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The Kids Are All Right

Kidlit Deals for October 28, 2020

Hey, kidlit pals! It’s the week before Halloween, and there are just so many great deals on scary and creepy books for all ages going on this week. I highlighted some of the best ones out there, but if spooky isn’t your thing, then scroll down to the bottom for a few non-scary book deals as well. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

(As always, prices are subject to change, so act fast if you see a deal you like!)

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz is the perfect read for this week, and it’s just $3!

Speaking of scary, I once went as Other Mother for Halloween and I scared actual children. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you need to grab Coraline by Neil Gaiman for $3.

Mary Downing Hahn is another great author if you love spooky tales, and Deep and Dark and Dangerous is a ghost story that’s only $2.

Read The Witches by Roald Dahl for just $2, then see the new movie adaptation.

The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey is a fun Halloween picture book about a dog who wants treats, not tricks, and it’s just $4.

Skeleton Man by Jospeh Bruchac is a chilling book based on Native American legend, and it’s $3.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams and Megan Lloyd is a great pick if you have a little one struggling with fear, and it’s $2.

For just $2, snag Crankenstein, a hilarious picture book by Samantha Berger and Dan Santat!

And if you’re not in the Halloween or spooky story mood, pick up Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes for $4, a heart-warming book about a girl who takes care of shelter animals and is looking for a forever home of her own.

Finally, Blizzard Besties, a novel by Yamile Saied Mendez about some kids who go searching for a missing brother in a blizzard, is also just $4.

Happy reading and if you’re trick or treating this year, be sure to take extra social distancing precautions!
Tirzah

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New Children’s Book Releases for October 27, 2020

Hey readers!

We’re back with another crop of children’s new releases for the week!

Starcrossed by Julia Denos

This is a beautiful picture book that tells the story of a celestial friendship. Eridani is a human girl and her best friend Acamar is a constellation of a boy, and both secretly long to be like the other.

Bye, Penguin! by Seou Lee

This cute picture book is almost completely wordless, telling the story of a penguin who takes a solo journey around the world after the ice floe it’s standing on breaks loose.

Woodland Dreams by Karen Jameson and illustrated by Marc Boutavant

This picture book makes for a cute bedtime read, with rhyming prose that follows various woodland creatures to bed for the night.

Snoozie, Sunny, and So-So by Dafna Ben-Zvi and illustrated by Ofra Amit; translated by Annette Appel

This adorably illustrated picture book is originally from Israel, about a cat (Snoozie) and dog (Sunny) who are best friends. When they discover a little dog living alone (So-So), they invite her to join them in celebrating Snoozie’s birthday, widening their pair to a trio.

Bill Nye’s Great Big World of Science by Bill Nye & Gregory Mone, illustrated by Matteo Farinella, Amelia Fenne & Bill Nye

For people who want a scientific primer from the Science Guy himself is this nonfiction book all about the natural universe. This is a broad look at science from the human body to the solar system, animals, plants, climate change, and more.

Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte and illustrated by Ann Xu

This graphic novel follows Cici, a girl from Taiwan who moves to Seattle with her parents. Left behind was her grandmother, who Cici misses dearly and hopes to bring to the U.S for her birthday. So Cici signs up to participate in a junior cooking contest that will cover the airfare. This is funny, heartwarming, and packed with delicious foods.

Until next week!

Chelsea (@ChelseaBigBang on Twitter).

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Spooky Children’s Books!

Hi Kid Lit Friends!

I’m wondering what Halloween looks like for you this year. With the pandemic going through another wave, I know a lot of people are being cautious and participating in more socially distanced activities.

Do you know one activity that is very easy to do while social distancing? Reading! Here are some great spooky reads for all ages.

Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago

This delightful picture book is about a ghost who loves to do all the typical things: walk through walls, make objects fly, and glow in the dark. However, he’s also incredibly shy, which makes it difficult for him to make friends. The Day of the Dead is approaching, and he really wants to invite his friends, but how? I love these illustrations and the color palate is to die for! (See what I did there?)

