Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I received an abundance of books this week... especially children's books from Chronicle, Andrews McMeel and Abrams. However, I also got some great adult mysteries.

I LOVE YOU, ELEPHANT! illustrated by Carles Ballesteros came from Abrams Appleseed

BABY LOVES: A FIRST BOOK OF FAVORITES came from Abrams Appleseed

MY MAGICAL DRAGON came from came from Abrams Appleseed

CHRISTMAS IS AWESOME! by Sabrina Moyle and Eunice Moyle came from Abrams Appleseed

APPLE by Nikki McClure came from Abrams Appleseed

REDWOOD AND PONYTAIL by K.A. Holt came from Chronicle Books

WHERE IS MY PINK SWEATER? by Nicola Slater came from Abrams Appleseed

LASER MOOSE AND RABBIT BOY: TIME TROUT by Doug Savage came from Andrews McMeel

RABBIT AND THE MOTORBIKE by Kate Hoefler and Sarah Jacoby came from Chronicle Books

THREE CHEERS FOR KID MCGEAR! by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Ag Ford came from Chronicle Books

READING BEAUTY by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Meg Hunt came from Chronicle Books

HUNGRY JIM by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Chuck Groenink came from Chronicle Books

FARMBLOCK by Christopher Franceschelli and Peskimo came from Abrams Appleseed

MY PET SLIME by Courtney Sheinmel and Renee Kurilla came from Andrews McMeel

THE OTHER HALF OF HAPPY by Rebecca Balcarcel came from Chronicle Books

DIARY OF A 5TH GRADE OUTLAW by Gina Loveless and Andrea Bell came from Andrews McMeel

THE OTHER END OF THE LINE by Andrea Camilleri came from Penguin Books

MUMBO GUMBO MURDER by Laura Childs and Terrie Farley Moran came from Berkley

A BITTER FEAST by Deborah Crombie came from William Morrow

What was in your mailbox?

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I had a quiet week but I'm super excited about that little picture book on the bottom!

MY FAKE RAKE: THE UNION OF THE RAKES by Eva Leigh came from Avon Books

LOVE IS BLIND by William Boyd came from Vintage Books

HEY GRANDUDE! by Paul McCartney and illustrated by Kathryn Durst came from Random House Children's Books

What was in your mailbox?

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I received a great assortment of children's books... and one romance.

HEIRESS GONE WILD by Laura Lee Guhrke came from Avon Books

BIG NATE HUG IT OUT! by Lincoln Peirce came from came from Andrews McMeel

LAUGHING WITH OBAMA: A PHOTOGRAPHIC LOOK BOOK AT THE ENDURING WIT AND SPIRIT OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA edited by M. Sweeney came from St. Martin's Press

THE CUTEST THING EVER by Amy Ignatow came from Abrams Books

INFINITE HOPE: A BLACK ARTIST'S JOURNEY FROM WORLD WAR II to PEACE by Ashley Bryan came from Atheneum Books for Young Readers

What was in your mailbox?

Kid Konnection: 1,000 Facts About Ancient Egypt

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you an educational book for kids interested in ancient Egypt.

Summary: Mummies, pyramids, pharaohs, King Tut! Kids everywhere are fascinated by the wonders of ancient Egypt, and this colorful reference book is jam-packed with 1,000 fascinating facts. From the Great Pyramid and the Valley of the Kings to the Nile River and Cleopatra, discover all you have ever wanted to know about this ancient civilization. Unearth ancient hieroglyphs and their meanings; find out what was in King Tut's tomb; and get insights about the science of mummification. Learn about ancient Egyptian gods and famous pharaohs, and follow Egypt's battles for power in the world. After this deep dive into Egyptology, you'll be able to dazzle your friends and family with your newfound knowledge. -- National Geographic Kids

1,000 FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT by Nancy Honovich is yet another fantastic National Geographic Kids book. Honestly, if you haven't picked up one of these books and shared it with your kids, you need to NOW! These books are both educational and entertaining, and the photographs are outstanding (as you would expect from a National Geographic publication.)

1,000 FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT is non-stop fun facts about ancient Egypt. After a foreword from a renowned professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Penn, the book jumps straight into pages and pages of facts. That would almost have to be the case to fit over 1,000 tidbits of Egypt trivia into this book. Some of the facts might be old news to some adults, but I bet most of them will be fascinating to kids. Heck, most of the facts were fascinating to me!

