#BookReview: Sweet Senior Pups by Kama Einhorn

Synopsis:  Photo-packed series explores the stories and science behind animal sanctuaries. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? 

Visit the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland to meet three very special old dogs—Mino, Buffy, and Jack—who are ready and waiting to make new families very happy. Includes full-color photos, maps, and graphics throughout.

At many animal shelters, older pets are often overlooked in favor of puppies and kittens. But you'll find only dogs over the age of six at the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland. Mino, Jack, and Buffy are three dog roommates at the SDS, each having a unique personality but all of them in need of a new home. 

For every dog at SDS, the road to release is a different one but always features rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, and ultimately release. Join Mino as he shares stories about Buffy, Jack, and the SDS staff they get ready for their forever families. Other books in the photo-packed Sanctuary Stories series include Welcome, Wombat. 

#BookReview: Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle by Hilda Eunice Burgos

Synopsis: Her last name may mean "kings," but Ana Maria Reyes REALLY does not live in a castle. Rather, she's stuck in a tiny apartment with two parents (way too lovey-dovey), three sisters (way too dramatic), everyone's friends (way too often), and a piano (which she never gets to practice). And when her parents announce a new baby is coming, that means they'll have even less time for Ana Maria.

Then she hears about the Eleanor School, New York City's best private academy. If Ana Maria can win a scholarship, she'll be able to get out of her Washington Heights neighborhood school and achieve the education she's longed for. To stand out, she'll need to nail her piano piece at the upcoming city showcase, which means she has to practice through her sisters' hijinks, the neighbors' visits, a family trip to the Dominican Republic . . . right up until the baby's birth! But some new friends and honest conversations help her figure out what truly matters, and know that she can succeed no matter what. Ana Maria Reyes may not be royal, but she's certain to come out on top. 

#BookReview: Bug Boys by Laura Knetzger

Synopsis: Join two bug friends as they learn about the science of the world around them and the meaning of friendship in this early graphic novel series perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly!

Rhino-B is a brash, but sweet guy. Stag-B is a calm and scholarly adventurer. Together these two young beetles make up the Bug Boys, best friends who spend their time exploring the world of Bug Village and beyond, as well as their own - sometimes confusing and complicated - thoughts and feelings.

In their first adventure, the Bug Boys travel through spooky caves, work with a spider to found a library, save their town's popular honey supply from extinction, and even make friends with ferocious termites!

What challenges will these two earnest beetles face? Whatever it is, you can be sure that Rhino-B and Stag-B will face it together -- with the power of friendship behind them.

This title will be released on February 11, 2020.

#BookReview: Sweet Senior Pups by Kama Einhorn

Synopsis:  Photo-packed series explores the stories and science behind animal sanctuaries. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? 

Visit the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland to meet three very special old dogs—Mino, Buffy, and Jack—who are ready and waiting to make new families very happy. Includes full-color photos, maps, and graphics throughout.

At many animal shelters, older pets are often overlooked in favor of puppies and kittens. But you'll find only dogs over the age of six at the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland. Mino, Jack, and Buffy are three dog roommates at the SDS, each having a unique personality but all of them in need of a new home. 

For every dog at SDS, the road to release is a different one but always features rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, and ultimately release. Join Mino as he shares stories about Buffy, Jack, and the SDS staff they get ready for their forever families. Other books in the photo-packed Sanctuary Stories series include Welcome, Wombat. 

#BookReview: The Runaway Princess by Johan Troïanowski

Synopsis: This princess can't resist the lure of adventure, but her parents aren't quite on board in this fantastical graphic novel perfect for fans of Princess in Black and Phoebe and Her Unicorn!

Robin? Robin? Robin?! Where are you?

She couldn't have gone far. . . .

Princesses don't run away to have their own adventures. Right?

Princesses stay quietly and obediently at home. They would never want mermaids and swamps and pirates and getting kidnapped to be a part of their lives.

Not this princess!

Adventures await when Robin (bored of princess-ing all the time) embarks on the best adventure of her life--meeting friends along the way as she travels through the magical landscape of her country. But her parents aren't so pleased--and they're coming to find her and bring her back to the castle, no matter how she feels about it!


This title will be released on January 21, 2020.

