Hap-Pea Easter by Keith Baker

Since Easter is slowly creeping up on us...I really need to get my decorations up...this read seems to be a perfect fit. It's part of a group of books, which center on the 'pea' theme, and I read the Hap-Pea Valentine's Day book earlier this year. (see review here) It was cute, enough so that I'm looking forward to see what these pages will hold. I'm sure it will be fun and lead into holiday preparations.

So, let's roll right in.

HAP-PEA EASTER

by Keith Baker

Beach Lane Books

Picture Book Holiday

24 pages

ages 4 to 8

Keith Baker’s New York Times bestselling peas have some Easter fun in this picture book filled with eggs, chicks, candies, bunnies, and more!

Hap-pea Easter! Hap-pea Spring! What surprises will it bring?

From sprouting flowers and gentle showers to eggs decorated every which way, there’s plenty of excitement to be had on Easter with the peas! And there might even be an appearance from everyone’s favorite bunny…

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

Busy, cute, and plenty of things to search for make this a read to enjoy from beginning to end. 

I have read another book in this batch of pea tales (and found it cute), but the peas shine in all the right ways in this one. It's a book about Easter and highlights the energy and bright pastels, which are often associated with Spring and the holiday. This isn't a religious read but highlights the season and usual activities surrounding Easter, especially in the egg direction.

 The illustrations are big and cheerful, making it nice for read-a-louds...to an extent. The peas are small and add so much life and bustle to the scenes. Thanks to their size, readers will have to look closer to discover everything they do as they prepare for the big day. Of course, these also hold humor along with the fun. The text is very simple and delivers just enough to bring across the atmosphere and let the pages flow together. The joy and excitement is obvious and contagious...it simply puts a smile on the face. 

Easter activities make this a solid read for the holidays, but the constant pea activity will, most likely, have young readers gazing at the pictures long after the day has passed. There's also an extra bonus of searching for Easter eggs. Although not directly mentioned in the book, little eggs are hidden in the later illustrations to create searching fun.

And here he is...

Keith Baker has written and illustrated many acclaimed picture books for young children, including the New York Times bestselling LMNO Peas, 1-2-3 Peas, Little Green Peas, Hap-pea All Year, LMNO Pea-quel, My Octopus Arms, and No Two Alike. He lives in Washington state.

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy: Spidermania by Doug Savage

 Ready for something original? Well, today's read should fulfill that desire...if you are. This is the 5th book in a series, and I haven't read any of the other books in this series yet (as always). I'll admit that this one caught my eye simply because it made me look twice and think 'huh?'. Since the series has gone on this long, I assume there's more than just weirdness behind it...and even then, sometimes weirdness is exactly what's needed.

Anyway, I don't know what surprises this book will hold, so let's just take a look.

SPIDERMANIA

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy Vol. 5

by Doug Savage

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy   /  Graphic Novel

144 pages

ages 7 to 11

COMING...

APRIL 15th!!!

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy are back for a cliff-hanger adventure when a spider begins taking control of all of the forest animals in the fifth book from the outrageous, hilarious, beloved series.

It’s a new day in the forest, and the creatures there are beginning to act strange. They’re getting glowing purple eyes, sneezing out web, and seem set on biting other animals and spreading it to everyone in the woods! When their nemesis Cyborgupine is bit, Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy set out to solve the mystery and find a way to save the forest once again—before their own brainwashed friends can stop them!

This is the next adventure in the Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy graphic novel series, and it’s perfect for children ages 8-12.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

These are not your usual characters, but they pack tons of inspiring friendship and are easy to root for until the end.

Everything is normal in the forest, and the deer is healing after its injuries from the earlier book (?), but then, Cyborgupine appears, and it's not acting like it's usual self. Not only is it sneezing spider webs, but it keeps repeating an odd phrase about spiders. Then, the animals see it—a spider bite. Before they can analyze the disease or problem, Cyborgupine bites one of the friends...and they start sneezing webs and repeating the same phrase. Soon, the disease is spreading, and it's clear that the spiders are controlling everything. Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy are determined to save the day but may not be able to escape the danger.

I did not read the other books in the series before this, but it wasn't too difficult to sink into the tale and characters. I would recommend starting at the beginning, however, since there are aspects of this tale which build on each other. That said, this is a quirky adventure all the way through. The characters hold original twists, which edge in the direction of science and experiments, but then, the entire problem arises from the same type of direction. Yep, this gives it an odd, STEM lean, which offers some science inspiration along the way. It weaves in here and there, and if nothing else, lets readers realize how door-opening science can be. In a quirky way, of course.

The plot is pretty straight forward as Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy try their best to get to the root of the problem and save the forest. Tension and action roll from every page right along with a slight humor to keep things fun. These work well with the illustrations, which appear simple but still bring across the emotions and scenes nicely. The text fluctuates from very easy and short to a solid middle grade read. Let's just say that one of the characters really heads into explanations every now and then to up the text amount and vocabulary skills. Otherwise, it's an easy read. 

