July 2020 Reading Wrap Up

Goodbye July

This month kind of flew by. 
It has rained nearly every day but we still fit in a few early hikes and an incredibly relaxing early-morning canoe trip with lots of wildlife to see. With all the social distancing, of course.

We're almost in full homeschool mode and I feel like I've spent the entire month looking at curriculum, planning, and organizing our (already busy) workspace. We're also working on an outdoor classroom space to get out of the house with our books and journals and art supplies more often. Weather permitting.
It's rained a ton this month and Hurricane Isaias is supposed to hit this weekend.  

I read a lot more this month than in June, which is mostly attributed to me setting aside a small chunk of my time to read each day. I still fell off toward the end of the month as I tried to balance too many things and realized I'm way too low on spoons to do it all.  Still, it was a productive month and I'm looking forward to August, if only to get it over with so we can get on to Spooky Season.

But for now, my July stats:


Books I Finished in July

Chapter Books We Finished in July:

Started But Haven't Finished:

Reviews Shared in July:

Picture Books / Illustrated Chapter Books
StarWars: The Galaxy Needs You by Caitlin Kennedy
Daisy's Decorating Dilemma (Wild Fairies #1) by Brandi Doughtery
Lily's Water Woes (Wild Fairies #2) by Brandi Dougherty
Swan Lake by The New York City Ballet
The Tiger Like Me by Kelsey Lee
Bathing in the Forest by Mark Ayats & Nivola Uya
River by Elisha Cooper
The Blue Giant by Katie Cottle

Children's Nonfiction:
Even More Lesser Spotted Animals by Martin Brown

NatGeoKids: Yoga Animals by Paige Towler

The Secret Life of Trees by Moira Butterfield
Water Can Be... by Laura Purdie Salas

Middle Grade/YA
Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani

The Falcon's Feather (Explorer Academy #2) by Trudi Trueit
The Mulberry Tree by Allison Rushby


Other Posts Shared in July:
July 2020 TBR
Stacking the Shelves #4
The Sunday Post - Wk 27
TTT - Most Read Authors

The Sunday Post - Wk 28
TTT - Books That Make Me Smile

The Sunday Post - Wk 29



Challenge Progress:


ABC Challenge
June: 14 / 26
July: 15 / 26 (+J)

Beat the Backlist / Tackle My TBR
June: +2
July: +2

Scat
James and the Giant Peach

New Release Challenge
June: +3
July: +3

Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani
The Mulberry Tree by Allison Rushby
The Shadows by Alex North

PopSugar Challenge
June 8/50
July: 9/50
+ A book by a Journalist
Scat by Carl Hiaasen (writes for Miami Herald)

Read Harder Challenge
June: 7/25

July: 8/25
+Read a middle-grade book that doesn't take place in the US or UK

The Falcon's Feather by Trudi Trueit

1001 Books To Read Before You Grow Up
???
I haven't kept up with my progress on this one! 



How was your month?
What was your favorite read?

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The Mulberry Tree by Allison Rushby (Middle Grade Book Review)

I received a DRC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Mulberry Tree
Written by
Allison Rushby
Published by
  Candlewick Press
on July 14, 2020
Genre: Children's/MG
 Length: 304 pages
Ages: 9 - 12 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she'll take your daughters... one, two, three.
Is the eerie tree beside their bucolic cottage really a threat to ten-year-old Immy? Legend and hearsay give way to a creepy series of events in this captivating mystery.

My Thoughts:

Imogen "Immy" Watts and her parents move from Sydney, Australia to a small village in Cambridgeshire, England for her mother's new job. Immy's mother really wants the English cottage experience so they end up renting 'Lavender Cottage' despite the dark and foreboding ancient mulberry tree that spreads ominously over the back garden and the local gossip that the tree has stolen two girls away on their eleventh birthday. Immy just happens to be turning eleven soon, but she and her parents aren't all that superstitious and they wave off the concerns of the townspeople. But Immy can't shake the feeling that there really is something wrong with the mulberry tree and that she might end up as the latest victim!

This is a really cute story wrapped up in a mysterious and somewhat spooky shell. The mystery of the mulberry tree looms ominously over real-life issues that Immy, her parents, and the other townsfolk experience. Immy tries to unravel the mystery of the mulberry tree and the missing girls before it's too late while also maneuvering a new school, bitter rivals, and a father with PTSD.

While this seems like a strictly spooky read, it actually includes a lot of contemporary topics and touches on bullying, depression, guilt, and more. There's a good balance of everyday life and the mystery and thrill of the spooky tree. It's a great coming-of-age story with a few useful life-lessons thrown in and it has a happy ending!

I would recommend this to young readers who want a mystery but not too much spook!

