Bea Reviews I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont and Illustrated by David Catrow

Publisher: Harcourt
Source: Purchased
Release Date: April 1st, 2005
Buying Links: Amazon* | Abe Books | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

A dab of blue here, a splash of red there, a goopy smear of green . . . everywhere. To the tune of "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More," one creative kid floods his world with color, painting first the walls, then the ceiling, then HIMSELF! Before this feisty artist is through, he'll have painted his head, back, hands, legs, feet, and . . . Oh no--here comes Mama!

Karen Beaumont's zippy text and David Catrow's zany illustrations turn an infamous childhood activity into raucous storytime fun, giving a silly twist to the fine art of self-expression.

Bea Reviews The Gryphon's Lair by Kelley Armstrong

Series: Royal Guide to Monster Slaying #2
Read As A Stand Alone: Yes, but not recommended
Publisher: Puffin Canada
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: June 2nd, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

The exciting follow-up book in the fantastical duology for ages 10-14 by NYT bestselling author, Kelley Armstrong.

Rowan is now the Royal Monster Hunter, and her twin brother, Rhydd, is destined to be king. But her mother's cousin Heward is still determined that his children be the ones to inherit the titles, and will stop at nothing to show that Rowan and Rhydd are too immature to properly lead. After the gryphon that Rowan captured in Book One gives birth but then dies, Rowan is left with a baby gryphon she knows she cannot keep. And it grows faster than anyone can imagine . . .

In order to save face after an accident involving the troublesome gryphon, Rowan, with the help of her friends Dain and Alianor, along with an entourage of monstrous companions, must make a journey to the mountains to release the gryphon back into the wild. What starts off as a simple enough task soon becomes a dangerous quest, as the group encounters numerous rare and deadly monsters along the way, including wyverns and ceffyl-dwrs. Nothing is easy when you're a "monster magnet" like Rowan.

Can she prove herself worthy of the title of Royal Monster Hunter? Find out in this exciting second book in the Royal Guide to Monster Slaying duology!

Books From The Backlog - Brave New Girls: Tales of Girls and Gadgets

This is a fun meme for sharing your TBR pile! There used to be another meme about neglected TBR books, known as Dusty Reads. That meme died and then this one popped up. I'm delighted to participate and I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books. Join the fun and share a neglected book from your shelf.

The neglected book ~

Bea Reviews Babbit & Joan, A Rabbit and A Phone by Denise Turu

Publisher: Flyaway Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: April 14th, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo |* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Sometimes friends are best off with a little time apart. That’s true for Babbit, a rabbit, and Joan, his phone. Yet Babbit has never left Joan at home before. Does he dare go out on a solo excursion? How will he know what to do? What if he gets lost?

Bea Reviews The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita & Prescott Seraydarian and Illustrated by Steve Hamaken

Series: The Pathfinders Society #1
Read As A Stand Alone: Yes
Publisher: Viking
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Format Read: Print ARC
Release Date: April 21st, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Summer camp just became a whole lot more interesting when five curious kids accept a mysterious project: work together as a team to uncover a series of strange clues, reveal a secret path—and follow its twists and turns to a legendary treasure!

Join in the fun in this lively, clever debut graphic novel sure to appeal to fans of the Last Kids on Earth and Lumberjanes series.

Kyle is a new kid in town who likes to draw. Vic is a cool cheerleader who’s secretly a math whiz. Quiet Beth is a history buff, while goofball Harry likes performing magic tricks, with the help of his patient wingman, Nate. Five kids unlikely to form a team, for sure.

But then they’re thrown together at summer camp, where they watch a grainy old movie about the history of their town, Windrose, and one of its illustrious citizens of a bygone era: the intrepid explorer-inventor Henry Merriweather. He’s the one who established their camp. Merriweather’s Camp Pathfinders’ motto? Plus Ultra: more beyond!

The five kids soon find there is indeed “more beyond” in their pokey town with its weird weather and sudden geysers of smelly air. Deciphering a route of historical markers leads them to Merriweather’s old castle, which is lined with ornate, beautiful tiles in hallways that lead to secret rooms full of odd objects—and where time itself is warped!

Kyle, Vic, Beth, Harry, and Nate witness scenes from Merriweather’s past and realize his experiments and eccentricities are pointing toward a path—that could lead to the rumored lost treasure of Windrose.

This is the path our heroes are meant to follow, on a journey that will take them back and forth through time, through woods, and across waterways revealed by moonlight, right up to the looming Moon Tower itself—which holds Merriweather’s secret . . . and the treasure!

Bea Reviews To the Moon and Back for You by Emilia Bechrakis Serhant & Illustrated by E.G. Keller

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: March 24th, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

For any parent who has struggled on their journey to have a baby, Million Dollar Listing star Emilia Bechrakis Serhant's debut picture book poignantly explores her own difficulty conceiving and her life-changing experiences with IVF.

