LazyDayLit's December 2021 Reading Wrap Up

Goodbye December 
AND GOODBYE 2021!!! 

This has been... another year. 
I wish I could say it was better but at least I can say it wasn't worse.

I'm going to keep this short because ugggh I just want this year to be over. 
Here's hoping for a better year in 2022! 

Happy reading
&
Happy New Year! 

Book Reviews Shared on Lazy Day Literature in December:

Christmas, Here I Come by DJ Steinberg (pic book)
The Toys' Christmas by Claire Clement (pic book)
Beneath the Trees: Winter Chills by DAV (pic book)
A Christmas Too Big by Colleen Madden (pic book)
Dasher by Matt Tavares (pic book)
The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper (pic book)
The Little Owl and the Big Tree by Jeanette & Jonah Winter (pic book)

Books Read in December:

Chapter Books read to my daughter:

CHALLENGE PROGRESS

ABC CHALLENGE

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

AUG: 0
SEPT: +2 (K, N)
OCT: +1
NOV: 0
DEC: 0


POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE

AUG:
SEPT: +0
OCT: +0
NOV:
DEC:


52 BOOKS CHALLENGE

AUG:
SEPT: +2
OCT: +1
NOV: 
DEC:



NEW TO ME AUTHORS

Ivy Noelle Weir
Julia Quinn
Mark Manson


READ AROUND THE WORLD

__________________________________

What was your favorite read of the month?



You can keep up with what we are reading at @LazyDayLit on Bookstagram! 

Follow

Kaleidoscope by Brian Selznick (Middle Grade Fantasy Book Review)

Kaleidoscope
by Brian Selznick
Published by Scholastic
on September 21, 2021
Genre: Middle Grade, Magical Realism, Fantasy
Length: 208 pages
Ages: 10 - 18 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
A ship. A garden. A library. A key.
In Kaleidoscope, the incomparable Brian Selznick presents the story of two people bound to each other through time and space, memory and dreams. At the center of their relationship is a mystery about the nature of grief and love which will look different to each reader. 


My Thoughts:

This is a beautiful collection of short stories that are all a bit like a kaleidoscope when read together; moving from one idea or thought or dream to another, all told by a narrator and including the narrator's special friend, James. All are dreamlike, fantastical,  and even a little spooky at times, but all are short and spectacular.

Each story has an illustration to match or 'head' it and each story is also separated by the others by a beautiful kaleidoscope image, each as unique and beautiful as the others. 

I've loved everything I've read by Selznick to date so I was extra excited to read this! It is a little different than what I'm used to from him, aside from the illustrations, but it's such a beautiful collection with a lot of magical realism and intrigue.

The author wrote this while isolated and separated by their partner during the Covid19 pandemic and while each story is beautiful in its own way, there is definitely a pang of sadness and longing in these stories. 

Follow

The Little Owl and the Big Tree: A Christmas Story by Jeanette & Jonah Winter (Children's Picture Book Review)

The Little Owl and the Big Tree
by Jonah Winter
Published by Beach Lane Books
on October 9, 2021
Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Holiday
Length: 32 pages
Ages: 3 months to 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
One Christmas, a tiny owl stuck in the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stole the hearts of the nation. Discover the true story in this heartwarming picture book from celebrated mother-son team Jonah and Jeannette Winter.

There once was an owl who lived in a tree. Until one day her home was uprooted and she was taken far away from what she knew. Follow Rockefeller ("Rocky") the owl as she journeys to the bustling center of New York City and she's discovered among the branches of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. With human kindness and a dash of holiday spirit, can this brave little owl find a new home?


My Thoughts:

 This is the true story of an adorable little Northern Saw-whet Owl that found it's home uprooted and shipped off to New York City where it would become the famous annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree! Dubbed Rockefeller, or "Rocky", the cute little adult owl was luckily discovered and removed to a wildlife center where she was nursed back to health and released back into the wild.  And now we have a wonderful Christmas story all about it! 

With bold and colorful illustrations, this picture book makes a great addition to any book advent or holiday story time. 
The simple text makes this a perfect 'easy read' for little readers or just a quick story to listen to during the most festive time of the year! 