#BookReview: Aster and the Accidental Magic by @ThomPico

Synopsis: A fun, action-packed fantasy adventure about a girl, her dog, and magic gone wrong!

Quiet . . . birds . . . nature. . . .

That's what Aster expects when her parents move their whole family to the middle of nowhere. It's just her (status: super-bored), her mom and dad (status: busy with science), her brother (status: has other plans), and . . .

. . . magic?

In her new home, Aster meets a mysterious old woman with a herd of dogs who gives her a canine companion of her own. But when she and her dog Buzz are adventuring in the forest, they run into a trickster spirit who gives Aster three wishes. After wishing for the ability to understand and talk to her dog, she becomes only able to talk in dog language . . . and the trouble she gets into is just starting.

Maybe the middle of nowhere will be more interesting than Aster thought.

"Crisp, vibrant artwork." -The AV Club 

#BookReview: Cat and Cat #1: Girl Meets Cat by Christophe Cazenove @PapercutzGN

Synopsis: Life was quiet for Cath and her dad, living alone. But when they adopt a cat named Sushi, things get a bit too exciting! Between turning everything into either a personal scratching post or litter box, and the constant cat and mouse game of "love me/leave me alone," Cath and Dad have a lot to learn! Cath also learns how good it is to have a constant companion, a role Cath's dad is trying to fill on his own. It's a hilarious and heartwarming adventure of daily life of this little girl...with a dad and a cat along for the ride!
This title will be released on February 11, 2020.

#BookReview: The Kooky Kinkajou (Nocturnals Early Reader ) by Tracey Hecht

Synopsis: Tobin, Bismark, and Dawn are bored. There's nothing to do! So when Karina the kinkajou comes along, she gives them a lesson on using their imaginations. 


Soon the three nocturnal friends are following Karina and the ‘sparkle sprite’ over rivers, under waterfalls, and to the end of a rainbow.

Includes bonus Nocturnals fun facts with a glossary of kooky words (Ages 6-8)


Themes include friendship, imagination, and accepting new ideas.


Visit the Nocturnals World online to download printable activities including Constellation Charades, Animal Mask Craft, and Sight Word Games. Social Emotional Learning Activities include Kindness Game, Listening Ears Activity, Educator Guides and more! 

#BookReview: The Tasty Treat (Nocturnals Early Reader) by Tracey Hecht

Synopsis: In The Tasty Treat, Dawn the fox wakes up and goes looking for her friends, Tobin the pangolin and Bismark the sugar glider, to share a tasty treat—a pomelo! 

Using basic language, emerging readers are introduced to the Nocturnal Brigade.

Includes bonus pronunciation guide (Ages 4-6)

Themes include friendship, sharing, and problem solving.




Visit the Nocturnals World online to download printable activities including makerspace crafts, sight word games, The Nocturnals kindness game, language arts educator guides, and more!

#BookReview: Songs in the Shade of the Cashew and Coconut Trees by Nathalie Soussana

Synopsis: Songs about children playing in the schoolyard, sisters braiding each other’s hair at the beach, and parents dancing late into the night mesh together thanks to the music. A wide array of styles—nursery rhymes from Gabon, lullabies from Cape Verde, and rumbas from the Congo—are performed in more than a dozen languages. Luminous artwork and homegrown instruments round off this wonderful celebration of history, language, and culture. Lyrics appear in their original language and in English, along with notes on culture, a world map, and a code for song downloads and print-outs. 

#BookReview: Junie B., First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha! (Junie B. Jones #26) by Barbara Park, Denise Brunkus

Synopsis: Barbara Park’s New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, is a classroom favorite and has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty years. Over 60 million copies in print and now with a bright new look for a new generation!

Meet the World’s Funniest First Grader—Junie B. Jones! Junie B. and her family are going on a vacation to Hawaii! And ha! 

Mr. Scary is giving Junie a real, actual camera to keep a photo journal of her trip! But taking good vacation pictures is not always easy. 

’Cause what if there is an unfortunate inner tube incident at the swimming pool? (And, oh my! 

Let’s not even mention what happens if a tropical bird gets tangled in your hair!) Will Junie B.’s vacation end up picture-perfect? 

Or will her trip to Hawaii be aloha-horrible?