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The Blue Giant by Katie Cottle (Children's Picture Book Review)

We received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Blue Giant
Written & illustrated by
Katie Cottle
Published by Pavilion Books
on May 26, 2020
Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 32 pages
Ages: 3 - 6 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N |
BookDepository
  

Synopsis:
A poignant and timely picture book introducing children to the issue of ocean pollution, with ideas to help the world become a better, cleaner place.

Coral and her mom are enjoying a break at the seaside. Until a creature emerges from the waves! It's a giant. A blue giant. It is made of water, fish, and sea plants and has a stirring plea to help clean up the ocean.

This stunning follow-up to Katie Cottle's debut picture book The Green Giant is another entertaining and beautiful eco-tale from the 2017 winner of the Batsford Prize. 

Our Thoughts:

Meera and her mother are enjoying a vacation at the beach where they can sun, swim, and take their little boat out on the water. While there, they are confronted by a big blue giant that asks for help cleaning up the ocean. The Blue Giant shows them the pollution under the waves and how it affects the creatures that live there. Meera and her mother immediately start gathering as much underwater pollution as they can, but there are only so many hours in the day and they are only two people. Luckily, when we come together to heal the world, we are capable of great things.

Katie Cottle has given us another gem!
A lovely follow up to The Green Giant, The Blue Giant is a beautifully illustrated eco-tale that urges us to look below the surface at the reality of pollution in our oceans. It reminds us that we can do more and make a bigger impact when we come together to heal our natural spaces and that each good deed and act of kindness inspires another. 

 This gorgeous picture book has full-page illustrations that are bright, colorful, and teeming with life and life lessons. Budding conservationists will love the important message to save our seas as well as helpful suggestions for ways to reduce our own usage of single-use plastics. 

Be sure to check out The Green Giant as well!

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River by Elisha Cooper (Children's Picture Book Review)

River
Written & Illustrated by Elisha Cooper

Published by Orchard Books

on October 1, 2019  
Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Nature
Length: 42 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Caldecott Honor winner Elisha Cooper invites readers to grab their oars and board a canoe down a river exploration filled with adventure and beauty.
In Cooper's flowing prose and stunning watercolor scenes, readers can follow a traveler's trek down the Hudson River as she and her canoe explore the wildlife, flora and fauna, and urban landscape at the river's edge. Through perilous weather and river rushes, the canoe and her captain survive and maneuver their way down the river back home.

River is an outstanding introduction to seeing the world through the eyes of a young explorer and a great picture book for the STEAM curriculum.

Our Thoughts:

Come journey along on a river adventure!

This gorgeously illustrated and descriptive picture book chronicles one woman's solo canoe trip down the Hudson River, all the way to New York City Harbor.  It is a long trip that will take many days and nights and has many ups and downs. The narrator tells us what the woman has brought with her, what she sees on her journey, and the ins and outs of traveling such a long distance down a river.

This is an informative read with lengthy but beautifully descriptive prose that we found to be quite calming. The illustrations capture the beauty of the mountains, forests, towns, and cities she sees along her journey.

 If you've ever wanted to know what a long canoe trip downriver was like, this is the book to read! It's perfect for outdoorsy types or anyone who prefers an adventure from home, especially during these uncertain times! 

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Water Can Be... by Laura Purdie Salas & Violeta Dabija (Children's Picture Book Review)

Water Can Be...

Written by Laura Purdie Salas

Illustrated by Violeta Dabija

Published by Millbrook Press
on January 1, 2014
Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
Length: 32 pages
Ages: 5 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Water can be a 
Thirst quencher
Kid drencher
Cloud fluffer
Fire snuffer

Find out about the many roles water plays in this poetic exploration of water throughout the year.

Our Thoughts:

Do you know all the forms water can take? A river, an ocean, a sea. Rain, fog, ice. There really are so many different forms of water!

This beautiful nonfiction picture book shows the reader how water is everywhere and how it benefits us, animals, plants, and more! Water keeps us hydrated. It helps keep us clean. It helps plants grow. It even helps create rainbows!

Water Can Be... features lovely, textured illustrations of water in many different forms and pairs them with minimal rhyming text.
This is a wonderful introduction to water for young children!

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The Sunday Post - 2020 Week 29 - Tired

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

and is a chance to share news, both new and old!

Hey there, bloggers!
Here's my week at a glance!