You might think that a book with just a listing of facts about Egypt would get old and maybe overwhelming, but I can assure you that's not the case. 1,000 FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT has information presented in such a way that each page is more interesting (and fun to look at) than the next. The fact boxes include not only text, but images and photographs which add to the learning fun. In addition, there are different sections of the book that make it easy for readers to focus on one or two subjects rather than just a huge assortment of facts.

It's hard to sum up the scope of this book because it covers so darn much about ancient Egypt, but I thought I'd pick out a few "fun" ones. I was attracted to the section on Medicinal Diseases and Cures:

Egyptian dentists filled cavities with cement or a mixture of tree sap and minerals.

Wealthy Egypitans could affort meat, which is high in fat content. As a result, many people in the upper classes suffered from heart disease.

And here's another one from the 50 Plowed-Up Facts About Farming:

The limbs of fig trees are too weak to hold the weight of a person, so ancient Egyptians trained monkeys to climb up and collect the fruit.

I could go on and on with facts that I found interesting! I can't recommend 1,000 FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT enough. This book is a must-have for school libraries and classrooms as well as home libraries!

Thanks to Media Masters for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I received some great books from publishers this week... and a win!!!

LITTLE BIG NATE DRAWS A BLANK by Lincoln Peirce came from Andrews McMeel

I LOVE ME by Sally Morgan & Ambelin Kwaymullina came from Andrews McMeel

ASTRO-NUTS by Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg came from Chronicle Books

LIES IN WHITE DRESSES by Sofia Grant came from William Morrow Books

THE PATCHWORK BRIDE by Sandra Dallas was an Insta-win from anitalovesbooks

MY DARK VANESSA by Kate Elizabeth Russell came from William Morrow Books

A STONE SAT STILL by Brendan Wenzel came from Chronicle Books

GET UP, STAND UP adapted by Cedella Marley and illustrated by John Jay Cabuay came from Chronicle Books

What was in your mailbox?

Kid Konnection: Code-Breaking Activity Adventure

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a fantastic book for those kids who are interested in coding!

Summary: Unlock ancient puzzles and secrets introduced via supercool codes and ciphers in this companion book to the new Explorer Academy series.

In the first activity book based on the Explorer Academy, kids test their knowledge of ancient codes and ciphers in a series of head-scratching puzzles designed to outwit even the most clever cryptographers. When kids successfully navigate the codes, they are rewarded with a first-class tour of the Academy.

Kids will have a blast, teaming up with the characters from the series and learning firsthand from the world's most renowned scientists, explorers, conservationists, photographers, and journalists. It's a far-flung adventure, too, traveling to historic and majestic locations around the globe. - National Geographic

I know my nephews (and my sister!) had their eyes NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER ACADEMY: CODE-BREAKING ACTIVITY ADVENTURE when I first posted it in a Mailbox Monday post. Like my son, they are huge fans of the National Geographic Kids books and that's with good reason. These books are just incredible -- beautiful photography, fun, and educational!

CODE-BREAKING ACTIVITY ADVENTURE is part of the Explorer Academy series of books and the first activity book. I just love how this book engages middle grade readers. The book begins with a letter from the "Explorer Academy President" welcoming them to the elite Explorer Academy. She goes further to explain that they will be participating in the first challenge -- the annual explorer scavenger hunt. There is a "unique series of missions that will test your codebreaking skills." Sounds fun, right?

As kids solve the puzzles/codes, they will receive a tour of the Academy. Along the way, they can "work with" teams made up of characters from the other Explorer Academy books. These characters include scientists, photographers, conservationists and more that will teach them about creative ways to unscramble encrypted maps and messages.

Over the past ten plus years that I've been reviewing kids' books, I have to admit that CODE BREAKING ACTIVITY ADVENTURE is one of the most unique books I've encountered. I would have enjoyed this book as a kid, and I know my kids would have too. The interactive nature of the book will appeal to the most reluctant of readers, and kids who are already interested in science and decoding will love it too!

This book has a lot going on! There are six different missions as well as an answer key in the back. There is an assortment of puzzles and codes on every page, some of which are challenging and some which seemed rather simple. There are also little side articles which teach kids about coding and problem solving tips.

Overall, CODE BREAKING ACTIVITY ADVENTURE is a fun way to learn problem solving and code-breaking skills. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the Media Masters for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I received a nice assortment of books this week -- something for everyone!