Follow

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper & Carson Ellis (Children's Picture Book Review)

The Shortest Day
Written by Susan Cooper
 Illustrations by Carson Ellis
Published by Candlewick Press
on October 22, 2019
Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Seasons
Length: 32 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
In this seasonal treasure, Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper's beloved poem heralds the winter solstice, illuminated by Caldecott Honoree Carson Ellis's strikingly resonant illustrations. 

So the shortest day came, 
and the year died...

As the sun sets on the shortest day of the year, early people would gather to prepare for the long night ahead. They built fires and lit candles. They played music, bringing their own light to the darkness while wondering if the sun would ever rise again. 
Written for a theatrical production that has become a ritual in itself, Susan Cooper's poem "The Shortest Day" captures the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before -- and the hope for peace that we carry into the future. 


Our Thoughts:

Welcome, Yule! 

  Celebrate the winter solstice and the Yuletide season with this fantastic picture book version of Susan Cooper's poem, "The Shortest Day." 

Paying homage to our ancestors and other people of the past, The Shortest Day shares the traditions of celebrating the sun that have endured through the ages, such as lighting candles in the trees and decorating with evergreens or keeping a roaring fire throughout the night and greeting the rising sun.

What better way to celebrate the first day of winter and the rebirth of life than to welcome the sun?! I love the simplicity of celebrating and welcoming the seasons with traditions of old and also love that so many of them overlap other religions/spiritualities so that no matter what you celebrate, there's something festive to look forward to for us all. 

I'll admit that I've yet to see a theatrical production of "The Shortest Day" but it sounds absolutely delightful! 


Do you celebrate the first day of winter?

Follow

Dasher by Matt Tavares (Children's Holiday Picture Book Review)

 

Dasher
by Matt Tavares
Published by Candlewick Press
on September 10, 2019
Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Holidays
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
From the celebrated creator of Red and Lulu comes the story of a brave little doe who meets Santa and changes Christmas forever. 

Dasher is an adventurous young reindeer with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a traveling circus, but she longs for a different life--one where there is snow beneath her hooves and the North Star above her head. One day, when the opportunity arises, Dasher seizes her destiny and takes off in pursuit of the life she wants to live. It's not long before she meets a nice man in a red suit with a horse-drawn sleigh--a man named Santa. And soon, with the help of a powerful Christmas wish, nothing will be the same. 


Our Thoughts:

Dasher is a beautifully illustrated tale of one of Santa's reindeer and how she went from pulling wagons in a traveling circus to pulling Santa's sleigh!

Dasher was born into a traveling circus and menagerie with her reindeer family and was told stories of the North Star and the cool, snowy winter as she grew so when faced with a chance to escape, Dasher seizes it and heads north where she meets a man in a red suit and an old horse named Silverbell that is trying to deliver toys to children but is stuck in the snow. Can Dasher help the joyful man? And will her Christmas wish come true?

This potential classic is perfect for the Christmas holiday season and shows us a new side to one of our most beloved but often overlooked characters. 

The illustrations and framed text have a very classic style that reminds me of greats like The Night Before Christmas and The Polar Express and will make this a family favorite for years to come! 

Follow

A Christmas Too Big by Colleen Madden (Children's Picture Book Review)

A Christmas Too Big
by Colleen Madden
Published by Two Lions
on November 2, 2021
Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Holidays
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
A little too much Christmas cheer...

Kerry's family goes completely beserk with Christmas every year. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, her home becomes a whirlwind of lights, music, and elves, elves, elves!

Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming.

But will anyone in her crazy Christmas house understand? Join Kerry as she finds her voice in this delightful holiday tale. 


My Thoughts:

Kerry's family goes all out for Christmas every single year, starting the day after Thanksgiving. Her dad becomes a lights master, her mom becomes an all-time Christmas caroler, and her siblings join in as well, but Kerry thinks it's just too much so she heads outside for a walk where she runs into the only neighbor that doesn't seem to be having a Christmas too big.
Her neighbor, Mrs. Flores, is missing her family but shares her own traditions with Kerry and receives a truly special surprise in return. 

This holiday tale will absolutely warm your heart!

