SLOTH & SQUIRREL IN A PICKLE Written by Cathy Ballou Mealey Illustrated by Kelly Collier (Kids Can Press; $17.99, Ages 3-7)     The dill-ightful title of this new picture book, Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle by Cathy Ballou Mealey with adorable art by Kelly Collier, will immediately grab you even if it doesn't immediately grab sloth whose slow motion throughout the story is one of the recurring elements that make it hysterical to read-aloud. I'm talking Lucy and Ethel hysterical. You may not see my smile as I'm writing this, but trust me it's here now and was…

  NEW MOTHER'S DAY BOOKS FOR CHILDREN ∼ A ROUNDUP ∼   Let's give a round of applause to moms everywhere on Mother's Day with this great selection of Mother's Day books that perhaps express what children cannot. The pandemic has been a challenge and moms, you stepped up to the plate, or should I say multiple plates, and made things work. Sometimes it wasn't easy. You wondered if your hard work was appreciated or how long you'd be able to keep the smile on your face. Sometimes you didn't smile and that's okay. There were a lot of gray…

      AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR -ILLUSTRATOR ISABELLA KUNG ON THE BOOK BIRTHDAY OF 1 2 3 CATS: A COUNTING BOOK AND ABC CATS: AN ALPHA-CAT BOOK Written by Lesléa Newman (Candlewick Books; $7.99 each, Ages 2 to 5)     SHORT SUMMARY: 1 2 3 Cats: A Cat Counting Book Meet cats from one to a dozen in this adorable board book introduction to counting with a feline twist. Author Lesléa Newman draws on her love for (and familiarity with) cats in a concept book for the very young, while illustrator Isabella Kung captures the animals’ movements and…

  JET THE CAT (IS NOT A CAT) Written by Phaea Crede  Illustrated by Terry Runyan (Barefoot Books; $16.99 HC/$8.99 PB, Ages 3-7)       REVIEW Jet the Cat, the picture book debut from Phaea Crede with another debut for illustrations by Terry Runyan, is a story all the kids and adults will have fun reading. I can almost hear their giggles. It all started when Phaea got inspired by her mom’s cat Eddie. Eddie, unlike other cats, loved to take baths. “I tried to imagine what other cats might think if they caught Eddie happily splashing around. I…

30,000 STITCHES: THE INSPIRING STORY OF THE NATIONAL 9/11 FLAG Written by Amanda Davis Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport (Worthy Kids; $17.99, Ages 5-8)         For those of us who are old enough, the story of 9/11 will never be forgotten. Horrible images are etched in our minds. But if we look hard enough, we will find beauty from the darkness of that day. 30,000 STITCHES documents some of those moments. It is THE INSPIRING STORY OF THE NATIONAL 9/11 FLAG.  SUMMARY Author, Amanda Davis, takes us on a thoughtfully worded journey of kindness and healing. The…

CELEBRATE NATIONAL POETRY MONTH WITH THESE GREAT KIDS BOOKS       THE B ON YOUR THUMB: 60 Poems to Boost Reading and Spelling Written by Colette Hiller Illustrated by Tor Freeman (Frances Lincoln Children's Books; $19.99, Ages 3-8) The title and cover pulled me in and I could not wait to read this hilarious poetry book meant for children and parent, caregiver or any adult to experience together. It's done so well that kids will laugh while learning some unusual things about the English language that grown-ups may now take for granted. "The illustrated rhymes and delightful ditties" will…

  THE SISTERS OF STRAYGARDEN PLACE Written by Hayley Chewins (Candlewick Press; $16.99, Ages 10-14)       ★Starred Reviews - Kirkus, Publishers Weekly   I love books that don’t fit into a mold, where you can’t guess what comes next. Hayley Chewins’s The Sisters of Straygarden Place fulfills those things, plus it’s beautifully written. This middle-grade novel stands alone—in an amazing house that cares for three seemingly trapped sisters, Winnow, Mayhap, and Pavonine. Years ago, their parents left the girls this note, “Wait for us. Sleep darkly.” Outside, the house is surrounded by silver grass seeking opportunities to slither…

    AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CANDY WELLINS ABOUT HER PICTURE BOOK THE STARS BECKONED: EDWARD WHITE’S AMAZING WALK IN SPACE (Philomel; $17.99, Ages 4-8)                           ★                      ★                     ★      SHORT SUMMARY: The Stars Beckoned: Edward White’s Amazing Walk In Space, written by Candy Wellins and illustrated by Courtney Dawson, is a lyrical picture book biography of Edward White, the first American to walk in space, and an…