SAPPHIRE FLAMES by Ilona Andrews came from Avon Books

LIMELIGHT by Solli Raphael came from Andrews McMeel

DO YOU MIND IF I CANCEL? (THINGS THAT STILL ANNOY ME) by Gary Anetti came from Flatiron Books

DOUBLE DOWN: BET ON YOURSELF AND SUCCEED ON YOUR TERMS, A REMIXED RULE BOOK FOR BADASS BOSS LADIES by Antoinette M. Clarke & Tricia Clarke-Stone came from Currency

EXPLORER ACADEMY: CODE-BREAKING ACTIVITY ADVENTURE came from National Geographic Kids and Media Masters

STUDENT WORLD ATLAS: YOUR FACT-FILLED REFERENCE FOR SCHOOL AND HOME! came from National Geographic Kids and Media Masters

1,000 FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT by Nancy Honovich came from National Geographic Kids and Media Masters

What was in your mailbox?

Kid Konnection: I'm a Gnome!

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a silly picture book with some enchanting characters!

Summary: Fans of Mo Willems and Dev Petty’s I Don’t Want to Be a Frog will love this humorous tale about one gnome’s journey to prove he is unlike the other magical creatures in the forest.

Join Gnome (that’s spelled G-N-O-M-E–don’t ask why the G is silent!) as he travels through the magical forest to attend the annual Gnome Festival.

Along the way he encounters elves, dwarves, trolls, and fairies. But don’t be mistaken. He is NOTHING like those magical creatures. Well, maybe he is . . . but only a little bit!

When Gnome finally arrives at the festival, he realizes that all the traits he thought made gnomes different from the others actually made them alike–and that’s just fine. -- Crown Books for Young Readers

I'M A GNOME! by Jessica Peill-Meininghaus and illustrated by Poly Bernatene is too darn cute from its cover, to its endpaper, to its characters, to its story! I can't help but smile every single time I take a look at this picture book. I mean how cute is this cover?

I'M A GNOME teaches kids about all things gnomes... and fairies and elves and dwarves and so on. The book begins with a gnome traveling through the enchanted forest on his way to show readers the Gnome Festival. Along the way, he introduces readers to all of the characters in the forest who can sometimes be mistaken for elves. But he makes it very clear that gnomes are quite different... or are they?

I'M A GNOME is a very fun book that's perfect for reading out loud. As I read this book to myself, I couldn't help but want to read it to a little one. As the gnome travels through the forest, he tries to stress to the reader that gnomes are very special indeed. However, he quickly learns that it's not as easy to describe a gnome as being unlike any other magical creature. It's extremely cute with lots of humor, and I'm certain that parents and kids alike with enjoy reading this picture book over and over again. Plus, there might be a nice message or two about stereotypes and inclusivity!

I'M A GNOME is absolutely adorable. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: Sunset Beach

Summary: Pull up a lounge chair and have a cocktail at Sunset Beach – it comes with a twist.

Drue Campbell’s life is adrift. Out of a job and down on her luck, life doesn’t seem to be getting any better when her estranged father, Brice Campbell, a flamboyant personal injury attorney, shows up at her mother’s funeral after a twenty-year absence. Worse, he’s remarried – to Drue’s eighth grade frenemy, Wendy, now his office manager. And they’re offering her a job.

It seems like the job from hell, but the offer is sweetened by the news of her inheritance – her grandparents’ beach bungalow in the sleepy town of Sunset Beach, a charming but storm-damaged eyesore now surrounded by waterfront McMansions.

With no other prospects, Drue begrudgingly joins the firm, spending her days screening out the grifters whose phone calls flood the law office. Working with Wendy is no picnic either. But when a suspicious death at an exclusive beach resort nearby exposes possible corruption at her father’s firm, she goes from unwilling cubicle rat to unwitting investigator, and is drawn into a case that may – or may not – involve her father. With an office romance building, a decades-old missing persons case re-opened, and a cottage in rehab, one thing is for sure at Sunset Beach: there’s a storm on the horizon.

Sunset Beach is a compelling ride, full of Mary Kay Andrews' signature wit, heart, and charm. -- St. Martin's Press

I always look forward to reading a novel by Mary Kay Andrews every summer. This year was no exception. Her latest book is titled SUNSET BEACH, and it is perfect for beach or pool reading. This book is a terrific mix of mystery, family dynamics, and romance. What more could you ask for in a summer book?

