If You Want a Friend in Washington by Erin McGill

August 20, 2020August 12, 2020 | Tasha

If You Want a Friend in Washington by Erin McGill (9780593122693)

Based on the famous quote from President Truman, this nonfiction picture book explores the many different pets that presidents have had over the years. The book begins with dogs and cats, though some cats were of the more exotic type like tiger cubs! Horses were also popular, but barnyard pets didn’t stop there with some presidents having goats, sheep, roosters and cows, including Miss Wayne who grazed on the White House lawn and had her milk stolen. The pets just kept getting larger though with bear cubs, elephants, hippos, a wallaby and alligators! Some presidents had birds, though Jackson’s parrot swore a lot. Some had quite small pets like guinea pigs or even silkworms. Almost all presidents had some sort of pet, though Jackson found his friendly mice waiting for him while he faced impeachment.

Fast-paced and funny, this picture book is a wry look at presidential pets. The book first groups types of pets together then offers interesting anecdotes about a few of the pets in that grouping. Readers get the tales of Lincoln’s, FDR’s, George H.W. Bush’s, Obama’s and Truman’s dogs, for example. The stories throughout the book celebrate the president’s connection to these animals and how they found solace in their time together.

The art is marvelously silly, using cut paper drawings against pops of color or line drawings on white backgrounds. The spread of all of the dogs alone is an impressive two pages of quite small pooches, each labeled with their name. The illustrations have a peppy merriness to them that invites readers in and sets a jolly tone.

Humorous and historical, this glimpse of president’s best friend is a treat. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Schwartz & Wade.

Girl Versus Squirrel by Hayley Barrett

August 19, 2020August 13, 2020 | Tasha

Girl Versus Squirrel by Hayley Barrett, illustrated by Renee Andriani (9780823442515)

Pearl built three bird feeders for her backyard. She filled one with suet, one with seeds, and the third with nuts. But no birds wanted the nuts! Instead, she attracted a squirrel. The squirrel took all the nuts. Peal extended the pole for the feeder, but the squirrel just ran right up it. Then the feeder fell to the ground and broke. But Peal had a new plan, a network of obstacles to keep the squirrel at bay. But that too didn’t work as the squirrel bested each obstacle with ease. Pearl was very impressed and noticed that this was a mother squirrel caring for her kits. Now Pearl has a backyard of bird feeders plus one amazing squirrel obstacle course!

Playful in tone, this picture book shows the power and potential of invention even if it ends up being foiled by a squirrel. Children will love seeing a girl who invents things do something as dynamic and interesting as a squirrel obstacle course. Even better, the course elements make sense as objects you would find in a garage and repurpose.

The art is simple and inviting, showing both the serene backyard of Pearl’s home and also the wild antics of the squirrel. Pearl’s tenacity and trying to beat the squirrel is shown in the various ways she tries to keep the nuts out the the squirrel’s reach, wiggling and eventually toppling over.

This picture book takes nature plus STEM and invents something fresh. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Holiday House.

Accidental by Alex Richards

August 19, 2020July 13, 2020 | Tasha

Accidental by Alex Richards (9781547603589)

Johanna lives with her maternal grandparents after her mother’s tragic death in a car accident when Johanna was a toddler. Now at age sixteen, she is starting to resent how dull and stifling her life is. Even worse, her grandparents don’t have any pictures of her mother out and never speak about her. So when Johanna gets contacted by her father for the first time, she decides to meet with him. He shares pictures of her mother, who looks like just like Johanna. More importantly, he shares the truth of how Joanna’s mother died, something that her grandparents lied to her about. As a toddler, Johanna found a gun in the house and accidentally shot and killed her mother. Now Johanna must find a way to cope with her grandparents’ lies, her relationship with her father, and her newfound guilt and responsibility around her mother’s death.

This timely novel deals with gun violence from a unique and fascinating perspective, that of an unsecured gun left to be found by a child. The novel wrestles with responsibility for the tragedy as well as the importance of truth to allow families to heal. Richards gives Johanna a robust support system that gives Johanna and the reader hope to move forward through the situation. The strain of discovering her own role in the tragedy is made worse by it being discovered by everyone at her school and online bullying.

Johanna is a strong and resilient protagonist navigating one of the most terrible situations. Richards doesn’t let up, putting her character through horrible times in the novel, revealing who truly loves her in the end but also showing Johanna’s incredible tenacity and growth along the way.

A gripping look at gun violence that is ultimately full of hope. Appropriate for ages 14-18.

Reviewed from ARC provided by Bloomsbury.

Cubs in the Tub by Candace Fleming

August 18, 2020August 16, 2020 | Tasha

Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo’s First Woman Zookeeper by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Julie Downing (9780823443185)

Fred and Helen wanted a baby and planned for one, but never got one. So when Fred, a zookeeper, brought home a tiny lion cub, Helen’s supplies came in very handy. She had bottles to let him slurp, blankets to wrap him warm, supplies to wash him, and a crib for him to sleep in. But when the lion was two months old, he got sent to a zoo in another city. Helen packed up the baby items and spent lonely days with no baby to care for until the three tiger cubs arrived. With feedings every three hours, the cubs grew quickly and soon were causing mischief. Finally, they returned to the zoo at three months old, but this time Helen would not be left behind. Soon Helen found herself an empty storehouse that she turned into a nursery for baby animals, becoming the first woman zookeeper!

Fleming tells a wistful and factual story here, allowing the more remarkable elements to be wondered at by readers. It is amazing that Helen was not only willing to take in these little creatures but also very skilled at it. Many of us can care for human children, but ones with sharp teeth and claws would be daunting. Fleming simply appreciates the dedication, skill and tenacity of this woman, shining a spotlight on someone who was inventing it all as she went along.