There's a lovely sense of friendship and working to solve problems. The end seems harsh, at first, but slides its way into an end fitting for the age group.

It's a fun read with heart and goodness underneath adventure, action, and unique characters to root for.

And here he is...

Doug Savage is the creator of the popular comic Savage Chickens, which he has been drawing and posting online every weekday since 2005. Born in rural Ontario and raised by a pack of wild piano teachers, Doug lives in Vancouver with his partner, Janet, and their two cats, Watson and Crumble.

Half-Truths by Carol Baldwin

 We're going to take a step back into history with today's read. Scheduled to hit the shelves around the beginning of April (next month), this book heads back into the 1950's and peeks at the social imbalance between blacks and whites. According to the blurb, it will build in tension and mystery as well to up the stakes. I'm hoping it will be a grabbing read and want to be swept away into the time period.

Will it accomplish that? Well, let's find out!

HALF-TRUTHS

by Carol Baldwin

Monarch Educational Service

YA Historical

300 pages

COMING...

APRIL 2nd!!!

It is 1950, and 15-year-old Kate Dinsmore wants to become a journalist. But, her tobacco-farming father can’t afford to send her to college. She devises a plan to move from rural North Carolina to her wealthy grandparents’ home in Charlotte in hopes of gaining their financial support. Now she has a new set of problems. How can she please her society-conscious grandmother and conform to her new classmates’ lifestyles?

She meets Lillian, her grandmother’s teenage maid, and in spite of their racial differences, they form a tentative friendship. While exploring her grandmother’s attic, Kate unearths a secret that rocks her world and Lillian’s too. The shocking discovery reveals half-truths that threaten the girls’ friendship. What will Kate do when she must choose between Lillian and her new society friends?

Through a mentorship with a newspaper editor, Kate realizes that journalism requires honesty. But, the risks of truth-telling make Kate question herself. If she reveals what she has learned, what price will she pay?

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

The dangers of standing up for the truth hits with heart and tension in a tale, which takes the reader back to the 1950's with a character to root for.

Kate dreams of going to college to become a journalist...something her parents, who run a tobacco farm, aren't completely convinced is the right path. When the KKK comes into their small town and starts to stoke anger and fear, she's more convinced than ever that she needs to report what she sees. So, she moves to live with her wealthy grandparents in the city, who her father, for some unknown reason, avoids. Once there, her grandmother begins to mold her into society and she attends school. It's difficult, but Kate is willing to pay the cost since it means that her grandparents might help pay for her further education. That is until she discovers a tea cup in the attic, and long-buried secrets about her grandmother's past begin to come to light. 

The author does a wonderful job at transporting the reader back in time, settling into the life and streets of the 1950s. The scenes are rich without being overly descriptive, and the worries and concerns of the characters are understandable, even when they aren't always right. Thankfully, Kate has a curious personality with a good moral compass. Her determination and bravery make her easy to root for, while her hesitations and desire not to upset those, whom she holds dear, make her easy to sympathize with. She's a little spunky and has some interesting quirks to give her personality and let her shine but without going overboard. It's a nice balance, which fits to the time and situations with natural flow.

There are several themes and messages in these pages, which lead to thought. While some aspects might seem straight-forward (and often are), the situations open up a degree of understanding for both sides. Not everything in life is black and white or easy, and these pages allow enough food for thought to reach into some of the grayer areas to let the message dig in and sit. It's inspiring, encouraging, and even teaches a bit of history along the way.

Fans of history and wonderful characters are going to enjoy this one quite a bit.

You can learn more about Carol Baldwin here.

Happy Book Birthday, We Leave No Trace! by Terry Pierce!

 

It's time to shout-out another book birthday!!! This year is amazing on that end...I do so love to celebrate.

Today's read comes from the Yosemite Conservancy, and I've reviewed a few books for them over the years. I have tons of fond memories of Parks and wildlife and more, and not only from my childhood. When we go on vacation, it involves tons of outdoor activities, hiking, and exploration. So, to have the chance to support anything in this direction is a treat for me.

Today's read is a board book for the youngest readers out there and is sure to celebrate nature. So, let's take a look!

WE LEAVE NO TRACE!

by Terry Pierce

Illustrated by Nadja Sarell

Yosemite Conservancy

Board Book

7 pages

ages 2 to 5

The great outdoors could use some human kindness—and even the youngest children can help! Little hikers, picnickers, and campers will see how they can pitch in for nature by using the Leave No Trace principles modeled here, such as loving trees gently, leaving natural items in their place, using quiet voices to reassure shy creatures, and putting trash where it belongs. The bouncy, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations in this sturdy board book show tiny kids they, too, can easily help protect any wild or natural place while having fun outside.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /    BOOK ORG.

MY TIDBITS

This little board book is perfect for the youngest readers out there, who are going to be heading outdoors for camping, picnicking, hiking and more. It centers around the message that visiting nature also means respecting it. The Leave No Trace principle remains the main point of this read—the hope that by not disturbing nature more than necessary, others can enjoy it in the future as well.

The illustrations are full of details, which allow young readers not only to visualize various, natural scenes, but also give them something to discover when revisiting the book again. The depictions include lakes, forests, and more, while showing activities such as walking, picnicking and many others. The people enjoying these activities display a wide variety of individuals. And there are some cute animals included as well.

The text is only a couple of lines on each two-page spread. The first pages open with a rhyme, which then turns into a repeated phrase as the various ways to Leave No Trace are explored. These are simple suggestions, which are easy for even the younger readers to understand.

The fun of being out in nature and the joy of experiencing the outdoors is never forgotten, either. There's a calm and happiness on each page, showing how enjoyable it is to be outside. In other words, it's a lovely read.

And here they are...

Terry Pierce is the author of twenty-five children's books, including Eat Up, Bear!, Hello, Meadow!, Mama Loves You So, Mother Earth's Lullaby, and My Busy Green Garden. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and teaches for UCLA Extension Writers' Program. Terry is an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, and, of course, bear sightings near her home in Mammoth Lakes, California.

Nadja Sarell has a degree in illustration from the North Wales School of Art and Design as well as an MA in dance from Theatre Academy Helsinki. She is the illustrator behind Eat Up, Bear!, Hello, Meadow!, and The One and Only Wolfgang, written by Instagram sensation Steve Greig aka @wolfgang2242 and author Mary Rand Hess, and the Frankie Sparks, Third Grade Inventor series. She lives in Helsinki, Finland.

Seeker Society by Jana Tropper and Kyle Higgins

 I was in the mood for a little adventure, and today's read might just hold plenty of that. At least, that's what I'm getting from the cover. I think it gives steampunk vibes, but I'm not sure that's what this tale weaves around. According to the blurb, it's a type of academy read, but I'm also not sure it would fit into the same 'academy reads' category which was popular in the YA direction a couple years ago. Maybe, it will be more like a 

SEEKER SOCIETY

by Jana Tropper & Kyle Higgins

Illustrated by Zack Giallongo

& Whitney Cogar

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy   /   Graphic Novel

176 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

JUNE 3rd!!!

Shackleton’s School for Seekers is a haven for students as diverse as the magical gifts they possess. But as the new class of Seekers soon learn, the ability to hear voices from the past or sense an object’s history can lead to great knowledge...and even greater danger.

When Fern, Jordan, and Zack are selected for a mysterious class trip with Shackleton’s fearless Dr. Adichie, they’ve only just begun to explore the limits of their powers. It’s clear their teacher knows more than she’s letting on about the kids’ gifts—and the dangers they’ll be facing. But when an unexpected accident separates the trio from their instructor and leaves them stranded on an uncharted island, they’ll have to learn to rely on each other to survive the hostile environment and the Seekers’ equally hostile rivals, the Keepers.

This gorgeously illustrated graphic novel is now in print for the first time after its successful debut on the Epic! platform.

GOODREADS     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

The ability to connect with the past leads to adventure and danger pure.

The School for Seekers is packed with students, who harbor various gifts...many which lean to peering one way or another into history, gifts in language, and more. While these might, at first, seem calm, these talents are more powerful than they appear. When a group of Seeker students accidentally lands on an island, the adventure is about to begin, but they might not survive it thanks to the deadly creatures residing there.

The illustrations are rich and allow the fantasy world to open up and invite in. The scenes are vivid, and the creatures radiate danger. Each moment hits with emotional clarity and makes this group easy to root for from beginning to end.

The tale is complexly woven and allows the information to dribble between the action, keeping tension high with just enough background knowledge to make things understandable. It flips between present, past, and somewhere in between constantly. Each time, this is marked with a short time note in a rectangle at the top of the page. This helps keep the flashbacks clear. While the constant back and forth allows for information to be dropped at just the right time (avoiding info dumps), it does break the story flow and pulled out of the main plot quite often. It almost grew confusing a few times as the sudden change needed to be recognized and worked in with the main plot every time to understand what was happening. While not my favorite tactic, it keeps the story compact and quick paced.

There's a large amount of diversity on the character end to make sure many aspects are included. This builds nicely into the teamwork as each student needs to learn to handle their own powers while discovering how to work with the capabilities of those around them. That also slides nicely into the mystery and makes it exciting as each clue discovered depends on this vibrant mix.

It's an interesting beginning to a series and lays the foundation for many adventures to come. Fans of quick-paced adventure with super-powers and teamwork involved as well as inner struggles are going to enjoy this one.

And here she is...

Jana Tropper, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a writer, presenter, and speech-language pathologist at a public elementary school outside Chicago. When she's not writing, reading, or playing video games, she enjoys visiting schools and has presented as both an educator and author at several events including C2E2, LITapalooza, New York Comic Con, and San Diego Comic Con. She lives with her husband, Josh, and their own three rescue dogs: Ripley, Newt, and Sandy Lambert.