This beautifully illustrated picture book is packed full of Kerry's family's Christmas traditions, beginning with plenty of festive activities and excessive decorating that will keep you busy looking at ALL THE THINGS. There's even a page where you can find all Kerry's brother's elves!
 But as Kerry decides to step away from all the bustle, she learns how to have a different kind of Christmas with different traditions and share that joy with her own family. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is a BILINGUAL book! Mrs. Flores speaks Spanish but Kerry translates for us throughout the second half of the book. There's a page near the end that includes lots of Spanish word labels and the end pages share tons more Christmas items in English at the front and then again in Spanish at the back!  

This was such a sweet read with lots of fun and festive art to look at, a heartwarming story that is perfect for any time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and plenty of Christmas-themed Spanish words to learn!

Follow

Beneath the Trees: Winter Chills by DAV (Children's Picture Book Review)

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

Beneath the Trees: Winter Chills
by DAV
Published by Magnetic Press
on December 14, 2021
Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 32 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Winter is here, and snow covers the woods like a cold blanket. Mr. Fox has his enormous scarf to keep him warm, but it is almost TOO big--he can't help but trip over it and get caught on tree branches all the time. But as embarrassing as that is, it is even more humiliating when trying to catch the eye of a beautiful lady!


Our Thoughts:

Mr. Fox is out on a cold, winter's day but his oversized scarf makes it difficult to avoid branches and slippery slopes. It really doesn't help that a pretty fox is out and about as well and sees him falling on his face. Utterly embarrassed, Mr. Fox trudges off on his way home alone but quickly finds himself in trouble. Will he find the help he needs? 

This is such a cute story about a shy and unfortunate fox that finds a friend after all.

The Disney-inspired illustration style is lovely, with super cute animal characters, and is presented as wordless sequential art. Mr. Fox's misfortune is quite comical and had my six-year-old in hysterics.
There's also a cute little 'romance' added to the thick of the story that balances the comedy quite well. 

I loved that Mister Grumpf, whom we were introduced to in the first book in this seasonal series, The Autumn of Mister Grumpf, had a small cameo in this sequel. I was expecting the story to be about him again and was surprised by the new characters but loved that there is a sense of community within this series so far! 
We are looking forward to seeing what comes in Spring! 

Follow

The Toys' Christmas by Claire Clement (Children's Picture Book Review)

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

The Toys' Christmas
Words by Claire Clement
Illustrated by Genevieve Godbout
Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books
on November 9, 2021
Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 32 pages 
Ages: 3 - 7 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
This cozy, cuddly Christmas story tells how Santa makes sure he leaves the perfect gift for each child--with a little help from their favorite toys! 


My Thoughts:

It's Christmas Eve and Little Noah can't find his favorite toy, an elephant named Fanfan. Why? Because Fanfan is off on a very important errand to deliver Noah's Christmas wish! 

Every year, beloved stuffed animals and other toys take a long journey to the North Pole to deliver their owner's Christmas wishes to Santa Claus. Who else would know a child's most secret wishes? 

This is a magical and heartwarming holiday story that little ones will absolutely adore! With soft, calming illustrations and colors, this picture book is a perfect bedtime story for the holiday season.

Follow

Christmas, Here I Come by DJ Steinberg & Laurie Stansfield (Children's Picture Book Review)

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

Christmas, Here I Come!
by D.J. Steinberg
Illustrated by Laurie Stansfield
Published by Grosset & Dunlap
on October 12, 2021
Genre: Children's, Picture Book, Holidays
Length: 32 pages
Ages: 4 - 6 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Celebrate Christmas with a collection of funny and festive poems from the author of the hugely popular Kindergarten, Here I Come!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and everyone is getting into the Christmas spirit! From writing letters to Santa to picking the perfect tree, these heartwarming poems--plus a page of stickers!--from author D.J. Steinberg are sure to delight even the most sullen Scrooge.


Our Thoughts:

Christmas, Here I Come is the perfect book to fill your Little One's days leading up to the most wonderful time of the year!

This festive little book is full of fun poems about Christmas traditions such as choosing the perfect tree, decorating gingerbread houses, writing letters to Santa, and more! There are fun lists with great ideas of things to make or do this time of year and there's even a wonderful poem about what children around the world call Santa Clause!