Eerie Elementary series by Max Brallier, illustrated by Sam Ricks

This early chapter book series follows protagonist Sam Graves, who has just discovered that his school is alive! Sam must defend himself and his fellow students against the evil school! Is Sam up to the challenge? He’ll find out soon enough: the class play is just around the corner. Sam teams up with friends Lucy and Antonio to stop this scary school before it’s too late!

Desmond Cole, Ghost Patrol by Andres Miedoso, illustrated by Victor Rivas

This is another early chapter book, perfect for newly independent readers. Desmond Cole is a fearless eight-year-old who runs his own ghost patrol business. The narrator, Andres Miedoso, is Desmond’s best friend… but he’s afraid of everything. The two friends live in Kersville, where ghosts and spirits live all over the town. Some kids get haunted, and that’s when the Ghost Patrol needs to report to duty! This is a funny, sweet series about friendship, the perils of owning a business, and the unpredictability of ghosts and spirits.

Spirit Hunters: The Island of Monsters by Ellen Oh

In the second book of the Spirit Hunters series (aimed for middle grade readers ages 8 – 12), Harper Raine finds it hard to relax when her parents take the whole family to a remote tropical island for vacation. As Harper starts to have visions of the resort’s history of disappearances and discovers more about the island’s dark and fabled past, she must use her newly acquired spirit hunting talents to save everyone on the island from murderous spirits on the attack.

Scritch Scratch by Lindsay Currie

This middle grade book is for fans of scary stories! Claire is a scientist, and she definitely does NOT believe in ghosts. But when she helps her dad with his ghost-themed Chicago bus tours, she sees a boy with a sad face and dark eyes at the back of the bus. There’s something off about his presence, especially because when she checks at the end of the tour…he’s gone. But then the scratching starts. Voices whisper to her in the dark. And the boy with the dark eyes starts following her. Claire is being haunted. The boy from the bus wants something…and Claire needs to find out what before it’s too late.

What are your favorite bedtime picture books? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time!
Karina

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

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Kidlit Deals for October 21, 2020

Hey kidlit pals! I hope you’re enjoying this chilly October! I’ve got another load of great book deals for you–some great creepy books for the season, some amazing fantasy novels, and books by award-winning authors. As always, the prices never last long so grab them while they’re hot!

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi

I shared this last week, but Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia is still just $1, and that’s such a steal!

Wild Robot by Peter Brown is a great illustrated middle grade novel for just $2!

Want a fairy tale retelling? Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu is a frosty retelling of The Snow Queen, and it’s just $4.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place is a fun series by Maryrose Wood, and the first book, The Mysterious Howling, is just under $5! The rest of the books in the series are also on sale, at different price points under $5.

Moo by Sharon Creech is just $5.

Another great Jewell Parker Rhodes novel is on sale–Ghost Boys is $2.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling is under $5–grab it at this great price and then read the sequel!

The Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George is a fun fantasy and a wonderful series starter at just $5.

The Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen is $5!

Listen, Slowly by Thanhhà Lai is a gorgeous novel from a National Book Award-winning author, and it’s also under $5.

Happy reading!
Tirzah

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New Children’s Book Releases for October 20, 2020

Hey readers! We’re back with another week of children’s new releases!

Princess Arabella At the Museum by Mylo Freeman

For art fans comes this new installment in the Arabella series, this one about Princess Arabella giving her friends a tour of her very own museum. The art is all related to Arabella’s family and has lots of exhibits kids can actually interact with. The art is stylized (like Arabella’s pigtail dots on the cover), introducing kids to a variety of art styles.

Eric by Shaun Tan

This is a surreal and heartwarming picture book about Eric, an exchange student who goes to live with a family in the suburbs. His host family isn’t sure if Eric’s enjoying his time with them, and cultural misunderstandings abound. When Eric leaves suddenly, the family thinks they may have done something wrong, but instead find a sweet gift waiting for them.

My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal, illustrated by Art Twink

In this sweet and colorful picture book, Trinity, an autistic trans girl, wishes for long hair. It’s hard, however, to grow it out because Trinity doesn’t like hair touching her neck. So Trinity’s mom fashions a colorful wig for Trinity to wear.

When Life Gives You Mangos by Kereen Getten

On her small island, Clara is looking forward to a summer spending time with her best friend Gaynah. But Gaynah’s been treating her differently, and Clara’s still unsure of herself after something happened last summer, when a hurricane hit, and Clara can’t remember any of it. But her summer might be looking up when a new girl arrives on the island.

Flying Over Water by N.H. Senzai and Shannon Hitchcock

This near-history read takes place in 2017, as Trump’s Muslim ban and a rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric and hate crimes are on the rise. When Noura’s family, refugees from Syria, arrive in the U.S, they’re scared but trying to make the best of it. Noura’s kind school ambassador is Jordyn, a white girl coping with anxiety after her mom’s miscarriage, and the two girls realize they have a lot in common.

Distress Signal by Mary E. Lambert

This is a great pick for kids who love survival stories and even those who love a good friendship one, too. Sixth grader Lavender has been ditched by her best friend Marisol for the class mean girl, Rachelle, which makes the wilderness science camp she was so excited for a lot less exciting. When a prank goes wrong, Lavender, Marisol, Rachelle, and Lavender’s new partner John, are separated from the rest of the group and must work together to survive the treacherous Arizona landscape.

The Last Mirror on the Left by Lamar Giles, illustrated by Dapo Adeola

In this fun follow-up to The Last Last Day of Summer, the Alston boys–cousins Otto and Sheed–are forced to face the consequences of their last adventure. To stop the time freeze that stopped their entire town in its tracks, Otto and Sheed used Missus Nedraw of the Rorrim Mirror Emporium’s mirrors–without her permission. And unlike the rest of the town, Miss Nedraw remembers. But instead of punishing them, she asks for a favor instead. One of her prisoners has escaped, and she needs Otto and Sheed’s help to find them.

Until next week!

Chelsea (@ChelseaBigBang on Twitter)

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Robot Books!

Dear Kid Lit friends,

Robots are very trendy these days, and there are plenty of children’s books to satisfy robot-loving readers! *Please note that the dearth of representation in this list demonstrates the lack of robot books written by authors of color.*

For picture books, check out Jessie Sima’s Love, Z. I just love Jessie’s illustrations, and this one is no exception. When a small robot named Z discovers a message in a bottle signed “Love, Beatrice,” they decide to find out what “love” means. Unable to get an answer from the other robots, they leave to embark on an adventure that will lead them to Beatrice—and back home again, where love was hiding all along.

Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, is a charming book about a boy and a robot who meet in the woods and spend the day together. But when Bot gets switched off, Boy thinks he’s sick. The usual remedies—applesauce, reading a story—don’t help, so Boy tucks the sick Bot in, then falls asleep. Bot is worried when he powers on and finds his friend powered off. He takes Boy home with him and tries all his remedies: oil, reading an instruction manual. Nothing revives the malfunctioning Boy! Can the Inventor help fix him?

In Little Robot by Ben Hatke, a little girl finds an adorable robot in the woods. When she presses a button and accidentally activates him for the first time, she finally has a friend. But the big, bad robots are coming to collect the little guy for nefarious purposes, and it’s all up to a five-year-old armed only with a wrench and a fierce loyalty to her mechanical friend to save the day!

For newly independent readers, check out Geeger the Robot Goes to School by Jarrett Lerner. This Amelia Bedelia-like book is about Geeger the Robot, and he is going to school. But not robot school…a school with kids, the human kind! As expected, Geeger isn’t used to human ways, and his zany misunderstandings and overly literal responses to instructions lead to quite a few mishaps. He’s starting to wonder if he can even make it until snack time! Will a bot made of wires, nuts, and bolts fit in with a classroom of kids?