SUNSET BEACH tells the story of Drue Campbell, a woman who is in a bit of bind. She's out of work and recovering from an injury that keeps her living life to the fullest, and then her mother dies. Things really take a turn when her estranged father shows up at the funeral, and he's married to a former friend of Drue's! She's not exactly in a good place if you know what I mean.

So when her father, who also happens to be a personal injury lawyer, offers her a job, Drue isn't sure she wants the help. However when she learns that she inherited a beach bungalow, she decides to stay in Sunset Beach and make some money to help her fix up the house she always loved. She hates working with her father and his wife (her ex-friend!), but she finds herself intrigued in a case after a suspicious death occurs with ties to her father's firm.

Drue decides to dig in and she what she can uncover about this case, and in the process also discovers a few secrets about her parents' past. With a mix of sleuthing, romance, and home improvement, Drue finds herself with more than enough on her plate to keep busy... and maybe even in a little trouble!

I thoroughly enjoyed SUNSET BEACH. The novel is a pageturner with quite a few surprises, and it also showcases what I've come to know and love about a Mary Kay Andrews' story -- charm and wit with memorable characters. At first, I wasn't too sure about Drue; however, I came to understand her rough-around-the-edges exterior and even grew to like her a lot! She was a fantastic main character who not only was determined enough to dig into these mysteries, but she also had a personal back-story that made her interesting.

I also appreciated the mysteries in SUNSET BEACH. There were a few story lines about mysteries that Drue was pursuing. It was interesting to see how everything came together at the end of the novel, and I have to say that I didn't see much of it coming. Ms. Andrews got her start in writing mysteries as Kathy Hogan Trocheck (whose books I also loved!), and her skills as a mystery writer were apparent in this novel.

SUNSET BEACH really is an ideal summer read. I realize that there isn't much time left in the summer, but if you're going to pick up one last summer book, then I highly recommend SUNSET BEACH. It's got a little something for everyone -- mystery, romance, friendship, beach setting, and charm!

Thanks to Tandem Literary and the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I received a nice assortment of books this week -- something for everyone!
THE LOYAL ONE by Shelley Shepard Gray came from Gallery Books

THE GOLDEN WOLF by Linnea Hartsuyker came from Harper Books

THE CHESTNUT MAN by Soren Sveistrup came from Harper Books

ONCE UPON A GOAT by Dan Richards and Eric Barclay came from Knopf Books for Young Readers

What was in your mailbox?

Kid Konnection: Up Up Up Down

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you an adorable picture book from an author that has already received a starred review from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly for her book THE CLASS!

Summary: Follow an energetic toddler’s day with Dad that’s full of opposites – up and down, make and break, yum and yuck, and more.

From his first demand to be picked up and then immediately put down, opposites pop up all day long for this energetic boy. Breakfast is no, no, no, yes! At the sandbox, it’s make, make, make, break! And jumping into the pool goes from can’t, can’t, can’t, to can!

Kimberly Gee’s expressive illustrations emphasize the loving connection between a boy and his father in this clever concept book about everyday highs and lows that is sure to entertain little (and big!) members of the family. -- G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers 

UP UP UP DOWN by Kimberly Gee is a cute book that takes readers through a day-in-the-life of a toddler and his father. The book begins when the baby wakes up and wants, "Up, Up, Up" and then "Down!" It then follows the toddler through his day as he eats breakfast, gets dressed, swims, and more. The story demonstrates how the toddler initially demands one thing and then after he gets it, he immediately wants something else. Sound familiar, parents?

I liked the simplicity of this book and that it's perfect for even the most active toddlers. However, I also liked the humor in the story as well as the illustrations. I especially appreciated how the author was able to show the special relationship between the child and parent. 

UP UP UP DOWN is too cute! It's a picture book that toddlers and parents alike will want to read again and again!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: The Escape Room

Summary: Welcome to the escape room. Your goal is simple. Get out alive.

In the lucrative world of finance, Vincent, Jules, Sylvie, and Sam are at the top of their game. They’ve mastered the art of the deal and celebrate their success in style—but a life of extreme luxury always comes at a cost.

Invited to participate in an escape room as a team-building exercise, the ferociously competitive co-workers crowd into the elevator of a high rise building, eager to prove themselves. But when the lights go off and the doors stay shut, it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary competition: they’re caught in a dangerous game of survival.