The illustrations are wonderfully festive but also have a very cozy feel that makes this Winter-based book perfect for cold days stuck inside. 
To top it all off, there's a sheet of cute stickers in the same illustration style at the end of the book that makes this poetic picture book a great gift!



Many, many thanks to Grosset & Dunlap for the review copy of this book! My 6yo loved it and the stickers! 

Follow

LazyDayLit's December 2021 TBR & Reading Goals

Happy December, readers! 


I'm hoping everyone has a lovely, cozy month! 
Happy reading!

Here's some of what I have to choose from this month!


For Review:

Many thanks to Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, Back Bay Books, and Gallery Books for the chance to read these! 

Started but need to finish:

Current Library Loans:

From My Shelves:

I'm hoping to read these with my daughter this year and am really looking forward to it! 

Anything new on your TBR pile this month?

You can keep up with what I am reading over on Bookstagram @LazyDayLit! 

Follow

LazyDayLit's November 2021 Reading Wrap Up

Goodbye November! 

My goal this month was to read more of the books I started but didn't get a chance to finish throughout the year, as well as to try to knock a few more ARCs off my TBR, but I eventually leaned more towards reading nonfiction. 

I feel like this month went way too quickly! 
We worked on homemade Christmas gifts, deep cleaned, and did lots of baking thanks to my cooking-obsessed Little One
but I also had some really tough days (at the end of a really tough year) and it has been so difficult to catch up here and even just on Instagram. I'm really feeling the time crunch and pressure lately but I'm not letting the lack of time dissuade me from continuing.
This is what I enjoy and I will probably keep it up forever! 

Happy reading! 

Book Reviews Shared on Lazy Day Literature in November:

The Bad Mood by Moritz Petz  (KidLit)
Journey to the Last River by Teddy Keen (KidLit)
In The Night Wood by Dale Bailey  (Adult)
How to Catch A Turkey by Adam Wallace  (KidLit)
Thankful by Elaine Vickers   (KidLit)
1984: The Graphic Novel by Fido Nesti  (Adult)

Books Read in November:

Started but haven't finished:

Chapter Books read to my daughter:

CHALLENGE PROGRESS

ABC CHALLENGE

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

AUG: 0
SEPT: +2 (K, N)
OCT: +1
NOV: 0


POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE

AUG:
SEPT: +0
OCT: +0
NOV:


52 BOOKS CHALLENGE

AUG:
SEPT: +2
OCT: +1
NOV: 




NEW TO ME AUTHORS

Grady Hendrix
Jay Anson
Fido Nesti
Karen Kilgariff
Georgia Hardstock
Cassandra Peterson
Mark Manson


READ AROUND THE WORLD

[The Amityville Horror]
NH

[The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires]


[In the Night Wood] 
Yorkshire, England

[Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered]
Los Angeles


[Yours Cruelly, Elvira]

__________________________________

What was your favorite read of the month?



You can keep up with what we are reading at @LazyDayLit on Bookstagram! 

Follow

George Orwell's 1984: The Graphic Novel by Fido Nesti (Adult Graphic Novel Review)

1984
The Graphic Novel
Adapted by Fido Nesti
Published by Mariner Books
on September 14, 2021
Genre: Adult, Dystopian, Graphic Novel
Length: 224 pages

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
One of the most influential books of the twentieth century gets the graphic treatment in this first-ever adaptation of George Orwell's 1984. 

With evocative, immersive art from Fido Nesti, this vision of George Orwell's dystopian masterpiece provides a new perspective for longtime fans but is also an accessible entry point for young readers and adults who have yet to discover this iconic story that is still so relevant today. 


My Thoughts:

Winston Smith finds a way to live a hidden life in the totalitarian state of Oceania, always fearing that Big Brother and the Thought Police will find him out at any moment. 

1984 is one of those classics that is touted as a must-read for its important message. I read it a few years ago and thought it was a slog to get through despite its importance. I was happy to finally finish it and put it out of my mind after that.

Fast forward to me attempting to read as many graphic novels as possible and of course, I grab this one in hopes that it would be quick and painless. 
This book is big and thick. It's actually quite massive for a graphic novel and I feel like it follows the original so well that it's nearly a slog to get through on its own. Thank goodness for pictures, right? It only took me a few days instead of a month this time around, at least. 