And for middle grade readers, check out The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is–but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island’s unwelcoming animal inhabitants. As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home–until, one day, the robot’s mysterious past comes back to haunt her.

What I’m Reading

Thank you, Miyuki by Roxane Marie Galliez, illustrated by Seng Soun Ratanavanh

Nacho’s Nachos: The Story Behind the World’s Favorite Snack by Sandra Nickel and Oliver Dominguez

Eric by Shaun Tan

What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time!
Karina

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

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Kidlit Deals for October 14, 2020

Hey kidlit pals, welcome to your weekly round of kidlit deals! This week’s batch is full of amazing fantasy and some awesome creepy reads just in time for Halloween! As always, these deals won’t last long, so snag them while they’re hot!

The Big Nate 3-Book collection is just $5! Three books for just $5 is such a great deal.

Tristan Strong

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia is just $1, which is an incredible deal! Perfect for Rick Riordan fans!

Did you love Enola Holmes on Netflix? Read the first book, The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer, for just $3.

Calling all Howl’s Moving Castle fans! Sequel House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones is $5.

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden is the perfect creepy read for the season at just $3.

Newbery winner Erin Entrada Kelly’s debut Blackbird Fly is just under $5!

Need a great fantasy? Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor is $3.

The Borrowers by Mary Norton is a classic, and just $2.

Greenglass House by Kate Milford is just $2.

Newbery Award winner The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is $5.

Happy reading!
Tirzah

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New Children’s Book Releases for October 13

Hi readers! I’m back with another crop of new releases for you!

The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer, illustrated by Cindy Derby

For anyone looking to explain or help little ones process grief, there’s this new picture book about a boy and the gorilla who helps him process his mother’s death. This is an honest and reassuring book about grieving that encourages that boy to open up to his father so they can both work through their grief together.

Ginger and Chrysanthemum by Kristen Mai Giang, illustrated by Shirley Chan

On their grandma’s birthday cousins Ginger and Chrysanthemum team up to make it special. But they each have their own ideas for how that should go. Ginger is impulsive and spontaneous while Chrysanthemum is calm and precise. When an accident with the cake threatens to send their grandma’s birthday into a spiral, the girls put their heads together to fix it.

Hockey Night in Kenya by Danson Mutinda & Eric Walters, illustrated by Claudia Dávila

When the librarian gives Kitoo a book about ice hockey, he’s enthralled, but in Kenya, it’s unlikely he’ll ever see hockey played in person. When Kitoo finds rollerskate, he practices skating until he’s good, and though he still doubts his ability to ever see ice in real life, with some help from his friends he gets to visit the only ice rink in East Africa.

Breaking the News: What’s Real, What’s Not, and Why It Matters by Robin Terry-Brown

There’s a lot of news out there right now, and it’s important that kids know how to parse credible from what isn’t. This nonfiction title goes into the history of news and propaganda, giving kids a nice primer into analyzing and understanding the news.

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

In 2018, twelve boys (all from the Wild Boar soccer team) and their coach were trapped inside a cave in northern Thailand. And the whole world watched as they were eventually rescued. This is the retelling of their experience, and the daring rescue, packed with suspense and tension.

The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins

If you thought all the spooky books had hit shelves already, here’s at least one more to get young readers in the mood for spooky season. Years after their parents left Straygarden Place, they warned their daughters Winnow, Mayhap, and Pavonine not to go outside. And they haven’t. Until one day Winnow ventures outdoors and falls ill. Now she’s turning silver and unable to speak, while it appears there’s another girl in their house, and Winnow’s droomhund (a little dog that has bonded to her) is somehow missing.

