The Library in the Woods, by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, R. Gregory Christie (illustrator)

 

Publication August 5, 2025

Powerful in its simplicity.

While based on the author's own memories, this book speaks to us all. The illustrations are also strong in their stark simplicity, conveying first the isolation and devastation after a hard hail storm, then the magic of friendships and of the library in the woods. Segregation denied access to libraries to Black Americans. The library opens up a whole new world of possibilities to Junior, the young main character. In the process, he grows closer to his father through the power of words. 

I won't belabor this review as the book stands wonderfully strong on its own. Make sure you read the Author's Note at the end as it fills in some spaces that adults might wonder about. Children, too, for that matter. Readers can learn that change can bring turmoil but also good things and growth, too. I want to thank #LernerPublishingGroup for allowing me an early look at this book. As an avid reader from the time I could hold up a book -- lucky me, my family were readers -- I cannot imagine a life without books and can fully appreciate how much this tiny cabin in the woods full of books meant to those who were denied access.

 

Katherine Johnson, by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

 

Publication Jan. 7, 2025

These books may be aimed at children but I always feel like I've learned something, too, after reading them. While I certainly knew who Katherine Johnson is and her role with NASA, I knew nothing about her life. Did you know she was so advanced in her studies that she was able to move to high school four years early? Since this was during a time when black students weren't offered such advantages everywhere, her family even had to move 120 miles away to make this happen. Since she seemed to inherit her love for numbers and study from her father, a black man forced to drop out of school at 12, this shows family love and support. 

I won't detail the rest but will say the illustrations are bright and colorful. Numerical calculations scrawled across boards pop up here and there, too, one showing her atop a rolling ladder as she checks and rechecks and rechecks the calculations of engineers and later herself. In her head. On paper. After all, lives were on the line. Johnson, as many know, had a role in launching the first Americans into space, not to mention contributions to the successful conclusion other memorable flights. It was interesting to see how she had to deal not only with the idea that blacks couldn't possibly be equal to white, male engineers, but the woman thing, too. She persevered. I didn't realize she was once a teacher, so that was a new bit of info for me, too.

Bottom line, interesting and well written with simple but effective illustrations. Even those math challenged may find inspiration within as she represents what can be accomplished when you focus on your dreams. That rocket ship shown here and there among the calculations and doodles was no accident. The sky beckons dreamers and achievers. Thanks #QuartoPublishingGroup - #FrancesLincolnChildren'sBooks for this early look at a fascinating, meaningful life.

Picture Day at Dino Play, by Sean Julian

 Publication Sept. 10, 2024

Have you ever lost something? I know I have. This story for children takes us into the imaginative world of young dinos. Not only are they attending school it's picture day. Freda wears her special hat, one her grandma gave her....and loses it. Oh, no! But, wait. There's more.

She decides to leave it where they find it? Why? Because she becomes aware of the subtle fact that our lost items may be of more value to another. She's sure her grandma would approve of her decision and I bet you will, too. There's a great story of sharing and working together here, too, not to mention the diverse kinds of dinosaurs shown in the colorful, rather whimsical illustrations. Children can have a great deal of fun simply seeing what they can spy on each page. Be sure to tell them to keep an eye out for that cute little mouse that pops up frequently, not to mention the likes of a turtle and frog. The littlest dino is adorable, too. 

Friends working together to support each other as well as a teacher, Miss Beak, who knows how to utilize a teaching moment. You'll love the jester's hat and, hmm, the teacher in me wonders how many wonderfully creative hat ideas children might be able to come up with themselves after reading this book. The teacher is honest with them, too, I'll note, and doesn't make rash promises, another plus and subtle hint that we might not always get what we want. I loved the colorful illustrations and different kinds of dinosaurs shown and, oh, be sure to check out what's on the board as they work on one page. Thanks #NetGalley and #NorthSouthBooks for the virtual invite into the classroom, albeit these students are surely much bigger than any I ever taught. Fun read.

Malala’s Mission for the World, by Aida Zaciragic, illustrated by Ana Grigorijev

 

This book should be in every library and school. While written for ages 6-10, it's a lovely introduction to a remarkable young lady of courage and determination that can benefit many different ages. I've actually read Malala's own book but this one is a great introduction for young readers or, sigh, those who simply don't know anything about her other than that she's someone "important". While it certainly doesn't give an in depth look at Malala Yousif Zai. it covers the basics without dwelling on the more horrifying elements. In other words, be aware it touches on her being attacked and shot in the face for the sin of simply wanting an education but in a straightforward, non-dramatic manner. She was a powerful voice even then and continues her efforts to promote education and learning for all despite all. 

The illustrations by Ana Grigorijev are absolutely lovely and portray some of the beauty of her homeland of Swat, Pakistan. The book is short but conveys the full story in a way children can relate to without being horrified by the violence in her life. Seriously, if you have a young girl in your life, this would make a lovely addition to their young library. They need to know this remarkable young lady. Thanks #BooksGoSocial and #NetGalley for sharing this with me.

Lesson Plan for Murder, by Lori Robbins

 

Having written more than a few lesson plans in my past, including for a stint as an English teacher, I have to admit to being drawn in by the title. Boy, the teachers at Liz's school didn't much like each other, that's for sure. I'm glad my teaching days weren't quite as, well, murderous. 