I swam through the deepest ocean.
I climbed the tallest mountain.
Finding you was a journey.
And meeting you was my greatest joy.

In this picture book, illustrated by the #1 New York Times bestselling artist of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, families of different shapes, colors, and sizes must cross deserts, navigate rough seasons, and climb mountains--all to find their miracle babies. Emilia's story reminds us that, despite the challenges and complications often thrown our way, hope will always prevail. To the Moon and Back for You combines a timeless feel with a timely subject, and is poised to become a modern classic for years to come.

Children's Book Week 2020

Tomorrow is the beginning of Children's Book Week, the 101st year it has been celebrated. This year there will be two weeks of  celebration, one during May and another in November.

Children's Book Week is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading. It's also the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, events are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores, homes — wherever young readers and books connect! This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, events and celebrations have been retooled to happen at home or online. Click here for more information and for resources for use at home. 

For my part, I'm doing reviews of books for children toddler to teens and my usual weekly memes are featuring children's books. Stop back every day to check out that day's featured book. 

Go read a book with the young one in your life! Or, you be the young one and read a children's book. They're not just for children!

Review & Giveaway: Daddy Honk Honk! by Rosalinde Bonnet

Publisher: Dial Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 9th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

An arctic fox adopts a baby goose in this heartwarming read-aloud that's perfect for Father's Day
When Aput the fox finds an abandoned goose egg, he has no idea what's in store for him. He doesn't know anything about babies and he certainly doesn't know what to do when the gosling hatches and mistakes him for its daddy. So he decides to find the gosling a home. But with each page turn, Aput learns more about caring for a baby and, with a little help from his friends, he discovers what a baby needs most is love.

Bea Reviews Little Tails in the Savannah by Frederic Brremaud & Illustrated by Federico Bertolucci

Series: Little Tails Wildlife Adventures #3
Publisher: Magnetic Press 
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 23rd, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Chipper and Squizzo are a precocious puppy and squirrel who love to explore new and exciting environments, flying their cardboard box airplane to wondrous worlds full of fascinating animals and creatures. In each volume of this fun, educational series, they tour a different location, encountering the real-world animals found there in beautiful illustration and fun cartoon strip antics.

This third volume sees our adorable nature guides exploring the wild African Savannah!

Bea Reviews Baby-Boo, I Love You by Sheryl Haft & Illustrated by Jane Massey

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 2nd, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Little ones love playing with their dolls! Celebrate that love with Baby-Boo, I Love You, and follow one imaginative little girl who adores playing mommy. And as she bathes, feeds, and frolics with her doll, she emulates a nurturing parent-child relationship, showing the universal joys of being cared for and cherished.

Sheryl Haft's delightful text and Jane Massey's endearing illustrations make this a wonderful read-aloud for every child with a favorite doll or stuffed toy, and a reminder of their own parents' never-ending love.

Bea Reviews Argyle Fox by Marie Letourneau

Publisher: Tanglewood
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: March 14th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Tanglewood | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Argyle Fox, with his signature style, wants to play outside on a springtime day, but the wind is wreaking havoc with his fun and games. As soon as he builds a card tower, climbs into a giant spider web, or takes up his pirate sword, here comes the wind: Woosh!

Mama Fox tells grumpy Argyle that if he thinks long enough, he will come up with something to do. Following his mother’s suggestion and inspired by her knitting, he works all the pieces of his day together and creates the perfect solution.

The story of Argyle teaches that failure is often a path to success and celebrates perseverance, creative thinking, and an old-fashioned springtime activity.

Jax & Lil Miss Review Lemons by Melissa Savage

Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date:5/2/2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes &; Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Lemonade Liberty Witt’s mama always told her: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But Lem can’t possibly make lemonade out of her new life in Willow Creek, California—the Bigfoot Capital of the World—where she’s forced to live with a grandfather she’s never met after her mother passes away.


Then she meets eleven-year-old Tobin Sky, the CEO of Bigfoot Detectives Inc., who is the sole Bigfoot investigator for their small town. After he invites Lem to be his assistant for the summer, they set out on an epic adventure to capture a shot of the elusive beast on film. But along the way, Lem and Tobin end up discovering more than they ever could have imagined. And Lem realizes that maybe she can make lemonade out of her new life after all.

Bea Reviews The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires

Publisher: Kids Can Press
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 2nd, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository*  | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Lou and her friends are BRAVE adventurers. They run FASTER than airplanes. They build MIGHTY fortresses. They rescue WILD animals. But one day, when they re looking for a ship to play pirates in, Lou s friend has an idea: Up there! The tree can be our ship! Ummm ... says Lou. This is something new. Lou has never climbed a tree before, and she s sure she can t do it. So she tries to convince her friends to play a not-up-a-tree game. When that doesn t work, she comes up with reasons for not joining them her arm is sore, her cat needs a walk, you shouldn't climb so soon after eating. Finally, she tells herself she doesn't want to climb the tree. But is that true, or is this brave adventurer just too afraid to try?

This delightful picture book from Ashley Spires, bestselling author of The Most Magnificent Thing, perfectly depicts what children go through when confronted with something difficult. With humor and endearing artwork, Spires sensitively portrays Lou procrastinating, making excuses, imagining alternatives and denying she cares. Ultimately, Lou faces her fear, and although she fails, the effort empowers her, encouraging a growth mindset. All the while, Lou's friends model compassionate friendship by offering to teach her how to climb and then moving the game. This book makes a perfect choice for a character education discussion about courage or resilience, or a life-skills lesson on facing challenges. The story also promotes the joy of imaginative play in the outdoors. 

Bea Reviews Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony

Publisher: Cartwheel Books
Source: Classroom collection 
Release Date: December 27th, 2016
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

What is the proper way to ask Mr. Panda for doughnuts?

Patiently and politely, Mr. Panda asks the animals he comes across if they would like a doughnut. A penguin, a skunk, and a whale all say yes, but they do not remember to say "please" and "thank you." Is anyone worthy of Mr. Panda's doughnuts?

Steve Antony has captured a cute panda, delightful animals hungry for doughnuts, and a manners lesson. With adorable black-and-white animals and brightly colored doughnuts, Antony's art is bold, striking, and engaging -- and now available in a hands-on board book version that's just-right for curious little ones.

Bea Reviews The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka & Illustrated by Lane Smith

Publisher: Scholastic 
Source: Owned by the reviewer
Release Date: 1991 
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

You thought you knew the story of the “The Three Little Pigs”… You thought wrong.

In this hysterical and clever fracture fairy tale picture book that twists point of view and perspective, young readers will finally hear the other side of the story of “The Three Little Pigs.”

“In this humorous story, Alexander T. Wolf tells his own outlandish version of what really happens during his encounter with the three pigs…. Smith's simplistic and wacky illustrations add to the effectiveness of this fractured fairy tale.”
—Children’s Literature

“Older kids (and adults) will find very funny.”
—School Library Journal

Bea Reviews Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover by Audrey Penn & Illustrated by Barbara Leonard Gibson

Series: The Kissing Hand Series
Publisher: Tanglewood
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 16th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Tanglewood | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

“Are we almost there?” Chester Raccoon asked his mother. Chester is excited about going to his very first sleepover. After his mother drops him off at Pepper Opossum’s house with a Kissing Hand in his palm, Chester and his animal friends have a long day of playing games and eating snacks. But when the animals decide to bed down, Chester can’t go to sleep. While his Kissing ...more

Bea Reviews The Wolf and His Shadow by Thierry Robberecht & Illustrated by Stéphanie Frippiat

Publisher: Clavis
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: October 11th, 2016
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Wolf is afraid, especially of his own shadow.

It’s big and black, and it has really big teeth.

Wolf is embarrassed.

The other wolves will surely make fun of him!
But one day, by a stroke of luck, Wolf discovers that his shadow can be very useful too….

A moving story about a wolf who overcomes his fears.

For brave (and not so brave) children ages 4 and up.

Bea Reviews Bristly Hair and I Don't Care! by Nadia Budde

Publisher: NorthSouth 
Format Read: eGalley
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 1, 2015
Challenges:  What An Animal | May 2015 Clean Sweep ARC Challenge | NetGalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble | 
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from publisher:

A funny book about liking the way you look! Everyone occasionally dreams of being a little prettier, taller, slimmer . . . And Nadia Budde’s quirky characters are no different. Some wish they had more hair, some wish they had less. The only one who doesn’t care about his appearance is Uncle Ike—he doesn’t care what his looks are like. Nadia’s catchy rhymes and funny characters will appeal to readers of all ages and (hopefully) help us see that we’re all perfect just the way we are!

Dual Review & Giveaway of Daredevil Duck by Charlie Alder

Publisher: Running Press Kids 
Format Read: Hardcover
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: May 12,2015
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | OmniLit* | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Meet Daredevil Duck
He is afraid of everything. But that doesn't stop him from DREAMING of being brave. Then one day he is given the biggest challenge of all . . . Can Daredevil Duck prove that he is the bravest duck in the whole wide world?

Jax Reviews Taken With A Grain of Salt by Aaron Galvin

Publisher:  Aaron Galvin
Series: Salt Series, book 2
Format Read: ebook
Source: From author in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: November 24, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Get a signed copy from the author's site
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Anyone can be taken - a simple truth for Salt folk, a stark reality for innocent teens Garrett Weaver and Kellen Winstel. Kidnapped by Selkie slave catchers and dragged into the realm beneath the waves, both teens must adapt to their new surroundings if they hope to see the shore again. Yet even if they escape their captors, both will need to embrace their fears. For darker things than Selkies lurk in the Salted depths and not all of them have pure intentions for the innocent ones brought down into their watery world.