Perfect for Halloween lovers of all ages, It’s Time for Halloween is a celebration of one of the best times of the year.
About It’s Time for Halloween
An ode to Halloween and the joys of trick or treating, this colorful, chunky, die-cut board book is meant to be displayed face-out on nursery bookshelves.
Follow along for trick-or-treating through the neighborhood on Halloween night!
“Grab your hat, vampire bat Fill your tummy, mummy
Dress it up, little pup Howl at the moon, big baboon”
Every page turn reveals a new layer to Kathrin Fehrl’s adorable illustrations of kids dressed up as ghosts, pumpkins, cats, witches, mummies, and fairies, with a fun seek-and-find for each scene. Perfect for Halloween lovers of all ages, this sweet story is a celebration of one of the best times of the year.
Our Thoughts
Halloween is by far one of my favourite holidays of the year. I love the colours, the pumpkins, the costumes and the excitement that you can feel building up in your neighborhood.
This was an adorable hardcover book for young children. I loved the simplicity but impact with the words that were chosen to tell the story. I had so much fun with our little one being able to change the tone of my voice as we turned each page and explored Halloween night with different costumes and treats. Each page also included an activity, such as which costume is your favourite, how many pumpkins can you see? This encouraged participation from my older son, who wanted to participate in reading time with his littler sister.
The illustrations are just lovely and bring the spirit and magic of Halloween to life. Some of the images are slightly raised and sparkly, our little one enjoyed running her hands over the images and the sparkles gave this spooky holiday a bright and whimsical feel.
It’s Time for Hallowe’en is a wonderful addition to your home library for your little one as you work up this magical night.
Kathrin Fehrl is an illustrator who has worked with Ravensburger, Cottage Door Press, High Five Magazine, Imperial College London, Westminster City Council, and more. She is based in Germany.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
When I Feel Lonely, is a powerful and timely exploration of childhood loneliness.
About When I Feel Lonely
When I Feel Lonely gently explores the feeling of loneliness through the perspective of a young girl.
In a world where many children, and adults, are grappling with intense emotions, When I Feel Lonely provides a calm, compassionate and understanding voice, helping young readers to recognize and name their feelings.
This newest book about emotions is a powerful and timely exploration of childhood loneliness.
It acknowledges that, while feeling alone is natural and something everyone experiences, it also conveys how unsettling and scary the sensation can be.
In a sensitive style, Teckentrup explores the quiet moments when the world seems distant and we are left grappling with the heavy silence that surrounds us.
The narrative doesn’t shy away from the intensity of these emotions, instead offering an honest portrayal of how loneliness can feel like an all-encompassing shadow.
The book reassures children that while loneliness can be sad and difficult, it is a part of life that everyone experiences. It offers a glimmer of hope, showing that even in the darkest moments, there is the possibility of light and connection ahead.
Our Thoughts
When I Feel Lonely is a very unique story, I felt like she captured how it feels to be lonely so perfectly but yet so simply for a child to understand. We all feel lonely at times for a variety of reasons, it could be a change in location, school, extra curricular activities, and these are big feelings for little ones. I loved the words used, such as “with no around and nothing to share”, “how long will it take”, “longing, hurting, waiting”. These are all really strong emotions for young children and can be very difficult to put into words. Reading this story helps to speak about those feelings, who we can talk to if we need to and helping children put words to these feelings.
The special part about this book? The hope that comes about halfway through, “we need to show who we are and start building trust”. It is so hard to put yourself out there, but something good always comes from this. It shows young children to be brave, even when we are scared.
The illustrations were stunning and I loved the gradual transition from grey, singular imagery to bright, bold, warm and a sense of belonging as the story evolved. The illustrations helped to bring the story to life and gives hope.
This book is a lovely addition to your home library. It is set to release on October 7th and can be pre-ordered on Amazon.
About the Author
Britta Teckentrup is a German-born author and illustrator who has gained international recognition for her work in children’s literature. With a career spanning over two decades, she has authored and illustrated more than one hundred books, which have been translated into multiple languages. Previous titles include When I See Red, The Swing, the Fluffyville series and the Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog series, all published by Prestel.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Bold, Brilliant and Latine is an empowering book for children and families to diversify their perspectives through Latine and Hispanic history and achievements, with one new figure to explore each week of the year.
About Bold, Brilliant and Latine
Bold, Brilliant and Latine is the next book in the bestselling series See Yourself in Their Stories, which has sold more than 185,000 copies worldwide. Young Latine and Hispanic children can see themselves reflected in the fifty two amazing heroes from the past and present, whom everyone can look up to.
This book features icons like:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – Politician, the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress
Lionel Messi – Superstar soccer player
Sonia Sotomayor – US Supreme Court Justice
Frida Kahlo – Iconic artist
Cesar Chavez – Activist and labour leader
Ellen Ochoa – First Latina astronaut in space
Lin-Manuel Miranda – Actor, composer, creator of Broadway musicals
Kids will be inspired by the stories, from sporting legends to fashion icons, political leaders to fearless changemakers, as well as renowned writers, musicians, artists, scientists and more. These heroes’ lives are vividly recounted by queer award-winning Dominican and Puerto Rican storyteller Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and brought to life by Argentinian illustrator Sol Cotti.