Trapped in the dark, the colleagues must put aside their bitter rivalries and work together to solve cryptic clues to break free. But as the game begins to reveal the team’s darkest secrets, they realize there’s a price to be paid for the terrible deeds they committed in their ruthless climb up the corporate ladder. As tempers fray, and the clues turn deadly, they must solve one final chilling puzzle: which one of them will kill in order to survive? -- St. Martin's Press

I've been excited to share THE ESCAPE ROOM by Megan Goldin with you for many months. I actually read this book when I traveled to Florida for the Penn State bowl game (obviously I had no idea when the publication date was!) And then, I was lucky enough at this year's Book Expo to participate in an escape room challenge with bloggers and none other than Ms. Goldin herself! I also had a drink with the group later in the evening and even sat next to Ms. Goldin. Of course, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to ask her a few questions about the book... and I was so glad that I had read it earlier!

THE ESCAPE ROOM tells the story of four co-workers who find themselves trapped in an elevator after they are called to work to participate in a team-building exercise. Each one of them is extremely competitive and wants to prove that he or she is deserving of kudos and maybe even a promotion. However, they quickly realize that this is one very unique team-building exercise because they are stuck in an elevator in the dark; and it seems like they are in a fight for their lives!

Much like an escape room challenge, these four must work together to figure out the clues, but there are definitely larger stakes. The co-workers are forced to work together, but they also are pitted against each other. These individuals are incredibly selfish and greedy, and their worst traits are gradually brought to light as they become more desperate. Just how far are they willing to go to save themselves?

I really enjoyed THE ESCAPE ROOM. It's a tense suspense story that definitely played on one of my biggest fears -- being stuck in an elevator; and it also a page-turner. The novel alternated between the four co-workers' saga in the present and the story of another employee which takes place in the past. The back-and-forth story sets up a dramatic conclusion; and even though I wasn't totally shocked, it was a well-crafted story!

I will be the first to admit that each of the four co-workers was more despicable than the next. I really couldn't stand any of them, but I loved how the author used these individuals to show the true meaning of greed. They really were willing to do anything to protect themselves and their reputation (not to mention their wealth!).

There are also quite a few twists in the novel that brought the story to the next level for me. Because I thoroughly enjoy mysteries and puzzles, the challenges the characters faced in the elevator were especially intriguing to me.

THE ESCAPE ROOM is a not-to-miss thriller. Highly recommended for fans of mysteries and suspense!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I had a wonderful book week! I got a few good books and a very special package!


THE DUCHESS IN HIS BED by Lorraine Heath came from Avon Books

THE LOST DAUGHTER by Gill Paul came from William Morrow Books

THE RIGHT SWIPE by Alisha Rai came from Avon Books

I also received a wonderful package from St. Martin's Press promoting UNDER CURRENTS by Nora Roberts. This gift box is so fun -- a hardcover copy of the book, a bath bomb, and a Sea Salt and Lotus Prosperity Candle that smells heavenly! Prosperity Candles are hand-poured candles by women who have been relocated from a refugee camp through UN resettlement programs.

What was in your mailbox?

Kid Connection: How Do You Dance?

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a cute picture book that celebrates all things dance!

Summary: There are so many ways to dance! You can jiggle or wiggle or stomp. You can bop or bounce or go completely nuts. You can dance at the market or the bus stop, with your fingers or your face. You can dance because you’re happy or even because you’re sad. 

But, what’s the best way to dance? 

Exactly how you want to! 

In How Do You Dance?, author-illustrator Thyra Heder explores dance in all of its creativity, humor, and—most of all—joy, in a picture-book celebration of personal expression that will inspire young and old readers alike to get up and get moving. -- Abrams

HOW DO YOU DANCE? by Thyra Heder is coming out on Tuesday, and it's one of those picture books that just makes you feel good. It's almost been awarded a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, and it's no wonder why. This book explores the wonder of dance and celebrates all of the different ways you can do it!

I adore HOW DO YOU DANCE? This picture book is so cute and I absolutely love each page shows a different way to dance. But I also appreciated how the one little boy is reluctant to dance. The ending has a cute little surprise about his dancing preferences that is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face!

The illustrations in this books are nothing short of terrific. I love how the author shows not only the variety of dances and places to dance, but she also includes all shapes, sizes, and colors of people! She somehow manages to also capture the joy in their faces as they let loose and express themselves with movement.