Currently Reading:

Recently Finished:

Recent Reviews:

Yoga Animals by Paige Towler (from NatGeo)
The Tiger Like Me by Kelsey Lee (from Goodreads)
The Secret Life of Trees by Moira Butterfield (from Netgalley)
Bathing in the Forest by Nivola Uya
The Falcon's Feather by Trudi Trueit (from NatGeo)

Off the Blog:

I'm getting this up a bit late today. Oops. I think I'm low on spoons right now. I've been posting reviews here almost daily and it's starting to get harder to keep up with everything else going on right now. I've been super focused on finding a simple curriculum that fits our needs and easing my kiddo into our home education program. We're also staying hyper-vigilant about the virus again because we live with an essential worker.

On that note, as a Floridian, I find it kind of impossible to ignore virus news right now. We surpassed 15,000 new cases in one day last week. Walt Disney World opened. CEOs of retailer stores all over the country, but especially right here in Florida, are begging for masks to be mandated because of the high number of employees being affected in every store and are taking a harder stance on mask-wearing. And they're pretty set on opening schools.

As for happier things, I got a good amount of reading done this week and also started a new creative writing project that I've had great progress with. It's a bit of a thriller, which is not my usual genre but I've had a bit of inspiration with my current reads, I suppose.

My garden is chugging along, though it's too hot to get outside unless it is really early or we're taking a dip in the pool, but we still have plenty of peppers going, and the sweet potatoes and pumpkin are surviving. I think I also have a gourd! I haven't bothered otherwise and am waiting for August to start my Fall seedlings.

Happy reading and have a safe week!

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The Falcon's Feather (Explorer Academy #2) by Trudi Trueitt (MG Adventure Book Review)

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Falcon's Feather
(Explorer Academy #2)
by Trudi Trueitt
Published by Under the Stars
on March 19, 2019
Genre: Middle Grade, Adventure
Length: 208 pages
Ages: 8 - 12 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N |
 BookDepository


Synopsis:
Cruz, Sailor, and Emmett, along with their new ally Bryndis, embark on their first globe-trotting mission aboard the ship Orion. Cruz jumps right back into school and starts using the latest technology in submersible underwater dives, but is soon reminded of the dangers of exploration when his equipment fails and he almost drowns. Determined to keep his eye on the prize, Cruz sneaks away to try to find answers but unknowingly lures his friends into bigger trouble. When a friend of Cruz's mom meets an untimely end, Cruz's luck really seems about to run out and the questions multiply. What does the message mean? Where will it lead? Who is following him? And why?

My Thoughts:

We return to 'Explorer Academy' aboard the Orion, the 'flagship of the Academy's fleet' in this excellent sequel to The Nebula Secret.
Split into teams, Cruz Coronado and his classmates continue their unique education while traveling across the globe. Cruz is determined to continue looking for the secrets his deceased mother has left for him and in the meantime, he and his team, Team Cousteau, stay busy learning, inventing things, cracking codes, and more, for grades! But the secret organization that Cruz is hiding his mother's secrets from will stop at nothing to get what they want. 

This is such an amazing series and I would expect nothing less of a National Geographic imprint! If you've ever enjoyed pouring over National Geographic magazines, educational books, or watched their documentaries, you sure to enjoy this fast-paced and adventurous middle-grade series. 

Explorer Academy accepts only the brightest and best for their unique boarding school. Kids in this school learn all about science, technology, conservation, and more, all while being physically immersed in hands-on activities and adventures that will prepare them for real-world situations. In The Falcon's Feather, Cruz gets some first-hand experience steering submersibles and diving to save the whales! 

These books are filled with fun content, learning opportunities, and lots of illustrations imposed over quality photography. There's also 'Truth Behind the Fiction' section included that explains some of the science, technology, and other advancements mentioned within this sequel!


Be sure to check out all of the books in the Explorer Academy series!

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Bathing in the Forest by Nivola Uya & Marc Ayats (Children's Picture Book Review)

Bathing in the Forest

Written by Nivola Uya
Illustrated by Marc Ayats
Published by Cuento de Luz SL
on March 1, 2020

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Nature
Length: 28 pages
Ages: 4 - 7 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository


Synopsis:
The little girl of the forest embraces you, takes you by the hand, and invites you to immerse yourself in her magical world.

The trees surround you. You walk in peace. The light filters through the leaves, in a myriad green and ochre tones. It feels as if your feet are putting down roots, connecting you with the vibrant world around you. You are surrounded by birdsong, and the sound of the wind in the treetops...

You are bathing in the forest.

Our Thoughts:

In this beautiful and calming picture book, the forest is personified as a little girl who invites troubled souls to bathe in peace and contentment. She invites you to give in to your senses and enjoy the life around you.

If ever you are feeling gray, the forest will help, she says!

This book is full of amazing illustrations that include a wide array of flora and fauna that will make you feel like you are in the most magical of places. More importantly, it urges you to explore, breathe in the beauty, and let go of your worries and problems. It shares the importance of spending time in nature, slowing down, and enjoying the world around you.

