style:

Friendly, upbeat, and imaginative. Sweet writes with a tone that invites curiosity and wonder, balancing information with charm.

Awards:

• Sibert Medal Winner

• Orbis Pictus Honor Book

• NCTE Notable Children’s Book

• Multiple starred reviews

Connections:

This book pairs beautifully with November lessons on Thanksgiving, parades, American traditions, invention, and STEAM concepts. 

It can lead to classroom or library activities such as:

• designing your own parade balloon

• exploring simple puppetry

• learning about engineering challenges

• discussing how traditions evolve over time

Book Review #119

Thank You, Omu!

Author: Oge Mora
Illustrator: Oge Mora
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316431248
Reading Level: Ages 4–8

Main Character:
Omu, a kind woman whose delicious stew draws her neighbors to her door.

Plot:
Omu makes a pot of thick stew. The smell drifts through her community, and one by one, neighbors come knocking. She generously shares a portion with each visitor until the pot is empty. When dinner time arrives and Omu has nothing left for herself, the neighbors return, this time bringing food for her.

Settings:
A lively urban neighborhood filled with people who look out for one another.

Genre/Theme/Style:
Realistic fiction celebrating gratitude, generosity, community, and the joy of giving.

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars?
It is a great November story. Kids see kindness in action, feel the warmth of community sharing, and learn that giving often circles back in unexpected ways. The collage-style artwork brings the scenes to life with texture and color that feels comforting and rich.

Critical Analysis:
Mora’s storytelling is gentle and rhythmic, making it easy for young readers to follow. The repetition of neighbors arriving at the door builds anticipation, while the final act of gratitude teaches kindness. Her collage illustrations, layered paper, paint, and patterns to create a vibrant visual world that mirrors the book’s theme of gathering and togetherness.

Connections:
This book pairs well with November lessons on gratitude and thankfulness. It can lead to classroom or library discussions about helping others, sharing what we have, and noticing the kindness in our own communities. Children can create their own “acts of kindness” lists, write thank-you notes, or even design collages inspired by the artwork.

Halloween Poem

🎃 A Halloween Reading Poem

In a pumpkin patch of stories,

Where the moon glows soft and bright,

Books turn into broomsticks

And words lift off in flight.

Witches read their black cookbooks.

Ghosts whisper tales of fun,

Cats curl up with chapter books

Till the night is almost done.

So grab a book this Halloween—

Let your imagination zoom!

Because the best kind of magic

Always starts inside a reading room. ✨

Book Review #118

 The Little Broomstick

Author: Mary Stewart
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Publication Date: April 5, 2018
ISBN-13: 978-1444940190
Reading Level: Middle Grade (approx. ages 8–12)

Main Character: Mary Smith, a lonely girl who discovers a magical flower and a broomstick with a mind of its own.

Plot: Mary Smith, bored in the countryside, stumbles across a strange glowing flower called “fly-by-night.” Soon afterward, she finds an old broomstick that magically awakens and sweeps her into the sky. It takes her to Endor College, a school for witches where spells, animals, and strange experiments take place. But the magic is not as charming as it first appears, and Mary must use her courage and her newly found powers to set things right.

Settings: Shady countryside house and garden, Enchanted forest, Endor College for witches (floating, mysterious, and slightly eerie)

Genre/Theme/Style: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Courage, Classic British Children’s Literature.

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁 

Why 4 Roars? 

A magical, broomstick-fueled adventure that feels like an early bridge between The Worst Witch and Harry Potter. Perfect for kids who enjoy longer chapter books, cozy fantasy worlds, and brave young heroes. Not a picture book. It would be best for confident readers who want depth and mystery. (Might be difficult for some readers—slow read.)

Critical Analysis: Mary Stewart blends atmospheric writing with old-school fantasy charm. The story is slower than modern children’s fantasy, but it rewards patient readers with vivid description, strong worldbuilding, and a heroine who grows braver with every chapter. The witches are more unsettling than silly, so this book works well for children who like a little suspense but not horror.

Connections: Pairs well with The Worst Witch (younger readers) or Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (older readers)
Can be used in a Halloween reading unit focused on witches and magic without being too scary.

Tie-in option: the 2017 Studio Ponoc animated film Mary and the Witch’s Flower is based on this book.