HOW DO YOU DANCE? is a beautiful (and fun!) celebration of dance. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I had a huge book week! We were in London and Paris while dropping off my daughter for her study abroad program, so I missed out seeing these arrive. However, I'll admit it was nice coming home to all of these wonderful books.

THE SEEKERS by Heather Graham came from Mira Books

A BEGGAR'S KINGDOM by Paullina Simons came from William Morrow Books

WHAT RED WAS by Rosie Price came from Hogarth Books

A SWIRL OF OCEAN by Melissa Sarno came from Knopf Books for Young Readers

LOOK! BABIES HEAD TO TOE by Robie H. Harris and illustrated by Anooosha Syed came from Abrams Appleseed

MONSTERS COME OUT TONIGHT! by Frederick Glasser and illustrated by Edward Miller came from Abrams Appleseed

ALL ABOARD! THE AIRPORT TRAIN by Nicole Mara and illustrated by Andrew Kolb came from Abrams Appleseed

IF YOU PLAYED HIDE-AND-SEEK WITH A CHAMELEON by Bill Wise and illustrated by Rebecca Evans came from Dawn Publications

SILENT SWOOP: AN OWL, AN EGG, AND A WARM SHIRT POCKET by Michelle Houts and illustrated by Deb Hoeffner came from Dawn Publications

I'M A GNOME! by Jessica Peill-Meininghaus and illustrated by Poly Bernatene came from Crown Books for Young Readers

What was in your mailbox?

Kid Connection: Just for Me

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a picture book that teaches kids the importance of sharing!

Summary: The adorable and spunky Ruby learns a new life lesson about sharing: “just for me” isn’t nearly as much fun as “just for us!”

When Ruby has something special, she likes to say “just for me!”

That includes everything from her dolly to the colorful candy sprinkles she uses to decorate her cookies. But when a friend comes over for playtime, Ruby takes her mantra just one step too far, and a precious toy is broken. Just when it looks like playtime has been ruined, Ruby realizes that having a friend is much more fun than having everything to herself.

“Sharing is caring” has never felt so spot-on as it does in Just For Me. With sparse text and bright, bold illustrations, this is the perfect story for parents to share with their little readers–and for readers to share with their friends! -- Viking Books for Young Readers

JUST FOR ME by Jennifer Hansen Rolli is an adorable picture book with a very important message. Ruby is a pretty typical toddler... or at least I can relate with my kids! Ruby loves to say, "Just for me!" She uses this term for her dolly, sunshine, sprinkles on her cookies and even a new friend. But Ruby also uses this term when she's playing with her friend, and she gets quite adamant. It takes a little intervention from her dad, with a kind explanation about sharing, for Ruby to realize that she can have even more fun when she shares with a friend.

I loved JUST FOR ME. It goes without saying that the lesson on sharing is one that almost every young child needs. However, I also loved how Ms. Rolli presented the information. She used few words while definitely getting the message across to the reader. In addition, she had delightful and colorful artwork of Ruby and her new friend. Her illustrations of the children's (and dad's) facial expressions brought the story to life as well!

I was pleasantly surprised by the little twist at the end of the story. I assumed that it would end with Ruby and her friend learning to share with each other... and it did. But it also showed that there are a few special things that are just for Ruby -- like her parents! It was a sweet surprise that also shows children that it's okay to sometimes have special things just for themselves!

JUST FOR ME is a wonderful book that should be a must-read for parents and preschool teachers alike. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! My husband and I left for London and Paris last week, so I'm not exactly sure what books arrived after Thursday. But here's a peak at the one book I did get!

JUST FOR ME by Jennifer Hansen Rolli came from Viking Books for Young Readers

What was in your mailbox?

Kid Konnection: The Evil Princess vs. The Brave Knight

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a picture book from a dynamic brother/sister duo!

Summary: For every parent tired of telling their kids to PLEASE JUST GET ALONG, this hilarious and imaginative new picture book–from the beloved creators of Babymouse–is here to help. Sort of.

Meet the Evil Princess and the Brave Knight. She casts terrible spells, while he fights dragons. He rescues cats in distress, while she makes mischief. No wonder there isn’t much peace in this kingdom! But is the Evil Princess really so evil? And is the Brave Knight truly as chivalrous as he seems? Children and parents will laugh at seeing familiar family dynamics play out in this charming and imaginative new story. -- Random House Books for Young Readers

THE EVIL PRINCESS VS. THE BRAVE KNIGHT by Jennifer L. Holm vs. Matthew Holm is too cute for words! This entertaining picture book demonstrates sibling rivalry at its best. Kids will find themselves laughing out loud at the way this brother and sister find ways to irritate each other!