It's a very beautiful book with a great message.

This book was printed on 'Stone Paper', which is an environmentally safe paper made of recycled materials that are made without using water, trees, or bleach! I think that makes this book that much more special! The pages don't feel like normal, stiff paper but they have a wonderfully smooth texture and feel to them.

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The Secret Life of Trees by Moira Butterfield (Children's Nonfiction Picture Book Review)

We received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Secret Life of Trees

Written by Moira Butterfield
Illustrated by Vivian Mineker
Published by Words & Pictures
on May 19, 2020
Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
Length: 48 pages
Ages: 7 - 11 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository



Synopsis:
My arms stretch out all day long.
I can be climbed, but I'm not a mountain.
What am I?
I am Oakheart, the oldest tree in the forest!

This collection of delightful stories and engaging facts will impart a love of nature, and inspire you to look after the world around you. Whimsical and detailed illustrations have pride of place in magical tales that mix natural history with a splash of fantasy, creating a book that you will pore over time and again.


My Thoughts:

Narrated by Oakheart, the oldest tree in the forest, this wonderful, whimsical picture book shares fun stories that tell of the life cycle of trees around the world in both a fun and educational way.

Full of stories and information that share how trees are planted, how they grow, how they eat, what animals and insects dwell in them, this fascinating book will keep your little ones busy listening and learning.

The stories are simple yet fascinating, with some leaning towards popular folklore and mythology. There's lots of extra information to go along with the stories. One tells of seeds and mentions that they come in different forms--from nuts, some from cones, and others from fruit--and shares some of those fruits and how you can find and harvest the seeds in the margins.

Oakheart also tells us about different kinds of forests, where they are, and what kind of critters live in them. He tells us all about tree's bark and how different animals and insects can live inside of trees, and so much more! You're sure to learn something new from this fun picture book!

Looking for more books about trees? Try these!

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The Tiger Like Me by Kelsey Lee (Children's Picture Book Review)

We received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Goodreads Giveaways. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Tiger Like Me
Written & Illustrated by

Kelsey Lee
Published by Tellwell Talent
on January 22, 2020

Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 34 pages
Ages: 5 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
The Tiger Like Me is the story of a brave young girl who dares to be different. Following the call of her adventurous spirit, she encounters inspiring creatures of the jungle who remind her to face her fears, recognize the beauty of the present moment, and to walk the path less traveled.

Our Thoughts:

Abhi is the youngest of eight. Her sisters stand proper and tall and play quietly and kindly, but Abhi does her own thing. She is restless and wild and not afraid to get dirty or have fun. And then one day she is dared to wander into the dark, dangerous forest, so she heads out on an adventure...

...and comes face to face with a tiger!

This wonderful rhyming story is about a brave and daring little girl who isn't afraid to do her own thing, go her own way, or stare danger in the face. Luckily, the tiger she comes across is a friendly one that can talk and they quickly become adventure buddies!

This story has a very 'Jungle Book'-like quality to it, with a girl who lives in an Indian village in the jungle and a tiger that looks like a friendly version of Sher Khan! I loved the illustrations and thought the animals were amazing! 

The Tiger Like Me is an adventurous and empowering story that will appeal to free-spirited children who aren't afraid to be exactly who they are! 

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Top Ten Tuesday - Books That Make Me Smile

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish and taken over by That Artsy Girl in 2018.

Books That Make Me Smile

I'm not so sure this topic is going to be easy for me!
Even as a kid I would read books with tough subject matter and while I do enjoy a good fantasy, I've never really stopped reading difficult, dark, or tragic books. I don't really gravitate towards happy endings or light, fluffy reads unless I give in to strange hype or want to try a contemporary before the movie adaptation comes out.
*Shrugs*

But I'll try my best!

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli is one I read because it had an adaptation coming out but it literally had me grinning from ear to ear, which is not something that happens often. I thought it was a super cute read.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is one I read last year and loved. It's such a fun story about a unique girl who changes the lives of an entire town. Definitely worth a smile or two.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is not an entirely happy story but in the end, I couldn't help but feel so happy that Auggie was accepted for who he is and made good friends.

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen is a cute story about a young girl named Juli who is quite enamored with the boy across the street, Bryce, who isn't crazy about Juli until he really gets to know her. It's sort of a love/hate budding romance story with a happy ending.


And that's about it for specific books. 😅

There are books that make me smile when I see them on my shelves. These are usually ones with lovely covers, or from my favorite authors, or perhaps were a gift from someone special.

Sometimes I'm happy to revisit old favorites, even if the content matter doesn't always make me smile.

It also makes me smile to read children's classics to my kiddo or my favorite childhood books.


What about you? What books make you smile?

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