Happy Halloween!

Book Review #117

 Essential Succulents: The Beginner's Guide

Note: This is a nonfiction companion pick to go along with Sutton the Succulent Finds a Home, a way for kids and families to take the story one step further by learning to actually grow succulents themselves.

Author: Ken Shelf
Photographer: Rachel Weill
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Publication Date: November 13, 2018
ISBN: 978-1984856562
Genre: Nonfiction
Topic: Succulent care and design

I Gave This Book 5 Roars!🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁 

Why 5 Roars?

This guide makes succulents simple and approachable for beginners, including older children who are inspired by Sutton’s story and want to try growing their own. The photography is inviting, the instructions are clear, and the projects range from very easy to creative challenges.

Critical Analysis:
Shelf’s writing is straightforward, encouraging even the most hesitant beginner to get started. The strength of this book is how it balances plant care basics (light, soil, irrigation) with creative design projects (terrariums, outdoor water-saving gardens, wreaths). The photography by Rachel Weill adds visual appeal, which makes it easier to follow instructions while also sparking inspiration.

Accuracy:
The book provides practical advice for growing succulents indoors and outdoors, from watering techniques to container tips.

Organization:
The layout is clean and logical: plant-by-plant guides, followed by DIY projects that grow in difficulty.

Design:
Bright photographs and step-by-step layouts make this a hands-on guide rather than just a reference book.

Style:
Accessible, upbeat, and beginner-friendly, perfect for families, classrooms, and anyone who wants to bring a little greenery indoors.

Connections:

• Ideal to pair with Sutton the Succulent Finds a Home in a Classroom Unit: read Sutton’s story, then try growing a real succulent.

• Can be used in science lessons (plant biology, water conservation, adaptation).

• Encourages responsibility and patience in children caring for plants at home.

Reminder for Readers: While Essential Succulents is not written for children, it is best suited for adults ages 18 and up who want to support children in learning about succulents. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers can use this guide to confidently introduce kids to plant care, creating a hands-on extension of Sutton the Succulent Finds a Home.

Book Review #116

 

Sutton the Succulent Finds a Home

Author: Madison Alexander
Illustrator: Victoria Mikki
Publisher: Little Succulent Press
Publication Date: September 9, 2025
ISBN-13: 979-8218802936
Reading Level: Ages 4–8

Main Character: Sutton, a little succulent with a big heart.

Plot: Sutton longs to find where she belongs. Along her journey, she discovers that being different doesn’t mean she doesn’t fit in; it means she has her own special place to grow.

Settings: The different places Sutton tries to grow before discovering the perfect home.

Genre/Theme/Style: Picture book / Themes of resilience, confidence, patience, and self-acceptance.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars?
The message is timeless yet especially fitting for September, when children are navigating new classrooms and friendships. Sutton’s story provides comfort and courage, reminding readers that their uniqueness is their strength. It also speaks to us about learning to grow wherever you are at in life.

Critical Analysis:
Alexander’s narrative gently affirms the struggles kids feel when they don’t quite fit in. Using a succulent as the central figure is a brilliant metaphor: a plant known for resilience and thriving in surprising conditions. Victoria Mikki’s art enriches the text with expressive illustrations that make Sutton feel alive, tender, and hopeful. The balance of text and imagery ensures accessibility for read-alouds or independent reading.

Excerpt:
"On a warm, golden morning, the wind whisked a lonely leaf through the air and dropped it right into Ruth, the gardener’s blooming flower bed. The leaf wasn’t just any leaf. It was thick and smooth, with a dewy green surface that glistened in the sunlight."

Connections:

• Perfect back-to-school read to foster discussions about differences and belonging.

• Can tie into science lessons about plant diversity and adaptation.

• Pairs well with other picture books on self-acceptance, such as The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson or Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell.

Library Card Sign-Up Month - September

 

OpenAI. (2025). Get your superpower—sign up for a library card. ChatGPT.

Get Your Superpower This September!

Did you know a library card is like having a superpower in your pocket? With one little card, you can check out stacks of books, read e-books on a tablet, listen to audiobooks, and even explore fun online games and homework help.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and we’re celebrating all the kids who join the adventure! If you don’t have a card yet, stop by your local library and sign up; it’s free and only takes a few minutes. Do you already have a card? Use it to discover a new favorite story, learn amazing facts, or borrow a book you’ve been waiting to read.