Zora and Me: The Summoner by Victoria Bond

This final book in the Zora and Me trilogy, which is a fictional account of author Zora Neale Hurston’s life, follows best friends Carrie and Zora on a mystery. There’s a violent lynch mob threatening their hometown, while talk of grave robbers and hoodoo only ramps up tension in town where Zora’s father is running for mayor and her mother’s health is failing.

Until next week!

Chelsea (@ChelseaBigBang on Twitter)

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Beautiful Bedtime Books

Hi Kid Lit friends!

One of my favorite things to buy are books for toddlers. There are so many gorgeous bedtime books out, and I love gifting them to parents who are probably very tired of reading Goodnight Moon.

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, is a charming bedtime book filled with bright colors and adorable animals. When Mommy needs to wrangle her sweet creature in bed so that the whole family can sleep, the little boy dodges around his bedtime, until he is tired enough to finally sleep. His imaginative animal friends weave their way through the illustrations, eventually joining him in curling up for the night.

Time for Bed, Miyuki by Roxane Marie Galliez, illustrated by Seng Soun Ratanavanh is a gorgeous book filled with stunning illustrations created from watercolor and colored pencils. Dive into the world of Miyuki, where bedtime is filled with all the things she has to do before she can possibly go to bed: she needs to water the vegetables, gather snails, and prepare for the arrival of the Dragonfly Queen. While her patient grandfather follows along on her adventures, gently encouraging her to go to sleep, he also joins her imagination where snails are gentle giants.

Lift by Minh Le, illustrated by Dan Santat, is another imagination romp, perfect for bedtime. Iris loves to push the elevator buttons in her apartment building, and she does not like sharing the task with her little brother. That is, until the sudden appearance of a mysterious new button opens up entire realms of possibility, places where she can escape and explore on her own. But when she’s forced to choose between going at it alone or letting her little brother tag along, Iris finds that sharing a discovery with the people you love can be the most wonderful experience of all.

Music for Mister Moon by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead is a gorgeous book by one of my favorite author/illustrator pairings. This lovely book follows a girl named Harriet who longs to play her cello alone in her room. But when a noisy owl disrupts her solitude, Harriet throws her teacup out the window in frustration, and accidentally knocks the moon out of the sky. Over the course of an evening, Harriet and the moon become fast friends. Worried that he’ll catch a chill, Harriet buys the moon a soft woolen hat, then takes him on a boat ride across a glistening lake, something he’s only dreamed of. But can she work up the courage to play her music for the moon?

A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin is a sweet bedtime book about not going to bed and not listening to your mother! Instead, Little Snow loves the new big, soft bed Mommy made him for the long, cold winter nights. But Mommy says this bed is for sleeping, not jumping! What happens when he can’t resist jump, jump, jumping on his new fluffy, bouncy bed?

What are your favorite bedtime picture books? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.

Until next time!
Karina

*If this e-mail was forwarded to you, follow this link to subscribe to “The Kids Are All Right” newsletter and other fabulous Book Riot newsletters for your own customized e-mail delivery. Thank you!*

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Kidlit Deals for October 7, 2020

Hey kidlit pals! Welcome to October! I hope you’re enjoying this spooky season, and if you’re looking for something creepy to read, then I have some great deals for you! As always, these deals won’t last, so snag them while they’re hot.

Tis the season! Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker is just $3.

We Dream of Space by Newbery winner Erin Entrada Kelly is just $2!

Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol is a great in-between middle grade and YA graphic novel that’s only $3.

For another great creepy book, get The Thickety by J.A. Jane for $4.

Cub by Cynthia L. Copeland is a fun graphic novel that’s only $2.

Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes is $3.

Snag Wonderland by Barbara O’Connor for $3.

A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean can be yours for $4.

Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson

Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson is just under $5.

The Storm Keeper’s Island by Catherine Doyle is a series starter, and is on sale for under $5.

Vote Duck for President by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin! It’s just $2.

For some nonfiction reading, pick up Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice by Veronica Chambers for $2.

Happy reading!
Tirzah