The "evil princess" isn't truly evil, just mischievous and a little mean; and her brother, the "brave knight" does his best to live up to his hero reputation. She practices casting spells and he practices fighting dragons and saving cats. However despite working towards their individual goals, they always seem to find a way to not get along!

I'm certain THE EVIL PRINCESS VS. THE BRAVE KNIGHT will resonate with kids and parents alike. I love the battle between the brother and sister, and I especially appreciated the surprise twists in the story. Let's just say that things might not be like they initially seem!

THE EVIL PRINCESS VS. THE BRAVE KNIGHT is terrific! Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I had a slow but steady week of books. Let's just put it this way... I received more books this week than I finished reading!

AMERICAN ROYALS by Katharine McGee came from Random House Books for Young Readers

SOMEONE WE KNOW by Shari LaPena came from Pamela Dorman Books/Viking

THE EVIL PRINCESS VS. THE BRAVE KNIGHT by Jennifer L. Holm vs. Matthew Holm came from Random House Books for Young Readers

What was in your mailbox?

Kid Konnection: I Have An Idea!

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a fun picture book from an author I love!

Summary: From one of the true creative geniuses of this generation comes a unique meditation on and celebration of the magic of the birth of a simple idea. Sparkling with visual wit and bubbling with imagination, this is a richly emotional exploration of the creative process: from an initial tentative inkling, to the frustration of chasing the wrong notion, to finally the exhilaration of capturing—and nurturing—just the right idea. I Have an Idea! is a scrumptious cloth-spined package of color and inspiration equally at home on a child's bookshelf, in a new graduate's backpack, or atop a creative's desk. -- Chronicle Books

I HAVE AN IDEA! by Herve Tullet is a must-have picture book! I love Herve Tullet's picture book, especially PRESS HERE; and I think he's brought an entirely new level of creativity to children's books.

I HAVE AN IDEA! celebrates the wonder of ideas and imagination! First, this delightful picture book describes beautifully the feeling of capturing an idea, and then it continues to explore the creativity process. It starts with that feeling you get when you have an idea trying to surface and ends with the final defining of a great idea. It also describes the feeling you get when you might not be on the exact right track, but it encourages the reader to keep on searching. It's a wonderful message for both kids and adults alike!

I love I HAVE AN IDEA! from its simple text, to its unique and colorful artwork, to its important message. I really can't rave enough about how special this picture book is. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! After the past few "slow" weeks, I guess I was due for a great book mail week!


IMMORTAL BORN by Lynsay Sands came from Avon Books

ONE FINE DUKE by Lenora Bell came from Avon Books

BELOW THE RADAR by Dana Ridenour came from Saicheck Publicity and Wise Ink

BETHLEHEM by Karen Kelly came from St. Martin's Press

GRAVITY IS THE THING by Jaclyn Moriarty came from Harper Books

THE KEY FROM SPAIN: FLORY JAGODA AND HER MUSIC by Debbie Levy and illustrated by Sonja Wimmer came from Kar-Ben Publishing

I also received a very cool package from St. Martin's Press promoting THE ESCAPE ROOM by Megan Goldin. I've already read (but not reviewed) this book; and if you read my Book Expo post, then you know I'm super excited for this novel's release at the end of July!

The Survival Kit was full of some pretty fun gifts too -- a mirror, lip balm, and a travel manicure set!

What was in your mailbox?

Kid Konnection: I Will Race You Through This Book!

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a cute picture book that is guaranteed to bring out the competitive nature in your budding reader!

Summary: See if you can beat Book-It Bunny in a reading race!

In this story designed to engage early readers, charming characters combine with simple text, lively illustrations, and laugh-out-loud humor to help boost kids’ confidence and create lifelong readers!

This easy-to-read adventure breaks the fourth wall as Book-It Bunny challenges the reader to race her to the end of the story. But with distractions and tricks up her sleeve along the way, the competition becomes both fierce and funny at the same time. On your mark, get set, read!

Exciting, easy-to-read books are the stepping stone a young reader needs to bridge the gap between being a beginner and being fluent. -- Penguin Workshop

I WILL RACE YOU THROUGH THIS BOOK! by Jonathan Fenske is a picture book that makes reading fun for early readers. Join Book-It Bunny as she races through the book trying to beat the reader!