I might not have the loveliest things to say about it but I definitely recommend this graphic novel adaptation if you enjoyed 1984 or would like to read it without torturing yourself with the dry prose of the original. 

Follow

Thankful by Elaine Vickers & Samantha Cotterill (Children's Picture Book Review)

Thankful
Words by Elaine Vickers
Pictures by Samantha Cotterill
Published by Simon Schuster / Paula Wiseman Books
on September 7, 2021
Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 48 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Stunning, diorama illustrations bring to life this lullaby of a picture book about celebrating everyday things that make life wonderful. 

I am thankful for a home where I am safe and warm.
Thankful for parents who read me stories and comb my hair gently, gently.
Who whisper the same poem every night when they tuck me in. 

When the first snow falls, a little girl writes down the things she's thankful for on strips of paper and links them together. As one idea leads to another, her chain grows longer. This beautiful story is a much-needed reminder to observe and honor life's small joys.


Our Thoughts:

This beautiful story features a very grateful young girl who begins a paper chain when the first snow of the year falls, writing all the things she is thankful for on the scraps of paper, and continuing it into December until it is long enough to decorate with! 

The artwork in this picture book is truly unique, with both 2-D & 3-D layers of paper-cut illustrations set up in neat diorama settings that made it tons of fun to read and look at. The colors, details, and depth really brought a warm coziness to the scenes.

Perfect for the Autumn/Winter season, this heartwarming picture book is a fantastic bedtime story or the perfect book to read while snuggling on the couch. 
The simple craft incorporated into the story inspires readers to create thankful paper chains of their own, which we did, of course!
You can see ours on our instagram post linked here and/or shown below! 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lazy Day Literature (@lazydaykidlit)

Follow

How To Catch A Turkey by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton (Children's Holiday Picture Book Review)

How to Catch A Turkey
Words by Adam Wallace
Illustrations by Andy Elkerton
Published by Sourcebooks Wonderland
on September 4, 2018
Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Holidays
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:

Thanksgiving time is here again,
but there's a turkey on the run!
Can you catch this tricky bird
before the school play has begun? 

A turkey is running loose in a school right before the Thanksgiving play. Can YOU help catch it? Follow along as students turn their school upside down trying to catch the turkey, ending with a twist that ensures that no turkeys are harmed (or eaten!)


My Thoughts:

The school's Thanksgiving Day play can't go on if the prized turkey has a case of stage fright! He's the star of the show, after all, and he has other plans; to escape any and every trap thrown his way, and as usual in the How To Catch series, there are LOTS! 

Join the usual cast of kids as they search for and attempt to catch their school mascot! 

Rhyming text and raucous illustrations will have your readers laughing out loud as this turkey evades traps and inventions and even mashed potatoes as it attempts to flee from the stressful role of 'star of the play!'

The How To Catch series is a lot of fun and tends to go after any mythical and/or holiday-based creature, and includes lots of neat, inventive traps and cages in their attempts.

More from this series:

How to Catch A Dinosaur

How to Catch A Dragon

How to Catch A Unicorn

Follow

In the Night Wood by Dale Bailey (Adult Magical Realism Book Review)

In the Night Wood
by Dale Bailey
Published by Mariner Books
on October 2018
Genre: Adult, Magical Realism
Length: 214 pages

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Literary Awards:
Shirley Jackson Award Nominee for Novel (2018)
Locus Award Nominee for Horror Novel (2019)
World Fantasy Award Nominee for Best Novel (2019)

Synopsis:
In this contemporary fantasy, the grieving biographer of a Victorian fantasist finds himself slipping inexorably into the supernatural world that consumes his subject.

Failed father, failed husband, and failed scholar, Charmes Hayden hopes to put his life back together with a biography of Caedmon Hollow, the long-dead author of a legendary Victorian children's book, In the Night Wood. But soon after settling into Hollow's remote Yorkshire home, Charles learns that the past isn't dead. 


