Grief Fades when You Grab Hold of the Good.
I Wish That You Knew
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Alyssa Russell (Illustrator)
Little Bee Books
Rebecca Gardyn Levington has written a beautiful picture book about dealing with grief. A young girl wishes that her grandmother knew how she has grown in the past year since her grandmother has died. The lyrical text examines the things that she has done, and she imagines her grandmother at her side. The beautiful pastel illustrations show the grandma surrounded by a slight haze, allowing the reader to realize that grandma is there by her side in spirit. The story ends at the gravesite during the unveiling, when by Jewish tradition, the permanent gravestone is erected and unveiled. She knows that it is time to set aside the tears and embrace the joyous memories, but she knows that she will never be alone.
Although this is a Jewish storybook, grief for a loved one is a universal experience and the story can be helpful for a child of any faith. The afterward is an author's note about the Jewish customs of the unveiling and leaving a stone on the grave instead of flowers.
Rebecca Gardyn Levington/Children's Book Author & Poet
@alyssarussellillustrates little bee books
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FANCY DINO FICTION
The Big Hatch
by Elana Rubinstein (Goodreads Author), Alexandra Bye (Illustrator)
Godwin Books
Elana Rubinstein always does an amazing job of blending fantasy with life lessons in a story that will entertain young readers. In this book she has hatched up an adorable novel that mixes dinosaur fact and fun fiction with a story about learning to open up to friendship. The main character is so obsessed with dinosaurs, that she has trouble relating with other kids. But when her grandmother, the paleontologist provides a build your own dinosaur kit and the experiment goes wrong, Della needs to reach out for help. Rubinstein captures both the science passion and the loneliness of a child with a one track mind. Della reads like she might be on the Autism spectrum, but any kid can identify with feeling left out when their interests no longer coincide with those of old friends. Watching her open up to renew her friendship with Avery and form new friendships with other classmates was heartwarming. The author also includes a subtle message near the end. Because Glamosaurus is pink and loves fancy things, Della has assumed that he can't survive in the wild. Eventually she realizes that he doesn't need to be fixed. He is just different.
Neurodivergent kids will feel seen in this story and Jewish kids will enjoy the mention of Shabbat dinners, but the theme is a universal one. The book is ai8med at 8-10 year old readers, but I think the fun story will appeal to any dino-loving kid. After all who could resist a sparkly pink dinosaur?
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TEMPERATURE RISING
Learn about this hot new eco-thriller on my blog stop on the Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tour. Enter the giveaway, Read and Excerpt, and Read my review.
storybooklady.net/temperature-rising-a-hot-new-thriller/
Then Learn More on the Author Guest Post that follows:
storybooklady.net/choosing-the-setting-why-temperature-rising-takes-place-in-1988/
#temperaturerising
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Big Bundle of Books
Check out the variety of new books for everyone this week.
PICTURE BOOKS
Curious Mind and Dancing Feet: A book about ADHD
Melinda Gonzalez
Amelie Videlo (Illustrator)
Free Spirit Publishing
Have You Ever Seen a Ghost?
Daniel Kwan, Julia Pott
Sean Lewis, Illustrator
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
I Wish That You Knew
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Alyssa Russell (Illustrator)
Little Bee Books
Pout-Pout Fish: Thanksgiving Friends
Deborah Diesen
Dan Hanna (Illustrator)
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Fred Berman (Narrator)
Macmillan Young Listeners
Pumpkin Smash!
Michelle Schaub
Rilla Alexander (Illustrator)
Norton Young Readers
There's a Crocodile on This Train!
Amit Trainin
Ilana Kurshan (Translator)
Kalaniot Books
MIDDLE GRADE
The Big Hatch
Elana Rubinstein
Alexandra Bye (Illustrator)
Godwin Books
Fantasy
The Boxcar Children Graphic Novel
Gertrude Chandler Warner
Meika Hashimoto (Adapter)
Giovanni Abeille (Illustrator)
Random House Books for Young Readers
Graphic Novel Adaptation
BIOGRAPHY/ MEMOIR
Inherit the Truth: The Cellist of Auschwitz
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch
Faber & Faber
Notes of Deception:
How a Quartet of American Musicians Outwitted the KGB
Merryl Goldberg & Vince Houghton
Hanover Square Press
COZY MYSTERY
Flimflam Fairy
Magical Cozy Mystery Bookstore #1
Elizabeth Pantley
FANTASY
The City of Slaughter
Aden Polydoros
HarperCollins
Young Adult Historical Fiction
Love Me Like a Rock Song
Shelly Jay Shore
Dell
Portrait of a Witch Undone
K.S. Shay
Erewhon Books
The Magpie and the Wolf Duology #2
Wolftamer
Maggie Rapier
Ace
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MULTITALENTED MIRANDA
Hispanic Star: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Claudia Romo Edelman, Sara E. Echenique
Alexandra Beguez (Illustrator)
Roaring Brook Press
This book provided a look into the life of Lin-Manuel Miranda. Best known for In the Heights, and Hamilton, it was interesting to learn all the other great works including Encanto, Muana and other Disney works which I hadn't realized were his. This book will appeal to fans of the multitalented songwriter, anyone who enjoys musical theater, and children who want a book highlighting Hispanic role models
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Our Spectacular Sukkah
Sidura Ludwig
Sophia Vincent Guy (Illustrator)
Candlewick
In this charming Sukkot story, a young girl rejoices in building and decorating a sukkah with her family. Readers learn that her family will eat and sleep in the sukkah and she is happy that it is "just for us." But when wind destroys the sukkah and blow away most of the pieces, neighbors bring back those roof branches, a cloth wall and lost decorations. With their help the sukkah is rebuilt and the child learns that the best part of the holiday is sharing the joy with everyone. Although the story is about Sukkot, it is also about community and sharing, a universal message that can be appreciated by readers of any background.
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