I WILL RACE YOU THROUGH THIS BOOK! is adorable. I love the character of Book-It Bunny, and she definitely makes turning the pages rewarding. Book-It Bunny is hilarious as she tries to come up with ways to get to the end of the book first. She fakes and distracts as she tries to slow the new reader down.

As cute as this book was, I also really appreciate how this book encourages children to read. The illustrations are funny, and the text on each page is simple enough not to overwhelm beginning readers. I WILL RACE YOU THROUGH THIS BOOK! is a page-turner (in the literal sense of the word!), and I think it's a great way to introduce independent reading to your child.

Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: Mrs. Everything

Summary: Do we change or does the world change us?

Jo and Bethie Kaufman were born into a world full of promise.

Growing up in 1950s Detroit, they live in a perfect “Dick and Jane” house, where their roles in the family are clearly defined. Jo is the tomboy, the bookish rebel with a passion to make the world more fair; Bethie is the pretty, feminine good girl, a would-be star who enjoys the power her beauty confers and dreams of a traditional life.

But the truth ends up looking different from what the girls imagined. Jo and Bethie survive traumas and tragedies. As their lives unfold against the background of free love and Vietnam, Woodstock and women’s lib, Bethie becomes an adventure-loving wild child who dives headlong into the counterculture and is up for anything (except settling down). Meanwhile, Jo becomes a proper young mother in Connecticut, a witness to the changing world instead of a participant. Neither woman inhabits the world she dreams of, nor has a life that feels authentic or brings her joy. Is it too late for the women to finally stake a claim on happily ever after?

In her most ambitious novel yet, Jennifer Weiner tells a story of two sisters who, with their different dreams and different paths, offer answers to the question: How should a woman be in the world? -- Atria

I can't really explain why I feel the need to read everything Jennifer Weiner writes. Like many of you, I loved her first novel GOOD IN BED; however, I feel like I've been reading her books for almost twenty years trying to capture that same feeling again. I can say that I've enjoyed a few of her books and that I've been meh about quite a few, but I think she's really found her voice again with her latest novel MRS. EVERYTHING.

MRS. EVERYTHING is a big novel that tells the story of the Kaufman sisters, Jo and Bethie (Little Women?), from their childhood through much of their adult lives. They novel begins in the 1950s when their family moves to an idyllic neighborhood in the Detroit suburbs. Jo is the smart tomboy while Bethie is the pretty one who loves being on stage. The girls have pretty normal lives until a family tragedy occurs that turns their lives upside-down.

The novel follows Jo and Bethie through their high school years and then their college ones as they face the changing times our of country including Vietnam and Woodstock. Both girls continue to experience life, and some hard times, as they discover who they truly are (or aren't!). Jo winds up married with daughters of her own, while Bethie becomes a bit of a wild flower child. Ironically, neither woman is actually living the life they had once hoped for.

After everything these woman have experienced in their lifetimes, can Jo and/or Bethie finally make the tough decisions and find happiness?

I found MRS. EVERYTHING to be a very interesting read and probably Ms. Weiner's most important novel. I enjoyed the story of these two sisters who lead very separate lives but are ultimately there for each other, and I definitely appreciated what Ms. Weiner set out to do with this book. I grew to really like these women, although I did get frustrated with them many times; and I found the story to be both touching and uplifting.

What I think I enjoyed the most about MRS. EVERYTHING, though, was how the novel explored women from the 1950s to present-day. It's kind of amazing of how much we've changed and how far we've come since serving the role of wife and mother and living in the suburbs. While it's apparent by the end of this novel that women have made huge strides in being equal, the novel still shows that women have a ways to go.

If I have one slight issue with the novel, it's that I think maybe Ms. Weiner tried to do too much with the story. It seems like every major event and every issue that a woman could experience made some sort of appearance in this book. Having said that, it might have been necessary so she could truly show how the roles of women have evolved through time -- I'm not entirely sure...

What I am 100% sure of is that MRS. EVERYTHING would make a great book club pick. There truly is so much to discuss about these two sisters' lives as well as the roles of women in general. Check out this reading guide with twelve discussion questions as well as some ideas to enhance your book club.

All in all, I'd say that MRS. EVERYTHING is the best Jennifer Weiner novel I've read since GOOD IN BED. I think fans of women's fiction will find a lot of like and think about with this story.

I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher on Edelweiss.