My Thoughts:

Content warnings:
loss of a child, infedelity, pharmaceuticals

Charles Hayden has made mistakes. Big ones. Grieving and trying to move on from the loss of his daughter, Charles and his wife move to England to the home of Caedmon Hollow, an ancestral author who wrote In the Night Wood; a dark fairytale that parents in the town use as a cautionary tale to keep kids out of the local wood. But a local girl has gone missing and Charles is convinced it's connected to Hollow and his dark fairytale.

As Charles delves deeper into the life of Caedmon Hollow, he begins to unwrap an uncovered mystery that seems to parallel history itself. 


This took me a while to get into but the ending made it worthwhile.
 It starts out rather depressing with a heavy focus on the MC's affair, fragile marriage, and the grieving process after losing their six-year-old child. It eventually morphs into a dark fairytale-esque thriller that includes missing locals, an old mystery, and a terrifying 'Horned King' of the wood. 

This novel has hints of fantasy and horror and may appeal to adult readers of both genres.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lazy Day Lit | Bookstagram (@lazydaylit)

Follow

Journey to the Last River by Teddy Keen (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

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

Journey to the Last River
by Teddy Keen
Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books
on November 9, 2021
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction
Length: 128 pages
Ages: 7 - 12 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Are you ready to take part in an adventure? To face danger at every turn? To venture into unknown lands? If you are, then Journey to the Last River may be the perfect adventure book for you. 

Join the Unknown Adventurer on this thrilling adventure into the Amazon, which begins with a map discovered in the Royal Geographical Society showing a river that has been mysteriously rubbed out. It leads to the Unknown Adventurer and his companion Bibi into a search for this 'last river' that will change their understanding of nature forever. 

This is the first title in a new series of spin-off adventures from The Lost Book of Adventure. 

My Thoughts:

Journey to the Last River is a fantastic adventure story that will inspire you to journal your own adventures while giving a first-hand account of the author/illustrator's journey into the Amazon after discovering a purposely smudged map at the Royal Geographical Society that showed an otherwise uncharted river.  

The "Unknown Adventurer" teams up with a friend, Bibi, and sets off to the Brazilian savanna, where they enter the jungle on a journey to find the lost river and encounter all that the rich habitat and ecosystems have to provide. 

This reads like an actual travel journal and I honestly wish more books were like this!

The author/artist included colorful illustrations and doodles around and along with the handwritten tale of their adventure, as well as actual taped-in samples of leaves, snake skins, fish scales, and even actual panned flakes of gold!
 I loved seeing what they saw and learning little things about plants and creatures and more that were added in the text or as footnotes alongside their illustrations. 

This was just absolutely fascinating and had me pouring over it and its beautiful illustrations as often as possible! I definitely recommend it if you enjoy first-hand accounts or nature or adventures or all of the above! 

Many thanks to the publisher for the chance to read this amazing book! 

Follow

The Bad Mood by Moritz Petz & Amelie Jackowski (Children's Picture Book Review)

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

 

The Bad Mood
Written by Moritz Petz
Illustrated by Amelie Jackowski
Published by NorthSouth Books
on November 5, 2021
(first published 2004)
Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 24 pages
Ages: 0 - 3 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Sometimes a bad mood can be contagious!

Badger got up one morning feeling very grumpy. "Humph!" Badger said to himself. What was the point of being in a bad mood if nobody noticed? he thought. So Badger headed out, slamming the door behind him. Badger spreads his bad mood far and wide, greeting all his friends with angry, rude remarks that put them in bad moods, too. 

A comical, cautionary tale for anyone who has ever gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. 


My Thoughts:

Badger wakes up in a bad mood and decides that he just can't keep it to himself. The world needs to know how miserable he is, so he makes sure to grump at Raccoon, and Deer, and Fox, and Mouse, and all of his other friends, too! 
Later, when his bad mood has slipped away, he attempts to find his friends to play but they are all in bad moods! 
Will Badger see how his bad mood spread to his friends? And can he make amends?

This is a super cute picture book about a big emotion that is easily passed on to others, and the consequences of that.  When Badger spreads his bad mood, it affects his friendships and leaves him with no one to play with and he finally realizes the chain reaction he has created. 

The Bad Mood is the perfect cautionary tale for anyone who has ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed, or might! 

Follow