NetGalley: Small Spaces (Small Spaces #1) by Katherine Arden

Title: Small Spaces

Author: Katherin Arden

Published: Sept. 25, 2019

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Pages: 218

Review: ARC provided by publisher @ NetGalley

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

After suffering a tragic loss, eleven-year-old Ollie only finds solace in books. So when she happens upon a crazed woman at the river threatening to throw a book into the water, Ollie doesn't think--she just acts, stealing the book and running away. As she begins to read the slender volume, Ollie discovers a chilling story about a girl named Beth, the two brothers who both loved her, and a peculiar deal made with "the smiling man," a sinister specter who grants your most tightly held wish, but only for the ultimate price.

Ollie is captivated by the tale until her school trip the next day to Smoke Hollow, a local farm with a haunting history all its own. There she stumbles upon the graves of the very people she's been reading about. Could it be the story about the smiling man is true? Ollie doesn't have too long to think about the answer to that. On the way home, the school bus breaks down, sending their teacher back to the farm for help. But the strange bus driver has some advice for the kids left behind in his care: "Best get moving. At nightfall they'll come for the rest of you." Nightfall is, indeed, fast descending when Ollie's previously broken digital wristwatch, a keepsake reminder of better times, begins a startling countdown and delivers a terrifying message: RUN.

Only Ollie and two of her classmates heed the bus driver's warning. As the trio head out into the woods--bordered by a field of scarecrows that seem to be watching them--the bus driver has just one final piece of advice for Ollie and her friends: "Avoid large places. Keep to small."

And with that, a deliciously creepy and hair-raising adventure begins.

Aliens for Breakfast by Stephanie Spinner

Title: Aliens for Breakfast

Author: Stephanie Spinner and Jonathan Etra

Published: Sept. 28, 2011

Publisher: Random House for Young Readers

Pages: 64

Genre: 2nd grade on up

Review: Library book

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

It's been ten years since Richard Bickerstaff sat down to breakfast and an alien climbed out of his cereal bowl! Join Richard and Aric, a tiny, wisecracking creature from the planet Ganoob, as they battle to save the world from evil aliens in Aliens for Breakfast, Aliens for Lunch, and Aliens for Dinner. We're reissuing the trilogy with brand-new covers sporting a space age 10th Anniversary logo. Now a new generation of readers can experience the fun and adventure that won these books rave reviews and loyal fans!

Sun! One in a Billion (Our Universe Book 2) by Stacy McAnulty , Stevie Lewis

Title: Sun! One in a Billion

Author: Stacey McAnulty

Illustrator: Stevie Lewis

Published: Oct. 23, 2018

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Pages: 40

Genre: Space/Solar System/Sun

Review: library book

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Meet Sun: He's a star! And not just any star--he's one in a billion. He lights up our solar system and makes life possible. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Sun in this next celestial "autobiography." Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully illustrated, Sun! One in a Billion is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years.

Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses by Kimberly and James Dean

Title: Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses

Author: Kimberly and James Dean

Published: Oct 1, 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 40

Review: library book

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

In this hardcover picture book, Pete the Cat wakes up feeling grumpy—nothing seems to be going his way. But with the help of some magic sunglasses, Pete learns that a good mood has been inside him all along.
Fans of Pete the Cat will love watching him take his positive outlook and transform a grumpy day into an awesome day!

Pete the Cat: A Pet for Pete by James Dean

Title: Pete the Cat: A Pet for Pete

Author: James Dean

Published: May 27, 2014

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 32

Genre: Children ages 1st grade on up

Review: library book

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Pete is back in New York Times bestselling artist James Dean's I Can Read beginning reader Pete the Cat: A Pet for Pete. When Pete gets a goldfish, Goldie, he decides to paint a picture of his new pet. Word spreads of Pete's cool paintings, and soon everyone wants one. But Pete doesn't have enough time to make one for everyone in town. With a little help from his mom, Pete finds the perfect solution so that everyone can enjoy a Goldie painting and Pete has time to finish his homework!

A Place for Pluto by Stef Wade, Melanie Demmer (Illustrator)

Title: A Place for Pluto

Author: Stef Wade

Illustrator: Melanie Demmer

Published: Aug. 1, 2018

Publisher: Capstone Editions

Pages: 32

Genre: Space/planets

Review: Library book

Buy Link: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Pluto got the shock of his life when he was kicked out of the famous nine. His planet status was stripped away, leaving him lost and confused. Poor Pluto! On his quest to find a place where he belongs, he talks to comets, asteroids, and meteoroids. He doesn't fit it anywhere! But when Pluto is about to give up, he runs into a dwarf planet and finally finds his place in the solar system. This feel-good picture book combines a popular science topic with character education themes of self discovery, acceptance, and friendship. It has bonus material in the back matter to support curriculum.

It's Shoe Time by Bryan Collier and Mo Willems

Title: It's Shoe Time!

Authors: Bryan Collier and Mo Willems

Published: Nov. 7, 2017

Publisher: Elephant and Piggie Like Reading

Pages: 64

Genre: Children from grades 1st on up

Review: library book

Buy Links: Amazon

Bryan Collier turns the closet on its heel and redefines what it means to be a pair.

Pete the Cat: Old MacDonald Had a Farm (Pete the Cat) by James Dean

Title: Pete the Cat Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Author: James Dean

Published: Feb. 18, 2014

Publisher: Harper Festival

Pages: 32

Genre: Children from 1st grade on up

Review: library book

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk  

New York Times bestselling author and artist James Dean brings us a groovy rendition of the classic favorite children’s song “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” sung by cool cat Pete and perfect for sing-along time with young readers.
Pete the Cat: Old MacDonald Had a Farm is in a sturdy paper-over-board format and filled with vibrant, engaging illustrations for even the youngest of Pete fans.
“Old MacDonald had a farm e-i-e-i-o!”

The Whale, the Sea and the Stars by Adrián Macho

Title: The Whale, The Sea and the Stars

Author: Adrian Macho

Published: 7/23/19

Publisher: Floris Books

Pages: 32

Genre: Children ages 4 on up

Review: ebook provided by Edelweiss+

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

When Gerda the blue whale was very small, her mother would sing a beautiful song telling her that if she were ever lost she should look to the stars and they would guide her.
Then it's time for the little whale to leave home. Her adventures take her from the warm waters of the equator to the freezing poles.
Along the way she meets clever killer whales, playful penguins, a friendly polar bear and the ancient narwhale. Then one day, the little whale realizes she wants to find somewhere to stay forever. How will she know she's found the right sea for her? With her mother's song in her heart, Gerda follows the stars to a place she knows she can call home.
This heartwarming story, rendered through luminous, captivating illustrations full of texture and feeling, promises we will find our way if we listen to our hearts.

NetGalley: I Really Love You (Tyrannosaurus #6) by Tatsuya Miyanishi

Title: I Really Love You

Author: Tatsuya Myanishi

Published: May 20, 2019

Publisher: Museyon

Pages: 40

Genre: Children ages 5 on up

Review: ebook provided by NetGalley and Publisher

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

A very long time ago, dinosaurs lived all over the world. They were various colors, shapes, and sizes, and spoke different languages. One snowy winter, with his skillful use of words, Tapejara almost tricks a Tyrannosaurus to its death. A weak Tyrannosaurus meets three friendly Homalocephale and they save his life, even though they do not understand each other’s languages. They become good friends and start communicating with their hearts. One day, while picking up red berries for the Tyrannosaurus, Homalocephale meets Albertosaurus, who is hungry and speaks the same language as the Tyrannosaurus. I Really Love You shows that heartfelt communication is about more than just words.

Starry Skies: Learn about the constellations above us by Samantha Chagollan, Nila Aye (Illustrator)

Title: Starry Skies

Author: Samantha Chagollan

Illustrator: Nila Aye

Published: April 3, 2018

Publisher: Walter Foster Jr.

Pages: 32

Genre: Children ages 3 on up/Science/Fiction

Review: library book

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Every night, the sky is filled with stars that tell a thousand tales. Brave warriors, regal queens, fierce beasts -- they all parade across the starry skies each night. In Starry Skies you’ll discover some of the most famous constellations and learn how to find them in the night sky.
With brilliant illustrations by Nila Aye, you will see the shapes of each constellation, and imagine what they might look like when you look up into the dark sky above. This introduction to astronomy is all you need to start learning about stars, so get ready, star hunters, and look to the skies!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Title: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Author: Eric Carle

Published: Nov. 22, 2016

Publisher: Philomel Books

Pages: 32

Genre: Children ages 3 on up

Review: library book

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

The all-time classic picture book, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! Have you shared it with a child or grandchild in your life?
Including a special feature, dye cuts, this beautiful board book edition, perfect for teaching the days of the week, offers readers an interactive experience.

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Lost Hero (The Heros of Olympus #1)

Author: Rick Riordan

Published: Jan. 5, 2011

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages: 577

Genre: Pre-teens/Teens Ages 12 on up/ greek mythology/adventure

Review: Library book

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Jason has a problem.

He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper, and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret.

Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare about his being in trouble. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits during the school trip, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.

Leo has a way with tools.

When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about, and some camper who;s gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god. Does this have anything to do with Jason's amnesia, or the fact that Leo keeps seeing ghosts?

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Title: The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate

Published: Jan. 12, 2017

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 325

Genre: Children/ Animals

Review: library book

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.

Beezus and Ramona (Ramona Quimby #1) by Beverly Cleary

Title: Beezus and Ramona

Author: Beverly Cleary

Published: Oct. 6, 2009

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 208

Genre: Ages 2nd grade on up

Review: ebook from library

Buy Links: Amazon

Having a little sister like four-year-old Ramona isn't always easy for Beezus Quimby. With a wild imagination, disregard for order, and an appetite for chaos, Ramona makes it hard for Beezus to be the responsible older sister she knows she ought to be…especially when Ramona threatens to ruin Beezus's birthday party. Newbery Medal winner Beverly Cleary delivers a humorous tale of the ups and downs of sisterhood. Both the younger and older siblings of the family will enjoy this book.

Cat on the Mat (Step into Reading) by Susan Schade

Title: Cat on the Mat

Author: Susan Schade

Published: May 13, 2010

Pages: 36

Review: ebook from the library

Genre: Children

Buy Link: Amazon 

Cat has a dream. She runs. She flips. She jumps. She slips. Will Cat make the team?

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #1) by Kate DiCamillo, Chris Van Dusen

Title: Leroy Ninker Saddles Up

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen

Published: Aug. 26, 2014

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Pages: 96

Genre: Children 1st on up/Fiction

Review: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Yippie-i-oh! Saddle up for the first in a spin-off series starring favorite characters from Kate DiCamillo’s New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson books. Leroy Ninker has a hat, a lasso, and boots. What he doesn’t have is a horse—until he meets Maybelline, that is, and then it’s love at first sight. Maybelline loves spaghetti and sweet nothings, and she loves Leroy, too. But when Leroy forgets the third and final rule of caring for Maybelline, disaster ensues. Can Leroy wrestle fate to the ground, rescue the horse of his heart, and lasso loneliness for good? Join Leroy, Maybelline, and a cast of familiar characters—Stella, Frank, Mrs. Watson, and everyone’s favorite porcine wonder, Mercy—for some hilarious and heartfelt horsing around on Deckawoo Drive.