Downing’s illustrations are soaked in the time period of the 1940’s by showing cars, fashion and home decor. The book wisely uses panels to show the different moments of caring for the animals, distress at their leaving, and planning to create something new. The panels break up the text for young readers and also give a jaunty comic vibe.

An engaging look at a remarkable woman with a knack for caring for little wild creatures. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Holiday House.

The Montague Twins: The Witch’s Hand by Nathan Page

August 18, 2020July 13, 2020 | Tasha

The Montague Twins: The Witch’s Hand by Nathan Page and Drew Shannon (9780525646761)

Pete and Alastair make money solving mysteries along with their stepsister. When a magical storm appears near the lighthouse, elements of their skills are suddenly revealed. Despite being separated from one another during the storm, all three of the teens meet the witch behind the magic. Soon they are taking new lessons from a student of their guardian, magic power lessons! With three girls missing, including the daughter of the prominent Bradford family, there is a mystery to be solved that will require both their detective skills and their emerging magical powers.

This is the first graphic novel in a planned duology, which is good enough for readers to hope for even more than two! The book is set in the late 1960’s, giving it an engaging original Scooby Doo meets Sabrina vibe. Sprinkled liberally with humor, thanks to the twins, the book offers adults who stand back and let the teens solve mysteries but who also provide solid support and knowledge themselves. It also has a great villain, though untangling who that might be is a big part of the fun.

The art is engagingly 1960’s as well with apparel and cars clearly placing it in time. Using bold colors and classic cartoon boxing, the result is dynamic and engaging with clear nods to comics that have gone before.

A winning new series that offers magic and mystery. Appropriate for ages 13-16.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Fall 2020 Kids’ Indie Next List

August 17, 2020August 16, 2020 | Tasha

The American Booksellers Association has a preview of the titles that will appear on the Fall 2020 Kids’ Indie Next List. They select a top ten as well as an additional 40 books to highlight in the coming season. The picks are based on recommendations from independent bookstores across the country. Here are the books on the List:

TOP TEN

The Blue House by Phoebe Wahl

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert

Lobizona by Romina Garber

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

Short & Sweet by Josh Funk, Brendan Kearney

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake, Jon Klassen

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse

A Wolf for a Spell by Karah Sutton

AGES 4-8

Arlo & Pips: King of the Birds by Elise Gravel

Attack of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman, Pete Oswald

Buttercup the Bigfoot by Douglas Rees, Isabel Munoz

Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song

Escape Goat by Ann Patchett, Robin Preiss Glasser

Every Little Letter by Deborah Underwood, Joy Huang Ruiz

Fern and Otto: A Story About Two Best Friends by Stephanie Graegin

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, Gordon C. James

I Promise by LeBron James, Nina Mata

Margaret’s Unicorn by Briony May Smith

The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom by Colleen AF Venable, Lian Cho

The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho, Jess X. Snow

Pea, Bee, & Jay: Stuck Together by Brian “Smitty” Smith

Sometimes People March by Tessa Allen

Thesaurus Has a Secret by Anya Glazer

AGES 9-12

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

A Cat Story by Ursula Murray Husted

Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo

Cinders & Sparrows by Stefan Bachmann

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf

Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, Ann Xu

One Time by Sharon Creech

The Places We Sleep by Caroline DuBois

Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman

Three Keys: A Front Desk Novel by Kelly Yang

A Whale of the Wild by Rosanne Parry, Lindsay Moore

TEENS

Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

Fable by Adrienne Young

Hush by Dylan Farrow

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera

The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi

Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar

The Truth Project by Dante Medema

The Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay

August 17, 2020July 13, 2020 | Tasha

The Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay (9781534462762)

When Abi’s father starts to date and then marries Max and Louis’ mom, her entire life is upended. The best part though is that they move into a very special house together, where Abi has her own room, there is a cemetery with foxes, and Abi can have a bit of space. Still, she does have to put up with a new mother, a rather dirty little brother, and become a middle child instead of being an only child. The house the family moves into, after a long search for a home they can afford, is covered with ivy and soon strange things start to happen. When Abi, who loves to read, truly becomes engrossed in a book, she actually enters it, returning covered in salt spray or with parrots flashing across the room. Louis finds a new friend who emerges from the ivy, a cat-like thing that becomes larger as time goes by. It’s all beautiful and enchanting, until suddenly the danger becomes real and the three children must figure out how to save themselves from the magic of the house.

I have always adored McKay’s books about realistic families who tumble through life in a mash of spilled book bags, beloved stories, messy rooms, and lots of love. McKay uses that same template here, providing readers with a blended family just barely making things work with damp school uniforms, a French babysitter more interested in art, and three new siblings finding their way at school and home. Here though, she injects a burst of real magic that takes the story directly into magical realism and fantasy, something she is incredible good at as well.

As always, it is McKay’s characters who are at the center of her book and story. Here we have the quiet and deep Abi, Max who is in a desperate fight with his best friend at school, and Louis who is looking for comfort. Take their blended family and remove the mother to work for a few months and you have a teetering story full of adoration, messes and wonder.

A marvelous venture into fantasy by an acclaimed author, this is worth entering the green ivy for. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Margaret K. McElderry Books.

2020 New Zealand Book Awards

August 14, 2020August 12, 2020 | Tasha

The winners of the 2020 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults have been announced. They select a book of the year as well as category winners. Here are the winners, plus a gorgeous video acceptance speech for the Book of the Year: