Waggers by Stacy Nyikos

Some dogs have the most excitable tail. Meet Waggers, who tries to be good all the time, but his tail just can’t do it! It wags and wags and wags and does a lot of harm. Waggers is an adorable, newly adopted puppy that has been taken home by a special family who discover he has a tail that causes a lot of trouble. What is the family to do when chaos ensues just from a little tail? And how can they make it stop wagging, or can they? But then something special happens and Wagger’s tail does something good, which brings about a great theme in the story, that everyone is good at something.

Stacy Nyikos has written several adorable books for kids. She writes her stories so her young readers can easily relate to her characters. Illustrations by Tamara Anegon captures Waggers with her bright, whimsical illustrations that make readers want to read the story again and again.

This is a highly recommended book for animal lovers and those who love to giggle! A great read-aloud or read-alone. Recommended for ages 4-8. I give Waggers 5 Stars!

Meet Toby!

Toby by Stacy Nyikos and Illustrated by Shawn Sisneros

Meet Toby, a baby sea turtle that has just hatched from his little egg. He is ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime into the vast ocean. How will Toby learn the difference between his predators and his friends? Written in rhyming verse, this sweet story shows the tale of a baby turtle and his many adventures on land and sea.

Come outside and feel the breezes!

Come outside and see the sun!

Come outside and taste the ocean!

Come outside with everyone!

Toby is digitally illustrated with expressive and colorful full pages spreads. The illustrations truly capture the emotions of this adorable little turtle with his big inquisitive eyes and his happy personality.  

This story is complete with an Author’s note at the back of the book, which includes turtle facts. The author has also included a list of several great non-fiction books about sea turtles for those little inquisitive minds that might just want more.

A sweet story recommended for ages 4-8.

This review was written for the blog tour of Stacy Nyikos, June 8-14 and the launch of this fabulous book. For more information please check http://www.stacyanyikos.com/blog.html.

Some fabulous picture books for summer reading!

Summer reading is upon us. Did you know that if children read at least five books this summer they will prevent learning loss, according to a White House study. If children don’t read or engage with stories over the summer they lose about 2-3 months of reading achievement. The best way to keep your children reading through the summer is to sign up for one of the fabulous summer reading programs. Reading is so important! Here are three of my favorite picture books to check out this summer! Recommended for ages 4-8.

Shoe Dog by Megan McDonald and Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson

The beloved author of the Judy Moody and the Stink series has created a fabulous picture book about a dog that loves to chew. What does he chew, but shoes! He isn’t a dog that chews bones, or toys, or smelly socks, but rather shoes. And lots of them! Especially brand new shoes! Clever and lively illustrations by Tillotson, are created with crayon and charcoal and then combined together digitally. An adorable read aloud story especially for dog lovers who understand dogs need to chew!

President Taft is Stuck in the Bath by Mac Barnett and Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

We have read about George Washington and his teeth and Abraham Lincoln and his top hat, but what about President Taft. Did you know that he got stuck in the bathtub?  A clever, silly but yet true story of how the 27^th President got stuck in his bathtub and how they got him out. The illustrations are expressive, bold and quite colorful. These gouache caricatures add silliness to a true story. A great Author’s note with facts pertaining to President Taft can be found at the back of the book along with an archived picture of the bathtub in the White House with President Taft and four men from his cabinet.

Share by Sally Ann Garland

Sharing isn’t easy; in fact most kids don’t like to share. Bunny is no different but when her cousin comes to visit she realizes just how much she doesn’t like to share. But her cousin wants to do everything like bunny and bunny doesn’t understand why. A sweet rhyming story that helps children understand the importance of sharing and why it can be so hard. Illustrations are digitally created with a soft pastel palette. This is a great read aloud or bedtime story. It also can be a  useful tool in teaching the importance of sharing.

Poached by Stuart Gibbs

I just recently received and Advanced Reader's Copy of Poached by Stuart Gibbs. This was my first time reading this author and I loved him! Read my review here for Poached which just recently hit the stores. This is not one to miss!

Poached by Stuart Gibbs is a fabulous action-packed middle grade read for those who love animals and adventures. A sequel that doesn’t disappoint and you don’t have to read the first one to really get to know the characters.

Meet Teddy Fitzroy, a 7^th grader who is the primary suspect when a Koala has gone missing from FunJungle, an exact definition of the name but in a zoo-like setting. Teddy’s parents both work at FunJungle and all of Teddy’s life he has spent with animals. Why would he take a newly acquired Koala on loan from Australia. He has been set up and he knows it but all the proof is directed at him. If Teddy doesn’t find the culprit he will be shipped off to juvie as a convicted koala-napper. To top off his bad luck, Teddy is also bullied by the meanest and toughest kid in the middle school, Vance. Teddy just can’t seem to catch a break, yet his perseverance prevails.

An extremely well-written story about mystery, animals, bullying, as well as a sweet coming of age story that will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing who took the Koala from the beginning to the end.

Recommended for ages 8-12.

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

It is 1934 and Mrs. Harkness has never seen a panda, not many people have. Her husband has just set out to bring the first panda back to the United States from China. Unfortunately during his expedition he dies trying to find one. Mrs. Harkness then decides she must go to China to bring home the first panda and finish what her husband had started. Read this remarkable story about a strong-willed woman on a mission that actually shapes American attitudes towards wildlife.

The illustrations are creative and very unique. The illustrator, Melissa Sweet, used mixed media with exuberant watercolors and collages. In fact she used a collection of papers that she actually purchased on a trip to China. She also included real photographs of Mrs. Harkness and the panda she brought home, Su Lin (which means, 'a little bit of something very cute').

The author, Alicia Potter, includes a Chronology of Events as well as an Author's Note in the story which explain the history of Mrs. Harkness's expedition. Recommended for ages 5-8.