A Wynk, a Blynk and a Nod to Books

 November is underway, which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Families are getting ready to gather around the table, share turkey and stuffing, and enjoy the company of relatives. What better way to teach children about the meaning of Thanksgiving than by reading together as a family? Books are one of the things we are most thankful for, so we’ve put together a list of the newest Thanksgiving titles that you and your family can share this holiday.   A Wynk, a Blynk, and a Nod to New Books about Thanksgiving   New Thanksgiving Stories Apple Cake by Dawn Casey, illus. by Genevieve Godbout This charming book celebrates family, food, and feelings of gratitude. The colored-pencil illustrations create cozy scenes. Perfect for Thanksgiving sharing! A recipe for apple cake is included as well.               Around the Table that Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill, illus. by Jaime Kim A family gathers with friends and neighbors to share a meal in this cumulative picture book.           Be Thankful, Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen It’s Thanksgiving under the sea in this new board book.           Five Little Thank-Yous by Cindy Jin, illus. by Dawn M. Cardona This rhyming board book is shaped like a turkey handprint craft and reminds us of the important things to be thankful for.               Imagine You Were There … Sailing on the Mayflower by Caryn Jenner The Imagine You Were There series helps readers imagine what it was like to be there during events that changed the world. This book chronicles the voyage of the pilgrims from England to America and [...]

Crisp air and golden hues officially welcome fall each year. As the leaves start turning, it’s time to head to the nearest pumpkin patch and start thinking about those Halloween costumes. There are lots of new books to usher in the season as well. Why not pick a few and get into the spirit! A Wynk, a Blynk, and a Nod to New Books about Autumn and Halloween New Autumn Stories Froggy Picks a Pumpkin by Jonathan London, illus. by Frank Remkiewicz Froggy’s latest adventure is a class trip to the pumpkin patch. He plans to carve a jack-o'-lantern and make a pumpkin pie, but will his plans work out?         The Great Pumpkin Contest by Angie Rozelaar Two very different cats (one prefers to stay inside and read, the other prefers to be outside with friends) are determined to win Cat County’s Great Pumpkin Contest. In the end, though, it’s friendship that wins. This is a very enjoyable story with playful illustrations.             Happy Fell by Erica S. Perl This is the latest in the Arnold and Louise easy reader series. According to Louise, fell is the season between fall and winter when all the leaves are on the ground. Arnold wants to celebrate the season indoors but Louise does not. Will they be able to find a way to celebrate together?                 The Pumpkin War by Cathleen Young In this chapter book, a twelve-year-old Billie enjoys summer on Wisconsin's Madeline Island, where she grows a giant pumpkin in the hopes of winning this year’s pumpkin-boat race. She had a falling out with her best friend Sam at the [...]

“Hello, Summer!”   June 21 marks the beginning of summer, and in our opinion, the best season of all. We spent many childhood summers swimming in the ocean, playing in the park, and just enjoying being outdoors. Now, though we spend most summers working, we still love this time of year and all that is has to offer.  Get your summer off to a great start with some great books that capture the essence of the season.  Our suggestions of books will hopefully make you want to explore and enjoy summer all the more.   A Wynk, a Blynk, and a Nod to New Books about Summer   New Summer Books Bitty Bot’s Big Beach Getaway by Tim McCanna, illus. by Tad Carpenter Bitty Bot the robot is bored at the beach until he and a few new friends build a submarine and take it on an underwater adventure. This is a very playful story told in rhyming text.         A Campfire Tail by Sarah Glenn Marsh, illus. by Ana Gómez Though Dragon doesn’t fit in at summer camp, he comes through in the end, teaching a valuable lesson about friendship. The illustrations are bright and cheerful and should keep children engaged.           Celebrating the Fourth of July by Maddie Spalding A new book featuring the traditions associated with this patriotic holiday. Instructions for a craft activity are included as well.         Day at the Beach by Tom Booth Building sandcastles at the beach makes for a fun afternoon, but Gideon soon realizes that there’s more fun to be had by working together rather than alone.  The artwork is rendered in animation style.     [...]

  A Wynk, a Blynk, and a Nod to Books about Spring We’ve all heard the expression, “I love Paris in the springtime,” and the images it stirs up are those of trees blossoming, city parks bursting into bloom, and café terraces buzzing with activity as Parisians head outside to embrace spring’s soft warm days. Who wouldn’t love to enjoy spring in the City of Light? But if your budget won’t stretch to travelling abroad, why not indulge in some books to evoke the feeling? Florette and Ooh-la-la (Max in Love) are two new books that may be just the ticket. There are many other great “springtime” books as well. Ça sent le printemps … Spring is in the air! New Books About Spring The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates Spring showers require an umbrella, and in this case a big, red umbrella that seems to make room for anyone and everyone. Themes of diversity and inclusion are also at work in this lovely picture book. Birds Make Nests by Michael Garland This exquisitely illustrated book describes the different nests built by various bird species, highlighting different bird habitats throughout the world. The text is accessible to emerging readers. Crayola Spring Colors by Jodie Shepherd Children can discover the colors of spring and then explore their creativity by making art based on the colors around them. Duck and Hippo in the Rainstorm by Jonathan London, illus. by Andrew Joyner Duck and Hippo are best friends. When they decide to go for a walk during a spring rainstorm, they have a little trouble sharing an umbrella. But they soon figure out how to share the umbrella as well as their adventures. This is a great [...]

A Wynk, a Blynk, and a Nod to Books about Baseball With Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds, sitting practically in our backyard, and with Opening Day upon us, paying tribute to books about America’s favorite pastime seems especially fitting! Our bases are loaded with a few good reads. No bloopers here, all are sure to be a home run New Baseball Books Anybody’s Game: Kathryn Johnston, the First Girl to Play Little League Baseball by Heather Lang, illus. by Cecilia Puglesi In 1950 girls weren’t allowed to play the game. Kathryn cut her hair, disguised herself as a boy, and made the Little League team. This picture book biography tells her story and introduces young readers to an admirable young woman.           Baseball by Jill Murray Kids are introduced to the basic rules of the game in this easy-to-read volume in the Sports How To series.           Baseball’s Best and Worst: A Guide to the Game’s Good, Bad, and Ugly by Drew Lyon This Sports Illustrated publication includes the game’s best and worst hitters, moments, uniforms, mascots and much, much more.             The Everything Kids’ Baseball Book by Greg Jacobs This book is now in its tenth edition. Just like the title suggests, it includes everything … from baseball’s history to today’s favorite players with lots of fun packed in between. Puzzles, games and activities are included as well.           42 is Not Just a Number by Doreen Rappaport This biography brings to life the story of Jackie Robinson, the first man to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball.         [...]