Your library card is your ticket to explore, imagine, and grow. Let’s see how many new readers we can welcome this September!

Book Review #115

 The Universe In You: A Microscopic Journey

Author/Illustrator: Jason Chin
Publisher: Neal Porter Books (Holiday House)
ISBN: 9780823446230

Genre: Non-Fiction, Picture Book.

Topic: Microscopic Biology, Human Body & Matter.

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars?
This book sparks wonder while delivering real science in a kid-friendly way. It’s beautifully illustrated, thoughtfully written, and clearly meant for curious kids. 

However, I had to keep reminding myself that it was a picture book. There are small amounts of text, but I actually would have preferred a little more text or none at all. There are reference pages in the back of the book, but these seem very different from the rest of the book... almost like an afterthought.

Critical Analysis: Jason Chin has a gift for turning complex science into visual experience. His illustrations take readers through layers of scale, from cells to molecules to atoms, making the invisible world vivid and understandable. It's really about the scale! 

Accuracy: It is grounded in current biology and physics. The facts are presented and clarified further in the back of the book.

Organization: The structure follows a journey inward, moving from skin to cells to the tiniest particles that make up matter. It’s organized cleanly and builds curiosity with each turn of the page.

Design: The book uses watercolor illustrations that stretch across full spreads, covering each concept without overwhelming the reader. 

Style: Clear and engaging. The second-person voice pulls readers in and helps them see science as personal and relevant.

Awards:

• ALA Notable Children’s Book

• Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor

• NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

Connections: Use with units on cells, atoms, or human biology. Could be paired with Your Place in the Universe (also by Chin) or as a companion to science journals, classroom discussions on scale, or art projects about “what’s inside.” 

Book Review #114

 When You Reach Me

Author: Rebecca Stead
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books / Random House
ISBN: 9780375850868
Reading Level: Ages 10–13 (Grades 5–8)

Main Character: Miranda, a sixth-grade girl living in 1970s New York. 

Plot: When You Reach Me follows Miranda as she navigates friendship shifts, mysterious notes, a break-in, and a tangle of time-travel clues. As summer winds down and school approaches, Miranda’s world becomes more layered and uncertain but also more interesting.

She receives strange anonymous messages that predict the future and hint at a tragedy she might be able to prevent. Alongside that mystery is the very real challenge of figuring out who she is becoming and what it means to let go or hold on.

Settings: 1970s Manhattan apartment buildings, corner stores, and city sidewalks.

Genre/Theme/Style: Realistic Fiction + Light Sci-Fi, Mystery, Growing Up, Time Travel, & Retro Vibes.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? It’s smart, layered, and thrilling. Perfect for readers who want something thoughtful to wrap up the summer, especially kids who’ve outgrown chapter books but still crave stories that have meaning.

Critical Analysis: The book weaves together a coming-of-age story with a science fiction twist that never overwhelms the emotional depth. Themes of forgiveness, independence, and time (literal and emotional) give it staying power. It’s a cool puzzle kids will want to solve. 

Connections: Pairs beautifully with books like Harriet the Spy (city kids with notebooks), Tuck Everlasting (big questions about time), and The Westing Game (puzzling plots). Could also spark great conversations about what readers would do if they could send a message to their past or future selves.

Book Review #113

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Author: Philip C. Stead

Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
ISBN: 9781596437111
Reading Level: Ages 4–8

Main Character: Amos McGee, a kindhearted zookeeper. 

Plot: In A Sick Day for Amos McGee, gentle Amos takes the time each day to care for his animal friends at the zoo, playing chess with the elephant, reading stories to the owl, and wiping the rhino’s runny nose. But one day, Amos is too sick to come to work. His friends decide to return the favor with a surprise visit to his house.

Settings: A cute little house and a friendly zoo.

Genre/Theme/Style: Children’s fiction, friendship, kindness, gentleness, uplifting, animals, sickness, empathy, germ prevention, & zoos.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? This is a perfect wind-down book. It’s quiet, sweet, and deeply comforting, the kind of story that settles kids down before bedtime or after a long summer day. It's also a great reminder for germ prevention before little ones go back to school. 

Critical Analysis: The story values everyday kindness and care for our friends, making it an emotional classic. Erin Stead’s illustrations are delicate and full of character.

Connections: Great for SEL (social-emotional learning), especially themes like empathy, patience, and caring for others. Could be paired with The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld or used in classroom discussions about helping friends.

Summer Cruising with Library Reads

School’s out, sunscreen’s on, and the open water is calling! 

Whether you’re cruising on a lake, setting sail on a family vacation, or floating along a quiet river, summer is the perfect time for adventure, and not just the kind with waves. The best part? 

You can bring your 

library with you!

Be sure to check the daily shipboard schedule; many lines 

host kids’ or family storytimes, book swaps,

 and themed reading activities.

What’s the Deal with Cruise Ducks?

Cruise Ducks are small rubber duckies (or plush ones!) hidden around cruise ships by passengers, usually with a tag that says something like

“You found a Cruise Duck!

Keep or hide again!

Post a pic to Facebook: #CruiseDucks”

It began in 2018 with a 10-year-old girl named Abby on a Carnival cruise, and it’s since turned into a viral tradition across Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Princess, and more. There’s even a Facebook group called “Cruising Ducks, Original Group.”

Before the cruise, families prepare ducks with little tags (laminated or in bags) with their name, cruise date, and cruise ship. Ducks are hidden in public spots, but never in stores, pools, or crew-only areas. Other guests can either rehide the duck or keep it as a souvenir. Many people post pictures on social media when they find them.

Fun ideas for kids cruising:

Create a “Cruise Duck Journal.” Encourage kids to write short stories about where they found the duck, where they think the duck has been, and why it is sailing.

Families could also attach a fun book with the cruise duck and add a short description on the back of the tag. 

This duck loves:

Reading books

Looking at the ocean

Hiding on cruise ships!

So next time you set sail, don’t forget to pack your curiosity, a good book, and maybe a duck or two. Whether you're flipping pages by a porthole or chasing stories across the ship, adventure starts with a book!

Book Review #112

 The Storm Whale

Author & Illustrator: Benji Davies

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

ISBN: 9780805099676

Reading Level: Ages 4–8

Main Character: Noi, a quiet little boy who lives with his fisherman father by the sea.

Plot: When a storm comes into Noi’s coastal home area, it leaves behind a small whale washed up on the shore. With his dad away fishing, Noi takes the whale home to care for it in secret. What follows is a story of connection, responsibility, and the quiet love between a child and his parent.

Settings: The beach after a storm and Noi’s home.

Genre/Theme/Style: Fiction, empathy, solitude, caregiving, water, ocean, or animal care.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars?

This book is a sea-swept treasure. The art alone could tell the story, but the quiet emotion in the words adds warmth and depth. Ideal for cuddling up with after a day on the water or after a storm.

Critical Analysis: The Storm Whale handles complex emotions, loneliness, nurturing, and letting go with simplicity and grace. Noi’s independence is portrayed with respect, while the father-son relationship unfolds through action rather than words. It’s a tool for gently exploring feelings of care and separation.

Connections: Great for readers who love The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats or The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc. Perfect tie-in for a summer cruise or lake trip, especially when paired with a kindness to animals conversation or a family journaling activity.

Happy Armed Forces Day!

Today, we pause to honor the brave men and women who wear the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Their courage, commitment, and sacrifice uphold the freedoms we often take for granted.

Whether serving at home or abroad, in times of peace or conflict, their dedication to duty reminds us that freedom is never free; it is guarded daily by those who stand watch.

To all who serve or have served, we thank you.

We salute you.

We remember you.

We honor you.

🪖 Happy Armed Forces Day!

Book Review #111

H is for Honor

Author: Devin Scillian

Illustrator: Victor Juhasz
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
ISBN: 9781585361434
Reading Level: Ages 6–10

Topic: Nonfiction alphabet book. Each letter of the alphabet introduces a different aspect of military life, from A for Academy to Z for Zzzzzs, the precious sleep soldiers rarely get. Along the way, readers learn about uniforms, duty stations, deployments, and even traditions like salutes and the bugle’s call.