This anthology is also ideal for homeschoolers and educators looking to diversify their perspectives through Latine and Hispanic history and achievements, with one new figure to explore each week of the year.
Proud, talented and boundless, these extraordinary men and women will inspire readers of all backgrounds to chase their dreams, whatever they may be!
Our Thoughts
We all know and understand the importance for children (and people in general) to see themselves represented in books, movies and commercials. Young children need to see themselves and be able to dream of themselves in these roles, and accomplishing their dreams. This has never been more true as now, when at times it feels like the world is full of stereotypes, hate and fear.
What I love the most about this book is that it never focused on one type of dream – it included individuals of all backgrounds, and achievements. I learned a lot by going through this book, I cannot even begin to imagine how much a young child of Latine background would feel going through this book. I learned about the Mirabal sisters, whose legacy was honoured in 1999 when the United Nations designated November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Cesar Chavez, who established the National Farm Workers Association (later to become the United Farm Workers Union) and Evelyn Cisneros, who was the first Latina prima ballerina in the United States! While these were three that really stood out to me, there are many more achievements and individuals who broke down barriers and achieved so much.
This book would be not only a lovely addition to an at home library, but also for educators. It gives a great starting point for children to engage with an inspiring individual and encourage them to want to learn more.
The illustrations are incredible and very much reflect and celebrate Hispanic culture. Sol did a wonderful job bringing the individuals, their achievements and culture alive.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Indigo.
About the Author
Alyssa Reynoso-Morrisis a queer Afro-Latine/x Dominican and Puerto Rican award-winning storyteller. Her ability to weave compelling stories has opened many doors for her as an author and speaker. She is also a mother and community organizer. During the day, she works with community members, non-profit organizations, and government officials to make the world a better place. Then she puts her writer’s hat on to craft heartfelt stories about home, family, food, and the fun places she has been.
Alyssa was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, and currently lives in Philadelphia, PA, with her partner and daughter. She is the author of Plátanos Are Love, The Bronx Is My Home, and Gloriana Presente: A First Day of School Book.
About the Illustrator
Sol Cotti is a Latina illustrator from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she graduated in Communications and Advertising. With a focus on advertising and editorial projects, she likes to tell fresh visual stories through a bright color palette, using a bold, simple and loose style mixing linework, subtle textures and organic shapes. Gender, women empowerment, diversity in all its ways, and everyday situations inspire her to create diverse characters and energetic compositions full of movement. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration and Communication Arts.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
In The Midnight of Eights, was it divine intervention or coincidences that Nelan’s astral powers brought to bear on that fateful Midnight of Eights?
About The Midnight of Eights
The year is 1580.
Nelan Michaels docks at Plymouth after sailing around the world aboard The Golden Hind. He seeks only to master his mystical powers – the mark of the salamander, that mysterious spirit of fire – and reunite with his beloved Eleanor.
After delivering a message to Francis Walsingham, he’s recruited into the service of the Queen’s spymaster, where his astral abilities help him to predict and thwart future plots against the realm. But in 1588, the Spanish Armada threatened England’s shores.
So, how could the fledgling navy of a small, misty isle on the edge of mainland Europe repulse the greatest fleet in the world?
Was the Queen right when she claimed it was divine intervention, saying, ‘He blew with His winds, and they were scattered!’?
Or was it an entirely different intervention – the extraordinary conjunction of coincidences that Nelan’s astral powers brought to bear on that fateful Midnight of Eights?
In The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket, when Danny learns Soren screwed Crystal out of rights to magic tricks she’s created — and in spite of the cops on his tail — Danny plots revenge. He and Packard attempt the daring theft of a state-of-the-art lawnmower—during a live performance in front of 400 people.
About The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket
Frustrated novelist Danny is resigned to writing material for trade shows, promoting garage doors and non-stick cookware. His ex-wife threatens legal action for non-payment of alimony. Danny never dreamed the answer to his troubles could be larceny. But then wealthy, charming Packard Hale III reenters his life. He was Danny’s college roommate, and like Lupin and Raffles, he now fancies himself a gentleman thief. Packard hires Danny to write about his capers.
Danny follows Packard as they break into a mansion and steal, among other things, a priceless Chinese vase and a curiously valuable souvenir blanket from Branson, Missouri. However, it’s not Packard who is pursued by the police, but Danny.
Simultaneously, he struggles to please his client, a lawn-and-garden CEO with an erotic attraction to lawnmowers. Danny also endures abuse from Soren, a boozy has-been Vegas magician. He tolerates the mistreatment because of Crystal, the magician’s assistant. He’s falling for her. When he learns Soren screwed Crystal out of rights to magic tricks she’s created — and in spite of the cops on his tail — Danny plots revenge. He and Packard attempt the daring theft of a state-of-the-art lawnmower—during a live performance in front of 400 people.
MARK NUTTER grew up in a motel near Joliet, Illinois, which is not as glamorous as it sounds. He’s the author of the humorous heist novel The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket. He wrote three collections of comedic short stories: Giant Banana Over Texas, Dancer on the Ceiling, and Sunset Cruise on the River Styx. He won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and the LA Weekly Theater Award for the music & lyrics for Reanimator the Musical. Mark also wrote for television (SNL, 3rd Rock from the Sun) and feature film (Almost Heroes). www.marknutter.com.