Murder victim Marcia Deaver most definitely isn't well liked. Maybe not even well tolerated? Surely a missing office chair didn't lead to her murder? Do people kill over such frivolous things? Of course they do. That said, oh, my, Marcia's murder suspect list isn't a short one. It was interesting to see so much of the mystery set in a school setting as we got to know both the victim and accidental sleuth, as well as those about her. Is anyone sad Marcia is dead? Um, maybe? Maybe not? Makes finding her killer all the harder, which is maybe why the police don't turn away Liz as she rather bumbles her way along looking into things. As she discovers, murder investigations aren't as tidy as lesson plans, however. In addition, they can put not just Liz in danger but those she cares about. 

To be honest, I didn't much care about Liz initially. She seemed insecure and a bit envious of Marcia's place in the school hierarchy. She also has a healthy respect for education, however, even while hating wasting time in meetings, a trait which made me warm up to as the story went along. She's bemused and intrigued by Marcia's substitute lesson plans, however. Heck, Marcia didn't even believe Shakespeare wrote his plays, probably a bit much for many to accept. As for the teachers, while I'm happy to say I never encountered any as unfriendly, catty, and selfish as those Liz worked with, they still mostly came across as qualified and well-meaning ... sorta. As a teacher, too, I noted the nod to the importance of the administrative staff and how the principal was given a bit of humanness when Liz noted his usual nervousness at public speaking. Yes, there is humor in the story, too.

Bottom line, this was a promising start to what appears to be a new series. I'm not quite hooked yet but will definitely give the next book out a read. Thanks #BookSirens and author #LoriRobbins for reminding me all I'm missing -- not -- by not being in the classroom anymore. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.

Sally's Big Day, by Andrew Larsen, ills. Dawn Lo

 Publication Feb. 14, 2023

On the surface, this is simply a sweet story about a puppy's first day of puppy school. She's excited to meet all the other puppies, doesn't quite know what to expect, and is willing but easily distracted. If you've ever had a puppy, you know what I mean.

Look deeper, however, and there is much, much more to this short story. Sally is the perfect corollary to human children first venturing out into the world and being almost overwhelmed by all it throws at them, often simultaneously. Along the way, she meets other pups, pups of all sizes, shapes, and colors. They are all puppies underneath all that fur, however. Some are amazing calm and listen to their human parents attentively. Others, like Sally, are easily distracted, full of energy, and find it hard to focus on the task at hand, "Sit".

Remind you of any children you know? Sitting still and listening doesn't come easy to many, such as Sally. Heck, recess, so to speak, is her favorite subject. Yet, she wants to please. She's lucky to have a patient teacher with a sense of humor, and keeps trying. But, oh, my, so many distractions. She eventually figures it out, however, perhaps learning from others' example as much as the calm repetition.

Now, true, Sally, much like me own no-longer-a-puppy dog may dream of rabbits, but this just shows her curiosity. Like children, she wants to learn about her world and all it has to offer. She just needs our patience to encourage her to "try, try, and try again". 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #OrcaBookPublishers for allowing me to meet Sally. From Lo's sweet, whimsical artwork capturing Sally's day, to author Larsen's deftly subtle reminder that being a pup, human or canine, is full of wonder and distractions as we learn a bit more each day. Thoroughly enjoyed it and feel there's a message here for humans of, well, all sizes, shapes, and colors.

The Next Best Day, by Sharon Sala

 

Publishes Nov. 8, 2022

Although the opening is intense, involving not just getting left at the altar but being seriously wounded in a terrifying school shooting, this one has the usual Sala themes of hope and healing. I must admit, as a former teacher, albeit one who was never involved in any lock down other than for weather, the section involving the school shooter left me shaken. Sadly, while this is fiction, this is also the reality nowadays for too many students and teachers. That Katie McGrath is able to survive not just these events but a childhood of being shunted from foster home to foster home and abuse is amazing. Even more so, she seems to be a wonderful teacher, kind and caring, and, as one character describes her, nice. You'll root for her. Katie is a survivor in all senses of the word.

Fresh starts is another common Sala theme and this one involves not just Katie, who moves after the shooting incident, but her neighbor Det. Sam Youngblood and his two young, twin daughters, Evie and Beth. He's raised them alone after his wife died giving birth to them. Like Katie, he's opening up to more and they are immediately attracted, particularly as Katie proves adept at not just telling the twins apart easily but sensing their moods and needs. How these two wounded souls come together forms the basis of the story and it's a good one. 

The only jarring aspect of the book, as in jarring because it took me out of the story, was the side-story following Katie's almost husband, Mark. Well, that and a sad acknowledgement that Sam simply couldn't be that perfect, nor could Katie.... but I liked them just the way they are. It's occasionally nice to read about people who aren't twisted up by inner demons (as if Katie's PTSD from the shooting isn't enough). Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and found myself thinking about it as I went about my daily life. That is a sign for me that a book has made an impression, in this case a good one. Give it a read but, sigh, be sure you're ready for the gut wrenching intro to how they get to their "next best day".

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Sourcebooks - #Casablanca for introducing me to Katie, Sam, and the rest of Borden's Gap, TN. I wish they were real and my neighbors.