Settings:
Various branches and roles of the U.S. Armed Forces are covered, with references to military bases, boot camps, and family homes across the country.

Genre/Theme/Style:
Nonfiction, Patriotic Alphabet Book, Military Life, Family, Educational. 

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars?

This book not only honors the sacrifice and courage of service members, but it also explains military life in a way that’s accessible to kids. It’s respectful, factual, and uplifting, while the poetic format and engaging illustrations make it fun to read aloud.

Critical Analysis: The book uses rhymed couplets and clear language to present potentially complex ideas in age-appropriate ways. The illustrations strike a wonderful balance between playful and realistic, helping kids visualize everything from dog tags to drill sergeants. The book also includes informative sidebars, making it suitable for younger and older elementary readers alike.

Connections: Perfect for military families, school discussions about service and sacrifice, or patriotic holidays like Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. Teachers can easily pair this with lessons on community helpers, government roles, or American symbols.

Book Review #110

 See You Later Alligator

Author: Sally Hopgood
Illustrator: Emma Levey
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
ISBN: 9781510704216
Reading Level: Ages 3–7

Main Character: Tortoise is a slow, thoughtful friend who’s finally ready to take a trip around the world. Sort of!

Plot: Tortoise decides it’s time for an adventure, but as he bids goodbye to his friends, each animal finds a clever or comical way to delay his departure. Just when Tortoise is about to give up on his journey, there's a final surprise that changes everything.

Settings: The story begins in a cozy animal neighborhood and travels whimsically through the imagined locales of each animal farewell.

Genre/Theme/Style: Picture Book, Friendship, Patience, and Humor. 

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars?
The book is bright, cheerful, and loads of fun to read aloud. Kids love guessing which animal will show up next. Though the structure might feel a tad bit repetitive for older readers.

Critical Analysis: A simple premise of animal goodbyes creates a story that entertains. The watercolor illustrations add charm and movement, capturing each animal's personality. 

While the repetition supports early literacy, some pages may feel formulaic after a few reads. Still, it’s perfect for engaging young children and building anticipation. 
Written with playful rhymes and a rolling pace perfect for read-alouds. 

"See you later, alligator!"

Connections: It’s a great springboard for preschoolers to practice sequencing events or predicting what comes next. It could be tied into a classroom farewell party, travel theme, or friendship unit.

Book Review # 109

 Little House in the Big Woods

Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Illustrator: (Original editions were illustrated by Helen Sewell; later editions by Garth Williams)
Publisher: HarperAudio (for Audible); originally Harper & Brothers (1932 print edition)
ISBN: 9780060581800 (print edition); Audible ASIN: B01MT9HFFX 

Reading Level: Ages 8–12

Main Character: Laura Ingalls

Plot: Set in 1871 in the dense Big Woods of Wisconsin, this is the story of four-year-old Laura and her pioneer family: Pa, Ma, sisters Mary and Carrie, and their loyal dog, Jack. Told through Laura’s eyes, the book chronicles a year in their self-sufficient life. With hunting and preserving food, celebrating holidays with handmade gifts, and taking a rare trip into town as part of the story. Life is tough but also rich with tradition, family, and fiddle music.

Settings: The Big Woods of Wisconsin, an isolated log cabin surrounded by forests, seasons, and the rhythms of pioneer life.

Genre/Theme/Style: Historical fiction, family, hard work, seasons, gratitude, self-reliance, and pioneer values. 

I Gave This book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars?This classic is a timeless portal into the past. Laura’s vivid memories and detailed narration bring history to life. It is gentle, reflective, and explores nature and family love. The Audible version, narrated by Cherry Jones with Paul Woodiel on fiddle, adds a cozy warmth that enhances the experience beautifully. I actually loved the additional touch of the fiddle! (The audiobook would be great for family car trips.)

Critical Analysis: Wilder masterfully balances storytelling with historical detail, showing how each season shaped daily life. The story lacks a single driving plot, yet the episodic structure fits Laura’s young perspective. Pa’s fiddle tunes and Ma’s steady work anchor their lives. (This first installment focuses mainly on family and survival.)

Connections: Perfect for studies of American history, pioneer life, and seasonal living. It pairs well with crafts (like making corn husk dolls), cooking (homemade butter, anyone?), planting, or lessons on gratitude.